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(11) | EP 4 435 079 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS AND USES RELATING THERETO |
| (57) A detergent composition comprising: (a) at least one acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I): wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 hydrocarbyl group; each of R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group and wherein at least one of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not hydrogen; and M+ represents a cation; and (b) at least one hydrocarbyl saccharide compound. |
[0001] The present invention relates to detergent compositions. In particular the invention relates to liquid or solid detergent compositions for use in toilet care, manual dishwashing, automatic dishwashing, laundry, fabric care, kitchen care, carpet cleaning, air fresheners, vehicle care, polishing products, machine cleaning and maintenance, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, oilfield chemical applications, marine applications, personal care and institutional / industrial cleaning. The detergent compositions may be especially useful in household cleaning applications, for example for use in laundry.
[0002] Detergent compositions are commonly known for household use, particularly for laundry and dishwashing applications. Such compositions may be provided in loose powder or liquid form where a user measures out a dose each time before use.
[0003] Many consumers prefer to buy detergent compositions in unit dose form in which the dose is premeasured and a single tablet or pouch is added to the washing machine or dishwasher. Unit dose detergent compositions are often provided in the form of compressed powder tablets or pouches comprising liquids encapsulated in a water-soluble polymer.
[0004] Environmental concerns are becoming increasingly important in relation to consumer products, with many consumers seeking to choose products which have a reduced environmental impact compared to well-established products. It is therefore highly desirable to provide detergent compositions for various uses which are produced from sustainable chemical feedstocks.
[0005] Detergent compositions for household use typically comprise mixtures of surfactants. Commonly used are sulfate surfactants which are high foaming and have excellent detergent properties. However sulfate containing surfactants can be harsh to the skin and it is desirable to minimise skin and ocular irritations as much as possible.
[0006] Consumers are therefore seeking detergent compositions that contain more sustainable components and milder, sulfate-free ingredients.
[0007] Many sulfate free laundry detergents commonly comprise linear alkyl benzene sulfonate active ingredients. These compounds have been preferred surfactants for such applications due to their good cleaning performance at low temperatures and relatively low cost. However, linear alkyl benzene sulfonates are synthetic anionic surfactants produced from petrochemical feedstocks and are not currently obtainable from renewable sources. They also present further environmental concerns due to potential toxicity to aquatic life. Therefore it is desirable to minimise the levels of such surfactants present in detergent compositions.
[0008] Alkoxylated surfactants, such as alcohol ethoxylates, are also commonly present in detergent compositions and provide good foaming properties.
[0009] However the undesirable by-product 1,4-dioxane is found in some materials that use ethylene oxide in their production. Due to health and environmental concerns, governments and regulatory bodies are working to reduce the level of 1,4-dioxane in wastewater and have introduced limits on the amount of 1,4-dioxane allowed in consumer products, including household cleaners. There is thus an increased demand for 1,4-dioxane free surfactants.
[0010] It is an aim of the present invention to provide a novel detergent composition which overcomes at least one disadvantage of the prior art whether stated herein or otherwise.
[0011] In particular the invention seeks to provide detergent compositions which maintain cleaning performance whilst minimising the levels of undesirable ingredients such as sulfates, ethoxylated surfactants and linear and/or branched alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactants.
[0012] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a detergent composition comprising:
- (a) at least one acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I):
wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 hydrocarbyl group;
each of R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group and wherein at least one of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not hydrogen; and M+ represents a cation; and
- (b) at least one hydrocarbyl saccharide compound.
[0013] Component (a) of the detergent composition of the present invention comprises at least one acyl alkyl isethionate of formula (I).
[0014] In the formula (I), R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 hydrocarbyl group, R2, R3, R4 and R5 each independently represents hydrogen or a substituted or unsubstituted C1-C4 alkyl group, provided that at least one of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not hydrogen, and M+ represents a cation. Suitably, R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 alkyl, C4-C36 alkenyl, C6-C12 aryl or C8-C22 alkyl-C6-C12 aryl group. More suitably, R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 alkyl or C4-C36 alkenyl group, especially an optionally substituted C4-C36 alkyl group. Most suitably, R1 represents a C4-C36 alkyl or C4-C36 alkenyl group, especially a C4-C36 alkyl group.
[0015] Suitably, R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 alkyl or C4-C36 alkenyl group, such as an optionally substituted C8-C18 alkyl or C8-C18 alkenyl group.
[0016] Suitably, R1 represents a C4-C36 alkyl or C4-C36 alkenyl group, such as a C8-C18 alkyl or C8-C18 alkenyl group.
[0017] Suitably, R1 represents an optionally substituted C5-C30 alkyl group, such as an optionally substituted C7-C24 alkyl group, for example an optionally substituted C7-C21 alkyl group, preferably an optionally substituted C7-C17 alkyl group.
[0018] Suitably, R1 represents a C5-C30 alkyl group, such as a C7-C24 alkyl group, for example a C7-C21 alkyl group, preferably a C7-C17 alkyl group.
[0019] R1 is suitably the residue of a fatty acid. Fatty acids obtained from natural oils often include mixtures of fatty acids. For example, the fatty acid obtained from coconut oil contains a mixture of fatty acids including C12 lauric acid, C14 myristic acid, C16 palmitic acid, C8 caprylic acid, C10 capric acid and C18 stearic and oleic acid.
[0020] R1 may include the residue of one or more naturally occurring fatty acids and/or of one or more synthetic fatty acids. For example, R1 may consist essentially of the residue of a single fatty acid.
[0021] Examples of carboxylic acids from which R1 may be derived include coco acid, hexanoic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentanoic acid, behinic acid, erucic acid, docosahexanoic lignoceric acid, naturally occurring fatty acids such as those obtained from rice bran oil, oat oil, wheat germ oil, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, tallow, palm kernel oil, butterfat, palm oil, olive oil, corn oil, linseed oil, peanut oil, fish oil and rapeseed oil; synthetic fatty acids made as chains of a single length or a selected distribution of chain lengths; and mixtures thereof. Suitably R1 comprises the residue of coco acid, the residue of mixed fatty acids derived from coconut oil or the residue of mixed fatty acids derived from palm kernel oil. More suitably, R1 predominantly comprises the residue of a saturated fatty acid having 12 carbon atoms.
[0022] The acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of the formula (I) may be prepared by any of the methods disclosed in the prior art, for example see the methods described in WO94/09763 and WO2005/075623.
[0023] When any of R2, R3, R4 and R5 represents an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkyl group, the alkyl group is suitably n-butyl, n-propyl, ethyl or methyl, such as ethyl or methyl, most preferably methyl.
[0024] Preferably one of the groups R2, R3, R4 and R5 represents an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkyl group and the remaining groups represent hydrogen. For example, R2 may represent an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkyl group and R3, R4 and R5 may all represent hydrogen. For example, R4 may represent an optionally substituted C1-C4 alkyl group and R2, R3 and R5 may all represent hydrogen.
[0025] Preferably, R2 represents a C1-C4 alkyl group and R3, R4 and R5 all represent hydrogen. Preferably, R4 represents a C1-C4 alkyl group and R2, R3 and R5 all represent hydrogen.
[0026] Most preferably, R2 represents a methyl group and R3, R4 and R5 all represent hydrogen. Most preferably, R4 represents a methyl group and R2, R3 and R5 all represent hydrogen.
[0027] Suitably, M+ represents a metal cation or an optionally substituted ammonium cation, preferably a metal cation. By "optionally substituted ammonium cation", we mean to refer to an ammonium cation wherein the nitrogen atom may be substituted with from 1 to 4 optionally substituted hydrocarbyl groups. Suitable ammonium cations include those derived from alkyl amines and alkanolamines. Preferred ammonium cations include isopropanolamine, isopropylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD). Preferred ammonium cations include NH4+ and the ammonium cation of triethanolamine.
[0028] Suitable metal cations include alkali metal cations, for example sodium, lithium and potassium cations, and alkaline earth metal cations, for example calcium and magnesium cations. Suitably, M+ represents an alkali metal cation or an optionally substituted ammonium cation. Preferably, M+ represents a zinc, potassium or sodium cation. Most preferably, M+ represents a sodium cation.
[0029] The skilled person will appreciate that when M+ is a divalent metal cation two moles of anion will be present for each mole of cation.
[0030] The acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I) may comprise the reaction product of sodium methyl isethionate and a fatty acid, that is a compound of formula R1COOCHR2CHR4SO3-M+ in which one of R2 and R4 is methyl and the other is hydrogen. Mixtures of these isomers may be present.
[0031] The detergent composition of the present invention may include a mixture of more than one acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I). For example, an isomeric mixture of acyl alkyl isethionate surfactants of formula (I) may be present. Such a mixture may include, for example an acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant in which R2 represents a C1-C4 alkyl group (suitably methyl) and R3, R4 and R5 are all hydrogen and an acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant in which R4 represents a C1-C4 alkyl group (suitably methyl) and R2, R3 and R5 are all hydrogen.
[0032] In particular, the detergent composition of the present invention may comprise a mixture of isomers, that is a compound of formula R1COOCH2CHR4SO3-M+ in which R4 represents a C1-C4 alkyl group (preferably methyl) and a compound of formula R1COOCHR2CH2SO3-M+ in which R2 represents a C1-C4 alkyl group (preferably methyl).
[0033] The detergent composition of the present invention may comprise a mixture of isomers in which the molar ratio of the compounds in which R2 is C1-C4 alkyl and R4 is hydrogen to compounds in which R2 is hydrogen and R4 is C1-C4 alkyl is from 99:1 to 1:99, from 99:1 to 1:1, from 98:2 to 2:1, or from 95:5 to 3:1.
[0034] Suitably such mixtures comprise approximately 90 mol% of compounds in which R2 is C1-C4 alkyl and R4 is hydrogen and approximately 10 mol% of compounds in which R2 is hydrogen and R4 is C1-C4 alkyl.
[0035] Preferably such mixtures comprise approximately 90 mol% of compounds in which R2 is methyl and R4 is hydrogen and approximately 10 mol% of compounds in which R2 is hydrogen and R4 is methyl.
[0036] Preferably component (a) comprises an acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I) selected from one or more of sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl methyl isethionate and sodium oleoyl methyl isethionate. Sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate (SLMI) is especially preferred.
[0037] The detergent composition of the first aspect further comprises (b) at least one hydrocarbyl saccharide compound.
[0038] By hydrocarbyl saccharide compound we mean to refer to a compound including a hydrocarbyl group and a saccharide moiety.
[0039] The hydrocarbyl group may be bound to the saccharide moiety via a carbon-carbon bond or via a carbon-oxygen bond. Preferably it is bound to the saccharide moiety via a carbon-oxygen bond, for example via an ester linkage or an ether linkage. Most preferably it is bound to the saccharide moiety via an ether linkage.
[0040] In some embodiments the hydrocarbyl group may be bound to the saccharide moiety via a number of atoms comprising a functional group. In some embodiments the hydrocarbyl saccharide compound may comprise a plurality of hydrocarbyl groups. The saccharide moiety may be bound to the one or more hydrocarbyl groups by one or more bonds.
[0041] The hydrocarbyl saccharide compound may include one or more hydrocarbyl groups. Preferably it comprises one hydrocarbyl group. The hydrocarbyl group may be an optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl group. Preferably the hydrocarbyl group is an unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group. It may be straight chained or may be branched. Most preferably it is straight chained. Preferred hydrocarbyl groups are alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, alkaryl or aralkyl groups having from 1 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably from 4 to 24 carbon atoms, suitably from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 16 carbon atoms, for example from 8 to 16 carbon atoms and most preferably from 10 to 14 carbon atoms. Preferred are straight chained alkyl or alkenyl groups having from 6 to 16 carbon atoms.
[0042] Especially preferred hydrocarbyl groups are alkyl groups having from 1 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably from 4 to 24 carbon atoms, suitably from 4 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 16 carbon atoms, for example from 8 to 16 carbon atoms and most preferably from 10 to 14 carbon atoms. Preferred are straight chained alkyl groups having from 6 to 16 carbon atoms.
[0043] The saccharide moiety of the hydrocarbyl saccharide compound may include monosaccharide, disaccharide, oligosaccharide or polysaccharide species.
[0044] The saccharide moiety of the hydrocarbyl saccharide compound may include from 1 to 30 monosaccharide species. Preferably the saccharide moiety comprises from 1 to 10, suitably from 1 to 5, preferably from 1 to 2 monosaccharide units. Any suitable monosaccharide unit may be included. Preferred monosaccharides include allose, altrose, glucose, mannose, gulose, idose, galactose, rhamnose and talose.
[0046] In some embodiments the hydrocarbyl saccharide compound may be a glycolipid biosurfactant. Such surfactant compounds will be known to the person skilled in the art and can be obtained by microbial fermentation. In some such embodiments the saccharide moiety comprises 1 to 2 rhamnose units and in some such embodiments the saccharide moiety comprises 1 sophorose unit. Suitable glycolipid biosurfactants include rhamnolipids, sophorolipids, mannosylerythritol lipids, trehalolipids, cellobioselipids and derivatives and/or mixtures thereof.
[0047] Mixtures of two or more monosaccharides may be present in the saccharide moiety. Preferably the saccharide moiety comprises glucose. More preferably all of the monosaccharide units present in the saccharide moiety are glucose.
[0048] In a preferred embodiment the hydrocarbyl saccharide compound is an alkyl saccharide compound, preferably an alkyl glucoside (APG), more preferably a monoalkyl-glucoside. Suitably the hydrocarbyl-saccharide compound is a compound of general formula (II):
wherein n is from 2 to 24, preferably from 5 to 17, more preferably from 9 to 13 and m is from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 2.
[0049] Preferably, on average, the hydrocarbyl saccharide compound includes 1 to 1.5, for example about 1.3 glucose units per molecule. As the skilled person will appreciate, a single molecule cannot have 1.3 glucose units. What is meant by an average number of glucose units is the mean number of glucose units per molecule of acylating agent as the sum of all the glucose units present in a sample divided by the total number of molecules of hydrocarbyl saccharide compound.
[0052] In some embodiments component (b) comprises an alkyl glucoside surfactant and a glycolipid biosurfactant.
[0053] In preferred embodiments component (b) comprises an alkyl glucoside, preferably lauryl glucoside and /or decyl glucoside.
[0054] In some embodiments the detergent composition of the first aspect of the present invention further comprises (c) a taurate surfactant.
[0055] Component (c) may comprise an alkyl acyl taurate of formula (III):
in which R6 is a C5 to C30 alkyl group, such as a C10 to C20 alkyl group and R7 is a C1 to C6 alkyl group, such as a C1 to C4 alkyl group.
[0057] R6 is suitably the residue of a fatty acid. Fatty acids obtained from natural oils often include mixtures of fatty acids. For example, the fatty acid obtained from coconut oil contains a mixture of fatty acids including C12 lauric acid, C14 myristic acid, C16 palmitic acid, C8 caprylic acid, C10 capric acid and C18 stearic and oleic acid.
[0058] R6 may include the residue of one or more naturally occurring fatty acids and/or of one or more synthetic fatty acids. For example, R6 may consist essentially of the residue of a single fatty acid.
[0059] Examples of carboxylic acids from which R6 may be derived include coco acid, hexanoic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentanoic acid, behinic acid, erucic acid, docosahexanoic lignoceric acid, naturally occurring fatty acids such as those obtained from rice bran oil, oat oil, wheat germ oil, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, tallow, palm kernel oil, butterfat, palm oil, olive oil, corn oil, linseed oil, peanut oil, fish oil and rapeseed oil; synthetic fatty acids made as chains of a single length or a selected distribution of chain lengths; and mixtures thereof.
[0060] Preferably the compound of formula (III) comprises a methyl acyl taurate. Examples of suitable alkyl acyl taurates include sodium lauroyl methyl taurate, sodium methyl myristoyl taurate, sodium methyl palmitoyl taurate, sodium methyl stearoyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, and combinations thereof.
[0061] Preferably component (c) comprises sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate or mixtures thereof.
[0062] Alternatively and/or additionally component (c) may comprise an alkyl acyl taurate of formula (IV):
wherein:
R8 and R9 are each independently selected from H or C1-4 alkyl, provided that one of R8 and
R9 is H and the other of R8 and R9 is C1-4 alkyl;
R11 is C1-6 alkyl, C2-6 alkenyl, or C1-6 alkyl substituted with an aryl group; and
R10 is C4-25 alkyl or C4-25 alkenyl wherein the C4-25 alkyl or C4-25 alkenyl is optionally substituted by hydroxy.
[0063] Preferably one of R8 and R9 is C1-4 alkyl and the other is H. More preferably one of R8 and R9 is methyl and the other is H.
[0064] Preferably R11 is C1-6 alkyl or C2-6 alkenyl, preferably, C1-6 alkyl, such as C1-2 alkyl. More preferably, R11 is methyl.
[0065] R10 is preferably C8-18 alkyl or C8-18 alkenyl, wherein the C8-18 alkyl or C8-18 alkenyl, is optionally substituted by hydroxy. Preferably R10 is an unsubstituted C8-18 alkyl or an unsubstituted C8-18 alkenyl.
[0066] R10 is suitably the residue of a fatty acid. Fatty acids obtained from natural oils often include mixtures of fatty acids. For example, the fatty acid obtained from coconut oil contains a mixture of fatty acids including C12 lauric acid, C14 myristic acid, C16 palmitic acid, C8 caprylic acid, C10 capric acid and C18 stearic and oleic acid.
[0067] R10 may include the residue of one or more naturally occurring fatty acids and/or of one or more synthetic fatty acids. For example, R10 may consist essentially of the residue of a single fatty acid.
[0068] Examples of carboxylic acids from which R10 may be derived include coco acid, hexanoic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentanoic acid, behinic acid, erucic acid, docosahexanoic lignoceric acid, naturally occurring fatty acids such as those obtained from rice bran oil, oat oil, wheat germ oil, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, tallow, palm kernel oil, butterfat, palm oil, olive oil, corn oil, linseed oil, peanut oil, fish oil and rapeseed oil; synthetic fatty acids made as chains of a single length or a selected distribution of chain lengths; and mixtures thereof.
[0070] The detergent composition of the first aspect of the present invention comprises component (a), component (b), and optionally component (c). The weight ratio of component (a) to component (b) is preferably from 100:1 to 1:50, suitably from 50:1 to 1:10, preferably from 10:1 to 1:5, more preferably from 5:1 to 1:1, for example from 2:1 to 1:3.
[0071] The weight ratio of component (a) to component (c), when present, is preferably from 50:1 to 1:100, preferably from 10:1 to 1:30, more preferably from 2:1 to 1:5.
[0072] The weight ratio of component (b) to component (c), when present is preferably from 50:1 to 1:600, preferably from 5:1 to 1:10, more preferably from 1:1 to 1:3.
[0073] The above amounts refer to the weight ratios of the active surfactant compound present in the detergent composition and do not include any residual starting materials, impurities or by products that may be present.
[0074] In embodiments in which component (a) and/or component (b) and/or component (c) comprises a mixture of compounds, these ratios are based on the total amount of each such component present in the composition.
[0075] In addition to components (a), (b) and (c), the detergent compositions of the present invention may optionally comprise one or more additional surfactants.
[0076] Such surfactants may be selected from anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. The selection of suitable further surfactants for use in the composition of the present invention is within the competence of the person skilled in the art.
[0077] In some embodiments the detergent composition may further comprise one or more amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants.
[0078] Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use in the detergent compositions of the present invention include those based on fatty nitrogen derivates and those based on betaines.
[0079] Suitable amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may be selected from betaines, for example alkyl betaines, alkylamidopropyl betaines, for example cocamidopropyl betaine, alkylamidopropyl hydroxy sultaines, alkylamphoacetates, alkylamphodiacetates, alkyl propionates, alkylamphodipropionates, alkylamphopropionates, alkyliminodipropionates and alkyliminodiacetate.
[0080] Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants for use in compositions of the first aspect may include those which have an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 22 carbon atoms and comply with an overall structural formula:
where R12 is alkyl or alkenyl of 7 to 22 carbon atoms; R13 and R14 are each independently alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; m is 2 to 4; n is 0 or 1; X is alkylene of 1 to 6 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxyl; and Y is -CO2 or -SOs.
[0081] Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may include simple betaines of formula:
and amido betaines of formula:
where m is 2 or 3.
[0082] In both formulae R12, R13 and R14 are as defined previously. R12 may, in particular, be a mixture of C12 and C14 alkyl groups derived from coconut so that at least half, preferably at least three quarters, of the groups R12 has 10 to 14 carbon atoms. R13 and R14 are preferably methyl.
[0083] Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may include sulfobetaines of formula:
where m is 2 or 3, or variants of these in which
-(CH2)3SO3- is replaced by
where R12, R13 and R14 in these formulae are as defined previously.
[0084] Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may include amphoacetates and diamphoacetates. Amphoacetates generally conform to the following formula:
[0085] Diamphoacetates generally conform to the following formula:
where R15 is an aliphatic group of 8 to 22 carbon atoms and M2+ is a cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, or substituted ammonium.
[0086] Suitable acetate-based surfactants include lauroamphoacetate; alkyl amphoacetate; sodium alkyl amphoacetate; cocoampho(di)acetate; cocoamphoacetate; disodium cocoamphodiacetate; sodium cocoamphoacetate; disodium capryloamphodiacete; disodium lauroamphoacetate; sodium lauroamphoacetate and disodium wheat germamphodiacetate.
[0087] Suitable betaine surfactants include alkylamido betaine; alkyl betaine, C12/14 alkyldimethyl betaine; cocoamidopropylbetaine; tallow bis(hydroxyethyl) betaine; hexadecyldimethylbetaine; cocodimethylbetaine; alkyl amido propyl sulfo betaine; alkyl dimethyl amine betaine; coco amido propyl dimethyl betaine; alkyl amido propyl dimethyl amine betaine; cocamidopropyl betaine; lauryl betaine; laurylamidopropl betaine, coco amido betaine, lauryl amido betaine, alkyl amino betaine; alkyl amido betaine; coco betaine; lauryl betaine; diemethicone propyl PG-betaine; oleyl betaine; N-alkyldimethyl betaine; coco biguamide derivative, C8 amido betaine; C12 amido betaine; lauryl dimethyl betaine; alkylamide propyl betaine; amido betaine; alkyl betaine; cetyl betaine; oleamidopropyl betaine; isostearamidopropyl betaine; lauramidopropyl betaine; 2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine; 2-alkyl-N-carboxyethyl-N-hydroxyethyl imidazolinium betaine; 2-alkyl-N-sodium carboxymethyl-N-carboxymethyl oxyethyl imidazolinium betaine; N-alkyl acid amidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium-betaine; N-alkyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium-betaine; cocodimethyl betaine; apricotamidopropyl betaine; isostearamidopropyl betaine; myristamidopropyl betaine; palmitamidopropyl betaine; alkamidopropyl hydroxyl sultaine; cocamidopropyl hydroxyl sultaine; undecylenamidopropyl betaine; cocoamidosulfobetaine; alkyl amido betaine; C12/18 alkyl amido propyl dimethyl amine betaine; lauryldimethyl betaine; ricinol amidobetaine; tallow aminobetaine.
[0088] Suitable glycinate surfactants include acyl glycinates such as cocoamphocarboxyglycinate; tallowamphocarboxyglycinate; capryloamphocarboxyglycinate, oleoamphocarboxyglycinate, bis-2-hydroxyethyl tallow glycinate; lauryl amphoglycinate; tallow polyamphoglycinate; coco amphoglycinate; oleic polyamphoglycinate; N-C10/12 fatty acid amidoethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-glycinate; N-C12/18-fatty acid amidoethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-glycinate; dihydroxyethyl tallow gycinate, sodium lauroyl glycinate and sodium cocoyl glycinate.
[0089] Preferred acetate-based amphoteric surfactants for use herein include sodium lauroamphoacetate, disodium lauroamphoacetate and mixtures thereof.
[0092] In some embodiments the detergent composition of the present invention may comprise one or more additional anionic surfactants.
[0093] Suitable anionic surfactants for use in compositions of the first aspect of the invention include salts of C12-C18 carboxylic acids, ethoxylated carboxylic acids, ester carboxylates and ethoxylated ester carboxylates and sarcosinates.
[0094] Suitable anionic surfactants may be selected from salts of fatty acids; alkali metal salts of mono- or dialkyl sulfates; mono- or dialkyl ether sulfates; lauryl ether sulfates; alkyl sulfonates; alkyl aryl sulfonates; primary alkane disulfonates; alkene sulfonates; hydroxyalkane sulfonates; alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates; alpha-olefinsulfonates; alkyl phosphates; sulfonates of alkylphenolpolyglycol ethers; salts of alkyl sulfopolycarboxylic acid esters; alkyl sulfosuccinates and salts thereof, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates and salts thereof, acyl isethionates, non-acylated alkyl isethionates; fatty acid taurates; acyl taurates; amino acid surfactants such as glutamates and glycinates; products of condensation of fatty acids with oxy- and aminoalkanesulfonic acids; sulfated derivatives of fatty acids and polyglycols; alkyl and acyl sarcosinates; sulfoacetates; alkyl phosphates; alkyl phosphate esters; acyl lactates; alkanolamides of sulfated fatty acids and salts of lipoamino acids. Particularly exemplary salts of the above, where applicable, are the sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium and triethanolamine salts. Suitable ammonium cations include those derived from alkyl amines and alkanolamines. Preferred ammonium cations include isopropanolamine, isopropylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD). Preferred ammonium cations include NH4+ and the ammonium cation of triethanolamine.
[0095] Preferred anionic surfactants do not include sulfates or linear and/or branched alkylbenzene sulfonates.
[0096] Preferred anionic surfactants are selected from salts of fatty acids; alkyl sulfonates; alkyl aryl sulfonates; primary alkane disulfonates; alkene sulfonates; hydroxyalkane sulfonates; alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates; alpha-olefinsulfonates; alkyl phosphates; sulfonates of alkylphenolpolyglycol ethers; salts of alkyl sulfopolycarboxylic acid esters; alkyl sulfosuccinates and salts thereof, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates and salts thereof, acyl isethionates, non-acylated alkyl isethionates; fatty acid taurates; acyl taurates; amino acid surfactants such as glutamates and glycinates; products of condensation of fatty acids with oxy- and aminoalkanesulfonic acids; alkyl and acyl sarcosinates; sulfoacetates; alkyl phosphates; alkyl phosphate esters; acyl lactates; and salts of lipoamino acids. Particularly exemplary salts of the above, where applicable, are the sodium, potassium, ammonium, magnesium and triethanolamine salts. Suitable ammonium cations include those derived from alkyl amines and alkanolamines. Preferred ammonium cations include isopropanolamine, isopropylamine, ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol (AMPD). Preferred ammonium cations include NH4+ and the ammonium cation of triethanolamine.
[0099] Suitable acyl isethionate surfactants are compounds of formula R16COOCH2CH2SO3-M+ wherein R16 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 hydrocarbyl group; and M+ represents a cation.
[0100] Suitably R16 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 alkyl, C4-C36 alkenyl, C6-C12 aryl or C8-C22 alkyl-C6-C12 aryl group.
[0101] Preferably R16 represents an optionally substituted C5-C30 alkyl group, preferably a C7-C24 alkyl group, for example a C7-C21 alkyl group, preferably a C7-C17 alkyl group.
[0102] R16 is suitably the residue of a fatty acid. Fatty acids obtained from natural oils often include mixtures of fatty acids. For example, the fatty acid obtained from coconut oil contains a mixture of fatty acids including C12 lauric acid, C14 myristic acid, C16 palmitic acid, C8 caprylic acid, and C18 stearic and oleic acid.
[0103] R16 may include the residue of one or more naturally occurring fatty acids and/or of one or more synthetic fatty acids.
[0104] Suitably, M+ represents a metal cation or an optionally substituted ammonium cation, preferably a metal cation. Suitable ammonium cations include NH4+ and those derived from alkyl amines and alkanolamines, for example the ammonium cation of triethanolamine.
[0105] Suitable metal cations include alkali metal cations and alkaline earth metal cations. Preferably M+ represents a zinc, potassium or sodium cation. Most preferably M+ represents a sodium cation.
[0106] The skilled person will appreciate that when M+ is a divalent metal cation two moles of anion will be present for each mole of cation.
[0107] In some embodiments only a single acyl isethionate may be present in the detergent composition. In some embodiments a mixture of two or more acyl isethionates of the formula (II) may be present. Preferred acyl isethionates include sodium lauroyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl isethionate and sodium myristoyl isethionate. Sodium cocoyl isethionate is especially preferred.
[0108] In some embodiments the detergent composition of the first aspect may optionally comprise one or more non-ionic surfactants. Such non-ionic surfactants are present in addition to the hydrocarbyl saccharide compound or compounds present in component (b).
[0109] Suitable non-ionic surfactants for use in compositions of the first aspect of the invention include alcohol alkoxylates such as alcohol ethoxylates, alcohol propoxylates, and ethylene oxide/propylene oxide copolymer derived surfactants, aliphatic esters, aromatic esters, sugar esters, especially sorbitan esters, fatty acid alkoxylates such as fatty acid ethoxylates and fatty acid propoxylates or polyethylene glycol esters and partial esters, glycerol esters including glycerol partial esters and glycerol triesters, fatty alcohols (such as cetearyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, behenyl alcohol), alkanolamides and amine oxides.
[0111] In some embodiments the detergent composition of the first aspect may optionally comprise one or more cationic surfactants.
[0112] Suitable cationic surfactants for use in compositions of the first aspect of the invention are typically based on fatty amine derivates or phosphonium quaternary ions, and quaternary ammonium compounds. Polymeric cationic surfactancts may also be used.
[0113] Suitable cationic surfactants for use in compositions of the first aspect of the invention include tertiary amine salts, mono alkyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, mono alkyl trimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium methyl sulfate, trialkyl methyl ammonium chloride and trialkyl methyl ammonium methyl sulfate.
[0114] Examples of suitable cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium compounds, particularly trimethyl quaternary compounds.
[0115] Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds include cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, behenyltrimethylammonium chloride (BTAC), cetylpyridinium chloride, tetramethylammonium chloride, tetraethylammonium chloride, octyltrimethylammonium chloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride, octyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, decyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, stearyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride, didodecyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctadecyldimethylammonium chloride, tallowtrimethylammonium chloride, cocotrimethylammonium chloride, PEG-2 oleylammonium chloride and salts of these where the chloride is replaced by halogen (e.g. bromide), acetate, citrate, lactate, glycolate, phosphate nitrate, sulfate, or alkylsulfate.
[0116] Further suitable cationic surfactants include those materials having the CTFA designations Quaternium-5, Quaternium-31 and Quaternium-18. Mixtures of any of the foregoing materials may also be suitable.
[0117] Salts of primary, secondary, and tertiary fatty amines are also suitable cationic surfactants. The alkyl groups of such amines preferably have from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, and can be optionally substituted.
[0118] Useful cationic surfactants include amido substituted tertiary fatty amines, in particular tertiary amines having one C12 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl chain. Such amines include stearamidopropyldimethylamine, stearamidopropyldiethylamine, stearamidoethyldiethylamine, stearamidoethyldimethylamine, palmitamidopropyldimethylamine, palmitamidopropyldiethylamine, palmitamidoethyldiethylamine, palmitamidoethyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldimethylamine, behenamidopropyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldiethylamine, behenamidoethyldimethylamine, arachidamidopropyldimethylamine, arachid amidopropyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldiethylamine, arachidamidoethyldimethylamine, diethylaminoethylstearamide.
[0119] Also useful are dimethylstearamine, dimethylsoyamine, soyamine, myristylamine, tridecylamine, ethylstearylamine, N-tallow propanediamine, ethoxylated (with 5 moles of ethylene oxide) stearylamine, dihydroxyethylstearylamine, and arachidyl behenylamine.
[0120] These amines are typically used in combination with an acid to provide the cationic species. Suitable acids include L-glutamic acid, lactic acid, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, malic acid, succinic acid, acetic acid, fumaric acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, L-glutamic hydrochloride, and mixtures thereof; more preferably L-glutamic acid, lactic acid, citric acid.
[0122] Suitable polymeric cationic surfactants include polyquaternium-7, polyquaternium-10, polyquaternium-11, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, and hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride.
[0124] Preferably component (a), component (b) and, when present, component (c) together make up at least 50 wt% of all surfactant compounds present in the composition, preferably at 60 wt%, more preferably at least 70 wt%. Preferably component (a), component (b) and, when present, component (c) together make up at least 80 wt% of all surfactant compounds present in the composition, preferably at least 85%, for example at least 90 wt% or at least 95 wt%.
[0125] In some embodiments the detergent composition of the first aspect present invention may be a liquid concentrate composition or a solid precursor composition.
[0126] In such embodiments the detergent composition could be used as a multi-component ingredient for inclusion in formulated compositions.
[0127] However in preferred embodiments the detergent composition of the present invention is a formulated detergent composition intended to be used for a particular purpose.
[0128] The present invention may provide a detergent composition for use in toilet care, automatic dishwashing, manual dishwashing, laundry, fabric care, kitchen care, carpet cleaning, air fresheners, vehicle care, polishing products, machine cleaning and maintenance, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, oilfield chemical applications, marine applications, personal care and institutional / industrial cleaning. The detergent compositions may be especially useful in household cleaning applications, for example as laundry detergent composition.
[0129] Component (a) is preferably present in the detergent composition of the present invention in an amount of at least 0.5 wt%, preferably at least 1 wt%, suitably at least 2 wt%.
[0130] Component (a) is preferably present in the detergent composition of the present invention in an amount of up to 60 wt%, preferably up to 30 wt% suitably up to 15 wt%.
[0131] Component (a) may be present in the detergent composition of the present invention in an amount of from 0.5 to 60 wt%, 1 to 30 wt% or 2 to 15 wt%.
[0132] Component (b) is preferably present in the detergent composition of the present invention in an amount of at least 0.1 wt%, preferably at least 0.5 wt%, more preferably at least 1 wt%.
[0133] Component (b) is preferably present in the detergent composition of the present invention in an amount of up to 30 wt%, preferably up to 20 wt% suitably up to 10 wt%.
[0134] Component (b) may be present in the detergent composition of the present invention in an amount of from 0.1 to 30 wt%, 0.5 to 20 wt% or 1 to 10 wt%.
[0135] Component (c) is preferably present in the detergent composition of the present invention in an amount of at least 0.5 wt%, preferably at least 1 wt%, more preferably at least 2 wt%.
[0136] Component (c) preferably present in the detergent composition of the present invention in an amount of at least 40 wt%, preferably up to 25 wt%, more preferably up to 15 wt%.
[0137] Component (c) may be present in the detergent composition of the present invention in an amount of from 0.5 to 40 wt%, 1 to 25 wt% or 2 to 15 wt%.
[0138] The above amounts refer to the weight ratios of the active surfactant compound present in the detergent composition and do not include any residual starting materials, impurities or by products that may be present.
[0139] In some preferred embodiments the detergent composition comprises from 1 to 30 wt%, preferably 10 to 20 wt% component (a) and 0.1 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.5 to 5 wt% component (b).
[0140] In some preferred embodiments the detergent composition comprises from 0.1 to 20 wt%, preferably 1 to 10 wt% component (a); 0.1 to 10 wt%, preferably 0.5 to 5 wt% component (b) and 0.1 to 20 wt%, preferably 1 to 10 wt% component (c).
[0141] The combination of surfactants used in the detergent compositions of the present invention provides excellent cleaning performance and the compositions do not require the inclusion of alkoxylated compounds which could lead to the presence of 1,4-dioxane; or sulfates which can lead to skin and ocular irritation; or linear and/or branched alkylbenzene sulfonates which are derived from petrochemical sources.
[0142] In preferred embodiments the detergent composition of the present invention comprises very low levels or no 1,4-dioxane.
[0143] Preferably the detergent composition of the present invention comprises less than 1000 ppm 1,4-dioxane, preferably less than 500 ppm, more preferably less than 250 ppm or less than 100 ppm, for example less than 50 ppm, less than 20 ppm or less than 10 ppm. Preferably the detergent composition of the present invention is substantially free of 1,4-dioxane.
[0145] Suitably the detergent compositions of the present invention comprise low levels of alkoxylated, especially ethoxylated surfactants.
[0146] In preferred embodiments the detergent composition of the first aspect comprises less than 2.5 wt% alkoxylated surfactants, preferably less than 2 wt%, more preferably less than 1.5 wt%, preferably less than 1 wt%, suitably less than 0.75 wt%, more preferably less than 0.5 wt%, preferably less than 0.25 wt%, preferably less than 0.1 wt%, suitably less than 0.05 wt%, for example less than 0.01 wt%, preferably less than 0.005 wt% and most preferably less than 0.001 wt%.
[0147] In preferred embodiments the detergent composition of the first aspect comprises less than 2.5 wt% ethoxylated surfactants, preferably less than 2 wt%, more preferably less than 1.5 wt%, preferably less than 1 wt%, suitably less than 0.75 wt%, more preferably less than 0.5 wt%, preferably less than 0.25 wt%, preferably less than 0.1 wt%, suitably less than 0.05 wt%, for example less than 0.01 wt%, preferably less than 0.005 wt% and most preferably less than 0.001 wt%.
[0148] By alkoxylated or ethoxylated surfactants we mean to refer to any surfactant compound which includes an alkoxy or ethoxy repeat unit.
[0149] Preferably the detergent composition of the present invention is substantially free of alkoxylated surfactants.
[0150] Preferably the detergent composition of the present invention is substantially free of ethoxylated surfactants.
[0151] In some preferred embodiments the detergent composition of the present invention comprises less than 2.5 wt% sulfate containing surfactants, preferably less than 2 wt%, more preferably less than 1.5 wt%, preferably less than 1 wt%, suitably less than 0.75 wt%, more preferably less than 0.5 wt%, preferably less than 0.25 wt%, preferably less than 0.1 wt%, suitably less than 0.05 wt%, for example less than 0.01 wt%, preferably less than 0.005 wt% and most preferably less than 0.001 wt%.
[0152] In some embodiments the detergent composition of the first aspect of the present invention is preferably free of sulfate containing surfactants.
[0153] Suitably the detergent composition comprises less than 10 wt%, less than 5 wt% or less than 1 wt% of alkylbenzenesulfonates (linear and branched). Specifically, the detergent composition preferably comprises less than 10 wt%, less than 5 wt% or less than 1 wt% of linear alkylbenzenesulfonates and preferably no branched alkylbenzenesulfonates. Preferably the detergent composition is substantially free of alkylbenzenesulfonates. Suitably the detergent composition comprises no linear alkylbenzenesulfonates and no branched alkylbenzenesulfonates.
[0154] The detergent composition of the present invention may comprise one or more further components. Suitable further components include chelating agents, preservatives, pH adjusting agents and hydrotropes.
[0155] The detergent composition of the present invention may comprise a chelating agent. Suitable chelating agents include ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid, glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid, imino disuccinic acid, diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, diethylenetriamine penta methylene phosphonic acid, etidronic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid and anions, salts and mixtures thereof.
[0156] Preferred chelating agents are biodegradable chelating agents for example ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid, methylglycinediacetic acid, glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid, imino disuccinic acid and anions and mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (EDDS) is especially preferred. The skilled person will appreciate that polycarboxylic acid chelating agents may be present as the free acid or a salt thereof.
[0157] The detergent composition of the present invention may comprise a preservative. Suitable preservatives will be known to the person skilled in the art and include sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate, sorbic acid, phenoxyethanol, benzyl alcohol, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, salicylic acid, benzyl salicylate, methylparaben, propylparaben and caprylyl glycol. A preferred preservative for use herein is sodium benzoate.
[0158] The detergent composition of the present invention may comprise a hydrotrope. Suitable hydrotropes will be known to the person skilled in the art and include propylene glycol, hexylene glycol, glycerine, sorbitol, xylene sulfonates, cumene sulfonates, ethanol, urea, dipropylene glycol. A preferred hydrotrope for use herein is sorbitol.
[0159] The detergent composition of the present invention may comprise a pH adjusting agent. Suitable pH adjusting agents will be known to the person skilled in the art and include citric acid, lactic acid, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, triethanolamine and sodium gluconate.
[0160] Preferably the detergent composition of the present invention has a pH of from 4.5 to 11, preferably 5 to 9, for example 7 to 8.5.
[0161] The detergent composition of the present invention may be a solid or liquid form. In some embodiments the composition is provided as a solid block. In some embodiments the composition comprises compressed powder. In some embodiments the composition comprises a free flowing particulate material.
[0162] The detergent composition of the first aspect may be a liquid composition or semi-liquid composition. It may be a thick viscous liquid in the form of a thick paste or it may be a runny liquid.
[0163] The detergent composition of the present invention when in liquid form, is preferably an aqueous composition. In some embodiments the composition may comprise one or more further solvents in addition to water. Such suitable co-solvents will be known to the person skilled in the art.
[0164] However in preferred embodiments water is the major solvent present in the detergent composition of the present invention and suitably comprises at least 80 wt% of all solvents present, preferably at least 90 wt%, more preferably at least 95 wt%.
[0165] Other additional components that may be present in the detergent compositions of the present invention will depend on the intended use of the composition.
[0166] For example laundry and dishwashing compositions typically comprise ingredients such as surfactants, fillers, builders, bleaches, bleach activators, redeposition additives, dye transfer inhibitors, enzymes, colorants and fragrances.
[0167] Personal care compositions typically comprise ingredients such as surfactants (including anionic, amphoteric, nonionic and cationic surfactants); conditioning agents (including quaternary ammonium compounds, cationic polymers, cationic conditioning polymers, silicones, synthetic or natural oils or resins etc), fatty alcohols, electrolytes or other rheology modifiers, opacifying/pearlising agents, scalp benefit agents, fragrances, dyes, UV filters, penetration enhancers (eg, propylene carbonate, benzyl alcohol etc), preservatives, antioxidants, emulsifiers, pH adjusting agents and buffers and styling polymers (eg, polyvinylpyrrolidone etc).
[0168] The detergent composition of this may further comprise one or more solvents. In some embodiments the composition comprises one or more solvents including at least one hydroxy functional group. Suitable such solvents include monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols and alkoxy alcohols. Preferred solvents are miscible with water.
[0171] Suitable alkoxy alcohols include diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol and 2-butoxyethanol.
[0173] Suitable polyhydric alcohols include glycerol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol and polypropylene glycol. Preferred polyhydric alcohols are propylene glycol or a mixture of propylene glycol and glycerol.
[0174] In some embodiments, the detergent composition may further comprise a second solvent in addition to the solvent including at least one hydroxy functional group. The second solvent may be a non-water miscible solvent. Suitable such solvents may be selected from one or more of hydrocarbon oils, alkylcarbonates, synthetic and vegetable oils, essential oils, oily esters, silicon oils or perfumes.
[0175] In some embodiments the detergent composition may comprise one or more enzymes. Suitable enzymes for use in detergent compositions, for example laundry detergent compositions, are known in the art. The enzyme may be selected from a protease, an amylase, a mannanase or a lipase, or a mixture thereof. The enzyme of may improve the cleaning performance of the detergent composition, in particular in laundry detergent applications, in particular at relatively low washing temperatures.
[0176] Suitable additional components for use in automatic dishwashing compositions may include corrosion inhibitors, scents, perfume carriers, chelating agents, bleaching agents, bleach activators, biocides, dyes, pigments, fragrances, pH adjusting agents, builders (preferably silicates or zeolites), peroxide based compounds (especially hydrogen peroxide) chlorine bleaches, perborate compounds, bleach activators and catalysts.
[0177] When the detergent composition is a dishwashing composition it may include any of these components.
[0179] Suitable additional components for inclusion in laundry compositions will be known to the person skilled in the art and include chelating agents, fillers, builders, bleaching agents, bleach activators, pigments, dispersants, polymeric dispersing agents, dyes, dye transfer inhibitors, fragrances, fragrance delivery systems, enzyme stabilizers, biocides, probiotics, preservatives, pH adjusting agents, phosphates, silicates, zeolites, peroxide based compounds (especially hydrogen peroxide, chlorine bleaches), perborate compounds, percarbonate compounds, bleach activators and catalysts, cationic surfactants, redeposition additives, brighteners, sud suppressors, fabric softeners and hydrotropes.
[0180] In some embodiments the composition comprises an anti-redeposition agent. These compounds help maintain salts in solution during the machine wash cycle.
[0181] Suitable anti-redeposition agents will be known to the person skilled in the art. Such components often comprise polyimides. One suitable compound is sold under the trade mark Sokalan HP20 and is an ethoxylated polyethylene polyimine.
[0183] Preferably the composition or the first aspect comprises a chelating agent. Suitable chelating agents will be known to the person skilled in the art, and are as previously defined herein.
[0186] Other preferred components for inclusion in the detergent compositions of the present invention include probiotics, dye transfer inhibitors and wash performance boosting polymers.
[0187] Wash performance boosting polymers are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the detergent composition may comprise polyacrylates, polycarboxylates, cellulose derivatives, polyesters based on terephthalic acid, ethylene/propylene glycol-based polymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), poly(vinylpyridine N-oxide) (PVP-NO), poly(vinylpyridine betaine), biodegradable polymeric dispersants (for example polyamino acid polymers such as polyaspartate and polysaccharides such as oxidized starch), poly(vinyl alcohol), polyalkylene glycol and copolymers of alkylene oxide and vinyl acetate, modified ethoxylated urethane or multifunctional polyethylene imine.
[0189] Preferably the compositions of the present invention are sufficiently non-irritating and non-toxic that they can be directly handled by the user.
[0191] In some embodiments the detergent composition of this first aspect is a liquid laundry detergent composition.
[0194] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a solid laundry composition in unit dose form.
[0195] Preferably each unit dose has a mass of from 5 to 100g, preferably from 5 to 75g, more preferably from 10 to 50g.
[0196] In some embodiments the unit dose of the detergent composition may be provided in a water-soluble film or sachet, which dissolves in use on exposure to water to release the detergent composition from the sachet. Suitable water-soluble film sachets or known in the art and may be formed from polyvinyl alcohol.
[0197] In some embodiments the present invention provides a unit dose detergent product comprising a portion of a detergent composition according to the first aspect and a wrapper.
[0198] Suitably the portion of the detergent composition is an amount suitable for washing a standard load of laundry.
[0199] The portion of the detergent composition may be in solid or liquid form, preferably in solid form.
[0201] The portion of the detergent composition is suitably surrounded by the wrapper. Suitably the detergent composition is sealed within the wrapper.
[0203] In some embodiments the wrapper may comprise a water soluble film (e.g. of polyvinyl alcohol) intended to be dosed in a washing machine.
[0204] In some embodiments the wrapper may comprise a protective polymeric film which is to be removed before dosing into a washing machine. Such films are suitably frangible and made from material which protects the enclosed detergent composition from moisture and air.
[0205] In some embodiments the unit dose detergent product may comprise a water soluble wrapper and a protective polymeric film wrapper.
[0206] Preferably the compositions of the present invention are sufficiently non-irritating and non-toxic that they can be directly handled by the user. Thus in some preferred embodiments unit doses of the detergent composition of the present invention do not comprise any individual coating, encapsulation or wrapping.
[0208] In some embodiments, the unit dose form comprises the detergent composition of the first aspect and a second composition.
[0209] In some embodiments pouches or tablets include multiple compartments. This is typically to separate incompatible ingredients so that they do not react and degrade on storage. Such embodiments are within the scope of the invention.
[0210] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a packaged detergent product comprising a container and a detergent composition according to the first aspect.
[0212] In the second aspect the detergent composition may be provided in loose powder or liquid form where a user measures out a dose each time before use.
[0213] In some preferred embodiments the packaged detergent composition comprises a plurality of unit doses of the detergent composition of the first aspect. In some embodiments the unit doses are provided in water-soluble film sachets, as discussed above. For example, suitable water-soluble film sachets may be formed from polyvinyl alcohol.
[0214] In preferred embodiments the detergent composition of the first aspect is provided in unit dose form.
[0215] The detergent compositions of the present invention have been found to provide excellent cleaning performance in the absence of sulfates, ethoxylated surfactants and linear and/or branched alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactants.
[0217] The compositions of the present invention have been found to especially effective as laundry detergents.
[0218] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of laundering one or more items, the method comprising contacting the one or more items with a detergent composition comprising:
- (a) at least one acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I):
wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 hydrocarbyl group;
each of R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group and wherein at least one of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not hydrogen; and M+ represents a cation; and
- (b) at least one hydrocarbyl saccharide compound.
[0219] Preferably the method of the third aspect involves the steps of loading the one or more items into a washing machine, adding the detergent composition into the washing machine, and running a wash cycle of the washing machine.
[0220] Preferred features of the third aspect are as defined in relation to the first and second aspects.
[0221] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a detergent composition in toilet care, manual dishwashing, laundry, fabric care, kitchen care, carpet cleaning, vehicle care, polishing products, machine cleaning and maintenance, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, oilfield chemical applications, marine applications, personal care or institutional / industrial cleaning; wherein the detergent composition comprises:
- (a) at least one acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I):
wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 hydrocarbyl group;
each of R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group and wherein at least one of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not hydrogen; and M+ represents a cation; and
- (b) at least one hydrocarbyl saccharide compound.
[0222] Suitably the use of the fourth aspect provides improved cleaning performance, suitably in laundry applications.
[0223] Preferred features of the fourth aspect are as defined in relation to the first, second and third aspects.
[0224] The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting examples.
Example 1
[0225] Compositions were prepared comprising the following components:
Table 1
| Composition | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (comparative) |
| SLMI (wt% active) | 14.5 | 7.25 | 4.83 | |
| APG (wt% active) | 3.5 | 3.5 | 3.5 | |
| MOT (wt% active) | 7.25 | 4.83 | ||
| COT (wt% active) | 4.83 | |||
| SLS (wt% active) | 11.0 | |||
| AE (wt% active) | 7.0 | |||
| Water | To 100% | To 100% | To 100% | To 100% |
| SLMI: sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate - commercially available as a solid comprising
82 wt% active material APG: alkyl polyglucosides (decyl glucoside) - commercially available as a 50 wt% solution in water MOT: sodium methyl oleoyl taurate - commercially available as a solid comprising 70 wt% active material COT: sodium methyl cocoyl taurate - commercially available as a solid comprising 75 wt% active material SLS: sodium lauryl sulfate - commercially available as a powder as a solid comprising 92 wt% active material AE: alcohol ethoxylate (C12-15 Pareth-7) - commercially available as 100 wt% active material |
Example 2
[0227] The compositions were tested according to the following method which corresponds to a standard test ASTM D4265-21 modified for use in a tergotometer:
Soiled and clean cotton and cotton/polyester swatches were cut into into 5 cm x 5 cm squares. Compositions 1 to 4 from Example 1 were placed into separate tergotometer pots and the temperature of each pot was adjusted to approximately 100°F (37.8°C), before lowering the tergotometer paddles into each pot, and covering to retain the temperature. The tergotometer was set to 100 RPM, with reversal after every 50 revolutions. 8 soiled swatches and 4 clean swatches were added to each pot and washed for 30 minutes. After the 30-minute wash was complete, the water was drained and the cloths squeezed to remove excess water and set aside. The swatches were rinsed by refilling the tergotometer's pots with 1 Liter of water of the same hardness used during washing, and running at 100 RPM for 5 minutes. After rinsing, the water was drained and the cloths hand squeezed before laying flat to air dry, out of direct sunlight.
Stain Removal Index (SRI):
[0228] A colorimeter was used to measure the reflectance of an unwashed, clean swatch (UF) (unwashed fabric samples can be used as references for all products tested).
[0230] After washing, rinsing and drying, the reflectance of the washed soiled swatch (WS) was measured The CIE L*, a*, b* color values from the reflectance measurements were determined.
[0231] The SRI may be calculated using the following equation:
where:
US = Unwashed soiled swatch,
UF = Unwashed (clean) swatch,
WS = Washed soiled swatch.
ΔE*(US-UF) = Delta-E color difference between the unwashed soiled swatch and the unwashed clean swatch, and
ΔE*(WS-UF) = Delta-E color difference between the washed soiled swatch and the unwashed soiled swatch.
Residual Stain Index (RSI):
[0233] The reflectance of the unwashed, clean swatch (UF) was measured (unwashed fabric samples can be used as references for all products tested).
[0234] After washing, rinsing and drying, the reflectance of the washed soiled swatches (WS) was measured.
[0236] RSI can be calculated using the equation:
where:
UF = Unwashed (clean) swatch, and
WS = Washed soiled swatch.
[0238] Test results for Compositions 1 to 4 for olive oil stains on cotton or blends of cotton and polyester are shown in table 2.
Table 2
| Composition | surfactants | Soil | Substrate | Av. Stain Removal Index (SRI)* | Av. Residual Stain Index (RSI)* |
| 1 | SLMI + APG | Olive Oil | Cotton | 11 | 69 |
| 1 | SLMI + APG | Olive Oil | Poly/Cotton | 19 | 71 |
| 2 | SLMI + APG + MOT | Olive Oil | Cotton | 8.5 | 68 |
| 3 | SLMI + APG + MOT + COT | Olive Oil | Cotton | 9 | 68.5 |
| 4 (comparative) | SLS + AE | Olive Oil | Cotton | 11 | 69.5 |
| 4 (comparative) | SLS + AE | Olive Oil | Poly/Cotton | 21.5 | 71.5 |
| *Each test was performed in duplicate, and the results were averaged. |
1. A detergent composition comprising:
(a) at least one acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I):
wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 hydrocarbyl group;
each of R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group and wherein at least one of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not hydrogen; and M+ represents a cation; and
(b) at least one hydrocarbyl saccharide compound.
2. A detergent composition according to claim 1 wherein component (a) comprises an acyl
alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I) selected from one or more of sodium lauroyl
methyl isethionate, sodium cocoyl methyl isethionate and sodium oleoyl methyl isethionate.
3. A detergent composition according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein component (b) comprises
a compound of general formula (II):
wherein n is from 2 to 24, preferably from 5 to 17, more preferably from 9 to 13 and m is from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 2.
wherein n is from 2 to 24, preferably from 5 to 17, more preferably from 9 to 13 and m is from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 2.
4. A detergent composition according to any preceding claim which further comprises (c)
a taurate surfactant; preferably wherein component (c) comprises an alkyl acyl taurates
selected from sodium lauroyl methyl taurate, sodium methyl myristoyl taurate, sodium
methyl palmitoyl taurate, sodium methyl stearoyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate,
sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, and combinations thereof.
5. A detergent composition according to any preceding claim which comprises less than
250 ppm 1,4-dioxane; and/or which comprises less than 1 wt% alkoxylated surfactants;
and/or which comprises less than 1 wt% sulfate containing surfactants; and/or which
comprises less than 1 wt% of linear and/or branched alkylbenzene sulfonates.
6. A detergent composition according to any preceding claim wherein component (a), component
(b) and, when present, component (c) together make up at least 80 wt% of all surfactant
compounds present in the composition.
7. A detergent composition according to any preceding claim which is in solid form.
8. A detergent composition according to any preceding claim which is a laundry composition.
9. A detergent composition according to any preceding claim which comprises one or more
components selected from include chelating agents, fillers, builders, bleaching agents,
bleach activators, pigments, dispersants, polymeric dispersing agents, dyes, dye transfer
inhibitors, fragrances, fragrance delivery systems, enzyme stabilizers, biocides,
probiotics, preservatives, pH adjusting agents, phosphates, silicates, zeolites, peroxide
based compounds (especially hydrogen peroxide, chlorine bleaches), perborate compounds,
percarbonate compounds, bleach activators and catalysts, cationic surfactants, redeposition
additives, brighteners, sud suppressors, fabric softeners and hydrotropes.
10. A detergent composition according to any preceding claim which is in unit dose form.
11. A packaged detergent product comprising a container and a detergent composition according
to any preceding claim.
12. A method of laundering one or more items, the method comprising contacting the one
or more items with a detergent composition comprising:
(a) at least one acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I):
wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 hydrocarbyl group;
each of R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group and wherein at least one of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not hydrogen; and M+ represents a cation; and
(b) at least one hydrocarbyl saccharide compound.
13. A method according to claim 16 which involves the steps of loading the one or more
items into a washing machine, adding the detergent composition into the washing machine,
and running a wash cycle of the washing machine.
14. The use of a detergent composition in toilet care, manual dishwashing, laundry, fabric
care, kitchen care, carpet cleaning, vehicle care, polishing products, machine cleaning
and maintenance, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, oilfield chemical
applications, marine applications, personal care or institutional / industrial cleaning;
wherein the detergent composition comprises:
(a) at least one acyl alkyl isethionate surfactant of formula (I):
wherein R1 represents an optionally substituted C4-C36 hydrocarbyl group;
each of R2, R3, R4 and R5 independently represents hydrogen or a C1-C4 alkyl group and wherein at least one of R2, R3, R4 and R5 is not hydrogen; and M+ represents a cation; and
(b) at least one hydrocarbyl saccharide compound.
15. A use according to claim 18 to provide improved cleaning performance in laundry applications.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only. It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description