Composition based on hypohalogenites

Abstract

The present invention relates to use of a bleaching composition comprising 0.5 to 50 of a hypohalogenite; 0.1% to 2.5% of a source of alkalinity; and 0.01 to 0.40 of 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid; wherein said weight percentages are weight percentages on the total weight of the composition, to preserve the integrity and the degree of whiteness of the fabrics after 20 or more washing cycles.

Description

Cross-reference to correlated applications

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000014971 filed on June 28th, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.Technical field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a hypohalogenites-based composition with improved performances.State of the art

[0003] As it is known, in the panorama of alkaline formulations based on sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleaches, most products do not contain other active substances.

[0004] Among the main secondary ingredients at most small amounts of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate, as direct or indirect residues of the production processes of the same hypochlorite, can be found.

[0005] Sometimes such formulations also contain small amounts of surfactants (whether anionic, cationic or nonionic), silicates (stabilisers) and perfumes.

[0006] Formulations of this type, when used diluted for cleaning the clothes, being soaked, can result in considerable losses of integrity of the fabrics and degree of whiteness.

[0007] These two problems are generally solved by increasing the alkalinity of the washing solution thereby using high amounts of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate.

[0008] However, the formulations rich in sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate when used for washing in municipal water result in a precipitation of calcium carbonate which causes a reduction in the performance of the hypochlorite-based composition.

[0009] Aim of the present invention is therefore to provide new hypohalogenites-based formulations without the disadvantages of the known formulations and with high performances.Subject and summary of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention the use of a composition according to claim 1 is provided.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, the use of a hypohalogenites-based composition for preserving the integrity and degree of whiteness of fabrics after 20 or more washing cycles is provided.

[0012] The present disclosure also discloses a process for the treatment of fabrics wherein said fabrics are immersed in a composition formed by diluting said composition in water.

[0013] In particular, the composition of the invention, thanks to the use of a modest amount of PBTC used as a crystallization inhibitor, allows to considerably lower the amounts of carbonate and sodium hydroxide in the composition improving the performances of the product and also providing new benefits such as preserving the integrity and the degree of whiteness of the fabrics after 20 or more washing cycles and improving the feeling to the touch.

[0014] Advantageously the composition of the invention guarantees the integrity and the degree of whiteness of the fabrics after several washing cycles, which are normally subject to deterioration due to the oxidizing action of the hypohalogenite, in particular sodium hypochlorite, and of other species at balance (hypochlorous acid). As anticipated, a valid system to avoid the problem is to obtain a rather high pH of the diluted product - according to the instructions for use -, typically in a range 9.5-11.5, wherein the sodium hypochlorite-hypochlorous acid balance is shifted in favour of the first, less oxidizing than the second and therefore less harmful. The main technical obstacle is to maintain contained levels of alkalizing and / or buffering agents and still obtain a high-performance product. This technical problem is solved by the composition of the invention which employs a crystallization inhibitor chelator, 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC), stable in hypohalogenite and particularly effective even in very small amounts. The technical reason lies in the fact that in addition to the fabric oxidation there is also an important phenomenon of deposition of calcium carbonate (which naturally occurs when a product of this type is diluted with mains water) which worsens the quality of the fabrics in all aspects (be it the integrity with respect to tearing, the degree of whiteness, but also the feeling to the touch); the use of an effective crystallisation inhibitor is part of this.Preferred embodiments of the inventionComposition

[0015] The compositions described herein are formulated as liquid compositions, including the gel and spray form. The compositions are preferably, but not necessarily, formulated as aqueous compositions. Preferred compositions of the present invention are aqueous and therefore, preferably, can comprise water, more preferably they can comprise water in an amount between 87% to 98%, even more preferably between 89% to 96% and most preferably between 90% to 97% by weight on the total weight of the composition.

[0016] An essential aspect of the present invention is that the composition is shelf stable. By "shelf stable", it is meant that the compositions of the present invention typically do not suffer a loss of more than 36% of available oxidizing agent after 10 days of storage at 50 °C ± 0.5 °C and more preferably not more than 32%. The loss percentage of available chlorine (% AvCl) can be measured using the method described, for example, in "Analyses des Eaux et Extraits de Javel" by "La chambre syndicale nationale de L'eau de Javel et des produits connexes", pages 9-10 (1984). Said method consists in measuring the oxidizing agent available in the fresh compositions, i.e., immediately after their production, and in the same compositions after 5 days at 50 °C.

[0017] The compositions of the invention are alkaline compositions. The pH of the liquid compositions of the invention is from 10.5 to 14 when measured at 25 °C. It is in this alkaline range that the optimum stability and performance of the composition as well as the whiteness and / or safety of the fabric are obtained.

[0018] Consequently, the compositions herein can comprise an acid or a source of alkalinity to adjust the pH as appropriate. Typical levels of such source of alkalinity, when present, are 0.1% to 2.5% by weight, preferably 0.3% to 1.8% by weight of the composition.Hypohalogenite

[0019] An essential component of the invention are the hypohalogenites. The hypohalogenites can be derived from a variety of sources, including oxidizing compounds that lead to the formation of positive halide ions as well as organic sources of halides such as chloroisocyanurates.

[0020] Hypohalogenites suitable for use in the present invention include alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hypochlorites, hypobromides, hypoiodides, chlorinated trisodium phosphate dodecahydrates, potassium or sodium dichloroisocyanurates, potassium or sodium trichlorocyanurates, N-chloroimides, N-chloroamides, N-chloroamines and chlorohydantoins.

[0021] Among the above-described hypohalogenites, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hypochlorites are preferred, more preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, lithium and calcium hypochlorites, and mixtures thereof, even more preferably sodium hypochlorite.

[0022] Preferably, the compositions according to the present invention comprise hypohalogenates such that the content of active halide (for hypochlorite AvCl2) in the composition is 0.01% to 15% by weight, more preferably 0.1% to 10% by weight, even more preferably 0.5% to 7% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0023] In one embodiment, the hypohalogenite is added in an amount of between 0.5 and 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 2 and 4% by weight, alternatively between 0.5 and 2% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.Source of alkalinity

[0024] Another essential component for the formulations of the invention is a source of alkalinity. The source of alkalinity ensures that the pH of the composition is typically 12 to 14 measured at 25 °C. Furthermore, the composition of the invention is buffered to a pH value ranging from 7.5 to 13, preferably 8 to 12, more preferably 9.5 to 11.5 after the composition has been diluted from 1 to 500 times its weight of water.

[0025] It is in this alkaline range that optimal hypohalogenite stability and performances as well as fabric whiteness and safety are achieved. The pH range is adequatelyprovided by the source of alkalinity and the hypohalogenite mentioned above, which are both alkaline. Sources of alkalinity suitable for use in the composition of the invention are selected from the group consisting of buffering agents, strong bases and mixtures thereof.

[0026] Preferred buffering agents are selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts of carbonates, polycarbonates, sesquicarbonates, silicates, polysilicates, borates, metaborates, phosphates, stannates, aluminates and mixtures thereof, and are preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium borate and mixtures thereof, more preferably sodium carbonate.

[0027] Typical levels of such buffering agents, when present, are up to 1% by weight of the total weight of the composition, preferably up to 0.6%. In particular, when the buffer is sodium carbonate its amount is comprised between 0 and 0.6% by weight on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.3 and 0.4% by weight.

[0028] Preferred strong bases are selected from the group consisting of caustic alkalis such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, alkali metal oxides such as sodium oxide, potassium oxide and mixtures thereof, and are preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, more preferably sodium hydroxide.

[0029] Typical levels of such strong bases, when present, are 0.01% to 2% by weight, preferably 0.3% to 1.0%.

[0030] Preferably the source of alkalinity is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide.

[0031] The amount of the source of alkalinity in the composition is 0.1% to 2.5% by weight of the total composition, preferably 0.3% to 1.8% and more preferably 0.4 to 1.6%.Chelating agent

[0032] The composition further comprises an inhibitor chelator of the calcium carbonate crystal growth, in particular 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC). The PBTC is present in an amount between 0.01 and 0.4% by weight on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.02 and 0.1%, alternatively between 0.09 and 0.4%.

[0033] Advantageously, the presence of this chelator allows to limit the amount of source of alkalinity in the composition by improving the performance of the product and also opening up the possibility of obtaining new benefits such as preserving the integrity and the degree of whiteness of the fabrics after 20 or more washing cycles and improving the feeling to the touch.Surfactants

[0034] The compositions of the present invention can further comprise a surfactant system. Said surfactant system can be present in the compositions in amounts up to 6% by weight, preferably up to 5% by weight.

[0035] The surfactant system for use in the composition of the invention can comprise a surfactant selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and mixtures thereof.

[0036] Anionic surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present document include water-soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO 3 M wherein R is preferably a linear or branched C 10 -C 24 alkyl, preferably a linear or branched C 10 -C 20 alkyl, more preferably a linear or branched C 12 -C 18 alkyl, and M is H or a cation, e.g., alkali metal cations (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl, dimethyl and trimethylammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamine such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and relative mixtures, and the like).

[0037] Other suitable anionic surfactants are water-soluble salts or acids of formula (II)         R 3 O(A) m SO 3 M 1      (II) wherein R 3 is an unsubstituted linear or branched C 6 -C 24 alkyl group having a C 6 -C 24 alkyl component, preferably a linear or branched C 10 -C 20 alkyl, more preferably a linear or branched C 12 -C 18 alkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 30, more preferably between about 0.5 and about 5, and M 1 is H or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), an ammonium or substituted ammonium cation. Ethoxylated alkyl sulphates as well as propoxylated alkyl sulphates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl, dimethyl, trimethylammonium, and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethylammonium, dimethylpiperidinium, and cations derived from alkanolamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like. Exemplary surfactants are C 12 -C 18 alkylpolyethoxylate (1.0) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 E (1.0) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 alkylpolyethoxylate (2.25) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 E (2.25) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 alkylpolyethoxylate (3.0)sulphate, C 12 -C 18 E (3.0) sulphate, and C 12 -C 18 alkylpolyethoxylate (4.0) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 E (4.0) sulphate, wherein the counterion is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

[0038] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surfactant system used is an anionic surfactant system, i.e. alkyl alkoxy (preferably ethoxy) sulphate alone, e.g. alkyl (ethoxy) 3 sulphate (AE3S) or in combination with a co-surfactant, preferably a C 2 -C 10 alkyl sulphate and / or a C 8 -C 22 alkyl or aryl sulphonate such as C 8 -C 22 benzene sulphonate and / or another alkyl alkoxy sulphate apart from the 3 ethoxylate one. Indeed, the presence of said alkyl (ethoxy) 3 sulphate alone or in combination with a co-surfactant provides the desired viscosity to the present compositions and delivers excellent stain removal properties to said compositions, in particular when used in any laundry application. Typically, the compositions according to the present invention have a viscosity between 25 cps and 1500 cps, preferably between 50 cps and 200 cps, depending on the ratio between AE3S and the co-surfactant, when measured with a rheometer such as Carri-med CSL2-100 ®< at the following viscosity parameters: angle: 1°58, range: 60, diameter: 4.0 cm, internal: 63.60 at a temperature of 25 °C and a cutting speed of 30 1 / sec.

[0039] Other anionic surfactants suitable for use herein are water-soluble salts or acids of the formula (III)         R 4 O (A) m CH 2 COOM 1      (III) wherein R 4 is an unsubstituted linear or branched C 6 -C 24 alkyl group having a C 6 -C 24 alkyl component, preferably a linear or branched C 10 -C 20 alkyl, more preferably a linear or branched C 12 -C 18 alkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 30, more preferably between about 0.5 and about 5, and M 1 is as defined above. Contemplated herein are alkyl ethoxylated carboxylates as well as alkyl propoxylated carboxylates. Exemplary surfactants are C 12 -C 18 alkyl ethoxylate (2.0) carboxylate, C 12 -C 18 alkyl ethoxylate (5.0) carboxylate, C 12 -C 18 alkyl ethoxylate (7.0) carboxylate, wherein the counterion is suitably selected from sodium and potassium.

[0040] Other anionic surfactants useful for detergent purposes can also be used herein.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the anionic surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphates, sarcosinates, taurates, carboxylate ether, ethoxylated alkyl sulphates, propoxylated alkyl sulphates, and mixtures thereof.

[0042] Nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein are capped nonionic ethoxylated surfactants according to formula (IV):         R 5 (OR 6 ) n OR 7      (IV) wherein R 5 is a linear or branched C 8 -C 18 alkyl or alkenyl group, an aryl group, an alkaryl group, preferably, R 5 is a C 10 -C 15 alkyl or alkenyl group, more preferably a C 10 -C 15 alkyl group; R 6 is a linear or branched C 2 -C 10 alkyl group, preferably a C 4 group; R 7 is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a C 1 -C 5 alkyl group, and n is an integer ranging from 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 1 to 5, or mixtures thereof. These surfactants are commercially available from BASF under the trade name Plurafac ®< , from HOECHST under the trade name Genapol ®< or from ICI under the trade name Symperonic ®< . Preferred capped nonionic ethoxylated surfactants of the above formula are those commercially available under the trade name Genapol ®< L 2.5 NR from Hoechst, and Symperonic ®< LF / CS 1100 from ICI.

[0043] Other nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein include a class of compounds that can be broadly defined as compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (of hydrophilic nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which can be aliphatic branched or linear (e.g., Guerbet or secondary alcohol) or of alkyl aromatic nature. The length of the hydrophilic radical or polyoxyalkylene that is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to render a compound water-soluble having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements.

[0044] Other zwitterionic surfactants suitable for use herein are those including the amine oxides corresponding to formula (V) :         R 8 R 9 R 10 N→O     (V) wherein R 8 is a primary alkyl group containing 6 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms and wherein R 9 and R 10 are each independently an alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The arrow in the formula is a conventional representation of a semi-polar bond. The preferred amine oxides are those wherein the primary alkyl group has a linear chain in at least most molecules, generally at least 70%, preferably at least 90% of the molecules, and the amine oxides which are in the preferred case those wherein R contains 10 to 18 carbon atoms and R 8 and R 9 are both methyl. Examples of preferred amine oxides are N-decyldimethylamine oxide, N-dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, the corresponding amine oxides wherein one or both of the methyl groups are substituted with ethyl or 2-hydroxyethyl groups and mixtures thereof. A most preferable amine oxide for use herein is N-decyldimethylamine oxide.

[0045] Other zwitterionic surfactants suitable for the purposes of the invention are the phosphine or sulfoxide surfactants of formula (VI):         R 11 R 12 R 13 A→O     (VI) wherein A is a phosphorus or sulphur atom, R 11 is a primary alkyl group containing 6 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein R 12 and R 13 are each independently selected from methyl, ethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl. The arrow in the formula is a conventional representation of a semi-polar bond.

[0046] Multi-charge surfactants suitable for use herein are zwitterionic detergents comprising the betaine and betaine-like detergents wherein the molecule contains both basic and acidic groups that form an internal salt that provides the molecule with both cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups over a wide range of pH values. Some common examples of these detergents are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2082275, 2702279 and 2255082.

[0047] Amphoteric and ampholytic detergents that can be cationic or anionic depending on the pH of the system are represented by detergents such as dodecylbetaalanine, N-alkyltaurines such as that prepared by reacting dodecylamine with sodium isethionate according to the teaching of U.S. Patent No. 2658072, higher N-alkylaspartic acids such as those produced according to the teaching of U.S. Patent No. 2438091, and the products sold under the trade name "Miranol" and described in U.S. Patent No. 2528378. Further synthetic detergents and lists of their commercial sources can be found in McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers, North American Ed. 1980.

[0048] Other zwitterionic detergents suitable for use herein comprise quaternary amine (or diamine) alkyl ether sulphate of formula (VII):         R 14 [N(A m SO 3 M 1 ) 4 ] n      (VII) wherein R 14 is an unsubstituted linear or branched C 2 -C 24 alkyl group having a C 4 -C 24 alkyl component, preferably a linear or branched C 4 -C 20 alkyl, more preferably a linear or branched C 4 -C 18 alkyl, and A, m and M1 are as defined above, in particular, m is typically between about 0.5 and about 50, more preferably between about 5 and about 30.

[0049] Alkyl ether sulphates of quaternary diamine as well as alkyl ether sulphates of quaternary amine are contemplated herein. Exemplary surfactants are Lutensit z96 from BASF ®< .

[0050] Cationic surfactants suitable for use in compositions of the present invention are those having a long chain hydrocarbyl group. Examples of such cationic surfactants include the ammonium surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium halides and those surfactants having the formula (VIII):         [R 15 OR 16 ) y ][R 17 (OR 16 ) y ] 2 R 18 N +< X -<      (VIII) wherein R 15 is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, each R 16 is selected from the group consisting of -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH 2 CH(CH 3 ), -CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 -, and mixtures thereof; each R 17 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl ring structures formed by joining the two R 17 groups, and hydrogen when y is not 0; R 18 is equal to R 17 or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms of R 15 plus R 18 is not higher than about 18; each y is from 0 to about 10 and the sum of y values is 0 to about 15; and X is any compatible anion.

[0051] A quaternary ammonium surfactant suitable for the present invention has the formula (IX): whereby R 19 is a short chain length alkyl (C6-C10), whereby R 20 is H or a C1-C3 alkyl, whereby x is 0 to 4, preferably 0 to 2, most preferably 0, whereby R 21 , R 22 and R 23 are the same or different and they can be a short chain (C1-C3) alkyl or an alkoxylated alkyl of the formula X, whereby X -< is a counterion, preferably a halide, e.g. chloride or methylsulphate. R 24 is C1-C4 and z is 1 or 2.

[0052] Highly preferred cationic surfactants are the water-soluble quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present composition having the formula:         R 25 R 26 R 27 R 28 N +< X -<      (i) wherein R 25 is C 8 -C 16 alkyl, each of R 26 , R 27 and R 28 is independently C 1 -C 4 alkyl, benzyl, and -(C 2 H 4 ) x H where x has a value of 2 to 5, and X is an anion. No more than one of R 26 , R 27 and R 28 should be benzyl.

[0053] Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium compounds of formula (i) are: trimethylammonium chloride or coconut bromide; decyl triethylammonium chloride; C12-15 trimethylammonium chloride or bromide; myristyl trimethylammonium methylsulphate; lauryl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride or bromide; lauryl dimethyl (ethenoxy) 4 ammonium chloride or bromide; choline esters (compounds of formula (i) wherein R 25 is di-alkyl imidazoline alkyl and R 26 R 27 R 28 are methyl. Other optional ingredients

[0054] The compositions can further comprise a variety of optional ingredients such as perfumes and silicates.Process for the treatment of surfaces

[0055] In the present invention, the composition can be used to treat fabrics including garments, curtains, drapes, bed linen, bath linen, tablecloths, sleeping bags, marquees, upholstered furniture and the like, and carpets.

[0056] By "treating a surface", it is meant bleaching and / or disinfecting said surfaces and cleaning, i.e. removing various types of stains from the surfaces.

[0057] Thus, the present invention also encompasses a process for the treatment of (e.g., bleaching) a fabric. In such a process, a fabric is put into contact with a composition according to the present invention.

[0058] This can be carried out in a so-called "pre-treatment mode", where the composition, as defined herein, is applied pure onto said fabrics before the fabrics are rinsed, or washed and then rinsed, or in a "soaking mode" where a composition, as defined herein, is first diluted in an aqueous bath and the fabrics are immersed and soaked in the bath, before they are rinsed, or in a "washing mode", where a composition, as defined herein, is added above a washing liquor formed by dissolving or dispersing a typical laundry detergent. It is also essential in both cases, that the fabrics are rinsed after being put into contact with said composition, before said composition has completely dried.

[0059] The processes for the treatment of fabrics according to the present invention lead to effective whiteness and / or stain removal performances by preventing staining of the treated surface upon aging of the compositions.

[0060] The compositions according to the present invention are preferably put into contact with fabrics in a liquid form. Indeed, by "in a liquid form", it is meant herein the liquid compositions according to the present invention per se in pure or diluted form.

[0061] The compositions according to the present invention are typically used in diluted form in a laundry washing operation. By "in diluted form" is meant herein that the compositions according to the present invention can be diluted by the user, preferably with water. Such dilution can occur for example in hand washing applications as well as by other means such as in a washing machine. Said compositions can be diluted up to 500 times, preferably 5 to 200 times and more preferably 10 to 80 times.

[0062] More specifically, the process for the treatment of fabrics according to the present invention comprises the steps of first putting into contact a fabric with a composition according to the present invention, in the diluted form thereof, then allowing said fabrics to remain in contact with said composition, for a time period sufficient to treat said fabrics, typically 1 to 60 minutes, preferably 5 to 30 minutes, then rinsing said fabrics with water. If said fabrics are to be washed, i.e. with a conventional composition comprising at least one surfactant, said washing can be carried out together with the treatment of said fabrics by putting into contact said fabrics simultaneously with a composition according to the present invention, or said washing can be carried out before or after said fabrics have been treated. The composition of the invention can also be used as the sole treatment agent on the surface, i.e. without being combined, before or after, with a washing step.

[0063] Consequently, said process allows to treat fabrics and optionally to wash fabrics with a detergent composition comprising at least one surfactant before the step of putting into contact said fabrics with said composition and / or in the step wherein said fabrics are put into contact with said composition and / or after the step wherein said fabrics are put into contact with the composition and before the rinsing step and / or after the rinsing step.

[0064] In another embodiment of the present invention, the process for bleaching fabrics comprises the step of putting into contact the fabrics with a composition according to the present invention, in its pure form, of allowing said fabrics to remain in contact with said composition for a time period sufficient to bleach said fabrics, typically 5 seconds to 30 minutes, preferably 1 minute to 10 minutes and then rinsing said fabrics with water. If said fabrics are to be washed, i.e. with a conventional composition comprising at least one surfactant, said washing can be carried out before or after said fabrics have been treated. In the embodiment of the present invention wherein the fabric is put into contact with a composition of the present invention in its pure form, it is preferable that the level of hypohalogenite is 1% to 5%, preferably 2% to 4%. Advantageously, the present invention provides compositions containing liquid hypohalogenite which can be applied in a pure manner on a fabric to be bleached, despite a permanent prejudice against the use of compositions containing pure hypochlorite on fabrics.

[0065] It is preferable to perform the bleaching process of the present document before said fabrics are washed. Indeed, it has been observed that bleaching said fabrics with the compositions according to the present invention (diluted and / or pure bleaching processes) before washing them with a detergent composition provides superior whiteness and stain removal with less energy and detergent than when the same fabrics are first washed, then bleached.

[0066] Alternatively, instead of following the pure bleaching process as described hereinbefore (application of pre-treatment agent) with a rinsing step with water and / or a conventional washing step with a conventional liquid or powder detergent, the bleaching pre-treatment operation can also be followed by the diluted bleaching process as described hereinbefore in a bucket (manual operation) or in a washing machine.

[0067] The following examples will further detail the present invention.Example 1

[0068] The performance of the composition of the invention is measured by evaluating the integrity of the fabric after several washing cycles (20 or 40) and the degree of whiteness thereof. The first measurement is carried out by measuring the so-called "wing tear" and the "burst test", carried out the first on ISO cotton and the second on a common knitted fabric. The second is measured in accordance with the Ganz index, with the aid of a colorimeter.

[0069] In particular, the compositions reported in Table 1 are tested. Ingredient Active by weight [%] Formulation 1 Formulation 2 (comparative) Formulation 3 (comparative) Sodium hypochlorite 3.03.03.0Sodium hydroxide 0.60.30.6Sodium carbonate 0.40.10.42-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (or salts thereof) 0.025 / / Polymer in accordance with patent EP3523413A1 / / 0.049 The results of the wing-tear tests are reported in Table 2, those of the burst test are reported in Table 3 and those of the degree of whiteness are reported in Table 4. Table 2: Wing tear (ISO cotton) Type of fabric / treatment ResistanceDirection: warp [N]Untreated fabric6.0Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 15.2Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 25.2Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 35.2Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 14.7Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 24.3Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 34.5 Type of fabric / treatment ResistanceDirection: weft [N]Untreated fabric5.7Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 14.9Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 24.8Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 34.8Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 14.4Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 23.7Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 34.1 After 40 washes, Formulation 1, subject-matter of the invention, is statistically better both on the weft and on the warp compared to the other two formulations being examined. Table 3: Burst test (knitted cotton fabric): Type of fabric / treatment Resistance[kPa]Untreated fabric421Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 1386Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 2355Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 3362Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 1347Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 2314Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 3304 Table 4: Grade of whiteness (knitted cotton fabric) Type of fabric / treatment Loss of grade of whiteness according to Ganz [-]Untreated fabricReferenceFabric washed 20 times Formulation 1-36Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 2-102Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 1-51Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 2-156 Already after 20 washes, formulation 1 is significantly superior to the other formulation being examined. In particular, as to the degree of whiteness, 10 Ganz points are already perceptible by the consumers.

Examples

example 1

Example 1

[0068]The performance of the composition of the invention is measured by evaluating the integrity of the fabric after several washing cycles (20 or 40) and the degree of whiteness thereof. The first measurement is carried out by measuring the so-called "wing tear" and the "burst test", carried out the first on ISO cotton and the second on a common knitted fabric. The second is measured in accordance with the Ganz index, with the aid of a colorimeter.

[0069]In particular, the compositions reported in Table 1 are tested.

Ingredient Active by weight [%]

Formulation 1 Formulation 2 (comparative) Formulation 3 (comparative)

Sodium hypochlorite 3.03.03.0

Sodium hydroxide 0.60.30.6

Sodium carbonate 0.40.10.4

2-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (or salts thereof) 0.025 / /

Polymer in accordance with patent EP3523413A1 / / 0.049

The results of the wing-tear tests are reported in Table 2, those of the burst test are reported in Table 3 and those of

the degree of whiteness are...

Cross-reference to correlated applications

[0001] This patent application claims priority from Italian patent application no. 102024000014971 filed on June 28th, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.Technical field of the invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a hypohalogenites-based composition with improved performances.State of the art

[0003] As it is known, in the panorama of alkaline formulations based on sodium hypochlorite, commonly known as bleaches, most products do not contain other active substances.

[0004] Among the main secondary ingredients at most small amounts of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate, as direct or indirect residues of the production processes of the same hypochlorite, can be found.

[0005] Sometimes such formulations also contain small amounts of surfactants (whether anionic, cationic or nonionic), silicates (stabilisers) and perfumes.

[0006] Formulations of this type, when used diluted for cleaning the clothes, being soaked, can result in considerable losses of integrity of the fabrics and degree of whiteness.

[0007] These two problems are generally solved by increasing the alkalinity of the washing solution thereby using high amounts of sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate.

[0008] However, the formulations rich in sodium hydroxide and sodium carbonate when used for washing in municipal water result in a precipitation of calcium carbonate which causes a reduction in the performance of the hypochlorite-based composition.

[0009] Aim of the present invention is therefore to provide new hypohalogenites-based formulations without the disadvantages of the known formulations and with high performances.Subject and summary of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention the use of a composition according to claim 1 is provided.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the invention, the use of a hypohalogenites-based composition for preserving the integrity and degree of whiteness of fabrics after 20 or more washing cycles is provided.

[0012] The present disclosure also discloses a process for the treatment of fabrics wherein said fabrics are immersed in a composition formed by diluting said composition in water.

[0013] In particular, the composition of the invention, thanks to the use of a modest amount of PBTC used as a crystallization inhibitor, allows to considerably lower the amounts of carbonate and sodium hydroxide in the composition improving the performances of the product and also providing new benefits such as preserving the integrity and the degree of whiteness of the fabrics after 20 or more washing cycles and improving the feeling to the touch.

[0014] Advantageously the composition of the invention guarantees the integrity and the degree of whiteness of the fabrics after several washing cycles, which are normally subject to deterioration due to the oxidizing action of the hypohalogenite, in particular sodium hypochlorite, and of other species at balance (hypochlorous acid). As anticipated, a valid system to avoid the problem is to obtain a rather high pH of the diluted product - according to the instructions for use -, typically in a range 9.5-11.5, wherein the sodium hypochlorite-hypochlorous acid balance is shifted in favour of the first, less oxidizing than the second and therefore less harmful. The main technical obstacle is to maintain contained levels of alkalizing and / or buffering agents and still obtain a high-performance product. This technical problem is solved by the composition of the invention which employs a crystallization inhibitor chelator, 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC), stable in hypohalogenite and particularly effective even in very small amounts. The technical reason lies in the fact that in addition to the fabric oxidation there is also an important phenomenon of deposition of calcium carbonate (which naturally occurs when a product of this type is diluted with mains water) which worsens the quality of the fabrics in all aspects (be it the integrity with respect to tearing, the degree of whiteness, but also the feeling to the touch); the use of an effective crystallisation inhibitor is part of this.Preferred embodiments of the inventionComposition

[0015] The compositions described herein are formulated as liquid compositions, including the gel and spray form. The compositions are preferably, but not necessarily, formulated as aqueous compositions. Preferred compositions of the present invention are aqueous and therefore, preferably, can comprise water, more preferably they can comprise water in an amount between 87% to 98%, even more preferably between 89% to 96% and most preferably between 90% to 97% by weight on the total weight of the composition.

[0016] An essential aspect of the present invention is that the composition is shelf stable. By "shelf stable", it is meant that the compositions of the present invention typically do not suffer a loss of more than 36% of available oxidizing agent after 10 days of storage at 50 °C ± 0.5 °C and more preferably not more than 32%. The loss percentage of available chlorine (% AvCl) can be measured using the method described, for example, in "Analyses des Eaux et Extraits de Javel" by "La chambre syndicale nationale de L'eau de Javel et des produits connexes", pages 9-10 (1984). Said method consists in measuring the oxidizing agent available in the fresh compositions, i.e., immediately after their production, and in the same compositions after 5 days at 50 °C.

[0017] The compositions of the invention are alkaline compositions. The pH of the liquid compositions of the invention is from 10.5 to 14 when measured at 25 °C. It is in this alkaline range that the optimum stability and performance of the composition as well as the whiteness and / or safety of the fabric are obtained.

[0018] Consequently, the compositions herein can comprise an acid or a source of alkalinity to adjust the pH as appropriate. Typical levels of such source of alkalinity, when present, are 0.1% to 2.5% by weight, preferably 0.3% to 1.8% by weight of the composition.Hypohalogenite

[0019] An essential component of the invention are the hypohalogenites. The hypohalogenites can be derived from a variety of sources, including oxidizing compounds that lead to the formation of positive halide ions as well as organic sources of halides such as chloroisocyanurates.

[0020] Hypohalogenites suitable for use in the present invention include alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hypochlorites, hypobromides, hypoiodides, chlorinated trisodium phosphate dodecahydrates, potassium or sodium dichloroisocyanurates, potassium or sodium trichlorocyanurates, N-chloroimides, N-chloroamides, N-chloroamines and chlorohydantoins.

[0021] Among the above-described hypohalogenites, alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hypochlorites are preferred, more preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, lithium and calcium hypochlorites, and mixtures thereof, even more preferably sodium hypochlorite.

[0022] Preferably, the compositions according to the present invention comprise hypohalogenates such that the content of active halide (for hypochlorite AvCl2) in the composition is 0.01% to 15% by weight, more preferably 0.1% to 10% by weight, even more preferably 0.5% to 7% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.

[0023] In one embodiment, the hypohalogenite is added in an amount of between 0.5 and 5% by weight based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 2 and 4% by weight, alternatively between 0.5 and 2% by weight based on the total weight of the composition.Source of alkalinity

[0024] Another essential component for the formulations of the invention is a source of alkalinity. The source of alkalinity ensures that the pH of the composition is typically 12 to 14 measured at 25 °C. Furthermore, the composition of the invention is buffered to a pH value ranging from 7.5 to 13, preferably 8 to 12, more preferably 9.5 to 11.5 after the composition has been diluted from 1 to 500 times its weight of water.

[0025] It is in this alkaline range that optimal hypohalogenite stability and performances as well as fabric whiteness and safety are achieved. The pH range is adequatelyprovided by the source of alkalinity and the hypohalogenite mentioned above, which are both alkaline. Sources of alkalinity suitable for use in the composition of the invention are selected from the group consisting of buffering agents, strong bases and mixtures thereof.

[0026] Preferred buffering agents are selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts of carbonates, polycarbonates, sesquicarbonates, silicates, polysilicates, borates, metaborates, phosphates, stannates, aluminates and mixtures thereof, and are preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium borate and mixtures thereof, more preferably sodium carbonate.

[0027] Typical levels of such buffering agents, when present, are up to 1% by weight of the total weight of the composition, preferably up to 0.6%. In particular, when the buffer is sodium carbonate its amount is comprised between 0 and 0.6% by weight on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.3 and 0.4% by weight.

[0028] Preferred strong bases are selected from the group consisting of caustic alkalis such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, alkali metal oxides such as sodium oxide, potassium oxide and mixtures thereof, and are preferably selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide, more preferably sodium hydroxide.

[0029] Typical levels of such strong bases, when present, are 0.01% to 2% by weight, preferably 0.3% to 1.0%.

[0030] Preferably the source of alkalinity is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide.

[0031] The amount of the source of alkalinity in the composition is 0.1% to 2.5% by weight of the total composition, preferably 0.3% to 1.8% and more preferably 0.4 to 1.6%.Chelating agent

[0032] The composition further comprises an inhibitor chelator of the calcium carbonate crystal growth, in particular 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC). The PBTC is present in an amount between 0.01 and 0.4% by weight on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.02 and 0.1%, alternatively between 0.09 and 0.4%.

[0033] Advantageously, the presence of this chelator allows to limit the amount of source of alkalinity in the composition by improving the performance of the product and also opening up the possibility of obtaining new benefits such as preserving the integrity and the degree of whiteness of the fabrics after 20 or more washing cycles and improving the feeling to the touch.Surfactants

[0034] The compositions of the present invention can further comprise a surfactant system. Said surfactant system can be present in the compositions in amounts up to 6% by weight, preferably up to 5% by weight.

[0035] The surfactant system for use in the composition of the invention can comprise a surfactant selected from the group consisting of an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant and mixtures thereof.

[0036] Anionic surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present document include water-soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO 3 M wherein R is preferably a linear or branched C 10 -C 24 alkyl, preferably a linear or branched C 10 -C 20 alkyl, more preferably a linear or branched C 12 -C 18 alkyl, and M is H or a cation, e.g., alkali metal cations (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl, dimethyl and trimethylammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamine such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and relative mixtures, and the like).

[0037] Other suitable anionic surfactants are water-soluble salts or acids of formula (II)         R 3 O(A) m SO 3 M 1      (II) wherein R 3 is an unsubstituted linear or branched C 6 -C 24 alkyl group having a C 6 -C 24 alkyl component, preferably a linear or branched C 10 -C 20 alkyl, more preferably a linear or branched C 12 -C 18 alkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 30, more preferably between about 0.5 and about 5, and M 1 is H or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., of sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), an ammonium or substituted ammonium cation. Ethoxylated alkyl sulphates as well as propoxylated alkyl sulphates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl, dimethyl, trimethylammonium, and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethylammonium, dimethylpiperidinium, and cations derived from alkanolamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and the like. Exemplary surfactants are C 12 -C 18 alkylpolyethoxylate (1.0) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 E (1.0) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 alkylpolyethoxylate (2.25) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 E (2.25) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 alkylpolyethoxylate (3.0)sulphate, C 12 -C 18 E (3.0) sulphate, and C 12 -C 18 alkylpolyethoxylate (4.0) sulphate, C 12 -C 18 E (4.0) sulphate, wherein the counterion is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

[0038] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the surfactant system used is an anionic surfactant system, i.e. alkyl alkoxy (preferably ethoxy) sulphate alone, e.g. alkyl (ethoxy) 3 sulphate (AE3S) or in combination with a co-surfactant, preferably a C 2 -C 10 alkyl sulphate and / or a C 8 -C 22 alkyl or aryl sulphonate such as C 8 -C 22 benzene sulphonate and / or another alkyl alkoxy sulphate apart from the 3 ethoxylate one. Indeed, the presence of said alkyl (ethoxy) 3 sulphate alone or in combination with a co-surfactant provides the desired viscosity to the present compositions and delivers excellent stain removal properties to said compositions, in particular when used in any laundry application. Typically, the compositions according to the present invention have a viscosity between 25 cps and 1500 cps, preferably between 50 cps and 200 cps, depending on the ratio between AE3S and the co-surfactant, when measured with a rheometer such as Carri-med CSL2-100 ®< at the following viscosity parameters: angle: 1°58, range: 60, diameter: 4.0 cm, internal: 63.60 at a temperature of 25 °C and a cutting speed of 30 1 / sec.

[0039] Other anionic surfactants suitable for use herein are water-soluble salts or acids of the formula (III)         R 4 O (A) m CH 2 COOM 1      (III) wherein R 4 is an unsubstituted linear or branched C 6 -C 24 alkyl group having a C 6 -C 24 alkyl component, preferably a linear or branched C 10 -C 20 alkyl, more preferably a linear or branched C 12 -C 18 alkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5 and about 30, more preferably between about 0.5 and about 5, and M 1 is as defined above. Contemplated herein are alkyl ethoxylated carboxylates as well as alkyl propoxylated carboxylates. Exemplary surfactants are C 12 -C 18 alkyl ethoxylate (2.0) carboxylate, C 12 -C 18 alkyl ethoxylate (5.0) carboxylate, C 12 -C 18 alkyl ethoxylate (7.0) carboxylate, wherein the counterion is suitably selected from sodium and potassium.

[0040] Other anionic surfactants useful for detergent purposes can also be used herein.

[0041] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the anionic surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether sulphates, sarcosinates, taurates, carboxylate ether, ethoxylated alkyl sulphates, propoxylated alkyl sulphates, and mixtures thereof.

[0042] Nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein are capped nonionic ethoxylated surfactants according to formula (IV):         R 5 (OR 6 ) n OR 7      (IV) wherein R 5 is a linear or branched C 8 -C 18 alkyl or alkenyl group, an aryl group, an alkaryl group, preferably, R 5 is a C 10 -C 15 alkyl or alkenyl group, more preferably a C 10 -C 15 alkyl group; R 6 is a linear or branched C 2 -C 10 alkyl group, preferably a C 4 group; R 7 is a C 1 -C 10 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a C 1 -C 5 alkyl group, and n is an integer ranging from 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 1 to 5, or mixtures thereof. These surfactants are commercially available from BASF under the trade name Plurafac ®< , from HOECHST under the trade name Genapol ®< or from ICI under the trade name Symperonic ®< . Preferred capped nonionic ethoxylated surfactants of the above formula are those commercially available under the trade name Genapol ®< L 2.5 NR from Hoechst, and Symperonic ®< LF / CS 1100 from ICI.

[0043] Other nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein include a class of compounds that can be broadly defined as compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (of hydrophilic nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which can be aliphatic branched or linear (e.g., Guerbet or secondary alcohol) or of alkyl aromatic nature. The length of the hydrophilic radical or polyoxyalkylene that is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to render a compound water-soluble having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements.

[0044] Other zwitterionic surfactants suitable for use herein are those including the amine oxides corresponding to formula (V) :         R 8 R 9 R 10 N→O     (V) wherein R 8 is a primary alkyl group containing 6 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms and wherein R 9 and R 10 are each independently an alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The arrow in the formula is a conventional representation of a semi-polar bond. The preferred amine oxides are those wherein the primary alkyl group has a linear chain in at least most molecules, generally at least 70%, preferably at least 90% of the molecules, and the amine oxides which are in the preferred case those wherein R contains 10 to 18 carbon atoms and R 8 and R 9 are both methyl. Examples of preferred amine oxides are N-decyldimethylamine oxide, N-dodecyl dimethylamine oxide, the corresponding amine oxides wherein one or both of the methyl groups are substituted with ethyl or 2-hydroxyethyl groups and mixtures thereof. A most preferable amine oxide for use herein is N-decyldimethylamine oxide.

[0045] Other zwitterionic surfactants suitable for the purposes of the invention are the phosphine or sulfoxide surfactants of formula (VI):         R 11 R 12 R 13 A→O     (VI) wherein A is a phosphorus or sulphur atom, R 11 is a primary alkyl group containing 6 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms, and wherein R 12 and R 13 are each independently selected from methyl, ethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl. The arrow in the formula is a conventional representation of a semi-polar bond.

[0046] Multi-charge surfactants suitable for use herein are zwitterionic detergents comprising the betaine and betaine-like detergents wherein the molecule contains both basic and acidic groups that form an internal salt that provides the molecule with both cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups over a wide range of pH values. Some common examples of these detergents are described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2082275, 2702279 and 2255082.

[0047] Amphoteric and ampholytic detergents that can be cationic or anionic depending on the pH of the system are represented by detergents such as dodecylbetaalanine, N-alkyltaurines such as that prepared by reacting dodecylamine with sodium isethionate according to the teaching of U.S. Patent No. 2658072, higher N-alkylaspartic acids such as those produced according to the teaching of U.S. Patent No. 2438091, and the products sold under the trade name "Miranol" and described in U.S. Patent No. 2528378. Further synthetic detergents and lists of their commercial sources can be found in McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers, North American Ed. 1980.

[0048] Other zwitterionic detergents suitable for use herein comprise quaternary amine (or diamine) alkyl ether sulphate of formula (VII):         R 14 [N(A m SO 3 M 1 ) 4 ] n      (VII) wherein R 14 is an unsubstituted linear or branched C 2 -C 24 alkyl group having a C 4 -C 24 alkyl component, preferably a linear or branched C 4 -C 20 alkyl, more preferably a linear or branched C 4 -C 18 alkyl, and A, m and M1 are as defined above, in particular, m is typically between about 0.5 and about 50, more preferably between about 5 and about 30.

[0049] Alkyl ether sulphates of quaternary diamine as well as alkyl ether sulphates of quaternary amine are contemplated herein. Exemplary surfactants are Lutensit z96 from BASF ®< .

[0050] Cationic surfactants suitable for use in compositions of the present invention are those having a long chain hydrocarbyl group. Examples of such cationic surfactants include the ammonium surfactants such as alkyltrimethylammonium halides and those surfactants having the formula (VIII):         [R 15 OR 16 ) y ][R 17 (OR 16 ) y ] 2 R 18 N +< X -<      (VIII) wherein R 15 is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, each R 16 is selected from the group consisting of -CH 2 CH 2 -, -CH 2 CH(CH 3 ), -CH 2 CH 2 CH 2 -, and mixtures thereof; each R 17 is selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkyl, benzyl ring structures formed by joining the two R 17 groups, and hydrogen when y is not 0; R 18 is equal to R 17 or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms of R 15 plus R 18 is not higher than about 18; each y is from 0 to about 10 and the sum of y values is 0 to about 15; and X is any compatible anion.

[0051] A quaternary ammonium surfactant suitable for the present invention has the formula (IX): whereby R 19 is a short chain length alkyl (C6-C10), whereby R 20 is H or a C1-C3 alkyl, whereby x is 0 to 4, preferably 0 to 2, most preferably 0, whereby R 21 , R 22 and R 23 are the same or different and they can be a short chain (C1-C3) alkyl or an alkoxylated alkyl of the formula X, whereby X -< is a counterion, preferably a halide, e.g. chloride or methylsulphate. R 24 is C1-C4 and z is 1 or 2.

[0052] Highly preferred cationic surfactants are the water-soluble quaternary ammonium compounds useful in the present composition having the formula:         R 25 R 26 R 27 R 28 N +< X -<      (i) wherein R 25 is C 8 -C 16 alkyl, each of R 26 , R 27 and R 28 is independently C 1 -C 4 alkyl, benzyl, and -(C 2 H 4 ) x H where x has a value of 2 to 5, and X is an anion. No more than one of R 26 , R 27 and R 28 should be benzyl.

[0053] Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium compounds of formula (i) are: trimethylammonium chloride or coconut bromide; decyl triethylammonium chloride; C12-15 trimethylammonium chloride or bromide; myristyl trimethylammonium methylsulphate; lauryl dimethyl benzylammonium chloride or bromide; lauryl dimethyl (ethenoxy) 4 ammonium chloride or bromide; choline esters (compounds of formula (i) wherein R 25 is di-alkyl imidazoline alkyl and R 26 R 27 R 28 are methyl. Other optional ingredients

[0054] The compositions can further comprise a variety of optional ingredients such as perfumes and silicates.Process for the treatment of surfaces

[0055] In the present invention, the composition can be used to treat fabrics including garments, curtains, drapes, bed linen, bath linen, tablecloths, sleeping bags, marquees, upholstered furniture and the like, and carpets.

[0056] By "treating a surface", it is meant bleaching and / or disinfecting said surfaces and cleaning, i.e. removing various types of stains from the surfaces.

[0057] Thus, the present invention also encompasses a process for the treatment of (e.g., bleaching) a fabric. In such a process, a fabric is put into contact with a composition according to the present invention.

[0058] This can be carried out in a so-called "pre-treatment mode", where the composition, as defined herein, is applied pure onto said fabrics before the fabrics are rinsed, or washed and then rinsed, or in a "soaking mode" where a composition, as defined herein, is first diluted in an aqueous bath and the fabrics are immersed and soaked in the bath, before they are rinsed, or in a "washing mode", where a composition, as defined herein, is added above a washing liquor formed by dissolving or dispersing a typical laundry detergent. It is also essential in both cases, that the fabrics are rinsed after being put into contact with said composition, before said composition has completely dried.

[0059] The processes for the treatment of fabrics according to the present invention lead to effective whiteness and / or stain removal performances by preventing staining of the treated surface upon aging of the compositions.

[0060] The compositions according to the present invention are preferably put into contact with fabrics in a liquid form. Indeed, by "in a liquid form", it is meant herein the liquid compositions according to the present invention per se in pure or diluted form.

[0061] The compositions according to the present invention are typically used in diluted form in a laundry washing operation. By "in diluted form" is meant herein that the compositions according to the present invention can be diluted by the user, preferably with water. Such dilution can occur for example in hand washing applications as well as by other means such as in a washing machine. Said compositions can be diluted up to 500 times, preferably 5 to 200 times and more preferably 10 to 80 times.

[0062] More specifically, the process for the treatment of fabrics according to the present invention comprises the steps of first putting into contact a fabric with a composition according to the present invention, in the diluted form thereof, then allowing said fabrics to remain in contact with said composition, for a time period sufficient to treat said fabrics, typically 1 to 60 minutes, preferably 5 to 30 minutes, then rinsing said fabrics with water. If said fabrics are to be washed, i.e. with a conventional composition comprising at least one surfactant, said washing can be carried out together with the treatment of said fabrics by putting into contact said fabrics simultaneously with a composition according to the present invention, or said washing can be carried out before or after said fabrics have been treated. The composition of the invention can also be used as the sole treatment agent on the surface, i.e. without being combined, before or after, with a washing step.

[0063] Consequently, said process allows to treat fabrics and optionally to wash fabrics with a detergent composition comprising at least one surfactant before the step of putting into contact said fabrics with said composition and / or in the step wherein said fabrics are put into contact with said composition and / or after the step wherein said fabrics are put into contact with the composition and before the rinsing step and / or after the rinsing step.

[0064] In another embodiment of the present invention, the process for bleaching fabrics comprises the step of putting into contact the fabrics with a composition according to the present invention, in its pure form, of allowing said fabrics to remain in contact with said composition for a time period sufficient to bleach said fabrics, typically 5 seconds to 30 minutes, preferably 1 minute to 10 minutes and then rinsing said fabrics with water. If said fabrics are to be washed, i.e. with a conventional composition comprising at least one surfactant, said washing can be carried out before or after said fabrics have been treated. In the embodiment of the present invention wherein the fabric is put into contact with a composition of the present invention in its pure form, it is preferable that the level of hypohalogenite is 1% to 5%, preferably 2% to 4%. Advantageously, the present invention provides compositions containing liquid hypohalogenite which can be applied in a pure manner on a fabric to be bleached, despite a permanent prejudice against the use of compositions containing pure hypochlorite on fabrics.

[0065] It is preferable to perform the bleaching process of the present document before said fabrics are washed. Indeed, it has been observed that bleaching said fabrics with the compositions according to the present invention (diluted and / or pure bleaching processes) before washing them with a detergent composition provides superior whiteness and stain removal with less energy and detergent than when the same fabrics are first washed, then bleached.

[0066] Alternatively, instead of following the pure bleaching process as described hereinbefore (application of pre-treatment agent) with a rinsing step with water and / or a conventional washing step with a conventional liquid or powder detergent, the bleaching pre-treatment operation can also be followed by the diluted bleaching process as described hereinbefore in a bucket (manual operation) or in a washing machine.

[0067] The following examples will further detail the present invention.Example 1

[0068] The performance of the composition of the invention is measured by evaluating the integrity of the fabric after several washing cycles (20 or 40) and the degree of whiteness thereof. The first measurement is carried out by measuring the so-called "wing tear" and the "burst test", carried out the first on ISO cotton and the second on a common knitted fabric. The second is measured in accordance with the Ganz index, with the aid of a colorimeter.

[0069] In particular, the compositions reported in Table 1 are tested. Ingredient Active by weight [%] Formulation 1 Formulation 2 (comparative) Formulation 3 (comparative) Sodium hypochlorite 3.03.03.0Sodium hydroxide 0.60.30.6Sodium carbonate 0.40.10.42-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (or salts thereof) 0.025 / / Polymer in accordance with patent EP3523413A1 / / 0.049 The results of the wing-tear tests are reported in Table 2, those of the burst test are reported in Table 3 and those of the degree of whiteness are reported in Table 4. Table 2: Wing tear (ISO cotton) Type of fabric / treatment ResistanceDirection: warp [N]Untreated fabric6.0Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 15.2Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 25.2Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 35.2Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 14.7Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 24.3Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 34.5 Type of fabric / treatment ResistanceDirection: weft [N]Untreated fabric5.7Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 14.9Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 24.8Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 34.8Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 14.4Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 23.7Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 34.1 After 40 washes, Formulation 1, subject-matter of the invention, is statistically better both on the weft and on the warp compared to the other two formulations being examined. Table 3: Burst test (knitted cotton fabric): Type of fabric / treatment Resistance[kPa]Untreated fabric421Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 1386Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 2355Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 3362Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 1347Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 2314Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 3304 Table 4: Grade of whiteness (knitted cotton fabric) Type of fabric / treatment Loss of grade of whiteness according to Ganz [-]Untreated fabricReferenceFabric washed 20 times Formulation 1-36Fabric washed 20 times Formulation 2-102Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 1-51Fabric washed 40 times Formulation 2-156 Already after 20 washes, formulation 1 is significantly superior to the other formulation being examined. In particular, as to the degree of whiteness, 10 Ganz points are already perceptible by the consumers.

Examples

example 1

Example 1

[0068]The performance of the composition of the invention is measured by evaluating the integrity of the fabric after several washing cycles (20 or 40) and the degree of whiteness thereof. The first measurement is carried out by measuring the so-called "wing tear" and the "burst test", carried out the first on ISO cotton and the second on a common knitted fabric. The second is measured in accordance with the Ganz index, with the aid of a colorimeter.

[0069]In particular, the compositions reported in Table 1 are tested.

Ingredient Active by weight [%]

Formulation 1 Formulation 2 (comparative) Formulation 3 (comparative)

Sodium hypochlorite 3.03.03.0

Sodium hydroxide 0.60.30.6

Sodium carbonate 0.40.10.4

2-Phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (or salts thereof) 0.025 / /

Polymer in accordance with patent EP3523413A1 / / 0.049

The results of the wing-tear tests are reported in Table 2, those of the burst test are reported in Table 3 and those of

the degree of whiteness are...

Claims

1. Use of a composition comprising: - 2 to 5% of an hypohalogenite; - 0.3% to 1.8% of a source of alkalinity - 0.02 to 0.1% of 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid; wherein said percentages are weight percentage on the total weight of the composition to preserve the integrity and the degree of whiteness of the fabrics after 20 or more washing cycles.

2. Use according to claim 1, further comprising at least one surfactant.

3. Use according to claim 2, wherein said surfactant is present in an amount up to 6% by weight.

4. Use according to claim 3, wherein said surfactant is present in an amount up to 5% by weight.

5. Use according to claim 1, wherein said hypohalogenite is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hypochlorites, hypobromides, hypoiodides, chlorinated trisodium phosphate dodecahydrates, potassium or sodium dichloroisocyanurates, potassium or sodium trichlorocyanurates, N-chloroimides, N-chloroamides, N-chloroamines and chlorohydantoins.

6. Use according to claim 1, wherein said source of alkalinity is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts of carbonates, polycarbonates, sesquicarbonates, silicates, polysilicates, borates, metaborates, phosphates, stannates, aluminates and mixtures thereof, and preferably are selected from the group consisting of sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, sodium borate, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, lithium hydroxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxide and mixtures thereof.

7. Use according to claim 6, wherein said source of alkalinity is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium hydroxide.

8. Use according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said composition is in spray, gel or liquid form.

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