BR112017003309B1 - LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITION, FOAM REDUCTION PROCESS DURING DISHWASH RINSE AND USE OF A COMPOSITION - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention pertains to the field of liquid detergent compositions that have foaming and cleaning characteristics in the main wash, however, significant foam reduction during the rinse. it was a challenge to provide consumers with a cleaning composition that maintains the initial foam while providing an anti-foaming effect during rinsing. therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide an anti-foaming effect during rinsing while maintaining foam characteristics in the main wash. It was found that this objective can be achieved in hard surface cleaning processes by means of a liquid detergent comprising a surfactant system of a primary and a secondary surfactant, a combination of saturated fatty acids selected from lauric and stearic acid and a non-ionic surfactant.

Description

Field of Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of hard surface cleaning compositions; in particular, liquid detergent compositions which have foaming and cleaning characteristics in the main wash, yet significant foam reduction during the rinse.

History of the Invention

[0002] Water is becoming an increasingly scarcely accessible commodity, especially in developing countries, where it is not uncommon for people to walk many kilometers to reach a water source. As a result of this, there is a growing need to save water.

[0003] One way to save water is to reuse it and another way is to reduce the amount of water that is used.

[0004] Washing processes, including laundry, dishwashing, and other household cleaning processes, require large amounts of water throughout the world. These are everyday tasks where the use of water and a detergent cannot be avoided. Consumers generally like to see a lot of suds during washing, as they associate suds with detergent effectiveness. However, it is the rinsing that often demands a lot of effort and uses excess water.

[0005] The amount of water needed for rinsing is totally dependent on the detergent used. Therefore, water usage can be reduced or controlled based on the detergent.

[0006] Therefore, it has been a challenge to provide consumers with a cleaning composition that maintains the initial foam while having an anti-foaming effect during rinsing.

[0007] WO 98/27189 discloses a mildly acidic laundry detergent composition for improved protection of fine fabrics during washing and improved removal of foam generated during rinsing in hand washing comprising at least one anionic surfactant and/or at least one at least one non-ionic surfactant and an active pH sensitive foam control agent of the rinse which comprises a fatty acid whereby, during rinsing, at least a part of said fatty acid is converted into a soap which functions to suppress suds during rinsing. In this document, the fatty acid can be selected from saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and preferably are lauric, myristic, oleic and stearic fatty acids, from natural coconut, palmitic and tallow. However, there is no disclosure that a specific combination of saturated stearic acid and saturated lauric acid is preferred. The composition of WO98/27189 also does not disclose the specific surfactant system of the present invention.

[0008] JP 2004-203989 discloses a liquid dishwashing detergent composition comprising 5 to 50% by mass of a sulfuric ester and/or an anionic sulfonate-type surfactant, 1 to 30% by mass of a non-active surfactant. specific alkoxylate-type ionic acid and saturated or unsaturated fatty acid/salt at 8 to 20C and has a pH of 4 to 8. In this document, the fatty acid can be selected from C8 to 20 saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. However, there is no disclosure that a specific combination of saturated stearic acid and saturated lauric acid was preferred.

[0009] US 6090764 discloses a manual dishwashing detergent composition that contains 0.2 to 10% by weight of a glycerol sulfate, 1 to 50% by weight of a C6-22 alkyl sulfate, alkyl sulfate C6-22 ether, C9-13 alkylbenzene sulfonate or a mixture thereof and 1 to 20% by weight, based on the detergent as a whole, of an alkyl glycoside. The composition of US 6090764 does not include fatty acids, however very small amounts of soap may be present.

[0010] CN 102876483 discloses a low foaming, easy bleaching liquid detergent composition and its method of preparation. The liquid detergent composition comprises 0.1 to 20% unsaturated fatty acid, 0.1 to 5% saturated fatty acids, 0.1 to 5% alkaline neutralizing agent, 1 to 25% nonionic surfactant, 1 25% anionic surfactant, 0.5 to 20% other additives and water. This formulation uses saturated and unsaturated fatty acids to reduce the amount of washing foam with liquid detergent, to solve the problem of difficult rinsing. However, there is no disclosure that a specific combination of saturated stearic acid and saturated lauric acid was preferred.

[0011] WO 2013/038750 discloses a liquid detergent composition that contains one or more types of anionic surfactant selected from the group consisting of polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfuric acid ester salts and alkylbenzene sulfonic acid salts, a fatty acid and /or a salt thereof, an alkanolamine, a carbonate, a nonionic surfactant and water. However, there is no disclosure about the specific combination of saturated fatty acids selected from stearic and lauric acid.

[0012] Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide water savings in the domestic process, especially manual dishwashing processes.

[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a liquid detergent that has an anti-foaming effect during rinsing while maintaining foaming characteristics in the main wash.

[0014] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a liquid detergent composition that uses less water during rinsing in manual dishwashing processes.

[0015] Surprisingly, it was found that an anti-foaming effect can be obtained only during rinsing in hard surface cleaning processes by means of a liquid detergent comprising a surfactant system of a primary and a secondary surfactant, a combination of acids saturated fatty acids selected from lauric and stearic acid and a non-ionic surfactant.

Summary of the Invention

[0016] Then, in a first aspect, the present invention provides a liquid detergent composition comprising from 8 to 30% by weight of a surfactant system comprising a primary surfactant of the formula R1-(OR')nO-SO3-M+ , wherein: R1 is the saturated or unsaturated C8-C16 alkyl chain; R' is ethylene; n is from 1 to 18; M+ is a suitable cation providing charge neutrality selected from sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium; and a secondary surfactant selected from alkylbenzene sulfonate and derivatives; and alkyl sulfates; less than or equal to 1% by weight of a combination of saturated fatty acids selected from lauric and stearic acid; less than or equal to 3% by weight of a non-ionic surfactant; and water.

[0017] In a second aspect, the invention provides a process for reducing foam during rinsing in dishwashing which comprises the steps of application on the rigid surface in pure or diluted form of a liquid composition according to the invention; cleaning the hard surface with a cleaning instrument; and rinse from the hard surface.

[0018] In a third aspect, the invention provides the use of a composition according to the invention to provide anti-foaming activity during rinsing.

[0019] In the context of the present invention, the reference to "hard surface" normally means kitchen utensils or articles, kitchen countertops, kitchen floors, sinks and platforms, floors and bathrooms.

[0020] These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be used in any other aspect of the invention. The term "comprising" is intended to mean "which includes", but not necessarily "consisting of" or "composed of". In other words, the steps or options listed do not have to be exhaustive. It is noted that the examples provided in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and not limit it to those examples themselves. Likewise, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise noted. Except in operational and comparative examples, or where explicitly stated otherwise, all numbers in this description that indicate material quantities or reaction conditions, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the term "approximately". Numerical variations expressed in the form “from x to y” are understood to include x and y. When, for a specific characteristic, several preferred variations are described in the format “from x to y”, it is understood that all variations that combine the different parameters are also contemplated.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0021] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a liquid detergent composition comprising a surfactant system, a combination of fatty acids, a non-ionic surfactant and water.

Surfactant System

[0022] The liquid detergent composition of the present invention comprises a surfactant system.

[0023] The surfactant system comprises a primary and a secondary surfactant. Primary and secondary surfactants are selected from anionic surfactants.

Primary Surfactant

[0024] The primary surfactant of the present invention is a surfactant of the formula: R1-(OR')n-O-SO3-M+, wherein: R1 is saturated or unsaturated C8-C16, preferably the C12-C14 alkyl chain; preferably, R1 is a saturated C8-C16, more preferably a saturated C12-C14 alkyl chain; R' is ethylene; n is from 1 to 18; preferably from 1 to 15, more preferably from 1 to 10, even more preferably from 1 to 5. M+ is a suitable cation providing charge neutrality, preferably sodium, calcium, potassium or magnesium, most preferably a sodium cation.

[0025] Preferred primary surfactants are sodium lauryl ether sulfate, which has 1 to 3 ethylene oxide units per molecule.

[0026] The most preferred primary surfactant of the present invention is sodium lauryl ether sulfate which has 1 to 2 ethylene oxide units per molecule.

[0027] The primary surfactant may be present in a concentration of 5 to 95%, preferably at 12%, more preferably at 20%, even more preferably at least 30%, but normally not more than 85%, preferably not more than 75 %, more preferably not more than 65%, even more preferably not more than 55% by weight of the surfactant system.

Secondary Surfactant

[0028] The secondary surfactant of the present invention can be selected from alkylbenzene sulfonates and derivatives; and alkyl sulfates.

[0029] Alkylbenzene sulfonates and derivatives include water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulfonates having alkyl radicals that typically contain from approximately 8 to approximately 22 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms, even more preferably 12 to 12 carbon atoms. 15 carbon atoms and can be unsaturated.

[0030] Examples include linear alkylbenzene sulfonate sodium salt, alkyl toluene sulfonate, alkyl xylene sulfonate, alkyl phenol sulfonate, alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, ammonium diamyl naphthalene sulfonate and sodium dinonyl naphthalene sulfonate and mixtures with olefin sulfonates.

[0031] Examples of alkyl sulfates include sodium lauryl sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, diethanolamine lauryl sulfate (DEA). Suitable examples also include commercially available alkyl sulfates from natural sources under the tradenames Galaxy 689, Galaxy 780, Galaxy 789, Galaxy 799 SP and from synthetic sources under the tradenames Safol 23, Dobanol 23A or 23S, Lial 123 S, Alfol 1412S, Empicol LC3, Empicol 075SR.

[0032] Preferred secondary surfactants are linear alkylbenzene sulfonate sodium salt and sodium lauryl sulfate.

[0033] The most preferred secondary surfactant is the sodium salt of sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate.

[0034] The secondary surfactant may be present in a concentration of 5 to 95%, preferably at least 12%, more preferably at least 20%, even more preferably at least 30%, but normally not more than 85%, preferably not more of 75%, more preferably not more than 65%, even more preferably not more than 55% by weight of the surfactant system.

[0035] The surfactant system of the present invention may further comprise an amphoteric surfactant. Suitable surfactants include cocoamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), cocamidopropylamide oxide (CAPAO), cocamide diethanolamide (CDEA) and cocomonoethanolamide (CMEA).

[0036] The most preferred amphoteric surfactant is cocoamidopropyl betaine.

[0037] When present, the amphoteric surfactant is present in a concentration of 0.1 to 20%, preferably at least 0.5%, more preferably at least 3%, even more preferably at least 6% or even more preferably at least 8 %, but normally not more than 18%, preferably not more than 16%, more preferably not more than 13%, even more preferably not more than 10% by weight of the surfactant system.

[0038] The surfactant system is present in the composition in a concentration of from 8 to 30%, preferably not less than 15%, more preferably not less than 18%, even more preferably not less than 20%, but normally not more than 28 %, preferably not more than 27% or even not more than 26% by weight of the composition.

Combination of Fatty Acids

[0039] The liquid detergent composition of the present invention comprises a combination of fatty acids.

[0040] The combination of fatty acids used in the present invention is selected from lauric (C12) and stearic (C18) acid.

[0041] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that when C12 and C18 fatty acids are used in combination, the chain lengths of these fatty acids play an essential role in instant lather and antifoam activity during rinsing. C12 ensures that there is no adverse effect on the instant foam of the surfactant solution, while C18 triggers anti-foaming activity only during rinsing. Individual fatty acids have been found to kill off surfactant flash foam or have weak anti-foaming activity.

[0042] The fatty acids used in the present invention are saturated fatty acids. Saturated lauric (C12) and stearic (C18) acids are preferred. Unsaturated fatty acids are not preferred in the present invention.

[0043] Lauric and stearic acids are present in the composition in a 1:1 ratio.

[0044] The fatty acids are present in the composition in a concentration of 0.1 to 1% by weight, preferably at least 0.5%, but normally not more than 0.9%, more preferably not more than 0.8% by weight of the composition.

Non-ionic surfactant

[0045] The liquid detergent composition of the present invention comprises a non-ionic surfactant.

[0046] The nonionic surfactant of the present invention includes the condensation products of a higher alcohol (e.g., an alkanol containing approximately 8 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration) condensed with approximately 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide, e.g. lauryl or myristyl alcohol condensed with approximately 16 moles is ethylene oxide (EO), tridecanol condensed with approximately 6 moles of EO, myristyl alcohol condensed with approximately 10 moles of EO per mole of myristyl alcohol, the product of EO condensation with a coconut fatty alcohol cut containing a mixture of fatty alcohols with alkyl chains ranging from 10 to approximately 14 carbon atoms in length and wherein the condensate contains approximately 6 moles of EO per mole of total alcohol or approximately 9 moles of EO per mole of alcohol or fatty alcohol ethoxylates containing 6 EO to 11 EO per mole of alcohol. Lauryl alcohol condensed with 5, 7 and 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Laureth 5, Laureth 7 and Laureth 9) is particularly preferred.

[0047] Condensates of 2 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide with mono and tri-C10-C20 sorbitan alkanoic acid esters that have HLB from 8 to 15 can also be used as the nonionic surfactant. These surfactants are well known and available from Imperial Chemical Industries under the tradename Tween. Suitable surfactants include polyoxyethylene (4) sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene (4) sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan trioleate and polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan tristearate.

[0048] Preferred nonionic surfactants of the present invention are Laureth 5, Laureth 7 and Laureth 9.

[0049] The nonionic surfactant is present in the composition in a concentration of 0.1 to 3% by weight, preferably at least 0.5%, even more preferably at least 1%, but normally not more than 2.5%, more preferably not more than 2% by weight of the composition.

Water

[0050] The composition further comprises water. Preferably 60 to 92%, more preferably not less than 62%, even more preferably not less than 65%, but normally not more than 85%, more preferably not more than 80%, even more preferably not more than 75% by weight of the composition.

Optional Ingredients

[0051] The composition according to the invention may contain other ingredients that aid in cleaning or sensory performance. The compositions according to the invention may also contain, in addition to the ingredients already mentioned, various other optional ingredients such as thickeners, dyes, preservatives, polymer, antimicrobial agents, perfumes, pH adjusters, sequestrants, alkalinity agents and hydrodopes.

Composition pH

[0052] The pH of the composition of the present invention is between 4.5 and 6.5, preferably between 5 and 6.5, more preferably between 5.5 and 6.

Product Format

[0053] The composition can be used neat or diluted.

[0054] For hard surface cleaning or dishwashing purposes, the composition is normally applied neat directly to the surface. When applied in diluted form, the composition is preferably diluted with water in a ratio between 1:1 to 1:10.

[0055] Both manual and mechanical dishwashing are considered in the context of the present invention.

[0056] The composition may be packaged in the form of any commercially available bottle for storing the liquid.

[0057] The bottle containing the liquid can be of different sizes and shapes to accommodate different volumes of the liquid; preferably between 0.25 and 2 L, more preferably between 0.25 and 1.5 L or even between 0.25 and 1 L. The bottle is preferably provided with a dispenser, which allows the consumer an easier way of dispersing the product. liquid. Spray or pump dispensers can also be used.

Process

[0058] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a process for reducing foam during rinsing in dishwashing, which comprises the steps of applying on the rigid surface in pure or diluted form a liquid composition according to the invention. , cleaning the hard surface with a cleaning instrument and rinsing the hard surface.

[0059] The composition can be applied in any known ways, such as by using a mop, paper towel, cloth, wipes or any other direct application. The applied composition can be cleaned using a cleaning instrument such as a mop, sponge, paper, cloth or tissues.

[0060] In a third aspect, the invention relates to the use of a composition according to the invention to provide anti-foaming activity during rinsing.

[0061] The invention will now be illustrated by way of the following non-limiting examples. Material Examples: Table 1

methods Preparation of Compositions:

[0062] The compositions were prepared in a batch size of 30 grams each. A mixture of the primary and secondary surfactant was collected in a 50 mL Tarson tube (the surfactant concentrations in the examples were calculated taking into account the purity of the material). Demineralized water was added to this mixture and vortexed until the surfactants had completely dissolved. The fatty acid(s) were added to the mixture and heated to a temperature of 60°C in a water bath (kept at 65°C). The mixture was stirred in the meantime to ensure a homogeneous mixture. After completing the solubilization of the fatty acid, the mixture was cooled to a temperature of 25 to 30 °C, to which the non-ionic surfactant was added and stirred for approximately 2 to 3 minutes. In compositions with amphoteric surfactant, this was added to the non-ionic surfactant. The final mixture was allowed to cool before using it for foam volume studies.

Procedure for Measurement of Foam Volume:

[0063] For the measurement of foam volume, a standard cylinder agitation method was used.

[0064] 6.25 g/L of the test solution was prepared in 24 FH water. 50 mL of the test solution were collected in a 250 mL graduated glass cylinder. The solution was stirred by covering the opening of the cylinder and turning it 10 times. Then, the cylinder was placed on a flat surface of a table for 1 minute for the aqueous layer to separate and was shaken again to equalize the foam level. The foam volume (excluding aliquot water) in mL was measured and recorded as the initial foam volume.

[0065] To measure foam in the initial and additional rinse cycles, aliquot water was decanted along the sides of the cylinder that retain the foam in the cylinder. 50 mL of 24 FH fresh water was added along the sides of the cylinder, the solution was stirred and the foam volume measured as mentioned in the initial foam measurement above. The cycles were repeated until the foam volume was <10 mL.

[0066] The initial foam volume equal to the control or up to 10 mL less than the control is considered good. Foam volume reduction of <10 mL for four cycles or earlier is considered good.

Example 1: Effect of Specific Combination of Lauric and Stearic Acid on Foam Volume

[0067] In this example, the volume of foam generated in the initial wash and the anti-foaming effect during the rinse by the composition according to the invention (Ex1) are compared to the comparative compositions (C2 to C15) that comprise several other fatty acids and their combinations . Table 2

[0068] The table above shows that the composition according to the invention (Ex1) performs better when compared to other compositions comprising fatty acids outside the scope of the present invention (C2 to C15). It was observed that Ex1 maintains the same initial foam as the control (C1) and requires fewer rinse cycles compared to the other compositions.

Example 2: Effect of Each Composition Component on Foam Volume

[0069] In this example, the volume of foam generated in the initial wash and the anti-foaming effect during the rinse by the composition according to the invention (Ex1) are compared to the comparative combinations (C16 and C17) that comprise only one component of the composition. Table 3

[0070] The table shows that the composition according to the invention performs better in terms of the number of rinse cycles and the initial foam volume than compositions with one of the components absent.

Example 3: Effect of Fatty Acid Blend Concentration on Foam Volume

[0071] This example demonstrates the effect of the concentration of the fatty acid combination on the volume of foam generated in the initial wash and the anti-foam effect during the rinse. Examples of compositions Ex1 and Ex2 are compared to comparative compositions C18 and C19 which comprise the combination of fatty acid at a concentration outside the scope of the invention. Table 4

[0072] The table above shows that the best results for initial foam and anti-foaming effect during rinsing are obtained at a combination concentration of fatty acid within the scope of the present invention. The table also shows that at higher combined fatty acid concentrations, the initial foam is compromised (C18 and C19).

Example 4: Effect of Non-Ionic Surfactant Concentration on Foam Volume

[0073] In this example, compositions according to the invention that comprise different concentrations of the non-ionic surfactant (Ex1 and Ex3 to Ex5) are compared to comparative compositions that have non-ionic surfactant at a concentration outside the scope of the present invention (C20 and C21).Table 5

[0074] It was determined from the results of the table above that good initial foam and reduction in foam during rinsing are obtained with compositions comprising the non-ionic surfactant in a concentration according to the invention. At concentrations outside the scope of the invention, the compositions appear to result in phase separation.

Example 5: Effect of Specific Combination of Fatty Acids on Foam Volume Compared to Commercially Available Fatty Acid Blends

[0075] In this example, the specific combination of fatty acids according to the invention (Ex1) is compared to a composition comprising commercially available blends of natural and distilled fatty acids such as coconut fatty acid and palm kernel fatty acid ( C22). Table 6

[0076] The table above shows that the good initial foam generated by Ex1 and the anti-foaming effect during rinsing are still obtained even if the fatty acid combination is replaced by commercially available mixtures that have the combinations of these.

Example 6: Effect of Surfactant System on Foam Volume

[0077] In this example, a composition that comprises the anionic surfactant system (Ex6) is compared to a surfactant system that additionally comprises an amphoteric surfactant (Ex1). Table 7

[0078] The table above shows that the addition of an amphoteric surfactant helps to boost the initial foam generated by the composition according to the invention.

Example 7: Effect of Fatty Acid Saturation on Foam Volume

[0079] In this example, the composition comprising the fatty acid combination according to the invention is compared to verify that the same initial foam volume and antifoam effect as in Ex1 are obtained with the same unsaturated fatty acid or with a combination which has one of the unsaturated fatty acids (C23 and C24).Table 8

[0080] The table above clearly shows that the use of the same unsaturated fatty acid alone or in combination with a saturated fatty acid in the composition considerably reduces the initial foam volume.

Claims (9)

1. Liquid detergent composition, characterized in that it comprises: a) 8 to 30% by weight of a surfactant system comprising: (i) primary surfactant of the formula R1-(OR')nO-SO3-M+, wherein: R1 is saturated or unsaturated C8-C16 alkyl chain; R' is ethylene; n is from 1 to 18; M+ is a suitable cation providing charge neutrality, selected from sodium, calcium, potassium and magnesium; and (ii) secondary surfactant selected from alkylbenzene sulfonate and derivatives; and alkyl sulfates; b) 0.1 to 1% by weight of a combination of saturated fatty acids selected from lauric and stearic acid in a ratio of 1:1; c) 0.1 to 3% by weight of a non-ionic surfactant; and d) water. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the composition comprises 60 to 92% by weight of water. 3. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the nonionic surfactant is Laureth 5, Laureth 7 or Laureth 9. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the primary surfactant is sodium lauryl ether sulfate having 1 to 2 ethylene oxide units per molecule. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the secondary surfactant is sodium salt of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate or sodium lauryl sulfate. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the surfactant system additionally comprises an amphoteric surfactant. Composition according to claim 6, characterized in that the amphoteric surfactant is cocoamidopropyl betaine. 8. Process of foam reduction during rinsing in dishwashing, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: a) application on the rigid surface in pure or diluted form of a liquid composition, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7; b) cleaning the hard surface with a cleaning instrument; and c) rinsing the hard surface. 9. Use of a composition as defined in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that it is to provide an anti-foaming activity during rinsing.