GB2116994A

GB2116994A - Detergent

Info

Publication number: GB2116994A
Application number: GB08305884A
Authority: GB
Inventors: William Keane
Original assignee: BRIDGEMACE Ltd
Current assignee: BRIDGEMACE Ltd
Priority date: 1982-03-06
Filing date: 1983-03-03
Publication date: 1983-10-05
Also published as: EP0088612B1; ATE24931T1; EP0088612A1; DE3369157D1; GB8305884D0; GB2116994B

Abstract

This invention relates to detergent particularly but not exclusively for use in domestic dishwashing. The detergent is a mobile liquid comprising not more than 6% water and not less than 90% of active detergent including an anionic surface active agent, coconut oil ethanolamide and a non-ionic polyether. The detergent is self thickening when diluted to 7% to 50% aqueous solutions.

Description

1 GB 2 116 994 A 1

SPECIFICATION Detergent

This invention relates to detergent particularly but not exclusively for use in domestic dishwashing although it may find industrial or alternative domestic applications.

Percentage compositions used in this specification are by weight unless indicated otherwise.

According to the present invention a mobile liquid detergent comprises not more than 8% water and not less than 90% of active detergent, including an anionic surface active agent, an ethanolamide derivative of coconut oil, and a non-ionic polyether.

An active detergent is a surface active agent, a 0.01 % aqueous solution of which exhibits a 10 surface tension of not more than 45 dyne/cm (4.5 x 10-2 NJ1), Preferred c16terge nts in accordance with this invention comprise not less than 92% active detergent, not more than 1 % polyethylene glycol and not more than 4% glycerin.

Detergents in accordance with this invention have an advantage that they do not contain a large proportion of water, thereby facilitating economical transportation and packing. Furthermore, use of inactive thickening agents such as sodium chloride in compositions which have ' been diluted for use is 15 unnecessary since detergent in accordance with this invention thicken upon dilution with water alone.

A first preferred composition may be diluted to a 7% to 50% aqueous solution having a viscosity not less than 200 centistokes and being capable of passing a dishwashing and foam test as hereinafter defined. More preferred compositions may be diluted to 7% to 20% aqueous solutions having these properties.

A second preferred higher foaming composition. may be diluted to a 15% to 45% aqueous solution having a viscosity not less than 200 centistokes and being capable of passing a dishwashing and foam test as hereinafter defined.

The non-ionic polyether may comprise an alklyphenyl polyether or a polyether derivative of an alcohol. Preferred alcohol polyethers may be derived from C1A5 or C,7/C18 aliphatic alcohols or from 25 mixtures of oleyl and cetyl alcohols.

Especially preferred compositions may be diluted to 8% to 10% of their strength to product solutions preferably having viscosities of 500 to 1000 centistokes, but solutions showing viscosities up to 2000 centistokes may also be obtained.

The dishwashing and foam test is performed as follows. Sodium chloride (2. 5%), gelatine (2.5%), 30 caramel (5%), instant potato (9.5 %), fat (Trex or Tesco (Registered Trade Mark) lard 68%), and water (12.5%) are warmed and mixed together. The mixture is placed in a refrigerator for 24 hours and is removed from the refrigerator at least 30 minutes before use. A portion (5 g) of the mixture is applied to the surface of each plate used in the test and the plates are then left to stand for 1 hour. The plates are 23 em in diameter and are white in colour.

A portion (0.5 g) of the detergent solution is placed in one end of a polyethylene bowl having internal dimensions of 33 em x 29 em and a depth of 13 em and which is inclined at an angle of 25' to the horizontal. Water (5 1) at a temperature of 541C is allowed to run onto the detergent through an aperture 6 mm in diameter located 40 em above the detergent. The bowl is arranged horizontally when half of the water has been added and the remaining water is allowed to pour into the opposite end of 40 the bowl thereby providing a good foam covering the entire water surface. A second bowl is filled with water for rinsing the plates. Two soiled plates are immersed into the water and a stopelock is immediately started. After 20 seconds the first plate is washed and rinsed. A third plate is then immersed below the second plate and the second plate is then washed. A fourth plate is then immersed below the third and the process is repeated until there is no foam remaining on the surface of the water. 45 The final temperature of the water must not be less than 451C. The test is repeated ten times and the mean taken.

The detergent passes this test if eight or more plates can be washed before the foam dissipates when using a diluted solution equivalent to a maximum concentration of 0.01 % of the concentrated detergent.

The ethanolamide derivative of coconut oil may be a monoethanolamide or diethanolamide derivative. These may be formed by reacting coconut oil or the methyl ester thereof with either monoethanolamine or diethanolamine in the presence of sodium methoxide. The mayor constituent of coconut oil is the triglyceride of dodecanoic acid although shorter and longer chain triglycerides are also present.

Preferably the anionic detergent is a salt of dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid or a mixture of salts of alkylbenzenesulphonic acids of which a major constituent is dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid. Suitable mixtures may be either broad cut or narrow cut, that is there may be greater or lesser variation in the lengths of the alkyl chains.Narrow cut mixtures are preferred. The dodecylbenzenesulphonate is soft.

There should be no propylene tetramer present.

Alternatively or in addition the anionic detergent may comprise an alkyl sulphate, or an alkyi ether sulphate. These sulphates are advantageous for production of detergents with good foaming properties. Alkyl sulphates may be derived from linear alk-l-ene having 12 to 18 carbon atoms for example sodium 2 GB 2 116 994 A 2 lauryl sulphate. Preferred alcohol sulphates may be derived from products of the OXO or Ziegler processes. Preferred ether sulphates are derived from ethylene oxide and may comprise a major proportion having the general formula:- C,^n+l O(CH2C1-1,0),,, SO,X wherein n is 13 or 15, m is 2 or 3 and X is Na, K, NH4 or an ethanolamine.

Preferred detergents in accordance with the invention incorporates an alkylphenyl polyether such as OH terminated polyether. The latter may be formed by reacting an alkyl phenol with ethylene oxide. Preferred polyethers incorporate nonyl or octyl alkyl chains or mixtures including major proportions of such chains. Preferred polyethers may comprise mixtures of polyether chains with major proportions of chains having 6 or 9 (CH,CH,O) units or, more preferably, major proportions of both 6 and 9 (CH2CH,.0) 10 unit containing chains. A greater proportion of chains having 6 (CH2CH20) units to chains having 9_ (CH2CH20) units is particularly preferred. Smaller proportions of polyethers with larger ether chain lengths may be incorporated for example having 12 (CH2CH20) units.

Preferred detergents in accordance with this invention incorporate a base. Preferred bases include monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine or potassium or sodium hydroxides. Monoethanolamine and triethanolamine are particularly preferred.

Detergents in accordance with this invention may be selected from a wide range of compositions in which the proportions of the ingredients are chosen so that 7% aqueous solutions of the detergent exhibit a viscosity of at least 200 centistokes and have adequate cleaning properties in accordance with the plate washing test.

The cleaning capabilities and foam end point of detergents in accordance with this invention are dependent on a number of factors.

The ratio of anionic detergent to nonionic detergent is important, an excess of non-ionic detergent being preferred.

The ratio of anionic detergent to insoluble polyethers is also important, a greater proportion of 25 anionic detergent having been found to increase the solubility of the polyether constituent.

Preferably the detergent incorporates not more than 30% of anionic detergent estimated as the free acid. More preferably there is between 15% and 25% of dodecyibenzenesulphonic acid present in detergents which do not contain alkyl or ether sulphates. If the latter compounds are present the preferred proportion of dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid is 8% to 25%. The proportion of alkyl or ether 30 sulphate is preferably 10% to 30% based on the weight of the commercially available solutions, the latter containing approximately 70% of the pure compounds.

The proportion of the ethanolamide derivative of coconut oil has an important effect of the viscosity of the detergent. The derivative also serves to stabilise the foam. Preferably there is 10% to 40% of coconut oil ethanolamide present. More preferably there is 15% to 33% of the ethanolamide, a range of 20% to 30% being especially preferred.

It has been found that incorporation of alkylphenyl polyethers having a side chain incorporating a small number of (CH2CH,O) groups is a key factor effecting the viscosity of detergents in accordance with the invention. However, such polyethers alone may be insoluble in water. Preferably the cloud point of the insoluble polyether is less than zero. Mixtures incorporating nonylphenyl polyether are particularly preferred ingredients, a wide range of ether chain lengths being advantageous.

Optimum cleansing capacity has been achieved with alkylphenyl polyethers incorporating six or nine (CH2CH20) groups of mixtures thereof. Nonylphenyl polyethers are particularly efficacious in control of the viscosity of the diluted detergent. Nonyiphenyl polyethers having a low solubility in water, notably those comprising six (CH,CH,O) groups are particularly preferred as a major proportion of total polyethers in the detergent. Preferred detergents incorporate between 25% and 55% of nonylphenyl polyether. More preferably there is between 40% and 55% of the polyether. Detergents in accordance with this invention often incorporate a blend of nonylphenyl polyethers. For example a detergent which can be diluted to from 8-20% solutions having a viscosity not less than 300 cp may comprise 1-5% of nonylphenyl polyether incorporating 12 (CH2CH20) units, 25-45% of nonylphenyl polyether 50 incorporating 6 (CH.CH20) units and 2-10% of nonylphenyl polyethers having 8 or 9 (CH2CH20) units.

The actual percentages of these three components are chosen so that the total percentage of polyether fails within the aforementioned range of 25-55%. A particular efficacious range for the three aforementioned polyethers is 1-3% with 12 (CH2CH20) units, 30-45% with 6 (CH2CH20) units and 5-10% with 8 or 9 (CH2CH20) units.

Bases having a low molecular weight are preferred, monoethanolamine having been found to provide more viscous detergents than diethanolamine. Use of triethanolamine has the advantage of maintaining a constant pH in the detergent. Ethanolamines may be used in conjunction with sodium or potassium hydroxides, the ratio of alkali metal hydroxide to ethanolamine being important.

C % is 1 Preferably there is 5% to 12% of mono-, di- and triethanolamine present, approximately 1.0-1.5x 60 the stoichiometric amount based on the sulphonate and sulphate present being desirable. The amount of mono, di or triethanolamine is preferably selected so that a 10% aqueous solution of the detergent has a pH of 6.8 to 9, more preferably of 7.5 to 8.5. A relatively larger proportion of diethanolamine or 3 GB 2 116 994 A 3 triethanolamine is required if this reagent is used in place of ethanolamine since the mono derivative is the most active.

Detergent in accordance with this invention may be diluted to form aqueous solutions of more than 7% strength, for example 8%,10%,20%,25% and 40%.

The typical viscosities of various solutions are set out below:Viscosity/CS 1000 2000 Concentration^ 7 8 500 A particularly preferred detergent comprises ingredients not exceeding a total of 100% and comprising, 7% to 30% of dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid, 10% to 30% of a solution equivalent to a 70% solution of anionic detergent of the formula:

CnIHI2n+l (CH2CH20),n S03Na wherein n is 13 or 15 and m is 3; 25% to 50% of nonylphenyl polyether; 5% to 40% of coconut oil 15 diethanolamide and residual percentages of ethanolamine and triethanolamine.

More preferably the detergent may comprise: 7% to 15% of cloclecylbenzenesulphonic acid; 15% to 25% of the said solution of anionic detergent; 20% to 35% of coconut oil diethanolamide; 1 % to 4% of ethanolamine and 2% to 5% of triethanola mine.

The total percentage of nonylphenyl polyether and coconut oil diethanolamide is preferably 50% 20 to 65%. The total percentage of clodecylbenzenesulphonic acid and the said anionic detergent is preferably 20% to 35%. The percentage of coconut oil diethanolamide is preferably 15% to 35%. This detergent yields self-thickening 10-25% aqueous solutions. Such detergents having a total percentage of polyether and coconut oil diethanolamide less than 50% form self thickening 15% to 45% aqueous solutions.

The invention is further described by means of the following Examples and with reference to Table 1 and Figures 1 to 7 of the accompanying drawings which illustrate detergent formulations in accordance with the invention.

Table 1 shows the compositions and properties of preferred detergents including the viscosities of 7%, 8%, 10% and 20% aqueous solutions; Fig. 1 shows a 3 dimensional representation of detergent compositions in accordance with the invention; EXAMPLE 1

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the diagram shown in Figure 11; Figs. 3 to 7 show sections taken through the diagram shown in Figures 1 and 2.

A detergent was prepared from a nonylphenyl polyether incorporating six (CHa2CH,O) units in the 35 side chain (36%), dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (30%) monoethanolamine (9%), coconut oil diethanolamine (25%). A 7-11% aqueous solution of the detergent had a viscosity of 300 cs an 8% solution was found to have a viscosity of-1 000 cs and a 10% solution was found to be thixotropic and to have a viscosityof 2000 cson a Ford Cup No. 4. 5 gm of the 10% solution wasfoundto clean 9 plates 40 according to the plate test.

EXAMPLE 2

A detergent was prepared from nonylphenyl polyester incorporationg six (CH2CH20) units (18%), dodecy[benzenesulphonic acid (20%) monoethanolamine (7%), coconut oil diethanolamide (37%) and nonylphenyl polyether incorporating 9 (CH2CH20) units (18%). An 8% aqueous solution of the detergent 45 was found to have a viscosity of 210 cs and a 10% solution was found to have a viscosity of 2000 cs.

9 of the 10% solution was found to clean 12 plates.

EXAMPLE 3

A detergent was prepared from nonylphenyl polyether containing six (CH2CH20) units (20%) clodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (20%), monoethanolamide (7%), coconut oil diethanoiamide (33%) and 50 nonylphenyl polyether containing nine (CH2CH20) units (20%). An 8% aqueous solution of the detergent was found to have a viscosity of 200 cs and a 10% solution was found to have a viscosity of 2000 cs.

The detergent (5 g of 10% solution) was found to clean 13 plates.

4 GB 2 116 994 A 4 EXAMPLE 4

A detergent was prepared from coconut oil diethanolamide (33%) nonylphenylpolyether containing 9 (CH2CH20) units (5%), nonylphenylpolyether containing 6 (CH2CH20) units (35%), dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (2 1 %) and monoethanolamine ^). A (10%) aqueous solution of the detergent was found to have a viscosity of 1600 cs and 7% aqueous solution was found to have a viscosity of 700 cs. The detergent (5 g of 10% solution) was found to clean 10 plates.

EXAMPLE 5

A detergent was prepared from coconut oil diethanolamide (32.8%) nonylphenylpolyether containing 9 (CH2CH20) groups (10.8%), nonylphenylpolyether containing 6 (CH2CH20) groups (29.5%), narrow cut dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (20.9%) and monoethanolamine (5. 9%). The viscosity of 10 aqueous solutions of this detergent is shown in Figure 12.

EXAMPLE 6

A detergent was prepared from coconut oil diethanolamide (25-94%), nonylphenylpolyether containing 12 (CH2CH20) groups (0.89%), nonylphenylpolyether containing 8 (CH2CH20) groups (4.47%), nonylphenylpolyether containing 6 (CH2CH20) groups (30-41%) a sodium sulphated C1.Xl. 15 alcohol with 3 (CH2CH20) groups (Synperonic 3S70 a 70% commercial solution manufactured by]Cl, 24.15%) dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (8.68%), monoethanolamine (0.54%), triethanolamine (4.47%) and preservative (0.45%; Ketrol T, Cochrane and Keane Chemicals).

The resultant detergent yielded viscous, high foaming solutions upon dilution to a strength of 10%, 15% or 20%.

EXAMPLE 7

A detergent was prepared from coconut oil diethanolamide (20%), nonylphenylpolyether containing 9 (CH2CH20) groups (2%), nonylphenylpolyether containing 6 (CH 2CH20) groups (43%), Synperonic 3S70 (20%), dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid (10%), monoethanolamide (1%) and triethanolamine (4%). The resultant detergent yielded viscous detergents upon dilution to a strength of 25 9% to 10%.

EXAMPLE 8

A detergent was prepared from coconut oil diethanolamide (25%), nonyfphenylpolyether containing 6 (CH2CH20) groups (25%), Synperonic 3S70 (20%), dodecy[benzenesulphonic acid (20%), monoethanola mine (2%) and triethanolamide (M.

The resultant detergent produced viscous detergents when diluted to strengths of 15%, 20%, 25%,30% and 40%.

A number of abbreviations are used in the following description and in the Table and Finu sto

1 4 which the description relates.These are set out below:- diethanolamine derivative of coconut oil = CD nonylphenylpolyether containing six (CH2CH20) units N6 nonylphenylpolyether containing 9 (CH2CH20) units. N9 nonylphenylpolyether containing twelve (CH2CH20) units = N1 2 dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid = "acid" monoetha nola mine = MEO Table 1 shows the composition and properties of preferred detergents.The compositions of the detergents indicated by the reference numbers 18, 20, 26, 28 and 29 may be determined from Figure 7.

Figure 1 is a three-dimensional diagram showing the proportions of N6, N9, CD and dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid which may be present in detergents in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the latter diagram. Figures 3 to 7 are sections through the diagram shown in 45 Figures 1 and 2 showing variation of the ingredients N6, N9 and CD at constant proportions of dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid.

Figure 3 illustrates the variation at D of Figure 2 of a total of 40% of N9, N6 and CD in detergents containing constant proportions of 40% Acid, 11 % MEO and a residual 9% CD. The shaded area shows the preferred compositions.

Figure 4 shows the variation at D of Figure 2 of a total of 40% of N9, Nb and CD in detergents containing constant proportions of 40% Acid, 11 % MEO and a residual 9% CD. The shaded area shows the preferred compositions.

Figure 5 shows the variation at B of Figure 2 of a total of 60% of N9, N6 and CD in detergents conta ning constant proportions of 30% Acid, 9% MEO and a residual 1 % CD. The shaded area shows 55 preferred compositions.

Figure 6 shows the variations at A of Figure 2 of a total of 70% of N9, N6 and CD in detergents containing constant properties of 20% Acid, 7% MEO and a residual 3% CD. The first shaded area shows preferred compositions including diethanolamide prepared from coconut oil or from the methyl GB 2 116 994 A 5 ester thereof. The second shaded area shows additional preferred compositions including diethanolamide prepared from coconut oil only.

Figure 7 is a section of Figure 2 taken close to Figure 6 and showing variation of a total of 70% of N6, N9 and CD., in compositions containing constant proportions of 2 1 % Acid. 6% MEO and a residual 5 3% of CD. The two shaded areas show preferred and especially preferred compositions.

Detergents including 65% or more of dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid have been found to form gels or to be unstable. Detergent comprising less than 17% of the acid have been found to have poor cleaning capacity and to exhibit low foam stability. Compositions containing 10-25% of ether sulphate need only contain 8% to 15% of the acid.

The ingredients NP6, NP9 and NP1 2 are manufactured under the Registered Trade Mark 10 SYNPERONIC by ICI although alternative brands may also be used. Coconut oil derivatives which are useful in accordance with the invention may be obtained under the Registered Trade Mark ETHYLAN, manufactured by Diamond Shamrock Process Chemicals Limited. Coconut oil may also be obtained from Rewo Chemicals Limited and Baxenden Chemicals Limited. Dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid may be obtained from Shell, BP, WC or Henkel. Ethanolamine should preferably be the last ingredient which is 15 added when making detergents in accordance with the invention.

a) Composition (% W1w) Viscosity (cs) of Aqueous Solutions Plates and Ref. Acid (narrow MEO Other test No. CD N9 N6 cut) 10% 8% 7% information 1 33 20 20 20 7 1000+ - less 200 10 2 43 10 20 20 7 - 1000 200+ 150 - 3 33 10 30 20 7 800 1000+ 600 210 10 4 23 20 30 20 7 - 1000+ 200+ - - 23 30 20 20 7 - 400+. - 6 33 30 10 20 7 - less 200 - 7 43 20 10 20 7 - 1000 150 8 38 20 15, 20 7 - 1000 - - - 9 38 15 20 20 7 - 1500 - - 12 33 15 25 20 7 1000 - - - 11 28 20 25 20 7 - 1000 - - 12 28 25 20 20 7 - 700 - - - 13 33 25 15 20 7 - 200+ - - - 14 53 10 10 20 7 700 1000+ 205 less 200 - 13 20 40 20 7 - - 200+ 1007 - 16 13 10 50 20 7.......... hazy solutions 17 23 10 40 20 7 hazy hazy 750 12-13 18........... see graph......... 1000+ 80 13-15 20........... see graph............. 1000+ - 110 - 21 20.5 12.5 4G 20 7 - - 950 210 7 22 18 12.5 42.5 20 7 - 800, - 205 24 28 10 35 21 6 1000 - 115 10 15 45 20 7 - 950 - 120 6 26........... see graph.............) - - - 100 28........... see graph.............) h10% - 309, 29............ see graph.............) - h - 220 34 25 36 30 9 - 2000 1000 300 9 high foam - - 35 50 15 - - - - solid conc 42L 33 5 35 21 6 hazy 1600 - 700 10 53L 32.76 10.84 29.54 20.94 5.92 900 1000+ 1000 220 11 6R 37 18 18 20 7 - 1000 300 - 13-15 51 33 2ON12 -90 20 7 less 200 7 N = hazy solutions 2ON12 indicates that N9 is replaced by 20% of N12.

TABLE 1

0) 7 GB 2 116 994 A 7

Claims

1. A mobile liquid detergent comprising not more than 8% water, and not less than 90% of active detergent, including an anionic surface active agent, an ethanolamide derivative of coconut oil and a nonionic polyether.

2. A detergent as claimed in claim 1, comprising not less than 92% of active detergent, not more 5 than 1 % polyethylene glycol and not more than 4% glycerin.

3. A detergent as claimed in claim 1 or 2, 7% to 50% aqueous solutions of which have a viscosity not less than 200 centistokes and are capable of passing a dishwashing test as herein defined.

4. A detergent composition as claimed in claim 3, forming 8% to 10% aqueous solutions having viscosities of 500 to 1000 centistokes.

5. A detergent as claimed in claim 3, 15% to 45% aqueous solutions which have a viscosity not less than 200 centistokes.

6. A detergent as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising an alkylphenyl polyether.

7. A detergent as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, comprising a polyether derivative of an alcohol.

8. A detergent as claimed in claim 7, wherein the polyether is derived from aliphatic alcohol 15 selected from: alcohols having 13 to 15 carbon atoms; alcohols having 17 or 18 carbon atoms or a mixture of oleyl and cetyl alcohols.

9. A detergent as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the ethanolamide derivative of coconut oil comprises the monoethanolamide or diethanolamide.

10. A detergent as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising one or more alkylbenzenesulphonic 20 acids or salts thereof.

11. A detergent as claimed in claim 10, wherein the anionic detergent comprises dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid or a salt thereof.

12. A detergent as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising an anionic detergent selected from:

an alkyl sulphate or an alkyl ether sulphate.

13. A detergent as claimed in claim 12, wherein said alkyl sulphate comprises an aliphatic carbon chain having 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

14. A detergent as claimed in claim 12, comprising an anionic detergent represented by the formula:

CnH2n+l O(CH,Cl-120)m S03X 30 wherein n is 13 or 15, m is 2 or 3 and X is Na, K, NH4 or an ethanolamine.

15. A detergent as claimed in any of claims 6 to 15 comprising a polyether represented by the formula:

wherein r and s are integers.

C,H2r+1 C6H40(CH2CH20)H

16. A detergent as claimed in claim 15 wherein r is 8 or 9 and s is 6 to 12.

17. A detergent as claimed in claim 16 wherein a major proportion of the polyethers have r equal to 8 or 9 and s equal to 6 or 9.

18. A detergent as claimed in claim 15, 16 or 17, comprising a greater proportion of polyethers 40 having s = 6 than having s = 9.

19. A detergent as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a base selected from monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanola mine, potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide.

20. A detergent as claimed in claim 19, comprising monoethanolamine or triethanola mine.

2 1. A detergent as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising a greater percentage of anionic 45 detergent than polyether.

22. A detergent as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising not more than 30% of anionic detergent estimated as free acid.

23. A detergent as claimed in any of claims 1 to 11, or any of claims 16 to 22 when not appendent on claims 12 to 14, comprising 15% to 25% of dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid. 50

24. A detergent as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14 or any claim appendent thereon, comprising 50 8% to 25% of dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid and an amount equivalent to 10% to 30% of a 70% solution of an alkyl or ether sulphate.

25. A detergent as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising 10% to 40% an ethanolamide derivative of coconut oil. 55

26. A detergent as claimed in claim 25 comprising 15% to 33% of said ethanolamide.

27. A detergent as claimed in claim 26 comprising 20% to 30% of said ethanolamide.

28. A detergent as claimed in any of claims 16 to 27, comprising a poiyether wherein r is 9 and s 6 or 12.

29. A detergent as claimed in claim 28 wherein s is 6.

30. A detergent as claimed in any of claims 15 to 29, comprising 25% to 55% of a nonylphenyl 60 polyether.

8 GB 2 116 994 A 8

3 1. A detergent as claimed in claim 30, comprising 40% to 55% of nonylphenyl polyether.

32. A detergent as claimed in claim 30 or 3 1, comprising 1 % to 5% of polyether wherein r is 9 and s is 12, 25% to 45% of polyether wherein r is 9 and s is 8 or 9 and 2% to 10% of polyether when r is 9 and s is 8 or 9.

33. A detergent as claimed in claim 32, comprising 1 % to 3% of polyether wherein r is 9 and s is 5 12, 30% to 45% of polyether wherein r is 9 and s is 6 and 5% to 10% of polyether wherein r is 9 and s is 8 or 9.

34. A detergent as claimed in any of claims 19 to 33, comprising 5% to 12% of mono-, d! or triethanolamine.

35. A detergent comprising ingredients selected from: 7% to 30% of a solution equivalent to a 10 70% solution of an anionic detergent of the formula:

CnH2,,11 O(CH,CH20)m S0.X wherein n is 13 or 15, m is 3, X is Na, K, NH4 or an ethanolamine, 25% to 50% of nonyiphenyl polyether; 5% to 40% of coconut oil diethanolamide and residual proportions of ethanolamine and 15 triethanolamine.

36. A detergent as claimed in claim 35, comprising ingredients selected from: 7% to 15% of dodecylbenzene sulphonic acid; 15% to 25% of the said solution of anionic detergent; 30% to 45% of nonylphenyl polyether; 20% to 35% of coconut oil diethanolamide; 1 % to 4% of ethanolamine, and 2% to 5% of triethanolamine.

37. A detergent as claimed in claim 35 or 36, comprising a total of 50% to 65% of nonylphenyl 20 polyether and coconut oil diethanolamide.

38. A detergent as claimed in any of claims 36 or 37, comprising a total of 20% to 35% of dodecylbenzenesulphonic acid and the said anionic detergent.

39. A detergent substantially as hereinbefore described.

40. A detergent as claimed in claim 39, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to 25 any of Figures 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings.

41. A detergent as claimed in claim 40, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Table 1.

42. A detergent as claimed in claim 39 with reference to any of Examples 1 to 8.

Printed for Her Majestys Stationery Office by the Courier Press, Leamington Spa, 1983. Published by the Patent Office, Southampton Buildings, London, WC2A lAY, from which copies may be obtained.

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