CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claim priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/288,524, filed on 21 December 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Dishwashing pastes are a type of dishwashing composition that are used in some regions of the world, such as Latin America. These paste products have not undergone much change. Generally, they are currently sold as opaque solids. It would be desirable to increase the consumer appeal of these products.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A dishwashing paste comprising

a) an anionic surfactant,

b) a salt of a saponificated fatty acid, and

c) a translucency agent,

wherein the composition is a paste and is translucent.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(0004] As used throughout, ranges are used as a shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

[0005] Unless otherwise specified, all percentages and amounts expressed herein and elsewhere in the specification should be understood to refer to percentages by weight. The amounts given are based on the active weight of the material.

[0006] The composition includes an anionic surfactant. In certain embodiments, the amount of anionic surfactant is 10 to 35 weight%. In other embodiments, the amount of anionic surfactant is at least 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 20, 25, or 30 up to 35 weight%. In one embodiment, the amount is 25 weight%. Examples of anionic surfactant include, but are not limited to, alkyl benzene sulfonate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate (having an average of 1 -7 EO per mole, and in one embodiment, an average of about 2 EO per mole, and in another embodiment an average of about 3 EO per mole), and sodium lauryl sulfate. In one embodiment, the anionic surfactant comprises a combination of alkyl benzene sulfonate and sodium lauryl ether sulfate. In one embodiment, the anionic surfactant comprises about 26 weight% of the composition with alkyl benzene sulfonate being about 25 weight% of the composition and sodium lauryl ether sulfate with 2EO average being about 1 weight% of the composition.

[0007] The composition includes a salt of a saponificated fatty acid. The fatty acid can be animal or vegetable. In certain embodiments, the amount of saponificated fatty acid is 5 to 25 weight%. In other embodiments, the amount is at least 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, or 20 up to 25 weight%. In one embodiment, the amount is about 12 weight%. Examples of the fatty acid include, but are not limited to tallow fatty acids, coconut fatty acids, palm stearin, and lauric acid. In one embodiment, the fatty acids comprise a mixture of tallow fatty acids and coconut fatty acids. In one embodiment, the blend of fatty acids comprises a ratio of 1:3 to 1 :4 tallow: coconut fatty acids. For the salts of fatty acids, the counter ion can include sodium, potassium, or triethanol amine, any monvalent metal ion, or any divalent metal ion. The fatty acids can be neutralized with bases containing these ions to form the salts of the fatty acid.

[0008] The composition includes a translucency agent. Examples of translucency agents include, but are not limited to, urea, triethanolamine, sodium cumene sulfonate, sugar, and alcohol, such as ethanol. In one embodiment, the amount of translucency agent is 2 to 10 weight%. In other embodiment, the amount is at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8 up to 10 weight%. In another embodiment, the amount is about 6 weight%.

[0009] The translucency of the composition is determined by visual inspection.

[0010] In certain embodiments, the composition can optionally include humectants. Examples of humectants include, glycerin and sorbitol. In one embodiment, the amount of humectant can be up to 70 weight%. In one embodiment, the amount of humectant is 0.01 to 15 weight%. In other embodiments, the amount of humectant is at least 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, or 3 up to 15 weight%. In one embodiment, the amount of humectant is 2 to 4 weight%. Glycerin can also improve the translucency of the composition.

[0011] In certain embodiments, the composition can optionally include one or more amphoteric surfactants. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include, but are not limited to, amine oxides and betaine surfactants. In one embodiment, the amount of amine oxide is 0.01 to 10 weight%. In one embodiment, the amount of amine oxide is about 3 weight%. In one embodiment, the amine oxide surfactant is lauryl/myristylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide. In one embodiment, the amine oxide is about 71.3 weight% lauryl and about 14.6 weight% myristyl based on the weight of the amine oxide. In another embodiment, the amount of betaine surfactant is 0.01 to 5 weight%. In one embodiment, the betaine surfactant is cocamidopropyl betaine. In one embodiment, the amphoteric surfactant comprises a combination of lauryl/myristylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide and cocoamdiopropyl betaine. In one embodiment, the amphoteric surfactant comprises 0.9 weight% of cocamidopropyl betaine and 0.66 weight% lauryl/myristylamidopropyl dimethylamine oxide based on the weight of the composition.

[0012] In one embodiment, the composition can optionally include an abrasive. The abrasive can assist in scrubbing and cleaning. In certain embodiments, the amount of abrasive is any amount up to 8 weight%. In one embodiment, the amount is about 2.5 weight%. Examples of abrasives include, but are not limited to, sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and precipitated silica.

[0013] In one embodiment, the composition optionally contains suspended material. At least a portion of the suspended material is of any size that is viewable by a person. By viewable it is meant that the suspended material can be seen by a non-color blind person with an unaided eye at 20/20 or corrected to 20/20 with glasses or contact lenses at a distance of 30 cm from the composition under incandescent light, florescent light, or sunlight. In other embodiments, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95%, or at least 99% of the particles are viewable by a person. In one embodiment, the particle size is 100 to 2500 microns in a longest dimension of the suspended material. In another embodiment, the particle size is 250 to 2250 microns. In another embodiment, the particle size is 500 to 1500 microns. In another embodiment, the particle size is 700 to 1000 microns. In another embodiment, a combination of more than one particle size can be used.

[0014] The suspended material can have any shape. Examples of shapes include, but are not limited to, spherical, polyhedral, cubic, box, tetrahedral, irregular three dimensional shapes, flat polygons, triangles, rectangles, squares, pentagons, hexagons, octagons, stars, characters, animals, plants, objects, cars, or any other desired shape.

[0015] The suspended material can be present in any amount in the composition that allows the suspended material to remain suspended. In one embodiment, the suspended material is present in an amount of 0.01 and 10% by weight of the total composition. In another embodiment, the amount of suspended material is 0.01 to 1 weight% or 0.01 to 2, 3, or 4 weight%.

[0016] The suspended material can be selected to be of one size and one shape, one size and a combination of shapes, a combination of sizes and one shape, or a combination of sizes and a combination of shapes. Also, the color of the suspended material can be varied along with the size and/or shape. Mixtures of suspended materials that vary by size, shape, and/or color can be used to communicate different attributes that the product can deliver to a consumer.

[0017] The suspended material can be functional, non-functional, or a combination of both. They can be made from a variety of materials such as the following non-limiting examples: gelatin, cellulose, agar, waxes, polyethylene, and insoluble inorganic materials like silica and calcium carbonate. The material may also have an encapsulate core containing hydrophobic compounds and mixtures such as these non-limiting examples: aloe, vitamins, essential oils, natural oils, solvents, esters, or any fragrance ingredient. These materials may be density matched by encapsulating oils or other materials that help make the density of the suspended material equal to that of the bulk composition. Alternatively, they may be made porous in a way that allows the liquid portion to diffuse into the suspended material in a manner that is self density matching. Density matching produces compositions that can suspend material at a viscosity less than 1500 mPas. Also, the particles may be non-density matched, that is being either less or more dense than the composition. In these compositions, the liquid portion can be designed to have a yield stress to aid in the stabilization of suspended material.

[0018] While the composition can be formulated to suspend material without the need of a suspending agent, suspending agents can be added to increase the stability of the suspended material to keep the material suspended.

[0019J In one embodiment, the suspended material comprises beads. Examples of beads include, but are not limited to, Captivates beads from ISP Corp.

[0020] The composition can contain water. In one embodiment, the amount of water is up to weight% of the composition. In one embodiments, the amount of water is 0.01 up to 40 weight%. In other embodiments, the amount of water is at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 up to 40 weight% of the composition.

[0021] Optionally, the composition can contain hardening agents to increase the hardness of the composition. Examples of hardening agents include, but are not limited to, sodium silicate, aluminum sulfate, and tetrasodium pyrophosphate. In one embodiment, the amount of hardening agent is up to 2 weight% of the composition. In one embodiment, the amount is 0.01 to 2 weight%. In other embodiments, the amount is at least 0.1 , 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 , or 1.5 up to 2 weight% of the composition.

[0022] Optionally, the composition can contain free fatty acids in acid form. Examples of free fatty acids are the same as those for the saponificated fatty acids above. In one embodiment, the amount of free fatty acid is up to 3 weight% of the composition In one embodiment, the amount is 0.01 to 3 weight%. In other embodiments, the amount is at least 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1 , 1.5, or 2 up to 3 weight% of the composition. In one embodiment, the free fatty acid comprises coconut fatty acids.

[0023] The composition can additionally contain coloring agents, fragrance, filler, antibacterial agents, or any other material that is commonly added to dishwashing paste.

[0024] The composition can be formulated to have a pH of 7 to 12.

[0025] In certain embodiments, the paste can have a hardness of 2 to 30mm. In another embodiment, the hardness is 15 to 30 mm. In other embodiments, the hardness is at least 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 ,21 , 22, 23, 24, or 25 up to 30 mm. In another embodiment, the hardness is less than 29, 28, 27, 26, 25, 24, 23, 22, 21, or 20 down to 15 mm. The hardness is measured on a Model 735-10 penetrometer from Precision Scientific using a 96.5 gram conic needle. The test is conducted at room temperature (about 23°C). Level the instrument before starting. The needle is inserted into the chuck. The dial reading is set to zero. The test rod is grasped and the plunger release lever is depressed to raise the test rod as high as it will go. If the dial is not zero, adjust to zero. Place the sample on the base of the penetrometer under the needle. Using the fine adjuster, bring the tip of the needle just into contact with the surface of the sample. The needle is tripped by depressing the plunger release lever and held for 10 seconds. The catch is released to immobilize the needle. The tell tale is moved into contact with the top of the plunger shaft, and the distance in millimeters is read off the dial.

[0026] The composition can be made into a dishwashing paste. Generally, a dishwashing paste is in the form of a bar of soap. The dishwashing paste can be used to clean tableware (such as plates, cups, bowls, utensils, etc.) by applying the composition to the tableware and washing. In the claims, hardness is measured using the above described test and conditions.

SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The invention is further described in the following examples. The examples are merely illustrative and do not in any way limit the scope of the invention as described and claimed. In the examples below, the weight % given is for the as supplied material. For materials that are not 100%, the percent of the active portion of the material is given.

Part 1 - Base

Part 2

*Neat soap is 62 weight% sodium salt of saponificated fatty acids, 9 weight% glycerin, 29 weight% water.

Combined

Material Weight %

Part 1 50 48 46.7 52.4 50 50

Part 2A 34.4 0 0 0 0 0

Part 2B 0 0 0 0 36 0

Part 2C 0 36.4 0 0 0 0

Part 2D 0 0 37.7 0 0 0

Part 2E 0 0 0 32 0 0

Part 2F 0 0 0 0 0 36

Water 0 0 0 0 0.65 1.1

Glycerin 4 4 4 4 4 4

Sodium Carbonate 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.25 0 0

28 wt.% sodium lauryl ether sulfate (2EO) 3 3 3 3 3 3

Lauryl/myristylamdiopropyl dimethylamine oxide 2 2 2 ? 2 2

Perfume and Coloring q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s. q.s.

Cocoamdiopropyl Betaine 3 3 3 3 3 3

ISP Captivates 4103 Beads 0 0 0 0 0 0.55

Aluminum Silicate with Blue Color 1 1 1 1 1 0

Total 100 100 100 100 100 100 [0029] The above compositions are made as follows. For part 1 , water is added to a mix tank, and the mixer is started. Caustic soda is added to the mix tank. Sulfonic acid is then slowly added to the mix tank and allowed to mix for 10 minutes. The pH is checked to see if it is 7 to 8. If not, the composition is adjusted with sulfonic acid or caustic soda as necessary. Sodium silicate is then added, and the composition is mixed for 2 minutes. The temperature is adjusted to 40°C and urea is slowly added. The composition is mixed until homogeneous. Mixing is then stopped, and the composition is stored for 1 day to eliminate the foam. Before this composition is used in subsequent steps, the composition is heated to 40-50°C.

[0030] For part 2, coconut fatty acid and tallow fatty acid are melted and heated to 70 to 75°C. A portion of the fatty acid melt is removed and BHT (100-500 ppm) is mixed in, and then the mixture is added back into the melt. In a separate mix tank, water is added. The agitator is started, and the water is heated to 70 to 75°C. Caustic soda is added. The fatty acid melt is then added to the water tank under continuous agitation for 30-45 minutes. If necessary, the mixture is adjusted with coconut fatty acid or caustic soda to have less than 0.1% of caustic soda. Sodium silicate is added under continuous agitation. Soda ash is added and the temperature is maintain between 70 and 80 °C.

[0031] In a sigma mixer, heat Part 1 to 40 to 50°C. Reverse the agitation and set to about 16 rpm. Add Part 2 at 60 to 70°C. Coloring is then mixed in. The mixture is then started to cool. Glycerin, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, betaine, and lauryl propyl dimethyl amine oxide are mixed in. When the temperature is below 50°C, fragrance is added. At 35°C, aluminum silicate is added. The pH of the compositions were above 10.