ES2622374T3 - Compositions for washing clothes - Google Patents

Abstract

A laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) 1 to 40% by weight of nonionic surfactant, comprising an alcohol ethoxylate; (b) from 4 to 40% by weight of anionic surfactant, comprising sodium and/or potassium C9 to C20 alkyl benzene sulfonate; (c) from 1 to 12% by weight of alkyl ether carboxylic acid or a carboxylate salt thereof; (d) from 0.1 to 10% by weight of betaine surfactant; and, (e) from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of cationic polymer.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Compositions for washing clothes Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a composition for washing clothes. More particularly, the invention relates to a softening system in the laundry composition for laundry.

Background of the invention

Textile fabrics, including fabrics, have traditionally been cleaned with laundry detergents. After cleaning, fabrics can often feel rough and wear and lose color with repeated wash cycles. In order to avoid the inconveniences that the fabrics give the sensation of being rough after cleaning and those experienced by multiple washing cycles, technologies have been developed to increase the softness of the fabrics, including conditioner compositions that are added in the rinse and smoothing systems added to the detergent composition. These formulations are sometimes classified as softeners in laundry detergents.

There is a need to improve softening in laundry detergents.

The alkyl ether carboxylates are known as anionic surfactants for laundry formulations. It has been found that a formulation comprising an alkyl ether carboxylate together with a betaine surfactant provides synergistically better smoothing.

In a first aspect, the invention relates to a laundry detergent composition comprising:

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

(b) from 4 to 40% by weight of anionic surfactant; comprising Cg to C20 alkyl sodium benzene sulfonate and / or potassium;

(c) from 1 to 12% by weight of alkyl ether carboxylic acid or a carboxylate salt thereof; Y,

(d) from 0.1 to 10% by weight of betaine surfactant; Y,

25 (e) from 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of cationic polymer.

Preferably, the nonionic surfactant comprises an alcohol ethoxylate.

Preferably, the betaine surfactant comprises amidobetaines, alkyl betaines or mixtures thereof.

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

Preferred alkyl ether carboxylic acid or carboxylate salt are represented by formula 1:

image 1

wherein R denotes a saturated or unsaturated C6-C22 alkyl chain; R1 and R2 are either both 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 from 3 to 12, more preferably from 3 to 10, which denotes the number of repeating units.

The preferred alkyl ether carboxylic 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 the glycol repeating units are selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof. By this it is 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).

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

A preferred level of the cationic polymer is 0.1 to 1% by weight.

Preferably, the cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: cationic polysaccharide polymers and cationic non-removed polymers having functionalities of quaternary ammonium or cationic protonated amine which are homo- or copolymers derived from monomers containing a quaternary nitrogen functional group or amino polymerized from 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, cationic diallyl ammonium containing polymers and dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate or tert-dimethyl copolymers. -butylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate in its protonated or quaternary amine form, and mixtures thereof.

Preferred cationic polysaccharide polymers are cationic guar polymers and cationic cellulose polymers. Particularly preferred is hydroxy ether cellulose which is modified by incorporation of cationic groups (ie, quaternized hydroxy ethyl cellulose).

Preferably, the detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition.

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

Optionally, but preferably, the composition further comprises an ingredient selected from, a shading dye, an enzyme, an antiredeposition polymer, a dye transfer inhibitor polymer, a detergency adjuvant, a sequestrant, a sunscreen and / or a dirt release polymer.

In a second aspect, the invention provides the use of a composition comprising an alkyl ether carboxylate, a cationic polymer and a betaine to soften the tissues.

Detailed description of the invention

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

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

The invention relates to laundry compositions containing an alkyl ether carboxylic acid or a carboxylate salt thereof, a cationic polymer, a non-ionic surfactant comprising an alcohol ethoxylate, a betaine surfactant and an anionic surfactant, which It comprises C9 to C20 alkyl sodium benzene sulfonate and / or potassium. The composition has improved stability with respect to the prior art at pH levels of 6.2 to 9.

Form of the invention

The invention can take any of several forms that are compositions for washing clothes. Examples include powders, granules, bars, gels and liquids. Preferably, the composition is in the form of a liquid product for washing clothes. Preferably, they are products for the main wash. They can take the form of a composition for washing clothes for the main wash, which can be diluted or not diluted. The composition for washing clothes can be, for example, an isotropic liquid, or a structured liquid with a surfactant. Particularly preferred forms of the present invention include the combination of detergent / softener products to provide a "wash softener".

Preferably, the detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition. 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.

Alkyl ether carboxylic acid

The composition comprises 1 to 12% by weight of an alkyl ether carboxylic acid or a carboxylate salt thereof.

The amount of alkyl ether carboxylic acid (or a salt thereof) is considered separate from, and not included in, the level of anionic surfactant present in the composition. Although the alkyl ether carboxylate (or a salt thereof) is itself considered an anionic surfactant, for the purposes of the present invention, the amount of anionic surfactant present in the formulation does not include the amount of alkyl ether carboxylate (or a salt of the same).

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

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

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

Preferred alkyl ether carboxylic acid or carboxylate salt are represented by formula 1:

image2

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

The alkyl ether carboxylic 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 the glycol repeating units are selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or mixtures thereof. By this it is 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).

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

Betaines

The composition comprises a betaine surfactant at a level of 0.1 to 10% by weight, preferably 0.2 to 10% by weight, for example, 0.3 to 5% by weight.

Preferred betaine surfactants are amidobetaines, alkyl betaines, sulfobetaines, sulfate betaines, or mixtures thereof. The most preferred betaine surfactants are amidobetaines, alkyl betaines, or mixtures thereof.

Preferred alkylbetaines have a formula of: CH3 (CH2) 6-20CH2N + (CH3) 2CH2COO-. The most preferred materials have a formula of: CH3 (CH2) 8-uCH2N + (CH3) 2CH2COO-. Other alkyl betaines include (dodecyldimethylammonium) acetate (also known as lauryl betaine), (tetradecyldimethylammonium) acetate (also known as myristyl betaine), (cocodimethylammonium) acetate (also known as coconut betaine); (Oleildimethylammonium) acetate (also known as oleyl betaine).

An example of alkyl betaine material is Empigen (trademark) BB surfactant, available from Sigma Aldrich.

Preferred amidobetaines are C8 to C18 alkyl amidoalkyl betaines; for example, (cocoamidopropyl dimethyl ammonium) acetate (also known as cocoamidopropyl betaine or CAPB).

Examples of sulfatobetaines are: 3- (dodecyl dimethyl ammonium) -1-propane sulfate; and 2- (cocodimethylammonium) -1-ethane sulfate.

Examples of sulfobetaines are: 3- (dodecyldimethylammonium) -2-hydroxy-1-propane sulfonate; 3- (tetradecyldimethylammonium) -1-propane sulfonate; 3- (C12-C14 alkyl-amidopropyldimethylammonium) -2-hydroxy-1-propane

sulfonate; and 3- (cocodimethylammonium) -1-propane sulfonate.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

Surfactants

The liquid detergent composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant and an anionic surfactant. The anionic surfactant comprises C9 to C20 alkyl sodium benzene sulfonate and / or potassium.

The nonionic surfactant component preferably comprises alcohol ethoxylate.

Alcohol ethoxylates are formed from the reaction of primary or secondary alcohols with ethylene oxide. Normally, a linear or branched primary or secondary Ce to 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" vol. 1, by Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949, vol. 2 by 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 ed., 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 group, 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 condensates of C6 to C22 alkyl phenol-ethylene oxide, in general 5 to 25 EO, that is, 5 to 25 units of ethylene oxide per molecule, and alcohol condensation products linear or branched Ce to C18 aliphatics, primary or secondary, with ethylene oxide, in general from 5 to 40 EO.

Suitable anionic detergent compounds that can be used may be 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 to include the alkyl part of upper acyl radicals. Examples of suitable synthetic anionic detergent compounds are sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating higher C8 to C18 alcohols, produced, for example, from tallow or coconut oil, C9 to C20 alkyl sodium benzene sulphonates and / or potassium, particularly C10 to C15 alkyl linear secondary sodium benzene sulfonates; and alkyl glyceryl ether sulfate sulfates, especially those ethers of the 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 C11 to C15 alkyl sodium benzene sulfonates and C12 to C18 alkyl sodium sulfates. Salts of sulfonates included as hydrotropes can additionally be considered as anionic surfactants as defined herein. Surfactants such as those described in EP-A-328 177 (Unilever), which show resistance to salt precipitation, alkyl polyglycoside surfactants described in EP-A-070 074 and alkyl monoglycosides can also be applied.

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.

The anionic surfactant is present in amounts of 4 to 40% by weight, preferably 5 to 35% by weight, more preferably 6 to 20% by weight. Although the alkyl ether carboxylate (or a salt thereof) is itself considered an anionic surfactant, for the purposes of the present invention, the amount of anionic surfactant present in the formulation does not include the amount of alkyl ether carboxylate (or a salt of the same).

The total amount of surfactant present in the liquid 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, may also be present in addition to the nonionic and anionic surfactants mentioned above.

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 cationic non-removed polymers having quaternary ammonium or protonated amine functionalities that are homo- or copolymers derived from monomers containing a quaternary nitrogen functional group or polymerized amino 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.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

More preferably, the cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of cationic cellulose polymers, cationic guar polymers, cationic diallyl ammonium containing polymers and dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate or tert-dimethyl copolymers. -butylaminoethyl (meth) 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 guar polymer or a cationic cellulose polymer. More preferably, the cationic polymer is a cationic cellulose polymer, for example, quaternized hydroxy ethyl cellulose.

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

Cationic polysaccharide polymer

The term "cationic polysaccharide polymer" refers to polymers that have a polysaccharide structure and a global positive charge. Polysaccharides are polymers formed by monosaccharide monomers linked together by glycosides.

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

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

Preferred cationic polysaccharide based polymers have a cellulose based or guar gum based structure. Cationic cellulose-based polymers are the most preferred. Guar gum is a galactomannan that has a mannose structure attached at p-1.4 with branched points to galactose units attached at a-1.6.

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

An example of a preferred guar gum based cationic polymer is the 2-hydroxy-3- (trimethylammonium) propyl ether salt of guar gum.

Cellulose is a polysaccharide with glucose as its monomer, specifically it is a linear chain polymer of D-glucopyranoside units linked by glycosidic bonds in p-1.4 and is a linear, unbranched polymer.

Examples of cationic cellulose polymers are the hydroxyethyl cellulose salts that are reacted with trimethylammonium substituted epoxide, termed in the field according to the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients as polyquaternium-10 and is commercially available from Amerchol Corporation, a subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company, marketed as the Polymer LR, JR, and KG polymer series. Other suitable types of cationic celluloses include the polymeric quaternary ammonium salts of hydroxyethylcellulose which are reacted with lauryl dimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, referred to in the field according to the International Nomenclature for Cosmetic Ingredients 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, lauryl dimethyl ammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose, stearyldimethylammonium hydroxypropyl oxyethyl cellulose and stearyldimethylammonium hydroxyethyl cellulose; 2-hydroxyethyl 2-hydroxy 3- (trimethylammonium) propyl ether cellulose salt, polyquaternium-4, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-24 and polyquaternium-67 or mixtures thereof.

More preferably, the cationic cellulosic polymer is a cationic hydroxy ether quaternized cellulose polymer. These are commonly known as polyquaternium-10. Commercial cationic cellulosic polymer products suitable for use according to the present invention are marketed by the Amerchol Corporation under the trade name UCARE.

Other classes of cationic polymers

Cationic polymers based on non-polysaccharide polymers can also be used. Suitable non-removed cationic polymers include those that have quaternary ammonium or protonated amine functionalities.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

cations that are homo- or copolymers derived from monomers containing a functional group of quaternary nitrogen or polymerized amino 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.

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

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

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

Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is believed that the species responsible for providing a softening benefit in these formulations is a polymer / surfactant complex, especially a cationic polymer / AEC complex.

The cationic polymer is present at a level of 0.1 to 1.5% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 1% by weight.

Many of the cationic polymers mentioned above can be synthesized in, and are commercially available in, several 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.

Optional ingredients

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

Detergency adjuvants and sequestrants

The detergent compositions may also optionally contain relatively low levels of organic detergent adjuvants or sequestering material. Examples include alkali metals, citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethyl succinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyacetyl carboxylates. Specific examples include sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxidisuccinic acid, melitic acid, polycarboxylic benzene acids, tetra-acetic ethylenediamine acid, diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid, alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid and citric acid. Other examples are DEQUEST ™, organic phosphonate sequestering agents sold by Monsanto and alkanohydroxy phosphonates.

Other suitable organic detergency builders include the higher molecular weight polymers and copolymers known to have detergency builder properties. For example, such materials include polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and copolymers of polyacrylic / polyamleic acid and its salts, such as those sold by BASF under the name SOKALAN ™. Another suitable detergency adjuvant is sodium carbonate.

If used, the detergency adjuvant materials may comprise from about 0.5% to 20% by weight, preferably from 1% by weight to 10% by weight, of the composition. The preferred detergency 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 non-phosphate detergent adjuvant, that is, it contains less than 1% phosphate by weight.

Matting dye

The tinting dyes are deposited on the fabric during the washing or rinsing stage of the washing procedure providing a visible hue to the tissue. The nuance of white clothes can be made with any color depending on what the consumer prefers. Blue and violet are particularly preferred shades and, consequently, the dyes or mixtures of preferred dyes are those that give a blue or violet hue to the tissues

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

fifty

white. The shading dyes used are preferably blue or violet.

The chromophore of the tinting dye is preferably selected from the group comprising: mono-azoic, bis-azoic, triphenylmethane, triphenedioxazine, phthalocyanine, naphtolactam, azine and anthraquinone. More preferably, mono-azoic, bis-azoic, 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 liquid composition in the 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. Usually, 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, in general, 0.005 to 2% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 0.1% by weight. Preferred fluorescent classes are: di-styryl biphenyl compounds, for example, Tinopal (trademark) CBS-X, di-sulfonic di-sulfonic acid di-amine acid compounds, for example, Tinopal DMS pure Xtra and Blankophor (trademark) HRH and pyrazoline compounds, for example, Blankophor SN. Preferred fluorescent agents are: 2- (4-styryl-3- sulfophenyl) -2H-naphthol [1,2-d] sodium trazol, 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-morpholino-1, 3,5-triazin-2-yl)] amino} stilbene-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 still, 0.1 to 1% by weight. Many suitable examples of perfumes are provided in the CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association) 1992 International Buyers Guide, published by CFTA Publications and OPD 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 anticipated 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 output notes. The output notes are defined by Poucher (Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists 6 (2): 80 [1955]). Preferred output notes are selected from citric oils, linalool, linalyl acetate, lavender, dihydromyrcenol, rose oxide and cis-3- hexanol.

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

Polymers

The composition may comprise one or more polymers. The polymers can help in the cleaning process by keeping the dirt in solution or suspension and / or avoiding the transfer of dyes. Polymers can also help in the dirt removal procedure. The dye transfer, antiredeposition and dirt release polymers 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 / acrylic acid 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 prolonged immersion times. In general, such dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvinyl pyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof, and are normally present at a level of 0.01 to 10% by weight based on the total amount in the laundry composition.

5

10

fifteen

twenty

25

30

35

40

Four. Five

Anti-redeposition Polymers

Anti-redeposition polymers are designed to suspend or disperse dirt. Typically, anti-redeposition polymers are ethoxylated and / or propoxylated polyethyleneimine or polycarboxylate 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 graft copolymers of poly (vinyl ester), for example, C1-C6 vinyl esters, preferably poly (vinyl acetate) grafted into polyalkylene oxide structures. Commercially available dirt release agents of this type include the type of SOKALAN material, for example, SOKALAN HP-22, available from BASF (West Germany). Other suitable soil release polymers of a different type include the commercially available material 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. Other examples of dirt release polymers are copolymers of terephthalic acid / glycol sold under the trademarks Texcare, Repel-o-tex, Gerol, Marloquest, Cirrasol.

Hydrotrope

The liquid detergent composition may optionally include a hydrotrope, which can prevent the formation of liquid crystal. The addition of the hydrotrope thus helps the clarity / transparency of the composition. Suitable hydrotropes include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol, ethanol, urea, benzene sulfonate salts, toluene sulfonate, xylene sulfonate or cumene sulfonate. 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, xylene sulfonate, ethanol and urea to provide optimum performance. The amount of the hydrotrope is generally in the range of 0 to 30%, preferably 0.5 to 30%, more preferably, 0.5 to 30%, more preferably still, 1 to 15%.

Enzymes

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

Examples

Production procedure

Water and hydrotropes are mixed together at room temperature (approximately 22 ° C) for 2-3 minutes at a shear rate of 130 rpm using an IKA RW20 top mixer from Janke & Kunkel. The salts and alkalis are added and mixed for 5 minutes before the addition of surfactants and any alkyl carboxylic ether and / or fatty acid. The temperature of the mixture increases to about 50-60 ° C at this point. After allowing it to cool to <30 ° C, the solution of LR400 is added, and any remaining components, such as perfume, preservatives, opacifiers and dyes. The formulations tested for softness are broken down in Table 1.

Formulation A is a comparative example that includes betaine alone without the alkyl ether carboxylate (AEC). Formula B is also a comparative example and includes AEC only without betaine. Formula 1 is according to the invention and includes the combination of AEC and betaine surfactant. An internal control was also used for comparison. This internal control provides a certain fabric softening and is a liquid detergent comprising a non-ionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a fatty acid and a cationic polymer.

Table 1

 Ingredient

 Internal control A (% by weight) B (% by weight) 1 (% by weight)

 ACID THE

 10 4.9 4.9 4.9

 SLES

 - 2.4 2.4 2.4

 NEODOL 25-7E

 20 7.3 7.3 7.3

 They take BB '

 - 0.85 - 0.85

 Ingredient

 Internal control A (% by weight) B (% by weight) 1 (% by weight)

 Marlowet 45602

 - - 5 5

 PRIFAC 5908

 6 1 1 1

 Propylene glycol

 9 9 9 9

 Glycerol

 6 - - -

 Triethanolamine

 6 2 2 2

 TINOPAL CBS-X

 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

 LR400 (cationic polymer)

 0.45 - 0.5 0.5

 Ethoxylated polyimine

 - 3.1 3.1 3.1

 Texcare SRN 170

 - 2.1 2.1 2.1

 Protease Enzyme (Savinase Ultra)

 - 1 1 1

 SODIUM HYDROXIDE

 up to pH 9 up to pH 7 up to pH 7 up to pH 7

 WATER

 up to 100 up to 100 up to 100 up to 100

 1 Empigen BB is a betaine surfactant of the formula CH3 (CH2) 10CH2N + (CH3) 2CH2COO- available from Sigma Aldrich.

 2 Marlowet 4560 is C16-C18 alcohol

 polyethylene glycol ether of carboxylic acid that can be obtained from Sasol.

Formulations A, B and 1 were tested for fabric softening against internal control and water to give 5 test products used as main wash products for bundles of identical tissues. The main wash 5 was carried out using local water (6 ° of French hardness; 60 mg of CaCO3 per liter of water). The protocol used included the washing of 10 pieces (20 cm x 20 cm) of terry cloth of the towel type along with a polycotodon load measured to reach 2.5 kg of total load. This was added to a Miele front loading washer. 35 ml of formulated detergent (or the internal control, or water) was added in a measuring ball placed later on the load in the drum of the washing machine.

10 The machine was programmed to a standard cycle for cotton of 40 0C. The tissue samples of the towel type were dried hung between cycles. This procedure was repeated 5 times. The towels were then delivered to the panel for evaluation.

The washed tissue was then evaluated by a trained panel of 12 people. Panelists were asked to rate the garments with respect to softness, compared to internal control. The internal control was given a score of 100.

The average softness scores are shown in table 2. A higher score indicates better smoothing. Water alone gave a poor softening value. Formula A, base surfactant + betaine gave a smoothing score that was lower than that of the internal control. This indicates that the presence of betaine in the base surfactant has a negative impact on smoothing compared to the internal control. In Formula B, the base surfactant + AEC gave a smoothing score that was greater than that of the internal control, indicating some smoothing benefit compared to the internal control. However, for formulation 1, the combination of AEC + betaine gave a smoothing score that was much higher than any of formulations A or B. Actually, the smoothing score for formula 1 was much higher than additive scores. for the smoothing performance of AEC or betaine alone. Therefore, the combination of alkyl ether carboxylic acid and betaine surfactant provides a benefit of synergistic smoothing.

Table 2

 Formulation

 Panel score (average)

 Internal control

 100

 Formulation

 Panel score (average)

 Water

 65

 TO

 93

 B

 141

 one

 214

An additional set of experiments was repeated for formulations A, B, and 1 against an internal control at a different water hardness (26 ° of French hardness; 260 mg of CaCO3 per liter of water). The scores are shown in table 3.

Table 3

 Formulation

 Panel score (average)

 Internal control

 100

 TO

 60

 B

 162

 one

 200

As is evident from the experimental data, formulations comprising a combination of alkyl ether carboxylic acid and betaine surfactant produced a benefit of synergistic smoothing.

10 Table 4 shows various example formulations.

Table 4

 I II III IV V VI

 Ingredient

 %. in% in% in% in% in% in

 weight weight weight weight weight weight

 ACID THE

 8 10 15 5 10 14

 SLES

 4 5 - 3 2 -

 NEODOL 25-7E

 10 10 10 18 12 14

 Empires BB (betaine)

 2.5 0.25 1 - 5 1

 CAPB (betaine)

 - - - 2 - -

 MARLOWET 4560 (alkyl ether carboxylate)

 3 6 3 5 5 4

 PRIFAC 5908

 3 - 3 1 1 2

 PROPYLENE GLYCOL

 9 9 9 9 9 9

 GLYCEROL

 - 5 - 4 5 5

 TRIETHANOLAMINE

 3 3 6 6 6 4

 TINOPAL CBS-X

 0.1 - 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1

 LR400 (cationic polymer)

 1 0.45 - 0.5 - -

 I II III IV V VI

 Ingredient

 %. in% in% in% in% in% in

 weight weight weight weight weight weight

 Jaguar C500 (cationic polymer)

 - - - - - 0.5

 Flocare C107 (cationic polymer)

 - - 0.75 - 0.5 -

 PROXEL GXL

 0.04 0.04 0.04 0.01 0.01 0.01

 SODIUM CHLORIDE

 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

 ACUSOL OP31

 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05

 Colorant

 - 0.0005 - 0.0008 - -

 FRAGRANCE

 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.39 1.39 -

 SODIUM HYDROXIDE

 up to pH 8 up to pH 8.5 up to pH 7.5 up to pH 7 up to pH 8 up to pH 8

 WATER

 up to 100 up to 100 up to 100 up to 100 up to 100

Claims (13)

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, comprising an alcohol ethoxylate; (b) from 4 to 40% by weight of anionic surfactant, which comprises Cg to C20 alkyl sodium benzene sulfonate and / or potassium; (c) from 1 to 12% by weight of alkyl ether carboxylic acid or a carboxylate salt thereof; (d) from 0.1 to 10% by weight of betaine surfactant; Y, (e) 0.1 to 1.5% by weight of cationic polymer. 2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the betaine surfactant comprises amidobetaines, alkyl betaines or mixtures thereof. 3. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the alkyl ether carboxylic acid or a carboxylate salt thereof is present at a level of 1 to 10% by weight, preferably at a level of 2 to 7.5% by weight. 4. A composition according to any preceding claim, in which the alkyl ether carboxylic acid or the carboxylate salt is represented by: image 1 wherein R denotes a saturated or unsaturated C6-C22 alkyl chain; R1 and R2 are either both 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 from 3 to 12, which denotes the number of repeating units. 5. 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 and 12 glycol repeating units, in which the glycol repeating units are selected between ethylene glycol, propylene glycol or mixtures thereof. 6. A composition according to any preceding claim, in which the cationic polymer is present at a level of 0.1 to 1% by weight. 7. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of: cationic polysaccharide polymers and cationic non-stripped polymers having functionalities of quaternary ammonium or cationic protonated amine which are homo- or derivative copolymers of monomers containing a functional group of quaternary nitrogen or polymerized amino from 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. 8. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cationic polymer is selected from the group consisting of cationic cellulose polymers, cationic guar polymers, cationic quaternary diallyl ammonium polymers and homo- or copolymers of dimethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate, diethylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate or tert-butylaminoethyl (meth) acrylate in its protonated or quaternary amine form, and mixtures thereof. 9. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the cationic polymer is a cationic polysaccharide polymer. 10. A composition according to claim 9, wherein the cationic polysaccharide polymer is a cationic cellulose polymer, preferably quaternized hydroxy ethyl cellulose. 11. A composition according to any preceding claim, in the form of a liquid laundry detergent. 12. A composition according to any preceding claim, having a pH of 6.2 to 9, preferably pH 6.5 to 8.5, more preferably pH 6.5 to 8. 13. A composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the composition further comprises an ingredient selected from a shading dye, an enzyme, an antiredeposition polymer, a dye transfer inhibitor polymer, a detergency builder, a sequestrant, a sunscreen and / or a dirt release polymer. 14. Use of a composition comprising an alkyl ether carboxylate, a cationic polymer and a betaine for soften tissues.