Foaming surfactant compositions

Abstract: Foaming compositions containing an alkylpolysacchar­ ide surfactant and a sulfate, sulfonate andor carboxylate cosurfactant and processes for utilizing foams containing these compositions.

Description: Technical Field This invention relates to the use in dishwashing of compositions which provide controllable aqueous foams. Description of the prior art Alkylpolyglycosides which are surfactants have been disclosed in U.S. patents 3,598,865; 3,721,633 and 3,772,269. These patents also disclose processes for making alkylpolyglycoside surfactants and built liquid detergent compositions containing these surfactants. In U.S. 3,721,633, anionic synthetic detergents can be present, in amounts of from 0 to 1 part by weight of anionic detergent per part of alkyl glycoside. U.S. patent 3,219,656 discloses alkylmonoglucosides and suggests their utility as foam stabilisers for other surfactants. Various polyglycosides surfactant structures and processes for making them are disclosed in U.S. patents 2,974,134; 3,640,998; 3,839,318; 3,314,936; 3,346,558, 4,011,389; 4,223,129. Foaming compositions containing an alkylpolysaccharide surfactant, and anionic cosurfactants and possibly an auxiliary foam booster, have been disclosed in copending published EP-A-0070075 and EP-A-0070076. Light duty detergent compositions containing an alkylpolysaccharide, alkylbenzene sulfonate and alkylpolyethoxylate sulfate cosurfactants are known from copending published EP-A-0070077. All percentages, parts and ratios used herein are by weight unless otherwise specified. Summary of the invention This invention relates to the discovery of dishwashing compositions which provide unusual foams. In particular the invention relates to use as a foaming dishwashing composition of a composition comprising (1) an alkylpolyglucoside surfactant having the formula RO(R 1 O) t Z x wherein Z is a moiety derived from glucose, R is an alkyl group that contains from 12 to 18 carbon atoms preferably from about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms, most preferably from about 12 to about 14 carbon atoms; R 1 is ethylene, propylene and/or glyceryl, t is from 0 to 10, most preferably 0; wherein x is a number from 1.5 to 4, most preferably 1.6 to 2.7; and (2) an anionic cosurfactant which is a sulfate, sulfonate and/or carboxylate or mixtures thereof neutralised with one or more cationic moieties (M) to complete the formula, preferably the anionic cosurfactant has the formula R 9 (SO 3 ) y (COO) 2 M q wherein R 9 is an alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl or hydroxyalkyl, or mixtures thereof, said alkyl groups containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms; y is a number from 0 to about 4, z is a number from 0 to about 4, y+z is at least 1, and M is a cationic moiety with q being selected to complete the formula, wherein the ratio (2) to (1) is from 1:10 to 10:1 and wherein the alkyl polyglucoside contains less than 50% short chain alkyl polyglucoside and less than 10% unreacted fatty alcohol, except that (1) the weight ratio of (2) to (1) is superior to 1:1 when the anionic surfactant is an alkalimetal alkylbenzenesulfonate and when in the general formula for the alkylpolyglucoside t=0 (2) the weight ratio of (2) to (1) is at least 1:2 when the anionic cosurfactant is soap; and (3) when the anionic cosurfactant does not contain a sulfonate or carboxylate x must be from 1.5 to 3 and the alkylpolyglucoside surfactant must have a free fatty alcohol content of less than 2% by weight. It has surprisingly been found that the cosurfactants interact with the alkylpolyglucoside surfactant of this invention to provide a relatively stable foam which is readily rinsed. Certain compositions suitable for the defined use are described and claimed in EP-B-70075 and EP-B-70076, which have the same priority date. Description of the preferred embodiments The alkylpolyglucoside surfactant The alkylpolyglucosides are those having an alkyl group containing from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms, preferably from about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms, most preferably from 12 to 14 carbon atoms, and a polyglucoside hydrophilic group containing from about 1.5 to 4, most preferably from 1.6 to 2.7 glucoside units. The number x indicates the number of glucoside units in a particular alkylpolyglucoside surfactant. For a particular alkylpolyglucoside molecule x can only assume integral values. In any physical sample of alkylpolyglucoside surfactants there will be molecules having different x values. The physical sample can be characterised by the average value of x and this average value can assume non-integral values. In this specification the values of x are to be understood to be average values. The hydrophobic group (R) can be attached at the 2-, 3- or 4-positions rather than at the 1-position, (thus giving a glucosyl as opposed to a glucoside). However, attachment through the 1-position, i.e., glucosides, is preferred. In the preferred product the additional glucoside units are predominately attached to the previous glucoside unit's 2-position. Attachment through the 3-, 4- and 6-positions can also occur. Optionally and less desirably there can be a polyalkyoxide chain joining the hydrophobic moiety (R) and the polyglucoside chain. The preferred alkoxide moiety is ethoxide. Typical hydrophobic groups include alkyl groups, either saturated or unsaturated, branched or unbranched containing from about 12 to about 20, preferably from about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms. Preferably, the alkyl group is a straight chain saturated alkyl group. Suitable alkyl polyglucosides are dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, and octadecyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta- and hexaglucosides and mixtures thereof. The alkylmonoglucosides are relatively less soluble in water than the higher alkylpolyglucosides. When used in admixture with alkylpolysaccharides, the alkylmonoglucosides are solubilised to some extent. The use of alkylmonoglucosides in admixture with alkylpolyglucosides is a preferred mode of carrying out the invention. Suitable mixtures include coconut alkyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentaglucosides and tallow alkyl tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides. The preferred alkyl polyglucosides have the formula R 2 O(C n H 2n O) t (Z) x wherein Z is derived from glucose, R 2 is an alkyl group that contains from about 12 to about 18, preferably from 12 to 14 carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3, preferably 2, t is from 0 to about 10, preferably 0: and x is from 1.5 to 4, most preferably from 1.6 to 2.7. To prepare these compounds a long chain alcohol (R 2 OH) can be reacted with glucose, in the presence of an acid catalyst to form the desired glucoside. Alternatively the alkylpolyglucosides can be prepared by a two step procedure in which a short chain alcohol (C 1-6 ) is reacted with glucose or a polyglucoside (x=2 to 4) to yield a short chain alkyl glucoside (x=1 to 4) which can in turn be reacted with a longer chain alcohol (R 2 OH) to displace the short chain alcohol and obtain the desired alkylpolyglucoside. If this two step procedure is used, the short chain alkylglucoside content of the final alkylpolyglucoside material should be less than 50%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, most preferably 0% of the alkylpolyglucoside. The amount of unreacted alcohol (the free fatty alcohol content) in the desired alkylpolyglucoside surfactant is preferably less than about 2%, more preferably less than about 0.5% by weight of the total of the alkylpolyglucoside plus unreacted alcohol. The amount of alkylmonoglucoside is about 20% to about 70%, preferably 30% to 60%, most preferably 30% to 50% by weight of the total of the alkylpolyglucoside. for some uses it is desirable to have the alkylmonoglucoside content less than about 10%. The anionic cosurfactants Anionic cosurfactants can be selected from the group consisting of sulfates, sulfonates, carboxylates and mixtures thereof. The cosurfactants are neutralised with a cationic moiety or moieties selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, e.g., sodium or potassium, alkaline earth metal, e.g., calcium or magnesium, ammonium, substituted ammonium, including mono-, di-, or tri-, ethanolammonium cations. Mixtures of cations can be desirable. The anionic cosurfactants useful in the present invention all have detergent properties and are all water-soluble or dispersible in water. Alkylbenzene sulfonates One of the preferred cosurfactants for use in this invention is an alkylbenzene sulfonate. The alkyl group can be either saturated or unsaturated, branched or straight chain and is optionally substituted with a hydroxy group. Middle phenyl positions are generally preferred for volume of foaming in light soil conditions. However, in heavier soil conditions, phenyl attachment at the 1- or 2-position is preferred. The preferred alkylbenzene sulfonates contain a straight alkyl chain containing from about 9 to about 25 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 13 carbon atoms, and the cation is sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, or triethanolammonium, calcium or magnesium and mixtures thereof. Magnesium is the preferred cationic moiety. These same cations are preferred for other anionic surfactants and ingredients. The magnesium alkylbenzene sulfonates where the phenyl group is attached near the middle of the alkyl chain are surprisingly better than the ones with the phenyl near the end of the chain when the polysaccharide chain averages greater than about 3 saccharide units Suitable alkylbenzene sulfonates include C 11 alkylbenzene sulfonates with low 2-phenyl content (i.e. majority of phenyl groups attached uses the middle of alkyl chain). The alkylbenzene sulfonate cosurfactant is desirable in the foaming compositions of the invention since the foams produced therewith are exceptionally stable, have a large volume, rinse quickly, and do not have a "slippery" feel. These compositions are particulalty desirable for industrial and commercial processes as discussed hereinafter. The volume of foam produced using the alkylbenzene sulfonate cosurfactant is larger than for any other cosurfactant. Soap Other preferred cosurfactants for use in this invention are carboxylates, e.g. fatty acid soaps and similar surfactants. The soaps can be saturated or unsaturated and can contain various substituents such as hydroxy groups and alpha-sulfonate groups. Preferably, the hydrophobic portion of the soap is a straight chain saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbons. The hydrophobic portion of the soap usually contains from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms, preferably from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms. The use of carboxylate cosurfactants is especially valuable since the alkylpolysaccharide surfactants are exceptional lime soap dispersers. The cationic moiety (M) for carboxylate cosurfactants is selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, for examples sodium or potassium, alkaline earth metal, for example, calcium or magnesium, ammonium, or substituted ammonium, including mono-, di-, or triethanolammonium cations. Mixtures of cations can be desirable. In addition to the preferred alkylbenzene sulfonate and soap cosurfactants many other surfactants which contain sulfonate or carboxylate groups can be used in the foaming compositions used in the invention. Generally the use of these latter cosurfactants produces less foam volume than does the use of the preferred cosurfactants. However, the alkylpolysaccharide surfactant stabilizes the foams which are produced and allows the foams to be rinsed more quickly. Yet other cosurfactants are the alkyl (paraffin or olefin sulonates, preferably with a more central hydrophilic group, containing from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms. Compositions containing these cosurfactants produce the least volume of foam, if that is desired. The hydrophobic group can contain up to about 10 hydroxy groups and/or ether linkages. Examples include C 14-15 paraffin sulfonates and C 14-16 olefin sulfonates. Still another cosurfactant is a soap structure containing up to about 10 ether linkages in the chain and from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms between ether linkages with from about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms in a terminal portion containing no ether linkages The alkylpolyglucosides that contain an average of from 1.5 to 4 glucoside units, preferably from 1.6 to 2.7 glucoside units; less than about 50% short chain alkylpolyglucosides; less than about 10%, preferably less than about 2%, most preferably less than about 0.5% unreacted fatty alcohol, increase the sudsing ability of conventional sulfate detergent cosurfactants, especially alkyl sulfate and alkyl polyether sulfate cosurfactants having the formula: R 3 O(C n H 2n O) t SO 3 M wherein R 3 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from about 8 to about 18 cabron atoms, n is 2 or 3, t can vary from 0 to about 30, and M is a cationic moiety as defined above, the cosurfactant being water soluble or dispersible. A preferred foaming composion for use in the invention herein comprises: (1) an alkylpolysaccharide surfactant having the formula RO(R 1 O) t (Z) x , wherein Z is a moiety derived from a reducing saccharide containing from 5 to 6 carbon atoms and wherein R is a hydrophobic group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl and mixtures thereof in and which said alkylgroups contain from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, R 1 is ethylene, propylene and/or glyceryl, t is from 0 to about 30; and x is a number from about 1.5 to about 10, preferably 1.5 to 4, most preferably 1.6 to 2.7; and (2) a mixture of cosurfactants neutralized with one or more cationic moieties consisting essentially of: (a) from about 1% to about 95% preferably about 10% to about 50% of a water soluble alkylbenzene sulfonate cosurfactant in which the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 13 carbon atoms, and (b) from about 5% to about 99%, preferably 50-90% of a cosurfactant selected from the group consisting of an alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate in which the alkyl group contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, an alpha-olefin sulfonate in which the olefin group contains from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, an alkyl polyethoxylate carboxylate in which the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, and the polyelhoxylate chain contains from about 2 to about 6 ethoxylate groups, and mixtures thereof. Such compositions have improved suds mileage as compared to compositions containing only the alkyl benzene sulfonate cosurfactant and the alkylpolysaccharide surfactant. Another preferred embodiment of a foaming composition for use in the invention herein comprises: (1) an alkylpolysaccharide surfactant having the formula RO(R 1 O) t (Z) x wherein Z is a moiety derived from a reducing saccharide containing from 5 to 6 carbon atoms and wherein R is a hydrophobic group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl and mixtures thereof in which said alkyl groups contain from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms; R 1 is ethylene, propylene and or glyceryl; t is from 0 to about 30; and x is a number from about 1.5 to about 10; (2) is anionic cosurfactant selected from the group consisting of sulfates, sulfonates, carboxylates and mixtures thereof neutralized with one or more cationic moieties M to complete the formula, the ratio of (2) to (1) being from about 1:10 to about 10:1, and (3) from about 2% to about 10% of an auxiliary foam booster selected from the group consisting of: (a) amides having the formula wherein R 7 is an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, preferably about 12 to about 14 carbon atoms and each R 8 is the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C 1-3 alkyl, C 1-3 alkanol, and -(CH 2 O 4 -) 1-4 H groups and mixtures thereof; (b) amine oxides having the formula: wherein R 4 is an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 14 carbon atoms, each R 4 contains two or three carbon atoms, b is from 0 to about 30, each R 6 is the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of C 1-3 alkyl, C 1-3 alkanol, and -(C 2 H 4 O) 1-6 H groups and mixtures thereof; and (c) mixtures thereof. Such compositions provide superior grease/oil removal and suds mileage. Preferred anionic cosurfactants are alkylbenzene sulfonate, alpha-olefin sulfonate, alkylsulfates, alkylpolyethoxylate sulfates and paraffin sulfonates and mixtures thereof. The cationic moieties are selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, ammonium, monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof. Preferred compositions for use in this embodiment of the invention comprise from 1% to about 95%. preferably 5% to about 50% of an alkypolyglucoside surfactant in which the alkyl group contains from 12 to 14 carbon atoms, x is from 1.5 to 4, more preferably 1.6 to 2.7; from 1% to about 95%, preferably from about 10% to about 50% of an anionic cosurfactant neutralized with one or more cationic moieties and which is a mixture of (1) from 1% to about 95%, preferably from about 5% to about 50% of an alkyl benzene sulfonate in which the alkyl group contains from about 8 to about 13 carbon atoms or an alpha-olefin sulfonate in which the olefin group contains from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof; and (2) from 1% to about 95%, preferably from about 5% to about 50% of an alkyl polyethoxylate sulfate in which the alkyl group contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 14 carbon atoms and from about one to about six ethoxylate moieties and wherein from about 1% to about 100%, preferably from about 10% to about 80% of the cationic moieties are magnesium; and wherein the auxiliary foam booster is an amide. Another preferred foaming composition for use in the invention herein is an agglomerated light duty detergent granule composition comprising (1) from about 5% to about 60%, preferably from 10% to about 20% of an alkylpolysaccharide surfactant having the formula RO(R 1 O) t (Z) x , wherein Z is a moiety derived from a reducing saccharide moiety containing from 5 to 6 carbon atoms and wherein R is a hydrophobic group selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl and mixtures thereof in which said alkyl groups contain from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 14 carbon atoms; R 1 is ethylene, propylene and/or glyceryl: t is from 0 to about 30; and x is a number from about 1.5 to about 10, preferably 1.5 to 4, most preferably 1.6 to 2.7; (2) from about 5% to about 60% of an alkyl benzene sulfonate cosurfactant in which the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 13 carbon atoms, said alkyl benzene sulfonate neutralized with one or more cationic moieties (M) to balance the formula (3) from about 5% to about 60%, preferably from about 10% to about 20% of an alkylpolyethoxylate sulfate cosurfactant in which the alkyl group contains from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms and in which there are from 1 to about 6 ethoxylate groups, said alkylpolyethoxylate sulfate neutralized with one or more cationic moieties M to complete the formula; (4) from about 5% to about 80% of a water soluble inorganic salt selected from the group consisting of sodium and potassium sulfates, chlorides, carbonates, phosphates, and mixtures thereof. The processes Mixtures of alkylbenzene sulfonate and/or the soap cosurfactant and the alkylpolysaccharide surfactant can be used at levels of from about 0.01% to about 95%, in ratios of cosurfactant to alkylpolysaccharide of from about 10:1 to about 1:10, in water with agitation to provide foams. These foams are relatively stable and, if not disturbed, can exist for several days. Furthermore, the foam has structural integrity and does not spread out. The foams prepared using mixtures of alkylbenzene sulfonate and the alkylpolysaccharide are unique in that they do not have a "slippery" feel. All of the foams rinse quickly. Typical compositions for use as light duty liquid detergent compositions in washing dishes comprise from about 5% to about 50%, preferably from about 10% to about 40% of the mixture of surfactants disclosed hereinbefore. From about 1% to about 50% of a solvent selected from the group consisting of C 1-3 alkanols, C 1-3 alkanolamines, C 2-4 polyols, mixtures thereof, and the balance water. It is a special advantage of the compositions for use in this invention that they can be made in concentrated form (up to about 50% by wt, of the mixture of surfactants) with only very low levels of organic solvents and without the addition of expensive hydrotropic materials. Additional suds boosters or builders such as trialkyl amine oxides and fatty acid amides can also be used in amounts up to about 20%. Fatty alcohols should not be used. Additional ingredients The processes of this invention can utilize other compatible ingredients, including other surfactants, in addition to the mixture of surfactants herein disclosed. In detergent compositions the compositions can contain any of the well known ingredients including minor amounts of other surfactants, detergency builders, soil suspending agents, brighteners, abrasives, dyes, hydrotropes, solvents, filters, clays, perfumes, etc. Suitable ingredients are disclosed in US. Patents 4,660,039-Wise, 4,157,978-Llenado, 4,056,481-Tate, 4,049,586-Collier, 4,035,257-Cherney, 4,019,998-Benson et al; 4,000,080-Bartolotta et al; and 3,983,078-Collins, incorporated herein by reference. Listings of suitable additional ingredients, including low levels of other surfactants can be found in U.S. Patents 4,089,945; 3,987,161; and 3,962,418, incorporated herein by reference. Of special interest are ingredients which modify the feel of aqueous solutions containinq the foaming compositions of this invention. For examples raising the pH to above about 8.5 by alkaline materials or incorporating the tertiary alcohols of the European patent application No. 0 049 546, published on April 14, 1982. Such ingredients are desirable for some consumers since the solutions do not have the normal "soapy" feel associated with surfactant solutions. The following nonlimiting examples illustrate the foaming compositions for use in the present invention. Example I Relative volume of suds comparison and consumer preference A B C Generic commercial product U.S. crystal White® Premium commercial product U.S. of the Palmolive® Product of the invention Formula Weight % Weight % Weight % Sodium C 11.8 alkyl benzene sulfonate 10.5 18.0 18.0 C 12-13 alkylpolyglucoside 2-3 (>2% free fatty alcohol) - - 12.0 Sodium C 14-15 alkyl polyethoxylate, sulfate 5.5 12.0 - Balance of formula inc. water 84.0 70.0 70.0 Sudsing Relative Volume of Suds (ml) 0.2% solutions 110 125 220 Consumer test Overall preference. % 10 18 23 Favorable sudsing comments. % 74 85 80 Favorable rinsing comments. % 3 6 10 The foaming composition for use in the invention is superior to a representative generic product and at least equivalent to a representative premium commercial product and is preferred by consumers for rinsing reasons. The test involved 50 consumers washing soiled dishes in the test solutions. The consumers wore rubber gloves during the test. The differences are significant at the 95% confidence level for the invention over the generic product. The relative volume of suds in ml. is determined by the following test procedure: 100 ml of the test solution at 46.1°C is placed in a 500 ml graduated cylinder: the solution is agitated by repeated inversion of the graduated cylinder until the amount of suds in the cylinder does not increase with further agitation. Suds height is measured directly on the cylinder scale making allowance for the height of liquid remaining in the cylinder. The test solution is made by adding the test product to water having a hardness of 0.12 grams per liter (Ca/Mg=3/1). Example II LAS suds boosting Wt. % of: A B C D E F G Sodium C 11.8 alkylbenzene sulfonate 0 20 40 50 60 80 100 C 12-15 Alkylpoly 2-3 glucoside 100 80 60 50 40 20 0 Relative Volume of suds (ml) 140 220 280 300 310 300 240 The suds (foam) were generated as described in Ex. 1 using 300 ppm of the surfactant mixtures in city water (0.15 grams per liter). The results clearly show the sudsing synergism for ratios greater than about 1 2. The foaming composition of the invention herein correspond to formulae E,F. Example III Soap suds boosting Wt. % of: A B C D E F Sodium oleate 0 20 40 60 80 100 C 12-15 alkylpoly 2-3 glucoside 100 80 60 40 20 0 Relative Volume of suds (ml.) 160 270 280 300 310 260 The suds were generated as in Ex. 1 using 500 ppm, of the surfactant mixtures. This data clearly indicates the sudsing synergism for the foaming composition for use in the invention. Example IV Foaming With soap Effect of hardness on relative volume of suds Grains hardness 0 2 4 6 Sodium oleate 225 10 0 0 Sodium oleate plus C 12-15 alkylpoly 2-3 glucoside (3:2 ratio) 360 100 55 10 The suds were generated as in Ex. 1 using 500 ppm, of the surfactant mixtures. Example V Alkyl polyglucoside (C 12-15 alkylpoly 2-3 glucoside) Suds boosting for the following representative cosurfactants (3 2 ratio. 500 ppm) % increase in foaming Sodium C 11.8 allylbenzene sulfonate 100-150 Sodium oleate 50-75 3-[N-coconutalkyl-N,N-dimethyl]- 2-hydroxy-1-sulfonate 40-60 Sodium C 14-15 olefin sulfonate 20-40 Sodium coconut alkyl sulfate 10-30 Sodium coconut alkyl polyethoxylate 3 sulfate 0-20 The above data clearly demonstrate the criticality of utilizing a carboxylate or sulfonate anionic detergent cosurfactant for sudsing synergism with the alkyl polyglucoside surfactant. Example VI Alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) Homologs/phenyl-position (3 2 ratio; 500 ppm) Relative volume of suds (ml) Ex. Il's alkylpolyglucoside plus: Sodium C 11 LAS, high 2-phenyl 210 Sodium C 11 LAS. low 2-phenyl 250 Sodium C 12 LAS, high 2-phenyl 225 Sodium C 12 LAS, low 2-phenyl 225 Sodium C 14 LAS, high 2-phenyl 210 Sodium C 14 LAS, low 2-phenyl 215 As can be seen from the above, in general C 11 , low 2-phenyl LAS is preferred for sudsing. Example VII Suds boosting of alkyl polyglucosides and effect of soil Relative volume of suds (ml) Without soil With soil 0.5% 1.0% 0.2.% aqueous solution of a detergent composition formulated with: 15% sodium C 11.8 alkylbenzene sulfonate (C 11.8 LAS) 120 50 25 15% C 11.8 LAS+12% Ex. II's alkyl polyglucoside 310 130 70 30% C 11.8 LAS 190 140 100 The soil is a 44%/56% by weight mixture of Fluffo® and PREP® both of which products are available in the United States from The Procter & Gamble Company. As can be seen from the above, the benefit for the invention is even more remarkable when soil is present. Example VIII Relative volume of suds (ml) No soil 1% soil present Generic commercial product (Crystal While®) 110 30 Premium commercial product B (Palmolive Liquid®) 120 100 Premium commercial product C (Joy®) 125 120 12% C 11.8 LAS/8% Ex. II's alkyl polyglucoside 180 120 18% C 11.8 LA/12% Ex. II's alkyl polyglucoside 240 150 24% C 11.8 LA/16% Ex. II's alkyl polyglucoside 300 180 Suds generated as in Ex. I using a test solution containing 0.2% by wt, of the indicated commercial product or 0 2% of a product formulated with the surfactant mixtures shown. As can be seen, the simple mixtures of surfactants representative of this invention can be formulated to be superior, or at least equal, to even the best light-duty dishwashing liquids. Example IX Wt. % of: A B C D E F C 11.8 LAS (Sodium) 0 20 40 60 80 100 Sucrose monolaurate 100 80 60 40 20 0 Relative Volume of suds (ml.) 30 100 150 190 210 220 300 ppm of surfactant mixture used in test solution of Ex. I. The above demonstrates that structures which are similar to the alkyl polyglucosides do not provide the benefits of this invention. Example X Sodium vs. magnesium alkybenzene sulfonate Relative volume of suds (ml.) Without soil With soil 0.6% 1.0% 0.2% aqueous solution of a detergent composition with: 15% Ex., II's alkyl polyglucoside: 22% C 11.8 alkylbenzene sulfonate with the benzene group attached primarily to the center of the alkyl chain, sodium neutralized 450 150 75 15%, Ex. II's alkyl polyglucoside; 22% C 11.8 alkylbenzene sulfonate with the benzene group anached primarily to the center of the alkyf chain, magnesium neutralized 450 200 110 Premium product (Joy®) 350 120 75 Example XI The optimum alkylpolyglucosides have an HLB* of from about 6 to about 27 and a critical micelle concentration (CMC)** of less than about 1000 ppm, preferably less than about 500. Short chain alkylpolyglucosides which the alkyl group contains less than about 8 carbon atoms have unacceptably high CMC's and those alkylpolyglucosides having more than about 4 glucoside units have unacceptably high HLB'S as is shown in the following table in which the alkyl group and the glucoside chain length were varied. of Glucosides of Carbons G 0 G 1 G 2 G 3 G 4 G 5 C 4 HLB 5.1 12.4 17.9 23.3 28.8 34.2 C 6 HLB 4.2 11.4 17.0 22.4 27.8 33.2 C 8 HLB 3.2 10.5 16.0 21.4 26.9 32.3 CMC ∼7000 C 10 HLB 2.2 9.6 15.0 20.4 26.0 31.4 CMC ∼700 2000E C 12 HLB 1.3 8.6 14.1 19.5 25.0 30.4 CMC ∼6.0 ∼70 ∼200 225E ∼250 C 14 HLB 0.4 7.6 13.2 18.6 24.0 29.4 CMC ∼6 ∼20 25-60E C 16 HLB 0.0 6.7 12.2 17.6 23.1 28.5 CMC ∼0.3 ∼0.6 ∼4 C 18 HLB 0.0 5.8 11.2 16.6 22.2 27.6 CMC ∼1 E=estimated As can be seen above, (1) longer pure glucoside chain lengths raise the HLB and lower the molecule's surface activity (high CMC) and (2) the shorter alkyl chain lengths have extremely high CMC's even as the monoglucoside. Example XII The following formulas were prepared: A B C Magnesium linear C 11.2 alkylbenzene sulfonate 22.4 22.4 22.4 C 12-13 , alkypolyglucoside (G 1.7 ) (<2% free fatty alcohol) 14.9 14.9 14.9 C 9-11 alkoxypropyldihydroxyethyl amine oxide - 4 - C 12 alkyldihydroxy ethyl amine oxide - - 4 Ethanol 5 5 5 Water balance balance balance Formulas A, B and C were compared by generating suds with a constant source of agitation under standard conditions (1 gal water, 115 F. (46.1 C) 0.12 g. hardness in a 3 gal. (11 3 l) dishpan using a standardized mixture of fat plus protein, carbohydrate and edible acid). Dinner plates are washed with 4 ml. of soil on each plate and the suds height is measured after each five plates. 30 plates in total are washed and the integral of the suds height taken over the number of plates washed is reported as the SDW grade (SDW=Suds During Washing). A B C SDW grade 24 28.8 28.4 This shows that the addition of a small amount of these amine oxides dramatically increases the amount of dishes that can be washed. Similar results are obtained when a fatty acid amide, e.g., a coconut fatty acid amide, diethanol amide, and/or isopropanol amide is substituted, at least in part for the specific amine oxides. Example XIII 105 greams of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate are mixed with 350 grams of anhydrous sodium sulfate. After the mixture is ground into a fine powder, 70 g of C 12-13 alkylpolyglucoside (G 22 ) (<2% free fatty alcohol) are then mixed in. The mixture is transferred into a fluid bed dryer operated at room temperature (e.g., Aeromatic Inc., Model STREA-1), then 100 grams of a 50% solution of said alkylpolygucoside is sprayed onto the powder, 7.5 milliliters of a 1% polar blue solution are sprayed onto the powder and a small portion of perfume is then added. The resulting granule is dried in a vacuum oven at 30 in. (762 mm) of Hg vacuum at 50°C for ten hours to remove excess water. Example XIV Ammonium C 11.2 linear ally benzene sulfonate was admixed with C 12 alkyLpolyglucoside G 3.5 in a ratio of about 2:1. The mixture was used at a level of 400 ppm in city water. The initial suds volume was more than 300 ml., but after the addition of about 1.25 grams of a standard grease soil per 200 ml. of wash solution, the suds had disappeared. Substitution of a sodium C 12-16 alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate for 25% and 40% of the mixture extended the point at which there was no suds to 1.5 and 1.75 grams of soil per 200 ml, of wash solution respectively. Similar results are obtained when a sodium, potassium, ammonium, or monoethanolammonium C 12-16 alkylpolyethoxy 3 acetates or C 14-16 , olefin sulfonate or mixtures thereof is substituted for at least part of the alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate. Example XV The following formula was prepared with alkylpolyglucosides having 0.3% and 1% free fatty alcohol respectively. Wt. % Ammonium C 11.2 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 17.5 Magnesium C 11.2 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 6.4 Ammonium C 12-13 alkyl polyethoxylate (0.8) sulfate 6.1 C 12 - 16 alkylpolyglucoside G 1.7 5 Minors and water balance The SDW values for the low (0.3%) and high (1%) free alcohol samples were 12.9 and 12.2 respectively with an LSD 0.05 at 0.6. See Ex. XII for test method. Example XVI The following formulas were prepared: % by weight A B C D Ammonium/magnesium C 11.2 linear alkyl benzene sulfonate 24.2 21.8 - - Ammonium/magnesium C 12-15 olefin sulfonate - - 12.8 10.6 Ammonium/magnesium C 12-13 alkyl sulfonate - - 19.2 15.9 Ammonium C 1 2-13 alkyl polyethoxylate (0.8) sulfate 6.5 5.8 - - C 12 fatty acid diethanolamide - 3.8 - 5.5 C 12-13 alkylpolyglucoside G 1.7 (free fatty alcohol <0.5%) 5.3 4.8 4 3.3 Minors and water balance The SDW Index A B C D 79 89 97 107 The SDW index is the SDW grade for each product as a percentage of the SDW value of a standard commercial product. The following are examples of particularly preferred compositions for use in the invention. The broad and preferred ranges of ingredients which can be used are given in the second and third columns, respectively, in each example. Example XVII % by weight Ammonium C 11.4 alkyl benzene sulfonate 17.5 10-35 12-25 Magnesium C 11.4 alkyl benzene sulfonate 6.4 0-11 3-9 Ammonium C 12-13 alkyl polyethoxylate (0.8) sulfates 6.1 2-11 3-9 C 12-13 alkyl polyglucoside (1.7) derived from glucose (<0.5% free fatty alcohol) 5.0 2-11 2-7 Ethanol 3.7 0-10 0-5 Ammonium xylene sulfonate 3.0 0-10 0-5 H 2 O & minor components, e.g., perfume Balance Example XVIII % by weight Ammonium C 12-13 alkyl sulfate 15.7 7-23 10-20 Sodium C 14-16 olefin sulfonate 10.4 4-19 6-13 MgCl 2 · 6H 2 O 5.6 0-11 2-10 Coconut monoethanol amide 5.5 2-8 3-7 C 12-13 alkyl polyglycoside (1.7) derived from glucose (<0.5% free fatty alcohol) 5.9 2-12 3-9 Ethanol 4.0 0-10 0-10 H 2 O and minor components, e.g., perfume Balance The alkyl groups in the surfactants of Examples XVII and XVIII can vary from about 10 to about 16 carbon atoms and the cations can be ammonium, sodium, potassium, monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium, magnesium, or preferably, mixtures thereof. Any of the preferred alkyl polyglycosides can be used and other known amine oxide and amide suds boosters disclosed herein can be used. Example XIX When a 2:1 mixture of an ammonium C 11.2 , alkylbenzene sulfonate and the C 12-13 alkylpolyglucoside (2-4) (<2% free fatty alcohol) are tested under the conditions of Example II the initial suds volume is good, but the SDW grade is not as good as some premium commercial products. Substitution of between 25% and 50% of the mixture with a sodium C 12-16 alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonate, or sodium C 14-16 olefin sulfonate, or sodium C 12-13 alkyl polyethoxylate (3) acetate increases the SDW grade without lowering the initial sudsing excessively. Known analytical techniques can be used to determine the structures of the alkylpolysaccharide surfactants herein; for example, to determine the glycosidic chain length, the amount of butyl glucoside, the free fatty alcohol content, and the level of unreacted polysaccharide. More specifically, gas or liquid chromatography can be used to determine the unreacted alcohol content and the unreacted polysaccharide content respectively. Proton nmr can be used to determine the average glycosidic chain length. The point of attachment of the hydrophilic portion of the molecule to the hydrophobic portion of the molecule can be determined by 13 C nmr. The alkylpolyglucoside surfactants are complex mixtures. Their components vary depending upon the nature of the starting materials and the reaction by which they are prepared. Analytical standards which are useful in calibrating instruments for analyzing the components of a particular alkylpolyglucoside surfactant can be obtained from Calbiochem Behring Co. LaJolla, California. These standards include those for octylglucoside (Calbiochem #494559), decylglucoside (Calbiochem #252715), dodecylmaltoside (Calbiochem #3243555). The HLBs of alkylpolyglucoside surfactants useful in the foaming compositions for use in the invention have the values given in Example XV the CMCs will approximate those values given in the same example. Alkylpolyglucoside surfactants having the structures specified in the claims and characterized by one or more of the standard analytical techniques will give the results indicated in the examples.

Claims: Use as a foaming dishwashing composition of a composition comprising: an alkylpolyglucoside surfactant having the formula RO(R 1 O) t Z x wherein Z is a moiety derived from glucose, R is an alkyl group containing 12 to 18 carbon atoms, R 1 is ethylene, propylene and/or glyceryl, t is from 0 to 10, and x is a number from 1.5 to 4; (2) an anionic cosurfactant selected from the group consisting of sulfates, sulfonates, carboxylates and mixtures thereof, neutralised with one or more cationic moieties, the weight ratio of (2) to (1) being from 1:10 to 10:1 and wherein the alkylpolyglucoside contains less than 50% short chain alkyl polyglucoside and less than 10% unreacted fatty alcohol except that: (1) the weight ratio of (2) to (1) is superior to 1:1 when the anionic surfactant is an alkalimetal alkylbenzensulfonate and when in the general formula for the alkylpolyglucoside t=0; (2) the weight ratio of (2) to (1) is at least 1:2 when the anionic cosurfactant is soap; and (3) when the anionic cosurfactant does not contain a sulfonate or carboxylate x must be from 1.5 to and the alkylpolyglucoside surfactant must have a free fatty alcohol content of less than 2% by weight. The use of claim 1 wherein the cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzene sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl sulfates and paraffin sulfonates and wherein the cationic moiety is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, ammonium, monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof. The use of claim 2 wherein the cosurfactant is an alkylbenzene sulfonate. The use of claim 3 wherein the phenyl portion of the alkylbenzene sulfonate is attached near the middle of the alkyl chain and the cationic moiety is magnesium. The use of claim 2 wherein the cosurfactant is an alpha-olefin sulfonate. The use of claim 2 wherein the cosurfactant is a paraffin sulfonate. The use of claim 1 wherein the anionic cosurfactant has the formula R 9 (SO 3 ) y (COO) z M q wherein R 9 is an alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl or hydroxylalkyl or mixtures thereof, said alkyl groups containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms; wherein y is a number from 0 to 4, z is a number from 0 to 4, y+z is at least 1 and wherein M is a cationic moiety with q being selected to complete the formula, x is from 1.5 to 3 and the alkyl polyglucoside surfactant has a free fatty alcohol content of less than 2% by weight. The use of claim 7 wherein y is 0; z is 1; and wherein the cationic moiety is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, ammonium, monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammoniun, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof. The use as a foaming dishwashing composition of a light-duty liquid detergent composition comprising from 5% to 50% by weight of the surfactant mixture defined in claim 1 and from 1% to 50% by weight of a solvent selected from the group consisting of C 1-3 , alkanols, C 1-3 alkanolamines, C 2-4 polyols, and mixtures thereof, and the balance water. The use of claim 9 wherein the cosurfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzene sulfonates, alpha-olefin sulfonates, alkyl sulfates and paraffin sulfonates and the cationic moiety is selected from the group consisting of sodium, potassium, ammonium, monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, triethanolammonium, calcium, magnesium and mixtures thereof. The use of claim 10 wherein the cosurfactant is an alkylbenzene sulfonate. The use of claim 10 wherein the cationic moiety is magnesium. The use of claim 10 wherein the cosurfactant is an alpha-olefin sulfonate. The use of claim 10 wherein the cosurfactant is a paraffin sulfonate.

Inventors: LLENADO RAMON A, LLENADO, RAMON A.
Applicants: PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 1982
Main classification: C11D1
IPC codes: C11D1, C09K21, C09K3, B03D1, A61K8, C09K8, A61Q5, A62D1, C11D10