Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a solid laundry detergent composition, more particularly it relates to a solid laundry detergent composition comprising low levels of alkaline builders.

Background of the invention

Consumers of solid laundry detergent compositions desire that the laundry composition provides good fabric cleaning performance against a wide variety of soil types and also has very good dispensing and dissolution profiles. Especially consumers who handwash fabrics also desire for a laundry composition which is less harsh on hands and on fabrics.

Laundry detergent composition for cleaning fabrics have been known for many years to include anionic detersive surfactant, particularly linear alkyl benzene sulphonate anionic surfactant. Formulators of the detergent composition incorporate anionic detergents into solid laundry detergent composition in order to provide a good fabric cleaning benefit. Laundry composition are generally added to water to form a solution, the water usually includes free cations, such as calcium and magnesium cations, these interact negatively with the anionic detersive surfactant and lead to a reduction in the anionic detersive surfactant activity. In order to mitigate the tendency of anionic detersive surfactant to react with free cations in the wash liquor and precipitate out of solution, builders such as zeolites, silicates and carbonates, are incorporated into the composition. These builders sequester free calcium and magnesium cations. In addition to its role as builder the carbonate and silicate builders also increase the pH of the wash liquor which is beneficial at removing stains.

However, when carbonate and silicate builders are incorporated in laundry detergent compositions they interact with the free calcium and magnesium cations and form complexes, these complexes are water-insoluble and in extreme hard water conditions the water-insoluble complex may deposit onto the fabric resulting in poor whiteness maintenance and may cause poor fabric integrity. In addition, the increased alkalinity of detergent compositions that comprise high levels of carbonate builders and silicate builders is harsh on fabrics and hands of the user. Furthermore, the high pH levels can negatively impact some cleaning actives. Additionally, it is also desired to cut the levels of carbonates in order to deliver low chemical formulations.

Thus, there remains a need for a solid laundry detergent composition comprising an anionic detersive surfactant having a good fabric cleaning performance, especially a good particulate, oily and greasy stain cleaning performance, good whiteness maintenance and very good dispensing and dissolution profiles while the composition has low levels of alkaline builders.

Therefore, there is a need in the art for a solid laundry detergent composition that comprise an anionic surfactant, low carbonate levels and preferably low silicate levels, while maintaining excellent cleaning performance. It is also desired to provide a solid laundry detergent composition with a pH from 7 to 10.5 which provides benefits such as low or no deposition of residues on fabrics and associated improvement in whiteness and improved bleachable stain removal benefits.

Prior art documents which provide detergent compositions with lower levels of carbonate and silicate alkaline builders are known.

US 2002/198134 A1 (Unilever) discloses a particulate zeolite-built laundry detergent composition which provides for improving the dispensing and dissolution properties. The composition includes anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, less than 20wt.% carbonate and polyvinyl pyrrolidone.

US 2016/0289612 A1 (Tantawy et al.) discloses a solid free flowing particulate laundry detergent composition which provides excellent whiteness and dingy cleaning performance. The detergent composition includes surfactant and a copolymer of N- vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole. More recently, EP 3546559 A1 (P&G, 2019) discloses a solid free flowing particulate laundry detergent composition having 0 to 8 wt.% sodium carbonate, surfactants which may include anionic surfactant, non-ionic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant and a N- vinylpyrrolidone dye transfer inhibitor.

It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a solid laundry detergent composition having a low levels of carbonate salt and silicate salt.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a solid laundry detergent composition having low carbonate levels and low silicate levels which gives good solubility profile, good cleaning profile, good stability profile, good fabric care profile and good freshness profile.

Summary of the invention

The present inventors have surprising found that an improvement in the fabric care benefits and stain removal performance of solid laundry detergent composition having low carbonate levels, low phosphate builder levels, and low silicate levels can be achieved by combination of an anionic surfactant with an amphoteric surfactant and a lactam-based compound or derivatives thereof in the composition. Preferably the lactam-based compound is a pyrrolidone compound or derivatives thereof.

According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed is a solid laundry detergent composition comprising: i) anionic surfactant; ii) an amphoteric surfactant; iii) N-alkylated lactam compound or derivatives thereof; iv) 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt; v) 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% silicate salt; and, vi) 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate builder.

According to a second aspect of the present invention disclosed is a method of laundering a textile surface with the detergent composition of the first aspect comprising the steps of: i) preparing a wash liquor by mixing the detergent composition according to the first aspect with a liquid, preferably water; ii) soaking said textile surface in the wash liquor for a predetermined period of time; and, iii) optionally rinsing the textile surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention disclosed is use of an anionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant and a N-alkylated lactam compound or derivatives thereof from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt, 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% silicate salt and 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate builder in a detergent composition to provide improved stain removal performance.

A solid detergent composition according to the present disclosure encompasses a variety of spray-dried or granulated forms including, for example powder, particulates; cast and extruded forms including, for example, solids, pellets, blocks, bars, and tablets. It should be understood that the term “solid” refers to the state of the detergent composition under the expected conditions of storage and use of the solid detergent composition. In general, it is expected that the detergent composition will remain a solid when provided at a temperature of up to about 37° C and preferably greater than 50°C.

These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilised in any other aspect of the invention. The word "comprising" is intended to mean "including" but not necessarily "consisting of" or "composed of." In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se.

Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word "about". Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.

Detailed description of the invention

According to the first aspect of the present invention, disclosed is a solid laundry detergent composition having 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt; 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% silicate salt, 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate builder and which includes an anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a N-alkyl lactam compound or derivatives thereof.

Anionic surfactant

According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed solid laundry composition includes an anionic surfactant. Examples of anionic surfactant are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

Suitable anionic surfactants include those selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl monoglyceryl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamates, alkyl amidosulfosuccinates, alkyl carboxylates, alkyl amido ether carboxylates, alkyl succinates, fatty acyl sarcosinates, fatty acyl amino acids, fatty acyl taurates, fatty alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, and mixtures of two or more thereof.

Suitable anionic surfactant includes, for example, the alkyl benzene sulphonic acids and their salts, alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate. The anionic surfactant may be present in the form of acid or in neutralized salt form. The anionic surfactant may be liner, branched or combinations thereof.

Nonlimiting examples of anionic surfactants useful herein include: C10 to C20 primary, branched chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); Cw to Cw secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates; C10 to C alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AES) wherein x is from 1-30; Cw to Cw alkyl alkoxy carboxylates comprising 1 to 5 ethoxy units; mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates as discussed in US 6,020,303 and US 6,060,443; mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed in US 6,008, 181 and US 6,020,303; modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242 and WO 99/05244; methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and alpha-olefin sulfonate (AOS). Such surfactants include the alkyl benzene sulfonic acids and their salts as well as alkoxylated or non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate materials.

Exemplary anionic surfactants are the alkali metal salts of C10 to C alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, preferably On to C14 alkyl benzene sulfonic acids. In one aspect, the alkyl group is linear. Such linear alkyl benzene sulfonates are known as "LAS". Such surfactants and their preparation are described for example in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially preferred are the sodium and potassium linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 14. Sodium Cn to C14 LAS, e.g., C12 LAS, are a specific example of such surfactants.

Another exemplary type of anionic surfactant comprises linear or branched ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants. Such materials, also known as alkyl ether sulfates or alkyl polyethoxylate sulfates, are those which correspond to the formula: R'-O-(C2H4O) _n - SO3M wherein R' is a Cs to C24 alkyl (linear, branched, saturated or unsaturated) group , n is from about 1 to 20, preferably 1 to 12, and M is a salt-forming cation. In a specific embodiment, R' is C10 to C alkyl, n is from about 1 to 15, and M is sodium, potassium, ammonium, alkylammonium, or alkanolammonium. In more specific embodiments, R' is a C12 to C from about 1 to 6 and M is sodium. The alkyl ether sulfates will generally be used in the form of mixtures comprising varying R' chain lengths and varying degrees of ethoxylation. Frequently such mixtures will inevitably also contain some nonethoxylated alkyl sulfate materials, i.e., surfactants of the above ethoxylated alkyl sulfate formula wherein n=0. Examples include sodium laureth sulphate, ammonium laureth sulphate, sodium trideceth sulphate.

Non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfates may also be added separately to the compositions of this invention. Specific examples of non-alkoxylated, e.g., non-ethoxylated, alkyl ether sulfate surfactants are those produced by the sulfation of higher Cs to C20 fatty alcohols. Conventional primary alkyl sulfate surfactants have the general formula: R"OSC>3'M ⁺ wherein R" is typically a Cs to C20 alkyl (linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated) group, which may be straight chain or branched chain, and M is a water-solubilizing cation. In specific embodiments, R" is a C10 to C15 alkyl group, and M is alkali metal, more specifically R" is C12 to C14 alkyl and M is sodium. Examples include sodium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulphate and sodium coco sulphate.

Specific, non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants useful herein include: a) C11 to Cis alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS); b) C10 to C20 primary, branched-chain and random alkyl sulfates (AS); c) C10 to Cw secondary (2,3)-alkyl sulfates having following formulae: wherein M is hydrogen or a cation which provides charge neutrality, and all M units, whether associated with a surfactant or adjunct ingredient, can either be a hydrogen atom or a cation depending upon the form isolated by the artisan or the relative pH of the system wherein the compound is used, with non-limiting examples of preferred cations including sodium, potassium, ammonium, and mixtures thereof, and x is an integer of at least about 7, preferably at least about 9, and y is an integer of at least 8, preferably at least about 9; d) C10 to C alkyl alkoxy sulfates (AES) wherein preferably z is from 1 to 30; e) Cw to Cw alkyl alkoxy carboxylates preferably comprising 1 to 5 ethoxy units; f) mid-chain branched alkyl sulfates as discussed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,020,303 and 6,060,443; g) mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulfates as discussed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,008,181 and 6,020,303; h) modified alkylbenzene sulfonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, WO 99/05244, WO 99/05082, WO 99/05084, WO 99/05241 , WO 99/07656, WO 00/23549, and WO 00/23548. ; i) methyl ester sulfonate (MES); and j) alphaolefin sulfonate (AOS).

Anionic surfactants may exist in an acid form and the acid form may be neutralized to form a surfactant salt. Typical agents for neutralization include a metal counter ion base such as a hydroxide, e.g., NaOH or KOH. Further agents for neutralizing anionic surfactants include ammonia, amines, or alkanolamines. Suitable non-limiting examples include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and other linear or branched alkanolamines known in the art, for example, 2-amino-1-propanol, 1- aminopropanol, monoisopropanolamine, or 1-amino-3-propanol. Amine neutralization may be done to a full or partial extent, e.g., part of the anionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with sodium or potassium and part of the anionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with amines or alkanolamines.

Preferably the anionic surfactant is a non-soap anionic surfactant. The term “soap” is used herein in its popular sense, i.e. , the alkali metal or alkanol ammonium salts of aliphatic, alkanes, or alkene monocarboxylic acids. Sodium, potassium, magnesium, mono-, di- and tri-ethanol ammonium cations, or combinations thereof, are the most suitable for purposes of this invention.

Preferably the anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl sulphate surfactant, alkyl sulphonate surfactant, alkyl ether sulphonate surfactant or combinations thereof. Preferably the anionic surfactant is an alkali metal salt of C10 to Cis alkyl benzene sulfonic acid. Most preferably Na LAS or Mg LAS. Non-limiting examples of the preferred anionic surfactant includes linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, lauryl ether Sulfate, primary alkyl Sulfate, methyl ester sulphonate or combinations thereof.

Preferably the anionic surfactant includes 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% alkyl sulfates, preferably 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% alkyl sulfates, preferably PAS. The anionic surfactant may also include from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% MES, preferably 0 wt.% to 5 wt.% MES. The anionic surfactant may be an SLES, preferably included in the composition in an amount from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.%, preferably 0 wt.% to 5 wt.%.

The detergent composition of the present invention includes from 2 wt.% to 50 wt.% of an anionic surfactant, more preferably 2 wt.% to 40 wt.% of anionic surfactant.

Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 4 wt.%, still preferably at least 5 wt.%, still preferably at least 10 wt.%, most preferably at least 15 wt.% of the anionic surfactant, but typically not more than 45 wt.%, still preferably not more than 40 wt.%, still further preferably not more than 35 wt.%, still more preferably not more than 30 wt.% and most preferably not more than 20 wt.% of an anionic surfactant based on the weight of the detergent composition. Amphoteric surfactant

According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed solid laundry composition includes an amphoteric surfactant.

As used herein, the term “amphoteric” includes (a) surfactant molecules that contain both an acidic and basic site such as, for example, an amino acid containing both amino (basic) and acid (e.g., carboxylic acid, acidic) functional groups; or (b) zwitterionic surfactant molecules which possess both positive and negative charges within the same molecule. The charges of the zwitterionic molecule may be either dependent or independent of the pH of the composition. The term “amphoteric surfactant,” as used herein, is also intended to encompass zwitterionic surfactants, which are well known to formulators skilled in the art as a subset of amphoteric surfactants.

Non-limiting examples of amphoteric surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention are disclosed in McCutcheon's, Detergents and Emulsifiers, North American edition (1986), published by allured Publishing Corporation; and McCutcheons, Functional Materials, North American Edition (1992); both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

Examples of amphoteric surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, amphocarboxylates such as alkylamphoacetates (mono or di); alkyl betaines; alkylamidoalkyl betaines; alkylamidoalkyl sultaines; alkylamphophosphates; phosphorylated imidazolines such as phosphobetaines and pyrophosphobetaines; carboxyalkyl alkyl polyamines; alkylimino-dipropionates; alkylamphoglycinates (mono or di); alkylamphoproprionates (mono or di), ); N-alkyl [3- aminoproprionic acids; alkylpolyamino carboxylates; and mixtures thereof.

Specific examples of the amphoteric surfactants include those given hereinbelow.

The amphoteric surfactant is preferably selected from the group consisting of betaines, sultaines, amine oxide or mixtures thereof. A preferred amphoteric surfactant is the betaine type surfactant. Preferably the betaine type amphoteric surfactant has a permanent negative charge and positive charge on the same molecule which does not alter with change in the pH and not having an isoelectric point. They are quaternized derivatives.

Alkyl betaines where R=Cs-C34 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Coco-Betaine (R=coco alkyl), Lauryl Betaine (R=lauryl, C12H25), and Oleyl Betaine (R=oleyl, C18H35).

Alkylamidoalkyl betaines where RCO= Ce to C24 acyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof and x= 1 to 4. Examples include Cocamidoethyl Betaine (RCO=coco acyl, x=2), Cocamidopropyl Betaine (RCO=coco acyl, x=3), Lauramidopropyl Betaine (RCO=lauroyl, and x=3), Myristamidopropyl Betaine (RCO=myristoyl, and x=3), Soyamidopropyl Betaine (R=soy acyl, x=3), and Oleamidopropyl Betaine (RCO=oleoyl, and x=3). Preferably the amphoteric surfactant is Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB). The cocamidopropyl Betaine is commercially available from Rhone-Poulenc as Mirataine BDJ, Galaxy, Huntsman.

Alkyl phosphobetaines where R=Ce to C24 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof and M=monovalent cation, such as Sodium Coco PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, where R=coco alkyl and M ⁺ =Na ⁺ .

Alkyl sulphobetaines where R ¹ =Ce to C24 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof and R ² and R ³ which may be the same or different, are Ci to C3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, for example, methyl groups.

Alkyl Hydroxysultaines where R=Cs-C34 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Coco-hydroxysultaine (R=coco alkyl) and Lauryl hydroxysultaine (R=lauryl, C12H25).

Alkyl sultaines where R=Cs-C34 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Coco-sultaine (R=coco alkyl) and Lauryl sultaine (R=lauryl, C12H25).

Alkylamidoalkyl sultaines where RCO= Ce to C24 acyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Cocamidopropyl sultaine (RCO=coco acyl, x=3), Lauramidopropyl sultaine (RCO=lauroyl, and x=3), Myristamidopropyl sultaine (RCO=myristoyl, and x=3), soyamidopropyl sultaine (R=soy acyl, x=3), and Oleamidopropyl sultaine (RCO=oleoyl, and x=3).

Alkylamidoalkyl Hydroxysultaines

() CH ₃ O — C — NH - (CH ₂ ) _X — N— CH ₂ — CH — CH ₂ — S — O

CH ₃ OH O where RCO= Ce to C24 acyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Examples include Cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (RCO=coco acyl, x=3), Lauramidopropyl hydroxysultaine (RCO=lauroyl, and x=3), Myristamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (RCOmyristoyl, and x=3), Oleamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (RCO=oleoyl, and x=3).

Further useful amphoteric surfactant are those which are broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, preferably wherein the nitrogen is in a cationic state, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight or branched chain and wherein one of the radicals contains an ionizable water solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. These amphoteric surfactant includes derivatives of aliphatic amines which contain a long chain of carbon atoms with 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an anionic water-solubilizing group selected from the group consisting of but not limited to carboxylate, sulfonate or sulphate. Examples of the compounds falling within this definition are sodium-3-dodecylamino propane sulfonate and dodecyl dimethyl ammonium hexanoate.

Alkyl amine oxide

RxRsRsN-^O wherein R1 is typically Ce to C24 alkyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof. Preferably Csto C alkyl group, for example, Ci2to C14 alkyl. R2 and R3, which may be the same or different, are Ci to C3 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups, for example, methyl groups. Examples include cocamine oxide (R=coco alkyl) and lauramine oxide (RCO = lauryl). The most preferred amine oxide is coco dimethylamine oxide.

Alkylamidoalkyl amine oxide

Where RCO =Ce to C24 acyl (saturated or unsaturated) or mixtures thereof and x = 1 to 4. Examples include cocamidopropylamine oxide (RCO =coco acyl x =3) and lauramidopropylamine oxide (RCO= lauroyl, x =3), and combinations of two or more thereof.

Preferably the amphoteric surfactant according to the present invention includes those wherein the degree of ionisation varies as a function of pH of the medium it is in. These have an isoelectric point (I EP) in the range from 3.5 to 6.5.

Preferred amphoteric surfactant may also be selected from internally neutralized derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium and phosphonium and tertiary sulfonium compounds in which the aliphatic radical can be straight chain or branched, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water solubilizing group.

Preferably the amphoteric surfactant is selected from the group consisting of betaines, sultaines, amine oxide, alkyl iminoacetates, imino dialkanoates, amino alkanoates alkyl ammonium propionates, or mixtures thereof. More preferably the amphoteric surfactant are betaines or amine oxide. Preferably the betaine type amphoteric surfactant is selected from alkyl betaines, alkylamidoalkyl betaines and alkyl sulphobetaines.

Preferably the amine oxide type amphoteric surfactant is selected from alkyl amine oxide, alkylamidoalkyl amine oxide or mixtures thereof. Most preferably the amphoteric surfactant is a cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB). The detergent composition of the present invention includes from 0.2 wt.% to 5 wt.% of an amphoteric surfactant. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 0.2 wt.%, still preferably at least 0.3 wt.%, still preferably at least 0.4 wt.%, most preferably at least 0.5 wt.% of the amphoteric surfactant, but typically not more than 4 wt.%, still preferably not more than 3.5 wt.%, still further preferably not more than 3 wt.%, still more preferably not more than 2.5 wt.% and most preferably not more than 1 wt.% of an amphoteric surfactant based on the weight of the detergent composition.

In the solid detergent composition according to the present invention the ratio of the anionic surfactant to the amphoteric surfactant is in a ratio from 0.4:1 to 200:1 , still preferably the ratio is from 5:1 to 100:1 , preferably in the detergent composition of the present invention the total amount of anionic surfactant is greater than the amphoteric surfactant present in the composition.

N-alkylated lactam compound or derivatives thereof According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed composition includes a N-alkylated lactam compound or derivatives thereof.

The N-alkylated lactam compound may be a monomeric or polymeric. The term “monomer” refers to the repeat units that comprise a polymer. A monomer is a compound that chemically bonds to other molecules, including other monomers, to form a polymer. The terms “polymer” refers to a molecule comprising multiple monomer units connected by covalent chemical bonds. By this definition, polymer encompasses molecules wherein the number of monomer units ranges from very few, which more commonly may be called oligomers. The term "polymer" refers to both linear and branched polymers derived from one or more monomer units, which may or may not be crosslinked, or grafted. Non-limiting examples of polymers include copolymers, terpolymers, tetramers, wherein the polymer is a random, blocked, or alternating polymer.

The term “homopolymer” refers to a polymer that comprises a single type of monomer units and includes such polymers wherein a small amount of polymerization solvent may be covalently bonded into the polymer. The term “copolymer” refers to a polymer that comprises two different monomer units.

The term "crosslinked" herein refers to a polymer having intramolecular and/or intermolecular crosslinks, whether arising through covalent or non-covalent bonding. "Noncovalent" bonding includes both hydrogen bonding and electrostatic (ionic) bonding.

Examples of N-alkylated lactam compound or derivatives thereof includes N-alkylated piperidone, N-alkylated-caprolactam, N-alkylated pyrrolidone, N-alkylated valerolactam, N-alkylated formamide and mixtures thereof. In these compounds preferably the lactam nitrogen is directly bonded to the polymer backbone. These compounds also include poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone), poly(N-vinyl-E-caprolactam), and poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone- co-N-vinyl acetate). Preferably alkyl group is vinyl.

Monomeric N-alkylated lactam compound:

Preferably the N-lactam compound is monomeric. The monomeric N-alkylated lactam preferably has a carbon chain length from 8 carbon atoms to 18 carbon atoms.

Preferably the lactam compound is pyrrolidone.

Non-limiting examples includes N-octyl pyrrolidone, N-dodecyl pyrrolidone, N-lauryl pyrrolidone, N-octadecyl pyrrolidone or mixtures thereof. The N-alkylated pyrrolidone may be unsubstituted or substituted and represented by the formula (I) as given herein below. Formula (I) where n = 8 to 18; R’, R” and R’” are independently selected from the group consisting of lower Ci to Ce alkyl substituents, alkoxyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, amine, sulphonate group or combinations thereof. Commercially available N-alkylated pyrrolidone compound or derivatives thereof includes but is not limited to Surfadone™ LP-100 (N-octyl pyrrolidone) from Ashland, lauryl (or n-dodecyl) pyrrolidone is commercially available, for example, as sold by ISP Chemicals under the brand name Surfadone, such as Surfadone LP-300.

Polymeric N-alkylated lactam compound:

Preferably the N-alkylated lactam may be in a polymeric form. The polymeric forms preferably include but not limited to homopolymer, a copolymer or cross-linked polymer.

Suitable N-alkylated lactam based homopolymers are those having the general formula (II): where n4 has a value of >10 to maximum value of 30,000, preferably the average molecular weight of the homopolymer is from 1000 to 3,000,000 g/mol.

Preferably the homopolymer are homopolymer of N-vinylpyrrolidone and represented as follows: Formula (III) where n = degree of polymerisation and can be such that the weight average molecular weight of the vinyl pyrrolidone homopolymer is from 1,000 to 100,000,000, preferably from 10,000 to 1 ,000,000, more preferably from 25,000 to 7,500,000, and most preferably from 300,000 to 500,000 units. Preferably the water-soluble polyvinylpyrrolidone have an average molecular weight of from 2,500 to 400,000, preferably from 5,000 to 50,000 and most preferably from 5,000 to 15,000.

Suitable vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers are commercially available from ISP Corporation, under the product names PVP K-15® (viscosity molecular weight of 10,000), PVP K-30® (average molecular weight of 40,000), PVP K-60® (average molecular weight of 160,000), and PVP K-90® (average molecular weight of 360,000). Other suitable vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers which are commercially available from BASF Co-operation include Sokalan HP 165®, Sokalan HP 12®, Luviskol K30®, Luviskol K60®, Luviskol K80®, and Luviskol K90®.

Suitable N-alkylated lactam-based copolymer are vinylpyrrolidone copolymers.

Preferably the copolymer is between two monomeric units having a pyrrolidone functional unit for example a copolymer of monomer unit of N-alkylated pyrrolidone with imidazole, acetate, polyvinyloxazolidone, caprolactum or mixtures thereof. Preferably the copolymer is a copolymer of N-alkylated pyrrolidone with cyclic monomer unit such as polyvinyloxazolidone, polyvinylimidazole Preferred copolymer is a N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymer. The N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymer typically have an average molecular weight range from 5,000 to 1 ,000,000, preferably from 20,000 to 200,000. Highly preferred polymers for use herein comprise a polymer selected from N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone copolymers wherein said polymer has an average molecular weight range from 5,000 to 50,000 more preferably from 8,000 to 30,000, most preferably from 10,000 to 20,000.

Useful N-alkylated lactam copolymer preferably have the general formula (IV):

Formula (IV) wherein: x is from 20 to 99 mol%, preferably from 40 to 99 mol%; y is from 1 to 80 mol%, preferably from 1 to 40 mol%; z is from 0 to 50 mol%, preferably 0 mol%; such that (x+y+z) = 100; m is from 1 to 3, preferably 1 ;

Ri is H or CH3;

Z is O or NH;

R2 is C _a H2a, wherein a is from 1 to 4, preferably 2;

R3 is independently Ci to C4 alkyl; and

M is a vinyl or vinylidene monomer, preferably copolymerisable with vinyl pyrrolidone other than the monomer identified in [ ]y. Such vinylpyrrolidone copolymers are more fully described in United States Patent No. 4,445,521, United States Patent No.

4,165,367, United States Patent No. 4,223,009, United States Patent No. 3,954,960, as well as GB1331819.

The monomer unit within [ ]y is, for example, a di-alkylamine alkyl acrylate or methacrylate or a vinyl ether derivative. Examples of these monomers include dimethylaminomethyl acrylate, dimethylaminomethyl methacrylate, diethylaminomethyl acrylate, diethylaminomethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl acrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, dimethylaminobutyl acrylate, dimethylaminobutyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoamyl methacrylate, diethylaminoamyl methacrylate, dimethylaminohexyl acrylate, diethylaminohexyl methacrylate, dimethylaminooctyl acrylate, dimethylaminooctyl methacrylate, diethylaminooctyl acrylate, diethylaminooctyl methacrylate, dimethylaminodecyl methacrylate, dimethylaminododecyl methacrylate, diethylaminolauryl acrylate, diethylaminolauryl methacrylate, dimethylaminostearyl acrylate, dimethylaminostearyl methacrylate, diethylaminostearyl acrylate, diethylaminostearyl methacrylate, di-t-butylaminoethyl methacrylate, di-t-butylaminoethyl acrylate, and dimethylamino vinyl ether.

Monomer M, which is optional (z is up to 50) can comprise any conventional vinyl monomer copolymerisable with N-vinyl pyrrolidone. Suitable conventional vinyl monomers include the alkyl vinyl ethers, e.g., methyl vinyl ether, ethyl vinyl ether, octyl vinyl ether, etc.; acrylic and methacrylic acid and esters thereof, e.g., methacrylate, methyl methacrylate, etc.; vinyl aromatic monomers, e.g., styrene, a-methyl styrene, etc.; vinyl acetate; vinyl alcohol; vinylidene chloride; acrylonitrile and substituted derivatives thereof; methacrylonitrile and substituted derivatives thereof; acrylamide and methacrylamide and N-substituted derivatives thereof; vinyl chloride, crotonic acid and esters thereof; etc.

Another useful polyvinylpyrrolidone copolymer include vinylpyrrolidone/ dimethylaminoethylmethacrylate (VP/DMAEMA) copolymers having the formula (V): wherein x and y have values selected such that the weight average molecular weight of the copolymer is from 50,000 to 5,000,000 Da, preferably 100,000 Da to 2,500,000Da, more preferably from 500,000 to 1,500,000 Da. Suitable polymers are available commercially, including from Ashland Inc. under the tradenames Sorez™ HS-205, copolymer 845, copolymer 937, copolymer 958. Suitable vinylpyrrolidone/ dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate copolymers are commercially available under the name copolymer 845®, Gafquat 734®, or Gafquat 755® from ISP Corporation, New York, NY and Montreal, Canada or from BASF under the tradename Luviquat®.

Suitable copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone for use herein include copolymers of N- vinylpyrrolidone and alkylenically unsaturated monomers or mixtures thereof. The alkylenically unsaturated monomers of the copolymers herein include unsaturated dicarboxylic acids such as maleic acid, chloromaleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, phenylmaleic acid, aconitic acid, acrylic acid, N-vinylimidazole and vinyl acetate. Any of the anhydrides of the unsaturated acids may be employed, for example acrylic anhydride or methacrylic anhydride. Aromatic monomers like styrene, sulphonated styrene, alpha-methyl styrene, vinyl toluene, t-butyl styrene and similar well-known monomers may be used. Such copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and alkylenically unsaturated monomers like PVP/vinyl acetate copolymers are commercially available under the trade name Luviskol® series from BASF. The copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone for use in the compositions of the present invention also include quaternized or unquaternized vinylpyrrolidone/ dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate copolymers.

Cationic copolymers of N-alkylated pyrrolidone may be produced with monomers, which carry nitrogen groups of high basicity or which can be converted to cationic monomers by quaternization reactions. Examples for monomers of this kind include but are not limited to aminoalkyl methacrylates vinylimidazole and combinations thereof. The quaternization of the nitrogen group in these monomers with dimethyl sulphate or alkyl halides such as methyl chloride can be carried out before or after the polymerization process. Anionic copolymers of N-alkylated pyrrolidone may be produced with monomers having anionic functional groups, examples of such monomers include but is not limited to acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic anhydride or mixtures thereof.

Preferably the polymeric N-alkylated compound is a cross-linked polymer of N- alkylated pyrrolidone or derivatives thereof. Preferably the cross-linked polymer is a cross-linked homopolymer or copolymer. Preferably the N-alkylated pyrrolidone in the crosslinked polymer is N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone. Cross-linked polymers are those polymers whose backbone are interconnected to a certain degree, these links can be chemical or physical nature, possibly with active groups on the backbone or on branches; the supramolecular structure of these 'network' or 'popcorn' polymers forms, at least partially, an inter-connected network; Cross-linked polymers have been described in the Journal Polymer Science, volume 22, pages 4035-4039 (1984). Such polymers have found application as thickening agents in detergent or cosmetic compositions. Cross-linked polymers can exist as semi- or completely interpenetrating networks; (M. Alger "Polymer science dictionary" Elsevier Science publ. ltd, 1989).

Cross-links can be formed:

• between already existing linear or branched polymers (vulcanization, peroxide cross-linking);

• during the polymerization of multi-functional monomers; or

• during the polymerization of dimeric monomers with traces of multifunctional monomers.

The crosslinked copolymer may be selected from crosslinking N-alkylated pyrrolidone (preferably N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) with amides or substituted amides of unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as acrylamide, substituted and unsubstituted unsaturated carboxylic acids, such as methacrylic acid or half-acid maleates.

Crosslinked polymers may be either only slightly cross-linked or more densely crosslinked as are obtained by copolymerization of vinylpyrrolidone with crosslinking agents such as multiple unsaturated compounds. Preferably the crosslinked polymer are synthesized by a unique one-step polymerization process known as “popcorn” polymerization where the crosslinking agent is generated in situ and is, thus, chemically similar to the bulk of the polymer. This unique manufacturing process results in a densely crosslinked polymer with porous particle morphology.

The cross-linked polymers include but is not limited to cross-linked copolymer of N- vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinyl imidazole, cross-linked polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer, cross-linked polyvinyloxazolidone polymer, cross-linked polyvinylimidazole polymer or mixtures thereof.

Crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP), known by the generic chemical name crospovidone. It is a water-insoluble, water-swellable, hydrophilic polymer. Further, the crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone has a Brookfield viscosity in 5% aqueous solution of from about 100 to about 10,000 mPa s. The Brookfield viscosity of crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone in 5% aqueous solution can be from about 200 to about 8,000 mPa s, or from about 300 to about 6,000 mPa s, or from about 500 to about 4,000 mPa s.

Preferably the crosslinking agents employed in the crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone comprises at least two olefinic double bonds. Examples of the crosslinking agents can include, but are not limited to N, N'- divinylimidazolidone (DVI), N, N', N"-triallyl-triazine- trione, methyene-bis-acryamide, methylene-bis-(meth)acrylamide, triallyl amine, triallylglucose, ethyleneglycol-di-(meth)acrylate, diethyleneglycol-di-(meth)acrylate, triethyleneglycoldi-(meth)acrylate, tetraethyleneglycol-di-(meth)acrylate, polyethyleneglycol-di-(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol-tri-allylether, pentaerythritol-di- allylether, pentaerythritol-tetraallylether, pentaerythrltol-di-(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythrltol-tetra-(meth)acrylate, l-vinyl-3-(E)- ethylidene-pyrrolidone (EVP), allyl methacrylamide, allyl glycidyl ether, glycidyl acrylate, hydroxyacrylamide, trially1-1, 3,5-triazine-2, 4,6(IH, 3H, SH)-trione, 2,4,6- triallyloxy-1, 3,5-triazine and/or divinylbenzene.

The amounts of crosslinking agent can be changed from about 0.1 to about 5% by weight of vinyl pyrrolidone, preferably in an amount of from about 0.3% to about 1.0%, still preferably from 0.4% to about 0.8% by weight based on the weight of the vinylpyrrolidone.

Preferably the crosslinked polymer is PVPP. Commercial PVPP are available under the tradename Polyplasdone® and Polyclar® grades supplied by International Specialty Products (Wayne, NJ). Polyplasdone® includes grades such as INF-10, XL, and XL-10. Polyclar® includes grades such as Polyclar® 10, Brewbrite™, Plus 730, Super R, Ultra K-100, V, and VT. PVPP is offered for sale by BASF Corp. (Ludwigshafen, DE) in the Kollidon® CL and Luvicross® product lines. Four grades of pharmaceutical-grade crospovidone compose the Kollidon® CL line: CL, CL-M, CL-F, and CL-SF. The industrial grade of PVPP is sold under the Luvicross® name.

The detergent composition of the present invention includes from 0.2 wt.% to 2 wt.% of a N-alkylated lactam compound or derivatives thereof. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 0.2 wt.%, still preferably at least 0.25 wt.%, but typically not more than 2 wt.%, still preferably not more than 1 wt.%, of a N-alkylated lactam compound or derivatives thereof based on the weight of the detergent composition.

Carbonate salt

Disclosed detergent composition includes from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt. Examples of the carbonate salt includes alkaline earth metal and alkali metal carbonates. The carbonate salt is preferably an alkali metal carbonate, alkaline earth metal carbonate or mixtures thereof. Preferred alkali carbonates are sodium and/or potassium carbonate of which sodium carbonate is particularly preferred. It is further preferred that sodium carbonate makes up at least 75 wt.%, more preferably at least 85 wt.% and even more preferably at least 90 wt.% of the total weight of the carbonate salt.

The detergent composition of the present invention includes from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt. Preferably the detergent composition comprises at least 0.8 wt.%, still preferably at least 1 wt.%, still preferably at least 2 wt.%, most preferably at least 5 wt.% of the carbonate salt, but typically not more than 15 wt.%, still preferably not more than 13 wt.%, most preferably not more than 10 wt.% of carbonate salt based on the weight of the detergent composition. Preferably the composition of the present invention is substantially free of carbonate salt. By substantially free it is meant that there is no deliberately added carbonate salt in the composition.

Non-carbonate builder

In addition to the carbonate salt the detergent composition of the present invention may preferably include a further non-carbonate builder. The preferred inorganic non- carbonate builders may be selected from the group consisting of silicates, silica, zeolites, phosphates or mixtures thereof. Yet other non-carbonate builder may be organic builders which includes but are not limited to as succinates, carboxylates, malonates, polycarboxylates, citric acid or a salt thereof.

Suitable silicates include the water-soluble sodium silicates with an SiC>2: Na2<D ratio of from 1 .0 to 2.8, with ratios of from 1 .6 to 2.4 being preferred, and 2.0 ratio being most preferred. The silicates may be in the form of either the anhydrous salt or a hydrated salt. Sodium silicate with an SiC>2: Na2<D ratio of 2.0 is the most preferred silicate.

Silicate salt are preferably present in the detergent compositions in accord with the invention at a level from 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% by weight of the composition, still more preferably from 0 wt.% to 7 wt.% in the detergent composition.

The composition of the present invention preferably includes from 0 wt.% to 8 wt.%, still preferably from 0 wt.% to 5 wt.%, more preferably from 0 wt.% to 1 wt.% of an inorganic non-carbonate builder selected from silica, zeolites, phosphate or mixtures thereof. Preferably the composition of the present invention is substantially free of silicate salt, zeolite salt and phosphate builder. By substantially free it is meant that there is no deliberately added carbonate salt in the composition.

Form of the laundry composition

The composition according to the present invention preferably has a pH from 7.0 to 10.5, preferably 7.0 to 10.2, still preferably from 8.5 to 10.2, when measured at 1 wt.% dilution in de-ionised water at 25°C. The composition may preferably include a buffer.

The composition of the present invention is in the solid form. The composition according to the present invention may be made via a variety of conventional methods known in the art and those which includes but is not limited to the mixing of ingredients, including dry-mixing, compaction such as agglomerating, extrusion, tabletting, or spraydrying of the various compounds comprised in the detergent component, or mixtures of these techniques, whereby the components herein also can be made by for example compaction, including extrusion and agglomerating, or spray-drying. The detergent composition may be made by any of the conventional processes, especially preferred is the technique of slurry making and spray drying.

The compositions herein can take a variety of physical solid forms including forms such as powder, granule, ribbon, noodle, paste, tablet, flake, pastille and bar, and preferably the composition is in the form of powder, granules or a tablet, still preferably the composition is in the form of a powder. The composition may be in the form of a unit dose formulation, delayed delivery formulation, detergent contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. The composition according to the present invention may preferably be in a form selected from powder, unit dose or pouch form, tablet, bar, or flake.

The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention is preferably free flowing. The composition is preferably a fully formulated detergent composition. The solid detergent composition includes but is not limited to powder, granular, particulate, agglomerates, noodles, flakes tablets, bar, sheet or other solid forms known in the art and combinations thereof.

Preferably the composition is used for laundering fabrics using manual-washing method. Preferably, the composition of the present invention is a solid laundry detergent composition. Preferably the composition is in the form of a spray -dried powder or particulate free-flowing form.

The compositions preferably have a density of more than 350 grams/litre, more preferably more than 450 grams/litre or even more than 570 grams/litre.

The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention preferably has from 0 wt.% to 8 wt.% zeolite builder. Preferably the amount of zeolite builder is less than 5 wt.%, still preferably less than 3 wt.%, more preferably less than 2 wt.% by weight in the detergent composition and most preferably the detergent composition is substantially free of zeolite builder. The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention has from 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate builder. Preferably the amount of phosphate builder is less than 3 wt.%, still preferably less than 2 wt.%, more preferably less than 1 wt.% by weight in the detergent composition and most preferably the detergent composition is substantially free of phosphate builder. Non-limiting examples of phosphate builder includes polyphosphates (exemplified by the tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, glassy polymeric meta-phoshpate) and phosphonates, more particularly STP (Sodium tripolyphosphate), sodium orthophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate (TSPP) and STPP (sodium triphosphate).

The solid laundry detergent composition according to the present invention preferably includes from 0 wt.% to 6 wt.% bicarbonate salt, preferably sodium bicarbonate. Preferably the amount of bicarbonate salt is less than 5 wt.%, still preferably less than 2 wt.%, more preferably less than 1 wt.% by weight in the detergent composition and most preferably the detergent composition is substantially free of bicarbonate salt. Preferably the bicarbonate salt is sodium bicarbonate.

The term “substantially free” means that the indicated component is at the very minimum, not deliberately added to the composition to form part of it, or, more typically, is not present at analytically detectable levels. It is meant to include compositions whereby the indicated material is present only as an impurity in one of the other materials deliberately included.

Optional ingredients

The detergent composition of the present invention may preferably include one or more of the optional ingredients selected from the group consisting of cleaning and care ingredients. The optional ingredients include one or more adjunct cleaning additives selected from polymers, enzymes, enzyme stabilizer, brightening agents, hueing agent, bleach, chelating agent, humectant, perfume, filler or carrier, an alkalinity system, a buffer or combinations thereof. Polymers:

The composition of the present invention may preferably include polymers which provide cleaning or care benefits. The cleaning polymer includes but is not limited to soil release polymer, carboxylate polymers, antiredeposition polymers, cellulosic polymers, care polymers, amphiphilic alkoxylated grease cleaning polymers, clay soil cleaning polymers, soil suspending polymers or mixtures thereof.

Suitable carboxylate polymer includes polymers such as a maleate/acrylate random copolymer or polyacrylate homopolymer. Also suitable are polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, copolymers of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid with maleic acid and maleic acid with vinyl methyl ether.

Anti-redeposition polymers are designed to suspend or disperse soil. Typically, antiredeposition polymers are polyethylene glycol polymers, polycarboxylate polymers, polyethyleneimine polymers or mixtures thereof. Such polymers are available from BASF under the trade name Sokalan®CP5 (neutralised form) and Sokalan®CP45 (acidic form).

Soil release polymers are designed to modify the surface of the fabric to facilitate the ease of removal of soil. Suitable soil release polymers are sold by Clariant under the TexCare® series of polymers, e.g. TexCare® SRN240, TexCare® SRN100, TexCare® SRN170, TexCare® SRN300, TexCare® SRN325, TexCare® SRA100 and TexCare® SRA300. Other suitable soil release polymers are sold by Rhodia under the Repel-o- Tex® series of polymers, e.g. Repel-o-Tex® SF2, Repel-o-Tex® SRP6 and Repel-o- Tex® Crystal. A preferred polymer is selected from the group consisting of polyester soil release polymer, both end-capped and non-end-capped sulphonated PET/POET polymers, both end-capped and non-end-capped unsulphonated PET/POET polymers or combinations thereof.

Preferably the levels of these soil release polymer in the adjunct particle is from 3 wt.% to 15wt.% at least 5 wt%, still preferably at least 6wt%, still preferably at least 6.5wt%, most preferably at least 7wt%, but typically not more than 14wt%, still preferably not more than 13wt%, most preferably not more than 12wt%. Suitable care polymers include cellulosic polymers that are cationically modified or hydrophobically modified. A suitable commercially available dye lock polymer is Polyquart® FDI (Cognis). Preferably the adjunct particle includes from 0.01% to 10%, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of care polymer.

Examples of suitable sequestering polymers are DEQUEST™, organic phosphonate type sequestering polymers sold by Monsanto and alkanehydroxy phosphonates. The cleaning composition is preferably substantially free of phosphate based sequestering polymers. By substantially free, it is meant herein that no phosphate based sequestering polymers is deliberately added.

Enzymes:

The composition of the present invention preferably includes one or more enzymes. Preferred examples of the enzymes include those which provide cleaning performance and/or fabric care benefits.

Examples of suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, xyloglucanase, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, mannanases, pectate lyases, keratinases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, G-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, and amylases, or mixtures thereof. A typical combination is an enzyme cocktail that may comprise, for example, a protease and lipase in conjunction with one or more of amylase, mannanase and cellulase. When present in a detergent composition, the enzymes may be present at levels from about 0.00001 % to about 2%, from about 0.0001% to about 1 % or from 0.001 % to about 0.5% enzyme protein by weight of the detergent composition.

Suitable proteases include metalloproteases and serine proteases, including neutral or alkaline microbial serine proteases, such as subtilisins (EC 3.4.21.62). Suitable commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the trade names Alcalase®, Savinase®, Primase®, Durazym®, Polarzyme®, Kannase®, Liquanase®, Liquanase Ultra®, Savinase Ultra®, Ovozyme®, Neutrase®, Everlase® and Esperase® by Novozymes A/S (Denmark), those sold under the tradename Maxatase®, Maxaca®l, Maxapem®, Properase®, Purafect®, Purafect Prime®, Purafect Ox®, FN3®, FN4®, 10 Excellase® and Purafect OXP® by Genencor International, those sold under the tradename Opticlean® and Optimase by Solvay Enzymes.

Suitable alpha-amylases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Suitable commercially available alpha-amylases include DURAMYL®, LIQUEZYME®, TERMAMYL®, TERMAMYL ULTRA®, NATALASE®, SUPRAMYL®, STAINZYME®, STAINZYME PLUS®, FUNGAMYL® and BAN® (Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), 15 KEMZYM® AT 9000 Biozym Biotech Trading GmbH Wehlistrasse 27b A- 1200 Wien Austria, RAPIDASE®, PURASTAR®, ENZYSIZE®, OPTISIZE HT PLUS®, POWERASE® and PURASTAR OXAM® (Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, California) and KAM® (Kao, 14-10 Nihonbashi Kayabacho, 1-chome, Chuo-ku Tokyo 103-8210, Japan). In one aspect, suitable amylases include NATALASE®, STAINZYME and STAINZYME PLUS® and mixtures thereof.

In one aspect, such enzymes may be selected from the group consisting of: lipases, including "first cycle lipases". Preferred lipases would include those sold under the tradenames Lipex® and Lipolex®.

In one aspect, other preferred enzymes include microbial-derived endoglucanases exhibiting endo-beta-1 , 4-glucanase activity (E.C. 3.2. L4), including a bacterial polypeptide. Suitable endoglucanases are sold under the tradenames Celluclean® and Whitezyme® (Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark). Other preferred enzymes include pectate lyases sold under the tradenames Pectawash®, Pectaway®, Xpect® and mannanases sold under the tradenames Mannaway® (all from Novozymes A/S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark), and Purabrite® (Genencor International Inc., Palo Alto, California).

Enzyme stabilizing system:

The enzyme-containing compositions described herein may optionally comprise from 0.001% to 10%, in some examples from about 0.005% to about 8%, and in other examples, from about 0.01 % to about 6%, by weight of the composition, of an enzyme stabilizing system. The enzyme stabilizing system can be any stabilizing system which is compatible with the detersive enzyme. Such stabilizing systems can, for example, comprise calcium ion, propylene glycol, short chain carboxylic acids, chlorine bleach scavengers and mixtures thereof, and are designed to address different stabilization problems depending on the type and physical form of the cleaning composition.

Brightening agents:

Optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents may be incorporated at levels from 0.01% to 1.2%, by weight of the composition. Commercial brighteners suitable for the present invention can be classified into subgroups, including but not limited to: derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, benzoxazoles, carboxylic acid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiophene-5, 5- dioxide, azoles, 5- and 6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Preferred commercially available Brighteners includes Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba Geigy Corporation, Tinopal UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation, Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation. The brighteners may be added in particulate form or as a premix with a suitable solvent, for example nonionic surfactant, monoethanolamine, propane diol.

Fabric hueing agents:

The composition may comprise a fabric hueing agent (sometimes referred to as shading, bluing or whitening agents). Typically, the hueing agent provides a blue or violet shade to fabric. Hueing agents can be used either alone or in combination to create a specific shade of hueing and/or to shade different fabric types. Hueing agents may be Suitable fabric hueing agents include dyes, dye-clay conjugates, and organic and inorganic pigments.

According to a second aspect of the present invention disclosed is a method of laundering a textile surface with the detergent composition according to the first aspect comprising the steps of: i) preparing a wash liquor by contacting the detergent composition according to the first aspect with a liquid, preferably water; ii) soaking said textile surface in the wash liquor for a predetermined period of time; and, iii) optionally rinsing the textile surface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention disclosed is use of an anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, N-alkylated lactam compound or derivatives thereof, from 0 wt.% to 20 wt.% carbonate salt, 0 wt.% to 10 wt.% silicate salt, 0 wt.% to 4 wt.% phosphate builder in a detergent composition to provide improved stain removal performance.

Examples

Example 1

Different comparative detergent compositions and detergent compositions according to the present invention were prepared having the formulation as provided in Table 1.

Thereafter the prepared spray-dried, free flowing powder laundry detergent compositions were evaluated for stain removal performance.

Evaluation of the stain removal performance:

The stain removal performance study was conducted in a tergo-to-meter. The wash load capacity used was a liquor to cloth ratio of 40 . The water used for the washing purpose had a water hardness of 20 degree (3:1) when measured at a temperature of 28°C. The wash load comprised of 100% knitted cotton. The detergent composition concentration in the prepared wash liquor was 4.2 grams per litre. The washed clothes were rinsed in clean water and the stain removal index reading were measured.

The SRI value was calculated by measuring the L, a, b values using an Artix Scanner for stains and the stain removal index was determined by the following equation: A soiled stain swatch having chilli Sunflower oil, sebum stain and ragu-sunflower oil was added during the washing. The SRI value for each stain was calculated and are provided in Table 1 below. TABLE 1

The data in the above table 1 shows that a composition according to the present invention (Ex 1, Ex 2) having lower levels of the anionic surfactant and the carbonate salt and silicate salts shows equivalent performance towards removing the oily and fatty stains as provided by the comparative composition having much higher levels of the anionic surfactant and the alkaline ingredients. The composition according to the present invention having a combination of amphoteric surfactant and N-alkylated lactam compound gives good cleaning performance on stains at lower levels of carbonate salts in the and is similar in performance to composition with higher levels of carbonate salts and surfactant where both these ingredients (surfactant and carbonate salt) are known to positively impact on the stain removal performance.

EXAMPLE 2: Evaluation of stain removal performance of a combination of anionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant and lactam compound in a solid laundry detergent composition.

Different comparative detergent compositions and detergent compositions according to the present invention were prepared having the formulation as provided in Table 2.

Comparative composition had a combination of different ingredients as shown in Table 2.

Comp C - this comparative composition included a combination of anionic surfactant and amphoteric surfactant but did not include any lactam compound.

Comp D - this comparative composition included a combination of anionic surfactant and lactam compound but did not include any amphoteric surfactant.

Ex 3 - this composition according to the invention included a combination of anionic surfactant, lactam compound and amphoteric surfactant.

All the 3 different laundry detergent composition were prepared by a counter current spray-drying process to provide a free-flowing solid powder laundry detergent compositions which were then evaluated for stain removal performance as detailed in Example 1.

TABLE 2

The data in the above table 1 shows that a solid laundry composition according to the present invention (Ex 3) having a combination of anionic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant and lactam compound provides excellent stain removal performance on difficult to remove fatty-oily stains (such as sunflower oil stain, sebum stain and ragu- sunflower oil stain) in a low carbonate, low phosphate and low silicate composition. However, the comparative composition having either anionic and amphoteric surfactant (Comp C) or anionic surfactant and lactam compound (Comp D) showed lower stain removal performance on various fatty-oily stains in a similarly built composition.