HIGH CONCENTRATE HEAVY DUTY LIQUID LAUNDRY DETERGENT

DETERGENT LIQUIDE POUR GROSSE LESSIVE, FORTEMENT CONCENTRE

English Abstract

Abstract of the Disclosure
A high concentrate heavy duty liquid laundry detergent composition
having a low viscosity and good stability comprising:
(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:
(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more
amphoteric surfactants;
(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more
anionic surfactants; and
(iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more
nonionic surfactants;
the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 active
weight percent;
(b) 0 to 8 weight percent of one or more pH adjusting chemicals;
and
(c) the balance water;
wherein said composition does not require the presence of
hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry
detergent is provided.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. A high concentrate heavy duty liquid laundry detergent
composition having a low viscosity and good stability comprising:
(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:
(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more
amphoteric surfactants;
(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more
anionic surfactants; and
(iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more
nonionic surfactants;
the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 active
weight percent;
(b) 0 to 8 weight percent of one or more pH adjusting chemicals;
and
(c) the balance water;
wherein said composition does not require the presence of
hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry
detergent.
18

2. The composition according to claim 1 wherein said amphoteric
surfactant comprises the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal,
ammonium or substituted ammonium salts of alkyl amphocarboxy
glycinates, alkyl amphocarboxypropionates, alkyl
amphodipropionates, alkyl amphodiacetates, alkyl amphoglycinates
and alkyl amphopropionates wherein alkyl represents an alkyl group
having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, alkyliminopropionates, alkyl
iminodipropionates and alkyl amphopropylsulfonates having between
12 and 18 carbon atoms, and alkylbetaines, amidopropylbetaines,
alkylsultaines and alkylamidopropylhydroxy sultaines wherein alkyl
represents an alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms and mixtures
thereof.
3. The composition according to claim 2 wherein said amphoteric
surfactant is of formula (I) or (II) or mixtures thereof:
<IMG> (I)
<IMG> (II)
where R is an alkyl group of 6-20 carbon atoms, x is 1 or 2 and M
is hydrogen or sodium.
4. The composition according to claim 3 wherein said amphoteric
surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal,
alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salt of
alkyl amphocarboxy glycinates, alkyl amphocarboxypropionates, alkyl
amphodipropionates, alkyl amphodiacetates, alkyl amphoglycinates
and alkyl amphopropionates wherein alkyl represents a lauryl or
coco group.
19

5. The composition according to claim 4 wherein said amphoteric
surfactant comprises cocoamphodipropionate.
6. The composition according to claim 2 wherein said amphoteric
surfactant comprises between about 15 and about 25 percent of said
composition.
7. The composition according to claim 2 wherein said anionic
surfactant is selected from the group consisting of water soluble
salts of alkyl benzene sulfonates having between 8 and 22 carbon
atoms in the alkyl group, alkyl ether sulfates having between 8 and
22 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, and alkali metal, ammonium and
alkanolammonium salts or organic sulfuric reaction products having
in their molecular structure an alkyl, or alkaryl group containing
from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and a sulfonic or sulfuric acid ester
group and mixtures thereof.
8. The composition according to claim 7 wherein said anionic
surfactant is selected from the group consisting of linear sodium
and potassium alkyl ether sulfates that are synthesized by
sulfating a higher alcohol having between 8 and 18 carbon atoms and
having 2 to 9 moles of ethylene oxide and alkyl benzene sulfonates,
in which the alkyl group contains between about 9 to about 15
carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.
9. The composition according to claim 5 wherein said anionic
surfactant is selected from the group consisting of sodium
dodecylbenzene sulfonate and polyethoxylated alcohol sulfates, and
mixtures thereof.
10. The composition according to claim 7 wherein said anionic
surfactant comprises between about 10 and about 25 percent of said
composition.
11. The composition according to claim 2 wherein said nonionic

surfactant is selected from the group consisting of condensation
products of primary or secondary aliphatic alcohols having from
about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, in either straight or branched
chain configuration, with from about 2 to about 40 moles of
ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol and condensation products of
about 6 to about 12 carbon atom alkyl phenols with about 3 to about
30 moles of ethylene oxide and mixtures thereof.
12. The composition according to claim 11 wherein said nonionic
surfactant comprises a condensation product of primary or secondary
aliphatic alcohols having from about 9 to about 18 carbon atoms, in
either straight or branched chain configuration, with from about 3
to about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
13. The composition according to claim 9 wherein said nonionic
surfactant comprises the condensation products of about 12 to about
15 carbon primary alcohol ethyoxylates containing about 5 to about
9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
14. The composition according to claim 11 wherein said nonionic
surfactant comprises between about 8 and about 20 percent of said
composition.
15. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the pH of said
composition is between about 6.5 and about 11.6 and wherein said pH
adjusting chemical is selected from the group consisting of lower
alkanolamines and sodium hydroxide and mixtures thereof.
16. The composition according to claim 15 wherein said pH
adjusting chemical is selected from the group consisting of
monoethanol amine and triethanol amine and mixtures thereof and is
present in amounts ranging from about 2 to about 8 percent of the
total composition.
17. The composition according to claim 1 further comprising
21

between 0 and about 5 percent by weight of said composition of
supplemental additives selected from the group consisting of
enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, defoamers, dyes, perfumes, fluorescent
or optical brighteners, anti-redeposition agents, suspension
stabilizing agents, soil release promoters, antioxidants, softening
agents, antistatic agents, photoactivators, preservatives,
inorganic builders, organic builders and mixtures thereof.
18. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the viscosity is
between about 100 and 3000 cps at 25°C using a Brookfield
viscometer, spindle #4 at 20 rpm.
19. The composition according to claim 18 wherein the viscosity is
between about 100 and 1000 cps at 25°C using a Brookfield
viscometer, spindle #4 at 20 rpm.
20. The composition according to claim 19 wherein the viscosity is
between about 100 and 800 cps at 25°C using a Brookfield
viscometer, spindle #4 at 20 rpm.
21. A process for washing one load of clothes in water at wash
temperatures between about 5°C and about 60°C comprising the step
of adding 1/8 to 1/2 cup of the following low viscosity, highly
stable, detergent composition to the wash water:
(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:
(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more
amphoteric surfactants;
(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more
anionic surfactants; and
(iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more
nonionic surfactants;
22

the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 active
weight percent;
(b) 0 to 8 weight percent of one or more pH adjusting chemicals;
and
(c) the balance water;
wherein said composition does not require the presence of
hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry
detergent.
22. The process according to claim 21 wherein the amount of
detergent added to said wash water ranges from about 1/8 cup to
about 1/4 cup per load.
23. A high concentrate heavy duty liquid laundry detergent
composition consisting essentially of:
(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:
(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more
amphoteric surfactants;
(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more
anionic surfactants; and
(iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more
nonionic surfactants;
the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 active
weight percent;
(b) 0 to 8 weight percent of one or more pH adjusting chemicals;
and
23

(c) the balance water;
wherein said composition does not require the presence of
hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry
detergent.
24

Description

21109~.
~IG~ CONCENTRATE H~AVY DUTY LIQUID LA~NDRY DBTERGENT
Backaround of the Invention
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel high concentrate heavy
duty liquid laundry detergent. More specifically, the invention
comprises utilizing three types of surfactants, anionic, nonionic
and amphoteric in combination with water and other optional
additives such as buffers, bleaches, and the like to produce a
final liquid which may be used as a laundry detergent. Key to the
success of the invention is the use of the amphoteric surfactant,
which renders unnecessary the need for builders and/or hydrotropas
in the final composition, and provides the formulation with good
stability, performance and a low viscosity.
2. Technology Description
Heavy duty liquid laundry detergents have been gaining wide public
acceptability. These detergents ideally provide good detergency at
low product concentration in the wash water, contain water as the
principal sol~ent and are in the form of homogeneous single-phase
solutions which provide long-term shelf life without undergoing
phase separation. In a typical use, one half of one cup of
detergent is added to one load of laundry (about 17 U.S. gallons
for a top loading washing machine.)
It has been desired to provide high concentrate forms of such
detergents. The term "high concentrate" refers to a formulation in
which between 1/8 and 1/2 cup of liquid can be used for one load of
laundry. While proposed, such high concentrate liquids typically

21109~1
contain either a detergent builder and/or a hydrotrope. In
addition, for a number of attempts, it has proven difficult to
develop high concentrate detergents because, upon concentration,
the viscosities produced are too high for practical use.
A detergent builder is an inorganic or organic salt (in solid form)
which provides detergency by chelating the heavy metal ions present
in water used to wash the clothes. ~nown builders include
phosphate salts and citrate salts, with sodium citrate being a
preferred builder salt.
Hydrotropes are chemical compounds which are used in liquid
detergent formulations to increase the aqueous solubility of
insoluble substituents in the formulation. Hydrotropes lower the
viscosity and gelling tendency of concentrated liquid detergent
blends and improve their physical stability by providing an
isotropic liquid. They can also enhance the effectiveness of the
surfactants in the formulation. The most widely used hydrotrope is
sodium xylene sulfonate.
Examples of liquid laundry detergents, including those proposed for
use as high concentrate detergents which include builders and/or
hydrotropes are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No.
4,524,023 discloses a highly concentrated liquid detergent
including up to 50% surfactants tnonionic and optionally anionic),
a bicyclodecyl ether sulfonate hydrotrope and water. The reference
further suggests that best results are achieved by adding inorganic
or organic builders to the final formulations.
U.S. Patent No. 4,582,636 proposes a concentrated aqueous single-
phase liquid detergent which includes a non-phosphate detergent
builder salt, a specifically defined nonionic detergent compound,
an amphoteric betaine detergent compound, an octyl phosphonate
solubilizer, and water. The reference further discloses that an
anionic detergent may be optionally added. The preferred detergent
, . . '' p ~ : A '.'' 'r '

21109~ ~
builder salt is sodium citrate.
U.S. Patent No. 4,880,569 provides an isotropic liquid detergent
which includes 40 to 92% surfactants and 8 to 60% water. At least
5 50% of the surfactants include a specifically defined polyalkoxy
nonionic surfactant and a specifically defined ionic surfactant.
The remaining portion of the surfactants may comprise additional
nonionic and/or ionic and/or zwitterionic surfactants with the
additional ionic surfactant bearing the same charge as the
specifically defined ionic surfactant. Examples of such
surfactants cited include coconut diethanolamide, coconut
ethanolamide, amine oxides, primary ether sulfates, polyethers,
soaps, primary alkyl benzene sulfonates, primary olefin sulfonates
and primary alkyl sulfates.
Despite the above, there still exists a need for a high concentrate
liquid laundry detergent which does not require the use of builders
or hydrotropes, is inexpensive to manufacture, is stable, provides
good detergency, has a low viscosity and is environmentally safe.
Summarv of the Invention
~; In accordance with the present invention, a novel high concentrate
i~ liquid laundry detergent is provided. The detergent does not
require the use of builders or hydrotropes, is inexpensive to
manufacture, is stable, provides good detergency, has a low
viscosity and is environmentally safe.
Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention comprises a
high concentrate liquid laundry detergent comprising:
L`
~ ta) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:
'~ ti) between l and 35 active weight percent of one or more
~ 35 amphoteric surfactants;
,i 3
J
!

2~9~1
(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more
anionic surfactants; and
(iii) between 1 and 7S active weight percent of one or more
nonionic surfactants;
the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 weight
percent;
(b) between 0 to 8 weight percent of an pH adjusting chemical;
and
(c) the balance water;
wherein said composition does not require the presence of
hydrotropes or builders to effectively function as a laundry
detergent.
In practice, the viscosity of the liquid detergent is between 100
and 3000 centipoises at 25C. Further, the amount of liquid
detergent used per load of laundry (17 gallons U.S.) should range
between about 1/8 and about 1/2 cup. The detergent may also
include up to 5 weight percent of typical detergent additives such
as bleaches, enzymes, and the like. The detergent is non-toxic,
biodegradable, mild, and environmentally safe.
Another embodiment of the present invention comprises a high
concentrate liquid laundry detergent consisting essentially of:
(a) a mixture of surfactants, said mixture comprising:
(i) between 1 and 35 active weight percent of one or more
amphoteric surfactants;
(ii) between 1 and 50 active weight percent of one or more

~llns~l
anionic surfactants; and
(iii) between 1 and 75 active weight percent of one or more
nonionic surfactants;
the sum of (i), (ii) and (iii) being between 20 and 80 weight
percent;
(b) between 0 to 8 weight percent of an alkaline buffer; and
(c) the balance water.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a high concentrate liquid laundry detergent which does not
require the presence of a builder or a hydrotrope and has a low
viscosity.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a high
concentrate liquid laundry detergent which can be used in amounts
ranging from about 1/8 cup to about 1/2 cup per load of laundry.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a high
concentrate liquid laundry detergent which is non-toxic,
biodegradable, mild and environmentally safe.
These and other objects will be readily apparent to thuse skilled
in the art as reference is made to the detailed description of the
preferred embodiment.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment
In describing the preferred embodiment, certain terminology will be
utilized for the sake of clarity. Such terminology is intended to
encompass the recited embodiment, as well as all technical
equivalents which operate in a similar manner for a similar purpose
to achieve a similar result.
. ., ~ .S: ~,, : , . `

-- 211~9~i 1
The present invention utilizes amphoteric, anionic and nonionic
surfactants in an aqueous liquid to produce a high concentrate
liquid laundry detergent which has a low viscosity and does not
require the presence of detergent builders or hydrotropes. In the
preferred embodiment, the amount of combined surfactant is between
20 and 80 active weight percent of the total liquid formulation.
Further, the 20 to 80 active weight percent of the formulation
includes between about 1 and about 35 parts active amphoteric
surfactant, between about 1 and about 50 parts active anionic
surfactant and between about 1 and about 75 parts active nonionic
surfactant.
The first type of surfactant present in the inventive formulation
is one or more amphoteric surfactants. Presence of the amphoteric
surfactant(s) is absolutely necessary to the invention as it
provides superior detergency, even in the absence of a builder.
Further, the amphoteric surfactant enables the final composition to
have a low enough viscosity for practical use. Accordingly, only
those amphoteric surfactants which provide both of these desirous
properties can be utilized in the present invention.
Examples of suitable amphoteric surfactants include the alkali
metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts
of alkyl amphocarboxy glycinates and alkyl amphocarboxypropionates,
alkyl amphodipropionates, alkyl amphodiacetates, alkyl
amphoglycinates and alkyl amphopropionates wherein alkyl represents
an alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Other suitable
amphoteric surfactants include alkyliminopropionates, alkyl
iminodipropionates and alkyl amphopropylsulfonates having between
12 and 18 carbon atoms, alkylbetaines and amidopropylbetaines and
alkylsultaines and alkylamidopropylhydroxy sultaines wherein alkyl
represents an alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms.
Particularly useful amphoteric surfactants include both mono and
dicarboxylates such as those of the formulae:
: ~ : - ~ : .. .; : .
'':

21109~1
O CH2CH20H
Il ,
R - C - NHCHzCH2N \ (I); and
(CH2)~ COOM
O CH2CH20H
Il I ~(CH2)sCOOM
R - C - NCH2CH2N (II)
\ (CH2)~ccooM
:-.
wherein R is an alkyl group of 6-20 carbon atoms, x is l or 2 and
M is hydrogen or sodium. ~ixtures of the above structures are
particularly preferred.
Other formulae for the above amphoteric surfactants include the
following:
Alkyl betaines ICH3
R- N-CH2COOM (III);
H3
Amidopropyl betaines
O CH3
R-C-NH-CH2CH2- N-CH2COOM (IV); ::
CH3
Alkyl sultaines
CH3
R-l -CH2-CH-CH2SO3M (V); and :~
CH3 OH
Alkyl amidopropylhydroxy sultaines
O CH3
Il +I
R-C-NH-CH2CH2CH2- N-CH2-CH-CH2SO3M (VI);
CH3 OH
where R is a alkyl group of 6-20 carbon atoms and M is hydrogen or
sodium.

21109~ ~.
Of the a~ove amphoteric surfactants, particularly preferred are the
alkali salts of alkyl amphocarboxyglycinates and alkyl
amphocarboxypropionates, alkyl amphodipropionates, alkyl
amphodiacetates, alkyl amphoglycinates, alkyl amphopropyl
sulfonates and alkyl amphopropionates wherein alXyl represents an
alkyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms. Even more preferred are
compounds wherein the alkyl group is derived from coconut oil or is
a lauryl group, for example cocoamphodipropionate. Such
cocoamphodipropionate surfactants are commercially sold under the
trademarks Miranol C2M-SF CONC. and Miranol FBS ~y Rhone-Poulenc
Inc.
Other commercially useful amphoteric surfactants include:
cocoamphoacetate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL C~ CONC.
and MIRAPON FA),
cocoamphopropionate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL CM-SF
CONC. and MIRAPON FAS),
cocoamphodiacetate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL C2M
CONC. and MIRAPON FB),
lauroamphoacetate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL HM CONC.
and MIRAPON LA),
lauroamphodiacetate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL H2M
CONC. and MIRAPON LB),
lauroamphodipropionate (sold under the trademarks MIRANOL H2M-
SF CONC. AND MIRAPON LBS),
lauroamphodiacetate obtained from a mixture of lauric and
myristic acids (sold under the trademark MIRANOL BM CONC.),
and
cocoamphopropyl sulfonate (sold under the trademark Miranol CS
CONC.)
Somewhat less preferred are:
caproamphodiacetate (sold under the trademark MIRANOL S2M
CONC.),
caproamphoacetate (sold under the trademark MIRANOL SM CONC.),
caproamphodipropionate (sold under the trademark MIRANOL S2M-
3S SF CONC.), and
, . ... ... ..... .. . . .
~ , . ,

2 1 ~
stearoamphoacetate (sold under the trademark MIRANOL DM~.
In practice, the amphoteric surfactant comprises between l and 35
active parts of the liquid composition. In particularly preferred
embodiments, the amount is between 5 and 30 active parts, and in
even more preferred e~bodiments, the amount ranges between about 15
and about 25 active parts.
The second type of surfactant present in the inventive formulation
is one or more anionic surfactants. The anionic surfa~tant(s)
chosen is not critical and may be any of the known anionic
surfactants and is chosen on the basis of compatibility,
effectiveness and economy. These anionic surfactants include any
of the known hydrophobes attached to a carboxylate, sulfonate,
sulfate or phosphate polar, solubilizing group including salts.
Salts may be the sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, barium,
iron, a~monium and amine salts of such surfactants.
Examples of such anionic surfactants include water soluble salts of
alkyl benzene sulfonates having between 8 and 22 carbon atoms in
the alkyl group, alkyl ether sulfates having between 8 and 22
carbon atoms in the alkyl group, alkali metal, ammonium and
alkanolammonium salts or organic sulfuric reaction products having
in their molecular structure an alkyl, or alkaryl group containing
from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and a sulfonic or sulfuric acid ester
group.
Particularly preferred are linear sodium and potassium alkyl ether
sulfates that are synthesized by sulfating a higher alcohol having
between 8 and 18 carbon atoms and having 2 to 9 moles of ethylene
oxide. Another preferred anionic surfactant is alkyl benzene
sulfonate, in which the alkyl group contains between about 9 to
about 15, and even more preferably, between about 11 to about 13
carbon atoms in a straight chain or branched chain configuration
and even most preferred a linear straight chain having an average
alkyl group of about 11 carbon atoms.
.
,
:- :,,: - , , , , -
.. . .. . . . . . .

211~9~
In particularly preferred emibodiments, mixtures of anionic
surfactants are utilized, with mixtures of alkyl or alkylaryl
sulfonate and sulfate surfactants being especially preferred. Such
embodiments comprise a mixture of alkali metal salts, preferably
sodium salts, of alkyl benzene sulfonates having from about 9 to
15, and more preferred between 11 and 13 carbon atoms with an
alkali metal salt, preferably sodium, of an alkyl sulfate or alkyl
ethoxy sulfate having 10 to 20 and preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms
and an average ethoxylation of 2 to 4.
Specific anionic surfactants which may be selected include linear
alkyl benzene sulfonates such as dodecylbenzene sulfonate,
decylbenzene sulfonate, undecylbenzene sulfonate, tridecylbenzene
sulfonate, nonylbenzene sulfonate and the sodium, potassium,
ammonium, triethanolammonium and isopropylammonium salts thereof.
A particularly preferred sulfonate salt is sodium dodecylbenzene
sulfonate. Such chemicals are sold under the trade name Biosoft
100 by Stepan Chemicals of Northfield, Illinois. Other anionic
surfactants include polyethoxylated alcohol sulfates, such as those
sold under the trade name Neodol 25-3S by Shell Chemical Company.
Examples of other anionic surfactants are provided in U.S. Patent
No. 3,976,586. To the extent necessary, this patent is expressly
incorporated by reference.
In practice, the anionic portion comprises between 1 and 50 active
parts of the liquid composition. In particularly preferred
embodiments, the amount is between 5 and 40 active parts, and in
even more preferred embodiments, the amount ranges between about 10
and about 25 active parts.
The third type of surfactant present in the inventive formulation
is one or more nonionic surfactants. The nonionic surfactant(s)
is not critical and may be any of the known nonionic surfactants
and is selected on the basis of compatibility, effectiveness and
economy.

2110~1
Examples of useful nonionic surfactants include condensates of
ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic moiety which has an average
hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) between about 8 to about 16,
and more preferably, between about 10 and about 12.5. These
surfactants include t~e condensation products of primary or
secondary aliphatic alcohols having from about 8 to about 24 carbon
atoms, in either straight or branched chain configuration, with
from about 2 to about 40, and preferably between about 2 and about
9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.
In a preferred embodiment, the aliphatic alcohol comprises between
about 9 and about 18 carbon atoms and is ethoxylated with between
about 3 and about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of aliphatic
alcohol. Especially preferred are the about 12 to about 15 carbon
primary alcohol ethyoxylates containing about 5 to about 9 moles of
ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. One such material is
commercially sold under the trade name Neodol 25-9 by Shell
Chemical Company. Other commercial nonionic surfactants include
Neodol 25-6.5 and Neodol 25-7 sold by Shell Chemical Company.
Other suitable nonionic surfactants include the condensation
products of about 6 to about 12 carbon atom alkyl phenols with
about 3 to about 30, and preferably between about 5 and about 14
moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of such surfactants are sold
under the trade manes Igepol CO 530, Igepol CO 630, Igepol CO 720
and Igepol CO 730 by Rhone-Poulenc Inc. Still other suitable
nonionic surfactants are described in U.S. Patent No. 3,976,586.
To the extent necessary, this patent is expressly incorporated by
reference.
In practice, the nonionic portion comprises between 1 and 75 active
parts of the liquid composition. In particularly preferred
embodiments, the amount is between 6 and 50 active parts, and in
even more preferred embodiments, the amount ranges between about 8
and about 20 active parts.
11
1. . . , ~

211~9~ 1
In addition to the surfactant mixture and water, the heavy duty
high concentrate laundry detergent composition may also include
other known supplemental components to provide enhanced properties
to the final formulation. These components are added in the amount
of between O and about 5 weight percent of the final composition.
Examples of such components include enzymes of various types,
including proteolytic, amylolytic, lipolytic, cellulytic and
carbohydroxylytic types. If enzymes are added, enzyme stabilizers
such as those providing a source of calcium ions, boric acids, and
various dicarboxylic acids may also be present.
Other supplemental additives include defoamers such as high
molecular weight aliphatic acids, especially saturated fatty acids
and soaps derived from them; dyes and perfumes; fluorescent or
optical brighteners; anti-redeposition agents such as carboxymethyl
cellulose and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose; suspension stabilizing
agents and soil release promoters, such as copolymers of
polyethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate (e.g.,
commercial product sold as Rhone-Poulenc QCJ); antioxidants:
softening agents and antistatic agents; photoactivators; and
preservatives.
Although not required, an organic or inorganic builder may
optionally be added in small amounts of the final composition to
provide additional detergency. Examples of inorganic builders
include water-soluble alkali metal carbonates, bicarbonates,
silicates and crystalline and amorphous alumino ~ilicates.
Examples of organic builders include the alkali metal, alkaline
metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium polyacetates,
carboxylates, polycarboxylates, polyacetyl carboxylates and
polyhydroxysulfonates. An example of one such commonly used
builder is sodium citrate.
In practice the pH of the liquid laundry detergent should have a
range from about 6.5 to about 11.6. To achieve this pH adjusting
12

21 ) ~ (~ ;r~ 1
chemicals such as acids, bases, and buffers may be added to the
formulation. Preferred pH adjusting chemicals include lower
alkanolamines such as monoethanolamine (MEA) and triethanolamine
(TEAl. Sodium hydroxide solutions may be utilized as an alkaline
pH adjusting agent. These solutions further function to neutralize
acidic materials that may be present. Mixtures of more than one pH
adjusting chemical may also be utilized.
In practice, the pH adjusting chemicals are used in amounts ranging
from about 0 to about 8 weight percent of the final formulation,
with amounts ranging between about 2 and about 8 weight percent
being more preferred, and amounts ranging between about 4 and about
8 weight percent being most preferred.
To produce the inventive formulation, sequential mixing of the
nonionic and anionic surfactants, pH adjusting chemicals, and then
the amphoteric surfactants takes place to form a surfactant
mixture, along with between 0 and 5 parts of the optional additives
defined above. Water is added to yield 100 parts of a final
formulation. The viscosity of the final formulation is between
about 100 and 3000 cps at 25-C using a Brookfield viscometer,
spindle ~4 at 20 rpm. A more preferred viscosity is between 100
and 1000 cps and a most preferred viscosity is between 100 and sno
cps ~
In use, between l/8 and 1/2 cups of the liquid detergent
formulation are added to wash a standard sized load of laundry
(U.S. 17 gallons of water). In preferred use, the amount of
laundry detergent added per wash load is between 1/8 and 1/4 cups.
The detergent formulations are designed for use in cold, warm, and
hot temperature wash cycles and are effective for wash temperatures
ranging from about SoC to about 60C, with a preferred wash
temperature of from about 15C to about 45C.
In addition to being effective high concentrate heavy duty
13

2~10~
detergents, the inventive formulations are non toxic,
biodegradable, mild and environmentally safe. Further, the
formulations are stable and exhibit a desirably low viscosity
without reguiring the presence of a hydrotrope. As a result, they
are ideal candidates for commercial products.
The invention is described in greater detail by the following non-
limiting examples.
10Exam~le 1
To 12 parts of molten Neodol 25-9, a nonionic surfactant
manufactured by Shell Chemical Company, 4 parts each of monoethanol
amine (MEA) and triethanol amine (TEA) are mixed under an overhead
15mixer at ambient temperatures. 16 parts of active Neodol 25-3S
(27.6 parts of a 58% aqueous solution), an anionic surfactant
manufactured by Shell Chemical Company are added while mixing at
ambient temperatures. 20 active parts of Miranol FBS (50 parts of
a 40% aqueous solution) are added to the mixture while mixing at
ambient temperatures. 2.4 parts of water are added to the
surfactant mixture to produce 100 parts (by weight) of the
formulation. The viscosity of the formulation is about 750 cps
when measured by a Brookfield Viscometer (spindle #4, 20 rpm) at
2SC.
-
Exam~les 2-17
Formulations are prepared according to the method of Example 1.
The relative amounts of each active component of the formulation
30 are shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Component
Ex. A B C D E F A+B+C~D Water
2 0 20 16 12 2 0 48 Q.S.
3 0 20 16 12 4 0 48 Q.S.
14
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4 0 20 16 12 2 2 48 Q.S.
0 16 1~ 11.5 4 4 43.5 Q.S.
6 0 30 7 8 2 2 45 Q.S.
7 10 10 25.7 12 4 4 57.65 Q.S.
8 10 10 16 28.15 4 4 6~.15 Q.S.
9 10 11.8 16 24.2 4 4 62.00 Q.S.
lO 5 23.1 12 6 4 4 46.1 Q.S.
ll 5 5 38.2 6 4 4 54.25 Q.S.
12 5 5 12 51.2 4 4 73.25 Q.S.
13 5 14 12 16 4 4 47 Q.S.
14 5 5 26.5 16 4 4 52.5 Q.S.
15 5 17 20.7 6 4 4 48.7 Q.S.
16 5 5 40.6 0 4 4 50.6 Q.S.
17 5 5 0 70 4 4 80 Q.S.
A = Sodium Dodecylbenzene Sulfonate (anionic)
B = Miranol FBS (amphoteric~
C = Neodol 25-3S (anionic)
D = Neodol 25-9 (nonionic)
E = Monoethanol amine
F = Triethanol amine
ComDarative ExamDle 1
For use as a comparative simulated commericial detergent, the
following materials were mixed together at ambient conditions. The
amounts are listed as active parts:
Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate 10 parts
Neodol 25-9 6 parts
Neodol 25-3S 8 parts
Sodium citrate (builder) 5 parts
Sodium xylene sulfonate (hydrotrope) 3 parts

21,0~
Triethanol amine 2 parts
Water Q.S.
Comparative Testin~
To test the performance characteristics of Example 1 against
Comparative Example 1, pre-soiled swatches of fabric were inserted
into a Terg-O-Tometer at a 6-one liter pot setting. The Terg-O-
Tometer is manufactured by the United States Testing Company. The
fabrics used were cotton, cotton/polyester blends and polyester.
The soils used were dust-sebum and clay. The wash temperature was
38C and the water hardness included 150 ppm of 2:1 Ca /Mg . The
test included a 10 minute wash cycle and a 2 minute rinse cycle.
To evaluate the detergency of the sample detergents tested,
reflectance was measured using the Gardner Spectroguard machine.
For Example 1, one gram of liquid detergent was added. This
corresponds to a 1/4 cup amount per normal U.S. washing machine
capacity. For Comparative Example 1, the amount added was 2 grams.
This corresponds to a 1/2 cup amount per normal U.S. washing
machine capacity. The results obtained in percent reflectance are
shown in the following table.

21~9~-
8ampleDust-Bebum Clay
cotton cotton~ol~ 2~1~ cotton cotton/~oly polv
Comp. Ex. 1 19.0 21.75 18.75 23.0 34.0 40.5
Example 120.5 21.25 19.75 21.5 32.0 40.25
A comparison of the above data indicates that each sample performed
statistically similar despite the fact that the amount of Example
1 used was one half of the amount of Comparative Example 1 used.
When it was attempted to concentrate the detergent of Comparative
Example 1 to the same level as Example 1, it was impossible as the
presence of the sodium citrate yielded a viscosity that was much
too high for commercial use (e.g., a viscosity greater than 10,000
cps ) .
Having described the invention in detail and by reference to the
preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent that
modifications and variations are possible without departing from
the scope of the appended claims.
17
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