A translucent extruded soap bar composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to an extruded soap bar composition of the present invention comprises 40 to 80 wt% TFM, 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte, 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols, wherein polyols comprise propylene glycol and glycerin, wherein propylene glycol is 0.5 to 6 wt% and glycerin is 0.5 to 6wt% by the weight of the soap bar composition; 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, wherein at least 60 wt% of the total non-soap surfactant is anionic surfactant, and 10 to 30 wt% water.

Description

[0001]P0000561CPL 1 ATRANSLUCENT EXTRUDED SOAP BAR COMPOSITIONField of the invention The invention relates to translucent extruded soap bar compositions. More particularly, it relates to extruded soap bar compositions having polyols or polyol derivatives.5 Background of the invention Three main types of soap bars are known: opaque (non-transparent) soap; translucent soap; and transparent soap, which has ultimate translucency. Translucent soap bars are popular among consumers for their aesthetic appeal and their connotation of purity and high moisture content. Generally, a translucent bar soap is10 composed largely of one single homogeneous crystalline phase known as the “beta phase.” The beta phase is one of four known crystalline phases of soap and imparts translucence, generally due to the small size of the soap crystals, which are too small to diffract light. As used herein, the meaning of “translucent” is that which is generally employed and is 15 generally in accordance with the usual dictionary definition. For example, a translucent soap is one that allows light to pass through it but the light may be so scattered, as by a small proportion of crystals or insolubles, such that it will not be possible to clearly identify objects behind the translucent soap. Furthermore, translucent soaps may include clear, colorless, and colored transparent soaps. 20 Various types of processes are used in making translucent soap. Casting or pouring by batch processing are the most traditional methods of making translucent soap, but are not widely used. Over the last decades, manufacturing of translucent soaps by extrusion has become possible. This method is gaining popularity because of the relative simplicity of the process, reducing the cost of manufacturing to an acceptable level. This lower cost 25 of the product permits its availability to a larger group of consumers who are very much interested in this kind of soap because of its aesthetically very attractive form. P0000561CPL 2 Translucent soaps have been formulated using several well-known methods, either by adding transparency-enhancing additives or agents to inhibit soap crystallization. For example, clarifying agents such as lower alkanols, glycerin and / or sugar were added to inhibit soap crystallization, and the soaps were framed, not milled and plodded. Other 5 methods include low temperature saponification of fats and oils pre-dissolved in warm alcohol, water, and glycerin, followed by evaporation of part of the alcohol / water azeotrope. Yet another method involves the addition of a polyhydric alcohol, such as glycerol, glycol, sugar or the like to a "neat soap" or semi-boiled soap, or to soap prepared by the cold process technology. Numerous other transparent and translucent 10 soap bars are also known in the art which are prepared using additives or specialized equipment. Soap bars for cleansing are typically prepared by saponifying or neutralizing triglyceride and free fatty acids. In this saponification process, various fats (e.g., tallow, palms and coconut oil blends) are saponified in the presence of alkali (typically NaOH) to yield 15 alkaline salts of fatty acid (derived from the fatty acid chains forming the glyceride) and glycerol. Glycerol is then typically extracted with brine to yield dilute fatty acid soap solution containing soap and aqueous phase (e.g., 70% soap and 30% aqueous phase, especially water). The soap solution is then typically dried (e.g., to about 12% water) and the remaining mass is milled, plodded and stamped into bars. Alternatively, the soap20 solution can be cast into moulds, blisters etc. Soap transparency levels vary depending on the composition and production method. Cast melt soap bars are soap bars which are typically made by casting the melted composition into moulds and letting the composition cool. Extruded soap bars are usually made by producing an extruded billet of soap and cutting it into small pieces, having a 25 bar shape; the bars are further stamped, giving the bar its desired shape. For mass market, extrusion is more economical and yields higher amounts of processed bars per minute. Typically, compositions that yield transparent soap bars are made using cast melt processing due to the flexibility in the process and compositions which can be used. 30 Cast melting allows very high levels of soluble material, e.g., polyols, soluble soaps, and even non-soap detergents, to be used. Conversely, extruded soap bars compositions P0000561CPL 3 usually provide opaque bars. It is desirable to have extruded soaps which have higher transparency. Generally however, particularly because of the composition required to produce a transparent soap bar (i.e., having a transparency index of at least 15%, preferably at 5 least 16%), the production of a transparent soap bar by extrusion (e.g., forming a billet and stamping the bar) is considered extremely difficult. When extruded translucent soap bar formulations are made of a high load of palm soap (e.g., soap produced by saponification of palm oil), typically the soap bar is opaque due to the proportion of the types of fatty acids introduced from the palm blend. 10 U.S. Patent No.6,706,675 discloses a translucent soap bar composition that includes a soap mixture, a polyalkylene glycol, at least one of glycerin and sorbitol, water and optionally, free fatty acid. The soap bar composition exhibits translucent properties; the reference defines a translucent soap as one that allows light to pass through it but, as the light may be scattered by a small proportion of crystals or insolubles, it is not possible 15 to clearly identify objects behind the translucent soap (column 1, lines 30-34). This is not the case in the present invention in which transparent bars are produced. Furthermore, the soap bar composition includes a soap mixture, a polyalkylene glycol, at least glycerin and / or sorbitol, water and optionally free fatty acid, having 0.5 to about 5.0% of a polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight in the range of about 300 to about 800 20 (column 2, lines 2-4), and the soap is a blend with sodium tallowate, palm oil and palm kernel oil (column 2, lines 37-39). Such oils provide soaps with amounts of palmitic to C18 (Stearic acid) acids such that ratios range from 2.17 to 18.92; according to The Lipid Handbook, Gunstone et. al., Second Edition, herein incorporated as reference. Applicants have found that these are not desired ratios for achieving transparency in fatty 25 acid based soap bars in which fatty acid blend comes primarily from vegetable based oils. For this reason, it is believed, the reference discloses use of a polyalkylene glycol having a relatively low molecular weight to enhance the translucent properties of the soap bar composition (Column 3, lines 25-31). In particular, PEG 8 (column 5, lines 10 to 14) is used to improve translucency. By contrast, the subject invention utilizes a balance 30 between palmitic and C18 (stearic acid) acids to ensure that a ratio of substantially 1 in final bar is obtained (since little or no C16 and C18 in bar is introduced except through fatty P0000561CPL 4 acid blends, the ratio obtained from balancing the blend practically defines the ratio in the final bar). The reference also uses fatty acid blends derived from animal source, such as tallow, which are well known in the art for the production of transparent bars, while the subject invention uses fatty acid blends derived primarily from vegetal based oils which 5 were then balanced via addition of C18(stearic acid) or C16(palmitic acid) acids to provide a ratio of C18to C16of 1:1. In short, fatty acids derived primarily from tallow (animal based oil known for production of transparent bars) and PEG 8 appear to be required in the reference to create greater translucency; this is not the case of the present invention (see Comparative 2 for lack of results from the incorporation of PEG 810 into Comparative 1 of the present invention). WO 9958636 (Cognis Corp.) discloses a translucent personal cleansing bar with (a) an alkyl polyglycoside corresponding to formula I: R1O(Z)a wherein R1 is a monovalent organic radical having from 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and a is a number having a value of from 1.40 to 1.55; (b) a soap component derived from a fatty acid having an iodine value15 from 25 to about 44; and (c) water. WO2015 / 169678 (Unilever) relates to extruded soap bars having improved transparency.Specifically, by balancing the amounts of C16 (palmitic acid) and C18 (stearic acid) fatty acids to have a ratio in the final bar of 1, substantially improved transparency is unexpectedly obtained. 20 Nowhere is there disclosed compositions providing transparency to the soap bar while processing the bar via extrusion using simple, but unexpected, balanced ratios of theingredients as provided by applicants’ claimed invention.Summary of the invention First aspect of the present invention provides extruded soap bar composition comprising,25 a. 40 to 80 wt% total fatty matter (TFM),b. 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte,a. 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols, wherein polyol comprise propylene glycol andglycerin, wherein propylene glycol is 0.5 to 6 wt% and glycerin is 0.5 to 6wt%by the weight of the soap bar composition; P0000561CPL 5 c. 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, wherein at least 60 wt% of the totalsurfactant is anionic surfactant, and d. 10 to 30 wt% water.Second aspect of the present invention provides a process for preparing soap, the 5 process comprising steps: i) saponifying a fatty matter with an alkali to produce a saponified mass,wherein 0.1 to 4 wt% of an electrolyte by weight of a resulting soap barcomposition is added during the saponification process; ii) adding 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols by weight of the resulting soap10 composition, wherein polyol comprise propylene glycol and glycerin to thesaponified mass resulting from step i); and iii) extruding the soap mass resulting from step (ii) to obtain the resulting soapbar according to the first aspect; wherein non-soap surfactant is added during step (i) or step (ii). 15 Third aspect of the present invention provide use of propylene glycol and glycerin to achieve enhanced translucency in an extruded soap bar composition comprising:a. 40 to 80 wt% total fatty matter,b. 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte,c. 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols, wherein polyols comprise propylene glycol and20 glycerin, wherein propylene glycol is 0.5 to 6 wt% and glycerin is 0.5 to 6wt% bythe weight of the soap bar composition; d. 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, wherein at least 60 wt% of the total non-soapsurfactant is anionic surfactant, and e. 10 to 30 wt% water;25 as compared to equivalent soap bar without propylene glycol and glycerin. Fourth aspect of the present invention provides use of propylene glycol and glycerin inan extruded soap bar composition to achieve LUX value greater than 120, the soap bar composition comprising: P0000561CPL 6 b. 40 to 80 wt% total fatty matter,c. 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte,d. 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols, wherein polyols comprise propylene glycol andglycerin, wherein propylene glycol is 0.5 to 6 wt% and glycerin is 0.5 to 6wt%5 by the weight of the soap bar composition; e. 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, wherein at least 60 wt% of the total non-soap surfactant is anionic surfactant, and f. 10 to 30 wt% water;as compared to equivalent soap bar without propylene glycol and glycerin.10 Fifth aspect of the present invention provides use of propylene glycol and glycerin in anextruded soap bar composition for achieving hardness of at least 2.5 Kg-F measured at40°C the soap bar composition comprising:a. 40 to 80 wt% total fatty matter,b. 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte,15 c. 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols, wherein polyols comprise propylene glycol andglycerin, wherein propylene glycol is 0.5 to 6 wt% and glycerin is 0.5 to 6wt%by the weight of the soap bar composition; d. 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, wherein at least 60 wt% of the total non-soap surfactant is anionic surfactant, and20 e. 10 to 30 wt% water;as compared to equivalent soap bar without propylene glycol and glycerin.Detailed description of the invention These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the 25 appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilized in any other aspect of the invention. The word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of” or “composed of.” Inother words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not 30 intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are P0000561CPL 7 weight / weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description and claims indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and / or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about”. 5 Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. Throughout the specification unless otherwise specified, wt% means weight % of the10 total weight of soap composition of the present invention. Various components of the composition are described in greater detail below. Soap Composition The present invention relates to a soap composition. By a soap composition it isunderstood to be a composition which may be used as a soap or a composition which is 15 used to prepare a soap. More preferably the present invention provides a soap composition which is used to prepare soap bars and more preferably extruded soap bars and furthermore preferably soap bars prepared by plough shear mixer. The soapcomposition of the invention is especially useful for personal cleansing.An expression called total fatty matter is used very widely in the field of soaps and 20 detergents. The term abbreviated to “TFM”, is used to denote the wt% of fatty acid and triglyceride residues present in the soap composition without taking into account the accompanying cations. For a soap having 18 carbon atoms, an accompanying sodium cation will generally amount to about 8 wt%. Other cations may be employed as desired, for example zinc, potassium, magnesium, alkyl ammonium and aluminium. 25 The extruded soap bar composition of the present invention comprises 40 to 80 wt% TFM, 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte, 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols, wherein polyol comprisepropylene glycol and glycerin, wherein propylene glycol is 0.5 to 6 wt% and glycerin is0.5 to 6wt% by the weight of the soap bar composition; 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant P0000561CPL 8 wherein at least 60 wt% of the total surfactant is anionic surfactant, and 10 to 20 wt%water. The composition of the present invention is preferably used or used to prepare a shaped solid for example a bar. The cleaning soap composition is preferably used or used to 5 prepare a wash off product that generally has sufficient amount of surfactants included therein that it is used for cleansing the desired topical surface e.g. the whole body, the hair and scalp or the face. It is applied on the topical surface and left thereon only for afew seconds or minutes and washed off thereafter with copious amounts of water. It has been found, completely surprisingly, that certain combination of polyols, when 10 properly incorporated in a suitable soap base, act as crystallization inhibitors and result in the production of translucent soap bars, using known processes for making commercially available milled and plodded soaps. It is possible to prepare a translucent soap bar without addition of traditional crystalline inhibitors or use of specialized, costly equipment, in an extrudable manner, by combining a suitable, regular opaque soap base 15 with suitable benzoate esters, by shear mixing, milling and plodding, without special treatment steps being necessary after mixing of the constituents, to obtain and maintain a translucent soap bar for personal care applications. It has been an endeavor of the scientists of the soap industry to achieve translucent soap bars as it caters to the consumer appeal and gives a perception of mildness. Polyols 20 have been considered in past for transparency, but mere inclusion of polyols did not ensure transparency. Further, raising the levels of polyols also does not help with transparency and may not be acceptable by the consumers for sensory reasons. The present inventors were also faced with a proposition to prepare a cost effective composition. The present inventors worked around a lot of different formulations and 25 polyols such as propylene glycol was found to be useful, however higher levels of propylene glycol would increase the costs tremendously and caused problems withprocessing. Therefore, the problem to be solved was many fold: to prepare a soap based cleansing composition which is translucent, cost effective and which lathers well. Therewas also a problem with using higher levels of propylene glycol or any other solvent as30 this renders the processing of the soap bar difficult. It was a surprising finding that in thepresent invention, that when the composition was formulated in a way so as to have P0000561CPL 9 critical ratio and proportions of ingredients according to the first aspect of the present invention, the inventors were able to have a composition within a window of ranges of different ingredients when the soap bar composition was translucent while keeping thelevel of propylene glycol low. 5 For the purposes of the present invention translucency means a composition having a LUX value about 120 and preferably in the range of 125 to 145 for a soap bar of 75 gmor less. For the purposes of this invention, translucency can be measured by placing a photo- sensor, such as a LUX meter inside a closed box with 200 W LED bulb as a light source10 and in absence of light interference from an external source. When the soap composition of the present invention is for personal washing application itcomprises 40 to 80 wt% total amount of soap, preferably 45 to 75 wt%, more preferably45 to 70 wt% and most preferably 50 to 70 wt% by weight of the soap composition.15 When the soap composition of the invention is for laundering fabrics, it comprises from15 wt.% to 60 wt.% fatty acid soap. Preferred aspects of such soap compositions comprise at least 20 wt.%, preferably at least 25 wt.%, still preferably at least 30 wt.% and most preferably at least 35 wt.%, but typically not more than 58 wt.%, still preferably not more than 55 wt.%, still further preferably not more than 53 wt.%, still more 20 preferably not more than 50 wt.%, and most preferably not more than 45 wt.% fatty acid soap in the soap composition. The term soap means salt of fatty acid. Preferably, the soap is soap of C8 to C24 fatty acids. The cation may be an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium ion, preferably 25 alkali metals. Preferably, the cation is selected from sodium or potassium, more preferably sodium. The soap may be saturated or unsaturated. Saturated soaps are preferred over unsaturated soaps for stability. The oil or fatty acids may be of vegetable or animal origin. P0000561CPL 10 The soap may be obtained by saponification of oils, fats or fatty acids. The fats or oils generally used to make soap compositions may be selected from tallow, tallow stearins, palm oil, palm stearins, soya bean oil, fish oil, castor oil, rice bran oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, and palm kernel oil. The fatty acids may be from coconut, rice5 bran, groundnut, tallow, palm, palm kernel, cotton seed or soyabean. The preferred fatty acids are plant origin fatty acids such as from coconut, rice bran, groundnut, palm, palmkernel, cotton seed or soyabean. The total fatty matter for the soap compositions of the present invention is preferably obtained from plant origin fatty acids such as from coconut, rice bran, groundnut, palm, palm kernel, cotton seed or soyabean. 10 It is most preferred that saturated C16 to C18 ratio in the fatty acid blend of the present invention is in the range to 1.5:1 to 10:1, more preferably in the range of 2:1 to 9:1 and most preferably in the range of 2.5:1 to 8.5:1. The fatty acid soaps may also be synthetically prepared (e.g. by the oxidation of petroleum or by the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide by the Fischer-Tropsch process). 15 Resin acids, such as those present in tall oil, may also be used. Naphthenic acids may also be used. The soap compositions of the present invention preferably include low molecular weight soaps (C8 to C14 soaps) which are generally water soluble, which are in the range of 2 to 20% by weight of the composition. It is preferred that the soap composition includes 20 15 to 55 wt% of the soap of C16 to C24 fatty acid, which are generally water insoluble soaps. Unsaturated fatty acid soaps preferably at 15 to 42% may also be included in the total soap content of the composition. Unsaturated soaps are preferably oleic acid soaps. It is preferred that in the soap composition of the present invention the compositioncomprises 0.5 to 6 wt% glycerin by weight of the composition.25 It is preferred that in the soap composition of the present invention the composition comprises 0.5 to 6 wt% propylene glycol.It is preferred that the weight ratio of propylene glycol to glycerin is in the range of 0.05:1to 15:1. P0000561CPL 11 It is preferred that in the soap composition of the present invention the electrolyte is selected from the group of sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium sulphate, sodium chloride and mixtures thereof. It is preferred that in the soap composition of the present invention the iodine value of the 5 soap composition is 30 to 45 g / Iodine per 100 g of the soap composition. It is preferred that in the soap composition of the present invention the composition has a pH in the range from 9 to 13, when measured in a 4% solution with distilled water at 25°C. Polyols 10 The extruded soap compositions of the present invention comprise polyols or mixture of polyols. Polyol is a term used herein to designate a compound having multiple hydroxyl groups (at least two, preferably at least three) which is highly water soluble, preferablyfreely soluble in water. The composition preferably comprises a polyhydric alcohol (also called polyol) or mixture 15 of polyols. Polyol is a term used herein to designate a compound having multiple hydroxyl groups (at least two, preferably at least three) which is highly water soluble. Many types of polyols are available including: relatively low molecular weight short chain polyhydroxy compounds such as glycerol and propylene glycol; sugars such as sorbitol, manitol, sucrose and glucose; modified carbohydrates such as hydrolyzed starch, dextrin 20 and maltodextrin, and polymeric synthetic polyols such as polyalkylene glycols, for example polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG). Especially preferred polyols are glycerol, sorbitol and their mixtures. Preferred levels range from 0.5 to 15 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt% by25 weight of the composition. Many types of polyols are available including: relatively low molecular weight short chain polyhydroxy compounds such as glycerol and propylene glycol; sugars such as sorbitol, manitol, sucrose and glucose; and polymeric synthetic polyols such as polyalkylene P0000561CPL 12 glycols, for example polyethylene glycol (PEG) and polypropylene glycol (PPG); and alkanolamine, for example trialkanolamine such as triethanolamine (TEA). Especially preferred polyols are glycerine, propylene glycol, butylene glycol (1,3 ), myristyl glycol, lauryl glycol, caprylyl glycol, decylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene 5 glycol, 1,2,6 hexane triol, phytan triol, 1,2,4 butane triol, sorbitol and their mixtures. Another polyol which may be used is trialkanolamine such as triethanolamine (TEA), this is both a triol and an amine. The polyol of the present invention preferably comprises glycols in the range of 0.5 to 15wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11 10 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt% by weight of the composition. It is preferable that the glycols are selected from the group ofpropylene glycol, butylene glycol, myristyl glycol, lauryl glycol, caprylyl glycol, decylene glycol, pentylene glycol and hexylene glycol and mixtures thereof.The polyol of the present invention preferably comprises propylene glycol in the range of15 0.5 to 6 wt% by weight of the composition, more preferably 0.75 wt% to 5.8 wt% andmost preferably from 1 wt% to 5.5 wt% by weight of the composition. It is preferred thatpropylene glycol is in the range of 2.2 to 6 wt%, more preferably 2.5 to 5.8 wt% and most preferably 2.8 to 5.5 wt% by weight of the soap composition.The polyol of the present invention preferably comprises glycerol or glycerin in the range 20 of 0.5 to 6 wt% by weight of the composition, more preferably 0.75 wt% to 5.8 wt% and most preferably from 1 wt% to 5.5 wt% by weight of the composition. It is preferred that glycerin is in the range of 0.5 to 5.5 wt%, more preferably 0.8 to 5 wt% and most preferably 0.9 to 5 wt% by weight of the soap composition. The polyol of the present invention preferably comprises sorbitol in the range of 0.5 to 1525 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11wt% further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt% by weight of the composition. P0000561CPL 13 The present invention preferably comprises propylene glycol, it is present in the range of 0.5 to 15 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from1.5 to 11 wt% further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8wt% by weight of the composition. 5 The present invention preferably comprises triethanolamine, it is present in the range of 0.5 to 15 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from1.5 to 11 wt% further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8wt% by weight of the composition. The present invention preferably comprises alkylene glycols preferably selected from the 10 group of Propylene Glycol, Butylene Glycol, Pentylene Glycol, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Lauryl Glycol, myristyl glycol. The glycols when present in the composition of the present invention are present in the range of 0.5 to 15 wt% by weight of the composition,preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt% by weight of the composition.15 The present invention preferably comprises polypropylene glycol (PPG) preferably in therange of 200 to 4000 Da, polypropylene glycol is preferably present in the range of 0.5 to 15 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt% by weight of the composition. In a highly preferred aspect PPG 400, PPG 1000, PPG20 2000 and PPG 4000 are preferred. The present invention preferably comprises polyethylene glycol (PEG) preferably in the range of 200 to 4000 Da, polyethylene glycol is preferably present in the range of 0.5 to 15 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt%25 by weight of the composition. In a highly preferred aspect PEG 200, PEG 400 and PEG600 are preferred. It is preferred that the PEG has a molecular weight below 100000 Dalton. Preferably, the polyethylene glycol has a molecular weight in the range of 100-10000 Dalton, and is preferably 400-4000 Dalton. The preferred PEG's are miscible with water. PEG's with P0000561CPL 14 molecular weights above 10000 are markedly less water soluble and form increasingly viscous liquids above their melting points. This leads to processing difficulties. It is preferred that in the compositions of the present invention the % weight ratio of propylene glycol to glycerin weight ratio is in the range of 0.05:1 to 15:1, more preferably 5in the range of 0.1:1 to 12:1 and most preferably in the range of 0.8:1 to 10:1.Other translucency enhancers The present invention may comprise caprylyl alcohol, when present it is in the range of0.5 to 15 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 810 wt% by weight of the composition. The present invention may comprise benzyl alcohol, when present in the range of 0.5 to15 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt% by weight of the composition.15 The present invention may comprise polyalkylene glycol ether, more preferablypolyethylene glycol ether, having molecular weight in the range of 200 to 800 Da, polyalkylene glycol ether when present is preferably present in the range of 0.5 to 15wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt% by20 weight of the composition. In a highly preferred aspect PEG-25 propylene glycolstearate, PEG-75 propylene glycol stearate and PEG-8 propylene glycol cocoate are preferred. The present invention may comprise propylene carbonate, when present it is in the rangeof 0.5 to 15 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably 25 from 1.5 to 11 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt% by weight of the composition. P0000561CPL 15 Propylene carbonate (C₄H₆O₃.) is a cyclic organic ester and more particularly carbonate ester derived from propylene glycol. The Chemical Abstract Service Registry Numbersfor propylene carbonate is 108-32-7. The present invention may comprise ethylene carbonate, when present it is in the range5 of 0.5 to 15 wt% by weight of the composition, preferably 1 to 12 wt%, more preferably from 1.5 to 11 wt%, further more preferably from 2 to 10 wt% and most preferably from 2 to 8 wt% by weight of the composition. The polyols and the translucency enhancers may be present in the composition of thepresent as combinations and mixtures thereof. 10 Non-soap Surfactant The bar compositions can optionally include non-soap synthetic type surfactants (detergents) – so called syndets. Syndets can include anionic surfactants, nonionicsurfactants, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants and cationic surfactants. The level of synthetic surfactant present in the bar is generally less than 25%, preferably 15 less than 15%, preferably up to 10% and most preferably from 0 to 7% based on the total weight of the bar composition. It is preferred that the soap bar comprises non-soap surfactants in the range from 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, more preferably 0.8 to 4.5 wt% and most preferably from 1 to 4 wt%, wherein at least 60%, more preferably at least 70 wt%, further more preferably 80 20 wt% and most preferably at least 90 wt% of the total non-soap surfactant is anionic surfactant. It is highly preferred that the non-soap surfactant is an anionic surfactant. It ispreferred that the anionic surfactant is range from 60 to 100 wt% by weight of the total non-soap surfactants. It is preferred that the soap bar comprises anionic surfactants in the soap range from 0.1 25 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, more preferably 0.8 to 4.5 wt% and most preferably from 1 to 4 wt%, P0000561CPL 16 The anionic surfactant may be, for example, an aliphatic sulfonate, such as a primary alkane (e.g.. C8-C22) sulfonate, primary alkane (e.g.. C8-C22) disulfonate, C8-C22alkene sulfonate, C8-C22hydroxyalkane sulfonate or alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate (AGS); or an aromatic sulfonate such as alkyl benzene sulfonate, Alpha olefin sulfonates are another 5 suitable anionic surfactant. The anionic may also be an alkyl sulfate (e.g. C12-C18alkyl sulfate), especially a primary alcohol sulfate or an alkyl ether sulfate (including alkyl glyceryl ether sulfates). The anionic surfactant can also be a sulfonated fatty acid such as alpha sulfonated tallow fatty acid, a sulfonated fatty acid ester such as alpha sulfonated methyl tallowate or 10 mixtures thereof. The anionic surfactant may also be alkyl sulfosuccinates (including mono- and dialkyl.e.g.. C6-C22sulfosuccinates); alkyl and acyl taurates, alkyl and acyl sarcosinates, sulfoacetates, C8-C22alkyl phosphates and phosphates, alkyl phosphate esters and alkoxyl alkyl phosphate esters, acyl lactates or lactylates, C8-C22monoalkyl succinates15 and maleates, sulphoacetates and acyl isethionates. Another class of anionics is C8 to C20 alkyl ethoxy (1-20 EO) carboxylates. Another suitable anionic surfactant is C8-C18 acyl isethionates. These esters are prepared by reaction between alkali metal isethionate with mixed aliphatic fatty acids having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms and an iodine value of less than 20. At least 75% of 20 the mixed fatty acids have from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and up to 25% have from 6 to 10 carbon atoms. The acyl isethionate may also be alkoxylated isethionates Acyl isethionates, when present, will generally range from about 0.5% to about 25% by weight of the total composition. In general, the anionic component will comprise the majority of the synthetic surfactants25 used in the bar composition. Amphoteric detergents which may be used in this invention include at least one acid group. This may be a carboxylic or a sulphonic acid group. They include quaternary P0000561CPL 17 nitrogen and therefore are quaternary amido acids. They should generally include an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable amphoteric surfactants include amphoacetates, alkyl and alkyl amido betaines, and alkyl and alkyl amido sulphobetaines. 5 Amphoacetates and diamphoacetates are also intended to be covered in possible zwitterionic and / or amphoteric compounds which may be used. Suitable nonionic surfactants include the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom. for example aliphatic alcohols or fatty acids, with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene 10 oxide. Examples include the condensation products of aliphatic (C8-C18) primary or secondary linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide and products made by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Other so-called nonionic detergent compounds include long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides and dialkyl sulphoxides. 15 The nonionic may also be a sugar amide, such as alkyl polysaccharides and alkyl polysaccharide amides. Examples of cationic detergents are the quaternary ammonium compounds such as alkyldimethylammonium halides. Water20 The soap compositions of the present invention can moisture or water content upto30wt% of the weight of the soap bar. The soap compositions of the present invention have 10 to 30 wt% of water, preferably 12 to 28 wt%, and most from preferably 15 to 25wt% by weight of the soap composition. Electrolyte 25 Inclusion of small amount of an electrolyte (other than soap) can influence the liquid and solid phase ratio. Increasing the electrolyte content lowers the solubility of soap thereby P0000561CPL 18 increasing the solid phase amount, on the other hand lowering the electrolyte levels make the bars softer. It is preferred that composition of the invention comprises 0.1 to 4 wt%, preferably 0.5 to3.8 wt %, more preferably in the range of 0.5 to 3 wt % electrolyte, and most preferably5 0.7 to 2.8% by weight of the composition. Preferred electrolytes include sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium sulfate, sodium carbonate and other mono or di or tri salts of alkaline earth metals, more preferred electrolytes are sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium chloride and especially preferred electrolytes are sodium chloride and sodium sulfate and combinations thereof. 10 For the avoidance of doubt is clarified that the electrolyte is a non-soap material. It is most preferred that sodium sulphate and sodium chloride are used as electrolytes for the composition of the present invention. It is preferred that sodium sulphate is present in the range of 0.1 to 4 wt% of the weightof composition, more preferably 0.5 to 3.8 wt %, and most preferably in the range of 0.515 to 3 wt %. It is preferred that sodium sulphate is at least 0.1 wt%, more preferably atleast 0.5wt%, and most preferably at least 1wt% and it is preferred that it is not more than 4wt%, more preferably not more than 3 wt%, further, more preferably not more than2.8 wt% and most preferably not more than 2.5wt% of the total weight of composition of the present invention.20 It is preferred that when sodium chloride is present in the range of 0.1 to 4 wt% of theweight of composition, more preferably 0.5 to 3.8 wt %, and most preferably in the rangeof 0.5 to 3 wt %. It is preferred that sodium chloride is at least 0.1 wt%, more preferablyat least 0.5wt%, and most preferably at least 1wt% and it is preferred that it is not more than 4wt%, more preferably not more than 3 wt%, further, more preferably not more than25 2.8 wt% and most preferably not more than 2.5wt% of the total weight of composition of the present invention. The composition of the present invention is targeted to compositions which are substantially free of free fatty acids. By the phrase ‘substantially free of free fatty acids is meant that free fatty acids is present in an amount less than 1.0 percent, preferably less P0000561CPL 19 than 0.5 percent, furthermore preferably less than 0.1 percent and optimally absent from the composition. It is most preferred that the composition is free of free fatty acids. The soaps bar composition may optionally comprise 0.1 to 15%, preferably 0.2 to 12%5 by weight of free fatty acids. By free fatty acids is meant a carboxylic acid comprising ahydrocarbon chain and a terminal carboxyl group bonded to an H. Suitable fatty acidsare C8 to C22 fatty acids. Preferred fatty acids are C12 to C18, preferably predominantly saturated, straight-chain fatty acids. However, some unsaturated fatty acids can also be employed.10 The soap composition generally comprises electrolyte and water. Electrolytes as per thisinvention include compounds that substantially dissociate into ions in water. Electrolytesas per this invention are not an ionic surfactant. Suitable electrolytes for inclusion in thesoap making process are alkali metal salts. Preferred alkali metal salts include sodiumsulfate, sodium chloride, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, potassium chloride, potassium 15 sulfate, sodium carbonate and other mono or di or tri salts of alkaline earth metals, more preferred electrolytes are sodium chloride, sodium sulfate, sodium citrate, potassium chloride and especially preferred electrolyte is sodium chloride sodium sulphate, sodiumcitrate or a combination thereof. For the avoidance of doubt, it is clarified that theelectrolyte is a non-soap material. Electrolyte is preferably included in 0.1 to 6%, more20 preferably 0.5 to 6%, even more preferably 0.5 to 5%, furthermore preferably 0.5 to 3%,and most preferably 1 to 3% by weight of the composition. It is preferred that theelectrolyte is included in the soap composition during the step of saponification to formthe soap. The various optional ingredients that make up the final soap composition are as25 described below: The total level of the adjuvant materials used in the bar composition generally is in an amount not higher than 50%, preferably 1 to 50%, more preferably 3 to 45% by wt. of the soap composition. P0000561CPL 20 The adjuvant system may optionally include insoluble particles comprising one or a combination of materials. By insoluble particles is meant materials that are present insolid particulate form and suitable for personal washing. Preferably, there are mineral(e.g., inorganic) or organic particles. 5 The insoluble particles should not be perceived as scratchy or granular and thus should have a particle size less than 300 microns, more preferably less than 100 microns and most preferably less than 50 microns. Preferred inorganic particulate material includes talc and calcium carbonate. Talc is a magnesium silicate mineral material, with a sheet silicate structure and a composition of10 Mg3Si4(OH)22 and may be available in the hydrated form. It has a plate-likemorphology, and is essentially oleophilic / hydrophobic, i.e., it is wetted by oil rather than water. Calcium carbonate or chalk exists in three crystal forms: calcite, aragonite and vaterite. The natural morphology of calcite is rhombohedral or cuboidal, acicular or dendritic for15 aragonite and spheroidal for vaterite. Examples of other optional insoluble inorganic particulate materials include aluminates, silicates, phosphates, insoluble sulfates, borates and clays (e.g., kaolin, china clay) and their combinations. Organic particulate materials include: insoluble polysaccharides such as highly 20 crosslinked or insolubilized starch (e.g., by reaction with a hydrophobe such as octyl succinate) and cellulose; synthetic polymers such as various polymer lattices and suspension polymers; insoluble soaps and mixtures thereof. It is preferred that the compositions of the invention comprise polymers. Polymers of theacrylate class are especially preferred. Preferred bars include 0.05 to 5% acrylates. More 25 preferred bars include 0.01 to 3% acrylates. Examples of acrylate polymers include polymers and copolymers of acrylic acid crosslinked with polyallylsucrose as described in US Patent 2,798,053 which is herein incorporated by reference. Other examples include polyacrylates, acrylate copolymers or alkali swellable emulsion acrylate copolymers, P0000561CPL 21 hydrophobically modified alkali swellable copolymers, and crosslinked homopolymers of acrylic acid. Examples of such commercially available polymers are: ACULYN®, CARBOPOL®, and CARBOPOL® Ultrez grade series. Bar compositions preferably comprise 0.1 to 25% by wt. of bar composition, preferably 5 5 to 15 by wt. of these mineral or organic particles. An opacifier may be optionally present in the personal care composition. When opacifiers are present, the cleansing bar is generally opaque. Examples of opacifiers include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and the like. A particularly preferred opacifier that can be employed when an opaque soap composition is desired is ethylene glycol mono- or di-10 stearate, for example in the form of a 20% solution in sodium lauryl ether sulphate. An alternative opacifying agent is zinc stearate. The product can take the form of a water-clear, i.e. transparent soap, in which case it will not contain an opacifier. The pH of preferred soaps compositions of the invention is from 8 to 11, more preferably15 9.5 to 11.A preferred bar may additionally include up to 30 wt% benefit agents. Preferred benefit agents include moisturizers, emollients, sunscreens and anti-ageing compounds. The agents may be added at an appropriate step during the process of making the bars.Some benefit agents may be introduced as macro domains. 20 Other optional ingredients like anti-oxidants, perfumes, polymers, chelating agents, colourants, deodorants, dyes, enzymes, foam boosters, germicides, anti-microbials, lathering agents, pearlescers, skin conditioners, stabilizers or superfatting agents, may be added in suitable amounts in the process of the invention. Preferably, the ingredientsare added after the saponification step. Sodium metabisulphite, ethylene diamine tetra 25 acetic acid (EDTA), borax or ethylene hydroxy diphosphonic acid (EHDP) are preferably added to the formulation. P0000561CPL 22 The composition of the invention could be used to deliver antimicrobial benefits. Antimicrobial agents that are preferably included to deliver this benefit include oligodynamic metals or compounds thereof. Preferred metals are silver, copper, zinc,gold or aluminium. Silver is particularly preferred. In the ionic form it may exist as a salt 5or any compound in any applicable oxidation state. Preferred silver compounds are silveroxide, silver nitrate, silver acetate, silver sulfate, silver benzoate, silver salicylate, silver carbonate, silver citrate or silver phosphate, with silver oxide, silver sulfate and silver citrate being of particular interest in one or more embodiments. In at least one preferred embodiment the silver compound is silver oxide. Oligodynamic metal or a compound10 thereof is preferably included in 0.0001 to 2%, preferably 0.001 to 1% by weight of thecomposition. Alternately an essential oil antimicrobial active may be included in thecomposition of the invention. Preferred essential oil actives which may be included areterpineol, thymol, carvacol, (E) -2(prop-1-enyl) phenol, 2- propylphenol, 4- pentylphenol,4-sec-butylphenol, 2-benzyl phenol, eugenol or combinations thereof. Furthermore, 15 preferred essential oil actives are terpineol, thymol, carvacrol or thymol, most preferred being terpineol or thymol and ideally a combination of the two. Essential oil actives arepreferably included in 0.001 to 1%, preferably 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of the composition. In soap compositions for laundering fabric, one or more of the above described optionalingredients may be included. However, in laundry bars, antimicrobial agents are20 generally not added. Laundry bars generally include chelating agents that are generallynot included in soap compositions for personal cleansing. Chelating agents may be selected from but not limited to ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), ethylene hydroxy diphosphonic acid (EHDP) or mixtures thereof. The chelating agent is preferably present in an amount ranging from 0.01 wt.% to 1 wt.%. Non-phosphate chelating agents25 like methylglycinediacetic acid and salts thereof are also preferred. The present invention provides use of soap bar composition according to the first aspect to provide soap bars having a bar hardness of 2.7 to 5.0 Kg when measured at 40ºC,using 15 mm penetration value. The present invention also provides use of amorphous form of aluminosilicate in soap30 compositions having moisture in the range of 15 to 45wt% for achieving hardness of atleast 2.5 Kg-F measured at 40°C. P0000561CPL 23 Process The present invention provides a process for preparing a soap bar, the processcomprising steps: i) saponifying a fatty matter with an alkali to produce a saponified mass,5 wherein 0.1 to 4 wt% of an electrolyte by weight of a resulting soap barcomposition is added during the saponification process; ii) adding 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols, wherein polyol comprise propylene glycoland glycerin to the saponified mass resulting from step i); and iii) extruding the soap mass resulting from step (ii) to obtain the resulting soap10 bar according to the first aspect; wherein non-soap surfactant is added during step (i) or step (ii). It is preferred that in the process for preparing soap composition according to the first aspect, the polyol comprises 0.5 to 6 wt% glycerin by weight of the composition.It is preferred that in the process for preparing soap composition according to the first15 aspect, the polyol comprises 0.5 to 6 wt% propylene glycol by weight of the composition.The present invention provides use of propylene glycol and glycerin in the weight ratio 0.05:1 to 15:1 to achieve enhanced translucency in an extruded soap bar, as comparedto equivalent soap bar without propylene glycol and glycerin in the weight ratio 0.05:1 to15: 1. 20 The present invention provides use of propylene glycol and glycerin in the weight ratio 0.05:1 to 15:1 to achieve enhanced translucency in an extruded soap bar compositionaccording to the first aspect, as compared to equivalent soap bar without propylene glycol and glycerin in the weight ratio 0.05:1 to 15:1.The present invention provides use of 0.5 to 6 wt% propylene glycol and 0.5 to 6wt%25 glycerin in in an extruded soap bar composition according to the first aspect, for P0000561CPL 24 achieving LUX value greater than 120. The Lux value is based on an extruded soap barof 75 gm or less weight. The present invention provides use of 0.5 to 6 wt% propylene glycol and 0.5 to 6wt% glycerin in an extruded soap bar composition according to the first aspect, for achieving5 hardness of at least 3 Kg-F measured at 40°C. The soap composition may be made into a bar by a process that first involves saponification of the fat charge with alkali followed by extruding the mixture in aconventional plodder. The plodded mass may then be optionally cut to a desired size andstamped with a desirable indicia. An especially important benefit of the present invention10 is that, notwithstanding the high amount of water content of the soap composition, compositions thus prepared by extrusion are found to be easy to stamp with a desirable indicia. By “easy to extrude” is meant that the hardness of the bar as it is extruded is highenough that it exits the extruder in a firm enough form that it can be called a rigid bar.The hardness of the bar is preferably higher than 1.2 kg, more preferably in the range of15 1.2 to 5.0 kg (at 40°C). The hardness is preferably measured using the TA-XT Expressapparatus available from Stable Micro Systems. The hardness is measured using thisapparatus with a 30° conical probe – Part #P / 30c to a penetration of 15 mm. If the soapmass is too soft and is passed through the extruder it will not extrude out of the extruder in a cohesive enough mass to be called a bar. By “easy to stamp” is meant that the soap20 composition is of such a consistency and low enough stickiness that it does not stick tothe die that is used to stamp any desired indicia on the bar. The soap compositionprepared by the process of the invention therefore preferably comprises an indiciumstamped thereupon. The specific process that may be employed using the above described general process25 for soap composition manufacture comprises one of the following processes.EXAMPLES Example 1- Soap Compositions P0000561CPL 25 The soap compositions for the examples were prepared in accordance with the present invention. Soap Noodle preparation- Required quantity of fatty acids & all other raw materials wereweighed and charged fatty acids were put into the mixer, salt was added, polyols were 5added, non-soap surfactant, alpha olefin sulphonate- AOS 70% paste was added andneutralization was started using sodium hydroxide. The completion of neutralization was checked through phenolphthalein indicator test and if required caustic was added tocomplete the neutralization reaction. Preservatives were added and free fatty acid content was checked, if if required caustic10 was added to complete the neutralization reaction. The soap mass was conveyed to thechilled rolls & further to refiner to get the noodles. Soap Finishing- The noodle added the noodle to sigma mixer and crushed, requisitecolour and fragrance was dissolved in water and mixed. A batch was dropped andconveyed to refiner for further processing. The refined mass is then conveyed to triple15 roll mill & then to plodder where the soap mass is converted into a shape. These ploddedbars are pushed for stamping where final shape is given to the soap along with the logo. For measurement of translucency Lux meter, Model No - Fluke 941 Light Meter wasused. The experiment was set up with one closed box with Lux meter and 200 W LEDbulb was used as a light source. The Fluke 941 measures the visible light from20 fluorescent, metal halide, high pressure sodium or incandescent sources. The 200W bulb fixed inside the dark chamber was illuminated. The voltage regulator knob was adjusted,so that light source reads certain fixed number. When the Light source lux value is fixed even when there is voltage fluctuation results for test sample remains unaffected. The light lux value was fixed to 3600 lux . The light path was blocked and directed to sensor25 by placing the soap between the light source and the sensor. It was ensured that thesoap blocks light falling directly on the sensor. The value on the LUX Meter wasrecorded, which indicates the amount of translucency of soap bar. One LUX (Lumen) is the illumination from a one candela lamp perpendicular to a surface one meter squared at a distance of one meter. One foot-candle (Fc) is the illumination P0000561CPL 26 from a one candela lamp perpendicular to a surface one foot squared at a distance of one foot. Distance between light source and soap top surface was kept to be about 35 mm. Distance between soap bottom surface and Lux meter was kept about ~100 mm. And 5readings were taken. The readings of above 120 lx were considered acceptable fortransparency. The compositions E1, E2 and E3 in Table 1 were prepared according to the first aspect (Examples inside the scope of the present invention)in accordance with the methodology as given above. Similar compositions E4 to E6 were prepared according to the10 methodology as given above but which were not according to the first aspect (Examples outside the scope of the present invention). Composition E4 was prepared without propylene glycol and composition E5 was prepared without glycerin, whereas E6 had ahigher wt% of glycerin by the weight of the soap composition and E7 was at 6 wt%glycerin by the weight of the soap composition. E8 had 2wt% of glycerin and lower15 concentration of 2wt% of propylene glycol. Table 1 Examples Inside the Co Invention Examples Outside the Invention ntr Ingredien ol tsE1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 E7 E8Glycerin 4 1 2 1.5 6 0 8 6 2Propylen6 2e Glycol0 4 4 4 0 6 4propylen 1:1 e glycol:--- 4: 1 2: 1 2.7 : 1 -- -- 1:2 1:1glycerin Anhydrou70 74s Soap*73 75.6 74 74.7 74.2 74.2 68.3Sodium0.7 0.7Chloride0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.7Talc 2.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Water 17- 1816-18 16-18 16-18 16-18 16-18 16-18 16-18 16-18 AOS (Non-1 1 1 1 1 1 1Soap1 1 P0000561CPL 27 Surfactan t) Minor Ingredien Balance to 100 ts Transluce Op No Not yGood Good Got Not Not nc aquodNot good goo e good good good d 135- 135- 13 Not Not Not Lux Value 05- 70-80 Proces Processi P 70- 140 140 140 rocessib sible ble le 80 Processib Go ty odGoNot Not Not iliod Good Good OKGood Good Good OK Bar 4.2- Not Not No 4.0- Hardness 4.6 4.0-4.4 4.0-4.4 3.8-4.2 4.0-4.2 t Proces Pr 4.2 Go ocessi Processib (kgf) Good Good Good Good sible ble le Goo od d Table 2: Fatty Acid blend for Anhydrous soap* C12 % 13.5C16 saturated % 40.5C18 saturated % 9C18:1 % 30Others % 7C16: C18 saturated 4.5:1It is clearly evident from data of Table 1 that the compositions E1, E2 and E3 prepared 5according to the first aspect have good processability, good bar hardness and had goodtransparency reported in terms of acceptable LUX values for a soap bar of 75gm or less.Composition E4 was prepared without propylene glycol for which the processability was reported okay but the composition was not translucent. The compositions E5 to E8 werereported to be not processable and non-translucent. 10 Therefore, it was seen that any digression from the compositions of the present invention according to the first aspect results in compromising translucency or difficulty inprocessing. Hardness Testing Protocol Principle P0000561CPL 28 A 30º conical probe penetrates into a soap / syndet sample at a specified speed to a pre- determined depth. The resistance generated at the specific depth is recorded. There is no size or weight requirement of the tested sample except that the bar / billet be bigger than the penetration of the cone (15mm) and have enough area. The recorded 5resistance number is also related to the yield stress and the stress can be calculated asnoted below. The hardness (and / or calculated yield stress) can be measured by a variety of different penetrometer methods. In this invention, as noted above, we use probe which penetrates to depth of 15 mm. Apparatus and Equipment 10 TA-XT Express (Stable Micro Systems) 30º conical probe – Part #P / 30c (Stable Micro Systems)Sampling Technique This test can be applied to billets from a plodder, finished bars, or small pieces of soap / syndet (noodles, pellets, or bits). In the case of billets, pieces of a suitable size (9 15 cm) for the TA-XT can be cut out from a larger sample. In the case of pellets or bits which are too small to be mounted in the TA-XT, the compression fixture is used to form several noodles into a single pastille large enough to be tested. Procedure Setting up the TA-XT Express 20 These settings need to be inserted in the system only once. They are saved and loaded whenever the instrument is turned on again. This ensures settings are constant and that all experimental results are readily reproducible. Set test method Press MENU 25 Select TEST SETTINGS (Press 1) Select TEST TPE (Press 1) Choose option 1 (CYCLE TEST) and press OK Press MENU Select TEST SETTINGS (Press 1) 30 Select PARAMETERS (Press 2) Select PRE TEST SPEED (Press 1) Type 2 (mm s-1) and press OKSelect TRIGGER FORCE (Press 2) Type 5 (g) and Press OK P0000561CPL 29 Select TEST SPEED (Press 3) Type 1 (mm s-1) and press OK Select RETURN SPEED (Press 4) Type 10 (mm s-1) and press OK 5 Select DISTANCE (Press 5) Type 15 (mm) for soap billets or 3 (mm) for soap pastilles and press OK Select TIME (Press 6) Type 1 (CYCLE) 10 Calibration Screw the probe onto the probe carrier. Press MENU Select OPTIONS (Press 3) Select CALIBRATE FORCE (Press 1) – the instrument asks for the user to check15 whether the calibration platform is clear Press OK to continue and wait until the instrument is ready. Place the 2kg calibration weight onto the calibration platform and press OK Wait until the message “calibration completed” is displayed and remove the weight from the platform. 20 Sample Measurements Place the billet onto the test platform. Place the probe close to the surface of the billet (without touching it) by pressing the UP or DOWN arrows. Press RUN 25 Take the readings (g or kg) at the target distance (Fin). After the run is performed, the probe returns to its original position. Remove the sample from the platform and record its temperature. Calculation & Expression of Results 30 Output The output from this test is the readout of the TA-XT as “force” (RT) in g or kg at the target penetration distance, combined with the sample temperature measurement. (In the subject invention, the force is measured in Kg at 40°C at 15 mm distance) P0000561CPL 30 The force reading can be converted to extensional stress, according to the equation given below. The equation to convert the TX-XT readout to extensional stress is 5where: σ = extensional stressC = “constraint factor” (1.5 for 30º cone) Gc = acceleration of gravity A = projected area of cone = d = penetration depth 10 θ = cone angle For a 30º cone at 15 mm penetration, Equation 2 becomes This stress is equivalent to the static yield stress as measured by penetrometer.The extension rate is: 15 where έ = extension rate (s-1) V = cone velocity For a 30º cone moving at 1mm / s, έ = 0.249 s-1Temperature Correction 20 The hardness (yield stress) of skin cleansing bar formulations is temperature-sensitive. For meaningful comparisons, the reading at the target distance (RT) should be corrected to a standard reference temperature (normally 40ºC), according to the following equation: 25 where R40= reading at the reference temperature (40ºC) RT = reading at the temperature T α = coefficient for temperature correction P0000561CPL 31 T = temperature at which the sample was analyzed. The correction can be applied to the extensional stress. Raw and Processed Data The result is the temperature-corrected force or stress, but it is advisable to record the5 instrument reading and the sample temperature also. A hardness value of at least 1.2 kg (measured at 40ºC), preferably at least 2.7 kg is acceptable.

Claims

P0000561CPL 32 Claims1. An extruded soap bar composition comprisinga. 40 to 80 wt% total fatty matter,b. 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte,c. 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols, wherein polyol comprise propylene glycol andglycerin, wherein propylene glycol is 2.2 to 6 wt% and glycerin is 0.5 to 5.5wt% by the weight of the soap bar composition;d. 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, wherein at least 60 wt% of the total non-soap surfactant is anionic surfactant, ande. 10 to 30 wt% water.

2. A soap bar composition according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein fattyacid in the total fatty matter has C16:C18 ratio in the range of 1.5:1 to 10:1.

3. A soap bar composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the % weight ratio of ofpropylene glycol to glycerin is in the range of 0.05:1 to 15:1.

4. A soap bar composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3,wherein the electrolyte is selected from the group of sodium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium sulphate, sodium chloride and mixtures thereof.

5. A soap bar composition according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 to 4,wherein the propylene glycol is present in an amount of from 1 to 5.5 wt% by theweight of the soap bar composition.

6. A soap bar composition according to anyone of the preceding claims 1 to 5,wherein the iodine value of the soap composition is 30 to 45 g / Iodine per 100 g of the soap composition.

7. A soap composition according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, whereinthe composition has a pH in the range from 9 to 13, when measured in a 4% solution with distilled water at 25°C.P0000561CPL 338. A process for preparing soap bar composition, the process comprising steps:i) saponifying a fatty matter with an alkali to produce a saponified mass,wherein 0.1 to 4 wt% of an electrolyte by weight of a resulting soap barcomposition is added during the saponification process; ii) adding 1 to 15 wt% of total polyols by weight of the resulting soapcomposition, wherein polyol comprises 0.5 to 6 wt% propylene glycol byweight of the resulting soap bar composition and 0.5 to 5.5 wt% glycerin byweight of the resulting soap bar composition, to the saponified massresulting from step i); and iii) extruding the soap mass resulting from step (ii) to obtain the resulting soapbar according to anyone of the preceding claims from 1 to 7; wherein non-soap surfactant is added during step (i) or step (ii).

9. A process according to claim 8, wherein weight ratio of the propylene glycol to theglycerin is in the range of 0.05:1 to 15:1.

10. Use of propylene glycol and glycerin to achieve enhanced translucency in anextruded soap bar composition comprising: a. 40 to 80 wt% total fatty matter,b. 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte,c. 1 to 15 wt% of total polyol, wherein polyol comprises 0.5 to 6 wt%propylene glycol by weight of the soap bar composition and 0.5 to 5.5 wt%glycerin by weight of the soap bar composition ,d. 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, wherein at least 60 wt% of the total non-soap surfactant is anionic surfactant, and e. 10 to 30 wt% water wherein the translucency is measured by placing aphoto-sensor inside a closed box with 200 W LED bulb as a light source and in absence of light interference from an external source .P0000561CPL 3411. Use according to claim 10, wherein propylene glycol and glycerin are used in aweight ratio 0.05:1 to 15:1.

12. Use of propylene glycol and glycerin in an extruded soap bar composition toachieve LUX value greater than 120, the soap bar composition comprising: a. 40 to 80 wt% total fatty matter,b. 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte,c. 1 to 15 wt% of total polyol, wherein polyol comprises 0.5 to 6 wt%propylene glycol by weight of the soap bar composition and 0.5 to 5.5 wt%glycerin by weight of the soap bar composition;d. 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, wherein at least 60 wt% of the total non-soap surfactant is anionic surfactant, and e. 10 to 30 wt% waterwherein the LUX value is measured by placing a photo-sensor inside a closed box with 200 W LED bulb as a light source and in absence of light interference from an external source.

13. Use of propylene glycol and glycerin in an extruded soap bar composition forachieving hardness of at least 2.5 Kg-F measured at 40°C the soap barcomposition comprising: a. 40 to 80 wt% total fatty matter,b. 0.1 to 4 wt% electrolyte,c. 1 to 15 wt% of total polyol, wherein polyol comprises 0.5 to 6 wt%propylene glycol by weight of the soap bar composition and 0.5 to 5.5 wt%glycerin by weight of the soap bar composition ;d. 0.1 to 5 wt% non-soap surfactant, wherein at least 60 wt% of the total non-soap surfactant is anionic surfactant, and e. 10 to 30 wt% waterwherein the hardness of the soap bar is measured by penetrometer method using TA-XT Express apparatus having a 30° conical probe which penetrates to depth of 15 mm.

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