Laundry composition

Abstract

A concentrated laundry composition dilutable in water to form a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising 10 to 85 wt% of a surfactant and 5 to 9.5 wt% of a graft copolymer of an acrylic polymer and a fatty alcohol alkoxylate or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture thereof. A kit comprising a container and instructions for use, the container comprising the concentrated laundry composition, wherein the instructions comprise the steps of diluting 1 part of the concentrated laundry composition with water, preferably with 1 to 10 parts of water, more preferably with 1 to 5 parts of water.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to dilutable compositions, especially concentrated dilutable laundry compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to concentrated dilutable laundry compositions suitable for dilution by the consumer at home prior to use. Background Art

[0002] One of the recent trends in home care is the production of highly concentrated products that can be diluted by the consumer at home to form a working composition suitable for the end use. Such concentrated dilutable products are of great interest to consumers because they offer several advantages. For example, the product contains a lower amount of water, so the volume of the commercial product is significantly reduced, which also reduces the amount of packaging and reduces the cost of transportation and warehouse storage.

[0003] Such products are typically purchased in the concentrated form of conventional laundry products, and they are diluted by the consumer in their local environment. The immediate challenge is that the diluted composition has an appropriate viscosity compared to the concentrated product. Due to the incorporation of water, the diluted composition typically has a significantly lower viscosity than the concentrated product. However, consumers expect the diluted composition to have a comparable viscosity to the conventional product and to perform physically and functionally the same as the conventional product.

[0004] Despite the prior art, there remains a need for an improved concentrated dilutable composition which, when diluted in water, has a viscosity which is satisfactory to consumers and the performance of the resulting diluted composition is acceptable to consumers. Summary of the invention

[0005] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a concentrated laundry composition dilutable in water to form a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising:

[0006] a) 10 to 85% by weight of a surfactant, and

[0007] b) 5 to 9.5% by weight of a graft copolymer of an acrylic polymer and a fatty alcohol alkoxylate, or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.

[0008] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a process for forming a liquid laundry detergent composition by diluting 1 part of a concentrated laundry composition of any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention with water, preferably with 1 to 10 parts of water, more preferably with 1 to 5 parts of water.

[0009] In a third aspect, the present invention relates to a kit comprising a container comprising a concentrated laundry composition according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention and instructions for use, wherein the instructions comprise the steps of diluting 1 part of the concentrated laundry composition with water, preferably with 1 to 10 parts of water, more preferably with 1 to 5 parts of water.

[0010] In a fourth aspect, the present invention relates to a kit comprising a container comprising a concentrated laundry composition according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention in combination with a further keeper container.

[0011] All other aspects of the invention will become more readily apparent from consideration of the following detailed description and examples. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or reaction conditions, physical properties of materials and / or use may optionally be understood as modified by the word "about".

[0013] Unless otherwise indicated, all amounts are by weight of the final composition.It should be noted that in specifying any range of values, any particular upper value can be associated with any particular lower value.

[0014] For the avoidance of doubt, the word "comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of" or "composed of". In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive.

[0015] The disclosure of the invention presented herein is deemed to cover all embodiments presented in the claims as if they were multiply dependent on each other, regardless of the fact that the claims may present without multiple dependencies or redundancy.

[0016] Where a feature is disclosed with respect to a particular aspect of the invention (eg, a composition of the invention), such disclosure is also considered to apply mutatis mutandis to any other aspect of the invention (eg, a method of the invention).

[0017] Liquid laundry detergent

[0018] In the context of the present invention, the term "laundry detergent" means a formulated composition intended for and capable of wetting and cleaning household laundry such as clothes, linens and other household textiles. It is an object of the present invention to provide a concentrated laundry composition capable of forming a liquid laundry detergent composition upon dilution, and in the manner now described.

[0019] The term "linen" is often used to describe certain types of clothing items, including sheets, pillowcases, towels, tablecloths, napkins, and uniforms. Textiles may include woven, nonwoven, and knitted fabrics; and may include natural or synthetic fibers, such as silk, flax, cotton, polyester, polyamide (e.g., nylon), acrylic, acetate, and blends thereof (including cotton and polyester blends).

[0020] Examples of liquid laundry detergents include heavy-duty liquid laundry detergents for use in the wash cycle of an automatic washing machine, and liquid delicate wash and liquid color care detergents, such as those suitable for washing delicate garments (e.g., those made of silk or wool) by hand or in the wash cycle of an automatic washing machine.

[0021] In the context of the present invention, the term "liquid" means that the continuous phase or major part of the composition is liquid and the composition is flowable at 15°C and above. Thus, the term "liquid" may encompass emulsions, suspensions and compositions with a flowable but harder consistency, known as gels or pastes. The viscosity of the composition may be 25°C at 21 sec. -1 The shear rate is suitably in the range of about 200 to about 10,000 mPa·s. This shear rate is the shear rate normally applied to a liquid when pouring from a bottle. Pourable liquid detergent compositions typically have a viscosity of 200 to 1,500 mPa·s. Preferably, the viscosity of the concentrated laundry composition is 300 to 1000 mPa·s and the viscosity of the diluted composition is 200 to 1500 mPa·s, which is 25°C at 21s -1 The shear rate was measured by HAAKE viscometer.

[0022] Concentrated laundry compositions as well as diluted compositions according to the invention may suitably have an aqueous continuous phase. "Aqueous continuous phase" means a continuous phase having water as its basis.

[0023] Surfactants

[0024] The concentrated laundry composition of the present invention comprises 10 to 85 wt %, preferably 15 to 60 wt %, more preferably 20 to 50 wt %, most preferably 20 to 35 wt % of a surfactant based on the total weight of the concentrated laundry composition, including all ranges subsumed therein. Suitable surfactants include anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants or mixtures thereof.

[0025] The anionic surfactants used in the present invention are generally salts of organic sulfuric and sulfonic acids with an alkyl group containing about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, and the term "alkyl" is used to include the alkyl portion of the higher acyl group. Examples of suitable anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl isethionates, alkanoyl isethionates, alkyl succinates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, N-alkyl sarcosinates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, alkyl ether carboxylic acids and salts thereof, especially their sodium salts, magnesium salts, ammonium salts and monoethanolamine salts, diethanolamine salts and triethanolamine salts. The alkyl group preferably contains 10 to 18 carbon atoms and can be unsaturated. Alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether phosphates and alkyl ether carboxylic acids and salts thereof may contain 1 to 20 ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) units per molecule.

[0026] Anionic surfactants for preferred types of the present invention include alkylbenzene sulfonates, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) with an alkyl chain length of 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Commercial LAS is a mixture of closely related isomers and homologues of alkyl chain homologues, each containing an aromatic ring that is sulfonated in the "para-position" and connects a linear alkyl chain at any position except the terminal carbon. The linear alkyl chain has a chain length of 11 to 15 carbon atoms generally, wherein the main material has a chain length of about C12. Every kind of alkyl chain homologue is composed of a mixture of all possible sulfophenyl isomers except the 1-phenyl isomer. LAS is usually formulated into a composition in the form of an acid (i.e., HLAS), then at least partially in situ neutralization.

[0027] Some alkyl sulfate surfactants (PAS), such as non-ethoxylated primary and secondary alkyl sulfates having an alkyl chain length of 10 to 18, may be used.

[0028] Another anionic surfactant commonly used in liquid laundry compositions is an alkyl ether sulfate having a straight or branched chain alkyl group containing 10 to 18, more preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms and containing an average of 1 to 3 EO units per molecule. A preferred example is sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) in which predominantly C12 lauryl alkyl groups are ethoxylated, having an average of 3 EO units per molecule.

[0029] Concentrated laundry compositions may contain a single anionic surfactant or a mixture of two or more anionic surfactants. Typically, the anionic surfactant is present in an amount of 10 to 90%, more preferably 20 to 85% and most preferably 20 to 50%, based on the total weight of surfactant, including all ranges subsumed therein.

[0030] Preferably, the composition comprises 20 to 95 wt %, more preferably 30 to 90 wt % and most preferably 50 to 90 wt % of the nonionic surfactant based on the total weight of the surfactant. The nonionic surfactant used in the present invention includes, for example, a) polyoxyalkylene compounds, i.e., the reaction product of an alkylene oxide (such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or a mixture thereof) and a starting molecule having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom that can react with the alkylene oxide. Such starting molecules include alcohols, acids, amides or alkylphenols. When the starting molecule is an alcohol, the reaction product is referred to as an alcohol alkoxide. The polyoxyalkylene compounds can have various block and hybrid (random) structures. For example, they can include a single alkylene oxide block, or they can be a diblock alkoxylate or a triblock alkoxylate. In the block structure, the blocks can be all ethylene oxide or all propylene oxide, or the blocks can contain a mixed mixture of alkylene oxides. Examples of such materials include C8 to C 22 Alkylphenol ethoxylates having an average of 5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkylphenol; and alkyl alcohol ethoxylates, such as C8 to C 18 a) a primary or secondary straight or branched chain alcohol ethoxylate having an average of 2 to 40 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; b) a fatty acid amide; c) an alkoxylated glyceride; d) an alkyl polyglycoside; e) a rhamnolipid; or mixtures thereof.

[0031] Preferred types of nonionic surfactants for use in the present invention include C8 to C 18 Alkyl alcohol ethoxylate, more preferably C 12 To C 15 Primary straight chain alcohol ethoxylates having an average of 3 to 20, more preferably 3 to 10, moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Particularly preferred are lauryl alcohol condensed with 3, 5, 7 and 9 moles of EO (AEO-3, AEO-5, AEO-7 and AEO-9).

[0032] Another class of preferred nonionic surfactants for use in the present invention includes fatty acid amides. Preferably, fatty acid amides contain at least 6 carbon atoms. Suitable fatty acids preferably contain 8 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and most preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. In the most preferred embodiment of the present invention, amides of essential fatty acids are used. Amides suitable for use in the present invention can be simple amides (i.e. those containing -CONH2 groups), N-alkylamides, N,N-dialkylamides, monoalkanolamides and dialkanolamides. Suitable alkyl or alkanol groups contain 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and most preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms. Preferred amides included in the present invention are mono- and di-alkanolamides, particularly amides of essential fatty acids. Alkanolamides are more commonly used than alkylamides.

[0033] Preferably, the fatty acid amide is a fatty alkanolamide (fatty acid alkanolamide), more preferably C8 to C 20 Fatty acid C1 to C8 alkanolamides. Preferred fatty acid amides are selected from the monoethanolamide and diethanolamide of linoleic acid, palmitic acid and coconut oil. More preferably, the fatty acid amides include cocamide MEA, cocamide DEA, lauramide DEA, palm kernelamide DEA, stearamide MEA, myristicamide DEA, stearamide DEA, oleamide DEA, tallowamide DEA, tallowamide MEA, isostearamide DEA, isostearamide MEA, cocamide MIPA or mixtures thereof. Palm kernelamide DEA is particularly preferred.

[0034] Another preferred class of nonionic surfactants are alkoxylated glycerides. Alkoxylated glycerides are represented by formula (I):

[0035]

[0036] wherein each of R1 to R6 is independently hydrogen or methyl; R7 to R8 are each independently a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms; m, n, p, x, y or z is independently a number from 1 to 30, preferably 5 to 25 and more preferably 12 to 21. The sum of m, n, p, x, y, z is in the range of 3 to 90.

[0037] Preferably, the alkoxylated glyceride comprises coconut fatty acid esters. Coconut or coconut oil fatty acids contain about 82% by weight of saturated fatty acids, and of the total fatty acid content, lauric acid is the most common, accounting for about 48% by weight of the fatty acid content. Myristic acid (16% by weight) and palmitic acid (9.5% by weight) are the next most common. Oleic acid is the most common unsaturated acid present at about 6.5% by weight of the fatty acid content.

[0038] Preferably, the alkoxylated glyceride comprises palm oil fatty acid ester. Palm oil has a balanced fatty acid composition, in which the level of saturated fatty acids is almost equal to the level of unsaturated fatty acids. Palmitic acid (44%-45%) and oleic acid (39%-40%) are the main component acids, with linoleic acid (10%-11%) and only trace amounts of linolenic acid. Compared with palm oil, palm kernel oil contains more saturated fatty acids. The main fatty acids in palm kernel oil are about 48% lauric acid, 16% myristic acid and 15% oleic acid. The most preferred alkoxylated glyceride is palm kernel oil ethoxylate. Examples are commercially available from Sinolight Surfactant Technology Co., Ltd under the trade name SOE-N-60.

[0039] Other suitable alkoxylated glycerides are commercially available under the trade name Levenol from Kao. Variants include Levenol F-200 with an average EO of 6 and a molar ratio of glycerol to coconut fatty acids of 0.55, Levenol V501 / 2 with an average EO of 17 and a molar ratio of glycerol to coconut fatty acids of 1.5, and Levenol C201 also known as Glycereth-17 Cocoate.

[0040] Preferably, the nonionic surfactant comprises an alkyl alcohol ethoxylate, a fatty acid alkanolamide, an alkoxylated glyceride or a mixture thereof.

[0041] Preferably, the choice and amount of surfactant is such that the concentrated laundry composition and the diluted composition are isotropic in nature.

[0042] Graft copolymer

[0043] The concentrated laundry composition of the present invention comprises a graft copolymer of an acrylic polymer and a fatty alcohol alkoxylate. Preferably, the acrylic polymer is a homopolymer of acrylic acid. In another preferred embodiment, the acrylic polymer is an acrylic acid C 10 -C 30 Copolymers of alkyl esters with one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their short chain (C1-C4 alcohol) esters.

[0044] Graft copolymers can be obtained by grafting fatty alcohol alkoxylates onto the acrylic polymer backbone. Fatty alcohol alkoxylates are represented by formula II:

[0045] R 10 O-(CH2CH2O) a -(CHCH3CH2O) b -(CH2CH2O) c -H(II)

[0046] Where R 10 is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms; a and c are each a number from 0 to 30, preferably 1 to 15, more preferably 1 to 10, and b is a number from 0 to 10, preferably 0 to 5, more preferably 0 to 2. The sum of a and c is in the range of 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 10.

[0047] Preferably, the graft copolymer is a copolymer of an acrylic polymer and a fatty alcohol ethoxylate, which is represented by Formula III:

[0048]

[0049] wherein d is a number from 1 to 150; e is a number from 2 to 500, more preferably from 2 to 250; R 11 is a straight chain or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms; f is a number of 1 to 30, preferably 1 to 20, more preferably 1 to 10.

[0050] Suitable physiologically acceptable salts of the graft copolymers include sodium, magnesium, potassium, ammonium and monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolamine salts thereof. It should be noted that where graft copolymers are mentioned in the present disclosure, this also includes their corresponding physiologically acceptable salts, even where not explicitly stated.

[0051] The graft copolymer preferably has a molecular weight of 1000 to 300,000 g / mol, more preferably 10000 to 100,000 g / mol. Suitable graft copolymers for use in the present invention can be prepared by known methods, such as the method disclosed in CN 105154245A, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0052] The concentrated laundry compositions of the present invention comprise the graft copolymer in an amount of 5 to 9.5%, preferably 5.5 to 9.2%, more preferably 6 to 9% and most preferably 6.5 to 9% by weight of the composition, based on the total weight of the concentrated laundry composition, and including all ranges subsumed therein.

[0053] The pH of the composition is closely controlled so that the pH does not change during dilution by the consumer and also to provide proper phase control during dilution.The pH of concentrated laundry compositions is from 5 to 9, preferably from 6.0 to 8.5.

[0054] Rheology Modifiers

[0055] In addition to the graft copolymer already included in the composition, the concentrated laundry compositions of the present invention may also contain a rheology modifier.

[0056] Preferred rheology modifiers include ethoxylated sorbitan ester viscosity modifiers. Ethoxylated sorbitan esters provide improved rheological properties in situations where the consumer dilutes the product in a home environment. It should be noted that this is independent of any rheological behavior that is affected by pouring or otherwise using the diluted product. Concentrated laundry compositions are diluted by the user, and therefore the concentrated laundry compositions must exhibit appropriate performance rheologically.

[0057] More preferably, the ethoxylated sorbitan ester comprises 50 to 1000, more preferably 200 to 700, most preferably 300 to 550 ethoxylate units.

[0058] Preferably, the ethoxylated sorbitan ester comprises one to five, more preferably three to five fatty acid esters. More preferably, the ethoxylated sorbitan ester comprises a fatty acid having 10 to 22 carbons, more preferably 14 to 20 carbons, most preferably 18 carbons. The fatty acid may be straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated. The most preferred fatty acid group is a stearic acid group.

[0059] The most preferred ethoxylated sorbitan ester is sorbithex-450 tristearate which is a triester of stearic acid and sorbitan polyethylene glycol ether having an average of 450 moles of ethylene oxide.

[0060] Preferably, the ethoxylated sorbitan ester is present in the concentrated laundry composition at from 0.01 to 8.0 wt %.

[0061] Preferably, the composition comprises a PEG ester fatty acid. The PEG fatty acid ester is included to modify the rheological properties of the composition, particularly during dilution. Preferred PEG ester fatty acids include PEG 9 cocoate, PEG 32 and PEG 175.

[0062] Preferably, the PEG ester fatty acid is present in the concentrated laundry composition at 0.01 to 5.0 wt %.

[0063] Rheology modifiers suitable for use in the present invention are disclosed in WO 2017 / 075681.

[0064] Defoaming agent

[0065] Concentrated laundry compositions may also contain an antifoaming agent. Antifoaming materials are well known in the art and include silicones, fatty acids, fatty alcohols and EO-PO block copolymers.

[0066] Preferably, when present, the fatty acid antifoam agent is present at 1.3 to 3.0 wt%, more preferably 1.4 to 2.0 wt% and most preferably 1.6 to 1.65 wt% of the concentrated laundry composition.

[0067] In the context of the present invention, suitable fatty acids include those of the formula R 12 aliphatic carboxylic acid of COOH, where R 12 It is a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain containing 6 to 24, more preferably 10 to 22, most preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 double bonds. Preferred examples of such materials include saturated C12-18 fatty acids, such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid or stearic acid; and fatty acid mixtures, of which 50 to 100% (by weight based on the total weight of the mixture) consists of saturated C12-18 fatty acids. Such mixtures can generally be derived from natural fats and / or optionally hydrogenated natural oils (such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil or tallow).

[0068] The fatty acids may be present in the form of their sodium, potassium or ammonium salts and / or in the form of soluble salts with organic bases such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine.

[0069] In the context of the present invention, suitable fatty alcohols include those of the formula R 13 OH aliphatic alcohol, where R 13 It is a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain containing 6 to 24, more preferably 10 to 22, most preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0070] In the context of the present invention, suitable EO-PO block copolymers include polymers having repeating units of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of 4 or less.

[0071] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0072] For formulation calculation purposes, fatty acids and / or salts thereof (as defined above) are not included in the level of surfactant or the level of builder in the formulation.

[0073] Hydrotropes

[0074] The compositions of the present invention may incorporate non-aqueous carriers such as hydrotropes, cosolvents and phase stabilizers. Such materials are typically low molecular weight, water-soluble or water-miscible organic liquids such as C1 to C5 monohydric alcohols (e.g., ethanol and n-propanol or isopropanol); C2 to C6 diols (e.g., monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol); C3 to C9 triols (e.g., glycerol); weight average molecular weight (M w ) ranges from about 200 to 600; C1 to C3 alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine; and alkylaryl sulfonates having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group (such as sodium and potassium xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and cumene (cumene) sulfonates).

[0075] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0076] When included, the non-aqueous carrier may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 20%, preferably 2 to 15%, more preferably 10 to 14% (by weight based on the total weight of the concentrated laundry composition). The level of hydrotrope used is linked to the level of surfactant, and it is desirable to use the level of hydrotrope to control viscosity in such concentrated laundry compositions. A preferred hydrotrope is monopropylene glycol.

[0077] Co-surfactant

[0078] In addition to the surfactants described above, the compositions of the present invention may contain one or more co-surfactants (eg, amphoteric (zwitterionic) and / or cationic surfactants).

[0079] Specific cationic surfactants include C8 to C18 alkyl dimethyl ammonium halides and derivatives thereof (in which one or two hydroxyethyl groups replace one or two methyl groups), and mixtures thereof. When included, the cationic surfactant may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the concentrated laundry composition).

[0080] Specific amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants include alkylamine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkylamidopropyl betaines, alkyl sultaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkyl amphoglycocinates, alkylamidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates having an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term "alkyl" being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl groups. When included, the amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactant may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

[0081] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0082] Fluorescent agent

[0083] It may be advantageous to include a fluorescent agent in the composition. Typically, these fluorescent agents are provided and used in the form of their alkali metal salts (e.g. sodium salts). The total amount of one or more fluorescent agents used in the composition is typically from 0.005 to 2% by weight, more preferably from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of the concentrated laundry composition.

[0084] Preferred types of fluorescent agents are: distyrylbiphenyl compounds such as Tinopal (trademark) CBS-X; diaminestilbene disulfonic acid compounds such as Tinopal DMS Pure Xtra, Tinopal 5BMGX and Blankophor (trademark) HRH, and pyrazoline compounds such as Blankophor SN.

[0085] Preferred fluorescent agents are: sodium 2(4-phenylvinyl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazole, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N-methyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl)amino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2'disulfonate, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-phenylvinyl-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2'disulfonate and disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl.

[0086] Color dye

[0087] Shading dyes can be used to improve the properties of the composition. Preferred dyes are violet or blue. It is believed that low levels of these shades of dye deposited on fabrics mask the yellowing of the fabric. Another advantage of shading dyes is that they can be used to mask any yellow tint in the composition itself.

[0088] Hueing dyes are well known in the art of laundry liquid formulations.

[0089] Suitable and preferred classes of dyes are described below.

[0090] Direct dyes:

[0091] Direct dyes (also called substantive dyes) are a class of water-soluble dyes which have an affinity for fibers and are absorbed directly. Direct violet and direct blue dyes are preferred.

[0092] Preferably, disazo or trisazo dyes are used.

[0093] Most preferably, the direct dye is direct violet of the following structure:

[0094]

[0095] or

[0096]

[0097] in:

[0098] Rings D and E may independently be naphthyl or phenyl as shown;

[0099] R1 is selected from: hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl, preferably hydrogen;

[0100] R2 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, C1-C4-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl, preferably phenyl;

[0101] R3 and R4 are independently selected from: hydrogen and C1-C4 alkyl, preferably hydrogen or methyl;

[0102] X and Y are independently selected from: hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl and C1-C4 alkoxy; preferably, the dye has X=methyl; and Y=methoxy and n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably 1 or 2.

[0103] Preferred dyes are 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 and direct violet 99. Disazo copper containing dyes may be used, for example direct violet 66. Benzidene based dyes are less preferred.

[0104] Preferably, the direct dye is present in from 0.000001 to 1 wt %, more preferably from 0.00001 to 0.0010 wt % of the composition.

[0105] In another embodiment, the direct dye may be covalently linked to a photobleach, for example as described in WO2006 / 024612.

[0106] Acid dyes:

[0107] Cotton direct acid dyes bring benefits to cotton containing garments. Preferred dyes and dye mixtures are blue or violet. Preferred acid dyes are: (i) azine dyes, wherein the dye has the following core structure:

[0108]

[0109] Where R a , R b , R c and R d is selected from: H, branched or linear C1-C7-alkyl chains, benzyl, phenyl and naphthyl;

[0110] The dye is at least one SO3 - or -COO - Group substitution;

[0111] Ring B does not carry a negatively charged group or a salt thereof; and

[0112] Ring A may be further substituted to form a naphthyl group; the dye is optionally substituted with a group selected from amine, methyl, ethyl, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy, Cl, Br, I, F and NO2.

[0113] Preferred azine dyes are: Acid Blue 98, Acid Violet 50 and Acid Blue 59, with Acid Violet 50 and Acid Blue 98 being more preferred.

[0114] Other preferred non-azine acid dyes are Acid Violet 17, Acid Black 1 and Acid Blue 29.

[0115] Preferably, the acid dye is present in an amount of from 0.0005% to 0.01% by weight of the composition.

[0116] Hydrophobic dyes:

[0117] The composition may comprise one or more hydrophobic dyes selected from benzodifuran, methine, triphenylmethane, naphthalimide, pyrazole, naphthoquinone, anthraquinone and monoazo or disazo dye chromophores. Hydrophobic dyes are dyes that do not contain any charged water solubilizing groups. Hydrophobic dyes may be selected from the group of disperse dyes and solvent dyes. Blue and violet anthraquinone and monoazo dyes are preferred.

[0118] Preferred dyes include Solvent Violet 13, Disperse Violet 27, Disperse Violet 26, Disperse Violet 28, Disperse Violet 63 and Disperse Violet 77.

[0119] Preferably, the hydrophobic dye is present in an amount of from 0.0001% to 0.005% by weight of the composition.

[0120] Basic dyes:

[0121] Basic dyes are organic dyes with a net positive charge. They deposit on cotton. They are particularly suitable for use in compositions containing predominantly cationic surfactants. The dye may be selected from the basic violet and basic blue dyes listed in the Colour Index International.

[0122] Preferred examples include triarylmethane basic dyes, methane basic dyes, anthraquinone basic dyes, 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.

[0123] Reactive dyes:

[0124] Reactive dyes are dyes that contain organic groups that react with cellulose and link the dye to cellulose through covalent bonds. They deposit on cotton.

[0125] Preferably, the reactive groups are hydrolysed or the reactive groups of the dye are reacted with an organic substance (eg a polymer) to attach the dye to that substance.The dye may be selected from the reactive violet and reactive blue dyes listed in the Colour Index International.

[0126] Preferred examples include reactive blue 19, reactive blue 163, reactive blue 182 and reactive blue, reactive blue 96.

[0127] Dye conjugates:

[0128] Dye conjugates are formed by combining direct, acid or basic dyes with polymers or particles via physical forces. Depending on the choice of polymer or particle, they are deposited on cotton or synthetic fabrics. A description is given in WO2006 / 055787.

[0129] Particularly preferred dyes are: 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 99, Acid Blue 98, Acid Violet 50, Acid Blue 59, Acid Violet 17, Acid Black 1, Acid Blue 29, Solvent Violet 13, Disperse Violet 27, Disperse Violet 26, Disperse Violet 28, Disperse Violet 63, Disperse Violet 77 and mixtures thereof.

[0130] The hueing dye may be used in the absence of a fluorescent agent, but it is particularly preferred to use a hueing dye in combination with a fluorescent agent, for example in order to reduce yellowing due to chemical changes in the adsorbed fluorescent agent.

[0131] Detergent

[0132] The compositions of the present invention may contain one or more builders. Builders enhance or maintain the cleaning efficiency of surfactants primarily by reducing water hardness. This is accomplished by complexation or chelation (keeping hardness minerals in solution), by precipitation (forming insoluble material), or by ion exchange (exchanging charged particles).

[0133] The builders used herein can be of organic or inorganic type, or mixtures thereof.

[0134] Suitable inorganic builders include hydroxides, carbonates, sesquicarbonates, bicarbonates, silicates, zeolites and mixtures thereof. Specific examples of such materials include sodium and potassium hydroxide, sodium and potassium carbonate, sodium and potassium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium silicate and mixtures thereof.

[0135] Suitable organic builders include polycarboxylic acids in acid and / or salt form. When used in salt form, alkali metal (e.g. sodium and potassium) salts or alkanolammonium salts are preferred. Specific examples of such materials include sodium citrate and potassium citrate, sodium tartrate and potassium tartrate, sodium tartrate monosuccinate and potassium tartrate monosuccinate, sodium tartrate disuccinate and sodium tartrate disuccinate potassium, sodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate and potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetate, N (2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid sodium and N (2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid potassium, nitrilotriacetic acid sodium and nitrilotriacetic acid potassium and N- (2-hydroxyethyl)-nitrilodiacetic acid sodium and N- (2-hydroxyethyl)-nitrilodiacetic acid potassium. Polymeric polycarboxylic acids such as polymers of unsaturated monocarboxylic acids (e.g., acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, vinyl acetic acid, and crotonic acid) and / or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (e.g., maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, mesaconic acid, and citraconic acid and anhydrides thereof) may also be used. Specific examples of such materials include polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The polymer may be in the form of an acid, salt, or partially neutralized form and may suitably have a molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 1,000 to 100,000, preferably from about 2,000 to about 85,000, and more preferably from about 2,500 to about 75,000.

[0136] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0137] When included, builders may be present in amounts of from about 0.1% to about 20%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 15%, more preferably from about 1% to about 10% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0138] Preferably, the builder is methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA). We have surprisingly found that MGDA provides a wider formulation window for this unusual product form and allows for more defoaming without reducing the visual appeal, particularly clarity, of the product before dilution by the consumer. This is especially true when the composition also contains a fatty acid defoamer.

[0139] When present, MGDA is present in 0.1 to 3 wt%, preferably 0.1 to 2 wt%, more preferably 0.2 to 1.0 wt% of the concentrated laundry composition. Preferably, the concentrated laundry composition comprises less than 1 wt% HEDP (abbreviation for etidronic acid or 1-hydroxyethane 1,1-diphosphonic acid) chelant, more preferably less than 0.1 wt% HEDP chelant.

[0140] Although the compositions of the present invention may contain MGDA, preferably no other builders are present. Thus, the compositions of the present invention may contain from 0 to 1 %, more preferably from 0 to 0.1 % by weight of the concentrated laundry composition of one or more other builders.

[0141] Soil Release Polymers

[0142] Soil release polymers (SRPs) help improve the release of soils from fabrics by modifying the fabric surface during washing. The adsorption of SRPs on the fabric surface is promoted by the affinity between the chemical structure of the SRP and the target fibers.

[0143] The SRPs used in the present invention may include a variety of charged (e.g., anionic) and uncharged monomer units, and the structure may be linear, branched, or star-shaped. The SRP structure may also include end-capping groups to control molecular weight or change polymer properties, such as surface activity. The weight average molecular weight (M) of the SRP is w ) may suitably be in the range of about 1000 to about 20,000, preferably in the range of about 1500 to about 10,000.

[0144] The SRP used in the present invention can be suitably selected from copolyesters of dicarboxylic acids (e.g. adipic acid, phthalic acid or terephthalic acid), diols (e.g. ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) and polyglycols (e.g. polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol). The copolyesters can also include monomer units substituted with anionic groups, such as, for example, sulfonated isophthaloyl units. Examples of such materials include oligoesters produced by transesterification / oligomerization of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether, dimethyl terephthalate ("DMT"), propylene glycol ("PG"), and poly(ethylene glycol) ("PEG"); partially and fully anionically terminated oligoesters, such as oligomers from ethylene glycol ("EG"), PG, DMT, and sodium 3,6-dioxa-8-hydroxyoctane sulfonate; non-ionically terminated block polyester oligomeric compounds, such as those produced by a combination of DMT, Me terminated PEG, and EG and / or PG, or DMT, EG and / or PG, Me terminated PEG, and sodium dimethyl-5-sulfoisophthalate, and copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate.

[0145] Other types of SRPs useful in the present invention include cellulose derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulose polymers, C1-C4 alkyl celluloses and C4 hydroxyalkyl celluloses; polymers having poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobic segments, such as graft copolymers of poly(vinyl esters), such as C1-C6 vinyl esters (such as poly(vinyl acetate)) grafted onto a polyalkylene oxide backbone; poly(vinyl caprolactam) and related copolymers with monomers such as vinyl pyrrolidone and / or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate; and polyester-polyamide polymers prepared by condensing adipic acid, caprolactam and polyethylene glycol.

[0146] Preferred SRPs for use in the present invention include copolyesters formed by the condensation of terephthalate and a diol (preferably 1,2 propylene glycol) and further comprising terminal groups formed by alkyl-terminated alkylene oxide repeating units. Examples of such materials have structures corresponding to formula (IV):

[0147]

[0148] Where R 14 and R 15 Independently of each other, X-(OC2H4) q -(OC3H6) s ;

[0149] Where X is C 1-4 Alkyl, preferably methyl;

[0150] q is a number from 12 to 120, preferably from 40 to 50;

[0151] s is a number from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7; and

[0152] i is a number from 4 to 9.

[0153] Because they are average values, q, s, and i are not necessarily integers for the polymer as a whole.

[0154] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0155] When included, total levels of SRPs may range from 0.1 to 10%, depending upon the level of polymer intended for use in the final diluted composition, and desirably is 0.3 to 7%, more preferably 0.5 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the diluted composition).

[0156] Suitable SRPs are described in more detail in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,574,179; 4,956,447; 4,861,512; 4,702,857, WO 2007 / 079850 and WO 2016 / 005271. If used, SRPs are typically incorporated into the concentrated laundry compositions herein at a concentration of 0.01 to 10%, more preferably 0.1 to 5%, by weight of the concentrated laundry composition.

[0157] Polymeric cleaning enhancers

[0158] In order to further improve the environmental profile of liquid laundry detergents, it may be preferred in some cases to reduce the volume of laundry detergent charged per wash load and to add various weight efficient ingredients to the composition to enhance cleaning performance. In addition to the soil release polymers of the present invention described above, the compositions of the present invention preferably contain one or more additional polymeric cleaning enhancers, such as anti-redeposition polymers.

[0159] Anti-redeposition polymers stabilize soil in the wash solution, thereby preventing redeposition of soil. Suitable anti-redeposition polymers for use in the present invention include alkoxylated polyethyleneimines. Polyethyleneimines are materials composed of ethyleneimine units -CH2CH2NH-, and when branched, the hydrogen on the nitrogen is replaced by another chain of ethyleneimine units. Preferred alkoxylated polyethyleneimines for use in the present invention have a weight average molecular weight (MW) of about 300 to about 10,000. w ). The polyethyleneimine backbone can be linear or branched. It can be branched to the extent that it is a dendritic polymer. The alkoxylation can generally be ethoxylation or propoxylation, or a mixture of the two. When the nitrogen atoms are alkoxylated, the preferred average degree of alkoxylation is 10 to 30, preferably 15 to 25 alkoxy groups per modification. The preferred material is ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, wherein the average degree of ethoxylation per ethoxylated nitrogen atom in the polyethyleneimine backbone is 10 to 30, preferably 15 to 25 ethoxy groups.

[0160] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0161] When included, the compositions of the present invention preferably comprise from 0.025 to 8% by weight of such materials of the concentrated laundry composition, depending on the number of portions of the concentrated laundry composition intended to be mixed with water. This amount provides from 0.5% to 6% (by weight based on the total weight of the diluted composition) of one or more anti-redeposition polymers, such as, for example, the alkoxylated polyethyleneimines described above.

[0162] Polymer thickener

[0163] The compositions of the present invention may include one or more polymeric thickeners. Suitable polymeric thickeners for use in the present invention include hydrophobically modified alkali swellable emulsion (HASE) copolymers. Exemplary HASE copolymers for use in the present invention include linear or crosslinked copolymers prepared by addition polymerization of a monomer mixture comprising at least one acidic vinyl monomer, such as (meth)acrylic acid (i.e., methacrylic acid and / or acrylic acid); and at least one associative monomer. In the context of the present invention, the term "associative monomer" means a monomer having an ethylenically unsaturated portion (for addition polymerization with other monomers in the mixture) and a hydrophobic portion. A preferred type of associative monomer includes a polyoxyalkylene portion between the ethylenically unsaturated portion and the hydrophobic portion. Preferred HASE copolymers for use in the present invention include those prepared by addition polymerization of (meth)acrylic acid with (i) at least one selected from a linear or branched C8-C 40 Alkyl (preferably straight chain C 12 -C 22The invention relates to a linear or crosslinked copolymer prepared by addition polymerization of an associative monomer of (i) polyethoxylated (meth)acrylate (C1-C4 alkyl) polyethoxylated (meth)acrylate; and (ii) at least one other monomer selected from C1-C4 alkyl (meth)acrylate, polyvinyl monomer (such as maleic acid, maleic anhydride and / or its salt) and mixtures thereof. The polyethoxylated portion of the associative monomer (i) generally comprises from about 5 to about 100, preferably from about 10 to about 80, more preferably from about 15 to about 60 oxyethylene repeating units.

[0164] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be used.

[0165] When included, the compositions of the present invention preferably comprise from 0.01 to 5 wt% polymeric thickener of the concentrated laundry composition, but this will depend on the amount intended for use in the final diluted composition, and desirably from 0.1 to 3 wt% based on the total weight of the diluted composition.

[0166] External structurants

[0167] The compositions of the present invention can further modify their rheology by using one or more external structurants that form a structured network within the composition. Examples of such materials include hydrogenated castor oil, microfiber cellulose, and citrus pulp fibers. The presence of an external structurant can provide shear thinning rheology and can also enable materials such as encapsulates and visual cues to be stably suspended in the liquid.

[0168] Enzymes

[0169] The composition of the present invention may comprise an effective amount of one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of pectate lyase, protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, mannanase and mixtures thereof. The enzymes are preferably present together with corresponding enzyme stabilizers.

[0170] Fragrance

[0171] Fragrances are well known in the art, and can be incorporated into the compositions described herein.

[0172] Microcapsules

[0173] One type of microparticle suitable for use in the present invention is a microcapsule. Microencapsulation can be defined as the process of surrounding or encapsulating a substance in another substance at a very small scale, thereby producing capsules ranging in size from less than 1 micron to several hundred microns. The encapsulated material can be referred to as a core, active ingredient or medicament, filler, effective load, core or internal phase. The material encapsulating the core can be referred to as a coating, film, shell or wall material.

[0174] Microcapsules typically have at least one generally spherical continuous shell surrounding a core. The shell may contain pores, vacancies or interstitial openings, depending on the material and encapsulation technique employed. Multiple shells may be made of the same or different encapsulating materials and may be arranged in layers of varying thickness around the core. Alternatively, the microcapsules may be asymmetric and variable in shape, with a certain amount of smaller droplets of core material embedded throughout the microcapsule.

[0175] The shell may have a barrier function to protect the core material from the environment outside the microcapsule, but it may also serve as a means of regulating the release of the core material (e.g., fragrance). Thus, the shell may be water-soluble or water-swellable and may initiate fragrance release in response to exposure of the microcapsule to a humid environment. Similarly, if the shell is temperature-sensitive, the microcapsule may release fragrance in response to elevated temperatures. The microcapsule may also release fragrance in response to shear forces applied to the surface of the microcapsule.

[0176] A preferred type of polymer microparticle suitable for use in the present invention is a polymer core-shell microcapsule in which at least one continuous shell of a generally spherical polymeric material surrounds a core containing a fragrance formulation (f2). The shell typically accounts for up to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the microcapsule. The fragrance formulation (f2) typically accounts for about 10 to about 60% by weight, preferably about 20 to about 40% by weight, based on the total weight of the microcapsule. The amount of fragrance (f2) can be determined by taking a slurry of the microcapsules, extracting it into ethanol and measuring it by liquid chromatography.

[0177] The polymer core-shell microcapsules used in the present invention can be prepared using methods known to those skilled in the art, such as coacervation, interfacial polymerization and polycondensation.

[0178] The coacervation process generally involves encapsulating a core material, which is usually insoluble in water, by precipitating a colloidal material onto the surface of a droplet of material. Coacervation can be simple, for example using one colloid such as gelatin, or complex, where two or possibly more colloids of opposite charge are used under carefully controlled conditions of pH, temperature and concentration, such as gelatin and gum arabic or gelatin and carboxymethylcellulose.

[0179] Interfacial polymerization is usually carried out with the formation of a fine dispersion of oil droplets (containing core material) in an aqueous continuous phase. The dispersed droplets form the core of the future microcapsule, and the size of the dispersed droplets directly determines the size of the subsequent microcapsules. The microcapsule shell forming material (monomer or oligomer) is contained in both the dispersed phase (oil droplets) and the aqueous continuous phase, and they react together at the phase interface to build a polymer wall around the oil droplets, thereby encapsulating the droplets and forming core-shell microcapsules. An example of a core-shell microcapsule prepared by this method is a polyurea microcapsule with a shell formed by the reaction of a diisocyanate or polyisocyanate with a diamine or polyamine.

[0180] The polycondensation involves forming a dispersion or emulsion of the core material in an aqueous solution of a precondensate of the polymeric material under appropriate stirring conditions to produce capsules of the desired size, and adjusting the reaction conditions to cause condensation of the precondensate by acid catalysis, thereby causing the condensate to separate from the solution and surround the dispersed core material to produce a coacervate film and the desired microcapsules. Examples of core-shell microcapsules prepared by this method are aminoplast microcapsules having a shell formed from the polycondensation product of melamine (2,4,6-triamino-1,3,5-triazine) or urea with formaldehyde. Suitable crosslinking agents (e.g. toluene diisocyanate, divinylbenzene, butanediol diacrylate) may also be used, and secondary wall polymers such as polymers and copolymers of anhydrides and their derivatives, particularly maleic anhydride, may also be used appropriately.

[0181] An example of a preferred polymer core-shell microcapsule for use in the present invention is an aminoplast microcapsule having an aminoplast shell surrounding a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2). More preferably, this aminoplast shell is formed from a polycondensation product of melamine and formaldehyde.

[0182] Polymer microparticles suitable for use in the present invention typically have an average particle size of 100 nanometers to 50 microns. Particles larger than this enter the visible range. Examples of particles in the submicron range include latexes and microemulsions with a typical size range of 100 to 600 nanometers. The preferred particle size range is in the micrometer range. Examples of particles in the micrometer range include polymer core-shell microcapsules (such as those further described above), with a typical size range of 1 to 50 microns, preferably 5 to 30 microns. The average particle size can be measured by light scattering using a Malvern Mastersizer, where the average particle size is considered to be the median particle size D (0.5) value. The particle size distribution can be narrow, wide or multimodal. If desired, the initially produced microcapsules can be filtered or sieved to produce a product with higher size uniformity.

[0183] Polymer microparticles suitable for use in the present invention may be provided with a deposition aid on the outer surface of the microparticle. The deposition aid is used to modify the properties of the exterior of the microparticle, for example to make the microparticle more substantive to a desired substrate. Desired substrates include cellulose (including cotton) and polyester (including those used to make polyester fabrics).

[0184] The deposition aid may be suitably provided at the outer surface of the microparticle by covalent bonding, entanglement or strong adsorption. Examples include polymer core-shell microcapsules (such as those described further above) in which the deposition aid is preferably attached to the exterior of the shell by covalent bonding. Although it is preferred that the deposition aid is directly attached to the exterior of the shell, it may also be attached via a linking substance.

[0185] The deposition aid for use in the present invention may be suitably selected from polysaccharides having an affinity for cellulose. Such polysaccharides may be naturally occurring or synthetic and may have an inherent affinity for cellulose or may be derivatized or otherwise modified to have an affinity for cellulose. Suitable polysaccharides have a 1-4 linked beta glycan (broadly defined) backbone structure having at least 4, and preferably at least 10, β1-4 linked backbone residues, such as a glucan backbone (consisting of β1-4 linked glucose residues), a mannan backbone (consisting of β1-4 linked mannose residues) or a xylan backbone (consisting of β1-4 linked xylose residues). Examples of such β1-4 linked polysaccharides include xyloglucan, glucomannan, mannan, galactomannan, β(1-3),(1-4) glucan and the xylan family including glucuronic acid-, arabinosyl- and glucuronic acid arabinoxylans. Preferred β1-4 linked polysaccharides for use in the present invention can be selected from plant-derived xyloglucans, such as pea xyloglucan and tamarind xyloglucan (TXG) (which have a β1-4 linked glucan backbone, and side chains of α-D xylopyranose and β-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-2)-α-D-xylose-pyranose, both linked 1-6 to the backbone); and plant-derived galactomannans, such as locust bean gum (LBG) (which have a mannan backbone of β1-4 linked mannose residues, and single unit galactose side chains α1-6 linked to the backbone).

[0186] Also suitable are polysaccharides which acquire an affinity for cellulose upon hydrolysis, such as cellulose monoacetate, or modified polysaccharides having an affinity for cellulose, such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl guar, hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose and methyl cellulose.

[0187] The deposition aid for use in the present invention may also be selected from phthalate-containing polymers having an affinity for polyesters. Such phthalate-containing polymers may have one or more nonionic hydrophilic segments containing oxyalkylene groups (e.g., ethylene oxide, polyoxyethylene, propylene oxide, or polyoxypropylene groups), and one or more hydrophobic segments containing terephthalate groups. Typically, the degree of polymerization of the oxyalkylene groups is from 1 to about 400, preferably from 100 to about 350, more preferably from 200 to about 300. Suitable examples of phthalate-containing polymers of this type are copolymers having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate.

[0188] Mixtures of any of the above materials may also be suitable.

[0189] The deposition aids used in the present invention generally have a weight average molecular weight (M) ranging from about 5 kDa to about 500 kDa, preferably from about 10 kDa to about 500 kDa, and more preferably from about 20 kDa to about 300 kDa. w ).

[0190] An example of a particularly preferred polymer core-shell microcapsule for use in the present invention is an aminoplast microcapsule having a shell formed by polycondensation of melamine and formaldehyde (surrounding a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2)); wherein the deposition aid is attached to the outside of the shell by means of covalent bonding. Preferred deposition aids are selected from β1-4 linked polysaccharides, in particular xyloglucans of plant origin, as further described above.

[0191] The inventors have surprisingly observed that the total level of fragrance contained in the compositions of the present invention can be reduced without sacrificing the overall fragrance experience delivered to the consumer at a critical stage in the laundry process. A reduction in the total level of fragrance is advantageous for cost and environmental reasons.

[0192] Therefore, the total amount of perfume formulation (f1) and perfume formulation (f2) in the concentrated laundry composition of the present invention is suitably in the range of 0.5 to 1.4%, preferably 0.5 to 1.2%, more preferably 0.5 to 1%, and most preferably 0.6 to 0.9% (by weight based on the total weight of the concentrated laundry composition).

[0193] The weight ratio of fragrance preparation (f1) to fragrance preparation (f2) in the composition of the present invention is preferably in the range of 60:40 to 45:55. Particularly good results are obtained when the weight ratio of fragrance preparation (f1) to fragrance preparation (f2) is about 50:50.

[0194] Fragrance (f1) and fragrance (f2) are usually incorporated at different stages of the formation of the composition of the present invention. Typically, discrete polymer microparticles (e.g. microcapsules) encapsulating the fragrance formulation (f2) are added in the form of a slurry to a warm base formulation containing the other components of the composition (e.g. surfactants and solvents). Fragrance (f1) is usually subsequently post-added after the base formulation has cooled.

[0195] Further optional ingredients

[0196] The composition of the present invention may contain additional optional ingredients to enhance performance and / or consumer acceptance. Examples of such ingredients include foam enhancers, preservatives (e.g., bactericides), polyelectrolytes, shrinkage inhibitors, wrinkle inhibitors, antioxidants, sunscreens, corrosion inhibitors, drape imparting agents, antistatic agents, chelating agents, ironing aids, coloring agents, pearlescent agents, and / or sunscreens. Each of these ingredients is present in an amount that effectively achieves its purpose. Typically, these optional ingredients are included individually in an amount of up to 5% (based on the total weight of the diluted composition by weight) and are adjusted according to the dilution ratio with water.

[0197] Many of the ingredients used in embodiments of the present invention can be obtained from so-called black carbon sources or more sustainable green sources. Provided below is a list of alternative sources for several of these ingredients and how they can be made into the feedstocks described herein.

[0198] SLES and PAS

[0199] SLES and other such alkali metal alkyl ether sulfate anionic surfactants can generally be obtained by sulfating alcohol ethoxylates. These alcohol ethoxylates can generally be obtained by ethoxylating linear alcohols. Similarly, primary alkyl sulfate surfactants (PAS) can be obtained directly from linear alcohols by sulfating the linear alcohols. Therefore, the formation of linear alcohols is a key step in obtaining PAS and alkali metal alkyl ether sulfate surfactants.

[0200] Linear alcohols suitable as an intermediate step in the preparation of alcohol ethoxylates and hence anionic surfactants such as sodium lauryl ether sulfate can be obtained from a number of different sustainable sources. These include:

[0201] Primary sugar

[0202] Primary sugars are obtained from sucrose or sugar beets, etc., and can be fermented to form bioethanol. The bioethanol is then dehydrated to form bioethylene, which then undergoes olefin metathesis to form olefins. These olefins are then processed into linear alcohols by hydroformylation or oxidation.

[0203] An alternative process can be used that also uses primary sugars to form linear alcohols, and in which the primary sugars are microbially converted by algae to form triglycerides. These triglycerides are then hydrolyzed to linear fatty acids, which are then reduced to form linear alcohols.

[0204] Biomass

[0205] Biomass, such as forest products, rice husks and straw, etc., can be processed into synthesis gas by gasification. These are processed into alkanes by FischerTropsch reactions, which are then dehydrogenated to form olefins. These olefins can be processed in the same manner as the olefins described above [primary sugars]. An alternative method converts the same biomass into polysaccharides by steam explosion, which can be enzymatically degraded into secondary sugars. These secondary sugars are then fermented to form bioethanol, which in turn is dehydrated to form bioethylene. The bioethylene is then processed into linear alcohols as described above [primary sugars].

[0206] Waste plastics

[0207] Waste plastics are pyrolyzed to form pyrolysis oil. This is then fractionated to form linear alkanes, which are dehydrogenated to form olefins. These olefins are processed as described above [primary sugars].

[0208] Alternatively, the pyrolyzed oil is cracked to form ethylene which is then processed by olefin metathesis to form the desired olefins. These are then processed to linear alcohols as described above [primary sugars].

[0209] Municipal solid waste

[0210] MSW is converted to syngas by gasification. From the syngas, it can be processed as described above [primary sugars], or it can be converted to ethanol by an enzymatic process before dehydrogenation to ethylene. The ethylene can then be converted to linear alcohols by the Ziegler process.

[0211] MSW can also be converted to pyrolysis oil by gasification and subsequently fractionated to form alkanes. These alkanes are then dehydrogenated to form olefins and then linear alcohols.

[0212] Ocean Carbon

[0213] There are a variety of carbon sources from marine flora such as seaweed and kelp. From these marine flora, triglycerides can be isolated from the source and subsequently hydrolyzed to form fatty acids, which are reduced to straight chain alcohols in the usual manner.

[0214] Alternatively, the feedstock can be separated into polysaccharides, which are enzymatically degraded to form secondary sugars. These can be fermented to form bioethanol, and then processed as described above [primary sugars].

[0215] Waste oil

[0216] Waste oils (such as used cooking oil) can be physically separated into triglycerides, which are broken down into linear fatty acids, and then into straight chain alcohols as described above.

[0217] Alternatively, used cooking oil can be subjected to the Neste process whereby the oil is catalytically cracked to form bio-ethylene and then processed as described above.

[0218] Methane capture

[0219] Methane capture processes capture methane from landfills or fossil fuel production. Methane can be gasified to form syngas. Syngas can be processed as described above, where the syngas is first converted to methanol (Fischer Tropsch reaction), then to olefins, and then to linear alcohols by hydroformylation oxidation.

[0220] Alternatively, the syngas can be converted to alkanes and then to olefins via Fischer Tropsch and subsequent dehydrogenation.

[0221] Carbon capture

[0222] Carbon dioxide can be captured by any of a variety of methods, all known. Carbon dioxide can be converted to carbon monoxide by a reverse water-gas shift reaction, which is then converted to synthesis gas using hydrogen in an electrolysis reaction. The synthesis gas is then processed as described above and converted to methanol and / or alkanes before reacting to form olefins.

[0223] Alternatively, the captured carbon dioxide is mixed with hydrogen before enzymatic treatment to form ethanol. This is the process developed by Lanzatech. Thus, ethanol is converted to ethylene, then processed to olefins, and then processed to linear alcohols as described above.

[0224] LAS

[0225] One of the other major surfactants commonly used in cleaning compositions, especially laundry compositions, is LAS (linear alkyl benzene sulfonate).

[0226] The key intermediate compounds in LAS production are the related olefins. These alkenes (olefins) can be produced by any of the above methods and can be formed from primary sugars, biomass, waste plastics, MSW, carbon capture, methane capture, ocean carbon, etc.

[0227] Unlike the above process where olefins are processed by hydroformylation and oxidation to form linear alcohols, the olefins are reacted with benzene and then with a sulfonic acid to form LAS.

[0228] Packaging and filling

[0229] The composition of the present invention may be packaged in a unit dose in a polymeric film that is soluble in wash water. Alternatively, the composition of the present invention may be supplied in a multi-dose plastic package with a top or bottom closure. The feeding device may be provided as part of the lid or as an integrated system with the package.

[0230] The process of washing fabrics using the compositions of the present invention generally comprises diluting the dosed concentrated composition with water to obtain a wash liquor and washing fabrics with the wash liquor so formed.

[0231] The consumer may add water to the concentrated laundry composition, or alternatively, add the concentrated laundry composition to water, depending on the preferred consumer behavior in any particular market. Where the concentrated laundry composition is added to water, the concentrated laundry composition is provided to the consumer in conventional packaging that conforms to the volume of the concentrated laundry composition purchased. In this case, it is preferred that the packaged concentrated laundry composition be provided with a dilution container of appropriate size, water is added to the dilution container from a household supply, and the concentrated laundry composition is added thereto to form a functional liquid detergent composition.

[0232] Preferably, the dilution ratio with water is from 0.8:1 to 10:1 (water: concentrated laundry composition). The dilution ratio also depends on market choice. In some markets, a more concentrated product is desired, while in other markets a more diluted product is preferred. Therefore, the amount of water indicated for use is variable, but preferably the dilution of water to concentrated laundry composition is at least 1:1, preferably not more than 5:1.

[0233] Preferably, a container comprising concentrated laundry compositions of the present invention is provided. The container includes bottles, bottles, sealable bags and doy-packaging, etc. Preferably, the container has an orifice that can provide a device for adding water from a household supply to a container that holds the concentrated composition. Also preferably, the container includes a device for adding water to the container and a separate device for allowing the dilution to be dispensed. In such an embodiment, when the container is in an upright position, the device for adding water is preferably near the top of the container, and the device for allowing the dilution to be dispensed is arranged near the bottom in the same arrangement.

[0234] The container may also be of the expandable type, wherein the consumer purchases the container which is expanded prior to dilution with water from the household supply.

[0235] For example, a consumer purchases a container that is folded so that it contains a first volume of the concentrated composition, and optionally packaged in a second package so that the consumer only sees a conventional box or carton. Within this second package is a bag or other such container, and it contains the concentrated composition. Water is added from a household supply, thereby diluting the concentrated composition to form a liquid laundry treatment composition that can be used by the consumer in a conventional manner. For example, it can be added to a shuttle device and placed in a washing machine drum, or it can be dispensed into a washing machine drawer.

[0236] The water supply may also be filtered prior to use. This is at the discretion of the consumer, but it is expected that the concentrated laundry compositions described herein are suitable for use with a wide variety of water hardnesses.

[0237] Preferably, the volume of the container is suitable to allow dilution of the concentrated laundry composition to form a liquid laundry detergent composition of appropriate dilution. For example, the container may have an internal volume (V), and the concentrated laundry composition supplied in the container may have a volume of V / 3. In such an embodiment, the consumer will be instructed to add two parts of water to one part of concentrated laundry composition so that the volume of the diluted composition is substantially equal to V.

[0238] In another embodiment, the concentrated laundry composition is sold in a container of appropriate size to match the volume sold, and is sold with a "holding" container, which can be filled with diluted product or sold empty, depending on the consumer's preference. The concentrated laundry composition container and the holding container are held together by a secondary packaging form such as shrink wrap.

[0239] The holding container may have markings to assist the user in achieving the correct dilution level.

[0240] The following examples are provided to facilitate the understanding of the present invention. These examples are not provided to limit the scope of the claims.

[0241] Example

[0242] Example 1

[0243] This example demonstrates the effect of a graft copolymer on the viscosity of a concentrated laundry composition before and after dilution with water. All ingredients are expressed as weight percent of the total formulation.

[0244] Table 1

[0245]

[0246] a. A commercially available graft copolymer of an acrylic polymer and a fatty alcohol ethoxylate under the trade name Thixome S-9 from Guangzhou Tinci High-Tech Materials Co., Ltd., containing 55% by weight of the graft copolymer active substance.

[0247] result

[0248] Samples 1 to 4 are concentrated formulations. A 5× dilution sample was prepared by diluting one part concentrated formulation with four parts water. In this example, 20 grams of the concentrated formulation was added to a bottle containing 80 grams of water, and the bottle was then shaken upside down to mix the mixture evenly.

[0249] At room temperature (25°C) for 21 seconds -1The viscosity of the samples was measured with a HAAKE VT550 viscometer, measuring spindle MV2, at a shear rate of 1.18 Å. The viscosity of the samples before and after 5× dilution is reported in Table 2.

[0250] Table 2

[0251]

[0252] The viscosity range of 200 to 1500 mPa·s for laundry compositions is considered acceptable. The difference in viscosity of concentrated laundry compositions before and after dilution is considered acceptable if it is no greater than 300 to 400 mPa·s. In other words, provided that the difference in viscosity between the concentrated composition and the diluted composition is within this range, the consumer will not perceive the difference in viscosity between the two.

[0253] Samples 2 and 3 contained graft copolymer at levels of 6.6% and 8.8%, respectively. As shown in Table 2, Samples 2 and 3 had acceptable viscosities before and after dilution. The difference in viscosity between Samples 2 and 3 before and after dilution was also within an acceptable range.

Claims

1. A concentrated laundry composition dilutable in water to form a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising: a) 10 to 85% by weight of a surfactant, and b) 5.5 to 9.2% by weight of a graft copolymer of an acrylic polymer and a fatty alcohol alkoxylate or a physiologically acceptable salt thereof, or a mixture thereof.

2. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1, wherein the acrylic polymer is a homopolymer of acrylic acid.

3. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acrylic polymer is acrylic acid C 10 -C 30 A copolymer of an alkyl ester and one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their C1-C4 alcohol esters.

4. The concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fatty alcohol alkoxylate is represented by formula (II): R 10 O-(CH2CH2O) a -(CHCH3CH2O) b -(CH2CH2O) c -H(II) Where R 10 is a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms; a and c are each a number from 0 to 30; b is a number from 0 to 10; and the sum of a and c is in the range of 1 to 30.

5. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 4, wherein R 10 It is a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

6. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 4, wherein a and c are each a number from 1 to 15.

7. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 4, wherein a and c are each a number from 1 to 10.

8. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 4, wherein b is a number from 0 to 5.

9. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 4, wherein b is a number from 0 to 2.

10. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 4, wherein the sum of a and c is in the range of 1 to 20.

11. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 4, wherein the sum of a and c is in the range of 1 to 10.

12. The concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the graft copolymer is represented by formula (III): Where d is a number from 1 to 150; e is a number from 2 to 500; R 11 is a straight chain or branched chain alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 22 carbon atoms; and f is a number from 1 to 30.

13. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 12, wherein e is a number from 2 to 250.

14. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 12, wherein R 11 It is a straight-chain or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

15. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 12, wherein f is a number from 1 to 20.

16. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 12, wherein f is a number from 1 to 10.

17. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition comprises the graft copolymer in an amount of 6% to 9% by weight of the composition.

18. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition comprises from 15 wt% to 60 wt% surfactant.

19. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition comprises from 20 wt% to 50 wt% surfactant.

20. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant.

21. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surfactant comprises linear alkyl benzene sulfonate.

22. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 20, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in an amount of 10% to 90% by weight of the total surfactants.

23. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 20, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in an amount of 20% to 85% by weight of the total surfactants.

24. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the surfactant comprises a nonionic surfactant comprising an alkyl alcohol ethoxylate, a fatty acid alkanolamide, an alkoxylated glyceride or a mixture thereof.

25. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 24, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises an alkoxylated glyceride.

26. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 24, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises palm kernel oil ethoxylate.

27. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 24, wherein the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of 20% to 95% by weight of the total surfactants.

28. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 24, wherein the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of 30% to 90% by weight of the total surfactants.

29. A concentrated laundry composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition has a viscosity of 21 s at 25°C as measured by a HAAKE viscometer. -1 The viscosity was measured at a shear rate of 300 to 1000 mPa·s.

30. A kit comprising a container containing a concentrated laundry composition according to any one of claims 1 to 29 and instructions for use, wherein the instructions comprise the step of diluting 1 part of the concentrated laundry composition with water.

31. The kit of claim 30, wherein the instructions include the step of diluting 1 part of the concentrated laundry composition with 1 to 10 parts of water.

32. The kit of claim 30, wherein the instructions comprise the step of diluting 1 part of the concentrated laundry composition with 1 to 5 parts of water.

33. A kit comprising a container comprising a concentrated laundry composition according to any one of claims 1 to 29 in combination with a further storage container.

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