# US 8,772,221 B2 · Solidification matrices using phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymers and phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymers > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,772,221 B2 - Document ID: US8772221B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/603,623 - Filed: 2012-09-05 - Published: 2012-12-27 - Granted: 2014-07-08 - Earliest claimed: 2008-01-04 - Assignees: Ecolab USA Inc. - Applicants: Carter Martin Silvernail; Kerrie Walters; Brenda Lynn Tjelta; Lisa M. Sanders; Michael E. Besse - Inventors: Carter Martin Silvernail; Kerrie Walters; Brenda Lynn Tjelta; Lisa M. Sanders; Michael E. Besse - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8772221B2 ## CPC - C11D 3/3784: {(Co)polymerised monomers containing phosphorus} - C08L 43/02: Homopolymers or copolymers of monomers containing phosphorus - C11D 3/046: {Salts} - C11D 3/06: Phosphates, including polyphosphates - C11D 3/10: Carbonates {; Bicarbonates} - C11D 3/3761: {in solid compositions} - C11D 17/0052: {Cast detergent compositions} - C11D 17/0065: {Solid detergents containing builders (C11D17/06 takes precedence)} - C11D 17/0073: {Tablets} - C08L 33/02: Homopolymers or copolymers of acids; Metal or ammonium salts thereof - C11D: DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL - C08L: COMPOSITIONS OF MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS (compositions based on polymerisable monomers C08F, C08G; artificial filaments or fibres D01F; textile treating compositions D06) ## Abstract Stability enhancement agents for use in a solidification matrices and solid detergent compositions are described. Stability enhancement is provided by a hydratable salt, water and phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymers or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymers binding agents forming a dimensionally stable composition. Preferred phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymers or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymers have phosphono end groups and a molecular weight of between about 1,000 and about 30,000 grams/mole. The stability enhancement composition for use in a solid detergent and solid detergent compositions are preferably biodegradable and substantially free of phosphorus and NTA-free. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A solid detergent composition comprising: a solidification matrix consisting essentially of: (a) a phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymer, wherein the phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymer has the following general formula wherein the R1 is a phosphono end group, (b) a hydratable salt; and (c) water; A detergent builder; and At least one functional ingredient selected from the group consisting of an alkalinity source, surfactant and combinations thereof; wherein the composition is substantially phosphorous free and NTA-free, and wherein the solid detergent composition is dimensionally stable and has a growth exponent of less than 3% if heated at a temperature of 122° F. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein R1 is PO2H2 or PO3H2. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein the hydratable salt is sodium carbonate. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymer has a molecular weight of between about 1,000-30,000 g/mol. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein m is 0 or larger and/or n is 2 or larger. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein the detergent builder is selected from the group consisting of phosphonates, aminocarboxylic acids, polyacrylates, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein the phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymer constitutes between about 0.1 wt-% and about 20 wt-% of the composition, and wherein the hydratable salt constitutes between about 40 wt-% and about 90 wt-% of the composition. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1, wherein the at least one functional comprises an alkalinity source present in the composition between about 0.1 wt.-% and about 90 wt-%. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is a cast, pressed, or extruded solid. ### Claim 10 A solid detergent composition comprising: a solidification matrix consisting of: (a) between about 0.1 wt-% and about 20 wt-% of the composition phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymer, wherein the phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylie acid homopolymer polycarboxylic acid polymer has the following formula wherein m is 0 or larger and/or n is 2 or larger; (b) between about 0.1 wt-% and about 50 wt-% of the composition water; and (c) between about 40 wt-% and about 90 wt-% of the composition sodium carbonate; and between about 0.5 wt-% and about 10 wt-% of the composition surfactant; a detergent builder; wherein the solid detergent composition has less than about 0.5 wt-% phosphorus, and wherein the solid detergent composition is dimensionally stable and has a growth exponent of less than 3% if heated at a temperature of 122° F. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The composition of claim 10, wherein R1 is a phosphono end group. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The composition of claim 11, wherein R1 is PO2H2 or PO3H2. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The composition of claim 10, wherein the phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymer has a molecular weight of between about 1,000-30,000 g/mol. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The composition of claim 10, wherein the sum of m and n is between 5 and 180. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The composition of claim 10, wherein the detergent builder is selected from file group consisting of phosphonates, aminocarboxylic acids, polyacrylates, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The composition of claim 10 further comprising at least one functional ingredient, wherein the functional ingredient is selected from the group consisting of: inorganic detergents, organic detergents, alkaline sources, surfactants, rinse aids, hardening agents, bleaching agents, sanitizers, activators, detergent builders, fillers, defoaming agents, anti-redeposition agents, optical brighteners, dyes, odorants, stabilizing agents, dispersants, enzymes, corrosion inhibitors, thickeners and solubility modifiers. ### Claim 17 A method of forming a solid detergent composition, comprising: combining a hydratable salt, a detergent builder, and at least one functional component to form a powder pre-mix; and mixing the powder pre-mix with a liquid pre-mix, the liquid pre-mix comprising phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymer and water, wherein the phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymer polycarboxylic acid polymer has the following formula wherein R1 is a phosphono end group, forming a solid detergent comprising a solidification matrix consisting of (a) the phosphonocarboxylic acid copolymer or phosphonopolyacrylic acid homopolymer; (b) the hydratable salt; and (c) the water; and wherein if heated at a temperature of 122° F., the solid detergent composition is dimensionally stable and has a growth exponent of less than 3%. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the hydratable salt is sodium carbonate; and the detergent builder is selected from group consisting of phosphonates, aminocarboxylic acids, polyacrylates, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17 wherein the detergent composition is a cast, pressed, or extruded solid.