GB2313379A - A detergent composition comprising perfume - Google Patents

Abstract

A detergent composition for delivering perfumes to fabrics, comprises i) a nonionic detergent surfactant; ii) a quaternary ammonium compound having at least one C -C* small Greek eta * alkyl chain and iii) a perfume wherein the ratio of (i) nonionic surfactant to (ii) quaternary ammonium compound is from 99:1 to 80:20 is provided. Di ( tallowyloxyethyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride is the preferred quaternary compound. The choice of surfactant will depend on the intended use of the composition.

Description

DETERGENT COMPOSITION Technical Field The present invention relates to fabric washing detergent compositions. In particular, the invention relates to detergent compositions that have excellent detergency properties and perfume deposition.

Backaround and prior art During the laundering procedure the consumer frequently requires the laundry to be lightly perfumed. This can occur either by use of a rinse conditioner or during the wash cycle.

Due to the expense of including perfume in a composition it is desirable if the maximum level of perfume possible is deposited onto the laundry and the minimum level of perfume possible is thrown away with the washing solution.

We have surprisingly found that a novel detergent composition can be formed which gives excellent detergency and also good perfume delivery.

Definition of the Invention Thus according to one aspect of the invention there is provided a detergent composition comprising: i) a nonionic detergent surfactant; ii) a quaternary ammonium compound having at least one C- C22 alkyl chain and; iii) a perfume; wherein the ratio of (i) nonionic surfactant to (ii) quaternary ammonium compound is from 99:1 to 80:20 The invention further provides the use of a composition as described above to deposit perfume onto a fabric.

Detailed Descrintion of the Invention The Quaternary Ammonium Compound The compositions of the invention must contain a quaternary ammonium compound having at least one C12-C22 alkyl chain.

It is preferred if the quaternary ammonium compound has the following formula:

in which R1 is a C12 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl chain; R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl chains and X- is a compatible anion. A preferred compound of this type is the quaternary ammonium compound cetyl trimethyl quaternary ammonium bromide.

A second class of materials for use with the present invention are the quaternary ammonium compound having the following formula:

in which R1 and R2 are independently selected from C12 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl chain; R3 and R4 are independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl chains and X is a compatible anion.

Water insoluble quaternary ammonium material comprising a compound having two C12l8 alkyl or alkenyl groups connected to the molecule via at least one ester link are also suitable for use with the present invention. It is more preferred if the quaternary ammonium material has two ester links present.

An especially preferred ester-linked quaternary ammonium material for use in the invention can be represented by the formula:

wherein each R1 group is independently selected from C14 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or C24alkenyl groups; x is a suitable anion and wherein each R2 group is independently selected from C828 alkyl or alkenyl groups;

n is an integer from 0-5.

Di(tallowyloxyethyl) dimethyl ammonium chloride is especially preferred.

A second preferred type of quaternary ammonium material can be represented by the formula

wherein R1, n, X and R2 are as defined above.

It is advantageous for environmental reasons if the quaternary ammonium material is biologically degradable.

Preferred materials of this class such as 1,2 bis[hardened tallowoyloxy)-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride and their method of preparation are, for example, described in US 4 137 180 (Lever Brothers), EP 239 910 (PiG). Preferably these materials comprise small amounts of the corresponding monoester as described in US 4 137 180 for example hardened tallowoyloxy -2-hydroxy-3- trimethylammonium propane chloride.

It is preferred if the ratio of quaternary ammonium compound to nonionic surfactant is from 1:50 to20:50.

The quaternary ammonium compound may be present from 0.02 wt% to 20 wt% of the total weight of the composition. If the level of cationic compound is too high the detergency is adversely affected.

Preferably the cationic compound may be present from 0.05 wt% to 15 wt%, a more preferred composition range is from 0.2 wt% to 5 wt%, and most preferably the composition range is from 0.4 wt% to 2.5 wt% of the total weight of the composition.

If the product is a liquid it is preferred if the level of cationic surfactant is from O.OSwtB to lOwt% of the total weight of the composition. Preferably the cationic compound may be present from 0.2wt% to 5 wt%, and most preferably from 0.4 wt% to 2.5 wt% of the total weight of the composition.

If the product is a solid or granular it is preferred if the level of cationic surfactant is 0.05 wt% to 15 wtt (0.5 wt% to 5 wt%) of the total weight of the composition. A more preferred composition range is from 0.2 wt% to 10 wt%, and the most preferred composition range is from 0.9 wt% to 3.0 wt% of the total weight of the composition.

The Nonionic Compound The composition of the invention requires the presence of a nonionic surfactant.

Nonionic surfactants that may be used include the primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C8-C20 aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more especially the C10-C15 primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Non-ethoxylated nonionic surfactants include alkylpolyglycosides, glycerol monoethers, and polyhydroxyamides (glucamide).

It is preferred if the level of nonionic surfactant is from 2 wtZ to 40 wt%, preferably from 10 wt% to 30 wt% of the weight of the product.

It is advantageous if the nonionic surfactant is a C12-C22 nonionic surfactant having 3 to 10 ethoxy groups.

The choice of detergent-active compound (surfactant), and the amount present, will depend on the intended use of the detergent composition. In fabric washing compositions, different surfactant systems may be chosen, as is well known to the skilled formulator, for handwashing products and for products intended for use in different types of washing machine.

It is preferable if mixtures of nonionic surfactants are used if high foaming products are required.

It is preferred if the chain length of the nonionic surfactant is matched with the chain length of the cat ionic compound. In this respect it is advantageous in that if R1 or R2 of the cat ionic group is A the average chain length of the nonionic surfactant is A plus or minus 4.

The Anionic Surfactant Although an anionic surfactant may be present in compositions of the invention it is preferred if it is absent.

If present suitable anionic surfactants are well-known to those skilled in the art and include alkylbenzene sulphonate primary and secondary alkyl sulphates, particularly C8-C15 primary alkyl sulphates; alkyl ether sulphates; olefin sulphonates; alkyl xylene sulphonates; dialkyl sulphosuccinates; and fatty acid ester sulphonates. Sodium salts are generally preferred.

Detergent compositions suitable for use in most automatic fabric washing machines generally contain anionic non-soap surfactant, or nonionic surfactant, or combinations of the two in any ratio, optionally together with soap.

For compositions in solid form, especially powder, the detergent surfactant is advantageously solid at room temperature as this provides crisp composition particles.

Perfume Although the invention is not limited to specific perfumery materials, some perfumery materials which may be used include: acetyl cedrene, 4-acetoxy-3-pentyltetrahydropyran, 4-acetyl-6-t-butyl-l, 1-dimethylindane, available under the trademark ZCELESTOLIDE", 5-acetyl-1,2,3,3,6-hexamethylindane, available under the trademark WPHANTOLIDE", 6-acetyl-1-isopropyl-2,3,3,5-tetramethylindane, available under the trademark "TRASEOLIDE", alpha-n-amylcinammic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, aubepine, aubepine nitrile, aurantion, 2-t-butylcyclohexyl acetate, 2-t-butylcyclohexanol, 3-(p-t-butylphenyl)propanal, 4-t-butylcyclohexyl acetate, 4-t-butyl-3,5-dinitro-2,6-dimethyl acetophenone, 4-t-butylcyclohexanol, benzoin siam resinoids, benzyl benzoate, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl salicylate, benzyl propionate, benzyl isoamyl ether, bergamot oil, bornyl acetate, butyl salicylate, carvacrol, cedar atlas oil, cedryl methyl ether, cedryl acetate, cinnamic alcohol, cinnamyl propionate, cis-3-hexenol, cis-3-hexenyl salicylate, citronella oil, citronellol, citronellonitrile, citronellyl acetate, citronellyloxyacetaldehyde, cloveleaf oil, coumarin, 9-decen-1-ol, n-decanal, n-dodecanal, decanol, decyl acetate, diethyl phthalate, dihydromyrcenol, dihydromyrcenyl formate, dihydromyrcenyl acetae, dihydroterpinyl acetate, dimethylbenzyl carbinyl acetate, dimethylbenzylcarbinol, dimethylheptanol, dimethyloctanol, dimyrcetol, diphenyl oxide, ethyl naphthyl ether, ethyl vanillin, ethylene brassylate, eugenol, geraniol, geranium oil, geranonitrile, geranyl nitrile, geranyl acetate, 1,1,2,4,4,7-hexamethyl-6-acetyk-1,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene, available under the trademark "TONALID", 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta-2- benzopyran, available under the trademark ZGALAXOLIDE", 2-n-heptylcyclopentanone, 3a,4,5,6,7,7a-hexahydro-4,7-methano-1(3)H-inden-6- ylpropionate, available under the trademark "FLOROCYCLENE", 3a,4,5,6,7,7s-hexahydro-4,7-methano-1(3)H-inden-6- ylacetate, available under the trademark "JASMACYCLENE", 4- (4' -hydroxy-4' -methylpentyl) -3-cyclohexenecarbaldehyde, alpha-hexylcinammic aldehyde, heliotropin, Hercolyn D, hexyl aldone, hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, hexyl salicylate, hydroxycitronellal, i-nonyl formate, 3-isocamphylcyclohexanol, 4-isopropylcyclohexanol, 4isopropylcyclohexyl methanol, indole, ionones, irones, isoamyl salicylate, isoborneol, isobornyl acetate, isobutyl salicylate, isobutylbenzoate, isobutylphenyl acetate, isoeugenol, isolongifolanone, isomethyl ionones, isononanol, isononyl acetate, isopulegol, lavendin oil, lemongrass oil, linalool, linalyl acetate, LRG 201, 1-menthol, 2-methyl-3-(p-isopropylphenyl)propanal, 2-methyl-3- (p-t-butylphenyl) propanal, 3-methyl-2-pentyl-cyclopentanone, 3-methyl-5-phenyl-pentanol, alpha and beta methyl naphthyl ketones, methyl ionones, methyl dihydrojasmonate, methyl naphthyl ether, methyl 4-propyl phenyl ether, Mousse de chene Yugo, Musk ambrette, myrtenol, neroli oil, nonanediol-1,3-diacetate, nonanol, nonanolide-1,4, nopol acetate, l,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydro-2,3,8,8-tetramethyl-2- acetyl-naphthalene, available under the trademark 1ISO-E-SUPER", octanol, Oppoponax resinoid, orange oil, p-t-amylcyclohexanone, p-t-butylmethylhydroxinnamic aldehyde, 2-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethyl acetate, 2-phenylpropanol, 3-phenylpropanol, para-menthan-7-ol, para-t-butylphenyl methyl ether, patchouli oil, pelargene, petitgrain oil, phenoxyetyl isobutyrate, phenylacetaldehyde diethyl acetal, phenylacetaldehyde dimethyl acetal, phenylethyl n-butyl ether, phenylethyl isoamyl ether, phenylethylphenyl acetate, pimento leaf oil, rose-d-oxide, Sandalone, styrallyl acetate, 1,1,4,4-tetramethyl-6-acetyl-7-ethyl-1,2,3,4- tetrahydronaphthalene, available under the trademark "VERSALIDE", 3,3,5-trimethyl hexyl acetate, 3,5,5,-trimethylcyclohexanol, terpineol, terpinyl acetate, tetrahydrogeraniol, tetrahydrolinalool, tetrahydromuguol, tetrahydromyrcenol, thyme oil, trichloromethylphenycarbinyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl acetate, tricyclodecenyl propionate, lO-undecen-l-al, gamma undecalactone, lO-undecen-l-ol undecanol, vanillin, vetiverol, vetiveryl acetate, vetyvert oil, acetate and propionate esters of alcohols in the list above, aromatic nitromusk fragrances, indane musk fragrances, isochroman musk fragrances, macrocyclic ketones, macrolactone musk fragrances, and tetralin musk fragrances.

Perfumes frequently include solvents or diluents, for example: ethanol, ispropanol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, dipropylene glycol, diethyl phthalate and triethyl citrate.

Perfumes which are used in this invention may, if desired have deodorant properties as disclosed in US-A04303679, US-A4663068 and EP-A-545556.

Detergency Builder The detergent compositions of the invention will generally also contain one or more detergency builders. The total amount of detergency builder in the compositions will suitably range from 5 to 80 wt%, preferably from 10 to 60 wt%.

Inorganic builders that may be present include sodium carbonate, if desired in combination with a crystallisation seed for calcium carbonate, as disclosed in GB 1 437 950 (Unilever); crystalline and amorphous aluminosilicates, for example, zeolites as disclosed in GB 1 473 201 (Henkel), amorphous aluminosilicates as disclosed in GB 1 473 202 (Henkel) and mixed crystalline/amorphous aluminosilicates as disclosed in GB 1 470 250 (Procter & Gamble); and layered silicates as disclosed in EP 164 514B (Hoechst). Inorganic phosphate builders, for example, sodium orthophosphate, pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate are also suitable for use with this invention.

The detergent compositions of the invention preferably contain an alkali metal, preferably sodium, aluminosilicate builder. Sodium aluminosilicates may generally be incorporated in amounts of from 10 to 70% by weight (anhydrous basis), preferably from 25 to 50 wt%.

The alkali metal aluminosilicate may be either crystalline or amorphous or mixtures thereof, having the general formula: 0.8-1.5 Na2O. A1203. 0.8-6 SiO2 These materials contain some bound water and are required to have a calcium ion exchange capacity of at least 50 mg CaO/g.

The preferred sodium aluminosilicates contain 1.5-3.5 SiO2 units (in the formula above). Both the amorphous and the crystalline materials can be prepared readily by reaction between sodium silicate and sodium aluminate, as amply described in the literature.

Suitable crystalline sodium aluminosilicate ion-exchange detergency builders are described, for example, in GB 1 429 143 (Procter & Gamble). The preferred sodium aluminosilicates of this type are the well-known commercially available zeolites A and X, and mixtures thereof.

The zeolite may be the commercially available zeolite 4A now widely used in laundry detergent powders. However, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the zeolite builder incorporated in the compositions of the invention is maximum aluminium zeolite P (zeolite MAP) as described and claimed in EP 384 070A (Unilever). Zeolite MAP is defined as an alkali metal aluminosilicate of the zeolite P type having a silicon to aluminium ratio not exceeding 1.33, preferably within the range of from 0.90 to 1.33, and more preferably within the range of from 0.90 to 1.20.

Especially preferred is zeolite MAP having a silicon to aluminium ratio not exceeding 1.07, more preferably about 1.00. The calcium binding capacity of zeolite MAP is generally at least 150 mg CaO per g of anhydrous material.

Organic builders that may be present include polycarboxylate polymers such as polyacrylates, acrylic/maleic copolymers, and acrylic phosphinates; monomeric polycarboxylates such as citrates, gluconates, oxydisuccinates, glycerol mono-, diand trisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates, carboxymethyloxymalonates, dipicolinates, hydroxyethyliminodiacetates, alkyl- and alkenylmalonates and succinates; and sulphonated fatty acid salts. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

Especially preferred organic builders are citrates, suitably used in amounts of from 5 to 30 wt%, preferably from 10 to 25 wt%; and acrylic polymers, more especially acrylic/maleic copolymers, suitably used in amounts of from 0.5 to 15 wt%, preferably from 1 to 10 wt%.

Builders, both inorganic and organic, are preferably present in alkali metal salt, especially sodium salt, form.

Bleach Components Detergent compositions according to the invention may also suitably contain a bleach system. Fabric washing compositions may desirably contain peroxy bleach compounds, for example, inorganic persalts or organic peroxyacids, capable of yielding hydrogen peroxide in aqueous solution.

Suitable peroxy bleach compounds include organic peroxides such as urea peroxide, and inorganic persalts such as the alkali metal perborates, percarbonates, perphosphates, persilicates and persulphates. Preferred inorganic persalts are sodium perborate monohydrate and tetrahydrate, and sodium percarbonate.

Especially preferred is sodium percarbonate having a protective coating against destabilisation by moisture.

Sodium percarbonate having a protective coating comprising sodium metaborate and sodium silicate is disclosed in GB 2 123 044B (Kao).

The peroxy bleach compound is suitably present in an amount of from 0.1 to 35 wt%, preferably from 0.5 to 25 wit*.

The peroxy bleach compound may be used in conjunction with a bleach activator (bleach precursor) to improve bleaching action at low wash temperatures. The bleach precursor is suitably present in an amount of from 0.1 to 8 wt%, preferably from 0.5 to 5 wt%.

Preferred bleach precursors are peroxycarboxylic acid precursors, more especially peracetic acid precursors and pernoanoic acid precursors. Especially preferred bleach precursors suitable for use in the present invention are N,N,N',N'-tetracetyl ethylenediamine (TAED) and sodium noanoyloxybenzene sulphonate (SNOBS). The novel quaternary ammonium and phosphonium bleach precursors disclosed in US 4 751 015 and US 4 818 426 (Lever Brothers Company) and EP 402 971A(Unilever), and the cationic bleach precursors disclosed in EP 284 292A and EP 303 520A (Kao) are also of interest.

The bleach system can be either supplemented-with or replaced by a peroxyacid. Examples of such peracids can be found in US 4 686 063 and US 5 397 501 (patent on TPCAP - Unilever).

A preferred example is the imido peroxycarboxylic class cf peracids described in EP A 325 288, EP A 349 940, DE 382 3172 and EP 325 289. A particularly preferred example is phtalimido peroxy caproic acid (PAP). Such peracids are suitably present at 0.1 - 12%, preferably 0.5 - 10%.

A bleach stabiliser (heavy metal sequestrant) may also be present. Suitable bleach stabilisers include ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA), the polyphosphonates such as Dequest (Trade Mark) and non-phosphate stabilisers such as EDDS (ethylene diamine di-succinic acid). These Bleach stabilisers are also useful for stain removal, especially in products containing low levels of bleaching species or no bleaching species.

An especially preferred bleach system comprises a peroxy bleach compound (preferably sodium percarbonate optionally together with a bleach activator), and a transition metal bleach catalyst as described and claimed in EP 458 397A, EP 458 398A and EP 509 787A (Unilever).

The Enzyme Suitable enzymes include the proteases, amylases, cellulases, oxidases, peroxidases and lipases usable for incorporation in detergent compositions.

Preferred proteolytic enzymes (proteases) are, catalytically active protein materials which degrade or alter protein types of stains when present as in fabric stains in a hydrolysis reaction. They may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial or yeast origin.

Proteolytic enzymes or proteases of various qualities and origins and having activity in various pH ranges of from 4-12 are available and can be used in the instant invention.

Examples of suitable proteolytic enzymes are the subtilisins, which are obtained from particular strains of h. subtilis and B. licheniformis, such as the commercially available subtilisins Maxatase (Trade Mark), as supplied by Gist Brocades NV., Delft, Holland, and Alcalase (Trade Mark), as supplied by Novo Industri A/S, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Particularly suitable is a protease obtained from a strain of Bacillus having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 8-12, being commercially available, e.g. from Novo Industri A/S under the registered trade-names Esperase (Trade Mark) and Savinase (Trade-Mark). The preparation of these and analogous enzymes is described in GB 1 243 785. Other commercial proteases are Kazusase (Trade Mark) (obtainable from Showa-Denko of Japan), Optimase (Trade Mark) (from Miles Kali-Chemie, Hannover, West Germany), and Superase (Trade Mark) (obtainable from Pfizer of U.S.A.).

Detergency enzymes are commonly employed in granular form in amounts of from about 0.1 to about 3.0 wt%.

Other Ingredients The compositions of the invention may contain alkali metal, preferably sodium, carbonate, in order to increase detergency and ease processing. Sodium carbonate may suitably be present in amounts ranging from 1 to 60 wt%, preferably from 2 to 40 wt%. However, compositions containing little or no sodium carbonate are also within the scope of the invention.

Powder flow may be improved by the incorporat-ion of a small amount of a powder structurant, for example, a fatty acid (or fatty acid soap), a sugar, an acrylate or acrylate/maleate polymer, or sodium silicate.

One preferred powder structurant is fatty acid soap, suitably present in an amount of from 1 to 5 wt%.

Other materials that may be present in detergent compositions of the invention include sodium silicate; antiredeposition agents such as cellulosic polymers; inorganic salts such as sodium sulphate; lather control agents or lather boosters as appropriate; proteolytic and lipolytic enzymes; dyes; coloured speckles; perfumes; foam controllers; fabric softening compounds, soil release polymers, fluorescers and decoupling polymers. This list is not intended to be exhaustive.

The detergent composition when diluted in the wash liquor (during a typical wash cycle) will give a pH of the wash liquor from 7 to 10.5.

The detergent components of the present invention may be incorporated in detergent compositions of all physical types, for example, powders, liquids, gels and solid bars.

Detergent compositions of the invention may be prepared by any suitable method.

Particulate detergent compositions are suitably prepared by spray-drying a slurry of compatible heat-insensitive ingredients, and then spraying on or postdosing those ingredients unsuitable for processing via the slurry. The skilled detergent formulator will have no difficulty in deciding which ingredients should be included in the slurry and which should not.

Particulate detergent compositions of the invention preferably have a bulk density of at least 400 g/l, more preferably at least 500 g/l.

Especially preferred compositions have bulk densities of at least 650 g/litre, more preferably at least 700 g/litre.

Such powders may be prepared either by post-tower densification of spray-dried powder, or by wholly non-tower methods such as dry mixing and granulation; in both cases a high-speed mixer/granulator may advantageously be used.

Processes using high-speed mixer/granulators are disclosed, for example, in EP 340 013A, EP 367 339A, EP 390 251A and EP 420 317A (Unilever).

Liquid detergent compositions can be prepared by admixing the essential and optional ingredients thereof in any desired order to provide compositions containing components in the requisite concentrations. Liquid compositions according to the present invention can also be in compact form which means it will contain a lower level of water compared to a conventional liquid detergent.

The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following non-limiting Examples.

Comparative Examples are illustrated by a letter and Examples of the invention are illustrated by a number.

Examples Table 1 and Table 2 formulations were used as base formulation in the Examples.

Powders The formulations of the base products was as follows: Table 1

Powders Wt% Nonionic + Cationic* 24.00 Zeolite Map 56. 67 Sodium Carbonate (light soda ash) 12.08 (SCMC) sodium carboxy methyl cellulose 1.3 Calcium Dequest 0.5 Antifoam granule 4.2 Perfume 0.5 The nonionic surfactant was a 1:1 mix of Coco 7 EO NRE and Coco 3 EO NRE.

Coco 7 EO NRE is a C12l4 alcohol ethoxylate of mean ethyloxylate chain length of 3. (NRE = Narrow range ethoxylate.) Coco 3 EO NRE is a Cm214 alcohol ethoxylate of mean ethyloxylate chain length of 7. Cationic was Arquad 2T (ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride) or Varisoft 475/methyl tallow amido ethyl-2-hydro tallow imidazolinium).

Method for Powder Preparatlon The product was made up in a Magimi food processor. The zeolite, sodium carbonate, SCMC, antifoam and Dequest were added first and dry mixed using a pulsed action. The nonionic mixture was then added slowly with pulsed action. The cationic was added, again using a pulsed mixing action.

Perfume was then added by weighing into a small sample of the base powder and mixing with a metal spatular before being added to the main powder. The whole sample was then mixed for 24 hours to equilibriate.

Liauid Products The formulation for the liquid products was as follows: Table 2

COMPONENT % COMPOSITION Nonionic + Cationic active* 17.00 Ethanol 5.00 Borax 1.50 EDTA (di sodium salt) 0.08 Perfume 0.5 Water to 100% * As for powdered product Method for Small Scale PreDaration of Liauid Sroducts The nonionic, cationic and ethanol were mixed together. The borax and EDTA were dissolved in the required amount of water and added to the active mixture with constant rapid stirring.

The product was then roller mixed to equilibriate.

Where perfume was required it was added at 0.5t on the total product followed by addition of water. The product with perfume added was roller mixed for 24 hours to equilibriate.

PreDaration of Test Fabrics The fabrics used for the perfume deposition experiments were cotton terry towelling and knitted polyester.

The towelling was desized by washing in a top loading washing machine using a liquor/cloth ratio 35/1 and 5 g/l of sodium carbonate added to the demin water. The wash temperature was 600C. After the wash the fabric was given a total of rinses before spinning and tumble drying. The polyester fabric was desized in a front loading washing machine set on a main wash programme at 600C and using 30g of a standard based nonionic/ anionic powder as product. After the wash the load was given 8 rinses before spinning and tumble drying.

Perfume DeDosition All washes were carried out in a Tergotometer using the following wash conditions:

Temperature 30 C isothermal Wash time 30 min.

Wash volume 600 ml Wt. of fabric 20 g (2 x 10 g pieces) Paddle speed 75 rpm Water supply distilled Rinses x 3 using 800 ml of demin water at room temp.

The total active concentration for all systems was maintained at 1 g/l.

The order of addition to the wash was:- distilled water, active solution or product, and finally the test fabric. At the end of the wash and after each rinse the fabrics were squeezed to remove excess liquor. After the final rinse the cloths were given a short spin (30 sec.). At this stage if the fabrics were required for sensory testing they were placed damp in screw top jars and assessed the same day.

Cloths for GC/MS analysis were line dried over night.

Analvsis of Washed Fabrics Sensory Assessment The damp fabrics contained in screw top glass jars were assessed for perfume deposition by a trained panel using a line scale of 0 to 10 for intensity. Duplicate sets of samples were assessed for each test. The data was analysed statistically for significance. The final scale for perfume intensity and quoted as 0 to 100. A score of 100 represents a high perfume delivery.

GC/MC Analvsis The fabrics for GC/MS analysis were line dried over night (17 hours). Then 3.0 g samples of the fabric were placed in 20 ml screw top glass vials. 15 ml of high purity iso propyl alcohol was added and the vials roller mixed for 3 hours then sonicated for 30 mins in a small sonic bath.

Samples of the IPA extracts were analysed on a bench top GC/MS system fitted with an SGE BPX5 glass capillary column.

Sensory assessment of cationic/nonionic systems for perfume delivery to fabrics from a liquid product with base formulation as in Table 1 above is shown in Table 3.

Table 3

Example Sensory Score (0-100 scale) 5 Cationic/ Cat ionic is Cationic is Nonionic (7EO) Arquad 2T*1 Varisoft 475*2 A 100/0 25.3 27.2 B 90/0 28.9 25.1 1 10/90 33.1 29.6 C 0/100 15.8 19.8 *1 Arquad 2T = di tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride

*2 Varisoft 475 = Methyl tallow amido ethyl-2-hydro tallow imidazol inium Added so that the total level of active is Ig/litre.

Table 4 demonstrates the sensory perception of the perfume delivery onto a fabric from a liquid composition comprising different nonionic/cationic surfactant mixes within a standard formulation according to Table 1.

Table 4

Example Cationic/Nonio Sensory Score (0-100 nic ratio scale) (total surfactant concentration lg/litre) 2 Arquad 2T*/NI 44.6 7EO (10/90) 3 HEQ*2/NI 7EO 44.2 (10/90) D HEQ*/NI 7EO 37.8 (50/50) E NI 7EO 26.9 * HEQ is 1,2 bis [hardened tallowoxyloxy]-3-trimethylammonium propane chloride (ex Hoechst). Table 5 Comparison of perfume deposition from a range of cat ionic sufficient and at a 5/95 ratio with nonionic surfactant.

Analysis of perfume deposition by GC/MS - liquid product with a standard formulation according to Table 1.

Example 8 Active System % Of Total Perfume Deposited Ratio 5/95 on Fabric F Nonionic mixture 0.8 4 NRE*l/Arquad 2T 21.7 5 NRE*1/Arquad 25.6 2HT*2 6 NRE*1/Accosoft*3 13.2 7 NRE*/Stepantex*4 6.4 8 NRE*/CTAB 25.7 *l Nonionic mixture as for table 1.

*2 Arquad 2HT is dihardened tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride.

*3 Stephantex is N-(2-hydroxyethyl),N-methyl,N,N, bis[2 tallowoxyl oxyethyl) ammonium sulphate.

*4 CTAB 3 hexadecaltrimethylammonium bromide.

Table 6 Perfume deposition to washed fabrics from model wash systems made up with stock solutions. A liquid product with a standard formulation according to Table 1.

Wash System at 300C

Examples Nonionic/Cationic % of perfume deposited Mixture on fabric (by GC/MS) F Nonionic mixture only 0.9 9 HEQ/Nonionic Mixture 9.4 5/95 10 2T/Arquad Nonionic 22.3 Mixture 5/95 11 CTAB/NRE 5/95 25.7 Table 7 Perfume delivery from a formulated powder product with a standard formulation according to Table 2.

Demonstrates the effect.

Examples CTAB/ Perfume Deposition NRE Sum of components in extract ratio 4 0/100 Perfume in product 11 0/100 Perfume added as emulsion 1.5 ppm 12 5/95 Perfume in product 17.9 ppm 13 5/95 Perfume added as emulsion 16.2 ppm 14 10/90 Perfume in product 51.1 ppm 15 10/90 Pefume added as emulsion 53.3 ppm 16 15/85 Perfume in product 59.7 ppm 17 ~ 15/85 Perfume added as emulsion 62.8 ppm

Claims (1)

1. CLAIMS 1) A detergent composition comprising:

   i) a nonionic detergent surfactant;

   ii) a quaternary ammonium compound having at least one Cl2-C22 alkyl chain and

   iii) a perfume wherein the ratio of (i) nonionic surfactant to (ii) quaternary ammonium compound is from 99:1 to 80:20 2) A detergent composition according to claim 1 which does not comprise anionic surfactant.

   3) A detergent composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the level of nonionic surfactant to quaternary ammonium compound is from 50:1 to 50:20.

   4) A detergent composition according to any preceding claim which is a liquid and in which the total level of quaternary ammonium compound is from 0.2 wt% to 5.0 wt% of the total weight of the composition.

   5) A detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3 in which the composition is in powdered or granular form and in which the level of quaternary ammonium compound is from 0.2 wt% to 10 wt% of the total weight of the composition.

   6) A detergent composition according to any preceding claim in which the nonionic surfactant is a C12-C22 nonionic surfactant having 3 to 10 ethoxy groups.

   7) A detergent composition according to any preceding claim in which the quaternary ammonium compound has the following formula:

   in which R1 and R2 are independently selected from C12 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl chain; R3 and R4 are independently selected from C1-C4 alkyl chains and X is a compatible anion.

   8) A detergent composition according to any preceding claim in which the quaternary ammonium compound has the following formula:

   in which R1 is a C,2 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl chain; R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from C,-C4 alkyl chains and x is a compatible anion.

   9) A detergent composition according to claim 7 or claim 8 in which if the average chain length of R1 or R2 of the cat ionic group is A the average chain length of the nonionic surfactant is A + or - 4.

   10) Use of a composition according to claim 1 to deposit perfume onto a fabric.