The present invention relates to a liquid detergent composition, in particular a heavy duty liquid detergent (HDL) that comprises a specific cationically modified polysaccharide. The invention further relates to methods for washing of textiles using the detergents of the invention as well as the use of said specific cationically modified polysaccharide to provide softening benefits to fabrics.

Liquid detergent compositions are well-known in the art and widely used. Over recent years, the have become more and more popular with the consumers because they offer a number of advantages over solid compositions, including, for example, the ease of dosing, dispensing and dissolving into a laundering liquor. In addition, they are perceived to be safer and less harsh to the textiles and environment compared to solid compositions. In particular for laundering colored fabrics they have gained popularity ever since their introduction on the market.

However, previously used liquid laundry detergents had, similar to solid detergents, the drawback that textile fabrics, including clothes, can often feel harsh after cleaning. To prevent this, especially harshness experienced after multiple wash cycles, technologies have been developed to increase the softness of fabrics, including rinse-added conditioner compositions and softening systems added to the detergent composition. For example, fabric softening cationic polymers and fabric softening silicones are commonly used to provide softness to fabrics from a laundry detergent composition.

WO2014/079621 A1 discloses liquid detergent compositions comprising surfactants, softening silicones and cationically modified polysaccharides to improve the softness benefit provided to the cleaned fabrics. Similarly, WO2013/087285 A1 discloses laundry compositions comprising alkyl ether carboxylic acids or carboxylates and cationically modified polysaccharides for providing increased softness to fabrics cleaned with said compositions.

However, there is still a need for alternative or improved means to increase the softness benefit provided as well as for more environmentally safe, more sustainable and more cost-efficient detergent compositions that provide a softening effect to the cleaned textiles.

It has surprisingly been found by the inventors that a specific cationically modified polysaccharide provides for fabric softening benefits in laundry liquids even without the addition of further softening agents and/or deposition aids. In a first aspect, the present invention therefore relates to a liquid detergent composition comprisin a cationically modified polysaccharide of formula (I)

wherein

each R , R ² and R ³ are independently selected from the group consisting of H, or a moiety of formula (II) or (III)

(II) (Hi) at least one R , R ² or R ³ is a moiety of formula (II) and at least one R , R ² or R ³ is a moiety of formula (III);

x and y are independently integers from 1 to 15;

n is an integer from 50 to 10,000, preferably 500 to 5,000;

X is any anion, preferably a halogen anion, more preferably chloride.

In a further aspect, the invention relates to methods for cleaning textiles, wherein a washing liquor containing the liquid detergent composition of the present invention contacts the textile in at least one method step.

In a still further aspect, the invention also covers the use of a compound of formula (I) as defined herein as a fabric softening agent in liquid detergent compositions.

"At least one", as used herein, relates to one or more, i.e. 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more. If used in combination with a compound, the term does not relate to the absolute number of molecules but rather to the number of different types of said compound, "at least one surfactant" thus means that at least one type but that also 2 or more different surfactant types can be present. If not indicated otherwise, all viscosities referred to herein are viscosities measured at 20°C by a Brookfield LVT, Spindle No. 3 at 12 rpm.

If not indicated otherwise, all percentages are by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

"Free of", as used herein in relation to a specific type of component, means that the referenced composition does not contain more than 0.5 wt.%, preferably no more than 0.1 wt.%, more preferably no more than 0.05 wt.% of said component relative to the total weight of the

composition. Most preferably, said component is not contained at all.

The detergent compositions of the present invention can be used as detergents for textiles, carpets or natural fibers or fabric conditioners. In preferred embodiments, the detergents disclosed herein are heavy duty liquid (HDL) detergents or fabric softeners.

The present invention is based on the inventors' surprising finding, that by use of a cationically modified polysaccharide of formula (I) in liquid detergent compositions fabric softening may be achieved without the use for additional softening agents and/or deposition aids, surprisingly even at much lower concentrations of the compound compared to conventionally used softening agents.

Accordingly, in various embodiments, the detergent composition is free of further softening agents and/or deposition aids and/or antistatic agent. In various embodiments, the compositions are free of agents such as higher alkyl neoalkanamides, isostearamides, amines, such as N,N-ditallowalkyl N-methyl amine, esterified quaternary salts or esterquats, amidoamines, amidoquats, imidazolines, imidazolinium salts, di-higher fatty acid esters of di-lower alkanolamines, such as dicoco acid ester of diethanolamine, silicones, alkoxylated silicones and softening clays, particularly free of softening silicones, such as those disclosed in WO 2014/079621 A1 , softening clays, such as bentonite, montmorillonite or other smectite, and esterquats. In preferred embodiments, the compositions are also free of alkyl ether carboxylic acids and carboxylates, such as those disclosed in WO

2013//087285 A1 .

In various embodiments, the detergent composition further comprises a surfactant system and/or a builder system.

In various embodiments, the liquid detergent may be an aqueous liquid detergent and contain water, typically in substantial amounts. The liquid detergent may be a phosphate-free detergent and/or may be a structured liquid detergent. Structured liquids are widely used in the field of detergents. They can either be internally structured by one or more of the primary ingredients, such as the surfactants, and/or by using secondary additives, such as certain polymers and/or silicates. Structuring is used to endow the composition with properties such as a turbid appearance or certain flow properties. Such structured liquids may also contain suspended solids. While structured liquids provide more formulation flexibility compared to isotropic liquids, they often suffer from stability and viscosity problems. The presently disclosed formulations, however, overcome these stability and viscosity problems and provide for compositions that have the desired viscosities while at the same time showing good stability.

In various embodiments, the liquid detergent compositions of the invention are internally structured in that the surfactant system leads to formation of multilayered vesicles. "Structured", as used herein, therefore means that the compositions are preferably internally structured by formation of multilayered vesicles. "Multilayered vesicles" preferably relates to essentially spherical vesicles that have a multilayered, typically double-layered, shell formed of molecules comprising hydrophobic moieties, with said hydrophobic moieties arranged such that they face each other while the more hydrophilic parts of the molecules face outwards. Said shell can form a vesicle lumen.

The detergent compositions of the invention comprise a polysaccharide of formula (I), as defined above, i.e. a cationically modified cellulose. These cationically modified cellulose ethers typically have molecular weights M _w in the range of between 10,000 and 2,000,000 Da, preferably 50,000 to 500,000 Da. The parameter n is therefore selected accordingly. The molecular weight can, for example, be determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), preferably according to DIN 55672-1 :2007-08 with THF as an eluent. The polysaccharides preferably have a cationic substitution level (% elemental N) in the range of more than 0.5, for example at least 0.8, preferably at least 1.1 , more preferably at least 2.0, most preferably at least 2.4. In various embodiments, the upper limit is about 3.0, preferably about 2.6. In some embodiments, the substitution level is 0.5 to 3.0, preferably 0.8 to 2.6, more preferably 1.1 to 2.6, even more preferably 2.0 to 2.6, most preferably 2.4 to 2.6. The substitution level relates to the extent of substitution as for example defined in Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Technology, Wiley & Sons, 2 ^nd Ed. Vol.4, pp. 697- 698.

The cationically modified polymers of formula (I) comprise at least one moiety of formula (II) and at least one moiety of formula (III), with the remainder of R , R ² and R ³ being hydrogen. However, it is preferred that more than one R , R ² and R ³ is a moiety of formula (II) and that more than one R , R ² and R ³ is a moiety of formula (III), with the substitution level preferably being as defined above. It is understood that the different positions can be substituted with different preferences, with the preference typically being R >R ² >R ³ . Depending on the level of substitution, not every repeating unit must comprise a non-hydrogen substituent. On the other hand, it is possible that some repeating units comprise more than one substituent, including the situation that all three positions are substituted by moieties of formula (II) or (III). It is to be understood that the substitution pattern commonly is a statistical substitution pattern. In some embodiments, in the compounds of formula (II) positions R and R ² are preferably substituted with R ³ being predominantly or exclusively H. In various embodiments, it is preferred that the moieties of formula (II) and (III) are present in a molar ratio of about 2: 1 to 1 :2, preferably about equimolar amounts. "About", as used herein in relation to a numerical value or a ratio, means said value or ratio ±10%, preferably ±5%.

It is understood that in the compounds of formula (I) each repeating unit can be substituted differently and independently from the other repeating units. In various embodiments, the chain end groups shown in formula (I) may be modified so that the polymer is not terminated by hydroxyl groups. Accordingly, the present invention also covers compounds of formula (I) where the hydroxyl end groups are replaced by other groups, i.e. polymer having the indicated repeating units with undefined end groups.

The parameters x and y are preferably independently integers from 1 -10, 5-10, 1-5, 1-3, 1-2, 1 1-15 or 5-15.

X is preferably a halogenide anion, such as fluoride, chloride, bromide, but may be any other, preferably inorganic anion, such as sulfate, carbonate, hydrogencarbonate and the like.

The polysaccharides as 1 wt.% solution in water at 20°C typically have viscosities of up to 2,500 mPas, preferably of up to 1 ,500 mPas. Preferably, they have as 2 wt.% solution in water at 20°C viscosities of at least 300 mPas, more preferably at least 400 mPas, most preferably at least 600 mPas.

Such polysaccharides are, for example, commercially available under the tradenames SoftCAT™ or Supracare™ from Dow Chemical. Particularly suited are SoftCAT™ SL-60, SoftCAT™ SX- 1300H and SoftCAT™ SX-400H, preferably SoftCAT™ SX-1300H.

The cationically modified polysaccharides or formula (I) may be contained in the detergent formulation in amounts of between 0.01 to 1 wt.% relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.05 to 0.5 wt.%, more preferably 0.05 to 0.25 wt.%, most preferably about 0.7 to 0.15 wt.%. It has surprisingly been found that lower levels increase softening effects, with a peak efficiency occurring between 0.63 and 0.25 wt.%.

The detergent compositions of the invention may further comprise a surfactant system. Said surfactant system preferably comprises at least one, preferably at least two anionic surfactants. In various preferred embodiments, the surfactant system comprises at least one alkyl ether sulfate. Preferred alkyl ether sulfates are those of formula (IV)

R -0-(AO)n-S0 ₃ - X ⁺ (IV).

In formula (IV) R represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl group, preferably a linear, unsubstituted alkyl group, more preferably a fatty alcohol moiety. Preferred R moieties are selected from the group consisting of decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl moieties and mixtures thereof, wherein those groups with an even number of carbon atoms are preferred. Particularly preferred R moieties are derived from C10-C18 fatty alcohols, such as those derived from coconut oil alcohols, tallow fatty alcohols, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl or stearyl alcohol or from Cio-C2o oxoalcohols.

AO represents an ethyleneoxide (EO) or propyleneoxide (PO) group, preferably an ethyleneoxide group. The index n represents an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 20 and more preferably from 1 to 10. Particularly preferably, n is 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. X represents a monovalent cation or the n-th part of an n-valent cation, preferred are alkali metal cations, specifically Na ⁺ and K ⁺ , most preferably Na ⁺ . Further cations X ⁺ may be selected from NH ₄ ⁺ , ½ Zn ²⁺ ,½ Mg ²⁺ ,½ Ca ²⁺ ,½ Mn ²⁺ , and combinations thereof.

In various preferred embodiments, the detergent compositions comprise an alkyl ether sulfate selected from fatty alcohol ether sulfates of formula (V)

wherein k = 9 to 19, and n = 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. Preferred are C10-16 fatty alcohol ether sulfates with 1-7, more preferably 1-3 EO (k = 9-15, n = 1-7, 1 -3), even more preferred the C12-14 fatty alcohol ether sulfates with 1 -3, particularly 2 EO (k = 1 1-13, n = 1-3 or 2), more particularly the sodium salts thereof. Particularly preferred is lauryl ether sulfate sodium salt with 2 EO, as it is particularly advantageous for achieving the desired viscosity ranges. The level of ethoxylation is an average value and can, for a specific compound, be an integer or fractional number.

The alkyl ether sulfate is preferably contained in the compositions of the invention in an amount of 2.0 to 8.0 wt.% relative to the total weight of the composition, more preferably 3.2 to 7.0 wt.%, even more preferably 4.5 to 7.0 wt.%, most preferably 5.0 to 6.0 wt.%.

In various embodiments, the surfactant system comprises at least one alkyl benzene sulfonate. Said alkyl benzene sulfonate may be present alternatively to the above alkyl ether sulfate or, preferably, in addition to it. Exemplary alkyl benzene sulfonates include, but are not limited to linear and branched alkyl benzene sulfonates, preferably linear alkyl benzene sulfonates. Exemplary compounds are those of formula (VI)

wherein R ^' and R ^" are independently H or alkyl and combined comprise 9 to 19, preferably 9 to 15 and more preferably 9 to 13 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are dodecyl and tridecyl benzene sulfonates, in particular the sodium salts thereof. Preferred contents of the alkyl benzene sulfonates range from 3.0 to 22.0 wt.%, preferably 9.0 to 17.0 wt.%, more preferably 10.0 to 16.0 wt.% relative to the total weight of the composition.

In addition, the compositions of the invention may further comprise one or more nonionic surfactants. Preferred nonionic surfactants are those of formula (VII)

wherein R ² represents a linear or branched substituted or unsubstituted alkyl moiety, AO represents an ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) group and m is an integer from 1 to 50.

In formula (IV) R ² preferably represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstited alkyl group, preferably a linear, unsubstituted alkyl group, particularly preferred a fatty alcohol group. Preferred groups are R ² are selected from decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl groups and combinations thereof, wherein those groups with an even number of carbon atoms are preferred. Particularly preferred are R ² groups derived from C12-C18 fatty alcohols, such as coconut oil alcohol, tallow oil alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl or stearyl alcohol or from C10-C20 oxoalcohols.

AO represents an ethyleneoxide (EO) or propyleneoxide (PO) group, preferably an ethyleneoxide group. The index m represents an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 20 and more preferably from 1 to 12.

In various embodiments, the detergent compositions comprise an alkyl ether selected from fatty alcohol ethers of formula (VIII)

wherein k = 1 1 to 19, m = 1-12. Preferred are C12-18 fatty alcohols with 1 -12 EO (k = 1 1-17, m = 1- 12 in formula (VIII)). More preferred are C12-14 alkyl ethers having 1-12 EO. Such nonionic alkyl ethers may be contained in the formulation in amounts of 0.0 to 10 wt.%, preferably 0.5 to 8.0 wt.%, more preferably 2.0 to 6.0 wt.%.

The detergents may further include other nonionic surfactants, such as alkyi glucosides of the general formula RO(G)x, where R is a primary linear or 2-methyl-branched aliphatic radical containing 8 to 22 and preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms and G stands for a glucose unit. The degree of oligomerization x, which indicates the distribution of monoglucosides and

oligoglucosides, is a number of 1 to 10 and preferably a number of 1.2 to 1 .4. However, in preferred embodiments, the compositions do not include such alkyi glucosides.

In various embodiments, the surfactant system comprises at least two anionic surfactants, namely at least one alkyi ether sulfate and preferably at least one alkyi benzene sulfonate, and optionally at least one alkyi ether.

The compositions may comprise, for example, 10.0 to 25.0, preferably 15.0 to 20.0 wt.% of the surfactant system. Said surfactant system may comprise or consist of anionic surfactants, preferably (1 ) 2.2 to 7.0% wt.%, preferably 4.5 to 7.0 wt.% C10-16 alkyi ether sulfates with 1 to 7 EO, preferably C12-14 fatty alcohol ether sulfates with 1-3 EO, more preferably lauryl ether sulfate with 2 EO; and (2) 7.0 to 19.0, preferably 9.0 to 17.0 wt.%, more preferably 10.0 to 15.0 wt.% of a linear alkyi benzene sulfonate, preferably dodecyl or tridecyl benzene sulfonate. All afore-mentioned percentages relate to the total weight of the composition.

The compositions of the invention may further comprise a builder system. The builder system may be a phosphate-free builder system. However, the composition may comprise phosphonates. Accordingly, the term "phosphate-free", as used herein does not refer to phosphonates.

"Water-soluble", as used herein, relates to a solubility in water at 20°C of at least 1 g/L, preferably at least 10 g /L.

Further suitable builders include, without limitation, inorganic builders, such as silicates, aluminosilicates (particularly zeolite), and carbonates, as well as organic builders, such as organic di- and polycarboxylic acids, aminocarboxylic acids and combinations thereof. Preferred in the liquid compositions of the invention are water-soluble builders, in particular carbonates, di- and polycarboxylic acids and aminocarboxylic acids. Also suitable are alkali metal hydroxides, in particular sodium hydroxide, but these are, besides their use for pH control, not preferred.

Suitable inorganic builders include, without limitation, silicates, aluminosilicates (particularly zeolite), and carbonates, with water-soluble inorganic builders and in particular carbonates being preferred. Suitable carbonates include alkali metal carbonates, hydrogen carbonates and sesquicarbonates, with alkali metal carbonates, in particular sodium carbonate being preferred.

In various embodiments, inorganic builders, in particular water-soluble inorganic builders, preferably carbonates, are used in amounts of up to 5 wt.%, relative to the total weight of the composition. In preferred embodiments, carbonate, preferably sodium carbonate, is used in amounts of 1.0 to 5.0 wt.%, preferably 2.0 to 4.0 wt.%.

Suitable polycarboxylic acids, which can be used as free acids or in form of their salts, include, but are not limited to, citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, and sugar acids. In addition to their builder properties, the free acids can also be used for pH control. Preferred are citric acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid and gluconic acid, and combinations thereof.

Particularly preferred are citric acid and their salts, i.e. citrates. In various embodiments, the polycarboxylic acids, in particular citric acid/citrate, are contained in the compositions of the invention in amounts of 3.5 to 25.0 wt.%, preferably 4.0 to 10.0 wt.%.

Suitable aminocarboxylic acids or salts thereof, i.e. aminocarboxylates, are selected from the group consisting of L-glutamic acid Ν,Ν-diacetic acid (GLDA), methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA), imino disuccinic acid (IDS), ethylenediamine Ν,Ν'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), beta-alanine Ν,Ν-diacetic acid, hydroxyethylenediamine triacetic acid (HEDTA), and salts, preferably alkali metal salts thereof as well as combinations of any one of more of the aforementioned. Particularly preferred is GLDA tetrasodium salt.

The aminocarboxylates are preferably used in amounts of 0.5 to 5.0 wt.%, preferably 1.0 to 4.0 wt.% relative to the total weight of the composition.

Acrylates that may be used according to the present invention include alkali metal salts of polymers of acrylic acid, preferably the sodium salts, in particular those with molecular weights in the range of 1 ,000 to 10,000 g / mol or 1 ,000 to 5,000 g / mol. Suitable acrylates are commercially available, for example under the tradename Acusol ^® from Dow Chemical.

In various embodiments, the builder system comprises relative to the total weight of the detergent composition:

(1 ) 1 .0 to 5.0 wt.-%, preferably 2.0 to 4.0 wt.-% of the at least one inorganic builder, preferably a carbonate, more preferably sodium carbonate; (2) 3.5 to 25.0 wt.-%, preferably 4.0 to 10.0 wt.-% of the at least one polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, preferably a hydroxyl group-containing polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof, more preferably citric acid or citrate, most preferably preferably sodium citrate; and

(3) 0.5 to 5.0 wt.-%, preferably 1.0 to 4.0 wt.-% of the at least one aminocarboxylate, preferably selected from the group consisting of L-glutamic acid Ν,Ν-diacetic acid (GLDA), methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA), imino disuccinic acid (IDS), ethylenediamine Ν,Ν'-disuccinic acid (EDDS), diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA), beta-alanine Ν,Ν-diacetic acid,

hydroxyethylenediamine triacetic acid (HEDTA), and alkali metal salts thereof, more preferably GLDA tetrasodium salt.

In various embodiments, the builder system is comprised in the compositions in an amount of 5 to 25.0 wt.%, preferably 10.0 to 15.0 wt.%.

The detergent compositions of the invention may be aqueous liquid compositions and as such comprise significant quantities of water, typically 50.0 to 85.0 wt.%, preferably 65.0 to 75.0 wt.%.

The pH value of the detergents according to the invention is generally in the range of from 7 to 12, preferably in the range from 7 to 10.5. Relatively high pH values, for example above 9, may be adjusted by the use of small quantities of sodium hydroxide or alkaline salts, such as sodium carbonate. The liquid detergents may be transparent or opaque and are flowable and may be poured under the sole effect of gravity without any need for other shear forces to be applied. Their viscosity is generally greater than 1 ,000 mPas (Brookfield viscosimeter, spindle 3, 12 rpm, 20° C), namely in the range of between 1 ,000 and 10,000 mPas, preferably between 2,000 and 6,000 mPas.

In addition to the ingredients mentioned above, however, the detergents may commonly contain at least one, preferably two or more other substances selected from the group consisting of soaps, pH adjusting agents, perfumes, fluorescing agents (optical brighteners). dyes, colorants, antimicrobial active substances, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, and preservatives.

Further possible ingredients include silicone oils, anti-redeposition agents, anti-greying agents, shrinkage preventers, wrinkle protection agents, dye transfer inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, antistatic agents, bittering agents, ironing adjuvants, proofing and impregnation agents, swelling and anti-slip agents, complexing agents and UV absorbers.

Also included may be bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, and enzymes, however, in various embodiments, the compositions are free of those. For cold wash properties it can be beneficial to additionally include soaps. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the detergent compositions further comprise relative to their total weight 0.25 to 15 wt.%, preferably 0.5 to 12.5 et.%, more preferably 1.0 to 10.0 wt.%, even more preferably 1 .5 to 7.5 wt.% and most preferably 2.0 to 6.0 wt.% soaps. Preferred are soaps from C12-C18 fatty acids, i.e. the salts of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, or mixtures derived from natural fatty acids, for example coconut, palm kernel, olive oil, or tallow fatty acids.

Further ingredients that are commonly used include colorants, perfumes and optical brighteners, as well as pH adjusting agents. All of these ingredients are well-known in the art and readily available.

The present invention further relates to methods for cleaning textiles, wherein a washing liquor containing the liquid detergent composition of the present invention contacts the textile in at least one method step. The methods are preferably carried out in an automatic washing machine.

Methods for cleaning of textiles are generally characterized by the fact that in several different process steps various cleaning-active substances are applied to the textiles and after the contact time said cleaning-active substances are washed off, or that the textiles are treated in any other way with a detergent or a solution of said substance.

Also encompassed by the present invention is the use of the compounds of formula (I) disclosed herein as a fabric softening agent in liquid detergent compositions.

All embodiments described herein in relation to the compositions of the invention are similarly applicable to the methods and uses of the invention and vice versa.

Examples

Example 1 :

Using Phabrometer and "Softness" Prediction Model, developed from the collaboration between Australian Wool Testing Authority (AWT A) and Colgate-Palmolive, softening performance of series of polymers were examined on cotton Terry Towels (2 kg wash load in Top loader, 20°C, 50L wash water volume, 50 ppm water hardness, 5 cycles, line drying at room temperature 20°C).

For a Phabrometer measurement, a fabric is cut into a 100 cm ² round specimen, placed onto the mounting plate with a mass plate (2 pounds) on top of it. The force required during the fabric extraction is collected while the plunger (12 mm) is pushing the fabric through the nozzle (36 mm diameter). The parameters extracted from the force curves are then correlated to the predicted "softness" score (PS) that may be perceivable by a trained panel. A higher score indicates a softer fabric.

Wash no. 13-40 (Figure 1 ) of the present invention shows that, without deposition aids or any other softening materials, introducing 0.5 grams (as is) of either SoftCAT SL-60 (SLT) or SoftCAT SX- 1300H (SXT) (from Dow Chemical, INCI: Polyquaternium-67, CAS 68610-92-4), into the wash with the presence of 51 .6 grams (-45 mL) non-phosphate built HDL significantly improves the softening benefit of the laundry liquid when compared to non-phosphate built HDL alone (Cp no P; Table 1 ). The term "as is" refers to the active component. Unexpectedly, higher softening performance is observed with a reduction of polymer content per wash of either SL-60 (SL) or SX 1300H (SX) grade from 0.5 grams to 0.25 grams. Both levels of these two polymers deliver in wash softening performance at a softness level that maybe expected from commercial fabric softeners which are introduced in a rinse cycle. The softness scores obtained from 0.25 grams (as is) per wash of SL- 60 and SX-1300H grades are 4.0 and 4.9, whereas the score is 3.0 for a commercial fabric softener (FS) which delivered 1.26 grams (as is) per wash of Stepantex HSP90 (esterquat), and 6.3 for another commercial fabric softener (FU) which delivered 3.122 grams (as is) per wash of esterquat.

Table 1 : Composition of non-phosphate laundry liquid (pH 10-1 1 )

Example 2:

With the presence of 51.6 grams (-45 mL) non-phosphate HDL (Table 1 ), the softening performance of SoftCAT SX-1300H at different grams (as is) per wash of 0.063 (SX06), 0.125 (SX12), 0.25 (SX25) and 0.5 (SX50) were examined comparing to two commercial 2 in 1 laundry liquids (CPWC; TD; Figure 2). Comparing between those 4 levels of SoftCAT SX-1300H, the highest softening performance of 5.5 is obtained at 0.125 grams per wash (SX12). This predicted "Softness" score is equivalent to the CPWC commercial 2 in 1 product. This commercial product delivered 3.759 grams bentonite clay per wash, 30 times of the amount required from SoftCAT technology for an equivalent softness level.

Example 3:

The softening performance of the polymer was also confirmed by a panel test conducted which demonstrated a perceived softness improvement on cotton Terry towels when SoftCAT SX-1300H based HDL was used in either Top loader or Front loader machine (Regular cycle, 100 ppm, cold water (20-25°C), 50 L wash water volume for Top loader and 12 L wash water volume in Front loader, 2.5 kg wash load, 5 wash cycles, drum drying at 93°C). Table 2 shows composition details of the samples used in the evaluation. Table 2: Composition comparison between Regular HDL and a prototype with SoftCAT SX-1300H, used in the softness panel assessment.

At same dosage of 51.75 grams per wash, untrained panel perceived improved softness when the cotton Terry towels were washed with HDL containing SoftCAT SX-1300H (13-474), compared to the Original HDL without SoftCAT (13-397). In the test, the Terry towels treated with the two different referred compositions were presented to the panelists who picked the one that was perceived more soften. A statistical model was applied to indicate the significant level of the difference the panel perceived.

The superior softening performance of the SoftCAT polymer was not only observed in an opaque non-phosphate built laundry liquid, but also in an unbuilt fine fabric liquid detergent (pH 3.5 - 5.5). In just a single wash in a Front loader machine, the softness panel assessment on cotton Terry towels showed softening benefit of the polymer. Using European wash condition (Custom cycle for medium spin-dry & warm water (up to 27°C), 12 L wash water volume, 350 ppm water hardness, 1.8 kg wash load, line drying at room temperature), the presence of 0.29 grams (as is) per wash of SoftCAT SL-60 in commercial fine fabric liquid detergent (Table 3) delivered perceivably softer towels compared to the original commercial fine fabric liquid detergent (Table 3). Table 3: Composition of the fine fabric liquid detergents investigated (pH 3.5 - 5.5). The content is shown as wt% of the active ingredients.

Anti-foaming Silicone was included in all prototypes as well as in the original detergent as a processing aid during manufacturing and to prevent the Front Loader machine from over foaming during wash. It was not used as a fabric softening silicone.

Example 4:

Using the same wash condition, after one wash cycle, the softness improvement was also perceived on Wool with the presence of either 0.29 grams (as is) per wash of SoftCAT SX- 400H or SoftCAT SX-1300H or 0.13 grams (as is) per wash of SoftCAT SX-1300H compared to the original detergent. See Table 3 for the composition details. Table 4 presents nitrogen content of each polymer investigated.

Table 4: Comparison of %N from cationic substitution of different SoftCAT grades used in the investigation.

Viscosity @ 1wt.% aqueous Cationic substitution (%N) solution, mPas

SoftCAT™ SL-60 2,700 0.8 - 1.1

SoftCAT™ SX-1300H 1 ,300 2.4 - 2.6

SoftCAT™ SX-400H 400 (2% aq solution) 2.4 - 2.6 The effect of additional SoftCAT to soil removal performance of an unbuilt laundry liquid in Top loader and of a structured built laundry liquid in both Top loader and Front loader machines were examined. The results suggest that there was no significant adverse effect to the soil removal performance of laundry product observed with additional SoftCAT SL-60 or SX-1300H. Table 5 and Table 6 present composition details of the laundry liquids used in the evaluations.

Table 5: Composition details of laundry liquids examined in the Top loader wash evaluation no. 12- 75. The dosage per wash of each product was 50 grams.

Table 6: Composition details of laundry liquids examined in the Top loader wash evaluation no. 14- 001 & Front loader wash evaluation no. 14-007. The dosage per wash of each product was 51.3 grams.

Formula wt % (as is)

Ingredient Name 1 2

Demineralized Water ad 100% ad 100%

Optical Brightener 0.138% 0.138%

SoftCAT SX-1300H 0.21 1 %

Sodium LAS 12.400% 12.400%

Tetrasodium GLDA 3.100% 3.100%

Defoamer (silicone) 0,750%

Sodium Hydroxide 2.400% 2.400%

Citric Acid Hydrous 5.978% 5.978%

Sodium Carbonate 3.900% 3.900%

Colorant 0.006% 0.006%

Sodium Laureth-2 Sulfate 2EO 6.073% 6.073%

Fragrance 0.470% 0.470%