Water-soluble unit dose product

Abstract

The present invention provides a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble fibrous nonwoven material and a method of using the water-soluble unit dose article.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention provides a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble fibrous nonwoven material and a method of using said water-soluble unit dose article. Background Art

[0002] Water-soluble unit dose articles are favored by consumers due to their convenience and ease of use.

[0003] Without wishing to be bound by theory, the water-soluble unit dose article comprises a water-soluble sheet and a unitized dose of a laundry detergent composition, which is housed within one or more compartments within the unit dose article. After addition to water, the water-soluble sheet dissolves and / or disintegrates and releases the detergent composition into the water.

[0004] However, a problem encountered with water-soluble unit dose articles is that they typically need to be added to the drum of an automatic washing machine to ensure complete dissolution during washing. If added to the drawer of an automatic washing machine, they may suffer from incomplete dissolution, which may leave residues in the drawer and / or on the fabrics being washed.

[0005] While a simple solution to this problem is to add the water-soluble unit dose article to the drum, some consumers do not like to add the water-soluble unit dose article to the drum because they prefer the dissolution of the water-soluble unit dose article to occur in the drawer of the automatic washing machine before the fabrics come into contact with the detergent composition.

[0006] Surprisingly, it has been found that the water-soluble laundry unit dose article according to the present invention provides excellent dissolution when added to both the drawer and the drum of an automatic washing machine. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A first aspect of the present invention is a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet and a particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein said particulate laundry detergent composition comprises at least a first plurality of particles; wherein said water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet is shaped to form a sealed internal compartment, wherein said particulate detergent composition is contained within said internal compartment; and wherein said water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet comprises a plurality of fibers; wherein said fibers comprise a polyvinyl alcohol polymer and a breaking agent in an amount between 0.1% and 15% by weight of said fibers, wherein said breaking agent is selected from polyols, sugar alcohols, amines, amides, carbohydrates, polyvalent cations, or mixtures thereof, preferably selected from polyols, sugar alcohols, or mixtures thereof.

[0008] A second aspect of the present invention is a method for washing fabrics, the method comprising the following steps,

[0009] a. Provide an automatic washing machine, wherein the automatic washing machine includes a drum and a drawer;

[0010] b. Add the above-mentioned water-soluble unit dose product to the drawer, the drum, or a mixture thereof, and add the fabric to be washed to the drum;

[0011] c. Start a washing operation in the automatic washing machine. Description of the Drawings

[0012] Figure 1 : Water-soluble unit dose product according to the present invention

[0013] Figure 2 : According to Figure 1 Cross-section of the water-soluble unit dose product Detailed Description of the Invention

[0014] Water-soluble unit dose product

[0015] The present invention relates to a water-soluble unit dose product, which comprises a water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet and a granular laundry detergent composition. The fibrous nonwoven sheet and the granular laundry detergent composition are described in more detail below.

[0016] The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet is formed to form a sealed inner compartment, wherein the granular laundry detergent composition is contained in the inner compartment.

[0017] The unit dose product may comprise a first fibrous nonwoven sheet and a second water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet that are sealed to each other to define an inner compartment. The water-soluble unit dose product is configured such that the granular detergent composition does not leak out of the compartment during storage. However, when the water-soluble unit dose product is added to water, the water-soluble nonwoven fibrous sheet dissolves and releases the contents in the inner compartment into the washing liquid.

[0018] The compartment should be understood to refer to the enclosed inner space within the unit dose product that holds the granular detergent composition. During manufacturing, the first water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may be formed to include an open compartment into which the detergent composition is added. Then a second water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may be placed over the first sheet in an orientation adjacent to the opening of the compartment. The first and second sheets are then sealed together along a sealing area.

[0019] Alternatively, a single water-soluble fibrous nonwoven material may be formed into an open container. Then the granular laundry detergent composition may be filled into the open container, and then the open container is sealed to close it.

[0020] A unit dose article may include more than one compartment, even at least two compartments, or even at least three compartments. The compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side orientation, i.e., one adjacent to the other. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment.

[0021] In the case where the unit dose article includes at least two compartments, one of the compartments may be smaller than the other compartment.

[0022] Each compartment may contain the same or different compositions.

[0023] Figure 1 A water-soluble unit dose article (1) according to the present invention is disclosed. The illustrated water-soluble unit dose article (1) has a generally rectangular shape; however, it may have any suitable shape, including square, triangular, circular, oval, hexagonal, or a combination thereof. The water-soluble unit dose article (1) comprises a water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet (2).

[0024] From Figure 2 (This figure is Figure 1 a cross-sectional view of the water-soluble unit dose article (1)) it can be seen that the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet (2) is shaped to form at least one internal compartment (3) containing a particulate laundry detergent composition (4).

[0025] Water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet

[0026] The water-soluble unit dose article comprises a water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet. The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet comprises a plurality of fibers. Preferably, the fibers are entangled fibers in the form of a fibrous structure.

[0027] The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may be uniform or may be layered. If layered, the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may comprise at least two and / or at least three and / or at least four and / or at least five layers.

[0028] Preferably, the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet has a basis weight between 20 gsm and 60 gsm, preferably between 20 gsm and 55 gsm, more preferably between 25 gsm and 50 gsm, and most preferably between 25 gsm and 45 gsm. Those skilled in the art will know the method of measuring the basis weight.

[0029] The basis weight of the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may be measured on a stack of twelve available units using a top-loading analytical balance with a resolution of ±0.001 g. An air flow hood is used to protect the balance from air flow interference and other interferences. A precision cutting die (measuring 8.9 cm ± 0.009 cm * 8.9 cm ± 0.009 cm) is used to prepare all samples.

[0030] Using a precision cutting die, cut the samples into squares. Combine the cut squares to form a stack that is twelve sample thicknesses. Measure the mass of the sample stack and record the result to an accuracy of 0.001 g.

[0031] In g / m 2 (gsm), calculate the basis weight as follows:

[0032] Basis weight = (mass of the stack) / [(area of one square in the stack) × (number of squares in the stack)]

[0033] As used herein, "fiber" refers to an elongated element having a length that exceeds its average diameter, preferably a length-to-average diameter ratio of at least about 10.

[0034] Preferably, each fiber may have a length greater than or equal to 5.08 cm, greater than or equal to 7.62 cm, greater than or equal to 10.16, greater than or equal to 15.24 cm, or a mixture thereof.

[0035] Alternatively, each fiber may have a length less than 5.08 cm, less than 3.81 cm, less than 2.54 cm, or a mixture thereof.

[0036] Each fiber may have a width less than 100 μm, less than 75 μm, less than 50 μm, less than 25 μm, less than 10 μm, less than 5 μm, less than 1 μm, or a mixture thereof. Those skilled in the art will know the standard methods and techniques for measuring width. Preferred methods include scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or optical microscopy and image analysis software.

[0037] The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may comprise a plurality of fibers that are the same or substantially the same in compositional angle. Alternatively, the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may comprise two or more different fibers according to the present invention. Non-limiting examples of fiber differences may be: physical differences such as differences in diameter, length, texture, shape, hardness, elasticity, etc.; chemical differences such as crosslinking level, solubility, melting point, Tg, active agent.

[0038] Preferably, there are fibers present between 80% and 95%, preferably between 85% and 93%, more preferably between 87% and 90% by weight of the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet.

[0039] The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may exhibit different regions, such as regions of different basis weight, density, and / or thickness. The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may comprise a texture on one or more of its surfaces. The surface of the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may comprise a pattern, such as a non-random repeating pattern.

[0040] The water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet may have a thickness between 0.01 mm and 100 mm, preferably between 0.05 mm and 50 mm, more preferably between 0.1 mm and 20 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 10 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 5 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 2 mm, even more preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm, and most preferably between 0.1 mm and 0.3 mm. Those skilled in the art will know the standard methods for measuring thickness.

[0041] The fibers contain a polyvinyl alcohol polymer. Preferably, the fibers contain between 50% and 98% by weight of the fiber, preferably between 65% and 97% by weight of the fiber, more preferably between 80% and 96% by weight of the fiber, and even more preferably between 88% and 96% by weight of the fiber.

[0042] Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol polymer is a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average degree of hydrolysis percentage of 75% to 100%, preferably 80% to 95%, and most preferably 85% to 90%. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average viscosity of 1 to 65 mPas, preferably 5 to 60 mPas, and most preferably 10 to 55 mPas, where the viscosity is measured in a 4% aqueous solution in demineralized water at 20°C. Preferably, the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average molecular weight (MW) between 50 and 150 kDa, preferably between 75 and 140 kDa, and more preferably between 100 and 130 kDa. Those skilled in the art will know how to determine the average MW using known techniques.

[0043] The fibers contain between 0.1% and 15% by weight of the fiber of a breaker, where the breaker is selected from polyols, sugar alcohols, amines, amides, carbohydrates, polyvalent cations, or mixtures thereof, preferably selected from polyols, sugar alcohols, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fibers contain between 1% and 12% by weight of the fiber of the breaker, preferably between 2% and 10% by weight of the fiber of the breaker. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is the selection of a specific fibrous nonwoven material containing a breaker as claimed herein at the level required herein that solves the problem to be solved.

[0044] Without wishing to be bound by theory, polyols are synthetic materials while sugar alcohols are natural materials. Sugar alcohols may include ribose, xylose, fructose, or mixtures thereof.

[0045] Preferably, the breaker is selected from glycerol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2 - propanediol, dipropylene glycol, 2 - methyl - 1,3 - propanediol, trimethylolpropane, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, cyclohexanedimethanol, hexanediol, dipropylene glycol n - butyl ether, 2 - methyl - 2,4 - pentanediol, polypropylene glycol, urea, formamide, ethanolamine, carbohydrates, dianhydrohexitol, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and mixtures thereof, preferably selected from polyethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, trimethylolpropane, dipropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

[0046] Preferably, the fiber contains a breaker selected from the following in an amount between 0.1% and 15%, preferably between 1% and 12%, more preferably between 2% and 10% by weight of the fiber: glycerol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2 - propanediol, dipropylene glycol, 2 - methyl - 1,3 - propanediol, trimethylolpropane, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, cyclohexanedimethanol, hexanediol, dipropylene glycol n - butyl ether, 2 - methyl - 2,4 - pentanediol, polypropylene glycol, urea, formamide, ethanolamine, carbohydrates, dianhydrohexitol, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fiber contains a breaker selected from the following in an amount between 0.1% and 15%, preferably between 1% and 12%, more preferably between 2% and 10% by weight of the fiber: polyethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, trimethylolpropane, dipropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

[0047] Preferably, the fiber contains a breaker in an amount between 0.1% and 15%, preferably between 1% and 12%, more preferably between 2% and 10% by weight of the fiber, and wherein the fiber contains a breaker selected from the following in an amount between 0.1% and 15%, preferably between 1% and 12%, more preferably between 2% and 10% by weight of the fiber: glycerol, polyethylene glycol, 1,2 - propanediol, dipropylene glycol, 2 - methyl - 1,3 - propanediol, trimethylolpropane, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, sorbitol, cyclohexanedimethanol, hexanediol, dipropylene glycol n - butyl ether, 2 - methyl - 2,4 - pentanediol, polypropylene glycol, urea, formamide, ethanolamine, carbohydrates, dianhydrohexitol, magnesium chloride, sodium chloride, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the fiber contains a breaker in an amount between 0.1% and 15%, preferably between 1% and 12%, more preferably between 2% and 10% by weight of the fiber, and wherein the fiber contains a breaker selected from the following in an amount between 0.1% and 15%, preferably between 1% and 12%, more preferably between 2% and 10% by weight of the fiber: polyethylene glycol, glycerol, sorbitol, trimethylolpropane, dipropylene glycol, and mixtures thereof.

[0048] Preferably, the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight between 100 and 800, preferably between 200 and 750, more preferably between 400 and 700, and even more preferably between 500 and 650.

[0049] The fibrous nonwoven sheet may comprise a second plurality of particles. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the fibrous nonwoven sheet comprises gaps or spaces between the fibers. When present, a second plurality of particles is present, which preferably resides within the gaps / spaces between the fibers. Preferably, there is a second plurality of particles between 0.25% and 10%, preferably between 0.5% and 5%, and more preferably between 1% and 3% by weight of the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet. Those skilled in the art will know the method of determining the weight percentage of the second plurality of particles. A preferred method involves the following steps; carefully separate both sides of the fibrous nonwoven sheet from the unit dose article filled with detergent. Weigh each side separately. Record the initial weight (filled with particles). Place the fabric filled with particles on a sieve, and blow a compressed line of dry air through the fibrous nonwoven sheet to remove all trapped particles. Re-measure the weight of the fibrous nonwoven material to obtain the difference. The weight difference is recorded as ((initial weight - final weight) / initial weight) × 100 (recorded as a weight percentage).

[0050] Preferably, the second plurality of particles comprises zeolite, inorganic salts, surfactant particulate matter, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the inorganic salts include sodium carbonate, sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the surfactant particulate matter may include spray-dried surfactant particulate matter, agglomerated surfactant particulate matter, or a mixture thereof.

[0051] Preferably, the second plurality of particles has an average particle size distributed between 1 micron and 150 microns, preferably between 5 microns and 125 microns, and more preferably between 10 microns and 100 microns.

[0052] Preferably, the fiber comprises less than 5%, more preferably less than 3%, and even more preferably less than 2% water by weight of the fiber.

[0053] The fibers can be made by any suitable method. Techniques known to those skilled in the art can be used to spin the fibers from the filament-forming composition. Suitable spinning method operations may include meltblowing, spunbonding, electrospinning, rotary spinning, or a combination thereof.

[0054] Non-limiting examples of suitable methods for preparing fibers include:

[0055] a. Providing the filament-forming composition from a can, for example; and

[0056] b. Spinning the filament-forming composition into one or more fibers via a spinneret, for example;

[0057] c. Collect the fibers onto a collection device such as a patterned belt.

[0058] The filament-forming composition can be transferred between the tank and the spinning die via a suitable conduit, with or without a pump. The spinning die can include a plurality of fiber-forming holes, the plurality of fiber-forming holes including a melt capillary surrounded by concentric attenuating fluid holes through which a fluid such as air passes to assist in attenuating the filament-forming composition into fibers as the filament-forming composition exits the fiber-forming holes.

[0059] The filament-forming composition can be spun into one or more fibers by any suitable spinning method such as meltblowing, spunbonding, electrospinning, and / or rotary spinning. The filament-forming composition can be spun into a plurality of fibers by meltblowing. For example, the filament-forming composition can be pumped from the tank to a meltblown spinneret. As it exits one or more of the fiber-forming holes in the spinneret, the filament-forming composition is attenuated with air to form one or more fibers. The fibers can then be dried to remove any residual solvent used for spinning, such as water.

[0060] The fibers can be collected on a belt such as a patterned belt to form a fibrous nonwoven sheet containing the fibers.

[0061] Preferably, the fibrous nonwoven sheet is made by mechanically, thermally, chemically, or solvent means bonding or interlocking the fibers. When the fibrous nonwoven sheets are made from short fibers, their production involves forming a uniform fiber web by a wet-laying method or carding, and then bonding the nonwoven material thermally or by other means such as needling, hydroentangling, etc. Spunbonded fibrous nonwoven materials are prepared in a continuous process of fiber spinning and then directly dispersed into the fiber web by a deflector or an air stream. Meltblown fibrous nonwoven materials are a one-step process in which high-velocity air blows the molten thermoplastic resin from an extruder die onto a conveyor or a conveying screen to form a fine fibrous and self-bonding fiber web.

[0062] Granular laundry detergent composition

[0063] The particulate laundry detergent composition comprises a first plurality of particles. Generally, the particulate laundry detergent composition is a full-formulation laundry detergent composition, rather than a part thereof (such as spray-dried or agglomerated particles that only form part of the laundry detergent composition). However, within the scope of the present invention is the use of additional rinse additive compositions (such as fabric conditioners or boosters) or main wash additive compositions (such as bleach additives) in combination with the laundry detergent composition during the method of the present invention. However, it may be preferred not to use the bleach additive composition in combination with the particulate detergent composition during the method of the present invention.

[0064] Preferably, the first plurality of particles comprises blown powder particles, agglomerated particles, extruded particles, enzyme granules, or mixtures thereof.

[0065] Typically, granular laundry detergent compositions comprise a plurality of chemically distinct particles such as spray-dried base detergent particles and / or agglomerated base detergent particles and / or extruded base detergent particles; combinations of one or more, typically two or more, or three or more, or four or more, or five or more, or six or more, or even ten or more particles selected from: surfactant particles including surfactant agglomerates, surfactant extrudates, surfactant needles, surfactant platelets, surfactant flakes; polymer particles such as cellulose polymer particles, polyester particles, polyamine particles, terephthalic acid polymer particles, polyethylene glycol polymer particles; builder particles such as sodium carbonate and sodium silicate cobuilder particles, phosphate particles, zeolite particles, silicate particles, carbonate particles; filler particles such as sulfate particles; dye transfer inhibitor particles; dye fixative particles; bleach particles such as percarbonate particles, particularly coated percarbonate particles such as percarbonate coated with carbonate, sulfate, silicate, borosilicate, or any combination thereof; perborate particles; bleach catalyst particles such as transition metal bleach catalyst particles or peroxyimine cation-based bleach catalyst particles; preformed peracid particles, particularly coated preformed peracid particles; and co-bleach particles of bleach activators; hydrogen peroxide sources and optionally bleach catalysts; bleach activator particles such as sodium oxybenzenesulfonate bleach activator particles and tetraacetylethylenediamine bleach activator particles; chelating agent particles such as chelating agent agglomerates; colorant dye particles; optical brightener particles; enzyme particles such as protease granules, lipase granules, cellulase granules, amylase granules, mannanase granules, pectate lyase granules, xyloglucanase granules, bleach enzyme granules, cutinase granules, and co-granulations of any of these enzymes; clay particles such as montmorillonite particles or particles of clay and organosilicon; flocculant particles such as polyethylene oxide particles; wax particles such as wax agglomerates; fragrance particles such as fragrance microcapsules, particularly melamine formaldehyde-based fragrance microcapsules, starch-encapsulated fragrance accord particles, and precursor fragrance particles such as Schiff base reaction product particles; aesthetic particles such as colored platelets or needles or layered particles, and soap rings, including colored soap rings; and any combination thereof.

[0066] Granular laundry detergent compositions typically include detergent ingredients. Suitable detergent ingredients include: detergency surfactants, including anionic detergency surfactants, nonionic detergency surfactants, cationic detergency surfactants, zwitterionic detergency surfactants, amphoteric detergency surfactants, and any combination thereof; polymers, including carboxylate polymers, polyethylene glycol polymers, polyester soil-release polymers such as terephthalic acid polymers, amine polymers, cellulose polymers, dye transfer inhibition polymers, dye-blocking polymers such as condensation oligomers produced by the condensation of imidazole and epichlorohydrin, optionally in a ratio of 1:4:1, hexamethylenediamine derivative polymers, and any combination thereof; builders, including zeolites, phosphates, citrates, and any combination thereof; buffers and sources of alkalinity, including carbonates and / or silicates; fillers, including sulfates and biological fillers; bleaches, including bleach activators, available oxygen sources, preformed peracids, bleach catalysts, reducing bleaches, and any combination thereof; chelating agents; optical bleaches; colorants; whiteners; enzymes, including proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases, xylanases, pectate lyases, mannanases, bleaching enzymes, cutinases, and any combination thereof; fabric softeners, including clays, silicones, quaternary ammonium salt fabric softeners, and any combination thereof; flocculants, such as polyethylene oxide; fragrances, including starch-encapsulated fragrance accordants, fragrance microcapsules, zeolites loaded with fragrances, Schiff base reaction products of ketone fragrance ingredients and polyamines, blooming perfumes, and any combination thereof; aesthetic substances, including soap rings, laminated aesthetic particles, gelatin beads, carbonate and / or sulfate spots, colored clays, and any combination thereof: and any combination thereof.

[0067] Suitable detergency surfactants include: anionic detergency surfactants, nonionic detergency surfactants, cationic detergency surfactants, zwitterionic detergency surfactants, amphoteric detergency surfactants, and any combination thereof.

[0068] Suitable anionic detergency surfactants include sulfate and sulfonate detergency surfactants. Suitable sulfonate detergency surfactants include alkylbenzene sulfonates, such as C 10-13 alkylbenzene sulfonates. Suitable alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are available or can even be obtained by sulfonating commercially available linear alkylbenzenes (LAB); suitable LAB include lower 2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied under the trade name by Sasol, or those supplied under the trade name by Petresa, other suitable LAB include higher 2-phenyl LAB, such as those supplied under the trade name Those supplied by Sasol. Another suitable anionic detergent surfactant is an alkylbenzene sulfonate obtained by the DETAL catalytic process, although other synthetic routes such as HF may also be suitable.

[0069] Suitable sulfate detergent surfactants include alkyl sulfates such as C 8-18 alkyl sulfates, or predominantly C 12 alkyl sulfates. The alkyl sulfates can be derived from natural sources such as coconut and / or tallow. Alternatively, the alkyl sulfates can be derived from synthetic sources such as C 12-15 alkyl sulfates.

[0070] Another suitable sulfate detergent surfactant is an alkyl alkoxylated sulfate such as an alkyl ethoxylated sulfate, or C 8-18 alkyl alkoxylated sulfate, or C 8-18 alkyl ethoxylated sulfate. The alkyl alkoxylated sulfate can have an average degree of alkoxylation of 0.5 to 20, or 0.5 to 10. The alkyl alkoxylated sulfate can be C 8-18 alkyl ethoxylated sulfate, which typically has an average degree of ethoxylation of 0.5 to 10, or 0.5 to 7, or 0.5 to 5, or 0.5 to 3.

[0071] The alkyl sulfates, alkyl alkoxylated sulfates and alkylbenzene sulfonates can be straight-chain or branched-chain, substituted or unsubstituted.

[0072] The anionic detergent surfactant can be a mid-chain branched anionic detergent surfactant such as a mid-chain branched alkyl sulfate and / or a mid-chain branched alkylbenzene sulfonate. The mid-chain branches are typically C 1-4 alkyl groups such as methyl and / or ethyl groups.

[0073] Another suitable anionic detergent surfactant is an alkyl ethoxycarboxylate.

[0074] The anionic detergent surfactant is usually present in its salt form, which is usually complexed with a suitable cation. Suitable counterions include Na + and K + 、substituted ammonium such as C1-C6 alkanolammonium such as monoethanolamine (MEA), triethanolamine (TEA), diethanolamine (DEA), and any mixtures thereof.

[0075] Suitable nonionic detergent surfactants are selected from: C8-C 18 alkyl ethoxylates such as the nonionic surfactant from Shell; C6-C 12Alkylphenol alkoxylates, wherein optionally the alkoxylate units are ethyleneoxy units, propyleneoxy units, or mixtures thereof; C 12 -C 18 alcohols and C6-C 12 condensates of alkylphenols with ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block polymers, such as those available from BASF under the C 14 -C 22 medium-chain branched alcohols; C 14 -C 22 medium-chain branched alkyl alkoxylates, which typically have an average degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 30; alkyl polysaccharides, such as alkyl polyglycosides; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; ether-terminated poly(alkoxylated) alcohol surfactants; and mixtures thereof.

[0076] Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants are alkyl polyglucosides and / or alkyl alkoxylated alcohols.

[0077] Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants include alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, such as C 8-18 alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, or C 8-18 alkyl ethoxylated alcohols. The alkyl alkoxylated alcohols can have an average degree of alkoxylation of from 0.5 to 50, or from 1 to 30, or from 1 to 20, or from 1 to 10. The alkyl alkoxylated alcohols can be C 8-18 alkyl ethoxylated alcohols, which typically have an average degree of ethoxylation of from 1 to 10, or from 1 to 7, or from 1 to 5, or from 3 to 7. The alkyl alkoxylated alcohols can be straight-chain or branched-chain, and substituted or unsubstituted.

[0078] Suitable nonionic detersive surfactants include secondary alcohol-based detersive surfactants having the formula:

[0079]

[0080] wherein R 1 = straight-chain or branched-chain, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated C 2-8 alkyl;

[0081] wherein R 2 = straight-chain or branched-chain, substituted or unsubstituted, saturated or unsaturated C 2-8 alkyl,

[0082] wherein the total number of carbon atoms present in the R 1 + R 2 moiety is in the range of from 7 to 13;

[0083] wherein EO / PO is an alkoxylate moiety selected from ethoxy, propoxy, or mixtures thereof, and optionally the EO / PO alkoxylate moiety is in a random or block configuration;

[0084] where n is the average degree of alkoxylation and ranges from 4 to 10.

[0085] Other suitable nonionic detersive surfactants include EO / PO block copolymer surfactants such as those available from BASF series surfactants and sugar-derived surfactants such as alkyl N-methylglucamide.

[0086] Suitable cationic detersive surfactants include alkylpyridinium compounds, alkyl quaternary ammonium compounds, alkyl quaternary phosphonium compounds, alkyl ternary sulfonium compounds, and mixtures thereof.

[0087] Suitable cationic detersive surfactants are quaternary ammonium compounds having the following general formula:

[0088] (R)(R1)(R2)(R3)N + X -

[0089] wherein, R is a straight-chain or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C 6-18 alkyl or alkenyl moiety, R1 and R2 are independently selected from methyl or ethyl moieties, R3 is a hydroxy, hydroxymethyl or hydroxyethyl moiety, X is an anion providing electrical neutrality, suitable anions include: halide ions (such as chloride ions); sulfate; and sulfonate. Suitable cationic detersive surfactants are mono-C 6-18 alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride. Suitable cationic detersive surfactants are mono-C 8-10 alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride, mono-C 10-12 alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride and mono-C 10 alkyl mono-hydroxyethyl dimethyl quaternary ammonium chloride.

[0090] Suitable zwitterionic and / or amphoteric detersive surfactants include amine oxides such as dodecyldimethylamine N-oxide, alkanolamine sulfobetaines, cocamidopropyl betaine, surfactants based on HN + -R-CO2 - wherein R can be any bridging group such as alkyl, alkoxy, aryl or amino acid.

[0091] Suitable polymers include carboxylate polymers, polyethylene glycol polymers, polyester detergency polymers such as terephthalate polymers, amine polymers, cellulose polymers, dye transfer inhibitor polymers, dye fixing polymers such as condensation oligomers formed by the condensation of imidazole and epichlorohydrin optionally in a 1:4:1 ratio, hexamethylenediamine derivative polymers, and any combination thereof.

[0092] Suitable carboxylic ester polymers include maleate / acrylate random copolymers or polyacrylate homopolymers. The carboxylic ester polymer can be a polyacrylate homopolymer having a molecular weight of 4,000 Da to 9,000 Da, or 6,000 Da to 9,000 Da. Other suitable carboxylic ester polymers are copolymers of maleic acid and acrylic acid and can have a molecular weight in the range of 4,000 Da to 90,000 Da.

[0093] Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers include random graft copolymers comprising: (i) a hydrophilic main chain comprising polyethylene glycol; and (ii) one or more hydrophobic side chains selected from: C 4- C 25 alkyl groups, polypropylene, polybutylene, vinyl esters of saturated C1-C6 monocarboxylic acids, C 1- C6 alkyl esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and mixtures thereof. Suitable polyethylene glycol polymers have a polyethylene glycol main chain with randomly grafted polyvinyl acetate side chains. The average molecular weight of the polyethylene glycol main chain can be in the range of 2,000 Da to 20,000 Da, or 4,000 Da to 8,000 Da. The molecular weight ratio of the polyethylene glycol main chain to the polyvinyl acetate side chains can be in the range of 1:1 to 1:5, or 1:1.2 to 1:2. The average number of graft sites per ethylene oxide unit can be less than 1, or less than 0.8, the average number of graft sites per ethylene oxide unit can be in the range of 0.5 to 0.9, or the average number of graft sites per ethylene oxide unit can be in the range of 0.1 to 0.5, or 0.2 to 0.4. A suitable polyethylene glycol polymer is Sokalan HP22.

[0094] Suitable polyester detergent polymers have a structure defined by one of the following structures (I), (II), or (III):

[0095] (I) -[(OCHR 1 -CHR 2 ) a -O-OC-Ar-CO-] d

[0096] (II) -[(OCHR 3 -CHR 4 ) b -O-OC-sAr-CO-] e

[0097] (III) -[(OCHR 5 -CHR 6 ) c -OR 7 ​f

[0098] Wherein:

[0099] a, b, and c are from 1 to 200;

[0100] d, e, and f are from 1 to 50;

[0101] Ar is a 1,4-substituted phenylene;

[0102] sAr is a 1,3-substituted phenylene substituted with SO3Me at the 5-position;

[0103] Me is H, Na, Li, K, Mg / 2, Ca / 2, Al / 3, ammonium, monoalkylammonium, dialkylammonium, trialkylammonium, or tetraalkylammonium, wherein the alkyl group is C1-C 18 alkyl or C2-C 10 hydroxyalkyl, or any mixture thereof;

[0104] R 1 、R 2 、R 3 、R 4 、R 5 and R 6 are independently selected from H or C1-C 18 n-alkyl or C1-C 18 isoalkyl; and

[0105] R 7 is a straight-chain or branched C1-C 18 alkyl, or a straight-chain or branched C2-C 30 alkenyl, or a cycloalkyl group having 5 to 9 carbon atoms, or a C8-C 30 aryl group, or a C6-C 30 arylalkyl group. Suitable polyester detergent polymers are terephthalate polymers having the structure of formula (I) or (II).

[0106] Suitable polyester detergent polymers include Repel-o-tex series polymers (such as Repel-o-tex SF2 (Rhodia)), and / or Texcare series polymers (such as Texcare SRA300 (Clariant)).

[0107] Suitable amine polymers include polyethyleneimine polymers such as alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine, optionally containing poly(ethylene oxide) and / or poly(propylene oxide) blocks.

[0108] The composition may comprise a cellulose polymer, such as a polymer selected from: alkyl cellulose, alkyl alkoxyalkyl cellulose, carboxyalkyl cellulose, alkyl carboxyalkyl, and any combination thereof. Suitable cellulose polymers are selected from carboxymethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl carboxymethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof. The carboxymethyl cellulose may have a degree of carboxymethyl substitution of 0.5 to 0.9 and a molecular weight of 100,000 Da to 300,000 Da. Another suitable cellulose polymer is hydrophobically modified carboxymethyl cellulose, such as Finnfix SH-1 (CP Kelco).

[0109] Other suitable cellulose polymers may have a degree of substitution (DS) of 0.01 to 0.99 and a degree of blockiness (DB) such that DS + DB is at least 1.00, or DB + 2DS - DS 2 is at least 1.20. The substituted cellulose polymer may have a degree of substitution (DS) of at least 0.55. The substituted cellulose polymer may have a degree of blockiness (DB) of at least 0.35. The substituted cellulose polymer may have a DS + DB of 1.05 to 2.00. One suitable substituted cellulose polymer is carboxymethyl cellulose.

[0110] Another suitable cellulose polymer is cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose.

[0111] Suitable dye transfer inhibitor (DTI) polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), vinyl copolymers of pyrrolidone and imidazoline (PVPVI), polyvinyl-N-oxide (PVNO), and any mixture thereof.

[0112] Suitable polymers include hexamethylenediamine derivative polymers, generally having the formula:[[]]

[0113] R2(CH3)N + (CH2)6N + (CH3)R2.2X -

[0114] where X - is a suitable counterion, such as chloride ion, and R is a poly(ethylene glycol) chain with an average degree of ethoxylation of 20 to 30. Optionally, the poly(ethylene glycol) chain may be independently capped with sulfate and / or sulfonate groups, typically by reducing the number of X - counterions to balance the charge, or (in the case where the average degree of sulfidation per molecule is greater than two) introducing Y + counterions, such as sodium cations.

[0115] Suitable builders include zeolites, phosphates, citrates, and any combination thereof.

[0116] The composition may be substantially free of zeolite builders. Substantially free of zeolite builders generally means containing from 0 wt% to 10 wt% of zeolite builders, or up to 8 wt%, or up to 6 wt%, or up to 4 wt%, or up to 3 wt%, or up to 2 wt%, or even up to 1 wt% of zeolite builders. Substantially free of zeolite builders preferably means "no intentionally added" zeolite builders. Typical zeolite builders include zeolite A, zeolite P, zeolite MAP, zeolite X, and zeolite Y.

[0117] The composition may be substantially free of phosphate builders. Substantially free of phosphate builders generally means containing from 0 wt% to 10 wt% of phosphate builders, or up to 8 wt%, or up to 6 wt%, or up to 4 wt%, or up to 3 wt%, or up to 2 wt%, or even up to 1 wt% of phosphate builders. Substantially free of zeolite builders preferably preferably means "no intentionally added" phosphate builders. A typical phosphate builder is sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP).

[0118] A suitable citrate is sodium citrate. However, citric acid may also be incorporated into the composition, and the composition may form citrate in the wash liquor.

[0119] Suitable buffers and sources of alkalinity include carbonates and / or silicates and / or double salts such as sodium carbonate alum.

[0120] Suitable carbonates are sodium carbonate and / or sodium bicarbonate. The composition may contain bicarbonate. It may be suitable for the composition to suitably contain a low level of carbonate, for example, it may be suitable for the composition to contain from 0 wt% to 10 wt% of carbonate, or up to 8 wt%, or up to 6 wt%, or up to 4 wt%, or up to 3 wt%, or up to 2 wt%, or even up to 1 wt% of carbonate. The composition may even be substantially free of carbonate; substantially free means "no intentionally added".

[0121] The carbonate may have a weight average mean particle size of 100 to 500 microns. Alternatively, the carbonate may have a weight average mean particle size of 10 to 25 microns.

[0122] The granular laundry detergent composition may contain from 0 wt% to 20 wt% of silicate, or up to 15 wt%, or up to 10 wt%, or up to 5 wt%, or up to 4 wt%, or even up to 2 wt%, and may contain more than 0 wt%, or 0.5 wt%, or even 1 wt% of silicate. The silicate may be crystalline or amorphous. Suitable crystalline silicates include crystalline layered silicates such as SKS-6. Other suitable silicates include 1.6R silicate and / or 2.0R silicate. Suitable silicates are sodium silicate. Another suitable silicate is sodium metasilicate.

[0123] The granular laundry detergent composition may contain from 0% to 70% by weight of a filler. Suitable fillers include sulfates and / or biological fillers.

[0124] A suitable sulfate is sodium sulfate. The sulfate may have a weight average mean particle size of from 100 to 500 microns, alternatively, the sulfate may have a weight average mean particle size of from 10 to 45 microns.

[0125] A suitable biological filler is an alkali and / or bleach treated agricultural waste.

[0126] The granular laundry detergent composition may contain a bleach. Alternatively, the composition may be substantially free of bleach; substantially free means "no intentional addition". Suitable bleaches include bleach activators, available oxygen sources, preformed peracids, bleach catalysts, reducing bleaches, and any combination thereof. If present, the bleach, or any of its components, such as a preformed peracid, may be coated (such as encapsulated or coated) with, for example, urea or cyclodextrin.

[0127] Suitable bleach activators include: tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED); hydroxysulfonates such as nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS), octanoylaminononanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NACA - OBS), 3,5,5 - trimethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (Iso - NOBS), dodecylhydroxybenzenesulfonate (LOBS), and any mixture thereof; caprolactam; glucose pentaacetate (PAG); nitrile quaternary ammonium; imide bleach activators such as N - nonanoyl - N - methylacetamide; and any mixture thereof.

[0128] Suitable available oxygen sources (AvOx) are hydrogen peroxide sources, such as percarbonates and / or perborates, such as sodium percarbonate. The peroxygen source may be at least partially coated or even completely coated by a coating composition, such as carbonates, sulfates, silicates, borosilicates, or any mixture thereof, including their mixed salts. Suitable percarbonates can be prepared by a fluidized bed method or by a crystallization method. Suitable perborates include sodium perborate monohydrate (PB1), sodium perborate tetrahydrate (PB4), and anhydrous sodium perborate also known as effervescent perborate. Other suitable AvOx sources include persulfates, such as potassium peroxymonosulfate. Another suitable AvOx source is hydrogen peroxide.

[0129] A suitable preformed peracid is N,N - phthalimidoperoxyhexanoic acid (PAP).

[0130] Suitable bleach catalysts include peroxyimine cation - based bleach catalysts, transition metal bleach catalysts, and bleach enzymes.

[0131] Suitable aziridinium - based bleach catalysts have the following formula:

[0132]

[0133] wherein: R 1 is selected from the group consisting of: H, a branched alkyl group containing 3 to 24 carbon atoms, and a straight-chain alkyl group containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms; R 1 may be a branched alkyl group containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms or a straight-chain alkyl group containing 5 to 18 carbon atoms, R 1 is optionally selected from the group consisting of: 2-propylheptyl, 2-butyl octyl, 2-pentyl nonyl, 2-hexyl decyl, n-hexyl, n-octyl, n-decyl, n-dodecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-octadecyl, isononyl, isodecyl, isotridecyl and isopentadecyl; R 2 is independently selected from the group consisting of: H, a branched alkyl group containing 3 to 12 carbon atoms, and a straight-chain alkyl group containing 1 to 12 carbon atoms; optionally, R 2 is independently selected from H and a methyl group; and n is an integer from 0 to 1.

[0134] The granular laundry detergent composition may comprise a transition metal bleaching catalyst, typically comprising copper, iron, titanium, ruthenium, tungsten, molybdenum and / or manganese cations. A suitable transition metal bleaching catalyst is a manganese-based transition metal bleaching catalyst.

[0135] The composition may comprise a reducing bleach. However, the composition may be substantially free of reducing bleach; substantially free means "no intentional addition". Suitable reducing bleaches include sodium sulfite and / or thiourea dioxide (TDO).

[0136] The granular laundry detergent composition may comprise co-bleaching granules. Typically, the co-bleaching granules comprise a bleach activator and a peroxide source. It may be highly suitable that there is a large amount of bleach activator present in the co-bleaching granules relative to the hydrogen peroxide source. The weight ratio of the bleach activator present in the co-bleaching granules to the hydrogen peroxide source may be at least 0.3:1, or at least 0.6:1, or at least 0.7:1, or at least 0.8:1, or at least 0.9:1, or at least 1.0:1.0, or even at least 1.2:1 or higher.

[0137] The co-bleaching granules may comprise: (i) a bleach activator, such as TAED; and (ii) a hydrogen peroxide source, such as sodium percarbonate. The bleach activator may at least partially or even completely encapsulate the hydrogen peroxide source.

[0138] The co-bleaching granules may comprise a binder. Suitable binders are carboxylic ester polymers, such as polyacrylate polymers, and / or include non-ionic detergent surfactants and / or anionic detergent surfactants such as linear C 11 -C13 Surfactants of alkylbenzene sulfonates.

[0139] The co-bleaching granules may comprise a bleaching catalyst, such as an oxaziridine-based bleaching catalyst.

[0140] Suitable chelating agents are selected from: diethylenetriaminepentaacetate, diethylenetriaminepenta(methylphosphonic acid), ethylenediamine-N’N’-disuccinic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetate, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), hydroxyethane di(methylenephosphonic acid), and any combination thereof. Suitable chelating agents are ethylenediamine-N’N’-disuccinic acid (EDDS) and / or hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid (HEDP). The laundry detergent composition may comprise ethylenediamine-N’N’-disuccinic acid or a salt thereof. Ethylenediamine-N’N’-disuccinic acid may be in the S,S enantiomeric form. The composition may comprise disodium 4,5-dihydroxy-m-benzenedisulfonate. Suitable chelating agents may also be calcium crystal growth inhibitors.

[0141] The granular laundry detergent composition may comprise a calcium carbonate crystal growth inhibitor, such as a calcium carbonate crystal growth inhibitor selected from: 1-hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and its salts; N,N-dicarboxymethyl-2-aminopentane-1,5-dioic acid and its salts; 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid and its salts; and any combination thereof.

[0142] Suitable optical bleaches are zinc sulfonated phthalocyanine and / or aluminum sulfonated phthalocyanine.

[0143] The optical brightener (also defined herein as an optical brightening dye) is typically formulated to deposit from the wash liquor onto the fabric in order to improve the perceived whiteness of the fabric. The optical brightener is typically blue or purple. It may be suitable that one or more optical brightening dyes have a peak absorption wavelength of 550 nm to 650 nm, or 570 nm to 630 nm. The optical brightener may be a combination of dyes which together have a visual effect on the human eye as a single dye and which have a peak absorption wavelength of 550 nm to 650 nm, or 570 nm to 630 nm on polyester. This may be provided, for example, by mixing a red and a blue-green dye to produce a blue or purple hue.

[0144] Dyes are generally colored organic molecules which are soluble in an aqueous medium containing surfactants. Dyes may be selected from the classes of basic, acidic, hydrophobic, direct and polymeric dyes, and dye conjugates. Suitable polymeric optical brightening dyes may be commercially available, for example, from Milliken, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.

[0145] Examples of suitable dyes are Violet DD, Direct Violet 7, Direct Violet 9, Direct Violet 11, Direct Violet 26, Direct Violet 31, Direct Violet 35, Direct Violet 40, Direct Violet 41, Direct Violet 51, Direct Violet 66, Direct Violet 99, Acid Violet 50, Acid Blue 9, Acid Violet 17, Acid Black 1, Acid Red 17, Acid Blue 29, Solvent Violet 13, Disperse Violet 27, Disperse Violet 26, Disperse Violet 28, Disperse Violet 63 and Disperse Violet 77, Basic Blue 16, Basic Blue 65, Basic Blue 66, Basic Blue 67, Basic Blue 71, Basic Blue 159, Basic Violet 19, Basic Violet 35, Basic Violet 38, Basic Violet 48; Basic Blue 3, Basic Blue 75, Basic Blue 95, Basic Blue 122, Basic Blue 124, Basic Blue 141, thiazolium dyes, Reactive Blue 19, Reactive Blue 163, Reactive Blue 182, Reactive Blue 96, Violet CT (Milliken, Spartanburg, USA) and Azo-CM-Cellulose (Megazyme, Bray, Republic of Ireland). Other suitable colorants are colorant - optical bleach conjugates, such as the conjugate of sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine with Direct Violet 99. Particularly suitable colorants are the combination of Acid Red 52 and Acid Blue 80, or the combination of Direct Violet 9 and Solvent Violet 13.

[0146] Suitable optical brighteners are stilbenes, such as optical brightener 15. Other suitable optical brighteners are hydrophobic optical brighteners and optical brightener 49. The optical brightener may be in a micronized particulate form having a weight average particle size in the range of 3 microns to 30 microns, or 3 microns to 20 microns, or 3 microns to 10 microns. The optical brightener may be in the α or β crystalline form.

[0147] Suitable enzymes include proteases, amylases, cellulases, lipases, xyloglucanases, pectate lyases, mannanases, bleaching enzymes, cutinases, and mixtures thereof.

[0148] For enzymes, the accession numbers and IDs shown in parentheses refer to the accession numbers in the databases Genbank, EMBL and / or Swiss - Prot. For any mutations, the standard 1 - letter amino acid code is used together with * to indicate deletions. Accession numbers prefixed with DSM refer to the microorganisms deposited at Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen und Zellkulturen GmbH, Mascheroder Weg 1b, 38124 Brunswick (DSMZ).

[0149] Suitable proteases include metalloproteases and / or serine proteases, including neutral or alkaline microbial serine proteases such as subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.62). Suitable proteases include those of animal, plant, or microbial origin. In one aspect, such suitable proteases may be of microbial origin. Suitable proteases include chemically modified or genetically modified mutants of the aforementioned suitable proteases. In one aspect, suitable proteases may be serine proteases such as alkaline microbial proteases or / and trypsin-type proteases. Examples of suitable neutral or alkaline proteases include:

[0150] (a) Subtilisin (EC 3.4.21.62), including those derived from the genus Bacillus, such as Bacillus lentus, Bacillus alkalophilus (P27963, ELYA_BACAO), Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (P00782, SUBT_BACAM), Bacillus pumilus (P07518), and Bacillus gibsonii (DSM14391).

[0151] (b) Trypsin-type or chymotrypsin-type proteases, such as trypsin (e.g., trypsin derived from porcine or bovine pancreas), including fusarium protease and chymotrypsin derived from the genus Cellumonas (A2RQE2).

[0152] (c) Metalloproteases, including those derived from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (P06832, NPRE_BACAM).

[0153] Suitable proteases include those derived from Bacillus gibsonii or Bacillus lentus, such as subtilisin 309 (P29600) and / or DSM 5483 (P29599).

[0154] Suitable commercially available proteases include those sold under the trade names Liquanase Savinase and those sold by Novozymes A / S (Denmark); those sold under the trade names Purafect and Purafect those sold by Genencor International; under the trade name and those sold by Solvay Enzymes; those purchased from Henkel / Kemira, namely, BLAP (P29599 with the following mutations S99D + S101R + S103A + V104I + G159S) and its variants, including BLAP R (BLAP plus S3T + V4I + V199M + V205I + L217D), BLAP X (BLAP plus S3T + V4I + V205I), and BLAP F49 (BLAP plus S3T + V4I + A194P + V199M + V205I + L217D), all from Henkel / Kemira; and KAP from Kao (Bacillus subtilis protease with mutations A230V + S256G + S259N).

[0155] Suitable amylases are α - amylases, including those derived from bacteria or fungi. Including chemically modified or genetically modified mutants (variants). Suitable alkaline α - amylases are derived from strains of the genus Bacillus, such as Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens, Bacillus stearothermophilus, Bacillus subtilis, or other Bacillus species, such as Bacillus species NCIB12289, NCIB 12512, NCIB 12513, sp 707, DSM 9375, DSM 12368, DSMZ No. 12649, KSM AP1378, KSM K36, or KSM K38. Suitable amylases include:

[0156] (a) α - amylase derived from Bacillus licheniformis (P06278, AMY_BACLI) and its variants, especially variants having substitutions in one or more of the following positions: 15, 23, 105, 106, 124, 128, 133, 154, 156, 181, 188, 190,

[0158] 197, 202, 208, 209, 243, 264, 304, 305, 391, 408, and 444.

[0159] (b) AA560 amylase (CBU30457, HD066534) and its variants, especially variants having one or more substitutions in the following positions: 26, 30, 33, 82, 37, 106, 118, 128, 133, 149, 150, 160, 178, 182, 186, 193, 203, 214, 231, 256, 257, 258, 269, 270, 272, 283, 295, 296, 298, 299, 303, 304, 305, 311, 314, 315, 318, 319, 339, 345, 361, 378, 383, 419, 421, 437, 441, 444, 445,

[0164] 446, 447, 450, 461, 471, 482, 484, optionally further comprising those lacking D183* and G184*.

[0165] (c) variants showing at least 90% identity with the wild - type enzyme from Bacillus sp. SP722 (CBU30453, HD066526), especially variants having deletions at positions 183 and 184.

[0166] Suitable commercially available α - amylases are Termamyl Stainzyme and (Novozymes A / S), and their variants (Biocon India Ltd.), AT 9000 (Biozym Ges.m.b.H, Austria), Optisize HT and Purastar (Genencor International Inc.) and (KAO, Japan). Suitable amylases are and Stainzyme

[0167] Suitable cellulases include those derived from bacteria or fungi. This includes mutants that have been chemically modified or engineered by protein engineering. Suitable cellulases include cellulases from the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Humicola, Fusarium, Thielavia, and Acremonium, such as fungal cellulases produced by Humicola insolens, Myceliophthora thermophila, and Fusarium oxysporum.

[0168] Commercially available cellulases include and (Novozymes A / S), and Puradax (Genencor International Inc.) and (Kao Corporation).

[0169] The cellulase may include endoglucanases derived from microorganisms that exhibit endo-β-1,4-glucanase activity (E.C. 3.2.1.4), including bacterial polypeptides endogenous to members of the Bacillus species AA349, and mixtures thereof. Suitable endoglucanases are sold under the trade names and (Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

[0170] The composition may comprise a cellulosic enzyme having a molecular weight of 17 kDa to 30 kDa belonging to glycoside hydrolase family 45, such as endoglucanases sold under the trade names NCD, DCC, and DCL (AB Enzymes, Darmstadt, Germany).

[0171] Suitable cellulases may also exhibit xyloglucanase activity, such as

[0172] Suitable lipases include those derived from bacteria or fungi. This includes mutants that have been chemically modified or engineered by protein engineering. Examples of available lipases include lipases from the genus Humicola (synonym Thermomyces), such as lipases from Humicola lanuginosa (Thermomyces lanuginosus) or Humicola insolens, Pseudomonas lipases, such as those from Pseudomonas alcaligenes or Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, Pseudomonas cepacia, Pseudomonas stutzeri, Pseudomonas fluorescens, Pseudomonas sp. strain SD 705, Pseudomonas wisconsinensis, Bacillus lipases, such as those from Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus stearothermophilus or Bacillus pumilus.

[0173] The lipase can be a "first cycle lipase", optionally a variant of the wild-type lipase from Thermomyces lanuginosus, which variant contains the T231R and N233R mutations. The wild-type sequence is the 269 amino acids (amino acids 23 - 291) of SwissProt accession number Swiss-Prot O59952 (derived from Thermomyces lanuginosus (Humicola lanuginosa)). Suitable lipases will include those sold under the trade names and by Novozymes, Bagsvaerd, Denmark.

[0174] The composition can contain a Thermomyces lanuginosus (O59952) lipase variant that has >90% identity with the wild-type amino acids and contains one or more substitutions at T231 and / or N233, optionally T231R and / or N233R.

[0175] Suitable xyloglucanases can have enzymatic activity against xyloglucan and amorphous cellulose substrates. The enzyme can be a glycoside hydrolase selected from glycoside hydrolase (GH) families 5, 12, 44 or 74. Glycoside hydrolases selected from GH family 44 are particularly suitable. Suitable glycoside hydrolases from GH family 44 are the XYG1006 glycoside hydrolase from Paenibacillus polyxyma (ATCC 832) and variants thereof.

[0176] Suitable pectate lyases are wild-type or variants of pectate lyases from the genus Bacillus (CAF05441, AAU25568), which are sold under the trade names and (from Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

[0177] Suitable mannanases are sold under the trade names (from Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark) and (Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, California).

[0178] Suitable bleaching enzymes include oxidoreductases, such as oxidases such as glucose, choline or carbohydrate oxidases, oxygenases, catalases, peroxidases (such as halogen-, chlorine-, bromine-, lignin-, glucose- or manganese peroxidases), dioxygenases or laccases (phenol oxidases, polyphenol oxidases). Suitable commercial products are sold by Novozymes under the trade names and series. It may be advantageous to incorporate additional organic compounds, especially aromatic compounds, together with the bleaching enzymes; these compounds interact with the bleaching enzymes to enhance the activity of the oxidoreductases (enhancers) or to facilitate the electron flow between the oxidases and the stains (modulators), usually at strongly different redox potentials.

[0179] Other suitable bleaching enzymes include perhydrolases, which catalyze the formation of peracids from ester substrates and peroxygen sources. Suitable perhydrolases include variants of Mycobacterium smegmatis perhydrolase, variants of the so-called CE-7 perhydrolase, and variants of wild-type subtilisin with perhydrolase activity.

[0180] Suitable cutinases are defined by E.C. Class 3.1.1.73 and optionally show at least 90%, or 95%, or most optionally at least 98% identity with a wild-type enzyme from one of Fusarium solani, Pseudomonas Mendocina or Humicola insolens.

[0181] The relationship between two amino acid sequences is described by the parameter "identity". For the purposes of the present invention, the alignment of two amino acid sequences is determined by using the Needle program from the EMBOSS software package (http: / / emboss.org), version 2.8.0. The Needle program performs the global alignment algorithm described by Needleman, S.B. and Wunsch, C.D. in (1970) J. Mol. Biol. 48, 443-453. The substitution matrix used is BLOSUM62, the gap opening penalty is 10, and the gap extension penalty is 0.5.

[0182] Suitable fabric softeners include clays, silicones and / or quaternary ammonium compounds. Suitable clays include montmorillonite clays, hectorite clays and / or synthetic hectorite clays. A suitable clay is a montmorillonite clay. Suitable silicones include amino silicones and / or polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). A suitable fabric softener is a particle containing clay and silicone, such as a particle containing montmorillonite clay and PDMS.

[0183] Suitable flocculants include polyethylene oxide; for example, having an average molecular weight of 300,000 Da to 900,000 Da.

[0184] Suitable antifoaming agents include silicones and / or fatty acids such as stearic acid.

[0185] Suitable fragrances include fragrance microcapsules, polymer-assisted fragrance delivery systems (including Schiff base fragrance / polymer complexes), starch-encapsulated fragrance accordants, zeolites loaded with fragrance, intense fragrance accordants, and any combination thereof. Suitable fragrance microcapsules are based on melamine formaldehyde and typically contain a fragrance encapsulated by a shell containing melamine formaldehyde. Such fragrance microcapsules are highly suitable for containing cationic and / or cationic precursor materials in the shell, such as polyvinylformamide (PVF) and / or cationically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (catHEC).

[0186] Suitable aesthetic particles include soap rings, laminated aesthetic particles, gelatin beads, carbonate and / or sulfate spots, colored clay particles, and any combination thereof.

[0187] The compositions of the present disclosure may comprise conditioning actives. Compositions comprising conditioning actives may provide softness, anti-wrinkle, anti-static, conditioning, anti-stretch, color and / or appearance benefits.

[0188] The conditioning actives may be present in an amount of from about 1% to about 99% by weight of the composition. The composition may comprise from about 1%, or about 2%, or about 3% to about 99%, or up to about 75%, or up to about 50%, or up to about 40%, or up to about 35%, or up to about 30%, or up to about 25%, or up to about 20%, or up to about 15%, or up to about 10% by weight of the composition of the conditioning actives. The composition may comprise from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the conditioning actives.

[0189] Conditioning actives suitable for the compositions of the present disclosure may include quaternary ammonium ester compounds, siloxanes, non-ester quaternary ammonium compounds, amines, fatty esters, sucrose esters, siloxanes, dispersible polyolefins, polysaccharides, fatty acids, softening or conditioning oils, polymer latexes, or combinations thereof.

[0190] The composition may comprise a quaternary ammonium ester compound, a siloxane, or a combination thereof, preferably a combination. The total amount of the combination of the quaternary ammonium ester compound and the siloxane may be from about 5% to about 70%, or about 6% to about 50%, or about 7% to about 40%, or about 10% to about 30%, or about 15% to about 25% by weight of the composition. The composition may comprise a quaternary ammonium ester compound and a siloxane in a weight ratio of from about 1:10 to about 10:1, or about 1:5 to about 5:1, or about 1:3 to about 1:3, or about 1:2 to about 2:1, or about 1:1.5 to about 1.5:1 or about 1:1.

[0191] The composition may comprise a mixture of different types of conditioning actives. The compositions of the present disclosure may comprise certain conditioning actives but be substantially free of other conditioning actives. For example, the composition may be free of quaternary ammonium ester compounds, silicones or both. The composition may comprise a quaternary ammonium ester compound but be substantially free of siloxanes. The composition may comprise siloxanes but be substantially free of quaternary ammonium ester compounds.

[0192] Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium ester compounds are commercially available from Evonik under the trade names Rewoquat WE18 and / or Rewoquat WE20, and from Stepan under the trade names Stepantex GA90, Stepantex VK90 and / or Stepantex VL90A. Further examples of suitable quaternary ammonium ester materials can include mixtures of the following: bis(2-hydroxypropyl)-dimethyl methyl ammonium sulfate fatty acid esters; (2-hydroxypropyl)-(1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-dimethyl methyl ammonium sulfate fatty acid esters; and bis-(1-methyl-2-hydroxyethyl)-dimethyl methyl ammonium sulfate fatty acid esters; wherein the fatty acid esters are produced from a C12-C18 fatty acid mixture.

[0193] Method for washing fabrics

[0194] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for washing fabrics, the method comprising the steps of;

[0195] a. Providing an automatic washing machine, wherein the automatic washing machine comprises a drum and a drawer;

[0196] b. Adding the water-soluble unit dose article according to the present invention to the drawer, the drum, or a combination thereof, and adding the fabric to be washed to the drum;

[0197] c. Starting a washing operation in the automatic washing machine.

[0198] Preferably, the water-soluble unit dose article is added to sufficient water to dilute the liquid laundry detergent composition by a factor of at least 300 times to form a washing liquid and the fabric is contacted with the washing liquid in the drum of the washing machine. Without wishing to be bound by theory, when the water-soluble unit dose article is added to water, the water-soluble film dissolves, thereby releasing the internal liquid laundry detergent composition into the water. The liquid laundry detergent composition is dispersed in water to form a washing liquid.

[0199] Preferably, the washing liquid can contain between 1 L and 64 L, preferably between 2 L and 32 L, more preferably between 3 L and 20 L of water.

[0200] Preferably, the temperature of the washing liquid is between 5 °C and 90 °C, preferably between 10 °C and 60 °C, more preferably between 12 °C and 45 °C, most preferably between 15 °C and 40 °C.

[0201] Preferably, washing the fabric in the washing liquid takes between 5 minutes and 50 minutes, preferably between 5 minutes and 40 minutes, more preferably between 5 minutes and 30 minutes, even more preferably between 5 minutes and 20 minutes, most preferably between 6 minutes and 18 minutes to complete.

[0202] Preferably, the washing liquid contains between 1 kg and 20 kg, preferably between 3 kg and 15 kg, and most preferably between 5 kg and 10 kg of fabric.

[0203] The washing liquid may contain water of any hardness preferably varying between 0 gpg and 40 gpg.

[0204] The dimensions and values disclosed herein should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, each such dimension is intended to represent the recited value and a functionally equivalent range around that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to represent "about 40 mm".

[0205] Example

[0206] The drawer dispensing profile of sachets made from three different sheets composed of polyvinyl alcohol was measured in a front-loading washing machine / granular detergent context. The three membranes are summarized in the table below. For the nonwoven sheet, the purchased PVOH fibers were converted into a nonwoven sheet by JIANGSU WISDOM NONWOVEN CO.LTD, Address: No.19 RenMinDong Road, WuJin, Changzhou, Jiangsu, China.

[0207]

[0208] Preparation of unit dose product

[0209] Cut a suitable sheet into 240 mm (long edge) * 100 mm (short edge). Then fold the sheets along the long edge with each other to form a two-layer edge. Place the two-layer edge in a pulse sealer (TISH-300 type pulse sealer, obtained from TEW Electric Heating Equipment CO., LTD.). The position of the layer on the heating element should be the position where the side closing seam is to be produced. Close the sealer arm for 1 second to seal the two layers together, and now a cylinder of the sheet is formed. In a similar manner, seal the top or bottom of the side of the cylinder to form an additional side closing seal. In the case of sealing both sides, the sheet forms an open container. Then, add an appropriate amount of powder into the container, and then seal the last side to form the last side closing seam. Now a unit dose product is formed. For most sheets less than 0.3 mm thick, use a heating dial set to 4 and a heating time of 1 second. Depending on the sheet material, it may be necessary to adjust the heating temperature and heating time to achieve the desired seam. If the temperature is too low or the heating time is not long enough, the sheet material may not be fully melted, and the two layers are likely to separate; if the temperature is too high or the heating time is too long, pinholes may be formed at the sealed edge. The sealing equipment conditions should be adjusted so that each layer melts and forms a seam without introducing negative effects such as pinholes on the seam edge.

[0210] All film samples tested in the examples used the same manufacturing procedure.

[0211] Granular detergent composition :

[0212] Prepare spray-dried laundry detergent powder according to the composition presented in Table 1 (parts by weight) using standard methods.

[0213] Table 1

[0214] C8-C24 alkylbenzene sulfonate 22.72 Acrylate / maleate copolymer 15.25 Sodium carbonate 30.15 Sodium sulfate 22.84 Sodium silicate 5.00 Water 2.50 Miscellaneous Balance Total 100.00

[0215] Prepare the granular laundry detergent composition according to Table 2 (parts by weight) by dry mixing in a batch rotary mixer with a nonionic fluid sprayed and dispersed onto the laundry detergent composition.

[0216] Table 2

[0217] ％ Spray-dried powder according to Table 1 12.52 Aluminosilicate 3.92 Stilbenyl biphenyl optical brightener 0.3 Hydroxyethane diphosphonic acid 0.45 LAS agglomerate (33% active alkylbenzene sulfonate / sodium carbonate) 57.0 AES agglomerate (45% active co-particle of sodium alkyl ethoxylate / sodium carbonate) 4.2 Sodium percarbonate (with 12% to 15% active AvOx) 16.15 Tetraacetylethylenediamine agglomerate (92 wt% active substance) 3.70 Ethoxylated C12-C18 alcohol with an average degree of ethoxylation of 7 (AE7) 0.3 Detergent enzyme covering protease / lipase / amylase / mannanase 0.86 Carboxymethyl cellulose 0.62 Miscellaneous Balance Total 100.00

[0218] Test scheme :

[0219] Connect a Miele 1714 front-loading washing machine to a municipal water source with an inlet temperature of 10 degrees Celsius.

[0220] · Record the weight of the dispensing drawer of each test machine

[0221] · Place the test unit dose article in the detergent compartment of the dispensing drawer.

[0222] · Select and start the 40°C cotton short cycle.

[0223] · When the dispensing process is complete, remove the drawer from the machine and reweigh it to determine the weight of the residue.

[0224] · Four external parallel determinations were completed.

[0225] Test results :

[0226] Table 3 below summarizes the dispensing drawer residue profiles for three different test membranes.

[0227] Table 3

[0228]

[0229] It is clear from the data that the nonwoven material 2 containing the breaker according to the present invention provides excellent front-loading machine drawer dispensing. Other membranes outside the present invention (membrane 1, nonwoven material 1) result in significant levels of residue being left in the dispensing drawer. All three tests provided good dissolution when placed directly in the drum.

Claims

1. A water-soluble unit dose article, the water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet and a particulate laundry detergent composition, wherein the particulate laundry detergent composition comprises a first plurality of particles; wherein the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet is formed to form a sealed internal compartment, wherein the particulate laundry detergent composition is contained within the internal compartment; and wherein the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet comprises a plurality of fibers; wherein the fibers comprise a polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer having an average molecular weight between 75 kDa and 150 kDa and a breaker in an amount between 0.1% and 15% by weight of the fibers, wherein the breaker is selected from polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight between 100 and 800.

2. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the fibers comprise a breaker in an amount between 1% and 12% by weight of the fibers.

3. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein there are fibers in an amount between 80% and 95% by weight of the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet.

4. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet comprises a second plurality of particles, and the second plurality of particles are present in an amount between 0.25% and 10% by weight of the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet.

5. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 4, wherein the second plurality of particles comprise zeolite, inorganic salts, surfactant particulate matter, or a mixture thereof.

6. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the fibers comprise less than 5% water by weight of the fibers.

7. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the water-soluble fibrous nonwoven sheet has a basis weight between 20 gsm and 60 gsm.

8. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average degree of hydrolysis percentage between 65% and 100%.

9. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the polyvinyl alcohol homopolymer has an average molecular weight between 100 kDa and 130 kDa.

10. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of particles comprises an anionic detersive surfactant, a nonionic detersive surfactant, a cationic detersive surfactant, an amphoteric detersive surfactant, a carboxylic acid ester polymer, a polyethylene glycol polymer, a terephthalate polymer, an amine polymer, a cellulose polymer, a dye transfer inhibiting polymer, a dye blocking polymer, a hexamethylenediamine derivative polymer, a zeolite, a phosphate, a citrate, a carbonate, a silicate, a sulfate, a bleach activator, an available oxygen source, a preformed peracid, a reducing bleach, a chelating agent, a colorant, a brightening agent, a protease, an amylase, a cellulase, a lipase, a xylanase, a pectate lyase, a mannanase, a bleaching enzyme, a cutinase, a clay, a silicone, a quaternary ammonium fabric softener, a polyethylene oxide, a fragrance, a soap ring, a laminated aesthetic particle, a gelatin bead, and any combination thereof.

11. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of particles comprises an amphoteric detersive surfactant, a bleach catalyst, a photo-bleach, a starch-encapsulated fragrance harmonizer, a fragrance microcapsule, a zeolite loaded with a fragrance, a Schiff base reaction product of a ketone fragrance raw material and a polyamine, carbonate and / or sulfate spots, a colored clay, and any combination thereof.

12. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of particles comprises a biological filler material, a fragrance-pervaded fragrance, and any combination thereof.

13. The water-soluble unit dose article according to claim 1, wherein the first plurality of particles comprises blown powder particles, agglomerated particles, extruded particles, enzyme granules, or a mixture thereof.

14. A method for washing fabrics, the method comprising the steps of a. providing an automatic washing machine, wherein the automatic washing machine comprises a drum and a drawer; b. adding the water-soluble unit dose article according to any one of claims 1 to 13 to the drawer, the drum, or a mixture thereof, and adding the fabric to be washed to the drum; c. starting a washing operation in the automatic washing machine.

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