Aqueous cleaning composition for washing clothes and method for cleaning a fabric.

Abstract

The present invention is in the field of laundry cleaning compositions. In particular, it relates to a stable laundry cleaning composition that provides efficient cleaning in a shorter wash cycle and less amount of water. There is still a need for an improved stable laundry cleaning composition for cleaning laundry loads with ease. It is desired that such composition provides cleaning in a shorter washing cycle with reduced amount of water. It has been found that a poly-oxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester having specific HLB values along with a solvent mix, an anionic surfactant and an alkoxylated alkanol provides a stable laundry cleaning composition, wherein the composition provides efficient cleaning in a single wash or rinsing cycle. The composition remains stable under various storage conditions.

Description

1 / 18 Aqueous cleaning composition for washing clothes and method for cleaning a fabric. Descriptive Report of Invention Patent - Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention is in the field of laundry cleaning compositions. Specifically, the present invention relates to a storage-stable laundry cleaning composition that provides efficient cleaning in a shorter wash cycle and with less water. Background of the Invention

[0002] Consumers spend considerable amounts of time and effort on various cleaning processes as part of their household chores. These include laundry, dishwashing, and cleaning household surfaces. Generally, these cleaning processes consume a considerable amount of water. For example, a laundry process typically involves multiple steps, namely soaking, washing, rinsing, etc., where each step requires at least one bucket / drum full of water. In addition, consumers generally use detergents for efficient cleaning. Typically, detergents generate foam that acts as an indication of cleanliness to consumers. However, the foam also leads consumers to use more water to remove the foam, as they dislike fabrics with retained foam.

[0003] Currently, consumers are concerned about the environment. They prefer products with a lower environmental impact. In the context of laundry, they generally look for a product or process that provides efficient cleaning with less water. For example, a typical laundry process includes steps such as soaking, washing, and rinsing. A product that cleans fabric in a single step is desirable, thus reducing water consumption. This saves time and Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 7 / 54 2 / 18 consumer effort. These products become more effective on fabrics with dirt or stains in a specific area and not spread throughout the fabric. A shorter wash cycle or a rinse cycle could then remove the dirt / stain efficiently. This can also release products such as perfume and sanitizing agents.

[0004] In this context, document WO 03 / 044149 (Unilever Plc., 2003) discloses a process for cleaning a substrate, wherein the process comprises the steps of placing a substrate in contact with a composition comprising at least two liquids that mutually present a liquid-liquid interface with an interfacial tension of at least 5 mN / m and agitating the substrate and / or composition while they are in mutual contact, wherein the composition and / or the substrate are also subjected to ultrasound before and / or during the agitation step. This composition does not comprise a bipolar antimicrobial particle.

[0005] Document WO 2017 / 144260 (Unilever PLC., 2003) discloses a formulation comprising a solvent system comprising methyl laurate, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, and octane diol. CPC clay is added to provide the antimicrobial benefit. This formulation is effective in solubilizing and removing greasy / oily stains, as well as providing a sanitizing benefit. However, the disclosed formulation has several disadvantages, including instability under hot and dry conditions; the need for a specific order of addition and mixing conditions that make processing challenging; a high viscosity that hinders spraying of the formulation; and, finally, intense graying or the formation of flaws due to the presence of CPC clay.

[0006] Document WO 2020 / 048679 (Unilever PLC., 2020) discloses a composition for tissue treatment comprising a solvent system comprising a glycol ether, a diol, and a fatty acid ester, an anionic C8-C18 alkoxylated surfactant, an alkoxylated alkanol, a hydrotrope, a phosphonate-based surfactant, and sodium citrate. Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 8 / 54 3 / 18

[0007] Although various cleaning compositions are disclosed, there is still a need for an improved, stable laundry cleaning composition for easy cleaning of laundry loads. It is desired that this composition provides cleaning in a shorter wash cycle with less water and remains stable over time.

[0008] Surprisingly, it was found that a polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester having specific HLB values ​​with a solvent mixture, an anionic surfactant and an alkoxylated alkanol provides a laundry cleaning composition that allows efficient cleaning in a single wash or rinse cycle with less water. The composition remains stable under various storage conditions. Summary of the Invention

[0009] Thus, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an aqueous cleaning composition for washing clothes comprising: i) from 0.5 to 35% by weight of a solvent mixture comprising: (a) a glycol ether; (b) a C7 to C14 vicinal diol; and (c) a fatty acid ester of formula (I): RiC(=O)OR2, where Ri represents a C6 to C15 alkyl group and R2 is a methyl or ethyl group; ii) 0.1 to 15% by weight of anionic surfactant comprising at least one ethoxylated alkyl sulfate; iii) 0.1 to 35% by weight of alkoxylated alkanol; and iv) 0.1 to 10% by weight of polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester having HLB values ​​in the range of 10 to 20;

[0010] In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for cleaning a fabric, which comprises the steps of: (i) apply to the fabric a composition in accordance with the first aspect; (ii) rinse the fabric with water at least once; (iii) allow the fabric to dry. Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, p. 9 / 54 4 / 18

[0011] These and other aspects, features, and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the detailed description below and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention can be applied to any other aspect of the invention. The word “comprising” is intended to mean “including,” but not necessarily “consisting of” or “composed of.” In other words, the steps or options listed need not be exhaustive. Note that the examples presented in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight / weight percentages unless otherwise indicated.Except in operational and comparative examples, or where explicitly indicated otherwise, all numbers in this description indicating quantities of material or reaction conditions, physical properties or materials and / or use, shall be understood as modified by the word “about”. Numerical ranges expressed in the format “of xay” are understood to include x and y. When, for a specific characteristic, multiple preferred ranges are described in the format “of xay”, it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. Unless otherwise specified, all percentages, ratios or parts herein are on a weight basis. The term “% pp” as used herein is an abbreviation for “% by weight”. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0012] The present invention provides an aqueous cleaning composition for laundry comprising a solvent mixture, an anionic surfactant, an alkoxylated alkanol and a polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester. Mixture of solvents

[0013] The composition comprises from 0.5 to 35% by weight of a solvent mixture. Preferably, the composition comprises from 1 to 30% by weight, more preferably from 2 to 25% by weight and, most preferably, from 3 to Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, p. 10 / 54 5 / 18 20% by weight of the solvent mixture.

[0014] The solvent mixture comprises a glycol ether, a C7 to C14 vicinal diol and a fatty acid ester of formula (I): RiC(=O)OR2 (I), where Ri represents the C6 to C15 alkyl group and R2 is the methyl or ethyl group. Glycol ether:

[0015] The solvent mixture comprises a glycol ether. Preferably, the glycol ether is defined by formula (II): R1O(R2O)nR3 (II); where - R1 is a linear or branched C1 to C8 alkyl or phenyl group; - R2 is ethyl or isopropyl; - n is 1, 2, 3; - R3 is hydrogen or a linear or branched C1 to C10 alkyl or phenyl group;

[0016] Glycol ether herein refers to a class of organic solvent comprising ethylene glycol or propylene glycol alkyl ether derivative and is defined by formula (II) above.

[0017] Preferably, glycol ether is selected based on Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP). HSP is a well-known computational method used to predict the solubility of a material in a solvent. In this method, each molecule of material is described in terms of three parameters, namely: ôd: derived from dispersion forces between molecules, ôp: derived from dipolar intermolecular forces between molecules, and ôh: derived from hydrogen bonds between molecules.

[0018] Different molecules are represented as points in a three-dimensional space, called Hansen space, using the aforementioned parameters as coordinates. Additionally, a radius R0, known as the interactive radius, is defined for each solute molecule.

[0019] To predict the solubility of solute (1) in solvent (2), the HSP distance (Ra) between the two is calculated using equation 1: Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 11 / 54 6 / 18 Ra= [4 (ôdi- Ôd2)2+(δρΐ- δρ2)2+(ôhi- ôh2)2]1X2(Equation 1),

[0020] And the corresponding Relative Energy Difference (RED) is calculated by equation 2: RED=Ra / R0 (Equation 2),

[0021] For a solute-solvent system, if the RED value is less than 1, it means that the solute is probably soluble in the solvent and it is preferable to decrease the RED value. Whereas a RED value greater than 1 means that the solute may not be soluble in the solvent. Details on Hansen solubility parameters can be found in books, for example, “Hansen Solubility Parameters - A User's Handbook”, by Dr. Charles Hansen, CRC press, Boca Raton, 1999, 2007. There is commercially available software and tools to calculate HSP parameters. One of these used here is “HSPiP”, 5th edition, version 5.3.04. The glycol ethers suitable for the invention have RED values ​​in the order of 0.1 to 0.5, relative to cooking oil as solute.

[0022] Preferably, Ri in glycol ether formula (II) is a C1 to C4 alkyl group. Preferably, R3 in glycol ether formula (II) is a C1 to C4 alkyl group.

[0023] Examples of glycol ether suitable for the invention include mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol butyl ether, propylene glycol monophenyl ether and propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate.

[0024] The glycol ether suitable for the present invention includes materials such as DOWANOL™ (trademark of The Dow Chemical Company) P and E series, including both water-soluble and water-insoluble glycol ether or glycol ether ester, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, mono-n-butyl ether Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 12 / 54 7 / 18 propylene glycol butyl ether (PnB), dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether (DPnP), dipropylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (DPnB), and diethylene glycol butyl ether (DB), propylene glycol monophenyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate. However, P-series glycol ethers are more preferred over E-series ethers because they are more environmentally safer.

[0025] Preferably, the glycol ether is selected from dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether and dipropylene glycol methyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monohexyl ether (hexylcarbitol) and combinations thereof. Most preferably, the glycol ether is dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether.

[0026] Glycol ether is preferably present in a concentration of 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.3 to 15% by weight and, most preferably, 0.5 to 10% by weight of the composition.

[0027] Preferably, the glycol ether present in the composition is 2 to 66% by weight, more preferably 5 to 60% by weight and, most preferably, 10 to 50% by weight of the solvent mixture. Vicinal diols C7 to C14

[0028] The solvent mixture comprises a C7 to C14 vicinal diol. Examples of suitable diols for the present invention include 1,2-heptanediol, 1,2-nonanediol, 1,2-decanediol, 1,2-dodecanediol, 1,2-tetradecanediol. Preferably, the diol is selected from 1,2-octanediol, 1,2-nonanediol, 1,2-decanediol and combinations thereof.

[0029] The preferred diol is 1,2-octanediol due to its superior performance in combination with glycol ether, fatty acid ester and the bipolar antimicrobial particle.

[0030] The diol is preferably present in a concentration of 0.1 to 4% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 3% by weight and, most preferably, 0.3 to 2% by weight of the composition.

[0031] The diol preferably constitutes 3 to 30% by weight, more Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, p. 13 / 54 8 / 18 preferably 6 to 25% by weight and, most preferably, 9 to 20% by weight of the solvent mixture. Fatty acid ester

[0032] The solvent mixture comprises a fatty acid ester of formula (III): RiC(=O)OR2 (III) where R1 represents a C6 to C15 alkyl group and R2 preferably a methyl or ethyl group.

[0033] Preferred esters are those in which R1CO is a relatively long-chain fatty acyl group, i.e., in which Ri is a C7 to C18 alkyl group. In these compounds, R2 is preferably a methyl group.

[0034] Most preferred fatty acid esters are methyl laurate and olefinic methyl laurate, for example, methyl dodec-9-enoate.

[0035] The fatty acid ester is preferably present in a concentration of 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 15% by weight and, most preferably, 0.3 to 10% by weight of the composition.

[0036] The fatty acid ester preferably constitutes 10 to 60% by weight, more preferably 15 to 55% by weight and, most preferably, 20 to 50% by weight of the solvent mixture. Anionic surfactant

[0037] The composition comprises from 0.1 to 15% by weight of anionic surfactant, comprising at least one ethoxylated alkyl sulfate. Preferably, the ethoxylated alkyl sulfate has a C8 to C18 alkyl group with 1 to 30 ethoxylated units.

[0038] Ethoxylated alkyl sulfate may have a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing lower ethoxylated groups with two or three carbon atoms. A general formula for these surfactants is formula (IV): RO(C2H4O)x SO3-M+ (IV) where R is a C8 to C22 alkyl group, saturated or unsaturated, M is a cation that makes the compound water-soluble, especially a metal cation. Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, p. 14 / 54 9 / 18 alkaline, ammonium or substituted ammonium, ex varies on average from 1 to 15. Preferably, R is a C8 to C18 alkyl group, more preferably a C8 to C16 alkyl group, M is sodium, ex varies on average from 1 to 3, more preferably x is 1.

[0039] It is particularly preferred that the ethoxylated alkyl sulfate be ethoxylated sodium lauryl sulfate (SLES). It is the sodium salt of ethoxylated lauryl sulfonic acid, in which the C12 (lauryl)alkyl group is predominantly ethoxylated with an average of 1 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide per mole, more preferably 1 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole, even more preferably 1 to 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of SLES.

[0040] Other examples of suitable ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants that could be used in the present invention are normal or primary C12 to C15 triethoxy alkyl sulfate, sodium salt; n-decyl-diethoxy sulfate, sodium salt; primary C12 di-ethoxy alkyl sulfate, ammonium salt; primary C12 tri-ethoxy alkyl sulfate, sodium salt; primary C15 tetra-ethoxy alkyl sulfate, sodium salt; mixed normal C14 to C15 primary tri- and tetra-ethoxy alkyl sulfate, sodium salt; penta-ethoxy stearyl sulfate, sodium salt; and mixed normal C10 to C15 primary tri-ethoxy alkyl sulfate, potassium salt.

[0041] The composition preferably comprises 0.2 to 12% by weight and, more preferably, 0.5 to 10% by weight and, most preferably, 1 to 8% by weight of ethoxylated alkyl sulfate.

[0042] The composition may further comprise another anionic surfactant, such as, for example, alkyl sulfonates and non-ethoxylated sulfates. Examples of suitable non-ethoxylated sulfates are primary and secondary alkyl sulfates having a C10 to C18 alkyl group. Examples of alkyl sulfonates suitable for the invention are linear alkylbenzene sulfonates having a C8 to C22 alkyl group, more preferably a C10 to C18 alkyl group. Alkoxylated alkanol Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 15 / 54 10 / 18

[0043] The composition according to the present invention comprises 0.1 to 35% by weight of alkoxylated alkanol. Typically, alkoxylated alkanol acts as a non-ionic surfactant and is considered in the composition for improved cleaning. These compounds are known to be produced by condensation of an aliphatic organic or aromatic alkyl hydrophobic compound with ethylene oxide.

[0044] Preferably, the alkoxylated alkanols have C8 to C18 alkanols with 3 to 20 alkoxylated units. More preferably, the alkoxylated unit is ethoxylate or propoxylate. Preferred alkoxylated alkanols are those having C9 to C16 alkanols with 3 to 10 ethoxylate units. It is preferred to use those in which the alkoxylated alkanol is C9 to C11 or C12 to C15 alkanol with 5 to 8 or 5 to 9 ethoxy units. Preferably, the alkoxylated alkanol is a linear alkoxylated alcohol, and more preferably a linear ethoxylated alcohol.

[0045] Examples of these compounds are those in which the alkanol ranges from 10 to 15 carbon atoms and which contain about 5 to 12 ethylene oxide groups per mole, for example, the Neodol™ family, Tergitol 15-S-7, etc. These are condensation products of a mixture of higher fatty alcohols with an average of about 12 to 15 carbon atoms with about 9 moles of ethylene oxide. The higher alcohols are primary alkanols.

[0046] Another subclass of alkoxylated alkanols that could be used contains an exact alkyl chain length instead of an alkyl chain distribution of alkoxylated surfactants. Typically, these are called narrow-band alkoxylates. Examples of these include the Neodol™-1 series of surfactants.

[0047] Examples of other useful alkoxylated alkanols include those commercially available under the trade name Plurafac™ from BASF. Plurafac™ are the reaction products of a higher linear alcohol and a mixture of ethylene and propylene oxides, containing a mixed chain of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, terminated by a hydroxyl group. Examples include C13 to C15 fatty alcohols condensed with 6 moles of ethylene oxide and 3 moles of propylene oxide. Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, p. 16 / 54 11 / 18 of propylene oxide, C13 to C15 fatty alcohol condensed with 7 moles of propylene oxide and 4 moles of ethylene oxide, C13 to C15 fatty alcohol condensed with 5 moles of propylene oxide and 10 moles of ethylene oxide, or mixtures of any of the above. Another example includes Dobanol™, which is an ethoxylated C12 to C15 fatty alcohol with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol.

[0048] The composition comprises from 0.1 to 35% by weight of alkoxylated alkanol. Preferably, the composition comprises from 0.5 to 30% by weight, more preferably from 1 to 25% by weight and, most preferably, from 2 to 20% by weight of the composition.

[0049] Preferably, the ratio between the total amount of surfactant and the solvent mixture is in the range of 20:1 to 1:1 by weight. More preferably, the ratio is in the range of 16:1 to 1:1, even more preferably from 12:1 to 1:1, even more preferably from 8:1 to 1:1 and, most preferably, from 4:1 to 1:1 by weight. Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Alkyl Ester

[0050] The composition comprises 0.1 to 10% by weight of polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester having HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) values ​​in the range of 10 to 20.

[0051] It is observed that polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester improves the stability of the composition during storage. Specifically under hot and humid conditions, the composition without polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester exhibits creaming during storage, whereas the composition with polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester remains isotropic.

[0052] Preferably, the polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester has an HLB value in the range of 12 to 20, and most preferably, 14 to 18. Examples of such compounds include polyoxyethylene (4) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (4) sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate. Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, p. 17 / 54 12 / 18

[0053] These compounds are also available under the trade names Tween or Triton, for example, Tween 20 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, HLB=16.7), Tween 40 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, HLB=15.6), Tween 60 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, HLB=14.9), Tween 65 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, HLB=10.5), Tween 80 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, HLB=15.0), Tween 85 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate, HLB=11.0).

[0054] Preferably, the polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester can be selected from polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, and combinations thereof. Most preferably, the polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate.

[0055] Polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester may be present from 0.2 to 9% by weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 8% by weight and, most preferably, from 1 to 7% by weight of the composition. Water

[0056] The composition of the present invention is an aqueous composition comprising water. The composition is completed to 100% by the addition of water. The composition preferably comprises from 40 to 97% by weight of water. Hydrotrope

[0057] The composition may further comprise a hydrotrope. Typically, hydrotropes are low molecular weight organic liquids, soluble in water or miscible in water, for example, C1 to C5 monohydric alcohols (e.g., ethanol and n- or i-propanol); C2 to C6 diols (e.g., monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol); C3 to C9 triols (e.g., glycerol); polyethylene glycols having an average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 200 to 600; C1 to C3 alkanolamines, for example, mono-, di- and triethanolamines; and alkylaryl sulfonates having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group (e.g., the sodium and potassium xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene and isopropylbenzene (cumene) sulfonates). A combination of these compounds may be Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 18 / 54 13 / 18 used.

[0058] Preferably, the hydrotrope is selected from 1,2-propanediol, polypropylene glycol, glycerol, and combinations thereof. Most preferably, the hydrotrope is 1,2-propanediol.

[0059] Preferably, the amount of hydrotrope present in the composition is in the range of 0.1 to 20% by weight of the composition, more preferably in the range of 1 to 16% by weight, with the greatest preference in the range of 2 to 12% by weight of the composition. Kidnapper

[0060] Preferably, the composition comprises a sequestering agent to improve the performance of the composition. A sequestering agent is believed to bind weakly to a calcium ion or to certain transition metal ions, such as Fe3+, which are involved in the attachment of dirt to surfaces. Thus, it facilitates the removal of dirt from surfaces.

[0061] Preferably, the sequestrant is selected from 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, sodium salt of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, ethylidenediaminetris(methylenephosphonic) acid, hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid and sodium salts thereof.

[0062] Preferably, the phosphonate-based sequestrant is selected from 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, sodium salt of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, ethylenediaminetris(methylenephosphonic) acid, and combinations thereof. The composition may also contain other sequestrants, such as trisodium salt of methylglycinodiacetic acid (MGDA), tetrasodium N,N-dicarboxymethylglutamic acid (GLDA), in addition to the phosphonate-based sequestrant.

[0063] Preferably, the sequestrant is present in the composition from 0.5 to 10% by weight, preferably from 0.8 to 8% by weight and, most preferably, from 1 to 5% by weight of the composition. Optional components

[0064] The cleaning composition may comprise components Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 19 / 54 14 / 18 additional, such as polymeric emulsifiers, SRPs (dirt-releasing polymers), perfumes, preservatives, clarifiers, viscosity control salt, pH adjusters or buffers, enzymes, etc. The composition of the present invention may also include optional components such as perfumes, preservatives, clarifiers, viscosity control salt, pH adjusters or buffers, enzymes, etc. Process for treating a tissue.

[0065] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for treating a fabric, comprising the sequential steps of applying the composition according to the invention onto a fabric, applying the necessary agitation as applicable followed by rinsing the fabric at least once with water; and allowing the fabric to dry. The composition can be applied by any known method, for example, using wet wipes, spray, including spray guns, atomizers or by direct application. The method includes washing a fabric in a washing machine, wherein the fabric is treated with the composition and subsequently subjected to a rinsing cycle. Product format

[0066] The composition can be supplied in various formats, such as spray, foam, and wipe. The spray and foam can be applied to the soiled / stained area, for example, under the arms, on the collar / cuff, or it can be applied to the entire fabric. In a wipe format, the composition can preferably be applied to non-woven fabric. Preferably, a product in wipe format can be rubbed directly onto the soiled / stained areas. The viscosity of the composition is preferably less than 100 cP at 20 °C at a shear rate of 20 s⁻¹ so that it is in foam or spray format. The composition may provide additional functional benefit, such as antimicrobial benefit, or it may provide a beneficial agent, such as perfume.

[0067] The invention is further illustrated by the following non-limiting examples. Examples Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 20 / 54 15 / 18

[0068] The materials used to prepare various formulations are listed below: Table 1 Materials Trade name Supplier Dipropylene Glycol n-butyl ether Dowanol™ DpnB DOW Chemicals. 1,2-Octanediol Hydrolite® CG Symrise Methyl Laurate Pernil® ME C 12-98 100 BASF Non-ionic Surfactant (C12 EO7) Mascoleth 2407 Wrapping Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Ethoxylate (EO3) Galaxy LES 370 Galaxy Surfactants Sequestrant Dequest® 2010 Italmatch Sodium Citrate Trisodium Citrate Dihydrate Kusuma Pharma Dirt-Releasing Polymer Texcare® UL 50 Clariant Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monolaurate Tween™ 20 MBAL Croda Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monostearate Tween™ 60 Croda Polyoxyethylene Sorbitan Monooleate Tween™ 80 Croda Polyoxyethylene Lauryl Ether Brij® 35 Croda

[0069] Ex. A and Exs. 1 to 3 were prepared following the recipe provided in Table 2 as shown below: Table 2 Material (% w / w) Ex. A Ex. 1 Ex. 2 Ex. 3 Ex. B Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether 3 3 3 3 3 1,2-Octanediol 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.9 Methyl laurate 2 2 2 2 2 Non-ionic surfactant (C12 EO7) 2 2 2 2 2 Sodium lauryl sulfate 13 13 13 13 13 Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 21 / 54 16 / 18 Ethoxylated (EO3) Sequestrant 2 2 2 2 2 Sodium citrate 3 3 3 3 3 Dirt-releasing polymer 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 Ethoxylated polyethyleneimine 2 2 2 2 2 Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate - 1 - - - Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate - - 1 - - Polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate - - - 1 - Polyoxyethylene lauryl ether - - - - 1 Dye 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 0.006 Perfume 0.97 0.97 0.97 0.97 0.97 Water Up to 100 Up to 100 Up to 100 Up to 100 Up to 100 Note^ Cloudy Transparent Transparent Transparent Clear Turbidity after preparation (NTU*) 72 to 125 2 2.8 2.6 2.2 Turbidity after storage under hot and humid conditions for 3 months (NTU*) - no change no change no change 5.1 *Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

[0070] Exs. 1 to 3 are in accordance with the invention. Whereas Ex. A does not contain a polyoxyethylene sorbitan ester, which represents a control example. Ex. B is a comparator containing polyoxyethylene lauryl ether.

[0071] For storage study, each formulation was packaged in an airtight container and stored under warm and humid conditions. Warm and humid conditions here refers to 45 °C and 45% relative humidity. Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, p. 22 / 54 17 / 18 Evaluation of stain removal effectiveness:

[0072] The cleaning effectiveness of each formulation was evaluated in terms of stain removal index (SRI). Standard stain monitors were used for this purpose. Stain monitors are fabrics pre-loaded with a specific type of stain. These stain monitors are commercially available. In the present case, standard single stain monitors were purchased from SUV-TUV South-East Asia Pvt Limited and used to evaluate the formulations.

[0073] The SRI (stain removal index) was used to measure the effectiveness of each formulation. The SRI is estimated from three color values, namely L, a, b in the CIELAB color space and is defined by equation 3: SRI = 100 - 7(Lb- Ls)2+ (aB - as)2+ (bB - bs)2(Equation 3), where Lb, ab, bb are color values ​​that correspond to pure fabric, i.e., without any stains; and Ls, as, bs are color values ​​that correspond to fabric stained after washing. A higher SRI value corresponds to better stain removal or better cleaning.

[0074] A stained fabric, here a single stain monitor, was dosed with 1.35 mL of each sample and kept in contact for 5 minutes. Subsequently, the fabric was rinsed once in a front-loading washing machine with a liquid-to-fabric ratio of 7:1 for 2 minutes in 24FH water (Ca:Mg - 2:1). Each fabric was allowed to dry and the color values, namely L, a, b in CIELAB, were measured using AtrixScan F1 (Microtek).

[0075] The SRI values ​​for Ex. A and Ex. 1 have been calculated and are summarized below: Table 3 Stain Monitor SRI Ex. A Ex. 1 Black tea * 98.6 99.4 Blackberry fruit* 95.3 97.9 Yellow ceramic clay* 96.4 98.9 Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 23 / 54 18 / 18 Mascara* 85.2 91.2 *Type of stain on a single-spot monitor.

[0076] From Table 3, it is evident that Ex. 1, which is in accordance with the present invention, registers higher SRI values, that is, it provides better cleaning compared to Ex. A. Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 24 / 54

Claims

1 / 2 Claims 1. An aqueous cleaning composition for laundry, characterized by comprising: i) 0.5 to 35% by weight of a solvent mixture comprising: (a) a glycol ether; (b) a C7 to C14 vicinal diol; and (c) a fatty acid ester of formula (I): RiC(=O)OR2, wherein Ri represents a C6 to C15 alkyl group and R2 is a methyl or ethyl group; ii) 0.1 to 15% by weight of an anionic surfactant comprising at least one ethoxylated alkyl sulfate; iii) 0.1 to 35% by weight of an alkoxylated alkanol; and iv) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester having HLB values ​​in the range of 10 to 20.

2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the glycol ether is selected from dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monohexyl ether (hexylcarbitol) and combinations thereof.

3. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the diol is selected from 1,2-octanediol, 1,2-nonanediol, 1,2-decanediol and combinations thereof.

4. Composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the fatty acid ester is selected from methyl laurate, methyl olefinic laurate, ethyl laurate, ethyl octanoate and combinations thereof.

5. Composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the solvent mixture is a combination of dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, 1,2-octanediol and methyl laurate.

6. Composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the anionic surfactant comprising C8 to C18 ethoxylated alkyl sulfate having from 1 to 30 ethoxylated units. Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, page 25 / 54 2 / 2 7. Composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the alkoxylated alkanol contains a linear or branched C6 to C18 chain alkanol with 3 to 20 ethoxylated or propoxylated units.

8. Composition according to claim 7, characterized in that the alkoxylated alkanol is ethoxylated (C12) lauryl alcohol having 7 ethoxylated units.

9. Composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester has an HLB value in the range of 14 to 18.

10. Composition according to claim 9, characterized in that the alkyl ester of polyoxyethylene sorbitan is selected from polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate and combinations thereof.

11. Composition according to claim 10, characterized in that the alkyl ester of polyoxyethylene sorbitan is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate.

12. Composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by comprising from 0.1 to 10% by weight of a sequestrant.

13. Composition according to claim 12, characterized in that the sequestering agent is selected from 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, sodium salt of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, ethylidenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic) acid and combinations thereof.

14. Composition, according to any one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by further comprising a hydrotrope.

15. Method for cleaning a fabric, characterized by comprising the steps of: (i) applying a composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 14, to the fabric; (ii) rinsing the fabric with water; and (iii) allowing the fabric to dry. Petition 870250078948, dated 04 / 09 / 2025, p. 26 / 54