Field of the invention

The invention is directed to a unit dose machine dish wash detergent product comprising cues for glass-cleaning functionality.

Background of the invention

Automated machine dish washing generally involves several phases, such as a wetting phase, a phase wherein the soil is released from the wares, a rinsing phase and often a drying phase. Unit dose detergent products placed inside an enclosed detergent holder cup may release different actives at different phases. Also the actives in a unit dose detergent product may have different functionality, such as bleaching, soil release and avoiding soil redeposition. However, the manner in which the unit dose detergent product actives provide cleaning benefits during the automated washing process is normally not visible to the consumer. The consumer faces the problem of having to gauge the cleaning benefits afforded by a unit dose machine dish wash detergent product by the sensory cues provided by the unit dose as such. For example, different layers, colour or physical phases (e.g. liquid, powder, solid) may be used to communicate that the unit dose provides multiple benefits during machine dish wash.

Cleaning of glassware whilst maintaining/restoring transparency is highly desired for machine dishwashing formulations. A particular challenge is providing a I unit dose detergent product which can cue that the product has a particular benefit for cleaning glassware, while at the same time providing functionality as well as maintaining/ restoring transparency and shine to the glassware.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a unit dose machine dish wash detergent product, which provides improved visual and/or tactile characteristics, and wherein at least a part thereof comprises detergent active and is able to effectively cue glass cleaning performance. Summary of the invention

According to one aspect of the invention there is provided a unit dose detergent product comprising at least one glossy solid part, wherein the glossy solid part comprises detergent active, and wherein the at least one glossy solid part has:

· a specular reflectance at 20 degrees of incident light of at least 20 %; and

• a specular reflectance at 60 degrees of incident light of at least 20 %; and

• a specular reflectance at 85 degrees of incident light of at least 20 %.

According to a further aspect the invention provides a unit dose detergent product comprising at least one functional, glossy part and wherein the at least one glossy solid part has:

• a specular reflectance at 20 degrees of incident light of at least 20 %; and

• a specular reflectance at 60 degrees of incident light of at least 20 %; and

• a specular reflectance at 85 degrees of incident light of at least 20 %.

According to a further aspect the invention provides a unit dose detergent product comprising an unbounded glossy part 1. and wherein the at least one glossy solid part has:

• a specular reflectance at 20 degrees of incident light of at least 20 %; and · a specular reflectance at 60 degrees of incident light of at least 20 %; and

• a specular reflectance at 85 degrees of incident light of at least 20 %.

Gloss is the fraction of light that is reflected in a specular (mirror-like) direction.

Glossiness is a complex characteristic. The glossiness of a material for example depends on the angle of the incident light. In the art, glossiness is generally

differentiated into three types. High gloss finish refers to the ratio of specular reflection versus the incident light falling upon the surface at an angle of 20 degrees. Mid gloss finish refers to said ratio based on incident light falling upon the surface at an angle of 60 degrees, Matt finish as based on incident light falling upon the surface at an angle of 85 degrees. The glossy solid part according to the invention is glossy in the sense that it provides good reflectance of incident light falling onto the surface from these three angles. To date, unit dose machine dish wash detergents do not exist on the market, which are both functional and effectively cue glass cleaning benefits. For example although some PVA films may be glossy, these do not cue glass cleaning performance effectively. Essentially, PVA films are merely seen by the consumer as convenient wrapping or packaging and not associated with cleaning benefits provided per se during machine dish wash. The applicants have found that tuning the gloss of at least a solid part of the unit dose detergent composition, which contains detergent active is able to cue this effectively. It is believed due to the fact that such a solid glossy part is able to better resemble the characteristics of clean glass (both transparent and opaque glass) and thus provide optimal visual cues to the consumer for glass cleaning benefits.

Definitions

“Functional” as used herein means performing a cleaning function and preferably a glass cleaning function. The functionality may be detergency as herein described.

Gloss is the fraction of light that is reflected in a specular (mirror-like) direction. The angle of the incident light at which gloss is measured is 20 degrees to obtain a measurement for‘high gloss finish’, 60 degrees for‘mid gloss finish’ and 85 degrees for ‘matt finish’. These gloss values are measured using a Rhopoint IQ (Goniophotometer; Supplier Rhopoint Instruments) according to supplier instructions. To measure glossiness of the glossy solid part, this is done on an (isolated, continuous) sample of the solid part, having a thickness of 0.5 cm and having a flat smooth surface (e.g.

shaped like a disk or plate) and using white paper as background (100 % recycled paper, bright white; Supplier: Office Depot).

The glossy solid part preferably has the following properties to provide improved glass- cleaning cues:

• A specular reflectance at 20 degrees of incident light of at least 25%, 30%, 35%, 40 %, 45%, 50%, 55% and even more preferably at least 60%. Preferably the reflectance at 20 degrees is at most 95%, 90%, 85%, 80% and more preferably at most 75%. The most advantageous reflectance at 20 degrees being from 40 to 85%, more preferably from 50 to 80 % and even more preferably from 55 to 75%. • A specular reflectance at 60 degrees of incident light of at least 25%, 30%,

35%, 40 %, 45%, 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%. Preferably the reflectance at 60 degrees is at most 99.5%, 99.0 %, 98.5% and more preferably 98.0%. The most advantageous reflectance at 60 degrees being from 50 to 99.5%, more preferably from 70 to 99.0% and even more preferably from 80 to 98.5%.

• A specular reflectance at 85 degrees of incident light of at least 25%, 30%,

35%, 40 %, 45%, 50%, 55% and even more preferably at least 60%. Preferably the reflectance at 85 degrees is at most 95%, 90%, 85%, 80% and more preferably at most 75%. The most advantageous reflectance at 85 degrees being from 40 to 85%, more preferably from 50 to 80 % and even more preferably from 55 to 75%.

“Light” means light having a wavelength from 330 - 700 nm.

Advantageously the solid glossy part is also transparent.“Transparent” means that the total Light transmissivity through the at least one glossy solid part is at least 5%.

Preferably the solid part has a total Light transmittance of at least 10%, 15 %, 20%, 25%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80 %, still even more preferably from 83 to 99% and most preferably from 83 to 90 %.

It is particularly desirable that the glossy solid part is capable of parallel Light transmittance, meaning the transmitting of Light without appreciable Light scattering. Preferably the degree of Light scattering is less than 50%, 40%, 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, 3%, 1%.“Scattering” as used herein preferably refers to both wide angle scattering and small angle scattering. Wide angle scattering causes what is referred to as haze or loss of contrast, whereas small/narrow angle scattering reduces the see-through quality or clarity. Hence it is preferable that haze is minimized and clarity maximized by minimal narrow and wide angle scattering.

The Light transmittance provides the measure of the transparency of the glossy solid part. Of course, in view of the above, besides having transparency, the solid should at the same time preferably have low wide and small angle scattering to reduce haze and maximize clarity. Such characteristics further aid in cueing glassware cleaning performance.

The total Light transmittance, wide angle scattering and small angle scattering are measured using a Haze-Gard I - Transparency Meter (SHBG4775), and according to the following method:

(a) Fit a transfer standard white plate, adjust the indicator of the apparatus at 100 (T,), and adjust the quantity of the incident Light.

(b) With the transfer standard white plate fitted, attach the test piece, and measure the quantity of the total transmitted Light (T ₂ ).

(c) Detach the transfer standard white plate and test piece, attach a Light trap, and measure the quantity of scattering Light of the apparatus (T ₃ ).

(d) With the Light trap attached, attach the test piece, and measure the quantity of scattered Light produced by the apparatus and test piece (T ₄ ).

In other aspects the total Light transmittance, wide angle scattering and small angle scattering are measured according to Supplier instructions and are based on a path length of 10 mm.

Method of Calculation-The total Light transmittance, diffuse transmittance, and parallel Light transmittance shall be calculated from the following formulas:

Where

T _t : total Light transmittance (%)

T _d : diffuse transmittance (%)

Tp: parallel Light transmittance (%)

Advantageously to even better resemble to characteristics of clean glassware, the solid part has:

• A wide-angle scattering value of less than 50%

• A narrow-angle scattering value of less than 50%

• A total Light transmittance of at least 5%

and more preferably has

• A wide-angle scattering value of less than 40%

• A narrow-angle scattering value of less than 40% • A total Light transmittance of at least 10%

and even more preferably has

• A wide-angle scattering value of less than 30%

• A narrow-angle scattering value of less than 30%

• A total Light transmittance of at least 20%

“Glassy” means that the glossy solid comprises minimal scattering centres such as fluctuations in density (e.g. crystals) or composition, but generally this can be visually determined. Besides having high total Light transmittance, and low wide and small angle scattering, it is further preferred beneficial that the glossy solid part is also glassy.

The term‘solid’ as used herein is according to its commonplace usage. For example, a wineglass is considered a solid in common place usage although in a strict physical sense it is an extremely viscous liquid. A key feature is that the solid is unbounded: it does not need a firm boundary to substantially retain its structure/shape. So unlike liquid or gel unit dose products which are generally enclosed in water soluble film, the glossy solid part of the invention does not require this. Outer packaging around the unit dose product may be used but this is not required to exert shaping forces on the glossy solid part, but may simply be used to convey brand messages.

Preferably, the solid part is present in at least one coherent volume of from 0.1 to 20 cm ³ , more preferably from 0.2 to 15 cm ³ , even more preferably from 0.4 to 10 cm ³ , most preferably from 0.5 to 5 cm ³ . Said preferred volumes allows the glossy solid part of the invention to be easily visible to the naked eye, allowing it to be better appreciated for its visual appeal. One aspect of a solid is that it may not require enclosing - in contrast to a liquid which would require some sort of enclosure such as water-soluble film.

To better emulate a glass-like appearance it is preference that the glossy solid part has a smooth surface. Tactile experience plays a further important role in communicating to the consumer that the glossy solid has glass cleaning benefits. Also in this respect it is important that the tactile experience should be glass-like in experience and be sufficiently hard to the touch. Therefore, it is beneficial that the glossy solid part is not be easily deformable by hand, when considered at 20 degrees Celsius. As such it is not a soft gel.

Form of the unit dose detergent product

The unit dose detergent product according to the invention comprises at least one glossy solid part. To provide a unit dose product in which the glossy solid part can be more easily appreciated it is beneficial that unit dose has a certain weight and comprises the glossy solid in a certain weight %. The preferred weight of the unit dose is from 1 to 50 grams, 2 to 40 grams, 5 to 30 grams and even more preferably from 10 to 25 grams. The unit dose product may essentially consist of the glossy solid part of the invention, but preferably the glossy solid part constitutes at least 5 wt. %, preferably from 5 to 60 wt. %, more preferably 10 to 50 wt. % and even more preferably 15 to 40 wt. % of the total weight of the unit dose product.

It will in any case be appreciated that of course at least part of the glossy solid part should be visible when viewing an intact unit dose product according to the invention.

In this sense the glossy solid part constitutes preferably at least 10 %, more preferably from 15 to 80 %, even more preferably from 25 to 70 % and still even more preferably constitutes from 30 to 60 % of the total surface area of the unit dose detergent product.

Preferably the unit dose detergent product comprises the glossy solid part according to the invention and at least one other part. The other part may be a solid, fine powder, gel or a liquid but preference is given to at least one further solid part being a solid. Preferably the glossy solid part and the other part are visually distinct. Visually distinct here having the meaning of being easily separately identifiable by the human eye. It is preferred that the unit dose detergent product comprises at least one other solid part that reflects Light differentially as compared to the at least one glossy solid part. It is of particular preference that the unit dose detergent product according to the invention comprises at least one further part, which is a solid compacted granule part as this, by contrast, better highlights the present of the glossy solid part. As such preferably the unit dose detergent product comprises at least one further distinct compacted granule part and a at least one distinct glossy solid part.

As mentioned multiple cleaning benefits afforded by the unit dose detergent product during machine dish wash can be communicated by the unit dose having parts which differ in colour and physical form. It is beneficial that the unit dose detergent product comprises at least one further distinct part which has a colour in the colour range from red to violet. The glossy solid part may be coloured but preferably has little or no added colorant.

The presence of the glossy solid part preferably is further highlighted by it being shaped to provide light catching/ reflecting edges. Preferably the at least one glossy solid part has a distinct geometric form. As such preference is given to a unit dose detergent product comprising at least one glossy solid part, wherein the glossy solid part has a cuboid shape, rectangular shape, cylinder shape, spherical shape, bar shape, X-bar shape, pyramid shape, prism shape, cone shape, dome shape or tube shape. Of these more preferred are a X-bar shape, cylinder shape, cuboid shape, rectangular shape, tube shape and bar-shape as these shapes can be recognized when viewed in the appropriate 2-dimensional plane.

In particular it is of particular aesthetic appeal that the glossy solid part is oriented such that it forms part of the outer surface of the unit dose detergent product on at least 2 opposing sides and is continuous from one such opposing side to the other. In case of a transparent glossy solid part it is preferred it is further oriented such that it allows Light to pass through the unit dose detergent product in at least one straight line running from the at least 2 opposing surfaces.

In case the glossy solid part is transparent it can be used to provide a further aesthetically pleasing benefit as matrix holding distinct bodies. These bodies may than be visible as‘suspended’ in the matrix adding yet another benefit cue to the consumer. For this reason, it is preferred in one embodiment that the glossy solid part is transparent and encloses 1 to 50, preferably 2 to 40, more preferably 3 to 30 bodies, wherein even more preferably the bodies are spherical. Of course it is preferred that the bodies are visually distinct from the surrounding matrix made-up by the transparent glossy solid part. As such even more preferably the bodies are non-transparent and/or coloured.

As mentioned the unit dose detergent product comprises at least one glossy solid part. In this sense the unit dose detergent product can hold a plurality of glossy solid parts. It is preferred however that the unit dose comprises 1 to 10, preferably 1 to 5, more preferably 1 to 3 and even more preferably 1 glossy solid part(s).

It was surprisingly found that the glossy solid part can be made by using detergent actives. The glossy solid part comprises detergent active, but preferably comprises at least 50 wt. %, preferably at least 75 wt. %, more preferably at least 85 wt. % and even more preferably essentially consists of detergent actives.

Excellent results were achieved when the glossy solid part comprises a combination of a a) chiral aminopolycarboxylate and b) an organic acid, wherein the glossy solid part has c) a water content of from 2 to 30 wt. %, preferably 5 to 25 wt. % and more preferably 6 to 20 wt. %. Preferred chiral aminopolyarboxylates are GLDA (glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid), MGDA (methylglycinediacetic acid) and EDDS

(ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid). Preferred organic acids are citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid and aspartic acid. Surprisingly said solids can be free of crystals and provide good glossiness, transparency and low small- and wide-angle scattering.

It is preferred that the ingredients a), b) and c) make up at least 50 wt. %, preferably 75 wt. %, more preferably 90 wt. % of the total weight of the glossy solid part. Even more preferred the glossy solid part essentially consists of these ingredients.

If view of providing more flexibility in formulation, as the unit dose detergent formulation typically is required to form a basic aqueous wash liquor, the glossy solid part preferably has the following pH profile: the pH of a solution made by dissolving 1 wt. % of the solid composition in water is at least 5.0 and more preferably at least 6.0 and more preferably at least 6.5 as measured at 25 degrees Celsius. As to upper limits, preferably the pH of a solution of the glossy solid part made by dissolving the solid part in water in a 1 :1 weight ratio is at most 10.0, as measured at 25 degrees Celsius.

Particularly good results were achieved for said pH profile being at most 9.0, more preferably at most 8.0.

Best effects were achieved when the weight ratio of a):b) in the glossy solid part is from 1 :2 to 1 :0.15, preferably from 1 :1.5 to 1 :0.4, more preferably from 1 :1.4 to 1 : 0.5, based on the weight of the free acid equivalents.

Besides these ingredient other ingredients may be present as long as the required gloss of the solid part is according to the invention.

The unit dose detergent product preferably comprises besides the glossy part at least one other part. The other part(s) preferably contain detergent actives such as one or more of enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, bleaching agents, bleach activator, bleach catalyst, bleach scavengers, drying aids, silicates, metal care agents, colorants, perfumes, lime soap dispersants, anti-foam, anti-tarnish, anti-corrosion agents, surfactants and builders.

The solid composition of the invention is preferably made according to a process comprising the steps of:

I. providing an aqueous solution of the ingredients, preferably comprising:

a) free acid equivalent of chiral aminopolycarboxylate; and

b) free acid equivalent of organic acid different from a)

wherein the weight ratio of a):b) is from 1 :2 to 8.8:1 ; and

II. removing water from the aqueous solution by evaporation at a temperature of at least 50°C to produce a liquid desiccated mixture preferably having a water content of from 2 to 30 wt. %; and

III. reducing the temperature of the desiccated mixture to less than 25°C to obtain a solid composition.

The process to make to solid composition of the invention does not involve spray- drying or as it does not lead to a glossy appearance (i.e. it provides a powder). Most advantageously in step III, the liquid desiccated mixture is allowed to solidify under conditions in which the surface is mechanically unperturbed, apart from the influence of gravity. This provide a simple and economical way to improve the glossiness of the solid part.

A first example of this is as set out in the Examples below where the liquid desiccated mixture is poured into a petri dish and passively allowed to cool (i.e .and only under the influence of gravity to settle the liquid), creating a highly glossy surface. A second example is where a tablet is emerged into a heated liquid desiccated mixture, removed from the heated liquid and allowed to cool on a suitable scaffold. Here the liquid desiccated mixture adhered to the tablet will cool in-situ onto the surface of the tablet and will settle under the influence of gravity only, creating a highly glossy surface-layer around the tablet.

Advantageously the solid composition after solidifying may be polished to improve the glossiness.

Examples

Examples 1 -6

Glossy solid parts according to the invention can be made starting from an aqueous solution having a composition as set out in the following Table A.

Table A. Composition of aqueous solutions, amounts are given in parts by weight.

¹ GLDA: Dissolvine GL-47-S (Supp ution of GLDA containing 50 % water. The amount given in Table A is the amount of GLDA. ² MGDA: Trilon (M): (Supplier: BASF) is a 40 % solution of MGDA containing 55 % water. The amount given in Table A is the amount of MGDA.

³ EDDS: (analytical grade, Supplier: Sigma Aldrich) is a 35 % solution of the trinatrium salt of EDDS containing about 65 % water. The amount given in Table A is the amount of EDDS.

⁴ Citric Acid: used as a 50 % solution. The amount given in Table A is the amount citric acid.

⁵ Acetic Acid: used as a 50 % solution. The amount given in Table A is the amount of acetic acid.

6Polyacrylate: Sokalan PA 25 CL (Supplier BASF), supplied as granules comprising 80% polyacrylate. Average molar mass Mw is 4000. The amount in Table A is the amount of polyacrylate.

⁷ Contained in aminopolycarboxylate The aqueous solutions are heated to boiling in a frying pan. Next, boiling is continued to allow evaporation of water. The liquid can be poured into a fully transparent petri dish and passively allowed to cool to room temperature to form a solid.

The final water levels are given in the following table (Table B):

Table B

All the solid parts according to the Examples are considered to be highly transparent and exhibit low small- and wide-angle scattering. All examples are considered to show a good high gloss finish, mid gloss finish and matt finish. The glossy solid parts can be used to manufacture a unit dose detergent product having at least one distinct glossy solid part.