IE75910B1 - Light duty liquid detergent compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

An aqueous liquid detergent composition for handwashing soiled dishware includes specific narrow classes and amounts of magnesium or sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant, alkyl ether sulfate surfactant, C12-C16 alkyl polyglucoside and alkanolamide foam stabilizer. A higher alkyl sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinate, optionally ethoxylated, anionic surfactant may also be present. The compositions are capable of generating a stable foam and are effective in cleaning greasy soils with acceptable mildness for the consumer and with good rinseability.

Description

LIGHT DUTY LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of, the Invention This invention relates to light duty liquid detergents having particular utility in the hand washing of dishware, including dishes,, pots, pans, glassware and silverware/flatware. More particularly, it relates to a liquid dishwashing detergent composition which provides stable, persistent foaming characteristics combined with good rinseability, mildness to the skin and effectiveness in removing greasy soils from dishware.

Discussion of. the Art.and Problems Solved Foam generation by detergent compositions is associated hy the consumer with good detersive ability. However, it is apparent that long lasting foam, whether considered copious or·, medium to medium-low foam content is, by itself, not a sufficient seastire of cleaning ability, Nevertheless, much effort has been extended to optimize foaming characteristics, without necessarily improving cleaning ability.

Greasy soils are generally considered to be one of the most difficult soil types to be removed by hand washing.

Effective grease removal»is nearly always associated with requiring high temperature water to help dissolve and remove the grease. 7591 0 Clearly, there would be a great advantage to formulate a mild, foaming, liquid hand dishwashing composition, which is capable of and effective in removing greasy soils as well as other soil types from dishware using water at ambient or warm to high temperature.

It has been known that among the anionic surfactants, those based on magnesium as the counterion (i.e. cation) can improve grease cutting performance. However, grease cutting performance is generally associated with increased irritation to the skin, e.g. hands, of the consumer.

The composition described in W0-A-90/02164 comprises 30-50% by weight of a surfactant system comprising 35-55% by weight of a magnesium salt of a C1016 alkyl benzene sulfonate anionic surfactant. This composition has an improved grease cutting performance because of the presence of the magnesium salt. However, this grease cutting performance is associated with an increased irritation to the skin.

EP-A-0 112 046 is based on the finding that the use of at least 2% of di alkyl ester sulphosuccinates lead to improved performance and physical characteristics. These improvements are said to be not obtained with monoalkanolamides. This essential ingredient is not necessary in the presently claimed composition.

GB-A-2,234,983 discloses liquid detergent compositions having an excellent film-forming inhibitory effect. These compositions require at least 1% of a tert.-amine oxide for improving mildness to the skin (see last paragraph at page 6). This solution, the addition of a tert.-amine, in order to obtain a detergent composition that is mild to the skin, is not part of the solution in accordance with the present invention.

It has also been known to use generally milder types of surfactants to ameliorate the somewhat harsh effects of the magnesium - 2based anionic surfactants. Alkyl polvglucoside (APG) nonionic surfactants have been suggested for this purpose. However, although providing some foaming characteristics, the APG type surfactant has generally poorer foaming performance than other conventional foaming surfactants.

Another important characteristic to the consumer for hand dishwashing formulations is the ability to easily wash away the copious foam which is associated with good cleaning performance. Surfactant systems providing APG generated foams are not always acceptable in terms of rinseability.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide hand dishwashing aqueous compositions which combine acceptable mildness, foaming and grease cleaning performance.

It is another object of the invention to provide such compositions with good foam rinseability.

The present invention provides compositions which avoid the elevated problems and accomplish the foregoing objectives. The compositions, although prepared from otherwise known ingredients, but in unique combinations and proportions, is capable of achieving a new and beneficial result.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, the liquid dishwashing detergent composition comprises (A) a surfactant system comprising (1) from 7.5 to 20% by weight, based on the total composition, of a salt of a C^-C^g linear alkyl benzene sulfonate anionic surfactant, said salt being selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and mixtures thereof; - 3 (2) from 0 to 8% by weight, based on the total composition, of anionic C10-Clg alkyl sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinamate, wherein the alkyl group may be ethoxylated with up to 8 moles of ethylene oxide; (3) from 8 to 20% by weight, based on the total composition, of anionic alkyl ether sulfate having from 1 to less than 3 moles ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl group; and (4) from 3 to 12% by weight, based on the total composition, of an alkyl polyglucoside having from 12 to 16 carbon atoms, on average, in the alkyl chain, and an average degree of polymerization in the range of from 1 to 3; (B) from 0.5 to 6% by weight, based on the total composition, of a foam stabilization system comprising at least one lower alkanolamide of higher alkanoic acid; the total weight of components (A) and (B) ranging from 25 to 54% by weight of the composition; (C) up to 10% by weight, based on the total composition, of a low irritant organic solvent; (D) up to 8% by weight, based on the total composition, of hvdrotrope; (E) up to 20% by weight, based on the total composition, in total of one or more optional additives chosen from chelating or sequestering agents, colouring agents, dyes, perfumes, bactericides, fungicides, preservatives, sunscreening agents, pH modifiers, pH buffering agents, opacifiers, antioxidants, thickeners, and proteins; and, (F) balance, water. - 3a Unless indicated otherwise all percents and percentages given herein are on a hy weight basis.

The components of the invention compositions will now be described in greater detail, DETAILED DESCRIPTION AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention is based, in part, on the quite unexpected discovery that the foam stabilizing, foam boosting combination of the alkyl polyglucoside (APG) and alkanolamide components has a significant impact on the grease removal performance of the composition at a constant level of totalsurfactant/foam stabilization components. More specifically, it has now bees found that while some enhanced grease removal benefits may be provided with the foam stabilising alkanolamide alone, as compared to existing top of the line commercial products, the improvement in grease removal performance is further dramatically improved in the system containing both foam stabilizing alkanolamide and APG. Furthermore, by employing the alkyl ether sulfate (AEOS) with less than 3 moles ethylene oxide, e.g. AEOS-ISO or ASOS-2EO, a more copious foam can be obtained as compared to the same composition containing AEOS-3SO (i.e. 3 moles ethylene oxide) while still retaining acceptable mildness. Also, by employing low levels of the foam boosting alkanolamide component (B), in conjunction with the specified surfactant system (A), good rinseability of the dishware is achieved without impairing cleaning performance. For example, the assignee’s current commercially available liquid light duty hand washing product, Liquid Palmolive® (17% NaLAS, 13% AEOS-3EO, 4% ΣΜΕ&, 3.3% SCS+SXS, 0.5% inorganic salts; balance perfume, color, ethanol, water) t, removed about 25 milligrams (mg) , of greasy soil (lard) as compared to only 5 mg for the same formula with 0% LMMEA. However, in a composition according to this invention containing APG, grease removal increases by about 80 mg over the level of LHMEA between about 1% and about 4% by weight of the composition» These observations were based on surfactant systems in which the counterion of the anionic surfactant(s) was sodium. In systems in which magnesium salts of the anionic ABS surfactant are used, both the concentration of the Mg ion and the alkanolamide strongly influence grease removal. For example, when tested in the Baumgartner grease soil removal test with a surfactant system containing l©c»t % linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate (LAS)/12 wt § fatty C12-c16 alcohol ethoxy late (1 mole ethylene oxide (lSO))/6wt % ABG (Cx2 to c16 alkyl; D.JP.=»1.6) the grease removal performance obtained at the Mg and UMHBA levels indicated is, the following Table 1 were obtainedHe. ion. a Gr ea.se_.Rempyalx_jng 0.1 4 37 0.1 2 8 0.4 2 61 0.25 3 SO 0.4 4 so The components of th® inventions’s compositions will now be described.

(A) The Surfactant System (1) The first essential surfactant ingredient is the anionic salt of an alkyl benzene sulfonic acid· (ABS), preferably a linear C10 to *C1S alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) .

Furthermore, when the magnesium salt is used, it maybe, for example, a magnesium oxide neutralized linear dodecyl benzene sulfonic acid, or alternatively, the magnesium salt may be formed by adding an electrolyte magnesium salt, such as magnesium chloride, magnesium sulfate, etc. to sodium alkyl benzene sulfonate. In the latter alternative, an excess of the magnesium salt electrolyte could raise the cloud/clear point of the composition. This undesirable effect can, however, be compensated for by addition of hydrotrope, as described below.

The anionic surfactant (1) Is present in an amount of from 7.5% to 20%, based on the total composition, or in an amount of from 28 to 40%, based on the total surfactants (A)(1), (2), (3) (4). The more preferred range of amounts of the anionic ABS salt surfactant is from about 8 to or 15%, especially about 9 to 11%, e.g- about 10%, based on the total composition, or about 29 to 35%, especially about 30 to 33%, based on the sum of the surfactants (A)(1), (2), (3) and (4) .

At below the 7.5% (total) level the improvement in low temperature grease removal becomes Insufficient, while at amounts above 20% (total) the composition containing the magnesium salt tends to be mildly irritating to the hands.

The anionic ABS in the' surf actant system may be in the form of the alkali metal or alkaline earth- metal salts, or mixtures thereof. The preferred alkali metals are sodium and potassium, preferably sodium. The preferred alkaline earth metals are calcium and magnesium preferably magnesium. The linear alkyl group preferably contains from 10 to 13 carbon atoms, especially 11 carbon atoms, 'approximatelyon average, e.g. sodium and/or magnesium linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate6 The sodium salt anionic is generally considered to be a milder detergent than the magnesium salt but is less effective for greasy soil removal and is also less effective in generating foam? especially in the presence of soil. However? when used in combination with AFG, AEOS-l to 2 EO, and alkanolamide foam stabilizer, satisfactory foam generation, grease removal and mildness can be simultaneously exhibited.

On the other hand, enhanced grease removal performance can be achieved with the Mg salt anionic. However, since the level of Mg ion can be lowered for any particular level of grease removal performance, it is still possible to achieve levels of mildness which are acceptable to the consumer. This appears to be especially so, in terms of perceived mildness effects, reported by small test panels of consumers, in compositions also containing the below described sulfosuccinate or sulfosuosinamate anionic surfactants. ¢2) In accordance with one embodiment -of the invention, a mono-alky 1 C8-C18 sulfosuccinate or sulfosuecinamate anionic surfactant may be incorporated in the compositions of this invention, especially when the magnesium salt of ABS is used as, or as part of, component (1).

It is disclosed in U.S- Patent 4,839,098 to wlsotsfci, et al. to incorporate in an AFG (alkyl e>£ C10 to C1S, to ) containing liquid diswashing detergent''-composition from 10 to 80 parts by weight of a C- to Ga dialkyl eulfosuccinate, based on a total surfactant content of 15 to 50% by weight, to enhance foaming and cleaning power. This patent suggests that such compositions should be free from petroleum-based anionic surfactants, such as alkyl bensene sulfonates and alkane sulfonates. However, other anionic surfactants such as alkyl ether sulfate or alkyl sulfate may replace a portion of the APG or dialkyl sulfosuccinate. The di(C7-Cg) alkyl sulfosuccinate are not considered to be mild surfactants and can contribute to harshness or irritation to the consumer.

In the compositions of this invention, the sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinamate is present as the monoalkylsuccinate (HAS) or monoalkylsulfosuccinamate (HASA) (HASA) where R is an. aliphatic radical, preferably alkyl, of from"-10 to 18 carbon atoms, especially from 12 to IS carbon atoms, and preferably lauryl (C12), and H is a cation, such as an alkali metal, e.g. sodium or potassium, preferably sodium, ammonium, alkanolamine, e.g. ethanolamine, or magnesium. The alkyl radical may be ethoxylated with up to about 8 moles, preferably up to about 5 moles, on average, e.g. 2, 3 or 4 moles, of ethylene oxide, per mole of alkyl group.

Minor amounts, e.g. up to about 5% of dialkyl sulfosuccinates may be present with the monoalkyl sulfosuccinate or monoalkyl sulfosuccinamate. The mono-alkyl ester substantially free of dialkyl ester, and especially sodium monolauryl ester which may be ethoxylated with up to 4 moles of ethylene oxide and the mono- C16 alkyl sulfosuccinamate monoethanolamine salt are preferred.

When present, the sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinaaate, anionic surfactant Is used In amounts ranging from 2 ts 20% by weight, preferably from about 3 to 15 % by weight, based sn the total surfactants (A)(1)-(4). Based on the total composition, the preferred amounts of the sulfosuccinate anionic surfactant ranges from 0.5 to 8 wt %, more preferably 0.8 to 7 wt %. (3) The compositions of this invention also include an anionic alkyl ether sulfate (also commonly referred to as fatty alcohol ether ethyleneoxy sulfate AEOS-nEO where n represents the number of moles, on average, of ethylene oxide (EO)) containing from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl moiety, preferably from about 12 to 14 or IS carbon atoms and from 1 to less than 3 moles, preferably 1 to 2 moles, especially 1 mole, ethylene oxide, on average, per mole of the alkyl sulfate. The alkyl ether sulfate, which may be represented by the formula R(OC2H4)nOSO3M, where R is the residue of a fatty alcohol of from about 10 to 20 carbon atoms, n is a number of from 1 to less than 3, and M is a cation, is usually present as the alkali metal salt, especially the sodium salt, but may also be present as the potassium, salt, ammonium salt, alkanolamine salt or magnesium salt.

The amount of the alkyl ether sulfate will usually be in the range of from 32 to 50% by weight, preferably frees about 34 to 48% fey weight, based on the total weight of surfactants (A) (1)-(4) or from 8 to 20%, preferably 9 to 18%, and more preferably io to 16% by weight, of the total composition. (4) Another essential surfactant in· the invention composition is (4) an alkyl glucoside, preferably an alkyl polyglucoside, although alkyl monoglucoside may also be used.

The alkyl mono- and polysaccharides have received much attention recently for their beneficial detergent, foaming and viscosity modifying properties. Examples of patent literature relating to light duty liquid compositions containing alkyl monosaccharides include U.S. Patents 4,732,704 and 4,732,696.

The alkyl polysaccharides are used in the liquid detergent compositions disclosed, for example, in U.S. Patents 4,396,520, 4,536,318, 4,565,647, 4,599,177, 4,663,069 and 4,668,422 (including monoglucosides) , as well as many of the patents and literature cited in these patents.

In the present invention, a narrow subgenus of the alkyl saccharides has been found to effectively enhance grease removal with acceptable mildness when used in combination with the other surfactants (A) (1)-(3) and the foam stabilizer (B).

The alkyl glycosides used in this invention are those having an alkyl group of from 12 to 16 carbon atoms, on average, and a gIncoside hydrophilic group containing from . 1 to 3, preferably from about 1.2 to about 3, and most preferably from about 1.3 to 2.7, glucoside units, such as 1-3, 1.4, 1-5, 1.6, 2-0 or 2.6 glucoside units. Of course, the number of glucoside units in any particular surfactant molecule will be a whole number (i.e. an integer J, however, for any actual physical sample of alkyl glucoside surf actants there will, in general, be a range of glucoside unitsf and it is the average value which characterizes a particular surf actant product. The alkyl glycosides with lower D.P. values tend to provide sore copious foaming whereas those with higher B.P. values tend to be more soluble, for the same alkyl chain length.· If the alkyl group contains lass than 12 carbon atoms, satisfactory mildness is difficult to achieve.

The alkyl group is preferably attached at the 1-position of the sugar molecule, but may be attached at the 1-, 3- or 4-positions, thus giving a glucosyl rather than a glucoside. Furthermore, in the polyglucosides, the additional glucoside units are predominantly attached to the previous glucoside at the Imposition, but attachment at the 3-, 4- and 6-positions can also occur.

Optionally, and less desirably, there may be a polyalkylene oxide chain (e.g. polyethylene oxide) joining the alkyl moiety and the glucoside units).

The preferred alkyl glucosides have the formula R2o The amount of the alkyl glucoside surfactant to achieve the desired foam and detersive properties is in the range of from to 32%, preferably from about 16 to 30%, based on the sum of the surfactants (A)(1), (2), (3) and (4)» The preferred amounts range from 3 to 12%, especially from 4 or 5 to 10%, based on the total composition.

Within these ranges the relative amounts of the alkyl benzene sulfonate (ABS) surfactant and alkyl glucoside (APG) surfactant is not particularly critical, but will generally be within the range-of ABSzAPG of from about 2-5:1 to 1:2, preferably from about 2:1 to 1:1.2.

In the invention compositions, the total amount of active surfactant components (A) plus (3) will be in the range of from 25% to 54% of the total composition, preferably from about 28 to 50%, more preferably from about 28% to 42%, such as 30%, 32%, 34%, 35% or 40%.

(B) Foam Stabilization System The foam stabilization system which may also itself contribute to the foaming capacity as well as foam stabilizing effect is comprised of the lower alkanolamide of higher alkanoic acid which is the reaction product of a lower alkanol of 2 to 3 carbon atoms and an alkanoic acid of 10 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably with 80% or more of the lower alkanol being ethanol and a similar proportion of the alkanoic acid being of 12 to 14 carbon atoms. Other lower alkanols that are also useful are n-propanol and isopropanol. The preferred alkanoic acid is a mixture of lauric and myristic acids, generally in proportions of 1:2 to 2:1, with about 50% of each being preferable. Alternatively, coconut oil or hydrogenated coconut oil may be used as a source of the alkanoic acids. Suitable alkanoic acid alkanolamides include the monoethanolamides. diethanolamides and the monoisopropanolamides.

Specific examples include mixed lauric/myristic diethanolamide, laurie/myristic monoethanolamide, lauric monoethanolamide, lauric diethanolamide, coco diethanolamide, coco monoethanolamide, and the like.

The amount of the alkanoic acid alkanolamide nay be up to S% of the composition, such as 0.5 to 6%, preferably 1 to 5%, more preferably 1 to 4%, such as 1.5, 2, 3 or 4%, of the composition.

The compositions of this invention which include the salt surfactants (A)(1), (A)(3), (A)(4) and, optionally, (A)(2) and foam stabilization system (3), in the specified proportions, as essential ingredients are formulated .in an aqueous carrier to provide mild, stable foaming liquid compositions especially effective in cleaning, by hand washing, dishware, such as dishes, glasses, flatware, pots, pans, etc., at ambient wash water temperature, as well, of course, at warm or hot wash water temperatures. The invention formulations are mild to the hands and are -clear and homogeneous- Clarity and homogeneity may often, however, be improved by inclusion of, far -example, organic solvents and/or hydrotropes, and these and other optional additives may also be included in the compositions in amounts which do not adversely influence the desirable properties.

(C) Organic Solvent Cosmetically acceptable organic solvents, usually lower alcohols, such as ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, propylene glycol, or mixtures thereof, may be included in the composition for its thinning effect, lowering of clear point, and for Its solubilizing effect for any components which may not be readily soluble in the main aqueous medium. The amount of solvent, when present, will usually be limited to 10%, preferably 8%, especially no more than about S% of the composition, such as from 2 to 5%. Ethanol is the preferred organic solvent.

(D) Hydrotrope In order to assist in solubilizing various components of the composition, maintain a low clear point, and possibly modify viscosity, it is customary to include a hydrotropic substance in the composition. Typical hydrotropes include primarily urea and the lower alkyl aryl sulfonate salts, such as sodium xylene sulfonate, potassium xylene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate- j «umnonium xylene sulfonate · Mixtures of two or more hydrotropes may also be used. The hydrotrope, when used, is generally present in amounts below about 8%, preferably below about 6%, such as from 1 or 2 to 6%.

(E) Other Optional Functional and Aesthetic Additives Various other materials may also be included in the present compositions for their desirable functional or aesthetic' effects. Among these, those materials employed to Increase the mildness of the detergent composition to the human hands, such as the water soluble proteins, are often very useful.

Although solvents, including water, tend to make the products clear liquids, it is sometimes desirable to opacify them or make them appear pearly. For such purpose there may be employed opacifying agents, e.g. behenic acid, or a pearlescent or pearlizing composition, such as an approximately equal mixture of high fatty acid ester of polyethoxy ethanol, coconut oil fatty acid alkanolamide and sodium lauryl ether sulfate. The higher fatty acid will usually be of 10 to 18 carbon atoms and the polyethoxy content will be of 1 to 20, preferably i to 10 ethoxy groups. The alkanolamide will preferably be ethanolamide, but can be mixed with isopropanolamide, too.

Additional adjuvant components of the present compositions include perfumes; sequestrants, e.g. monohydrogen ethylene diamine tetraacetate, tetrasodium ethylene diamine tetraacetate, trisodium nitrilotriacetate; bactericides, e.g, trichlorocarbanilide, tetrachlorosalicylanilide„ hexachlorophene, chlorobromosalicylanilide; antioxidants; thickeners, e.g. sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyacrylamide, Irish moss; dyes? water dispersible pigments; salts, e.g. sodium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, as the heptahydrate or anhydrous, sodium chloride; and preservatives, such as formaldehyde, or hydrogen peroxide z pH modifiers .

The total amount of the additional additives is usually no more than about 20% of the composition, preferably not exceeding 15%, while the amount of any individual ingredient will not generally exceed 10%, especially 5%, and usually no more than or 3%.

In the above description of the compositions of this invention and the various adjuvants employable therein, and in the claims,, although individual constituents are mentioned for various classes or types of components it is within the invention that mixtures thereof be employed, such as mixtures of two or three anionic detergents or mixtures with the nonionic detergents, both possibly with other anionic and nonionic detergents known in the art, mixtures of skin treating materials and mixtures of solvents, among others. .

For example, under certain circumstances paraffin sulfonate surfactants, such as sodium or magnesium (C12~C18) paraffin sulfonate, can be used to replace part or all of the ABS surfactant, achieve good foam assd grease removal characteristics. Amphoteric surfactants, such as the betaines, e.g. acyiamidopropyl dimethyl ammonium betaines, can also often provide improvements in overall performance.

The viscosities of the detergent compositions may be further varied by the addition of thickening agents, such as gums and cellulose derivatives. The product viscosity and flow properties should be such as to make it pourable from a bottle and not so thin as to tend to splash or pour too readily, since usually only small quantities of the liquid detergent are to be mPas utilised in use. Viscosities from 20 to 1000/(centipoise) (Brookfield Viscometer spindle as. 1, 12 r.p.m.) are found useful tnPas with those iron 100 to 500/ieps). being preferred and a viscosity mPas of about 200/Centipoise) being considered best by most consumers, mPas although at somewhat lower viscosities, e.g. lOtf(cps)., consumer acceptance is almost the same.

In manufacturing the described formulations, usually ft is preferred to heat the detergent constituents to a somewhat IS elevated temperature, e.g. 40° to 50°C and then admix them with the water and, optionally, all or a portion of the ethanol. Thereafter, other anionic and nonionic detergents, urea, amide, protein and other adjuvants are added with the more volatile materials, such as perfumes, preferably being added last and after cooling of the composition to about room temperature. Normally when making opaque or pearlescent detergents, the pearlising mixture will also be added near last at about room temperature. Although the described method of making the compositions is preferred, various other known techniques may also be -employed, depending upon the particular detergent composition.

The pH of the formulation will generally be near·, neutral, e.g. about 5 to 8, preferably about 6.5 to 7.5.

The following representative non-limiting examples will help to further understand the present invention.

The following compositions L and L’ were prepared: Example 1 Component L Active L’ Active Ingredients Ingredients (wt%) Mg linear dodecyl benzene sulfonate [Mg (LOBS) 2] 11,5 9.6 Alkyl polyglycoside1) 6.0 C12"C16 aIkyl ether sulfate (1E.0.) 11.8 Lauric/mvristic monoethanolamide (LMMEA) / 2.02) Sodium Xylene Sulfonate (SXS) (5:3 Blend) Ethanol (3A) 4.1 Sodium cumene sulfonate (SCS) 2.1 Disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate 4.6 (Mineral LSS) Disodium laureth (3E0) sulfosuccinate MgSO4-7H2O 1.0 Monohvdrogen ethylene diamine tetraacetate, trisodium salt (HEDTA) 0.1 NaCl 2.0 Perfume 0.4 Color 0.1 Water, deionized qs 9.6 6.0 11.8 2.02) 4.1 2.1 1.5 1.0 0.1 2.0 0.4 0.1 qs 11 APG 625 from Henkel Corp., hydrophobe chain length of G12/C14/C1S= 58/26/6, average of 1.6 glycoside units. 2} Based on IMHEA? SXS=1.2 wt% Example II The following compositions WJ’ and WJ9' WJ9 Active Ingredient wt. % were prepared: WJ" Active Ingredient wt. % Na (LDBS) 10.0 10.0 APG 625 9.0 6.0 LMMEA/SXS (5:3) 1.6X> 4 . Q.1* AEOS-1BO 14.0 14.0 Ethanol (3A) 0.5 1.3 SCS 0.9 0.9 MgSO4·7H2O 1.0 1.0 NaCI 1.0 1.0 HEDTA 0.1 0.1 Perfume 0.3 0.3 Colorant 0.1 0.1 Water, deionized 1) Based on LMHEA q.s. to 100 q.s. to 10 Example III Compositions A-S were prepared in the same manner as compositions UJ* and wj« except that the amounts of APG-625 and ΕΜΜΞΑ were changed as follows; C %) JB £ a 1 (wt APG-623 10.0 5.0 10.0 5-Ό 7.5 LMMSA 4.0 1.0 1.0 4.0 2.5 The compositions from Examples II and. Ill ware tested in che Shake-Foam Test, Shell Foam Test and Baumgartner grease (lard) removal test as described below. (1) Baumgartner Soil Removal This test measures the ability of a diluted (1%) solution in 150 ppm hardness water to remove a greasy soil (lard) from a test surface (a cleaned glass slide 2.5 cm x 0.1 cm). The soil is applied by spreading about 0.2 fo about 0.3 gram lard onto each cleaned glass slide. The soiled slides are cleaned in a 1% product solution by dipping the soiled slide into the solution 600 times. The solution is maintained at ambient temperature (24 °C /75°F). After washing, the slices are dried in a desiccator for two hours. The difference in weight of the lard before and after the cleaning process is taken as a measure of grease removal, the greater the difference the more effective is the detergent composition. (2) Shake-foam Test 100 ml of a diluted (1%) test solution in X50 ppm (45°C hardness water J L13°F) is filled into a 500ml graduated cylinder with a stopper. The stoppered cylinder is placed on an agitating machine which rotates the cylinder for 2© cycles at 30 rp®. The height of the foam in the cylinder is observed. A sugar cube having adsorbed thereon 0.01 ± 0.001 grams, of a mixed soil (potato buds, Crisco*, milk, olive oil and water) is then added to the cylinder and the test repeated. This procedure is continued until a total of 0.03 grams of soil have been added. (3) ShelX-Foam Test An 0-04% concentration of the test solution in 2S0 ml of water (150 ppm hardness, 43°C) is filled into a water jacketed vessel with baffles and having a constant speed agitation (300 rpm mixing) . Stirring is continued until the generated foam covers the entire surface of the test solution. A mixed soil (olive oil, milk, Crisco®, and potato buds) is slowly injected at a constant rate sufficient to uniformly disperse the soil below the surface of the solution. The soil interacts first with the surfactant in the solution until the surfactant is depleted and thereafter begins to deplete surfactant from the foam- The amount of soil (in grams) added until the foam quickly collapses is determined. The results (end point) are reported in Table 2 in gramsEach of these tests were performed in triplicate and the reported results represent the -average of the three tests-·.

The results of the tests ar© shown in Table 2.

Table 2 COMP Total Surfactants and LMMEA (wt %) Wt ratio APG/LMMEA Shake Foam Volume, ml. Shell Foam soil wt, g to EP Grease mg soil removed no soil 0.01 soil 0.02 soil 0.03 soil A 38 (10/4) 403 337 273 217 10.9 79 B 30 (5/1) 418 340 290 242 6.7 3 C 35 (10/1) 417 335 287 235 9.6 7 D 33 (5/4) 393 317 252 193 9.9 91 E 34 430 353 315 268 10.6 40 (7.5/2.5) 34.6 15 (S/1.6) WJ’ 34 98 (6/4) L 34.0 87 (6/2) L* 30.9 87 (6/2) Note: Formulas A-WJ have 10 LAS and 14 AEOS-1EO? Formulas L and L·’ contain 9.6 IAS and 11.8 AEOS-1EO; tests conducted in 150 ppm water. Total surfactants = (A) (I) + (A) (2) + (A)(3) + (A)(4) + (B).

Both Compositions wj’ and L bad excellent rinsing characteristics as compared to Liquid Palmolive® and a commercial product containing a high level of magnesium for grease removal, but which is not believed to include any alkyl polyglucoside The above formulas A-E were statistically analysed to identify main and interaction effects of ΙϋΜΞΑ and APG on grease removal. Only LMHEA level was found to affect- grease cleaning performance. All other formula factors (surfactants) did not significantly affect grease removal, compositions A and D, having 4% LMMEA, removed a high level of grease versus regular Liquid Palmolive® which would remove 25 to 30 mg of soil. For reference, another leading commercial product containing a high level of magnesium for grease removal effectiveness would remove 120 mg of soil. However, it is significantly more irritating than Liquid Palmolive® in a clinical handsoak test. The L and Ls formulas also contain higher Mg levels and also remove more grease. These formulas are clinically milder than the commercial high Mg product. The product WJ88 containing 6% APG and 4% LMMEA, which provided comparable grease removal performance to formulas A and D was clinically tested and found to be as mild as Liquid Palmolive®.

Compositions WJ' and WJ" were both evaluated to have equal mildness to Liquid Palmolive® and superior mildness to the high Mg-containing commercial pmoduct.

While the representative composition WJ51 (NaLAS) was not 15 as effective as Liquid Palmolive* or the high Mg-containing commercial product in the standard Baumgartner grease (lard) removal test, it appears to be superior in terms of Crisco©monoglyceride grease soil removal in, a sample soaking test.

Similar compositions containing 17% LAS/13 AEGS~3SO with 2o 0% APG and with 0% LMMEA or 4% LMMEA were tested in th® grease removal test. The composition containing 0% LMMEA removed approximately 5 mg of soil while the composition with 4% LMHE& removed 25 mg of soil. This demonstrates the interaction of with APS to produce the enhanced performance os grease.

Ha»ale_4 In order to test the effect of the sulfosuccinat©/ sulfosuccinamate anionic surfactant in the composition L of Example 1, four different surfactants were tested at 0%, 1-5% and 3% sulfosuccinate/sulf osuccinamate levels in composition L and were compared to Liquid Palmolive® (POL) in the Baumgartner grease removal and Shake Foam tests described above. The surfactants which were tested were the sodium monolauryl sulfosuccinate used in L? the sodium monolauryl (3E.0.) sulfosuccinate used in L3 (laureth), sodium dxoctyl sulfosuccinate? and mono-C1Q alkyl sulfosuccxnamate, monoethanolamine salt (ris) . All of these surfactants were obtained from Rhone Poulenc (France).

The results are shown in Table 3.

Table 3 mos S3 Shake Posss Vciume, mte initial SO 0.1 soil! SO 0.2 soiiSD 0.3 soiii SO POL (ref) 37 1 1 385 1 0 330 30 260 15 1S5 15 0% SaSfoguGclosse1 122 34 387 12 317 25 252 23 184 24 1.5% diocf/3 160 8 365 0 305 5 240 15 195 15 3% diociyi 118 4 395 30 315 15 270 5 210 15 1.5% laureth 126 25 390 5 315 5 255 20 185 25 3% laureth 104 48 330 1 0 340 1 0 270 15 215 15 1.5% lauryi 117 28 380 10 295 15 260 5 215 10 3% lauryi 134 16 405 5 340 20 290 25 235 20 1.5% ris 144 6 300 10 320 10 280 15 210 10 3% cis 110 20 375 1 0 325 10 275 20 225 25 NOTE: SO — Standard Deviation, based on three replxcates.

Conclusions of Sulfosuccinate Performance Comparison Grease Performance Grease cleaning results of the various sulfosuccinates tested at 0%, 1.5%, and 3% in the L formula (MgLAS) indicate all four sulfosuccihates produce a high and comparable level of baumgartner performance at all levels tested. The Dioctyl SS appears to give a peak in performance higher than the other materials at 1.5%.

Shake Foam Performance In general, there, is a slight upward trend in foam volume at each level of soil addition as the sulfosuccinate increases from 0% to 3%. Performance is not considered to*, be significantly different unless a difference in foam volume greater than 50 «is is observed. The lowest to highest foam volume at each condition regardless of sulfosuccinate type or level is typically within 50 ml. -Therefore, based on minimal impact on foam volume, any of the four materials could be used. The more important factors are formula mildness and consumer acceptabi1ity.

Th® dioctyl sulfosuccinate is not believed to provide the same degree of mildness as the higher chain length alkyl esters.

Claims (9)

1. A liquid dishwashing detergent composition providing stable foaming characteristics and which is mild to the hands and is effective 5 in removing greasy soils, said composition comprising: (A) a surfactant system comprising (1) from 7.5 to 20% by weight, based on the total composition, of a salt of a C|Q-Cjg linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 10 anionic surfactant, said salt being selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts and mixtures thereof; 2. (2) from 0 to 8% by weight, based on the total composition, of anionic alkyl sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinamate, wherein the alkyl group may be ethoxylated with up to 8 moles of 15 ethylene oxide; 3. (3) from 8 to 20% by weight, based on the total composition, of anionic alkyl ether sulfate having from 1 to less than 3 moles ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl group; and (4) from 3 to 12% by weight, based on the total 20 composition, of an alkyl polvglucoside having from 12 to 16 carbon atoms, on average, in the alkyl chain, and an average degree of polymerization in the range of from 1 to 3; (B) from 0. to 6% by weight, based on the total composition, 25 of a foam stabilization system comprising at least one lower alkanolamide of higher alkanoic acid; the total weight of components (A) and (B) ranging from 25 to 54% by weight of the composition; (C) low irritant up to 10% by weight, based on the total composition, organic solvent; of a (D) up to 8% by weight, based on the total composition, of hydrotrope; (E) up to 20% by weight, based on the total composition, in - 26 total of one or more optional additives chosen from chelating or sequestering agents, colouring agents, dyes, perfumes, bactericides, fungicides, preservatives, sunscreening agents, pH modifiers, PH buffering agents, opacifiers, antioxidants, thickeners, and proteins; and, (F) balance, water.

2. The composition of Claim 1, which comprises (A) from 28 to 50% by weight; (B) from 1 to 5% by weight; (C) from 2 to 5% by weight; (D) from 1 to 6% by weight; (E) up to 10% by weight; and (F) balance, water.

3. The composition of Claim 2 wherein the surfactant system (A) comprises (1) from 8 to 15% by weight of a Cjq to C^ alkyl benzene sulfonate, (2) 0 to 8% by weight of sodium salt of Cjq to C 14 mono-alkvl sulfosuccinate of sulfosuccinamate, (3) 10 to 16% by weight of sodium salt of C^q to C^ alkyl ether sulfate having from 1 to 2 moles ethylene oxide, and (4) from 4 to 10% by weight of an alkyl polyglucoside having from 12 to 16 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from 1.2 to 3 glucoside units.

4. The composition of Claim 3 wherein the foam stabilization system (B) comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of lauric diethanolamide, lauric monoethanolamide, myristic diethanolamide, myristic monoethanolamide, coco diethanolamide, and coco monoethanolamide.

5. The composition of Claim 4 wherein the foam stabilization system (B) comprises from 1 to 5% by weight of the composition.

6. The composition of Claim 1 which comprises - 27 (A) a surfactant system comprising (1) 8 to 12% by weight of C^-C^ linear alkyl benzene sulfonate; (2) 0 to 6% by weight of sodium mono-alkyl sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinamate; (3) 9 to 18% by weight of C^g-C^ alkyl ether sulfate having from 1 to 2 ethylene oxide groups; and (4) from 5 to 10% by weight of said alkyl polyglucoside, (B) from 1 to 5% by weight of a foam stabilization system comprising lauric/myristic monoethanol amide; the total amount (A) and (B) ranging from 28 to 42% by weight of the composition; (C) up to 5% by weight of ethanol; (D) up to 4% by weight of hydrotrope; (E) up to 6% by weight in total of said one or more additives; and, (F) water.

7. The composition of Claim 1 which comprises (A) a surfactant system comprising (1) 9 to 11% by weight of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate; (2) 0 to 2% by weight of sodium C^g-C^ mono-alkyl sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinamate, the alkyl group of which may be ethoxylated with up to δ moles of ethylene oxide, (3) 10 to 15% by weight of C^g-C^g alkyl ether sulfate having from 1 to 2 ethylene oxide groups, and (4) δ to 9 % by weight of said alkyl polyglucoside; (B) 1 to 3% by weight of said foam stabilization system comprising lauric/myristic monoethanol amide; - 28 (C) 0.2 to 2% by weight of ethanol,” (D) 0.5 to 4% by weight of sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate or mixtures thereof; (E) 0.5 to 5% by weight in total of one or more of magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, colour and fragrance; and, (F) water.

8. The composition of Claim 1 comprising (A) a surfactant system comprising (1) 9 to 11% by weight of magnesium C^q-C^ alkvl benzene sulfonate; (2) 0.8 to 7% by weight of C 10 =C 16 mono-alkyl sulfosuccinate or sulfosuccinamate, wherein the alkyl group may be ethoxylated with up to 5 moles ethylene oxide, (3) 8 to 14% by weight of Cjq-Cj^ alkyl ether sulfate, ethoxylated with from 1 to 2 moles ethylene oxide, and (4) 4 to 8% by weight of said alkyl polyglycoside; (Β) 1 to 3% by weight of foam stabilization system comprising lauric/myristic monoethanol amide; (C) 0 to 2% by weight of ethanol; (D) 0.5 to 5% by weight of sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate or mixtures thereof; (E) 0.5 to 5 % by weight in total of one or more of magnesium sulfate, sodium chloride, colour and fragrance; and, (F) water. - 29

9. The composition of any of the preceding claims, substantially as described herein by way of example.