Liquid compositions comprising hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols as mildness actives

The present invention relates to liquid detergent compositions comprising anionic/amphoteric surfactant systems. Low addition levels of specific hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycol wherein ratio of hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycol to anionic surfactant is defined have been found to remarkably enhance mildness without sacrificing processibility and desired user properties. In a second embodiment, the invention relates to a method for enhancing mildness in liquid detergent compositions comprising anionic surfactant by adding said defined hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to liquid personal wash compositions (e.g., 
shower gels), particularly, to compositions comprising (1) one or more 
anionic surfactants and (2) one or more amphoteric surfactants. 
Specifically, the invention relates to the incorporation of relatively low 
addition levels of specific hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols 
(HMPEG) in the liquids. Through careful balancing of anionic surfactant to 
HMPEG and specific selection of the HMPEG, enhanced mildness is obtained 
without sacrificing processability, lather performance and other desired 
user properties. 
BACKGROUND 
The use of hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols in liquid personal 
wash compositions is not new. High molecular weight hydrophobically 
modified polyalkylene glycols (HMPEG) have been used previously as 
thickeners in liquids at an addition level of less than 5% wt. of total 
composition; beyond this level, over-thickening can be induced. Some prior 
art (e.g., Patents by Egan et al. discussed below) teach that only 
relatively high levels of addition of HMPEG (HMPEG to anionic surfactant 
weight ratio between 1:1 and 4:1) can effectively reduce the skin 
irritation potential of anionic surfactants. However, this high levels of 
HMPEG can cause over-thickening, and the referred patents also teach the 
solution to control the viscosity. Two GB patent application by Dias et 
al. teach that the combination of urea, alpha- or beta-hydroxy acid, and 
animal/oil derived ethoxylated nonionic surfactants (some of them are the 
HMPEG of the subject invention) are needed to achieve desired skin feel 
effect. 
The references are discussed below. 
Patent No. WO 9,423,695 to Unilever NV teaches a personal washing 
formulation that contains 3-15% sodium lauryl (EO) sulfate, 3-10% 
sulphosuccinate surfactants, 0.5-3% thickener such as fatty acid glyceride 
polyglycol ether (a HMPEG), and 0.1-5% of an emulsifier such as PEG 40 
hydrogenated castor oil. The percentage of the fatty acid glyceride 
polyglycol ether is outside the range of choice of our invention, and the 
molecular weight of PEG 40 hydrogenated castor oil is below 4000, which is 
also outside the range of choice of our invention. 
Patent No. SU 1,330,148 to S. Navardausk, R. Zilberman, and D. Kurdyumova 
teaches a liquid cleanser formulation containing 2-4 % wt. of polyethylene 
glycol ester of 10-16 C (a HMPEG) as thickener mixed with other 
ingredients. The percentage of the 10-16 C polyethylene glycol ester in 
total composition is below 5%, which is outside the range of choice of our 
invention. 
Patent No. DE 4,409,189 to Chem-Y Chem Fab GMBH teaches a surfactant 
composition containing 5-20% anionic surfactants, 2.5-10% alkyl 
polyglucoside, 1-4% ethoxylated rape seed oil fatty acid (can be a HMPEG), 
and 0.5-2.5% polyoxyethylene propylene dioleate (a HMPEG) as thickener. 
The percentage of the HMPEG in total composition is outside the range of 
choice of our invention. 
Patent No. FR 2,336,475 to Gillette Co. teaches the use of amphoteric 
surfactant and nonionic surfactant as major actives and anionic surfactant 
as coactives in a PW liquid. The formulation contains 2% thickener such as 
polyethylene glycol 6000 distearate (a HMPEG). The percentage of the HMPEG 
in total composition is outside the range of choice of our invention. 
U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,750 to F. Simion, L. Rhein, J. Blake-Haskins, S. 
Babulak and R. Cantore teaches a formulation containing 0.25-6% nonionic 
surfactant, 0.05-5% of an organic acid, 0.1-4% of a thickening agent, such 
as a diester of stearic acid and polyoxyethylene (can be a HMPEG of the 
subject invention). The level of the diester of stearic acid and 
polyoxyethylene is below 5% by wt. total composition, which is outside the 
range of choice of our invention. 
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,247,425, 4,343,726, and 4,256,611 to R. Egan teach liquid 
skin cleansing formulations containing anionic surfactant and 
hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols (e.g., 
POE(200)-glyceryl-stearate) as mildness enhancers. These patents showed 
that only at relatively high addition level of the hydrophobically 
modified polyalkylene glycols (hydrophobically modified polyalkylene 
glycols/anionic surfactant weight ratio above 1:1 (preferably 1:1 to 
4:1)), the hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols can significantly 
reduce the irritation of anionic surfactant. However, use of high levels 
of HMPEG may thicken the liquid composition and require extra efforts to 
control the viscosity of the formulation, which is part of the art of this 
invention. 
UK Patent Application Nos. GB 2,288,811A and GB 2, 288, 812A to L. Dias, M. 
Giret, C. Leahy, and R. Elliot teach liquid skin cleansing formulations 
containing 5 to 50% of anionic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants in 
general, 0.1 to 20% of a soluble or dispersible nonionic surfactant 
selected from ethoxylated animal and vegetable oils and fats and mixtures 
thereof, 0.5-8% urea, and 0.1-5% alpha or beta hydroxy acid. Evidently, 
the art of this invention is to use a combination of urea, the 
animal/vegetable oil derived ethoxylated nonionic surfactants (some of 
them can be the HMPEG of the subject invention), and hydroxy acid to 
achieve desirable skin feel and mildness (PG11, Line 4 to 6, and PG4, Line 
26 to 28). However, neither in-vivo nor in-vitro data were presented to 
support the mildness claim, and no anionic/ethoxylated nonionic weight 
ratio was specified in these applications. Finally, the references require 
a specific combination of ingredients (e.g., urea and the oil-fat derived 
ethoxylated nonionic surfactants) to achieve the desired skin feel 
effects, thus use of urea is a criticality. In contrast, the use of urea 
is not required in the subject invention, and, in fact, is specifically 
disclaimed. 
The subject invention differs from the prior art referred above, alone or 
in combination, in that the applicants have found that at relatively low 
levels, defined hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols (e.g., 
having specific HMPEG to anionic surfactant weight ratio below 1:1, 
specific range of molecular weight, and specific ethylene oxide: 
hydrophobe ratio) in specific surfactant systems (e.g., containing greater 
than or equal to 50% anionic surfactant(s); and also necessarily 
containing at least some amphoteric surfactant) will result in enhanced 
mildness of the specific systems without sacrificing processibility and 
user properties. Additionally, the low levels of addition of HMPEG avoids 
the problem of over-thickening and can reduce the cost of the liquid 
compositions. 
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
Unexpectedly, applicants have found that in liquid personal wash 
compositions comprising a surfactant system comprising: 
(1) 3% to 30% by wt., preferably 5% to 20%, total composition anionic 
surfactant or mixture of anionic surfactants, wherein anionic is greater 
than or equal to 50% of the surfactant system; and 
(2) 0.1 to 20% by wt. total composition one or more amphoteric surfactants; 
(3) the addition of 5 to 25% by wt. (preferably 5 to 15%) of total 
composition of hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols (HMPEG) 
wherein weight of alkylene oxide (e.g., ethylene oxide) portion is between 
60% and 90%, preferably 85% to 97% wt. of the weight of the HMPEG, will 
lead to significantly enhanced mildness in such compositions without 
sacrificing processibility and desired user properties, such as rich and 
creamy lather. 
Weight ratio of HMPEG to anionic surfactant is between 1:1.1 to 1:10. This 
ratio is a criticality because above the range of this ratio, special 
efforts have to be made to control the high viscosity of liquid personal 
wash compositions, and the cost of the composition can be raised; below 
this range, skin irritation potential of anionic surfactant can not be 
effectively mitigated. 
The HMPEG should have molecular weight of 4,000 to 25,000, preferably 4,000 
to 15,000. This MW range is a criticality because, above this range of 
molecular weight, HMPEG can cause over-thickening and cause processing and 
handling difficulties. Below this MW range, HMPEG approaches the structure 
of a conventional ethoxylated nonionic detergent and may impair lather 
performance and other desired user properties.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to novel liquid personal water compositions, 
particularly compositions in which the surfactant system comprises greater 
than 50% of the surfactant system anionic surfactant or surfactants, and 
additionally comprises one or more amphoteric surfactants. 
Unexpectedly, applicants have found that when relatively small amounts (5 
to 25% by wt. composition) of a defined hydrophobically modified 
polyalkylene glycols (i.e., defined by MW of 4,000-25,000; by percentage 
of EO of the polymer being between 60% and 99% wt.;) is used, and when 
there is a defined ratio of the hydrophobically modified polymer to 
anionic surfactant (i.e., 1:1.1 to 1:10), the liquid composition is 
significantly milder (as defined by zein dissolution and patch tests) than 
either in the absence of the polymer or if a different alkylene oxide 
(e.g., polyethylene oxide) is used. 
The compositions are defined in greater detail below: 
Surfactant System 
The surfactant system of the subject invention generally comprises 5 to 50% 
by weight, preferably 10 to 40% by wt. of the composition and comprises: 
(a) 3% to 30%, preferably 5 to 20% by wt. total composition one or more 
anionic surfactants wherein the anionic surfactant comprises 50% or more 
of the surfactant system; 
(b) 0.1 to 20% by wt., preferably 3% to 10% total composition amphoteric 
and/or zwitterionic surfactant; and 
(c) 0% to 10% optional nonionic surfactant (other than hydrophobically 
modified polyalkylene glycols of invention). 
The anionic surfactant may be, for example, an aliphatic sulfonate, such as 
a primary alkane (e.g., C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) sulfonate, primary alkane 
(e.g., C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) disulfonate, C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkene sulfonate, 
C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 hydroxyalkane sulfonate or alkyl glyceryl ether 
sulfonate (AGS); or an aromatic sulfonate such as alkyl benzene sulfonate. 
The anionic may also be an alkyl sulfate (e.g., C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 alkyl 
sulfate) or alkyl ether sulfate (including alkyl glyceryl ether sulfates). 
Among the alkyl ether sulfates are those having the formula: 
EQU RO(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n SO.sub.3 M 
wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl having 8 to 18 carbons, preferably 12 to 
18 carbons, n has an average value of greater than 1.0, preferably between 
2 and 3; and M is a solubilizing cation such as sodium, potassium, 
ammonium or substituted ammonium. Ammonium and sodium lauryl ether 
sulfates are preferred. 
The anionic may also be alkyl sulfosuccinates (including mono- and dialkyl, 
e.g., C.sub.6 -C.sub.22 sulfosuccinates); alkyl and acyl taurates, alkyl 
and acyl sarcosinates, sulfoacetates, C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl phosphates 
and phosphates, alkyl phosphate esters and alkoxyl alkyl phosphate esters, 
acyl lactates, C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 monoalkyl succinates and maleates, 
sulphoacetates, and acyl isethionates. 
Sulfosuccinates may be monoalkyl sulfosuccinates having the formula: 
EQU R.sup.4 O.sub.2 CCH.sub.2 CH(SO.sub.3 M)CO.sub.2 M; 
amido-MEA sulfosuccinates of the formula 
EQU R.sup.4 CONHCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O.sub.2 CCH.sub.2 CH(SO.sub.3 M)CO.sub.2 M 
wherein R.sup.4 ranges from C.sub.8 -C.sub.22 alkyl and M is a solubilizing 
cation; 
amido-MIPA sulfosuccinates of formula 
EQU RCONH(CH.sub.2)CH(CH.sub.3)(SO.sub.3 M)CO.sub.2 M 
where M is as defined above. 
Also included are the alkoxylated citrate sulfosuccinates; and alkoxylated 
sulfosuccinates such as the following: 
##STR1## 
wherein n=1 to 20; and M is as defined above. 
Sarcosinates are generally indicated by the formula 
EQU RCON(CH.sub.3)CH.sub.2 CO.sub.2 M, 
wherein R ranges from C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl and M is a solubilizing 
cation. 
Taurates are generally identified by formula 
EQU R.sup.2 CONR.sup.3 CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 SO.sub.3 M 
wherein R.sup.2 ranges from C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl, R.sup.3 ranges from 
C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl and M is a solubilizing cation. 
Another class of anionics are carboxylates such as follows: 
EQU R--(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.n CO.sub.2 M 
wherein R is C.sub.8 to C.sub.20 alkyl; n is 0 to 20; and M is as defined 
above. 
Another carboxylate which can be used is amido alkyl polypeptide 
carboxylates such as, for example, Monteine LCQ.RTM. by Seppic. 
Another surfactant which may be used are the C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 acyl 
isethionates. These esters are prepared by reaction between alkali metal 
isethionate with mixed aliphatic fatty acids having from 6 to 18 carbon 
atoms and an iodine value of less than 20. At least 75% of the mixed fatty 
acids have from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and up to 25% have from 6 to 10 
carbon atoms. 
Acyl isethionates, when present, will generally range from about 0.5-15% by 
weight of the total composition. Preferably, this component is present 
from about 1 to about 10%. 
The acyl isethionate may be an alkoxylated isethionate such as is described 
in Ilardi et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,466, hereby incorporated by 
reference into the subject application. This compound has the general 
formula: 
##STR2## 
wherein R is an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbons, m is an integer from 1 
to 4, X and Y are hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbons and 
M.sup.+ is a monovalent cation such as, for example, sodium, potassium or 
ammonium. 
In general the anionic component will comprise from about 1 to 20% by 
weight of the composition, preferably 5 to 15%, most preferably 5 to 12% 
by weight of the composition. 
Zwitterionic and Amphoteric Surfactants 
Zwitterionic surfactants are exemplified by those which can be broadly 
described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium, 
and sulfonium compounds, in which the aliphatic radicals can be straight 
or branched chain, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains 
from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic group, 
e.g., carboxy, sulfonate,sulfate, phosphate, or phosphonate. A general 
formula for these compounds is: 
##STR3## 
wherein R.sup.2 contains an alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxy alkyl radical of 
from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, from 0 to about 10 ethylene oxide 
moieties and from 0 to about 1 glyceryl moiety; Y is selected from the 
group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur atoms; R.sup.3 is an 
alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl group containing about 1 to about 3 carbon 
atoms; X is 1 when Y is a sulfur atom, and 2 when Y is a nitrogen or 
phosphorus atom; R.sup.4 is an alkylene or hydroxyalkylene of from about 1 
to about 4 carbon atoms and Z is a radical selected from the group 
consisting of carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, and phosphate 
groups. 
Examples of such surfactants include: 
4-N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-octadecylammonio!-butane-1-carboxylate; 
5-S-3-hydroxypropyl-S-hexadecylsulfonio!-3-hydroxypentane-1-sulfate; 
3-P,P-diethyl-P-3,6,9-trioxatetradexocylphosphonio!-2-hydroxypropane-1-pho 
sphate; 
3-N,N-dipropyl-N-3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropylammonio!-propane-1-phosphonate; 
3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)propane-1-sulfonate; 
3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-2-hydroxypropane-1-sulfonate; 
4-N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxydodecyl)ammonio!-butane-1-carboxylate 
; 
3-S-ethyl-S-(3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyl)sulfonio!-propane-1-phosphate; 
3-P,P-dimethyl-P-dodecylphosphonio!-propane-1-phosphonate; and 
5-N,N-di(3-hydroxypropyl)-N-hexadecylammonio!-2-hydroxy-pentane-1-sulfate. 
Amphoteric detergents which may be used in this invention include at least 
one acid group. This may be a carboxylic or a sulphonic acid group. They 
include quaternary nitrogen and therefore are quaternary amido acids. They 
should generally include an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 18 carbon 
atoms. They will usually comply with an overall structural formula: 
##STR4## 
where R.sup.1 is alkyl or alkenyl of 7 to 18 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 and 
R.sup.3 are each independently alkyl, hydroxyalkyl or carboxyalkyl of 1 to 
3 carbon atoms; 
n is 2 to 4; 
m is 0 to 1; 
X is alkylene of 1 to 3 carbon atoms optionally substituted with hydroxyl, 
and 
Y is --CO.sub.2 -- or --SO.sub.3 -- 
Suitable amphoteric detergents within the above general formula include 
simple betaines of formula: 
##STR5## 
and amido betaines of formula: 
##STR6## 
where m is 2 or 3. 
In both formulae R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as defined previously. 
R.sup.1 may in particular be a mixture of C.sub.12 and C.sub.14 alkyl 
groups derived from coconut so that at least half, preferably at least 
three quarters of the groups R.sup.1 have 10 to 14 carbon atoms. R.sup.2 
and R.sup.3 are preferably methyl. 
A further possibility is that the amphoteric detergent is a sulphobetaine 
of formula 
##STR7## 
where m is 2 or 3, or variants of these in which --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 
SO.sup.-.sub.3 is replaced by 
##STR8## 
In these formulae R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as discussed previously. 
A further possibility is that the amphoteric detergent is a sulphobetaine 
of formula 
##STR9## 
where m is 2 or 3, or variants of these in which --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 
SO.sub.3.sup.- is replaced by 
##STR10## 
In these formulae R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are as discussed previously. 
Amphoacetates and diamphoacetates are also intended to be covered in 
possible zwitterionic and/or amphoteric compounds which may be used. 
The amphoteric/zwitterionic generally comprises 0.1 to 20% by weight, 
preferably 0.1% to 15%, more preferably 0.1 to 10% by wt. of the 
composition. 
In addition to one or more anionic and amphoteric and/or zwitterionic, the 
surfactant system may optionally comprise a nonionic surfactant. 
The nonionic which may be used includes in particular the reaction products 
of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for 
example aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkyl phenols with alkylene 
oxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or with propylene oxide. 
Specific nonionic detergent compounds are alkyl (C.sub.6 -C.sub.22) 
phenols-ethylene oxide condensates, the condensation products of aliphatic 
(C.sub.8 -C.sub.18) primary or secondary linear or branched alcohols with 
ethylene oxide, and products made by condensation of ethylene oxide with 
the reaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Other 
so-called nonionic detergent compounds include long chain tertiary amine 
oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides and dialkyl sulphoxides. 
The nonionic may also be a sugar amide, such as a polysaccharide amide. 
Specifically, the surfactant may be one of the lactobionamides described 
in U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,279 to Au et al. which is hereby incorporated by 
reference or it may be one of the sugar amides described in U.S. Pat. No. 
5,009,814 to Kelkenberg, hereby incorporated into the subject application 
by reference. 
Other surfactants which may be used are described in U.S. Pat. No. 
3,723,325 to Parran Jr. and alkyl polysaccharide nonionic surfactants as 
disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647 to Llenado, both of which are also 
incorporated into the subject application by reference. 
Preferred alkyl polysaccharides are alkylpolyglycosides of the formula 
EQU R.sup.2 O(C.sub.n H.sub.2n O).sub.t (glycosyl).sub.x 
wherein R.sup.2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, 
alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl, and mixtures thereof in 
which alkyl groups contain from about 10 to about 18, preferably from 
about 12 to about 14, carbon atoms; n is 0 to 3, preferably 2; t is from 0 
to about 10, preferably 0; and x is from 1.3 to about 10, preferably from 
1.3 to about 2.7. The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To 
prepare these compounds, the alcohol or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed 
first and then reacted with glucose, or a source of glucose, to form the 
glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl units 
can then be attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl 
units 2-, 3-, 4- and/or 6-position, preferably predominantly the 
2-position. 
Nonionic comprises 0 to 10% by wt. of the composition. 
Hydrophobically Modified Polyalkylene Glycols (HMPEG) 
The hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols (HMPEG) of the subject 
invention are generally commercially available nonionic polymeric 
surfactants having a broad molecular weight range from about 4000 to 25000 
(preferably 4000 to 15000). This range of molecular weight is a 
criticality because, above the defined range of molecular weight, HMPEG 
can make liquid formulations sticky and viscous, which causes processing 
problems, such as difficulties in mixing and handling. Below this range, 
HMPEG approaches the structure of a conventional nonionic detergent that 
may impair lather performance and desired user properties. 
Generally, the polymers will be selected from alkylene nonionic polymers 
chemically and terminally attached by hydrophobic moieties, wherein the 
hydrophobic moiety can be derivatives of linear or branched alkyl, aryl, 
alkylaryl, alkylene, acyl (e.g., having a carbon number of C4 to C40); fat 
and oil derivatives of alkylglyceryl, glyceryl, sorbitol, lanolin oil, 
coconut oil, jojoba oil, castor oil, almond oil, peanut oil, wheat germ 
oil, rice bran oil, linseed oil, apricot pits oil, walnuts, palm nuts, 
pistachio nuts, sesame seeds, rapeseed, cade oil, corn oil, peach pit oil, 
poppyseed oil, pine oil, soybean oil, avocado oil, sunflower seed oil, 
hazelnut oil, olive oil, grapeseed oil, and safflower oil, Shea butter, 
babassu oil, etc. These hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols are 
usually commercially available (see Table 1 for examples). 
To ensure water solubility, it is preferred that the portion of ethylene 
oxide moiety per mole of HMPEG is between 60% wt. and 99% wt. (preferably 
85% wt. to 97% wt.). In other words, the total content of the hydrophobic 
moiety is between 1% wt. and 40% wt. (preferably 3% wt. to 15% wt.) per 
mole of the defined HMPEG. 
Specifically, examples of various hydrophobically modified polyalkylene 
glycols are set forth in Table 1 below where in T.sub.m (.degree.C.) were 
obtained from literature from the corresponding chemical suppliers or 
measured by the inventors using a differential scanning calorimetry 
technique. 
TABLE 1 
______________________________________ 
Representative hydrophobically modified PEGs. 
(R = hydrophobic moieties such as linear or branched alkyl chains 
(e.g., having carbon number of C4 to C40); derivatives of sorbitol, 
lanolin radical, coconut radical, jojoba acid radical, castor oil 
radical, 
etc.; POE = Polyoxyethylene (e.g., --(CH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 O).sub.m H); 
m = No. ethylene oxide monomer units; m &gt; 50.) 
POE(m)-R 
Witco (Varonic LI-420) 
R = glyceryltallowate; 
m = 200; white solid. 
Seppic (Simusol 220TM) 
R = glycerylstearate; 
m = 200; white solid. 
Amerchol (Glucam E-200) 
R = glucoside; m = 200; 
white water soluble; white 
solid. 
Calgene Chemical (600-S) 
Tm: 52-62C; R = stearate; 
m = 150; Tm: 52-62C 
Calgene Chemical (600-L) 
R = laurate; m = 150. 
R-POE(m)-R 
Stepan (KESSCO PEG6000 
R = stearate; m = 174; 
distearate) Tm: 54C; white solid. 
______________________________________ 
As noted, melting temperature of the compounds is preferred to be about 
25.degree.-85.degree.. 
In addition, the weight ratio of hydrophobically modified polyalkylene 
glycol to anionic surfactant should be in the range of 1:1.1 to 1:10. 
While not wishing to be bound by theory, this ratio is believed critical 
because, at ratios below 1:10, improvement on mildness is not significant 
and, at ratios above 1:1.1, special efforts have to be made to adjust the 
high viscosity of liquid wash compositions (see the prior art in U.S. Pat. 
No. 4,247,425, U.S. Pat. No. 4,343,726, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,256,611). 
The defined hydrophobically modified polyalkylene glycols generally 
comprise 5 to 25% by wt. (preferably 5 to 15% by wt) of the total liquid 
composition. 
In addition, the compositions of the invention may include optional 
ingredients as follows: 
Organic solvents, such as ethanol; auxiliary thickeners, such as 
carboxymethylcellulose, magnesium aluminum silicate, 
hydroxyethylcellulose, methylcellulose, carbopols, glucamides, or 
Antil.RTM. from Rhone Poulenc; perfumes; sequestering agents, such as 
tetrasodium ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA), EHDP or mixtures in an 
amount of 0.01 to 1%, preferably 0.01 to 0.05%; and coloring agents, 
opacifiers and pearlizers such as zinc stearate, magnesium stearate, 
TiO.sub.2, EGMS (ethylene glycol monostearate) or Lytron 621 
(Styrene/Acrylate copolymer); all of which are useful in enhancing the 
appearance or cosmetic properties of the product. 
The compositions may further comprise antimicrobials such as 
2-hydroxy-4,2'4' trichlorodiphenylether (DP300); preservatives such as 
dimethyloldimethylhydantoin (Glydant XL1000), parabens, sorbic acid etc. 
The compositions may also comprise coconut acyl mono- or diethanol amides 
as suds boosters, and strongly ionizing salts such as sodium chloride and 
sodium sulfate may also be used to advantage. 
Antioxidants such as, for example, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) may be 
used advantageously in amounts of about 0.01% or higher if appropriate. 
Cationic conditioners which may be used include Quatrisoft LM-200 
Polyquaternium-24, Merquat Plus 3330--Polyquaternium 39; and Jaguar.RTM. 
type conditioners. 
Polyethylene glycols which may be used include: 
______________________________________ 
Polyox WSR-205 PEG 14M, 
Polyox WSR-N-60K PEG 45M, or 
Polyox WSR-N-750 PEG 7M. 
______________________________________ 
Thickeners which may be used include Amerchol Polymer HM 1500 (Nonoxynyl 
Hydroethyl Cellulose); Glucam DOE 120 (PEG 120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate); 
Rewoderm.RTM. (PEG modified glyceryl cocoate, palmate or tallowate) from 
Rewo Chemicals; Antil.RTM. 141 (from Goldschmidt). 
Another optional ingredient which may be added are the deflocculating 
polymers such as are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,576 to Montague, hereby 
incorporated by reference. 
Another ingredient which may be included are exfoliants such as 
polyoxyethylene beads, walnut shells and apricot seeds. 
The compositions may also contain 0.1 to 15% by wt., preferably 1 to 10% by 
wt. of a structurant. Such structurants can be used to avoid addition of 
external structurants (e.g., cross linked polyacylates and clays) if 
suspending particles is desired as well as to provide desirable consumer 
attributes. 
The structurant is generally an unsaturated and/or branched long chain 
(C.sub.8 -C.sub.24) liquid fatty acid or ester derivative thereof; and/or 
unsaturated and/or branched long chain liquid alcohol or ether derivatives 
thereof. It may also be a short chain saturated fatty acid such as capric 
acid or caprylic acid. While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is 
believed that the unsaturated part of the fatty acid of alcohol or the 
branched part of the fatty acid or alcohol acts to "disorder" the 
surfactant hydrophobic chains and induce formation of lamellar phase. 
Examples of liquid fatty acids which may be used are oleic acid, isostearic 
acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, ricinoleic acid, elaidic acid, 
arichidonic acid, myristoleic acid and palmitoleic acid. Ester derivatives 
include propylene glycol isostearate, propylene glycol oleate, glyceryl 
isostearate, glyceryl oleate and polyglyceryl diisostearate. 
Examples of alcohols include oleyl alcohol and isostearyl alcohol. Examples 
of ether derivatives include isosteareth or oleth carboxylic acid; or 
isosteareth or oleth alcohol. 
The structuring agent may be defined as having melting point below about 
25.degree. C. centigrade. 
Another optional ingredient is oil/emollient which may be added as a 
benefit agent to the liquid compositions. 
Various classes of oils are set forth below. 
Vegetable oils: Arachis oil, castor oil, cocoa butter, coconut oil, corn 
oil, cotton seed oil, olive oil, palm kernel oil, rapeseed oil, safflower 
seed oil, sesame seed oil and soybean oil. 
Esters: Butyl myristate, cetyl palmitate, decyloleate, glyceryl laurate, 
glyceryl ricinoleate, glyceryl stearate, glyceryl isostearate, hexyl 
laurate, isobutyl palmitate, isocetyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, 
isopropyl laurate, isopropyl linoleate, isopropyl myristate, isopropyl 
palmitate, isopropyl stearate, propylene glycol monolaurate, propylene 
glycol ricinoleate, propylene glycol stearate, and propylene glycol 
isostearate. 
Animal Fats: Acytylated lanolin alcohols, lanolin, lard, mink oil and 
tallow. 
Fatty acids and alcohols: Behenic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, 
behenyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, eicosanyl alcohol and isocetyl alcohol. 
Other examples of oil/emollients include mineral oil, petrolatum, silicone 
oil such as dimethyl polysiloxane, lauryl and myristyl lactate. 
It should be understood that where the emollient may also function as a 
structurant, it should not be doubly included such that, for example, if 
the structurant is 15% oleyl alcohol, no more than 5% oleyl alcohol as 
"emollient" would be added since the emollient (whether functioning as 
emollient or structurant) should not comprise more than 20%, preferably no 
more than 15% of the composition. 
The emollient/oil is generally used in an amount from about 1 to 20%, 
preferably 1 to 15% by wt. of the composition. Generally, it should 
comprise no more than 20% of the composition. 
The following examples are intended to illustrate further the invention and 
are not intended to limit the invention in any way. 
All percentages are intended to be percentages by weight unless stated 
otherwise. 
EXAMPLES 
Protocol 
Mildness Assessments 
Zein dissolution test was used to preliminary screen the irritation 
potential of the formulations studied. In an 8 oz. jar, 30 mLs of an 
aqueous dispersion of a formulation were prepared. The dispersions sat in 
a 45.degree. C. bath until fully dissolved. Upon equilibration at room 
temperature, 1.5 gms of zein powder were added to each solution with rapid 
stirring for one hour. The solutions were then transferred to centrifuge 
tubes and centrifuged for 30 minutes at approximately 3,000 rpms. The 
undissolved zein was isolated, rinsed and allowed to dry in a 60.degree. 
C. vacuum oven to a constant weight. The percent zein solubilized, which 
is proportional to irritation potential, was determined gravimetrically. 
The Protocol of 3-Day Patch Test 
Patch test was used to evaluate skin mildness of aqueous dispersions 
containing 1% DEFI active (sodium cocoyl isethionate) and different levels 
of the structurant/coactives. Patches (Hilltop.RTM. Chambers, 25 mm in 
size) were applied to the outer upper arms of the panelists under bandage 
type dressings (Scanpor.RTM. tape). After each designated contact periods 
(24 hrs. for the first patch application, 18 hrs. for the second and third 
applications), the patches were removed and the sites were visually ranked 
in order of severity (erythema and dryness) by trained examiners under 
consistent lighting. 
Formulation Processing 
Formulations shows in the examples of this invention were prepared in 400 
mL beakers in a 40.degree.-60.degree. C. oil bath. Mixing was accomplished 
with a variable speed overhead motor. Batch size was varied from 100-250 
gms. All chemicals used were commercial materials and used as supplied. 
Those chemicals were dispersed in Milli-Q water, which accounted for 
50-80% of the whole formulation. After the batch was homogeneously mixed, 
it was allowed to be cooled under room temperature. 
Example 1 
The irritation reduction potential of hydrophobically modified polyalkylene 
glycols was investigated using Zein dissolution experiments. As indicated 
in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b, the defined hydrophobically modified polyalylene 
glycols (HMPEG), as a class, are significantly more effective than PEG in 
reducing the Zein % dissolved by 1% to 2.7% aqueous DEFI suspension (DEFI 
is a sodium acyl isethionate/fatty acid mixture defined in the Table 2 of 
Example 3). The data in FIG. 1a and FIG. 1b also showed that at relatively 
low level of addition of HMPEG (HMPEG to anionic surfactant weight ratio 
below 1:1), HMPEG significantly reduced the amount of Zein dissolved by 
DEFI. 
Example 2 
Three day skin patch tests showed that, even at low levels of addition, 
POE(200) glyceryl stearate significantly reduced the skin irritation 
caused by even a mild surfactant system, such as sodium acyl 
isethionate/cocoamido propyl betaine. As shown in FIG. 2, at a POE(200) 
glyceryl stearate to sodium acyl isethionate (SAI) weight ratio around 
0.74:1 (equivalent to 10% wt. POE(200) glyceryl stearate in a liquid 
containing 13.5% wt. sodium acyl isethionate), POE(200) glyceryl stearate 
reduced the skin irritation of a DEFI/betaine liquor significantly. In 
contrast, even at a PEG 8000 to SAI weight ratio as high as 1.67:1 
(effectively 22.5% wt. PEG 8000 in a liquid with 13.5% SAI), PEG 8000 made 
no measurable mildness contribution to the SAI/CAP betaine aqueous liquor. 
Example 3 
All amounts are given in percentage of weight. These formulations used 
sodium cocoyl isethionate as the major anionic detergent with other 
amphoteric and anionic surfactants as coactives. The formulation (A) was a 
stable milky white cream, which provided rich, creamy, and slippery lather 
that was rinsed off easily. The formulation (B) and (C) were stable milky 
white lotions that were pourable and pumpable. These lotions provided rich 
and creamy lather. 
TABLE 2 
______________________________________ 
Formulation (A) (B) (C) 
______________________________________ 
Sodium cocoyl isethionate (From 
0 0 14.5% 
DEFI*) 
Sodium cocoyl isethionate (From 
10.0% 9.0% 0.0 
IGEPON AC-78) 
Cocoamidopropyl betaine 
5.0 4.5 3.8 
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate, 3EO 
0.0 1.8 4.8 
Glycerin 0.0 1.4 1.0 
Palmitic-stearate acid (From IGEPON 
0.4 0.4 4.5 
or DEFI) 
POE(200) glyceryl stearate 
5.0 0.0 6.0 
POE(200) glyceryl tallowate 
0.0 7.0 0.0 
Propylene glycol 0.0 4.8 0.0 
Sodium chloride 2.0 1.8 1.4 
Ammonium chloride 0.0 5.8 5.0 
Sodium isethionate 
0.4 0.4 0.2 
Water balance balance balance 
to 100% to 100% to 100% 
______________________________________ 
*DEFI: directly esterified fatty acid isethionate, which is a mixture 
containing about 74% by weight of sodium acyl isethionate, 23% 
stearicpalmitic acid and small amounts of other materials, manufactured b 
Lever Brothers Co, U.S. 
Example 4 
All amounts are given in percentage of weight. These formulations used 
sodium lauryl sulphate. (3EO) as the major anionic detergent with optional 
amphoteric and anionic surfactants as coactives. These clear, pourable 
liquids provided rich, creamy and slippery lather and smooth skin feel. 
TABLE 3 
______________________________________ 
Formulation 
(C) (D) (E) 
______________________________________ 
SLES (3EO) 
5.0 10.0 15.0 
Sodium lauryl 
5.0 3.0 0.0 
sarcosinate 
Cocoamido- 
5.0 5.0 10.0 
propyl betaine 
Propylene 
2.0 1.0 2.0 
glycol 
POE(200) 5.0 10.0 10.0 
glyceryl 
stearate 
Water Balance to 100% 
Balance to 100% 
Balance to 100% 
______________________________________