Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 95/03383 ~ PCT/US94/08089
THICKENED AQUEOUS DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS WITH IMPROVED CLEANING
PERFORMANCE WITH SHORT CHAIN SURFACTANTS
Technical Field
The present invention relates to thickened aqueous detergent compositions
suitable for household
application. More particularly, the compositions herein are suitable in hard-
surface applications
including toilet cleaning as well as in dishwashing applications, especially
as a pretreatment
composition.
Background of the Invention
Liquid detergent compositions comprising the combination of long chain amine
oxides and fatty
acids are well known in the art.
It is desirable that such compositions have good cleaning properties. However,
it has been found
that long chain amine oxides do not provide the optimum cleaning performance.
It is thus a first
object of the present invention to provide cleaning compositions comprising
long chain surfactants
with improved cleaning.
In response to this object, it has been found that the incorporation of short
chain surtactants is
beneficial and meets this object thereby enhancing the cleaning pertormance.
However, it has
been observed that the incorporation of short chain surfactants in such
compositions results in the
WO 95/03383 ~ ~ ~ ~ PCTILTS94/08089
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decrease of viscosity of the composition. Yet, it is considered essential that
the compositions
should exhibit a high degree of viscosity so that the compositions adhere to
the vertical surfaces
and surtaces inclined to the horizontal.
Thus, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a liquid
composition which comprises
long chain surfactants and short chain surtactants, which retains viscosity.
In response to this object, it has been found that viscosity may be retained
even upon the addition
of short chain surtactants, by the use of a specific mixture of amine oxides,
more specifically a
mixture of a C14 chain amine oxide with a C12 chain amine oxide, or a C16
chain amine oxide or
mixtures thereof.
A further advantage of the present invention is that there is no need for an
additional thickening
agent. An additional advantage of the compositions of the present invention is
that they have a
desirable sudsing profile such that suds suppressers are not required.
Thickening compositions comprising long chain amine oxides and fully saturated
fatty acids are
well known in the art.
US 4 282 109 discloses a thickened bleach composition comprising hypochlorite
and linear and
branched long chain C10-C1 g amine oxides as thickeners. There is no mention
of short chain C6-
C8 surtactants or fatty acids.
EP 274 885 discloses thickened bleaching compositions comprising alkali metal
hypochlorite and
straight chain C14 amine oxide with a mixture of branched and straight chain
C15 amine oxide.
There is no mention of short chain surtactants. The compositions may
optionally contain fatty
acids as an additional thickening aid.
EP 233 666 discloses a process for the manufacture of a thickened bleaching
composition
comprising hypochlorite, a hypochlor'tte-soluble surtadant and an alkali metal
salt of a fatty acid.
The detergent actives inGude amine oxides, preferably lauryldimethylamine.
There is no mention
of short chain surfactants.
DE 28 37 880 discloses bleaching compositions comprising alkali metal
hypochlorite and mixtures
of branched and linear amine oxides of varying chain length, (C5-C1 ~ for
increased viscosity. The
compositions do not require fatty acids for thickening.
EP 30 401 discloses thickened bleaching compositions comprising hypochlorite
and a certain
number of product characteristics including pH and viscosity. Mixtures of Cg-
C1g amine oxides
and fatty acids are preferred as thickening agents. There is no mention of
short chain surtactants.
21 67482
3
Summary of the Invention
The present invention is directed to an aqueous composition having a viscosity
of from 50 cps to
2000 cps comprising a mixture of long chain amine oxides according to the
formula R,RzR3N0
wherein RZ and R3 are independently C,-C3 alkyl groups, wherein said mixture
of long chain
amine oxides comprises a first amine oxide wherein R, is a C,4 alkyl group and
a second amine
oxide wherein R, is a C,2 alkyl group or a C,6 alkyl group, or mixtures
thereof and wherein the
ratio of said first long chain amine oxide to said second long chain amine
oxide wherein R, is a
C,2 alkyl group is from 0.3 to 10, and wherein the ratio of said first amine
oxide to said second
amine oxide wherein R, is a C,s alkyl group is from 0.2 to 4.5 and wherein
said composition
further comprises 0.5 to 15% by weight of a short chain amine oxide of the
formula C6 alkyl
RZR3N0.
All ratios, percentages and parts given herein are by % weight of the total
composition unless
otherwise specified.
The present invention further encompasses a process of treating dishes,
wherein said dishes are
contacted with a composition according to the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The liquid detergent composition according to the present invention comprises
a mixture long
chain amine oxides and a short chain surfactant.
It has been found that the cleaning performance of the composition according
to the present
invention can be boosted by the incorporation of short chain surfactants.
CA 02167482 1999-09-22
4
The compositions according to the present invention comprise at least one
short chain
surfactant, or mixtures thereof. All surfactants have in common that they
comprise a
hydrophobic portion and a hydrophilic portion. By short chain surfactant, it
is meant herein
surfactants which comprise a C6-C,o alkyl chain as their hydrophobic portion.
Such short
chain surfactants are accordingly those conventionally used in this field, but
with a shorter
alkyl chain, and can be of any type. Accordingly, suitable short chain
surfactants for use
herein include Cs C,oalkylsulphates (Cs C,oS04), alkyl ether sulphates (C6
C,o(OCHZCHZ)eS04),
alkyl sulphonates (Cs C,oS03), alkyl succinates (Cs C,o00CCHZCHZCOOZ), alkyl
carboxylates
(Cs C,oCOOM), alkyl ether carboxylates (C6-C,o(OCHZCHZ)eCOOM), alkyl
sarcosinates (C6
C,oCON(CH3)R), alkyl sulpho succinates (Cs-C,o00CCH(SO,M)CH2COOZ), amine
oxides (Cs-
C,oRR'NO), glucose amides (Cs C,oCONR"X), alkyl pyrrolidones C6 C,o(C4H60N),
alkylpolysaccharides (C6-C,oOG9), alkyl alkoxylates (Cs
C,p(OCHZCHz)B(OCHZCHZCHZ)POH) and
betaines (C6-C,oN'(CH3)ZCHzC00-). In the formulae in brackets, a and p are
independently
from 0 to 20 and a+p>0, Z is M or R, M is H or any counter ion such as those
known in the
art, including Na, K, Li, NH4, amine, X is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a
linear
hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain,
or an
alkoxylated derivative thereof, R, R' and R" are C,-C5 alkyl groups, possibly
functionalized
with hydroxyl groups, R and R' are preferably C,-C3, most preferably methyl,
R" is preferably
2-hydroxyethyl or 2-hydroxypropyl, G is a saccharide, preferably glucose, and
g is of from
1.5 to 8. All these surfactants are well known in the art. A more complete
disclosure of
conventional glucose amides can be found for instance in WO 92-06154 and a
more
complete disclosure of conventional alkyl polysaccharides can be found for
instance in US
4,536,319. The compositions according to the present invention may comprise
any of the
above surfactants alone, or any combination thereof, depending on the end use
envisioned.
Preferred short chain nonionic surfactants for use herein are alkyl
alkoxylates according to
the formula C6-C,o(OCH2CHz),(OCHZCHZCHZ)POH, where a and p representing
respectively the
degree of ethoxylation and propoxylation, are independently of from 0 to 20,
and that a+p>0.
Most preferred short chain nonionic surfactants for use herein are those where
a and p are
such that a+p is from 3 to 10, particularly those where p is 0 and a is from 3
to 8. Also, most
preferred short chain nonionic surfactants for use herein are those where said
short chain
is a hydrocarbon chain comprising from 7 to 10 carbon atoms.
Said preferred short chain nonionic surfactants for use herein can be
manufactured by the
processes well known to the man skilled in the art, such as condensation of
the
corresponding alcohol and alkylene oxide, but such short chain surfactants are
more
conveniently commercially available for instance from Sidobre under the trade
mark Mergital
C4 (C8E04), from Kolb under the trade marks Imbentin AGI8101050 and AGI8101080
(respectively C8-10E05 and C8-10E08).
CA 02167482 1999-09-22
Preferred short chain anionic surfactants for use herein are C6-C,o alkyl
sulphates (Cs-C,°SOQ)
and alkyl sulphonates (Cs-C,°S03). Most preferred are the C6-C8 alkyl
sulphates and
sulphonates. Such short chain anionic surfactants can be made by well known
sulphation
or sulphonation processes followed by neutralization, but said anionic short
chain
surfactants are more conveniently commercially available, for instance from
Rhone Poulenc
under the trade mark Rhodapon OLS, or from Witco under the trade mark
Witconate.
Preferred short chain surfactants for use herein are dimethyloctylamine oxide
and octyl
sulphate. Suitable short chain surfactants for use herein are preferably
hypochlorite
compatible. According to the present invention, the compositions comprise from
0.5% to
15%, preferably from 0.5% to 10%, more preferably from 1 % to 6%, and most
preferably from
2% to 4% by weight of the total composition of short chain surfactants.
It has been observed that the incorporation of short chain surfactants in
compositions
comprising typical amine oxides described in the art results in the decrease
of said
compositions viscosity. It has now been found that the viscosity of the
compositions is not
disturbed by the use of specific mixtures of long chain amine oxides.
According to the present invention suitable mixtures of long amine oxides for
use herein
are according to the formula R,RZR~NO comprising a first amine oxide wherein
R, is a C,4
alkyl group and a second amine oxide wherein R, is a C,2 alkyl group or
wherein R, is a C,6
alkyl group or mixtures thereof. RZ and R3 are independently C, to C3 alkyl
groups in both
said first and second amine oxides.
The ratio of said first amine oxide to said second amine oxide wherein R, is a
C,Z alkyl
group is from 0.3 to 10, preferably from 0.5 to 5 and wherein the ratio of
said first amine
oxide to said second amine oxide wherein in said second amine oxide R, is a
C,6 alkyl group
is from 0.2 to 4.5, preferably from 0.5 to 2.
Preferred long chain amine oxides for use herein can be GenaminoxR LA,
GemaminoxR MY-X
(available from Hoechst), C,2-C,4 AromoxR DMMCO-W, (AKZO), Aromox DM14D-W,
(AKZO)
and Aromox DM14D-W (AKZO). Suitable long chain surfactants for use herein are
preferably hypochlorite compatible. According to the present invention, said
compositions comprise from 1.5% to 10%, preferably from 1.5% to 7% more
preferably from 2% to 5% and most preferably from 2.5% to 4% by weight of the
total
composition of said mixture of long chain amine oxides of the present
invention.
Compositions according to the present invention comprise said mixture of long
chain
amine oxides so that compositions independently comprise from 0.4% to 6% by
weight
WO 95/03383~~.~~ ~ PCT/US94/08089
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of the total composition of said first amine oxide, preferably from
0.5°h to 4°r6 and from 0.5°h to 4°~
by weight of said second amine oxide, preferably from 0.5°~ to 3%.
The compositions according to the present invention comprise said mixture of
long chain amine
oxides and said short chain surfactants in a ratio of from 0.25 to 3,
preferably 0.5 to 2.
The long chain amine oxide of the present invention restore the viscosity to a
value of from 50cps
to 2000 cps, preferably from 100 cps to 700cps, measured with a Brookfield
viscosimeter RVT at a
temperature of 25°C using spindle numbers 2 or 3 or 4 at 50 r.p.m. or
100 r.p.m.
The compositions accorciing to the present invention may further comprise as
an optional
ingredient other long chain surtace active agents. Suitable long chain surface
actives include alkyl
sarcosinates, paraffin sulphonates, alkyl sulphates and alkyl ether sulphates.
A preferred optional ingredient is C12 alkyl sulphate, the weight ratio of
short chain surfactant to
C12 alkyl sulphonate being of 1:4 to 4:1.
Another optional component of the present invention is an alkali metal salt of
a Cg-C1 g fatty acid.
Suitable fatty acids for use herein can be any Cg-C1 g fatty acid, preferably
fully saturated,
preferably a sodium, potassium or lithium salt, more preferably the sodium
salt. Suitable fatty
acids may be selected from caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic
acid, palmitic acid,
stearic acid and mixtures of fatty acids suitably hardened, derived from
natural sources such as
tallow, coconut oil, ground oil and babassu oil.
Compositions according to the present invention comprise from 0.2% to
2°~, preferably from 0.5°~
to 1 % by weight of the total composition of fatty acids. Said fatty acids may
be used as an
additional thickening aid and as suds suppressers.
Another optional ingredient according to the present invention is a
hypochlorite bleaching agent,
preferably an alkali metal hypochlorite. Although alkali metal hypochlorites
are preferred other
hypochlorite compounds may also be used herein and can be selected from
calcium and
magnesium hypochlorite. Preferred alkali metal hypochlorite for use herein is
sodium hypochlorite.
Compositions according to the present invention comprise said hypochlorite
bleaching agents such
that the content of active chlorine in the compositions is~from 0.4°~6
to 4°~, preferably from 1°~6 to
2°~. Acco~ing to the present invention the ingredients of the
compositions are selected so that the
compositions are hypoclorite compatible.
An optional requirement of the compositions according to the present invention
that the pH is
greater than 12, preferably greater than 12.5, more preferably greater than
12.8. This is achieved
WO 95/03383 ~ ' PCT/US94/08089
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by the addition of a caustic alkali. Suitable caustic alkalis for use herein
include sodium and
potassium hydroxide.
The compositions according to the present invention may also comprise a number
of additional
ingredients such as colourants and perfumes. Additionally, the compositions
according to the
present invention may comprise silicates used as corrosion inhibitors.
The compositions according to the present invention are prepared by methods
well known in the
art such as the methods described in GB 1 329 086. The compositions according
to the present
invention can be prepared by mixing all of the ingredients in a non-metallic
apparatus at room
temperature. Preferably, the surtadant blend is first prepared by adding the
short chain surfactant
to the long chain component. Perfume and the alkali metal hypochlorite are
then added whilst
stirring. Colourants are added after all the other ingredients have been
mixed.
The compositions of the present invention may be used for a variety of
cleaning purposes such as
cleaning hard surfaces whereby said compositions thickened nature result in
longer adhesion to
the surface than non-thickened compositions. Said compositions are
particularly suitable in the
cleaning of inclined surtaces including toilet bowls.
In another embodiment of the present invention the compositions herein are
used in dishwashing
applications, including hand dishwashing - as well as washing with automatic
dishwashing
machines. We have found that said compositions give particulariy good cleaning
performance,
especially in terms of soil removal when used as a pretreatment composition
for treating dishes
especially pans, pots kitchen grills and/or any kitchenware soiled by though
food
stains/encrustations.
Accordingly the present invention encompasses a process of treating dishes
which comprises the
steps of contacting said dishes with a composition according to the present
invention in its diluted
or neat form, then allowing said dishes to remain in contact with said
composition for a period of
time sufficient to treat said dishes, preferably from 2 to 15 minutes, then
rinsing said dishes in
water to remove said composition. Said process mentioned herein may be
followed by a
subsequent step where said dishes are washed with a dishwashing product
including the one of the
present invention or any other coventional diswashing product. Indeed said
subsequent step may
be either a hand dishwashing operation or a dishwashing performed in automatic
dishwashing
machines.
WO 95/03383 PCT/US94/08089
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Alternatively said process of treating dishes mentioned herein before can be
preceded by a step
where said dishes are soaked in water before being contacted with a
composition of the present
invention.
By "in its diluted form" it is meant herein that the compositions according to
the present invention
may be diluted with water. Typically dilution levels are of from 0.5°~
to 3°~ by weight of a
composition of the present invention in water. Said dilution may occur before
or while a
composition of the present invention is applied to said dishes.
As used in the foregoing paragraphs, the expression "treating" includes
washing as the
compositions according to the present invention comprise surfactants and
bleaching as the
preferred compositions of the present invention comprise hypochlorite.
The compositions according to the present invention can be illustrated by the
following examples.
Examples
A B C D E
C12 amine oxide 1.0 1.0 0.6 0.7 1.3
C14 amine oxide 1.8 2.3 2.2 2.3 3.1
C16 amine oxide - - - - -
octyl sulphate 1.5 2.0 2.0 1.0 3.0
fatty acid 0.5 0.5 - - -
hypochlorite 1.1 1.1 1.65 1.65 1.4
sodium hydroxide 0.8 0.8 1.3 1.3 1.1
perfume 0.15 0.27 - - 0.2
water + minors
(balance)
Viscosity, cps 450 620 446 1600 1740
F G H I J
C12 amine oxide - - - - -
C14 amine oxide 1.5 0.5 1.9 1 1.5
C16 amine oxide 1.5 2 1.6 1 1.1
octyl sulphate 3 3 3 3 2
fatty acid 0.6 0.9 0.8 0.9 0.6
WO 95/03383 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ PCT/US94/08089
~ ~
9
hypochlorite 1.6 1.7 1.5 1.6 1.7
sodium hydroxide 1 1 1.3 1.3 1.3
perfume 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2
water + minors
(balance)
Viscosity, cps 130 BO 300 100 450
K L
C12 amine oxide - -
C14 amine oxide 1.6 1.5
C16 amine oxide 1.5 1
octyl sulphate 3 3
fatty acid 0.9 0.9
lauryl sulphate 1.5 1
hypochlorite 1.5 1.70
sodium hydroxide 1.31 1.3
perfume 0.2 0.2
water + minors
(balance)
Viscosity(cps at 25C) 300 100
M N
C12 amine oxide - -
C14 amine oxide 1.60 1.75
C16 amine oxide 1.50 1.50
octyl sulphate 3.00 3.00
C12 alkyl sulphate 1.50 -
fatty acid 0.90 0.50
hypochlorite 1.73 1.73
sodium hydroxide 1.30 1.30
perfume 0.275 0.275
water + minors
(balance)
WO 95/03383 PCT/L1S94/08089
Viscosity,cps 100-500 100-500
O P
C14 amine oxide 6 4.5
C16 amine oxide 4 3
octyl sulphate ? 5
C10 amine oxide 3 2
fatty acid 1.2 0.9
sodium hydroxide 0.6 4
perfume - 0.8
water + minors
(balance)
Viscosity,cps 62 282
