Abstract:
A laundry detergent composition comprising: 
     (a) 4 to 25 wt % of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate; (b) 25 to 55 wt % nonionic surfactant, (c) 2 to 10 wt % of an amine having formula (I) 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 1  is C 1 -C 4  alkyl or C 1 -C 4  hydroxyalkyl; or formula (II) 
     
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
     wherein R 2  is C 1 -C 4  alkyl and R 3  is C 2 -C 8  alkyl; or a combination thereof; and (d) 10 to 35 wt % C 3 -C 6  polyhydroxy compounds.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    This invention relates generally to a concentrated laundry detergent composition containing amines 
         [0002]    Typically, liquid laundry detergent compositions are adjusted to an alkaline pH using sodium hydroxide. In some cases, other bases have been used for this purpose. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,838 discloses use of triethanolamine for neutralization of a detergent composition. However, this reference does not disclose the compositions of the present invention, which offer improved performance. 
       STATEMENT OF INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention is directed to a laundry detergent composition comprising: (a) 4 to 25 wt % of a linear alkyl benzene sulfonate; (b) 25 to 55 wt % nonionic surfactant, (c) 2 to 10 wt % of an amine having formula (I) 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0000]    wherein R 1  is C 1 -C 4  alkyl or C 1 -C 4  hydroxyalkyl; or formula (II) 
         [0000]    
       
                 
         
             
             
         
       
     
         [0000]    wherein R 2  is C 1 -C 4  alkyl and R 3  is C 2 -C 8  alkyl; or a combination thereof; and (d) 10 to 35 wt % C 3 -C 6  polyhydroxy compounds. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0004]    All percentages are weight percentages (wt %), and all temperatures are in ° C., unless otherwise indicated. All operations are performed at room temperature (20-25° C.) unless otherwise specified. As used herein the term “citrate” refers to alkali metal citrates. Preferably, citrates are sodium, potassium or lithium salts; preferably sodium or potassium; preferably sodium. As used herein the term “fatty acid” refers to aliphatic carboxylic acids having from twelve to twenty-two carbon atoms. Weight percentages of citrates are based on the actual weights of the salts, including metal ions. The term “phosphorus-free” refers to compositions containing less than 0.5 wt % phosphorus (as elemental phosphorus), preferably less than 0.2 wt %, preferably less than 0.1 wt %, preferably no detectable phosphorus. Weight percentages in the detergent composition are percentages of commercial products, i.e., including any water that may be present in the products. 
         [0005]    Preferably, R 1  is C 1 -C 3  alkyl or C 1 -C 3  hydroxyalkyl, preferably C 1 -C 2  alkyl or C 1 -C 2  hydroxyalkyl; preferably methyl, ethyl or hydroxymethyl; preferably methyl or ethyl. 
         [0006]    Preferably, R 2  is C 1 -C 3  alkyl, preferably methyl or ethyl, preferably ethyl. Preferably, R 3  is C 2 -C 6  alkyl, preferably C 3 -C 6  alkyl, preferably C 3 -C 5  alkyl, preferably C 4  alkyl, preferably n-butyl. 
         [0007]    Preferably, the total amount of amine in the detergent composition is from 2.5 to 9 wt %, preferably from 2.5 to 7 wt %, preferably from 3 to 5 wt %, preferably from 3 to 4 wt %. 
         [0008]    Preferably, the detergent composition comprises at least 30 wt % nonionic surfactants, preferably at least 32 wt %, preferably at least 34 wt %; preferably no more than 50 wt %, preferably no more than 47 wt %, preferably no more than 44 wt %, preferably no more than 42 wt %. Preferably, the nonionic surfactant is a linear alcohol ethoxylate. Preferably, a linear alcohol ethoxylate has a linear C 6 -C 16  alkyl group, preferably C 8 -C 14 . Preferably the alkyl groups are mixtures derived from seed oil, preferably comprising 70% C 8 -C 10  linear alkyl and 70% C 12 -C 14  linear alkyl. Preferably, a linear alcohol ethoxylate contains from five to nine polymerized units of ethylene oxide, preferably seven. Preferably, a linear alcohol ethoxylate has two to four polymerized units of propylene oxide between the alkyl group and the ethylene oxide units, preferably three units of propylene oxide. 
         [0009]    Preferably, the detergent composition comprises at least 6 wt % linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, preferably at least 8 wt %, preferably at least 10 wt %; preferably no more than 20 wt %, preferably no more than 18 wt %, preferably no more than 16 wt %, preferably no more than 14 wt %. Preferably, alkylbenzene sulfonates have a C 10 -C 14  alkyl group. 
         [0010]    Preferably, the detergent composition comprises from 10 to 35 wt % C 3 -C 5  polyhydroxy compounds, preferably 15 to 30 wt %, preferably 20 to 30 wt %. Polyhydroxy compounds preferably have two or three hydroxyl groups. Preferred polyhydroxy compounds include, e.g., glycerol and propylene glycol. Preferably, the detergent composition comprises from 5 to 25 wt % propylene glycol, preferably 8 to 20 wt %, preferably 10 to 18 wt %. 
         [0011]    Preferably, the detergent composition comprises from 1 to 15 wt % fatty acids or their metal salts; preferably at least 2 wt %, preferably at least 3 wt %; preferably no more than 10 wt %, preferably no more than 8 wt %, preferably no more than 6 wt %. 
         [0012]    Preferably, the detergent composition comprises from 10 to 30 wt % alkyl ether sulfate, preferably from 12 to 25 wt %, preferably from 14 to 23 wt %. Preferably, an alkyl ether sulfate has a C 8 -C 18  alkyl group, preferably C 10 -C 16 . Preferably, the alkyl group is linear. 
         [0013]    Preferably, the detergent composition comprises no more than 20 wt % water, preferably no more than 16 wt %, preferably no more than 14 wt %; preferably at least 2 wt % water, preferably at least 4 wt %, preferably at least 6 wt %, preferably at least 8 wt %. 
         [0014]    Other components of the detergent composition may include, e.g., surfactants, oxygen and/or chlorine bleaches, bleach activators, enzymes, foam suppressants, colors, fragrances, antibacterial agents and fillers. Fillers in tablets or powders are inert, water-soluble substances, typically sodium or potassium salts, e.g., sodium or potassium sulfate and/or chloride, and typically are present in amounts ranging from 0 wt % to 75 wt %. Fillers in gel formulations may include those mentioned above and also water. Fragrances, dyes, foam suppressants, enzymes and antibacterial agents usually total no more than 5 wt % of the composition. 
         [0015]    Preferably, the composition has a pH from 7.5 to 10, preferably at least 8, preferably no more than 9.5, preferably no more than 9. 
         [0016]    The composition can be formulated in any typical form, e.g., as a monodose, liquid or gel. The composition can be used under typical operating conditions for any typical washing machine. Typical water temperatures during the washing process preferably are from 20° C. to 85° C., preferably from 25° C. to 70° C. Typical concentrations for the composition as a percentage of total liquid in the washing machine preferably are from 0.1 to 1 wt %, preferably from 0.2 to 0.7 wt %. With selection of an appropriate product form and addition time, the composition may be present in the prewash, main wash, penultimate rinse, final rinse, or any combination of these cycles. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the detergent composition is substantially free of enzymes, i.e., it contains less than 0.5 wt % enzymes, preferably less than 0.2 wt %, preferably less than 0.1 wt %, preferably it contains no detectable enzymes. 
         [0018]    Preferably, the detergent composition contains less than 2 wt % of amine oxide surfactants, preferably less than 1 wt %, preferably less than 0.5 wt %, preferably less than 0.2 wt %. Preferably, the detergent composition is substantially free of amines other than the amines of formulas (I) and (II), i.e., these other amines are present in a total amount less than 0.7 wt %, preferably less than 0.5 wt %, preferably less than 0.3 wt %, preferably less than 0.2 wt %. 
       Examples 
       [0019]    The composition of the DOW monodose formulation is given below: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 % as 
               
               
                 Dow monodose composition (in order of addition) 
                 product 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Propylene glycol (hydrotrope) 
                 14.22 
               
               
                 Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (STEOL CS 370E from Stepan) 
                 18.96 1   
               
               
                 Alcohol ethoxylate 3   
                 37.91 
               
               
                 Fatty Acid (PALMERA B1220 form KLK) 
                 4.27 
               
               
                 Glycerin (PURENE from DOW) 
                 9.48 
               
               
                 Neutralizer from Angus 
                 3.32 
               
               
                 Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate (NANSA SS50 from Huntsman) 
                 11.85 2   
               
               
                   
               
               
                   1 This product contains 30% water. 
               
               
                   2 This product contains 50% water; total water in formulation: 11.6% 
               
               
                   3 Alkyl groups are mixtures comprising 70% C 8 -C 10  linear alkyl and 70% C 12 -C 14  linear alkyl with seven polymerized units of ethylene oxide and three polymerized units of propylene oxide between the alkyl group and the ethylene oxide units. 
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0020]    The following amines have been tested in this monodose formulation: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 MEA (comp.) 
                 (mono-ethanolamine) 
               
               
                 Tris Amino Ultra PC 
                 (2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1.3-propanediol) 
               
               
                 CORRGUARD EXT 
                 (3-amino-4-octanol) 
               
               
                 AMP 90 
                 (2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol) 
               
               
                 AEPD Vox 1000 
                 (2-amino-2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol) 
               
               
                 AMPD Ultra PC 
                 (2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0021]    The stain monitors used for the test were as follow: 
       Stain Monitors: From Center for Test Materials—Ref MON DOW 7 
       [0022]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 Code stains 
                 Nature of stains 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 H078 
                 Lipstick #1 
               
               
                 H156 
                 Dust sebum 
               
               
                 H038 
                 Shoepolish brown 
               
               
                 H150 
                 Soja oil/violet dye 
               
               
                 H013 
                 Dirty motor oil 
               
               
                 H032 
                 Rust stain 
               
               
                 H084 
                 nivea visage face cream 
               
               
                 H135 
                 Mechanical Grease 
               
               
                 H082 
                 Sebum bey with carbon black 
               
               
                 H066 
                 tapenada, black olives 
               
               
                 H018 
                 Ground soil 
               
               
                 H134 
                 Hamburger grease 
               
               
                 H126 
                 Pura vegetable oil with violet dye 
               
               
                 H056 
                 Sauce Mediterranea, olive sauce 
               
               
                 H162 
                 Chicken barbecue fat 
               
               
                 H145 
                 Clay tenniscourt 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0023]    Each machine was loaded with:
       1 stain monitor Mon Dow 7+1 SBL (soil ballast load of 8 g)   33 g detergent   3.3 kg ballast load   Tap water: TH around 18° F.   Wash temperature 40° C.       
 
       Measurements 
       [0029]    The soil release effect has been measured via Delta E (ΔE) of each stain. 
         [0030]    Delta E is defined as the color difference between the unwashed stain and the washed stain, within the L*a*b* color space. 
         [0031]    Each stain was measured, before and after washing, with the Epson Perfection 4490 Photo scanner, using the Epson scan software with the following settings:
       Professional mode.   Document type: reflective   Documents source: Document table   Auto exposure type: photo   Image type: 48-bit color   scanner quality: best   Resolution: 400 dpi   No color correction   UV cut 400 nm       
 
         [0041]    Then, the color of each stain have been analyzed with the software Image J version 1.4.3.67 (free software available from the Internet) using a macro which provided color information within the L*a*b* color space. 
         [0000]    Results (based on 1 cycle at 40° C.) 
         [0042]    Delta E is defined as the color difference between the unwashed stain and the washed stain, within the L*a*b* color space. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       Δ 
                        
                       
                           
                       
                        
                       E 
                     
                     = 
                     
                       
                         
                           { 
                           
                             ( 
                             
                               L 
                                
                               
                                 ⋆ 
                                 unwashed 
                               
                             
                           
                         
                       
                       - 
                       
                         L 
                          
                         
                           ⋆ 
                           washed 
                         
                       
                     
                   
                   ) 
                 
                 2 
               
               + 
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     a 
                      
                     
                       ⋆ 
                       unwashed 
                     
                      
                     
                       - 
                       a 
                     
                      
                     
                       ⋆ 
                       washed 
                     
                   
                   ) 
                 
                 2 
               
               + 
               
                 
                   ( 
                   
                     b 
                      
                     
                       ⋆ 
                       unwashed 
                     
                      
                     
                       - 
                       b 
                     
                      
                     
                       ⋆ 
                       washed 
                     
                   
                   ) 
                 
                 2 
               
             
             } 
           
         
       
     
         [0043]    The Delta E of each stain is summarized in the table below: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Tris 
                   
                   
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Amino 
                 CORRGUARD 
                 AMP 
                 AEPD 
                 AMPD 
               
               
                 Stain 
                 MEA 
                 Ultra PC 
                 EXT 
                 90 
                 Vox 1000 
                 Ultra PC 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 H078 
                 26.05 
                 32.28 
                 26.51 
                 28.58 
                 42.72 
                 39.95 
               
               
                 H156 
                 13.98 
                 12.79 
                 14.33 
                 14.74 
                 12.58 
                 13.72 
               
               
                 H038 
                 55.20 
                 47.71 
                 53.38 
                 50.68 
                 45.38 
                 56.81 
               
               
                 H150 
                 16.82 
                 18.34 
                 21.76 
                 20.82 
                 20.95 
                 24.42 
               
               
                 H013 
                 15.05 
                 14.60 
                 17.89 
                 15.35 
                 17.23 
                 14.33 
               
               
                 H032 
                 5.01 
                 4.29 
                 7.40 
                 5.29 
                 5.87 
                 4.35 
               
               
                 H084 
                 27.70 
                 29.02 
                 38.33 
                 35.26 
                 36.14 
                 30.06 
               
               
                 H135 
                 8.50 
                 7.02 
                 12.23 
                 8.92 
                 8.51 
                 9.45 
               
               
                 H082 
                 50.42 
                 51.04 
                 47.03 
                 47.32 
                 51.11 
                 48.98 
               
               
                 H066 
                 35.35 
                 37.51 
                 36.00 
                 35.25 
                 35.71 
                 39.39 
               
               
                 H018 
                 29.02 
                 30.95 
                 35.17 
                 37.74 
                 32.59 
                 31.56 
               
               
                 H134 
                 5.84 
                 5.16 
                 6.70 
                 5.63 
                 5.29 
                 5.88 
               
               
                 H126 
                 12.01 
                 16.80 
                 16.83 
                 13.96 
                 16.03 
                 16.63 
               
               
                 H056 
                 13.80 
                 17.52 
                 21.81 
                 19.89 
                 18.58 
                 22.08 
               
               
                 H162 
                 32.32 
                 32.23 
                 31.68 
                 32.59 
                 31.24 
                 29.74 
               
               
                 H145 
                 17.42 
                 20.36 
                 19.02 
                 16.36 
                 18.88 
                 23.10 
               
               
                 Total ΔE 
                 364.51 
                 377.63 
                 406.08 
                 388.39 
                 398.79 
                 410.46 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0044]    The total Delta E shows that all the amino alcohols tested give better primary cleaning than the conventional neutralizer MEA. The best candidates are AEPD Vox 1000, CORRGUARD EXT and AMPD Ultra PC (Delta E higher than MEA).