US3052635A - Liquid laundering compositions - Google Patents

Description

Patented Sept. 4, 1952 free 3,052,635 LIQUID LAUNDERIN G COMPOSITIONS Harold Eugene Wixon, .l'ersey City, Nalfi, assignor to Colgate-Palmolive Company, New York, N.Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed Dec. 14, 1960, er. No. 75,667 5 Claims. (Cl. 252-137) The present invention relates to a detergent composition in the form of a pourable, substantially homogeneous liquid which is suitable for all-purpose use and is particularly effective for laundering purposes, as hereinafter described and claimed.

In the detergent art, it has been common practice to prepare detergent compositions in powdered form, as obtained by spray-drying a slurry of the detergent composition for example. In these powdered products, alkaline builder salts such as sodium tripoly-phosphate and pyrophosphate have been incorporated in significant amounts to improve the detergency or washing power for the laundering of soiled textile materials. Other salts such as sodium silicate, carbonate, carboxymethylcellulose and the like have been employed also in the preparation of pow dered heavy-duty detergent compositions.

In accordance with the present invention, there are prepared heavy-duty liquid detergent compositions which consist essentially of a water-soluble anionic organic sulfate detergent having an alkyl group of about 8 to 18 carbon atoms, a potassium polyphosphate selected from the group consisting of pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate, a higher fatty acid alkylolamide having 2 to 3 carbons in the alkylol radical, an alkali metal salt of a lower alkyl aryl sulfonated hydrotropic salt, and an aqueous medium containing a saturated aliphatic monohydric alcohol having 2 to 3 carbon atoms, said ingredients being proportioned within the ranges described hereinafter to form a pourable, substantially homogeneous product having a total solids content of less than 75% by weight of the composition.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention consist essentially of 5l5 parts of said sulfate detergent, -45 parts of said potassium polyphosphate, 215 parts of said alkylolamide, 4-12 parts of said aryl sulfonate, 4-10 parts of the alcohol and 15-46 parts of water, said ingredients totalling 100 parts and there being less than 75 total solids in the liquid composition. A preferred embodiment also contains about A to 5 parts by weight of sodium carboxymethylcellulose in said liquid. Various other significant features will be apparent in the following description.

The term pourable as used herein refers to the ability of the product to flow as a liquid from a container at normal room temperatures (e.g., about C. to C.). The liquid product may be of variable viscosity. It may be highly fluid and free-flowing, or fairly viscous when at rest but pourable freely from the container upon light shaking. The liquid may be packaged in any suitable container, however, such as metal, glass or plastic in the form of bottles, cans, drums, packets or bags. The term homogeneous as used herein means that the product has a satisfactory degree of stability during storage life against separation or formation of a plurality of distinct layers which either cannot be re-dispersed by light shaking or which separate rapidly after shaking. Such compositions include liquids which are clear, translucent or opaque depending upon the type and proportions of the various solids present therein. Any solid material present in the composition in excess of its solubility in the particular system is maintained in a non-caking suspension. It is characteristic that in such cases, upon light shaking, the product is readily converted to a substantially homogeneous liquid which is stable for a sufficient period of time, e.g., at least about 1 hour, so that each small portion added to a laundering bath or the like will have practically the same composition. The product exhibits a washing power which is comparable to the same quantity of commercial heavy-duty detergents in powdered form.

The water-soluble anionic organic sulfate detergents having about 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group, preferably 8 to 15 carbons, which are preferred are the aliphatic detergents such as the normal and secondary higher alkyl sulfate detergents having about 8 to 15 carbons in the fatty alcohol residue, e.g., lauryl or coconut fatty alcohol sulfate. Alkyl sulfates such as cetyl sulfate and tallow fatty alcohol sulfate may be employed also. Other suitable detergents having such an alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbons are the sulfuric acid esters of polyhydric alcohols incompletely esterified with higher fatty acids, e.g., lauric, myristic and coconut oil monoglyceride monosulfate, hydrogenated coconut oil monoglyceride monosulfate, and tallow fatty acid monoglyceride monosulfate; higher fatty acid alkylolamide sulfates, e.g., coconut monoethanolamide sulfate, and the like. The sulfated detergents having said alkyl group and containing a plurality of lower alkylene oxide groups, e.g., within the range of 2 to 20 moles, may be employed also with suitable adjustment of the proportions in the liquid. Examples are the sulfated fatty alcohols of 8 to 18 carbons condensed with about 2 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide, e.g., sulfated lauryl-myristyl alcohols or tallow alcohols condensed with an average of 3, 5 and 8 moles ethylene oxide; and the sulfated higher alkyl phenol-ethylene oxide condensates having an average of about 2 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide per phenol group, e.g., sulfated alkyl phenol having 8 to 10 carbons in the alkyl group and an average of 4, 5, 6 and 8 moles of ethylene oxide.

These sulfate detergents are used in the form of their water-soluble salts such as the alkali metal and nitrogencontaining, e.g., lower alkylolamine, salts. Examples are the sodium, potassium, ammonium, isopropanolamine, monoand triethanolarnine salts. In commercial practice, it is preferred to use the alkali metal salts.

The potassium polyphosphate salts have the property of inhibiting precipitation of calcium and magnesium material in aqueous solution and of contributing to the heavy-duty performance of the liquid detergent product in washing operations. While they may be considered as derived from orthophosphoric acid or the like by the removal of molecularly bound water, any suitable means of manufacture may be employed. Such complex or molecularly dehydrated salts may be used in the form of the normal or completely neutralized salt such as pentapotassiurn tripolyphosphate or the partially neutralized salt such as the potassium acid tripolyphosphate. It is preferred to employ pentapotassium tripolyphosphate and particularly tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, including any desired combination thereof.

The organic detergent and polyphosphate salts are employ-ed in substantial amounts such that the addition of a small portion of the liquid product to a washing bath will result in effective washing power. The proportions of these two ingredients are variable and should be suitably selected and proportioned so as to form a pourable, substantially homogeneous product in combination with the other ingredients. In general, proportions within the range from about 0.1 to 1 part detergent to 1 part of polyphosphate have been found satisfactory, and preferably about 0.2 to 1 part deter-gent for each part of polyphosphate where said detergent and polyphosphate total at least about 20% by weight. The amount of detergent will be usually about to 15% by weight and the amount of potassium polyphosphate will be about 15 to 45%, preferably 15 to 30%, by weight of the composition as formulated. As a general guiding principle, it is advisable to vary the detergent and polyphosphate contents conversely, i.e., relatively low amounts of one are used when relatively high amounts of the other are desired in the product.

The water-soluble hydrotropic sub-stance which has been found to be particularly effective in the liquid detergent composition is an alkali metal lower alkyl aryl sulfonate salt, preferably the sodium and potassium toluene and xylene sulfonate salts. Sulfonates made from xylene include orthoxylene sulfonate, metaxylene sulfonate, paraxylene sulfonate and ethylbenzene sulfonate. Commercial xylene sulfonates usually contain metaxylene sultfonate as the main ingredient. Analyses of typical commercial products shown about 40-50% metaxylene sulfonate, 35% orthoxylene sulfonate and -30% paraxylene sulfonate with 020% ethylbenzene sulfonate. Any suitable isomeric mixture may be employed, however. The hydrotropic material promotes the compatibility of the ingredients and assists in forming a homogeneous product. The hydrotrope may be employed in variable amounts depending upon the proportions of the other ingredients, but ordinarily it will be present in a suitable amount from about 4 to about 12%, preferably about 4 to 10%, by weight of the composition.

The higher fatty acid alkylolamide functions in a suitable amount as a suds builder during washing operations and provides a solubilizing effect in certain formulations to aid in the stability of the product. In general, the alkylolamide may be employed in an amount from about 2 to 15% by weight in the product, and preferably from about 3 to 8%. The acyl radical of the alkylolamide is selected from the class of fatty acids having 8 to 18 carbons and each alkylol group has up to 3 carbon atoms usually. It is preferred to use the diethanolamides, isopropanolamides and monoethanolamides of fatty acids having about 10 to 14 carbons in the acyl radical. Examples are the lauric, capric, myristic and coconut diethanolamides, monoethanolamides amides, and mixtures thereof. There may be employed also the alkylolamides which are substituted by additiona1 alkylol groups, suitable examples being the above monoethanolamides, diethanolamides and isopropanolamides condensed with one or two moles of ethylene oxide.

The aqueous medium should contain a saturated aliphatic monohydric alcohol of 2 to 3 carbon atoms such as ethanol, propanol, or isopropanol. Depending upon the proportions of the other ingredients in a particular composition, the alcohol may serve a multiplicity of functions. In general, the alcohol is used in variable amounts so as to improve the physical properties. The alcohol may be employed in an amount from about /2 to and preferably from about 4 to 10% alcohol. The alcohol serves as a solubilizing ingredient also and the resulting compositions may be clear or opaque depending upon the proportions employed. The alcohol may function to prevent unduly rapid separation or formation of non redispersible phases in the liquid.

In addition, the alcohol permits desired modification of the viscosity, such as to make the product less viscous where high solids are employed and improve pourability and isopropanol- 4 thereby. It can provide for improved low temperature aging of the product such as the prevention of a precipitate at moderately low temperatures, e.g., about 40 F., which does not redisperse upon recovery to room temperature. The alcohol may adjust also the phase relationship so as to lower the cloud point and insure a clear liquid at a lower temperature if desired. In general, it tends also to minimize foaming and aeration of the product dur ing manufacture and upon shaking of the container so as to permit pouring of uniform portions thereof. These improvements may be effected usually with relatively small amounts of alcohol, e.g., up to about 10% by weight. There is a critical maximum proportion of alcohol since an excessive amount will result in separation of the product into two or more layers which either separate rapidly or will not redisperse readily. The amount of alcohol used should not adversely affect the homogeneity of the liquid therefore, such as by separation of inorganic salt solution or by excessively thinning a high solids product where relatively high viscosity is desired as an aid in preventing rapid separation.

The presence of the combination of the solubilizing agents permits increased flexibility for variation in formulation so as to obtain a range of physical properties which is not possible by the use of these ingredients individually. In liquid systems containing relatively low amounts of detergent and phosphate or medium amounts of detergent and relatively low phosphate within the ranges claimed, it is possible to obtain clear liquids at room temperature by use of suitable proportions. In systems containing medium to high amounts of detergent and phosphate within the ranges described, there is produced a lotion-like or opaque liquid. There may be obtained homogeneous liquids with this combination using amounts of the alcohol and the hydrotropic salt for example which individually do not provide a product of sufficient homogeneity or pourability. For example, where the solids concentration is at a high level, the amount of hydrotropic salt which may be added is limited since it will increase the solids content. Where the solids content is excessive, a nonpourable product will be obtained. The presence of the alcohol in combination will permit the formulation of the desired liquid product.

In general, the solids content should be less than about 75% and usually up to about 65% by weight in the composition. It is preferred to have a maximum of about 60% solids for opaque liquids and up to about 50% solids for clear solutions. The balance of the liquid content is primarily water since the liquid alcohol is used in small amounts. The amount of water will be suitably proportioned to provide suflicient solubilizing effects for the phosphates and similar organic salts so as to form a substantially homogeneous product. The amount of water is variable depending upon the solids content and the proportion of alcohol. The water is generally up to about 60% by weight of the composition. In liquids of solids content above about 50% by weight, it is preferred to employ about 4 to 20% of alcohol and a suitable :amount of water from the range of 15 to 46% by weight. In liquids of solids content up to about 50%, it is preferred that the amount of water be at least about 30% by weight.

The inclusion of a suitable soil anti-redeposition agent is considered particularly desirable for highly effective laundering purposes. Such materials are bydrophilic colloids and are maintained in dispersed condition in the product. It has been found possible to retain the cellulosic ethers in the concentrated system, particularly alkali metal, e.g., sodium and potassium, carboxymethylcellulose. It is preferred to use sodium carboxymethylcellulose for optimum effects. Other suitable watersoluble cellulosic or starch derivatives may be employed in the composition such as the lower alkyl and hydroxyalkyl ethers, e.g., methyl-, ethyl-, and hydroxyethylcellulose. It has been found that water-soluble (colloidally soluble) polymers such as polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinylpyrrolidone are compatible in the system also. The cellulosic material or the like should be employed in minor proportion, such as about A to 5% by weight, though lesser amounts such as 0.1% may be employed.

The liquid detergent product is prepared in any suitable manner. The hydrotropic salts, the polyphosphate and the organic detergent are added in the form of powders, aqueous solutions or slurries to the aqueous medium as desired. The alkylolamide is preferably added in molten or liquid form with agitation to form a homogeneous mixture. The alcohol may be added at any stage during the mixing operations as desired. The temperature of admixture is not critical and room temperatures or reasonable elevated temperatures may be employed.

The following examples are illustrative of the nature of the invention and it will be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. All amounts are in approximate weight percent.

Example I Ingredient: Percent Sodium lauryl sulfate 9.61 Potassium tripolyphosphate 24.00 Potassium toluene sulfonate 6.40 Coconut diethanolamide 8.00 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 1.44 Ethanol 15.60

Water (Q.S. to 100%). The above product is an opaque, pourable liquid which separates upon aging but is redispersed upon light shaking to a homogeneous form of suflicient stability.

Example II Ingredient: Percent Sodium lauryl sulfate 15 Potassium pyrophosphate 15 Sodium xylene sulfonate 6 Potassium toluene sulfonate 2 Coconut diethanolamide 6 Ethanol 5 Water (Q.S. to 100%).

The above product is an opaque, poura-ble homogeneous liquid at room temperature which has a cloud point of 77 F. and a clear point of 86 F. An increase in the alcohol content to 7 /2% provides for a more fluid lotion-like product. In the absence of the alcohol, there is obtained a non-pourable solid at room temperature.

Example III Ingredient: Percent Sodium hydrogenated coconut fatty acid monoglyceride monosulfate 15 Potassium pyrophosphate 30 Sodium xylene sulfonate 8 Coconut diethanolamide 10 Ethanol 8 Water (Q.S. to 100%).

Example IV Ingredient: Percent Sodium hydrogenated coconut fatty acid monoglyceride monosulfate 5 Potassium pyrophosphate 40 Water (Q.S. to 100%).

The products of Examples III and IV are opaque, lotion-like homogeneous liquids and the product of Example V is a clear solution at room temperature.

Examples VI-VII vr, percent VII,

Ingredient percent Sodium suliated nonyl phenol condensed with 5 moles of ethylene oxide Sodium xylene sulfonate Coconut diethanolamide Ethanol Water (Q.S. to

The products of Example VIVII are clear solutions. Examples VIII-IX VIII, percent Ingredient percent [Orwwoooo The product of Example VIII is a clear solution and the product of Example IX is an opaque, homogeneous liquid.

Various other ingredients may be added or substituted if desired. In a liquid containing a plurality of components, the individual solubility characteristics of added materials may influence the physical properties of the liquid. It is understood therefore that such ingredients will be suitably selected and the proportions of the various components controlled as described herein so: as to form a liquid product having the desired physical qualities. Thus, there may be included suitable amounts of various anionic sulfonate or nonionic organic detergents. Other adjuvant materials include compatible perfumes, coloring material, corrosion inhibitors, antitarnishing agents, germicides, bleaching agents, optical bleaches or fluorescent dyes, and the like. If desired, there may be included other phosphate materials or similar builder salts such as silicates in the product provided that they do not substantially adversely affect the product.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my prior application Serial No. 532,735, filed September 6, 1955, now abandoned.

Although the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to specific examples, it is understood that modifications and variations of composition are contemplated within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of about 5 to 15 parts by weight of a water-soluble anionic organic sulfate detergent having an alkyl group of about 8 to 18 carbon atoms, about 15 to 45 parts by weight of a potassum polyphosphate selected from the group consisting of pyrophospha-te and tripolyphosphate, about 2 to 15 parts by Weight of a higher fatty acid alkylolamide having 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the fatty acid radical and 2 to 3 carbon atoms in the al-kylol radical, about 4 to 12 parts by weight of an alkali metal salt of a lower alkyl substituted benzene hydrotropic sulfonated salt having up to two carbon atoms in said alkyl substituent, and an aqueous alcoholic medium having about /2 to 20 parts by weight of a saturated aliphatic monohydric alcohol having 2 to: 3 carbon atoms, said ingredients being proportioned to form a pourable, substantially homogeneous product having less than 75% total solids by weight in the liquid detergent composition.

2. A liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of about 5 to 15 parts by Weight of a water-so-luble anionic organic sulfate detergent having an alkyl group of about 8 to 15 carbon atoms, about 15 to 45 parts by Weight of a potassium polyphosphate selected from the group consisting of pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate, about 2 to 15 parts by Weight of a fatty acid alkylolamide having about 10 to 14 carbon atoms in the fatty acid radical and 2 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkylol radical, about 4 to 12 parts by Weight of an alkali metal salt of lower alkyl benzene sulfonic acid selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium Xylene and toluene sulfonates, about /2 to 20 parts by weight of a saturated aliphatic monohydric alcohol having 2 to 3 carbon atoms, and the balance being primarily water, said ingredients being proportioned to form a pourable, substantially homogeneous product and the amout of total solids being less than 75% by weight in said liquid detergent composition.

3. A liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of the following ingredients proportioned within the stated ranges in parts by Weight to form a pourable, substantially homogeneous product: about 5-15 parts of a water-soluble anionic organic sulfate detergent having an alkyl group of about 8 to 15 carbon atoms, about 15-45 parts of a potassium polyphosphate selected from the group consisting of pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate, about 2-15 parts of a fatty acid alkylolarnide having about 10 to 14 carbon atoms in the fatty acid radical and 2 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkylol radical, about 4-12 parts of an alkali metal salt of a lower alkyl benzene sulfonic acid selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium xylene and toluene sulfonates, about 4-10 parts of an alcohol selected from the group consisting of saturated aliphatic monohydric alcohols having 2 to 3 carbon atoms, and 15-46 parts water, there being less than 75 total solids in the liquid detergent composition.

4. A liquid detergent composition as set forth in claim 3 which also contains about A to 5 parts by Weight of sodium carboxymethylcellulose.

5. A liquid detergent composition consisting essentially of the following ingredients proportioned within the stated ranges in parts by Weight to form a pourable, substantially homogeneous product: about 5-15 parts of an alkali metal anionic organic sulfate detergent having an alkyl group of about 8 to 15 carbon atoms, about 15-30 parts of a potassium polyphosphate selected from the group consisting of pyrophosphate and tripolyphosphate, about 2-15 parts of a fatty acid alkylolamide having 10 to 14 carbon atoms in the fatty acid radical and selected from the group consisting of diethanolamides, monoethanolamides, and isopropanolarnides, about 4-12 parts of an alkali metal salt of a lower alkyl benzene sulfonic acid selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium Xylene and toluene sulfonates, about 4-10 parts of ethanol, and the balance being primarily Water, there being less than 75% total solids in the liquid detergent composition.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,581,677 Machlis Jan. 3, 1952 2,607,740 Vitale Aug. 19, 1952 2,877,187 Henderson Mar. 10, 1959 OTHER REFERENCES Trexler: Soap and Sanitary Chemicals, July 1950, pp. 39-41, 82.

Claims (1)

1. A LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF ABOUT 5 TO 15 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A WATER-SOLUBLE ANIONIC ORGANIC SULFATE DETERGENT HAVING AN ALKYL GROUP OF ABOUT 8 TO 18 CARBON ATOMS, ABOUT 15 TO 45 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A POTASSIUM POLYPHOSPHATE SELECTED FROM THE GROUP CONSISTING OF PYROPHOSPHATE AND TRIPOLYPHOSPHATE, ABOUT 2 TO 15 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A HIGHER FATTY ACID ALKYLOLAMIDE HAVING 8 TO 18 CARBON ATOMS IN THE FATTY ACID RADICAL AND 2 TO 3 CARBON ATOMS IN THE ALKYLOL RADICAL, ABOUT 4 TO 12 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF AN ALKALI METAL SALT OF A LOWER ALKYL SUBSTITUTED BENZENE HYDROTROPIC SULFONATED SALT HAVING UP TO TWO CARBON ATOMS IN SAID ALKYL SUBSTITUENT, AND AN AQUEOUS ALCOHOLIC MEDIUM HAVING ABOUT 1/2 TO 20 PARTS BY WEIGHT OF A SATURATED ALIPHATIC MONOHYDRIC ALCOHOL HAVING 2 TO 3 CARBON ATOMS, SAID INGREDIENTS BEING PROPORTIONED TO FORM A POURABLE, SUBSTANTIALLY HOMOGENEOUS PRODUCT HAVING LESS THAN 75% TOTAL SOLIDS BY WEIGHT IN THE LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITION.