Patent Description:
Detergents comprising anionic detersive surfactants for cleaning fabrics have been known for many years. Historically, cleaning laundry was defined primarily as a process that involved removal of stains. Consistent with this historical approach to cleaning, laundry detergent designers focused on formulating detergents with surfactants with longer carbon chains to ensure maximum surface activity of the surfactants to achieve the most effective soil removal.

Such long-chain surfactants can generate copious suds during wash cycles of the fabric laundering process. Therefore, consumers view high suds volume as the primary and most desirable signal of cleaning. For hand-washing consumers, who are still the dominating majority in most developing countries, high suds volume are especially desirable, since the consumers can directly feel and touch suds generated during the hand-washing process and intuitively correlate high suds volume with sufficient fabric cleaning.

Paradoxically, high volume of suds during the wash cycle will typically translate to more suds in the subsequent rinse cycle. When consumers observe suds during the rinse cycle, they immediately infer from it that there may still be surfactant residue on the fabrics. Surfactant residue remaining on the fabrics may cause irritation to the skin, and it may also render the fabrics "sticky" after drying, thereby likely to attract more dirt upon wearing. Consequently, the consumers will feel the need to rinse the fabric a few more times, until suds are completely or substantially disappeared from the rinse solution, signaling that the fabrics are now "clean" and free of surfactant residue. However, oftentimes one or two rinses are sufficient to remove most or all of surfactant residue from the fabrics, despite a significant amount of suds remaining in the rinse solution. In other words, the additional rinses are unnecessary and excessive. Such excessive rinsing requires additional time, labor, energy and water. For regions where resources are scarce, especially those regions suffering from water shortage, excessive rinsing is particularly undesirable.

Therefore, a sudsing profile of a detergent composition during both wash and rinse cycles of the fabric laundering process is important for the overall consumer laundering experience, particularly for hand-washing consumers.

There is a need to provide consumers with an improved laundry cleaning (i.e., laundering) experience, especially those consumers who are accustomed to manually washing their laundry, either entirely (i.e., full manual/hand laundering) or in conjunction with machine washing (i.e., semi-automatic laundering). Specifically, this improved laundering experience is enabled by a desired sudsing profile defined by at least four (<NUM>) key points of consumer observation (hereinafter "touch points"), which jointly connote to the consumer that the laundry is sufficiently cleaned and rinsed. A failure at any one of these touch points may result in the consumer having a less than an ideal laundering experience.

These four touch points, which are hereby labeled as "Flash Suds," "Suds Mileage," "Initial Rinse Suds," "End Rinse Suds," are explained hereinafter with reference to <FIG>, which illustrates a typical laundering process with a wash cycle followed by a rinse cycle.

Prior to the wash cycle, i.e., during a pre-wash step, a consumer will dissolve a laundry detergent product in a specific amount of water to form aqueous wash liquor, and the laundry to be treated will be brought into contact with the wash liquor.

The wash cycle starts with mechanical agitation of the laundry with the wash liquor, either in a washing machine or directly by the hands of the consumer, which leads to an initial bloom of suds that is characterized by a significantly high volume of suds (measured by height) generated at a relatively high speed (within the first <NUM>-<NUM> minutes of the wash cycle) during a first stage of the wash cycle, i.e., the "W-<NUM>" stage shown in <FIG>. This initial bloom of suds, or the so-called "Flash Suds," constitutes the first touch point, which signals that the surfactant in the laundry detergent is working effectively to clean the laundry. The second touch point calls for sustainment or maintenance of the wash suds volume or height at a relatively level, i.e., the so-called "Suds Mileage," throughout a second, subsequent stage of the wash cycle (the "W-<NUM>" stage shown in <FIG>).

These two initial touch points indicate to the consumer that the laundry detergent is efficacious in cleaning the laundry and remains so throughout the entire wash cycle. If there are no flash suds or if the flash suds volume is not high enough at the W-<NUM> stage, then the consumer may interpret that the laundry detergent product as not being efficacious. If the suds mileage is not maintained throughout a significant portion of the W-<NUM> stage of the wash cycle, the consumer may interpret that the laundry detergent product is losing cleaning efficacy or that there is not enough surfactant in the detergent to effectively clean the entire laundry bundle.

After the wash cycle and before the rinse cycle, i.e., during an in-between step, the sufficiently washed laundry is separated from the wash liquor. The wash liquor is drained or otherwise disposed. The laundry is wrung or spun to remove any excess wash liquor, followed by contacting the laundry with clean water or a rinse solution. The suds volume (measured by height) during this in-between step is inconsequential to the consumer, so it is not measured, and the dotted line only indicates the approximate suds volume (measure by height) during this step for illustration purposes.

During the rinse cycle, mechanical agitation (either by machine or by hand) is also applied to the laundry in the rinse solution, in attempt to rinse any carry-over or residue surfactant and soil off the laundry. At a first stage of the rinse cycle, i.e., the "R-<NUM>" stage in <FIG>, some initial suds may be observed in the rinse solution, which is referred to as the "Initial Rinse Suds. " A portion of such initial rinse suds as shown in <FIG> is carried over by the laundry from the wash cycle, i.e., residue suds attached to the laundry. The remaining portion of the initial rinse suds is generated by mechanical agitation of the rinse solution, due to the presence of carry-over or residue surfactant therein. Such initial rinse suds constitute the third touch point, which is preferably of a moderate volume (measured by height). The consumer expects to see some initial rinse suds, given the carryover of surfactant from the washed laundry. Complete absence of initial rinse suds may cause the consumer to doubt the efficacy of previous wash cycle.

The fourth touch point calls for fast and significant withering of suds (indicated by the dotted arrowhead) at a second, subsequent stage of the rinse cycle (the "R-<NUM>" stage of <FIG>) that leads to a zero or near-zero "End Rinse Suds" volume (measured by height). Despite continued agitation, the rinse suds volume (measured by height) decreases significantly and quickly during this stage to a zero or near zero level. Note that both magnitude and speed of such suds decrease at the R-<NUM> stage are important, because jointly they signal effective rinsing of the laundry. At the end of the R-<NUM> stage, the rinse suds are eliminated or nearly eliminated, which connotes to the consumer that most or all of the residue surfactant has been rinsed off the laundry and he/she can move on to the post-rinse step, e.g., drying and/or ironing the laundry. Accordingly, the consumer can confidently stop rinsing and end the laundering process, which will help not only to save water but also to save the consumer's time.

During the R-<NUM> stage, if the rinse suds decrease is not significant or fast enough to lead to zero or near-zero End Rinse Suds volume (measured by height), it connotes to the consumer that there is still residue surfactant in the washed laundry or the rinse solution. Consequently, the consumer feels that the rinse is not completed yet and may needlessly spend additional time rinsing and/or using additional rinse water until all of the suds are eliminated or nearly eliminated. Therefore, it is important that the fourth touch point is present to connote that the detergent product can be easily rinsed away from the washed laundry, i.e., it is an easy-rinse formulation, which can provide a key point of differentiation for laundry detergent products.

A laundry detergent product that provides an optimized sudsing profile at all four touch points discussed hereinabove connotes high cleaning efficacy as well as the easy rinse benefits of the laundry detergent product. It may also help the consumer to save water and/or may reduce the time the user takes in rinsing the laundry. Conventional laundry detergents may provide a laundering experience at one or more of these touch points, but never has a product provided consumers with an optimized sudsing profile at all four of these touch points (while also providing cleaning efficacy). Accordingly, there is a need for such a laundry detergent product.

<CIT> relates to granular detergent products which include mid-chain branched surfactants and which also include conventional detergent additive.

It has been an unexpected discovery of the present invention that unalkoxylated alkyl sulfates with branched C<NUM>-C<NUM> alky chains, when used as the primary surfactant at sufficiently high levels, can significantly improve the overall sudsing profile of a cleaning composition containing the same so as to provide enhanced consumer experience at all four touch points as described hereinabove.

Specifically, the present invention provides a cleaning composition having a surfactant system comprising one or more branched, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfate (BAS) surfactants, wherein the one or more BAS surfactants comprise branched alkyl moieties with a weight average carbon atom number ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, wherein said one or more BAS surfactants account for more than <NUM>% by total weight of the surfactant system, and wherein said one or more BAS surfactants are present in an amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by total weight of the cleaning composition, and wherein said cleaning composition comprises no more than <NUM>% of any alkoxylated alkyl sulfate (AxS), wherein the one or more BAS surfactants have the general formula (I):
<CHM>
wherein M is a cation of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, amine or alkanolamine; x and y are independently selected from integers ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>; wherein z is an integer which is <NUM>; wherein the sum of x+y is equal to or greater than z; and wherein the sum of x+y+z ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Preferably, the cleaning composition is substantially free of silicone suds suppressors, and more preferably it is free of any suds suppressors.

The present invention also relates to a method of treating soiled material, comprising the steps of: a) providing a cleaning composition as mentioned hereinabove; b) contacting the cleaning composition with at least a portion of the soiled material; and c) rinsing the soiled material.

Further, the present invention is related to the use of a cleaning composition as described hereinabove for hand-washing dishes or fabrics.

Also disclosed is the use of a surfactant system comprising one or more branched, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfate (BAS) surfactants to improve sudsing profile of a cleaning composition, while such one or more BAS surfactants account for more than <NUM>% by total weight of the surfactant system, and while the surfactant system is substantially free of any alkoxylated alkyl sulfate (AxS).

These and other features of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the appended claims.

<FIG> is a graph illustrates a desired sudsing profile with four (<NUM>) touch points at various stages of the wash and rinse cycles of a laundering process.

As used herein, "suds" indicates a non-equilibrium dispersion of gas bubbles in a relatively smaller volume of a liquid. The terms like "suds", "foam" and "lather" can be used interchangeably within the meaning of the present invention.

As used herein, "sudsing profile" refers to the properties of a detergent composition relating to suds character during the wash and rinse cycles. The sudsing profile may include, but is not limited to: the initial speed of suds generation upon dissolution in a washing solution, the volume and retention of suds during the wash cycle, the look and feel of suds generated, the amount of residue suds carried over to the rinse solution, and the speed of suds reduction or disappearance during the rinse cycle, which are all connected with the fabric laundering experience of the consumers. Preferably, the sudsing profile may include Initial Wash Suds Volume (measured by height in centimeters), Suds Mileage (measured by height in centimeters), Wash Suds Retention Percentage (%), Rinse Suds at <NUM> Minute (volume measured by height in centimeters), Rinse Suds at <NUM> Minute (volume measured by height in centimeters), and Rinse Suds Reduction Rate (%/min), as measured by using the Sudsing Profile Test described hereinafter. More preferably, the sudsing profile of detergent compositions according to the present invention is defined by the Initial Wash Suds Volume (cm), the Suds Mileage (cm), and the Rinse Suds Reduction Rate (%/min), as measured by using the Sudsing Profile Test described hereinafter. These three parameters evaluate the four touch points as discussed hereinabove for the wash and rinse cycles. The sudsing profile may further include additional suds-related parameters.

As used herein, the term "cleaning composition" means a liquid or solid composition for treating fabrics, hard surfaces and any other surfaces in the area of fabric and home care, and includes hard surface cleaning and/or treatment including floor and bathroom cleaners (e.g., toilet bowl cleaners); hand dishwashing agents or light duty dishwashing agents, especially those of the high-foaming type; machine dishwashing agents; personal care compositions; pet care compositions; automotive care compositions; and household care compositions. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition of the present invention is a laundry detergent composition, which can be in liquid, powder, paste, gel, unit dose, pouch, or tablet form. In another embodiment, the cleaning composition is dish detergent composition, which also can be in liquid, powder, paste, gel, unit dose, pouch, or tablet form.

As used herein, the term "soiled material" is used non-specifically and may refer to any type of flexible material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibers, including natural, artificial, and synthetic fibers, such as, but not limited to, cotton, linen, wool, polyester, nylon, silk, acrylic, and the like, as well as various blends and combinations. Soiled material may further refer to any type of hard surface, including natural, artificial, or synthetic surfaces, such as, but not limited to, surfaces of glass, metal, plastic, porcelain or ceramic cooking articles or utensils, and table, countertop or floor surfaces formed of tile, granite, grout, composite, vinyl, hardwood, and the like, as well as blends and combinations.

As used herein, the term "laundry detergent composition" is a subset of "cleaning composition", and includes all-purpose or "heavy-duty" washing agents for fabric, especially cleaning detergents in liquid, powder, paste, gel, unit dose, pouch, or tablet form, as well as cleaning auxiliaries such as bleach, rinse aids, additives or pre-treat types. In one embodiment, the laundry detergent composition is a heavy duty liquid laundry detergent; and in another embodiment, the laundry detergent composition is a free-flowing granular laundry detergent.

As used herein, the terms "comprising," "comprises," "include", "includes" and "including" are meant to be non-limiting. The term "consisting of" is meant to be limiting, i.e., excluding any components or ingredients that are not specifically listed except when they are present as impurities. The term "consisting essentially of," on the other hand, allows the presence of other components or ingredients as long as they do not interfere with the functions of those components or ingredients that are specifically listed.

As used herein, the term "substantially free of" or "substantially free from" refers to the presence of no more than <NUM>%, preferably no more than <NUM>%, and more preferably no more than <NUM>%, of an indicated material in a composition, by total weight of such composition.

As used herein, the term "essentially free of" means that the indicated material is not deliberately added to the composition, or preferably not present at analytically detectable levels. It is meant to include compositions whereby the indicated material is present only as an impurity of one of the other materials deliberately added.

As used herein, the term "solid" includes granular, powder, bar and tablet product forms.

As used herein, the term "fluid" includes liquid, gel, paste and gas product forms.

As used herein, the term "liquid" refers to a fluid having a liquid having a viscosity of from <NUM> to <NUM> mPa*s at <NUM> and a shear rate of <NUM> sec-<NUM>. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the liquid may be in the range of from <NUM> to <NUM> mPa*s at <NUM> at a shear rate of <NUM> sec-<NUM>. In some embodiments, the viscosity of the liquid may be in the range of from <NUM> to <NUM> mPa*s at <NUM> at a shear rate of <NUM> sec-<NUM>. The viscosity can be determined using a Brookfield viscometer, No. <NUM> spindle, at <NUM> RPM/s.

All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (°C) unless otherwise indicated. Unless otherwise specified, all measurements herein are conducted at <NUM> and under the atmospheric pressure.

In all embodiments of the present invention, all percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless specifically stated otherwise. All ratios are weight ratios, unless specifically stated otherwise.

It is understood that the test methods that are disclosed in the Test Methods Section of the present application must be used to determine the respective values of the parameters of Applicants' inventions are described and claimed herein.

Inventors of the present invention has discovered that a cleaning composition containing one or more branched, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfates as the primary surfactant in its surfactant system (i.e., said one or more branched, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfates account for more than <NUM>% by total weight of the surfactant system) at a significantly high level (i.e., said one or more branched, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfates are present at from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by total weight of the cleaning composition) demonstrate a significantly improved sudsing profile, which is characterized by a high "Flash Suds" volume at the W-<NUM> stage and good "Suds Mileage" at the W-<NUM> stage of the wash cycle, a moderate amount of "Initial Rinse Suds" at the R-<NUM> stage of the rinse cycle, and a drastically faster reduction and disappearance of rinse suds leading to zero or near-zero "End Rinse Suds" at the R-<NUM> stage of the rinse cycle.

Such a unique sudsing profile provides hand-wash consumers with delightful washing and rinsing experience, especially during the rinse stage. The volume of suds generated and sustainability/stability thereof during the wash cycle are sufficiently high, thereby signaling to the consumer that effective cleaning is occurring. A moderate amount of suds is observed at the beginning of the rinse cycle, which is expected by the consumer after observing a large amount of suds generated during the wash as a sign of effective cleaning. However, once the rinse cycle starts, the suds undergo drastic and fast reduction and disappearance during the first one or two minutes of rinsing. Consumers, especially the ones conducting hand-wash, will have the chance to visually observe the drastic and fast reduction and disappearance of rinse suds, eventually resulting in a clear rinse solution with little or no suds at the end of the first rinse cycle. The visual perception of suds reduction and disappearance by the consumers provides a clear signal that the article to be cleansed has gone through effective cleaning and sufficient rinsing, and is now free of soil as well as residue surfactant. Therefore, the consumers will confidently stop the laundering process after the first rinse cycle, thus eliminating the need for additional rinses and potentially enabling the concept of single rinse.

The surprising and unexpected sudsing profile achieved by the cleaning compositions of the present invention is specifically characterized by a high Initial Wash Suds Volume, a high Suds Mileage, and a high Rinse Suds Reduction Rate, as measured by using the Sudsing Profile Test described hereinafter. Specifically, the unique sudsing profile is defined by: a) an Initial Wash Suds Volume (measured by height) of no less than <NUM>; b) a Suds Mileage (measured by height) of no less than <NUM>; and c) a Rinse Suds Reduction Rate of no less than <NUM>%/min, which are measured using the Sudsing Profile Test described hereinafter. The Initial Wash Suds Volume evalutes the first touch point, i. e, the "Flash Suds" as discussed hereinabove, during W-<NUM> stage of the wash cycle. The Suds Mileage evalues the second touch point as discussed hereinabove (therefore named after it) during W-<NUM> stage of the wash cycle. The Rinse Suds Reduction Rate jointly evalutes the third and fourth touch points, i.e., the "Initial Rinse Suds" and "End Rinse Suds," as discussed hereinabove during R-<NUM> and R-<NUM> stages of the rinse cycle.

The Initial Wash Suds Volume can be as high as <NUM>, so it may range from <NUM> to <NUM>. Preferably, the Initial Wash Suds Volume of the cleaning composition is no less than <NUM>, preferably no less than <NUM>, and more preferably no less than <NUM>. More preferably, the Initial Wash Suds Volume ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The Suds Mileage also has an upper limit of <NUM>, so it may also range from <NUM> to <NUM>. Preferably, the Suds Mileage of the cleaning composition is no less than <NUM>, preferably no less than <NUM>, and more preferably no less than <NUM>. More preferably, the Suds Mileage ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>, preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>, and more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The Wash Suds Retention Percentage, which is calculated from the Initial Suds Volume and the Suds Mileage, may range from <NUM>% to <NUM>%. Preferably, it is no less than <NUM>%, or no less than <NUM>%, or no less than <NUM>%. More preferably, the Wash Suds Retention Percentage ranges from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, still more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% or from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and most preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

The Rinse Suds Reduction Rate preferably ranges from <NUM>%/min to <NUM>%/min. Preferably it ranges from <NUM>%/min to <NUM>%/min. More preferably, it ranges from <NUM>%/min to <NUM>%/min. Still more preferably, it ranges from <NUM>%/min to <NUM>%/min. Yet more preferably, it ranges from <NUM>%/min to <NUM>%/min. Most preferably, the Rinse Suds Reduction Rate of the cleaning composition of the present invention is <NUM>%/min. This means that within one (<NUM>) minute from when the rinse cycle starts, all suds in the rinse solution disappear, resulting in a "zero suds" rinse solution. This is most extraordinary, because the rapid rinse reduction right before the consumer's eyes sends a strong visual signal to the consumer the rinse solution is now clear and that the rinse can be stopped.

Such an improved sudsing profile as described hereinabove can be achieved by employing a surfactant system which contains, as the primary surfactant in a majority weight percentage thereof (i.e., more than <NUM> wt%), one or more branched, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfate (hereinafter "BAS") surfactants.

It is important that the BAS surfactant of the present invention is unalkoxylated, because alkoxylation, even at a relatively low degree (e.g., a weight average degree of <NUM>), may adversely affect the Rinse Suds Reduction Rate of the resulting cleaning composition. Therefore, it is desirable to employ unalkoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants instead.

Branching of the C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl chain in the BAS surfactant is also important, because linear alkyl sulfates have poorer suds stability during the wash cycle, which in turn leads to significantly lower Suds Mileage. Therefore, it is desirable to employ branched alkyl sulfate surfactants instead.

Further, the BAS surfactants of the present invention are characterized by relatively short alkyl chains, i.e., with from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. Alkyl sulfate surfactants with longer alkyl chain may lead to a significantly lower Rinse Suds Reduction Rate in the resulting cleaning composition. Therefore, it is desirable to employ BAS surfactants with relatively short alkyl chains (i.e., C<NUM>-C<NUM>), and their branched alkyl moieties are characterized by a weight average carbon number ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, and preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>.

The BAS surfactants of the present invention may exist in an acid form, while the acid form may be neutralized to form a salt. Typical agents for neutralization include metal counterion bases, such as hydroxides, e.g., NaOH or KOH. Further suitable agents for neutralizing anionic surfactants in their acid forms include ammonia, amines, or alkanolamines. Non-limiting examples of alkanolamines include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and other linear or branched alkanolamines known in the art; suitable alkanolamines include <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-propanol, <NUM>-aminopropanol, monoisopropanolamine, or <NUM>-amino-<NUM>-propanol. Amine neutralization may be done to a full or partial extent, e.g., part of the anionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with sodium or potassium and part of the anionic surfactant mix may be neutralized with amines or alkanolamines.

The BAS surfactants have the general formula (I):
<CHM>
while M is a cation of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, amine or alkanolamine; x and y are independently selected from integers ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>; z is an integer which is <NUM>; the sum of x+y is equal to or greater than z; and the sum of x+y+z ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>. Preferably, the sum of x+y is from <NUM> to <NUM>.

Non-limiting examples of suitable branched, unalkoxylated AS surfactants of the present invention include those having the following chemical structures:
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>
<CHM>.

It is particularly preferred that the cleaning composition of the present invention contains a mixture of two or more BAS surfactants. More preferably, such a mixture includes: (<NUM>) a C<NUM> BAS surfactant in the amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the mixture; and (<NUM>) a C<NUM> BAS surfactant in the amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the mixture. Most preferably, the mixture is consisting of or consisting essentially of the C<NUM> and C<NUM> BAS surfactants.

BAS surfactants as described hereinabove are commercially available as a mixture of linear isomer and branched isomer with a variety of chain lengths and degrees of branching, which include but are not limited to sulphated Isalchem® <NUM> from Sasol with C<NUM>-<NUM> chain length distribution and <NUM>% branching, and Neodol® <NUM> AS from Shell with C<NUM>-<NUM> chain length distribution and <NUM>% branching.

The cleaning composition of the present invention must contain the above-described BAS surfactants at a sufficiently high level, i.e., from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by total weight of the cleaning composition. If the BAS surfactants are present in a level below <NUM>% by total weight of the cleaning composition, the resulting cleaning composition demonstrates poorer suds stability during the wash cycle, which in turn leads to significantly lower Suds Mileage (i.e., below <NUM>). Therefore, it is important to use the BAS surfactants at a sufficiently high level.

The BAS surfactants are present in an amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by total weight of the cleaning composition. Preferably, the BAS surfactants are present in an amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the cleaning composition. In more concentrated formulations with 2X, 3X, or 4X compaction ratios, the BAS surfactants may be present in higher amounts ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by weight of the concentrated formulations.

The cleaning composition of the present invention must be substantially free (no more than <NUM>%) of alkoxylated alkyl sulfate (AxS) surfactants, either linear or branched. Preferably, the cleaning composition of the present invention is essentially free of any AxS. The presence of AxS, even at a level as low as <NUM> wt%, may significantly affect the Rinse Suds Reduction Rate. An insignificant amount of AxS (e.g., no more than <NUM> wt%), however, seems to be tolerable.

The surfactant system of the present invention may comprise one or more co-surfactants for the BAS surfactants described hereinabove. One type of co-surfactants particularly suitable for the practice of the present invention are linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactants, which are hereinafter referred to as "AS" surfactants. The AS surfactants of present invention have the general formula of R-O-SO<NUM>-M+, wherein R is a linear alkyl group having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, and wherein M is a cation of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal or ammonium. Preferably, the AS surfactants are what are typically referred to as "Mid-Cut AS" or "MCAS" surfactants with R groups having from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM> carbon atoms. R is essentially free of any of any alkoxylation units. MCAS surfactants are particularly advantageous in providing an improved sudsing profile with better rinse benefit.

As mentioned hereinabove, the cleaning composition of the present invention is substantially free of alkoxylated alkyl sulfate (AxS) surfactants, either linear or branched, due the negative impact of the AxS surfactants on the sudsing profile, especially on the rinse suds reduction rate.

Preferably, the AS surfactants are enriched with C<NUM>-C<NUM>, i.e., they contain from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by weight of one or more linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactants. More preferably, the AS surfactants are enriched with C<NUM>-<NUM>, i.e., they contain from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by weight of one or more linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactants. Still more preferably, the AS surfactants are enriched with C<NUM>-<NUM>, i.e., they contain from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by weight of one or more linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactants. Most preferably, the AS surfactants are enriched with C<NUM>-<NUM>, i.e., they contain from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by weight of one or more linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactants.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the AS surfactants are enriched with C<NUM>, i.e., they comprise from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, more preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>% or from <NUM> to <NUM>% or from <NUM> to <NUM>%, and most preferably from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of a linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactant.

The AS surfactants of the present invention may also be particularly enriched with C<NUM>, i.e., containing from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, or from <NUM> to <NUM>%, or even from <NUM> to <NUM>% by weight of a linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactant.

The AS surfactants of the present invention may comprise more than <NUM>%, in particular more than <NUM>%, for example more than <NUM>%, typically more than <NUM> or <NUM>%, or substantially <NUM>% of alkyl sulphate surfactants having an alkyl chain comprising an even number of carbon atoms.

In a preferred but non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning composition contains a mixture of two or more AS surfactants. More preferably, such a mixture includes: (<NUM>) a linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactant in the amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the mixture; (<NUM>) a linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactant in the amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the mixture; and (<NUM>) a linear, unalkoxylated C<NUM> alkyl sulfate surfactant in the amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by total weight of the mixture. It is still more preferred that this mixture contains less than <NUM>%, preferably less than <NUM>%, and more preferably less than <NUM>% of alkyl sulfate surfactants having either <NUM> carbon atoms or more, or <NUM> carbon atoms or less, by total weight of the mixture.

The AS surfactants of the present invention may be obtained by the sulfonation of the corresponding alcohol(s). The required carbon chain length distribution can be obtained by using alcohols with the corresponding chain length distribution prepared synthetically or from natural raw materials or corresponding pure starting compounds. For example, palm kernel oil and coconut oil comprising triglycerides can be chemically processed to obtain a mixture of C<NUM>-C<NUM> alcohols which usually comprise more than <NUM>% of C<NUM>-C<NUM> alcohols. The alcohols may be sulphated to obtain alkyl sulphates. A mixture of AS comprising a lower proportion of C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulphates may be obtained by separating the corresponding alcohols before the sulphatation step or by separating the obtained alkyl sulphate surfactant(s) after the sulphatation step.

The AS surfactants of the present invention can also be formed by using metathesis oils that are naturally derived, which can provide a mixture of AS surfactants with alkyl chain lengths characterized by a biologically determined distribution. For example, soybean oil, canola oil, jatropha oil, palm oil, algae oil, or the like can be co-metathesized with <NUM>-hexene to form a mixture containing mostly C<NUM> esters. It is also preferred that algae oil of high stability with a desired fatty acid distribution, which can be produced by recombinant DNA technology as described in various patents assigned to Solazyme, is used to form the AS surfactants of the present invention. Alternatively, the above described naturally-derived oils can be co-metathesized with <NUM>-hexene and <NUM>-hexene to form a mixture of C<NUM>, C<NUM>, C<NUM> esters with a weight ratio of approximately <NUM>:<NUM>:<NUM>. Alternatively, the above described naturally-derived oils can be co-metathesized with <NUM>-hexene and <NUM>-octene to form a mixture containing mainly C<NUM> and C<NUM> esters in any desired weight ratio (by controlling the <NUM>-hexene and <NUM>-octene mix ratio). Alternatively, the above described naturally-derived oils can be co-metathesized with a mixture containing <NUM> wt% <NUM>-butene and <NUM> wt% hexane to form a mixture of C<NUM> and C<NUM> fatty acid esters at a weight ratio of approximately <NUM>:<NUM> (there will be small amount of C<NUM> and C<NUM> esters in the mixture). The esters so formed are then reduced to fatty alcohols, which is subsequently sulfated to form the AS surfactants of the present invention.

If present, the AS surfactants as described hereinabove may be present in the cleaning composition of the present invention in an amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and most preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the cleaning composition. In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning composition contains from <NUM>% to 5wt% of an AS surfactant mixture consisting essentially of from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of C<NUM> AS and from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of C<NUM> AS.

A suitable example of such AS surfactant mixture according to the present invention is Texapon v95 by Cognis. Alternatively, the AS surfactant is the so-called coco-AS, which is derived from coconut oil and contains a mixture of AS surfactants, such as sodium caprylic sulfate, sodium capric sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium myristyl sulfate, sodium oleic sulfate, sodium stearyl sulfate, and others.

In more concentrated formulations with 2X, 3X, or 4X compaction ratios, the AS surfactants may be present in higher amounts ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by weight of the concentrated formulations.

The weight ratio of the BAS surfactants to the AS surfactants is preferably in the range of from <NUM>: <NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, more preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>, and most preferably from <NUM>:<NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>.

The surfactant system of the present invention may contain one or more additional surfactants, other than the BAS and/or the AS surfactants described hereinabove, as long as such additional surfactants do not adversely affect the sudsing profile established by the BAS and/or AS surfactants, or otherwise interfere with functionalities thereof. Such additional surfactants may be selected from other anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Such additional surfactants may be present in the surfactant system of the present invention in a total amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by total weight of the composition, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%.

As used herein the phrase "cleaning composition" or "detergent composition" includes compositions and formulations designed for cleaning soiled material. Such compositions include but are not limited to, laundry cleaning compositions and detergents (either with the typical surfactant activity or in a concentrated form with significantly higher surfactant activity), fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, laundry prewash, laundry pretreat, laundry additives, spray products, dry cleaning agent or composition, laundry rinse additive, wash additive, post-rinse fabric treatment, ironing aid, dish washing compositions, hard surface cleaning compositions, unit dose formulation, delayed delivery formulation, detergent contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms that may be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. Such compositions may be used as a pre-laundering treatment, a post-laundering treatment, or may be added during the rinse or wash cycle of the laundering operation. The cleaning compositions may have a form selected from liquid, powder, single-phase or multi-phase unit dose, pouch, tablet, gel, paste, bar, or flake.

Because the surfactant system itself provides the desired sudsing benefit, the cleaning composition of the present invention does not require any suds suppressors, such as silicone antifoam or suds collapsing polymers, which functions to minimize the manufacturing and processing costs associated with such cleaning composition. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning composition is substantially free of, and preferably is essentially free of, silicone suds suppressor. In a more preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning composition is substantially free of, or essentially free of, any suds suppressor.

The cleaning composition of the present invention can be formulated or designed either as an automatic machine wash detergent product, or a semi-automatic detergent product, or a hand-wash detergent product. Due to the improved sudsing profile of such composition, which is most visible to the consumers during hand-wash, it is preferred that it is a detergent product specifically designed for hand-wash, in order to highlight its sudsing benefit and delight the consumer.

In a preferred but not necessary embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning composition is a granular or powder detergent composition, more preferably a granule or powder laundry detergent composition, having a density ranging from <NUM>/l to <NUM>/l, more preferably from <NUM>/l to <NUM>/l, and most preferably from <NUM>/l to <NUM>/l. The powder or granular detergent may comprise: (a) from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, of a water-soluble alkali metal carbonate (such as sodium carbonate), by totally weight of such granular detergent composition; and/or (b) from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, of a water-soluble alkali metal sulfate (such as sodium sulfate), by total weight of the granular detergent composition; and/or (c) from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, of a water-soluble alkali metal chloride (such as sodium chloride), by totally weight of such granular detergent composition. Such a granule laundry detergent composition may further comprise one or more adjunct ingredients commonly used for formulating granular laundry detergent compositions, such as builders, carriers, structurants, flocculating aid, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibitors, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleach activators, hydrogen peroxide, sources of hydrogen peroxide, preformed peracids, polymeric dispersing agents, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, perfumes, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, hydrotropes, processing aids, pigments and/or aesthetic particles.

The powder or granular detergent composition preferably comprises only low levels of phosphate or zeolite builders, or more preferably it is substantially free of, or most preferably it is completely free of, phosphate or zeolite builders.

In a particularly preferred, but not necessary, embodiment of the present invention, a granular laundry detergent composition is provided, which contains: (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt to <NUM> wt% of BAS; (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of AxS; and (<NUM>) one or more additional ingredients.

In another preferred but not necessary embodiment of the present invention, a granular laundry detergent composition contains: (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt to <NUM> wt% of BAS; (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of AS, which is preferably MCAS; (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of AxS; and (<NUM>) one or more additional ingredients.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning composition is a liquid detergent composition, preferably a liquid laundry detergent composition, having a viscosity ranging from <NUM> to <NUM> mPa·s measured at <NUM> at a shear rate of <NUM> sec-<NUM>. The liquid detergent composition may be packaged in a single phase or multiphase unit dose form, i.e., it is contained in a single compartment or multi-compartment water-soluble pouch formed, for example, by a water-soluble polymer such as polyvinvyl alcohol (PVA) and/or polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP).

The liquid detergent composition of the present invention may further comprise, in addition to the ingredients described hereinabove, from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, and more preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>% of one or more acids, such as citric acid, boric acid, and mixture thereof, by total weight of the liquid detergent composition. Preferably, the liquid detergent composition contains from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of citric acid and/or from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of boric acid. In addition, fatty acids, particularly C<NUM>-C<NUM> fatty acids, or salts thereof can be included in the liquid laundry detergent composition of the present invention. The total amount of such fatty acids or salts may range from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, preferably from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%, and more preferably from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt%.

The liquid detergent composition of the present invention typically contains one or more carriers, such as water. It can contain either water alone as the sole carrier, or mixtures of organic solvent(s) with water as carriers. Suitable organic solvents are linear or branched lower C<NUM>-C<NUM> alcohols, diols, glycerols or glycols; lower amine solvents such as C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkanolamines, and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred organic solvents include <NUM>,<NUM>-propanediol, ethanol, glycerol, monoethanolamine and triethanolamine. The carriers are typically present in the liquid detergent composition of the present invention at levels in the range of from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, preferably from <NUM>% to <NUM>%, by total weight of the liquid detergent composition. In some embodiments, water is from <NUM> to <NUM> wt% of the carrier. In other embodiments, water is absent and the composition is anhydrous. Highly preferred compositions afforded by the present invention are clear, isotropic liquids.

In a particularly preferred, but not necessary, embodiment of the present invention, a liquid laundry detergent composition is provided, which contains: (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt to <NUM> wt% of BAS; (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of AxS; and (<NUM>) one or more additional ingredients.

In another preferred but not necessary embodiment of the present invention, a liquid laundry detergent composition contains: (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt to <NUM> wt% of BAS; (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of AS, which is preferably MCAS; (<NUM>) from <NUM> wt% to <NUM> wt% of AxS; and (<NUM>) one or more additional ingredients.

In a further preferred but not necessary embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning composition is in a unit dose form, which contains a liquid laundry detergent encapsulated within a water-soluble film. Preferred film materials are preferably polymeric materials 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 polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers and hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), and combinations thereof.

The cleaning compositions of the invention may also contain one or more adjunct cleaning additives. Suitable adjunct cleaning additives include builders, fillers, carriers, structurants or thickeners, clay soil removal/anti-redeposition agents, polymeric soil release agents, polymeric dispersing agents, polymeric grease cleaning agents, enzymes, enzyme stabilizing systems, amines, bleaching compounds, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, brighteners, dyes, hueing agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, chelating agents, softeners or conditioners (such as cationic polymers or silicones), perfumes (including perfume encapsulates), hygiene and malodor treatment agents, and the like.

More specifically, the adjunct cleaning additives may include: transition metal catalysts; imine bleach boosters; enzymes such as amylases, carbohydrases, cellulases, laccases, lipases, bleaching enzymes such as oxidases and peroxidases, proteases, pectate lyases and mannanases; source of peroxygen such as percarbonate salts and/or perborate salts, preferred is sodium percarbonate, the source of peroxygen is preferably at least partially coated, preferably completely coated, by a coating ingredient such as a carbonate salt, a sulphate salt, a silicate salt, borosilicate, or mixtures, including mixed salts, thereof; bleach activator such as tetraacetyl ethylene diamine, oxybenzene sulphonate bleach activators such as nonanoyl oxybenzene sulphonate, caprolactam bleach activators, imide bleach activators such as N-nonanoyl-N-methyl acetamide, preformed peracids such as N,N-pthaloylamino peroxycaproic acid, nonylamido peroxyadipic acid or dibenzoyl peroxide; brighteners; hueing agents; photobleach; fabric-softening agents such as clay, silicone and/or quaternary ammonium compounds; flocculants such as polyethylene oxide; dye transfer inhibitors such as polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly <NUM>-vinylpyridine N-oxide and/or co-polymer of vinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole; fabric integrity components such as oligomers produced by the condensation of imidazole and epichlorhydrin; soil dispersants and soil anti-redeposition aids such as alkoxylated polyamines and ethoxylated ethyleneimine polymers; anti-redeposition components such as polyesters and/or terephthalate polymers, polyethylene glycol including polyethylene glycol substituted with vinyl alcohol and/or vinyl acetate pendant groups; perfumes such as perfume microcapsules, polymer assisted perfume delivery systems including Schiff base perfume/polymer complexes, starch encapsulated perfume accords; soap rings; aesthetic particles including coloured noodles and/or needles; dyes; fillers such as sodium sulphate, although it may be preferred for the composition to be substantially free of fillers; carbonate salt including sodium carbonate and/or sodium bicarbonate; silicate salt such as sodium silicate, including <NUM>. 6R and <NUM>. 0R sodium silicate, or sodium metasilicate; co-polyesters of di-carboxylic acids and diols; cellulosic polymers such as methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxyethoxycellulose, or other alkyl or alkylalkoxy cellulose, and hydrophobically modified cellulose; carboxylic acid and/or salts thereof, including citric acid and/or sodium citrate; and any combination thereof.

A wide variety of other ingredients may be used in the cleaning compositions herein, including other active ingredients, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, dyes or pigments, solvents for liquid formulations, and solid or other liquid fillers, erythrosine, colliodal silica, waxes, probiotics, surfactin, aminocellulosic polymers, zinc ricinoleate, perfume microcapsules, rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, glycopeptides, methyl ester sulfonates, methyl ester ethoxylates, sulfonated estolides, cleavable surfactants, biopolymers, silicones, modified silicones, aminosilicones, deposition aids, locust bean gum, cationic hydroxyethylcellulose polymers, cationic guars, hydrotropes (especially cumenesulfonate salts, toluenesulfonate salts, xylenesulfonate salts, and naphalene salts), antioxidants, BHT, PVA particle-encapsulated dyes or perfumes, pearlescent agents, effervescent agents, color change systems, silicone polyurethanes, opacifiers, tablet disintegrants, biomass fillers, fast-dry silicones, glycol distearate, hydroxyethylcellulose polymers, hydrophobically modified cellulose polymers or hydroxyethylcellulose polymers, starch perfume encapsulates, emulsified oils, bisphenol antioxidants, microfibrous cellulose structurants, properfumes, styrene/acrylate polymers, triazines, soaps, superoxide dismutase, benzophenone protease inhibitors, functionalized TiO2, dibutyl phosphate, silica perfume capsules, and other adjunct ingredients, silicate salts (e.g., sodium silicate, potassium silicate), choline oxidase, pectate lyase, mica, titanium dioxide coated mica, bismuth oxychloride, and other actives.

The cleaning compositions described herein may also contain vitamins and amino acids such as: water soluble vitamins and their derivatives, water soluble amino acids and their salts and/or derivatives, water insoluble amino acids viscosity modifiers, dyes, nonvolatile solvents or diluents (water soluble and insoluble), pearlescent aids, foam boosters, additional surfactants or nonionic cosurfactants, pediculocides, pH adjusting agents, perfumes, preservatives, chelants, proteins, skin active agents, sunscreens, UV absorbers, vitamins, niacinamide, caffeine, and minoxidil.

The cleaning compositions of the present invention may also contain pigment materials such as nitroso, monoazo, disazo, carotenoid, triphenyl methane, triaryl methane, xanthene, quinoline, oxazine, azine, anthraquinone, indigoid, thionindigoid, quinacridone, phthalocianine, botanical, and natural colors, including water soluble components such as those having C. The cleaning compositions of the present invention may also contain antimicrobial agents.

The present invention includes methods for cleaning soiled material using the cleaning compositions of the present invention. As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the cleaning compositions of the present invention are suited for use in laundry pretreatment applications, laundry cleaning applications, and home care applications.

Preferably, such a method is a method of using the detergent compositions of the present invention to clean soiled material, which includes, but are not limited to, the steps of providing a detergent composition as described hereinabove (either in neat form or diluted in a wash liquor), contacting such detergent composition with at least a portion of a soiled material, and then rinsing the soiled material.

For use in laundry pretreatment applications, the method may include contacting the cleaning compositions described herein with soiled fabric. Following pretreatment, the soiled fabric may be laundered in a washing machine or otherwise rinsed.

The cleaning compositions of the present invention are particular suitable for hand washing applications, or combined hand washing with semi-automatic washing machines. Specifically, the consumers directly bring the soiled material into contact with the cleaning compositions, manually or semi-manually clean the soiled material, and then rinse off the soiled material in one or more rinse cycles.

Alternatively, the cleaning compositions of the present invention are suitable for machine laundry methods, which may comprise treating soiled laundry with an aqueous wash solution in a washing machine having dissolved or dispensed therein an effective amount of a machine laundry cleaning composition in accord with the invention.

Another method includes contacting a nonwoven substrate impregnated with an embodiment of the cleaning composition with soiled material. As used herein, "nonwoven substrate" can comprise any conventionally fashioned nonwoven sheet or web having suitable basis weight, caliper (thickness), absorbency, and strength characteristics. Non-limiting examples of suitable commercially available nonwoven substrates include those marketed under the tradenames SONTARA® by DuPont and POLYWEB® by James River Corp.

An "effective amount" of the cleaning composition means from <NUM> to <NUM> of product dissolved or dispersed in a wash solution of volume from <NUM> to <NUM>. The water temperatures may range from <NUM> to <NUM>. The water to soiled material (e.g., fabric) ratio may be from <NUM>: <NUM> to <NUM>:<NUM>. The compositions may be employed at concentrations of from <NUM> ppm to <NUM>,<NUM> ppm, preferably from 1000ppm to <NUM>,000ppm and more preferably from 3000ppm to 5000ppm, in solution. In the context of a fabric laundry composition, usage levels may also vary depending not only on the type and severity of the soils and stains, but also on the wash water temperature, the volume of wash water, as well as the type of washing machine (e.g., top-loading, front-loading, top-loading, vertical-axis Japanese-type automatic washing machine).

The cleaning compositions herein may be used for laundering of fabrics at reduced wash temperatures. These methods of laundering fabric comprise the steps of delivering a laundry cleaning composition to water to form a wash liquor and adding a laundering fabric to said wash liquor, wherein the wash liquor has a temperature of from <NUM> to <NUM>, or from <NUM> to <NUM>, or from <NUM> to <NUM>. The fabric may be contacted to the water prior to, or after, or simultaneous with, contacting the laundry cleaning composition with water.

Various techniques are known in the art to determine the properties of the compositions of the present invention comprising the branched AS surfactant and the short-chain nonionic AA surfactant. However, the following assays must be used in order that the invention described and claimed herein may be fully understood.

Sudsing profile of test detergent compositions herein is measured by employing a suds cylinder tester (SCT). The SCT has a set of eight (<NUM>) cylinders. Each cylinder is a plastic cylinder <NUM> long that has uniform inner diameter of <NUM> through its length and can be capped or sealed by a rubber stopper during rotation. The <NUM> cylinders are all attached to a horizontal axis at the middle part of each cylinder. All <NUM> cylinders are arranged perpendicular to the horizontal axis but parallel to one another. The cylinders are spaced apart with equal distances in between, and they may be rotated together the around the horizontal axis along a vertical plan that is perpendicular to the horizontal axis at a speed of <NUM>-<NUM> revolutions per minute (rpm).

The following factors may affect the measurement results and therefore should be controlled carefully: (a) concentration of the test detergent composition in the washing solution and rinsing solution; (b) hardness of the water used to form the washing and rinsing solution; (c) water temperature; (d) speed and number of rotations of the SCT cylinders; (e) type of soil used and the total soil load used in the wash; and (f) cleanness of the interior of the SCT cylinders.

Following steps are followed to obtain the suds measurements for each test detergent composition:.

Weigh <NUM> grams of the test detergent composition (either in granular or liquid form) and dissolve it in <NUM> of reverse-osmosis (RO) water with a water hardness level of 16gpg (Ca/Mg <NUM>:<NUM> formed by mixing <NUM>/L CaCl2·2H2O and <NUM>/L MgCl2·6H2O) at room temperature;
<NUM>. Stir the mixture for at least <NUM> minutes to form a sample wash solution containing the test detergent composition at 5000ppm;
<NUM>. Pour the sample solution into to a SCT cylinder, close it tightly with a rubber stopper and lock the cylinder in place ready for rotation. Other SCT cylinders can be filled with sample solutions formed by using other test detergent compositions for simultaneous suds measurement of different test detergent compositions;
<NUM>. Turn on the SCT to rotate the cylinders for <NUM> revolutions at a speed of <NUM> rpm;
<NUM>. Stop the SCT rotation and lock the SCT cylinders in an upright position;
<NUM>. Wait for <NUM> minute before recording the suds volume (represented by the absolute suds height) in each SCT cylinder, which is deemed the suds volume generated by the test detergent composition at <NUM> revolutions. Because all SCT cylinders have the same interior diameter, the suds volume at any given point can therefore be simply represented by the absolute height of the suds in centimeters (cm) inside each SCT cylinder, which is measured by subtracting the height of the wash or rinse solution from the total height of the suds plus the wash or rinse solution. Turn on the SCT to continue rotation of the cylinders for additional <NUM> revolutions at a speed of <NUM> rpm, stop the SCT and record suds volume as that at <NUM> revolutions;
<NUM>. Repeat Step <NUM> to record suds volume at <NUM> and <NUM> revolutions at a speed of <NUM> rpm;
<NUM>. Stop the SCT rotation, remove the rubber stoppers from the cylinders, and place <NUM> piece of fabric loaded with Beijing clay (BJ Clay) and <NUM> piece of fabric loaded with dirty cooking oil (DCO), the preparation of which is described hereinbelow, into each SCT cylinder.

Place the rubber stoppers back onto the SCT cylinders. Turn on the SCT to continue rotation of the cylinders for additional <NUM> revolutions at a speed of <NUM> rpm, stop the SCT and record suds volume as that of <NUM> revolutions. Repeat Steps <NUM>-<NUM>, and record the suds volume as that of <NUM> revolutions. Note that further addition of soiled fabrics into the wash solutions in the SCT cylinders is to mimic real washing conditions where more soil is gradually dissolved into the washing solution from the fabrics as the washing cycle continues. Therefore, this test is relevant for determining the initial suds generation by a test detergent composition, as well as the suds mileage sustained through the washing cycle while more soil is gradually dissolved into the washing solution. Pour <NUM> of the sample wash solution (without any of the treated fabric pieces) gently out of the SCT cylinder into a <NUM> beaker. Add <NUM> of RO water with a water hardness level of 16gpg (Ca/Mg <NUM>:<NUM>) into the beaker to form a diluted solution with a total volume of <NUM> (referred to as the "Rinse Solution"). Dispose of the remaining test solution and all the stained fabric swatches from the SCT cylinder and clean the SCT cylinder with tap water. Pour the <NUM> Rinse Solution from the beaker back into the cleaned SCT cylinder. Repeat these steps for each of the test solutions contained in each of the remaining SCT cylinders. Turn on the SCT to continue rotation of the cylinders for additional <NUM> revolutions at a speed of <NUM> rpm and stop the SCT. Take a picture right after the SCT is stopped and read the suds height from the picture (this is done to ensure data accuracy due to the very rapid collapsing of suds in the inventive samples), which is recorded as the suds volume at <NUM> minute after <NUM> revolutions. This suds data is taken after the wash solution is replaced by the Rinse Solution, and is therefore recorded as the "Rinse Suds at <NUM> Minute. Another reading of the suds volume in the SCT cylinders is taken <NUM> minute after the SCT is stopped at <NUM> revolutions (which is referred to as the "Rinse Suds at <NUM> Minute"). The suds reduction rate from <NUM> minute to <NUM> minute during the first rinse with the Rinse Solution is calculated as follows: <MAT>
<NUM>. Following are the sudsing data recorded by this test method:.

The following four (<NUM>) granular laundry detergent formulations A-D are prepared according to the present invention.

Among these <NUM> granular formulations, Formulations A and D are comparative examples outside of the scope of the present invention. Specifically, Formulation A contains <NUM>% of the BAS surfactants (i.e., too low), and Formulation D contains <NUM>% of AES (too high). Formulations B and C are inventive examples within the scope the present invention, i.e., both containing <NUM>% of the BAS surfactants and no more than <NUM>% of AES.

The sudsing profiles of the above-listed <NUM> granular laundry detergent formulations A-D are measured by using the method described in Test <NUM>. The measurement results are tabulated as follows:.

The data indicates that on one hand, the Comparative Formulation A containing less than <NUM>% of the BAS surfactants has suds stability issue during the wash cycle, as indicated by a very low Suds Mileage (less than <NUM>) as well as a low Wash Suds Retention Percentage (less than <NUM>%). On the other hand, the Comparative Formulation D containing more than <NUM>% of AES has insufficient rinse suds reduction, as indicated by a low Rinse Suds Reduction Rate (less than <NUM>%/min).

The following four (<NUM>) liquid laundry detergent formulations I-V are prepared according to the present invention.

Among these <NUM> liquid formulations, Formulations I and IV are comparative examples outside of the scope of the present invention. Specifically, Formulation I contains <NUM>% of the BAS surfactants (i.e., too low), and Formulation IV contains <NUM>% of AES (too high). Formulations II and III are inventive examples within the scope the present invention, i.e., both containing <NUM>% of the BAS surfactants and no more than <NUM>% of AES.

The sudsing profiles of the above-listed <NUM> liquid laundry detergent formulations I-IV are measured by using the method described in Test <NUM>. The measurement results are tabulated as follows:.

The data indicates that on one hand, the Comparative Formulation A containing less than <NUM>% of the BAS surfactants has suds stability issue during the wash cycle, as indicated by a very low Suds Mileage (less than <NUM>) as well as a low Wash Suds Retention Percentage (less than <NUM>%). On the other hand, the Comparative Formulation D containing more than <NUM>% of AES shows no rinse suds reduction, as indicated by a <NUM>% Rinse Suds Reduction Rate.

The following three (<NUM>) inventive granular laundry detergent formulations E-G are prepared according to the present invention.

The following three (<NUM>) inventive liquid laundry detergent formulations V-VII are prepared according to the present invention.

The sudsing profiles of the above-listed <NUM> inventive granular or liquid laundry detergent formulations E-G and V-VII are measured by using the method described in Test <NUM>. The measurement results are tabulated as follows:.

The sudsing profiles of the above-listed <NUM> inventive granular or liquid laundry detergent formulations E-F and V-VII are all within the scope of the present invention. Specifically, they all have: a) an Initial Wash Suds Volume of no less than <NUM>; b) a Suds Mileage of no less than <NUM>; c) a Wash Suds Retention Percentage of no less than <NUM>%; and d) a Rinse Suds Reduction Rate of no less than <NUM>%/min.

Powder laundry detergent compositions 4A-4F are formulated according to the present invention, by mixing together ingredients listed hereinbelow:.

Liquid laundry detergent compositions 5A-5F are formulated according to the present invention, by mixing together ingredients listed hereinbelow:.

The following concentrated liquid laundry detergent compositions 6A-6E are prepared and then each encapsulated in a multi-compartment pouch formed by a polyvinyl alcohol-film.

Dish wash detergent composition 7A-7F are formulated according to the present invention by mixing together with ingredients listed.

Claim 1:
A cleaning composition having a surfactant system comprising one or more branched, unalkoxylated C<NUM>-C<NUM> alkyl sulfate (BAS) surfactants, wherein the one or more BAS surfactants comprise branched alkyl moieties with a weight average carbon atom number ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>, wherein said one or more BAS surfactants account for more than <NUM>% by total weight of the surfactant system, and wherein said one or more BAS surfactants are present in an amount ranging from <NUM>% to <NUM>% by total weight of the cleaning composition, and wherein said cleaning composition comprises no more than <NUM>% of any alkoxylated alkyl sulfate (AxS),
wherein the one or more BAS surfactants have the general formula (I):
<CHM>
wherein M is a cation of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, amine or alkanolamine; x and y are independently selected from integers ranging from <NUM> to <NUM>; wherein z is an integer which is <NUM>; wherein the sum of x+y is equal to or greater than z; and wherein the sum of x+y+z ranges from <NUM> to <NUM>.