Patent Description:
Water-soluble unit dose articles are liked by consumers as they are convenient and efficient to use. Such water-soluble unit dose articles often comprise laundry detergent compositions. Without wishing to be bound by theory, when the water-soluble unit dose article is added to water, the film dissolves/disintegrates releasing the internal contents into the surrounding water to create a wash liquor.

Often alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants, more particularly ethoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactants, are formulated into the detergent compositions of water-soluble unit dose articles to provide fabric cleaning benefits. However, an issue with such materials is they can de-plasticize the film. Without wishing to be bound by theory, if the film is under plasticized, then it becomes brittle and is prone to accidental premature rupture. This issue can be rectified by reducing the alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant level, but this is often at the expense of the cleaning performance of the detergent composition.

Water-soluble unit dose articles and methods of laundering fabrics not according to the present invention are disclosed in patent document <CIT>.

It was surprisingly found that the careful formulation of the non-ionic surfactant type overcame this issue. Without wishing to be bound by theory, the combination of the first fatty amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant according to the present invention in combination with a low level/absence of the second alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant allowed for a desired level of total non-ionic surfactant in the detergent composition to secure cleaning performance whilst still providing desired film plasticization properties.

A first aspect of the present invention is a water-soluble film and a liquid laundry detergent composition, wherein the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises;.

A second aspect of the present invention is a process of laundering fabrics comprising the steps of diluting between <NUM> and <NUM> fold, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> fold the water-soluble unit dose article according to any preceding claims with water to make a wash liquor, contacting fabrics to be treated with the wash liquor.

<FIG> is a water-soluble unit dose article according to the present invention.

The present invention discloses a water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble film and a liquid laundry detergent composition. The water-soluble film and the liquid detergent composition are described in more detail below.

The water-soluble unit dose article comprises the water-soluble film shaped such that the unit-dose article comprises at least one internal compartment surrounded by the water-soluble film. The unit dose article may comprise a first water-soluble film and a second water-soluble film sealed to one another such to define the internal compartment. The water-soluble unit dose article is constructed such that the detergent composition does not leak out of the compartment during storage. However, upon addition of the water-soluble unit dose article to water, the water-soluble film dissolves and releases the contents of the internal compartment into the wash liquor.

The compartment should be understood as meaning a closed internal space within the unit dose article, which holds the detergent composition. During manufacture, a first water-soluble film may be shaped to comprise an open compartment into which the detergent composition is added. A second water-soluble film is then laid over the first film in such an orientation as to close the opening of the compartment. The first and second films are then sealed together along a seal region.

The unit dose article may comprise more than one compartment, even at least two compartments, or even at least three compartments, or even at least four compartments. The compartments may be arranged in superposed orientation, i.e. one positioned on top of the other. In such an orientation the unit dose article will comprise at least three films, top, one or more middle, and bottom. Alternatively, the compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side orientation, i.e. one orientated next to the other. The compartments may even be orientated in a 'tyre and rim' arrangement, i.e. a first compartment is positioned next to a second compartment, but the first compartment at least partially surrounds the second compartment but does not completely enclose the second compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment.

Wherein the unit dose article comprises at least two compartments, one of the compartments may be smaller than the other compartment. Wherein the unit dose article comprises at least three compartments, two of the compartments may be smaller than the third compartment, and preferably the smaller compartments are superposed on the larger compartment. The superposed compartments preferably are orientated side-by-side. The unit dose article may comprise at least four compartments, three of the compartments may be smaller than the fourth compartment, and preferably the smaller compartments are superposed on the larger compartment. The superposed compartments preferably are orientated side-by-side.

In a multi-compartment orientation, the detergent composition according to the present invention may be comprised in at least one of the compartments. It may for example be comprised in just one compartment, or may be comprised in two compartments, or even in three compartments, or even in four compartments.

Each compartment may comprise the same or different compositions. The different compositions could all be in the same form, or they may be in different forms.

The water-soluble unit dose article may comprise at least two internal compartments, wherein the liquid laundry detergent composition is comprised in at least one of the compartments, preferably wherein the unit dose article comprises at least three compartments, wherein the detergent composition is comprised in at least one of the compartments.

<FIG> discloses a water-soluble unit dose article (<NUM>) according to the present invention. The water-soluble unit dose article (<NUM>) comprises a first water-soluble film (<NUM>) and a second water-soluble film (<NUM>) which are sealed together at a seal region (<NUM>). The liquid laundry detergent composition (<NUM>) is comprised within the water-soluble soluble unit dose article (<NUM>).

The film of the present invention is soluble or dispersible in water. The water-soluble film preferably has a thickness of from <NUM> to <NUM> micron, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> micron, even more preferably <NUM> to <NUM> micron, most preferably about <NUM> micron.

Preferably, the film has a water-solubility of at least <NUM>%, preferably at least <NUM>% or even at least <NUM>%, as measured by the method set out here after using a glass-filter with a maximum pore size of <NUM> microns:
<NUM> grams ± <NUM> gram of film material is added in a pre-weighed <NUM> beaker and <NUM> ± <NUM> of distilled water is added. This is stirred vigorously on a magnetic stirrer, Labline model No. <NUM> or equivalent and <NUM> magnetic stirrer, set at <NUM> rpm, for <NUM> minutes at <NUM>. Then, the mixture is filtered through a folded qualitative sintered-glass filter with a pore size as defined above (max. <NUM> micron). The water is dried off from the collected filtrate by any conventional method, and the weight of the remaining material is determined (which is the dissolved or dispersed fraction). Then, the percentage solubility or dispersability can be calculated.

Preferred film materials are preferably polymeric materials. The film material can, for example, be obtained by casting, blow-moulding, extrusion or blown extrusion of the polymeric material, as known in the art.

Preferred polymers, copolymers or derivatives thereof suitable for use as pouch material are selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyalkylene oxides, acrylamide, acrylic acid, 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 and gelatine, natural gums such as xanthum and carragum. More preferred polymers are selected from polyacrylates and water-soluble acrylate copolymers, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose sodium, dextrin, ethylcellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, maltodextrin, polymethacrylates, and most preferably selected from polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), and combinations thereof. Preferably, the level of polymer in the pouch material, for example a PVA polymer, is at least <NUM>%. The polymer can have any weight average molecular weight, preferably from about <NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>,<NUM>, more preferably from about <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM> yet more preferably from about <NUM>,<NUM> to <NUM>,<NUM>.

Preferably, the water-soluble film comprises polyvinyl alcohol polymer or copolymer, preferably a blend of polyvinylalcohol polymers and/or polyvinylalcohol copolymers preferably selected from sulphonated and carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers especially carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymers, most preferably a blend of a polyvinylalcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer.

Preferred films exhibit good dissolution in cold water, meaning unheated distilled water. Preferably such films exhibit good dissolution at temperatures of <NUM>, even more preferably at <NUM>. By good dissolution it is meant that the film exhibits water-solubility of at least <NUM>%, preferably at least <NUM>% or even at least <NUM>%, as measured by the method set out here after using a glass-filter with a maximum pore size of <NUM> microns, described above.

Preferred films are those supplied by Monosol under the trade references M8630, M8900, M8779, M8310.

The film may be opaque, transparent or translucent. The film may comprise a printed area.

The area of print may be achieved using standard techniques, such as flexographic printing or inkjet printing.

The film may comprise an aversive agent, for example a bittering agent. Suitable bittering agents include, but are not limited to, naringin, sucrose octaacetate, quinine hydrochloride, denatonium benzoate, or mixtures thereof. Any suitable level of aversive agent may be used in the film. Suitable levels include, but are not limited to, <NUM> to 5000ppm, or even <NUM> to 2500ppm, or even <NUM> to 2000rpm.

Preferably, the water-soluble film or water-soluble unit dose article or both are coated in a lubricating agent, preferably, wherein the lubricating agent is selected from talc, zinc oxide, silicas, siloxanes, zeolites, silicic acid, alumina, sodium sulphate, potassium sulphate, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium tripolyphosphate, potassium citrate, potassium tripolyphosphate, calcium stearate, zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, starch, modified starches, clay, kaolin, gypsum, cyclodextrins or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the water-soluble film, and each individual component thereof, independently comprises between Oppm and 20ppm, preferably between Oppm and 15ppm, more preferably between Oppm and 10ppm, even more preferably between Oppm and 5ppm, even more preferably between Oppm and 1ppm, even more preferably between 0ppb and 100ppb, most preferably 0ppb dioxane. Those skilled in the art will be aware of known methods and techniques to determine the dioxane level within water-soluble films and ingredients thereof.

The water-soluble unit dose article comprises a liquid laundry detergent composition. The term 'liquid laundry detergent composition' refers to any laundry detergent composition comprising a liquid capable of wetting and treating a fabric, and includes, but is not limited to, liquids, gels, pastes, dispersions and the like. The liquid composition can include solids or gases in suitably subdivided form, but the liquid composition excludes forms which are non-fluid overall, such as tablets or granules.

The liquid detergent composition can be used in a fabric hand wash operation or may be used in an automatic machine fabric wash operation.

The liquid laundry detergent composition comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of a non-soap anionic surfactant. Preferably, the detergent composition comprises between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of a non-soap anionic surfactant.

Preferably, the non-soap anionic surfactant comprises linear alkylbenzene sulphonate. Preferably, the linear alkylbenzene sulphonate comprises C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl benzene sulfonate, C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl benzene sulphonate or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the alkylbenzene sulphonate is an amine neutralized alkylbenzene sulphonate, an alkali metal neutralized alkylbenzene sulphonate or a mixture thereof. The amine is preferably selected from monoethanolamine, triethanolamine or mixtures thereof. The alkali metal is preferably selected from sodium, potassium, magnesium or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of the linear alkylbenzene sulphonate.

Preferably, the non-soap anionic surfactant comprises an alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant wherein the alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant is selected from alkyl sulphate, an alkoxylated alkyl sulphate or a mixture thereof. The alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may be a primary or a secondary alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant, or a mixture thereof, preferably a primary alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant. Preferably, the alkoxylated alkyl sulphate comprises ethoxylated alkyl sulphate, propoxylated alkyl sulphate, a mixed ethoxylated/propoxylated alkyl sulphate, or a mixture thereof, more preferably an ethoxylated alkyl sulphate. Preferably, the ethoxylated alkyl sulphate has an average degree of ethoxylation of between <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. Preferably, the ethoxylated alkyl sulphate has an average alkyl chain length of between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, most preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>. Preferably, the alkyl chain of the alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant is linear, branched or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the branched alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant is a branched primary alkyl sulphate, a branched secondary alkyl sulphate, or a mixture thereof, preferably a branched primary alkyl sulphate, wherein the branching preferably is in the <NUM>-position, or alternatively might be present further down the alkyl chain, or could be multi-branched with branches spread over the alkyl chain. The weight average degree of branching of alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may be from <NUM>% to <NUM>% preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, most preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%. Alternatively, the weight average degree of branching of alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant may be from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%. Preferably, the alkyl chain is selected from naturally derived material, synthetically derived material or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the synthetically derived material comprises oxo-synthesized material, Ziegler-synthesized material, Guerbet-synthesized material, Fischer-Tropsch - synthesized material, iso-alkyl synthesized material, or mixtures thereof, preferably oxo-synthesized material. Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of the alkyl sulphate anionic surfactant.

Preferably, the non-soap anionic surfactant comprises linear alkyl benzene sulphonate and an alkoxylated alkyl sulphate, more preferably, wherein the weight ratio of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate to alkoxylated alkyl sulphate is from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, most preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The liquid laundry detergent composition comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of a non-ionic surfactant. The non-ionic surfactant is described in more detail below.

Preferably, the weight ratio of non-soap anionic surfactant to non-ionic surfactant is from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises a fatty acid, preferably a neutralized fatty acid soap, preferably a fatty acid salt, more preferably an amine neutralized fatty acid salt, wherein preferably the amine is an alkanolamine more preferably selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine or a mixture thereof, more preferably monoethanolamine. The liquid detergent composition may comprise between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, or between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of the liquid detergent composition of fatty acid.

Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of water.

Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of a non-aqueous solvent, preferably wherein the non-aqueous solvent is selected from <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, dipropylene glycol, tripropyleneglycol, glycerol, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol or a mixture thereof.

Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises an adjunct ingredient selected from the group comprising builders, perfumes, enzymes, citrate, bleach, bleach catalyst, dye, hueing dye, brightener, cleaning polymers including alkoxylated polyamines and polyethyleneimines, soil release polymer, fabric care polymers including cationic hydroxyethyl celluloses and cationic polyglucans, surfactant, solvent, dye transfer inhibitors, chelant, encapsulated perfume, polycarboxylates, structurant, pH trimming agents, anti-oxidants including Ralox <NUM>, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the laundry detergent composition comprises a further enzyme selected from the group comprising hemicellulases, peroxidases, proteases, cellulases, xylanases, lipases, phospholipases, esterases, cutinases, pectinases, keratanases, reductases, oxidases, phenoloxidases, lipoxygenases, ligninases, pullulanases, tannases, pentosanases, malanases, β-glucanases, arabinosidases, hyaluronidase, chondroitinase, laccase, xyloglucanases, mannanases and amylases, nuclease or mixtures thereof, preferably a further enzyme selected from the group comprising proteases, amylase, cellulase, lipases, xyloglucanases, mannanases, and mixtures thereof. Preferably the further enzyme is a lipase.

The term lipase as used herein, includes enzymes which catalyze the hydrolysis of fats (lipids). Lipases are a sub class of esterases. Lipases suitable in the present invention include phospholipases, acyltransferases or perhydrolases e.g. acyltransferases with homology to Candida antarctica lipase A, acyltransferase from Mycobacterium smegmatis, perhydrolases from the CE <NUM> family, and variants of the M. smegmatis perhydrolase in particular the S54V variant used in the commercial product Gentle Power Bleach from Huntsman Textile Effects Pte Ltd. Suitable lipases and cutinases include those of bacterial or fungal origin. Chemically modified or protein engineered mutant enzymes are included. Examples include lipase from Thermomyces, e.g. from T. lanuginosus (previously named Humicola lanuginosa), cutinase from Humicola, e.g. H. insolens, lipase from strains of Pseudomonas (some of these now renamed to Burkholderia), e.g. P. alcaligenes or P. pseudoalcaligenes, P. cepacia, P. strain SD705, P. wisconsinensis, GDSL-type Streptomyces lipases, cutinase from Magnaporthe grisea, cutinase from Pseudomonas mendocina, lipase from Thermobifida fusca, Geobacillus stearothermophilus lipase, lipase from Bacillus subtilis, and lipase from Streptomyces griseus and S. pristinaespiralis. Typically, the lipase enzyme is present in the composition in an amount from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the composition of enzyme active protein. Without wishing to be bound by theory, enzymes are supplied as a preparation comprising the enzyme and other ingredients. Enzymes per se are proteins that catalyse reactions. By enzyme active protein we herein mean enzyme that can actively catalyse the relevant reaction.

Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition has a pH between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, most preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, wherein the pH of the laundry detergent composition is measured as a <NUM>% product concentration in demineralized water at <NUM>.

The liquid laundry detergent composition may be Newtonian or non-Newtonian. Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition is non-Newtonian. Without wishing to be bound by theory, a non-Newtonian liquid has properties that differ from those of a Newtonian liquid, more specifically, the viscosity of non-Newtonian liquids is dependent on shear rate, while a Newtonian liquid has a constant viscosity independent of the applied shear rate. The decreased viscosity upon shear application for non-Newtonian liquids is thought to further facilitate liquid detergent dissolution. The liquid laundry detergent composition described herein can have any suitable viscosity depending on factors such as formulated ingredients and purpose of the composition.

The liquid laundry detergent composition for use within a water soluble laundry detergent unit dose article comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of a non-ionic surfactant. Preferably, the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the liquid laundry detergent composition of the non-ionic surfactant.

The non-ionic surfactant comprises a first fatty amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant according to structure;
<CHM>
wherein, R<NUM> is a linear or branched alkyl chain having an average of from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. Preferably, the alkyl chain is selected from naturally derived material, synthetically derived material or mixtures thereof. Preferably, the synthetically derived material comprises oxo-synthesized material, Ziegler-synthesized material, Guerbet-synthesized material, Fischer-Tropsch - synthesized material, iso-alkyl synthesized material, or mixtures thereof. R<NUM> can be derived from a primary alcohol, a secondary alcohol, or mixtures thereof, preferably a primary alcohol. Most preferably R1 is selected from a natural derived material, preferably coconut or palm kernel derived materials, most preferably coconut derived material. R<NUM> independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl comprising of from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, preferably a hydrogen atom, a C1 or C2 alkyl, or a mixture thereof, most preferably a hydrogen. x is an average value of greater than <NUM>, preferably of between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, most preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

Examples of suitable fatty amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactants include ethoxylated, propoxylated or butoxylated fatty amide nonionic surfactants, or mixtures thereof, preferably ethoxylated, propoxylated or butoxylated fatty monoethanol amide nonionic surfactants, ethoxylated, propoxylated or butoxylated fatty monoisopropanol amide nonionic surfactants, or mixtures thereof. More preferably the fatty amide alkoxylate nonionic surfactant is an ethoxylated fatty ethanolamide nonionic surfactant (e.g. R<NUM> equals hydrogen in structure I). More preferably the fatty ethanolamide moiety is derived from lauric monoethanolamide, capric monoethanolamide, capryl monoethanolamide, caprylic/capric monoethanolamide, decanoic monoethanolamide, myristic monoethanolamide, palmitic monoethanolamide, stearic monoethanolamide, isostearic monoethanolamide, oleic monoethanolamide, linoleic monoethanolamide, octyldecanoic monoethanolamide, <NUM>-heptylundecanoic monoethanolamide. coconut oil fatty monoethanolamide, beef tallow fatty monoethanolamide, soy oil fatty monoethanolamide and palm kernel oil fatty monoethanolamide, and mixtures thereof. Of these lauric monoethanolamide, myristic monoethanolamide, coconut oil fatty monoethanolamide, palm kernel oil fatty monoethanolamide, and mixtures thereof, are especially preferred. Most preferred are coconut oil fatty monoethanolamide moieties, especially ethoxylated coconut oil fatty monoethanolamide with an average degree of ethoxylation between <NUM> and <NUM>, especially about <NUM>.

The liquid laundry detergent composition may comprise between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, more preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of the liquid detergent composition of the first fatty amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant.

Suitable examples of this first fatty amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant are amongst others commercially available from Huntsman under the Empilan line-up. Most preferably the first fatty amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant comprises a coconut derived alkyl chain such as commercially available as Empilan MAA/SI (PEG-<NUM>-coconut monoethanolamide ethoxylate).

The non-ionic surfactant comprises <NUM>% or less by weight of the laundry detergent composition of a second alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant according to structure;.

wherein, EO is an ethoxylate chain. Preferably, the alkyl chain is selected from naturally derived material, synthetically derived material or mixtures thereof, most preferably naturally derived material especially palm kernel derived material. Preferably, the synthetically derived material comprises oxo-synthesized material, Ziegler-synthesized material, Guerbet-synthesized material, Fischer-Tropsch - synthesized material, iso-alkyl synthesized material, or mixtures thereof.

R<NUM> is a linear or branched alkyl chain having an average of from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, preferably a linear alkyl chain.

More preferably, the second alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant has the formula;.

The liquid laundry detergent composition may comprise between <NUM>% and <NUM>%, preferably between <NUM>% and <NUM>% by weight of the detergent composition of the second alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant.

The weight ratio of the first fatty acid amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant to the second alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant is preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>: <NUM>, preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The first fatty acid amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant may be added straight to the liquid laundry detergent composition. Alternatively, the first fatty acid amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant may first be mixed with other ingredients to create a premix. This premix comprising the first fatty acid amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant may be added to the liquid laundry detergent composition. Alternatively, part of the first fatty acid amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant may be added straight to the liquid laundry detergent composition, and the remainder may be added as part of a premix to the liquid laundry detergent composition. Equally, the second alkoxylated non-ionic surfactant, if present, may be added straight to the liquid detergent composition, may be added as part of a premix, or partially added straight and partially added as part of a premix.

Those skilled in the art will be aware of standard techniques to make the liquid laundry detergent composition and the water-soluble unit dose article according to the present invention. Those skilled in the art will also be aware of standard techniques and methods to make the ingredients of the liquid laundry detergent composition of the present invention.

A further aspect of the present invention is a process of laundering fabrics comprising the steps of diluting between <NUM> and <NUM> fold, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> fold, the water-soluble unit dose article according to the present invention with water to make a wash liquor, contacting fabrics to be treated with the wash liquor.

The film swelling/de-swelling upon ageing impact of addition of a mixed fatty amide alkoxylate / alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant according to the invention on top of laundry detergent formulations suitable for use in water soluble unit dose articles, has been assessed using the film swelling test method described herein.

A film sample was prepared of a water soluble PVOH film intended to be used to form a sealed compartment enclosing the comparative compositions and liquid household detergent compositions according to the invention described herein. The film/juice ratio in the immersion is about <NUM>:<NUM>; we typically use <NUM> replicates/test. The bottom of a clean inert glass recipient was covered with a thin layer of liquid and the film to be tested was spread on the liquid; air bubbles trapped under the film were gently pushed towards the sides. The remaining liquid was then gently poured on top of the film, in such a way that the film was fully immersed into the liquid. The film should remain free of wrinkles and no air bubbles should be in contact with the film. The film stayed in contact with the liquid and was stored under closed vessel conditions for <NUM> days at <NUM> and <NUM> night at <NUM>. A separate glass recipient was used for each test. The film was then removed from the storage vessel, and the excess liquid was removed from the film. A piece of paper was put on the film which was laid on top of a bench paper, and then the film was wiped dry thoroughly with dry paper directly prior to weighing. The weight of the film was measured pre and post immersion testing under standard lab conditions, and the relative weight gain/loss has been calculated and expressed as a % change according to below formula ; <MAT>.

Table <NUM> summarizes the individual detergent test compositions, suitable to be formulated into water soluble unit dose articles. Comparative compositions <NUM> to <NUM> do not comprise the fatty amide alkoxylate nonionic surfactant according to the invention. Inventive composition <NUM> comprises the fatty amide alkoxylate nonionic surfactant in combination with a low level of an ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant, hence is a formulation according to the invention. Inventive composition <NUM> matches comparative composition <NUM> with <NUM>% of propanediol solvent being replaced by the fatty amide alkoxylate nonionic surfactant. Comparative composition <NUM> has the same total surfactant level as inventive composition <NUM> but had the <NUM>% propanediol replaced by <NUM>% additional combined AES, LAS and ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant, maintaining their relative ratio as in comparative composition <NUM>. Comparative composition <NUM> has the same total surfactant level as inventive composition <NUM> and comparative composition <NUM> but had the <NUM>% propanediol replaced by <NUM>% additional ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant. The film swelling impact of these different test formulations has been assessed for a PVOH based water soluble film comprising a mixed PVOH homopolymer - carboxylated PVOH copolymer blend, as provided by the MonoSol company.

The water soluble film % weight change data summarized in table <NUM> show that comparative detergent compositions outside the scope of the invention not comprising a mixed alcohol alkoxylate nonionic surfactant led to an inferior film (de-)plasticization upon ageing of the water soluble film when in contact with the respective detergent compositions. While comparative composition <NUM> comprising the lowest surfactant and highest solvent system but lacking the fatty amide ethoxylate surfactant according to the invention demonstrated an increased plasticization upon ageing, increasing surfactant versus solvent ratio within inventive composition <NUM> and comparative compositions <NUM> and <NUM> counter-balanced this additional plasticization, with inventive composition <NUM> comprising the fatty amide alkoxylate according to the invention demonstrating least sensitivity to film plasticization/de-plasticization impacts upon ageing amongst the different surfactant systems tested.

The following are examples of multi-compartment water soluble unit dose laundry articles comprising a larger bottom compartment while having two smaller compartments in a side by side configuration superposed on top of the bottom compartment, following the Ariel <NUM>-in-<NUM> Pods design, as commercially available in the UK in January <NUM> and as visualized in <FIG>. The overall water soluble unit dose articles comprise exemplary formulations (Tables <NUM> and <NUM>) comprising a surfactant system comprising a mixed fatty amide alkoxylate / alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant according to the present invention. The below compositions are enclosed in a polyvinyl alcohol based water soluble film, more specifically a water soluble film comprising a blend of a polyvinylalcohol homopolymer and a carboxylated anionic polyvinylalcohol copolymer, as received from the MonoSol company.

Claim 1:
A water-soluble unit dose article comprising a water-soluble film and a liquid laundry detergent composition, wherein the liquid laundry detergent composition comprises;
a. from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of a non-soap anionic surfactant;
b. from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the laundry detergent composition of a non-ionic surfactant;
wherein the non-ionic surfactant comprises;
(i) a first fatty amide alkoxylate non-ionic surfactant according to structure;
<CHM>
wherein, R<NUM> is a linear or branched alkyl chain having an average of from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms; R<NUM> independently represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl comprising of from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms; x is an average value of greater than <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>;
(ii) <NUM>% or less by weight of the laundry detergent composition of a second alkoxylated alcohol non-ionic surfactant according to structure;

        (II)     R<NUM>-O-(EO)p-H;

wherein, EO is an ethoxylate chain; R<NUM> is a linear or branched alkyl chain having an average of from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms; p is an average of from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably an average from <NUM> to <NUM>, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, even more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, units of ethylene oxide per unit of alcohol.