CN106459842B

CN106459842B - Cleaning compositions comprising cationic polymers and methods of making and using the same

Info

Publication number: CN106459842B
Application number: CN201580016211.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 司刚; 秦鹏; 张祺; S·夏拉; S·伯克尔; 秦东言; 汤鸣; M·R·斯维克; R·K·帕纳戴克; C·曼德拉; A·佛罗瑞斯-菲格罗亚; 葛慧
Original assignee: BASF SE
Current assignee: BASF SE
Priority date: 2014-03-26
Filing date: 2015-03-13
Publication date: 2020-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2035-03-13
Also published as: EP3122854A1; EP3122854B1; WO2015144053A1; WO2015143997A1; CN106795461A; CN106795461B; WO2015144053A8; EP3122856A1; CN106459842A

Abstract

The present invention relates to cleaning compositions, preferably lichen detergent compositions, comprising cationic polymers capable of improving the overall sudsing profile of such cleaning compositions.

Description

Cleaning compositions comprising cationic polymers and methods of making and using the same

Technical Field

The present invention relates to cleaning compositions, and in particular it relates to laundry detergent compositions, preferably liquid laundry detergent compositions, comprising an effective amount of a cationic polymer for optimizing sudsing profile. The invention also relates to methods of making and using such cleaning compositions.

Background

Sudsing profile is important for cleaning compositions, particularly lichen detergents, where proper volume and speed of suds formation, retention and dissolution during the wash and rinse cycles are considered by consumers as key benchmarks for performance. In the case of laundry detergents, while the sudsing profile is important for machine washing processes, it is even more important in typical hand washing processes because the consumer can see the variation in suds level during the wash and rinse cycles. Generally, consumers, particularly hand washing consumers, desire laundry detergents dissolved in the wash liquor to produce a high amount of suds during the wash cycle to represent adequate performance. The suds then transfer into the rinse solution and require additional time, water and labor to thoroughly rinse from the laundered fabrics.

However, reducing the overall level of suds is not a viable option as little or no suds is seen by the consumer during the wash cycle, which leads to consumer belief that the laundry detergent is inactive. Furthermore, there is a current market demand for laundry detergents that have improved environmental sustainability (e.g., less water consumption) but do not adversely affect cleaning performance or perception of cleaning performance (i.e., appearance of foam on fabrics or in rinse solutions). This, of course, enhances the preference for laundry detergents with improved suds control compositions to accelerate suds dissolution during the rinse cycle so as to reduce the additional rinse cycle required to remove suds from the cleaned fabrics/rinse solution. Thus, there is a need for a cleaning composition having a foaming profile wherein a high level of foam volume is present during the wash cycle, yet rapidly collapses in a drift solution to substantially reduce foam or have zero foam for purposes of cost savings and environmental protection. This is referred to as the "one rinse" concept.

One solution is to add an anti-foaming agent during the rinse cycle, but this option is cost prohibitive for most handwash consumers. In addition, the prior art discloses laundry detergent compositions with various foam control agents or defoamers in an attempt to solve this problem. For example, PCT publication No. WO2011/107397(Unilever) discloses laundry detergent compositions comprising a delayed release amino-siloxane based antifoam agent absorbed onto a carrier or filler to act in the rinse cycle to reduce or eliminate foam, preferably after two rinse cycles. However, the foam control benefits conferred by such amino-silicone based defoamers may still arise at the expense of wash foam, i.e., wash foam volume may be significantly reduced because silicone release time is difficult to control. Untimely release of the silicone antifoam can result in a significant reduction in wash foam volume which will give the consumer the impression that the detergent composition contains a lower surfactant content and thus a lower quality/value. European publication No. EP0685250a1(Dow Corning) discloses foam control compositions for use in laundry detergents that inhibit the formation of new foam during the post-wash rinse cycle, but which do not appear to accelerate the elimination of already existing foam transferred from the wash cycle.

Accordingly, there is a need for cleaning compositions, preferably laundry detergent compositions, which are capable of enhancing foam formation (both in terms of rapid formation of high volume foam and stability or sustainability of already generated foam over time) during a wash cycle, while rapidly reducing and eliminating foam (preferably within the context of a range of consumer wash habits and the fabric/material surface being washed) during one or more rinse cycles, such that one wash cycle may be sufficient to remove foam, thereby enabling a "one rinse" concept.

In addition, conventional defoamers or defoamers, especially polymeric defoamers or defoamers, are known to cause significant loss of whiteness in fabrics after repeated wash cycles, i.e., gray or dark colors in fabrics exposed to many wash cycles. Thus, the use of such polymeric defoamers or defoamers has been limited in laundry detergent compositions. Thus, there would also be an advantage in laundry detergent compositions with reduced loss of whiteness in fabrics after repeated washing.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention relates to laundry detergent compositions which exhibit significant suds reduction during the rinse cycle while minimizing the reduction in suds volume during the wash cycle and while resulting in less fabric whiteness loss after repeated washing. It has now been found that the challenges presented above for conventional laundry detergents can be met by using a cationic polymer comprising (meth) acrylamide (AAm), cationic monomer units, and optionally nonionic monomer units (which are not AAm) in a specific monomer ratio and having a molecular weight within a specified range. The cationic polymers of the present invention have shown excellent sudsing characteristics and have no or less loss of fabric whiteness.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a laundry detergent composition comprising an effective amount of a cationic polymer for suds profile optimization, such cationic polymer comprising: (i) from about 10 mol% to about 70 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit derived from (meth) acrylamide (AAm); (ii) about 5 mol% to about 40 mol% of a second cationic structural unit; (iii) from about 5 mol% to about 60 mol% of a third nonionic structural unit different from the first nonionic structural unit; and (iv) optionally, 0 to 20 mol% of at least one additional structural unit different from the first, second and third structural units, while the total mol% of (i) - (iv) add up to 100 mol%, and while the cationic polymer is characterized by a molecular weight (Mw) in the range of 15,000 to 1,000,000 daltons and is substantially free of any siloxane-derived structural units.

In addition to the cationic polymer, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may also comprise one or more anionic surfactants. The anionic surfactant is present in a range of 1 to 50% by weight, and is preferably selected from: c₁₀-C₂₀Linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, C having an average degree of alkoxylation in the range of 0.1 to 5.0₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl sulfates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl ester sulfates, C₁₀-C₂₀Straight-chain or branched alkylsulfonic acid salts, C₁₀-C₂₀Straight or branched alkyl ester sulfonates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkylphosphates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkylphosphonates, C₁₀-C₂₀Straight or branched chain alkyl carboxylates, and combinations thereof.

The second cationic structural unit is preferably derived from or made of a monomer selected from the group consisting of: diallyldimethylammonium salt (DADMAS), N-dimethylaminoethylacrylate, N-Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (DMAM), [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium salt, N-Dimethylaminopropylacrylamide (DMAPA), N-Dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide (DMAPMA), acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt (APTAS), methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt (MAPTAS), Quaternized Vinylimidazole (QVi), and combinations thereof. More preferably, the second cationic structural unit of the cationic polymer is derived from or made from diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC).

The third nonionic structural unit is preferably derived from or made from a monomer selected from the group consisting of: vinyl Pyrrolidone (VP), vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl formamide, vinyl acetamide, vinyl alkyl ether, vinyl pyridine, vinyl imidazole, vinyl caprolactam, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the third nonionic structural unit of the cationic polymer is derived from VP.

The cationic polymers of the present invention may also comprise a fourth anionic structural unit in an amount of from 0 mol% to about 20 mol%, however the fourth anionic structural unit is preferably derived from vinyl carboxylic acids and anhydrides thereof. Note that the incorporation of the fourth anionic building block does not change the overall cationic character of the polymer, i.e. the total anionic charge carried by the fourth anionic building block is less than the total cationic charge carried by the second cationic building block, so that the overall charge of the polymer is still rendered cationic.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cationic polymer comprises: (i) about 15 mol% to about 60 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit; (ii) about 10 mol% to about 40 mol% of a second cationic structural unit; and (iii) from about 20 mol% to about 55 mol% of a third nonionic structural unit. Preferably, but not necessarily, the cationic polymer of the present invention consists essentially of the above structural units.

The molecular weight, i.e., weight average molecular weight, of the cationic polymer is preferably in the range of from about 15,000 to about 1,000,000 daltons, more preferably from about 20,000 to about 500,000 daltons, and most preferably from about 20,000 to about 250,000 daltons.

The cationic polymer can be present in the laundry detergent composition in any amount sufficient to impart a sudsing benefit (i.e., increased wash suds volume or decreased rinse suds volume, or both, as compared to a similar laundry detergent composition not comprising said cationic polymer). Preferably, the cationic polymer is present in an amount ranging from about 0.01 wt.% to about 15 wt.%, preferably from about 0.05 wt.% to about 10 wt.%, more preferably from about 0.1 wt.% to about 5 wt.%, and most preferably from about 0.2 wt.% to about 1 wt.%.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of a laundry detergent composition as described above, preferably for hand washing of fabrics to achieve optimized sudsing profile and minimal loss of whiteness. The optimized foaming characteristics may be characterized by: (1) a wash foam index (WSI) of greater than 100%, preferably greater than 105%, and more preferably greater than 110%; and (2) a rinse foam index (RSI) of less than 50%, preferably less than 45%, and more preferably less than 40%, as determined by the sudsing profile test described hereinafter.

In another aspect, the present invention relates to a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising:

(1) from about 0.2% to about 1% by weight of a cationic polymer having a molecular weight of from about 20,000 to about 250,000 daltons, the cationic polymer consisting essentially of: (i) from about 15 mol% to about 60 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit derived from (meth) acrylamide (AAm); (ii) from about 10 mol% to about 40 mol% of a second cationic structural unit derived from diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC); (iii) from about 20 mol% to about 55 mol% of a third nonionic structural unit derived from Vinylpyrrolidone (VP); and (iv)0 mol% to about 10 mol% of a fourth anionic structural unit derived from (meth) Acrylic Acid (AA), Maleic Acid (MA), and anhydrides thereof; and

(2) from about 1% to about 50% by weight of one or more anionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of: c₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates having an average degree of alkoxylation in the range of from about 0.5 to about 3, and combinations thereof.

These and other features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

Detailed Description

Definition of

As used herein, "foam" refers to a non-equilibrium dispersion of gas bubbles in a relatively small volume of liquid. Terms such as "foam", "creme", "lather" are used interchangeably within the meaning of the present invention.

As used herein, "sudsing profile" refers to the characteristics of a detergent composition that are related to suds profile in the wash and rinse cycles. Sudsing characteristics of detergent compositions include, but are not limited to, the rate of suds generation upon dissolution in the laundry wash liquor, the volume and retention of suds during the wash cycle, and the volume and disappearance of suds during the rinse cycle. Preferably, the sudsing profile comprises a wash suds index and a rinse suds index, as specifically defined by the test methods disclosed in the examples below. It may also include additional foam-related parameters such as foam stability measured during the wash cycle, etc.

As used herein, the term "cleaning composition" refers to liquid or solid compositions used to treat fabrics, hard surfaces, and any other surface in the fabric and home care arts, and includes hard surface cleaning and/or treatment, including floor and bathroom cleaners (e.g., toilet bowl cleaners); hand dishwashing detergents or light duty dishwashing detergents, especially those of the high sudsing type; machine dishwashing detergent; a personal care composition; a pet care composition; an automotive care composition; and a home care composition. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition of the present invention is a hard surface cleaning composition, preferably wherein the hard surface cleaning composition impregnates a nonwoven substrate.

As used herein, the term "laundry detergent composition" is a subset of "cleaning compositions" and includes liquid or solid compositions and, unless otherwise indicated, includes all-purpose or "heavy-duty" detergents for fabrics, especially cleaning detergents, in granular or powder form, as well as cleaning adjuncts such as bleaching agents, rinse aids, additives or pretreatment types. In one embodiment, the laundry detergent composition is a solid laundry detergent composition, and preferably a free-flowing particulate laundry detergent composition (i.e. a particulate detergent product).

As used herein, the term "cationic polymer" refers to a polymer having a cationic net charge. Such polymers typically comprise one or more cationic monomers. In addition to cationic monomers, it may also comprise one or more anionic monomers and/or nonionic monomers, but the overall charge carried by all monomer units in the polymer is positive (i.e., cationic).

As used herein, "charge density" refers to the net charge density of the polymer itself, and may be different from the net charge density of the monomer feed. The charge density of a homopolymer can be calculated by dividing the net charge per repeating (structural) unit by the molecular weight of the repeating unit. The positive charge may be located on the polymer backbone and/or on the polymer side chains. For some polymers, such as those with amine structural units, the charge density depends on the pH of the support. For these polymers, the charge density is calculated based on the monomer charge at pH 7. In general, the charge is determined relative to the polymeric building block, not necessarily the parent monomer.

As used herein, the term "cationic charge density" (CCD) refers to the amount of net positive charge present per gram of polymer. The cationic charge density (in milliequivalents of charge per gram of polymer) can be calculated according to the following equation:

wherein:e2 is the molar equivalent of the charge of the second cationic building block; e4 is the molar equivalent of the charge of the fourth anionic building block (if any); c2 is the mole percentage of the second cationic building block; c4 is the mole percent of the fourth anionic structural unit (if any); c1 and C3 are mole percentages of the first and third nonionic structural units; w1, W2, W3 and W4 are the molecular weights of the first nonionic structural unit, the second cationic structural unit, the third nonionic structural unit and the fourth anionic structural unit (if any), respectively. For example, for an AAm/QVi/VP polymer comprising 80 mol% AAm, 5 mol% QVi, and 15 mol% VP, respectively, the cationic charge density (meq/g) is calculated as: CCD 1000 × E₂×C₂/(C₁W₁+C₂W₂+C₃W₃) In which E₂＝1，C₁＝80，C₂＝5，C₃＝15，W₁＝71.08，W₂220.25 and W₃111.14. Therefore, the cationic charge density of the copolymer was CCD-1000X 1X 5/(80X 71.08+ 5X 220.25+ 15X 111.14) -0.59. As another example, for an Am/DADMAC/VP/AA polymer comprising 76 mol% AAm, 5 mol% DADMAC, 15 mol% VP, and 4 mol% VP, respectively, the cationic charge density (meq/g) is calculated as: CCD 1000 × (E)₂C₂–E₄C₄)/(C₁W₁+C₂W₂+C₃W₃+C₄W₄) In which E₂＝1，E₄＝1，C₁＝76，C₂＝5，C₃＝15，C₄＝4，W₁＝71.08，W₂＝161.67，W₃111.14 and W₄72.06. Thus, the copolymer has a cationic charge density of

As used herein, the term "molecular weight" refers to the weight average molecular weight of the polymer chains in the polymer composition. In addition, "weight average molecular weight"

("Mw") can be calculated using the following formula:

Mw＝(Σi Ni Mi²)/(Σi Ni Mi)

where Ni is the number of molecules having a molecular weight Mi. The weight average molecular weight must be measured by the method described in the test methods section.

As used herein, "mol%" refers to the relative mole percentage of a particular monomeric building block in a polymer. It is to be understood that within the meaning of the present invention, the relative molar percentages of all monomer building blocks present in the cationic polymer should amount to 100 mol%.

As used herein, the term "derived from" refers to a monomeric building block in a polymer that can be made from a compound or any derivative of such a compound (i.e., having one or more substituents). Preferably, such building blocks are made directly from the compound in question. For example, the term "structural unit derived from (meth) acrylamide" refers to a monomeric structural unit in a polymer that can be made from (meth) acrylamide or any derivative thereof having one or more substituents. Preferably, such building blocks can be made directly from (meth) acrylamide. The term "(meth) acrylamide" refers to methacrylamide or acrylamide, and is referred to herein simply as "AAm".

As used herein, the term "ammonium salt" or "ammonium salt" refers to various compounds selected from the group consisting of: ammonium chloride, ammonium fluoride, ammonium bromide, ammonium iodide, ammonium bisulfate, ammonium alkyl sulfate, ammonium dihydrogen phosphate, ammonium alkyl hydrogen phosphate, ammonium dialkyl phosphate, and the like. For example, diallyldimethylammonium salts as described herein include, but are not limited to: diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC), diallyldimethylammonium fluoride, diallyldimethylammonium bromide, diallyldimethylammonium iodide, diallyldimethylammonium hydrogen sulfate, diallyldimethylammonium alkyl sulfate, diallyldimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, diallyldimethylammonium hydrogen phosphate, diallyldimethylammonium dialkyl phosphate, and combinations thereof. Preferably, but not necessarily, the ammonium salt is ammonium chloride.

As used herein, articles such as "a" and "an" when used in a claim are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described.

As used herein, the terms "comprising," "including," "containing," and "containing" are non-limiting. The terms "consisting of … …" or "consisting essentially of … …" are meant to be limiting, i.e., to exclude any components or ingredients not specifically listed except when they are present as impurities. As used herein, the term "substantially free" refers to the complete absence of an ingredient or a minimal amount of an ingredient that is merely an impurity or an unexpected byproduct of another ingredient.

As used herein, the term "solid" includes granular, powder, bar, and tablet product forms.

As used herein, the term "fluid" includes liquid, gel, paste, and gaseous product forms.

As used herein, the term "liquid" means at 25 ℃ and 20 seconds^-1A fluid of a liquid having a viscosity of about 1 to about 2000 mPas at shear rate. In some embodiments, 25 ℃ and 20 seconds^-1The viscosity of the liquid at shear rate may be in the range of about 200 to about 1000mPa s. In some embodiments, 25 ℃ and 20 seconds^-1The viscosity of the liquid at shear rate may be in the range of about 200 to about 500mPa s.

All temperatures herein are expressed in degrees Celsius (. degree. C.) unless otherwise indicated. All measurements herein are made at 20 ℃ and ambient pressure unless otherwise indicated.

In all embodiments of the invention, all percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless specifically stated otherwise. All ratios are by weight unless otherwise specifically indicated. The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Rather, unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean both the recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding that value. For example, a dimension disclosed as "40 mm" is intended to mean "about 40 mm".

It should be understood that the test methods disclosed in the test methods section of the present application must be used to determine the values of the various parameters of applicants' invention when described herein and claimed herein.

Cationic polymers

The cationic polymers used in the present invention are terpolymers comprising at least three different types of structural units. The structural units or monomers can be incorporated into the cationic polymer in random mode or in block mode.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, such cationic polymers are terpolymers comprising only the first, second and third structural units as described above, which are substantially free of any other structural components. Alternatively, it may comprise one or more additional structural units (e.g. a fourth anionic structural unit) in addition to the first, second and third structural units described above.

The first structural unit in the cationic polymer of the present invention is derived from (meth) acrylamide (AAm). Preferably, the cationic polymer comprises from about 10 mol% to about 70 mol%, and more preferably from about 15 mol% to about 60 mol% of AAm-derived structural units.

The second structural unit in the cationic polymers of the present invention is a cationic structural unit derivable from any suitable water soluble cationic ethylenically unsaturated monomer, such as dialkylaminoalkyl N, N-methacrylates, dialkylaminoalkyl N, N-acrylates, N-dialkylaminoalkylacrylamides, N-dialkylaminoalkylmethacrylamides, methacrylaminoalkyltrialkylammonium salts, acrylamidoalkyltrialkylammonium salts, vinylamines, vinylimidazoles, quaternized vinylimidazoles and diallyldialkylammonium salts.

Preferably, the second cationic structural unit is derived from a monomer selected from the group consisting of: diallyldimethylammonium salt (DADMAS), N-dimethylaminoethylacrylate, N-Dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (DMAM), [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium salt, N-Dimethylaminopropylacrylamide (DMAPA), N-Dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide (DMAPMA), acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt (APTAS), methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt (MAPTAS), and Quaternized Vinylimidazole (QVi).

More preferably, the second cationic building block is derived from diallyldimethylammonium salt (DADMAS), as described above.

Alternatively, the second cationic building block may be derived from [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium salts, such as [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium chloride, [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium fluoride, [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium bromide, [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium iodide, [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium hydrogen sulfate, [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium hydrogen phosphate, [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium dialkyl phosphate, ammonium hydrogen phosphate, And combinations thereof.

Additionally, the second cationic structural unit can be derived from APTAS, which include, for example: acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium Chloride (APTAC), acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium fluoride, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium bromide, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium iodide, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium hydrogen sulfate, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium alkyl sulfate, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium hydrogen phosphate, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium dialkyl phosphate, and combinations thereof.

Additionally, the second cationic building block may be derived from MAPTAS, including, for example, methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium fluoride, methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium bromide, methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium iodide, methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium hydrogen sulfate, methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium alkyl sulfate, methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium hydrogen phosphate, methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium trimethyl dialkyl phosphate, and mixtures thereof.

More preferably, the second cationic structural unit is derived from DADMAC, MAPTAC, APTAC, or QVi. Most preferably, the second cationic building block as referred to herein is made directly of DADMAC. Cationic polymers comprising DADMAC show better stability and lower malodor release in the finished product after long shelf life relative to polymers comprising other cationic monomers.

The second cationic structural unit is preferably present in the cationic polymer in an amount in the range of from about 5 mol% to about 40 mol%, and more preferably from about 10 mol% to about 40 mol%. The proper amount of the second cationic building block in the cationic polymer helps to balance the overall cationic charge density of the cationic polymer, which is critical to achieving desirable sudsing performance and phase stability in the final detergent product, especially liquid detergent products.

The third nonionic structural unit is preferably derived from vinyl-based nonionic monomers such as Vinyl Pyrrolidone (VP), vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl formamide, vinyl acetamide, vinyl alkyl ethers, vinyl pyridine, vinyl imidazole, vinyl caprolactam, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the third nonionic structural unit of the cationic polymer is derived from VP. The cationic polymers with VP of the present invention can be particularly advantageous in delivering high wash foams. The cationic polymer may comprise from about 5 mol% to about 60 mol%, and more preferably from about 20 mol% to about 55 mol%, of the third nonionic structural unit.

The cationic polymers of the present invention may also comprise an optional fourth anionic structural unit derived from a vinyl carboxylic acid or anhydride thereof, such as (meth) acrylic acid, acrylic anhydride, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and combinations thereof. The cationic polymer may comprise from about 0 mol% to about 20 mmol%, more preferably from 0 mol% to about 10 mol%, and most preferably from 0 mol% to about 5 mol% of the fourth anionic structural unit.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the cationic polymer does not contain any of the fourth anionic structural unit (i.e., the content of the fourth anionic structural unit is 0 mol%) or the additional structural unit. In other words, the cationic polymer of the present invention consists essentially of the first, second and third structural units as described above. For example, such cationic polymers may be terpolymers consisting essentially of: (i) from about 10 mol% to about 70 mol%, preferably from about 15 mol% to about 60 mol%, of a first nonionic structural unit derived from AAm; (ii) from about 5 mol% to about 40 mol%, preferably from about 10 mol% to about 40 mol%, of a second cationic structural unit, preferably derived from DADMAC; and (iii) from about 5 mol% to about 60 mol%, preferably from about 20 mol% to about 55 mol%, of a third nonionic structural unit, which is preferably derived from VP.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cationic polymer further comprises a fourth anionic structural unit but is substantially free of any additional structural units. In other words, the cationic polymer of the present invention consists essentially of the first, second, third and fourth structural units as described above. For example, such cationic polymers may consist essentially of: (i) from about 10 mol% to about 70 mol%, preferably from about 15 mol% to about 60 mol%, of a first nonionic structural unit derived from AAm; (ii) from about 5 mol% to about 40 mol%, preferably from about 10 mol% to about 40 mol%, of a second cationic structural unit, preferably derived from DADMAC; (iii) from about 5 mol% to about 60 mol%, preferably from about 20 mol% to about 55 mol%, of a third nonionic structural unit, which is preferably derived from VP; and (iv) from about 0.1 mol% to about 20 mol%, preferably from about 0.5 mol% to about 10 mol%, of a fourth anionic structural unit, which is preferably derived from (meth) acrylic acid or an anhydride thereof. The presence of the fourth anionic building block in a suitable amount helps to improve the hydrophilicity of the cationic polymer and thus the stability of the final detergent product comprising the cationic polymer.

The particular molar percentage ranges of the first, second, third, and optionally fourth structural units of the cationic polymer as specified above are critical to optimizing the sudsing profile produced by a laundry detergent composition comprising such cationic polymer during the wash and rinse cycles. In addition, the phase stability of finished products comprising the cationic polymers of the present invention can be affected by the mole percentage range of the corresponding structural units in the cationic polymer, which is also carefully selected to minimize phase separation of the finished product.

Laundry detergent compositions comprising the cationic polymers of the present invention are characterized by a sudsing profile defined by: (1) a wash foam index (WSI) greater than about 100%, preferably greater than about 105%, and more preferably greater than about 110%; and (2) a rinse foam index (RSI) of less than about 50%, preferably less than about 45%, and more preferably less than about 40%, as determined by the sudsing profile test described below. Specifically, the laundry detergent compositions of the present invention have an optimum sudsing profile defined by a WSI of greater than about 100% and a RSI of less than about 50%, preferably greater than about 105% and less than about 45%, and more preferably greater than about 110% and less than about 40%.

The specific molecular weight ranges of the cationic polymers as specified above also provide improved foaming characteristics. More importantly, such molecular weight ranges are particularly effective in reducing the loss of whiteness that is common in fabrics that have been exposed to multiple washes. Cationic polymers are known to contribute to fabric whiteness loss, a limiting factor in the wider use of such polymers. However, the inventors of the present invention have found that by controlling the molecular weight of the cationic polymer within a specified range, i.e., from about 15,000 to about 1,000,000 daltons, preferably from about 20,000 to about 500,000 daltons, more preferably from about 20,000 to about 250,000 daltons, fabric whiteness loss can be effectively reduced as compared to conventional cationic polymers.

In addition, the finished product rheology can also be affected by the molecular weight of the cationic polymer. Thus, the molecular weight of the cationic polymers of the present invention is also carefully selected to minimize adverse effects on the rheology of the finished product.

Cleaning composition

The present invention provides a cleaning composition comprising a cationic polymer as mentioned above. In one aspect, the cleaning compositions can be hard surface cleaners (e.g., dishwashing detergents) and those used in the health and cosmetic arts (including shampoos and soaps) which can also benefit from products having improved lather characteristics. In a preferred aspect of the invention, the cleaning composition is designed for laundry detergent applications, for example: laundry, including automatic washing machines laundry or hand washing, or cleaning auxiliaries, such as bleaching agents, rinse aids, additives or pretreatment types.

The cleaning composition or laundry detergent composition may be in any form, i.e., in the form of a liquid, a solid (such as a powder, a granule, an agglomerate, a paste, a tablet, a pouch, a bar, a gel), an emulsion, a type delivered in a dual-compartment container or pouch, a spray or foam detergent, a pre-moistened wipe (i.e., a cleaning composition in combination with a nonwoven material), a dry wipe activated with water by the consumer (i.e., a cleaning composition in combination with a nonwoven material), and other homogeneous or heterogeneous consumer cleaning products.

The laundry detergent composition is preferably a liquid laundry detergent and may be a fully formulated laundry detergent product. Including liquid compositions contained in encapsulated and/or combination dose products, such as compositions containing two or more separate but co-dispensing parts. More preferably, the laundry detergent composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition designed for hand washing, wherein the improved suds benefit or excellent sudsing profile is most evident to the consumer. The liquid laundry detergent composition preferably comprises water as the aqueous carrier, and it may comprise water alone or a mixture of one or more organic solvents and water as the carrier or carriers. Suitable organic solvents are linear or branched lower C₁-C₈Alcohols, glycols, glycerol or glycols; lower amine solvents such as C₁-C₄Alkanolamines, and mixtures thereof. Exemplary organic solvents include 1, 2-propanediol, ethanol, glycerol, monoethanolamine, and triethanolamine. The carrier is typically present in the total weight of the liquid compositionPresent in the liquid composition in an amount ranging from about 0.1% to about 98%, preferably from about 10% to about 95%, more preferably from about 25% to about 75%. In some embodiments, the water is about 85% to about 100% by weight of the carrier. In other embodiments, water is not present and the composition is anhydrous. Highly preferred compositions provided by the present invention are clear, isotropic liquids.

The liquid laundry detergent compositions of the present invention have a viscosity of from about 1 to about 2000 centipoise (1-2000 mPa-s), or from about 200 to about 800 centipoise (200-800 mPa-s). The viscosity measurement can be determined using a Brookfield viscometer, spindle 2, at 60RPM/s at 25 ℃.

The amount of cationic polymer of the present invention in a laundry detergent or cleaning composition is not particularly limited so long as it is effective to provide an optimal sudsing profile having a significant suds volume reduction during the rinse cycle and an insignificant suds volume reduction during the wash cycle, specifically quantified by a Wash Suds Index (WSI) of greater than about 100%, preferably greater than about 105%, and more preferably greater than about 110%, and a Rinse Suds Index (RSI) of less than about 50%, preferably less than about 45%, and more preferably less than 40%, as defined by the sudsing profile test described herein.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the cationic polymer is provided in the cleaning or laundry detergent composition in an amount in the range of from about 0.01 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 0.05 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, and from 0.25 wt% to about 1 wt%. In addition, it is preferred, but not necessary, that the cationic polymer be substantially free of carrier particles or coatings. This is advantageous because it avoids the additional steps and costs associated with incorporating these materials.

In a particular embodiment of the invention, the silicone derived antifoam agent is used in combination with a cationic polymer in a cleaning composition, or preferably a laundry detergent composition. While not necessary to the practice of the present invention, such silicone-derived defoamers can further improve the foaming characteristics of the cleaning composition.

The siloxane-derived defoamer can be any suitable organosiloxane, including, but not limited to: (a) non-functionalized siloxanes such as Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS); and (b) a functionalized siloxane such as a siloxane having one or more functional groups selected from the group consisting of: amino, amido, alkoxy, alkyl, phenyl, polyether, acrylate, siloxane hydride, mercaptopropyl, carboxylate, sulfate, phosphate, quaternized nitrogen, and combinations thereof. In typical embodiments, the organosiloxanes suitable for use herein have a viscosity range of from about 10 to about 700,000CSt (centistokes) at 20 ℃. In other embodiments, suitable organosiloxanes have a viscosity of from about 10 to about 100,000 CSt.

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) may be a linear, branched, cyclic, grafted or crosslinked, or cyclic structure. In some embodiments, the detergent composition comprises PDMS having a viscosity of about 100 to about 700,000CSt at 20 ℃. Exemplary functionalized silicones include, but are not limited to, aminosilicones, amidosiloxanes, silicone polyethers, alkylsiloxanes, phenylsiloxanes, and quaternary siloxanes. A preferred type of functionalized siloxane comprises a cationic siloxane produced by reacting a diamine with an epoxide. One embodiment of the composition of the present invention comprises an organosiloxane emulsion comprising an organosiloxane dispersed in a suitable carrier, typically water, in the presence of an emulsifier, typically an anionic surfactant. In another embodiment, the organosiloxane is in the form of a microemulsion having an average particle size in the range of from about 1nm to about 150nm, or from about 10nm to about 100nm, or from about 20nm to about 50 nm.

The silicone derived defoamer as mentioned above may be present in the cleaning composition in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 2%, and more preferably from about 0.2% to about 1%, by total weight of the composition.

The cleaning or laundry detergent compositions of the present invention may comprise one or more surfactants in an amount ranging from about 1% to about 80%, more preferably from about 1% to about 50%, and more preferably from about 5% to about 30%, by total weight of the composition. The detersive surfactant used may be of the anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric or cationic type, or may comprise compatible mixtures of these types.

Anionic surfactants are preferred. Useful anionic surfactants can themselves be of several different types. For example, non-soap synthetic anionic surfactants are particularly suitable for use herein and include water-soluble salts, preferably alkali metal and ammonium salts of organic sulfur reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms (the term "alkyl" includes the alkyl portion of acyl groups) and a sulfonic acid or sulfate ester group. Examples of such combinations into anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to: a) sodium, potassium and ammonium alkyl sulfates having straight or branched carbon chains, especially by sulfating higher aliphatic alcohols (C)₁₀-C₂₀Carbon atoms), such as those produced by reducing glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; b) sodium, potassium and ammonium alkyl alkoxy sulfates having straight or branched carbon chains, particularly those in which the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 20, preferably from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms, and in which the alkoxylated chain has an average degree of ethoxylation in the range of from about 0.1 to about 5, preferably from about 0.3 to about 4, and more preferably from about 0.5 to about 3; c) sodium and potassium alkyl benzene sulfonates, wherein the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms in a linear or branched carbon chain configuration, preferably a linear carbon chain configuration; d) sodium, potassium and ammonium alkyl sulfonates, wherein the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration; e) alkyl phosphoric or sodium phosphonates, alkyl phosphoric or potassium phosphonates, and alkyl phosphoric or ammonium phosphonates, wherein the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration; f) sodium, potassium, and ammonium alkyl carboxylates, wherein the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration, and combinations thereof; g) sodium and potassium alkyl ester sulfonatesAnd ammonium alkyl ester sulfonates, e.g. of the formula R-CH (SO)₃M)-CH₂COOR', or sodium, potassium and ammonium alkyl ester sulfates, e.g. of the formula R-CH (OSO)₃M)-CH₂COOR', wherein R represents C₁₀-C₂₀And preferably C₁₀-C₁₆A linear or branched alkyl group, R' represents C₁-C₆And preferably C₁-C₃An alkyl group, and M represents a sodium, potassium or ammonium cation. Especially preferred for use in the practice of the present invention are anionic surfactant systems comprising C10-C20 linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, C10-C20 linear or branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates having an average degree of alkoxylation in the range of from about 0.1 to about 5 (preferably from about 0.3 to about 4, and more preferably from about 0.5 to about 3, which is particularly beneficial for improving the sudsing profile of a detergent composition), or mixtures thereof.

Especially preferred for use in the practice of the present invention are anionic surfactant systems comprising: c₁₀-C₂₀Linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, C having an average degree of ethoxylation in the range of from about 0.1 to about 5 (preferably from about 0.3 to about 4, and more preferably from about 0.5 to about 3, which is particularly advantageous for improving the sudsing profile of the detergent composition)₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates, or mixtures thereof.

More preferably, the surfactant system of the present invention is C-rich₁₀-C₂₀Straight or branched chain alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AES), i.e., one or more AES surfactants, at or above any other detersive surfactant (such as C) comprised by the surfactant system₁₀-C₂₀Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate or nonionic surfactant). Still more preferably, the surfactant system of the present invention comprises 50% or more, and most preferably 60% or more, by total weight of the surfactant system, of one or more AES surfactants preferably, but not necessarily, having an average degree of alkoxylation in the range of about 0.5 to about 3. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the alkyl alkoxy sulfate-rich surface activityThe agent system can help to further improve the lathering benefit of the cationic polymers of the present invention.

Anionic surfactants may be provided in the cleaning compositions of the present invention at a level of from about 1% to about 80%, more preferably from about 1% to about 50%, and more preferably from about 5% to about 30%, by total weight of the composition.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cleaning compositions of the present invention are liquid laundry detergent compositions comprising from about 1% to about 50% by weight of one or more anionic surfactants selected from the group consisting of: c₁₀-C₂₀Linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, C having an average degree of alkoxylation in the range of 0.1 to 5.0₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl sulfates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl ester sulfates, C₁₀-C₂₀Straight-chain or branched alkylsulfonic acid salts, C₁₀-C₂₀Straight or branched alkyl ester sulfonates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkylphosphates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkylphosphonates, C₁₀-C₂₀Straight or branched chain alkyl carboxylates, and combinations thereof. More preferably, the one or more anionic surfactants are selected from C₁₀-C₂₀Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, C having an average degree of alkoxylation in the range of from about 0.5 to about 3₁₀-C₂₀Straight-chain or branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates having C₁₀-C₂₀Methyl ester sulfonates of linear or branched alkyl groups, and combinations thereof, and is present in an amount ranging from about 5% to about 30% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition.

The water-soluble salts of higher fatty acids (i.e., "soaps") are also anionic surfactants useful in the cleaning compositions of the present invention, including alkali metal soaps, such as the sodium, potassium, ammonium, and alkylammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms, soaps may be made by direct saponification of fats and oils, or by neutralization of free fatty acids, particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of fatty acid mixtures derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallow soaps and sodium or potassium coco soaps.

However, in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning composition comprises a relatively low level of fatty acids or salts, for example, no more than about 3 wt.%, more preferably no more than about 2 wt.% or about 1 wt.%, and most preferably the cleaning composition is substantially free of fatty acids or salts thereof.

Nonionic surfactants can also be included in the surfactant volumes of the present invention, which include formula R¹(OC₂H₄)_nThose of OH, wherein R¹Is C₈-C₁₈An alkyl group or an alkylphenyl group, and n is from about 1 to about 80. Particularly preferred is C₈-C₁₈An alkyl alkoxylated alcohol having an average degree of alkoxylation of from about 1 to about 20. The nonionic surfactant may be provided in the cleaning composition in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 20%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight,And most preferably in the range of about 1% to about 5% by weight. However, in certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning composition comprises a relatively low level of nonionic surfactant, for example, no more than about 3 wt.%, more preferably no more than about 2 wt.% or about 1 wt.%, and most preferably the cleaning composition is substantially free of nonionic surfactant.

Other surfactants useful herein include amphoteric, zwitterionic, and cationic surfactants. The use of such surfactants in laundry detergents is well known and is typically present at levels of from about 0.2 wt%, 0.5 wt%, or 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, 20 wt%, or 30 wt%.

In a preferred, but not necessary, embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning composition is a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising from about 0.5 wt% to about 20 wt% of one or more amphoteric and/or zwitterionic surfactants.

Preferred amphoteric surfactants are selected from amine oxide surfactants such as alkyl dimethyl amine oxide or alkyl amidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide, more preferably alkyl dimethyl amine oxide and especially coco dimethyl amine oxide. The amine oxide may have a linear or intermediately branched alkyl portion. Typical linear amine oxides are characterized by the formula R₁–N(R₂)(R₃) -O, wherein R₁Is C_8-18Alkyl, and wherein R₂And R₃Independently selected from C_1-3Alkyl and C_1-3As used herein, "intermediate branched" means that the amine oxide has an alkyl moiety of n1 carbon atoms with an alkyl branch of n2 carbon atoms on the alkyl moiety, the alkyl branch being at α carbon atoms of the nitrogen atom on the alkyl moietyThe number of atoms (n1) should be approximately the same number of carbon atoms (n2) for one alkyl branch, such that one alkyl moiety and one alkyl branch are symmetrical. "symmetrical" as used herein means that | n 1-n 2| is less than or equal to 5, preferably 4, more preferably 0 to 4 carbon atoms in at least about 50 weight percent, more preferably at least about 75 to about 100 weight percent of the moderately branched amine oxides useful herein. Specifically, the preferred amphoteric surfactant is C₁₀-C₁₄Alkyl dimethyl amine oxide.

Preferred zwitterionic surfactants are betaine surfactants, for example, alkyl betaines, alkyl amide betaines, imidazolium betaines (amidizoliniumbetaines), sulfobetaines (also known as sulfobetaines), and phosphate betaines. A particularly preferred betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine.

In a preferred embodiment, the liquid laundry detergent composition of the present invention comprises: (1) from about 0.25% to about 1% by weight of a cationic polymer having a molecular weight of from about 15,000 to about 50,000 daltons, and consisting essentially of the following structural units: from 20 to 60 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit derived from (meth) acrylamide (AAm), from 10 to 40 mol% of a second cationic structural unit derived from diallyldimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC), from 30 to 55 mol% of a third nonionic structural unit derived from Vinylpyrrolidone (VP), and (iv) from 0 to 10 mol% of a fourth anionic structural unit derived from (meth) Acrylic Acid (AA) or an anhydride thereof; and (2) from about 1% to about 50% by weight of one or more anionic surfactants selected from C₁₀-C₂₀Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, C having an average degree of alkoxylation in the range of from about 0.5 to about 3₁₀-C₂₀Straight-chain or branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates having C₁₀-C₂₀Methyl ester sulfonates of linear or branched alkyl groups, and combinations thereof. Such liquid laundry detergent compositions may also comprise from about 0.2 wt% to about 1 wt% of a silicone-derived defoamer.

Attached theretoLaundry detergent composition

When the cleaning composition herein is a liquid laundry detergent composition as described above, it may further comprise an external structurant, which may range from about 0.001% to about 1.0%, preferably from about 0.05% to about 0.5%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 0.3% by total weight of the composition. Suitable external structurants include: (i) non-polymeric, hydroxyl-containing crystalline materials which, when crystallized in situ in a liquid matrix, form a thread-like structural system throughout the matrix. Such materials may be generally characterized by a crystalline hydroxyl-containing fatty acid, fatty acid ester, or fatty wax; and (ii) polymeric structurants such as polyacrylates and derivatives thereof; copolymers of acrylates and methacrylates. A particularly preferred external structurant for the practice of the present invention is hydrogenated castor oil, also known as trihydroxystearin and known under the trade name Trihydroxystearate

Are commercially available.

The balance of the laundry detergent typically comprises from about 5 wt% to about 70 wt%, or from about 10 wt% to about 60 wt%, of adjunct ingredients. Suitable detergent ingredients include: a transition metal catalyst; an imine bleach booster; enzymes, such as amylases, carbohydrases, cellulases, laccases, lipases, bleaching enzymes, such as oxidases and peroxidases, proteases, pectate lyases and mannanases; a peroxygen source, such as percarbonate salts and/or perborate salts, preferably sodium percarbonate, preferably at least partially coated, preferably completely coated, with a coating ingredient, such as a carbonate salt, a sulphate salt, a silicate salt, a borosilicate salt, or mixtures thereof, including mixed salts thereof; bleach activators such as tetraacetylethylenediamine, oxybenzene sulphonate bleach activators such as nonanoyl oxybenzene sulphonate, caprolactam bleach activators, imide bleach activators such as N-nonanoyl-N-methylacetamide, preformed peracids such as N, N-phthalamido peroxycaproic acid, nonyl amidoperoxyadipic acid or dibenzoyl peroxide; suds suppressing systems, such as silicone-based suds suppressors; a whitening agent; a toner; a photo-bleaching agent; fabric softeners, such as clays, silicones, and/or quaternary ammonium compounds; flocculants such as polyethylene oxide; dye transfer inhibitors, such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly-4-vinylpyridine N-oxide and/or (co) polymers of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole; fabric integrity components such as oligomers produced by the condensation of imidazole and epichlorohydrin; soil dispersants and soil antiredeposition aids such as alkoxylated polyamines and ethoxylated ethyleneimine polymers; antiredeposition components such as polyester and/or terephthalate polymers, polyethylene glycols (including polyethylene glycols substituted with vinyl alcohol and/or vinyl acetate side groups); perfumes, such as perfume microcapsules, polymer assisted perfume delivery systems (including schiff base perfume/polymer complexes), starch encapsulated perfume accords; a soap ring; aesthetic particles, including colored stripes and/or pins; a dye; a filler, such as sodium sulfate, however the composition is preferably substantially free of filler; carbonates, including sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate; silicates, such as sodium silicate, including 1.6R and 2.0R sodium silicate, or sodium metasilicate; copolyesters of dicarboxylic acids and diols; cellulosic polymers such as methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethoxy cellulose, or other alkyl or alkylalkoxy celluloses, and hydrophobically modified celluloses; carboxylic acids and/or salts thereof, including citric acid and/or sodium citrate; and any combination thereof.

It may also be particularly preferred that the laundry detergent powder comprises low levels or even is substantially free of builder. The term "substantially free" refers to compositions that contain "unintentionally added" amounts of the recited ingredients. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid laundry detergent composition of the present invention does not comprise a builder.

Process for preparing a cleaning composition or a laundry detergent composition

Incorporation of the cationic polymer and various other ingredients as described above into the cleaning or laundry detergent compositions of the present invention can be accomplished in any suitable manner, and in general, can involve any order of mixing or addition.

For example, the cationic polymer obtained from the manufacturer can be incorporated directly into a preformed mixture of two or more other components of the final composition. This can be done at any time during the preparation of the final composition, including at the end of the formulation process. That is, the cationic polymer may be added to a pre-prepared liquid laundry detergent to form the final composition of the present invention.

In another example, the cationic polymer may be premixed with an emulsifier, dispersant or suspension to form an emulsion, latex, dispersion, suspension, or the like, which is then mixed with other components of the final composition (such as silicone-derived antifoam, detersive surfactant, etc.). These components may be added in any order and at any time during the preparation of the final composition.

A third example involves mixing the cationic polymer with one or more adjuvants of the final composition and adding this premix to the remaining adjuvant mixture.

Method of using laundry detergent composition

The present invention also relates to a method of cleaning a fabric, the method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a laundry detergent as described above; (ii) forming a laundry wash liquor by diluting the laundry detergent with water; (iii) washing the fabric in the laundry wash liquor; and (iv) rinsing the fabric in water, wherein after 2 or fewer rinses, preferably after 1 rinse, the laundry wash liquor is substantially free of suds, or at least 75%, preferably at least 85%, more preferably 95%, and even more preferably at least 99% of the surface area of the laundry wash liquor is free of suds.

The invention also relates to a method for saving water during laundry washing, said method comprising the steps of: (i) providing a laundry detergent as described above; (ii) diluting the cleaning composition with wash water in a container to form a laundry wash liquor; (iii) washing the laundry in a laundry washing liquid; and (iv) rinsing the laundry, wherein after 2 rinses or less, preferably after 1 rinse, the laundry wash liquor is substantially free of suds.

The method of laundering fabrics may be carried out in a top-loading or front-loading automatic washing machine, or may be used in hand-wash laundry applications, which are particularly preferred in the present invention.

Test method

Various techniques are known in the art to determine the characteristics of the compositions of the present invention comprising cationic polymers. However, the following determinations must be used in order for the invention described and claimed herein to be fully understood.

Test 1: measurement of weight average molecular weight (Mw)

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the polymeric material of the present invention is determined by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) with a differential refractive index detector (RI). One suitable instrument is to use

GPC/SEC software, version 1.2

GPC-MDS system (Agilent, Santa Clara, USA). The SEC separation was performed using three hydrophilic hydroxylated polymethyl methacrylate gel columns (Ultrahydrogel 2000-. The RI detector needs to be maintained at a normal temperature of about 5-10 ℃ above ambient temperature to avoid baseline drift. It was set to 35 ℃. The injection volume of SEC was 100. mu.L. The flow rate was set to 0.8 mL/min. Calculation and calibration of test polymer measurements were performed against a set of 10 narrowly distributed poly (2-vinylpyridine) standards of polymer standard molecular sieves (PSS, Mainz Germany), with peak molecular weights: mp 1110g/mol, Mp 3140g/mol, Mp 4810g/mol, Mp 11.5k g/mol, Mp 22k g/mol, Mp 42.8kg/mol, Mp 118k g/mol, Mp 256k g/mol, Mp 38446 446k g/mol, and Mp 1060k g/mol.

Each test sample was prepared by the following method: the concentrated polymer solution was dissolved in the above described DI aqueous solution of 0.1M sodium chloride and 0.3% trifluoroacetic acid to produce test samples having polymer concentrations of 1 to 2 mg/mL. The sample solution was allowed to stand for 12 hours to be completely dissolved, and then sufficiently stirred and filtered into an autosampler vial through a 0.45 μm-pore-size nylon membrane (manufactured by WHATMAN, UK) using a 5mL syringe. Samples of polymer standards were prepared in the same manner. Two sample solutions were prepared for each polymer tested. One measurement per solution. The two measurements were averaged to calculate the Mw of the test polymer.

For each measurement, a DI aqueous solution of 0.1M sodium chloride and 0.3% trifluoroacetic acid was first injected onto the column as background. The calibration sample (a 1mg/mL polyethylene oxide solution with Mp 111.3k g/mol) was analyzed six times before the other sample measurements in order to verify the repeatability and accuracy of the system.

The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the test sample polymer was calculated using the software attached to the instrument and selecting the menu option applicable to the narrow standard calibration model. A third order polynomial curve was used to fit the calibration curve to the data points measured from the poly (2-vinylpyridine) standard. The data zone for calculating the weight average molecular weight is selected based on the signal intensity detected by the RI detector. Data regions in which the RI signal is greater than 3 times the corresponding baseline noise level are selected and included in the Mw calculation. All other data fields are discarded and excluded from the Mw calculation. For those regions that fall outside the correction range, the correction curve is extrapolated for Mw calculations.

To measure the average molecular weight of test samples containing mixtures of polymers of different molecular weights, selected data regions were cut into a plurality of equidistant segments. The height or Y value of each fragment in the selected region represents the abundance (Ni) of the specific polymer (i), and the X value of each fragment in the selected region represents the molecular weight (Mi) of the specific polymer (i). Then, the weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the test sample was calculated based on the formula described above, i.e., Mw ═ Σ Ni Mi2)/(Σ i Ni Mi).

And (3) testing 2: quantification of monomers by HPLC

Each monomer in the cationic polymer was quantified by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) according to the following settings:

a measuring device:	l-7000 series (Hitachi Ltd.)
		A detector:	UV Detector, L-7400(Hitachi Ltd.)
Column:	SHODEX RSpak DE-413 (product of Showa Denko K.K.)
		Temperature:	40℃
eluting the solution;	0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid solution
		Flow rate:	1.0mL/min

and (3) testing: performance evaluation (foaming characteristics test)

The sudsing profile of the detergent compositions herein is measured by using a suds cylinder test unit (SCT). The SCT has a set of 8 cylinders. Each cylinder is typically 60cm long and 9cm in diameter and can be rotated together at a rate of 20-22 revolutions per minute (rpm). The method is used to determine the performance of a laundry detergent to obtain a reading of the ability to generate suds and its suds stability and rinse suds performance. The following factors affect the results and should therefore be properly controlled: (a) concentration of detergent in the solution, (b) water hardness, (c) water temperature of the water, (d) rotational speed and number of revolutions, (e) dirt load in the solution, and (f) cleanliness of the interior of the tubes.

Performance is determined by comparing the suds height generated by a laundry detergent comprising the cationic polymer of the present invention or a comparative cationic polymer not falling within the scope of the present invention, relative to a control laundry detergent not comprising any cationic polymer. The foam height produced by each test composition was measured by recording the total foam height (i.e., the height of the foam plus wash liquor) minus the individual wash liquor height.

1. 1.5 grams of product was weighed and dissolved in 300ml of water having a water hardness of about 16gpg for at least 15min to form a solution containing about 5000ppm of the test product. While dissolving the sample.

2. The sample aliquots were poured into tubes. A rubber stopper is placed and the tube is locked in place.

3. Rotate 10 revolutions. Locked in the upright position. Wait 1min and detect the foam height (10 seconds) very quickly from left to right. The total foam height (i.e., the height of foam plus wash liquor) and the height of the wash liquor alone were recorded. This marks the data after 10 revolutions.

4. An additional 20 revolutions. This marks the data after 30 revolutions. The records are taken from left to right.

5. Rotate 20 more revolutions. This marks the data after 50 revolutions. Readings are taken from left to right. Repeating the step more than once; thus, the data collected was 70 revolutions later.

6. The tube is opened. 1 piece of clay-bearing fabric and 1/4 pieces of Dirty Cooking Oil (DCO) bearing fabric were added to each tube. A rubber stopper is put in. Rotate 20 revolutions. This marks the data after 90 rotations. A reading is taken. Repeating the steps once; thus, the data collected is 110 revolutions later.

The addition of artificial soils is intended to mimic real world washing conditions, wherein more soil is dissolved in the wash liquor from the fabric being washed. Thus, the test is relevant to determining the initial sudsing profile of the composition and its sudsing profile during the wash cycle.

(Note: preparation of the clay-bearing fabric was carried out as follows:

20g of BJ-clay (clay collected 15cm below the surface of the earth in China, Beijing) was dispersed in 80ml of DI water via stirring to prepare a clay suspension.

The suspension was continuously stirred during the preparation while 2g of such clay suspension was brushed on the center of 10cm by 10cm cotton fabric to form round soil (d ═ 5 cm).

The clay-bearing cotton fabric was kept dry at room temperature and then used for performance evaluation. The fabric with DCO was prepared as follows:

100 g peanut oil was used to fry 20g salted fish at 150-.

Brush 0.6ml of DCO in the center of 10cm by 10cm cotton fabric to form round soil (d ═ 5 cm).

Cut 10cm by 10cm cotton fabric into 4 equal sheets and use one for performance evaluation. )

7. 37.5ml of the solution was poured out of the tube and gently poured into a beaker, and 262.5ml of water having the desired hardness level was added to the beaker to make a total of 300ml of 1/8 diluted solution. The remaining solution in the tube was discarded and the tube was washed with tap water. 300ml of 1/8 diluted solution was poured into the same tube.

8. Rotate 20 revolutions. This marks the 130-turn data. Readings are taken from left to right. Repeating the steps once; thus, the data collected was 150 revolutions later.

9. The 150ml of solution was poured out of the tube and gently poured into a ml beaker, and 150ml of water having the desired hardness level was added to the beaker to make a total of 300ml of 1/16 diluted solution. The remaining solution in the tube was discarded and the tube was washed with tap water. 300ml of 1/16 diluted solution was poured into the same tube. And repeating the step 8. The data collected was 190 revs data.

10. In a typical blister character test, steps 1-9 are repeated at least once to ensure test repeatability.

11. And (3) data analysis: subdivision of the foam type

The different types of average foam heights described above were calculated by averaging the height data for each parallel specimen.

Wash foam index (WSI) average foam height (WSH) generated from control samples by observing foam stability during the wash cycle (i.e., 90-110 revolutions)_C) Divided by the average foam height (WSH) produced by the test sample (i.e., containing the cationic polymer of the present invention or a comparative cationic polymer not within the scope of the present invention)_T) And then converted to a percentage calculation as follows:

WSI indicates the amount of foam generated during the wash cycle by a test sample comprising a cationic polymer (a cationic polymer of the invention having a particular monomer composition and molecular weight as defined above, or a comparative cationic polymer that does not fall within the scope of the invention) that can have an adverse effect on the wash foam, as compared to the foam generated by a control sample that does not comprise any of such cationic polymers. Thus, the higher the percentage of WSI, the more foam is generated during washing and the better the performance.

Rinse foam index (RSI) is determined by the average foam height (RSH) generated by the control sample during the 1/8 rinse cycle (i.e., 130-_C) Divided by the average foam height (RSH) produced by the test sample_T) And then converted to a percentage calculation as follows:

on the other hand, RSI indicates the amount of foam left during the rinse cycle by a test sample comprising a cationic polymer effective to reduce rinse foam (a cationic polymer of the invention having a particular monomer composition and molecular weight as defined above, or a comparative cationic polymer not falling within the scope of the invention) compared to the foam left by a control sample that does not comprise any of such cationic polymers. Thus, the lower the percentage RSI, the more foam reduction is achieved during rinsing and the better the performance.

The optimal foaming profile as defined within the meaning of the present invention comprises more than 100% WSI and less than 50% RSI, preferably more than 105% WSI and less than 45% RSI, and more preferably more than 110% WSI (i.e. the suds boosting effect during washing) and less than 40% RSI.

Examples

I. Examples of cationic polymers

The following is a list of exemplary cationic polymers within the scope of the present invention:

TABLE I

II shows the foaming characteristics and phase stabilization of cationic polymers with different AAm/DADMAC/VP mole percentages Comparative testing of sexual performance

Eight (8) test liquid laundry detergent compositions were prepared comprising: (1) a control composition that does not contain a cationic polymer, (2)4 inventive compositions, each comprising the same ingredients as the control composition but further comprising 0.5 wt% of an inventive polymer within the scope of the present invention; and (3)3 comparative compositions each comprising the same ingredients as the control composition, but further comprising 0.5 wt% of a comparative polymer having a molar percentage of AAm/DADMAC/VP that falls outside the scope of the invention. The following is the specific compositional breakdown of the control composition:

TABLE II

Each of these eight (8) test compositions was subjected to the sudsing profile test described above by dissolving each composition in water having a water hardness level of 16gpg to form a laundry wash liquor comprising 5000ppm of the test composition. The foam test was repeated twice and the average data was recorded. The wash foam index (WSI) and rinse foam index (RSI) were calculated for each of three (3) comparative compositions and four (4) compositions of the present invention, based on the measured wash foam volume and rinse foam volume for such compositions, as compared to the control composition. The following are the measurement results:

TABLE III

Foam stability measured at 90-110 revolutions.

First rinse foam measured at 130-.

Phase stability herein was determined visually by placing the composition in a clear glass tube having a diameter of about 2.5cm for about 24 hours after the composition was made. The "stable" product was visually clear in the glass tube, whereas the "phase separated" product was visually opaque.

The three (3) comparative polymers included in the comparative composition all had molar percentages of AAm/DADMAC/VP that fell outside the scope of the present invention. The above data show that only inventive polymeric materials with the appropriate AAm/DADMAC/VP mole percentages provide both: (i) optimal sudsing profile, i.e., having satisfactory wash suds volume quantified by a WSI of greater than 100% and a substantially reduced rinse suds volume quantified by an RSI of less than 50%; and (ii) phase stability of the final product.

Comparative test showing foaming characteristics of cationic polymers having different molecular weights

Four (4) liquid laundry detergent compositions were prepared based on the same control composition described above for example II, which did not contain a cationic polymer, comprising: (1)2 inventive compositions each comprising the same ingredients as the control composition described in example II above but further comprising 0.5 wt% of an inventive polymer having a molecular weight within the scope of the invention; and (2)2 comparative compositions each comprising the same ingredients as the control composition described in example II above, but further comprising 0.5 wt% of a comparative polymer having a molecular weight outside the scope of the invention.

Each of these four (4) test compositions was subjected to the sudsing profile test described above by dissolving each composition in water having a water hardness level of 16gpg to form a laundry wash liquor comprising 5000ppm of the test composition. The foam test was repeated twice and the average data was recorded. The wash foam (cm) and rinse foam (cm) for each of the two (2) comparative compositions and the two (2) inventive compositions are summarized below:

TABLE IV

Foam stability measured at 90-110 revolutions.

First rinse foam measured at 130-.

The two (2) comparative polymers included in the comparative composition have molecular weights that fall outside the scope of the present invention. The above data show that only the inventive polymers with the appropriate molecular weight provide the best lather characteristics, i.e., have both a quantitative, satisfactory wash lather volume and a sufficiently low rinse lather volume.

Exemplary laundry detergent compositions

(A) Heavy duty powder detergent

The following heavy-duty powder detergents were prepared by mixing the ingredients listed below via conventional methods. Such heavy duty liquid detergents are used to wash fabrics which are then dried by hanging and/or machine drying. Such fabrics may be treated with a fabric enhancer prior to and/or during drying. Such fabrics exhibit a clean appearance and have a soft feel.

TABLE V

(B) Heavy duty liquid detergent

The following heavy duty liquid detergents were prepared by mixing the ingredients listed below via conventional methods. Such heavy duty liquid detergents are used to wash fabrics which are then dried by hanging and/or machine drying. Such fabrics may be treated with a fabric enhancer prior to and/or during drying. Such fabrics exhibit a clean appearance and have a soft feel.

TABLE VI

TABLE VII

TABLE VIII

TABLE IX

(C) Fabric enhancer

The fabric enhancing composition may be made by mixing together the listed ingredients in the proportions indicated:

table X

(D) Rinsing additive

The rinse additive composition can be made by mixing together the listed ingredients in the proportions shown:

TABLE XI

Composition (I)	By weight%
		Structural material	0-1.0
Polymers 1-4 of Table I of example I	0.01-15
		Dye material	0-0.01
Spice oil	0-1.0
		Preservative	0-0.2
Deionized water	The balance to 100 wt%

Each document cited herein, including any cross-referenced or related patent or application, is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety unless expressly excluded or limited. The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses such an invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A laundry detergent composition comprising an effective amount of a cationic polymer for suds profile optimization, said cationic polymer comprising:

(i)10 to 70 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit made of (meth) acrylamide;

(ii)5 to 40 mol% of a second cationic structural unit;

(iii)5 to 60 mol% of a third non-ionic structural unit different from the first non-ionic structural unit;

(iv) optionally, from 0 mol% to 20 mol% of at least one additional structural unit different from the first, second and third structural units,

wherein the total mol% of (i) - (iv) add up to 100 mol%, and wherein the cationic polymer is characterized by a weight average molecular weight Mw in the range of 15,000 to 1,000,000 daltons, and the complete absence of any siloxane-derived structural units,

wherein the second cationic structural unit in the cationic polymer is made from a monomer selected from the group consisting of: diallyldimethylammonium salt, N-dimethylaminoethylacrylate, N-dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate, [2- (methacrylamido) ethyl ] trimethylammonium salt, N-dimethylaminopropylacrylamide, N-dimethylaminopropylmethacrylamide, acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt, methacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium salt, quaternized vinylimidazole, and combinations thereof,

wherein the third nonionic structural unit in the cationic polymer is made from a monomer selected from the group consisting of: vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl formamide, vinyl acetamide, vinyl alkyl ether, vinyl pyridine, vinyl imidazole, vinyl caprolactam, and combinations thereof,

wherein the inclusion of an effective amount of cationic polymer for foaming profile optimization means that the cationic polymer is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.01 wt% to 15 wt%.

2. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 1, further comprising from 1 wt% to 50 wt% of one or more anionic surfactants selected from: c₁₀-C₂₀Linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, C having an average degree of alkoxylation in the range of 0.1 to 5.0₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl sulfates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl ester sulfates, C₁₀-C₂₀Straight-chain or branched alkylsulfonic acid salts, C₁₀-C₂₀Straight or branched alkyl ester sulfonates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkylphosphates, C₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkylphosphonates, C₁₀-C₂₀Straight or branched chain alkyl carboxylates, and combinations thereof.

3. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the second cationic building block is made from diallyldimethylammonium salt.

4. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the second cationic building block is made from diallyldimethylammonium chloride.

5. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 2, wherein the second cationic building block is made from diallyldimethylammonium salt.

6. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 2, wherein the second cationic building block is made from diallyldimethylammonium chloride.

7. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the third nonionic building block is made from vinyl pyrrolidone.

8. A laundry detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one additional structural unit comprises a fourth anionic structural unit, which is present in the cationic polymer in an amount in the range of from 0 mol% to 10 mol%, and wherein the fourth anionic structural unit is made from a vinyl carboxylic acid and its anhydride.

9. The laundry detergent composition according to claim 8, wherein the at least one additional structural unit comprises a fourth anionic structural unit, which is present in the cationic polymer in an amount ranging from 0 mol% to 10 mol%, and wherein the fourth anionic structural unit is made from a monomer selected from the group consisting of: (meth) acrylic acid, (meth) acrylic anhydride, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and combinations thereof.

10. The laundry detergent composition according to claim 8, wherein the at least one additional structural unit comprises a fourth anionic structural unit, the fourth anionic structural unit being present in the cationic polymer in an amount ranging from 0 mol% to 5 mol%, and wherein the fourth anionic structural unit is made from a vinyl carboxylic acid and its anhydride.

11. The laundry detergent composition according to claim 8, wherein the at least one additional structural unit comprises a fourth anionic structural unit, which is present in the cationic polymer in an amount ranging from 0 mol% to 5 mol%, and wherein the fourth anionic structural unit is made from a monomer selected from the group consisting of: (meth) acrylic acid, (meth) acrylic anhydride, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, and combinations thereof.

12. The laundry detergent composition of claim 8, wherein the cationic polymer comprises:

(i)15 to 60 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit;

(ii)10 to 40 mol% of a second cationic structural unit;

(iii)20 to 55 mol% of a third nonionic structural unit; and

(iv)0 to 10 mol% of a fourth anionic structural unit.

13. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 12, wherein the cationic polymer consists essentially of:

(i)15 to 60 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit;

(ii)10 to 40 mol% of a second cationic structural unit;

(iii)20 to 55 mol% of a third nonionic structural unit; and

(iv)0 to 10 mol% of a fourth anionic structural unit.

14. A laundry detergent composition according to any of claims 9 to 11, wherein the cationic polymer comprises:

(i)15 to 60 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit;

(ii)10 to 40 mol% of a second cationic structural unit;

(iii)20 to 55 mol% of a third nonionic structural unit; and

(iv)0 to 10 mol% of a fourth anionic structural unit.

15. The laundry detergent composition of claim 14, wherein the cationic polymer consists essentially of:

(i)15 to 60 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit;

(ii)10 to 40 mol% of a second cationic structural unit;

(iii)20 to 55 mol% of a third nonionic structural unit; and

(iv)0 to 10 mol% of a fourth anionic structural unit.

16. A laundry detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 9 to 13 or claim 15, wherein the cationic polymer has a molecular weight Mw in the range of from 15,000 to 1,000,000 daltons.

17. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 16, wherein the cationic polymer has a molecular weight Mw in the range of from 20,000 to 500,000 daltons.

18. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 16, wherein the cationic polymer has a molecular weight Mw in the range of 20,000 to 250,000 daltons.

19. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 14, wherein the cationic polymer has a molecular weight Mw in the range of from 15,000 to 1,000,000 daltons.

20. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 19, wherein the cationic polymer has a molecular weight Mw in the range of 20,000 to 500,000 daltons.

21. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 19, wherein the cationic polymer has a molecular weight Mw in the range of 20,000 to 250,000 daltons.

22. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the cationic polymer is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.05 wt% to 10 wt%.

23. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the cationic polymer is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%.

24. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the cationic polymer is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.2 wt% to 1 wt%.

25. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 16, wherein the cationic polymer is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.01 wt% to 15 wt%.

26. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 25, wherein the cationic polymer is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.05 wt% to 10 wt%.

27. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 25, wherein the cationic polymer is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.1 wt% to 5 wt%.

28. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 25, wherein the cationic polymer is present in the composition in an amount of from 0.2 wt% to 1 wt%.

29. A laundry detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 9 to 13 or claim 15 or any one of claims 17 to 28, characterized in that: (1) a wash foam index greater than 100%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 50%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

30. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 29, characterized in that: (1) a wash foam index greater than 100%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 45%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

31. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 29, characterized in that: (1) a wash foam index greater than 100%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 40%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

32. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 29, characterized in that: (1) a wash foam index greater than 105%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 50%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

33. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 29, characterized in that: (1) a wash foam index greater than 105%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 45%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

34. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 29, characterized in that: (1) a wash foam index greater than 105%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 40%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

35. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 29, characterized in that: (1) a wash foam index of greater than 110%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 50%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

36. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 29, characterized in that: (1) a wash foam index of greater than 110%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 45%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

37. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 29, characterized in that: (1) a wash foam index of greater than 110%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 40%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

38. A laundry detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 9 to 13 or any one of claims 15 or any one of claims 17 to 28 or any one of claims 30 to 37, further comprising a silicone derived antifoam agent at a level in the range of from 0.01% to 5% by total weight of the composition.

39. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 38, wherein the level of silicone-derived antifoam agent is in the range of from 0.1% to 2% by total weight of the composition.

40. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 38, wherein the level of silicone-derived antifoam agent is in the range of from 0.2% to 1% by total weight of the composition.

41. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 29, further comprising a silicone derived antifoam agent at a level in the range of from 0.01% to 5% by total weight of the composition.

42. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 41, wherein the level of silicone-derived antifoam agent is in the range of from 0.1% to 2% by total weight of the composition.

43. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 41, wherein the level of silicone-derived antifoam agent is in the range of from 0.2% to 1% by total weight of the composition.

44. A laundry detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 or any one of claims 9 to 13 or any one of claims 15 or any one of claims 17 to 28 or any one of claims 30 to 37 or any one of claims 39 to 43, further comprising from 0.05 wt% to 5 wt% of one or more nonionic surfactants selected from C having an average degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 20₈-C₁₈Alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, and combinations thereof.

45. The laundry detergent composition of claim 38, further comprising from 0.05 wt% to 5 wt% of one or more nonionic surfactants selected from C having an average degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 20₈-C₁₈Alkyl alkoxylated alcohols, and combinations thereof.

46. Use of a laundry detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 45 for hand washing an article to achieve an optimized sudsing profile characterized by: (1) a wash foam index greater than 100%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 50%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.

47. A liquid laundry detergent composition comprising:

(1)0.2 to 1% by weight of a cationic polymer having a molecular weight Mw of 20,000 to 250,000 daltons, consisting essentially of: (i)15 to 60 mol% of a first nonionic structural unit made of (meth) acrylamide; (ii)10 to 40 mol% of a second cationic building block made of diallyldimethylammonium chloride; (iii)20 to 55 mol% of a third nonionic structural unit made of vinylpyrrolidone; and (iv)0 to 10 mol% of a fourth anionic structural unit made of (meth) acrylic acid or an anhydride thereof; and

(2)1 to 50% by weight of an anionic surfactant selected from C having an average degree of alkoxylation in the range of 0.5 to 3₁₀-C₂₀Linear or branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates.

48. The liquid laundry detergent composition of claim 47, wherein the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises from 5 wt% to 30 wt% of the anionic surfactant.

49. A liquid laundry detergent composition according to claim 47 or 48, further comprising from 0.2 wt% to 1 wt% of a silicone derived antifoam agent.

50. Use of a liquid laundry detergent composition according to any of claims 47 to 49 for hand washing fabrics to achieve an optimized sudsing profile characterized by: (1) a wash foam index greater than 100%; and (2) a rinse foam index of less than 50%, as determined by the sudsing profile test.