Color care detergent composition

Abstract

By formulating a detergent composition with a combination of branched nonionic surfactant and dye transfer inhibition (DTI) polymer, the need for a detergent composition that provides reduced dye transfer to co-washed fabrics and reduced dye fading during washing is met.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Laundry detergent compositions, especially liquid laundry detergent compositions or unit dose articles, provide improved colored fabric care. BACKGROUND

[0002] Laundry detergent compositions are formulated to provide good cleaning to fabrics: to keep white fabrics white, and to keep colored fabrics bright. Laundry detergent compositions are also typically formulated to remove stains and soils. However, in addition to removing soils, laundry detergent compositions are also known to remove dyes from colored fabrics, resulting in fading of the colored fabrics. Furthermore, these removed dyes can transfer to other fabrics during the laundry process, resulting in unwanted fabric discoloration.

[0003] To limit such dye transfer to co-washed fabrics, dye transfer inhibition (DTI) polymers are often incorporated into detergent compositions marketed for cleaning colored fabrics. Typical dye transfer inhibitors are generally based on polymers such as polyvinylpyrrolidone homopolymers (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), polyvinylpyrrolidone / polyvinylimidazole copolymers (PVP / PVI), and poly-4-vinylpyridine N-oxide (PVNO) and poly(vinylpyrrolidone) co-poly(vinylpyridine-N-oxide) (PVP / PVNO) polymers, which by inclusion of relatively high levels of vinylpyrrolidone (“VP”). However, while such DTI polymers reduce dye transfer to co-washed fabrics, they do not prevent dye bleeding from the fabric resulting in dye fading. In fact, it has been found that during washing, many fabric dyes partition between the fabric and the wash liquor, and additionally it has been found that chelation of the dyes in the wash liquor by the DTI polymers increases the amount of dye partitioning into the wash liquor. Thus, while DTI polymers prevent dye transfer to co-washed fabrics during washing, they have been found to also increase dye fading.

[0004] In fact, it has been found that during washing, many fabric dyes partition between the fabric and the wash liquor, and additionally it has been found that chelation of the dyes in the wash liquor by the DTI polymers increases the amount of dye partitioning into the wash liquor.

[0005] WO2010025116A1 relates to stable color maintenance and / or rejuvenation compositions comprising at least one cationic polymer and an anionic surfactant, and methods of providing the same. WO2013070560A1 relates to a surface treatment composition comprising certain cationic polymers, anionic surfactants, one or more shielding salts, and a hydrophobic association breaker, the surface treatment composition comprising at least 6 wt.% of the cationic polymer, at least 6 wt.% of the anionic surfactant, and at least 4 wt.% of the shielding salt, the weight ratio of the anionic surfactant to the cationic polymer being between 0.5:1 and 4:1, the composition can also have a weight ratio of the shielding salt to the cationic polymer between 0.3:1 and 3:1.

[0006] US20190390142 A1 relates to fabric care compositions comprising a graft copolymer, which can comprise (a) a polyalkylene oxide, such as polyethylene oxide (PEG); (b) N-vinyl pyrrolidone (VP); and (c) a vinyl ester, such as vinyl acetate. The invention also provides methods and uses relating to such compositions and / or graft copolymers. SUMMARY

[0007] The present invention relates to a laundry detergent composition comprising a surfactant system and a dye transfer inhibition (DTI) polymer, wherein the surfactant system comprises: a branched nonionic surfactant, and wherein the dye transfer inhibition polymer is a graft copolymer comprising: a polyalkylene oxide having a number average molecular weight of 1000 to 20,000 Daltons and based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide; N-vinyl pyrrolidone; and a vinyl ester derived from a saturated mono carboxylic acid comprising 1 to 6 carbon atoms and / or a methyl or ethyl ester of acrylic or methacrylic acid; wherein the weight ratio of (a):(b) is from 1 :0.1 to 1 :2; and wherein the amount of (a) is greater than the amount of (c) by weight; wherein the branched nonionic surfactant is selected from:

[0008] a) Formula I: R1-CH(R2)-O-(PO)x(EO)y(PO)z-H

[0009] wherein in Formula I: R1 is a C4 to C14 alkyl chain, preferably C4 to C8, more preferably C6; R2 is a C1 to C7 alkyl chain, preferably C1 to C5, more preferably a C3 alkyl chain; x is from 0 to 10, preferably 0 to 5, more preferably 0 to 3; y is from 5 to 20, preferably 6 to 15, more preferably 7 to 12; z is from 0 to 20, preferably 0 to 5, more preferably 0 to 3; EO represents ethoxylation, and PO represents propoxylation;

[0010] b) Formula II: R1-CH(R2)CH2-O-(PO)x(EO)y(PO)z-H

[0011] wherein in Formula II: R1is a C3to C13alkyl chain, preferably C3to C7, more preferably C5; R2is a C1to C7alkyl chain, preferably C1to C5, more preferably C3alkyl chain; x is 0 to 10, preferably 0 to 5, more preferably 0 to 3; y is 5 to 20, preferably 6 to 15, more preferably 7 to 12; and z is 0 to 20, preferably 0 to 5, more preferably 0 to 3, EO represents ethoxylation, and PO represents propoxylation;

[0012] The present application also relates to the use of a laundry detergent composition comprising a combination of at least one branched nonionic surfactant and a dye transfer inhibition polymer for improving color protection during washing, preferably reducing dye redeposition during washing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] It has been found that the detergent compositions of the present application result in reduced dye fading during washing.

[0014] All component or composition levels are in relation to the total composition unless otherwise specified. All percentages and ratios are calculated by weight unless otherwise indicated.

[0015] All percentages and ratios are calculated based on total composition unless otherwise indicated.

[0016] All measurements are made at 25°C unless otherwise specified.

[0017] As used herein, when referring to claims, the articles "a" and "an" are understood to mean one or more of the material described by the term.

[0018] Laundry detergent composition

[0019] The laundry detergent composition can be in any suitable form, such as a liquid, paste, granular, solid, powder, or bound to a carrier such as a substrate. The preferred laundry detergent composition is a liquid or granular, with liquid being most preferred.

[0020] As used herein, "liquid detergent composition" means a liquid detergent composition which is a fluid, and preferably capable of wetting and cleaning fabrics, such as clothes in a domestic washing machine. As used herein, "laundry detergent composition" means a composition suitable for washing clothes. The composition can include solids or gases in a suitable subdivided form, but the overall composition does not include product forms which are generally non-fluid, such as tablets or granules. The liquid laundry detergent composition preferably has a density in the range of 0.9 g / cm3to 1.3 g / cm3, more specifically 1.00 g / cm3to 1.10 g / cm3, excluding any solid additives, but including any gas bubbles if present.

[0021] The composition can be an aqueous liquid laundry detergent composition. For such aqueous liquid laundry detergent compositions, the water content can be present at a level of from 5.0% to 95%, preferably from 25% to 90%, more preferably from 50% to 85% by weight of the liquid detergent composition.

[0022] The detergent composition has a pH in the range of 6.0 to 8.9, preferably 7 to 8.8.

[0023] The detergent composition can also be encapsulated in a water-soluble film to form a unit dose article. Such unit dose articles comprise a detergent composition of the present invention, wherein the detergent composition comprises less than 20 wt%, preferably less than 15 wt%, more preferably less than 10 wt% water, and the detergent composition is encapsulated in a water-soluble or water-dispersible film. Such unit dose articles can be formed using any method known in the art. Suitable unit dose articles can comprise one compartment, wherein the compartment comprises a liquid laundry detergent composition. Alternatively, the unit dose article can be a multi-compartment unit dose article, wherein at least one compartment comprises a liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0024] Dye transfer inhibition polymers ;

[0025] The detergent composition comprises one or more dye transfer inhibition polymers. The dye transfer inhibition polymers include grafted copolymers. The grafted copolymers can be present at a level of from 0.05% to 15%, or from 0.1% to 3.0%, and alternatively from 0.2% to 1.0% by weight of the detergent composition.

[0026] Dye transfer inhibition polymers are known in the art for reducing or preventing dye transfer during the wash process. However, it has been found that during washing many fabric dyes partition between the fabric and the wash liquor, and it has been found that the use of DTI polymers to sequester dyes in the wash liquor increases the removal of dyes from the fabric, leading to increased dye fading.

[0027] The dye transfer inhibition polymers used herein are graft copolymers comprising: (a) a polyalkylene oxide having a number average molecular weight of from 1000 to 20,000 Daltons and based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide, (b) N-vinylpyrrolidone, and (c) a vinyl ester derived from a saturated mono-carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, wherein the weight ratio of (a):(b) is from 1 :0.1 to 1 :2, preferably from 1 :0.3 to 1 :1, and wherein the amount of (a) is greater than the amount of (c) by weight.

[0028] The weight ratio of (a):(c) is from 1.0:0.1 to 1.0:0.99, or from 1.0:0.3 to 1.0:0.9. When the ratio of polyalkylene oxide to N-vinylpyrrolidone is too low, the polymer can form negative interactions with other composition ingredients and / or can result in negative feel on fabric and reduced cleaning efficacy.

[0029] The weight ratio of (b):(c) can be from 1.0:0.1 to 1.0:5.0 or to 1.0:4.0. Without being bound by theory, too high a ratio of N-vinylpyrrolidone to vinyl ester can result in higher deposition on fabric, leading to treated fabric having a poor hand. Additionally, adverse interactions can occur with ingredients such as brighteners.

[0030] The amount of (a) is greater than the amount of (c) by weight of the polymer. The polymer can comprise at least 50 wt%, preferably at least 60 wt%, more preferably at least 75 wt% of (a) polyalkylene oxide in copolymerized form. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that a relatively high content of component (c) (e.g. vinyl acetate), especially in relation to component (a), can result in reduced dye transfer inhibition performance and / or relatively high hydrophobicity, which can lead to formulation and / or stability problems.

[0031] The order in which monomers (b) and (c) are added in the graft polymerization is not important.

[0032] The graft copolymer comprises (a) a polyalkylene oxide having a number average molecular weight of from 1000 Da to 20000 Da or to 15000 Da or to 12000 Da or to 10000 Da and based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide, preferably on ethylene oxide, (b) N-vinylpyrrolidone, and (c) a vinyl ester derived from a saturated mono-carboxylic acid containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, preferably a vinyl ester which is vinyl acetate or a derivative thereof; and / or obtainable by grafting (a) a polyalkylene oxide with (b) N-vinylpyrrolidone and further with (c) a vinyl ester.

[0033] Suitable polyalkylene oxides can be based on homopolymers or copolymers, with homopolymers being preferred. Suitable polyalkylene oxides can be based on ethylene oxide homopolymers or ethylene oxide copolymers having an ethylene oxide content of 40 to 99 mole %. Suitable comonomers for such copolymers can include propylene oxide, n-butylene oxide and / or isobutylene oxide. Suitable copolymers can include copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, copolymers of ethylene oxide and butylene oxide and / or copolymers of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and at least one butylene oxide. Copolymers can comprise an ethylene oxide content of 40 to 99 mole %, a propylene oxide content of 1.0 to 60 mole % and a butylene oxide content of 1.0 to 30 mole %. The grafting substrate can be linear (straight chain) or branched, for example branched homopolymers and / or branched copolymers.

[0034] Branched copolymers can be prepared by the addition of ethylene oxide, with or without propylene oxide and / or butylene oxide, to a polyhydric low molecular weight alcohol such as trimethylolpropane, pentasaccharide or hexasaccharide.

[0035] The alkylene oxide units can be randomly distributed in the polymer or present as blocks therein.

[0036] The polyalkylene oxides of component (a) can be in free form corresponding polyalkylene glycols, i.e. having OH end groups, or they can be end-capped at one or both end groups. Suitable end groups can be, for example, C1-C25-alkyl, phenyl and C1-C14-alkylphenyl groups. The end groups can be C1-alkyl (e.g. methyl) groups. Suitable materials for the grafting substrate can include PEG 300, PEG 1000, PEG 2000, PEG 4000, PEG 6000, PEG 8000, PEG 10000, PEG 12000 and / or PEG 20000 (which are polyethylene glycols) and / or MPEG 2000, MPEG 4000, MPEG 6000, MPEG 8000 and MEG 10000 (which are monomethoxypolyethylene glycols commercially available under the trade name PLURIOL from BASF).

[0037] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that if the molecular weight of component (a) (e.g. polyethylene glycol) is relatively low, the performance of dye transfer inhibition can be reduced. Additionally or alternatively, when the molecular weight is too high, the polymer can not remain suspended in solution and / or can deposit on the treated fabric.

[0038] The graft copolymers of the present disclosure can be characterized by a relatively low degree of branching (i.e., grafting). In the graft copolymers of the present disclosure, the average number of graft sites per 50 alkylene oxide groups (e.g., ethylene oxide groups) can be less than or equal to 1.0, or less than or equal to 0.8, or less than or equal to 0.6, or less than or equal to 0.5, or less than or equal to 0.4. Based on the reaction mixture obtained, the graft copolymer can comprise, on average, at least 0.05 or at least 0.1 graft sites per 50 alkylene oxide groups (e.g., ethylene oxide groups). The degree of branching can be determined, for example, via 13 C NMR spectroscopy, from the integration of signals of graft sites and -CH2- groups of the polyalkylene oxide.

[0039] The number of graft sites can be adjusted by manipulating the temperature and / or feed rate of the monomer. For example, the polymerization can be conducted in such a way that an excess of component (a) and the graft copolymer as formed persist in the reactor. For example, the stoichiometric molar ratio of component (a) and the polymer to ungrafted monomer (and initiator, if any) is typically greater than or equal to 10: 1, or to 15: 1, or to 20: 1.

[0040] The polyalkylene oxide is grafted with N-vinylpyrrolidone as the monomer of component (b). Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the presence of N-vinylpyrrolidone monomer in the graft copolymers according to the present disclosure provides water solubility and good film-forming properties compared to other similar polymers that do not include N-vinylpyrrolidone (“VP”) monomer. The vinylpyrrolidone repeat unit has amphiphilic character, with a polar amide group that can form a dipole, and a non-polar portion with methylene groups in the backbone and ring, making it hydrophobic. When the vinylpyrrolidone content is too high, there can be adverse effects on fabric softness, and materials with high vinylpyrrolidone content are costly.

[0041] The polyalkylene oxide is grafted with a vinyl ester as the monomer of component (c). The vinyl ester can be derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid, which can contain 1 to 6 carbon atoms, or 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or 1 to 2 carbon atoms, or 1 carbon atom. Suitable vinyl esters can be selected from the group consisting of vinyl formate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl pentanoate, vinyl isopentanoate, vinyl hexanoate, or mixtures thereof. Preferred monomers of component (c) include those selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, or mixtures thereof, optionally, vinyl acetate.

[0042] Conventionally, the molecular weight is expressed by its “K value”, which is derived from relative viscosity measurements. The K value of the graft copolymer can be from 5.0 to 200, optionally 5.0 to 50, according to H. Fikentscher, determined at a 2% strength by weight solution in dimethylformamide at 25°C.

[0043] The graft copolymer of the present disclosure can be characterized by a relatively narrow molar mass distribution. For example, the graft copolymer is characterized by a polydispersity Mw / Mn of less than or equal to 3.0, or less than or equal to 2.5, or less than or equal to 2.3. w / M n The graft copolymer can have a polydispersity of 1.5 to 2.2. The polydispersity can be determined by gel permeation chromatography with multi-angle laser light scattering detection using an organic solvent such as hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP).

[0044] The graft copolymer can be prepared by grafting a suitable polyalkylene oxide of component (a) with monomers of component (b) in the presence of a free radical initiator and / or by high-energy radiation, which can include high-energy electron action. This can be done, for example, by dissolving the polyalkylene oxide in at least one monomer of component (b), adding a polymerization initiator and polymerizing the mixture to completion. The graft polymerization can also be carried out semi-continuously by first introducing a portion, for example 10%, of the mixture to be polymerized of the polyalkylene oxide of component (a), at least one monomer of component (b) and / or component (c) and the initiator, heating to the polymerization temperature, and after the polymerization has started, adding the remaining mixture to be polymerized at a rate comparable to the rate of the polymerization. The graft copolymer can also be obtained by introducing the polyalkylene oxide of component (a) into a reactor, heating to the polymerization temperature, and adding at least one monomer of component (b) and / or component (c) and a polymerization initiator in one portion, one at a time or without interruption, optionally without interruption, and polymerizing.

[0045] The order in which the monomers (b) and (c) are grafted onto component (a) can be unimportant and / or freely selectable in the preparation of the graft copolymer. For example, N-vinylpyrrolidone can be grafted onto component (a) first, and then onto monomer (c) or a mixture of monomers of component (c). It is also possible to graft the monomers of component (c) onto the grafting base (a) first, and then graft N-vinylpyrrolidone onto the grafting base. It is possible to graft a mixture of monomers of (b) and (c) onto the grafting base (a) in one step. The graft copolymer can be prepared by providing a grafting base (a), and then grafting N-vinylpyrrolidone onto the grafting base first, and then grafting vinyl acetate onto the grafting base.

[0046] Any suitable polymerization initiator can be used, which can include organic peroxides such as diacetyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, succinyl peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, t-butyl perbenzoate, t-butyl perpivalate, t-butyl permaleate, cumene hydroperoxide, diisopropyl peroxydicarbonate, bis(o-toluyl) peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dioctanoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, t-butyl perisobutyrate, t-butyl peracetate, di-t-amyl peroxide, t-butyl peracetate, di-t-amyl peroxide, t-butyl hydroperoxide, mixtures thereof, redox initiators, and / or azo initiators. The choice of initiator can be related to the choice of polymerization temperature.

[0047] Graft polymerization can occur at 50°C to 200°C or 70°C to 140°C. Graft polymerization can generally be carried out at atmospheric pressure, but can also be carried out at reduced or superatmospheric pressure.

[0048] Graft polymerization can be carried out in a solvent. Suitable solvents can include monohydric alcohols such as ethanol, propanol, and / or butanol; polyhydric alcohols such as ethylene glycol and / or propylene glycol; alkylene glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and ethylene glycol monoethyl ether and / or propylene glycol monomethyl ether and propylene glycol monoethyl ether; polyalkylene glycols such as diethylene glycol or triethylene glycol and / or dipropylene glycol or tripropylene glycol; polyalkylene glycol monoethers such as poly(C2-C3-alkylene)glycol mono(C1-C16-alkyl) ethers having 3-20 alkylene glycol units; carboxylic acid esters such as ethyl acetate and ethyl propionate; aliphatic ketones such as acetone and / or cyclohexanone; cyclic ethers such as tetrahydrofuran and / or dioxane; or mixtures thereof.

[0049] Graft polymerization can also be carried out in water as a solvent. In such cases, the first step can be the introduction of a solution, which is more or less soluble in water, depending on the amount of monomer of component (b) added. In order to transfer the water-insoluble products that can be formed during the polymerization into the solution, for example, an organic solvent can be added, for example, a monohydric alcohol having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, acetone, and / or dimethylformamide. In the graft polymerization process in water, the water-insoluble graft copolymer can also be transferred into a finely divided dispersion by the addition of a conventional emulsifier or protective colloid, for example, polyvinyl alcohol. The emulsifier used can be an ionic or non-ionic surfactant having an HLB value of 3.0 to 13. The HLB value is determined according to the method described by W.C. Griffin in J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem. 5 (1954), 249.

[0050] The amount of surfactant used in the graft polymerization process is from 0.1 to 5.0% by weight of the graft copolymer. If water is used as the solvent, a solution or dispersion of the graft copolymer can be obtained. If the solution of the graft copolymer is prepared in an organic solvent or in a mixture of an organic solvent and water, the amount of the organic solvent or the solvent mixture used per 100 parts by weight of the graft copolymer can be from 5 to 200 parts by weight, optionally from 10 to 100 parts by weight.

[0051] After the graft polymerization, the graft copolymer can optionally be subjected to partial hydrolysis. In the graft copolymer, from 1.0 mole % to 60 mole %, preferably from 20 mole % to 60 mole %, more preferably from 30 mole % to 50 mole % of the graft monomer of component (c) is hydrolyzed. For example, hydrolysis of a graft copolymer prepared using vinyl acetate or vinyl propionate as component (c) results in a graft copolymer comprising vinyl alcohol units. Hydrolysis can be performed, for example, by adding a base such as a sodium hydroxide solution or a potassium hydroxide solution, or alternatively by adding an acid and heating the mixture if necessary. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that increasing the level of hydrolysis of component (c) increases the relative hydrophilicity of the graft copolymer, which in turn is believed to result in better suspension of the captured dye.

[0052] Surfactant system

[0053] The laundry detergent composition comprises a surfactant system at a level of from 2.5% to 60%, preferably from 5.0% to 25%, more preferably from 7.0% to 15% by weight of the composition.

[0054] As used herein, suitable surfactant means a surfactant or mixture of surfactants that provides a cleaning, stain removal, or laundering benefit to a soiled material. Suitable stain removal surfactants can be: anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, and combinations thereof.

[0055] The surfactant system comprises a branched nonionic surfactant. The surfactant system can also include a surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Thus, the surfactant system can comprise a combination of anionic surfactants and nonionic surfactants, more preferably a combination of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants.

[0056] It is preferred to use surfactants comprising saturated alkyl chains.

[0057] Branched nonionic surfactant

[0058] The surfactant system can comprise a branched nonionic surfactant at a level of from 0.1% to 12%, preferably from 0.5% to 10%, more preferably from 1.0% to 3.0% by weight of the composition.

[0059] Suitable branched nonionic surfactants can be derived from primary or secondary alcohols. The branched nonionic surfactant is selected from:

[0060] a) Formula I: R1-CH(R2)-(PO) x (EO) y (PO) z -H

[0061] In Formula I, R1is a C4to C14alkyl chain, preferably C4to C8, more preferably C6; R2is a C1to C7alkyl chain, preferably C1to C5, more preferably C3alkyl chain; x is from 0 to 10, preferably from 0 to 5, more preferably from 0 to 3; y is from 5 to 20, preferably from 6 to 15, more preferably from 7 to 12; and z is from 0 to 20, preferably from 0 to 5, more preferably from 0 to 3, EO represents ethoxylation, and PO represents propoxylation;

[0062] b) Formula II: R1-CH(R2)CH2-(PO) x (EO) y (PO) z -H

[0063] In Formula II: R1is a C3to C13alkyl chain, preferably C3to C7, more preferably C5; R2is a C1to C7alkyl chain, preferably C1to C5, more preferably C3alkyl chain; x is from 0 to 10, preferably from 0 to 5, more preferably from 0 to 3; y is from 5 to 20, preferably from 6 to 15, more preferably from 7 to 12; and z is from 0 to 20, preferably from 0 to 5, more preferably from 0 to 3, EO represents ethoxylation, and PO represents propoxylation.

[0064] Preferred branched nonionic ethoxylates according to Formula I are those obtained under the trade name 15-S with an alkoxylation degree of from 3 to 40. For example, those with an average alkoxylation degree of 20 are 15-S-20. Other suitable commercially available materials according to Formula I are those obtained under the trade name M and EP series.

[0065] Preferred branched nonionic surfactants according to Formula II are Guerbet C10 alcohol ethoxylates with 7 or 8 EO, such as 1007 and 1008, and Guerbet C10 alcohol alkoxylated nonionic surfactants which are ethoxylated and / or propoxylated such as those commercially available under the trade name XL series (XL 50, XL 70, etc.). Other exemplary alkoxylated branched nonionic surfactants include those available under the trade names: Xp 30, Xp-50 and Xp-80 from BASF Corporation. In general, it can be considered that Xp-30 has 3 repeating ethoxy groups, it can be considered that Xp-50 has 5 repeating ethoxy groups, and it can be considered that Xp-70 has 7 repeating ethoxy groups. Other suitable branched nonionic surfactants include oxo branched nonionic surfactants such as On 50 (5 EO) and On 70 (7 EO). Other suitable branched nonionic surfactants include SLF 170 (3 PO, 12 EO, 15 PO). Also suitable are: ethoxylated fatty alcohols containing up to 50% branching derived from Fischer & Tropsch reactions (40% methyl (mono or bis), 10% cyclohexyl) such as those produced by Alcohol from Sasol; ethoxylated fatty alcohols derived from oxo based reactions where at least 50 wt% of the alcohol is a C2 isomer (methyl to pentyl) such as those produced by Alcohol or Alcohol from Sasol.

[0066] Additional nonionic surfactant

[0067] The liquid detergent composition can comprise additional nonionic surfactants. The additional nonionic surfactants in the liquid detergent composition can be present at a level of less than 15 wt%, preferably less than 7.0 wt%, more preferably less than 5.0 wt%, and even more preferably less than 3.0 wt%. Most preferably, the composition is free of additional nonionic surfactants.

[0068] Suitable nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, linear C12-C18 alkyl ethoxylates ("AE") (including so-called narrow peak alkyl ethoxylates) and C6-C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy / propoxy), block alkylene oxide condensates of C6-C12 alkyl phenols, alkylene oxide condensates of C8-C22 alkanols, and ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block polymers (Pluronic - BASF Corp.) and semi-polar nonionics (e.g., amine oxides and phosphine oxides) can be used in the compositions of the present application. A wide disclosure of these types of surfactants can be found in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678.

[0069] Alkylpolysaccharides, such as the alkylpolysaccharides disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,565,647, are also nonionic surfactants useful in the compositions of the present application.

[0070] Also suitable are alkyl polyglucoside surfactants.

[0071] Additional nonionic surfactants used include those of the formula R1(OC2H4) n OH, wherein R1is a linear C10-C16alkyl group or a C8-C12alkylphenyl group, and n is preferably from 3 to 80. In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant can be a condensation product of a linear C12-C15alcohol with 5 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, for example a C12-C13alcohol condensed with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

[0072] Anionic surfactant

[0073] The surfactant system can comprise anionic surfactant in an amount of from 1.4 wt% to 52 wt%, preferably from 4.4 wt% to 20 wt%, more preferably from 5.9 wt% to 11.5 wt% of the liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0074] The surfactant system can further comprise anionic surfactant, preferably selected from the group consisting of sulfonate surfactants, sulfate surfactants, and mixtures thereof, more preferably wherein the anionic surfactant comprises sulfonate surfactants and sulfate surfactants. Suitable anionic surfactants also include fatty acids and their salts, which are typically added as builders. However, every anionic surfactant known in the art of detergent compositions can be used by its nature, as disclosed in "Surfactant Science Series" Vol. 7, edited by W. M. Linfield (Marcel Dekker). However, the composition preferably comprises at least a sulfonic acid surfactant, such as linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid, but water soluble salts forms can also be used. Alkyl sulfate or mixtures thereof are also preferred. Combinations of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate and alkyl sulfate surfactants are particularly preferred, especially for improved detergency.

[0075] Anionic sulfonate or sulfonic acid surfactants suitable for use herein include the acid and salt forms of alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl ester sulfonates, alkane sulfonates, alkyl sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, and mixtures thereof. Suitable anionic sulfonate or sulfonic acid surfactants include: C5-C20 alkyl benzene sulfonates, more preferably C10-C16 alkyl benzene sulfonates, more preferably C11-C13 alkyl benzene sulfonates, C5-C20 alkyl ester sulfonates, C6-C22 primary or secondary alkane sulfonates, C5-C20 sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, and any mixtures thereof, but preferably C11-C13 alkyl benzene sulfonates. The above surfactants can vary widely in their 2-phenyl isomer content.

[0076] Anionic sulfate salts suitable for use in the compositions of the present application include primary alkyl sulfate and secondary alkyl sulfate salts having a linear chain.

[0077] The linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl moiety has 9 to 22 carbon atoms or more preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Also useful are beta-branched alkyl sulfate surfactants or mixtures of commercially available materials having a weight average degree of branching of at least 50% (of the surfactant or mixture).

[0078] Medium chain branched alkyl sulfates or sulfonates are also anionic surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present application. C5-C22, preferably C10-C20, medium chain branched alkyl primary sulfates are preferred. When mixtures are used, the suitable average total carbon atom number of the alkyl moiety is preferably in the range of greater than 14.5 to 17.5. Preferred mono-methyl branched primary alkyl sulfates are selected from the group consisting of 3-methyl to 13-methyl pentadecanol sulfates, the corresponding hexadecanol sulfates, and mixtures thereof. Dimethyl derivatives with light branching or other biodegradable alkyl sulfates can be similarly used.

[0079] When used, the alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactant can be a blend of one or more alkyl ethoxylated sulfates. Suitable alkyl alkoxylated sulfates include C10-C18 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates, more preferably C12-C15 alkyl ethoxylated sulfates. The anionic surfactant can include alkyl sulfate surfactants, wherein the alkyl sulfate surfactants have an average degree of ethoxylation of 0.5 to 8.0, preferably 1.0 to 5.0, more preferably 2.0 to 3.5.

[0080] Alternatively, the anionic surfactant can include an alkyl sulfate surfactant, wherein the alkyl sulfate surfactant has a low degree of ethoxylation, has an average degree of ethoxylation of less than 0.5, preferably less than 0.1, and more preferably is free of a degree of ethoxylation. Preferred low ethoxylation alkyl sulfate surfactants do not include any further alkoxylation. Preferred low ethoxylation alkyl sulfate surfactants include branched alkyl sulfate surfactants. The branched alkyl sulfate surfactants can comprise at least 20%, preferably 60% to 100%, more preferably 80% to 90% of 2-branched alkyl chains by weight of the alkyl chains of the branched alkyl sulfate surfactant. Such branched alkyl sulfates with 2-branched alkyl chains can also be described as 2-alkyl alkanol sulfates or 2-alkyl alkyl sulfates. The branched alkyl sulfates can be neutralized by sodium, potassium, magnesium, lithium, calcium, ammonium, or any suitable amine such as, but not limited to, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, and monoisopropanolamine, or by any mixture of neutralizing metals or amines. Suitable branched alkyl sulfate surfactants can comprise alkyl chains containing 10 to 18 carbon atoms (C10 to C18) or 12 to 15 carbon atoms (C12 to C15), with 13 to 15 carbon atoms (C13 to C15) being most preferred. Branched alkyl sulfate surfactants can be produced using methods that include a hydroformylation reaction in order to provide the desired level of 2-branching. Particularly preferred branched alkyl sulfate surfactants comprise 2-branching that is 20% to 80%, preferably 30% to 65%, more preferably 40% to 50% by weight of the 2-branching that is methyl branching, ethyl branching, and mixtures thereof.

[0081] Suitable low ethoxylation branched alkyl sulfate surfactants can be derived from alkyl alcohols such as 145、 145, both of which are provided by Sasol, optionally blended with other alkyl alcohols to achieve the desired branching profile.

[0082] When using the compositions of the present application comprising such low ethoxylation alkyl sulfate surfactants, especially when the low ethoxylation alkyl sulfate surfactants comprise 2-branching as described above, lower levels of dye removal from fabrics during washing can be achieved when washing fabrics at temperatures of 30°C or lower, while maintaining cleaning performance.

[0083] The process of making such alkyl ether sulfate anionic surfactants can result in the presence of trace residual amounts of 1,4-dioxane by-products. The amount of 1,4-dioxane by-products within alkoxylated, especially ethoxylated, alkyl sulfates can be reduced. Further reduction of 1,4-dioxane by-products can be achieved by subsequent stripping, distillation, evaporation, centrifugation, microwave irradiation, molecular sieves or catalytic or enzymatic degradation steps based on recent technological advances. An alternative is to use alkyl sulfate anionic surfactants which contain only low levels of ethoxylation, or even no ethoxylation. Thus, alkyl Miguel

[0084] Other suitable anionic surfactants for use herein include fatty methyl ester sulfonates and / or alkyl polyalkoxylated carboxylates, such as alkyl ethoxylated carboxylates (AEC).

[0085] Anionic surfactants are typically present in the form of their salts with alkanolamines or alkali metals such as sodium and potassium.

[0086] To improve stability and oil soil cleaning, the liquid detergent composition can comprise a combination of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant and alkyl sulfate surfactant, preferably such that the ratio of linear alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant to alkyl alkoxylated sulfate surfactant is from 15:1 to 0.1:1, preferably from 10:1 to 0.3:1, more preferably from 5:1 to 1:1.

[0087] Amphoteric and / or zwitterionic surfactant

[0088] The surfactant system can comprise an amphoteric and / or zwitterionic surfactant at a level of from 0.1 wt% to 2.0 wt%, preferably from 0.1 wt% to 1.0 wt%, more preferably from 0.1 wt% to 0.5 wt% of the liquid laundry detergent composition.

[0089] Suitable amphoteric surfactants include amine oxide surfactants. Amine oxide surfactants are amines having the formula R1R2R3NO, wherein R1is a hydrocarbon chain comprising from 1 to 30, preferably from 6 to 20, more preferably from 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein R2and R3are independently saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched hydrocarbon chains comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably are methyl groups. R1may be a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched hydrocarbon chain.

[0090] Suitable amine oxides for use herein are preferably C 12 -C 14 dimethyl amine oxide (lauryl dimethyl amine oxide), available under the trade name LA from Clariant or under the tradename DMC C from AKZO Nobel commercially available as 12 -C 14 Oxidized amines.

[0091] Suitable amphoteric or zwitterionic detersive surfactants include those known for use in hair care or other personal care cleansing. Non-limiting examples of suitable zwitterionic surfactants or amphoteric surfactants are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,104,646; 5,106,609. Suitable amphoteric detersive surfactants include those surfactants widely described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, wherein the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and one aliphatic substituent contains an anionic group, such as carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Amphoteric detersive surfactants suitable for use in the present application include, but are not limited to: cocamphoacetate, cocamphodiacetate, lauramphoacetate, lauramphodiacetate, and mixtures thereof.

[0092] Optional ingredients

[0093] The detergent composition can also include one or more of the following optional ingredients: external structurant or thickening agent, enzyme, enzyme stabilizer, cleaning polymer, bleach system, optical brightener, hueing dye, particulate material, perfume and other odor control agents, hydrotrope, suds suppressor, fabric care benefit agent, pH adjusting agent, additional dye transfer inhibition polymer, dye fixing polymer, preservative, non-fabric substantive dye, and mixtures thereof. In more preferred embodiments, the laundry detergent composition does not include a bleach.

[0094] External structurant or thickening agent: Preferred external structurants and thickening agents are those that do not rely on charge-charge interactions to provide a structuring benefit. As such, particularly preferred external structurants are uncharged external structurants such as those selected from the group consisting of: non-polymeric crystalline hydroxyl functional structurants such as hydrogenated castor oil; microfibrillated cellulose; uncharged hydroxyethyl cellulose; uncharged hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose; hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethanes; hydrophobically modified non-ionic polyols; and mixtures thereof.

[0095] Suitable polymeric structurants include naturally sourced and / or synthetic polymeric structurants.

[0096] Examples of natural source polymeric structurants for use in the present application include: microfibrillated cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydrophobically modified hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polysaccharide derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Non-limiting examples of microfibrillated cellulose are described in WO 2009 / 101545 Al. Suitable polysaccharide derivatives include: pectin, alginate, arabinogalactan (gum arabic), carrageenan, gellan gum, xanthan gum, guar gum, and mixtures thereof.

[0097] Examples of synthetic polymeric structurants or thickeners for use in the present application include: polycarboxylates, hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethanes (HEUr), hydrophobically modified non-ionic polyols, and mixtures thereof.

[0098] It is preferred that the aqueous liquid detergent composition has a viscosity of from 50 mPa.s to 5,000 mPa.s, preferably from 75 mPa.s to 1,000 mPa.s, more preferably from 100 mPa.s to 500 mPa.s, when measured at a shear rate of 100 s"1and a temperature of 20°C. In order to improve phase stability, and also to improve stability of suspended ingredients, the aqueous liquid detergent composition has a viscosity of from 50 mPa.s to 250,000 mPa.s, preferably from 5,000 mPa.s to 125,000 mPa.s, more preferably from 10,000 mPa.s to 35,000 mPa.s, when measured at a shear rate of 0.05 s"1and a temperature of 20°C.

[0099] Cleaning polymers: The detergent composition preferably comprises a cleaning polymer. Such cleaning polymers are believed to at least partially remove stains from textile fibres and enable the enzyme system to more effectively break down complexes comprising mannan and other polysaccharides. Suitable cleaning polymers provide a wide range of soil cleaning and / or soil suspending of surfaces and fabrics. Non-limiting examples of suitable cleaning polymers include: amphiphilic alkoxylated grease cleaning polymers; clay soil cleaning polymers; soil release polymers; and soil suspending polymers. Preferred cleaning polymers can be obtained by free-radical copolymerisation of at least one compound of formula (I),

[0100]

[0101] wherein n is a number equal to or greater than 3,

[0102] with at least one compound of formula (II),

[0103]

[0104] wherein A -representative anions, specifically selected from the group consisting of halogen ions (such as fluoride, chloride, bromide, iodide), sulfate, bisulfate, alkyl sulfate such as methyl sulfate, and mixtures thereof. Such polymers are further described in EP3196283A1.

[0105] For similar reasons, polyester-based soil release polymers, such as SRA 300 supplied by Clariant, are also especially preferred.

[0106] Other useful cleaning polymers are described in US20090124528A1. The detergent composition can comprise an amphiphilic alkoxylated grease cleaning polymer, which can have a balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties that make them effective at removing grease particles from fabrics and surfaces. Suitable amphiphilic alkoxylated grease cleaning polymers can include a core structure and a plurality of alkoxylate groups attached to the core structure. These can include, for example, alkoxylated polyalkyleneimines. Such compounds can include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, ethoxylated hexamethylene diamine, and their sulfated forms. Polypropoxylated derivatives can also be included. A variety of amines and polyalkyleneimine can be alkoxylated to various degrees. One useful example is a 600 g / mol polyethyleneimine core that is ethoxylated to 20 EO groups per NH and is available from BASF. The alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine can have an internal polyethylene oxide block and an external polypropylene oxide block. The detergent composition can comprise from 0.1% to 10%, preferably from 0.1% to 8.0%, more preferably from 0.1% to 2.0%, by weight of the detergent composition, of the cleaning polymer.

[0107] Additional dye transfer inhibition polymers: The detergent composition can comprise one or more additional dye transfer inhibition polymers. However, the preferred compositions do not comprise such additional dye transfer inhibition polymers. It has been found that during washing many fabric dyes partition between the fabric and the wash liquor. Thus, it has been found that the use of a DTI polymer to sequester the dyes in the wash liquor increases the removal of the dyes from the fabric and thus increases the fading of the dyes.

[0108] When used, suitable additional dye transfer inhibitors can be selected from the group consisting of polyvinylpyrrolidone homopolymer (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), polyvinylpyrrolidone / polyvinylimidazole copolymer (PVP / PVI), polyvinylpyridine-N-oxide (PVNO), poly(vinylpyrrolidone) co-poly(vinylpyridine-N-oxide) (PVP / PVNO) polymer, poly-N-carboxymethyl-4-vinylpyridinium chloride, poly(2-hydroxypropyl dimethylammonium chloride), and mixtures thereof, preferably polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI), and mixtures thereof.

[0109] Polyvinylpyrrolidone ("PVP") has amphiphilic properties, with the highly polar amide group imparting hydrophilic and polar attractive properties, and also having polar methylene and methane groups in the backbone and / or ring that impart hydrophobic properties. In dye molecules, these rings can also provide planar alignment with aromatic rings. PVP is readily soluble in aqueous and organic solvent systems. PVP is commercially available in the form of a powder or aqueous solution in several viscosity grades. The compositions of the present invention preferably utilize a copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole (also abbreviated herein as "PVPVI"). It has been found that additional addition of a copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole can provide excellent dye transfer inhibition performance. The copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole can have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone of 1 : 1 to 0.2: 1, more preferably 0.8: 1 to 0.3: 1, most preferably 0.6: 1 to 0.4: 1. The copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole can be linear or branched. Especially suitable polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), and copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI) can have a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 Da to 1,000,000 Da, preferably 5,000 Da to 50,000 Da, more preferably 10,000 Da to 20,000 Da. Number average molecular weight ranges are determined by light scattering as described in Barth J.H.G. and Mays J.W. Chemical Analysis Vol. 113 "Modern Methods of Polymer Characterization". Copolymers of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) and poly(N-vinyl-imidazole) are commercially available from a number of sources, including BASF. Preferred DTIs can be commercially available under the trade name HP 56K is commercially available from BASF (BASF SE, Germany).

[0110] Organic builder and / or chelant: The laundry detergent composition can comprise from 0.6 wt% to 10 wt%, preferably from 2.0 wt% to 7.0 wt%, of one or more organic builders and / or chelants. Suitable organic builders and / or chelants are selected from the group consisting of MEA citrate, citric acid, aminoalkylene poly(alkylene phosphonates), alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxybisphosphonates, and nitrilotrimethylene phosphonates, diethylenetriaminepenta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), ethylenediaminetetra(methylene phosphonic acid) (EDTMP), hexamethylenediaminetetra(methylene phosphonic acid), hydroxy-ethylene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), hydroxyethanedimethylenephosphonic acid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetate (HEDTA), nitrilotriacetate (NTA), methylglycinediacetate (MGDA), iminodisuccinate (IDS), hydroxyethyliminodisuccinate (HIDS), hydroxyethyliminodiacetate (HEIDA), glycine diacetate (GLDA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), catechol sulfonates such as Tiron TM , and mixtures thereof.

[0111] Enzymes: Suitable enzymes provide cleaning performance and / or fabric care benefits. Examples of suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, beta- glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, and known amylases, or combinations thereof. A preferred enzyme combination comprises a mixture of conventional stain removing enzymes, such as a protease in combination with a lipase, cutinase and / or cellulase. Stain removing enzymes are described in greater detail in U.S. Patent 6,579,839.

[0112] Enzyme stabilizers: Any known stabilizer system can be used to stabilize the enzymes, such as calcium and / or magnesium compounds, boron compounds and substituted boric acids, aromatic borate esters, peptides and peptide derivatives, polyols, low molecular weight carboxylic acid esters, relatively hydrophobic organic compounds [e.g., certain esters, dialkyl glycol ethers, alcohols or alcohol alkoxylates], alkyl ether carboxylate salts other than sources of calcium ions, benzalkonium chloride, lower aliphatic alcohols and carboxylic acids, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)serine salts; (meth)acrylic acid-(meth)acrylic acid ester copolymers and PEG; lignin compounds, polyamide oligomers, glycolic acid or salts thereof; polyhexamethylene biguanide or N,N-bis-3-aminopropyl dodecylamine or salts; and mixtures thereof.

[0113] Shading dyes: The detergent composition can comprise a fabric shading agent (sometimes referred to as a hueing, bluing or whitening agent). The hueing agent generally imparts a blue or violet shade to fabric. The hueing agent can be used alone or in combination to produce a particular shading shade and / or to shade different fabric types. This can be provided, for example, by mixing a red and a blue-green dye to produce a blue or violet shade. The hueing agent can be selected from any known chemical class of dye, including but not limited to acridine, anthraquinone (including polycyclic quinones), azine, azo (e.g., monoazo, disazo, trisazo, tetrakisazo, polyazo), including pre-metallized azo, benzodifurane and benzodifuranone, carotenoid, coumarin, cyanine, diazahemicyanine, diphenylmethane, formazan, hemicyanine, indigoids, methane, naphthalimide, naphthoquinone, nitro and nitroso, oxazine, phthalocyanine, pyrazole, stilbene, styryl, triarylmethane, triphenylmethane, xanthene, and combinations thereof.

[0114] Suitable polymeric dyes include dyes selected from the group consisting of polymers containing covalently bound (sometimes referred to as conjugated) chromophores (also known as dye-polymer conjugates) (e.g., polymers with chromophoric monomers co-polymerized into the backbone of the polymer) and mixtures thereof. Preferred polymeric dyes include optionally substituted alkoxylated dyes such as alkoxylated triphenyl-methane polymeric colorants, alkoxylated carbocyclic and alkoxylated heterocyclic azo colorants (including alkoxylated thiophene polymeric colorants), and mixtures thereof, such as the fabric-substantive colorants sold under the name Liquitint® by Milliken, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA. (Milliken, Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA) sold under the name Liquitint®.

[0115] The amount of adjunct shading agent present in the laundry care composition of the present application can be from 0.0001 wt% to 0.05 wt%, preferably from 0.0001 wt% to 0.005 wt% based on total cleaning composition. The concentration of the shading agent can be from 1 ppb to 5 ppm, preferably from 10 ppb to 500 ppb based on wash liquor.

[0116] Optical Brightener: The detergent composition can comprise from 0.005% to 2.0%, preferably from 0.01% to 0.1%, of a fluorescent agent (optical brightener) based on the weight of the total detergent composition. Fluorescent agents are well known and many are commercially available. Typically, these are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium salts. A preferred class of fluorescent agents are: stilbene-based compounds, such as CBS-X; a diaminostilbene disulfonic acid compound, such as DMS pure Xtra and HRH; and pyrazoline compounds, such as SN. Preferred fluorescent agents are: 2-(4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-napthol[1,2-d]triazole sodium, 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N-methyl-N-2-hydroxyethyl) amino 1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino} stilbene-2-2' disulfonic acid disodium, 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazin-2- yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2' disulfonic acid disodium and 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl disodium.

[0117] Hydrotrope: The detergent composition can comprise from 0% to 30%, preferably from 0.5% to 5%, more preferably from 1.0% to 3.0%, of a hydrotrope based on the weight of the total detergent composition, which can prevent liquid crystal formation. Thus, the addition of a hydrotrope aids in the clarity / transparency of the composition. Suitable hydrotropes include, but are not limited to, urea, benzenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate, xylene sulfonate, or cumene sulfonate. Preferably, the hydrotrope is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, xylene sulfonate, ethanol, and urea to provide the best performance.

[0118] Particulates: The composition can also comprise particulates, especially when the composition also comprises a structurant or thickening agent. The composition can comprise from 0.02% to 10%, preferably from 0.1% to 4.0%, more preferably from 0.25% to 2.5%, of particulates based on the weight of the total composition. The particulates include beads, pearlescent agents, capsules, and mixtures thereof.

[0119] Suitable capsules are typically formed by at least partially, preferably completely, surrounding the benefit agent with a wall material. Preferably, the capsule is a perfume capsule, wherein the benefit agent comprises one or more perfume raw materials. The capsule wall material can include: melamine, polyacrylamide, silicone, silica, polystyrene, polyurea, polyurethane, polyacrylate based materials, polyacrylate based materials, gelatin, styrene maleic anhydride, polyamide, aromatic alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol, resorcinol based materials, polyisocyanate based materials, acetals such as 1,3,5-triol-benzene-glutaraldehyde and 1,3,5-triol-benzene melamine, starch, cellulose acetate phthalate, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the capsule wall comprises melamine and / or polyacrylate based materials. The perfume capsule can be coated with a deposition aid, cationic polymer, nonionic polymer, anionic polymer, or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the perfume capsule has a volume weighted median particle size of 0.1 microns to 100 microns, preferably 0.5 microns to 60 microns. The composition can also comprise one or more formaldehyde scavengers, especially when the composition comprises capsules having a shell formed at least in part from formaldehyde.

[0120] Method of making a laundry detergent composition :

[0121] The laundry detergent composition can be prepared using any suitable method known to the skilled person. Typically, the ingredients are blended together in any suitable order. Preferably, the detersive surfactant is added as part of a concentrated premix to which other optional ingredients are added. Preferably, the solvent is added last, or if an external structurant is added, the solvent is added immediately before the external structurant, which is then added as the last ingredient.

[0122] Method of laundering fabric :

[0123] The laundry detergent composition of the present application can be used to launder fabrics.

[0124] In particular, the laundry detergent composition comprising branched nonionic surfactant can be used to improve colour protection, preferably colour retention, of coloured fabrics during laundering.

[0125] The laundry detergent composition of the present application can be used to prevent the removal of fabric dyes from fabrics during the laundering process, the fabric dyes being selected from the group consisting of: reactive dyes, disperse dyes, and mixtures thereof, preferably wherein the fabric dyes are selected from the group consisting of: disperse dyes, reactive dyes, and mixtures thereof.

[0126] The compositions of the present application are particularly effective for reducing dye redeposition from cotton-containing fabrics, especially cotton-containing fabrics having dyes selected from the group consisting of: reactive dyes, disperse dyes, direct dyes, vat dyes, and mixtures thereof; preferably wherein the reactive dyes are selected from the group consisting of: reactive black 5, reactive red 239, reactive red 195, the direct dyes are selected from the group consisting of: direct black 22, direct red 83, direct red 227, and the vat dyes are selected from the group consisting of: indigo (vat blue 1), sulfur black 1, and mixtures thereof. The compositions of the present application are especially useful for reducing dye removal from cotton-containing fabrics having dyes selected from the group consisting of: reactive dyes, especially reactive dyes selected from the group consisting of: reactive black 5, reactive red 239, and mixtures thereof.

[0127] The compositions of the present application are also effective for reducing dye redeposition from polyester-containing fabrics, especially polyester-containing fabrics comprising disperse dyes selected from the group consisting of: disperse orange 30, disperse red 167, disperse blue 79, disperse red 60, and mixtures thereof, preferably disperse blue 79.

[0128] In such methods and uses, the laundry detergent composition can be diluted to provide a wash liquor having a total surfactant concentration of greater than 100 ppm, preferably from 200 ppm to 2,500 ppm, more preferably from 300 ppm to 1000 ppm. The fabric is then washed in the wash liquor, and preferably rinsed.

[0129] Method :

[0130] A) pH measurement :

[0131] The pH is measured at 25°C using a Santarius PT-10P pH meter with gel-filled probe (such as Toledo probe, part number 52 000 100) calibrated according to the instructions. The pH is measured at a 10% dilution in deionized water (i.e., 1 part laundry detergent composition and 9 parts deionized water).

[0132] B) Method of measuring viscosity :

[0133] Viscosity is measured using an AR 2000 rheometer from TA instruments, employing a cone and plate geometry with a 40 mm diameter and a 1° angle. Viscosity at different shear rates is measured via a logarithmic shear rate sweep from 0.1 s -1 to 1200 s -1 The viscosity at 0.05 s-1 Low shear viscosity is measured at a continuous shear rate of 0.1 rad / s.

[0134] C) Method of measuring dye transfer on treated fabric

[0135] The "L*C*h color space" and "L*a*b* color space" are three-dimensional colorimetric models developed by Hunter Associates Laboratory, which are recommended by the International Commission on Illumination ("CIE") for measuring the color or color change of dyed articles. The CIE L*a*b* color space ("CIELAB") has a tri-axial scale in which the L-axis represents the lightness of the color space (L* = 0 for black, L* = 100 for white), the a* axis represents the color space from red to green (a* > 0 for red, a* < 0 for green), and the b* axis represents the color space from yellow to blue (b* > 0 for yellow, b* < 0 for blue). The L*C*h color space is approximately uniformly scaled with polar color space. The CIE L*C*h color space ("CIELCh") scale values are instrumentally determined and can also be calculated from CIELAB scale values. The term definitions and formula derivations are from Hunter Associates Laboratory (Inc.) and www.hunterlab.com, and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0136] The amount of dye transferred to the recipient fabric can be described in terms of the change in L*a*b before and after treatment of the fabric, as measured via spectrophotometry (e.g., via a Spetro-Guide 45 / 0 Gloss 6801 color spectrophotometer), and reported as a dE value. As used herein, the dE value includes a vector associated with the distance in the L*a*b space between the initial L*a*b value and the final L*a*b value. The test fabric is doubled over to double the thickness prior to measurement. Two L*a*b* measurements are taken for each test fabric, and two fabrics are measured for each example.

[0137] A relatively higher dE value corresponds to a greater color change, indicating relatively more dye is transferred to the fabric in question, and a relatively lower dE value corresponds to less dye transfer.

[0138] Examples :

[0139] Examples of graft copolymers include those listed in Table 1:

[0140] Table 1. Examples of graft copolymers used herein .

[0141]

[0142]

[0143] PEG = poly(ethylene glycol); VP = vinyl pyrrolidone; VAc = vinyl acetate

[0144] The K value in Table 1 is a measure of the relative viscosity of a dilute polymer solution and is a relative measure of the average molecular weight. As the average molecular weight of a particular polymer increases, the K value tends to increase as well. The K value is determined in a 3 wt% NaCI solution at 23°C and a polymer concentration of 1% polymer according to the method of H. Fikentscher in Cellulose chemie, 1932, 13, 58.

[0145] The following method was used to evaluate the effect of branched and linear nonionic surfactants on dye bleed during washing.

[0146] A glass vial (4 ml size) was filled with 2 ml of the test detergent solution as described below, and then subsequently inserted into a thermo-shaker (orbital shaker) set at a temperature of 40°C. The solution was left at this temperature for 15 minutes in order to equilibrate the temperature.

[0147] A coloured fabric swatch as described below was cut into 150 ± 1 mg pieces (weighed using an analytical balance). These pieces had an area of about 2.5 x 2.5 cm (depending on the fabric used). If necessary, additional identical fabric pieces were added to reach the target weight.

[0148] Each textile piece was folded and then inserted into the vial using a disposable glass rod so that the fabric was completely covered by the solution, and the vial was then returned to the thermo-shaker.

[0149] The vial was continuously shaken (using the medium speed setting) for 60 minutes at a temperature of 40°C.

[0150] The vial was then removed from the thermo-shaker and the fabric was removed from the test detergent solution. The solution was left in the dark for the time required to reach room temperature (25°C).

[0151] The dye desorption was quantified as follows:

[0152] 950 μl of each solution was placed in a semi-micro plastic cuvette and their absorption spectra were recorded using a UV-vis spectrophotometer (Cary UV-Vis Multicell Peltier supplied by Agilent) measuring the absorption between 300 nm and 900 nm.

[0153] ​To each solution, 50 μΐ of a 20 wt% aqueous solution of 2-[4-(2,4,4- trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenoxy]ethanol (Triton X-100, supplied by Sigma Aldrich) was added and the absorption spectrum between 300 nm and 900 nm was measured again. Triton X-100 was added because it was observed that at the test concentrations used, Triton X-100 strongly reduces the scattering of the surfactants tested in the region overlapping with the dye absorption spectrum.

[0154] A calibration curve for each dye used was obtained using the following procedure:

[0155] First, the following reference detergent solution was prepared:

[0156] An aqueous solution of 350 ppm of equal parts by weight of linear C10-C13 alkyl benzene sulfonate (HLAS), linear C12-C15 alkyl ethoxy (3.0) sulfate (AE3.0S) and linear C12-C14 EO7 (Lordac L726, supplied by Sasol) in water with a hardness of 2.67 mmol CaCO3 equivalents (CaCl2 1.93 mmol, MgCl20.64 mmol, 15 gpg) was prepared. The pH of the resulting solution was adjusted to 8.0 using ethanolamine.

[0157] 2.0 ml of the composition was placed in a glass vial with 150 mg of each fabric and washed using the procedure described above, but for 15 minutes at a temperature of 92 °C.

[0158] After cooling to room temperature in the dark, 950 μΐ of the resulting solution containing desorbed dye was mixed with 50 μΐ of a 20 wt% aqueous solution of 2-[4-(2,4,4- trimethylpentan-2-yl)phenoxy]ethanol (Triton X-100). The absorption spectrum was measured as described above and these solutions were arbitrarily fixed at 95% dye desorption. The solutions were diluted in a medium of 95% of the above reference detergent solution mixed with 5% of Triton X-100 (20 wt%) to obtain a calibration curve for each dye used.

[0159] The absorbance values resulting from the desorption experiment (of the main peak of the different dye samples) were reported as a percentage of the values of the same dyes desorbed at 92 °C using the reference detergent solution in the calibration procedure described above.

[0160] The following solutions were evaluated for their effect on dye bleeding from both dyed cotton fabric (cotton fabric dyed with Reactive Black 5, supplied by CFT with product code AISE code 21) and dyed polyester fabric (polyester fabric dyed with Disperse Blue 79, supplied by CFT with product code AISE code 31) and the following results were given. The solutions used in the remaining groups contained 350 ppm of surfactant, except for Group A and Group F (water).

[0161] Table 2: Desoφtion % at 40°C (after 1 hour) relative to desoφtion at 92°C for cotton fabric using reference detergent solution Group

[0162] Test solution Desoφtion % of Reactive Black 5 dye from cotton Table 3: Desoφtion % at 40°C (after 1 hour) relative to desoφtion at 92°C for polyester fabric using reference detergent solution A water 1 ]] 46.8 B Reference detergent solution 2 ]]> 64.9 C Linear C12-C14 EO7 3 ]] 72.4 D 2-propyl-1-heptyl EO7 4 ]]> 51.1 E 2-propyl-1-heptyl (PO)3(EO)12(PO)15 5 ]]> 47.4

[0163] 1 Hardness 2.67 mmol CaCO3 equivalent (15 gpg)

[0164] 2 1 : 1 : 1 weight ratio of linear C10-C13 alkyl benzene sulfonic acid (HLAS), linear C12-C15 alkyl ethoxylate (3.0) sulfate (AE3.0S) and linear C12-C14 alkyl-7-ethoxylate (7EO) (HLAE7EO) L726, supplied by Sasol

[0165] 3 L726, supplied by Sasol

[0166] 4 XP70, supplied by BASF

[0167] 5 SLF180, supplied by BASF

[0168] Group Test solution

[0169] Desoφtion % of Disperse Blue 79 dye from polyester Table 4: Examples 1 and 2 of the invention and Comparative Example A Example 1 F water 1 ]] 8.5 G Reference detergent solution 2 ]]> 50.3 H Linear C12-C14 EO7 3 ]]> 65.7 I 2-propyl-1-heptyl EO7 4 ]] 10.3 J 2-propyl-1-heptyl (PO)3(EO)12(PO)15 5 ]]> 12.4

[0170] By comparing the dye desorption results in Table 1 for Group B with Group A and the results in Table 3 comparing Group G with Group F for the polyester fabric, it can be seen that the effect of the detergent on dye bleeding from the fabric during washing.

[0171] By comparing the dye bleeding of Group D and Group E with Group C, it can be seen that branched nonionic surfactants provide a reduction in dye bleeding when washing cotton compared to linear branched nonionic surfactants. When washing polyester fabric, the comparison of Group I and Group J with Group H shows that branched nonionic surfactants have the same beneficial effect.

[0172] As can be seen from Group B and Group G, dye bleeding is lower for both cotton and polyester fabrics when wash temperature is reduced (from 92°C to 40°C).

[0173] The following method was used to evaluate the effect of branched and linear nonionic surfactants on dye redeposition during washing.

[0174] The following detergent compositions were prepared by mixing the ingredients. Examples 1 and 2 are of the present application, while Example A contains a linear nonionic surfactant instead of a branched nonionic surfactant, and is therefore a comparative example.

[0175] Example A

[0176] wt % wt % C10-C13 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate C12-C15 AE 3.0 S Fatty acid 4.0 4.0 Table 5: ΔE colour change after wash cycle 4.0 4.0 [C12-14 secondary alcohol EO 7 1 ]] 6.0 - Linear C12-C14 EO 7 2 ]] - 6.0 Example 1.0 1.0 Graft copolymer dye transfer inhibitors 3 ]]> 0.4％ 0.4％

[0177] 1 Softanol 70, supplied by NSCL

[0178] 2 Naturally derived, sold under the tradename AEO7 by JINTUNG Petrochemical Co. Ltd, China

[0179] 3 Example 1K of WO2020005476A, supplied by BASF

[0180] The test was performed in a Tergotometer (Model: RHLQ1V from Research Institute of Daily Chemical Industry (RIDCI)) using the following protocol:

[0181] 1. 990 ml of water with a hardness of 2.67 mmol CaCO3 equivalent (15 gpg) was added to the tergometer jar at room temperature.

[0182] 2. 2 g of the respective detergent composition was added to the water and the solution was stirred for 3 minutes.

[0183] 3. Three 8 cm x 8 cm non-brightened heavy cotton (e.g. cw98, supplied by Daxing Textile Co.) fabric swatches were prepared and the L / a / b values of each fabric swatch were measured using a Spetro-Guide 45 / 0 Gloss 6801 color spectrophotometer.

[0184] 4. Three pieces of heavy cotton fabric were then added to the tergometer jar and the contents of the jar were stirred for a further 3 minutes.

[0185] 5. Add 10 ml of an aqueous solution of 250 ppm Direct Red 227 dye (supplied by China SUN DAT DYESTUFFS Co. Ltd) to the tergometer jar such that the wash liquor contains 2.5 ppm of dye and agitate the jar for 5 minutes.

[0186] 6. Remove the fabric swatches from the tergometer jar and rinse thoroughly under flowing tap water (2.85 mmol / l Ca equivalent, 16 gpg).

[0187] 7. Dry the fabric swatches overnight at room temperature.

[0188] 8. Re-measure the L / a / b values of each dry fabric swatch using the same Spetro-Guide 45 / 0 Gloss 6801 colour spectrophotometer;

[0189] The change in ΔE (CIELab) between the average L / a / b values before and after washing on the fabric provides an assessment of the deposition of dye from the wash liquor onto the fabric swatches and therefore an assessment of the ability of the detergent composition to prevent re-deposition of the dye. A lower ΔE indicates greater efficacy in preventing re-deposition of the dye during the wash process.

[0190] Nonionic surfactant

[0191] ΔE (lower is better) Table 6: Examples of compositions of the invention Example 2 1 [C12-14 secondary alcohol EO 7 1 ]]> 14.1 A Linear C12-C14 EO7 2 ]]> 15.2

[0192] It can be seen from the results in Table 5 that treating the fabric with the combination of branched nonionic surfactant and grafted polymeric dye transfer inhibitor used in the present application results in a lower ΔE value and therefore a reduction in the dye re-deposited onto the fabric during the laundry wash cycle.

[0193] Example 3 .

[0194] Example 4 Example 5 Example 6 Example 7 wt % wt % wt % wt % wt % wt % C10-C13 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate C12-C15 alkyl polyethoxylated sulfate C12-C14 dimethyl amine oxide 4.0 3.0 4.0 4.3 4.3 7 C12-C18 fatty acid 4.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 16 [C12-14 secondary alcohol EO 7 1 ]]> 1.0 8.0 2.0 7.4 3.0 2.5 [C14-15 alkyl-7-ethoxylate 7 4 ]]> - - 1.0 2.6 2.6 - Citric acid - 0.5 0.4 0.4 0.4 1.3 Enzyme 1.0 0.5 2.0 2.5 2.5 3.6 Water and miscellaneous 1.0 0.5 1.5 2.0 2.0 4.2 Cleaning polymers 5 ]] - - - - 0.3 c ]] 3 d ]] Graft copolymer dye transfer inhibitors 3 ]]> 0.5 1.0 1.0 0.6 0.3 1.5 to 100% 0.001 0.001 0.001 0.03 0.03 0.18 to 100% to 100% to 100% to 100% to 100% ​ ​

[0195] 4 Neodol 45-7, supplied by Shell

[0196] 5 Polyethyleneimine core with 20 ethoxylated groups per -NH, molecular weight 600 g / mol and available from BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany)

[0197] The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm."

Claims

1. A laundry detergent composition comprising a surfactant system and a dye transfer inhibition (DTI) polymer, wherein the surfactant system comprises: a branched nonionic surfactant, and wherein the dye transfer inhibition polymer is a graft copolymer comprising: a. a polyalkylene oxide consisting of ethylene oxide units and having a number average molecular weight of 1000 Da to 20,000 Da; b. N-vinyl pyrrolidone; and c. vinyl acetate; wherein the graft copolymer comprises at least 50 wt% of (a) polyalkylene oxide, the weight ratio of (a):(b) is 1:0.3 to 1:1, the weight ratio of (a):(c) is 1.0:0.3 to 1.0:0.9, and 30 mole% to 60 mole% of the grafting monomers of component (c) are hydrolyzed; wherein the branched nonionic surfactant is selected from: Formula I Formula II in Formula I: R1 is a C4 to C14 alkyl chain; R2 is a C1 to C7 alkyl chain; x is 0; y is 6 to 15; z is 0; EO represents ethoxylation, and PO represents propoxylation; wherein in Formula II: R1 is a C3 to C7 alkyl chain; R2 is a C1 to C5 alkyl chain; x is 0 to 3; y is 6 to 15; z is 0 to 20; EO represents ethoxylation, and PO represents propoxylation.

2. The laundry detergent composition of claim 1, wherein surfactant system comprises the branched nonionic surfactant in an amount of 0.1% to 12% by weight of the composition.

3. The laundry detergent composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the laundry detergent composition comprises the surfactant system in an amount of 1% to 70% by weight.

4. The laundry detergent composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the surfactant system further comprises an anionic surfactant.

5. The laundry detergent composition of claim 4, wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sulfonate surfactants, sulfate surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

6. The laundry detergent composition of claim 4, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises a sulfonate surfactant and a sulfate surfactant. a) Formula I: R1-CH(R2)-O-(PO) x (EO) y (PO) z -H wherein, 7. The laundry detergent composition of claim 4, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alkyl sulfate surfactant, wherein the alkyl sulfate surfactant has an average degree of ethoxylation of 0.5 to 8.

0.

8. The laundry detergent composition of claim 4, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alkyl sulfate surfactant, wherein the alkyl sulfate surfactant has an average degree of ethoxylation of less than 0.

5.

9. The laundry detergent composition of claim 8, wherein the alkyl sulfate surfactant having an average degree of ethoxylation of less than 0.5 comprises a branched alkyl sulfate surfactant. ​ ​ ​ ​ b) Formula II: R1-CH(R2)CH2-O-(PO) x (EO) y (PO) z -H ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​ 10. The laundry detergent composition of claim 8, wherein the alkyl sulfate surfactant having an average degree of ethoxylation of less than 0.5 comprises a 2-branched alkyl sulfate surfactant.

11. The laundry detergent composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the surfactant system comprises amphoteric and / or zwitterionic surfactants.

12. The laundry detergent composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the surfactant system comprises an amphoteric surfactant selected from amine oxide surfactants.

13. The laundry detergent composition of claim 12, wherein the amine oxide surfactant is lauryl dimethyl amine oxide.

14. The laundry detergent composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the graft copolymer is present at a level of from 0.05% to 15% by weight of the detergent composition.

15. The laundry detergent composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the graft copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of from 5,000 Da to 100,000 Da.

16. The laundry detergent composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the composition further comprises a polymeric deposition aid, a dye fixative polymer, and mixtures thereof.

17. Use of a laundry detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 16 comprising a combination of at least one branched nonionic surfactant and a graft copolymer dye transfer inhibition polymer for improving color protection during washing.

18. Use of a laundry detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 16 comprising a combination of at least one branched nonionic surfactant and a graft copolymer dye transfer inhibition polymer for reducing dye redeposition during washing.

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