Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CLEANING COMPOSITION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
100021 The present invention generally relates to a cleaning composition and,
more specifically, to a cleaning composition comprising alkoxylated alcohols,
a method
of preparing the cleaning composition, and a detergent composition including
the
cleaning composition.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
100031 Cleaning compositions are well known in the art and are often used in
households as cleaners such as in laundry detergents and dishwashing liquids.
To remain
competitive in the marketplace, e.g. by reducing raw material costs, many
manufacturers
of cleaning compositions have reduced the amounts of active ingredients such
as
surfactants in the cleaning compositions. However, by reducing the amount of
the active
ingredients, the viscosities of the cleaning compositions decrease.
Unfortunately,
consumers of the cleaning compositions have associated low viscosity cleaning
compositions, e.g. "water thin", with inferior cleaning properties such as
cleaning power
when compared to higher viscosity cleaning compositions, e.g. "vegetable oil
thick".
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100041 To increase the viscosities of the cleaning compositions having reduced
amounts of the active ingredients, a thickening agent such as an associative
thickener is
typically added to the cleaning compositions. However, the thickening agent
adds to the
raw material cost of the cleaning compositions and further adds an additional
step in
manufacturing. In addition, the thickening agent does not aid in cleaning
properties of
the cleaning compositions with regard to cleaning power. In other words, the
thickening
agent is only useful for increasing viscosity of the cleaning compositions.
[00051 Many cleaning compositions in the art utilize an alkoxylated
nonylphenol,
specifically, nonylphenol ethoxylate (NPE), as a primary active ingredient,
which gives
desired viscosity and cleaning properties of the cleaning compositions.
However, NPE is
currently recognized as a hazardous material by the United States
Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA). Accordingly, many manufacturers under pressure to go
"Green" are phasing out the use of NPE in cleaning compositions and are
seeking
suitable replacements for NPE.
100061 There remains an opportunity to provide cleaning compositions that have
reduced amounts of active ingredients for cost saving while still maintaining
desirable
viscosities and cleaning properties. In addition, there also remains an
opportunity to
provide cleaning compositions that are free or substantially free of
thickening agents
and/or NPE.
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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES
[0007] A cleaning composition as broadly disclosed hereinafter comprises a
first surfactant of the general formula R1-O-(A)mH wherein RI is an aliphatic
hydrocarbon having on average from 10 to 16 carbon atoms, A is an alkyleneoxy
group, and subscript m is a positive number. The cleaning composition further
comprises a second surfactant of the general formula R2-O-(B)nH wherein R2 is
an
aliphatic hydrocarbon having on average from 12 to 15 carbon atoms, B is an
alkyleneoxy group, and subscript n is a positive number. The cleaning
composition
has an average degree of alkoxylation of from about 3 to about 8 moles. The
cleaning composition also has an excess of the first surfactant relative to
the
second surfactant.
The present invention as claimed is however more specifically directed to a
cleaning composition comprising:
(A) a first surfactant of the general formula
R'-O-(A)mH
wherein R1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having on average from 12 to 16
carbon atoms, A is an alkyleneoxy group, and subscript m is a positive number;
and
(B) a second surfactant of the general formula
R2-O-(B)nH
wherein R2 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having on average from 12 to 15
carbon atoms, B is an alkyleneoxy group, and subscript n is a positive number;
each of said first and second surfactants having an average degree of
alkoxylation of from about 3 to about 7 moles and said cleaning composition
having
an excess of said first surfactant relative to said second surfactant; and
(C) a third surfactant different from said first surfactant and said second
surfactant.
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100081 The present invention provides a unique combination of the first and
second surfactants. Generally, the first surfactant imparts the cleaning
composition with
excellent detergency characteristics, and the second surfactant imparts the
cleaning
composition with desirable viscosity profiles. The cleaning composition of the
present
invention also has other desirable properties, such as increased solubility.
The cleaning
composition of the present invention may be used, for example, to replace
nonylphenol
ethoxylate (NPE) as an active agent in a detergent composition while
maintaining
desirable product viscosity.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[00091 Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated,
as
the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed
description
when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:
100101 Figure 1 is a bar chart illustrating viscosities of Examples 33-36;
[0011] Figure 2 is a line graph illustrating a viscosity trend of detergent
compositions as a function of percent actives present in the detergent
compositions at a
3a
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weight ratio of 1:1 nonionic to anionic surfactants (Surfactant 16 to
Surfactant 19)
present in the detergent compositions;
100121 Figure 3 is a line graph a viscosity trend of detergent compositions as
a
function of a weight ratio of nonionic to anionic surfactants present in the
detergent
compositions (@ 6 wt% total actives);
[0013] Figure 4 is a line graph illustrating a viscosity trend of detergent
compositions as a function of percent actives (by wt%) present in the
detergent
compositions at a weight ratio of 3:1 nonionic to anionic surfactants
(Surfactant 16 to
Surfactant 19) present in the detergent compositions;
[00141 Figure 5 is a bar chart illustrating viscosities of Example 40 and
Examples
53-62 (@ 6 wt% total actives); and
[00151 Figure 6 is a bar chart illustrating viscosities of Examples 73-81 and
Examples 83-91.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00161 The present invention provides a cleaning composition, which may be
used in any industry and for any application. For example, the cleaning
composition may
be used in a laundry detergent for cleaning clothes or in a dishwashing liquid
for cleaning
silverware, pots, pans, and dishes. The cleaning composition, in one or more
embodiments, may also be used for other purposes besides cleaning. For
example, the
cleaning composition can be used as a surfactant composition. Therefore, the
present
invention should not be thought of as limited to compositions that are only
used to clean.
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[00171 The cleaning composition comprises a first surfactant. Typically, the
first
surfactant is a nonionic surfactant. The first surfactant may have any
respective cloud
point, any respective hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB), and any respective
critical
micelle content (CMC). Cloud point is described in further detail below. The
first
surfactant is of the general formula R'-O-(A)mH. In this formula, R' is an
aliphatic
hydrocarbon typically having on average from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. As is
understood
in the art, aliphatic hydrocarbons may include straight, branched, and/or
cyclic chains of
carbon and hydrogen atoms which may be saturated or unsaturated. It is
contemplated
that R' may include a mixture of different aliphatic hydrocarbons having a
normal
distribution from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. Alternatively, R' may be an aliphatic
hydrocarbon having 10 carbon atoms, 12 carbon atoms, 14 carbon atoms, or 16
carbon
atoms. In one embodiment, R' is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having on average
from 12 to
14 carbon atoms. In another embodiment, R' is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having
on
average about 12 carbon atoms.
[00181 It is contemplated that R' may have an average degree of branching of
zero or may have an average degree of branching of greater than zero.
Typically, R' has
an average degree of branching of approaching or equal to zero (0), more
typically an
average degree of branching equal to about zero. In these embodiments, R' of
the first
surfactant is linear, and therefore, the first surfactant is generally
classified as linear. It is
believed that when R' of the first surfactant is linear, rather than being
branched, lower
CMC is obtained, in addition to the cleaning composition being more stable.
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[0019] The degree of branching is defined as a number equal to the number of
carbon atoms in the aliphatic hydrocarbon (3 carbon atoms) which are bonded
to three
additional carbon atoms, plus two times the number of carbon atoms in the
aliphatic
hydrocarbon (4 carbon atoms) which are bonded to four additional carbon
atoms. The
average degree of branching is calculated as a sum of all degrees of branching
of
individual aliphatic hydrocarbon molecules divided by a total number of the
individual
aliphatic hydrocarbon molecules. The degree of branching may be determined,
for
example, through use of 13C NMR methods such as correlation spectroscopy
(COSY),
followed by quantification via use of relaxation reagents. Other NMR methods
and GC-
MS methods known to those skilled in the art may also be used to determine the
degree
of branching.
[0020] In the formula above, A is an alkyleneoxy group. The alkyleneoxy group
may include, but is not limited to, ethyleneoxy (EO) groups having two (2)
carbon atoms,
propyleneoxy (PO) groups having three (3) carbon atoms, butyleneoxy (BO)
groups
having four (4) carbon atoms, pentyleneoxy groups having five (5) carbon
atoms, and
combinations thereof. The BO groups may include any or all of 1,2-butylene
oxide
groups, 2,3-butylene oxide groups, and isobutylene oxide groups. In one
embodiment, A
is an EO group. It is to be appreciated that the cleaning composition may
include a
combination of two or more of the alkyleneoxy groups as described and
exemplified
above, such as EO and PO groups, EO and BO groups, EO, PO, and BO groups, etc.
For
purposes of the present invention, it is to be appreciated that the
alkyleneoxy groups are
typically open, rather than being strained rings. In other words, the
alkyleneoxy groups
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described herein are generally formed from an alkylene oxide, e.g. ethylene
oxide. For
example, with reference to Reaction Schemes (I) and (III) below, A is formed
from
ethylene oxide reacting with the first aliphatic alcohol after the first
aliphatic alcohol is
alkoxylated.
[0021] Further, subscript in is a positive number. As understood in the art,
subscript m represents the average number of moles of the alkyleneoxy group
added to
the aliphatic hydrocarbon of the first surfactant. It is contemplated that
subscript m can
be any whole number or any fraction of a number greater than zero. In one
embodiment,
the first surfactant includes a mixture of molecules having a differing number
of moles of
the alkyleneoxy group added to the aliphatic hydrocarbon molecules. Typically,
subscript in is a number of from about I to about 8, more typically from about
3 to about
8, and most typically from about 5 to about 7. In one embodiment, subscript m
is equal
to about 6. When subscript in is greater than or equal to 2, it is
contemplated that the
alkyleneoxy groups may be distributed randomly or blockwise. It is believed
that when
subscript in is a low number, e.g. less than about 8, the viscosity of the
cleaning
composition is increased relative to when subscript in is a higher number,
e.g. greater
than about 8. In other words, the viscosity of the cleaning composition
generally
increases as the value of subscript in decreases.
[0022] The cleaning composition further comprises the second surfactant.
Typically, the second surfactant is a nonionic surfactant. Generally, the
cleaning
composition itself is classified as a nonionic surfactant, due to the first
and second
surfactants it is formed from. The second surfactant may have any respective
cloud
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point, any respective HLB, and any respective CMC. If a nonionic surfactant is
employed as at least one of the surfactants, the nonionic surfactant typically
has a cloud
point (both aqueous and solvent) of from about 25 to about 90, more typically
from about
30 to about 80, and most typically from about 30 to about 70, C. The cloud
point of the
nonionic surfactant may be determined by any method known in the art. For
example, to
determine an aqueous cloud point of the nonionic surfactant, 1% by weight of
the
nonionic surfactant is added to water to form a solution. The solution is
either heated or
cooled until a visual change is noted such the solution changing from clear to
cloudy or
vice versa.
[00231 The second surfactant is of the general formula R2-O-(B)nH. In this
formula, R2 is typically an aliphatic hydrocarbon having from 12 to 15 carbon
atoms. It
is contemplated that R2 may include a mixture of different aliphatic
hydrocarbons having
a normal distribution from 12 to 15 carbon atoms. Alternatively, R2 may be an
aliphatic
hydrocarbon having 12 carbon atoms, 13 carbon atoms, 14 carbon atoms, or 15
carbon
atoms. In one embodiment, R2 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having on average
from 13 to
15 carbon atoms.
[0024] It is contemplated that R2 may have an average degree of branching of
zero or may have an average degree of branching of greater than zero.
Typically, R2 has
an average degree of branching of from about 3 to about 5. In this embodiment,
R2 of the
second surfactant is branched, and therefore, the second surfactant is
generally classified
as branched. It is believed that branching helps to increase viscosity of the
cleaning
composition. In addition, branching is believed to aid in the stability of
forming
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emulsions, which is a primary benefit in detergency of the cleaning
composition. It is
also believed that too much branching can lead to clouding of the cleaning
composition,
as understood to those skilled in the art. For purposes of the present
invention, it is to be
appreciated that the R'-O and R2-O groups of the surfactants, as illustrated
and described
above, may also be known in the art as alkoxide groups.
[00251 In the formula above, B is an alkyleneoxy group, and may be the same as
or different than A, as described and exemplified above with description of
the first
surfactant. In one embodiment, B is an EO group. It is to be appreciated that
the
alkyleneoxy groups are typically open, rather than being strained rings. For
example,
with reference to Reaction Schemes (II) and (III) below, B is formed from an
alkylene
oxide, e.g. ethylene oxide, reacting with the second aliphatic alcohol after
the second
aliphatic alcohol is alkoxylated. Subscript n is a positive number, may be any
fraction or
whole number greater than zero, and may be the same as or different than
subscript m.
As understood in the art, subscript n represents the average number of moles
of the
alkyleneoxy group added to the aliphatic hydrocarbon of the second surfactant.
Typically, subscript n is a number of from about I to about 8, more typically
from about
3 to about 8, and most typically from about 6 to about 8. In one embodiment,
subscript n
is equal to about 7. When n is greater than or equal to 2, it is contemplated
that the
alkyleneoxy groups may be distributed randomly or blockwise. The viscosity of
the
cleaning composition generally increases as the value of subscript n
decreases.
[00261 The cleaning composition has an average degree of alkoxylation of from
about 3 to about 8 moles, more typically from about 5 to about 7 moles, yet
more
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typically from about 6 to about 7 moles, and most typically about 6 moles. As
described
above, subscripts m and n represent the average number of moles of the
alkyleneoxy
groups added to the aliphatic hydrocarbon of the respective first and second
surfactants.
Generally, when the average degree of alkoxylation is lower, e.g. 2 or less,
the cleaning
composition becomes unstable. On the other hand, when the average degree of
alkoxylation is higher, e.g. 9 or more, viscosity of the cleaning composition
drops, i.e., is
too low.
[00271 Suitable surfactants, for purposes of the present invention, are
commercially available from BASF Corporation of Florham Park, NJ, under the
trade
name Lutensol , such as Lutensol XP 90, Lutensol XL 90, Lutensol XL 50,
Lutensol' XP 70, Lutensol XP 50, Lutensol XP 30, Lutensol A 65 N, Lutensol
A 9
N, Lutensol LA 60, Lutensol TDA 6, Lutensol TDA 9, Lutensol TO 5, Lutensol
AO 7, Lutensol AO 8, and Lutensol AO 8 A. Further suitable surfactants, for
purposes
of the present invention, are commercially available from Shell Chemicals of
Houston,
TX, under the trade name Neodol , such as Neodol 45-77 and Neodol 25-7. Yet
further suitable surfactants, for purposes of the present invention, are
commercially
available from Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. of Allentown, PA under the
trade name
of Tomadol , such as Tomadol 45-7. It is to be appreciated that various
combinations
of the aforementioned surfactants can be employed.
[00281 The cleaning composition has an excess of the first surfactant relative
to
the second surfactant, i.e., the first surfactant is present in the cleaning
composition in a
greater amount than the second surfactant. In certain embodiments, the first
surfactant is
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present in the cleaning composition in a weight ratio of from about 3:1 to
about 5:1, more
typically in a weight ratio of about 4:1, relative to the second surfactant.
Typically, the
first surfactant is present in the cleaning composition in an amount of from
about 40 to
about 90, more typically from about 50 to about 80, and most typically about
60 to about
80, parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the cleaning composition.
In one
embodiment, the first surfactant is present in an amount of about 80 parts by
weight
based on 100 parts by weight of the cleaning composition. Typically, the
second
surfactant is present in the cleaning composition in an amount of from about
10 to about
60, more typically from about 10 to about 50, and most typically about 20 to
about 40,
parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the cleaning composition. In
one
embodiment, the second surfactant is present in an amount of about 20 parts by
weight
based on 100 parts by weight of the cleaning composition. In one embodiment,
the
cleaning composition consists essentially of the first and second surfactants.
In another
embodiment, the cleaning composition consists of the first and second
surfactants. In
these two embodiments, it is to be appreciated that the first and second
surfactants are as
described and exemplified above.
[00291 Without being bound or limited by any particular theory, it is believed
that
the ratio of first and second surfactants, as described and exemplified above,
provides
benefits of two+ alkoxylate chains, e.g. EO groups, and linear vs. branched
carbon
chains, e.g. R' and R2, of the respective surfactants. Specifically, it is
also believed that
the second surfactant enhances viscosity and emulsification stability of the
cleaning
composition, but is present in the cleaning composition at levels so as not to
be unstable
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in the cleaning composition or other compositions employing the cleaning
composition,
e.g. a detergent composition. It is also believed that the first surfactant
provides stability
and primary detergency of the cleaning composition, but is present in the
cleaning
composition at levels so as not to lower viscosity of the cleaning composition
or other
compositions employing the cleaning composition, e.g. a detergent composition.
100301 In certain embodiments, the cleaning composition further comprises a
third surfactant different from the first surfactant and the second
surfactant. The third
surfactant may be an ionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, or an amphoteric
surfactant.
In certain embodiments, the third surfactant is an anionic surfactant. In one
embodiment,
the third surfactant is a linear alkyl sulfonate (LAS), such as a linear
alkylbenzene
sulfonate (LABS). In another embodiment, the third surfactant is an alkyl
ether sulfate
(AES). Generally, employing LAS in place of AES provides higher viscosity
profiles for
the cleaning composition. Examples of other suitable third surfactants, for
purposes of
the present invention, include, but are not limited to, aliphatic and/or
aromatic
alkoxylated alcohols, paraffinsulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates (FAS), fatty
alcohol
ethersulfates (FAES), trimethylolpropane ethoxylates, glycerol ethoxylates,
pentaerythritol ethoxylates, alkoxylates of bisphenol A, and alkoxylates of 4-
methylhexanol and 5-methyl-2-propylheptanol, and combinations thereof. It is
to be
appreciated that the third surfactant of the cleaning composition may include
a
combination of two or more of the aforementioned surfactants.
[00311 If employed, the third surfactant, e.g. LAS, is typically present in
the
cleaning composition in a weight ratio of from about 2:1 to about 1:5, more
typically in a
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weight ratio of from about 1:1 to about 1:3, and most typically about 1:3,
relative to the
first surfactant and the second surfactant combined. In one embodiment, the
third
surfactant is present in the cleaning composition in a weight ratio of about
1:2. In
another embodiment, the third surfactant is present in the cleaning
composition in a
weight ratio of about 1:1. Typically, the third surfactant is present in the
cleaning
composition in an amount of from about 25 to about 75, more typically from
about 25 to
about 60, and most typically from about 25 to about 55, parts by weight, based
on 100
parts by weight of the cleaning composition. In one embodiment, the third
surfactant is
present in an amount of about 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight
of the
cleaning composition. In another embodiment, the third surfactant is present
in an
amount of about 33 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the
cleaning
composition. In yet another embodiment, the third surfactant is present in an
amount of
about 25 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the cleaning
composition. In
the aforementioned embodiments, the first surfactant is typically present in
the cleaning
composition in an amount of from about 20 to about 45, more typically from
about 25 to
about 40, and most typically about 30 to about 40, parts by weight, based on
100 parts by
weight of the cleaning composition. Further, the second surfactant is present
in the
cleaning composition in an amount of from about 5 to about 30, more typically
from
about 5 to about 25, and most typically about 10 to about 20, parts by weight,
based on
100 parts by weight of the cleaning composition. In one embodiment, the third
surfactant
is present in the cleaning composition in an amount of from about 25 to about
50 parts by
weight, the first surfactant is present in the cleaning composition in an
amount of from
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about 40 to about 60 parts by weight, and the second surfactant is present in
the cleaning
composition in an amount of from about 10 to about 15 parts by weight, all
based on 100
parts by weight of the cleaning composition. In one embodiment, the cleaning
composition consists essentially of the first, second, and third surfactants.
In another
embodiment, the cleaning composition consists of the first, second, and third
surfactants.
In these two embodiments, it is to be appreciated that the first, second, and
third
surfactants are as described and exemplified above.
[00321 In addition to the first, second, and optionally, third surfactants,
the
cleaning composition may also include a polyalkylene glycol. It is to be
appreciated that
the polyalkylene glycol is an optional component, i.e., the cleaning
composition can
exclude the polyalkylene glycol altogether. If employed, the polyalkylene
glycol
generally includes, but is not limited to, polyethylene glycol (PEG),
polypropylene glycol
(PPG), polybutylene glycol (PBG), and combinations thereof. Typically, the
polyalkylene glycol is polyethylene glycol. In one embodiment, if employed to
prepare
the cleaning composition, the polyalkylene glycol is typically present in an
amount of
from about 5 to about 50, more typically from about 5 to about 25, and most
typically
from about 5 to about 15, parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the
cleaning
composition. In another embodiment, the cleaning composition is substantially
free of
the polyalkylene glycol. By "substantially free", it is meant that the
cleaning
composition typically includes the polyalkylene glycol in an amount of from
about 15 to
approaching zero (0), more typically from about 10 to approaching 0, and most
typically
from about 5 to approaching 0, parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight
of the
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cleaning composition. In yet another embodiment, the cleaning composition
excludes the
polyalkylene glycol altogether, as alluded to above.
[0033] The present invention further provides a method of forming the cleaning
composition. The method of preparing the cleaning composition generally
includes the
step of alkoxylating a first aliphatic alcohol having on average from 10 to 16
carbon
atoms in the presence of a catalyst to form the first surfactant. In certain
embodiments,
the polyalkylene glycol is also formed in addition to the first surfactant.
The step of
alkoxylating the first aliphatic alcohol includes reacting the catalyst with
the first
aliphatic alcohol to form an alkoxide. This step may be completed in the
presence or
absence of water. After the alkoxide is formed, the alkoxide is reacted with
an alkylene
oxide, e.g. ethylene oxide, to form the first surfactant, and sometimes, to
form the
polyalkylene glycol in situ. In one embodiment, the first aliphatic alcohol is
alkoxylated
with ethylene oxide, as described and exemplified above; however, it is to be
appreciated
that other alkylene oxides or blends thereof may be used. The first aliphatic
alcohol may
include any aliphatic alcohol having from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. In one
embodiment the
first aliphatic alcohol includes a mixture of different aliphatic alcohols
having a normal
distribution from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. Alternatively, the first aliphatic
alcohol may
have 10 carbon atoms, 12 carbon atoms, 14 carbon atoms, or 16 carbon atoms.
Typically,
the first aliphatic alcohol has from 12 to 14 carbon atoms. In one embodiment,
the first
aliphatic alcohol is linear. For descriptive purposes only, a chemical
reaction scheme of
the alkoxylation of the first aliphatic alcohol to form the first surfactant
is generically
shown in Reaction Scheme (I) below:
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[00341 Reaction Scheme (1):
R'-OH M OH;= RHO-M+ + H2O All, R'-O-(A)mH
[00351 Typically, the catalyst is a metal catalyst and includes an alkali
metal or
alkaline earth metal hydroxide, but may include any metal catalyst known in
the art
including transition metal organometallic catalysts. Particularly suitable
alkali metal
catalysts include, but are not limited to, sodium hydroxide, potassium
hydroxide, and
combinations thereof. The catalyst may be a single metal catalyst or may
include a
mixture of metal catalysts, as determined by one of skill in the art.
[00361 In addition to the step of alkoxylating the first aliphatic alcohol,
the
method also generally includes the step of alkoxylating a second aliphatic
alcohol having
on average from 12 to 15 carbon atoms in the presence of the catalyst to form
the second
surfactant and the polyalkylene glycol. The step of alkoxylating the second
aliphatic
alcohol includes reacting the catalyst with the second aliphatic alcohol to
form an
alkoxide. The catalyst may be the same as or different than the catalyst
described and
exemplified above. This step may also be completed in the presence or absence
of water.
After the alkoxide is formed, the alkoxide is reacted with an alkylene oxide,
e.g. ethylene
oxide, to form the second surfactant, and sometimes, to form the polyalkylene
glycol in
situ. In one embodiment, the second aliphatic alcohol is alkoxylkated with
ethylene
oxide, as described and exemplified above; however, it is to be appreciated
that other
alkylene oxides or blends thereof may be used. The second aliphatic alcohol
may include
any aliphatic alcohol having from 12 to 15 carbon atoms. In one embodiment the
second
aliphatic alcohol includes a mixture of different aliphatic alcohols having a
normal
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distribution from 12 to 15 carbon atoms. Alternatively, the second aliphatic
alcohol may
have 12 carbon atoms, 13 carbon atoms, 14 carbon atoms, or 15 carbon atoms.
Typically,
the first aliphatic alcohol has 13 carbon atoms, 15 carbon atoms, or includes
a mixture of
different aliphatic alcohols having 13 and 15 carbon atoms. In one embodiment,
the
second aliphatic alcohol is branched. For descriptive purposes only, a
chemical reaction
scheme of the alkoxylation of the second aliphatic alcohol to form the second
surfactant
is generically shown in Reaction Scheme (II) below:
[0037] Reaction Scheme (11):
R2-OH M OH> R2O-M+ + H2O B - R2-O-(B)nH
[0038] It is contemplated that the step of alkoxylating the first aliphatic
alcohol
may be completed separately from, or simultaneously with, the step of
alkoxylating the
second aliphatic alcohol. Also, the first and second aliphatic alcohols may be
alkoxylated
in the same vessel or in different vessels. Typically, the first and second
aliphatic
alcohols are alkoxylated simultaneously in the same vessel. Generally, an
excess of the
first surfactant relative to the second surfactant is combined with the second
surfactant to
form the cleaning composition. In one embodiment, the first and second
aliphatic
alcohols are blended in a weight ratio of about 4:1, respectively, prior to
the steps of
alkoxylating. In other embodiments, the first and second aliphatic alcohols
are blended at
other weight ratios relative to each other prior to the steps of alkoxylating,
as alluded to
and exemplified above, such as in a weight ratio of from about 3:1 to about
5:1. It is to
be appreciated that the first and second aliphatic alcohols may each be
alkoxylated
independently, and then blended at various weight ratios relative to each
other. It is
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believed that properties of the cleaning composition, e.g. the viscosity, can
be tailored
depending on the ratio of the first and second aliphatic alcohol relative to
each other and
depending on when the steps of alkoxylating take place, i.e., before, during,
or after the
first and second aliphatic alcohols are blended. The steps of alkoxylating the
first and
second aliphatic alcohols may be completed at any temperature and at any
pressure.
Typically, these steps are completed at a temperature of from about 100 to
about 150 C
and at a pressure of from about 30 to about 100 psig. For descriptive purposes
only, a
chemical reaction scheme including the alkoxylation, specifically ethoxylation
of the first
and second aliphatic alcohols in the presence of potassium hydroxide as the
catalyst, to
form the first and second surfactants, is shown in Reaction Scheme (III)
below:
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[00391 Reaction Scheme (111):
OH + OH
First Aliphatic Alcohol Second Aliphatic Alcohol
K-OH (Ethylene Oxide) z
+ O~H
~O~--H z
First Surfactant z
Second Surfactant
wherein z is a number from 3 to 8. In Reaction Scheme (III) above, the first
and second
surfactants are typically classified as alcohol ethoxylates.
[00401 The present invention yet further provides a detergent composition. The
composition comprises a nonionic surfactant. Typically, the nonionic
surfactant is the
cleaning composition as described and exemplified above. In other words, the
detergent
composition includes the first and second surfactants, as described and
exemplified
above. The nonionic surfactant is typically present in an amount of from about
1 to about
9, more typically from about I to about 5, and most typically from about 3 to
about 5,
parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the detergent composition. In
one
embodiment, the nonionic surfactant is present in the detergent composition in
an amount
of about 3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the detergent
composition. In
certain aforementioned embodiments, the first surfactant is present in the
nonionic
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composition in a weight ratio of from about 3:1 to about 5:1, more typically
in a weight
ratio of about 4:1, relative to the second surfactant, as described and
exemplified above.
These embodiments are useful for lowering the cost of the detergent
composition while
still maintaining desired viscosity and cleaning properties of the detergent
composition.
[0041] The detergent composition further comprises an anionic surfactant.
Typically, the anionic surfactant is the third surfactant as described and
exemplified
above. For example, the detergent composition can include LAS, AES, or
combinations
thereof, as the anionic surfactant. The anionic surfactant is typically
present in an amount
of from about I to about 9, more typically from about 1 to about 5, and most
typically
from about 3 to about 5, parts by weight, based on 100 parts by weight of the
detergent
composition. In one embodiment, the anionic surfactant is present in the
detergent
composition in an amount of about 3 parts by weight based on 100 parts by
weight of the
detergent composition.
[0042] The detergent composition further comprises an additive. In certain
embodiments, the additive comprises at least one of a builder component, such
as sodium
bicarbonate and/or sodium carbonate, and a bleach component, such as a
perborate
bleach, e.g. sodium borate decahydrate (NaBO3= I OH20). In other words, the
detergent
composition can include the builder component only, the bleach component only,
or a
combination of the builder and bleach components. In the aforementioned
embodiments,
the additive is typically present in an amount of from about I to about 5
parts by weight
based on 100 parts by weight of the detergent composition. In certain
embodiments, the
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detergent composition includes about I part by weight of the builder
component, and
about I part by weight of the bleach component.
[00431 If employed, suitable graying inhibitors include, but are not limited
to,
polyesters of polyethylene oxides with ethylene glycol and/or propylene glycol
and
aromatic dicarboxylic acids or aromatic and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids,
polyesters of
polyethylene oxides terminally capped at one end with di- and/or polyhydric
alcohols or
dicarboxylic acids, and combinations thereof. If employed, suitable soil
release polymers
include, but are not limited to, amphiphilic graft polymers or copolymers of
vinyl esters
and/or acrylic esters onto polyalkylene oxides or modified celluloses, such as
methylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose, and carboxymethylcellulose, and
combinations
thereof. If employed, suitable color transfer inhibitors include, but are not
limited to,
color transfer inhibitors, for example homopolymers and copolymers of
vinylpyrrolidone,
of vinylimidazole, of vinyloxazolidone and of 4-vinylpyridine N-oxide having
number
average molecular weights of from 15,000 to 100,000 g/mol. If employed,
suitable foam
inhibitors include, but are not limited to, organopolysiloxanes, silica,
paraffins, waxes,
microcrystalline waxes, and combinations thereof.
[00441 Other examples of suitable additives, for purposes of the present
invention, include, but are not limited to, solvents such as ethylene glycol
and
isopropanol; enzymes; salts; graying inhibitors; polymers such as
polyacrylates;
copolymers such as copolymers of maleic acid and acrylic acid; color transfer
inhibitors;
bleach activators; bleach catalysts; foam inhibitors; complexing agents;
optical
brighteners; fragrances; perfumes; oils; preservatives; fillers; thickeners;
inorganic
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extenders; formulation auxiliaries; solubility improvers; opacifiers; dyes;
pigments;
corrosion inhibitors; peroxide stabilizers; activators; catalysts;
electrolytes; soaps;
detergents; acids such as phosphoric acid, amidosulfonic acid, citric acid,
lactic acid,
acetic acid, peracids, and trichloroisocyanuric acid; chelating agents such as
ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), N,N,N-nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and
2-
methylglycine-N,N-diacetic acid (MGDA); phosphonates; alkali donors such as
hydroxides; silicates; carbonates; oxidizing agents such as perborates;
dichloroisocyanurates; interface-active ethyleneoxy adducts; and combinations
thereof.
The additive may be present in the detergent composition in various amounts.
[0045] The detergent composition further comprises water. The water is
typically
included in an amount of from about 1 to about 99, more typically from about
50 to about
95, and most typically from about 75 to about 92, parts by weight, based on
100 parts by
weight of the detergent composition. Changing the amount of water present in
detergent
composition can change viscosity of the detergent composition, amongst
changing other
properties.
[0046] The detergent composition is typically a liquid. In these embodiments,
the
detergent composition typically has a viscosity of at least about 50, more
typically at least
about 75, yet more typically at least about 95, and most typically at least
about 100,
centipoise (cP) at 20 C. In certain embodiments, the detergent composition is
a liquid.
In these embodiments, the detergent composition typically has a viscosity of
from about
50 to about 300, more typically from about 50 to about 200, and most typically
from
about 75 to about 150, cP at 20 C. The viscosity of the detergent composition
may be
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determined by any method known in the art. For example, viscosity of the
detergent
composition may be measured using a Brookfield viscometer, a Shell cup, or a
Zahn cup.
In certain embodiments, the detergent composition has a viscosity higher than
water, i.e.,
higher than I cP at 20 C, which is believed to be useful for influencing
purchasing
decisions by consumers of the detergent composition. In other words, if the
detergent
composition is "thicker" than water, it is believed that consumers will
associate the
detergent composition with superior properties such as cleaning power, and
therefore are
more likely to purchase, use, and repurchase the detergent composition.
[0047] While one form has been described above, i.e., liquid, the detergent
composition may be of any form. For example, the detergent composition may be
a solid
such as a powder or pellet, a semi-solid such as a gel, or a liquid such as a
light duty
liquid (LDL) or a heavy duty liquid (HDL). As alluded to above, the detergent
composition has various properties. These properties generally include:
detergency,
which is the ability to break the bond between soil and a surface; penetration
and wetting,
which allows water to surround soil particles that would otherwise repel the
water;
foaming, which creates bubbles that lift dirt from the surface;
emulsification, which is
ability to break up oil based soils into small droplets that can be dispersed
thoroughly;
solubilizing, which dissolves soil so that the soil is no longer a solid
particle; and
dispersing, which leads to spreading minute soil particles throughout a
solution to prevent
them from sticking to objects such as a mop, bucket or back onto a cleaned
surface.
[00481 The cleaning composition is generally biodegradable; therefore, the
cleaning composition may be chemically degraded via natural effectors such as
soil
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bacteria, weather, plants and/or animals. The biodegradability of the cleaning
composition reduces a possibility of pollution and formation of environmental
hazards
and is dependent on components of the cleaning composition. In addition, there
may be a
reduced risk to individuals who manufacture and use the cleaning composition
in terms
of chemical exposure. Typically, the cleaning composition substantially
excludes, more
typically completely excludes, an alkoxylated nonylphenol, specifically,
nonylphenol
ethoxylate (NPE).
[0049] The following examples, illustrating the cleaning compositions and the
detergent compositions of the present invention, are intended to illustrate
and not to limit
the present invention.
EXAMPLES
[0050] A series of detergent compositions are prepared according to the
present
invention. Specifically, amounts of the surfactants are added to a vessel and
mixed to
prepare the detergent compositions. In addition to the surfactants, e.g. the
cleaning
composition, the detergent compositions further include a control load, which
is
described below. Two control detergent compositions (Control Examples I and 2
found
below in Table 1) are prepared for comparison with the Examples.
[0051] Viscosities of each of the Examples are determined at -21 C (70 F)
with a
Brookfield viscometer set at a speed of 30 RPM, using a #2 spindle. Due to
tolerances of
the Brookfield viscometer, any viscosity values of zero in the tables below
are about
equal to the viscosity of water. Aqueous cloud points of the surfactants
present in the
Examples are determined by adding I% by weight of the surfactant to water and
heating
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until a visual change in appearance is noted such as a phase separation.
Stability of the
Examples is determined by allowing each of the Examples to sit undisturbed for
1 week.
Any changes in appearance of the Examples after 1 week has passed are noted.
[0052] The amount and type of each component used to prepare the Examples are
indicated in the tables below with all values in percent by weight based on
the total
weight of the respective Examples unless otherwise indicated.
TABLE I
Control Example
Component 1 2
Control Surfactant 1 3.3 -
Control Surfactant 2 - 3.3
Control Load 96.7 96.7
Results
Viscosity 89.2 89.2
(cP 70 F)
Cloud Point 54.0 54.0
( C)
[0053] Control Surfactant I is a 100% active C9 branched alcohol alkoxylated
with 9 moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0054] Control Surfactant 2 is a 100% active C9 branched alcohol, specifically
a
nonylphenol, alkoxylated with 9 moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0055] Control Load is a heavy duty liquid (HDL) detergent composition that
lacks a primary active ingredient, specifically lacks a nonionic surfactant
such as
ethoxylated nonylphenol (NPE), e.g. Control Surfactant 2. Lacking the primary
active
ingredient, the Control Load comprises a linear alkyl sulfonate (LAS), water,
and any
combination of the following additives found in a typical HDL detergent
composition:
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supplemental surfactants, a builder component, fragrance, a preservative, a
perborate
bleach component, a brightener, an enzyme, and a polymer.
100561 Control Example 1 is a commercially available detergent composition,
specifically, a HDL detergent composition that includes Control Surfactant I
as the
primary active ingredient, i.e., as the cleaning composition, and further
includes the
Control Load as the remainder of its formulation. Control Example 2 is
prepared with the
Control Load and Control Surfactant 2 to duplicate Control Example I for
reproducibility
purposes.
[00571 In Table II below, Surfactants 1-13 are added to the Control Load and
mixed to prepare Examples 3-15.
TABLE II
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Example
Component 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
Surfactant 1 3.3 - - - - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 2 - 3.3 - - - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 3 - - 3.3 - - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 4 - - - 3.3 - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 5 - - - - 3.3 - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 6 - - - - - 3.3 - - - - - - -
Surfactant 7 - - - - - - 3.3 - - - - - -
Surfactant 8 - - - - - - - 3.3 - - - - -
Surfactant 9 - - - - - - - - 3.3 - - - -
Surfactant 10 - - - - - - - - - 3.3 - - -
Surfactant 11 - - - - - - - - - - 3.3 - -
Surfactant 12 - - - - - - - - - - - 3.3 -
Surfactant 13 - - - - - - - - - - - - 3.3
Control Load 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7
Results
Viscosity 0.0 0.0 19.5 0.0 47.1 0.0 5.0 27.0 102.0 23.0 0.0 70.1 5.0
(cP 70 F)
Cloud Point 69.0 77.0 - - 50.0 75.0 - - 41.0 58.0 - 43.0 52.0
( C)
[0058] Surfactant 1 is a 100% active C10 branched alcohol ethoxylated with 9
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[00591 Surfactant 2 is a 100% active C10 branched alcohol alkoxylated with 9
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0060] Surfactant 3 is a 100% active C10 branched alcohol alkoxylated with 3
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[00611 Surfactant 4 is a 100% active C10 branched alcohol alkoxylated with 5
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[00621 Surfactant 5 is a 100% active C12-C14 linear alcohol blend alkoxylated
with 7 moles (average) of ethylene oxide
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[0063] Surfactant 6 is a 100% active C12-C14 linear alcohol blend alkoxylated
with 9 moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0064] Surfactant 7 is a 100% active C12-C14 linear alcohol blend alkoxylated
with 6 moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0065] Surfactant 8 is a 100% active C12-C15 branched alcohol blend
alkoxylated
with 8 moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0066] Surfactant 9 is a 100% active C13 branched alcohol alkoxylated with 6
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0067] Surfactant 10 is a 100% active C13 branched alcohol alkoxylated with 9
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0068] Surfactant 11 is a 100% active C,3 branched alcohol alkoxylated with 5
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0069] Surfactant 12 is a 100% active C,3-C15 branched alcohol blend
alkoxylated
with 7 moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0070] Surfactant 13 is a 100% active C13-C15 branched alcohol blend
alkoxylated
with 8 moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0071] Example 11 is cloudy in appearance but stable over a 1 week time
period.
Example 14 is clear in appearance but unstable over a I week time period.
Viscosities
and cloud points of Example 3-15 are compared against Control Examples I and
2.
[0072] In Table III below, the Examples include blends of pre-alkoxylated
surfactants, i.e., blends of the "first" and "second" surfactant. In other
words, the
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surfactants are alkoxylated prior to blending/introduction to each other and
then added to
the Control Load to prepare Examples 16-24.
TABLE III
Example
Component 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Surfactant 1 - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 2 - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 3 0.66 - - - - 0.33 - - -
Surfactant 4 - - 1.65 - - - - - -
Surfactant 5 2.64 2.64 1.65 2.97 1.65 2.97 1.65 2.64 2.64
Surfactant 6 - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 7 - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 8 - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 9 - - - - 1.65 - - - -
Surfactant 10 - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 11 - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 12 - 0.66 - 0.33 - - - - -
Surfactant 13 - - - - - - - - -
Surfactant 14 - - - - - - 1.65 0.66 -
Surfactant 15 - - - - - - - - 0.66
Control Load 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7
Results
Viscosity 91.8 71.1 66.1 62.1 57.6 55.1 53.1 46.1 31.9
(cP 70 F)
[0073] Surfactant 14 is a 100% active CIO branched alcohol alkoxylated with 5
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[00741 Surfactant 15 is a 100% active CIO branched alcohol alkoxylated with 7
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[00751 Example 16 is unstable. Examples 17 and 20 are clear in appearance.
Example 21 is unstable. Viscosities and cloud points of Examples 16-24 are
compared
against Control Examples I and 2.
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[00761 In Table IV below, some of the Examples include blends of post-
alkoxylated alcohols, specifically, Examples 25-30. In other words, in these
Examples,
the alcohols are alkoxylated after blending/introduction with each other to
form the
surfactants, i.e., the first and second surfactants, which are then added to
the Control
Load to prepare Examples 25-30. The remaining Examples also include post-
alkoxylated alcohols, specifically, Examples 31 and 32; however, these
alcohols are not
blended with other alcohols prior to alkoxylating to form a surfactant. The
surfactant is
then added to the Control Load to prepare Examples 31 and 32.
[00771 To prepare Examples 25-30, amounts of a first aliphatic alcohol and a
second aliphatic alcohol are added to a vessel and mixed. Subsequently,
potassium
hydroxide (KOH) as a catalyst (i.e., a metal catalyst) is added to the vessel
and mixed
with the first aliphatic alcohol and the second aliphatic alcohol to form a
mixture. The
mixture is heated to 85 C and agitated for I hour. Subsequently, the mixture
is heated to
110 C and adjusted to a pressure of approximately 90 psig. Then, ethylene
oxide is
added to the mixture to react with the first aliphatic alcohol and the second
aliphatic
alcohol, thereby forming the respective first surfactant, the second
surfactant. The
temperature of the mixture is allowed to increase to approximately 145 C.
After
formation of the first surfactant, second surfactant, and polyethylene glycol,
the
temperature of the vessel is lowered to approximately 80 C. The Control Load
is then
added and mixed in the vessel to prepare the example. Examples 31 and 32 are
prepared
as like described above without adding the second aliphatic alcohol.
TABLE IV
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Example
Component 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32
Alcohol 16 0.66 2.64 1.98 1.98 - - - -
Alcohol 17 2.64 0.33 1.32 1.32 2.64 2.64 3.30 3.30
Alcohol 18 - - - - 0.33 0.33 - -
Control Load 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7 96.7
Results
Viscosity 19.5 15.0 0.0 0.0 80.0 36.1 70.1 57.1
(cP @ 70 F)
[0078] Alcohol 16 is 2-propylheptanol (2-PH).
[0079] Alcohol 17 is a C12-C14 linear alcohol blend.
[0080] Alcohol 18 is a C13-C15 branched alcohol blend.
[0081] The alcohols of Examples 25-32 are alkoxylated as previously described
above. The alcohols of Example 25 are alkoxylated with 8 moles (average) of
ethylene
oxide. The alcohols of Example 26 are alkoxylated with 8 moles (average) of
ethylene
oxide. The alcohols of Example 27 are alkoxylated with 5 moles (average) of
ethylene
oxide. The alcohols of Example 28 are alkoxylated with 9 moles (average) of
ethylene
oxide. The alcohols of Example 29 are alkoxylated with 6 moles (average) of
ethylene
oxide. The alcohols of Example 30 are alkoxylated with 6.5 moles (average) of
ethylene
oxide. The alcohol of Example 31 is alkoxylated with 5 moles (average) of
ethylene
oxide. The alcohol of Example 32 is alkoxylated with 5.5 moles (average) of
ethylene
oxide.
[0082] Examples 29 and 32 are clear in appearance. Example 31 is cloudy in
appearance. Viscosities and cloud points of Examples 25-32 are compared
against
Control Examples I and 2.
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[00831 An additional series of detergent compositions are prepared according
to
the present invention. Specifically, amounts of the surfactants are added to a
vessel and
mixed to prepare the detergent compositions. The amount and type of each
component
used to prepare the Examples are indicated in Table V below with all values in
percent by
weight based on the total weight of the Examples unless otherwise indicated.
TABLE V
Exam le
Component 33 34 35 36
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 6.00 - - -
Surfactant 16 - - 6.00 -
Surfactant 17 - - - 6.00
Surfactant 18 - 6.00 - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 92.0 92.0 92.0 92.0
Total 100 100 100 100
Viscosity (cps, spindle #2 2 6 64 518
pH, "as is" 10 10 10 10
Stability (R.T.) Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear
[00841 Surfactant 16 is a mixture of 80 percent (by weight) of Alcohol 17 and
20
percent (by weight) of Alcohol 18, which is alkoxylated with 6 moles (average)
of
ethylene oxide after combining the surfactants, as like described above with
Examples
25-30.
[00851 Surfactant 17 is a C14-C15 slightly branched alcohol blend, alkoxylated
with 7 moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
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[0086] Surfactant 18 is a C12-C15 slightly branched alcohol blend, alkoxylated
with 7 moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
[0087] Builder 1 is sodium carbonate (NaHCO3).
[0088] Bleach 1 is sodium borate decahydrate (NaBO3= l OH2O).
[0089] Referring to the Figures, Figure 1 is a bar chart illustrating
viscosities of
Examples 33-36. While Example 36 has high viscosity, i.e., 518 cps, Surfactant
17 alone
sacrifices benefits of anionic detergency profile. Generally, it is believed
that a
detergency profile of anionic surfactants provides better cleaning on
particulate soils than
nonionic surfactants, but poorer performance on oily soils than nonionic
surfactants. The
corresponding Examples illustrated in Figure 1 can be better appreciated by
reference to
Table V above.
[0090] Additional detergent compositions are prepared to develop viscosity
trends
of the detergent compositions, based upon specific surfactants employed, and
amounts
and ratios thereof. These detergent compositions are illustrated in the tables
below.
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TABLE VI
Example
Component 37 38 39 40 41
Anionic Surfactant
Surfactant 19 1.00 2.00 2.50 3.00 4.00
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 - - - - -
Surfactant 16 1.00 2.00 2.50 3.00 2.00
Surfactant 17 - - - - -
Surfactant 18 - - - - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 96.0 94.0 92.0 92.0 92.0
Total 100 100 99 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2) 4 25 54.6 98 84
pH, "as is" 10 10 10 10.1 10.1
Stability (R.T.) Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable/Clear Stable / Clear
Stable / Clear
[00911 Surfactant 19 is a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS).
Example 40 has excellent viscosity, detergency, and solubility relative to the
other
Examples in Table VI. Example 41 also has similar properties, as also
illustrated above.
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TABLE VII
Example
Component 42 43 44 45 46
Anionic Surfactant
Surfactant 19 2.00 5.00 1.00 4.50 1.50
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 - - - - -
Surfactant 16 4.00 1.00 5.00 1.50 4.50
Surfactant 17 - - - - -
Surfactant 18 - - - - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 92.0 92.0 92.0 91.0 91.0
Total 100 100 100 99 99
viscosity (cps, spindle #2) 121 33 132 68 133
pH, "as is" 10.1 10 10.1 10 10.1
Stability (R.T.) Stable/Clear Stable/Clear Stable / Clear Stable/ Clear Stable
/ Clear
[00921 Examples 42, 44, and 46 have excellent viscosities, as illustrated
above in
Table VII.
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TABLE VIII
Example
Component 47 48 49 50 51 52
Anionic Surfactant
Surfactant 19 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 - - - - - -
Surfactant 16 4.00 5.00 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00
Surfactant 17 - - - - - -
Surfactant 18 - - - - - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 90.0 88.0 86.0 84.0 82.0 80.0
Total 100 100 100 100 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2) 166 224 239 242 234 209
pH, "as is" 10 10 10 10 10 10
Stability (R.T.) Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear
Stable / Clear Stable / Clear
[0093] Examples 47-52 have excellent viscosities, as illustrated above in
Table
VIII.
[0094] Referring to the Figures, Figure 2 is a line graph illustrating a
viscosity
trend of the detergent compositions as a function of percent actives present
in the
detergent compositions at a weight ratio of 1: 1 nonionic to anionic
surfactants present in
the detergent compositions. Surprisingly, viscosity of the detergent
compositions
drastically increases from about 2% to about 14% actives (total % of anionic
and anionic
surfactants by weight, @ a weight ratio of 1:1 - Surfactant 16 to Surfactant
19), with the
most dramatic increase in viscosity from about 5% to about 10% actives (by
weight). It
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is to be appreciated that Examples 41-46 are excluded because they do not have
the 1:1
weight ratio as described above.
[00951 Figure 3 is a line graph illustrating a viscosity trend of detergent
compositions as a function of a weight ratio of nonionic to anionic
surfactants present in
the detergent compositions. Surprisingly, viscosity of the detergent
compositions
drastically increases from a weight ratio of about 1:5 to about 3:1
(Surfactant 16 to
Surfactant 19), with the most dramatic increase in viscosity from a weight
ratio of about
1:1 to about 3:1 (Surfactant 16 to Surfactant 19). The corresponding Examples
illustrated
in Figures 2 and 3 can be better appreciated by reference to the tables above.
100961 The two tables below illustrate detergent compositions lacking
Surfactant
16, which is a cleaning composition of the present invention. Surfactant 19
can be
considered the "third" surfactant of the present invention.
TABLE IX
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Example
Component 53 54 55 56 57
Anionic Surfactant
Surfactant 19 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 - - - 2.40 0.60
Surfactant 16 - - - - -
Surfactant 17 2.40 0.60 1.50 0.60 2.40
Surfactant 18 0.60 2.40 1.50 - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 92.0 92.0 92.0 92.0 92.0
Total 100 100 100 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2 17 11 14 9 16
pH, "as is" 10 10 10 10 10
Stability (R.T.) Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear
Stable / Clear
[00971 The viscosities of the Examples above are very low, as illustrated
above in
Table IX.
TABLE X
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Example
Component 58 59 60 61 62
Anionic Surfactant
Surfactant 19 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 1.50 2.40 0.60 1.50 -
Surfactant 16 - - - - -
Surfactant 17 1.50 3.00
Surfactant 18 - 0.60 2.40 1.50 -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 92.0 92.0 92.0 92.0 92.0
Total 100 100 100 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2 10 9 10 9 25
pH, "as is" 10 10 10 10 10
Stability (R.T.) Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear
Stable/Clear
[00981 The viscosities of the Examples above are very low, as illustrated
above in
Table X.
10
TABLE Xl
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Example
Component 63 64 65 66 67
Anionic Surfactant
Surfactant 19 0.50 1.00 1.25 1.50 2.00
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 - - - - -
Surfactant 16 1.50 3.00 3.75 4.50 6.00
Surfactant 17 - - - - -
Surfactant 18 - - - - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 96.0 94.0 93.0 92.0 90.0
Total 100 100 100 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2 10 56.6 93.5 133 200
pH, "as is" 10 10 10 10 10
Stability (R.T.) Clear / Stable Clear / Stable Clear / Stable Clear / Stable
Clear / Stable
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TABLE XII
Example
Component 68 69 70 71 72
Anionic Surfactant
Surfactant 19 2.50 3.00 3.50 4.00 4.50
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 - - - - -
Surfactant 16 7.50 9.00 10.50 12.00 13.50
Surfactant 17 - - - - -
Surfactant 18 - - - - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 88.0 86.0 84.0 82.0 80.0
Total 100 100 100 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2 240 265 270 284 254
pH, "as is" 10 10.1 10.2 10.1 10.1
Stability (R.T.) Clear/Stable Clear/Stable Clear/ Stable Clear / Stable Clear/
Stable
[0099] Referring to the Figures, Figure 4 is a line graph illustrating a
viscosity
trend of detergent compositions as a function of percent actives present in
the detergent
compositions at a weight ratio of 3:1 nonionic to anionic surfactants present
in the
detergent compositions. Surprisingly, viscosity of the detergent compositions
drastically
increases from about 2% to about 16% actives (total % of anionic and anionic
surfactants
by weight, @ a weight ratio of 3:1 - Surfactant 16 to Surfactant 19), with the
most
dramatic increase in viscosity from about 6% to about 8% actives (by weight).
It is to be
appreciated that Example 65 is excluded from Figure 4 because it included an
odd
number, i.e., 5, for its % actives.
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[00100] Figure 5 is a bar chart illustrating viscosities of Example 40 and
Examples
53-62. Surprising ly, Example 40 has a much higher viscosity relative to the
other
Examples which have various blends of nonionic surfactants (at 3% by weight)
with 3%
by weight LAS. The corresponding Examples illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 can
be better
appreciated by reference to the tables above.
TABLE XIII
Component Example
Anionic Surfactant 73 74 75 76 77
Surfactant 20 - - - 1.00 2.00
Surfactant 21 1.00 2.00 3.00 - -
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5
Surfactant 16 5.00 6.00 3.00 1.00 2.00
Surfactant 17 - - - - -
Surfactant 18 - - - - -
Surfactant 22 - - - - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 92.0 90.0 92.0 96.0 94.0
Total 100 100 100 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2) 73.5 45.1 7.5 0 2
pH, "as is" 10.1 10 10 10 10
Stability (R.T.) Stable/Clear Stable/Clear Stable/Clear Stable / Clear Stable
/ Clear
[00101] Surfactant 20 is an alkyl ether sulfate (AES) alkoxylated with 3 moles
of
ethylene oxide.
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[001021 Surfactant 21 is an alkyl ether sulfate (AES) alkoxylated with 2 moles
of
ethylene oxide.
[001031 Surfactant 22 is a stearyl C16-C18 alcohol ethoxylate having 55 moles
of
ethylene oxide.
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TABLE XIV
Component Example
Anionic Surfactant 78 79 80 81 82
Surfactant 20 3.00 1.00 2.00 6.00 6.00
Surfactant 21 - - - - -
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5
Surfactant 16 3.00 5.00 4.00 1.50 3.00
Surfactant 17 - - - - -
Surfactant 18 - - - - -
Surfactant 22 - - - 1.50 -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 92.0 92.0 92.0 89.0 89.0
Total 100 100 100 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2) 4 88.5 20.5 4.5 2.5
pH, "as is" 10 10.1 10 10.1 10
Stability (R.T.) Stable/Clear Stable/Clear Stable/Clear Stable/Clear
Stable/Clear
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TABLE XV
Component Example
Anionic Surfactant 83 84 85 86 87
Surfactant 20 6.00 3.00 3.00 4.00 5.00
Surfactant 21 - - - - -
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 6.00 - - - --
Surfactant 16 - - - 4.00 5.00
Surfactant 17 - 3.00 - - -
Surfactant 18 - - 3.00 - -
Surfactant 22 - - - - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 86.0 92.0 92.0 90.0 88.0
Total 100 100 100 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2) 0 0 0 8 15
pH, "as is" 10 10 10 10 10
Stability (R.T.) Stable/Clear Stable/Clear Stable/Clear Stable / Clear Stable
/ Clear
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TABLE XVI
Component Example
Anionic Surfactant 88 89 90 91
Surfactant 20 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00
Surfactant 21 - - - -
Nonionic Surfactant
Surfactant 5 - - - -
Surfactant 16 6.00 7.00 8.00 9.00
Surfactant 17 - - - -
Surfactant 18 - - - -
Surfactant 22 - - - -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00
Water 86.0 84.0 82.0 80.0
Total 100 100 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2) 26 55 109 225
pH, "as is" 10 10 10 10
Stability (R.T.) Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear Stable / Clear
[001041 Figure 6 is a bar chart illustrating viscosities of Examples 73-81 and
Examples 83-91. Surprisingly, relative to employing LAS as illustrated in
Figure 5,
employing AES tends in place of LAS tends to lower viscosity of the detergent
compositions. While excluded from Figure 6, Example 82 has a viscosity of 2.5
cps, as
shown in Table XIV. The corresponding Examples illustrated in Figure 6 can be
better
appreciated by reference to the tables above.
[00105] Detergency evaluations are performed on a few of the examples
according
to methods known in the art. Delta E* for the various examples are illustrated
in the two
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tables below. As understood in the art, Delta E* units describe the
improvement in
cleaning from before washing to after washing.
TABLE XVII
Example
92 93 94 95
Surfactant No. Control 1 5 12 23
Material/Substrate Delta E*
Sebum/Cotton 9.60 9.52 9.23 9.36
Sebum/Blend 8.99 9.06 8.74 9.13
Make-up/Blend 34.60 35.01 35.08 34.88
Humus/Blend 27.83 27.80 26.53 27.38
Black Charm/Cotton 11.06 11.70 11.37 11.74
Black Charm/Blend 17.39 17.22 17.42 17.34
Coffee/Blend 19.13 19.01 18.67 18.85
Blueberry/Cotton 21.00 20.91 20.58 20.45
Grape Juice/Blend 41.40 41.90 42.21 41.80
Blood/Cotton 1.96 1.90 1.97 2.00
Grass/Blend 7.75 7.49 8.24 7.88
Chocolate/Blend 19.89 20.06 19.35 19.63
[001061 Surfactant 23 is a C15-C17 branched alcohol blend, alkoxylated with 7
moles (average) of ethylene oxide.
15
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TABLE XVIII
Example
96 97 98 99
Surfactant No. 24 25 16 26
Material/Substrate Delta E*
Sebum/Cotton 8.86 9.29 9.51 9.35
Sebum/Blend 8.86 9.08 9.08 9.04
Make-up/Blend 35.14 35.38 34.76 35.08
Humus/Blend 28.33 27.79 27.66 27.41
Black Charm/Cotton 12.02 11.78 11.08 11.97
Black Charm/Blend 17.17 17.51 17.42 17.30
Coffee/Blend 18.90 18.72 19.00 19.10
Blueberry/Cotton 19.73 20.94 21.04 20.60
Grape Juice/Blend 40.79 41.20 41.94 41.73
Blood/Cotton 2.33 2.77 2.30 2.30
Grass/Blend 7.64 7.94 8.06 8.16
Chocolate/Blend 19.47 19.62 20.18 19.55
[00107] Surfactant 24 is Alcohol 17, which is alkoxylated with 5.5 moles
(average)
of ethylene oxide, as like described above with Examples 25-30.
[00108] Surfactant 25 is Alcohol 17, which is alkoxylated with 6 moles
(average)
of ethylene oxide, as like described above with Examples 25-30.
[00109] Surfactant 26 is a mixture of 80 percent (by weight) of Alcohol 17 and
20
percent (by weight) of Alcohol 18, which is alkoxylated with 6.5 moles
(average) of
ethylene oxide after combining the surfactants, as like described above with
Examples
25-30.
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[00110] An additional Example is prepared (Example 100) to illustrate
replacement of NPE with the cleaning composition, e.g. Surfactant 16, of the
present
invention.
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TABLE XIX
Example
Component 40 100
Anionic Surfactant
Surfactant 19 3.00 3.00
Nonionic Surfactant
Control Surfactant 2 - 3.00
Surfactant 16 3.00 -
Builder Component
Builder 1 1.00 1.00
Bleach Component
Bleach 1 1.00 1.00
Water 92.0 92.0
Total 100 100
viscosity (cps, spindle #2 98 90
[00111] As illustrated in table above in Table XIX, viscosity of Example 40 is
greater than that of Example 100, which illustrates a detergent composition of
the present
invention excluding NPE. Overall, Example 40 provided an excellent combination
of
viscosity, detergency and solubility. In other words, Example 40 provided an
excellent
replacement for a nonionic surfactant such as ethoxylated nonylphenol (NPE),
e.g.
Control Surfactant 2.
[00112] The present invention has been described herein in an illustrative
manner,
and it is to be understood that the terminology which has been used is
intended to be in
the nature of words of description rather than of limitation. Obviously, many
modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of
the above
teachings. The invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically
described
within the scope of the appended claims.
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