ES2601135T3 - Compositions for laundry - Google Patents

Abstract

A laundry detergent composition comprising: - (a) from 1 to 40% by weight of non-ionic surfactant; (b) from 1 to 40% by weight of anionic surfactant; (c) from 1 to 15% by weight of a carboxylic alkyl ether or the carboxylate salt thereof; and (d) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a polyglucosamine or a copolymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine.

Description

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DESCRIPTION

Compositions for washing clothes Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a laundry composition. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a fabric softener in the laundry composition.

Background of the invention

Textile fabrics, including clothing, have traditionally been washed with laundry detergents. After cleaning, the tissues can often have a rough feel. To avoid the disadvantage that the tissues have a rough feel after washing and especially experienced after multiple cycles of washing and use, the technologies have been developed to increase the softness of the tissues, including conditioning compositions that are added to the fabric. rinse and softener systems added to the detergent composition. These formulations are sometimes classified as softeners in laundry detergents.

There is a need to improve the smoothness of laundry detergents.

Alkylether carboxylates are known as anionic surfactants in laundry formulations. The present inventors have discovered that a formulation comprising a carboxylic alkylene acid or an alkylene carboxylate salt together with a polyglucosamine or a glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine copolymer provides excellent wash smoothness.

Summary of the invention

In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a laundry detergent composition comprising: -

(a) from 1 to 40% by weight of non-ionic surfactant;

(b) from 1 to 40% by weight of anionic surfactant;

(c) from 1 to 15% by weight of a carboxylic alkylene acid or the carboxylate salt thereof; Y

(d) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a polyglucosamine or a copolymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine.

Preferably the carboxylic alkylene acid or the salt thereof and the polyglucosamine or the glucosamine copolymer and N-acetylglucosamine are included in the form of an emulsion.

Preferably the emulsion is an aqueous emulsion. The emulsion may optionally include an emulsifier.

Preferred compositions according to the present invention comprise:

(a) from 1 to 40% by weight of non-ionic surfactant;

(b) from 1 to 40% by weight of anionic surfactant; Y

(c) an aqueous emulsion comprising by weight of the total composition: -

(i) from 1 to 15% by weight of a carboxylic alkylene acid or the carboxylate salt thereof; Y

(ii) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a polyglucosamine or a copolymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine.

Preferably the polyglucosamine or the glucosamine copolymer and N-acetylglucosamine is chitosan.

Preferably the polyglucosamine or the glucosamine copolymer and N-acetylglucosamine are neutralized with an organic acid.

Preferably the polyglucosamine or the glucosamine copolymer and N-acetylglucosamine are present at a level of 0.5 to 7.5% by weight, more preferably 1 to 5% by weight, most preferably at a level of 1 to 2, 5% by weight.

Preferably the carboxylic alkylene acid or the carboxylate salt thereof is present at a level of 1 to 10%, more preferably at a level of 2 to 7.5% by weight.

The preferred carboxylic alkylene acid or carboxylate salt is represented by formula 1:

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image 1

12 1

wherein R indicates a saturated or unsaturated C6-C22 alkyl chain; R and R are both hydrogen; or R is hydrogen and R2 is CH3; or R1 is CH3 and R2 is hydrogen; R3 is hydrogen, or a solubilizing cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium; and n is a number from 2 to 20, preferably from 3 to 12, more preferably from 3 to 10, which indicates the number of repeating units.

The preferred carboxylic alkylene acids or carboxylate salts thereof have a C8-C18 alkyl chain with between 2 and 20, more preferably between 3 and 12, even more preferably between 3 and 10 glycol repeating units, in which glycol repeating units are selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or mixtures thereof. By this it is also understood that the molecule of Formula 1 may contain mixtures of repeating units of polyethylene glycol (also known as ethylene oxide) and polypropylene glycol (also known as propylene oxide).

Preferably a cationic polymer is present at a level of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight. Preferably the non-unique surfactant comprises an alcohol ethoxylate.

Preferably the detergent composition is a fluid detergent composition for washing clothes.

If the composition is a fluid, then it preferably has a pH of 6.2 to 9, more preferably pH 6.5 to 8.5, for example pH 6.5 to 8.

Preferably, the weight ratio of the carboxylic alkylene acid or the carboxylate salt thereof to the polyglucosamine or a glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine copolymer is 1.5: 1 to 100: 1.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a method for softening tissues, comprising the steps: -

(a) provide a composition for laundry washing according to the first aspect;

(b) contacting one or more textile articles with the composition at one or more points during the main wash of a washing procedure; Y

(c) allow textile arches to dry or mechanically dry them in a drum.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides the use of an aqueous emulsion comprising a carboxylic alkylene acid or a carboxylate salt thereof and a polyglucosamine or a glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine copolymer in accordance with what is described herein for Provide softness to the tissues.

Detailed description of the invention

As used herein, the term "comprising" means that it includes, is made of, is composed of, consists of and / or consists essentially of.

All percentages cited are% by weight based on the total amount of the laundry composition unless otherwise indicated.

The present invention is directed to laundry compositions containing carboxylic alkylene acid or a carboxylate salt thereof, a polyglucosamine or a glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine co-polymer, a non-unique surfactant and an anionic surfactant. The composition shows an improved smoothness in washing.

Form of the invention

The present invention can take any of a number of forms that are compositions for washing clothes. Examples include powders, granules, bars, gels and fluids. Preferably the composition is in the form of a fluid product for washing clothes. Preferably they are products for the main wash. It can take the form of a composition for washing clothes for the main wash, which can be dilutable or non-dilutable. The composition for washing clothes can be, for example, an isotropic fluid or a surfactant structure fluid. Particularly preferred embodiments of the present invention include a combination of detergent / softener products that provide "gentle washing."

Preferably the detergent composition is a fluid detergent composition for washing clothes. Preferably the liquid composition has a pH of 6.2 to 9, more preferably pH 6.5 to 8.5, for example pH 6.5 to 8.

Preferably, the weight ratio of the carboxylic alkylene acid or a carboxylate salt thereof to 5 polyglucosamine or a glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine copolymer is 1.5: 1 to 100: 1.

Polyglucosamine

The composition comprises a polyglucosamine or a co-polymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine.

Polyglucosamine can be derived from animal or plant raw material and is prepared by deacetylation of chitin, for example a 50-100% deacetylation. Therefore the polyglucosamine can be a co-polymer of 10 glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. For the purposes of the present invention, when referring to polyglucosamine, it encompasses both polyglucosamine (for example when the chitin raw material is 100% deacetylated) and a copofluor of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine (for example, when the matter Chitin cousin is only partially deacetylated).

Polyglucosamine or a co-polymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine are present at a level of 0.1 to 10% by weight. Preferably the polyglucosamine or a co-polymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine are

present at a level of 0.1 to 7.5% by weight, more preferably at a level of 0.1 to 5% by weight, most preferably at a level of 0.2 to 2.5% by weight.

Alternatively, the polyglucosamine or a co-polymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine may be present at a level of 0.5 to 7.5% by weight, preferably at a level of 1 to 5% by weight, more preferably at a level of 1 at 2.5% by weight.

The preferred polyglucosamine or a co-polymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine is chitosan.

Chitosan can have polydispersity and a low, medium or high molecular weight.

The polyglucosamine or the co-polymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine, preferably chitosan, can be neutralized (totally or partially) with an organic acid.

25 Carboxylic alkylene acid

The composition comprises 1 to 15% by weight of carboxylic alkylene acid or a carboxylate salt thereof.

The carboxylic / carboxylate alkylene acid (AEC) is normally derived from a fatty alcohol that is alkoxylated, usually with ethylene glycol and / or propylene glycol, then a carboxylic acid is introduced into the material to form the carboxylic alkylene acid.

Preferably the carboxylic alkylene acid or the carboxylate salt thereof is present at a level of 1 to 10%, more preferably at a level of 2 to 7.5% by weight.

The preferred carboxylic alkylene acid or carboxylate salt is represented by formula 1:

35

image2

1 2

wherein R indicates a saturated or unsaturated C6-C22 alkyl chain; R and R are both hydrogen (in which case the repeating unit is ethylene glycol known as (EO) for short); or R1 is hydrogen and R2 is cH3; or R1 is CH3 and R2 is hydrogen (in which case the repeating unit is propylene glycol, known as (PO) for short); R3 is hydrogen (in which case it is a carboxylic alkylene acid), or a solubilizing cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium (in which case, it is alkylene ether carboxylate salt); and n is a number from 2 to 20, preferably from 3 to 12, more preferably from 3 to 10, indicating the number of repeating units.

The preferred carboxylic alkylene acids or carboxylate salts thereof have a C8-C18 alkyl chain between 2 and 20, more preferably between 3 and 12, even more preferably between 3 and 10 glycol repeating units, in which the glycol repeating units are selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or mixtures thereof. This means that the molecule of formula 1 may contain mixtures of units of

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repetition of polyethylene glycol (also known as ethylene oxide) and polypropylene glycol (also known as propylene oxide).

When it is in the form of an alkylene carboxylate salt, a preferred salt is sodium. Examples of suitable materials are oxylalkylene ether carboxylic acid (8EO), oxylalkylether carboxylic acid (10EO) or laureth-5 carboxylic acid (5EO) and the sodium salts thereof.

Emulsions

The polyglucosamine and the carboxylic alkylene acid or the carboxylate salt thereof are administered in the composition in the form of an emulsion. The administration of a complex of these two active ingredients in the form of an emulsion further improves the fabric softener for the treated tissues.

Preferably the emulsion is an aqueous emulsion.

In an example emulsion, the carboxylic alkylene acid or the carboxylate salt thereof is dissolved in water and protonated with a molar equivalent acid (for example, HCl), the polyglucosamine is added and the mixture is allowed to stir for 24 hours. The alkylene ether carboxylate / polyglucosamine emulsion is then filtered (for example through gauze) to remove any undissolved reagent and dialyzed to remove any remaining free acid, resulting in the desired aqueous emulsion comprising polyglucosamine and acid carboxylic alkylene / carboxylate salt.

An optional emulsifier may be included to aid in the formation of the emulsion, although it is not required. Surfactants

The detergent composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant.

Preferably, the nonionic surfactant component comprises alcohol ethoxylate.

Alcohol ethoxylates are formed from the reaction of primary or secondary alcohols with ethylene oxide. Typically, a straight or branched primary to secondary C18 aliphatic alcohol is reacted with ethylene oxide in the molar amount required to produce the alcohol ethoxylate. Preferred alcohol ethoxylates have 2 to 40, preferably 3 to 30, more preferably 5 to 20 units of ethylene oxide attached to the aliphatic chain.

Surfactants can be chosen from the surfactants described in "Surface Active Agents", volume 1, of Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949, volume 2 of Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958, in the current edition of "McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in "Tenside Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2nd edition, by Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981. Preferably the surfactants used are saturated.

Suitable non-ionic detergent compounds that can be used include, in particular, the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example, aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene oxide. The specific non-ionic detergent compounds are C6 to C22 alkylphenolethylene oxide condensates, generally 5 to 25 EO, that is 5 to 25 units of ethylene oxide per molecule, and the condensation products of primary Ca to C18 aliphatic alcohols or secondary straight or branched with ethylene oxide, generally 5 to 40 EO.

Suitable anionic detergent compounds that can be used are water-soluble alkali metal salts of sulfates and organic sulphonates having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term "alkyl" being used including the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Examples of suitable synthetic anionic detergent compounds are potassium and sodium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfation of higher C8 to C18 alcohols, produced for example from tallow or coconut oil, Cg to C20 alkyl benzene sulphonates potassium and sodium, particularly C10 to C15 benzene sulfonates of sodium straight secondary alkyl; and sodium sulfates alkyl glyceryl ether, especially ethers of higher alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil and synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum. The anionic surfactant may also include C6-C22 fatty acid soaps. Preferred anionic detergent compounds are sodium C11 to C15 alkylbenzene sulphonates and sodium C12 to C18 alkyl sulfates. Salts of sulfonates included as hydrotropes can be additionally considered as anionic surfactants as defined herein. Also applicable are surfactants such as those described in EP-A-328 177 (Unilever), which show desalination resistance, the alkyl polyglucoside surfactants described in EP-A-070 074 and the alkyl monoglucosides.

The non-ionic detergent is present in amounts of 1 to 40% by weight, preferably 5 to 35% by weight, more preferably 6 to 20% by weight.

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The anionic surfactant is present in amounts of 1 to 40% by weight, preferably 5 to 35% by weight, more preferably 6 to 20% by weight.

The total amount of surfactant present in the composition is preferably at least 5% by weight, more preferably at least 10% by weight. More preferably, the total amount of surfactant is 15 to 65% by weight, preferably 10 to 50% by weight.

Other surfactants such as cationic surfactants and amphoteric / zwitterionic surfactants such as beta in addition to the aforementioned non-ionic and anionic surfactants may be present.

Optional ingredients

Cationic polymer

The composition may additionally comprise a cationic polymer.

This term refers to polymers that have a global positive charge.

Preferably the cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: cationic polysaccharide polymers and non-drawn cationic polymers having quaternary ammonium or cationic protonated amine functionalities that are homo- or copolymers derived from monomers containing a quaternary nitrogen or polymerized amino functional group of at least one of the following classes of monomers: acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide; allyls (including diallyl and metalyl); ethyleneimine; and / or classes of vinyl monomers, and mixtures thereof.

More preferably the cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of cationic cellulose polymers, cationic guar polymers, polymers containing cationic diallyl quaternary ammonium and homopolymers and copolymers of dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, (meth) diethylaminoethyl acrylate or ( meth) tertbutylaminoethyl acrylate in its protonated or quaternary amine form, and mixtures thereof.

More preferably the cationic polymer is a cationic polysaccharide polymer.

More preferably the cationic polysaccharide polymer is a cationic or cationic guar cellulose polymer. More preferably the cationic polymer is a cationic cellulose polymer, for example quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose.

The composition may include a single cationic polymer or a mixture of cationic polymers of the same or of different kinds, that is to say that the composition may contain a cationic polysaccharide polymer and a non-polysaccharide cationic polymer.

Cationic polysaccharide polymer

The phrase "cationic polysaccharide polymer" refers to polymers that have a polysaccharide skeleton and a global positive charge. Polysaccharides are polymers formed from monosaccharide monomers linked to each other by glycosidic bonds.

The polymers based on cationic polysaccharides present in the compositions of the present invention have a modified polysaccharide skeleton, modified because the additional chemical groups have reacted with some of the free hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide skeleton to give a global positive charge to the Modified cellulosic monomer unit.

A preferred class of cationic polysaccharide polymers suitable for the present invention consists of those having a modified polysaccharide skeleton incorporating a quaternary ammonium salt. Preferably the quaternary ammonium salt is attached to the polysaccharide backbone by a hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl group. Preferably the nitrogen charged from the quaternary ammonium salt has one or more substituents of the alkyl group.

Preferred cationic polysaccharide based polymers have a skeleton based on guar or cellulose. Cationic cellulose-based polymers are the most preferred. Guar is a galactomannan that has a mannose skeleton linked by p-1.4 bonds with branching points in galactose units linked by α-1,6 bonds.

Suitable derivatives of guar cationic gum, such as guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, specific examples that include the commercially available Jaguar series from Rhone-Poulenc Incorporated and the N-Hance series commercially available from Aqualon Division of Hercules, Inc.

An example of a preferred guar-based cationic polymer is the 2-hydroxy-3- (trimethyl-ammonium) propylene ether salt of guar.

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55

Cellulose is a polysaccharide with glucose as its monomer, specifically it is a straight chain polymer of D-glucopyranose units linked through p-1,4 glucoside bonds and is a linear, unbranched polymer.

Examples of cationic cellulose polymers are hydroxyethyl cellulose salts that react with trimethylammonium substituted epoxide, referred to in the art according to the international nomenclature of cosmetic ingredients such as Polyquatermium 10 and is commercially available from Amerchol Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company , marketed as the Polymer LR, JR, and KG polymers series. Other suitable types of cationic cellulose include the hydroxyethyl cellulose quaternary ammonium polymer salts that react with lauryl dimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, known in the art according to the international nomenclature of cosmetic ingredients such as Polyquaternium 24. These materials are available from Amerchol Corporation marketed as Polymer LM-200

Typical examples of preferred cationic cellulosic polymers include cocodimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, lauryldimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, stearyldimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, and stearyldimethylammonium hydroxyethyl cellulose; 2-hydroxyethyl 2-hydroxy 3- (trimethyl ammonium) propylene, polyquaternium-4, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-24 and polyquaternium-67 cellulose salt or mixtures thereof.

More preferably the cationic cellulosic polymer is a cationic polymer of quaternized cellulose hydroxether. These are commonly known as polyquaternium-10. Commercial cationic cellulose polymer products suitable for use in accordance with the present invention are marketed by the Amerchol Corporation under the trade name UCARE.

Other classes of cationic polymers

Cationic polymers of non-polysaccharide base can also be used. Suitable cationic non-drawn polymers include those that have functionalities of cationic protonated amine or quaternary ammonium that are homo or copolymers derived from monomers containing a functional group of quaternary nitrogen or polymerized amino between at least one of the following classes of monomers: acrylate, methacrylate, acrylamide, methacrylamide; allyls (including diallyl and metalyl); ethyleneimine; and / or vinyl monomer classes and mixtures thereof.

Preferred non-cationic cationic polymers include polymers containing cationic and homo diallyl quaternary ammonium and copolymers of dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate or tertbutylaminoethyl acrylate in its protonated or quaternary amine form and mixtures thereof.

Other cationic polymers suitable for use in the compositions include 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone copolymers and 1-vinyl-3-methylimidazolium salt (known as Polyquatemium-16); copolymers of 1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (known as Polyquaternium-11); polymers containing cationic diallyl quaternary ammonium, including, for example, homopolymer of dimethyldiallylammonium chloride, copolymers of acrylamide and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (known as Polyquatemium 6 and Polyquatemium 7 respectively); amphoteric copolymers of acrylic acid including copolymers of acrylic acid and dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (known as Polyquatemium 22), terpolymers of acrylic acid with dimethyldiallylammonium chloride and acrylamide (known as Polyquatemium 39) and terpolymers of acrylamide methacrylamide (methacrylamide acrylamide (methacrylamide) known as Polyquatemium 47). Preferred cationic substituted monomers are cationic substituted dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamides, dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylamides and combinations thereof.

The counterion of the cationic polymer is freely chosen from the halides: chloride, bromide and iodide; or of hydroxide, phosphate, sulfate, hydrosulfate, ethyl sulfate, methylsulfate, formate and acetate.

The cationic polymer is present at a level of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 2% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 1% by weight.

Many of the aforementioned cationic polymers can be synthesized in, and are available in the market in, a number of different molecular weights. Preferably the molecular weight of the cationic polymer is 10,000 to 2,000,000 Daltons, more preferably 10,000 to 500,000 Daltons.

The detergent composition may optionally comprise one or more of the following optional ingredients, matting dye, enzyme, anti-redeposition polymer, dye transfer inhibitor polymer, adjuvant, sequestrant, sunscreen and / or dirt release polymer.

Adjuvants and kidnappers

The detergent compositions may also optionally contain relatively low levels of organic detergent adjuvant or sequestrant material. Examples include alkali metal, citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethyl succinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyacetyl carboxylates. Specific examples include sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxidisuccmic acid, melttic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, alkyl acid

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alkenyl succinic, nitrilotriacetic acid and cfric acid. Other examples are DEQUEST ™, organic phosphonate sequestering agents sold by Monsanto and alkanohydroxy phosphonates.

Other suitable organic adjuvants include copolymers and higher molecular weight polymers known for their adjuvant properties. For example, such materials include suitable polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and copolymers of polyamine / polyamleic acid and their salts, such as those sold by BASF under the trade name SOKALAN ™. Another suitable adjuvant is sodium carbonate.

If used, the adjuvant materials may comprise from about 0.5 to 20% by weight, preferably from 1 to 10% by weight, of the composition. The preferred adjuvant level is less than 10% by weight and preferably less than 5% by weight of the composition.

Preferably, the laundry detergent formulation is a laundry detergent formulation with phosphate-free adjuvants, that is, it contains less than 1% phosphate by weight.

Tinting dyes

The tinting dyes are deposited in the tissue during the washing or rinsing stage of the washing procedure providing a visible hue to the tissue. The hue of white garments can be made with any color depending on the consumer's preference. Blues and violets are particularly preferred nuances and consequently the dyes or mixtures of preferred dyes are those that give a white or violet shade to white tissues. The tints used are preferably blue or violet.

The tinting chromophore dye is preferably selected from the group comprising: mono-azo, bis-azo, triphenylmethane, triphenedioxazine, phthalocyanine, naphtolactam, azine and anthraquinone. More preferably mono-azo, bis-azo, azine and anthraquinone.

More preferably the dye carries at least one sulfonate group.

Preferred tinting dyes are selected from direct dyes, acid dyes, hydrophobic dyes, cationic dyes and reactive dyes.

If included, the tinting dye is present in the composition in a range of 0.0001 to 0.01% by weight.

Fluorescent agent

The composition preferably comprises a fluorescent agent (optical brightener). Fluorescent agents are well known and many such fluorescent agents are commercially available. Normally, these fluorescent agents are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, for example, sodium salts. The total amount of the fluorescent agent or agents used in the composition is generally from 0.005 to 2% by weight, more preferably from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight. Preferred classes of fluorescent agents are: diethyryl biphenyl compounds, for example Tinopal (trade mark), CBS-X, diaminostilbene disulfonic acid compounds, for example, Tinopal DMS pure Xtra and Blankophor (trade mark) HRH, and compounds of pyrazoline, for example Blankophor SN. Preferred fluorescent agents are: 2- (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl) -2H-naphhol [1,2-d] sodium triazole, 4,4'-bis {[(4-anilino-6- (N-methyl) -N-2-hydroxyethyl) amino 1,3,5-triazin-2-yl)] amino} stilbene-2-2 'disodium disulfonate, 4,4'-bis {[(4-anilino-6-morpholin-1 , 3,5-triazin-2-yl)] amino} stilben-2-2 'disodium disulfonate and 4,4'-bis (2-sulfoestyryl) biphenyl disodium.

Fragrance

Preferably the composition comprises a perfume. The perfume is preferably in the range of 0.001% to 3% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight. Many suitable examples of perfumes are provided in La Grna International for the Consumer of the CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragance Association) of 1992, published by CFTA Publications and OPD of 1993 Chemicals Buyers Directory 80th Annual Edition, published by Schnell Publishing Co.

It is common for a plurality of perfume components to be present in a formulation. In the compositions of the present invention it is contemplated that there will be four or more, preferably five or more, more preferably six or more or even seven or more different perfume components.

In perfume mixtures preferably 15 to 25% by weight are high notes. High marks are defined by Poucher (Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 6 (2): 80 [1955]). Preferred high notes are selected from citric oils, linalool, linalyl acetate, lavender, dihydromyrcenol, rose oxide and cis-3-hexanol.

It is preferred that the laundry washing treatment composition does not contain a peroxygen bleach, for example, sodium percarbonate, sodium perborate and peracide.

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Polymers

The composition may comprise one or more pokmeros. The pokmeros can collaborate in the cleaning procedure by helping to retain the dirt in solution or in suspension and / or avoiding the transfer of dyes. Polymers can also assist in the dirt removal procedure. Polymers of dye transfer, anti-redeposition and dirt release are described in more detail below.

The composition may comprise one or more polymers. Examples are: carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, poly (ethylene glycol), poly (vinyl alcohol), ethoxylated polyamines, polycarboxylates such as polyacrylates, maleic / acrylic acid copolymers and lauryl methacrylate / acido copolymers.

Dye transfer inhibitors

Modern detergent compositions typically employ polymers such as so-called "dye transfer inhibitors". These prevent the migration of dyes, especially during long periods of immersion. Generally, such dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, N-vinyl pyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole copolymers, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases and mixtures thereof and are generally present at a level from 0.01 to 10% by weight based on the total amount of the laundry composition.

Anti-redeposition Polymers

Anti-redeposition polymers are designed to suspend or disperse dirt. Typically the anti-redeposition polymers are propoxylated and or ethoxylated polycarboxylate or polyethyleneimine materials, for example, homo or copolymers based on acrylic acid available under the trademark ACUSOL of Dow Chemical, Alcosperse de Akzonobel or Sokolan de BASF.

Dirt Release Polymers

Examples of suitable soil release polymers include poly (vinyl ester) graft copolymers, for example, C1-C6 vinyl esters, preferably poly (vinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide. The soil release agents of this type available on the market include the type of SOKALAN material, for example, SOKALAN HP-22, available from BASF (West Germany). Additional suitable soil release polymers of a different type include commercially available ZELCON 5126 (from DuPont) and MILEASE T (from ICI). If present, the dirt release polymer can be included at a level of 0.01 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount in the laundry composition. Additional examples of dirt release polymers are tetraphthalic acid / glycol copolymers sold under the trade names Texcare, Repel-o-tex, Gerol, Marloquest, Cirrasol.

Hydrotropes

The detergent composition, especially when a liquid composition can optionally include a hydrotrope, can prevent the formation of liquid crystals. The addition of the hydrotrope in this way contributes to the clarity / transparency of the composition. Suitable hydrotropes include but are not limited to propylene glycol, ethanol, urea, benzenesulfonate salts, toluenesulfonate, xylenesulfonate or cumensulfonate. Suitable salts include but are not limited to sodium, potassium, ammonium, monoethanolamine, triethanolamine. Sulfonate salts can also be considered as anionic surfactants as defined herein. Preferably, the hydrotrope is selected from the group consisting of propylene glycol, xylenesulfonate, ethanol and urea to provide optimum performance. The amount of hydrotrope is generally in the range of 0 to 30%, preferably 0.5 to 30%, more preferably 1 to 15%.

Enzymes

Enzymes may also be present in the formulation. Preferred enzymes include: protease, lipase, pectate lyase, amylase, cutinase, cellulase, manase. If enzymes are present they can be stabilized with an enzyme stabilizer known for example boric acid.

Examples

Preparation of the carboxylic / chitosan alkylene carboxylate emulsion

11.19 g of Emulsogen Col 100 (a carboxylic acid of oleic alcohol polyethylene glycol ether (10EO) available) was dissolved in deionized water (500 ml) and protonated with equivalent moles of HCl. Then LMW chitosan (2.5 g) was added and the mixture was stirred for 24 hours. The resulting product was filtered through gauze to remove any undissolved reagent, and then dialyzed to remove free acid.

This resulted in an aqueous emulsion comprising chitosan and alkylene carboxylic carboxylate.

Softener performance

The performance of the emulsifier softener was tested, by itself and in a laundry detergent (Formula A) against various controls (water and the laundry detergent formulation itself).

 Formula A - Ingredients

 % in weigh

 LAS acid (anionic surfactant)

 5

 SLES (anionic surfactant)

 2.5

 NEODOL 25-7E (non-ionic surfactant)

 7.5

 PRIFAC 5908 (fatty acid)

 one

 Propylene glycol

 twenty

 Triethanolamine

 2

 Cfric acid (50%)

 2

 Betama

 0.25

 EPEI

 2.5

 NaOH

 up to pH 7

 Water

 up to 100

5 Four formulations were tested: -

1. Water

2. Formula A (dosed at 1.25 g per wash)

3. Chitosan / alkylene carboxylate emulsion (dosed at 5 g per wash)

4. Formula A (dosed at 1.25 g per wash) + emulsion (dosed at 5 g per wash)

10 The experiment involved dosing 500 ml of water in a 1 liter bottle together with 4 pieces of plush towel. The ratio of liquor to tissue weight was 10: 1. The formulation amounts were also added and the bottle was stirred for 30 minutes on a rotary shaker at room temperature to replicate a washing machine. The wash liquor was removed and each group of plush towels was rinsed twice, for 10 minutes using 500 ml of water, again in the rotary stirrer at room temperature. The plush towels were laid to dry.

15 The treated plush towels were evaluated by ten experts who rated them 1-4 in terms of softness (4 = the softest). An average was made with the total qualifications to give a softness score.

 Formulation

 Average mark

 Water

 1.1

 Formulation A

 1.9

 Emulsion

 3.3

 A + emulsion formulation

 3.7

It is clear from the results of softness that the emulsion provided a greatly improved smoothness with respect to water control. It is also clear that the emulsion also greatly improved the smoothness of the laundry detergent composition.

Claims (15)

5 10 fifteen twenty 25 30 35 40 1. A laundry detergent composition comprising: - (a) from 1 to 40% by weight of non-ionic surfactant; (b) from 1 to 40% by weight of anionic surfactant; (c) from 1 to 15% by weight of a carboxylic alkylene acid or the carboxylate salt thereof; Y (d) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a polyglucosamine or a co-polymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. 2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the alkyl carboxylic ether acid or the salt thereof and the polyglucosamine or the glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine copolymer are included in the form of an emulsion, preferably an aqueous emulsion and which optionally includes an emulsifier. 3. A composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, comprising: (a) from 1 to 40% by weight of non-ionic surfactant; (b) from 1 to 40% by weight of anionic surfactant; Y (c) an aqueous emulsion comprising by weight of the total composition: - (i) from 1 to 15% by weight of a carboxylic alkylene acid or the carboxylate salt thereof; Y (ii) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a polyglucosamine or a co-polymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine. 4. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the polyglucosamine or the glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine co-polymer is chitosan. 5. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the polyglucosamine or the glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine co-polymer is neutralized by an organic acid. 6. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the polyglucosamine or the glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine co-polymer is present at a level of 0.1 to 7.5% by weight, preferably at a level of 0.1 5% by weight, more preferably at a level of 0.2 to 2.5% by weight. 7. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the carboxylic alkylene acid or carboxylate salt thereof is present at a level of 1 to 10% by weight, preferably at a level of 2 to 7.5% in weight. 8. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the alkyl carboxylic ether acid or carboxylate salt is represented by: image 1 wherein R denotes a saturated or unsaturated C6-C22 alkyl chain; R1 and R2 are either hydrogen; or R1 is hydrogen and R2 is CH3; or R1 is CH3 and R2 is hydrogen; R3 is hydrogen, or a solubilizing cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium; and n is a number from 2 to 20, preferably 3 to 12, which denotes the number of repetition units. 9. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the alkyl ether carboxylic acid or the carboxylate salt has a C8-C18 alkyl chain with between 2-12 glycol repeating units, in which the repeating units of glycol are selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or mixtures thereof. 10. A composition according to any preceding claim, further comprising 0.1 to 1% by weight of a cationic polymer. 11. A composition according to any preceding claim, which is a fluid composition. 12. A composition according to claim 11, having a pH of 6.2 to 9, preferably 6.5 to 8.5, more preferably 6.5 to 8. 13. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the weight ratio of the alkyl ether carboxylic acid or the carboxylate salt thereof to the polyglucosamine or a co-polymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine is 1.5: 1 a 100: 1 14. A procedure to soften tissues, comprising the steps: - (a) provide a laundry composition according to any preceding claim; (b) contacting one or more textile articles with the composition at one or more points during the main wash of a wash cycle; Y 5 (c) let the textile articles dry or mechanically dry them. 15. Use of an aqueous emulsion according to any one of claims 2 to 13, which comprises an alkyl ether carboxylic acid or carboxylate salt thereof, and a polyglucosamine or a copolymer of glucosamine and N-acetylglucosamine to provide smoothness to the tissues.