MXPA01005309A - The use of a peroxygen bleach as a fabric/textile softening agent - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the use of a peroxygen bleach as a fabric/textile softening ingredient in a composition to treat fabrics and/or textiles whereby softness characteristics are provided to said fabrics and/or textiles.

Description

USE OF A PEROXYGEN WHITENER AS A FABRIC / TEXTILE SOFTENING AGENT TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the use of a peroxygen bleach as a fabric / fabric softening agent in a composition for treating fabrics and / or textiles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Carpets of synthetic or natural fibers and mixtures thereof are commonly used in residential and commercial applications as floor coverings. Various types of fibers can be used in the manufacture of carpets such as polyamide fibers, polyester fibers, as well as wool, cotton or even silk in the case of rugs. However, all carpets, regardless of whether they are made of natural or synthetic fibers, tend to get dirty and stained when put in contact with various household items. Food, fats, oils, beverages, in particular coffee, tea and soft drinks, especially those containing acid dyes can often cause dark and unpleasant spots on carpets. The fibers can also be soiled as a result of particles of dirt, mud, dust, that is to say, in general, soils in particles that come into contact and adhere to the fibers of the carpet. These soils often appear in the form of a diffuse layer of dirt, rather than a form of stains, and tend to accumulate particularly in so-called "heavy traffic areas," such as near doors, as a result of the intensive use of soils. carpets in those areas. Another important issue in carpet care, in addition to the general cleaning performance desired for a given treatment procedure is disinfection. In fact it is important to reduce or even prevent the contamination of microbes on carpet surfaces. In particular, this is important in houses with pets, hotels or in hospitals and other health care facilities, where the presence of microorganisms such as bacteria must be kept to a minimum. The compositions for the treatment of carpets are already known in the art. For example, carpet cleaning compositions based on surfactants and polyvinylpyrrolidone as described in EP-A-822 249. However, such compositions are not completely satisfactory from the consumer's point of view. In particular, it is known from research with consumers that these often look for a composition for treating carpets, with which the surface of the carpet feels smoother.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a carpet treatment composition that imparts softness characteristics to carpets treated therewith. It has now been found that the above objective can be met by the use of a peroxygen bleach as a fabric softener / textile ingredient in a carpet treatment composition. An advantage of the compositions according to the present invention is that they provide excellent general cleaning performance.

More conveniently, the compositions according to the present invention provide excellent cleaning performance, by using them to clean the entire carpet or in localized spots of the carpet. For convenience, the excellent cleaning performance is obtained in different types of stains and dirt, including bleaching spots, especially in the so-called "heavy traffic areas". Another advantage of the present invention is that the compositions as described herein are applicable to all types of carpets, especially delicate natural fibers, and are also safe for all types of carpet dye, in particular natural sensitive dyes used in the same Another advantage of the present invention is that such softness characteristics are also provided for other textiles in addition to carpets, such as, for example, upholstery or car seat covers, and for fabrics (eg, garments, curtains, draperies, clothes) of bed, roma of bathroom, tablecloths, sleeping bags, tents and the like). Yet another advantage of the composition of the present invention is that it can be applied directly on the carpet without causing damage to the carpet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention encompasses the use of a peroxygen bleach as a fabric / textile softening ingredient in a composition for treating fabrics and / or textiles, whereby softness characteristics are provided to said fabrics and / or textiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The composition The compositions according to the present invention can be formulated as solids or liquids. In the case where the compositions are formulated as solids, for example, as granular compositions or powder compositions, they can be applied directly on the fabrics and / or textiles, preferably carpets, which are to be treated or can be diluted before use with a suitable solvent, typically water.

Liquid compositions are preferred herein for convenience of use. In the case where the compositions are formulated as liquids that include gel and paste form, the compositions preferably, but not necessarily, are formulated as aqueous compositions. Preferred aqueous compositions comprise water in an amount of 60% to 98%, more preferably 80% to 95% and even more preferably 85% to 90% by weight of the total composition. The pH of the liquid compositions according to the present invention can be typically from 1 to 14. In a preferred embodiment, the recommended pH scale is from 1 to 10, preferably from 2 to 8, more preferably from 3 to 7, yet more preferably between 4.5 and 7 and more preferably between 3.5 and 6.5. In fact, it has been surprisingly discovered that the cleaning performance is further improved at those preferred pH scales. In addition those preferred pH scales contribute to the stability of hydrogen peroxide, when present. Accordingly, the present compositions may further comprise an acid or base to adjust the pH as appropriate. Preferred acids herein are organic or inorganic acids or mixtures thereof. The preferred organic acids are acetic acid, or citric acid, or a mixture thereof. Preferred inorganic acids are sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid or a mixture thereof. An acid that is particularly preferred for use herein is an inorganic acid and sulfuric acid is the most preferred.

Typical levels of said acids, when present, are from 0.01% to 1.0% by weight, preferably from 0.05% to 0.8% and more preferably from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight of the total composition. The bases for use herein may be organic or inorganic bases. Suitable bases for use herein are caustic alkalis, such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and / or lithium hydroxide, and / or alkali metal oxides such as, sodium and / or potassium oxide or mixtures of the same. A preferred base is a caustic alkali, more preferably sodium hydroxide and / or potassium hydroxide. Other suitable bases include ammonia, ammonium carbonate and bicarbonate. Typical levels of such bases, when present, are from 0.01 to 1.0% by weight, preferably from 0.05% to 0.8% and more preferably from 0.1% to 0.5% by weight of the total composition.

Fabric softening / textile ingredient A peroxygen bleach is employed as a fabric / fabric softening agent in compositions for treating fabrics and / or textiles, preferably carpets, by which fabrics and / or textiles are provided with softness characteristics. The peroxygen bleaches to be used herein are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, water-soluble hydrogen peroxide sources, organic or inorganic percents, hydroperoxides, diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. As used herein, a source of hydrogen peroxide refers to any compound that produces perhydroxyl ions when said compound is in contact with water. Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein are selected from the group consisting of percarbonates, perborates and persilicates and mixtures thereof. The diacyl peroxides suitable for use herein are selected from the group consisting of aliphatic, aromatic and aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxides, and mixtures thereof. The aliphatic diacyl peroxides suitable for use herein are dilauryl peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristyl peroxide or mixtures thereof. An aromatic diacyl peroxide suitable for use herein is for example benzoyl peroxide. An aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxide of suitable use herein is for example lauroyl-benzoyl peroxide. The diacyl peroxides have the advantage of being particularly safe for fabrics and color, while at the same time providing excellent bleaching performance when used in any laundry application. Organic or inorganic percents suitable for use herein are selected from the group consisting of persulfates, such as monopersulfate; peroxyacids, such as diperoxidedecandioic acid (DPDA); magnesium pereftalático acid; perlauric acid; perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoic acids; and mixtures thereof. The hydroperoxides suitable for use herein are selected from the group consisting of tert-butylhydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-hydroperoxide, di-isopropylbenzene-monohydroperoxide, tert-amylhydroperoxide and 2,5-dimethyl -hexan-2,5-dihydroperoxide and mixtures thereof. Said hydroperoxides have the advantage of being particularly safe for fabrics and color, while at the same time providing excellent bleaching performance when used in any laundry application. Preferred peroxygen bleaches herein are selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen peroxide; water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide; organic or inorganic perishes; hydroperoxides; and diacyl peroxides; and mixtures thereof. Preferred peroxygen bleaches herein more preferred herein are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, water-soluble hydrogen peroxide sources and diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. The still more preferred peroxygen bleaches herein are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, water-soluble hydrogen peroxide sources, aliphatic diacyl peroxides, aromatic diacyl peroxides and aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof. The most preferred peroxygen bleaches even here are hydrogen peroxide, water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide or mixtures thereof. Typically, the liquid compositions herein comprise from 0.01% to 20%, preferably from 0.5% to 10%, and more preferably from 1% to 7% by weight of the total composition of a peroxygen bleach. "Softness characteristics" herein means the softness performance as defined by the softness performance test method, as explained below. The softness characteristics provided by the use of the composition as described herein are notorious to consumers in a variety of different forms, e.g., soft touch, smooth feel, smooth appearance, smooth texture, uniformity, fluffy quality , restored sponginess, reduced causticity, reduced hardness, reduced roughness, reduced stiffness, a stacking effect and / or an accumulation effect. The softness performance of a composition in fabrics and / or textiles can be evaluated by the following softness performance test method. A composition comprising the fabric softening / textile ingredient according to the present invention is first applied in liquid form, preferably by spraying, on a piece of carpet of 25 cm * 25 cm, it is allowed to act from one minute to one hour , preferably 30 minutes, after which the carpet is cleaned with a standard Hoover® vacuum cleaner from 5 seconds to 15 seconds, preferably 10 seconds. The treatment described above is repeated five times and the pieces of carpet are evaluated by panelists who classify the characteristics of softness in comparison with the smoothness characteristics of a similar piece of carpet treated in the manner described above, but with a composition that does not include the fabric softener / textile ingredient. The present invention is based on the discovery that when a composition comprises a fabric / textile softening ingredient, as described, it is used to treat fabrics and / or textiles; the softness characteristics reach the fabrics and / or textiles treated with said composition. The softness characteristics can be observed after the treatment of fabrics and / or textiles having natural fibers, for example, wool, silk and / or cotton, as well as synthetic fibers., for example, polyamide or polyester or fabrics and / or textiles having mixed natural and / or synthetic fibers. "Natural fibers" mean fibers consisting largely of keratin polypeptides, such as, for example, wool and silk, or cellulose molecules, such as cotton and jute, or other natural fibers having a natural origin or mixtures from the same. "Fabrics" mean clothing, curtains, draperies, bedding, swimwear, tablecloths, sleeping bags, tents and the like. "Textiles" mean carpets, rugs, upholstery, car seat covers and the like.

While not wishing to be bound by the theory, it has been observed that such softness characteristics provided to fabrics and / or textiles treated with a composition as described herein may be due to one or more of three speculated effects caused by the softening ingredient of fabrics / textiles. The first effect is the plasticization of fibers caused by the fabric / textile softening ingredient. "Fiber plasticization" means that due to its lower polarity, a peroxygen bleach can easily penetrate between the macromolecules that form the fibers of the fabrics / textiles, thus temporarily overcoming the intra-molecular attractions that tend to maintain said macromolecules together, which increases the mobility of the polymer chains of said macromolecules. The first effect can be observed in fabrics and / or textiles having natural fibers, fabrics and / or textiles having synthetic fibers, as well as fabrics and / or textiles having mixed natural and synthetic fibers. The second effect is the expansion of the fibers. "Fiber expansion" means that due to the release of molecules in their gaseous state, preferably oxygen gas, released by a peroxygen bleach in fabric / textile fibers, the volume around the macromolecule increases; so that the mobility of the macromolecule increases, that is, a freedom of twisting / translation is provided. The second effect is predominant in fabrics and / or textiles having synthetic fibers, and fabrics and / or textiles having mixed natural and synthetic fibers.

The third effect is the temporary denaturation of fibers. "Temporary denaturation of fibers" means that the inter / intra-molecular bond and / or the attractions that connect the fibers of the fabrics / textiles, for example, disulfide bridges that connect the cysteine portions of keratin proteins that make up the fabrics and / or wool textiles, are oxidized by a peroxygen bleach, preferably due to their oxidation properties, so they temporarily stress / break the links and / or attractions, and cause the temporary relaxation of said links and / or attractions Nter / intra-molecular. Such temporary relaxation causes a reversible change in the structure of the fibers. The change allows the fibers to move more freely with respect to each other. The third effect is predominant in fabrics and / or textiles having natural fibers and fabrics and / or textiles having mixed natural and synthetic fibers. Peroxygen bleach is used as a fabric softening ingredient and / or textiles in a composition for treating fabrics and / or textiles. Preferably, it is used with peroxygen bleach as a fabric / textile softening ingredient in a composition for treating textiles, such as carpets, rugs, upholstery, car seat covers and the like. Even more preferably a peroxygen bleach is used as a fabric / textile softening ingredient in a composition for treating carpets, rugs and the like. The most preferred peroxygen bleach is used as a fabric softener / textile ingredient in a carpet treatment composition.

The presence of a peroxygen bleach, preferably hydrogen peroxide, also contributes to excellent cleansing (especially in bleaching spots) and disinfecting benefits of the compositions of the present invention. In fact, compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach provide excellent cleaning performance over diffuse soils (eg, particulate and / or greasy / oily stains) and in other types of stains or soils, ie, splash spots. as bleaching spots (for example coffee, drinks, food) and / or enzymatic spots, such as blood. Said excellent cleaning performance is provided in various types of fabrics and / or textiles. "Particulate spots" means in the present any stain or dirt of particulate nature that can be found on any fabric and / or textile, for example, clay, dirt, dust, mud, cement and the like. "Oily / greasy spots" means any dirt or oily / oily stain that can be found on any fabric and / or textile, for example, make-up, lipstick, dirty motor oil and mineral oil, fatty foods such as mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce. "Bleach spots" means any dirt or stain that contains bleach sensitive ingredients that can be found on any fabric and / or textile, for example, coffee or tea.

"Enzymatic spots" means in the present any dirt or stain of an enzymatic nature that can be found on any fabric and / or textile, for example, grass. The cleaning performance of a given composition on soiled fabrics and / or textiles, for example carpets, can be evaluated by the following test method. A composition comprising the fabric / textile softening ingredient according to the present invention is first applied in liquid form, preferably sprinkled, onto the stained portion of a carpet, allowed to act thereon for 1 to 60 minutes, preferably 30 minutes , after which, the carpet is vacuumed. The typical dirt used in this test can be grass, dirty engine oil, tea, coffee, powder and / or mayonnaise. The cleaning performance can be evaluated by visual classification.

Optional ingredients The compositions herein may further comprise conventional fabric / textile cleaning ingredients. Preferably, the compositions herein may further comprise several additional compounds such as soil anti-redeposition agents, surface active agents, stabilizing agents, chelating agents, builder system, radical scavengers, perfumes, dyes, foam suppressing agents, enzymes, photobleaching agents, bleach activators and other minor agents.

Anti-redeposition agent of dirt As an optional but highly preferred ingredient, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise a soil anti-redeposition agent. Any soil anti-redeposition agent having the desired anti-redeposition properties of dirt can be used. "Anti-redeposition properties of dirt" means herein that fabrics and / or textiles, preferably carpets, which have been cleaned with a composition according to the present invention, are cleaned more effectively in a cleaning operation. Subsequent (for example, mechanical cleaning of carpet, such as by vacuuming, brushing and similar or carpet cleaning by chemical means). In particular, it means that it is necessary to apply less effort and / or less product to the fabrics and / or textiles to achieve the same or even better cleaning, than when the fabrics and / or textiles are cleaned with a composition that does not contain a cleaning agent. anti-redeposition of dirt. Suitable soil anti-redeposition agents include soil anti-redeposition polymers. Suitable soil anti-redeposition polymers include polyamine N-oxide polymers.

The polyamine N-oxide polymers suitable for use herein are according to the following formula: R-Ax-P, which contains at least one N-oxide group (group N-O); wherein: P is a polymerizable unit to which an N-O group can be attached and / or the N-O group can be part of the polymerizable unit; A is one of the following structures: O O O, -NC- -CO- -C- -N- -O- -S-; x is 0 or 1; and R is aliphatic, aliphatic, ethoxylated, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic group or any combination thereof, in which the group can not adhere to R or the nitrogen of the group NO is part of R. "Group NO" means one of the following general structures: wherein R-i, R2, R3 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or combinations thereof; x, y, and z are 0 or 1; and the nitrogen of the N-O group can adhere or be part of any of the groups mentioned above.

Any polymerizable unit P can be used as long as the amine oxide polymer formed is soluble in water and provides the fabric and / or textile cleaning composition with fabric and / or textile cleaning and / or anti-aging benefits. redeposition of dirt on fabrics and / or textiles. The preferred polymerizable P units are vinyl, alkylates, esters, ethers, amides, imides, acrylates and mixtures thereof. A most preferred polymerizable unit P is vinyl. Preferred polyamine N-oxide polymers are those in which R is a heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole, or a derivative thereof, to which the nitrogen of the NO group can adhere or the NO group is a part of these groups. The most preferred polyamine N-oxide polymers are those in which R is a pyridine. The polyamine N-oxide polymer can be obtained in almost any degree of polymerization. Typically, the average molecular weight is within the range of 1,000 to 100,000; most preferred from 5,000 to 100,000; most preferred from 5,000 to 25,000. Suitable polyamine N-oxide polymers are polyvinylpyridine N-oxide polymers, in which: the polymerizable unit P is vinyl; x = 0; and R is pyridine in which the nitrogen of the N-O group is a part. Suitable polyvinyl pyridine N-oxide polymers are commercially available from Hoechst, under the tradename of Hoe S 4268®, and from Reilly Industries Inc. under the tradename PVNO. Suitable anti-redeposition polymer polymers also include polymers of polycarboxylate dirt suspension or a polyamine polymer for dirt suspension. Any polycarboxylate soil suspension polymer known to those skilled in the art may be used in accordance with the present invention, such as homo- or co-polycarboxylic acids or their salts including polyacrylates and copolymers of maleic anhydride and / or acid acrylic and similar. In fact, said polycarboxylate polymers of soil suspension can be prepared by polymerization or copolymerization of suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably in their acid form. The unsaturated monomeric acids which can be polymerized to form polymeric polycarboxylates include acrylic acid, maleic acid (or maleic anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. The presence in the polymeric polycarboxylates of the present of monomeric segments, which do not contain carboxylate radicals, such as vinyl methyl ether, styrene, ethylene, etc. it is suitable with the proviso that said segments do not constitute more than 40% by weight. Polymeric polycarboxylates particularly suitable for use herein may be acrylic acid derivatives. Said acrylic acid-based polymers which are useful herein are the water-soluble salts of polymerized acrylic acid. The average molecular weight of said polymers in acid form is in the scale preferably from 2,000 to 10,000, more preferably from 4,000 to about 7,000 and more preferably from 4,000 to about 5,000. The water-soluble salts of said acrylic acid polymers may include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble polymers of this type are known materials. The use of polyacrylates of this type in detergent compositions has been described, for example, in Diehl, U.S. Pat. 3,308,067, issued March 7, 1967. Acrylic / maleic based copolymers can also be used as a preferred polycarboxylic polymer for soil suspension. Such materials include water-soluble salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid. The average molecular weight of said copolymers in acid form is preferably in the range from 2,000 to about 100,000, more preferably from 5,000 to about 75,000, more preferably from 7,000 to about 65,000. The ratio of acrylate to maleate segments in said copolymers will generally be in the range of 30: 1 to 1: 1, more preferably 10: 1 to 2: 1. The water-soluble salts of said acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymers may include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble acrylate / maleate copolymers of this type are known materials which are described in European Patent Application No. 66915, published on December 15, 1982. A copolymer of maleic / acrylic acid with an average molecular weight is particularly preferred. of 70,000. Said copolymers are commercially available from BASF under the tradename SOKALAN® CP5. Any polyamine suspension suspension polymer known to those skilled in the art can also be used herein. Particularly suitable polyamine polymers for use herein are alkoxylated polyamines. These materials can be conveniently represented as molecules of the empirical structures with repeating units: - [N- -R] - Form Amina (alkoxy) and R1 - [N + -R] - -n nX- Quaternized Form (alkoxy) and wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group, typically 2-6 carbon atoms; Ri can be a C1-C20 hydrocarbon; the alkoxy groups are ethoxy, propoxy, and the like, and, and is 2-30, more preferably 10-20; n is an integer of at least 2, preferably 2-20, more preferably 3-5; and X- is an anion such as halide or methylisulfate, which results from the quaternization reaction. The most highly preferred polyamines for use herein are so-called polyethylene-ethoxylated amines, ie, the polymerized reaction product of ethylene oxide with ethylene imine, having the general formula: (EtO) and [N CH2 CH2] n N (EtO) and (EtO) and (EtO) and when y = 2-30, preferably 15 and n is 1-30 preferably 4. Particularly preferred for use herein is an ethoxylated polyethyleneamine, in particular ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine, and quaternized ethoxylated hexamethylenediamine. Other suitable soil anti-redeposition polymers include those soil anti-redeposition polymers having: (a) one or more nonionic hydrophilic components consisting essentially of (i) polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2 , or (ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization of 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophilic segment does not encompass any oxypropylene unit, unless it is attached to adjacent portions at each end by ether linkages, or (iii) ) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to 30 oxypropylene units, in which said mixture contains a sufficient amount of oxyethylene units, so that the hydrophilic component has hydrophilic capacity large enough to increase the hydrophilic capacity of fiber surfaces synthetic polyester when the dirt release agent is deposited on said surface, said hydrophilic segments preferably comprise at least 25% oxyethylene units and more preferably, especially for said components having from 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50% oxyethylene units; or (b) one or more hydrophobic components comprising (i) oxyalkylene terephthalate segments of C3, in which, if said hydrophobic components also comprise oxyethylene terephthalate, the ratio of oxyethylene terephthalate: oxyalkylene terephthalate units of C3 is about 2: 1 or lower, ( ii) C4-C6 alkylene segments or C4-C6 oxyalkylene, or mixtures thereof, (iii) poly (estervinyl) segments, preferably polyvinyl acetate, having a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or ( iv) substituents of C 1 -C 4 alkyl ether or C 4 hydroxyalkyl ether, or mixtures thereof, in which said substituents are present in the form of cellulose derivatives of C 1 -C 4 alkyl ether or C 4 hydroxyalkyl ether, or mixtures thereof thereof, and said cellulose derivatives are amphiphilic, with which they have a sufficient level of C1-C4 alkyl ether units and / or hydroxyalkyl ether of C to deposit on fiber surfaces conventional polyester synthetic and retain a sufficient level of hydroxyls, once adhered to said conventional synthetic fiber surface, to increase the hydrophilic capacity of the surface of the fiber, or a combination of (a) and (b). Typically, the polyoxyethylene segments of (a) (i) will have a degree of polymerization of from about 1 to about 200, although higher levels, preferably from 3 to about 150, more preferably from 6 to about 100, may be used. Suitable hydrophobic C4-C6 oxyalkylene segments include, but are not limited to, polymeric soil release agents such as MO3S (CH2) nOCH2CH2O-, where M is sodium and n is an integer of 4- 6, as described in the patent of E.U.A. 4,721, 580, issued on January 26, 1988 to Gosselink. The soil anti-redeposition polymers useful in the present invention also include cellulose derivatives, such as cellulose hydroxy ether polymers, copolymer blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or propylene terephthalate oxide, and the like. Said soil anti-redeposition polymers are commercially available and include cellulose hydroxyethers, such as METHOCEL (Dow). The cellulose anti-redeposition polymer polymers for use herein also include those selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4 alkyl and C 4 hydroxyalkyl cellulose. See patent of E.U.A. 4,000,093, issued December 28, 1976 to Nicol, et al.

Anti-redeposition polymers characterized by hydrophobic poly (vinyl ester) segments include poly (vinyl ester) graft copolymers, for example Ci-Cß vinyl esters, preferably poly (vinyl acetate) grafted to polyalkylene oxide base, such as polyethylene oxide base structures. See European patent application 0 219 048, published April 22, 1987 by Kud, et al. Commercially available anti-redeposition polymers of this type include SOKALAN material type, for example SOKALAN HP-22, available from BASF. A preferred type of soil anti-redeposition polymer is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene terephthalate oxide (PEO). The molecular weight of these anti-redeposition polymers is approximately 25,000 to about 55,000. See patent of E.U.A. 3,959,230 to Hays, issued May 25, 1976 and patent of E.U.A. 3,893,929 to Basadur issued July 8, 1975. Another preferred anti-redeposition polymer is a polyester with repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units containing 10-15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with 90-80% by weight. weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight 300-5,000. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available material ZELCON 5126 (from Dupont) and MILEASE T (from ICI). See also the patent of E.U.A. 4,702,857, issued on October 27, 1987 to Gosselink. Another preferred agent of soil anti-redeposition polymer is a sulfonated product of a substantially linear ester oligomer comprising an oligomeric ester base structure of terephthaloyl and oxyalkylenoxy repeating units and terminal portions covalently bonded to the base structure . These dirt anti-redeposition polymers are fully described in the US patent. 4,968,451, issued November 6, 1990 to J.J. Scheible and E.P. Gosselink. Other suitable soil anti-redeposition polymers include the terephthalate polyesters of the U.S. patent. 4,711, 730, issued December 8, 1987 to Gosselink et al, the blocked end anionic oligomeric esters of the U.S. patent. 4,721, 580 issued on January 26, 1988 to Gosselink, and the oligomeric block polyester compounds of the U.S.A. 4,702,857, issued on October 27, 1987 to Gosselink. Preferred anti-redeposition polymers also include the soil release agents of the U.S.A. 4,877,896, issued on October 31, 1989 to Maldonado et al., Which describes anionic esters, especially sulfoaroyl, of blocked end terephthalate. Even another preferred soil anti-redeposition agent is an oligomer with repeating units of terephthaloyl units, sulfoisoterephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy units and oxy-1,2-propylene units. The repeating units form the base structure of the oligomer and are preferably terminated with blocked ends of the modified isethionate. A particularly preferred anti-redeposition agent of this type comprises approximately one sulfoisophthaloyl unit, five terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1,2-propyleneoxy units in a ratio of about 1.7 to about 1.8, and two end units blocked from sodium 2- (2-hydroxyethoxy) -ethanesulfonate. Said soil anti-redeposition agent also comprises from 0.5% to about 20%, by weight of the oligomer, of a crystalline reduction stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of xylene sulfonate, eumeno sulfonate, toluene sulfate, and mixtures thereof. See the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,415,807, issued May 16, 1995, to Gosselink et al. The liquid compositions may comprise 0.01% a %, preferably from 0.01% to 5%, and more preferably from 0.05% to 2% by weight of the total composition of a soil anti-redeposition agent. A preferred soil anti-redeposition agent is a soil anti-redeposition polymer. A most preferred soil anti-redeposition agent is a polyamine N-oxide polymer. An even more preferred soil anti-redeposition agent is a polyvinylpyridine N-oxide polymer. The most preferred soil anti-redeposition agent useful in the present compositions is poly (4-vinylpyridine) N-oxide. The addition of a soil anti-redeposition agent in the compositions herein enhances the soil anti-redeposition properties of the compositions. In addition, soil anti-redeposition agents, when present, also contribute to the overall excellent cleaning performance of the present invention.

Volatile organic compounds As an optional but highly preferred ingredient, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise a volatile organic compound (VOC). Typically, the present compositions may comprise up to 90%, preferably from 0.1% to 20%, more preferably from 0.5% to about 10% and more preferably from 1% to 5% by weight of the total composition of a volatile organic compound or a mixture of them. Volatile organic compounds suitable for use herein include aliphatic and / or aromatic alcohol, glycol ethers and / or derivatives thereof, polyol and mixtures thereof. Suitable aromatic alcohols for use herein are according to the formula Ri-OH, in which Ri is an aryl group substituted by alkyl or substituted by non-alkyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10. An aromatic alcohol suitable for use herein is benzyl alcohol. Suitable aliphatic alcohols for use herein are according to the formula R2-OH, wherein R2 is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain, of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 10. and more preferably from 2 to 6. Aliphatic alcohols with 2 to 4 carbon atoms and more preferably 4 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof, are highly preferred herein. Suitable aliphatic alcohols to be used herein include linear alcohol such as 2-octanol, decanol, isopropyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, ethanol and / or methanol. Ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or a mixture thereof are highly preferred herein. Ethanol may be commercially available from Eridania Italia under its chemical name. Isopropanol may be commercially available from Merck / BDH Italy under its chemical name. The glycol ethers and / or derivatives thereof suitable for use herein include monoglycol ethers and / or derivatives thereof, polyglycol ethers and / or derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof. Suitable monoglycolic ethers and derivatives thereof which will be used herein include n-butoxypropanol (n-BP), water-soluble CELLOSOLVE® solvents or mixtures thereof. Preferred Cellosolve® solvents include ethyl propoxy acetate salt (i.e. Propyl Cellosolve® acetate salt), ethanol-2-butoxy phosphate salt (i.e. butyl phosphate salt Cellosolve®), 2- (Hexyloxy) ethanol (i.e., 2-hexyl Cellosolve®), 2-ethoxy ethanol (i.e., 2-ethyl Cellosolve®), 2-butoxyethanol (i.e., 2-butyl Cellosolve®) or mixtures thereof. Suitable polyglycol ethers and derivatives thereof for use herein include n-butoxyproxypropanol (n-BPP), butyltriglycol ether (BTGE), butyl diglycol ether (BDGE), water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents or mixtures thereof. Preferred water-soluble CARBITOL® solvents are compounds of the class 2- (2-alkoxyethoxy) ethanol, the class 2- (2-alkoxyethoxy-propanol and / or the 2- (2-alkoxyethoxy) butanol class in which the alkoxy group is derived from ethyl, propyl or butyl A preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2- (2-butoxyethoxy) ethanol also known as butyl carbitol.RTM .. Preferred glycol ethers and / or derivatives thereof are 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-butoxyethanol, n-butoxypropoxypropanol, butyl carbitol® or mixtures thereof. Suitable polyol solvents which are used in the present invention are polyols having at least two hydroxyl groups (-OH), such as diols. Suitable diols to be used in the present invention include 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, methyl-2,4-pentanediol or mixtures thereof.

Volatile organic compounds, when present, also contribute to the excellent general cleaning performance of the present invention. Additionally, their addition to the compositions of the present invention also improves the disinfecting properties of the compositions.

Surfactants Preferred compositions in accordance with the present invention typically comprise a surfactant or a mixture thereof. Typically, the compositions of the present invention can comprise up to 50%, preferably from 0.1% to 20%, more preferred from 0.5 to 10% and even more preferred from 1% to 5% by weight of the total composition, of an agent surfactant. Such surfactants can be selected from those already known in the art, including anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants and mixtures thereof. Surfactants particularly suitable for use in the present invention are the anionic surfactants. In the present invention, said anionic surfactants are preferred since they also contribute to the outstanding stain removal performance of the compositions of the present invention on various types of stains. Moreover, these do not stick on fabrics and / or textiles, which reduces the possibility of re-fouling. Suitable anionic surfactants include surfactants of the sarcosinate type, surfactants of the alkylsulfate type, surfactants of the alkylsulfonate type, surfactants of the alkyl glycerol sulfate type and surfactants of the alkylglycerol sulfonate type. The surfactants of the sarcosinate type suitable for use in the present invention include acyl sarcosinate or mixtures thereof, in their acid and / or saline form preferably long chain acyl sarcosinates having the following formula: wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic moiety and wherein R is an alkyl group of 11 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably from 11 to 13 carbon atoms. M are preferably hydrogen and alkali metal salts, especially sodium and potassium. Said surfactants of the acyl sarcosinate type are obtained from natural fatty acids and from the amino acid sarcosine (N-methylglycine). They are suitable for use as an aqueous solution of their salt or in acid form as a powder. Because they are derivatives of natural fatty acids, said acyl sarcosinates are rapidly and completely biodegraded and have good compatibility with the skin.

Accordingly, particularly preferred long chain acyl sarcosinates for use in the present invention include C12 acyl sarcosinate, ie an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 11 carbon atoms, N-lauroyl sarcosinate sodium, ie an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula wherein M is sodium and R is an alkyl group of 11 carbon atoms, and C14 acyl sarcosinate (ie, an acyl sarcosinate in accordance with the above formula wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 13 carbon atoms). Sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate can be commercially available, for example, as Hamposyl L-30® sold by Hampshire or Crodasinic LS30® sold by Croda. C14 acyl sarcosinate is commercially available, for example, as Hamposyl M-30® supplied by Hampshire or Crodasinic MS30® supplied by Croda. Alkylsulfonates suitable for use in the present invention include salts or water soluble acids of the formula RSO3M, wherein R is a linear or branched C6-C20 alkyl group, saturated or unsaturated, preferably a C-C-is alkyl group, and more preferably a C10-C16 alkyl group, and M is H or a cation, for example an alkali metal cation (for example sodium, potassium, lithium) or ammonium or substituted ammonium cation (for example methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl-ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl cations ammonium and dimethylpiperidinium and the quaternary ammonium cations obtained from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like). An example of a C14-C16 alkylsulfonate is Hostapur® SAS available from Hoechst. The surfactants of the alkyl sulfate type suitable for use in the present invention are in accordance with the formula R 1 SO 4 M, in which R 1 represents a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight or branched alkyl radicals containing from 6 to 20 , preferably from 8 to 18, more preferred from 10 to 16 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl radicals containing from 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. M is H or a cation, for example alkali metal cation (for example, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and the like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (for example methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl-ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethyl ammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations and the quaternary ammonium cations obtained from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like). In the present invention, "linear alkylsulfate or alkylsulfonate" means an unsubstituted alkylsulfate or alkylsulfonate in which the alkyl chain comprises from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and more preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. carbon atoms, and in which this alkyl chain is sulfated or sulphonated at one end.

In the present invention, "branched sulphonate or sulfate" means an alkyl chain having from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in total, preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms in total, and more preferred from 10 to 16 carbon atoms in total, wherein the major alkyl chain is substituted by at least one other alkyl chain, and wherein the alkyl chain is sulfated or sulphonated at one end. Particularly preferred branched alkyl sulphates for use in the present invention are those containing from 10 to 14 carbon atoms in total, such as Isalchem 123 AS®. Isalchem 123 AS® commercially available from Enichem is a C12-13 surfactant which has 94% branching. This material can be described as CH3- (CH2) m-CH (CH2OSO3Na) - (CH2) n-CH3, in which n + m = 8-9. Also the preferred alkyl sulfates are alkyl sulphates in which the alkyl chain comprises a total of 12 carbon atoms, ie sodium 2-butyloctylsulfate. Such alkyl sulfates are commercially available from Condea under the trade name Isofol® 12S. Particularly suitable linear alkyl sulfonates include C12-C16 paraffin sulphonate such as Hostapur® SAS commercially available from Hoechst. Suitable nonionic surfactants include the surfactants of the amine oxide type. Suitable surfactants of the amine oxide type are in accordance with the formula R? R2R3NO, in which each of Ri, R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched saturated alkyl groups containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred amine oxide surfactants for use in accordance with the present invention are amine oxide type surfactants having the following formula R1R2R3NO in which R1 is a saturated, linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferred of 6 to 16 carbon atoms, and in which R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groups of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and more preferably are methyl groups. Preferred amine oxide surfactants used in the present invention are pure amine oxide surfactants, ie a single surfactant of the pure amine oxide type, for example N, N-dimethylamine oxide of Cs, as opposed to mixtures of surfactants of the amine oxide type of different chain lengths. Suitable surfactants of the amine oxide type for use in the present invention are, for example, pure amine oxide of Ce, pure fraction of C10 amine oxide, C14 amine oxide of pure fraction, oxides of amine of Cs-C-io of natural combination, as well as the natural combination of amine oxides of C? 2-Ci6. Such surfactants of the amine oxide type can be obtained commercially from Hoechst or Stephan.

Suitable nonionic surfactants for use in the present invention also include any of the ethoxylated C6-C24 fatty acid alcohol nonionic surfactants, alkylpropoxylates and mixtures thereof, C6-C24 fatty acid alkalonamides, ethers of polyethylene glycol of C6-C20, polyethylene glycol with a molecular weight of 1000 to 80000 and glucosamides, alkylpyrrolidones. Suitable cationic surfactants for use in the present invention include quaternary ammonium compounds of the formula R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 N + in which R 1, R 2 and R 3 are methyl groups, and R 4 is a C 12-15 alkyl group, or in which R 1 is an ethyl or hydroxyethyl group, R2 and R3 are methyl groups and R is an alkyl group of C-? 2-i5. Suitable zwitterionic surfactants are zwitterionic surfactants of the betaine type. Zwitterionic surfactants of the betaine type suitable for use in the present invention contain a hydrophilic cationic group, ie a quaternary ammonium group, such as an anionic hydrophilic group on the same molecule in a relatively wide range of pH values. Typical anionic hydrophilic groups are carboxylates and sulfonates, although other groups such as sulfates, phosphonates and the like can be used. A generic formula for the zwitterionic surfactant of the betaine type to be used in the present invention is: RrN + (R2) (R3) R4X- in which Ri is a hydrophobic group; R2 is hydrogen, C, Cd alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or another substituted d-Cß alkyl group; R3 is C-alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or another substituted C-i-C alquilo alkyl group which may also be attached to R2 to form ring structures with N, or a sulfonate group of C-i-Ce; R is a moiety joining the cationic nitrogen atom to the hydrophilic group and is typically an alkylene, hydroxyalkylene or polyalkoxy group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and X is the hydrophilic group, which is a carboxylate or sulfonate group. Preferred hydrophobic R1 groups are aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon chains, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted which may contain linking groups such as amido groups, ester groups. The most preferred R1 is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 24, preferably from 8 to 18, and more preferred from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. These simple alkyl groups are preferred for reasons of cost and stability. However, the hydrophobic R1 group can also be an amido radical of the formula Ra-C (0) -NH- (C (RD) 2) m, in which Ra is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon chain, saturated or not saturated, substituted or unsubstituted, preferably an alkyl group containing from 8 to 20, preferably up to 18, more preferred up to 16 carbon atoms, Rb is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxy groups, and m is from 1 to 4, preferably 2 to 3, more preferred 3, with no more than one hydroxy group in any portion (C (RD) 2) - The preferred R 2 is hydrogen, or a C 1 -C 3 alkyl and more preferably methyl . Preferred R 3 is a C 1 -C 4 sulfonate group, or a C 1 -C 3 alkyl and more preferred methyl. The preferred R 4 is (CH 2) n in which n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferred is from 1 to 3. Some common examples of betaine / sulfobetaines are described in US Pat. Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated in the present invention for reference. Examples of particularly suitable alkyldimethylbetaines include cocodimethyl betaine, lauryldimethyl betaine, decildimethyl betaine, 2- (N-decyl-N, N-dimethylammonium) acetate, 2- (N-coco-N, N-dimethylammonium) acetate, myristyldimethyl betaine, palmityldimethyl betaine, cetyldimethyl betaine, stearyldimethyl betaine. For example, cocodimethyl betaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name Amonyl 265®. Lauryl betaine is commercially available from Albright &Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB / L®. Examples of amidobetaines include cocoamidoethylbetaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine or acylamidopropylene (hydropropylene) sulfobetaine C10-C14 fatty acid. For example, acrylamidopropylene (hydropropylene) sulfobetaine C10-C14 fatty acid is commercially available from Sherex Company under the tradename "Varion CAS® sulfobetaine".

A further example of betaine is lauryl imino dipropionate commercially available from Rhone-Poulenc under the trade name Mirataine H2C-HA®. A preferred surfactant to be used in the present invention is an anionic surfactant or a zwitterionic surfactant or a mixture thereof, a more preferred surfactant is a surfactant of the sarcosinate type, a surfactant of the alkylsulfonate type, an agent surfactant of the alkylsulfate type, a surfactant of the alkyl glycerol sulfate type, an alkyl glycerol sulfonate type surfactant or a zwitterionic surfactant of the betaine type and mixtures thereof, an even more preferred surfactant is a surfactant of the sarcosinate type, a surfactant of the alkylsulfonate type, a surfactant of the alkylsulfate type, or a zwitterionic surfactant of the betaine type and mixtures thereof, and the most preferred surfactant in the present invention is a surfactant of the alkyl arcosinate type. It has been found that polyamine N-oxide polymers such as those described in the present invention can increase the activity of surfactants, preferably of anionic surfactants and / or zwitterionic surfactants, most preferably of surfactants. of the sarcosinate type, when they are present. It is believed that said increase in activity is due to an interaction of the polyamine N-oxide polymer and a surfactant, preferably an anionic surfactant and / or a zwitterionic surfactant, more preferred a surfactant of the sarcosinate type. Such an increase in activity further contributes to the overall cleaning performance of the compositions of the present invention.

Stabilizing Agents The compositions of the present invention may also comprise a stabilizing agent which is selected from the group consisting of N-hydroxypyridine oxides or derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof. Suitable N-oxides of hydroxypyridine or derivatives thereof are in accordance with the following formula: wherein X is nitrogen, Y is one of the following oxygen groups, -CHO, -OH, - (CH2) n -COOH, in which n is an integer from 0 to 20, preferably from 0 to 10 and more preferred is 0, and in which Y is preferably oxygen. Accordingly, particularly preferred hydroxypyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof for use in the present invention is 2-hydroxypyridine N-oxide.

The hydroxypyridine N-oxide or derivatives thereof can be obtained commercially from Sigma. Typically, the compositions of the present invention may comprise up to 2%, preferably from 0.001% to 1% and more preferred from 0.001% to 0.5% by weight of the total composition, of a N-oxide of hydroxypyridine or derivatives thereof or mixtures thereof.

Chelating agents The compositions of the present invention can also comprise a chelating agent. Suitable chelating agents are those known to those skilled in the art. Particularly suitable chelating agents include for example chelating agents of the phosphonate type, aromatic chelating agents substituted with multiple functional groups, chelating agents of the aminocarboxylate type, other chelating agents such as ethylene diamine N, N'-disuccinic acid and mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions of the present invention may comprise up to 4%, preferably from 0.001% to 1%, and more preferred from 0.001% to 0.5% by weight of the total composition, of a chelating agent. Chelating agents of the phosphonate type suitable for use in the present invention may include etidronic acid, alkali metal ethan-1-hydroxydiphosphonate as well as aminophosphonate compounds including poly (alkylene phosphonate) aminoalkylene, alkali metal ethan-1-hydroxydiphosphonates, nitrilotrimethylene phosphonates, ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonates, and diethylenetriaminpentamethylene phosphonates. The compounds of the phosphonate type may be present either in their acid form or as salts of different cations on some or all of their acid functional groups. The chelating agents of the phosphonate type preferred for use in the present invention are the diethylenetriaminpentamethylene phosphonates (DETPMP). Such chelating agents of the phosphonate type can be commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®. Aromatic chelating agents substituted with multiple functional groups may also be useful in the compositions of the present invention. See patent E.U.A. No. 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974 to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene. A preferred biodegradable chelating agent to be used in the present invention is ethylene diamine-N'-disuccinic acid, or the alkali metal, or alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof . The ethylene diamine N, N'-disuccinic acids, especially the (S, S) isomer, have been described in detail in the US patent. number 4,704,233, from November 3, 1987 to Hartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine-N'-disuccinic acid can be commercially available, for example, under the tradename ssEDDS® from Palmer Research Laboratories. Chelating agents of the aminocarboxylate type suitable for use in the present invention include ethylenediamintetraacetates, diethyltriaminpentaacetates, diethylenetriaminpentaacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetates, nitriltriacetates, ethyldiamintetrapropionates, triethylenetetraminehexaacetates, ethanoldiglicines, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA). ) and methylglycliciacetic acid (MGDA), both in its acid form, or in its alkali metal salt, ammonium and substituted ammonium form. A particularly suitable aminocarboxylate for use in the present invention is diethylene tetraminpentaacetic acid (DTPA): Other chelating agents suitable for use in the present invention include salicylic acid or derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof in accordance with the following formula: wherein X is carbon, Y is one of the following groups -CHO, -OH, - (CH2) n -COOH, and is preferably - (CH2) n -COOH, and wherein n is an integer from 0 to 20, preferably from 0 to 10 and more preferred is 0. Salicylic acid and derivatives thereof can be used in the present invention either in its acid form or in forms of its salts such as for example sodium salts.

Salicylic acid is particularly preferred in the present invention and can be obtained commercially from Rhone Poulenc.

Bleach activators The compositions herein may also comprise a bleach activator, as an optional ingredient. "Bleach activator" means in the present invention a compound that reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form a peracid. The peracid formed in this way constitutes the activated bleach. Bleach activators suitable for use in the present invention include those belonging to the class of esters, amides, imides or anhydrides. Examples of suitable compounds of this type are described in British patents GB 1 586 769 and GB 2 143 231 and a method for forming them in a tablet form is disclosed in published European patent application EP-A-62 523. Examples of such compounds suitable for use in the present invention are tetracetylethylene diamine (TAED), sodium 3,5,5-trimethyl-hexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, diperoxy-dodecanoic acid such as described for example in US 4 818 425 and the peroxyadipic acid nonyl amide as described for example in US 4 259 201 and the n-nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate (NOBS). Also suitable are N-acyl caprolactams of which are selected from the group consisting of benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, hexanoilcaprolactama, decanoyl, undecenoyl caprolactam, formilcaprolactama, acetylcaprolactam, propanoilcaprolactama, butanoilcaprolactama, substituted or unsubstituted pentanoilcaprolactama or mixtures thereof. A particular family of bleach activators of interest is described in EP 624 154, and acetyltriethyl citrate (ATC) is particularly preferred from that family. Acetyltriethyl citrate has the advantage that it is environmentally safe, since it is degraded over time in citric acid and alcohol. In addition, acetyltriethyl citrate has a good hydrolytic stability in the storage composition and is an efficient bleach activator. The compositions according to the present invention can comprise up to 30%, preferably from 1% to 20% and more preferred from 2% to 10% by weight of the total composition, of a bleach activator.

Detergency builders The compositions according to the present invention may also comprise a builder system. Any conventional builder system known in the art is suitable for use herein. Builders suitable for use in the present invention include succinic acid derivatives of the formula R-CH (COOH) CH2 (COOH), wherein R is C-10-20 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably alkyl or alkenyl of C-? 2-i6 or in which R can be substituted by hydroxyl, sulfo, sulfoxyl or sulfone substituents. Specific examples include lauryl succinate, myristylsuccinate, palmitylsuccinate, 2-dodecenylsuccinate, 2-tetradecenylsuccinate. Succinate-type builders are preferably used in the form of their water-soluble salts including sodium, potassium, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts. Other suitable detergency builders are the oxodisuccinates and mixtures of monosuccinic tartrate acid and disuccinic tartrate acid as described in US 4,663,071. Additional builders suitable for use in the present invention are fatty acid builders including saturated or unsaturated C10-18 fatty acids, as well as the corresponding soaps. Preferred saturated species have from 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. The preferred unsaturated fatty acid is oleic acid. The compositions of the present invention may comprise up to 10%, preferably from 1 to 7% by weight of the total composition, of a builder system.

Radical scavengers The compositions herein may comprise a radical scavenger as another optional ingredient. Radical scavengers suitable for use in the present invention include the already known substituted mono and dihydroxybenzenes and derivatives thereof, alkyl carboxylates and aryl carboxylates and mixtures thereof. Preferred radical scavengers for use in the present invention include di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), p-hydroxy-toluene, hydroquinone (HQ), di-tert-butylhydroquinone (DTBHQ), mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone (MTBHQ ), tert-butyl-hydroxyanisole (BHA), p-hydroxy-anisole, benzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid, 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butylcatechol, 4-allylcatechol, 4-acetylcatechol , 2-methoxyphenol, 2-ethoxyphenol, 2-methoxy-4- (2-propenyl) phenol, 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, 2,3-dihydroxybenzaldehyde, benzylamine, 1, 1, 3-tris (2-methyl-4-) hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane, tert-butyl-hydroxyaniline, p-hydroxyaniline, as well as n-propyl-gallate. Di-tert-butylhydroxy-toluene is highly preferred for use in the present invention, which for example can be commercially available from SHELL under the tradename IONOL CP® and / or tert-butyl-hydroxy-anisole and / or propylgalate. Radical scavengers also contribute to the stability of the peroxygen bleach-containing compositions of the present invention. Typically, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise up to 5%, preferably from 0.002% to 1.5% by weight and more preferably from 0.002% to 0.5% by weight of the total composition, of a radical scavenger.

Treatment of a carpet Almost always, a carpet is treated by applying the liquid or solid composition, preferably the liquid composition, as described. The compositions according to the present invention can be applied to the carpet to be treated, either in pure or diluted form, this applies to compositions that are liquid or solid. Herein, "diluted form" means that the user can dilute, preferably with water, the compositions for treating fabrics and / or textiles, preferably carpets, as described above. The compositions herein can be diluted up to 150 times, preferably up to 50 times and more preferably up to 25 times. "Pure form" means that the compositions for treating fabrics and / or textiles, preferably carpets, are applied directly to the carpets to be treated without subjecting them to any dilution, ie, the compositions herein are applied on the carpets, as described herein. Preferably, the treatment of a carpet comprises the steps for applying said composition to the surface of the carpet in liquid form, preferably in liquid and pure form, and allowing said composition to dry on the carpet. More preferably, said treatment comprises the steps for applying said composition to the surface of the carpet in liquid form, preferably in liquid and pure form, allowing the composition to dry on the carpet and finally, removing said composition from the carpet. "Liquid form" means that liquid compositions for treating fabrics and / or textiles, preferably carpets, as described herein may be used per se in pure or diluted form, and solid compositions, as described herein, by For example, powders are dissolved in a suitable solvent, almost always water, before use, that is before applying them to the carpet. Preferably, the composition is applied to the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with an average diameter D (v, 0.9) of less than 1500 microns, preferably less than 1000 microns, more preferably of less than 750 microns, still more preferably less than 500 microns, and more preferably 350 microns to 10 microns. "Average diameter D (v, 0.9) of less than 1500 microns "for a droplet size distribution means that 90% of the sprinkling of drops delivered (expressed in unit volume) has a droplet diameter of less than 1500 microns. (v, 0.9) of less than 1500 microns indicates that 90% of the total sprayed volume is supplied with droplets whose diameter is less than 1500 microns.The particle size distribution of a droplet spray can be determined following the procedure described continuation: A suitable test equipment is the Malvern Mastersizer S LongBed® with a 1000 mm lens and a maximum particle size scale of 3475 microns. The Malvern Mastersizer S LongBed® provides a 21 cm opening (between lenses) to adjust the spray flow. At all readings on the Malvern®, the lens surface must remain free of spray contamination. In the present installation procedure, the distance from the nozzle to the laser was set at 8 cm, this to minimize lens contamination. At a distance of 8 cm, the spray was directed to the laser beam to place the laser at the center of the spray cone. At least 3 readings should be made for each sprinkled composition to determine the particle size distribution of the droplet spray. The sprinkler used in the test according to the present invention was an electrically operated sprinkler. With the battery driven system, a "full charge" test was maintained consisting of keeping the spray head at 3.9 direct current voltage (vdc) from an external power source, this to ensure a consistent spray force. A reference sprinkler used herein is a trigger operated sprinkler. Triggered systems must be tested against repeatability with three different people. Those people are chosen for their variable ability to trigger the trigger against force: small female person, female person with a strong finger resistance, and average male person.

Any container adapted to provide a drop spray as defined herein is suitable for use herein. Various modifications can be made to conventional, single-spraying heads to ensure that a spray of said drops is formed as required herein. Containers suitable for use herein (also called "spraying jets") share the common feature of having at least one opening or a plurality of openings also called "supply openings" through which the composition is supplied as produce the sprinkling of drops as defined herein. These sprinkler suppliers can be operated manually or electrically. Typical hand-operated spray dispensers include those operated by pump or operated by trigger. In fact, in said container with a spray supply head the composition that is contained in the container is directed through the head of the spray supplier through energy communicated to a pumping mechanism by the user according to said active user. pumping mechanism or an electrically driven pump. Presently preferred is the use of a container in which the means for dispensing the composition comprises an electrically driven pump and a spray arm which is either extended or extended and which has at least one supply opening so that during In the operation, the composition is pumped by the pump driven electrically from the container, through the spray arm to the supply opening from which it is dispensed. It is preferred that the spray arm communicate with the package by means of a flexible connector. The spray arm may have a multiple nozzle or nozzles located along its length. The spray arm makes it easier to control where the composition is sprinkled. The electrically driven pump can be, for example, a gear pump, an impeller pump, a piston pump, a screw pump, a peristaltic pump, a diaphragm pump, or any other miniature pump. In a highly preferred embodiment of the electrically driven pump for use herein is a gear pump with a typical speed between 6000 rpm and 12000 rpm. The electrically driven pump is driven by means such as an electric motor that typically produces a torque between 1 and 20 mN.m. The electric motor in turn must be provided with a power source. The power source can be either electricity means (optionally through a transformer), or it can be a disposable battery or rechargeable battery. The spray arm may be rigidly extended. However, said spray arm can be difficult to store, and the spray arm is preferably extensible either by means of telescopic or bendable configuration. The amount applied of the compositions for treating fabrics and / or textiles, preferably carpets, according to the present invention will depend on the intensity of the stain or dirt. In the case of difficult spots, more than one application may be required to ensure complete removal of the stain. The area to be treated by applying the compositions according to the present invention may be of any size. In fact, a whole section or more preferably all of the carpet with the composition for treating carpets according to the present invention can be treated. Preferably, in the treatment of a carpet according to the present invention, the step of applying a composition on the carpets as described herein, need not precede a step in which manual action other than the optional removal step is required. final. In fact, the present compositions allow an excellent cleaning performance without requiring any manual action such as carving and / or brushing. An advantage of the present invention is that the cleaning action of the present compositions begins as soon as said composition is applied on the carpet. Typically, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the composition is allowed to dry on the carpet for less than two hours, preferably less than one hour, more preferably less than 40 minutes, still more preferably less than 1 to 30 minutes and more preferably less than one hour. 1 to 20 minutes.

"Dry" means in the present the stage wherein at least 40%, preferably at least 60% of the initial amount of composition supplied on the carpet is lost due to evaporation. In fact, in a preferred embodiment, said composition is allowed to dry, preferably until the composition that was combined with the dirt has changed to dry residues. More preferably, said composition is removed after the carpet. More preferably, said composition is removed mechanically, even more preferably by vacuuming. This can be done with the help of any commercially available vacuum cleaner, such as a standard Hoover® 1300W vacuum cleaner. According to the present invention the present compositions can be used for the elimination of stains and dirt from fabrics and / or textiles, as well as odors. In addition, the compositions agreed with the present invention can be used to disinfect, sanitize and / or exterminate microinsects of fabrics and / or textiles.

EXAMPLES The following examples will illustrate the present invention. The compositions are prepared by combining the ingredients listed in the indicated proportions (% by weight unless otherwise specified).

Compositions 1 II lll IV V VI (% by weight) Hydrogen peroxide 4.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 4.0 PVNO 0.5 - - - 0.1 - PVPVI - 0.5 - - 0.1 - PV / AA - - 0.5 - 0.1 - PVP - - - 0.5 0.1 - Water and ingredients Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest rest smaller Up to pH 6 6.5 5 6 6 5 • Compositions 10 Vil VIII IX X XI XII * > (% by weight) «Hydrogen peroxide 4.0 4.0 5.0 6.0 4.0 4.0 PVNO 0.5 0.4 - - - 0.4 PVPVI - - - 0.5 - - PV / AA - - 0.3 - - - PVP - - - 0.5 - Ethanol 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 3.0 PA - 0.1 0.2 0.1 - 0.1 Sarcosinate 3.0 3.0 3.0 - 2.5 3.0 BHT 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.01 - 0.01 AMCP - - - - 0.5 - Chelator * 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.3 Na CnAS - - - 3.0 0.5 - Salicylic acid 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 - 0.5 Propylgalate - - - - 1.0 - 20 NaOH 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.06 0.26 Water and ingredients Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest Subtract up to pH 6 6 6 6 6 8 Composition XIII XIV XV XVI XVII XVIII (% by weight) Peroxide hydrogen 4.0 5.0 4.0 5.5 6.0 3.0 PVNO 0.25 - - 0.5 0.4 - PVPVI - 0.4 0.25 - 0.1 - PV / AA 0.25 0.1 - - 0.2 0.4 PVP - - 0.25 - 0.2 0.1 Ethanol 3.0 2.0 3.0 2.5 3.0 2.0 PA 0.1 - - - - 0.2 AMCP - 0.1 - - - - Chelator * 0.2 0.3 0.25 0.2 0.2 0.2 Sarcosinato 3.0 2.0 2.5 3.0 3.0 3.0 Salicylic acid 0.5 0.25 0.4 - - 0.5 Propylgalate - 0.2 - 0.5 1.0 - BHT 0.01 - 0.1 - - 0.01 Benzyl alcohol - 1.0 - 0.5 - 1.0 Isopropyl Alcohol 1.0 - - - - 0.5 NaOH 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.001 Water and ingredients Rest Rest Rest Rest Rest rest up to pH 6 6.5 5 6.0 6 3.5 PVP is polyvinyl pyrrolidone PVNO is poly (4-vinylpyridine) N-oxide commercially available from Reilly. PV / AA is a copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and acrylic acid commercially available under the trade name Sokalan® PG 310. PVPVI is a copolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole commercially available under the trade name Sokalan® PG 55.

Sarcosinate is sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate commercially available from Croda under the tradename Crodasinic® LS 30. BHT is butylated hydroxytoluene AMCP are acrylic / maleic based copolymers commercially available under the tradename Sokalan CP5®. Chelator * is a chelator of the phosphonate type available under the trade name DEQUEST®. Na CnAS is sodium alkyl sulfate. PA is an ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine, average molecular weight 12,000. The above exemplified compositions are preferably packaged in a package adapted to deliver a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution of average diameter D (v, 0.9) from 200 to 400 microns, when measured with a Malvern Mastersizer S apparatus. LongBed ® referred to above in the present invention. A suitable container used was an electrically driven sprinkler. The compositions in the above examples provide excellent soil anti-redeposition properties as well as excellent cleaning performance on particulate soils, oily / oily soils and / or enzymatic soiling as well as on other types of soils, for example, bleachable stains, like coffee, tea and similar.

Claims (10)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. The use of a peroxygen bleach as a fabric / textile softening ingredient in a composition for treating fabrics and / or textiles, by which softness characteristics are provided to said fabrics and / or textiles.

2. The use according to claim 1, further characterized in that the composition is liquid.

3. The use according to claim 2, further characterized in that the fabrics and / or textiles are treated by applying said composition to the surface of the fabrics and / or textiles, and the composition is allowed to dry on said fabrics. and / or textiles.

4. The use according to any of the claims 2 to 3, further characterized in that the composition is supplied on said fabrics and / or textiles in the form of a drop spray having a particle size distribution with an average diameter D (v, 0.9) less than 1,500 microns .

5. The use according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition of a peroxygen bleach.

6. - The use according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the peroxygen bleach is hydrogen peroxide or a water-soluble source of hydrogen peroxide or mixtures thereof.

7. The use according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises an acid or a base or a mixture thereof.

8. The use according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that the composition comprises conventional cleaning ingredients for fabrics / textiles.

9. The use of a peroxygen bleach as a fabric softener / textile ingredient in a composition according to any of the preceding claims for treating textiles such as carpets, rugs, upholstery, car seat covers and the like.

10. The use of a peroxygen bleach as a fabric softener / textile ingredient in a composition according to any of the preceding claims for treating carpets, mats, and the like.