Detergent components

Abstract

DEPCT66 This invention relates to a detergent compound for washing solid clothes, more specifically. This relates to detergent components for washing that contain low levels of alkaline builder. The purpose of this invention is to create a detergent compound for washing solid foods with a low carbonate level. And low silicate levels, which provide a good solubility profile, a good cleaning profile, and a... Good stability, a good fabric care profile, and a good freshness profile—this inventor discovered that surfactant... Containing nonionic alkoxy surfactants in combination with anionic surfactants and other surfactants. The amphoteric type offers good cleaning performance, a good stability profile, and a good fabric care profile. In the composition of solid detergents, low carbonate and low sodium levels are used;

Description

[0001] DETERGENT COMPOSITION

[0002] Field of the invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a solid laundry detergent composition, more particularly it relates to a solid laundry detergent composition comprising low levels of alkaline builders.

[0004] Background of the invention

[0005] Consumers of solid laundry detergent compositions desire that the laundry composition provides good fabric cleaning performance against a wide variety of soil types and also has very good dispensing and dissolution profiles. Especially consumers who handwash fabrics also desire for a laundry composition which is less harsh on hands and on fabrics.

[0006] Laundry detergent composition for cleaning fabrics have been known for many years to include anionic detersive surfactant, particularly linear alkyl benzene sulphonate anionic surfactant. Formulators of the detergent composition incorporate anionic detergents into solid laundry detergent composition in order to provide a good fabriccleaning benefit. Laundry compositions are generally added to water to form a solution, the water usually includes free cations, such as calcium and magnesium cations, these interact negatively with the anionic detersive surfactant and lead to a reduction in the anionic detersive surfactant activity. In order to mitigate the tendency of anionic detersive surfactant to react with free cations in the wash liquor and precipitate out of solution, builders such as zeolite, silicates and carbonates, are incorporated into the composition. These builders sequester free calcium and magnesium cations. In addition to its role as builder the carbonate and silicate builders also increase the pH of the wash liquor which is beneficial at removing stains.

[0007] However, when carbonate and silicate builders are incorporated in laundry detergent compositions they interact with the free calcium and magnesium cations and form complexes, these complexes are water-insoluble and in extreme hard water conditions the water-insoluble complex may deposit onto the fabric resulting in poor whiteness maintenance and may cause poor fabric integrity. In addition, the increased alkalinity of detergent compositions that comprise high levels of carbonate builders and silicate builders is harsh on fabrics and hands of the user. Furthermore, the high pH levels can negatively impact some cleaning actives. Additionally, it is also desired to cut the levels of carbonates in order to deliver low chemical formulations.

[0008] Thus, there remains a need for a solid laundry detergent composition comprising an anionic detersive surfactant having a good fabric-cleaning performance, especially a good particulate, oily and greasy stain cleaning performance, good whiteness maintenance, and very good dispensing and dissolution profiles while the composition has low levels of alkaline builders.

[0009] Therefore, there is a need in the art for a solid laundry detergent composition that comprise an anionic surfactant, low carbonate levels and preferably low silicate levels, while maintaining excellent cleaning performance. It is also desired to provide a solid laundry detergent composition with a pH from 7 to 10.5 which provides benefits such as low or no deposition of residues on fabrics and associated improvement in whiteness, improved bleachable stain removal benefits.

[0010] Prior art documents which provide detergent compositions with lower levels of carbonate and silicate alkaline builders are known.

[0011] US 2018 / 0094219 A1 (Procter & Gamble) discloses a solid free flowing particulate laundry detergent composition for providing good cleaning performance. The laundry detergent composition has a low pH and includes 0 wt.% to 8 wt.% sodium carbonate, anionic surfactant and the composition has a pH in the range from 6.5 to 9.

[0012] WO 00 / 07561 A1 (Unilever PLC), US 2017 / 292088 A1 (Ewell Kevin et. al.) and WO 2016 / 015326 A1 (Procter & Gamble) are known prior art documents which disclose a laundry detergent composition having anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant and amphoteric surfactant and include phosphate builder. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a solid laundry detergent composition having low levels of carbonate salt, low phosphate builder and low silicate salt.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a solid laundry detergent composition having low carbonate levels, low phosphate builder levels, and low silicate levels which gives good solubility profile, good cleaning profile, good stability profile, good fabric care profile and good freshness profile.

[0014] Summary of the invention

[0015] The present inventors have found that a low silicate, low carbonate and low phosphate built detergent composition can still provide good cleaning performance and gives good fabric care performance when a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant selected from polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer or a monomeric surfactant with specified alkoxylation levels is combined with an anionic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed is a solid detergent composition comprising: i) anionic surfactant; ii) amphoteric surfactant; iii) a non-ionic alkoxylated surfactant selected from polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer, a monomeric surfactant with an average degree of alkoxylation of from 10 to 50 or mixtures thereof; iv) 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt; v) 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% silicate salt. vi) 0 to 4 wt.% phosphate builder.

[0017] According to a second aspect of the present invention disclosed is a method of laundering a textile surface with the detergent composition according to the first aspect comprising the steps of: i) preparing a wash liquor by contacting the detergent composition according to the first aspect with a liquid, preferably water; ii) soaking said textile surface in the wash liquor for a predetermined period of time; and, iii) optionally rinsing the textile surface.

[0018] According to a third aspect of the present invention disclosed is use of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant selected from polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer, a monomeric surfactant with an average degree of alkoxylation of from 10 to 50 or mixtures thereof and an amphoteric surfactant, from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt and 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% silicate salt, 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate builder in a detergent composition to provide improved stain removal performance.

[0019] According to another aspect of the present invention disclosed is use of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant selected from selected from polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer, a monomeric surfactant with an average degree of alkoxylation of from 10 to 50 or mixtures thereof amphoteric surfactant, 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt, 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% silicate salt, 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate salt in a detergent composition to provide improved fabric care performance.

[0020] A solid detergent composition according to the present disclosure encompasses a variety of spray-dried or granulated forms including, for example powder, particulates; cast and extruded forms including, for example, solids, pellets, blocks, bars, and tablets. It should be understood that the term “solid” refers to the state of the detergent composition under the expected conditions of storage and use of the solid detergent composition. In general, it is expected that the detergent composition will remain a solid when provided at a temperature of up to about 37°C and preferably greater than 50°C.

[0021] These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilized in any other aspect of the invention. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of" or "composed of." In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight / weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and / or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about".

[0022] Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format “from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.

[0023] Detailed description of the invention

[0024] According to the first aspect of the present invention, disclosed is a solid laundry detergent composition having 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt; 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% silicate salt, 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate builder and which includes an anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant and a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant.

[0025] Anionic surfactant

[0026] According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed solid laundry composition includes an anionic surfactant. Examples of anionic surfactant are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

[0027] Suitable anionic surfactants include those selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl monoglyceryl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates, alkyl amidosulfosuccinates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl amido ether carboxylates, alkyl succinates, fatty acyl sarcosinates, fatty acyl amino acids, fatty acyl taurates, fatty alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, and mixtures of two or more thereof. Suitable anionic surfactant includes, for example, the alkyl benzene sulphonic acids and their salts, alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate. The anionic surfactant may be present in the form of acid or in neutralized salt form. The anionic surfactant may be liner, branched or combinations thereof.

[0028] Nonlimiting examples of anionic surfactants useful herein include: Cw to C20 primary, branched chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); C10 to Cw secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates; Cw to Cw alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AES) wherein x is from 1-30; Cw to Cw alkyl alkoxy carboxylates comprising 1 to 5 ethoxy units; mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates as discussed in US 6,020,303 and US 6,060,443; mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed in US 6,008, 181 and US 6,020,303; modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99 / 05243, WO 99 / 05242 and WO 99 / 05244; methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS). Such surfactants include the alkyl benzene sulfonic acids and their salts as well as alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate materials.

[0029] Exemplary anionic surfactants are the alkali metal salts of Cw to Cw alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, preferably C11 to C14 alkyl benzene sulfonic acids. In one aspect, the alkyl group is linear. Such linear alkyl benzene sulfonates are known as "LAS". Such surfactants and their preparation are described for example in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially preferred are the sodium and potassium linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 14. Sodium C11 to C14 LAS, e.g., C12 LAS, are a specific example of such surfactants.

[0030] Another exemplary type of anionic surfactant comprises linear or branched ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants. Such materials, also known as alkyl ether sulfates or alkyl polyethoxylate sulfates, are those which correspond to the formula: R'-O-(C2H4O)n- SO3M wherein R' is a Cs to C24 alkyl (linear, branched, saturated or unsaturated) group , n is from about 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12, and M is a salt-forming cation. In a specific embodiment, R' is Cw to Cw alkyl, n is from about 1 to 15, and M is sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium, or alkanolammonium. In more specific embodiments, R' is a C12 to Cw from about 1 to 6 and M is sodium. The alkyl ether sulfates will generally be used in the form of mixtures comprising varying R' chain lengths and varying degrees of ethoxylation. Frequently such mixtures will inevitably also contain some nonethoxylated alkyl sulfate materials, i.e., surfactants of the above ethoxylated alkyl sulfate formula wherein n=0. Examples include sodium laureth sulphate, ammonium laureth sulphate, sodium trideceth sulphate.

[0031] Non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfates may also be added separately to the compositions of this invention. Specific examples of non-alkoxylated, e.g., non-ethoxylated, alkyl ether sulfate surfactants are those produced by the sulfation of higher Cs to C20 fatty alcohols.

[0032] Conventional primary alkyl sulfate surfactants have the general formula: R"OSC>3'M+wherein R" is typically a Cs to C20 alkyl (linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated) group, which may be straight chain or branched chain, and M is a water-solubilizing cation. In specific embodiments, R" is a C10 to C15 alkyl group, and M is alkali metal, more specifically R" is C12 to C14 alkyl and M is sodium. Examples include sodium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate and sodium coco sulphate.

[0033] Specific, non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants useful herein include a) C11 to Cis alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS); b) C10 to C20 primary, branched-chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); c) C10 to C secondary (2, 3)-al kyl sulfates having following formulae: wherein M is hydrogen or a cation which provides charge neutrality, and all M units, whether associated with a surfactant or adjunct ingredient, can either be a hydrogen atom or a cation depending upon the form isolated by the artisan or the relative pH of the system wherein the compound is used, with non-limiting examples of preferred cations including sodium, potassium, ammonium, and mixtures thereof, and x is an integer of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and y is an integer of at least 8, preferably at least about 9; d) C10 to C alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AES) wherein preferably z is from 1 to 30; e) C10 to C alkyl alkoxy carboxylates preferably comprising 1 to 5 ethoxy units; f) mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates as discussed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,020,303 and 6,060,443; g) mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,008,181 and 6,020,303; h) modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99 / 05243, WO 99 / 05242, WO 99 / 05244, WO 99 / 05082, WO 99 / 05084, WO 99 / 05241 , WO 99 / 07656, WO 00 / 23549, and WO 00 / 23548. ; i) methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and j) alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS).

[0034] Anionic surfactants may exist in an acid form and the acid form may be neutralized to form a surfactant salt. Typical agents for neutralization include a metal counter ion base such as a hydroxide, e.g., NaOH or KOH. Further agents for neutralizing anionic surfactants include ammonia, amines, or alkanolamines. Suitable non-limiting examples include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and other linear or branched alkanolamines known in the art, for example, 2-amino-1 -propanol, 1- aminopropanol, monoisopropanolamine, or 1-amino-3-propanol. Amine neutralization may be done to a full or partial extent, e.g., part of the anionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with sodium or potassium and part of the anionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with amines or alkanolamines.

[0035] Preferably the anionic surfactant is a non-soap anionic surfactant. The term “soap” is used herein in its popular sense, i.e. , the alkali metal or alkanol ammonium salts of aliphatic, alkanes, or alkene monocarboxylic acids. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, mono-, di- and tri-ethanol ammonium cations, or combinations thereof, are the most suitable for purposes of this invention.

[0036] Preferably the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulphate surfactant, alkyl sulphonate surfactant, alkyl ether sulphonate surfactant or combinations thereof. Preferably the anionic surfactant is an alkali metal salt of Cw to Cis alkyl benzene sulfonic acid. Most preferably Na LAS or Mg LAS. Non-limiting examples of the preferred anionic surfactant includes linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, lauryl ether sulfate, primary alkyl sulfate, methyl ester sulphonate or combinations thereof.

[0037] Preferably the anionic surfactant includes 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% alkyl sulfates, preferably 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl sulfates, preferably PAS. The anionic surfactant may also include from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% MES, preferably 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% MES. The anionic surfactant may be an SLES, preferably included in the composition in an amount from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.%, preferably 0 wt.% to 5 wt.%.

[0038] The detergent composition of the present invention includes from 2 wt.% to 50 wt.% of an anionic surfactant, more preferably from 2 wt.% to 40 wt.% of an anionic surfactant. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 4 wt.%, still preferably at least 5 wt.%, still preferably at least 10 wt.%, most preferably at least 15 wt.% of the anionic surfactant, but typically not more than 45 wt.%, still preferably not more than 40 wt.%, still further preferably not more than 35 wt.%, still more preferably not more than 30 wt.% and most preferably not more than 20 wt.% of an anionic surfactant based on the weight of the detergent composition.

[0039] Amphoteric surfactant

[0040] According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed solid laundry composition includes an amphoteric surfactant.

[0041] As used herein, the term “amphoteric” includes (a) surfactant molecules that contain both an acidic and basic site such as, for example, an amino acid containing both amino (basic) and acid (e.g., carboxylic acid, acidic) functional groups; or (b) zwitterionic surfactant molecules which possess both positive and negative charges within the same molecule. The charges of the zwitterionic molecule may be either dependent or independent of the pH of the composition. The term “amphoteric surfactant,” as used herein, is also intended to encompass zwitterionic surfactants, which are well known to formulators skilled in the art as a subset of amphoteric surfactants.

[0042] Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention are disclosed in McCutcheon's, Detergents and Emulsifiers, North American edition (1986), published by allured Publishing Corporation; and McCutcheons, Functional Materials, North American Edition (1992); both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

[0043] Examples of amphoteric surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, amphocarboxylates such as alkylamphoacetates (mono or di); alkyl betaines; alkylamidoalkyl betaines; alkylamidoalkyl sultaines; alkylamphophosphates; phosphorylated imidazolines such as phosphobetaines and pyrophosphobetaines; carboxyalkyl alkyl polyamines; alkylimino-dipropionates; alkylamphoglycinates (mono or di); alkylamphoproprionates (mono or di), ); N-alkyl [3- aminoproprionic acids; alkylpolyamino carboxylates; and mixtures thereof.

[0044] Specific examples of the amphoteric surfactants include those given hereinbelow.

[0045] The amphoteric surfactant is preferably selected from the group consisting of betaines, sultaines, amine oxide or mixtures thereof. A preferred amphoteric surfactant is the betaine type surfactant. Preferably the betaine type amphoteric surfactant has a permanent negative charge and positive charge on the same molecule which does not alter with change in the pH and not having an isoelectric point. They are quaternized derivatives.

[0046] Alkyl betaines where R=Cs-C34 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Coco-Betaine (R=coco alkyl), Lauryl Betaine (R=lauryl, C12H25), and Oleyl Betaine (R=oleyl, C18H35).

[0047] Alkylamidoalkyl betaines where RCO= Ce to C24 acyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof and x= 1 to 4. Examples include Cocamidoethyl Betaine (RCO=coco acyl, x=2), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (RCO=coco acyl, x=3), Lauramidopropyl Betaine (RCO=lauroyl, and x=3), Myristamidopropyl Betaine (RCO=myristoyl, and x=3), Soyamidopropyl Betaine (R=soy acyl, x=3), and Oleamidopropyl Betaine (RCO=oleoyl, and x=3). Preferably the amphoteric surfactant is Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB). The cocamidopropyl Betaine is commercially available from Rhone-Poulenc as Mirataine BDJ, Galaxy, Huntsman.

[0048] Alkyl phosphobetaines where R=Ce to C24 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof and M=monovalent cation, such as Sodium Coco PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, where R=coco alkyl and M+=Na+.

[0049] Alkyl sulphobetaines where R1=Ce to C24 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof and R2and R3which may be the same or different, are Ci to C3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, for example, methyl groups.

[0050] Alkyl Hydroxysultaines where R=Cs-C34 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Coco-hydroxysultaine (R=coco alkyl) and Lauryl hydroxysultaine (R=lauryl, CI2H25).

[0051] Alkyl sultaines where R=Cs-C34 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Coco-sultaine (R=coco alkyl) and Lauryl sultaine (R=lauryl, C12H25).

[0052] Alkylamidoalkyl sultaines where RCO= Ce to C24 acyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Cocamidopropyl sultaine (RCO=coco acyl, x=3), Lauramidopropyl sultaine (RCO=lauroyl, and x=3), Myristamidopropyl sultaine (RCO=myristoyl, and x=3), soyamidopropyl sultaine (R=soy acyl, x=3), and Oleamidopropyl sultaine (RCO=oleoyl, and x=3).

[0053] Alkylamidoalkyl Hydroxysultaines where RCO= Ce to C24 acyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (RCO=coco acyl, x=3), Lauramidopropyl hydroxysultaine (RCO=lauroyl, and x=3), Myristamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (RCOmyristoyl, and x=3), Oleamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (RCO=oleoyl, and x=3).

[0054] Further useful amphoteric surfactant are those which are broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, preferably wherein the nitrogen is in a cationic state, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain and wherein one of the radicals contains an ionizable water solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. These amphoteric surfactant includes derivatives of aliphatic amines which contain a long chain of carbon atoms with 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an anionic water-solubilizing group selected from the group consisting of but not limited to carboxylate, sulfonate or sulphate. Examples of the compounds falling within this definition are sodium-3-dodecylamino propane sulfonate and dodecyl dimethyl ammonium hexanoate.

[0055] Alkyl amine oxide

[0056] R1R2 3N~>O wherein Ri is typically Ce to C24 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Preferably Cs to C alkyl group, for example, Ci2to C14 alkyl. R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, are Ci to C3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, for example, methyl groups. Examples include cocamine oxide (R=coco alkyl) and lauramine oxide (RCO = lauryl). The most preferred amine oxide is coco dimethylamine oxide.

[0057] Alkylamidoalkyl amine oxide

[0058] Where RCO =Ce to C24 acyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof and x = 1 to 4. Examples include cocamidopropylamine oxide (RCO =coco acyl x =3) and lauramidopropylamine oxide (RCO= lauroyl, x =3), and combinations of two or more thereof.

[0059] Preferably the amphoteric surfactant according to the present invention includes those wherein the degree of ionisation varies as a function of pH of the medium it is in. These have an isoelectric point (I EP) in the range from 3.5 to 6.5.

[0060] Preferred amphoteric surfactant may also be selected from internally neutralized derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium and phosphonium and tertiary sulfonium compounds in which the aliphatic radical can be straight chain or branched, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water solubilizing group.

[0061] Preferably the amphoteric surfactant is selected from the group consisting of betaines, sultaines, amine oxide, alkyl iminoacetates, imino dialkanoates, amino alkanoates alkyl ammonium propionates, or mixtures thereof. More preferably the amphoteric surfactant are betaines or amine oxide. Preferably the betaine type amphoteric surfactant is selected from alkyl betaines, alkylamidoalkyl betaines and alkyl sulphobetaines.

[0062] Preferably the amine oxide type amphoteric surfactant is selected from alkyl amine oxide, alkylamidoalkyl amine oxide or mixtures thereof. Still preferably the amphoteric surfactant is selected from cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), sulphobetaines, amine oxide or mixtures thereof. Most preferably the amphoteric surfactant is a cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB).

[0063] The detergent composition of the present invention includes from 0.2 wt.% to 5 wt.% of an amphoteric surfactant. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 0.2 wt.%, still preferably at least 0.3 wt.%, still preferably at least 0.4 wt.%, most preferably at least 0.5 wt.% of the amphoteric surfactant, but typically not more than 4 wt.%, still preferably not more than 3.5 wt.%, still further preferably not more than 3 wt.%, still more preferably not more than 2.5 wt.% and most preferably not more than 1 wt.% of an amphoteric surfactant based on the weight of the detergent composition.

[0064] In the solid detergent composition according to the present invention the ratio of the anionic surfactant to the amphoteric surfactant is in a ratio from 0.4:1 to 200:1, still preferably the ratio is from 5:1 to 100:1 , preferably in the detergent composition of the present invention the total amount of anionic surfactant is greater than the amphoteric surfactant present in the composition.

[0065] Nonionic alkoxylated surfactant

[0066] According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed composition includes a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant selected from polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer, a monomeric surfactant with an average degree of alkoxylation of from 10 to 50 or mixtures thereof. Polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer:

[0067] This block copolymer has at least one block of a polyoxypropylene and having at least one other block of polyoxyethylene attached to the polyoxypropylene block. Additional blocks of polyoxyethylene or polyoxypropylene can be present in a molecule. These are nonionic surfactants.

[0068] Particularly useful polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer are those comprising a centre block of polyoxypropylene units and blocks of polyoxyethylene units to each side of the centre block. The central polypropylene (CsHeO) component is hydrophobic and is flanked by two hydrophilic chains of polyoxyethylene group (C2H4O). Such polymers may be represented by the formula (I) shown herein:

[0069] R-(EO)n-(PO)m-(EO)n_R’ Formula (I) where R and R' are independently selected from the group consisting of H,OH, Ci to C alkyl, or Ci to C hydroxyalkyl, most preferably it is represented as

[0070] HO(CH2CH2O)n-( CH(CH3)CH2O)m-( CH2CH2O)nH and wherein m is an integer from 10 to 130, each n is independently an integer from 2 to 60. The hydrophobe base represented by (PO) block has a molar mass (g / mol) ranging from 850 to 4000, preferably from 1150 to 2750. The percentage of the hydrophilic base represented by (EO) block ranges from 10 to 90% by weight of the molecule. Preferably the polyethylene component constitutes at least 10% of the block copolymer, preferably the polyethylene component constitutes from 10% to 90% of the triblock copolymer, still preferably at least 20%, still further preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 30%, still more preferably at least 40% and further preferably at least 50%. Most preferably the polyethylene component constitutes from 10% to 30% of the triblock copolymer. Most preferably the total ethylene oxide content is split over the two ethylene oxide blocks such that each ethylene oxide block comprises on average between 40% and 60% preferably between 45% and 55%, even more preferably between 48% and 52%, most preferably 50% of the total number of ethylene oxide units, wherein the percentage of both ethylene oxide blocks together accounts for 100% of the ethylene oxide units present. Preferably the ethylene oxide-propylene oxide-ethylene oxide (EO / PO / EO) triblock copolymer has a weight average molecular weight of from 1000 and 10,000, preferably from 1500 to 5000, more preferably from 2000 to 4500, and even more preferably from 2500 to 4000 and most preferably from 2500 to 3000. Most preferably the copolymer has an average molecular weight from 2500 to 3000, an average propylene oxide content from 25 to 35 propylene oxide units and an average ethylene oxide content of from 10 to 15 ethylene oxide units per ethylene oxide block. The nonionic alkoxylated surfactant having the general formula I is the most preferred for the present invention.

[0071] They are commonly available as PLURONIC® manufactured by the BASF Corporation and available under a variety of other trademarks of their chemical suppliers. Useful R- (EO)n-(PO)m-(EO)n-R’ block copolymer described herein are commercially available under the tradename PLURONIC® and includes the series PE 3100, PE 3500, PE 4300, PE 6100, PE 61200, PE 6200, PE 6400, PE 6800, PE 8100, PE 9200, PE 9400, PE 10100, PE 10400, PE 10500 more preferably PE6400, PE6800, PE9200, PE4300 and PE8100 (BASF SE).

[0072] Another useful polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block copolymer are those having a center block of polyoxyethylene unit and blocks of polyoxypropylene to each side of the center block. Such copolymers are represented by the general formula (II): R-(PO)n-(EO)m-(PO)n -R’ Formula (II) where R and R' are each independently selected from the group consisting of H,OH, Ci to Cis alkyl, or Ci to C hydroxyalkyl and preferably it is represented as HO(CH(CH3)CH2O)n-(CH2CH2O)m-(CH(CH3)CH2O)nH and wherein m is an integer of 15 to 150 and n at each end are independently integers of about 2 to 60. Preferably these block copolymers have an average molar mass (g / mol) in the range of about 1500 to about 5,000, preferably from 2000 to 5000. The wetting power of the block copolymer is preferably at least 200s still preferably at least 300s when measured using EN 1772 method at 23°C and with 2g soda ash / L, 1g surfactant / L. They are commonly available as PLURONIC® RPE (reverse PLURONIC structure) manufactured by the BASF Corporation and available under a variety of other trademarks of their chemical suppliers. Useful R- (PO)n-(EO)m-(PO)n-R’ block copolymer described herein are commercially available under the tradename PLURONIC® RPE and includes the series RPE 1720, RPE 1740, RPE 2035, RPE 2520, RPE 2525 and RPE 3110 (BASF SE).

[0073] Another type of the polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer useful in the invention is the copolymer represented by the general formula (III)

[0074] R— (EO)a— (PO)b— (EO)c— R’ where a, b, and c each represent the number of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units in each of the blocks, and where R and R' are independently H, Ci to C alkyl, Ci to C hydroxyalkyl, or mixtures thereof. Members of this class of surfactants are commercially available as the Pluronic surfactants of BASF Corporation.

[0075] When subjected to further reaction with propylene oxide so that polyoxypropylene groups are added to the ends of the triblock surfactant, there is obtained another useful polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer, which can be represented in a similar fashion as given in formula (IV)

[0076] R=(PO)a— ^(EOjf- (PO)<r-(EO)d (PO)e—R’ where EO is the ethylene oxide unit and PO is the propylene oxide unit and a, b, and c, d and e each represent the number of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units in each of the blocks, and where R and R' are independently H, Ci to C alkyl, Ci to C hydroxyalkyl, or mixtures thereof.

[0077] Preferred polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene block copolymer have a molecular weight of from about 1800 to about 6000, more preferably from about 2000 to about 4000. The block copolymers are preferably comprised of about 20% to about 60% by weight of polyoxyethylene blocks, and more preferably from about 25% to about 50%. A preferred block surfactant is a five block polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene surfactant having a molecular weight of about 3200, and wherein the polyoxyethylene blocks comprise about 34% of the total weight.

[0078] Non-ionic monomeric alkoxylated surfactant:

[0079] The non-ionic alkoxylated surfactant may be a monomeric surfactant having an average degree of alkoxylation of from 10 to 50. Preferably the monomeric surfactant is a fatty alcohol alkoxylate. The fatty alcohol alkoxylate may be a primary or secondary fatty alcohols of various chain length. Preferably the fatty alcohol has from 8 to 36 carbon atoms, in particular 10 to 18 carbon atoms. The alkoxylate group may be selected from ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide or mixtures thereof. The polyether part of the fatty alcohol alkoxylate can consist of pure ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide polyethers. Also possible are copolymers of two or three different alkylene oxides or block copolymers of two or three different alkylene oxides. Fatty alcohol alkoxylates which have pure polyether chains are, for example, the Lutensol AO and Lutensol TO products from BASF AG. Fatty alcohol alkoxylates having block copolymers as polyether part are Plurafac LF products from BASF AG. The polyether chains particularly preferably consist of from 10 to 50, in particular 10 to 15, alkylene oxide units.

[0080] The fatty alcohol in the primary alcohol ethoxylate or the secondary alcohol ethoxylate are either straight chain or branched. Preferably the fatty alcohol used in these alkoxylates is a primary alcohol. The fatty alcohols are predominantly unbranched fatty alcohols. More preferably the alkoxylate is an ethoxylate group. They preferably contain higher alkene oxide alongside ethylene oxide. In the nonionic alkoxylated surfactant preferably the end groups are capped.

[0081] Preferably the monomeric surfactant is a polyoxyalkylene condensates of aliphatic alcohols, whether linear or branched chain and unsaturated or saturated, especially ethoxylated and / or propoxylated aliphatic alcohols containing from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms and incorporating from about 10 to about 50 ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide units. Suitable alcohols include "coconut" fatty alcohol, "tallow" fatty alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol and oleyl alcohol. Preferably the fatty alcohol alkoxylates are Ci2to Cis fatty alcohol ethoxylates which have been reacted with from 10 to 50 ethylene oxide units more preferably Cieto C fatty alcohol ethoxylates having from 10 to 80, in particular from 15 to 50.

[0082] Preferably the monomeric surfactant is a fatty alcohol alkoxylates having the general formula (V) where,

[0083] R1is linear or at least singly branched C4 to C22 alkyl or -alkylphenol, R2is C3 to C4 alkyl, preferably propyl, in particular n-propyl, R5is Ci to C4 alkyl, R6is methyl or ethyl, n has a mean value of from 10 to 50, preferably 10 to 35, particularly from 10 to 25, in particular from 10 to 15. m has a mean value of from 0 to 20, preferably from 0. 5 to 20, preferably from 0.5 to 4, particularly 0.5 to 2 and mostly from 1 to 2. r has a mean value of from 0 to 50, preferably 0 and, s has a mean value of from 0 to 50, preferably 0. m being at least 0.5 if R is methyl or ethyl or r has the value 0.

[0084] R1is preferably Csto C15 alkyl, more preferably Cs to C13 alkyl, still preferably Cs to C12 alkyl radical which is at least singly branched. A plurality of branches may also be present. R5is preferably methyl or ethyl, in particular methyl. R6is preferably ethyl.

[0085] Preferably the monomeric surfactant is a fatty alcohol alkoxylates having the general formula (VI)

[0086] R3_ O _ (CH2_ CH, _ O)p(CH2_ CHR4_ O _ )flH where

[0087] R3is branched or straight chain C4to C22 alkyl or -alkylphenol,

[0088] R4is Cs to C4 alkyl, p has a mean value of from 10 to 50, preferably from 10 to 15, and q has a mean value of from 0.5 to 20, preferably from 0.5 to 4, more preferably from 0.5 to 2.

[0089] R3is preferably Csto C15 alkyl radical, more preferably Cs to C13 alkyl radical, still preferably Cs to C12 alkyl radical which is branched or straight chain. R4is preferably propyl, in particular n-propyl. R6is preferably ethyl, p preferably has a mean value of from 10 to 45, particularly preferably a mean value of from 10 to 35 and in particular a mean value of from 10 to 15. q preferably has a mean value of from 0. 5 to 4, particularly preferably from 0. 5 to 2, in particular from 1 to 2. The expression "mean value" relates to industrial products in which different numbers of alkylene oxide units may be present in the individual molecules. It describes the proportion of the corresponding alkylene oxide units present on average in industrial products. A value of 0. 5 therefore means that on average every second molecule carries a corresponding unit. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lower limit I is present instead of the lower limit of 0. 5 for the indices n, m, p and q.

[0090] Suitable alcohol components on which the alcohol alkoxylates are based are not only pure alkanols but also homologous mixtures having a range of carbon atoms.

[0091] Examples are Csto C10 alkanols, C10 / 12 alkanols, C13 / 15 alkanols and C12 / 15 alkanols. Mixtures of a plurality of alkanols are also possible.

[0092] It will be appreciated that nonionic alkoxylated monomeric surfactants can be divided into the following groups, all of which are included within the scope of the present invention:- (A) Ethoxylates of primary or secondary fatty alcohols of various chain length, which are adducts of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols, the fatty alcohol end groups being uncapped. (B) Alkoxylates of primary or secondary fatty alcohols of various chain lengths, which are adducts of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or higher alkylene oxides and fatty alcohols. (C) Ethoxylates or alkoxylates of fatty alcohols of various chain lengths with capped end groups, in which the free hydroxide groups of the nonionic surfactant are esterified with an alkyl group.

[0093] Preferably the nonionic alkoxylated monomeric surfactant has a wetting effect of from 60 to 200, preferably 75 to 150. The wetting effect is measured according to EN 1772, using 1 g / l if the nonionic alkoxylated surfactant in distilled water, at 23°C with 2 g soda / l. Preferred ethoxylated alkoxylated nonionic surfactants include those sold by BASF under the "Plurafac" trademark, such as Plurafac LF 301 (wetting effect of 90 s), LF 401 (wetting effect of 115 s), LF 405 (wetting effect of 100 s), and LF 7319 (wetting effect of 100 s).

[0094] Examples of the nonionic alkoxylated monomeric surfactant are represented by the commercially well-known class of nonionics sold under the trademark Plurafac® by BASF. The Plurafacs® are the reaction products of a higher linear alcohol and a mixture of ethylene and propylene oxides, containing a mixed chain of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, terminated by a hydroxyl group.

[0095] Preferred examples of such materials are provided by BASF Corporation as a series under the tradename Plurafac. Particularly preferred surfactants are Plurafac LF 301 , Plurafac LF 403 and Plurafac SLF-18. Also included within this class of nonionic surfactants are epoxy capped poly(oxyalkylated) alcohols as described in WO 94 / 22800. A preferred example of this class of material is poly-tergent SLF 18B 45 made available by BASF Corporation.

[0096] Preferably the nonionic alkoxylated surfactant according to any one of the general formula (I), II, (IV) to (VI) has a weight average molecular weight from 500 to 10,000 g / mol, preferably from 600 to 3000 g / mol.

[0097] The detergent composition of the present invention includes from 0.2 wt.% to 5 wt.% of a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant, preferably 0.2 wt.% to 2 wt.%. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 0.3 wt.%, still preferably at least 0.4 wt.% , still preferably at least 0.5 wt.%, most preferably at least 1 wt.% of the nonionic alkoxylated surfactant, but typically not more than 4.5 wt.%, still preferably not more than 4 wt.%, still further preferably not more than 3 wt.%, still more preferably not more than 2.5 wt.% and most preferably not more than 2 wt.% of an nonionic alkoxylated surfactant based on the weight of the detergent composition.

[0098] Carbonate salt

[0099] Disclosed detergent composition includes from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt. Examples of the carbonate salt includes alkaline earth metal and alkali metal carbonates or mixtures thereof. The carbonate salt is preferably an alkali metal carbonate, alkaline earth metal carbonate or mixtures thereof. Preferred alkali carbonates are sodium and / or potassium carbonate of which sodium carbonate is particularly preferred. It is further preferred that sodium carbonate makes up at least 75 wt.%, more preferably at least 85 wt.% and even more preferably at least 90 wt.% of the total weight of the carbonate salt. The detergent composition of the present invention includes from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 0.8 wt.%, still preferably at least 1 wt.%, still preferably at least 2 wt.%, most preferably at least 5 wt.% of the carbonate salt, but typically not more than 15 wt.%, still preferably not more than 13 wt.%, most preferably not more than 10 wt.% of carbonate salt based on the weight of the detergent composition. Preferably the composition of the present invention is substantially free of carbonate salt. By substantially free it is meant that there is no deliberately added carbonate salt in the composition.

[0100] Non-carbonate builder

[0101] In addition to the carbonate salt the detergent composition of the present invention may preferably include a further non-carbonate builder. The preferred inorganic noncarbonate builders may be selected from the group consisting of silicates, silica, zeolites, phosphates or mixtures thereof. Yet other non-carbonate builder may be organic builders which includes but are not limited to as succinates, carboxylates, malonates, polycarboxylates, citric acid or a salt thereof.

[0102] Suitable silicates include the water-soluble sodium silicates with an SiC>2: Na2<D ratio of from 1.0 to 2.8, with ratios of from 1.6 to 2.4 being preferred, and 2.0 ratio being most preferred. The silicates may be in the form of either the anhydrous salt or a hydrated salt. Sodium silicate with an SiC>2: Na2<D ratio of 2.0 is the most preferred silicate.

[0103] Silicate salt are preferably present in the detergent compositions in accord with the invention at a level from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.%, still preferably 0 wt.% to 17 wt.%, more preferably 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% by weight of the composition, still more preferably from 0 wt.% to 7 wt.% in the detergent composition.

[0104] The composition of the present invention preferably includes from 0 wt.% to 8 wt.%, still preferably from 0 wt.% to 5 wt.%, more preferably from 0 wt.% to 1 wt.% of an inorganic non-carbonate builder selected from silica, zeolites, phosphate or mixtures thereof. Preferably the composition of the present invention is substantially free of silicate salt, zeolite salt and phosphate builder. By substantially free it is meant that there is no deliberately added carbonate salt in the composition. Form of the detergent composition

[0105] The composition according to the present invention preferably has a pH from 7.0 to 10.5, preferably 7.0 to 10.2, still preferably from 8.5 to 10.2, when measured at 1 wt.% dilution in de-ionised water at 25°C. The composition may preferably include a buffer.

[0106] The composition of the present invention is in the solid form. The composition according to the present invention may be made via a variety of conventional methods known in the art and those which includes but is not limited to the mixing of ingredients, including dry-mixing, compaction such as agglomerating, extrusion, tabletting, or spraydrying of the various compounds comprised in the detergent component, or mixtures of these techniques, whereby the components herein also can be made by for example compaction, including extrusion and agglomerating, or spray-drying. The detergent composition may be made by any of the conventional processes, especially preferred is the technique of slurry making and spray drying.

[0107] The compositions herein can take a variety of physical solid forms including forms such as powder, granule, ribbon, noodle, paste, tablet, flake, pastille and bar, and preferably the composition is in the form of powder, granules or a tablet, still preferably the composition is in the form of a powder. The composition may be in the form of a unit dose formulation, delayed delivery formulation, detergent contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. The composition according to the present invention may preferably be in a form selected from powder, unit dose or pouch form, tablet, bar, or flake. The solid detergent composition may include solid particulates or may be a single homogenous solid. Preferably the solid detergent composition includes plurality of particles. The particles may be free flowing or may be compacted, preferably they are free flowing. The solid detergent composition may be a water-soluble film or sheet comprising the laundry detergent composition. In specific embodiments of the present invention the solid detergent composition may be present enclosed in a water-soluble unit dose article, wherein the water-soluble unit dose article preferably comprises a water-soluble film surrounding an internal compartment. The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention is preferably free flowing. The composition is preferably a fully formulated detergent composition. The solid detergent composition includes but is not limited powder, granular, particulate, agglomerates, noodles, flakes, tablets, bar, sheet or other solid forms known in the art and combinations thereof.

[0108] The solid laundry detergent composition may comprise solid particulates or may be a single homogenous solid. Preferably, the solid laundry detergent composition comprises particles. This means the solid laundry detergent composition comprises individual solid particles as opposed to the solid being a single homogenous solid. The particles may be free-flowing or may be compacted, preferably free-flowing.

[0109] The solid particulate laundry detergent composition preferably has a mean particle size of between 400 microns and 1000 microns, more preferably between 450 microns and 850 microns.

[0110] Preferably the composition is used for laundering fabrics manual-washing method. Preferably, the composition of the present invention is a solid laundry detergent composition. Preferably the composition is in the form of a spray -dried powder or particulate free-flowing form.

[0111] The compositions preferably have a density of more than 350 grams / litre, more preferably more than 450 grams / litre or even more than 570 grams / litre.

[0112] The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention preferably has from 0 wt.% to 8 wt.% zeolite builder. Preferably the amount of zeolite builder is less than 5 wt.%, still preferably less than 3 wt.%, more preferably less than 2 wt.% by weight in the detergent composition and most preferably the detergent composition is substantially free of zeolite builder.

[0113] The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention has from 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate builder. Preferably the amount of phosphate builder is less than 3 wt.%, still preferably less than 2 wt.%, more preferably less than 1 wt.% by weight in the detergent composition and most preferably the detergent composition is substantially free of phosphate builder. Non-limiting examples of phosphate builder includes polyphosphates (exemplified by the tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, glassy polymeric meta-phoshpate) and phosphonates, more particularly STP (Sodium tripolyphosphate) and STPP (sodium triphosphate).

[0114] The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention preferably includes from 0 wt.% to 6 wt.% bicarbonate salt, preferably sodium bicarbonate. Preferably the amount of bicarbonate salt is less than 5 wt.%, still preferably less than 2 wt.%, more preferably less than 1 wt.% by weight in the detergent composition and most preferably the detergent composition is substantially free of bicarbonate salt. Preferably the bicarbonate salt is sodium bicarbonate.

[0115] The term “substantially free” means that the indicated component is at the very minimum, not deliberately added to the composition to form part of it, or, more typically, is not present at analytically detectable levels. It is meant to include compositions whereby the indicated material is present only as an impurity in one of the other materials deliberately included.

[0116] Optional ingredients

[0117] The detergent composition of the present invention may preferably include one or more of the optional ingredients selected from the group consisting of cleaning and care ingredients. The optional ingredients include one or more adjunct cleaning additives selected from polymers, enzymes, enzyme stabilizer, brightening agents, hueing agent, bleach, chelating agent, humectant, perfume, filler or carrier, an alkalinity system, a buffer or combinations thereof.

[0118] Polymers:

[0119] The composition of the present invention may preferably include polymers which provide cleaning or care benefits. The cleaning polymer includes but is not limited to soil release polymer, carboxylate polymers, antiredeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers, care polymers, amphiphilic alkoxylated grease cleaning polymers, clay soil cleaning polymers, soil suspending polymers or mixtures thereof. Suitable carboxylate polymer includes polymers such as a maleate / acrylate random copolymer or polyacrylate homopolymer. Also suitable are polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with maleic acid, copolymer of maleic acid with vinyl methyl ether and combinations thereof. These may also serve as

[0120] Anti-redeposition polymers are designed to suspend or disperse soil. Typically, antiredeposition polymers are polyethylene glycol polymers, polycarboxylate polymers, polyethyleneimine polymers or mixtures thereof. Such polymers are available from BASF under the trade name Sokalan®CP5 (neutralised form) and Sokalan®CP45 (acidic form).

[0121] Soil release polymers are designed to modify the surface of the fabric to facilitate the ease of removal of soil. Suitable soil release polymers are sold by Clariant under the TexCare® series of polymers, e.g. TexCare® SRN240, TexCare® SRN100, TexCare® SRN170, TexCare® SRN300, TexCare® SRN325, TexCare® SRA100 and TexCare® SRA300. Other suitable soil release polymers are sold by Rhodia under the Repel-o- Tex® series of polymers, e.g. Repel-o-Tex® SF2, Repel-o-Tex® SRP6 and Repel-o- Tex® Crystal. A preferred polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyester soil release polymer, both end-capped and non-end-capped sulphonated PET / POET polymers, both end-capped and non-end-capped unsulphonated PET / POET polymers or combinations thereof.

[0122] Preferably the levels of these soil release polymer in the adjunct particle is from 3 wt.% to 15 wt.% at least 5 wt.%, still preferably at least 6 wt.%, still preferably at least 6.5wt%, most preferably at least 7 wt.%, but typically not more than 14 wt.%, still preferably not more than 13 wt.%, most preferably not more than 12 wt.%.

[0123] Suitable care polymers include cellulosic polymers that are cationically modified or hydrophobically modified. A suitable commercially available dye lock polymer is Polyquart® FDI (Cognis). Preferably the adjunct particle includes from 0.01% to 10%, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of care polymer.

[0124] Examples of suitable sequestering polymers are DEQUEST™, organic phosphonate type sequestering polymers sold by Monsanto and alkanehydroxy phosphonates. The cleaning composition is preferably substantially free of phosphate based sequestering polymers. By substantially free, it is meant herein that no phosphate based sequestering polymers is deliberately added.

[0125] Enzymes:

[0126] The composition of the present invention preferably includes an enzyme. It may preferably include one or more enzymes. Preferred examples of the enzymes include those which provide cleaning performance and / or fabric care benefits.

[0127] Examples of suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, xyloglucanase, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, mannanases, pectate lyases, keratinases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, G-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, and amylases, or mixtures thereof. A typical combination is an enzyme cocktail that may comprise, for example, a protease and lipase in conjunction with one or more of amylase, mannanase and cellulase. When present in a detergent composition, the enzymes may be present at levels from about 0.00001 % to about 2%, from about 0.0001% to about 1% or from 0.001% to about 0.5% enzyme protein by weight of the detergent composition.

[0128] Suitable proteases include metalloproteases and serine proteases, including neutral or alkaline microbial serine proteases, such as subtilisins (EC 3.4.21.62). Suitable commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the trade names Alcalase®, Savinase®, Primase®, Durazym®, Polarzyme®, Kannase®, Liquanase®, Liquanase Ultra®, Savinase Ultra®, Ovozyme®, Neutrase®, Everlase® and Esperase® by Novozymes A / S (Denmark), those sold under the tradename Maxatase®, Maxaca®l, Maxapem®, Properase®, Purafect®, Purafect Prime®, Purafect Ox®, FN3®, FN4®, 10 Excellase® and Purafect OXP® by Genencor International, those sold under the tradename Opticlean® and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes.

[0129] Suitable alpha-amylases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Suitable commercially available alpha-amylases include DURAMYL®, LIQUEZYME®, TERMAMYL®, TERMAMYL ULTRA®, NATALASE®, SUPRAMYL®, STAINZYME®, STAINZYME PLUS®, FUNGAMYL® and BAN® (Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), 15 KEMZYM® AT 9000 Biozym Biotech Trading GmbH Wehlistrasse 27b A- 1200 Wien Austria, RAPIDASE®, PURASTAR®, ENZYSIZE®, OPTISIZE HT PLUS®, POWERASE® and PURASTAR OXAM® (Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, California) and KAM® (Kao, 14-10 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, 1-chome, Chuo-ku Tokyo 103-8210, Japan). In one aspect, suitable amylases include NATALASE®, STAINZYME and STAINZYME PLUS® and mixtures thereof.

[0130] In one aspect, such enzymes may be selected from the group consisting of: lipases, including "first cycle lipases". Preferred lipases would include those sold under the tradenames Lipex® and Lipolex®.

[0131] In one aspect, other preferred enzymes include microbial-derived endoglucanases exhibiting endo-beta-1 , 4-glucanase activity (E.C. 3.2. L4), including a bacterial polypeptide. Suitable endoglucanases are sold under the tradenames Celluclean® and Whitezyme® (Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark). Other preferred enzymes include pectate lyases sold under the tradenames Pectawash®, Pectaway®, Xpect® and mannanases sold under the tradenames Mannaway® (all from Novozymes A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), and Purabrite® (Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, California).

[0132] Enzyme stabilizing system:

[0133] The enzyme-containing compositions described herein may optionally comprise from 0.001% to 10%, in some examples from about 0.005% to about 8%, and in other examples, from about 0.01% to about 6%, by weight of the composition, of an enzyme stabilizing system. The enzyme stabilizing system can be any stabilizing system which is compatible with the detersive enzyme. Such stabilizing systems can, for example, comprise calcium ion, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, chlorine bleach scavengers and mixtures thereof, and are designed to address different stabilization problems depending on the type and physical form of the cleaning composition.

[0134] Brightening agents:

[0135] The composition may preferably include a whitening agent selected from the group consisting of optical brightener, dye, pigments, hueing agents or combinations thereof. Optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents may be incorporated at levels from 0.01% to 1.2%, by weight of the composition. Commercial brighteners suitable for the present invention can be classified into subgroups, including but not limited to: derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, benzoxazoles, carboxylic acid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiophene-5, 5- dioxide, azoles, 5- and 6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Preferred commercially available Brighteners includes Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation, Tinopal UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation. The brighteners may be added in particulate form or as a premix with a suitable solvent, for example nonionic surfactant, monoethanolamine, propane diol.

[0136] The composition may comprise a fabric hueing agent (sometimes referred to as shading, bluing or whitening agents). Typically, the hueing agent provides a blue or violet shade to fabric. Hueing agents can be used either alone or in combination to create a specific shade of hueing and / or to shade different fabric types. Hueing agents may be suitable fabric hueing agents include dyes, dye-clay conjugates, and organic and inorganic pigments.

[0137] According to a second aspect of the present invention disclosed is a method of laundering a textile surface with the detergent composition according to the first aspect comprising the steps of: i) preparing a wash liquor by contacting the detergent composition according to the first aspect with a liquid, preferably water; ii) soaking said textile surface in the wash liquor for a predetermined period of time; and, iii) optionally rinsing the textile surface. According to a third aspect of the present invention disclosed is use of an anionic surfactant and a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant selected from polyoxyethylenepolyoxypropylene block copolymer, a monomeric surfactant with an average degree of alkoxylation of from 10 to 50 or mixtures thereof and an amphoteric surfactant, from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt and 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% silicate salt, 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate builder in a detergent composition to provide improved stain removal performance.

[0138] According to another aspect of the present invention disclosed is use of an anionic surfactant, a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant selected from selected from polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer, a monomeric surfactant with an average degree of alkoxylation of from 10 to 50 or mixtures thereof amphoteric surfactant, 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt, 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% silicate salt, 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate salt in a detergent composition to provide improved fabric care performance.

[0139] Examples

[0140] Different comparative detergent compositions and detergent compositions according to the present invention were prepared having the formulation as provided in Table 1.

[0141] Thereafter the prepared spray-dried, free flowing powder solid laundry detergent compositions were evaluated for stain removal performance. All the formulations had 0 wt.% phosphate builder.

[0142] Evaluation of the stain removal performance:

[0143] The stain removal performance study was conducted in a tergo-to-meter. The wash load capacity used was a liquor to cloth ratio of 40. The water used for the washing purpose had a water hardness of 20 degree (3:1) when measured at a temperature of 28°C. The wash load comprised of 100% knitted cotton. The detergent composition concentration in the prepared wash liquor was 4.2 grams per litre. The washed clothes were rinsed in clean water and the stain removal index reading were measured. The SRI value was calculated by measuring the L, a, b values using an Artix Scanner for stains and the stain removal index was determined by the following equation:

[0144] A soiled stain swatch having chilli sunflower oil, ragu-sunflower oil and sebum stain was added during the washing.

[0145] Table 1

[0146] A = CAPB

[0147] B = Pluronic PE 6800

[0148] C = Sokalan® CP5, BASF.

[0149] The compositions in the table 1 were evaluated for stain removal performance on three different type of soil chilli sunflower oil, ragu-sunflower oil and sebum stain and it was found that the composition according to the present invention (Ex 1 , Ex 2) having lower levels carbonate salt and silicate salts shows equivalent performance towards removing the oily and fatty stains as provided by the comparative composition having much higher levels of the anionic surfactant and the alkaline ingredients (Ex A). The composition according to the present invention having a combination of amphoteric surfactant and nonionic alkoxylated surfactant according to the present invention gives good cleaning performance on stains at lower levels of carbonate salts and alkalinity levels and is similar in performance to composition with higher levels of alkalinity (carbonate and silicate) where these ingredients are known to positively impact on the stain removal performance.

Claims

DEPCT661. Detergent compositions for solid laundry products consisting of: i) anionic surfactants; ii) amphoteric surfactants; iii) selected nonionic alkoxy surfactants from polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers, or a mixture of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers and monomer surfactants with an average alkoxylation degree of 10 to 50; v) carbonate salts 0% by weight to 20% by weight; v) silicate salts 0% by weight to 20% by weight; vi) phosphate builders 0% by weight to 4% by weight; where the added nonionic alkoxy surfactant is a polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer selected from the group consisting of: i) polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer represented by the general formula (I)R-(EO)n-(PO)m-(EO)n-R'..............Formula(I) where m is an integer from 10 to 130, each n is an independent integer from 2 to 60; and where R and R' are each independently chosen from a group consisting of H, OH, C1 to C18 alkyl or C1 to C18 hydroxyl or,ii) a block copolymer of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene represented by the general formula(II)R-(PO)n-(EO)m-(PO)n-R'..............Formula(II) where m is an integer from 15 to 150 and n at each end is an independent integer from 2 to 60 and where R and R' are each independently chosen 1. Independent of the group consisting of H,OH,C1 to C18 alkyl or C1 to C18 hydroxyl; or, iii) block copolymers of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene represented by the general formula (IV)R-(PO)a-(EO)b-(PO)c-(EO)d-(PO)e-R'.....formula (IV) where EO is the ethylene oxide unit and PO is the propylene oxide unit and a,b, and c,d and e each represent the number of units of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide in each block, and where R and R' independently are H,C1 to C18 alkyl,C1 to C18 hydroxyl or a mixture of such.2.The composition according to claim 1, in which the monomer surfactants are selected from a group consisting of: i) monomer surfactants with an average alkoxylation degree of 10 to 50, represented by the general formula (V)R1-O-(CH2-CHR5-O-)r(CH2-CH2-O-)n(CH2-CHR6-O-)s(CH2-CHR2-O-)mH........formula (V), where R1 is C4 to C22 alkyl or alkylphenol linear or at least single-branched, R2 is C3 to C4 alkyl, propyl, especially n-propyl, R5 is C1 to C4 alkyl, R6 is methyl or ethyl, n has an average value of 10 to 50, m has an average value of 0 to 2. 0, the optimal m is at least 0.5 if R is methyl or ethyl or r has a value of 0, r has a mean value from 0 to 50, the optimal is 0 and, s has a mean value from 0 to 50, the optimal is 0 or, ii) monomer surfactants with an average degree of alkoxylation from 10 to 50 represented by the general formula (VI)R3-O-(CH2-CH2-O)p(CH2-CHR4-O-)qH........formula (VI) where R3 is C4 to C22 alkyl or alkylphenol, branched or straight chain, R4 is C3 to C4 alkyl, p has a mean value from 10 to 50, and, q has a mean value from 0.5 to 20, the optimal is from 0.5 to 4, the more suitable is from 0.5 to 23.

1. The composition under claim 1 or 2 where an amphoteric surfactant of any general formulation (I), (II) and (VI) has a weight-average molecular weight of 500 to 10,000 g / mol, optimum of 600 to 3000 g / mol.

4. The composition under any of the preceding claims where the amphoteric surfactant is selected from a group consisting of betaine, sulfane, amine oxides or a mixture of such.

5. The composition under claim 4 where the amphoteric surfactant of betaine is selected from alkyl betaine, amine oxides, or a mixture of such.

6. A composition pursuant to one of the preceding claims in which an anionic surfactant is selected from a group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkyl ethersulfons, or combinations thereof, where the appropriate anionic surfactant is an alkali metal salt of acids C10 to C18, alkylbenzenesulfonic.

7. A composition pursuant to claim 1 in which the composition, at a dilution of 1% by weight in deionized water at 25 °C, has an equilibrium pH in the range from 7.0 to 10.58.

8. Any composition under any prior claim where the amount of anionic surfactant is from 2% by weight to 40% by weight of the composition.

9. Any composition under any prior claim where the amount of anionic surfactant is from 0.2% by weight to 5% by weight of the composition.

10. Any composition under any prior claim where the amount of anionic surfactant added is from 0.2% by weight to 2% by weight of the composition.

11. Any composition under any prior claim where the composition includes a re-adhesion agent selected from a group consisting of polyacrylates, acrylic or methacrylic acid copolymers containing maleic acid or maleic acid containing vinyl esters, and combinations thereof.

12. Any composition under any prior claim where the composition includes enzymes. 13.Methods of washing textile surfaces with detergent components according to one of the preceding claims include the following steps: i) preparation of the washing liquid by contact of one of the detergent components according to preceding claims 1 through 12 with the liquid, appropriately water; ii) soaking the textile surface in the washing liquid for a predetermined period of time; and, iii) alternatively, rinsing of the textile surface.

14. Use of anionic surfactants, and selected nonionic alkoxy surfactants. Block polymers of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene as per claim 1 or mixtures of block polymers of polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene and monomer surfactants with an average alkoxylation degree of 10 to 50 and amphoteric surfactants, carbonate salts 0% by weight to 20% by weight and silicate salts 0% by weight to 10% by weight, phosphate builders 0% by weight to 4% by weight in the detergent composition as per claim 1 to provide improved stain removal performance;