Composition for the removal of stains and malodour

Abstract

A composition comprising at least one bleaching agent comprising at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group comprising an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof, at least one bleach activator, between 0.001 wt.% and 1.0 wt.% of at least one soil suspending agent, between 0.01 wt.% and 2.0 wt.% of at least one bleach catalyst wherein said at last one catalyst is a cyclic sulfonimine bleach catalyst, between 0.5 wt. % and 5.0 wt. % of at least one anionic surfactant wherein said at least one anionic surfactant is a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate and at least one protease based on the total weight of the composition.

Description

[0001] Composition for the removal of stains and malodour

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The present invention relates to a composition, for example a laundry detergent or a laundry additive, to a method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine, to a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item, and to the use of the composition for the removal of stains and / or the removal of malodour from a garment.

[0004] Background

[0005] Consumers associate desirability and wearability of a garment with characteristics such as, for example, absence of stains, absence of colour fading, absence of unwanted piling and loose threads, good smell, elimination or reduction of bacteria, viruses and / or fungi (i.e. sanitization), and, in the case of white garments, improved whiteness. It is preferred when one or more of these characteristics are achieved in a simple way.

[0006] Germs and bacteria can grow on clothing which allows the formation of malodour. Often laundry detergents and fragrance boosters try to overcome this issue by introducing a substantial amount of scent, for example in the form of microcapsules, that covers the undesired smells. However, once the volatile fragrance molecules leave the fabric, the unpleasant malodour will still be present, or can rebloom, over time or upon ironing.

[0007] Regular laundry compositions are useful for cleaning clothes, meaning that grime and dirt are removed. However, for the removal of stains, malodour removal, elimination or reduction of bacteria, viruses and / or fungi (i.e. sanitization), unwanted piling and, in the case of white garments, improved whiteness, additional laundry compositions need to be used.

[0008] Normally, people are required to follow long cleaning procedures, involving pretreatment, vigorous rubbing action, or washings at high temperatures to achieve acceptable stain and malodour removal. For example, washing operations are normally performed at temperatures between 40°C and 60°C; and for sanitization purposes as high as 90°C.

[0009] Furthermore, consumers tend to use long washing cycles to achieve the desired characteristics in a garment. All in all, long washing cycles and the temperatures normally used in these cycles not only employ high energy consumption but also result in faster deterioration of the garments.

[0010] Hence, there is a need for a composition, preferably a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition, which provides at least one of removal of stains, removal of malodour, reducing unwanted piling, reducing colour fading, preventing colour transference to other items of laundry, elimination or reduction of bacteria, viruses and / or fungi (i.e. sanitization) and preferably whiteness improvement of a garment being washed with such composition.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide a composition, preferably a laundry composition or a laundry additive, which provides a solution for at least one of these needs; in particular, when a garment is washed with the composition at temperatures lower than those normally used in washing operations and without requiring pretreatment, such as scrubbing, before the soiled item is placed in a laundry washing machine and which removes stains and or malodour along with reducing or eliminating bacteria, viruses and / or fungi from the garment.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine.

[0013] Summary of the invention

[0014] In a first aspect, the present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one bleaching agent, at least one bleach activator, at least one soil suspending agent, at least one bleach catalyst, at least one anionic surfactant and at least one protease, wherein:

[0015] - the at least one bleaching agent comprises at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group comprising an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof,

[0016] -the composition comprises between 0.001 wt.% and 1.0 wt.% of said at least one soil - suspending agent, based on the total weight of the composition,

[0017] -the composition comprises between 0.5 wt.% and 5.0 wt.% of said at least one anionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at least one anionic surfactant is a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, and the composition comprises between 0.01 wt.% and 2.0 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at last one catalyst is a cyclic sulfonimine bleach catalyst.

[0018] The compositions of the invention preferably comprise between 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition; and / or between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% of said at least one bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, and / or

[0019] - between 0.01 wt.% and 1.0 wt.% of said at least one soil suspension agent, based on the total weight of the composition and / or

[0020] - between 0.75 wt. % and 2.0 wt. % of said at least one anionic surfactant and / or

[0021] - between 0.001 wt.% and 5.0 wt.% of said at least one protease, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0022] It is more preferred that the bleaching agent is selected from the group comprising sodium percarbonate, e-phthalimido-peroxy-hexanoic acid (PAP), peracetic acid, potassium peroxymonosulfate (KMPS), and combinations thereof. It is especially preferred that the at least one bleaching agent comprises or consists of sodium percarbonate.

[0023] The compositions comprise at least one bleach activator, which can be selected from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED), acetylated triazine derivatives, acetylated glycoluriles, acylimides, acetylated phenolsulfonates, acetylated phenol carbonic acids, carbonic acid anhydrides, acetylated sugar derivatives, N- acetylated lactams, and combinations thereof. It is preferred said at least one bleach activator comprises or consists of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED).

[0024] A preferred soil suspending agent is carboxymethyl cellulose or a sodium salt thereof.

[0025] The compositions preferably comprise between 0.001 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more further enzymes, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0026] The one or more further enzymes are preferably selected from the group consisting of a mannanase, a lipase, an amylase, a cellulase, and combinations thereof.

[0027] In an embodiment, the compositions of the invention are laundry detergent compositions or laundry additive compositions. In an embodiment, the pH of a dilution of 1 :100 at 20°C of the composition is between 9 and 12.

[0028] Preferably, the compositions are in the form of a solid or a powder.

[0029] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine comprising adding a composition according to any of the preceding claims to the washing machine and conducting the wash. Preferably the wash liquor is at a temperature higher than 15°C and lower than 40°and between 0.5 g and 10 g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor.

[0030] In a third aspect, the invention relates to a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item comprising: contacting the stain directly with a composition according to the first aspect of the invention before the laundry item is washed, or, adding a composition according to the first aspect directly into the drum of washing machine, or, adding a composition according to the first aspect to a bucket with water and soaking for a predetermined length of time.

[0031] In a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition according to the first aspect in a laundry washing and / or fabric treatment operation.

[0032] In a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition according to the first aspect for the removal of stains, and / or the removal of malodour from a garment.

[0033] In a sixth aspect, the invention relates to a use of the composition according to the first aspect for the reduction or elimination of bacteria, viruses and / or fungi from a garment.

[0034] Definitions

[0035] The following definitions are used in the present application.

[0036] “Protease” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the breakdown of proteins into smaller polypeptides or single amino acids.

[0037] “Amylase” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of starch into sugars such as glucose and maltose. “Mannanase” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of mannose derivatives.

[0038] “Mannose” as used in the present application means: sugar monomer of the aldohexose series of carbohydrates.

[0039] “Lipase” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the hydrolysis of fats or lipids.

[0040] “Cellulase” as used in the present application means: class of enzymes that catalyse the cellulolysis or hydrolysis of cellulose.

[0041] “Laundry detergent composition” as used in the present application means: composition used primarily for the cleaning of garments and whose main action is the removal of grime and dirt.

[0042] “Laundry additive composition” as used in the present application means: composition which is used for providing a specific consumer benefit, such as: removal of stains, elimination of malodour, improvement of whiteness and / or disinfection of garments. This means that the mean action of a laundry additive is not the removal or grime and dirt. Furthermore, a laundry additive is commonly used as a pre-treatment, in soaking conditions or together with a laundry detergent composition.

[0043] “Poly-cotton or Polycotton” as used in the present application means: fabric made of approximately 35 wt.% cotton and 65 wt.% polyester.

[0044] “wt. %” as used in the examples of the present application means: the amount of ingredient as provided by the supplier and not necessarily the amount of active ingredient.

[0045] Detailed description of the invention

[0046] The present invention relates to a composition comprising at least one bleaching agent, at least one bleach activator, at least one soil suspending agent, at least one bleach catalyst, at least one anionic surfactant and at least one protease, wherein the at least one bleaching agent comprises at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group comprising an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof, the composition comprises between 0.001 wt.% and 1.0 wt.% of said at least one soil suspending agent, based on the total weight of the composition, between 0.5 wt.% and 5.0 wt.% of said at least one anionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the composition, and wherein said at least one anionic surfactant is a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, and between 0.01 wt.% and 2.0 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst, based on the total weight of the composition, and wherein said at last one bleach catalyst is a cyclic sulfonimine bleach catalyst.

[0047] - Bleaching agent

[0048] The compositions of the invention comprise at least one bleaching agent. The bleaching agent comprises at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group comprising an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof.

[0049] It is more preferred that the bleaching agent is selected from the group comprising sodium percarbonate, e-phthalimido-peroxy-hexanoic acid (PAP), peracetic acid, potassium peroxymonosulfate (KMPS), and combinations thereof. It is especially preferred that the at least one bleaching agent comprises or consists of sodium percarbonate.

[0050] The compositions of the invention preferably comprise between 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0051] - Bleach Activator

[0052] The compositions comprise at least one bleach activator, which can be selected from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED), acetylated triazine derivatives, acetylated glycoluriles, acylimides, acetylated phenolsulfonates, acetylated phenol carbonic acids, carbonic acid anhydrides, acetylated sugar derivatives, N- acetylated lactams, and combinations thereof. It is preferred said at least one bleach activator comprises or consists of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED).

[0053] In an embodiment, the compositions comprise between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% of said at least one bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.25 wt.% and 15 wt.%, more preferably between 0.5 wt.% and 10 wt.%, most preferably between 1 wt.% and 5 wt.%. Soil suspending agent

[0054] The composition of the present invention utilises a soil suspending agent in an amount between 0.001 wt.% and 1.0 wt.% based on the total weight of the composition. In another embodiment, the compositions comprise between 0.01 wt.% and 1.0 wt.% of said at least one soil suspending agent based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.025 wt.% and 0.75 wt.%.

[0055] A preferred soil suspending agent is carboxymethyl cellulose or a salt thereof. In a preferred embodiment the salt is a sodium salt.

[0056] - Bleach catalyst

[0057] The compositions comprise at least one bleach catalyst to catalyse the bleaching action of compounds that release hydrogen peroxide, such as peroxy compounds and / or hydrogen peroxide. Sulfonimines are used as bleach catalysts and cyclic sulfonimines are used as bleach catalysts according to the present invention. A particularly preferred sulfonimine is described in European Patent Application EP0453003 to Unilever NV. Patent Application US 2018 / 0187130 to Weylchem Wiesbaden GmbH addresses the problem of decomposition of certain sulfonimines. Preferred cyclic sulfonimine bleach catalysts are such as those described in PCT / EP2024 / 058923 and PCT / EP2024 / 058915 to the present applicant which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] The compositions comprise between 0.01 wt. % and 2.0 wt. % of at least one bleach catalyst, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.04 wt. % and 1.5 wt. %, and more preferably between 0.05 wt. % and 1.0 wt. %.

[0059] - Anionic surfactant (linear alkyl benzene sulfonate)

[0060] The compositions comprise between 0.5 wt. % and 5.0 wt. % of at least one anionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at least one anionic surfactant is a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate. In another embodiment, the compositions comprise preferably between 0.75 wt. % and 2.0 wt. %. In one embodiment the amount may be between 0.5 wt. % and 1.0 wt. % linear alkyl benzene sulfonate.

[0061] Linear alkyl benzene sulfonates are well known in the art. Such surfactants and their preparation are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially useful 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 10 to about 14. Sodium C10-C14, e.g., C12, LAS is a specific example of such surfactants.

[0062] In a preferred embodiment, the linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) has an average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group from about 10 to 14 and more preferably 10 to 13.

[0063] - Protease

[0064] The compositions of the invention comprise at least one protease. The compositions preferably comprise between 0.001 wt.% and 5.0 wt.% of said at least one protease based on the total weight of the composition, more preferably between 0.001 wt.% and 2.5 wt. %, more preferably between 0.01 and 2.5 wt %, especially 0.1 wt.% and 1 .0 wt.%.

[0065] Optional ingredients

[0066] - Other surfactants

[0067] The compositions of the invention may comprise one or more further surfactants in addition to the linear alkyl benzene sulphonate. The further surfactants may comprise a nonionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic surface active agents or suitable mixtures thereof may be used. Many such suitable surfactants are described in Kirk Othmer's Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd Ed., Vol. 22, pp. 360-379, "Surfactants and Detersive Systems". In general, oxygen bleach-stable surfactants are preferred according to the present invention.

[0068] The composition may comprise one or more non-ionic surfactants. The amount of said one or more non-ionic surfactants in the composition may be between 0.01 wt.% and 10 wt.%, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 and 5 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 and 1.0 wt.%. Examples of non-ionic surfactants are ethoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alkyl phenols having the formula R1(OCH2CH2)nOH; wherein R1is an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical containing between 10 and 24 carbon atoms or alkyl phenyl radicals in which the alkyl groups contain from 10 to 22 carbon atoms; and n has an average value of from 1 to 10. Preferably, the one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R1(OCH2CH2)nOH; wherein R1is an alkyl moiety having between 10 and 24 carbon atoms, and n has an average value of from 1 to 10. For example, when R1is defined as being a C12-14 moiety, it is meant an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 14 carbon atoms. For example, when R1is defined as being a C12-16 moiety, it is meant an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 16 carbon atoms. For example, when R1is defined as being a C13 moiety, it is meant an alkyl moiety having 13 carbon atoms.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the compositions may comprise between 0.01 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more non-ionic surfactants, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 5 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 1.0 wt.%; wherein said one or more non-ionic surfactants have the formula R1(OCH2CH2)nOH; wherein R1is an alkyl moiety having between 12 and 16 carbon atoms, and n has an average value of from 3 to 6, preferably between 4 and 5.

[0070] The compositions may further comprise any further conventional anionic surfactant or a mixture of them used in detergent products. These include, for example alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate materials. The anionic surfactants may be present in acid form or in neutralized (e.g., salt) form. The anionic surfactants may be linear, branched, or a mixture thereof. An example of an anionic surfactant is sodium cumene sulphonate.

[0071] Another exemplary type of anionic surfactant is alkoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactants. Preferred are ethoxylated alkyl sulphate surfactants. Such materials are also known as alkyl ether sulphates, alkyl polyethoxylate sulphates, or simply "AES," and correspond to the formula: R'- O- (C2H4O)n-SO3M, where R' is a C8-C20 alkyl group; n is from about 0.5 to about 20, or from about 1 to about 20; and M is a salt- forming cation. In one aspect, R' is a C10 - C16alkyl; n is from about 1 to about 15; and M is sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium, or alkanolammonium. In one aspect, R' is a C12- C16 alkyl; n is from about 0.5 to about 6, or from about 1 to about 6; and M is sodium.

[0072] Alkyl ether sulphates are generally available in the form of mixtures comprising varying R' chain lengths and varying degrees of ethoxylation. Frequently such mixtures also contain some non-ethoxylated alkyl sulphate ("AS") materials, i.e., surfactants of the above ethoxylated alkyl sulphate formula where n=0.

[0073] Non-ethoxylated alkyl sulphates may also be added separately to the compositions of the invention. Specific examples of non-alkoxylated alkyl ether sulphate surfactants are those produced by the sulfation of higher C8-C20 fatty alcohols. Conventional primary alkyl sulphate surfactants have the general formula: ROS03-M+ where R is a linear C8- C20 hydrocarbyl group and M is a water- solubilizing cation. In one aspect, R is a C10

[0074] - C16 alkyl and M is alkali metal, more specifically R is C12-C14 and M is sodium.

[0075] The selection of non-ionic surfactants and anionic surfactants is important for the compatibility of the composition with the high amounts of the bleaching agent, but also for controlling the foaming, detergency, flowability and other physical and chemical properties of the composition.

[0076] - Other enzymes

[0077] The compositions may further comprise between 0.001 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more further enzymes, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.01 wt.% and 5 wt.%, more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 2.5 wt.%, even more preferably between 0.1 wt.% and 2 wt.%, most preferably between 0.2 wt.% and 1 wt.% wherein said one or more further enzymes are preferably selected from the group consisting of a mannanase, a lipase, an amylase, a cellulase, and combinations thereof.

[0078] - Filler

[0079] The compositions may optionally contain a filler. Suitable fillers include bicarbonates and carbonates of metals, such as alkali metals and alkaline earth metals. Examples include sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, calcium bicarbonate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium bicarbonate and sesqui-carbonates of sodium, calcium and / or magnesium. Other examples include metal carboxy glycine and metal glycine carbonate. Chlorides, such as sodium chloride; citrates; and sulfates, such as sodium sulfate, calcium sulfate and magnesium sulfate, may also be employed. Preferably the composition comprises at least one filler selected from the group comprising sodium carbonate, sodium sulfate and combinations thereof.

[0080] When a filler is present, the composition may comprise between 0.1 wt.% and 80 wt.% of said at least one filler, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 10 wt.% and 75 wt.%, more preferably between 20 wt.% and 70 wt.%. Dye transfer inhibitor

[0081] The compositions may further comprise a dye-transfer inhibitor. Preferred dyetransfer inhibitors (sometimes called dye anti-redisposition agents or soil suspending agents) include polyvinylalcohol, fatty amides, , hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrollidone, polyvinylimidazole, copolymers of polyvinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole (PVP / VI) polyvinyloxazolidone, polyamine N-oxide polymers and copolymers or N-vinylpyrollidone and N-vinylimidazole.

[0082] The compositions may comprise between 0.001 wt.% and 1 wt.% of at least one dye transfer inhibitor, based on the total weight of the composition, preferably between 0.01 wt.% and 0.75 wt.%, more preferably between 0.05 wt.% and 0.50 wt.%.

[0083] - Fizzing booster

[0084] The compositions preferably contain a fizzing booster. A preferred fizzing booster is coated citric acid. This fizzing booster can react with a carbonate base in the presence of water to release carbon dioxide. The fizzing effect is visible when used in pretreatment.

[0085] - Speckles

[0086] A dye may be applied to inert particles which can be added to the composition but which are inactive in terms of having no impact on the attributes of the composition other than improving the aesthetics of the composition to the consumer. Such inactive ingredients can be coloured sodium sulfate in the form of speckles added to the composition. Such speckles when present preferably comprise 0.01 to 2.0 wt%, more preferably 0.1 to 0.5 wt% of the composition based on the total weight of the composition.

[0087] Preferably the composition further comprises a fragrance, a softening agent, a chelating agent, an anti-bacterial agent, a transition metal compound, an anti-foaming agent, a preservative, an optical brightener, or combinations thereof. These ingredients may be included in conventional amounts.

[0088] In an embodiment, the compositions of the invention are laundry detergent compositions or laundry additive compositions, preferably laundry additives for the removal of stains (e.g. suitable for pre-treatment and / or use alongside detergent) but may also be utilised as detergents. In an embodiment, the pH of a dilution of 1 :100 at 20°C of the composition is between 9 and 12, preferably between 9.5 and 11.5, more preferably between 10 and 11.

[0089] Preferably, the compositions are in the form of a solid or a powder.

[0090] The compositions according to the invention allow for the removal of stains and malodour even at temperatures lower than those usually used in automatic laundry washing (30°C or 40°C) and without the need for scrubbing of the stain prior to washing.

[0091] The present invention also relates to a method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine comprising adding a composition according to the first aspect of the invention to the washing machine and conducting the wash, wherein preferably the wash liquor is at a temperature higher than 15°C and lower than 40°C, more preferably lower than 30°C, even more preferably lower than 25°C, most preferably at or lower than 20°C; and wherein preferably between 0.5 g and 10 g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor, more preferably between 1 g and 6 g.

[0092] The present invention also relates to a method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item comprising contacting the stain directly with a composition according to the invention before the laundry item is washed, or, adding a composition according to the invention directly into the drum of washing machine, or, adding a composition according to the invention to a bucket with water and soaking for a predetermined length of time. Contacting the stain directly with a composition according to the invention before the laundry item is washed occurs typically without the need to scrub the stain.

[0093] The present invention further relates to the use of a composition according to the present invention in a laundry washing and / or fabric treatment operation.

[0094] The present invention further relates to the use of the composition according to the present invention for the removal of stains, and / or the removal of malodour from a garment.

[0095] The present invention further relates to the use of the composition according to the invention for the reduction or elimination of bacteria, viruses and / or fungi from a garment.

[0096] In an embodiment of the uses of the composition according to the invention for the removal of stains, and / or the removal of malodour from a garment and / or for the reduction or elimination of bacteria, viruses and / or fungi from a garment. The garment is preferably made of cotton, synthetic materials or a combination thereof, preferably said synthetic material is polyester.

[0097] The foregoing aspects may be freely combined with any of the foregoing aspects disclosed herein.

[0098] Examples

[0099] All percentages used in this disclosure in the examples are by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, unless otherwise specified. The amounts in the examples table are stated as the raw material weight, the active wt% are also given. The present invention will now be described in relation to the following non-limiting Examples. Further examples within the scope of the invention will be apparent to the person skilled in the art.

[0100] Table 1 shows a number of formulations. Formulation A is a comparative example to which Formulations B to E of the invention are superior in terms of stain (and malodour) removal. Formulations B to E are within the scope of the invention. The compositions were made by spraying the liquid ingredients (non-ionic surfactant, fragrance) onto the fillers with mixing until the liquid was substantially absorbed. The percarbonate, TAED, were added with further mixing followed by the anionic surfactant, DTI, enzymes, CMC, citric acid and speckles until a homogenous mixture was produced. The CSI bleach catalyst was added to the resultant mixture to produce the final granular product.

[0101] Table 1. Formulations

[0102] amount of filler.

[0103] *2 Benzenesulfonic acid, 4-C10-13-sec-alkyl derivatives, sodium salts

[0104] *3 Mixture of mannanase, lipase, alpha amylase, cellulase commercially available enzymes.

[0105] The present inventors have observed that Formulations B to E to which CMC has been added exhibit a better performance in terms of stain and malodour removal than comparative Formulation A.

[0106] The stain removal performance of Formulations A (comparative) and B were tested according to the A.I.S.E (International Association for Soaps, Detergents and Maintenance Products, Brussels, Belgium) Laundry Detergent Testing Guidelines V8 from April 2023 v2 except that no ballast was added and also the fuzzy logic function in the washing machine was disabled to ensure equal programme length / rinse cycles for all test products (to avoid suds interference with the wash cycle length. Anti-foam emulsion (Xiameter AFE 0310, 50%wt in water) was added to each wash (6ml) to control foam generation (hence the washing machine fuzzy logic was not used during the washing cycle). The results of the stain removal tests are given in Table 2 below. Table 2: stain removal results for Formulations A and B

[0107] The enhanced stain removal benefits across a range of stains of Formulation B (which is a formulation according to the invention) compared to the comparative example is demonstrated by the above results.

[0108] Formulation B of the invention was tested for stain removal performance (following the method given above) against 3 comparative examples A1 , A2, A3 which did not contain either a soil suspending agent (CMC) (A1), an anionic surfactant(alkyl benzene sulphonate) (A2) or bleach catalyst (CSI) (A3). The formulations are given in Table 3 and the stain removal results are given in Table 4. Table 3: Formulations B, A1, A2 and A3

[0109] Table 4: stain removal results for composition B and comparative compositions A1 , A2 and A3.

[0110] The enhanced stain removal benefits across a range of stains of Composition B (which is a composition according to the invention) compared to the comparative examples is demonstrated by the above results.

[0111] Hence one or more objects of the present invention are achieved by compositions of the present invention which is further elucidated in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A composition comprising at least one bleaching agent, at least one bleach activator, at least one soil suspending agent, at least one bleach catalyst, at least one anionic surfactant and at least one protease, wherein:- the at least one bleaching agent comprises at least one source of active oxygen selected from the group comprising an inorganic peroxide, an organic peracid, hydrogen peroxide, and combinations thereof,- the composition comprises between 0.001 wt.% and 1.0 wt.% of said at least one soil suspending agent based on the total weight of the composition,- the composition comprises between 0.5 wt. % and 5.0 wt. % of said at least one anionic surfactant, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at least one anionic surfactant is a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, and- the composition comprises between 0.01 wt.% and 2.0 wt.% of said at least one bleach catalyst, based on the total weight of the composition, wherein said at last one catalyst is a cyclic sulfonimine bleach catalyst.

2. A composition according to claim 1 , wherein said composition comprises:- between 30 wt.% and 50 wt.% of said at least one bleaching agent, based on the total weight of the composition; and / or- between 0.1 wt.% and 20 wt.% of said at least one bleach activator, based on the total weight of the composition, and / or- between 0.01 wt.% and 1.0 wt.% of said at least one soil suspension agent, based on the total weight of the composition, and / or- between 0.75 wt. % and 2.0 wt. % of said at least one anionic surfactant, and / or- between 0.001 wt.% and 5.0 wt.% of said at least one protease, based on the total weight of the composition.

3. A composition according to either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the at least one bleaching agent is selected from the group comprising sodium percarbonate, e-phthalimido- peroxy-hexanoic acid (PAP), peracetic acid, potassium peroxymonosulfate (KMPS), and combinations thereof.

4. A composition according to claim 3 wherein the at least one bleaching agent comprises or consists of sodium percarbonate.

5. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one bleach activator is selected from the group consisting of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED), acetylated triazine derivatives, acetylated glycoluriles, acylimides, acetylated phenolsulfonates, acetylated phenol carbonic acids, carbonic acid anhydrides, acetylated sugar derivatives, N- acetylated lactams, and combinations thereof.

6. A composition according to claim 5, wherein the at least one bleach activator comprises or consists of tetraacetylethylendiamine (TAED).

7. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said at least one soil suspension agent is carboxymethyl cellulose or a sodium salt thereof.

8. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said composition further comprises between 0.001 wt.% and 10 wt.% of one or more further enzymes, based on the total weight of the composition.

9. A composition according to claim 8 wherein said one or more further enzymes are selected from the group consisting of a mannanase, a lipase, an amylase, a cellulase, and combinations thereof.

10. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said composition is a laundry detergent composition or a laundry additive composition.

11. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pH of a dilution of 1 :100 at 20°C of the composition is between 9 and 12.

12. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is in form of a solid or a powder.

13. A method of laundering a fabric in a laundry washing machine comprising adding a composition according to any of the preceding claims to the washing machine and conducting the wash.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the wash liquor is at a temperature higher than 15°C and lower than 40°and wherein between 0.5 g and 10 g of the composition are added to the laundry washing machine per litre of washing liquor.

15. A method of cleaning a stain on a laundry item comprising:- contacting the stain directly with a composition according to any of the claims 1-12 before the laundry item is washed, or- adding a composition according to any of the claims 1- 12 directly into the drum of washing machine, or- adding a composition according to any of the claims 1-12 to a bucket with water and soaking for a predetermined length of time.

16. Use of the composition according to any of the claims 1-12 in a laundry washing and / or fabric treatment operation.

17. Use of the composition according to any of the claims 1-12 for the removal of stains and / or the removal of malodour from a garment.

18. Use of the composition according to any of the claims 1-12 for the reduction or elimination of bacteria, viruses and / or fungi from a garment.

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