Composition

Abstract

A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, wherein the C18 alcohol ethoxylate comprises monounsaturated C18, wherein the proportion of monounsaturated C18 is at least 50 wt% of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, and wherein the C16 alcohol ethoxylate comprises at least 4% of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, and wherein the C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylates have an average of 8 to 20 EO groups.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved laundry liquid composition.

[0002] Aqueous liquid laundry detergent compositions comprising C12-14 alcohol ethoxylates are ubiquitous. The alkyl chains of the surfactants are made from petrochemicals or oils derived from palm kernel oil. The dosage of the aqueous laundry liquid composition required for washing is usually dispensed directly into the washing liquid or washing machine from about 0.5-5 liter bottles or cartons. What is desired is a laundry liquid detergent composition that is more environmentally friendly and has improved performance in their cleaning and / or their pleasantness.

[0003] Despite the prior art, there remains a need for improved laundry liquid compositions.

[0004] Thus, in a first aspect, there is provided a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, wherein the C18 alcohol ethoxylate comprises monounsaturated C18, wherein the proportion of monounsaturated C18 is at least 50 wt% of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, and wherein the C16 alcohol ethoxylate comprises at least 4% of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, and wherein the C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylates have an average of 8 to 20 EO groups.

[0005] We have surprisingly found that such alcohol ethoxylate surfactants improve the foaming characteristics of the formulation.

[0006] Preferably, the C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants are present in 1-30% by weight of the composition, more preferably 2-10% by weight, most preferably 5-10% by weight.

[0007] C16 and / or C18 alcohol ethoxylates

[0008] The composition comprises a C16 / 18 alcohol ethoxylate of the formula:

[0009] R1-O-(CH2CH2O) q -H

[0010] wherein R1 is selected from saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated linear C16 and C18 alkyl chains, and wherein q is 4 to 20, preferably 5 to 14, more preferably 8 to 12. Monounsaturation is preferably at position 9 of the chain, with the carbon counted from the end of the chain to which the ethoxylate is attached. The double bond may be in cis or trans configuration (oleyl or antioleyl), preferably cis. Cis or trans alcohol ethoxylates CH3(CH2)7-CH=CH-(CH2)8O-(CH2CH2O) nOH is described as a C18:1 (Δ9) alcohol ethoxylate. This follows the nomenclature CX:Y (ΔZ), where X is the number of carbons in the chain, Y is the number of double bonds and ΔZ is the position of the double bond on the chain, with the carbons counted from the end of the chain to which the OH is attached.

[0011] Preferably, R1 is selected from saturated C16, saturated C18, and monounsaturated C18. More preferably, the saturated C16 alcohol ethoxylate is at least 90% by weight of C16 linear alcohol ethoxylate. With respect to the C18 alcohol ethoxylate content, it is preferred that the predominant C18 portion is C18:1, more preferably C18:1(Δ9). The proportion of monounsaturated C18 alcohol ethoxylate is at least 50% by weight of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants. Preferably, the proportion of monounsaturated C18 is at least 60% by weight of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, and most preferably at least 75% by weight.

[0012] Preferably, the C16 alcohol ethoxylate surfactant comprises at least 2 wt%, more preferably 4 wt% of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants.

[0013] Preferably, the saturated C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactant comprises at most 20 wt % of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactant, more preferably at most 11 wt %. Preferably, the saturated C18 content is at least 2 wt % of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate content.

[0014] Alcohol ethoxylates are discussed in Non-ionic Surfactants: Organic Chemistry, edited by Nico M. Van Os (Marcel Dekker 1998), Surfactant Science Series, published by CRC Press. Alcohol ethoxylates are often referred to as alkyl ethoxylates.

[0015] Preferably, the weight fraction of C18 alcohol ethoxylate / C16 alcohol ethoxylate is greater than 1, more preferably 2 to 100, and most preferably 3 to 30. "C18 alcohol ethoxylate" is the sum of all C18 moieties in the alcohol ethoxylate, and "C16 alcohol ethoxylate" is the sum of all C16 moieties in the alcohol ethoxylate.

[0016] Preferably, the total C18:1 alcohol ethoxylate content is at least 70 wt% of the total C18 alcohol ethoxylate content.

[0017] Preferably, the total C18:0 alcohol ethoxylate content is less than 20% of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate content.

[0018] Preferably, the ratio of the content of C18 alcohol ethoxylate to C16 alcohol ethoxylate is less than 3.5, more preferably less than 3.

[0019] Preferably, the C16 alcohol ethoxylate content is at least 25% of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate content combined.

[0020] Linear saturated or monounsaturated C20 and C22 alcohol ethoxylates may also be present. Preferably, the weight fraction of the sum of "C18 alcohol ethoxylates" / "C20 and C22 alcohol ethoxylates" is greater than 10.

[0021] Preferably, the C16 / 18 alcohol ethoxylate comprises less than 15 wt %, more preferably less than 8 wt %, most preferably less than 5 wt % of polyunsaturated alcohol ethoxylate of the alcohol ethoxylate.Polyunsaturated alcohol ethoxylates comprise hydrocarbon chains having two or more double bonds.

[0022] C16 / 18 alcohol ethoxylates can be synthesized by ethoxylation of alkyl alcohols via the following reaction:

[0023] R1-OH+q ethylene oxide → R1-O-(CH2CH2O) q -H

[0024] Alkyl alcohols can be produced by transesterification of triglycerides into methyl esters, followed by distillation and hydrogenation to the alcohol. This method is discussed in Kreutzer, UR, Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society, 61(2):343-348. The preferred alkyl alcohol for this reaction is oleyl alcohol having an iodine value of 60-80, preferably 70-75, available from BASF, Cognis, and Ecogreen.

[0025] The production of fatty alcohols is further discussed in Sanchez MA et al. J. Chem. Technol. Biotechnol 2017; 92: 27-92 and Ullmann's Enzyclopaedie der technischen Chemie, Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, 4th Edition, Vol. 11, p. 436 et seq].

[0026] Preferably, the ethoxylation reaction is base-catalyzed using NaOH, KOH, or NaOCH3. Even more preferred are catalysts that provide a narrower ethoxyl distribution than NaOH, KOH, or NaOCH3. Preferred catalysts with narrower distributions include Group II bases such as barium dodecanoate; Group II metal alkoxides; and Group II hydrotalcites as described in WO2007 / 147866. Lanthanides may also be used. Such narrowly distributed alcohol ethoxylates are available from Azo Nobel and Sasol.

[0027] Preferably, the narrow ethoxyl distribution has greater than 70 wt%, more preferably greater than 80 wt% RO-(CH2CH2O) x -H to RO-(CH2CH2O) y -H range of alcohol ethoxylates RO-(CH2CH2O) q -H, where q is the molar average degree of ethoxylation, x and y are absolute numbers, where x = qq / 2 and y = q+q / 2. For example, when q = 10, more than 70% by weight of the alcohol ethoxylate should consist of ethoxylates having 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 ethoxylate groups.

[0028] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0029] Preferably, in addition to the above-mentioned surfactants, the composition also includes a nonionic surfactant. Preferably, based on the total weight of the composition including the C16 / 18 nonionic surfactant and any other nonionic surfactant, the composition includes 5-20% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, such as a polyoxyalkylene compound, i.e., an alkylene oxide (such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or a mixture thereof) and a reaction product of a starting molecule with a hydrophobic group and an active hydrogen atom reactive with an alkylene oxide. Such starting molecules include alcohols, acids, amides or alkylphenols. In the case where the starting molecule is an alcohol, the reaction product is referred to as an alcohol alkoxylate. The polyoxyalkylene compound can have a variety of block and mixed (random) structures. For example, they can include a single alkylene oxide block, or they can be a diblock alkoxylate or a triblock alkoxylate. In the block structure, the blocks can all be ethylene oxide or all be propylene oxide, or the blocks can contain a mixed mixture of alkylene oxides. Examples of such materials include C8 to C 22 Alkylphenol ethoxylates having an average of 5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkylphenol; and aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates such as C8-C 18 Straight or branched chain primary or secondary alcohol ethoxylates having an average of 2 to 40 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

[0030] Preferred classes of nonionic surfactants for use in the present invention include aliphatic C12 -C 15 Straight chain primary alcohol ethoxylates having an average of 3 to 20, more preferably 5 to 10, moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

[0031] Preferably, the alcohol ethoxylates comprising C16 and / or C18 alkyl chains comprise less than 30% by weight, more preferably less than 20% by weight, especially preferably less than 10% by weight and most preferably less than 5% by weight of alcohol ethoxylates comprising less than 6 EO groups.

[0032] The alcohol ethoxylate may be provided as a single raw material component or as a mixture of components.

[0033] When the composition comprises a mixture of C16 / 18 sources of alcohol ethoxylate as well as the more traditional C12 alkyl chain length materials, it is preferred that the total C16 / 18 alcohol ethoxylate content should comprise at least 10% by weight of the total alcohol ethoxylate in the composition, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 70%, especially preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95% of the alcohol ethoxylate.

[0034] Preferably, the alcohol ethoxylate comprises at least 60%, more preferably at least 80%, particularly preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95% of the total nonionic surfactant content.

[0035] A further class of nonionic surfactants includes the alkyl polyglycosides. Rhamnolipids are another preferred additional surfactant.

[0036] Source of alkyl chains

[0037] The alkyl chains of the C16 / 18 surfactant are preferably obtained from renewable sources, preferably from triglycerides. A renewable source is a source in which the material is produced by the natural ecological cycle of living species, preferably by plants, algae, fungi, yeast or bacteria, more preferably plants, algae or yeast.

[0038] Preferred plant sources of oil are rapeseed, sunflower, corn, soybean, cottonseed, olive oil and trees. The oil from trees is called tall oil. The most preferred sources are palm and rapeseed oil.

[0039] Algal oil is discussed in Saad MG et al., Energys 2019, 12, 1920 Algal Biofuels: Current Status and Key Challenges. A method for producing triglycerides from biomass using yeast is described in Masri MA et al., Energy Environ. Sci., 2019, 12, 2717 A sustainable, high-performance process for the economic production of waste-free microbial oils that can replace plant-based equivalents.

[0040] Inedible vegetable oils may be used and are preferably selected from the group consisting of Jatropha curcas, Calophyllum inophyllum, Sterculia feotida, Madhucaindica (mahua), Pongamia glabra (koroch seed), linseed, Pongamia pinnata (karanja), Hevea brasiliensis (rubber seed), Azadirachta indica (neem), Camelina sativa, Lesquerella fendleri, Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco), Deccan hemp, Ricinus communis L. (castor), Simmondsia chinensis (jojoba), Eruca sativa L.), Cerbera odollam (Sea mango), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), Croton megalocarpus, Pilu, Crambe, Syringa, Scheleichera triguga (Kusum), Stillingia, Shorea robusta (Sal), Terminalia belerica roxb., Cuphea, Camellia, Champaca, Simarouba glauca, Garcinia indica, Rice bran, Hingan (Balanites), Desert date, Cardoon, Asclepias syriaca (Milkweed), Guizotia abyssinica), Radish Ethiopian mustard, Syagrus, Tung, Idesia polycarpa var. vestita, algae, Argemone mexicana L.) (Mexican prickly poppy), Putranjiva roxburghii (lucky bean tree), Sapindus mukorossi (soapnut), M. azedarach (syringe), Thevettiaperuviana (yellow oleander), Copaiba, Milk bush, Laurel, Cumaru, Andiroba, Piqui, B. napus, and the fruits and seeds of Zanthoxylum bungeanum.

[0041] Preferably, the weight ratio of the nonionic surfactant to the anionic surfactant is 2:1 to 1:6.

[0042] Preferably, the weight ratio of nonionic surfactant to alkyl ether sulfate surfactant (weight of nonionic surfactant / weight of alkyl ether sulfate surfactant) is from 0.5 to 2, preferably from 0.7 to 1.5, most preferably from 0.9 to 1.1.

[0043] Preferably, the weight ratio of nonionic surfactant to linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (if present) (weight of nonionic surfactant / weight of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate) is from 0.1 to 2, preferably from 0.3 to 1, most preferably from 0.45 to 0.85.

[0044] Anionic surfactants

[0045] The composition preferably comprises an anionic surfactant. The non-soap anionic surfactant used in the present invention is generally a salt of an organic sulfuric acid and sulfonic acid having an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term "alkyl" being used to include the alkyl portion of a higher acyl group. Examples of such materials include alkyl sulfates, C12-C14 alkyl ether sulfates, alkylaryl sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates and mixtures thereof. The alkyl group preferably contains 10-18 carbon atoms and can be unsaturated. C12-C14 alkyl ether sulfates may contain 1-10 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule, preferably 1-3 ethylene oxide units per molecule. Alkyl ether sulfates are also referred to as alcohol ether sulfates. Anionic surfactants are described in volume 56 of anionic surfactants, Surfactant Science Series (edited by HW Stack) Dekker 1995.

[0046] Commonly used in laundry liquid compositions are C12-C14 alkyl ether sulfates having a linear or branched alkyl group containing from 12 to 14 carbon atoms and containing an average of 1 to 3 EO units per molecule. A preferred example is sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) in which the predominantly C12 lauryl alkyl group is ethoxylated with an average of 3 EO units per molecule.

[0047] The C12-C14 alkyl ether sulfate may be provided as a single raw material component or via a mixture of components.

[0048] The counterions for any anionic surfactants used in the compositions described herein are typically alkali metals such as sodium or potassium; or ammonia counterions such as ammonium, monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), or triethanolamine (TEA). Mixtures of these counterions may also be used.

[0049] Can preferably comprise alkylbenzene sulfonate according to composition of the present invention, particularly alkyl chain length is the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) of 10-18 carbon atom.Commercially available LAS is the mixture of closely related isomers and homologue alkyl chain homologues, contains separately at " para " sulfonation and is connected to the aromatic ring of linear alkyl chain in any position except terminal carbon.Linear alkyl chain has the chain length of 11 to 15 carbon atoms usually, and main material has the chain length of about C12.Each alkyl chain homologue is made up of the mixture of all possible sulfophenyl isomers except 1-phenyl isomer.LAS is usually formulated in composition with acid (i.e. HLAS) form, then at least partially in situ neutralization.

[0050] Some alkyl sulfate surfactants may be used, such as non-ethoxylated primary and secondary alkyl sulfates having an alkyl chain length of 10-18.

[0051] C16 and / or C18 alcohol ether sulfates

[0052] Preferably, the composition comprises C16 and C18 ether sulfates of the formula:

[0053] R2-O-(CH2CH2O) p SO3H

[0054] wherein R2 is selected from saturated, monounsaturated and polyunsaturated linear C16 and C18 alkyl chains, and wherein p is 3 to 20, preferably 4 to 12, more preferably 5 to 10. The monounsaturation is preferably at position 9 of the chain, with the carbons counted from the end of the chain to which the ethoxylate is attached. The double bond may be in cis or trans configuration (oleyl or elaido), but is preferably cis. Cis or trans ether sulfates CH3(CH2)7-CH=CH-(CH2)8O-(CH2CH2O) nSO3H is described as C18:1 (A9) ether sulfate. This follows the nomenclature CX:Y (ΔZ), where X is the number of carbons in the chain, Y is the number of double bonds, and ΔZ is the position of the double bond on the chain, with the carbons counted from the end of the chain where the OH is attached.

[0055] Preferably, R2 is selected from saturated C16, saturated C18 and monounsaturated C18. More preferably, the saturated C16 is a linear alkyl group that is at least 90% by weight of the C16 content. With respect to the C18 content, it is preferred that the major C18 portion is C18:1, more preferably C18:1(A9). Preferably, the proportion of monounsaturated C18 is at least 50% by weight of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactants.

[0056] More preferably, the proportion of monounsaturated C18 is at least 60% by weight of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactants, most preferably at least 75% by weight.

[0057] Preferably, the C16 alkyl ether sulfate surfactant comprises at least 2 wt%, more preferably 4 wt% of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactants.

[0058] Preferably, the saturated C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactant comprises at most 20 wt % of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, more preferably at most 11 wt %. Preferably, the saturated C18 content is at least 2 wt % of the total C16 and C18 alkyl ether sulfate content.

[0059] When the composition comprises a mixture of C16 / 18 sources of alkyl ether sulfates as well as the more traditional C12 alkyl chain length materials, it is preferred that the total C16 / 18 alkyl ether sulfate content should be at least 10% by weight of the total alkyl ether sulfates in the composition, more preferably at least 50%, even more preferably at least 70%, especially preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95%.

[0060] Ether sulfates are discussed in Anionic Surfactants: Organic Chemistry, edited by Helmut W. Stache (Marcel Dekker 1995), Surfactant Science Series, published by CRC Press.

[0061] Linear saturated or monounsaturated C20 and C22 ether sulfates may also be present. Preferably, the weight fraction of the sum of "C18 ether sulfates" / "C20 and C22 ether sulfates" is greater than 10.

[0062] Preferably, the C16 and C18 ether sulfates contain less than 15%, more preferably less than 8%, most preferably less than 4% and most preferably less than 2% by weight of the ether sulfate of polyunsaturated ether sulfate. Polyunsaturated ether sulfates contain hydrocarbon chains with two or more double bonds.

[0063] Ether sulfates can be synthesized by sulfonation of the corresponding alcohol ethoxylates. Alcohol ethoxylates can be produced by ethoxylation of alkyl alcohols. The alkyl alcohol used to produce the alcohol ethoxylates can be produced by transesterification of triglycerides into methyl esters, followed by distillation and hydrogenation to the alcohol. This method is discussed in Kreutzer, UR, Journal of the American Oil Chemists' Society. 61(2): 343-348. The preferred alkyl alcohol for this reaction is oleyl alcohol having an iodine value of 60-80, preferably 70-75, which is available from BASF, Cognis, and Ecogreen.

[0064] The degree of polyunsaturation in surfactants can be controlled by hydrogenation of triglycerides, as described in A Practical Guide to Vegetable Oil Processing (Gupta MKA Academy Press 2017). Distillation and other purification techniques can be used. Ethoxylation is described in Non-Ionic Surfactant Organic Chemistry (NM van Os ed), Surfactant Science Series Volume 72, CRC Press.

[0065] Preferably, the ethoxylation reaction is base-catalyzed using NaOH, KOH, or NaOCH3. Even more preferred are catalysts that provide a narrower ethoxyl distribution than NaOH, KOH, or NaOCH3. Preferred catalysts with narrower distributions include Group II bases such as barium dodecanoate; Group II metal alkoxides; and Group II hydrotalcites as described in WO2007 / 147866. Lanthanides may also be used. Such narrowly distributed alcohol ethoxylates are available from Azo Nobel and Sasol.

[0066] Preferably, the narrow ethoxyl distribution has greater than 70 wt%, more preferably greater than 80 wt% of the ethoxyl groups in R2-O-(CH2CH2O) z SO3H to R2-O-(CH2CH2O) w Ether sulfates in the range SO3H R2-O-(CH2CH2O) pSO3H, where q is the molar average degree of ethoxylation, x and y are absolute numbers, where z = p / 2, and w = p+p / 2. For example, when p = 6, then more than 70% by weight of the ether sulfate should consist of ether sulfates having 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, or 9 ethoxylate groups.

[0067] Ether sulfate weight is calculated in the protonated form: R2-O-(CH2CH2O) p SO3H. In the formulation, it is in the form of an ion with the corresponding counterion R2-O-(CH2CH2O) p When SO3- is present, preferred counterions are Group I and II metals, amines, and most preferably sodium.

[0068] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used. Preferably, the composition comprises an alcohol ethoxylate and an alkyl ether sulfate. Preferably, the alcohol ethoxylate comprises a C18 alkyl chain as described above, and the alkyl ether sulfate comprises sodium lauryl ether (1-3EO) sulfate and / or sodium C18 ether sulfate as described above.

[0069] Preferably, the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant is present in 1 to 20 wt %, more preferably 2 to 15 wt %, most preferably 8 to 12 wt % of the composition.

[0070] Weight ratios are calculated for the protonated form of the surfactant.

[0071] liquid laundry detergent

[0072] In the context of the present invention, the term "laundry detergent" means a formulated composition intended for and capable of wetting and cleaning household laundry such as clothes, linens and other household textiles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition which, upon dilution, is capable of forming a liquid laundry detergent composition in the manner now described.

[0073] The term "linens" is often used to describe certain types of laundry items, including sheets, pillowcases, towels, tablecloths, napkins, and uniforms. Textiles can include woven, nonwoven, and knitted fabrics; and can include natural or synthetic fibers, such as silk, flax, cotton, polyester, polyamide fibers such as nylon, acrylic, acetate, and blends thereof, including cotton and polyester blends.

[0074] Examples of liquid laundry detergents include heavy-duty liquid laundry detergents for use in the wash cycle of an automatic washing machine, and liquid delicate and liquid color care detergents, such as those suitable for washing delicate garments (e.g., garments made of silk or wool) by hand or in the wash cycle of an automatic washing machine.

[0075] In the context of the present invention, the term "liquid" means that the continuous phase or the main part of the composition is liquid and the composition is flowable at 15°C and above. Therefore, the term "liquid" can include emulsions, suspensions, but does not include compositions with a flowable but hard consistency (called gels or pastes). The viscosity of the composition at 25°C in 21 seconds -1 The pourable liquid detergent composition preferably has a viscosity of from 200 to 500 mPa.s, preferably from 200 to 300 mPa.s, at a shear rate of preferably from 100 to about 1,000 mPa.s. This shear rate is the shear rate normally applied to the liquid when poured from a bottle.

[0076] Preferably, the composition of the invention comprises 50% by weight of water, more preferably 60% by weight of water, particularly preferably 70% by weight of water, and most preferably 75% by weight of water. Preferably, the water used has a French hardness of less than 5 degrees of French hardness, and most preferably, it is demineralized. Preferably, the water is treated with a disinfectant, preferably selected from chlorine-based disinfectants, ozone or UV treatment, to sterilize the water.

[0077] Preferably, the composition comprises less than 0.6% by weight EDTA.

[0078] The composition according to the present invention may suitably have an aqueous continuous phase. "Aqueous continuous phase" refers to a continuous phase with water as its matrix. Preferably, the pH of the formulation is 5-10, more preferably 6-8, most preferably 6.1-7.0.

[0079] The compositions of the present invention suitably comprise from 5 to 60%, preferably from 10 to 40% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of one or more detersive surfactants.

[0080] In the context of the present invention, the term "detersive surfactant" means a surfactant that provides a detersive (ie cleaning) effect on laundry that is treated as part of a domestic laundry process.

[0081] Preferably, the surfactant is chosen and amount such that the composition and diluted mixture are isotropic in nature.

[0082] defoaming agent

[0083] The composition may also contain an anti-foaming agent. Anti-foaming materials are well known in the art and include silicones and fatty acids.

[0084] Preferably, the fatty acid soap comprises 0-3.0% by weight of the composition, more preferably 0-0.5% by weight, and most preferably 0.

[0085] In the context of the present invention, suitable fatty acids include aliphatic carboxylic acids of the formula RCOOH, wherein R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain containing 6 to 24, more preferably 10 to 22, most preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 double bonds. Preferred examples of such materials include saturated C12-18 fatty acids, such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid or stearic acid; and fatty acid mixtures of which 50-100% (by weight based on the total weight of the mixture) consists of saturated C12-18 fatty acids. Such mixtures can typically be derived from natural fats and / or optionally hydrogenated natural oils (such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil or tallow).

[0086] The fatty acids may be present in the form of their sodium, potassium or ammonium salts and / or in the form of soluble salts with organic bases such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine.

[0087] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0088] For the purposes of formulation descriptions, fatty acids and / or their salts (as defined above) are not included in the surfactant level or the builder level in the formulations.

[0089] Polymer cleaning enhancers

[0090] Anti-redeposition polymers stabilize soil in the wash solution, thereby preventing the redeposition of soil. Soil release polymers suitable for use in the present invention include alkoxylated polyethyleneimines. Polyethyleneimines are materials composed of ethyleneimine units -CH2CH2NH-, and in the case of branching, the hydrogen on the nitrogen is replaced by a chain of another ethyleneimine unit. Preferred alkoxylated polyethyleneimines for use in the present invention have a weight average molecular weight (MW) of about 300 to about 10,000. w ). The polyethyleneimine backbone can be linear or branched. It can be branched to the point of being a dendrimer. The alkoxylation can typically be ethoxylation or propoxylation, or a mixture of the two. When the nitrogen atoms are alkoxylated, the preferred average degree of alkoxylation is 10-30, preferably 15-25, alkoxy groups per modification. A preferred material is ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, wherein the average degree of ethoxylation is 10-30, preferably 15-25, ethoxy groups per ethoxylated nitrogen atom in the polyethyleneimine backbone.

[0091] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0092] The compositions of the present invention preferably comprise from 0.025 to 8% by weight of one or more anti-redeposition polymers, such as the alkoxylated polyethyleneimines described above.

[0093] Soil release polymers

[0094] Soil release polymers help improve the release of soil from fabrics by modifying the fabric surface during the wash process. The adsorption of SRPs on fabric surfaces is promoted by the affinity between the chemical structure of the SRPs and the target fibers.

[0095] The SRPs used in the present invention may include a variety of charged (e.g., anionic) and uncharged monomer units, and the structure may be linear, branched, or star-shaped. The SRP structure may also include end-capping groups to control molecular weight or modify polymer properties such as surface activity. The weight average molecular weight (M) of the SRP is w ) may suitably be in the range of about 1000 to about 20,000, preferably in the range of about 1500 to about 10,000.

[0096] The SRP used in the present invention may be suitably selected from copolyesters of dicarboxylic acids (e.g., adipic acid, phthalic acid, or terephthalic acid), diols (e.g., ethylene glycol or propylene glycol), and polyglycols (e.g., polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol). The copolyesters may also include monomer units substituted with anionic groups, such as sulfonated isophthaloyl units. Examples of such materials include oligoesters produced by transesterification / oligomerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether, dimethyl terephthalate ("DMT"), propylene glycol ("PG"), and poly(ethylene glycol) ("PEG"); partially and fully anionically terminated oligoesters, such as oligomers from ethylene glycol ("EG"), PG, DMT, and Na-3,6-dioxa-8-hydroxyoctane sulfonate; nonionically terminated block polyester oligomeric compounds, such as those prepared from a combination of DMT, Me-terminated PEG, and EG and / or PG, or DMT, EG and / or PG, Me-terminated PEG, and Na-dimethyl-5-sulfoisophthalate, and copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate.

[0097] Other types of SRPs useful in the present invention include cellulose derivatives, such as hydroxyether cellulose polymers, C1-C4 alkyl celluloses, and C4 hydroxyalkyl celluloses; polymers having poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobic segments, such as graft copolymers of poly(vinyl esters), such as C1-C6 vinyl esters (e.g., poly(vinyl acetate)) grafted onto a polyalkylene oxide backbone; poly(vinyl caprolactam) and related copolymers with monomers such as vinyl pyrrolidone and / or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate; and polyester-polyamide polymers prepared by condensing adipic acid, caprolactam, and polyethylene glycol.

[0098] Preferred SRPs for use in the present invention include copolyesters formed by the condensation of terephthalate and a diol, preferably 1,2-propylene glycol, and further comprising endcaps formed from repeating units of alkyl-terminated alkylene oxides. Examples of such materials have structures corresponding to formula (I):

[0099]

[0100] where R 1 and R 2 Independently of each other are X-(OC2H4) n -(OC3H6) m ;

[0101] Where X is C 1-4 Alkyl, and preferably methyl;

[0102] n is a number from 12 to 120, preferably from 40 to 50;

[0103] m is a number from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7; and

[0104] a is a number from 4 to 9.

[0105] Because they are average values, m, n, and a are not necessarily integers for the polymer as a whole.

[0106] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0107] When included, the overall level of SRP can range from 0.1 to 10%, depending on the level of polymer intended for use in the final dilution composition, and ideally is 0.3 to 7%, more preferably 0.5 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the dilution composition).

[0108] Suitable soil release polymers are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,574,179; 4,956,447; 4,861,512; 4,702,857, WO 2007 / 079850 and WO 2016 / 005271. If used, soil release polymers are typically incorporated into the liquid laundry detergent compositions herein at a concentration ranging from 0.01% to 10%, more preferably from 0.1% to 5%, by weight of the composition.

[0109] hydrotropes

[0110] The compositions of the present invention may incorporate non-aqueous carriers such as hydrotropes, cosolvents, and phase stabilizers. Such materials are typically low molecular weight, water-soluble or water-miscible organic liquids, such as C1 to C5 monohydric alcohols (e.g., ethanol and n-propanol or isopropanol); C2 to C6 diols (e.g., monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol); C3 to C9 triols (e.g., glycerol); weight average molecular weight (M w) range from about 200 to 600; C1 to C3 alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine; and alkylaryl sulfonates having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group (e.g., sodium and potassium xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and cumene (cumene) sulfonates).

[0111] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0112] When a non-aqueous carrier is included, it may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 20%, preferably from 2 to 15%, and more preferably from 10 to 14% by weight based on the total weight of the composition. The level of hydrotrope used is correlated with the level of surfactant, and it is desirable to use the level of hydrotrope to control the viscosity of these compositions. Preferred hydrotropes are monopropylene glycol and glycerol.

[0113] However, it is preferred that the composition comprises less than 3% by weight of an alkanol containing 1 to 3 carbons. More preferably, the composition comprises less than 3% by weight of ethanol.

[0114] Cosurfactant

[0115] In addition to the non-soap anionic and / or nonionic detersive surfactants described above, the compositions of the present invention may comprise one or more co-surfactants (e.g. amphoteric (zwitterionic) and / or cationic surfactants).

[0116] Specific cationic surfactants include C8-C18 alkyl dimethyl ammonium halides and derivatives thereof, wherein one or two hydroxyethyl groups replace one or two methyl groups, and mixtures thereof. When a cationic surfactant is included, it may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

[0117] Specific amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants include alkylamine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkylamidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines (sulfobetaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkyl amphoglycocinates, alkylamidopropyl hydroxysulfobetaines, acyltaurates and acylglutamates having an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, preferably selected from C12, C14, C16, C18 and C18:1, the term "alkyl" being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl groups. When included, amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0118] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0119] Builders and chelating agents

[0120] The detergent composition may also optionally contain relatively low levels of organic detergent builders or chelating materials. Examples include alkali metal citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethylsuccinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyacetyl carboxylates. Specific examples include sodium, potassium and lithium salts of hydroxysuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids and citric acid. Other examples are DEQUEST TM , organic phosphonate-type chelating agents marketed by Monsanto, and alkylhydroxyphosphonates.

[0121] Other suitable organic builders include the higher molecular weight polymers and copolymers known to have builder properties. For example, such materials include suitable polyacrylic acids, polymaleic acids and polyacrylic acid / polymaleic acid copolymers and their salts, such as those marketed by BASF under the name SOKALAN TM Those sold as such. If used, organic builder materials may comprise from about 0.5% to 20% by weight of the composition, preferably from 1% to 10% by weight. Preferred builder levels are less than 10% by weight of the composition, preferably less than 5% by weight. More preferably, the liquid laundry detergent formulation is a non-phosphate-built laundry detergent formulation, i.e., contains less than 2% by weight, preferably 1% by weight, of phosphate. Most preferably, the laundry detergent formulation is non-built, i.e., contains less than 1% by weight of builder. A preferred chelating agent is HEDP (1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid), for example sold as Dequest 2010. Also suitable, but less preferred, is Dequest(R) 2066 (diethylenetriamine penta(methylenephosphonic acid) or Heptasodium DTPMP), as it produces poorer cleaning results.

[0122] polymer thickeners

[0123] The compositions of the present invention may comprise one or more polymeric thickeners. Suitable polymeric thickeners for use in the present invention include hydrophobically modified alkali swellable emulsion (HASE) copolymers. Exemplary HASE copolymers for use in the present invention include linear or crosslinked copolymers prepared by addition polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising at least one acidic vinyl monomer, such as (meth)acrylic acid (i.e., methacrylic acid and / or acrylic acid); and at least one associative monomer. In the context of the present invention, the term "associative monomer" means a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated segment (for addition polymerization with other monomers in the mixture) and a hydrophobic segment. A preferred type of associative monomer comprises a polyoxyalkylene segment between the ethylenically unsaturated segment and the hydrophobic segment. Preferred HASE copolymers for use in the present invention include those prepared by addition polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid with (i) at least one selected from linear or branched C8-C 40 Alkyl (preferably straight chain C 12 -C 22The invention relates to a linear or crosslinked copolymer prepared by addition polymerization of an associative monomer comprising (i) an associative monomer of a C1-C4 alkyl) polyethoxylated (meth)acrylate; and (ii) at least one other monomer selected from the group consisting of a C1-C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate, a polyvinyl monomer (e.g., maleic acid, maleic anhydride and / or salts thereof), and mixtures thereof. The polyethoxylated portion of the associative monomer (i) typically comprises from about 5 to about 100, preferably from about 10 to about 80, and more preferably from about 15 to about 60 oxyethylene repeating units.

[0124] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0125] When included, the compositions of the present invention preferably comprise 0.01-5 wt% of the composition, but depending on the amount intended for use in the final diluted product, and ideally 0.1-3 wt% by weight based on the total weight of the diluted composition.

[0126] fluorescent agent

[0127] It may be advantageous to include a fluorescent agent in the composition. Typically, these fluorescent agents are provided and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, such as sodium salts. The total amount of one or more fluorescent agents used in the composition is typically 0.005-2% by weight, more preferably 0.01-0.5% by weight, of the composition.

[0128] Preferred classes of fluorescent agents are: distyrylbiphenyl compounds such as Tinopal (Trademark) CBS-X, diaminestilbene disulfonic acid compounds such as Tinopal DMS pure Xtra, Tinopal 5BMGX and Blankophor (Trademark) HRH, and pyrazoline compounds such as Blankophor SN.

[0129] Preferred fluorescent agents are: sodium 2-(4-phenylvinyl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-naphthol[1,2-d]triazole, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N-methyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)amino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2'disulfonate, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-phenylvinyl-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2'disulfonate and disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl.

[0130] Most preferably, the fluorescent agent is a distyrylbiphenyl compound, preferably sodium 2,2'-([1,1'-biphenyl]-4,4'-diylbis(ethylene-2,1-diyl))dibenzenesulfonate (CAS-No 27344-41-8).

[0131] Toning dyes

[0132] Shading dyes can be used to improve the performance of the composition. Preferred dyes are violet or blue. It is believed that low levels of these hues of dye deposited on fabrics mask the yellowing of the fabric. A further advantage of shading dyes is that they can be used to mask any yellow tint in the composition itself.

[0133] Hueing dyes are well known in the art of laundry liquid formulations.

[0134] Suitable and preferred classes of dyes include direct dyes, acid dyes, hydrophobic dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes and dye conjugates.

[0135] Preferred examples are Disperse Violet 28, Acid Violet 50, anthraquinone dyes covalently bound to ethoxylated or propoxylated polyethyleneimine (as described in WO 2011 / 047987 and WO 2012 / 119859), alkoxylated monoazothiophenes, dyes of CAS-No 72749-80-5, Acid Blue 59 and phenazine dyes selected from:

[0136]

[0137] in:

[0138] X3 is selected from: -H; -F; -CH3; -C2H5; -OCH3; and -OC2H5;

[0139] X4 is selected from: -H; -CH3; -C2H5; -OCH3; and -OC2H5;

[0140] Y2 is selected from: -OH; -OCH2CH2OH; -CH(OH)CH2OH; -OC(O)CH3; and C(O)OCH3.

[0141] Alkoxylated thiophene dyes are discussed in WO 2013 / 142495 and WO 2008 / 087497.

[0142] The hueing dye is preferably present in the composition in an amount in the range 0.0001 to 0.1 wt%.Depending on the nature of the hueing dye there will be preferred ranges depending on the efficacy of the hueing dye which depends on the class and the specific efficacy within any particular class.

[0143] External structurants

[0144] The rheology of the compositions of the present invention can be further modified by using one or more external structurants that form a structured network within the composition. Examples of such materials include hydrogenated castor oil, microfibrous cellulose, and citrus pulp fiber. The presence of an external structurant can provide shear-thinning rheology and can also allow materials such as encapsulates and visual cues to be stably suspended in the liquid.

[0145] enzymes

[0146] The composition of the present invention may comprise an effective amount of one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of pectate lyase, protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, mannanase and mixtures thereof. The enzyme is preferably present together with a corresponding enzyme stabilizer.

[0147] preservative

[0148] The composition preferably comprises a preservative.

[0149] Preferably, the composition comprises a preservative to inhibit microbial growth. For example, a preservative can optionally be included in various embodiments as a means of further strengthening microbial protection against gross bacterial, viral and / or fungal contamination, such as that introduced by consumers through contaminated ingredients, contaminated storage containers, equipment, processing steps, or other sources. Any conventional preservative known in the art can be used. Some illustrative preservatives include potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, benzoic acid, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, deoxyacetic acid, sodium borate, boric acid, usnic acid, phenols, quaternary ammonium compounds, glycols, isothiazolinones (methyl, benzyl, chloro), DMDM ​​hydantoin, hexetidine, ethanol, IPBC, polyaminopropyl biguanide, phenylphenol, imidazolidinyl urea, parabens, formaldehyde, salicylic acid or salts, caprylyl glycol, D-glucono-1,5-lactone, sodium isoascorbate, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, peroxide, sodium sulfite, bisulfite, glucose oxidase, lactose peroxidase, and other preservatives compatible with the cleaning ingredients. Other natural materials such as cinnamon, fruit acids, essential oils such as thyme and rosemary, willow bark, poplar bark, tocopherols, curry, citrus extracts, honeysuckle, and amino acid-based preservatives may also be considered. Particularly preferred are preservatives that do not compete with the cleaning ingredients and have no reported health or environmental issues. Some more preferred preservatives are: phenoxyethanol, benzoic acid / potassium sorbate, enzymes, borates, isothiazolinones such as MIT, BIT, and CIT, and the above-mentioned natural solutions. In one embodiment, the preservative is present in an amount of less than about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the cleaning composition. In another embodiment, the preservative is present in an amount of about 0.01 to about 2% by weight. In another embodiment, the fragrance is present in an amount of about 0.01 to about 1% by weight.

[0150] More preferably, the composition comprises a combined level of BIT and / or MIT of no more than 550 ppm, more preferably 300-450 ppm. Preferably, the level of MIT does not exceed 95 ppm. Preferably, the level of BIT does not exceed 450 ppm.

[0151] Most preferably, the composition comprises benzoate as a preservative.Preferably, benzoate is present in an amount of 0.01-3%, more preferably 0.1-2%, most preferably 0.5-1.5% by weight of the composition.

[0152] fragrances

[0153] Fragrances are well known in the art and can be incorporated into the compositions described herein.

[0154] microcapsules

[0155] One type of microparticle suitable for use in the present invention is a microcapsule.

[0156] Microencapsulation can be defined as the process of surrounding or encapsulating one substance within another on a very small scale, resulting in capsules ranging in size from less than 1 micron to several hundred microns. The encapsulated material can be referred to as the core, active ingredient or agent, filler, payload, core, or internal phase. The material encapsulating the core can be referred to as the coating, membrane, shell, or wall material.

[0157] Microcapsules typically have at least one continuous, usually spherical shell surrounding a core. Depending on the materials and encapsulation technology employed, the shell may contain pores, vacancies, or interstitial openings. Multiple shells may be made of the same or different encapsulating materials and may be arranged in layers of varying thickness around the core. Alternatively, microcapsules may be asymmetrically and variably shaped, with a predetermined number of smaller droplets of core material embedded throughout the microcapsule.

[0158] The shell can have a barrier function, protecting the core material from the environment outside the microcapsule, but it can also serve as a means of regulating the release of the core material, such as a fragrance. Thus, the shell can be water-soluble or water-swellable, and fragrance release can be initiated in response to exposure of the microcapsule to a humid environment. Similarly, if the shell is temperature-sensitive, the microcapsule may release fragrance in response to elevated temperatures. The microcapsule may also release fragrance in response to shear forces applied to the microcapsule surface.

[0159] A preferred type of polymer microparticle suitable for use in the present invention is a polymer core-shell microcapsule in which at least one generally spherical continuous shell of polymer material surrounds a core containing a fragrance formulation (f2). The shell typically comprises up to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the microcapsule. The fragrance formulation (f2) typically comprises from about 10 to about 60% by weight, preferably from about 20 to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the microcapsule. The amount of fragrance (f2) can be determined by taking a slurry of the microcapsules, extracting it into ethanol, and measuring it by liquid chromatography.

[0160] The polymer core-shell microcapsules used in the present invention can be prepared using methods known to those skilled in the art, such as coacervation, interfacial polymerization, and polycondensation.

[0161] The process of coacervation generally involves encapsulating a core material, which is typically water-insoluble, by precipitating a colloidal material onto the surface of a droplet of material. Coacervation can be simple, for example using one colloid such as gelatin, or complex, where two or possibly more colloids of opposite charge are used, such as gelatin and gum arabic or gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose, under carefully controlled conditions of pH, temperature, and concentration.

[0162] Interfacial polymerization is typically performed by forming a fine dispersion of oil droplets (containing the core material) in an aqueous continuous phase. The dispersed droplets form the core of the future microcapsules, and the size of the dispersed droplets directly determines the size of the subsequent microcapsules. The microcapsule shell-forming material (monomer or oligomer) is contained in both the dispersed phase (oil droplets) and the aqueous continuous phase, and they react together at the phase interface to build a polymer wall around the oil droplets, thereby encapsulating the droplets and forming core-shell microcapsules. An example of a core-shell microcapsule produced by this method is a polyurea microcapsule having a shell formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate or polyisocyanate with a diamine or polyamine.

[0163] Polycondensation involves forming a dispersion or emulsion of the core material in an aqueous solution of a precondensate of the polymer material under appropriate stirring conditions to produce capsules of the desired size, and adjusting the reaction conditions to induce condensation of the precondensate through acid catalysis, resulting in the condensate separating from the solution and surrounding the dispersed core material to produce a coacervate film and the desired microcapsules. Examples of core-shell microcapsules produced by this method are aminoplast microcapsules having a shell formed from the condensation products of melamine (2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine) or urea with formaldehyde. Suitable crosslinkers (e.g., toluene diisocyanate, divinylbenzene, butanediol diacrylate) may also be used, and where appropriate, secondary wall polymers such as polymers and copolymers of acid anhydrides and their derivatives, particularly maleic anhydride, may also be used.

[0164] An example of a preferred polymer core-shell microcapsule for use in the present invention is an aminoplast microcapsule wherein the aminoplast shell surrounds a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2). More preferably, such an aminoplast shell is formed from a condensation product of melamine and formaldehyde.

[0165] Polymer microparticles suitable for use in the present invention typically have an average particle size of 100 nanometers to 50 microns. Particles larger than this particle size enter the visible range. Examples of particles in the submicron range include latexes and microemulsions with typical size ranges of 100-600 nanometers. Preferred particle size ranges are in the micrometer range. Examples of particles in the micrometer range include polymer core-shell microcapsules (such as those described further above) with a typical size range of 1 to 50 microns, preferably 5 to 30 microns. The average particle size can be determined by light scattering using a Malvern Mastersizer, where the average particle size is taken as the median particle size D(0.5) value. The particle size distribution can be narrow, wide, or multimodal. If desired, the initially produced microcapsules can be filtered or screened to produce a product with greater size uniformity.

[0166] Polymer microparticles suitable for use in the present invention may have a deposition aid on the outer surface of the microparticle. The deposition aid is used to modify the properties of the outer surface of the microparticle, for example, to make the microparticle more compatible with a desired substrate. Desirable substrates include cellulosics (including cotton) and polyesters (including those used to make polyester fabrics).

[0167] The deposition aid may be suitably provided at the outer surface of the microparticle by means of covalent bonding, entanglement or strong adsorption. Examples include polymer core-shell microcapsules (such as those described further above), wherein the deposition aid is preferably attached to the exterior of the shell by means of covalent bonding. While it is preferred that the deposition aid is attached directly to the exterior of the shell, it may also be attached via a linking substance.

[0168] The deposition aid for use in the present invention may be suitably selected from polysaccharides having an affinity for cellulose. Such polysaccharides may be naturally occurring or synthetic and may have an intrinsic affinity for cellulose or may be derivatized or otherwise modified to have an affinity for cellulose. Suitable polysaccharides have a 1-4 linked beta glycan (saccharide in the broad sense) backbone structure having at least 4, preferably at least 10, β1-4 linked backbone residues, such as a glucan backbone (composed of β1-4 linked glucose residues), a mannan backbone (composed of β1-4 linked mannose residues), or a xylan backbone (composed of β1-4 linked xylose residues). Examples of such β1-4 linked polysaccharides include xyloglucans, glucomannans, mannans, galactomannans, β(1-3), β(1-4) glucans, and the xylan family of combined glucuronyl-, arabinosyl-, and glucuronylarabinoxylans. Preferred β1-4 linked polysaccharides for use in the present invention may be selected from plant-derived xyloglucans, such as pea xyloglucan and tamarind xyloglucan (TXG) (which have a β1-4 linked glucan backbone with side chains of α-D xylopyranose and β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-D-xylose-pyranose, both linked 1-6 to the backbone); and plant-derived galactomannans, such as locust bean gum (LBG) (which have a mannan backbone of β1-4 linked mannose residues with single unit galactose side chains α1-6 linked to the backbone).

[0169] Also suitable are polysaccharides which acquire an affinity for cellulose upon hydrolysis, such as cellulose monoacetate, or modified polysaccharides having an affinity for cellulose, such as hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, hydroxyethylmethylcellulose, hydroxypropylguar, hydroxyethylethylcellulose and methylcellulose.

[0170] The deposition aids used in the present invention may also be selected from phthalate-containing polymers having an affinity for polyesters. Such phthalate-containing polymers may have one or more nonionic hydrophilic segments containing oxyalkylene groups (e.g., oxyethylene, polyoxyethylene, oxypropylene, or polyoxypropylene groups) and one or more hydrophobic segments containing terephthalate groups. Typically, the degree of polymerization of the oxyalkylene groups is from 1 to about 400, preferably from 100 to about 350, more preferably from 200 to about 300. Suitable examples of phthalate-containing polymers of this type are copolymers having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate.

[0171] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be suitable.

[0172] The weight average molecular weight (M w) is typically in the range of about 5 kDa to about 500 kDa, preferably about 10 kDa to about 500 kDa, and more preferably about 20 kDa to about 300 kDa.

[0173] An example of a particularly preferred polymer core-shell microcapsule for use in the present invention is an aminoplast microcapsule having a shell formed by the polycondensation of melamine and formaldehyde; surrounding a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2); wherein a deposition aid is attached to the exterior of the shell by covalent bonding. Preferred deposition aids are selected from β1-4 linked polysaccharides, and in particular xyloglucans of plant origin, as further described above.

[0174] The inventors have surprisingly observed that it is possible to reduce the total level of fragrance contained in the compositions of the present invention without sacrificing the overall fragrance experience delivered to the consumer at a critical stage in the laundry process. Reducing the total level of fragrance is advantageous for cost and environmental reasons.

[0175] Therefore, the total amount of fragrance formula (f1) and fragrance formula (f2) in the composition of the present invention is suitably in the range of 0.5-1.4%, preferably 0.5-1.2%, more preferably 0.5-1%, most preferably 0.6-0.9% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

[0176] The weight ratio of fragrance formula (f1) to fragrance formula (f2) in the composition of the present invention is preferably in the range of 60:40 to 45:55. Particularly good results are obtained when the weight ratio of fragrance formula (f1) to fragrance formula (f2) is about 50:50.

[0177] Fragrance (f1) and fragrance (f2) are typically incorporated at different stages of the composition of the present invention. Typically, discrete polymer microparticles (e.g., microcapsules) encapsulating the fragrance formula (f2) are added as a slurry to a warm base formulation containing the other components of the composition (e.g., surfactant and solvent). Fragrance (f1) is then post-added, typically after the base formulation has cooled.

[0178] Further optional ingredients

[0179] Composition of the present invention can comprise further optional component to enhance performance and / or consumer acceptance.The example of this type of composition comprises foam booster, preservative (for example bactericide), polyelectrolyte, antishrinkage agent, anti-wrinkle agent, antioxidant, sunscreen, anticorrosive, drape imparting agent, antistatic agent, ironing aid, colorant, pearlescent agent and / or sunscreen, and tinting dye.Each in these compositions exists with the amount that effectively realizes its purpose.Usually, these optional compositions comprise individually with the amount of 5% (based on the gross weight of the composition of dilution by weight) at the most, and therefore regulate according to the dilution ratio with water.

[0180] Preferably, the composition comprises less than 1% alcohol, more preferably less than 0.1% alcohol.

[0181] Many of the ingredients used in embodiments of the present invention can be obtained from so-called black carbon sources or more sustainable green sources. Provided below is a list of alternative sources for several of these ingredients and how they can be made into the feedstocks described herein.

[0182] Alkyl ether sulfate

[0183] SLES and other such alkali metal alkyl ether sulfate anionic surfactants are generally obtainable by sulfating alcohol ethoxylates. These alcohol ethoxylates are generally obtainable by ethoxylating linear alcohols. Similarly, primary alkyl sulfate surfactants (PAS) can be obtained directly from linear alcohols by sulfating the linear alcohols. Thus, the formation of linear alcohols is a central step in obtaining both PAS and alkali metal alkyl ether sulfate surfactants.

[0184] Linear alcohols suitable as an intermediate step in the manufacture of alcohol ethoxylates and hence anionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl ether sulfate can be obtained from a number of different sustainable sources. These include:

[0185] Primary sugar

[0186] Primary sugars are obtained from sources such as sucrose or sugar beets and can be fermented to form bioethanol. The bioethanol is then dehydrated to form bioethylene, which then undergoes olefin metathesis to form alkenes. These alkenes are then processed into linear alcohols through hydroformylation or oxidation.

[0187] An alternative process can be employed that also uses primary sugars to form linear alcohols, and in which the primary sugars are microbially converted by algae to form triglycerides. These triglycerides are then hydrolyzed to linear fatty acids, which are then reduced to form linear alcohols.

[0188] biomass

[0189] Biomass, such as forest products, rice husks, and straw, for example, can be processed into synthesis gas by gasification. These are processed into alkanes via the Fischer-Tropsch reaction, which are then dehydrogenated to form alkenes. These alkenes can be processed in the same manner as the alkenes (primary sugars) described above.

[0190] An alternative approach converts the same biomass into polysaccharides through steam explosion, which can be enzymatically degraded into secondary sugars. These secondary sugars are then fermented to form bioethanol, which is in turn dehydrated to form bioethylene. This bioethylene is then processed into linear alcohols as described above for [primary sugars].

[0191] waste plastics

[0192] Waste plastics are pyrolyzed to form pyrolysis oil. This is then fractionated to form linear alkanes, which are dehydrogenated to form olefins. These olefins are processed as described above for primary sugars.

[0193] Alternatively, the pyrolysis oil is cracked to form ethylene which is then processed by olefin metathesis to form the desired olefins. These are then processed into linear alcohols as described above [primary sugars].

[0194] Municipal solid waste

[0195] MSW is converted to synthesis gas by gasification. From the synthesis gas, it can be processed as described above [primary sugars] or it can be converted to ethanol by enzymatic processes before being dehydrogenated to ethylene. The ethylene can then be converted to linear alcohols by the Zeigler process.

[0196] MSW can also be converted to pyrolysis oil by gasification and then fractionated to form alkanes. These alkanes are then dehydrogenated to form olefins and subsequently linear alcohols.

[0197] Ocean carbon

[0198] There are various carbon sources from marine communities such as seaweed and kelp. From these marine communities, triglycerides can be isolated from the source and then hydrolyzed to form fatty acids which are reduced to straight chain alcohols in the usual manner.

[0199] Alternatively, the feedstock can be separated into polysaccharides which are enzymatically degraded to form secondary sugars. These can be fermented to form bioethanol and then processed as described above [for primary sugars].

[0200] waste oil

[0201] Waste oils, such as used cooking oil, can be physically separated into triglycerides, which are split to form straight-chain fatty acids, and then straight-chain alcohols as described above.

[0202] Alternatively, used cooking oil can be subjected to the Neste process, whereby the oil is catalytically cracked to form bio-ethylene. This is then processed as described above.

[0203] Methane capture

[0204] Methane capture processes capture methane from landfills or fossil fuel production. Methane can be gasified to form synthesis gas. The synthesis gas can be processed as described above, whereby the synthesis gas is converted to methanol (Fischer-Tropsch reaction) and then to olefins before being oxidized to linear alcohols by hydroformylation.

[0205] Alternatively, the synthesis gas can be converted to alkanes and then to olefins via a Fischer-Tropsch process and then dehydrogenated.

[0206] Carbon capture

[0207] Carbon dioxide can be captured by any of a variety of well-known methods. Carbon dioxide can be converted to carbon monoxide via the reverse water-gas shift reaction, which can in turn be converted to synthesis gas using hydrogen in an electrolysis reaction. The synthesis gas is then processed as described above and converted to methanol and / or alkanes before being reacted to form olefins.

[0208] Alternatively, the captured CO2 can be mixed with hydrogen and then enzymatically processed to form ethanol. This is a process developed by Lanzatech. Ethanol is converted to ethylene, which is then processed into olefins and then linear alcohols as described above.

[0209] The above process can also be used to obtain C16 / 18 chains of C16 / 18 alcohol ethoxylates and / or C16 / 18 ether sulfates.

[0210] LAS

[0211] One of the other main surfactants commonly used in cleaning compositions, especially laundry compositions, is LAS (linear alkylbenzene sulfonate).

[0212] The key intermediate compounds in LAS production are the related olefins. These olefins (alkenes) can be produced by any of the methods described above and can be formed from primary sugars, biomass, waste plastics, MSW, carbon capture, methane capture, ocean carbon (for example).

[0213] In contrast to the above treatments where the olefin is processed by hydroformylation and oxidation to form linear alcohols, the olefin is reacted with benzene and then sulfonated to form LAS.

[0214] In a second aspect, a method for treating textiles is provided, preferably a household method, comprising the steps of treating the textiles with a 0.5-20 g / L aqueous solution of the detergent composition of the first aspect, wherein the aqueous solution contains 0.1-1.0 g / L of a surfactant, and optionally drying the textiles; preferably, wherein the household method is carried out in a household using a household appliance, wherein the method is carried out at a wash water temperature of 280 to 335 K. Example

[0215] The formulations are described below and the figures relate to weight %.

[0216]

[0217]

[0218] The formulations were charged at 50 ml to a front loading automatic washing machine on a cotton cycle at 40° C. with a 2.5 kg cotton ballast. The comparative formulation gave significantly more foam, as viewed through the front machine port, and resulted in excessive foaming.

[0219] C18AE is Genapol O-100 (from Clariant), an oleyl alcohol ethoxylate having an average of 10 moles of ethoxylation.

[0220] C12AE is laureth ethoxylate with an average of 7 moles of ethoxylation

[0221] LES(3EO) is lauryl ether sulfate having an average of 3 moles of ethoxylation.

[0222] The fluorescent agent was Tinopal CBS-X, a 4,4'-distyrylbiphenyl derivative from BASF.

[0223] Enzyme weight refers to the fully formulated enzyme product as received from the supplier ( (savinase), ).

Claims

1. A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, wherein the C18 alcohol ethoxylate comprises monounsaturated C18, wherein the proportion of monounsaturated C18 is at least 50 wt% of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, and wherein the C16 alcohol ethoxylate comprises at least 4% of the total C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants, and wherein the C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylates have an average of 8 to 20 ethoxylate groups.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the total content of C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylates is 1-30% by weight of the composition.

3. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, comprising an anionic surfactant.

4. The composition according to claim 3, wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkyl ether salts, primary alkyl sulfates and MES, and mixtures thereof.

5. The composition of claim 3, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in 1-30% by weight of the composition.

6. A composition according to claim 1 or 2 comprising from 0.1 to 10% by weight of the composition of a cleaning polymer selected from the group consisting of alkoxylated polyethyleneimines, polyester soil release polymers, copolymers of PEG / vinyl acetate and mixtures thereof.

7. The composition of claim 1 or 2, comprising an enzyme.

8. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a chelating agent.

9. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, comprising a benzoate salt.

10. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, comprising 0-5 wt% fatty acid.

11. The composition according to claim 1 or 2, having a viscosity of 100 to 300 mPa·s.

12. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the C16 and C18 alcohol ethoxylate surfactants comprise less than 30 wt% of alcohol ethoxylates having fewer than 6 ethoxylate groups.

13. The composition of claim 3, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a C16 / 18 alkyl ether sulfate having an average of 3 to 20 EO groups.

14. The composition of claim 3, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a C16 / 18 alkyl ether sulfate having an average of 5 to 10 EO groups.

15. A method for treating textiles, comprising the steps of: Treating textiles with a 0.5-20 g / L aqueous solution of a liquid laundry detergent composition according to any one of claims 2 to 14, and optionally drying the textiles.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the method is a home method.

17. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the aqueous solution comprises 0.1-1.0 g / L of the surfactant.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the home method is performed at home using a home appliance.

19. The method according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the method is carried out at a wash water temperature of 280 to 335K.

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