EP0329209A2

EP0329209A2 - Creamy scouring compositions

Info

Publication number: EP0329209A2
Application number: EP89200143A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lellis Francis Braganza
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1988-01-30
Filing date: 1989-01-24
Publication date: 1989-08-23
Also published as: JPH02147695A; CA1332908C; BR8900382A; EP0329209A3; AU2890989A; AU629809B2; GB8802086D0; MX169821B; NZ227769A; IE890277L

Abstract

The present invention relates to viscous creamy scouring compostitions which contain an abrasive in suspension, are substantially free of thickener, and contain a combination of a surfactant, a solvent with a water-solubility under 5%, and an electrolyte.

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to stable, viscous abrasive-containing scouring compositions, which show excellent cleaning, ease-of-rinsing, and shine performance.
These compositions are substantially free of thickener.

Background

The formulation of abrasive-containing scouring compositions in creamy form is well-known. Such compositions have been disclosed in, e.g. E.P.A. 0 126 545, and E.P.A. 0 216 416, US Patent 4.676.920, and Canadian Patent 1.194.381.
In such state-of-the-art scouring creams, it has always been necessary to incorporate a thickener, in order to adequately suspend the abrasive particles, and give a certain viscosity to the finished product.
It has been found, however, that thickener materials have certain drawbacks, in terms of ease-of-rinsing performance especially. In recent formulations, the level of thickeners has been reduced, but still remains non-negligible.
It has now been found that abrasive-containing creamy scouring compositions can be formulated which are substantially free of thickener.
Indeed, it has been found that certain combinations of surfactant, non-polar solvent, and electrolyte provides the desired viscosity and are capable of suspending high levels of abrasive-particles.
The same combination also provides very good cleaning ease-of-rinsing, and shine performance.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention relates to viscous creamy scouring compositions which contain an abrasive in suspension, are substantially free of thickener, and contain a combination of a surfactant, a solvent with a water-solubility under 5%, and an electrolyte.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Surface-active Agents

Water-soluble surfactants useful herein include synthetic anionic, nonionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.
The anionic surfactants for use herein include C₈₋₁₈ alkyl benzene sulfates and sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, and also ethoxylated species such as C₈₋₁₈ alkyl polyethoxy sulfates, and sulphosuccinates. Preferred anionic surfactants include C₁₂₋₁₄ alkyl benzene sulfonate, and C₁₂₋₁₄ alkyl ethoxylated sulfate containing from 1 to 10 ethylene oxide units.
A C₁₂₋₁₄ ethoxylated anionic 3 times ethoxylated is sold by AKZO under the trade name ELFAN®.
The anionic detersive surfactants are most commonly used in the form of their sodium, potassium or triethanolammonium salts. Nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated (especially ethoxylated) alcohols, alkyl phenols, and amine oxides. Ethoxylated alcohol of the formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)_n, with R being a C₁₂₋₁₅ alkyl chain and n being a number from 6 to 10, are preferred nonionic surfactants.
The anionic surface-active agents herein are present at levels of from 0.3 to 8%, preferably 3% to 8%.
Preferred are mixtures of non-ethoxylated anionic surfactants and ethoxylated anionic surfactants, at ratios of from 1/1 to 4/1.
Especially suitable are mixtures of alkyl benzene sulfonates and alkyl ethoxylated sulfates.
If present, nonionic surfactants are used at levels of from 0.1% to 6% by weight of the composition.
The total level of surfactant is from 2% to 10% by weight of the composition.

Abrasive -

The abrasive types employed herein are selected from water-insoluble, non-gritty materials well-known in the literature for their relatively mild abrasive properties. It is highly preferred that the abrasive used herein not be undesirably "scratchy". Abrasive materials having a Mohs hardness in the range of about 7, or below, are typically used; abrasives having a Mohs hardness of 3, or below, can be used to avoid scratches on aluminium or stainless steel finishes. Suitable abrasives herein include inorganic materials, especially such materials as calcium carbonate and diatomaceous earth, as well as materials such as Fuller's earth, magnesium carbonate, China clay, attapulgite, calcium hydroxyapatite, calcium orthophosphate, dolomite and the like. The aforesaid inorganic materials can be qualified as "strong abrasives". Synthetic organic abrasives such as urea-formaldehyde, methyl methacrylate melamine-formaldehyde resins, polyethylene spheres and polyvinylchloride can be advantageously used in order to avoid scratching on certain surfaces, especially plastic surfaces. When such "soft abrasives" are used, strong builders can be incorporated in the composition.
Typically, abrasives have a particle size range of 10-1000 microns and are used at concentrations of 5% to 50% in the compositions.

Organic solvent

Organic solvents for use herein showed have a water-solubility of from 0 to 5% at 25°C in pure, deionised water, preferably less than 1% and most preferably less than 0.5%.
Suitable solvents include hexyl carbitol, 1(2-n-butoxy-1-methylethoxy) propane-2-ol (butoxypropoxypropanol), and 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol.
Carbitol® solvents are compounds of the 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class.
Mixtures of solvents can be used, provided the water solubility of the mixture is in the above-specified range. Thus, water-soluble solvents can be used in minor quantities, such as water-soluble carbitol® solvents including ethyl, propyl or butyl carbitol, and water-soluble cellosolve® solvents.
The organic solvent is present at levels of from 1% to 10%; preferably from 2% to 6%.

Electrolyte

The electrolytes used in the compositions are selected from the group consisting of alkali metal sulfates, alkali metal carbonates or bicarbonates, alkali metal halides and citrates as well as alkali metal nitrates and mixtures thereof. The electrolytes or their mixture may vary from 0.5% to 8% basis formula weight with the preferred range of about 0.5% to 3.5%, with the alkali metal bicarbonates and carbonates and mixtures thereof being the preferred forms.

Optional ingredients

In addition to the essential ingredients listed hereinbefore, the present composition can contain additional components, which can be highly desirable.
For example, it is highly preferred that the compositions contain a detergent builder and/or metal ion sequestrant. Compounds classifiable and well-known in the art as detergent builders include the nitrilotriacetates, (NTA), ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA), amino-polyphosphonates (DEQUEST), water-soluble phosphates such as tri-polyphosphonate and sodium ortho- and pyro-phosphates, silicates, and mixtures thereof. These builders are preferably not used in combination with strong abrasives like calcium carbonate, but are recommended in combination with soft organic abrasives like polyvinylchloride.
Metal ion sequestrants of lower metal sequestration constant can advantageously be used in combination with strong or soft abrasives. Those metal ion sequestrants include polycarboxylates, citrates.
It may be appropriate, as well, to include soaps in the compositions of the invention. Soaps prepared from coconut oil fatty acids are preferred.
Soaps can be used in amounts ranging from 0.2% to 3% by weight of the composition.
Another optional component in the compositions herein is represented by an amine oxide having the formula
wherein R is an alkyl or alkenylgroup having 10 to 22 carbon atoms, the R₁'s which are identical or different are selected from C₁₋₁₄ alkyl, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, n is an integer from 1 to 6, m is an integer from 0 to 6, p is 0 or 1, x, y, and z are each 1 for alkylsubstituents, and integers in the range of from 1 to 10 for ethylene oxide or propylene oxide substituents such that the sum of (x+y+z) is not greater than 25.
This amine oxide component is used in a level from 0.1% to 1.5%, preferably from 0.25% to 0.75%.
Suitable species of the amine oxide component for use herein correspond to the general formula above wherein the individual substituents can be varied as follows :
R : tallow C₁₆₋₁₈ alkyl, coconut C₁₂₋₁₄ alkyl; lauryl; palmityl; stearyl; oleyl.
R₁ : ethylene oxide; propylene oxide; methyl; ethyl.
n : 2, 3, 4.
m : 0, 1, or 2.
x, y, and z are each 1, 2, 3 or 4 and their sum is from 2 to 18.
Preferred amine oxides for use herein are defined by the following substituents :
R : C₁₂₋₁₈ alkyl.
R₁ : ethylene oxide; methyl.
m : 0 or 1;
n : 3 (assuming m is different from 0).
x, y, z are each at least 1 and their sum is in the range from 2 to 12, for example 2, 3, 7 and 12.
One particularly preferred class of amine oxide species is represented by mono-amine oxides having the following substituents.
m : 0.
R₁ : methyl; ethyl; ethylene oxide.
R : coconut C₁₂₋₁₄ alkyl.
x and y are both 1.
A specific example of this preferred class of mono-amine oxides is : N―C₁₂₋₁₄ coconut alkyl N,N-dimethyl amine oxide.
Thickeners should preferably not be included in the compositions of the invention. If they are, the level will be kept under 0.2%. Common thickeners such as the polyacrylates, xanthan gums, carboxymethyl celluloses, swellable smectite clays, and the like, can be used herein at these levels.
Optional compounds are also represented by ingredients typically used in commercial products to provide aesthetic or additional product performance benefits. Typical ingredients include pH regulants, perfumes, dyes, optical brighteners, soil suspending agents, detersive enzymes, gel-control agents, freeze-thaw stabilizers, bactericides, preservatives, hydrotrope and the like.
The compositions herein typically contain up to about 90% water as a carrier. By way of example the water-level can vary in the range from e.g. 50% to 80%. Water-alcohol (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, etc.) mixtures can also be used.
The compositions herein are preferably formulated in the alkaline pH ranges, generally in the range of pH 8-11, preferably about 10-10.8. Caustics such as sodium hydroxide and sodium bi-carbonate can be used to adjust and buffer the pH as desired.
The following examples given by way of illustrating the compositions herein, but are not intended to be limiting of the scope of the invention.

Abbreviations

NaPS Sodium C₁₃ to C₁₆ paraffin sulfonate
LAS Sodium salt of linear C₁₁-C₈ alkyl benzene sulfonate
ELFAN 243 S C₁₂₋₁₄ alkyl ethoxylated sulfate (3EO)
Sokolan®PHC25 Crosslinked polyacrylate thickener
ETHD 2-Ethyl-1,3-hexanediol
TMPD 2,2,4-trimethyl-1-3-pentanediol
BPP Butoxy Propoxy Propanol

Ingredients (% wt)	Comp A	Comp B	Comp C	Comp D	Comp E	Comp F	Comp G
LAS	5.0	5.0	4.2	3.5	5.0	4.0	4.2
ELFAN 243S	-	-	1.8	1.5	-	-	1.8
NaPS	-	-	-	-	-	1.0	-
n-BPP	-	-	3.0	-	-	-	-
ETHD	-	-	-	-	5.0	-	-
hexyl carbitol	5.0	3.0	-	3.0	-	5.0	3.0
perfume mix	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4
CaCO₃	30.0	30.0	30.0	30.0	30.0	30.0	30.0
Na₂CO₃	1.0	3.0	2.3	1.5	1.5	0.8	1.8
Sokolan® PHC25	-	-	-	-	-	-	0.1
HCnFA*	-	-	-	0.5	-	-	-
amine oxide**	-	-	-	0.5	-	-	-
water + minors	up to 100
Compositions A to G were stable after 2 weeks at room temperature and had apparent-viscosities in the range 1000-3000 cps (Brookfiled viscometer, spindle 4, 60 rpm). The compositions were found to have excellent cleaning capacity on greasy kitchen-dirt soil and hard bath-tub soil.

* Narrow cut, hardened, coconut fatty acid
** N-C_12-14 coconut alkyl, -N,N-dimethylamine oxide

Claims

1. An abrasive-containing scouring creamy composition containing
from 2% to 10% of surfactant
from 1% to 10% of a solvent having a water-solubility from 0 to 5% at 25°C
from 0.5% to 8% of electrolyte
less than 0.2% of thickener.

2. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the solvent has a water-solubility below 1%.

3. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the solvent is selected from the group of hexyl carbitol, n-Butoxy Propoxy Propanol and 2-ethyl 1-3 hexanediol.

4. A composition in accordance with claim 1 wherein the surfactant contains an ethoxylated anionic surfactant.

5. A composition in accordance with claim 4 wherein the surfactant is a mixture of non-ethoxylated anionic surfactant and ethoxylated anionic surfactant, at ratios from 1/1 to 1/4.

6. A composition in accordance with claims 5 wherein the surfactant is present at levels of from 3% to 8%, the solvent is present at levels of from 2% to 6%, and the electrolyte is present at levels of from 0.5% to 3.5%.