GB2321253A

GB2321253A - Liquid detergent formulation

Info

Publication number: GB2321253A
Application number: GB9700803A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helen Elizabeth Herd; Caroline Lorraine Ashton
Original assignee: Robert McBride Ltd
Current assignee: Robert McBride Ltd
Priority date: 1997-01-16
Filing date: 1997-01-16
Publication date: 1998-07-22
Anticipated expiration: 2017-01-16
Also published as: EP0854182A3; GB9700803D0; EP0854182A2; GB2321253B

Abstract

A liquid detergent formulation comprising for use as a "washing-up" liquid comprises, by weight, 10-20% of an alkyl (C 8-22 ) sulphate, 1-10% of an alkyl (C 8-22 ) ether sulphate, 1-7% of an amine oxide containing at least one C 8-22 alkyl group, 1-7% of an amphoteric betaine surfactant containing at least one C 8-22 alkyl group, 1 to 15% of an ethoxylated alcohol (C 8-22 ), and a balance of water. An alkyl polyglycoside and a xylene sulphonated hydrotrope may also be included. Preferred surfactants indicated are sodium lauryl sulphate and sodium lauryl ether sulphate the fatty alcohol ethoxylate lufensol ON80, a Cocoamideopropyl betaine and dialkyl dimethyl amine oxide.

Description

1 DETERGENT FORMULATION 2321253 The present invention relates to a

detergent formulation intended particularly but not exclusively as a so-called "washing-up" liquid for use in washing crockery, cutlery, pans and other domestic utensils which have been used in the preparation and/or consumption of food and which have deposits of food, grease, burnt residues etc.

Purchasers of "washing-up" liquids generally regard two particular properties as being of importance. One is that a relatively small quantity of the liquid will suffice for washing a particular number of utensils. In other words, the purchasers like to feel that the liquid is economical to use. The other property is that the liquid generates a relatively large volume of suds (i.e. the liquid has a good lathering characteristics) since it is generally assumed that such suds contribute to the efficiency of the liquid.

GB-A-2 290 301 discloses "washing-up" liquid having good cleaning and lathering performance without the use of LABS (linear alkyl benzene sulphonic acid usually used as the sodium salt) or diethanolarnides (which are associated with nitrosamines). The present invention aims to provide detergent formulations demonstrating improved performance.

According to the present invention there is provided a liquid detergent formulation comprising, by weight, 10-20% of an alkyl (C8-22) sulphate, 110% of an alkyl (C8-22) ether sulphate, 1-7% of an amine oxide containing at least one C8-22 alkyl group, 1-7% of an amphoteric betaine surfactant containing at least one C8-22 alkyl group, 1 to 15% of an ethexylated alcohol (C8-22), and a balance of water.

2 One difference between the formulation of the present invention and that of GB-A-2 290 301 is the inclusion in the former of 1-10% of an alkyl ether sulphate. We have found that this inclusion serves to provide an improvement in performance.

The composition of the invention includes at least one C8-22 alkyl sulphate used in an amount of 10-20% by weight of the formulation, more preferably 12-18%, even more preferably 15-17%.

The alkyl sulphate is preferably an alkali metal alkyl sulphate with the preferred alkali metal being sodium.

For preference, the alkyl group of the alkyl sulphate has 8-16 carbon atoms. The alkyl sulphate may be a single compound (preferably C12) or may comprise a mixture of alkyl sulphates of different chain lengths, preferably with C12 predominating. For preference the alkyl groups are primary alkyl groups and preferably straight chain.

The carbon chain of the alkyl sulphate may be produced synthetically or may be derived from natural products (e.g. coconut oil) so that the chain length distribution of the alkyl group will correspond to that in the natural product from which it is derived.

The alkyl sulphate may be a"narrow cut" lauryl sulphate having carbon chains -1 1 principally Of C12 to C14 (C12 predominating), e.g. 60-70% C12, 20-30% C 4 PIUS minor amounts of Cl 0 and C 16.

A preferred alkyl sulphate is available under the name Empicol LX28 (Albright & Wilson).

3 The alkyl (C8-22) ether sulphate is preferably used in an amount of 1-5%, e.g. 2-5%. The cation present in this material may, for example, be an alkali metal (particularly sodium) or ammonium. It is particularly preferred that the alkyl ether sulphate be an alkyl (c8-22) ethoxylated (n = 1 to 5, preferably 2 or 3) sulphate.

The alkyl group of the ether sulphate may be as described for the alkyl sulphate.

The most preferred alkyl ether sulphate for use in the invention is sodium lauryl ether sulphate where n = 2 or 3.

An alkyl ether sulphate which may be used is available under the name Empicol 0251 (Albright & Wilson).

The formulation of the invention contains 1 to 7%, more preferably 1 to 3%, of an amine oxide containing at least one CS-22 alkyl group. The amine oxide preferably has one such group Of CS-22 carbon atoms and two C1-4 alkyl groups. Most preferably the latter alkyl groups are methyl groups. Preferred amine oxides are therefore (C8-22) alkyl dimethyl amine oxides. The long chain alkyl group may, for example, have 818 carbon atoms and the compound may comprise a mixture of alkyl groups, which are preferably C 10 to C 18 (with C 12 predominating).

A suitable amine oxide is available under the name Genaminox CSX (Hoechst).

The betaine surfactant is used in the formulation of the invention in an amount of 1-7%, more preferably 1-4%. Preferred betaines may be either of the formula (1) or (11).

4 R 1 R 3-N-CH2-COO- 1 (1) R- R 1 1 R 3 CONHCH2CH2CH2N±CH2C00- 1 (11) K_ In the above formula, R' and R2 may be the same or different C 1-4 alky 1 groups whereas R3 is an alkyl group having 8-22 carbon atoms, e.g. mixed C10 to C14.

The preferred betaine for use in the formulation of the invention is cocoamidopropyl betaine.

A suitable betaine is available under the name Rewoteric AMB14 (Witco).

A further component of the formulation of the invention is the ethoxylated alkanol (C8-22) which is used in an amount of 1- 15%, more preferably 6-10%.

Examples of such ettioxylated alkanols which may be used are those in which the alkanol (from which the product is derived) is a primary alcohol and is preferably linear. Preferably the alkanol has 6 to 11 carbon atoms (e.g. mixed C9-C) j) and in which the degree of ethoxylation is 5-15 (particularly 8-10).

A suitable fatty alcohol ethoxylate is available under the name Lutensol ON80 (BASF).

Formulations in accordance with the invention may additionally contain an alkyl (C8-22) polyglycoside which is an acetal of glucose with a primary alcohol (e.g. C12-CI4). If present, the preferred amount of the alkyl polyglycoside is up to 33%, e.g. 0. 1 to 1.5% by weight.

A suitable polyglycoside is available under the name Glucopan 60OCSUP (Henkel).

A further optional component which may be used in the formulation of the invention is a hydrotrope which may be used in an amount up to 4%, e.g. 0. 5-2%, of the formulation. A particular preferred hydrotrope is sodium xylene sulphonate.

The formulation may contain the usual minor addition such as preservatives, dyes and/or perfumes.

The invention will be illustrated with reference to the following nonlimiting Example.

Exampk Formulations A-D were prepared as shown below. Formulation A is generally in accordance with the teachings of GB-A-2 290 3 W 1 and is provided for the purposes of comparison. Formulations B-D are in accordance with the present invention.

6 Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (Empicol L28) Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (Emplcol 025 1) Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylate (Lutensol ON80) 8.6 Cocoamidopropyl Betaine (Rewoteric AMB 14) 3.75 Dialkyl Dimethyl Amine Oxide (Genaminox CSX) 2.4 Alkyl Polyglycoside (Glucopon 60OCSUP) 0.95 Sodium Xylene Sulphonate 1.05 Preservatives, Dyes, Perfumes Water % by weight A B c D 11.8 15.96 2.0 8.5 2.1 2.1 0.05 12.6 5.0 5.0 8.0 7.0 2.1 1.95 2.1 0.8 0.5 2.0 1.6 Minor Additions to 100 toloo toloo toloo 11.2 In the above table. the percentages represent amount of active material.

The above formulations were compared for their effectiveness in washing plates and foaming (lathering) properties. The plate washing test was a standard test used to determine the number of plates which could be washed using a predetermined quantity (1.8g) of the detergent formulation. The plates had each been soiled with 2 mI of melted lard applied in the form of small drops and then allowed to harden.

Similarly the lathering performance was judged by a standard test in which 200 nil of a 1% solution of the formulation is drained into a measuring cylinder from a separating funnel positioned 75 em above the base of the cylinder. The height of the lather produced after 1 minute and after ') 0 minutes was measured.

1) Standard Platewash (Lard Soil) Total Plates Washed Hard Water 16 19 18 19 1 Soft Water 3 16 16 17 7 2) Mixed Soil Platewash Total Plates Washed 14 15.5 15 15 (Mean of 5 Soils) 3) Foam Heights Initial (ram) 112 125 126 130 minutes (cm) 101 122 121 128 ForTnulations B, C and D were also found to be significantly better at removing burnt on soil after soaking (results not shown).

It will be appreciated from the information presented above that formulations in accordance with the invention are of considerably improved performance as compared to the prior art formulation A.

Claims

1. A liquid detergent formulation comprising, by weight, 10-20% of an alkyl (C822) sulphate, 1-10% of an alkyl (C8-22) ether sulphate, 1-7% of an amine oxide containing at least one C8-22 alkyl group, 1-7% of an amphoteric betaine surfactant containing at least one C8-22 alkyl group, 1 to 15% of an ethoxylated alcohol (C8-22), and a balance of water.

2. A formulation as claimed in claim 1 wherein the alkyl sulphate is present in an amount of 12-18% by weight.

3. A forTnulation as claimed in claim 2 wherein the alkyl sulphate is present in an amount of 15-17% by weight.

4. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3) wherein the alkyl sulphate is an alkali metal alkyl sulphate.

5. A formulation as claimed in claim 4 wherein the alkali metal is sodium.

6. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the alkyl group of the alkyl sulphate has 8-16 carbon atoms.

7. A formulation as claimed in claim 6 wherein the alkyl sulphate is or is predominantly a lauryl sulphate.

8. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the alkyl ether sulphate is present in an amount of 1-5% by weight.

C5 9. A formulation as claimed in claim 8 wherein the alkyl ether sulphate is present in an amount of 2-5% by weight.

9

10. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the cation of the alkyl ether sulphate is an alkali metal (preferably sodium) or ammonium.

11. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the alkyl ether sulphate is an alkyl ethoxylated sulphate.

12. A formulation as claimed in claim 11 wherein the alkyl ethoxylated sulphate has 1 to 5 units of ethoxylation.

13. A formulation as claimed in claim 12 wherein the alkyl ethoxylyated sulphate has 2 or 3 units of ethoxylation.

14. A formulation as claimed in claim 13) wherein the alkyl ether sulphate sodium lauryl ether sulphate.

is

15. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14 containing 1 to -3% of the amine oxide.

16. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15 wherein the amine oxide has one alkyl group Of C8-22 carbon atoms and two C] -4 alkyl groups.

17. A formulation as claimed in claim 16 wherein the amine oxide is a (C822) alkyl dimethyl amine oxide.

18. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 17 wherein the betaine surfactant is present in an amount of 1 to 4% by weight.

19. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the betaine is of the formula R 1 1 R 3_N-CH,-COO- 1 (1) R R 1 1 R'CONHCH2CH2CH2N±CH,COO- (11) in which R' and R2 may be the same or different C 1-4 alkyl groups and R 3 is an alkyl group having 8-22 carbon atoms.

20. A formulation as claimed in claim 19 wherein the betaine is cocoamidopropyl betaine.

21. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20 wherein the ethoxylated alcohol is present in an amount of 6-10% by weight.

22. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 21 wherein the alkanol from which the ethoxylated alkanol is derived is linear.

23. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 22 wherein the alkanol from which the ethoxylated alkanol is derived has 6 to 11 carbon atoms.

24. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23 in which the degree of ethoxylation in the ethoxylated alkanol is 5-15.

25. A formulation as claimed in claim 26 wherein said degree of ethoxylation is 810.

26. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 25 additionally containing an alkyl WS-22) polyglycoside.

27. A formulation as claimed in claim 26 wherein the alkyl polyglycoside is present in an amount up to -3% by weight.

28. A formulation as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27 additionally containing a hydrotrope.

29. A formulation as claimed in claim 28 wherein the hydrotrope is present in an amount up to 10% by weight.

30. A formulation as claimed in claim 28 or 29 wherein the hydrotrope is sodium xylene sulphonate.