SOLID DISHMACHINE DETERGENT NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE RINSE ADDITIVE
New solid detergent compositions and methods of forming and using those compositions are provided. The compositions for forming the solid detergents comprise a copolymer, scale inhibiting agent, and non-phosphate builder dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system. Advantageously, the inventive solid detergents provide dramatically improved cleaning performance and drying time without the use of a separate rinse additive. The detergents are especially suited to commercial dishmachine processes. The solid detergents are also in the form of a solid, homogeneous, self-sustaining body for improved handling and use.
1 . A solid detergent composition comprising:
a copolymer of a quaternary ammonium compound and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of acids, acrylamides, and combinations thereof;
a scale inhibiting agent; and
a non-phosphate builder,
wherein said composition is in the form of a self-sustaining body.
2 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said quaternary ammonium compound comprises a quaternary ammonium halide.
3 . The composition of claim 2 , wherein said quaternary ammonium halide is diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.
4 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, sulfonic acid, and the ammonium and alkali metal salts thereof, and combinations thereof.
5 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said copolymer is selected from the group consisting of diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/maleic acid copolymers, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/sulfonic acid copolymer, and combinations thereof.
6 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of said copolymer, based upon the total weight of the composition taken as 100% by weight.
7 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said scale inhibiting agent is selected from the group consisting of phosphonic acid sequestrants, low molecular weight non-crosslinked polyacrylates, nitrilotriacetic acid, citric acid, phosphate builders, and the water-soluble salts thereof, and combinations thereof.
8 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said non-phosphate builder is selected from the group consisting of hydroxides, silicates, carbonates, and the alkali metal salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.
9 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said self-sustaining body has a specific gravity of from about 1 to about 2.
10 . The composition of claim 1 , wherein said self-sustaining body is in the form of a tablet.
11 . A method of forming a solid detergent composition comprising:
forming a mixture comprising a copolymer of a quaternary ammonium compound and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of acids, acrylamides, and combinations thereof, a scale inhibiting agent, and a non-phosphate builder; and
allowing said mixture to harden to form a solid, self-sustaining body.
12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein said forming comprises dissolving or dispersing said copolymer, scale inhibiting agent, and non-phosphate builder in a solvent system, said solvent system being selected from the group consisting of water, aqueous alkaline solutions, and mixtures thereof.
13 . In a detergent composition comprising builders and surfactants, the improvement being that said composition:
comprises a copolymer of a quaternary ammonium compound and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of acids, acrylamides, and combinations thereof; and
is in the form of a self-sustaining body.
14 . The composition of claim 13 , wherein said quaternary ammonium compound comprises a quaternary ammonium halide.
15 . The composition of claim 14 , wherein said quaternary ammonium halide is diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.
16 . The composition of claim 13 , wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, sulfonic acid, and the ammonium and alkali metal salts thereof, and combinations thereof.
17 . The composition of claim 13 , wherein said copolymer is selected from the group consisting of diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/maleic acid copolymers, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/sulfonic acid copolymer, and combinations thereof.
18 . The composition of claim 13 , wherein said composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of said copolymer, based upon the total weight of the composition taken as 100% by weight.