EP0693110B1 - Compositions detersives contenant du magnesium se presentant sous forme de liquide stable, de gel ou sous d'autres formes et presentant des tensioactifs a base de sulfates d'alkyle (2,3) secondaires - Google Patents

Compositions detersives contenant du magnesium se presentant sous forme de liquide stable, de gel ou sous d'autres formes et presentant des tensioactifs a base de sulfates d'alkyle (2,3) secondaires Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0693110B1
EP0693110B1 EP94913360A EP94913360A EP0693110B1 EP 0693110 B1 EP0693110 B1 EP 0693110B1 EP 94913360 A EP94913360 A EP 94913360A EP 94913360 A EP94913360 A EP 94913360A EP 0693110 B1 EP0693110 B1 EP 0693110B1
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Prior art keywords
alkyl
surfactants
compositions
magnesium
sulfate
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EP0693110A1 (fr
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Bruce Prentiss Murch
Stephen William Morrall
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Procter and Gamble Co
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Procter and Gamble Co
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    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D1/00—Detergent compositions based essentially on surface-active compounds; Use of these compounds as a detergent
    • C11D1/02—Anionic compounds
    • C11D1/12—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof
    • C11D1/14—Sulfonic acids or sulfuric acid esters; Salts thereof derived from aliphatic hydrocarbons or mono-alcohols
    • C11D1/146—Sulfuric acid esters
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
    • C11D17/0008—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties aqueous liquid non soap compositions
    • C11D17/003—Colloidal solutions, e.g. gels; Thixotropic solutions or pastes
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D17/00—Detergent materials or soaps characterised by their shape or physical properties
    • C11D17/0047—Detergents in the form of bars or tablets
    • C11D17/0065—Solid detergents containing builders
    • C11D17/0069—Laundry bars

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to cleaning compositions and methods which employ secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactants and a source of magnesium ions to enhance sudsing and removal of greasy/oily soils and stains.
  • Most conventional detergent compositions contain mixtures of various detersive surfactants in order to remove a wide variety of soils and stains from surfaces.
  • various anionic surfactants especially the alkyl benzene sulfonates, are useful for removing particulate soils
  • various nonionic surfactants such as the alkyl ethoxylates and alkylphenol ethoxylates, are useful for removing greasy soils.
  • One class of surfactants which has found limited use in various compositions where emulsification is desired comprises the secondary alkyl sulfates.
  • the conventional secondary alkyl sulfates are available as generally pasty, random mixtures of sulfated linear and/or partially branched alkanes. Such materials have not come into widespread use in laundry detergents, since they offer no particular advantages over the alkyl benzene sulfonates.
  • secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates offers considerable advantages to the formulator and user of detergent compositions of comparable chain lengths.
  • the secondary alkyl (2,3) sulfates are more soluble in aqueous media than their counterpart primary alkyl sulfates. Accordingly, they can be formulated as stable, homogeneous liquid detergents.
  • the solubility of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates allows them to be formulated in the concentrated form now coming into vogue with both granular and liquid laundry detergents. They are milder to skin in, for example, hand dishwashing operations.
  • the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates appear to exhibit good compatibility with detersive enzymes, especially in the presence of magnesium or calcium ions.
  • the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates are exceptionally easy to formulate as heavy-duty liquid laundry detergents.
  • the manufacturer of fully-formulated detergent compositions is concerned not only with the safety, ease-of-handling and performance of the individual components of such compositions, but also with their compatibility with each other.
  • the presence of magnesium ions in a properly formulated detergent composition can assist in providing removal of greasy/oily soils and stains, as well as the high sudsing that is often desired by users, especially in hand dishwashing operations.
  • magnesium can cause instability problems when used with detersive surfactants, which tend to precipitate or phase separate in liquid compositions in the presence of magnesium ions. This is problematic under circumstances where liquid compositions are being formulated, and is intolerable where homogeneous clear and/or colorless liquids or gels are desired.
  • the present invention relates to the use of a secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactant in a stable, homogeneous liquid or gel detergent compositions, or in bar or granular compositions, containing a source of magnesium ions which enhances sudsing and cleaning performance.
  • the invention herein provides preferably liquid and gel, but also granular and bar, detergent compositions, comprising:
  • Weight ratios of magnesium cations:anionic surfactant herein are typically near about stoichiometric, and are conveniently in the range of about 1:16 to about 1:30. Higher ratios are useful, but may negatively impact the formulatability of liquid and gel products. Lower ratios, say, in the range of 1:300, still provide benefits in overall product formulations.
  • the compositions contain one or more detersive adjunct materials (c) which are detersive surfactants comprising a member selected from the group consisting of amine oxide surfactants, polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, sulfated polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, alkyl ethoxy carboxylate surfactants, alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants, alkyl ethoxylate surfactants, alkyl polyglycoside surfactants, and mixtures thereof.
  • detersive adjunct materials comprising a member selected from the group consisting of amine oxide surfactants, polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, sulfated polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants, betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, alkyl ethoxy carboxylate surfactants, alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactants, alkyl ethoxylate surfactants, alkyl
  • the invention comprises compositions wherein said detersive adjunct material (c) is a polycarboxylate builder, especially a citrate or oxydisuccinate builder.
  • said compositions are especially useful as laundry detergents.
  • High-sudsing compositions which are substantially free of primary C 14 and higher fatty acids are also provided.
  • clear liquid or gel compositions and/or colorless compositions are provided.
  • the C 1- -C 20 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates can conveniently be employed herein.
  • the C 14 -C 18 compounds are preferred for laundry cleaning operations.
  • the C 12 -C 16 compounds are preferred for dishwashing compositions.
  • the invention herein also encompasses a method for cleaning soiled surfaces, especially dishes but including fabrics, comprising contacting said surfaces with an aqueous medium containing an effective amount (typically, at least about 0.01%, preferably at least about 0.05%) of the compositions of this invention, under conditions of agitation.
  • an effective amount typically, at least about 0.01%, preferably at least about 0.05%) of the compositions of this invention, under conditions of agitation.
  • Such cleaning can be carried out in an automatic cleaning apparatus, or, preferably, by hand, both with and without a presoak.
  • Conventional primary alkyl sulfate surfactants have the general formula ROSO 3 - M + wherein R is typically a linear C 10 -C 20 hydrocarbyl group and M is a water-solubilizing cation.
  • Branched-chain primary alkyl sulfate surfactants i.e., branched-chain "PAS" having 10-20 carbon atoms are also known; see, for example, European Patent Application 439,316, Smith et al, filed 21.01.91.
  • Conventional secondary alkyl sulfate surfactants are those materials which have the sulfate moiety distributed randomly along the hydrocarbyl "backbone" of the molecule. Such materials may be depicted by the structure CH 3 (CH 2 ) n (CHOSO 3 - M + )(CH 2 ) m CH 3 wherein m and n are integers of 2 or greater and the sum of m + n is typically about 9 to 15, and M is a water-solubilizing cation.
  • the selected secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactants used herein comprise structures of formulas A and B (A) CH 3 (CH 2 ) x (CHOSO 3 - M + ) CH 3 and (B) CH 3 (CH 2 ) y (CHOSO 3 - M + ) CH 2 CH 3 for the 2-sulfate and 3-sulfate, respectively.
  • Mixtures of the 2-and 3-sulfate can be used herein.
  • x and (y+1) are, respectively, integers of at least about 6, and can range from about 7 to about 20, preferably about 10 to about 16.
  • M is a cation, such as an alkali metal, ammonium, alkanolammonium, alkaline earth metal, or the like.
  • Sodium is typical for use as M to prepare the water-soluble (2,3) alkyl sulfates, but ethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium, potassium, ammonium, and the like, can also be used.
  • the physical/chemical properties of the foregoing types of alkyl sulfate surfactants are unexpectedly different, one from another, in several aspects which are important to formulators of various types of detergent compositions.
  • the primary alkyl sulfates can disadvantageously interact with, and even be precipitated by, metal cations such as magnesium and calcium.
  • metal cations such as magnesium and calcium.
  • water hardness can negatively affect the primary alkyl sulfates to a greater extent than the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates herein.
  • the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates have now been found to be preferred for use in the presence of magnesium or calcium ions and under conditions of high water hardness, or in so-called "under-built” situations which can occur with nonphosphate builders.
  • the random secondary alkyl sulfates i.e., secondary alkyl sulfates with the sulfate group at positions such as the 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. secondary carbon atoms
  • such materials tend to be tacky solids or pastes, and thus do not afford the processing advantages associated with the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates when formulating detergent bars, granules or tablets.
  • sudsing of the random alkyl sulfates is also less than with the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates herein. This is an important consideration for hand dishwashing, where users expect high, persistent suds.
  • the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates be substantially free (i.e., contain less than about 20%, more preferably less than about 10%, most preferably less than about 5%) of such random secondary alkyl sulfates.
  • the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates used herein are quite different in several important properties from the secondary olefin sulfonates (e.g., U.S. Patent 4,064,076, Klisch et al, 12/20/77); accordingly, the secondary sulfonates are not the focus of the present invention.
  • the preparation of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates of the type useful herein can be carried out by the addition of H 2 SO 4 to olefins.
  • a typical synthesis using ⁇ -olefins and sulfuric acid is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,234,258, Morris, or in U.S. Patent 5,075,041, Lutz, granted December 24, 1991.
  • solubility of the "crystalline" secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactants is desired, the formulator may wish to employ mixtures of such surfactants having a mixture of alkyl chain lengths.
  • a mixture of C 12 -C 18 alkyl chains will provide an increase in solubility over a secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate wherein the alkyl chain is, say, entirely C 16 .
  • the solubility of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates can also be enhanced by the addition thereto of other surfactants such as the alkyl ethoxylates or other nonionic surfactants, or by any other material which decreases the crystallinity of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates.
  • Such crystallinity-interrupting materials are typically effective at levels of 20%, or less, of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate.
  • the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactants contain less than about 3% sodium sulfate, preferably less than about 1% sodium sulfate.
  • sodium sulfate is an innocuous material. However, it dissolves and adds to the ionic "load" in aqueous media, and this can contribute to phase separation in the liquid compositions and to gel breaking in the gel compositions.
  • Various means can be used to lower the sodium sulfate content of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates.
  • care can be taken to remove unreacted H 2 SO 4 before the acid form of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate is neutralized.
  • the sodium salt form of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate which contains sodium sulfate can be rinsed with water at a temperature near or below the Krafft temperature of the sodium secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate. This will remove Na 2 SO 4 with only minimal loss of the desired, purified sodium secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate.
  • both procedures can be used, the first as a pre-neutralization step and the second as a post-neutralization step.
  • Krafft temperature is a term of art which is well-known to workers in the field of surfactant sciences.
  • Krafft temperature is described by K. Shinoda in the text “Principles of Solution and Solubility", translation in collaboration with Paul Becher, published by Marcel Dekker, Inc. 1978 at pages 160-161.
  • the solubility of a surface active agent in water increases rather slowly with temperature up to that point, i.e., the Krafft temperature, at which the solubility evidences an extremely rapid rise.
  • the Krafft temperature At a temperature approximately 4°C above the Krafft temperature a solution of almost any composition becomes a homogeneous phase.
  • the Krafft temperature of any given type of surfactant such as the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates herein which comprise an anionic hydrophilic sulfate group and a hydrophobic hydrocarbyl group, will vary with the chain length of the hydrocarbyl group. This is due to the change in water solubility with the variation in the hydrophobic portion of the surfactant molecule.
  • the formulator may optionally wash the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactant which is contaminated with sodium sulfate with water at a temperature that is no higher than the Krafft temperature, and which is preferably lower than the Krafft temperature, for the particular secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate being washed. This allows the sodium sulfate to be dissolved and removed with the wash water, while keeping losses of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate into the wash water to a minimum.
  • the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactant herein comprises a mixture of alkyl chain lengths
  • the Krafft temperature will not be a single point but, rather, will be denoted as a "Krafft boundary”.
  • the Krafft boundary Such matters are well-known to those skilled in the science of surfactant/solution measurements.
  • the washing process can be conducted batchwise by suspending wet or dry secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates in sufficient water to provide 10-50% solids, typically for a mixing time of at least 10 minutes at about 22°C (for a C 16 secondary [2,3] alkyl sulfate), followed by pressure filtration.
  • the slurry will comprise somewhat less than 35% solids, inasmuch as such slurries are free-flowing and amenable to agitation during the washing process.
  • the washing process also reduces the levels of organic contaminants which comprise the random secondary alkyl sulfates noted above.
  • Magnesium Ion Source - The present compositions will contain at least about 0.05% by weight of a water-soluble source of magnesium ions. Suitable and convenient sources include, but are not limited to: Mg(OH) 2 , MgCl 2 , MgSO 4 , and the formate, citrate, malate and maleate salts of magnesium, or mixtures thereof. Usage levels range from 0.05% to 2% of the compositions herein.
  • Enzymes - Detersive enzymes can optionally be included in the detergent formulations herein for a wide variety of fabric laundering purposes, including removal of protein-based, carbohydrate-based, or triglyceride-based stains, for example, and for the prevention of refugee -dye transfer, and for fabric restoration.
  • the enzymes to be incorporated include proteases, amylases, lipases, cellulases, and peroxidases, as well as mixtures thereof. Other types of enzymes may also be included. They may be of any suitable origin, such as vegetable, animal, bacterial, fungal and yeast origin. However, their choice is governed by several factors such as pH-activity and/or stability optima, thermostability, stability versus active detergents, builders and so on. In this respect bacterial or fungal enzymes are preferred, such as bacterial amylases and proteases, and fungal cellulases.
  • Enzymes are normally incorporated at levels sufficient to provide up to about 5 mg by weight, more typically about 0.01 mg to about 3 mg, of active enzyme per gram of the composition. Stated otherwise, the compositions herein will typically comprise from about 0.001% to about 5%, preferably 0.01%-1%, by weight of a commercial enzyme preparation. Protease enzymes are usually present in such commercial preparations at levels sufficient to provide from 0.005 to 0.1 Anson units (AU) of activity per gram of composition.
  • AU Anson units
  • proteases are the subtilisins which are obtained from particular strains of B.subtilis and B.licheniforms. Another suitable protease is obtained from a strain of Bacillus, having maximum activity throughout the pH range of 8-12, developed and sold by Novo Industries A/S under the registered trade name ESPERASE. The preparation of this enzyme and analogous enzymes is described in British Patent Specification No. 1,243,784 of Novo.
  • protealytic enzymes suitable for removing protein-based stains that are commercially available include those sold under the tradenames ALCALASE and SAVINASE by Novo Industries A/S (Denmark) and MAXATASE by International Bio-Synthetics, Inc. (The Netherlands).
  • proteases include Protease A (see European Patent Application 130,756, published January 9, 1985) and Protease B (see European Patent Application Serial No. 87303761.8, filed April 28, 1987, and European Patent Application 130,756, Bott et al, published January 9, 1985).
  • Amylases include, for example, ⁇ -amylases described in British Patent Specification No. 1,296,839 (Novo), RAPIDASE, International Bio-Synthetics, Inc. and TERMAMYL, Novo Industries.
  • the cellulases usable in the present invention include both bacterial or fungal cellulase. Preferably, they will have a pH optimum of between 5 and 9.5. Suitable cellulases are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,435,307, Barbesgoard et al, issued March 6, 1984, which discloses fungal cellulase produced from Humicola insolens and Humicola strain DSM1800 or a cellulase 212-producing fungus belonging to the genus Aeromonas, and cellulase extracted from the hepatopancreas of a marine mollusk (Dolabella Auricula Solander). Suitable cellulases are also disclosed in GB-A-2.075.028; GB-A-2.095.275 and DE-OS-2.247.832.
  • Suitable lipase enzymes for detergent usage include those produced by microorganisms of the Pseudomonas group, such as Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 19.154, as disclosed in British Patent 1,372,034. See also lipases in Japanese Patent Application 53-20487, laid open to public inspection on February 24, 1978. This lipase is available from Amano Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nagoya, Japan, under the trade name Lipase P "Amano,” hereinafter referred to as "Amano-P.” Other commercial lipases include Amano-CES, lipases ex Chromobacter viscosum, e.g. Chromobacter viscosum var.
  • lipolyticum NRRLB 3673 commercially available from Toyo Jozo Co., Tagata, Japan; and further Chromobacter viscosum lipases from U.S. Biochemical Corp., U.S.A. and Disoynth Co., The Netherlands, and lipases ex Pseudomonas gladioli.
  • the LIPOLASE enzyme derived from Humicola lanuginosa and commercially available from Novo is a preferred lipase for use herein.
  • Peroxidase enzymes are used in combination with oxygen sources, e.g., percarbonate, perborate, persulfate, hydrogen peroxide, etc. They are used for "solution bleaching," i.e. to prevent transfer of dyes or pigments removed from substrates during wash operations to other substrates in the wash solution.
  • Peroxidase enzymes are known in the art, and include, for example, horseradish peroxidase, ligninase, and haloperoxidase such as chloro- and bromo-peroxidase.
  • Peroxidase-containing detergent compositions are disclosed, for example, in PCT International Application WO 89/099813, published October 19, 1989, by O. Kirk, assigned to Novo Industries A/S.
  • Enzyme stabilization systems are also described, for example, in U.S. Patents 4,261,868, 3,600,319, and 3,519,570.
  • Enzyme Stabilizers The enzymes optionally employed herein can be stabilized by the presence of water-soluble sources of calcium ions in the finished compositions which provide calcium ions to the enzymes. Additional stability can be provided by the presence of various other art-disclosed stabilizers, especially borate species: see Severson, U.S. 4,537,706, cited above.
  • Typical detergents, especially liquids will comprise from about 1 to about 30, preferably from about 2 to about 20, more preferably from about 5 to about 15, and most preferably from about 8 to about 12, millimoles of calcium ion per liter of finished composition. This can vary somewhat, depending on the amount of enzyme present and its response to the calcium ions.
  • the level of calcium ion should be selected so that there is always some minimum level available for the enzyme, after allowing for complexation with builders, fatty acids, etc., in the composition.
  • Any water-soluble calcium salt can be used as the source of calcium ion, including, but not limited to, calcium chloride, calcium sulfate, calcium malate, calcium hydroxide, calcium formate, and calcium acetate.
  • a small amount of calcium ion generally from about 0.05 to about 0.4 millimoles per liter, is often also present in the composition due to calcium in the enzyme slurry and formula water.
  • the formulation may include a sufficient quantity of a water-soluble calcium ion source to provide such amounts in the laundry liquor. In the alternative, natural water hardness may suffice.
  • compositions herein may optionally comprise from about 0.05% to about 2% by weight of a water-soluble source of calcium ions.
  • compositions herein may also optionally, but preferably, contain various additional stabilizers, especially borate-type stabilizers.
  • additional stabilizers especially borate-type stabilizers.
  • such stabilizers will be used at levels in the compositions from about 0.25% to about 10%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 5%, more preferably from about 0.75% to about 3%, by weight of boric acid or other borate compound capable of forming boric acid in the composition (calculated on the basis of boric acid).
  • Boric acid is preferred, although other compounds such as boric oxide, borax and other alkali metal borates (e.g., sodium ortho-, meta- and pyroborate, and sodium pentaborate) are suitable.
  • Substituted boric acids e.g., phenylboronic acid, butane boronic acid, and p-bromo phenylboronic acid
  • compositions herein can optionally include one or more other detergent adjunct materials or other materials for assisting or enhancing cleaning performance, treatment of the substrate to be cleaned, or to modify the aesthetics of the detergent composition (e.g., perfumes, colorants, dyes, etc.).
  • other adjunct materials e.g., perfumes, colorants, dyes, etc.
  • the following are illustrative examples of such other adjunct materials.
  • Builders - Detergent builders can optionally be included in the compositions herein to assist in controlling mineral hardness. Inorganic as well as organic builders can be used. Builders are typically used in fabric laundering compositions to assist in the removal of particulate soils.
  • the level of builder can vary widely depending upon the end use of the composition and its desired physical form.
  • "light duty" liquids such as those used for dishwashing, typically no builder is present.
  • the compositions will typically comprise at least about 1% builder.
  • Liquid formulations typically comprise from about 5% to about 50%, more typically about 5% to about 30%, by weight, of detergent builder. Lower or higher levels of builder, however, are not meant to be excluded.
  • Gel compositions can tolerate only low levels of water-soluble builders, generally no more than about 5%-10%.
  • Granular and bar compositions can contain from 10% to 60% by weight of builder.
  • insoluble zeolite builders and/or silicate builders can be employed therein.
  • Useful aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are commercially available. These aluminosilicates can be crystalline or amorphous in structure and can be naturally-occurring aluminosilicates or synthetically derived. A method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,985,669, Krummel, et al, issued October 12, 1976.
  • Preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), and Zeolite X.
  • the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula: Na 12 [(AlO 2 ) 12 (SiO 2 ) 12 ] ⁇ xH 2 O wherein x is from about 20 to about 30, especially about 27.
  • This material is known as Zeolite A.
  • the aluminosilicate has a particle size of about 0.1-10 microns in diameter.
  • NaSKS-6 is the trademark for a crystalline layered silicate marketed by Hoechst (commonly abbreviated herein as "SKS-6"). Unlike zeolite builders, the Na SKS-6 silicate builder does not contain aluminum. NaSKS-6 has the delta-Na 2 SiO 5 morphology form of layered silicate. It can be prepared by methods such as those described in German DE-A-3,417,649 and DE-A-3,742,043.
  • SKS-6 is a highly preferred layered silicate for use herein, but other such layered silicates, such as those having the general formula NaMSi x O 2x+1 ⁇ yH 2 O wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4, preferably 2, and y is a number from 0 to 20, preferably 0 can be used herein.
  • Various other layered silicates from Hoechst include NaSKS-5, NaSKS-7 and NaSKS-11, as the alpha, beta and gamma forms. As noted above, the delta-Na 2 SiO 5 (NaSKS-6 form) is most preferred for use herein.
  • Organic detergent builders suitable for the purposes of the present invention include, but are not restricted to, a wide variety of polycarboxylate compounds.
  • polycarboxylate refers to compounds having a plurality of carboxylate groups, preferably at least 3 carboxylates.
  • Polycarboxylate builder can generally be added to the composition in acid form, but can also be added in the form of a neutralized salt. When utilized in salt form, alkali metals, such as sodium, potassium, and lithium, or alkanolammonium salts are preferred.
  • polycarboxylate builders include a variety of categories of useful materials.
  • One important category of polycarboxylate builders encompasses the ether polycarboxylates, including oxydisuccinate, as disclosed in Berg, U.S. Patent 3,128,287, issued April 7, 1964, and Lamberti et al, U.S. Patent 3,635,830, issued January 18, 1972. See also "TMS/TDS" builders of U.S. Patent 4,663,071, issued to Bush et al, on May 5, 1987.
  • Suitable ether polycarboxylates also include cyclic compounds, particularly alicyclic compounds, such as those described in U.S. Patents 3,923,679; 3,835,163; 4,158,635; 4,120,874 and 4,102,903.
  • ether hydroxypolycarboxylates copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene or vinyl methyl ether, 1, 3, 5-trihydroxy benzene-2, 4, 6-trisulphonic acid, and carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid
  • various alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of polyacetic acids such as ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and nitrilotriacetic acid
  • polycarboxylates such as mellitic acid, succinic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, polymaleic acid, benzene 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid, carboxymethyloxysuccinic acid, and soluble salts thereof.
  • Citrate builders e.g., citric acid and soluble salts thereof (particularly sodium salt), are polycarboxylate builders of particular importance for heavy duty liquid laundry detergent formulations due to their availability from renewable resources and their biodegradability. Citrates can also be used in granular compositions, especially in combination with zeolite and/or layered silicate builders. Oxydisuccinates are also especially useful in such compositions and combinations.
  • succinic acid builders include the C 5 -C 20 alkyl and alkenyl succinic acids and salts thereof.
  • a particularly preferred compound of this type is dodecenylsuccinic acid.
  • succinate builders include: laurylsuccinate, myristylsuccinate, palmitylsuccinate, 2-dodecenylsuccinate (preferred), 2-pentadecenylsuccinate, and the like. Laurylsuccinates are the preferred builders of this group, and are described in European Patent Application 86200690.5/0,200,263, published November 5, 1986.
  • Fatty acids e.g., C 12 -C 18 monocarboxylic acids
  • the aforesaid builders especially citrate and/or the succinate builders, to provide additional builder activity.
  • Such use of fatty acids will generally result in a diminution of sudsing, which should be taken into account by the formulator.
  • the various alkali metal phosphates such as the well-known sodium tripolyphosphates, sodium pyrophosphate and sodium orthophosphate can be used.
  • Phosphonate builders such as ethane-1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonate and other known phosphonates (see, for example, U.S. Patents 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,400,148 and 3,422,137) can also be used.
  • bleaching agents may be at levels of from about 1% to about 30%, more typically from about 5% to about 20%, of the detergent composition, especially for fabric laundering. If present, the amount of bleach activators will typically be from about 0.1% to about 60%, more typically from about 0.5% to about 40% of the bleaching composition comprising the bleaching agent-plus-bleach activator.
  • the bleaching agents used herein can be any of the bleaching agents useful for detergent compositions in textile cleaning, hard surface cleaning, or other cleaning purposes that are now known or become known. These include oxygen bleaches as well as other bleaching agents.
  • Perborate bleaches e.g., sodium perborate (e.g., mono- or tetra-hydrate) can be used herein.
  • One category of bleaching agent that can be used without restriction encompasses percarboxylic acid bleaching agents and salts thereof. Suitable examples of this class of agents include magnesium monoperoxyphthalate hexahydrate, the magnesium salt of meta-chloro perbenzoic acid, 4-nonylamino-4-oxoperoxybutyric acid and diperoxydodecanedioic acid.
  • Such bleaching agents are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,483,781, Hartman, issued November 20, 1984, U.S. Patent Application 740,446, Burns et al, filed June 3, 1985, European Patent Application 0,133,354, Banks et al, published February 20, 1985, and U.S. Patent 4,412,934, Chung et al, issued November 1, 1983.
  • Highly preferred bleaching agents also include 6-nonylamino-6-oxoperoxycaproic acid as described in U.S. Patent 4,634,551, issued January 6, 1987 to Burns et al.
  • Peroxygen bleaching agents can also be used. Suitable peroxygen bleaching compounds include sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate and equivalent "percarbonate” bleaches, sodium pyrophosphate peroxyhydrate, urea peroxyhydrate, and sodium peroxide. Persulfate bleach (e.g., OXONE, manufactured commercially by DuPont) can also be used.
  • Mixtures of bleaching agents can also be used.
  • Peroxygen bleaching agents, the perborates, the percarbonates, etc. are preferably combined with bleach activators, which lead to the in situ production in aqueous solution (i.e., during the washing process) of the peroxy acid corresponding to the bleach activator.
  • bleach activators Various nonlimiting examples of activators are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,915,854, issued April 10, 1990 to Mao et al, and U.S. Patent 4,412,934.
  • NOBS nonanoyloxybenzene sulfonate
  • TAED tetraacetyl ethylene diamine
  • Bleaching agents other than oxygen bleaching agents are also known in the art and can be utilized herein.
  • One type of non-oxygen bleaching agent of particular interest includes photo-activated bleaching agents such as the sulfonated zinc and/or aluminum phthalocyanines. See U.S. Patent 4,033,718, issued July 5, 1977 to Holcombe et al. If used, detergent compositions will typically contain from about 0.025% to about 1.25%, by weight, of sulfonated zinc phthalocyanine.
  • Polymeric Soil Release Agent Any polymeric soil release agent known to those skilled in the art can optionally be employed in the laundry compositions and laundry cleaning processes of this invention.
  • Polymeric soil release agents are characterized by having both hydrophilic segments, to hydrophilize the surface of hydrophobic fibers, such as polyester and nylon, and hydrophobic segments, to deposit upon hydrophobic fibers and remain adhered thereto through completion of washing and rinsing cycles and, thus, serve as an anchor for the hydrophilic segments. This can enable stains occurring subsequent to treatment with the soil release agent to be more easily cleaned in later washing procedures.
  • the polymeric soil release agents useful herein especially include those soil release agents having: (a) one or more nonionic hydrophile components consisting essentially of (i) polyoxyethylene segments with a degree of polymerization of at least 2, or (ii) oxypropylene or polyoxypropylene segments with a degree of polymerization of from 2 to 10, wherein said hydrophile segment does not encompass any oxypropylene unit unless it is bonded to adjacent moieties at each end by ether linkages, or (iii) a mixture of oxyalkylene units comprising oxyethylene and from 1 to about 30 oxypropylene units wherein said mixture contains a sufficient amount of oxyethylene units such that the hydrophile component has hydrophilicity great enough to increase the hydrophilicity of conventional polyester synthetic fiber surfaces upon deposit of the soil release agent on such surface, said hydrophile segments preferably comprising at least about 25% oxyethylene units and more preferably, especially for such components having about 20 to 30 oxypropylene units, at least about 50% oxyethylene units; or
  • the polyoxyethylene segments of (a)(i) will have a degree of polymerization of from 2 to about 200, although higher levels can be used, preferably from 3 to about 150, more preferably from 6 to about 100.
  • Suitable oxy C 4 -C 6 alkylene hydrophobe segments include, but are not limited to, end-caps of polymeric soil release agents such as MO 3 S(CH 2 ) n OCH 2 CH 2 O-, where M is sodium and n is an integer from 4-6, as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued January 26, 1988 to Gosselink.
  • Polymeric soil release agents useful in the present invention also include cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate, and the like. Such agents are commercially available and include hydroxyethers of cellulose such as METHOCEL (Dow). Cellulosic soil release agents for use herein also include those selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 4 alkyl and C4 hydroxyalkyl cellulose; see U.S. Patent 4,000,093, issued December 28, 1976 to Nicol, et al.
  • Soil release agents characterized by poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobe segments include graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), e.g., C 1 -C 6 vinyl esters, preferably poly(vinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones, such as polyethylene oxide backbones.
  • poly(vinyl ester) e.g., C 1 -C 6 vinyl esters
  • poly(vinyl acetate) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones such as polyethylene oxide backbones.
  • Commercially available soil release agents of this kind include the SOKALAN type of material, e.g., SOKALAN HP-22, available from BASF (West Germany).
  • One type of preferred soil release agent is a copolymer having random blocks of ethylene terephthalate and polyethylene oxide (PEO) terephthalate.
  • the molecular weight of this polymeric soil release agent is in the range of from about 25,000 to about 55,000. See U.S. Patent 3,959,230 to Hays, issued May 25, 1976 and U.S. Patent 3,893,929 to Basadur issued July 8, 1975.
  • Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a polyester with repeat units of ethylene terephthalate units containing 10-15% by weight of ethylene terephthalate units together with 90-80% by weight of polyoxyethylene terephthalate units, derived from a polyoxyethylene glycol of average molecular weight 300-5,000.
  • this polymer include the commercially available material ZELCON 5126 (from Dupont) and MILEASE T (from ICI). See also U.S. Patent 4,702,857, issued October 27, 1987 to Gosselink.
  • Another preferred polymeric soil release agent is a sulfonated product of a substantially linear ester oligomer comprised of an oligomeric ester backbone of terephthaloyl and oxyalkyleneoxy repeat units and terminal moieties covalently attached to the backbone.
  • Suitable polymeric soil release agents include the terephthalate polyesters of U.S. Patent 4,711,730, issued December 8, 1987 to Gosselink et al, the anionic end-capped oligomeric esters of U.S. Patent 4,721,580, issued January 26, 1988 to Gosselink, and the block polyester oligomeric compounds of U.S. Patent 4,702,857, issued October 27, 1987 to Gosselink.
  • Preferred polymeric soil release agents also include the soil release agents of U.S. Patent 4,877,896, issued October 31, 1989 to Maldonado et al, which discloses anionic, especially sulfo-aroyl, end-capped terephthalate esters.
  • soil release agents will generally comprise from about 0.01% to about 10.0%, by weight, of the detergent compositions herein, typically from about 0.1% to about 5%, preferably from about 0.2% to about 3.0%.
  • the laundry compositions of the present invention can also optionally contain water-soluble ethoxylated amines having clay soil removal and anti-redeposition properties.
  • Granular detergent compositions which contain these compounds typically contain from about 0.01% to about 10.0% by weight of the water-soluble ethoxylated amines; liquid detergent compositions typically contain about 0.01% to about 5%.
  • the most preferred soil release and anti-redeposition agent is ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine. Exemplary ethoxylated amines are further described in U.S. Patent 4,597,898, VanderMeer, issued July 1, 1986.
  • Another group of preferred clay soil removal/antiredeposition agents are the cationic compounds disclosed in European Patent Application 111,965, Oh and Gosselink, published June 27, 1984.
  • Other clay soil removal/antiredeposition agents which can be used include the ethoxylated amine polymers disclosed in European Patent Application 111,984, Gosselink, published June 27, 1984; the zwitterionic polymers disclosed in European Patent Application 112,592, Gosselink, published July 4, 1984; and the amine oxides disclosed in U.S.
  • CMC carboxy methyl cellulose
  • Chelating Agents - Laundry compositions, especially with bleaches, may also contain various chelants, typically at levels of 0.1%-3% by weight. Chelants such as the amino phosphonates (DEQUEST) can be used. A preferred biodegradable chelant is ethylenediamine disuccinate (EDDS); see U.S. Patent 4,704,233, November 3, 1987, to Hartman and Perkins. Other suitable chelating agents are known in the trade and patent literature.
  • Polymeric Dispersing Agents can advantageously be utilized at levels from about 0.1% to about 7%, by weight, in the laundry compositions herein, especially in the presence of zeolite and/or layered silicate builders.
  • Suitable polymeric dispersing agents include polymeric polycarboxylates and polyethylene glycols, although others known in the art can also be used. It is believed, though it is not intended to be limited by theory, that polymeric dispersing agents enhance overall detergent builder performance, when used in combination with other builders (including lower molecular weight polycarboxylates) by crystal growth inhibition, particulate soil release peptization, and anti-redeposition.
  • Polymeric polycarboxylate materials can be prepared by polymerizing or copolymerizing suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably in their acid form.
  • Unsaturated monomeric acids that can be polymerized to form suitable polymeric polycarboxylates include acrylic acid, maleic acid (or maleic anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid, mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid.
  • the presence in the polymeric polycarboxylates herein of monomeric segments, containing no carboxylate radicals such as vinylmethyl ether, styrene, ethylene, etc. is suitable provided that such segments do not constitute more than about 40% by weight.
  • Particularly suitable polymeric polycarboxylates can be derived from acrylic acid.
  • acrylic acid-based polymers which are useful herein are the water-soluble salts of polymerized acrylic acid.
  • the average molecular weight of such polymers in the acid form preferably ranges from about 2,000 to 10,000, more preferably from about 4,000 to 7,000 and most preferably from about 4,000 to 5,000.
  • Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid polymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble polymers of this type are known materials. Use of polyacrylates of this type in detergent compositions has been disclosed, for example, in Diehl, U.S. Patent 3,308,067, issued March 7, 1967.
  • Acrylic/maleic-based copolymers may also be used as a preferred component of the dispersing/anti-redeposition agent.
  • Such materials include the water-soluble salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and maleic acid.
  • the average molecular weight of such copolymers in the acid form preferably ranges from about 2,000 to 100,000, more preferably from about 5,000 to 75,000, most preferably from about 7,000 to 65,000.
  • the ratio of acrylate to maleate segments in such copolymers will generally range from about 30:1 to about 1:1, more preferably from about 10:1 to 2:1.
  • Water-soluble salts of such acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts. Soluble acrylate/maleate copolymers of this type are known materials which are described in European Patent Application No. 66915, published December 15, 1982.
  • PEG polyethylene glycol
  • PEG can exhibit dispersing agent performance as well as act as a clay soil removal/antiredeposition agent.
  • Typical molecular weight ranges for these purposes range from about 500 to about 100,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about 50,000, more preferably from about 1,500 to about 10,000.
  • Polyaspartate and polyglutamate dispersing agents may also be used, especially in conjunction with zeolite builders.
  • Brightener Any optical brighteners or other brightening or whitening agents known in the art can be incorporated at levels typically from about 0.05% to about 1.2%, by weight, into the laundry detergent compositions herein.
  • Commercial optical brighteners which may be useful in the present invention can be classified into subgroups which include, but are not necessarily limited to, derivatives of stilbene, pyrazoline, coumarin, carboxylic acid, methinecyanines, dibenzothiphene-5,5-dioxide, azoles, 5- and 6-membered-ring heterocycles, and other miscellaneous agents. Examples of such brighteners are disclosed in "The Production and Application of Fluorescent Brightening Agents", M. Zahradnik, Published by John Wiley & Sons, New York (1982).
  • optical brighteners which are useful in the present compositions are those identified in U.S. Patent 4,790,856, issued to Wixon on December 13, 1988. These brighteners include the PHORWHITE series of brighteners from Verona. Other brighteners disclosed in this reference include: Tinopal UNPA, Tinopal CBS and Tinopal 5BM; available from Ciba-Geigy; Arctic White CC and Artic White CWD, available from Hilton-Davis, located in Italy; the 2-(4-styryl-phenyl)-2H- naphthol[1,2-d]triazoles; 4,4'-bis- (1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-stil- benes; 4,4'-bis-(styryl)bisphenyls; and the aminocoumarins.
  • these brighteners include 4-methyl-7-diethyl- amino coumarin; 1,2-bis(-benzimidazol-2-yl)ethylene; 1,3-diphenylphrazolines; 2,5-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene; 2-styryl-naphth-[1,2-d]oxazole; and 2-(stilbene-4-yl)-2H-naphtho- [1,2-d]triazole. See also U.S. Patent 3,646,015, issued February 29, 1972 to Hamilton.
  • the surfactant compositions herein can also be used with a variety of other adjunct ingredients which provide still other benefits in various compositions within the scope of this invention.
  • the following illustrates a variety of such adjunct ingredients, but is not intended to be limiting therein.
  • Fabric Softeners Various through-the-wash fabric softeners, especially the impalpable smectite clays of U.S. Patent 4,062,647, Storm and Nirschl, issued December 13, 1977, as well as other softener clays known in the art, can optionally be used typically at levels of from about 0.5% to about 10% by weight in the present compositions to provide fabric softener benefits concurrently with fabric cleaning.
  • Clay softeners can be used in combination with amine and cationic softeners, as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,375,416, Crisp et al, March 1, 1983 and U.S. Patent 4,291,071, Harris et al, issued September 22, 1981.
  • Adjunct Surfactants can optionally contain various anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, etc. surfactants. If used, such adjunct surfactants are typically present at levels of from about 1% to about 35% of the compositions. However, it is to be understood that the incorporation of adjunct anionic surfactants is entirely optional herein, inasmuch as the cleaning performance of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates is excellent and these materials can be used to entirely replace such surfactants as the alkyl benzene sulfonates in fully-formulated detergent compositions. However, some adjunct surfactants, e.g., the betaines, sultaines and amine oxides are especially useful when high sudsing is desired, i.e., especially in hand dishwashing operations.
  • adjunct surfactants e.g., the betaines, sultaines and amine oxides are especially useful when high sudsing is desired, i.e., especially in hand dishwashing operations.
  • Nonlimiting examples of optional surfactants useful herein include the conventional C 11 -C 18 alkyl benzene sulfonates and primary and random alkyl sulfates (having due regard for the enzyme stability issues noted above), the C 10 -C 18 alkyl alkoxy sulfates (especially E0 1-5 ethoxy sulfates), the C 10 -C 18 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates (especially the E0 1-5 ethoxycarboxylates), the C 10 -C 18 alkyl polyglycosides and their corresponding sulfated polyglycosides, C 12 -C 18 alpha-sulfonated fatty acid esters, C 12 -C 18 alkyl and alkyl phenol alkoxylates (especially ethoxylates and mixed ethoxy/propoxy), C 12 -C 18 betaines and sulfobetaines ("sultaines”), C 10 -C 18 amine oxides, and the
  • adjunct nonionic surfactants especially useful herein comprises the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides of the formula: wherein: R 1 is H, C 1 -C 8 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, or a mixture thereof, preferably C 1 -C 4 alkyl, more preferably C 1 or C 2 alkyl, most preferably C 1 alkyl (i.e., methyl); and R 2 is a C 5 -C 32 hydrocarbyl moiety, preferably straight chain C 7 -C 19 alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight chain C 9 -C 17 alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably straight chain C 11 -C 19 alkyl or alkenyl, or mixture thereof; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl moiety having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 2 (in the case of glyceraldehyde) or at least 3 hydroxyls (in the case of other reducing sugars) directly connected to the
  • Z preferably will be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; more preferably Z is a glycityl moiety.
  • Suitable reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose, and xylose, as well as glyceraldehyde.
  • high dextrose corn syrup, high fructose corn syrup, and high maltose corn syrup can be utilized as well as the individual sugars listed above. These corn syrups may yield a mix of sugar components for Z. It should be understood that it is by no means intended to exclude other suitable raw materials.
  • Z preferably will be selected from the group consisting of -CH 2 -(CHOH) n -CH 2 OH, -CH(CH 2 OH)-(CHOH) n-1 -CH 2 OH, -CH 2 -(CHOH) 2 (CHOR')(CHOH)-CH 2 OH, where n is an integer from 1 to 5, inclusive, and R' is H or a cyclic mono- or poly- saccharide, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof. Most preferred are glycityls wherein n is 4, particularly -CH 2 -(CHOH) 4 -CH 2 OH.
  • R 1 can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-isobutyl, N-2-hydroxy ethyl, or N-2-hydroxy propyl.
  • R 1 is preferably methyl or hydroxyalkyl.
  • R 1 is preferably C 2 -C 8 alkyl, especially n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, pentyl, hexyl and 2-ethyl hexyl.
  • R 2- CO-N ⁇ can be, for example, cocamide, stearamide, oleamide, lauramide, myristamide, capricamide, palmitamide, tallowamide, etc.
  • the methods comprise reacting N-alkylamino polyols with, preferably, fatty acid methyl esters in a solvent using an alkoxide catalyst at temperatures of about 85°C to provide high yields (90-98%) of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides having desirable low levels (typically, less than about 1.0%) of sub-optimally degradable cyclized by-products and also with improved color and improved color stability, e.g., Gardner Colors below about 4, preferably between 0 and 2.
  • any unreacted N-alkylamino polyol remaining in the product can be acylated with an acid anhydride, e.g., acetic anhydride, maleic anhydride, or the like, to minimize the overall level of such residual amines in the product.
  • Residual sources of classical fatty acids, which can suppress suds, can be depleted by reaction with, for example, triethanolamine.
  • cyclized by-products herein is meant the undesirable reaction by-products of the primary reaction wherein it appears that the multiple hydroxyl groups in the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can form ring structures which are, in the main, not readily biodegradable. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the chemical arts that the preparation of the polyhydroxy fatty acid amides herein using the di- and higher saccharides such as maltose will result in the formation of polyhydroxy fatty acid amides wherein linear substituent Z (which contains multiple hydroxy substituents) is naturally "capped” by a polyhydroxy ring structure. Such materials are not cyclized by-products, as defined herein.
  • polyhydroxy fatty acid amides can also be sulfated, e.g., by reaction with S0 3 /pyridine, and the resulting sulfated material used as an adjunct anionic surfactant herein.
  • SAS secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates
  • PFAS polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants
  • AE alkyl ethoxylate surfactants
  • AS primary alkyl sulfate surfactants
  • the improved solubility is of substantial benefit under cold water conditions (e.g., at temperatures in the range of 5°C to about 30°C) where the rate of solubility of detergent granules in an aqueous washing liquor can be problematic.
  • the improved solubility achieved herein is also of substantial benefit when preparing the modern compact or dense detergent granules where solubility can be problematic.
  • compositions herein A wide variety of other ingredients useful in detergent compositions can be included in the compositions herein, including other active ingredients, carriers, hydrotropes, processing aids, dyes or pigments, solvents for liquid formulations, etc.
  • suds boosters such as the C 10 -C 16 alkanolamides can be incorporated into the compositions, typically at 1%-10% levels.
  • the C 10 -C 14 monoethanol and diethanol amides illustrate a typical class of such suds boosters.
  • Use of such suds boosters with high sudsing adjunct surfactants such as the amine oxides, betaines and sultaines noted above is also advantageous.
  • suds controlling agents such as secondary C 10 -C 18 alcohols, hydrocarbons, fatty acids and silicones can be used in the compositions at levels of 0.1%-3%, by weight.
  • detersive ingredients employed in the present compositions optionally can be further stabilized by absorbing said ingredients onto a porous hydrophobic substrate, then coating said substrate with a hydrophobic coating.
  • the detersive ingredient is admixed with a surfactant before being absorbed into the porous substrate.
  • the detersive ingredient is released from the substrate into the aqueous washing liquor, where it performs its intended detersive function.
  • a porous hydrophobic silica (trademark SIPERNAT D10, DeGussa) is admixed with a proteolytic enzyme solution containing 3%-5% of C 13-15 ethoxylated alcohol EO(7) nonionic surfactant.
  • the enzyme/surfactant solution is 2.5 X the weight of silica.
  • the resulting powder is dispersed with stirring in silicone oil (various silicone oil viscosities in the range of 500-12,500 can be used).
  • silicone oil various silicone oil viscosities in the range of 500-12,500 can be used.
  • the resulting silicone oil dispersion is emulsified or otherwise added to the final detergent matrix.
  • ingredients such as the aforementioned enzymes, bleaches, bleach activators, bleach catalysts, photoactivators, dyes, fluorescers, fabric conditioners and hydrolyzable surfactants can be "protected” for use in detergents, including liquid laundry detergent compositions.
  • Liquid detergent compositions can contain water and other solvents as carriers.
  • Low molecular weight primary or secondary alcohols exemplified by methanol, ethanol, propanol, and isopropanol are suitable.
  • Monohydric alcohols are preferred for solubilizing surfactant, but polyols such as those containing from 2 to about 6 carbon atoms and from 2 to about 6 hydroxy groups (e.g., 1,3-propanediol, ethylene glycol, glycerine, and 1,2-propanediol) can also be used.
  • the compositions may contain from 5% to 90%, typically 10% to 50% of such carriers.
  • the detergent compositions herein will preferably be formulated such that during use in laundry cleaning operations the wash water will have a pH of between about 6.5 and about 11, preferably between about 7.5 and about 10.5.
  • Liquid dishwashing formulations preferably have a pH between about 6.8 and about 9.0, more preferably between about 6.8 and about 7.5.
  • Techniques for controlling pH at recommended usage levels include the use of buffers, alkalis, acids, etc., and are well known to those skilled in the art.
  • liquid dishwashing detergents of Examples I-II are prepared by dissolving or dispersing the indicated ingredients in an aqueous carrier and adjusting the pH in the range of 6-8.
  • a dishwashing composition with high grease removal properties is as follows.
  • Ingredient % (wt.) C 12 N-methyl glucamide 9.0 C 12 ethoxy (1) sulfate 5.0 C 14 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate (Na) 6.5 C 12 ethoxy (2) carboxylate 4.5 C 12 alcohol ethoxylate (4) 3.0 C 12 amine oxide 3.0 Sodium cumene sulfonate 2.0
  • compositions of the foregoing type exhibit good grease removal on dishware, with high sudsing, but with good mildness to the user's hands.
  • gels are complex phenomenon involving the association of solute molecules in an aqueous medium. While a precise definition of the gel state is difficult, most aqueous gels can be considered as having most of the properties of a solid or semi-solid, while still containing as high as 99% water.
  • Gels of the type used in gel detergents provided herein are typically in the form of gelatinized or gelled compositions which can have viscosities as high as 5,000,000 centipoise, and typically range from about 500,000 to about 4,000,000 centipoise.
  • magnesium cations in the gels of this invention enhances cleaning performance, especially with regard to greasy soils of the type typically encountered in dishwashing operations.
  • ionic ingredients does tend to decrease gel viscosity.
  • common magnesium salts such as magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, magnesium formate, magnesium citrate, and the like can also be used to selectively control final product viscosity.
  • magnesium salts disrupt the desired physical properties and such common magnesium salts are preferably not used above about 0.3% levels.
  • magnesium cations in order to overcome this problem and to allow the formulator to incorporate magnesium cations at levels of about 0.5% and greater, generally up to about 2%, typically 0.5%-1.5%, in the finished gels, it is preferred to add at least some of the magnesium in the form of the magnesium salt of the anionic surfactant. Stated otherwise, all of the magnesium cations can be added as the magnesium form of the surfactant, or part can come from the magnesium surfactant and part from other magnesium salts, as noted above.
  • the magnesium form of the alkyl alkoxy sulfate surfactant can be generated in situ by combining Mg(OH) 2 with the acid form of the surfactant during the mixing step herein. In an alternate mode, the use of other surfactants such as the C 16 dimethyl amine oxides and/or C 12-14 betaine surfactants will assist in the performance of magnesium-containing gels.
  • magnesium ions or, more preferably, a mixture of magnesium and calcium ions, are incorporated into the gel.
  • the gel is prepared using a calcium salt and the magnesium form of an adjunct surfactant such as an alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactant.
  • an adjunct surfactant such as an alkyl ethoxy sulfate surfactant.
  • water-soluble calcium and magnesium salts such as the halides, sulfates, hydroxides, and the like, can be used.
  • a gel is provided without urea.
  • a solution formed by dissolving 0.002 grams of blue dye in 42 grams of water at 62°C 0.25 grams of MgSO 4 , 0.25 grams of CaCl 2 , 0.50 grams of perfume and 35% of 50% coconutalkyl C 12 -C 14 N-methyl glucamide paste are added with agitation. Once all the materials are dissolved, 21 grams of an 80% sodium C 12-14 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate paste is added. The solution is stirred for an additional 30 minutes at 77°C. At about 40°C, 0.5 grams of a commercial detersive protease composition is added and stirring is continued. Once stirring is stopped, the viscous liquid quickly solidifies into a gel after cooling.
  • compositions herein are in the form of stable, homogeneous liquids and gels, other forms such as bars, granules and the like are also provided herein.
  • a laundry bar suitable for hand-washing soiled fabrics is prepared by standard extrusion processes and comprises the following: Ingredient % (wt.) C 16 secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate, Na 30 C 12-14 N-methylglucamide 5 Sodium tripolyphosphate 7 Sodium pyrophosphate 7 Sodium carbonate 25 Zeolite A (0.1-10 ⁇ ) 5 Coconut monoethanolamide 2 Carboxymethylcellulose 0.2 Polyacrylate (m.w. 1400) 0.2 Brightener, perfume 0.2 Protease 0.3 Ca SO 4 1 Mg SO 4 1 Water 4 Filler --- Balance ---
  • particulate detergent compositions comprising the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate surfactants can be prepared using a variety of well-known processes.
  • particles can be formed by agglomeration, wherein solids (including the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates) are forced/hurled together by physical mixing and held together by a binder.
  • Suitable apparatus for agglomeration includes dry powder mixers, fluid beds and turbilizers, available from manufacturers such as Lödige, Eric, Bepex and Aeromatic.
  • particles can be formed by extrusion.
  • solids such as the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates are forced together by pumping a damp powder at relatively high pressures and high energy inputs through small holes in a die plate.
  • This process results in rod like particles which can be divided into any desired particle size.
  • Apparatus includes axial or radial extruders such as those available from Fuji, Bepex and Teledyne/Readco.
  • particles can be formed by prilling.
  • a liquid mixture containing the desired ingredients i.e., one of them being secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate particles
  • the desired ingredients i.e., one of them being secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate particles
  • the liquid droplets cool they become more solid and thus the particles are formed.
  • the solidification can occur due to the phase change of a molten binder to a solid or through hydration of free moisture into crystalline bound moisture by some hydratable material in the original liquid mixture.
  • particles can be formed by compaction. This method is similar to tablet formation processes, wherein solids (i.e., secondary [2,3] alkyl sulfate particles) are forced together by compressing the powder feed into a die/mold on rollers or flat sheets.
  • solids i.e., secondary [2,3] alkyl sulfate particles
  • particles can be formed by melt/solidification.
  • particles are formed by melting the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate with any desired additional ingredient and allowing the melt to cool, e.g., in a mold or as droplets.
  • Binders can optionally be used in the foregoing methods to enhance particle integrity and strength.
  • Water alone, is an operative binder with secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfates, since it will dissolve some of the secondary (2,3) alkyl sulfate to provide a binding function.
  • Other binders include, for example, starches, polyacrylates, carboxymethylcellulose and the like. Binders are well-known in the particle making literature. If used, binders are typically employed at levels of 0.1%-5% by weight of the finished particles.
  • fillers such as hydratable and nonhydratable salts, crystalline and glassy solids, various detersive ingredients such as zeolites and the like, can be incorporated in the particles. If used, such fillers typically comprise up to about 20% by weight of the particles.
  • Particles prepared in the foregoing manner can be subsequently dried or cooled to adjust their strength, physical properties and final moisture content, according to the desires of the formulator.
  • the preferred overall making process for particulate products herein involves three distinct Steps: (1) agglomeration of the ingredients to form the base formula, followed by; (2) admixing various ingredients with the agglomerates formed in Step (1) (e.g., percarbonate bleach, bleach activators, and the like); and optionally, but preferably, (3) spraying materials such as perfume onto the final mix.
  • Step (1) agglomeration of the ingredients to form the base formula, followed by; (2) admixing various ingredients with the agglomerates formed in Step (1) (e.g., percarbonate bleach, bleach activators, and the like); and optionally, but preferably, (3) spraying materials such as perfume onto the final mix.
  • the base formula is agglomerated as opposed to spray dried in order to prevent degradation of some of the heat sensitive surfactants.
  • the resulting product is a high density (ranging from 600 g/liter - 800 g/liter) free flowing detergent mix that can be used in place of current spray dried laundry detergents.
  • Step A Preparation of Surfactant Paste -
  • the objective is to combine the surfactants and liquids in the compositions into a common mix in order to aid in surfactant solubilization and agglomeration.
  • the surfactants and other liquid components in the composition are mixed together in a Sigma Mixer at 140°F (60°C) at about 40 rpm to about 75 rpm for a period of from 15 minutes to about 30 minutes to provide a paste having the general consistency of 20,000-40,000 centipoise.
  • the paste is stored at 140°F (60°C) until agglomeration Step (B) is ready to be conducted.
  • the ingredients used in this Step include surfactants, acrylate/maleic polymer (m.w. 70,000) and polyethylene glycol "PEG" 4000-8000.
  • Step B Agglomeration of Powders with Surfactant Paste -
  • the purpose of this Step is to transform the base formula ingredients into flowable detergent particles having a medium particle size range of from about 300 microns to about 600 microns.
  • the powders including materials such as zeolite, citrate, citric acid builder, layered silicate builder (as SKS-6), sodium carbonate, ethylenediaminedisuccinate, magnesium sulfate and optical brightener
  • the Eirich Mixer R-Series
  • mixed briefly ca. 5 seconds - 10 seconds
  • the surfactant paste from Step A is then charged into the mixer and the mixing is continued at about 1500 rpm to about 3000 rpm for a period from about 1 minute to about 10 minutes, preferably 1-3 minutes, at ambient temperature.
  • the mixing is stopped when coarse agglomerates (average particle size 800-1600 microns) are formed.
  • Step C The purpose of this Step is to reduce the agglomerates' stickiness by removing/drying moisture and to aid in particle size reduction to the target particle size (in the median particle size range from about 300 to about 600 microns, as measured by sieve analysis).
  • the wet agglomerates are charged into a fluidized bed at an air stream temperature of from about 41°C to about 60°C and dried to a final moisture content of the particles from about 4% to about 10%.
  • Step D Coat Agglomerates and Add Free-Flow Aids -
  • the objective in this Step is to achieve the final target particle size range of from about 300 microns to about 600 microns, and to admix materials which coat the agglomerates, reduce the caking/lumping tendency of the particles and help maintain acceptable flowability.
  • the dried agglomerates from Step C are charged into the Eirich Mixer (R-Series) and mixed at a rate of about 1500 rpm to about 3000 rpm while adding 2-6% Zeolite A (median particle size 2-5 ⁇ m) during the mixing.
  • the mixing is continued until the desired median particle size of from about 1200 to about 400 microns is achieved (typically from about 5 seconds to about 45 seconds). At this point, from about 0.1% to about 1.5% by weight of precipitated silica (average particle size 1-3 microns) is added as a flow aid and the mixing is stopped.
  • Example VI The C 12 ethoxy(1)sulfate in Example VI is replaced by an equivalent amount of DAN 216 SAS (Shell).
  • compositions can also optionally contain various adjunct cationic surfactants and mixtures of cationic and nonionic adjunct surfactants.
  • Useful cationics include the C 10 -C 18 alkyl trimethylammonium halides, the C 10 -C 18 alkyl dimethyl (C 1 -C 6 ) hydroxyalkylammonium halides, C 10 -C 18 choline esters, and the like. If used, such cationic surfactants can typically comprise from 1% to 15% by weight of the compositions herein.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
  • Oil, Petroleum & Natural Gas (AREA)
  • Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
  • Organic Chemistry (AREA)
  • Dispersion Chemistry (AREA)
  • Detergent Compositions (AREA)
  • Enzymes And Modification Thereof (AREA)

Claims (8)

  1. Composition détergente, comprenant :
    (a) au moins 1% en poids d'un agent tensioactif alkylsulfate (2, 3) secondaire,
    (b) au moins 0,05% en poids d'ions magnésium,
    (c) en option, une quantité active d'une matière adjuvante détersive ou d'un de ses mélanges,
    (d) en option, au moins 0,05% en poids d'ions calcium, et
    (e) en option, un véhicule fluide.
  2. Composition selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle ladite matière adjuvante détersive (c) est un agent tensioactif détersif qui est un élément sélectionné dans le groupe comprenant les oxydes d'amines, les polyhydroxylamides d'acides gras, les polyhydroxylamides d'acides gras sulfatés, les bétaïnes, les sultaïnes, les alkyléthoxycarboxylates, les alkyléthoxysulfates et leurs mélanges.
  3. Composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 et 2, dans laquelle ladite matière adjuvante détersive (c) est un adjuvant de type polycarboxylate.
  4. Composition selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle l'adjuvant est un adjuvant de type citrate ou oxydisuccinate.
  5. Composition sous forme de liquide ou de gel transparent selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4.
  6. Composition incolore selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5.
  7. Composition sous forme de pains ou de granulés selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4.
  8. Utilisation d'un agent tensioactif alkylsulfate (2, 3) secondaire dans une composition détergente stable contenant au moins 0,05% en poids d'ions magnésium.
EP94913360A 1993-04-08 1994-04-05 Compositions detersives contenant du magnesium se presentant sous forme de liquide stable, de gel ou sous d'autres formes et presentant des tensioactifs a base de sulfates d'alkyle (2,3) secondaires Expired - Lifetime EP0693110B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US4540193A 1993-04-08 1993-04-08
US45401 1993-04-08
PCT/US1994/003699 WO1994024241A1 (fr) 1993-04-08 1994-04-05 Compositions detersives contenant du magnesium se presentant sous forme de liquide stable, de gel ou sous d'autres formes et presentant des tensioactifs a base de sulfates d'alkyle (2,3) secondaires

Publications (2)

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EP0693110A1 EP0693110A1 (fr) 1996-01-24
EP0693110B1 true EP0693110B1 (fr) 1998-02-11

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EP94913360A Expired - Lifetime EP0693110B1 (fr) 1993-04-08 1994-04-05 Compositions detersives contenant du magnesium se presentant sous forme de liquide stable, de gel ou sous d'autres formes et presentant des tensioactifs a base de sulfates d'alkyle (2,3) secondaires

Country Status (5)

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EP (1) EP0693110B1 (fr)
AT (1) ATE163189T1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2160229C (fr)
DE (1) DE69408532D1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1994024241A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE19511637A1 (de) * 1995-03-30 1996-10-02 Henkel Kgaa Kosmetische und/oder pharmazeutische Zubereitungen
DE19534369C2 (de) * 1995-09-15 2000-06-15 Cognis Deutschland Gmbh Wäßrige Handgeschirrspülmittel
CA2247947C (fr) * 1996-03-08 2001-12-18 Fukuji Ebihara Particules de sulfate alkyle secondaire possedant une meilleure solubilite grace a un processus de compactage/revetement
US6017873A (en) * 1996-03-08 2000-01-25 The Procter & Gamble Compnay Processes for making agglomerated high density detergent composition containing secondary alkyl sulfate surfactant

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
ATE3779T1 (de) * 1979-06-27 1983-06-15 Unilever Nv Schwach schaeumende reinig ungsmittelzusammensetzungen.
GB2058823B (en) * 1979-09-17 1983-06-22 Unilever Ltd Dishwashing compositions
US5075041A (en) * 1990-06-28 1991-12-24 Shell Oil Company Process for the preparation of secondary alcohol sulfate-containing surfactant compositions

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP0693110A1 (fr) 1996-01-24
DE69408532D1 (de) 1998-03-19
CA2160229A1 (fr) 1994-10-27
CA2160229C (fr) 1999-01-26
WO1994024241A1 (fr) 1994-10-27
ATE163189T1 (de) 1998-02-15

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