PROCESS AND PRODUCT FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FABRICS

Abstract: A process for the removal of stains from textile fabrics comprises soaking the fabrics first in a low-pH aqueous liquor containing, for example, citric acid and sodium citrate, then subsequently in a bleaching liquor, for example, containing a dichlorocyanurate bleach, then rinsing and drying the fabrics. The first aqueous liquor preferably contains an oxidising agent, for example, potassium iodate, to mask and/or neutralise sulphurous odours. The process may suitably be carried out by hand. The product comprises two separately packaged particulate compositions for generating the two liquors; these are preferably packed in visually distinct sachets within common outer packaging.

Description: PROCESS AND PRODUCT FOR THE TREATMENT OF TEXTILE FABRICS Technical field The present invention is concerned with a process and product suitable for removing stains from textile fabrics, The process is especially suitable for use when washing fabrics by hand. Background In the handwash, for example, as practised on the Indian subcontinent, successful removal of stains from textile fabrics is a persistent problem and acceptable results are difficult to obtain using conventional laundry detergent products and traditional handwashing methods. Removal of strongly coloured stains, for example, tea, coffee, red mud and rust, is especially problematic. Prior art JP 58 008 180A (Kao) discloses a process for removing coloured disinfectant stains from hospital clothing, in which the clothing is first machine-washed in an acid solution at pH 2.5-4.0, for example at 60°C, then machine- washed with a solution containing sodium hypochlorite bleach, for example at 40°C. The preferred acid for the first step is phosphoric acid, but citric acid may also be used. The acid solution used for the first step may contain a neutral detergent . GB 2 095 254A (Kreussler) discloses a composition for reducing discolouration of textiles during washing or dry cleaning, the composition comprising tertiary amine salts of citric acid or tricarballylic acid. JP 61 062 600A (Kao) discloses a detergent composition for preventing the yellowing of fabrics due to ferrous ions, comprising citric acid, isocitric acid or their salts plus optionally polyethylene glycol , surfactants, builders, bleaches and other conventional ingredients. EP 534 525A (Unilever) discloses a granular detergent composition containing particulate citric acid, plus anionic and/or nonionic surfactants, sodium carbonate, other builder, and preferably also foam depressing agent and bleach components. Definition of the invention The present invention provides a process for removal of stains from textile fabrics, which process comprises the steps of: (i) allowing the fabrics to soak for at least 1 minute in a first aqueous liquor having a pH within the range of from 2 to 5, preferably from 3.5 to 4.5, and comprising (i) (a) a water-soluble solid acid, optionally in admixture with a water-soluble salt thereof, (i) (b) optionally a surfactant, (ii) allowing the fabrics to soak for at least 1 minute in a second aqueous liquor comprising (ii) (a) a bleach, (ii) (b) optionally a surfactant, and (ii) (c) optionally an alkaline buffering agent, and (iii) rinsing the fabrics in water. The invention further provides a product for the treatment of textile fabrics to remove stains, comprising two separately packaged particulate compositions, wherein: the first particulate composition (i) has a pH (of a 1% solution in demineralised water at 25°C) of from 2 to 5 , preferably from 3.5 to 4.5, and comprises: (i) (a) a water-soluble solid acid, optionally in admixture with a water-soluble salt thereof, (i) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% of a surfactant; (i) (c) optionally from 0 to 10 wt% of a bleach stable and effective at a pH of from 2 to 5 , and the second particulate composition (ii) comprises (ii) (a) from 1 to 100 wt% of a bleach, (ii) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% of a surfactant, (ii) (c) optionally from 0 to 99 wt% of an alkaline buffering agent. Preferred embodiments of the invention A preferred process according to the invention comprises the steps of : (i) allowing the fabrics to soak for at least 1 minute in a first aqueous liquor having a pH within the range of from 2 to 5, preferably from 3.5 to 4.5, and comprising (i) (a) a water-soluble solid acid, optionally in admixture with a water-soluble salt thereof, (i) (b) optionally a surfactant, (i) (c) optionally an oxidising agent capable of masking and/or neutralising sulphurous odours, (i) (d) optionally a bleach stable and effective at a pH of from 2 to 5 , which is not the oxidising agent (i) (c) , and (ii) allowing the fabrics to soak for at least 1 minute in a second aqueous liquor comprising (ii) (a) a bleach (ii) (b) optionally a surfactant, (ii) (c) optionally an alkaline buffering agent, (ii) (d) optionally one or more builder and/or filler salts, (ii) (e) optionally a sequestrant bleach stabiliser, (ii) (f) optionally a fluorescer, (ii) (g) optionally one or more detergent enzymes, and (iii) rinsing the fabrics in water. A preferred product according to the invention comprises two separately packaged particulate compositions, wherein: the first particulate composition (i) has a pH (of a 1% solution in demineralised water at 25°C) of from 2 to 5, preferably from 3.5 to 4.5, and comprises: (i) (a) from 50 to 100 wt% of a water-soluble solid acid, optionally in admixture with a water-soluble salt thereof, (i) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% of a surfactant; (i) (c) optionally from 0 to 10 wt% of an oxidising agent capable of masking and/or neutralising sulphurous odours , (i) (d) optionally from 0 to 10 wt% of a bleach stable and effective at a pH of from 2 to 5, which is not the oxidising agent (i) (c) , and the second particulate composition (ii) comprises (ii) (a) from 1 to 100 wt% of a bleach, (ii) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% of a surfactant, (ii) (c) optionally from 0 to 99 wt% of an alkaline buffering agent, (ii) (d) optionally from 0 to 50 wt% of one or more builder and/or filler salts, (ii) (e) optionally from 0 to 5 wt% of a sequestrant bleach stabiliser, (ii) (f) optionally from 0 to 5 wt% of a fluorescer, (ii) (g) optionally an effective amount of one or more detergent enzymes, and other minor ingredients to 100 wt%. Detailed description of the invention The first aspect of the invention is a wet treatment process. In this process the fabrics are soaked successively in two different aqueous liquors and then rinsed. Optionally the fabrics may be rinsed between the two soaking steps. The process of the invention is especially useful, as a supplement to the normal laundry process, for removal of particularly stubborn stains. The process of the invention is suitable for carrying out by hand, using simple utensils such as buckets or bowls as are usually used in laundering fabrics by hand. However, the process may also be carried out by machine. The second aspect of the invention is a product comprising two separately packaged particulate products which may be used to prepare the two aqueous liquors used in the process of the invention. The first aqueous liquor The first aqueous liquor has a relatively low pH, in the range of from 2 to 5, and advantageously in the range of from 3.5 to 4.5, most preferably about 4.0. However, lower pH values, for example, 2 to 3.5, are also within the scope of the invention. The first aqueous liquor contains as an essential ingredient a water-soluble solid acid. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the water-soluble acid is an organic carboxylic acid, for example, citric acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, or ascorbic acid. Acids containing two or more carboxyl groups are especially preferred. Examples of some suitable solid acids include the following: According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the acid is used in admixture with a corresponding water-soluble salt, preferably a sodium salt. The pH may then be controlled by choice of the ratio of free acid to salt. Thus a preferred acid (i) (a) in accordance with the invention is a solid organic carboxylic acid, preferably containing two or more carboxyl groups, optionally in admixtures with a water-soluble salt thereof. The preferred acid for use in the present invention is citric acid, optionally and more preferably used in admixture with sodium citrate. The concentration of the acid, plus salt if present, in the first aqueous liquor is preferably at least 1 g/litre, and more preferably at least 3 g/litre. Desirably the first aqueous liquor also contains an effective amount of an oxidising agent capable of masking and/or neutralising sulphurous odours. Such odours may be generated when the blueing agent widely used in the Indian subcontinent is converted to a colourless form. Suitable materials are especially oxidative bleaches, preferably selected from alkali metal and alkaline earth metal iodates, peroxomonosulphates, benzenecarboperoxoates and monoperoxyphthalates, and hydrogen peroxide. Especially preferred are alkali metal iodates, more especially potassium iodate . The amount required to neutralise sulphurous odours may be determined by means of a lead acetate titration test, which is carried out as follows. A monitor is prepared by impregnating a 1 cm x 10 cm strip of Whatman IPS phase- separating filter paper (silicone treated) with lead acetate solution (1 g of lead acetate trihydrate in 100 ml demineralised water) . A fabric monitor is placed in 100 ml sample of the treatment liquor (first aqueous liquor) in a 400 ml beaker, the lead acetate strip is moistened with demineralised water and placed above the treatment liquor, and the beaker is closed with a transparent lid. If hydrogen sulphide is formed during the treatment, the lead acetate strip becomes black/brown due to the formation of lead sulphide, and this indicates that the liquor contains an insufficient amount of the oxidising agent. According to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the first aqueous liquor may contain a bleach stable and effective at a pH of from 2 to 5. By "stable and effective" is meant that the bleach must be stable in a product on storage at a pH of from 2 to 5, soluble when the product is dissolved in water, and function effectively as a bleach at the pH of the product . Some but not all of the materials disclosed above as odour- masking or odour-neutralising agents are also stable and effective bleaches at a pH of from 2 to 5. However, if the chosen oxidising agent is, for example, potassium iodate, it may be preferred for an additional bleach stable at low pH also to be present. Preferred bleaches are alkali metal dichlorocyanurates . Materials that may function both as odour-masking or neutralising agents and as stable and effective bleaching agents at a pH below 5.0 include magnesium monoperoxyphthalate and potassium benzenecarboperoxoate . The first aqueous liquor may also advantageously contain one or more surfactants . Anionic and/or nonionic surfactants are preferred, especially anionic surfactants used alone and combinations of anionic and nonionic surfactants in which the anionic surfactant predominates. A preferred surfactant system comprises an anionic surfactant selected from linear alkylbenzene sulphonate and alpha-olefin sulphonate, optionally together with at least one ethoxylated C 8 -C 0 alcohol nonionic surfactant having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 2 to 10. Other ingredients, for example perfumes, may be present, generally in minor amounts. In the first step of the process of the invention, the fabrics are allowed to soak in the first aqueous liquor for at least 1 minute, preferably from 1 to 60 minutes, more preferably from 10 to 45 minutes, and most preferably from 15 to 30 minutes. With or without an intermediate rinse, the fabrics are then allowed to soak in the second aqueous liquor. The second aqueous liquor The second aqueous liquor contains as an essential ingredient a bleach. Other ingredients including surfactants and alkaline buffering agents may if desired be present, but that is not essential. Suitable bleaches include chlorine bleaches such as alkali metal hypochlorite, organic chloramides (eg alkali metal dichlorocyanurate (DCCA) or trichlorocyanurate) ; peracids, for example, N,N' -phthaloylaminoperoxycaproic acid (PAP), diperdodecanoic acid (DPDA) ; inorganic persalts, for example, alkali metal perborate or percarbonate, together with a bleach activator (peracid precursor) such as alkylsulphophenyl carbonate (ASPC) , cholylsulphophenylcarbonate (CSPC) , or SNOBS and similar materials. If desired, two or more bleaches may be used in combination. Preferred bleaches are alkali metal hypochlorite, alkali metal dichlorocyanurate (DCCA) , alkali metal perborate, and N,N' -phthaloylaminoperoxycaproic acid (PAP), and combinations thereof. Especially preferred bleaches are sodium DCCA, PAP, and combinations thereof. Advantageously the second aqueous liquor may also contain a bleach stabiliser (heavy metal sequestrant) , for example, an aminopolycarboxylate or aminopolyphosphonate . Preferred materials include EDTA, NTA, EDDS, and EDTMP and DETPMP (Dequests (Trade Mark) ) . A sequestrant is desirable or preferred when the bleach system includes PAP, but may be omitted if the bleach is NaDCCA. The concentration of bleach in the second aqueous liquor is preferably at least 0.05 g/litre, more preferably at least 0.1 g/litre and most preferably at least 0.2 g/litre. Surfactants may also be present. Especially preferred are anionic and/or nonionic surfactants . As in the first aqueous liquor, anionic surfactants alone and anionic/nonionic combinations in which the anionic surfactant predominates are preferred. The second aqueous liquor may also contain an alkaline buffering agent, which may suitably be selected from sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium silicate and combinations of these. It may also contain one or more builder and/or filler salts, suitably selected from sodium tripolyphosphate, other sodium phosphates, sodium sulphate, and combinations of these. The second aqueous liquor may also comprise one or more detergent enzymes, preferably selected from proteases, cellulases and combinations thereof. Thus the second aqueous liquor may be purely a bleach solution; or may to a greater or lesser extent contain other detergent or cleaning ingredients. At one extreme the second aqueous liquor may be generated purely by dissolving bleach in water; at the other extreme, the seocnd aqueous liquor may be generated by dissolving or dispersing a fully formulated bleaching detergent composition, or a fully formulated non-bleaching detergent composition plus separate bleach, in water. In the second step of the process of the invention, the fabrics are allowed to soak in the second aqueous liquor for a period of at least 1 minute, preferably from 1 to 60 minutes, more preferably from 10 to 30 minutes. In a final step, the fabrics are rinsed in water. The product of the invention In the product of the invention, a first particulate composition is used to prepare the first aqueous liquor, This suitably contains: (i) (a) from 50 to 100 wt% (in total) of a solid water- soluble acid optionally in admixture with a salt thereof, (i) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% (eg 1 to 30 wt%) of one or more surfactants; (i) (c) optionally from 0 to 10 wt% (eg 0.5 to 10%) of an oxidising agent capable of masking and/or neutralising sulphurous odours , (i) (d) optionally from 0 to 10 wt% (eg 0.5 to 10 wt%) of a bleach stable and effective at a pH below 5.0, which is not the oxidising agent (i) (c) , and optionally other minor ingredients. The balance if any may be constituted by an inert filler such as sodium sulphate. As oxidising agent (i) (c) , the first particulate composition preferably contains from 0.5 to 10 wt% of potassium iodate, magnesium monoperoxyphthalate or potassium benzenecarboperoxoate . Potassium iodate is especially preferred and is effective in an amounts of from 0.5 wt%, preferably from 0.5 to 2 wt%. As a bleach stable and effective at a pH below 5.0 (i) (d) , the first particulate composition preferably contains from 0.5 to 10 wt%, preferably from 0.5 to 6 wt% and more preferably from 0.5 to 4 wt%, of alkali metal dichlorocyanurate . The first particulate composition has a pH (of a 1% solution in demineralised water at 20°C) within the range of from 2.0 to 5.0, preferably within the range of from 3.5 to 4.5, and desirably about 4.0. As previously indicated, a surfactant system is preferably present. Preferably this comprises one of more anionic and/or nonionic surfactants. Preferred compositions may, for example, contain the following ingredients in the following concentration ranges (suitable and preferred, wt%) : Citric acid 35-95 40-55 Sodium citrate 0-50 30-45 Anionic surfactant (LAS or AOS) 0-25 3-25 Nonionic surfactant (eg C i2 7EO) 0-5 0-5 Potassium iodate 0-2 0.5-1.5 NaDCCA 0-6 0.5-3 Perfume 0.05-1.0 0.1-0.5 The first particulate composition may suitably be used at a dosage of from 2 to 20 g, preferably from 5 to 10 g, per 250 g fabrics to prepare the first aqueous liquor. A second particulate composition is used to prepare the second aqueous liquor. This product comprises: (ii) (a) from 1 to 100 wt% (preferably from 1 to 20 wt%) of the bleach; (ii) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% (preferably from 1 to 30 wt%) of surfactant, preferably anionic and/or nonionic surfactant; (ii) (c) optionally from 0 to 99 wt% (preferably from 1 to 99 wt%) of an alkaline buffering agent, (ii) (d) optionally from 0 to 50 wt% (preferably from 1 to 50 wt%) of one or more builder and/or filler salts, (ii) (e) optionally from 0.1 to 5 wt% of a sequestrant bleach stabiliser, (ii) (f) optionally from 0.01 to 5 wt% of a fluorescer, (ii) (g) optionally an effective amount of one or more detergent enzymes, and minor ingredients to 100 wt%. The second particulate composition may suitably be used at a dosage of from 2 to 20 g, preferably from 5 to 10 g, per 250 g of fabrics. Preferred ingredients (ii) (a) - (ii) (g) are discussed above. Preferred compositions may, for example, contain the following ingredients in the following concentration ranges (suitable and preferred, weight %) : NaDCCA or PAP 1 - 10 2 - 6 Sodium carbonate (soda ash) 5 - 90 5- 10 Sodium bicarbonate 0 -60 5 - 10 Sodium tripolyphosphate 5 -30 10 -20 Sodium sulphate 0 -30 10 -25 Anionic surfactant (LAS or AOS) 10 -30 20 -25 Nonionic surfactant (eg Cι 2 7E0) 0 - 5 0 Sequestrant (eg Dequest 2047) 0-5 0.1-2 Fluorescer, eg Tinopal CBS-X 0.1-1 0.2-0.5 Protease granules 0-5 1-3 Cellulase granules 0.5 1.3 Perfume 0.05-1. .0 0.1-0.5 Packaging and presentation In the product of the invention, the two particulate compositions are separately packaged. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, they are packaged in unit dose form so that a single dose of each composition may be used per treatment. Especially preferred are sachets. Opening sachets of paper or nonwoven fabric are preferred. Sachets suitable for containing detergent powders and similar materials are widely disclosed in the prior art. Preferably, the sachets containing the two particulate compositions are visually distinct, for example, colour coded. The sachets may then be packed together in common outer packaging, for example, a bag or carton, possibly grouped in pairs, while remaining readily distinguishable. EXAMPLES The invention will now be described in more detail in the following non-limiting Examples, in which all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise stated. Trade marks are indicated by an asterisk. EXAMPLE 1: product of the invention A first particulate composition 1 (i) having a 1 wt% solution pH of 4.0 had the following formulation: A second particulate composition l(ii) had the following formulation: 7.5 g doses of Compositions l(i) and 1 (ii) were packaged in sachets of nonwoven fabric. EXAMPLE 2: product of the invention A first particulate composition 2 (i) having a 1 wt% solution pH of 4.0 had the following formulation: A second particulate composition 2 (ii) had the following formulation: 7.5 g doses of Compositions 2 (i) and 2 (ii) were packaged in sachets of nonwoven fabric. EXAMPLE 3 : product of the invention A first particulate composition 3 (i) having a 1 wt% solution pH of 4.0 had the following formulation: A second particulate composition 3 (ii) had the following formulation: 7.5 g doses of Compositions 3 (i) and 3 (ii) were packaged in sachets of nonwoven fabric. EXAMPLE 4 : product of the invention A first particulate composition 4 (i) had the following formulation: 7.5 g doses of Composition 4 (i) were packaged in sachets of nonwoven fabric. The 1% solution pH of Composition 1 (i) was 2.4-2.5. A second particulate composition 4 (ii) had the following formulation: 7.5 g doses of Composition 4 (ii) were packaged in sachets of nonwoven fabric. EXAMPLE 5 : stain removal The stain removal performance of the product of Example 1 was compared with that of a commercially available laundry detergent powder sold on the Indian market . All wash liquors were prepared, and rinses carried out, using 24° (French) hard water. Stained cotton monitors were each soaked for 30 minutes in a 5.0 g/1 solution of composition 1(a), then soaked for 30 minutes in a 5.0 g/1 solution of composition 1(b), then rinsed twice in large volumes of water and allowed to dry. In a control experiment, monitors carrying the same stains were each soaked for 30 minutes in a 5.0 g/1 solution of a commercially available Indian laundry detergent powder, rinsed twice in large volumes of water, and allowed to dry. The commercial product contained LAS, nonionic surfactant, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, photobleach, protease, cellulase, lipase and conventional minor ingredients. Reflectance increases (ΔR) at 460 nm and at 600 nm were measured before and after treatment. The results are shown in the following Table.

Claims: CLAIMS 1 A process for the removal of stains from textile fabrics, characterised by the steps of: (i) allowing the fabrics to soak for at least 1 minute in a first aqueous liquor having a pH within the range of from 2 to 5, preferably from 3.5 to 4.5, and comprising (i) (a) a water-soluble solid acid, optionally in admixture with a water-soluble salt thereof, (i) (b) optionally a surfactant, (ii) allowing the fabrics to soak for at least 1 minute in a second aqueous liquor comprising (ii) (a) a bleach (ii) (b) optionally a surfactant, (ii) (c) optionally an alkaline buffering agent, and (iii) rinsing the fabrics in water. 2 A process as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the first aqueous liquor comprises: (i) (a) a water-soluble solid acid, optionally in admixture with a water-soluble salt thereof, (i) (b) optionally a surfactant, (i) (c) optionally an oxidising agent capable of masking and/or neutralising sulphurous odours, (i) (d) optionally a bleach stable and effective at a pH of from 2 to 5, which is not the oxidising agent (i) (c) , and the second aqueous liquor comprises: (ii) (a) a bleach (ii) (b) optionally a surfactant, (ii) (c) optionally an alkaline buffering agent, (ii) (d) optionally one or more builder and/or filler salts, (ii) (e) optionally a sequestrant bleach stabiliser, (ii) (f) optionally a fluorescer, (ii) (g) optionally one or more detergent enzymes. 3 A process as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the first aqueous liquor comprises as oxidising agent (i) (c) an alkali metal iodate. 4 A process as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, characterised in that the first aqueous liquor comprises as bleach (i) (d) an alkali metal dichlorocyanurate. 5 A process as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the water-soluble solid acid is an organic carboxylic acid having at least two carboxyl groups, preferably citric acid optionally in admixture with sodium citrate . 6 A process as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the concentration of the water-soluble acid and, if present, salt thereof in the first aqueous liquor is at least 1 g/1, preferably at least 3 g/1. 7 A process as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the second aqueous liquor comprises a bleach (ii) (a) selected from alkali metal dichlorocyanurate and N,N' -phthaloylaminoperoxycaproic acid. 8 A process as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that the concentration of the bleach (ii) (a) in the second aqueous liquor is at least 0.05 g/1, preferably at least 0.2 g/1. 9 A process as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that in step (i) the fabrics are allowed to soak for a period of from 1 to 60 minutes, preferably from 10 to 45 minutes. 10 A process as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that in step (ii) the fabrics are allowed to soak for a period of from 1 to 60 minutes, preferably from 10 to 30 minutes. 11 A process as claimed in any preceding claim, carried out by hand. 12 A product for the treatment of textile fabrics to remove stains, comprising two separately packaged particulate compositions, characterised in that: the first particulate composition (i) has a pH (of a 1% solution in demineralised water at 25°C) of from 2 to 5, preferably from 3.5 to 4.5, and comprises: (i) (a) a water-soluble solid acid, optionally in admixture with a water-soluble salt thereof, (i) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% of a surfactant; (i) (d) optionally from 0 to 10 wt% of a bleach stable and effective at a pH of from 2 to 5 , and the second particulate composition (ii) comprises (ii) (a) from 1 to 100 wt% of a bleach, (ii) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% of a surfactant, (ii) (c) optionally from 0 to 99 wt% of an alkaline buffering agent. 13 A product as claimed in claim 12, characterised in that the first particulate composition comprises: (i) (a) from 50 to 100 wt% of a water-soluble solid acid, optionally in admixture with a water-soluble salt thereof, (i) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% of a surfactant; (i) (c) optionally from 0 to 10 wt% of an oxidising agent capable of masking and/or neutralising sulphurous odours, (i) (d) optionally from 0 to 10 wt% of a bleach stable and effective at a pH of from 2 to 5, which is not the oxidising agent (i) (c) , and the second particulate composition (ii) comprises (ii) (a) from 1 to 100 wt% of a bleach, (ii) (b) optionally from 0 to 30 wt% of a surfactant, (ii) (c) optionally from 0 to 99 wt% of an alkaline buffering agent, (ii) (d) optionally from 0 to 50 wt% of one or more builder and/or filler salts, (ii) (e) optionally from 0 to 5 wt% of a sequestrant bleach stabiliser, (ii) (f) optionally from 0 to 5 wt% of a fluorescer, (ii) (g) optionally an effective amount of one or more detergent enzymes, and other minor ingredients to 100 wt%. 14 A product as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, characterised in that the first particulate composition comprises from 0.5 to 10 wt% of an oxidising agent capable of masking and/or neutralising sulphurous odours, preferably an alkali metal iodate. 15 A product as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the first particulate composition comprises from 0.5 to 10 wt% of a bleach (i) (d) stable and effective at a pH below 5.0 which is not the oxidising agent (i) (c) , preferably from 0.5 to 6 wt% of an alkali metal dichlorocyanurate . 16 A product as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 15, characterised in that the water-soluble solid acid is an organic carboxylic acid having at least two carboxyl groups, preferably citric acid optionally in admixture with sodium citrate. 17 A product as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16, characterised in that the second particulate composition comprises as the bleach (ii) (a) from 1 to 20 wt% of alkali metal dichlorocyanurate or N,N' -phthaloylaminoperoxycaproic acid. 18 A product as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 17, characterised in that the first and second particulate compositions are packaged in unit dose form. 19 A product as claimed in claim 18, characterised in that the first and second particulate compositions are packaged in sachets. 20 A product as claimed in claim 19, characterised in that the first and second particulate compositions are packaged in visually distinct sachets within common outer packaging.

Inventors: GOEDHART MACHIEL, JANSSENS JEAN-PAUL, VRIESWIJK KARIN, GOEDHART, MACHIEL, JANSSENS, JEAN-PAUL, VRIESWIJK, KARIN
Applicants: GOEDHART MACHIEL, JANSSENS JEAN PAUL, LEVER HINDUSTAN LTD, UNILEVER NV, UNILEVER PLC, VRIESWIJK KARIN, GOEDHART, MACHIEL, HINDUSTAN LEVER LIMITED, JANSSENS, JEAN-PAUL, UNILEVER N.V., VRIESWIJK, KARIN
Application year: 2000
Main classification: D06L3
IPC codes: C11D3, C11D7, C11D17, D06L3