EP0817605A1

EP0817605A1 - Compositions based on apg and at least one additional nonionic sugar cosurfactant

Info

Publication number: EP0817605A1
Application number: EP96910463A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John Frederick Hessel
Original assignee: Henkel Corp
Current assignee: Henkel Corp
Priority date: 1995-03-31
Filing date: 1996-03-29
Publication date: 1998-01-14
Also published as: AR001469A1; AU5365096A; CA2216566A1; BR9607946A; WO1996029977A1; EP0817605A4; MX9707233A

Abstract

The invention relates to alkyl polyglycoside surfactant compositions which comprise one or more nonionic sugar cosurfactants.

Description

COMPOSITIONS BASED ON APG AND AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL NONIONIC SUGAR COSURFACTANT.

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to alkyl polyglycoside compositions which comprise one or more nonionic sugar cosurfactants.

Summary of the Invention The present invention relates to compositions comprising:

(a) an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant having the formula

R.O(R₂0)_b(Z)_a I wherein R is a monovalent organic radical having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; R₂ is divalent alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is a saccharide residue having 5 or 6 carbon atoms; b is a number having a value from 0 to about 12; and a is a number having a value from 1 to about 6;

(b) one or more nonionic sugar cosurfactants; with the proviso that when the nonionic sugar cosurfactant is a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide or an aldobionamide the composition must contain two or more of said sugar cosurfactants; further provided that when the nonionic sugar cosurfactant is a mixture of a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide and an aldobionamide the composition must contain at least one additional sugar cosurfactant; and (c) optionally one or more additional surfactants selected from the group consisting of anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric, nonionic and cationic surfactants; wherein the weight ratio of (a)+(b):(c) is equal to from about 1:10 to about 10:1; and wherein the weight ratio of (b) : (a) is equal to from about 1:3 to 3:1. It is expected that the compositions of the invention will be useful in laundry, personal cleaning products, dishwashing, fire fighting, oil well drilling, ore benefication, solution mining, washing hair, and preparation of foamed solid structures applications. In preferred compositions of the invention the nonionic sugar cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkyl glucose esters, aldobionamides, gluconamides, glyceramides, glyceroglycolipids and polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.

Detailed Description Inclusive of the Preferred

Embodiments Alkyl Polvσlvcoside Surfactants

The alkyl polyglycosides which can be used in the compositions according to the invention have the formula I

R₁0(R₂0)_b(Z)_a I wherein R-. is a monovalent organic radical having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; R₂ is divalent alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is a saccharide residue having 5 or 6 carbon atoms; b is a number having a value from 0 to about 12; a is a number having a value from 1 to about 6. Preferred alkyl polyglycosides which can be used in the compositions according to the invention have the formula I wherein Z is a glucose residue and b is zero. Such alkyl polyglycosides are commercially available, for example, as APG®, GLUCOPON®, or PLANTAREN® surfactants from Henkel Corporation, Ambler, PA., 19002. Examples of such surfactants include but are not limited to:

1. APG® 225 Surfactant - an alkyl polyglycoside in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 10 carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of 1.7.

2. APG® 425 Surfactant - an alkyl polyglycoside in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of 1.6.

3. APG® 625 Surfactant - an alkyl polyglycoside in which the alkyl group contains 12 to 16 carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of 1.6.

4. APG® 325 Surfactant - an alkyl polyglycoside in which the alkyl group contains 9 to 11 carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of 1.6. 5. GLUCOPON® 600 Surfactant - an alkyl polyglycoside in which the alkyl group contains 12 to 16 carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of 1.4.

6. PLANTAREN® 2000 Surfactant - a C₈.₁₆ alkyl polyglycoside in which the alkyl group contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of 1.4.

7. PLANTAREN® 1300 Surfactant - a C₁₂_₁₆ alkyl polyglycoside in which the alkyl group contains 12 to 16 carbon atoms and having an average degree of polymerization of 1.6.

Other examples include alkyl polyglycoside surfactant compositions which are comprised of mixtures of compounds of formula I wherein Z represents a moiety derived from a reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms; a is a number having a value from 1 to about 6; b is zero; and R-. is an alkyl radical having from 8 to 20 carbon atoms. The compositions are characterized in that they have increased surfactant properties and an HLB in the range of about 10 to about 16 and a non-Flory distribution of glycosides, which is comprised of a mixture of an alkyl monoglycoside and a mixture of alkyl polyglycosides having varying degrees of polymerization of 2 and higher in progressively decreasing amounts, in which the amount by weight of polyglycoside having a degree of polymerization of 2, or mixtures thereof with the polyglycoside having a degree of polymerization of 3, predominate in relation to the amount of monoglycoside, said composition having an average degree of polymerization of about 1.8 to about 3. Such compositions, also known as peaked alkyl polyglycosides, can be prepared by separation of the monoglycoside from the original reaction mixture of alkyl monoglycoside and alkyl polyglycosides after removal of the alcohol. This separation may be carried out by molecular distillation and normally results in the removal of about 70-95% by weight of the alkyl monoglycosides. After removal of the alkyl monoglycosides, the relative distribution of the various components, mono- and poly-glycosides, in the resulting product changes and the concentration in the product of the polyglycosides relative to the monoglycoside increases as well as the concentration of individual polyglycosides to the total, i.e. DP2 and DP3 fractions in relation to the sum of all DP fractions. Such compositions are disclosed in U.S. patent 5,266,690, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

NONIONIC SUGAR SURFACTANTS

The term nonionic sugar cosurfactant as used herein refers to surfactants that are based on saccharide moieties. Representative examples of such nonionic sugar cosurfactants include, but are not limited thereto, alkyl glucose ester, aldobionamide, gluconamide, glyceramide, glyceroglycolipid and polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants which are described more fully hereinbelow. The alkyl glucose ester sugar cosurfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. patent Nos. 5,109,127 and 5,190,747 the entire contents of both of which are incorporated herein by reference. These sugar cosurfactants have the general formula:

wherein R represents a fatty acid residue of 6 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 6 to 12 carbon atoms and R¹ represents an alkyl group having 2 to 6 carbon atoms. Representative examples of such alkyl glucose esters are l-ethyl-6- caprylglucoside, l-ethyl-6-laurylglucoside, l-butyl-6- caprylglucoside, l-ethyl-6-palmitylglucoside and l-ethyl-6- oleylglucoside. The aldobionamide sugar cosurfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,310,542 and in published European Patent Application No. 550,281 both of which are incorporated herein by reference. An Aldobionamide is generally defined as the amide of an aldobionic acid or aldobionolactone and an aldobionic acid in turn is defined as a sugar substance (e.g. any cyclic sugar) in which the aldehyde group has been replaced by a carboxylic acid which upon drying is capable of cyclizing to form an aldonolactone. The aldobionamides can be based on compounds comprising two saccharide units, e.g. lactobionamides, maltobionamides, cellobionamides, melibionamides, or gentiobionamides, or they can be based on compounds comprising more than two saccharide units provided that the polysaccharide has a terminal sugar unit with an aldehyde group available.

The preferred aldobionamides of the present invention are lactobionamides of the formula

wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different and are selected from hydrogen and an aliphatic hydrocarbon radical containing up to about 36 carbon atoms (e.g. alkyl groups and alkenyl groups which groups may also include a heteroatom such as N, 0, S, present, for instance, as an amide, carboxy, ether and/or saccharide moiety) except that R¹ and R² cannot simultaneously be hydrogen. The aliphatic hydrocarbon radical preferably contains up to 24 carbon atoms, most preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms. Representative examples of such lactobionamides are N- propyl lactobionamide, N-pentyl lactobionamide, N-decyl lactobionamide, N-hexadecyl lactobionamide, N-oleyl lactobionamide, N-dodecyl-N-methyl lactobionamide, and N- dodecyloxypropyl lactobionamide.

The gluconamide sugar cosurfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,352,386 the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. These cosurfactants have the general formula:

H0CH₂- (CHOH)_m-C(0) -NHR

wherein m is an integer from 2 to 5; and R is a straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having 4 to about 24 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 24 carbon atoms, which R group can also contain a heteroatom selected from the group consisting of oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. Representative examples of such cosurfactants are N-octylerythronamide, N-decylerythronamide, N- dodecylerythronamide, N-tetradecylerythronamide, N- decylxylonamide and N-dodecylxylonamide.

The glyceramide sugar cosurfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,352,387 the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. These cosurfactants have the general formula:

H0CH₂CH(OH)C(0)NHR

wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₄ straight or branched chained, saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon in which the R group may also be substituted by a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen and sulfur. Representative examples of such cosurfactants are N-octylglyceramide, N- decylglyceramide and N-hexadecylglyceramide.

The glyceroglycolipid sugar cosurfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,358,656, and published European Patent Application No. 550,279 the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The glyceroglycolipids can be of the formula:

A¹-0-CH₂-CH (B) -C^NRR_j.

wherein A¹ is a saccharide, preferably having one or more saccharide units, more preferably a mono or disaccharide and most preferably a monosaccharide such as glucose or galactose; R and R-. are the same or different and are hydrogen, a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to about 24, preferably from about 6 to about 18 carbon atoms; B is OH or a NR²R³ group, wherein R² and R³ may be the same or different and are hydrogen, a branched or unbranched hydrocarbon radical having 1 to 24, preferably from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and NRR-_ and B are positionally interchangeable. Representative examples of such cosurfactants are 3-(butylamino) -2-hydroxypropyl-β-D- galactopyranoside, 3-(octylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl-β-D- galactopyranoside, 3- (eicosylamino)-2-hydroxypropyl-β-D- galactopyranoside, 3- (butylamino) -2-hydroxypropyl-β-D- glucopyranoside, and 3- (pentylamino) -2-hydroxypropyl-β-D- mannopyranoside.

Other glyceroglycolipid cosurfactants are disclosed in published European Patent Application No. 550,280 which is incorporated herein by reference. These cosurfactants are of the formula:

wherein A¹ is from 1 to 4 saccharide units and more preferably represents a mono or disaccharide, and most preferably a monosaccharide, for example, glucose or galactose; R and R-. are the same or different and are hydrogen, or a branched or unbranched, saturated or unsaturated, hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 18 carbon atoms. Representative examples of such cosurfactants are 3-(butyloxy)-2- hydroxypropyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, 3-(eicosyloxy)-2- hydroxypropyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, 3- (decyloxy) -2- hydroxypropyl-β-D-galactopyranoside, 3- (butyloxy) -2- hydroxypropyl-β-D-glucopyranoside, 3- (octyloxy) -2- hydroxypropyl-β-D-mannopyranoside, 3-(tetradecyloxy) -2- hydroxypropyl-β-D-lactoside, 3- (octadecyloxy) -2- hydroxypropyl-β-D-maltoside, 3-(octyloxy) -2-hydroxypropyl- β-D-galactotrioside, and 3-(dodecyloxy) -2-hydroxypropyl-β- D-cellotrioside.

The polyhydroxy fatty acid amide sugar cosurfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 5,174,927, 5,223,179 and 5,332,528 the entire disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference. The polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactant component of the present invention comprises compounds of the structural formula:

R²C(0)N(R^x)Z

wherein : R¹ is H, C₁-C₄ hydrocarbyl , 2 -hydroxy ethyl , 2-hydroxy propyl or a mixture thereof, preferably C..-C₄ alkyl, more preferably C-. or C₂ alkyl, most preferably C_x alkyl (i.e., methyl); and R² is a C₅-C₃₁ hydrocarbyl, preferably straight chain C₇-C₁₉ alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight chain C₈-C_ιη alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably straight chain C_n-C₁₇ alkyl or alkenyl, or mixture thereof; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof. Z preferably will be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; more preferably Z is a glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose, galactose, mannose, and xylose. As raw materials, 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 -CH₂-(CHOH)n-CH₂OH, -CH(CH₂OH) -(CHOH)^-CT^OH, -CH₂- (CHOH)₂(CHOR' ) (CHOH) -CH₂OH, where n is an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive, and R' is H or a cyclic or aliphatic monosaccharide, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof. Most preferred are glycityls wherein n is 4, particularly -CH₂-(CHOH)₄-CH₂OH.

In the above Formula R¹ can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxy ethyl, or N-2-hydroxy propyl. R²C(0)N< can be, for example, cocamide, stearamide, oleamide, lauramide, myristamide, capricamide, palmitamide, tallowamide, etc.

Z can be 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxygalactityl, 1-deoxymannityl, 1-deoxymaltotriotityl, etc.

Representative examples of such cosurfactants are N- methyl-N-1-deoxyglucityl cocoamide and N-methyl-N-l- deoxyglucityl tallowamide.

Other suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactants (see U.S. Patent Nos. 5,223,179 and

5,338,491, the entire contents of each which are incorporated herein by reference) are those of the formula:

RC(0)N(R¹) CH₂CH(OH)CH₂0H

wherein R is a C₇-C₂₁ hydrocarbyl species, i.e. coconut, tallow, palm fatty alkyl and oleyl, and R¹ is a C_x to C_β hydrocarbyl or substituted hydrocarbyl species, i.e. N- alkyl-N- (1,2-propanediol) and N-hydroxyalkyl-N-l,2-propane diol fatty acid amides. Representative examples of such cosurfactants are the tallow amide of 3- [2- (hydroxyethyl)amino] -1,2-propanediol (HEAPD) , the palmitate amide of 3-methylamino-1,2-propanediol (MAPD) and the lauramide of MAPD.

ADDITIONAL SURFACTANTS (a) anionic surfactants

Anionic surfactants (suitable ones are generally disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,599,188 the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference) can be selected from the group consisting of sulfates, sulfonates, carboxylates and mixtures thereof. The surfactants are neutralized with a cationic moiety or moieties selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, e.g. sodium or potassium, alkaline earth metal, e.g. calcium or magnesium, ammonium, substituted ammonium, including mono-, di-, or tri-. ethanolammonium cations. Mixtures of cations can be desirable. The anionic surfactants which may be useful in the present invention all have detergent properties and are all water soluble or dispersible in water.

One class of surfactants which may be used in this invention is an alkylbenzene sulfonate. The alkyl group can be either saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight chain and is optionally substituted with a hydroxy group. Middle phenyl positions are generally preferred for volume of foaming in light soil conditions. However, in heavier soil conditions phenyl attachment at the 1- or 2-position is preferred. The preferred alkylbenzene sulfonates contain a straight alkyl chain containing from about 9 to about 25 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 13 carbon atoms, and the cation is sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, or triethanolammonium, calcium or magnesium and mixtures thereof. Magnesium is the preferred cationic moiety. These same cations are preferred for other anionic surfactants and ingredients. The magnesium alkylbenzene sulfonates where the phenyl group is attached near the middle of the alkyl chain are surprisingly better than the ones with the phenyl near the end of the chain when the polysaccharide chain averages greater than about 3 saccharide units. Suitable alkylbenzene sulfonates include C_1X alkylbenzene sulfonates with low 2-phenyl content.

Other surfactants which may be used in this invention are carboxylates, e.g. fatty acid soaps and similar surfactants. The soaps can be saturated or unsaturated and can contain various substituents such as hydroxy groups and alpha-sulfonate groups. Preferably, the hydrophobic portion of the soap is a straight chain saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon. The hydrophobic portion of the soap usually contains from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms.

The cationic moiety (M) for carboxylate surfactants is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, for example, sodium or potassium, alkaline earth metal, for example, calcium or magnesium, ammonium, or substituted ammonium, including mono-, di-, or triethanolammonium cations. Mixtures of cations can be desirable.

Yet other surfactants are the alkyl (paraffin or olefin) sulfonates, preferably with a more central hydrophilic group, containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms. Examples include C₁₄.₁₅ paraffin sulfonates and ^ci₄-i₆ olefin sulfonates.

In addition to the sulfonate and soap surfactants discussed hereinabove, many other surfactants which contain sulfonate or carboxylate groups can be used in the compositions of the invention. These other surfactants may include, for example, the sulfosuccinate surfactants disclosed in U.S. Patent 5,015,414 the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference, and the dialkyl sulfosuccinate surfactants disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,839,098, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

(b) zwitterionic surfactants

One group of surfactants that are of interest because of their superior detergency are the zwitterionic surfactants which contain both a cationic group, either ammonium, phosphoniu , sulfonium or mixtures thereof and a sulfonate or carboxylate group. Preferably there are at least about four atoms separating the cationic and anionic groups. Suitable zwitterionic surfactants are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,159,277; 3,928,251; 3,925,262; 3,929,678; 3,227,749; 3,539,521; 3,383,321; 3,390,094; and 3,239,560, incorporated herein by reference. Such surfactants are especially desirable for shampoos.

(c) amphoteric surfactants

Another group of surfactants are the amphoteric surfactants which have the same general structure as the zwitterionic surfactants but with an amine group instead of the quaternary ammonium group. Suitable amphoteric surfactants are disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, which is incorporated herein by reference.

(d) nonionic surfactants Suitable nonionic detergent surfactants are generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678, Laughlin et al., issued Dec. 30, 1975, at column 13, line 14 through column 16, line 6, incorporated herein by reference. Exemplary, non-limiting classes of useful nonionic surfactants are listed below.

The polyethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols. In general, the polyethylene oxide condensates are preferred. These compounds include the condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 6 to about 12 carbon atoms in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration with the alkylene oxide. In a preferred embodiment, the ethylene oxide is present in an amount equal to from about 5 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include IGEPAL® CO-630, marketed by the GAF Corporation; and TRITON® X-45, X-114, X-100, and X-102, all marketed by the Rohm & Haas Company. This category includes, for example, alkyl phenol alkoxylates such as the alkylphenol ethoxylates.

The condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from about 1 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms. Particularly preferred are the condensation products of alcohols having an alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms with from about 2 to about 18 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include TERGITOL® 15-S-9

(the condensation product of C_u-C₁₅ linear secondary alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide), TERGITOL® 24-L-6 NMW (the condensation product of C₁₂-C₁₄ primary alcohol with 6 moles ethylene oxide with a narrow molecular weight distribution) , both marketed by Union Carbide Corporation; NEODOL® 45-9 (the condensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide), NEODOL® 23-6.5

(the condensation product of C₁₂-C₁₃ linear alcohol with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide) , NEODOL® 45-7 (the condensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide) , NEODOL® 45-4 (the condensation product of C₁₄-C₁₅ linear alcohol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide) , marketed by Shell Chemical Company, and KYRO® EOB (the condensation product of C₁₃-C₁₅ alcohol with 9 moles ethylene oxide) , marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company. These surfactants are commonly referred to as alkyl ethoxylates.

The condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol. The hydrophobic portion of these compounds preferably has a molecular weight of from about 1500 to about 1800 and exhibits water insolubility. The addition of polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content is about 50% of the total weight of the condensation product, which corresponds to condensation with up to about 40 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of compounds of this type include certain of the commercially-available PLURONIC® surfactants, marketed by BASF.

The condensation products of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenedia ine. The hydrophobic moiety of these products consists of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, and generally has a molecular weight of from about 2500 to about 3000. This hydrophobic moiety is condensed with ethylene oxide to the extent that the condensation product contains from about 40% to about 80% by weight of polyoxyethylene and has a molecular weight of from about 5,000 to about 11,000. Examples of this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially available TETRONIC® compounds, marketed by BASF. Semi-polar nonionic surfactants are a special category of nonionic surfactants which include water-soluble amine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing one alkyl moiety of from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms.

Semi-polar nonionic detergent surfactants include the amine oxide surfactants having the formula:

R^OR'WO) (R⁵)₂

wherein R³ is an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or alkyl phenyl group or mixtures thereof containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms; R⁴ is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group containing from about 2 to about 3 carbon atoms or mixtures thereof; x is from 0 to about 3; and each R⁵ is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from about 1 to about 3 carbon atoms or a polyethylene oxide group containing from about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups. The R⁵ groups can be attached to each other, e.g., through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure.

These amine oxide surfactants in particular include C₁₀-C_lβ alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and C₈-C₁₂ alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxides.

(e) cationic surfactants

Cationic surfactants can also be included in the compositions of the present invention. Cationic surfactants include the ammonium surfactants such as alkyldimethyl ammonium halogenides, and those surfactants having the formula: [R²(OR³)_y] [R (OR³)_y]₂R⁵N^θ X^θ

wherein R² is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, each R³ is selected from the group consisting of -CH₂CH₂-, -CH₂CH(CH₃) -, -CH₂CH(CH₂OH)-, -CH₂CH₂CH₂-, and mixtures thereof; each R* is selected from the group consisting of Ci-C₄ alkyl, C..-C₄ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, ring structures formed by joining the two R* groups, -CH₂CHOHCHOHCOR⁶ -CHOHCH₂OH wherein R⁶ is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight less than about 1000, and hydrogen when y is not 0; R⁵ is the same as R⁴ or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms of R² plus R⁵ is not more than about 18; each y is from 0 to about 10 and the sum of the y values is from 0 to about 15; and X is any compatible anion. Cationic surfactants of this type are generally described in U.S. Patent 5,332,528, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.

Other cationic surfactants useful herein are also described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,044, issued Ocober 14, 1980, incorporated herein by reference.

In the compositions of the invention the total surfactant concentration (alkyl polyglycoside + nonionic sugar cosurfactant(s) + additional surfactants) is generally in the range of from about 0.1% to about 80% of the total composition weight, preferably from about 5% to about 40% by weight and most preferably from about 10% co about 25% by weight.

ADDITIONAL INGREDIENTS

The compositions of this invention can utilize other compatible ingredients, including other surfactants, in addition to the mixture of surfactants disclosed hereinabove. In detergent compositions the compositions can contain any of the well known ingredients including minor amounts of other surfactants, detergency builders, soil suspending agents, brighteners, abrasives, dyes, fabric conditioning agents, hair conditioning agents, hydrotropes, solvents, fillers, clays, fragrances (e.g. perfumes) , electrolytes, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, phase regulants, suds promoting agents, etc. Suitable ingredients are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,166,039; 4,157,978; 4,056,481; 4,049,586; 4,035,257; 4,019,998; 4,000,080; and 3,983,078, and in European Patent Application No. 550,280, published July 7, 1993; European Patent Application No. 550,281, published July 7, 1993; and European Patent Application No. 550,279, published July 7, 1993; the entire contents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference. The shampoo compositions of this invention can contain any of the additional ingredients known in the art to be suitable for use in shampoos. Listings of suitable additional ingredients, including low levels of other surfactants can be found in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,089,945; 3,987,161; and 3,962,418, each of which are incorporated herein by reference. Methods

It is contemplated that the compositions of this invention may provide foams which may make them valuable for use not only in soap bars, bubble baths, shaving creams, laundry, dishwashing, and washing hair, where a good volume of stable suds and quick rinsability are desirable, but also in a large number of fields of detergency.

It is contemplated that the compositions of this invention may also be particularly valuable for use in the "foam" or "mist" well drilling processes in which the foam is used to carry water and/or soil particles to the surface of the bore hole. A description of such a drilling method can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,303,896; 3,111,178; 3,130,798; and 3,215,200; incorporated herein by reference. It is also contemplated that the compositions of this invention may be of considerable value in fire fighting or fire prevention processes where a stable foam is used to extinguish a flame or sparks by cutting off the oxygen supply. This includes fire fighting and foaming runaways for crash-landings as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,514,310; 3,186,943; 3,422,011; 3,457,172; 3,479,285; and 3,541,010, incorporated herein by reference.

It is contemplated that the compositions of this invention may also be valuable in the field of preparing gypsum board, plastic, and resin foams. The foams of this invention may provide a stable relatively thick structure permitting solidification of the resins, plastics, cellulosic particles, etc., into stable foam structures having light densities, thick cell walls and good structural integrity. Examples of forming processes which utilize foaming agents are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,669,898; 4,907,982; and 4,423,720, incorporated herein by reference.

It is also contemplated that the flotation of minerals so as to concentrate the mineral values, e.g., in the foam (beneficiation) , can be carried out advantageously using the compositions of this invention. Such processes are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,147,644; 4,139,482; 4,139,481; 4,138,350; 4,090,972; and 3,640,862, incorporated herein by reference.

It is further contemplated that a special advantage of the composition of this invention may involve making use of their expected exceptional stability to provide temporary insulation for plants when freezing conditions are expected. Such a process is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,669,898, incorporated herein by reference. It is further contemplated that the compositions of the invention, which are described more fully hereinbelow in the examples, will unexpectedly result in surfactant systems that exhibit better foaming characteristics, better solubility in cleaning compositions and better detergency in cleaning compositions.

The range of utilities which are possible with the compositions of this invention include all of the above and many more .

The following examples will further illustrate the compositions of the present invention without, however, limiting it thereto.

WORKING EXAMPLES

Following standard procedures which are well known to the skilled formulator, it is contemplated that the following compositions of the invention can be prepared.

Table l^a

CD C .

O

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A typical shampoo composition according to the present invention comprises (percentages by weight) :

(1) nonionic sugar cosurfactant(s) 1-15%

(2) alkyl polyglycoside 1-15% (3) anionic surfactant 0-10%

(4) amphoteric surfactant 0-10%

(5) lauramide MEA 0-5%

(6) thickener 0-5%

(7) fragrance 0-2% (8) perservative 0-1%

(9) remainder water

A typical shaving cream composition according to the present invention comprises (percentages by weight) : (1) steric acid 20-40%

(2) coconut oil 6-10%

(3) nonionic sugar cosurfactant(s) 1-45%

(4) alkyl polyglycoside 1-45%

(5) glycerol 5-15% (6) potassium hydroxide 2-6%

(7) sodium hydroxide 1-3%

(8) mineral oil 1-5%

(9) remainder water

A typical soap bar composition according to the present invention comprises (percentages by weight) :

(1) C₈-C₂₄ fatty acid 5-60%

(2) nonionic sugar cosurfactant (s) 1-45%

(3) alkyl polyglycoside 1-45% (4) alkyl or aryl sulphate or sulphonate 0-5% (5) moisturizer (e.g. sorbitol or glycerin) 0.1-10% A typical liquid detergent composition according to the present invention comprises (percentages by weight) :

(1) nonionic sugar cosurfactant(s) 1-70%

(2) alkyl polyglycoside 1-70% (3) builder 0-50%

(4) electrolyte 0-40%

(5) enzyme 0.01-5%

(6) enzyme stabilizer 0.1-15%

(7) phase regulant 0-20% (8) remainder water

A typical light duty liquid detergent composition according to the present invention comprises (percentages by weight) :

(1) anionic surfactant 0.01-65% (2) nonionic sugar cosurfactant(s) 0.1-50%

(3) alkyl polyglycoside 0.1-50%

(4) suds promoting agent 0-8%

(5) hydrotrope 0-10%

(6) remainder water

A typical powdered detergent composition according to the present invention comprises (percentages by weight) :

(1) nonionic sugar cosurfactant(s) 1-40%

(2) alkyl polyglycoside 1-40% (3) builder 0-60%

(4) alkaline buffering agent 0-70%

(5) Na₂S0₄ 0-25%

(6) remainder optional ingredients (e.g. fragrance)

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A composition comprising:

(a) an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant having the formula

R₁O(R₂O)_b(Z)_a I

wherein R₁ is a monovalent organic radical having from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; R₂ is divalent alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is a saccharide residue having 5 or 6 carbon atoms; b is a number having a value from 0 to about 12; and a is a number having a value from 1 to about 6;

(b) one or more nonionic sugar cosurfactants; with the proviso that when the nonionic sugar cosurfactant is a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide or an aldobionamide the composition must contain two or more of said sugar cosurfactants; further provided that when the nonionic sugar cosurfactant is a mixture of a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide and an aldobionamide the composition must contain at least one additional sugar cosurfactant; and

(c) optionally one or more additional surfactants selected from the group consisting of anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric, nonionic and cationic surfactants; wherein the weight ratio of (a)+(b):(c) is equal to from about 1:10 to about 10:1; and wherein the weight ratio of (b): (a) is equal to from about 1:3 to 3:1.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said nonionic sugar cosurfactants are selected from the group consisting of alkyl glucose esters, aldobionamides, gluconamides, glyceramides, glyceroglycolipids and polyhydroxy fatty acid amides.

3. A composition according to claim 2 which comprises an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant and an alkyl glucose ester cosurfactant.

4. A composition according to claim 3 which further comprises an aldobionamide cosurfactant.

5. A composition according to claim 3 which further comprises a gluconamide cosurfactant.

6. A composition according to claim 3 which further comprises a glyceramide cosurfactant.

7. A composition according to claim 3 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

8. A composition according to claim 3 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

9. A composition according to claim 4 which further comprises a gluconamide cosurfactant.

10. A composition according to claim 4 which further comprises a glyceramide cosurfactant.

11. A composition according to claim 4 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

12. A composition according to claim 4 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

13. A composition according to claim 9 which further comprises a glyceramide cosurfactant.

14. A composition according to claim 9 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

15. A composition according to claim 9 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

16. A composition according to claim 13 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

17. A composition according to claim 13 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

18. A composition according to claim 16 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

19. A composition according to claim 5 which further comprises a glyceramide cosurfactant.

20. A composition according to claim 5 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

21. A composition according to claim 5 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

22. A composition according to claim 6 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

23. A composition according to claim 6 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

24. A composition according to claim 7 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

25. A composition according to claim 2 which comprises an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, an aldobionamide cosurfactant and a gluconamide cosurfactant.

26. A composition according to claim 2 which comprises an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, an aldobionamide cosurfactant and a glyceramide cosurfactant.

27. A composition according to claim 2 which comprises an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, an aldobionamide cosurfactant and a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

28. A composition according to claim 25 which further comprises a glyceramide cosurfactant.

29. A composition according to claim 25 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

30. A composition according to claim 25 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

31. A composition according to claim 26 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

32. A composition according to claim 26 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

33. A composition according to claim 27 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

34. A composition according to claim 31 which further comprises a gluconamide cosurfactant.

35. A composition according to claim 32 which further comprises a gluconamide cosurfactant.

36. A composition according to claim 34 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

37. A composition according to claim 2 which comprises an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant and a gluconamide cosurfactant.

38. A composition according to claim 37 which further comprises a glyceramide cosurfactant.

39. A composition according to claim 37 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

40. A composition according to claim 37 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

41. A composition according to claim 38 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

42. A composition according to claim 38 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

43. A composition according to claim 39 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

44. A composition according to claim 43 which further comprises a glyceramide cosurfactant.

45. A composition according to claim 44 which further comprises an alkyl glucose ester cosurfactant.

46. A composition according to claim 2 which comprises an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant and a glyceramide cosurfactant.

47. A composition according to claim 46 which further comprises a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

48. A composition according to claim 46 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

49. A composition according to claim 47 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

50. A composition according to claim 49 which further comprises an alkyl glucose ester cosurfactant.

51. A composition according to claim 49 which further comprises an aldobionamide cosurfactant.

52. A composition according to claim 2 which comprises an alkyl polyglycoside surfactant and a glyceroglycolipid cosurfactant.

53. A composition according to claim 52 which further comprises a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide cosurfactant.

54. A composition according to claim 1 which is a shampoo.

55. A composition according to claim 1 which is a shaving cream.

56. A composition according to claim 1 which is a soap bar.

57. A composition according to claim 1 which is a liquid detergent.

58. A composition according to claim 1 which is a light duty liquid detergent.

59. A composition according to claim 1 which is a powdered detergent.