WO1997005225A1 - Detergent compositions comprising hydroxyacid compounds - Google Patents

Abstract

There is provided a detergent composition comprising one or more surfactants and one or more hydroxyacid compounds selected from monocarboxylic acid, alicyclic polycarboxylic acid, heterocyclic polycarboxylic acid and aromatic polycarboxylic acid compounds, and salts thereof substituted with at least one hydroxyl group, wherein said hydroxyacid compound is present in amount less than 5 %. Also provided herein is a method for reducing heater encrustation, which comprises contacting the heater with an effective amount of an aqueous solution of a detergent composition comprising said hydroxyacid.

Description

DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS COMPRISING HYDROXYACID COMPOUNDS

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to detergent compositions producing reduced encrustation. More particularly, it relates to detergent compositions comprising a hydroxyacid compound, wherein said hydroxyacid compound is present in a specific amount.

Background of the invention

In fabric washing processes carried out in an alkaline environment, formation of insoluble material occurs, which deposits and/or forms on the heater parts of the washing machine (so-called heater encrustation).

The encrustation may be produced by various components which include: high hardness water, carbonate builders and percarbonate bleaches. High hardness water generally occurs in European countries, where an amount of at least 267 ppm equivalent of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate can be found in water (e.g. at least 15° Hardness). Sodium carbonate is used in laundry detergent formulations, particularly in applications where a high pH is required so as to obtain effective cleaning performance. A problem encountered with the use of high levels of carbonate is that calcium and magnesium ions present in the washing water readily form precipitates with the carbonates; and which then deposit on the heater elements of the washing machine. Although high levels as such of carbonates are detrimental to the heater element, low levels may as well be detrimental to the heater element after repeated washes.

Not to be bound by theory, it is believed that the heater encrustation problem is linked to the solvation/temperature parameter. The more the temperature increases, the less calcium carbonate and/or magnesium carbonate are solvated, thus producing the formation of a precipitate on the heater.

The detergent formulator thus faces the challenge of formulating an environmentally friendly product which minimises the occurrence of any unwelcome encrustation and which is also inexpensive.

The prior art contains numerous examples of anti-encrustation agents for fabrics and for machine surfaces.

EP-A-0,291,859 discloses phosphorus containing compounds as effective inhibitor compounds of encrustation. More particularly disclosed is hydroxy-ethane 1,1 diphosphonate (HEDP).

EP-A-0, 463, 802 discloses certain class of dicarboxylic acids in amount less than 30% by weight of the detergent composition as crystal growth inhibitor for preventing the fabric encrustation problem.

The Applicant has found that the problem of heater encrustation is particularly troublesome with detergent composition comprising carbonate-producing compounds together with calcium binding capacity compounds, wherein the weight ratio of the sum of said carbonate- producing compounds to the sum of said calcium binding capacity compounds is of at least 0.3:1.

Calcium binding capacity compounds are compounds which prevent the salt formation of CaCθ3 by chelation of the calcium ion, i.e. compounds which have a higher binding capacity for the calcium ion than the carbonate. More particularly, for the purpose of the invention a calcium binding capacity compound is a compound having a coefficient of calcium binding capacity of at least 0.6.

For the purpose of the invention, the coefficient of calcium binding capacity is determined by the following steps considering that one part of calcium binding capacity compound for 100 parts (=100g) of detergent composition and 15 litres of wash are used.

1 d° H = 0,000 18 moles of Ca+ + or equivalent of Ca+ + per litre (e.g. Ca+ + and Mg+ +)

MW = Molecular Weight of the considered compound.

1. Determination of the number x of moles of calcium binding capacity compound per part.

-^L_ =x

MW

2. Determination of the number y of moles of calcium binding capacity compound per part and per equivalent.

= y number of equivalent necessary to bind

1 equivalent of Ca⁺⁺

3. Determination of the number z of moles of calcium binding capacity compound per part, per equivalent and per litre.

15

4. Determination of the coefficient C of calcium binding capacity compound in d°H per part. = C

0,00018

Described hereinafter are examples of some coefficient of binding capacity compounds.

a. Coefficient of binding capacity of trisodium citrate (MW= 258g.mol"l)

1- x = —i —- = 0,003876 mol

258

2- 1 equivalent of citrate is necessary to bind 1 equivalent of Ca+ + x = y = 0,003876 mol

0,003876

3- z = = 0,0002583 mol

15

0.0002583

4_ C citrate = = 1.44

0.00018

b. Coefficient of binding capacity of sodium soap (MW = 278g.mol-l)

χ = = 0,003597 mol

278

2- 2 equivalents of sodium soap are necessary to bind 1 equivalent of Ca+ ⁺ .

0,003597 y = = 0,00179785 mol 0,00179785

2 = =0,0001199 mol 15

0,0001199

C soap = = 0.66

0,00018

Preferred calcium binding capacity compounds are selected from Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), Zeolite MAP, Zeolite X, delta-Na2Si2θ5 (NaSKS-6), citrate, soap and mixtures thereof.

According to the described method for determining coefficient of binding capacity compounds, the following coefficient of binding capacity for zeolite A and SKS-6 were found.

Preferably, for the purpose of the invention, calcium binding capacity compounds have builder capacity.

By calcium binding capacity, it is meant the calcium binding capacity of the considered detergent composition which is the sum of all the calcium binding capacities builder compounds present in said detergent composition.

The calcium binding capacity delivered by each builder present in the detergent composition is calculated by multiplying the level of builder used in the composition with the coefficient of calcium builder capacity of said builder.

The source of carbonate may be selected from carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates, percarbonates and mixtures thereof. The Applicants have now surprisingly found that the provision of a minimum amount of hydroxyacid compounds or any salts thereof in the detergent composition ameliorates a tendency towards encrustation.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide compositions for use in laundry and machine dishwashing methods, wherein said compositions show less propensity to cause encrustation. It is another object of the present invention to provide compositions which produce reduced encrustation whilst having a weight ratio of carbonate producing compounds to said calcium binding capacity compounds of at least 0.3:1 and more particularly of at least 0.5:1.

It is another object of the invention to provide a method for reducing heater encrustation.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a detergent composition comprising one or more surfactants and one or more hydroxyacid compounds selected from monocarboxylic acid, alicyclic polycarboxylic acid, heterocyclic polycarboxylic acid and aromatic polycarboxylic acid compounds and salts thereof, substituted with at least one hydroxyl group, wherein said hydroxyacid compound is present in amount less than 5%.

Also provided herein is a method for reducing heater encrustation, which comprises contacting the heater with an effective amount of an aqueous solution of a detergent composition comprising said hydroxyacid.

Technical field of the invention

The present invention contemplates detergent compositions producing effective encrustation reduction when used in laundry or dish washing machines. The encrustation may occur on any machine surface but arises principally on heaters and is produced by the combination of a source of ions, principally provided by the high degree of water hardness, and a source of carbonate selected from percarbonates, carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates and mixtures thereof. The source of ions generally arises from a high degree of water hardness but is not limited thereto. Hence, components of the detergent composition such as calcium and/or magnesium ions per se or as salts per se may also serve as a source of ions for the purpose of the invention.

A visual observation is made for determining the presence of calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. The material subject to the encrustation (e.g. heater) is immersed in an acidified water solution (2N sulfuric acid). The observation of an effervescence on top of the material indicates the presence of calcium and/or magnesium carbonate encrustation.

The essential component for the purpose of the invention is a crystal growth inhibitor of the hydroxyacid type.

For the purpose of the invention, hydroxyacid compounds will be present in amount of less than 5%, preferably from 0.01 % to 4% and most preferably from 0.2% to 3% by weight of the detergent composition.

The hydroxyacid compound is selected from monocarboxylic acid, alicyclic polycarboxylic acid, heterocyclic polycarboxylic acid and aromatic polycarboxylic acid compounds and salts thereof, substituted with at least one hydroxyl group and salts thereof. When utilised in salt form, alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium and lithium, or alkanolammonium salts are preferred.

More specifically, these are selected from acyclic, alicyclic, heterocyclic and aromatic carboxylic acids having the general formulae

(a)

(b)

or

(c)

wherein Rj represents H,Cj_30 alkyl or alkenyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, sulfo or phosphono groups or attached to a polyethylenoxy moiety containing up to 20 ethyleneoxy groups; R2 represents H,Cι_4 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxy alkyl, or alkaryl, sulfo, or phosphono groups;

X represents a single bond; O; S; SO; SO2; NR]J or C=0;

Y represents H; carboxy; hydroxy; carboxymethyloxy; or

Cι_30 alkyl or alkenyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or carboxy groups;

Z represents H; or carboxy; hydroxy; carboxymethyloxy; m is an integer from 1 to 10; n is an integer from 3 to 6; p, q are integers from 0 to 6, p + q being from 1 to 6; and wherein, X,

Y, and Z each have the same or different representations when repeated in a given molecular formula, and wherein at least one Y or Z in a molecule contains a carboxyl group, and wherein the molecule contains at least one hydroxyl group in the position alpha of at least one of the carboxyl group, and wherein in formula a) the molecule does not contain more than one carboxyl group. Preferred hydroxyacid compounds are compounds selected from glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, hydroxypropionic acid and salicylic acid and salts thereof. A most preferred hydroxyacid compound is glycolic acid or salt thereof.

For the purpose of the invention, mixtures of any of the hydroxyacid compounds described herein before may also be used.

The detergent composition of the invention also contains one or more surfactants.

Non limiting examples of surfactants useful herein, typically at levels from 1 % to 55%, by weight, include the conventional Cn-Ci8 alkyl benzene sulfonates ("LAS") and primary, branched-chain and random C10-C20 ^alky ^sulfates ("AS"), the C10-C18 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates of the formula CH3(CH2)_x(CHOSθ3^~M⁺) CH3 and CH3 (CH2)_y(CHOSθ3^"M⁺) CH2CH3 where x and (y + 1) are integers of at least 7, preferably at least 9, and M is a water-solubilizing cation, especially sodium, unsaturated sulfates such as oleyl sulfate, the \Q-C\^ alkyl alkoxy sulfates ("AE_XS"; especially EO 1-7 ethoxy sulfates), C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the EO 1-5 ethoxycarboxylates), the CiO-18 glycerol ethers, the C10-CJ8 alkyl polyglycosides and their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, and C12-C18 alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters. If desired, the conventional nonionic and amphoteric surfactants such as the C12-C18 alkyl ethoxylates ("AE"), including the so-called narrow peaked alkyl ethoxylates and C6-C12 alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy /propoxy), C12-C18 betaines and sulfobetaines ("sultaines"), C10-CI8 amine oxides, and the like, can also be included in the overall compositions. The C10-C18 N-alkyl polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can also be used. Typical examples include the C12-C18 N- methylglucamides. See WO 9,206,154. Other sugar-derived surfactants include the N-alkoxy polyhydroxy fatty acid amides, such as Cιo-Cj8 (3-methoxypropyl) glucamide. The N-propyl through N-hexyl C12-C18 glucamides can be used for low sudsing. C10-C2O ^conventi°^nal soaps may also be used. If high sudsing is desired, the branched-chain Cifj- Cj6 soaps may be used. Other suitable surfactants suitable for the purpose of the invention are the anionic alkali metal sarcosinates of formula:

wherein R is a C9-C17 linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, R is a C1-C4 alkyl group and M is an alkali metal ion. Preferred examples are the lauroyl, cocoyl (C 12-C 14), myristyl and oleyl methyl sarcosinates in the form of their sodium salts.

Mixtures of anionic and nonionic surfactants are especially useful. Other conventional useful surfactants are listed in standard texts.

The detergent compositions of the invention may also contain additional detergent components. The precise nature of these additional components and levels of incorporation thereof will depend on the physical form of the composition, and the nature of the cleaning operation for which it is to be used.

The compositions of the invention may, for example, be formulated as hand and machine laundry detergent compositions, including laundry additive compositions and compositions suitable for use in the pretreatment of stained fabrics and machine dishwashing compositions.

When incorporated in compositions suitable for use in a machine washing method, eg: machine laundry and machine dishwashing methods, the compositions of the invention preferably contain one or more additional adjunct ingredients.

Adjunct Ingredients The compositions herein can optionally include one or more other detergent adjunct materials or other materials for assisting or enhancing cleaning performance, treatment of the substrate to be cleaned, or to modify the aesthetics of the detergent composition (e.g., colorants, dyes, etc.).

Non-limiting examples of such adjunct materials include carbonate producing compounds and calcium binding capacity compounds. Preferred species among the carbonate producing compounds are selected from percarbonates, calcium carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates and mixtures thereof.

Preferred species among the calcium binding capacity compounds are builders compounds each having a coefficient of calcium binding capacity of at least 0.6.

In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided compositions which ameliorate a tendency towards encrustation whilst having a weight ratio of carbonate producing compounds to said calcium binding capacity compounds of at least 0.3:1 and preferably of at least 0.5:1.

The following are illustrative examples of such adjunct materials, particularly calcium carbonate producing compounds and calcium binding capacity compounds.

Builders - Detergent builders can optionally be included in the compositions herein to assist in controlling mineral hardness. Inorganic as well as organic builders can be used. Builders are typically used in fabric laundering compositions to assist in the removal of particulate soils.

The level of builder can vary widely depending upon the end use of the composition and its desired physical form. Granular formulations typically comprise from 10% to 80%, more typically from 15% to 50% by weight, of the detergent builder. Lower or higher levels of builder, however, are not meant to be excluded.

Inorganic or phosphate-containing detergent builders include, but are not limited to, the alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts of polyphosphates (exemplified by the tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, and glassy polymeric meta-phosphates). Non-phosphate builders may also be used. These can include, but are not restricted to phytic acid, silicates, alkali metal carbonates (including bicarbonates and sesquicarbonates), sulphates, aluminosilicates, monomeric polycarboxylates, homo or copolymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms, organic phosphonates and aminoalkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates).

The compositions herein also function in the presence of the so-called

"weak" builders (as compared with phosphates) such as citrate, or in the so-called "underbuilt" situation that may occur with zeolite or layered silicate builders.

Examples of silicate builders are the so called 'amorphous' alkali metal silicates, particularly those having a Siθ2:Na2θ ratio in the range 1.6:1 to 3.2:1 and crystalline layered silicates, such as the layered sodium silicates described in U.S. Patent 4,664,839. NaSKS-6 is the trademark for a crystalline layered silicate marketed by Hoechst (commonly abbreviated herein as "SKS-6"). Unlike zeolite builders, the Na SKS-6 silicate builder does not contain aluminium. NaSKS-6 has the delta- Na2Si2<J5 morphology form of layered silicate. It can be prepared by methods such as those described in German DE-A-3, 417,649 and DE-A- 3,742,043. SKS-6 is a highly preferred layered silicate for use herein, but other such layered silicates, such as those having the general formula NaMSi_xθ2χ+ l-yH2θ wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4, preferably 2, and y is a number from 0 to 20, preferably 0 can be used herein. Various other layered silicates from Hoechst include NaSKS-5, NaSKS-7 and NaSKS-11, as the alpha, beta and gamma forms. As noted above, the delta-Na2Si2θ5 (NaSKS-6 form) is most preferred for use herein. Other silicates may also be useful such as for example magnesium silicate, which can serve as a crispening agent in granular formulations, as a stabilising agent for oxygen bleaches, and as a component of suds control systems.

Examples of carbonate builders are the alkaline earth and alkali metal carbonates as disclosed in German Patent Application No. 2,321,001 published on November 15, 1973. Such carbonate builders act as builders to remove divalent metal ions such as calcium and additionally provides alkalinity and aids in soil removal.

Aluminosilicate builders are useful in the present invention. Aluminosilicate builders are of great importance in most currently marketed heavy duty granular detergent compositions, and can also be a significant builder ingredient in liquid detergent formulations. Aluminosilicate builders include those having the empirical formula: Na_z[(Alθ2)z(Siθ2)y]-xH₂0 wherein z and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is in the range from 1.0 to 0.5, and x is an integer from 15 to 264.

Useful aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are commercially available. These aluminosilicates can be crystalline or amoφhous in structure and can be naturally-occurring aluminosilicates or synthetically derived. A method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,985,669. Preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), Zeolite MAP and Zeolite X. In an especially preferred embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula:

Nai2[(A10₂)l2(Siθ2)l2]-xH₂0 wherein x is from 20 to 30, especially 27. This material is known as Zeolite A. Dehydrated zeolites (x = 0 - 10) may also be used herein. Preferably, the aluminosilicate has a particle size of 0.1-10 microns in diameter.

Organic detergent builders suitable for the purposes of the present invention include, but are not restricted to, a wide variety of polycarboxylate compounds. As used herein, "polycarboxylate" refers to compounds having a plurality of carboxylate groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates. Polycarboxylate builder can generally be added to the composition in acid form, but can also be added in the form of a neutralised salt. When utilized in salt form, alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, or alkanolammonium salts are preferred.

Included among the polycarboxylate builders are a variety of categories of useful materials. One important category of polycarboxylate builders encompasses the ether polycarboxylates, including oxydisuccinate, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,128,287 and U.S. Patent 3,635,830. See also "TMS/TDS" builders of U.S. Patent 4,663,071. Suitable ether polycarboxylates also include cyclic compounds, particularly alicyclic compounds, such as those described in U.S. Patents 3,923,679; 3,835,163; 4,158,635; 4,120,874 and 4,102,903.

Other useful detergency builders include the ether hydroxypolycarboxylates, copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether, or acrylic acid, 1, 3, 5-trihydroxy benzene-2, 4, 6- trisulphonic acid, and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, the various alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid, as well as polycarboxylates such as mellitic acid, succinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, and soluble salts thereof.

Citrate builders, e.g., citric acid and soluble salts thereof (particularly sodium salt), are polycarboxylate builders of particular importance for heavy duty liquid detergent formulations due to their availability from renewable resources and their biodegradability. Citrates can also be used in granular compositions, especially in combination with zeolite and/or layered silicate builders. Oxydisuccinates are also especially useful in such compositions and combinations.

Also suitable in the compositions containing the present invention are the 3,3-dicarboxy-4-oxa-l,6-hexanedioates and the related compounds disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,566,984. Useful succinic acid builders include the C5-C20 alkyl and alkenyl succinic acids and salts thereof. A particularly preferred compound of this type is dodecenylsuccinic acid. Specific examples of succinate builders include: laurylsuccinate, myristylsuccinate, palmitylsuccinate, 2-dodecenylsuccinate (preferred), 2- pentadecenylsuccinate, and the like. Laurylsuccinates are the preferred builders of this group, and are described in EP 0,200,263.

Other suitable polycarboxylates are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,144,226 and in U.S. Patent 3,308,067. See also U.S. Pat. 3,723,322.

Fatty acids, e.g., 2-C18 monocarboxylic acids, can also be incorporated into the compositions alone, or in combination with the aforesaid builders, especially citrate and/or the succinate builders, to provide additional builder activity. Such use of fatty acids will generally result in a diminution of sudsing, which should be taken into account by the formulator.

In situations where phosphorus-based builders can be used, and especially in the formulation of bars used for hand-laundering operations, the various alkali metal phosphates such as the well-known sodium tripolyphosphates, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium orthophosphate can be used. Phosphonate builders such as ethane- 1 -hydroxy- 1,1- diphosphonate and other known phosphonates (see, for example, U.S. Patents 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,400,148 and 3,422,137) can also be used.

Preferred calcium binding capacity compounds among the builder species described above are selected from Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), Zeolite MAP, Zeolite X, delta-Na2Siθ2θ5(NaSKS-6), citrate, soap and mixtures thereof.

Additional crystal growth inhibitor

Although not necessary for the puφose of the invention, additional crystal growth inhibitors may be used. Such components include the C1-C4 diphosphonic acid, preferably the C2 diphosphonic acid such as ethylene diphosphonic acid, α-hydroxy-2 phenyl, ethyl diphosphonic acid, methylene diphosphonic acid, vinylidene 1,1 diphosphonic acid, 1,2 dihydroxyethane 1,1 diphosphonic acid an hydroxy-ethane 1,1 diphosphonic acid and any salts thereof and mixtures thereof.

Bleaching Compounds - Bleaching Agents and Bleach Activators Detergent compositions of the present invention may also include an inorganic perhydrate bleach, normally in the form of the sodium salt, as the source of alkaline hydrogen peroxide in the wash liquor. This perhydrate is normally incoφorated at a level of from 0.01 % to 40% by weight, more preferably from 5% to 35% by weight and most preferably from 8% to 30% by weight of the composition. The perhydrate may be any of the alkali metal inorganic salts such as perborate monohydrate or tetrahydrate, percarbonate, peφhosphate and persilicate salts, but is conventionally an alkali metal perborate or percarbonate.

Sodium percarbonate, which is the preferred perhydrate, is an addition compound having a formula corresponding to 2Na2Cθ3.3H2θ2, and is available commercially as a crystalline solid. Most commercially available material includes a low level of a heavy metal sequestrant such as EDTA, 1-hydroxyethylidene 1, 1 -diphosphonic acid (HEDP) or an amino-phosphonate, that is incoφorated during the manufacturing process. The percarbonate can be incoφorated into detergent compositions without additional protection, but preferred executions of such compositions utilise a coated form of the material. A variety of coatings can be used including borosilicate borate, boric acid and citrate or sodium silicate of Siθ2:Na2θ ratio from 1.6:1 to 3.4:1, preferably 2.8:1, applied as an aqueous solution to give a level of from 2% to 10%, (normally from 3% to 5%) of silicate solids by weight of the percarbonate. However the most preferred coating is a mixture of sodium carbonate and sulphate or sodium chloride. The particle size range of the crystalline percarbonate is from 350 micrometers to 1500 micrometers with a mean of approximately 500-1000 micrometers.

Another category of bleaching agent that can be used in place of or in combination with the mixture of an inorganic perhydrate and a bleach activator encompasses the preformed peracid bleaching agents and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include (6-octylamino)- 6-oxo-caproic acid, (6-nonylamino)-6-oxo-caproic acid, (6-decylamino)-6- oxo-caproic acid, magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate, the magnesium salt of metachloro perbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamino-4- oxoperoxybutyric acid and diperoxydodecanedioic acid. Such bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,483,781, U.S. Patent 4,634,551 , EP 0,133,354, U.S. Patent 4,412,934 and EP 0,170,386.

Mixtures of bleaching agents can also be used.

Preferred peroxygen bleaching agents selected from alkali metal perborates tetrahydrates and monohydrates and percarbonates are combined with bleach activators, which lead to the in situ production in aqueous solution (i.e., during the washing process) of the peroxy acid corresponding to the bleach activator.

The amount of bleach activator will typically be from 0.01 % to 20% , more typically from 0.01 % tol0% and most preferably from 0.01 % to

8% by weight of the detergent composition.

These activators preferably comprise at least one acyl group forming the peroxyacid precursor moiety bonded to a leaving group through an -O- or -N- linkage and may be selected from a wide range of classes. Various nonlimiting examples of activators are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,915,854 and U.S. Patent 4,412,934. The nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS), isononanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (ISONOBS) and tetraacetyl ethylene diamine (TAED) activators are typical, and mixtures thereof can also be used.

Highly preferred amido-derived bleach activators are those of the formulae:

R1N(R5)C(0)R²C(0)L or R*C(0)N(R5)R2C(0)L wherein Rl is an alkyl group containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, R² is an alkylene containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R5 is H or alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and L is any suitable leaving group. A leaving group is any group that is displaced from the bleach activator as a consequence of the nucleophihc attack on the bleach activator by the perhydrolysis anion. A preferred leaving group is phenyl sulfonate.

Preferred examples of bleach activators of the above formulae include (6-octanamido-caproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate, (6-nonanamido- caproyl)oxybenzenesulfonate, (6-decanamido-caproyl)oxybenzene- sulfonate, and mixtures thereof as described in U.S. Patent 4,634,551.

Mother class of bleach activators comprises the benzoxazin-type activators disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,966,723. A highly preferred activator of the benzoxazin-type is:

Still another class of preferred bleach activators includes the acyl lactam activators, especially acyl caprolactams and acyl valerolactams of the formulae:

wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, aryl, alkoxyaryl, or alkaryl group containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms. Highly preferred lactam activators include benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoyl caprolactam, benzoyl valerolactam, octanoyl valerolactam, decanoyl valerolactam, undecenoyl valerolactam, nonanoyl valerolactam, 3,5,5- trimethylhexanoyl valerolactam and mixtures thereof. See also U.S. Patent 4,545,784, which discloses acyl caprolactams, including benzoyl caprolactam, adsorbed into sodium perborate. Another class of preferred bleach activators include the cationic bleach activators, derived from the valerolactam and acyl caprolactam compounds, of formula:

wherein x is 0 or 1, substituents R, R^* and R" are each C1-C10 alkyl or C2-C4 hydroxy alkyl groups, or [(C_yH2_y)0]_n-R" ' wherein y=2-4, n= l- 20 and R¹ " is a C1-C4 alkyl group or hydrogen and X is an anion.

Mixture of any of the bleach activators hereinbefore described may be used.

Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents are also known in the art and can optionally be utilized herein. One type of non- oxygen bleaching agent of particular interest includes photoactivated bleaching agents such as the sulfonated zinc and/or aluminium phthalo¬ cyanines. See U.S. Patent 4,033,718. If used, detergent compositions will typically contain from 0.025% to 1.25% , by weight, of such bleaches, especially sulfonate zinc phthalocyanine. If desired, the bleaching compounds can be catalysed by means of a manganese compound. Such compounds are well known in the art and include, for example, the manganese-based catalysts disclosed in U.S. Pat. 5,246,621, U.S. Pat. 5,244,594; U.S. Pat. 5,194,416; U.S. Pat. 5,114,606; and EP 549,271 Al, 549,272A1, 544,440A2, and 544.490A1; Preferred examples of these catalysts include MnF ^fa- Q^ -

triazacyclononane)- (OCH3)3(PF6), and mixtures thereof. Other metal- based bleach catalysts include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. 4,430,243 and U.S. Pat. 5,114,611. The use of manganese with various complex ligands to enhance bleaching is also reported in the following United States Patents: 4,728,455; 5,284,944; 5,246,612; 5,256,779; 5,280,117; 5,274,147; 5,153,161; 5,227,084.

Chelating Agents - The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain one or more iron and/or manganese chelating agents. Such chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of amino carboxylates, amino phosphonates, polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures therein, all as hereinafter defined. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that the benefit of these materials is due in part to their exceptional ability to remove iron and manganese ions from washing solutions by formation of soluble chelates.

Amino carboxylates useful as optional chelating agents include ethylenediaminetetracetates , N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetates , nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediamine tetraproprionates, triethylenetetra- aminehexacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates, and ethanoldiglycines, alkali metal, ammomum, and substituted ammonium salts therein and mixtures therein.

Preferred biodegradable non-phosphorus chelants for use herein are ethylenediamine disuccinate ("EDDS"), especially the [S,S] isomer as described in U.S. Patent 4,704,233, ethylenediamine-N,N'-diglutamate (EDDG) and 2-hydroxyρroρylene-diamine-N,N' -disuccinate (HPDDS) compounds. Amino phosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in the compositions of the invention when at least low levels of total phosphorus are permitted in detergent compositions, and include ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylenephosphonates) available under the trademark DEQUEST 2041 from Monsanto and diethylene triamine penta(methylenephosphonates) available under the trademark DEQUEST 2066 from Monsanto. Preferably, these amino phosphonates do not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than 6 carbon atoms.

Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Patent 3,812,044. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1 ,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

If utilized, these chelating agents will generally comprise from 0.05% to 10% by weight of the detergent compositions herein. More preferably, if utilized, the chelating agents will comprise from 0.05% to 2.0% by weight of such compositions.

Enzymes - Enzymes can be included in the formulations herein for a wide variety of fabric laundering puφoses, including removal of protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains, for example, and for the prevention of fugitive dye transfer, and for fabric restoration. The enzymes to be incoφorated include proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, and peroxidases, as well as mixtures thereof. Other types of enzymes may also be included. They may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin. However, their choice is governed by several factors such as pH-activity and/or stability optima, thermostability and stability versus active detergents and builders. In this respect bacterial or fungal enzymes are preferred, such as bacterial amylases and proteases, and fungal cellulases.

Enzymes are normally incoφorated at levels sufficient to provide up to 5 mg by weight, more typically 0.01 mg to 3 mg, of active enzyme per gram of the composition. Stated otherwise, the compositions herein will typically comprise from 0.001 % to 5% by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation.

Suitable examples of proteases are the subtilisins which are obtained from particular strains of B. subtilis and B. licheniforms. Another suitable protease is obtained from a strain of Bacillus, having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 8-12, developed and sold by Novo Industries A/S under the registered trade name ESPERASE. The preparation of this enzyme and analogous enzymes is described in GB 1,243,784 of Novo. Proteolytic enzymes suitable for removing protein-based stains that are commercially available include those sold under the tradenames ALCALASE and SAVINASE by Novo Industries A/S (Denmark) and MAXATASE by International Bio-Synthetics, Inc. (The Netherlands). Other proteases include Protease A (see EP 130,756) and Protease B (see EP257189). Preferred levels of proteases are from 0.01 % to 4.0% by weight of the detergent composition herein.

Amylases include, for example, α-amylases described in GB 1,296,839 (Novo), RAPID ASE, International Bio-Synthetics, Inc. and TERMAMYL, Novo Industries. Fungamyl (Novo) is especially useful. Preferred levels of amylases are from 0.01 % to 2.0% by weight of the detergent composition herein.

The cellulases usable in the present invention include both bacterial or fungal cellulase. Preferably, they will have a pH optimum of between 5 and 9.5. Suitable cellulases are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,435,307, which discloses fungal cellulase produced from Humicola insolens and Humicola strain DSM 1800 or a cellulase 212-producing fungus belonging to the genus Aeromonas, and cellulase extracted from the hepatopancreas of a marine mollusk (Dolabella Auricula Solander). Suitable cellulases are also disclosed in GB-A-2.075.028; GB-A-2.095.275 and DE-OS- 2.247.832. ENDO A, CAREZYME both from Novo Industries A/S are especially useful. Preferred levels of cellulases are from 0.01 % to 1.0% by weight of the detergent composition herein.

Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 19.154, as disclosed in GB 1,372,034. See also lipases in Japanese Patent Application 53,20487, laid open to public inspection on February 24, 1978. This lipase is available from Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano," hereinafter referred to as "Amano-P." Other commercial lipases include Amano-CES, lipases ex Chromobacter viscosum, e.g. Chromobacter viscosum var. lipolyticum NRRLB 3673, commercially available from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; and further Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S. Biochemical Coφ., U.S.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands, and lipases ex Pseudomonas gladioli. The LIPOLASE enzyme derived from Humicola lanuginosa and commercially available from Novo (see also EP 341,947) is a preferred lipase for use herein. Preferred levels of lipases are from 0.01% to 2.0% by weight of the detergent composition herein.

Peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen sources, e.g., percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, etc. They are used for "solution bleaching," i.e. to prevent transfer of dyes or pigments removed from substrates during wash operations to other substrates in the wash solution. Peroxidase enzymes are known in the art, and include, for example, horseradish peroxidase, ligninase, and haloperoxidase such as chloro- and bromo-peroxidase. Peroxidase- containing detergent compositions are disclosed, for example, in PCT International Application WO 89/099813, published October 19, 1989, by O. Kirk, assigned to Novo Industries A/S.

A wide range of enzyme materials and means for their incoφoration into synthetic detergent compositions are also disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,553,139. Enzymes are further disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,101,457 and in U.S. Patent 4,507,219. Enzyme materials useful for liquid detergent formulations, and their incoφoration into such formulations, are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,261,868. Enzymes for use in detergents can be stabilized by various techniques. Enzyme stabilisation techniques are disclosed and exemplified in U.S. Patent 3,600,319 and EP 0 199 405. Enzyme stabilisation systems are also described, for example, in U.S. Patent 3,519,570.

Enzyme Stabilisers - The enzymes employed herein are stabilized by the presence of water-soluble sources of calcium and/or magnesium ions in the finished compositions which provide such ions to the enzymes. (Calcium ions are generally somewhat more effective than magnesium ions and are preferred herein if only one type of cation is being used.) Additional stability can be provided by the presence of various other art- disclosed stabilisers, especially borate species: see Severson, U.S. 4,537,706. Typical detergents, especially liquids, will comprise from 1 to 30, preferably from 2 to 20, more preferably from 5 to 15, and most preferably from 8 to 12, millimoles of calcium ion per litre of finished composition. This can vary somewhat, depending on the amount of enzyme present and its response to the calcium or magnesium ions. The level of calcium or magnesium ions should be selected so that there is always some minimum level available for the enzyme, after allowing for complexation with builders, fatty acids, etc., in the composition. Any water-soluble calcium or magnesium salt can be used as the source of calcium or magnesium ions, including, but not limited to, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium malate, calcium maleate, calcium hydroxide, calcium formate, and calcium acetate, and the corresponding magnesium salts. A small amount of calcium ion, generally from 0.05 to 0.4 millimoles per litre, is often also present in the composition due to calcium in the enzyme slurry and formula water. In solid detergent compositions the formulation may include a sufficient quantity of a water- soluble calcium ion source to provide such amounts in the laundry liquor. In the alternative, natural water hardness may suffice.

It is to be understood that the foregoing levels of calcium and/or magnesium ions are sufficient to provide enzyme stability. More calcium and/or magnesium ions can be added to the compositions to provide an additional measure of grease removal performance. Accordingly, as a general proposition the compositions herein will typically comprise from 0.05% to 2% by weight of a water-soluble source of calcium or magnesium ions, or both. The amount can vary, of course, with the amount and type of enzyme employed in the composition.

The compositions herein may also optionally, but preferably, contain various additional stabilizers, especially borate-type stabilizers. Typically, such stabilizers will be used at levels in the compositions from 0.25% to 10%, preferably from 0.5% to 5%, more preferably from 0.75% to 3%, by weight of boric acid or other borate compound capable of forming boric acid in the composition (calculated on the basis of boric acid). Boric acid is preferred, although other compounds such as boric oxide, borax and other alkali metal borates (e.g., sodium ortho-, meta- and pyroborate, and sodium pentaborate) are suitable. Substituted boric acids (e.g., phenylboronic acid, butane boronic acid, and p-bromo phenylboronic acid) can also be used in place of boric acid. Polymeric Dispersing Agents - Polymeric dispersing agents can advantageously be utilized at levels from 0.5 % to 8 % , by weight, in the compositions herein, especially in the presence of zeolite and/or layered silicate builders. Suitable polymeric dispersing agents include polymeric polycarboxylates and polyethylene glycols, although others known in the art can also be used. It is believed, though it is not intended to be limited by theory, that polymeric dispersing agents enhance overall detergent builder performance, when used in combination with other builders (including lower molecular weight polycarboxylates) by particulate soil release peptization, and anti-redeposition.

Polymeric polycarboxylate materials can be prepared by polymerizing or copolymerizing suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably in their acid form. Unsaturated monomeric acids that can be polymerized to form suitable polymeric polycarboxylates include acrylic acid, maleic acid (or maleic anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. The presence in the polymeric polycarboxylates herein or monomeric segments, containing no carboxylate radicals such as vinylmethyl ether, styrene, ethylene, etc. is suitable provided that such segments do not constitute more than 40% by weight.

Particularly suitable polymeric polycarboxylates can be derived from acrylic acid. Such acrylic acid-based polymers which are useful herein are the water-soluble salts of polymerized acrylic acid. The average molecular weight of such polymers in the acid form preferably ranges from 2,000 to 10,000, more preferably from 4,000 to 7,000 and most preferably from 4,000 to 5,000. Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid polymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble polymers of this type are known materials. Use of polyacrylates of this type in detergent compositions has been disclosed, for example, in Diehl, U.S. Patent 3,308,067, issued march 7, 1967.

Acrylic/maleic-based copolymers may also be used as a preferred component of the dispersing/anti-redeposition agent. Such materials include the water-soluble salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The average molecular weight of such copolymers in the acid form preferably ranges from 2,000 to 100,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 75,000, most preferably from 7,000 to 65,000. The ratio of acrylate to maleate segments in such copolymers will generally range from 30:1 to 1:1, more preferably from 10:1 to 2:1. Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble acrylate/maleate copolymers of this type are known materials which are described in European Patent Application No. 66915, published December 15, 1982, as well as in EP 193,360, published September 3, 1986, which also describes such polymers comprising hydroxypropylacrylate. Still other useful dispersing agents include the maleic/acrylic/vinyl alcohol teφolymers. Such materials are also disclosed in EP 193,360, including, for example, the 45/45/10 teφolymer of acrylic/maleic/vinyl alcohol.

Another polymeric material which can be included is polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG can exhibit dispersing agent performance as well as act as a clay soil removal-antiredeposition agent. Typical molecular weight ranges for these puφoses range from 500 to 100,000, preferably from 1,000 to 50,000, more preferably from 1,500 to 10,000.

Polyaspartate and polyglutamate dispersing agents may also be used, especially in conjunction with zeolite builders. Dispersing agents such as polyaspartate preferably have a molecular weight (avg.) of 10,000.

Clay Soil Removal/Anti-redeposition Agents - The compositions according to the present invention can also optionally contain water- soluble ethoxylated amines having clay soil removal and antiredeposition properties. Granular detergent compositions which contain these compounds typically contain from 0.01 % to 10.0% by weight of the water-soluble ethoxylates amines; liquid detergent compositions typically contain 0.01 % to 5%.

The most preferred soil release and anti-redeposition agent is ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine. Exemplary ethoxylated amines are further described in U.S. Patent 4,597,898, VanderMeer, issued July 1, 1986. Another group of preferred clay soil removal-antiredeposition agents are the cationic compounds disclosed in EP 111,965. Other clay soil removal/antiredeposition agents which can be used include the ethoxylated amine polymers disclosed in EP 111,984; the zwitterionic polymers disclosed in EP 112,592; and the amine oxides disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,548,744. Other clay soil removal and/or anti redeposition agents known in the art can also be utilized in the compositions herein. Another type of preferred antiredeposition agent includes the carboxy methyl cellulose (CMC) materials. These materials are well known in the art.

Polymeric Soil Release Agent - Any polymeric soil release agent known to those skilled in the art can optionally be employed in the compositions and processes of this invention. Polymeric soil release agents are. characterised by having both hydrophilic segments, to hydrophilize the surface of hydrophobic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segments, to deposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto through completion of washing and rinsing cycles and, thus, serve as an anchor for the hydrophilic segments. This can enable stains occurring subsequent to treatment with the soil release agent to be more easily cleaned in later washing procedures.

Soil release agents characterised by poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobe segments include graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), e.g., Ci-Co" vinyl esters, preferably poly(vinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones, such as polyethylene oxide backbones (see EP 0 219 048). Commercially available soil release agents of this kind include the SOKALAN type of material, e.g., SOKALAN HP-22, available from BASF (West Germany).

One type of preferred soil release agent is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide (PEO) terephthalate. The molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is in the range of from 25,000 to 55,000. See U.S. Patent 3,959,230 to Hays and U.S. Patent 3,893,929.

Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a polyester with repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units which contains 10-15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with 90-80% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight 300-5,000. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available material ZELCON 5126 (from Dupont) and MILEASE T (from ICI). See also U.S. Patent 4,702,857.

Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a sulfonated product of a substantially linear ester oligomer comprised of an oligomeric ester backbone of terephthaloyl and oxyalkyleneoxy repeat units and terminal moieties covalently attached to the backbone. These soil release agents are described fully in U.S. Patent 4,968,451. Other suitable polymeric soil release agents include the terephthalate polyesters of U.S. Patent 4,711,730, the anionic end-capped oligomeric esters of U.S. Patent 4,721,580 and the block polyester oligomeric compounds of U.S. Patent 4,702,857.

Preferred polymeric soil release agents also include the soil release agents of U.S. Patent 4,877,896, which discloses anionic, especially sul- foarolyl, end-capped terephthalate esters.

If utilized, soil release agents will generally comprise from 0.01 % to 10.0%, by weight, of the compositions herein, typically from 0.1 % to 5% , preferably from 0.2% to 3.0%.

Still another preferred soil release agent is an oligomer with repeat units of terephthaloyl units, sulfoisoterephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-l,2-propylene units. The repeat units form the backbone of the oligomer and are preferably terminated with modified isethionate end- caps. A particularly preferred soil release agent of this type comprises one sulfoisophthaloyl unit, 5 terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy- 1,2-propyleneoxy units in a ratio of from 1.7 to 1.8, and two end-cap units of sodium 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethanesulfonate. Said soil release agent also comprises from 0.5% to 20%, by weight of the oligomer, of a crystalline-reducing stabilizer, preferably selected from xylene sulfonate, cumene sulfonate, toluene sulfonate, and mixtures thereof.

Dye Transfer Inhibiting Agents

The compositions according to the present invention may also include one or more materials effective for inhibiting the transfer of dyes from one fabric to another during the cleaning process. Generally, such dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvinyl pyrroiidone polymers, polyamine N- oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases, and mixtures thereof. If used, these agents typically comprise from 0.01 % to 10% by weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01 % to 5%, and more preferably from 0.05% to 2%.

More specifically, the polyamine N-oxide polymers preferred for use herein contain units having the following structural formula: R-A_x-P; wherein P is a polymerizable unit to which an N-O group can be attached or the N-O group can form part of the polymerizable unit or the N-O group can be attached to both units; A is one of the following structures: - NC(O)-, -C(0)0-, -S-, -0-, -N=; x is 0 or 1; and R is aliphatic, ethoxylated aliphatics, aromatics, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or any combination thereof to which the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or the N-O group is part of these groups. Preferred polyamine N- oxides are those wherein R is a heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine and derivatives thereof.

The N-O group can be represented by the following general structures:

(Ri)χ-N ?-(R₂)y; =N ?— (R,)χ

(R3)z wherein R\, R2, R3 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or combinations thereof; x, y and z are 0 or 1 ; and the nitrogen of the N-O group can be attached or form part of any of the aforementioned groups. The amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-oxides has a pKa < 10, preferably pKa <7, more preferred pKa <6.

Any polymer backbone can be used as long as the amine oxide polymer formed is water-soluble and has dye transfer inhibiting properties. Examples of suitable polymeric backbones are polyvinyls, polyalkylenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamide, polyimides, polyacrylates and mixtures thereof. These polymers include random or block copolymers where one monomer type is an amine N-oxide and the other monomer type is an N-oxide. The amine N-oxide polymers typically have a ratio of amine to the amine N-oxide of 10:1 to 1:1,000,000. However, the number of amine oxide groups present in the polyamine oxide polymer can be varied by appropriate copolymerization or by an appropriate degree of N-oxidation. The polyamine oxides can be obtained in almost any degree of polymerization. Typically, the average molecular weight is within the range of 500 to 1,000,000; more preferred 1,000 to 500,000; most preferred 5,000 to 100,000. This preferred class of materials can be referred to as "PVNO".

The most preferred polyamine N-oxide useful in the compositions herein is poly(4-vinylpyridine-N-oxide) which as an average molecular weight of 50,000 and an amine to amine N-oxide ratio of 1:4.

Copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole polymers (referred to as a class as "PVPVI") are also preferred for use herein. Preferably the PVPVI has an average molecular weight range from 5,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably from 5,000 to 200,000, and most preferably from 10,000 to 20,000. (The average molecular weight range is determined by light scattering as described in Barth, et al., Chemical Analysis. Vol 113. "Modern Methods of Polymer Characterization".) The PVPVI copolymers typically have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone from 1:1 to 0.2:1, more preferably from 0.8:1 to 0.3:1, most preferably from 0.6:1 to 0.4:1. These copolymers can be either linear or branched.

The present invention compositions also may employ a polyvinyl¬ pyrrolidone ("PVP") having an average molecular weight of from 5,000 to 400,000, preferably from 5,000 to 200,000, and more preferably from 5,000 to 50,000. PVP's are known to persons skilled in the detergent field; see, for example, EP-A-262,897 and EP-A-256,696. Compositions containing PVP can also contain polyethylene glycol ("PEG") having an average molecular weight from 500 to 100,000, preferably from 1,000 to 10,000. Preferably, the ratio of PEG to PVP on a ppm basis delivered in wash solutions is from 2:1 to 50:1, and more preferably from 3:1 to 10:1.

The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain from 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners which also provide a dye transfer inhibition action. If used, the compositions herein will preferably comprise from 0.01 % to 1.2% by weight of such optical brighteners.

The hydrophilic optical brighteners useful in the present invention are those having the structural formula:

wherein Ri is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2- hydroxy ethyl; R2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxy ethyl, N-2- hydroxyethyl-N-methy lamino, moφhilino, chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium.

When in the above formula, Rj is anilino, R2 is N-2-bis- hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4' ,- bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]-2,2'- stilbenedisulfonic acid and disodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal-UNPA- GX by Ciba-Geigy Coφoration. Tinopal-UNPA-GX is the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener useful in the compositions herein.

When in the above formula, R is anilino, R2 is N-2-hydroxyethyl- N-2-methylamino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4'- bis[(4-anilino-6-(N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino)-s-triazine-2- yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid disodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba-Geigy Coφoration.

When in the above formula, Rj is aniϋno, R2 is moφhiϋno and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4'-bis[(4-anilino-6- moφhilino-s-triazine-2-yl)amino]2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid, sodium salt. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Coφoration.

Other specific optical brightener species which may be used in the present invention provide especially effective dye transfer inhibition performance benefits when used in combination with the selected polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents hereinbefore described. The combination of such selected polymeric materials (e.g., PVNO and/or PVPVI) with such selected optical brighteners (e.g., Tinopal UNPA-GX, Tinopal 5BM-GX and/or Tinopal AMS-GX) provides significantly better dye transfer inhibition in aqueous wash solutions than does either of these two detergent composition components when used alone. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that such brighteners work this way because they have high affinity for fabrics in the wash solution and therefore deposit relatively quick on these fabrics. The extent to which brighteners deposit on fabrics in the wash solution can be defined by a parameter called the "exhaustion coefficient". The exhaustion coefficient is in general as the ratio of a) the brightener material deposited on fabric to b) the initial brightener concentration in the wash liquor. Brighteners with relatively high exhaustion coefficients are the most suitable for inhibiting dye transfer in the context of the present invention.

Of course, it will be appreciated that other conventional optical brightener types of compounds can optionally be used in the present compositions to provide conventional fabric "brightness" benefits, rather than a true dye transfer inhibiting effect. Such usage is conventional and well-known to detergent formulations.

Conventional optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents known in the art can be incoφorated at levels typically from 0.005% to 5%, preferably from 0.01 % to 1.2% and most preferably from 0.05% to 1.2%, by weight, into the detergent compositions herein. Commercial optical brighteners which may be useful in the present invention can be classified into subgroups, which include, but are not necessarily limited to, derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylic acid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiophene-5,5-dioxide, azoles, 5- and 6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Examples of such brighteners are disclosed in "The Production and Application of Fluorescent Brightening Agents", M. Zahradnik, Published by John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982). Further optical brightener which may also be used in the present invention include naphthalimide, benzoxazole, benzofuran, benzimidazole and any mixtures thereof.

Specific examples of optical brighteners which are useful in the present compositions are those identified in U.S. Patent 4,790,856. These brighteners include the PHOR WHITE series of brighteners from Verona. Other brighteners disclosed in this reference include: Tinopal UNPA, Tinopal CBS and Tinopal 5BM; available from Ciba-Geigy; Artie White CC and Artie White CWD; the 2-(4-styryl-phenyl)-2H-naptho[l,2- djtriazoles; 4,4'-bis(l,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-stilbenes; 4,4^*- bis(styryl)bisphenyls; and the aminocoumarins. Specific examples of these brighteners include 4-methyl-7-diethyl- amino coumarin; 1 ,2-bis(- benzimidazol-2-yl)ethylene; 1 ,3-diphenyl-ρyrazolines; 2,5-bis(benzoxazol- 2-yl)thiophene; 2-styryl-naptho-[l,2-d]oxazole; and 2-(stilbene-4-yl)-2H- naphtho[l,2-d]triazole. See also U.S. Patent 3,646,015.

Suds Suppressors - Compounds for reducing or suppressing the formation of suds can be incoφorated into the compositions of the. present invention. Suds suppression can be of particular importance in the so¬ called "high concentration cleaning process" and in front-loading European-style washing machines.

A wide variety of materials may be used as suds suppressors, and suds suppressors are well known to those skilled in the art. See, for example, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 7, pages 430-447 (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1979). One category of suds suppressor of particular interest encompasses monocarboxylic fatty acid and soluble salts therein. See U.S. Patent 2,954,347. The monocarboxylic fatty acids and salts thereof used as suds suppressor typically have hydrocarbyl chains of 10 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable salts include the alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium, and lithium salts, and ammonium and alkanolammonium salts.

The detergent compositions herein may also contain non-surfactant suds suppressors. These include, for example: high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as paraffin, fatty acid esters (e.g., fatty acid triglycerides), fatty acid esters of monovalent alcohols, aliphatic C18-C40 ketones (e.g., stearone), etc. Other suds inhibitors include N-alkylated amino triazines such as tri- to hexa-alkylmelamines or di- to tetra- alkyldiamine chlortriazines formed as products of cyanuric chloride with two or three moles of a primary or secondary amine containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, propylene oxide, and monostearyl phosphates such as monostearyl alcohol phosphate ester and monostearyl di-alkali metal (e.g., K, Na, and Li) phosphates and phosphate esters. The hydrocarbons such as paraffin and haloparaffin can be utilized in liquid form. The liquid hydrocarbons will be liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, and will have a pour point in the range of -40°C and 50°C, and a mimmum boiling point not less than 110°C (atmospheric pressure). It is also known to utilize waxy hydrocarbons, preferably having a melting point below 100°C. The hydrocarbons constitute a preferred category of suds suppressor for detergent compositions. Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,265,779. The hydrocarbons, thus, include aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic, and heterocyclic saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons having from 12 to 70 carbon atoms. The term "paraffin," as used in this suds suppressor discussion, is intended to include mixtures of true paraffins and cyclic hydrocarbons.

Another preferred category of non-surfactant suds suppressors comprises silicone suds suppressors. This category includes the use of polyorganosiloxane oils, such as polydimethylsiloxane, dispersions or emulsions of polyorganosiloxane oils or resins, and combinations of polyorganosiloxane with silica particles wherein the polyorganosiloxane is chemisorbed or fused onto the silica. Silicone suds suppressors are well known in the art and are, for example, disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,265,779 and EP 354016.

Other silicone suds suppressors are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,455,839 which relates to compositions and processes for defoaming aqueous solutions by incoφorating therein small amounts of polydimethylsiloxane fluids.

Mixtures of silicone and silanated silica are described, for instance, in German Patent Application DOS 2,124,526. Silicone defoamers and suds controlling agents in granular detergent compositions are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,933,672 and in U.S. Patent 4,652,392.

An exemplary silicone based suds suppressor for use herein is a suds suppressing amount of a suds controlling agent consisting essentially of:

(i) polydimethylsiloxane fluid having a viscosity of from 20 cs. to 1,500 cs. at 25°C;

(ii) from 5 to 50 parts per 100 parts by weight of (i) of siloxane resin composed of (CH3)3SiOι/2 units of Siθ2 units in a ratio of from (CH3)3 SiOι/2 units and to Siθ2 units of from 0.6:1 to 1.2:1; and (iii) from 1 to 20 parts per 100 parts by weight of (i) of a solid silica gel.

In the preferred silicone suds suppressor used herein, the solvent for a continuous phase is made up of certain polyethylene glycols or polyethylene-polypropylene glycol copolymers or mixtures thereof (preferred), or polypropylene glycol. The primary silicone suds suppressor is branched/crosslinked and preferably not linear.

To illustrate this point further, typical liquid laundry detergent compositions with controlled suds will optionally comprise from 0.001 to 1, preferably from 0.01 to 0.7, most preferably from 0.05 to 0.5, weight % of said silicone suds suppressor, which comprises (1) a nonaqueous emulsion of a primary antifoam agent which is a mixture of (a) a polyorganosiloxane, (b) a resinous siloxane or a silicone resin-producing silicone compound, (c) a finely divided filler material, and (d) a catalyst to promote the reaction of mixture components (a), (b) and (c), to form silanolates; (2) at least one nonionic silicone surfactant; and (3) polyethylene glycol or a copolymer of polyethylene-polypropylene glycol having a solubility in water at room temperature of more than 2 weight % ; and without polypropylene glycol. Similar amounts can be used in granular compositions, gels, etc. See also U.S. Patents 4,978,471 and 4,983,316; 5,288,431 and U.S. Patents 4,639,489 and 4,749,740, Aizawa et al at column 1, line 46 through column 4, line 35.

The silicone suds suppressor herein preferably comprises polyethylene glycol and a copolymer of polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol, all having an average molecular weight of less than 1,000, preferably between 100 and 800. The polyethylene glycol and polyethylene/polypropylene copolymers herein have a solubility in water at room temperature of more than 2 weight % , preferably more than 5 weight % .

The preferred solvent herein is polyethylene glycol having an average molecular weight of less than 1 ,000, more preferably between 100 and 800, most preferably between 200 and 400, and a copolymer of polyethylene glycol/polypropylene glycol, preferably PPG 200/PEG 300. Preferred is a weight ratio of between 1:1 and 1:10, most preferably between 1:3 and 1:6, of polyethylene glycol: copolymer of polyethylene- polypropylene glycol. The preferred silicone suds suppressors used herein do not contain polypropylene glycol, particularly of 4,000 molecular weight. They also preferably do not contain block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, like PLURONIC L101.

Other suds suppressors useful herein comprise the secondary alcohols (e.g., 2-alkyl alkanols) and mixtures of such alcohols with silicone oils, such as the silicones disclosed in U.S. 4,798,679, 4,075,118 and EP 150,872. The secondary alcohols include the C -Ciό alkyl alcohols having a Cι-Cj6 chain. A preferred alcohol is 2-butyl octanol, which is available from Condea under the trademark ISOFOL 12. Mixtures of secondary alcohols are available under the trademark ISALCHEM 123 from Enichem. Mixed suds suppressors typically comprise mixtures of alcohol + silicone at a weight ratio of 1:5 to 5:1.

For any detergent compositions to be used in automatic laundry washing machines, suds should not form to the extent that they overflow the washing machine. Suds suppressors, when utilized, are preferably present in a "suds suppressing amount. By "suds suppressing amount" is meant that the formulator of the composition can select an amount of this suds controlling agent that will sufficiently control the suds to result in a low-sudsing laundry detergent for use in automatic laundry washing machines.

The compositions herein will generally comprise from 0% to 5% of suds suppressor. When utilized as suds suppressors, monocarboxylic fatty acids, and salts therein, will be present typically in amounts up to 5%, by weight, of the detergent composition. Preferably, from 0.5% to 3% of fatty monocarboxylate suds suppressor is utilized. Silicone suds suppressors are typically utilized in amounts up to 2.0%, by weight, of the detergent composition, although higher amounts may be used. This upper limit is practical in nature, due primarily to concern with keeping costs minimized and effectiveness of lower amounts for effectively controlling sudsing. Preferably from 0.01 % to 1 % of silicone suds suppressor is used, more preferably from 0.25% to 0.5%. As used herein, these weight percentage values include any silica that may be utilized in combination with polyorganosiloxane, as well as any adjunct materials that may be utilized. Monostearyl phosphate suds suppressors are generally utilized in amounts ranging from 0.1% to 2%, by weight, of the composition. Hydrocarbon suds suppressors are typically utilized in amounts ranging from 0.01 % to 5.0%, although higher levels can be used. The alcohol suds suppressors are typically used at 0.2% -3% by weight of the finished compositions.

Fabric Softeners - Various through-the-wash fabric softeners, especially the impalpable smectite clays of U.S. Patent 4,062,647, as well as other softener clays known in the art, can optionally be used typically at levels of from 0.5% to 10% , preferably from 0.5% to 2% by weight in the present compositions to provide fabric softener benefits concurrently with fabric cleaning. Clay softeners can be used in combination with amine and cationic softeners as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,375,416 and U.S. Patent 4,291,071.

Other Ingredients - A wide variety of other functional ingredients useful in detergent compositions can be included in the compositions herein, including other active ingredients, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, dyes or pigments, solvents for liquid formulations, solid fillers for bar compositions. If high sudsing is desired, suds boosters such as the Cjo- Ci6 alkanolamides can be incoφorated into the compositions, typically at 1 %-10% levels. The C10-C14 monoethanol and diethanol amides illustrate a typical class of such suds boosters. Use of such suds boosters with high sudsing adjunct surfactants such as the amine oxides, betaines and sultaines noted above is also advantageous. If desired, soluble magnesium salts such as MgCl2, MgSθ4, and the like, can be added at levels of, typically, 0.1 % -2% , to provide additional suds and to enhance grease removal performance.

Various detersive ingredients employed in the present compositions optionally can be further stabilized by absorbing said ingredients onto a porous hydrophobic substrate, then coating said substrate with a hydrophobic coating. Preferably, the detersive ingredient is admixed with a surfactant before being absorbed into the porous substrate. In use, the detersive ingredient is released from the substrate into the aqueous washing liquor, where it performs its intended detersive function.

To illustrate this technique in more detail, a porous hydrophobic silica (trademark SIPERNAT D10, DeGussa) is admixed with a proteolytic enzyme solution containing 3 %-5% of C13. 5 ethoxylated alcohol (EO 7) nonionic surfactant. Typically, the enzyme/surfactant solution is 2.5 X the weight of silica. The resulting powder is dispersed with stirring in silicone oil (various silicone oil viscosities in the range of 500-12,500 can be used). The resulting silicone oil dispersion is emulsified or otherwise added to the final detergent matrix. By this means, ingredients such as the aforementioned enzymes, bleaches, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, photoactivators, dyes, fluorescer s, fabric conditioners and hydrolyzable surfactants can be "protected" for use in detergents.

The detergent compositions herein will preferably be formulated such that, during use in aqueous cleaning operations, the wash water will have a pH of between 6.5 and 11, preferably between 7.5 and 10.5. Laundry products are typically at pH 9-11. Techniques for controlling pH at recommended usage levels include the use of buffers, alkalis, acids, etc., and are well known to those skilled in the art.

Other optional ingredients

Other optional ingredients suitable for inclusion in the compositions of the invention include perfumes, colours and filler salts, with sodium sulfate being a preferred filler salt.

Form of the compositions

The detergent compositions of the invention can be formulated in any desirable form such as powders, granulates, pastes, liquids, and gels.

Liquid compositions

The detergent compositions of the present invention may be formulated as liquid detergent compositions. Such liquid detergent compositions typically comprise from 94% to 35% by weight, preferably from 90% to 40% by weight, most preferably from 80% to 50% by weight of a liquid carrier, e.g., water, preferably a mixture of water and organic solvent.

Gel compositions

The detergent compositions of the present invention may also be in the form of gels. Such compositions are typically formulated with polyakenyl polyether having a molecular weight of from about 750,000 to about 4,000,000.

Solid compositions

The detergent compositions of the invention may also be in the form of solids, such as powders and granules.

The mean particle size of the components of granular compositions in accordance with the invention should preferably be such that no more that 5% of particles are greater than 1.4mm in diameter and not more than 5% of particles are less than 0.15mm in diameter.

The term mean particle size as defined herein is calculated by sieving a sample of the composition into a number of fractions (typically 5 fractions) on a series of Tyler sieves. The weight fractions thereby obtained are plotted against the aperture size of the sieves. The mean particle size is taken to be the aperture size through which 50% by weight of the sample would pass.

The bulk density of granular detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention are particularly useful in concentrated granular detergent compositions that are characterised by a relatively high density in comparison with conventional laundry detergent compositions. Such high density compositions typically have a bulk density of at least 400 g/litre, more preferably from 650 g/litre to 1200 g/litre, most preferably from 800g/litre to lOOOg/litre.

Bulk density is measured by means of a simple funnel and cup device consisting of a conical funnel moulded rigidly on a base and provided with a flap valve at its lower extremity to allow the contents of the funnel to be emptied into an axially aligned cylindrical cup disposed below the funnel. The funnel is 130 mm high and has internal diameters of 130 mm and 40 mm at its respective upper and lower extremities. It is mounted so that the lower extremity is 140 mm above the upper surface of the base. The cup has an overall height of 90 mm, an internal height of 87 mm and an internal diameter of 84 mm. Its nominal volume is 500 ml.

To carry out a measurement, the funnel is filled with powder by hand pouring, the flap valve is opened and powder allowed to overfill the cup. The filled cup is removed from the frame and excess powder removed from the cup by passing a straight edged implement eg; a knife, across its upper edge. The filled cup is then weighed and the value obtained for the weight of powder doubled to provide a bulk density in g/litre. Replicate measurements are made as required.

In a further embodiment of the invention is provided a method for reducing heater encrustation, which comprises contacting the heater with an effective amount of an aqueous solution of a detergent composition comprising an hydroxyacid component in accordance with the present invention.

Making processes - granular compositions In general, granular detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention can be made via a variety of methods including dry mixing, spray drying, agglomeration and granulation.

The invention is illustrated in the following non limiting examples, in which all percentages are on a weight basis unless otherwise stated.

In the bleaching compositions of the invention, the abbreviated component identifications have the following meanings:

C12LAS Sodium linear C12 alkyl benzene sulphonate

TAS Sodium tallow alcohol sulphate C45AS Sodium C14-C15 linear alkyl sulphate

C45E3S Sodium C14-C15 branched alkyl sulphate condensed with 3 moles of ethylene oxide.

Soap Sodium linear alkyl carboxylate derived from an 80/20 mixture of tallow and a coconut oils. C45E7 A C 14-15 predominantly linear primary alcohol condensed with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide

C25 E3 A C12-I5 branched primary alcohol condensed with an average of 3 moles of ethylene oxide

C25E5 A C 12-15 branched primary alcohol condensed with an average of 5 moles of ethylene oxide TFAA C16-C1 alkyl N-methyl glucamide

Silicate Amoφhous Sodium Silicate (Siθ2:Na2θ; 2.0 ratio)

NaSKS-6 Crystalline layered silicate of formula δ -Na2Si2θ5

Carbonate Anhydrous sodium carbonate with a particle size between 200μm and 900μm

Bicarbonate Anhydrous sodium bicarbonate with a particle size distribution between 400μm and 1200μm

Sulphate Anhydrous sodium sulphate Zeolite A Hydrated Sodium Aluminosilicate of formula

Nai2(A102SiO₂)i2. 27H₂0 having a primary particle size in the range from 0.1 to 10 micrometers

STPP Anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate Citrate Tri-sodium citrate dihydrate of activity 86.4% with a particle size distribution between 425 μm and 850μm

MA/AA Copolymer of 1:4 maleic/acrylic acid, average molecular weight about 70,000.

PB4 Sodium perborate tetrahydrate of nominal formula NaBO2.3H2O.H2O2

PB1 Anhydrous sodium perborate bleach of nominal formula NaBθ2-H2θ2

Percarbonate Sodium Percarbonate of nominal formula

2Na2Cθ3.3H2θ2

NOBS Nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate in the form of the sodium salt.

TAED Tetraacetyl ethylene diamine

CMC Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose

Brightener 1 Disodium 4,4'-bis(4-anilino-6-moφholino-l .3.5- triazin-2-yl)amino stilbene-2 : 2 ' -disulphonate .

Brightener 2 Disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulphostyτyl)biphenyl

DTPMP Diethylene triamine penta (methylene phosphonate), marketed by Monsanto under the Trade name Dequest 2060

EDDS Ethylenediamine -N, N'- disuccinic acid, [S,S] isomer in the form of the sodium salt.

Silicone antifoam: Polydimethyldiloxane foam controller with Siloxane-oxyalkylene copolymer as dispersing agent with a ratio of said foam controller to said dispersing agent of 10:1 to 100:1. Photoactivated: Sulphonated Zinc Phthalocyanin encapsulated in bleach dextrin soluble polymer

Savinase proteolytic enzyme of activity 4KNPU/g

Alcalase proteolytic enzyme of activity 3AU/g

Carezyme cellulytic enzyme of activity 1000 SCEVU/g

Termamyl Amylolytic enzyme of activity 60KNU/g

Lipolase Lipolytic enzyme of activity lOOkLU/g all sold by NOVO Industries A/S

PVP polyvinylpyrrolidone of MWt 13000 SRP Sulfobenzoyl end capped esters with oxyethylene oxy and terephtaloyl backbone

Example 1-Comparative Performance Testing

The following laundry detergent compositions A and F having a ratio of carbonate producing compounds to calcium binding capacity compounds of 0.55 were prepared, where F is a comparative composition and A is in accord with the invention:

Formulations A F

C45AS 11.0 11.0

Zeolite A 15.0 15.0

Carbonate 4.0 4.0

MA/AA 4.0 4.0

CMC 0.5 0.5

DTPMP 0.4 0.4

C25E5 5.0 5.0

Perfume 0.5 0.5

NaSKS-6 13.0 13.0

Citrate 3.0 3.0

TAED 7.0 7.0

Percarbonate 20.0 20.0

SRP 0.3 0.3

Test protocol - Heater encrustation testing

A test was made using two Bosch automatic dishwashing machines SMS 9022. The 65 °C normal cycle programme was selected and water of 25° German Hardness was used. The detergent was poured in the automatic dispenser located in the door of the machine in amount sufficient to obtain a ratio of 5g of detergent per litre of solution. With this amount, the laundry conditions were reproduced and easier access than in a laundry washing machine to the heater for observation was obtained.

One machine was run with formulation A and the other with formulation F. After 27 wash cycles, the heater was removed for visual observation. A white deposit was observed on the heater where Formulation F was used while for the heater which was using formulation A according to the invention at 1.25% of glycolic acid, no white deposit was observed.

The visual observation test is made for determining the presence of calcium and/or magnesium carbonate. The heater is immersed in an acidified water solution (2N sulfuric acid). The observation of an effervescence on top of the heater indicates the presence of calcium and/or magnesium carbonate encrustation.

Using the above test, an effervescence was observed on the heater where formulation F was used while the heater using formulation A according to the invention at 1.25% of glycolic showed a significantly reduced effervescence versus formulation F.

Thus, encrustation was observed on the heater using formulation F while reduced encrustation was observed on the heater using formulation A according to the invention.

Example 2

The following laundry detergent compositions B to F having a ratio of carbonate producing compounds to calcium binding capacity compounds of 0.55 were prepared, where F is a comparative composition and B to E are in accord with the invention.

Formulations B C D E F

C45AS 11.0 11.0 11.0 11.0 11.0

Zeolite A 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0

Carbonate 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

MA/AA 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

CMC 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

DTPMP 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

C25E5 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0

Perfume 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5

NaSKS-6 13.0 13.0 13.0 13.0 13.0

Citrate 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0

TAED 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0

Percarbonate 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0 20.0

SRP 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3

Savinase 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4 1.4

Lipolase 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4

Carezyme 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

Termamyl 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6

Silicone antifoam 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0

Brightener 2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Glycolic acid 0.45 0.9 1.34 - - (neutralised form)

Glycolic acid - - - 1.34 -

Balance (moisture & 100 100 100 100 100 miscellaneous)

Compositions B to E in accordance with the invention were all seen by the visual observation test, to produce appreciably less heater encrustation than composition F.

Example 3

The following laundry detergent compositions G to X were prepared in accord with the invention:

Photoactivated 0.02 0.02 bleach

Savinase 1.0 1.0

Lipolase 0.4 0.4

Sulfate 3.0 5.0

Glycolic acid 1.25 1.25 (neutralised form)

Balance (moisture & miscellaneous)

Formulations I J K

Blown Zeolite A 15 15 - powder

Sulfate - 5.0 -

LAS 3.0 3.0 -

DTPMP 0.4 0.5 -

CMC 0.4 0.4 -

MA/AA 4.0 4.0 -

Agglomerate C45AS - - 11.0 s

LAS 6.0 5.0 -

TAS 3.0 2.0 -

Silicate 4.0 4.0 -

Zeolite A 10.0 15.0 13.0

CMC - - 0.5

MA/AA - - 2.0

Carbonate 9.0 7.0 7.0

Spray on Perfume 0.3 0.3 0.5

C45E7 4.0 4.0 4.0

C25E3 2.0 2.0 2.0

Dry additives MA/AA - - 3.0

NaSKS-6 - - 12.0

Citrate 10.0 - 8.0

Bicarbonate 7.0 3.0 5.0

Carbonate 8.0 5.0 7.0

Balance (moisture & miscellaneous)

Balance 100.0 100.0 100 (Moisture & Miscellaneous)

Formulations U V W X

LAS 20.0 14.0 24.0 22.0

Mixture of N, N-dimethy l-N-(2- 0.7 1.0 0.7 hydroxyethyl) -N-dodecy 1/N , N-dimethy 1-N- (2-hydroxyethyl) -N-tetradecyl ammomum bromide

N-Cocoyl N-Methyl Glucamine - 1.0 - -

C25E5/C45E7 - 2.0 - 0.5

C45E3S - 2.5 - -

STPP 30.0 18.0 30.0 22.0

Silicate (2.0R) 9.0 5.0 10.0 7.6

Carbonate 13.0 7.5 - 5.0

Bicarbonate - 7.5 - -

DTPMP 0.7 1.0 - -

SRP 0.3 0.2 - 0.1

MA/AA 2.0 1.5 2.0 1.0

CMC 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.2

Savinase 0.8 1.0 0.5 0.5

Termamyl 0.8 0.4 - 0.25

Lipolase 0.2 0.1 0.2 0.1

Carezyme (5T) 0.15 0.05 - -

Photoactivated bleach (ppm) 70 45 - 10

Brightener 2 0.2 0.2 0.08 0.2

PB1 6.0 2.0 - -

NOBS 2.0 1.0 - -

Glycolic acid (neutralised form) 1.25 1.25 1.25 1.25

Balance (Moisture & Miscellaneous) 100 100 100 100

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1-A detergent composition comprising one or more surfactants and one or more hydroxyacid compounds selected from monocarboxylic acid, alicyclic polycarboxylic acid, heterocyclic polycarboxylic acid and aromatic polycarboxylic acid compounds and salts thereof, substituted with at least one hydroxyl group, wherein said hydroxyacid compound is present in amount less than 5%.

2-A detergent composition according to Claim 1 wherein said hydroxyacid compound is selected from acyclic, alicyclic, heterocyclic and aromatic carboxylic acids having the general formulae

(a)

(b)

or (c)

wherein R represents H,Cι_30 alkyl or alkenyl optionally substituted by hydroxy, carboxy, sulfo or phosphono groups or attached to a polyethylenoxy moiety containing up to 20 ethyleneoxy groups; R2 represents H,Cj_4 alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxy alkyl, or alkaryl, sulfo, or phosphono groups;

X represents a single bond; O; S; SO; SO2; NRi; or C=0;

Y represents H; carboxy; hydroxy; carboxymethyloxy; or

Cι_30 alkyl or alkenyl optionally substituted by hydroxy or carboxy groups;

Z represents H; or carboxy; hydroxy; carboxymethyloxy; m is an integer from 1 to 10; n is an integer from 3 to 6; p, q are integers from 0 to 6, p + q being from 1 to 6; and wherein, X,

Y, and Z each have the same or different representations when repeated in a given molecular formula, and wherein at least one Y or Z in a molecule contain a carboxyl group, and wherein the molecule contains at least one hydroxyl group in the position alpha of at least one of the carboxyl group, and wherein in formula a) the molecule does not contain more than one carboxyl group.

3-A detergent composition according to either one of Claims 1 or 2 wherein said hydroxyacid is selected from glycolic acid, lactic acid, mandelic acid, hydroxypropionic acid and salicylic acid and salts thereof.

4- A detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1-3 wherein said hydroxyacid is glycolic acid or its salt thereof.

5- A detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1-4 wherein said hydroxyacid is present in amount of 0.01 to 4%, preferably from 0.2 to 3 % by weight of the composition.

6-A detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1-5 wherein said detergent composition further comprises carbonate producing compounds selected from percarbonates, calcium carbonates, bicarbonates, sesquicarbonates and mixtures thereof.

7- A detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1-6, wherein said detergent composition further comprises one or more calcium binding capacity compounds, each having a coefficient of calcium binding capacity of at least 0.6.

8- A detergent composition according to claim 7, wherein said calcium binding capacity compounds are selected from Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), Zeolite MAP, Zeolite X, delta-Na2Si2θ5 (Na SKS-6), citrate, soap and mixtures thereof.

9-A detergent composition comprising carbonate-producing compounds together with calcium binding capacity compounds according to any one of Claim 6-8, wherein the weight ratio of said carbonate producing compound to said calcium binding capacity compound is of at least 0.3:1 and preferably of at least 0.5:1.

10-A detergent composition according to any one of Claims 1-9, wherein said detergent composition further comprises a bleach, a peroxyacid bleach precursor and conventional detersive components.

11-A detergent composition according to Claim 10, wherein said bleach is an inorganic perhydrate bleach, preferably sodium percarbonate.

12-A method for reducing heater encrustation, which comprises contacting the heater with an effective amount of an aqueous solution of a detergent composition comprising an hydroxyacid as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11.