(19)
(11) EP 0 644 256 B1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION

(45) Mention of the grant of the patent:
31.03.1999 Bulletin 1999/13

(21) Application number: 93870193.5

(22) Date of filing: 20.09.1993
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6: C11D 3/395, C11D 1/83

(54)

Use of hypochlorite comprising compositions having an improved skin mildness

Verwendung von hypochlorithaltigen Zusammensetzungen mit verbesserter Hautschonung

Utilisation des compositions d'hypochlorite ayant une douceur ameliorée de la peau

(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE ES FR GB IT

(43) Date of publication of application:
22.03.1995 Bulletin 1995/12

(73) Proprietor: THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (US)

(72) Inventor:
  • d'Orazio, Anna Lucia
    I-00142 Rome (IT)

(74) Representative: Canonici, Jean-Jacques et al
Procter & Gamble European Technical Center N.V. Temselaan 100
1853 Strombeek-Bever
1853 Strombeek-Bever (BE)


(56) References cited: : 
EP-A- 0 021 581
US-A- 4 789 495
 EP-A- 0 554 991
   
       
    Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to the European patent granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall not be deemed to have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent Convention).


    Description

    Field of the Invention



    [0001] The present invention is related to improve the skin mildness of hypochlorite-based compositions.

    Background of the Invention



    [0002] It is highly desirable to incorporate hypochlorite in detergent compositions for bleaching. However, hypochlorite is an irritant and many consumers suffer from skin irritation when using such compositions.

    [0003] Particularly, the hands of the user are prone to such irritation. As a result of coming into contact with such compositions the hands suffer from dryness and from a feeling of tightness. This occurs when the compositions are used neat and also when used in diluted form.

    [0004] It is believed that hypochlorite attacks the uppermost layer of the epidermal of the skin. This results in the decrease of the elasticity of the skin. The skin also becomes more sensitive, resulting in dryness and coarseness of the skin. In addition the skin may become inflamed and become red and sore and itchy. These effects are magnified in alkaline conditions, because alkali is also an irritant. Alkalinity is required for hypochlorite stability and it thus the preferred condition for hypochlorite-comprising compositions. However, alkaline conditions contribute to skin tightening because it alters the natural pH of the skin.

    [0005] The object of the present invention is to improve skin mildness and reduce skin irritation of hypochlorite-comprising compositions.

    [0006] The present invention overcomes these problems by the use of the combination of amine oxides and specific alkyl sulphates in hypochlorite-comprising compositions. It is believed that this surfactant combination wets the skin and provides a protective layer against hypochlorite and alkalinity on the skin.

    [0007] Amine oxides and alkyl sulphates are known in the art. US 4 282 109 discloses a thickened bleach composition comprising hypochlorite and a thickening amount of a surfactant blend, comprising amine oxide C10-C18 and alkyl sulphate C8-C12. There is no mention of the reduction of hypochlorite related skin irritation of these compositions.

    [0008] EP 274 885 discloses thickened bleaching compositions comprising alkali metal hypochlorite and straight chain C14 amine oxide with a mixture of branched and straight chain C15 amine oxide. There is no mention of short chain surfactants or the reduction of hypochlorite related skin irritation.

    [0009] EP 233 666 discloses a process for the manufacture of a thickened bleaching compositions comprising hypochlorite, a hypochlorite-soluble surfactant, including amine oxide and an alkali metal salt of a fatty acid. There is no mention of the reduction of hypochlorite related skin irritation.

    [0010] DE 28 37 880 covers bleaching compositions comprising alkali metal hypochlorite and mixtures of branched and linear amine oxides of varying chain length, (C5-C17) for increased viscosity. There is no mention of other long or short chain surfactants or the reduction of hypochlorite skin irritation.

    [0011] EP 30 401 covers thickened bleaching compositions comprising hypochlorite and a certain number of product characteristics including pH and viscosity. Mixtures of C8-C18 amine oxides and fatty acids are preferred as thickening agents. No other surfactants are disclosed. There is also no mention of reducing the irritation effects due to the hypochlorite.

    [0012] European application EP-A-635568 and WO95/03383 disclose short chain surfactants.

    Summary of the Invention



    [0013] The present invention is the use of the combination of 1-5% amine oxide with 1-8% alkyl sulphate to improve skin mildness of hypochlorite-comprising compositions comprising 0,4-5% hypochlorite. Said amine oxide is according to the formula R1R2R3NO, wherein R1 is a C8 to C18 alkyl group and R2 and R3 are independently C1 to C3 alkyl groups. Said alkyl sulphate is according to the formula R4OSO3H, wherein R4 is a C6 to C10 alkyl group.

    [0014] All amounts, ratios, percentages and parts herein are given as a % weight of the total composition unless otherwise stated.

    Detailed Description of the Invention



    [0015] The present invention is the use of the combination of an amine oxide and an alkyl sulphate to improve skin mildness of hypochlorite-comprising compositions.

    [0016] Thus, an essential ingredient in the present invention is hypochlorite. Preferably the hypochlorite is an alkali metal hypochlorite. Although alkali metal hypochlorites are preferred other hypochlorite compounds may also be used herein and can be selected from calcium and magnesium hypochlorite. According to the present invention the compositions comprise said hypochlorite compound such that the content of active chlorine in the composition is from 0.4% to 5%, preferably from 1% to 4%, most preferably from 1% to 3%.

    [0017] Another essential ingredient is a combination of an amine oxide with an alkyl sulphate to improve skin mildness of the composition. Said amine oxide is according to the formula R1R2R3NO, wherein R1 is a C8 to C18 alkyl group and R2 and R3 are independently C1 to C3 alkyl groups. Preferably R1 is a C10-C18, more preferably C12-C18 alkyl group and R2 and R3 are preferably independently C1-C3, more preferably C1-C2 alkyl groups. In the present invention the composition comprises from 1% to 5%, more preferably from 1.5% to 4.5%, most preferably from 2% to 4% of said amine oxide and mixtures thereof.

    [0018] Said alkyl sulphate is according to the formula R4OSO3H, wherein R4 is a C6 to C10, preferably a C7-C9, more preferably a C8 alkyl group. According to the present invention the composition comprises from 1% to 8%, more preferably from 1.5% to 7.5%, most preferably from 2% to 7% of said alkyl sulphate and mixtures thereof.

    [0019] According to the present invention the compositions may further comprise a number of additional ingredients. Suitable optional ingredients include other hypochlorite-compatible long chain surface actives including alkyl sarcosinates, alkyl ether sulphates, paraffin sulphonates and amine oxides.

    [0020] Another optional component of the present invention is an alkali metal salt of a C8-C18 fatty acid. Suitable fatty acids for use herein can be any C8-C18 fatty acid, preferably fully saturated, preferably a sodium, potassium or lithium salt, more preferably the sodium salt.

    [0021] In a highly preferred embodiment of the present invention the compositions have a pH greater than 10, preferably greater than 11, more preferably greater than 12. This is achieved by the addition of from 0.8% to 1.5% of a caustic alkali. Suitable caustic alkalis for use herein include sodium and potassium hydroxide.

    [0022] According to the present invention the composition may also comprise a number of other additional ingredients such as hypochlorite stable and soluble colourants, perfumes and hydrotopes such as sodium xylene sulphonate.

    [0023] According to the present invention the compositions are prepared by methods known in the art such as those described in GB 1 329 086.

    [0024] According to the present invention the compositons may be used for a variety of purposes, such as bleaching and hard surfaces cleaning.

    [0025] According to the present invention the compositions can be illustrated by the following examples.






    Claims

    1. The use of the combination of an amine oxide according to the formula R1R2R3NO, wherein R1 is a C8 to C18 alkyl group and R2 and R3 are independently C1 to C3 alkyl groups, at a level of 1% to 5% by weight of the total composition, with an alkyl sulphate according to the formula R4OSO3H, wherein R4 is a C6 to C10 alkyl group, at a level of 1% to 8% by weight of the total composition, to improve the skin mildness of a composition comprising from 0.4% to 5% by weight of hypochlorite.
     
    2. The use according to claim 1, wherein in said amine oxide R1 is C10-C12 and R2 is C1 and R3 is C1.
     
    3. The use according to claims 1 and 2, wherein in said alkyl sulphate R4 is C7-C9.
     
    4. The use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said hypochlorite is sodium hypochlorite.
     
    5. The use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the pH of said composition is at least 12.
     
    6. The use according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said composition further comprises surfactants selected from akyl sulphonates, C12-C18 alkyl sulphates, alkyl ether carboxylates and alkyl ether sulphates.
     


    Ansprüche

    1. Verwendung der Kombination aus einem Aminoxid gemäß der Formel R1R2R3NO, worin R1 eine C8-C18-Alkylgruppe ist und R2 und R3 unabhängig voneinander C1-C3-Alkylgruppen sind, in einem Anteil von 1 bis 5 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung, mit einem Alkylsulfat gemäß der Formel R4OSO3H, worin R4 eine C6-C10-Alkylgruppe ist, in einem Anteil von 1 bis 8 Gew.-% der gesamten Zusammensetzung, zur Verbesserung der Hautsanftheit einer 0,4 bis 5 Gew.-% Hypochlorit umfassenden Zusammensetzung.
     
    2. Verwendung nach Anspruch 1, wobei in dem Aminoxid R1 C10-C12 ist und R2 C1 ist und R3 C1 ist.
     
    3. Verwendung nach den Ansprüchen 1 und 2, wobei in dem Alkylsulfat R4 C7-C9 ist.
     
    4. Verwendung nach mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Hypochlorit Natriumhypochlorit ist.
     
    5. Verwendung nach mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei der pH der Zusammensetzung mindestens 12 beträgt.
     
    6. Verwendung nach mindestens einem der vorangehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Zusammensetzung weiterhin Tenside umfaßt, gewählt aus Alkylsulfonaten, C12-C18-Alkylsulfaten, Alkylethercarboxylaten und Alkylethersulfaten.
     


    Revendications

    1. Utilisation de la combinaison d'un oxyde d'amine selon la formule R1R2R3NO, dans laquelle R1 est un groupe alkyle en C8 à C18 et R2 et R3 sont indépendamment des groupes alkyle en C1 à C3, à raison de 1% à 5% en poids de la composition totale, avec un alkylsulfate selon la formule R4OSO3H, dans laquelle R4 est un groupe alkyle en C6 à C10, à raison de 1% à 8% en poids de la composition totale, pour améliorer la douceur de la peau au contact d'une composition comprenant de 0,4% à 5% en poids d'hypochlorite.
     
    2. Utilisation selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle, dans ledit oxyde d'amine, R1 est en C10-C12 et R2 est en C1 et R3 est en C1.
     
    3. Utilisation selon les revendications 1 et 2, dans laquelle, dans ledit alkylsulfate, R4 est en C7-C9.
     
    4. Utilisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ledit hypochlorite est un hypochlorite de sodium.
     
    5. Utilisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle le pH de ladite composition est d'au moins 12.
     
    6. Utilisation selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans laquelle ladite composition comprend en outre des tensioactifs choisis parmi des alkylsulfonates, des alkylsulfates en C12-C18, des alkyléthercarboxylates et des alkyléthersulfates.