Patent Description:
Many cleaner compositions are presently used in many applications, such as retail, industrial and institutional applications. In many such compositions, a source of alkalinity is provided for soil removal. Additionally, in some compositions, it is also desirable to provide a source of chlorine to aid in sanitizing, bleaching, cleaning, or the like. However, it has been found that in many such compositions, the stability of the chlorine within such alkaline compositions is less than may be desired. <CIT> is directed to a detergent composition for preventing scale on various surfaces includes a threshold system, a caustic and a surfactant system. The threshold system includes a sulfonate/acrylate copolymer, an acrylate homopolymer and a phosphonoalkane carboxylic acid with a sulfonate/acrylate copolymer to acrylate homopolymer weight ratio of between about <NUM>:<NUM> to about <NUM>:<NUM>. The pH of the detergent composition is between about <NUM> and about <NUM>.

There remains a need, therefore, for cleaning compositions with cleaning capabilities where the composition has a desired level of alkalinity, and also has an increased level of chlorine stability.

The invention relates to a process for whitening and removing stains from fabric comprising the steps of (a) contacting a soiled item with an aqueous pre-soak solution comprising a composition comprising (i) from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of an alkalinity source, (ii) from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of a surfactant system, (iii) from <NUM> % by weight to <NUM>% by weight of a bleaching agent for a period of time sufficient to achieve bleaching and removal of soil, wherein said contacting includes suspending said item to be cleaned in said composition and thereafter step (b) laundering the treated item with a conventional aqueous detergent. The suspension is accomplished by a receptacle and strainer disposed therein. The invention relates to methods that may be used in a pre-soak system which maintains whitening and eliminates concerns of chlorine stability. Not according to the invention are detergents for use thereafter, and methods for making them. The compositions used in the process of the invention are storage stable, have low or no-odor, and are water soluble.

The pre-soak composition may include between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight alkalinity source, between about <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of a surfactant system, between about. <NUM>% and. <NUM>% by weight of an optical brightener and between about <NUM>% and about <NUM>% by weight of chlorine, with any remainder being additional adjuncts and nonfunctional components such as fragrance, preservatives and the like, and water. The composition may also contain from about <NUM> to about <NUM>% by weight of anti-redeposition agent such as cellulose, and/or from about <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of a polymer (such as a polyacrylate) that functions as a blending agent.

The pre-soak composition is used in connection with "strainer" or basket for accomplishing the pre-soak step. The basket may be made of molded resin or formed wire and fits suspended inside a larger receptacle. The basket keeps the pre-soaking textiles suspended while the pre-soak composition begins to release the soils from the textiles. Heavier soils fall to the bottom of the receptacle while greasy soils float to the top. The suspension of the textiles aids in preventing stains from redepositing. The strainer also helps to lift the textiles out of the receptacle to be places in a washing machine for traditional laundering. The strainer further prevents the used pre-soak solution form being poured into the washing machine.

The present invention relates to a method for whitening and removing stains from fabrics. The method includes forming a pre-soak solution by adding the pre-soak composition to water of a temperature of at least <NUM> (<NUM>° F) and no more than <NUM> (<NUM>°F); soaking the textile for a minimum of <NUM> hours and a maximum of <NUM> hours. The textiles are then laundered using a traditional alkaline detergent, preferably one that is formulated similarly to the pre-soak but which does not necessarily include chlorine.

The formulation of the pre-soak composition may include blending the source of alkalinity, the surfactant system and any other adjuncts. The whitening agent (chlorine) is added last. The composition may be packaged into a water soluble film, foil packaging, plastic packaging, bulk, table, pressed solid, or extruded solid. The composition can be made as a liquid and thus packaged into packets, bulk, gel, and one-shot. The composition can be used as a ready-to use solution, spray bottle, bulk, and dispensed.

So that the invention maybe more readily understood, certain terms are first defined.

As used herein, "weight percent," "wt-%," "percent by weight," "% by weight," and variations thereof refer to the concentration of a substance as the weight of that substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by <NUM>.

As used herein, the term "about" refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can occur, for example, through typical measuring and liquid handling procedures used for making concentrates or use solutions in the real world; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the compositions or carry out the methods; and the like. The term "about" also encompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from a particular initial mixture.

It should be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a composition containing "a compound" includes a composition having two or more compounds. It should also be noted that the term "or" is generally employed in its sense including "and/or" unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term "ware" refers to items such as eating and cooking utensils, dishes, and other hard surfaces such as showers, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, countertops, windows, mirrors, transportation vehicles, and floors. As used herein, the term "warewashing" refers to washing, cleaning, or rinsing ware. Ware also refers to items made of plastic. Types of plastics that can be cleaned with the compositions according to the invention include but are not limited to, those that include polycarbonate polymers (PC), acrilonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers (ABS), and polysulfone polymers (PS). Another exemplary plastic that can be cleaned using the compounds and compositions of the invention include polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

As used herein, the term "phosphorus-free" or "substantially phosphorus-free" refers to a composition, mixture, or ingredient that does not contain phosphorus or a phosphorus-containing compound or to which phosphorus or a phosphorus-containing compound has not been added. Should phosphorus or a phosphorus-containing compound be present through contamination of a phosphorus-free composition, mixture, or ingredients, the amount of phosphorus shall be less than <NUM> wt %. More preferably, the amount of phosphorus is less than <NUM> wt-%, and most preferably the amount of phosphorus is less than <NUM> wt %.

As used herein, the term "alkyl" or "alkyl groups" refers to saturated hydrocarbons having one or more carbon atoms, including straight-chain alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, etc.), cyclic alkyl groups (or "cycloalkyl" or "alicyclic" or "carbocyclic" groups) (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, etc.), branched-chain alkyl groups (e.g., isopropyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, etc.), and alkyl-substituted alkyl groups (e.g., alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups and cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl groups).

Unless otherwise specified, the term "alkyl" includes both "unsubstituted alkyls" and "substituted alkyls. " As used herein, the term "substituted alkyls" refers to alkyl groups having substituents replacing one or more hydrogens on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents may include, for example, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogeno, hydroxyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, alkoxyl, phosphate, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, amino (including alkyl amino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, and alkylarylamino), acylamino (including alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl and ureido), imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, sulfates, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonates, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, azido, heterocyclic, alkylaryl, or aromatic (including heteroaromatic) groups.

In some embodiments, substituted alkyls can include a heterocyclic group. As used herein, the term "heterocyclic group" includes closed ring structures analogous to carbocyclic groups in which one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring is an element other than carbon, for example, nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen. Heterocyclic groups may be saturated or unsaturated. Exemplary heterocyclic groups include, but are not limited to, aziridine, ethylene oxide (epoxides, oxiranes), thiirane (episulfides), dioxirane, azetidine, oxetane, thietane, dioxetane, dithietane, dithiete, azolidine, pyrrolidine, pyrroline, oxolane, dihydrofuran, and furan. The term "hard surface" refers to a solid, substantially non-flexible surface such as a counter top, tile, floor, wall, panel, window, plumbing fixture, kitchen and bathroom furniture, appliance, engine, circuit board, and dish.

As used herein, the term "cleaning" refers to a method used to facilitate or aid in soil removal, bleaching, microbial population reduction, and any combination thereof.

"Soil" or "stain" refers to a non-polar oily substance which may or may not contain particulate matter such as mineral clays, sand, natural mineral matter, carbon black, graphite, kaolin, environmental dust, etc..

As used herein, the term "cleaning composition" includes, unless otherwise indicated, detergent compositions, laundry cleaning compositions, hard surface cleaning compositions, and personal care cleaning compositions for use in the health and beauty area. Cleaning compositions include granular, powder, liquid, gel, paste, bar form and/or flake type cleaning agents, laundry detergent cleaning agents, laundry soak or spray treatments, fabric treatment compositions, dish washing detergents and soaps, shampoos, body washes and soaps, and other similar cleaning compositions.

The term "laundry" refers to items or articles that are cleaned in a laundry washing machine. In general, laundry refers to any item or article made from or including textile materials, woven fabrics, non-woven fabrics, and knitted fabrics. The textile materials can include natural or synthetic fibers such as silk fibers, linen fibers, cotton fibers, polyester fibers, polyamide fibers such as nylon, acrylic fibers, acetate fibers, and blends thereof including cotton and polyester blends. The fibers can be treated or untreated. Exemplary treated fibers include those treated for flame retardancy. It should be understood that the term "linen" is often used to describe certain types of laundry items including bed sheets, pillow cases, towels, table linen, table cloth, bar mops and uniforms. The invention additionally provides a composition and method for treating non-laundry articles and surfaces including hard surfaces such as dishes, glasses, and other ware.

As used herein, a solid cleaning composition refers to a cleaning composition in the form of a solid such as a powder, a particle, an agglomerate, a flake, a granule, a pellet, a tablet, a lozenge, a puck, a briquette, a brick, a solid block, a unit dose, or another solid form known to those of skill in the art. The term "solid" refers to the state of the cleaning composition under the expected conditions of storage and use of the solid detergent composition. In general, it is expected that the detergent composition will remain in solid form when exposed to temperatures of up to about <NUM> (<NUM>°F) and greater than about <NUM> (<NUM>°F).

A cast, pressed, or extruded "solid" may take any form including a block. When referring to a cast, pressed, or extruded solid it is meant that the hardened composition will not flow perceptibly and will substantially retain its shape under moderate stress or pressure or mere gravity, as for example, the shape of a mold when removed from the mold, the shape of an article as formed upon extrusion from an extruder, and the like. The degree of hardness of the solid cast composition can range from that of a fused solid block, which is relatively dense and hard, for example, like concrete, to a consistency characterized as being malleable and sponge-like, similar to caulking material.

The term "substantially similar cleaning performance" refers generally to achievement by a substitute cleaning product or substitute cleaning system of generally the same degree (or at least not a significantly lesser degree) of cleanliness or with generally the same expenditure (or at least not a significantly lesser expenditure) of effort, or both, when using the substitute cleaning product or substitute cleaning system rather than a alkyl phenol ethoxylate-containing cleaning to address a typical soiling condition on a typical substrate. This degree of cleanliness may, depending on the particular cleaning product and particular substrate, correspond to a general absence of visible soils, or to some lesser degree of cleanliness, as explained in the prior paragraph.

The invention comprises methods for a cleaning system that brightens and cleans fabrics through the use of a pre-soak or pre-treatment composition followed by traditional laundering. Also included is a suspending receptacle for use in the pre-soak step of the method as well as for transport to the traditional laundry step. The pre-treatment composition comprises a source of alkalinity, a surfactant (preferably non-ionic), and a whitening agent such as chlorine.

Alkaline cleaner compositions are well known as those that contain alkali or alkaline earth metal borates, silicates, carbonates, hydroxides, phosphates and mixtures thereof. Phosphates are generally not preferred due to environmental concerns. Silicates include all of the usual silicates used in cleaning such as metasilicates, silicates and the like. The alkali or alkaline earth metals include such components as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, barium and the like. It is to be appreciated that a cleaner composition can be improved by utilizing various mixtures and ratios of the borates, hydroxides, carbonates, phosphates, silicates and the like. Chemically they are sodium hydroxide (NaOH, or caustic soda), potassium hydroxide (caustic potash), sodium carbonate (soda ash) or sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and sodium silicates and have a pH higher than <NUM>. The source of alkalinity is present in the invention in an amount of from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight; preferably <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight and most preferably <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight.

The pre-soak composition also includes a whitening or bleaching agent. In some of the formulations this is a source of chlorine. Advantageously, the source of chlorine may be used in the pre-soak or pre-treatment step so that the later laundering step may be chlorine free to avoid concerns and issues associated with formulating a solid detergent composition with chlorine. Some examples of classes of compounds that can act as sources of chlorine include a hypochlorite, a chlorinated phosphate, a chlorinated isocyanurate, a chlorinated melamine, a chlorinated amide, and the like, or mixtures of combinations thereof.

Some specific examples of sources of chlorine can include sodium hypochlorite, potassium hypochlorite, calcium hypochlorite, lithium hypochlorite, chlorinated trisodiumphosphate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, potassium dichloroisocyanurate, pentaisocyanurate, trichloromelamine, sulfondichloro-amide, <NUM>,<NUM>-dichloro <NUM>,<NUM>-dimethyl hydantoin, N-chlorosuccinimide, N,N'-dichloroazodicarbonimide, N,N'-chloroacetylurea, N,N'-dichlorobiuret, trichlorocyanuric acid and hydrates thereof, or combinations or mixtures thereof.

The chlorine source, or whitening agent is present in an amount of from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight, preferably <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight and more preferably from bout <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight.

According to the invention combinations of chlorine and alkalinity components include a traditional ratio of chlorine and caustic, namely a ratio of chlorine to caustic of less than <NUM>:<NUM> on a percent weight basis.

The compositions include a surfactant system. Surfactants suitable for use with the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, nonionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and zwitterionic surfactants. Preferred surfactants include non-ionic surfactants. The compositions of the present invention include <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight, preferably <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight, and most preferably from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight. When surfactants other than non-ionic surfactants are used, it is likely that a co-surfactant will be employed for improved cleaning capabilities.

Nonionic surfactants useful in the invention are generally characterized by the presence of an organic hydrophobic group and an organic hydrophilic group and are typically produced by the condensation of an organic aliphatic, alkyl aromatic or polyoxyalkylene hydrophobic compound with a hydrophilic alkaline oxide moiety which in common practice is ethylene oxide or a polyhydration product thereof, polyethylene glycol. Practically any hydrophobic compound having a hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, or amido group with a reactive hydrogen atom can be condensed with ethylene oxide, or its polyhydration adducts, or its mixtures with alkoxylenes such as propylene oxide to form a nonionic surface-active agent. The length of the hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene moiety which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic compound can be readily adjusted to yield a water dispersible or water soluble compound having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. Useful nonionic surfactants in the present invention include:.

In addition to ethoxylated carboxylic acids, commonly called polyethylene glycol esters, other alkanoic acid esters formed by reaction with glycerides, glycerin, and polyhydric (saccharide or sorbitan/sorbitol) alcohols have application in this invention. All of these ester moieties have one or more reactive hydrogen sites on their molecule which can undergo further acylation or ethylene oxide (alkoxide) addition to control the hydrophilicity of these substances. Care must be exercised when adding these fatty ester or acylated carbohydrates to compositions of the present invention containing amylase and/or lipase enzymes because of potential incompatibility.

Compounds from (<NUM>) which are modified, essentially reversed, by adding ethylene oxide to ethylene glycol to provide a hydrophile of designated molecular weight; and, then adding propylene oxide to obtain hydrophobic blocks on the outside (ends) of the molecule. The hydrophobic portion of the molecule weighs from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> with the central hydrophile including <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the final molecule. These reverse Pluronics® are manufactured by BASF Corporation under the trade name Pluronic® R surfactants.

Likewise, the Tetronic® R surfactants are produced by BASF Corporation by the sequential addition of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The hydrophobic portion of the molecule weighs from <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> with the central hydrophile including <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of the final molecule.

Compounds from groups (<NUM>), (<NUM>), (<NUM>) and (<NUM>) which are modified by "capping" or "end blocking" the terminal hydroxy group or groups (of multifunctional moieties) to reduce foaming by reaction with a small hydrophobic molecule such as propylene oxide, butylene oxide, benzyl chloride; and, short chain fatty acids, alcohols or alkyl halides containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms; and mixtures thereof. Also included are reactants such as thionyl chloride which convert terminal hydroxy groups to a chloride group. Such modifications to the terminal hydroxy group may lead to all-block, block-heteric, heteric-block or all-heteric nonionics. Additional examples of effective low foaming nonionics include:.

The alkylphenoxypolyethoxyalkanols of <CIT> and represented by the formula
<CHM>
in which R is an alkyl group of <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, A is an alkylene chain of <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, n is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>, and m is an integer of <NUM> to <NUM>.

The polyalkylene glycol condensates of <CIT> having alternating hydrophilic oxyethylene chains and hydrophobic oxypropylene chains where the weight of the terminal hydrophobic chains, the weight of the middle hydrophobic unit and the weight of the linking hydrophilic units each represent about one-third of the condensate.

The defoaming nonionic surfactants disclosed in <CIT> having the general formula Z[(OR)nOH]z wherein Z is alkoxylatable material, R is a radical derived from an alkaline oxide which can be ethylene and propylene and n is an integer from, for example, <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> or more and z is an integer determined by the number of reactive oxyalkylatable groups.

The conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in <CIT> corresponding to the formula Y(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)n(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)m H wherein Y is the residue of organic compound having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and one reactive hydrogen atom, n has an average value of at least <NUM>, as determined by hydroxyl number and m has a value such that the oxyethylene portion constitutes <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the molecule.

The conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in <CIT> having the formula Y[(C<NUM>H<NUM>On(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)mH]x wherein Y is the residue of an organic compound having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms in which x has a value of at least <NUM>, n has a value such that the molecular weight of the polyoxypropylene hydrophobic base is at least <NUM> and m has value such that the oxyethylene content of the molecule is from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight. Compounds falling within the scope of the definition for Y include, for example, propylene glycol, glycerine, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, ethylenediamine and the like. The oxypropylene chains optionally, but advantageously, contain small amounts of ethylene oxide and the oxyethylene chains also optionally, but advantageously, contain small amounts of propylene oxide.

Additional conjugated polyoxyalkylene surface-active agents which are advantageously used in the compositions of this invention correspond to the formula: P[(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)n(C<NUM>H<NUM>O)mH]x wherein P is the residue of an organic compound having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms in which x has a value of <NUM> or <NUM>, n has a value such that the molecular weight of the polyoxyethylene portion is at least <NUM> and m has a value such that the oxypropylene content of the molecule is from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight. In either case the oxypropylene chains may contain optionally, but advantageously, small amounts of ethylene oxide and the oxyethylene chains may contain also optionally, but advantageously, small amounts of propylene oxide.

These compounds are represented commercially by a line of products sold by Huntsman Chemicals as nonionic surfactants. A preferred chemical of this class includes Surfonic. PEA <NUM> Amine Alkoxylate.

The treatise <NPL> is an excellent reference on the wide variety of nonionic compounds generally employed in the practice of the present invention. A typical listing of nonionic classes, and species of these surfactants, is given in <CIT>. Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

The semi-polar type of nonionic surface active agents was described supra.

Also useful in the present invention are surface active substances which are categorized as anionics because the charge on the hydrophobe is negative; or surfactants in which the hydrophobic section of the molecule carries no charge unless the pH is elevated to neutrality or above (e.g. carboxylic acids). Carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate and phosphate are the polar (hydrophilic) solubilizing groups found in anionic surfactants. Of the cations (counter ions) associated with these polar groups, sodium, lithium and potassium impart water solubility; ammonium and substituted ammonium ions provide both water and oil solubility; and, calcium, barium, and magnesium promote oil solubility. As those skilled in the art understand, anionics are excellent detersive surfactants and are therefore favored additions to heavy duty detergent compositions. Generally, however, anionics have high foam profiles which limit their use alone or at high concentration levels in cleaning systems such as CIP circuits that require strict foam control. Anionic surface active compounds are useful to impart special chemical or physical properties other than detergency within the composition. Anionics can be employed as gelling agents or as part of a gelling or thickening system. Anionics are excellent solubilizers and can be used for hydrotropic effect and cloud point control.

The majority of large volume commercial anionic surfactants can be subdivided into five major chemical classes and additional sub-groups known to those of skill in the art and described in "<NPL>). The first class includes acylamino acids (and salts), such as acylgluamates, acyl peptides, sarcosinates (e.g. N-acyl sarcosinates), taurates (e.g. N-acyl taurates and fatty acid amides of methyl tauride), and the like. The second class includes carboxylic acids (and salts), such as alkanoic acids (and alkanoates), ester carboxylic acids (e.g. alkyl succinates), ether carboxylic acids, and the like. The third class includes sulfonic acids (and salts), such as isethionates (e.g. acyl isethionates), alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, sulfosuccinates (e.g. monoesters and diesters of sulfosuccinate), and the like. The fifth class includes sulfuric acid esters (and salts), such as alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, and the like.

Anionic sulfate surfactants suitable for use in the present compositions include the linear and branched primary and secondary alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxysulfates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, the C<NUM> -C<NUM><NUM> acyl-N--(C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl) and --N--(C<NUM>-C<NUM> hydroxyalkyl)glucamine sulfates, and sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described herein).

Examples of suitable synthetic, water soluble anionic detergent compounds include the ammonium and substituted ammonium (such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine) and alkali metal (such as sodium, lithium and potassium) salts of the alkyl mononuclear aromatic sulfonates such as the alkyl benzene sulfonates containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms in the alkyl group in a straight or branched chain, e.g., the salts of alkyl benzene sulfonates or of alkyl toluene, xylene, cumene and phenol sulfonates; alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, diamyl naphthalene sulfonate, and dinonyl naphthalene sulfonate and alkoxylated derivatives.

Anionic carboxylate surfactants suitable for use in the present compositions include the alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, the alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants and the soaps (e.g. alkyl carboxyls). Secondary soap surfactants (e.g. alkyl carboxyl surfactants) useful in the present compositions include those which contain a carboxyl unit connected to a secondary carbon. The secondary carbon can be in a ring structure, e.g. as in p-octyl benzoic acid, or as in alkyl-substituted cyclohexyl carboxylates. The secondary soap surfactants typically contain no ether linkages, no ester linkages and no hydroxyl groups. Further, they typically lack nitrogen atoms in the head-group (amphiphilic portion). Suitable secondary soap surfactants typically contain <NUM>-<NUM> total carbon atoms, although more carbons atoms (e.g., up to <NUM>) can be present.

Other anionic detergents suitable for use in the present compositions include olefin sulfonates, such as long chain alkene sulfonates, long chain hydroxyalkane sulfonates or mixtures of alkenesulfonates and hydroxyalkane-sulfonates. Also included are the alkyl sulfates, alkyl poly(ethyleneoxy)ether sulfates and aromatic poly(ethyleneoxy)sulfates such as the sulfates or condensation products of ethylene oxide and nonyl phenol (usually having <NUM> to <NUM> oxyethylene groups per molecule). Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tallow oil. The particular salts will be suitably selected depending upon the particular formulation and the needs therein.

Further examples of suitable anionic surfactants are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally disclosed in <CIT> at Column <NUM>, line <NUM> through Column <NUM>, line <NUM>.

Surface active substances are classified as cationic if the charge on the hydrotrope portion of the molecule is positive. Surfactants in which the hydrotrope carries no charge unless the pH is lowered close to neutrality or lower, but which are then cationic (e.g. alkyl amines), are also included in this group. In theory, cationic surfactants may be synthesized from any combination of elements containing an "onium" structure RnX+Y-- and could include compounds other than nitrogen (ammonium) such as phosphorus (phosphonium) and sulfur (sulfonium). In practice, the cationic surfactant field is dominated by nitrogen containing compounds, probably because synthetic routes to nitrogenous cationics are simple and straightforward and give high yields of product, which can make them less expensive.

Cationic surfactants preferably include, more preferably refer to, compounds containing at least one long carbon chain hydrophobic group and at least one positively charged nitrogen. The long carbon chain group may be attached directly to the nitrogen atom by simple substitution; or more preferably indirectly by a bridging functional group or groups in so-called interrupted alkylamines and amido amines. Such functional groups can make the molecule more hydrophilic and/or more water dispersible, more easily water solubilized by co-surfactant mixtures, and/or water soluble. For increased water solubility, additional primary, secondary or tertiary amino groups can be introduced or the amino nitrogen can be quaternized with low molecular weight alkyl groups. Further, the nitrogen can be a part of branched or straight chain moiety of varying degrees of unsaturation or of a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring. In addition, cationic surfactants may contain complex linkages having more than one cationic nitrogen atom.

The surfactant compounds classified as amine oxides, amphoterics and zwitterions are themselves typically cationic in near neutral to acidic pH solutions and can overlap surfactant classifications. Polyoxyethylated cationic surfactants generally behave like nonionic surfactants in alkaline solution and like cationic surfactants in acidic solution. The simplest cationic amines, amine salts and quaternary ammonium compounds can be schematically drawn thus:
<CHM>
in which, R represents a long alkyl chain, R', R", and R‴ may be either long alkyl chains or smaller alkyl or aryl groups or hydrogen and X represents an anion. The amine salts and quaternary ammonium compounds are preferred for practical use in this invention due to their high degree of water solubility.

The majority of large volume commercial cationic surfactants can be subdivided into four major classes and additional sub-groups known to those of skill in the art and described in "<NPL>). The first class includes alkylamines and their salts. The second class includes alkyl imidazolines. The third class includes ethoxylated amines. The fourth class includes quaternaries, such as alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, alkyl benzene salts, heterocyclic ammonium salts, tetra alkylammonium salts, and the like. Cationic surfactants are known to have a variety of properties that can be beneficial in the present compositions. These desirable properties can include detergency in compositions of or below neutral pH, antimicrobial efficacy, thickening or gelling in cooperation with other agents, and the like.

Cationic surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention include those having the formula R<NUM>mR<NUM>xYLZ wherein each R<NUM> is an organic group containing a straight or branched alkyl or alkenyl group optionally substituted with up to three phenyl or hydroxy groups and optionally interrupted by up to four of the following structures:
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>.

Preferably, L is <NUM> or <NUM>, with the Y groups being separated by a moiety selected from R<NUM> and R<NUM> analogs (preferably alkylene or alkenylene) having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and two free carbon single bonds when L is <NUM>. Z is a water soluble anion, such as sulfate, methylsulfate, hydroxide, or nitrate anion, particularly preferred being sulfate or methyl sulfate anions, in a number to give electrical neutrality of the cationic component.

Amphoteric, or ampholytic, surfactants contain both a basic and an acidic hydrophilic group and an organic hydrophobic group. These ionic entities may be any of the anionic or cationic groups described herein for other types of surfactants. A basic nitrogen and an acidic carboxylate group are the typical functional groups employed as the basic and acidic hydrophilic groups. In a few surfactants, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate or phosphate provide the negative charge.

Amphoteric surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines, in which the aliphatic radical may be straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfo, sulfato, phosphato, or phosphono. Amphoteric surfactants are subdivided into two major classes known to those of skill in the art and described in "<NPL>). The first class includes acyl/dialkyl ethylenediamine derivatives (e.g. <NUM>-alkyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline derivatives) and their salts. The second class includes N-alkylamino acids and their salts. Some amphoteric surfactants can be envisioned as fitting into both classes.

Amphoteric surfactants can be synthesized by methods known to those of skill in the art. For example, <NUM>-alkyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline is synthesized by condensation and ring closure of a long chain carboxylic acid (or a derivative) with dialkyl ethylenediamine. Commercial amphoteric surfactants are derivatized by subsequent hydrolysis and ring-opening of the imidazoline ring by alkylation--for example with ethyl acetate. During alkylation, one or two carboxy-alkyl groups react to form a tertiary amine and an ether linkage with differing alkylating agents yielding different tertiary amines. Long chain imidazole derivatives having application in the present invention generally have the general formula:
<CHM>
<CHM>
wherein R is an acyclic hydrophobic group containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and M is a cation to neutralize the charge of the anion, generally sodium. Commercially prominent imidazoline-derived amphoterics that can be employed in the present compositions include for example: Cocoamphopropionate, Cocoamphocarboxy-propionate, Cocoamphoglycinate, Cocoamphocarboxyglycinate, Cocoamphopropyl-sulfonate, and Cocoamphocarboxy-propionic acid. Preferred amphocarboxylic acids are produced from fatty imidazolines in which the dicarboxylic acid functionality of the amphodicarboxylic acid is diacetic acid and/or dipropionic acid.

The carboxymethylated compounds (glycinates) described herein above frequently are called betaines. Betaines are a special class of amphoteric discussed herein below in the section entitled, Zwitterion Surfactants.

Long chain N-alkylamino acids are readily prepared by reacting RNH<NUM>, in which R. C<NUM>-C<NUM> straight or branched chain alkyl, fatty amines with halogenated carboxylic acids. Alkylation of the primary amino groups of an amino acid leads to secondary and tertiary amines. Alkyl substituents may have additional amino groups that provide more than one reactive nitrogen center. Most commercial N-alkylamine acids are alkyl derivatives of beta-alanine or beta-N(<NUM>-carboxyethyl) alanine. Examples of commercial N-alkylamino acid ampholytes having application in this invention include alkyl beta-amino dipropionates, RN(C<NUM>H<NUM>COOM)<NUM> and RNHC<NUM>H<NUM>COOM. In these, R is preferably an acyclic hydrophobic group containing from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, and M is a cation to neutralize the charge of the anion.

Preferred amphoteric surfactants include those derived from coconut products such as coconut oil or coconut fatty acid. The more preferred of these coconut derived surfactants include as part of their structure an ethylenediamine moiety, an alkanolamide moiety, an amino acid moiety, preferably glycine, or a combination thereof; and an aliphatic substituent of from <NUM> to <NUM> (preferably <NUM>) carbon atoms. Such a surfactant can also be considered an alkyl amphodicarboxylic acid. Disodium cocoampho dipropionate is one most preferred amphoteric surfactant and is commercially available under the tradename Miranol. FBS from Rhodia Inc. , Cranbury, N. Another most preferred coconut derived amphoteric surfactant with the chemical name disodium cocoampho diacetate is sold under the tradename Miranol C2M-SF Conc. , also from Rhodia Inc. , Cranbury, N.

A typical listing of amphoteric classes, and species of these surfactants, is given in <CIT>. Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

Zwitterionic surfactants can be thought of as a subset of the amphoteric surfactants. Zwitterionic surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. Typically, a zwitterionic surfactant includes a positive charged quaternary ammonium or, in some cases, a sulfonium or phosphonium ion, a negative charged carboxyl group, and an alkyl group. Zwitterionics generally contain cationic and anionic groups which ionize to a nearly equal degree in the isoelectric region of the molecule and which can develop strong "inner-salt" attraction between positive-negative charge centers. Examples of such zwitterionic synthetic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight chain or branched, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water solubilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. Betaine and sultaine surfactants are exemplary zwitterionic surfactants for use herein.

A general formula for these compounds is:
<CHM>
wherein R1 contains an alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl radical of from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms having from <NUM> to <NUM> ethylene oxide moieties and from <NUM> to <NUM> glyceryl moiety; Y is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur atoms; R. <NUM> is an alkyl or monohydroxy alkyl group containing <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms; x is <NUM> when Y is a sulfur atom and <NUM> when Y is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom, R<NUM> is an alkylene or hydroxy alkylene or hydroxy alkylene of from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms and Z is a radical selected from the group consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, and phosphate groups.

Examples of zwitterionic surfactants having the structures listed above include: <NUM>-[N,N-di(<NUM>-hydroxyethyl)-N-octadecylammonio]-butane-<NUM>-car- boxylate; <NUM>-[S-<NUM>-hydroxypropyl-S-hexadecylsulfonio]-<NUM>-hydroxypentane-<NUM>-sul- fate; <NUM>-[P,P-diethyl-P-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-trioxatetracosanephosphonio]-<NUM>-hydroxypropane- -<NUM>-phosphate; <NUM>-[N,N-dipropyl-N-<NUM>-dodecoxy-<NUM>-hydroxypropyl-ammonio]-propan- e-<NUM>-phosphonate; <NUM>-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-propane-<NUM>-sulfonate; <NUM>-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-<NUM>-hydroxy-propane-<NUM>-sulfonate; <NUM>-[N,N-di(<NUM>(<NUM>-hydroxyethyl)-N(<NUM>-hydroxydodecyl)ammonio]-butane-<NUM>-carboxyl- ate; <NUM>-[S-ethylS-(<NUM>-dodecoxy-<NUM>-hydroxypropyl)sulfonio]-propane-<NUM>-phosphat- e; <NUM>-[P,P-dimethyl-P-dodecylphosphonio]-propane-<NUM>-phosphonate; and S [N,N-di(<NUM>-hydroxypropyl)-N-hexadecylammonio]-<NUM>-hydroxy-pentane-<NUM>-sulfate. The alkyl groups contained in said detergent surfactants can be straight or branched and saturated or unsaturated.

The zwitterionic surfactant suitable for use in the present compositions includes a betaine of the general structure:
<CHM>
<CHM>
These surfactant betaines typically do not exhibit strong cationic or anionic characters at pH extremes nor do they show reduced water solubility in their isoelectric range. Unlike "external" quaternary ammonium salts, betaines are compatible with anionics. Examples of suitable betaines include coconut acylamidopropyldimethyl betaine; hexadecyl dimethyl betaine; C <NUM>-<NUM> acylamidopropylbetaine; C<NUM>-<NUM> acylamidohexyldiethyl betaine; <NUM>-C <NUM>-<NUM> acylmethylamidodiethylammonio-<NUM>-carboxybutane; C <NUM>-<NUM> acylamidodimethylbetaine; C <NUM>-<NUM> acylamidopentanediethylbetaine; and C <NUM>-<NUM> acylmethylamidodimethylbetaine.

Sultaines useful in the present invention include those compounds having the formula (R(R1)<NUM>N. +R<NUM>SO<NUM>-, in which R is a C<NUM>-C<NUM> hydrocarbyl group, each R<NUM> is typically independently C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl, e.g. methyl, and R<NUM> is a C<NUM>-C<NUM> hydrocarbyl group, e.g. a C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group.

A typical listing of zwitterionic classes, and species of these surfactants, is given in <CIT>. Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

The surfactant system can be present in the range of approximately <NUM>-<NUM> ppm in cleaning solutions at use concentrations.

An optical brightener component, is optionally present in the compositions used in the process of the present invention. The optical brightener can include any brightener that is capable of eliminating graying and yellowing of fabrics. Typically, these substances attach to the fibers and bring about a brightening and simulated bleaching action by converting invisible ultraviolet radiation into visible longer-wave length light, the ultraviolet light absorbed from sunlight being irradiated as a pale bluish fluorescence and, together with the yellow shade of the grayed or yellowed laundry, producing pure white.

Fluorescent compounds belonging to the optical brightener family are typically aromatic or aromatic heterocyclic materials often containing condensed ring systems. An important feature of these compounds is the presence of an uninterrupted chain of conjugated double bonds associated with an aromatic ring. The number of such conjugated double bonds is dependent on substituents as well as the planarity of the fluorescent part of the molecule. Most brightener compounds are derivatives of stilbene or <NUM>,<NUM>'-diamino stilbene, biphenyl, five membered heterocycles (triazoles, oxazoles, imidazoles, etc.) or six membered heterocycles (cumarins, naphthalamides, triazines, etc.).

Optical brighteners useful in the present invention are known and commercially available. Commercial optical brighteners which may be useful in the present invention can be classified into subgroups, which include, but are not necessarily limited to, derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylic acid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiophene-<NUM>,<NUM>-dioxide, azoles, <NUM>- and <NUM>-membered-ring heterocycles and other miscellaneous agents. Examples of these types of brighteners are disclosed in "<NPL>).

Stilbene derivatives which may be useful in the present invention include, but are not necessarily limited to, derivatives of bis(triazinyl)amino-stilbene; bisacylamino derivatives of stilbene; triazole derivatives of stilbene; oxadiazole derivatives of stilbene; oxazole derivatives of stilbene; and styryl derivatives of stilbene. In an embodiment, optical brighteners include stilbene derivatives.

In some embodiments, the optical brightener includes Tinopal UNPA, which is commercially available through the Ciba Geigy Corporation located in Switzerland. Additional optical brighteners for use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, the classes of substance of <NUM>,<NUM>'-diamino-<NUM>,<NUM>'-stilbenedisulfonic acids (flavonic acids), <NUM>,<NUM>'-distyrylbiphenyls, methylumbelliferones, coumarins, dihydroquinolinones, <NUM>,<NUM>-diarylpyrazolines, naphthalimides, benzoxazol, benzisoxazol and benzimidazol systems, and pyrene derivatives substituted by heterocycles, and the like. Suitable optical brightener levels include from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, preferably from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, and more preferably froma bout <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight.

The treatment composition can optionally include an anti-redeposition agent for facilitating sustained suspension of soils in a cleaning solution and preventing the removed soils from being redeposited onto the substrate being cleaned. Examples of suitable anti-redeposition agents include fatty acid amides, fluorocarbon surfactants, complex phosphate esters, styrene maleic anhydride copolymers, and cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-redeposition agent when present in the treatment composition, is added in an amount between about <NUM> % by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, preferably from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, and more preferably from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight.

The pre-soak or pre-spot compositions of the invention can contain polymers capable of enhancing pre-treatment, sequestering hardness cations from service water, providing alkaline buffering for wash solutions and the like. These must be present in the detergent formulations but are optional in the pre-soak/pretreatment formulations. Suitable polymers include, cationic polymeric acrylates or copolymers thereof, zeolites, sodium alumina silicates, and other materials. Polymeric polycarboxylates may also be included. Those suitable for use have pendant carboxylate groups and include, for example, polyacrylic acid, maleic/olefin copolymer, acrylic/maleic copolymer, polymethacrylic acid, acrylic acid-methacrylic acid copolymers, and the like. The polymer can be present in amounts of from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight, preferably from about to <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight and more preferably from about <NUM>% by weight to about <NUM>% by weight of the total composition.

While not essential for the purposes of the present invention, the non-limiting list of additional components illustrated hereinafter are suitable for use in the instant compositions and may be desirably incorporated in certain embodiments of the invention, for example to assist or enhance cleaning performance, for treatment of the substrate to be cleaned, or to modify the aesthetics of the cleaning composition as is the case with perfumes, colorants, dyes or the like. The precise nature of these additional components, and levels of incorporation thereof, will depend on the physical form of the composition and the nature of the cleaning operation for which it is to be used. Suitable additional materials include, but are not limited to, surfactants, builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, viscosity modifiers, dispersants, additional enzymes, and enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleaches, bleach activators, hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, preformed peracids, polymeric dispersing agents, threshold inhibitors for hard water precipitation pigments, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, fabric hueing agents, perfumes, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, solvents, pigments antimicrobials, pH buffers, processing aids, active fluorescent whitening ingredient, additional surfactants and mixtures thereof. In addition to the disclosure below, suitable examples of such other adjuncts and levels of use are found in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

As stated, the adjunct ingredients are not essential to Applicants' compositions. Thus, certain embodiments of Applicants' compositions do not contain additional materials. However, when one or more additional materials are present, such one or more additional components may be present as detailed below:.

A water conditioning agent aids in removing metal compounds and in reducing harmful effects of hardness components in service water. Exemplary water conditioning agents include chelating agents, sequestering agents and inhibitors. Polyvalent metal cations or compounds such as a calcium, a magnesium, an iron, a manganese, a molybdenum, etc. cation or compound, or mixtures thereof, can be present in service water and in complex soils. Such compounds or cations can interfere with the effectiveness of a washing or rinsing compositions during a cleaning application. A water conditioning agent can effectively complex and remove such compounds or cations from soiled surfaces and can reduce or eliminate the inappropriate interaction with active ingredients including the nonionic surfactants and anionic surfactants of the invention. Both organic and inorganic water conditioning agents are common and can be used. Inorganic water conditioning agents include such compounds as sodium tripolyphosphate and other higher linear and cyclic polyphosphates species. Organic water conditioning agents include both polymeric and small molecule water conditioning agents. Organic small molecule water conditioning agents are typically organocarboxylate compounds or organophosphate water conditioning agents. Polymeric inhibitors commonly comprise polyanionic compositions such as polyacrylic acid compounds. Small molecule organic water conditioning agents include, but are not limited to: sodium gluconate, sodium glucoheptonate, N-hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), ethylenediaminetetraproprionic acid, triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic acid (TTHA), and the respective alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts thereof, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid tetrasodium salt (EDTA), nitrilotriacetic acid trisodium salt (NTA), ethanoldiglycine disodium salt (EDG), diethanolglycine sodium-salt (DEG), and <NUM>,<NUM>-propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), dicarboxymethyl glutamic acid tetrasodium salt (GLDA), methylglycine-N-N-diacetic acid trisodium salt (MGDA), and iminodisuccinate sodium salt (IDS). All of these are known and commercially available.

The composition of a water conditioning agent can be present in the range of approximately <NUM>-<NUM> ppm in cleaning solutions at use concentrations.

The compositions of the invention may optionally include a hydrotrope, coupling agent, or solubilizer that aides in compositional stability, and aqueous formulation. Functionally speaking, the suitable couplers which can be employed are non-toxic and retain the active ingredients in aqueous solution throughout the temperature range and concentration to which a concentrate or any use solution is exposed.

Any hydrotrope coupler may be used provided it does not react with the other components of the composition or negatively affect the performance properties of the composition. Representative classes of hydrotropic coupling agents or solubilizers which can be employed include anionic surfactants such as alkyl sulfates and alkane sulfonates, linear alkyl benzene or naphthalene sulfonates, secondary alkane sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfates or sulfonates, alkyl phosphates or phosphonates, dialkyl sulfosuccinic acid esters, sugar esters (e.g., sorbitan esters), amine oxides (mono-, di-, or tri-alkyl) and C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl glucosides. Preferred coupling agents for use in the present invention include n-octanesulfonate, available as NAS 8D from Ecolab Inc. , n-octyl dimethylamine oxide, and the commonly available aromatic sulfonates such as the alkyl benzene sulfonates (e.g. xylene sulfonates) or naphthalene sulfonates, aryl or alkaryl phosphate esters or their alkoxylated analogues having <NUM> to about <NUM> ethylene, propylene or butylene oxide units or mixtures thereof. Other preferred hydrotropes include nonionic surfactants of C<NUM>-C<NUM> alcohol alkoxylates (alkoxylate means ethoxylates, propoxylates, butoxylates, and co-or-terpolymer mixtures thereof) (preferably C<NUM>-C<NUM> alcohol alkoxylates) having <NUM> to about <NUM> alkylene oxide groups (preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM> alkylene oxide groups); C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkylphenol alkoxylates (preferably C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkylphenol alkoxylates) having <NUM> to about <NUM> alkylene oxide groups (preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM> alkylene oxide groups); C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkylpolyglycosides (preferably C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkylpolyglycosides) having <NUM> to about <NUM> glycoside groups (preferably about <NUM> to about <NUM> glycoside groups); C<NUM>-C<NUM> fatty acid ester ethoxylates, propoxylates or glycerides; and C<NUM>-C<NUM> mono or dialkanolamides.

The composition of a hydrotrope can be present in the range of approximately <NUM>-<NUM> ppm in cleaning solutions at use concentrations.

The composition may include a chelating/sequestering agent such as an aminocarboxylic acid, a condensed phosphate, a phosphonate, a polyacrylate, and the like. In general, a chelating agent is a molecule capable of coordinating (i.e., binding) the metal ions commonly found in natural water to prevent the metal ions from interfering with the action of the other detersive ingredients of a cleaning composition. The chelating/sequestering agent may also function as a threshold agent when included in an effective amount. An iminodisuccinate (available commercially from Bayer as IDS™) may be used as a chelating agent.

The composition of a chelating/sequestering agent can be present in the range of approximately <NUM>-<NUM> ppm in cleaning solutions at use concentrations.

Useful aminocarboxylic acids include, for example, N-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), and the like. Examples of condensed phosphates useful in the present composition include sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium and potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and the like. The composition may include a phosphonate such as <NUM>-hydroxyethane- <NUM>,<NUM>-diphosphonic acid, <NUM>-phosphonobutane-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM> tricarboxylic acid, and the like.

Polymeric polycarboxylates may also be included in the composition. Those suitable for use as cleaning agents have pendant carboxylate groups and include, for example, polyacrylic acid, maleic/olefin copolymer, acrylic/maleic copolymer, polymethacrylic acid, acrylic acid-methacrylic acid copolymers, and the like. For a further discussion of chelating agents/sequestrants, see <NPL> and volume<NPL>.

Various dyes, odorants including perfumes, and other aesthetic enhancing agents may also be included in the composition. Dyes may be included to alter the appearance of the composition, as for example, Direct Blue <NUM> (Miles), Fastusol Blue (Mobay Chemical Corp. ), Acid Orange <NUM> (American Cyanamid), Basic Violet <NUM> (Sandoz), Acid Yellow <NUM> (GAF), Acid Yellow <NUM> (Sigma Chemical), Sap Green (Keyston Analine and Chemical), Metanil Yellow (Keystone Analine and Chemical), Acid Blue <NUM> (Hilton Davis), Sandolan Blue/Acid Blue <NUM> (Sandoz), Hisol Fast Red (Capitol Color and Chemical), Fluorescein (Capitol Color and Chemical), Acid Green <NUM> (Ciba-Geigy), and the like. Fragrances or perfumes that may be included in the compositions include, for example, terpenoids such as citronellol, aldehydes such as amyl cinnamaldehyde, a jasmine such as ClS-jasmine orjasmal, vanillin, and the like.

The compositions may optionally include an antimicrobial agent or preservative. Antimicrobial agents are chemical compositions that can be used in the compositions to prevent microbial contamination and deterioration of commercial products material systems, surfaces, etc. Generally, these materials fall in specific classes including phenolics, halogen compounds, quaternary ammonium compounds, metal derivatives, amines, alkanol amines, nitro derivatives, analides, organosulfur and sulfur-nitrogen compounds and miscellaneous compounds. The given antimicrobial agent depending on chemical composition and concentration may simply limit further proliferation of numbers of the microbe or may destroy all or a substantial proportion of the microbial population. The terms "microbes" and "microorganisms" typically refer primarily to bacteria and fungus microorganisms. In use, the antimicrobial agents are formed into the final product that when diluted and dispensed using an aqueous stream forms an aqueous disinfectant or sanitizer composition that can be contacted with a variety of surfaces resulting in prevention of growth or the killing of a substantial proportion of the microbial population. Common antimicrobial agents that may be used include phenolic antimicrobials such as pentachlorophenol, orthophenylphenol; halogen containing antibacterial agents that may be used include sodium trichloroisocyanurate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate (anhydrous or dihydrate), iodine-poly(vinylpyrolidin-onen) complexes, bromine compounds such as <NUM>-bromo-<NUM>-nitropropane-<NUM>,<NUM>-diol; quaternary antimicrobial agents such as benzalconium chloride, cetylpyridiniumchloride; amines and nitro containing antimicrobial compositions such as hexahydro-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tris(<NUM>-hydroxyethyl)-s-triazine, dithiocarbamates such as sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate, and a variety of other materials known in the art for their microbial properties. Antimicrobial agents may be encapsulated to improve stability and/or to reduce reactivity with other materials in the detergent composition. When an antimicrobial agent or preservative is incorporated into the composition, the composition of an antimicrobial agent can be present in the range of approximately <NUM>-<NUM> ppm in cleaning solutions at use concentrations.

The cleaning compositions can comprise one or more enzymes which provide cleaning performance and/or fabric care benefits. Enzymes can be included herein for a wide variety of fabric laundering purposes, including removal of protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains, for example, and/or for fabric restoration. Examples of suitable enzymes include, but are not limited to, hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratinases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, β-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, amylases, or combinations thereof and may be of any suitable origin. The choice of enzyme(s) takes into account factors such as pH-activity, stability optima, thermostability, stability versus active detergents, chelants, builders, etc. A detersive enzyme mixture useful herein is a protease, lipase, cutinase and/or cellulase in conjunction with amylase. Sample detersive enzymes are described in <CIT>.

Enzymes are normally present at up to about <NUM>, more typically from about <NUM> to about <NUM> by weight of active enzyme per gram of the detergent. Stated another way, the detergent herein will typically contain from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation. Protease enzymes are present at from about <NUM> to about <NUM> AU of activity per gram of detergent. Proteases useful herein include those like subtilisins from Bacillus [e.g. subtilis, lentus, licheniformis, amyloliquefaciens (BPN, BPN'), alcalophilus,] e.g. Esperase®, Alcalase®, Everlase® and Savinase® (Novozymes), BLAP and variants (Henkel). Further proteases are described in <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>.

Amylases are described in <CIT>, <CIT> and <CIT>; and available as Purafect Ox Am® (Genencor), Termamyl®, Natalase®, Ban®, Fungamyl®, Duramyl® (all Novozymes), and RAPIDASE (International Bio-Synthetics, Inc).

The cellulase herein includes bacterial and/or fungal cellulases with a pH optimum between <NUM> and <NUM>. Suitable cellulases are disclosed in <CIT>. Cellulases useful herein include bacterial or fungal cellulases, e.g. produced by Humicola insolens, particularly DSM <NUM>, e.g. <NUM> kD and~<NUM> kD (Carezyyme®). Additional suitable cellulases are the EGIII cellulases from Trichoderma longibrachiatum. <CIT> describes an enzyme exhibiting endo-beta-glucanase activity (EC <NUM>. <NUM>) endogenous to Bacillus sp. , DSM <NUM>; for use in detergent and textile applications; and an anti-redeposition endo-glucanase in <CIT>. Kao's <CIT> describes alkaline cellulase K, CMCase I and CMCase II isolated from a culture product of Bacillus sp KSM-<NUM>. Kao further describes in <CIT> (KSM S237; <NUM>; KSM <NUM>; KSM N131), <CIT> (KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>) and <CIT> (KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>; KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>; KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>; KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>; KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>; KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>; KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>; KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>; KSM <NUM>, FERM BP <NUM>; KSM <NUM>. FERM BP <NUM>) readily-mass producible and high activity alkaline cellulases/endo-glucanases for an alkaline environment. Such endo-glucanase may contain a polypeptide (or variant thereof) endogenous to one of the above Bacillus species. Other suitable cellulases are Family <NUM> Glycosyl Hydrolase enzymes exhibiting endo-beta-<NUM>,<NUM>-glucanase activity from Paenibacilus polyxyma (wild-type) such as XYG1006 described in <CIT> or variants thereof. Carbohydrases useful herein include e.g. mannanase (see, e.g., <CIT>), pectate lyase (see, e.g., <CIT>), cyclomaltodextrin glucanotransferase (see, e.g., <CIT>), and/or xyloglucanase (see, e.g., <CIT>). Bleaching enzymes useful herein with enhancers include e.g. peroxidases, laccases, oxygenases, lipoxygenase (see, e.g., <CIT>), and/or (non-heme) haloperoxidases.

Suitable endoglucanases include: <NUM>) An enzyme exhibiting endo-beta-<NUM>,<NUM>-glucanase activity (E. <NUM>), with a sequence at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>%, or at least <NUM>% or at least <NUM>%, or <NUM>% identity to the amino acid sequence of positions <NUM>-<NUM> of SEQ ID NO:<NUM> in <CIT>; or a fragment thereof that has endo-beta-<NUM>,<NUM>-glucanase activity. GAP in the GCG program determines identity using a GAP creation penalty of <NUM> and GAP extension penalty of <NUM>. See <CIT>, e.g., Celluclean™ by Novozymes A/S. GCG refers to sequence analysis software package (Accelrys, San Diego, Calif. GCG includes a program called GAP which uses the Needleman and Wunsch algorithm to find the alignment of two complete sequences that maximizes the number of matches and minimizes the number of gaps; and <NUM>) Alkaline endoglucanase enzymes described in <CIT> ([<NUM>]-[<NUM>] and examples <NUM>-<NUM>).

Suitable lipases include those produced by Pseudomonas and Chromobacter, and LIPOLASE®, LIPOLASE ULTRA®, LIPOPRIME® and LIPEX® from Novozymes. See also <CIT>, available from Areario Pharmaceutical Co. , Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano". Other commercial lipases include Amano-CES, lipases ex Chromobacter viscosum, available from Toyo Jozo Co. , Tagata, Japan; and Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U. Biochemical Corp. and Diosynth Co. , The Netherlands, and lipases ex Pseudomonas gladioli. Also suitable are cutinases [EC <NUM>. <NUM>] and esterases.

Enzymes useful for liquid detergent formulations, and their incorporation into such formulations, are disclosed in <CIT>. In an embodiment, the liquid composition herein is substantially free of (i.e. contains no measurable amount of) wild-type protease enzymes. A typical combination is an enzyme cocktail that may comprise, for example, a protease and lipase in conjunction with amylase. When present in a cleaning composition, the aforementioned additional enzymes may be present at levels from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% or even from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% enzyme protein by weight of the composition.

Enzymes for use in detergents can be stabilized by various techniques. The enzymes employed herein can be stabilized by the presence of water-soluble sources of calcium and/or magnesium ions in the finished compositions that provide such ions to the enzymes. In case of aqueous compositions comprising protease, a reversible protease inhibitor, such as a boron compound, can be added to further improve stability. A useful enzyme stabilizer system is a calcium and/or magnesium compound, boron compounds and substituted boric acids, aromatic borate esters, peptides and peptide derivatives, polyols, low molecular weight carboxylates, relatively hydrophobic organic compounds [e.g. certain esters, diakyl glycol ethers, alcohols or alcohol alkoxylates], alkyl ether carboxylate in addition to a calcium ion source, benzamidine hypochlorite, lower aliphatic alcohols and carboxylic acids, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl) serine salts; (meth)acrylic acid-(meth)acrylic acid ester copolymer and PEG; lignin compound, polyamide oligomer, glycolic acid or its salts; poly hexa methylene bi guanide or N,N-bis-<NUM>-amino-propyl-dodecyl amine or salt; and mixtures thereof. The detergent may contain a reversible protease inhibitor e.g., peptide or protein type, or a modified subtilisin inhibitor of family VI and the plasminostrepin; leupeptin, peptide trifluoromethyl ketone, or a peptide aldehyde. Enzyme stabilizers are present from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, or from about <NUM> to about <NUM>, millimoles of stabilizer ions per liter.

Applicants' cleaning compositions may include catalytic metal complexes. One type of metal-containing bleach catalyst is a catalyst system comprising a transition metal cation of defined bleach catalytic activity, such as copper, iron, titanium, ruthenium, tungsten, molybdenum, or manganese cations, an auxiliary metal cation having little or no bleach catalytic activity, such as zinc or aluminum cations, and a sequestrate having defined stability constants for the catalytic and auxiliary metal cations, particularly ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and water-soluble salts thereof. Such catalysts are disclosed in <CIT>.

If desired, the compositions herein can be catalyzed by means of a manganese compound. Such compounds and levels of use are well known in the art and include, for example, the manganese-based catalysts disclosed in <CIT>.

Cobalt bleach catalysts useful herein are known, and are described, for example, in <CIT>; <CIT>. Such cobalt catalysts are readily prepared by known procedures, such as taught for example in <CIT>, and <CIT>.

Compositions herein may also suitably include a transition metal complex of ligands such as bispidones (<CIT>) and/or macropolycyclic rigid ligands--abbreviated as "MRLs". As a practical matter, and not by way of limitation, the compositions and processes herein can be adjusted to provide on the order of at least one part per hundred million of the active MRL species in the aqueous washing medium, and will typically provide from about <NUM> ppm to about <NUM> ppm, from about <NUM> ppm to about <NUM> ppm, or even from about <NUM> ppm to about <NUM> ppm, of the MRL in the wash liquor.

Suitable transition-metals in the instant transition-metal bleach catalyst include, for example, manganese, iron and chromium. Suitable MRLs include <NUM>,<NUM>-diethyl-<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>-tetraazabicyclo[<NUM>. <NUM>]hexadecane.

Suitable transition metal MRLs are readily prepared by known procedures, such as taught for example in <CIT>, and <CIT>.

Suitable solvents include water and other solvents such as lipophilic fluids. Examples of suitable lipophilic fluids include siloxanes, other silicones, hydrocarbons, glycol ethers, glycerine derivatives such as glycerine ethers, perfluorinated amines, perfluorinated and hydrofluoroether solvents, low-volatility nonfluorinated organic solvents, diol solvents, other environmentally-friendly solvents and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the solvent includes water. The water can include water from any source including deionized water, tap water, softened water, and combinations thereof. Solvents are typically present at from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, or from about <NUM>% to about <NUM>% by weight.

The compositions used in the process of the invention may also contain additional typically nonactive materials, with respect to cleaning properties, generally found in liquid pretreatment or detergent compositions in conventional usages. These ingredients are selected to be compatible with the materials of the invention and include such materials as fabric softeners, optical brighteners, soil suspension agents, germicides, viscosity modifiers, gelling agents, inorganic carriers, solidifying agents and the like.

The compositions used in the process of the present invention can include any of a variety of known thickeners. Suitable thickeners include natural gums such as xanthan gum, guar gum, or other gums from plant mucilage; polysaccharide based thickeners, such as alginates, starches, and cellulosic polymers (e.g., carboxymethyl cellulose); polyacrylates thickeners; and hydrocolloid thickeners, such as pectin. In an embodiment, the thickener does not leave contaminating residue on the surface of an object. For example, the thickeners or gelling agents can be compatible with food or other sensitive products in contact areas. Generally, the concentration of thickener employed in the present compositions or methods will be dictated by the desired viscosity within the final composition. However, as a general guideline, the viscosity of thickener within the present composition ranges from about <NUM> wt-% to about <NUM> wt-%, from about <NUM> wt-% to about <NUM> wt-%, or from about <NUM> wt-% to about <NUM> wt-%.

The present compositions can include a solidification agent, which can participate in maintaining the compositions in a solid form. In some embodiments, the solidification agent can form and/or maintain the composition as a solid. In other embodiments, the solidification agent can solidify the composition without unacceptably detracting from the eventual release of the sulfonated peroxycarboxylic acid. The solidification agent can include, for example, an organic or inorganic solid compound having a neutral inert character or making a functional, stabilizing or detersive contribution to the present composition. Suitable solidification agents include solid polyethylene glycol (PEG), solid polypropylene glycol, solid EO/PO block copolymer, amide, urea (also known as carbamide), nonionic surfactant (which can be employed with a coupler), anionic surfactant, starch that has been made water-soluble (e.g., through an acid or alkaline treatment process), cellulose that has been made water-soluble, inorganic agent, poly(maleic anhydride/methyl vinyl ether), polymethacrylic acid, other generally functional or inert materials with high melting points, mixtures thereof, and the like;.

Suitable glycol solidification agents include a solid polyethylene glycol or a solid polypropylene glycol, which can, for example, have molecular weight of about <NUM>,<NUM> to about <NUM>,<NUM>. In certain embodiments, the solidification agent includes or is solid PEG, for example PEG <NUM> up to PEG <NUM>,<NUM>. In certain embodiments, the PEG includes PEG <NUM>, PEG <NUM>, PEG <NUM>, PEG <NUM>, PEG <NUM>,<NUM>, and the like. Suitable solid polyethylene glycols are commercially available from Union Carbide under the tradename CARBOWAX.

Suitable amide solidification agents include stearic monoethanolamide, lauric diethanolamide, stearic diethanolamide, stearic monoethanol amide, cocodiethylene amide, an alkylamide, mixtures thereof, and the like. In an embodiment, the present composition can include glycol (e.g., PEG) and amide.

Suitable nonionic surfactant solidification agents include nonylphenol ethoxylate, linear alkyl alcohol ethoxylate, ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymer, mixtures thereof, or the like. Suitable ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers include those sold under the Pluronic tradename (e.g., Pluronic <NUM> and Pluronic F68) and commercially available from BASF Corporation. In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant can be selected to be solid at room temperature or the temperature at which the composition will be stored or used. In other embodiments, the nonionic surfactant can be selected to have reduced aqueous solubility in combination with the coupling agent. Suitable couplers that can be employed with the nonionic surfactant solidification agent include propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, mixtures thereof, or the like.

Suitable anionic surfactant solidification agents include linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, alcohol sulfate, alcohol ether sulfate, alpha olefin sulfonate, mixtures thereof, and the like. In an embodiment, the anionic surfactant solidification agent is or includes linear alkyl benzene sulfonate. In an embodiment, the anionic surfactant can be selected to be solid at room temperature or the temperature at which the composition will be stored or used.

Suitable inorganic solidification agents include phosphate salt (e.g., alkali metal phosphate), sulfate salt (e.g., magnesium sulfate, sodium sulfate or sodium bisulfate), acetate salt (e.g., anhydrous sodium acetate), Borates (e.g., sodium borate), Silicates (e.g., the precipitated or fumed forms (e.g., Sipernat <NUM>® available from Degussa), carbonate salt (e.g., calcium carbonate or carbonate hydrate), other known hydratable compounds, mixtures thereof, and the like. In an embodiment, the inorganic solidification agent can include organic phosphonate compound and carbonate salt, such as an E-Form composition.

In some embodiments, the compositions used in the process of the present invention can include any agent or combination of agents that provide a requisite degree of solidification and aqueous solubility can be included in the present compositions. In other embodiments, increasing the concentration of the solidification agent in the present composition can tend to increase the hardness of the composition. In yet other embodiments, decreasing the concentration of solidification agent can tend to loosen or soften the concentrate composition.

In some embodiments, the solidification agent can include any organic or inorganic compound that imparts a solid character to and/or controls the soluble character of the present composition, for example, when placed in an aqueous environment. For example, a solidifying agent can provide controlled dispensing if it has greater aqueous solubility compared to other ingredients in the composition. Urea can be one such solidification agent. By way of further example, for systems that can benefit from less aqueous solubility or a slower rate of dissolution, an organic nonionic or amide hardening agent may be appropriate.

In some embodiments, the compositions used in the process of the present invention can include a solidification agent that provides for convenient processing or manufacture of the present composition. For example, the solidification agent can be selected to form a composition that can harden to a solid form under ambient temperatures of about <NUM> to about <NUM> after mixing ceases and the mixture is dispensed from the mixing system, within about <NUM> minute to about <NUM> hours, or about <NUM> minutes to about <NUM> hours, or about <NUM> minutes to about <NUM> hour.

The compositions used in the process of the present invention can include solidification agent at any effective amount. The amount of solidification agent included in the present composition can vary according to the type of composition, the ingredients of the composition, the intended use of the composition, the quantity of dispensing solution applied to the solid composition over time during use, the temperature of the dispensing solution, the hardness of the dispensing solution, the physical size of the solid composition, the concentration of the other ingredients, the concentration of the cleaning agent in the composition, and other like factors. Suitable amounts can include about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt-%, about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt-%, about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt-%, about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt-%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM> wt-%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM> wt-%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%, up to about <NUM> wt-%, about <NUM>% to about <NUM>%.

In some embodiments, the compositions used in the process of the present invention include a carrier. The carrier provides a medium which dissolves, suspends, or carries the other components of the composition. For example, the carrier can provide a medium for solubilization, suspension, or production of a sulfonated peroxycarboxylic acid and for forming an equilibrium mixture. The carrier can also function to deliver and wet the composition used in the process of the invention on an object. To this end, the carrier can contain any component or components that can facilitate these functions.

In some embodiments, the carrier includes primarily water which can promote solubility and work as a medium for reaction and equilibrium. The carrier can include or be primarily an organic solvent, such as simple alkyl alcohols, e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, benzyl alcohol, and the like. Polyols are also useful carriers, including glycerol, sorbitol, and the like.

Suitable carriers include glycol ethers. Suitable glycol ethers include diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-propyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol t-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol ethyl ether, dipropylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene glycol tert-butyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, ethylene glycol ethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether and tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol phenyl ether (commercially available as DOWANOL EPH™ from Dow Chemical Co. ), propylene glycol phenyl ether (commercially available as DOWANOL PPH™ from Dow Chemical Co. ), and the like, or mixtures thereof. Additional suitable commercially available glycol ethers (all of which are available from Union Carbide Corp. ) include Butoxyethyl PROPASOL™, Butyl CARBITOL™ acetate, Butyl CARBITOL™, Butyl CELLOSOLVE™ acetate, Butyl CELLOSOLVE™, Butyl DIPROPASOL™, Butyl PROPASOL™, CARBITOL™ PM-<NUM>, CARBITOL™ Low Gravity, CELLOSOLVE™ acetate, CELLOSOLVE™, Ester EEP™, FILMER IBT™, Hexyl CARBITOL™, Hexyl CELLOSOLVE™, Methyl CARBITOL™, Methyl CELLOSOLVE™ acetate, Methyl CELLOSOLVE™, Methyl DIPROPASOL™, Methyl PROPASOL™ acetate, Methyl PROPASOL™, Propyl CARBITOL™, Propyl CELLOSOLVE™, Propyl DIPROPASOL™ and Propyl PROPASOL™.

In some embodiments, the carrier makes up a large portion of the composition used in the process of the invention and may be the balance of the composition apart from the sulfonated peroxycarboxylic acid, oxidizing agent, additional ingredients, and the like. The carrier concentration and type will depend upon the nature of the composition as a whole, the environmental storage, and method of application including concentration of the sulfonated peroxycarboxylic acid, among other factors. Notably the carrier should be chosen and used at a concentration which does not inhibit the efficacy of the sulfonated peroxycarboxylic acid in the composition of the invention for the intended use, e.g., bleaching, sanitizing, disinfecting.

In certain embodiments, the present composition includes about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt-% carrier, about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt% carrier, about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt% carrier, or about <NUM> to about <NUM> wt% carrier. It is to be understood that all values and ranges between these values and ranges are encompassed by the present invention.

The detergent and/or presoak compositions used in the process of the present invention may be of any suitable form, including paste, liquid, solid (such as tablets, powder/granules), foam or gel, with powders and tablets being preferred. The composition may be in the form of a unit dose product, i.e. a form which is designed to be used as a single portion of detergent composition in a washing operation. Of course, one or more of such single portions may be used in a cleaning operation.

Solid forms include, for example, in the form of a tablet, rod, ball or lozenge. The composition may be a particulate form, loose or pressed to shape or may be formed by injection moulding or by casting or by extrusion. The composition may be encased in a water soluble wrapping, for, example of PVOH or a cellulosic material. The solid product may be provided as a portioned product as desired.

The composition may also be in paste, gel or liquid form, including unit dose (portioned products) products. Examples include a paste, gel or liquid product at least partially surrounded by, and preferably substantially enclosed in a water-soluble coating, such as a polyvinyl alcohol package. This package may for instance take the form of a capsule, a pouch or a molded casing (such as an injection molded casing) etc. Preferably the composition is substantially surrounded by such a package, most preferably totally surrounded by such a package. Any such package may contain one or more product formats as referred to herein and the package may contain one or more compartments as desired, for example two, three or four compartments.

If the composition is a foam, a liquid or a gel it is preferably an aqueous composition although any suitable solvent may be used. According to an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention the composition is in the form of a tablet, most especially a tablet made from compressed particulate material.

If the compositions are in the form of a viscous liquid or gel they preferably have a viscosity of at least <NUM> mPas when measured with a Brookfield RV Viscometer at <NUM> with Spindle <NUM> at <NUM> rpm.

Some of the compositions used in the process of the invention will typically be used by placing them in a detergent dispenser e.g. in a dishwasher machine draw or free standing dispensing device in an automatic dishwashing machine. However, if the composition is in the form of a foam, liquid or gel then it may be applied to by any additional suitable means into the dishwashing machine, for example by a trigger spray, squeeze bottle or an aerosol.

The pre-soak composition is used with a strainer or basket inside of a receptacle that keeps the fabric suspended while soaking.

The compositions used in the process of the invention may be made by any suitable method depending upon their format. Suitable manufacturing methods for detergent/pre-soak compositions are well known in the art, non-limiting examples of which are described in <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; <CIT>; and <CIT>. Various techniques for forming detergent compositions in solid forms are also well known in the art, for example, detergent tablets may be made by compacting granular/particular material and may be used herein.

In one aspect, the liquid detergent compositions disclosed herein may be prepared by combining the components thereof in any convenient order and by mixing, e.g., agitating, the resulting component combination to form a phase stable liquid detergent composition. Preferrably the mixture is done by blending all liquids into a premix, with the alkalinity source added last, and this is then flowed by addition of any solids and finally by the addition of the whitening agent/chlorine.

In one aspect, a liquid matrix is formed containing at least a major proportion, or even substantially all, of the liquid components, with the liquid components being thoroughly admixed by imparting shear agitation to this liquid combination. For example, rapid stirring with a mechanical stirrer may usefully be employed. While shear agitation is maintained, substantially all of any anionic surfactant and the solid ingredients can be added. Agitation of the mixture is continued, and if necessary, can be increased at this point to form a solution or a uniform dispersion of insoluble solid phase particulates within the liquid phase. After some or all of the solid-form materials have been added to this agitated mixture, particles of any enzyme material to be included, e.g., enzyme prills are incorporated. As a variation of the composition preparation procedure described above, one or more of the solid components may be added to the agitated mixture as a solution or slurry of particles premixed with a minor portion of one or more of the liquid components. After addition of all of the composition components, agitation of the mixture is continued for a period of time sufficient to form compositions having the requisite viscosity and phase stability characteristics. Frequently this will involve agitation for a period of from about <NUM> to <NUM> minutes.

The compositions are employed in bleaching and cleaning fabrics which have become soiled. In a pre-soak situation, the articles are contacted with the pre-soak composition at preferred use temperature of at least <NUM> (<NUM>°F) and no more than <NUM> (<NUM>°F) for a period of time effective to whiten, clean and/or disinfect the articles. This time is preferably a minimum of <NUM> hours and a maximum of <NUM> hours.

In some aspects, the compositions used in the process of the present invention can be used as a bleaching agent to whiten or lighten or remove stains from a fabric substrate. The compositions used in the process of the present invention can be used to bleach or remove stains from any conventional textile, including but not limited to, cotton, poly-cotton blends, wool, and polyesters. The compositions used in the process of the present invention are also textile tolerant, i.e., they will not substantially degrade the textile to which they are applied. The compositions used in the process of the present invention can be used to remove a variety of stains from a variety of sources including, but not limited to, lipstick, pigment/sebum, pigment/lanolin, soot, olive oil, mineral oil, motor oil, blood, make-up, red wine, tea, ketchup, and combinations thereof.

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples, which should not be construed as further limiting.

All of the following examples are comparative.

Selection: CIELAB
Illuminant: D65
Observer: <NUM> degree.

Sum of Subst*frmlvl (EPIC term that shows when a formula bill of materials is pulled from the spec site: total amount of a specific component across all substitutes at that particular formula level).

Diagrams of the process are shown in figures.

<FIG> are photographs showing the presoak in holding containers according to the invention with swatches immersed.

<FIG> is a diagram showing steps may be used to perform the method of the invention. The soiled grill cloths and soiled towels are maintained in a container with presoak, then laundered and stored in a separate container for clean towels and grill cloths.

<FIG> is another diagram showing the steps that may be practiced to perform the method of the invention.

Claim 1:
A process for whitening and removing stains from fabric comprising:
the steps of:
(a) contacting a soiled item with an aqueous pre-soak solution comprising a composition comprising
(i) from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of an alkalinity source;
(ii) from <NUM>% by weight to <NUM>% by weight of a surfactant system;
(iii) from <NUM> % by weight to <NUM>% by weight of a bleaching agent for a period of time sufficient to achieve bleaching and removal of soil, wherein said contacting includes suspending said item to be cleaned in said composition; and thereafter
(b) laundering the treated item with a conventional aqueous detergent;
wherein said suspension is accomplished by a receptacle and strainer disposed therein.