WO2010003783A1

WO2010003783A1 - Copolymers and detergent compositions

Info

Publication number: WO2010003783A1
Application number: PCT/EP2009/057478
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anthony Mckee; Susanne H. Rogers
Original assignee: Unilever Nv; Unilever Plc; Hindustan Unilever Limited
Priority date: 2008-07-11
Filing date: 2009-06-16
Publication date: 2010-01-14
Also published as: CN102089338B; EP2300504A1; ZA201009012B; CN102089338A; EP2300504B1; ES2400781T3; BRPI0915498A2; BRPI0915498B1

Abstract

The present invention relates to copolymers which are used in laundry cleaning. The present invention provides copolymers comprising the monomers glycerol (meth)acrylate and poly(alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth)acrylate. Detergent compositions comprising these copolymers provide an improved detergency effect.

Description

COPOLYMERS AND DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS

The present invention relates to copolymers which are used in laundry cleaning. The invention provides copolymers comprising the monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate, a method for production and use of the copolymers, and detergent compositions comprising these copolymers .

Polymers are widely used in detergent compositions in order to improve the efficacy of the composition on the cleaning process. Their functionalities range from the use as surfactants, as builders, and to promote soil release and to prevent redeposition of the soil. Soil release polymers in general adhere to the fabric, thereby making subsequent staining easier to remove. Typically a fabric is washed in a solution containing a soil release polymer and then rinsed and dried as normal. If the fabric is then stained, the stain is more easily removed than if the fabric had not been pre washed in wash liquor containing the soil release polymer. Another common problem encountered when laundering fabrics is the deposition of particulates from the wash liquor (resultant either from particulate stains or present in the source water) onto unstained areas of fabric. This results in a general dulling of coloured fabrics or greying of white fabrics. The addition of anti-redeposition polymers alleviates this problem: anti-redeposition polymers keep soil in suspension during the wash, thereby stopping redeposition of the soil onto the fabric during the washing process.

Sodium carboxy methyl cellulose (SCMC) is a typical example of an anti-redeposition polymer, and has been extensively used for decades already (see for example GB 1 354 498) . A typical example of a soil release polymer is Sokalan HP22 ex BASF, which is a copolymer having a poly (ethylene oxide) backbone grafted with poly (vinyl acetate) side groups, as for example used in WO 97/34984. Another example of such a polymer is Repel-o-Tex SF2 (ex Rhodia) .

Also new polymers are being developed, in order to improve stain removal during the washing process for example by improving the primary detergency effect, as well as to improve soil release and to prevent redeposition of the soil.

EP 1 611 877 Al discloses a method for the impregnation of a drug into ophthalmic articles in order to prepare drug sustained release systems for the treatment of eye related disorders. The ophthalmic articles are preferably made from linear, crosslinked, or branched polymers that are selected from for example poly (acrylates) , poly (glycerol methacrylates) , poly (ethyleneglycol methacrylates), cellulose, and a long list of other polymers, none of them especially preferred.

US 7,238,753 Bl discloses a stainproofing agent for carpet, wherein a stainproofing agent is exemplified that comprises polyethyleneglycolmethacrylate / glycerol methacrylate = 70/30 by weight ratio copolymer. This polymer is used in combination with other polymers.

A problem that still exists is to improve the detergency effect, especially the primary detergency effect of laundry detergent compositions on textile stains. This is especially required for, but not limited to particulate stains like gravel, clay and mud, and plant based stains like grass stains. Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide improved detergent compositions that can improve the removal of soils and stains during the cleaning process by enhancing the primary detergency of the detergent composition. Additionally it is another object of the present invention to provide detergent compositions that improve soil release, and/or promote anti-redeposition of the soil.

We have now found that one or more of these objects can be achieved by a copolymer comprising the monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate . The incorporation of the polymers in laundry detergent compositions provides advantages like improved detergency of the surfactant system, especially in relation to primary detergency, and improved detergency with respect to different types of stains, for example particulate soil stains such as clay, gravel and mud. Moreover, the composition of the invention is particularly useful for removal of plant based stains like grass stains. The inclusion of the copolymer shows an improvement to the primary detergency of a detersive surfactant system. In addition the copolymer of the invention may also exhibit soil release and/or anti-redeposition benefits in addition to this primary detergency benefit; however it is not required to exhibit these as such.

Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention provides a copolymer comprising the monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate, wherein the copolymer has a number average molecular weight between 2,000 and 100, 000 Dalton.

In a second aspect the invention provides a method for production of the copolymer according to the first aspect of the invention by an addition polymerisation process, comprising the steps of: a) forming an admixture of or comprising the monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate, and an initiator; and b) reacting the mixture from a) to form a copolymer.

In a third aspect the invention provides a laundry detergent composition comprising: a) a detersive surfactant at a concentration between 3 and 85% by weight of the total composition; b) a copolymer according to the first aspect of the invention at a concentration between 0.5 and 25% by weight of the total composition; c) optionally other detergent ingredients up to 100% by weight of the total composition.

In a fourth aspect the invention provides the use of a copolymer according to the first aspect of the invention to provide improved detergency to a laundry detergent composition comprising a surfactant.

In a fifth aspect the invention provides the use of a copolymer according to the first aspect of the invention to provide improved soil release to a laundry detergent composition.

In a sixth aspect the invention provides the use of a copolymer according to the first aspect of the invention to provide improved anti-redeposition to a laundry detergent composition.

In a seventh aspect the invention provides a method for improving the stain removal from a textile substrate, comprising the following steps: a) provision of a wash liquor comprising the laundry detergent composition according to the third aspect of the invention; and, b) contacting one or more stained textile substrates with said wash liquor during one or more steps of a laundry process.

Detailed description

All percentages mentioned herein are by weight calculated on the total composition, unless specified otherwise. The abbreviation ^λwt%' is to be understood as % by weight of the total composition.

Primary detergency is herein described as the detergency effect on a stain in the primary or first wash. The fabric is stained and subsequently treated with the laundry detergent composition of the invention. The detergency effect (measured as stain removal) of the laundry composition on the stain is termed as primary detergency. This is a separate process to so-called soil release using a polymer, which is treatment of fabric with a polymer (through a wash or other such treatment) , with subsequent staining of the fabric, the soil release polymer having the effect of the easier removal of the stain.

The term ^λ (meth) acrylate' embraces acrylate and methacrylate .

In the context of the present invention, molecular weights of monomers and polymers are expressed as number average molecular weights (Mn) , except where otherwise specified. The molecular weight of a polymer is typically a distribution of molecular weights, and is normally quoted as an average. Polymers are typically polydisperse and molecular weight averages can be defined in several ways. Determination of the number average molar mass Mn involves counting the total number of molecules, regardless of their shape or size, present in a unit mass of the polymer. Determination of the weight average molar mass Mw involves counting the weight fractions of molecules. A measure of how polydisperse a polymer sample is quantitified by the ratio of Mw/Mn, which is the polydispersity index, PDi.

The textile/fabric substrates used in the context of the present invention can be any typical textile/fabric substrate, such as cotton (woven, knitted & denim) , polyester (woven, knitted & microfibre) , nylon, silk, polycotton

(polyester/cotton blends) , polyester elastine, cotton elastine, viscose rayon, acrylic or wool. Particularly suitable textile/fabric substrates are cotton, polycotton and polyester substrates .

The copolymer and monomers

The copolymers according to the invention comprise the monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate . Preferably, the copolymers consist or consist essentially of these two types of monomers, which means that the copolymer comprises less than 20 wt%, preferably less than 10 wt%, more preferably less than 5 wt% of another type of monomer .

They are soluble, non-crosslinked addition polymers and include statistical, graft, gradient and alternating copolymers. Mostly preferred the copolymers comprise a backbone chain which is a linear backbone, meaning that the backbone is not branched or crosslinked. The copolymers could be regarded to be comb polymers, wherein the poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether side groups form the teeth of the comb. In another embodiment the copolymers according to the invention may also comprise block copolymers where for example the monomers are incorporated into the polymer as blocks of a single monomer, wherein a block may suitably consist of 4, or 5 or more single monomer molecules. In that case the copolymer will comprise discrete regions of the monomer glycerol (meth) acrylate or of the monomer poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate or discrete regions of both monomers.

Glycerol (meth) acrylate may exist in the form of the isomers 1- glycerol (meth) acrylate (also known as 2,3 dihydroxy propyl (meth) acrylate) or 2-glycerol (meth) acrylate (also known as 1,3 dihydroxy propyl (meth) acrylate) . Glycerol (meth) acrylate is also known as glycerol mono (meth) acrylate . In the context of the present invention the use of the term ^λglycerol (meth) acrylate' encompasses a mixture of the isomers 1-glycerol (meth) acrylate or 2-glycerol (meth) acrylate, unless indicated otherwise .

The molecular structures of 1-glycerol methacrylate and 2- glycerol methacrylate are the following:

1-glycerol 2-glycerol methacrylate methacrylate

Glycerol (meth) acrylate is supplied for example by Evonik Industries (Essen, Germany) .

The other class of monomers incorporated in the copolymer according to the invention is poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate . This class of monomers is a hydrophilic monomer that is often used to introduce hydrophilic side chains into a (co) polymer .

The number average molecular weight of the copolymer according to the invention is between 2,000 and 100,000 Dalton. Preferred copolymers have a number average molecular weight of between 2,000 and 50,000 Dalton, more preferred between 5,000 and 50,000 Dalton, mostly preferred between 5,000 and 20,000 Dalton.

The copolymer according to the invention comprises the monomer poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate . The alkylene oxide moiety may suitably be selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide (EO) , propylene oxide (PO) , ethylene oxide - propylene oxide (both EO and PO moieties are incorporated) , isopropylene oxide, butylene oxide, isobutylene oxide, and mixtures thereof. The alkyl group may suitably be a methyl or ethyl group.

Preferably the copolymer according to the invention comprises the monomer poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate, wherein this monomer is selected from the group consisting of poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth) acrylate, poly (ethylene glycol) ethyl ether (meth) acrylate, poly (propylene glycol) methyl ether (meth) acrylate, poly (propylene glycol) ethyl ether (meth) acrylate, and mixtures thereof .

Mostly preferred the copolymer according to the invention comprises poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate monomer, wherein this monomer comprises poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth) acrylate . The preferred average number of alkylene oxide groups in the poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate monomer ranges from 5 to 100, more preferred from 5 to 50, mostly preferred from 10 to 50. Preferably the copolymer according to the invention comprises a poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate monomer, wherein the number average molecular weight is between 300 and 5,000 Dalton. More preferably the number average molecular weight of the poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate monomer is between 300 and 3,000 Dalton, even more preferred between 1,000 and 3,000 Dalton, mostly preferred about 2,000 Dalton.

As an example the molecular structure of the preferred monomer poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate is given here:

Poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate, comprising n EO groups .

When the number average molecular weight of this preferred monomer poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth) acrylate is about 2,000 Dalton, the average number of EO groups in the ethylene oxide moiety is about 45.

Preferably the molar ratio of the monomers poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate to glycerol (meth) acrylate that are comprised in the copolymer according to the invention ranges from 10:1 to 1:10. More preferably the molar ratio between poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate to glycerol (meth) acrylate ranges from 1:1 to 1:10, and even more preferably from 1:4 to 1:10, so that preferably on average more glycerol (meth) acrylate monomers than poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate monomers are comprised by the copolymer .

Branched copolymers

Although the copolymers according to the invention are preferably polymers that comprise a backbone chain which is a linear backbone, in another preferred embodiment are branched copolymers. Hence preferably the copolymer according to the invention is a branched copolymer comprising at least two chains of monomers, wherein said chains comprise the monomer glycerol (meth) acrylate, or the monomer poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate, or both monomers, and wherein the chains are covalently linked other than at their ends by a bridge formed by an ethyleneically polyunsaturated monomer .

Branched polymers are polymer molecules of a finite size which are branched. Branched polymers differ from crosslinked polymer networks which tend towards an infinite size having interconnected molecules and which are generally not soluble but often swellable. These preferred copolymers according to the invention that are branched copolymers are soluble, branched, non-crosslinked addition polymers and include statistical, graft, gradient and alternating branched copolymers. The preferred copolymer according to the invention that is a branched copolymer, is to be understood as a copolymer wherein a sample of said copolymer comprises on average at least two chains which are covalently linked by a bridge other than at their ends, and wherein said chains comprise the monomer glycerol (meth) acrylate, or the monomer poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate, or both monomers. When a sample of the polymer is made there might be accidentally some polymer molecules which are unbranched.

The ethyleneically polyunsaturated monomer is also referred to as Multifunctional monomer' or ^λbrancher' . Preferred multifunctional monomers include but are not limited to divinyl aryl monomers such as divinyl benzene; (meth) acrylate diesters such as ethylene glycol di (meth) acrylate, propyleneglycol di (meth) acrylate and 1,3- butylenedi (meth) acrylate; polyalkylene oxide di (meth) acrylates such as tetraethyleneglycol di (meth) acrylate, poly (ethyleneglycol) di (meth) acrylate and poly (propyleneglycol) di (meth) acrylate; divinyl (meth) acrylamides such as methylene bisacrylamide; silicone-containing divinyl esters or amides such as (meth) acryloxypropyl-terminated poly (dimethylsiloxane) ; divinyl ethers such as poly (ethyleneglycol) divinyl ether; and tetra- or tri- (meth) acrylate esters such as pentaerythritol tetra (meth) acrylate, trimethylolpropane tri (meth) acrylate or glucose di- to penta (meth) acrylate .

Further examples include vinyl or allyl esters, amides or ethers of pre-formed oligomers or polymers formed via ring- opening polymerisation such as oligo (caprolactam) , oligo (caprolactone) , poly (caprolactam) or poly (caprolactone) , or oligomers or polymers formed via a living polymerisation technique such as oligo- or poly (1, 4-butadiene) .

In case of the use of a preferred brancher divinyl benzene, a rather ^λtight' branched polymer molecule can be obtained. When using a preferred brancher ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) a more stretched branched polymer can be obtained, depending on the length of the ethylene glycol moiety of the brancher monomer.

As indicated in the paragraph before, macrocrosslinkers or macrobranchers (multifunctional monomers having a molecular weight of at least 1000 Daltons) might also be used, and are generally formed by linking a polymerisable moiety, such as a vinyl or aryl group, to a pre-formed multifunctional polymer via a suitable linking unit such as an ester, an amide or an ether. Examples of suitable polymers are indicated above, but are not limited to these.

Branchers include methylene bisacrylamide, glycerol di (meth) acrylate, glucose di- and tri (meth) acrylate, oligo (caprolactam) and oligo (caprolactone) . Multi end- functionalised hydrophilic polymers may also be functionalised using a suitable polymerisable moiety such as a (meth) acrylate, (meth) acrylamide or styrenic group.

Method for production of copolymers

The present invention also provides a method for production of the copolymer according to the invention by an addition polymerisation process, comprising the steps of: a) forming an admixture of or comprising the monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether

(meth) acrylate, and an initiator; and b) reacting the mixture from a) to form a copolymer.

The polymers of the invention can be produced by any addition polymerisation process, preferably a free-radical chain polymerisation process. An addition polymerisation process is nowadays also called a radical chain addition polymerisation process . Polymers of the present invention can be prepared by any standard addition polymerisation process method utilized for the preparation of copolymers, which will result in a normal polydispersity or molecular weight distribution, yielding statistical copolymers. However, it is preferred that the polymers of the invention are synthesized using a method that gives targeted, molecular weights of the polymer. An example of such a process is the controlled polymerisation technique atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP), so that polymers with targeted molecular weights and compositions can be obtained.

Other methods that can be used for the production of the polymers according to the invention include anionic polymerisation, RAFT or Madix polymerisation (which may proceed via a macroinitiator like the ATRP process) and Ce⁴⁺ redox initiated polymerisation.

Atom transfer radical polymerisation technique When the ATRP technique would be used in the method for production of the polymer according to the invention, two reaction steps are involved:

First reaction step In the first reaction step an initiator is produced and isolated, for example a macroinitiator. It will be apparent to the skilled person that other initiators may also be suitable for use in the ATRP process. A macroinitiator which would be suitable in the ATRP process for production of the copolymers of the present invention is a poly (alkylene glycol) macroinitiator, preferably a poly (ehtylene glycol) macroinitiator. This macroinitiator is produced by grafting a radical initiator onto a poly (alkylene glycol) via a nucleophilic displacement reaction between groups on the poly (alkylene glycol) and on the radical initiator, respectively. Typically the poly (alkylene glycol) macroinitiator is formed by a nucleophilic displacement reaction between:

(i) a poly (alkylene glycol) which is end-capped with at least one group capable of nucleophilic attack via its O, N or S atom, and (ii) a radical initiator comprising: at least one -C(O)X group, in which X is a leaving group capable of substitution by the nucleophilic 0, N or S atom of the end-capped poly (alkylene glycol) (i) ; and at least one organic halide group capable of generating a radical, preferably in the presence of a transition metal catalyst. The term halide means fluoride, chloride, bromide or iodide .

The poly (alkylene glycol) (i) used to make the macroinitiator may be linear, branched or hyperbranched, provided it is end- capped with at least one group as described above. By ^λend- capped' is meant that the capping group is at or near a terminal position of the poly (alkylene glycol) . The poly (alkylene glycol) may be end-capped with suitable groups (e.g., hydroxyl) as a result of its synthesis or an additional reaction step may be required to end-cap the polymer chain.

The radical initiator (ii) comprises at least one -C(O)X group, in which X is a leaving group capable of substitution by the nucleophilic 0, N or S atom of the poly (alkylene glycol) (i) , and at least one organic halide group capable of generating a radical in the presence of a transition metal catalyst. Examples of preferred radical initiators have the formula: R¹⁴-C(O)X

where R¹⁴ is the organic halide group and X is the leaving group. Preferably, X is a halogen atom (i.e., F, Cl, Br or I) . By ^λorganic halide group' is meant any linear, branched or cyclic (aromatic or otherwise) carbon structure, whether substituted or unsubstituted, which also contains a halogen atom (i.e., F, Cl, Br or I) .

Preferred radical initiators have the general formula: C (R¹⁵) (R¹⁶) Hal ' - (R¹⁷) _r -C (O) Hal

where Hal' and Hal independently denote halogen atoms (as defined above) , R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ are independently selected from hydrogen or a monovalent, optionally substituted, linear or branched Ci-is hydrocarbon radical as described above, r is an integer having a value of 0 or 1, and R¹⁷ is selected from divalent, optionally substituted, linear or branched Ci-Cis hydrocarbon radicals as described above.

A particularly preferred radical initiator corresponding to the above general formula has:

Hal and Hal ' = Br, R¹⁵ and R¹⁶ = methyl and r = 0 .

The first reaction step involves a nucleophilic displacement reaction between (i) and (ii) at preferably ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. The nucleophilic O, N or S atom of the poly (alkylene glycol) (i) replaces leaving group X of radical initiator (ii) , thereby linking (i) and (ii) to generate a poly (alkylene glycol) macroinitiator . Second reaction step

The second reaction step in the ATRP process that can be used to produce the copolymer according to the invention involves reacting the poly (alkylene glycol) macroinitiator obtained in step (i) with the radically polymerisable monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate in a solvent, in the presence of a catalytic or stoichiometric amount of a Cu (I) salt (catalyst) or other transitional metal species and a ligand. The ligand is present in order to produce copolymer molecules with a small variety in length, so that the polydispersity is small.

The monomer concentration in this step can range from 20 wt% to 50 wt%, typically, depending on the viscosity of the reaction mixture. The reaction is carried out under a N2 atmosphere at ambient temperature, and the typical reaction duration is 1 to 4 hours, depending on the kinetics of a particular reaction composition and the conditions chosen. The solvent is for example a methanol/water mixture at a 3:1 ratio by volume. The choice of solvent (s) depends on the solubility characteristics of the monomers. Water may be added to the solution to speed up the kinetics and to enable the reaction to be carried out at ambient temperature. Preferably initiator to catalyst to ligand molar ratios of about 1:1:2 are applied in the ATRP technique.

In the second reaction step, the organic halide groups act as initiators in the presence of the radically polymerisable monomers (glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate) and the catalyst (Cu (I) salt), resulting in the linking of radically polymerisable monomers onto the poly (alkylene glycol) macroinitiator by atom transfer radical polymerisation. The catalyst for the second reaction step is a transition metal salt, preferably a Cu(I) salt such as a Cu(I) halide salt (i.e., wherein the halide is Cl, F, Br or I) and which is preferably complexed to a ligand which is suitable for solubilising the Cu(I) salt in the reaction mixture.

WO 98/51261 describes preferred ligands for use in solubilising the Cu(I) salt in the reaction mixture (aprotic bidentates such as diphosphates, 2,2' bipyridyl, C1-C20 alkyl substituted bipyridyl and combinations thereof, most preferably 2,2' bipyridyl complexed to a Cu(I) halide salt, in particular CuCl) . WO 98/51261 also refers to several journal articles which describe examples of the polymerisation process (atom transfer radical polymerisation) used in the second reaction step. Further examples of such descriptions can be found in Polymer VoI 39, No.21, pp 5163-5170 (Nakagawa et al) and

Macromolecules 1997 , 30, 2190-2193 (Haddleton et al) . Those skilled in the art would understand that a variety of other ligands can also be employed.

The polymerisation process of the second reaction step can be furnished in bulk, solution, emulsion or suspension, as would be understood by those skilled in the art.

In case the aim is to produce a block copolymer, a first monomer can be added to the reaction vessel in the second reaction step, prior to adding the second monomer, so that blocks of single monomers can be formed, prior to combining the blocks of single monomers into copolymer molecules.

If a brancher is used in order to produce branched copolymers, this brancher will present in the second reaction step with the other monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate . A chain transfer agent may be used in the preferred process, as is apparent to the skilled person. These agents may be an alcohol, preferably 2-propanol, or any thiol-containing molecule, and suitable thiols include but are not limited to C2-C18 alkyl thiols such as dodecane thiol, thioglycolic acid, thioglycerol, cysteine and cysteamine. If used, then the chain transfer agent is also present in the second reaction step

The initiator is a free-radical initiator and can be any molecule known to initiate free-radical polymerisation such as azo-containing molecules, persulfates, redox initiators, peroxides, benzyl ketones. These may be activated via thermal, photolytic or chemical means. Examples of these include but are not limited to 2, 2' -azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN), azobis (4- cyanovaleric acid) , benzoyl peroxide, cumylperoxide, 1- hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone, hydrogenperoxide/ascorbic acid. Initiators such as benzyl-N, N-diethyldithiocarbamate can also be used.

The copolymer of the invention may comprise residues of the initiator and possibly the chain transfer agent, as is apparent to the skilled person.

Detergent Compositions and Ingredients

In another aspect the invention provides a laundry detergent composition comprising: a) a detersive surfactant at a concentration between 3 and 85% by weight of the total composition; b) a copolymer according to the invention at a concentration between 0.5 and 25% by weight of the total composition; c) optionally other detergent ingredients up to 100% by weight of the total composition. Preferably the concentration of copolymer according to the invention is between 0.5 and 10% by weight of the total composition .

A product according to the invention may take any suitable form, such as a solid, liquid or paste composition, for example as particulates (powders, granules), tablets or bars. Preferably the product is in a liquid form, which may be a concentrated liquid, meaning having preferably a total surfactant concentration of about 30 to 60% by weight. These embodiments are within the scope of the skilled person.

Surfactants The laundry detergent composition according to the invention comprises a detersive surfactant. By a detersive surfactant we mean that the surfactant, or at least one surfactant of any surfactant mixture, provides a detersive, i.e. cleaning effect to textile fabrics treated as part of a laundering process. Other surfactants, which may or may not be detersive surfactants, can be used as part of the composition.

The detersive surfactant is present by weight in the laundry detergent compositions at a level of from 3 to 85% by weight, preferably from 3 to 60% by weight, more preferably from 3 to 40% by weight, most preferably from 3 to 35% by weight. Additional surfactants can also be incorporated in the laundry compositions of the invention; these may be detersive or non- detersive surfactants.

In general any surfactant may be used as a detersive surfactant, including anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants, or any combination of these. Preferably the detersive surfactant comprises anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant or a mixture of the two. More preferably the detersive surfactant mixture comprises anionic and nonionic surfactants. Cationic surfactant may optionally be present as part of the detersive surfactant.

If present, anionic surfactant is present at a level of from 0.1 to 95% by weight, preferably from 1 to 50% by weight, more preferably from 1.5 to 25% by weight based on total weight of surfactants present. Nonionic surfactant, if present, is incorporated at a level of from 0.1 to 95% by weight, preferably from 1 to 50% by weight, more preferably from 1.5 to 25% by weight based on total weight of surfactants present. If a detersive surfactant mixture is used that incorporates both anionic and nonionic surfactants, then preferably the ratio of anionic surfactant to nonionic surfactant is from 10:1 to 1:10.

In general, the nonionic and anionic surfactants of the surfactant system may be selected from the surfactants described in ^λSurface Active Agents' Vol. 1, by Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949, Vol. 2 by Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958, in the current edition of ^λMcCutcheon ' s Emulsifiers and Detergents' published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in ^λTenside-Taschenbuch' , H. Stache, 2nd Edn., Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981.

Nonionic surfactant

For the purposes of this disclosure, ^λnonionic surfactant' shall be defined as amphiphilic molecules with a molecular weight of less than about 10,000, unless otherwise noted, which are substantially free of any functional groups that exhibit a net charge at the normal wash pH of 6-11. Any type of nonionic surfactant may be used, although preferred materials are further discussed below. Highly preferred are fatty acid alkoxylates, especially ethoxylates, having an alkyl chain of from C8-C35, preferably C8-C30, more preferably C10-C24, especially C10-C18 carbon atoms, and having preferably 3 to 25, more preferred 5 to 15 ethylene oxide groups, for example, Neodols from Shell (The Hague, The Netherlands) ; ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers which may have molecular weight from 1,000 to 30,000, for example, Pluronic (trademark) from BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany); and alkylphenol ethoxylates, for example Triton X-100, available from Dow Chemical (Midland, Mich. , USA) .

Other nonionic surfactants should also be considered within the scope of this invention. These include condensates of alkanolamines with fatty acids, such as cocamide DEA, polyol- fatty acid esters, such as the Span series available from Uniqema (Gouda, The Netherlands) , ethoxylated polyol-fatty acid esters, such as the Tween series available from Uniqema (Gouda, The Netherlands) , alkylpolyglucosides, such as the APG line available from Cognis (Dusseldorf, Germany) and n- alkylpyrrolidones, such as the Surfadone series of products marketed by ISP (Wayne, N.J., USA) . Furthermore, nonionic surfactants not specifically mentioned above, but within the definition, may also be used.

Anionic surfactant λAnionic surfactants' are defined herein as amphiphilic molecules comprising one or more functional groups that exhibit a net anionic charge when in aqueous solution at the normal wash pH of between 6 and 11. Preferred anionic surfactants are the alkali metal salts of organic sulphur reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl radical containing from about 6 to 24 carbon atoms and a radical selected from the group consisting of sulphonic and sulphuric acid ester radicals.

Although any anionic surfactant hereinafter described can be used, such as alkyl ether sulphates, soaps, fatty acid ester sulphonates, alkyl benzene sulphonates, sulphosuccinate esters, primary alkyl sulphates, olefin sulphonates, paraffin sulphonates and organic phosphate; preferred anionic surfactants are the alkali and alkaline earth metal salts of fatty acid carboxylates, fatty alcohol sulphates, preferably primary alkyl sulfates, more preferably they are ethoxylated, for example alkyl ether sulfates; and alkylbenzene sulfonates or mixtures thereof.

Cationic, amphoteric surfactants and/or zwitterionic surfactants Also cationic, amphoteric surfactants and/or zwitterionic surfactants may be present in the compositions according to the invention .

Preferred cationic surfactants are quaternary ammonium salts of the general formula RiR2R3R4N⁺ X^~, for example where Ri is a C12- Ci4 alkyl group, R2 and R3 are methyl groups, R₄ is a 2-hydroxyethyl group, and X^~ is a chloride ion. This material is available commercially as Praepagen (Trade Mark) HY from Clariant GmbH, in the form of a 40% by weight aqueous solution.

In a preferred embodiment the composition according to the invention comprises an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant. Amphoteric surfactants are molecules that contain both acidic and basic groups and will exist as zwitterions at the normal wash pH of between 6 and 11. Preferably an amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactant is present at a level of from 0.1 to 20% by weight, more preferably from 0.25 to 15% by weight, even more preferably from 0.5 to 10% by weight.

Suitable zwitterionic surfactants are exemplified as those which can be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium compounds with one long chain group having about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and at least one water solubilizing radical selected from the group consisting of sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate, phosphate or phosphonate. A general formula for these compounds is:

wherein Ri contains an alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl group with 8 to 18 carbon atoms, from 0 to 10 ethylene-oxy groups or from 0 to 2 glyceryl units; Y is a nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorous atom; R₂ is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group with 1 to 3 carbon atoms; x is 1 when Y is a sulfur atom and 2 when Y is a nitrogen or phosphorous atom; R₃ is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group with 1 to 5 carbon atoms and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate, phosphate or phosphonate.

Preferred amphoteric surfactants are amine oxides, for example coco dimethyl amine oxide. Preferred zwitterionic surfactants are betaines, and especially amidobetaines . Preferred betaines are Cs to Cis alkyl amidoalkyl betaines, for example coco amido betaine. These may be included as co-surfactants, preferably present in an amount of from 0 to 10 wt %, more preferably 1 to 5 wt %, based on the weight of the total composition. Preferred amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants for incorporation in the composition according to the present invention are betaine surfactants. Examples of these are mentioned in the following list. The sulfatobetaines, such as 3- (dodecyldimethylammonium) -1- propane sulfate; and 2- (cocodimethylammonium) -1 -ethane sulfate. The sulfobetaines, such as: 3- (dodecyldimethyl-ammonium) -2- hydroxy-1-propane sulfonate; 3- (tetradecyl-dimethylammonium) -1- propane sulfonate; 3- (C12-C14 alkyl- amidopropyldimethylammonium) -2-hydroxy-l-propane sulfonate; and 3- (cocodimethylammonium) -1-propane sulfonate.

The carboxybetaines, such as (dodecyldimethylammonium) acetate (also known as lauryl betaine) ; (tetradecyldimethylammonium) acetate (also known as myristyl betaine) ; (cocodimethylammonium) acetate (also known as coconut betaine) ; (oleyldimethylammonium) acetate (also known as oleyl betaine) ; (dodecyloxymethyldimethylammonium) acetate; and (cocoamido- propyldimethylammonium) acetate (also known as cocoamido-propyl betaine or CAPB) . The sulfoniumbetaines, such as: (dodecyldimethylsulfonium) acetate; and 3- (cocodimethyl-sulfonium) -1-propane sulfonate. The phosphoniumbetaines, such as 4- (trimethylphosphonium) -1- hexadecane sulfonate; 3- (dodecyldimethylphosphonium) -1- propanesulfonate; and 2- (dodecyldimethylphosphonium) -1-ethane sulfate.

The compositions according to the present invention preferably comprise carboxybetaines or sulphobetaines as amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants, or mixtures thereof. Especially preferred is lauryl betaine. Detergency builders

Detergency builder may be present in the detergent compositions according to the invention, but is not necessarily present. The concentration of detergency builder is suitably between 0 and 80%, preferably from 15 to 70% by weight of the detergent composition. Preferably, the quantity of builder is in the range of from 15 to 50% by weight of the detergent composition.

Preferably the builder is selected from the group of alkali and alkaline earth metal carbonates (e.g. sodium carbonate), phosphates (e.g. sodium tripolyphosphate) , zeolites, silicates (e.g. layered silicate), and organic builders such as citrates (e.g. sodium citrate), succinates, sulphamates and malonates, and any combination of these.

The zeolite used as a builder may be the commercially available zeolite A (zeolite 4A) now widely used in laundry detergent powders. Alternatively, the zeolite may be maximum aluminium zeolite P (zeolite MAP) as described and claimed in EP 384 070B (Unilever) , and commercially available as Doucil (Trade Mark) A24 from Ineos Silicas Ltd, UK. Zeolite MAP is defined as an alkali metal aluminosilicate of zeolite P type having a silicon to aluminium ratio not exceeding 1.33, preferably within the range of from 0.90 to 1.33, preferably within the range of from 0.90 to 1.20. Especially preferred is zeolite MAP having a silicon to aluminium ratio not exceeding 1.07, more preferably about 1.00. The particle size of the zeolite is not critical. Zeolite A or zeolite MAP of any suitable particle size may be used.

Also preferred according to the present invention are phosphate builders, especially sodium tripolyphosphate. This may be used in combination with sodium orthophosphate, and/or sodium pyrophosphate. Other inorganic builders that may be present additionally or alternatively include sodium carbonate, layered silicate, amorphous aluminosilicates .

Organic builders that may be present include polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylates and acrylic/maleic copolymers; polyaspartates; monomeric polycarboxylates such as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycerol mono-di- and trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, carboxy- methyloxymalonates, dipicolinates, hydroxyethyliminodiacetates, alkyl- and alkenylmalonates and succinates; and sulphonated fatty acid salts. The polycarboxylates may also act as anti- ashing and anti-redeposition agent.

Organic builders may be used in minor amounts as supplements to inorganic builders such as phosphates and zeolites. Especially preferred supplementary organic builders are citrates, suitably used in amounts of from 5 to 30% by weight, preferably from 10 to 25% by weight; and acrylic polymers, more especially acrylic/maleic copolymers, suitably used in amounts of from 0.5 to 15% by weight, preferably from 1 to 10% by weight.

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

Opti onal Ingredien ts

In addition to the components detailed in the claims, the formulation may include one or more optional ingredients to enhance performance and properties. While it is not necessary for these elements to be present in order to practice this invention, the use of such materials is often very helpful in rendering the formulation acceptable for consumer use. Examples of optional components include, but are not limited to: additional surfactants, including nonionic and anionic surfactants, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and soap; hydrotropes, fluorescent whitening agents, photobleaches, fibre lubricants, reducing agents, enzymes, enzyme stabilising agents (such as borates and polyols) , powder finishing agents, defoamers, bleaches, bleach catalysts, soil release agents, anti-redeposition agents, dye transfer inhibitors, buffers, colorants, fragrances, pro- fragrances, rheology modifiers, anti-ashing polymers, preservatives, insect repellents, soil repellents, water- resistance agents, suspending agents, aesthetic agents, structuring agents, sanitisers, solvents, including aqueous and non-aqueous solvents, fabric finishing agents, dye fixatives, wrinkle-reducing agents, fabric conditioning agents and deodorizers .

Detergent compositions according to the invention may suitably contain a bleach system. The bleach system is preferably based on peroxy bleach compounds, for example, inorganic persalts or organic peroxyacids, capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution. Suitable peroxy bleach compounds include organic peroxides such as urea peroxide, and inorganic persalts such as the alkali metal perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, persilicates and persulphates . Preferred inorganic persalts are sodium perborate monohydrate and tetrahydrate, and sodium percarbonate . Especially preferred is sodium percarbonate having a protective coating against destabilisation by moisture. Sodium percarbonate having a protective coating comprising sodium metaborate and sodium silicate is disclosed in GB 2 123 044B. The peroxy bleach compound is suitably present in an amount of from 5 to 35% by weight, preferably from 10 to 25% by weight.

The peroxy bleach compound may be used in conjunction with a bleach activator (bleach precursor) to improve bleaching action at low wash temperatures. The bleach precursor is suitably present in an amount of from 1 to 8% by weight, preferably from 2 to 5% by weight.

Preferred bleach precursors are peroxycarboxylic acid precursors, more especially peracetic acid precursors and peroxybenzoic acid precursors; and peroxycarbonic acid precursors. An especially preferred bleach precursor suitable for use in the present invention is N, N, N ' , N ' -tetracetyl ethylenediamine (TAED) . Also of interest are peroxybenzoic acid precursors, in particular, N, N, N-trimethylammonium toluoyloxy benzene sulphonate.

A bleach stabiliser (heavy metal sequestrant) may also be present. Suitable bleach stabilisers include ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) and the polyphosphonates such as Dequest (Trade Mark) , EDTMP.

The detergent compositions may also contain one or more enzymes. Suitable enzymes include the proteases, amylases, cellulases, oxidases, peroxidases and lipases usable for incorporation in detergent compositions.

In particulate detergent compositions, detergency enzymes are commonly employed in granular form in amounts of from about 0.1 to about 3.0% by weight. However, any suitable physical form of enzyme may be used in any effective amount. In addition to the copolymer according to the invention, the detergent composition according to the invention may also contain antiredeposition agents. For example cellulose esters and ethers, for example sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, may also be present. Furthermore the compositions may also contain soil release polymers, for example sulphonated and unsulphonated PET/POET polymers, both end-capped and non-end- capped, and polyethylene glycol/polyvinyl alcohol graft copolymers such as Sokolan (Trade Mark) HP22. Especially preferred soil release polymers are the sulphonated non-end- capped polyesters described and claimed in WO 95/32997 (Rhodia Chimie) .

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the detergent composition comprises in addition to the copolymer of the invention :

(i) from 5 to 55% by weight, preferably from 10 to 15% by weight, of an anionic surfactant,

(ii) from 0.5 to 20% by weight, preferably from 1 to 5% by weight, of a non-ionic surfactant,

(iii) from 0 to 60% by weight, preferably from 15 to 40% by weight, of a detergency builder,

(iv) from 0 to 60% by weight, preferably from 10 to 30% by weight, of an inorganic non-builder salt, (v) from 0.5 to 3% by weight, preferably from 1 to 2% by weight, of a polycarboxylate polymer, and

(vi) optionally other detergent ingredients to 100% by weight. All these percentages are given as percentages of the total composition . Methods for use of the copolymer

The incorporation of the copolymer of the invention into a detergent composition provides the advantages that the primary detergency improved detergency of the surfactant system is improved. Hence in a further aspect the invention provides the use of a copolymer according to the invention to provide improved detergency to a laundry detergent composition comprising a surfactant. In this use preferably the number average molecular weight of the polymer according to the invention is between 2,000 and 50,000 Dalton, more preferably between 5,000 and 50,000 Dalton, mostly preferred between 5,000 and 20, 000 Dalton.

In addition the copolymer of the invention may also exhibit soil release and/or anti-redeposition benefits in addition to this primary detergency benefit. Hence another aspect of the invention is the use of a copolymer according to the invention to provide improved soil release to a laundry detergent composition. By this method the polymer according to the invention is used as a soil release polymer. In this case the preferred number average molecular weight of the polymer according to the invention is between 50,000 and 100,000 Dalton. Preferably for use to provide improved soil release the polymer according to the invention has a block architecture.

Another aspect of the invention is the use of a copolymer according to the invention to provide improved anti- redeposition of soil to a laundry detergent composition. By this method the polymer according to the invention is used as an anti-redeposition polymer. In this use preferably the number average molecular weight of the polymer according to the invention is between 2,000 and 50,000 Dalton, more preferably between 5,000 and 50,000 Dalton, mostly preferred between 5,000 and 20, 000 Dalton.

In another aspect the invention provides a method for improving the stain removal from a textile substrate, comprising the following steps: a) provision of a wash liquor comprising the laundry detergent composition according to the invention; and, b) contacting one or more stained textile substrates with said wash liquor during one or more steps of a laundry process.

This method may be done in an automatic washing machine, or may also be done in a manual laundry process.

Without wishing to be limited by theory, it is envisaged that the glycerol (meth) acrylate moiety of the copolymer according to the invention adheres to soil on fabric. Meanwhile the poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate moiety of the copolymer according to the invention stabilises the soil.

Preparation of the detergent product

According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the detergent composition is in particulate form.

Powders of low to moderate bulk density may be prepared by spray-drying slurry, and optionally post dosing (dry-mixing) further ingredients. Routes available for powder manufacture include spray drying, drum drying, fluid bed drying, and scraped film drying devices such as the wiped film evaporator. A preferred form of scraped film device is a wiped film evaporator. One such suitable wiped film evaporator is the ^λDryex system' based on a wiped film evaporator available from Ballestra S. p. A.. Alternative equipment would be the Chemithon the ^λTurbo Tube' dryer system wherein a high active surfactant paste is heated and metering to a multi tube, steam-j acketed drying vessel.

^Concentrated' or 'compact' powders may be prepared by mixing and granulating processes, for example, using a high-speed mixer/granulator, or other non-tower processes.

Tablets may be prepared by compacting powders, especially 'concentrated' powders.

EXAMPLES The invention will now be illustrated by the following non- limiting examples.

Example 1 : Preparation of copolymer comprising monomers poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and glycerol methacrylate

(A) Preparation of poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) macroinitiator (PEG-I) Monomethoxypolyethylene glycol 350, ex Aldrich (35g, 0.1 mol) was dissolved in anhydrous toluene (30OmL) in a 2-necked round bottom flask fitted with a suba seal and calcium chloride guard tube. Polymer bound 4- (dimethylamino) pyridine (PS-DMAP) (8g), triethylamine (TEA) (11.2g, 0.111 mol) and a magnetic stirrer bar were added to the reaction solution. 2-Bromoisobutyryl bromide (25.3g, 0.11 mol) was added dropwise via a syringe through the suba seal, which caused the initially clear solution to turn to a milky suspension. After stirring at ambient overnight, the reaction solution was passed through a filter, and the toluene was removed using a rotary evaporator. The remaining brown liquid was dissolved in dichloromethane (20OmL) . This solution was added to a separating funnel and washed successively with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution (10OmL), IM hydrochloric acid (10OmL) and brine (10OmL) . The dichloromethane layer was then dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and the solvent evaporated. After drying overnight under vacuo the product was obtained as a light brown oil (50.5g, 95% yield) .

Reaction scheme 1 :

Characterisation :

IR : 1734 cm ^λ (s, saturated ester carbonyl)

NMR (¹H-CDCl₃) : 1.94 (d, ester CH₃, 6H); 3.37 (s, PEG-OCH₃, 3H); 3.64 (s, PEG-CH₂, 28H); 3.73 (t, PEG-CH₂-O, 2H); 4.33 (t, PEG-CH₂-O, 2H) .

(B) Preparation of copolymer of poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) - glycerol monomethacrylate (GMMA) A copolymer according to the invention was prepared using atom transfer radical polymerisation (ATRP) technique, so that polymers with targeted molecular weights and compositions can be obtained. Poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate solution (PEGMA, Mn = 2080, 50 wt% in water) (ex Aldrich) (3.78g, 0.00091 mol) , glycerol monomethacrylate (ex Evonik Industries) (GMMA, 1.46g, 0.0091 mol) and PEG-I (from step (A), 0.533g, 0.001 mol) were dissolved in methanol (5.32mL to give a final solvent composition of MeOH/water = 2.8:1) in a 3-necked 5OmL round bottom flask fitted with a magnetic stirrer bar, a nitrogen gas inlet and a suba seal fitted with a gas outlet. Dry nitrogen gas was bubbled through the solution for 45 minutes. Catalyst copper (I) bromide (0.143g, 0.001 mol) and ligand 2, 2' -dipyridyl (0.3124g, 0.002 mol) were weighed into a glass vial, mixed and added to the reaction mixture by lifting the suba seal from the flask' s socket and replacing the seal immediately after addition of the solids. The reaction mixture turned to a green colour on mixing the solids into solution, also an increase in viscosity was noted. After mixing for 2 hours under a N₂ blanket at ambient temperature, the solution was then poured through a bed of silica to remove the copper metal, which resulted in the initially dark green solution becoming clear and lightly brown coloured. After evaporation of the solvents and drying in vacuo, 5 gram of off-white polymer was obtained, which is called polymer 1 in this example.

Reaction scheme 2 :

where m, n and r are positive integers. ^λCO' in the molecular formula of the polymer indicates that the polymer is a copolymer, that is that the resultant polymer is a statistical copolymer of the 2 monomers chosen in the reaction. Characterisation of polymer 1: IR : 1723 cm^"1 (s, saturated ester carbonyl)

NMR (¹H-D₂O) : 0.8-1.3 (broad m, polymer backbone CH₃); 1.6-2.2 (broad m, polymer backbone CH₂); 3.36 (s, PEGMA-OCH₃); 3.45 (broad m, PEGMA-CH₂CH₂-O) ; 3.9-4.4 (broad m, PGMMA-CH₂CHOH) . This indicates a mol ratio of PEGMA to GMMA of 1 : 6. Triple detection SEC (eluent = THF) : Mn = 8,485 Da; Mw = 10,316 Da; PDi = 1.2.

Example 2

Two other copolymers were made by the same method as used in example 1, using the same monomers and initiator, wherein the initial molar ratio of the monomers (as supplied to the reaction vessel) was different as compared to the copolymer made in example 1. The results from the characterisation of the produced polymers is given in table 1 (including the polymer made in example 1) :

Table 1 Characterisation of copolymers of poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate and glycerol monomethacrylate according to the invention

* polymer 1 is the copolymer as made in example 1 Example 3 : Measurement of the effect of the polymers on primary detergency

Measurement of Soil Release Index (SRI)

SRI is a measure of how much of a stain on textile is removed during a washing process. The intensity of any stain can be measured by means of a reflectometer in terms of the difference between the stain and clean cloth giving ΔE* for each stain. It is defined as ΔE* and is calculated as:

Δfc ^{= ■}\ \'-staιn-before ^~ '-clean-cloth / ⁺ \& stain-before ^~ & clean-cloth ) + ("stain-before ^~ "clean-cloth )

L*, a*, and b* are the coordinates of the CIE 1976 (L*, a*, b*) colour space, determined using a standard reflectometer . ΔE* can be measured before and after the stain is washed, to give ΔE*_bw (before wash) and ΔE*_aw (after wash) . SRI is then defined as:

SR/ = 100-ΔE₌

A SRI of 100 means complete removal of a stain.

Wash liquors were formulated, containing as surfactants primary alkyl sulfate (PAS anionic surfactant, average C12, EMAL PHlO ex Kao) and alcohol ethoxylate (nonionic surfactant average C12- Ci5-7EO, Neodol 25-7 ex Shell), as shown in table 2 at the indicated concentrations. Additionally the wash liquor contained other standard compounds of a laundry detergent (e.g. builder) , as well as NaCl at a concentration of 5 mM. Water hardness was 6⁰FH. The polymers according to the invention as made in examples 1 and 2 were tested in the different wash liquors. Table 2 Concentrations of surfactants and copolymer in wash liquors .

The following results (table 3) were obtained for the removal of red gravel stains from knitted polyester cloth and the removal of grass stains from woven cotton, as measured in the following standard protocol, called the Tergometer Protocol, using a Tergometer washing machine.

Wash Protocol

1. Measurement of the colour of the stain on the textile cloth

2. Set Tergometer to 25°C.

3. Add water, formulation and polymer stock solutions to each pot, agitate for 1 minute. 4. Add stain cloths and ballast, set tergo going. 5. Leave to wash for 12 minutes 6. Rinse cloths in 6°FH water (soft water) for 1 minute, repeat rinse .

7. Dry cloths overnight.

8. Measurement of the colour of the stain on the textile cloth

Table 3 Stain removal index (SRI) for red gravel stains on knitted polyester and grass on woven cotton (Tergometer protocol) .

It is shown here that the polymers increase the primary detergency on red gravel and grass stains.

Some typical formulations of detergent compositions according to the present invention are given in table 4, for use under European washing conditions.

Table 4 Typical detergent compositions according to the invention .

Claims

1. A copolymer comprising the monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate, wherein the copolymer has a number average molecular weight between 2,000 and 100,000 Dalton.

2. A copolymer according to claim 1, having a number average molecular weight between 5,000 and 20,000 Dalton.

3. A copolymer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate is selected from the group consisting of poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth) acrylate, poly (ethylene glycol) ethyl ether (meth) acrylate, poly (propylene glycol) methyl ether (meth) acrylate, poly (propylene glycol) ethyl ether (meth) acrylate, and mixtures thereof.

4. A copolymer according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate comprises poly (ethylene glycol) methyl ether (meth) acrylate .

5. A copolymer according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the number average molecular weight of the poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether (meth) acrylate monomer is between 300 and 5,000 Dalton.

6. A copolymer according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the molar ratio of the monomers poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether

(meth) acrylate to glycerol (meth) acrylate ranges from 10:1 to 1:10.

7. A copolymer according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the copolymer is a branched copolymer comprising at least two chains of monomers, wherein said chains comprise the monomer glycerol

(meth) acrylate, or the monomer poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether

(meth) acrylate, or both monomers, and wherein the chains are covalently linked other than at their ends by a bridge formed by an ethyleneically polyunsaturated monomer .

8. A method for production of the copolymer according to any of claims 1 to 7 by an addition polymerisation process, comprising the steps of: a) forming an admixture of or comprising the monomers glycerol (meth) acrylate and poly (alkylene oxide) alkyl ether

9. A laundry detergent composition comprising: a) a detersive surfactant at a concentration between 3 and 85% by weight of the total composition; b) a copolymer according to any of claims 1 to 7 at a concentration between 0.5 and 25% by weight of the total composition; c) optionally other detergent ingredients up to 100% by weight of the total composition.

10. Use of a copolymer according to any of claims 1 to 7 to provide improved detergency to a laundry detergent composition comprising a surfactant.

11. Use of a copolymer according to any of claims 1 to 7 to provide improved soil release to a laundry detergent composition .

12. Use of a copolymer according to any of claims 1 to 7 to provide improved anti-redeposition of to a laundry detergent composition .

13. A method for improving the stain removal from a textile substrate, comprising the following steps: a) provision of a wash liquor comprising the laundry detergent composition according to claim 8; and, b) contacting one or more stained textile substrates with said wash liquor during one or more steps of a laundry process.