Title of Invention

"A FREE FLOWING PARTICUILATE LAUNDRY DETERGENT COMPOSITION"

Abstract Phis invention relates to a free-flowing, participate laundry detergent composition comprising polyvinyl pyrrolidone, finely divided powder, hydrating salt, and binding agent is presented. A process for making a participate, free-flowing laundry composition is also presented.
Full Text THIS IS A DIVISIONAL APPLICATION OUT OF INDIAN PATENT APPLICATION NO.790/Del/93 FILED ON JULY 29,1993.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a detergent-tdditive for inclusion in a particulate, free-flpwing laundry detergent composition, comprising a detergent additive of polyvinyl 'pyrrolidone of molecular

weight from about 1,000 to about 100,000, finely divided powder having a particle size of less than about 20 microns, hydrating salt, and binding agent.
Also included is a process for making a free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition, comprising forming a detergent additive by mixing the PVP, finely divided powder and hydrating salt, and spraying on the binding agent, and then admixing the additive with detergent particles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) is a desirable laundry detergent ingredient because it: (a) inhibits dye transfer in the wash, thus nrgtecting fabric colors; (b) scavenges chlorine from the wash ?ater, thus reducing fabric bleaching by chlorine-containing wash water; and (c) prevents soils released from the washed fabrics from being redeposited on the fabric during the wash. However, it has been found that simply admixing PVP into a granular laundry detergent composition, particularly one containing citric acid, can cause flow problems and lumping and caking over time when the detergent composition is exposed to humid conditions. In the extreme case, the sticky PVP can cause the detergent composition to form into a brick-like mass inside the detergent carton.
It has now been found that this negative effect from admixing PVP into the detergent composition is reduced or eliminated through use of the present PVP additive.
Another advantage of this additive involves reducing the problems associated with handling PVP itself in bulk. Bulk
quantities of the additive will tend to cake less and flow better
than PVP by itself. It is thus more easily handled.
Surprisingly, the Applicants have now found that the
synergistic detergent additive composition of the
present invention provides stability to the detergent
composition and also inhibits the inherent negative
effect of direct mixing of PVP with the detergent
composition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a detergent additive for inclusion in a particulate, free-flowing laundry detergent composition comprising, by weight of the additive:
(a) from about 15% to about 60% of polyvinyl pyrrol idone
with molecular weight from about 1,000 to about 100,000;
(b) from about 5% to about 90% of a finely divided powder
having a particle size of less than about 20 microns;
(c) from about 5% to about 60% of a hydrating salt; and
(d) from about 0.5% to about 30% of a nonionic surfactant.
Also included is a process for making a free-flowing,
particulate laundry detergent composition, comprising:
(1) forming a detergent additive by mixing, by weight of the
additive:
(a) from about 15% to about 60% of polyvinyl pyrrol idone
with molecular weight from about 1,000 to about 100,000;
(b) from about 5% to about 90% of a finely divided powder
having a particle size of less than about 20 microns;
and
(c) from about 5% to about 60% of a hydrating salt; and
spraying on from about 0.5% to about 30% of a nonionic
surfactant; and
(2) admixing from about 0.1% to about 25% of the particulate
detergent additive with from about 99.9% to about 75% of the
detergent particles.
According to the present invention there is provided a free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition comprising from 99.9% to about 75% of conventional detergent particles such as hereinbefore described and from 0.1% to 25% of an additive comprising by weight of the additive:
(a) from 15% to 60% of poly vinyl pyrrolidone with molecular weight from 5,000 to
30,000 and K value of from 10 to 34;
(b) from 5% to 90% of a finely divided powder having a particle size of less than 20
microns selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, layered silicate, turned
silica, sodium aluminosilicate, powdered sodium pyrophosphate, talc, and mixtures thereof:
(c) from 5% to 60% of a hydrating salt selected from the group consisting of the alkali
metal salts of carbonate, sulfate, tripolyphosphate, citrate, and mixtures thereof; and
(d) from 0.5% to 30% of a binding agent selected from the group consisting of nonionic
surfactant, such as hereinbefore described anionic surfactant such as hereinbefore described,
wfiter soluble polymer excluding polyvinyl pyrrolidnne, and mixtures thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a detergent additive for inclusion in a free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition, comprising polyvinyl pyrrolidone, finely divided powder, hydrating salt and binding agent. The additive is preferably also particulate and free-flowing. The ingredients are described below.
Also included is a process for making a free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition, comprising forming a detergent additive by mixing PVP, finely divided powder, and hydrating salt, spraying on the binding agent, and then admixing the additive with detergent particles. Polvvinvl Pyrrolidone
The present detergent additive for inclusion in a free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition comprises, by weight of the additive, from about 15% to about 60%, preferably from about 20% to about 50%, most preferably from 25% to 30%, of polyvinyl pyrrolidone with a molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 100,000, preferably from about 3,000 to about 50,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 30,000, most preferably from 8,000 to 15,000. By "molecular weight" is meant "viscosity average molecular weight", with "K-value" between about 10 and about 34, most preferably between 13 and 19.
PVP in the laundry detergent compositions herein can act as an anti-redeposition agent, a dye transfer inhibitor, and a fabric color protectant. However, simply admixing PVP into a particulate laundry detergent composition can cause flow problems and lumping and caking over time with exposure to a humid environment.
Without meaning to be bound by theory, it is believed that PVP, which is hygroscopic, picks up moisture from the humid air and causes the detergent particles to stick together, thus impeding flow. Further it is believed that PVP-caused stickiness unacceptably increases lumping and caking of the finished detergent product by increasing the force needed to break apart granules bonded by the sticky PVP.
Substituted and unsubstituted vinyl pyrrolidone polymerization products are included herein. Generally, the
higher the molecular weight of the PVP is, the less PVP is needed. Polyvinyl alcohol is preferably not included in the detergent additive and/or the finished detergent compositions herein.
Most preferred is PVP K-15 (ISP) with a viscosity average molecular weight of 10,000 and a K-value of 13-19. Finely Divided Powder
The present detergent additive also comprises, by weight of the additive, from about 5% to about 90%, preferably from about 10% to about 80%, most preferably from 20% to 30%, of a finely divided powder having a particle size of less than about 20 microns, preferably between about 0.1 microns and about 15 microns, most preferably between 1 micron and 10 microns.
By "particle size" is meant average or mean particle size diameter as determined by conventional analytical techniques such as Malvern analysis.
Without meaning to be bound by theory, it is believed that this finely divided powder prevents moisture pick up by the PVP from the air. When the PVP becomes sticky from moisture, the finely divided powder adheres to its surface, preventing interaction between the PVP and the detergent composition.
Preferred finely divided powders herein are selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, layered silicate, fumed silica, sodium aluminosilicate, talc, powdered sodium pyrophosphate, and mixtures thereof. More preferred are calcium carbonate, talc, and/or sodium aluminosilicate. Most preferred are calcium carbonate and sodium aluminosilicate, each with a particle size between about 2 microns and about 10 microns.
Preferred aluminosilicates are water-insoluble crystalline or amorphous aluminosilicate ion exchange materials. Preferred aluminosilicates have the formula:
Mz(zA102-ySi02)
wherein M is sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium, z is from about 0.5 to about 2 and y is 1, said material having a magnesium ion exchange capacity of at least about 50 milligram equivalents of CaCOa hardness per gram of anhydrous aluminosilicate. Aluminosilicates useful herein are commercially available and can be naturally occurring, but are preferably
synthetically derived. A method for producing aluminosilicates is discussed in U.S. Patent 3,985,669. Preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials herein are available under the designation Zeolite A, X, B, and/or HS. Zeolite A is particularly preferred.
Another suitable finely divided powder is layered silicate. Preferred is a crystalline layered sodium silicate (Na2Si205), which is available as SKS-6 from Hoechst. Suitable aluminosilicates and layered silicates for use herein are as described in U.S. Patent 5,108,646, Beerse et al, issued April 28, 1992, incorporated herein by reference. H.vdratlng Salt
The present detergent additive (which is preferably a "premix") further comprises, by weight of the additive, from about 5% to about 60%, preferably from about 10% to about 50%, most preferably from 20% to 40%, of a hydrating salt. This is preferably selected from the group consisting of the alkali metal salts of carbonate, sulfate, tripolyphosphate, citrate, and mixtures thereof. Sodium (preferred), potassium, or ammonium salts are preferred. By "hydrating salt" is meant alkali metal salts capable of forming one or multiple hydrates over a wide temperature range.
The particle size of the hydrating salts is not limited to small size (eg less than about 20 microns) like the finely divided powder. Preferred are sodium carbonate and sodium sulfate. Preferred particle size (average or mean particle diameter) is from about 1 micron to about 500 microns, most preferably from about 50 microns to about 200 microns.
The preferred ratio of hydrating salt to finely divided powder is from about 1:3 to about 3:1, most preferably about 1:1.
Without meaning to be bound by theory, it is believed that the hydrating salt provides a moisture sink within close proximity to the PVP; therefore, upon exposure of the additive to atmospheric moisture, the salt will first bind the free moisture. In the event the PVP still picks up moisture, it is believed that the finely divided powder will cool the sticky PVP, minimizing interaction with the detergent composition.
Binding Agent
The detergent additive herein further includes, by weight of the additive, from about 0.5% to about 30%, preferably from about 1% to about 20%, most preferably from 3% to 6%, of a binding agent.
The binding agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactant (preferred), anionic surfactant, water soluble polymers, and mixtures thereof.
Suitable anionic surfactants and water-soluble polymers are as described in U.S. Patent 5,108,646, Beerse et al, issued April 28, 1992, columns 4-7, incorporated herein by reference.
Most preferred are:
(1) an anionic synthetic surfactant paste or mixtures thereof
with ethoxylated nonionic surfactants where the weight ratio
of said anionic surfactant paste to ethoxylated nonionic
surfactant is at least about 3:1; or
(2) a water-soluble polymer containing at least about 50% by
weight of ethylene oxide or mixtures thereof with ethoxylated
nonionic surfactant where the weight ratio of said polymer to
ethoxylated nonionic surfactant is at least about 1:1.
The binding agent provides a means to adhere the PVP, finely divided powder, and hydrating salt. It is believed that maintaining the three powders in proximity upon addition to the detergent composition is important herein. This is facilitated by the premixing of the additive ingredients.
The preferred binding agent is a water-soluble nonionic surfactant. Such nonionic materials include compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic in nature. The length of the polyoxyalkylene group which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements.
Suitable nonionic surfactants include the polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products of
alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to 15 carbon atoms, in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with from about 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol.
Included are the water-soluble and water-dispersible condensation products of aliphatic alcohols containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, in either straight chain or branched configuration, with from 3 to 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
Semi-polar nonionic surfactants include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from abut 10 to 18 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from the group of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and two moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
Preferred nonionic surfactants are of the formula Rl(OC2H4)nOH, wherein R1 is a CIQ-CIQ alkyl group or a alkyl phenyl group, and n is from 3 to about 80.
Particularly preferred is a condensation product of alcohol with from about 2 to about 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, e.g., Ci2-Ci3 alcohol condensed with about 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
The preferred ratio of nonionic surfactant to finely divided powder is from about 1:15 to about 1:2, preferably from about 1:7 to about 1:4.
Preferably no additional ingredients are added to the detergent additive, which is preferably free-flowing, particulate and without phosphate. Process
Also included herein is a process for making a free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition, comprising forming a detergent additive by mixing the PVP, finely divided powder, and
hydrating salt herein, spraying on the binding agent, and then admixing the additive with detergent particles.
Included herein is a process for making a free-flowing, participate laundry detergent composition, comprising:
(1) forming a detergent additive by mixing, by weight of the
additive:
(a) from about 5% to about 60% of polyvinyl pyrrolidone with
molecular weight from about 1,000 to about 100,000;
(b) from about 5% to about 90% of a finely divided powder
having a particle size of less than about 20 microns;
and
(c) from about 5% to about 60% of a hydrating salt; and
spraying on from about 0.5% to about 30% of a binding agent;
and
(2) admixing from about 0.1% to about 25% of the detergent
additive with from about 99.9% to about 75% of the detergent
particles.
Mixing is preferably in a: 1) shear mixer (eg kneader, muller), 2) mixer with horizontal movement (eg ribbon mixer, pug mill), 3} turbulent mixer (eg Lodige or Eirich type mixer, pin mixer), 4) high intensity mixer (eg Schugi), or 5) tumble mixer (eg Munson mixer, V-Blender). Preferably, step (1) mixing takes place in a mixer selected from the group consisting of: 1) shear mixers, 2) mixers with horizontal movement, 3) turbulent mixers, 4) high intensity mixers, and 5) tumble mixers.
More preferably, mixing is in a turbulent mixer, most preferably a Lodige mixer, or a high intensity mixer, most preferably a Schugi mixer.
Preferably, the order of addition to a batch mixer (e.g. Eirich type mixer) is: powders, most preferably PVP, finely divided powder, and then hydrating salt; followed by liquids, most preferably the binding agent. In a continuous mixer such as a Schugi, the preferred order of addition is: liquids, most preferably the binding agent, being added at the same time that the powders are being added to the mixer.
The detergent additive is then admixed with the detergent particles, preferably on a conveying belt, most preferably in a^ a -
rotating tumble mixer. Preferably the order of addition is the detergent particles followed by the additive. Most preferably, the additive is added before any other detergent admixes (such as perfumes, dedusting agents, builders and enzymes).
Detergent particles can be prepared by conventional spray drying methods or by agglomeration, most preferably by spray drying. An appropriate agglomeration process is described in U.S. Patent 5,108,646, Beerse et al, issued April 28, 1992, incorporated herein by reference. Appropriate spray drying processes are as described in U.S. Patents 4,963,226, Chamberlain, issued October 16, 1990, and U.S. Patents 3,629,951 and 3,629,955, both Davis et al, issued December 28, 1971. These three are incorporated herein by reference. Detergent Composition
Any conventional granular laundry detergent ingredients can be included herein. Suitable ingredients for use herein are described in U.S. Patents 5,108,646 (see above); 5,045,238, Jolicoeur et al, issued September 3, 1991; and 5,066,425, Ofosu-Asante et al, issued November 19,1991, all incorporated herein by reference.
The detergent particles which are admixed with the detergent additive preferably comprise, by weight of the detergent particles: from about 1% to about 90% of detergency surfactant, more preferably from about 5% to about 50% of anionic surfactant, most preferably from about 15% to about 30% of sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate and sodium alkylsulfate; from 0 to about 90%, preferably from about 10% to about 70%, of detergency builders, preferably sodium aluminosilicate, sodium silicate, sodium sulfate, and/or sodium carbonate; from about 1% to about 8% of sodium polyacrylate of molecular weight from about 2,000 to about 8,000; from about 0.5% to about 8% of polyethylene glycol of molecular weight from about 4,000 to about 10,000; and from about 0.001% to about 1% of optical brighteners/fluorescent whitening agents.
Additional ingredients are preferably admixed with the detergent particles after the detergent additive. These are preferably from about 1% to about 15% of citric acid, from about 0.5% to about 8% of ammonium sulfate, from about 0.001% to about
1% of protease and/or other enzymes such as amylase, lipase and cellulase, from about 0.01% to about 1% of perfume, and from about 0.001% to about 1% of suds suppressor. The suds suppressor is preferably as described in U.S. Patent 4,652,392, Baginski et al, issued March 24, 1987, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Also included herein is a free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition, preferably without phosphate, comprising the above described additive. The free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition preferably comprises the additive herein, which is preferably free-flowing and particulate, and from about 1% to about 15%, preferably 5% to 7%, of citric acid. The free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition preferably comprises from about 0.1% to about 25%, preferably from about 1% to about 15%, of the additive and from about 99.9% to about 75%, preferably from about 99% to about 85%, of the detergent particles.
More preferably, the finished detergent composition comprises from about 2% to about 6% of the detergent additive, from about 97% to about 79% of the detergent particles, and from about 1% to about 15% of citric acid or other additional ingredients, such as perfumes, dedusting agents, enzymes and/or builders. These can be admixed with the detergent particles before or after (preferably) the premix has been added.
The following examples are given to illustrate the parameters of and compositions within the invention. All percentages, parts and ratios are by weight unless otherwise indicated.
EXAMPLES I-III
Particulate laundry detergent compositions are made as follows. "Base Product" is compared to "PVP Control" for % bulk density loss, cake strength, and compression below. First, a Detergent Base is made by spray drying an aqueous slurry of the following components.
Detergent Base
Percent Bv Weight
Sodium C12 alkylbenzenesulfonate 13.8
Sodium C14-15 alkylsulfate 6.0
Sodium aluminosilicate (Zeolite A) 27.7
Sodium silicate solids (1.6R) 2.4
Sodium sulfate 29.0
Sodium polyacrylate (MW 4500) 3.6
Optical brighteners 0.3
Sodium carbonate 6.2
Polyethylene glycol (MW 8000) 1.6
Moisture 8.8
Miscellaneous inert matter Balance
Additional ingredients are admixed with the Detergent Base in a rotating drum as follows.
Base Product PVP Control
Percent bv Weight Percent by Weight
Detergent Base 91.62 90.62
Citric acid 5.0 5.0
Ammonium sulfate 2.0 2.0
Protease/amylase (57 Au/g/
20,000 KNu/g 0.9 0.9
Perfume 0.34 0.34
Suds suppressor* 0.14 0.14
Polyvinyl pyrrolidone 0 1.0
* 5% silicone in polyethylene glycol per U.S. Patent 4,652,392.
EXAMPLE I
Both products are packed in lined cardboard containers and placed for 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks in a room which cycles daily between 70*F (21.1●C) and 90'F (32.2●C) and between 40% and 80% humidity. At the end of each period, physical properties of the products are evaluated (see below).
"PVP Control" has significant losses in bulk density and physical properties (i.e. Cake Strength and Compression) overall.
Since most detergent products come with a dosing device (e.g. scoop), this bulk density loss translates to a performance loss. When using a dosing device, the lower bulk density can result in lower than target dosages. Lumping and caking negatively impact
the consumer's impression of the detergent product. For cake grades of 10.0 and above, the product is difficult to scoop. In comparison, "Base Product" does not have the loss in bulk density or physical properties seen for "PVP Control".
Compression Cake Strength

(Table Removed)
Cake Strength - force required to break compressed cylinder of detergent composition. 0 is best, ≥ 10 is judged unacceptable after 4 weeks.
Compression - measure of height change when the detergent composition is subjected to a downward force in a fixed cylindrical chamber. 0 is best, maximum is typically 2.0.
EXAMPLE II
"Base Product" and "PVP Control" are packed in lined cardboard containers and placed in a constant temperature/ humidity room for 1 week, 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Room temperature is held at 80●F (26.6●C) and humidity is held at 60% humidity. As in Example I, "PVP Control" has losses in density and physical properties (i.e. Cake Strength and Compression) overall.
% Density Loss Cake Strength
Compression

(Table Removed)
EXAMPLE III
"Base Product" and "PVP Control" are packed in lined cardboard containers and placed in the same room used for
Example II. In this case, the products are pulled at 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Both products used in this test are prepared using new lots of raw materials. The results from this test confirm the trends observed in Examples I and II.
% Density Loss Cake Strength
Compression

(Table Removed)Conclusion: As shown in Examples I-III, admixing polyvinyl pyrrolidone into these detergent compositions compromises flow, bulk density and lump/cake properties of the finished product upon storage in warm, humid conditions.
EXAMPLE IV
Results from a 4-week storage stability test comparing "PVP Control" to "PVP Premix" (the additive of the present invention) are below. "PVP Premix" is prepared by mixing 4% polyvinyl pyrrolidone additive as described below with 96% of the Base Product described in Example I. This composition results in the same level of PVP in finished product for both "PVP Control" and "PVP Premix". Listed below are density loss, cake strength and compression results.
PVP Premix
Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (MW 10,000) Sodium carbonate
Sodium aluminosilicate (Zeolite A) Nonionic surfactant*
* C12-13 alcohol ethoxylated with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
"PVP Premix" is made by mixing PVP, carbonate, and aluminosilicate in an Eirich mixer followed by spray-on of the nonionic surfactant.
% Density Loss vs Time
PVP Premix Product 0
1.7% 13.2% 14.2%
PVP Premix Product 5.0 7.2 9.0 8.1
PVP Premix Product 0.6 0.7 1.0 1.1

(Table Removed)
loss) and lump/cake negative impact of admixed PVP.
EXAMPLES V-VIII
The "PVP Premix" (additive) of Example IV can be varied as follows:
Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (MW 10,000) Sodium carbonate
Example V 25% 35%
Example VI 25% 15%
Sodium aluminosilicate (Zeolite A) 35% 55%
Nonionic surfactant* 5% 5%
* C12-13 alcohol ethoxylated with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide
per mole of alcohol .
Example VII Example VIII
Polyvinyl pyrrol idone 25% 25%
Sodium sulfate 35% 15%
Sodium aluminosilicate 35% 55%
Anionic surfactant* 5% 5%
* Sodium C]2 alkylbenzenesulfonate
EXAMPLE IX
Particulate, free-flowing laundry detergent compositions with or without PVP premix are described below.
PVP Premix
Polyvinyl pyrrol idone 25%
Sodium carbonate 35%
Sodium aluminosilicate (Zeolite A) 35%
Nonionic surfactant* 5%
* C12-13 alcohol ethoxylated with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol .
The above "PVP Premix" is made as in Example IV. It has a ratio of hydrating agent to finely divided powder of 1:1.
A Detergent Base having the following composition is spray dried.
Detergent Base
Percent bv Weight
Sodium C12 alkylbenzenesulfonate 15.9
Sodium C14-15 alkylsulfate 4.5
Sodium alkylethoxy sulfate (E 1.0) 2.3
Sodium aluminosilicate (Zeolite A) 31.7
Sodium silicate solids (1.6R) 2.8
Sodium sulfate 12.5
Sodium polyacrylate (MW 4500) 4.1
Optical brighteners 0.4
Sodium carbonatePolyethylene glycol (MW 8000)
Moisture
Miscellaneous inert matter
2.1 11.8 Balance
To the spray dried particles of the Detergent Base in rotating drum, additional ingredients are admixed as follows.
Base Product PVP Premix Control Percent by Weight Percent by Height
Detergent Base 90.22
Citric acid 7.0
Sodium perborate monohydrate 1.0
Protease/amylase (57 Au/g/
20,000 KNu/G 0.9
Lipase (5,000,000 Lu/g) 0.2
Cellulase (430,000 CEUu/g) 0.6
Silicone suds suppressor 0.1
PVP additive (see Example V) 0.0
Total 100.0
86.2 7.0 1.0
0.9 0.2 0.6 0.1 4.0 100.0
Both products are packed in lined cardboard containers and placed in a constant temperature/humidity room for 1 week, 2 weeks and 4 weeks. Room temperature/humidity are held at 80'F(26.6'C)/60% humidity.

(Table Removed)
Conclusion: The data shows that the modified additive (PVP premix) formulation delivers the benefits shown in Example IV.
premix prevents the negatives associated with admixing PVP directly to the detergent compositionThe present composition is mixture. In this the various cally untercact
with eachther in this syrergism helf i improving the synecrgest.






CLAIM:
1. A free-flowing, participate laundry detergent composition comprising from 99.9% to
about 75% of conventional detergent particles such as hereinbefore described and from 0.1% to 25% of an additive comprising by weight of the additive:
(a) from 15% to 60% of polyvinyl pyrrolidone with molecular weight from 5,000 to
30,000 and K. value of from 10 to 34;
(b) from 5% to 90% of a finely divided powder having a particle size of less than 20
microns selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, layered silicate, fumed
silica, sodium alurninosilicate, powdered sodium pyrophosphate, talc, and mixtures thereof:
(c) from 5% to 60% of a hydrating salt selected from the group consisting of the alkali
metal salts of carbonate, sulfate, tripoly phosphate, citrate, and mixtures thereof; and
(d) from 0.5% to 30% of a binding agent selected from the group consisting of nonionic
surfactant, such as hereinbefore described,anionic surfactant such as hereinbefore described,
water soluble polymer excluding polyvinyl pyrrolidone, and mixtures thereof.

2. A free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition as claimed in claim 1
comprising from about 2% to about 6% of the additive, and conventional detergent
components being from 97% to 79% of the detergent particles and preferably from 1% to
15% of citric acid.
3. A free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition as claimed in claim 10,
comprising the additive, wherein the detergent particles comprise, by weight of the detergent
particles: from about 1% to about 90% of detcrgency surfactant such as hereinbefore
described; from 0 to about 90% of detergency builder such as hereinbefore described; from
1% to about 8% of sodium polyacrylate of molecular weight from about 2,000 to about 8,000
from 0.5% to 8% of polyethylene glycol of molecular weight from 4,000 to 10,000; and from
0.001% to 1% of optical brighteners such as hereinbefore described.
4. A detergent composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said additive comprises:
(a) from 20% to 50% of polyvinyl pyrrolidone;
(b) from 10% to 80% of the finely divided powder having a particle size of between
about 0.1 microns and about 15 microns;
(c) from 10% to 20% of said binding agent.
5. A detergent composition as claimed in claim 2 comprising, by weight of the additive:
(a) from 25% of 30% of polyvinyl pyrrolidone;
(b) from 20% to 30% of the finely divided powder having a particle size of between 1
micron and 10 microns;
(c) from 20 to 40% of the hydrating salt; and
(d) from 3% to 6% of the binding agent.

6. A detergent composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the finely divided powder is
selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, talc, and sodium aluminosilicate.
7. A free-flowing, participate laundry detergent composition as claimed in claim 1
wherein the binding agent is nonionic surfactant and the ratio of binding agent to finely
divided power is from about 1:15 to about 1:2.
8. A detergent composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ratio of hydrating salt to
finely divided powder is from 1:3 to 3:1.
9. A detergent composition as claimed in claim 6 wherein the nonionic surfactant is a
condensation product of C^.u alcohol with from 2 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of
alcohol.
10. A detergent composition as claimed in claim 7 wherein the ratio nonionic surfactant
to finely divided powder is from 1:7 to 1:4, the ratio of hydrating salt to finely divided
powder is about 1:1, and the hydrating salt has a particle size from about 50 microns to about
200 microns.
11. A free-flowing, particulate laundry detergent composition comprising an additive
substantially as hereinbefore described in any of the Examples.



Documents:


Patent Number 216912
Indian Patent Application Number 553/DEL/2001
PG Journal Number 13/2009
Publication Date 27-Mar-2009
Grant Date 20-Mar-2008
Date of Filing 08-May-2001
Name of Patentee THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Applicant Address ONE PROCTOR AND GAMBLE PLAZA, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202, USA
Inventors:
# Inventor's Name Inventor's Address
1 WELCH ROBERT GARY 1187 MADELEINE CIRCILE, CINCINNATI, OH, 45231, U.S.A.
2 BEBOUT, LAURIE ANNE K. 70 BENT TREE DRIVE #7D, FAIRFIELD, OH, 45014, U.S.A.
3 WELCH ROBERT GARY 1187 MADELEINE CIRCILE, CINCINNATI, OH, 45231, U.S.A.
4 BEBOUT, LAURIE ANNE K. 70 BENT TREE DRIVE #7D, FAIRFIELD, OH, 45014, U.S.A.
PCT International Classification Number C11D 1/83
PCT International Application Number N/A
PCT International Filing date
PCT Conventions:
# PCT Application Number Date of Convention Priority Country
1 NA