SURFACTANT SYSTEMS

The present invention relates to fragranced surfactant systems.

The problem underlying the present invention is to provide surfactant systems, for use in household detergent compositions, which are benign to the skin yet can offer a performance at least comparable with“traditional” anionic and anionic/nonionic surfactant systems.

Despite the prior art there remains a need for improved formulations for providing perfume benefits to fabrics.

Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides, a surfactant system, for use in household detergent compositions, which is a mixture of (i) at least one sulphonate- functionalised alkyl polyglycoside and (ii) at least one ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan ester and (iii) at least one fragrant component.

Preferably the at least one sulphonate-functionalised alkyl polyglycoside has a general formula (I):

R-0-(G) _n -(D) (I) in which:

R represents a straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbyl radical having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms; G represents a residue of a reducing saccharide, connected to R-0 by means of an ethereal O-glycosidic bond; n represents a number from 1 to 10; and D represents a

-CH ₂ CH(0H)CH ₂ -S0 ₃ M group connected to an oxygen atom of G, where M is selected from H or a monovalent cation selected from Na, K, or NhU and

(ii) the at least one ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan ester has general formula (II): Sorb-(EOm Rl)(EOn2R2)(EOn3R3)(EOn4R4) (II) in which:

Sorb represents a residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan; EO represents an ethyleneoxy group; R1.R2.R3 and R ₄ are each independently selected from H or a -C(0)R ₅ group in which R ₅ is selected from straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbyl radicals having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof (provided that at least one of Ri to R ₄ is -C(O)Rs); , n _2, n ₃ and n ₄ each independently represent average values from 0 to 10; and the total [ + n ₂ + P ₃ + n ₄ ] has an average value from 4 - 30, preferably from 15 - 25.

Preferably, the weight ratio of (i):(ii) in the mixture ranges from 5:1 to 1 :5.

In another aspect the invention provides surfactant system, for use in household detergent compositions, which is a mixture of:

(i) at least one sulfonate-functionalized alkyl polyglycoside of general formula (I):

R-0-(G) _n -(D) (I) in which:

R represents a straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbyl radical having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms; G represents a residue of a reducing saccharide, connected to R-0 by means of an ethereal O-glycosidic bond; n represents a number from 1 to 10; and D represents a

-CH ₂ CH(OH)CH ₂ -SC> ₃ M group connected to an oxygen atom of G, where M is selected from H or a monovalent cation selected from Na, K, or NhU; and

(ii) at least one ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan ester with general formula (II): Sorb-(EO _n1 R ₁ )(EOn2R2)(EOn3R3)(EOn4R4) (I I) in which:

Sorb represents a residue obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan; EO represents an ethyleneoxy group; R1 . R2. R3 and R ₄ are each independently selected from H or a -C(0)R ₅ group in which R ₅ is selected from straight or branched chain monovalent hydrocarbyl radicals having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof (provided that at least one of Ri to R ₄ is -C(O)Rs); , n _2, n ₃ and n ₄ each independently represent average values from 0 to 10. Preferably the total [ + n ₂ + P ₃ + n ₄ ] has an average value from 4 to 30 preferably from 5 - 25; and

(iii) at least one fragrant component.

Preferably the weight ratio of (i):(ii) in the mixture ranges from 5:1 to 1 :5.

In formula (I) above, the term“reducing saccharide” denotes a saccharide that can be alkylated in the“1” position. These saccharides are typically aldo- or keto-hexoses or pentoses. Preferred reducing saccharides are glucose, galactose, xylose and arabinose, or mixtures thereof, with glucose being most preferred.

R in formula (I) is preferably selected from linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl groups having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 double bond. More preferably, R in formula (I) is selected from linear alkyl groups containing from 8 to 16 carbon atoms such as decyl, lauryl, myristyl and cetyl and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, R in formula (I) is selected from decyl, lauryl and mixtures thereof (as may for example be derived from natural fats and/or optionally hydrogenated natural oils such as coconut oil or palm kernel oil).

The value of n in formula (I) indicates the degree of polymerisation., i.e. the distribution of mono- and polyglycosides. Whereas n in a given compound will be an integer, alkyl polyglycosides are usually provided as mixtures where there are varying degrees of polymerisation. Thus, the value of n usually represents the average (mean) degree of polymerisation of the mixture, and so may be non-integral. Preferably n ranges from 1 to 3, more preferably from 1.1 to 2 and most preferably from 1.2 to 1.5. ln another aspect the invention provides a surfactant system for the treatment of a substrate comprising (i) a sugar-based anionic surfactant and (ii) an ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan ester preferably having an average exthoxylation from 4 to 30, more preferably 15 - 25; and at least one fragrant component.

The present invention allows for mild formulations having an improved fragrance delivery to a substrate, particular a fabrics.

The sugar-based anionic surfactant may be a sulphonate-functionalised akyl

polyglycoside, such as with formula (I) . The ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan ester may have formula (II).

Preferably the substrate is any suitable substrate including fabric substrates such as clothing, linens and other household textiles etc., and dishes, where“dishes" is used herein in a generic sense, and encompasses essentially any items which may be found in a dishwashing load, including crockery chinaware, glassware, plasticware, hollowware and cutlery, including silverware.

Examples of suitable sulfonate-functionalized alkyl polyglycosides (i) for use in the invention include sodium laurylglucosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate and sodium

decylglucosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate and mixtures thereof.

Examples of fragrant components include aromatic, aliphatic and araliphatic

hydrocarbons having molecular weights from about 90 to about 250; aromatic, aliphatic and araliphatic esters having molecular weights from about 130 to about 250; aromatic, aliphatic and araliphatic nitriles having molecular weights from about 90 to about 250; aromatic, aliphatic and araliphatic alcohols having molecular weights from about 90 to about 240; aromatic, aliphatic and araliphatic ketones having molecular weights from about 150 to about 270; aromatic, aliphatic and araliphatic lactones having molecular weights from about 130 to about 290; aromatic, aliphatic and araliphatic aldehydes having molecular weights from about 90 to about 230; aromatic, aliphatic and araliphatic ethers having molecular weights from about 150 to about 270; and condensation products of aldehydes and amines having molecular weights from about 180 to about 320. Specific examples of fragrant components for use in the invention include:

i) hydrocarbons, such as, for example, D-limonene, 3-carene, a-pinene, b-pinene, a- terpinene, g-terpinene, p-cymene, bisabolene, camphene, caryophyllene, cedrene, farnesene, longifolene, myrcene, ocimene, valencene, (£,Z)-1 ,3,5-undecatriene, styrene, and diphenylmethane;

ii) aliphatic and araliphatic alcohols, such as, for example, benzyl alcohol, 1-phenylethyl alcohol, 2-phenylethyl alcohol, 3-phenylpropanol, 2-phenylpropanol, 2-phenoxyethanol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-phenylpropanol, 2,2-dimethyl-3-(3-methylphenyl)propanol, 1 , 1 -dimethyl-2 - phenylethyl alcohol, 1 , 1-dimethyl-3-phenylpropanol, 1 -ethyl-1 -methyl-3-phenylpropanol, 2-methyl-5-phenylpentanol, 3-methyl-5-phenylpentanol, 3-phenyl-2-propen-1-ol, 4- methoxybenzyl alcohol, 1-(4-isopropylphenyl)ethanol, hexanol, octanol, 3-octanol, 2,6- dimethylheptanol, 2-methyl-2-heptanol, 2-methyl-2-octanol, (E)-2-hexenol, (E)- and (Z)-3- hexenol, 1-octen-3-ol, a mixture of 3,4,5,6,6-pentamethyl-3/4-hepten-2-ol and 3, 5,6,6- tetramethyl-4-methyleneheptan-2-ol, (E,Z)-2,6-nonadienol, 3,7-dimethyl-7-methoxyoctan-

2-ol, 9-decenol, 10-undecenol, and 4-methyl-3-decen-5-ol;

iii) cyclic and cycloaliphatic alcohols, such as, for example, 4-tert-butylcyclohexanol, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexanol, 3-isocamphylcyclohexanol, 2,6,9-trimethyl-Z2,Z5,E9- cyclododecatrien-1-ol, 2-isobutyl-4-methyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ol, alpha, 3,3- trimethylcyclo-hexylmethanol, 2-methyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopent-1-yl)butanol, 2- methyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopent-1-yl)-2-buten-1-ol, 2-ethyl-4-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3- cyclopent-1-yl)-2-buten-1-ol, 3-methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopent-1-yl)-pentan-2-ol, 3- methyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-3-cyclopent-1-yl)-4-penten-2-ol, 3,3-dimethyl-5-(2,2,3-trimethyl-

3-cyclopent-1-yl)-4-penten-2-ol, 1-(2,2,6-trimethylcyclohexyl)pentan-3-ol, and 1 -(2,2,6- trimethylcyclohexyl)hexan-3-ol;

iv) aliphatic aldehydes and their acetals, such as, for example, hexanal, heptanal, octanal, nonanal, decanal, undecanal, dodecanal, tridecanal, 2-methyloctanal, 2- methylnonanal, 2-methylundecanal, (E)-2-hexenal, (Z)-4-heptenal, 2,6-dimethyl-5- heptenal, 10-undecenal, (E)-4-decenal, 2-dodecenal, 2,6,10-trimethyl-5,9-undecadienal, heptanal-diethylacetal, 1 , 1-dimethoxy-2,2,5-trimethyl-4-hexene, and citronellyl oxyacetaldehyde; v) aliphatic ketones and oximes thereof, such as, for example, 2-heptanone, 2-octanone, 3-octanone, 2-nonanone, 5-methyl-3-heptanone, 5-methyl-3-heptanone oxime, and 2,4,4,7-tetramethyl-6-octen-3-one;

vi) aliphatic sulfur-containing compounds, such as, for example, 3-methylthiohexanol, 3- methylthiohexyl acetate, 3-mercaptohexanol, 3-mercaptohexyl acetate, 3-mercaptohexyl butyrate, 3-acetylthiohexyl acetate, and 1-menthene-8-thiol;

vii) aliphatic nitriles, such as, for example, 2-nonenenitrile, 2-tridecenenitrile, 2,12- tridecenenitrile, 3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienenitrile, and 3,7-dimethyl-6-octenenitrile;

viii) aliphatic carboxylic acids and esters thereof, such as, for example, (E)- and (Z)-3- hexenylformate, ethyl acetoacetate, isoamyl acetate, hexyl acetate, 3,5,5-trimethylhexyl acetate, 3-methyl-2-butenyl acetate, (E)-2-hexenyl acetate, (E)- and (Z)-3-hexenyl acetate, octyl acetate, 3-octyl acetate, 1-octen-3-yl acetate, ethyl butyrate, butyl butyrate, isoamyl butyrate, hexyl butyrate, (E)- and (Z)-3-hexenyl isobutyrate, hexyl crotonate, ethylisovalerate, ethyl-2-methyl pentanoate, ethyl hexanoate, allyl hexanoate, ethyl heptanoate, allyl heptanoate, ethyl octanoate, ethyl-(E,Z)-2,4-decadienoate, methyl-2- octinate, methyl-2-noninate, allyl-2-isoamyl oxyacetate, and methyl-3, 7-dimethyl-2, 6- octadienoate;

ix) acyclic terpene alcohols, such as, for example, citronellol; geraniol; nerol; linalool; lavandulol; nerolidol; farnesol; tetrahydrolinalool; tetrahydrogeraniol; 2,6-dimethyl-7- octen-2-ol; 2,6-dimethyloctan-2-ol; 2-methyl-6-methylene-7-octen-2-ol; 2,6-dimethyl-5,7- octadien-2-ol; 2,6-dimethyl-3,5-octadien-2-ol; 3,7-dimethyl-4,6-octadien-3-ol; 3,7- dimethyl-1 ,5,7-octatrien-3-ol 2,6-dimethyl-2,5,7-octatrien-1-ol; as well as formates, acetates, propionates, isobutyrates, butyrates, isovalerates, pentanoates, hexanoates, crotonates, tiglinates and 3-methyl-2-butenoates thereof;

x) acyclic terpene aldehydes and ketones, such as, for example, geranial, neral, citronellal, 7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal, 7-methoxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal, 2,6,10- trimethyl-9-undecenal, a-sinensal, b-sinensal, geranylacetone, as well as the dimethyl- and diethylacetals of geranial, neral and 7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal;

xi) cyclic terpene alcohols, such as, for example, menthol, isopulegol, alpha-terpineol, terpinen-4-ol, menthan-8-ol, menthan-1-ol, menthan-7-ol, borneol, isoborneol, linalool oxide, nopol, cedrol, ambrinol, vetiverol, guaiol, and the formates, acetates, propionates, isobutyrates, butyrates, isovalerates, pentanoates, hexanoates, crotonates, tiglinates and 3-methyl-2-butenoates of alpha-terpineol, terpinen-4-ol, methan-8-ol, methan-1-ol, methan-7-ol, borneol, isoborneol, linalool oxide, nopol, cedrol, ambrinol, vetiverol, and guaiol;

xii) cyclic terpene aldehydes and ketones, such as, for example, menthone, isomenthone, 8-mercaptomenthan-3-one, carvone, camphor, fenchone, a-ionone, b-ionone, a-n- methylionone, b-n-methylionone, a-isomethylionone, b-isomethylionone, alpha-irone, a- damascone, b-damascone, b-damascenone, d-damascone, y-damascone, 1 -(2,4,4- trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-buten-1-one, 1 ,3, 4,6,7, 8a-hexahydro-1 , 1 ,5, 5-tetramethyl- 2H-2,4a-methanonaphthalen-8(5H)-one, nootkatone, dihydronootkatone and cedryl methyl ketone;

xiii) cyclic and cycloaliphatic ethers, such as, for example, cineole, cedryl methyl ether, cyclododecyl methyl ether, (ethoxymethoxy)cyclododecane; alpha-cedrene epoxide, 3a,6,6,9a-tetramethyldodecahydronaphtho[2, 1-b]furan, 3a-ethyl-6,6,9a- trimethyldodecahydronaphtho[2, 1-b]furan, 1 ,5,9-trimethyl-13-oxabicyclo[10.1.0]-trideca- 4, 8-diene, rose oxide and 2-(2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1-yl)-5-methyl-5-(1- methylpropyl)-1 ,3-dioxane;

xiv) cyclic ketones, such as, for example, 4-tert-butylcyclohexanone, 2,2,5-trimethyl-5- pentylcyclopentanone, 2-heptylcyclopentanone, 2-pentylcyclopentanone, 2-hydroxy-3- methyl-2-cyclopenten-1 -one, 3-methyl-cis-2-penten-1 -yl-2-cyclopenten-1 -one, 3-methyl-2- pentyl-2-cyclopenten-1-one, 3-methyl-4-cyclopentadecenone, 3-methyl-5- cyclopentadecenone, 3-methylcyclopentadecanone, 4-(1-ethoxyvinyl)-3, 3,5,5- tetramethylcyclohexanone, 4-tert-pentylcyclohexanone, 5-cyclohexadecen-1-one, 6,7- dihydro-1 ,1 ,2,3,3-pentamethyl-4(5H)-indanone, 5-cyclohexadecen-1-one, 8- cyclohexadecen-1-one, 9-cycloheptadecen-1-one and cyclopentadecanone;

xv) cycloaliphatic aldehydes and ketones, such as, for example, 2,4-dimethyl-3- cyclohexene carbaldehyde, 2-methyl-4-(2,2,6-trimethyl-cyclohexen-1-yl)-2-butenal, 4-(4- hydroxy-4-methylpentyl)-3-cyclohexene carbaldehyde, 4-(4-methyl-3-penten-1-yl)-3- cyclohexene carbaldehyde, 1-(3,3-dimethylcyclohexyl)-4-penten-1-one, 1-(5,5-dimethyl-1- cyclohexen-1-yl)-4-penten-1-one, 2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-1 ,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2- naphtalenyl methyl-ketone, methyl-2,6, 10-trimethyl-2, 5, 9-cyclododecatrienyl ketone and tert-butyl-(2,4-dimethyl-3-cyclohexen-1 -yl) ketone;

xvi) esters of cyclic alcohols, such as, for example, 2-tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, 4-tert- butylcyclohexyl acetate, 2-tert-pentylcyclohexyl acetate, 4-tert-pentylcyclohexyl acetate, decahydro-2-naphthyl acetate, 3-pentyltetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-yl acetate, decahydro- 2,5,5,8a-tetramethyl-2-naphthyl acetate, 4,7-methano-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-5 or 6- indenyl acetate, 4,7-methano-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-5 or 6-indenyl propionate, 4,7- methano-3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-5 or 6-indenyl-isobutyrate and 4,7-methanooctahydro- 5 or 6-indenyl acetate;

xvii) esters of cycloaliphatic carboxylic acids, such as, for example, allyl 3-cyclohexyl- propionate, allyl cyclohexyl oxyacetate, methyl dihydrojasmonate, methyl jasmonate, methyl 2-hexyl-3-oxocyclopentanecarboxylate, ethyl 2-ethyl-6,6-dimethyl-2- cyclohexenecarboxylate, ethyl 2,3,6,6-tetramethyl-2-cyclohexenecarboxylate and ethyl 2- methyl-1 ,3-dioxolane-2-acetate;

xviii) esters of araliphatic alcohols and aliphatic carboxylic acids, such as, for example, benzyl acetate, benzyl propionate, benzyl isobutyrate, benzyl isovalerate, 2-phenylethyl acetate, 2-phenylethyl propionate, 2-phenylethyl isobutyrate, 2-phenylethyl isovalerate, 1- phenylethyl acetate, a-trichloromethylbenzyl acetate, a,a-dimethylphenylethyl acetate, a,a-dimethylphenylethyl butyrate, cinnamyl acetate, 2-phenoxyethyl isobutyrate and 4- methoxybenzyl acetate;

xix) araliphatic ethers and their acetals, such as, for example, 2-phenylethyl methyl ether, 2-phenylethyl isoamyl ether, 2-phenyethyl cyclohexyl ether, 2-phenylethyl- 1-ethoxyethyl ether, phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, phenylacetaldehyde diethyl acetal, 2- phenylpropionaldehyde dimethyl acetal, phenylacetaldehyde glycerol acetal, 2,4,6- trimethyl-4-phenyl-1 ,3-dioxane, 4,4a,5,9b-tetrahydroindeno[1 ,2-d]-m-dioxin and

4,4a,5,9b-tetrahydro-2,4-dimethylindeno[1 ,2-d]-m-dioxin;

xx) aromatic and araliphatic aldehydes and ketones, such as, for example, benzaldehyde; phenylacetaldehyde, 3-phenylpropanal, 2-phenyl propanal, 4-methylbenzaldehyde, 4- methylphenylacetaldehyde, 3-(4-ethylphenyl)-2,2-dimethylpropanal, 2-methyl-3-(4- isopropylphenyl)propanal, 2-methyl-3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)propanal, 3-(4-tert- butylphenyl)propanal, cinnamaldehyde, alpha-butylcinnamaldehyde, alpha- amylcinnamaldehyde, alpha-hexylcinnamaldehyde, 3-methyl-5-phenylpentanal, 4- methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde, 4-hydroxy-3- ethoxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-methylene-dioxybenzaldehyde, 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde, 2- methyl-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)propanal, 2-methyl-3-(4-methylendioxyphenyl)propanal, acetophenone, 4-methylacetophenone, 4-methoxyacetophenone, 4-tert-butyl-2,6- dimethylacetophenone, 4-phenyl-2-butanone, 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, 1-(2- naphthalenyl)ethanone, benzophenone, 1 ,1 ,2,3,3,6-hexamethyl-5-indanyl methyl ketone, 6-tert.-butyl-1 ,1-dimethyl-4-indanyl methyl ketone, 1-[2,3-dihydro-1 ,1 ,2,6-tetramethyl-3-(1- methyl-ethyl)-1 H-5-indenyl]ethanone and 5',6',7',8'-tetrahydro-3',5',5',6',8',8'-hexamethyl- 2-acetonaphthone;

xxi) aromatic and araliphatic carboxylic acids and esters thereof, such as, for example, benzoic acid, phenylacetic acid, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, hexyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, methyl phenylacetate, ethyl phenylacetate, geranyl phenylacetate, phenylethyl phenylacetate, methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, benzyl cinnamate, phenylethyl cinnamate, cinnamyl cinnamate, allyl phenoxyacetate, methyl salicylate, isoamyl salicylate, hexyl salicylate, cyclohexyl salicylate, cis-3-hexenyl salicylate, benzyl salicylate, phenylethyl salicylate, methyl 2,4-dihydroxy-3,6-dimethylbenzoate, ethyl 3- phenylglycidate and ethyl 3-methyl-3-phenylglycidate;

xxii) nitrogen-containing aromatic compounds, such as, for example, 2,4,6-trinitro-1 ,3- dimethyl-5-tert-butylbenzene, 3,5-dinitro-2,6-dimethyl-4-tert-butylacetophenone, cinnamonitrile, 5-phenyl-3-methyl-2-pentenonitrile, 5-phenyl-3-methylpentanonitrile, methyl anthranilate, methyl-N-methylanthranilate, Schiffs bases of methyl anthranilate with 7-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloctanal, 2-methyl-3-(4-tert.-butylphenyl)propanal or 2,4- dimethyl-3-cyclohexene carbaldehyde, 6-isopropylquinoline, 6-isobutylquinoline, 6-sec- butylquinoline, indole, skatole, 2-methoxy-3-isopropylpyrazine and 2-isobutyl-3- methoxypyrazine;

xxiii) phenols, phenyl ethers and phenyl esters, such as, for example, estragole, anethole, eugenol, eugenyl methyl ether, isoeugenol, isoeugenol methyl ether, thymol, carvacrol, diphenyl ether, beta-naphthyl methyl ether, beta-naphthyl ethyl ether, beta-naphthyl isobutyl ether, 1 ,4-dimethoxybenzene, eugenyl acetate, 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol, 2- ethoxy-5-(1-propenyl)phenol and p-cresyl phenylacetate;

xxiv) heterocyclic compounds, such as, for example, 2,5-dimethyl-4-hydroxy-2H-furan-3- one, 2-ethyl-4-hydroxy-5-methyl-2H-furan-3-one, 3-hydroxy-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one, 2- ethyl-3-hydroxy-4H-pyran-4-one;

xxv) lactones, such as, for example, 1 ,4-octanolide, 3-methyl-1 ,4-octanolide, 1 ,4- nonanolide, 1 ,4-decanolide, 8-decen-1 ,4-olide, 1 ,4-undecanolide, 1 ,4-dodecanolide, 1 ,5- decanolide, 1 ,5-dodecanolide, 1 ,15-pentadecanolide, cis- and trans-1 '-pentadecen-1 ,15- olide, cis- and trans-12-pentadecen-1 ,15-olide, 1 ,16-hexadecanolide, 9-hexadecen-1 ,16- olide, 10-oxa-1 ,16-hexadecanolide, 11-oxa-1 ,16-hexadecanolide, 12-oxa-1 ,16- hexadecanolide, ethylene-1 , 12-dodecanedioate, ethylene-1 , 13-tridecanedioate, coumarin, 2,3-dihydrocoumarin, and octahydrocoumarin.

Naturally occurring exudates such as essential oils extracted from plants may also be used as fragrant components in the invention. Essential oils are usually extracted by processes of steam distillation, solid-phase extraction, cold pressing, solvent extraction, supercritical fluid extraction, hydrodistillation or simultaneous distillation-extraction.

Essential oils may be derived from several different parts of the plant, including for example leaves, flowers, roots, buds, twigs, rhizomes, heartwood, bark, resin, seeds and fruits. The major plant families from which essential oils are extracted include Asteraceae, Myrtaceae, Lauraceae, Lamiaceae, Myrtaceae, Rutaceae and Zingiberaceae. The oil is "essential" in the sense that it carries a distinctive scent, or essence, of the plant.

Essential oils are understood by those skilled in the art to be complex mixtures which generally consist of several tens or hundreds of constituents. Most of these constituents possess an isoprenoid skeleton with 10 atoms of carbon (monoterpenes), 15 atoms of carbon (sesquiterpenes) or 20 atoms of carbon (diterpenes). Lesser quantities of other constituents can also be found, such as alcohols, aldehydes, esters and phenols.

However, an individual essential oil is usually considered as a single ingredient in the context of practical fragrance formulation. Therefore, an individual essential oil may be considered as a single fragrant component for the purposes of this invention.

Specific examples of essential oils for use as fragrant components in the invention include cedarwood oil, juniper oil, cumin oil, cinnamon bark oil, camphor oil, rosewood oil, ginger oil, basil oil, eucalyptus oil, lemongrass oil, peppermint oil, rosemary oil, spearmint oil, tea tree oil, frankincense oil, chamomile oil, clove oil, jasmine oil, lavender oil, rose oil, ylang-ylang oil, bergamot oil, grapefruit oil, lemon oil, lime oil, orange oil, fir needle oil, galbanum oil, geranium oil, grapefruit oil, pine needle oil, caraway oil, labdanum oil, lovage oil, marjoram oil, mandarin oil, clary sage oil, nutmeg oil, myrtle oil, clove oil, neroli oil, patchouli oil, sandalwood oil, thyme oil, verbena oil, vetiver oil and wintergreen oil. The number of different fragrant components contained in the fragrance formulation (f1) will generally be at least 4, preferably at least 6, more preferably at least 8 and most preferably at least 10, such as from 10 to 200 and more preferably from 10 to 100.

Typically, no single fragrant component will comprise more than 70% by weight of the total weight of fragrance formulation (f1). Preferably no single fragrant component will comprise more than 60% by weight of the total weight of fragrance formulation (f1) and more preferably no single fragrant component will comprise more than 50% by weight of the total weight of fragrance formulation (f1).

The term“fragrance formulation” in the context of this invention denotes the fragrant components as defined above, plus any optional excipients. Excipients may be included within fragrance formulations for various purposes, for example as solvents for insoluble or poorly-soluble components, as diluents for the more potent components or to control the vapour pressure and evaporation characteristics of the fragrance formulation.

Excipients may have many of the characteristics of fragrant components but they do not have strong odours in themselves. Accordingly, excipients may be distinguished from fragrant components because they can be added to fragrance formulations in high proportions such as 30% or even 50% by weight of the total weight of the fragrance formulation without significantly changing the odour quality of the fragrance formulation. Some examples of suitable excipients include ethanol, isopropanol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate and triethyl citrate. Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be suitable.

A suitable fragrance formulation (f1) for use in the invention comprises a blend of at least 10 fragrant components selected from hydrocarbons i); aliphatic and araliphatic alcohols ii); aliphatic aldehydes and their acetals iv); aliphatic carboxylic acids and esters thereof viii); acyclic terpene alcohols ix); cyclic terpene aldehydes and ketones xii); cyclic and cycloaliphatic ethers xiii); esters of cyclic alcohols xvi); esters of araliphatic alcohols and aliphatic carboxylic acids xviii); araliphatic ethers and their acetals xix); aromatic and araliphatic aldehydes and ketones xx) and aromatic and araliphatic carboxylic acids and esters thereof xxi); as are further described and exemplified above. The content of fragrant components preferably ranges from 50 to 100%, more preferably from 60 to 100% and most preferably from 75 to 100% by weight based on the total weight of fragrance formulation (f1); with one or more excipients (as described above) making up the balance of the fragrance formulation (f1) as necessary.

Fragrance formulation (f1) is in the form of free droplets dispersed in the composition. The term“free droplets” in the context of this invention denotes droplets which are not entrapped within discrete polymeric microparticles.

In a typical liquid laundry detergent composition according to the invention the level of fragrance formulation (f1) will generally range from 0.1 to 0.75%, and preferably ranges from 0.3 to 0.6% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

MICROCAPSULES

One type of microparticle suitable for use in the invention is a microcapsule.

Microencapsulation may be defined as the process of surrounding or enveloping one substance within another substance on a very small scale, yielding capsules ranging from less than one micron to several hundred microns in size. The material that is

encapsulated may be called the core, the active ingredient or agent, fill, payload, nucleus, or internal phase. The material encapsulating the core may be referred to as the coating, membrane, shell, or wall material.

Microcapsules typically have at least one generally spherical continuous shell

surrounding the core. The shell may contain pores, vacancies or interstitial openings depending on the materials and encapsulation techniques employed. Multiple shells may be made of the same or different encapsulating materials, and may be arranged in strata of varying thicknesses around the core. Alternatively, the microcapsules may be asymmetrically and variably shaped with a quantity of smaller droplets of core material embedded throughout the microcapsule.

The shell may have a barrier function protecting the core material from the environment external to the microcapsule, but it may also act as a means of modulating the release of core materials such as fragrance. Thus, a shell may be water soluble or water swellable and fragrance release may be actuated in response to exposure of the microcapsules to a moist environment. Similarly, if a shell is temperature sensitive, a microcapsule might release fragrance in response to elevated temperatures. Microcapsules may also release fragrance in response to shear forces applied to the surface of the microcapsules.

A preferred type of polymeric microparticle suitable for use in the invention is a polymeric core-shell microcapsule in which at least one generally spherical continuous shell of polymeric material surrounds a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2). The shell will typically comprise at most 20% by weight based on the total weight of the

microcapsule. The fragrance formulation (f2) will typically comprise from about 10 to about 60% and preferably from about 20 to about 40% by weight based on the total weight of the microcapsule. The amount of fragrance (f2) may be measured by taking a slurry of the microcapsules, extracting into ethanol and measuring by liquid

chromatography.

Polymeric core-shell microcapsules for use in the invention may be prepared using methods known to those skilled in the art such as coacervation, interfacial polymerization, and polycondensation.

The process of coacervation typically involves encapsulation of a generally water- insoluble core material by the precipitation of colloidal material(s) onto the surface of droplets of the material. Coacervation may be simple e.g. using one colloid such as gelatin, or complex where two or possibly more colloids of opposite charge, such as gelatin and gum arabic or gelatin and carboxymethyl cellulose, are used under carefully controlled conditions of pH, temperature and concentration.

Interfacial polymerisation typically proceeds with the formation of a fine dispersion of oil droplets (the oil droplets containing the core material) in an aqueous continuous phase. The dispersed droplets form the core of the future microcapsule and the dimensions of the dispersed droplets directly determine the size of the subsequent microcapsules.

Microcapsule shell-forming materials (monomers or oligomers) are contained in both the dispersed phase (oil droplets) and the aqueous continuous phase and they react together at the phase interface to build a polymeric wall around the oil droplets thereby to encapsulate the droplets and form core-shell microcapsules. An example of a core-shell microcapsule produced by this method is a polyurea microcapsule with a shell formed by reaction of diisocyanates or polyisocyanates with diamines or polyamines.

Polycondensation involves forming a dispersion or emulsion of the core material in an aqueous solution of precondensate of polymeric materials under appropriate conditions of agitation to produce capsules of a desired size, and adjusting the reaction conditions to cause condensation of the precondensate by acid catalysis, resulting in the condensate separating from solution and surrounding the dispersed core material to produce a coherent film and the desired microcapsules. An example of a core-shell microcapsule produced by this method is an aminoplast microcapsule with a shell formed from the polycondensation product of melamine (2,4,6-triamino-1 ,3,5-triazine) or urea with formaldehyde. Suitable cross-linking agents (e.g. toluene diisocyanate, divinyl benzene, butanediol diacrylate) may also be used and secondary wall polymers may also be used as appropriate, e.g. anhydrides and their derivatives, particularly polymers and co polymers of maleic anhydride.

One example of a preferred polymeric core-shell microcapsule for use in the invention is an aminoplast microcapsule with an aminoplast shell surrounding a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2). More preferably such an aminoplast shell is formed from the polycondensation product of melamine with formaldehyde.

Polymeric microparticles suitable for use in the invention will generally have an average particle size between 100 nanometers and 50 microns. Particles larger than this are entering the visible range. Examples of particles in the sub-micron range include latexes and mini-emulsions with a typical size range of 100 to 600 nanometers. The preferred particle size range is in the micron range. Examples of particles in the micron range include polymeric core-shell microcapsules (such as those further described above) with a typical size range of 1 to 50 microns, preferably 5 to 30 microns. The average particle size can be determined by light scattering using a Malvern Mastersizer with the average particle size being taken as the median particle size D (0.5) value. The particle size distribution can be narrow, broad or multimodal. If necessary, the microcapsules as initially produced may be filtered or screened to produce a product of greater size uniformity.

Polymeric microparticles suitable for use in the invention may be provided with a deposition aid at the outer surface of the microparticle. Deposition aids serve to modify the properties of the exterior of the microparticle, for example to make the microparticle more substantive to a desired substrate. Desired substrates include cellulosics (including cotton) and polyesters (including those employed in the manufacture of polyester fabrics).

The deposition aid may suitably be provided at the outer surface of the microparticle by means of covalent bonding, entanglement or strong adsorption. Examples include polymeric core-shell microcapsules (such as those further described above) in which a deposition aid is attached to the outside of the shell, preferably by means of covalent bonding. While it is preferred that the deposition aid is attached directly to the outside of the shell, it may also be attached via a linking species.

Deposition aids for use in the invention may suitably be selected from polysaccharides having an affinity for cellulose. Such polysaccharides may be naturally occurring or synthetic and may have an intrinsic affinity for cellulose or may have been derivatised or otherwise modified to have an affinity for cellulose. Suitable polysaccharides have a 1-4 linked b glycan (generalised sugar) backbone structure with at least 4, and preferably at least 10 backbone residues which are b1-4 linked, such as a glucan backbone (consisting of b1 -4 linked glucose residues), a mannan backbone (consisting of b1 -4 linked mannose residues) or a xylan backbone (consisting of b1 -4 linked xylose residues). Examples of such b1 -4 linked polysaccharides include xyloglucans, glucomannans, mannans, galactomannans, b(1-3),(1-4) glucan and the xylan family incorporating glucurono-, arabino- and glucuronoarabinoxylans. Preferred b1 -4 linked polysaccharides for use in the invention may be selected from xyloglucans of plant origin, such as pea xyloglucan and tamarind seed xyloglucan (TXG) (which has a b1 -4 linked glucan backbone with side chains of a-D xylopyranose and b-D-galactopyranosyl-(1-2)-a-D-xylo-pyranose, both 1-6 linked to the backbone); and galactomannans of plant origin such as locust bean gum (LBG) (which has a mannan backbone of b1 -4 linked mannose residues, with single unit galactose side chains linked a1-6 to the backbone). Also suitable are polysaccharides which may gain an affinity for cellulose upon hydrolysis, such as cellulose mono-acetate; or modified polysaccharides with an affinity for cellulose such as hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, hydroxyethyl

methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl guar, hydroxyethyl ethylcellulose and methylcellulose.

Deposition aids for use in the invention may also be selected from phthalate containing polymers having an affinity for polyester. Such phthalate containing polymers may have one or more nonionic hydrophilic segments comprising oxyalkylene groups (such as oxyethylene, polyoxyethylene, oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene groups), and one or more hydrophobic segments comprising terephthalate groups. Typically, the oxyalkylene groups will have a degree of polymerization of from 1 to about 400, preferably from 100 to about 350, more preferably from 200 to about 300. A suitable example of a phthalate containing polymer of this type is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide terephthalate.

Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be suitable.

Deposition aids for use in the invention will generally have a weight average molecular weight (M _w ) in the range of from about 5 kDa to about 500 kDa, preferably from

about 10 kDa to about 500 kDa and more preferably from about 20 kDa to about 300 kDa.

One example of a particularly preferred polymeric core-shell microcapsule for use in the invention is an aminoplast microcapsule with a shell formed by the polycondensation of melamine with formaldehyde; surrounding a core containing the fragrance formulation (f2); in which a deposition aid is attached to the outside of the shell by means of covalent bonding. The preferred deposition aid is selected from b1-4 linked polysaccharides, and in particular the xyloglucans of plant origin, as are further described above.

Accordingly, the total amount of fragrance formulation (f1) and fragrance formulation (f2) in the laundry liquid composition of the invention suitably ranges from 0.5 to 1.4%, preferably from 0.5 to 1.2%, more preferably from 0.5 to 1 % and most preferably from 0.6 to 0.9% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

The weight ratio of fragrance formulation (f1) to fragrance formulation (f2) in the laundry liquid composition of the invention preferably ranges from 60:40 to 45:55. Particularly good results have been obtained at a weight ratio of fragrance formulation (f1) to fragrance formulation (f2) of around 50:50.

The fragrance (f1) and fragrance (f2) are typically incorporated at different stages of formation of the composition of the invention. Typically, the discrete polymeric

microparticles (e.g. microcapsules) entrapping fragrance formulation (f2) are added in the form of a slurry to a warmed base formulation comprising other components of the composition (such as surfactants and solvents). Fragrance (f1) is typically post-dosed later after the base formulation has cooled.

Sorbitan is a generic name for anhydrides derived from sorbitol, a naturally occurring crystalline hexahydric alcohol found in fruits, seaweed, and algae. In formula (II) above, the residue‘Sorb’ is obtained by removing four hydroxyl H atoms from sorbitan, and will typically be a mixture of residues of 1 ,4-anhydrosorbitol, 1 ,5-anhydrosorbitol, and 3,6- anhydrosorbitol. The ethoxylated fatty acid ester is formed by each of the removed H atoms being substituted with the groups (EO _ni Ri), (EC Ra), (EO _n3 R3), and (EC R^. Preferably, one of Ri to R ₄ is -C(0)Rs and the remaining 3 are hydrogen. However, esters with more than one -C(0)Rs group (e.g. diesters and triesters) will also usually be present in the products as synthesised. Thus the products will often have non-integral ratios of Sorb and R ₅ residues as defined in formula (II). For example, an average of 1.4 to 1.5 of the Ri,to R ₄ groups may be -C(0)Rs and the remaining 2.5 to 2.6 hydrogen.

The individual oligoethoxylate chain lengths corresponding to the individual indices , n _2, n ₃ and n ₄ in formula (II) are preferably each within the range from 0.5 to 6 and more preferably from 1 to 5. As the indices represent average values for the oligoethoxylate chain lengths, they may individually and in total be non-integral. The total [ + n ₂ + P ₃ + n ₄ ] in formula (II) preferably has an average value (an“average ethoxylation value” as used herein, from 15 to 25, more preferably from 18 to 22 and most preferably 20. Higher ethoxylation values can reduce cleaning efficiency due to increased hydrophilicity and lower ethoxylation values reduce cleaning efficiency as the molecule becomes less soluble.

Rs in formula (II) is preferably selected from linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl groups having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 double bond. More preferably, Rs in formula (II) is selected from linear alkyl or linear alkenyl groups containing from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 double bond, such as lauryl, myristyl, palmityl, cetyl, oleyl and stearyl and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, Rs in formula (II) is selected from oleyl, stearyl and lauryl and mixtures thereof (as may for example be derived from natural fats and/or optionally hydrogenated natural oils such as palm oil, soybean oil, rapeseed oil, sunflower oil and tallow).

Examples of suitable ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan esters (ii) for use in the invention include polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate and mixtures thereof.

In a preferred surfactant system according to the present invention, the sulfonate- functionalized alkyl polyglycosides (i) are selected from sodium laurylglucosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate and sodium decylglucosides hydroxypropyl sulfonate and mixtures thereof; the ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan esters (ii) are selected from polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monooleate and mixtures thereof; and the weight ratio of (i) to (ii) in the mixture ranges from 4:1 to 1 :2.

The surfactant system of the invention is useful in a variety of end use applications including laundry and hard surface cleaner applications.

The invention accordingly includes detergent compositions including the surfactant system of the invention and methods of cleaning using detergent compositions including the surfactant system of the invention. In laundry applications, the surfactant system of the invention will typically be formulated together with other ingredients into a laundry detergent composition.

The invention accordingly includes laundry detergent compositions including the surfactant system of the invention and methods of cleaning laundry using laundry detergent compositions including the surfactant system of the invention.

The term“laundry detergent composition” in the context of this invention denotes formulated compositions intended for and capable of wetting and cleaning domestic laundry including fabrics 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. The term“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.

Examples of laundry detergent compositions 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.

A laundry detergent composition according to the invention may suitably be in liquid or particulate form, or a mixture thereof.

The term "particulate” in the context of this invention denotes free-flowing or compacted solid forms such as powders, granules, pellets, flakes, bars, briquettes or tablets.

One preferred form for a particulate laundry detergent 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. The laundry detergent composition according to the invention is most preferably in liquid form.

The term“liquid” in the context of this invention denotes that a continuous phase or predominant part of the composition is liquid and that the composition is flowable at 15°C and above. Accordingly, the term“liquid” may encompass emulsions, suspensions, and compositions having flowable yet stiffer consistency, known as gels or pastes. The viscosity of the composition may suitably range from about 200 to about 10,000 mPa.s at 25°C at a shear rate of 21 sec ¹ . This shear rate is the shear rate that is usually exerted on the liquid when poured from a bottle. Pourable liquid compositions generally have a viscosity of from 200 to 2,500 mPa.s, preferably from 200 to 1500 mPa.s.

Liquid compositions which are pourable gels generally have a viscosity of from 1 ,500 mPa.s to 6,000 mPa.s, preferably from 1 ,500 mPa.s to 2,000 mPa.s.

In a laundry detergent composition according to the invention, the level of sulfonate- functionalized alkyl polyglycoside (i) suitably ranges from 3 to 40% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition); the level of ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan ester (ii) suitably ranges from 1 to 40% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition)

The total combined level of sulfonate-functionalized alkyl polyglycoside (i) and ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan ester (ii) in a laundry detergent composition according to the invention suitably ranges from 10 to 90% preferably 10 to 55% and more preferably ranges from 15 to 25% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

A laundry detergent composition according to the invention may also include further surfactants (in addition to the surfactant system of the invention as defined above).

Examples of further surfactants (in addition to the surfactant system of the invention) include:

(a) anionic alkyl sulfates or sulfonates selected from salts of Cs^ alkylaryl sulfonates, Cs- 22 alkyl sulfates and Cs-22 alkyl ether sulfates. Examples of such materials include salts of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) with a linear alkyl chain length of from 10 to 16 carbon atoms; salts of alkyl ether sulfates having an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 16 carbon atoms and containing an average of 1 to 3EO units per molecule, and salts of non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfates with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18. The salt-forming counterion 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 any of the above described materials may also be used.

(b) nonionic aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates selected from aliphatic Cs to Cie, 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.

However, it may be preferable in some cases that the level of such further surfactants (a) and/or (b) is no more than 0.1%, more preferably from 0 to 0.01 % and most preferably 0% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

A liquid laundry detergent composition according to the invention may generally comprise from 5 to 95%, preferably from 10 to 90%, more preferably from 15 to 85% water (by weight based on the total weight of the composition). The composition may also incorporate from 0.1 to 15% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) of non-aqueous carriers such as hydrotropes, co-solvents and phase stabilizers.

A laundry detergent composition according to the invention may suitably include one or more organic builders and/or sequestrants. Organic builders and/or sequestrants may help to enhance or maintain the cleaning efficiency of the composition, primarily by coordinating (i.e. binding) those metal ions which might otherwise interfere with cleaning action. Examples of such metal ions which are commonly found in wash water include divalent and trivalent metal ions such as ferrous, ferric, manganese, copper magnesium and calcium ions.

Suitable organic builders and/or sequestrants for use in the invention 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 ethylenediamine tetraacetates, sodium and potassium N(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine triacetates, sodium and potassium n i tri I otri acetates and sodium and potassium N-(2-hydroxyethyl)- nitrilodiacetates. Polymeric polycarboxylates may also be used, such as polymers of unsaturated monocarboxylic 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. A preferred polycarboxylate sequestrant for use in the invention is citrate (in acid and/or salt form). Most preferred is sodium citrate.

Organic builders and/or sequestrants, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.1 to about 15%, more preferably from 1 to 10% and most preferably from 2 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

A particulate laundry detergent composition of the invention may include one or more fillers to assist in providing the desired density and bulk to the composition. 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).

A laundry detergent composition according to the invention may include one or more polymeric cleaning boosters such as antiredeposition polymers, soil release polymers and mixtures thereof.

Anti-redeposition polymers stabilise the soil in the wash solution thus preventing redeposition of the soil. A preferred material is ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, with an average degree of ethoxylation being from 10 to 30, preferably from 15 to 25 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.

Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

The overall level of anti-redeposition polymer, when included, may range from 0.05 to 6%, more preferably from 0.1 to 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

Soil release polymers (SRPs) help to improve the detachment of soils from fabric by modifying the fabric surface during washing. The adsorption of a SRP over the fabric surface is promoted by an affinity between the chemical structure of the SRP and the target fibre. Preferred 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.

Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

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 5% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition).

A liquid laundry detergent composition according to the invention may comprise one or more rheology modifiers. Examples of such materials include polymeric thickeners, such as hydrophobically modified alkali swellable emulsion (HASE) copolymers; and/or structurants which form a network within the composition, such as hydrogenated castor oil, microfibrous cellulose and citrus pulp fibre.

A laundry detergent composition according to the invention may comprise an effective amount of one or more enzymes 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 liquid laundry detergent composition according to the invention preferably has a pH in the range of 5 to 9, more preferably 6 to 8, when measured on dilution of the composition to 1% (by weight based on the total weight of the composition) using demineralised water.

A laundry detergent composition of the invention may contain further optional ingredients to enhance performance and/or consumer acceptability. Examples of such ingredients include foam boosting agents, preservatives (e.g. bactericides), antioxidants, sunscreens, anticorrosion agents, colorants, 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).

Packaging and dosing

A laundry detergent composition of the invention may be packaged as unit doses in polymeric film soluble in the wash water. Alternatively, the detergent 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.

A method for laundering and fragrancing a fabric using a laundry detergent composition according to the invention comprises diluting a dose of the laundry detergent composition to obtain a wash liquor, and washing the fabric with the wash liquor so formed.

The method may suitably be carried out in a top-loading or front-loading automatic washing machine, or can be carried out by hand.

In automatic washing machines, the dose of laundry detergent composition is typically put into a dispenser and from there it is flushed into the machine by the water flowing into the 5 machine, thereby forming the wash liquor. Dosages for a typical front-loading washing machine (using 10 to 15 litres of water to form the wash liquor) may range from about 10 ml to about 100 ml, preferably about 15 to 75 ml. Dosages for a typical top loading washing machine (using from 40 to 60 litres of water to form the wash liquor) may be higher, e.g. 100 ml or more. Lower dosages of detergent (e.g. 50 ml or less) may be 10 used for hand washing methods (using about 1 to 10 litres of water to form the wash liquor).

A subsequent aqueous rinse step and drying the laundry is preferred. Any input of water during any optional rinsing step(s) is not included when determining the volume of the wash liquor. Laundry drying can take place either in an automatic dryer or in the open air.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting Examples.

EXAMPLES

All weight percentages are by weight based on total weight unless otherwise specified. Exemplary formulations are shown below in Table 1 :

Table 1

⁽¹⁾ Suga®Nate 100NC, ex Colonial Chemicals

⁽²⁾ Sokalan®HP20, ex BASF

A series of surfactant mixtures were prepared with ingredients and ratios as shown below in Table 2: Table 2: Surfactant Mixtures.

⁽³⁾ Suga®Nate 160NC, ex Colonial Chemicals

Examples 4 and 5 are examples according to the invention. Examples A,B,C and D are comparative examples (not according to the invention).

The formulations from Table 2 were tested in a Zein Assay. A low number indicates a milder formulation. The assay scores are shown below in Table 3.

Table 3 : Zein Assay Scores

The results show that Examples 4 and 5 according to the invention provide superior mildness when compared with Examples A to D (not according to the invention). Fragrance Performance.

Wash Method

Pieces of clean knitted cotton and knitted polyester (5cm ² square) were washed in wash liquors of different compositions. The washing and rinsing was done in a Linitest and wash conditions were as follows

• Total weight of fabric was 16 grams

• Volume of water 100ml

• Prenton water used

• Wash temperature was 30 °C and wash time 30 minutes

• Number of rinses 1. Rinse time 10 minutes

• After rinsing fabrics were hand squeezed to remove excess water

Wash liquor compositions are as shown below in Table 4

Table 4 : Wash liquor compositions

Once the fabrics had been washed, they were either measured (t=0) or dried for 24hrs at room temperature and then measured (t =24). The results are in Tables 5-8

Measurement Technique Volatiles measured by GC/MS SPME

Apparatus Gas Chromatography /Mass Spec Conditions

Shimadzu GC/MS QP2010 plus Oven: 45°C for 0.2 minutes to 250°C for 2 minutes at 30 °C per minute Injector: 250°C 10:1 split. Column flow 1.00 ml per minute

Column: HP5-MS 20m x 0.18mm x 0.18pm film

MS: SIM method

SPME fiber assembly: Divinylbenzene/Carboxen/Polydimethylsiloxane 50/30pm

Extraction: 10 minutes at 35°CI.

Individual pieces of fabric at the relevant time were placed in a sealed glass gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) vial. The headspace was sampled by a solid phase microextraction (SPME) probe. This probed was then analysed by GC/MS to determine the level of volatile components from Burrito LF that are present. Amounts are given for t=0 for knitted cotton and knitted polyester.

Table 5 : Average results of volatile components of Burrito LF above knitted cotton at t = 0

Table 6:Average results of volatile components of Burrito LF above knitted polyester at t = 0

Table 7: Average results of volatile components of Burrito LF above knitted cotton at t = 24hrs Table 8: Average results of volatile components of Burrito LF above knitted polyester at t = 24hrs

Table 9 Parts by weight of BURRITO LF

The results show that fragrance delivery from the combination of sulphonate- functionalised APG and an ethoxylated fatty acid sorbitan ester in a system of the invention is much higher than form the control formulation of“traditional” surfactants, NaLAS/SLES/Nonionic.