BRPI0816933B1 - process for imparting an improved whiteness benefit to a white textile article during a washing process - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of conferring an improved whiteness benefit to a white textile article during a laundry process, comprising the steps of: a) provision of an aqueous liquor comprising a laundry treatment composition which comprises a florescent whitening agent and an active agent, and, b) contacting the white textile article with the aqueous liquor of (a); characterised in that the active agent comprises: i) a transition metal cation sequestrant; and, ii) a dispersant which comprises one or more of naphthalene sulphonate-formaldehyde condensates, acrylic polymers, sulphonated styrene/maleic anhydride copolymers or a mixture thereof; and, that the white textile article is first contacted with the laundry treatment composition comprising the active agent during a wash step, and is further contacted with active agent made available from a different and separate rinse-added laundry treatment composition.

Description

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to tissue treatment compositions comprising a transition metal cation sequestrant and to a whitewashing benefit of a white textile article. a dispersant, and are suitable for home use. The invention also relates to a method for imparting an improved whiteness benefit to white textile articles during fabric washing.

Background of the Invention Consumers are aware that white textile articles lose their apparent whiteness through repeated use and wash cycles. This is undesirable since whiteness is also generally associated, in the consumer's head, with the cleanliness of the washed garment. This perceived loss of whiteness can occur from, for example, some damage to textile fibers, or incomplete dirt removal; This may also be due to the deposition of insoluble colored metal complexes on the white textile article or the deactivation of the fluorescent whitening agent (FWA).

Many laundry detergents, for example those containing bleach, rely on a fluorescent whitening agent (FWA) to impart whiteness and shine to white textiles. These materials absorb ultraviolet light and re-emit light in the blue region of the visible spectrum. The blue color contrasts with the natural yellow color of cotton. This intensified blue color feature is perceived by the consumer as a whiteness. A similar effect can be achieved by using low levels of blue or violet dyes (toning dyes). The effectiveness of these fluorescent whitening agents depends on the amount of UV light and quantum yield (a measure of UV efficiency for the visible light conversion process). Therefore, a reduction in available UV Light or a reduction in quantum yield will be seen as a reduction in brightness. It is therefore desirable that an improved whiteness benefit be afforded to white textile articles during the washing process.

Summary of the Invention It has been found that the addition of a composition comprising a transition metal cation scavenger and a dispersant for a wash step and at least one rinse step of the wash process confers an improved whiteness benefit to textile articles. white. The present invention therefore provides, in a first aspect, a method for imparting an improved whiteness benefit to a white textile article during a washing process, comprising the steps of: a) providing an aqueous solution comprising a composition for treating laundry which comprises a fluorescent bleaching agent and an active agent, and, (b) contacting the white textile article with the aqueous solution of a); characterized in that the active agent comprises: i) a transition metal cation sequestrant; and ii) a dispersant comprising one or more of the naphthalene formaldehyde sulfonate condensates, acrylic polymers, maleic anhydride / sulfonated styrene copolymers, or a mixture thereof; and wherein the white textile article first contacted with the wash process composition comprising the active agent during the wash step, and is further contacted with an active agent made available from a separate wash process composition and added during rinsing.

By ensuring there is contact with the fabric during a wash and at least one rinse step of the wash process, an unexpectedly high whiteness benefit is obtained. Since this method involves a subsequent contact of the article with an additional active agent distributed from a separate and different wash process composition added during rinsing, the method does not require ensuring adequate and selective passage of already dissolved materials from the wash to the wash. rinse. The method for improving whiteness involves contacting the white textile article with an additional active agent. This may occur by providing an additional composition comprising the active agent (in a similar product format or different product format) for subsequent steps of the washing process.

Detailed Description of the Invention The "active agent" described in the present invention refers to an agent comprising two parts, the transition metal cation scavenger and the dispersant. The white textile article is placed in contact with an additional active agent during the washing process. This can happen properly in many ways.

In one embodiment, contact with an additional active agent may suitably occur by adding a second portion of an active agent to a subsequent wash step, that is, the active added to the main wash and one or more rinse steps.

In an example of the above-mentioned configuration, preferably the wash process composition comprises an anionic or nonionic detersive surfactant, wherein the additional active agent is incorporated into a separate and different wash process composition added during rinsing. Preferably, the wash process composition added during rinsing comprises a quaternary ammonium compound.

In the process of the invention, the aqueous solution of a) is a main aqueous wash solution, and contact with an additional active agent occurs during a rinse step of the wash process. More preferably, contact with the additional active agent occurs during the final rinse step of the washing process. Most preferably, contact with the additional active agent occurs during all rinsing steps of the washing process.

Preferably, the transition metal cation sequestrant is capable of binding to Cu "and / or Fe".

Preferably, the scavenger has a binding capacity (log k) for copper (ll) and iron (ll) of more than 8. Non-limiting examples include tetrasodium etidronate, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), sodium salt of iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), trisodium salt of ethylenediamine di-succinic acid (EDDS), ethylenediamine Λ /, Λ /, Λ / ', Λ /' - tetrakis (2-hydroxypropyl) (TPED), gluconic acid sodium salt, nitrilotriacetic acid sodium salt monohydrate (NTA), diphosphonic acid potassium salt (1-hydroxy ethylidene).

Examples of suitable commercially available sequestrants are IDS, for example Baypure ™ CX (eg Bayer), and Turpinal ™ 4NP (eg Solutia).

Examples of suitable dispersants include formaldehyde naphthalene sulfonate condensates, acrylic polymers, and maleic anhydride / sulfonated styrene copolymers.

An example of a commercially available dispersant is Suparex ™ KS (eg Clariant). Preferably, the wash composition used in the treatment method comprises a fluorescent whitening agent. Alternatively, it may comprise a blue or violet dye instead of or in addition to the fluorescent whitening agent.

Examples of fluorescent whitening agents can be found in "Formulating Detergents and Personal Care Products", Louis Ho Tan Tai, published in 2000 by AOCS Press, on pages 125 to 128. Fluorescent whitening agent is typically present in formulations of detergents at a level of 0.1% by weight of the total formulation. The sequestrant and dispersant present in the method according to the invention are present in the aqueous solution at a level of about 0.001 g / l to 1.0 g / l, preferably from 0.0015g / l to 0.5g / l. L, for each required stage of the washing process. Prolonged release to a main wash composition means that the release of the active agent (the sequester and dispersant) occurs at least in part after the main wash of a wash process. An example is a composition that releases active species throughout the wash, that is, active species are released during the main wash and at least during the first rinse step. Preferably, the delayed release composition will release the active species throughout the main wash and all subsequent rinsing steps.

An improved whiteness benefit as used in the present invention is defined as an enhancer of the whiteness of the textile article or, on the other hand, a preservative of the perceived whiteness of the textile article from the damage by the washing process. The white textile article is defined as a textile article comprising substantial white areas; preferably it is an exclusively white textile article. Preferably, the textile article is cotton or is rich in cotton.

Preferably, the article comprises at least 50% cotton fibers by weight.

As outlined above, the present invention is based on the surprising finding that ensuring the extended presence of a transition metal cation scavenger and a dispersant that can bind or prevent aggregation of metal species at certain stages. One wash cycle (ie, both the main wash and at least one of the rinse stages) yields an unexpectedly large whiteness benefit compared to the addition of the active agent only to the main wash.

Washing Process The process of the invention is applied to a white textile article, preferably a non-keratinous textile article, more preferably a cellulosic or cellulose-containing textile article. The washing process to which the method of the present invention applies may be any washing process comprising a washing and rinsing step. The process may be manual, such as manual washing or, more preferably, a semi-automatic or automatic process such as that performed by an automatic washing machine. The washing process generally comprises at least one main washing step and one final rinsing step. Typically, there will be more than one rinsing step. Therefore, a washing process according to the present invention preferably comprises a main washing step, at least one, preferably two, more preferably three or more intermediate rinsing steps, and a final rinsing step. The washing process is preferably facilitated by an automatic washing machine. Such a washing process typically comprises at least one main wash step in which the textile articles are brought into contact with or with each main wash solution. Such a solution comprises an aqueous solution or dispersion of a main wash detergent product.

At the end of the main wash, the main wash solution is usually drained from the machine and one or more rinses occur. Typically, a series of sequential rinses occur, culminating in a final rinse.

As used herein, the term "rinse solution" refers to rinse water. Each rinse is usually drained from the machine before the next rinse is applied, although alternative processes are known so that the first rinse can be added to the machine without draining the wash solution - drainage and subsequent rinsing can then follow. . As used herein, the term "intermediate rinse" means a rinse that is not the final rinse of the washing process, and the term "final rinse" means the last rinse in the rinse series.

In a typical automatic washing machine washing process, a composition comprising a benefit agent, such as a rinse conditioner, is added to the final rinse only.

In the method of the present invention, the active agent is preferably present in both the main wash and preferably by all rinses, or at least one (preferably the first) rinse. The present invention is not related to those cases where the active agent is present only in the main wash, or is present only in the final rinse. Use of both a rinse conditioner comprising the active agent and a main wash detergent comprising the active agent will ensure that the active agent is present in the main wash and final rinse. This will have some benefit, but during intermediate rinses, the active agent will be removed unless supplemented.

Thus, preferably, a sustained release composition is used in the main wash in the process of the invention.

Preferably, the active agent is entrapped, preferably encapsulated in an extended release matrix.

In a preferred embodiment, the active agent is added via a dispensing device containing said active agent entrapped in a slow release formulation. The slow release formulation preferably comprises a carrier material for the active agent. Preferably, the carrier material is, at best, sparingly soluble in the wash or rinse solution. The extended release matrix may be any material that is capable of providing extended release of an active agent over an extended period of time.

Preferably, the additional active agent is added from a composition that slowly releases the active agent but is large enough to be retained between the rinse / wash steps of the wash process. The active agent may be suitably dispensed by encapsulation into a sustained release granule of sufficient size (between 3pm and 10mm) to be retained in the drum during the wash and rinse steps of the wash process. Preferably, the additional active agent is added from a composition that slowly releases the active agent but is large enough to be retained between the wash / rinse steps of the wash process. The active agent may also be dispensed into an extended release matrix used for multiple wash processes (ie used for multiple wash / rinse cycles); alternatively, it may be delivered by an automatic dosing system whereby the required amount is automatically added to each wash process, or each wash, or rinse step of the wash process.

For the matrix material, a polyalkylene glycol, preferably poly [ethylene glycol] (PEG), based on a carrier material is used in a preferred embodiment of the invention. The amount of active agent within the PEG carrier is such that the concentration of the transition metal scavenger and dispersant present in the wash or rinse solution is from 0.001 g / l to 1.0 g / l, preferably from 0 0.0015 g / l to 0.5 g / l.

A preferred dispensing device is a dispensing ball or 'vehicle', more preferably a two or multiple compartment dispensing device. The two or multiple compartment dispensing device comprises the active agent entrapped in a carrier material with one or more separate compartments available for incorporating a solid or liquid detergent into a separate compartment of the device for formulating the sustained release active agent. The dispensing device may be adjusted for single use, that is, for a single wash with one or more rinse cycles.

Alternatively, the dispensing device may be adjusted for use on multiple occasions, i.e. numerous wash and rinse cycles. In such a case, the dispensing device will preferably take the form of the product of an extended release dispensing device present in the washer drum, tray or main reservoir.

It is also contemplated that the present invention may be realized by means of a so-called "smart vehicle". In this device, which may include a means for measuring solution parameters, material release occurs when the predetermined conditions are met. A device with this general description is disclosed in US 2004/0088796.

Aqueous solution In the process of the invention, the aqueous composition (be it the main wash solution, or a rinse solution) comprises the active agent.

In the process of the invention, the textile product is brought into contact with the aqueous composition comprising the active agent in the main wash, and the additional active agent is made available during a subsequent rinsing step of the washing process for contact with the white textile articles. .

Mode of Addition The active agent may simply be the sequester and the transition metal cation dispersant, or it may further comprise other beneficial components.

During the process of the invention, the active agent is comprised in an aqueous composition as described above. Such aqueous composition comprising the active agent is prepared by dissolving or dispersing the active agent in the wash or rinse solution. Prior to said dissolution / dispersion, the active agent may exist in any suitable form.

Preferred formats are those wherein the active agent is: a) included in a composition, for example a rinse conditioner or washing detergent composition, which may be a powder, liquid, gel or tablet composition; b) encapsulated in a capsule or capsules, immobilized in a suitable carrier or matrix, for example in a slow release formulation; c) held in a holder; or, d) used simply as the pure compound itself, with or without other components.

Any combination of these forms can be used to provide the active agents at different stages in the washing process.

In a simple format, the active agent and additional active agent may be added manually to the wash or rinse solution, for example during manual wash, or a semi-automatic wash process. Examples of manual addition include the use of a ladle or jug to add a measured amount of active agent directly into the wash or into one or more rinse fluid bodies. The shell or jar can be calibrated. The active agent may be added to the wash or rinse solution by automatic dosing through a washing machine with automatic dosing functionality.

Ideally, the addition should be for all wash stages including the or each main wash and all rinses. This may be accomplished by modifying the design of the washer so that the machine comprises specific dispensing means to ensure that materials are added to the water being supplied to the washer drum. However, as washing machines are presumed to last for many years, it is preferable to provide means to ensure that the present invention can be realized with an existing washing machine. The active agent, in whatever form, can be confined in a dispensing device. The dispensing device may be suitable for use in the drum or drawer of a washing machine.

It can be fixed inside the drum or in the washer reservoir, or fixed to the water inlet to come in contact with the wash water or the rinse solution before water enters the washer. This may be used for a single or a plurality of washes and in each case may be consumed wholly (as a tablet or granular composition) or partially (as a 'vehicle'). In the case of a dispensing device attached to the water inlet of the machine, it is convenient that the device may be deflected if the user wishes to employ a bleach composition, although this is not strictly necessary if sufficient excess bleach is present. Contact with the additional active agent means that the concentration of active agent in the aqueous composition is replenished or increased during the washing process, or is kept substantially constant throughout the process. Replenishment typically occurs when fresh water is taken into the wash process and contacts the source of the active agent, thereby causing a quantity of the agent to dissolve in the water. Therefore, the active agent may have a prolonged release in solution during all or part of the washing process. The present invention does not have the transport of the already dissolved transition metal sequestrant or dispersant in the subsequent stages of the washing process. Contact with the additional active agent means that a separate composition added during rinsing comprising the moderate reducing agent is added to a rinsing step, and placed in contact with the tissue.

During use in an automatic washer, the active agent may be immobilized in a slow release matrix, and dissolution and / or dispersion in the solution occurs when water for a main wash or rinse is captured by the machine and comes into contact. with the formulation immobilized. Prolonged release refers to a means whereby the addition of the active agent to the wash or rinse solution is allowed to progress in portions over time. This may occur through an automatic dosing device such as a part of the washer, or outside the washer.

Preferably, the means for extended release occurs in a device that allows constant contact between the wash or rinse solution and the extended release device. More preferred is a device that allows constant contact between a constant available surface area of the immobilized active agent on a carrier material.

This ensures that under the same conditions the same amount of active agent can be dispensed at a time. One of ordinary skill in the art will know that the main wash solution and the rinse solution will have different properties (solution temperature, presence of additional chemicals in the wash solution (depending on detergent product used), different volumes of water), and then the amount of active agent dispensed will differ between a main wash and a rinse step. However, the preferred product configuration is formulated so that the active agent is dispensed from the slow release formulation in such an amount that the concentration of the transition metal cation sequester and dispersant is independently maintained at a level of about 0.001 g. 1.0 g / l, preferably 0.0015 g / l and 0.5 g / l.

Form of Composition The wash treatment composition of the present invention is described to include rinse and master wash products. Preferably, the wash process compositions are a laundry detergent main wash composition and a rinse composition, for example rinse conditioners.

If the wash process composition is intended for use in the main wash cycle, that is, as a detergent wash composition, then it may take the form of an isotropic liquid, a surfactant-structured liquid, a granular, a powder. spray dried or dry blended, a tablet, paste, molded solid or any other form of washing detergent known to those skilled in the art. In such cases, the wash process composition will comprise one or more detersive surfactants.

Alternatively, the wash process composition may take the form of a product added during rinsing, for example a rinse conditioner.

Textile Compatible Carrier In the context of the present invention, the term "textile compatible carrier" includes a component that can assist in the interaction of the cellulose crosslinking agent with a textile product. The main wash or rinse compositions suitable for use in the process of the present invention preferably comprise one or more textile compatible carriers.

Detersive surfactants Preferably, the carrier is selected from a detersive surfactant or rinse conditioner compound. If the textile carrier is a detersive surfactant, then it is preferably selected from anionic, nonionic, cationic, zwiterionic or amphoteric detersive surfactants. The composition comprises from 2 to 70% by weight of a detersive surfactant, more preferably from 10 to 30% by weight. The detersive surfactant can be selected from the surfactants described in Schwartz & Perry's "Surface Active Agents" Vol. 1, Interscience 1949, Schwartz, Perry & Berch's Vol. 2, Interscience 1958, in the current issue of "McCutcheon's Emulsifiers" and Detergents "published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company, or in" Tenside-Taschenbuch ", H. Stache, 2nd Edn., Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981. Preferably, the surfactants used are saturated.

Suitable nonionic detergent compounds which may be used include, in particular, reaction products of the compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols with oxides of alkylene, especially ethylene oxide alone or with propylene oxide. Specific nonionic detergent compounds are condensed from C6 to C22 ethylene phenol alkyl oxide, generally from 5 to 25 EO, i.e. from 5 to 25 ethylene oxide units per molecule, and condensation products. C8 to C18 aliphatic primary or secondary branched or linear alcohols, generally from 5 to 40 EO.

Suitable anionic detergent compounds which may be used are generally water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulfates and sulfonates having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used. to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Examples of suitable synthetic anionic detergent compounds are potassium and sodium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfation of higher C8 to C18 alcohols, produced for example from tallow or coconut oil, C6 to benzene sulfonates. C20 of sodium and potassium alkyl, particularly C10 to C15 benzene secondary linear secondary sodium sulfonates; and alkyl glyceryl sodium ether sulfates, especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil, and petroleum-derived synthetic alcohols. Preferred anionic detergent compounds are sodium C11 to C15 alkyl benzene sulfonates and sodium C12 to C18 alkyl sulfates. Also applicable are surfactants such as those described in EP-A-328 177 (Unilever), which shows salting-out resistance, alkyl polyglycoside surfactants described in EP-A-070 074, and alkyl monoglycosides.

Suitable amphoteric surfactants are amine oxides or betaines.

Preferred surfactants are mixtures of nonionic and anionic detergent active materials, in particular the groups and examples of nonionic and anionic surfactants given in EP-A-346 995 (Unilever). Especially preferred is a surfactant system which is a mixture of an alkali metal salt of a C 1 to C 1 primary alcohol sulfate together with a C 12 to C 15 primary alcohol of 3 to 7 EO ethoxylate. The nonionic detergent is preferably present in amounts greater than 10%, for example from 25 to 90% by weight of the surfactant system. Anionic surfactants may be present, for example, in amounts ranging from about 5% to about 40% by weight of the surfactant system.

Rinse Conditioners If the textile compatible carrier is a rinse conditioner compound, then preferably the textile compatible carrier is a cationic compound.

Preferred cationic compounds are quaternary ammonium compounds.

This is advantageous if the quaternary ammonium compound is a quaternary ammonium compound having at least one C12 to C22 alkyl chain. This is preferable if the quaternary ammonium compound has the following formula: wherein R1 is a C12 alkyl or alkenyl chain C22; R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from C1 to C4 alkyl chains and X 'is a compatible anion. A preferred compound of this type is quaternary ammonium bromide composed of cetyl trimethyl of a quaternary ammonium compound.

A second class of materials for use with the present invention is the quaternary ammonium of the above structure in which R1 and R2 are independently selected from C12 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl chain, R3 and R4 are independently selected from C1 and C4 alkyl chains and X 'is a compatible anion.

Other suitable quaternary ammonium compounds are disclosed in EP 0 239 910 (Proctor and Gamble). The cationic compound may be present from 1.5 wt% to 50 wt% of the total weight of the composition. Preferably, the cationic compound may be present from 2 wt% to 25 wt%, a more preferred composition is in the range of 5 wt% to 20 wt%.

Compositions suitable for dispensing during the rinse cycle may also be delivered to the textile product in the clothes dryer if properly used. Accordingly, another form of product is a composition (e.g., a paste) suitable for coating over, and dispensing from, a substrate, such as a flexible blade or sponge, or a dispenser during a clothes dryer cycle. .

Activators or Complexing Agents The composition may comprise one or more activators. Such materials may suitably be aluminosilicates, silicates, carbonates, citrates, polycarboxylates, complexing agents and phosphates.

Where the activator is present, the compositions may suitably contain from 10 to 70% by weight of detersive activator. Preferably, the total activator level is less than 20% by weight.

Examples of suitable zeolites are: zeolite A, zeolite B (also known as zeolite P), zeolite C, zeolite X, zeolite Y and also type P zeolite as described in EP-A-0.384.070. The composition may also comprise a complexing agent such as: ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid, alkyl or alkenyl succinic acid, nitrilotacetic acid or mixtures thereof.

Alternatively or in addition to aluminosilicate activators, phosphate activators may be used. In this technique, the term 'phosphate' embraces diphosphate, triphosphate and phosphonate species. Other forms of activator include silicates such as soluble silicates, metasilicates, layered silicates (e.g. Hoechst SKS-6).

For low cost formulations, carbonate (including bicarbonate and sesquicarbonate) and / or citrate may be employed as activators.

Polymers The composition may comprise one or more polymers. Examples are: carboxymethylcellulose, poly (ethylene glycol), polyvinyl alcohol, poly (vinylpyridine-N-oxide), polycarboxylates (such as polyacrylates, maleic / acrylic acid copolymers and lauryl methacrylate / acrylic acid copolymers) and mixtures thereof. The composition may further comprise dirt release polymers such as oxide block copolymers and polyethylene terephthalate. The composition may further comprise a dye transfer inhibiting agent. This avoids the migration of dyes, especially during long re-wetting times. Such agents are preferably selected from polyvinylpyridine N-oxide (PVNO), polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP), polyvinyl imidazole, N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole (PVPVI) copolymers, and / or mixtures thereof. The content of the dye transfer inhibiting agent if present in the composition will be from 0.01 to 10%, preferably from 0.02 to 5%, more preferably from 0.03 to 2% by weight of the composition.

Enzymes The additional color benefits can be obtained by incorporating enzymes. Enzymes contemplated for use in laundry detergent compositions include proteases, alpha-amylases, cellulases, lipases, peroxidases / oxidases, pectate lyases, mannanases or mixtures thereof.

Optional Color Treatment Benefit Agents The compositions of the invention may also contain optional color treatment benefit agents. Preferred color treatment benefit agents are polysaccharides. Typically, the wash / rinse solution will comprise about 0.01 g / l of a polysaccharide color treatment benefit agent. Preferably, the polysaccharide is a beta 1-4 polysaccharide; more preferably, a cellulose derivative such as a C 2 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl derivative. More preferably, the C 2 -C 4 hydroxyalkyl derivative is a hydroxyethyl derivative.

Preferably, the degree of substitution (DS) of the polysaccharide is from 1.5 to 2.25. Preferably, the molecular weight of the polysaccharide is from 100,000 to 500,000 Dalton.

Other Detergent Ingredients The composition may also contain other conventional detergent ingredients such as, for example, fabric conditioners including clays or silicones, foam reinforcers, anti-corrosion agents, dirt suspending agents, dirt anti-redeposition agents, dyes, microbicides, stabilizers, stain inhibitors or perfumes.

Additional optional ingredients include non-aqueous solvents, perfume carriers, fluorescent agents, colorants, hydrotropes, defoaming agents and opacifiers.

In addition, the compositions may comprise one or more of anti-shrinkage agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-stain agents, germicides, fungicides, antioxidants, UV absorbers (sunscreens), heavy metal sequestrants, chlorine purifiers. , dye fasteners, anti-corrosion agents, draping agents, antistatic agents and laundry aids. The optional component lists are not intended to be deepened.

The following non-limiting examples will more fully illustrate the specific embodiments of this invention. All parts, percentages and proportions referenced herein and in the appended claims are by weight unless otherwise illustrated. Physical testing methods are described below.

Examples Example 1 - Quickwash Evaluation A wash program was run using a Raitech Quickwash ™ machine using the following protocol: - Wash, 15 minutes at 40 ° C - Drain, 35 seconds - Rinse, 90 seconds at 40 ° C - Draining, 35 seconds - Spin, 35 seconds - Drying, 4 minutes - Repeat the rinse-drain-spin-drying cycle an additional three times The test comprises one main wash and four rinse steps for a total of 5 steps. Water - 12 ° FH (French Hardness) produced from demineralized water containing calcium / magnesium chloride, Ca: Mg 2: 1 ratio with 1 ppm copper (II) and 1 ppm iron (II) added, both as sulfate salts. The volume of water used in all cases (main wash and each rinse step) was 3.5 liters. The fabric used was a non-fluorescent interlock bleached cotton fabric with 10 individual 20x20cm pieces. Washing Powder - 3.6g Skip ™ (a Unilever brand bleach containing laundry detergent + 0.5g antifoam (silicon coated silica beads)). Skip ™ comprises a fluorescent whitening agent.

After each wash cycle, the fluorescent activity level was measured on a Datacolor Spectraflash SF600 + large aperture plate with UV and specular included. Fluorescent emission was monitored across the peak at 440nm. A higher fluorescence level indicates a higher cloth whiteness value. The following compositions were compared in Example 1: 1A Skip ™ (Control) 1Β Skip ™ + 1% (wt) Dispersant Only (Suparex KS) 1C Skip ™ + 1% Sequester (IDS) Only 1D Skip ™ + 1% Sequester ( IDS) and 1% Dispersant (Suparex KS) The sequestrant and dispersant were dosed equally throughout each step of the laundry process, for example, for 1% by weight of sequester, 0.2% would be dosed in the main wash. and at each of the subsequent rinsing steps. The concentration of both scavenger and dispersant was 0.0021 g / l, each dosed at 1% of a total formulation of 3.6 g, added in five portions throughout the wash (main wash + 4 rinsing steps). to a water content of 3.5 liters in each step. The process was repeated for 5 cycles of washing in the tissue. Table 1 shows the reflectance values of tissue treated with compositions 1A to 1D according to the above protocol.

Table 1 - Reflection Values for Example 1 It can be seen from Table 1 that the combination of transition metal cation sequestrant and dispersant (composition 1D) provides an added effect in addition to the individual cumulative effects.

Example 2 This example is a comparison of the addition of a sequestrant and a dispersant for the master wash only versus the addition of it throughout the combination at the same dosed level throughout the master wash and rinsing steps. The protocol was the same as Example 1, with the same levels of materials and substrates used; however, a different detergent was used on this occasion. The detergent used in this example was Persil ™ Performance, which comprises the same fluorescent whitening agent as Skip (TM) in the previous example.

The following compositions were compared in Example 2: 2A - Persil ™ Performance (Control) 2B - Persil ™ Performance + 1% Sequestrant (IDS) and 1% Dispersant (Suparex KS) added to 2C - Persil ™ Performance + main wash only 1% Sequesterant (IDS) and 1% Dispersant (Suparex KS) added to the wash (0.2% each added to the main wash and each rinse step) The wash process as outlined in example 1, was performed and repeated for 5 cycles of tissue wash - total 5x (main wash + 4 rinses). Table 2 shows the reflectance values of tissue treated with compositions 2A to 2C according to the above protocol.

Table 2 - Reflection Values for Example 2 It can be seen from Table 2 that the combination of transition metal cation sequester and dispersant throughout the wash (in the main wash and 1+ rinsing steps) (composition 2C) provides a whiteness benefit over the addition of the sequester and dispersant only for the main wash.

Example 3 - Washing Machine Study Using a different sequestrant (Turpinal ™ 4NP, Solutia example) in combination with the same Suparex ™ KS dispersant, a washing machine experiment was conducted.

Wash cycle program: Main wash, 40 ° C, 35 minutes, 15 liters of water - Draining - Four rinses at room temperature (~ 20 ° C), 90 seconds per rinse - Rotation, 5 minutes @ 1200rpm Water quality Quickwash experiments from Example 1 (12 ° FH, 1 ppm Cu (11), 1 ppm Fe (11)).

Load composition: 2.5kg, which comprises: - Two short-sleeved shirts (light weight and heavy weight), a light long-sleeved shirt, which follows the concept known in English as "easy care" meaning "easy to wash" , quick drying and no need to iron "and a shirt that follows this same concept, but with short sleeves. - Non-fluorescent cotton (interlock, rib, and single jersey construction) - Pre-fluorescent cotton (interlock, rib, and single jersey construction washed 10 times in Skip (TM) for a fluorescent deposit known). Loads were washed under three different conditions, 2 controls - Skip ™ detergent only, Skip ™ detergent in water + copper (ll) and iron (ll), and in a final condition according to the invention. The conditions were: 1. 105g Skip ™ in 12 ° FH water 2. 105g Skip ™ in 12 ° FFI water containing 1 ppm Cu (ll) and 1 ppm iron (11) 3. 105g Skip ™ in water at 12 ° FH containing 1 ppm Cu (11) and 1 ppm iron (11) with 1 wt% Turpinal ™ 4NP formulation and 1 wt% Suparex ™ KS formulation added. They were separated equally by the main wash and the four rinses (0.21 g each) at each wash stage.

After six cycles, reflectance values were measured as before. The change in reflectance @ 440nm is shown by AR440. This value shows the difference between the reflectance between the tissue before and after treatment.

Factory References: SS032 Valueweight Short Sleeve T-Shirt SS260 Stand Collar Slim-Fit T-Shirt H5180 Super Heavyweight T-Shirt Beefy J945M Easycare "Fil-a-Fil" Short Sleeve T-Shirt J936M Easycare Pure Cotton Poplin Shirt with long sleeve IF - pre-fluorescent cotton interlock INF - non-fluorescent cotton interlock SJF - pre-fluorescent cotton simple jersey SJNF - RF non-fluorescent simple jersey - pre-fluorescent cotton rib RNF - non-cotton rib fluorescent In all cases, the presence of the agents improved the fluorescence value (as indicated by a reflective value close to the value obtained in water without iron and copper). On non-fluorescent tissue, the presence of the active agent (sequestering and dispersing) resulted in a higher fluorescence.

Claims Process for Giving an Improved Whiteness Benefit to a White Textile During a Washing Process

Claims (8)

A process for imparting an improved whiteness benefit to a white textile article during a washing process, comprising the steps of: a) providing an aqueous solution comprising a laundry treatment composition comprising a fluorescent whitening agent and an active agent; and b) contacting the white textile article with the aqueous solution of a); characterized in that the active agent comprises: i) a transition metal cation sequestrant; and (ii) a dispersant comprising one or more of the naphthalene formaldehyde sulfonate condensates, acrylic polymers, maleic anhydride / sulfonated styrene copolymers or a mixture thereof; and, wherein the white textile article is first contacted with the laundry treatment composition comprising the active agent during a washing step, and is contacted with an additional active agent made available from a laundry composition. separate and different laundry treatment added during rinsing. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the sequestrant and dispersant are each present in the aqueous solution at a level of about 0.001 g / l to 1.0 g / l. Process according to claim 2, characterized in that the sequestrant and dispersant are each present in the aqueous solution at a level of about 0.0015 g / l to 0.5 g / l. Process according to Claim 1,2 or 3, characterized in that the laundry treatment composition is a detergent composition comprising an anionic or nonionic detersive surfactant. Process according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the separate laundry treatment composition added during rinsing comprises a quaternary ammonium compound. Process according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact with the additional active agent occurs during the final rinsing step of the washing process. Process according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the contact with the additional active agent occurs during all the rinsing steps of the washing process. Process according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the transition metal cation sequestrant has a binding capacity, log k for copper (11) and iron (11) of greater than 8.