GB991980A - Detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

A liquid detergent composition comprises (a) a nonionic surface active agent; (b) an alkaline builder, e.g. at least one hydroxide, phosphate, polyphosphate or silicate of sodium or potassium; and (c) an alkali metal salt of a copolymer (molecular weight at least 500,000) consisting (by weight) of 55-75% methacrylic acid, up to 45% of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated ester of acrylic acid and a C1- 4-alcohol, 0-40% of at least one other non-ionizable copolymerizable monoethylenically unsaturated monomer, and 0-2% of at least one copolymerizable polyethylenically unsaturated cross-linking monomer, copolymer salt (c) serving to prevent the composition separating into layers for at least 1 day at 25 DEG C. In general, (a) comprises 1.5-30% by weight, (b) comprises 5-45% and (c) constitutes 0.5-2.5% (calculated as acid); in addition, the composition may also contain 0.3%-1% carboxymethyl cellulose. (a) May be a condensate of an alkylphenol with propylene, butylene, but particularly ethylene oxide, a benzyl ether of such a condensate, a block copolymer of ethylene oxide with at least one higher ethylene oxide, or a mixture of one or more compounds of Formula I and II below <FORM:0991980/C4-C5/1> <FORM:0991980/C4-C5/2> wherein R1, R2, and R3 are alkyl groups totallin 7-23 carbon atoms, and a,b,c and d are such that the compounds contain an average of 15-45 ethenoxy units and 15-67.5 propenoxy units, the ratio of the number of propenoxy to ethenoxy units being 1-1.5:1. The optional monoethylenically unsaturated monomers which may be employed in making copolymer (c) include various acrylates, methacrylic and itaconic acid esters, vinyl acetate and chloride, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile and styrene; many suitable cross-linking monomers are specified but butylene glycol dimethacrylate appears to be preferred and may be used to cross-link a copolymer of 70 parts methacrylic acid and 30 parts ethyl acrylate which is the most favoured copolymer. Sodium or potassium dodecylbenzene sulphonate, lauric diethanolamide, abrasive grit such as quartzite (where an abrasive cleanser is required), fluorescent brighteners such as "Calcofluor SD White" and "Tinopol 4BM or RBS" (Trade Mark), sodium carbonate, colour such as "Calco Cyan Blue BWD," and perfume may also be incorporated. Specifications 955,710 and 955,711 are referred to.