Fatty acid containing detergent compositions

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to detergent compositions, preferably liquid detergents, containing an anionic synthetic surfactant, a cosurfactant selected from the group consisting of certain quaternary ammonium, diquaternary ammonium, amine and diamine surfactants, and a fatty acid. The compositions herein have a molar ratio of the anionic synthetic surfactant to the cosurfactant of at least 1 and are formulated to provide an initial pH of from about 6.0 to about 8.5 at a concentration of from about 0.1 % to about 2% by weight in water at 20°C. The compositions provide both superior greasy/oily soil removal and good builder/pH sensitive soil removal at the near-neutral wash pH.

Background art

[0002] U.S. Patent 4,285,841, Barrat et al, issued August 25, 1981, discloses liquid detergents containing anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and from about 8% to about 20% by weight of a fatty acid. The compositions have a pH of from about 6.0 to 7.5.

[0003] U.S. Patent 4,287,082, Tolfo et al, issued September 1, 1981, discloses liquid detergents containing saturated fatty acids, enzymes, enzyme-accessible calcium and selected short-chain carboxylic acids.

[0004] U.S. patent 4,321,165, Smith et al, issued March 23,1982, discloses built detergents containing anionic, nonionic and cationic surfactants. The compositions provide a solution pH of at least about 6, and preferably greater than about 8.

Summary of the invention

[0005] The present invention encompasses detergent compositions comprising:

[0006] 

(a) from 2% to 60% by weight of an anionic synthetic surfactant;

(b) from 0.25% to 12% by weight of a cosurfactant selected from the group consisting of:

(i) quaternary ammonium surfactants having the formula:

wherein R^Z is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain; each R³ is selected from the group consisting of -CH₂CH₂-, -CH₂CH(CH₃)-, -CH₂CH(CH₂OH)-, -CH₂CH₂CH₂-, and mixtures thereof; each R° is selected from the group consisting hydrogen (provided that y is not 0) of C₁-₄ alkyl, C_1-4 hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, ring structures formed by joining the two R⁴ groups, and -CH₂CHOHCHOHCOR⁶CHOHCH₂OH wherein R⁶ is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight up to 1000; R⁵ is the same as R' or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms of R plus R⁵ is not more than 18; each y is from 0 to 10 and the sum of the y values is from 0 to 15; and X is any compatible anion;

(ii) diquaternary ammonium surfactants having the formula:

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, y and X are as defined above;

(iii) amine surfactants having the formula:

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and y are as defined above; and

(iv) diamine surfactants having the formula:

wherein R², R³, R", R⁵ and y are as defined above; and

(c) from 5% to 40% by weight of a fatty acid containing from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, and from 0 to 10 ethylene oxide units in the hydrocarbon chain; said composition having a molar ratio of the anionic synthetic surfactant to the cosurfactant of at least 1 and formulated to provide an initial pH of from about 6.0 to about 8.5 at a concentration of from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight in water at 20°C.

Detailed description of the invention

[0007] The detergent compositions herein contain an anionic synthetic surfactant, a cosurfactant selected from certain quaternary ammonium diquaternary ammonium, amine and diamine surfactants, and a fatty acid material. The compositions can be in any form, including granules, liquids, tablets or pastes. However, liquid compositions are highly preferred since the compositions herein are especially effective when applied directly to soils and stains in a pretreatment step. The compositions herein must have a molar ratio of the anionic synthetic surfactant to the cosurfactant of at least one, preferably from about 2:1 to about 20:1, and are formulated to provide an initial pH of from about 6.0 to about 8.5 at a concentration of from about 0.1 % to about 2% by weight in water at 20°C. It has been found that the addition of the cosurfactant to the fatty acid containing detergents herein provides important greasy/oily soil removal benefits only at the near-neutral wash pH. The wash pH is preferably from about 7.0 to about 8.5, more preferably from about 7.5 to about 8.0.

[0008] While not intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that the cosurfactant and anionic surfactant herein form complexes which enhance packing of the surfactants at the oil/water interface, thereby lowering interfacial tension and improving detergency. (The amine and diamine surfactants would be at least partially protonated at the near-neutral pH and thus can form charges species capable of complexing with the anionic surfactant). At the defined pH range recited herein, the fatty acid component exists in a chemical form which is optimal for effective detergency. At too low a pH, the non-dissociated form of the acid is ineffective. It is also believed that the higher pH's (i.e., above about 8.5) affect the interaction of the fatty acid with the cosurfactant and water hardness and result in the formation of undesirable species at the oil/water interface which reduce detergency performance.

Anionic synthetic surfactant

[0009] The detergent compositions herein contain from about 2% to about 60% by weight of an anionic synthetic surfactant, or mixtures thereof. The anionic surfactant preferably represents from about 5% to about 40%, and more preferably from about 10% to about 20%, by weight of the detergent composition. Anionic surfactants useful herein are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,285,841, Barrat et al, issued August 25, 1981, and in U.S. Patent 3,919,678, Laughlin et al, issued December 30, 1975.

[0010] Useful anionic surfactants include the water-soluble salts, particularly the alkali metal, ammonium and alkylolammonium (e.g., monoethanolammonium or triethanolammonium) salts, of organic sulfuric reaction products having in their molecular structure an alkyl group containing from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms and a sulfonic acid or sulfuric acid ester group. (Included in the term "alkyl" is the alkyl portion of aryl groups). Examples of this group of synthetic surfactants are the alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating the higher alcohols (C₈-C,_e carbon atoms) such as those produced by reducing the glycerides of tallow or coconut oil; and the alkylbenzene sulfonates in which the alkyl group contains from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms, in straight chain or branched chain configuration, e.g., those of the type described in United States Patents 2,220,099 and 2,477,383. Especially valuable are linear straight chain alkylbenzene sulfoantes in which the average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group is from about 11 to 14.

[0011] Other anionic surfactants herein are the water-soluble salts of: paraffin sulfonates containing from about 8 to about 24 (preferably about 12 to 18) carbon atoms; alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, especially those ethers of C_s-₁₈ alcohols (e.g., those derived from tallow and coconut oil); alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing from about 1 to about 4 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms in the alkyl group; and alkyl ethylene oxide ether sulfates containing about 1 to about 4 units of ethylene oxide per molecule and from about 10 to about 20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group.

[0012] Other useful anionic surfactants herein include the water-soluble salts of esters of a-sulfonated fatty acids containing from about 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 about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group and from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; water-soluble salts of olefin sulfonates containing from about 12 to 24 carbon atoms; and β-alkyloxy alkane sulfonates containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety.

[0013] Particularly preferred anionic surfactants herein are the alkyl sulfates of the formula

wherein R is an alkyl chain having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated, and the longest linear portion of the alkyl chain is 15 carbon atoms or less on the average, M is a cation which makes the compound water-soluble, especially an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation, and x is from 0 to about 4. Most preferred are the non-ethoxylated C₁₂-₁₅ primary and secondary alkyl sulfates. Under cold water washing conditions, i.e., less than about 65°F (18.3°C), it is preferred that there be a mixture of such alkyl sulfates.

[0014] Mixtures of the alkyl sulfates with the above-described alkylbenzene sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates and esters of a a-sulfonated fatty acids, particularly with the C11-13 linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, are also preferred.

Cosurfactant

[0015] The compositions herein also contain from about 0.25% to about 12%, preferably from about 0.5% to about 8%, more preferably from about 1% to about 4%, by weight of a cosurfactant selected from the group of certain quaternary ammonium, diquaternary ammonium, amine and diamine surfactants. The quaternary ammonium surfactants are particularly preferred.

[0016] The quaternary ammonium surfactants herein are of the formula:

wherein R² is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain; each R³ is selected from the group consisting of -CH₂CH₂-, -CH₂CH(CH₃)-, -CH₂CH(CH₂OH)-, -CH₂CH₂CH₂-, and mixtures thereof; each R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of C₁-₄ alkyl, C₁-₄ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, ring structures formed by joining the two R⁴ groups,

wherein R⁶ is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight less than about 1000, and hydrogen when y is not 0; R⁵ is the same as R or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms or R² plus R⁵ is not more than about 18; each y is from 0 to about 10 and the sum of the y values is from 0 to about 15; and X is any compatible anion.

[0017] Preferred of the above are the alkyl quaternary ammonium surfactants, especially the mono-long chain alkyl surfactants described in the above formula when R⁵ is selected from the same groups as R⁴. The most preferred quaternary ammonium surfactants are the chloride, bromide and methylsulfate C₈-₁₆ alkyl trimethylammonium salts, C_S-₁₆ alkyl di(hydroxyethyl)methylammonium salts, the C_8-16 alkyl hydroxyethyldimethylammonium salts, and C_8-16 alkyloxypropyl trimethylammonium salts. Of the above, decyl trimethylammonium methylsulfate, lauryl trimethylammonium chloride, myristyl trimethylammonium bromide and coconut trimethylammonium chloride and methylsulfate are particularly preferred.

[0018] Under cold water washing conditions, i.e., less than about 65°F (18.3°C), the C_8-10 alkyltrimethyl ammonium surfactants are particularly preferred since they have a lower Kraft boundary and, therefore, a lower crystallization temperature than the longer alkyl chain quaternary ammonium surfactants herein.

[0019] Diquaternary ammonium surfactants herein are of the formula:

wherein the R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, y and X substituents are as defined above for the quaternary ammonium surfactants. These substituents are also preferably selected to provide diquaternary ammonium surfactants corresponding to the preferred quaternary ammonium surfactants. Particularly preferred are the C_8-16 alkyl pentamethylethylenediammonium chloride, bromide and methylsulfate salts.

[0020] Amine surfactants useful herein are of the formula:

wherein the R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and y substituents are as defined above for the quaternary ammonium surfactants. Particularly preferred are the C₁₂-₁₆ alkyl dimethyl amines.

[0021] Diamine surfactants herein are of the formula:

wherein the R^Z, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and y substituents are as defined above. Preferred are the C₁₂-₁₆ alkyl trimethylethylene diamines.

Fatty acid

[0022] The compositions of the present invention contain from about 5% to about 40%, preferably from about 7% to about 30%, most preferably from about 10% to about 20%, by weight of a fatty acid containing from about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms. The fatty acid can also contain from about 1 to about 10 ethylene oxide units in the hydrocarbon chain.

[0023] Suitable fatty acids are saturated and/or unsaturated and can be obtained from natural sources such as plant or animal esters (e.g., palm kernel oil, palm oil, coconut oil, babassu oil, safflower oil, tall oil, castor oil, tallow and fish oils, grease, and mixtures thereof) or synthetically prepared (e.g., via the oxidation of petroleum or by hydrogenation of carbon monooxide via the Fisher-Tropsch process). Examples of suitable saturated fatty acids for use in the compositions of this invention include capric, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, arachidic and behenic acid. Suitable unsaturated fatty acid species include: palmitoleic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic and ricinoleic acid. Examples of preferred fatty acids are saturated C₁₀-C₁₄ (coconut) fatty acids, from about 5:1 to 1:1 (preferably about 3:1) weight ratio mixtures of lauric and myristic acid, and mixtures of the above lauric/myristic blends with oleic acid at a weight ratio of about 4:1 to 1:4 mixed lauric/myristic:oleic.

Optional components

[0024] The compositions of the present invention also preferably contain up to about 30%, preferably from about 1% to about 20%, more preferably from about 5% to about 15%, by weight of an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant. These materials are described in U.S. Patent 4,285,841, Barrat et al, issued August 25, 1981. Preferred are the ethoxylated alcohols and ethoxylated alkyl phenols of the formula R(OC₂H₄)_nOH, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals containing from about 8 to about 15 carbon atoms and alkyl phenyl radicals in which the alkyl groups contain from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms, n is from about 3 to about 9, and said nonionic surfactant has an HLB (hydrophile- lipophile balance) value of from about 10 to about 13. These surfactants are more fully described in U.S. Patent 4,284,532, Leikhim et al, issued August 18, 1981. Particularly preferred are ethoxylated alcohols having an average of from about 10 to about 15 carbon atoms in the alcohol and an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 3 to about 8 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

[0025] The compositions herein also preferably contain up to about 40%, more preferably from about 1% to about 30%, by weight of a detergent builder material. While all manner of detergent builders known in the art can be used in the present compositions, the type and level of builder must be selected such that the final composition has an initial pH of from about 6.0 to about 8.5 at a concentration of from about 0.1 % to about 1 % by weight in water at 20°C. Detergent builders are described in U.S. Patent 4,321,165, Smith et al, issued March 23, 1982. In the preferred liquid detergent compositions herein, the builder preferably represents from about 1% to about 20%, more preferably from about 3% to about 10%, by weight of the composition. Preferred builders for use in liquid detergents herein are described in U.S. Patent 4,284,532, Leikhim et al, issued August 18, 1981. A particularly preferred builder is citric acid.

[0026] Other preferred components for use in liquid detergents herein are the neutralizing agents, buffering agents, phase regulants, hydrotropes, enzymes, enzyme stabilizing agents, polyacids, suds regulants, opacifiers, antioxidants, bactericides, dyes, perfumes, and brighteners described in the U.S. Patent 4,285,841, Barrat et al, issued August 25, 1981. Preferred neutralizing agents for use herein are organic bases, especially triethanolamine and monoethanolamine, which result in better detergency performance than inorganic bases such as sodium and potassium hydroxides. Particularly preferred compositions herein contain from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight of detersive enzymes, especially the amylases, proteases, and mixtures thereof, of the type well known to detergent formulators.

[0027] The following non-limiting examples illustrate the compositions of the present invention. All percentages, parts and ratios used herein are by weight unless otherwise specified.

Example I

[0028] Four sets of 7.6 cm square polycotton (P/C) or cotton (C) swatches stained with standard soils were washed in an automatic mini-washer using 2000 ppm of either Composition A, a commercially available heavy-duty liquid detergent; Composition B containing, by weight, 6.2% sodium C₁₃ linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, 9.4% sodium C₁₄-₁₆ alkyl sulfate, 10.0% C,₂-₁₃ alcohol polyethoxylate (6.5), 10.0% coconut fatty acid, 5.0% oleic fatty acid, 15.0% citric acid, 0.3% diethylenetriame pentamethylene phosphonic acid, 0.23% brightener, 1.0% protease enzyme, enough monoethanolamine to achieve the desired pH and the balance, to 100% water; Composition C, which was B plus 2.7% by weight of C₁₂ alkyl trimethylammonium chloride; or Composition D, which was B plus 2.7% by weight of C₁₂-₁₆ alkyl dimethyl amine oxide. The wash pH was about 7.3 for Composition A and about 7.4 for B, C and D. The wash water temperature was 95°F (35°C) and the water hardness was 86 mg/l (5 grains/gallon) (3:1 Ca^-+:Mg^{+ ++}). The swatches were then dried and each set was round robin comparison graded against its counterparts to determine relative soil removal provided by the detergent compositions. A grading scale of -4 to 4 was used, with -4 indicating much less soil removal, 0 indicating no difference and 4 indicating much more soil removal. The results for each composition were then averaged and Composition A was assigned a relative value of 0.

[0029] A similar comparison was made except that the wash pH for Compositions B, C and D was about 9.5.

[0030] The results were as follows.

[0031] The above results demonstrate that Composition C of the present invention containing quaternary ammonium cosurfactant, provides important advantages on greasy/oil soils and also on grass and clay (on PC) relative to Composition B at wash pH's of 7.4. However, these advantages are substantially eliminated at wash pH's of 9.5.

[0032] As demonstrated above, the present invention also encompasses a method for laundering fabrics comprising contacting said fabrics with an aqueous solution having a pH of from about 6.0 to about 8.5 at 20°C and containing at least about 0.1% by weight of the compositions herein.

:Example II

[0033] Liquid detergent compositions of the present invention are as follows.

[0034] Composition A was prepared by adding the components, with continuous mixing, in the following order: alcohol polyethoxylate; monoethanolamine; premix of coconutalkyl sulfuric acid paste (containing propanediol, triethanolamine, coconutalkyl sulfuric acid, water and minors) and monoethanolamine- neutralized alkylbenzene sulfonic acid; premix of toluene sulfonate and water; citric acid; alkyl trimethylammonium chloride; premix of fatty acids; phosphonic acid; acetic acid; premix of dye, brightener, formate, ethanol and water; adjust pH to about 8.1 with monoethanolamine or water; protease enzyme; amylase enzyme; and perfume. The product obtained was a clear liquid. It exhibited better detergency performance than a similar product obtained by adding the fatty acids prior to adding the alkyltrimethylammonium chloride. The product also exhibited better detergency performance, phase stability and a less objectionable base odor than a similar product obtained by adding the monoethanolamine after the premix of the coconutalkyl sulfuric acid paste and the neutralized alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.

[0035] Composition B was obtained by mixing the components.

[0036] Other compositions of the present invention are obtained when the alkyl trimethylammonium halides in the above compositions are replaced with coconutalkyl trimethylammonium chloride, decyl trimethylammonium methylsulfate, lauryl di(hydroxyethyl) methylammonium chloride, decyloxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride, lauryl pentamethylethylenediammonium chloride, lauryl diethanolamine or coconutalkyl trimethylethylene diamine.

[0037] Other compositions herein are obtained when, in the above compositions, the C₁₃ linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid is replaced with coconutalkyl sulfuric acid or C₁₄-₁₅ alkyl sulfuric acid, and when the coconutalkyl sulfuric acid is replaced with C₁₄-₁₅ alkyl ethoxy (1 avg) sulfuric acid.

[0038] Compositions of the present invention are also obtained when the lauric/myristic/oleic fatty acid mixture in the above compositions is replaced with coconut fatty acid or a 3:1 weight ratio mixture of lauric and myristic acid.

[0039] Granular detergents of the present invention can be obtained by spray-drying the above compositions and admixing heat-sensitive materials such as the enzymes.

Claims

1. A detergent composition comprising:

(a) from 2% to 60% by weight of an anionic synthetic surfactant;

(b) from 0.25% to 12% by weight of a cosurfactant selected from the group consisting of:

(i) quaternary ammonium surfactants having the formula:

wherein R^Z is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain; each R³ is selected from the group consisting of -CH₂CH₂-, -CH₂CH(CH₃)-, -CH₂CH(CH₂OH)-, -CH₂CH₂CH₂-, and mixtures thereof; each R⁴ is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen (provided that y is not 0), C₁-₄ alkyl, C₁-₄ hydroxyalkyl, benzyl, ring structures formed by joining the two R⁴ groups, and

wherein R⁶ is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight up to 1,000; R⁵ is the same as R⁴ or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms of R^Z plus R⁵ is not more than 18; each y is from 0 to 10 and the sum of the y values is from 0 to 15; and X is any compatible anion;

(ii) diquaternary ammonium surfactants having the formula:

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, y and X are as defined above;

(iii) amine surfactants having the formula:

wherein R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ and y are as defined above; and

(iv) diamine surfactants having the formula:

wherein R^Z, R³, R⁴, R⁵ and y are as defined above; and

(c) from 5% to 40% by weight of a fatty acid which contains from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, and from 0 to 10 ethylene oxide units in the hydrocarbon chain said composition having a molar ratio of the anionic synthetic surfactant to the cosurfactant of at least 1 and formulated to provide an initial pH of from about 6.0 to about 8.5 at a concentration of from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight in water at 20°C.

2. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the anionic surfactant comprises an alkyl sulfate of the formula

wherein R is an alkyl chain having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated, and the longest linear portion of the alkyl chain is 15 carbon atoms or less on the average, M is a cation which makes the compound water-soluble, and x is from 0 to 4.

3. The composition of Claim 2 wherein in the alkyl sulfate surfactant, R is an alkyl group containing from about 12 to 15 carbon atoms, x is 0 and M is an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium cation.

4. The composition of Claim 3 wherein the anionic surfactant additionally comprises a water-soluble salt of an alkylbenzene sulfonate, paraffin sulfonate, alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate or an ester of an a-sulfonated fatty acid.

5. The composition of Claim 3 wherein the anionic surfactant additionally comprises an alkali metal, ammonium or substituted ammonium salt of a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate containing from 11 to 13 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain.

6. The composition of Claim 1 wherein the cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of the chloride, bromide and methylsulfate C_8-16 alkyl trimethylammonium salts, C_8-16 alkyl di(hydroxyethyl) methylammonium salts, C_8-16 alkyl hydroxyethyldimethylammonium salts, and C₈-₁₆ alkyloxypropyl trimethylammonium salts.

7. The compositions of Claim 6 wherein the cosurfactant is decyl trimethylammonium methylsulfate, lauryl trimethylammonium chloride, myristyl trimethylammonium bromide and coconutalkyl trimethylammonium chloride and methylsulfate.

8. The compositions of Claim 1 wherein the fatty acid comprises a material containing from 10 to 14 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof.

9. The compositions of Claim 3 wherein the cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of the chloride, bromide and methylsulfate C_8-16 alkyl trimethylammonium salts, C_S-₁₆ alkyl di(hydroxyethyl) methylammonium salts, C_S-₁₆ alkyl hydroxyethyldimethylammonium salts, and C_8-16 alkyloxypropyl trimethylammonium salts, and the fatty acid comprises a material containing from 10 to 14 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof.

10. A liquid detergent composition according to Claim 9 comprising from 10% to 20% by weight of the anionic synthetic surfactant, from 1 % to 4% by weight of the cosurfactant, and from 10% to 20% by weight of the fatty acid.

11. The composition of Claim 10 additionally comprising from 0.1 to 2% by weight of an enzyme suitable for use in detergent compositions selected from the group consisting of amylases, proteases, and mixtures thereof.

12. The composition of Claim 11 additionally comprising from 3% to 10% by weight of citric acid.

13. A method for laundering fabrics comprising contacting said fabrics with an aqueous solution having a pH of from 6.0 to 8.5 at 20°C and containing at least 0.1 % by weight of the composition of Claim 1.

Ansprüche

1. Eine Detergenszusammensetzung, enthaltend:

(a) 2 Gew.-% bis 60 Gew.-% eines anionischen, synthetischen oberflächenaktiven Mittels;

(b) 0,25 Gew.-% bis 12 Gew.-% eines co-oberflächenaktiven Mittels, ausgewählt aus der aus:

(i) quaternären Ammonium-oberflächenaktiven Mitteln mit der Formel:

worin R² eine Alkyl- oder Alkylbenzylgruppe mit 8 bis 18 Kohlenstoffatomen in der Alkylkette ist; jeder Rest R³ aus der Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die aus -CH2CHz-, -CH₂CH(CH₃)-, -CH₂CH(CH₂OH)-, -CH₂CH₂CH₂-, und Mischungen davon, besteht; jeder Rest R⁴ aus der Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die aus Wasserstoff (vorausgesetzt, daß y nicht Null ist), C₁-₄-Alkyl, C_l-₄-Hydroxyalkyl, Benzyl, Ringstrukturen, die durch Verbindung der zwei R⁴-Gruppen gebildet werden, und

wobei R⁶ irgendeine Hexose oder irgendein Hexosepolymer mit einem Molekulargewicht bis zu 1000 ist, besteht; R⁵ die gleiche Bedeutung hat wie R⁴, oder eine Alkylkette ist, wobei die Gesamtzahl von Kohlenstoffatomen von R^Z plus R⁵ nicht höher als 18 ist; jedes Symbol y 0 bis 10 darstellt, und die Summe der y-Werte 0 bis 15 beträgt; und X irgendein verträgliches Anion ist;

(ii) diquaternären Ammonium-oberflächenaktiven Mitteln mit der Formel:

worin R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, y und X wie oben definiert sind;

(iii) Amin-oberflächenaktiven Mitteln mit der Formel

worin R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ und y wie oben definiert sind; und

(iv) Diamin-oberflächenaktiven Mitteln mit der Formel:

worin R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ und y wie oben definiert sind; bestehenden Gruppe; und

(c) 5 Gew.-% bis 40 Gew.-% einer Fettsäure, die 10 bis 22 Kohlenstoffatome und 0 bis 10 Ethylenoxideinheiten in der Kohlenwasserstoffkette enthält, wobei die Zusammensetzung ein Molverhältnis des anionischen, synthetischen oberflächenaktiven Mittels zu dem co-oberflächenaktiven Mittel von wenigstens 1 aufweist und so formuliert ist, daß sich bei einer Konzentration von etwa 0,1 Gew.-% bis etwa 2 Gew.-% in Wasser bei 20°C ein Anfangs-pH von etwa 6,0 bis etwa 8,5 ergibt.

2. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 1, wobei das anionische oberflächenaktive Mittel ein Alkylsulfat der Formel

umfaßt, worin R eine Alkylkette mit 8 bis 18 Kohlenstoffatomen, die gesättigt oder ungesättigt ist, bedeutet, wobei der längste lineare Abschnitt der Alkylkette im Durchschnitt 15 Kohlenstoffatome oder weniger aufweist, M ein die Verbindung wasserlöslich machendes Kation ist und x 0 bis 4 bedeutet.

3. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 2, wobei in dem Alkylsulfat-oberflächenaktiven Mittel R eine etwa 12 bis 15 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltende Alkylgruppe ist, x 0 ist und M ein Alkalimetall-, Ammonium-oder substituiertes Ammoniumkation ist.

4. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 3, wobei das anionische oberflächenaktive Mittel zusätzlich ein wasserlösliches Salz eines Alkylbenzolsulfonats, Paraffinsulfonats, Alkylglycerylethersulfonats oder eines Esters einer a-sulfonierten Fettsäure enthält.

5. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 3, wobei das anionische oberflächenaktive Mittel zusätzlich ein Alkalimetall-, Ammonium- oder substituiertes Ammoniumsalz eines linearen Alkylbenzolsulfonats mit einem Gehalt von 11 bis 13 Kohlenstoffatomen in der Alkylkette umfaßt.

6. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 1, wobei das co-oberflächenaktive Mittel aus der Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die aus den Chlorid-, Bromid- und Methylsulfat - C_8-16 - alkyltrimethylammoniumsalzen, - C_8-16 - alkyldi(hydroxyethyl)methylammoniumsalzen, - C_8-16 - alkylhydroxyethyldimethylammoniumsalzen und - C_8-16 - alkyloxypropyltrimethylammoniumsalzen besteht.

7. Die Zusammensetzungen des Anspruchs 6, wobei das co-oberflächenaktiven Mittel Decyltrimethylammoniummethylsulfat, Lauryltrimethylammoniumchlorid, Myristyltrimethylammoniumbromid und Kokosnußalkyltrimethylammoniumchlorid und -methylsulfat ist.

8. Die Zusammensetzungen des Anspruchs 1, wobei die Fettsäure ein 10 bis 14 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltendes Material, oder Mischungen davon, umfaßt.

9. Die Zusammensetzungen des Anspruchs 3, wobei das co-oberflächenaktive Mittel aus der Gruppe ausgewählt ist, die aus den Chlorid-, Bromid- und Methylsulfat -C_8-16 - alkyltrimethylammoniumsalzen, - C_S-₁₆ - alkyldi(hydroxyethyl)methylammoniumsalzen, - C_8-16 - alkylhydroxyethyldimethylammoniumsalzen und - C_8-16 - alkyloxypropyltrimethylammoniumsalzen besteht, und die Fettsäure ein 10 bis 14 Kohlenstoffatome enthaltendes Material, oder Mischungen davon, umfaßt.

10. Eine flüssige Detergenszusammensetzung nach Anspruch 9, enthaltend 10 Gew.-% bis 20 Gew.-% des anionischen, synthetischen oberflächenaktiven Mittels, 1 Gew.-% bis 4 Gew.-% des co-oberflächenaktiven Mittels und 10 Gew.-% bis 20 Gew.-% der Fettsäure.

11. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 10, welche zusätzlich 0,1 Gew.-% bis 2 Gew.-% eines zur Verwendung in Detergenszusammensetzungen geeigneten Enzyms enthält, das aus der aus Amylasen, Proteasen, und Mischungen davon, bestehenden Gruppe ausgewählt ist.

12. Die Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 11, welche zusätzlich 3 Gew.-% bis 10 Gew.-% Zitronensäure enthält.

13. Ein Verfahren zum Waschen von Textilien, umfassend das Inkontaktbringen der genannten Textilien mit einer wässerigen Lösung, die einen pH-Wert von 6,0 bis 8,5 bei 20°C aufweist und wenigstens 0,1 Gew.-% der Zusammensetzung des Anspruchs 1 enthält.

Revendications

1. Composition détergente comprenant:

(a) de 2% à 60% en poids d'un tensio-actif synthétique anionique;

(b) de 0,25% à 12% en poids d'un cotensioactif choisi dans l'ensemble constitué par:

(i) des tensio-actifs de type ammonium quaternaire répondant à la formule:

dans laquelle R^I représente un groupe alkyle ou alkylbenzyle ayant de 8 à 18 atomes de carbone dans la chaîne alkyle; chaque R³ est choisi dans l'ensemble constitué par -CH₂CH₂-, -CH_ZCH(CH₃)-, -CH₂CH(CH₂OH)-, -CH₂CH₂CH₂- et leurs mélanges; chaque R" est choisi dans l'ensemble constitué par un atome d'hydrogène, à la condition que y ne soit pas nul, un groupe alkyle en C₁ à C₄, hydroxyalkyle en C₁ à C₄, benzyle, des structures cycliques formées par la jonction de deux groupes R⁴ et

où R⁶ représente n'importe quel hexose ou polymère d'hexose ayant un poids moléculaire pouvant aller jusqu'à 1000, R⁵ est identique à R⁴ ou représente une chaîne alkyle dans laquelle le nombre total d'atomes de carbone de R² plus R⁵ n'est pas supérieur à 18; chaque y vaut de 0 à 10, et la somme des valeurs de y vaut de 0 à 15' et X représente n'importe quel anion compatible;

(ii) des tensioactifs de type ammonium diquaternaire de formule:

dans laquelle R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, y et X sont tels que définis ci-dessus;

(iii) des tensioactifs du type amine répondant à la formule:

dans laquelle R², R³, R⁴, R⁵ et y sont tels que définis ci-dessus; et

(iv) des tensioactifs du type diamine répondant à la formule:

dans laquelle R^Z, R³, R⁴, R⁵ et y sont tels que définis ci-dessus; et

(c) de 5% à 40% en poids d'un acide gras qui contient 10 à 22 atomes de carbone, et de 0 à 10 motifs oxyde d'éthylène dans la chaîne hydrocarbonée, ladite composition ayant un rapport molaire du tensioactif synthétique anionique au cotensioactif au moins égal à 1 et étant formulé de manière à assurer un pH initial d'environ 6,0 à environ 8,5 à une concentration d'environ 0,1 % à environ 2% en poids dans le l'eau à 20°C.

2. Composition selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le tensioactif anionique comprend un alkylsulfate de formule:

dans laquelle R représente une chaîne alkyle ayant de 8 à 18 atomes de carbone, saturée ou insaturée, et la partie linéaire la plus longue de la chaîne alkyle comporte 15 atomes de carbone ou moins en moyenne, M est un cation qui rend le composé hydrosoluble, et x vaut de 0 à 4.

3. Composition selon la revendication 2, dans laquelle, dans le tensioactif de type alkylsulfate, R est un groupe alkyle contenant de 12 à 15 atomes de carbone, x est nul et M est un catio de métal alcalin, ammonium ou ammonium substitué.

4. Composition selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle.le tensioactif anionique comprend en outre un sel hydrosoluble d'un alkylbenzènesulfonate, d'un paraffine sulfonate, d'un (éther d'alkyl et de glycéryle)-sulfonate ou d'un ester d'un acide gras alpha-sulfoné.

5. Composition selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle le tensioactif anionique comprend en outre un sel de métal alcalin, d'ammonium ou d'ammonium substitué d'un acide alkylbenzène sulfonique linéaire contenant de 11 à 13 atomes de carbone dans la chaîne alkyle.

6. Composition selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle le cotensioactif est choisi parmi les chlorures, bromures et méthylsulfates d'alkyl (en Ce à C₁₆) - triméthylammonium, d'alkyl (en C_s à C₁₆) - di(hydroxyéthyl)méthylammonium, d'alkyl (en C₈ à C₁₆) - hydroxyéthyldiméthylammonium et d'alkyl (en C₈ à C₁₆) - oxypropyltriméthylammonium.

7. Composition selon la revendication 6, dans laquelle le cotensioactif est le méthylsulfate de décyltriméthylammonium, le chlorure de lauryltriméthylammonium, le bromure de myristyl triméthylammonium et du chlorure et méthylsulfate d'alkyl (de noix de co co)-triméthylammonium.

8. Composition selon la revendication 1, dans laquelle l'acide gras comprend une matière contenant de 10 à 14 atomes de carbone ou leurs mélanges.

9. Composition selon la revendication 3, dans laquelle le cotensioactif est choisi parmi les chlorures, bromures et méthylsulfates d'alkyl(en C_s à C₁₆) - triméthylammonium, d'alkyl (en C_s à C₁₆) - di(hydroxy- éthyl)méthylammonium, d'alkyl (en C₈ à C,₆) - hydroxyéthyldiméthylammonium et d'alkyl (en C_s à C₁₆) - oxypropyltriméthylammonium, et l'acide gras comprend une matière contenant de 10 à 14 atomes de carbone, ou un de leurs mélanges.

10. Composition détergente liquide selon la revendication 9, comprenant de 0% à 20% en poids du tensioactif synthétique anionique, de 1% à 4% en poids du cotensioactif et de 10% à 20% en poids de l'acide gras.

11. Composition selon la revendication 10, comprenant en outre de 0,1 à 2% en poids d'une enzyme convenant pour servir dans des compositions détergentes, choisi dans l'ensemble constitué pan les amylases, les protéases et leurs mélanges.

12. Composition selon la revendication 11, comprenant en outre de 3% à 10% en poids d'acide citrique.

13. Procédé pour laver des étoffes, comprenant la mise en contact desdites étoffes avec une solution aqueuse ayant un pH de 6,0 à 8,5 à 20°C et contenant au moins 0,1% en poids de la composition selon la revendication 1.