EP1274823A2

EP1274823A2 - Light duty liquid composition containing an acid

Info

Publication number: EP1274823A2
Application number: EP01928485A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Evangelia Arvanitidou; Sukhvinder Sandhu
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 2000-04-17
Filing date: 2001-04-12
Publication date: 2003-01-15
Also published as: WO2001079404A2; WO2001079404A3; AU2001255335A1

Abstract

A light duty, liquid includes a paraffin sulfonate, an alpha olefin sulfonate, a sultaine surfactant, a magnesium containing inorganic compound, and water.

Description

LIGHT DUTY LIQUID COMPOSITION CONTAINING AN ACID Background of the Invention

The present invention relates to novel light duty liquid detergent compositions with high foaming and good grease cutting properties as well as disinfecting properties. The prior art is replete with light duty liquid detergent compositions containing nonionic surfactants in combination with anionic and/or betaine surfactants wherein the nonionic detergent is not the major active surfactant. In U.S. Patent No. 3,658,985 an anionic based shampoo contains a minor amount of a fatty acid alkanoiamide. U.S. Patent No. 3,769,398 discloses a betaine-based shampoo containing minor amounts of nonionic surfactants. This patent states that the low foaming properties of nonionic detergents renders its use in shampoo compositions non-preferred. U.S. Patent No. 4,329,335 also discloses a shampoo containing a betaine surfactant as the major ingredient and minor amounts of a nonionic surfactant and of a fatty acid mono- or di- ethanolamide. U.S. Patent No. 4,259,204 discloses a shampoo comprising 0.8 to 20% by weight of an anionic phosphoric acid ester and one additional surfactant which may be either anionic, amphoteric, or nonionic. U.S. Patent No. 4,329,334 discloses an anionic-amphoteric based shampoo containing a major amount of anionic surfactant and lesser amounts of a betaine and nonionic surfactants. U.S. Patent No. 3,935,129 discloses a liquid cleaning composition containing an alkali metal silicate, urea, glycerin, triethanolamine, an anionic detergent and a nonionic detergent. The silicate content determines the amount of anionic and/or nonionic detergent in the liquid cleaning composition. However, the foaming properties of these detergent compositions are not discussed therein. U.S. Patent No. 4,129,515 discloses a heavy duty liquid detergent for laundering fabrics comprising a mixture of substantially equal amounts of anionic and nonionic surfactants, alkanolamines and magnesium salts, and, optionally, zwitterionic surfactants as suds modifiers. U.S. Patent No. 4,224,195 discloses an aqueous detergent composition for laundering socks or stockings comprising a specific group of nonionic detergents, namely, an ethylene oxide of a secondary alcohol, a specific group of anionic detergents, namely, a sulfuric ester salt of an ethylene oxide adduct of a secondary alcohol, and an amphoteric surfactant which may be a betaine, wherein either the anionic or nonionic surfactant may be the major ingredient.

The prior art also discloses detergent compositions containing all nonionic surfactants as shown in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,154,706 and 4,329,336 wherein the shampoo compositions contain a plurality of particular nonionic surfactants in order to affect desirable foaming and detersive properties despite the fact that nonionic surfactants are usually deficient in such properties.

U.S. Patent No. 4,013,787 discloses a piperazine based polymer in conditioning and shampoo compositions which may contain all nonionic surfactant or all anionic surfactant. U.S. Patent No. 4,450,091 discloses high viscosity shampoo compositions containing a blend of an amphoteric betaine surfactant, a polyoxybutylenepolyoxyethylene nonionic detergent, an anionic surfactant, a fatty acid alkanolamide and a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty ester. But, none of the exemplified compositions contain an active ingredient mixture wherein the nonionic detergent is present in major proportion which is probably due to the low foaming properties of the polyoxybutylene polyoxyethylene nonionic detergent.

U.S. Patent No. 4,595,526 describes a composition comprising a nonionic surfactant, a betaine surfactant, an anionic surfactant and a C-12-C14 fatty acid monoethanolamide foam stabilizer. Summary of the Invention

It has now been found that a high foaming liquid disinfecting composition which has good grease cutting properties can be formulated with a paraffin sulfonate, an alpha olefin sulfonate, a sultaine surfactant, an inorganic magnesium compound, a hydroxy aliphatic acid and water, wherein the composition has a pH of 3 to 6.

It has also been found that a high foaming liquid detergent properties can be formulated with a paraffin sulfonate, a potively charged polymer at low concentrations such as a poly (oxyethylene) diamine, an alpha olefin sulfonate, a sultaine surfactant, a C5-C7 alkylene glycol, magnesium ions, a C-1-C4 alkanol, and water.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein the novel, high foaming, light duty liquid detergent of this invention comprises a C4-C7 alkylene glycol, an alpha olefin sulfonate, a poly (oxyethylene) diamine, a sultaine surfactant, magnesium ions, a C1-C4 alkanol, and water wherein the composition does not contain an alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant, an ethoxylated alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, an alkyl sulfate, a glycol ether solvent, an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated nonionic surfactant, an amine oxide surfactant, a mono- or di-saccharides, a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a builder, a polymeric thickener, a clay, a fatty acid alkanolamide, abrasive, silicas, tricloscan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant or cyclic imidinium surfactant wherein the composition has good grease cutting ability and disinfecting properties.

It has also been found that a high foaming liquid detergent properties can be formulated with a paraffin sulfonate, an alpha olefin sulfonate, optionally, a vinylidene olefin sulfonate, a sultaine surfactant, magnesium ions, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene oxide or wheat protein and optionally a proton donating agent and water. To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein the novel, high foaming, light duty liquid detergent of this invention comprises an alpha olefin sulfonate, optionally, a vinylidene olefin sulfonate, a sultaine surfactant, magnesium ions, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene oxide or wheat protein and optionally a proton donating agent and water, wherein the composition does not contain a glycol ether solvent, a mono- or di-saccharides a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a builder, a polymeric thickener, a clay, a fatty acid alkanolamide, abrasive, silicas, tricloscan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant or cyclic imidinium surfactant.

It has also been found that a high foaming liquid detergent properties can be formulated with an alkyl polyglucoside, an alkali metal salt of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, a magnesium salt of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, an alkali metal salt of an ethoxylated alkyl ether sulfate, a cationic polymer at low concentrations poly (oxyethylene) diamine, an amine oxide surfactant or a C-i2-C-|4 fatty acid alkanol amide, optionally a C1-C3 alkanol, optionally, an alkali metal chloride and water. To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein the novel, high foaming, light duty liquid detergent of this invention comprises an alkyl polyglucoside, an alkali metal salt of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, a magnesium salt of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, an alkali metal salt of an ethoxylated alkyl ether sulfate, a poly (oxyethylene) diamine, an amine oxide surfactant or a C-12-C14 fatty acid alkanol amide, optionally a C1-C4 alkanol, optionally, an alkali metal chloride and water, wherein the composition does not contain a glycol ether solvent, an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated nonionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, a mono- or di-saccharides, a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a builder, a polymeric thickener, a clay, abrasive, silicas, tricloscan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant or cyclic imidinium surfactant.

It has also been found that a high foaming liquid detergent properties can be formulated with a paraffin sulfonate, an alpha olefin sulfonate, vinylidene olefin sulfonate, an amine oxide, magnesium ions and water. To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein the novel, high foaming, light duty liquid detergent of this invention comprises an alpha olefin sulfonate, a vinylidene olefin sulfonate, an amine oxide, magnesium ions and water wherein the composition does not contain a glycol ether solvent, an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated nonionic surfactant, a mono- or di-saccharides a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a builder, a polymeric thickener, a clay, a fatty acid alkanolamide, abrasive, silicas, tricloscan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant or cyclic imidinium surfactant.

Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide novel, high foaming, light duty liquid detergent compositions containing a hydroxy aliphatic acid.

To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein the novel, high foaming, light duty liquid detergent of this invention comprises an alpha olefin sulfonate, a sultaine surfactant, an inorganic magnesium compound, a paraffin sulfonate, a hydroxy aliphatic acid and water wherein the composition does not contain a sulfate surfactant, a glycol ether solvent, an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated nonionic surfactant, a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a builder, a polymeric thickener, a clay, a fatty acid alkanol amide, abrasive, silicas, tricloscan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant, triethanol amine cyclic imidinium surfactant, or more than 0.2 wt. % of a perfume or water insoluble hydrocarbon and the composition does not contain an amine oxide, or an alkyl succinamate, an N-alkyl aldonamide alkylene carbonate, a pyrrolidone compound, a C4-C12 alcohol ester of sulfosuccinic acid. Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention relates to a light duty liquid detergent which comprises by weight:

(a) 3% to 18% of a paraffin sulfonate surfactant;

(b) 10% to 30% of an alpha olefin sulfonate surfactant; (c) 0.1 % to 4%, more preferably 0.5% to 3% of a magnesium inorganic compound;

(d) 5% to 15% of a sultaine surfactant; (e) 0.05% to 2% of a hydroxy containing organic acid, sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid; and

(f) the balance being water wherein the composition does not contain a glycol ether solvent, an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated nonionic surfactant, an ethoxylated alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a builder, alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, a polymeric thickener, a clay, a fatty acid alkanol amide, abrasive, silicas, triclosan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant, cyclic imidinium surfactant, or more than 0.2 wt. % of a perfume or water insoluble hydrocarbon and the composition does not contain an amine oxide having an alkyl group having 8 to 11 carbon atoms or 13 to 24 carbon atoms, an alkyl succinamate, an N-alkyl aldonamide or an alkylene carbonate.

The present invention also relates to a light duty liquid detergent which comprises by weight:

(a) 4% to 16% of a paraffin sulfonate surfactant; (b) 10% to 24% of an alpha olefin sulfonate surfactant;

(c) 2% to 12% of a sultaine surfactant;

(d) 0.25% to 3% of magnesium containing inorganic compound;

(e) 0.05% to 2% of a positively charged polymer such as a poly (oxyethylene) diamine; (f) 0 to 1 %, more preferably 0.1 % to 8% of a C4-C7 alkylene glycol, preferably hexylene glycol;

(g) 0 to 9%, more preferably 0.5% to 7% of a C1-C4 alkanol such as ethanol; and

(h) the balance being water wherein the composition does not contain a glycol ether solvent, an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated nonionic surfactant, an amine oxide surfactant, an alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant, an ethoxylated alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a mono- or di-saccharides, a builder, a polymeric thickener, a clay, a fatty acid alkanol amide, abrasive, silicas, triclosan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant, cyclic imidinium surfactant.

The present invention relates to a light duty liquid detergent which comprises by weight: (a) 4% to 16% of a paraffin sulfonate surfactant;

(b) 10% to 24% of an alpha olefin sulfonate surfactant;

(c) 3% to 12% of a sultaine surfactant;

(d) 0.25% to 3% of magnesium containing inorganic compound;

(e) 0.1 % to 6%, more preferably 0.25% to 5% of a chemical linker compound selected from the group consisting of polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of

500 to 200,000, a polypropylene oxide having a molecular weight of 500 to 5,000 and a wheat protein.

(f) 0 to 4%, more preferably 0.1 % to 3% of a proton donating agent selected from the group consisting of hydroxy containing organic acids such as lactic acid, citric, glycolic agent or ortho hydroxy benzoic acid and inorganic acids such as sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid and mixtures thereof;

(g) the balance being water wherein the composition does not contain a glycol ether solvent, a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a mono- or di-saccharides, a builder, a polymeric thickener, a clay, a fatty acid alkanolamide, abrasive, silicas, triclosan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant or cyclic imidinium surfactant.

(a) 0.5% to 10% of an alkali metal salt of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant;

(b) 3% to 15% of a magnesium salt of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate;

(c) 6% to 26% of an ethoxylated alkyl ether sulfate surfactant;

(d) 6% to 18% of an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant; (e) 0.05% to 2%, more preferably 0.1 % to 1.5% of a positively charged polymer such as a poly (oxyethylene) diamine;

(f) 0.25% to 10%, more preferably 0.5% to 9% of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of amine oxides and C12-C14 fatty acid monoalkanol amides and mixtures thereof;

(g) 0 to 5%, more preferably 0.1 % to 4% of a C1-C4 alkanol;

(h) 0 to 2%, more preferably 0.1 % to 1 % of an alkali metal chloride such as sodium chloride; and

(i) the balance being water wherein the composition does not contain a glycol ether solvent, an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated nonionic surfactant, a zwitterionic surfactant, a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a mono- or di-saccharides, a builder, a polymeric thickener, a clay, abrasive, silicas, triclosan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant or cyclic imidinium surfactant.

(a) 6% to 20% of a paraffin sulfonate surfactant;

(b) 9% to 24% of an alpha olefin sulfonate surfactant;

(c) 3% to 12% of an amine oxide surfactant;

(d) 1 % to 16% of a vinylidene olefin sulfonate; (e) 0.1 % to 3% of magnesium containing inorganic compound; and

(f) the balance being water wherein the composition does not contain a glycol ether solvent, an ethoxylated and/or propoxylated nonionic surfactant, a polyoxyalkylene glycol fatty acid, a mono- or di-saccharides, a builder, a polymeric thickener, a clay, a fatty acid alkanol amide, abrasive, silicas, triclosan, alkaline earth metal carbonates, alkyl glycine surfactant or cyclic imidinium surfactant. The present invention also relates to a composition comprising:

(a) 35% to 75% of an alpha olefin sulfonate;

(b) 1.5% to 50% of a vinylidene olefin sulfonate; and (c) the balance being water, wherein the composition has a viscosity at 40°C at a shear rate 10s^-1 of 15,000 to 85,000 cps.

The C12-C20 paraffin sulfonates may be monosulfonates or di-sulfonates and usually are mixtures thereof, obtained by sulfonating paraffins of 10 to 20 carbon atoms. Preferred paraffin sulfonates are those of C12-I8 carbon atoms chains, and more preferably they are of C14- 7 chains. Paraffin sulfonates that have the sulfonate group(s) distributed along the paraffin chain are described in U.S. Patents 2,503,280; 2,507,088; 3,260,744 and 3,372,188 and also in German Patent 735,096. Such compounds may be made to specifications and desirably the content of paraffin sulfonates outside the C14-17 range will be minor and will be minimized, as will be any contents of di- or poly-sulfonates.

The present invention also contains 10 wt. % to 30 wt. %, more preferably 12 wt.

% to 26 wt. % of an alpha olefin sulfonates, including long-chain alkene sulfonates, long-chain hydroxyalkane sulfonates or mixtures of alkene sulfonates and hydroxyalkane sulfonates. These alpha olefin sulfonate surfactants may be prepared in a known manner by the reaction of sulfur trioxide (SO3) with long-chain olefins containing 8 to 25, preferably 12 to 21 carbon atoms and having the formula where R is a higher alkyl group of 6 to 23 carbons and R-j is an alkyl group of 1 to 17 carbons or hydrogen to form a mixture of sultones and alkene sulfonic acids which is then treated to convert the sultones to sulfonates. Preferred alpha olefin sulfonates contain from 14 to 16 carbon atoms in the R alkyl group and are obtained by sulfonating an a-olefin.

The composition also contains 5 to 15 wt. %, more preferably 7 to 13 wt. % of a sultaine which is preferably a cocoamido-propyl dimethyl hydroxy sultaine. The sultaine can be depicted by the formula: O R2

II I

R1 C - NH - (CH2)n - N⁺ - CH2 - CH CH2SO3 - M⁺

I I R3 OH wherein R1 is a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having 6 to 24 carbon atoms, R2 is a methyl or ethyl group, R3 is a methyl or ethyl group, n is 1 to 6, and M⁺ is an alkali metal cation. The most preferred hydroxysultaine is a potassium (sodium) salt of cocoamidopropyl dimethyl hydroxysultaine. In place of the sultaine surfactant one can use a zwitterionic surfactant having the general formula:

R2

I ⁺

R1 N R4- X I 3 wherein X^" is selected from the group consisting of COO^" and SO^" and R1 is an alkyl group having 10 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 16 carbon atoms, or the amido radical: O H

II I

R - C - N - (CH2)a- wherein R is an alkyl group having 9 to 19 carbon atoms and a is the integer 1 to 4: R2 and R3 are each alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbons and preferably 1 carbon; R4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms and, optionally, one hydroxyl group. Typical alkyldimethyl betaines include decyl dimethyl betaine or 2-(N- decyl-N, N-dimethyl-ammonia) acetate, coco dimethyl betaine or 2-(N-coco N, N- dimethylammonia) acetate, myristyl dimethyl betaine, palmityl dimethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl betaine, etc. The amidobetaines similarly include cocoamidoethylbetaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine and the like. ( A preferred betaine is coco (C8-C18) amidopropyl dimethyl betaine. Three preferred betaine surfactants are Genagen CAB and Rewoteric AMB 13 and Golmschmidt Betaine L7 (The most preferred betaine is alkyl dimethyl betaine or Genagen LAB. Other betaines of choice could be amidopropyl dimethyl or coco (C8- C18) betaine. These betaines are marketed under the names Rewoteric AMB 13, Rewoteric AMB 14U, Golmschmidt Betaine L7 and Genagen CAB) . The poly (oxyethylene) diamine is depicted by the formula:

H2NG—CH2 (OCHCH₂)_a-N OCH2CH2 (OCH₂CH)_e — NH₂

CH3 CH₃ CH3 wherein b is a number from 36 to 44 and a + c equals a number from 3 to 7. An especially preferred poly (oxyethylene) diamine is XTJ-502 sold by Huntsman

Corporation, wherein b = 39.5 and a + e = 5.0 in the above formula. The poly

(oxyethylene) diamine is used at a concentration of 0.05 to 2 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 1.5 wt. % in the instant compositions. Other amines sold by Huntsman could be XJT

500, 501 , 511. The composition can also contain the alkali metal salt of a vinylidene sulfonate surfactant (for viscosity reduction of a high active alpha olefin sulfonate surfactant) which is used at a concentration of 0 wt. % to 10 wt. %, more preferably 0.25 wt. % to 9 wt. % is depicted by the structure:

The instant compositions can contain an alkyl polysaccharide surfactant. The alkyl polysaccharides surfactants, which are used in conjunction with the aforementioned surfactant have a hydrophobic group containing from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms, most preferably from 12 to 14 carbon atoms, and polysaccharide hydrophilic group containing from 1.5 to 10, preferably from 1.5 to 4, most preferably from 1.6 to 2.7 saccharide units (e.g., galactoside, glucoside, fructoside, glucosyl, fructosyl; and/or galactosyl units). Mixtures of saccharide moieties may be used in the alkyl polysaccharide surfactants. The number x indicates the number of saccharide units in a particular alkyl polysaccharide surfactant. For a particular alkyl polysaccharide molecule x can only assume integral values. In any physical sample of alkyl polysaccharide surfactants there will be in general molecules having different x values. The physical sample can be characterized by the average value of x and this average value can assume non-integral values. In this specification the values of x are to be understood to be average values. The hydrophobic group (R) can be attached at the 2-, 3-, or 4- positions rather than at the 1 -position, (thus giving e.g. a glucosyl or galactosyl as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside). However, attachment through the 1- position, i.e., glucosides, galactoside, fructosides, etc., is preferred. In the preferred product the additional saccharide units are predominately attached to the previous saccharide unit's 2-position. Attachment through the 3-, 4-, and 6- positions can also occur. Optionally and less desirably there can be a polyalkoxide chain joining the hydrophobic moiety (R) and the polysaccharide chain. The preferred alkoxide moiety is ethoxide.

Typical hydrophobic groups include alkyl groups, either saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched containing from 8 to 20, preferably from 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Preferably, the alkyl group is a straight chain saturated alkyl group. The alkyl group can contain up to 3 hydroxy groups and/or the polyalkoxide chain can contain up to 30, preferably less than 10, alkoxide moieties.

Suitable alkyl polysaccharides are decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, and octadecyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides, galactosides, lactosides, fructosides, fructosyls, lactosyls, glucosyls and/or galactosyls and mixtures thereof.

The alkyl monosaccharides are relatively less soluble in water than the higher alkyl polysaccharides. When used in admixture with alkyl polysaccharides, the alkyl monosaccharides are solubilized to some extent. The use of alkyl monosaccharides in admixture with alkyl polysaccharides is a preferred mode of carrying out the invention. Suitable mixtures include coconut alkyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentaglucosides and tallow alkyl tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides. The preferred alkyl polysaccharides are alkyl polyglucosides having the formula

R2θ(C_nH₂nO)r(Z)χ wherein Z is derived from glucose, R is a hydrophobic group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which said alkyl groups contain from 10 to 18, preferably from 12 to 14 carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3 preferably 2, r is from 0 to 10, preferable 0; and x is from 1.5 to 8, preferably from 1.5 to 4, most preferably from 1.6 to 2.7. To prepare these compounds a long chain alcohol (R2OH) can be reacted with glucose, in the presence of an acid catalyst to form the desired glucoside. Alternatively the alkyl polyglucosides can be prepared by a two step procedure in which a short chain alcohol (R OH) can be reacted with glucose, in the presence of an acid catalyst to form the desired glucoside. Alternatively the alkyl polyglucosides can be prepared by a two step procedure in which a short chain alcohol (C1-6) is reacted with glucose or a polyglucoside (x=2 to 4) to yield a short chain alkyl glucoside (x=1 to 4) which can in turn be reacted with a longer chain alcohol (R2OH) to displace the short chain alcohol and obtain the desired alkyl polyglucoside. If this two step procedure is used, the short chain alkylglucosde content of the final alkyl polyglucoside material should be less than 50%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, most preferably 0% of the alkyl polyglucoside.

The amount of unreacted alcohol (the free fatty alcohol content) in the desired alkyl polysaccharide surfactant is preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than 0.5% by weight of the total of the alkyl polysaccharide. For some uses it is desirable to have the alkyl monosaccharide content less than 10%.

The used herein, "alkyl polysaccharide surfactant" is intended to represent both the preferred glucose and galactose derived surfactants and the less preferred alkyl polysaccharide surfactants. Throughout this specification, "alkyl polyglucoside" is used to include alkyl polyglycosides because the stereochemistry of the saccharide moiety is changed during the preparation reaction. An especially preferred APG glycoside surfactant is APG 625 glycoside manufactured by the Henkel Corporation of Ambler, PA. APG25 is a nonionic alkyl polyglycoside characterized by the formula: wherein n=10 (2%); n=122 (65%); n=14 (21-28%); n=16 (4-8%) and n=18 (0.5%) and x (degree of polymerization) = 1.6. APG 625 has: a pH of 6 to 10 (10% of APG 625 in distilled water); a specific gravity at 25°C of 1.1 g/ml; a density at 25°C of 9.1 lbs/gallon; a calculated HLB of 12.1 and a Brookfield viscosity at 35°C, 21 spindle, 5-10 RPM of 3,000 to 7,000 cps. The instant compositions contain a magnesium inorganic compound such as an inorganic or organic salt of oxide of a multivalent metal cation, particularly Mg⁺⁺. The metal salt or oxide provides several benefits including improved cleaning performance in dilute usage, particularly in soft water areas. Magnesium chloride, either anhydrous or hydrated (e.g., hexahydrate), is especially preferred as the magnesium salt. Good results also have been obtained with magnesium oxide, magnesium sulfate, magnesium acetate, magnesium propionate and magnesium hydroxide. These magnesium salts can be used with formulations at neutral or acidic pH since magnesium hydroxide will not precipitate at these pH levels.

Although magnesium is the preferred multivalent metal from which the salts (inclusive of the oxide and hydroxide) are formed, other polyvalent metal ions also can be used provided that their salts are nontoxic and are soluble in the aqueous phase of the system at the desired pH level.

The proton donating agent is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy containing organic acids such as ortho hydroxy benzoic acid, lactic acid and citric acid and inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid and mixtures thereof. In addition to the above-described essential ingredients required for the formation of the microemulsion composition, the compositions of this invention may often and preferably do contain one or more additional ingredients which serve to improve overall product performance.

The instant compositions can optionally contain 0 to 10 wt. %, more preferably 0.1 to 8 wt. % of a disinfectant agent selected from the group consisting of C8-C16 alkyl amines, C8-C16 alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides, C8-C16 dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides, C8-C16 alkyl. 8-C 4 alkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride and chlorhexidine and mixtures thereof. Some typical disinfectant agent useful in the instant compositions are manufactured by Lonza, S.A. They are: Bardac 2180 (or 2170) which is N-decyl-N-isonoxyl-N, N-dimethyl ammonium chloride; Bardac 22 which is didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; Bardac LF which is N,Ndioctyl-N, N-dimethyl ammonium chloride; Bardac 114 which is a mixture in a ratio of 1 :1 :1 of N-alkyl-N, N- didecyl-N, N-dimethyl ammonium chloride/N-alkyl-N, N-dimethyl-N-ethyl ammonium chloride; and Barquat MB-50 which is N-alkyl-N, N-dimethyl-N-benzyl ammonium chloride. O H

II I

R - C - N - (CH2)a- Another disinfecting agent is dimethyl benzylalkonium chloride (BASF). The present light duty liquid detergents such as dishwashing liquids are readily made by simple mixing methods from readily available components which, on storage, do not adversely affect the entire composition. Solubilizing agent such as ethanol, sodium chloride and/or sodium cumene or sodium xylene sulfonate and mixtures thereof are used at a concentration of 0.5 wt. % to 8 wt. % to assist in solubilizing the surfactants. The viscosity of the light duty liquid composition desirably will be at least 100 centipoises (cps) at room temperature, but may be up to 1 ,000 centipoises as measured with a Brookfield Viscometer using a number 21 spindle rotating at 20 or 50 rpm. The viscosity of the light duty liquid composition may approximate those of commercially acceptable light duty liquid compositions now on the market. The viscosity of the light duty liquid composition and the light duty liquid composition itself remain stable on storage for lengthy periods of time, without color changes or settling out of any insoluble materials. The pH of the composition is from 3 to 6, more preferably 3 to 5.5. The pH of the composition can be adjusted by the addition of Na2θ (caustic soda) to the composition. The instant compositions have a minimum foam volume of 400 mis after 40 rotations at room temperature as measured by the foam volume test using 0.0333 wt. % of the Ultra composition in 150 ppm of water. The foam test is an inverted cylinder test in which 100 gr. of a 0.0333 wt. % LDL formula in 150 ppm of H2O is placed in a stoppered graduate cylinder (500 ml) and inverted 40 cycles at a rate of 30 cycles/minute. After 40 inversions, the foam volume which has been generated is measured in mis inside the graduated cylinder. This value includes the 100 ml of LDL solution inside the cylinder. After the initial volume is measured, 175 microliters of whole milk is added to the solution. The cylinder is then inverted for another 40 cycles and a foam volume with soil is measured. The values provided above include the 100 mi's of LDL solution inside the cylinder.

The instant compositions can optionally contain 0.01 to 10 wt. % of minor ingredients such as color, perfume and polymeric thickening agents.

The following examples illustrate liquid cleaning compositions of the described invention. Unless otherwise specified, all percentages are by weight. The exemplified compositions are illustrative only and do no limit the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise specified, the proportions in the examples and elsewhere in the specification are by weight. Description of the Preferred Embodiments

EXAMPLE 1 The following formulas were prepared at room temperature by simple liquid mixing procedures as previously described

* number of carriers found to be contaminated out of 10 carriers tested after 10 minutes contact time with the test product. (UDT/reference: AOAC, 14^th Edition, 1984, Use Dilution Methods).

Example 2

The following formulas were prepared at room temperature by simple liquid mixing procedures as previously described

Example 3 The following formulas were prepared at room temperature by simple liquid mixing procedures as previously described

Example 4 The following formulas were prepared at room temperature by simple liquid mixing procedures as previously described

Example 5 The following compositions were made and tested for viscosity.

Example 6 The following formulas were prepared at room temperature by simple liquid mixing procedures as previously described

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS

1. A light duty liquid detergent composition comprising by weight:

(a) 3% to 18% of a C-JQ-C^O paraffin sulfonate;

(b) 10% to 30% of an alpha olefin sulfonate; (c) 0.1 % to 4% of a magnesium containing inorganic compound;

(d) 5% to 15% of a sultaine surfactant;

(e) 0.05% to 2% of a hydroxy containing organic acid, sulfuric acid or hydrochloric acid; and

(f) the balance being water.

2. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 1 further comprising,

0.5% to 8% by weight of a solubilizing agent which is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, sodium chloride and/or a water soluble salts of C-1-C3 substituted benzene sulfonate hydrotropes and mixtures thereof.

3. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 1 further comprising a perservative.

4. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 1 further comprising a color stabilizer.

5. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 1 , further including a disinfecting agent.

6. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 1 , wherein said magnesium containing inorganic compound is magnesium chloride.

7. A light duty liquid detergent composition comprising by weight:

(a) 4% to 16% of a C-j 0-C20 paraffin sulfonate;

(b) 10% to 24% of an alpha olefin sulfonate; (c) 2% to 12% of a sultaine surfactant;

(d) 0.05% to 2% of a positively charged polymer;

(e) 0.25% to 3% of a magnesium containing inorganic compound; and

(f) the balance being water.

8. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 7 which further includes a C-1-C4 alkanol.

9. A light duty liquid cleaning composition according to Claim 7 further including a C4-C7 alkylene glycol.

10. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 7 further including a preservative.

11. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 7 further including a color stabilizer.

12. A light duty liquid cleaning composition according to Claim 7 wherein said magnesium containing inorganic compound is magnesium oxide.

13. A light duty liquid cleaning composition according to Claim 7 wherein said positively charged polymer is a poly (oxyethylene) diamine.

14. A light duty liquid composition comprising by weight: (a) 4% to 16% of a C^ 0- 20 paraffin sulfonate; (b) 10% to 24% of an alpha olefin sulfonate;

(c) 3% to 12% of a sultaine surfactant;

(d) 0.25% to 3% of a magnesium containing inorganic compound; and

(e) 0.1% to 6% of a chemical linker compound; and

(f) the balance being water.

15. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14 which includes, in addition, 1 % to 15% by weight of a solubilizing agent which is selected from the group of a C1-C4 alkanol and/or a water soluble salts of C-1-C3 substituted benzene sulfonate hydrotropes and mixtures thereof.

16. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14 further including a preservative.

17. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14 further including a color stabilizer.

18. A light duty liquid cleaning composition according to Claim 14 wherein said magnesium containing inorganic compound is magnesium oxide.

19. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14, wherein said composition has a pH of 2.7 to 8.0.

20. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14 further including a proton donating agent.

21. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 20, wherein said proton donating agent is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy containing organic acids and inorganic acids and mixtures thereof.

22. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 20, wherein said proton donating agent is lactic agent.

23. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14, further including a vinylidene olfein sulfonate surfactant.

24. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14 further said chemical linker agent is a polyethylene glycol.

25. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14, wherein said chemical linker agent is a polypropylene oxide.

26. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14, wherein said chemical linker agent is a wheat protein.

27. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 14 further including an alkali metal salt of a vinylidene sulfonate surfactant.

28. A light duty liquid detergent composition comprising by weight:

(a) 0.5% to 10% of an alkali metal salt of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant; (b) 3% to 15% of a magnesium salt of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate;

(c) 6% to 26% of an ethoxylated alkyl ether sulfate surfactant;

(d) 6% to 18% of an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant; (e) 0.05% to 2%, more preferably 0.1 % to 1.5% of a positively charged polymer;

(f) 0.25% to 10% of a surfactant selected from the group consisting of amine oxides and C12-C14 fatty acid monoalkanol amides and mixtures thereof; and (g) the balance being water.

29. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 28 which includes, in addition, a solubilizing agent selected from the group consisting of a C-1-C4 alkanol, an alkali metal chloride and is ethanol, sodium chloride, a water soluble salts of C1-C3 substituted benzene sulfonate hydrotropes and mixtures thereof.

30. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 28 further including a preservative.

31. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 28 further including a color stabilizer.

32. The composition of Claim 28 further including a C1-C4 alkanol and an alkali metal halide.

33. The composition of Claim 28, wherein said positively charged polymer is a poly (oxyethylene) diamine.

34. A light duty liquid detergent composition comprising by weight: (a) 6% to 30% of a C^<| 0-C20 paraffin sulfonate; (b) 12% to 26% of an alpha olefin sulfonate;

(c) 1 to 16% of a vinylidene olefin sulfonate;

(c) 3% to 10% of an amine oxide;

(d) 0.25% to 3% of a magnesium containing inorganic compound; and

(e) the balance being water.

35. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 34 which includes, in addition, 1 % to 15% by weight of a solubilizing agent which is selected from the group consisting of C1-C4 alkanols, and/or a water soluble salts of C1-C3 substituted benzene sulfonate hydrotropes and mixtures thereof.

36. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 34 further including a preservative.

37. A light duty liquid composition according to Claim 34 further including a color stabilizer.

38. A light duty liquid cleaning composition according to Claim 34 wherein said magnesium containing inorganic compound is magnesium oxide.

39. A light duty liquid cleaning composition according to Claim 34 further including a proton donating agent.

40. A light duty liquid cleaning composition according to Claim 39 further including a polypropylene oxide, a polyethylene glycol and/or a wheat protein.

41. A composition comprising by weight:

(a) 35% to 68% of an alpha olefin sulfonate;

(b) 5% to 50% of a vinylidene olefin sulfonate; and

(c) the balance being water wherein the composition has a viscosity at 40°C at a shear rate of 10^"1 seconds of 15,000 to 85,000 cps.