Patent Description:
Consumers of laundry detergents enjoy having the ability to customize the technologies they use in caring for their clothes and household fabrics. This is evidenced by the vast number of choices of cycles and variations to choose from on modem washing machines, the variety of pretreatment and wash additives, and the variety of laundry treatment compositions to choose from in the market place. Further, consumers also enjoy having the ability to customize the quantity of laundry treatment composition delivered to the wash.

Enzymes are a laundry treatment agent that can provide fantastic benefits to the consumer. Enzymes are widely known for raising the performance of primary and secondary detergency in laundry products. Enzymes can provide for stain removal, whiteness, color care, and fabric care. Typically, enzymes are provided as but a single component of a liquid or powder detergent composition. The level of enzyme can only be customized by the consumer by using more or less of the laundry treatment composition. So, to achieve customization of the enzyme level, the consumer also has to accept a corresponding increase or decrease in other benefit agents such as perfume, bleach, brightener, surfactant, softening agent, feel agent, and other benefit agents commonly provided in fully formulated laundry detergent products. The level of these other benefit agents may be increased or decreased to a degree that they are not pleasurable to experience or do not function.

Care enzymes can be particularly practical for restoring color to fabrics by removing fuzz and pills from the fabric. One particular care enzyme that can provide a fabric care benefit is glycosyl hydrolase family <NUM>. This enzyme can provide a fabric care benefit by removing microfibrils from cellulosic fabrics such as cotton, linen, ramie, viscose, and lyocell. Microfibrils in textiles can look hairy and scatter incident light which can reduce the brightness of colors. Other care enzymes include cutinase and P-nitrobenzylesterase.

Providing glycosyl hydrolase family <NUM> in a fully formulated powder detergent composition can be convenient and the level of this enzyme is typically low in such a composition. However, if such compositions contain protease enzyme, the glycosyl hydrolase family <NUM> can be deleteriously degraded in the presence of the protease enzyme. Protease enzymes are a common component of laundry detergent compositions because they can be effective at treating stains comprising proteins. Since protease enzymes are a preferential component of laundry detergent formulations, incorporating care enzymes, including glycosyl hydrolase family <NUM> enzyme, poses a common challenge to product designers.

Nucleases are another enzyme that can be desirable to provide in a form that consumers can easily employ. Nucleases can help decrease malodor associated with laundered articles.

Providing an enzyme as a stand-alone particulate product can be challenging because the particle sizes in which such enzyme is available are too small to be conveniently handled and small particles can undesirably become airborne. Providing enzyme in a concentrated solution can also be undesirable because of problems associated with accurately dosing such a product. As such, providing care enzymes in a formula or in a product that can be conveniently used by consumers to restore color to fabrics is a challenge.

With these limitations in mind, there is a continuing unaddressed need for a particulate composition containing care enzyme that provides consumers with the ability to conveniently control the amount of care enzyme delivered to the wash.

<CIT> relates to a solid laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) from about 1wt% to about 20wt% by weight of a specific alkyl ether sulfate; (b) from 0wt% to 10wt% zeolite builder; (c) from 0wt% to 10wt% phosphate builder; (d) optionally, from 0wt% to 10wt% silicate salt; (e) optionally, from about 1wt% to about 10wt% by weight of a fatty alcohol ethoxylate of specific formula; and (f) optionally from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% of a natural essence.

<CIT> relates to granulates for a material that contains a sensitive washing- or cleaning agent, containing the components (a) the material that contains the sensitive washing- or cleaning agent, (b) an individual substrate material (adsorbent), (c) a substance of content that is different from (b) as a binding agent, and (d) optional additional substances of content that are different from (b) and (c) that display a disintegration index of at least <NUM>% after <NUM> hours. These granulates are particularly suited for use in liquid- or gel-forming aqueous washing- or cleaning agents. This disclosure also relates to a procedure for the manufacture of such granulates, in regard to washing- and cleaning agents, as well as the use of appropriate components (a), (b), (c), and (d) for the manufacture of such granulates.

<CIT> relates to a composite particle containing a paraffin wax with (<NUM>) a proteolytic enzyme and (1e) at least one enzyme activity stabilizer selected from borates, proteins, polyhydric alcohols and water-soluble polymers, or with (<NUM>) an amylolytic enzyme and (2e) at least one enzyme activity stabilizer selected from polyhydric alcohols, nonionic surfactants and water-soluble polymers, a detergent composition containing the composite particle, and a process for preparing the composite particle containing mixing the paraffin wax, the proteolytic enzyme, and the enzyme activity stabilizer, setting a temperature of a mixture to a softening temperature (or melting point) of the paraffin wax or more, and subjecting the mixture to cooling solidification to granulate.

<CIT> relates to a cleaning formulation comprising a multiplicity of solid cleaning particles, wherein the solid cleaning particles comprise polymeric particles and at least one cleaning agent, wherein the at least one cleaning agent is immobilised on the surface of the polymeric particles. Typically the at least one cleaning agent is immobilised on the surface of the polymeric particles by means of chemical bonds, typically ionic bonds, hydrogen bonds, covalent bonds, polar bonds, or bonds formed by virtue of unequal charge distributions between polymeric particles and immobilised materials. This disclosure also provides a method for the cleaning of a substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the substrate with the formulation, and a method for the preparation of the cleaning formulation which comprises treating a multiplicity of polymeric particles with at least one cleaning agent.

<CIT> relates to a particulate detergent composition consisting of a surfactant-containing detergent powder (A) and granules of an organic extrudable solid (B) containing an adjunct (C) which improves the brightening activity, detergency, germicidal activity, anti-tarnishing activity or odour of the composition and the effectiveness of which is impaired when incorporated into the surfactant containing detergent powder directly, is produced by (a) mixing the adjunct and the organic extrudable solid to form a mixture throughout which the adjunct is dispersed; (b) forming granules from the mixture; and (c) adding the granules to the surfactant containing powder. The extrudable solid (B) may be a polyglycol, a polyalkylene oxide, a C <NUM> - C <NUM> alpha olefin sulphonate, sodium N-coconut acid N-methyl taurate, condensates between polyethylene oxide and polypropylene oxide, condensates of alkylene oxides with alcohols, alkyl phenols, amides, amines and acids, sodium salt of a C <NUM> -C <NUM> fatty acid, urea, starch, gelatin and cellulose derivatives. The surfactant (A) may be anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric or a mixture thereof; a soap or a mixture of soap and non-ionic surfactant. Builder salts such as alkali metal phosphates, sulphates, silicates or sodium ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid may also be present. The adduct (C) may be (<NUM>) an enzyme which may be stabilized by the addition of a soluble calcium salt e.g. calcium gluconate, glycinate, acetate, butyrate or chloride; (<NUM>) a bleaching agent e.g. sodium perborate, mixtures of sodium perborate and activator e.g. sodium p-acetyl benzene sulphonate, hypochlorite or trichlorocyanuric acid; (<NUM>) perfumes; (<NUM>) germicides; (<NUM>) fluorescers. Tablets or bars may be formed by compressing the aforesaid compositions.

As defined in claim <NUM>, the invention provides a composition comprising a plurality of particles, wherein said particles comprise: from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of said particles of a carrier; and from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of an enzyme selected from the group consisting of care enzyme which are enzymes active at restoring color to fabrics by removing fuzz and pills from the surface of a textile, nuclease, and combinations thereof; and wherein each of said particles has a mass between <NUM> to <NUM>; and wherein said carrier is polyethylene glycol, wherein said polyethylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM>.

As defined in claim <NUM>, the invention provides a process for treating laundry articles with the particles as defined herein comprising the steps of: placing a dose of said particles in a dosing cup; and dispensing said dose of said particles into a washing machine.

As defined in claim <NUM>, the invention provides a process for forming particles as defined herein comprising the steps of: providing a precursor material; providing a distributor having a plurality of apertures; passing said precursor material through said apertures; providing a moving conveyor beneath said distributor; depositing said precursor material onto said moving conveyor; and cooling said precursor material to form a plurality of particles; wherein said precursor material comprises polyethylene glycol, wherein said polyethylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM>; wherein said precursor material comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of said precursor material of an enzyme selected from the group consisting of care enzyme, nuclease, and combinations thereof; and wherein said precursor material is provided at a temperature less than <NUM>.

<FIG> is an apparatus for forming particles.

Care enzymes can restore color to fabrics by removing fuzz and pills from the fabric. Fuzz and pills tends to disperse light which results in the fabric appearing to have a dull color.

Care enzymes are available in liquid or solid form. Liquid forms of care enzymes can be conveniently formulated into liquid detergent compositions. Typically, liquid detergent compositions comprise multiple enzymes to help aid with removal of stains. Different staining materials are susceptible to being broken down by different enzymes. Protease enzymes are widely used in liquid detergent compositions to break down protein-containing stains such as grass, blood, mucus, and the like. Unfortunately, care enzymes tend to be degraded in the presence of protease enzyme. As such, formulating liquid detergent compositions that include both care enzymes and protease can be difficult.

Solid forms of care enzymes also suffer from incompatibility with protease enzymes, which may limit their use in powder detergent compositions that also contain protease enzyme. Solid forms of care enzymes can also undesirably become airborne.

Care enzymes can be provided in particulate form as described herein. The particles can comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles a carrier and <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of said particles of a care enzyme. The particles can comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles a carrier and <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of said particles of a care enzyme. The particles can comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of said particles of a care enzyme.

For any of the compositions disclosed herein, individual particles have a mass of from <NUM> to <NUM>. Alternatively Individual particles can have a mass of from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively <NUM>, alternatively combinations thereof and any whole numbers or ranges of whole numbers of mg within any of the aforementioned ranges. Particles having a mass in the aforesaid ranges can have dissolution times in water that permit the particles to dissolve during a typical wash cycle. In a plurality of particles, individual particles can have a shape selected from the group consisting of spherical, hemispherical, compressed hemispherical, lentil shaped, and oblong.

The plurality of particles can have a mean particle mass of from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively <NUM>. The plurality of particles can have standard deviation of mass of less than <NUM>, alternatively less than <NUM>, alternatively less than <NUM>, alternatively <NUM>. The mean particle of mass within the aforesaid ranges can provide for a dissolution time in water that permits the particles to dissolve during a typical wash cycle. Without being bound by theory, it is thought that particles have such a standard deviation of mass can have a more uniform dissolution time in water as compared to particles having a broader standard deviation of mass. The smaller the standard deviation of mass of the particles the more uniform the dissolution time. The mass of the individual particles forming the plurality particles can be set to provide the desired dissolution time, which might be some fraction of the length of the typical washing cycle in a washing machine. Particles formed from polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight of about <NUM> can have mean particle mass of about <NUM> and standard deviation of mass of about <NUM>.

An individual particle may have a volume from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. An individual particle may have a volume from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. An individual particle may have a volume from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. An individual particle may have a volume from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. An individual particle may have a volume from <NUM><NUM> to <NUM><NUM>. Smaller particles are thought to provide for better packing of the particles in a container and faster dissolution in the wash.

The composition can comprise particles that are retained on a number <NUM> sieve as specified by ASTM International, ASTM E11 - <NUM>. The composition can comprise particles wherein more than <NUM>% by weight of the particles are retained on a number <NUM> sieve as specified by ASTM International, ASTM E11 - <NUM>. The composition can comprise particles wherein more than <NUM>% by weight of the particles are retained on a number <NUM> sieve as specified by ASTM International, ASTM E11 - <NUM>. The composition can comprise particles wherein more than <NUM>% by weight of the particles are retained on a number <NUM> sieve as specified by ASTM International, ASTM E11 - <NUM>. It can be desirable to provide particles sized as such because particles retained on a number <NUM> sieve may be easier to handle than smaller particles.

The composition can comprise particles that pass a sieve having a nominal sieve opening size of <NUM>. The composition can comprise particles that pass a sieve having a nominal sieve opening size of <NUM> and are retained on a sieve having a nominal sieve opening size of <NUM>. Particles having a size such that they are retained on a sieve having a nominal opening size of <NUM> may tend to have a dissolution time that is too great for a common wash cycle. Particles having a size such that they pass a sieve having a nominal sieve opening size of <NUM> may be too small to conveniently handle. Particles having a size within the aforesaid bounds may represent an appropriate balance between dissolution time and ease of particle handling.

Particles having the size disclosed herein can be substantial enough so that they do not readily become airborne when poured from a container, dosing cup, or other apparatus, into a wash basin or washing machine. Further, such particles as disclosed herein can be easily and accurately poured from a container into a dosing cup. So such particles make it easy for the consumer to control the amount of enzyme she delivers to the wash.

A plurality of particles may collectively comprise a dose for dosing to a laundry washing machine or laundry wash basin. A single dose of the particles may comprise from <NUM> to <NUM> of particles. A single dose of the particles may comprise from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively combinations thereof and any whole numbers of grams or ranges of whole numbers of grams within any of the aforementioned ranges. The individual particles forming the plurality of particles that can make up the dose can have a mass from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively from <NUM> to <NUM>, alternatively <NUM>, alternatively combinations thereof and any whole numbers or ranges of whole numbers of mg within any of the aforementioned ranges. The plurality of particles can be made up of particles having different size, shape, and/or mass. The particles in a dose can each have a maximum dimension less than <NUM>. Each of the particles in a dose can have a maximum dimension less than <NUM>.

The particles disclosed herein can be conveniently employed to treat laundry articles. The steps of the process can be to provide such particles comprising the formulation components disclosed herein. A dose of the particles can be placed in a dosing cup. The dosing cup can be the closure of a container containing the particles. The dosing cup can be a detachable and attachable dosing cup that is detachable and attachable to a container containing the particles or to the closure of such container. The dose of particles in the dosing cup can be dispensed into a washing machine. The step of dispensing the particles in the washing machine can take place by pouring the particles into the washing machine or placing the dosing cup and the particles contained therein into the washing machine.

The carrier is as defined in claim <NUM>. The carrier is polyethylene glycol, wherein said polyethylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM>. The particles comprise from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the particles of the carrier. The particles can comprise from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the particles of the carrier. The particles can comprise from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the particles of the carrier.

The carrier is polyethylene glycol (PEG) having a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM>. PEG can be a convenient material to employ to make particles because it can be sufficiently water soluble to dissolve during a wash cycle when the particles are within the aforesaid range of mass. Further, PEG can be easily processed as melt. The melt temperature of PEG can vary as a function of molecular weight of the PEG. The melt temperature of PEG, depending on molecular weight and or distribution of molecular weight, can be low enough such that when the particles comprising PEG and care enzyme are formed from a melt that includes PEG and the care enzyme, the activity of the care enzyme remains high enough to be able to restore the color of textiles.

The particles can comprise more than <NUM>% by weight PEG having a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM>. PEG has a relatively low cost, may be formed into many different shapes and sizes, minimizes unencapsulated perfume diffusion, and dissolves well in water. PEG comes in various weight average molecular weights. A suitable weight average molecular weight range of PEG includes from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, alternatively from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, alternatively from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, alternatively from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>, alternatively combinations thereof. PEG is available from BASF, for example PLURIOL E <NUM>.

The particles can comprise more than <NUM>% by weight of the particles of PEG. The particles can comprise more than <NUM>% by weight of the particles of PEG. The particles can comprise more than <NUM>% by weight of the particles of PEG. The particles may comprise from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the composition of PEG. The particles may comprise from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the composition of PEG. The particles may comprise from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the composition of PEG.

Alternatively, the particles can comprise from <NUM>% to less than <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively combinations thereof and any whole percentages or ranges of whole percentages within any of the aforementioned ranges, of PEG by weight of the particles.

The plurality of particles can be substantially free from particles having a mass less than <NUM>. This can be practical for limiting the ability of the particles to become airborne.

Depending on the application, the particles can comprise from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles of a balancing agent selected from the group consisting of glycerin, polypropylene glycol, isopropyl myristate, dipropylene glycol, <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, and PEG having a weight average molecular weight less than <NUM>,<NUM>, and mixtures thereof. The balancing agent can be practical for providing particles having the same processing characteristics even though the particles have different formulations. For instance, two different scent variants of a product may have different levels of perfume. With use of a balancing agent, the PEG level can be the same in each scent variant and the formulas can be balanced with the balancing agent. This can make processing simpler in that the formulas for the scent variants will have the same level of PEG and may have similar processing characteristics.

The particles can comprise an antioxidant. The antioxidant can help to promote stability of the color and or odor of the particles over time between production and use. The particles can comprise between <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight antioxidant. The particles can comprise between <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight antioxidant. The particles can comprise between <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight antioxidant. The antioxidant can be butylated hydroxytoluene.

The enzyme is as defined in the claims. The enzyme in the particles is provided at a level of <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles and is an enzyme selected from the group consisting of care enzyme, nuclease, and combinations thereof. The enzyme in the particles can be provided at a level of <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles an enzyme selected from the group consisting of care enzyme, nuclease, and combinations thereof. The enzyme in the particles is provided at a level of <NUM> % to <NUM>% by weight of the particles. The enzyme in the particles can be provided at a level of <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles. These enzymes when used in laundering processes, can provide for one or more of stain removal, fabric rejuvenation, and malodor remediation. The enzyme can be nuclease, which can reduce malodor associated with fabrics.

With respect to nucleases, providing such enzyme in a particle as disclosed herein can be practical in that time is required for the particle to dissolve in the wash and release appreciable amounts of enzyme into the wash solution. This delay in release time allows for the surfactant and other components in the wash solution to start removing soils, thereby leaving the nucleic acids unprotected. Once released in sufficient quantity, the nucleases can target such nucleic acids and break down stains comprising such nucleic acids.

The enzyme can be in liquid, solid, or other form. The enzyme can be substantially homogeneously mixed with the carrier. Substantially homogeneously mixed components need not be perfectly homogeneous. The degree of homogeneity can be that which can be provided by mixing processes used by those skilled in the art in commercial applications to make particles.

Contemplated herein are enzyme particulates carried by the carrier of the particles. Enzyme particulates have an enzyme carrier and enzyme dispersed in the enzyme carrier. The enzyme particulate can be substantially homogeneously mixed with the carrier. So, an enzyme particulate dispersed substantially uniformly within the carrier can be considered to be substantially homogeneously mixed. Specifically contemplated herein are particles that comprise a carrier and an enzyme particulate substantially homogeneously mixes with the carrier with the enzyme particulate comprising enzyme and an enzyme carrier.

The enzyme can be in liquid form in the form of droplets substantially homogeneously mixed the carrier. The liquid enzyme can be distributed or dispersed in the carrier.

Enzyme carriers can be selected from the group consisting of sodium sulphate, sucrose, starch, polyvinyl alcohol, cellulose, dextrin, polybranched polyamine, and mixtures thereof. Useful enzyme carriers can comprise sodium sulphate, sucrose, starch, and polyvinyl alcohol. Enzyme carrier can comprise cellulose, for example fibrous cellulose, dextrin, and sodium sulphate. Enzyme carrier can comprise polybranched polyamine.

Care enzymes can be practical to include in particles disclosed herein. Care enzymes are enzymes active at restoring color to fabrics by removing fuzz and pills from the surface of a textile. The care enzyme can be a cellulase. The care enzyme can be an enzyme of the glycoside hydrolase family. Glycoside Hydrolase Family means any Glycoside Hydrolase Family (designated by number) of the Glycoside Hydrolase Family Classification system, based on amino acid similarities, being part of the Carbohydrate-Active Enzymes database (CAZy) developed by the Glycogenomics group at Architecture et Fonction des Macromolecules Biologiques, Unite Mixte de Recherches UMR6098, CNRS,Universite de Provence Universite de la Mediterranee.

The care enzyme can be an enzyme of the glycosyl hydrolase family <NUM>. Glycoside Hydrolase Family <NUM> includes the inverting enzymes of endoglucanase (EC <NUM>.

The care enzyme can be cellulase that is alkaline or neutral cellulase having a color care benefits. The care enzymes, as disclosed herein, can have a molecular weight of from about 17kDa to about <NUM> kDa. The care enzyme can be, for example, the endoglucanases sold under the tradename Biotouch(R) NCD, DCC and DCL (AB Enzymes, Darmstadt, Germany). Other preferred commercially available cellulases include CELLUZYME, CAREZYME, and RENOZYME (Novozymes A S), CLAZINASE, PURADAX HA, PURADAX(R) EG-L, and PURADAx(R) HA (Genencor International Inc. ), and KAC-<NUM>(B), KAC(R)-<NUM>(B) (Kao Corporation).

Other care enzymes that can provide for an anti-pilling appearance benefit include cutinase (cutin hydrolases - EC <NUM>. <NUM>) and P-nitrobenzylesterases (carboxyl esterases - EC <NUM>. Examples of cutinase can be found in <CIT>. Examples of P-nitrobenzylesterases can be found in <CIT> and <CIT>.

The care enzyme, if provided, can be selected from the group consisting of glycoside hydrolase family <NUM>, cutinase, and P-nitrobenzylesterase, and mixtures thereof.

The particles can comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles a carrier and <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles of a care enzyme. The particle can comprise from <NUM>% to less than <NUM>% by weight of the particles of the care enzyme.

The particles can comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles a carrier and <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of said particles of an enzyme. The particle can comprise from <NUM>% to less than <NUM>% by weight of the particles of an enzyme.

The particles comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles a carrier and <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of said particles of an enzyme selected from the group consisting of care enzyme, nuclease, and combinations thereof. The particle can comprise from <NUM>% to less than <NUM>% by weight of the particles of an enzyme selected from the group consisting of care enzyme, nuclease, and combinations thereof.

For particle sizes having an individual mass described herein, this weight fraction of enzyme can provide for an effective amount of enzyme to rejuvenate the color of multiple articles of clothing when the plurality of particles collectively forming a dose for dosing to a laundry washing machine or wash basis is between <NUM> to <NUM>.

The nuclease enzyme is an enzyme capable of cleaving the phosphodiester bonds between the nucleotide sub-units of nucleic acids. The nuclease enzyme herein can be a deoxyribonuclease or ribonuclease enzyme or a functional fragment thereof. By functional fragment or part is meant the portion of the nuclease enzyme that catalyzes the cleavage of phosphodiester linkages in the DNA backbone and so is a region of said nuclease protein that retains catalytic activity. Thus it includes truncated, but functional versions, of the enzyme and/or variants and/or derivatives and/or homologues whose functionality is maintained.

The nuclease enzyme can be a deoxyribonuclease. The nuclease enzyme can be a deoxyribonuclease selected from the group consisting of any of the classes E. x, where x=<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, E. y where y=<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, E. z where z= <NUM> or <NUM>, E. <NUM> and mixtures thereof.

Nucleases in class E. x cleave at the <NUM>' hydroxyl to liberate <NUM>' phosphomonoesters as follows:
<CHM>.

Nuclease enzymes from class E. x where x=<NUM> can be practical.

Nucleases in class E. y cleave at the <NUM>' hydroxyl to liberate <NUM>' phosphomonoesters. Enzymes in class E. z can be practical as they act on both DNA and RNA and liberate <NUM>'-phosphomonoesters. Suitable examples from class E. <NUM> are described in <CIT>, such as SEQ ID NO:<NUM> therein. Such enzymes are commercially available as DENARASE® enzyme from c-LECTA.

Nuclease enzymes from class E. <NUM> produce <NUM>'phosphomonoesters.

The nuclease enzyme can comprise a microbial enzyme. The nuclease enzyme may be fungal or bacterial in origin. Bacterial nucleases can be practical. Fungal nucleases may practical as well.

The microbial nuclease is obtainable from Bacillus, such as a Bacillus licheniformis or Bacillus subtilis bacterial nucleases. A practical nuclease is obtainable from Bacillus licheniformis, preferably from strain EI-<NUM>-<NUM>. A practical deoxyribonuclease is a variant of Bacillus licheniformis, from strain EI-<NUM>-<NUM> nucB deoxyribonuclease defined in SEQ ID NO:<NUM> herein, or variant thereof, for example having at least <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>% identical thereto.

Other suitable nucleases include those defined in SEQ ID NO:<NUM> herein, or variant thereof, for example having at least <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>% identical thereto. Other suitable nucleases include those defined in SEQ ID NO:<NUM> herein, or variant thereof, for example having at least <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>% identical thereto.

A fungal nuclease is obtainable from Aspergillus, for example Aspergillus oryzae. A preferred nuclease is obtainable from Aspergillus oryzae defined in SEQ ID NO: <NUM> herein, or variant thereof, for example having at least <NUM>% or <NUM>% or75% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>% identical thereto.

Another suitable fungal nuclease is obtainable from Trichoderma, for example Trichoderma harzianum. A practical nuclease can be obtained from Trichoderma harzianum defined in SEQ ID NO: <NUM> herein, or variant thereof, for example having at least <NUM>% or <NUM>% or75% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>% or <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>%, <NUM>% or <NUM>% identical thereto.

Other fungal nucleases include those encoded by the DNA sequences of Aspergillus oryzae RIB40, Aspergillus oryzae <NUM>, Aspergillus flavus NRRL3357, Aspergillus parasiticus SU-<NUM>, Aspergillus nomius NRRL13137, Trichoderma reesei QM6a, Trichoderma virens Gv29-<NUM>, Oidiodendron maius Zn, Metarhizium guizhouense ARSEF <NUM>, Metarhizium majus ARSEF <NUM>, Metarhizium robertsii ARSEF <NUM>, Metarhizium acridum CQMa <NUM>, Metarhizium brunneum ARSEF <NUM>, Metarhizium anisopliae, Colletotrichum floriniae PJ7, Colletotrichum sublineola, Trichoderma atroviride IMI <NUM>, Tolypocladium ophioglossoides CBS <NUM>, Beauveria bassiana ARSEF <NUM>, Colletotrichum higginsianum, Hirsutella minnesotensis <NUM>, Scedosporium apiospermum, Phaeomoniella chlamydospora, Fusarium verticillioides <NUM>, Fusarium oxysporum f. cubense race <NUM>, Colletotrichum graminicola M1. <NUM>, Fusarium oxysporum FOSC <NUM>-a, Fusarium avenaceum, Fusarium langsethiae, Grosmannia clavigera kw <NUM>, Claviceps purpurea <NUM>, Verticillium longisporum, Fusarium oxysporum f. cubense race <NUM>, Magnaporthe oryzae <NUM>-<NUM>, Beauveria bassiana D1-<NUM>, Fusarium pseudograminearum CS3096, Neonectria ditissima, Magnaporthiopsis poae ATCC <NUM>, Cordyceps militaris CM01, Marssonina brunnea f. 'multigermtubi' MB_m1, Diaporthe ampelina, Metarhizium album ARSEF <NUM>, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides Nara gc5, Madurella mycetomatis, Metarhizium brunneum ARSEF <NUM>, Verticillium alfalfae VaMs. <NUM>, Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici R3-111a-<NUM>, Nectria haematococca mpVI <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>, Verticillium longisporum, Verticillium dahliae VdLs. <NUM>, Torrubiella hemipterigena, Verticillium longisporum, Verticillium dahliae VdLs. <NUM>, Botrytis cinerea B05. <NUM>, Chaetomium globosum CBS <NUM>, Metarhizium anisopliae, Stemphylium lycopersici, Sclerotinia borealis F-<NUM>, Metarhizium robertsii ARSEF <NUM>, Myceliophthora thermophila ATCC <NUM>, Phaeosphaeria nodorum SN15, Phialophora attae, Ustilaginoidea virens, Diplodia seriata, Ophiostoma piceae UAMH <NUM>, Pseudogymnoascus pannorum VKM F-<NUM> (FW-<NUM>), Bipolaris oryzae ATCC <NUM>, Metarhizium guizhouense ARSEF <NUM>, Chaetomium thermophilum var. thermophilum DSM <NUM>, Pestalotiopsis fici W106-<NUM>, Bipolaris zeicola <NUM>-R-<NUM>, Setosphaeria turcica Et28A, Arthroderma otae CBS <NUM> and Pyrenophora tritici-repentis Pt-1C-BFP.

The nuclease can be an isolated nuclease.

The nuclease enzyme can be present in a the laundering aqueous solution in an amount of from <NUM>. 01ppm to <NUM> ppm of the nuclease enzyme, or from <NUM> or from <NUM>. 1ppm to <NUM> or 500ppm.

The nucleases may also give rise to biofilm-disrupting effects.

The composition can additionally comprises a β-N-acetylglucosaminidase enzyme from E. <NUM>, preferably an enzyme having at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>% or at least <NUM>% or at least <NUM>% or at least <NUM>% or at least <NUM>% or at least <NUM>% or at least <NUM>% or at least <NUM>% or at least <NUM>% or at least or <NUM>% identity to SEQ ID NO:<NUM>.

The particles may comprise dye. The dye may include those dyes that are typically used in laundry detergent or fabric softeners. The fabric treatment composition may comprise less than <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively combinations thereof and any hundredths of percent or ranges of hundredths of percent within any of the aforementioned ranges, of dye by weight of the particles of fabric treatment composition. Examples of suitable dyes include, but are not limited to, LIQUITINT PINK AM, AQUA AS CYAN <NUM>, and VIOLET FL, available from Milliken Chemical. Employing a dye can be practical to help the user differentiate between particles having differing scents.

In addition to the carrier, the particles can further comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight perfume. The perfume can be unencapsulated perfume, encapsulated perfume, perfume provided by a perfume delivery technology, or a perfume provided in some other manner. Perfumes are generally described in <CIT> at column <NUM>, line <NUM>, to column <NUM>, line <NUM>. The particles can comprise unencapsulated perfume and are essentially free of perfume carriers, such as a perfume microcapsules. The particles can comprise perfume carrier materials (and perfume contained therein). Examples of perfume carrier materials are described in <CIT>, column <NUM>, line <NUM>, to column <NUM>, line <NUM>. Specific examples of perfume carrier materials may include cyclodextrin and zeolites.

The particles can comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively combinations thereof and any whole percentages within any of the aforementioned ranges, of perfume by weight of the particles. The particles can comprise from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the particles of perfume. The perfume can be unencapsulated perfume and or encapsulated perfume.

The particles can be free or substantially free of a perfume carrier. The particles may comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively combinations thereof and any whole percentages within any of the aforementioned ranges, of unencapsulated perfume by weight of the particles.

The particles can comprise unencapsulated perfume and perfume microcapsules. The particles may comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively combinations thereof and any whole percentages or ranges of whole percentages within any of the aforementioned ranges, of the unencapsulated perfume by weight of the particles. Such levels of unencapsulated perfume can be appropriate for any of the particles disclosed herein that have unencapsulated perfume.

The particles can comprise unencapsulated perfume and a perfume microcapsule but be free or essentially free of other perfume carriers. The particles can comprise unencapsulated perfume and perfume microcapsules and be free of other perfume carriers.

The particles can comprise encapsulated perfume. Encapsulated perfume can be provided as plurality of perfume microcapsules. A perfume microcapsule is perfume oil enclosed within a shell. The shell can have an average shell thickness less than the maximum dimension of the perfume core. The perfume microcapsules can be friable perfume microcapsules. The perfume microcapsules can be moisture activated perfume microcapsules.

The perfume microcapsules can comprise a melamine/formaldehyde shell. Perfume microcapsules may be obtained from Appleton, Quest International, or International Flavor & Fragrances, or other suitable source. The perfume microcapsule shell can be coated with polymer to enhance the ability of the perfume microcapsule to adhere to fabric. This can be desirable if the particles are designed to be a fabric treatment composition. The perfume microcapsules can be those described in <CIT>.

The particles can comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively combinations thereof and any whole percentages within any of the aforementioned ranges, of encapsulated perfume by weight of the particles.

The particles can comprise perfume microcapsules but be free of or essentially free of unencapsulated perfume. The particles may comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively <NUM>% to <NUM>%, alternatively combinations thereof and any whole percentages within any of the aforementioned ranges, of encapsulated perfume by weight of the particles.

An apparatus <NUM> for forming particles is shown in <FIG>. The raw material or raw materials are provided to a mixer <NUM>. The mixer <NUM> has sufficient capacity to retain the volume of raw materials provided thereto for a sufficient residence time to permit the desired level of mixing and or reaction of the raw materials. The material leaving the mixer <NUM> is the precursor material <NUM>. The precursor material <NUM> can be a molten product. The mixer <NUM> can be a dynamic mixer. A dynamic mixer is a mixer to which energy is applied to mix the contents in the mixer. The mixer <NUM> can comprise one or more impellers to mix the contents in the mixer <NUM>.

Between the mixer <NUM> and the distributor <NUM>, the precursor material <NUM> can be transported through the feed pipe <NUM>. The feed pipe <NUM> can be in fluid communication with the mixer <NUM>. An intermediate mixer <NUM> can be provided in fluid communication with the feed pipe <NUM> between the mixer <NUM> and the distributor <NUM>. The intermediate mixer <NUM> can be a static mixer <NUM> in fluid communication with the feed pipe <NUM> between the mixer <NUM> and the distributor <NUM>. The intermediate mixer <NUM>, which can be a static mixer <NUM>, can be downstream of the mixer <NUM>. Stated otherwise, the mixer <NUM> can be upstream of the intermediate mixer <NUM> or static mixer <NUM> if employed. The intermediate mixer <NUM> can be a static mixer <NUM>. The intermediate mixer <NUM> can be a rotor-stator mixer. The intermediate mixer <NUM> can be a colloid mill. The intermediate mixer <NUM> can be a driven in-line fluid disperser. The intermediate mixer <NUM> can be an Ultra Turrax disperser, Dispax-reactor disperser, Colloid Mil MK, or Cone Mill MKO, available from IKA, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America. The intermediate mixer <NUM> can be a perforated disc mill, toothed colloid mill, or DIL Inline Homogenizer, available from FrymaKoruma, Rheinfelden, Switzerland.

The distributor <NUM> is provided with a plurality of apertures <NUM>. The precursor material <NUM> is passed through the apertures <NUM>. After passing through the apertures <NUM>, the precursor material <NUM> is deposited on a moving conveyor <NUM> that is provided beneath the distributor <NUM>. The conveyor <NUM> can be moveable in translation relative to the distributor <NUM>. The precursor material <NUM> is cooled.

The precursor material <NUM> can be cooled on the moving conveyor <NUM> to form a plurality of solid particles <NUM>. The cooling can be provided by ambient cooling. Optionally the cooling can be provided by spraying the under-side of the conveyor <NUM> with ambient temperature water or chilled water.

Once the particles <NUM> are sufficiently coherent, the particles <NUM> can be transferred from the conveyor <NUM> to processing equipment downstream of the conveyor <NUM> for further processing and or packaging.

Particles comprising a carrier that is a water soluble polymer can be made, by way of non-limiting example, by forming particles from a melt of the composition that ultimately forms the particles. The rotoforming process can be practical to make particles comprising polyethylene glycol as the carrier material.

The process for forming particles comprises the step of providing a precursor material. The precursor material can be a melt of the composition that ultimately forms the particles. The precursor material is passed through apertures in a distributor that is provided. The distributor has a plurality of apertures. A moving conveyor is provided beneath the distributor. The precursor material is deposited on the moving conveyor. The deposited precursor material is cooled to form the plurality of particles. The cooling can be ambient cooling or cooling in which heat is removed from the deposited precursor material to form the plurality of particles.

To help preserve the activity of the enzyme, it can be desirable to provide the precursor material at as low a temperature as possible that permits suitable particles to be formed. The precursor material is provided at a temperature less than <NUM>. The precursor material can be provided at a temperature between the melt point of the precursor material and <NUM>.

Rotoforming can be a practical process for forming particles from a melt. One suitable rotoforming device is a Sandvik ROTOFORM <NUM> having a <NUM> wide <NUM> long belt. The distributor of a rotoforming device is a rotating cylinder. The cylinder can have <NUM> diameter apertures set at a <NUM> pitch in the cross machine direction and <NUM> pitch in the machine direction. The cylinder can be set at approximately <NUM> above the belt. The belt speed and rotational speed of the cylinder can be set at about <NUM>/min.

The precursor material can be provided from a mixer. The precursor material can be pumped from the mixer through a plate and frame heat exchanger set to control the outlet temperature.

The precursor material can be prepared in a batch or continuous mixer. Molten carrier material can be provided and the other constituents of the particle can be mixed with the molten carrier.

The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a cited document, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

Claim 1:
A composition comprising a plurality of particles (<NUM>), wherein said particles comprise:
from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of said particles of a carrier; and
from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of an enzyme selected from the group consisting of care enzyme which are enzymes active at restoring color to fabrics by removing fuzz and pills from the surface of a textile, nuclease, and combinations thereof; and
wherein each of said particles has a mass between <NUM> and <NUM>; and
wherein said carrier is polyethylene glycol, wherein said polyethylene glycol has a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM>.