CA2030205A1

CA2030205A1 - Suspending liquid detergent compositions

Info

Publication number: CA2030205A1
Application number: CA002030205A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Francesco De Buzzaccarini
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1989-11-24
Filing date: 1990-11-16
Publication date: 1991-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2010-11-16
Also published as: JPH03210400A; MX172443B; EP0430330A2; TR25074A; PE31191A1; IE904243A1; NZ236205A; EP0430330A3; AU6695690A; BR9005930A; CA2030205C; AU650247B2; AR245207A1

Abstract

SUSPENDING LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS

ABSTRACT

Pourable aqueous detergent compositions containing C10-C16 alk(en)yk substituted succinic acid as a builder, are formulated as neat phases.

Description

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SUSPENDING LIQUID Dhr~:~GENT COr~OSITIONS

F. de BUZZACCARINI

Technical Field The invention relates to aqueous built detergent compositions which are pourable, and have suspending properties.
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Backqround Aqueous pourable detergent compositions are well known in the Art, but it is only recently that C10-C16 alk~en~yl substi~uted succinic acids have been used as builders in these compositions~ which have been disclosed in European patent publications EP-A-O Z93 040 and EP-A-O 294 904.

These compositions are very satisfactory in terms of their cleaning performance, but ingredients in the form of solid particles could not be stably suspended in these compositions, and therefore it is recommended to use only liquid ingredients during their manufacture. Indeed, the .~ .

use of ingredients in the form of solid particles inevitably leads to sedimentation.

Pourable compositions having such suspending properti~s have been disclosed for instance in European patent publications EP-A-o 151 884, EP-A-0 120 638, EP-A-0 092 363, and in U.S. Patent No. 4,692,271;
all the compositions disclosed in these documents do not contain C10-cl6 alk(en)yl substituted succinic acids, and it has been found that said compo~itions would lose their suspending properties upon incorporation of said substituted succinic acids.

It is an object of the present invention to provide aqueous, pourable detergent compositions, which contain C10-Cl6 alk~en)yl substltuted succinic acids and which further have suspending properties.

Further, the compositions of the prior art tend to collapse also if hydrophilic solvents are incorporated in important amounts; it is another object of the present invention to provide aqueous, pourable detergent compositions, which contain ClO-Cl6 alk(en)yl substituted succinic acids and have suspending properties, and which may further contain hydrophilic solvents, such as ethanol.

Summary It has now been found that aqueous, pourable detergent composition containing an anionic surfactant and C10-C16 alk~en)yl substituted succinic acid could acquire suspending properties by formulating them as neat ~ .

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phases, by incorporating at least about 7.5% by weight o~
the total composition of a compound of the form~la RG(CH2CH20) wherein :

-R is a ~ alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or alkyl aryl group -and n is an integer of from 4 to 22 -and y = O to 4 -and n/y 2 2 if y $ O

Detailed Description of ~he Invention m e present invention addresses the problem of formulating an aqueous detexgent composition which contains C10-C16 alk(en)yl substituted succinic acids, and which has suspending properties.

It has been found that such composition can be formulated as a neat phase as foll~ws. In the followiny, ~he expre~sion neat phase (or G-phase) refers to an essentially lamella-structured or spherulitic composition in which aqueous layers are separated by double layers of :
hydrophobic materials.
Such a_lamellar structure can be identified by observing the product through an optical microscope, between crossed `Nichol prisms.

The neat phases are characterized by specific textures which are described for instance by F~B. Rosevear, journal of the American ~il Chemists Society, vol. 3, page 628, 195~.

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The compositions of the invention always contains an anionic surfactant.

Suitable anionic surfactants can be represented by the general formula R1So3M wherein Rl represents a hydrocarkon group selec~ed fxom the group consisting of straight or branched alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms and alkyl phenyl radicals containing from a~ou~ 9 to abou~ 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl gxoup. M is a salt ~orming cation which typically is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, ammonium, and mixtures thereof.

A preferred synthetic anionic surfactant is a water-soluble salt of an al~ylbenzene sulfonic acid containing from 9 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group.
Another preferred synthetic anionic surfactant is a water-soluble salt of an alkyl sulfate or an alkyl polyethoxylate ether sulfate wherein the alkyl group contains from about 8 to 24, preferably from about 10 to about 18 carbon a~oms and there are from about 1 to about 20, preferably from about 1 to about 12 etho~y groups.
Other suitable anionic surfactants are disclosed in US
Patent 4,170,565, Flesher et al., issued October 9, 1979.

Suitable anionic synthetic surface-active salts are selected from the group of sulfonates and sul~ates.
Preferred anionic synthetic water-soluble sulfonate or _ ... .
sulfate salts have in their molecular structure an alkyl radical containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms.

Exemples of such preferred anionic surfactant salts are the reaction products obtained by sulfating C8-C18 fatty alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil;

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alkylbenzene sulfonates wherein the alkyl group contains fro~ abou~ 9 to 15 carbon atoms; sodium alkylglyceryl ether sulfonates; e~her sulfates of fatty alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oils; coconut fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates and sulfonates; and water-soluble salts of paraffin sul~onates having from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Sulfonated olefin surfactants as more fully descri~ed in e.g. US Patent Specification 3,332,880 can also be used. The neutralizing cation for the anionic synthetic sulfonates and/or s-llfates is represented by conventional cations which are widely used Ln detergent technology such as sodium and potassium.

A particularly preferred anionic synthetic surfactant component herein is represented by the water-soluble salts of an alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, preferably sodium alkylbenzene sulfonates having from about 10 to 13 carbon atoms in ~he ~lkyl group.

The compositions of the in~ention may additionally contain zwitterionic surfactants which include derivati~es of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulphonium compounds in which the aliphatic moiety can be straight or branched chain and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms and another substituent contains, at least, an anionic water-solubilizing group. Particularly preferred zwitterionic materials are the ethoxylated ammonium sulfonates and sulfates disclosed in US Patents 3,925,262, Laughlin et al., issued December 9, 1975 and 3,929,678, Laughiin et al., issued Dece~ber 30, 1975.

Th2 compositions may also contain small amount~, i.e.
below about 1% by weight of the total composition, o~
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surfactants. Examples of suitable cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium compounds of the formula RlR2R3R4N+X , wherein Rl is C12 C20 alk~l or hydroxyalkyl; R2 is Cl-C4 alkyl or C12-C20 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl or Cl-C4 hydroxyalkyl; R3 and R4 are each Cl-C4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, or C6-C8 aryl or alkylaryl; and X~ is halogen. Preferred are mono-long chain quaternary ammonium compounds (i.e., compounds of tha above formula wherein R2 is C1-C4 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl).

The total amount of ~urfactant in the compositions i5 of from about 5% to about 60%, preferably about 15% to about 40% by weight of the total composition.

The compositions of the invention additionally contain at least a~out 7,5% of a compound of the formula R0(CH2CH20) wherein R is a Cn alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or alkyl aryl group - n is an integer of from 4 to 22 - y = 0 to 4 - and n/y ~ 2 if y $ 0 or mixtures thereof.

Preferred compounds according to ~his definition are condensation products of ethylene oxide with a fatty alcohol in the presence o~ an acidic or basic catalyst.
Pxe~erably, fatty alcohols having from 13 to 15 carbon atoms are used to make such cond~nsation product.
Also pxeferred are such solvents as butanol, butoxyethanol, benzylalcohol, hexyl diglycol ether, butyl diglycolether, and mixtures thereo~.

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The compounds are present in the compositions of the invention in an amount of at least about 7,5~ by weight o~
the total composition, preferably from about 8% to about 15% by weight.

The compositions of the invention also contain as a builder system, from about 5~ to about 20% by weight of the total compositicn of a C10 C16 alk(en~yl substituted succinic acid, preferably ~rom about 8% to about 15% by weight of the total composition. m e pre~erred builder ~or use herein is dodecen~l substituted succinic acid.

Importantly, the compositions of the invention contain water, in an amount of from about ZO% to about 60~ by weight of the composition.

All the hereinbefore mentioned ingredients are mixed together so as to obtain a compositon which is structured as a neat phase.

Optionally, ~he compositions of the in~ention may contain an electrolyte such as sodium bromide, chloride, iodide, nitrate or acetate, preferably sodium chloride.

Cther optionals include detergent enzymes. Suita~le enzymes include the detergent proteases, amylases, lipases and cellulases. Enzymatic stabilizing agents for use in aqueaus liquid detergents which are well known, can also be used herein; preferred is a ~alt of formic acid, e.g., sodiu~ ~ormate. The amount of this stabilizing agent typically ranges from about 0.5% to about 2%.
.
Examples of organic builders are represented by polyacids such as citric acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, and mixtures of tartrate monosuccinate with tartrate , --- 2~3~2~

disu~cinate. Preferred builders for use herei~ are citric acid. Polymeric carboxylate builders inclusive of polyacrylates, polydydroxy acrylates and polyacrylates/
polymaleates copolymers can also be used.

~ h2 compositio~s of the invention may also contain chelants, such as ethylenediaminotetracetic acid, diethylenetriaminopentacetic acid, ethylenediamino disuccinic acid or the water-soluble alkali metals thereof. Other additives include organo-phosphonic acids;
particularly preferred are e~hylenediamino tetramethylenephosphonic acid, hexamethylenediamino tetramethylenephosphonic acid, diethylenetriamino pentamethylenephosphonic acid, aminotrimethylene-phosphonic acid and hydroxyethylidene 1,1 diphosphonic acid.

m e compositions herein can contain further optional ingredients which are mostly used in additive levels, usually below about 5%. Examples of the like additives include : Suds regulants, opacifiers, agents to improve the machine compatibility in relation to enamel-coated surfaces, bactericides, dyes, perfumes, brighteners and the like.

m e b~neficial utilization of the claimed compositions under various usage conditions can require the utilization of a suds regulant like polysiloxanes such as dimethylpolysiloxane, also frequently termed silicones~
These silicones are frequently used in a level not exc~eding about 1.5%, most preferably between about 0.1%
and about 1.0%.

It can also be desirable to utilize opacifiers inasmuch a3 they contribute to create a unifQrm appearance of ~he .
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_ 9 _ concentrated liquid detergent compositions. Examples of suitable opacifiers include : polystyrene commercially known as LYTRON~621 manufactured by MONSAN~O CHEMICAL
CORPORATION. The opacifiers are frequently used in an amount from about 0.3% to about 1.5%.

It can further be desirable to add from about 0.1% to about 5~ of known antiredeposition and/or compatibilizing agents.
Examples of the like additives include : sodium carboxy-methylcellulose; hydroxy-Cl_6-alkylcellulose;
polycarboxylic homo or copolymeric ingredients, such as :
polymaleic acid; a copolymer of maleic anhydride and methylvinylether in a molar ratio of 2:1 to 1:2; and a copolymer of an ethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid monomer, having not more than 5, preferably 3 or 4 carbon atoms, for example (meth)acrylic acid, and an ethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid monomer having not more than 6, preferably 4 carbon atoms, whereby the molar ratio of the monomers is in the range from 1:4 to 4:1, said copolvmer being described in more detail in EUROPEAN Patent Publication No. 0,066,915.

Since the c~mpositions of the invention have acquired suspending properties, due to the formulation as a neat phase, it is possible to use ingredients which are in the form of solid particles. There is no restriction as to the natura of the ingredient, but these ingredients are preferably in the form of solid particles having an average diameter size in the range o~ from about 1 micrometer to about 350 micrometers.

Such ingredients can be zeolites, clays, suds suppressors such as silica waxes, any encapsulated material, and a highly preferred ingredient to be suspended .

in the compositions are solid, water-soluble peroxygen bleach mg compounds, preferably per~orates, persulfates, peroxydisulfates, perphosphates and the crystalline peroxyhydrates formed by reacting hydrogen peroxide wi~h sodium carbonate or urea. Preferred are sodium perborate, monohydrate and tetrahydrate, and sodium percarbonate.

If a peroxygen bleaching compound is used, the compositions preferably contain water miscible organic solvents including ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol polyethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, hexylene glycol, methoxyethanol, ethoxyethanol, ethyldiglycolether, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the compositions will contain from 4% to 10% of the total composition of ethanol, as a stabilizing system for the peroxygen compounds.

Also, in such a case, the pH as is of the compositions should be in the range of from about 8 to about 12, preferably about 9 to about 11.

The following examples will illustrate and facilitate the understanding of ~he invention, but ar~ not meant to restrict its scope.

Examples The following composition are obtained by mixing together the listed ingredients in the listed proportions (LAS stands for linear alkyl benzene suphonate, CnAS
stands for coconut alkyl sulfate, TAS stands for tallow alkyl sulfate and DTMPA stands for diethylene triamine pentamethylene ~hosphonic acid.) - . ..
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The order in which the ingredients are mixed plays no role in the achievement of the neat phase structure; it is ~.
however particularly convenient to proceed a~ follows, re~erring to example IV.
A premix which is made with water, DTMPA and citric acid is neutralized to pH 7 with sodium hydroxide. The solvents (ethanol and hexyl diglycolether) are then added.The linear alkyl benzene sulfonate and ~he dadecenyl substituted succinic acid are added while cooling the mixture; the pH is then trLmmed to 10 with sodium hydroxide. The composition at this point is not yet a neat phase, but an isotropic solu~ion characterized by its low viscosity and transparency. The neat phase which is formed on adding the C14alcohol 3 times ethoxylated can be identified by a higher viscosity and a translucent appearance; to confirm the formation of the neat phase structure, the composition can be examined with an optical microscope, between crossed Nichol prisms.
m e sodium chloride and all minor ingredients are finally incorporated in the composition.
If an ingredient in the ~orm of solid particles is to be incorp~rated, it is preferable to do so before the formation o~ the neat phase, in order to facilitate the mixing.

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Claims

1. A detergent composition comprising a anionic surfactant and from about 5% to about 20% by weight of the total composition of a C10-C16 alk(en)yl substituted succinic acid, said compositions being formulated as a neat phase.

2. A detergent composition according to Claim 1 which comprises from about 8% to about 15% by weight of the total composition of a C10-C16 alk(en)yl substituted succinic acid.

3. A detergent composition according to Claim 1, which comprises at least about 7.5% by weight of the total composition of a compound of the formula RO(CH2CH2O)yH
wherein:
- R is a Cn alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl or alkyl aryl group - and n is an integer of from 4 to 22 - and y = 0 to 4 - and n/y ? 2 if y ? 0 and mixtures thereof.

4. A detergent composition according to Claim 3 which comprises from about 8% to about 15% by weight of the total composition of a C10-C16 alk(en)yl substituted succinic acid.

5. A detergent composition according to Claim 3 wherein the compound is selected from butyl diglycol ether, hexyl diglycol ether and the condensation products of C13-C15 fatty alcohols with 3 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol, or mixtures thereof.

6. A detergent composition according to Claim 3 wherein said compound is present in an amount of from about 8% to about 15% by weight of the total composition.

7. A detergent composition according to Claim 3, which comprises up to about 10% by weight of the total composition of an electrolyte.

8. A detergent composition accoding to Claim 7 wherein the electrolyte is sodium chloride.

9. A detergent composition according to Claim 3 which comprises at least one ingredient which is in the form of solid particles.

10. A detergent composition according to Claim 9 wherein said ingredient is a peroxygen compound.

11. A detergent composition according to Claim 10, wherein the peroxygen compound is in the form of particles having a diameter size in the range of from about 1 micrometer to about 350 micrometer.

12. A detergent composition according to Claim 10, wherein said peroxygen compound is a perborate.

13. A detergent composition according to Claim 10, wherein said peroxygen compound is a percarbonate.

14. A detergent composition according to Claim 10, which further comprises from about 3% to about 12% by weight of the total composition of ethanol.

15. A detergent composition according to Claim 10, which has a pH of at least about 9.