GB2432850A

GB2432850A - Polymeric particle comprising perfume and benefit agent, in particular a laundry composition

Info

Publication number: GB2432850A
Application number: GB0524660A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Ferguson; Robert Alan Hunter
Original assignee: Unilever PLC
Current assignee: Unilever PLC
Priority date: 2005-12-02
Filing date: 2005-12-02
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Also published as: GB0524660D0

Abstract

Polymer particles comprising a polymer, a perfume and a benefit agent are delivered to fabric during laundering and give long lasting adherence of the perfume to fabric during laundering. The polymer comprises monomer units, which are derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of: <SL> <LI>a) monomers with a solubility in water of less than 0,1 g/L and/or <LI>b) monomers with a solubility in water from 0,1-30 g/L and <LI>c) optionally monomers with a solubility in water greater than 30 g/L and/or <LI>d) optionally cross-linkers. </SL> In one embodiment the polymer comprises monomer unit of butyl methacrylate. The benefit agent is selected from the group comprising fabric softener, lubricant, conditioner, shape retention agent, anti crease agent, quick dry agent, texturising agent, insecticide, insect repellent, fungicide, photofade inhibitors, dyes, pigments and sunscreens. The particle is prepared using mini-mulsion polymerisation. A method of depositing a perfume, onto a substrate by means of such a composition is also disclosed.

Description

C4484 (C) FF

LAUNDRY COMPOSITION

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to polymer particles comprising a perfume and a benefit agent, preferably a sugar polyester, and their uses, such as long lasting adherence of the perfume to fabric during laundering. Laundry treatment compositions containing particles according to the invention, provide longevity and protection benefits, as the perfume is protected from surfactants during washing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The deposition of a perfume onto a substrate, such as a fabric, is a well known method of imparting perfume properties to the substrate. In laundry applications deposition of a perfume is used, for example, during fabric treatment processes such as fabric conditioning. Methods of deposition are diverse and include deposition during the wash or rinse stages of the laundry process or direct deposition before or after the wash, such as by spraying or rubbing or by use of impregnated sheets during tumble drying or water additives during steam ironing.

The perfume is often incorporated into a carrier or delivery system. Carrier systems for perfumes are typically based on encapsulation or entrapment within a matrix. The perfume may simply be emulsified but problems with poor retention or stability exist and deposition onto a substrate, such as fabric, is often inefficient. Diffusion of the perfume into C4484' (C) FF a carrier suffers from complex preparation including time of diffusion; poor retention of the perfume in the matrix and subsequent poor substrate deposition are also common problems.

After deposition onto a surface, a problem exists in that longevity of adherence to that surface of the perfume, in a surfactant containing environment, is inherently poor because surfactants are characteristically very efficient at combining with perfumes. This results in a perfume which has been deposited onto a fabric being washed off during a main wash, or in the perfume being leached from its carrier in the wash liquor thus becoming unavailable for deposition onto the fabric. Protection of the perfume is, therefore, required before and after it has been deposited onto a surface. In the context of laundry products, the need for protection from surfactants of perfumes promotes the need for new protection systems. By protection benefit as used herein is meant protection of the perfume from the action of surfactants during a wash process, for example as suggested above. Thus the protection of perfumes within a formulation in an aqueous environment and longevity of the perfume deposited onto a fabric are both desirable goals.

In summary, protection from the action of surfactants and longevity of deposition on a substrate are particular needs for perfumes as the volatile nature and low molecular weight of perfume components make them susceptible to diffusing out of carrier systems during laundering and evaporating quickly from substrates after deposition.

C4484' (C) FF

PRIOR ART

Our co-pending patent application, PCT/EP2005/004779, unpublished at the filing date of this application, is directed towards a process, which uses miniemulsion polymerisation, for the preparation of polysaccharide grafted polymer particles containing a lubricant. Certain particles produced by the process and uses thereof are also disclosed. The particles facilitate deposition of the lubricant to fabric during the main wash part of a laundering process.

Our co-pending patent applications, GB 0513803.7 and GB 051805.2, both unpublished at the filing date of this application, are directed towards miniemulsion polymer particles (with and without a shell respectively) comprising a benefit agent, preferably a sugar polyester, which may be delivered to fabric during laundering. These particles give long lasting adherence of the benefit agent to fabric during laundering.

We have now surprisingly found that a perfume can be deposited onto a fabric and that the longevity of substantivity, which has been deposited on a fabric, to the fabric is vastly improved, and that the leaching in the wash liquor of such perfumes by surfactants from its carrier is greatly reduced if a carrier system based on a colloidal particle comprising a polymer and a perfume is employed.

C4484' (C) FF

DEFINITION OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention provides a polymer particle comprising a core, wherein the core comprises a perfume, a benefit agent and a polymer comprising monomer units which are derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of:-a) monomers with a solubility in water of less than 0.1 g/l, and/or b) monomers with a solubility in water of from 0.1 to 30 g/1, and c) optionally, monomers with a solubility in water of greater than 30 g/l, and/or d) optionally, cross linkers.

A second aspect of the invention provides a process for the preparation of the particles according to the first aspect, which comprises miniemulsion polymerisation of monomers.

A third aspect of the invention provides a laundry treatment composition comprising the particles of the first aspect.

Uses of this laundry treatment composition to provide a protection benefit to the perfume from surfactants during a wash process and to provide long lasting adherence of the perfume to fabric are also provided.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides the use of a particle of the first aspect to provide a protection benefit to the perfume from surfactants during a wash process.

C4484' (C) FF In a further aspect, the invention provides the use of a particle of the first aspect in the manufacture of a laundry treatment composition to provide a protection benefit to the perfume from surfactants during the laundry process.

In a still further aspect, the invention provides an aqueous wash medium comprising from 0.05 to 1 gram per litre of a particle according to the first aspect of the invention.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the presence of the polymer in the particle protects the perfume (as well as the benefit agent) from surfactants during a wash process. The protection is conferred before and after the perfume has been deposited onto a surface.

For example, during a laundry process, whilst the particle is present in the wash liquor, the polymer keeps the perfume bound up within the particle thereby preventing it from being leached out of the particle by the surfactants, thus keeping it available for deposition onto the fabric. After deposition of the particle onto fabric, the polymer protects the perfume from being washed away by surfactants, thus enhancing longevity of substantivity of the perfume to the fabric. By protection benefit as used herein is meant protection of the perfume from the action of surfactants during a wash process, for example as suggested above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed towards polymer particles, comprising a core, wherein the core comprises a benefit agent, a perfume and a polymer, which comprises monomer C4484' (C) FF units. The polymer particles of the invention are usually approximately spherical and of typical colloidal dimensions.

Particle diameters may range from about 30 to 500 nm (The Encyclopaedia of Polymer Science and Engineering, Second Edition, Volume 8, Page 647, John Wiley and Sons Inc. (1987)) Where the particles of the invention are described herein as latex particles, the term "latex" or "latex particle" is defined as a stable colloidal dispersion of a polymeric substance in an aqueous medium.

The polymer particles of the invention can comprise a wide range of monomeric units. By "monomer units" as used herein is meant the monomeric units of the polymer chain, thus references to "a polymer particle comprising insoluble monomer units" as used herein means that the polymer particles is derived from insoluble monomers, and so forth.

The monomer units are derived from monomers which are suitable for free radical polymerisation. Therefore, preferably the monomer contains at least one ethylenically unsaturated group capable of undergoing addition polymerisat ion.

The monomers may be selected according to their solubilities such that the polymer core comprises monomer units which are derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of:- 04484' (C) FF a) monomers with a solubility in water of less than 0.1 gil, and/or b) monomers with a solubility in water of from 0.1 to 30 gil, and C) optionally, monomers with a solubility in water of greater than 30 gil, and/or d) optionally, cross linkers.

By insoluble as used herein in reference to monomers, is meant that the material is soluble in water (distilled or equivalent) at a concentration of less than 0.1 g/litre, at 25 C, i.e. monomers of type (a) above.

By low solubility as used herein in reference to monomers, is meant that the material is soluble in water (distilled or equivalent) at a concentration in the range of from 0.1 to g/litre, at 25 C, i.e. monomers of type (b) above.

By high solubility as used herein in reference to monomers, is meant that the material is soluble in water (distilled or equivalent) at a concentration of greater than 30 g/litre, at 25 C, i.e. monomers of type (c) above.

The particle of the invention may further comprise a shell, which comprises monomer units selected from (b), and optionally (c) and/or optionally (d).

Monomers The polymer comprises monomer units which are derived from monomers that are capable of undergoing free radical C4484 (C) FF polyinerisation. Suitable classes of such monomers are given in the group consisting of olefins, ethylene, vinylaromatic monomers, esters of vinyl alcohol with mono-and di-carboxylic acids, esters of,-monoethylenically unsaturated mono-and dicarboxylic acids with alcohols, nitriles of,-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, conjugated dienes, a,f3-monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids and their amides, methacrylic acid and its esters with alcohols and diols, acrylic acid and its esters with alcohols and diols, dimethyl or di-n-butyl maleate, and vinyl-sulfonic acid and its water-soluble salts, and mixtures thereof. The polymer particle may comprise mixtures of monomer units.

The polymer particle may optionally comprise monomers which are cross-linkers. Such crosslinkers may have at least two non-conjugated ethylenically unsaturated double bonds.

Examples are alkylene glycol diacrylates and dimethacrylates. A further type of suitable cross-linking monomers are those that are conjugated, such as divinyl benzene. If present, these monomers constitute from 0.1 to % by weight, based on the total amount of monomers to be polymerised.

The monomers a), b), c) and d), as defined above, are preferably selected from the following:-a) vinyl octate; Vinyl decanote; vinyl laurate; vinyl stearate; esters of acrylic, methacrylic, maleic, fumaric or itaconic acid with decyl, dodecyl, tetadecyl, hexadecyl and octadecyl alcohol, C4484' (C) FF b) styrene; a-methylstyrene; o-chlorostyrene vinyl acetate; vinyl propionate; vinyl n-butyrate; esters of acrylic, methacrylic, maleic, fumaric or itaconic acid with methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-hexyl and 2-ethyihexyl alcohol; 1,3-butadiene; 2,3 dimethyl butadiene; and isoprene, c) acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, poly (alkylene oxide) monoacrylates and monomethacrylates, N-vinyl-pyrrolidOfle, methacrylic and acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylates and methacrylates, glycerol acrylates and methacrylates, poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylates and acrylates, n-vinyl pyrrolidone, acryloyl morpholine, vinyl formamide, n-vinyl acetamide and vinyl caprolactone, acrylonitrile (71 gIl), acrylamide, and methacrylamide at levels of less than 10 % by weight of the monomer unit content of the particle; 2-(dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate, 2- (diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate, 2-(tert-butylamino) ethyl methacrylate, 2 -aminoethyl methacrylate, 2-(2-oxo-1-imidazolidiflyl) ethyl methacrylate, vinyl pyridine, vinyl carbazole, vinyl imidazole, vinyl aniline, and their cationic forms after treatment with alkyl halides; d) vinyltoluenes, divinyl benzene, ethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,2-propylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-propylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol diacrylate, 1,4-butylene glycol diacrylates, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,2-propylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-propylene glycol dimethacrylate, C4484 (C) FF -10 - 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,4-butylene glycol dimethacrylate, divinylbenzene, vinyl methacrylate, vinyl acrylate, allyl methacrylate, allyl acrylate, diallyl maleate, diallyl fumarate, methylenebisacrylamide, cyclopentadienyl acrylate, and triallyl cyanurate.

The polymer particle may comprise monomer units, which are derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, hexyl acrylate, hexyl methacrylate, 2-ethyihexyl acrylate, 2-ethyihexyl methacrylate, dodecyl acrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, octadecyl acrylate, octadecyl methacrylate, styrene, vinyl acetate and divinyl benzene, or mixtures thereof.

Particles of the invention can be optionally comprise monomer units which are derived from monomers of solubility of greater than about 30 g/litre, preferably greater than 35 g/litre, for example 40 to 45 g/litre in water (distilled or equivalent) at 25 C. Such monomers may be utilised in a monomer mixture at levels of up to 10 % based on weight of monomers used.

Optional Shell The particles of the invention may optionally comprise an outer shell. The particle thus has core-shell morphology.

Like the core, the shell comprises monomer units which are derived from monomers that are capable of undergoing free radical polymerisation. The shell comprises monomer units selected from b), and optionally c) and/or optionally d) as C4484 (C) FF -11 -described above. The monomer units of the core may be the same as or different from the monomer units of the shell and both the core and the shell may comprise mixtures of monomer units. Like the core, the shell may optionally comprise monomers which are cross-linkers as described above. The shell preferably covers 50 to 100 % of the surface area of the core, most preferably 95 to 100 %.

The ratio of core to shell by weight may be from 1:1 to 100:1, preferably 2:1 to 20:1 The polymer, perfume and benefit agent must be compatible, i.e. phase separation should not occur when the polymerisation of the monomer (which is mixed with the perfume and benefit agent) is carried out during the process of the invention. The person skilled in the art will be able to determine which are compatible by performing simple tests, for example, a simple test would be to carry out the polymerisation to form a latex, let a sample of the newly formed latex dry into a thin film and look for visual evidence of phase separation -if the film is clear, they are compatible, if opaque they are incompatible. Where an incompatibility exists, dilution of an incompatible polymer with a compatible one may improve its compatibility.

Perfumes The polymer particle of the invention comprises a perfume.

The perfume is present in an amount of from 1 to 50 % by total weight of the particle, preferably from 10 to 50 % by total weight of the particle.

C4484 (C) FF -12 -The perfume suitably has a molecular weight of from 50 to 500.

The perfume suitably has a boiling point of from 30 to 500 degrees Centrigrade.

The Benefit Agent The polymer particle further comprises a benefit agent.

A wide range of benefit agents may be used in the present invention. Suitably, the benefit agent may be selected from the group consisting of fabric softeners, conditioners, soil release polymers, shape retention agents, anti-crease agents, ease of ironing aids, quick drying aids, lubricants, texturising agents, insecticides, insect repellents, fungicides, photofading inhibitors, dyes, pigments, fluorescers, and sunscreens, or mixtures thereof.

Benefit agents are preferably chemical and/or mechanical protective agents, such as fabric softeners, conditioners, shape retention agents, anti-crease agents, ease of ironing aids, lubricants, texturising agents, insecticides, insect repellents, fungicides, photofading inhibitors and sunscreens, or mixtures thereof. Cosmetic and pharmaceutical benefit agents may also be used.

More preferably, the benefit agent is a lubricant, such as a silicone, mineral oil, vegetable oil and sugar polyester.

C448 (C) FF -13 -Most preferably, the benefit agent is a biodegradeable lubricant, such as a vegetable oil and a sugar polyester. A highly preferred lubricant in the context of the present invention is a sugar polyester (SPE). They are known in fabric conditioners and/or softeners. These materials are non-toxic and inherently biodegradable.

Typically these materials are the products obtainable by esterification of a sugar, such as a saccharide (or other cyclic polyol), with a fatty material. In the context of the invention, the sugar is preferably a disaccharide, preferably sucrose, that is esterified with fatty acid, wherein the degree of esterification is from 1 (mono) to 8 (octa). The fatty acid preferably has a chain length of from C12 to C22 and may be monounsaturated. Examples of suitable fatty acids are Lauric (C12), Myristic(C14), Palmitic(C16), Stearic(C18), Oleic(C18:1), Behenic(C22) and Erucic(C22:1) The Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) value of the SPE's that are suitable for use in the invention are suitably from 0 to 4, preferably from 0 to 2. HLB is a well known parameter to those skilled in the art and a literature reference is: "Modern Aspects of Emulsion Science", The Royal Society of Chemistry, 1998, page 179.

Sugar polyesters can be represented by the formula below:-C12H1403 (OR) (OH) 8-n C4484 (C) FF -14 -where R = COCH2+1 or COCH2 (for monounsaturated fatty acids) Preferred sugar polyesters are sucrose polyesters.

Preferred sucrose polyesters are selected from sucrose tetrastearate and sucrose tetraerucate, sucrose tetralaurate, sucrose tetraoleate, sucrose tetrapalmitate and sucrose tetrapaim kernal, most preferably sucrose tetraerucate. It should be noted that these sucrose polyesters normally contain a spread of degree of substitution on the saccharide rings, for example, sucrose tetrastearate also comprises tristearate, pentastearate, hexastearate, etc. Furthermore, the sugar polyesters may contain traces of surfactant which is separate from the main surfactant and the co-surfactant. The SPE can be a mixture of different fatty acids, such as a mixture of oleate and stearate, for example, palm kernal contains a mixture of lauric acid, stearic acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid and oleic acid.

A highly preferred sugar polyester for use in the present invention is ER-290 ex Mitsubishi Ryoto, which is a sucrose tetraerucate and according to the manufacturers spec is mainly Pentaerucate, Tetraerucate and Hexaerucate and has a HLB value of 2.

The lubricant (such as a sugar polyester) can be incorporated into the particle at a wide range of levels.

For example, of from 0.1 to 99 %, preferably from 50 to 99 % by weight of the total particle.

C4484 (C) FF -15 -Further suitable lubricants are amino functional silicone oils such as Rhodorsil Oil Extrasoft supplied by Rhodia Silicones. Other silicones may be selected from those disclosed GB 1,549,180A, EP 459,821A2 and EP 459822A. Other suitable lubricants include any of those known for use as dye bath lubricants in the textile industry.

The Polymer Particle The polymer particle may be used in the treatment of fabric.

The treatment provides a perfume benefit. Such treatment may also provide a softening, conditioning, lubricating, crease reducing, ease of ironing, moisturising, colour preserving and/or anti-pilling, quick drying, tJV protecting, shape retaining, soil releasing, texturising, insect repelling, fungicidal, dyeing, and/or fluorescent benefit to the fabric, depending on the benefit agent and the monomers used.

Alternatively, the polymer particle may be incorporated into a laundry treatment composition and used in the treatment of fabric.

The polymer particle may also be used to confer a protection benefit to the perfume from the action of surfactants. The protection is conferred before and after the perfume has been deposited onto a surface. For example, during a laundry process, whilst the particle is present in the wash liquor, the polymer keeps the perfume bound up within the particle thereby preventing it from being leached out of the particle by the surfactants, thus keeping it available for C4484 (C) FF -16 -deposition onto the fabric. After deposition of the particle onto fabric, the polymer in the core protects the perfume from being washed away by surfactants, thus enhancing longevity of substantivity of the perfume to the fabric.

The particle may be used in the manufacture of a laundry treatment composition to provide a protection benefit to the perfume from surfactants during a laundry process. By protection benefit is meant protection of the perfume from the action of surfactants during a wash process, for example as suggested above.

Processes for Preparation Any suitable process may be employed for the preparation of the particles of the invention. A suitable process for the preparation of the polymer particle of the invention is one that comprises miniemulsion.

Preferred processes are the so-called "hybrid" or "artificial" routes as detailed in "Miniemulsion Polymerisation", F. Joseph Schork, Yingwu Luo, Wilfried Smuldes, James P. Russian, Alessandro Butte and Kevin Fontenot, Adv. Polymer Sci (2005) 175: 129-255, and "Emulsion Polymerisation and Emulsion Polymers" Wiley, 1st Edn., 1997, Ed Peter Lovell and Mohamed S El-Aasser p 712, respectively.

A perfume must be chosen that does not inhibit free radical polymerisation of the monomers when the hybrid process is C4484 (C) FF 17 -utilised. The person skilled in the art will easily be able to determine such perfumes.

Miniemulsion polymerisation is well known in the art and the term "miniemulsion polymerisation" as used herein means the same as the term known in the art. Numerous scientific reviews of miniemulsion techniques have been published: 1) El Aasser, M.S., Miller, C.M., "Preparation of latexes using miniemulsions", In: Asua, J.M., editor. Polymeric dispersions. Principles and applications. Dordrecht: Kluwer, p. 109-126 (1997) 2) Sudol, E.D., El Aasser, M.S. , "Miniemulsion polymerisation", In: Lovell, P.A., El Aasser, M.S., editors. Emulsion polymerisation and emulsion polymers.

Chichester: Wiley, p. 699-722 (1997) 3) Asua, J.M., Prog. Polyin. Sci., 27, 1283-1346 (2002) Miniemulsions generally lie in between macroemulsion and microemulsions in terms of droplet size and emulsion stability. Miniemulsion droplets typically range in size from 50 to 500 nm.

Hybrid Process The preferred "hybrid" process comprises the steps of: (a) preparation of a miniemulsion (comprising monomers, a benefit agent, perfume and a cosurfactant), C4484 (C) FF -18 - (b) polymerisation of the miniemulsion of step (a) to form miniemulsion core particles, and (c) optional addition of shell monomers and initiator such that polymerisation occurs to form a shell around the core particles of step (b).

Step (a) may consist of the following sub-steps: (i) mixing monomers, perfume and benefit agent with a cosurfactant to form a mixture (y), (ii) dissolving at least one surfactant in water to form a solution (z), (iii) combining (y) and (z) and subjecting to high shear to form a miniemulsion.

Step (iii) may consist of the following sub-steps: (1) (y) and (z) are combined and subjected to high shear to form an emulsion, (2) the emulsion of step (1) is then subjected to further shear (such as sonication or other suitable high pressure homogeniser such as a Microfluidiser or a Manton Gaulin homogeniser) to form a miniemulsion.

A preferred process comprises the steps of: (i) mixing monomers, a perfume and a benefit agent with a cosurfactant to form a mixture (y), (ii) dissolving at least one surfactant in water to form a mixture (z), (iii) combining (y) and (z) and subjecting to high shear to form a miniemulsion, (iv) adding an initiator such that polymerisation proceeds, and C4484 (C) FF -19 - (v) adding shell monomers and additional initiators at such a rate so as to polymerise the monomers resulting in a shell around the core.

By mixed is meant mixed or dissolved, depending on the physical state of the benefit agent and/or perfume.

Preferably, an initiator is added to the miniemulsion after step (iii) or step (2) such that polymerisation of the monomers proceeds. Alternatively, the initiator can be added during step (a), for example if an initiator that is soluble in the monomer is used, or in step (b), for example if the initiator is water soluble.

Alternatively, the surfactant of step (ii) may be a reactive surfactant, by which is meant that it comprises groups that may participate in the polymerisation and a hydrophilic group. In this case they could be combined with the monomer in step (i).

Artificial Process The preferred "artificial" process comprises the steps of: (a) preparation of a miniemulsion (comprising polymer, a benefit agent, a perfume, a cosurfactant and a water insoluble volatile solvent), (b) removal of the volatile solvent, and (c) optional addition of shell monomers and initiator such that polymerisation occurs to form a shell around the core particles of step (b).

C4484 (C) FF -20 -Step (a) may consist of the following sub-steps: (i) dissolving polymer, a benefit agent and a perfume with a cosurfactant in a water insoluble volatile solvent to form a mixture solution (m), (ii) dissolving at least one surfactant in water to form a mixture (n), and (iii) combining (m) and (n) and subjecting to high shear to form a miniemulsion.

A suitable solvent is dicholormethane (DCM).

A preferred process comprises the steps of: (i) dissolving polymer, a benefit agent and a perfume with a cosurfactant in a water insoluble volatile solvent to form a mixture solution (m), (ii) dissolving at least one surfactant in water to form a mixture (n),, (iii) combining (m) and (n) and subjecting to high shear to form a miniemulsion, (iv) removing the volatile solvent, and (v) adding shell monomers and initiators at such a rate so as to polymerise the monomers resulting in a shell around the core.

The polymer particles preferably have a particle size of less than 1 micron, more preferably of less than 500 nm.

High shear as used herein is applied using any suitable apparatus such as an ultrasound sonicator, microfluidizer or homogenizer. High shear as used in step (iv) above is C4484 (C) FF -21 -defined as shear of sufficiently high intensity that the emulsion of step (iii) above is reduced in particle size to sub-micron dimensions, preferably under 500 nm. Suitably, the emulsion of step (iv) is formed using a high shear homogeniser at 10,000 to 24,000 rpm for approximately 30 seconds to 5 minutes and then sonified using a probe ultrasound sonicator (at maximum power output) for 10 minutes to generate the miniemulsion. A suitable homogeniser is a Manton Gaulin homogeniser or any other make of high shear homogenizer such as an Ultra Turrax.

Cosurfactants, Initiators and Chain Transfer Agents The monomer or polymer solution is mixed with a cosurfactant. Suitable cosurfactants foruse in the present invention include hexadecane, cetyl alcohol, lauroyl peroxide, n-dodecyl mercaptan, dodecyl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate. The preferred cosurfactant comprises hexadecane.

The cosurfactant could be the benefit agent itself, if it is suitably hydrophobic.

Initiators and chain transfer agents may also be present.

Those skilled in the art will recognise that a chemical initiator will generally be required but that there are instances in which alternative forms of initiation will be possible, e.g. ultrasonic initiation or initiation by irradiation.

C4484 (C) FF -22 -The initiator is preferably a chemical or chemicals capable of forming free radicals. Typically, free radicals can be formed either by homolytic scission (i.e. homolysis) of a single bond or by single electron transfer to or from an ion or molecule (e.g. redox reactions).

Suitably, in context of the invention, homolysis may be achieved by the application of heat (typically in the range of from 50 to 100 C) . Some examples of suitable initiators in this class are those possessing peroxide (-0-0-) or azo (-N=N-) groups, such as benzoyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, azobisisobutyronitrile and ammonium persuiphate. 1-lomolysis may also be achieved by the action of radiation (usually ultraviolet), in which case it is termed photolysis. Examples are the dissociation of 2,2'-azobis (2-cyanopropane) and the formation of free radicals from benzophenone and benzoin.

Redox reactions can also be used to generate free radicals.

In this case an oxidising agent is paired with a reducing agent which then undergo a redox reaction. Some examples of appropriate pairs in the context of the invention are aminonium persulphate/sodium metabisuiphite, cumyl hydroperoxide/ferrous ion and hydrogen peroxide/ascorbic acid.

Preferred initiators are selected from the following: Homolytic: benzoyl peroxide, t-butyl peroxide, hydrogen peroxide, azobisisobutyronitrile, arninonium persulphate, 2,2' -azobis (cyanopropane), benzophenone, benzoin, C4484 (C) FE' -23 -Redox: ammonium persulphate/sodium metabisuiphite mixture, cumyl hydroperoxide/ferrous ion mixture and/or hydrogen peroxide/ascorbic acid mixture. Preferred initiators are ammonium persuiphate and hydrogen peroxide/ascorbic acid mixture. The preferred level of initiator is in the range of from 0.1 to 5.0 % w/w by weight of monomer, more preferably, the level is in the range of from 1.0 to 3.0 % w/w by weight of monomer.

Where the benefit agent is SPE, the preferred initiator is ammonium persulphate and the aqueous phase is buffered with sodium bicarbonate.

Chain transfer agents can optionally be used to reduce the degree of polymerisation and hence the final molecular weight of the polymer. A chain transfer agent contains very labile hydrogen atoms that are easily abstracted by a propagating polymer chain. This terminates the polymerisation of the growing polymer, but generates a new reactive site on the chain transfer agent that can then proceed to initiate further polymerisation of the remaining monomer. Chain transfer agents in the context of the invention typically contain thiol (mercaptan) functionality and can be represented by the general chemical formula RS-H, such as n-dodecyl mercaptan and 2-mercaptoethanol.

Preferred chain transfer agents are monothioglycerol and n-dodecyl mercaptan, used at levels of, preferably from 0 to 5 % w/w based on the weight of the monomer and more preferably at a level of 0.25 % w/w based on the weight of the monomer.

C4484 (C) FF -24 -Laundry Treatment Compositions The polymer particles of the invention may be incorporated into laundry compositions.

The polymer particles are typically included in said compositions at levels of from 0.001% to 10%, preferably from 0.005% to 5%, most preferably from 0.01% to 3% by weight of the total composition.

The active ingredient in the compositions is preferably a surface active agent or a fabric conditioning agent. More than one active ingredient may be included. For some applications a mixture of active ingredients may be used.

The compositions of the invention may be in any physical form e.g. a solid such as a powder or granules, a tablet, a solid bar, a paste, gel or liquid, especially, an aqueous based liquid. In particular the compositions may be used in laundry compositions, especially in liquid, powder or tablet laundry composition.

The compositions of the present invention are preferably laundry compositions, especially main wash (fabric washing) compositions or rinse-added softening compositions. The main wash compositions may include a fabric softening agent and the rinse-added fabric softening compositions may include surface-active compounds, particularly non-ionic surface-active compounds.

C4484 (C) FF -25 -The detergent compositions of the invention may contain a surface-active compound (surfactant) which may be chosen from soap and non-soap anionic, cationic, non-ionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surface-active compounds and mixtures thereof. Many suitable surface-active compounds are available and are fully described in the literature, for example, in "Surface-Active Agents and Detergents", Volumes I and II, by Schwartz, Perry and Berch.

The preferred detergent-active compounds that can be used are soaps and synthetic non-soap anionic, and non-ionic compounds.

The compositions of the invention may contain linear alkylbenzene suiphonate, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulphonates having an alkyl chain length of from C8 to C15.

It is preferred if the level of linear alkylbenzene suiphonate is from 0 wt% to 30 wt%, more preferably from 1 wt% to 25 wt%, most preferably from 2 wt% to 15 wt%, by weight of the total composition.

The compositions of the invention may contain other anionic surfactants in amounts additional to the percentages quoted above. Suitable anionic surfactants are well-known to those skilled in the art. Examples include primary and secondary alkyl sulphates, particularly C8 to C15 primary alkyl suiphates; alkyl ether sulphates; olefin sulphonates; alkyl xylene sulphonates; dialkyl suiphosuccinates; and fatty acid ester suiphonates. Sodium salts are generally preferred.

C4484 (C) FF -26 -The compositions of the invention may also contain non-ionic surfactant. Nonionic surfactants that may be used include the primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C8 to C20 aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more especially the ClO to C15 primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

Non-ethoxylated nonionic surfactants include alkylpolyglycosides, glycerol monoethers, and polyhydroxyamides (glucamide).

It is preferred if the level of non-ionic surfactant is from 0 wt% to 30 wt%, preferably from 1 wt% to 25 wt%, most preferably from 2 wt% to 15 wt%, by weight of the total composition.

Any conventional fabric conditioning agent may be used in the compositions of the present invention. The conditioning agents may be cationic or non-ionic. If the fabric conditioning compound is to be employed in a main wash detergent composition the compound will typically be non-ionic. For use in the rinse phase, typically they will be cationic. They may for example be used in amounts from 0.5% to 35%, preferably from 1% to 30% more preferably from 3% to 25% by weight of the composition.

Suitable cationic fabric softening compounds are substantially water-insoluble quaternary ammonium materials comprising a single alkyl or alkenyl long chain having an average chain length greater than or equal to C20 or, more C4484 (C) FF -27 -preferably, compounds comprising a polar head group and two alkyl or alkenyl chains having an average chain length greater than or equal to C14. Preferably the fabric softening compounds have two long chain alkyl or alkenyl chains each having an average chain length greater than or equal to C16. Most preferably at least 50% of the long chain alkyl or alkenyl groups have a chain length of C18 or above. It is preferred if the long chain alkyl or alkenyl groups of the fabric softening compound are predominantly linear.

Quaternary ammonium compounds having two long-chain aliphatic groups, for example, distearyldimethyl ainmonium chloride and di (hardened tallow alkyl) dimethyl arnmonium chloride, are widely used in commercially available rinse conditioner compositions. Other examples of these cationic compounds are to be found in "Surfactants Science Series" volume 34 ed. Richmond 1990, volume 37 ed. Rubingh 1991 and volume 53 eds. Cross and Singer 1994, Marcel Dekker Inc. New York".

Any of the conventional types of such compounds may be used in the compositions of the present invention.

The fabric softening compounds are preferably compounds that provide excellent softening, and are characterised by a chain melting L3 to La transition temperature greater than 250 C, preferably greater than 350 C, most preferably greater than 450 C. This L to La transition can be measured by differential scanning calorimetry as defined in "Handbook of C4484 (C) FF -28 -Lipid Bilayers", D Marsh, CRC Press, Boca Raton, Florida, 1990 (pages 137 and 337) Substantially water-insoluble fabric softening compounds are defined as fabric softening compounds having a solubility of less than 1 x 1O wt % in demineralised water at 20 C.

Preferably the fabric softening compounds have a solubility of less than 1 x lO wt%, more preferably from less than 1 x 10-8 to 1 x 1O_6 wt%.

Especially preferred are cationic fabric softening compounds that are water-insoluble quaternary arnrnonium materials having two C12- 22 alkyl or alkenyl groups connected to the molecule via at least one ester link, preferably two ester links. An especially preferred ester-linked quaternary arnmonium material can be represented by the formula: R5 R5 R7-T-R6 (CH2) p-T-R6 wherein each R5 group is independently selected from C1-4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups or C2-4 alkenyl groups; each R6 group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups; and wherein R7 is a linear or branched alkylene group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, T is C4484 (C) FF -29 -C0 or and p is 0 or is an integer from 1 to 5.

Di(tallowoxyloxyethyl) dimethyl arnmonium chloride and/or its hardened tallow analogue is an especially preferred compound of this formula.

A second preferred type of quaternary ammonium material can be represented by the formula: OOC R6 (R5)3N±(CH2)p CH CH200CR6 wherein R5, p and R6 are as defined above.

A third preferred type of quaternary ammonium material are those derived from triethanolamine (hereinafter referred to as TEA quats') as described in for example US 3915867 and represented by formula: (TOCH2CH2) 3N+ (R9) wherein T is H or (R8-CO-) where R8 group is independently selected from C8-28 alkyl or alkenyl groups and R9 is C1-4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups or C2-4 alkenyl groups. For example N-methyl-N,N,N-triethanolamifle ditallowester or di-hardened-tallowester quaternary arnmonium chloride or C4484 (C) FF -30 -methosulphate. Examples of commercially available TEA quats include Rewoquat WE18 and Rewoquat WE2O, both partially unsaturated (ex. WITCO), Tetranyl AOT-1, fully saturated (ex. KAO) and Stepantex VP 85, fully saturated (ex. Stepan).

It is advantageous if the quaternary arnmonium material is biologically biodegradable.

Preferred materials of this class such as l,2-bis(hardened tallowoyloxy)-3-trimethylaminonium propane chloride and their methods of preparation are, for example, described in US 4 137 180 (Lever Brothers Co) . Preferably these materials comprise small amounts of the corresponding monoester as described in US 4 137 180, for example, 1-hardened tallowoyloxy-2 -hydroxy-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride.

Other useful cationic softening agents are alkyl pyridinium salts and substituted imidazoline species. Also useful are primary, secondary and tertiary amines and the condensation products of fatty acids with alkylpolyamines.

The compositions may alternatively or additionally contain water-soluble cationic fabric softeners, as described in GB 2 039 556B (Unilever) The compositions may comprise a cationic fabric softening compound and an oil, for example as disclosed in EP-A-0 82 9531.

C4484 (C) FF -31 -The compositions may alternatively or additionally contain nonionic fabric softening agents such as lanolin and derivatives thereof.

Lecithins and other phospholipids are also suitable softening compounds.

In fabric softening compositions nonionic stabilising agent may be present. Suitable nonionic stabilising agents may be present such as linear C8 to C22 alcohols alkoxylated with to 20 moles of alkylene oxide, ClO to C20 alcohols, or mixtures thereof. Other stabilising agents include the deflocculating polymers as described in EP 0415698A2 and EP 0458599B1.

Advantageously the nonionic stabilising agent is a linear C8 to C22 alcohol alkoxylated with 10 to 20 moles of alkylene oxide. Preferably, the level of nonionic stabiliser is within the range from 0.1 to 10% by weight, more preferably from 0.5 to 5% by weight, most preferably from 1 to 4% by weight. The mole ratio of the quaternary arninonium compound and/or other cationic softening agent to the nonionic stabilising agent is suitably within the range from 40:1 to about 1:1, preferably within the range from 18:1 to about 3:1.

The composition can also contain fatty acids, for example C8 to C24 alkyl or alkenyl monocarboxylic acids or polymers thereof. Preferably saturated fatty acids are used, in particular, hardened tallow C16 to C18 fatty acids.

Preferably the fatty acid is non-saponified, more preferably C4484 (C) FF -32 -the fatty acid is free, for example oleic acid, lauric acid or tallow fatty acid. The level of fatty acid material is preferably more than 0.1% by weight, more preferably more than 0.2% by weight. Concentrated compositions may comprise from 0.5 to 20% by weight of fatty acid, more preferably 1% to 10% by weight. The weight ratio of quaternary ammonium material or other cationic softening agent to fatty acid material is preferably from 10:1 to 1:10.

It is also possible to include certain mono-alkyl cationic surfactants which can be used in main-wash compositions for fabrics. Cationic surfactants that may be used include quaternary arnmonium salts of the general formula R1R2R3R4N+ X-wherein the R groups are long or short hydrocarbon chains, typically alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or ethoxylated alkyl groups, and X is a counter-ion (for example, compounds in which Ri is a C8-C22 alkyl group, preferably a C8-ClO or C12-C14 alkyl group, R2 is a methyl group, and R3 and R4, which may be the same or different, are methyl or hydroxyethyl groups); and cationic esters (for example, choline esters).

The choice of surface-active compound (surfactant), and the amount present, will depend on the intended use of the detergent composition. In fabric washing compositions, different surfactant systems may be chosen, as is well known to the skilled formulator, for handwashing products and for products intended for use in different types of washing machine.

C448 (C) FF -33 -The total amount of surfactant present will also depend on the intended end use and may be as high as 60 wt%, for example, in a composition for washing fabrics by hand. In compositions for machine washing of fabrics, an amount of from 5 to 40 wt% is generally appropriate. Typically the compositions will comprise at least 2 wt% surfactant e.g. 2- 60%, preferably 15-40% most preferably 25-35%, by weight of the composition.

Detergent compositions suitable for use in most automatic fabric washing machines generally contain anionic non-soap surfactant, or non-ionic surfactant, or combinations of the two in any suitable ratio, optionally together with soap.

The compositions of the invention, when used as main wash fabric washing compositions, will generally also contain one or more detergency builders. The total amount of detergency builder in the compositions will typically range from 5 to wt%, preferably from 10 to 60 wt%, by weight of the compositions.

Inorganic builders that may be present include sodium carbonate, if desired in combination with a crystallisation seed for calcium carbonate, as disclosed in GB 1 437 950 (Unilever); crystalline and amorphous aluminosilicates, for example, zeolites as disclosed in GB 1 473 201 (Henkel), amorphous aluminosilicates as disclosed in GB 1 473 202 (Henkel) and mixed crystalline/amorphous aluminosilicates as disclosed in GB 1 470 250 (Procter & Gamble); and layered silicates as disclosed in EP 164 514B (Hoechst). Inorganic phosphate builders, for example, sodium orthophosphate, C448 (C) FF -34 -pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate are also suitable for use with this invention.

The compositions of the invention preferably contain an alkali metal, preferably sodium, aluminosilicate builder.

Sodium aluminosilicates may generally be incorporated in amounts of from 10 to 70% by weight (anhydrous basis), preferably from 25 to 50 wt%.

The alkali metal aluminosilicate may be either crystalline or amorphous or mixtures thereof, having the general formula: 0.8-1.5 Na20. A1203. 0.8-6 Si02 These materials contain some bound water and are required to have a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least 50 mg CaO/g. The preferred sodium aluminosilicates contain 1.5-3.5 Si02 units (in the formula above). Both the amorphous and the crystalline materials can be prepared readily by reaction between sodium silicate and sodium aluminate, as amply described in the literature. Suitable crystalline sodium aluminosilicate ion-exchange detergency builders are described, for example, in GB 1 429 143 (Procter & Gamble). The preferred sodium aluminosilicates of this type are the well-known commercially available zeolites A and X, and mixtures thereof.

The zeolite may be the commercially available zeolite 4A now widely used in laundry detergent powders. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the zeolite builder incorporated in the compositions of the invention is maximum aluminium zeolite P (zeolite MAP) as C448'4 (C) FF -35 -described and claimed in EP 384 070A (Unilever). Zeolite MAP is defined as an alkali metal aluminosilicate of the zeolite P type having a silicon to aluminium weight ratio not exceeding 1.33, preferably within the range of from 0.90 to 1.33, and more preferably within the range of from 0.90 to 1.20.

Especially preferred is zeolite MAP having a silicon to aluminium weight ratio not exceeding 1.07, more preferably about 1.00. The calcium binding capacity of zeolite MAP is generally at least 150 mg CaO per g of anhydrous material.

Organic builders that may be present include polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylates, acrylic/maleic copolymers, and acrylic phosphinates; monomeric polycarboxylates such as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycerol mono-, di and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxy succinates, carboxymethyloxymalonates, dipicolinates, hydroxyethyliminodiacetates, alkyl-and alkenylmalonates and succinates; and sulphonated fatty acid salts. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

Especially preferred organic builders are citrates, suitably used in amounts of from 5 to 30 wt%, preferably from 10 to 25 wt%; and acrylic polymers, more especially acrylic/maleic copolymers, suitably used in amounts of from 0.5 to 15 wt%, preferably from 1 to 10 wt%.

Builders, both inorganic and organic, are preferably present in alkali metal salt, especially sodium salt, form.

C4481 (C) FF -36 -Compositions according to the invention may also suitably contain a bleach system. Fabric washing compositions may desirably contain peroxy bleach compounds, for example, inorganic persalts or organic peroxyacids, capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution.

Suitable peroxy bleach compounds include organic peroxides such as urea peroxide, and inorganic persalts such as the alkali metal perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, persilicates and persuiphates. Preferred inorganic persalts are sodium perborate monohydrate and tetrahydrate, and sodium percarbonate.

Especially preferred is sodium percarbonate having a protective coating against destabilisation by moisture.

Sodium percarbonate having a protective coating comprising sodium metaborate and sodium silicate is disclosed in GB 2 123 044B (Kao).

The peroxy bleach compound is suitably present in an amount of from 0.1 to 35 wt%, preferably from 0.5 to 25 wt%. The peroxy bleach compound may be used in conjunction with a bleach activator (bleach precursor) to improve bleaching action at low wash temperatures. The bleach precursor is suitably present in an amount of from 0.1 to 8 wt%, preferably from 0.5 to 5 wt%.

Preferred bleach precursors are peroxycarboxylic acid precursors, more especially peracetic acid precursors and pernoanoic acid precursors. Especially preferred bleach precursors suitable for use in the present invention are C448'4 (C) FF -37 -N,N,N' ,N' , -tetracetyl ethylenediamine (TAED) and sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulphonate (SNOBS). The novel quaternary ammonium and phosphonium bleach precursors disclosed in US 4 751 015 and US 4 818 426 (Lever Brothers Company) and EP 402 971A (Unilever), and the cationic bleach precursors disclosed in EP 284 292A and EP 303 520A (Kao) are also of interest.

The bleach system can be either supplemented with or replaced by a peroxyacid. Examples of such peracids can be found in US 4 686 063 and US 5 397 501 (Unilever) . A preferred example is the imido peroxycarboxylic class of peracids described in EP A 325 288, EP A 349 940, DE 382 3172 and EP 325 289. A particularly preferred example is phthalimido peroxy caproic acid (PAP). Such peracids are suitably present at 0.1 -12%, preferably 0.5 -10%.

A bleach stabiliser (transition metal sequestrant) may also be present. Suitable bleach stabilisers include ethylenediamine tetra- acetate (EDTA), the polyphosphonates such as Dequest (Trade Mark) and non-phosphate stabilisers such as EDDS (ethylene diamine di-succinic acid). These bleach stabilisers are also useful for stain removal especially in products containing low levels of bleaching species or no bleaching species.

An especially preferred bleach system comprises a peroxy bleach compound (preferably sodium percarbonate optionally together with a bleach activator), and a transition metal bleach catalyst as described and claimed in EP 458 397A, EP 458 398A and EP 509 787A (Unilever) C4484 (C) FF -38 -The compositions according to the invention may also contain one or more enzyme(s).

Suitable enzymes include the proteases, amylases, cellulases, oxidases, peroxidases and lipases usable for incorporation in detergent compositions. Preferred proteolytic enzymes (proteases) are, catalytically active protein materials which degrade or alter protein types of stains when present as in fabric stains in a hydrolysis reaction. They may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial or yeast origin.

Proteolytic enzymes or proteases of various qualities and origins and having activity in various pH ranges of from 4-12 are available and can be used in the instant invention.

Examples of suitable proteolytic enzymes are the subtilisins which are obtained from particular strains of B. Subtilis B. licheniformis, such as the commercially available subtilisins Maxatase (Trade Mark), as supplied by Genencor International N.y., Deift, Holland, and Alcalase (Trade Mark), as supplied by Novozymes Industri AIS, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Particularly suitable is a protease obtained from a strain of Bacillus having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 8-12, being commercially available, e.g. from Novozymes Industri A/S under the registered trade-names Esperase (Trade Mark) and Savinase (Trade-Mark). The preparation of these and analogous enzymes is described in GB 1 243 785.

Other commercial proteases are Kazusase (Trade Mark obtainable from Showa-Denko of Japan), Optimase (Trade Mark C4484 (C) FF -39 -from Miles Kali-Chemie, Hannover, West Germany), and Superase (Trade Mark obtainable from Pfizer of U.S.A.).

Detergency enzymes are commonly employed in granular form in amounts of from about 0.1 to about 3.0 wt%. However, any suitable physical form of enzyme may be used.

The compositions of the invention may contain alkali metal, preferably sodium carbonate, in order to increase detergency and ease processing. Sodium carbonate may suitably be present in amounts ranging from 1 to 60 wt%, preferably from 2 to 40 wt%. However, compositions containing little or no sodium carbonate are also within the scope of the invention.

Powder flow may be improved by the incorporation of a small amount of a powder structurant, for example, a fatty acid (or fatty acid soap), a sugar, an acrylate or acrylate/maleate copolymer, or sodium silicate. One preferred powder structurant is fatty acid soap, suitably present in an amount of from 1 to 5 wt%.

Other materials that may be present in detergent compositions of the invention include sodium silicate; antiredeposition agents such as cellulosic polymers; soil release polymers; inorganic salts such as sodium sulphate; or lather boosters as appropriate; proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes; dyes; coloured speckles; fluorescers and decoupling polymers. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

However, many of these ingredients will be better delivered as benefit agent groups in materials produced according to the first aspect of the invention.

C448'4 (C) FF -40 -The detergent composition when diluted in the wash liquor (during a typical wash cycle) will typically give a pH of the wash liquor from 7 to 10.5 for a main wash detergent.

Particulate detergent compositions are suitably prepared by spray-drying a slurry of compatible heat-insensitive ingredients, and then spraying on or post-dosing those ingredients unsuitable for processing via the slurry. The skilled detergent formulator will have no difficulty in deciding which ingredients should be included in the slurry and which should not.

Particulate detergent compositions of the invention preferably have a bulk density of at least 400 g/litre, more preferably at least 500 g/litre. Especially preferred compositions have bulk densities of at least 650 g/litre, more preferably at least 700 g/litre.

Such powders may be prepared either by post-tower densification of spray-dried powder, or by wholly non-tower methods such as dry mixing and granulation; in both cases a high-speed mixer/granulator may advantageously be used.

Processes using high-speed mixer/granulators are disclosed, for example, in EP 340 013A, EP 367 339A, EP 390 25lA and EP 420 317A (Unilever) Liquid detergent compositions can be prepared by admixing the essential and optional ingredients thereof in any desired order to provide compositions containing components in the requisite concentrations. Liquid compositions according to the present invention can also be in compact C4484 (C) FF -41 -form which means it will contain a lower level of water compared to a conventional liquid detergent.

Product Forms The composition of the invention may be in the form of a liquid, solid (e.g. powder or tablet), a gel or paste, spray, stick, baror a foam or mousse. Examples include a soaking product, a rinse treatment (e.g. conditioner or finisher) or a main-wash product. Compositions suitable for direct application are preferred, such as gel or paste, spray, stick, bar, foam or mousse. The means for manufacturing any of the product forms are well known in the art. If the polymer particles are to be incorporated in a powder (optionally the powder to be tableted), and whether or not pre-emulsified, they are optionally included in a separate granular component.

Substrate When used in laundering, the substrate may be any substrate onto which it is desirable to deposit polymer particles and which is subjected to treatment such as a washing or rinsing process.

In particular, the substrate may be a textile fabric.

Treatment The treatment of the substrate with the material of the invention can be made by any suitable method such as C4484 (C) FF -42 -washing, soaking or rinsing of the substrate but preferably by direct application such as spraying, rubbing, spotting, smearing, etc. The treatment may involve contacting the substrate with an aqueous medium comprising the material of the invention.

The treatment may be provided as a spray composition e.g., for domestic (or industrial) application to fabric in a treatment separate from a conventional domestic laundering process. Suitable spray dispensing devices are disclosed in Wa 96/15310 (Procter & Gamble) and are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the composition may be applied through the irons water tank, a separate reservoir or a spray cartridge in an iron, as described in EP 1201816 and Wa 99/27176.

EXA1LES Embodiments of the present invention will now be explained in more detail by reference to the following non-limiting

examples: -

In the following examples where percentages are mentioned, this is to be understood as percentage by weight.

C4484 (C) FF -43 - The following abbreviations are used:-SDS -Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate THF -Tetrahydrofuran SPE -sugar polyester DCM -Dichloromethane MWL -Model wash liquor Example 1 -preparation of a model perfume and a model wash liquor A simple model perfume was prepared and used in the ensuing examples. The model perfume components were selected on the following bases: - 1) the component formed middle or base notes, and 2) the component was readily commercially available.

The components thus selected are shown in Table 1.

Table 1 -Perfume components used to make a simple model perfume.

Component Aldrich Formula FW b.p Catalog ( C) ue Code a,cx-Dimethyl phenethyl W239208 C12H1602 192 250 at acetate (DMPEA) atmos P Methyl Dihydro Jasinonate W340804 C13H2203 226 110 at (MDHJ) 0.2 mmHg Phenethyl Phenylacetate W286605 C16H1602 325 325 at (PEPA) atmos P C448'4 (C) FF -44 -The composition of the model perfume is shown in Table 2.

Table 2 -Composition of the simple model perfume.

Component Mass (g) wt % a,a-Dimethyl phenethyl 7.8644 33.18 acetate (DMPEA) Methyl Dihydro Jasmonate 7.9347 33.26 (MDHJ) Phenethyl Phenylacetate 7.8445 33.55 (PEPA) Preparation of a model wash liquor: A standard model wash liquor was prepared for use in the ensuing examples as follows: First, a buffer stock solution was made up with the following composition: Trisodium citrate at O.175g/l, sodium citrate at 0.29g/l, sodium bicarbonate at 0.05g/1 and sodium sulphate at l.lg/l.

A surfactant stock solution was also prepared which had the following composition: Anionic surfactant: Linear Alkyl Sulphate (LAS) at 0.5g/l active and nonionic surfactant: (Synperonic A7 or Neodol 25- 7E0) at 0.5g/l active.

The two stock solutions were then mixed together at a 50:50 ratio to produce a liquor of lg/l surfactant of about pH 10.5.

C4484 (C) FF -45 -Example 2 -Preparation of particles Ml and M2 by hybrid miniemulsion Particles according to the invention were prepared by the hybrid miniemulsion route as follows: First, stock solutions were prepared as follows: 1. A stock surfactant solution was prepared by dissolving SDS (2.5 g) and Synperonic A7 (10 g) in demineralised water (500 ml) 2. A monomer/SPE/model perfume solution was prepared by dissolving SPE (ER290) (25 g) in butyl methacrylate (25 g), adding model perfume (5 g) and then adding hexadecane (2 g).

Particles (Ml) comprising a core (polymer/benefit agent (SPE)/model perfume) were then prepared using the stock solutions and the hybrid miniemulsion method: 1. Surfactant stock solution (50 ml) was mixed with demineralised water (370 ml).

2. To the above mixture 50 g of the monomer/SPE/model perfume solution was added with mixing with an Ultratorax mixer at 20,000 rpm for 5 minutes, resulting in a crude emulsion.

3. Using a sonic probe the crude emulsion was then ultrasonicated at full power for 10 minutes, with stirring provided by a stirrer hot plate and stirrer flea in the crude emulsion. This resulted in the formation of miniemulsion droplets.

C4484 (C) FF -46 - 4. The miniemulsion droplets were placed in a suitable vessel, such as a polymerisation kettle, equipped with an over head stirrer, condenser, temperature controlled oil bath and a thermo-couple and heated until the mixture reached 75 C.

5. Once the mixture reached the desired temperature the initiation system was added, namely sodium bicarbonate (0.5 g) in water (10 ml) plus arnrnonium persulphate (0.5 g) in water (10 ml).

6. The reaction was allowed to finish before being allowed to cool down and extra surfactant Tween 80 (2 g) in water (10 ml) added to help stabilise the latex.

Particles (M2) comprising a core (polymer/benefit agent (SPE)/model perfume) and a shell were also prepared using the stock solutions and the hybrid miniemulsion method: 1. Surfactant stock solution (50 ml) was mixed with demineralisd water (370 ml).

4. The miniemulsion droplets were placed in a suitable vessel, such as a polymerisation kettle, equipped with an over head stirrer, condenser, temperature controlled C4484 (C) FF -47 -oil bath and a thermo-couple and heated until the mixture reached 75 C.

5. Once the mixture reached the desired temperature the initiation system was added, namely sodium bicarbonate (0.5 g) in water (10 ml) plus arnmonium persulphate (0.5 g) in water (10 ml) 6. 2.5 hours were allowed to elapse before vinyl acetate (25 g) was added to the reaction vessel and allowed to mix for 30 minutes.

7. An initiator system of 35 wt % hydrogen peroxide (0.77 g) in water (5 ml) and ascorbic acid (0.25 g) in water (5 ml) was added.

8. Once the reaction had finished, the reaction mixture was allowed to cool down and extra surfactant (Tween 80 (2 g) in water (10 ml)) was added to help stabilise the latex.

Example 3 -Preparation of particles, M3 and M4, by artificial miniemulsion Particles (M3) comprising a core (polymer/benefit agent (SPE)/model perfume) was prepared by the artificial miniemulsion route as follows: First, a solution of polymer/SPE/model perfume in dichioromethane (DCM) was prepared by dissolving SPE (ER290) (12.5 g) dissolved in poly butyl methacrylate (12.5 g), model perfume (2.5 g) and hexadecane (1 g) in DCM (100 ml).

Polymer/SPE/model perfume artificial miniemulsion latex particles were then prepared using the following method: C448'4 (C) FF - 48 - 1. Surfactant stock solution (50 ml) was mixed with demineralised water (375 ml).

2. The polymer/SPE/model perfume/DCM solution (125 ml) was added to the surfactant/water mixture with mixing with an Ultratorax mixer at 20,000 rpm for 5 minutes to form a crude emulsion.

3. Using a sonic probe, the crude emulsion was ultrasonicated at full power for 10 minutes with stirring provided by a stirrer hot plate and stirrer flea in the crude emulsion to form miniemulsion droplets.

4. The miniemulsion droplets were then placed in a suitable round bottom flask and the DCM removed using a rotary evaporator and gravimetric analysis to monitor the loss of DCM.

Particles (M4) comprising a core (polymer/benefit agent (SPE)/model perfume) and a shell were also prepared by the artificial miniemulsion route as follows: First, a solution of polymer/SPE/model perfume in dichioromethane (DCM) was prepared by dissolving SPE (ER290) (12.5 g) dissolved in poly butyl methacrylate (12.5 g), model perfume (2. 5 g) and hexadecane (1 g) in DCM (100 ml).

Polymer/SPE/model perfume artificial miniemulsion latex particles were then prepared using the following method: 1. Surfactant stock solution (50 ml) was mixed with demineralised water (375 ml).

C4484 (C) FF -49 - 2. The polymer/SPE/model perfume/DCM solution (125 ml) was added to the surfactant/water mixture with mixing with an Ultratorax mixer at 20,000 rpm for 5 minutes to form a crude emulsion.

5. The miniemulsion droplets were then placed in a suitable vessel, such as a polymerisation kettle, equipped with an over head stirrer, condenser, temperature controlled oil bath and a thermo-couple and heated to 75 C.

6. 2.5 hours were allowed to elapse before vinyl acetate (25 g) was then added and allowed to mix for 30 minutes.

Preparation of Comparative Example A The model perfume was emulsified to form comparative example A. The emulsion was prepared in the following way: C448'4 (C) FF -50 -Synperonic A20 (0.1 g) and SDS (0.025 g) were dissolved in demineralised water (50 ml) . Model perfume (1.0 g) was then added and the resulting mixture mixed with a high shear overhead mixer for 2 minutes.

The compositions of the particles Ml, M2, M3 and M4 and of comparative example A are summarised in Table 3 below.

Table 3 -Compositions of particles Ml-M4 and of comparative

example A.

All the particles had a ratio of PBMA: SPE: Model Perfume of 50: 50: 10.

Ml M2 M3 M4 A Method of Hybrid Hybrid Artifici Artificia Conventi preparation al 1 onal Emulsion Core composition monomer! BMA1 BMA PBMA3 PBMA -polymer __________ _________ benefit SPE2 SPE SPE SPE -agent __________ _________ model -perfume _________ ________ Shell -vinyl vinyl -composition acetate acetate 1BMA = Butyl Methacrylate, Aldrich 2SPE = Sugar Polyester, ER290, Mitsubishi 3PBMA = Poly Butyl Methacrylate, Aldrich 5ModeJ. perfume -as given in Table 2 C448'4 (C) FF -51 -Example 4 -Longevity of the model perfume on fabric The amount of perfume remaining on fabric which had been spotted with particles according to the invention (Ml, M2, M3, M4) or with the control emulsion A was determined as follows: 1. 100 p1 of a 1:4 particle:water (i.e. 20 p1 particle and p1 water) mixture was then spotted onto the fabric using a glass capilliary tube. The fabric was hung in an ambient atmosphere.

2. At time intervals of 1, 3 and 8 days, approximately 1 g of fabric was placed into a vial with 10 ml THF overnight and then removed from the vial.

3. The amount of each perfume component remaining on the fabric was then determined by GC/MS after 1, 3 and 8 days.

C448'4 (C) FF -52 -Table 4 -Amount of perfume remaining on fabric spotted with M1-M4 or A after 1, 3 and 8 days.

Amount perfume remaining on fabric (%) Example Perfume Day 1 Day3 Day 8 componen t Ml DMPEA 11.36 12.84 11.35 MDHJ 90.70 76.70 63.22 PEPA 86.19 83.15 75.95 M2 DMPEA 13.50 15.83 14.03 MDHJ 97.76 92.44 73.66 PEPA 89.61 96.90 87.21 M3 DMPEA 14.00 14.59 13.41 MDHJ 78.54 71.85 58.12 PEPA 73.59 79.30 72.09 M4 DMPEA 14.66 12.64 12.60 MDHJ 83.53 74.70 60.82 PEPA 75.01 77.16 64.37 control DMPEA 4.68 4.14 4.66 A MDHJ 52.97 52.57 46.01 PEPA 49.09 51.67 45.97 As expected, DMPEA experienced the greatest loss as it was the most volatile component in the model perfume.

It will be seen that the particles according to the invention (Ml, M2, M3 and M3) give greater longevity of perfume on fabric than the comparative control.

Claims

C448'4 (C) FF -53 -

CLAIMS

1. A polymer particle comprising a core wherein the core comprises a benefit agent, a perfume and a polymer comprising monomer units which are derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of:-a) monomers with a solubility in water of less than 0.1 g/l, and/or b) monomers with a solubility in water of from 0.1 to g/l, and c) optionally, monomers with a solubility in water of greater than 30 g/l, and/or d) optionally, cross linkers.

2. A particle as claimed in claim 1 which further comprises a shell, wherein the shell comprises monomer units selected from b) and optionally c) and/or optionally d) 3. A particle as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the benefit agent is selected from the group consisting of fabric softeners, conditioners, shape retention agents, anti-crease agents, ease of ironing aids, quick drying aids, lubricants, texturising agents, insecticides, insecticide repellents, fungicides, photofading inhibitors, dyes, pigments fluorescers and sunscreens, or mixtures thereof.

4. A particle as claimed in claim 3, wherein the benefit agent is a chemical or mechanical protective agent.

C4484 (C) FF -54 - 5. A particle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the benefit agent comprises a biodegradable lubricant.

6. A particle as claimed in claim 5 wherein the lubricant is a sugar polyester.

7. A particle as claimed in claim 6 wherein the sugar polyester is a sucrose polyester, preferably selected from sucrose tetrastearate, sucrose tetraerucate, sucrose tetralaurate, sucrose tetraoleate, sucrose tetrapalmitate and sucrose tetrapaim kernal.

8. A particle as claimed in claim 6 wherein the particle comprises from 0.1 to 99 %, preferably from 50 to 99 % of sugar polyester, by weight.

9. A particle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the perfume is present in an amount of from 1 to 50 % by total weight of the particle, preferably from 10 to % by total weight of the particle.

10. A particle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the perfume has a molecular weight of from 50 to 500.

11. A particle as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the perfume has a boiling point of from 30 to 500 degrees Centigrade.

12. A particle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the polymer comprises monomer units which are derived from monomers C448'4 (C) FF -55 -selected from the group consisting of olefins, ethylene, vinylaromatic monomers, esters of vinyl alcohol with mono-and di-carboxylic acids, esters of a,-monoethylenically unsaturated mono-and dicarboxylic acids with alcohols, nitriles of a,13-monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids, conjugated dienes, a, 3-monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic and dicarboxylic acids and their amides, methacrylic acid and its esters with alcohols and diols, acrylic acid and its esters with alcohols and diols, dimethyl or di-n-butyl maleate, and/or vinyl-sulfonic acid and its water-soluble salts and mixtures thereof.

13. A particle as claimed in claim 1 wherein the monomers a), b), c) and d) comprise the following:-a) vinyl octate; Vinyl decanote, vinyl laurate; vinyl stearate; esters of acrylic, methacrylic, maleic, fumaric or itaconic acid with decyl, dodecyl, tetadecyl, hexadecyl and octadecyl alcohol, b) styrene; a-methylstyrene; o-chlorostyrene vinyl acetate; vinyl propionate; vinyl n-butyrate; esters of acrylic, methacrylic, maleic, fumaric or itaconic acid with methyl, ethyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, n-hexyl and 2-ethylhexyl alcohol; 1,3-butadiene; 2,3 dimethyl butadiene; and isoprene, c) acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, poly (alkylene oxide) C4484 (C) FF -56 - monoacrylates and monomethacrylates, N-vinyl- pyrrolidone, methacrylic and acrylic acid, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylates and methacrylates, glycerol acrylates and methacrylates, poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylates and acrylates, n-vinyl pyrrolidone, acryloyl morpholine, vinyl formamide, n-vinyl acetamide and vinyl caprolactone, acrylonitrile, acrylamide, and methacrylamide at levels of less than 10 % by weight of the monomer unit content of the particle;

2-(dimethylaminO) ethyl methacrylate, 2-(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate, 2-(tert-butylamino) ethyl methacrylate, 2 -aminoethyl methacrylate, 2-(2_oxo_1-imidazolidiflyl) ethyl methacrylate, vinyl pyridine, vinyl carbazole, vinyl imidazole, vinyl aniline, and their cationic forms after treatment with alkyl halides, d) vinyltoluenes, divinyl benzene, ethylene glycol diacrylate, 1,2-propylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-propylene glycol diacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol diacrylate, 1,4-butylene glycol diacrylates, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,2-propylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-propylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,3-butylene glycol dimethacrylate, 1,4-butylene glycol dimethacrylate, divinylbenZefle, vinyl methacrylate, vinyl acrylate, allyl methacrylate, allyl acrylate, diallyl maleate, diallyl fumarate, methylenebisacrylamide, cyclopentadieflyl acrylate, and triallyl cyanurate.

C44&4 (C) FF -57 - 14. A particle as claimed in claim 13 wherein the polymer comprises monomer units, which are derived from monomers selected from the group consisting of butyl acrylate, butyl methacrylate, hexyl acrylate, hexyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, dodecyl acrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, octadecyl acrylate, octadecyl methacrylate, styrene, vinyl acetate and divinyl benzene, or mixtures thereof.

15. A particle as claimed in any previous claim, having a particle size of less than 1 micron, preferably of less than 500nm.

16. A process for the preparation of the polymer particle as claimed in any preceding claim, which comprises preparation of a miniemulsion.

17. A process as claimed in claim 16 which comprises the steps of: (a) preparation of a miniemulsion (comprising monomers, a benefit agent, a perfume and a cosurfactant), (b) polymerisation of the miniemulsion of step (a) to form miniemulsion core particles, and (c) optional addition of shell monomers and initiator such that polyinerisation occurs to form a shell around the core particles of step (b)..

18. A process as claimed in claim 16 which comprises the steps of: C44a4 (C) FF -58 - (a) preparation of a miniemulsion (comprising polymer, a benefit agent, a perfume, a cosurfactant and a water insoluble volatile solvent), (b) removal of the volatile solvent, and (C) optional addition of shell monomers and initiator such that polymerisation occurs to form a shell around the core particles of step (b).

19. A process as claimed in claim 17 wherein step (a) comprises the sub-steps of: (i) mixing monomers, a benefit agent and a perfume with a cosurfactant to form a mixture (y), (ii) dissolving at least one surfactant in water to form a mixture (z), and (iii) combining (y) and (z) and subjecting to high shear to form a miniemulsion, and step comprises the step of: (iv) adding an initiator such that polymerisation proceeds.

20. A process as claimed in claim 18 wherein step (a) comprises the sub-steps of: (i) dissolving polymer, a benefit agent and a perfume with a cosurfactant in a water insoluble volatile solvent to form a mixture solution (m), (ii) dissolving at least one surfactant in water to form a mixture (n), and (iii) combining (m) and (n) and subjecting to high shear to form a miniemulsion.

C44S4 (C) FF -59 - 21. A laundry treatment composition comprising the particle as claimed in any of claims 1 to 15.

22. Use of a laundry treatment composition as claimed in claim 21 in the treatment of fabric.

23. Use as claimed in claim 22 wherein the use provides a protection benefit to the perfume from surfactants during a laundry process 24. A method of treating fabric, comprising contacting the fabric with the polymer particle according to any one of claims 1 to 15.

25. Use of a particle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to in the treatment of a fabric to provide a protection benefit to the perfume from surfactants during a laundry process.

26. Use of a particle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to in the manufacture of a laundry treatment composition to provide a protection benefit to the perfume from surfactants during a laundry process.

27. Use of a particle as claimed in any one of claims 1 to in the treatment of a fabric to provide long lasting adherence of the perfume to fabric.

28. Aqueous wash medium comprising from 0.05 to 1 gram per litre of a particle according to any one of claims 1 to 15.