JP2010513624A - Dishwashing composition - Google Patents

Abstract

  The present invention relates to cleaning compositions, their preparation, cleaning methods and methods for enhancing the retention of cleaning agents in a carrier. More specifically, the present invention relates to a detergent composition for use in the hand washing of dishes. The object of the present invention is to provide the cleaning composition with enhanced retention of the cleaning agent (surfactant) in the carrier when diluted. It has now been discovered that an improved economical dilution thickening system can be obtained with a dilution thickening surfactant system.

Description

  The present invention relates to cleaning compositions, their preparation, cleaning methods and methods for enhancing the retention of cleaning agents in a carrier. More specifically, the present invention relates to a detergent composition for use in the hand washing of dishes.

  Household liquid cleaning products that provide thickening upon dilution are known in the art, as detailed in the following references.

  US 5,922,664 describes a composition comprising a micellar dispersion of a mixture of at least two anionic surfactants and alkali metal citrates differing in resistance to salting out by electrolysis. The ultimate viscosity at the time of dilution does not exceed 1,400 mPas.

  EP 314,232 is (a) a primary surfactant selected from amines, amine oxides, betaines or quaternary ammonium compounds, preferably amine oxides, (b) hydrotropes such as eg ethanol, methanol or triethanolamine Reference is made to a composition of a co-surfactant compound and (c) a water ionic non-surfactant compound such as, for example, an inorganic acid, neutral salt or alkali.

  WO 96/32464 discloses a kit comprising a water-thickening surfactant composition based on sponge and electrolyte concentration. This document also shows the viscosity distribution of the disclosed composition, the highest point of viscosity in this viscosity distribution reaching 1,685 mPas, which is 2. It is only 7 times higher.

  In summary, the prior art documents teach simple compositions that can reach high viscosity upon dilution and improve use in situations similar to dishwashing.

  In copending application PCT / EP2006 / 007038, a dilution thickening system based on a surfactant mixture and an electrolyte is disclosed.

  However, prior art compositions are solved by the present invention, such as obtaining a detergent composition having enhanced retention in the carrier and / or high viscosity at dilution even at high dilution rates. It presents technical and / or economic issues. By enhancing the holding power in the carrier, the release of the composition can be controlled.

US Pat. No. 5,922,664 European Patent No. 314,232 WO96 / 32464 pamphlet PCT / European Patent Application Publication No. 2006/007038

  Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide the cleaning composition with enhanced retention of cleaning agents (such as surfactants) in the carrier when diluted.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an environmentally friendly composition which has a lower consumption rate in use, and therefore gives better results than prior art compositions, is more economical to use. .

  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide enhanced retention of the cleaning agent in the carrier, thereby reducing the time spent replenishing the carrier and, as a result, in use. The cleaning composition becomes faster and more efficient.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to allow more rational use of containers for cleaning compositions.

  It has now been surprisingly discovered that an improved economical dilution thickening system can be obtained with a dilution thickening surfactant system.

(Summary of the Invention)
Therefore, the present invention
-Alkyl ether sulfate (0-4EO) 40-85 wt%,
-Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate 0.01-50 wt% and-Betaine 0.01-55 wt%
A diluted thickened aqueous liquid detergent composition having 5-50% by weight diluted thickened surfactant system is provided.

The present invention further provides:
Contacting the composition according to the invention with a carrier;
Providing a method of cleaning a hard surface comprising the steps of: treating the combination of carrier and composition with water; and-performing a surface cleaning operation with the carrier.

The present invention further provides:
-Alkyl ether sulfate (0-4EO) 40-85 wt%,
-Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate 0.01-50 wt%,
-Betaine 0.01-55 wt%
A diluted thickening surfactant system comprising 100% in total.

  The present invention also provides the use of the diluted thickened surfactant system of the present invention in a dishwashing composition.

  These as well as other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description and the appended claims. To avoid doubt, any feature of one aspect of the invention can be utilized in any other aspect of the invention. It is noted that the examples given in the following description are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to these examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight / weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges expressed in the format “from x to y” are understood to include x and y. For certain features, when a plurality of preferred ranges are described in the form “from x to y”, it is understood that all ranges connecting different endpoints are also contemplated.

It is a triangular figure of the dilution thickening surfactant system of this invention. The shaded area indicates the preferred concentration of the three components of the dilution-thickening surfactant system of the present invention. The dashed line in the triangle represents the approximate boundary between the structured liquid below / right side of the dashed line and the unstructured liquid above / left side of the dashed line. Double-sided arrows indicate effect versus cost. The dilution thickening effect is obtained in every part of the shaded area, but the effect and cost increase towards the right.

(Detailed description of the invention)
The present invention provides a diluted thickening surfactant system and a detergent composition using the same.

  An optimal detergent composition has a low viscosity in a concentrated form (ie, in a bottle) and a high viscosity when diluted on a cleaning implement such as a sponge. Ultimately, the composition is released upon application to the surface.

Diluting and Thickening Surfactant Systems Thickening surfactants provide a surfactant system that has a low viscosity in a concentrated form, increasing in viscosity when diluted to the highest viscosity (highest viscosity point) and further diluting When doing so, the viscosity decreases.

  The diluted thickening surfactant system includes alkyl ether sulfate (AES), linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) and betaine, optionally ethoxylated with 0-4 EO groups. As shown herein below, a low cost or higher dilution thickening system may be selected depending on the market.

  The diluted thickening surfactant system is preferably not a structured liquid. It is also preferred that the composition is clear and transparent. A cloudy opaque composition is not preferred.

Alkyl ether sulfates Alkyl ether sulfates as defined herein are C ₈ -C ₁₈ alkyl ether sulfates having 0 to 25 moles of alkylene oxide (and thus include C ₈ -C ₁₈ alkyl sulfates). Alkali metal, ammonium or alkanol ammonium salts. The alkyl ether sulfate may be linear or branched. A common example of an alkyl ether sulfate is lauryl ether sulfate, preferably sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES).

  The alkyl ether sulfate is present in the diluted thickened surfactant system at a concentration of at least 40% by weight, preferably at least 50% by weight, more preferably at least 55% by weight, but no more than 85%. , Preferably 70% or less.

Betaine Betaine is a zwitterionic surfactant. Preferred betaines are (dodecyldimethylammonium) acetate (laurylbetaine), (tetradecyldimethylammonium) acetate (myristylbetaine), (cocodimethylammonium) acetate (coconutbetaine), (oleyldimethylammonium) acetate (oleyl) (Betaine), (dodecyloxymethyldimethylammonium) acetate, (cocoamidopropyldimethylammonium) acetate (also known as cocoamidopropylbetaine or CAPB), carboxybetaines, (dodecyldimethylsulfonium) acetic acid Salts and sulfonium betaines such as 3- (cocodimethylsulfonium) -1-propanesulfonate, and 4- (trimethylphosphonium) -1-hexadecanesulfonate, 3- ( Decyl dimethyl phosphonium) -1-propanesulfonate, 2- (dodecyl dimethyl phosphonium) -1-phosphonium betaines, such as ethane sulfate and mixtures thereof.

  Betaine is present in the diluted thickening surfactant system at a concentration of at least 0.01%, preferably at least 5%, and for higher dilution thickening compositions, it is further at least 10%. , 55% or less, preferably 35% or less, or for low cost diluted thickening compositions, it is further present at 20% or less.

LAS
The third component of the diluted thickener is a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS). LAS is present in the diluted thickener surfactant system at a concentration of 0.01-50% by weight. In order to obtain a higher dilution thickening effect, an LAS concentration of 0.1-35 wt% is preferred. A concentration of 25-45% by weight is preferred in order to obtain an economical composition with an excellent dilution thickening effect at a lower price. A balance between luxury effect and price is obtained in the mid-range of LAS 15-25% by weight.

Aqueous Liquid Detergent Composition The aqueous liquid detergent composition according to the present invention comprises the diluted thickening surfactant system of the present invention at a concentration of 5-50 wt%, preferably at least 10 wt%, more preferably at least 15 % By weight, even more preferably at least 20% by weight, most preferably 25% by weight, but preferably 40% by weight or less, more preferably 35% by weight or less, most preferably 30% by weight or less.

  When used in cleaning compositions, the diluted thickening surfactant system not only exhibits low viscosity (in the 0% direction) at high dilution, but also exhibits low viscosity at the high concentration (in the 100% direction). However, the viscosity distribution of the cleaning composition indicates that the highest point of viscosity is somewhere in between. This distribution is usually bell-shaped.

  The dilution-thickening surfactant system of the present invention forms a curvilinear shape and is very suitable for use in liquid detergent compositions. However, in order to improve the versatility of the composition, it is preferable to be able to influence the position of the highest point depending on the concentration. That is, it is preferable that the position of the highest point on the density scale can be influenced. Preferably, the maximum viscosity of the diluted composition is reached between 30% and 70% surfactant system concentration in the diluent (such as water), more preferably the surfactant system concentration in the diluent. It is reached between 30% and 50%. Furthermore, the maximum viscosity is at least 5 times the initial viscosity, preferably at least 10 times.

Accordingly, the aqueous liquid detergent composition may further contain a viscosity modifier. The low viscosity in the concentrated form helps the composition to penetrate easily into a carrier such as a sponge. Preferably, the undiluted composition has a viscosity of 1500 mPas or less, more preferably 800-1250 mPas. The viscosity here is determined at 25 ° C. using a Haake VT550 / VT500 viscometer at 21 s ⁻¹ on the MVII spindle.

To affect the position of the highest point on the electrolyte concentration scale, i.e., to move the highest point between high and low concentrations, the cleaning composition of the present invention can include an electrolyte.

  The electrolyte is a water-soluble organic and inorganic salt (other than an anionic surfactant), wherein the cation is selected from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, ammonium and mixtures thereof, and the anion is , Chlorides, sulfates, phosphates, acetates, nitrates and mixtures thereof. Especially useful are the chlorides and / or sulfates of magnesium, potassium, sodium and ammonium.

  Preferably, the electrolyte is present in the detergent composition at a concentration of 0-7.5 wt%, more preferably 2.5-5 wt%, and even more preferably 3-4 wt%. To do.

Viscosity modifier A viscosity modifier may be added to affect the viscosity of the detergent composition without moving the highest point on the concentration scale.

  One suitable class of viscosity modifiers is a class of nonionic surfactants. Nonionic surfactants reduce the viscosity of the concentrated detergent composition without moving the highest point on the concentration scale.

  The non-ions of the present invention preferably have at least an HLB value (hydrophilic / lipophilic balance) of 8, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least an HLB value of 12, but preferably no more than 16.

  Suitable nonionic surfactants have free reactive hydrogens that can be used for condensation with hydrophilic alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, polyethylene oxide or polyethylene glycol to produce nonionic surfactants. Condensation products of hydrophobic alkyl, alkenyl or alkyl aromatic compounds with functional groups are included. Examples of such functional groups include hydroxy groups, carboxy groups, mercapto groups, amino groups or amide groups.

Examples of useful hydrophobic materials for commercially available nonionic surfactants include C ₈ -C ₁₈ alkyl fatty alcohols, C ₈ -C ₁₄ alkyl phenols, C ₈ -C ₁₈ alkyl fatty acids, C ₈ -C ₁₈ alkyl mercaptans, C _{8 8} -C ₁₈ alkyl fatty _amines, including C 8 _{-C 18} alkyl amides and _C 8 _{-C 18} alkyl fatty alkanolamides. The polyoxyalkylene condensation products of such materials contain 1 to 30 alkylene oxide groups, preferably 5 to about 20 alkylene oxide groups, more preferably 8 to about 12 alkylene oxide groups. Good. Accordingly, suitable ethoxylated fatty alcohols may be selected from ethoxylated cetyl alcohol, ethoxylated ketostearyl alcohol, ethoxylated isotridecyl alcohol, ethoxylated lauric alcohol, ethoxylated oleyl alcohol and mixtures thereof.

  As an alternative, compounds from the group of propylene glycol, ethoxylated glycerol and / or ethanol can be used as viscosity modifiers. The most preferred propylene glycol is MPG (monopropylene glycol). Preferred ethoxylated glycerols have 3-15 ethylene oxide (EO) groups, more preferably 5-10 ethylene oxide groups.

  As an alternative, this viscosity reducing effect can be obtained by the addition of other short chain organic alcohols. These solvents have the same viscosity reducing effect as nonionic surfactants, but are not preferred because they are considered “volatile organic compounds”. Volatile organic compounds are not preferred in the context of the present invention.

  Thus, nonionic surfactants are also preferred in the cleaning composition of the present invention because they also have detergent properties.

  A component commonly used in other cleaning compositions is a hydrotrope. The hydrotrope weakens the dilution thickening effect according to the present invention. It is preferred to avoid hydrotropes such as sodium cumene sulfonate (SCS), sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS), anionic hydrotropes and polyethylene glycols.

  In general, viscosity modifiers reduce the viscosity of the composition over the entire concentration scale. The viscosity modifier is optionally present in the detergent composition at a concentration of 0-5%, preferably present at a concentration of 0.1-2%, more preferably 0.5-1.5%. Optionally present at a concentration of.

Additional surfactant The composition can additionally comprise a surfactant. However, such surfactants can have no or only limited effect on the dilution thickening action of the composition. Preferably, the additional surfactant does not move the highest point above 10% on the concentration scale and does not reduce or increase the maximum viscosity above 20%. The detergent composition of the present invention can further include one selected from an anionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, and combinations thereof. Cationic surfactants are not preferred.

  Suitable additional surfactants are described in “Surface Active Agents”, Volume 1, Schwartz and Perry, Interscience, 1949, Volume 2, Schwartz, Perry and Berch, Interscience, 1958. And published in the latest issue of “McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents” published by Manufacturing Components Company, or “Tenside-Taschenbuch”, H.C. Described in Stache, 2nd edition, Carl Hauser Verlag, 1981.

Optional Ingredients The compositions of the present invention optionally contain other ingredients such as fragrances, preservatives and colorants. In particular, the colorant is useful to indicate the presence of the composition in the absorbent carrier. Examples of useful colorants are Blue FDC (Cl: 42090), Patent Blue (Cl: 42051), Blue ABL80 (Cl: 61585), Red Punzo No7 (Cl: 16255), Red Precolor Array 14 (Cl: 14720) Yellow tartrazine Cl 14190, quinoline yellow 47005, brilliant black 28440, sunset yellow Cl 15985, and mixtures thereof.

  The present invention also discloses a method for cleaning domestic surfaces, in particular a hard surface, using the cleaning composition according to the invention. The cleaning method of the present invention has several advantages over known methods.

  In one aspect, the method consumes less detergent composition and is therefore more economical and environmentally friendly.

The cleaning method of the present invention comprises:
i) contacting the composition of the present invention with a carrier;
ii) treating the carrier and composition combination with water and iii) performing a surface cleaning operation with the carrier.

  As an alternative, although less preferred, water can be added to the absorbent carrier before the composition is added to the absorbent carrier.

  A typical cleaning operation is an operation that presses an absorbent carrier against the surface to help remove dirt, oil or dirt from the surface, and scrapes by circular motion or in any other manner. Dish surfaces and pottery are examples of domestic surfaces that can be cleaned by the composition of the present invention, among others.

  Useful absorbent carriers or porous carriers are known, especially carriers having cavities that can store liquids, such as sponges (natural, polymer, steel, etc.), polishing pads, cloths, etc. . The composition is particularly suitable for being applied on a sponge in the cleaning method.

  The ratio between the amount of water and the amount of cleaning composition used in the cleaning method according to the present invention is preferably from about 0.5 to about 5, more preferably about 0.5-4, most preferably Preferably up to about 3.5.

The present invention further provides:
a) providing a solution of a surfactant;
b) providing a solution of viscosity modifier;
c) providing a method for enhancing the retention of the detergent in the carrier comprising the step of mixing the surfactant solution with the viscosity modifier solution.

Application Methods and Uses In order to apply a cleaning composition to dishwashing, such compositions preferably have a low viscosity initially and increase only after a certain amount of diluent is added. This causes penetration of the composition through the pores of the porous carrier (eg, sponge), while simultaneously holding the composition in the carrier for a longer time. The selective way in which the composition of the invention works is an advantageous balance between the rate of increase in viscosity (between the minimum and maximum viscosity) and the rate of decrease in viscosity (between the maximum and final viscosity). As well as an advantageous balance between low initial viscosity, maximum viscosity and final viscosity.

In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning composition of the present invention comprises a diluted thickening surfactant system, a viscosity modifier and other optional ingredients;
-Low initial viscosity for easy penetration into the carrier,
-Viscosity increase upon dilution after penetration into the carrier (so that the detergent composition stays longer in the carrier and thus provides an enhanced effect even after repeated rinsing);
-When diluted, the cleaning composition should be a stable and transparent gel;
-Provide controlled and sustained surfactant release.

  In another aspect, a cleaning method for a surface, in particular for a hard surface, is provided, which method yields better results and is more economical than previously known cleaning methods.

  In yet another aspect, a method is provided for enhancing the retention of a cleaning agent in a carrier such as a sponge and the like.

The present invention
-One or more surfactants,
A diluted thickened aqueous liquid detergent composition comprising one or more viscosity modifiers is provided.

More specifically, the present invention provides:
-One or more surfactants,
A diluted thickened aqueous liquid detergent composition comprising an electrolyte as at least one viscosity modifier;

  The invention will now be illustrated by the following non-limiting examples.

Examples These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the compositions of the present invention compared to the prior art.

  In Example 1, the controlled release of the composition according to the invention is compared with a commercial product.

  The compositions according to the invention are shown in the table below.

  Commercial products tested were: Dixan (purchased from Henkel, Italy, February 27, 2006), Fary (purchased from Procter & Gamble, September 1, 2005, UK), Sole (from Rekit Benkizer) , Purchased April 12, 2006 in Italy) and Last (purchased from Bolton Manitoba, April 20, 2006 in Italy). See the table below for composition analysis.

  To determine the active dose of the substance, 1 g of one of these compositions was applied directly onto a damp sponge suitable for dishwashing. Next, the sponge was rinsed with an aliquot of 50 ml of demineralized water by adding 50 ml of water to the sponge and collecting the water by squeezing the sponge. This was repeated several times with an aliquot of 50 ml of water until no detergent was released from the sponge.

  The collected water was analyzed to determine the concentration of the detergent product released. And the amount of remaining active part was calculated by subtracting the amount of detergent product measured at each rinse from the initial amount to calculate the remaining amount on the sponge. The results are shown in the table below.

  As can be clearly seen from the results in the table above, the composition of the present invention provides a much more controlled active release for a greater number of rinses.

  In Example 2, the viscosity distribution of several compositions according to the present invention is shown.

  The composition of this example is shown in the table below.

  In the table below, product viscosities are shown at different dilutions. In this table, 100% represents undiluted pure product, while the other percentages are percentages of product in water.

  These results indicate that the viscosity of the product is relatively low in the undiluted form and low when diluted to about 30%, but the viscosity between the pure composition and the highly diluted form of the composition is very high. This is clearly shown.

  In Example 3, the effect of the additional viscosity modifier (MPG, Composition 10) upon controlled release of the composition is similar to the similar composition without the additional viscosity modifier (Composition 9) and commercially available. Shown compared to dishwashing liquid (Lux Lemon). These compositions are shown in the table below.

  Product release was tested in the manner given in Example 1. The release results are shown in the table below.

  As can be clearly seen from the results in the table above, the composition containing the additional viscosity modifier exhibits a more controlled active release during a very large number of rinses.

Claims (11)

(A) 40-85% by weight of alkyl ether sulfate (0-4EO),
(B) 0.01-50 wt% linear alkyl benzene sulfonate and 0.01-55 wt% betaine
A diluted thickened aqueous liquid detergent composition having 5-50% by weight diluted thickened surfactant system.   Furthermore, the cleaning composition of Claim 1 containing 0-7.5% of electrolytes.   The cleaning composition according to claim 1, further comprising a viscosity modifier 0-5% selected from nonionic surfactants, propylene glycol, ethoxylated glycerol and / or ethanol.   The cleaning composition according to any one of claims 2 to 3, wherein the electrolyte is an alkali metal, alkaline earth or ammonium chloride, sulfate, phosphate, acetate, nitrate, or a mixture thereof. .   The cleaning composition according to claim 4, wherein the electrolyte is magnesium sulfate. Alkyl ether sulfates are the C ₁₀ -C ₁₈ alkyl ether sulfate having 1-4 EO groups, detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Betaine is a C ₁₀ -C ₁₈ alkyl betaine, detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   The cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the initial viscosity is 1500 mPas or less, and the viscosity when diluted to 30-70% reaches a maximum viscosity at least 5 times the initial viscosity. . (A) contacting the carrier according to any one of claims 1 to 8 with a carrier;
A method of cleaning a hard surface comprising the steps of: (b) treating the carrier and composition combination with water; and (c) performing a surface cleaning operation with the carrier. (A) 40-85% by weight of alkyl ether sulfate (0-4EO),
(B) 0.01-50 wt% linear alkyl benzene sulfonate,
(C) Betaine 0.01-55% by weight
A diluted thickening surfactant system comprising:   Use of the diluted thickening surfactant system of claim 10 in a dishwashing composition.

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