Concentrated isotropic liquid detergents containing polymers

Abstract

The invention relates to highly concentrated isotropic liquid detergents having a surfactant content of 30 wt.% and more, also containing polymer compounds selected from soil -release polymers, dye transfer inhibitors, anti-redeposition agents and dispersion agents, and having an optimised product stability which is possible due to a specifically adapted, defined surfactant system. The invention also relates to methods for washing textiles using the described detergents and to the use thereof.

Description

[0001] The present application relates to highly concentrated isotropic liquid detergents with surfactant contents of 30% by weight and above, which additionally contain organic, non-surfactant components and exhibit optimized product stability made possible by a specially adapted surfactant system. Also covered are processes for washing textiles using the described detergents and their application.

[0002] Liquid detergents are well-established technology and have become increasingly popular with consumers in recent years due to their several advantages over solid detergents. These include simpler dosing, addition, and dissolution in the wash water. They are also perceived as safer and less aggressive on textiles and the environment. They have gained particular popularity for washing colored textiles since their market launch.

[0003] There is a general market trend towards more concentrated liquid detergents, as these require fewer resources, primarily due to their lower transport weight and smaller bottle size. Consumers also prefer these highly concentrated detergents because they require less storage space in households. Liquid detergents with a high surfactant concentration are known from, among others, WO2013092049, WO2013092052, DE10153183, DE102005015328, and DE2527793.

[0004] Although such products offer advantages in terms of handling and consumer acceptance, established products suffer from disadvantages regarding their stability, particularly during extended storage. These disadvantages are further exacerbated by the trend toward more concentrated products. The challenge for highly concentrated liquid detergents lies in incorporating more of the necessary active ingredients (including surfactants, polymers, enzymes, complexing agents, perfume, and optical brighteners) into a smaller volume of liquid.

[0005] To achieve good washing performance from a consumer perspective, modern liquid detergents increasingly incorporate polymeric components. These are often essentially nonionic or anionic polymers with varying functionalities. Important groups include soil-release polymers, dye transfer inhibitors (DTIs), anti-reposition agents, and polymeric dispersants. Ensuring a stable formulation of the polymers is a particular challenge, as the compatibility of the polymeric ingredients in a liquid formulation decreases with increasing surfactant concentration. This can lead to turbidity, sedimentation, or phase separation. These not only impair the aesthetic appearance of the formulation but also negatively affect its washing performance.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for improved highly concentrated liquid detergent formulations that have improved properties with regard to the aforementioned problems, i.e., in particular, allow larger quantities of polymeric components to be formulated stably.

[0007] It has now been surprisingly found that the aforementioned disadvantages of highly concentrated liquid detergents, i.e. detergents with surfactant contents of 30 wt.% or more, can be overcome by using a special surfactant combination that allows the stable incorporation of polymeric components that negatively affect the stability of the formulation in amounts of 1.0 wt.% or more.

[0008] In a first aspect, the present invention therefore relates to an isotropic liquid detergent with a total surfactant concentration of at least 30 wt.% based on the total weight of the agent, preferably in the range of 30 to 70 wt.%, more preferably 35 to 60 wt.%, comprising, based on the total weight of the agent, (A) at least 20 wt.% of at least one anionic surfactant A; (B) at least 5 wt.% of at least one nonionic surfactant N with a Griffin HLB value ≤12; (C) at least 2 wt.% of at least one nonionic surfactant N1 having a Griffin HLB value >12, wherein the weight ratio of N1 to N is ≤1; and (D) at least 1 wt.% of at least one polymeric compound P selected from soil-releasing polymers (SRP), dye transfer inhibitors (DTI), and anti-reposition agents, in particular an SRP and optionally a DTI. wherein the surfactant N1 is selected from alkyl polyglycosides and N-alkyl gluconamides.

[0009] In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a liquid detergent according to the invention for washing textiles.

[0010] In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method for cleaning textiles, characterized in that a liquid detergent according to the invention is used in at least one process step.

[0011] These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to the person skilled in the art upon studying the following detailed description and claims. Each feature from one aspect of the invention can be incorporated into any other aspect of the invention. Furthermore, it is understood that the examples contained herein are intended to describe and illustrate the invention, but do not limit it, and in particular, the invention is not limited to these examples. Unless otherwise stated, all percentages are weight percentages based on the total weight of the agent / composition. Numerical ranges specified in the format "from x to y" include the stated values. If several preferred numerical ranges are specified in this format, it is understood that all ranges resulting from the combination of the different endpoints are also included.

[0012] "At least one," as used herein, refers to 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more. In the context of components of the compositions described herein, this term refers not to the absolute quantity of molecules but to the type of component. "At least one anionic surfactant," for example, means one or more different anionic surfactants, i.e., one or more different types of anionic surfactants. When used in conjunction with quantity specifications, these quantities refer to the total amount of the respective type of component.

[0013] "Approximately", "about" or "about", as used herein in reference to a numerical value, refer to the corresponding numerical value ±10%, preferably ±5%.

[0014] "Isotropic", as used herein in reference to the agents described, refers to optically isotropic agents, i.e. agents which appear homogeneous and single-phase when viewed with the naked eye.

[0015] The detergents described herein can be detergents for textiles or natural fibers. Detergents within the scope of the invention also include washing aids that are added to the actual detergent during manual or machine washing of textiles to achieve an additional effect or to enhance an existing effect. Furthermore, detergents within the scope of the invention also include textile pre- and post-treatment agents, i.e., agents with which the garment is brought into contact before the actual washing, for example, to loosen stubborn stains, and also agents that, in a step following the actual washing process, impart further desirable properties to the laundry, such as a pleasant feel, wrinkle resistance, or low static charge. Fabric softeners are among the latter. In preferred embodiments, however, the detergent is a textile detergent.

[0016] In various embodiments of the invention, the liquid detergents have a total surfactant content of 30 to 70 wt.%, preferably 35 to 60 wt.%. "Total surfactant content" refers to the sum of all compounds with surfactant properties used, i.e., in particular, the sum of the amounts of surfactants A, N, and N1. Any soaps present are also considered to fall under the term "anionic surfactants" and are included in the total surfactant content calculation.

[0017] The term "soaps" as used herein refers to water-soluble metal, ammonium or alkanolammonium salts, in particular the sodium or potassium salts, of saturated and unsaturated higher fatty acids, of the resin acids of rosin (yellow resin soaps) and of the naphthenic acids, which are used as solid or semi-solid mixtures mainly for washing and cleaning purposes.

[0018] In preferred embodiments, the liquid detergents described herein contain no further surfactants beyond the surfactant mixture, i.e., the total surfactant content corresponds to the amount of surfactant mixture.

[0019] Suitable anionic surfactants A include, in particular, those of the sulfonate type, and preferably alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefinsulfonates (i.e., mixtures of alkene and hydroxyalkanesulfonates), and disulfonates, such as those obtained, for example, from monoolefins with 12 to 18 carbon atoms and terminal or central double bonds by sulfonation with gaseous sulfur trioxide and subsequent alkaline or acidic hydrolysis of the sulfonation products. Also suitable are alkanesulfonates with 12 to 18 carbon atoms and the esters of α-sulfofelic acids (estersulfonates), for example, the α-sulfonated methyl esters of hydrogenated coconut, palm kernel, or tallow fatty acids.

[0020] Alkylbenzenesulfonates are preferably selected from linear or branched alkylbenzenesulfonates of the formula in which R' and R" are independently hydrogen or alkyl and together contain 9 to 19, preferably 9 to 15, and particularly 9 to 13 carbon atoms. A particularly preferred representative is sodium dodecylbenzylsulfonate.

[0021] The preferred alk(en)yl sulfates are the salts of the sulfuric acid half-esters of fatty alcohols with 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example, coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol, or of oxo alcohols with 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and those half-esters of secondary alcohols of these chain lengths. For detergent applications, alkyl sulfates with 12 to 16 carbon atoms, alkyl sulfates with 12 to 15 carbon atoms, and alkyl sulfates with 14 and 15 carbon atoms are preferred.

[0022] Secondary alkanesulfonates are also particularly suitable. "Secondary," as used herein, refers to the generally known chemical meaning of this term and indicates that the carbon atom to which the sulfonate group is covalently bonded also has two covalent bonds to two organic (alkyl) residues, i.e., carbon atoms, and one covalent bond to a hydrogen atom. Together with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, the two organic (alkyl) residues form a linear or branched alkyl group with 1 to 50 carbon atoms.

[0023] In various embodiments of the invention, the secondary alkanesulfonate is one of the formula R1< CH(SO3-< X+< )R2< , wherein R1< and R2< are independently linear or branched alkyl having 1 to 20 carbon atoms and form a linear or branched alkyl with the carbon atom to which they are bonded, preferably having 10 to 30 carbon atoms, and X+< is selected from the group Na+< , K+< , NH4+< , ½ Zn2+< , ½ Mg2+< , ½ Ca2+< , ½ Mn2+< and mixtures thereof, preferably Na+< . Particularly preferred are secondary alkanesulfonates of the formula H3C-(CH2)n-CH(SO3-<X+<)-(CH2)m-CH3, where m and n are independently integers between 0 and 15. Preferably, m and n are independently integers between 7 and 15, and more preferably between 11 and 14.X +< is further selected from the group Na +< , K +< , NH 4 +< , ½ Zn 2+< , ½ Mg 2+< , ½ Ca 2+< , ½ Mn 2+< and their mixtures, preferably Na +< .

[0024] Other suitable anionic surfactants are those of the sulfate type, and in particular the alkyl ether sulfates.

[0025] Preferred alkyl ether sulfates are those of the following formula: R3 -O-(AO)n -SO3 - X+, where R3 is a linear or branched alkyl with 5 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably with 7 to 25 carbon atoms, and more preferably with 10 to 19 carbon atoms. Furthermore, in the above formula, AO represents an ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) group, preferably an ethylene oxide (EO) group, and n is an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 20, and more preferably from 2 to 10. X +< is any cation and is preferably selected from the group Na +< , K +< , NH 4 +< , ½ Zn 2+< , ½ Mg 2+< , ½ Ca 2+< , ½ Mn 2< and their mixtures, especially preferably Na +< .

[0026] In the preceding formula, R3< represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, R3< is a linear or branched, preferably unsubstituted, alkyl group having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 7 to 25 carbon atoms, and particularly 10 to 19 carbon atoms. Preferred R3< groups are selected from decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, and nonadecyl groups and mixtures thereof, with those having an even number of carbon atoms being preferred. Particularly preferred residues R 3< are derived from fatty alcohols with 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl or stearyl alcohol or from oxo alcohols with 10 to 19 carbon atoms.

[0027] AO is an ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) grouping, preferably an ethylene oxide grouping. The index m is an integer from 1 to 50, preferably 2 to 20 and more preferably 2 to 10. In particular, m is 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. The composition according to the invention can contain mixtures of nonionic surfactants having different degrees of ethoxylation.

[0028] The alkyl ether sulfate is preferably one of the formula where k = 11 to 19, n = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8. Particularly preferred representatives are Na fatty alcohol ether sulfates with 12 to 18 carbon atoms and 2 EO (k = 11 to 13, n = 2). The stated degree of ethoxylation represents a statistical average, which may be a whole number or a fraction for a specific product. In general, the stated degrees of alkoxylation represent statistical averages, which may be a whole number or a fraction for a specific product. Preferred alkoxylates / ethoxylates exhibit a narrow range of homologs (narrow range ethoxylates, NRE).

[0029] Other suitable anionic surfactants include, for example, bisalkyl sulfosuccinates.

[0030] Preferred anionic surfactants are alkylbenzenesulfonates and alkyl ether sulfates, and especially combinations of both. It is understood that several different representatives of the respective surfactant class can also be used. In the context of this invention, soaps are considered anionic surfactants; that is, the specified amounts of anionic surfactants include any soaps that may be present.

[0031] All the anionic surfactants described above can include any cation to balance the negative charge of the sulfonate group. Preferably, the cation is selected from the group Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄⁺, ½ Zn²⁺, ½ Mg²⁺, ½ Ca²⁺, ½ Mn²⁺ and mixtures thereof, particularly preferably Na⁺.

[0032] The anionic surfactants A are preferably present in the composition according to the invention in amounts of at least 20 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition. Preferred amounts are 20 to 65 wt.%, more preferably 20 to 55 wt.%. Concentrations in the range of 25 to 35 wt.% are most preferred. The amounts stated refer to the total amounts of anionic surfactants contained in the composition.

[0033] The non-ionic surfactants N and N1 can be selected from: Alkyl ethers, in particular fatty alcohol alkoxylates, such as fatty alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl (poly)glycosides (APG) and addition products of alkylene oxide(s), in particular propylene oxide / ethylene oxide, to alkyl (poly)glycosides, polyol fatty acid esters, (alkoxylated) triglycerides, (alkoxylated) fatty acid alkyl esters, hydroxyl mixed ethers, sorbitan fatty acid esters and addition products of alkylene oxide(s), in particular propylene oxide / ethylene oxide, to sorbitan fatty acid esters such as polysorbates (ethoxylated polysorbates), sugar fatty acid esters and addition products of alkylene oxide(s), in particular propylene oxide / ethylene oxide, to sugar fatty acid esters, addition products of alkylene oxide(s), in particular propylene oxide / ethylene oxide, to fatty acid alkanolamides and fatty amines, fatty acid N-alkyl polyhydroxyamides, in particular fatty acid N-alkylglucamides, and N-Alkylglyconamides, in particular N-Alkylgluconamides.

[0034] In various embodiments, the nonionic surfactants can comprise at least one alkyl ether. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the agents described herein contain, as the nonionic surfactant, at least one fatty alcohol alkoxylate with the following formula R< -O-(AO) m -H, where R< is a linear or branched alkyl group, AO is an ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) group, and m is an integer from 1 to 50. In the above formula, R< represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, R< is a linear or branched, preferably unsubstituted, alkyl group with 5 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably with 7 to 25 carbon atoms, and particularly with 10 to 19 carbon atoms.Preferred residues R 1< are selected from decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, and nonadecyl residues and mixtures thereof, with representatives having an even number of carbon atoms being preferred. Particularly preferred residues R 4< are derived from fatty alcohols (fatty alcohol alkoxylates) with 12 to 19 carbon atoms, for example, coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol, or from oxo alcohols with 10 to 19 carbon atoms.

[0035] AO is an ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) grouping, preferably an ethylene oxide grouping. The index m is an integer from 1 to 50, preferably 2 to 20 and more preferably 2 to 10. In particular, m is 3, 4, 5, 6 or 7. The composition according to the invention can contain mixtures of nonionic surfactants having different degrees of ethoxylation.

[0036] In summary, particularly preferred fatty alcohol alkoxylates are those of the formula with k = 9 to 17, m = 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7. Particularly preferred representatives are fatty alcohols with 10 to 18 carbon atoms and with 5 or 7 EO (k = 11 to 17, m = 5 or 7).

[0037] Such fatty alcohol ethoxylates with 7 EO are available under the trade names Dehydol ®< LT7 (Cognis), Lutensol ®< AO7 (BASF), Lutensol ®< M7 (BASF) and Neodol ®< 45-7 (Shell Chemicals).

[0038] Suitable alkyl(poly)glycosides are in particular those of the formula R 5< O-[G] p , in which R 5< stands for a linear or branched alkyl with 4 to 26, preferably 8 to 20, more preferably 8 to 18, 8 to 10 or 12 to 16 carbon atoms, G for a sugar residue with 5 or 6 carbon atoms and p for numbers from 1 to 100, preferably 1 to 10.

[0039] G represents residues of sugars with 5 (pentoses) or 6 (hexoses) carbon atoms, where the sugars can be ketoses or aldoses. Preferred monosaccharides include, but are not limited to, glucose, galactose, fructose, mannose, or ribose, especially glucose. Besides monosaccharides, G can also represent sugar derivatives, especially sugar alcohols, sugar acids, amino sugars (glycosamines), or thiosugars. Sugar alcohols are formed from the corresponding monosaccharide by reduction of the aldehyde or ketone group; for example, glucose yields sorbitol (glucitol), and mannose yields mannitol. Sugar acids are formed from the corresponding monosaccharide by oxidation of the aldehyde group (aldonic acids) or a terminal hydroxyl group (uronic acids), or both (aldar acids); for example, glucose yields gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, or glucaric acid.Amino sugars are formed by replacing a hydroxyl group with an amino group. A common example is glucosamine. Thio sugars are formed by replacing a hydroxyl group with a thiol group. An example is thioglucose.

[0040] It is self-evident that, although the sugars and sugar derivatives are described above as such, they occur in the alkyl(poly)glycosides of the formula given above as sugar residues and the residue R 5< replaces a hydrogen atom in the corresponding sugar or sugar derivative.

[0041] The degree of oligomerization p can range from 1 to 100, preferably from 1 to 10, where each G can independently represent a monosaccharide. If p is 2 or more, then the different units G are preferably linked to each other via glycosidic bonds. It is preferred that the residue R<5 is linked to a terminal sugar residue, but it can also be linked to a non-terminal sugar unit in a corresponding oligomer.

[0042] When p=2, the sugar residue is a disaccharide. For example, one G can be glucose and the second G can be fructose, thus forming sucrose (α-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-2)-β-D-fructofuranoside). However, it is preferred that all Gs in a molecule are the same monosaccharide, such as glucose. Examples of suitable disaccharides include, without limitation, maltose. (α -D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→4)- α -D-Glucopyranose), Isomaltose (α -D-Glucopyranosyl-(1→6)- α-D-Glucopyranose) and lactose ( β -D-galactopyranosyl-(1→4)-D-glucopyranose).

[0043] If p=3, the sugar residue is a trisaccharide residue. Examples of suitable trisaccharides include, but are not limited to, raffinose, panose, and especially maltotriose.

[0044] If p=4, the sugar residue is a tetrasaccharide residue, maltotetraose is particularly preferred.

[0045] If p=5 or more, the units are preferably glucose units, especially those linked by 1,4-glycosidic bonds.

[0046] In all embodiments where p is 2 or more, one, several, or all sugar units can be replaced by the corresponding sugar derivatives defined above. For example, aminoglycosides and thioglycosides, in which the bond to the next unit occurs via the nitrogen or sulfur atom, respectively, can be used.

[0047] Particularly favored alkyl(poly)glycosides are derived from glucose and can be described by the formula: in which n stands for 7 to 15, in particular 7 to 9 or 11 to 15, and p for numbers from 1 to 100, preferably 1 to 10.

[0048] The degree of oligomerization p in the formulas given above is preferably < 8, more preferably < 6, even more preferably < 4, and particularly < 2. Surfactants in which p represents numbers from 1.4 to 1.8 are especially preferred. These fractional degrees of oligomerization are achieved by mixtures containing varying amounts of surfactants of the formulas above, where p represents an integer, preferably 1, 2, 3, or 4, for the individual molecule.

[0049] Examples of particularly suitable surfactants include, but are not limited to: n-decyl or n-dodecyl-β-D-maltoside; n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-decyl or n-dodecyl-β-D-glucoside; and n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-decyl or n-dodecyl α-D-glucoside;

[0050] Detergents according to the invention can contain, for example, C 8-16, in particular C 8-10 or C 12-16 alkyl oligo(1,4) glucosides. Suitable alkyl (poly)glycosides are available, for example, under the trade names Plantacare® or Plantaren® from BASF (BASF SE, DE) and include, among others, Plantacare® 220 UP (APG 220 UP) and Plantaren® 1200 UP NP (APG 600 UP).

[0051] Sugar fatty acid esters can be compounds of the formula R5C(O)O-[G]p, where R5, p, and G can be defined as above for alkyl polyglycosides. However, R5 preferably contains 7 to 19, more preferably 7 to 17, 7 to 9, or 11 to 15 carbon atoms. An example of such a compound is sucrose cocoate (INCI: Sucrose Cocoates), i.e., the ester of sucrose with fatty acids derived from coconut oil.

[0052] In addition to or instead of sugar fatty acid esters, the corresponding polyol fatty acid esters, obtained by using the appropriate sugar alcohols instead of the sugars, can also be used. Examples include sorbitol esters. These can also satisfy the formula R5 < C(O)O-[G]p mentioned above, where G is a corresponding polyol, in particular a sugar alcohol. Sorbitan fatty acid esters are also suitable, i.e., esters of 1,4-sorbitan anhydride with 1-4, preferably 1 or 3 esterified fatty acid residues, in particular C12-18 fatty acids, especially those selected from laurate, palmitate, stearate, and oleate. These can also be alkoxylated, in particular ethoxylated, such as the polysorbates.

[0053] Also suitable are fatty acid N-alkyl polyhydroxyamides, in particular fatty acid N-alkylglucamides, i.e., amides of fatty acids with amines derived from sugars. Such compounds are usually obtained by reductive amination of a reducing sugar with ammonia, an alkylamine, or an alkanolamine, followed by acylation with a fatty acid, a fatty acid ester, or a fatty acid chloride. Examples of suitable compounds satisfy the formula R 6< C(O)NR 7< Z where R 6< is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group with 7 to 21 carbon atoms, Z is a polyhydroxy hydrocarbon group with at least three hydroxyl or alkoxy groups, and R 7< is a C 1-C 8 alkyl group of the formula -(CH 2 ) x NR 8< R 9< or R 10< O(CH 2 ) n - where R 8< and R 9< are C 1-C 4 alkyl or C 2-C 4 hydroxyalkyl, R 10< is C 1-C 4 alkyl, n is a number from 2 to 4 and x is a number from 2 to 10.Particularly preferred are compounds in which R6 < C7-C17 is an alkyl group, preferably linear and saturated, R7 < methyl group, and Z is a glucose-derived residue of the formula -CH2-(CHOH)-(CHOH)-CH2OH. Particularly preferred are C12-C18-acyl-N-methylglucamides, such as C12-acyl-N-methylglucamide.

[0054] Also suitable are N-alkylglyconamides, in particular N-alkylgluconamides, i.e., amides of alkylamines with acids derived from sugars. Exemplary compounds satisfy the formula R6 < NR7 < C(O)Z, where R6 < , R7 < , and Z are defined as above, where R7 < can also be H, and not Z alone, but the entire group C(O)Z can be a residue derived from a sugar, such as glucose, as for example -C(O)-(CHOH)-(CHOH)-(CHOH)-CHzOH. Examples of suitable compounds are NC8-C18-alkyl-D-gluconamides, such as N-octyl-, N-decyl-, and N-dodecyl-D-gluconamides, as well as the corresponding N,N-dialkyl-D-gluconamides, in particular NC8-C18-alkyl-N-methyl-D-gluconamides.

[0055] Furthermore, fatty acid amidoalkoxylates of the formula R 11< -CON(R 12< )(R 13< ) are also suitable, where R 11< is an alkyl group or alkenyl group with 7 to 21 carbon atoms, R 12< is hydrogen or a group -(AO) x H, R 13< is a group -(AO) x H, A is a group of the formulas -C 2 H 4 -, -C 3 H 6 - or -C 4 H 8 - and x is a number from 1 to 20.

[0056] Furthermore, alkoxylated fatty acid alkyl esters are also suitable, especially those of the formula R 14< CO-(OCH 2 CHR 15< ) w OR 16< , in which R 14< CO stands for a linear or branched, saturated and / or unsaturated acyl group with 6 to 22 carbon atoms, R 15< for hydrogen or methyl and R 16< for linear or branched alkyl groups with 1 to 4 carbon atoms and w is 1 to 20.

[0057] Hydroxyl mixed ethers are also suitable, in particular those of the formula R 17< -O-(CH 2 -CH(R 18< )-O) w -(CH 2 -CH(R 19< )-O) x -(CH 2 -CH(R 20< )-O) y -(CH 2 -CH(R 21< )-O) z -R 22< where R 17< represents H or, preferably, a linear or branched hydrocarbon residue with 2 to 26 carbon atoms; each of R 18< , R 19< , R 20< and R 21< is independently selected from -H, -CH 3 , -CH 2 CH 3 , -CH 2 CH 2 CH 3 , -CH(CH 3 ) 2 , preferably -H or -CH 3 ; R 22< is selected from -CH 2 CH(OH)R 23< ; R 23< represents a straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C 2-26 alkyl or alkenyl residue; and w, x, y and z represent values ​​between 1 and 120, where x, y and / or z may also be 0.

[0058] In certain embodiments of such surfactants, R 17< is a linear or branched hydrocarbon residue with 2 to 26 carbon atoms, R 18< is H, R 22< is -CH 2 CH(OH)R 23<, where R 23< is a straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C 6-26 alkyl or alkenyl residue and w = 1 to 120, preferably 10 to 80, particularly 15 to 40, and x, y, z = 0. Examples of such surfactants are the C 4-22 fatty alcohol (EO) 10-80 2-hydroxyalkyl ethers, in particular also the C 8-12 fatty alcohol (EO) 22 2-hydroxydecyl ethers and the C 4-22 fatty alcohol (EO) 40-80 2-hydroxyalkyl ethers.

[0059] Alternatively, R 17< can be a linear or branched hydrocarbon residue with 2 to 26, preferably 4 to 18 carbon atoms, y and z are 0, R 18< is CH 3 and R 19< is H, R 22< is -CH 2 CH(OH)R 23<, where R 23< is a straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C 6-26 alkyl or -alkenyl residue, preferably with 8 to 14 carbon atoms, and w=1 or 2 and x = at least 15. Examples of such surfactants are the C 2-26 fatty alcohol (PO) 1 -(EO) 15-40 2-hydroxyalkyl ethers, and in particular also the C 8-10 fatty alcohol (PO) 1 -(EO) 22 2-hydroxydecyl ethers. In alternative embodiments, R 18< H and R 19< -CH 3 , -CH 2 CH 3 , -CH 2 CH 2 -CH 3 , or -CH(CH 3 ) 2 , but preferably -CH 3 .In this case, R 17< and R 22< / R 23< are defined as above, but w and x stand independently for values ​​between 1 and 32, with niotensides with R 19< = -CH 3 and values ​​for w from 15 to 32 and x from 0 and 2 (in the case of mixtures of such products also numerical values ​​between 0 and 2) being particularly preferred.

[0060] Amine oxides, for example, can be used as zwitterionic / amphoteric surfactants. In principle, all amine oxides established in the prior art for this purpose can be used, i.e., compounds having the formula R1 < R2 < R3 < NO, where each R1, R2, and R3 is, independently of the others, an optionally substituted hydrocarbon chain with 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are amine oxides in which R1 < is an alkyl chain with 12 to 18 carbon atoms and R2 < and R3 < are each independently alkyl chains with 1 to 4 carbon atoms, especially alkyldimethylamine oxides with 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable amine oxides are N-cocosalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide, N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide, myristyl / cetyldimethylamine oxide, and lauryldimethylamine oxide.

[0061] Other suitable amphoteric / zwitterionic surfactants are the betaines and sulfaines. Betaines are preferably compounds of the formula (R iii< )(R iv< )(R v< )N +< CH 2 COO -< , in which R iii< is an alkyl group with 8 to 25, preferably 10 to 21 carbon atoms, optionally interrupted by heteroatoms or heteroatom groups, and R iv< and R v< are similar or different alkyl groups with 1 to 3 carbon atoms, in particular compounds of the formula R 24< -C(O)-NH-(CH 2 ) 3 -N +< (CH 3 ) 2 -CH 2 -COO -< where R 24< is a linear or branched hydrocarbon group with 2 to 26, preferably 5 to 21 carbon atoms, preferably a straight-chain or branched, saturated or mono- or polyunsaturated C 2-26 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably with 5 to 21 carbon atoms. Examples are C 10 -C 18 -alkyl-dimethylcarboxymethyl betaine and C 11 -C 17 -alkylamidopropyl-dimethylcarboxymethyl betaine.

[0062] Sultaines are, for example, compounds of the formula R 24< -C(O)-NH-(CH 2 ) 3 -N +< (CH 3 ) 2 -CH 2 -CH(OH)-CH 2 -SO 3 -< where R 24< is defined as above.

[0063] The nonionic surfactants N have an HLB value of ≤12, and in certain embodiments also ≤11, ≤10, ≤9, ≤8, or ≤7. The HLB value is a measure of the balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic components in a surfactant and is determined here, particularly for all nonionic surfactants, according to Griffin, unless otherwise specified (Griffin, WC: "Classification of surface active agents by HLB", J. Soc. Cosmet. Chem. 1, 1949). If several nonionic surfactants N are present in the liquid detergent, the HLB value of each individual nonionic surfactant N is less than or equal to 12. Examples of such surfactants are low-ethoxylated alkyl ethers, such as C12-18 alkyl ethers with ≤7 EO.

[0064] In addition to the nonionic surfactants N, the product contains at least one surfactant N1, which is also a nonionic surfactant. Suitable nonionic surfactants are described above. The additional surfactant N1 has an HLB value > 12. In various embodiments, the at least one surfactant N1 can also be a mixture of several surfactants. In such embodiments, each surfactant N1 has an HLB value > 12.

[0065] The difference between the HLB values ​​of surfactant(s) N1 and surfactant(s) N, determined according to the Griffin method, is preferably at least 1, more preferably 2 or more, and more preferably 3 or more.

[0066] The total concentration of surfactants N and N1 (sum of N and N1) is at least 7 wt.%, preferably 7 to 50 wt.%, more preferably 7 to 25 wt.%, and most preferably 10 to 25 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition. The weight ratio of surfactants N1 and N (N1:N) is ≤ 1, and the concentration of surfactant N1 is at least 2 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. Preferably, the concentration of surfactant N1 is 2 to 15 wt.%, more preferably 2 to 10 wt.%, more preferably 2 to 8 wt.%, and most preferably 2 to 6 wt.%. The amount of surfactant N is preferably 5 to 20 wt.%, more preferably 5 to 15 wt.%. All of the above values ​​are based on the total weight of the composition. The ratio of the total amount of N + N1 to the total amount of anionic surfactants A is preferably 5:1 to 1:5, and in particular 2:1 to 1:5, for a total surfactant content of 30 wt.%.-% preferably 5:2 to 1:6, in particular 4:3 to 1:6, with a total surfactant content of 40 wt.% preferably 5:3 to 1:7, in particular 1:1 to 1:3, with a total surfactant content of 45 wt.% preferably 5:4 to 1:8, in particular 4:5 to 2:7, with a total surfactant content of 50 wt.% preferably 1:1 to 1:9, in particular 2:3 to 1:4, with a total surfactant content of 55 wt.% preferably 5:6 to 1:10, in particular 4:7 to 2:9, with a total surfactant content of 60 wt.% preferably 5:7 to 1:11, in particular 1:2 to 1:5, with a total surfactant content of 65 wt.% preferably 5:8 to 1:12, in particular 4:9 to 2:11, and with a Total surfactant content of 70 wt.% preferably 5:9 to 1:13, in particular 2:5 to 1:6. In the above embodiments, N1 constitutes a maximum of 50 wt.% of the total amount of N + N1, and based on the total weight of the agent, preferably 2 to 10 wt.%, more preferably 2 to 8 or 2 to 6 wt.%.

[0067] In particular, fatty alcohol alkoxylates, such as those described above, are used as surfactants N, especially those with up to 7 EO, preferably 2-5 EO.

[0068] Niotenes are used as surfactants N1, for example alkyl polyglycosides, in particular n-decyl or n-dodecyl β-D-maltoside, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-decyl or n-dodecyl β-D-glucoside, n-octyl, 2-ethylhexyl, n-decyl or n-dodecyl α-D-glucoside, or generally C 8-16, in particular C 8-10 or C 12-16 alkyl oligo(1,4)-glucosides, as well as the N-alkylgluconamides described above, in particular N-octyl, N-decyl and N-dodecyl D-gluconamides, and the corresponding N,N-dialkyl D-gluconamides, in particular NC 8-C 18 -Alkyl-N-Methyl-D-Gluconamide.

[0069] In various embodiments, the composition of the invention comprises alkyl ethers as surfactant N, in particular the fatty alcohol alkoxylates described above, and the alkyl polyglycosides or N-alkylgluconamides described above as surfactant N1, in particular in weight ratios of 1:1 to 5:1, preferably 1:1 to 3:1. The amount of alkyl ether / fatty alcohol alkoxylate can be, for example, 5 to 15 wt.%, preferably 6 to 10 wt.%, and / or the amount of alkyl (poly)glycoside can be, for example, 2 to 8 wt.%, preferably 3 to 5 wt.%, in each case based on the total weight of the composition.

[0070] In various embodiments, the liquid detergent contains no nonionic surfactants other than the two types mentioned above. Alternatively, the detergent may contain further nonionic surfactants, provided that the total content of nonionic surfactants in the product preferably does not exceed 20% by weight. In such embodiments, the remaining surfactant content is preferably made up of anionic surfactants. Therefore, in various embodiments, the products contain no cationic surfactants and preferably also no amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants.

[0071] The surfactants described above are used in usual quantities, the quantity being selected such that the total surfactant content of the composition according to the invention, as described above, is ≥30 wt.%, for example 30 to 70 wt.%, preferably 35 to 60 wt.%. In various embodiments, the total surfactant content is up to 45 wt.%, with preferred surfactant quantities ranging from 32 to 38 wt.%.

[0072] In preferred embodiments, the agents contain at least one anionic, preferably at least two anionic surfactants A and at least two non-ionic surfactants N and N1, as defined above.

[0073] The anionic surfactants are preferably alkylbenzenesulfonates, as described above, which are typically present in the composition in amounts of 10 to 25 wt.%, preferably 12 to 20 wt.%, and particularly preferably 14 to 18 wt.%. Additionally or alternatively, the composition may also contain alkyl ether sulfates, typically in amounts of 2 to 10 wt.%, and particularly 3 to 8 wt.%.

[0074] In addition to the anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants are present in amounts of at least 7%, preferably 7% to 25% by weight. Preferred amounts for surfactants N and N1 have been defined above.

[0075] Furthermore, the detergent may contain at least one fatty acid soap. These are particularly advantageous for cold washing performance. Preferred detergents are therefore characterized by containing – based on their weight – 0.1 to 15 wt.%, preferably 0.2 to 12.5 wt.%, and even more preferably 0.5 to 3 wt.% soap(s). Soaps of fatty acids with 12 to 18 carbon atoms are particularly preferred. The fatty acid soaps may be in the form of their sodium, potassium, magnesium, or ammonium salts. Preferably, they are in the form of their sodium and / or ammonium salts.

[0076] The polymeric compound P is contained in the agent in an amount of at least 1 wt.%, preferably 2 or more wt.%, preferably up to 10 wt.%, more preferably up to 5 wt.%, based on the total weight of the agent.

[0077] Compound P is a polymeric component selected from soil release polymers (SRPs), anti-reposition agents, dye transfer inhibitors (DTIs), polymeric dispersants and combinations of the aforementioned.

[0078] Suitable SRPs include, in particular, oligoesters of preferably terephthalic acid, isophthalic acid, sulfoisophthalic acid and / or their methyl esters, aliphatic dicarboxylic acids (saturated and / or unsaturated), for example adipic acid, and / or their anhydrides, aliphatic substituted dicarboxylic acids, for example nonyl succinic acid, alkylene glycols (ethylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,2-butylene glycol), polyethylene glycols, alkyl polyethylene glycols, polyethylene glycol sulfobenzoic acid esters, polyethylene glycol sulfobenzoic acid esters, and optionally alkanolamines. Terephthalate-PEG-based polymers, such as those commercially available under the trade name Texcare®, are preferred. Alternatively, (co)polymers based on polyethyleneimine, polyvinyl acetate, and polyethylene glycol can also be used.

[0079] Suitable dirt-removing polymers are generally already sufficiently known from the prior art. In particular, all polymers known from the prior art for this purpose can therefore be used.

[0080] To effectively suppress dye transfer and / or dye transfer to other textiles during washing and / or cleaning of dyed textiles, the composition according to the invention can contain a dye transfer inhibitor. It is preferred that the dye transfer inhibitor is a polymer or copolymer of cyclic amines such as vinylpyrrolidone and / or vinylimidazole. Suitable polymers include polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI), polyvinylpyridine N-oxide, poly-N-carboxymethyl-4-vinylpyridium chloride, and mixtures thereof. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinylimidazole (PVI), or copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / PVI) are particularly preferred as the dye transfer inhibitor.

[0081] Polycarboxylates are particularly suitable as anti-reposition agents. Appropriate materials can be prepared by the polymerization or copolymerization of unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers, such as acrylic acid, maleic acid (or anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid, and methylmalonic acid. Acrylate polymers and acrylic / maleic acid copolymers are especially preferred.

[0082] Suitable SRPs, anti-redeposition agents and DTIs are also described, for example, in the international patent publication WO 2009 / 153184 A1 on pages 25-39 under the headings "dye transfer inhibitors", "anti redeposition agents" and "soil release polymers".

[0083] In various embodiments of the invention, the polymers contained in the means comprise at least one SRP and optionally at least one DTI.

[0084] The liquid detergents described herein preferably contain at least one enzyme. This at least one enzyme can be any enzyme known in the prior art that can exhibit catalytic activity in a detergent or cleaning agent, and includes, but is not limited to, proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, hemicellulases, mannanases, pectin-splitting enzymes, tannases, xylanases, xanthanases, β-glucosidases, carrageenases, perhydrolases, oxidases, oxidoreductases, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one enzyme is selected from the group consisting of proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, and mixtures thereof. These enzymes are, in principle, of natural origin; however, improved variants of the natural molecules are available for use in detergents or cleaning agents and are therefore preferably employed.

[0085] Among the proteases, those of the subtilisin type are favored. Examples include the subtilisins BPN' and Carlsberg, the protease PB92, the subtilisins 147 and 309, and the alkaline protease from Bacillus lentus, subtilisin DY and the enzymes thermitase, proteinase K, and the proteases TW3 and TW7, which are classified as subtilases but no longer as subtilisins in the strict sense, are involved in the metabolite synthesis of subtilisin Carlsberg. A further developed form of subtilisin Carlsberg is available under the trade name Alcalase® from Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark. subtilisins 147 and 309 are marketed under the trade names Esperase® and Savinase®, respectively, by Novozymes. From the protease... Bacillus lentusThe protease variants known as BLAP®< are derived from DSM 5483. Other useful proteases include, for example, those available under the trade names Durazym®, Relase®, Everlase®, Nafizym®, Natalase®, Kannase®, and Ovozyme® from Novozymes; those under the trade names Purafect®, Purafect® OxP, Purafect® Prime, Excellase®, and Properase® from Genencor; the enzyme available under the trade name Protosol® from Advanced Biochemicals Ltd., Thane, India; the enzyme available under the trade name Wuxi® from Wuxi Snyder Bioproducts Ltd., China; the enzymes available under the trade names Proleather® and Protease P® from Amano Pharmaceuticals Ltd., Nagoya, Japan; and the enzyme known as Proteinase K-16 from Kao Corp., Tokyo, Japan. Proteases from are also particularly favored for use. Bacillus gibsonii and Bacillus pumilus.

[0086] Examples of amylases are the α -Amylases from Bacillus licheniformis, out of B . amyloliquefaciens or from B . stearothermophilus as well as their improved developments for use in detergents or cleaning agents. The enzyme from B . licheniformis It is available from Novozymes under the name Termamyl® and from Genencor under the name Purastar® ST. Further developments of this α α-Amylases are available from Novozymes under the trade names Duramyl® and Termamyl® ultra, from Genencor under the name Purastar® OxAm, and from Daiwa Seiko Inc., Tokyo, Japan, as Keistase®. The α-amylase of B. amyloliquefaciens It is marketed by the company Novozymes under the name BAN®, and derivatives of α-amylase from B. stearothermophilus under the names BSG® and Novamyl®, also from the company Novozymes. Furthermore, the α-amylase from [missing information] is used for this purpose. Bacillus sp. A 7-7 (DSM 12368) and the cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase) from B. agaradherens (DSM 9948) is particularly noteworthy. Fusion products of all the aforementioned molecules can also be used. Furthermore, the advanced versions of α-amylase available from Novozymes under the trade name Fungamyl® are also noteworthy. Aspergillus niger and A . oryzae Suitable. Other commercially available products that can be used advantageously are, for example, Amylase-LTO and Stainzyme® or Stainzyme ultra® or Stainzyme plus®, the latter also from the company Novozymes. Variants of these enzymes obtained through point mutations can also be used according to the invention.

[0087] Examples of usable lipases or cutinases, which are included particularly for their triglyceride-cleaving activities, but also to be produced from suitable precursors in situ To produce peracids, the originally Humicola lanuginosa ( Thermomyces lanuginosus) available or further developed lipases, especially those with the amino acid substitution D96L. These are marketed, for example, by Novozymes under the trade names Lipolase®<, Lipolase®< Ultra, LipoPrime®<, Lipozyme®< and Lipex®<. Furthermore, cutinases, which were originally derived from Fusarium solani pisi and Humicola insolens have been isolated. Equally useful lipases are available from the company Amano under the names Lipase CE ®<, Lipase P ®<, Lipase B ®<, and Lipase CES ®<, Lipase AKG ®<, respectively. Bacillus sp. Lipase®<, Lipase AP®<, Lipase M-AP®< and Lipase AML®< are available. Lipases and cutinases from Genencor, for example, can be used, the precursor enzymes of which were originally derived from Pseudomonas mendocina and Fusarium solaniihave been isolated. Other important commercial products include the preparations M1 Lipase® and Lipomax®, originally distributed by Gist-Brocades, and the enzymes distributed by Meito Sangyo KK, Japan, under the names Lipase MY-30®, Lipase OF® and Lipase PL®, as well as the product Lumafast® from Genencor.

[0088] Depending on the intended use, cellulases can be present as pure enzymes, enzyme preparations, or in mixtures where the individual components advantageously complement each other with regard to their various performance aspects. These performance aspects include, in particular, the contributions of cellulase to the primary washing performance of the agent (cleaning performance), to the secondary washing performance of the agent (anti-redeposition effect or graying inhibition), to revitalization (tissue effect), or to producing a "stone-washed" effect. A suitable fungal, endoglucanase (EG)-rich cellulase preparation, or its further developments, is offered by Novozymes under the trade name Celluzyme®. The products Endolase® and Carezyme®, also available from Novozymes, are based on 50 kDa EG and 43 kDa EG, respectively. H. insolensDSM 1800. Other usable commercial products from this company are Cellusoft®, Renozyme®, and Celluclean®. Also usable are, for example, the 20 kDa EG from Melanocarpus, available from AB Enzymes, Finland, under the trade names Ecostone® and Biotouch®. Other commercial products from AB Enzymes are Econase® and Ecopulp®. Other suitable cellulases are available from Bacillus sp. CBS 670.93 and CBS 669.93, the latter consisting of Bacillus sp. CBS 670.93 is available from Genencor under the trade name Puradax®. Other commercial products from Genencor are "Genencor detergent cellulase L" and IndiAge® Neutra. Variants of these enzymes obtained through point mutations can also be used according to the invention. Particularly preferred cellulases are: Thielavia terrestris Cellulase variants, cellulases from Melanocarpus, in particular Melanocarpus albomyces Cellulases of the EGIII type from Trichoderma reesei or variants available from it.

[0089] Furthermore, additional enzymes, collectively known as hemicellulases, may be used, particularly for the removal of certain problematic soils. These include, for example, mannanases, xanthan lyases, xanthanases, xyloglucanases, xylanases, pullulanases, pectin-splitting enzymes, and β-glucanases. Bacillus subtilisThe β-glucanase obtained is available from Novozymes under the name Cereflo®. Particularly preferred hemicellulases according to the invention are mannanases, which are marketed, for example, under the trade names Mannaway® by Novozymes or Purabrite® by Genencor.Within the scope of the present invention, the pectin-cleaving enzymes also include enzymes with the following names: pectinase, pectate lyase, pectin esterase, pectin demethoxylase, pectin methoxylase, pectin methyl esterase, pectase, pectin methyl esterase, pectin pectyl hydrolase, pectin depolymerase, endopolygalacturonase, pectolase, pectin hydrolase, pectin polygalacturonase, endopolygalacturonase, poly-α-1,4-galacturonide glycanohydrolase, endogalacturonase, endo-D-galacturonase, galacturan 1,4-α-galacturonidase, exopolygalacturonase, poly(galacturonate) hydrolase, exo-D-galacturonase, exo-D-galacturonanase. Exopoly-D-galacturonase, exo-poly-α-galacturonosidase, exopolygalacturonosidase or exopolygalacturanosidase.Examples of suitable enzymes in this regard are available under the names Gamanase®, Pectinex AR®, X-Pect® or Pectaway® from Novozymes, Rohapect UF®, Rohapect TPL®, Rohapect PTE100®, Rohapect MPE®, Rohapect MA plus HC, Rohapect DA12L®, Rohapect 10L®, Rohapect B1L® from AB Enzymes and Pyrolase® from Diversa Corp., San Diego, CA, USA.

[0090] Among all these enzymes, those that are relatively stable against oxidation or have been stabilized, for example, via point mutagenesis, are particularly preferred. The aforementioned commercial products Everlase® and Purafect® OxP are prime examples of such proteases, and Duramyl® is an example of such an α-amylase.

[0091] To enhance the bleaching effect, detergents, especially liquid detergents, may also contain oxidoreductases, such as oxidases, oxygenases, catalases (which react as peroxidases at low H₂O₂ concentrations), peroxidases like halo-, chloro-, bromo-, lignin-, glucose-, or manganese peroxidases, dioxygenases, or laccases (phenol oxidases, polyphenol oxidases). Suitable commercial products include Denilite® 1 and 2 from Novozymes.

[0092] The liquid detergents contain at least one enzyme in total amounts established in the prior art. Thus, the at least one enzyme may be present in a total amount of 1 x 10⁻⁸ to 5 wt% based on active protein, or in a total amount of 0.001 to 3 wt%, or 0.01 to 1.5 wt%, or 0.05 to 1.25 wt%. The stated amounts are to be understood as meaning that each enzyme may be present in the specified amounts. The enzymes are preferably used as an enzyme liquid formulation(s).

[0093] The at least one enzyme present in a washing or cleaning agent enhances the cleaning performance of the agent on certain types of soiling or stains. A composition according to the invention preferably contains several enzymes, which may belong to the same or different enzyme classes. Particularly preferably, the enzymes exhibit synergistic effects with regard to their action on certain types of soiling or stains; that is, the enzymes contained in the composition mutually enhance their cleaning performance.

[0094] Additionally, the detergent may contain further ingredients that further improve its application-related and / or aesthetic properties. Within the scope of the present invention, the detergent preferably additionally contains one or more substances from the group consisting of builders / complexing agents, bleaching agents, electrolytes, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescent agents, dyes, hydrotropes, foam inhibitors, silicone oils, anti-graying agents, anti-shrinkage agents, anti-crease agents, antimicrobial agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors, antistatic agents, bittering agents, ironing aids, antiphobing and impregnating agents, swelling and slip-resistant agents, plasticizing components, pH adjusters, and UV absorbers.

[0095] Bleaching agents can be any substance that destroys or absorbs dyes through oxidation, reduction, or adsorption, thereby decolorizing materials. These include, among others, hypohalite-containing bleaches, hydrogen peroxide, perborate, percarbonate, peroxoacetic acid, diperoxoazelic acid, diperoxododecanedioic acid, and oxidative enzyme systems. However, liquid detergents are typically free of non-enzymatic bleaching agents.

[0096] Examples of building materials that may be contained in the detergent include silicates, aluminum silicates (especially zeolites), carbonates, phosphonates, organic di- and polycarboxylic acids or their salts, as well as mixtures of these substances.

[0097] Organic building blocks that may be present in the detergent include, for example, polycarboxylic acids, which can be used in the form of their sodium salts. Polycarboxylic acids are defined as carboxylic acids that possess more than one acid function. Examples include citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, sugar acids, amino acids, and mixtures thereof. Preferred salts are the salts of polycarboxylic acids such as citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, tartaric acid, sugar acids, and mixtures thereof. Amino acids, such as glutamic diacetic acid (GLDA) and methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), are also suitable and preferred.

[0098] Polymeric polycarboxylates are also suitable as framework materials. These include, for example, the alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid, such as those with a relative molecular mass of 600 to 750,000 g / mol.

[0099] Suitable polymers are, in particular, polyacrylates, preferably having a molecular weight of 1,000 to 15,000 g / mol. Due to their superior solubility, short-chain polyacrylates from this group, having molecular weights of 1,000 to 10,000 g / mol, and especially preferably 1,000 to 5,000 g / mol, may be preferred.

[0100] Copolymer polycarboxylates are also suitable, in particular those of acrylic acid with methacrylic acid and of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with maleic acid.

[0101] To improve water solubility, copolymeric polycarboxylates containing allylsulfonic acids, such as allyloxybenzenesulfonic acid and methallylsulfonic acid, as monomers can also be used as polymers. Such sulfopolymers are particularly preferred in various embodiments.

[0102] In liquid detergents, soluble builders such as citric acid or acrylic polymers with a molar mass of 1,000 to 5,000 g / mol are preferably used.

[0103] Citrate is particularly preferred. The water-soluble organic building blocks described above can be used in various embodiments in amounts of 1 to 25 wt.%, preferably 1.5 to 20 wt.%, more preferably 2 to 15 wt.%, and most preferably 2.5 to 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition. Citrate, in particular, is used in amounts of 2.5 to 5 wt.%.

[0104] The detergents may additionally contain phosphonates, such as HEDP (1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid) or DTPMP (diethylenetriamine penta(methylenephosphonate)), as structural agents and complexing agents. In various embodiments, the phosphonates are used in amounts up to 10 wt.%, preferably up to 5 wt.%, and particularly preferably 0.5 to 4 wt.%, based on the total weight of the agent.

[0105] Preferred liquid detergents preferably contain water as the main solvent. It is preferred that the detergent contains more than 5% by weight, preferably more than 15% by weight, and particularly preferably more than 25% by weight, water, in each case based on the total amount of detergent. Particularly preferred liquid detergents contain – based on their weight – 5 to 65% by weight, preferably 10 to 60% by weight, particularly preferably 25 to 55% by weight, and particularly 30 to 50% by weight of water. Alternatively, the liquid detergents can be low-water or anhydrous detergents, wherein, in the case of low-water liquid detergents, the water content is less than 20% by weight, preferably less than 15% by weight, even more preferably less than 10% by weight, and most preferably less than 8% by weight, in each case based on the total liquid detergent. Anhydrous detergents contain less than 5% by weight, preferably less than 3% by weight.-%, preferably less than 2%, most preferably less than 1% wt% water, based on the total weight of the product.

[0106] In addition, non-aqueous solvents can be added to the detergent. Suitable non-aqueous solvents include mono- or polyhydric alcohols, alkanolamines, or glycol ethers, provided they are miscible with water within the specified concentration range. Preferably, the solvents are selected from ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, butanols, glycol, propanediol, butanediol, methylpropanediol, glycerin, diglycyl, propyldiglycol, butyldiglycyl, hexylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether, methoxytriglycol, ethoxytriglycol, butoxytriglycol, 1-butoxyethoxy-2-propanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol t-butyl ether, di-n-octyl ether, and mixtures of these solvents.Particularly preferred are 1,2-propanediol and glycerin. It may be preferred that the detergent contains such an alcohol, in particular 1,2-propanediol and / or glycerin, most preferably 1,2-propanediol, in amounts between 0.5 and 15% by weight, based on the total detergent.

[0107] To further improve the stability of the agents, hydrotropes can be used in addition to the surfactant systems described herein. The term "hydrotrope," as used in connection with the present invention, refers to additives or solvents that increase the water solubility of sparingly soluble (hydrophobic) organic compounds. A second component (i.e., the hydrotrope) is added to the sparingly soluble substance, but this hydrotrope is not itself a solvent. Such hydrotropes have hydrophilic and hydrophobic structural units (like surfactants) but without the tendency to form aggregates in water (unlike surfactants). In various embodiments, these hydrotropes have no micelle-forming activity, or the critical micelle concentration (CMC) is greater than 10⁻⁴ mol / L, preferably greater than 10⁻³ mol / L, and even more preferably 10⁻² mol / L.The "critical micelle formation concentration," in accordance with the general understanding in the prior art, is the concentration of the substance above which it begins to form micelles and any further molecule added to the system is converted into micelles. The hydrotropes used typically have a molecular weight < 10,000 g / mol, preferably < 2,500 g / mol, more preferably < 1,000 g / mol, and most preferably < 500 g / mol. They can be selected, for example, from short-chain mono-, di-, tri-, tetra- or penta-alkylbenzenesulfonates, in particular C 1-6 alkylbenzenesulfonates, wherein the alkyl groups may be linear or branched, including but not limited to cumenesulfonate, toluenesulfonate and / or xylenesulfonate, as well as butyl glycol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, 2,2-dimethyl-4-hydroxymethyl-1,2-dioxolane, propylene carbonate, butyl lactate, 2-isobutyl-2-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-4-methanol or mixtures thereof.The hydrotropic compounds are preferably used in a range of 0.1 to 5 wt.%, more preferably from 1 to 2 wt.%, based on the total weight of the detergents.

[0108] The detergents described herein, in particular the described low-water to anhydrous liquid detergents, can be filled into a water-soluble casing and thus be part of a water-soluble package. If the detergent is packaged in a water-soluble casing, it is preferred that the water content be less than 20% by weight, preferably less than 15% or 10% by weight, based on the total detergent.

[0109] A water-soluble package contains a water-soluble outer layer in addition to the detergent. The water-soluble outer layer is preferably formed from a water-soluble film material.

[0110] Such water-soluble packaging can be produced either by vertical form-fill-seal (VFFS) or hot-forming processes.

[0111] The hot forming process generally includes forming a first layer from a water-soluble film material to create indentations for receiving a composition, filling the indentations with the composition, covering the indentations filled with the composition with a second layer from a water-soluble film material, and sealing the first and second layers together at least around the indentations.

[0112] The water-soluble coating is preferably formed from a water-soluble film material selected from the group consisting of polymers or polymer mixtures. The coating can be formed from one, two, or more layers of the water-soluble film material. The water-soluble film material of the first layer and any subsequent layers can be the same or different.

[0113] The water-soluble packaging, comprising the detergent and the water-soluble wrapper, may have one or more compartments. The liquid detergent may be contained in one or more compartments, if present, of the water-soluble wrapper. The quantity of liquid detergent preferably corresponds to the full or half dose required for one wash cycle.

[0114] It is preferred that the water-soluble coating contains polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer.

[0115] Suitable water-soluble films for producing the water-soluble coating are preferably based on a polyvinyl alcohol or a polyvinyl alcohol copolymer whose molecular weight is in the range of 10,000 to 1,000,000 g / mol, preferably 20,000 to 500,000 g / mol, particularly preferably 30,000 to 100,000 g / mol and particularly 40,000 to 80,000 g / mol.

[0116] A film material suitable for the production of the water-soluble coating may additionally contain polymers selected from the group comprising acrylic acid-containing polymers, polyacrylamides, oxazoline polymers, polystyrene sulfonates, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyethers, polylactic acid, and / or mixtures of the aforementioned polymers.

[0117] Preferred polyvinyl alcohol copolymers comprise, in addition to vinyl alcohol, dicarboxylic acids as further monomers. Suitable dicarboxylic acids are itaconic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, and mixtures thereof, with itaconic acid being preferred.

[0118] Equally preferred polyvinyl alcohol copolymers comprise, in addition to vinyl alcohol, an ethylene-unsaturated carboxylic acid, its salt, or its ester. Particularly preferred are such polyvinyl alcohol copolymers containing, in addition to vinyl alcohol, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylic acid esters, methacrylic acid esters, or mixtures thereof.

[0119] Suitable water-soluble films for use in the wrappings of the water-soluble packaging according to the invention are films marketed by MonoSol LLC, for example, under the designations M8630, C8400, or M8900. Other suitable films include films designated Solublon® PT, Solublon® GA, Solublon® KC, or Solublon® KL by Aicello Chemical Europe GmbH, or the VF-HP films by Kuraray.

[0120] The water-soluble packaging can have an essentially dimensionally stable spherical and cushion-shaped design with a circular, elliptical, square or rectangular base.

[0121] The water-soluble packaging may have one or more compartments for storing one or more products. If the water-soluble packaging has two or more compartments, at least one compartment contains a liquid detergent. The other compartments may each contain a solid or a liquid detergent.

[0122] Another object of the invention is a method for cleaning textiles, characterized in that an agent according to the invention is used in at least one process step, as well as the use of a liquid detergent according to the invention for washing textiles.

[0123] This includes both manual and machine-based methods, with machine-based methods being preferred. Methods for cleaning textiles are generally characterized by the fact that, in several process steps, various cleaning agents are applied to the item being cleaned and rinsed off after the contact time, or that the item being cleaned is otherwise treated with a detergent or a solution or dilution thereof. All conceivable washing methods can be enhanced in at least one of the process steps by the application of a detergent according to the invention and then represent embodiments of the present invention. All circumstances, objects, and embodiments described for agents according to the invention are also applicable to this subject matter of the invention.Therefore, at this point, explicit reference is made to the disclosure at the relevant point, with the note that this disclosure also applies to the aforementioned methods and uses according to the invention. Examples Example 1: Laundry detergent recipes

[0124] Table 1: Detergent formulation, components in wt.% E1 V1 V2 E2 substance Linear alkylbenzenesulfonate 14 14 14 14 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 5 5 5 5 Fatty alcohol 700 15 5 15 15 Glucopon 215 CSUP 5 0 0 0 Glucopon 600 CSUP 0 0 0 5 Soap 1 1 1 1 DTPMP (phosphonate) 1 1 1 1 boric acid 1 1 1 1 Citric acid 3 3 3 3 Optical brightener 0,1 0,1 0,1 0,1 Monoethanolamine 7 7 7 7 SRPs 2 2 0 2 DTI 1 1 0 1 1,2-Propylene glycol 11 11 11 11 Enzymes 1,5 1,5 1,5 1,5 Water Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 Ad 100 SBF 1 0,8 Glucopon 215 CSUP (C8-10 Alkyl(poly)glucoside; DP 1.5; Active substance 62-65 wt.%) Glucopon 600 CSUP (C12-14 alkyl (poly) glucoside; DP 1.4; active substance 50-53 wt.%)

[0125] The formulations E1 and E2 according to the invention were stable after 12 weeks of storage at room temperature. A comparison formulation containing only fatty alcohol-7EO as the niotenoid component (V1) showed phase separation after only 2 weeks. Comparison formulation V2 serves as a reference and contains neither polymer (SRP) nor glucopone.

Claims

1. An isotropic liquid detergent having a total surfactant concentration of at least 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent, preferably in the range of 30 to 70% by weight, more preferably 35 to 60% by weight, comprising, based on the total weight of the detergent, (A) at least 20% by weight of at least one anionic surfactant A, (B) at least 5% by weight of at least one non-ionic surfactant N having a Griffin HLB value ≤ 12; (C) at least 2% by weight of at least one non-ionic surfactant N1 having a Griffin HLB value >12, wherein the weight ratio of N1 to N is ≤1; and (D) at least 1% by weight of at least one polymeric compound P selected from soil-release polymers (SRP), dye transfer inhibitors (DTI) and anti-redeposition agents, in particular an SRP and optionally a DTI, wherein the surfactant N1 is selected from alkyl polyglycosides and N-alkylgluconamides.

2. An isotropic liquid detergent according to claim 1, characterised in that the at least one anionic surfactant A (i) is present in the detergent in a concentration of 20 to 65% by weight, preferably 20 to 55% by weight, relative to the total weight of the detergent; and / or (ii) are selected from sulphate and sulphonate surfactants, preferably alkylbenzenesulphonates, alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphates and mixtures thereof, or more preferably a combination of alkylbenzene sulphonates and alkyl ether sulphates, in particular a combination of alkylbenzene sulphonates in amounts of 10 to 25% by weight, preferably 12 to 20% by weight, more preferably 14 to 18% by weight, and alkyl ether sulphates in amounts of 2 to 10% by weight, in particular 3 to 8% by weight.

3. An isotropic liquid detergent according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the one or more surfactant(s) N (i) are present in the detergent in a concentration of 5 to 50, preferably 5 to 25 wt.%, based on the total weight of the detergent; and / or (ii) are selected from fatty alcohol alkoxylates, in particular those with up to 7EO.

4. An isotropic liquid detergent according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the surfactant N1 is selected from alkyl polyglycosides and N-alkylgluconamides from the group consisting of n-decyl- or n-dodecyl-b-D-maltoside, n-octyl-, 2-ethylhexyl-, n-decyl- or n-dodecyl-β-D-glucoside, n-octyl-, 2-ethylhexyl-, n-decyl- or n-dodecyl-α-D-glucoside, C8-16 , in particular C8-10 or C12 -16-alkyl-oligo(1,4)- glucosides, N-octyl-, N-decyl- and N-dodecyl-D-gluconamide, and N,N-dialkyl-D-gluconamides, in particular N-C8-C18-alkyl-N-methyl-D-gluconamides.

5. An isotropic liquid detergent according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the concentration of surfactant N1 is 2-10 wt.% and / or the amount of surfactant N is 5 to 20 wt.%, based on the total weight of the detergent, preferably 2 to 8 wt.% N1 and 5 to 15 wt.% N.

6. An isotropic liquid detergent according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the ratio of the total amount of N + N1 to the total amount of anionic surfactants A, at a total surfactant content of 30 wt.%, is 5:1 to 1:5, in particular 2:1 to 1:5, and at a total surfactant content of >30 to 35 wt.% is 5:2 to 1:6, in particular 4:3 to 1:6; at a total surfactant content of >35 to 40 wt.% 5:4 to 1:8, in particular 4:5 to 2:7, for a total surfactant content of >45 to 50 wt.% 1:1 to 1:9, in particular 2:3 to 1:4, for a total surfactant content of >50 to 55 wt.% 5:6 to 1:10, in particular 4:7 to 2:9, for a total surfactant content of >55 to 60 wt.% 5:7 to 1:11, in particular 1:2 to 1:5, for a total surfactant content of >60 to 65 wt.% is 5:8 to 1:12, in particular 4:9 to 2:11, and, for a total surfactant content of >65 to 70 wt.%, is 5:9 to 1:13, in particular 2:5 to 1:6.

7. An isotropic liquid detergent according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the polymeric compound P is present in the detergent in a concentration of 1 to 20 wt.%, preferably 1 to 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the detergent.

8. A liquid detergent according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the detergent (1) contains at least one enzyme; and / or (2) and at least one further component selected from the group consisting of structuring agents, bleaching agents, electrolytes, perfumes, perfume carriers, fluorescent agents, dyes, hydrotropes, foam inhibitors, silicone oils, anti-greying agents, shrink-proofing agents, crease-resistant agents, antimicrobial agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors, antistatic agents, bittering agents, ironing aids, water-repellent and impregnating agents, swelling and slip agents, softening components, pH adjusters and UV absorbers.

9. Use of a liquid detergent according to any one of claims 1-8 for washing textiles.

10. A method for cleaning textiles, characterised in that a liquid detergent according to any one of claims 1 to 8 is used in at least one process step.

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