Delayed-release encapsulated warewashing composition and process of use

Claim 1

A delayed-release composite particle consisting essentially of: (a) a core particle comprising about 70-95 wt-% of an inorganic detergent builder salt and about 5-30 wt-% of a nonionic surfactant rinse aid; and (b) a waxy coating encapsulating said core particle, which coating comprises a major amount of not more than about 85 wt-% of a solid fatty acid or solid fatty acid blend and a minor amount of at least about 15 wt-% of a mixture of ethylene oxide esters of (C 16 -C 22 ) fatty acids having at least one ethylene oxide so that the coating has a melting point of greater than the operating temperature of the dishwashing machine and which chemically disintegrates in aqueous solution at a temperature of less than about 65° C. and at a pH of above about 9.0 wherein the core particle comprises about 75-99 wt-% of the composite particle and wherein the coating comprises about 1-25 wt-% of the composite particle.

Claim 4

A method of dishwashing comprising the steps of placing in an automatic dishwashing machine with soiled ware an effective amount of a composition comprising: (i) about 50-95% by weight of a particulate detergent capable of providing an alkaline washing solution having a pH greater than about 9.0 during a dishwashing cycle in said dishwashing machine; and (ii) about 5-50% by weight of composite particles consisting essentially of 77-99 wt-% of an inner core comprising a water soluble support matrix and a nonionic surfactant rinse aid, wherein said core is encapsulated by about 1-25 wt-% of a waxy coating comprising, a major amount of not more than about 85 wt-% of a solid fatty acid or solid fatty acid blend and a minor amount of at least about 15 wt-% of a mixture of ethylene oxide esters of (C 16 -C 22 ) fatty acids having at least one ethylene oxide so that the coating has a melting point greater than the operating temperature of said dishwashing machine, wherein said coating chemically disintegrates and is solubilized during said dishwashing cycle, thereby dissolving said core at a time later than the start of said dishwashing cycle, so that an effective amount of said rinse aid is delivered to the rinse cycle of said dishwashing machine; and (b) operating said dishwashing machine.

Claim 5

A method of dishwashing comprising the steps of placing in an automatic dishwashing machine with soiled ware an effective amount of a composition comprising: (i) about 50-95% by weight of a particulate detergent capable of providing an alkaline washing solution having a pH greater than about 9.0 during a dishwashing cycle in said dishwashing machine; and (ii) about 5-50% by weight of composite particles consisting essentially of 77-99 wt-% of an inner core comprising a water soluble support matrix and a nonionic surfactant rinse aid, wherein said core is encapsulated by about 1-25 wt-% of a waxy coating comprising, a major amount of not more than about 85 wt-% of a solid fatty acid or solid fatty acid blend and a minor amount of at least about 15 wt-% of a mixture of ethylene oxide esters of (C 16 -C 22 ) fatty acids having at least one ethylene oxide so that the coating has a melting point greater than the operating temperature of said dishwashing machine, wherein said coating chemically disintegrates and is solubilized during said dishwashing cycle, thereby dissolving said core at a time later than the start of said dishwashing cycle, so that an effective amount of said rinse aid is delivered to the rinse cycle of said dishwashing machine; and (b) operating said dishwashing machine.