Patent Description:
Consumers typically launder loads of laundry that include cellulosic fiber containing articles that have colors that differ from one another. Such mixed colors loads can be susceptible to dye transfer amongst the laundered articles. The textile industry typically employs reactive dyes that are covalently bound to the cellulose fiber that result in better wash fastness as compared to direct dyes that have been employed in the past.

Although reactive dyes are comparatively more substantive to fabrics than direct dyes, reactive dyes can hydrolyze during the application process and that the hydrolyzed reactive dyes can be released into a wash liquor. As much as <NUM>% hydrolysis can occur during the dyeing process, resulting in hydrolyzed reactive dyes that are slowly released over successive washing cycles. Thus, there remains a problem of fugitive dye transfer during the wash, even when reactive dyes are employed to dye articles.

As part of an overall fabric care process, consumers not only want to reduce the effects of dye transfer on the color of their articles but also want to provide for other fabric care benefits such as fabric softness and removal of deposits of skin oils from articles.

With this limitation in mind, there is a continuing unaddressed need for stable fabric care compositions that can inhibit dye transfer of hydrolyzed reactive dyes during washing and optionally provide additional fabric care benefits.

<CIT> discloses amphiphilic graft polymers as dye transfer inhibitors and their use in a laundry wash process.

<CIT> relates to compositions including a plurality of particles including a water-soluble carrier, a quaternary ammonium compound, a fatty acid, and a cationic polymer.

A composition comprising a plurality of particles, wherein the particles comprise: about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight a water soluble carrier, wherein the water soluble carrier is polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol); and about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight a graft copolymer; wherein the graft copolymer comprises: (a) a polyalkylene oxide which has a number average molecular weight of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> Da (g/mol) and is based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or butylene oxide; (b) vinyl ester derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein (a) and (b) are present at a weight ratio of (a):(b) of from about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>; and wherein each of the particles has a mass from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The composition described herein can provide for a through the wash particulate fabric care composition that is convenient for the consumer to dose to the washing machine. The through the wash particulate fabric care composition can be provided in a composition comprising particles. The particles described herein can be water soluble particles. The particles can be provided in a container that is separate from the package of detergent composition. Providing the particulate fabric care composition particles in a container separate from the package of detergent composition can be beneficial since it allows the consumer to select the amount of fabric care composition independent of the amount of detergent composition used. This can give the consumer the opportunity to customize the amount of fabric care composition used and thereby the amount of fabric care benefit they achieve, which is a highly valuable consumer benefit.

Particulate products, especially particulates that are not dusty, are preferred by many consumers. Particulate products can be easily dosed by consumers from a package directly into the washing machine or into a dosing compartment on the washing machine. Or the consumer can dose from the package into a dosing cup that optionally provides one or more dosing indicia and then dose the particulates into a dosing compartment on the washing machine or directly to the drum. For products in which a dosing cup is employed, particulate products tend to be less messy than liquid products.

The composition comprises a plurality of particles. The particles comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% (optionally about <NUM>% to <NUM>%) by weight a water soluble carrier; and <NUM>% to <NUM>% (optionally <NUM>% to about <NUM>%) by weight a graft copolymer; wherein the graft copolymer comprises: (a) a polyalkylene oxide which has a number average molecular weight of from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol) and is based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or butylene oxide; and (b) vinyl ester derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms; wherein (a) and (b) are present at a weight ratio of (a):(b) of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>; and wherein each of the particles has a mass from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The polyalkylene oxide in the graft copolymer can be based on ethylene oxide. The polyalkylene oxide in the graft copolymer has a number average molecular weight of from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol). The vinyl ester can be derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. Parts (a) and (b) are present at a weight ratio of (a):(b) of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. About 1mol% to about 60mol% of component (b) can be hydrolyzed. Hydrolyzing the graft copolymer makes the graft copolymer hydrophilic and is thought to make it more likely that the graft copolymer remains suspended in the wash liquor as opposed to being attracted to the hydrophobic fabric surface that is being washed. The number of grafting sites of the graft copolymer can be equal to or less than about <NUM> per <NUM> ethylene oxide groups.

The composition can further comprise about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight a quaternary ammonium compound formed from a parent fatty acid compound having an Iodine Value from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The quaternary ammonium compound can be provided in the same particles as the water soluble carrier and the graft copolymer. Optionally, the quaternary ammonium compound can be provided in adjunct particles distinct from the particles that comprise the water soluble carrier and the graft copolymer. A quaternary ammonium compound can provide for a softness benefit to the laundry. A quaternary ammonium compound can also protect clothing from damage by abrasion during the wash process.

The composition can further comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight cationic polymer. The cationic polymer can be a synthetic polymer. Alternatively, the cationic polymer can be a cationic polysaccharide. The cationic polymer can be provided in adjunct particles distinct from the particles that comprise the water soluble carrier and the graft copolymer. Optionally, the cationic polymer can be provided in the same particles as the water soluble carrier and graft copolymer. The cationic polymer can be used to deposit benefit agents such as the quaternary ammonium compound, encapsulated or unencapsulated perfume.

Likewise, the composition can further comprise an acid. The acid can be provided in adjunct particles distinct from the particles that comprise the water soluble carrier and the graft copolymer. The acid can be an organic acid, including citric acid. The acid can be provided in the same particles as the water soluble carrier and the graft copolymer. Acid can help to sequester hardness ions in the wash liquor and help to help support maintaining dyes in suspension.

Similarly, the composition can further comprise a perfume. The perfume can be provided in adjunct particles distinct from the particles that comprise the water soluble carrier and the graft copolymer. The perfume can be provided as unecapsulated perfume, encapsulated perfume, or combinations thereof. The perfume can be provided in the same particles as the water soluble carrier and graft copolymer. The perfume can be transferred to the laundry during the wash to provide a scent to the laundry.

The composition can also comprise an enzyme. The enzyme can be provided in adjunct particles distinct from the particles that comprise the water soluble carrier and the graft copolymer. Optionally, the enzyme can be provided in the same particles as the water soluble carrier and graft copolymer. The enzyme can be selected from the group consisting of xyloglucanase, mannanase, a combinations thereof. The combination of the graft copolymer and enzyme is thought to reduce dye redeposition on fabrics and to remove sebum from fabrics.

The water soluble carrier is polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol). Other known water soluble carriers include those selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium silicate, polypropylene glycol polyoxoalkylene, polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester, polyethylene glycol ether, polyglycerol esters, sodium sulfate, carbohydrates, starch, and mixtures thereof.

The particles can be less than about <NUM>% by weight water. Such low water content particles can have improved physical and chemical stability.

The particles can be used in a process for treating laundry. The steps of the process can include providing a container containing the composition, dispensing from the container from <NUM> to about <NUM> of the composition from the container into a dosing device that is a closure of the container or into a dosing device that is engageable and disengagable with the container.

The water soluble carrier is as defined in claim <NUM>.

The particles comprise a water soluble carrier. The water soluble carrier acts to carry the fabric care benefit agents to the wash liquor. Upon dissolution of the water soluble carrier, the fabric care benefit agents are dispersed into the wash liquor.

The water soluble carrier can be a material that is soluble in a wash liquor within a short period of time, for instance less than about <NUM> minutes. Example water soluble carrier includes those selected from the group consisting of water soluble inorganic alkali metal salt, water-soluble alkaline earth metal salt, water-soluble organic alkali metal salt, water-soluble organic alkaline earth metal salt, water soluble carbohydrate, water-soluble silicate, water soluble urea, and any combination thereof.

Alkali metal salts can be, for example, selected from the group consisting of salts of lithium, salts of sodium, and salts of potassium, and any combination thereof. Useful alkali metal salts can be, for example, selected from the group consisting of alkali metal fluorides, alkali metal chlorides, alkali metal bromides, alkali metal iodides, alkali metal sulfates, alkali metal bisulfates, alkali metal phosphates, alkali metal monohydrogen phosphates, alkali metal dihydrogen phosphates, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal monohydrogen carbonates, alkali metal acetates, alkali metal citrates, alkali metal lactates, alkali metal pyruvates, alkali metal silicates, alkali metal ascorbates, and combinations thereof.

Alkali metal salts can be selected from the group consisting of sodium fluoride, sodium chloride, sodium bromide, sodium iodide, sodium sulfate, sodium bisulfate, sodium phosphate, sodium monohydrogen phosphate, sodium dihydrogen phosphate, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, sodium acetate, sodium citrate, sodium lactate, sodium tartrate, sodium silicate, sodium ascorbate, potassium fluoride, potassium chloride, potassium bromide, potassium iodide, potassium sulfate, potassium bisulfate, potassium phosphate, potassium monohydrogen phosphate, potassium dihydrogen phosphate, potassium carbonate, potassium monohydrogen carbonate, potassium acetate, potassium citrate, potassium lactate, potassium tartrate, potassium silicate, potassium, ascorbate, and combinations thereof.

Alkaline earth metal salts can be selected from the group consisting of salts of magnesium, salts of calcium, and the like, and combinations thereof. Alkaline earth metal salts can be selected from the group consisting of alkaline metal fluorides, alkaline metal chlorides, alkaline metal bromides, alkaline metal iodides, alkaline metal sulfates, alkaline metal bisulfates, alkaline metal phosphates, alkaline metal monohydrogen phosphates, alkaline metal dihydrogen phosphates, alkaline metal carbonates, alkaline metal monohydrogen carbonates, alkaline metal acetates, alkaline metal citrates, alkaline metal lactates, alkaline metal pyruvates, alkaline metal silicates, alkaline metal ascorbates, and combinations thereof. Alkaline earth metal salts can be selected from the group consisting of magnesium fluoride, magnesium chloride, magnesium bromide, magnesium iodide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium phosphate, magnesium monohydrogen phosphate, magnesium dihydrogen phosphate, magnesium carbonate, magnesium monohydrogen carbonate, magnesium acetate, magnesium citrate, magnesium lactate, magnesium tartrate, magnesium silicate, magnesium ascorbate, calcium fluoride, calcium chloride, calcium bromide, calcium iodide, calcium sulfate, calcium phosphate, calcium monohydrogen phosphate, calcium dihydrogen phosphate, calcium carbonate, calcium monohydrogen carbonate, calcium acetate, calcium citrate, calcium lactate, calcium tartrate, calcium silicate, calcium ascorbate, and combinations thereof.

Inorganic salts, such as inorganic alkali metal salts and inorganic alkaline earth metal salts, do not contain carbon. Organic salts, such as organic alkali metal salts and organic alkaline earth metal salts, contain carbon. The organic salt can be an alkali metal salt or an alkaline earth metal salt of sorbic acid (i.e., asorbate). Sorbates can be selected from the group consisting of sodium sorbate, potassium sorbate, magnesium sorbate, calcium sorbate, and combinations thereof.

Example water soluble carrier can be or comprise a material selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble inorganic alkali metal salt, a water-soluble organic alkali metal salt, a water-soluble inorganic alkaline earth metal salt, a water-soluble organic alkaline earth metal salt, a water-soluble carbohydrate, a water-soluble silicate, a water-soluble urea, and combinations thereof. Example water soluble carrier can be selected from the group consisting of sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium hydrogen carbonate, potassium hydrogen carbonate, sodium acetate, potassium acetate, sodium citrate, potassium citrate, sodium tartrate, potassium tartrate, potassium sodium tartrate, calcium lactate, water glass, sodium silicate, potassium silicate, dextrose, fructose, galactose, isoglucose, glucose, sucrose, raffinose, isomalt, xylitol, candy sugar, coarse sugar, and combinations thereof. In one example, the water soluble carrier can be sodium chloride. In one example, the water soluble carrier can be table salt.

Example water soluble carrier can be or comprise a material selected from the group consisting of sodium bicarbonate, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate, sodium formate, calcium formate, sodium chloride, sucrose, maltodextrin, corn syrup solids, corn starch, wheat starch, rice starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, clay, silicate, citric acid carboxymethyl cellulose, fatty acid, fatty alcohol, glyceryl diester of hydrogenated tallow, glycerol, and combinations thereof.

Example water soluble carrier can be selected from the group consisting of water soluble organic alkali metal salt, water soluble inorganic alkaline earth metal salt, water soluble organic alkaline earth metal salt, water soluble carbohydrate, water soluble silicate, water soluble urea, starch, clay, water insoluble silicate, citric acid carboxymethyl cellulose, fatty acid, fatty alcohol, glyceryl diester of hydrogenated tallow, glycerol, polyethylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

Example water soluble carrier can be selected from the group consisting of disaccharides, polysaccharides, silicates, zeolites, carbonates, sulfates, citrates, and combinations thereof.

Example water soluble carrier can be a water soluble polymer. Water soluble polymers can be selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohols (PVA), modified PVAs; polyvinyl pyrrolidone; PVA copolymers such as PVA/polyvinyl pyrrolidone and PVA/ polyvinyl amine; partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate; polyalkylene oxides such as polyethylene oxide; polyethylene glycols; polypropylene glycol, polyglycerol esters, acrylamide; acrylic acid; cellulose, alkyl cellulosics such as methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose and propyl cellulose; cellulose ethers; cellulose esters; cellulose amides; polyvinyl acetates; polycarboxylic acids and salts; polyaminoacids or peptides; polyamides; polyacrylamide; copolymers of maleic/acrylic acids; polysaccharides including starch, modified starch; gelatin; alginates; xyloglucans, other hemicellulosic polysaccharides including xylan, glucuronoxylan, arabinoxylan, mannan, glucomannan and galactoglucomannan; and natural gums such as pectin, xanthan, and carrageenan, locus bean, arabic, tragacanth; and combinations thereof. In one example the polymer comprises polyacrylates, especially sulfonated polyacrylates and water-soluble acrylate copolymers; and alkylhydroxy cellulosics such as methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, modified carboxy-methylcellulose, dextrin, ethylcellulose, propylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates. In yet another example the water soluble polymer can be selected from the group consisting of PVA; PVA copolymers; hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC); and mixtures thereof.

Example water soluble carrier can be selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, modified polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl amine, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetate, polyalkylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene-co-polypropylene glycol, polyglycerol esters, acrylamide, acrylic acid, cellulose, alkyl cellulosics, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, propyl cellulose, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids and salts, polyaminoacids or peptides, polyamides, polyacrylamide, copolymers of maleic/acrylic acids, polysaccharides, starch, modified starch, gelatin, alginates, xyloglucans, hemicellulosic polysaccharides, xylan, glucuronoxylan, arabinoxylan, mannan, glucomannan, galactoglucomannan, natural gums, pectin, xanthan, carrageenan, locus bean, arabic, tragacanth, polyacrylates, sulfonated polyacrylates, water-soluble acrylate copolymers, alkylhydroxy cellulosics, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, modified carboxy-methylcellulose, dextrin, ethylcellulose, propylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

Example water soluble carrier can be an organic material. Organic water soluble carriers may provide a benefit of being readily soluble in water.

Example water soluble carrier can be selected from the group consisting of polyalkylene oxide, polyethylene glycol, sodium acetate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium silicate, polypropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol, polyglycerol esters, polyoxoalkylene, polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester, polyethylene glycol ether, polyglycerol esters, sodium sulfate, carbohydrates, starch, and mixtures thereof.

The water soluble carrier is polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG is a convenient material to employ to make particles because it can be sufficiently water soluble to dissolve during a wash cycle when the particles have the range of mass disclosed herein. Further, PEG can be easily processed as melt. The onset of melt temperature of PEG can vary as a function of molecular weight of the PEG. The particles comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight PEG having a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol). PEG has a relatively low cost, may be formed into many different shapes and sizes, minimizes unencapsulated perfume diffusion, and dissolves well in water. PEG comes in various weight average molecular weights. A suitable weight average molecular weight range of PEG includes from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol), optionally from <NUM> to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), alternatively from about <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol), alternatively from about <NUM> to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), alternatively from about <NUM> to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), alternatively from about <NUM> to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), alternatively from about <NUM> to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), alternatively from about <NUM> to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), alternatively combinations thereof.

The particles comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the particles of PEG having a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol). Optionally, the particles can comprise from about <NUM>% to <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% to <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% to <NUM>%, optionally combinations thereof and any whole percentages or ranges of whole percentages within any of the aforementioned ranges, of PEG by weight of the respective particles.

Example water soluble carrier can comprise a material selected from the group consisting of: a polyalkylene oxide polymer of formula H-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)x-(CH(CH<NUM>)CH<NUM>O)y-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)z-OH wherein x is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, y is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and z is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester of formula (C<NUM>H<NUM>O)q-C(O)O-(CH<NUM>)r-CH<NUM> wherein q is from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and r is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; a polyethylene glycol fatty alcohol ether of formula HO-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)s-(CH<NUM>)t)-CH<NUM> wherein s is from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and t is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; and mixtures thereof. The polyalkylene oxide polymer of formula H-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)x-(CH(CH<NUM>)CH<NUM>O)y-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)z-OH wherein x is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, y is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and z is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, can be a block copolymer or random copolymer.

Example water soluble carrier can comprise: polyethylene glycol; a polyalkylene oxide polymer of formula H-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)x-(CH(CH<NUM>)CH<NUM>O)y-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)z-OH wherein x is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; y is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and z is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; a polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester of formula (C<NUM>H<NUM>O)q-C(O)O-(CH<NUM>)r-CH<NUM> wherein q is from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and r is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; and a polyethylene glycol fatty alcohol ether of formula HO-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)s-(CH<NUM>)t)-CH<NUM> wherein s is from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and t is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

Example water soluble carrier can comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight of the particles of polyalkylene oxide polymer of formula H-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)x-(CH(CH<NUM>)CH<NUM>O)y-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)z-OH wherein x is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>; y is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and z is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

Example water soluble carrier can comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight of the particles polyethylene glycol fatty acid ester of formula (C<NUM>H<NUM>O)q-C(O)O-(CH<NUM>)r-CH<NUM> wherein q is from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and r is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

Example water soluble carrier can comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight of the particles of polyethylene glycol fatty alcohol ether of formula HO-(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)s-(CH<NUM>)t-CH<NUM> wherein s is from about <NUM> to about <NUM> and t is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>.

The particles can comprise a quaternary ammonium compound so that the particles can provide a softening or lubrication benefit to laundered fabrics through the wash, and in particular during the wash sub-cycle of a washer having wash and rinse sub-cycles. Optionally, the quaternary ammonium compound can be provided as or in an adjunct particle.

The quaternary ammonium compound (quat) can be an ester quaternary ammonium compound. Suitable quaternary ammonium compounds include but are not limited to, materials selected from the group consisting of ester quats, amide quats, imidazoline quats, alkyl quats, amidoester quats and combinations thereof. Suitable ester quats include but are not limited to, materials selected from the group consisting of monoester quats, diester quats, triester quats and combinations thereof.

Without being bound by theory, it is thought that the cold water dissolution time of the particles that include a quaternary ammonium compound tends to decrease with increasing Iodine Value, recognizing that there is some variability with respect to this relationship.

The particles, or adjunct particles if provided, can comprise about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight a quaternary ammonium compound. The quaternary ammonium compound can optionally have an Iodine Value from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally about <NUM> to about <NUM>, and any whole numbers within the aforesaid ranges. Optionally the particles can comprise about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight a quaternary ammonium compound, further optionally having any of the aforesaid ranges of Iodine Value. Optionally the particles can comprise about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight a quaternary ammonium compound, further optionally having the aforesaid ranges of Iodine Value.

The quaternary ammonium compounds may be derived from fatty acids. The fatty acids may include saturated fatty acids and/or unsaturated fatty acids. The fatty acids may be characterized by an iodine value. The fatty acids may include an alkyl portion containing, on average by weight, from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms. Suitable fatty acids may include those derived from (<NUM>) an animal fat, and/or a partially hydrogenated animal fat, such as beef tallow, lard, etc.; (<NUM>) a vegetable oil, and/or a partially hydrogenated vegetable oil such as canola oil, safflower oil, peanut oil, sunflower oil, sesame seed oil, rapeseed oil, cottonseed oil, corn oil, soybean oil, tall oil, rice bran oil, palm oil, palm kernel oil, coconut oil, other tropical palm oils, linseed oil, tung oil, etc.; (<NUM>) processed and/or bodied oils, such as linseed oil or tung oil via thermal, pressure, alkali-isomerization and catalytic treatments; (<NUM>) a mixture thereof, to yield saturated (e.g. stearic acid), unsaturated (e.g. oleic acid), polyunsaturated (linoleic acid), branched (e.g. isostearic acid) or cyclic (e.g. saturated or unsaturated α-disubstituted cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl derivatives of polyunsaturated acids) fatty acids.

The quaternary ammonium compound may comprise compounds formed from fatty acids that are unsaturated. The fatty acids may comprise unsaturated C18 chains, which may be include a single double bond ("C18:<NUM>") or may be double unsaturated ("C18:<NUM>").

The quaternary ammonium compound may be derived from fatty acids and optionally from triethanolamine, optionally unsaturated fatty acids that include eighteen carbons ("C18 fatty acids"), optionally C18 fatty acids that include a single double bone ("C18:<NUM> fatty acids"). The quaternary ammonium compound may comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, by weight of the quaternary ammonium compound, of compounds derived from triethanolamine and C18:<NUM> fatty acids.

Suitable quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be derived from alkanolamines, for example, C1-C4 alkanolamines, optionally C2 alkanolamines (e.g., ethanolamines). The quaternary ammonium ester compounds may be derived from monoalkanolamines, dialkanolamines, trialkanolamines, or mixtures thereof, optionally monoethanolamines, diethanolamines, di-isopropanolamines, triethanolamines, or mixtures thereof. The alkanolamines from which the quaternary ammonium ester compounds are derived may be alkylated mono- or dialkanolamines, for example C1-C4 alkylated alkanolamines, optionally C1 alkylated alkanolamines (e. g, N-methyldiethanolamine).

The quaternary ammonium ester compound may comprise a quaternized nitrogen atom that is substituted, at least in part. The quaternized nitrogen atom may be substituted, at least in part, with one or more C1-C3 alkyl or C1-C3 hydroxyl alkyl groups. The quaternized nitrogen atom may be substituted, at least in part, with a moiety selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl, <NUM>-hydroxypropyl, <NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-hydroxyethyl, poly(C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkoxy), polyethoxy, benzyl, optionally methyl or hydroxyethyl.

The quaternary ammonium ester compound may comprise compounds according to Formula (I): <MAT> wherein:.

At least one X, optionally each X, may be independently selected from -CH<NUM>-CH(CH<NUM>)- or -CH(CH<NUM>)-CH<NUM>-. When m is <NUM>, X may be selected from *-CH<NUM>-CH(CH<NUM>)-, *-CH(CH<NUM>)-CH<NUM>-, or a mixture thereof, where the * indicates the end nearest the nitrogen of the quaternary ammonium ester compound. When there are two or more X groups present in a single compound, at least two of the X groups may be different from each other. For example, when m is <NUM>, one X (e.g., a first X) may be *-CH<NUM>-CH(CH<NUM>)-, and the other X (e.g., a second X) may be *-CH(CH<NUM>)-CH<NUM>-, where the * indicates the end nearest the nitrogen of the quaternary ammonium ester compound. It has been found that such selections of the m index and X groups can improve the hydrolytic stability of the quaternary ammonium ester compound, and hence further improve the stability of the composition.

For similar stability reasons, the quaternary ammonium ester compound may comprise a mixture of: bis-(<NUM>-hydroxypropyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate fatty acid ester; (<NUM>-hydroxypropyl)-(<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-hydroxyethyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate fatty acid ester; and bis-(<NUM>-methyl-<NUM>-hydroxyethyl)-dimethylammonium methylsulfate fatty acid ester; where the fatty acid esters are produced from a C12-C18 fatty acid mixture. The quaternary ammonium ester compound may comprise any of the fatty acid esters, individually or as a mixture, listed in this paragraph.

Each X may be -(CH<NUM>)n-, where each n is independently <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>, optionally each n is <NUM>.

Each R<NUM> group may correspond to, and/or be derived from, the alkyl portion(s) of any of the fatty acids provided above. The R<NUM> groups may comprise, by weight average, from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM> carbon atoms. It may be that when Y is *-O-(O)C- (where the * indicates the end nearest the X moiety), the sum of carbons in each R<NUM> is from <NUM> to <NUM>, optionally from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The quaternary ammonium compounds of the present disclosure may include a mixture of quaternary ammonium compounds according to Formula (I), for example, having some compounds where m = <NUM> (e.g., monoesters) and some compounds where m = <NUM> (e.g., diesters). Some mixtures may even contain compounds where m = <NUM> (e.g., triesters). The quaternary ammonium compounds may include compounds according to Formula (I), where m is <NUM> or <NUM>, but not <NUM> (e.g., is substantially free of triesters).

The quaternary ammonium compounds of the present disclosure may include compounds according to Formula (I), wherein each R<NUM> is a methyl group. The quaternary ammonium compounds of the present disclosure may include compounds according to Formula (I), wherein at least one R<NUM>, optionally wherein at least one R<NUM> is a hydroxyethyl group and at least one R<NUM> is a methyl group. For compounds according to Formula (I), m may equal <NUM>, and only one R<NUM> may be a hydroxyethyl group.

The quaternary ammonium compounds of the present disclosure may include methyl sulfate as a counterion. When the quaternary ammonium ester compounds of the present disclosure comprise compounds according to Formula (I), A- may optionally be methyl sulfate.

The quaternary ammonium compounds of the present disclosure may comprise one or members selected from the group consisting of:.

Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium ester compound are commercially available from Evonik under the tradename REWOQUAT WE18 and/or REWOQUAT WE20, and from Stepan under the tradename STEPANTEX GA90, STEPANTEX VK90, and/or STEPANTEX VL90A.

It is understood that compositions that comprise a quaternary ammonium ester compound as a fabric conditioning active may further comprise non-quaternized derivatives of such compounds, as well as unreacted reactants (e.g., free fatty acids).

The quaternary ammonium compound can be that used as part of BOUNCE dryer sheets available from The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. The quaternary ammonium compound can be the reaction product of triethanolamine and partially hydrogenated tallow fatty acids quaternized with dimethyl sulfate.

It will be understood that combinations of quaternary ammonium compounds disclosed above are suitable for use in this invention.

The particles, or adjunct particles if used, can comprise from about <NUM> to about <NUM> % by weight quaternary compound.

The iodine value of a quaternary ammonium compound is the iodine value of the parent fatty acid from which the compound is formed and is defined as the number of grams of iodine which react with <NUM> grams of parent fatty acid from which the compound is formed.

First, the quaternary ammonium compound is hydrolysed according to the following protocol: <NUM> of quaternary ammonium compound is mixed with <NUM> of water and <NUM> of sodium hydroxide (<NUM>% activity). This mixture is boiled for at least an hour on a hotplate while avoiding that the mixture dries out. After an hour, the mixture is allowed to cool down and the pH is adjusted to neutral (pH between <NUM> and <NUM>) with sulfuric acid <NUM>% using pH strips or a calibrated pH electrode.

Next the fatty acid is extracted from the mixture via acidified liquid-liquid extraction with hexane or petroleum ether: the sample mixture is diluted with water/ethanol (<NUM>:<NUM>) to <NUM> in an extraction cylinder, <NUM> grams of sodium chloride, <NUM> of sulfuric acid (<NUM>% activity) and <NUM> of hexane are added. The cylinder is stoppered and shaken for at least <NUM> minute. Next, the cylinder is left to rest until <NUM> layers are formed. The top layer containing the fatty acid in hexane is transferred to another recipient. The hexane is then evaporated using a hotplate leaving behind the extracted fatty acid.

Next, the iodine value of the parent fatty acid from which the fabric conditioning active is formed is determined following ISO3961:<NUM>. The method for calculating the iodine value of a parent fatty acid comprises dissolving a prescribed amount (from <NUM>-<NUM>) into <NUM> of chloroform. The dissolved parent fatty acid is then reacted with <NUM> of iodine monochloride in acetic acid solution (<NUM>). To this, <NUM> of <NUM>% potassium iodide solution and <NUM> deionised water is added. After the addition of the halogen has taken place, the excess of iodine monochloride is determined by titration with sodium thiosulphate solution (<NUM>) in the presence of a blue starch indicator powder. At the same time a blank is determined with the same quantity of reagents and under the same conditions. The difference between the volume of sodium thiosulphate used in the blank and that used in the reaction with the parent fatty acid enables the iodine value to be calculated.

The particles can comprise a cationic polymer. Cationic polymers can provide the benefit of a deposition aid that helps to deposit, onto the fabric, quaternary ammonium compound and possibly some other benefit agents that are contained in the particles. Optionally, the cationic polymer can be provided as or in an adjunct particle.

The particles, or adjunct particles if used, can comprise about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight cationic polymer. Optionally, the particles, or adjunct particles if used, can comprise about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight cationic polymer, or even about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight, or even about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight cationic polymer, or even about <NUM>% by weight cationic polymer. Without being bound by theory, it is thought that the cleaning performance of laundry detergent in the wash decreases with increasing levels of cationic polymer in the particles and acceptable cleaning performance of the detergent can be maintained within the aforesaid ranges.

Non-limiting examples of cationic polymers are cationic or amphoteric, polysaccharides, proteins and synthetic polymers. Cationic polysaccharides include cationic cellulose derivatives, cationic guar gum derivatives, chitosan and its derivatives and cationic starches. Suitable cationic polysaccharides include cationic cellulose ethers, particularly cationic hydroxyethylcellulose and cationic hydroxypropylcellulose.

Cationic polymers including those with the INCI name Polyquaternium-<NUM>; Polyquaternium-<NUM>; Polyquaternium-<NUM>; Polyquaternium-<NUM>; Polyquaternium-<NUM>; Polyquaternium-<NUM>; and mixtures thereof can be suitable. Other suitable polysaccharides include hydroxyethyl cellulose or hydoxypropylcellulose quaternized with glycidyl C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride. The cationic polymer can be cationic guar gum or cationic locust bean gum. An example of a cationic guar gum is a quaternary ammonium derivative of hydroxypropyl guar. In another aspect, the cationic polymer may be selected from the group consisting of cationic polysaccharides. In one aspect, the cationic polymer may be selected from the group consisting of cationic cellulose ethers, cationic galactomanan, cationic guar gum, cationic starch, and combinations thereof.

The cationic polymer can be provided in a powder form. The cationic polymer can be provided in an anhydrous state.

The particles can comprise fatty acid. Optionally, the fatty acid can be provided as or in an adjunct particle.

The term "fatty acid" is used herein in the broadest sense to include unprotonated or protonated forms of a fatty acid. One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the pH of an aqueous composition will dictate, in part, whether a fatty acid is protonated or unprotonated. The fatty acid may be in its unprotonated, or salt form, together with a counter ion, such as, but not limited to, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and the like. The term "free fatty acid" means a fatty acid that is not bound to another chemical moiety (covalently or otherwise).

The fatty acid may include those containing from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, or even from <NUM> to <NUM>, total carbon atoms, with the fatty moiety containing from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, or even from <NUM> (mid-cut) to <NUM> carbon atoms.

Mixtures of fatty acids from different fat sources can be used. Branched fatty acids such as isostearic acid are also suitable since they may be more stable with respect to oxidation and the resulting degradation of color and odor quality. The fatty acid may have an iodine value from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM>, from <NUM> to <NUM> or even from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The particles, or adjunct particles if used, can comprise from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, optionally from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, by weight fatty acid. The fatty acid can be selected from the group consisting of, a saturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acid, and mixtures thereof. The fatty acid can be a blend of saturated fatty acids, a blend of unsaturated fatty acids, and mixtures thereof. The fatty acid can be substituted or unsubstituted. The fatty acid can be provided with the quaternary ammonium compound. The fatty acid can have an Iodine Value of zero.

The fatty acid can be selected from the group consisting of stearic acid, palmitic acid, coconut oil, palm kernel oil, stearic acid palmitic acid blend, oleic acid, vegetable oil, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, and mixtures thereof.

The fatty acid can be Stearic acid CAS No. <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>. The fatty acid can be palmitic acid CAS No. <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>. The fatty acid can be a blend of stearic acid and coconut oil. The fatty acid can be C12 to C22 fatty acid. C12 to C22 fatty acid can have tallow or vegetable origin, can be saturated or unsaturated, can be substituted or unsubstituted.

Without being bound by theory, fatty acid may help as a processing aid for uniformly mixing the formulation components of the particles.

The particles, and or adjunct particles is provided, can comprise an enzyme. Enzymes can provide improved cleaning performance and other fabric care benefits. Optionally, the enzyme can be provided as or in an adjunct particle. Enzyme can be selected from the group consisting of hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, mannanases, pectate lyases, keratinases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, β-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, and amylases, and mixtures thereof. Suitable proteases may include metalloproteases and serine proteases, such as including neutral or alkaline microbial serine proteases, such as subtilisins (EC <NUM>. The protease may be a trypsin-type or chymotrypsin-type protease. The protease may be of microbial origin, such as of bacterial origin or of fungal origin. The protease may be a chemically or genetically modified mutant or variant of a wild type. The enzyme can be selected from the group consisting of protease, xyloglucanase, mannanase, and combinations thereof. The combination of the graft copolymer and enzyme is thought to reduce dye redeposition on fabrics and to remove sebum from fabrics.

The graft copolymer is as defined in claim <NUM>.

The particles comprise a suspension graft copolymer. Broadly, the graft copolymer may comprise and/or be obtainable by grafting (a) a polyalklyene oxide with (b) a vinyl ester. The graft copolymer is described in more detail below.

The particles include from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight a graft copolymer. The particles may include from <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or to about <NUM>%, or from <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, optionally from <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, by weight of the particles, of the graft copolymer. The graft copolymer may be present in an aqueous treatment liquor, such as a wash liquor or a rinse liquor of an automatic washing machine, in an amount of about <NUM> ppm, or from about 10ppm, or from about 25ppm, or from about 50ppm, to about <NUM> ppm, or to about 1000ppm, or to about 500ppm, or to about 250ppm.

The graft copolymer comprises and/or may be obtainable by grafting (a) a polyalkylene oxide which has a number average molecular weight of from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol), or to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), or to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), or to about <NUM> Da (g/mol) and is based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or butylene oxide, optionally based on ethylene oxide, with (b) a vinyl ester derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, optionally a vinyl ester that is vinyl acetate or a derivative thereof; where the weight ratio of (a):(b) is from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>;.

The graft copolymer may be obtainable by grafting (a) an alkylene oxide which has a number average molecular weight of from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol), or to about <NUM>, or to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), or to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), the alkylene oxide being based on ethylene oxide, with (b) vinyl acetate or a derivative thereof, wherein the number of grafting sites is less than <NUM> per <NUM> ethylene oxide groups, wherein the composition is a fabric care composition.

The graft bases used may be the polyalkylene oxides specified above under (a). The polyalkylene oxides of component (a) may have a number average molecular weight of about <NUM> Da (g/mol), or from about <NUM> Da (g/mol), to <NUM> Da (g/mol), or to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), or to about <NUM>, Da (g/mol) or to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), or to about <NUM> Da (g/mol), or to about <NUM> Da (g/mol). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that if the molecular weight of component (a) (e.g., polyethylene glycol), is relatively low, there may be a performance decrease in dye transfer inhibition. Additionally or alternatively, when the molecular weight is too high, the polymer may not remain suspended in solution and/or may deposit on treated fabrics.

The polyalkylene oxides may be based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxides, or mixtures thereof, optionally ethylene oxide. The polyalkylene oxides may be based on homopolymers of ethylene oxide or ethylene oxide copolymers having an ethylene oxide content of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> mole %. Suitable comonomers for such copolymers may include propylene oxide, n-butylene oxide, and/or isobutylene oxide. Suitable copolymers may include copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, copolymers of ethylene oxide and butylene oxide, and/or copolymers of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and at least one butylene oxide. The copolymers may include an ethylene oxide content of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> mole %, a propylene oxide content of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> mole %, and a butylene oxide content of from about <NUM> to about <NUM> mole %. The graft base may be linear (straight-chain) or branched, for example a branched homopolymer and/or a branched copolymer.

Branched copolymers may be prepared by addition of ethylene oxide with or without propylene oxides and/or butylene oxides onto polyhydric low molecular weight alcohols, for example trimethylol propane, pentoses, or hexoses. The alkylene oxide unit may be randomly distributed in the polymer or be present therein as blocks.

The polyalkylene oxides of component (a) may be the corresponding polyalkylene glycols in free form, that is, with OH end groups, or they may be capped at one or both end groups. Suitable end groups may be, for example, C1-C25-alkyl, phenyl, and C1-C14-alkylphenyl groups. The end group may be a C1-alkyl (e.g., methyl) group. Suitable materials for the graft base may include PEG <NUM>, PEG <NUM>, PEG <NUM>, PEG <NUM>, PEG <NUM>, PEG <NUM>, and/or PEG <NUM>,<NUM> which are polyethylene glycols, and/or MPEG <NUM>, MPEG <NUM>, MPEG <NUM>, MPEG <NUM> and MEG <NUM> which are monomethoxypolyethylene glycols that are commercially available from BASF under the tradename PLURIOL.

The polyalkylene oxides are grafted with a vinyl ester as the monomer of component (b). The vinyl ester may be derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid, which may contain <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, or <NUM> carbon atom. Suitable vinyl esters may include vinyl formate, vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, vinyl valerate, vinyl iso-valerate, vinyl caproate, or mixtures thereof. Preferred monomers of component (b) include those selected from the group consisting of vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, methyl acrylate, mixtures of vinyl acetate, or mixtures thereof, optionally vinyl acetate. The monomers of the graft copolymer, e.g., components (a) and (b) may be present in certain ratios, such as weight ratios and/or mole ratios.

The weight ratio of (a):(b) may be greater than <NUM>:<NUM>, or from <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>, or from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, or from elseet- <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>, or from about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>. The amount, by weight, of (a) may be greater than the amount of (b). Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that relatively high levels of component (b) (e.g., vinyl acetate), particularly in relation to component (a), may result in relatively greater hydrophobicity, which can lead to formulation and/or stability challenges.

The graft copolymers of the present disclosure may be characterized by relatively low degree of branching (i.e., degree of grafting). In the graft copolymers of the present disclosure, the average number of grafting sites may be less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>, or less than or equal to <NUM>, per <NUM> alkylene oxide groups, e.g., ethylene oxide groups. The graft copolymers may comprise, on average, based on the reaction mixture obtained, at least <NUM>, or at least <NUM>, graft site per <NUM> alkylene oxide groups, e.g., ethylene oxide groups. The degree of branching may be determined, for example, by means of <NUM>C NMR spectroscopy from the integrals of the signals of the graft sites and the -CH<NUM>-groups of the polyakylene oxide. The number of grafting sites may be adjusted by manipulating the temperature and/or the feed rate of the monomers. For example, the polymerization may be carried out in such a way that an excess of component (a) and the formed graft copolymer is constantly present in the reactor. For example, the quantitative molar ratio of component (a) and polymer to ungrafted monomer (and initiator, if any) is generally greater than or equal to about <NUM>:<NUM>, or to about <NUM>:<NUM>, or to about <NUM>:<NUM>.

The graft copolymers of the present disclosure may be characterized by a relatively narrow molar mass distribution. For example, the graft copolymers may be characterized by a polydispersity Mw/Mn of less than or equal to about <NUM>, or less than or equal to about <NUM>, or less than or equal to about <NUM>. The polydispersity of the graft copolymers may be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The polydispersity may be determined by gel permeation chromatography using narrow-distribution polymethyl methacrylates as the standard.

The graft copolymers may be prepared by grafting the suitable polyalkylene oxides of component (a) with the monomers of component (b) in the presence of free radical initiators and/or by the action of high-energy radiation, which may include the action of high-energy electrons. This may be done, for example, by dissolving the polyalkylene oxide in at least one monomer of group (b), adding a polymerization initiator and polymerizing the mixture to completion. The graft polymerization may also be carried out semicontinuously by first introducing a portion, for example <NUM>%, of the mixture of polyalkylene oxide to be polymerized, at least one monomer of group (b) and initiator, heating to polymerization temperature and, after the polymerization has started, adding the remainder of the mixture to be polymerized at a rate commensurate with the rate of polymerization. The graft copolymers may also be obtained by introducing the polyalkylene oxides of group (a) into a reactor, heating to the polymerization temperature, and adding at least one monomer of group (b) and polymerization initiator, either all at once, a little at a time, or uninterruptedly, optionally uninterruptedly, and polymerizing.

Any suitable polymerization initiator(s) may be used, which may include organic peroxides such as diacetyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, succinyl peroxide, di-tert-butyl peroxide, tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butyl perpivalate, tert-butyl permaleate, cumene hydroperoxide, diisopropyl peroxodicarbamate, bis(o-toluoyl) peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dioctanoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, tert-butyl perisobutyrate, tert-butyl peracetate, di-tert-amyl peroxide, tert-butyl peracetate, di-tert-amyl peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, mixtures thereof, redox initiators, and/or azo starters. The choice of initiator may be related to the choice of polymerization temperature.

The graft polymerization may take place at from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. The graft polymerization may typically be carried out under atmospheric pressure, but may also be carried out under reduced or superatmospheric pressure.

The graft polymerization may be carried out in a solvent. Suitable solvents may include: monohydric alcohols, such as ethanol, propanols, and/or butanols; polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol; alkylene glycol ethers, such as ethylene glycol monomethyl and -ethyl ether and/or propylene glycol monomethyl and -ethyl ether; polyalkylene glycols, such as di- or tri-ethylene glycol and/or di- or tri-propylene glycol; polyalkylene glycol monoethers, such as poly(C2-C3-alkylene)glycol mono (C1-C16-alkyl)ethers having <NUM>-<NUM> alkylene glycol units; carboxylic esters, such as ethyl acetate and ethyl propionate; aliphatic ketones, such as acetone and/or cyclohexanone; cyclic ethers, such as tetrahydrofuran and/or dioxane; or mixtures thereof.

The graft polymerization may also be carried out in water as solvent. In such cases, the first step may be to introduce a solution which, depending on the amount of added monomers of component (b), is more or less soluble in water. To transfer water-insoluble products that can form during the polymerization into solution, it is possible, for example, to add organic solvents, for example monohydric alcohols having <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, acetone, and/or dimethylformamide. In a graft polymerization process in water, it is also possible to transfer the water-insoluble graft copolymers into a finely divided dispersion by adding customary emulsifiers or protective colloids, for example polyvinyl alcohol. The emulsifiers used may be ionic or nonionic surfactants whose HLB value is from about <NUM> to about <NUM>. HLB value is determined according to the method described in the paper by <NPL>.

The amount of surfactant used in the graft polymerization process may be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>% by weight of the graft copolymer. If water is used as the solvent, solutions or dispersions of graft copolymers may be obtained. If solutions of graft copolymers are prepared in an organic solvent or in mixtures of an organic solvent and water, the amount of organic solvent or solvent mixture used per <NUM> parts by weight of the graft copolymer may be from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, parts by weight.

The graft copolymers may have a K value of from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, optionally from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, determined according to <NPL>) in <NUM>% strength by weight solution in dimethylformamide at 25C.

After the graft polymerization, the graft copolymer may optionally be subjected to a partial hydrolysis. The graft copolymer may include up to <NUM> mole %, or up to <NUM> mole %, or up to <NUM> mole %, or up to <NUM> mole%, or up to <NUM> mole %, or up to <NUM> mole %, or up to <NUM> mole %, of the grafted-on monomers of component (b) are hydrolyzed. For instance, the hydrolysis of graft copolymers prepared using vinyl acetate or vinyl propionate as component (b) gives graft copolymers containing vinyl alcohol units. The hydrolysis may be carried out, for example, by adding a base, such as sodium hydroxide solution or potassium hydroxide solution, or alternatively by adding acids and if necessary heating the mixture. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that increasing the level of hydrolysis of component (b) increases the relative hydrophilicity of the graft copolymer.

A suitable amphilic graft co-polymer is SOKALAN HP22, supplied from BASF. Suitable polymers include random graft copolymers, optionally a polyvinyl acetate grafted polyethylene oxide copolymer having a polyethylene oxide backbone and multiple polyvinyl acetate side chains. The molecular weight of the polyethylene oxide backbone is typically about <NUM> Da (g/mol) and the weight ratio of the polyethylene oxide to polyvinyl acetate is about <NUM> to <NUM> and no more than <NUM> grafting point per <NUM> ethylene oxide units.

The graft copolymer can be a graft copolymer VAc-gPEG4000 available from BASF, Ludwigshafen, Germany. Synthesis of graft copolymer VAc-gPEG4000 is described in <CIT>.

Exemplary formulations for particles described herein are set forth in Table <NUM>.

The particles disclosed herein enable consumers to inhibit dye transfer of hydrolyzed reactive dyes during washing and optionally provide additional fabric care benefits, particularly through the wash, in particular the wash sub-cycle. By providing the reduction in dye transfer benefit through the wash sub-cycle, consumers only need to dose the detergent composition and the particles to a single location, for example the wash basin, prior to or shortly after the start of the washing machine.

The process for treating laundry can comprise the steps of providing laundry in a washing machine. The composition can be dispensed into the washing machine. The laundry can be contacted with water. The composition can be dissolved in the water to form a laundry treatment liquor. The laundry can be contacted with the laundry treatment liquor. The laundry can be contacted with water during the wash sub-cycle of the washing machine.

The particles can comprise the constituent components at the weight fractions described herein. For example, the particles comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight a water soluble carrier. The particles comprise <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight a graft copolymer. The particles each have an individual mass from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The composition can be dispensed into the washing machine in a dose of from <NUM> to about <NUM> of the composition. The composition can be dispensed from a container into a dosing device. The dosing device can be a closure of the container or otherwise engageable or disengageable with the container.

The process can optionally comprise a step of contacting the laundry during the wash sub-cycle with a detergent composition comprising an anionic surfactant. During the wash sub-cycle, the wash basin may be filled or at least partially filled with water. The particles can dissolve into the water to form a wash liquor comprising the components of the particles. Optionally, if a detergent composition is employed, the wash liquor can include the components of the detergent composition and the particles or dissolved particles. The particles can be placed in the wash basin of the washing machine before the laundry is placed in the wash basin of the washing machine. The particles can be placed in the wash basin of the washing machine after the laundry is placed in the wash basin of the washing machine. The particles can be placed in the wash basin prior to filling or partially filling the wash basin with water or after filling of the wash basin with water has commenced.

If a detergent composition is employed by the consumer in practicing the process of treating laundry, the detergent composition and particles can be provided from separate packages. For instance, the detergent composition can be a liquid detergent composition provided from a bottle, sachet, water soluble pouch, dosing cup, dosing ball, or cartridge associated with the washing machine. The particles can be provided from a separate package, by way of non-limiting example, a carton, bottle, water soluble pouch, dosing cup, sachet, or the like. If the detergent composition is a solid form, such as a powder, water soluble fibrous substrate, water soluble sheet, water soluble film, water soluble film, water insoluble fibrous web carrying solid detergent composition, the particles can be provided with the solid form detergent composition. For instance, the particles can be provided from a container containing a mixture of the solid detergent composition and the particles. Optionally, the particles can be provided from a pouch formed of a detergent composition that is a water soluble fibrous substrate, water soluble sheet, water soluble film, water soluble film, water insoluble fibrous web carrying solid detergent composition.

For a water soluble carrier that can be processed conveniently as a melt, the rotoforming process can be used to produce the particles. A mixture of molten water soluble carrier and the other materials constituting the particles is prepared, for instance in a batch or continuous mixing process. The molten mixture can be pumped to a rotoformer, for instance a Sandvik ROTOFORM <NUM> having a <NUM> wide <NUM> long belt. The rotoforming apparatus can have a rotating cylinder. The cylinder can have <NUM> diameter apertures set at a <NUM> pitch in the cross machine direction and <NUM> pitch in the machine direction. The cylinder can be set at approximately <NUM> above the belt. The belt speed and rotational speed of the cylinder can be set at about <NUM>/min. The molten mixture can be passed through the apertures in the rotating cylinder and deposited on a moving conveyor that is provided beneath the rotating cylinder.

The molten mixture can be cooled on the moving conveyor to form a plurality of solid particles. The cooling can be provided by ambient cooling. Optionally the cooling can be provided by spraying the under-side of the conveyor with ambient temperature water or chilled water.

Once the particles are sufficiently coherent, the particles can be transferred from the conveyor to processing equipment downstream of the conveyor for further processing and or packaging.

Optionally, the particles can be provided with inclusions of a gas. Such occlusions of gas, for example air, can help the particles dissolve more quickly in the wash. Occlusions of gas can be provided, by way of nonlimiting example, by injecting gas into the molten precursor material and milling the mixture.

Particles can also be made using other approaches. For instance, granulation or press agglomeration can be appropriate. In granulation, the precursor material containing the constituent materials of the particles is compacted and homogenized by rotating mixing tools and granulated to form particles. For precursor materials that are substantially free of water, a wide variety of sizes of particles can be made.

In press agglomeration, the precursor material containing the constituent materials of the particles is compacted and plasticized under pressure and under the effect of shear forces, homogenized and then discharged from the press agglomeration machine via a forming/shaping process. Press agglomeration techniques include extrusion, roller compacting, pelleting, and tableting.

The precursor material containing the constituent materials of the particles can be delivered to a planetary roll extruder or twin screw extruder having co-rotating or contra-rotating screws. The barrel and the extrusion granulation head can be heated to the desired extrusion temperature. The precursor material containing the constituent materials of the particles can be compacted under pressure, plasticized, extruded in the form of strands through a multiple-bore extrusion die in the extruder head, and sized using a cutting blade. The bore diameter of the of extrusion header can be selected to provide for appropriately sized particles. The extruded particles can be shaped using a spheronizer to provide for particles that have a spherical shape.

Optionally, the extrusion and compression steps may be carried out in a low-pressure extruder, such as a flat die pelleting press, for example as available from Amandus Kahl, Reinbek, Germany. Optionally, the extrusion and compression steps may be carried out in a low pressure extruder, such as a BEXTRUDER, available from Hosokawa Alpine Aktiengesellschaft, Augsburg, Germany.

The particles can be made using roller compacting. In roller compacting the precursor material containing the constituent materials of the particles is introduced between two rollers and rolled under pressure between the two rollers to form a sheet of compactate. The rollers provide a high linear pressure on the precursor material. The rollers can be heated or cooled as desired, depending on the processing characteristics of the precursor material. The sheet of compactate is broken up into small pieces by cutting. The small pieces can be further shaped, for example by using a spheronizer.

The test method used to evaluate the performance of various particles are described as follows.

Dye Transfer Fabric Treatment Method in a Tergotometer. The tergotometer is filled to a <NUM> fill volume and is programmed for a <NUM> wash cycle, and a <NUM> rinse cycle with an agitation speed of <NUM> rpm using <NUM> gpg/ <NUM> (<NUM>°F) water for the wash and <NUM> gpg/ <NUM> (<NUM>°F) water for the rinse with Angle of Rotation <NUM>°. The Detergent Composition (<NUM>) and the water soluble particle composition (<NUM>), and any other materials as outlined in the experiments below are added to the washing pot after the water is filled and then agitated for <NUM>. Once dilution step is completed the dye bleeder fabrics (<NUM> pieces of <NUM> x <NUM> swatches of Reactive Brown <NUM> on cotton, STC EMPA <NUM> available from SWISSATEST Testmaterialien AG, St. Gallen, Switzerland) are added to the machine along with dye acceptor fabrics and ballast. Two each of the acceptor fabrics (<NUM>, <NUM> x <NUM>) include <NUM>% cotton knit (# <NUM>), <NUM>/<NUM> cotton/ spandex (#<NUM>), <NUM>/<NUM> nylon/spandex (#<NUM>), and polyamide (#<NUM>) (available from WfK Testgewebe GmbH, Brüggen, Germany). Knitted cotton ballast (<NUM>) swatches (<NUM> x <NUM>) added for a total fabric weight of <NUM> ± <NUM>. Once the detergent, and all test fabrics are added to the Tergotometer pot, the timed cycle begins. After the washing cycle is complete, the dye bleeder fabrics are removed, and the acceptor test fabrics and ballast are air dried overnight in drying cupboard. Test fabrics are de-linted to remove lint and fuzz that could interfere with the spectrophotometer measurement. Spectrophotometric measurement is taken using GretagMacbeth Color-Eye 7000A.

Detergent Composition Used in the Tergotometer Method. Table <NUM> shows the liquid detergent fabric care compositions prepared by mixing the ingredients listed in the proportions shown below and used in the experiments described herein.

Dye Transfer Measurement Method on Treated Fabrics. As used herein, the "L*C*h color space" and "L*a*b* color space" are three dimensional colorimetric models developed by Hunter Associates Laboratory and recommended by the Commission Internationale d'Eclairage ("CIE") to measure the color or change in color of a dyed article. The CIE L*a*b* color space ("CIELAB") has a scale with three-fold axes with the L axis representing the lightness of the color space (L* = <NUM> for black, L* = <NUM> for white), the a* axis representing color space from red to green (a* > <NUM> for red, a* < <NUM> for green) and the b* axis representing color space from yellow to blue (b* > <NUM> for yellow, b* < <NUM> for blue). The L*C*h color space is an approximately uniform scale with a polar color space. The CIE L*C*h color space ("CIELCh") scale values are determined instrumentally and may also be calculated from the CIELAB scale values. Term definitions and equation derivations are available from Hunter Associates Laboratory, Inc. and from www.

The amount of dye transfer onto the white test fabrics can be described, for example, in terms of the change in L*C*h before and after treatment of the test fabric as measured via spectrophotometry (for example, via a GretagMacbeth Color-Eye 7000A manufactured by X-RITE, grand Rapids, MI) and is reported as dE<NUM> value. As used herein, the dE<NUM> value includes the vector associated with the distance in the L*C*h space between the initial L*C*h value and the final L*C*h value and corrected for perception according to the procedure detailed in <NPL>. Test fabrics from the mini-washing machine fabric treatment method are measured against the backing of the Gildan t-shirt. An average of two L*ab measures are taken per test fabric and two test fabrics are measured per test leg.

Cold-Water Dispersion Time Method. In-market detergent (<NUM>, TIDE) is diluted into <NUM> of <NUM> gpg Millipore water at <NUM> (<NUM> °F) to simulate the wash liquor of a North America high efficiency washing machine (assuming an <NUM> water fill volume), then <NUM> ± <NUM> of particles was added. The solution was stirred using a stir bar on a magnetic stirrer at <NUM> rpm and the time is recorded when the particles have completely dissolved and dispersed as determined by visual assessment of a clear solution. The experiment is repeated <NUM> times, and the average of the <NUM> dispersion experiments as the cold-water dispersion time reported in minutes.

Small Scale Method of Making Particles. To prepare small scale batches of particles (approximately <NUM>), a benchtop procedure was used. To a pre-weighed, plastic Flack Tek speed mixer container is added PEG <NUM>, and the sealed jar is placed in an oven at <NUM> until the PEG <NUM> melts. To this melt is added the desired amount of graft copolymer that has been pre-heated in a <NUM> oven. The composition is speed mixed at <NUM> rpm for one minute in a speed mixer such as the FLACKTEK DAC150. FVZ-K speed mixer (Flacktek, Inc. , Landrum, SC, USA). The mixed melt is immediately poured onto a silicone mold with <NUM> in diameter, hemispherical indentations and the material is evenly spread with a large metal mixing spatula. The composition mixture is cooled to room temperature for a minimum of <NUM> minutes to solidify. Once cooled, the particles are removed from the mold and equilibrated on a tray to a constant weight. The small scale method of making particles was used to prepare particle compositions used in Experiments <NUM>-<NUM> described herein.

Experiment <NUM> shows the effect of the water soluble carrier, the graft copolymer, and the benefit of the combination on Reactive Brown <NUM> dye transfer after one wash cycle without any detergent in the wash (Test Legs 1A-1D), and with detergent in the wash (Test Legs 1E-<NUM>). Test Leg 1B shows that the water soluble carrier results in <NUM> units less dye transfer compared to water alone (Test Leg 1A), the graft copolymer added as solution results in <NUM> units less dye transfer (Test Leg 1C), and the graft copolymer delivered in the particle form decreases dye transfer by <NUM> units (Test Leg 1D). When Detergent Composition A is used as the reference (Test Leg 1E), addition of the graft copolymer in the Detergent Composition B results in <NUM> units less dye transfer (Test Leg 1F), and the graft copolymer delivered as a particle decreases dye transfer by <NUM> units (Test Leg <NUM>).

Experiment <NUM> shows that compositions of particles can be made containing the graft copolymer, a quaternary ammonium compound and cationic deposition aid.

Experiment <NUM> shows that blending the graft copolymer with a quaternary ammonium compound and cationic deposition aid in a particle creates a water soluble particle that has a much faster cold-water dispersion time. When the graft copolymer is formulated with the quaternary ammonium compound and cationic deposition aid polymer (Test Leg 2B), the cold-water dispersion time decreases by about <NUM> from <NUM> in Test Leg 3A to <NUM> in Test Leg 3B. As a comparison, the particle containing the graft copolymer has a cold-water dispersion time of <NUM> (Test Leg 3C). Without wishing to be bound by theory, the quaternary ammonium compound is a hydrophobic waxy solid that is sparingly soluble in water and, although it can be formulated into a water dispersible particle, it takes a long time to disperse, particularly in cold water. Cold water dispersion is important since many consumers wash their colored clothes in cold water, and in some wash cycles, the wash time is short. Thus, combining the graft copolymer with quaternary ammonium compound and cationic polymer deposition aid can result in faster cold-water dispersion and can be more advantageous for delivering fabric care benefits.

The citation of any document is not an admission that it is prior art with respect to any invention disclosed or claimed herein or that it alone, or in any combination with any other reference or references, teaches, suggests or discloses any such invention. Further, to the extent that any meaning or definition of a term in this document conflicts with any meaning or definition of the same term in a document referred to herein, the meaning or definition assigned to that term in this document shall govern.

Claim 1:
A composition comprising a plurality of particles, wherein said particles comprise:
<NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight a water soluble carrier, wherein the water soluble carrier is polyethylene glycol having a weight average molecular weight from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol); and
<NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight a graft copolymer;
wherein said graft copolymer comprises:
(a) a polyalkylene oxide which has a number average molecular weight of from <NUM> to <NUM> Da (g/mol) and is based on ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or butylene oxide; and
(b) a vinyl ester derived from a saturated monocarboxylic acid containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms;
wherein (a) and (b) are present at a weight ratio of (a):(b) of from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>; and
wherein each of said particles has a mass from <NUM> to <NUM>.