Patent ID: 6897253

Claim:
A stable, aqueous surfactant containing composition, comprising: a. at least one anionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric, nonionic, or cationic surfactant, or combinations thereof; b. at least one substantially crosslinked alkali-swellable acrylate copolymer rheology modifier; c. water; d. an effective amount of at least one alkaline material to yield a composition having a pH of from about 5 to about 14; and e. an effective amount of a subsequently added acidic material to yield a composition having a reduced pH of from about 1 to about 12; wherein said at least one crosslinked alkali-swellable acrylate copolymer comprises: f. about 20% to about 80% by weight of at least one carboxylic acid monomer comprising acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, aconitic acid, or maleic acid, or combinations thereof; g. about 80% to about 15% by weight of at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer, wherein said monomer has the formula: CH 2 ═CXY, i) where X is H and Y is —COOR, —C 6 H 4 R′, —CN, —CONH 2 , —Cl, —NC 4 H 6 O, NH(CH 2 ) 3 COOH, —NHCOCH 3 , —CONHC(CH 3 ) 3 , —CO—N(CH 3 ) 2 , or X is CH 3 and Y is —COOR, —C 6 H 4 R′, —CN; or —CH═CH 2 ; or X is Cl and Y is Cl, and R is C 1 -C 18 alkyl, or hydroxy C 2 -C 18 alkyl, R′ is H or C 1 -C 18 alkyl, or having the formula: CH 2 ═CH (OCOR 1 ); ii) where R 1 is C 1 -C 18 alkyl; or having the formula: CH 2 ═CH 2 or CH 2 ═CHCH 3 ; iii) h. from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of at least one polyunsaturated compound useful in forming a partially or substantially crosslinked three dimensional network; and i. at least one substantially insoluble material requiring suspension or stabilization.