Patent ID: 6974789

Claim:
A detergent tablet for use in a washing machine, the tablet having two or more phases at least one of which comprises one or more of the following: a) a polymeric disintegrant having a particle size distribution such that at least 90% by weight thereof has a particle size below about 0.3 mm and at least 30% by weight thereof has a particle size below about 0.2 mm; or b) a water-soluble hydrated salt having a solubility in distilled water of at least about 25 g/100 g at 25° C.; wherein said salt is selected from hydrates of sodium acetate, sodium metaborate, sodium orthophosphate, sodium dihydrogenphosphate, disodium hydrogen phosphate, sodium potassium tartrate, potassium aluminum sulphate, calcium bromide, calcium nitrate, sodium citrate, potassium citrate and mixtures thereof; and wherein said detergent tablet comprises: i) a first phase in the form of a shaped body having at least one mould therein, the shaped body being compressed at a pressure of at least about 250 kg/cm 2 ; and ii) a second phase is in the form of a compressed particulate solid affixed within said mould, the compressed particulate solid being compressed at a pressure of less than about 350 kg/cm 2 .