The environmental and technical demands upon modern processes for cleaning fabrics are high.

One of the most persistent and troublesome problems arising during modern fabrics laundry preparations is the tendency of some coloured fabrics to release dye into the wash solution. The dye is the transferred onto other fabrics being washed therewith.

In addition, in recent years there is a great interest in environmentally friendly detergent compositions, which cause low overall organic waste.

WO 95/27038 or WO 00/05334 describe dye transfer inhibitors.

WO 95/27038 discloses on page 3, lines 1-14, that optical brighteners, such as described on page 7, lines 30-37 and page 8, linesi-3, exhibit only unsatisfactory dye transfer inhibition performance. Whereas WO 95/27038 describes that the combination of an optical brightener with a dye transfer inhibitor, such as polymeric material, is very effective in inhibiting the dye transfer.

An object of the present invention is to improve simultaneously the brightening and dye transfer inhibition in modern fabrics laundry preparations washed by environmentally friendly detergents, while providing good surfactant mileage, cleaning, wear rate, solubility and other aesthetics.

Accordingly, we have found a process for inhibiting the re-absorption of migrating dyes in wash liquor and for brightening of fabrics, comprising (I) adding to wash liquor comprising a detergent composition a compound of formula (I) for the inhibition of dye transfer, or (II) adding to wash liquor a detergent composition comprising a compound of formula (I) for the inhibition of dye transfer, or (111) adding to wash liquor a detergent composition comprising (a) from 5% to 90%, more preferably, from 5% to 70%, most preferably from 10% to 60%, by weight surfactant, preferred by an anionic surfactant, or an non-ionic surfactant, or a betaine surfactant, more preferred of an anionic or non-ionic surfactant, (b) from 0.2% to 70%, more preferably, from 0.2% to 50%, most preferably from 0.2% to 40%, by weight detergent builder, preferred by silicate or phosphate detergent builder, and (c) from 0.01 % to 2%, more preferably, from 0.1 % to 1 %, most preferably from 0.1 % to 1 %, by weight compound of formula (I) for the inhibition of dye transfer, wherein the percentages being by weight, based on the entire weight of the detergent composition, and especially preferred adding a detergent composition comprising (d) from 5% to 90%, more preferably, from 5% to 70%, most preferably from 10% to 60%, by weight surfactant, preferred by an anionic surfactant, or an non-ionic surfactant, or a betaine surfactant, more preferred of an anionic or non-ionic surfactant, (e) from 0.2% to 70%, more preferably, from 0. 2% to 50%, most preferably from 0.2% to 40%, by weight detergent builder, preferred by silicate or phosphate detergent builder, and (f) from 0. 01 % to 2% by weight, more preferably, from 0. 1 % to 1 %, most preferably from 0. 1 % to 1 %, compound of formula (I) for the inhibition of dye transfer, wherein the percentages being by weight, based on the entire weight of the detergent composition, with the proviso that no polymeric dye transfer inhibitor is comprised, and more preferred, with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor is comprised, and more especially preferred, with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor and no further brightener is comprised.

The detergent composition may be in solid or in liquid form, for example in the form of a liquid non-aqueous washing agent, comprising not more than 5% by weight, preferably from 0 to 1 % by weight of water, and as basis a suspension of a builder substance in a nonionic surfactant, as is described e. g. in GB-A-2,158, 454.

Preferably, however, the detergent composition is obtained in powdered or granulated form.

Further, the present invention concerns a detergent composition comprising (a) from 5% to 90%, more preferably, from 5% to 70%, most preferably from 10% to 60%, by weight surfactant, preferred by an anionic surfactant, or an non-ionic surfactant, or a betaine surfactant, more preferred of an anionic or non-ionic surfactant, (b) from 0. 2% to 70%, more preferably, from 0.2% to 50%, most preferably from 0.2% to 40%, by weight detergent builder, preferred by silicate or phosphate detergent builder, and (c) from 0. 01% to 2%, more preferably, from 0. 1% to 1%, most preferably from 0. 1% to 1%, by weight compound of formula (I), for the inhibition of dye transfer, wherein the percentages being by weight, based on the entire weight of the detergent composition.

Especially preferred is a detergent composition comprising (d) from 5% to 90%, more preferably, from 5% to 70%, most preferably from 10% to 60%, by weight surfactant, preferred by an anionic surfactant, or an non-ionic surfactant, or a betaine surfactant, more preferred of an anionic or non-ionic surfactant, (e) from 0.2% to 70%, more preferably, from 0.2% to 50%, most preferably from 0.2% to 40%, by weight detergent builder, preferred by silicate or phosphate detergent builder, and (f) from 0. 01 % to 2% by weight, more preferably, from 0. 1 % to 1 %, most preferably from 0. 1 % to 1 %, compound of formula (I), for the inhibition of dye transfer, wherein the percentages being by weight, based on the entire weight of the detergent composition, with the proviso that no polymeric dye transfer inhibitor is comprised, and more especially preferred, with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor and no further brightener is comprised, or with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor is comprised, and more especially preferred, or with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor and no further brightener is comprised.

The detergent composition may be prepared, for example, by first preparing a starting powder by spray-drying an aqueous slurry, containing all of the above-cited components except the compound of formula (I), and then adding the dry compound of formula (I), and mixing all of these components.

It is also possible to add the compound of formula (I) to aqueous slurry containing all of the above-cited components except the compound of formula (I), and then preparing a powder by spray-drying the aqueous slurry.

It is also possible to start from aqueous slurry, which contains the surfactant, but not, or only partially, the detergent builder. The slurry is then spray-dried. The compound of formula (I) is mixed with the detergent builder and then added to the spray dried slurry.

Compound of formula (I) and its preparation are already known from GB 1,247, 934.

Surfactant is, for example, an anionic, cationic, ampholytic, zwitterionic, semi-polar surfactants and non-ionic surfactant as, for example, described in EP-A1-704, 523 from page 2, line 46 to page 3, line 39, and from page 6, line 35 to page 10, line 20. Surfactant may also be a mixture of the above-cited surfactants.

The anionic surfactant may be, for example, a sulphate, sulphonate or carboxylate surfact- ant, or a mixture thereof. The anionic surfactant is in its acid and/or salt form selected as desired for the detergent compositions and uses herein.

Preferred sulphates are those, which contain 12-22 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical, optionally in combination with alkylethoxysulphates, the alkyl radical of which contains 10- 20 carbon atoms.

Alkyl radical as used herein means a hydrocarbyl moiety, which is straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated. Unless otherwise specified, alkyl moieties are preferably saturated or unsaturated with double bonds, preferably with one or two double bonds.

Preferred sulphonates are, for example, alkylbenzenesulphonates containing 9-15 carbon atoms in the alkyl radical, which is preferably a linear alkyl radical.

The cation in the anionic surfactants is preferably an alkali metal cation, most preferably sodium.

Preferred carboxylates are alkali metal sarcosinates of formula R-CO-N (R')-CH2COOM', wherein R is alkyl or alkenyl containing 8-18 carbon atoms in the alkyl or alkenyl radical, Rt is Ct-C4alkyl, and M'is an alkali metal. More preferred is oleoyl sarcosinate, wherein R is methyl.

In addition, carboxylates are, for example, fatty acids such as coconut oil.

Coconut oil is, for example, linear and have an approximate carbon chain length distribution of about 8% Ca, 7% Cio, 48% C12, 17% Ci4, 9% de, 2% C, 8, 7/oleic, and 2% linoleic (the firs six fatty acids listed being saturated), Other sources having a similar carbon chain length distribution in their fatty acids, such as palm kernel oil and babassu oil, are included within the term coconut oil.

The nonionic surfactant may be, for example, a condensate of 3-8 mol of ethylene oxide with 1 mol of primary alcohol containing 9-15 carbon atoms.

Suitable detergent builder substances are, for example, described in WO 95/27038 page 5, lines 3-34, and page 6, lines 1-7, especially suitable are alkali metal phosphates preferably tripolyphosphates, carbonates or bicarbonates, more preferably their sodium salts, silicates, aluminium silicates, organic carbonic acids and/or its salts, for example, hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid or N, N'-bis (carboxymethyl) glutamic acid salt such as alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, ammonium or amine salts, preferred are alkali metal salts, such as sodium, potassium or the like, especially preferably sodium, further, polycarboxylates, polycarboxylic acids, organic phosphonates, aminoalkylene- poly (alkylenephosphonates), or mixtures of these compounds.

Particularly suitable silicates are the sodium salts of crystalline sheet silicates of formula NaHSitO2t+l. pH2O or Na2SitO2t+1. pH2O, wherein t is a number from 1.9 to 4 and p is a num- ber from 0 to 20.

Preferred aluminium silicates are those which are commercially available under the names Zeolite A, B, X and HS, and also mixtures comprising two or more of these components.

Preferred polycarboxylates are the polyhydroxycarboxylates, in particular citrates, and acrylates as well as their copolymers with maleic anhydride.

Preferred polycarboxylic acids are nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetracetic acid and ethylenediaminedisuccinate both in racemic form and in the enantiomerically pure S, S- form.

Particularly suitable phosphonates or aminoalkylenepoly (alkylenephosphonates) are the alkali metal salts of the 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid, nitrilotris (methylenephos- phonic acid), ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid and diethylenetriaminepenta- methylenephosphonic acid.

The term"polymeric dye transfer inhibitor"is used herein for all traditional polymeric dye transfer inhibitors. Non-limiting, preferred examples of polymeric dye transfer inhibitors are for example described in WO 95/27038, page 6 lines 9- 37 and page 7, lines 1-26.

The term"further dye transfer inhibitor"is used herein for all known dye transfer inhibitors, such as described for example in WO 95/27038 or WO 00/05334, with the proviso that compound of formula (I) is excluded.

The term"further brightener"is used herein for all known brighteners with the proviso that compound of formula (I) is excluded. Brighteners, such as optical brighteners are, for example, known from WO 95/27038, page 7, line 29-37 and page 8, line 1-3.

The detergent composition may also contain suspending agents for dirt, e. g. sodium carboxymethylcellulose, pH-regulators, e. g. alkali or alkaline earth metal silicates, foam regulators, e. g. soaps, salts for regulating the spray-drying and the granulation properties, e. g. sodium sulphate, fragrances and, optionally, antistatic agents and softeners, enzymes, such as amylase, bleaches, pigments and/or shading agents.

The washing agents or detergent compositions may additionally contain so-called perborate activators, such as TAED or TAGU. TAED is preferred and is preferably used in an amount from 0.05 to 5 % by weight, more preferably from 0.2 to 1.7 % by weight, based on the entire weight of the washing agent.

A further embodiment of the present invention concerns the use of compound of formula (I) for inhibiting the dye transfer and brightening of fabrics, with the proviso that no additional polymeric dye transfer inhibitor is used, and more preferred, with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor is used, and more especially preferred, with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor and no further brightener is used.

In addition, the present invention concerns the use of compound of formula (I) for inhibiting the dye transfer in the processes and the detergent compositions of the present invention.

Further, the present invention concerns the use of a detergent composition of the present invention comprising (g) from 5% to 90%, more preferably, from 5% to 70%, most preferably from 10% to 60%, by weight surfactant, preferred by an anionic surfactant, or an non-ionic surfactant, or a betaine surfactant, more preferred of an anionic or non-ionic surfactant, (h) from 0.2% to 70%, more preferably, from 0. 2% to 50%, most preferably from 0.2% to 40%, by weight detergent builder, preferred by silicate or phosphate detergent builder, and (i) from 0. 01% to 2%, more preferably, from 0. 1% to 1%, most preferably from 0. 1 % to 1 %, by weight compound of formula (I), for the inhibition of dye transfer, wherein the percentages being by weight, based on the entire weight of the detergent composition, for inhibiting the re-absorption of migrating dyes in wash liquor and for brightening of fabrics.

Especially preferred is the use of a detergent composition comprising (j) from 5% to 90%, more preferably, from 5% to 70%, most preferably from 10% to 60%, by weight surfactant, preferred by an anionic surfactant, or an non-ionic surfactant, or a betaine surfactant, more preferred of an anionic or non-ionic surfactant, (k) from 0.2% to 70%, more preferably, from 0.2% to 50%, most preferably from 0.2% to 40%, by weight detergent builder, preferred by silicate or phosphate detergent builder, and (1) from 0. 01 % to 2% by weight, more preferably, from 0. 1 % to 1%, most preferably from 0. 1% to 1%, compound of formula (1), for the inhibition of dye transfer, wherein the percentages being by weight, based on the entire weight of the detergent composition, with the proviso that no polymeric dye transfer inhibitor is comprised, and more especially preferred, with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor and no further brightener is comprised, or with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor is comprised, and more especially preferred, or with the proviso that no further dye transfer inhibitor and no further brightener is comprised, for inhibiting the re-absorption of migrating dyes in wash liquor and for brightening of fabrics.

Further, the present invention concerns the use of a detergent composition for a process of the present invention.

It has been found that the process of the present invention compound of formula (I) exhibits effective dye transfer inhibiting performance in combination with good brightening, surfactant mileage, cleaning, wear rate, solubility and other aesthetics properties.

It is very surprisingly that both technical effects, effective dye transfer inhibition and brightening, can be achieved with a single component, the compound of formula (I), without using any additional dye transfer inhibitor agent. It is succeeded with the present invention to decrease the overall organic waste of a detergent composition and hence, to provide an environmentally more friendly detergent composition.

Further, it has been found that the use of a composition comprising (i) at least one polyamine N-oxide polymer dye transfer inhibitor as described in W095/27038 and (ii) at least one anionic, non-ionic or cationic dye transfer inhibitor as described in EP-A- 692511 and/or one polymeric dye inhibitor as described on W001/74982 and (iii) the compound of formula (1) does not have an negative effect of the brightening of fabrics, when used in a wash liquor.

Component (i): The polyamine N-oxide polymer is preferably selected from the group consisting of pyrridine, pyrrole, imidazole, pyrrolidine, piperidine and derivatives thereof. The preferred polyamine N- oxide polymers are described in W095/27038 on page 6 line 9 up to page 7, line 26.

Copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N vinylimidazole polymers (PVPI) are also preferred.

Preferably the PVPI has an average molecular weight from 5000 to 1000000, more preferably from 5000 to 200000, and most preferably from 10000 to 20000. The PVPI copolymers typically have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone from 1: 1 to 0.2 : 1, more preferably from 0.8 : 1 to 0.3 : 1, most preferably from 0.6 : 1 to 0.4 : 1. These copolymers can be either linear or branched. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) are also preferred as a component. Preferably PVP have an average molecular weight of from about 5000 to about 400000, preferably from about 5000 to about 200000, and more preferably from about 5000 to about 50000. Examples of PVP are disclosed in, for example, EP-A-262,897 and EP-A-256,696, incorporated herein by reference. Compositions containing PVP can also contain polyethylene glycol (PEG) having an average molecular weight from about 500 to about 100000, preferably from about 1000 to about 10000. Preferably, the weight ratio of PEG to PVP is from about 2: 1 to about 50: 1, and more preferably from about 3: 1 to about 10: 1.

Component (ii): Preferred compounds are polydiallyldimethylammonium compounds, preferably their salts and/or their copolymers with polyacrylate, polyacrylamide or polyvinylpyrrolidon. Some of these compounds can be bought from Ciba Specialty Chemicals under the tradenames of Agefloce, such as Agefloc C 505@, Agefloc WT40@, Agefloc WT40 SV@, Agefloc WT40 SVL#, or Agequate, such as Agequat 3204#, Alcofixe, wie Alcofix R@, or Tinofix@, Tinofix CL@, Tinofix FARD5, Further preferred are bis-chlormethyl-biphenyl-poly-quats, as described in DE 2657582 und EP 225281.

Further preferred are polyethylenimne, which are sold by BASF under the tradenames of Lupasol@, such as Lupasol SK@, Lupasol Pus', Lupasol Foc5, Lupasol WF@, Lupasol P@, Lupasol G20#, Lupasol G20 wasserfrei#, Lupasol G 100'5, Lupasol HF@, Lupasol Pur85150 oder Lupasol FG@, and Cyclanone.

Further preferred are basic polycondensate products comprising imidazoline units as described in WO 01/74982 or which can be bought from Ciba Specialty Chemicals under the tradenames of Tinofix CL#, Tinofix ULC@, Tinofix ECO@, Cibafix ECO"or Solfix E'or which can be bought from Bayer under the tradenames of Gafquat 755NO, Gafquat HS-100@, Copolymer 845#, Copolymer 958@, Coploymer VC-713@, Levogen FLO, Levogen WSR#, Levogen WORDS or Lavafixe.

Further suitable products can be bought from ISP : Chromobond S-100° Nicca: Neofix RE#, Neofix E-225#, Neofix E-117#, Neofix RPA #, Neofix F#, Neofix RP-70# and Neofix R-250#, Textil Color : Sevofix SR #, Sevofix FFK# and Sevofix NOF#, Cariant : Indosol E-50#, Indosol CRR#, Sandofix FFN#, Solidogen FRZR#, Sandofix TPS @, Sandofix TPSR#, Sandofix WE56R# and Sandofix SWE#, A suitable composition comprises 0.01-5 wt-% of at least one componet (i) and 0.01-5 wt-% of of at least one component (ii) and 0.01-2 wt-% of component (iii) and up to 100 wt-% builder and surfactant.

The wt-% are related to the content of the active substances.

Example 1: Tests for evaluation of dye transfer inhibiting properties of brighteners are conducted in the Linitest washing equipment. DTI effects of compound of formula (I) and 4,4'-bis [ (4-anilino-6-morpholino-1, 3, 5-triazin-2-yl) amino] stilbene-2, 2'-disulphonic acid disodium salt ("DAS"-type fluorescent whitening agent) are compared and as reference brightener-free washing is conducted..

Before testing, the brighteners are incorporated into ECE 77 standard detergent (ISO 105- C06 ; DIN 54 017) via slurry. 0.10% of weight of dye of compound of formula (I) (90% active ingredient) respectively 0.22 of weight of dye of DAS type brightener (67% active ingredient) are applied.

A reactive dye which is commercially available as"Cibacron Navy Blue C-B", Colour Index No. RBL 238, is added as presolution to the wash liquor prior to the fabric. In parallel dyestuff-free washing is conducted.

Test Conditions: Machine: LINITEST Fabric: white CO-Renforce 1-3005 (10g per Linitest beaker) Detergent: 3. 75g/l ECE77 without bleach per beaker prepared detergent without brightener, with 0.10% compound of formula (I), respective 0.22% DAS Dyestuff : 2mg/) RBL 238 per beaker Wash cycle (one wash cycle comprises"Wash"and"Rinse") Wash Time: 30 minutes Temperature: 40°C Fabric/wash liquor ratio: 1: 8 Water: 10 °G hardness Conduction: The fabric is washed in a wash liquor containing the above cited detergent and dyestuff.

Rinse Time: 30 seconds Water: 10 °G hardness Conduction: After the washing, the fabric is rinsed under running water, carefully squeezed, and then again washed.

After the 3rd and 5th wash cycle the fabric is rinsed under running water, carefully squeezed, then wrapped in a cotton fabric and spinned shortly.

Before measurement the test fabric is dried at 50 °C hanging in a cabinet, approximately 30 minutes.

Measurement: After the 3d and 5th wash cycle a reflectance spectrum of the dried fabric is measured without ironing in 4 layers and evaluated. The relationship according of Kubelka and Munk for non-transparent materials K/S= (1- R) 2/2R was used to estimate relative dye concentrations on the fabrics. K describes the absorption of the dyed fabric and S expresses the light scattered by the sample. The reflectance R is the amount of light reflected by the sample and is obtained directly from the spectrum. Therefore K/S is a measure of the dye concentration, if S a constant for all samples. This may be postulated for a series of wash cycles performed with the same fabrics.

The reflection spectra of the samples are measured using a SPECTRAFLASH 500.

Measurement of k/s at 620 nm with UV filter (460nm) for the light source gives information dye concentration on the fabric.

The higher k/s the higher the dye concentration on the fabric.

Test Results : k/s at 620nm of acceptor fabric after washing with the presence of Colour Index, RBL 238 after the 3d wash cycle after the 5th wash cycle without brighener 0.04588 0.06439 with compound of 0.03226 0.04089 formula (I) with DAS 0.04722 0.06486 Surprisingly it is found that in the presence of compound of formula (I) less dye"Cibacron Navy Blue C-B, Colour Index RBL 238"exhausts onto the white cotton during the wash, thus providing DTI effects. In the case of DAS type FWA no such effects are observed.