Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a particulate detergent composition. It particularly relates a particulate detergent composition comprising one or more anionic surfactants and a sulphated, ethoxylated C10 Guerbet alcohol surfactant, and use of such compositions as a foam-enhanced detergent. Background of the invention

Foaming is an important aspect of the user’s perception of cleaning ability in compositions such as laundry detergents. There is a general consumer perception that foam volume indicates the cleaning ability of a detergent composition. Therefore, it is important to provide sufficient foam from such a composition during use. In general, an increase in volume of foam provides a good perception with the consumer.

Laundry detergent compositions are typically added to the wash water and are required to foam in relatively dilute water conditions. The foaming ability of a composition depends on the mixture of components in the composition, and surfactants play an important role in the ability of a laundry composition to foam when in use. Typically, an increase in the amount of anionic surfactant in a composition will lead to an increase in foaming. However, an increase in anionic surfactant levels can lead to an increase in cost of the laundry detergent composition. Materials which reduce the surfactant load without compromising foaming efficiency are therefore highly desirable.

It is an object of the present invention to provide excellent foaming from a particulate laundry detergent composition during laundering of textile article.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a particulate laundry detergent composition comprising:

(i) one or more anionic and /or non-ionic surfactants; and

(ii) a sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a number average degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6, wherein the weight ratio of total anionic and/or non-ionic surfactants to sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant is from 100:1 to 25:1.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, provided is a method of laundering fabric using a particulate composition of the first step comprising the steps of:

(i) diluting a dose of detergent composition with water to obtain a wash liquor; and,

(ii) washing fabrics with the wash liquor so formed.

According to a third aspect, the present invention provides use of a particulate laundry detergent composition according to the first aspect to launder textiles. Summary of the invention

The present inventors have found that one or more of these objects can be achieved by the particulate detergent composition of the present invention. In particular, it was surprisingly found that a sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a number average degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6 when present along with anionic and/or non-ionic surfactants within certain ratio ranges, the particulate detergent composition display good foamability and longer lasting foam upon dilution.

Detailed description of the invention According to a first aspect of the present invention disclosed is a particulate laundry detergent composition comprising an anionic surfactant and/or nonionic surfactant and a sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant.

Particulate laundry detergent composition The term “particulate laundry detergent” in the context of this invention denotes free- flowing or compacted solid forms such as powders, granules, pellets, flakes, bars, briquettes or tablets and which are intended for and capable of wetting and cleaning domestic laundry such as clothing, linens and other household textiles. The term “linen” is often used to describe certain types of laundry items including bed sheets, pillow cases, towels, tablecloths, table napkins and uniforms. Textiles can include woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, and knitted fabrics; and can include natural or synthetic fibres such as silk fibres, linen fibres, cotton fibres, polyester fibres, polyamide fibres such as nylon, acrylic fibres, acetate fibres, and blends thereof including cotton and polyester blends.

It is to be understood that there is a range of compositions falling under the loose definition particulate detergent composition for laundering textile depending on their manner of use. These include particulate detergent composition for use in front loading automatic washing machines, top loading washing machines, particulate detergent composition for hand washing of fabrics. The particulate detergent composition may also be a solid unit dosed product which is contained within a water-soluble capsule. Examples of laundry detergents include heavy-duty detergents for use in the wash cycle of automatic washing machines, as well as fine wash and colour care detergents such as those suitable for washing delicate garments (e.g. those made of silk or wool) either by hand or in the wash cycle of automatic washing machines. One preferred form for the composition according to the invention is a free-flowing powdered solid, with a loose (unpackaged) bulk density generally ranging from about 200g/L to about 1 ,300 g/L, preferably from about 400 g/L to about 1 ,000 g/L, more preferably from about 500g/L to about 900 g/L. Preferably the free-flowing powdered solid is spray-dried powder.

Sulphated Ethoxylated CioGuerbet Alcohol Surfactant

The particulate laundry detergent composition of the present invention includes a sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a number average degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6 as a minor surfactant component. The sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant or surfactants act as a foam boosting component. However, the level has to be managed carefully as we have found that the Guerbet alcohol surfactant behaves as an anti-foam if included at too high a level when compared to the remaining surfactant employed in the composition. The preferred levels depend on the type of detergent formulation in which the sulphated Guerbet surfactant is included. In laundry powder/particulate compositions, the preferred level is from 0.01 wt.% to 3 wt.%, preferably 0.02 wt.% to 3 wt.%, in some embodiments preferably from 0.01 wt.% to 2 wt.% of the total composition and more preferably from 0.05 wt.% to 1.75 wt.% and most preferably from 0.1 wt.% to 1.5 wt.% of the composition.

It is preferred that in the particulate laundry detergent composition, the preferred level of the Cio sulphated Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a number average degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6 is from 0.01 wt.% to 2 wt.% of the total composition and more preferably from 0.05 wt.% to 1.75 wt.% and most preferably from 0.1 wt.% to 1.5 wt.% of the composition. Preferably the particulate detergent composition according to the present invention comprises at least 0.1 wt.%, still preferably at least 0.45 wt.%, most preferably at least 0.5 wt.%, but typically not more than 1.5 wt.%, still preferably not more than 1 wt.%, most preferably not more than 0.8 wt%.

Guerbet alcohols are known and well-defined b-alkylated dimer alcohols. Specifically, the Cio Guerbet alcohol is also known under the lUPAC name 2-Propylheptanol. Typically, the sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6 is exemplified by formula (I): wherein 4 represents the degree of ethoxylation but can be an integer in the range of 2.5 to 6.

In some embodiments, the sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant has a degree of ethoxylation in the range of 3 to 6, 3 to 5, or 3 to 4.5. Preferably the sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation of 3,4 or 5. In some embodiments, the sulphated ethoxylated CioGuerbet alcohol surfactant is a mixture of different sulphated ethoxylated CioGuerbet alcohol surfactant selected from the group consisting of sulphated ethoxylated CioGuerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation of 3,4 and 5. More preferably the sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant has a degree of ethoxylation of 4 or 5.

Non-sulphated CioGuerbet alcohol surfactants with a degree of ethoxylation of 3, 4 or 5 are known and include Lutensol® XP-30, Lutensol® XP-40 and Lutensol® XP-50 from BASF SE, Ludwigshafen, Germany. The compositions of the invention may or may not contain any of these non-sulphated versions of the Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactants but in the context of the application the level of any non-sulphated form present is not included in any of the calculations on levels of the sulphated version.

Sulphonation of materials such as these is a simple chemical process. In preferred embodiments, the sulphated ethoxylated CioGuerbet alcohol surfactant has a degree of ethoxylation of 4 or 5. In more preferred embodiments, the Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant is a Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation of 4.

The particulate laundry detergent composition of the present invention may include two or more sulphated ethoxylated CioGuerbet alcohol surfactants with a degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6. In other words, the particulate laundry detergent composition may include two or more sulphated ethoxylated CioGuerbet alcohol surfactants, each surfactant having a different degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6.

The total amount of the sulphated ethoxylated CioGuerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6 is within the specified ranges of the present invention, namely the total amount of anionic and/or non-ionic surfactant to the sulphated ethoxylated CioGuerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6 in the composition is in a weight ratio in the range of preferably 100:1 to 30:1, more preferably from 60:1 to 40:1 (ratio is total surfactant (minus Guerbet): sulphated Guerbet surfactant). The present inventors have surprisingly found that such a particulate laundry detergent composition provides improved foaming ability when compared with particulate laundry detergent compositions with the same or similar total surfactant levels (save the Guerbet surfactant), in particular when compared with particulate laundry detergent compositions with the same or similar anionic surfactant levels. Further we have found that the level of guerbet alcohol surfactant is important in achieving this foam boost.

As used herein, the term “degree of ethoxylation” refers to the number of moles of ethylene oxide reacted with one mole of the C1 ₀ Guerbet alcohol to produce the non- ionic ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant. It should be recognised that a distribution of ethoxylated reaction products is normally obtained during ethoxylation of, for example, alcohols. Typically, the degree of ethoxylation may therefore be designated as the “average degree of ethoxylation”, namely the average number of moles of ethylene oxide unit per mole of ethoxylated product.

Amounts of components in the particulate laundry detergent are given as a percentage of weight based on the total weight of the composition, unless otherwise stated.

It is an important aspect that the ethoxylated Guerbet alcohol surfactant is sulphated. Sulphonation is a commonly employed technique for such materials in the field and it is a routine step to sulphonate one of the known non-ionic ethoxylated Guerbet alcohol surfactants to form one of those which is used in embodiments of the invention.

The sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactants of the present invention are typically used in their neutralized form, for example as alkali metal salts.

The compositions of the invention may or may not contain sulphated versions of the non-ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol but in the context of the application the level of any sulphated but non-ethoxylated form present is not included in any of the calculations on levels of the sulphated and ethoxylated version.

Anionic surfactant

In addition to the sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant as described above, other anionic surfactant, still preferably other non-soap anionic surfactants for use in particulate laundry detergent compositions are typically salts of organic sulfates and sulfonates having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term “alkyl” being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals.

Examples of such materials include alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkaryl sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates and mixtures thereof. The alkyl radicals preferably contain from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and may be unsaturated. The alkyl ether sulfates may contain from one to ten ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule, and preferably contain one to three ethylene oxide units per molecule. The counterion for anionic surfactants is generally an alkali metal such as sodium or potassium; or an ammoniacal counterion such as monoethanolamine, (MEA) diethanolamine (DEA) or triethanolamine (TEA). Mixtures of such counterions may also be employed.

Previously, a preferred class of non-soap anionic surfactant for use in particulate detergent composition, preferably a particulate composition, includes alkylbenzene sulfonates, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Commercial LAS is a mixture of closely related isomers and homologues alkyl chain homologues, each containing an aromatic ring sulfonated at the “para" position and attached to a linear alkyl chain at any position except the terminal carbons. The linear alkyl chain typically has a chain length of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, with the predominant materials having a chain length of about 12 carbon atoms. Each alkyl chain homologue consists of a mixture of all the possible sulfophenyl isomers except for the 1 -phenyl isomer. LAS is normally formulated into compositions in acid (i.e. HLAS) form and then at least partially neutralized in-situ. Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

In a typical particulate detergent composition, the total level of non-soap anionic surfactant may suitably range from 3 % to 80 %, preferably from 10 % to 60%, 5 to 25% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition). The particulate laundry detergent composition preferably includes one or more anionic surfactants in an amount in the range of 2 wt.% to 60 wt.%, more preferably 2 wt.% to 30 wt%. Anionic surfactants suitable for use in solid laundry detergents are known. In general, the anionic surfactant(s) may be chosen from the surfactants described "Surface Active Agents" Vol. 1, by 5 Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949, Vol. 2 by Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958, in the current edition of "McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in "Tenside- Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2nd Edn., Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981.

Suitable anionic surfactants which may be used are usually water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic carboxylates, sulphates and sulphonates having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Non-limiting examples of anionic surfactants useful herein include: Cg to Cis alkyl benzene sulphonates (LAS); Cio to C20 primary, branched-chain and random alkyl sulphates (AS); C10 to Cis secondary (2,3) alkyl sulphates; C10 to Cis alkyl alkoxy sulphates (AE _X S) wherein preferably x is from 1 to 30; C10 to Cie alkyl alkoxy carboxylates preferably comprising 1 to 5 ethoxy units; mid-chain branched alkyl sulphates as discussed in US 6,020,303 and US 6,060,443; mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxy sulphates as discussed in US 6,008, 181 and US 6,020,303; modified alkylbenzene sulphonate (MLAS) as discussed in WO 99/05243, WO 99/05242, and WO 99/05244; methyl ester sulphonate (MES); and alpha olefin sulfonate (AOS).

The preferred anionic surfactants are sodium Cn to C15 alkyl benzene sulphonates, sodium Cs to Cis alcohol ether sulphates and sodium C12 to Cis alkyl sulphates. Also applicable are surfactants such as those described in EP-A-0 328 177 (Unilever), which show resistance to salting-out, the alkyl polyglycoside surfactants described in

EP-A-0070074, and alkyl monoglycosides. In a preferred embodiment the anionic surfactant is alkali metal salt of Cn to C15 alkyl benzene sulphonates, more preferably sodium C11 to C15 alkyl benzene sulphonates. In some embodiments, the composition includes a further Cs to Cis alcohol ether sulphate as an anionic surfactant. The Csto Cis alcohol ether sulphate may be derived from a fatty alcohol, wherein at least 80 wt%, preferably at least 82 wt%, more preferably at least 85 wt%, most preferably at least 90 wt% of said fatty alcohol is linear. By linear, what is meant is that the fatty alcohol comprises a single backbone of carbon atoms, with no branches. In some embodiments, Cs to Cis alcohol ether sulphates are the only other anionic surfactants in the composition. In other embodiments, Cg to Cis alkyl benzene sulphonates are the only other anionic surfactants in the composition.

When the composition includes a Cs to Cis alcohol ether sulphate, the degree of ethoxylation of the Cs to Cis alcohol ether sulphate is typically an integer in the range of 1 to 5. In preferred embodiments, the degree of ethoxylation of the Cs-Cis alcohol ether sulphate is 1, 2 or 3.

In preferred embodiments, the composition includes sodium lauryl ether sulphate (also known as sodium dodecyl ether sulphate or SLES) as an anionic surfactant. In some embodiments, the degree of ethoxylation of SLES is 1 , 2 or 3. In some embodiments, the degree of ethoxylation of SLES is 3. In other embodiments, the degree of ethoxylation of SLES is 2. In further embodiments, the degree of ethoxylation of SLES is 1.

In some embodiments, the composition includes two or more anionic surfactants. The composition may include a Cs to Cis alcohol ether sulphate and one or more further anionic surfactant. The composition may include a Cg to Cis alkyl benzene sulphonate and one or more further anionic surfactant. In some embodiments, the composition includes a Cs to Cis alcohol ether sulphate and a Cg to Cis alkyl benzene sulphonate. In preferred embodiments, the composition includes sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) and one or more further anionic surfactants. In further embodiments, the composition includes sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) and sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (NaLAS). In a still preferred embodiment, the anionic surfactant is sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (NaLAS). The total amount of alkyl benzene sulphonate and/or alcohol ether sulphate surfactant in the composition, based on the total weight of the composition is in the range of 5 to 24 wt% of the total composition. Still preferably the composition includes 18 wt.% to 24 wt.% of sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) and/or sodium dodecyl benzene sulphonate (NaLAS). The weight ratio of total anionic surfactant (minus Guerbet alcohol surfactant) to sulphated ethoxylated C1 ₀ Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6 in the composition is typically in the range of 100:1 to 30:1 and more preferably from 60:1 to 40:1. In other words, the sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6 is the minor surfactant component.

Non-ionic surfactant

Non-ionic surfactants may provide enhanced performance for removing very hydrophobic oily soil and for cleaning hydrophobic polyester and polyester/cotton blend fabrics.

Non-ionic surfactants includes those which are other than non-sulphated, ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactants with a degree of ethoxylation in the range of 2.5 to 6. Nonionic surfactants for use in particulate laundry detergent compositions are typically polyoxyalkylene compounds, i.e. the reaction product of alkylene oxides (such as ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or mixtures thereof) with starter molecules having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom which is reactive with the alkylene oxide. Such starter molecules include alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols. Where the starter molecule is an alcohol, the reaction product is known as an alcohol alkoxylate. The polyoxyalkylene compounds can have a variety of block and heteric (random) structures. For example, they can comprise a single block of alkylene oxide, or they can be diblock alkoxylates or triblock alkoxylates. Within the block structures, the blocks can be all ethylene oxide or all propylene oxide, or the blocks can contain a heteric mixture of alkylene oxides. Examples of such materials include Cs to C22 alkyl phenol ethoxylates with an average of from 5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol; and aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates such as Cs to Cis primary or secondary linear or branched alcohol ethoxylates with an average of from 2 to 40 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

A preferred class of nonionic surfactant for use in particulate laundry detergent composition, includes aliphatic Cs to Cis, more preferably C12 to C15 primary linear alcohol ethoxylates with an average of from 3 to 20, more preferably from 5 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

In particulate compositions the total level of non-ionic surfactant may suitably range from 1 to 10% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition). In some preferred embodiment the composition is substantially free of the non-ionic surfactant, that is there is no deliberately added non-ionic surfactant in the composition.

The particulate laundry detergent composition of the invention comprises from 3% to 80%, preferably from 10% to 60%, and more preferably from 15 to 50% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of one or more detersive surfactants selected from non-soap anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

The term “detersive surfactant” in the context of particulate detergent formulations denotes a surfactant which provides a detersive (i.e. cleaning) effect to laundry treated as part of a domestic laundering process.

Other Surfactants

The composition may include other surfactants. These include cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and/or zwitter-ionic surfactants.

In some embodiments, the composition is substantially free of or includes up to 5 wt% of one or more zwitter-ionic surfactants. Preferred examples of zwitter-ionic surfactants are Ci2toCi4 dimethyl amine oxide and cocam idopropyl betaine (CAPB). In preferred embodiments the composition is substantially free of zwitter-ionic surfactant. In other embodiments, the composition optionally includes up to 3 wt%, preferably up to 1 wt% zwitter-ionic surfactant(s).

A particulate composition may also contain one or more cosurfactants (such as amphoteric (zwitterionic) and/or cationic surfactants) in addition to the non-soap anionic and/or nonionic detersive surfactants described above. Specific cationic surfactants include Cs to Cie alkyl dimethyl ammonium halides and derivatives thereof in which one or two hydroxyethyl groups replace one or two of the methyl groups, and mixtures thereof. Cationic surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

Specific amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulphobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates, having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term “alkyl” being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

Builder

The particulate laundry detergent composition according to the present invention preferably includes a builder. Builders are principally used to reduce water hardness. This is done either by sequestration or chelation (holding hardness minerals in solution), by precipitation (forming an insoluble substance), or by ion exchange (trading electrically charged particles). Builders can also supply and maintain alkalinity, which assists cleaning, especially of acid soils; help keep removed soil from redepositing during washing; and emulsify oily and greasy soils. Builders for use in particulate compositions can be of the organic or inorganic type, or a mixture thereof. Non-phosphate builders are preferred.

Inorganic, non-phosphate builders for use in particulate compositions include carbonates, silicates, zeolites, and mixtures thereof. Suitable carbonate builders for use in particulate laundry detergent composition, preferably particulate compositions include mixed or separate, anhydrous or partially hydrated alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates or sesquicarbonates. Preferably the alkali metal is sodium and/or potassium, with sodium carbonate being particularly preferred. Suitable silicate builders include amorphous forms and/or crystalline forms of alkali metal (such as sodium) silicates. Preferred are crystalline layered sodium silicates (phyllosilicates) of the general formula (I) NaMSi _x 0 _2x+i .yH ₂ 0 (I) in which M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4, preferably 2 or 3 and y is a number from 0 to 20. Sodium disilicates of the above formula in which M is sodium and x is 2 are particularly preferred. Such materials can be prepared with different crystal structures, referred to as a, b, g and d phases, with d-sodium disilicate being most preferred.

Zeolites are naturally occurring, or synthetic crystalline aluminosilicates composed of (S1O4) ^4' and (AIO4) ^5' tetrahedra, which share oxygen-bridging vertices and form cage like structures in crystalline form. The ratio between oxygen, aluminium and silicon is 0:(AI + Si) = 2:1. The frameworks acquire their negative charge by substitution of some

Si by Al. The negative charge is neutralised by cations and the frameworks are sufficiently open to contain, under normal conditions, mobile water molecules. Suitable zeolite builders for use in the invention may be defined by the general formula (II):

Na _x [(AI0 ₂ ) _x (Si0 ₂ ) _y ] zH ₂ 0 (II) in which x and y are integers of at least 6, the molar ratio of x to y is in the range from about 1 to about 0.5, and z is an integer of at least 5, preferably from about 7.5 to about 276, more preferably from about 10 to about 264.

Suitable organic, non-phosphate builders for use in particulate detergent composition, preferably a particulate composition, include polycarboxylates, in acid and/or salt form. When utilized in salt form, alkali metal (e.g. sodium and potassium) or alkanolammonium salts are preferred. Specific examples of such materials include sodium and potassium citrates, sodium and potassium tartrates, the sodium and potassium salts of tartaric acid monosuccinate, the sodium and potassium salts of tartaric acid disuccinate, sodium and potassium ethylenediaminetetraacetates, sodium and potassium N(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine triacetates, sodium and potassium nitrilotriacetates and sodium and potassium N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-nitrilodiacetates. Polymeric polycarboxylates may also be used, such as polymers of unsaturated monocarboxyl ic acids (e.g. acrylic, methacrylic, vinylacetic, and crotonic acids) and/or unsaturated dicarboxylic acids (e.g. maleic, fumaric, itaconic, mesaconic and citraconic acids and their anhydrides). Specific examples of such materials include polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and copolymers of acrylic and maleic acid. The polymers may be in acid, salt or partially neutralised form and may suitably have a molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 1,000 to 100,000, preferably from about 2,000 to about 85,000, and more preferably from about 2,500 to about 75,000. Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used. Preferred builders for use in particulate compositions may be selected from zeolites (of the general formula (II) defined above), sodium carbonate, d-sodium disilicate and mixtures thereof. Preferably the level of phosphate builders in a particulate composition is less than 1% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition). The term “phosphate builder” denotes alkali metal, ammonium and alkanol ammonium salts of polyphosphate, orthophosphate, and/or metaphosphate (e.g. sodium tripolyphosphate). Builder, when included, may be present in a total amount ranging from about 10 to about 80%, preferably from about 15 to 50% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

Usual detergent ingredients Preferably the particulate laundry detergent composition includes other ingredients which includes but is not limited to fillers, fluorescers, antiredeposition polymers, buffers, dyes, shading dyes, cleaning polymers, care polymers, enzyme, soil release polymers, clays, perfume, enzyme stabilizers and visual cues. Filler:

A particulate composition may also include one or more fillers to assist in providing the desired density and bulk to the composition. Suitable fillers for use in the invention may generally be selected from neutral salts with a solubility in water of at least 1 gram per 100 grams of water at 20° C; such as alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium chlorides, fluorides, acetates and sulfates and mixtures thereof. Preferred fillers for use in the invention include alkali metal (more preferably sodium and/or potassium) sulfates and chlorides and mixtures thereof, with sodium sulfate and/or sodium chloride being most preferred. Filler, when included, may be present in a total amount ranging from about 1 to about 80%, preferably from about 5 to about 50% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

Polymers: A particulate composition may also include one or more polymeric cleaning boosters such as soil release polymers, anti-redeposition polymers, and mixtures thereof.

Soil release polymers adsorb onto a fabric surface assisting soil removal. Suitable soil release polymers for use in particulate compositions include co-polyesters of dicarboxylic acids (for example adipic acid, phthalic acid or terephthalic acid), diols (for example ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) and polydiols (for example polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol). An example of such a material has a midblock formed from propylene terephthalate repeat units and one or two end blocks of capped polyalkylene oxide, typically PEG 750 to 2000 with methyl end capping. The weight average molecular weight (M _w ) of such materials generally ranges from about 1000 to about 20,000 and preferably ranges from about 1500 to about 10,000.

Soil release agents improve the removal of soil from a fabric on which a film of such an agent was deposited in the previous wash(es) Examples are carboxymethylcellulose, poly(vinylpyrrolidone), polyethylene glycol), polyvinyl alcohol), poly(vinylpyridine- N- oxide) , poly(vinylimidazole) , polycarboxylates such as polyacrylates, maleic/acrylic acid copolymers and lauryl methacrylate/acrylic acid copolymers. Preferably the polymer is a soil release polymer or an anti-redeposition polymer, preferably a polyacrylate or cellulosic polymer.

Preferred soil release polymer (SRPs) for use in the invention include copolyesters formed by condensation of terephthalic acid ester and diol, preferably 1,2 propanediol, and further comprising an end cap formed from repeat units of alkylene oxide capped with an alkyl group. Examples of such materials have a structure corresponding to general formula (I): in which R ¹ and R ² independently of one another are X-(OC2H4) _n -(OC3H6) _{m ;} in which X is C _1-4 alkyl and preferably methyl; n is a number from 12 to 120, preferably from 40 to 50; m is a number from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7; and a is a number from 4 to 9.

Because they are averages, m, n and a are not necessarily whole numbers for the polymer in bulk.

The overall level of SRP, when included, may range from 0.1 to 10%, preferably from 0.3 to 7%, more preferably from 0.5 to 2% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

Suitable soil release polymers are described in greater detail in U. S. Patent Nos. 5,574,179; 4,956,447; 4,861,512; 4,702,857, WO 2007/079850 and WO2016/005271. If employed, soil release polymers will typically be incorporated into the particulate laundry detergent compositions herein in concentrations ranging from 0.01 percent to 10 percent, more preferably from 0.1 percent to 5 percent, by weight of the composition.

Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used. When included, a composition of the invention will preferably comprise from 0.05 to 6%, more preferably from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of one or more soil release polymer(s) such as, for example, the copolyesters which are described above. Anti-redeposition polymers stabilise the soil in the wash solution thus preventing redeposition of the soil. Suitable anti-redeposition polymers for use in the invention include alkoxylated polyethyleneimines. Polyethyleneimines are materials composed of ethylene imine units -CH2CH2NH- and, where branched, the hydrogen on the nitrogen is replaced by another chain of ethylene imine units. Preferred alkoxylated polyethylenimines for use in the invention have a polyethyleneimine backbone of about 300 to about 10000 weight average molecular weight (M _w ). The polyethyleneimine backbone may be linear or branched. It may be branched to the extent that it is a dendrimer. The alkoxylation may typically be ethoxylation or propoxylation, or a mixture of both. Where a nitrogen atom is alkoxylated, a preferred average degree of alkoxylation is from 10 to 50, preferably from 15 to 40 alkoxy groups per modification. A preferred material is ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, with an average degree of ethoxylation being from 10 to 40, preferably from 15 to 35 ethoxy groups per ethoxylated nitrogen atom in the polyethyleneimine backbone. Another type of suitable anti-redeposition polymer for use in the invention includes cellulose esters and ethers, for example sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. Preferred polymers include acrylate polymers (available as Sokalan CP5 ex. BASF, antiredeposition polymer) and/or polyester soil release polymers. Preferably the particulate detergent composition comprises at least 0.2 wt% of polyester soil release polymers. Preferably the composition comprises at least 0.25 wt.% antiredeposition polymers. Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

When included, a particulate composition of the invention will preferably comprise from 0.05 to 6%, more preferably from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of one or more anti-redeposition polymers such as, for example, the alkoxylated polyethyleneimines and/or cellulose esters and ethers which are described above.

Bleaching system:

A particulate composition of the invention may also include an oxidising agent to facilitate removal of tough food stains and other organic stains by chemical oxidation. The oxidising agent may, for example oxidize polyphenolic compounds commonly found in coffee, tea, wine, and fruit stains. Oxidation by the oxidising agent may also aid in bleaching, whitening, and disinfecting fabrics, and may also provide additional washing machine cleanliness and odour prevention. Suitable oxidising agents for use in the invention include peroxy bleach compounds such as sodium perborate monohydrate and tetrahydrate, and sodium percarbonate. When included, a particulate composition will preferably comprise from 5 to 35%, preferably from 8 to 20% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of one or more oxidising agents such as the peroxy bleach compounds which are described above. A bleaching activator such as N,N,N',N'-tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) or sodium nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS) may be included in conjunction with the one or more oxidising agents to improve bleaching action at low wash temperatures.

A bleaching catalyst may also be included in addition to or instead of a bleach activator. Typical bleaching catalysts include complexes of heavy metal ions such as cobalt, copper, iron, manganese or combinations thereof; with organic ligands such as 1,4,7-triazacyclononane (TACN), 1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane (Me3-TACN),

1 ,5,9-trimethyl-1 ,5,9-triazacyclononane, 1 ,5,9-triazacyclododecane, 1 ,4,7- triazacycloundecane, tris[2-(salicylideneamino)ethyl]amine or combinations thereof.

Chelating agent:

A particulate composition may also contain one or more chelating agents. Such chelating agents may also have calcium and magnesium chelation capacity. Suitable chelating agents include phosphonates, in acid and/or salt form. When utilized in salt form, alkali metal (e.g. sodium and potassium) or alkanolammonium salts are preferred. Specific examples of such materials include aminotris(methylene phosphonic acid) (ATMP), 1-hydroxyethylidene diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid (DTPMP) and their respective sodium or potassium salts. HEDP is preferred. Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used. Transition metal ion chelating agents, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.1 to about 10%, preferably from about 0.1 to about 3% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition). Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

Enzyme and enzyme stabilizers:

A particulate composition may also comprise an effective amount of one or more enzyme selected from the group comprising, pectate lyase, protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, mannanase and mixtures thereof. The enzymes are preferably present with corresponding enzyme stabilizers.

A particulate composition may contain further optional ingredients to enhance performance and/or consumer acceptability. Examples of such ingredients include dye transfer inhibitors (e.g. polyvinylpyrrolidone), foam control agents, preservatives (e.g. bactericides), anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, visual cues antioxidants, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, ironing aids, colorants, fluorescers, pearlisers and/or opacifiers, and shading dye. Each of these ingredients will be present in an amount effective to accomplish its purpose. Generally, these optional ingredients are included individually at an amount of up to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

Shading dye:

As used herein the term "shading dye" means dyes which when formulated in detergent compositions can deposit onto fabrics when the fabrics are contacted with wash liquor having the detergent compositions, thus altering the tint of the fabric through absorption of visible light. Shading dyes are also known as hueing agents. Preferred compositions include at least one shading dye. Shading dyes deposit onto fabrics during the wash or rinse step, providing a visible hue to the fabric. Shading of white fabrics may be done with any colour depending on consumer preference. Blue and violet are particularly preferred shades and consequently preferred dyes, or mixtures of dyes are ones that give a blue or violet shade on white fabrics. Therefore, preferred shading dyes are blue or violet. Such dyes give a blue or violet colour to white fabrics. The preferred hue angle is 240° to 345°, more preferably 260° to 320° and most preferably 270° to 300°.

Dyes are described in Color Chemistry Synthesis, Properties and Applications of Organic Dyes and Pigments, (H Zollinger, Wiley VCH, Zurich, 2003) and, Industrial Dyes Chemistry, Properties Applications. (K Hunger (ed), Wiley-VCH Weinheim 2003). Non-limiting examples of shading dyes include Acid Violet 50 (AV50), Direct Violet 9 (DV9) and Solvent Violet 13 (SV13). Other preferred dyes may be selected from the chemical classes of benzodifuranes, methine, triphenylmethanes, napthalimides, pyrazole, phthalocyanine napthoquinone, anthraquinone and mono-azo or di-azo dyes. The dye may also be a disperse dye such as Disperse Violet 27 (DV27), Disperse Violet 26(DV26), Disperse Violet 28 (DV28), Disperse Violet 63 (DV63) and Disperse Violet 77 (DV77). Disperse Violet 28 (DV28) is the most preferred disperse dye. Particularly preferred hydrophobic dyes are SV13 and DV28; and DV28 is the most preferred hydrophobic dye.

Preferred compositions include 0.0001 wt % to 0.008 wt%, more preferably 0.0003 wt% to 0.006 wt% hydrophobic dye. When the hydrophobic dye is DV28, the preferred range is 0.001 wt% to 0.006 wt%. When the hydrophobic dye is SV13, the preferred range is 0.0003 wt% to 0.0025 wt%. It is preferred that DV28 is included in the form of an adjunct. The adjunct may preferably be made of inorganic carriers like soda ash, Sodium sulphate or zeolite. The adjunct may also include a dispersant e.g. lignin sulphonate. The dye may also be a Direct dye. Non-limiting examples of these dyes are Direct Violet (DV) 5, 7, 9, 1 1 , 26, 31 , 35, 41 and 51 and DV99. Further non- limiting examples of these dyes are also Direct Blue 34, 70, 71 , 72, 75, 78, 82, and 120. The most preferred direct dye is Direct Violet 9 (DV9). DV99 is also preferred. Such dyes have been described in W02005/003274 A1 (Unilever). DV9 may be sourced from BASF. Fluorescers:

It may be advantageous to include a fluorescer in the particulate detergent composition. Usually, these fluorescers are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, for example, the sodium salts. The total amount of the fluorescer used in the composition is generally from 0.005 to 2 wt %, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 wt %.

Preferred classes of fluorescer are: Di-styryl biphenyl compounds, e.g. Tinopal (Trade Mark) CBS-X, Di-amine stilbene di-sulphonic acid compounds, e.g. Tinopal DMS pure Xtra, Tinopal 5BMGX, and Blankophor (Trade Mark) HRH, and Pyrazoline compounds, e.g. Blankophor SN.

Preferred fluorescers are: sodium 2 (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-napthol[1,2-d]triazole, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N methyl-N-2 hydroxyethyl) amino 1,3,5-triazin-2- yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1,3,5- triazin-2-yl)]amino} stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, and disodium 4, 4'-bis(2- sulfoslyryl)biphenyl.

Perfume:

Compositions may further comprise a perfume. The inclusion of perfumes into laundry detergent compositions is known perse. The perfume may be in the form of free-oil or as an encapsulated perfume.

When the composition is used at very low levels of product dosage, it is advantageous to ensure that perfume is employed efficiently.

A particularly preferred way of ensuring that perfume is employed efficiently is to use an encapsulated perfume. Use of a perfume that is encapsulated reduces the amount of perfume vapour that is produced by the composition before it is diluted. This is important when the perfume concentration is increased to allow the amount of perfume per wash to be kept at a reasonably high level.

It is even more preferable that the perfume is not only encapsulated but also that the encapsulated perfume is provided with a deposition aid to increase the efficiency of perfume deposition and retention on fabrics. The deposition aid is preferably attached to the encapsulate by means of a covalent bond, entanglement or strong adsorption, preferably by a covalent bond or entanglement.

Visual Cues: The compositions may comprise visual cues of solid material that has a distinct appearance in the composition. Preferred visual cues are lamellar cues formed from polymer film and possibly comprising functional ingredients that may not be as stable if exposed to the alkaline particulate composition. Enzymes and bleach catalysts are examples of such ingredients. Also perfume, particularly microencapsulated perfume. The composition may be in the form of needles, speckles or any other shape.

Packaging and dosing

A composition of the invention may be packaged as unit doses in polymeric film soluble in the wash water. Alternatively, a composition of the invention may be supplied in multidose plastics packs with a top or bottom closure. A dosing measure may be supplied with the pack either as a part of the cap or as an integrated system.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, provided is a method of laundering fabric using a particulate composition of the invention will usually involve diluting the dose of detergent composition with water to obtain a wash liquor and washing fabrics with the wash liquor so formed. In automatic washing machines the dose of detergent composition is typically put into a dispenser and from there it is flushed into the machine by the water flowing into the machine, thereby forming the wash liquor. From 5 up to about 65 litres of water may be used to form the wash liquor depending on the machine configuration. The dose of detergent composition may be adjusted accordingly to give appropriate wash liquor concentrations.

The dilution step preferably provides a wash liquor which comprises inter alia from about 3 to about 20 g/wash of detersive surfactants (as are further defined above).

The wash liquor preferably has a pH of from above 7 to less than 13, preferably from above 9.5 to less than 10.5.

Examples

Example 1:

A test detergent including around 20 wt% of an anionic surfactant and around 1 wt% of a non-ionic ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation of 4 (XP40) was compared in foaming tests against a test detergent including around 20 wt% of an anionic surfactant and around 1 wt% of a sulphated ethoxylated Cio Guerbet alcohol surfactant with a degree of ethoxylation of 4 (sulphated XP40). Foaming tests were performed by adding a fixed amount of detergent composition in a fixed volume of water and inverting the mixtures in a graduated vessel. The tests were performed three times and an average foam volume taken.

Table 1 Baseline level of surfactant was 1000 ppm. This was replaced by 1/50 XP40 in the controls and Sulphated XP40 in the test samples.

The data does not only show that sulphate XP40 performs better as a foam booster in hand dish wash compositions but it provides a benefit in powder hand wash (fabric) and liquid top loader automatic (fabric) where no effect is seen at all with the non- sulphated equivalent.

Example 2

In the second example test samples were designed to illustrate the effect of different levels of the Guerbet alcohol surfactant (SXP40) with respect to the remaining anionic surfactant.

Table 2

The data shows that very low levels and relatively high levels of the Guerbet alcohol surfactant actually inhibit foaming.

Protocol:

Surfactant concentration - 0.2gpl Water hardness - 12°FH (2:1 Ca:Mg)

Temperature - 22°C pH - 7

Base Surfactant system - 3:1 SLES 3EO:LAS

Total surfactant concentration (including Guerbet alcohol surfactant) was 0.2gpl

• 2 litres of wash liquor was added to the bucket and this was agitated by hand.

• Hand is horizontal to the bottom of the bucket and fingers spread out. The hand is then moved in a sideways action just breaking the surface of the solution for 20 seconds.

• The foam is then left to drain for 30 seconds after which a ruler is placed in the bucket and the height of the top of the foam measured from the bottom of the bucket is recorded.

• Experiment is repeated.

• Data is then analysed (Annova and Tukey Kramer test) and tabulated.