IE58673B1 - Homogeneous concentrated liquid detergent compositions containing ternary surfactant system - Google Patents

Abstract

Homogeneous concentrated liquid detergent compositions with a ternary surfactant system are disclosed. The ternary system contains two anionic surfactants, an alkyl (aryl) - sulfonate and a succinate, and a nonionic surfactant. The compositions exhibit a pH in the neutral to mildly alkaline domain. Preferred compositions additionally contain low level of oleic acid.

Description

This invention relates to concentrated homogeneous liquid detergent compositions containing a well-defined surface-active mixture. In more detail, the compositions herein are characterized by the utilization of a ternary surfactant system and contain less than 50% water. The ternary surfactant system contains a majority of an anionic surfactant which is represented by a binary mixture of an alkyl(aryl) sulfonated surface-active agent and an alk(en)yl succinate in a weight ratio of sulfonate to succinate in the range of from 3:1 to 1:4, and a nonionic surfactant component .

The inventive compositions exhibit excellent and highly desirable detergency, they can be manufactured easily and furthermore display excellent stability during prolonged periods of storage.

Homogeneous concentrated heavy duty liquid detergents are well-known in the art and have found commercial application. The like compositions can comprise a ternary active system, namely: synthetic anionic sulfonates or sulfates in combination with nonionic ethoxylates and soaps. Such prior art compositions are difficultly processable, particularly depending upon alkalinity. The prior art concentrated liquid detergents are in that respect vulnerable to phase separation under neutral to mildly alkaline conditions. As a further consequence of the like matrix criticalities, it is fairly difficult to modify the matrix with a view to 5 increase the performance having regard to certain staining/ cleaning situations. From a detergency standpoint, it is known that concentrated liquid compositions of the art. while exhibiting superior cleaning in relation to the majority of fibers, can desirably be improved in relation to 10 cellulosic fiber detergency as compared to the performance derivable from the use of oxygen-bleach containing polyphosphate built granular detergents.

The prior art relative to concentrated homogeneous heavy duty liquid detergent compositions is crowded and diverse. 15 As an example U.S. Patent 4.285.841 discloses builder-free concentrated homogeneous liquid compositions containing a combination of anionic synthetic surface-active compounds, nonionic surface-active compounds and fatty acids. The manufacture of the like compositions containing less than 2q 50% water requires the utilization of substantial amounts of solvents and/or compatibilizing agents and even under those circumstances, remain of borderline stability having particularly regard to levels and type of nonionics, fatty acids, particularly saturated species, and optional electrolytes 25 such as low levels of organic builders.

The succinate ingredient is well-known in the detergent art and has been disclosed in combination with all kinds of detergent executions, mostly granular compositions. While, the like succinates have been recommended for utilization in 30 liquid compositions, it is well-known that substantial formulation difficulties will originate from their use in such compositions, particularly in presence of low levels of water and substantial amounts of nonionics.

German Patent 17 68 851 relates to the utilization of specific succinate derivatives as suds boosters.

These compositions contain solely anionic surface-active agents and furthermore substantial levels of water in combination with additional hydrotropes.

German Patent 19 56 671 discloses binary liquid prepara5 tions containing substantial levels of alk(en)yl succinates in combination with nonionic surface-active agents. German Patent Application 30 13 904 relates to alkaline cleaning agent compositions, solid or liquid, containing a partially neutralized succinic acid derivative which seems to be utilized for its foaming properties.

EP-A- 0 017 951 relates to the utilization of alk(en)yl succinic acid salts or monoesters thereof with polyvalent alcohols for hydrotroping perfumes in liquid detergent compositions containing high levels of electrolytes.

EP-A-0 028 850 relates to the utilization of monoalkyl or alkenyl C7_i2, preferably Cg and C9 succinates, as hydrotropes in nonionic-based liquid detergent compositions.

GB-A-2 049 723 discloses the use of partially neutralized 20 alkyl succinates in replacement for conventional surfactants, in liquid detergent compositions.

It is a main object of this invention to formulate a homogeneous concentrated liquid detergent composition having outstanding performance characteristics comparable to what can be obtained from polyphosphate built granular detergent compositions containing oxygen bleach.

It is a further object of this invention to formulate homogeneous highly concentrated liquid detergent compositions containing substantial levels of a ternary surfactant system based on anionic sulfonates and succinates in combination with nonionic ethoxylates but containing less than 50% of water.

It is a further object of this invention to define highly concentrated storage stable liquid detergent composi35 tions which have excellent laundry cleaning properties under neutral to mildly alkaline pH conditions.

This invention relates to homogeneous concentrated liquid detergent compositions, having less than about 50% water, containing a ternary surfactant system. In parti5 cular the compositions herein are characterized by the presence of: (a) from 35¾ to 75¾ by weight of a ternary surfactant system; (b) an anionic surfactant component which represents from 50¾ to 90¾ by weight of the ternary surfactant system and is represented by a binary mixture of: (1) an alkyl(aryl)sulfonated surface-active agent; and (2) an alk(en)yl succinate having the formula R - CH - CH - COOH I COOH wherein R^ is an alk(en)yl radical, having from 10 to C-atoms, and R2 is hydrogen or C^-^ alkyl; the weight ratio of sulfonate to succinate being in the range from 3:1 to 1:4; and (c) a nonionic surfactant component representing from 50¾ to 10¾ by weight of the ternary surfactant system; said composition having a pH, measured in 1¾ solution at 20°C. in the range from 7 to 9.

The invention herein can be embodied by highly concentrated homogeneous liquid detergent compositions containing a ternary surfactant system and having a pH in the neutral to mildly alkaline range.

The essential parameters qualifying the invention are described in more detail hereinafter.

Unless stated to the contrary, the percent-indications stand for percent by weight of the composition.

The anionic surfactant component amounts to from 50¾ to 90% of the ternary surfactant system and is represented by a binary combination of: (1) an alkyl(aryl) sulfonated surface-active agent; and (2) an alk(en)‘yl succinate having the formula R - CH - CH - COOH I COOH wherein R^ is an alk(en)yl radical, having from 10 to alkyl; the weight ratio of sulfonate to succinate being in the range from 3:1 to 1:4.

The anionic sulfonate surfactant can be represented by all alkyl(aryl) sulfonated surface-active agents which are known to be suitable for use in liquid detergent compositions and have been used in fact, extensively, in commercial detergent executions.

The like anionic synthetic sulfonates can be represented 13 . 1 by the general formula R SO M wherein R represents a hydrocarbon moiety selected from the group consisting of straight or branched alkyl radicals containing from 8 carbon atoms and alkyl phenyl radicals contai10 to ie carbon atoms in the alkyl a salt forming cation which typically is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, magnesium, ammonium, monoalkanolammonium, dialkanolammonium. trialkanolammonium and mixtures thereof.

A preferred synthetic anionic sulfonate surfactant is a water-soluble salt of an alkylbenzene sulfonic acid containing from 10 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, the most preferred species for use herein having from C-atoms, and R2 is hydrogen or c1~c4 to ning group from M is C,_ to C,, carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. X Z lo The alk(en)yl succinate has the formula referred to hereinbefore wherein is either a saturated or unsaturated radical, having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably an unsaturated derivative having from 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkenyl moiety. R2 can be hydrogen or C^-C^ alkyl, although hydrogen is preferred. The terms succinate and succinic acid are used interchangeably. Suitable succinic acid salts include the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, mono-, di- and tri-alkanol amine salts and mixtures thereof.

Preferred succinic acid derivatives for use herein include 2-dodecenylsuccinic acid. 2-hexadecenylsuccinic acid. 2-tetradecenylsuccinic acid, decyl succinic acid. dodecyl succinic acid and tetradecyl succinic acid and the water- soluble salts thereof. The alkyl or alkenyl chain attached to succinic acid can be either straight or branched. Preferred are the straight-chain alk(en)yl moieties.

The weight ratio of sulfonate to succinate surfactant in the binary mixture is in the range from 3:1 to 1:4, preferably from 2:1 to 1:2.

The ternary surfactant system represents usually from 35% to 75% of the composition. The anionic surfactant component is defined in the salt form.

The nonionic surfactant component contains a hydrophobic organic radical condensed with an ethylene oxide hydrophilic moiety. All ethoxylated nonionic surfactants which are known to be suitable for use in detergent application can be used in the compositions of this invention. Preferred nonionic species herein are polyethoxylates derived from primary and secondary aliphatic alcohols having from 8 to 24 carbon atoms. and having a HLB (hydrophilic- lipophilic balance) in the range :rora to 15. These preferred ethoxylates frequently contain from 2 to about 14 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of hydrophobic moiety.

The hydrocarbyl chain (hydrophobic moiety) can be represented by linear or branched fatty alcohols.

A preferred class of nonionic ethoxylates is represented by the condensation product of a fatty alcohol having from 12 to 15 carbon atoms and from 4 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol. Suitable species of this class of ethoxylates include: the condensation product of „-Cnc oxo-alcohols and 7 moles of ethylene oxide lZ X b per mole of alcohol; the condensation product of C, _ . r X 3 — X 5 oxoalcohols and 5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of narrow cut C,.-C,r oxo-alcohols and 7 or 9 14 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty ( oxo ) alcohol; the condensation product of a narrow cut ci2_C13 fatty (oxo)alcohol and 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of -, 5 fatty alcohol; and the condensation products of a C,«-C,. coconut fatty alcohol with a degree of ethoxylation (moles EO/mole fatty alcohol) in the range from 5 to 8. The fatty oxo alcohols while mainly linear can have, depending upon the processing conditions and raw 2q material olefins, a certain degree of branching, particularly short chain such as methyl branching. A degree of branching in the range from 15% to 50% (weight %) is frequently found in commercial oxo-alcohols.

Preferred nonionic ethoxylated components can also be represented by a mixture of 2 separately ethoxylated nonionic: surfactants having a different degree of ethoxylation. For example, the nonionic ethoxylate can be represented by mixtures of a first ethoxylated surfactant containing from 3 to 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of hydrophobic moiety 2θ and a second ethoxylated species having from 8 to 14 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of hydrophobic moiety. A preferred nonionic ethoxylated mixture contains a lower ethoxylate which is the condensation product of a Cio-C.c oxo-alcohol, with up to 50% (wt) branching, and from - 3 to 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty oxo-alcohol, and a higher ethoxylate which is the condensation product of a C -C oxo-alcohol with more than 50% (wt) branching Χο X9 and from 8 to 14 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of branched oxo-alcohol.

The nonionic surfactant component represents from 50% to %, preferably from 15% to 40% of the ternary surfactant system.

The compositions herein contain less than 50%, usually from 15% to 40% water.

The claimed compositions are further characterized by a pH. measured in 1% aqueous solution at 20°C. in the range from 7 to 9. This pH range implies that the anionic surfactant component, i.e.. the binary mixture of sulfonate and succinate. particularly the succinate, is substantially completely (i.e.. more than 90%) neutralized in the claimed composition as is.

In addition to the essential ingredients described hereinbefore. the compositions herein frequently contain a series of optional ingredients which are used for their known functionality in conventional quantities.

Examples of the like optional ingredients can include fatty acids, saturated and/or unsaturated, and the corresponding soaps, synthetic anionic surfactants which are different from sulfonates (non-sulfonate anionics), waterinsoluble solvents, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, polyacids, suds regulants. brighteners, perfumes, dyes, antioxidants. bactericides, corrosion inhibitors, fabric-softening agents, phase regulants and the like.

Suitable fatty acids, saturated or unsaturated. have from 10 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain. Preferred are unsaturated species having from 14 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain, most preferably oleic acid. The corresponding soaps can equally be used. The optional fatty acid/soaps are used in levels up to 10%. preferably from 1% to 8%. (of the composition). The fatty acids/soaps, among others, act as suds modifiers/regulants.

I ο Synthetic non-sulfonate anionics can also be used in the composition in relatively minor levels, eg. in levels not exceeding 25% of the ternary surfactant system. Examples of suitable non-s'ulf onate anionics include the salts of sulfated fatty alcohols having from 12 to 20 carbon atoms in λ v. the alcohol chain.

Water-insoluble solvents such as terpenes, phthalic acid esters and liquid paraffins can also be used in levels generally below 5%.

Detergent enzymes generally aid and augment the removal of specific stains, proteases, amylases, or mixtures thereof.

Suitable enzymes can be represented by lipases, glucose-oxidases, cellulase. Proteases and amylases are preferred in the claimed liquid concentrated compositions. They are frequently employed in a level from about 0.01% to about 1%.

All generally known enzyme stabilizing systems can be used in the compositions herein in the Examples of suitable stabilizing art established systems include level short in combination with low level of calcium, boric acid and the water-soluble salts thereof possibly in combination with polyols .

Another preferred optional ingredient is represented by a polyacid or mixture of polyacids in an amount from 0.05% to 2%. Suitable polyacids are those having one pK. value of at least 5. Preferred polyacid species for use herein can be represented by organo-phosphonic acids, particularly alkylene-polyamino-polyalkylene phosphonic acids such as ethylene diamine tetramethylenephosphonic acid, and diethylene triaminepentamethylenephosphonic acid or the salts thereof. Suitable polyamino-polyalkylene ethoxylate disclosed in Patent Specification No. chain carboxylic acid, particularly formic acid polymers are 564/86.

Non-fatty acid detergent suds regulants can also be used. Preferred species include alkylated polysiloxanes oxidants scavengers such as dimethylpolysiloxane also frequently termed silicone. The silicones are frequently used in a level not exceeding 0.5%, most preferably between 0.01% to 0.2%.

The compositions herein can also contain known antir their known utility. frequently radical in the art established levels i.e. 0.01% to 0.25% (by reference to total composition). These antioxidants are frequently introduced in conjunction with unsaturated organic acids. While many suitable antioxidants are readily known and available for that purpose, especially preferred for use in the compositions herein are: 2.6 ditermore commonly known as butylated and 2-tertiarybutyl-4-hydroxyanisole.

Other suitable antioxidants are: 4.4'thiobis(6-ter-buty1-mcresol) and 2-methyl-4.6-dinonyl phenol.

Soil release polymers can also be incorporated in the compositions herein. Suitable species of such polymers are described in U.S. filed December 21 tiary butyl-p-cresol hydroxytoluene, BHT.

Number 684.511, release Patent Application Serial 1984 .

The phase regulant is a further optional ingredient in the compositions herein. This component together with water can constitute the solvent matrix for the claimed concentrated liquid compositions. Suitable ingredient classes include lower aliphatic alcohols having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms and from 1 to 3 hydroxyl groups, ethers of diethyleneglycol and lower aliphatic monoalcohols having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. Specific examples of phase regulants are: ethanol; n-propanol; isopropanol; butanol; 1.2-propanediol; 1.3-propanediol; monomethyl-. ethyl-. propyl-. and monobutyl ethers of di-ethylene glycol.

The claimed invention is illustrated and clarified with the aid of the following examples. 2 EXAMPLE I A liquid detergent composition in accordance with the invention is .prepared by mixing the listed ingredients in the stated proportions.

Ingredients Dodecylbenzene sulfonate acid CiQ-Cig-oxoalcohol condensed with 7 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of fatty alcohol 2-Dodecenyl-succinic acid C12-C14 alcohol sulfate-triethanolamine salt Oleic acid Triethanolamine Sodium hydroxide Ethanol Water Miscellaneous-Minors % by weight . 11.5 . 4 . 4 . 5 . 6 . 7 . 32.balance to 100 ] ] neutralizing agents ] to yield pH 7.6 The preceding composition is. from a detergency performance standpoint. compared to ARIEL , granular tripolyphos- phate built detergent containing oxygen bleach.

The tests are carried out washing machine in an up-to-60°C in a horizontal drum cycle. Comparative performances are measured on cotton strips, stained with various types of artificial soils inclusive of bleach-builder sensitive soils. enzyme- sensitive soils, particulate soils and greasy-oily soils. It is found that the composition in accordance with this invention provides textile cleaning performance on all types of soils comparable to what is obtained from ARIEL.

It was also found that the liquid composition of Example I remained homogeneous and stable after at least 2 weeks *Trade Mark 3 storage at temperatures varying from 4°C to 50°C and also following exposure to several freeze-thaw cycles.

The following of this invention ingredients of the examples illustrate additional executions The abbreviations for the individual examples have the following meaning: Ci2HLAS c16hlas C20as TEA CnAS 0 cx-yEOn cx-yEOns DSA HDSA TSA c12-14fa DETPMP TEA TPG-EO30 linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid linear hexadecyl benzene sulfonic acid sodium salt of eicosene c< sulfonate triethanolamine coconut(Cx2-14 ) alcohol sulfate Cx_y alcohol ethoxylated with n moles of ethylene oxide sodium salt of sulfated Cx_yEOn 2-dodecenyl succinic acid dodecyl succinic acid 2-tetradecenyl succinic acid coconut fatty acid diethylene triamino pentamethyl phosphonic acid triethanolamine poly(terephthalate propylene glycol ester) ethoxylated with about 30 moles of ethylene oxide .

EXAMPLES 11 III IV V VI in % VII by VIII IX weight X XI XII XIII c12hlas 8.5 15 10 - 11 10 6 8 11 - 14 8 5 c16hlas 12. 5 C20es 23 zr 12C16-18EO11 7c13-15eo7 11. 5 6 15 12 12 12 10c13-15eo5 13 11 14 1 0c13-15eo4 7 7 6c16-18E02s 5 DSA 15 15 12.5 15 15 15 10 15 8 15. HDSA 7 TSA 17 15 TEA CnAS 4 4 3 3 4C12-14FA 5 5 Oleic acid 4 5 4 4 8 3 3 4 Citric acid 0.9 1.0 0.2 1.0 0.2 1.0 0.2 1.0 0.2 1.0 1.0 0.5 - DETPKP 0.8 0.9 0-.9 0.6 0.9 0.6 0.9 0.6 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.8 20 TPG-EO 0.5 0.5 Ethanol 8 8 6 5 8 10 6 6 8 5 10 8 TEA 5 5 4 5 6 5 4 4 4 5 5 8 NaOH to neutralize acid components up to pH 7.5 to 7.8 as is Water 30 38 36 32 39 35 32 31 35 39 33 30 25 Miscellaneous inc1.brightener, enzyme, aesthetic u P t o 1 0 0 pH(l% sol.) 7.9 7.9 7.7 7.9 7.5 8.0 7.9 7.9 7.7 7.9 7.5 7.7 CLAIMS

Claims (10)

1. Homogeneous concentrated aqueous liquid detergent composition containing less than 50% by weight water, a ternary anionic-nonionic surfactant system, and if desired. 5 conventional additives, characterized in that. (a) the ternary surfactant system represents from 35% to 75% by weight (of the composition); (b) the anionic surfactant component amounts to 50% to 90% by weight of the ternary surfactant system and is 10 represented by a binary mixture of: (1) an alkyl (aryl)sulfonated surface-active agent; and (2) an alk(en)yl succinate having the formula R T - CH - CH - COOH COOH wherein R^ is an alk(en)yl radical, having from 10 to 15 20 C-atoms, and R 2 is hydrogen or c 1~ c 4 alkyl; the weight ratio of sulfonate to succinate being in the range from 3:1 to 1:4; and (c) the nonionic surfactant component represents from 50% to 10% by weight of the ternary surfactant system; 20 said composition having a pH. measured in 1% solution at 20°C. in the range from 7 to 9.

2. The composition in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the alkyl(aryl) sulfonate is an alkylbenzene sulfonate salt having from 10 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkylgroup. the 25 salt forming cation being, sodium. potassium, magnesium, ammonium. monoalkanolammonium. dialkanolammonium, trialkanolammonium and mixtures thereof.

3. The composition in accordance with Claim 1 wherein the alk(en)yl succinate is selected from the group of 2-dodecenylsuccinic acid, 2-tetradecenylsuccinic acid, 2-hexadecenylsuccinic acid, decyl succinic acid. dodecyl 5 succinic acid and tetradecyl succinic acid and the watersoluble salts thereof.

4. The composition in accordance with Claim 3 wherein the alk(en)yl group is a straightchain moiety and wherein the weight ratio of the sulfonate surfactant to the 1θ succinate surfactant is in the range from 2:1 to 1:2.

5. The composition in accordance with Claim 3 wherein the nonionic surfactant component represents from 15% to 40% by weight of the ternary surfactant system.

6. The composition in accordance with Claim 1 which 5 contains from 15% to 40% by weight of water.

7. The composition in accordance with Claim 1 which, in addition, contains from 1% to 8% by weight of a C 1Q -C 18 fatty acid.

8. The composition in accordance with Claim 7 which in 2Q addition contains from 0.01% to 0.25% by weight of an antioxidant.

9. The composition in accordance with Claim 8 wherein the fatty acid is oleic acid. 1 7

10. A composition according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described and exemplified.