Field of the Invention
[0001] This invention relates to surfactant combinations which provide good detergency and,
optionally, good fluorescer effectiveness and/or suds control and/or corrosion inhibition
in a laundry context. Such compositions can be either built or unbuilt, granular or
liquid, and can contain the usual auxiliary ingredients common to such compositions.
Description of the Prior Art
[0002] Alkylpolyglycosides which are surfactants have been disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,598,865;
3,721,633; and 3,772,269. These patents also disclose processes for making alkylpolyglycoside
surfactants and built liquid detergent compositions containing these surfactants.
U.S. Patent 3,219,656 discloses alkylmono- glucosides and suggests their utility as
foam stabilizers for other surfactants. Various polyglycoside surfactant structures
and processes for making them are disclosed in U.S. Patents 2,974,134; 3,640,998;
3,839,318; 3,314,936; 3,346,558; 4,011,389; 4,223,129.
[0003] Built detergent compositions containing alkylpolysaccharide surfactants are also
disclosed in copending published EP-A 0 075 994 and EP-A 0 075 995.
[0004] All percentages, parts and ratios used herein are by weight unless otherwise specified.
Summary of the Invention
[0005] This invention relates to the discovery of certain combinations of surfactants which
provide unusually good detergency, especially in cool water, for a variety of fabric
types. Specifically this invention relates to detergent compositions comprising:
A. from 1% to 90%, preferably from 4% to 10% by weight, of an alkylpolysaccharide
detergent surfactant having the formula

where R is an alkyl, alkyl phenyl, alkyl benzyl, or mixtures thereof, said alkyl groups
containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, being either saturated or unsatured, and containing
from 0 to 3 hydroxy groups, where each R' is an ethylene-, propylene- or―CH2―CH(OH)―CH2-group, and y is from 0 to 12; and where each Z is a moiety derived from a reducing
saccharide containing 5 to 6 carbon atoms, and x is a number from 1.5 to 10;
B. from 1% to 90% by weight of a nonionic detergent surfactant;
C. from 0% to 90% by weight of a detergency builder; and
D. from 0.01 % to 2% by weight of an anionic optical brightener, the weight ratio
of A to B being from 1:10 to 10:1.
[0006] A special advantage of the combination of detergent surfactants herein is their superior
compatibility with anionic fluorescent or optical brighteners. Nonionic surfactants,
especially ethoxylated nonionic detergent surfactants, normally diminish the effectiveness
of such brighteners. With the addition of the alkylpolyglycoside surfactant, the brightener
effectiveness is dramatically improved, especially on cotton.
Description of the Preferred Embodiments
The Alkylpolysaccharide Surfactant
[0007] It has surprisingly been found that cosurfactants interact with the alkylpolysaccharide
surfactant of this invention to provide good laundry detergency for a wide range of
fabrics. The alkylpolysaccharides are those having a hydrophobic group containing
from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms and a polysaccharide,
e.g., a polyglycoside, hydrophilic group containing from H to 10, preferably from
1'2 to 3, most preferably from 1.6 to 2.7 saccharide units. Any reducing saccharide
containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, e.g. glucose, galactose and galactosyl
moieties can substitute for the glucosyl moieties. (Optionally the hydrophobic group
is attached at the 2, 3, 4 etc. positions thus giving a glucose or galactose as opposed
to a glucoside or galactoside.) The intersaccharide bonds can be, e.g., between the
one position of the additional saccharide units and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6 positions
on the .preceding saccharide units.
[0008] Optionally, and less desirably, there can be a polyalkoxide chain joining the hydrophobic
moiety and the polysaccharide moiety. The preferred alkoxide is ethylene oxide. Typical
hydrophobic groups include alkyl groups, either saturated or unsaturated, branched
or unbranched containing from about 8 to about 18, preferably from 10 to 16 carbon
atoms. Preferably, the alkyl group is a straight chain saturated alkyl group. The
alkyl group can contain up to 3 hydroxy groups and/or the polyalkoxide chain can contain
up to about 10, preferably less than 5, most preferably 0, alkoxide moieties. Suitable
alkyl polysaccharides are octyl, nonyldecyl, undecyldodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl,
pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, and octadecyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides,
galactosides, lactosides, glucoses, fructosides, fructoses, and/ or galactoses. Suitable
mixtures include coconut alkyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentaglucosides and tallow
alkyl tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides.
[0009] The preferred alkylpolyglycosides have the formula

wherein R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl,
hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in which said alkyl groups contain from about
10 to about 18, preferably from
12 to 14 carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3, preferably 2; y is from 0 to 10, preferably 0; and
x is from H to 10, preferably from H to 3, most preferably from 1.6 to 2.7. The glycosyl
is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare compounds the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy
alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to
form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl units are
attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units 2-, 3-, 4- and/or
6-position, preferably predominately the 2-position.
[0010] Preferably the content of alkylmonoglycoside is low, preferably less than 60%, more
preferably less than 50%.
[0011] Surprisingly, anionic fluorescers which are normally relatively ineffective in the
presence of conventional ethoxylated nonionic detergent surfactants at high levels
in the absence of substantial levels of anionic detergent surfactants, are very effective
when the alkylpolyglycoside surfactants are present. For brightener effectiveness,
the ratio of alkylpolyglycoside detergent surfactant to nonionic detergent surfactant
should be greater than 1:4 preferably greater than 1:3, most preferably greater than
1:1.
The Nonionic Detergent Surfactant
Nonionic Surfactant
[0012] Nonionic surfactants, including those having an HLB of from 5 to 17, are well known
in the detergency art. They are included in the compositions of the present invention
together with the, e.g., alkylpolyglycoside surfactants defined hereinbefore. They
may be used singly or in combination with one or more of the preferred alcohol ethoxylate
nonionic surfactants, described below, to form nonionic surfactant mixtures useful
in combination with the alkylpolyglycosides. Examples of such surfactants are listed
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,630, Booth, issued Feb. 20, 1973, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,332,880,
Kessler et al, issued July 25, 1967. Nonlimiting examples of suitable nonionic surfactants
which may be used in the present invention are as follows:
(1) The polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols. These compounds include the
condensation products of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from 6 to
12 carbon atoms in either a straight chain or branched chain configuration with ethylene
oxide, said ethylene oxide being present in an amount equal to 5 to 25 moles of ethylene
oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. The alkyl substituent in such compounds can be derived,
for example, from polymerized propylene, diisobutylene, and the like. Examples of
compounds of this type include nonyl phenol condensed with 9.5 moles of ethylene oxide
per mole of nonyl phenol; dodecylphenol condensed with 12 moles of ethylene oxide
per mole of phenol; dinonyl phenol condensed with 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole
of phenol; and diisooctyl phenol condensed with 15-moles of ethylene oxide per mole
of phenol. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Igepal
CO-630, marketed by the GAF Corporation, and Triton X-45, X-114, X-100, and X-102,
all marketed by the Rohm & Haas Company.
(2) The condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with from 1 to 25 moles of ethylene
oxide. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched,
primary or secondary, and generally contains from 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Examples of
such ethoxylated alcohols include the condensation product of myristyl alcohol condensed
with 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol; and the condensation product
of 9 moles of ethylene oxide with coconut alcohol (a mixture of fatty alcohols with
alkyl chains varying in length from 10 to 14 carbon atoms). Examples of commercially
available nonionic surfactants in this type include Tergitol 15-S-9, marketed by Union
Carbide Corporation, Neodol 45-9, Neodol 23―6.5, Neodol 45―7, and Neodol 45―4, marketed
by Shell Chemical Company, and Kyro EOB, marketed by The Procter & Gamble Company.
(3) The condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by
the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol. The hydrophobic portion
of these compounds has a molecular weight of from 1500 to 1800 and exhibits water
insolubility. The addition of polyoxyethylene moieties to this hydrophobic portion
tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole, and the liquid
character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene content
is 50% of the total weight of the condensation product, which corresponds to condensation
with up to 40 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of compounds of this type include
certain of the commercially available Pluronic surfactants, marketed by Wyandotte
Chemical Corporation.
(4) The condensation products of ethylene oxide with the product resulting from the
reaction of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. The hydrophobic moiety of these products
consists of the reaction product of ethylenediamine and excess propylene oxide, said
moiety having a molecular weight of from 2500 to 3000. This hydrophobic moiety is
condensed with ethylene oxide to the extent that the condensation product contains
from 40% to 80% by weight of polyoxyethylene and has a molecular weight of from 5,000
to 11,000. Examples of this type of nonionic surfactant include certain of the commercially
available Tetronic compounds, marketed by Wyandotte Chemical Corporation.
(5) Semi-polar nonionic detergent surfactants include water-soluble amine oxides containing
one alkyl moiety of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group
consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl groups containing from 1 to about 3 carbon
atoms; water-soluble phosphine oxides containing one alkyl moiety of 10 to 18 carbon
atoms and 2 moieties selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups and hydroxyalkyl
groups containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; and water-soluble sulfoxides containing
one alkyl moiety of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and a moiety selected from the group
consisting of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl moieties of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms.
[0013] Preferred semi-polar nonionic detergent surfactants are the amine oxide detergent
surfactants having the formula

wherein R is an alkyl, hydroxy alkyl, or alkyl phenyl group or mixtures thereof containing
from 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R
4 is an alkylene or hydroxy alkylene group containing from 2 to 3 carbon atoms or mixtures
thereof, x is from 0 to 3 and each R
5 is an alkyl or hydroxy alkyl group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a polyethylene
oxide group containing from one to about 3 ethylene oxide groups and said R5 groups
can be attached to each other, e.g., through an oxygen or nitrogen atom to form a
ring structure.
[0014] Preferred amine oxide detergent surfactants are C
10-18 alkyl dimethyl amine oxide, C
8-18 alkyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxide, and C
8-12 alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxide.
[0015] Nonionic detergent surfactants (1)-(4) are conventional ethoxylated nonionic detergent
surfactants.
[0016] Preferred alcohol ethoxylate nonionic surfactants for use in the compositions of
the present invention are biodegradable and have the formula

wherein R
S is a primary or secondary alkyl chain of from 8 to 22, preferably from 10 to 20,
carbon atoms and n is an average of from 2 to 12, particularly from 2 to 9. The nonionics
have an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) of from 5 to 17, preferably from 6 to
15. HLB is defined in detail in Nonionic Surfactants, by M. J. Schick, Marcel Dekker,
Inc., 1966, pages 606―613. In preferred nonionic surfactants, n is from 3 to 7. Primary
linear alcohol ethoxylates (e.g., alcohol ethoxylates produced from organic alcohols
which contain about 20% 2-methyl branched isomers, commercially available from Shell
Chemical Company under the tradename Neodol) are preferred from a performance standpoint.
[0017] Particularly preferred nonionic surfactants for use in the compositions of the present
invention include the condensation product of C
10 alcohol with 3 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of tallow alcohol
with 9 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of coconut alcohol with 5
moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of coconut alcohol with 6 moles
of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of C,
2 alcohol with 5 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of C
12-
13 alcohol with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide, and the same condensation product which
is stripped so as to remove substantially all lower ethoxylate and nonethoxylated
fractions; the condensation product of C
12-
13 alcohol with 2.3 moles of ethylene oxide, and the same condensation product which
is stripped so as to remove substantially all lower ethoxylate and nonethoxylated
fractions; the condensation product of C
12-
13 alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of C
14-15 alcohol with 2.25 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of C
14-15 alcohol with 4 moles of ethylene oxide; the condensation product of C
14-
15 alcohol with 7 moles of ethylene oxide; and the condensation product of C
14-15 alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide.
[0018] The compositions of the present invention may contain mixtures of the preferred alcohol
ethoxylate nonionic surfactants together with other types of nonionic surfactants.
One of the preferred nonionic surfactant mixtures contains at least one of the preferred
alcohol ethoxylate nonionics, and has a ratio of the preferred alcohol ethoxylate
surfactant (or surfactants) to the other nonionic surfactant (or surfactants) of from
about 1:1 to about 5:1. Specific examples of surfactant mixtures useful in the present
invention include a mixture of the condensation product of C
14-15 alcohol with 3 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 45―3) and the condensation product
of C
14-15 alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-9), in a ratio of lower ethoxylate
nonionic to higher ethoxylate nonionic of from about 1:1 to about 3:1; a mixture of
the condensation product of C
10 alcohol with 3 moles of ethylene oxide together with the condensation product of
a secondary C
15 alcohol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15―S―9), in a ratio of lower ethoxylate
nonionic to higher ethoxylate nonionic of from about 1:1 to about 4:1; a mixture of
Neodol 45―3 and Tergitol 15―S―9, in a ratio of lower ethoxylate nonionic to higher
ethoxylate nonionic of from about 1:1 to about 3:1; and a mixture of Neodol 45―3 with
the condensation product of myristyl alcohol with 10 moles of ethylene oxide, in a
ratio of lower ethoxylate to higher ethoxylate of from about 1:1 to about 3:1.
[0019] Preferred nonionic surfactant mixtures may also contain alkyl glyceryl ether compounds
together with the preferred alcohol ethoxylate surfactants. Particularly preferred
are glyceryl ethers having the formula

wherein R
9 is an alkyl or alkenyl group of from 8 to 18, preferably 8 to 12, carbon atoms or
an alkaryl group having from 5 to 14 carbons in the alkyl chain, and n is from 0 to
6, together with the preferred alcohol ethoxylates, described above, in a ratio of
alcohol ethoxylate to glyceryl ether of from 1:1 to 4:1, particularly 7:3. Glyceryl
ethers of the type useful in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
4,098,713, Jones, issued July 4, 1978.
[0020] The ratio of alkylpolyglycoside detergent surfactant to nonionic detergent surfactant
is from 10:1 to 1:10, preferably from 3:1 to 1:3.
The Detergency Builder
[0021] The detergent compositions herein also contain from 0% to 90%, preferably from 5%
to 50%, and more preferably from 10% to 35% of a detergent builder. Such builders
include, by way of example, a crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material of
the formula

wherein z and y are at least about 6, the molar ratio of z to y is from 1.0 to 0.5
and x is from 10 to 264. Amorphous hydrated aluminosilicate materials useful herein
have the empirical formula

wherein M is sodium, potassium, ammonium or substituted ammonium, z is from 0.5 to
2 and y is 1, said material having a magnesium ion exchange capacity of at least 50
milligram equivalents of CaC0
3 hardness per gram of anhydrous aluminosilicate.
[0022] The aluminosilicate ion exchange builder materials herein are in hydrated form and
contain from 10% to 28% of water by weight if crystalline, and potentially even higher
amounts of water if amorphous. Highly preferred crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange
materials contain from 18% to 22% water in their crystal matrix. The preferred crystalline
aluminosilicate ion exchange materials are further characterized by a particle size
diameter of from about 0.1 micron to about 10 microns. Amorphous materials are often
smaller, e.g., down to less than about 0.01 micron. More preferred ion exchange materials
have a particle size diameter of from 0.2 micron to 4 microns. The term "particle
size diameter" herein represents the average particle size diameter of a given ion
exchange material as determined by conventional analytical techniques such as, for
example, microscopic determination utilizing a scanning electron microscope. The crystalline
aluminosilicate ion exchange materials herein are usually further characterized by
their calcium ion exchange capacity, which is at least 200 mg. equivalent of CaC0
3 water hardness/g. of aluminosilicate, calculated on an anhydrous basis, and which
generally is in the range of from 300 mg. eq./g. to about 352 mg. eqJg. The aluminosilicate
ion exchange materials herein are still further characterized by their calcium ion
exchange rate which is at least about 2 grains Ca
++/gallon/minute/gram/gallon of aluminosilicate (anhydrous basis), and generally lies
within the range of from about 2 grains/gallon/minute/gram/ gallon to 6 grains/gallon/minute/gram/gallon,
based on calcium ion hardness. Optimum aluminosilicates for builder purposes exhibit
a calcium ion exchange rate of at least about 4 grains/gallon/minute/gram/ gallon.
[0023] The amorphous aluminosilicate ion exchange materials usually have a Mg
++ exchange capacity of at least 50 mg. eq. CaCO
3/g. (12 mg. Mg
++/g.) and a Mg
++ exchange rate of at least about 1 grain/gallon/ minute/gram/gallon. Amorphous materials
do not exhibit an observable diffraction pattern when examined by Cu radiation (1.54
Angstrom Units).
[0024] Aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful in the practice of this invention are
commercially available. The aluminosilicates useful in this invention can be crystalline
or amorphous in structure and can be naturally-occurring aluminosilicates or synthetically
derived. A method for producing aluminosilicate ion exchange materials is discussed
in U.S. Patent 3,985,669, Krummel, et al, issued October 12, 1976. Preferred synthetic
crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange materials useful herein are available under
the designations Zeolite A, Zeolite P (B), and Zeolite X. In an especially preferred
embodiment, the crystalline aluminosilicate ion exchange material has the formula

wherein x is from 20 to 30, especially about 27.
[0025] Other examples of detergency builders include water-soluble neutral or alkaline salts.
[0026] Other useful water-soluble salts include the compounds commonly known as detergent
builder materials. Builders are generally selected from the various water-soluble,
alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium phosphates, polyphosphates, phosphonates,
polyphosphonates, carbonates, silicates, borates, polyhydroxysulfonates, polyacetates,
carboxylates, and polycarboxylates. Preferred are the alkali metal, especially sodium,
salts of the above.
[0027] Specific examples of inorganic phosphate builders are sodium and potassium tripolyphosphate,
pyrophosphate, polymeric metaphate having a degree of polymerization of from about
6 to 21, and orthophosphate. Examples of polyphosphonate builders are the sodium and
potassium salts of ethylene-1,1-diphosphonic acid, the sodium and potassium salts
of ethane 1-hydroxy-1,1-diphosphonic acid and the sodium and potassium salts of ethane,
1,1,2-triphosphonic acid. Other phosphorus builder compounds are disclosed in U.S.
Patents 3,159,581; 3,213,030; 3,422,021; 3,422,137; 3,400,176 and 3,400,148.
[0028] Examples of nonphosphorus, inorganic builders are sodium and potassium carbonate,
bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate, tetraborate decahydrate, and silicate having a molar
ratio of Si0
2 to alkali metal oxide of from 0.5 to 4.0, preferably from 1.0 to 2.4.
[0029] Water-soluble, nonphosphorus organic builders useful herein include the various alkali
metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates
and polyhydroxysulfonates. Examples of polyacetate and polycarboxylate builders are
the sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of ethylenediamine
tetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxy- disuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene
polycarboxylic acids, and citric acid.
[0030] Highly preferred polycarboxylate builders herein are set forth in U.S. Patent No.
3,308,067, Diehl, issued March 7, 1967. Such materials include the water-soluble salts
of homo- and copolymers of aliphatic carboxylic acids such as maleic acid, itaconic
acid, mesaconic acid, fumaric acid, aconitic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic
acid.
[0031] Other builders include the carboxylated carbohydrates of U.S. Patent 3,723,322, Diehl.
[0032] Other useful builders herein are sodium and potassium carboxymethyloxymalonate, carboxy-
methyloxysuccinate, cis-cyclohexaneh exacarboxyl ate, cis-cyclopentanetetracarboxylate
phloroglucinol trisulfonate, water-soluble polyacrylates (having molecular weights
of from about 2,000 to about 200,000 for example), and the copolymers of maleic anhydride
with vinyl methyl ether or ethylene.
[0033] Other suitable polycarboxylates for use herein are the polyacetal carboxylates described
in U.S. Pat. 4,144,226, issued March 13, 1979 to Crutchfield et al, and U.S. Pat.
4,246,495, issued March 27, 1979 to Crutchfield et al. These polyacetal carboxylates
can be prepared by bringing together under polymerization conditions an ester of glyoxylic
acid and a polymerization initiator. The resulting polyacetal carboxylate ester is
then attached to chemically stable end groups to stabilize the polyacetal carboxylate
against rapid depolymerization in alkaline solution, converted to the corresponding
salt, and added to a surfactant.
[0034] Other detergency builder materials useful herein are the "seeded builder" compositions
disclosed in Belgian Patent No. 798,856, issued Oct. 29, 1973. Specific examples of
such seeded builder mixtures are: 3:1 wt. mixtures of sodium carbonate and calcium
carbonate having 5 micron particle diameter; 2.7:1 wt. mixtures of sodium sesquicarbonate
and calcium carbonate having a particle diameter of 0.5 microns; 20:1 wt. mixtures
of sodium sesquicarbonate and calcium hydroxide having a particle diameter of 0.01
micron; and a 3:3:1 wt. mixture of sodium carbonate, sodium aluminate and calcium
oxide having a particle diameter of 5 microns.
Optional Ingredients
[0035] In addition to the detergent surfactants described hereinbefore, the detergent compositions
herein can contain from 1% to 15%, preferably from 2% to 8%, of an organic surfactant
selected from the group consisting of anionic, zwitterionic, ampholytic, and cationic
surfactants, and mixtures thereof. Surfactants useful herein are listed in U.S. Pat.
3,664,961, Norris, issued May 23,1972, and U.S. Pat. 3,919,678, Laughtin et aI, issued
Dec. 30, 1975. Useful cationic surfactants also include those described in U.S. Pat.
4,222,905, Cockrell, issued Sept. 16,1980, and in U.S. Pat. 4,239,659, Murphy, issued
Dec. 16,1980. The following are representative examples of surfactants useful in the
present compositions.
[0036] Water-soluble salts of the higher fatty acids, i.e., "soaps", are useful anionic
surfactants in the compositions herein. This includes alkali metal soaps such as the
sodium, potassium, ammonium, and alkylolammonium salts of higher fatty acids containing
from 8 to 24 carbon atoms, and preferably from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms.
Soaps can be made by direct saponification of fats and oils or by the neutralization
of free fatty acids. Particularly useful are the sodium and potassium salts of the
mixtures of fatty acids derived from coconut oil and tallow, i.e., sodium or potassium
tallow and coconut soap. The preferred soap, as discussed hereinbefore and hereinafter,
especially in combination with semipolar or amide nonionic detergent surfactants,
is at least partially unsaturated.
[0037] The unsaturated fatty acid soap of this invention contains from 16 to 22 carbon atoms,
preferably in a straight chain configuration. Preferably the number of carbon atoms
in the unsaturated fatty acid soap is from 16 to 18.
[0038] The unsaturated soap, in common with other anionic detergent and other anionic materials
in the detergent compositions of this invention, has a cation which renders the soap
water-soluble and/or dispersible. Suitable cations include sodium, potassium, ammonium,
monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium, tetramethylammonium, etc.
cations. Sodium ions are preferred although in liquid formulations ammonium, and triethanolammonium
cations are useful.
[0039] A level of at least about 1% of the unsaturated fatty acid soap is desirable to provide
a noticeable reduction in sudsing and corrosion. Preferred levels of unsaturated fatty
acid soap are from 1% to 15%, preferably from 1% to 10%, most preferably from 2% to
5%. The unsaturated fatty acid soap is preferably present at a level that will provide
a level of from 15
ppm to 200
ppm, preferably from 25 ppm to
125 ppm in the wash solution at recommended U.S. usage levels and from 30 ppm to
1000 ppm, preferably from 50 ppm to 500 ppm for European usage levels.
[0040] Mono-, di-, and triunsaturated fatty acids are all essentially equivalent so it is
preferred to use mostly monounsaturated soaps to minimize the risk of rancidity. Suitable
sources of unsaturated fatty acids are well known. For example, see Bailey
's Industrial Oil and Fat Products, Third Edition, Swern, published by interscience
Publisher (1964).
[0041] Preferably, the level of saturated soaps is kept as low as possible, preferably less
than about 60%, preferably less than about 50% of the total soap is saturated soap.
However, low levels of saturated soap can be used. Tallow and palm oil soaps can be
used.
[0042] Useful synthetic anionic surfactants also include the water-soluble salts, preferably
the alkali metal, ammonium and alkylolammonium salts, of organic sulfuric reaction
products having in their molecular structure an alkyl group containing from 10 to
20 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group.
[0043] Such synthetic anionic detergent surfactants are desirable additives at a level of
from 1% to 10% to increase the overall detergency effect and, if desired, increase
the level of suds. (Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.)
Examples of this group of synthetic surfactants are the sodium and potassium alkyl
sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating the higher alcohols (C
a-C,
8 carbon atoms) such as those produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut
oil; and the sodium and potassium alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group
contains from 9 to 15 carbon atoms, in straight chain or branched chain configuration,
e.g., those of the type described in U.S. Pats. 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially
valuable are linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the average number
of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from 11 to 13, abbreviated as C
11-13LAS.
[0044] Preferred anionic detergent surfactants are the alkyl polyethoxylate sulfates, particularly
those in which the alkyl contains from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to
18 and wherein the polyethoxylate chain contains from 1 to 15 ethoxylate moieties
preferably from 1 to 3 ethoxylate moieties. These anionic detergent surfactants are
particularly desirable for formulating heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent compositions.
[0045] Other anionic surfactants herein are the sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates,
especially those ethers of higher alcohols derived from tallow and coconut oil; sodium
coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulfonates and sulfates; sodium or potassium
salts of alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing from 1 to 10 units
of ethylene oxide per molecule"and wherein the alkyl groups contain from 8 to 12 carbon
atoms; and sodium or potassium salts of alkyl ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing
1 to 10 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and wherein the alkyl group contains
from 10 to 20 carbon atoms.
[0046] Other useful anionic surfactants herein include the water-soluble salts of esters
of alpha-sulfonated fatty acids containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the fatty
acid group and from about 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the ester group; water-soluble salts
of 2-acyloxy-alkane-1-sulfonic acids containing from 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl
group and from 9 to 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; alkyl ether sulfates containing
from 10 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from 1 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide;
water-soluble salts of olefin sulfonates containing from about 12 to 24 carbon atoms;
and beta-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl
group and from 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety.
[0047] Ampholytic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic or aliphatic derivatives
of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic moiety can be
straight chain or branched and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains
from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and at least one aliphatic substituent contains an
anionic water-solubilizing group.
[0048] Zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium,
and sulfonium compounds in which one of the aliphatic substituents contains from about
8 to 18 carbon atoms.
[0049] Particularly preferred auxiliary surfactants herein include linear alkylbenzene sulfonates
containing from about 11 to 14 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; tallowalkyl sulfates;
coconutalkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates; alkyl ether sulfates wherein the alkyl moiety
contains from 14 to 18 carbon atoms and wherein the average degree of ethoxylation
is from 1 to 4; olefin or paraffin sulfonates containing from 14 to 16 carbon atoms;
and alkyldimethylammonium propane sulfonates and alkyldimethylammonium hydroxy propane
sulfonates wherein the alkyl group contains from 14 to 18 carbon atoms.
[0050] Specific preferred surfactants for use herein include: sodium, potassium, mono-,
di-, and triethanolammonium C
14-
15 alkyl polyethoxylate,_
3 sulfates; sodium linear C
"-
13 alkylbenzene sulfonate; triethanolamine C
11-13 alkylbenzene sulfonate; sodium tallow alkyl sulfate; sodium coconut alkyl glyceryl
ether sulfonate; the sodium salt of a sulfated condensation product of a tallow alcohol
with 4 moles of ethylene oxide; 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-coconutalkylammonio)-2hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate;
3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-coconutalkylammoniopropane-l-sulfonate; 6-(N-dodecylbenryl-N,N-dimethylammonio)-hexanoate;
and coconut alkyldimethyl amine oxide.
[0051] Other adjunct components which may be included in the compositions of the present
invention, in their conventional art-established levels for use (i.e., from 0 to 90%),
include solvents, bleaching agents, bleach activators, soil-suspending agents, corrosion
inhibitors, dyes, fillers, germicides, pH adjusting agents (monoethanolamine, sodium
carbonate, sodium hydroxide, etc.), enzymes, enzyme-stabilizing agents, perfumes,
fabric softening components, static control agents, and the like.
[0052] Fatty acid amide detergent surfactants useful herein include those having the formula:

wherein R
6 is an alkyl group containing from 7 to 21 (preferably from 9 to 17) carbon atoms
and each R
7 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C
1-4 alkyl, C
1-4 hydroxy alkyl, and ―(C
2H
4O)
xH where x varies from 1 to about 3.
[0053] Preferred amides are C
8-20 ammonia amides, monoethanolammonium, diethanolamides, and isopropanol amides.
[0054] From 0.01 to 2%, preferably from 0.
1 to 1% optical brightener is used.
The Optical Brightener
[0055] Suitable brighteners include the following:
bis anilino (R) triazinyl amino stilbene sulfonate having the formula:

wherein M is preferably Na, but can be any compatible cation such as potassium, ammonium,
substituted ammonium, e.g. mono-, di-, and triethanolammonium, etc.; X can be

where R2 is selected from H, phenyl, C1-4 alkyl, or C1-4 hydroxyalkyl; morpholino-, hydroxy;


or mixtures thereof; and R can be H or S03M.
[0056] In represented structures, R and X are:
tetrasodium 4,4'-bis[(4"-bis(2"'-hydroxyethyl)amino-6"-(3""-sulphenyl)amino-1",3",5"-triazin-2"-
yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate;
disodium-4-(6'-sulfonaphtho[1',2',d]triazol-2-yl)-2-stilbenesulfonate;
disodium 4,4'-bis((4"-(2"'-hydroxyethylamino)-6"-anilino-1",3",5"-triazin-2"-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbene-
disulfonate;
disodium 4,4'-bis[(4"-(2"'-hydroxyethoxy)-6"-anilino-1",3",5"-triazin-2"-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbene-
disulfonate;
disodium 4,4'-bis(4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonate;
sodium 4-(2H-naphtho[1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)stilbene-2-sulfonate;
disodium 4,4'-bis-(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl;
disodium 4-(2H-6-sulfonaphtho(1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)stilbene-2-sulfonate; and
disodium 3,7-bis(2,4-dimethoxybenzamido)-2,8-dibenzothiophenedisulfonate-5,5-dioxide.
[0057] Other suitable brighteners are disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,537,9
93 Coward et al; issued November 3, 1970 and 3,953,380 Sundby, issued April 27, 1976.
[0058] The compositions of the present invention can be manufactured and used in a variety
of forms such as solids, powders, granules, pastes, and liquids. The compositions
can be used in the current U.S. laundering processes by forming aqueous solution containing
from 0.01 % to 1 %, preferably from 0.05% to 0.5%, and most preferably from 0.05%
to 0.25% of the composition in water and agitating the soiled fabrics in that aqueous
solution. The fabrics are then rinsed and dried. When used in this manner the preferred
compositions of the present invention yield exceptionally good detergency on a variety
of fabrics.
[0059] All percentages, parts, and ratios herein are by weight unless otherwise specified.
[0060] The following examples illustrate the compositions and method of the present invention.
[0061] Composition of the invention: C
12-13 alkylpolyethoxylate
3/C
12-15 alkylpolyglycoside
2-3 at a ratio of 1:1.
Example I
[0062]

Fluorescer Effectiveness
[0063]

[0064] Significant technical differences: HWU = 2; Soler 2A = 2; and F = 1.
Example II
Redeposition and Whiteness/Brightness Test
Cotton T-Shirt
[0065] The following results using unbuilt mixtures of surfactants clearly demonstrate the
effect of the alkylpolyglycoside in improving anionic brightener effectiveness in
the presence of non-ionic surfactants. The data show clearly that at least 40% of
the surfactant system should be alkylpolyglycoside. Five to six HWUs are a substantial
improvement.

[0066] Conditions: Miniwasher, 6 grains mixed hardness, 100°F, one cycle 300 ppm total surfactant,
15 ppm of the brightener of Example VIII.
1. Eine Detergenszusammensetzung, enthaltend:
A. 1 Gew.-% bis 90 Gew.-% eines Alkylpolysacchariddetergensgrenzflächenaktiven Mittels
der Formel

worin R ein Alkyl, Alkylphenyl, Alkylbenzyl, oder Gemische davon, ist, wobei die genannten
Alkylgruppen 8 bis 18 Kohlenstoffatome enthalten, entweder gesättigt oder ungesättigt
sind und 0 bis 3 Hydroxygruppen enthalten, worin jeder Rest R' eine Ethylen-, Propylen-
oder-CH2-CH(OH)-CH2-Gruppe ist, und y 0 bis 12 ist; und worin jedes Z ein von einem reduzierenden Saccharid
mit 5 bis 6 Kohlenstoffatomen abgeleiteter Rest ist, und x eine Zahl von 1,5 bis 10
ist;
B. 1 Gew.-% bis 90 Gew.-% eines nichtionischen Detergens-grenzflächenaktiven Mittels;
C. 0 Gew.-% bis 90 Gew.-% eines Detergensgerüststoffes; und
D. 0,01 Gew.-% bis 2 Gew.-% eines anionischen, optischen Aufhellers, wobei das Verhältnis
von A. zu B. 1:10 bis 10:1 beträgt.
2. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 1, wobei Komponente (1) die Formel

hat, worin R
2 aus der Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die aus Alkyl, Alkylphenyl, Hydroxyalkyl, Hydroxyalkylphenyl,
und Mischungen davon, besteht, y 0 bis 10 ist, der Glucosylrest von Glucose abgeleitet
ist, n 2 oder 3 ist, und x 1,5 bis 3 ist.
3. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 2, wobei das nichtionische grenzflächenaktive
Mittel einen HLB-Wert von 5 bis 17 hat, und der anionische, optische Aufheller in
einer Menge von 0,1 bis 1 Gew.-% vorliegt.
4. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 1, wobei der anionische, optische Aufheller aus
der Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die aus:
Bis-anilino-(R)-triazinylaminostilbensulfonat der Formel:

worin M Kalium, Ammonium, substituiertes Ammonium, oder Mischungen davon, ist; und
R und X wie folgt sind:

Tetranatrium-4,4'-bis[(4"-bis(2"'-hydroxyethyl)amino-6"-(3""-sulphenyl)amino-1",3",5"-triazin-2"-
yl)amino]-2,2'-stilbendisulfonat;
Dinatrium-4-(6'-sulfonaphtho[1',2',d]triazol-2-yl)-2-stilbensulfonat;
Dinatrium-4,4'-bis[(4"-(2"'-hydroxyethylamino)-6"-anilino-1",3",5"-triazin-2"-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilben-
disulfonat;
Dinatrium-4,4'-bis((4"-(2"'-hydroxyethoxy)-6"-anilino-1",3",5"-triazin-2"-yl)amino]-2,2'-stilben-
disulfonat;
Dinatrium-4,4'-bis(4-phenyl-1,2,3-triazol-2-yl)-2,2'-stilbendisulfonat;
Dinatrium-4,4'-bis-(2-sulfostyryl)biphenyl;
Natrium-4-(2H-naphtho(1,2-d]triazol-2-yl)stilben-2-sulfonat;
Dinatrium-4-(2H-6-sulfonaphtho[1,2,d]triazol-2-yl)stilben-2-sulfonat; und
Dinatrium-3,7-bis(2,4-dimethoxybenzamido)-2,8-dibenzothiophendisulfonat-5,5-dioxid,
und Mischungen davon, besteht.
5. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 4, wobei das Gewichtsverhältnis von (A) zu (B)
1:3 bis 3:1 beträgt.
6. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 1, wobei der Detergensgerüststoff in einer Menge
von 20 Gew.-% bis 50 Gew.-% vorliegt und aus der Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die aus hydratisierten
Zeolithen A, X und P mit einer Teilchengröße von 0,01 bis 10 Mikron, Alkalimetall-,
Ammonium- oder substituierten Ammoniumtripolyphosphaten, -pyrophosphaten, -carbonaten,
-silicaten, -boraten, -polymeren Metaphosphaten, -nitrilotriacetaten, -citraten und
-polyacetalcarboxylaten, sowie Mischungen davon, besteht.
7. Das Verfahren zur Reinigung von Baumwolltextilien in einer wässerigen Detergenslösung,
welche 0,01 Gew.-% bis 1 Gew.-% der Detergenszusammensetzung des Anspruchs 1 enthält.