LAUNDRY PRODUCTS

The present invention relates to compositions, systems and methods which provide laundry products tailored to a user's requirement.

In particular, the invention provides compositions, systems and methods which allow a user to customise detergent compositions on demand in order to suit their requirements in their own home. For many consumers, no single laundry product fulfils all of their needs. As a result, many consumers buy and store more than one laundry product, including biological and non-biological detergent products and those specifically formulated for whites or colours. In addition to storing such laundry products, consumers often store one or more additional stain removal products and/or benefit agents. In total, the combinations can require a significant amount of storage space.

Other consumers may simply use a single laundry product for all loads, regardless of suitability. This can mean that unnecessary components are delivered in the wash (such as enzymes) which may have detrimental effects on fabric case and/or the environment or other components such as particular perfumes which may not be desired by all consumers.

The present invention seeks to address one or more of the problems identified in the prior art.

Benefit agents offer improved sensory experience however, their inclusion with other ingredients can mean additional processing to preserve the effects in the presence of certain other ingredients. WO 2014/079621 discloses a laundry detergent composition comprising: surfactant, fabric softening silicone and cationic polysaccharide polymer. The invention is directed to a softening in the wash laundry composition. However these are not an ideal solution, there remains a need enhance the benefits delivered to fabrics during the laundry process. SUMMARY

In a first aspect the invention provides a combination of reservoirs providing segregated stocks of components for laundry products to enable a user to formulate doses of laundry products on demand for supplying to a washing machine drum, the combination comprising:

a first reservoir containing a stock of a first composition containing a detergent; and

a second reservoir containing a second composition comprising a stock of a laundry serum, the laundry serum comprising

a. 2 - 60 w.t.% benefit agent;

b. less than 4 w.t.% emulsifier and

c. water characterised in that the benefit agent comprises materials selected from: lubricants, free perfumes, encapsulated perfumes and mixtures thereof.

The arrangement of the invention separates the benefit agent from other components in the first composition, and allows delivery in a serum format, by which means the benefit agents provides superior performance, compared to delivery from a traditional laundry liquid.

The present stock of components is suitable for use with an apparatus for providing laundry product, the apparatus comprising a dosing unit and a dispensing device, wherein the device is operable to dispense portions of components from the stocks, so as to provide a dose of laundry product in the dosing unit, ready for a wash / rinse process, as a result of command by a user.

A reservoir may contain a stock of a composition in an amount sufficient for two or more doses, preferably for three or more and more preferably for five or more doses of laundry product. In embodiments of the invention a reservoir contains a stock of a composition in an amount sufficient for at least ten doses, optionally at least fifteen doses, preferably at least twenty doses. A multiple-dose stock of detergent composition according to the invention may also be accommodated in a washing machine which has a dispensing device operable to selectively dispense portions of components from reservoirs as a result of a command by a user to provide a dose of laundry product ready for a wash / rinse cycle.

The combination of the invention may be a system including a device operable to selectively dispense components from the reservoirs as a result of command/s by the user thereby formulating the doses of laundry products on demand.

The present invention thus permits the user to combine a benefit agent with other laundry treatment components, ready for a wash or rinse process. This decouples the benefit agent from other components such as perfume or enzymes allowing the user full control over the amount of each.

This also decouples the benefit agent's delivery technology from that of other

technologies as the benefit agent can, be dosed separately. This may be achieved e.g by automatic sequential dosing when the dispensing device is connected and preferably integral to a washing machine or by manually dosing separately which may be aided by dual chambered shuttles or the like.

The present invention also provides additional flexibility for the user as it permits the combination of benefit agents with other laundry product components at various ratios, in accordance with recipes / directions / guidance. This makes available potentially multiple permutations of laundry product compositions from the stock compositions. For example, higher / lower levels of the benefit agent may be selected in dependence upon the user's requirements for a particular wash load in terms of the nature and level of soiling and the type of fabric(s) to be washed. So gym/sports garments may be washed with anti- malodour and a higher dose of detergent but a lower dose of perfume. Bedding may be washed with higher doses of each. The present invention thus allows a domestic user to formulate bespoke laundry products in a dosing unit, ready for supply to a washing machine drum. Embodiments of the present invention may also include directions for combining portions of stock components in order to provide a dose of laundry product.

Methods and devices for combining the contents of the reservoirs are described in more detail below.

A third or any further number of reservoirs may be provided containing one or more laundry product components. Detergent composition

The detergent composition of the first reservoir may contain detergent actives such as anionic and/or nonionic surfactants.

Surfactants

A detergent base composition may contain a surfactant system which comprises one or more non-soap surfactant components. Preferred surfactant systems comprise at least anionic or nonionic surfactant. Preferably a detergent base is a concentrated composition which contains high levels of a surfactant system. Preferred embodiments contain at least 40wt%, preferably at least 45wt% and most preferably at least 50wt% of a non-soap surfactant system. Suitably the detergent base composition contains up to 80wt% non- soap surfactant, preferably up to 70wt%. Soaps may also be included in the

compositions, as described later.

Anionic Surfactants

Preferred anionic surfactants have an anion selected from linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS), primary alkyl sulfate (PAS), alkyl ether sulfate (AES) and mixtures thereof.

Preferred alkyl sulphonates are alkylbenzene sulphonates, particularly linear

alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) having an alkyl chain length of Cs-C-is. The counter ion for anionic surfactants is generally an alkali metal (such sodium) or an ammoniacal counterion (such as MEA, TEA). Suitable anionic surfactant materials are available in the marketplace as the 'Genapol'™ range from Clariant. Preferred linear alkyl benzene sulphonate surfactants are Detal LAS with an alkyl chain length of from 8 to 15, more preferably 12 to 14. LAS is normally formulated into compositions in acid, i.e., HLAS form and then at least partially neutralized in-situ. Other common anionic surfactants are generally provided in pre-neutralised form. The compositions may also contain base to provide a counterion for any anionic surfactant, together with performing pH adjustment. Typically a base provides a counterion selected from Na+, K+ and ammoniacal ions. Suitable bases include potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolammine. Most preferred bases include potassium hydroxide and

monoethanolamine. Mixtures of bases may be employed. The composition may optionally contain from 0.1wt% to 20wt%, preferably from 0.2wt% to 15wt%, more preferably 1 to 10wt% of base.

A detergent base composition may optionally include an alkyl polyethoxylate sulphate anionic surfactant of the formula (I): where R is an alkyl chain having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, especially 12 to 16 carbon atoms and is saturated or unsaturated, M is a cation which makes the compound water- soluble, especially an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, and x averages from 1 to 15, especially 1 to 3. An example is the anionic surfactant sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) which is the sodium salt of lauryl ether sulphonic acid in which the predominantly C12 lauryl alkyl group has been ethoxylated with an average of 3 moles of ethylene oxide per mole.

Typically a non-soap surfactant system will contain less than 20wt% of alkyl

polyethoxylate sulfate anionic surfactant. Some alkyl sulphate surfactant (PAS) may be used, especially the non-ethoxylated C12-15 primary and secondary alkyl sulphates. An example material, commercially available from Cognis, is Sulphopon 1214G. When included therein the composition may contain from 0.1 wt% to 50 wt%, preferably 0.2 wt% to 50 wt%, more preferably 1 wt% to 50 wt%, and especially 5 to 50 wt% of a anionic surfactant. Nonionic Surfactants

Nonionic surfactants include primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially Cs- C20 aliphatic alcohol 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 alkyl polyglycosides, glycerol monoethers and polyhydroxy amides (glucamide). Mixtures of nonionic surfactant may be used.

When included therein the composition may contain from 0.1 wt% to 50 wt%, preferably 0.2 wt% to 50 wt%, more preferably 1 wt% to 45 wt%, and especially 5 to 40 wt% of a nonionic surfactant, such as alcohol ethoxylate, nonylphenol ethoxylate,

alkylpolyglycoside, alkyldimethylamineoxide, ethoxylated fatty acid monoethanolamide, fatty acid monoethanolamide, polyhydroxy alkyl fatty acid amide, or N-acyl N-alkyl derivatives of glucosamine ("glucamides").

Nonionic surfactants that may preferably be used include the primary and secondary alcohol ethoxylates, especially the C8-C20 aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 35 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and more especially the C10- Ci5 primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols ethoxylated with an average of from 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

Preferred surfactant systems comprise nonionic and anionic surfactant in a ratio in the range of 20:80 to 80:20, preferably in the range of 20:60 to 80:20 and more preferably in a range of 30:60 to 70:30.

A particularly preferred surfactant system is provided by anionic surfactant comprising linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) and nonionic surfactant comprising C10-C15 alcohol ethoxylate with 2 to 7 EO. Amine Oxide Surfactants

The surfactant system of the composition may contain an amine oxide of the formula (2): R ¹ N(0)(CH ₂ R ² ) ₂ (2)

In which R ¹ is a long chain moiety and each CH2R ² is a short chain moiety. R ² is preferably selected from hydrogen, methyl and -CH2OH. In general R ¹ is a primary or branched hydrocarbyl moiety which can be saturated or unsaturated, preferably, R ¹ is a primary alkyl moiety having chain length of from about 8 to about 18 and R ² is H. These amine oxides are illustrated by Ci2-i4 alkyldimethyl amine oxide, hexadecyl dimethylamine oxide, octadecylamine oxide.

Example amine oxide materials are Lauryl dimethylamine oxide, also known as dodecyldimethylamine oxide or DDAO, commercially available from Hunstman under the trade name Empigen® OB.

Amine oxides suitable for use herein are also available from Akzo Chemie and Ethyl Corp. See McCutcheon's compilation and Kirk-Othmer review article for alternate amine oxide manufacturers.

Preferably the detergent compositions contain less than 10wt%, more preferably less than 5wt% and especially less than 2wt% amine oxide surfactant. Zwitterionic Surfactants

Some zwitterionic surfactant, such as sulphobetaine, may be present. A preferred zwitterionic material is a betaine available from Huntsman under the name Empigen® BB.

Preferably the detergent compositions contain less than 10wt%, more preferably less than 5wt% and especially less than 2wt% zwitterionic surfactant.

Cationic Surfactants Cationic surfactants are preferably substantially absent from the third composition which provides a detergent base composition.

A polymer system

A detergent base composition may preferably contain a polymer system which comprises at least one of the following (bi) to (biii):

(bi) one or more particulate soil removal polymer(s) and/or (bii) one or more anti-redeposition polymer(s) and/or

(biii) one or more soil release polymer(s).

The inclusion of such a polymer system results in enhanced weight efficiency for the compositions. In particular it has been found that such a polymer system contributes to the good dissolution characteristics of the compositions and allows for a reduction in the amount of other non-functional components and solvents required in order to achieve acceptable dissolution.

Example compositions may preferably contain up to 25wt%, more preferably up to 20wt% and especially up to 18wt% of the polymer system. Preferably the compositions contain at least 5wt%, preferably at least 6wt% and more preferably at least 7wt% of the polymer system.

Embodiments may employ an ethoxylated polyethylene imine polymer (EPEI) which may assist with particulate soil removal and/or perform an anti-redeposition function.

Preferably the EPEI is nonionic. That means it does not have any quaternary nitrogens, or nitrogen oxides or any ionic species other than possible pH affected protonation of nitrogens.

Polyethylene imines (PEIs, especially modified PEIs) are materials composed of ethylene imine units -CH2CH2NH- and, where branched, the hydrogen on the nitrogen is replaced by another chain of ethylene imine units. These polyethyleneimines can be prepared, for example, by polymerizing ethyleneimine in the presence of a catalyst such as carbon dioxide, sodium bisulphite, sulphuric acid, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid, acetic acid, and the like. Specific methods for preparing these polyamine backbones are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,182,306, Ulrich et al., issued Dec. 5, 1939; U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,746, Mayle et al., issued May 8, 1962; U.S. Pat. No. 2,208,095, Esselmann et al., issued Jul. 16, 1940; U.S. Pat. No. 2,806,839, Crowther, issued Sep. 17, 1957; U.S. Pat. No. 2,553,696, Wilson, issued May 21 , 1951 and WO2006/086492 (BASF).

Preferably, the EPEI comprises a polyethyleneimine backbone wherein the modification of the polyethyleneimine backbone is intended to leave the polymer without

quaternisation. Such nonionic EPEI may be represented as PEI(X)YEO where X represents the molecular weight of the unmodified PEI and Y represents the average moles of ethoxylation per nitrogen atom in the polyethyleneimine backbone. The ethoxylation number Y may range from 9 to 40 ethoxy moieties per modification, preferably it is in the range of 16 to 26, most preferably 18 to 22. X is selected to be from about 300 to about 10000 weight average molecular weight and is preferably about 600.

A preferred example EPEI is PEI (600) 20EO.

If present, the polymer (bi) and / or (bii), such as ethoxylated polyethyleneimine polymer (EPEI), may typically be included in the composition at a level of between 0.01 and 20 wt%, and preferably at a level of at least 1wt% and/or less than 18 wt%, more preferably at a level of from 2wt% and/or up to 15wt%. Particularly preferred compositions contain 3wt% to 10wt% and especially 5 to 10 wt% or 4 to 10wt% EPEI. A ratio of non-soap surfactant to EPEI may preferably be from 2:1 to 9:1 , preferably from 3:1 to 8:1 , or even to 3:1 to 7:1 .

In other embodiments a polymer (bi) and / or (bii) may be omitted. Soil Release Polymer

A polymer system of the composition preferably comprises at least some soil release polymer for oily soil removal, especially from polyester.

Soil release polymers improve the main wash performance of the compositions when used in the low in wash surfactant process of the present invention. One preferred class of polymer is the fabric-substantive polymers comprising at least one of (i) saccharide or (ii) dicarboxylic acid and polyol monomer units. Typically these have soil release properties and while they can have a primary detergency effect they generally assist in subsequent cleaning. Preferably these should be present at a level of at least 2% wt preferably at least 3 wt% of the composition.

If present, the soil release polymer(s) (biii) will generally comprise up to 12.0 wt%, of the detergent composition, preferably up to 9 or 10 wt%. Preferably they are used in an amount of at least 1 or perhaps 2 wt%. Most preferably they are used in an amount of 1 to 9wt%, more preferably 2wt% to 9wt%, especially 2wt% to 8 wt%.

Generally the soil release polymers for polyester will comprise polymers of aromatic dicarboxylic acids and alkylene glycols (including polymers containing polyalkylene glycols).

The polymeric soil release agents useful herein especially include those soil release agents having:

(a) one or more nonionic hydrophilic components consisting essentially of:

(i) polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or

(ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophilic segment does not encompass any oxypropylene unit unless it is bonded to adjacent moieties at each end by ether linkages, or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to about 30 oxypropylene units wherein said mixture contains a sufficient amount of oxyethylene units such that the hydrophilic component has hydrophilicity great enough to increase the hydrophilicity of conventional polyester synthetic fibre surfaces upon deposit of the soil release agent on such surface, said hydrophilic segments preferably comprising at least about 25% oxyethylene units and more preferably, especially for such components having about 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50% oxyethylene units; or

(b) one or more hydrophobic components comprising: (i) C3 oxyalkylene terephthalate segments, wherein, if said hydrophobic components also comprise oxyethylene terephthalate, the ratio of

oxyethylene terephthalate: C3 oxyalkylene terephthalate units is about 2:1 or lower,

(ii) C ₄ -C6 alkylene or oxy C ₄ -C6 alkylene segments, or mixtures therein,

(iii) poly (vinyl ester) segments, preferably polyvinyl acetate), having a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or (iv) Ci -C ₄ alkyl ether or C ₄ hydroxyalkyl ether substituents, or mixtures therein, wherein said substituents are present in the form of Ci -C ₄ alkyl ether or C ₄ hydroxyalkyl ether cellulose derivatives, or mixtures therein, and such cellulose derivatives are amphiphilic, whereby they have a sufficient level of Ci -C ₄ alkyl ether and/or C ₄ hydroxyalkyl ether units to deposit upon conventional polyester synthetic fibre surfaces and retain a sufficient level of hydroxyls, once adhered to such conventional synthetic fibre surface, to increase fibre surface hydrophilicity, or a combination of (a) and (b).

Typically, the polyoxyethylene segments of (a)(i) will have a degree of polymerization of from about 200, although higher levels can be used, preferably from 3 to about 150, more preferably from 6 to about 100. Suitable oxy C ₄ -C6 alkylene hydrophobic segments include, but are not limited to, end-caps of polymeric soil release agents such as MO3 S(CH2)n OCH2 CH2 0-, where M is sodium and n is an integer from 4-6, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,721 ,580, issued Jan. 26, 1988 to Gosselink. Soil release agents characterized by polyvinyl ester) hydrophobic segments include graft copolymers of polyvinyl ester), e.g., Ci -C6 vinyl esters, preferably polyvinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones, such as polyethylene oxide backbones. See European Patent Application 0 219 048, published Apr. 22, 1987 by Kud, et al.

Commercially available soil release agents of this kind include the SOKALAN type of material, e.g., SOKALAN HP-22, available from BASF (West Germany).

One type of preferred soil release agent is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide (PEO) terephthalate. The molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is in the range of from about 25,000 to about 55,000. See U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,230 to Hays, issued May 25, 1976 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,893,929 to Basadur issued Jul. 8, 1975. Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a polyester with repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units contains 10 to 15 wt% of ethylene terephthalate units together with 90 to 80 wt% weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight 300-5,000. Examples of this polymer include the commercially available material ZELCON 5126 (from DuPont) and MILEASE T (from ICI). See also U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,857, issued Oct. 27, 1987 to Gosselink.

Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a sulphonated product of a substantially linear ester oligomer comprised of an oligomeric ester backbone of terephthaloyl and oxyalkyleneoxy repeat units and terminal moieties covalently attached to the backbone. These soil release agents are described fully in U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,451 , issued Nov. 6, 1990 to J.J. Scheibel and E. P. Gosselink. Other suitable polymeric soil release agents include the terephthalate polyesters of U.S. Pat. No. 4,71 1 ,730, issued Dec. 8, 1987 to Gosselink et al, the anionic end-capped oligomeric esters of U.S. Pat. No. 4,721 ,580, issued Jan. 26, 1988 to Gosselink, and the block polyester oligomeric compounds of U.S. Pat. No. 4,702,857, issued Oct. 27, 1987 to Gosselink.

Preferred polymeric soil release agents also include the soil release agents of U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,896, issued Oct. 31 , 1989 to Maldonado et al, which discloses anionic, especially sulfoarolyl, end-capped terephthalate esters.

Still another preferred soil release agent is an oligomer with repeat units of terephthaloyl units, sulfoisoterephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1 ,2-propylene units. The repeat units form the backbone of the oligomer and are preferably terminated with modified isethionate end-caps. A particularly preferred soil release agent of this type comprises about one sulfoisophthaloyl unit, 5 terephthaloyl units, oxyethyleneoxy and oxy-1 ,2-propyleneoxy units in a ratio of from about 1 .7 to about 1.8, and two end-cap units of sodium 2-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-ethanesulphonate. Said soil release agent also comprises from about 0.5% to about 20%, by weight of the oligomer, of a crystalline- reducing stabilizer, preferably selected from the group consisting of xylene sulfonate, cumene sulfonate, toluene sulfonate, and mixtures thereof.

Suitable soil release polymers are described in WO 2008095626 (Clariant); WO

2006133867 (Clariant); WO 2006133868 (Clariant); WO 2005097959 (Clariant); WO 9858044 (Clariant); WO 2000004120 (Rhodia Chimie); US 6242404 (Rhodia Inc); WO 2001023515 (Rhodia Inc); WO 9941346 (Rhodia Chim); WO 9815346 (Rhodia Inc); WO 9741 197 (BASF); EP 728795 (BASF); US 5008032 (BASF); WO 2002077063 (BASF); EP 483606 ( BASF); EP 442101 (BASF); WO 9820092 (Proctor & Gamble); EP 201 124 (Proctor & Gamble); EP 199403 (Proctor & Gamble); DE 2527793 (Proctor & Gamble); WO 9919429 (Proctor & Gamble); WO 9859030 (Proctor & Gamble); US 5834412 (Proctor & Gamble); WO 9742285 (Proctor & Gamble); WO 9703162 (Proctor & Gamble); WO 9502030 (Proctor & Gamble); WO 9502028 (Proctor & Gamble); EP 357280 (Proctor & Gamble); US 41 16885 (Proctor & Gamble); WO 9532232 (Henkel); WO 9532232 (Henkel); WO 9616150 (Henkel); WO 9518207 (Henkel); EP 1099748 (Henkel); FR 2619393 (Colgate Palmolive); DE 341 1941 (Colgate Palmolive); DE 3410810 (Colgate Palmolive); WO 2002018474 (RWE-DEA MINERALOEL & CHEM AG; SASOL

GERMANY GMBH); EP 743358 (Textil Color AG); PL 148326 (Instytut Ciezkiej Syntezy Organicznej "Blachownia", Pol.); JP 2001 181692 (Lion Corp); J P 1 1 193397 A (Lion Corp); RO 1 14357 (S.C. "Prod Cresus" S.A., Bacau, Rom.); and US 71 19056 (Sasol).

The most preferred soil release polymers are the water soluble/miscible or dispersible polyesters such as: linear polyesters sold under the Repel-O-Tex brand by Rhodia (Gerol), or the Texcare brand by Clariant, especially Texcare SRN100 and SRN170, and heavily branched polyesters such as those available from Sasol and described in US 71 19056. The polyesters are preferably nonionic and comprise a mid block of spaced apart terephthalate repeat units and at least one end block based on polyethylene glycol with a lower alkyl or hydrogen termination.

Example soil release polymers may also be of the type E-M-L-E, where the ester midblock M is connected to generally hydrophilic end blocks E, each comprising capped oligomers of polyethylene glycol, the linking moiety L is of the form B-Ar-B, where B is a urethane, amide or ester moiety. Such soil release polymers are described in

WO2012/104159.

Particularly preferred polymer systems (bi), (bii) and (biii) are combinations of relatively high levels of EPEI, particularly greater than 2.5 wt% based on the composition, with soil release polymers.

The polymer system (b) may typically be present in an amount such that the ratio of polymer system (b) to surfactant system is in a range of 0.15:1 to 0.4:1 , preferably 0.2:1 to 0.4:1 and more preferably 0.2:1 to 0.3:1 .

Water

The detergent base compositions are intended to be highly weight efficient and as such may contain relatively low levels of water, preferably up to 15wt% added water. Preferred embodiments contain up to 12wt% and more preferably up to 10wt% added water. The amount of water will vary in dependence upon the dose volume required.

The compositions may also contain water provided as a component of a raw material. Preferably the total water content of the composition (as provided by the raw materials and as added water) is less than 20wt%, preferably less than 15wt% and more preferably less than 12wt%.

Fatty acid/Soap

The detergent base compositions may comprise fatty acid and/or soap, preferably in an amount up to 10wt%, especially up to 8wt% and most preferably up to 5 or 6wt% fatty acid. Typically a composition may contain at least 0.1 wt% fatty acid and preferably at least 1wt%.

Preferred example fatty acids contain 8 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably in a straight chain configuration, saturated or unsaturated. Particularly preferred fatty acids include those where the weighted average number of carbons in the alkyl/alkenyl chains is from 8 to 24, more preferably 10 to 22, most preferably from 12 to 18. Suitably fatty acids include linear and branched stearic, oleic, lauric, linoleic and tallow acids and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred blends of fatty acids that are commercially available include:

hydrogenated topped palm kernel fatty acid, and coconut fatty acid saturated fatty acids are preferred. The fatty acid can act as a buffer in addition to preforming a builder and/or as an antifoam. Fatty acids may form part of a buffer system that provides buffering in a pH range of 5 to 9. Preferably the present detergent compositions have a pH in those ranges when measured on dilution of the liquid composition to 1 % using demineralised water. The most preferred pH range all vary in dependence upon the polymer system; soil release polymers in particular can have reduced stability under certain conditions of pH. Base

As described above in relation to the anionic surfactant, a detergent base composition may preferably contain from 1 to 15wt%, more preferably from 1 to 10wt% in total of base which may provide a counterion for any anionic surfactant and perform a pH adjustment function. Suitable bases include potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide,

monoethanolamine, diethanolamine and triethanolammine. A most preferred base is monoethanolamine. Mixtures of bases may be employed.

Solvent and hvdrotropes

As the present detergent base compositions are intended to be highly weight efficient it is proposed that a base composition contains less than 40wt%, preferably less than 35wt%, more preferably less than 30wt% and especially less than 20wt% of any solvents and hydrotropes. Generally the solvents are "non-amino functional".

In this context, "non-amino functional solvent" refers to any solvent that does not contain amino functional groups. It includes non-surfactant solvents such as C1-C5 alcohols (such as ethanol), C2-C6 diols (such as monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol) and C3-C9 triols (such as glycerol). In preferred embodiments the solvents are optionally selected from one or more of glycerol, monopropylene glycol (MPG) and ethanol. The level of such solvents including non-amino functional solvents will vary in

dependence upon the dose volumes required. Amino-functional materials are not included in the category of solvents as they would be classified by the skilled reader as a base. ln the present detergent base compositions the combined total amount of added water and solvents is preferably less than 45wt% and more preferably less than 40wt%. Laundry Serum

The term 'laundry serum' is used to refer to a specific format of laundry product. This may be a liquid product which is used in addition to the base detergent and/or the fabric conditioner to provide an additional or improved benefit to the materials in the wash or rinse cycle. A serum may be defined by its physical interaction with laundry liquids. A serum may float on the at least the detergent base.

Throughout this specification density is measured by weighing a known volume of sample using a 'Sheen' density cup with lid on a 4 figure balance. Throughout this specification viscosity measurements were carried out at 25°C, using a 4cm diameter 2°cone and plate geometry on a DHR-2 rheometer ex. TA instruments.

In detail, all measurements were conducted using a TA-lnstruments DHR-2 rheometer with a 4cm diameter 2 degree angle cone and plate measuring system. The lower Peltier plate was used to control the temperature of the measurement to 25°C. The

measurement protocol was a 'flow curve' where the applied shear stress is varied logarithmically from 0.01 Pa to 400 Pa with 10 measurement points per decade of stress. At each stress the shear strain rate is measured over the last 5 seconds of the 10 second period over which the stress is applied with the viscosity at that stress being calculated as the quotient of the shear stress and shear rate.

For those systems which exhibit a low shear viscosity plateau over large shear stress ranges, to at least 1 Pa, the characteristic viscosity is taken as being the viscosity at a shear stress of 0.3Pa. For those systems where the viscosity response is shear thinning from low shear stress the characteristic viscosity is taken as being the viscosity at a shear rate of 21 s-1.

The serum composition is an aqueous composition. Benefit Agent

The present invention is concerned with a method of delivering a serum comprising a benefit agent. Benefit agents are materials which provide some form of benefit to the fabric. This benefit agent is normally a conceivable benefit which the consumers desire, for example effecting the feel, appearance, or perception of a fabric.

Benefit agents include: lubricants, free perfumes and encapsulated perfumes.

Preferably benefit agents include: lubricants comprising silicones, free perfumes and encapsulated perfumes.

Further non-limiting examples of suitable benefit agents include: antifoams, fragrances, encapsulated fragrances, insect repellents, whiteness agents (eg shading or hueing dyes and/or fluorescers), preservatives (e.g. bactericides), enzymes (eg protease, lipases, cellulases, pectate lyase), dye transfer inhibitors, pH buffering agents, perfume carriers, anti-bacterial agenat, fibre adhesives (eg starch, Polyvinyl acetate), elastomers, antimicrobial agents, anti-redeposition agents, soil-release agents, softening agents, polyelectrolytes, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-oxidants, dyes, colorants, shade enhancers, fluorescent agents, sunscreens, anti-corrosion agents, anti-static agents, sequestrants (preferably HEDP, an abbreviation for Etidronic acid or 1 - hydroxyethane 1 ,1 -diphosphonic acid), colour preservatives, fungicides and ironing aids.

Further preferred benefit agents are: fibre adhesives (eg starch, Polyvinyl acetate), elastomers, free perfumes and fragrances, encapsulated perfumes and fragrances and or perfume carriers, insect repellents, whiteness agents (eg shading or hueing dyes and/or fluorescers), enzymes (eg protease, lipases, cellulases, pectate lyase), dye transfer inhibitors, soil-release agents, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, dyes (including colorants and/or shade enhancers), sunscreens (including UV filters), anti-static agents, sequestrants (preferably HEDP, an abbreviation for Etidronic acid or 1-hydroxyethane 1 ,1 -diphosphonic acid) or polyelectrolytes.

Lubricants: Lubricants may be silicone based lubricants or non-silicone based lubricants. Examples of non-silicone based lubricants include clays, waxes, polyolefins, sugar polyesters, synthetic and natural oils. For the purposes of this invention, lubricants do not include fabric softening quaternary ammonium compounds.

Preferably the lubricant is a silicone based lubricant. Silicones and their chemistry are described in, for example in The Encyclopaedia of Polymer Science, volume 1 1 , p765. Silicones suitable for the present invention are fabric softening silicones. Non-limiting examples of such silicones include: non-functionalised silicones such as

polydialkylsiloxanes, particularly polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), alkyl (or alkoxy) functionalised silicones, and functionalised silicones or copolymers with one or more different types of functional groups such as amino, phenyl, polyether, acrylate, siliconhydride, carboxy acid, phosphate, betaine, quarternized nitrogen and mixtures thereof.

The molecular weight of the silicone is preferably from 1 ,000 to 500,000, more preferably from 2,000 to 250,000 even more preferably from 5,000 to 100,000.

The silicone composition of the current invention may be in the form of an emulsion or as a silicone fluid. In a preferred embodiment the silicone is in the form of a silicone emulsion.

When the silicone is in an emulsion, the particle size can be in the range from about 1 nm to 100 microns and preferably from about 10 nm to about 10 microns including microemulsions (< 150 nm), standard emulsions (about 200 nm to about 500 nm) and macroemulsions (about 1 micron to about 20 microns).

The fabric softening silicones may be an emulsion or a fluid, preferably an emulsion. Preferred non-functionalised silicones are polydialkylsiloxanes, most preferred non- functionalised silicones are polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). Preferred functionalised silicones are an anionic functionalised silicone. Examples of fabric softening anionic silicones suitable for the current invention include silicones containing the following functionalities; carboxylic, sulphate, sulphonic, phosphate and/or phosphonate functionality. Preferably the anionic silicones of the current invention comprise silicones having a functionality selected from; carboxylic, sulphate, sulphonic, phosphate and/or phosphonate functionality or mixtures thereof. More preferably the anionic silicone of the present invention comprises carboxyl functionalised silicones. Most preferably the anionic silicone of the current invention is a carboxyl silicone.

For the purposes of the current invention, the anionic silicone may be in the form of the acid or the anion. For example for a carboxyl functionalised silicone, may be present as a carboxylic acid or carboxylate anion. An example of a commercially available anionic functional material are: X22-3701 E from Shin Etsu and Pecosil PS-100 from Pheonix Chemical. Preferably the anionic silicone has an anionic group content of at least 1 mol%, preferably at least 2 mol%.

The anionic group(s) on the anionic silicones of the present invention are preferably located in pendent positions on the silicone i.e. the composition comprises anionic silicones wherein the anionic group is located in a position other than at the end of the silicone chain. The terms 'terminal position' and 'at the end of the silicone chain' are used to indicate the terminus of the silicone chain.

When the silicones are linear in nature, there are two ends to the silicone chain. In this case the anionic silicone preferably contains no anionic groups located on a terminal position of the silicone.

When the silicones are branched in nature, the terminal position is deemed to be the two ends of the longest linear silicone chain. Preferably no anionic functionality is not located on the terminus of the longest linear silicone chain.

Preferred anionic silicones are those that comprise the anionic group at a mid-chain position on the silicone. Preferably the anionic group(s) of the anionic silicone are located at least five Si atoms from a terminal position on the silicone. Preferably the anionic groups are distributed randomly along the silicone chain.

Most preferably the silicone of the present invention is selected from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and carboxy functionalised silicones, preferred carboxy silicones are described above. When a silicone is present, preferably the serum comprises silicone at a level of 1 to 60 w.t % of the formulation, preferably 2 to 30 w.t. % of the formulation, more preferably 2.5 to 20 w.t. % of the formulation.

Perfumes:

The serum of the present invention preferably comprises a perfume composition. The perfume may be provided either as a free oil and/or in a microcapsule. The serum of the present invention may comprise one or more perfume compositions. The perfume compositions may be in the form of a mixture or free perfumes compositions, a mixture of encapsulated perfume compositions or a mixture of encapsulated and free oil perfume compositions.

Useful perfume components may include materials of both natural and synthetic origin. They include single compounds and mixtures. Specific examples of such components may be found in the current literature, e.g., in Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, 1975, CRC Press; Synthetic Food Adjuncts, 1947 by M. B. Jacobs, edited by Van Nostrand; or Perfume and Flavor Chemicals by S. Arctander 1969, Montclair, N.J. (USA). These substances are well known to the person skilled in the art of perfuming, flavouring, and/or aromatizing consumer products.

Free oil perfumes and fragrances may be added to the serum. These may be to scent the serum, to provide scent in the washing process or to provide scent to the textiles after the wash.

Particularly preferred perfume components are blooming perfume components and substantive perfume components. Blooming perfume components are defined by a boiling point less than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Substantive perfume components are defined by a boiling point greater than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Preferably a perfume composition will comprise a mixture of blooming and substantive perfume components. The perfume composition may comprise other perfume components. Perfume components may be present in a free oil perfume composition. In the

compositions for use in the present invention it is envisaged that there will be three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, most preferably six or more different perfume components. An upper limit of 300 perfume ingredients may be applied. Free perfume may preferably be present in an amount from 0.01 to 20 % by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 10 % by weight, even more preferably from 0.1 to 5.0 %, most preferably from 0.15 to 5.0 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition. When perfume components are in a microcapsule, suitable encapsulating material, may comprise, but are not limited to; aminoplasts, proteins, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polysaccharides, polyamides, polyolefins, gums, silicones, lipids, modified cellulose, polyphosphate, polystyrene, polyesters or combinations thereof.

Perfume components contained in a microcapsule may comprise odiferous materials and/or pro-fragrance materials. Particularly preferred perfume components contained in a microcapsule are blooming perfume components and substantive perfume components. Blooming perfume components are defined by a boiling point less than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Substantive perfume components are defined by a boiling point greater than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Preferably a perfume composition will comprise a mixture of blooming and substantive perfume components. The perfume composition may comprise other perfume components.

A plurality of perfume components may be present in a microcapsule. In the compositions for use in the present invention it is envisaged that there will be three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, most preferably six or more different perfume components in a microcapsule. An upper limit of 300 perfume ingredients may be applied. Encapsulated perfume may preferably be present in an amount from 0.01 to 20 % by weight, more preferably from 0.05 to 10 % by weight, even more preferably from 0.1 to 5.0 %, most preferably from 0.15 to 5.0 % by weight, based on the total weight of the composition.

The serum may comprise one benefit agents or a combination of various different benefit agents. The serum comprises at least 2 w.t.% benefit agents, preferably 2 w.t.% to 60 w.t.%. more preferably, 2.5 to 45 w.t. %, most preferably, 4 w.t. % to 40 w.t. % benefit agent. The w.t.% of benefit agent is the combined weight of all of the benefit agents in the serum composition.

If the serum comprises a microcapsules, a structurant may be required, non-limiting examples of suitable structurants include: pectine, alginate, arabinogalactan, carageenan, gellan gum, xanthum gum, guar gum, acrylates/acrylic polymers, water-swellable clays, fumed silicas, acrylate/aminoacrylate copolymers, and mixtures thereof. Preferred dispersants herein include those selected from the group consisting of acrylate/acrylic polymers, gellan gum, fumed silicas, acrylate/aminoacrylate copolymers, water-swellable clays, and mixtures thereof. Preferably a structurant is selected from acrylate/acrylic polymers, gellan gum, fumed silicas, acrylate/aminoacrylate copolymers, water-swellable clays, and mixtures thereof.

When present, a structurant is preferably present in an amount of 0.001-10 w.t.% percent, preferably from 0.005-5 w.t.%, more preferably 0.01 -1 w.t.%.

Emuslifynq agent

The serum composition of the present invention comprises an emulsifying agent. This may be a surfactant. The surfactant is not a traditional laundry detergent or fabric conditioning composition as may be used in other reservoirs. The serum may even comprise low levels or no emulsifiers such as surfactants. Any surfactant present is preferably for the purpose of emulsifying and not for detergency or softening.

The serum of the present invention comprises less than 4 w.t. % surfactant, preferably less than 2 w.t.% surfactant, more preferably less than 1 w.t.% surfactant, even more preferably less than 0.85 w.t.% surfactant and most preferably less than 0.5 w.t.%. The composition can be completely free of non-emulsified surfactant (ie surfactant not- used to emulsify the droplet). In other words, the compositions may comprise 0 to 4 w.t.% surfactant, preferably, the composition of the present invention comprises 0 to 2 w.t.% surfactant, more preferably, 0 to 1 w.t.% surfactant, even more preferably 0 to 0.85 w.t. % and most preferably 0 to 0.5 w.t. %. The composition can be completely free of non-emulsified surfactant (ie surfactant not- used to emulsify the droplet).

The term surfactant covers all categories of surfactant, including: anionic, cationic, non- ionic and zwitterion surfactants. Many surfactants are traditionally used in laundry compositions: laundry detergent compositions often comprise anionic and non-ionic surfactants whereas fabric conditioning compositions often comprise cationic surfactants. The composition of the present invention is not a traditional laundry detergent or fabric conditioning composition. The present invention preferably comprises low levels or no surfactants. Any surfactant present is preferably for the purpose of emulsifying the silicone ant not for detergency or softening.

Cationic polymer

The serum of the present invention preferably comprises a cationic polymer. This refers to polymers having an overall positive charge. The cationic polymer may be naturally derived or synthetic. Examples of suitable cationic polymers include: acrylate polymers, cationic amino resins, cationic urea resins, and cationic polysaccharides, including:

cationic celluloses, cationic guars and cationic starches. The cationic polymer of the present invention may be categorised as a polysaccharide-based cationic polymer or non-polysaccharide based cationic polymers.

Polysaccharide-based cationic polymers:

Polysacchride based cationic polymers include cationic celluloses, cationic guars and cationic starches. Polysaccharides are polymers made up from monosaccharide monomers joined together by glycosidic bonds.

The cationic polysaccharide-based polymers present in the compositions of the invention have a modified polysaccharide backbone, modified in that additional chemical groups have been reacted with some of the free hydroxyl groups of the polysaccharide backbone to give an overall positive charge to the modified cellulosic monomer unit.

Non polysaccharide-based cationic polymers:

A non-polysaccharide-based cationic polymer is comprised of structural units, these structural units may be non-ionic, cationic, anionic or mixtures thereof. The polymer may comprise non-cationic structural units, but the polymer must have a net cationic charge. The cationic polymer may consists of only one type of structural unit, i.e., the polymer is a homopolymer. The cationic polymer may consists of two types of structural units, i.e., the polymer is a copolymer. The cationic polymer may consists of three types of structural units, i.e., the polymer is a terpolymer. The cationic polymer may comprises two or more types of structural units. The structural units may be described as first structural units, second structural units, third structural units, etc. The structural units, or monomers, may be incorporated in the cationic polymer in a random format or in a block format.

The cationic polymer may comprise a nonionic structural units derived from monomers selected from: (meth)acrylamide, vinyl formamide, N, N-dialkyl acrylamide, N, N- dialkylmethacrylamide, C1 -C12 alkyl acrylate, C1 -C12 hydroxyalkyi acrylate, polyalkylene glyol acrylate, C1 -C12 alkyl methacrylate, C1 -C12 hydroxyalkyi methacrylate, polyalkylene glycol methacrylate, vinyl acetate, vinyl alcohol, vinyl formamide, vinyl acetamide, vinyl alkyl ether, vinyl pyridine, vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl imidazole, vinyl caprolactam, and mixtures thereof.

The cationic polymer may comprise a cationic structural units derived from monomers selected from: N, N-dialkylaminoalkyl methacrylate, N, N-dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate, N, N- dialkylaminoalkyl acrylamide, N, N-dialkylaminoalkylmethacrylamide, methacylamidoalkyi trialkylammonium salts, acrylamidoalkylltrialkylamminium salts, vinylamine, vinylimine, vinyl imidazole, quaternized vinyl imidazole, diallyl dialkyl ammonium salts, and mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the cationic monomer is selected from: diallyl dimethyl ammonium salts (DADMAS), N, N-dimethyl aminoethyl acrylate, Ν,Ν-dimethyl aminoethyl methacrylate (DMAM), [2-(methacryloylamino)ethyl]trl-methylammonium salts, N, N- dimethylaminopropyl acrylamide (DMAPA), N, N-dimethylaminopropyl methacrylamide (DMAPMA), acrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium salts (APTAS), methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium salts (MAPTAS), quaternized vinylimidazole (QVi), and mixtures thereof.

The cationic polymer may comprise a anionic structural units derived from monomers selected from: acrylic acid (AA), methacrylic acid, maleic acid, vinyl sulfonic acid, styrene sulfonic acid, acrylamidopropylmethane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and their salts, and mixtures thereof.

Some cationic polymers disclosed herein will require stabilisers i.e. materials which will exhibit a yield stress in the serum of the present invention. Such stabilisers may be selected from: thread like structuring systems for example hydrogenated castor oil or trihydroxystearin e.g. Thixcin ex. Elementis Specialties, crosslinked polyacrylic acid for example Carbopol ex. Lubrizol and gums for example carrageenan.

Preferably the cationic polymer is selected from; cationic polysaccharides and acrylate polymers. More preferably the cationic polymer is a cationic polysaccharide.

The molecular weight of the cationic polymer is preferably greater than 20 000 g/mol, more preferably greater than 25 000 g/mol. The molecular weight is preferably less than 2 000 000 g/mol, more preferably less than 1 000 000 g/mol.

Serum according to the current invention preferably comprise cationic polymer at a level of 0.25 to 10 w.t % of the formulation, preferably 0.35 to 7.5 w.t. % of the formulation, more preferably 0.5 to 5 w.t. % of the formulation

Rheoloqy modifier

In some embodiments of the present invention, the serum of the present invention may comprise rheology modifiers. These may be inorganic or organic, polymeric or non polymeric. A preferred type of rheology modifiers are salts.

Other ingredients

The products of the invention may contain pearlisers and/or opacifiers. It may further comprise other optional laundry ingredients.

Physical characteristics

Preferably the viscosity of the laundry serum composition is greater than the viscosity of a laundry liquid with which it is used, more preferably 300 Pa.s, most preferably 500 Pa.s greater than a laundry liquid with which it is used. The higher viscosity prevents mixing of the laundry serum composition and laundry liquid and provides the benefit that the entire serum composition is carried into the wash or rinse with the laundry liquid. The viscosity of the laundry composition is preferably 400 - 15000 Pa.s. This viscosity provides the benefit the laundry liquid carries the serum into the laundry process.

Preferably, the serum floats on a, laundry liquid with which it is used. By float it is meant that the serum will remain at the surface of the laundry liquid for a period of at least 5 minutes, preferably 10 minutes and most preferably at least 15 minutes. Floating provides the benefit the laundry liquid carries the serum into the laundry process.

To enable the serum to float, it is not essential that it is less dense than the laundry liquid with which it is being used, however it is preferred that the serum is less dense than the laundry liquid with which it is used. This density provides the benefit the laundry liquid carries the serum into the laundry process.

The laundry serum composition is preferably not miscible with a laundry liquid with which it is used. Thus the laundry serum composition and laundry liquid comprise mutually immiscible liquids. The immiscibility prevents mixing of the laundry serum composition and laundry liquid and provides a non-homogenous combination, ensuring maximum performance of the serum.

The laundry serum composition may be dispensed after other compositions such that, when dispensed into a dosing unit such as a dosing shuttle, it floats on top of the other compositions. Pouring the laundry serum on top of at least the base detergent. This provides the benefit that the laundry liquid carries the serum into the wash or rinse with mixing with the two compositions Preferably the serum is added to the laundry process in a volume of 2-50ml, more preferably a volume of ml 2-30ml, most preferably 2-20ml.

Serum Examples

Method of preparing example laundry formulations:

Water and hydrotropes were mixed together at ambient temperature for 2-3 minutes at a shear rate of 150rpm using a Janke & Kunkel IKA RW20 overhead mixer. Salts and alkalis were added and mixed for 5 minutes prior to addition of surfactants and fatty acid. The mixture was exothermic and allowed to cool to <30°C. The deposition polymer ² (when present), silicone emulsion ¹ (when present) and any remaining components such as perfume, preservatives and dyes are added.

Method of producing example serum:

Demineralised water was added to the silicone emulsion ¹ and mixed for 15 mins at 250rpm using a Janke & Kunkel IKA RW20 overhead mixer. The solid deposition polymer ² was added slowly over the top and mix for further 20 mins increasing the rotor speed to effect visible bulk mixing.

Table 1 : Example Compositions

Silicone ¹ - Silicone added as a 30% emulsion ex. Wacker Silicone. The silicone comprised a carboxy group in a mid-chain pendent position.

Deposition polymer ² - Ucare™ polymer LR400 ex. Dow

Comparison of formulations: A wash cycle was carried out using 6 (20cm x 20cm) pieces of terry towelling and a polycotton ballast. The total wash load was 2.0 kg. The towelling was mixed with the ballast fabric in a random order before adding into a Miele front loading washing machine. Detergent was added as follows:

Wash A: 100g Laundry detergent with silicone

Wash 1 : 10Og Laundry detergent without silicone and 10g serum to the wash drawer The machine was programed to a standard 40°C cotton cycle. The towelling swatches were line dried between wash cycles. 5 wash cycles were performed.

The towels were measured for softness using a Phabrometer® ex. Nu Cybertek, Inc. Table 2: Softness measurements results

Despite having slightly lower levels of silicone and deposition polymer in Wash 1 , the fabric is significantly softer. Further Laundry Reservoirs

Perfume Reservoir

Perfumes as described herein may be provided in a separate reservoir e.g. for use as a perfume boost. Bleach Reservoir

A bleach reservoir component may be provided comprising a bleach component suitable for use in a laundry process. Preferably the bleach component comprises an oxygen bleach system. Such bleach systems may be, for example, a peroxygen bleach or a peroxy - based or peroxy - generating system.

Mixtures of bleaches can also be used. Preferably the bleach component is selected so as to be easy to handle and storable according to the requirements for the least hazardous class of organic peroxides. This allows the first composition to be safely transported to and stored in a domestic setting. A preferred category of bleaches includes percarboxylic acid bleaching agents, salts and precursors thereof, especially organic percarboxylic acids, salts and precursors thereof, particularly aromatic percarboxylic acids and salts thereof and especially heteroaromatic peroxycarboxylic acids and salts thereof. Particularly preferred embodiments employ 6- (phthalimido) peroxyhexanoic acid (PAP) and salts thereof.

Suitable grades of PAP are commercially available under the trade name Eureco.

Example liquid grades include Eureco LX5, LX10 and LX17 which are stabilized aqueous suspensions of PAP crystals.

Further examples of oxygen - based bleach are available under the trade name Suprox.

Typically a first composition may comprise up to 20wt% of bleach component, especially up to 19wt% and preferably up to 18wt%. Suitably a first composition may comprise at least 1wt% especially at least 2wt%, preferably at least 3wt%, more preferably at least 4wt% of bleach component.

Peroxygen bleaches, perborates and percarbonates may also be combined with bleach activators which lead to the in situ production during the washing process of a peroxy acid corresponding to the bleach activator. Examples of preferred peroxy acid bleach precursors or activators are TAED (N, N, N' N' - tetraacetyl ethylene diamine) and SNOBS (sodium nonanoyloxybenzene sulphonate).

The first composition may be in the form of a liquid, gel or powder, for example. In preferred embodiments the first composition is in the form of a liquid, which may comprise a suspension of bleach component. If the first composition and / or bleach component are in liquid form a bleach activator may preferably be provided in a different reservoir to the bleach component. First composition - Solvents / Carriers

Various solvents and carriers typically employed in laundry detergent formulations may be included in the bleach composition, provided that they are compatible with the bleach component. The bleach component may optionally comprise water and / or non-aqueous carrier solvents in an amount of up to 85wt%, preferably up to 80wt%, more preferably up to 75wt% or up to 70wt%. Preferably, the first composition may contain non-aqueous carrier solvents in an amount of up to 85wt%, preferably up to 80wt%, more preferably up to 75wt% or up to 70wt%. Example solvents include glycols and other alcohols. Aqueous and non-aqueous mixtures may be employed.

Sequestrants

Especially in the case where the bleach is in liquid form, it may contain sequestrant in order to stabilise a bleach component.

Example sequestrants include HEDP (1 -Hydroxyethylidene -1 ,1 ,-diphosphonic acid), for example sold as Dequest 2010, and (Diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid or Heptasodium DTPMP), Dequest® 2066. Conveniently the compositions may contain up to 2wt% sequestrant.

A particularly preferred bleach composition may comprise a suspension of 6- (phthalimido) peroxyhexanoic acid (PAP) in water with sequestrant. PAP is commercially available in various liquid forms as Eureco LX5 (stabilized water suspension with 5% PAP crystals), Eureco LX10 and LX17 (stabilized water suspensions with 10 and 17% PAP crystals, respectively.

Excellent PAP stability is achieved at pH 3.7 +/- 0.2. Fluorescent Agents

It may be advantageous to include fluorescer in a composition and especially in the bleach composition. Usually, these fluorescent agents are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts. The total amount of the fluorescent agent or agents used in the composition is generally from 0.005 to 5 wt%, preferably from 0.005 to 2 wt %, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5 wt %.

Preferred classes of fluorescer are: Di-styryl biphenyl compounds, e.g. Tinopal (Trade Mark) CBS-X and Tinopal CBS-CL, Di-amine stilbene di-sulphonic acid compounds, e.g. Tinopal DMS pure Xtra, Tinopal 5BMGX, and Blankophor (Trade Mark) HRH, and Pyrazoline compounds, e.g. Blankophor SN.

Preferred fluorescers are: salts of: 2 (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-napthol[1 ,2-d]triazole,; 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N methyl-N-2 hydroxyethyl) amino 1 ,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino}stilbene- 2-2' disulfonate; 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1 ,3,5-triazin-2-yl)]amino} stilbene-2-2' disulfonate,;and 4,4'-bis(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl.

Shading dyes

Shading dye can be used to improve the performance of the detergent compositions and may optionally be included in bleach or detergent compositions. Preferred dyes are violet or blue. It is believed that the deposition on fabrics of a low level of a dye of these shades, masks yellowing of fabrics. A further advantage of shading dyes is that they can be used to mask any yellow tint in the composition itself.

Suitable and preferred classes of dyes are discussed below.

Direct Dyes:

Direct dyes (otherwise known as substantive dyes) are the class of water soluble dyes which have an affinity for fibres and are taken up directly. Direct violet and direct blue dyes are preferred.

Preferably bis-azo or tris-azo dyes are used.

Most preferably, the direct dye is a direct violet of the following structures:

or

wherein: ring D and E may be independently naphthyl or phenyl as shown;

Ri is selected from: hydrogen and Ci-C4-alkyl, preferably hydrogen;

R2 is selected from: hydrogen, Ci-C4-alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted phenyl and substituted or unsubstituted naphthyl, preferably phenyl;

R ₄ and R5 are independently selected from: hydrogen and Ci-C4-alkyl, preferably hydrogen or methyl;

X and Y are independently selected from: hydrogen, Ci-C4-alkyl and Ci-C4-alkoxy;

preferably the dye has X= methyl; and, Y = methoxy and n is 0, 1 or 2, preferably 1 or 2.

Preferred dyes are direct violet 7, direct violet 9, direct violet 1 1 , direct violet 26, direct violet 31 , direct violet 35, direct violet 40, direct violet 41 , direct violet 51 , and direct violet 99. Bis-azo copper containing dyes for example direct violet 66 may be used. The benzidene based dyes are less preferred. Preferably the direct dye is present at 0.000001 to 1 wt% more preferably 0.00001 wt% to 0.0010 wt% of the composition. In another embodiment the direct dye may be covalently linked to the photo-bleach, for example as described in WO2006/024612.

Acid dyes:

Cotton substantive acid dyes give benefits to cotton containing garments. Preferred dyes and mixes of dyes are blue or violet. Preferred acid dyes are:

(i) azine dyes, wherein the dye is of the following core structure:

wherein R _a , Rb, c and Rd are selected from: H, a branched or linear C1 to C7-alkyl chain, benzyl a phenyl, and a naphthyl; the dye is substituted with at least one SO3 ^" or -COO ^" group;

the B ring does not carry a negatively charged group or salt thereof; and the A ring may further substituted to form a naphthyl; the dye is optionally substituted by groups selected from: amine, methyl, ethyl, hydroxyl, methoxy, ethoxy, phenoxy, CI, Br, I, F, and N0 ₂ . Preferred azine dyes are: acid blue 98, acid violet 50, and acid blue 59, more preferably acid violet 50 and acid blue 98.

Other preferred non-azine acid dyes are acid violet 17, acid black 1 and acid blue 29. Preferably the acid dye is present at 0.0005 wt% to 0.01 wt% of the formulation. Hydrophobic dyes:

The bleach composition may comprise one or more hydrophobic dyes selected from benzodifuranes, methine, triphenylmethanes, napthalimides, pyrazole, napthoquinone, anthraquinone and mono-azo or di-azo dye chromophores. Hydrophobic dyes are dyes which do not contain any charged water solubilising group. Hydrophobic dyes may be selected from the groups of disperse and solvent dyes. Blue and violet anthraquinone and mono-azo dye are preferred.

Preferred dyes include solvent violet 13, disperse violet 27 disperse violet 26, disperse violet 28, disperse violet 63 and disperse violet 77.

Preferably the hydrophobic dye is present at 0.0001 wt% to 0.005 wt% of the formulation.

Basic dyes:

Basic dyes are organic dyes which carry a net positive charge. They deposit onto cotton. They are of particular utility for used in composition that contain predominantly cationic surfactants. Dyes may be selected from the basic violet and basic blue dyes listed in the Colour Index International.

Preferred examples include triarylmethane basic dyes, methane basic dye, anthraquinone basic dyes, basic blue 16, basic blue 65, basic blue 66, basic blue 67, basic blue 71 , basic blue 159, basic violet 19, basic violet 35, basic violet 38, basic violet 48; basic blue 3, basic blue 75, basic blue 95, basic blue 122, basic blue 124, basic blue 141 .

Reactive dyes:

Reactive dyes are dyes which contain an organic group capable of reacting with cellulose and linking the dye to cellulose with a covalent bond. They deposit onto cotton.

Preferably the reactive group is hydrolysed or reactive group of the dyes has been reacted with an organic species for example a polymer, so as to the link the dye to this species. Dyes may be selected from the reactive violet and reactive blue dyes listed in the Colour Index International.

Preferred examples include reactive blue 19, reactive blue 163, reactive blue 182 and reactive blue, reactive blue 96.

Dye conjugates:

Dye conjugates are formed by binding direct, acid or basic dyes to polymers or particles via physical forces. Dependent on the choice of polymer or particle they deposit on cotton or synthetics. A description is given in WO2006/055787.

Particularly preferred dyes are: direct violet 7, direct violet 9, direct violet 1 1 , direct violet 26, direct violet 31 , direct violet 35, direct violet 40, direct violet 41 , direct violet 51 , direct violet 99, acid blue 98, acid violet 50, acid blue 59, acid violet 17, acid black 1 , acid blue 29, solvent violet 13, disperse violet 27 disperse violet 26, disperse violet 28, disperse violet 63, disperse violet 77 and mixtures thereof.

Shading dye can be used in the absence of fluorescer, but it is especially preferred to use a shading dye in combination with a fluorescer, for example in order to reduce yellowing due to chemical changes in adsorbed fluorescer.

Particularly preferred embodiments of the first composition comprise bleach component in combination with at least one of (ia) fluorescer and / or (ib) shading dye. pH adjustment reservoir composition

A further reservoir may preferably function as a pH switch to enhance performance of the bleach component during the wash cycle. pH adjustment agents

Example pH adjustment may be effected with an alkanolamine, such as

monoethanolamine MEA, diethanolamine and triethanolamine TEA; alkali metal hydroxides, such as NaOH and KOH; alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates such as sodium carbonate / bicarbonate and alkali metal silicates such as sodium silicate.

Mixtures of bases may be employed.

Preferably the composition for providing a pH switch has an in-reservoir pH of at least 8, preferably at least 9, more preferably at least 10, especially at least 1 1 , most preferably at least 12 and optionally at least 13. The concentration of base is selected in order to provide an in wash pH of 8 to 1 1 , preferably 8 to 10, optionally 8 to 9.5, particularly 8 to 9.

Builders and sequestrants

The pH adjustment composition also preferably includes builder and / or sequestrant.

Examples include the alkali metal carbonates, citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethyl succinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyacetyl carboxylates.

Specific examples include sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, and citric acid. Other examples are

DEQUEST™, organic phosphonate type sequestering agents sold by Monsanto and alkanehydroxy phosphonates. Salts of carbonic acid and citric acid are preferred, especially sodium carbonate and sodium citrate.

Other suitable organic builders include the higher molecular weight polymers and copolymers known to have builder properties. For example, such materials include appropriate polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and polyacrylic/polymaleic acid copolymers and their salts, for example those sold by BASF under the name SOKALAN™.

An appropriate amount of builder will depend upon the product form of the composition in particular whether it is a powder or a liquid. In preferred embodiments of the invention the second composition is in liquid form. Preferably the second composition contains from 5 to 40 wt% of builder component, especially up to 30wt%, more preferably up to 25wt% and most preferably up to 20wt%. Example sequestrants are HEDP (1 -Hydroxyethylidene -1 ,1 ,-diphosphonic acid), for example sold as Dequest 2010, and (Diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid or Heptasodium DTPMP), Dequest® 2066. Preferably the compositions contain up to 5wt% sequestrant, especially from 0.1wt% to 3wt%. The pH adjustment composition may additionally contain detergent components such as surfactants which are stable at the in-reservoir pH of the composition. In addition, or alternatively detergent may be provided in a third composition.

Enzyme reservoirs

The device may comprise one or more reservoirs containing enzyme compositions.

While enzymes are powerful stain removers, for many wash loads some or all enzymes may be omitted. For example, different families of enzymes are effective against different classes of stain, and a large number of laundry loads are not stained at all. Including enzymes in each and every wash may therefore be wasteful.

The inventors have observed that certain enzymes cannot be stored in combination. For example, protease and lipase cannot usually be combined in a single liquid composition because as the protease may digest the lipase on storage. Similarly, protease may digest cellulase on storage in a liquid. However, lipase gives excellent benefits on removal of fats, while cellulase gives improved fabric treatment with colour preservation and pill removal and / or background whiteness benefit (depending on the cellulase used). This means that conventional laundry projects often contain an enzyme mix.

The present invention permits, through use of more than one reservoir comprising an enzyme composition, the assorted benefits of these enzymes to be accessed in a single load. For example, the device may comprise a reservoir containing a first composition comprising a protease and as reservoir containing a second composition comprising a cellulase and / or a lipase. Neither, one or both of these compositions may then be supplied depending on, for example, the type of staining. Preferably the first and second enzyme compositions are mutually exclusive in terms of enzyme class. The composition of the first enzyme reservoir may optionally further comprise a pectate lyase. The composition of the first enzyme reservoir may optionally further comprise a surfactant, for example, sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). This additional surfactant may be used to boost detergency over and about that of the detergent composition, which may be useful in the case of stained loads. Certain surfactants are also known to be more suited to enzymatic cleaning processes.

The device may dispense the composition of the first enzyme reservoir for stains such as grass and blood. In some embodiments, the composition of the second enzyme reservoir comprises a cellulase and / or a lipase and / or an amylase. Preferably, the composition of reservoir (iii) comprises a lipase. Suitably, the composition of reservoir (iii) does not contain a protease. In some cases, the composition of the second enzyme reservoir comprises a cellulase. In some cases, the composition of the second enzyme reservoir comprises a lipase. In some cases, the composition of the second enzyme reservoir comprises an amylase.

Naturally, the composition of the second enzyme reservoir may comprise any

combination of these enzymes.

The composition of the second enzyme reservoir may optionally further comprise a mannanase. The composition of the second enzyme reservoir may optionally further comprise a surfactant for example SLES. As described for the first enzyme reservoir, this additional surfactant may be used to boost detergency over and about that of the detergent composition, which may be useful in the case of stained loads. The device may dispense the composition of the second enzyme reservoir for stains such as gravy, starch-based stains, chocolate and chocolate products, fatty cooking stains.

Additional ingredients up to 100% The compositions may contain additional ingredients such a fragrance, colorants, pearlisers and/or opacifiers. Typically such additional ingredients will be present in a total amount of less than 10wt%, more preferably less than 9wt% and especially less than 8wt%. Additionally or alternatively, such additional ingredients may be provided in one or more additional reservoirs.

External Structurants

The compositions may have their rheology further modified by use of a material or materials that form a structuring network within the composition. Suitable structurants include hydrogenated castor oil, microfibrous cellulose and natural based structurants for example citrus pulp fibre. Citrus pulp fibre is particularly preferred especially if lipase enzyme is included in the composition. Preferably, if utilised, such external structurants are present in an amount of less than 2wt%, preferably less than 1wt%. Visual Cues

The compositions may comprise visual cues of solid material that is not dissolved in the composition. Preferred visual cues are lamellar cues formed from polymer film and possibly comprising functional ingredients that may not be as stable if exposed to the alkaline liquid. Enzymes and bleach catalysts are examples of such ingredients. Also perfume, particularly microencapsulated perfume.

Packages and dosing

The compositions are preferably in liquid form. Each composition is preferably provided in a reservoir cartridge adapted for use with a dosing device which is operable to selectively dispense portions of a composition from a reservoir into a dosing unit upon command by a user, such as in a manner as described herein.

A reservoir cartridge may contain a stock of a composition in an amount sufficient for two or more doses, preferably for three or more and more preferably for five or more doses of laundry product. A cartridge may be disposable or be designed to be refillable.

A combination of cartridges can provide segregated stocks of components in amounts sufficient to provide multiple doses of laundry products. Directions may be provided to guide the user to make certain selections in dependence upon factors such as fabric type and nature of staining. A dosing unit (such as a ball) may also be provided as part of a kit for formulating multiple doses of laundry products. A further aspect of the invention concerns an apparatus for providing laundry product, the apparatus comprising a dosing unit and a dispensing device having reservoirs for containing laundry product components, wherein the device is operable to selectively dispense portions of components from the reservoirs so as to provide a dose of laundry product in the dosing unit as a result of input by a user.

The apparatus has a reservoir containing a stock of a composition containing a detergent component and a second reservoir containing a second composition comprising a stock of a laundry serum, the laundry serum comprising

a. 2 - 60 w.t.% benefit agent;

b. less than 4 w.t.% emulsifier and

c. water

Preferably, the device has a computer programmed to cause the device to selectively dispense components from the reservoirs as a result of input by the user. The apparatus may be configured such that the dosing unit and dispensing device are located externally of the washing machine and the dosing unit is adapted to be manually placed in the washing machine, especially in the washing machine drum. The dose of laundry product may also be supplied to the drum via a drawer. In other embodiments an apparatus may be associated with the washing machine such that a dispensing device is located in a washing machine and is operable to dispense portions of components from reservoirs into a washing machine drum as a result of input by a user. Components may be dispensed directly into the water flow to form a wash liquor or into a chamber or pipe through which water subsequently flows.

Additional reservoirs may be provided containing further laundry product components, in particular active ingredients for laundry detergent. The respective reservoirs are generally separate and segregated from one another. Preferably the apparatus includes at least a third reservoir containing a stock of detergent composition.

Method aspects of the invention concern combining compositions from the reservoirs of the first and second aspects to provide laundry products, and preferably to provide liquid laundry detergent compositions. A preferred method concerns activating an apparatus such as according to the third aspect, to combine portions of stock compositions from the reservoirs so as to provide a dose of a laundry product in a dosing unit, and subsequently supplying the laundry product to the drum of a washing machine.

Embodiments of the invention may also provide a kit for a user to formulate bespoke doses of laundry product, wherein the kit includes a combination of reservoirs providing segregated stocks of laundry product components as described herein, optionally together with directions for combining selected portions of stock components in order to provide various alternative options for a dose of laundry product. A kit may optionally include a dosing unit for accommodating a dose of laundry product to be supplied to a washing machine, suitably by placing a dosing unit in a washing machine drum.

In the various aspects of the invention, the dosing unit may be conventional dosing ball, or may have one or more features designed to complement or otherwise interact with the dosing device.

For an apparatus aspect of the invention, laundry product may be dispensed by a computer module according to input provided before the wash or rinse cycle begins (in other words before a wash / rinse liquor is formed, as appropriate). Input may be provided in various ways, for example by the user making choices or providing suggestions, or through sensing a tag or label on the article to be laundered such as a QR "quick response code". Suitably, this input is captured via a user interface on the device. The device may include a graphical user interface (GUI). For example, the GUI may be presented to the user on a digital screen of the user interface. Input from the user may be captured by the user interface of the device via various user interaction mechanisms including: manipulation of buttons, touch screen, voice commands, gestures or other suitable methods. The computer module may communicate with an external user device such as a mobile phone, tablet or laptop to receive user inputs from a user interface on the external device. Using the interface, the user may select a suitable laundry product recipe, or the computer module may select, generate or obtain a recipe based on input from the user (load type, staining, preferences etc). The recipe used to determine the amounts may be obtained from an internal memory within the device, or may be obtained from an external memory accessed, for example, via the internet.

The user interface may include a facility to input data in sets, for example through asking the user to select certain options or alternatives. Accordingly, the device may have or communicate with a user interface via which the user is able to input data using at least two sets of options.

At least one set of options may prompt the user to input stain identity (grass, chocolate, blood etc) and at least one set of options may prompt the user to input fabric colour and / or type. (e.g. cotton, polycotton, polyester).

Based on the data provided for each of these sets, an algorithm may be employed to determine the optimal formulation, balancing the cleaning needs of certain stains against others. The algorithm may be stored and accessed on the computer module of the device, or it may be obtained from an external source such as the internet.

Accordingly, in some cases the computer module is programmed with an algorithm to determine how much product is dosed from each reservoir based on the user input. Thus, in some cases the computer module is programmed to communicate with an external source to access an algorithm and determine how much product is dosed from each reservoir based on the user input.

Each reservoir may be in controllable fluid communication with a dispensing nozzle which dispenses into the dosing unit. The compositions from the various reservoirs may be dispensed directly into the dosing unit (as it is not necessary that the various

compositions are mixed before use) or may be dispensed via a pre-mixing chamber, which mixes two or more compositions prior to dispensing. The reservoirs may be integral to a housing of the device or, more preferably, they may be provided as pre-filled cartridges that cooperate with the housing of the device, such that the composition in the reservoir is in fluid communication with a nozzle for dispensing the composition into the dosing unit or a pre-mixing chamber.

According to preferred embodiments of the invention the reservoirs comprise individual discrete cartridges.

A reservoir cartridge may have stiff walls. In other words, the cartridge may be form- retaining so that it can retain its shape regardless of the amount of laundry product in the reservoir. A reservoir cartridge may have flexible walls. It will be appreciated that the cartridge may be configured to suit the overall design and shape of the apparatus. Said reservoir cartridge may be, without limitation, a pouch or stiff plastic container. Each reservoir cartridge may be fixable to the apparatus such that the contents of the reservoir are sealable by a valve. Suitably, therefore, the cartridge comprises mating means configured to engage with complementary mating means on the apparatus such that, when in place, the reservoir cartridge is held securely and laundry product within the reservoir cartridge is contained or released according to whether the valve of the apparatus is in a closed or open state. In other words, the cartridge may comprise a connecting portion which mates with a complementary connection portion of the apparatus.

Additionally or alternatively, the contents of the reservoir may be supplied by pressure and / or vacuum generated within the apparatus. It will be appreciated that the device may have a pump to move liquids from the reservoirs to the dosing nozzle, optionally via a pre-mixing chamber, to be dispensed.

Accordingly, each reservoir cartridge may be fixable to the device by mating means configured to engage with complementary mating means on the device such that, when in place, the reservoir cartridge is held securely and laundry product within the reservoir cartridge is contained or released according to whether the pump is on or off. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Particularly preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of examples.

Apparatus

Embodiments of the apparatus aspect of the invention will now be described with reference to the following diagrammatical drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a representative drawing of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 shows a partially cut away representative drawing of the above apparatus showing part of the cartridge arrangement.

Figure 3 shows a cross-section drawing of a device for formulating doses of the present compositions which is integral to a washing machine.

The apparatus as illustrated in Figure 1 has a dispensing device 1 and a dosing unit 2. The apparatus is a standalone device, designed to be placed on a countertop or similar. For example, it may be placed on a countertop in a kitchen or utility room, or may be placed on top of a washing machine.

As illustrated, the dosing unit 2 is a conventional dosing ball, which is typically made of plastics material. In use, the dosing unit is placed in a dispensing area 3 located underneath a nozzle 4. As illustrated, the dispensing area 3 is a recess provided in the device housing, and the dosing unit 2 is placed on a surface provided in the housing. However, it will be appreciated that the housing may be shaped in different ways such that, for example, the dosing unit is placed directly on the countertop (or other surface on which the device is placed) in use.

Laundry product ingredients are dispensed into the dosing unit 2 via the nozzle 4. As shown, only one nozzle is used. However, it will be appreciated that more than one nozzle may be provided. For example, different reservoirs may be in fluid communication with different nozzles such that a first reservoir is in fluid communication with a first nozzle and a second reservoir is in fluid communication with a second nozzle.

The device has a control / information interface 5. As illustrated, the interface 5 is a touch screen provided in the housing that both displays information and allows selections and information to be inputted to a computer module (not shown).

However, in other embodiments the device may be provided with a panel having buttons, dials or similar for inputting information. In other embodiments, input may be conveyed via command or gesture. It will be appreciated that a display screen in the housing of the device is not essential. The device may be configured for use without a display screen, or an external display screen on for example a phone or tablet may be coupled to the device (for example, via Bluetooth or similar). Figure 2 shows a partially cutaway image of the apparatus of Figure 1. In this embodiment the interior houses three reservoir cartridges 6a, 6b, and 6c. Each cartridge houses a stock of an ingredient composition.

For example, in this non-limiting illustrated embodiment, 6a houses a detergent base composition as herein described, 6b houses a care serum composition as herein described, and 6c houses an enzyme composition as below.

6a Detergent formulation

In this example, surfactant system is provided by linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) and C10-C15 alcohol ethoxylated nonionic surfactant with 2 to 7 EO. In further embodiments, example components for a concentrated detergent base may include any of the previously described detergent components

6b Enzyme formulations.

The device an enzyme reservoir 6b. Reservoir 6b contains a first ingredient composition comprising a protease (not containing a cellulase or a lipase). A second further enzyme reservoir (not shown) may be included and contains a second ingredient composition comprising a cellulase and / or a lipase (and not containing a protease). Neither, one or both of these compositions may then be supplied depending on, for example, the type of staining.

6c Care serum cartridge formulation

Silicone ¹ - Silicone added as a 30% emulsion ex. Wacker Silicone. The silicone comprised a carboxy group in a mid-chain pendent position.

Deposition polymer ² - Ucare™ polymer LR400 ex. Dow

Each cartridge 6a, 6b, 6c has a valve 7 and each cartridge is in fluid communication with a nozzle via a flow path 8. Flow from a cartridge to the nozzle 4 (where it is dispensed) is controlled by the valve. In this embodiment therefore each valve is a metering valve, with the volume metered controlled by the computer module. The valves may be located at any point along the flow path, and other types of valve may be used. Also metering of the ingredient compositions may be achieved in other ways, for example through generation of pressure in the reservoir to force the liquid out.

The diagram shows individual flows running from each reservoir to the nozzle 4. It will be appreciated that flow paths may meet before the nozzle is reached. For example, the device may have a pre-mixing chamber in which different ingredient compositions meet before they are dispensed into the dosing unit.

In use, the dosing unit is located under the nozzle 4 (such that product dispensed through the nozzle enters a chamber of the doing device). The user inputs information about the laundry load to the computer module. Typically, data may be entered in in two or more sets, each set requiring certain information from the user. For example, Set I may be used to input the load type: whites or colours. Set II may be used to input the presence or absence of staining and, optionally, the stain type. The user may therefore select whites, grass stains, mud stains. Other data requirements may include the fabric type (cotton / polycotton / polyester) as optimal fabric care benefit agents and amounts may be different in each case; fragrance selection (different members of the household may prefer different fragrances for their clothing, or it may be desirable to fragrance bedding and towels but not clothes); extent of staining (for example, lots of grass stains, only light mud stains); size of load (small loads require less product). The care serum may be dispensed on direct request by input by the user to 'add care serum' or as part of a recipe designed to add in benefit agents. An optimised wash composition is then determined and the appropriate amount from relevant cartridges dispensed. The computer module (not shown) controls the amount dispensed.

The recipe used to determine the amounts may be obtained from an internal memory within the device, or may be obtained from an external memory accessed, for example, via the internet. Often, particularly where there is more than one stain type, an algorithm may be employed to determine the optimised formulation, balancing the cleaning needs of certain stains against others. It will be appreciated that various further reservoir cartridges may be provided, each containing one or more ingredients for a laundry product to enhance versatility of the system.

The user may select various options, such as type of stain and type of fabric, and the computer module may then dose appropriate amounts of components from the relevant reservoir cartridge in to the dosing ball ready to be introduced in to the washing machine drum by the user.

The illustrated embodiment concerns a standalone apparatus in which the dispensing device and the dosing unit are located externally of the washing machine.

In other embodiments a dispensing device and / or a dosing unit may be accommodated within a washing machine. The dosing unit may be arranged in fluid communication with the washing machine drum so that the dose of laundry product is supplied without the need for the user to handle it.

Figure 3 illustrates a device which is integral to a washing machine 10. The washing machine has a drum area 11 in which articles are laundered. During a wash program, water and wash liquor enter the drum via a sprayer 12. Water enters the machine via inlet 13 (schematically and only partially shown). Water and wash liquor drain from the drum area 11 into a sump 14 and may then recirculate via recirculating pump 15 (arrows indicate direction) to be resprayed into the drum area, or may be drained via waste outlet 16. Reservoirs 6a, 6b, and 6c contain stocks of components, as before. As shown, these are cartridges that engage with dispensing means 18, although it will be

appreciated that the reservoirs may be provided simply as containers into which compositions are poured. The cartridges may be loaded and changed through access flap 19.

The device has a computer module 20. As described herein the computer module controls which and optionally how much of each cartridge is dispensed. As shown here, the washing

machine has a control panel 21 via which input may be provided to the computer module. As illustrated, the control panel is a touch screen. In the present case, the control panel and computer module are also the used to determine the machine program, although it will be appreciated that they may be separate.

As previously described, in use the user inputs information about the laundry load to the computer module 20. The optimal wash composition is then determined and the appropriate amount from relevant cartridges dispensed by dispensing means 18 and may be combined before entering the water flow of the machine for example in a single pipe or chamber. This may be termed a pre-mixing area 27. As illustrated, three individual pipes combine to a single pipe, via which the product is dosed. In other words, the ingredient compositions dispensed may be at least partially premixed before being diluted to provide a wash liquor. The computer module controls the amount dispensed.