MXPA98010101A - Detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

A detergent composition suitable for use in laundry and dishwashing methods is provided, comprising a cationic ester surfactant and a gravel dispersing agent.

Description

DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS TECHNICAL FIELD • The present invention relates to detergent compositions containing a cationic ester surfactant and a fat dispersing agent, which are suitable for use in laundry and dishwashing methods. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The satisfactory removal of dirt / greasy stains, that is, dirt / stains that have a high The proportion of triglycerides or fatty acids is a challenge faced by the formulator of detergent compositions for use in laundry and dishwashing methods.

^ The surfactant components have traditionally been used in detergent products to facilitate the removal of said dirt / greasy spots. In particular, surfactant systems comprising cationic esters for use in the removal of dirt / greasy spots have been described. A challenge faced in laundry methods and for dishwashing is not only the removal of dirt and greasy stains from the soiled / stained substrate, but the dispersion of stains / greasy dirt components, thus preventing its (re) deposition on the substrates. Fat dispersing agents can be used in detergents to achieve the prevention of (re) deposition of greasy stains / dirt. Examples of fat dispersing agents are polymers with hydrophobic side chains and hydrophilic monomer units in the base structure. EP-B-21,491 discloses detergent compositions containing a mixture of nonionic / cationic surfactant and a builder mixture comprising aluminosilicate builder and polycarboxylate builder. The cationic surfactant may be a cationic ester. The improved removal of oil / oily and particulate soils is described. US-A-4, 228, 042 discloses biodegradable cationic surfactants which include cationic ester surfactants for use in detergent compositions to provide removal of greasy / oily soils. The combination of these cationic surfactants with nonionic surfactants in compositions developed for the removal of particulate soils is also described. US-A-4, 260, 529 discloses laundry detergent compositions having a pH of not more than 11, containing cationic ester surfactant and nonionic surfactant at defined weight ratios.

WO 91/08281 discloses dispersing polymers for the dispersion of detergent droplets, with a hydrophilic base structure and hydrophobic side chains. It has now been found that the performance of certain fat dispersing agents in traditional detergents is affected by the washing conditions, such as the hardness of the water. Essential to the performance of fat dispersing agents is their affinity for, and absorbency over, the stain / dirt (greasy) components on the fabric. However, the absorbency on the dyed fabrics can be poblemic when "lime soaps" (formed by the alkali metals and alkaline earth metals of the water hardness with fatty acids) are present in the fabric. It is thought that this problem causes the reduced performance of the dispersing agents. Applicants have now found that this problem can be mitigated by the inclusion of cationic ester surfactants in detergents containing fat dispersing agents, which are polymers with a hydrophilic base structure and hydrophobic side chains. It has been shown that detergent compositions using both components provide a surprisingly improved cleaning performance. It is thought that two mechanisms are responsible for these benefits. First, the cationic ester surfactant can reduce the deposition of "lime soaps" on the fabric. The reduction of the deposition will facilitate the absorbency of the fat dispersing agent on dirt or greasy stains. A) Yes, an improvement of its dispersing performance is achieved. Second, it is thought that the cationic ester surfactant may also act to facilitate the solubilization of the components of the greasy soils / spots. This will allow the fat dispersing agent to disperse the components of the soils / stains. Thus, a general cleaning improved by the detergent is achieved. All documents cited in the present description are incorporated herein, in relevant part, by reference.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The detergent composition of the present invention comprises: (a) a cationic ester surfactant; and (b) a fat dispersing agent. Preferably, the fat dispersing agent is present at a level of 0.1% to 15% by weight of the detergent composition. In a preferred aspect, the cationic ester surfactant is selected from those having the formula: R3 M wherein R? _ is a straight or branched chain of 5-c31 alkyl, alkenyl or alkaryl or M ".N + (RgRyRg) (CH2) S; X and Y, independently, are selected from the group consisting of COO, OCO , O, CO, OCOO, CONH, NHCO, OCONH and NHCOO wherein at least one of X or Y is a group COO, OCO, OCOO, OCONH or NHCOO; R2, 3, R4, Rg, R7 and Rg are selected independently of the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxy alkynyl and alkaryl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R5 is independently H or an alkyl group of C? _ C3, - wherein the values of m, n, syt are independently on the scale from 0 to 8, the value of b is on the scale from 0 to 20, and the values of a, u and v are independently either 0 or 1, with the proviso that at least some of uov must be 1, and where M is a counter anion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Cationic Ester Surfactant An essential element of the detergent compositions of the invention is a cationic ester surfactant. Preferably, the cationic ester surfactant of the present invention is present at a level of from 0.1% to 20.0%, more preferably from 0.5% to 10%, most preferably from 1.0% to 5.0% by weight of the detergent composition. The cationic ester surfactant of the present invention is preferably a water dispersible compound having surfactant properties and comprising at least one ester linkage (i.e., -COO-) and at least one cationically charged group. Suitable cationic ester surfactants, including choline ester surfactants, have been described, for example, in U.S. Patents. Nos. 422,8042, 4239660 and 4260529. In a preferred aspect, the ester linkage and the cationically charged group are separated from each other in the surfactant molecule by a spacer group consisting of a chain comprising at least three atoms ( that is, chain length of three atoms), preferably three to eight atoms, more preferably three to five atoms, most preferably three atoms. The atoms forming the chain of the spacer group are selected from the group consisting of carbon, nitrogen and oxygen atoms, and any mixture thereof, with the proviso that no nitrogen or oxygen atom in said chain binds only to the carbon atoms in the chain. In this way, groups that have, for example, links -0-0- (ie, peroxide), -NN- and -NO- are excluded, but include separator groups that have, for example, -CH links -0-CH2- and -CH2-NH-CH2. In a preferred aspect, the chain of the spacer group only comprises carbon atoms, more preferably the chain is a hydrocarbyl chain. Preferred cationic ester surfactants are those having the formula: * 1 ~ + (R-, M wherein R? _ is a straight or branched C5 ~ 31 alkyl, alkenyl or alkaryl chain or M ~ .N + (RQR-JRQ) (CH2) S "X and Y, independently, are selected from the group consisting of COO, OCO, O, CO, OCOO, CONH, NHCO, OCONH and NHCOO wherein at least one of X or Y is a group COO, OCO, OCOO, OCONH or NHCOO; R2, R3, 4, Rg, 7 and Rs are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxy alkynyl and alkaryl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R5 is independently H or an alkyl group of Ct_-C3, - wherein the values of m, n, syt are independently on the scale of 0 to 8, the value of b is on the scale of 0 to 20, and the values of a, u and v are independently either 0 or 1, with the proviso that at least some of uov must be 1; and where M is a counter anion. Preferably, it is selected from the group consisting of halide, methyl sulfate, sulfate and nitrate, more preferably methyl sulfate, chloride, bromide or iodide. In a preferred aspect, the cationic ester surfactant is selected from those having the formula: (X) - (CH2) m-N -R3 - wherein R? _ Is a linear or branched C5-31 alkyl, alkenyl or alkaryl chain; X is selected from the group consisting of COO, OCO, OCOO, OCONH and NHCOO; R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R5 is independently H or a C1-C3 alkyl group; where the value of n is on a scale of 0 to 8, the value of b is on a scale of 0 to 20, the value of a is 0 or 1, and the value of m is 3 to 8. More preferably, R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from an alkyl group of Ct_-C4 and a hydroxyalkyl group of C1-C. In a preferred aspect, at least one, preferably only one, of R2, R3 and R4 is a hydroxyalkyl group. The hydroxyalkyl preferably has from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, more preferably 2 or 3 carbon atoms, most preferably 2 carbon atoms. In another preferred aspect, at least one of R2, R3 and R4 is a C2-C3 alkyl group, more preferably two C2-C3 alkyl groups are present. The highly preferred water-dispersible cationic ester surfactants are esters having the formula: O CH3 5 R -, - C-O- (CH2) m-N + -CH3 M "CH3 wherein m is from 1 to 4, preferably 2 or 3, and wherein R? _ is an alkyl chain of linear or branched Ct _? _- Ct_g. Particularly preferred choline esters of this type include the quaternary methylammonium halides ft of estearoyl choline ester (ε-alkyl), the quaternary methylammonium halides of palmitoyl choline ester (εkylalkyl), the halides of methylammonium quaternary ester of myristoyl choline (C2 alkylkyl), the quaternary methylammonium halides of lauroyl choline ester (C4 alkyl), the methylammonium halides of Ct_t_-C? _3), seboil ether hill (Realquilo de t_5-C? _7), and any mixture thereof. Other suitable cationic ester surfactants have the following structural formulas, wherein d can be from 0 to 20.

In a preferred aspect, the cationic ester surfactant is hydrolysable under the conditions of a laundry method. Particularly preferred choline esters, given above, can be prepared by direct esterification of a fatty acid of the desired chain length with dimethylaminoethanol, in the presence of an acid catalyst. The reaction product is then quaternized with a methyl halide, preferably in the presence of a solvent such as ethanol, water, propylene glycol or preferably an ethoxylated fatty alcohol such as ethoxylated Ct_o-C__g fatty alcohol having a degree of ethoxylation of 3 to 50 ethoxy groups per mole forming the desired cationic material. They can also be prepared by the direct esterification of a long chain fatty acid of the desired chain length together with 2-halogenoethanol, in the presence of an acidic catalyst material.

The reaction product is then quaternized with trimethylamine, forming the desired cationic material.

Srasa dispersing agent An essential element of the present invention is a fat dispersing agent. By "fat dispersing agent" is meant herein a component capable of dispersing or suspending greasy stain / dirt components in the wash solution. The fat dispersing agents according to the present invention are typically polymers, which have a hydrophilic base structure, and at least one hydrophobic side chain. The hydrophobic side chain acts functionally to provide affinity of the fat dispersing agent for the dirt / greasy stain components. The hydrophilic base structure acts functionally to provide affinity of the fat dispersing agent for aqueous environments. Generally, the hydrophilic base structure of the polymer is predominantly linear (the main chain of the base structure constitutes at least 50%, preferably more than 75%, preferably more than 90% by weight of the base structure), the suitable monomeric constituents of the hydrophilic base structure are, for example, acids, ethers, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones or esters of C? _-Cg, sugar units, alkoxy units, maleic anhydride and saturated polyalcohols such as glycerol. Examples of suitable monomer units are acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, vinylacetic acid, glycosides, ethylene oxide and glycerol. The hydrophilic base structure made of the constituents of the base structure in the absence of hydrophobic side groups, is relatively water soluble at room temperature and has a pH between 6.5 and 14.0. Preferably, the solubility is greater than 1 g / 1, more preferably more than 5 g / 1, most preferably more than 10 g / 1. Preferably, the hydrophobic side groups are composed of alkoxy groups, for example, butylene oxide and / or propylene oxide and / or alkyl or alkenyl chains having from 5 to 24 carbon atoms. The hydrophobic groups can be attached to the hydrophilic base structure by relatively hydrophilic bonds, for example, a polyethoxy bond. Preferred fat dispersing agents are polymers of the formula: where: Q2 is a molecular entity of formula (la) R ^ wherein: R1 represents -COO-O-, -O-, -O-CO-, -CH2-, CO-NH-, or is absent; R represents from 1 to 50 independently selected alkyleneoxy groups, preferably ethylene oxide or 3-propylene oxide groups, or is absent, provided that when R is absent and R represents hydrogen or contains no more than 4 carbon atoms, then R it must contain an alkyleneoxy group, preferably more than 5 alkyleneoxy groups with at least 3 carbon atoms; R represents a phenylene bond, or is absent; R represents hydrogen or an alkyl of Ct__24 or alkenyl group of C2-2 / with the provisos that: (a) when R1 represents -O-CO-, R2 and R3 must be absent. and R > 4 must contain at least 5 carbon atoms; (b) when R2 is absent, then R4 is not hydrogen, and • a? when also RJ is absent, then R must contain at least 5 carbon atoms; • _-? R represents hydrogen or a group of the formula -COOA; pe _ represents hydrogen or alkyl of Ct__4, - and A, A, A and A are independently selected from hydrogen, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, ammonium and amine bases and C? __ 4 or (02 ^ 0) ^, where t is from 1 to 50, and wherein the monomer units may be in random order; Ql is a multifunctional monomer, allowing polymer branching, wherein the polymer monomers can be attached to Q in any direction, in any order, possibly with the same resulting in a branched polymer. Preferably, Q is triacrylate of -trimethylpropane (TMPTA), methylenebisacrylamide or divinylglycol; z and v are 1; n is at least 1; x is at least 1; (x + y + p + q + r): z is from 4: 1 to 1,000: 1, preferably from 6: 1 to 250: 1; where the monomer units can be in order • random; and preferably p and q are zero and / or r is zero; plus Preferably, p, q and y r are zero; 7 Q R_ and R represent -CH3 or is a hydrogen; and R10 represent substituent groups such as amino, amine, amide, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, phosphate, hydroxy, carboxyl and oxide groups, are preferably selected from -25 S03Na, -C0-0-C2H4-0S03Na, -CO-0- NH-C (CH3) 2-S03Na, -C0-NH2, 0 -CO-CH3 and -OH.

It should be noted that the monomers of the polymer should be variable in direction and position along the base structure of the polymer and along the side chains. Preferably, the polymeric fat dispersing agents for use in compositions of the invention, which are of relatively high (eg, 10 or more) pH, are substantially free of hydrolyzable groups such as carbonyl groups for improved polymer stability. high pH values. Particularly preferred polymeric fat dispersing agents for use in high pH compositions of the invention comprise hydrophilic base structures consisting of acidic groups such as acrylic acid, and at least one hydrophobic side chain which is comprised of 5 to 75 groups alkoxy relatively insoluble in water, such as propoxy units optionally attached to the hydrophilic base structure by a polyalkoxy bond consisting of 1 to 10 relatively water-soluble alkoxy groups, such as ethoxy units. Especially preferred fat dispersing agents of this type are the polymers of the formula: where: x, z and n are as defined above; R and R represent hydrogen or alkyl of α-4, - R2 represents -CO-O-, -O-, -O-CO-, CH 2, -CO-NH-, or is absent; R1 represents -C3H6-N + - (CH3) 3 (C1-), -C2H4-OS03- (Na +), -S03- (Na +), -C2H4N + (CH3) 3 Cl ", -C2H4N + (C2H6) 3C1 ~ , -CH2 N + (CH3) 3 Cl ", -CH2N + (C2H6) 3 Cl" or benzyl-S03- (Na +) or hydrogen; Ra is CH2, C2H4, C3Hg, or is absent; R represents from 1 to 50 independently selected alkylene oxide groups, preferably ethylene oxide groups, or is absent; Rc represents -OH or H; and where if R, Ra and R ° are absent, then Rc is not -H. Other preferred polymeric fat dispersing agents have the formula: wherein: x = X-L + x2 x, z and n are as defined above; R represents -CH2O- or -O-; R2 represents -CH2COO ~ Na +, -C3H5ON + (CH3) 3C1"or -C3H3N + (CH3) 3C1" R3 and R4 represent -OH, CH2OH, -O (C3HgO) pH, -CH2-0 (C3HgO) pH or -OCH2COO- Na + or -0-C3HgON + (CH3) 3 Cl- or -O-C3HgN + (CH3) 3 Cl-; R5 represents -OH, ONH-CO-CH3 or -O (C3HgO) p-H; R6 represents -OH, -CH2OH, -CH2OCH3, -0 (C3HgO) p-H or -CH2-0- (C3H60) p-H; and p is from 1 to 10. Preferably, the fat dispersing agents for use in compositions, have a molecular weight between 500 and 100,000, more preferred from 1,000 to 20,000, especially preferred from 1,500 to 10,000, and most preferred from 2,800 to 6,000. The fat dispersing agents for use in the compositions of the invention can be prepared, for example, using conventional aqueous polymerization procedures. and conventional methods are described, for example, in GB 89 24477, GB 89 24478 and GB 89 24479. Generally, the fat dispersing agent will be used from 0.1% to 15%, more preferably from 0.5% to 8.0%, especially preferred from 1.0% to 5.0% by weight of the detergent composition.

Additional detergent components The detergent compositions of the invention may also contain additional detergent components. The precise nature of these additional components, and the levels of incorporation thereof, will depend on the physical form of the composition and the precise nature of the washing operation for which it will be used. The compositions of the invention preferably contain one or more additional detergent components selected from surfactants, bleaches, builders, additional enzymes, foam suppressors, lime soap dispersant, and additional corrosion inhibitors.

Additional Surfactant The detergent compositions of the invention preferably contain an additional surfactant selected from anionic, nonionic, cationic, non-ester, ampholytic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. A typical list of anionic, non-ionic classes, Ampholytic and zwitterionic, as well as species of these surfactants, is given in the patent of E.U.A. Do not. 3,929,678, issued to Laughlin and Heuring on December 30, '1975. Additional examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents "(Vols. I and II, by Schwartz, Perry and Berch.) A listing of suitable cationic surfactants is given in U.S. Patent No. 4,259,217, issued to Murphy on December 31, 2000.

March 10, 1981. When present, ampholytic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants are generally used in combination with one or more anionic and / or nonionic surfactants. Anionic Surfactant The detergent compositions according to the present invention preferably comprise an agent »Additional anionic surfactant. Essentially any surfactant agent useful for detersive purposes may be comprised in the detergent composition. It may include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts) of the anionic sulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate and sarcosinate surfactants. Anionic sulfate surfactants are preferred.

Other anionic surfactants include the isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, fatty acid amides of methyl tauride, alkyl succinates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated t_2-Ct_g monoesters), sulfosuccinate diesters ( especially saturated and unsaturated C -C? _4 diesters), N-acyl sarcosinates. Resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin and rosin acids, as well as hydrogenated rosin acids present in tallow oil, or derivatives thereof.

Sulfate Anionic Surfactant Anionic Sulfate Surfactants Suitable for use herein include linear and branched primary and secondary alkyl sulfates, alkyl ethoxy sulfates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, ether sulphates.

Alkylphenol Ethylene Oxide, Acyl Glucamin Sulfates of C5-C17-N- (Ct-C4 alkyl) and -N- (hydroxyalkyl) C1-C2) and alkylpolysaccharide sulfates such as alkyl polyglycoside sulphates (the non-sulphonated nonionic compounds are described herein). The alkyl sulfate surfactants are preferably selected from the C alqu or Cc alkyl sulfates linear and branched primaries, more preferably the 'branched chain Cn-Ci5 alkyl sulfates and straight chain Ct_2-Ct_4 alkyl sulfates. The alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants are preferably selected from the group consisting of the alkyl sulfates of CIQ-IS which have been ethoxylated with 0.5 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per molecule. More preferably, the alkylethylsulfate surfactant is an alkyl sulfate of C ___-C__8, most preferably of Ct _? _-Ct_5, which has been ethoxylated with from 0.5 to 7, preferably from 1 to 5 moles of ethylene oxide per molecule. A particularly preferred aspect of the invention employs mixtures of the preferred alkyl sulfate and alkyl ethoxylate surfactants. Such mixtures have been described in PCT application No. WO 3/18124.

Sulfonate Anionic Surfactant The sulfonic anionic surfactants suitable for use herein include the linear C5-C20 alkyl alkylene sulfonate salts / alkyl ether sulphonates, primary or secondary C-C22 alkylene sulphonates, C24 olefin sulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids, alkyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfonates, and any mixture thereof.

Anionic dß carboxylate surfactant Carboxylate anionic surfactants include alkyletoxycarboxylates, alkylpolyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants and soaps _, "_ (" Alkylcarboxyls "), especially certain secondary soaps as described herein. Suitable alkylethoxycarboxylates include those with the formula RO (CH2CH20) xCH2C00 ~ M +, wherein R is an alkyl group from Cg to Ct_g, x ranges from 0 to 10, and the distribution of ethoxylate is such that, on a weight basis , the amount of material in which x is 0 is less than 20% and M is a cation.

Suitable alkylpolyethoxypolycarboxylate surfactants include those having the formula RO- (CHRt_- CHR2 ~ 0) -R3, wherein R is an alkyl group from Cg to C ^ g, x is 1 to 25, R? and 2 are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl acid radical, acid radical succinic, hydroxysuccinic acid radical, and mixtures thereof, and R3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon having between 1 and 8 ____ carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof. 9 Suitable soap surfactants include secondary soap surfactants containing a carboxyl unit attached to a secondary carbon. Preferred secondary soap surfactants for use herein are the water-soluble members selected from the group consisting of the water-soluble salts of 2-methyl-1-undecanoic acid, 2-ethyl-1-decanoic acid, 2-propyl- l-nonanoic, 2-butyl-l-octanoic acid and 2-pentyl-l-heptanoic acid. Certain soaps can also be included as suds suppressors. ft Sarcosinate dés alkali metal surfactant agent 5 Other suitable anionic surfactants are the alkali metal sarcosinates of the formula R-CONIR1) CH2COOM, where R is a linear or branched C5-17 alkyl or alkenyl group, R is a group C1-C4 alkyl and M is an alkali metal ion. Preferred examples are the myristyl or oleoyl 10-methyl sarcosinates in the form of their sodium salts. • Non-ionic alkoxylated surfactant agent Essentially any non-ionic alkoxylated surfactant is suitable herein. Ethoxylated and propoxylated nonionic surfactants are preferred. The preferred alkoxylated surfactants can be selected from the classes of the nonionic condensates of alkylphenols, nonionic ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated / propoxylated nonionic fatty alcohols, ethoxylated / propoxylated nonionic condensates with propylene glycol and the ethoxylated nonionic condensation products with propylene oxide / ethylenediamine adducts.

Non-ionic alkoxylated alcohol surfactant The condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from 1 to 25 moles of alkylene oxide, particularly ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide, are suitable for use herein. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol may be either straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from 6 to 22 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms with from 2 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. 10 g ^ Nonionic non-ionic agent of polyhydroxy fatty acid amide The polyhydroxy fatty acid amides suitable for use herein are those having the formula structural R2C0NR1Z, where: R1 is H, C1-C hydrocarbyl, 2 - . 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, ethoxy, propoxy, or a mixture thereof, preferably C 1 -alkyl. , plus ^^ preferably Ct_ or C2 alkyl, most preferably Ct_ alkyl (i.e., methyl); and R2 is a C5-C31 hydrocarbyl, Preferably straight-chain C5-Ct_g alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight-chain C9-C17 alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably straight-chain alkyl or alkenyl of straight chain, or a mixture thereof, and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a hydrocarbyl chain Linear with at least 3 hydroxyls directly attached to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof. Z will preferably be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; more preferably Z is a glycityl. • Nonionic Fatty Acid Amide Non-ionic Agent Suitable fatty acid amide surfactants include those having the formula: R CON (R) 2. wherein R is an alkyl group containing from 7 to 21, preferably from 9 to 17 carbon atoms, and each R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, hydroxyalkyl of Ct_C 4, and - (C2H4?) xH, where x is on the scale of 1 to 3.

Nonionic surfactant agent of allylpolysaccharide The suitable alkyl polysaccharides which are used herein are described in the US patent. No. 4,565,647, Filling, issued January 21, 1986, having a hydrophobic group containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, and a polysaccharide, for example, a polyglycoside, a group hydrophilic containing from 1.3 to 10 units of saccharide. Preferred alkyl polyglycosides have the formula R20 (CnH2n0) t (glucosyl) x wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures of The same, in which the alkyl groups contain from 10 to 18 carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3; t is from 0 to 10, and x is from 1.3 to 8. The glucosyl is preferably derived from glucose.

Amphoteric Surfactant Amphoteric surfactants suitable for use herein include the amine oxide surfactants and the alkylamphocarboxylic acids. Suitable amine oxides include those compounds having the formula R3 (OR4) xN ° (R5) 2, wherein R3 is selected from an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl group, acylamidopropyl and alkylphenyl, or mixtures thereof, which ^ contains from 8 to 26 carbon atoms; R is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing 2 to 3 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to 5, preferably from 0 to 3; and each R is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing to 3 carbon atoms, or a group of polyethylene oxide containing 1 to 3 ethylene oxide groups. Preferred are the alkyl dimethylamine oxide of C? O ~ c18 and the oxide of ^ Acylamidodimethylamine of CT_Q-CI_8- 9 A suitable example of an alkylamphodicarboxylic acid is Miranol (MR) C2M Conc., manufactured by Miranol, Inc., Dayton, NJ.

Zwittionic surfactant agent Surfactants can also be incorporated Zwitterionics to the detergent compositions herein.

These surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. The surfactants of sultaine and betaine are examples of zwitterionic surfactants that can be used herein. Suitable betaines are those compounds having the formula: R (R ') 2N + R COO-, wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group of Cg-C? _g, each R is typically Ct_-C3 alkyl, and R is a C1-C5 hydrocarbyl group. Preferred betaines are the betaines of C12-C18 dimethyl ammonium hexanoate and the C3-C8 acyl amidopropane (or ethane) dimethyl (or diethyl) betaines. Combined betaine surfactants are also suitable for use herein.

Cationic Surfactants The additional cationic surfactants can also be used in the detergent compositions herein. Suitable cationic surfactants include the quaternary ammonium surfactants selected from N-alkyl or alkenyl ammonium mono- or cycloalkyl surfactants, preferably Cg-C? _Q / in which the remaining N-positions are substituted by groups methyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl.

Alkalinity In the detergent compositions of the present invention, an alkalinity system is preferably present to achieve optimum performance of the cationic ester surfactant. The alkalinity system comprises components capable of providing alkalinity species in the solution. By species of alkalinity we try to say in the present: carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide, the different anions of silicate, percarbonate, perborates, perfosfatos, persulfato and persilicato. Said alkalinity species may be formed, for example, when the alkali salts selected from carbonate, bicarbonate, hydroxide or alkali metal or alkaline earth metal silicate salts, including crystalline layered silicate and mixtures thereof are dissolved in water. Examples of carbonates are the alkali earth and alkali metal carbonates, including carbonate and sodium sesquicarbonate, and any mixture thereof, with ultra-fine calcium carbonate, such as those described in German Patent Application No. 2,321,001, published November 15, 1973. Suitable silicates include water-soluble sodium silicates with a Si 2: Na 2 O ratio of 1.0 to 2.8, with ratios of 1.6 to 2.0 being preferred, and 2.0 being more preferred. The silicates may be in the form of the anhydrous salt or the hydrated salt. Sodium silicate with a SiO: Na20 ratio of 2.0 is the most preferred silicate. The preferred crystalline layered silicates for use herein have the general formula: NaMSi? 02x +? and H 2 O wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4 and y is a number from 0 to 20. Crystalline layered sodium silicates of this type are described in EP-A-0164514, and the methods for their preparation are described in DE-A-3417649 and DE-10 A-3742043. Here, x in the above general formula preferably has the value of 2, 3 or 4, and is preferably 2.

• The most preferred material is Na2SÍ2Ü-5, available from Hoechst AG as NaSKS-6.

Water soluble builder compound The detergent compositions of the present invention preferably contain a builder compound ^^ Water-soluble detergency, typically present at a level of 1% to 80% by weight, preferably 10% to 70% by weight, more preferably from 20% to 60% by weight of the composition. Water-soluble builder compounds include water-soluble monomeric polycarboxylates or their acid forms, homo- or copolymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts, in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more than two atoms of carbon, borates, phosphates and mixtures of any of the foregoing. The carboxylate builder or __ .. polycarboxylate can be monomeric or oligomepic, although monomeric polycarboxylates are generally preferred for reasons of cost and performance. Suitable carboxylates containing a carboxy group include the water-soluble salts of lactic acid, glycolic acid, and ether derivatives thereof. The polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as ether carboxylates and sulfinyl carboxylates. The polycarboxylates Those containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates, as well as the succinate derivatives such as the carboxymethyloxysuccinates described in British Patent No. »1,379,241, the lactoxysuccinates described in the patent British No. 1,389,732 and the aminosuccinates described in Dutch application 7205873 and oxypolycarboxylate materials such as 2-oxa-1,1,3-propanedicarboxylates described in British Patent No. 1,387,447. Polycarboxylates that contain four groups Carboxy include the oxydisuccinates described in British Patent No. 1,261,829,11,2, 2-etanttracarboxylates, 1, 1, 3, 3-propanetracarboxylates and the 1,1,2,3-propanetracarboxylates. Polycarboxylates containing sulfo substituents include the sulfosuccinate derivatives described in British Patent Nos. 1,398,421 and 1,398,422 and the US patent. No. 3,936,448 and the sulfonated pyrolysed citrates described in British Patent No. 1,439,000. Preferred polycarboxylates are hydrocarboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates. The original acids of monomeric or oligomeric polycarboxylate chelating agents, or mixtures thereof with their salts, for example, mixtures of citric acid or citrate / citric acid are also contemplated as useful builders components. Borate builders, as well as builders that contain borate-forming materials that can produce borate under detergent storage or wash conditions are water-soluble builders useful herein. Suitable examples of phosphate builders are alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, potassium and sodium ammonium pyrophosphate, potassium and sodium orthophosphate, and sodium polymetaphosphate, in which the degree of polymerization varies from about 6 to 21, and the salts of phytic acid. ß Partially soluble or insoluble detergent builder compound The detergent compositions of the present invention may contain a partially soluble or insoluble builder compound, typically present at a level of 1% to 80% by weight, preferably 10% to 70% by weight, more preferably from 20% to 60% by weight of the composition. Examples of widely hydrosoluble detergency builders include sodium aluminosilicates. Suitable aluminosilicate zeolites have the _- unit cell formula Naz [(AIO2) z (SÍO2) y] 'xH20, where z and y are integers of at least 6; the molar ratio of zay is from 1.0 to 0.5 and x is at least 5, preferably from 7.5 to 15 276, more preferably from 10 to 264. The aluminosilicate material is in hydrated form and is preferably crystalline, containing 10% to 28%, more preferably from 18% to 22% water in bound form. The aluminosilicate zeolites may be materials that occur naturally, but are preferably derived in synthetic form. Synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite B, Zeolite X, Zeolite HS and mixtures thereof. Zeolite A has the formula: Na12 [(A102) 12 (Si02)? 2] -? H20 where x is from 20 to 30, especially 27. Zeolite X has the formula: Na8 [(A102) 8g (Si02 ) 10g] • 276H20.

Organic pyrroxy acid bleaching system A main feature of the detergent compositions of the invention is an organic peroxyacid bleaching system. In a preferred embodiment, the bleaching system contains a source of hydrogen peroxide and an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor compound. The production of the organic peroxyacid occurs by an in situ reaction of the precursor with a source of hydrogen peroxide. Preferred sources of hydrogen peroxide include inorganic perhydrate bleaches. In a preferred and alternative embodiment, a preformed organic peroxyacid is incorporated directly into the composition. Also contemplated are compositions containing mixtures of a source of hydrogen peroxide and an organic peroxyacid precursor in combination with a preformed organic peroxyacid.

Inorganic carbohydrate blanguers Inorganic perhydrate salts are a preferred source of hydrogen peroxide. These salts are normally incorporated in the form of the alkali metal salt, preferably sodium, at a level of from 1% to 40% by weight, more preferably from 2% to 30% by weight and most preferably from 5% to 25% by weight. weight of the compositions.

Examples of inorganic perhydrate salts include perborate, percarbonate, perfosphate, persulfate and persilicate. The inorganic perhydrate salts are usually the alkali metal salts. The inorganic perhydrate salts can be included as the crystalline solid without additional protection. However, for certain perhydrate salts the preferred embodiments of said granulated compositions use a coated form of the material that provides better storage stability for the perhydrate salt in the granulated product. Suitable coatings comprise inorganic salts such as the alkali metal salts of silicate, carbonate or borate, or mixtures thereof, or organic materials such as waxes, oils or fatty soaps. Sodium perborate is a preferred perhydrate salt and may be in the form of the monohydrate of the nominal formula NaB 2 H 2 o 2 or the tetrahydrate Na B 2 H 2 2.3 2.3 H 2 O. The alkali metal percarbonates, particularly sodium percarbonate, are the preferred perhydrates of the present. Sodium percarbonate is an addition compound having the formula corresponding to 2Na2CO > 3.3H2O2, and is commercially available as a crystalline solid. Potassium peroximonopersulfate is another inorganic perhydrate salt useful in the detergent compositions herein.

Peroxyacid bleach precursor Peroxyacid bleach precursors are compounds that react with hydrogen peroxide in a perhydrolysis reaction to produce a peroxyacid. The peroxyacid bleach precursors can generally be represented as: wherein L is a residual group and X is essentially any functionality, such that in perhydrolysis, the structure of the peroxyacid produced is: O XC-OOH The peroxyacid bleach precursor compounds are preferably incorporated at a level of 0.5% to 20% by weight, more preferably from 1% to 15% by weight, most preferably from 1.5% to 10% by weight of the detergent compositions. Suitable peroxyacid bleach precursor compounds typically contain one or more N- or O- groups, which may be selected from a wide variety of classes. Suitable classes include anhydrides, esters, imides, lactams and acylated derivatives of imidazoles and oximes. Examples of useful materials within these classes are described in GB-A-1586789. Suitable esters are described in GB-A-836988, 864798, 1147871, 2143231 and EP-A-0170386.

Residual groups The residual group, hereinafter group L, must be sufficiently reactive so that the perhydrolysis reaction occurs within the optimum time frame (eg, a wash cycle). However, if L is very reactive, this activator will be difficult to stabilize for use in a bleaching composition. The preferred L groups are selected from the group consisting of: Y R3 and I I -O-CH = C- CH = CH2 -O- CH = C- CH = CH2 R3 OY -O- C = CHR4 and - N - S - CH - R4 '1, II R3 O and mixtures thereof, wherein R is an alkyl, aryl 3 or alkaryl group containing 1 to 14 carbon atoms , R is an alkyl chain containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, R is H or R3, and Y is H or a solubilizing group. Any of R1, R3 and R4 can be essentially substituted by any functional group including, for example, alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, halogen, amine, nitrosyl, amide and ammonium or alkylammonium groups. The preferred solubilizing groups are -S? 3_M +, C02"M +, -S04 ~ M +, -N + (R3) X ~ and 0 <-N (R3) and more preferably -S? 3 ~ M + and -C? 2 ~ M +, wherein R3 is an alkyl chain containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, M is a cation that provides solubility to the bleach activator, and X is an anion that provides solubility to the bleach activator. alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, with more sodium and potassium being preferred, and X being a halide, hydroxide, methylsulfate or acetate anion.

Precursors of bleaching of albuylcarboxylic acid The bleach precursors of alkylpercarboxylic acid form percarboxylic acid in the perhydrolysis. Preferred precursors of this type provide peracetic acid in the perhydrolysis. Preferred alkylcarbaryl bleach precursors of the imide type include the tetraacetylated N-, N, N N 1 alkylene diamines, wherein the alkylene group contains from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, particularly those compounds in which the alkylene group contains 1 to 2 carbon atoms. and 6 carbon atoms. Tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED) is particularly preferred. Other preferred alkylpercarboxylic acid precursors include sodium 3,5-trimethylhexanoyloxybenzenesulfonate (iso-NOBS), sodium nonailoxybenzenesulfonate (NOBS), sodium acetoxybenzenesulfonate (ABS) and pentaacetylglucose.

Precursors of α-substituted aliphatic pyrroxy acid with amide The amide-substituted alkylperoxy acid precursor compounds are suitable herein, including those having the following general formulas: R 1 C N R 2 C L R 1 N C R 2 C L | | II 6 I || || OROROO wherein R is an alkyl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R is an alkylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, and R is H or an alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms and it can be essentially any starting group. Amide-substituted alkylperoxy acid activating compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386.

Perbenzoic acid precursor Perbenzoic acid precursor compounds provide perbenzoic acid in perhydrolysis. Suitable 0-acylated perbenzoic acid precursor compounds include the substituted and unsubstituted benzoyl oxybenzenesulfonates and the benzoylation products of sorbitol, glucose and all saccharides with benzoylating agents, and those of the imide type including N-benzoyl succinimide, tetrabenzoylethylenediamine and the N-benzoyl ureas substituted. Suitable imidazole-type perbenzoic acid precursors include N-benzoyl imidazole and N-benzoyl benzimidazole. Other perbenzoic acid precursors containing a useful N-acyl group include N-benzoyl pyrrolidone, dibenzoyl taurine and benzoyl pyroglutamic acid.

Cationic d-peroxyacid precursors Cationic peroxyacid precursor compounds produce cationic peroxyacids in perhydrolysis. Typically, the cationic peroxyacid precursors are formed by replacing the peroxyacid part of a suitable peroxyacid precursor compound with a positively charged functional group, such as an ammonium or alkylammonium group, preferably an ethyl or methylammonium group. Cationic peroxyacid precursors are typically present in the solid detergent compositions as a salt with a suitable anion, such as a halide ion. The peroxyacid precursor compound which will be so cationically substituted may be a perbenzoic acid precursor compound or a substituted derivative thereof, as described hereinabove. Alternatively, the peroxyacid precursor compound may be a precursor alkylcarboxylic acid compound or an amide substituted alkylperoxyacid precursor as described hereinafter. Cationic peroxyacid precursors are described in the U.S. Patents. Nos. 4,751,015; 4,988,451; 4,397,757; 5,269,962; 5,127,852; 5,093,022; 5,106,528; R.U. 1,382,594; EP 475,512, 458,396 and 284,292; and in JP 87-318,332. Examples of preferred cationic peroxyacid precursors are described in United Kingdom patent application No. 9407944.9 and in the patent applications of E.U.A. Nos. 08/298903, 08/298650, 08/298904 and 08/298906. Suitable cationic peroxyacid precursors include any of the substituted ammonium or alkylammonium alkyl or benzoyloxybenzenesulfonates, the N-acylated caprolactams and the benzoylperoxides of monobenzoyltetraacetyl glucose. Preferred cationic peroxyacid precursors of the N-acylated caprolactam class include trialkylammonium methylenebenzoylcaprolactams and trialkylammonium methylenealkylcaprolactams.

Benzoxazine organic peroxyacid precursors Also suitable are the benzoxazine type precursor compounds such as those described for example in EP-A-332,294 and EP-A-482, 807, particularly those having the formula; wherein R? _ is H, alkyl, alkaryl, aryl or arylalkyl.

Preformed organic peroxyacid The organic peroxyacid bleach system may contain, in addition to, or as an alternative to, an organic peroxyacid bleach precursor compound, a preformed organic peroxyacid, typically at a level of 1% to 15% by weight, more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of the composition. A preferred class of organic peroxyacid compounds are the amine substituted compounds of the following general formulas: R 1 C N R 2 C OOH R 1 N C R 2 C OOH II I, II OR II II OR RD OR R OO wherein R is an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group with from 1 to 14 carbon atoms, R is an alkylene, arylene and alkarylene group containing from 1 to 14 carbon atoms. carbon, and R is H or an alkyl, aryl or alkaryl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Amide-substituted organic peroxyacid compounds of this type are described in EP-A-0170386. Other organic peroxyacids include the diacyl and tetraacylperoxides, especially diperoxydodecanoic acid, diperoxytetradecanedioic acid and diperoxyhexadecano dioic acid. Also suitable here are mono- and diperazelaic acid, mono- and diperbrasyl acid and N-phthaloylaminoperoxycaproic acid.

Bleach catalyst 10 The compositions optionally contain a bleach catalyst containing a transition metal. A The suitable type of bleach catalyst is a catalyst system comprising a heavy metal cation of defined bleach catalytic activity, such as cations of Copper, iron or manganese, an auxiliary metal cation that has little or no catalytic bleaching activity, such as zinc or aluminum cations and a sequestrant that has ^ stability constants defined for auxiliary metal cations _ and catalytic, particularly acid Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetra- (methylene phosphonic acid) and the water-soluble salts thereof. Said catalysts are described in the U.S. patent. No. 4,430,243. Other types of bleach catalysts include manganese-based complexes described in the U.S. patent. No. 5,246,621 and in the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,244,594. Preferred examples of these catalysts include Mn 2 (u_0) 3 (1, 4, 7-trimethyl-1,4-, 7-triazacyclononane) 2- (PFg) 2 'Mn 112 (uO) t_ (u-OAc) 2 (1 , 4, 7-trimethyl-1,4-, 7-triazacyclononane) 2- (CIO4), MnIV4 (u-0) 6 (1,4, 7-triazacyclononane) 4- (C104), MnIpMnI 4 (uO) 1 ( u-OAc) 2 (1.4, 7-trimethyl-1,4-, 7-triazacyclononane) 2- (CIO 4) 3, and mixtures thereof. Others are described in European Patent Application Publication No. 549,272. Other ligands suitable for use herein include 1, 5, 9-trimethyl-1, 5, 9-triazacyclododecane, 2-methyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, 2-methyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane, 1 , 2, 4, 7-tetramethyl-l, 4,7-triazacyclononane, and mixtures thereof. For examples of suitable bleach catalysts, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,246,612 and in the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,227,084. See also the patent of E.U.A. No. 5,194,416, which teaches mononuclear manganese (IV) complexes such as Mn (1, 4, 7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane) (OCH 3) 3 _ (PFg). Yet another type of bleaching catalyst such as that described in the U.S.A. Do not. ,114,606 is a water-soluble complex of manganese (III) and / or (IV) with a ligand that is a non-carboxylate polyhydroxy compound having at least three consecutive C-OH groups. Other examples include complex binuclear Mn with tetra-N-toothed and bi-N-toothed ligands, including N4MnIII (u-0) 2MnIVN4) + and [Bipy2MnII: i: (uO) 2MnIVbipy2] - (C104) 3. Catalysts Suitable and additional bleaching agents are described, for example, in the European patent application No. 408,131 (cobalt complex catalysts), European patent applications Publication Nos. 384,503 and 306,089 (metalloporphyrin catalysts), E.U.A. 4,728,455 (manganese / ligand ligand), E.U.A. 4,711,748 and European patent application Publication No. 224,952 (manganese catalyst absorbed on aluminosilicate), E.U.A. 4,601,845 (aluminosilicate support with manganese and zinc or magnesium salt), E.U.A. 4,626,373 (manganese / ligand catalyst), E.U.A. 4,119,557 (ferric complex catalyst), German patent specification 2,054,019 (cobalt chelator catalyst), Canadian 866,191 (salts containing transition metals), E.U.A. 4,430,243 (chelators with manganese cations and non-catalytic metal cations) and E.U.A. 4,728,455 (manganese gluconate catalysts).

Heavy metal ion sequestrant The detergent compositions of the invention preferably contain a heavy metal ion sequestrant as an optional component. By heavy metal ion sequestrant is meant here components that act to sequester (chelate) heavy metal ions. These components may also have calcium and magnesium chelating ability, but preferably show selectivity to bind heavy metal ions such as iron, manganese and copper.

Heavy metal ion sequestrants are generally present at a level from 0.005% to 20%, preferably from 0.1% to 10%, more preferably from 0.25% to 7.5% and most preferably from 0.5% to 5% by weight of the compositions Heavy metal ion sequestrants suitable for use herein include organic phosphonates, such as the aminoalkylene poly (alkylene phosphonates), alkali metal ethane-1-hydroxy diphosphonates, and nitrilotrimethylene phosphonates. Preferred among the above species are diethylenetriaminpenta (methylene phosphonate), ethylenediaminetri- (methylene phosphonate), hexamethylene diamine tetra (methylene phosphonate) and hydroxyethylene 1,1 diphosphonate. Another suitable heavy metal ion sequestrant for use herein includes nitrilotriacetic acid and polyaminocarboxylic acids such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, ethylenetriaminpentaacetic acid, acid ^ ethylenediamindisuccinic, ethylenediamine diglutharic acid, acid 2-hydroxypropylenediamindisuccinic acid, or any salt thereof same. Especially preferred is ethylenediamine-N, N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) or the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts thereof, or mixtures thereof. Other suitable heavy metal ion sequestrants For use herein are the iminodiacetic acid derivatives such as 2-hydroxyethyl diacetic acid or glyceryl imino diacetic acid, described in EP-A-317,542 and EP-A-399,133. The iminodiacetic acid-N-2-hydroxypropyl sulfonic acid and aspartic acid-N-carboxymethyl N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-sulfonic acid sequestrants described in EP-A-516,102 are also suitable herein. The β-alanine-N, N'-diacetic acid, aspartic acid-N, N'-diacetic acid, aspartic acid-N-monoacetic acid and iminodisuccinic acid sequestrants described in EP-A-509,382 are also suitable. EP-A-476,257 describes suitable amino-based sequestrants, EP-A-510,331 describes suitable sequestrants derived from collagen, keratin or casein. EP-A-528,859 describes a suitable alkyl iminodiacetic acid sequestrant. Also suitable are dipicolinic acid and 2-phosphonobutan-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid. Glycinamide-N-N'-disuccinic acid (GADS), ethylene diamine N-diglutharic acid (EDDG) and 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N-N'-disuccinic acid (HPDDS) are also suitable.

Enzyme Another preferred ingredient useful in detergent compositions is one or more additional enzymes. Additional enzyme materials that are preferred include lipases, cutinases, amylases, neutral and alkaline proteases, cellulases, endolases, esterases, pectinases, lactases and peroxidases commercially available and incorporated in conventional form in the detergent compositions. Suitable enzymes are also described in the patents of E.U.A. Nos. 3,519,570 and 3,533,139. Preferred commercially available protease enzymes include those sold under the trade names Alcalase, Savinase, Primase, Durazym and Esperase by Novo Industries A / S (Denmark), those sold under the trade name Maxatase, Maxacal and Maxapem by Gist-Brocades, those sold by Genecor International and those sold under the trade name Opticlean and Optimase by Solvay Enzimes. The protease enzyme can be incorporated in the compositions according to the invention at a level of 0.001% to 4% active enzyme by weight of the composition. Preferred amylases include, for example, the alpha-amylases obtained from a special strain of B. licheniformis, described in greater detail in GB-1,269,839 (Novo). Preferred commercially available amylases include, for example, those sold under the tradename Rapidase by Gist-Brocades, and those sold under the trade name Termamyl and BAN by Novo Industries A / S. The amylase enzyme can be incorporated in the composition according to the invention at a level of 0.0001% to 2% active enzyme by weight of the composition. The lipolytic enzyme may be present at levels of active lipolytic enzyme from 0.0001% to 2% by weight, preferably 0.001% to 1% by weight, more preferably from 0.001% to 0.5% by weight of the compositions. The lipase can be of fungal or bacterial origin, being obtained, for example, from a lipase-producing strain of the Humicola species, the Thermomvces species or the Pseudomonas species, including Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes or Pseudomas fluorescens. Lipase that comes from chemically or genetically modified mutants of these strains are also useful herein. A preferred lipase is derived from Pseudomonas pseudoalcaligenes, which is described in European patent granted EP-B-0218272. Another preferred lipase herein is obtained by cloning the Humicola lanuginosa gene and expressing the Aspergillus oryza gene as a host, as described in the European patent application EP-A-0258 068, which is commercially available from Novo Industri A / S, Bagsvaerd, Denmark under the trade name Lipolase. Lipase is also described in the patent of E.U.A. No. 4,810,414, Huge- __ Jensen et al., Issued March 7, 1989.

Fatty Non-Dispersing Organic Polymeric Compound Fatty organic non-dispersing polymeric compounds are suitable additional components of the detergent compositions according to the invention, and are preferably present as components of any particulate component, where they can act to bind to the component in particles.

By non-dispersive organic polymeric fat compound is meant essentially any polymeric organic compound which is not a fat dispersing agent according to the present invention, and which is commonly used as a dispersant, and antiredeposition agents and soil suspending agents non-greasy in detergent compositions, including any of the high molecular weight organic polymeric compounds described herein as clay flocculating agents. The non-dispersive organic polymeric fat compound is typically incorporated in the detergent compositions of the invention at a level of from 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 0.5% to 15%, more preferably from 1% to 10% by weight of the compositions. Examples of organic polymeric compounds for use herein are polyamine compounds, including aspartic acid derivatives, such as those described in EP-A-305282, EP-A-305283 and EP-A-351629. Terpolymers containing selected monomer units of maleic acid, acrylic acid, polyaspartic acid and vinyl alcohol, particularly those having an average molecular weight of 5,000 to 10,000, are also suitable for use herein. Additional organic polymeric compounds and useful with polyethylene glycols, particularly those with a molecular weight of 1000-10000, more particularly 2000 to 8000 and most preferably around 4000.

D foam suppression system The detergent compositions of the invention, when formulated for use in machine wash compositions, preferably comprise a foam suppression system present at a level of from 0.01% to 15%, preferably from 0.05% to 10%. % and more preferably from 0.1% to 5% by weight of the composition. The foam suppression systems suitable for use herein may comprise essentially any known antifoam compound, including, for example, silicone anti-foam compounds and 2-alkyl alkanol antifoaming compounds. By "antifoaming compound" is meant any compound or mixtures of compounds which act to depress the foaming produced by a solution of a detergent composition, particularly in the presence of the agitation of that solution. Particularly preferred antifoam compounds for use herein are the silicone anti-foam compounds defined herein as any anti-foam compound that includes a silicone component. Said silicone anti-foam compounds also typically contain a silica component. The term "silicone", as used herein and generally in the industry, encompasses a variety of relatively high molecular weight polymers containing siloxane units and a hydrocarbyl group of various types. The Preferred silicone antifoam compounds are siloxanes, particularly polydimethylsiloxanes having 5 trimethylsilyl end blocking units. Other suitable antifoam compounds include the monocarboxylic fatty acids and the soluble salts thereof. These materials are described in the patent of E.U.A. No. 2,954,347, issued September 27, 1960 to Wayne St.

John. The monocarboxylic fatty acids and salts thereof for use as foam suppressors typically have hydrocarbyl chains of 10 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Suitable salts include the alkali metal salts such as salts of sodium, potassium and lithium, and the ammonium and alkanolammonium salts. Other suitable antifoam compounds include, & example, high molecular weight fatty esters (eg, fatty acid triglycerides), fatty acid esters of monovalent alcohols, aliphatic Ci8 ~ c40 ketones (for example, stearone), N-alkylated amino triazines such as tri- or hexa-alkylmelamines or di- to tetra-alkyldiaminclortriazines formed as cyanuric chloride products with two or three moles of an amine primary or Secondary containing 1 to 24 carbon atoms, propylene oxide, bis stearic acid amide and the di-alkali metal monostearyl phosphates (eg, sodium, potassium, lithium) and phosphate esters. A preferred foam suppressor system comprises: (a) an antifoam compound, preferably a silicone antifoam compound, more preferably a silicone antifoam compound comprising in combination: (i) polydimethylsiloxane, at a level of 50% a 99%, preferably 75% to 95% by weight of the silicone antifoam compound; and 10 (ii) silica, at a level of 1% to 50%, preferably 5% to 25% by weight of the antifoam compound of »Silicone / silica; wherein said silica / silicone antifoam compound is incorporated at a level of 5% to 50%, preferably 10% to 40% by weight; (b) a dispersing compound, more preferably comprising a silicone glycol copolymer having a content of & polyoxyalkylene of 72-78% and a ratio of ethylene oxide to propylene oxide from 1: 0.9 to 1: 1.1, at a level of 0.5% to 10%, preferably 1% to 10% by weight; a particularly preferred glycol silicone hardener copolymer of this type is DC0544, commercially available from DOW Corning under the tradename DC0544; (c) an inert carrier fluid compound, more preferably comprising an ethoxylated C?-C?-8 alcohol with an ethoxylation degree of 5 to 50, preferably 8 to 15, at a level of 5% to 80% , preferably 10% to 70% by weight; A particle suppressor system I highly preferred is described in EP-A-0210731 and comprises a silicone antifoam compound and an organic carrier material having a melting point in the range of 50 ° C to 85 ° C, wherein the organic carrier material comprises a monoester of glycerol and a fatty acid having a carbon chain containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms. EP-A-0210721 discloses other preferred foam suppressor systems in which the organic carrier material is a fatty acid or alcohol having a carbon chain containing from 12 to 20 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof. same, with a melting point of 45 ° C to 80 ° C.

Clay Softening System The detergent compositions may contain a clay softening system comprising a clay mineral compound and optionally a flocculating agent of • clay. The clay mineral compound is preferably a smectite clay compound. Smectite clays are described in the U.S. Patents. Nos. 3,862,058, 3,948,790, 3,954,632 and 4,062,647. European patents Nos. EP-A-299,575 • and EP-A-313,146 in the name of the Procter & Gamble Company describe suitable organic polymeric clay flocculating agents.

Polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents The detergent compositions herein may additionally comprise from 0.01% to 10%, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5% by weight of polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents. The polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agents are preferably selected from copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole, polyvinylpyrrolidone polymers, or combinations thereof. 10 k a) Copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and N-vinylimidazole The copolymers of N-vinylimidazole and N-vinylpyrrolidone suitable in the present invention have an average molecular weight scale of 5,000 to 50,000. The Preferred copolymers have a molar ratio of N-vinylimidazole to N-vinylpyrrolidone from 1 to 0.2. b) Polyvinylpyrrolidone ft The detergent compositions of the present invention can also use polyvinylpyrrolidone ("PVP") having an average molecular weight from 2,500 to 400,000. Suitable polyvinyl pyrrolidones are commercially available from ISP Corporation, New York, NY and Montreal, Canada, under the product names PVP K-15 (viscosity molecular weight of 10,000), PVP K-30 (average molecular weight of 40,000), PVP K-60 (average molecular weight of 160,000) and PVP K-90 (average molecular weight of 360,000). PVP K-15 is also available from ISP Corporation. Other suitable polyvinyl pyrrolidones which are commercially available from BASF Cooperation include Sokalan HP 165 and Sokalan HP 12. c) Polyvinyloxazolidone The detergent compositions herein can also use polyvinyloxazolidones as a polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agent. Said polyvinyloxazolidones have an average molecular weight of 2,500 to 400,000. d) Polyvinylimidazole The detergent compositions herein can also use polyvinylimidazole as a polymeric dye transfer inhibiting agent. Said polyvinylimidazoles have an average molecular weight of 2,500 to 400,000.

Optical brightener The detergent compositions herein also optionally contain from about 0.005% to 5% by weight of certain types of hydrophilic optical brighteners. The hydrophilic optical brighteners useful herein include those having the structural formula wherein R? _ is selected from anilino, N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and NH-2-hydroxyethyl; R 2 is selected from N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl, N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino, morphino, chloro and amino; and M is a salt-forming cation such as sodium or potassium. When in the above formula R? _ Is anilino, R2 is N-2-bis-hydroxyethyl and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is acid 4,4'-bis [(4-anilino-6- (N- 2-bis-hydroxyethyl) -s-triazin-2-yl) amino] -2,2 '-stilbenedisulfonic acid and the disodium salt. This particular brightener species is marketed under the trade name Tinopal UNPA-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation. The Tinopal UNPA-GX is the preferred hydrophilic optical brightener useful in the detergent compositions herein. When in the above formula Rt_ is anilino, R 2 is N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-2-methylamino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is the disodium salt of 4,4'-bis [(4-anilino -6- (N-2-hydroxyethyl-N-methylamino) -s-triazin-2-yl) amino] -2, 2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid. This particular brightener species is commercially marketed under the tradename Tinopal 5BM-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation, tfk When in the above formula Rt_ is anilino, R 2 is morphino and M is a cation such as sodium, the brightener is salt sodium 4,4 '-bis [(4-anilino-6-morpholin-s-triazin-2-yl) amino] 2,2' -stilbenedisulfonic acid. This particular kind of brightener is sold commercially under the trade name Tinopal AMS-GX by Ciba-Geigy Corporation.

Cationic Fabric Softening Agents Cationic fabric softening agents can also be incorporated into the compositions according to the invention. Suitable cationic fabric softening agents include water-insoluble tertiary amines or long-chain diamide materials such as those described in GB-Al 514 276 and EP-B-0 011 340. Cationic fabric softening agents are g ^ typically incorporate at total levels of 0.5% to 15% by weight, typically from 1% to 5% by weight. Other Optional Ingredients Other optional ingredients suitable for inclusion in the compositions of the invention include perfumes, colors and filler salts, with a preferred filler salt being sodium sulfate. pH of the compositions The present compositions preferably have a pH measured as a 1% solution in distilled water of at least 8.5, preferably from 9.0 to 12.5, more preferably from 9.5 to 11.0.

Form of the compositions The compositions according to the invention can have a variety of physical forms including the granulated forms, in tablets, in bars and liquids. The compositions are particularly so-called concentrated granular detergent compositions adapted to be added to a washing machine by means of a delivery device placed in the tub of the washing machine with the load of dirty clothes. In general, the granular detergent compositions according to the present invention can be made ~ by a variety of methods, including dry mixing, spray drying, agglomeration and granulation. The average particle size of the components of the granulated compositions according to the invention should preferably be such that no more than 5% of the particles are more than 1.7 mm in diameter and no more than 5% of the particles are less than 0.15 mm in diameter. The term "average particle size" as defined herein is calculated by sieving a sample of the composition in a number of fractions (typically 5 fractions) in a series of Tyler sieves. The fractions of weight thus obtained are plotted against the opening size of the sieves. The average particle size is considered as the size of the opening through which 50% by weight of the sample would pass. The overall density of the detergent compositions according to the present invention is typically an overall density of at least 600 g / liter, more preferably from 650 g / liter to 1200 g / liter. The overall density is measured by means of a simple funnel-cup device consisting of a conical funnel rigidly molded on a base and provided with a butterfly valve on its lower end to allow the contents of the funnel to be emptied into a cylindrical cup aligned axially below the funnel. The funnel is 130 mm high and has internal diameters of 130 mm and 40 mm in its respective upper and lower extremities. It is mounted in such a way that the lower extremity is 140 mm above the upper surface of the base. The cup has a total height of 90 mm, an internal height of 87 mm and an internal diameter of 84 mm. Its nominal volume is 500 mi. To carry out a measurement, the funnel is filled with manually poured dust, the butterfly valve is opened and the powder is allowed to overfill the cup. The full cup is removed from the frame and excess powder is removed from the cup by passing a straight edge implement, eg, a knife, through its upper edge. The full cup is then weighed and the value obtained for the weight of the powder is doubled to provide a global density in g / liter. Equal measurements are made as required.

Agglomerated particles of the surfactant agent The cationic ester surfactant herein, preferably with additional surfactants, is preferably present in the granulated compositions in the form of agglomerated particles of surfactant, which may be in the form of flakes, pellets, disks, noodles, tapes, but preferably have the form of granules. The most preferred form for processing the particles is by agglomerating powders (eg, aluminosilicate, carbonate) with highly active surfactant pastes and controlling the particle size of the resulting agglomerates within specific limits. Said process includes mixing an effective amount of powder with a highly active surfactant paste in one or more agglomerators such as a container agglomerator, a Z-shaped paddle mixer or more preferably an in-line mixer such as those manufactured by Schugi (The Netherlands). ) BV, 29 Chroomstraat 8211 AS, Leyland, The Netherlands, and Gebruder Lodige Maschinebau GmbH, D-4790 Paderborn 1, ElsenerstraSe 7-9, Postfach 2050, Germany. More preferably a high shear mixer is used, such as a Lodige CB (business name). A highly active surfactant paste comprising from 50 wt% to 95 wt%, preferably 70 wt% to 85 wt% of surfactant agent is typically used. The paste can be pumped into the agglomerator at a temperature high enough to maintain a pumpable viscosity, but low enough to prevent degradation of the anionic surfactants used. A pulp operating temperature of 10 50 ° C to 80 ° C is typical.

• Laundry Method The laundry washing methods of the present typically comprise treating laundry with a laundry solution. washing in a washing machine having dissolved or supplied therein an effective amount of a washing detergent composition in the washing machine according to the invention. For an effective amount of the detergent composition is intended to say • from 40g to 300g of product dissolved or dispersed in a washing solution of a volume of 5 to 65 liters, which are typical product doses and volumes of wash solution commonly employed in conventional laundry washing methods. In a preferred use aspect, a delivery device in the washing method. The delivery device is loaded with the detergent product and used to introduce the product directly into the drum of the washing machine before starting the washing cycle. Its volume capacity must be such that it is capable of containing sufficient detergent product that would normally be used in the washing method. Once the washing machine has been loaded with clothes, the delivery device containing the detergent product is placed inside the drum. At the beginning of the washing cycle of the washing machine, water is introduced into the drum and it rotates periodically. The design of the delivery device must be such as to allow the dry detergent product to be contained but then allow this product to be released during the wash cycle in response to its agitation when the drum is turned and also as a result of its contact with the wash water. To allow the release of the detergent product during washing, the device may possess a number of openings through which the product can pass. Alternatively, the device may be made of a material that is liquid permeable but impermeable to the solid product, which allow the dissolved product to be released. Preferably, the detergent product be released rapidly at the start of the wash cycle, thereby providing transient localized concentrations of the product in the washing machine drum at this stage of the wash cycle. Preferred delivery devices are reusable and designed in such a way that the integrity of the container is maintained both in the dry state and during the wash cycle. The supply devices ^^ especially preferred for use with the composition of the invention are described in the following patents: GB-B-5 2,157,717, GB-B-2, 157, 718, EP-A-0201376, EP-A-0288345 and EP-A-0288346. An article by J. Bland, published in Manufacturing Chemist, November 19889, p. 41-46, also discloses especially preferred supply devices for use with granular laundry products, which are of a type commonly known as "granulette". Another preferred delivery device for use with the compositions of this invention is described in PCT patent application No. W094 / 11562. Especially preferred delivery devices are described in European patent application publications Nos. 0343069 and 0343070. This application describes a device comprising a flexible liner in the form of a pouch extending from a support ring defining a ^^ hole, the hole being adapted to admit in the bag sufficient product for a washing cycle in a washing process. A portion of the washing medium flows through the orifice into the bag, dissolves the product and the solution then passes down through the orifice into the washing medium. The support ring is provided with an arrangement of masking to prevent the exit of the wetted and undissolved product, this arrangement typically comprising radial walls extending from a protuberance in a spoke wheel configuration or similar structure, in which the walls have a helical shape. Alternatively, the delivery device may be a flexible container, such as a bag or bag. The bag may be made of a fibrous structure coated with a waterproof protective material to retain the contents, such as that described in published European patent application No. 0018678. Alternatively, it may be formed of a synthetic polymeric material insoluble in water provided with an edge or seal seal designed to rupture in the aqueous medium as described in published European patent applications Nos. 0011500, 0011501, 0011502 and 0011968. A convenient form of water-curable closure comprises a water-soluble adhesive arranged along and sealing an edge of a sack formed of a polymer film -, at __. ".__" ___ P ._______ n and polip_.P ___ n_.

Packaging for the compositions Commercially sold executions of the washing compositions can be packaged in any suitable container including those constructed of paper, cardboard, plastic materials and any suitable laminate. A preferred packaging modality is described in European application No. 94921505.7.

Abbreviations used in the examples In the detergent compositions, the abbreviated component identifications have the following meanings: LAS: Linear sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate of Ct_2 TAS: Sodium alkyl sulfate C45AS: Sodium alkyl alkylsulphate of C] _4-C? _5 CxyEzS: Branched sodium alkyl sulphate of Ct_x-C? _and condensed with z moles of oxide of. Ethylene C45E7: A primary alcohol of predominantly linear C? _4 ~ Ct_5 condensed with an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide C25E3: A primary alcohol of Ct_2 ~ Ci5 branched condensed with an average of 3 moles of ethylene oxide C25E5: An alcohol primary C de _2-C15 branched condensed with an average of 5 moles of ethylene oxide CEQ I: R1COOCH2.N + (CH3) 3 with R = C? ^ - Ci ^ CEQ II: R1COOCH2CH2CH2N + (CH3) 3 with Rx = C ^ -C ^ CEQ III: R1COOCH2CH2N + (CH3) 2 (CH2CH2OH) with Rt_ = C11-C13 CEQ IV: R1COOCH2CH2N + R2R3 (CH3) with Rt_ = C11-C13 and R2 and R3 = C2-C3 QAS: R2.N + (CH3) 2 (C2H 0H) with R2 = C12-C14 Soap: Linear sodium alkylcarboxylate derived from a mixture of 80/20 tallow and coconut oils TFAA: N-methylglucamide of alkyl of Ct_g-Ct_ * 8 TPKFA: Whole cut fatty acids of C? _2-C? _4 STPP: Anhydrous sodium tripolyphosphate Zeolite A Sodium aluminosilicate hydrate of the formula Na12 (AIO2SÍO2) 12 • 27H2O, which has a primary particle size on the scale of 0.1 to 10 microns. NaSKS-6 Crystalline layered silicate of the formula Ü- a2SÍ2? 5 Citric acid: Anhydrous citric acid Carbonate: Anhydrous sodium carbonate with an average particle size of 200μm and 900μ.m Bicarbonate: Anhydrous sodium bicarbonate with a size distribution particle size between 400μm and 1200μm Silicate: Amorphous sodium silicate (Si? 2 ratio: Na20 = 2.0) Sodium sulphate: Anhydrous sodium sulfate Citrate: Trisodium citrate dihydrate of 86.4% é5 activity with a particle size distribution between 425μm and 850 / xm GDP Polymer of (CH2CHCOONa) 25-CH (CH3) C00C12H25, average molecular weight of about 20 35,000 MA / AA: Copolymer of maleic acid / acrylic acid 1: 4 with an average molecular weight of about 70,000 CMC: Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 25 Protease Activity proteolytic enzyme 4KNPU / g sold under the trade name Savinase by Novo • Industries A / S Alcalase Proteolytic activity enzyme 3AU / g sold by Novo Industries A / S 30 Cellulase Activity cellulite enzyme lOOOCEVU / g sold by Novo Industries A / S under the trade name Carezyme Amylase: Activity amylolytic enzyme 60KNU / g sold by Novo Industries A / S under the trade name Termamyl 60T Lipase: Lipolytic enzyme of activity lOOkLU / g sold by Novo Industries A / S under the trade name Lipolase Endolase: Endoglumone enzyme of activity 3000CEVU / g sold by Novo Industries A / S PB4: Sodium perborate anhydrous tetrahydrate of nominal formula NaB02.3H2? .H202 PBl: Anhydrous sodium perborate bleach monohydrate of nominal formula NaB0 .H2? 2 Percarbonate: Sodium percarbonate of nominal formula 2Na2C03.3H202 NOBS: Nonanoyloxybenzenesulfonate in the form of sodium salt TAED: Tetraacetylethylenediamine DTPMP: Diethylenetriaminpenta ( methylene phosphonate) marketed by Monsanto under the trade name Dequest 2060. Photoactivated bleach: sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine encapsulated in dextrin-soluble polymer 1: 4, 4 '-bis (2-sulphotrisyl) biphenyl disodium brightener Brightener 2: 4, 4'-bis (4-anilino-6-morpholino-1,3,5-triazin-2-yl) amino) stilbene-2: 2'-disulfonate disulfonate HEDP: Acid 1, 1-hydroxyethoxyphosphonic acid PVNO: N-oxide of polyvinylpyridine PVPVI Copolymer of polyvinylpyrrolidone and vinylimidazole SRP 1 Esters of end blocked with sulfobenzoil with base structure of oxyethyleneoxy and terephthaloyl SRP 2 Polymer of short block of poly (1,2-propylene terephthalate) dietoxylated silicone antifoams: Polydimethylsiloxane foam controller with a siloxane-oxyalkylene copolymer as a dispersing agent with a ratio of said foam controller to said dispersing agent from 10: 1 to 100: 1.

In the following examples, all levels are cited as% by weight of the composition: EXAMPLE 1 The following laundry detergent compositions A to F according to the invention were prepared: EXAMPLE 1 (CONTINUED) EXAMPLE 2 The following granular laundry detergent compositions G a l were prepared with an overall density of 750 g / liter according to the invention: EXAMPLE 2 (CONTINUED) EXAMPLE 3 The following detergent formulations were prepared in accordance with the present invention, wherein J is a phosphorus-containing detergent composition, K is a detergent composition containing zeolite, and L is a compact detergent composition: EXAMPLE 3 (CONTINUED) EXAMPLE 4 The following detergent formulations containing indigo bleach of particular use were prepared in the washing of garments with color, in accordance with the invention: EXAMPLE 4 (CONTINUED) EXAMPLE 5 The following detergent formulations were prepared in accordance with the present invention: EXAMPLE 5 (CONTINUED) EXAMPLE 6 The following tergent formulations were prepared in accordance with the present invention: EXAMPLE 6 (CONTINUED) EXAMPLE 7 The following high density and bleach-containing detergent formulations were prepared in accordance with the present invention: EXAMPLE 7 (CONTINUED) EXAMPLE 8 The following high density detergent formulations were prepared in accordance with the present invention: EXAMPLE 8 (CONNECTION) ? EXAMPLE 9 The following high density detergent formulations were prepared in accordance with the present invention: EXAMPLE 9 (CONTINUED)

Claims (11)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - A detergent composition, characterized in that it comprises: (a) a cationic ester surfactant; and (b) a fat dispersing agent.

2. A detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said cationic ester surfactant is present at a level of 0.5% to 10.0% by weight of said detergent composition.

3. - A detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the cationic ester surfactant is selected from those having the formula: wherein R? _ is a linear or branched C5-C31 alkyl, alkenyl or alkaryl chain or M ".N + (RgR7Rg) (CH2) s; X and Y, independently, are selected from the group consisting of COO, OCO , O, CO, OCOO, CONH, NHCO, OCONH and NHCOO where at least one of X or Y is a group COO, OCO, OCOO, OCONH or • NHCOO; R2, R3, R4, Rg, R7 and s are independently selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxy alkynyl and alkaryl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and R5 is independently H or an alkyl group of Ct_-C3, - wherein the values of m, n, s and t are independently found on the scale from 0 to 8, The value of b is on the scale from 0 to 20, and the values of a, u and v are independently either 0 or 1, with the • condition that at least some of u or v must be 1; and where M is a counter anion. 4.- A detergent composition in accordance with the 15 claim 3, further characterized in that R2, R3 and R4 are independently selected from the group consisting of -CH3- and -CH2CH2OH. 5. A detergent composition according to claim 3, further characterized in that R2 and R3 are 20 C2-C3 alkyl groups. 6. - A detergent composition according to claim 3, further characterized in that the cationic ester is selected from the choline esters having the formula: wherein m is from 1 to 4 and Rt_ is an alkyl chain of straight or branched Ct _? _-C? g. 7. A detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that said fat dispersing agent is present at a level of 0.1% to 15% by weight of the detergent composition. 8. - A detergent composition according to claim 1, further characterized in that the fat dispersing agent has the formula: wherein: R and R represent hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl; R represents -CO-O-, -O- -0-CO-CH '-CO-NH- or is absent; RJ represents -C3H6-N + - (CH3) 3 (C1-), -C2H4-OS03- (Na +), -S03- (Na +), -C2H4N + (CH3) 3 Cl ", -C2H4N + (C2Hg) 3Cl ~ , -CH2 N + (CH3) 3 Cl ", -CH2 N + (C2Hg) 3 Cl" or benzyl-SO3- (Na +) or hydrogen, Ra is CH2, C2H4, C3Hg, or is absent; R represents 1 to 50 groups of independently selected alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide groups, or absent, Rc represents -OH or H, and wherein if R, Ra and R are absent, then Rc is not -H; x is at least 1, z is 1, and n is at least 1. 9. A detergent composition according to claim 8, further characterized in that R is -CO-O- and R is a hydrogen 10. A detergent composition of according to claim 1, further characterized in that the fat dispersing agent has the formula: where Q is a molecular entity of formula: and wherein: R1 represents -COO-O-, -O-, -O-CO-, -CH2-, CO-NH-, or is absent; R represents from 1 to 50 independently selected alkyleneoxy groups, or is absent, provided that when R is absent and R represents hydrogen or contains no more than 4 carbon atoms, then R2 must contain an alkyleneoxy group, preferably more than 5 alkyleneoxy groups with at least 3 carbon atoms; R3 represents a phenylene bond, or is absent; R4 represents hydrogen or an alkyl and the 24-alkenyl group of C2-24 with the provisos that: (a) when R1 represents -O-CO-, R2 and R3 must be absent, and R4 must contain at least 5 carbon atoms, - (b) when R2 is absent, then R is not hydrogen, and when also R is absent, then R4 must contain at least 5 carbon atoms; R5 represents hydrogen or a group of the formula -COOA4; R6 represents hydrogen or C alquilo_4 alkyl, and A, A, A3 and A are independently selected from hydrogen, alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, ammonium and amine bases and Ct__4 or (C2H4O) -H, where t is from 1 to 50, and wherein the monomer units may be in random order; Q1 is a multifunctional monomer, allowing polymer branching, wherein the polymer monomers can be attached to Q in any direction, in any order, possibly with the same resulting in a branched polymer; z and v are 1; n is at least 1; x is at least 1; (x + y + p + q + r): z is from 4: 1 to 1,000: 1, where the monomeric units can be in random order; * g 9 10 R and R represent -CH3 or is a hydrogen;, R and R represent substituent groups. 11. A washing method in a domestic washing machine, in which an assortment device containing an effective amount of a solid detergent composition according to claim 1, is introduced into the tub of the washing machine before starting the washing machine. washing, wherein said assortment device allows the progressive release of said detergent composition in the washing solution during washing.