MXPA99007179A - Liquid aqueous cleaning compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid composition having a pH up to 7 and comprising from 0.01%to 20%by weight of the total composition of a peroxygen bleach, from 0.001%to 30%by weight of the total composition of an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, from 0.001%to 20%by weight of a zwitterionic betaine surfactant at a weight ratio of the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant to the zwitterionic betaine surfactant of from 0.01 to 20, with the proviso that said composition is free of an antimicrobial essential oil or an active thereof or a mixture thereof. These compositions are suitable to deliver improved stain removal performance and improved bleaching performance on various inanimate surfaces.

Description

LIQUID AQUEOUS CLEANING COMPOSITIONS TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to the cleaning of different surfaces such as hard surfaces, fabrics, clothing, and the like.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A wide variety of cleaning compositions have been extensively described in the art. Typically, cleaning compositions can be divided into hard surface cleaning compositions and laundry cleaning compositions. Cleaning compositions of these two types are traditionally very different in formulation, and are sold as different products with different marketing concepts. These differences mean that the consumer has to buy and use at least two different products. In addition, the compositions of the two above types, especially the hard surface cleaning compositions, can be divided into two subtypes. In addition, there are many different types of hard surface cleaning compositions, for example, for cleaning bathrooms, for cleaning kitchens or for cleaning floors.

This variety in the formulation is necessary due to the difference in nature between the dirt that can be found on fabrics and on several hard surfaces in kitchens and bathrooms. For example, kitchen soils comprise mainly edible oils, while soils from bathrooms comprise mainly tallow and soap cream, as well as lime scale; Floor soils comprise mainly particulate soils, and fabrics can have many different soils / stains, including greasy stains (for example, olive oil, mayonnaise, vegetable oil), particulate stains and / or bleach stains (for example, tea, coffee).

However, there is a tendency for the development of liquid aqueous cleaning compositions with improved performance in several aspects, ie, liquid, multi-purpose aqueous cleaning compositions that can be used satisfactorily on various surfaces, as well as in laundry applications, for cleaning various dirt and stains. Such multi-purpose compositions are described, for example, in European patent application EP-A-598973. Furthermore, this patent application describes liquid aqueous compositions comprising hydrogen peroxide with a totally non-ionic system, that is, at least one non-ionic system with an HLB greater than 15, at least one non-ionic system with a HLB from 13 to 15, at least one non-ionic system with an HLB of 9 to 13, and at least one non-ionic system with an HLB of less than 9. This patent application further describes the use of 2-alkylalkanols as suds suppressors in said compositions.

However, it has been found that said liquid aqueous compositions comprising hydrogen peroxide, a 2-alkylalcanol and as the surfactant system a specific nonionic system of at least four nonionic surfactants having different HLB (hydrophilic balance, lipophilic) as defined above, do not satisfactorily meet the needs of consumers. Furthermore, it was found that said compositions based on a totally nonionic surfactant system and comprising a high level of hydrophobic surfactants exhibit poor performance on some types of stains in laundry applications. Although such hydrophobic nonionic surfactants have good fat-cutting properties and are particularly effective on greasy soils having a hydrophobic character, such as mineral oil and soap cream when used in hard surface cleaning compositions, it has been found that when said surfactants Non-ionic hydrophobic materials are used in laundry applications, bleach stains are not bleached satisfactorily. The soaking capacity of fabric stains is seriously affected by the hydrophobic character of the nonionic surfactant system of said compositions, ie, the proper contact between the hydrogen peroxide and the stains on said cloth is avoided, thus resulting in poor performance on the bleach stains. In the same way, it has been found that there is a problem associated with the use of said ingredients, ie, hydrophobic nonionic surfactants and 2-alkylalkanols, since they can cause the final product to appear percoud, indicating insolubility and phase separations.

Other liquid multipurpose cleaning compositions have been described such as those described in EP-A-666 308. Furthermore, EP-A-666 308 discloses compositions comprising hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof, a hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof. -alkylalcanol, a hydrophobic surfactant having an HLB less than 14, and an anionic surfactant. However, there is still the possibility of further improving said liquid aqueous cleaning compositions for multiple purposes with respect to their general cleaning performance on various types of stains including, for example, greasy stains and bleaching spots.

Thus, an object of the present invention is to provide a multi-purpose liquid aqueous composition that provides improved whitening performance and improved stain removal performance, especially on oily stains, when used in laundry applications including pre-treatment washing applications. , and / or in any domestic application (for example, the cleaning of hard surfaces typically found in kitchens or bathrooms).

Another object of the present invention is to provide said improved liquid aqueous cleaning composition which is also a clear composition on a wide temperature scale, for example, up to 45 ° C.

It has now been found that these targets can be efficiently covered by formulating a liquid aqueous cleaning composition having a pH of up to 7, and comprising a peroxygen bleach, at least one non-ionic ethoxylated surfactant, and at least one agent Betaine switterionic surfactant at a weight ratio of the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant: the switterionic betaine surfactant from 0.01 to 20. Furthermore, it is by combining these ingredients at the appropriate ratios that a liquid aqueous cleaning composition is provided for Multiple purposes that exhibits great flexibility in dirt that can be cleaned. It has now been found that such a composition when used, for example, in a laundry application, especially in a pretreatment application, increases the removal of various types of stains including greasy stains such as lipstick, olive oil, mayonnaise, oil. vegetable, tallow, makeup, and more surprisingly, bleaching performance, comparatively with stain removal and bleaching performance provided by the same composition comprising only one of these surfactants (ie ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or agent) betaine ionic surfactant) at an equal total level of surfactants. Likewise, the compositions of the present invention significantly increase the removal of kitchen soils when used to clean hard surfaces, compared to the same compositions comprising only one of these surfactants (ie, ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or agent). betaine ionic surfactant) at an equal total level of surfactants. In addition, the compositions of the present invention provide excellent stain removal performance on a broad scale of stains and soils, and excellent bleaching performance when used in any laundry application, for example, as a laundry detergent or a laundry additive. laundry, and especially when used as a laundry pretreatment, or even in other domestic applications such as in hard surface cleaning applications.

An additional advantage is that the aqueous compositions herein are physically and chemically stable during prolonged storage periods.

Yet another advantage of the compositions according to the present invention is that they are capable of showing good performance in various conditions, that is, in soft and hard water, as well as when they are used in pure or diluted form. Advantageously, they also provide satisfactory gloss performance and surface safety when used as hard surface cleaning compositions, and satisfactory benefit of color and fabric care when used as laundry cleaning compositions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention encompasses a liquid aqueous composition having a pH of up to 7, and comprising from 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition, of a peroxygen bleach, from 0.001% to 30% by weight of the total composition , of an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, from 0.001% to 20% by weight of a switterionic surfactant of betaine to a weight ratio of the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant: the beta-ionic surfactant of betaine from 0.01 to 20, with the proviso that said composition is free of an antimicrobial essential oil or an active agent thereof, or a mixture thereof.

The present invention further encompasses methods for cleaning a surface, for example, a fabric or a hard surface, starting from a liquid aqueous composition as defined herein. For example, fabric cleaning procedures include the steps of contacting said fabrics with the liquid aqueous composition herein in pure or diluted form, and subsequently rinsing said fabrics. In the preferred embodiment, when the fabrics are "pre-treated", the composition is applied in pure form on the fabrics, and the fabrics are subsequently washed in a normal washing cycle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The liquid aqueous cleaning composition The compositions according to the present invention are liquid compositions opposed to a solid or a gas. As used herein, "liquid" includes "pasty" compositions. The liquid compositions herein are aqueous compositions. The liquid compositions according to the present invention have a pH of up to 7, preferably from 1 to 6, and more preferably from 2 to 5. The formulation of the compositions according to the present invention on the acid pH scale contributes to the chemical stability of the compositions, and the performance of removing stains thereof. The pH of the compositions can be adjusted by any acidifying agent known to those skilled in the art. Examples of acidifying agents are organic acids such as citric acid, and inorganic acids such as sulfuric acid.

As a first essential element, the compositions according to the present invention comprise a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof. In addition, the presence of the peroxygen bleach contributes to the excellent bleaching benefits of said compositions. Peroxygen bleaches suitable for use herein are hydrogen peroxide, water-soluble sources thereof, or mixtures thereof. As used herein, a source of hydrogen peroxide refers to any compound that produces perhydroxyl ions when said compound is contacted with water.

Suitable water-soluble hydrogen peroxide sources for use herein include percarbonates, persilicates, persulfates such as monopersulfate, perborates, peroxyacids such as diperoxydecandioic acid (DPDA), magnesium perphthalic acid, perluric acid, perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoic acids, hydroperoxides, peroxide aliphatic and aromatic diacyl, and mixtures thereof. Preferred peroxygen bleaches for use herein are hydrogen peroxide, hydroperoxide and / or diacyl peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is the most preferred peroxygen bleach for use herein. Hydroperoxides suitable for use herein are tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl 2-hydroperoxide, di-isopropylbenzene monohydroperoxide, ter-amyl hydroperoxide and 2,5-dihydroperoxide 2, 5-dimethyl-hexane. Said hydroperoxides have the advantage of being particularly safe for fabrics and color, while providing excellent bleaching performance when used in any washing application. The aliphatic diacyl peroxides suitable for use herein are dilauroyl peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide, or mixtures thereof. The aromatic diacyl peroxide suitable for use herein is, for example, benzoyl peroxide.

Said diacyl peroxides have the advantage of being particularly safe for fabrics and color, while providing excellent bleaching performance when used in any washing application. The compositions herein comprise from 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition, of said peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof, preferably from 1% to 15%, and more preferably from 2% to 10%. As a second essential element, the compositions according to the present invention comprise an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, or a mixture thereof, at a level of 0.001% to 30% by weight of the total composition. Preferably, the compositions herein comprise from 0.01% to 15% by weight of the total composition, of said ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, or mixtures thereof, more preferably from 0.5% to 10%, even more preferably from 1% to 9%, and most preferably from 1% to 6%. Suitable ethoxylated nonionic surfactants herein are ethoxylated nonionic surfactants according to the formula RO- (C H 4?) N H, wherein R is an alkyl chain of Ce to C 22 or an alkyl benzene chain of Ce to C28, and wherein n is from 0 to 20, preferably from 1 to 15 and, more preferably, from 2 to 15, and most preferably from 2 to 12. Preferred R chains for use herein are the alkyl chains from Cs to C22.

Preferred ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are in accordance with the above formula, and have an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) less than 16, preferably less than 15, and more preferably less than 14. Such nonionic surfactants have been found to be Ethoxylates provide good fat-cutting properties. Accordingly, ethoxylated nonionic surfactants suitable for use herein are Dobanol® 91-2.5 (HLB = 8.1, R is a mixture of Cg and Cu alkyl chains, n is 2.5) or Lutensol® TO3 (HLB = 8, R is an alkyl chain of C-? 3, n is 3) or LutensolR AO3 (HLB = 8, R is a mixture of alkyl chains of C13 and C15, n is 3) or TergitolR 25L3 ( HLB = 7.7, R is on the alkyl chain length scale of C12 to C ~ i5, n is 3) or DobanolR 23-3 (HLB = 8.1, R is a mixture of C12 and C-? , n is 3) or DobanolR 23-2 (HLB = 6.2, R is a mixture of C ?2 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 2) or DobanolR 45-7 (HLB = 11.6, R is a mixture of chains of alkyl of Cu and C15, n is 7) or DobanolR 23-6.5 (HLB = 11.9, R is a mixture of alkyl chains of C-? 2 and C13, n is 6.5) or DobanolR 25-7 (HLB = 12 R is a mixture of C ?2 and C15 alkyl chains, n is 7) or Dobanol® 91-5 (HLB = 11.6, R is a mixture of Cg and Cu alkyl chains, 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 Cg and Cu alkyl chains, n is 8 ) or Dobanol® 91-10 (HLB = 14.2; R is a mixture of alkyl chains from Cg to Cn, n is 10), or mixtures thereof. Preferred herein are Dobanol® 91-2.5 or Lutensol® TO3 or Lutensol® AO3 or Tergitol® 25L3 or Dobanol® 23-3 or Dobanol®. 23-2, or mixtures thereof. These Dobanol® surfactants are commercially available from SHELL. These surfactants from Lutensol® are commercially available from BASF, and these Tergitol® surfactants are commercially available from UNION CARBIDE. Suitable chemical processes for preparing the ethoxylated nonionic surfactants for use herein include condensation of corresponding alcohols with alkylene oxide, in the desired ratios. Said methods are well known to those skilled in the art, and have been exhaustively described therein. The compositions herein may conveniently comprise one of said ethoxylated nonionic surfactants, or a mixture thereof having different values of HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance). In a preferred embodiment, the compositions herein comprise an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant according to the above formula, and having an HLB of up to 10 (ie, the so-called non-ionic hydrophobic ethoxylated surfactant), preferably less than 10, more preferably less of 9, and an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant according to the above formula, and having an HLB greater than 10 to 16 (ie, the so-called hydrophilic ethoxylated nonionic surfactant), preferably from 11 to 14: In addition, 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 0.5% to 10%, and from 0.01% to 15% by weight of said hydrophilic ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, preferably from 0.05% to 10%. Said mixtures of ethoxylated nonionic surfactants with different HLB values may be convenient, since they allow an optimum removal performance for fat cleaning, on a wider scale of greasy soils having different hydrophilic-hydrophobic characteristics. As a third essential element, the compositions according to the present invention comprise a zwitterionic betaine surfactant, or a mixture thereof, at a level of 0.001% to 20% by weight of the total composition. Preferably, the compositions herein comprise from 0.01% to 10% by weight of the total composition, of said zwitterionic betaine surfactant, or mixtures thereof, more preferably from 0.5% to 8%, and most preferably from 1% to 5%. The zwitterionic betaine surfactants suitable for use herein contain a cationic hydrophilic group, i.e., a quaternary ammonium group, and an anionic hydrophilic group in the same molecule at a relatively broad pH scale. Typical anionic hydrophilic groups are carboxylates and sulfonates, although other groups such as sulfates, phosphonates and the like can also be used. A generic formula for zwitterionic betaine surfactants for use herein is: wherein Ri is a hydrophobic group; R2 is hydrogen, Ci-Cß alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or another substituted C?-C6 alkyl group; R3 is d-Cß alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or another substituted C 1 -C 6 alkyl group, which may also be attached to R 2 to form ring structures with the nitrogen, or a Ci-Cβ carboxylic acid group or a sulfonate group of Ci-Cß; 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. Preferred hydrophobic R1 groups are aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon chains, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, which may contain linking groups such as amido groups or ester groups. The most preferred R-i group is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18, and more preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. These simple alkyl groups are preferred for reasons of cost and stability. However, the hydrophobic R1 group can also be an amido radical of the formula Ra-C (O) -NH- (C (R) 2) m, where Ra is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon chain, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, preferably an alkyl group containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably up to 18, more preferably up to 16 carbon atoms, Rb is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxy groups, and m is from 1 to 4 , preferably from 2 to 3, more preferably 3, with no more than one hydroxy group in any portion (C (RD) 2). The preferred R2 group is hydrogen, or a C1-C3 alkyl, and more preferably methyl. The preferred R3 group is a C1-C4 carboxylic acid group or a C1-C4 sulfonate group, or a C-1-C3 alkyl, and more preferably methyl. The preferred R4 group is (CH2) n, where 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. Nos. 2,082,275, 2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference. Examples of particularly suitable alkyldimethylbetaines include coco dimethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine, decyl dimethyl betaine, 2- (N-decyl-N, N-dimethyl-ammonia) acetate, 2- (N-coco N, N-dimethylammonium) acetate. , myristyl dimethyl betaine, palmityl dimethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine and stearyl dimethyl betaine. For example, coconut dimethyl betaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name of Amonyl 265®. Lauryl betaine is commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen BB / L®. Examples of amidobetaines include cocoamidoethylbetaine, cocoamidopropylbetaine or acylamidopropylene (hydropropylene) sulfobetaine C10-C14 fat. For example, acylamidopropylene (hydropropylene) sulfobetaine C? O-C1 fat is commercially available from Sherex Company under the tradename "Varion CAS® sulfobetaine".

A further example of betaine is lauryl iminodipropionate, commercially available from Rhone-Poulenc under the trade name of Mirataine H2C-HA®. Particularly preferred beta-tertiary surfactants of betaine for use herein are salt-free, ie, the raw material of the beta-ionic surfactant of betaine contains less than 5% by weight of salts, preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than 1%, and most preferably from 0.01% to 0.5%. By "salts" is meant herein any material having as base unit, a pair of positive ion (positive molecular ion) and negative ion (or negative molecular ion) containing one or more halogen atoms. Said salts include sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium bromide, and the like. Said salts-free switterionic betaine surfactants are obtained by conventional manufacturing processes such as inverted osmosis or fractionated precipitation. For example, inverted osmosis is based on the principle of contacting the raw material of beta-tertiary surfactant of betaine (commercially available) with a polar solvent (it will be understood that said solvent is free of salts), separated by a semipermeable membrane, for example, of acetate-cellulose. An adequate pressure is applied to the system to allow the salts to migrate from the surfactant raw material to the polar solvent phase. In this way, the raw material of the switterionic surfactant of betaine is purified, that is, the salts are removed from the raw material. Advantageously, it has now surprisingly been found that the use of said salt-free betaionic surfactant surfactants provides improved benefits to fabrics and / or colors when bleaching fabrics with a bleach-containing peroxygen composition comprising the same, comparatively with the use of the same raw materials of switterionic surfactant of betaine with a greater amount of salts. Thus, in its broadest aspect, the present invention also encompasses the use of a composition comprising a salt-free beta-ionic surfactant surfactant and a peroxygen bleach to whiten fabrics, thereby improving the protection benefits of the colors (that is, the damage / discoloration thereof is reduced), and / or the protection benefits of the fabrics are improved. The zwitterionic betaine surfactants herein have the ability to further improve the stain removal performance delivered by the ethoxylated nonionic surfactants herein on greasy stains, while providing improved bleaching performance to liquid peroxygen compositions. containing bleach of the present invention comprising them. Furthermore, a significant cooperation between these ingredients has been observed to optimize the stain removal performance on a variety of soils, from particulate soils to non-particulate soils, and from hydrophobic to hydrophilic soils under any domestic application and especially the application in laundry in hydrophilic and hydrophobic fabrics.

An optimum performance of stain removal and bleaching is obtained when the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and the zwitterionic surfactant of betaine are present in the compositions of the present invention, constituted by a peroxygen bleach (pH up to 7), at a weight ratio of nonionic ethoxylated surfactant: zwitterionic betaine surfactant from 0.01 to 20, preferably from 0.1 to 15, more preferably from 0.5 to 5, and most preferably from 0.8 to 3.

An advantageously excellent bleaching performance and bleaching performance can be obtained with these compositions, at a low total level in surfactants. Typically, the compositions herein comprise from 0.01% to 35% by weight of the total composition, of the nonionic ethoxylated surfactant and of the zwitterionic betaine surfactant, preferably from 0.1% to 5%, more preferably 0.5% by weight. 10%, still more preferably less than 10%, and most preferably from 1% to 8%.

In fact, the present invention is based on the discovery that the zwitterionic surfactant of betaine on top of the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant at the appropriate proportions, in a liquid aqueous composition containing a peroxygen bleach (pH up to 7), increases the bleaching performance and the elimination of different types of stains, including oily stains (for example, lipstick, olive oil, mayonnaise, vegetable oil, tallow, makeup), compared to the bleaching performance and stain removal provided by the same composition based on only one of these surfactants (ie, ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or zwitterionic betaine surfactant) at an equal total level of surfactants. For example, only a similar fat cleaning benefit is observed at very high levels of nonionic surfactants compared to the total level of nonionic ethoxylated surfactants and zwitterionic betaine surfactants present in the compositions of the present invention. Very importantly, an improved bleaching and stain removal benefit is provided, with an aqueous liquid composition that is similar to water and that is clear and transparent.

The appearance of a composition can be assessed by turbidimetric analysis. For example, the transparency of a composition can be evaluated by measuring its absorbance by a spectrophotometer at 800 nm wavelength.

The stain removal performance can be evaluated by the following test methods in different types of stains.

A suitable test method for evaluating the stain removal performance in a stained fabric, for example under the condition of pretreatment is as follows: a composition according to the present invention is applied in pure form to a fabric preferably in the portion stained thereof, it is allowed to act for 1 to 10 minutes, and subsequently the previously treated fabric is washed in accordance with common washing conditions, at a temperature between 30 ° and 70 ° C for 10 to 100 minutes. Subsequently, the elimination of the stain is evaluated by comparing one side and another of the stained fabric previously treated with the composition of the present invention, with those previously treated with the reference, for example, the same composition but constituted only by an alkoxylated surfactant nonionic or only with a zwitterionic surfactant of betaine as a single surfactant. A visual gradation can be used to assign the difference in the panel units (psu) on a scale of 0 to 4. A suitable test method for evaluating cleaning performance on a hard surface is as follows: a stain can be used Synthetic representative of a typical dirt stain on a hard kitchen surface, apply the test stain on a metal plate covered with varnish (which has been cleaned with a detergent and then with alcohol) with a paint roller, and bake the plates at 130 ° C for 30 minutes. After 24 hours, they can be used for the test. This test is evaluated on a Gardner straight line milling machine. The results are given according to the number of frictions a given composition needs to clean a stained standard plate. The lower the number of frictions needed, the more efficient the composition used in terms of stain removal used to clean the dirt from the test plates.

The bleaching performance can be evaluated by the stain removal performance; however, the stains used are bleach stains such as coffee, tea and the like.

An advantage of the aqueous liquid compositions of the present invention is that they are physically and chemically stable over prolonged periods of storage.

The chemical stability of the compositions herein presented can be evaluated by measuring the concentration of available oxygen (often abbreviated as AvO2) at a given storage time after the compositions have been made. The concentration of available oxygen can be measured by means of chemical titration methods known in the art, such as the iodometric method, the thiosulfatimetric method, the permanganometric method and the cerimetric method. Such methods and the criteria for choosing the appropriate method are described, for example, in "Hydrogen Peroxide", WC Schumb, CN Satterfield and RL Wentworth, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1955, and Organic Peroxides ", Daniel Swern, ed. ., Wiley Int. Science, 1970.

"Physically stable" means herein that there is no phase separation in the compositions within a period of 7 days at 50 ° C.

Optional ingredients The compositions herein may further be constituted by a variety of other optional ingredients such as chelating agents, detergency builders, other surfactants, stabilizers, bleach activators, soil suspending agents, polyamine polymers, soil suspending agents, polymeric release agents. dirt, radical scavengers, catalysts, dye transfer agents, solvents, brighteners, perfumes, pigments and dyes.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the ionic strength of the compositions is greater than 1.10"4 M, preferably greater than 5.10" 3 M, and more preferably greater than 1.10"3 M. In fact, it has been observed that Compositions of the present invention with said high ionic strength subsequently contribute to its benefits, for example, to improve the stain removal performance and to improve the whitening performance.The higher the ionic strength, the better the removal or elimination In fact, it is speculated that under pH conditions of the present compositions (acid to neutral), especially when the pH of the composition is higher than the pka of the zwitterionic betaine surfactant present, said The surfactant is in a dipolar form and its packaging is strongly influenced by the ionic strength.

The ionic strength of a composition can be increased by adding various ingredients such as chelating agents or mixtures thereof.

In accordance with the foregoing, the compositions of the present invention may consist of a chelating agent as an optional preferred ingredient. Suitable chelating agents can be any of those known to those skilled in the art, such as those selected from the group consisting of phosphonate chelating agents, aminocarboxylate chelating agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents, N acids, N'-succinic ethylenediamine, or mixtures thereof.

A chelating agent is suggested in the compositions of the present invention, since it allows the ionic strength of the compositions presented here to be increased, and therefore, its capacity for stain removal and bleaching on different surfaces is also increased. The presence of chelating agents can also contribute to reducing the loss of tensile strength of the fabrics and / or color damage, especially in a pre-treatment laundry application. In fact, the chelating agents inactivate the metal ions present on the surface of the fabrics and / or in the cleaning compositions (pure or diluted) that would otherwise contribute to the radical decomposition of the peroxygen bleach.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein may include alkali metal 1-hydroxy diphosphonates (HEDP), alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonate), as well as aminophosphonate compounds, including amino aminotri (methylene phosphonic acid) ) (ATMP), nitrile trimethylene phosphonates (NTP), ethylene diamine tetramethylene phosphonates and diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonates (DTPMP). The phosphonate compounds may be present either in their acid form or as salts of different cations in some or all of their acid functionalities. Among the preferred phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein are diethylenetriamine pentamethylenephosphonate (DTPMP) and ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonate (HEDP). Said phosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.

Polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in the compositions herein. See the patent of E.U.A. 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor and others. Among the preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfo-benzene.

One of the preferred biodegradable chelating agents for use herein is ethylene diamine NN-disuccinic acid, or alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof. Ethylene diamine N, N'-disuccinic acids, especially the (S; S) isomer, have been extensively described in the US patent. 4,704,233, dated November 3, 1987, to Hartman and Perkins. For example, ethylene diamine N, N'-disuccinic acids are commercially available under the name ssEDDS® from Palmer Research Laboratories.

Suitable aminocarboxylates which are used herein include ethylenediaminetetraacetates, ethylene-triaminopentaacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylene diaminotriacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediaminetetrapropionates, triethylenetetraminehexaacetates, ethanoldiglicines, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine diacetic acid ( MGDA), both in their acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable aminocarboxylates which are used herein are diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, propylene diamine tetraacetic acid (PDTA) which, for example, are commercially available from BASF under the tradename of Trilon FS® and methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA).

Other carboxylate chelating agents that are used herein include salicylic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, malonic acid or mixtures thereof.

Another chelating agent of use herein is of the formula: wherein Ri, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of -H, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl, aryloxy, -Cl, -Br, -NO2, -C (O) R 'and -SO2R ", in where 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, R6, R7 and Rs are independently selected from the group consisting of H and alkyl. Particularly preferred chelating agents for use herein are amino aminotri (methylene phosphonic) acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentamethylenephosphonate, ethane 1 -hydroxydiphosphonate, ethylene diamine N, N'-disuccinic acid, and mixtures thereof.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention are constituted up to 5% by weight of the total composition, of a chelating agent, or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.01% to 1.5% by weight, and most preferably 0.01% to 0.5%.

The compositions of the present invention can be further constituted by other surfactants than those mentioned herein, including other nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and / or amphoteric surfactants.

Typically, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise 0.01% to 30% by weight of the total composition, of another surfactant on a zwitterionic betaine surfactant and a nonionic ethoxylated surfactant, preferably 0.1% to 25%, and most preferably from 0.5% to 20%.

Suitable nonionic surfactants which are used herein include polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, or mixtures thereof, in accordance with the formula R2-C (O) -NR (R1) -Z. , wherein R1 is H, or C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl or a mixture thereof, R2 is C5-C31 hydrocarbyl, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly attached to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof.

Preferably, R1 is C1-C4 alkyl, most preferably is C1 or C2 alkyl and most preferably methyl, R2 is a straight chain of a C7-C19 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably a straight chain of a Cg-C alkyl ? 8 or alkenyl, most preferably a straight chain of C1-C18 alkyl or alkenyl, and most preferably still a straight chain of Cn-Cu alkyl or alkenyl, or mixtures thereof. Z, preferably will be provided from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; most preferably Z is a glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, malactose, mannose and xylose. As raw materials, high dextrose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup and high maltose corn syrup, as well as individual sugars listed above can be used. These corn syrups can yield a mixture of sugar components for Z. It should be understood that for no reason is it intended to exclude other suitable raw materials. Z preferably will be selected from the group consisting of -CH2- (CHOH) n-CH2OH, -CH (CH2OHMCHOH) n -? - CH2OH, -CH2- (CHOH) 2- (CHOR ') (CHOH) -CH2OH, where n is an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive and R 'is H or an aliphatic or cyclic monosaccharide, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof. The glycityls are most preferred, wherein n is 4, particularly CH2- (CHOH) 4-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-hydroxy propyl. R2-C (O) -N < which may be for example cocoamide, stearamide, oleamide, lauramide, myristamide, capricamide, palmitamide, seboamide and the like. Z may be 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxygalactityl, 1-deoxyanityl, 1-deoxyantotriotityl and the like.

The polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants which may be used herein may be commercially available under the tradename HOE® from Hoechst.

Methods for making polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants are known in the art. In general, they can be made by reacting an alkylamine with a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction to form the corresponding N-alkyl polyhydroxyamine, and then reacting the N-alkyl polyhydroxyamine with a fatty aliphatic ester or triglyceride in a condensation step. amidation to form the product of N-alkyl, polyhydroxy fatty acid amide. For example, methods for making compositions containing polyhydroxy fatty acid amide in the specification of GB 809,060, published February 18, 1959, by Thomas Hedley & Co., Ltd., U.S. Patent 2,965,576, issued December 20, 1960 to E: R: Wilson, U.S. Pat. 2,703,798, Anthony M. Schwartz, issued March 8, 1955, each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Suitable anionic surfactants which are used in the compositions herein include water-soluble salts or acids of the formula ROSO 3 M wherein R is preferably a C 1 or C 24 hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a alkyl component of C? o-C20, most preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of C? 2-C? s, and M is H or a cation, for example, an alkali metal cation (eg, sodium, potassium, lithium) , or substituted ammonium or ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such as ammonium tetramethyl and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof and the like). Typically, the C12-C16 alkyl chains are preferred for the low wash temperatures (eg below 50 ° C) and the C ?6-C ?8 alkyl chains are preferred for higher wash temperatures (e.g. eg over 50 ° C).

Other anionic surfactants suitable for use herein are water soluble salts or acids of the formula RO (A) mS? 3M wherein R is a hydroxyalkyl group or unsubstituted C-? Or-C24 alkyl having a alkyl component of C-? 0-C24, preferably a C2-C20 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, most preferably alkyl or hydroxyalkyl of C-? 2- C-is, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero , typically between about 0.5 and about 6, most preferably between 0.5 and about 3, and M is H or a cation which may be, for example, a metal cation (eg, sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium , etc.), ammonium cation or substituted ammonium cation. The ethoxylated alkyl sulfates as well as the propoxylated alkyl sulfates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of the substituted ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-ammonium and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethylammonium, dimethyl piperidinium and cations derived from alkanolamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures of the same, and similar. The surface active agents are C? 2-C? 8 alkyl, 8-polyethoxylate (1.0) sulfate, C12-C? 88E (1.0) M), C pol--C alquilo? Alkyl polyethoxylate sulfate (2.25), C12-C18E (2.25) M), and C pol 2-C18 alquilo (3.0) C ?2-C18E (3.0) M alkyl) polyethoxylate sulfate, and C? 2-C18 alkyl polyethoxylate (4.0) C- 2 2-C? 8E-sulfate ( 4.0) M), where M was conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.

Other anionic surfactants useful for abstergent purposes can be used herein. These may include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di-, and triethanolamine salts) of soap, linear Cg-C2o alkylbenzene sulphonates, primary Cs-C22 alkanesulfonates or secondary, C8-C24 olefinsulphonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by the sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, eg, as described in the specification of the BA patent No. 1, 082,179 Cs-C24 alkyl polyglycol ether sulphates (which contain more than 10 moles up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl ester sulfonates such as C? 4-C? 6 methyl ester sulfonates; acyl glycerol sulphonates, oleyl glycerol fatty sulphates, alkyl phenol ethylene ether sulfate, paraffin sulfates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates, and sulfosuccinates, sulfosuccinate monoesters (especially saturated and unsaturated monoesters) in C? 2-C? s) sulfosuccinate diesters (especially unsaturated saturated C6-Cu diesters), alkylpolysaccharide sulfates such as alkyl polyglucoside sulfates (the non-sulfated nonionic compounds described below), branched primary alkyl sulphates , alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the formula RO (CH 2 CH 2 O) kCH 2 COO-M + wherein R is a C 8 -C 22 alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is a soluble salt-forming cation. Also suitable are resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and hydrogenated resin acids and resin acids present in or derived from tallow oil. The following examples are provided in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally described in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975, to Laughlin, et al., In column 23, paragraph 58, line 58, and in column 29, line 23 (in the present incorporated by reference).

Other suitable anionic surfactants which are used herein also include acyl sarcosinate or mixtures thereof in their acidic and / or salt form, preferably long chain acyl sarcosinates having the following formula: wherein M is a hydrogen moiety or a cationic moiety and wherein R is an alkyl group of 11 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably between 11 and 13 carbon atoms. Among the preferred M is hydrogen and alkali metal salts, especially sodium and potassium. Said acyl sarcosinate surfactants are derived from natural fatty acids and sarcosine amino acid (N-methyl glycine). They are suitable for use as an aqueous solution of their salt or in their acid form as a powder. Being derived from natural fatty acids, said sarcosinates acyl sarcosinates are rapidly and completely biodegradable and have good compatibility with the skin.

Accordingly, the long chain acyl sarcosinates suitable for use herein include the C 2 acyl sarcosinate for example (an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula wherein M is hydrogen and R is a group alkyl of 11 carbon atoms) and acyl sarcosinate of C (e.g., an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula wherein M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 13 carbon atoms). Acyl sarcosinate of C? 2 is commercially available for example as Hamposyl L-30R provided by Hampshire.

Cu acyl sarcosinate is commercially available, for example, as Hamposyl M-30R provided by Hampshire.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants which are used herein include amino oxides having the following formula R-? R2R3NO, wherein each R1, R2 and R3 is independently linear or branched, saturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon chains, from 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Preferred amine oxide surfactants which are used in accordance with the present invention are amino oxides having the following formula R- | R2R3NO where R1 is a hydrocarbon chain consisting of 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to , most preferably from 8 to 16, and most preferably even from 8 to 12, and wherein R 2 and R 3 are independently substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched hydrocarbon chains of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 atoms of carbon, and most preferably methyl groups. R1 can be a linear or branched substituted or unsubstituted saturated hydrocarbon chain. For example, among the amino oxides suitable for use herein, is the natural mixture of C8-C10 amino oxides as well as the C12-C16 amino oxides commercially available from Hoechst.

The compositions of the present invention may consist of a radical scavenger or a mixture thereof. Suitable radical scavengers for use herein include the well-known substituted dihydroxy and monohydroxybenzenes and their analogs, alkyl and arylcarboxylates and mixtures thereof. Among said preferred radical scavengers for use herein, include di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene (BHT), hydroquinone, di-tert-butyl hydroquinone, mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone, tert-butyl-hydroxy anisole, benzoic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butyl catechol, benzylamine, 1, 1, 3-tris (2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t- butylphenyl) butane, n-propyl gallate or mixtures thereof and highly preferred is di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene. Such radical scavengers such as N-propyl gallate are commercially available in Ñipa laboratories, under the trademark of Nipanox S1®. When radical scavengers are used, they are typically present herein in amounts ranging from 10% by weight of the total composition and preferably from 0.001% to 0.5% by weight.

The presence of radical scavengers can contribute to reducing the loss of tensile strength of the fabrics and / or damage to color when the compositions of the present invention are used in any laundry application, especially in a laundry pre-treatment application.

Subsequently, the compositions according to the present invention may consist of an antioxidant or mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions herein consist of up to 10% by weight of the total composition of an antioxidant or mixtures thereof, preferably from 0.002% to 5%, most preferably from 0.005% to 2%, and most preferably still from 0.01. % to 1%.

Suitable antioxidants which are to be used 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, ascorbyl stearate and triethyl citrate, or mixtures thereof. Among the preferred antioxidants for use herein are citric acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbyl palmitate, lecithin or mixtures thereof.

As an optional ingredient, the compositions of the present invention may consist of a bleach activator or mixtures thereof.

By "bleach activator", herein it means a compound that reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form a peracid. Therefore, the peracid formed constitutes the activated bleach. Suitable bleach activators for use herein include those which belong to the class of esters, amides, imides, or anhydrides.

Examples of suitable compounds of this type are described in British Patent GB 1 586 769 and GB 2 143 231 and a method for its formation in the form of pills is described in the patent application published in Europe, EP-A-62523. Suitable examples of such compounds that were used herein are tetracetylene ethylene diamine (TAED), 3,5,5-dimethyl hexanoyloxybenzene, diperoxy dodecanoic acid, as described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,818 425 and peroxyadipic acid nonyl amide which is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 4,259,120 and n-nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS). Among the suitable caprolactams is the N-acyl caprolactam selected from the group consisting of the substituted or unsubstituted benzoyl caprolactam, octanol caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam, hexanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoyl caprolactam, formyl caprolactam, acetyl caprolactam, propanoyl caprolactam, butanoil caprolactam, pentanoyl caprolactam or mixtures of these. A particular family of bleach activators of interest was described in EP 624 154, and particularly preferred in that family is acetyl triethyl citrate (ATC). Acetyl triethyl citrate has the advantage that it is harmless to the environment and that it eventually degrades into citric acid and alcohol. In addition, acetyl triethyl citrate has a good hydrolytic stability in the product under storage and is an efficient bleach activator. Finally, it provides a good capacity of adhesion to the composition. The compositions according to the present invention may consist of 0. 01% to 20% by weight of the total composition of said bleach activator, or mixtures thereof, preferably from 1 to 10%, and most preferably from 3% to 7%.

Cleaning Procedures In the present invention, the aqueous liquid cleaning composition of the present invention needs to be in contact with the surface to be cleaned.

The term "surfaces" means in the present any inanimate surface. These inanimate surfaces include, but are not limited to, hard surfaces typically found in homes like kitchens, bathrooms, or in car interiors, for example, tiles, walls, floors, trading cards, glass, soft vinyl, any plastic, laminated wood, table tops, sinks, kitchen countertops, frets, sanitary ware such as sinks, showers, curtains for shower, handwashing, toilet and the like, as well as fabrics including cottons, curtains, covers, bedroom white, bath white, tablecloths, sleeping b camping tents, furniture with upholstery and the like, folders or carpets. Inanimate surfaces also include household appliances, but not limited to refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers and so on.

Therefore, the present invention also encompasses a method of cleaning a fabric, such as on the inanimate surface. In said process, a composition, as defined herein, makes contact with the fabric to be cleaned. This can be done either by means of the aforementioned "pre-treatment mode", where a composition, as defined herein, is clearly applied to said fabrics before the fabrics are rinsed, or washed when rinsed, in a "soaking mode" mode wherein a composition, as defined herein, is first diluted in an aqueous bath where the fabrics are dipped and soaked in said bath, before they are rinsed, or by means of a through washing ", wherein a composition, as defined herein, is added to a wash solution that has been formed by dissolving or dispersing a typical laundry detergent. It is also essential, in both cases, that the fabrics be rinsed after they have contacted said composition, before said composition has completely dried.

In fact, it has been found that the evaporation of water contributes to increasing the concentration of free radicals on the surface of the fabrics and, consequently, the speed of the chain reaction. It has also been speculated that a self-oxidizing reaction occurs when the water evaporates when the liquid compositions are left to dry on the fabrics. This self-oxidation reaction generates peroxy radicals that can contribute to the degradation of cellulose. Therefore, by not leaving the liquid compositions, as described herein when drying on the fabric, in a pre-treatment process for soiled fabrics, it contributes to reducing the loss of tension force and / or eliminating damage to the fabric. color when the fabrics are pretreated with liquid compositions containing peroxygen bleach. In the pretreatment mode, the process consists of certain steps for applying said liquid composition in its clear form to said fabrics, or at least to the dirty portions thereof, and subsequently rinsing, or washing and then rinsing said fabrics. In this mode, sharp compositions can optionally be left to act on such fabrics for a period ranging from 1 minute to 1 hour, before the fabrics are rinsed or washed when they are rinsed, since they are not allowed to the composition is dried in said fabrics. For particularly strong stains, it may be suitable to subsequently carve or brush said fabrics by means of a sponge or a brush, or to carve two pieces of the fabric one with the other.

In another mode, it is generally referred to as "soaking", the process comprising the steps of diluting said liquid composition in its clear form in an aqueous bath to form a dilute composition. The level of dilution of the liquid composition in an aqueous bath is typically above 1:85, preferably up to 1:50 and most preferably about 1: 25 (composition: water). The fabrics are then contacted with the aqueous bath consisting of the liquid composition, and finally the fabrics are rinsed, washed and then rinsed. Preferably in that embodiment, the fabrics are immersed in the aqueous bath consisting of the liquid composition, and also preferably, the fabrics are allowed to soak there for a period ranging from 1 minute to 48 hours, preferably from 1 hour to 24 hours. hours. And in fact in another way that can be considered as a submodality of "soaking" generally referred to as "blanching through washing", the liquid composition is used as the so-called laundry additive. And in that embodiment the aqueous bath is formed by dissolving or dispersing a conventional laundry detergent in water. The liquid composition is then contacted in its clear form with the aqueous bath, and the fabrics make contact with the aqueous bath containing the liquid composition. Finally, the fabrics are rinsed.

In another embodiment of the present invention there is also encompassed a method for washing or cleaning a hard surface, such as the inanimate surface. In said process a composition, as defined herein, makes contact with the hard surfaces to be cleaned.

Therefore, the present invention also encompasses a method of cleaning a rigid surface with a composition, as defined herein, wherein said process comprises a step, which is applying said composition to said hard surface, preferably at the portions that are only stained, and optionally rinsing said hard surface.

In the method for cleaning hard surfaces, according to the present invention, the composition, as defined herein, can be applied to the surface to be cleaned in its clear form or in its typically diluted form, up to 200 times its water weight, preferably 80 to 2 times its weight of water, and most preferably 60 to 2 times. When used as hard surface cleaners, the compositions of the present invention are easy to rinse and provide good gloss characteristics on already clean surfaces.

Depending on the intended end use, the compositions herein can be packaged in a variety of containers, including conventional bottles, bottles equipped with applicator rolls, sponges, brushes or sprinklers.

Subsequently, the invention is illustrated by the following examples: EXAMPLES The following compositions were made by mixing the ingredients listed and in the proportions listed (% by weight unless otherwise specified).

Compositions I II III IV V VI VII Vlll Dobanol®91-10 = - - - 1.6 0.8 - 1.6 - Dobanol®45-7 = 1.6 2.0 1.6 - 0.8 1.6 - 2.0 = Dobanol® 23-3 2.0 - 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 - Lauryl Betaine - - 2.4 2.4 2.4 5.0 5.0 5.0 Mirataína H2C-HA® 5.0 2.4 - - - - - - H202 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 HEDP 0.16 - 0.16 0.16 - 0.16 0.16 0.16 DTPMP - 0.18 - - 0.18 - - - Propyl gallate 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1 citric acid 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Water and secondary - | h Iad? Flad -i 1 p uuno // u. _ H2SO4 up to pH 4 HEDP is 1-hydroxy-ethane diphosphonate. DTPMP is diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate.

Mirataína H2C-HA® is Lauril-imino-dipropionate.

Compositions IX X XI Xll XIII XIV XV XVI Dobanol®91-10 = - - 1.6 - 1.6 - Dobanol®45-7 = - 2.0 1.6 - 2.6 1.6 - 2.0 = Dobanol® 23-3 - 2.0 2.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 Salt-free Betaine 5.0- 2.4- 2.4 2.4 2.4 5.0 5.0 5.0 H2O2 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 HEDP 0.16 - 0.16 0.16 - 0.16 0.16 0.16 DTPMP - 0.18 - 0.18 - Propyl gallate 0.1 0.1 - - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 BHT - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 - citric acid 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.05 Water and secondary up to 100% H2SO4 up to a pH of 4 or 5 Salt-free Betaine * is lauryl dimethyl betaine which contains 0.3% by weight of sodium chloride. This betaine is obtained by purification of commercially available GENAGEN LAB® lauryl di-methyl betaine (Hoechst), (containing 7.5% by weight of sodium chloride).

The compositions from I to XVI when used to clean stained colored fabrics exhibit excellent overall stain removal performance, especially of greasy stains such as lipstick, makeup, olive oil, mayonnaise, sebum and the like, and a performance improved bleaching.

When used in a pretreatment mode, any of the compositions from I to XVI are clearly applied to the stained portion of the fabric and allowed to act there for 5 minutes. Then the fabric is washed with a conventional detergent and rinsed.

When used in a bleach mode through washing, any of the compositions I to XVI make contact with the aqueous bath formed by the dissolution of a conventional detergent in water. Then the fabrics make contact with the aqueous bath which is constituted by the liquid detergent, and then the fabrics are rinsed. They can also be used in the soaking mode, where 100 ml of the liquid compositions are diluted in 10 liters of water. Then the fabrics are contacted with their aqueous bath containing the composition, and they are allowed to soak there for a period of approximately 24 hours. Eventually, the fabrics are rinsed.

Among the compositions from I to XVI when used to clean stained hard surfaces, it exhibits an excellent overall performance of stain elution, especially on greasy kitchen stains.

The compositions from IX to XVI when used to clean stained colored fabrics in any laundry application and especially under pre-treatment conditions are safe for both fabrics and colors.

Claims (17)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - An aqueous liquid composition, characterized in that it has a pH of up to 7 and comprises from 0.01% to 20% by weight of the total composition, of a peroxygen bleach, from 0.001% to 30% by weight of the total composition, of a nonionic ethoxylated surfactant, from 0.001% to 20% by weight, of a zwitterionic betaine surfactant at a weight ratio between the nonionic ethoxylated surfactant and the zwitterionic betaine surfactant from 0.01 to 20, with the proviso that said composition is free of an antimicrobial essential oil or an active agent thereof or a mixture thereof.

2. - The composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said composition is constituted between the 0. 01% and 15% by weight of the total composition, of said ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or mixture thereof, most preferably from 0.5% to 10% and most preferably still from 1% to 6%.

3. - The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said composition is constituted between 0.01% and 10% by weight of the total composition of said zwitterionic surfactant of betaine or mixture thereof, most preferably 0.5% to 8% and most preferably still from 1% to 5%.

4. - The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said peroxide bleach is hydrogen peroxide or a water soluble source thereof, typically selected from the group consisting of percarbonates, persilicates, persulfates, perborates, peroxyacids, hydroperoxides , aromatic and diacyl aliphatic peroxides and mixtures thereof, preferably hydrogen peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-hydroperoxide, di-isopropylbenzenemonohydroperoxide, ter-amyl hydroperoxide, 2, 5-dimethylhexane-2,5-dihydroperoxide, dilauroyl peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide, benzoyl peroxide or a mixture thereof, and most preferably hydrogen peroxide.

5. The composition according to any of the preceding claims constituted by 1% to 15% by weight of the total composition of said peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof, preferably 2% to 10%.

6. - The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said zwitterionic betaine surfactant is in accordance with the formula: R? -N + (R2) (R3) R4X "wherein Ri is an unsubstituted or substituted or unsaturated aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon chain, which may contain linking groups such as amido groups, groups thereof, preferably a alkyl group containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18 and most preferably from 10 to 16, or an amido radical of the formula Ra-C (O) -NH- (C (Rb) 2) m , wherein Ra is an aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbon chain, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, preferably of an alkyl group containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably up to 18, most preferably up to 16, R is selected of the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxy groups, and m is from 1 to 4, preferably from 2 to 3, most preferably 3, with only one hydroxy group in any portion of (C (Rb) 2); R 2 is hydrogen, Ci-Cβ, hydroxyalkyl or other Ci-Cß alkyl group; R 3 is a hydroxyalkyl alkyl uyl or another substituted C-? -C6 alkyl group, which can also be attached to R to form ring structures with N, or a C-i-Cß carboxylic acid group or a C1-C6 sulfonate group; R4 is a moiety that binds the cationic nitrogen atom to the hydrophilic group and is typically an alkylene, hydroxyalkylene, or a polyalkoxy group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and X is a carboxylate or sulfonate group.

7. - The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said zwitterionic betaine surfactant contains less than 5% by weight of salts, preferably less than 2%, most preferably less than 1% and most preferably still of the 0. 01% to 0.5%.

8. - The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said ethoxylated nonionic surfactant is in accordance with the formula RO- (C2HO) nH, wherein R is a C6-C22 alkyl chain or an alkyl benzene chain of C6-C28, wherein n is from 0 to, and n is an integer from 0 to 20, preferably from 1 to 15, most preferably from 2 to 15 and most preferably still from 2 to 12.

9. - The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said composition is subsequently constituted by a chelating agent or a mixture thereof, typically up to 5% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.01% to 1.5%.

10. The composition according to claim 9 further characterized in that said chelating agent is a phosphonate chelating agent, an amino carboxylate chelating agent, and another carboxylate chelating agent, a polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agent, such as ethylene diamine N, N'-acid disuccinic or mixtures thereof, and most preferably amino aminotri (methylene phosphonic acid), diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, diethylene phosphonate triamine penta methylene, 1-hydroxy ethane diphosphonate, ethylenediamine N, N'-disuccinic acid or mixtures thereof .

11. - The composition according to any of the preceding claims, further characterized in that said composition consists of at least one optional ingredient selected from the group consisting of initiating agents, other surfactants other than the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and zwitterionic betaine surfactant, stabilizers, bleach activators, soil suspending agents, polyamine, soil suspending agents, polymeric soil release agents, radical scavengers, catalysts, dye transfer agents, solvents, brighteners, perfumes, dyes, pigments and mixtures thereof.

12. - A fabric cleaning process that includes the steps from diluting a liquid composition according to any of the preceding claims, in its clear form, in an aqueous bath, contacting said fabrics with said aqueous bath, constituted by the liquid composition mentioned and subsequently rinsing, or washing and then re-rinsing said fabric.

13. - A method according to claim 12, further characterized in that the fabrics are left to soak in said aqueous bath constituted by said liquid composition for a period ranging from one minute to 48 hours, preferably from one hour to 24 hours.

14. - A method according to claim 12, further characterized in that said aqueous bath is formed by dissolving or dispersing a conventional laundry detergent in water.

15. - A method of pretreatment of the fabrics consisting of the steps: applying a liquid composition according to any of claims 1 to 11, in its clear form, in said fabrics, preferably in the only stained portions thereof, before of rinsing said fabrics, or washing and then rinsing said fabrics.

16. - A method for cleaning a hard surface with a composition according to any of claims 1 to 11, wherein said method is constituted by the following steps of: applying said composition to the hard surface and optionally rinsing said hard surface.

17. - The use of a composition consisting of a salt-free zwitterionic betaine surfactant and a peroxygen bleach for cleaning / bleaching fabrics where the color fixation and / or the security of the fabric has been improved.