CONCENTRATED SINGLE-PHASE BUILT LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITION

DETERGENT LIQUIDE MONOPHASE CONCENTRE

English Abstract

CONCENTRATED SINGLE-PHASE BUILT
LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITION
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A concentrated aqueous single-phase built liquid
detergent composition is provided comprising;
(a) from about 15 to 18%, by weight of a water-soluble
non-phosphate detergent builder salt;
(b) from about 15 to 23%, by weight, of a surface
active nonionic detergent compound which is the
condensation product of 5 to 9 moles of ethylene
oxide with one mole of an aliphatic alcohol con-
taining 12 to 15 carbon atoms;
(c) from about 1 to 6%, by weight of at least one
amphoteric detergent compound selected from among
a group of described betaine detergent compounds;
(d) from about 5 to 8%, by weight, of a solubilizer
selected from the group consisting of alkali
metal salts of (i) nonyl succinic anhydride and
(ii) nonyl maleic anhydride; and
(e) from about 35 to 65%, by weight, water.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1- A concentrated aqueous single-phase homogeneous built
liquid detergent composition comprising:
(a) from about 15 to 18%, by weight, of a water-
soluble non-phosphate detergent builder salt;
(b) from about 15 to 23%, by weight, of a surface
active nonionic detergent compound which is the
condensation product of 5 to 9 moles of ethylene
oxide with one mole of an alphatic alcohol
containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms;
(c) from about 1 to 6%, by weight, of at least one
amphoteric detergent compound selected from the
group consisting of
(i) betaine detergent compounds having the
structure:
<IMG>
(ii) alkyl amido betaine detergent compounds
having the structure:
<IMG>
wherein R1 is an alkyl or a mixture of alkyls
containing 9 to 13 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are
independently methyl or ethyl and R4 and R5 are
independently methylene, ethylene or propylene
radicals;

(d) from about 5 to 8%, by weight, of a solubilizer
selected from the group consisting of alkali metal
salts of (i) nonyl succinic anhydride and (ii) nonyl
maleic anhydride, and
(e) from about 35 to 65%, by weight, water, and if requi-
red, less than about 3%, by weight, of a surface
active anionic detergent compound and if required,
less than about 10%, by weight, of an alkylene gly-
col.
2. A detergent composition as in claim 1 wherein said
nonionic detergent compound is the condensation product of 6 to
7 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of an aliphatic alcohol
containing 12 to 13 carbon atoms.
3. A detergent composition as in claim 1 wherein said
builder salt is sodium citrate.
4. A detergent composition as in claim 1 wherein R1 in
the structures of said betaine detergent compounds is derived
from coconut oil, R2 and R3 are each methyl, and R4 is methyl-
ene.
5. A detergent composition as in claim 1 wherein said
betaine detergent compound is cocoamidopropyldimethyl ammonium
acetate.
6. A detergent composition as in claim 1 which contains
less than about 3%, by weight, of a surface active anionic
detergent compound.
- 18 -

7. A detergent composition as in claim 1 which is subs-
tantially free of a C10-C18 alkyl benzene sulfonate anionic
detergent.
8. A detergent composition as in claim 1 which contains
less than about 10%, by weight, of an alkylene glycol.
- 18a -

9- A detergent composition as in claim 1 which is
substantially free of an alkylene glycol.
10- A detergent composition as in claim 1 which contains
from about 45 to 60%, by weight, water.
11- A detergent composition as in claim 1 wherein the
concentration of builder salt is about 17% and the
range of nonionic detergent compound is from about
16 to 18%, by weight, of the composition.
12- A detergent composition as in claim 1 wherein the con-
centration of said solubilizer in the composition is
about 7%, by weight.
13- A method of laundering comprising contacting the
stained and/or soiled fabrics to be laundered with a
concentrated aqueous single-phase homogeneous liquid
detergent composition comprising:
(a) from about 15 to 18%, by weight, of a water-
soluble non-phosphate detergent builder salt;
(b) from about 15 to 23%, by weight, of a surface
active nonionic detergent compound which is the
condensation product of 5 to 9 moles of ethylene
oxide with one mole of an alphatic alcohol
containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms;
-19-

(c) from about 1 to 6%, by weight, of at least one
amphoteric detergent compound selected from the
group consisting of
(i) betaine detergent compounds having the
structure:
<IMG>
(ii) alkyl amido betaine detergent compounds
having the structure;
<IMG>
wherein R1 is an alkyl or a mixture of alkyls
containing 9 to 13 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are
independently methyl or ethyl and R4 and R5 are
independently methylene, ethylene or propylene
radicals.
(d) from about 5 to 8%, by weight, of a solubilizer
selected from the group consisting of alkali
metal salts of (i) nonyl succinic anhydride and
(ii) nonyl maleic anhydride; and
(e) from about 35 to 65%, by weight, water
14- A method according to claim 13 wherein said builder salt
is sodium citrate.
-20-

15- A method according to claim 13 wherein said nonionic
detergent compound is the condensation product of 6 to
7 moles of ethylene oxide with one mole of an aliphatic
alcohol containing 12 to 13 carbon atoms.
16- A method according to claim 13 wherein R1 in the
structures of said betaine detergent compounds is derived
from coconut oil, R2 and R3 are each methyl, and R4 is methylene.
17- A method according to claim 13 wherein said liquid
detergent composition is substantially free of a C10-C18
alkyl benzene sulfonate anionic detergent.
18- A method according to claim 13 wherein said liquid
detergent composition is substantially free of an alkylene
glycol.
19- A method according to claim 13 wherein said liquid
detergent composition contains about 45 to 60%, by weight,
water.
20- A method according to claim 13 wherein the concentration
of builder salt is about 17% and the range of nonionic
detergent compound is from about 16 to 18%, by weight,
of the composition.
21- A method according to claim 13 wherein the concentration
of said solubilizer in the liquid composition is about
7%, by weight.
22- A method according to claim 1 wherein the concentration
of detergent composition in the wash water is about 0.1%,
by weight.
-21-

Description

8;~:
BACKGROUND OF TIIE INVE~TION
This invention relates ~o concentrated aqueous, built
liquid detergent compositions suitable for laundry or pre-
soak formulations. More particularly, it relates to aqueous
built liquid detergent compositions which are highly con-
centrated in surfactant and builder and are provided as
homogeneous, clear single-phase liquid solutions.
The formulation of concentrated built aqueous liquid
detergent composi~,ions has been a commercial objective
in the detergent art in recent years. It is generally
required that such compositions provide good detergency
at low product concentration in the bath, contain water as
the principal solvent and are in the form of homogeneous
single-phase solutions which provide long-term shelf life
without undergoing phase separation. Conventional liquid
detergent compositions containing a detergency builder are
generally not highly concentrated. That is, they are for-
mulated as relatively dilute aquèous solutions so as to solubilize the
builder and surfactant in the liquid composition. To provide
the desired detergency, relatively hi~h concentrations
of such product are needed in the bath.
.
The term "concentrated" as used herein refers to liquid
detergent compositions which can provide effective detergency
at a product concentration equivalent to about "l/4'cup" under
U.S. washing conditions, namely about 60 ml of detergent compo-
sition per standard wash load (about 17 U.S. gallons for a top
loading washing machine), which corresponds to a concentration
--1--

~ -- r
o~ about 0. l~o of li4uld detergent cornposition in the ~lash baLh.
To achi~ve a co~mercially acceptable level of detergency at such
lOW product concentration, it is necessary ~hat a high proportion
of the detergent composition be comprised of active ingredients,
notably, surfactant and builder. Thus, the term "concentrated"
liquid dètèrgent as used herein, is defined as a detergent compo-
sition which contains no more than about 65%, by weight, water.
As a practical matter, it is important that~ water is used
as the principal, ifnot the sole, solvent in such concentrated
liquid detergent composition, avoidin~ the use of costly solvents
such as glycols. Accordingly, the liquid detergent compositions
described herein contain at a minimum about 35% water, by weight of
the liquid composition, a water content of about 45% to 60% being
ordinarily preferred.
Built liquid detergent compositions are known in the art.
However, because of the limited solubility of builder and surfactant
in water, such detergent compositions are generally prepared as
relatively dilute aqueous compositions containing for the most
part in excess of 65%, and often as high as 93%, by weight, water.
Frequently, an alkylene glycol co-solvent is used to enhance the
solubility of the built detergent composition. In those aqueous
compositions which contain less than o5% water, the proportion of
builder is generally kept low, i.e. no greater than about 10%, by
weight, so as to enhance the solubility of the built detergent in
water. To provide acceptable detergency when used under standard
U.S. washing conditions, such known liquid compositions are con-
ventionally used at product concentrations substantially above the
"1/4 cup" concentration (about 0.1%, by weight) at which the liquid
detergent compositions of the present invention are effective.
Moreover, the conventional detergent compositions are generally in
the form of emulsions or suspensions, rather than clear homogeneous
solutions which are stable agains-t phase separation~
~ ~ ~r~

32
The detergent compositions described in U.S. Patent No.
3,912,662 to Martinsson et al and U.S. Patent NO. 4,021,377
to Borchert et al are illustrative of the prior art. The
Martinsson et al patent discloses an aqueous detergent compo-
sition containing nonionic and betaine detergents and a poly-
phosphate builder. In example l, a composition is described
containing 66% water and 12% alkylene glycol as the solvent.
The Borchert et al patent descri~es a phosphate-free liquid
detergent composition containing citrate builder and surfactant
in a water-glycol solvent. The amount of water in each of the
seven compositions disclosed in T~ble l of the patent is less
than 26%, by wei~ht, the major portion of the solvent being an
alkylene glycol. Consequently, the ability to provide an
economical liquid detcrgent comyosition which utili~es
water as the principal solvent yet is in the form of a concen-
trated clear single-phase solution remainsas a problemyet to be
overcome in formulating a commercially acceptable built con-
centrated liquid detergent composition.
SUMMARY OF T}IE`INVENTION
The present invention provides a concentrated aqueous
single-phase homogeneous built liquid detergent composition comrising;
(a) from about 15 to 18%, by weight, of a water-soluble
non-phosphate detergent builder salt;
(b) from about 15 to 23%, by weight, of a surface
active nonionic detergent compound which is the
condensation product of 5 to 9 moles of ethylene
oxide with one mole of an alphatic alcohol con-
taining 12 to l5 carbon atoms;

(c) from about 1 to 6%, by weight, of at least one
amphoteric detergent compound selectcd from the
group consisting of
(i) betaine detergent compounds having the
structure:
R2
Rl- .CH2 - N+ - R - COO ; and
R
(ii) alkyl amido betaine detergent compounds
having the structure:
R2
RI -~ C - NH - R5 - N+ R4 - COO
I3
wherein Rl is an alkyl or a mixture of alkyls
containing 9 to 13 carbon atoms, R2 and R3 are
independently methyl or ethyl, and R4 and R5 are
independently methylene, ethylene or propylene radicals;
~d) from about 5 to 8%, by weight, of a solubilizer
selected frorQ the group consisting of alkali metal
salts of (i) nonyl succinic anhydride and (ii)
nonyl maleic anhydride; and
: (e) from about 35 to 65%, by weightt waterO

- - `
8~:
In accordance with the process of the invention, laundering
of stained and/or soiled materials is affected by contacting
such materials with an aqueous solution of the above-defined
liquid detergent composition.
Unlike the built liquid detergent compositions known
in the art, the compositions of the present invention contain
a high concentration of builder and surfactant yet are chara-
cteristically clear, single-phase homogeneous solutions which
are physically stable over prolonged periods of storage and over
a wide range of temperature. The particular combinations of
nonionic and betaine detergents with non-phosphate builder salt
and solubilizer in accordance with the invention unexpectedly
form clear single-phase aqueous solutions, highly concentrated
in both surfactant and builder. From a commercial standpoint,
the present compositions are particularly advantageous insofar
as they are phosphate-free in conformity with governmental re-
gulations in many areas which prohibit the use of phosphate-
containing detergents; they are relatively economical to formulate
in that they utilize water as the principal solvent and avoid the
use of costly co-solvents such as alkylene glycols in other than
minor amounts; they provide effective detergency at low product
concentrations in the wash bath, notably at a so-called 1/~ cup
concentration, a desirably low concentration under U.S. washing
conditions; and they are homogeneous solutions, avoiding problems
of non-uniformity and phase separation associated with the storage
and use of emulsions and dispersions.
The nonionic detergent compound in the described liquid
detergent compositions may constitute from about 15 to 23%, and
preferably from 17 to 19%, by weight, of the detergent composition,

and the amphoteric detergent compound will generally vary
from about 1 to 6%, preferably from 2 to 4%, by weight, of
such compositions. The relative amounts of each o the afore-
mentioned detergents is generally determined by the amount of
builder salt employed. The higher the builder concentrations
within the range of 15 to 18%, the lower the maximum concen-
tration of nonionic detergent which may be employed in the
composition and still form a stable single-phase solution.
Conversely, at higher concentrations of builder salt, the con-
centration of amphoteric detergent and solubilizer is preferably
increased within the ranges of concentration set forth above
so as to solubilize the mixture and form a clear single-phase
solution having the requisite detergency. Thus, for example,
at a builder concentration of about 17% or above, the preferred
concentration of nonionic surfactant is from about 16 to 18%,
the amphoteric detergent is from about 2 to 4%, and most de-
sirably at least 3%~ and the concentration of solubilizer is
about 7 to 8%, all percentages being by weight of the total
composition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF T~IE INVENTION
The synthetic nonionic detergent employed in the practice
of t~he invention is specific to those compounds which are
the condensation product of 5 to 9 moles of ethylene oxide
with an aliphatic alcohol containing 12 to 15 carbon atoms.
The aliphatic alcohol is preferably a straight chain alcohol,
and most preferably is a fatty alcohol or mixture thereof containing an
average of 12 to 13 carbon atoms per mole. The number of
ethylene oxide groups per mole of alcohol preferably averages
about 6.5 or 7, Neodol ~ 23-6.5 and Neodol ~ 25-7 are parti-
cularly preferred for use herein, both of such products being
made by Shell Chemical Company, Inc.

~L~?J~
The amphoteric detergent compounds most useful in
the compositions of the invention are the betaine and
alkyl amido betaine detergent compounds having the following
structures:
(i) betaine
R2
Rl~ CH2 - N-~ - COO ; and
(ii) alkyl amido betaine
o R2
R - C - NH R5 _ N+ R4 COO-
R3
wherein in each of the above structures Rl represents
an alkyl chain or a mixture of alkyls containing 9 to
13 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are independently methyl or
ethyl; and R4 and R5 are independently methylene,
ethylene or propylene radicals.
When Rl is a mixture of alkyls of varying chain lengths,
it is preferred that SUCil mixture be comprised predominantly
of alkyls having 9 to 13 carbon atoms, although it is suffi-
cient, albeit less preferred, if only the predominant alkyl
in the mixture contains 9 to 13 carbon atoms and the remaining
alkyl chains are outside of such range. Rl is preferably
derived from coconut oil.
R2, R3 and R4 are preerably methyl groups and R5 is
preferably a propylene radical. Accordingly, preferred betaines
for use herein are cocodimethylammonium acetate (cocobetaine)
and cocoamidopropyl dimethylammonium acetate (cocoamido betaine).

o~
An anionic detergent may optiona]ly be ernployed in
minor amounts to supplement the nonionic and alnphoteric
detergent compounds in the present liquid detergent composi-
tions. Generally, the amount of anionic detergent will be
below about 3%, by weight, of the total composition because of
the limited solubility of such detergents in the built liquid d
detergent composition. Alkyl benzene sulfonate salts wherein
the alkyl group contains 10 to l8 carbon atoms are particularly
limited in solubility in the present compositions, and hence it
is preferred that the present compositions be substantially free
of such compounds to avoid the possibility of product separation.
The preferred anionic detergents for use herein are
sulfated ethoxylated higher fatty alcohols of the formula
RO(C2H40)mS03M, wherein R is a fatty alkyl of from 10 to 18 or
20 carbon atoms, m is from 2 to 6 or 8 (preferably having a value
from about 1/5 to 1/2 the number of carbon atoms in R) and M is
a solubili~ing salt-forming cation, such as an alkali metal,
ammonium, lower allcyl-amino or lower alkanolamino. A preferred
polyethoxylated alcohol sulfate detergent is available from
Shell Chemical Company and is marketed as Neodol 25-3S.
Water is the principal solvent in the concentrated liquid
detergent compositions. The concentratlon of wa~er may vary
from about 35 to 65%, with a concentration in the range of 45
to 60%, by weight, being generally preferred. A co-solvent such
as an alkylene glycol, e.g. ethylene glycol or propylene glycol,
may optionally be employed in minor amounts for purposes of
enhancing the solubility of the surfactant and builder in solution.
The concentration of alkylene glycol in the detergent composition
should, if present, be below about 10%, by weight, of the total
composition, preferably below about 5%, and most preferably, the
composition is substantially free of such alkylene glycol.

.5~
One or- more alkali rnetal salts of nonyl sllCcinic
anhydride or nonyl maleic anhydride are inclucled in the
detergent composition because of their solubilizing properties
with respect to nonionic surfactants and builder salts. Such
solubilizer is used in an amount of from 5 to 8%, by weight,
of the ~otal composition, a concentrat:ion of at least 7%
being preferred when the builder salt concentration is about
17% or higher.
Nonyl succinic anhydride is represented by the formula
H O
C9 - C - C
H C - C
O
wherein C9 represents a nine carbon member aliphatic
chain, preEerably all<yl. Nonyl maleic anhydride is
similarly defined, the structures of succinic and maleic
anhydride differing only by virture of the unsaturated
nature of maleic acid.
The non-phosphate detergent builder salts are employed in
the present compositions in amounts generally of from about
15 to 18%, by weight. Specific examples of non-phosphate water-
soluble inorganic builders include water-soluble inorganic
carbonate, bicarbonate and silicate salts. The alkali (for
example, sodium and potassium) carbonates, bicarbonates and
silicates are particularly useful herein.

Water-soluble organlc builders are also useful and
include the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammoniurn
polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyhydroxy-
sulfonates. Specific examples of polyacetate and polycarboxy-
late builders include sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium and
substituted ammonium salts of ethylene diaminetetracetic acid,
nitrilotriacetic acid, ben7ene polycarboxylic (i.e. penta- and
tetra-) acids, carboxymethoxysuccinic acid and citric acid. As
used herein, the term "builder" does not include surfactants
and soaps such as the water-soluble salts of higher fatty acids
containing from about 8 to 20 carbon atoms.
The optical fluorescent brighteners or whiteners employed
in the liquid detergent compositions are important constituents
of modern detergent compositions which give washed laundry and
materials a bright appearance so that the,,~laundry is not only
clean but also appears clean. Although it is possible to utilize
a single brightener for a specific intended purpose in the present
liquid detergent compositions lt is generally desirable to employ
mixtures of brighteners which will have good brightening effects
on cotton, nylons, polyesters and blends of such materials and
which are also bleach stable. A good description of such types
of optical brighteners is given in the article "The Requirements
of Present day Detergent Fluorescent Whitening Agents" by
A.E. Siegrist, J. Am. Oil Chemists Soc., January 1978 (VolO 55).
That article and U.S. Patent 3,812,041, issued May 21, 1974,
conta~n detailed descrlptions of a wide varietv of suitable
optical brighteners~
--10--

~ 62301-1344
Among the brighteners -that are useful in the present
liquid detergent compositions are Calcofluor* 5 BM (American
Cyanamid); Tinopal* LPW (Ciba), SOF A-2001* (Ciba); CDW*
(Hilton-Davis): Phorwite* RKH, Phorwite BBH and Phorwite BHC
(Verona); CSL~, powder, acid (American Cyanamid): FB 766*
(Verona); Blancophor* PD (GAF); UNPA* (Geigy); Tinopal RBS 200
(Ge:igy).
~ 10a -
,.~

Adjuvants may be present in the liquid detergent compositions
to provide additional properties, either function~l or aesthetic.
Included among the useful adjuvants are soil suspending or anti-
redoposition agents, such as polyvinyl alcohol, sodium carboxy-
methyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethyl c~llulose; thickeners,
e.g., gums, alginates, agar agar; foam improvers, e.g., lauric
myri~tic diethanolamide; foam destroyers, e.g., silicones;
~actericides, e.g., tribromosalicylanilide, hexachlorophene;
dyes; pigments (water dispersible); preservatives; ultraviolet
absorbers; fabrics softener~; enzymes; opacifying agents, e.g.,
polystyrene suspensions; and perfumes. Of course, such materials
will be selected based on the properties desired in the finished
product, their compatibility with the other constituents, and
their solubility in the liquid composition.
The present liquid compositions are efficient and easy to
use. Compared to heavy duty laundry detergent powders, much
srnaller volumes of the present liquids are employed to obtain
comparable cleaning of soiled laundry. For example, using a ty-
pical preferred formulation of this invention, only about 71 grams
or 1/4 cup of liquid is needed for a full tub of wash in a top-
loading automatic washing machine in which the water volume is
about 17 gallons (about 64 liters); and even less is needed for
front-loading machines. Thus, the concentration of the liquid
detergent composition in the wash water is on the order of about
0.1%. Usually, the proportion of the liquid composition in the
wash solution will range from about 0.05 to 0.3%, pre~erably from
0.10 to 0.20%. The proportions of the various cons~ituents of
the liquid composition may vary accordingly. EquiYalent results
can be obtained by using greater proportions of a more dilute for-
mulation but the greater quantity needed will require additional
packaging and will generally be less convenient for consumer use.

d~5~
EXAMPLE 1
A concentrated built liquid detergent composition in
accordance with the invention was formulated as set forth
below. The percentages shown refer to the 100% active component.
COMPONE~T ~EIGHT PERCENT
Sodium Citrate 17.2
Ethoxylated C12 -C13 17.6
alcohol (6.5 moles EO/mole alcohol)
Cocoamido betaine (1) 3.1
Nonyl succinic anhydride (2)7.0
(Potassium salt)
Brightener and dye 0.2
Water Balance
(1) Provided as "Varion~CADG", an aqueous solution of coco-
amido betaine sold by Sherex Chemical Company.
(2) The anhydride is provided as "Hoe 2817" sold by
American Hoechst Company, which is then reacted with
potassium hydroxide to form the potassium salt.
The above-described liquid composition was a clear blue-
colored single-phase homogeneous liquid detergent having a
viscosity of about 80 cp. at 75F, and which poured satisfactorily
from a plastic detergent bottle with a discharge opening,~,Vof about
2.5 cm. The liquid detergent was employed to wash a mixed load
of soiled laundry which included cotton swatches and polyester/
cotton swatches soiled with particulate soil and with sebum soil.
The wash temperature was 120F and the concentration of the liquid
detergent in the wash bath was about 0.1%, by weight. After washing,
the laundered items were rinsed in top water and then dried. The
degree of stain removal was measured by taking a reflectance reading
for each stained test swatch prior to and after the washing using a
Cardner~XL-20 colorimeter.
~ Tr~ o~rk -12-

The laundering operation described above was repeated
with a control detergent, a cornmercial aqueous built liquid
detergent cornposition containing 19% dodecylben~ene sulfonate,
10~ sodium citrate, 7% ethoxylated alcohol surfactant, and 5%
sodium toluene sulfonate hydrotrope used at a "1/2 cup" con-
centration of about 0.2%, by weight, in the bath. The detergency
of both compositions was compared based on the measured stain
removal achieved during laundering. The detergency of the
liquid detergent of the invention at a "1/4 cup" concentration
was shown to be either equivalent to or superior to that achieved
with the control liquid detergent at a "1/2 cup" concentration
with respect to laundered soiled and stained fabrics.
EX~MPEE 2
The effect of incorporating a betaine detergent not in
accordance with the invention into a built liquid detergent
composition containing nonionic surfactant and a high concen-
tration of builder was demonstrated by preparing two liquid
compositions such as described in Example 1, except that the
cocoamido betaine in the composition of Example 1 was replaced
in one composition by stearyl betaine and in the second compo-
sition by palmytyl betaine. Both of the resulting compositions
were unstable and formed separate phases in contrast to the
stable clear solution which characterized the composition of
Example 1.
EXAMPLE 3
-
Detergency tests were conducted with compositions A, B
and C formulated as silown below. The numbers in the table
represent the percent by weight, of each component in the li~uid
composition.
-13-

COMPO~ENT i~ B C_
Sodium ci~rate 17.2 17.2 17.2
oxy a-ed C12 Cl3 alcohol 17.6 22.0 7,0
(6.5 moles E0/mole alcohol)
Cocoamido betaine 3.1 -- 9.0
Nonyl succinic anhydride 7.0 14.0 __
(potassium salt)
Water Balance BalanceBalance
All three compositions were clear, single-phase solutions.
Composition A is a composition of the invention previously
described in Example 1. Composition B represents the best
performing formulation from the standpoint of detergency
measured at a concentration of 0.1~ in the bath from among com-
positions containing the same components of Composition A except
for the omission of a betaine.detergent, and which formed a clear single-phase
solution. Similarly, Composition C represents the best per-
forming formulation from the standpoint of detergency measured
at a concentration of 0.1% in the bath from among compositions
containing the same components of Composition A, but which con-
tained no solubilizer, and which formed a clear single-phase
solution. Compositions B and C are not in accordance with the
invention.
The detergency of Composition A, B and C was determined
in a Tergotometer vessel manufactured by U.S. Testing Company
on the following test fabrics under the stated conditions:
. '

- ~5i5~
TEST FAB~ICS
TFN - Test fabric soil on Nylon
PCC - Piscataway clay on cotton
SC - Sebum particulate on cotton
SDC - Sebum particulate on Dacron/cotton
EMPA - EMPA 101 on heavy cotton
WASH CONDITIONS
Liquid detergent concentration 0.10%
Water temperature 120F
Water hardness About 150 ppm as calcium
carbonate
At the end of the wash, the test swatches were rinsed
in tap water and then dried. A reflectance reading was taken
for each test swatch prior to and after the washing using a
Gardner XL-20 colorimeter. The values for the change in re-
flectance (~Rd) are shown below in Table 1 for each of the
aforementioned test fabrics. A difference greater than 0.8
between two values of ~Rd is considered significant for all
washed test fabrics except for measurements on EMPA where
only ~Rd values above 1.3 are considered significant.
TABLE 1
~Rd Values for Fabrics Washed with
Compositions A, B and C
OMPOSITION TFN PCCEMPASC SDC_ _ _ _ _
A 37 24 18 10 44
B 35 24 17 8 42
C 29 21 15 4 34
-15-

Table l demonstrates the unexpected improved detergency
attendant to the use of a composition in accordance with the
invention relative to two single-phase liquid detergent compo-
sitions similar thereto but which were not formulated in
accordance with the invention. Composition A is shown to be
superior to Composition B with respect to the majority of test
fabrics laundered; and superior to Composition C with respect
to virtually every test fabric laundered.
-16-