Abstract: Bleaching compositions are provided that comprise peracid activators. The peracid activators are ester derivatives of a carboxylic acid where the oxygen is covalently bound through a polyhydroxy linking group to a leaving group that is displaceable in a peroxygen bleaching solution by perhydroxide anion. When the peracid activator is combined with a source of peroxygen in aqueous solution, then a stain removing peracid is formed. One embodiment of the peracid activator has the structure ##STR1## where R' is a branched or linear C.sub.4-12 alkyl, n is 1 to about 7, and L is a leaving group.

Abstract: A bleaching product and a method of removing soils from fabrics by contacting the fabrics in an aqueous wash solution with a product comprising a peracid precursor, a source of hydrogen peroxide and a source for delayed release of an acid into the wash solution to initially permit effective in situ formation of peracid, the acid thereafter reducing the pH of the wash solution for enhancing bleach performance of the peracid. The source of the acid may be included in the bleaching product, for example, as an acid of delayed solubility, an acid coated with a low solubility agent or an acid generating species, or independent of the bleaching product. The acid source is selected to be compatible with the peracid or precursor and adjuncts.

Abstract: The present invention provides stable bleach activator granules comprising:(a) a peroxygen bleach activator having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is C.sub.1-20 branched or straight chain alkyl, alkoxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl; R' and R" are independently H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, aryl; and L is a leaving group;b) a pliable binding material selected from materials having a melting completion temperature of greater than about 40.degree. C.; andc) a solubilizing aid selected from the group consisting of magnesium sulfate, alkali aryl sulfonate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone or mixtures thereof.The invention can also include additional stiffeners, such as calcium or magnesium silicate, or silica.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bleaching composition containing an oxidant bleach and enzyme granules, in which enzyme stability is prolonged without undue loss of solubility despite intimate contact of said enzyme granules with said oxidant bleach. In the invention, an oxidant is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal perborates, alkali metal percarbonates, hydrogen peroxide adducts, and mixtures thereof, and combined with an enzyme which is coated substantially completely by a water soluble polymer, in which an additive selected from the group consisting of reducing agents, a transition metal, and mixtures thereof is incorporated to enhance enzyme stability.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increased stability of enzymes in oxidant dry bleach. Enzyme stability is adversely affected by increased temperature, humidity, and the presence of strong oxidants, such as peracids. The instant invention provides enzyme stability in the presence of oxidant bleaches by coating or encapsulating the enzyme, while providing enzyme solubility suitable for use in bleach mixtures upon introduction to an aqueous medium. Particularly, alkali and neutral materials act as protection agents, which neutralize oxidant species before they contact and denature the enzyme. Other standard bleaching composition adjuncts such as builders, fillers, buffers, brighteners, fragrances, and the like may be included in the enzyme-containing oxidant bleach composition in addition to the discrete coated enzyme granules.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a stable peracid bleach composition comprising discrete granules which comprise peracid, namely, diperoxydodecanedioic acid. In another preferred embodiment, enzymes are present in the composition separate from the discrete peracid granules. In both the enzyme-containing and non-enzyme containing compositions, peracid and exotherm control agents are combined in a discrete granule in which the amount of water is carefully controlled to result in, respectively, maximum peracid and enzyme stability. Standard bleaching composition adjuncts such as fillers, brighteners, pH control agents and the like may be included in the compositions apart from the discrete peracid granules.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bleaching composition containing an oxidant bleach and enzyme granules, in which enzyme stability is prolonged without undue loss of solubility despite intimate contact of said enzyme granules and said oxidant bleach, comprising:an oxidant bleach, selected from the group consisting of alkali-metal peroborates, alkali metal percarbonates, hydrogen peroxide adducts, and mixtures thereof and hydrolase enzyme granules comprising a hydrolase enzyme core and a water soluble alkali metal silicate coating substantially encapsulating said core, said coating including at least one protective agent, said agent being selected from the group consisting of transition metals; reducing agents; and mixtures thereof. Sodium percarbonate is a preferred oxidant, while transition metals combined with a sodium silicate coating provide enhanced storage stability to the enzymes thereby coated.

Abstract: The present invention provides stable bleach activator granules comprising:a) a peroxygen bleach activator having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is C.sub.1-20 branched or straight chain alkyl, alkoxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl; R' and R" are independently H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, aryl; and L is a leaving group;b) a pliable binding material selected from materials having a melting completion temperature of greater than about 40.degree. C.; and, optionally,c) a filler material.These bleach activator granules are combined with a detergent base which contains an oxidant bleach to provide an activated oxidant detergent composition.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increased stability of enzymes in oxidant dry bleach. Enzyme stability is adversely affected by increased temperature, humidity, and the presence of strong oxidants, such as peracids. The instant invention provides enzyme stability in the presence of oxidant bleaches by coating or encapsulating the enzyme, while providing enzyme solubility suitable for use in bleach mixtures upon introduction to an aqueous medium. Particularly, alkali and neutral materials act as protection agents, which neutralize oxidant species before the contact and denature the enzyme. Other standard bleaching composition adjuncts such as builders, fillers, buffers, brighteners, fragrances, and the like may be included in the enzyme-containing oxidant bleach composition in addition to the discrete coated enzyme granules.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention provides a stable peracid bleach composition comprising discrete granules which comprise peracid, namely, diperoxydodecanedioic acid. In another preferred embodiment, enzymes are present in the composition separate from the discrete peracid granules. In both the enzyme-containing and non-enzyme containing compositions, peracid and exotherm control agents are combined in a discrete granule in which the amount of water is carefully controlled to result in, respectively, maximum peracid and enzyme stability. Standard bleaching composition adjuncts such as fillers, brighteners, pH control agents and the like may be included in the compositions apart from the discrete peracid granules.

Abstract: The present invention provides stable bleach activator granules comprising:a) a peroxygen bleach activator having the structure: ##STR1## wherein R is C.sub.1-20 branched or straight chain alkyl, alkoxylated alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkenyl, aryl, substituted aryl, alkylaryl; R' and R" are independently H, C.sub.1-4 alkyl, aryl; and L is a leaving group;b) a pliable binding material selected from materials having a melting completion temperature of greater than about 40.degree. C.; and, optionally,c) a filler material.These bleach activator granules are combined with a detergent base which contains an oxidant bleach to provide an activated oxidant detergent composition.

Abstract: A number of novel peracid precursors each have the general structure: ##STR1## wherein: Z is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of the leaving group being in the range of from about 4 to 15; R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group having from about 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and M is hydrogen or an alkali or alkaline earth metal. A method is also disclosed for synthesizing a product as represented above wherein succinic anhydride, including an R constituent as defined above is dissolved in a water-miscible, non-nucleophilic solvent and an acid including a Z constituent as defined above is neutralized and deprotonated to form a nucleophile, the substituted anhydride and the nucleophile being combined to form the product. The product is a component in a dry bleach product, optionally including other adjuncts.

Abstract: A dry bleach product is based upon diperacid, particularly diperoxydodecanedioic acid. The dry product comprises separate granular, particulate and beaded components wherein the granular component is diperacid stabilized with an exotherm control agent, diluent and a binder that includes unneutralized polymeric acid. The beaded component is fragrance admixed with a water soluble starch; the particulate components include an agglomerated extender or bulking agent, a pH control agent, and protected fluorescent whitening agents, all as separate particulate components. The water content of the granular diperacid is carefully controlled, as is the ratio of exotherm control agent to diperacid.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for increased stability of enzymes in oxidant dry bleach. Enzyme stability is adversely affected by increased temperature, humidity, and the presence of strong oxidants, such as peracids. The instant invention provides enzyme stability in the presence of oxidant bleaches by coating or encapsulating the enzyme, while providing enzyme solubility suitable for use in bleach mixtures upon introduction to an aqueous medium. Particularly, alkali and neutral materials act as protection agents, which neutralize oxidant species before they contact and denature the enzyme. Other standard bleaching composition adjuncts such as builders, fillers, buffers, brighteners, fragrances, and the like may be included in the enzyme-containing oxidant bleach composition in addition to the discrete coated enzyme granules.

Abstract: A transparent, durable container for housing and delivering a free-flowing granular dry oxidant bleach composition, the container being constructed of a heteropolymeric plastic which maximizes transmission of water vapor for minimum decomposition of the oxidant bleach stored within the container. The selected plastic has a water vapor transmission rate of at least about 2 g/day/100 in..sup.2 /mil. thickness. The container may include a fragrancing means located remote from the container. The fragrancing means is isolated from the bleach composition by an apertured barrier which allows the fragrance to contact the bleach composition but does not allow the bleach composition to contact the fragrancing means.

Abstract: A number of novel peracid precursors each have the general structure: ##STR1## wherein: Z is a leaving group, the conjugate acid of the leaving group being in the range of from about 4 to 15; R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group having from about 1 to 18 carbon atoms; and M is hydrogen or an alkali or alkaline earth metal. A method is also disclosed for synthesizing a product as represented above wherein succinic anhydride, including an R constituent as defined above is dissolved in a water-miscible, non-nucleophilic solvent and an acid including a Z constituent as defined above is neutralized and deprotonated to form a nucleophile, the substituted anhydride and the nucleophile being combined to form the product. The product is a component in a dry bleach product, optionally including other adjuncts.

Abstract: This invention provides stable peroxyacid bleaching compositions comprising:(a) a surface active peroxyacid, and(b) at least one surfactant which forms a mixed micelle in aqueous solution with said peroxyacid;wherein said aqueous solution contains a detergent concentration of about 0.1 to 3.0 grams/liter.Buffers and other typical cleaning adjuncts known to those skilled in the art may be included.The invention also provides a method of stabilizing the decomposition rate of surface active peroxyacids.