CA2110951A1 - High concentrate heavy duty liquid laundry detergent - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure A high concentrate heavy duty liquid laundry detergent composition having a low viscosity and good stability comprising:

(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:

(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more amphoteric surfactants;

(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more anionic surfactants; and (iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more nonionic surfactants;

the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 active weight percent;

(b) 0 to 8 weight percent of one or more pH adjusting chemicals;
and (c) the balance water;

wherein said composition does not require the presence of hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry detergent is provided.

Description

21109~.

~IG~ CONCENTRATE H~AVY DUTY LIQUID LA~NDRY DBTERGENT

Backaround of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel high concentrate heavy duty liquid laundry detergent. More specifically, the invention comprises utilizing three types of surfactants, anionic, nonionic and amphoteric in combination with water and other optional additives such as buffers, bleaches, and the like to produce a final liquid which may be used as a laundry detergent. Key to the success of the invention is the use of the amphoteric surfactant, which renders unnecessary the need for builders and/or hydrotropas in the final composition, and provides the formulation with good stability, performance and a low viscosity.

2. Technology Description Heavy duty liquid laundry detergents have been gaining wide public acceptability. These detergents ideally provide good detergency at low product concentration in the wash water, contain water as the principal sol~ent and are in the form of homogeneous single-phase solutions which provide long-term shelf life without undergoing phase separation. In a typical use, one half of one cup of detergent is added to one load of laundry (about 17 U.S. gallons for a top loading washing machine.) It has been desired to provide high concentrate forms of such detergents. The term "high concentrate" refers to a formulation in which between 1/8 and 1/2 cup of liquid can be used for one load of laundry. While proposed, such high concentrate liquids typically 21109~1 contain either a detergent builder and/or a hydrotrope. In addition, for a number of attempts, it has proven difficult to develop high concentrate detergents because, upon concentration, the viscosities produced are too high for practical use.

A detergent builder is an inorganic or organic salt (in solid form) which provides detergency by chelating the heavy metal ions present in water used to wash the clothes. ~nown builders include phosphate salts and citrate salts, with sodium citrate being a preferred builder salt.

Hydrotropes are chemical compounds which are used in liquid detergent formulations to increase the aqueous solubility of insoluble substituents in the formulation. Hydrotropes lower the viscosity and gelling tendency of concentrated liquid detergent blends and improve their physical stability by providing an isotropic liquid. They can also enhance the effectiveness of the surfactants in the formulation. The most widely used hydrotrope is sodium xylene sulfonate.
Examples of liquid laundry detergents, including those proposed for use as high concentrate detergents which include builders and/or hydrotropes are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No.
4,524,023 discloses a highly concentrated liquid detergent including up to 50% surfactants tnonionic and optionally anionic), a bicyclodecyl ether sulfonate hydrotrope and water. The reference further suggests that best results are achieved by adding inorganic or organic builders to the final formulations.

U.S. Patent No. 4,582,636 proposes a concentrated aqueous single-phase liquid detergent which includes a non-phosphate detergent builder salt, a specifically defined nonionic detergent compound, an amphoteric betaine detergent compound, an octyl phosphonate solubilizer, and water. The reference further discloses that an anionic detergent may be optionally added. The preferred detergent , . . '' p ~ : A '.'' 'r ' 21109~ ~

builder salt is sodium citrate.

U.S. Patent No. 4,880,569 provides an isotropic liquid detergent which includes 40 to 92% surfactants and 8 to 60% water. At least 5 50% of the surfactants include a specifically defined polyalkoxy nonionic surfactant and a specifically defined ionic surfactant.
The remaining portion of the surfactants may comprise additional nonionic and/or ionic and/or zwitterionic surfactants with the additional ionic surfactant bearing the same charge as the specifically defined ionic surfactant. Examples of such surfactants cited include coconut diethanolamide, coconut ethanolamide, amine oxides, primary ether sulfates, polyethers, soaps, primary alkyl benzene sulfonates, primary olefin sulfonates and primary alkyl sulfates.
Despite the above, there still exists a need for a high concentrate liquid laundry detergent which does not require the use of builders or hydrotropes, is inexpensive to manufacture, is stable, provides good detergency, has a low viscosity and is environmentally safe.
Summarv of the Invention ~; In accordance with the present invention, a novel high concentrate i~ liquid laundry detergent is provided. The detergent does not require the use of builders or hydrotropes, is inexpensive to manufacture, is stable, provides good detergency, has a low viscosity and is environmentally safe.

Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a high concentrate liquid laundry detergent comprising:
L`
~ ta) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:

'~ ti) between l and 35 active weight percent of one or more ~ 35 amphoteric surfactants;
,i 3 J

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2~9~1 (ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more anionic surfactants; and (iii) between 1 and 7S active weight percent of one or more nonionic surfactants;

the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 weight percent;

(b) between 0 to 8 weight percent of an pH adjusting chemical;
and (c) the balance water;

wherein said composition does not require the presence of hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry detergent.

In practice, the viscosity of the liquid detergent is between 100 and 3000 centipoises at 25C. Further, the amount of liquid detergent used per load of laundry (17 gallons U.S.) should range between about 1/8 and about 1/2 cup. The detergent may also include up to 5 weight percent of typical detergent additives such as bleaches, enzymes, and the like. The detergent is non-toxic, biodegradable, mild, and environmentally safe.

Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a high concentrate liquid laundry detergent consisting essentially of:

(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:

(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more amphoteric surfactants;

(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more ~llns~l anionic surfactants; and (iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more nonionic surfactants;
the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 weight percent;

(b) between 0 to 8 weight percent of an alkaline buffer; and (c) the balance water.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a high concentrate liquid laundry detergent which does not require the presence of a builder or a hydrotrope and has a low viscosity.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a high concentrate liquid laundry detergent which can be used in amounts ranging from about 1/8 cup to about 1/2 cup per load of laundry.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a high concentrate liquid laundry detergent which is non-toxic, biodegradable, mild and environmentally safe.

These and other objects will be readily apparent to thuse skilled in the art as reference is made to the detailed description of the preferred embodiment.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment In describing the preferred embodiment, certain terminology will be utilized for the sake of clarity. Such terminology is intended to encompass the recited embodiment, as well as all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner for a similar purpose to achieve a similar result.

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-- 211~9~i 1 The present invention utilizes amphoteric, anionic and nonionic surfactants in an aqueous liquid to produce a high concentrate liquid laundry detergent which has a low viscosity and does not require the presence of detergent builders or hydrotropes. In the preferred embodiment, the amount of combined surfactant is between 20 and 80 active weight percent of the total liquid formulation.
Further, the 20 to 80 active weight percent of the formulation includes between about 1 and about 35 parts active amphoteric surfactant, between about 1 and about 50 parts active anionic surfactant and between about 1 and about 75 parts active nonionic surfactant.

The first type of surfactant present in the inventive formulation is one or more amphoteric surfactants. Presence of the amphoteric surfactant(s) is absolutely necessary to the invention as it provides superior detergency, even in the absence of a builder.
Further, the amphoteric surfactant enables the final composition to have a low enough viscosity for practical use. Accordingly, only those amphoteric surfactants which provide both of these desirous properties can be utilized in the present invention.

Examples of suitable amphoteric surfactants include the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts of alkyl amphocarboxy glycinates and alkyl amphocarboxypropionates, alkyl amphodipropionates, alkyl amphodiacetates, alkyl amphoglycinates and alkyl amphopropionates wherein alkyl represents an alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Other suitable amphoteric surfactants include alkyliminopropionates, alkyl iminodipropionates and alkyl amphopropylsulfonates having between 12 and 18 carbon atoms, alkylbetaines and amidopropylbetaines and alkylsultaines and alkylamidopropylhydroxy sultaines wherein alkyl represents an alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms.

Particularly useful amphoteric surfactants include both mono and dicarboxylates such as those of the formulae:

: ~ : - ~ : .. .; : .
'':

21109~1 Il , R - C - NHCHzCH2N \ (I); and (CH2)~ COOM

Il I ~(CH2)sCOOM
R - C - NCH2CH2N (II) \ (CH2)~ccooM
:-.
wherein R is an alkyl group of 6-20 carbon atoms, x is l or 2 and M is hydrogen or sodium. ~ixtures of the above structures are particularly preferred.

Other formulae for the above amphoteric surfactants include the following:
Alkyl betaines ICH3 R- N-CH2COOM (III);

Amidopropyl betaines R-C-NH-CH2CH2- N-CH2COOM (IV); ::

Alkyl sultaines R-l -CH2-CH-CH2SO3M (V); and :~

Alkyl amidopropylhydroxy sultaines Il +I
R-C-NH-CH2CH2CH2- N-CH2-CH-CH2SO3M (VI);

where R is a alkyl group of 6-20 carbon atoms and M is hydrogen or sodium.

21109~ ~.

Of the a~ove amphoteric surfactants, particularly preferred are the alkali salts of alkyl amphocarboxyglycinates and alkyl amphocarboxypropionates, alkyl amphodipropionates, alkyl amphodiacetates, alkyl amphoglycinates, alkyl amphopropyl sulfonates and alkyl amphopropionates wherein alXyl represents an alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Even more preferred are compounds wherein the alkyl group is derived from coconut oil or is a lauryl group, for example cocoamphodipropionate. Such cocoamphodipropionate surfactants are commercially sold under the trademarks Miranol C2M-SF CONC. and Miranol FBS ~y Rhone-Poulenc Inc.
Other commercially useful amphoteric surfactants include:
cocoamphoacetate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL C~ CONC.
and MIRAPON FA), cocoamphopropionate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL CM-SF
CONC. and MIRAPON FAS), cocoamphodiacetate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL C2M
CONC. and MIRAPON FB), lauroamphoacetate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL HM CONC.
and MIRAPON LA), lauroamphodiacetate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL H2M
CONC. and MIRAPON LB), lauroamphodipropionate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL H2M-SF CONC. AND MIRAPON LBS), lauroamphodiacetate obtained from a mixture of lauric and myristic acids (sold under the trademark MIRANOL BM CONC.), and cocoamphopropyl sulfonate (sold under the trademark Miranol CS
CONC.) Somewhat less preferred are:
caproamphodiacetate (sold under the trademark MIRANOL S2M
CONC.), caproamphoacetate (sold under the trademark MIRANOL SM CONC.), caproamphodipropionate (sold under the trademark MIRANOL S2M-3S SF CONC.), and , . ... ... ..... .. . . .

~ , . , 2 1 ~

stearoamphoacetate (sold under the trademark MIRANOL DM~.
In practice, the amphoteric surfactant comprises between l and 35 active parts of the liquid composition. In particularly preferred embodiments, the amount is between 5 and 30 active parts, and in even more preferred e~bodiments, the amount ranges between about 15 and about 25 active parts.

The second type of surfactant present in the inventive formulation is one or more anionic surfactants. The anionic surfa~tant(s) chosen is not critical and may be any of the known anionic surfactants and is chosen on the basis of compatibility, effectiveness and economy. These anionic surfactants include any of the known hydrophobes attached to a carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate or phosphate polar, solubilizing group including salts.
Salts may be the sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, barium, iron, a~monium and amine salts of such surfactants.

Examples of such anionic surfactants include water soluble salts of alkyl benzene sulfonates having between 8 and 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, alkyl ether sulfates having between 8 and 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts or organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl, or alkaryl group containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and a sulfonic or sulfuric acid ester group.

Particularly preferred are linear sodium and potassium alkyl ether sulfates that are synthesized by sulfating a higher alcohol having between 8 and 18 carbon atoms and having 2 to 9 moles of ethylene oxide. Another preferred anionic surfactant is alkyl benzene sulfonate, in which the alkyl group contains between about 9 to about 15, and even more preferably, between about 11 to about 13 carbon atoms in a straight chain or branched chain configuration and even most preferred a linear straight chain having an average alkyl group of about 11 carbon atoms.

.
, :- :,,: - , , , , -.. . .. . . . . . .

211~9~

In particularly preferred emibodiments, mixtures of anionic surfactants are utilized, with mixtures of alkyl or alkylaryl sulfonate and sulfate surfactants being especially preferred. Such embodiments comprise a mixture of alkali metal salts, preferably sodium salts, of alkyl benzene sulfonates having from about 9 to 15, and more preferred between 11 and 13 carbon atoms with an alkali metal salt, preferably sodium, of an alkyl sulfate or alkyl ethoxy sulfate having 10 to 20 and preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms and an average ethoxylation of 2 to 4.
Specific anionic surfactants which may be selected include linear alkyl benzene sulfonates such as dodecylbenzene sulfonate, decylbenzene sulfonate, undecylbenzene sulfonate, tridecylbenzene sulfonate, nonylbenzene sulfonate and the sodium, potassium, ammonium, triethanolammonium and isopropylammonium salts thereof.
A particularly preferred sulfonate salt is sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate. Such chemicals are sold under the trade name Biosoft 100 by Stepan Chemicals of Northfield, Illinois. Other anionic surfactants include polyethoxylated alcohol sulfates, such as those sold under the trade name Neodol 25-3S by Shell Chemical Company.
Examples of other anionic surfactants are provided in U.S. Patent No. 3,976,586. To the extent necessary, this patent is expressly incorporated by reference.

In practice, the anionic portion comprises between 1 and 50 active parts of the liquid composition. In particularly preferred embodiments, the amount is between 5 and 40 active parts, and in even more preferred embodiments, the amount ranges between about 10 and about 25 active parts.
The third type of surfactant present in the inventive formulation is one or more nonionic surfactants. The nonionic surfactant(s) is not critical and may be any of the known nonionic surfactants and is selected on the basis of compatibility, effectiveness and economy.

2110~1 Examples of useful nonionic surfactants include condensates of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic moiety which has an average hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) between about 8 to about 16, and more preferably, between about 10 and about 12.5. These surfactants include t~e condensation products of primary or secondary aliphatic alcohols having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, in either straight or branched chain configuration, with from about 2 to about 40, and preferably between about 2 and about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
In a preferred embodiment, the aliphatic alcohol comprises between about 9 and about 18 carbon atoms and is ethoxylated with between about 3 and about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of aliphatic alcohol. Especially preferred are the about 12 to about 15 carbon primary alcohol ethyoxylates containing about 5 to about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. One such material is commercially sold under the trade name Neodol 25-9 by Shell Chemical Company. Other commercial nonionic surfactants include Neodol 25-6.5 and Neodol 25-7 sold by Shell Chemical Company.
Other suitable nonionic surfactants include the condensation products of about 6 to about 12 carbon atom alkyl phenols with about 3 to about 30, and preferably between about 5 and about 14 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of such surfactants are sold under the trade manes Igepol CO 530, Igepol CO 630, Igepol CO 720 and Igepol CO 730 by Rhone-Poulenc Inc. Still other suitable nonionic surfactants are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,976,586.
To the extent necessary, this patent is expressly incorporated by reference.
In practice, the nonionic portion comprises between 1 and 75 active parts of the liquid composition. In particularly preferred embodiments, the amount is between 6 and 50 active parts, and in even more preferred embodiments, the amount ranges between about 8 and about 20 active parts.

1. . . , ~

211~9~ 1 In addition to the surfactant mixture and water, the heavy duty high concentrate laundry detergent composition may also include other known supplemental components to provide enhanced properties to the final formulation. These components are added in the amount of between O and about 5 weight percent of the final composition.
Examples of such components include enzymes of various types, including proteolytic, amylolytic, lipolytic, cellulytic and carbohydroxylytic types. If enzymes are added, enzyme stabilizers such as those providing a source of calcium ions, boric acids, and various dicarboxylic acids may also be present.

Other supplemental additives include defoamers such as high molecular weight aliphatic acids, especially saturated fatty acids and soaps derived from them; dyes and perfumes; fluorescent or optical brighteners; anti-redeposition agents such as carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose; suspension stabilizing agents and soil release promoters, such as copolymers of polyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate (e.g., commercial product sold as Rhone-Poulenc QCJ); antioxidants:
softening agents and antistatic agents; photoactivators; and preservatives.

Although not required, an organic or inorganic builder may optionally be added in small amounts of the final composition to provide additional detergency. Examples of inorganic builders include water-soluble alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, silicates and crystalline and amorphous alumino ~ilicates.
Examples of organic builders include the alkali metal, alkaline metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates, polyacetyl carboxylates and polyhydroxysulfonates. An example of one such commonly used builder is sodium citrate.

In practice the pH of the liquid laundry detergent should have a range from about 6.5 to about 11.6. To achieve this pH adjusting 21 ) ~ (~ ;r~ 1 chemicals such as acids, bases, and buffers may be added to the formulation. Preferred pH adjusting chemicals include lower alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine (MEA) and triethanolamine (TEAl. Sodium hydroxide solutions may be utilized as an alkaline pH adjusting agent. These solutions further function to neutralize acidic materials that may be present. Mixtures of more than one pH
adjusting chemical may also be utilized.

In practice, the pH adjusting chemicals are used in amounts ranging from about 0 to about 8 weight percent of the final formulation, with amounts ranging between about 2 and about 8 weight percent being more preferred, and amounts ranging between about 4 and about 8 weight percent being most preferred.

To produce the inventive formulation, sequential mixing of the nonionic and anionic surfactants, pH adjusting chemicals, and then the amphoteric surfactants takes place to form a surfactant mixture, along with between 0 and 5 parts of the optional additives defined above. Water is added to yield 100 parts of a final formulation. The viscosity of the final formulation is between about 100 and 3000 cps at 25-C using a Brookfield viscometer, spindle ~4 at 20 rpm. A more preferred viscosity is between 100 and 1000 cps and a most preferred viscosity is between 100 and sno cps ~
In use, between l/8 and 1/2 cups of the liquid detergent formulation are added to wash a standard sized load of laundry (U.S. 17 gallons of water). In preferred use, the amount of laundry detergent added per wash load is between 1/8 and 1/4 cups.
The detergent formulations are designed for use in cold, warm, and hot temperature wash cycles and are effective for wash temperatures ranging from about SoC to about 60C, with a preferred wash temperature of from about 15C to about 45C.

In addition to being effective high concentrate heavy duty 2~10~

detergents, the inventive formulations are non toxic, biodegradable, mild and environmentally safe. Further, the formulations are stable and exhibit a desirably low viscosity without reguiring the presence of a hydrotrope. As a result, they are ideal candidates for commercial products.

The invention is described in greater detail by the following non-limiting examples.

10Exam~le 1 To 12 parts of molten Neodol 25-9, a nonionic surfactant manufactured by Shell Chemical Company, 4 parts each of monoethanol amine (MEA) and triethanol amine (TEA) are mixed under an overhead 15mixer at ambient temperatures. 16 parts of active Neodol 25-3S
(27.6 parts of a 58% aqueous solution), an anionic surfactant manufactured by Shell Chemical Company are added while mixing at ambient temperatures. 20 active parts of Miranol FBS (50 parts of a 40% aqueous solution) are added to the mixture while mixing at ambient temperatures. 2.4 parts of water are added to the surfactant mixture to produce 100 parts (by weight) of the formulation. The viscosity of the formulation is about 750 cps when measured by a Brookfield Viscometer (spindle #4, 20 rpm) at 2SC.
-Exam~les 2-17 Formulations are prepared according to the method of Example 1.
The relative amounts of each active component of the formulation 30 are shown in Table 1.

Component Ex. A B C D E F A+B+C~D Water 2 0 20 16 12 2 0 48 Q.S.

3 0 20 16 12 4 0 48 Q.S.

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, :;.: : ,",: , , , . . .-. ::-.:, - :

2110" ~ ~

4 0 20 16 12 2 2 48 Q.S.
0 16 1~ 11.5 4 4 43.5 Q.S.
6 0 30 7 8 2 2 45 Q.S.
7 10 10 25.7 12 4 4 57.65 Q.S.
8 10 10 16 28.15 4 4 6~.15 Q.S.
9 10 11.8 16 24.2 4 4 62.00 Q.S.
lO 5 23.1 12 6 4 4 46.1 Q.S.
ll 5 5 38.2 6 4 4 54.25 Q.S.
12 5 5 12 51.2 4 4 73.25 Q.S.
13 5 14 12 16 4 4 47 Q.S.
14 5 5 26.5 16 4 4 52.5 Q.S.
15 5 17 20.7 6 4 4 48.7 Q.S.
16 5 5 40.6 0 4 4 50.6 Q.S.
17 5 5 0 70 4 4 80 Q.S.
A = Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate (anionic) B = Miranol FBS (amphoteric~
C = Neodol 25-3S (anionic) D = Neodol 25-9 (nonionic) E = Monoethanol amine F = Triethanol amine ComDarative ExamDle 1 For use as a comparative simulated commericial detergent, the following materials were mixed together at ambient conditions. The amounts are listed as active parts:
Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate 10 parts Neodol 25-9 6 parts Neodol 25-3S 8 parts Sodium citrate (builder) 5 parts Sodium xylene sulfonate (hydrotrope) 3 parts 21,0~

Triethanol amine 2 parts Water Q.S.

Comparative Testin~

To test the performance characteristics of Example 1 against Comparative Example 1, pre-soiled swatches of fabric were inserted into a Terg-O-Tometer at a 6-one liter pot setting. The Terg-O-Tometer is manufactured by the United States Testing Company. The fabrics used were cotton, cotton/polyester blends and polyester.
The soils used were dust-sebum and clay. The wash temperature was 38C and the water hardness included 150 ppm of 2:1 Ca /Mg . The test included a 10 minute wash cycle and a 2 minute rinse cycle.

To evaluate the detergency of the sample detergents tested, reflectance was measured using the Gardner Spectroguard machine.
For Example 1, one gram of liquid detergent was added. This corresponds to a 1/4 cup amount per normal U.S. washing machine capacity. For Comparative Example 1, the amount added was 2 grams.
This corresponds to a 1/2 cup amount per normal U.S. washing machine capacity. The results obtained in percent reflectance are shown in the following table.

21~9~-8ampleDust-Bebum Clay cotton cotton~ol~ 2~1~ cotton cotton/~oly polv Comp. Ex. 1 19.0 21.75 18.75 23.0 34.0 40.5 Example 120.5 21.25 19.75 21.5 32.0 40.25 A comparison of the above data indicates that each sample performed statistically similar despite the fact that the amount of Example 1 used was one half of the amount of Comparative Example 1 used.
When it was attempted to concentrate the detergent of Comparative Example 1 to the same level as Example 1, it was impossible as the presence of the sodium citrate yielded a viscosity that was much too high for commercial use (e.g., a viscosity greater than 10,000 cps ) .
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

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Claims (24)

1. A high concentrate heavy duty liquid laundry detergent composition having a low viscosity and good stability comprising:
(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:

(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more amphoteric surfactants;

(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more anionic surfactants; and (iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more nonionic surfactants;

the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 active weight percent;

(b) 0 to 8 weight percent of one or more pH adjusting chemicals;
and (c) the balance water;

wherein said composition does not require the presence of hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry detergent.

2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein said amphoteric surfactant comprises the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts of alkyl amphocarboxy glycinates, alkyl amphocarboxypropionates, alkyl amphodipropionates, alkyl amphodiacetates, alkyl amphoglycinates and alkyl amphopropionates wherein alkyl represents an alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, alkyliminopropionates, alkyl iminodipropionates and alkyl amphopropylsulfonates having between 12 and 18 carbon atoms, and alkylbetaines, amidopropylbetaines, alkylsultaines and alkylamidopropylhydroxy sultaines wherein alkyl represents an alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition according to claim 2 wherein said amphoteric surfactant is of formula (I) or (II) or mixtures thereof:

(I) (II) where R is an alkyl group of 6-20 carbon atoms, x is 1 or 2 and M
is hydrogen or sodium.

4. The composition according to claim 3 wherein said amphoteric surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salt of alkyl amphocarboxy glycinates, alkyl amphocarboxypropionates, alkyl amphodipropionates, alkyl amphodiacetates, alkyl amphoglycinates and alkyl amphopropionates wherein alkyl represents a lauryl or coco group.

5. The composition according to claim 4 wherein said amphoteric surfactant comprises cocoamphodipropionate.

6. The composition according to claim 2 wherein said amphoteric surfactant comprises between about 15 and about 25 percent of said composition.

7. The composition according to claim 2 wherein said anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of water soluble salts of alkyl benzene sulfonates having between 8 and 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, alkyl ether sulfates having between 8 and 22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, and alkali metal, ammonium and alkanolammonium salts or organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl, or alkaryl group containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and a sulfonic or sulfuric acid ester group and mixtures thereof.

8. The composition according to claim 7 wherein said anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of linear sodium and potassium alkyl ether sulfates that are synthesized by sulfating a higher alcohol having between 8 and 18 carbon atoms and having 2 to 9 moles of ethylene oxide and alkyl benzene sulfonates, in which the alkyl group contains between about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.

9. The composition according to claim 5 wherein said anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate and polyethoxylated alcohol sulfates, and mixtures thereof.

10. The composition according to claim 7 wherein said anionic surfactant comprises between about 10 and about 25 percent of said composition.

11. The composition according to claim 2 wherein said nonionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of condensation products of primary or secondary aliphatic alcohols having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, in either straight or branched chain configuration, with from about 2 to about 40 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol and condensation products of about 6 to about 12 carbon atom alkyl phenols with about 3 to about 30 moles of ethylene oxide and mixtures thereof.

12. The composition according to claim 11 wherein said nonionic surfactant comprises a condensation product of primary or secondary aliphatic alcohols having from about 9 to about 18 carbon atoms, in either straight or branched chain configuration, with from about 3 to about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

13. The composition according to claim 9 wherein said nonionic surfactant comprises the condensation products of about 12 to about 15 carbon primary alcohol ethyoxylates containing about 5 to about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

14. The composition according to claim 11 wherein said nonionic surfactant comprises between about 8 and about 20 percent of said composition.

15. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the pH of said composition is between about 6.5 and about 11.6 and wherein said pH
adjusting chemical is selected from the group consisting of lower alkanolamines and sodium hydroxide and mixtures thereof.

16. The composition according to claim 15 wherein said pH
adjusting chemical is selected from the group consisting of monoethanol amine and triethanol amine and mixtures thereof and is present in amounts ranging from about 2 to about 8 percent of the total composition.

17. The composition according to claim 1 further comprising between 0 and about 5 percent by weight of said composition of supplemental additives selected from the group consisting of enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, defoamers, dyes, perfumes, fluorescent or optical brighteners, anti-redeposition agents, suspension stabilizing agents, soil release promoters, antioxidants, softening agents, antistatic agents, photoactivators, preservatives, inorganic builders, organic builders and mixtures thereof.

18. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the viscosity is between about 100 and 3000 cps at 25°C using a Brookfield viscometer, spindle #4 at 20 rpm.

19. The composition according to claim 18 wherein the viscosity is between about 100 and 1000 cps at 25°C using a Brookfield viscometer, spindle #4 at 20 rpm.

20. The composition according to claim 19 wherein the viscosity is between about 100 and 800 cps at 25°C using a Brookfield viscometer, spindle #4 at 20 rpm.

21. A process for washing one load of clothes in water at wash temperatures between about 5°C and about 60°C comprising the step of adding 1/8 to 1/2 cup of the following low viscosity, highly stable, detergent composition to the wash water:

(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:

(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more amphoteric surfactants;

(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more anionic surfactants; and (iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more nonionic surfactants;

22 the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 active weight percent;

(b) 0 to 8 weight percent of one or more pH adjusting chemicals;
and (c) the balance water;

wherein said composition does not require the presence of hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry detergent.

22. The process according to claim 21 wherein the amount of detergent added to said wash water ranges from about 1/8 cup to about 1/4 cup per load.

23. A high concentrate heavy duty liquid laundry detergent composition consisting essentially of:
(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:

(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more amphoteric surfactants;

(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more anionic surfactants; and (iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more nonionic surfactants;

the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 active weight percent;

(b) 0 to 8 weight percent of one or more pH adjusting chemicals;
and (c) the balance water;

wherein said composition does not require the presence of hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry detergent.

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