MXPA96006045A - Detergent composition containing depolicarboxilato agents that have parameters specifically definitive - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a detergent composition for laundry, characterized in that it comprises: i) at least 10% of detergent surfactant, and ii) at least 10% of builder system comprising a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid of the formula: H - [- CH (-COOM) -CH2-] x- [CH (-COOM) -CH (-COOM) -] and H, where M is a counterion, the molecular weight (MW) of the copolymer is from 5000 to 15,000 and the molar ratio R of xay, is from about 3: 7 to 7: 3, and where in addition, the copolymer has a ratio of index (RI) not less than 110, where RI = union index ( IU) dispersion index (ID) / 1

Description

COVERAGE DETERGENT OUE CONTAINS POLYCARBONYLATE AGENTS THAT HAVE SPECIFICALLY DEFINED PARAMETERS FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a detergent composition comprising a specific polycarboxylate agent having excellent detergency improvement capability for alkaline earth metals, which provides excellent clay removal and dispersion under laundry conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Polycarboxylates are commonly used in laundry detergent products and it is well known that they provide for the dispersion of dirt, and the sequestration of calcium and magnesium hardness. Said polymers may be polymerized carboxylic monomers or salts thereof, such as polyacrylate and copolymer mono or polycarboxylic monomers, and salts thereof, such as are disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4510 (1977), issued to Nippon Shokubai KK, which describes copolymers having a molecular weight between 300 and 10,000, Japanese Patent Publication No. 11789 (1969), Japanese Patent Publication No. 411791 (1969), Patent of E.U.A. 3,308,007 (Diehl, et al.), Issued on March 7, 1967 and publication of EP 0,080,222 (Procter &Gamble Company), June 1, 1983), whose descriptions are incorporated herein by reference. However, the performance of said polycarboxylate polymers is not completely satisfactory. Known polycarboxylate agents that provide excellent clay soil dispersion have not also been shown to provide sufficient calcium binding capacity or hardness, especially under washing conditions with lower sequestration capacity. By "lower sequestration capacity" is meant that there is insufficient calcium and magnesium sequestration capacity in the laundry detergent composition for the total amount of calcium and magnesium ions carried in the wash solution such as wash water and soils on clothes that are going to be washed. In contrast, polycarboxylate agents that provide excellent binding capacity of calcium and magnesium ions have not been shown to provide effective clay soil dispersion ability either. Therefore, there remains a need for a laundry agent that provides excellent bonding capacity for hardness ions and clay soil dispersion. It has been described that the binding capacity and dispersibility of the carboxylate agent in the laundry process can be predicted by evaluating the individual characteristics of binding capacity and dispersion of clay soil of the agent. It has also been found that the polycarboxylate agents that show A high clay soil dispersion capacity and a high hardness bonding capacity will provide excellent sequestration performance and dirt dispersion under regular washing conditions. It has also been found that said polycarboxylate agents provide said clay soil dispersion capacity even under washing conditions with lower sequestration capacity. * > DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention includes a laundry detergent composition comprising: (i) at least 10X of detergent surfactant; and (ii) at least 10Z of builder system; f said detergency builder system comprising a polycarboxylate agent having an index ratio (Rl) of not less than 100, wherein Rl = binding index (IU) x dispersion index (ID) / 100. The binding index and the index of any particular polycarboxylate agent is determined according to the test methods described below. In general, the higher the index ratio, the better the performance of the polymer under laundry conditions, especially in conditions of lower sequestration capacity. Preferably, the index ratio is not less than 110, preferably not less than 120. Also, the Binding Index and the dispersion index are not independently of less than 110, most preferably not less than 120. Particularly preferred are copolymers of maleic acid and acrylic acid, and salts thereof. Said polymers have the formula H - [- CH (-C00M) -CH2-] x -C-CH (-CO? P) -CH (COOM) -] and H, wherein the molecular weight of said copolymer is 5000 at 15,000, and the molar ratio R of xay is from about 3: 7 to 7: 3 and wherein I is a counterion, preferably Na or K. Most preferably, the copolymer has a molecular weight between 6000 and 12,000, and R is from 1: 1 to 7: 3. The polycarboxylate agents can be made by methods well known in the art. Such methods are described, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4510 (1977), issued to Nippon Shokubai KK.

Other detergent components The detergent surfactant of the present invention is selected from anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant and mixtures thereof. The anionic surfactant may include C? < > -Ciß alkylbenzenesulfonate of C? O-C? B, ethoxylated alkyl sulphates and alkyl sulphates, salts of a-sulfo acid acid ester, fatty acid salts (soap) and oleofinsulfonates.

The nonionic surfactant may include ethoxylated C? O-Ciß alcohol comprising an alcohol having an ethylene oxide added thereto, ethoxylated nonylphenol, adults comprising an alcohol having propylene oxide and ethylene oxide added thereto , fatty acid alkanolamides, sucrose fatty acid esters, alkylamine oxides and polydroxylic fatty acid amides. The detergent surfactant of the present invention can also be selected from the description of U09218594 which is incorporated herein by reference.The builder system preferably contains other builder ingredients in addition to polycarboxylate. include detergent builders, calcium phosphate sequestrants and non-phosphate sequestrants.The phosphate calcium ion sequestrant builder may include sodium tripolyphosphate and sodium pyrophosphate as well as organic phosphonates and inoalkylenepolyalkylene sulfonates.

Organic phosphonates and aminoalkylenepolyalkylene sulfonates include alkali metal ethan-1-hydroxydi-phosphonates, nitrilotrimethylene phosphonates, ethylenediaminetetraethylenephosphonates, and diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonates, although those materials are less preferred wherein minimization of phosphorus compound in the compositions is desirable. The non-phosphate calcium ion sequester detergency enhancer can include alkali metal aluminosilicates, monomer polycarboxylates, polycarboxylic acids or copolymerics or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more than 2 carbon atoms, carbonates, silicates, citric acid and mixtures of any of the above. Although a range of aluminosilicate ion exchange materials can be used, the preferred sodium alummosilicate zeolites have the unit cell formula. Nar C (S202) r (S? 02) s] -t H2O where r and s are at least 6; the molar ratio of ras is from 1.0 to 0.5 and t is at least 5, preferably from 7.5 to 276, most preferably from 10 to 264. The aluminosilicate materials are in hydrated form and are preferably crystalline, containing from 10% to 28% , most preferably from 18% to 22% water in bound form. The above aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are further characterized by a particle size diameter of 0.1 to 10 microns, preferably 0.2 to 4 microns. The term "particle diameter" in the present represents the average particle size diameter of a given ion exchange material as determined by conventional analytical techniques such as, for example, microscopic determination using a scanning electron microscope or by medium of a laser granulometer. The ion exchange materials of inosilicate ion are also characterize by their calcium ion exchange capacity, that ee at least 200 rnm water hardness equivalents of CaC? 3 / g of alurninosilicate, calculated on an anhydrous basis and that are generally in the scale of 300 rng eq ./ga 352 mg eq./g. The alkynyl silicate ion exchange materials herein are further characterized by their calcium ion exchange rate which is at least 130 mm equivalents of Ca CCg / liter / minute / (g / liter) C2 Ca ++ grains / 3.78 liters / minute / (gram / 3.78 litroe)] of aluminoeilicate (anhydrous base) and which is generally within the range of 130 mm equivalent of CaC03 / liter / minute / (gram / liter) £ 2 grains / 3.78 liters / ml / (grams / 3.78 liters)] to 390 mm equivalent of CaC03 / liter / minute / (gram / liter) C6 grains / 3.78 liters / minute / (3.78 liters)] based on calcium ion hardness. Optimal aluminosilicates for detergency improvement purposes show a calcium ion exchange rate of at least 260 mm equivalent of CaC3 / liter / minute / (gram / liter) C4 grains / 3.78 liters / minute / (3.78 liters) )]. The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful in the practice of this invention are commercially available and may be naturally occurring materials, but are preferably synthetically derived. A method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is described in the U.S. Patent. No. 3,985,669. The preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are dispomblee under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B, Zeolite X, Zeolite HS and mixtures thereof. In an especially preferred embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material is Zeolite A and has the formula Nai2 C (01? 2) 12 (S02) 12] X H2 O wherein x is from 20 to 30, especially 27. Other monomeric carboxylate builders or water-soluble oligomerics can be added in minor amounts. Other suitable polycarboxylates are described in U.S. Patent No. 4,144,226 to Crutchfield et al. Issued March 13, 1979, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7, 1967 and Patent of E.U.A. No. 3,723,322, Diehl, incorporated herein by reference. The detergent builder may include alkaline detergent builders, such as metal silicate, carbonates and alkali metal bicarbonate and the like. In the formula containing high levels of crystalline stratiform sodium silicate, in order to minimize the amount of ingredients contained in the product, said detergency builders and alkaline materials should be contained to less than about 50%, preferably less than 30% of the composition. In addition, the ratio R of crystalline sodium silicate stratiform to the sum of other builders and other alkaline rnatepalee must not be less than 0. 34, preferably not less than 0.5 and most preferably not less than 1. The dose of the detergent composition of the present invention (the amount by weight of the product used to wash a laundry lot) may vary to achieve the desired cleaning performance under the user's washing conditions. The amount of dose can vary from 25 g or less in countries like Japan where the degree of compaction and light weight products are preferable, to a value as high as 300-500 g. Doses of 100 g or less, most preferably 50 g or less, are preferred. In a preferred compact detergent composition, the dose is less than 25 g, preferably 14 g to 21 g, and most preferably 15 g to 20 g, per 30 liters of wash water.

Optional detergent components The detergent composition of the present invention may contain a wide variety of other cleaning, fabric treatment and processing agents to improve the overall cost, use and performance of a product containing the formula. Non-limiting examples of said materials are described below. Enzyme Stabilizers - The enzymes employed herein are typically stabilized by the presence of water-soluble supplies of calcium and / or magnesium ions in the finished compositions that provide said ions to the enzymes (Calcium ions are in some way generally more effective than magnesium ions and are preferred in the present if only one type of cation is being used). Additional stability can be provided by the presence of several other stabilizers described in the art, especially borate species: see Sverson, E.U.A. 4,537,706. Typical detergents, especially liquids, comprise from about 1 to about 30, preferably from r "" about 2 to about 20, most preferably from about 5 to about 15 and most preferably from about 8 to about 12 millimoles of calcium ions per liter of finished composition.This may somehow vary, depending on the amount of enzyme present and its response to calcium or magnesium ions.The level of calcium or magnesium ions should be selected in such a way that there is a minimum level available for the enzyme after allowing complexes to form with builders, fatty acids, etc., in the composition.Any water soluble calcium or magnesium salt can be used as the supply of calcium ions or magnesium, including but not limited to calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium malate, calcium maleate, calcium hydroxide, calcium formate and calcium cetate and the corresponding magnesium salts. Often, a small amount of calcium ions, usually from about 0.05 to about 0.4 millimoles per liter, is also present in the composition due to the calcium present in the enzyme suspension and the water of the formula. In the solid detergent compositions the formulation may include a sufficient amount of a supply of water-soluble calcium ions to provide such an amount in the wash liquor. Alternatively, the hardness of the natural water may be sufficient. It should be understood that the aforementioned levels of calcium and / or magnesium ions are sufficient to provide enzyme stability. Additional calcium and / or magnesium ions can be added to the compositions to provide an additional measure of fat removal performance. If used for such purposes, the compositions herein typically should comprise from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of a water soluble supply calcium or magnesium ions or both. The amount may vary, of course, depending on the amount and type of enzyme used in the composition. The compositions of the preemer can also optionally, but preferably, contain additional stabilizers, especially borate-type stabilizers. Typically, such stabilizers are used in the compositions at levels of from about 0.25% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%, most preferably from about 0.75% to about 3% by weight of boric acid or other Borate compound capable of forming boric acid in the composition (calculated based on boric acid). Boric acid is preferred, although other compounds such as boric oxide, borax and other alkali metal borates (eg sodium orthoborate, sodium metaborate and sodium pyroborate and sodium pentaborate) are suitable. Substituted boric acids (e.g., phenyl boronic acid, butaneboronic acid and p-brornophenylboronic acid) can also be used in place of boric acid. Bleaching compounds - Bleaching agents and bleach activators - The detergent compositions herein may optionally contain bleaching agents or bleaching compositions containing an agent and one or more bleach activators. When present, bleaching agents are typically at levels of from about 1% to about 30%, and typically from about 5% to about 20% of the detergent composition, especially for fabric washing. If they are present, the amount of bleach activators is typically from about 0.1% to about 60%, very typically from about 0.5% to about 40% of the bleaching composition containing the bleaching agent plus the bleach activator. bleaches used herein may be any of the bleaching agents useful for detergent compositions in textile cleaning, hard surface cleaning or other cleaning purposes now known or known. These include oxygen bleaches as well as other bleaching agents.

Perborate bleaches, e.g., sodium perborate (e.g., mono and tetrahydrate) may be used herein. Another category of bleaching agent that can be used without restriction comprises percarboxylic acid bleaching agents and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include magnesium rnonoperoxy phthalate hexahydrate, the magnesium salt of metachloroperbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamino-4-oxoperoxybutyric acid and hyperoxydedecanedioic acid. Said bleaching agents are described in the patent of E.U.A. 4,483,781, Hartman, issued November 20, 1984, the U.S. Patent Application. 740,446, Burns, et al., Filed on June 3, 1985, European Patent Application 0,133,354 Banke, and other, published on February 20, 1985, the Patent of E.U.A. 4,412,934 Chung et al., Issued November 1, 1983. Highly preferred bleaching agents also include 6-nonylamino-6-oxoperoxycaproic acid as described in the US Patent. 4,634,551 issued on January 6, 1987 to Burns et al. Peroxygen bleaching agents can also be used. Suitable peroxygen bleach compounds include sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate and equivalent "percarbonate" bleaches, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, and sodium peroxide. Persulfate bleach (e.g., OXONE, commercially manufactured by DuPont) can also be used.

A preferred percarbonate bleach comprises dry particles having an average particle size in the range of about 500 microns to about 1,000 microns, not more than about 10% by weight of said particles being larger than about 1,250 microns.

Optionally, the percarbonate can be coated with silicate, borate or water-soluble surfactants. The percarbonate is available from various commercial supplies '~ such as FMC, Solvay and Tokai Denka. Mixtures of bleaching agents can also be used. Peroxygen bleaching agents, perborates, percarbonates, etc., are preferably combined with bleach activators, which lead to in situ production in the aqueous solution (ie, during the washing process) of the peroxyacid corresponding to the activator of bleach. Various non-limiting examples of activators are described in the U.S. Patent. 4,9151,854 issued April 10, 1990 to Mao et al., And in the U.S. Patent. 4,412,934. Typical activators of nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS) and tetraacetylethylamine (TAED) and mixtures thereof can also be used. See also E.U.A. 4,634,551 for other typical bleaches and activators useful herein. Preferred amide-derived bleach activators are those of the formulas: R1N (RS) C) 0) R2C (0) LO R1C (0) N (RS) R2C (0) L wherein R * is an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms, R2 is a alkylene containing from 1 to about 6 carbon atoms, RS is H or alkyl, aryl or alkaryl containing about 10 carbon atoms and L is any suitable leaving group. A leaving group is any group that is displaced from the bleach activator as a result of a nucleophilic attack on the bleach activator by the perhydrolysis anion. A preferred leaving group is phenylsulfonate. Preferred examples of bleach activator of the above formulas include (6-octanamido-caproyl) oxybenzene-sulfonate, (6-nonanamidocaproyl) oxybenzenesulfonate and mixtures thereof as described in US Pat. 4,634,551 which is incorporated herein by reference. Another class of bleach activators includes activators of the benzoxazine type described by Hodge et al. In the U.S. Patent. 4,966,723 issued October 30, 1990, which is incorporated herein by reference. A highly preferred bleach activator of the benzoxazine type is: Yet aer class of preferred bleach activators includes the acyl-lactam activators, especially acylcaprolactam ace and acylvalerolactam ace of the formulas: wherein R6 is H or an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group containing from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms. Highly preferred lactam activators include benzoylcaprolactam, octano-1-caprolactam, 3,5,5-trimethyl-hexanoylcaprolactam, nonanoylcaprolactam a, decanoylcaprolactam, undecenoylcaprolactam, benzoylvalerolactam, octanoylvalerolactam, decanoylvalerolactam, undecenoylvalerolactam, nonanoylvalerolactam, 3,5,5-trimethylhexanoylvalero-lactam and mixtures thereof. See also the U.S. Patent. 4,545,784 issued to Sanderson on October 8, 1985 incorporated herein by reference, which describes acylcaprolactams, including benzoylcaprolactam, adsorbed on sodium perborate. Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents are also known in the art and can be used in the foreground. A type of bleaching agent that is oxygen of particular interest includes the agents photoactivated whiteners such as zinc and / or aluminum phthalocyanines eulfonated. See U.S. Pat. 4,033,718 issued July 5, 1977 to Holcombe et al. If used, the detergent compositions typically should contain from about 0.025% to about 1.25% by weight of said bleaches, especially sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine. If desired, the bleaching compound can be catalyzed by means of a manganese composite. Dicote compueetoe are well known in the art and include, for example, the manganese-based catalysts described in US Patent 5,246,621, US Patent 5,244,594; U.S. Patent 5,194,416; U.S. Patent 5,114,606; and European Patent Application Publication Nos. 549,271A1, 549,272A1, 544,440A2, and 544,490A1.

Preferred examples of these catalysts include Mniy2 (uj "_ 0) 3 (1, 4,7-trimethyl-l, 4,7-triazacyclononane) 2- (PF612, nJi? 2 (u-0)? (U-0Ac) 2 (1, 4,7-trimethyl-1, 4,7-triazacyclononane) 2 (CiO *) 2 niv 4 (uO) ß (1, 4, 7-triazacyclonan (CiO), nm riniv_, (uO)? u- 0Ac) 2 (1, 4, 7-trimethyl-1,4-, 7-triazacyclonone) 2 (CiO) 3, niv (1, 4, 7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane), (OCH 3) 3 (PF-6) and mixtures thereof Other metal-based bleach catalysts include those described in the US patent 4,430,243 and the patent of E.U.A. 5,114,611. The use of manganese with several ligands in complex form to increase bleaching is also reported in the following patents of E.U.A. 4,728,455; 5,284,944; 5,246,612; 5,256,779; 5,280,117; 5,274,147; 5,153,161; and 5,227,084. For practical purposes, and by way of limitation, the compositions and methods herein can be adjusted to provide the order of at least one part per ten million species of bleach catalyst, in the aqueous wash liquor, and preferably will provide from about 0.1 ppm to about 700 ppm, most preferably from about 1 ppm to about 500 ppm, of the catalyst species in the laundry liquor. Auxiliary ingredients - The compositions herein may optionally include one or more other detergent auxiliary materials or other materials to assist or increase the cleaning performance, treatment of the substrate to be cleaned, or to modify the aesthetics of the detergent composition (e.g., perfumes, dyes, dyes, etc.). The following are illustrative examples of said materials. Polymeric Dirt Release Agent Any polyrnent soil release agents known to those skilled in the art can be employed in the practice of this invention. Polymeric soil release agents are characterized by having both hydrophilic segments, to hydrophilize the surface of hydrophobic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, as hydrophobic segments, to be deposited on hydrophobic fibers and remain fixed to them through the completion of the washing and rinsing cycles and, thus, serve as a support for the hydrophilic segments. This may allow stains that occur after treatment with the soil release agent to be more easily cleaned in subsequent washing procedures. The polymeric soil removal agents useful herein include especially those agents / "- dirt removers 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 include any oxypropylene unit unless it is attached to entities adjacent to each end by ether linkages, or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and 1 to 30 oxypropylene units, wherein said mixture contains a sufficient quantity of oxyethylene units so that the hydrophilic component has hydrophilic character sufficiently large to increase the hydrophilic character of the surface of the conventional polyether synthetic fiber, by deposition of the agent dirt remover on such surface, said hydrophilic segments preferably comprise at least 25% of oxyethylene units and very preferable, especially for such components that have to 30 oxypropylene units, at least 50% oxyethylene units; or (b) one or more hydrophobic components comprising (i) oxyalkylene terephthalate segments of C3, wherein, if said hydrophobic components also comprise oxyethylene terephthalate, the ratio of oxyethylene terephthalate: oxyalkylene terephthalate units of C3, is 2: 1 or lower, (ii) C4-C al alkylene or alkylene segments of Cu-Ce, or mixtures thereof, (iii) elements of poly (vinyl ester), preferably polyvinyl acetate, which have a degree of polymerization of at least less 2, or (iv) C 1 -C alkyl alkyl ether or C 1"hydroxyalkyl ether eubstituents, or mixtures thereof, wherein said substituents are present in the C 1 -C alkyl ether form or hydroxyalkyl ether derivatives of C cellulose, or mixtures thereof, and these cellulose derivatives are amphiphilic, whereby they have a sufficient level of C1-C4 alkyl ether units and / or C-hydroxyalkyl ether to be deposited on the surfaces of conventional polyester synthetic fiber and retaining a sufficient level of hydroxyls, once adhered to such conventional synthetic fiber surfaces, to increase the hydrophilic surface character of the fiber, or a combination of (a) and (b). Typically, the polyoxyethylene segments of (a) (i) will have a degree of polymerization of 200, although higher levels may be used, preferably from 3 to 150, most preferably from 6 to 100. Suitable hydrophobic segments of C4-C6 oxyalkylene include, but are not limited to, extreme coatings of dirt removing polymeric agents such as 03S (CH2) nOCH2CH2? -, where M is sodium and n is an integer of 4-6, as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,721,580, issued January 26, 1988 to Goseelink. The polymeric soil removal agents in the present invention also include cellulose derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, copolymer blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate, and eilamylates. Such agents are commercially available and include cellulose hydroxyethers such as METHOCEL (Dow). Cellulosic soil removers for use herein also include those selected from the group of C? -C? Alkylcellulose and Ct hydroxyalkylcellulose.; see US Patent No. 4,000,093, issued December 28, 1976 to Nicol, and others. Dirt release agents characterized by hydrophobic polyvinyl ester segments include polyvinyl ester graft copolymers, e.g., Ci-Cβ vinyl ester, preferably polyvinyl acetate grafted onto polyalkylene oxide base structures, such as structure of polyethylene oxide base. Such materials are known in the art and are described in European Patent Application 0 219 048, published on 22 April 1987 by Kud and others. Suitable commercially available soil release agents of this type include the type of Sokalan ™ material, e.g., Sokalantn HP-22, available from BASF (West Germany). One type of preferred soil release agent is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate (PEO). The molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is * _-, on the scale of around 25,000 to about 55,000. See U.S. Pat. 3,959,230 to Hays, issued May 25, 1976 and Patent of E.U.A. 3,893,929, issued by Basadur on July 8, 1975. Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a polyester with repeating units of ethylene terephthalate units containing 10-15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with 90-80% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units. polyoxyethylene glycol derivative of average molecular weight 300-5,000, and the molar ratio of ethylene terephthalate units to polyoxyethylene terephthalate units in the polymeric compound is between 2: 1 and 6: 1. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available material Zelcon * 5126 (from Dupont) and MileaseR T (from ICI). These polymers and methods of their preparation are described more fully in the U.S. Patent. 4,702,857, issued on October 27, 1987 to Gosselink.

Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a sulfonated product of a substantially linear ester oligomer composed of an oligomeric ester base structure of terephthaloyl and oxyalkylenoxy repeating units and end portions covalently attached to the base structure. These soil release agents are fully described in U.S. Patent 4,968,451, issued November 6, 1990 to J. J. Scheibel and E. P. Goeeelink. Other suitable polymeric soil release agents include terephthalate polyesters of U.S. Pat. 4,711,730, issued December 8, 1987 to Goseelink et al., The oligomeric esters blocked at their anion ends from the U.S. Patent. 4,721,580 issued on January 26, 1988 to Gosselink, and the oligomeric blocking polyester compounds of the U.S. Patent. 4,702,857, issued on October 27, 1987 to Gosselink. Additional polymeric soil release agents include the soil release agents of U.S. Pat. 4,877,896, issued on October 31, 1989 to Maldonado et al., Which describes blocked terephthalate esters at their anionic ends, especially sulfoaraoyl. If used, the soil release agents will generally comprise from about 0.01% to about 10.0%, preferably from about 0.1% to about 5.0%, most preferably about 0.2% to approximately 3.0%. Another preferred soil remover is an oligomer with repeated units of terephthaloyl units, sulfoisoterephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy units and oxy-1,2-propylene units. The repeating units form the skeleton of the oligomer and terminate preferably with end covers of modified isethionate. A particularly preferred soiling agent of this type comprises a sulfoisophthaloyl unit, 5 terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1, 2-propyleneoxy units in a ratio of 1.7 to 1B, and two extreme shell units of 2- ( Sodium 2-hydroxyethoxy) -etanosulonate. Said soil removal agent also comprises from 0.5 to 20% by weight of the oligomer of a crystalline reducing stabilizer, preferably selected from the group of xylene sulfonate, eumeno sulfonate, toluene sulfonate and mixtures thereof. Chelating Agents - The detergent compositions of the present invention may also optionally contain one or more iron and manganese quenching agents as an additive builder material. Such chelating agents can be selected from the group consisting of aminocarboxylates, aminophosphonates, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures of the miemoe, all as defined below. Without pretending to limit the theory, it is believed that the benefit of these materials is due in part to their exceptional ability to remove iron and manganese ions from washing solutions by chelating soluble chelates. Aminocarboxylates useful as optional chelating agents include ethylendia in-tetraacetates, N-idroxyethylenediamineacetates, nitrile acetates, ethylenediane-inotetrapropionates, triethylenetetramine-hexaacetates, ethylene-triaminpentaacetate and ethanoldiglicines, alkali metal salts, ammonium and substituted ammonium thereof and mixtures thereof . Aminophosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents in the compositions of the invention when at least two levels of total phosphorus are allowed in detergent compositions and include ethylenediaminetetrakis (ethylenephosphonates), nitrile-tris (methylenephosphonates) and diethylenetriaminpentate (methylene phosphonates). as DEOUEST. Preferably, these aminophosphonates do not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups with more than about 6 carbon atoms. Polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. Patent 3,812,044 issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in the acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes, such as l, 2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene. A preferred biodegradable chelator for use in the present is ethylenediarinodisuccinate ("EDDS"), especially the CS, S3 isomer as described in the U.S.A. 4,704,233, November 3, 1987, by Hartman and Perkins. If used, these chelating agents will generally comprise from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the detergent compositions herein. Most preferably the chelating agents will comprise from about 0.1% to about 3.0% by weight of said compositions. Agents of Removal / Anti-redeposition of Dirt of Clay - Clay soil removal / anti-redeposition agents useful in the detergent compositions of the present invention include water-soluble ethoxylated amines having clay dirt removal and anti-redeposition properties. The most preferred anti-redeposition and anti-redeposition agent is tetraethylene-ethanoylated ethoxylate. Illustrative ethoxylated amines are further described in the U.S. Patent. 4,597,898, VanderMeer, issued July 1, 1987, incorporated herein by reference.Another group of preferred clay soil removal / anti-redeposition agents are the cationic compounds described in European Patent Application 111,965, Oh and Gosselink, published June 27, 1984, incorporated herein by reference. Other clay removal / anti-redeposition agents that are may include the polymers of ethoxylated amine described in European Patent Application 111,984, Goeselink, published June 27, 1984; the zwitterionic polymers described in European Patent Application 112,592, Goseelink, published July 4, 1984; and the amine oxidee described in the U.S. Patent. No. 4,548,744, Connor, issued October 22, 1985. Other clay soil retention / anti-redeposition agents known in the art can also be used in the compositions herein. Another type of preferred anti-redeposition agent includes the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) materials. These materials are well known in the art. Brightener - Any optical brighteners or brighteners or whitening agents known in the art can be incorporated at levels typically from about 0.05% to about 1.2% by weight, in the detergent compositions herein. The commercial optical brighteners that may be useful in the present invention can be classified into subgroups, including, but not necessarily limited to, stilbene, pyrazoline, cu amino, carboxylic acid, methinocyanines, 5-dibenzothiophene dioxide derivatives, azoles, 5- and 6-membered heterocyclics, and other didactic agents. Examples of such brighteners are described in "The Production and Application of Fluorescent Brightening Agents", M. Zahradnik, published by John Uiley & Sons, New York (1982).

Specific examples of optical brighteners that are useful in the present compositions are those identified in the U.S.A. 4,790,865 issued to Uixon on December 3, 1988. These brighteners include the PHOROUHITE series of brighteners from Verona. Other brighteners described in this reference include Tinopal UNPA, Tinopal CBS and Tinopal 5BM; available from Ciba-Geigy; Artic Uhite CC and Artic Uhite CUD, available from Hilton-Davis, based in Italy; 2- (4-Stryphenyl) -2H-naphtholCl, 2-dHriazoles; 4,4'-bis (1, 2,3-triazol-2-2-yl) -stilbenes; 4,4'-bis (steryl) bisphenyls; and the inocumarinas. Specific examples of these brighteners include 4-methyl-7-diethyl aminocoumarin; 1,2-bis (-benzimidazol-2-yl) ethylene; 1,3-diphenyl-frazolinae; 2,5-bis (benzoxazol-2-yl) thiophene; 2-estryl-naph- l, 2-dioxazole; and 2- (eethylben-4-yl) -2H-naphtho-Cl, 2-d3triazole. See also patent of E.U.A. 3,646,015, issued on February 29, 1972 to Hamilton. Anionic brighteners are preferred here. Foam suppressants - Compounds for reducing or suppressing foaming can be incorporated into the compositions of the present invention. The suppression of foams can be of particular importance in the "high concentration cleaning procedure" and in European front-loading washing machines. A wide variety of materials can be used as suds suppressors, and foam suppressors are good known to the experts in the art. See, for example, Kirk Othmer Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3a. Edition, Volume 7, pages. 430-447 (John Uiley to Sons, Inc., 1979). A category of foam suppressant of particular interest includes rnononocarboxylic fatty acids and soluble salts thereto. See US Patent 2,954,347, issued September 27, 1960 to Uayne? T. John The monocarboxylic fatty acids and salts thereof used as foam suppressors typically have hydrocarbyl chains of 10 to about 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable salts include the alkali metal salts such as sodium, potassium and lithium, as well as ammonium and alkanolam or salts. The detergent compositions herein may also contain suds suppressors which are not surface active agents. These include, for example: high molecular weight hydrocarbons such as parafam, fatty acid esters (e.g., triglycerides of fatty acid), fatty acid esters of monovalent alcohols, C18-C40 aliphatic ketones (e.g. , stearone), etc. Other foam inhibitors include N-alkylated annonates such as tp- to hexa-alkylmelaminae or di- to tetra-alkyldiaminocrotriazines formed as cyanuric chloride products with two or three moles of a primary or secondary amine containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms. . propylene oxide and monostearyl phosphates such as rnonostearyl alcohol phosphate ester and alkali metal diphosphates (e.g., K, Na and Li) monostearyl and ether phosphates. Hydrocarbons such as paraffin and halogenoparaffins can be used in liquid form. The liquid hydrocarbons will be liquid at room temperature and at atmospheric pressure, and will have a pour point on the scale of about -40 ° C to about 50 ° C, and a minimum boiling point not less than about 110 ° C (atmospheric pressure). It is also known to use waxy hydrocarbons, preferably having a melting point below about 100 ° C. Hydrocarbons constitute a preferred category of foam suppressant for detergent compositions. . The hydrocarbon foam suppressors are described, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,265,779 issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al. The hydrocarbons, therefore, include saturated or unsaturated aliphatic, alicyclic, aromatic and heterocyclic hydrocarbons having from about 12 to about 70 carbon atoms. The term "paraffin" as used in the discussion of suds suppressors, it is intended to include mixtures of true paraffins and cyclic hydrocarbons. Another preferred category of foam suppressors that are not surfactants comprise silicone foam suppressors. This category includes the use of poiorganosiloxane oils such as polydimethylsiloxane, dispersions or emulsions of polyorganosiloxane oils or resins, and combinations of polyorganosiloxane with silica particles wherein the polyorganosiloxane is either absorbed or fused onto the silica. Silicone foam suppressors are well known in the art and are described, for example, in the U.S. Patent. 4,265,779, issued May 5, 1981 to Gandolfo et al. And European Patent Application No. 89307851.9, published on February 7, 1990 by Starch, M.S. Other silicone foam suppressors are described in US Patent 3,455,839 which relate to compositions and processes for the dewatering of aqueous solutions by incorporating thereto small amounts of polydimethylsiloxane fluids. For any detergent compositions to be used in automatic washing machines, the foams should not be formed to the extent that they overflow from the washing machine. The foam supresoree, when used, are preferably preened in an amount of foam eupressure. By "foam suppression amount" is meant that the formulator of the composition can select an amount of this foam controlling agent that will sufficiently control the foams to result in a low foaming laundry detergent for use in automatic washing machines. The compositions herein will generally comprise from 0% to about 5% foam suppressor. When used as foam suppressors, acids Rboneous fatty acids, and salts thereof, will typically be present in amounts up to about 5%, by weight, of the detergent composition. Preferably, from about 0.5% to about 3% of fatty onocarboxylate foam suppressant is used. Silicone foam suppressors are typically used in amounts of up to about 2.0%, by weight, of the detergent composition, although higher amounts may be used. This upper limit is practical in nature, mainly due to the interest of keeping costs reduced to a minimum and the effectiveness of lower quantities to effectively control foaming. Preferably from about 0.01% to about 1% silicone foam suppressant is used, most preferably from about 0.25% to about 0.5%. As used herein, these values in percent by weight include any silica that can be used in combination with polyorganosiloxane, as well as any auxiliary materials that can be used. The monostearyl phosphate foam suppressors are generally used in amounts ranging from about 0.01% to about 02% by weight of the composition. The hydrocarbon foam suppressors are typically used in amounts ranging from about 0.01% to about 5.0%, although higher levels can be used. The alcohol foam suppressors are typically used at 0.2% -3% by weight of the finished compositions.

Fabric softeners - Various fabric softeners that soften during washing, especially the impalpable smectite clays of U.S. Pat. 4,062,647,? Torm and Nirschl, issued December 13, 1977, as well as other softening clays known in the art, can optionally be used at levels of from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight in the compositions herein for provide softening benefits concurrently with the '' 'cleaning of fabrics. Clay-based softeners may be used in combination with amine and cationic softeners as described, for example, in the U.S. Patent. 4,375,416, to Crisp et al., March 1, 1983 and the U.S. Patent. 4,291,071 to Harris et al., Issued Sep. 22, 1981. Dye transfer inhibiting agents - The compositions of the present invention optionally, but preferably, include one or more materials effective to inhibit the transfer of dyes from one fabric to another during the cleaning procedure. As usualsaid dye transfer inhibiting agents include polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, polyamine N-oxide polymers, copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, manganese phthalocyanine, peroxidases and mixtures thereof. If used, these agents typically comprise from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 0.01% to about 5%, and very preferably about 0.05% about 2%. Very specifically, the preferred polyarnine N-oxide polymers for use herein contain units having the following structural formula: R-Ax-P; wherein P is a polishable unit to which a group N-0 can be attached or group N-0 can form part of the polymerizable unit or group N-0 can be attached to both units; A is one of the following structures: -NC (0) -, -C (0) 0-, -s-, '* -0-, -N =; x is 0 or 1; and R is aliphatic, aliphatic, ethoxylated, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or any combination thereof to which the nitrogen of the group N-0 can be attached or the group N-0 belongs to these groups. Preferred polyamine N-oxides are those in which R ee a heterocyclic group such as pyridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrroline, piperidine and derivatives thereof. The group N-0 can be represented by the following general structures: 0 0 | | (Rl)? - N- (R2) and * = N-ÍR?) «(Ra), wherein Ri, R2, 3 are aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic or alicyclic groups or combinations thereof; x, y and z are 0 or 1; and the nitrogen of the group N-0 can be attached or forms part of any of the aforementioned groups. The amine oxide unit of the polyamine N-oxides has a ? Ka < 10, preferably? Ka < 7, very preferably still? Ka < 6. Any polymer base structure can be used as long as the amine oxide polymer formed is soluble in water and has dye transfer inhibiting properties. Examples of suitable polymeric base structures are polyvinyls, polyalkylenes, polyesters, polyethers, polyamides, polyimides, polyacrylates and mixtures thereof. These polymers include random or block copolymers wherein one type of monomer is an amine N-oxide and the other type of monomer is an N-oxide. The amine N-oxide polymers typically have an amine to amine N-oxide ratio of 10: 1 to 1: 1,000,000. However, the number of amine oxide groups present in the polyamine oxide polymer can be varied by appropriate copolymerization or by an appropriate degree of N-oxidation. Polyamine oxides can be obtained in almost any degree of polymerization. Typically, the average molecular weight is within the range of 500 to 1,000,000; very preferred from 1,000 to 500,000; even more preferred 5,000 to 100,000. The most preferred polyamine N-oxide useful in the detergent compositions herein is the poly-4-vinylpyridine N-oxide having an average molecular weight of about 500,000 and an amine to amine N-oxide ratio of about 1: 4 The polymer copolymers of N-vinylporrolidone and N-vinylimidazole (known as "PVPVI") are also preferred to be used in the present. Preferably, the PVPVI has an average molecular weight in the range of 5,000 to 1,000,000, most preferably 5,000 to 200,000 and most preferably even 10,000 to 20,000. (The average molecular weight scale is determined by light scattering as described in Barth, and other Chemical Analyzes, Vol. 113. "Modern Methode of Polymer Characterization", whose descriptions are incorporated herein by reference). PVPVI copolymers typically have a , .- / • - molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vmilpyrrolidone from 1: 1 to 0.2: 1, most preferably from 0.8: 1 to 0.3: 1, most preferably from 0.6: 1 to 0.4: 1. These copolymers can be either linear or branched. The compositions of the present invention may also employ a polyvinylpyrrolidone ("PVP") having an average molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 400,000, preferably from about 5,000 to about 200,000, and most preferably still from about 5,000 to about 50,000. . PVP's are known to those skilled in the field of detergents; see, for example, EP-A-262,897 and EP-A-256,696, incorporated herein by reference. The PVP-containing compositions may also contain polyethylene glycol ("PEG") having an average molecular weight of from about 500 to about 100,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about 10,000. Preferably, the ratio of PEG to PVP on a basis of ppm assorted in wash solutions is about 2: 1 to about 50: 1, and most preferably from about 3: 1 to about 10: 1. The detergent compositions herein may also optionally contain from about 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners which also provide a dye traneffective inhibiting action. If used, the co-positions of the preend preferably will comprise from about 0.01% to 1% in peo "A." of said optical brighteners The hydrophilic optical brighteners useful in the present invention are those having the structural formula: wherein Ri is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl; R ee is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino, orylfino, chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium. When in the above formula, i is anilino, R2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is 4,4 'acid, bisC (4-anilino-6- (N ~ 2- bis-hydroxyethyl) -s-triazin-2-yl) amino] -2,2'-stilbendis iophonic and disodium eal. This particular kind of brightener is commercially marketed under the trade name Tinopal-UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation. Tinopal-UNPA-GX is the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener uitl in the detergent compositions of the present invention. When in the above formula R1 is anilino, R2 is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2-methylamino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is the disodium salt of 4,4'-bisC (4-anilino) -6- (N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino) -s-triazin-2-ylamino] -2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid This particular brightener species is traded commercially under the trade name Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba -Geigy Corporation When in the above formula R1 is anilino, R2 is morphino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is the sodium salt of 4,4'-bisC (4-anilino-6-morphino-s -triazin-2-yl) amino] 2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic This particular kind of brightener is sold commercially under the tradename Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation The specific optical brightener species selected for use herein invention provides speculatively effective dye transfer inhibition performance benefits when used in combination with on the selected polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents described above. The combination of said selected polymeric materials (e.g., PVNO and / or PVPVI) with said selected optical brighteners (e.g., Tinopal UNPA-GX, Tinopal 5BM-GX and / or Tinopal AMS-GX) provides significantly better dye transfer inhibition in aqueous wash solutions than either of these detergent composition components when used alone. Without being limited to the theory, it is believed that such brighteners work in this way because they have high affinity for fabrics in the wash solution and therefore they deposit relatively quickly on these fabrics. The degree to which the brighteners are deposited on the fabrics in the wash solution can be defined by a parameter called "exhaustion coefficient". The depletion coefficient is in general the ratio of a) the polishing material deposited on the cloth to b) the initial polish concentration in the wash liquor. Brighteners with relatively high depletion coefficients are most suitable for inhibiting dye transfer in the context of the present invention. Of course, it will be appreciated that other types of conventional optical brightener compounds may optionally be present in the compositions herein to provide conventional "brightness" benefits to the fabrics, rather than a true dye transfer inhibiting effect. Other ingredients - A wide variety of other ingredients useful in detergent compositions can be included herein, including other active ingredients, vehicles, hydrotropes, processing aids, colorants and pigments, solvents for liquid formulations, sunscreens for bar compositions, etc. The laundry detergent compositions of the present invention can be made by methods well known in the art, such as described in Japanese Patent Application 171,911, filed July 12, 1994, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TESTING METHOD I. Measurement of the binding capacity The following reagents and polycarboxylate sample solutions were prepared: Cl] Glycine pH regulating solution: 8.85 g of glycine and 6.90 g of NaCl, 80 ml of NaOH at 1 H forming up to 200 ml of pH buffer solution with deionized water. C2] Calcium solution: 2,940 g of calcium chloride dihydrate diluted to 200 ml with deionized water (0.100 M). C3] Diluted pH buffer: a volume of 20 ml of glycine Cl] buffer is diluted to a volume of 1-L with deionized water. C4] Polycarboxylate sample solution: a sample of the polycarboxylate is diluted to a 1% sample solution (as active) with deionized water. The calcium binding meter is prepared as follows: a selective calcium ion electrode (Orion 93200) is conditioned according to the manufacturer's literature. The diluted buffer solution C33 is allowed to equilibrate at 2 ° C (+/- 0.1 ° C). An ion meter (Orion, model 920A9 is prepared with a binding electrode (# 90020) and the calibrated ion selective electrode. Calibrated 50 ml solutions are prepared by diluting the calcium solution to O.IOOM C2], the buffer solution of diluted pH C3]. Prepare 5 of the 50 ml calibration solutions: 0.10 M Ca ++, 0.20 M "" * Ca ++, 0.30 M Ca ++, 0.40 mM Ca ++, and 0.50 mM Ca + *. The meter is clibred in these five solutions. The sample is measured as follows: 10 g of the polycarboxylate sample solution 4] is added to the calibration solution of 50 ml to Ca ++ at 0.50 M and stirred with a magnetic stirrer (about 600 rpm). The concentration is stirred solution is recorded at 3.0 minutes. The link capacity is calculated as follows. Sample link capacity = 0.5 mM- Ca concentration at 3 minutes. The binding index is calculated as follows: a binding capacity of 0.34 mM is used as the trademark or as the normal value. The binding index (UI) is then: link index: (sample link capacity /0.34) x 100.

II Clay dispersion test method The following reagents and solutions were prepared sample of polycarboxylates: Cl] pH regulating solution of glycine: 67.56 g of glycine and 52.60 g of NaCl, 60 ml of NaOH at IN forming up to 600 rnl of buffer solution with deionized water. 60 g of the pH regulating solution of the above glycine is then diluted with ion exchange water and 1000 g of dilute pH buffer are formed. C2] Polycarboxylate sample solution: one / - sample of the polycarboxylate agent is diluted with the buffer diluted prior Cl] to 50 ppm (as active). One gram of clay (Kanto Loam) is placed in a normal test tube. 100 cm2 of the sample solution C2] are emptied into the test tube. A cap (or paraffin film) is placed on the test tube. The test tube with lid is shaken well 20 times, ensuring that there is no sedimented clay at the bottom of the test tube. The test tube is placed in a test tube granule and allowed to stand for 20 hours. A photoelectrode is prepared and calibrated as follows: a photoelectrode (DP550) is placed in a titrator (Mettler DL25), the ion exchange water is placed in a plastic cup. The photoelectrode is placed in the water in the cup and allowed to stand for 15 minutes. Then, the electric potential of the titrator is set for 1000 mV. The measurement of sample distortion is made from the Next: A horizontal line is drawn on the outer surface of the test tube (resting on the rack) corresponding to the vertical midpoint of solution in the test tube. The photoelectrode is placed in the test tube solution and placed in this mid-point line. When the mV reading becomes stable, the reading of millivolts (mV) is recorded. The dispersion capacity is calculated as follows: Sample dispersion capacity = -In (mV / 1000). The dispersion index is calculated as follows: a dispersion capacity of 2.5 is used as the normal value or brand. The dispersion index (ID) is then: disturbance index = (mueetra link capacity / O.34) x 100. disprssion index (ID) = (rnueetra's disperesion capacity) /2.5 * 100. index ratio (Rl) of the polycarboxylate ee calculated according to the equation: Index Ratio (Rl) = ID * IU / 100. Accordingly, the present invention will be explained by way of the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION Sample No. Sample No. Sample No, 1 2 3% by weight% in weight% Surfactant agent Alkylbenzenesulphonate linear C12 of so17.0 20.0 20.0 gave (LAS) Alkylsulfate of 9.0 7.0 15.0 C14-15 of sodium Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether of 2.0 3.0 3.0 C12-14 2.0 C12-I8 alkyl soap Detergent builder and alkaline material EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION -. 1. Stabilized extruded particle, which contains 80% NOBS, and 20% PEG 4000 and LAS. Polycarboxylate sample A is a copolymer known as "OL-9" from Nippon Shoukubai KK, and is a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid, having a molecular weight of 11,000, a molar ratio of acrylic acid: 60. 40, an IU = 122, an ID = 122, and an Rl = 149. Polycarboxylate sample A is a copolymer known as "KH4" from Nippon Shoukubai KK, and is a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid, which has a weight molecular weight of 12,000, a molar ratio of acrylic acid: maleic 55:45, an IU = 119, an ID = 106, and an Rl = 126. When the sample shown above as the No 1 sample is used at 666 ppm in washing water at 20 ° C and 3 grains of hardness per 3.78 liters (as CO3 -) followed by rinsing, better maintenance of clay dirt and whiteness cleaning is achieved compared to a wash under the same conditions and the formulamay except that the polycarboxylate unit A is replaced by an equal amount in weight of a conventional polycarboxylate known as "ML-7" supplied by Nippon Shokubai KK, which is a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid, which has a molecular weight of 6500, a molar ratio of acrylic: maleic acid of 70:30, an IU = 100, an ID = 100, and an R1 = 100.

Claims (7)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A laundry detergent composition comprising: (i) at least 10% detergent surfactant; (ii) at least 10% builder system; said builder system comprising a polycarboxylate agent having an index ratio (R1) of not less than 100, wherein R1 = bond index (IU) x of dispersion (ID) / 100.

2. A detergent composition for laundry according to claim 1, further characterized in that said index ratio is not less than 110.

3. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said polycarboxylate agent is a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid having the formula: HC-CH (-C00M) -CH2-] X -C-CH (-C00M) -CH (-C00M) -] and -H, wherein the ratio The molecular weight of said copolymer is from 500 to 15,000 and the molar ratio of R of xay is from about 3: 7 to 7: 3.

4. A detergent composition for laundry according to claim 2, further characterized in that said carboxylate agent is a copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid having the formula: HC-CH (-C00M) -CH2-] x -C-CH (-COOM) -CHI-COOM) -] and -H, wherein the molecular weight said copolymer is from 5000 to 15,000 and the molar ratio of R of x and y is from about 3: 7 to 7: 3.

5. A detergent composition for laundry according to claim 3, further characterized in that said bonding index is not less than 100.

6. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 4, further characterized in that said bonding index is not less than 100. 1. - A detergent composition for laundry according to claim 5, further characterized in that said dispersion index is not less than 100. 8. A detergent composition for laundry according to claim 6, characterized also because said dispersion index is not less than 100. 9. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 7, further characterized in that said bonding index is not less than 110. 10. A detergent composition for laundry according to with claim 8, further characterized in that said joint index is not less than 110. 11.- A laundry detergent composition according to claim 3, further characterized in that the molecular weight is from 6,000 to 12,000. 12.- A detergent composition for laundry of according to claim 4, further characterized in that the molecular weight is from 6,000 to 12,000. 13. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 9, further characterized in that the molecular weight is from 6,000 to 12,000. 14. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 10, further characterized in that the molecular weight is from 6,000 to 12,000. 15. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 13, further characterized in that R is from 1: 1 to 7: 3. 16. A laundry detergent composition according to claim 14, further characterized in that R is from 1: 1 to 7: 3. 1

7. A detergent composition for laundry according to claim 1, further characterized in that said polymer provides excellent dispersion of clay dirt and cleaning under washing conditions of lower sequestration capacity.