WO2016200343A1

WO2016200343A1 - Aqueous, thickened and transparent bleaching compositions

Info

Publication number: WO2016200343A1
Application number: PCT/TR2015/000256
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ahmet Ergun; Nihat Toslu; Murat Uzumcu; Korkut Acikalin; Turgut Tas
Original assignee: HAYAT KIMYA SANAYI AS
Current assignee: HAYAT KIMYA SANAYI AS
Priority date: 2015-06-09
Filing date: 2015-06-09
Publication date: 2016-12-15
Anticipated expiration: 2017-12-09

Abstract

The present invention relates to aqueous, thickened and transparent bleaching compositions which do not comprise polymeric thickeners or polymeric rheology modifiers to ensure a low manufacture cost. The bleaching compositions of the present invention are free of gelation, phase separation and cloudy appearance at the temperatures of 4°C and above; have an initial viscosity value between 1000 cP and 2000 cP measured at 20°C; preserve a viscosity value between 70% and 130% of said initial viscosity value during two months period at 25°C, and have at least 70% of its initial active chlorine value at the end of two months period at 25°C. The present bleaching compositions comprise a chlorine-releasing bleaching agent, an amine oxide surfactant, a fatty acid or fatty acid alkali metal salt, a basic agent, a sequestrant, optionally a perfume, and water.

Description

AQUEOUS, THICKENED AND TRANSPARENT BLEACHING

COMPOSITIONS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION: The present invention relates to bleaching compositions. Particularly, the present invention relates to hard surface bleaching compositions. More particularly, the present invention relates to aqueous, transparent bleaching compositions which are thickened, do not possess cloudy appearance at low temperatures, are phase stable and free of gelation, and demonstrates satisfactory viscosity and bleach stability. The bleaching compositions do not comprise polymeric thickeners or polymeric rheology modifiers to ensure a low manufacture cost.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:

Bleaching compositions have long been used in cleaning and/or disinfecting of hard surfaces. Liquid bleaching compositions comprising chlorine-releasing bleaching agents are commonly used compositions in cleaning of typical hard surfaces such as lavatories, drains, sinks, bathtubs and other common household surfaces and household wares.

The viscosity has critical importance in such bleaching compositions in order to maintain an effective cleaning and/or disinfection especially in non-horizontal surfaces. If the viscosities of the bleaching compositions are low, then the bleaching compositions are difficult to utilize on hard surfaces positioned vertically since they run along such surfaces quickly, thereby minimizing the contact time of bleaching composition with the hard surface, which finally results in poorer cleaning performance. In addition to that, consumers generally devote a favourable attention to viscously build liquid bleaching products since viscous products often connote a concentrated composition in the mind of consumer. It is also true that viscous liquid bleaching products works better than the thin or less viscous ones especially when the bleaching composition is needed to be poured through the standing water such as in drains and closets. For these reasons, the bleaching compositions are needed to build viscously, in other words, in a thickened form, to provide the effects given above. However, it is not enough only to build the bleaching compositions thickened/viscous but it is also necessary to produce bleaching compositions which are capable of maintaining their viscosities in reasonable percentages of their initial viscosities during their shell lives, in other words, viscosity stability is also necessary. Transparency is another important property of bleaching compositions. Transparent bleaching compositions are generally more aesthetically attractive for consumers probably due to the perception of transparency along with shiny appearance. However, the bleaching compositions, although they are prepared to be transparent, may confront the problem of becoming cloudy during storage or in shelves especially when the temperatures are below 20°C. As a result of this incident, consumers mostly suppose that the product cannot work properly, and do not wish to buy the product which has cloudy appearance.

Stability is the other important property of bleaching compositions. Stability issues can mainly be categorized into three subclasses of (i) bleach stability, (ii) phase stability, and (iii) gelation stability. The bleach stability means keeping the bleaching agents activity as much as possible, and if cannot be provided lower cleaning and/or disinfecting performances are obtained. Phase stability stands for the ability of providing a single phased composition where the composition does not separate into two or more phases. The products which present phase separation are not welcomed by the consumers and producers since it is found inconvenient even if it may be possible to return them into single phase form after a shaking treatment prior to usage. Gelation stability means that the compositions are free of gelation. This is important for both consumers and producers since jellified or partially jellified compositions constitute problem in both filling of packages and dosing the compositions during the cleaning and/or disinfecting process since they are poorly flowable.

Numerous attempts have been made to overcome the problems given above. US 2006/0199755 (Al) claimed that a thickened bleach composition comprising an active chlorine- containing bleach component, a surfactant-based thickening system comprising at least one amine oxide, a water-soluble anionic homopolymer or anionic heteropolymer containing at least one styrenic monomer, and an alkaline agent to provide a pH of 10 or greater wherein the styrenic polymer was explained to serve as an improver for the rheology properties of the thickened bleach composition. However, adding such kind of polymers may cause an increment in cost of raw material and processing (storage, transportation etc.), and requires an additional step in bleaching composition preparation process. Moreover, no information was provided about the transparency of compositions.

US 6100228 (A) disclosed a transparent to translucent bleaching gel cleaner consisting essentially of 0.1-10% hypochlorite; 0.1-10% alkali metal soap; 0.1-10% trialkylamine oxides, betaines or their mixtures; 0.1-15% of an alkali metal hydroxide as buffer/electrolyte; 0.15-5% of bleach stable solvent of tetrahydromyrcenol, dihydroterpineol or mixtures thereof, and remainder as water. However, adding such kind of solvents may cause an increment in cost of raw material and processing (storage, transportation etc.), and requires an additional step in bleaching composition preparation process. Moreover, '228 indicates that all types of C₆-C₁₈ carboxylic acids, without any limitation, may be used to obtain alkali metal soap. However, as explained in description and examples parts of the present invention, not all but only specific fatty acids with certain properties are appropriate for obtaining transparent bleaching compositions especially at temperatures below 20°C.

EP 1685228 Bl claimed that a thickened liquid bleach composition free of polymeric thickening agent comprising 0.1-10%wt. of a hypochlorite salt;-0.5-20%wt. of a surfactant; 0.1-8%w of an electrolyte selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxides, halides, sulphates, carbonates and mixtures thereof; and at least two different kinds of alkali metal ions, the least prevalent alkali metal ion in the composition being present in a molar amount of at least 10% of the total alkali metal ion content. Unfortunately, the compositions of '5228 are expected to be poor in terms of bleach stability and possibly prone to gelation. Moreover, no information was provided about the transparency of compositions.

Hence, it is believed that there is still a need for a low cost aqueous bleaching composition which:

(i) has a thickened form,

(ii) is viscosity stable, meaning that the viscosity value of bleaching composition exhibits a

reasonable change with time,

(iii) has a transparent form and does not illustrate any cloudy appearance even at temperatures below 20°C

(iv) has a satisfactory bleach stability,

(v) is phase stable, and

(vi) is free of gelation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:

Therefore, an object of present invention is to provide aqueous bleaching composition which is thickened so that it can more easily be utilized on hard surfaces positioned non-horizantally, thereby maximizing the contact time of bleaching composition with the hard surface and resulting in effective cleaning performance wherein the said bleaching compositions do not comprise polymeric thickeners or polymeric rheology modifiers which are relatively expensive, to ensure a low manufacture cost.

Other object of the present invention is to provide transparent bleaching compositions which do not possess cloudy appearance event at temperatures below 20°C, preferably at 4°C. Another object of present invention is to provide viscosity stable bleaching compositions, so that the viscosity of the bleaching compositions does not change dramatically with time during storage or in shelves.

Further object of the present invention is to provide gelation free phase stable bleaching compositions which are not jellified or phase separated during storage or in shelves. Still further object of the present invention is to provide bleaching compositions that has satisfactory bleach stability.

DESCRIPTION OF DISCLOSURE:

Through the studies to obtain such a bleaching composition, the inventors of the present invention surprisingly revealed that an aqueous, transparent, thickened bleaching composition which:

• is free of gelation, phase separation and cloudy appearance at the temperatures of 4°C and above,

• has an initial viscosity value between 1000 cP and 2000 cP measured at 20°C,

• preserves a viscosity value between 70% and 130% of said initial viscosity value during two months period at 25°C, and

• has at least 70% of its initial active chlorine value at the end of two months period at 25°C.

can be ensured by a bleaching composition comprising:

(a) a chlorine-releasing bleaching agent,

(b) an amine oxide surfactant,

(c) a fatty acid or fatty acid alkali metal salt

(d) a basic agent,,

(e) a sequestrant,

(a) a perfume, and

(b) water Initial viscosity term used herein means the viscosity value measured right after the preparation of bleaching composition.

Final viscosity term used herein means the viscosity value measured at the end of the related test period.

Transparent term used herein denotes that the bleaching composition does not have any cloudy appearance in any part of itself, and is clear visually at 25°C and at 4°C for 2 months of period after the preparation.

Gelation term used herein denotes a form that the bleaching compositions is jellified, and cannot be poured out properly due to the gelation.

The bleaching compositions of the present invention may be used in cleaning and/or disinfection of hard surfaces available in bathrooms, toilettes, kitchens, basements, garages etc. such as tiles, drains, countertops, sinks, bathtubs, showers, lavatories, floors, walls, tablewares, kitchenwares, bathwares. The hard surfaces may be made up of any material such as marble, steel, aluminium, enamel, ceramic, porcelain, plastic and glass. The bleaching compositions of the present invention may optionally be used in cleaning and/or soil/stain removal of white coloured fabrics

CHLORINE-RELEASING BLEACHING AGENT

Bleaching agent used according to present invention makes it possible to disinfect the cleaned surface as well as to remove soils and stains, especially to remove soils and stains which are sensitive to bleaching agents.

The bleaching agent of the present invention is the type of chlorine-releasing bleaching agent. Said bleaching agent can be alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hypochlorites, chloramines, chlorimines, chloramids, chlorimids. Specific examples are sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, monobasic calcium hypochlorite, dibasic magnesium hypochlorite, potassium dichloroisocyanurate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, sodium dicholoroisocyanuruate dehydrate, trichlorocyanuric acid, l-3-dichloro-5-5-dimethylhydantoin, N-chlorosulfamide, Chloramine T, Dichloroamine T, Chloramine B and Dichloramine B.

The preferred bleaching agent of the present invention is sodium hypochlorite, NaCIO, composed of sodium cation (Na⁺) and a hypochlorite anion (CIO^"). The hypochlorite anion is a strong oxidizing agent and for this reason compositions which yield this species are considered to be powerful bleaching compositions

Sodium hypochlorite used in the present invention was provided as aqueous solutions of 12.5% by weight. The concentration of aqueous solution containing hypochlorite ion was measured in terms of available (active) chlorine. The chlorine releasing bleaching agent can be present in the cleaning compositions of present invention in an amount sufficient to provide from 0.1% to 6%, preferably 3% to 5% available (active) chlorine. Conversion from % active chlorine (w/w) to % sodium hypochlorite (w/w) can be found by using equation (1):

% sodium hypochlorite = Xx 74.44 / 70.9 (1) wherein X is sodium hypochlorite concentration as % active chlorine (w/w), 74.44 is sodium hypochlorite molecular weight and 70.9 is chlorine (Cl₂) molecular weight. Thus, sodium hypochlorite can be present in the cleaning compositions of present invention in an amount from 0.1% to 6.5%, preferably 3% to 5.5% by weight of the total composition.

The pH of the bleaching composition has great importance since chemical decomposition and hence loss of bleaching power becomes very significant at low pH values for hypochlorite containing solutions. For this reason, the cleaning compositions must be buffered at pH's of above 11.5, preferably above 12.5, more preferably above 13.0.

AMINE OXIDE

Amine oxide used according to the present invention enables the thickening of bleaching composition as well as it gives the composition a cleaning power.

For present bleaching compositions, amine oxides may be selected from various types including alkyl dimethylamine oxides, alkyl dihydroxyethylamine oxides, alkyl amidodimethylamine oxides and alkyl amidodihydroxyethylamine oxides as described in Handbook of Detergents, Part F: Production, pp

235.

The preferred amine oxide type for the present invention is alkyl dimethylamine oxides. Specifically preferred one is coco dimethylamine oxide with the following chemical formula (I):

(I) wherein Ri and R₂ are methyl groups, and R₃ is an Ci₂-Ci₈ alkyl radical of a coconut fatty acid that may comprise unsaturated carbon to carbon bonds. These types of amine oxides are preferred as they have good viscosity controlling property, good hard water tolerance, and are stable at strong alkaline conditions. The inventors found that amine oxide amount in present bleaching compositions should be between 0.6% and 1.8%, preferably between 1.2% and 1.5% by weight of the total composition. It was observed that, the amine oxide amounts lower than the mentioned interval, especially lower than the preferred interval, cause the initial viscosity of bleaching compositions less than the desired values (1000 to 2000 cp); whereas the amine oxide amounts higher than the mentioned interval, especially higher than the preferred interval, lead to gelation.

Another critical parameter found during the studies was the fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratio. This ratio was found to have important role in achieving a thickened bleaching composition which has the desired initial viscosity values of 1000 to 2000 cp, and which does not have the problem of gelation. The studies indicated that the optimum fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratio must be kept in a narrow interval of 0.4/1 - 0.7/1, preferably 0.5/1 - 0.6/1 in order to achieve the bleaching composition having the desired properties. The fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratios lower than the given interval, especially lower than the preferred interval, result in low initial viscosity values whereas the fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratios higher than the given interval, especially higher than the preferred interval, lead to gelation.

FATTY ACID

Fatty acid used according to the present invention enables the thickening of bleaching compositions by forming fatty acid soap as a result of the reaction between itself and a basic agent during the preparation of bleaching composition. In other words, fatty acid helps the formulator to regulate the initial viscosity of the bleaching compositions, after being converted to fatty acid soap as a result of its reaction with a basic agent during the preparation of bleaching compositions. The fatty acid soap that is fatty acid alkali metal salt, can also be directly put into the bleaching compositions as well as it can be produced during the bleaching composition preparation process. In present invention, the fatty acid soap was preferably produced during the preparation process by neutralizing the fatty acid with a basic agent.

The inventors found that fatty acid amounts smaller than 0.3% by weight of the total composition resulted in initial viscosities below 1000 cp which are lower than the desired initial viscosity values of 1000 to 2000 cp. On the other hand, the inventors also found that gelation can take place if the fatty acid amount exceeds 1.2% by weight of the total composition. Thus, the studies of the present invention clearly revealed that the fatty acid amounts should be between 0.3% and 1.2%, preferably 0.6% and 1.0% by weight of the total composition. The inventors also found that fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratio is another critical parameter in order to achieve a thickened bleaching composition which has the desired initial viscosity values of 1000 to 2000 cp, and which does not have the problem of gelation. The studies show that the optimum fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratio must be kept in a narrow interval of 0.4/1 - 0.7/1, preferably 0.5/1 - 0.6/1 in order to achieve the bleaching composition having the desired properties. The fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratios lower than the given interval, especially lower than the preferred interval, result in low initial viscosity values whereas the fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratios higher than the given interval, especially higher than the preferred interval, lead to gelation.

Another critical parameter found by the inventors was the type of fatty acid. The inventors observed that the type of fatty acid has an important influence on the transparency of the bleaching compositions. Several types of fatty acids were used in compositions, and only specific types of fatty acid yielded desired transparent compositions. For instance, in one embodiment, distilled hydrogenated coconut fatty acid with a carbon distribution by weight of 5.61% C₈, 8.59% C₁₀, 49.54% Ci2, 17.75% C₁₄, 8.28% C₁₆ and 8.41% C₁₈ was used. The bleaching composition prepared with this fatty acid did yield a strongly cloudy appearance at 4°C, and was not transparent. In another embodiment, topped palm kernel fatty acid with a carbon distribution by weight of 0.71% C₁₀,

52.26% C₁₂, 17.32% C₁₄, 9.36% C₁₆, 2.34% C₁₈, 15.40% d_8:1and 2.25% C_18:2 was used The bleaching composition prepared with this fatty acid did yield a mild cloudy appearance at 4°C, and was not transparent However, in another embodiment distilled coconut fatty acid with a carbon distribution by weight of 5.33% C₈, 6.38% C₁₀, 51.13% C₁₂, 17.66% C_Ul 7.43% C₁₆, 1.74% C₁₈, 7.63% C_18:1 and 1.1% C_18:2 was used The bleaching composition prepared with this fatty acid was transparent, and did not yield cloudy appearance. Examining the findings of the studies, the inventors came to a conclusion that the fatty acid that is appropriate for the present bleaching compositions has C₈-Ci₈ carbon distribution, and definitely should comprise monounsaturated Ci_8:1 and/or diunsaturated Ci_8;2 carbon fraction but less than a total of 15%, preferably less than a total of 10% by weight of the total fatty acid amount. So the fatty acid to be used in the present bleaching compositions is coconut, preferably distilled coconut fatty acid with the carbon distribution by weight of 4-8% C₈, 5-10% C₁₀, 46-53% Ci₂, 15-21% C₁₄, 5-13% C₁₆, max. 4% C₁₈, 5-12% C_18:1 and max.3% C_18:2. In case, fatty acid alkali metal salt (fatty acid soap), preferably fatty acid sodium salt is directly used in formulations, the fatty acid of fatty acid alkali metal salt should have C₈-Ci₈ carbon distribution, and definitely should comprise monounsaturated G_8:i and/or diunsaturated Ci_8:2 carbon fraction but less than a total of 15%, preferably less than a total of 10% by weight of the fatty acid of fatty acid alkali metal salt. It is also important that fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratio should be maintained in a narrow interval of 0.4/1 -0.7/1, preferably 0.5/1 - 0.6/1 in order to achieve the bleaching composition having the desired properties in case fatty acid alkali metal salt is directly used in formulations. So, the fatty acid alkali metal salt amount to be put in formulations should be tuned so that the fatty acid of fatty acid alkali metal salt should provide the above given fatty acid / amine oxide (wt.wt) ratio interval.

BASIC AGENT

Another essential ingredient in the present bleaching composition is a basic agent. Basic agent has two important duties in present bleaching compositions:

(i) to neutralize the fatty acid ingredient in situ during the preparation of bleaching compositions to form fatty acid soap, and thus indirectly to thicken the bleaching composition, and

(ii) (ii) to provide an alkaline pH value above 11.5, preferably above 12.5, more

preferably above 13.0 in the bleaching composition to maintain the bleach stability of bleaching composition.

The basic agent may be selected from alkali metal hydroxides, carbonate salts or bicarbonate salts. These ingredients may be used alone or in any combination.

The alkali metal hydroxide may be selected from potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide and lithium hydroxide. The preferred one is sodium hydroxide for the present invention. The carbonate or bicarbonate salt may be selected from potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate or sodium bicarbonate. The preferred one is sodium carbonate for the present invention.

The amount of basic agent should be regulated so that it can provide a complete neutralization of fatty acid ingredient, and it can maintain the pH values at the desired values. The amount of basic agent in the present bleaching composition is between 0.2% and 2%, preferably between 0.3% and 1.5% by weight of the total composition. SEQUESTRANT

Sequestrant is another essential ingredient in the present bleaching compositions. The term sequestrant refers to chemicals which counteract or suppress the effects of other chemical substances. In present bleaching compositions, sequestrants are incorporated into the compositions to provide:

(i) inactivation of water hardness (calcium salts, magnesium salts) and other metallic ions, and

(ii) minimization of the loss in bleaching power of composition with time, in other words, to ensure the bleach stability.

Typical sequestrants can be phosphonic/polyphosphonic acids, amino polycarboxylic acids, polyphosphates, hydro carboxylic acids or polymeric carboxylic acids. Among these, amino substituted phosphonic acids, or their salts, are preferred since their stability to bleaching agents are better than the others. Specifically preferred one is aminotri(methylene phosphonic acid) N-oxide.

The studies applied during the researches showed that the amount of sequestrant in the present bleaching composition should be between 0.2% and 0.8%, preferably between 0.2% and 0.5% by weight of the total composition. The inventors observed that sequestrant amounts lower than the given interval, especially lower than the preferred interval, result, in inefficient bleach stability whereas sequestrant amounts higher than the given interval, especially higher than the preferred interval, cause lower initial viscosities which are not desired.

PERFUME

Perfume may be added optionally to present bleaching compositions to mask the sharp odour of chlorine-releasing bleaching agent at least partially during and/or after the cleaning of soiled/stained surface, and to provide a more pleasant product for the consumers in the basis of odour.

Oil and/or encapsulated type of perfumes may be used in present bleaching compositions. The perfume type preferably used in the embodiments of present bleaching compositions is oil type.

Through the studies, it was noticed that the amount of perfume incorporated into the bleaching compositions has cruel importance on the initial viscosity of bleaching composition. The inventors found that the perfume amount should be lower than 0.1%, preferably lower than 0.07% by weight of the total composition. Otherwise, the initial viscosity values yielded a significant drop and decreased to the values which are not in the scope of present invention. PREPARATION OF BLEACHING COMPOSITION

The bleaching compositions of the present invention were prepared by the following method:

1. 20% by weight of the total water amount is taken into the reactor at 80-85°C.

2. Fatty acid and basic agent are introduced to the reactor. The neutralization reaction is

completed at the presence of high mixing rate to produce fatty acid soap.

3. The rest of the water is added to the reactor in cold state, and the reaction mixture in the reactor is cooled.

4. Having respectively added amin oxide and sequestrant, the reaction mixture is mixed until obtaining a homogen mixture. 5. The mixing rate is regulated to slow values, and chlorine-releasing bleaching agent is added.

6. Finally, the perfume is optionally added to the reaction mixture.

ANALYSIS and TEST METHODS

Viscosity measurement: The initial and final viscosities of bleaching compositions were measured at 20°C by using a Brookfield viscometer (LVT) with spindle No. 2 at 12 rpm in a 150 ml sample. All of the results are average of three measurements. All of the viscosity values are in cP. pH measurement: The pH of the bleaching compositions were measured at 20°C by using Mettler Toledo Seven Easy pH meter. All of the results are average of three measurements.

Active (available) chlorine analysis: Active chlorine analyses were done titrimetrically according to the TSE (Turkish Standarts Insitute) TS 3464 standart method. The standart method uses sodium thiosulfate as titrant. All of the active chlorine values are in weight percentage of total composition. All of the results are average of three measurements. The bleach stability was denoted as satisfactory if the active chlorine amount of the cleaning composition did not fall below the 70% of the initial active chlorine value at 25°C in two months period, otherwise denoted as unsatisfactory. Phase stability test: Phase stability test of bleaching compositions with regard to phase separation was done by visual determination of physical phase separation in samples at 25°C for 2 months, and in samples at 4°C for 2 months. If any phase separation was not observed, the bleaching composition was denoted as stable, otherwise denoted as instable.

Gelation stability test: Gelation stability test of bleaching compositions with regard to gel forming was done by visual determination of gelation in samples at 25°C for 2 months, and in samples at 4"C for 2 months. If any gelation was not observed, the bleaching composition was denoted as stable, otherwise denoted as instable.

Viscosity stability test: The viscosity values of cleaning compositions were measured for two months. The viscosity stability test results were considered as stable if the viscosity values did not decrease or increase more than 30% of initial viscosity value. If the viscosity values measured during the test period were lower than 70% of initial viscosity values or greater than 130% of initial viscosity values, then the viscosity test results were recognized as instable.

EXAMPLES

Exemplary, non-limiting embodiments of the present invention were given in Table 1 to provide a clear understanding. A person of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other examples may be used without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Table 1. Examples (all of the ingredients are by weight percentage)

: Palmera B1210 (KLK Oleo Company) having a carbon distribution by weight of 5.33% C₈, 6.38% Cio, 51.13% C₁₂, 17.66% C_w, 7.43% C₁₆, 1.74% Cu, 7.63% Ci, i and 1.1% Ci₈₂

² : Palmera B1220 (KLK Oleo Company) having a carbon distribution by weight of 0.71% Cio, 52.26% C_i2, 17.32% d₄, 9.36% C₁₆, 2.34% C_i8, 15.40% C₁₈i and 2.25% C„₂

³ : Palmera B1213 (KLK Oleo Company) having a carbon distribution by weight of 5.61% C₈, 8.59% C₁₀, 49.54% Ci₂, 17.75% Cu, 8.28% Ci₆ and 8.41% C₁₈

": Genaminox CSL (Clariant Int. Ltd.) (Cu-Cu coco dimethylamine oxide)

⁵: Dequest 6004 (Dequest Italmatch Chemicals) ((Aminotris(methylene phosphonic acid) N-oxide))

6: Sodium hydroxide (Akkim Kimya, Turkey)

7: Sodium carbonate

8: Remainder Example 1 was formulated according to the present invention whereas the other examples were not formulated according to the present invention. Example 1 disclosed (i) a thickened form whose initial viscosity value was between 1000-2000 cP, (ii) a satisfactory bleach stability where the active chlorine loss was 22.71%, (iii) a phase stable form where no phase separation was observed during test period (iv) a stable form in terms of gelation where no gelation was observed during test period, (v) a viscosity stable form where the viscosity values did not decrease or increase more than 30% of initial viscosity value during the test period, and (vi) a transparent form without any cloudy appearance during the test period. The test results of Example 1 are given in Table 2. Example 8 was also formulated according to the present invention and yielded similar test results compared to Example 1. The only difference between Example 1 and Example 8 was the type of basic agent used in formulation. Example 8 was formulated with carbonate salt instead of an alkali metal hydroxide.

Table 2. Test results of Example 1

After 8. week preparation 1. week 2. week 3. week 4. week 5. week 6. week 7. week (final (initial value) value)

Active

chrlorine 4.80 4.78 4.64 4.41 4.23 4.12 3.96 3.83 3.71 wt.%

Viscosity

stability test,

cP (of sample 1600 1325 1550 1850 1775 1900 2000 1550 1550 stored at

25°C)

Phase

stability (of

samples

stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stored at

25"C and

4"Q

Gelation

stability (of

samples

stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stable stored at

25°C and

4°C)

Transparency

Example 2 was not formulated according to present invention as the perfume amount was higher than the proposed interval of present invention. The initial viscosity of Example 2 was much lower than the desired initial viscosity value range, and thus the bleaching composition was not appropriately thickened.

Example 3 and Example 4 were not inventive compositions since their fatty acid ingredient did not provide the fatty acid properties of present invention. Example 3 comprised a fatty acid comprising 17.65%wt. of monounsaturated C_i8:1 and diunsaturated Ci_8:2 carbon fraction, whereas the present invention must comprise a fatty acid comprising less than a total of 15%wt., preferably less than a total of 10%wt. of monounsaturated C_18:i and/or diunsaturated Ci_8:2 carbon fraction. On the other hand, Example 4 did not contain any monounsaturated C_18:i or diunsaturated C_K carbon fraction, and that's why fell out of the range of present invention. Both Example 3 and Example 4 disclosed a cloudy appearance in their samples stored at 4°C, and could not provide a transparent bleaching composition. Example 5 did not represent the present invention since the fatty acid amount by weight of the total composition and fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratio were both out of the ranges that are essential within the scope of present invention. The fatty acid amount of Example 5 was 0.2% by weight of the total composition, however the present invention required the range of 0.3-1.2%, preferably 0.6-1%. The fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratio of Example 5 was 0.33/1, and was also out of the range required by the present invention which is 0.4/1-0.7/1, preferably 0.5/1-0.6/1. As a result, the bleaching composition of Example 5 disclosed a lower initial viscosity value than the desired initial viscosity value range, and thus the bleaching composition was not appropriately thickened.

Example 6 was not a representative example for present invention as the amine oxide amount by weight of the total composition in Example 6 was higher than the amine oxide amount range proposed by the present invention. The amine oxide amount by weight of total composition in

Example 6 was 1.86% whereas the present invention required the range of 0.6-1.8%, preferably 1.2- 1.5% . The bleach composition of Example 6 did yield a gelation problem which is not welcomed.

Example 7 was not an inventive composition since the sequestrant amount by weight of total composition was not in the range of present invention. Example 7 comprised 1.0% sequestrant by weight of total composition that was higher than the range proposed by present invention which was 0.2-0.8%, preferably 0.2-0.5%. The bleaching composition of Example 7 disclosed a lower initial viscosity value than the desired initial viscosity value range, and thus the bleaching composition was not appropriately thickened.

Claims

CLAIMS:

Claim 1: An aqueous, transparent, thickened bleaching composition comprising:

(a) a chlorine-releasing bleaching agent,

(b) an amine oxide surfactant,

(c) a fatty acid or fatty acid alkali metal salt,

(d) a basic agent,

(e) a sequestrant,

(f) optionally a perfume, and

(g) water

wherein the said bleaching composition:

• has at least 70% of its initial active chlorine value at the end of two months at 25°C. Claim 2: A bleaching composition according to Claim 1, wherein the said chlorine-releasing bleaching agent is sodium hypochlorite. Claim 3: A bleaching composition according to Claim 2, wherein the said chlorine-releasing bleaching agent is between 0.1% and 6.5%, preferably between 3% and 5.5% by weight of the total composition.

Claim 4: A bleaching composition according to Claim 1, wherein the said amine oxide is alkyl dimethylamine oxide, preferably Ci₂-Ci₈ coco dimethylamine oxide.

Claim 5: A bleaching composition according to Claim 4, wherein the said amine oxide is between 0.6% and 1.8%, preferably 1.2% and 1.5% by weight of the total composition. Claim 6: A bleaching composition according to Claim 1, wherein the said fatty acid or fatty acid of said fatty acid alkali metal salt is coconut fatty acid, preferably distilled coconut fatty acid. Claim 7: A bleaching composition according to Claim 6, wherein the said fatty acid or fatty acid of said fatty acid alkali metal salt has C₈-Ci₈ carbon distribution and comprises monounsaturated Ci_8:i and/or diunsaturated Ci_8:2 carbon fraction less than a total of 15%, preferably less than a total of 10% by weight of the said fatty acid or fatty acid of the said fatty acid alkali metal salt.

Claim 8: A bleaching composition according to Claim 6 and Claim 7, wherein the said bleaching composition comprises the said fatty acid or the fatty acid of the said fatty acid alkali metal salt between 0.3% and 1.2%, preferably between 0.6% and 1.0% by weight of the total composition. Claim 9: A bleaching composition according to Claim 1, wherein the said basic agent is alkali metal hydroxide, preferably sodium hydroxide or carbonate salt, preferably sodium carbonate or bicarbonate salt, preferably sodium bicarbonate.

Claim 10: A bleaching composition according to Claim 9, wherein the said basic agent is between 0.2% and 2%, preferably between 0.3% and 1.5% by weight of the total composition.

Claim 11: A bleaching composition according to Claim 1, wherein the said sequestrant is amino substituted phosphonic acids, preferably aminotri(methylene phosphonic acid) N-oxide.

Claim 12: A bleaching composition according to Claim 11, wherein the said sequestrant is between 0.2% and 0.8%, preferably between 0.2% and 0.5% by weight of the total composition.

Claim 13: A bleaching composition according to Claim 1, wherein the said perfume is oil type perfume, and is less than 0.1%, preferably less than 0.07% by weight of the total composition.

Claim 14: A bleaching composition according to Claim 4-8, wherein the fatty acid / amine oxide (wt/wt) ratio is between 0.4/1 - 0.7/1, preferably between 0.5/1 - 0.6/1.

Claim 15: A bleaching composition according to Claim 1-14, wherein the said bleaching composition comprises:

(a) 0.1-6.5%, preferably 3-5.5% of sodium hypochlorite

(b) 0.6-1.8%, preferably 1.2-1.5% of C₁₂-Ci₈ coco dimethylamine oxide,

(c) 0.3-1.2%, preferably 0.6-1.0% of distilled coconut fatty acid comprising less than a total of 10% monounsaturated Ci_8;i and/or diunsaturated Ci_8:2 carbon fraction by weight of the said distilled coconut fatty acid, (d) 0.2-2%, preferably 0.3-1.5% of sodium hydroxide and/or sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate,

(e) 0.2-0.8%, preferably 0.2-0.5% of aminotri(methylene phosphonic acid) N-oxide,

(f) optionally less than 0.1%, preferably less than 0.07% of oil type perfume, and

(g) remainder as water

by weight of the total composition.