IE852767L - Liquid detergent compositions - Google Patents

Description

12 o This invention relates to aqueous liquid detergent compositions and particularly to dishwashing corrpositions incorporating a mixture of anionic, ethoxylated nonionic and zwitterionic surfactants.

Liquid detergent compositions intended for use as dishwashing products conventionally take the form of clear aqueous solutions containing a mixture of one or more sulphate and sulphonate anionic surfactants together with a suds stabilising agent. Recently there has been a trend towards the use of magnesium cations for at least part of the anionic surfactants present, typified by the disclosures of British Patent Specifications Nos. 1,524,441 and 1,551,074, British published Patent Application No. 2,010,893 A and European Patent Application Publication No. 0039110. The art teaches that these formulations have enhanced performance, particularly when 3 used in water of low mineral hardness. Nevertheless, the pressure to improve the cost-effectiveness of liquid detergent canpositions has meant that the search has continued for compositions having improved economy, performance and in-use 5 characteristics. In particular, intensive effort has been expended in increasing the concentration of dishwashing liquid detergent compositions and in reducing the level of nonpar forming ingredients such as solvents and solubilising hydrotropes without sacrificing the storage stability of the 10 compositions.

Ethoxylated nonionic surfactants constitute a class of materials capable of solubilising other conponents in aqueous media but this capability is strongly dependent on their average degree of ethoxylation (E ). Highly ethoxylated nonionic aV surfactants, (i.e. E >20), are very hydrophilic in nature ctV and thus tend to reduce the oily soil removal capability of liquid dishwashing detergent formulations, which is undesirable where oil and grease removal is an important criterion of consumer acceptance. On the other hand, nonionic surfactants 20 having low levels of ethoxylation (i.e. E £2) are relatively qV hydrophobic and have a limited ability to form homogeneous solutions with other components in the absence of otter surfactant species.

A feature shared by all ethoxylated nonionic surfactants is 25 the presence of a level of unethoxylated material, the magnitude of which depends on the degree of ethoxylation, but which can constitute up to 20% by weight of the nonionic surfactant. Unethoxylated C^-C^ aliphatic primary alcohols are odorous materials having a low water solubility, and these 30 characteristics are discernible in the ethoxylated alcohols to an extent which depends on the level of ethoxylation, the effect diminishing as E increases. av Liquid dishwashing detergent compositions containing alkyl sulphates and/or alkyl benzene sulphonates have been found to be ^5 particularly subject to odour and storage stability problems when formulated with ethoxylated nonionic surfactants containing 4 the normal spread of ethoxylated species, and this effect is more pronounced when the composition also contains magnesium ions. However, the Applicants have established that certain alcohol ethoxylates, containing less than a defined amount of 5 unethoxylated species, and from which preferably at least part of the mono-ethoxylated species has been removed, can be incorporated in alkyl benzene sulphonate- or alkyl sulphate-containing liquid dishwashing detergent compositions without adverse effect on the storage stability of the latter. 10 The Applicants' copending European Application No. 84303044.6 publication No. 0125854 relates to liquid dishwashing detergent compositions of this type.

Zwitterionic surfactants are also known components of detergent compositions particularly in combination with other 15 surfactant species. Disclosures of compositions of this type are provided by European Patent Application Publication No. 0036625 and UK Patent Application No. 2103236A, both of which relate to liquid detergent compositions containing mixtures of alkyl ethoxy sulphates in combination with other anionic 20 surfactants and a surface active betaine. Another disclosure is provided by Thiele et al USP 3,634,266 which describes an amylase-containing liquid detergent composition in which the surfactant system comprises a mixture of alkyl ethoxy sulphate, ethoxylated nonionic and sulphobetaine species. 25 Nevertheless, it appears that the efficacy of a zwitterionic detergent in providing enhanced grease and particulate soil removal performance is a function not only of the structure of the zwitterionic surfactant itself, but also of the detergent composition into which it is blended. In particular, it has 30 been found that zwitterionic surfactants that give a-suds mileage benefit and/or acceptable greasy soil redeposition performance in one detergent matrix do not give a similar benefit over the same range of usage conditions in other matrices.

The Applicants have now made the discovery that certain narrowly defined classes of betaines provide an unexpected improvement in the soil handling capability of the compositions of the general type disclosed in the previously mentioned 5 European Application No. 0125854.

Accordingly in the present invention there is provided a physically stable enzyme-free liquid detergent composition comprising from 22% to 65% by weight of a surfactant system composed of a mixture of anionic, nonionic and zwitterionic 10 surfactants in an organic solubiliser/hydrotrope-water medium wherein i) the anionic surfactant comprises in combination a) from 4% to 20% by weight of the composition of a primary C^g-C^g alkyl sulphate; b) from 5% to 20% by weight of the composition of a C10"Cl6 linear alkyl benzene sulphonate; c) from 5% to 24% by weight of the conposition of a Cl0"Cl6 a^Yl ethoxysulphate containing an average of up to 6 moles of ethylene oxide per mole 20 of ethoxysulphate; wherein, in said anionic surfactant combination, the cations include magnesium ion in a molar amount corresponding to from 35% to 65% of the molar amount of alkyl sulphate present in the combination; ii) the nonionic surfactant comprises from 1% to 10% by weight of the conposition of an ethoxylated Cg-C^ aliphatic alcohol containing an average of from 1.5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, said ethoxylated alcohol containing not more than 1% by weight of 30 unethoxylated alcohol where the alcohol contains an average of less than 9 moles of ethylene oxide and not more than 2% by weight of unethoxylated alcohol where the ethoxylated alcohol contains an average of from 9 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol? 6 iii) the zwitterionic surfactant comprises from 0.25% to 10% by weight of the conposition of a conpound of the general formula R- R1 " (Y)n " -<w wherein R^ is alkyl r2 is Cj-C^ alkyl ?H R3 is a -(CH2>3 group or a -(CH2-CH - CH2) group 0 Y is - J - N - (CH0), - I 2 3 H n and m are O or 1 X* is CH2CCO~ or SO~; provided that where X is CH2COO m is 0 and where X is SO^ m is 1.

Preferably, in the zwitterionic surfactant, R^ is C20-C14 alkyl, R2 is methyl and n is 0 and more preferably the zwitterionic surfactant is a c±2~ci4 a^yl betaine, present in an amount of 15 from 0.5% to 5%, most preferably in an amount of from 1.0% to 2.5% by weight of the conposition Preferably the ethoxylated aliphatic alcohol has an HLB in the range from 8.0 to 17.0 more preferably from 11.0 to 17.0, and most preferably from 11.0 to 15.0. Preferred compositions in accordance 2o with the invention contain from 3 to 5% of a C^-C^ primary alcohol condensed with an average of from 6 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of 7 alcohol. Preferably, the ethoxylated aliphatic alcohol contains less than 0.7%, most preferably less than 0.5% of unethoxylated material, and in highly preferred compositions the level of mono-ethoxylated C^-C^ alcohol is no more than 5% by weight of 5 the nonionic surfactant.

One useful group of compositions incorporates a three component anionic surfactant system, comprising 6-12% by weight of the conposition of ciq~c16 primary alkyl sulphate, 6-14% of a Cl0-Ci6 Primary alky1 ethoxysulphate containing an average of 10 from 1.5 to 3 ethoxy groups per alkyl group, and 5-15% of a Cl0-Cl6 a^k^ benzene sulphonate. The cations in this system are a mixture of ammonium and magnesium ions, the level of magnesium corresponding to approximately one half of the molar amount of alkyl sulphate present.

Highly preferred compositions in accordance with the invention incorporate an anionic surfactant system containing from 15 to 20% by weight of the composition of a primary alkyl ethoxy sulphate stock containing an average of from 0.8 to 2.0 ethylene oxide groups per mole of alkyl ethoxy sulphate, this alkyl ethoxy sulphate stock also including from 6 to 10%, by weight of the conposition, of alkyl sulphate, together with from to 10% by weight of the conposition of a g linear alkyl benzene sulphonate component.

Preferably compositions in accordance with the invention also 25 contain 2%-8%, most preferably 3%-4% by weight of a suds booster selected from alkyl 11,0110 or d^"C2~C3 alkanolamide« Detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention comprise a mixture of anionic surfactants of defined constitution, in an amount of from 22% to 65% by weight of the conposition, together 30 with from 1% to 10% by weight of an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant having a low content of unethoxylated material and from 0.25% to 10% by weight of a zwitterionic surfactant of defined structure.

All conpositions in accordance with the invention incorporate an alkyl sulphate and an alkyl benzene sulphonate conponent in 35 combination with an alkyl ethoxy sulphate. 8 The alkyl sulphate component is a primary alkyl sulphate in which the alkyl group contains 10-16 carbon atoms, more preferably an average of 12-14 carbon atoms preferably in a linear chain.

Cin-Cnr alcohols, derived from natural fats or ziegler olefin 1U lb build-up or OXO synthesis, form suitable sources for the alkyl group. Exanples of synthetically derived materials include Dobanol 23 (RTM) sold by Shell Chemicals (UK) Ltd, Ethyl 24 sold by the Ethyl Corporation, a blend of alcohols in the ratio 67% C^^, 33% C15 sold under the trade name Lutensol by BASF GmbH and 10 Synperonic (RTM) by ICI Ltd, and Lial 125 sold by Liquichimica Italiana. Exanples of naturally occurring materials from which the alcohols can be derived are coconut oil and palm kernel oil and the corresponding fatty acids.

The level of the alkyl sulphate component lies in the range of from 15 4% to 20% by weight of the conposition, more generally from 4% to 16% by weight. Preferably the usage level lies in the range from 6% to 12% by weight, most preferably in the range from 6% to 10% by weight.

For the purposes of the present invention, the alkyl sulphate is 2o associated with a source of magnesium ions which, as will be described hereinafter, can either be introduced as the oxide or hydroxide to neutralise the acid or can be added to the conposition as a water soluble salt. However the addition of appreciable levels of magnesium salts to the dishwashing compositions of the invention 25 raises the temperature at which inorganic salt crystals form in the conpositions on cooling and is therefore less preferable.

The molar amount of magnesium ion in the conpositions is controlled to correspond to 0.35-0.65X, preferably 0.45-0.55X where X is the number of moles of C10-C^6 alkyl sulphate present. Most 30 preferably the magnesium ion content is adjusted to provide the stoichiometric equivalent i.e. half the molar amount of the alkyl sulphate present. In practice the magnesium ion will be present at a level of from about 0.15% to about 0.70% by weight, preferably from 0.25% to 0.45% by weight of the conposition. 9 Alkyl benzene sulphonates useful in conpositions of the present invention are those in which the alkyl group, which is substantially linear, contains 10-16 carbon atoms, preferably 11-13 carbon atoms, a material with an average carbon chain length of 11.8 being most 5 preferred. The phenyl isomer distribution, i.e. the point of attachment of the alkyl chain to the benzene nucleus, is not critical, but alkyl benzenes having a high 2-phenyl isomer content are preferred. When employed in conpositions in accordance with the present invention, an alkylbenzene sulphonate content of from 5% to 10 20% by weight of the conposition is required generally from 5% to 15% by weight. In a preferred aspect of the invention an alkylbenzene sulphonate content of from 5% to 10% by weight is used and highly preferred compositions in accordance with this aspect of the invention have from 6% to 8% of g alkyl benzene sulphonate. 15 The alkyl ethoxy sulphate surfactant component comprises a primary alkyl ethoxy sulphate derived from the condensation product of a C10-Ci6 alcohol with an average of up to 6 ethylene oxide groups. The C^g-C^g alcohol itself can be obtained from any of the sources previously described for the alkyl sulphate component. 20 it has, however, been found preferable to use alkyl sulphates and alkyl ether sulphates in which the carbon chain length distributions are the same. C22~ci3 ether sulphates are preferred and the level of alkyl ethoxy sulphate in the conposition lies between 5% and 24% by weight of the compositions, generally in the range from 6% 25 to 14% by weight. In the preferred compositions, the level lies in the range from 6% to 12% by weight, most preferably in the range from 8% to 12% by weight.

Conventional base-catalysed ethoxylation processes to produce an average degree of ethoxylation of 6 result in a distribution of 30 individual ethoxylates ranging from 1 to 15 ethoxy groups per mole of alcohol, so that the desired average can be obtained -in a variety of ways. Blends can be made of material having different degrees of ethoxylation and/or different ethoxylate distributions arising from the specific ethoxylation techniques employed and subsequent processing steps such as distillation. For example, it has been found that equivalent sudsing and grease removal 5 performance to that given by a blend of alkyl sulphate and alkyl triethoxy ether sulphate can be obtained by reducing the level of alkyl sulphate and using an alkyl ether sulphate with an average of approximately two ethoxy groups per mole of alcohol. In preferred compositions in accordance with the 10 present invention the average degree of ethoxylation is from 0.5 to 4, more preferably from 0.8 to 2.0. When an alkyl ether sulphate stock of low ethoxylation level is employed as a means of incorporating both the alkyl sulphate and alkyl ether sulphate components, the level of its usage in the 15 conposition is from 10% to 25% by weight, more preferably from 15% to 20% by weight.

The counter ion for the alkyl ethoxy sulphate conponent can be any one of sodium, potassium, ammonium or alkanol-ammonium or a mixture thereof. However, where it is 20 desirable to achieve a low chill point tenperature, (the temperature at which inorganic salt crystals separate), a significant proportion (e.g. 30%) of the counter ions for the alkyl ethoxy sulphate conponent should be ammonium and in order to achieve the lowest possible chill point temperatures 25 the alkyl ethoxy sulphate should be completely neutralized by ammonium ions.

The counter ions in association with the alkyl benzene sulphonate are independently selected in the same manner as those for the alkyl ethoxy sulphate. In order for 30 conpositions in accordance with the invention to have a chill point of ^ 0°C, at least 70% of the neutralising cations for the anionic surfactants should be ammonium ions.

The ethoxylated nonionic surfactant component of the invention is a C^-C^ aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate 35 containing an average of from 1.5 to 25, more preferably from 2 to 15 and most preferably from 6 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. The aliphatic alcohol ethoxylate contains not more than 1% by weight of unethoxylated alcohol 11 where the ethoxylated alcohol contains an average of less than 9 moles of ethylene oxide and not more than 2% by weight of unethoxylated alcohol where the ethoxylated alcohol contains an average of from 9 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide 5 per mole of alcohol.

The starting alcohol may be a primary alcohol or secondary but is preferably a primary alcohol which may be derived from natural or synthetic sources. Thus natural fats or oils, or products of Ziegler olefin build up reactions or 10 OXO synthesis may all be used as the source of the hydrocarbon chain, the structure of which may be linear or branched in type.

The preferred alcohol chain length range is from Cg to as it has been found that the sudsing volume and 15 mileage performance of conpositions in accordance with the invention is optimum when incorporating ethoxylates made from such alcohols. it is also desirable for performance reasons that the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) of the ethoxylated alcohol is in the range from 8.0 to 17.0, more 20 preferably from 11.0 to 17.0 and most preferably from 11.0 to 15.0.

As discussed with respect to the alkyl ethoxy sulfate conponent, the normal (base catalysed) ethoxylation process to produce an average degree of ethoxylation of 6 results in 25 a distribution of ethoxylate species which ranges from 1 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. An increase in Eqv causes some change in this distribution, principally a reduction in the level of unethoxylated material, but an increase in Eav from 3 to 5 will still leave approximately 30 5-10% of such material in the ethoxylated product.

In the liquid dishwashing detergent conpositions of the invention, this level of unethoxylated material will give rise to phase stability/chill point problems and/or will 12 result in a product having a fatty alcohol odour which is unacceptable to consumers and cannot be masked by conventional detergent perfumes. It has been found that the maximum level of unethoxylated alcohol that can be tolerated in the ethoxylated 5 alcohol component is 1% by weight. More preferably the unethoxylated alcohol level is not more than 0.7% and most preferably is less than 0.5% by weight of the ethoxylated alcohol component. Distillation under vacuum is enployed to remove the undesired material and this also removes a portion of the monoethoxylate fraction, thereby 10 increasing the E of the remaining material. In preferred ciV embodiments of the invention the level of monoethoxylate is not more than 5% by weight of the ethoxylated alcohol.

The level of usage of the ethoxylated alcohol conponent in conpositions of the invention is from 1% to 10% by weight more 15 preferably from 2 to 6% by weight and most preferably from 3% to 5% by weight. Liquid dishwashing detergent compositions in accordance with the invention and incorporating from 3% to 5% by weight of a primary alcohol containing from 9 to 11 carbon atoms condensed with an average of from 5 to 10 moles ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol 20 to give an HLB value in the range of from 12 to 15,the alcohol ethoxylate containing ^.0.5% by weight of unethoxylated alcohol, display chill points <.0°C together with enhanced sudsing and mileage performance relative to conpositions not in accordance with the invention.

The third conponent of the compositions of the invention is a zwitterionic surfactant, present in an amount of from 0.25% to 10%, more preferably from 0.5% to 5% and most preferably from 1% to 2.5% by weight of the conpositions. 13 The zwitterionic surfactant has the general formula: R, - (Y) - N+ - (R-JX" l n , J m R2 wherein R^ is R2 is C^-C^ alkyl OH I R^ is a -(CH2)2 group or a -(O^-CH - CH2) group i? y is - c - a - ~ h n & m are 0 or 1 X" is CH2COO~ or SO^; provided that where X- is CH2COO~ m is 0 and where X~ is 10 SO3 m is !• More preferably R^ has an average carbon chain length of from 12 to 14 carbon atoms and may be derived from synthetic sources, in which case the chain may incorporate some branching, or from natural fats and oils, in which case the chains are linear and may include 15 minor amounts of Cg-C^g and C^-C^g moieties. Synthetic sources for the R^ group may be the same as those mentioned previously for the alkyl group in the alkyl sulphate component.

Whilst compositions incorporating the C12-C14 amido betaine and C22~ci4 sulph° betaine display the benefits of the invention, 20 the most preferred conpositions utilise a C12~C14 alkyl betaine as the zwitterionic surfactant conponent, the c12~ci4 alkY1 group being derived from a coconut or palm kernel oil feedstock. 14 A highly preferred optional ingredient of the conposition according to the invention is a suds-promoting agent present at a level of from 2% to 8% by weight of the conposition, preferably from 3% to 6% and most preferably 3%-4%.

The suds-promoting agent is normally a C^g-C^g alkyl mono- or di-C2-C3 alkanolamide, examples including coconut alkyl monoethanolamide, coconut alkyl diethanolamide and palm kernel and coconut alkyl mono-and di-isopropanol amides. The palm kernel or coconut alkyl residue may either be 'whole cut', including the 10 and C^g fractions or may be the so-called 'narrow-cut' C^2~C14 fraction. Synthetic sources of the c^o~C16 group can also be used.

The balance of the formula comprises a hydrotrope-water system in which the hydrotrope may be urea, a C^-C^ aliphatic alcohol, a 15 lower alkyl or dialkyl benzene sulphonate salt such as toluene sulphonate, xylene sulphonate, or cumene sulphonate, or mixtures of any of these. Normally a single hydrotrope will be adequate to provide the required phase stability, but conpositions in accordance with the present invention preferably employ a mixture such as 20 urea-alcohol-water, alcohol-lower alkyl benzene sulphonate-water or urea-lower alkyl benzene sulphonate-water in order to achieve the desired viscosity, and to remain stable and easily pourable. For conpositions having an organic active concentration less than about 40% by weight, the preferred alcoholic hydrotrope is ethanol which is 25 employed at from 3% to 10% by weight of the conposition, preferably at from 4% to 8%, usually in admixture with urea. For conpositions having an organic active concentration greater than about 40% by weight, mixtures of ethanol with urea and/or lower alkyl benzene sulphonate are preferred. Mixtures of hydrotropes can, of course, 30 be employed for cost effectiveness reasons irrespective of any stability/viscosity considerations.

Optional ingredients of the liquid detergent conpositions of the invention include opacifiers such as ethylene glycol distearate, thickeners such as guar gum, antibacterial agents such as glutaraldehyde and Bronopol (RTM), antitarnish agents such as 5 benzoxytriazole, heavy metal chelating agents such as ETDA or ETDMP, perfumes and dyes. The pH of the conpositions may be anywhere within the range 6-7.5 but as manufactured the conpositions normally have a pH in the range 6.6-7.3 and are subjected to a final pH trimning operation to obtain the desired finished product pH. For coloured 10 products the pH preferably lies in the range 6.5-6.9 in order to maintain colour stability.

The conpositions of the invention can be made in a number of ways but it is preferred that the zwitterionic surfactant is incorporated towards the end of the making process if not actually forming the 15 last ingredient to be added. This minimises the risk of any degradation of the zwitterionic surfactant under the acid conditions existing at the beginning of the making process and also facilitates the control of the viscosity of the finished product.

Thus, individual anionic surfactants can be made as aqueous 20 solutions of alkali metal or ammonium salts which are then mixed together with the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, followed by the suds booster and the hydrotrope, after which any magnesium ion can be introduced as a water soluble salt such as the chloride or sulphate. The zwitterionic surfactant and any optional minor ingredients are 25 then added at the same time as the pH and viscosity are adjusted.

This method has the advantage of utilising conventional techniques and equipment but does result in the introduction of additional chloride or sulphate ions which can increase the chill point tenperature (the tenperature at which inorganic salts precipitate as 30 crystals in the liquid).

In order to simplify the making process the alcohol and alcohol ethoxylate can be mixed together and a single sulphation and neutralisation can then be carried out on these two materials. For this, the alcohol and alcohol ethoxylate should be mixed in a weight 35 ratio lying in the range 4:3 to 1:6. In the most preferred technique however, a single alcohol ethoxylate stock is produced in which the levels of alcohol and ethoxylated alcohol species are controlled to provide the desired ratio of these starting materials. 16 Sulf(on)ation of the alcohol, alcohol ethoxylate and alkyl benzene can employ any of the conventional sulph(on)ating agents such as sulphur trioxide or chlorosulphonic acid. Neutralisation of the alkyl ether sulphuric acid and the alkyl sulphuric acid is then 5 carried out with the appropriate alkali or with a magnesium oxide or hydroxide slurry which avoids the addition of chloride or sulphate ions.

In one variant of this technique the alkyl benzene sulphonic acid is added to a neutralising medium, comprising ammonium hydroxide in 10 an ethanol-water solution, to which the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant has also been added. This paste then forms a 'heel' to which the suds booster and a magnesium hydroxide slurry are added followed by the mixed alkyl sulphuric and alkyl ether sulphuric acids. The neutralisation of the alkyl sulphate and alkyl ether 15 sulphate actives is carried out to a pH<4 in order to ensure dissolution of the magnesium hydroxide, after which the pH is adjusted to the finished product pH of 6.6-7.3 and the minor ingredients (colour, perfume, bactericides etc.) are added before the zwitterionic conponent is blended and final adjustment of the 2° viscosity is carried out.

A further and preferred variation involves the neutralisation of the mixed alkyl sulphuric and alkyl ether sulphuric acids in the alcoholic ammonia solution and the use of this paste, at a surfactant concentration of from 40 to 60% by weight and a pH of from 7 to 8, as 25 the 'heel' to which the monoethanolamide suds booster, magnesium hydroxide slurry and alkyl benzene sulphonic acid are added. The pH of the system after the sulphonic acid is added must be in the range of from 2 to 4 to ensure complete dissolution of the magnesium hydroxide. The minor ingredient addition, pH trimning, zwitterionic 30 surfactant incorporation and viscosity adjustment are as before.

Preferred conpositions in accordance with the invention are clear single phase liquids, but the invention also embraces opaque products containing dispersed phases provided that such products are physically stable (i.e., do not separate) on storage. 35 The invention is illustrated in the following non-limitative examples in which all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise specified. 17 EXAMPLE 1 The following conpositions were prepared: B C D E F G H Ammonium Q linear alkyl benzene sulphonate 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 13.5 Ammonium alkyl (EO)2 sulphate 9.9 9.9 9.9 9.9 9.9 9.9 9.9 9.9 Magnesium C22~C13 alkyl sulphate 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 8.2 Primary alcohol ethoxylate* - 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 Zwitterionic surfactant - 0.75 1.52 2.252 - 1.52 1.5"* 1.5^ Coconut Monoethanolamide 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 Ethanol 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 water to 100 1 A predominantly linear Cg-C^ alcohol blend containing an average of 10 ethylene oxide units per mole r of alcohol, and containing less than 2% by weight of unethoxylated alcohol. 2 A Coconut amido propyl betaine in which >70% by weight of the alkyl groups comprise C^2 or radicals.

^ A Coconut alkyl sulphobetaine in which ^95% by weight of the alkyl group comprise C^2 or C^ radicals. 4 A Coconut alkyl betaine in which ^95% by weight of the 25 alkyl groups comprise C12 or C^^ radicals. 1 8 In the preparation of Conpositions A-D, a mixture of alcohol and alcohol ethoxylate was sulphated using SO^-air sulphation, and was then neutralised to a solution pH of 4 in an alcoholic ammonium hydroxide solution to which magnesium hydroxide had been added in an 5 amount corresponding to half the molar quantity of alkyl sulphate present. After dissolution of the magnesium hydroxide, ammonia was added to form a neutralising solution for the alkyl benzene sulphonic acid. A separate sulphonation of the alkyl benzene was employed to produce the alkyl benzene sulphonic acid which was added to the 10 alkaline solution of the other actives and neutralised with the excess amnonia to pH 7. The monoethanolamide and, where present, the betaine were then added before final pH trimming to pH 6.8. The chill point of Composition A was -5°C. Conpositions incorporating ethoxylated nonionic surfactant (i.e. E-H) were prepared in a similar 15 manner except that the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant was added during the final pH trimming operation.

A comparison of the suds mileage of the conpositions under identical test conditions was made using a prepared particulate soil and a prepared grease soil in the mechanical sudsing test method 20 described.

Test Conditions Product Concentration 0.12% Water Tenperature 47°C Water Hardness 2°H and 18°H 25 Particulate soil Soil : Cake Mix / Mixed free fatty acids (MFFA) The Cake Mix is McDougall's Sponge Mix The free fatty acids comprise 2 parts oleic acid 2 parts linoleic acid 30 1 part stearic acid 2.5 parts palmitic acid 367 parts corn oil to give 2% MFFA mixture.

Grease soil 6 parts palmitic acid 94 parts corn oil to give 6% FA soil 19 Test Method The method uses 4 cylinders of length 30 cm and diameter 10 cm fixed side by side, and rotatcible at a speed of 24 rpm about a central axis. Each cylinder is charged with 500 mis 5 of product solution at a concentration of 0.12% and a temperature of 47 °C. The outer two cylinders are used for one of the products being compared and the inner two for the other product.

The cylinders are rotated for 2 minutes, stepped, the 10 initial suds are measured and a soil load is then added. In the particulate soil test all of the Cake Mix soil (5g) is added together at this stage with 1 ml of the 2% MFFA. In the grease soil test 1 ml of the 6% FA soil alone is added. After 1 minute the cylinders are restarted and allowed to 15 rotate for 1 minute. The suds height is noted and 1 ml of the 2% MFFA or 6% FA (depending on the test) is added to each cylinder. After 1 minute the cylinders are restarted.

This process continues until the suds height in the cylinder is lower than 0.3 cms. one product is designated as the control and suds mileage figures are calculated for the other product versus the 'control' product on the following basis.

Mileage of test product = number of soil additions to test product solution to reduce suds height to 0.3 cm x 100 number of soil additions to control product to reduce suds height to 0.3 cm The results of various mileage comparisons were as follows; 1) Comparison of compositions A-D using conposition A as control (i.e. 100%): Particulate soil Grease soil Mileage Mileage 2°H 18 °H 2°H 18 °H A B C D 100 110 128 125 100 113 104 105 100 114 100 113 2) Comparison of conpositions A, C and E-H using composition E as control (i.e. 100%): Particulate soil Grease soil Mileage Mileage 2°H 18 °H 2°H 18°H A 80 80 80 80 C 108 84 94 100 E 100 100 100 100 F 125 125 123 107 G 125 137 122 109 H 150 136 135 128 A comparison of the performance of conpositions A-D shows that little, if any, benefit is obtained from increasing zwitterionic 25 level above 1.5% by weight of the conposition.

It can be seen that in a conpeirison of the mileage performance of conpositions A, C, E and F, the addition of 1.5% betaine to conposition A to form conposition C does not produce as great an overall mileage benefit as does the addition of 4.7% alcohol to 30 composition A to form conposition E. Addition of betaine to conposition E to form composition F provides, overall, a greater benefit than that arising from adding betaine to conposition A to form conposition C. Comparison of the mileage performance of compositions E-H show that 21 whilst both the amido betaine-containing conposition F and the sulphobetaine containing conposition G both show significant advantages over the base conposition E, the alkyl betaine-containing conposition H is much superior to the other two.

EXAMPLE 2 Products weta made using the process of Example 1 having the following compositions:- I J K.

L M Ammonium C11 g Linear 14.3 14.3 14.8 6.0 - alkyl benzene sulphonate C12~C13 aj-kyl ™0.8 16.8 16.8 17.3 .0 .0 sulphate comprising approximately 57% by weight of C12~C13 alkyl sulphate Primary alcohol ethoxylate2 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 4.7 Coconut monoethanol-amide 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 3.8 Zwitterionic surfactant"^ - 1.5 1.5 1.5 1.5 A Solubiliser system 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 9.0 Water to 100 * Associated with a mixture of Magnesium and Ammonium ions, the amount of magnesium corresponding to half the molar level of alkyl sulphate present 2 A predominantly linear Cg-Cj^ alcohol blend containing an average of 10 ethylene oxide units per mole of alcohol, and 25 containing less than 2% by weight of unethoxylated alcohol. 3 A Coconut alkyl betaine in which 95% by weight of alkyl groups conprise C^2 or c14 radicals. 4 % Ethanol 4% urea.

The performance of the above products was then assessed using the 30 test methods identified below:- 22 1. Grease Cutting 8.5 cur dia metal dishes each containing 5 ml of solidified household fat (Mpt 45°C), as a uniform thickness layer, were suspended in a 0.12% solution of each product at 45°C for 30 5 minutes. The fat released by each product solution was collected via an inverted funnel immersed in the solution and overlying the dish. The weight of the fat released and collected was measured. Tests were carried out in both 2°H and 18°H water and the average of the measured fat weight in the two 10 water hardnesses calculated for each product. This was then compared to that released by the standard product I and expressed as an Index Value relative to product I at 100. 2. Grease redeposition Clean ceramic slides were dipped into product solutions 15 comprising 500 mis of 0.12% wt concentration in 2°H and 18°H water containing 5 mis household fat soil which had been mixed at 45°C for 2 minutes. The slides were withdrawn and compared and graded visually by an expert panel. The results were recorded in terms of panel score units of a ScheffS scale and the average 20 of the results for each product in the two water hardnesses were expressed as better than, or poorer than, the standard product I. 3. Initial Suds A model test was employed in which product solutions of 0.12% concentration at 45°C with no soil present were subjected to 25 impact by pouring 4.5 litres of water at 45°C on to the solution frcm a height of 20 cm in a 9 litre graduated bowl. The height of the suds generated by this technique was found to be correlatable to the initial suds experienced by consumers in use. The performance of each product was expressed as better 30 than, or poorer than, that of the standard product I. 4. Suds Mileage This was carried out as described in Example 1 except that the grease soil comprised 5% of a mixture of fatty acids and 95% corn oil by weight, the mixture of fatty acids comprising 2 parts 35 oleic acid, 2 parts linoleic acid, 1 part stearic acid and 2.5 parts palmtic acid. Product I was used as the standard. 23 The results were as follows: Grease Cutting Grease Redeposition I 100 J 150 K 150 L 150 M 150 STD POORER POORER BETTER BETTER Initial Suds Mileage (2°H/18°H): STD -VE STD STD STD Grease Particulate 100/100 122/114 160/130 154/135 70/87 100/100 150/136 133/120 128/132 108/108 It can be seen that Products J, K and L in accordance with the 10 invention, although providing the suds mileage benefits of the invention do not all perform equally well in other areas. Product J, which comprises the addition of 1.5% alkyl betaine to Product I, improves suds mileage and grease cutting but shows technical deficiencies in initial suds level and grease redeposition. A more 15 preferred embodiment Product K, in which the anionic surfactant level has been slightly increased, eliminates the initial suds performance deficiency of Product J. A highly preferred embodiment of the invention is constituted by Product L in which the ratio of alkyl benzene sulphonate to alkyl sulphate/alkyl ether sulphate has been 20 significantly reduced. This formulation demonstrates improved grease redeposition performance relative to the other products, whilst employing a lower total level of anionic surfactant.

However, elimination of the alkyl benzene sulphonate component and an increase in the level of the alkyl sulphate/alkyl ether sulphate 25 conponent to give a formulation of equal cost (Product M) shows a marked decline in suds mileage performance, particularly on greasy soils, where the performance is worse than that of the reference product I. 24

Claims (8)

1. A physically stable enzyme-free liquid detergent composition comprising from 22% to 65% by weight of a surfactant system composed of a mixture of anionic, nonionic 5 and zwitterionic surfactants in an organic solubiliser/hydrotrope-water medium wherein i) the anionic surfactant comprises in combination a) from 4% to 20% by weight of the composition of a primary C^g-C^g alkyl sulphate; 10 b) from 5% to 20% by weight of the composition of a C^g-C^g linear alkyl benzene sulphonate; c) from 5% to 24% by weight of the composition of a C^g-C^g alkyl ethoxysulphate containing an average of up to 6 moles of ethylene oxide per 15 mole of ethoxysulphate; wherein, in said anionic surfactant combination, the cations include magnesium ion in a molar amount corresponding to from 35% to 65% of the molar amount of alkyl sulphate present in the combination; 20 ii) the nonionic surfactant comprises from 1% to 10% by weight of the composition of an ethoxylated Cg-C^ aliphatic alcohol containing an average of from 1.5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, said ethoxylated alcohol containing not more than 1% by weight 25 of unethoxylated alcohol where the alcohol contains an average of less than 9 moles of ethylene oxide and not more than 2% by weight of unethoxylated alcohol where the ethoxylated alcohol contains an average of from 9 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; 25 iii) the zwitterionic surfactant comprises from 0.25% to 10% by weight of the conposition of a compound of the general formula R1 " <*>n " N - "W 5 wherein R^ is C^-C^g alkyl r2 is C^-C^ alkyl OH R3 is a -(CH2)3 group or a -(CH2 - CH2) group Y is - C - N - (CH2)3 -H n and m are 0 or 1 10 X~ is CH2COO~ or so3? provided that where X~ is CH2COO~ m is 0 and where x~ is S03 m is 1.

2. A detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein the anionic surfactant combination comprises from 6% to 12% of a 15 cj2-ci4 sulphate, from 5% to 15% of a alkyl benzene sulphonate and from 6% to 14% of a C^-C^ alkyl ethoxysulphate containing an average of not more-than 2 ethoxy groups per mole of ethoxy sulphate, the cations in said combination including magnesium ion in a molar amount 20 corresponding to approximately 50% of the molar amount of alkyl sulphate present in the combination. 26

3. A detergent conposition according to either one of claims 1 and 2, wherein the alkyl sulphate and alkyl ethoxysulphate conponents are provided by a single alkyl ethoxysulphate stock containing an average of from 0.8 to 2.0 ethoxy groups per mole 5 of alkyl ethoxy sulphate, said single stock being present in an amount of from 10% to 25% by weight of the conposition.

4. A detergent conposition according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the anionic surfactant combination comprises from 5% to 10% by weight of a Cq-C-jj linear alkyl benzene sulphonate 10 and from 15% to 20% by weight of C^-C^ linear alkyl ethoxy sulphate containing approximately 0.8 ethoxy groups per mole of alkyl ethoxy sulphate.

5. A detergent conposition according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein the nonionic surfactant has an HLB in the range from 8.0 15 to 17.0.

6. A detergent conposition according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein the nonionic surfactant comprises from 2% to 6% of a linear C^-Cj^ alcohol containing an average of from 6 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. 20

7. A detergent conposition according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the zwitterionic surfactant is 1(N, N dimethyl NtC12~C14 a^-ky1 ammonio) methane - 1 - carboxy and comprises from 1% to 5% by weight of the conposition.

8. A physically stable enzyme-free liquid detergent 25 composition according to Claim 1, substantially as hereinbefore described and exemplified. F. R. KELLY & CO., AGENTS FOR THE APPLICANTS.