Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
-- 1 335646
~ C 7140 (R)
LIOUID DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS
The present invention is concerned with aqueous liquid
detergent compositions of the kind in which at least
some of the surfactant material forms a structured phase
which is capable of suspending solid particulate
material.
The surfactant material in such compositions usually
comprises one or more surfactants which may be soap or
non-soap synthetic surfactants. Soap is a particularly
useful material since it is capable of a multiplicity of
roles. It can be used as a detergent-active agent, as a
builder and as a fabric-softening agent. Thus, it is a
very desirable aim to formulate liquid detergents which
are relatively rich in soap. In the case of isotropic
liquids containing little or no inorganic builder, it is
relatively easy to formulate with high soap levels. It
is much more difficult to incorporate large enough
quantities in the aqueous structured liquids referred to
above.
Aqueous structured liquid detergents with solid
suspending capability and containing soap are disclosed
in European Patent Specifications EP-A-38 101,
EP-A-86 614 and EP-A-151 884. They are also disclosed in
our non-prior published European patent applications
EP 301 883 and EP 301 884. However, in none of these has
a sufficient amount of soap been incorporated to
function as a fabric-softening agent whilst
simultaneously acting as a builder to such an extent
that the amount of inorganic builder can be minimised to
a level where it does not exert too much of a harshening
effect on the fabric. Further possible disadvantages of
these compositions are instability, resulting in more
than 2% by volume phase separation after storage for 21
days at 25C, and high viscosity, resulting in non-
2 ¦ 3 3 5 6 4 6 C 7140 (R)
pourable products.
Thus, according to the present invention, we provide anaqueous liquid detergent composition comprising soap and
inorganic builder, the weight ratio of the soap relative
to the inorganic builder being at least 1:2.75, the
composition containing more than 5% by weight of soap,
the composition further comprising electrolyte in a
quantity sufficient to cause formation of a lamellar
phase having suspending capability, said composition
yielding no more than 2% by volume phase separation
after storage for 21 days at 25C, and having a pH of
less than 12Ø
What is especially surprising here is that stable,
pourable lamellar structured liquids of moderate pH can
be formulated with the levels of soap and other
specified ingredients as claimed herein. As far as we
are aware, no compositions matching these quantitative 20 and qualitative requirements have been successfully
formulated hitherto.
Thus, the compositions of the present invention are
stable, preferably yielding no more than 2% by volume
phase separation after storage for 21 days at 25C. Such
phase separation can manifest itself by the appearance
of distinct layers or by the formation of distributed
"cracks" containing predominantly aqueous phase
containing dissolved electrolyte. The compositions are
also pourable, certainly having a viscosity of no more
than 6 Pas, preferably no more than 2.5 Pas, most
preferably no more than 1.5 Pas, especially 1 Pas or
less, these viscosities being measured at a sheer rate
of 21 5-1.
The compositions of the present invention require
sufficient electrolyte to cause the formation of a
1 335646
~ C 7140 (R)
lamellar phase by the soap/surfactant to endow solid
suspending capability. The selection of the particular
type(s) and amount of electrolyte to bring this into
being for a given choice of soap/surfactant is effected
using methodology very well known to those skilled in
the art. It utilises the particular techniques described
in a wide variety of references. One such technique
entails conductivity measurements. The detection of the
presence of such a lamellar phase is also very well
known and may be effected by, for example, optical and
electron microscopy or x-ray diffraction, supported by
conductivity measurement.
As used herein, the term electrolyte means any water-
soluble salt. The amount of electrolyte should be
sufficient to cause formation of a lamellar phase by the
soap/surfactant to endow solid suspending capability.
Preferably the composition comprises at least 1.0% by
weight, more preferably at least 5.0% by weight, most
preferably at least 17.0% by weight of electrolyte. The
electrolyte may also be a detergency builder, such as
the inorganic builder sodium tripolyphosphate, or it may
be a non-functional electrolyte such as sodium sulphate
or chloride. Preferably the inorganic builder comprises
all or part of the electrolyte.
The compositions must also be capable of suspending
particulate solids, although particularly preferred are
those systems where such solids are actually in
suspension. The solids may be undissolved electrolyte,
the same as or different from the electrolyte in
solution, the latter being saturated in electrolyte.
Additionally or alternatively, they may be materials
which are substantially insoluble in water alone.
Examples of such substantially insoluble materials are
aluminosilicate builders and particles of calcite
abrasive.
~_ 1 335646 c 7140 (R)
The compositions of the present invention must contain
soap. This will usually be an alkali metal soap of a
fatty acid, preferably one contAining 12 to 18 carbon
atoms. Typical such acids are oleic acid, ricinoleic
acid and fatty acids derived from castor oil, rapeseed
oil, groundnut oil, coconut oil, palmkernel oil or
mixtures thereof. The sodium or potassium soaps of these
acids can be used, the potassium soaps being preferred.
The compositions of the present invention must
preferably also contain a non-soap synthetic surfactant.
This may be selected from any of those known in the art
for forming structured liquids and in general may be
selected from one or more of anionic, cationic,
nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants.
However, one preferred combination of non-soap
surfactants comprises:
a) a nonionic surfactant and/or polyalkoxylated
anionic surfactant; and
b) a non-polyalkoxylated anionic surfactant.
Suitable nonionic surfactants which may be used include
in particular the reaction products of compounds having
a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for
example aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl
phenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide
either alone or with propylene oxide. Specific nonionic
detergent compounds are alkyl (C6-C22) phenols -
ethylene oxide condensates, the condensation products of
aliphatic (C8-C18) primary or secondary, linear or
branched alcohols with ethylene oxide, and products made
by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction
products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Other
so-called nonionic detergent compounds include long-
chain tertiary amine oxides, long-chain tertiary
` -
1 335646 C 7140 (R)
phosphine oxides and dialkyl sulphoxides.
The anionic surfactants are usually water-soluble alkali
metal salts of organic sulphates and sulphonates having
alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22
carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used to include the
alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Examples of
suitable synthetic anionic detergent compounds are
sodium and potassium alkyl sulphates, especially those
obtained by sulphating higher (C8-C18) alcohols produced
for example from tallow or coconut oil, sodium and
potassium alkyl (Cg-C20) benzene sulphonates,
particularly sodium linear secondary alkyl (C10-Cl5)
benzene sulphonates; sodium alkyl glyceryl ether
sulphates, especially those ethers of the higher
alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil and
synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum; sodium
coconut oil fatty monoglyceride sulphates and
sulphonates; sodium and potassium salts of sulphuric
acid esters of higher (C8-C18) fatty alcohol-alkylene
oxide, particularly ethylene oxide, reaction products;
the reaction products of fatty acids such as coconut
fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and
neutralised with sodium hydroxide; sodium and potassium
salts or fatty acid amides of methyl taurine; alkane
monosulphonates such as those derived by reacting alpha-
olefin (C8-C20) with sodium bisulphite and those derived
from reacting paraffins with S02 and Cl2 and then
hydrolysing with a base to produce a random sulphonate;
and olefin sulphonates, which term is used to describe
the material made by reacting olefins, particularly C10-
C20 alpha-olefins, with SO3 and then neutralising and
hydrolysing the reaction product. The preferred anionic
detergent compounds are sodium (Cl1-C15) alkyl benzene
sulphonates and sodium (Cl6-C18) alkyl sulphates.
The compositions of the present invention must contain
6 1 335646 C 7140 (R)
an inorganic builder, but may also contain an organic
builder other than the soap. The non-soap builder is
preferably present at a level of at least 5% by weight,
the maximum level preferably being 30%. A detergency
builder is any material capable of reducing the level of
free calcium ions in the wash liquor and will preferably
provide the composition with other beneficial properties
such as the generation of an alkaline pH, and the
suspension of soil removed from the fabric. They may be
classed as inorganic, organic non-polymeric and organic
polymeric. Generally, we prefer that the inorganic
builder comprises all or part of the electrolyte
(provided water-soluble).
Examples of phosphorus-containing inorganic detergency
builders include the water-soluble salts, especially
alkaline metal pyrophosphates, orthophosphates,
polyphosphates and phosphonates. Specific examples of
inorganic phosphate builders include sodium and
potassium tripolyphosphates, phosphates and
hexametaphosphates.
Examples of non-phosphorus-containing inorganic
detergency builders, when present, include water-soluble
alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates, silicate and
crystalline and amorphous aluminosilicates. Specific
examples include sodium carbonate (with or without
calcite seeds), potassium carbonate, sodium and
potassium bicarbonates and silicates.
The weight ratio of soap relative to inorganic builder
is at least 1:2.75, more preferably more than 1:2.25.
Examples of organic detergency builders include the
alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium
polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates, polyacetyl
carboxylates and polyhydroxysulphonates. Specific
~ 1 335646 c 7140 (R)
examples include sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium
and substituted ammonium salts of ethylenediamine-
tetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxydisuccinic
acid, melitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids and
citric acid.
Apart from the ingredients already mentioned, a number
of optional ingredients may also be present, such as
lather boosters, e.g. alkanolamides, particularly the
monoethanolamides derived from palmkernel fatty acids
and coconut fatty acids, lather depressants, oxygen-
releasing bleaching agents such as sodium perborate and
sodium percarbonate, peracid bleach precursors,
chlorine-releasing bleaching agents such as
trichloroisocyanuric acid, inorganic salts such as
sodium sulphate, and, usually present in very minor
amounts, fluorescent agents, perfumes, enzymes such as
proteases and amylases, germicides, colourants and
fabric-softening clay materials.
The pH of the composition is preferably more than 7.0,
more preferably from 7.0 to 12.0, especially preferably
between 7.0 and 11.0, most preferably between 7.0 and
8Ø
The compositions of the present invention may be
prepared using the general techniques known in the art
of the processing of liquid detergent products. However,
the order of addition of components can be important.
Thus, a preferred order of addition (with continuous
mixing) is to add to the water the soluble electrolytes,
then any insoluble material such as aluminosilicates,
followed by the actives. The mixtures are then cooled
below 30C, whereafter any minors and additional
ingredients can be added. Finally, if necessary, the pH
of the composition can be adjusted, e.g. by addition of
a small quantity of caustic material.
1 335646c 7140 (R)
In use, the compositions of the present invention will
generally be diluted with water to form a wash liquor
preferably comprising from 0.1 to 10~, more preferably
from 0.5 to 3% by weight of said composition. The wash
liquor is used for the washing of fabrics, for instance
in an automatic washing machine.
The invention will now be illustrated by the following
non-limiting examples.
9 1 335646 C 7140 (R)
Examples 1-6
Ingredient 1 2 3 4 5 6
Na-LAS 6.4 4.3 10.0 10.0 10.5 10.5
5 Na-oleate 8.1 8.1 - - - -
K-oleate ~ - - 6.0 6.0 6.0 5.5
Synperonic A7 4.0 6.0 4.0 4.0 3.5 4.0
Glycerol 5.0 5.0 4.85 4.85 4.85 4.85
Borax 3.5 3.5 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1
STP 22.0 22.0 15.0 15.0 15.0 15.0
SCMC - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Fluorescer - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1
Silicone oil - - - 0.25 0.25 0.25
Synthetic amorphous
silica - - - 2.0 2.0 2.0
Perfume - - - 0.3 0.3 0.3
Enzyme - - - 0.5 0.5 0.5
Water ---- -- balance ------------- ,.
Viscosity
(mPas, 21 s-l) 46403230 810950 770 1500
Example 7
wt.~
Na-LAS 4
25 Synperonic A3 3.0
STP 15.0
K-oleate 10.0
NaCl 2.0
Glycerol 4.85
30 Borax 3.1
Antifoam 0.2
Enzyme 0.5
Fluorescer 0.1
SCMC 0.1
35 Water balance
Viscosity approx. 880 mPas at 21 s-
~/~no~ rAle ~ ~ ~
~ I 335 5~ 6 C 7140 (R)
Example 8
wt.%
Na-LAS 6.0
Synperonic A3 4.0
5 STP 15.0
K-oleate 10.0
PEG 400 3.0
` Alcosperse 175 1.0
STS 0.5
10 Na2S04 0.5
Glycerol 4.85
Borax 3.1
Antifoam 0.2
Enzyme 0.5
15 Fluorescer 0.1
SCMC 0.1
Water balance
Viscosity approx. 880 mPas at 21 s-
20 Raw Material Specification
LAS - dodecyl benzene sulphonate
SCMC - sodium carboxymethylcellulose
STP - sodium tripolyphosphate
25 STS - sodium toluene sulphonate
PEG 400 - polyethylene glycol, average molecular weight
400
Alcosperse~175- 70/30 acrylate/maleate copolymer
(molecular weight 20,000 ex Alco)
30 Synperonic A7 - C12-C13 fatty alcohol alkoxylated with
an average of 7 moles of ethylene oxide
per molecule
Synperonic A3 - C12-C13 fatty alcohol alkoxylated with
an average of 3 moles of ethylene oxide
per molecule.
~ de~o~cs tr~de m~r/C
'~ 1 335646 c 7140 (R)
11
The pH of the compositions of Examples 1-8 was between
about 7 and 8. All compositions were pourable and all
yielded less than 2% by volume phase separation after
storage at ambient temperature for 2 months. The level
of soap incorporated in the composition is sufficient to
function as a fabric-softening agent whilst
simultaneously acting as a builder to such an extent
that the amount of inorganic builder is minimised to a
level where it does not exert too much of a harshening
effect on the fabric.
