IE53899B1 - Detergent compositions containing mixtures of alkylpolysacharide and nonionic surfactants - Google Patents

Abstract

Detergent surfactant combinations comprising alkylpolyglycoside detergent surfactants and nonionic detergent surfactants provide good detergency and are compatible with anionic optical brighteners, both in built and unbuilt detergent compositions.

Description

This invention relates to surfactant combinations which provide good detergency in a laundry context. Such compositions can be either built or unbuilt, granular or liquid, and can contain the usual auxiliary ingredients common to such compositions.

Alkylpolyglycosides which are surfactants have been disclosed in US-A-3,598,865; 3,721,633? and 3,772,269.

These patents also disclose processes for making alkylpolyglycoside surfactants and built liquid detergent compositions containing these surfactants. US-A3,219,656 discloses alkylmonoglucosides and suggests their utility as foam stabilizers for other surfactants. Various polyglycoside surfactant structures and processes for making them are disclosed in US-A-3,640,998; 3,839,318; 3,314,936; 3,346,558; 4,011,389; and 4,223,129.

This invention relates to the discovery of certain combinations of surfactants which provide unusually good detergency, especially in cool water, for a variety of fabric types. Specifically this invention relates to detergent compositions comprising: A. from 1% to 90% by weight, of an alkylpolysaccharide detergent surfactant having the formula RO-(R'0)y-(Ζ)χ where R is alkyl, alkyl phenyl, alkyl benzyl, or a mixture thereof, said alkyl groups containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, being either saturated or unsaturated, and containing from 0 to 3 hydroxy groups, where each R* is an ethylene, propylene, or -CH2-CH(OH)-CH2- group, and y is iron 0 to 12; and where each Z is a moiety derived from a reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms, and x is a number from 1.5 to 10; B. from 1% to 901 of a nonionic detergent surfactant of the formula wherein R is a primary or secondary alkyl chain of from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and n ia an average of from 2 to 12; and C. from 0% to 90% by weight of a detergency builder, the weight ratio of (λ) to (B) being from 1:10 to 10:1, preferably from 1:3 to 3:1.

The Alkvlpolvsaccharide Surfactant It has surprisingly been found that the cosurfactants interact with the alkylpolysaccharide surfactant of this invention to provide good laundry detergency for a vide range of fabrics. The alkylpolysaccharidee ere those having a hydrophobic group containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to carbon atoms and a polysaccharide, e.g., a polyglycoside hydrophilic group containing from 1.5 to 10, preferably from 1.5 to 3, most preferably from 1.6 to 2.7 saccharide units.

Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, e.g. glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties can substitute for the glucosyl moieties. (Optionally the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2, 3,4 etc. positions thus giving a glucose or galactose as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside.) The intersaccharide bonds can be, e.g., between the one position of the additional saccharide units < and the 2-. 3-. 4-, and/or 6 positions on the preceding saccharide units.

Optionally, and less desirably, there can be a polyalkoxide chain joining the hydrophobic moiety and the polysaccharide moiety. The preferred alkoxide is ethylene oxide. Typical hydrophobic groups include alkyl groups, either saturated or unsaturatcd, branched or unbranched containing from 8 to 18, preferably from 10 to 16 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 10, preferably less than 5, most preferably 0. alkoxide moieties. Suitable alkyl polysaccharides are octyl, nonyldecyl, undecyldodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, and octadecyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-. and hexaglucosides. galactosides, lactosides, and/or fructosides. Suitable alkyl monosaccharides are octyl, nonyldecyl, undecyldodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, and octadecyl, glucoses, fructoses and/or galactoses. Suitable mixtures include coconut alkyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentaglucosides and tallow alkyl tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides.

The preferred alkylpolyglycosides have the formula wherein κ is selected from alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl. 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; t frcm 0 to 10, preferably 0; and X is from 1¾ to 10, preferably from 1¾ to 3, roost preferably from 1.6 to 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare compounds the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl units are attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units 2-, 3-, *)- and/or 6- position, preferably predominantly the 2-position. 53898 Preferably the content of alkylmonoglycoside ie low, preferably lees than 60%, more preferably leee than 50%.

Surprisingly, anionic fluorescere which are normally relatively ineffective in the presence of conventional ethoxylated nonionic detergent surfactants at high levels in the absence of substantial levels of anionic detergent surfactants, are very effective when the alkylpolyglycoside surfactants are present. For brighter effectiveness, the ratio of alkylpolyglycoeide detergent surfactant to nonionic detergent surfactant should be greater than 1:4 preferably greater than 1:3, most preferably greater than 1:1.

THE NONIONIC DETERGENT SURFACTANT Nonlonlc Surfactant The nonionic surfactants for use in the compositions of the present invention are biodegradable and have the formula R8(OC2Hi>)nOH, wherein R® is a primary or secondary alkyl chain of to 22, preferably from and n is an average of from from 8 10 to 20, carbon atoms 2 to 12, particularly fran to 9. The nonionics lipophilic balance) of from 6 to 15. HLB have an HLB (hydrophilic5 to 17, preferably from is defined in detail in Honionic Surfactants, by M. J. Schick, Marcel Dekker, Inc., I966, pages 606-613, incorporated herein by reference. In preferred nonionic surfactants, n is from 3 to 7. Primary linear alcohol ethoxylates (e.g., alcohol ethoxylates produced from organic alcohols which contain about 20% 2-methyl branched isomers, commercially available from Shell Chemical Company under the tradename Neodol*) are preferred from a performance standpoint.

Particularly preferred nonionic surfactants for use in the compositions of the present invention include the condensation product of C,o alcohol with 3 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of tallow alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of coconut alcohol with 5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of coconut alcohol with 6 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of C^ alcohol with 5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of C12_(3 alcohol with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide, and the same condensation product which is stripped so as to remove substantially all * Trade Mark lower ethoxylate and nonethoxylated fractions; the condensation product of C|2_(3 alcohol with 2.3 moles of ethylene oxide, and the same condensation product which is stripped so as to remove substantially all lower ethoxylate and nonethoxylated fractions; the condensation product of a'co^°' w'th 9 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of alcohol with 2.25 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of alcohol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of Cw_15 alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide; and the condensa10 tion product of alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide.

The compositions of the present invention may contain mixtures of the preferred alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactants together with other types of nonionic surfactants. One of the preferred nonionic surfactant mixtures contains at least one of the preferred alcohol ethoxylate nonionics, and has a ratio of the preferred alcohol ethoxylate surfactant (or surfactants) to the other nonionic surfactant (or surfactants) of from 1:1 to 5:1. Specific examples of surfactant mixtures useful in the present invention include a mixture of the condensation product of alcohol with 3 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-3) and the condensation product of alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-9), in a ratio of lower ethoxylate nonionic to higher ethoxylate nonionic of from 1:1 to 3:1; a mixture of the condensation product of C|q alcohol with 3 moles of ethylene oxide together with the condensation product of a secondary alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol* I5-S-9), in a ratio of lower ethoxylate nonionic to higher ethoxylate nonionic of from 1:1 to 4:1; a mixture of Neodol 45-3 and Tergitol I5-S-9, in a ratio of lower ethoxylate nonionic to higher ethoxylate nonionic of from 1:1 to 3:1; and a mixture of Neodol 45-3 with the condensation product of myristyl alcohol with IO moles of ethylene oxide, in a ratio of lower ethoxylate to higher ethoxylate of from 1:1 to 3:1.

* Trade Mark Preferred nonionic surfactant mixtures may also contain alkyl glyceryl ether compounds together with the preferred alcohol ethoxylate surfactants. Particularly preferred are glyceryl ethers having the formula R9-O(CH2CH2O)nCH2CHCH2OH OH e wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl group of from 8 to 18. preferably 8 to 12, carbon atoms or an alkaryl group having from 5 to I4 carbons in the alkyl chain, and n Is from 0 to 6, together with the preferred alcohol ethoxyl10 ates, described above, in a ratio of alcohol ethoxylate to glyceryl ether of from 1:1 to 4:1, particularly about 7:3.

Glyceryl ethers of the type useful in the present invention are disclosed in US-A-4,093,713, Jones, issued July 4, 1978.

The ratio of alkylpolyglycoside detergent surfactant to nonionic detergent surfactant is from 10:1 to 1:10, preferably from 3:1 to 1:3.

The Detergency Builder The detergent compositions herein also contain from 0% to 90%, preferably from 5% to 50%, and more preferably from 10% to 35% of a detergent builder. Such builders include, by way of example, a crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material of the formula Na2l(AiO2)z'(SiO2)y)'xH2O wherein z and y are at least 6, the molar ratio of z to y is from 1.0 to 0.5 and x is from 10 to 264.

Amorphous hydrated aluminosilicate materials useful herein have the empirical formula Mz(zAIO2’ySiO2) wherein M is sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammoni30 urn, z is from 0.5 to 2 and y is I. said material having a magnesium ion exchange capacity of at least 50 milligram equivalents of CaCO^ hardness per gram of anhydrous aluminosilicate.

The aluminosilicate ion exchange builder materials herein are in hydrated form and contain from 10% to 28% of water by weight if crystalline, and potentially even higher amounts of water if amorphous. Highly preferred crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials contain from 18% to 22% water in their crystal matrix. The preferred crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are further characterized by a particle size diameter of from 0.1 ym to 10 ym. Amorphous materials are often smaller, e.g., down to less than 0.01 ym. More preferred ion exchange materials have a particle size diameter of from 0.2 um to 4 ym.

The term particle size diameter herein represents the average particle size diameter of a given ion exchange material as determined by conventional analytical techniques such as, for example, microscopic determination utilizing a scanning electron microscope.

The crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials herein are usually further characterized by their calcium ion exchange capacity, which is at least 200 mg. equivalent of CaCO^ water hardness/g. of aluminosilicate, calculated on an anhydrous basis, and which generally is in the range of from 300 mg. eq./g. . to 352 mg. eq./g. The aluminosilicate ion exchange materials herein are still further characterized by their calcium ion exchange rate whidi is at least 0.009g Ca^/t/Wn/g/t (2grains Ca++/gallon/minute/granv/gallon) of aluminosilicate (anhydrous basis), and generally lies within the range of from 0.009 to C.027g/i/tain/g/Z(2 arains/gallon/minute/gram/gallon to 6 grains/gallcn/ndnute/crrany'gallcn), based on calcium ion hardness. Optimum aluminosilicates for builder purposes exhibit a calcium ion exchange rate of et least- 0.018g/' t/irin/q/t (4 grains/gallon/minute/gran/gallon).

The amorphous aluminosilicate ion exchange materials usually have a Mg*+ exchange capacity of at least 50 mg. eq. CaCOj/g. (12 mg. Mg++/g.) and a Mg+* exchange rate of at least 1 grain/gallon/minute/gram/gallon. Amorphous materials do not exhibit an observable diffraction pattern when examined by Cu radiation (0,154 nm).

Aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful in the practice of this invention are commercially available. The aluminosilicates useful in this invention car) be crystalline or amorphous in structure and can be naturally-occurring aluminosilicates or syntheti5 cally derived. A method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is discussed in US - A-3,985,669, Krummel, et al, Issued October 12, 1976.

Preferred synthetic crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are available under the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite Ρ (B), and Zeolite X. In an especially preferred embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula Nan[(AIO2)12(SiO2)12]'xH2O wherein x is from 20 to 30, especially about 27.

Other examples of detergency builders include water-soluble neutral or alkaline salts.

Other useful water-soluble salts include, the compounds commonly known as detergent builder materials. Builders are generally selected from the various water-soluble, alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates, polyphosphonates, carbonates, silicates, borates, polyhydroxysulforates, polyacetates, carboxylates, and polycarboxylates. Preferred are the alkali metal, especially sodium, salts of the above.

Specific examples of inorganic phosphate builders are sodium and potassium tripolyphosphate, pyrophosphate, polymeric metaphate having a dec-ee of polymerization of from 6 to 21, and orthophosphate. Examples of poly phosphonate builders are the sodium and potassium salts of ethylene-l.l-diphosphonic acid, the sodium and potassium salts of ethane l-hydroxy-l,l-diphosphonic acid and the sodium and potassium salts of ethane, 1,1,2triphosphonic acid. Other phosphorus builder compounds are disclosed in US-A- 3.I59.58I; 3,213,030; 3.422.021; 3,422,137; 3.400.176 and 3.400.148 . 53»93 Examples of nonphosphorus, inorganic builders are sodium and potassium carbonate, bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate, tetraborate decahydrate, and silicate having a molar ratio of SiO? to alkali meta, oxide of from 0.5 to 4.0, preferably from 1.0 to 2.4.

Water-soluble, nonphosphorus organic builders useful herein include the various alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyhydroxysulfonates. Examples of polyacetate and polycarboxylate builders are the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, meilitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, and citric acid.

Highly preferred polycarboxylate builders herein are set forth in US-A- 3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7, 1967. Such materials include the water-soluble salts of homo- and copolymers of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, itaconic acid, mesaconic acid, fumaric acid, aconitic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid.

Other builders include the carboxylated carbohydrates of US-A-3,723,322, Diehl.

Other useful builders herein are sodium and potassium carboxymethyloxymatonate, carboxymethyloxysuccinate, cis-cyclohexanehexacarboxylate, cis-cydopentanetetracarboxylate phloro25 glucinol trisulfonate, water-soluble polyacrylates (having molecular weights of from 2,000 to 200,000 for example), and the copolymers of maleic anhydride with vinyl methyl ether or ethylene.

Other suitable polycarboxylates for use herein are the poly30 acetal carboxylates described in US-A- 4,144,226, issued March 13, 1979 to Crutchfield et al, and issued March 27, 1979 to Crutchfield et al. polyacetal carboxylates can US-A- 4,246,495, These be prepared by bringing together under polymerization conditions an ester of glyoxylic acid and a polymerization initiator. The resulting polyacetal carboxylate ester is then attached to chemically stable end groups to stabilize the polyacetal carboxylate against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution, converted to the corresponding salt, and added to a surfactant.

Other detergency builder materials useful herein are the seeded builder compositions disclosed in BE-A-798,856, issued Oct. 29, 1973.Specific examples of such seeded builder mixtures are: 3:1 wt. mixtures of sodium carbonate and calcium carbonate having 5 μη particle diameter; 2.7:( wt. mixtures of sodium sesquicarbonate and calcium carbonate having a particle diameter of 0.5 pm ; 20:1 wt. mixtures of sodium sesquicarbonate and calcium hydroxide having a particle diameter of 0.01 pm and a 3:3:1 wt. mixture of sodium carbonate, sodium aluminate and calcium oxide having a particle diameter of 5 : pm.

Other Ingredients In addition to the essential detergent surfactants described hereinbefore, the detergent compositions herein can contain from 1% to 15%, preferably from 2% to 8%, of an organic surfactant selected from the group consisting of anionic, zwitterionic. ampholytic, and cationic surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Surfactants useful herein are listed in US-A3,664,961, Norris, issued May 23, 1972, and US-ALauahlin et al, issued Dec. 30, surfactants also include 4,222,905, Cockrell, issued Sept. 16. 1980, 4,239,659, Murphy, issued Dec. 16, 1980.

Useful cationic cribed in US-Aand in US-A 3.919,678, 1975. those des The following are representative examples of surfactants useful in the present compositions.

Water-soluble salts of the higher fatty acids, i.e., “soaps, are useful anionic surfactants in the compositions herein. This includes alkali metal soaps such as the sodium, potassium, ammonium, and alkylolammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing from 8 to 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from 3 53898 to 18 carbon atoms. Soaps can be made by direct saponification of fats and oils or by the neutralization of free fatty acids. Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of the mixtures of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium tallow and coconut soap. The preferred soap, as discussed hereinbefore and hereinafter, especially in combination with semipolar or amide nonionic detergent surfactants, is at least partially unsaturated.

The unsaturated fatty acid soap of this invention contains from 16 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably in a straight chain configuration. Preferably the number of carbon atoms in the unsaturated fatty acid soap is from 16 to 18.

The unsaturated soap, in common with other anionic detergent and other anionic materials in the detergent compositions of this invention, has a cation which renders the soap water-soluble and/or dispersible. Suitable cations include sodium, potassium, ammonium, monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium, tetramethy lammonium, etc. cations. Sodium ions are preferred although in liquid formulations ammonium, and triethanolammonium cations are useful.

A level of at least 1% of the unsaturated fatty acid soap is desirable to provide a noticeable reduction in sudsing and corrosion. Preferred levels of unsaturated fatty acid soap are from 1% to 15%, preferably from 1% to 10%, most preferably from 2% to 5%. The unsaturated fatty acid soap is preferably present at a level that will provide a level of from I5 ppm to 200 ppm, preferably from 25 ppm to 125 ppm in the wash solution at recommended U.S. usage levels and from 30 ppm to 1000 ppm, preferably from 50 ppm to 500 ppm for European usage levels.

Mono-, di-, and triunsaturated fatty acids are all essentially equivalent so it is preferred to use mostly monounsaturated soaps to minimize the risk of rancidity. Suitable sources of unsaturated 53«9Ss fatty acids are well known. For example, see Bailey's Industrial Oil and Fat Products, Third Edition. Swern, published by interscience Publisher (1964), incorporated herein by reference.

Preferably, the level of saturated soaps is kept as low as possible, preferably less than 60%, preferably less than 50% of the total soap is saturated soap. However, low levels of saturated soaps can be used. Tallow and palm oil soaps can be used.

Useful synthetic anionic surfactants also include the water10 soluble salts, eferably the alkali metal, ammonium and alkylolammonium salts, of organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl group containing from 10 to 20 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group.

Such synthetic anionic detergent surfactants are desirable additives at a level of from 1% to 10% to increase the overall detergency effect and, if desired, increase the level of suds. (Included in the term alkyl is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.) Examples of this group of synthetic surfactants are the sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating the higher alcohols (Cg-C^ carbon atoms) such as those produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; and the sodium and potassium alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from 9 to 15 carbon atoms, in straight chain or branched chain configuration, e.g., those of the type described in US-A- 2,220.099 and 2,477,383. Especially valuable are linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from 11 to 13, abbreviated as C^_^3LAS.

Preferred anionic detergent surfactants are the alkyl polyethoxylate sulfates, particularly those in which the alkyl contains from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 18 and wherein the polyethoxylate chain contains from 1 to 15 ethoxylate moieties preferably from 1 to 3 ethoxylate moieties. These anionic detergent surfactants are particularly desirable for formulating heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent compositions..

Other anionic surfactants herein are the sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, especially those ethers of higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonates and sulfates; sodium or potassium salts of alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing from 1 to 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl groups contain from 8 to 12 carbon atoms; and sodium or potassium salts of alkyl ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing I to 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl group contains from 10 to 20 carbon atems.

Other useful anionic surfactants herein include the water15 soluble salts of esters of alpha-sulfonated fatty acids containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the fatty acid group and from 1 to |0 carbon atoms in the ester group; water-soluble salts of 2-acyloxy-alkane-l-sulfonic acids containing from 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group and from 9 to 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; alkyl ether sulfates containing from 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from 1 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide; water-soluble salts of olefin sulfonates containing from 12 to 24 carbon atoms; and beta-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety.

Ampholytic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic or aliphatic derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic moiety can be straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from to I8 carbon atoms and at least one aliphatic substituent contains an anionic water-solubili2ing group.

Zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, and sulfonium compounds in 538θ» which one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms.

Particularly preferred auxiliary surfactants herein include linear alkyibenzene sulfonates containing from 11 to 14 carbon atoms in the alkyl group: tallowalkyl sulfates; coconutaikyl glyceryl ether sulfonates; alkyl ether sulfates wherein the alkyl moiety contains from 14 to I8 carbon atoms and wherein the average degree of ethoxylation is from 1 to 4; olefin or paraffin sulfonates containing from 14 to I6 carbon atoms; and alkyldimethylammonium propane sulfonates and alkyldimethylammonim hydroxy propane sulfonates wherein the alkyl group contains from 14 to 18 carbon atoms.

Specific preferred surfactants for use herein include: sodium, potassium, mono-, di-, and triethanolammonium CI4-I5 alkyl polyethoxylate^ sulfates; sodium linear alkyibenzene sulfonate; triethanolamine C|j_|3 alkyibenzene sulfonate; sodium tallow alkyl sulfate; sodium coconut alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate; the sodium salt of a sulfated condensation product of a tallow alcohol with about 4 moles of ethylene oxide; 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N20 coconutalkylammonio)-2hydroxypropane-l-sulfonate; 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-coconutalkylammoniopropane-l-sulfonate; 6-(N-dodecylbenzyl-N,N-dimethylammonio)-hexanoate; and coconut alkyldimethyl amine oxide.

Other adjunct components which may be included in the compositions of the present invention, in their conventional artestablished levels for use (i.e., from 0 to 90%), include solvents, bleaching agents, bleach activators, soil-suspending agents, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, fillers, optical brighteners, germicides, pH adjusting agents (monoethanolamine, sodium carbonate, sodium hydroxide, etc.), enzymes, enzyme-stabilizing agents, perfumes, fabric softening components, static control agents, and the like.

Fatty acid amide detergent surfactants useful herein include those having the formula: wherein R6 is an alkyl group containing from 7 to 21 (preferably from 9 to 17) carbon •j atoms and each R is selected from hydrogen, c^_4 alkyl, c2_4 hydroxy alkyl, and -(02Η40)χΗ where x varies from 1 to 3.

Preferred amides are Cg_2o ammonia amides, monoethanolammonium, diethanolanides, and Isopropanol amides.

The compositions of the present invention can be manufactured and used in a variety of forms such as solids, powders, granules, pastes, and liquids. The compositions can be used in the current U.8. laundering processes by forming aqueous solution containing froa 0.01% to 1%, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5%, and most preferably from 0.05% to 0.25% of the composition in water and agitating the soiled fabrics in that aqueous solution. The fabrics are then rinsed and dried. When used in this manner the preferred compositions of the present invention yield exceptionally good detergency on a variety of fabrics.

All percentages, parts, and ratios herein are by weight unless otherwise specified.

The following examples illustrate the compositions and method of the present invention.

EXAMPLE I Unbuilt Combination of C|2-I5 3lky'CI2—13 a,kyl Hunter Whiteness Units (HWU) polyglyco- polyethoxy- Clay Removal 5 sides2_3la,e6.5 Polyester and aotton blend ΕΕΓ2 in Wash Cotton (i.e.polycotton)Polyester 500 - 9.4 15.4 2.9 400 100 6.4 15.5 4.6 300 200 6.3 17.1 7.1 10 200 300 4.4 17.6 7.1 100 400 2.7 16.3 7.1 500 -0.3 15.6 6.8 Test Condition: 35°C water having 0.39 g of mixed hard- ness and a mini washer. 15 As can be seen from the above results, the alkylpolyglyco- side surfactant has an unexpected problem with cleaning poly- ester. In general, the alkylpolyglycosides are considered non- ionic surfactant replacements. but. surprisingly, they achieve their best laundry results in combination with nonionic surfac- 20 tants, especially those that are optimized for cleaning relatively hydrophobic surfaces. The alkyl polyglycosides in these examples were derived from glucose. Similar results are obtained with the other alkyl glycosides described herein.

EXAMPLE II (Unbuilt Mixtures) CI2-I5 alkyl polyglycosides? j C12-I3 a,ky' polyethoxylate.

% Dirty Motor Oil Removal from Polyester Fabrics 300 ppm 0 ppm 10 240 ppm 60 ppm 20 180 ppm 120 ppm 27 0 ppm 300 ppm 17 Same conditions as in Example 1.

As can be seen from the above data, despite the generally inferior results obtained in cleaning relatively hydrophobic sur35 53699 faces with an alkylpolyglycoside surfactant, the mixtures of an alkylpolyglycoside and a nonionic surfactant provides synergistic results.

EXAMPLE III Whiteness Maintenance (Redeposition Test) C12-I3 alkyl Hunter Whiteness Units (HWU) C„_K alkyl polyethoxy- White polyglyco- late3 Cotton White Whiteside2-3 Neodol 23-3 T-shirt Polycotton Polyester 300 ppm 0 73 68 36 240 ppm 60 74 70 39 180 ppm 120 79 73 40 60 ppm 240 73 73 39 0 300 71 73 39 The solutions were unbuilt and used the same conditions as Examples 1 and II, the grades being the average for the two types of soils. As can be seen from the above data, , there is a synergistic improvement in redeposition on cotton for the mixtures of surfac- tants. EXAMPLE IVCI2-I5 a,ky'CI2-I3 alkyl polyglyco- sit,e!-3 polethoxy- late3 % Menstrual Stain Removal from polycotton 50 300 ppm 0 240 ppm 60 60 180 ppm 120 63 60 ppm 240 70 0 ppm 300 63 Same test conditions as in previous examples with unbuilt solutions.

As can be seen from tbe above, the unexpectedly poor showing of the alkylpolyglycoside with respect to this stain can be improved and/or synergistic improvement obtained by addition of the nonionic surfactant, depending upon the ratio used.

EXAMPLE V Built Performance on Clay Soil Hunter Whiteness Units (HWU) Cotton Polycotton Polyester Commercial built anionic detergent composition II.0 19.9 22.5ci2-i5 a|ky|p°|y9|ycoside2.3+ 12.7 21.2 26.3 C., ., alkylpolyethoxylate, , Ι:Γ ratio* *Built with 25% sodium tripolyphosphate (STP) and 10% sodium carbonate, the total composition being used at a level of 1200 ppm.

Test Condition: 15.5°C water having 0.59 g of mixed hardness and miniwasher.

As can be seen from the above the mixed surfactant system of this invention provides equivalent or superior clay removal across a variety of fabric types as compared to more conventional anionic surfactants. 5389 EXAMPLE VI 5CI2-I5 polyglycosides 2_3 + coconut alkylCI2-I3 a,kyl polyethoxy- late 6.5 + Coconut alkyl Clay Removal, HWU Cotton dimethylamine oxide (1:1) 14.6 dimethylamine oxide (1:1) 11.2 10 Polycotton 28.5 22.1 Polyester 59.0 55.2 Removal. % Dirty motor oil 30 37 Chocolate syrup 93 93 15 Crass 67 73 Bacon grease 57 53 Menstrual stain 83 73 Spaghetti sauce 50 67 20 Body Soil Removal, PSU* vs. Commercial Unbuilt Heavy- Duty Liquid (Control) + 1.56 + 1.7 Whiteness, Soler 2A T-shirt 78 77 Polycotton 86 85 25 Polyester 46 39 The surfactant mixture was 13% of the formula and the builder was sodium nitrilotriacetate at 18%. The test conditions were 2100 ppir. of the composition, 35°C, 0.39 g of mixed hardness *PSU equals Panel Score Units wherein expert graders assign values based on 0 = no difference; I = difference; and 2 = clear difference. 2 EXAMPLE VII Unbuilt HPL Performance The invention vs, unbuilt commercial heavy-duty liquid detergent composition (HDL).

Panel Score Units vs. Commercial Product Cotton Polvester Dirty motor oil +0.3 +0.4 Bacon grease +1.0 +0.8 Gravy +1.4 +0.2 Spaghetti sauce +0.3 +0.9 Grass +1.7 +1.5 Chocolate syrup -0.4 +0.6 TEST CONDITION: 450 ppm actives, 35°C water having 0.39 g mixed hardness and a mini washer.

Composition of the invention: Ci2-13 15 oxylate3/C12_13 alkylpolyglycoside2_3 at a ratio of 1:1.

EXAMPLE VIII The alkylpolyglycosides improve the performance of very water soluble (high HLB) nonionics.

Ratio Clav Cleaning Performance C12-13 ««V1’ polyglycoside2_3ci2-i3 alRy1polyethoxylate12 punter Whiteness Units Polvester Polvcotton gotten 100 0 25.9 2.8 1.2 80 20 27.0 3.3 2.5 25 60 40 28.8 5.2 3.6 20 80 29.1 5.0 4.2 0 100 28.1 2.2 2.1 538 99 Conditions: Miniwasher, unbuilt, 0.39 g at mixed hardness, 37.8°C, 300 ppm total active.

As can be seen from the above data, the mixtures are clearly superior. From I to 2 HV.'U are a substantial difference in this test.

EXAMPLE IX Alkyl Polyglucosides Improve the Performance of Oil Soluble (Low HL8) Nonionic Detergent Surfactants (HWU) (P.S.U.) to Ratio Clay Removal Lipid Facial from Soil Removal ,3 Polyester Cotton from Polycotton 100 -δ- 23.9 0.8 0.2 80 20 24.9 -0.1 0.5 15 60 40 24.6 -11.9 0.6 20 80 8.8 -21.0 -0.4 0 100 -0.8 -27.8 -0.9 Conditions: Miniwasher, Unbuilt, 6 grains mixed hardness, 37.8°C 300 ppm. (LSDg5 = 1.2 HVVU for clay and LSDgj = .4 P.S.U. for facial soil.) Clearly, the above results show the improvement from mixing conventional (ethoxylated) nonionic detergent surfactants with atkylpolyglycosides. The mixtures provide a substantial improvement in detergency.

Claims (7)

CLAIMS:

1. λ detergent composition containing: A. from 1% to 90* by weight, of an alkylpolysaccharide detergent surfactant having the formula RO-(R'0)y-(Z) x where R is alkyl, alkyl phenyl, alkyl benzyl, or a mixture thereof, said alkyl groups containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, being either saturated or unsaturated, and containing from 0 to 3 hydroxy groups, where each R* is an ethylene, propylene, or -CH 2 -CH(OH)-CH 2 - group, and y is from 0 to 12,· and where each Z is a moiety derived from a reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms, and x is a number from 1.5 to 10; B. from 1% to 90% by weight of a nonionic detergent surfactant of the formula R 8 (OC 2 H 4 ) n OH, wherein R 8 is a primary or secondary alkyl chain of from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and n is an average of from 2 to 12; and C. from 0% to 90% by weight of a detergency builder, the weight ratio of (A) to (B) being from 1:10 to 10:1.

2. The composition of Claim 1, wherein Component A has the formula R 2 0(C n H 2n O) y (glycosyl) χ wherein R 2 is selected from alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof, n is 2 or 3, y is from 0 to 10, the glycosyl moiety is derived from glucose, and x is from 1.5 to 3. 5389S

3. The composition of Claim 1 or 2, wherein the weight ratio of (A) to (B) is from 1:3 to 3:1.

4. The composition of Claim 1, wherein the detergency builder is present at a level of from 10% to 50% by

5. Weight and is selected from hydrated Zeolites A, X, and P, having a particle size of from 0.01 to 10 ym, alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium tripolyphosphates, pyrophosphates, carbonates, silicates, borates, polymeric metaphosphates, nitrilotriacetates, citrates,

6. 10 and polyacetal carboxylates. 5. The process of cleaning mixed hydrophobic and hydrophilic fabrics in an aqueous detergent solution containing from 0.01% to 1% by weight of the detergent composition of Claim 1.

7. 15 6. A detergent composition according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described with particular reference to the accompanying Examples.