Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR TREATMENT OF A FABRIC
Technical Field
The present invention relates to a process for treatment of a fabric. It
further relates to
a composition and a kit for treatment of a fabric. The invention will be
described
hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be
appreciated that the
invention is not limited to this particular field of use.
Background and Prior Art
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way
be
considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part
of the
common general knowledge in the field.
Better cleaning of fabric articles during washing has been the primary focus
of laundry
detergent research for decades. However, since the present day consumer has
ever
higher demands for the effectiveness of washing detergents, substantial
improvements remain to be desired.
US2006046950A (Penninger and Bastigkeit, 2006) teaches a detergent composition
for cleaning textile materials comprising a combination of a soil release-
capable alkyl
or hydroxyalkyl cellulose derivative and a hygroscopic polymer selected from
the class
consisting of polypeptides, hydrogels, polyvinyl alcohol, the polyalkylene
glycols, the
homopolymers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, and maleic acid, copolymers of
acrylic
acid, methacrylic acid, and maleic acid and mixtures of the homo and
copolymers.
The use of the hygroscopic polymers in combination with the cellulose
derivatives is
said to result in improved cleaning performance.
EP0256696 (Unilever, 1988) teaches that improvement in soil suspension is
achieved
by adding mixture of vinyl pyrrolidone polymer and a nonionic cellulose ether
to a
detergent composition. GB994353 (Domestos, 1965) teaches that mixtures of
certain
polymeric materials, when incorporated into unbuilt detergent compositions
based on
synthetic surface active agents, provide enhanced anti-redeposition as
compared to
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activity of individual polymers alone when added alone to same detergent
compositions.
US3771951 (Berni et al, 1973) and GB133803 (Gaf Corp, 1973) teach that
detergent
composition comprising a water soluble detergent and a mixture of water
soluble
polyvinyl alcohol and a water soluble poly vinyl pyrollidone exhibits enhanced
degree
of soil suspension
The above methods are reported to provide improved antiredeposition of soils
and
better cleaning of fabrics. However, reduction in subsequent post-wash soiling
of
fabrics is not reported. Further, the cleaning compositions essentially
comprise of a
surfactant and the pH of wash liquor is alkaline or neutral.
US4007305 (Kakar et al, 1977) addresses the problem of providing satisfactory
nondurable finishes to textiles which impart optimum soil release and soil
repellent
properties. According to D5, the textiles must be treated with an alkaline
aqueous
medium having pH value of 7.5-11 and containing water soluble hydrophilic soil
release polymer having carboxylic acid groups and a dispersed hydrophobic soil
repellent fluorochemical.
On the other hand, various industrial treatments for fabric modification are
known to
render the fabric less prone to soiling. The fabric modification of this type
is normally
carried out during textile manufacture. The treatments, besides being
substrate-
specific, are relatively difficult to practice in household.
In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, one of the objects of the
present invention
is to provide a process for reducing soiling of fabrics that can be easily
used in the
household.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a process of treatment
of a fabric
for reducing soiling of fabrics.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process for
treatment of a
fabric that improves efficacy of subsequent cleaning.
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Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process for
reducing soiling
of fabrics that allows enhanced deposition of benefit agents, such as perfume
and
fluorescer.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process for
treatment of a
fabric which is effective on various types of fabrics such as cotton,
polyester and
polycotton.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a process for
treatment of a
fabric which is relatively easy to practice in household.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a
composition either
solid or liquid and process for easier cleaning in the form of a single
product having
good storage stability.
Surprisingly it is found that a mixture of two or more complex forming
polymers,
wherein one of the polymers is shielded from the other by using a stabilizer
solves the
problem of stability due to complex formation during storage, while providing
the
desired cleaning benefit.
The present inventors have found that a composition comprising a carboxylic
acid
polymer that has been neutralised at least partially to the salt form and a
second
polymer, capable of forming hydrogen bonds with the first polymer in the
present of an
acid, provides both a secondary cleaning benefit and good storage stability,
without
forming polymer-polymer complex when it is in the solid formulation and give a
complex when dispersed in water.
The present inventors also have been found that a liquid composition of two
polymers
dispersed in a solvent in presence of a stabilizer provides a stable preformed
complex
at high concentration with very good storage stability and it provides a
secondary
cleaning benefit.
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Summary of the invention
According to a first aspect , the present invention provides a base
composition
comprising a mixture of polymer A and a stabilizer wherein the polymer A is
selected
from the group of homopolymers and copolymers of carboxylic acid and
derivatives;, a
polymer B selected from the group of homopolymers and copolymers of alkylene
oxides having a molecular mass greater than 2x104 D, vinyl pyrrolidone and/or
their
derivatives; and/or the group of homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl alcohol,
saccharides, hydroxyalkyl cellulose and/or their derivates; and a pH
adjustment agent
selected from organic acids, selected from citric acid, formic acid, oxalic
acid, phtalic
acid ascorbic acid, glutamic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, pyroglutamic
acid, malic
acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid,
propane 1,2,3
tricarboxylic acid, butane 1,2,3,4 tetra carboxylic acid and their anhydides,
inorganic
acids and/or buffers.
According to a second aspect, the present invention provides a wash or rinse
liquor
comprising between 0.02 and 40 g/l of the composition according to the
invention,
having a pH of< 6
According to a third aspect, the present invention provides a process for
washing
fabric comprising the steps in sequence of contacting the fabric with a wash
or rinse
liquor comprising between 0.02 and 40 g/l of the composition according to the
invention; leaving the fabric to dry; leaving the fabric for soil and/or dirt
to deposit onto
the fabric; washing the fabric with a conventional washing detergent in a
conventional
way.
According to a fourth aspect, the present invention provides a process for
preparing
the solid composition according to the invention comprising the steps of:
mixing
Polymer A with the inorganic alkalinity source; and mixing the mixture from
the
previous step with the Polymer B and the pH adjustment agent.
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According to a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a process for
preparing the
liquid composition according to the invention comprising the steps of: (a)
preparing
solution of polymer A and polymer B separately with or without the stabilizer
(b)
adding the stabilizer if it is not added while preparing the solution of
polymer A and
5 polymer B and then (c) Mixing the both solution and stirring it with the pH
adjustment
agent.
By mentioning the term storage stability here we mean, that such a formulation
in
powder form exhibit no complex formation between the interacting polymers and
it
readily forms the complex when dispersed in water and in liquid form the
complex will
be well dispersed and not precipitated in the composition. By secondary
cleaning
benefit is meant that a fabric treated with the composition exhibits benefits
such as
reduction in soiling, ease of subsequent cleaning and/or enhanced deposition
of
benefit agents.
These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those
of
ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description
and the
appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the
present invention may be utilised in any other aspect of the invention. The
word
"comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting
of" or
"composed of." In other words, the listed steps or options need not be
exhaustive. It is
noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify
the
invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per
se.
Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise
indicated.
Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise
explicitly
indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or
conditions
of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood
as
modified by the word "about". Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x
to y"
are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple
preferred
ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all
ranges
combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.
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Detailed description of the invention
The present invention thus aims for a composition in form of a solid or liquid
and
process for the application of a sacrificial layer of polymeric material onto
a fabric
surface, before dirt and/or soil is deposited onto the fabric. Upon the
subsequent
(conventional) washing of the fabric the dirt and/or soil are removed by
dissolution of
the sacrificial layer of the polymeric material from the fabric surface. This
is also
referred to in the art as a secondary cleaning benefit or next-time-cleaning-
benefit.
Without wishing to be bound by a theory, it is thought that the polymers in
the
compositions of the invention form a complex when in contact with aqueous
solvent
under acid conditions by the formation of hydrogen bonds. The complex
disperses
into an aqueous solvent and does not dissolve, like the individual polymers.
The
dispersed complex in turn is thought to bind or precipitate onto a fabric
surface, thus
forming a layer. The complex is thought to disintegrate when in alkaline
conditions,
such as the conditions in a laundry main wash, thereby removing the layer and
soil or
stains deposited onto the layer from the fabric.
Fabric
The fabric that can be treated includes synthetic as well as natural textiles.
Fabrics
may be made of cotton and other cellulosic materials, polycotton, polyester,
silk or
nylon. It is envisaged that the method of the present invention can be used to
treat
garments and other clothing and apparel materials that form typical washload
in
household laundry. The household materials that can be treated according to
the
process of the present invention include, but are not limited to, bedspreads,
blankets,
carpets, curtains and upholstery. Although the process of the present
invention is
described primarily for treatment of a fabric, it is envisaged that the
process of the
present invention can be advantageously used to treat other materials such as
jute,
leather, denim and canvass. It is envisaged that the process of the present
invention
can be used to treat articles such as shoes, rain-wear and jackets.
Polymers
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The composition according to the invention comprises a polymer A and a polymer
B.
Polymers A and B are selected such that they form a complex due to the
formation of
hydrogen bonds.
The polymers may be homo polymers or co polymers. Wherein by copolymer of
monomer X is meant any polymer that contains the monomer X and at least one
further monomer.
Polymer A
According to the present invention, polymer A is a polymer selected from the
group of
homopolymers and copolymers of carboxylic acid and derivatives. Polymer A has
a
plurality of carboxyl groups. The polymer A has a molecular mass preferably
from 300
to 109 D. The polymer A is selected from the class consisting of homopolymers
or
copolymers of carboxylic polymers, including natural synthetic and semi-
synthetic
polymers in this class.
Some non-limiting examples of polymer A according to the present invention
include:
(a) Homopolymer of a carboxylic acid, including but not limited to
polycarboxylic acid
such as polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid or copolymer of acrylic and maleic
acid.
(b) Polysaccharides comprising carboxyl groups. Such poly saccharides may
include
(but are not limited to) starch, cellulose, sodium alginate, natural gums, and
their
modified materials such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl
cellulose.
Homopolymer or copolymer of carboxylic acid has a molecular mass of preferably
from 2x103 to 107 D more preferably from 5x104 to 106 D and most preferably
from
9x104 to 5x105 D.
The particle size is preferably less than 200 m, preferably less than 100 m,
more
preferably less than 50 m still more preferably less than 10 m, or even less
than
5 m.
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The homopolymer or copolymer of saccharide has a molecular mass of preferably
from 103 to 109 D, more preferably from 104 to 109 D and most preferably from
105 to
109 D.
Polymer A is at least partially neutralised in the Sodium (Na) form,
preferably at least
10%w of polymer A is neutralised, more preferably at least 20%, still more
preferably
at least 50%.
Polymer A may be synthetic, semi-synthetic or natural. However, synthetic or
semi-
synthetic polymers are preferred.
Polymer A is preferably water soluble or water dispersible, most preferably
polymer A
is water soluble.
It is preferred that the polymer A is selected from a class consisting of
homopolymers
or copolymers of carboxylic acid.
The homopolymer or copolymer of carboxylic acid is preferably a polyacrylic
acid or a
copolymer thereof. Examples include SOKALAN PA (BASF) and CARBOPOL
(Lubrizol).
The concentration of polymer A in a fabric cleaning or fabric rinse
composition is
preferably between 0.01 and 25% by weight, more preferably at least 0.1 %, or
even at
least 1 %, but preferably not more than 20%, more preferably less than 15%.
The amount of polymer A relative to the fabric surface area is preferably from
0.5 to
200 pg/cm2 of fabric surface area, more preferably from 1 to 100 pg/cm2, and
most
preferably from 2 to 50 pg/cm2 of fabric surface area. The term "fabric
surface area"
as used herein refers to surface area of one side of the fabric.
Polymer B
According to the present invention, polymer B has a monomeric unit comprising
a
group that can form hydrogen bonds with the carboxyl groups of polymer A..
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Accordingly, polymer B is selected from the group of homopolymers and
copolymers
of alkylene oxides, vinyl pyrrolidone and/or their derivatives; and/or the
group of
homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl alcohol, saccharides, hydroxyalkyl
cellulose
and/or their derivates.
The group of homopolymers and copolymers of vinyl alcohol, saccharides,
hydroxyalkyl cellulose and/or their derivates, is generally not water soluble.
In order to
obtain the benefit of this group of polymers the particle size is set such
that the
particles are easily dispersible in water or and aqueous solution (i.e. a wash
or rinse
liquor). The particle size is preferably less than 200 m, more preferably less
than
100 m, even more preferably less than 50 m still more preferably less than 10
m, or
even less than 5 m.
Polymers and homopolymers of carboxylic acid and/or sacchharides and/or
polyalkylene glycol/ether qualify to be selected both as polymer A or polymer
B, as
they comprise hydroxyl or carboxyl group and either a carbonyl or an ether
group.
However, according to an essential aspect, polymer A and polymer B are not of
the
same class. It is particularly preferred that the polymers A and B are
selected from
different classes of polymers. Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is
believed
that the two polymers A and B, when dissolved in water, form a complex with a
solubility lower than each of the polymers A and B, which helps in enhanced
deposition and other benefits.
Polymer B has a molecular mass preferably from 103 to 109 D.
Homopolymers or copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone or vinyl alcohol preferably
have a
molecular mass of between 103 and 107 D, more preferably from 104 to 106 D and
most preferably from 30,000 to 500,000 D. Commercially available polyvinyl
pyrrolidone can be used, one example of which is LUVISKOL (BASF).
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Homopolymers or copolymers of poly alkylene oxide preferably have a molecular
mass greater than 2x104 D. The molecular mass is preferably from 2x104 to 106
D,
more preferably from 3x104 to 5x105 D and most preferably from 5x104 to 2x105
D.
5 Homopolymers or copolymers of saccharide preferably have a molecular mass of
preferably from 103 to 109 D, more preferably from 104 to 109 D and most
preferably
from 105 to 109 D. Any commercially available poly alkylene oxide, for example
POLYOX (Dow Chemical Co) can be used according to the present invention.
10 Polymer B may be synthetic, semi-synthetic or natural. However, synthetic
or semi-
synthetic polymers are preferred.
According to a preferred aspect, the polymer B is water soluble.
It is particularly preferred that the polymer B is selected from a class
consisting of
homopolymers or copolymers of vinyl pyrrolidone or alkylene oxide.
The concentration of polymer B in a fabric cleaning or fabric rinse
composition is
preferably between 0.01 and 20% by weight, more preferably at least 0.1 %, or
even at
least 1 %, but preferably not more than 15%, more preferably less than 10%.
The amount of polymer B relative to the fabric surface area is preferably from
0.5 to
200 pg/cm2 of fabric surface area, more preferably from 1 to 100 pg/cm2, and
most
preferably from 2 to 50 pg/cm2 of fabric surface area. The term "fabric
surface area"
as used herein refers to surface area of one side of the fabric.
Some examples of combinations of polymer A and polymer B, which are
particularly
preferred, are given below.
Table 1: Preferred combination of the polymers
Polymer A Polymer B
Polyacrylic acid (PAA) Poly vinyl pyrrolidone (PVP)
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Polyacrylic acid (PAA) Polyethylene Oxide(PEO)
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) Polyacrylic acid (PAA)
Poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) Polyacrylic acid (PAA)
Poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) Polyethylene Oxide (PEO)
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (SCMC) Polyethylene Oxide (PEO)
Hydroxyethyl cellulose Polyacrylic acid(PAA)
Starch-graft-polymethacrylic acid Polyethylene Oxide
Starch-graft-polymethacrylic acid Polyvinyl pyrrolidone
Pluronic-g-Polyacrylic acid Polyethylene Oxide
Pluronic-g-Polyacrylic acid Polyvinyl pyrrolidone
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Hydroxyethyl cellulose
Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose Polyvinyl alcohol
The most preferred combinations of the polymers are PAA-PVP, PAA-PEO, PEG-
PAA, Starch-graft-polymethacrylic acid-Polyethylene Oxide.
Stabilizers
According to one of the preferred embodiment the invention provides a solid
fabric
treatment composition. In the solid composition the stabilizer is an inorganic
alkalinity
source. The preferred inorganic alkalinity sources are alkali metal and
alkaline earth
alkalinity sources. More preferred are alkaline earth oxides and carbonates
and alkali
metal hydroxides and carbonates. In view of the additional benefit of gas
generation,
alkali metal and alkaline earth carbonates, e.g. sodium carbonate and
potassium
carbonate are the most preferred.
Polymer A is at least partially neutralised to the salt form by these
inorganic alkalinity
source. Without wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is thought
that at least
partial neutralisation of polymer A to the Sodium form, reduces complex
formation
during storage and thereby improves the on-shelf stability of the product.
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According to another preferred embodiment the present invention provides a
liquid
fabric treatment composition. In the liquid treatment composition the
stabilizers are
preferably selected from polyvinyl alcohol, silicone, Carboxymethyl cellulose,
ethyl
cellulose, methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxypropyl cellulose. Alternatively the
stabiliser
may be selected from surfactants such as anionic, cationic, non-ionic
especially
ethoxylated fatty alcohols. However these surfactant stabilizers are typically
less
preferred.
If one of the polymers A is polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) then there is no need to
add the
stabilizer separately. PVA will act both as the polymer A and also as a
stabilizer.
pH adjustment agent
The polymers of the invention are best applied to the fabric at acidic pH and
removed
at alkaline pH. A normal washing process is done at alkaline pH, generally pH
between 8 and 11. When an article is washed under such conditions there will
be
carry over of some of the high pH (alkaline) washing liquor from the main wash
to the
rinse step. This carry over is typically in the order of 1:10 and cause the
rinse liquor to
be alkaline.
Therefore the composition of the invention further comprises a pH adjustment
agent
or a buffer.
Suitable pH adjustment agents are, organic and inorganic acids. Such acids are
preferably in solid form and have a high water solubility, most preferably
they are fully
soluble in water.
Suitable inorganic acids are boric acid, sodium dihydrogen phosphate,
aluminium
chloride, aluminium sulphate, cupric sulphate etc.
Suitable organic acids in the context of the present invention are citric
acid, formic
acid, oxalic acid, phtalic acid ascorbic acid, glutamic acid, salicylic acid,
tartaric acid,
pyroglutamic acid, malic acid, maleic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid,
glutaric acid,
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adipic acid, propane 1,2,3 tricarboxylic acid, butane 1,2,3,4 tetra carboxylic
acid. The
anhydrides of all the abovementioned acids may also be used for this purpose.
The wash liquor or rinse liquor wherein the composition of the invention is
dissolved,
preferably has a pH of less than 6, preferably less than 5 and more preferably
less
than 4. Aqueous medium has pH preferably greater than 2 and more preferably
greater than 3.
The polymers may be also chosen in such a way that when the polymers are added
to
the aqueous medium, pH of the aqueous medium is less than 6. Preferably, an
acidic
ingredient is added to aqueous medium to ensure that the pH of the aqueous
medium
is less than 6. Acidic ingredients that reduce pH of resulting aqueous medium
to less
than 6 are well known to a person skilled in the art and any suitable acidic
ingredient
may be chosen.
Optional ingredients
The aqueous medium may comprise an electrolyte. The electrolyte is preferably
present in a concentration from 0.001 to 5%, more preferably from 0.01 to 1 %,
and
most preferably from 0.04 to 0.2% by weight of the aqueous medium.
Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that the addition of
electrolyte
allows the process of the invention to be carried out with relatively low
amounts of
polymers A and B.
Electrolytes that can be used according to the present invention include water
soluble
ionic salts. The cation of the salt includes an alkali metal, alkaline earth
metal or
trivalent metal cation. The anion of the salt includes chloride, sulphate,
nitrate and
phosphate. Some examples of electrolytes include chlorides, sulphates or
nitrates of
sodium, potassium, magnesium or calcium. Calcium salts are particularly
preferred.
The invention may further comprise natural or synthetic clays, preferably
kaolin
(kaolinite), bentonite or attapulgate.
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According to a preferred aspect, the aqueous medium comprises no more than 200
ppm anionic surfactant. The aqueous medium comprises no more than 100 ppm,
more preferably less than 50 ppm anionic surfactant. It is particularly
preferred that
the aqueous medium is substantially free of anionic surfactant.
The aqueous medium may further comprise at least one benefit agent. The
benefit
agent that can be included in the aqueous medium includes, but not limited to
ingredients such as perfume, fluorescer, deodorant, antibacterial agent,
shading dye
and bluing agent. One of the advantages of the present invention is that the
deposition of benefit agent is enhanced.
Process
The composition according to the invention may be applied to a fabric in
different
ways.
One way of applying the composition is by adding the composition to the rinse
water
of a manual or automatic washing process. The fabric may be added to the rinse
water either before or after addition of the composition.
Alternatively, the composition may be applied by use of a trigger spray
dispenser.
In another aspect the invention provides a process for washing fabric
comprising the
steps in sequence of: contacting the fabric with a wash or rinse liquor
comprising
between 0.02 and 40 g/I of the solid or liquid composition according to the
invention;
leaving the fabric to dry; leaving the fabric for soil and/or dirt to deposit
onto the fabric;
washing the fabric with a conventional washing detergent in a conventional
way.
The wash liquor preferably comprises at least 0.1 g/I of the total solid or
liquid
composition, more preferably at least 0.25g/l, still more preferably more than
1 g/I, but
typically less than 20g/l, more preferably less than 10 g/l, and even less
than 5g/l.
The conventional washing process may be any washing process, such as machine
wash in an automatic or semi-automatic vertical axis or horizontal axis
washing
machine or a hand wash process.
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The detergent may be any conventional washing detergent composition, typically
comprising surfactant and builder and optionally perfume, optical brighteners,
building
aids, etc.
5
Composition
The composition comprises preferably 5-95%, more preferably 10-90% and most
preferably 20-80% by weight polymer A. The composition comprises preferably 5-
95%, more preferably 10-90% and most preferably 20-80% by weight polymer B.
The solid composition of the present invention is preferably prepared by first
mixing
Polymer A with the inorganic alkalinity source to enable at least partial
neutralisation
even in the solid form; followed by mixing this mixture with the Polymer B and
the pH
adjustment agent.
The liquid composition of the present invention is preferably prepared by
first
preparing the solution of polymer A and polymer B separately with or without
the
stabilizer. After that the stabilizer has been added if it is not added while
preparing the
solution of polymer A and polymer B. Then followed by mixing both solution and
stirring it with the pH adjustment agent. For the liquid composition the
solvent is
selected from water or a mixture of water and lower alcohol. The preferable
lower
alcohol is selected from methanol, ethanol, iso-propanol etc. The preferred
ratio of
water to lower alcohol is 6:4 more preferably 9:1 and most preferably 10:0.
The polymers may be chosen in such a way that pH of 1% aqueous solution of the
composition is less than 6.
Preferably, an acidic ingredient is present in the composition at 0.1-10% by
weight of
the composition to ensure that the pH of 1 % aqueous solution of the
composition is
less than 6. Acidic ingredients that reduce pH of resulting aqueous medium to
less
than 6 are well known to a person skilled in the art and any suitable acidic
ingredient
may be chosen.
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Examples
The invention will now be illustrated by means of the following, non-limiting
examples.
Example 1: Dispersibility of the formulations;
Dispersion of polymers by in-situ Gas generation
In this example the compositions according to the invention (1 and 2) are
compared
with comparative compositions outside the scope of the invention, with respect
to the
required dissolution or dispersion time and the uniformity of the solution or
dispersion.
For each of the compositions (1, 2 and A-D) 100 ml deionized water was taken
in a
250 ml glass beaker and stirred over a magnetic stirrer at controlled speed.
The
formulation was added to water with continuous stirring and the required time
to form
a dissolution/dispersion was noted as well as the nature of the dispersion
(especially
uniformity and/or for lumps remaining).
Table 2: dissolution results
Comp. Amount Time Remarks
(for full
(mg / 100mI dissolution/dis
dispersion) persion)
Few lumps
A PAA 1) 180 >40 min remaining
B PAA 180 15 min lumps
Soda 30
C PAA 180 >40 lumps
Citric
Acid 70
D PAA 180 9 min Clear solution
Citric
Acid 70
Soda 30
1 PAA 180 >9 min Uniform
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dispersion
Citric
Acid 70
Soda 30
PEO 113
Uniform
2 PAA 1) 180 10 min dispersion
Citric
Acid 70
Soda 30
PEO 113
NaCl 500
1) PAA is polyacrylic acid
2) Soda is Na2CO3
3) PEO is poly ethylene oxide.
The table above shows that the compositions according to the invention show
fast
dissolution and a uniform dispersion of the polymer complex, whilst the
comparative
compositions A-D show either long dissolution times, or do not show a uniform
dispersion.
Example 2: Best mode formulations
Table 3: best mode solid formulations
Example composition 3 (g/I) %
PAA 0.15 7.3
PEO 0.10 4.9
Soda 0.15 7.3
NaCl 0.75 37
Citric acid 0.65 32
Kaolin 0.25 12
Total 2.05 100
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This formulation (example composition 3) gives good dispersion and turbidity
in 30
seconds.
For polymer coating treatment the cotton, poly cotton and polyester fabric
swatches
(commercially available from WFK, Germany) were soaked in this dispersion for
30
minutes, and dried in air overnight. The swatches were
10x10 cm.
A composite soil was prepared by sonicating a mixture containing 100 ml
triolein, 4
mg carbon soot and 4 mg iron oxide for 1 hour. A homogeneous soil dispersion
was
obtained.
The fabric swatches were soiled with composite soil and aged for a day at room
temperature (ca 24 C). The swatches were then washed in surf XL (ex Unilever)
by
hand wash procedure.
The swatches treated with the composition of Table 2 were completely cleaned
by this
procedure.
Table 4: best mode liquid formulations
Composition 9 (Liquid) % wt
PAA (100k) 5
PVA(125k) 5
PEG (20k) 2.5
Citric Acid 10
Perfume 1
Water to 100
Example 3: Effect of each of the ingredients on cleaning performance
In this example a number of compositions according to the invention are
compared to
comparative compositions.
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Polymer formulations (as specified in the table below) were prepared according
to the
method of example 1. The dispersion was checked for lump formation and
uniformity.
Desized cotton, polycotton and polyester fabric swatches of 10 x 10 cm
(cotton, poly-
cotton and polyester, ex WFK, Germany) were pretreated by soaking into the
polymer
composition (dispersion) at a liquid to cloth ratio of 5:1 and soaked for 20
minutes.
The fabrics used, had a mass of 1.5 g each (i.e. for 100 cm2), resulting in a
total of
18.75 pg of total polymer per cm2 of fabric (one side), in the examples where
polymer
was present.
Fabrics were taken out, squeezed out the excess liquor and dried in air.
Fabrics were soiled with 0.3 ml of composite soil dispersion (see example 2)
applied
to about 20 cm2 area and kept for ageing for 16 hours.
The fabric swatches were than washed by hand wash, in 1.5 g/l Surf XL wash
liquor,
at a wash liquor to cloth ratio of 5:1. The fabric swatches were soaked in the
liquor for
30 minutes. The soaked fabrics were washed by a handwash protocol by brushing
5
times on both side of the fabrics. After brushing the fabrics were rinsed
three times
with clean water and dried in air. The reflectance of the soil region was
measured
before and after washing using a reflectometer; the cleaning performance is
indicated
as the difference ("Delta R") between the reflectance (at 460 nm) before and
after
washing, as is a commonly known procedure in the art.
Control (compositions E and F)
Two control examples were included wherein untreated fabric was soiled and
washed
with
Composition E: 3 g/l Surf XL (ex Unilever); and
Composition F: 1.5 g/l Surf XL (ex Unilever).
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3 g/I detergent product is representative for normal hand wash and horizontal
axis
machine wash. 1.5 g/I is included because the fabrics that are pre-treated
with the
compositions of the invention are washed with only half of the standard main
wash
dosage.
5
Comparative compositions (compositions G - M)
In comparative examples G-M one or more of the features of the inventions are
omitted.
10 Example compositions (4 - 8)
Examples 4-8 show compositions according to the invention.
Unless otherwise indicated the concentrations in which the ingredients were
used
were:
PAA (poly acrylic acid; Mw 450,000 D, ex Sigma-Aldrich): 0.15 g/l, PEO (poly
ethylene
oxide; Mw 100,000 D, ex Sigma-Aldrich): 0.10 g/l, NaCl: 0.75 g/l, Perfume:
0.045,
Kaolin: 0.25 g/l, Citric acid: 0.2 g/l, Adipic acid: 0.4 g/l, Phthalic
anhydride: 0.4 g/l,
Soda 0.15 g/I in the pre-treating wash liquor.
Table 5: Comparative test results for solid composition
Rinse Remarks Cotton Polycotton Polyester
Formulation Delta R Delta R Delta R
E 3 g/I Surf Excel 14 6 4
F 1.5 g/I Surf Excel 13 5 3
G PAA 0.25 g/I Lumps 14 7 6
Non uniform dispersion
No turbidity
H PEO 0.25 g/I Lumps 15 4 5
Non uniform dispersion
No turbidity
I PAA+PEO Lumps 16 5 6
Non uniform dispersion
Slight turbidity
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J PAA+PEO+NaCI Lumps remaining 18 6 8
Non uniform dispersion
Low turbidity
K PAA+PEO+ Lumps remaining 15 5 6
Citric acid Non uniform dispersion
No turbidity
L PAA+PEO+ Lumps remaining 18 5 7
Citric acid + Non uniform dispersion
NaCl
M PAA+PEO+ Few very small lumps 15 12 7
Soda+Kaolin Good turbidity
4 PAA+PEO+ Few very small lumps 19 15 9
Citric acid+Soda Good turbidity
PAA+PEO+ No lumps 20 17 11
Citric acid+ Uniform dispersion
NaCI+ Soda Good turbidity
7 PAA+PEO+ No lumps 22 19 14
Soda+Kaolin+ Uniform dispersion
citric acid Good turbidity
8 PAA+PEO+ No lumps 24 21 15
Soda+Kaolin+ Uniform dispersion
citric acid+NaCI Good turbidity
NB PAA is polyacrylic acid; Soda is Na2CO3; PEO is poly ethylene oxide; NaCl
is
sodium chloride
5 The results in the table above shows that the compositions according to the
invention
provide substantially better cleaning than the comparative example
compositions.
Table 6: Comparative test results for liquid composition
Rinse Cotton Polycotton Polyester
Formulation Delta R Delta R Delta R
N Without the 20 10 8
polymer of the
composition
9 Composition 9 22 20 17
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The dose of the composition in case to liquid formulation is 2g/lit of rinse
liquor. After
the fabric treated with the composition of the invention, it is then soiled by
composite
soil and then usual detergency test was done on the fabric.
10
