Laundry GEL composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to stable gel laundry detergent composition. Although several approaches at providing laundry gel composition which provide desired viscosity, good cleaning performance while maintaining desired sensorial properties and appearance have been known, it is still desired to provide improved laundry gel composition. The present inventors have found that by incorporating a balanced combination of alkali metal carbonate and a hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose, it is possible to provide a laundry gel composition with desired viscosity and good physical appearance and the gel composition also provides good cleaning performance.

Description

[0001] LAUNDRY GEL COMPOSITION

[0002] Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to stable gel laundry detergent composition. of the Invention

[0004] Laundry detergent composition are known in gel form. The gel composition requires careful formulation to provide desired viscosity, storage stability, good cleaning performance and with good physical appearance.

[0005] Attempts to formulate a gel laundry detergent composition in the past, included the use of clay or polymers. While these composition are in the form of gels, many have been found to have poor physical product characteristics, including phase separation.

[0006] US2012 / 0122753A1 (Henkel) discloses a liquid laundry composition providing good anti-graying effect. The liquid laundry composition includes a graying-inhibiting polysaccharide, carboxymethyl cellulose and an inorganic salt.

[0007] Although several approaches at providing laundry gel composition which provide desired viscosity, good cleaning performance while maintaining desired sensorial properties and appearance have been known, it is still desired to provide improved laundry gel composition.

[0008] It is thus desired to provide a laundry gel composition with enhanced cleaning performance. It also remains to provide a laundry gel composition having good physical properties.

[0009] Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present inventors have found that by incorporating a balanced combination of alkali metal carbonate and a hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose, it is possible to provide a laundry gel composition with desired viscosity and good physical appearance and the gel composition also provides good cleaning performance.

[0011] According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed is a laundry gel composition comprising:

[0012] (i) anionic surfactant;

[0013] (ii) 0.1 wt.% to 1 wt.% hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose; (iii) 2 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkali metal carbonate; and,

[0014] (iv) water. wherein the composition has a viscosity ranging from 35000 m Pa.s., to 85000 m Pa.s.

[0015] Preferably wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulphonate surfactant, alkyl sulfate surfactant, alkyl ether sulphate surfactant and mixtures thereof.

[0016] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed is a laundry gel composition which includes anionic surfactant, alkali metal carbonate and a hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose.

[0018] Anionic surfactant

[0019] Disclosed laundry gel 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). Suitable anionic surfactants include those selected from the group consisting of alkyl 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. Non-limiting examples of the preferred anionic surfactant includes linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, primary alkyl sulfate, methyl ester sulphonate or combinations thereof.

[0020] Preferably the laundry gel composition according to the first aspect of the present invention includes anionic surfactant which is selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulphonate surfactant, alkyl sulfate surfactant, alkyl ether sulphate surfactant and mixtures thereof.

[0021] Suitable anionic surfactants include sulphonate surfactant, sulphate surfactant and mixtures thereof.

[0022] Suitable sulphonate surfactants include methyl ester sulphonates, alpha olefin sulphonates, alkyl benzene sulphonates. Preferably the anionic surfactant is an alkyl aryl sulphonate surfactant. Preferably the alkyl aryl sulphonate surfactant comprises an alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant, more preferably linear alkyl benzene sulphonate. Especially alkyl benzene sulphonates, is preferably C10-13 alkyl benzene sulphonate. Suitable alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) is obtainable, preferably obtained, by sulphonating commercially available linear alkyl benzene (LAB); suitable LAB includes low 2-phenyl LAB, other suitable LAB include high 2-phenyl LAB. LAS is normally formulated into compositions in acid (i.e. HLAS) form and then at least partially neutralized in-situ. Preferably C10 to C15 alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), still preferably C10 to C14 alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), still preferably the benzene sulfonate (LAS) has at least 50 wt.% of C12 alkyl benzene sulfonate, still preferably 80 wt.% C12 alkyl benzene sulfonates. Preferably the alkyl chain in the alkyl benzene sulphonate is straight or branched, more preferably linear. The alkyl benzene sulphonate is preferably in the salt form with the cation selected from alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or alkanolamine. Preferably alkali metal selected from sodium or potassium, most preferably sodium. Preferably the laundry detergent composition includes from 1 wt.% to 50 wt.% alkyl aryl sulphonate surfactant.

[0023] Suitable sulphate anionic surfactants include alkyl sulphate, preferably Cs-is alkyl sulphate, or predominantly C12 alkyl sulphate.

[0024] A preferred sulphate surfactant is alkyl alkoxylated sulphate surfactant, preferably alkyl ethoxylated sulphate. Preferably a Cs-is alkyl alkoxylated sulphate, preferably a Cs-is alkyl ethoxylated sulphate, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated sulphate has an average degree of alkoxylation of from 0.5 to 20. preferably from 0.5 to 10, preferably the alkyl alkoxylated sulphate is a Cs-is alkyl ethoxylated sulphate having an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 10, preferably from 0.5 to 5, more preferably from 0.5 to 3 and most preferably from 0.5 to 1.5. Commonly used in laundry compositions are C12-14 alkyl ether sulfates having a straight or branched chain alkyl group having 12 to 14 carbon atoms and containing an average of 1 to 3EO units per molecule. A preferred example is sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) in which the predominantly C12 lauryl alkyl group has been ethoxylated with an average of 1 to 3EO units per molecule.

[0025] The alkyl sulphate, alkyl alkoxylated sulphate and alkyl benzene sulphonates may be linear or branched, substituted or un-substituted, and may be derived from petrochemical material or biomaterial. Other suitable anionic detersive surfactants include alkyl ether carboxylates.

[0026] Suitable anionic surfactant may be in salt form, suitable counter-ions include sodium, calcium, magnesium, amino alcohols, and any combination thereof. A preferred counter-ion is sodium. Preferably the anionic surfactant includes a mixture of anionic surfactant selected from anionic sulphonate surfactant and sulphate surfactant. More preferably the anionic surfactant is a mixture of alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant and alkyl ethoxylated sulphate surfactant. Preferably the laundry gel composition includes from 1 wt.% to 10 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant and from 3 wt.% to 10 wt.% alkyl ethoxylated sulphate surfactant.

[0027] The gel laundry detergent composition of the present invention includes from 1 wt.% to 25 wt.% of anionic surfactant, most preferably from 2 wt.% to 20 wt.% anionic surfactant. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 2 wt.%, still preferably at least 2.5 wt.%, still preferably at least 3 wt.%, still preferably at least 5 wt.%, still more preferably at least 5.5 wt.% of the anionic surfactant, most preferably at least 6 wt.% of the anionic surfactant, but typically not more than 23 wt.%, still preferably not more than 22 wt.%, still further preferably not more than 20 wt.%, still more preferably not more than 18 wt.% and most preferably not more than 16 wt.%, still more preferably not more than 15 wt.% of an anionic surfactant based on the weight of the detergent composition. cellulose:

[0028] Disclosed laundry gel composition includes a hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose.

[0029] Preferably the hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose is selected from the group consisting of hydroxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxybutyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl butyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl butyl cellulose and mixtures thereof. More preferably the hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose is selected from the group consisting of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose hydroxymethyl butyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl butyl cellulose and mixtures thereof.

[0030] Preferably the hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose is a hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose. In the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose, at least a part of the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose backbone at the 2-, 3- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose units are substituted by a combination of methoxyl and hydroxyalkoxyl groups. The hydroxyal koxyl groups are typically hydroxymethoxyl, hydroxyethoxyl and / or hydroxypropoxyl groups. Hydroxyethoxyl and / or hydroxypropoxyl groups are preferred. Typically, one or two kinds of hydroxyalkoxyl groups are present in the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose. Preferably a single kind of hydroxyalkoxyl group is present. Illustrative of the hydroxyalkyl methylcelluloses are hydroxyethyl methylcelluloses, hydroxypropyl methylcelluloses, and hydroxybutyl methylcelluloses. Most preferably, the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose is a hydroxypropyl methylcellulose or hydroxymethyl methylcellulose. The hydroxyl groups of the cellulose backbone at the 2-, 3- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose units are not substituted by any groups other than methoxyl and hydroxyalkoxyl groups.

[0031] Preferably the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose used in the composition of the present invention has a specific degree of the substitution of hydroxyl groups at the 2-, 3- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose units by methoxyl groups and hydroxyalkoxyl groups.

[0032] The average number of methoxyl groups per anhydroglucose unit is designated as the degree of substitution of methoxyl groups, DS. The degree of the substitution of hydroxyl groups at the 2-, 3- and 6-positions of the anhydroglucose units by hydroxyalkoxyl groups is expressed by the molar substitution of hydroxyalkoxyl groups, the MS. The MS is the average number of moles of hydroxyalkoxyl groups per anhydroglucose unit in the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose. The hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose utilized in the composition of the present invention has a DS of from 1.6 to 2.7 and an MS of from 0.15 to 1.30.

[0033] Preferably the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose has a DS of from 1.6 to 2.3, more preferably from 1.70 to 2.20. Preferably, hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose has a DS of at least 1.7, still preferably at least 1.8, further preferably at least 1.85 and most preferably 1.9, but typically not more than

[0034] 2.2, still preferably not more than 2.1 and most preferably not more than 2.

[0035] Preferably the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose has a MS of from 0.18 to 1.20, more preferably from 0.24 to 1.10. Preferably, hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose has an MS of at least, still preferably at least 0.2, further preferably at least 0.23 and most preferably 0.25, but typically not more than

[0036] 1.2, still preferably not more than 1.1 and most preferably not more than 1.0.

[0037] Any preferred range for DS can be combined with any preferred range for MS. Most preferably the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose has a DS of from 1.70 to 2.20 and an MS of from 0.2 to 1.10. The sum of the DS and MS preferably is at least 2.0, more preferably at least 2.13, most preferably at least 2.14 and preferably up to 3.2, more preferably up to 3.0, most preferably up to 2.9. Some of the preferred commercially available hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose includes Methocel grades such as Methocel J (level of hydroxypropyl molar substitution 0.75 to 1.00), and Methocel E (MS from 0.22 to 0.25) and K (MS from 0.18 to 0.23). Levels of methyl and hydroxypropyl substitution may be determined by the method of ASTM D 2363-72. A preferred hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose is the hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose having a methoxyl substitution (DSM) of 1.92 and hydroxypropoxyl substitution (MSHP) of 0.25 and a viscosity of 4,100 mPa.s, measured as a 2% solution in water at 20°C according to ASTM D2363-79 (Reapproved 2006). The HPMC is commercially available from The Dow Chemical Company as Methocel E4M and as Benecel K200M from Ashland.

[0038] The degree of substitution of methoxyl groups (DS) and the molar substitution of hydroxyalkoxyl groups (MS) can be determined by Zeisel cleavage of the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose with hydrogen iodide and subsequent quantitative gas chromatographic analysis (G. Bartelmus and R. Ketterer, Z. Anal. Chem., 286 (1977) 161-190). When the hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose is hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, the determination of the % methoxyl and % hydroxypropoxyl is carried out according to the United States Pharmacopeia (USP 35, "Hypromellose", pages 3467-3469). The values obtained are % methoxyl and % hydroxypropoxyl. These are subsequently converted into degree of substitution (DS) for methoxyl substituents and molar substitution (MS) for hydroxypropoxyl substituents. Residual amounts of salt have been taken into account in the conversion.

[0039] The hydroxyalkyl methylcellulose utilized in the composition of the present invention preferably has a viscosity of from 3 to 280,000 mPa s, more preferably from 20 to 200,000 mPa s, even more preferably from 20 to 50,000 mPa s, most preferably from 20 to 15,000 mPa s, and particularly from 40 to 5,000 mPa s, measured as a 2 weight-% solution in water at 20°C. Preferably the viscosity of hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose in 2 wt.% water ranges from 150,000 mPa s to 280,000 mPa s. Viscosities of up to 600 mPa s are determined by Ubbelohde viscosity measurement. Viscosities above 600 mPa s are determined using a Brookfield viscometer. Descriptions on preparing the 2 wt.% HPMC solution and both Ubbelohde and Brookfield viscosity measurement conditions are described in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP 35, "Hypromellose", pages 423 —424 and 3467-3469 and in ASTM D-445 and ISO 3105 referenced therein).

[0040] It is also preferred that the hydroxyalkyl alkylcellulose is a hydroxyethyl methylcellulose. Cellulose derivatives having varying degrees of substitution and varying degrees of molar substitution with hydroxyethyl and methyl groups are known in the art. Reference is made to the following documents, whose disclosure is incorporated herein by reference. For example, U S. Patent No 9,051,218 (Kiesewetter, et al.), describes cellulose ethers including hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC) wherein the DS of methoxy groups is in the range of 1.2 to 2.2, preferably in the range of 1.25 to 2.10, or in the range of 1.4 to 2.0, and a molar substitution of hydroxylalkoxy (example, forming hydroxyethyl) in the range of 0.11 to 1.0, in the range of 0 to 0.8, or in the range of 0.14 to 0.5. HEMC polymers were prepared by reaction of wood cellulose pulp using dimethyl ether, methyl chloride, sodium hydroxide, and ethylene oxide in a two-stage reaction (Examples 1-4 of U.S. Patent No. 9,051 ,218). U S. Patent No 9,346,712 (Baumann, et al.), describes HEMC having a MS that is greater than 0.01 , 0.05 or greater, 0.1 or greater, and 0.18 or greater, and also 0.5 or less, 0.4 or less, 0.35 or less, and 0.33 or less. The HEMC is also described as having a DS greater than 1.65, 1.70 or greater, 1.72 or greater, and 1.8 or greater, and also less than 2.2, 2.0 or less, or 1.9 or less. U S. Patent App. Pub. No.

[0041] 2013 / 0193370 (Adden, et al.) describes cellulose ethers having a DS (methyl) of from 1.2 to 2.2, from 1.25 to 2.10, and 1.40 to 2.00, and a MS (hydroxyalkyl, e g., hydroxyethyl) of 0.11 to 1.00, 0.13 to 0.80, 0.15 to 0.70, 0.18 to 0.60, and 0.18 to 0.50. WO 2013 / 026657 shows exemplary HEMC and hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose (HEEC) structures on pages 10 and 11, respectively. DS values in the range of 1.0 to 3, 1.5 to 3, and 2.0 to 3 0, are described.

[0042] Preferably the hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose has a viscosity ranging from 7000 to

[0043] 10,000 m Pa.s more preferably the viscosity ranging from 7400 to 9500 m Pa.s when the viscosity is measured for a 1% solution in water using a Haake Rotovisko RV 100, with a shear rate 2.55 s-1 at a temperature of 20°C. Commercially hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose is available under the tradename WALOCEL™, from the Dow Chemical Company. A preferred HEMC is Walocel™ MW 60000 PFV from the Dow Chemical Company.

[0044] Preferably the hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose is selected from the group consisting of hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and mixtures thereof. According to the first aspect of the present invention the laundry gel composition comprises from 0.1 wt.% to 1 wt.% hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose, preferably from 0.1 wt.% to 0.5 wt.% hydroxyalkyl propyl cellulose. Preferably the laundry gel composition comprises at least 0.2 wt.%, preferably at least 0.25 wt.%, still preferably at least 0.3 wt.% and most preferably at least 0.5 wt.%, but typically not more than 0.95 wt.%, still preferably not more than 0.9 wt.%, still further preferably not more than 0.8 wt.%, and most preferably not more than 0.6 wt.% hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose in the laundry gel composition.

[0045] Alkali metal carbonate

[0046] Disclosed laundry gel composition includes an alkali metal carbonate. Preferred alkali metal carbonate are sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate or mixtures thereof, of which sodium carbonate is particularly preferred. In addition to the alkali metal carbonate the laundry gel composition may include other alkaline carbonate ingredients which includes alkali metal bicarbonate, alkali metal sesquicarbonate, or mixtures thereof. 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 alkali metal carbonate salt.

[0047] The alkali metal carbonate includes an alkali metal carbonate from a natural source. Preferably the natural source is from a mining process. Preferably the natural source from which alkali metal carbonate is prepared is trona. Trona is a mineral having sodium sesquicarbonate (Na2CO3.NaHCO3.2H2O). Trona is generally used for the manufacture of soda ash by well- established techniques which generally include milling the trona, which has either been mined or dredged depending on the location of the trona deposit and calcining the milled trona to produce soda ash. Still preferably the alkali metal carbonate natural source is made from trona source via the monohydrate process.

[0048] Preferably the alkali metal carbonate is sodium carbonate. Still preferably the alkali metal carbonate is a dense alkali metal carbonate, preferably dense sodium carbonate. The dense alkali metal carbonate is preferably those from a natural source. The dense alkali metal carbonate preferably has a bulk density ranging from has a bulk density ranging from 900 Kg / m3to 1250 Kg / m3, preferably 900 Kg / m3to 1200 Kg / m3, still preferably 950 Kg / m3to 1200 Kg / m3, more preferably from 1000 Kg / m3to 1200 Kg / m3, still more preferably from 1000 Kg / m3to 1100 Kg / m3.

[0049] Preferably the sodium carbonate is soluble in water. The sodium carbonate has a solubility of 45.5 g / 100 mL at 100°C.

[0050] Preferably the weight average particle size of alkali metal carbonate ranges from 200 micrometers to 500 micrometers.

[0051] Preferably the alkali metal carbonate has not more than 50 parts by weight of the alkali metal carbonate of particles with weight average particle size less than 75 micrometers, still preferably not more than 45 parts by weight of the alkali metal carbonate of particle with weight average particle size less than 75 micrometers, still more preferably not more than 35 parts, further preferably not more than 25 parts by weight of the alkali metal carbonate of particle with weight average particle size less than 75 micrometers, still preferably not more than 10 parts by weight of the alkali metal carbonate of particle with weight average particle size less than 75 micrometers. Preferably the alkali metal carbonate has from 10 parts to 50 parts by weight of the alkali metal carbonate of particles with weight average particle size less than 75 micrometers.

[0052] Preferably the alkali metal carbonate builder has at least 20 parts by weight of the alkali metal carbonate of particle with weight average particle size less than 75 micrometers, still preferably at least 25 parts, still preferably at least 30 parts, further preferably at least 35 parts, still more preferably at least 40 parts, still furthermore preferably at least 45 parts, but not more than 50 by weight of the alkali metal carbonate of particle with weight average particle size less than 75 micrometers.

[0053] The alkali metal carbonate may preferably be a synthetically prepared alkali metal carbonate. The synthetically prepared alkali metal carbonate has lower bulk density which may preferably be synthetically prepared from known process which includes the Solvay process or Hou process. The bulk density of the alkali metal carbonate from synthetic source is preferably from 400 Kg / m3to 800 Kg / m3, still preferably 400 Kg / m3to 800 Kg / m3, more preferably 600 Kg / m3to 800 Kg / m3, still more preferably from 600 Kg / m3to 700 Kg / m3. Alkali metal carbonate particularly sodium carbonate in solid form with low bulk density is preferably known as slight soda ash.

[0054] The laundry gel composition according to the first aspect of the present invention includes from

[0055] 2 wt.% to 5wt.% alkali metal carbonate, preferably from 2.5 wt.% to 5 wt.%, still preferably from

[0056] 3 wt.% to 5 wt.%, further preferably from 3.09 wt.% to 4.5 wt.%. More preferably the amount of alkali metal carbonate in the composition is not less than 2.5 wt.%, still preferably not less than 2.8 wt.%, more preferably not less than 3 wt.%, still more preferably not less than 3.5 wt.%, but typically not more than 4.8 wt.%, preferably not more than 4.5 wt.% or still preferably not more than 4 wt.%.

[0057] Water

[0058] According to the first aspect, disclosed laundry gel composition includes from 33 wt.% to 85 wt.% water, preferably from 50 wt.% to 85 wt.%, still preferably from 50 wt.% to 80 wt.% and further preferably from 50 wt.% to 75 wt.%. The laundry gel composition of the invention is capable of stably retaining high amount of water in the range from 33 wt.% to 85 wt.%, still preferably at least 40 wt.%, further preferably at least 45 wt.%, still more preferably at least 50 wt.% furthermore preferably at least 55 wt.% but the amount of water in the laundry gel composition is preferably not more than 83 wt.%, preferably not more than 80 wt.%, still preferably not more than 78 wt.%, most preferably not more than 75 wt.%.

[0059] Preferred ingredients

[0060] Disclosed laundry gel composition may contain one or more preferred ingredients to enhance performance and / or consumer acceptability. Examples of such ingredients include but is not limited to hydrotrope, neutralizing agent, polymeric cleaning boosters, fluorescent Agents, fragrance, cosurfactants, antifoaming agent, foam boosting agents, preservatives (e.g., bactericides), polyelectrolytes, shading dye anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, antioxidants, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, ironing aids, colorants, pearlisers and / or opacifiers, dye transfer inhibitors, polymeric dispersing agents, enzymes, colorants, filler salts, antiredeposition agents, antifading agent, dye fixative agents, fuzzing reducing agents, and mixtures thereof.

[0061] Each of these ingredients will be present in an amount effective to accomplish its purpose. Generally, these preferred ingredients are included individually at an amount of up to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

[0062] Hydrotrope:

[0063] Disclosed composition may incorporate non-aqueous carriers such as hydrotrope, co-solvent and phase stabilizer. Such materials are typically low molecular weight, water-soluble or water- miscible organic liquids such as Ci to Cs monohydric alcohols (such as ethanol and n- or i- propanol); C2 to Ge diols (such as monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol); C3 to C9 triols (such as glycerol); polyethylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 200 to 600; Ci to C3 alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamines; and alkyl aryl sulfonates having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group (such as the sodium and potassium xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene and isopropyl benzene (cumene) sulfonates). The preferred hydrotrope is alkyl aryl sulfonates having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group, more preferably sodium xylene sulphonate. Mixtures of any of the above-described materials may also be used.

[0064] Non-aqueous carriers, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 20%, preferably from 2 to 15%, and more preferably from 10 to 14% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition). Neutralizing agent:

[0065] Disclosed composition may incorporate neutralizing agent which is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxide, aluminium containing alkaline compound and mixtures thereof. The neutralizing agent according to the present invention is preferably alkali metal hydroxide. The acid precursor of anionic surfactant according to the present invention is preferably neutralized in-situ to its salt form using a neutralizing agent is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal hydroxide, aluminium containing alkaline compound and mixtures thereof, more preferably alkali metal hydroxide. Preferably after the neutralization, the composition may include from 0.2 to 1 wt.%, still preferably from 0.2 to 0.6 wt.% neutralizing agent in the composition.

[0066] Cosurfactants

[0067] Disclosed composition may contain one or more cosurfactants (such as amphoteric (zwitterionic) and / or cationic surfactants) and / or nonionic detersive surfactants in addition to the non-soap anionic surfactant described above.

[0068] Specific cationic surfactants include Cs to Cis alkyl dimethyl ammonium halides and derivatives thereof in which one or two hydroxyethyl groups replace one or two of the methyl groups, and mixtures thereof. Cationic surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

[0069] Specific amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates, having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term “alkyl” being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition). Mixtures of any of the above-described materials may also be used.

[0070] Polymeric Cleaning Boosters:

[0071] Disclosed composition of the invention may preferably contain one or more additional polymeric cleaning boosters such as anti-redeposition polymers. Anti-redeposition polymers stabilise the soil in the wash solution thus preventing redeposition of the soil. Suitable soil release polymers for use in the invention include alkoxylated polyethyleneimines. Polyethyleneimines are materials composed of ethylene imine units -CH2CH2NH- and, where branched, the hydrogen on the nitrogen is replaced by another chain of ethylene imine units. Preferred alkoxylated polyethyleneimines for use in the invention have a polyethyleneimine backbone of about 300 to about 10000 weight average molecular weight (Mw). The polyethyleneimine backbone may be linear or branched. It may be branched to the extent that it is a dendrimer. The alkoxylation may typically be ethoxylation or propoxylation, or a mixture of both. Where a nitrogen atom is alkoxylated, a preferred average degree of alkoxylation is from 10 to 30, preferably from 15 to 25 alkoxy groups per modification. A preferred material is ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, with an average degree of ethoxylation being from 10 to 30, preferably from 15 to 25 ethoxy groups per ethoxylated nitrogen atom in the polyethyleneimine backbone.

[0072] Mixtures of any of the above-described materials may also be used.

[0073] Soil Release Polymers (SRP):

[0074] Soil release polymers help to improve the detachment of soils from fabric by modifying the fabric surface during washing. The adsorption of an SRP over the fabric surface is promoted by an affinity between the chemical structure of the SRP and the target fibre.

[0075] SRPs for use in the invention may include a variety of charged (e.g., anionic) as well as noncharged monomer units and structures may be linear, branched or star shaped. The SRP structure may also include capping groups to control molecular weight or to alter polymer properties such as surface activity. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the SRP may suitably range from about 1000 to about 20,000 and preferably ranges from about 1500 to about 10,000.

[0076] SRPs for use in the invention may suitably be selected from co-polyesters of dicarboxylic acids (for example adipic acid, phthalic acid or terephthalic acid), diols (for example ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) and polydiols (for example polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol). The co-polyester may also include monomeric units substituted with anionic groups, such as for example sulfonated isophthaloyl units. Examples of such materials include oligomeric esters produced by transesterification / oligomerization of poly(ethyleneglycol) methyl ether, dimethyl terephthalate (“DMT’), propylene glycol (“PG”) and poly(ethyleneglycol) (“PEG”); partly- and fully-anionic-end-capped oligomeric esters such as oligomers from ethylene glycol (“EG”), PG, DMT and Na-3,6-dioxa-8- hydroxyoctanesulfonate; nonionic-capped block polyester oligomeric compounds such as those produced from DMT, Me-capped PEG and EG and / or PG, or a combination of DMT, EG and / or PG, Me-capped PEG and Na-dimethyl-5-sulfoisophthalate, and copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate.

[0077] Other types of SRP for use in the invention include cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, C1-4 alkyl celluloses; polymers with poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobic segments such as graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), for example C-i-Ce vinyl esters (such as poly(vinyl acetate)) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones; poly(vinyl caprolactam) and related copolymers with monomers such as vinyl pyrrolidone and / or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate; and polyester-polyamide polymers prepared by condensing adipic acid, caprolactam, and polyethylene glycol.

[0078] Preferred SRPs for use in the invention include copolyesters formed by condensation of terephthalic acid ester and diol, preferably 1 ,2 propanediol, and further comprising an end cap formed from repeat units of alkylene oxide capped with an alkyl group. Examples of such materials have a structure corresponding to general formula (I): in which R1and R2independently of one another are X-(OC2H4)n-(OC3He)m; in which X is C1-4 alkyl and preferably methyl; n is a number from 12 to 120, preferably from 40 to 50; m is a number from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7; and a is a number from 4 to 9.

[0079] Because they are averages, m, n and a are not necessarily whole numbers for the polymer in bulk.

[0080] Mixtures of any of the above-described materials may also be used. Suitable soil release polymers are described in greater detail in II. S. Patent Nos. 5,574,179; 4,956,447; 4,861 ,512;

[0081] 4,702,857, WO 2007 / 079850 and WO2016 / 005271. If employed, soil release polymers will typically be incorporated into the laundry gel compositions herein in amounts ranging from 0.01 wt.% to 10 wt.%, more preferably from 0.1 wt.% to 5 wt.% in the composition.

[0082] Fluorescent Agents:

[0083] It may be advantageous to include fluorescer in the composition. Usually, these fluorescent agents are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, for example, the sodium salts. The total amount of the fluorescent agent or agents used in the composition is generally from 0.005 wt.% to 2 wt.%, more preferably 0.01 wt.% to 0.5 wt.% in the composition.

[0084] Preferred classes of fluorescer include: Di-styryl biphenyl compounds, e.g. Tinopal (Trade Mark) CBS-X, Di-amine stilbene di-sulphonic acid compounds, e.g. Tinopal DMS pure Xtra, Tinopal 5BMGX, and Blankophor (Trade Mark) HRH, and Pyrazoline compounds, e.g. Blankophor SN. Preferred fluorescers are: sodium 2 (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-napthol[1 ,2- d]triazole, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N methyl-N-2 hydroxyethyl) amino 1 ,3,5-triazin-2- yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1 ,3,5-triazin- 2- yl)]amino} stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, and disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulfoslyryl)biphenyl.

[0085] Shading Dyes:

[0086] Shading dye can be used to improve the performance of the composition according to the present invention. Preferred dyes are violet or blue. It is believed that the deposition on fabrics of a low level of a dye of these shades, masks yellowing of fabrics. A further advantage of shading dyes is that they can be used to mask any yellow tint in the composition itself.

[0087] Suitable and preferred classes of dyes are discussed below.

[0088] Direct Dyes:

[0089] Direct dyes (otherwise known as substantive dyes) are the class of water soluble dyes which have an affinity for fibres and are taken up directly. Direct violet and direct blue dyes are preferred. Preferably bis-azo or tris-azo dyes are used. Most preferably, the direct dye is a direct violet of the following structures: wherein: ring D and E may be independently naphthyl or phenyl as shown;

[0090] R1 is selected from: hydrogen and Ci-C4-alkyl, preferably hydrogen;

[0091] R2 is selected from: hydrogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl, preferably phenyl;

[0092] R3 and R4 are independently selected from: hydrogen and Ci-C4-alkyl, preferably hydrogen or methyl;

[0093] X and Y are independently selected from: hydrogen, Ci-C4-alkyl and Ci-C4-alkoxy; preferably the dye has X= methyl; and, Y = methoxy and n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably 1 or 2.

[0094] Preferred dyes are direct violet 7, direct violet 9, direct violet 11 , direct violet 26, direct violet 31 , direct violet 35, direct violet 40, direct violet 41, direct violet 51, and direct violet 99. Bis- azo copper containing dyes for example direct violet 66 may be used. The benzidene based dyes are less preferred. Preferably the direct dye is present at 0.000001 wt.% to 1 wt.% more preferably 0.00001 wt.% to 0.0010 wt.% of the composition. In another embodiment the direct dye may be covalently linked to the photo-bleach, for example as described in W02006 / 024612.

[0095] Acid dyes:

[0096] Cotton substantive acid dyes give benefits to cotton containing garments. Preferred dyes and mixes of dyes are blue or violet. Preferred acid dyes are:

[0097] (i) azine dyes, wherein the dye is of the following core structure: wherein Ra, Rb, Rcand Rd are selected from: H, a branched or linear Ci to Cy-alkyl chain, benzyl a phenyl, and a naphthyl; the dye is substituted with at least one SO3 or -COO' group; the B ring does not carry a negatively charged group or salt thereof; and the A ring may further substituted to form a naphthyl; the dye is optionally substituted by groups selected from: amine, methyl, ethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy, Cl, Br, I, F, and NO2.

[0098] Preferred azine dyes are: acid blue 98, acid violet 50, and acid blue 59, more preferably acid violet 50 and acid blue 98. Other preferred non-azine acid dyes are acid violet 17, acid black 1 and acid blue 29. Preferably the acid dye is present at 0.0005 wt.% to 0.01 wt.% of the composition.

[0099] Hydrophobic dyes:

[0100] The composition may comprise one or more hydrophobic dyes selected from benzodifuranes, methine, triphenylmethanes, napthalimides, pyrazole, napthoquinone, anthraquinone and mono-azo or di-azo dye chromophores. Hydrophobic dyes are dyes which do not contain any charged water solubilising group. Hydrophobic dyes may be selected from the groups of disperse and solvent dyes. Blue and violet anthraquinone and mono-azo dye are preferred. Preferred dyes include solvent violet 13, disperse violet 27 disperse violet 26, disperse violet 28, disperse violet 63 and disperse violet 77.

[0101] Preferably the hydrophobic dye is present at 0.0001 wt.% to 0.005 wt.% of the composition.

[0102] Basic dyes:

[0103] Basic dyes are organic dyes which carry a net positive charge. They deposit onto cotton. They are of particular utility for used in composition that contain predominantly cationic surfactants. Dyes may be selected from the basic violet and basic blue dyes listed in the Colour Index International.

[0104] Preferred examples include triarylmethane basic dyes, methane basic dye, anthraquinone basic dyes, basic blue 16, basic blue 65, basic blue 66, basic blue 67, basic blue 71, basic blue 159, basic violet 19, basic violet 35, basic violet 38, basic violet 48; basic blue 3, basic blue 75, basic blue 95, basic blue 122, basic blue 124, basic blue 141.

[0105] Reactive dyes:

[0106] Reactive dyes are dyes which contain an organic group capable of reacting with cellulose and linking the dye to cellulose with a covalent bond. They deposit onto cotton. Preferably the reactive group is hydrolysed, or reactive group of the dyes has been reacted with an organic species for example a polymer, so as to the link the dye to this species. Dyes may be selected from the reactive violet and reactive blue dyes listed in the Colour Index International.

[0107] Preferred examples include reactive blue 19, reactive blue 163, reactive blue 182 and reactive blue, reactive blue 96. Dye conjugates:

[0108] Dye conjugates are formed by binding direct, acid, or basic dyes to polymers or particles via physical forces. Dependent on the choice of polymer or particle they deposit on cotton or synthetics. A description is given in W02006 / 055787. Particularly preferred dyes are: direct violet 7, direct violet 9, direct violet 11 , direct violet 26, direct violet 31 , direct violet 35, direct violet 40, direct violet 41 , direct violet 51 , direct violet 99, acid blue 98, acid violet 50, acid blue 59, acid violet 17, acid black 1 , acid blue 29, solvent violet 13, disperse violet 27 disperse violet 26, disperse violet 28, disperse violet 63, disperse violet 77 and mixtures thereof.

[0109] Enzymes:

[0110] A composition of the invention may comprise an effective amount of one or more enzyme selected from the group comprising, pectate lyase, protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, mannanase and mixtures thereof. The enzymes are preferably present with corresponding enzyme stabilizers.

[0111] Fragrances:

[0112] Fragrances are well known in the art and may be incorporated into compositions described herein.

[0113] Microcapsules:

[0114] One type of microparticle suitable for use in the invention is a microcapsule. Microencapsulation may be defined as the process of surrounding or enveloping one substance within another substance on a very small scale, yielding capsules ranging from less than one micron to several hundred microns in size. The material that is encapsulated may be called the core, the active ingredient or agent, fill, payload, nucleus, or internal phase. The material encapsulating the core may be referred to as the coating, membrane, shell, or wall material.

[0115] Microcapsules typically have at least one generally spherical continuous shell surrounding the core. The shell may contain pores, vacancies or interstitial openings depending on the materials and encapsulation techniques employed. Multiple shells may be made of the same or different encapsulating materials and may be arranged in strata of varying thicknesses around the core. Alternatively, the microcapsules may be asymmetrically and variably shaped with a quantity of smaller droplets of core material embedded throughout the microcapsule.

[0116] The shell may have a barrier function protecting the core material from the environment external to the microcapsule, but it may also act as a means of modulating the release of core materials such as fragrance. Thus, a shell may be water soluble or water swellable and fragrance release may be actuated in response to exposure of the microcapsules to a moist environment.

[0117] Similarly, if a shell is temperature sensitive, a microcapsule might release fragrance in response to elevated temperatures. Microcapsules may also release fragrance in response to shear forces applied to the surface of the microcapsules.

[0118] A preferred type of polymeric microparticle suitable for use in the invention is a polymeric coreshell microcapsule in which at least one generally spherical continuous shell of polymeric material surrounds a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2). The shell will typically comprise at most 20% by weight based on the total weight of the microcapsule. The fragrance formulation (f2) will typically comprise from about 10 to about 60% and preferably from about 20 to about 40% by weight based on the total weight of the microcapsule. The amount of fragrance (f2) may be measured by taking a slurry of the microcapsules, extracting into ethanol, and measuring by liquid chromatography.

[0119] Polymeric core-shell microcapsules for use in the invention may be prepared using methods known to those skilled in the art such as coacervation, interfacial polymerization, and polycondensation. The process of coacervation typically involves encapsulation of a generally water-insoluble core material by the precipitation of colloidal material(s) onto the surface of droplets of the material. Coacervation may be simple e.g., using one colloid such as gelatin, or complex where two or possibly more colloids of opposite charge, such as gelatin and gum arabic or gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose, are used under carefully controlled conditions of pH, temperature, and concentration.

[0120] Interfacial polymerisation typically proceeds with the formation of a fine dispersion of oil droplets (the oil droplets containing the core material) in an aqueous continuous phase. The dispersed droplets form the core of the future microcapsule, and the dimensions of the dispersed droplets directly determine the size of the subsequent microcapsules. Microcapsule shell-forming materials (monomers or oligomers) are contained in both the dispersed phase (oil droplets) and the aqueous continuous phase, and they react together at the phase interface to build a polymeric wall around the oil droplets thereby to encapsulate the droplets and form core-shell microcapsules. An example of a core-shell microcapsule produced by this method is a polyurea microcapsule with a shell formed by reaction of diisocyanates or polyisocyanates with diamines or polyamines. Polycondensation involves forming a dispersion or emulsion of the core material in an aqueous solution of precondensate of polymeric materials under appropriate conditions of agitation to produce capsules of a desired size and adjusting the reaction conditions to cause condensation of the precondensate by acid catalysis, resulting in the condensate separating from solution and surrounding the dispersed core material to produce a coherent film and the desired microcapsules. An example of a core-shell microcapsule produced by this method is an aminoplast microcapsule with a shell formed from the polycondensation product of melamine (2,4,6-triamino-1 ,3, 5- tri azine) or urea with formaldehyde. Suitable cross-linking agents (e.g. toluene diisocyanate, divinyl benzene, butanediol diacrylate) may also be used and secondary wall polymers may also be used as appropriate, e.g. anhydrides and their derivatives, particularly polymers and copolymers of maleic anhydride.

[0121] One example of a preferred polymeric core-shell microcapsule for use in the invention is an aminoplast microcapsule with an aminoplast shell surrounding a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2). More preferably such an aminoplast shell is formed from the polycondensation product of melamine with formaldehyde.

[0122] Polymeric microparticles suitable for use in the invention will generally have an average particle size between 100 nanometers and 50 microns. Particles larger than this are entering the visible range. Examples of particles in the sub-micron range include latexes and mini emulsions with a typical size range of 100 to 600 nanometers. The preferred particle size range is in the micron range. Examples of particles in the micron range include polymeric core-shell microcapsules (such as those further described above) with a typical size range of 1 to 50 microns, preferably 5 to 30 microns. The average particle size can be determined by light scattering using a Malvern Mastersizer with the average particle size being taken as the median particle size D (0.5) value. The particle size distribution can be narrow, broad or multimodal. If necessary, the microcapsules as initially produced may be filtered or screened to produce a product of greater size uniformity.

[0123] Polymeric microparticles suitable for use in the invention may be provided with a deposition aid at the outer surface of the microparticle. Deposition aids serve to modify the properties of the exterior of the microparticle, for example to make the microparticle more substantive to a desired substrate. Desired substrates include cellulosics (including cotton) and polyesters (including those employed in the manufacture of polyester fabrics). The deposition aid may suitably be provided at the outer surface of the microparticle by means of covalent bonding, entanglement, or strong adsorption. Examples include polymeric core-shell microcapsules (such as those further described above) in which a deposition aid is attached to the outside of the shell, preferably by means of covalent bonding. While it is preferred that the deposition aid is attached directly to the outside of the shell, it may also be attached via a linking species.

[0124] Deposition aids for use in the invention may suitably be selected from polysaccharides having an affinity for cellulose. Such polysaccharides may be naturally occurring or synthetic and may have an intrinsic affinity for cellulose or may have been derivatised or otherwise modified to have an affinity for cellulose. Suitable polysaccharides have a 1 -4 linked [p glycan (generalised sugar) backbone structure with at least 4, and preferably at least 10 backbone residues which are [ 1-4 linked, such as a glucan backbone (consisting of [p 1-4 linked glucose residues), a mannan backbone (consisting of [31-4 linked mannose residues) or a xylan backbone (consisting of [p 1-4 linked xylose residues). Examples of such [p 1-4 linked polysaccharides include xyloglucans, glucomannans, mannans, galactomannans, [p (1-3), (1-4) glucan and the xylan family incorporating glucurono-, arabino- and glucuronoarabinoxylans. Preferred [p 1-4 linked polysaccharides for use in the invention may be selected from xyloglucans of plant origin, such as pea xyloglucan and tamarind seed xyloglucan (TXG) (which has a [p 1-4 linked glucan backbone with side chains of a-D xylopyranose and [p-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 -2)-a-D-xylo- pyranose, both 1-6 linked to the backbone); and galactomannans of plant origin such as locust bean gum (LBG) (which has a mannan backbone of [p 1-4 linked mannose residues, with single unit galactose side chains linked a 1-6 to the backbone).

[0125] Also suitable are polysaccharides which may gain an affinity for cellulose upon hydrolysis, such as cellulose mono-acetate; or modified polysaccharides with an affinity for cellulose such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl guar, and methylcellulose.

[0126] Deposition aids for use in the invention may also be selected from phthalate containing polymers having an affinity for polyester. Such phthalate containing polymers may have one or more nonionic hydrophilic segments comprising oxyalkylene groups (such as oxyethylene, polyoxyethylene, oxypropylene, or polyoxypropylene groups), and one or more hydrophobic segments comprising terephthalate groups. Typically, the oxyalkylene groups will have a degree of polymerization of from 1 to about 400, preferably from 100 to about 350, more preferably from 200 to about 300. A suitable example of a phthalate containing polymer of this type is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate.

[0127] Mixtures of any of the above-described materials may also be suitable.

[0128] Deposition aids for use in the invention will generally have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) in the range of from about 5 kDa to about 500 kDa, preferably from about 10 kDa to about 500 kDa and more preferably from about 20 kDa to about 300 kDa. One example of a particularly preferred polymeric core-shell microcapsule for use in the invention is an aminoplast microcapsule with a shell formed by the polycondensation of melamine with formaldehyde; surrounding a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2); in which a deposition aid is attached to the outside of the shell by means of covalent bonding. The preferred deposition aid is selected from ( 1 -4 linked polysaccharides, and particularly the xyloglucans of plant origin, as are further described above.

[0129] Antifoam

[0130] Disclosed composition may also comprise an anti-foam. Anti-foam materials are well known in the art and include silicones and fatty acid. Preferably, where present, the fatty acid antifoam is present at from 0.05 wt.% to 3.0 wt.%, more preferably from 1.4 wt.% to 2.0% wt.% and most preferably from 1.6 wt.% to 1.65 wt.% of the composition.

[0131] Suitable fatty acids in the context of this invention include aliphatic carboxylic acids of formula RCOOH, where R is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain containing from 6 to 24, more preferably 10 to 22, most preferably from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 double bond. Preferred examples of such materials include saturated C12-18 fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, or stearic acid; and fatty acid mixtures in which 50 to 100% (by weight based on the total weight of the fatty acid mixture) consists of saturated C12-18 fatty acids.

[0132] The fatty acids may be present in the form of their sodium, potassium, or ammonium salts and / or in the form of soluble salts of organic bases, such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine. Mixtures of any of the above-described materials may also be used. For formula accounting purposes, in the formulation, fatty acids and / or their salts (as defined above) are not included in the level of surfactant or in the level of builder. Opacifier:

[0133] Disclosed laundry gel composition preferably includes an opacifier. Opacifiers are usually inert submicron size particles that when dispersed in liquid compositions can scatter light. They impart a milky and / or creamy appearance with uniform opacity to liquids. Preferably the opacifier of the invention is an organic based opacifier, more preferably a polymeric opacifier, and especially a polymeric opacifier wherein the polymers are synthesized through emulsion polymerization from styrene and acrylate monomers and monomers comprising maleate.

[0134] Suitable opacifiers include those but are not limited to those commercially available from the Dow company. Examples include Acusol OP 302 (Styrene-acrylate-divinylbenzene copolymer), Acusol OP 303 (Styrene-acrylamide copolymer) and Acusol OP 305 (Styrene / PEG- 10 maleate - Nonoxynol-10 maleate / acrylate copolymer), most preferably Acusol OP 305. Opacifiers from the Opulyn series might also be suitable for the purpose of the invention. Alternatively, opacifiers could be sourced from the Cognis, Interpolymer, Omnova, Derypol, Indulor, Synthron and EOC surfactants companies. Preferred opacifiers have a molecular weight of from 1 ,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from about 2,000 to about 500,000, most preferably from about 5,000 to about 20,000 g / mol, and a particle size (weight average mean diameter) of from about 10 to about 1,000 nm, more preferably about 100 to about 750 nm, most preferably of about 150 to about 500 nm.

[0135] A particularly preferred opacifier is Acusol OP 301, is an opacifier supplied by Dow. Acusol 301 is provided as an aqueous polymeric dispersion comprising 40% polymeric particles by weight of the dispersion. The polymer is synthesized from styrene and acrylate comonomers and is made through emulsion polymerization. The polymer is present in the dispersion in particulate form.

[0136] The opacifier is preferably present at a level of from 0.001 wt.% to 3 wt.%, more preferably from 0.0025 wt.% to 2 wt.%, most preferably from 0.005 wt.% to 1 wt.% by weight of the laundry gel composition.

[0137] Preservative

[0138] Disclosed laundry gel composition includes a preservative. Preferably the preservative is a biocide which is effective in protecting the composition against microorganisms. Preferably the preservative includes 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one. More preferably the preservative is an aqueous dispersion of an alkali metal salt of 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one in one or more water miscible solvent such as dipropylene glycol. Preferably the preservative composition includes from 5 wt.% to 25 wt.% 1 ,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one in the form of alkali metal salt and from 40 wt.% to 60 wt.% dipropylene glycol. Preferably the preservative includes one or more additional solvents selected from propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, C1-4- alkyl carbitols and C1-4 -alkanols. Preferably the preservative is commercially available as Proxel GXL (ex. Clariant)

[0139] Visual cue:

[0140] Preferably the laundry gel composition may include visual cues. The visual cue are preferably liquid soluble colouring dye.

[0141] The visual cue is preferably present at a level of from 0.001 wt.% to 3 wt.%, more preferably from 0.0025 wt.% to 2 wt.%, most preferably from 0.005 wt.% to 1 wt.% by weight of the laundry gel composition.

[0142] Preferably the composition includes a buffer.

[0143] Disclosed laundry gel composition preferably is relatively viscous. The laundry gel composition according to the present invention has a viscosity ranging from 35,000 m Pa.s. to 85,000 m Pa.s. Preferably the laundry gel composition has a viscosity of at least 35000 m Pa.s., more preferably at least 50000 Pa.s., and preferably the viscosity ranges from 35000 m Pa.s., to 75000 m Pa.s., still preferably from 35000 m Pa.s., to 72000 m Pa.s., more preferably from 35000 m Pa.s., to 55000 m Pa.s., still more preferably 35000 m Pa.s., to 45000 m Pa.s., when measured at 25°C to 30°C.

[0144] The viscosity is measured at 25°C to 30°C using a Brookfield LV viscometer using spindle 4 at a speed 6rpm and 1 minute rotation.

[0145] Preferably the gel composition according to the present invention is a single-phase gel composition.

[0146] Preferably the laundry gel composition has a pH ranging from 6.5 to 12. Still preferably the laundry gel composition has a pH ranging from 7 to 12, still preferably from 8.5 to 12. pH measurement: The pH of the laundry gel composition was measured on the neat composition at 25°C, using a pH meter.

[0147] Preferably the laundry gel composition includes hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose and alkali metal carbonate in a weight ratio range from 1:2 to 1 :15, preferably 1:2 to 1:13, still preferably 1:2 to 1:12.3, more preferably 1:2 to 1:12.2, further preferably, 1:2 to 1:9, further more preferably 1:2 to 1:8.

[0148] Examples

[0149] Example 1: A laundry gel composition according to the present invention is provided in table 1 below.

[0150] The laundry gel composition was tested for its storage stability, cleaning performance and pH and the results obtained are provided in the table 1 below.

[0151] Table 1

[0152] The composition was found to give good cleaning performance and was stable under storage conditions. The viscosity of the composition was 45,000 m Pa.s., when measured using the Brookfield LV viscometer at around 25°C to 30°C (Spindle 4, Speed 6rpm, 1 minute rotation). The composition had a pH of 10.2 and was storage stable and had good physical appearance upon storage. Evaluation of the viscosity and the physical appearance of different laundry get composition

[0153] 5 different laundry gel compositions were prepared having the formulations as provided in table

[0154] 2 below.

[0155] Example A: Comparative Ex A was similar to the inventive composition Ex 1, however the composition of comparative Ex A had higher than the claimed levels of sodium carbonate and contained 8 wt.% sodium carbonate (outside the claimed range).

[0156] Example B: Comparative Ex B was similar to the inventive composition Ex 1, however the composition of comparative Ex B had lower than the claimed levels of sodium carbonate and contained 1 wt.% sodium carbonate (outside the claimed range).

[0157] Example C: Comparative Ex C was similar to the inventive composition Ex 1, however the composition of comparative Ex C included 3.09 wt.% magnesium sulphate heptahydrate instead of calcium carbonate.

[0158] Example D: Comparative Ex D was similar to the inventive composition Ex 1, however the composition of comparative Ex D included higher than the claimed levels of HPMC and contained 1.5 wt.% HPMC (outside the claimed ranges).

[0159] Example 2: Inventive Ex 2 was similar to the inventive composition Ex 1 , with the only difference being that the Ex 2 composition had slightly higher levels of the sodium carbonate and contained 5 wt.% sodium carbonate (inside the claimed range).

[0160] All the compositions provided in table 2 were evaluated for pH, viscosity, and physical appearance. The observations were recorded and provided in table 2 below. measurement: 250 grams of the freshly prepared laundry gel composition was taken in Brookfield LV viscometer and the viscosity was measured at 25°C to 30°C (spindle 4, 6 rpm,

[0161] 1 minute rotation) and the measurement was recorded. The same procedure was followed for all laundry gel composition and the viscosity are provided in table 2 below. pH measurement: The pH of the laundry gel composition was measured on the neat composition at 25°C, using a pH meter. The measured pH was recorded. The same procedure was followed for all laundry gel composition and the recorded pH are provided in table 2 below.

[0162] Table 2

[0163] As seen from the data provided in table 2, comparative Ex A and Ex B had lower than the desired level of viscosity and could not provide desired gel appearance, the product was less desired from a consumer perspective for dosing of the laundry gel composition.

[0164] Comparative Ex C having a combination of magnesium sulphate heptahydrate and HPMC was found to provide a pH which was low and would affect the cleaning performance of the composition.

[0165] Comparative Ex D having higher levels of HPMC which is outside the claimed range was found to provide highly viscous composition which was difficult to disperse and dissolve during use. On the other hand, the composition according to the invention (Ex 2) provided stable gel of the desired viscosity and pH which provided a laundry gel composition with good cleaning performance and good physical appearance.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A laundry gel composition comprising:(i) anionic surfactant;(ii) 0.1 wt.% to 1 wt.% hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose;(iii) 2 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkali metal carbonate; and,(iv) water, wherein the composition has a viscosity ranging from 35000 m Pa.s. to 85000 m Pa.s.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulphonate surfactant, alkyl sulfate surfactant, alkyl ether sulphate surfactant, preferably where the alkyl ether sulphate surfactant comprises from 1 EO to 7 EO per molecule or mixtures thereof.

3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose is selected from hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose hydroxymethyl butyl cellulose, hydroxymethyl ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl butyl cellulose and mixtures thereof, more preferably the hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose is hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose.

4. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises a hydrotrope.

5. A composition according to claim 4 wherein the hydrotrope is an alkyl aryl sulfonate having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group and preferably selected from a group consisting of short chain alkyl benzene or alkyl naphthalene sulfonates, preferably alkali metal salt of xylene sulfonate, toluene sulfonate, ethylbenzene sulfonate cumene sulfonate and mixtures thereof.

6. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the alkali metal carbonate salt is sodium carbonate.

7. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises a buffer.

8. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises a perfume.

9. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises a preservative.

10. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition has a pH ranging from 6.5 to 12 when measured at a dilution of 10% solution in distilled water at 25°C.

11. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises from 1 wt.% to 25 wt.% anionic surfactant.

12. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises from 1 wt.% to 10 wt.% alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactant and from 3 wt.% to 10 wt.% alkyl ethoxylated sulphate surfactant.

13. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises from 0.1 wt.% to 5 wt.% hydroxyalkyl alkyl cellulose.

14. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises from 2.5 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkali metal carbonate.

15. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the composition comprises from 33 wt.% to 85 wt.% water.

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