MXPA01007414A - Process of treating fabrics with a laundry additive - Google Patents

Abstract

A process of treating fabrics comprises the steps of forming an aqueous bath comprising water, dissolving or dispersing a conventional laundry detergent therein, adding a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a builder and a modified polycarboxylate co-builder and subsequently contacting said fabrics with said aqueous bath. Furthermore, the use of a builder and a modified polycarboxylate co-builder in a laundry additive comprising a peroxygen bleach to treat fabrics, whereby stain removal and/or bleaching benefits are provided, is also claimed.

Description

PROCEDURE FOR TREATING FABRICS WITH A LAUNDRY ADDITIVE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a process of treating fabrics with liquid compositions containing peroxygen bleach. Said compositions are suitable for use as a laundry additive in addition to a conventional detergent. More particularly, the compositions herein are suitable for use in various fabrics to provide stain removal and / or bleaching performance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Bleach-containing compositions for bleaching fabrics are well known in the art. Liquid compositions containing peroxygen bleach have been extensively described in the art, especially in laundry applications such as laundry detergents, laundry additives or laundry pretreators. Indeed, the use of such peroxygen bleach-containing compositions as laundry additives is known to increase the removal of soiled spots / stains and "problematic" stains, such as grease, coffee, tea, grass, mud / clay-containing stains. , which are otherwise particularly difficult to eliminate by typical machine washing. However, there are some limitations for the convenience of said compositions containing peroxygen bleach, used as laundry additives. In particular, it is well known from research among consumers that the stain removal performance of such compositions can be further improved. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fabric-treating compound with laundry additive that provides improved overall performance of stain removal in a wide variety of stains, while also providing excellent bleaching performance. It has been found that this objective can be met by a process of treating fabrics with a laundry additive which is a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a builder and a detergency builder as described herein. Indeed, such compositions increase the stain removal performance of various types of stains including grease stains and / or enzymatic stains when used as a laundry additive compared to the stain removal performance supplied by the same compositions comprising different or no builder system Advantageously, the compositions described herein can also provide excellent bleaching performance. A further advantage of the compositions according to the present invention is that they are capable of taking effect in a variety of conditions, ie in hard and soft water as well as when used without mixing or diluted. Still another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that said compositions are suitable for bleaching any type of fabrics including natural fabrics (for example fabrics made of cotton, viscose, linen, silk or wool), synthetic fabrics, such as those made of polymer fibers of synthetic origin, as well as those made of both natural and synthetic fibers.

PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE EP-A-0 686 691 and EP-A-0 844 302 disclose compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach and a citrate or citric acid suitable for use as laundry additives or fabric pretreaters. None of these cited documents discloses a method of bleaching fabrics with a composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a builder and a modified polycarboxylate com porator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention encompasses a method of treating fabrics which comprises the steps of forming an aqueous solution comprising water, a conventional laundry detergent dissolved or dispersed therein and a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach., a detergency builder and a modified polycarboxylate builder, and subsequently contacting said fabrics with said aqueous solution. The present invention further encompasses the use of a detergent builder and a modified polycarboxylate builder in a laundry additive comprising a peroxygen bleach for treating fabrics, whereby stain removal and / or bleaching benefits are provided. .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Process of treating fabrics The process of treating fabrics according to the present invention comprises the steps of forming an aqueous solution comprising water, a conventional laundry detergent dissolved or dispersed therein and a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a builder and a modified polycarboxylate builder, and subsequently contacting said fabrics with said aqueous solution. In such a process, the fabrics to be treated are contacted with a liquid composition, as defined herein. This is done "through washing", in which a liquid composition is used, as defined herein, in addition to a washing solution formed by dissolving or dispersing a conventional laundry detergent in water, i.e. uses the liquid composition as a so-called "laundry additive". The level of dilution of the liquid composition in an aqueous solution is typically up to 1: 85, preferably up to 1: 50 and more preferably 1: 25 (composition: water). The fabrics are then contacted with the aqueous solution comprising the liquid composition and the conventional laundry detergent. Preferably, the fabrics are rinsed at the end. In a preferred embodiment, the liquid composition is added to the aqueous solution in its unmixed form. By "conventional laundry detergent" is meant herein a laundry detergent composition commonly obtainable in the market. Such laundry detergent compositions can be formulated as powders or as liquids. Some laundry detergent compositions which are suitable are for example DASH futur®, DASH liquid® and products sold under the trade names ARIEL® or TIDE®. In a preferred embodiment, the conventional laundry detergent described herein comprises at least one active agent on the surface. It can be achieved to contact the fabrics with the aqueous solution described herein, with washing machine or simply by hand. By "treatment" is meant in the present cleaning, since the composition according to the present invention provides excellent stain removal performance on a wide variety of stains and soils and on various surfaces, mainly due to the presence of a detergency builder and a detergency builder as defined herein, as well as bleaching, since the composition according to the present invention provides excellent bleaching performance, due mainly to the presence of peroxygen bleach. By "pure", it is to be understood that the liquid compositions are added to the aqueous solution herein without experiencing any dilution, ie the liquid compositions herein are added as described herein.

The liquid composition The compositions according to the present invention are liquid compositions in contrast to a solid or a gas. As used herein, "liquid" includes compositions in the form of gel and paste. According to the above, the preferred compositions of the present invention have a viscosity of 1 cps or greater, more preferably from 10 to 5,000 cps and more preferably even from 10 to 2,500 cps at 20 ° C, measured with CSL2 100® rheometer at 20 ° C with a 4 cm spindle (linear increment of 10 to 100 dynes / cm2 in 2 minutes). The liquid compositions according to the present invention preferably have a pH of up to 9, more preferably from 2 to 7, and most preferably from 2 to 6. In a preferred embodiment, the compositions according to the present invention are formulated in the range of neutral to acid pH, which contributes to the chemical stability of the compositions and to the stain removal performance of the compositions. The pH of the compositions can be adjusted with an acidifying agent known to those skilled in the art or a mixture thereof. Some examples of acidifying agents are inorganic acids such as sulfuric acid.

Peroxygen bleach As the first essential ingredient, the compositions according to the present invention comprise a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof. Indeed, the presence of a peroxygen bleach contributes to the excellent bleaching benefits of said compositions. Suitable peroxygen bleaches are selected to be used in the present group consisting of: hydrogen peroxide, water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide; organic or inorganic peracids; hydroperoxides; diacyl peroxides; and mixtures thereof. As used herein, a source of hydrogen peroxide refers to any compound that produces perhydroxyls by contact with water. Water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide suitable for use herein include percarbonates, perborates, persilicates and mixtures thereof. Diacyl peroxides suitable for use herein include aliphatic, aromatic, and aliphatic-aromatic diacyl oxides, and mixtures thereof. The aliphatic diacyl peroxides suitable for use herein are dilauroyl peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide or mixtures thereof. An aromatic diacyl oxide suitable for use herein is for example benzoyl peroxide. An aliphatic-aromatic diacyl oxide suitable for use herein is for example lauroylbenzoyl peroxide. Such diacyl peroxides have the advantage of being particularly harmless to fabrics and color, while providing excellent bleaching performance when used in any laundry application. Organic or inorganic peracids suitable for use herein include: persulfates such as monopersulfate; peroxyacids such as acid and decanoic peroxide (DPDA); magnesium-perphthalic acid; Perlauric acid; phthaloilamidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP); perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoic acids; and mixtures thereof. The hydroperoxides suitable for use herein are tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylol-2-hydroperoxide, diisopropylbenzenehydroperoxide, tert -amyl hydroperoxide and 2,5-dimethylhydroperoxide. hexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide and mixtures thereof. Such hydroperoxides have the advantage of being particularly harmless to fabrics and color, while providing excellent bleaching performance when used in any laundry application. Preferred peroxygen bleaches are selected herein, from the group consisting of: hydrogen peroxide; water soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide; organic or inorganic peracids, hydroperoxides; and diacyl peroxides; and mixtures thereof. The most preferred peroxygen bleach is selected herein from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide and diacyl peroxides, and mixtures thereof. The peroxygen bleaches even more preferred here are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, aliphatic diacyl peroxides, aromatic diacyl peroxides and aliphatic-aromatic diacyl peroxides, and mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions herein can comprise from 0.01% to 20%, preferably from 0.3% to 15% and more preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight of the total composition of said peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof.

Detergency Meter As a second essential ingredient, the compositions herein comprise one or more detergency builders. Suitable detergency builders are selected from the group consisting of: organic acids and salts thereof; polycarboxylates; and mixtures thereof. Typically, said builders have a calcium chelation constant (pKCa) of at least 3. In this, the pKCa value of a builder or a mixture thereof is measured., using a pH regulator of NH4Cl-NH4OH at 0.1 M (pH 10 at 25 ° C) and a 0.1% solution of said builder or a mixture thereof with a typical calcium ion electrode. Some examples of builders are organic acids such as citric acid, lactic acid, tartaric acid, oxalic acid, malic acid, monosuccinic acid, disuccinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, diglycolic acid, carboxymethyl tartronate, ditartronate and some other organic acid or mixtures thereof. Suitable salts of organic acids include alkali metal salts, preferably sodium or potassium, alkaline earth metals, ammonium or alkanolamine. Such organic acids and salts thereof are commercially available from Jungbunzlaur, Haarman &; Reimen, Sigma-Aldrich or Fluka. Other suitable builders include a wide variety of polycarboxylate compounds. As used herein, "polycarboxylate" refers to compounds having a plurality of carboxylate groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates. Polycarboxylate builder generally can be added to the composition in acid form, but can also be added in the form of neutralized or "overbased" salt. When used in the salt form, alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium and lithium, or alkanolammonium salts are preferred. Useful polycarboxylates include homopolymers of acrylic acid and copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid. Other useful polycarboxylate builders include ether hydroxypolycarboxylates, maleic anhydride copolymers with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether, 1,3-trihydroxybenzene-2,4,6-trisufonic acid and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, the various alkali metal salts, ammonium and substituted ammonium of polyacetic acids such as nitrilotriacetic acid, as well as polycarboxylates such as melific acid, succinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene-1, 3,5-tricarboxylic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, and soluble salts thereof. Suitable polycarboxylates are commercially available from Rohm & Hass with the factory name Norasol® or Acusol®. Preferred detergency builders are selected herein, from the group consisting of: citric acid; tartaric acid; tartrate-monosuccinate; tartrate-disuccinate; lactic acid; oxalic acid, and malic acid; and mixtures thereof. The detergent builders even more preferred herein are selected from the group consisting of: citric acid; tartaric acid; tartrate-monosuccinate; tartrate-disuccinate; and malic acid; and mixtures thereof. The most preferred detergency builders are selected herein, from the group consisting of: citric acid; tartaric acid; tartrate-monosuccinate; and tartrate-disuccinate; and mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions herein can comprise up to 40%, preferably from 0.01% to 25%, more preferably from 0.1% to 15%, and most preferably from 0.5% to 10% by weight of the total composition of said enhancer. detergency Modified polycarboxylate detergent builder As a third essential ingredient, the compositions herein comprise a modified polycarboxylate builder. The term "polycarboxylate" refers to compounds having a plurality of carboxylate groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates. By "modified polycarboxylate" it is hereby meant that at least at one end of the polycarboxylate compounds, ie the polycarboxylate chain, said compounds are modified by a functional group, for example a phosphono group. Modified polycarboxylate builders are polycarboxylates with phosphono end groups. By "terminal phosphono group" is meant herein a phosphono functional group according to the formula: wherein each M is independently H or a cation, preferably both M are H. Examples of suitable polycarboxylates with phosphono end groups are copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid having a phosphono terminal group and acrylic acid homopolymers having a terminal group phosphon. A preferred modified polycarboxylate is a copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic acid with a phosphonic / phosphono terminal group according to the general formula: having an average molecular weight of 1000 to 100000, preferably an average molecular weight of 1000 to 20,000, more preferably an average molecular weight of 1000 to 10000, and most preferably an average molecular weight of 1500 to 5000; where n is 10% mol, 90% mol, preferably 80% mol and m is 10% mol to 90% mol, preferably 20% mol. According to the above, an example of a suitable modified polycarboxylate is a copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic acid (80-20) with a phosphonic / phosphono terminal group according to the formula: where n is 80% in mol and m is 20% in mol; having an average molecular weight of 2000. Such modified polycarboxylate is obtainable from Rohm & Haas with the factory name Acusol 425®, Acusol 420® or Acusol 470®. Typically, the compositions herein may comprise up to 40%, preferably from 0.01% to 25%, more preferably from 0.1% to 15%, and most preferably from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the total composition of said composition. Modified polycarboxylate builder. Insignificant cooperation between a detergent builder and modified polycarboxylate builder has been observed in a composition containing peroxygen bleach, when used as a laundry additive. The cooperation results in improved stain removal performance on a variety of soils, from particulate to non-particulate soils, from hydrophobic to hydrophilic soils on both hydrophilic and hydrophobic fabrics. The present invention is based on the observation of the compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, a builder and a detergency builder as described herein, when used as a laundry additive, exhibit excellent stain removal performance on various types of stains, including oily stains (for example lipstick, olive oil, mayonnaise, vegetable oil, bait, makeup) and enzymatic stains. The stain removal performance is improved, compared to the stain removal performance supplied by the use of the same compositions as laundry additive, but its builder system or comprising different builder system. Additionally, due to the presence of a peroxygen bleach, the bleaching compositions described herein also provide excellent bleaching performance. The stain removal performance can be evaluated by the following test methods on various types of stains. A suitable test method for evaluating the stain removal performance on a soiled fabric under washing conditions is as follows: a composition containing peroxygen bleach is added without mixing in accordance with the present invention, to a typical washing machine in combination with a conventional laundry detergent (for example DASH futur® or DASH liquid®). A soiled fabric (for example a cloth soiled with a greasy stain or an enzymatic stain) is treated in said washer according to an ordinary washing machine procedure. After the treatment, said fabric is compared with a similarly stained fabric treated as described above but with a composition containing peroxygen bleach and not comprising any or other builder system as described herein.

A visual gradation can be used to indicate a difference in evaluation jury units (psu) in a range of 0 to 4. The bleaching performance can be evaluated against the stain removal performance but the stains used are bleach stains such as coffee, tea and similar.

Optional ingredients The compositions herein may further comprise a variety of other optional ingredients such as chelating agents, stabilizing surfactants, bleach activators, soil suspending agents, polyamine polymers, soil suspending agents, foam reducing systems, radical scavengers, catalysts, dye transfer agents, brighteners, perfumes, hydrotropes, solvents, pigments and dyes.

Surfactants The compositions of the present invention may further comprise a surfactant or a mixture thereof, including nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and / or amphoteric surfactants. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compositions according to the present invention comprise a nonionic surfactant or a zwitterionic betaine surfactant or a mixture thereof. In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compositions according to the present invention comprise a sulphonated anionic surfactant. More preferably, said composition further comprises a second surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions according to the present invention can comprise from 0.01% to 30%, preferably from 0.1% to 25% and more preferably from 0.5% to 205% by weight of the total composition of a surfactant. Suitable nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated nonionic surfactants. The alkoxylated nonionic surfactants preferred herein are ethoxylated nonionic surfactants according to the formula RO- (C2H4O) nH, wherein R is an alkyl chain of Ce to C22 or an alkylbenzene chain of C to C2s, wherein n is from 0 to 20, preferably from 1 to 15, more preferably from 2 to 15 and most preferably from 2 to 12. The R chains for use herein are the alkyl chains of Cß to C22. Propoxylated nonionic surfactants and ethoxy / propoxylated surfactants can also be used herein in place of the ethoxylated nonionic surfactants as defined hereinbefore or together with said surfactants. The preferred eloxylized nonionic surfactants are according to the above formula and have a HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) less than 16, preferably less than 15, and most preferably less than 14. It has been observed that those ethoxylated nonionic surfactants Provides good fat cutting properties. Accordingly, the ethoxylated nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein are Dobanol® 91-2.5 (HLB = 8.1, R is a mixture of C9 and Cu alkyl chains, n is 2.5); or Lutensol® TO3 (HLB = 8; R is an alkyl chain of C13, n is 3), or Lutensol® AO3 (HLB = 8; R is a mixture of alkyl chains of C-? 3 and C15, n is 3 ), or Tergitol® 25L3 (HLB = 7.7, R is a mixture of C- | 2 and C15 alkyl chains, n is 3), or Dobanol® 23-3 (HLB = 8.1; R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl, n is 3), or Dobanol® 23-2 (HLB = 6.2, R is a mixture of C-? 2 and C? 3 alkyl chains, n is 2), or Dobanol® 45- 7 (HLB = 1 1.6, R is a mixture of C14 and Cn5 alkyl chains, n is 7) Dobanol® 23-6.5 (HLB = 11.9, R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 6.5 ), or Dobanol® 25-7 (HLB = 12); R is a mixture of alkyl chains of d2 and C15, n is 7), or Dobanol® 91-5 (HLB = 1.1.6, R is a mixture of alkyl chains of Cg and Cn, n is 5), or Dobanol® 91-6 (HLB = 12.5, R is a mixture of C9 and Cn alkyl chains, n is 6), or Dobanol® 91 -8 (HLB = 13.7, R is a mixture of C9 alkyl chains and Cn, n is 8), Dobanol® 91-10 (HLB = 14.2, R is a mixture of alkyl chains of Cg and Cn, n is 10), Dobanol® 91 -12 (HLB = 14.5, R is a mixture of alkyl chains of Cg and Cn, n is 12), or mixtures thereof. Preferred herein are Dobanol® 91-2.5, or Lutensol® TO3, or Lutensol® AO #, or Tergitol® 25L3, or Dobanol® 23-3, or Dobanol® 23-2, or Dobanol® 45-7, Dobanol® 91 -8, or Dobanol® 91-10, or Dobanol® 91-12, or mixtures thereof. These Dobanol® surfactants are commercially obtainable from SHELL. These Lutensol® surfactants are commercially obtainable from BASF and these Tergitol® surfactants are commercially available from UNION CARBIDE. Suitable chemical processes for preparing alkoxylated nonionic surfactants for use herein include the condensation of the corresponding alcohols with alkylene oxide in the desired proportions. Such procedures are well known to the person skilled in the art and have been extensively described in the art. The compositions herein may conveniently comprise one of those ethoxylated nonionic surfactants or a mixture of those ethoxylated nonionic surfactants having different HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance). In a preferred embodiment, the compositions herein comprise ethoxylated nonionic surfactant according to the above formula and having an HLB of up to 10 (ie a so-called hydrophobic ethoxylated nonionic surfactant), preferably less than 10, more preferably less than 9, and an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant according to the above formula and having an HLB greater than 10 to 16 (ie a hydrophilic ethoxylated nonionic surfactant), preferably from 11 to 14. In effect, in this preferred embodiment the compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.01% to 15% by weight of the total composition of said hydrophobic ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, preferably from 0.05% to 10% and from 0.01% to 15% by weight of said nonionic ethoxylated hydrophilic surfactant, preferably 0.5% to 10%. Such mixtures of ethoxylated nonionic surfactants with different HLBs may be desired, since they allow optimum fat cleansing removal performance over a wider range of greasy soils having different hydrophobic / hydrophilic characters. Other nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein include polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, or mixtures thereof, according to the formula: R2-C (O) -N (R1) -Z, wherein R1 is H, C -? - C alkyl, C? -C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl or a mixture thereof, R2 is C5-C31 hydrocarbyl and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear chain of carbilo with at least 3 hydroxyl directly connected to the chain or an alkoxylated derivative thereof. Preferably, R 1 is C 1 -C 4 alkyl, more preferably C 1 or C 2 alkyl, and most preferably methyl, R 2 is a straight chain C 7 -C 19 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably a C 9 -C 8 alkyl or alkenyl of straight chain, more preferably straight chain Cn-Cis alkyl or alkenyl and most preferably straight chain Cu-Cu alkyl or alkenyl, or samples thereof. Z will preferably be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive animation reaction; more preferably Z is a glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose and xylose. As the starting materials, high dextrose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup and high maltose corn syrup can be used, as well as the individual sugars listed above. These corn syrups can provide a mixture of sugar components for Z. It should be understood that it is not intended in any way to exclude other suitable starting materials. Z will preferably be selected from the group consisting of -CH2- (CHOH) n-CH-CH2OH, -CH (CH2OH) - (CHOH) n-1-CH2OH, -CH2- (CHOH) 2- (CHOR ') (CHOH) ) -CH 2 OH, wherein n is an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive, and R 1 is H or a cyclic or aliphatic monosaccharide, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof. Most preferred are glycityls in which n is 4, particularly CH2- (CHOH) -CH2OH. In the formula R2-C (O) -N (R1) -Z, R1 can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl, or N-2-hydroxypropyl. R2-C (O) -N < it can be, for example, cocoamide, stearamide, oleamide, lauramide, myristamide, capricamide, palmitamide, seboamide and the like. Z can be 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxygalactityl, 1 -deoxyanityl, 1-deoxymaltotriotityl and the like. Suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants for use herein may be commercially available under the trade name HOE® from Hoechst. Methods for making polyhydroxy fatty acid surfactants are known in the art. In general, they can be prepared by reacting an alkylamine with a reducing sugar in an amidation reducing reaction to form corresponding N-alkyl polyhydroxyamine and then reacting the N-alkyl polyhydroxyamine with fatty aliphatic ester or triglyceride in a condensation / amidation step to form the product of N-alkyl-N-polyhydroxy fatty acid amide. Methods for making compositions containing polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are discussed, for example in the patent specification of GB 809,060, published on February 18, 1959, by Thomas Hedley & Co., Ltd., the patent of E.U.A. 2,965,576, issued on December 20, 1960 to E.R. Wilson, the patent of E.U.A. 2,703,798, Anthony M. Schwartz, issued March 8, 1955, the patent of E.U.A. 1, 985,424, issued December 25, 1934 to Piggott and WO92 / 06070, each of which is incorporated herein by reference.

The zwitterionic betaine surfactants suitable for use herein contain both a cationic hydrophilic group ie, a quaternary ammonium group, and an anionic hydrophilic group on the same molecule in a relatively broad pH range. 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 betaine surfactant to be used herein is: R? -N + (R2) (R3) R4X- in which Ri is a hydrophobic group; R 2 is hydrogen, C 1 -C 1 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, another C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, substituted; R 3 is C 1 -C 6 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl another substituted C 6 -C alkyl group which can also be linked to R 2 to form ring structures with N, or a C 6 C 6 sulfonate group; R4 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. The hydrophobic groups Ri 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 Ri is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18, and more preferably from 10 to 16. These simple alkyl groups are preferred for reasons of cost and stability. However, the hydrophobic group R- can also be an amido radical of the formula Ra-C (O) -NH- (C (Rb) 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 carbon atoms, preferably up to 18, more preferably up to 16, Rb is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxy groups, and m is from one to 4, preferably from 2 to 3, more preferably 3, with no more than one hydroxy group in any portion (C (R) 2). The preferred R 2 is hydrogen, or C 1 -C 3 alkyl, and more preferably methyl. The preferred R3 is a C?-C 4 sulfonate group or a C C3 alkyl and more preferably methyl. The preferred R 4 is (CH 2) wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably from 1 to 3. Some common examples of betaine / sulfobetaine are described in the U.S. Patents. No. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference. Examples of particularly suitable alkyldimethylbetaines include cocodimethylbetaine, lauryldimethylbetaine, decyl dimethylbetaine, 2- (N-decyl-N, N-dimethyl-ammonia) acetate, 2- (N-coco-N, N-dimethylammonium) acetate, myristyldimethylbetaine, palmityldimethylbetaine, cetyldimethylbetaine. , stearyldimethylbetaine. For example, cocodimethylbetaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name of Amonil 265®. Laurylbetaine is commercially available from Albright & Wilson with the factory name of Empigen BB / L®. Examples of aminobetaines include cocoamidoethylbetaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine or acyl amidopropylene (hydropropylene) -sulfobetaine Cio-Cu fat. For example, acylamidopopylene (hydropropylene) sulfobetaine fat of C-IO-CH is commercially available from Sherex Company under the factory name of "Varion CAS ® sulfobetaine". A further example of betaine is laurylimminodipropionate, commercially available from Rhone-Poulenc under the factory name Mirataine H2C-HA®. Suitable anionic surfactants for use in the compositions herein include water soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO3M in which R is preferably a hydrocarbyl, of C? 0-C2, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having an alkyl component of C?-C20, more preferably C? 0-C20 alquilo alkyl, more preferably C alquilo-C? 8 alquilo alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, and M is H or a cation, eg, an alkali metal cation (e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (eg, methyl-, dimethyl- and trimethylammonium cations, and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperdinium cations, and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine , ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like). C.sub.2 -C.sub.16 alkyl chains are typically preferred for lower wash temperatures (eg less than 50.degree. C.) and C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkyl chains are preferred for higher wash temperatures (eg, greater than 50). ° C). Other anionic surfactants suitable for use herein are water soluble salts or acids of the formula RO (A) mSO 3 M wherein R is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group of C 0 -C 24 having an alkyl component of C 0 or -C24, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of Ct2-C2o, more preferably alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of C2-C-? 8, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, n is less than 0, typically between 0.5 and 6, more preferably between 0.5 and 3, and N is H or a cation which can be, for example, a metal cation (for example, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium cation or substituted ammonium cation. Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates as well as alkyl-propoxylated sulfates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethylammonium and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethylammonium, dimethylpiperdinium and cations derived from alkanolamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof and the like. Some exemplary surfactants are (C 2 -C 8 alkyl) polyethoxylate- (1 0) -sulfate (C 2 -C 18E (1.0) SM), (C 2 -C 18 alkyl) polyethoxylate- (2.25) ) -suifato (C12-C? 8E (2.25) SM), (C12-C? 8 alkyl) polyethoxylate- (3.0) -sulfate (C12-C18E (3.0) SM), and (C2-C alkyl? 8) -polyethoxylate (4.0) -sulfate (C12-C? 8E (4.0) SM), in which M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

Other anionic surfactants suitable for use herein are sulfonated anionic surfactants. Sulfonated anionic surfactants suitable for use herein include alkylsulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, naphthalenesulfonates, alkyl-alkoxylated sulfonates, linear or branched diphenyl oxide (C6-C2 alkyl) -alkoxylated disulfonates, or mixtures thereof. Alkylsulfonates suitable for use herein include water soluble salts or acids of the formula RSO3M where R is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated C6-C20 alkyl group, preferably a C8-Ci8 alkyl group and more preferably an alkyl group of C? 4-C? 7, M is H or a cation, for example an alkali metal cation (for example sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (for example methyl, dimethyl cations) and trimethylammonium, and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations, and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like). Alkylarylsulfonates suitable for use herein include water soluble salts or acids of the formula RSO3M in which R is aryl, preferably benzyl, substituted by a C6-C2o alkyl group, linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, preferably a group C8-C18 alkyl and more preferably a C-10-C16 alkyl group, M is H or a cation, for example an alkali metal cation (for example sodium, potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (for example methyl-, dimethyl- and trimethylammonium cations, and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethylammonium and dimethylpiperidinium cations, and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof, and the like). Particularly suitable linear alkylsulfonates include (C ?4-C17 parafin) sulfonate such as Hostapur® SAS commercially available from Hoechst. An example of commercially obtainable alkylarylsulfonate is laurylarylsulfonate from Su.Ma. Particularly preferred alkyl aryl sulfonates are alkyl benzene sulphonates commercially available under the tradename Nansa® obtainable from Albright &Wilson. By "linear alkyl sulfonate" is meant herein an unsubstituted alkylsulfonate in which the alkyl chain comprises from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and more preferably from 14 to 17 carbon atoms, and wherein this alkyl chain is sulfonated at one end. The alkoxylated sulfonate surfactants suitable for use herein are according to the formula RO (A) mSO3M in which R is an unsubstituted C6-C20 alkyl, a hydroxyalkyl or alkylaryl group, having an alkyl component of C6- C2o linear or branched, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of C-? 2-C20, more preferably alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of C? 2-C? 8, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, n is less than 0, typically between 0.5 and 6, more preferably between 0.5 and 3, and N is H or a cation which may be, for example, a metal cation (eg, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium, etc.), ammonium or ammonium cation. replaced. Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates as well as alkyl-propoxylated sulfates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethylammonium and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethylammonium, dimethylpiperdinium and cations derived from alkanolamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof and the like. Exemplary surfactants are (C12-C18 alkyl) polyethoxylate- (1.0) -sulfate (C12-C18E (1.0) SM), (C12-C18 alkyl) polyethoxylate- (2.25) -sulfate (C12-C? 8E ( 2.25) SM), (C12-C18 alkyl) polyethoxylate- (3.0) -sulfate (C12-C18E (3.0) SM), and (C12-C18 alkyl) -polyethoxylate- (4.0) -sulfate (C? 2- C- | 8E (4.0) SM), in which M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium. Particularly suitable alkoxylated sulfonates include alkylaryl polyether sulfonate such as Triton X-200® commercially obtainable from Union Carbide. The linear or branched (C6-C2o) -alkoxylated diphenyl oxide disulfonate surfactants suitable for use herein are according to the following formula: wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated C6-C2o alkyl group, preferably an alkyl group of C- | 2-C? 8 and more preferably an alkyl group of C- | 4-Ci6, and X + is H or a cation, for example an alkali metal cation (for example sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium magnesium and the like). The linear or branched diphenyl (C6-C2o alkyl) -alkoxylated disulfonate surfactants particularly suitable for use herein are the branched diphenyl oxide of C-? 2 disulfonic acid and the sodium disulfonate oxide salt linear diphenyl of C-? 6, in each case commercially obtainable by DOW as their Dowfax® and Dowfax 8390® factory names. Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes may also be used herein. These may include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and trietalonamine salts) of soap, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, for example, as described in British Patent Specification No. 1, 082,179, C8-C24 alkyl polyglycol ether sulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl ester sulfates such as Cu-Cie methyl ester sulfonates; acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ether sulfates of ethylene oxide, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as acyl isethionates, N-acyltaurates, alkylsuccinates and sulfosuccinates, sulfosuccinate monoesters (especially saturated and unsaturated C? 2-C18 monoesters), sulfosuccinate diesters ( especially Cβ-C1 diesters) alkyl sulphasaccharide sulfates such as the alkyl polyglycoside sulphates (the unsulfated and nonionic compounds are described below), branched primary alkyl sulphates, alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the formula RO (CH2CH2O) kCH2COO-M + where R is C 8 -C 22 alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10 and M is a salt-forming soluble cation. Also suitable are resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and the resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in the wood oil to derivatives thereof. Additional examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally disclosed in the US patent. 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughiin, et al., In column 23, line 58 to column 28, line 23 (incorporated herein by reference). Other anionic surfactants suitable for use herein also include acyl sarcosinate or mixtures thereof, in their acid and / or salt form, preferably long chain acyl sarcosinates having the following formula: wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic portion and wherein R is an alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 13 carbon atoms. The preferred M is hydrogen and alkali metal salts, especially sodium and potassium. Such acyl sarcosinate surfactants are derived from the natural fatty acids and amino acid sarcosine (N-methylglycine). They are suitable for use as an aqueous solution of their salt or their acid form as a powder. Being derivatives of natural fatty acids, said acyl sarcosinates are rapidly and completely biodegradable and have good compatibility with the skin. In accordance with the above, long chain acyl sarcosinates suitable for use herein include C12 acyl sarcosinate (ie an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula in which M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 11 carbon atoms) and C14 (ie an acyl sarcosinate according to the formula above in which M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 13 carbon atoms). In C2-acyl sarcosinate it is commercially available, for example, as Hampsoyl L-30® distributed by Hampshire. In C14 acyl sarcosinate it is commercially available, for example, as Hamposyl M-30® distributed by Hampshire. Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use herein include amine oxides having the following formula R? R2R3NO in which each R1, R2 and R3 is independently a substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched, saturated hydrocarbon chain, from 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Preferred amine oxide surfactants for use in accordance with the present invention are amine oxides having the following formula R ^ RsNO wherein R1 is a hydrocarbon chain comprising from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 20, more preferably from 8 to 16, most preferably from 8 to 12, and wherein R2 and R3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched hydrocarbon chains, comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms and more preferably are methyl groups. R1 can be a linear or branched saturated or substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chain. Amine oxides suitable for use herein are, for example, amine oxides of Cs-Cio in the natural mixture as well as C12-C16 amine oxides commercially available from Hoechst.

Chelating agents The compositions of the present invention may comprise a chelating agent as a preferred optional ingredient. Suitable chelating agents can be any of those known to those skilled in the art, such as those selected from the group comprising phosphonate chelating agent, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally aromatic chelating agents substituted, N, N'-disuccinic ethylene diamine acids, or mixtures thereof. A chelating agent may be required in the compositions of the present invention as it allows to increase the ionic strength of the compositions herein and therefore their performance of stain removal and bleaching on various surfaces. The presence of chelating agents can also contribute to reducing the tensile strength knob of the fabrics and / or the color deterioration, especially laundry through the washing application. Indeed, the chelating agents inactivate the metal lotions present on the surface of the fabrics and / or in the cleaning compositions (pure or diluted) which would otherwise contribute to the radical decomposition of the peroxygen bleach. Suitable phosphonate chelating agents for use herein may include ethan-1-hydroxy disphosphonates (HEDP) of alkali metals, alkyl poly (alkylene phosphonate), as well as aminophosphonate compounds, including aminoaminotrimethylene phosphonic acid (ATMP), nitrilotrimethylene phosphonates (NTP) ), ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonates and diethylenetriaminpentamethylenephosphonates (DTPMP). The phosphate compounds can be present either in their acid form or as salts of different cations in some or all of their acid functionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelating agents for use herein are diethylenetriaminpentamethylenephosphonate (DTPMP) and ethane-1-hydroxy diphosphonate (HEDP). Such phosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®. Polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents can also be useful in the compositions herein. See the patent of E.U.A. 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 for use herein is ethylene diamine N, N'-duccinic acid, or alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts, or mixtures thereof. Ethylene diamine-N-disuccinic acids have been extensively described, especially isomer (S, S), in the patent of E.U.A. 4,704,233, November 3, 1987, by Hartman and Perkins. Ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid is commercially available, for example, under the tradename ssEDDS® from Palmer Research Laboratories. Suitable aminocarboxylates for use herein include ethylenediaminetetraacetates, diethylenetriaminpentaacetates, diethylenetriaminpentaacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediaminetetrapropionates, triethylenetetraminehexaacetates, ethanoldiglicines, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) and methylglycineadiacetic acid (MGDA), both in their acid form, or in its salt forms of alkali metals, ammonium and substituted ammonium. Particularly suitable aminocarboxylates for use herein are diethylenetriaminpentaacetic acid, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) which is commercially obtainable, for example, from BASF under the trade name Trilon FS® and methylglycliciacetic acid (MGDA).

Other carboxylate chelating agents for use herein include salicylic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, malonic acid, and mixtures thereof. Another chelating agent for use herein is of the formula: wherein R -i, R2, R3 and R are independently selected from the group consisting of -H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, -Cl, -Br, -NO2. -C (O) R 'and -SO2R "wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of -H, -OH, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl and aryloxy; R" is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl and aryloxy; and R5, Re, R7 and Re are independently selected from the group consisting of -H and alkyl. Particularly preferred chelating agents for use herein are aminoaminotrimethylene phosphonic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, diethylenetriaminpentamethylenephosphonate, 1-hydroxyethanedisphosphonate, ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid and mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise up to 5%, preferably from 0.01% to 1.5% by weight and more preferably from 0.01% to 0.5% by weight of the total composition of a chelating agent. Solvents The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a solvent or a mixture thereof. Preferred solvents herein include hydrophobic solvents, hydrophilic solvents and mixtures thereof. To define the hydrophilic hydrophobic character of a solvent herein, the following hydrophilic index (Hl) is used: Molecular weight of the hydrophilic part of the solvent * 100 total molecular weight of solvent By "hydrophilic part" of a given solvent is given to understand from the present all groups O, CO, OH, of a given solvent. By "molecular weight of the hydrophilic part of a solvent" is hereby meant the total molecular weight of all the hydrodylic portions of a given solvent. The hydrophilic solvents for use herein have a hydrophilic index of base 18, preferably more than 25 and more preferably more than 30, and the hydrophilic solvents for use herein have a hydrophilic index of less than 18, preferably less than 17. and more preferably 16 or less.

Suitable hydrophobic solvents for use herein include paraffins, terpenes or terpene derivatives, as well as aromatic aliphatic alcohols, alkoxylates, aromatic aliphatic alcohols, glycols or alkoxylated glycols, and mixtures thereof, all of these solvents having a hydrophilic index of less than a 18. Suitable terpenes (hydrophilic index of 0) are mono- and bicyclic monoterpenes, especially those of the hydrocarbon class, which include terpinenes, terpinolens, limonenes and pinenos and mixtures thereof. The highly preferred materials of that type are d-limonene, dipentene, alpha-pinene and / or beta-pinene. For example, pinene is commercially available from SCM Glidco (Jacksonville) under the name Alpha Pinene P & F®. Terpene derivatives such as alcohols, aldehydes, esters and ketones having a hydrophilic index of less than 18 can also be used herein. Such materials are commercially available, for example, as the a and β isomers of terpineol and linalool. All types of paraffins (hydrophilic index of 0), both linear and branched, can be used herein, containing from 2 to 20, preferably from 4 to 10, more preferably from 6 to 8 carbon atoms. Octane is preferred herein. The octane is commercially available, for example, from BASF. Suitable hydrophobic alkoxylated aromatic aliphatic alcohols for use herein are according to the formula R- (A) n-OH wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, to an alkyl-substituted aryl group or not alkyl-substituted from 1 to 20, preferably from 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms in which A is an alkoxy group, preferably to a butoxy, propoxy and / or ethoxy group, and n is an integer from 1 to 5, preferably from 1 to 2, the hydrophobic alkoxylated alcohol suitable for use herein is 1-methoxy-11 -dodecanol (Hl) = 15). Suitable hydrophobic aromatic aliphatic alcohols for use herein are according to the formula R-OH wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, or an alkyl-substituted or non-alkyl-substituted aryl group of 1 to 20 preferably from 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Suitable aliphatic alcohols for use herein include linear alcohols such as decanol (Hl = 7). The aromatic alcohol suitable for use herein is benzyl alcohol (Hl = 16). Suitable hydrophobic glycols for use herein are in accordance with the formula HO-CR? R2-OH wherein Ri and R2 are independently H are an aliphatic hydrocarbon chain and / or saturated or unsaturated C2-C10 cyclic hydrocarbon chain . The glycol suitable for use herein is dodecanglycol (Hl = 16). Suitable hydrophobic alkoxylated glycols for use herein are according to the formula R- (A) nR -? - OH wherein R is H, OH, a saturated or unsaturated linear alkyl of 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, in which Ri is H or a saturated or unsaturated linear alkyl of 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 15 and more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and A is an alkoxy group but actually an ethoxy, methoxy and / or propoxy group and n is from 1 to 5, preferably from 1 to 2. The suitable alkoxylated glycol for use herein is methoxy octadecanol (Hl = 1 1). Particularly preferred hydrophobic solvents for use herein include d-limonene, dipentene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, octane, benzyl alcohol or mixture thereof. Suitable hydrophilic solvents for use herein include alkoxylated aliphatic aromatic alcohols, aromatic aliphatic alcohols, glycols or alkoxylated glycols, and mixtures thereof, having all of these solvents a hydrophilic index of greater than 18. The appropriate hydrophilic alkoxylated aliphatic alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R- (A) n-OH wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, or an alkyl-substituted or non-alkyl-substituted aryl group of from one to 20 , preferably from 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, wherein A is an alkoxy group, preferably a butoxy, propoxy and / or ethoxy group, and n is an integer from 1 to 5, preferably from 1 to 2. Alkoxylated alcohols particularly suitable for use herein include methoxypropanol (H1 = 37), ethoxypropanol (H1 = 32), propoxypropanol (H1 = 28) and / or butoxypropanol (H1 = 27).

The hydrophilic aromatic aliphatic alcohols suitable for use herein are according to the formula R-OH wherein R is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, or an alkyl-substituted or non-alkyl-substituted aryl group of one to 20, preferably 2 to 15 and more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms. Particularly suitable aliphatic alcohols for use herein include linear alcohols such as ethanol (Hl = 37) and / or propanol (Hl = 28). Suitable hydrophilic glycols for use herein are according to the formula wherein R-t and R2 are independently H or an aiiphatic hydrocarbon chain and / or a C2-C- or saturated or unsaturated cyclic hydrocarbon chain. Particularly suitable glycol for use herein is propanediol (Hl = 45). The hydroxylated alkoxylated glycols suitable for use herein are according to the formula R- (A) nR? -OH wherein R is H, a saturated or unsaturated linear alkyl group of 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10 carbon atoms, in which Ri is H or a saturated or unsaturated linear alkyl group of 1 to 20, preferably 2 to 15 and more preferably 2 to 10 carbon atoms, and A is an alkoxy group, preferably an ethoxy, methoxy, and / or propoxy group, and n is from 1 to 5, preferably from 1 to 2. The alkoxylated glycol particularly suitable for use herein is ethoxyethoxyethanol (Hl = 37). Typically the compositions according to the present invention may comprise up to 30%, preferably from 0.01% to 15%, more preferably from 0.1% to 10%, and most preferably from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the total composition of a solvent. In a preferred embodiment in which the compositions herein comprise a mixture of a hydrophobic solvent and a hydrophilic solvent the weight ratio of said hydrophobic solvent to the hydrophilic one is from 1: 20 to 1: 1, more preferably from 1: 14 to 1: 2 The solvents, when present, contribute to the excellent stain removal performance of the compositions used in a process as described herein.

Foaming reducing system The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a foam reducing agent or a mixture thereof. Any foam reducing agents known to those skilled in the art are suitable for use herein. In a preferred embodiment, a foam reducing system comprising a fatty acid together with a blocked alkoxylated nonionic surfactant as defined hereinbefore and / or silicone can be used. Typically, the compositions herein can comprise 1-10%, preferably 1-10% 3% to 5% and more preferably 1-10% 2% to 5% by weight of the total composition of a fatty acid .

Typically, the compositions herein can comprise from 1-10"3% to 20%, preferably from 1-10" 2% to 10% and more preferably from 5-10"2% to 5% by weight of the total composition of a blocked alkoxylated nonionic surfactant as defined herein Typically, the compositions herein can comprise from 1-10"5% to 5%, preferably def 1-10" 5% to 1% and more preferably 1-10% to 0.5% by weight of the total composition of a silicone. The fatty acids suitable for use herein are alkaline salts of a C8-C2 fatty acid. Such alkaline salts include the fully saturated metal salts such as sodium, potassium and / or lithium salts as well as the ammonium and / or alkylammonium salts of fatty acids, preferably the sodium salt. Preferred fatty acids for use herein contain from 8 to 22, preferably from 8 to 20 and more preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable fatty acids can be selected from caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, and mixtures of suitably hardened fatty acids, derived from natural sources such as vegetable or animal esters (eg palm oil , coconut oil, soybean oil, castor oil, bait, peanut oil, whale and fish oils and / or babassu oil).

For example, coconut fatty acid is commercially available from UNICHEMA under the name PRIFAC 5900®. The blocked alkoxylated nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein are according to the formula: R1 (O-CH2-CH2-CH2) n- (OR2) mO-R3 in which Ri is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, aryl group, alkaryl group, of C8-C2 preferably Ri is an alkyl or alkenyl group of C8-C-? 8, more preferably a C10-C5 alkyl or alkenyl group more preferably still a C10-C15 alkyl group; wherein R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group of CrC10, preferably a linear or branched alkyl group of C2-C-? 0, preferably a C3o group; wherein R3 is an alkyl or alkenyl group of C-rdo, preferably a C-1-C5 alkyl group, most preferably methyl; wherein n and m are one integers that fluctuate independently in the range of 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 10, more preferably 1 to 5; or mixtures thereof. These surfactants are available commercially available from BASF under the trade name Plurafac®, from HOECHST under the factory name Genapol® or from ICI under the trade name Symperonic®.

Preferred blocked nonionic alkoxylated surfactants of the above formula are those commercially available under the factory name Genapol® L 2.5 NR from Hoechst, and Plurafac® from BASF. Silicones suitable for use herein include any silicone or mixtures of silica and silicone. The silicones can be represented generally by alkylated polysiloxane materials while they are normally used in silica in finely divided forms exemplified by silica aerogels and xylogels and hydrophobic silicas of various types. These materials can be incorporated as particulate materials in which silicone is advantageously incorporated liberally into a water-soluble or water-dispersible, substantially non-surfactant detergent carrier. Alternatively, the silicone can be dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrier and applied by spraying on one or more of the other components. Actually in industrial practice, the term "silicone" has become a generic term that encloses a variety of relatively high molecular weight polymers containing xylosan units and hydrocarbyl groups of various types. Indeed, silicone compounds have been extensively described in the art, see for example US 4 076 648, US 4 021 365, US 4 749 740, US 4 983 316, EP 150 872, EP 217 501 and EP 499 364. The silicone compounds set forth herein are suitable in the context of the present invention. Generally, silicone compounds can be described as siloxanes having the general structure: R - ~ (-SiO-) n- R wherein n is from 20 to 2000, and in which each R can independently be an alkyl or aryl radical. Some examples of such substituents are methyl, ethyl, propyl, isobutyl and phenyl. Preferred polyorganosiloxanes are polydimethylsiloxanes having terminal blocking units of dimethylsilyl and having a viscosity at 25 ° C of 5 x 10"5m2 / s to 0.1 m2 / s, that is to say a value of n in the range of 40 to 1, 500. These are preferred because of their immediate availability and their relatively low cost.

A preferred type of silicone compounds useful in the compositions herein comprises a mixture of an alkylated siloxane of the type set forth hereinbefore and solid silica. Solid silica can be a fumed silica, a silica precipitate or a silica made by the technique of gel formation. The silica particles can be made hydrophobic by treating them with dialkylsilyl groups and / or trialkylsilane groups either bonded directly on the silica or by means of a silicone resin. A preferred silicone procedure it comprises a hydrophobic silanated silica, most preferably trimethylsilanada, having a particle size in the range of 10 mm to mm and a specific surface area above 50 m2 / g. The silicone compounds used in the compositions according to the present invention suitably have an amount of silica in the range of 1 to 30% (more preferably 2.0 to 15%) by weight of the total weight of the silicone compounds that give silicone composite results having an average viscosity in the range of 2 x 10"4 m2 / s to 1 m2 / s, the preferred silicone compounds can have a viscosity in the range of 5 x 10" 3 m2 / s to 0.1 m2 / s. Particularly suitable are silicone compounds with a viscosity of 2 x 10"2 m2 / s or 4.5 x 10" 2 m2 / s. Silicone compounds suitable for use herein are commercially available from various companies including Rhone Poulenc, Fueller and Dow Corning. Some examples of silicone compounds for use herein are Silicone DB® 100 and 2-3597® Silicone Emulsion, both commercially available from Dow Corning. Another silicone compound is disclosed in the U.S.A. 3,933,672 to Bartollota et al. Other particularly useful silicone compounds are the self-emulsifying silicone compounds, described in the German patent application DTOS 2,646,126 published on April 28, 1977. An example of such a compound is DC-544®, commercially available from Down Corning, which is a copolymer of siloxane and glycol. Typically preferred silicone compounds are described in European patent application EP-A-573699. Said compositions may comprise a mixture of silicone / silica in combination with non-porous fume silica such as Aerosil®.

Radical scavenger The compositions of the present invention may comprise a radical scavenger or a mixture thereof. Radical scavengers suitable for use herein include the well-known substituted mono- and dihydroxybenzenes and their analogues, alkyl- and arylcarboxylates and mixtures thereof. Preferred such radical scavengers for use herein include di-tert-butylhydroxytoluene (BHT), hydroquinone, di-tert-butylhydroxyquinone, mono-tert-butylhydroxyquinone, tert-butyl-hydroxyanisole, benzoic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t -butylcatechol, benzylamine, 1, 1, 3-tris (2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane, n-propylgalate or mixtures thereof and di-tert-butylhydroxy toluene is highly preferred. Radical scavengers such as N-propylgalate can be commercially available from Ñipa Laboratories for the Nipanox S1® factory name. Radical scavengers, when used, are typically present therein in amounts ranging up to 105 and preferably from 0.001% to 0.5% by weight of the total composition. The presence of radical scavengers can contribute to reducing the loss of tensile strength of the fabrics and / or color deterioration, when the compositions of the present invention are used in laundry through the washing application.

Antioxidant The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise an antioxidant or mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions herein may comprise up to 10%, preferably from 0.002% to 5%, more preferably from 0.005% to 2% and most preferably from 0.01% to 1% by weight of the total composition of an antioxidant. Suitable antioxidants for use herein include organic acids such as citric acid, ascorbic acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid and sorbic acid, or amines such as lecithin, or amino acids such as glutamine, methionine and cysteine, or esters such as ascorbyl palmitate, stearate ascorbyl and triethyl citrate, or mixtures thereof. Preferred antioxidants for use herein are citric acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, lecithin or mixtures thereof.

Bleach activator As an optional ingredient, the compositions of the present invention may comprise a bleach activator or mixtures thereof. By "bleach activator" is meant herein a compound that reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form a peracid. The likeness thus formed constitutes an activated bleach. Bleach activators suitable for use herein include those belonging to the class of esters, amides, imides or anhydrides. Some examples of suitable compounds of this type are set forth in British patents GB 1, 586,769 and GB 2,143,231, and a method for pelletizing is described in European published patent application EP-A-62 523. Some suitable examples of such compounds to be used herein are tetracetylethyleneamine (TAED), sodium 3,5,5-trimethyl hexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate, dodecanoic acid peroxide, as described for example in the US patent. 4,818,425 and peroxyadipic acid nonyl amide, as described for example in the US patent. 4,259,201, and nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS). N-acyl-caprolactams selected from the group consisting of benzoylcaprolactam, octanoylcaprolactam, nonanoylcaprolactam, hexanoylcaprolactam, decanoylcaprolactam, undecenoylcaprolactam, formylcaprolactam, acetylcaprolactam, propanoylcaprolactam, butanoylcaprolactam, substituted or unsubstituted pentanoylcaprolactam, or mixtures thereof are also suitable. A particular family of bleach activators of interest was disclosed in EP 624 154 and is particularly preferred in that relative in acetyltriethyl citrate (ATC). Acetyltriethyl citrate has the advantage of being harmless to the environment since it is finally degraded to citric acid and alcohol. In addition, acetyltriethyl citrate has good hydrolytic stability in the product during storage and is an efficient bleach activator. Finally, it provides good detergency-improving ability to the composition.

The compositions according to the present invention may comprise from 0.01% to 20%, preferably from 1% to 10%, and more preferably from 3% to 7% by weight of the total composition of said bleach activator. The invention is illustrated in more detail with the following examples. EXAMPLES The following compositions were made by mixing the ingredients listed in the listed proportions (% by weight unless otherwise specified).

Compositions I II III IV V VI VIII VIII Dobanol® 23-3 1.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 Dobanol® 45-7 3.0 1.5 3.0 1.5 - 3.0 1.5 3.0 Dobanol® 91-8 - - - - 1.0 - - Dobanol® 91 -10 - - - - 1.0 - - alkylbetaine - - - - 2.5 2.5 2.0 Peroxide 7.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 7.0 7.0 8.0 Hydrogen 6.0 Citric acid 2.0 1.0 2.0 1.0 - 1.0 - 2.0 Norasol LMW- 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 3.0 2.0 45N® 2.0 Acusol 425® 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0? I IP P cpri ir irincinc - hact:, I heard 1 ni n ° All the examples have a pH of up to 9 Compositions IX X XI XII Xlll XIV XV XVI Peroxide 7.0 7.0 8.0 9.0 7.0 7.0 8.0 Hydrogen 6.0 Citric Acid 2.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 - 1.0 - 2.0 Norasol LMW- 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 45N® 2.0 Acusol 425® 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 5.0 Aqua e nqredienti 3s secu ndarios - -up to 100% - All examples have a pH of up to 9 Dobanol® 23-3 is a non-ionic surfactant of C12-Ci3 with EO3, commercially obtainable from SHELL. Dobanol® 45-7 is a nonionic surfactant of Cu-C15 with EO7, commercially obtainable from SHELL. Dobanol® 91 -8 is a nonionic surfactant of C9-Cn with EO10, commercially obtainable from SHELL.

The alkylbetaine is lauryl dimethylbetaine commercially available from Hoechst under the factory name GENAGEN, LAB®. Hydrogen peroxide is commercially obtainable from Ausimont.

Norasol LMW-45N® is a polycarboxylate builder commercially available from Rohm & Haas.

Acusol 425® is a commercially modified polycarboxylate builder, obtainable from Rohm & Haas. They are used in the aforementioned compositions in a process according to the present invention in which the fabrics are treated, preferably stained fabrics, according to said process forming an aqueous solution comprising water, a conventional detergent for laundry, preferably selected from the body consisting of DASH futur® and DASH liquid®, dissolved and dispersant therein and said liquid compositions. All of the above liquid compositions show bleaching and / or stain removal benefits when used in the process of the present invention to treat fabrics.

Claims (17)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A method of treating fabrics, characterized in that it comprises the steps of forming an aqueous solution comprising water, a conventional laundry detergent dissolved or dispersed therein and a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, a detergency improver and a food improver. detergency of modified polycarboxylate, and subsequently contacting said fabrics with said aqueous solution.

2. A method according to claim 1, further characterized in that said builder is selected from the group consisting of: citric acid; tartaric acid; tartrate-monosuccinate; tartrate-disuccinate; lactic acid, oxalic acid; malic acid; and mixtures thereof.

3. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said composition comprises up to 40% by weight of the total composition of said builder.

4. A process according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said modified polycarboxylate builder is a polycarboxylate with a phosphono group.

5. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said composition comprises up to 40% by weight of the total composition of said modified polycarboxylate builder.

6. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said peroxygen improver is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen peroxide; water soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide; organic or inorganic peracids; hydroperoxides; diacyl peroxides; and mixtures thereof.

A process according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said peroxygen bleach is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen peroxide, diacyl peroxides and mixtures thereof.

8. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said composition comprises 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition of said peroxygen bleach.

9. A process according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized said composition has a pH of up to 9.

10. - A method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized said composition further comprises an acidifying agent or a mixture thereof.

11. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized said composition further comprises a surfactant or a mixture thereof.

12. A process according to claim 1, further characterized in that said surfactant is a nonionic surfactant or a zwitterionic surfactant of betaine or a mixture thereof.

13. A method according to claim 11, further characterized in that said surfactant is a sulphonated anionic surfactant.

14. A process according to claim 13, further characterized in that said composition further comprises a second surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

15. A method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said conventional laundry detergent comprises at least one active agent on the surface.

16. - A method according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said composition further comprises a solvent or a mixture thereof.

17. The use of a detergent builder and a modified polycarboxylate builder in a laundry additive comprising a peroxygen bleach for treating fabrics thereby providing stain removal and / or bleaching benefits.