阅读说明：本技术 包含具有十四个总碳的烷基链长的aes表面活性剂的洗涤剂组合物 (Detergent compositions comprising AES surfactants having alkyl chain lengths of fourteen total carbons ) 是由 P·K·文森 P·C·斯腾格 威廉·科芬·希劳斯 于 2018-06-29 设计创作，主要内容包括：提供包括AES表面活性剂的组合物,诸如洗涤剂组合物,其中AES表面活性剂分子的至少特定部分包括具有十四个总碳的烷基部分。与此类组合物相关的用途和方法。(Compositions, such as detergent compositions, are provided that include an AES surfactant in which at least certain portions of the AES surfactant molecules include alkyl moieties having fourteen total carbons. Uses and methods relating to such compositions.)

1. A detergent composition comprising:

from 5% to 50% by weight of the composition of a surfactant system,

the surfactant system comprises an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant and at least a second surfactant,

wherein at least 50 mass% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons, and

a laundry detergent adjunct.

2. The detergent composition according to claim 1, wherein at least 60%, or at least 65%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 95% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons.

3. The detergent composition according to any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the AES is characterized by an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 8.0.

4. The detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least 60% of the AES molecules have alkyl moieties with an even number of carbon atoms in total.

5. The detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the alkyl moiety is derived from a non-petroleum source, preferably from a natural source, more preferably from coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or mixtures thereof.

6. The detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least 50% of the AES molecules have an alkyl moiety that is a straight chain alkyl moiety.

7. The detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the AES is present in the surfactant system at a level of from 10% to 99% by weight of the surfactant system.

8. The detergent composition according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the second surfactant is selected from alkyl benzene sulfonate, ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant, amine oxide, methyl ester sulfonate, glycolipid surfactant, alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, or a combination thereof, preferably wherein the second surfactant is an ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant, amine oxide, or a combination thereof.

9. The detergent composition of any of claims 1-8, wherein the second surfactant is an amine oxide, and the AES and the amine oxide are present in a weight ratio of from 3:1 to 10: 1.

10. The detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9,

wherein the surfactant system comprises less than 25% linear alkylbenzene sulphonate if present, and

wherein the AES is characterized by an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 3.0, or from 0.5 to 2.0, or from 0.5 to 1.5.

11. The detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second surfactant is derived from a non-petroleum source.

12. The detergent composition of any of claims 1-1, wherein the detergent composition comprises less than 5%, by weight of the composition, of an amine-containing compound, with the proviso that amine oxide surfactant (if present) is not included in the total amount of amine-containing compounds.

13. The detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the composition has a percent transmittance at 570nm of greater than 50%.

14. The detergent composition according to any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the laundry adjunct is selected from structurants, builders, fabric softeners, polymers or oligomers, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, bleaching systems, brighteners, hueing agents, chelants, suds suppressors, conditioners, humectants, perfumes, encapsulated perfumes, fillers or carriers, alkalinity systems, pH control systems, buffering agents, alkanolamines, solvents, and mixtures thereof, preferably wherein the laundry adjunct comprises encapsulated perfume.

15. A method of treating a fabric, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a fabric, preferably wherein said fabric comprises greasy soil,

contacting the fabric with a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 14, and

the fabric is agitated in the presence of water.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to detergent compositions comprising AES surfactant wherein at least a portion of the AES surfactant molecules comprise alkyl moieties having fourteen carbons. The disclosure also relates to uses and methods related to such compositions.

Background

Detergent manufacturers are continually seeking ways to improve the soil removal benefits of their detergents. In particular, due to the ubiquitous presence of greasy soils, such as those from bacon grease or butter, it is desirable to remove such stains. However, such stains are often hydrophobic and can be quite challenging to remove in the aqueous environment of common automatic washing machines.

Although detergent adjuncts (such as enzymes or polymers) may be added to detergent compositions to combat target stains, such adjuncts can present increased cost and/or compatibility issues.

Furthermore, surfactants remain an important working ingredient for detergent formulators. While it may be possible to develop new surfactants, it may be desirable to process known ingredients in new ways for cost, supply chain, and/or compatibility reasons.

In addition, many conventional surfactants are of petroleum origin, but today's consumers are more environmentally conscious and may seek non-petroleum derived and/or naturally derived products. However, consumers still need quality properties for such products.

There is a need for detergent compositions which provide improved performance, especially where the compositions comprise materials of known and/or natural origin.

Disclosure of Invention

The present disclosure relates to detergent compositions comprising: from about 5% to about 50%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant system comprising an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant and at least a second surfactant, wherein at least 50% by mass of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons; and a laundry detergent adjunct.

The present disclosure also relates to a single surfactant detergent composition comprising from about 5% to about 50%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant system consisting essentially of AES surfactant, wherein from about 46% to about 82% by mass of AES surfactant molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons; and a laundry detergent adjunct.

The present disclosure also relates to concentrated surfactant compositions comprising: from about 50% to about 99%, by weight of the composition, of an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant, wherein at least 50% by mass of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons; and water.

The present disclosure also relates to a surfactant composition consisting essentially of: at least about 23%, by weight of the composition, of an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant wherein at least 50% by mass of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons; from about 1% to about 25%, by weight of the composition, of an organic solvent; and water.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of treating a fabric, the method comprising the steps of: providing a fabric, preferably wherein the fabric comprises greasy soil; contacting the fabric with a composition according to the present disclosure; and agitating the fabric in the presence of water.

The present disclosure also relates to the use of C14AES in cleaning compositions to remove soils, preferably greasy soils, for example the use of an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant in detergent compositions to remove soils, preferably greasy soils, wherein at least 50 mass%, or at least 60%, or at least 75 mass% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 total carbons.

Detailed Description

Detergent manufacturers commonly use ethoxylated alkyl sulfates (AES) in detergent formulations. AES molecules include alkyl moieties, and most AES surfactants comprise AES molecules that include alkyl moieties with various carbon chain lengths. The AES alkyl chain length is generally in the range of 10 carbon atoms to 18 carbon atoms in the distribution.

The present disclosure relates to detergent compositions comprising an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant comprising an alkyl moiety having 14 carbon atoms (also known as C14 AES). While C14AES is a material known per se, it has been surprisingly found that detergent compositions having a specific ratio of C14AES (including combinations with other surfactants) may provide excellent cleaning benefits, including greasy soil removal.

Without being bound by theory, it is believed that longer carbon chain lengths reduce the interfacial tension at the oil-water interface to a greater extent than shorter carbon chain lengths, resulting in improved cleaning of soils (e.g., greasy soils), both as a single surfactant and in combination with other surfactants in the surfactant system.

As used herein, the articles "a" and "an" when used in a claim are understood to mean one or more of what is claimed or described. As used herein, the terms "include," "comprises," and "comprising" are intended to be non-limiting. The compositions of the present disclosure may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components of the present disclosure.

The term "substantially free" may be used herein. This means that the referenced material is very small, is not intentionally added to the composition to form part of the composition, or preferably the referenced material is not present at analytically detected levels. This is meant to include compositions in which the material referred to is present only as an impurity in one of the other materials intentionally added. The referenced materials, if any, may be present at a level of less than 1%, or less than 0.1%, or less than 0.01%, or even 0%, by weight of the composition.

As used herein, the term "fabric care composition" includes compositions and formulations designed to treat fabric. Such compositions include, but are not limited to, laundry cleaning compositions and detergents, fabric softening compositions, fabric enhancing compositions, fabric freshening compositions, laundry pre-washes, laundry pre-treatments, laundry additives, spray-on products, dry washes or compositions, laundry rinse additives, wash additives, post-rinse fabric treatments, ironing aids, unit dose formulations, delayed delivery formulations, detergents contained on or in a porous substrate or nonwoven sheet, and other suitable forms apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the teachings herein. Such compositions may be used as laundry pre-treatment agents, laundry post-treatment agents, or may be added during the rinse cycle or wash cycle of a laundry washing operation.

Unless otherwise indicated, all component or composition levels are in terms of the active portion of the component or composition and are exclusive of impurities, e.g., residual solvents or by-products, which may be present in commercially available sources of such components or compositions.

All temperatures herein are in degrees Celsius (. degree. C.) unless otherwise indicated. All measurements herein are made at 20 ℃ and atmospheric pressure unless otherwise indicated.

In all embodiments of the present disclosure, all percentages are by weight of the total composition, unless specifically stated otherwise. All ratios are weight ratios unless otherwise specifically noted.

It should be understood that every maximum numerical limitation given throughout this specification includes every lower numerical limitation, as if such lower numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every minimum numerical limitation given throughout this specification will include every higher numerical limitation, as if such higher numerical limitations were expressly written herein. Every numerical range given throughout this specification will include every narrower numerical range that falls within such broader numerical range, as if such narrower numerical ranges were all expressly written herein.

Detergent composition

The present disclosure relates to detergent compositions. The detergent composition may comprise a surfactant system, which is discussed in more detail below.

The detergent composition may have any desired form, including for example a form selected from: liquid, powder, single or multi-phase unit dose, sachet, tablet, gel, paste, stick or tablet.

The detergent composition may be selected from light duty liquid detergent compositions, heavy duty liquid detergent compositions, hard surface cleaning compositions (such as manual or automatic dishwashing compositions), detergent gels commonly used in laundry washing, laundry additives, fabric enhancer compositions, and mixtures thereof. The detergent composition may be selected from a hard surface cleaning composition (such as a dishwashing composition), a fabric care composition (such as a heavy duty liquid detergent composition), or mixtures thereof.

The detergent composition may be a liquid laundry detergent. The liquid laundry detergent composition has a viscosity of from about 1 centipoise to about 2000 centipoise (1 mPa-s-2000 mPa-s), or from about 200 centipoise to about 800 centipoise (200 mPa-s-800 mPa-s). Viscosity was measured using a Brookfield viscometer: the measurement was carried out at 25 ℃ with a No. 2 rotor at 60 RPM/s.

The detergent composition may be a solid laundry detergent composition and may be a free-flowing particulate laundry detergent composition (i.e. a particulate detergent product).

The detergent composition may be in unit dosage form. Unit dose articles are intended to provide a single, easy to use dose of the composition contained in the article for a particular application. The unit dosage form can be a sachet or a water-soluble sheet. The pouch may comprise at least one, or at least two, or at least three compartments. Typically, the composition is contained in at least one compartment. The compartments may be arranged in a stacked orientation, i.e. positioned one on top of the other, where they may share a common wall. At least one compartment may be superimposed on another compartment. Alternatively, the compartments may be positioned in a side-by-side orientation, i.e., one immediately adjacent to the other. The compartments may even be oriented in a "tire and rim" arrangement, i.e., a first compartment is positioned adjacent to, but at least partially surrounds, but does not completely enclose, a second compartment. Alternatively, one compartment may be completely enclosed within another compartment.

The unit dosage form may comprise a water-soluble film forming a compartment and encapsulating a detergent composition, such as a hard surface cleaning composition (such as a dishwashing composition) or a fabric care composition. The preferred membrane material is a polymeric material; for example, the water-soluble film may comprise polyvinyl alcohol. As known in the art, film materials may be obtained by e.g. casting, blow moulding, extrusion or blow moulding of polymeric materials. Preferred membranes are those provided by Monosol (Merrillville, Indiana, USA) under trade references M8630, M8900, M8779 and M8310, and PVOH membranes with corresponding solubility and deformability characteristics.

When the detergent composition is a liquid, the surfactant composition typically comprises water. The composition may comprise from about 1% to about 80% water, by weight of the composition. When the composition is a heavy duty liquid detergent composition, the composition typically comprises from about 40% to about 80% water. When the composition is a compact liquid detergent, the composition typically comprises from about 20% to about 60%, or from about 30% to about 50%, water. When the composition is in unit dosage form, e.g., encapsulated in a water-soluble film, the composition typically comprises less than 20%, or less than 15%, or less than 12%, or less than 10%, or less than 8%, or less than 5% water. The composition may comprise from about 1% to 20%, or from about 3% to about 15%, or from about 5% to about 12%, by weight of the composition, of water.

The detergent compositions of the present disclosure may be substantially transparent. Substantially transparent detergents may be aesthetically pleasing and/or may signal "purity" or "natural aesthetics" to the consumer because such detergents are substantially free of dyes, opacifiers and/or other aesthetic additives that do not provide performance benefits. Such detergents without such aesthetic additives may also appeal to consumers interested in sustainable or environmentally friendly products. The detergent compositions of the present disclosure may be substantially free of dyes, especially aesthetic dyes and/or opacifiers. The detergent compositions of the present disclosure may be characterized by a percent transmittance at a wavelength of 570nm of greater than about 50%, or greater than about 60%, or greater than about 80%, or greater than about 90%, measured at room temperature with a Beckman Du spectrophotometer via a standard 10mm path length cuvette in the absence of dyes and/or opacifiers using deionized water as a blank. The percent transmittance was determined according to the method provided in the test methods section.

The detergent composition may comprise a surfactant system comprising at least two surfactants. The detergent composition may be a single surfactant detergent composition. Such detergent compositions may contain, in addition to surfactants, auxiliary materials, such as laundry and/or dishwashing aids. These components are discussed in more detail below.

Surfactant system

The detergent compositions of the present disclosure comprise a surfactant system. The surfactant system may comprise one or more, or two or more, detersive surfactants suitable for the intended end use of the detergent composition.

The detergent composition may comprise from 1% to about 80%, or from about 5% to about 50%, or from about 7% to about 45%, by weight of the detergent composition, of a surfactant system. The detergent composition may comprise from about 5% to about 25%, by weight of the detergent composition, of a surfactant system.

The surfactant system may comprise an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant and at least a second surfactant; in such surfactant systems, at least 50 mass% of the AES molecules may contain alkyl moieties having 14 carbons. The surfactant system may consist essentially of an AES surfactant; in such surfactant systems (i.e., single surfactant systems), about 46 mass%, or about 50 mass%, or about 55 mass%, or about 58 mass% to about 82 mass%, or to about 70 mass% of the AES surfactant molecules may contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons. AES and other surfactants are described in more detail below.

Ethoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactant (AES)

The detergent compositions and/or surfactant systems of the present disclosure include an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant. It has been found that detergent compositions comprising AES wherein a proportion of the AES compounds have a total of fourteen carbon atoms in the alkyl chain provide surprising benefits.

The AES compound has an alkyl moiety. The alkyl portion of a particular AES compound may be characterized by the total number of carbons in the alkyl portion, otherwise known as alkyl chain length. A given amount of AES surfactant may comprise a plurality of AES compounds having chain lengths within a certain proportion or distribution. Thus, a given amount of AES or AES of a given sample may be characterized by the weight average number of carbons in the alkyl portion.

Commercially available AES surfactants include AES having a weight average chain length of twelve to fifteen (referred to as C12-15AES), or a chain length of twelve to fourteen (referred to as C12-14 AES). These AES surfactants may comprise at least some AES compounds with chain lengths of fourteen carbons, but are also typically characterized by a relatively broad and different distribution of other chain lengths.

In contrast, the AES of the present disclosure includes a relatively high proportion of AES compounds having a total of fourteen carbons in the alkyl portion. For purposes of this disclosure, such AES will be referred to as C14 AES. For example, the detergent compositions and/or surfactant systems of the present disclosure may comprise AES wherein at least 50 mass% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons. At least 60 mass%, or at least 70 mass%, or at least 80 mass%, or at least 90 mass%, or at least 95 mass% of the AES molecules may contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the percentage of AES molecules with a certain number of carbon (e.g., fourteen carbon) alkyl moieties is provided as a mass percentage of the total amount of AES present.

The alkyl portion of the AES compound may have an even or odd total number of carbon atoms. At least 60 mass%, or 70 mass%, or 80 mass%, or 90 mass%, or 95 mass%, or 100 mass% of the AES molecules may have alkyl moieties with an even number of carbon atoms in total.

AES compounds are typically prepared by sulfating ethoxylated fatty alcohols. The fatty alcohol may be provided first and then ethoxylated according to known methods. Thus, the AES compound, or at least the alkyl portion of the AES compound, may be described in terms of the source from which they are derived, for example an oil or fatty alcohol. The AES compounds of the disclosure may comprise alkyl moieties derived from non-petroleum sources, preferably from natural sources. The AES of the disclosure may comprise a mixture of: AES comprising the alkyl portion of natural sources and AES comprising the alkyl portion of AES of synthetic sources (e.g., derived from gasoline); such mixtures may be useful in view of supply chain variations, interruptions and/or pricing fluctuations, e.g. so that the deficiencies of one type of AES may be replenished by another type.

Natural sources may include oils derived from plant or animal sources, preferably from plants. Representative, non-limiting examples of vegetable oils include canola oil, rapeseed oil, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, olive oil, palm oil, peanut oil, safflower oil, sesame oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, linseed oil, palm kernel oil, tung oil, jatropha oil, mustard oil, pennycress oil, camelina seed oil, castor oil, and mixtures thereof. Suitable feedstock oils may include metathesis oils, which are typically formed from a metathesis reaction in the presence of a suitable metathesis catalyst. The alkyl moiety may be derived from coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or mixtures thereof, preferably from coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or mixtures thereof. These sources may be desirable for environmental and/or sustainability reasons, as they are not dependent on fossil fuels. Furthermore, the alkyl moiety of AES compounds derived from natural sources usually contains an even number of carbon atoms.

It is possible that the AES of the present disclosure is not derived from a fischer-tropsch process. It is possible that the AES of the present disclosure does not derive from the well-known Shell modified oxo process. AES of the present disclosure may include AES derived from the ziegler method.

The AES compounds of the disclosure may contain alkyl moieties that are linear, branched, or mixtures thereof (i.e., some AES molecules have linear alkyl moieties while other AES molecules have branched alkyl moieties). Linear alkyl moieties of the AES compounds may be preferred. At least about 50 wt.%, or at least about 75 wt.%, or at least about 90 wt.%, or at least about 95 wt.%, or about 100 wt.% of the AES molecules, based on AES surfactant, have an alkyl portion that is a straight chain alkyl portion.

AES compounds may also be characterized by their degree of ethoxylation. Within the population of AES compounds, AES molecules may have different degrees of ethoxylation. Thus, a given amount of AES or AES of a given sample may be characterized by a weight average degree of ethoxylation. AES of the present disclosure may be characterized by a weight average degree of ethoxylation of from about 0.5 to about 8.0, or from about 0.8 to about 3.0, or from about 1.0 to about 2.5, or from about 1.0 to about 2.0. When the amount of linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant in the surfactant system is low or absent, the surfactant system preferably comprises AES with a relatively low degree of ethoxylation, as such AES may provide grease cleaning benefits.

The detergent composition and/or surfactant system may comprise formula R¹-(OCH₂CH₂)_x-O-SO₃AES compound of M. R¹May be a non-petroleum derived alkyl chain. R¹And may be a straight or branched alkyl chain. R¹May consist of an even number of carbon chain lengths. R1 can be a carbon chain of about eight to about 20. At least about 60%, or at least about 70%, or at least about 80%, or at least about 90%, or at least about 95%, or at least about 98%, or about 100% by weight of the AES may comprise R1, R1 being an alkyl chain consisting of fourteen carbons (preferably a non-petroleum derived alkyl chain), wherein the alkyl chain is straight or branched. The value of x may be from about 0.5 to about 8, or from about 0.8 to about 3.0, or from about 1.0 to about 2.5, or from about 1.0 to about 2.0. M may be an alkali metal cation, preferably a sodium cation or an ammonium cation. The alkyl chain may be derived from natural sources, such as the plant sources described above.

AES may be present in the surfactant system at a level of from about 10% to about 100%, or from about 10% to about 99%, or from about 25% to about 100%, or from about 25% to about 99%, or from about 50% to about 80%, by weight of the surfactant system. AES may be present in the detergent composition at a level of from about 1% to about 50%, or from about 5% to about 40%, or from about 10% to about 30%, or from about 15% to about 25%, by weight of the detergent composition.

A second surfactant

In addition to AES, the detergent compositions and/or surfactant systems of the present disclosure may further comprise at least a second surfactant. The second surfactant may be derived from a non-petroleum source, preferably from a natural source.

The second surfactant may be present in the surfactant system at a level of from about 0.1% to about 90%, or from about 0.1% to about 75%, or from about 20% to about 50%, by weight of the surfactant system. The secondary surfactant may be present in the detergent composition at a level of from about 1% to about 50%, or from about 5% to about 40%, or from about 10% to about 30%, or from about 15% to about 25%, by weight of the detergent composition.

The second surfactant may be any suitable detersive surfactant. The secondary surfactant may be selected from anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric, cationic surfactants, or mixtures thereof, preferably from anionic, nonionic or zwitterionic surfactants. The secondary surfactant may be selected from alkyl benzene sulfonates, ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactants, amine oxides, methyl ester sulfonates, glycolipid surfactants, alkyl polyglucoside surfactants, or combinations thereof. The second surfactant may be an ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant, an amine oxide, or a combination thereof. The second surfactant may be an amine oxide.

As described above, the second surfactant may be an amine oxide surfactant. Preferred amine oxides are alkyl dimethyl amine oxides or alkyl amidopropyl dimethyl amine oxides, more preferably alkyl dimethyl amine oxides, and especially coco dimethyl amine oxide. The amine oxide may have a linear or intermediately branched alkyl portion. Typical linear amine oxides include water-soluble amine oxides comprising one R1C 8-18 alkyl moiety and two R2 and R3 moieties selected from the group consisting of C1-3 alkyl and C1-3 hydroxyalkyl. Preferred amine oxides are characterized by the formula R1-N (R2) (R3) O, wherein R1 is C8-18 alkyl, and R2 and R3 are selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, and 3-hydroxypropyl. Specifically, the linear amine oxide surfactants may include linear C10-C18 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides and linear C8-C12 alkoxy ethyl dihydroxy ethyl amine oxides. Preferred amine oxides include linear C10, linear C10-C12, and linear C12-C14 alkyl dimethyl amine oxides. As used herein, "intermediate branched" means that the amine oxide has an alkyl moiety of n1 carbon atoms with an alkyl branch of n2 carbon atoms on the alkyl moiety. The alkyl branch is located at the carbon atom alpha to the nitrogen atom on the alkyl moiety. Branched amine oxides of this type are also known in the art as internal amine oxides. The sum of n1 and n2 is 10 to 24, preferably 12 to 20, and more preferably 10 to 16 carbon atoms. The number of carbon atoms of one alkyl moiety (n1) should be approximately the same number of carbon atoms of one alkyl branch (n2) such that one alkyl moiety and one alkyl branch are symmetrical. "symmetrical" as used herein means that | n1-n2| is less than or equal to 5, preferably 4, more preferably 0 to 4 carbon atoms in at least 50 wt.%, more preferably at least 75 wt.% to 100 wt.% of the moderately branched amine oxides useful herein.

The amine oxide may also comprise two moieties independently selected from a C1-3 alkyl group, a C1-3 hydroxyalkyl group, or a polyethylene oxide group containing an average of from about 1 to about 3 ethylene oxide groups. Preferably both moieties are selected from C1-3 alkyl, more preferably both are selected from C1 alkyl.

The compositions of the present disclosure may comprise from about 0.1% to about 5%, or to about 3%, or to about 1%, by weight of the composition, of an amine oxide. The AES and amine oxide of the present disclosure may be present in a weight ratio of about 3:1 to about 10:1, or about 3:1 to about 7:1, or about 3:1 to about 5: 1. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that AES and amine oxide act synergistically to provide superior cleaning and/or other treatment benefits.

The second surfactant may be a nonionic surfactant. The nonionic surfactant can be of the formula R (OC)₂H₄)_nOH, wherein R is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbon radicals having from about 8 to about 15 carbon atoms and alkylphenyl radicals wherein the alkyl group has from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms, and nWith an average value of about 5 to about 15.

The nonionic surfactant can be an ethoxylated alcohol. For example, the nonionic surfactant can be selected from ethoxylated alcohols having an average of about 12 to 14 carbon atoms in the alcohol (alkyl) moiety and an average degree of ethoxylation of about 7 to 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

Other non-limiting examples of nonionic surfactants include: c₁₂-C₁₈Alkyl ethoxylates, such as from Shell

A nonionic surfactant; c₆-C₁₂An alkylphenol alkoxylate wherein the alkoxylate unit is a mixture of ethyleneoxy and propyleneoxy units; c₁₂-C₁₈Alcohol and C₆-C₁₂Condensates of alkylphenols with ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block polymers, such as from BASF

C as described in US 6,150,322₁₄-C₂₂Mid-chain branched alcohols; c₁₄-C₂₂Mid-chain branched alkyl alkoxylates, BAE_xWherein x is 1 to 30; alkyl polysaccharides, in particular alkyl polyglycosides; polyhydroxy fatty acid amides; and ether-terminated poly (alkoxylated) alcohol surfactants.

The secondary surfactant may comprise an alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant. The alkyl group may contain from about 9 to about 15 carbon atoms in a straight chain (linear) or branched configuration. The alkyl group may be linear. Such linear alkyl benzene sulphonates are known as "LAS". The linear alkylbenzene sulfonate may have an average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group of from about 11 to 14. Linear alkyl benzene sulfonates may have an average number of carbon atoms in the alkyl group of about 11.8 carbon atoms, which may be abbreviated as C11.8 LAS. The alkylbenzene sulfonate may be present at least partially in the form of a salt, such as an alkali metal salt, preferably a sodium salt; or an amine salt, such as an ethanolamine salt, for example, the monoethanolamine salt.

Suitable alkyl benzene sulfonates(LAS) may be obtained by sulphonation of commercially available Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB). Suitable LAB include lower 2-phenyl LAB, such as under the trade name LAB

Those supplied by Sasol or under the trade name

Those supplied by petresca. Other suitable LABs include higher 2-phenyl LABs, such as those under the trade name LAB

Those supplied by Sasol. Suitable anionic detersive surfactants are alkyl benzene sulfonates obtained by DETAL catalyzed processes, although other synthetic routes such as those catalyzed by hydrofluoric acid (HF) may also be suitable.

The surfactant system may comprise less than 25%, or less than 10%, or less than 5%, or less than 1% linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS). Since LAS typically provide cleaning benefits on hydrophobic stains such as greasy stains, it is preferred that at such low levels of LAS, if present, the AES be characterized by an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 0.5 to about 3.0, or from about 0.5 to about 2.0, or from about 0.5 to about 1.5, as it is believed that a lower degree of ethoxylation of the AES may assist in providing the hydrophobic soil removal benefit.

The surfactant system may include a surfactant that is a cationic surfactant. Non-limiting examples of cationic surfactants include: quaternary ammonium surfactants, which may have up to 26 carbon atoms, include: alkoxylated Quaternary Ammonium (AQA) surfactants; a dimethyl hydroxyethyl quaternary ammonium surfactant; dimethyl hydroxyethyl lauryl ammonium chloride; a polyamine cationic surfactant; an ester cationic surfactant; and amino surfactants such as amidopropyl dimethylamine (APA). The compositions of the present disclosure may be substantially free of cationic surfactants and/or surfactants that become cationic below pH 7 or pH 6 because cationic surfactants can adversely interact with other components, such as anionic surfactants.

The surfactant system may include a zwitterionic surfactant. Examples of the zwitterionic surfactants include: derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines; derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines; or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. The zwitterionic surfactant may comprise betaines, including alkyl dimethyl betaine, coco dimethyl amidopropyl betaine, and C₈To C₁₈(e.g. C)₁₂To C₁₈) Amine oxides and sulpho groups and hydroxy betaines, such as N-alkyl-N, N-dimethylamino-1-propanesulphonate, in which the alkyl group may be derived from C₈To C₁₈Or C₁₀To C₁₄。

The surfactant system may include a non-ethoxylated alkyl sulfate. Examples of non-alkoxylated (e.g., non-ethoxylated) alkyl sulfate surfactants include those via higher C₈-C₂₀Those made by sulfation of fatty alcohols. The primary alkyl sulfate surfactant may have the general formula: ROSO3-M⁺Wherein R is typically a straight chain C₈-C₂₀A hydrocarbyl group, which may be linear or branched, and M is a water-solubilizing cation. In some examples, R is C₁₀-C₁₅Alkyl, and M is an alkali metal. In other examples, R is C₁₂-C₁₄Alkyl, and M is sodium. Ethoxylated or non-ethoxylated sulfate surfactants can be formed by sulfation of alcohols that include alkyl chains.

The surfactant system may include a branched surfactant. Suitable branched surfactants may comprise non-sulfonated surfactants based on C12/13 alcohols comprising methyl branches randomly distributed along the hydrophobic chain, such as those available from SasolFurther suitable additional branched anionic detersive surfactants include non-sulfonated surfactants derived from alcohols branched at the 2-alkyl position, such as under the trade name

Those sold which derive from oxo synthesis. Due to the oxo process, the side chain is located at the 2-alkyl position. These 2-alkyl branched alcohols are typically in the range of C11 to C14/C15 in length and comprise structural isomers that are all branched at the 2-alkyl position. Further suitable non-sulphonated branched anionic detersive surfactants may include surfactant derivatives of isoprenoid-based multi-branched detergent alcohols; branched surfactants derived from anteiso and iso alcohols; and/or a surfactant based on guerbet alcohols. The surfactant system may include other branched surfactants such as modified alkyl benzene sulfonates (MLAS).

Other anionic surfactants useful herein are the water soluble salts of: c₈-C₂₄A secondary alkane sulfonate; c₈-C₁₈Alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates; c₈-C₁₈A branched alkyl sulfonate; c₁₂-C₂₀A methyl ester sulfonate; c₁₂-C₂₄Olefin sulfonates; c₁₀-C₁₈An alkyl ether carboxylate; c with an average degree of alkoxylation of from 1 to 5₁₀-C₁₈An alkyl ether carboxylate; c₆-C₂₀A sulfosuccinate surfactant; esters of alpha-sulfonated fatty acids having from about 6 to 20 carbon atoms in the fatty acid group and from about 1 to 10 carbon atoms in the ester group; a water soluble salt of a 2-acyloxyalkane-1-sulfonic acid containing from about 2 to 9 carbon atoms in the acyl group and from about 9 to about 23 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety; beta-alkoxyalkanesulfonates containing from about 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from about 8 to 20 carbon atoms in the alkane moiety. Further suitable branched anionic detersive surfactants include surfactant derivatives based on isoprenoid-based multi-branched detergent alcohols; also useful are mixtures of alkyl benzene sulfonates with the paraffin sulfonates, secondary alkane sulfonates, and alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates described above.

Other useful surfactants may include glycolipid surfactants, such as rhamnolipids and/or sophorolipids. Such surfactants may be particularly useful because they may be naturally derived (e.g., from a microorganism).

Detergent builder

The surfactant composition may further comprise at least one detergent builder. The one or more detergent builders may be present in the composition at levels suitable for the intended use of the composition. Typical amounts used range from as low as 0.001% by weight of the composition for adjuncts such as optical brighteners to 50% by weight of the composition for builders.

The at least one detergent builder may be selected from: fatty acids and/or salts thereof, enzymes, encapsulated benefit agents, soil release polymers, hueing agents, builders, chelating agents, dye transfer inhibiting agents, dispersants, enzyme stabilizers, catalytic materials, bleaching agents, bleach catalysts, bleach activators, polymeric dispersing agents, soil release/anti-redeposition agents, polymeric dispersing agents, polymeric grease cleaners, brighteners, suds suppressors, dyes, hueing agents, perfumes, structure elasticizing agents, fabric softeners, carriers, fillers, hydrotropes, solvents, biocides and/or preservatives, neutralizers and/or pH adjusters, processing aids, fillers, rheology modifiers or structurants, opacifiers, pearlescers, pigments, anti-corrosion and/or anti-rust agents and mixtures thereof. The at least one detergent builder may be at least one laundry detergent builder selected from the group consisting of: structurants, builders, fabric softeners, polymers or oligomers, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, bleaching systems, brighteners, hueing agents, chelants, suds suppressors, conditioners, humectants, perfumes, encapsulated perfumes, fillers or carriers, alkalinity systems, pH control systems, buffering agents, alkanolamines, solvents, and mixtures thereof.

The at least one detergent builder may include external structuring systems, enzymes, encapsulated benefit agents, soil release polymers, hueing agents, and mixtures thereof. The encapsulated benefit agent may be an encapsulated perfume, preferably wherein the encapsulated perfume comprises a shell around the core, preferably wherein the shell is free of amine compounds, preferably wherein the shell comprises an acrylate polymer.

The compositions of the present disclosure may include a solvent, preferably an organic solvent, such as an organic solvent without amino functionality. Suitable organic solvents may include glycerol, ethylene glycol, 1,3 propylene glycol, 1,2 propylene glycol, tetramethylene glycol, pentamethylene glycol, hexamethylene glycol, 2, 3-butylene glycol, 1,3 butylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, glycerol formal dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, and mixtures thereof.

It may be desirable to limit or even eliminate certain adjuncts, particularly where detergents derived primarily from natural or sustainable sources are desired. The detergent compositions of the present disclosure may be free of silicones, dyes, brighteners, or combinations thereof. The detergent compositions of the present disclosure may comprise less than 5%, or less than 3%, or less than 1%, by weight of the composition, of amine-containing compounds, provided that the amine oxide surfactant (if present) is not included in the total amount of amine-containing compounds.

Concentrated AES surfactant composition

The present disclosure also relates to concentrated AES surfactant compositions. Such concentrated compositions can be used to save shipping costs and to incorporate into product compositions at desired levels without creating many undesirable and/or inactive materials, such as carriers.

The concentrated AES compositions of the disclosure may comprise from about 50%, or about 60%, or about 75%, or about 80%, or about 85%, or about 90%, or about 95% to about 99%, or to about 98%, by weight of the composition, of AES surfactant in which at least 50% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons. The concentrated AES composition may also comprise water.

At least a portion of the concentrated AES surfactant may be neutralized, preferably with a caustic agent (such as sodium hydroxide). At least a portion of the concentrated AES surfactant may be present in the form of a salt, preferably a sodium salt.

The concentrated AES surfactant compositions of the disclosure may comprise from about 1%, or from about 2% to about 25%, or to about 20%, or to about 15%, or to about 10%, or to about 5%, or to about 2%, by weight of the composition, of additional material. The additional material may be selected from water, unsulfated alcohols (alkoxylated and/or non-alkoxylated), alkali metal sulfates (preferably sodium sulfate) and/or other electrolytes, non-alkoxylated alkyl sulfate surfactants, organic solvents, and mixtures thereof. These materials may be processing aids, byproducts, and/or unreacted reactants from the synthesis of the branched sulfonate surfactants. Additionally or alternatively, these materials may be hydrolysates of AES surfactants. The concentrated AES surfactant composition may be substantially free of other detergent adjunct materials.

The concentrated AES surfactant composition may be substantially free of other surfactants such as other anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, cationic and/or zwitterionic surfactants.

Concentrated AES surfactant compositions according to the disclosure may comprise linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant (LAS). The linear alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant may be present at a level of from about 0% to about 15%, or from about 2% to about 15%, or from about 5% to about 12% by weight of the composition.

The concentrated AES surfactant compositions of the present disclosure may comprise an alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine polymer, such as an alkoxylated Polyethyleneimine (PEI) polymer. The alkoxylated polyalkyleneimines may be present in the composition at a level of from about 0.1% to about 5%, or from about 0.5% to about 4.5%, preferably from about 0.75% to about 1.5%, by weight of the composition. The alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine polymer, preferably alkoxylated PEI, may comprise Ethoxylate (EO) groups, Propoxylate (PO) groups, or combinations thereof. The alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine polymer, preferably alkoxylated PEI, may comprise Ethoxylate (EO) groups. Alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine polymers, preferably alkoxylated PEI, may be free of Propoxylate (PO) groups. The alkoxylated polyalkyleneimine polymer, preferably alkoxylated PEI, may comprise an average of about 1 to about 50 Ethoxylate (EO) groups and about 0 to about 5 Propoxylate (PO) groups per alkoxylated nitrogen. The alkoxylated polyalkyleneimines can be linear, branched, or a combination thereof, preferably branched. Suitable alkoxylated polyalkyleneimines, such as PEI600 EO20, are available from BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany).

The present disclosure relates to surfactant compositions, which may consist essentially of: at least about 23% AES surfactant, wherein at least 50% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons; from about 1% to about 25%, or from about 2% to about 10%, or from about 3% to about 8%, by weight of the composition, of an organic solvent. And water.

Concentrated AES surfactant compositions may have a limited number of ingredients, which may maximize formulation flexibility in the final product (or products). The concentrated AES surfactant may have no more than about 5 ingredients, or no more than about 4 ingredients, or no more than about 3 ingredients, excluding reaction by-products or unreacted reactants that may be present in the composition.

Process for making detergent compositions

The present disclosure relates to a process for making a detergent composition comprising the surfactant system described herein. The method may comprise combining the components of the compositions described herein in the ratios described.

For example, a method of making a detergent composition according to the present disclosure may comprise providing an AES surfactant in which at least 50 wt% of the AES molecules have an alkyl moiety having fourteen carbon atoms, optionally providing a second surfactant, and combining one or more surfactants with one or more detergent builders to form the detergent composition.

The liquid compositions according to the present disclosure may be prepared according to conventional methods, for example in a batch process or in a continuous circulation process.

The dry (e.g. powder or granular) composition may be prepared according to conventional methods, for example by spray drying or blow drying a slurry comprising the components described herein.

The detergent compositions described herein can be enclosed in a pouch, preferably a pouch made of a water-soluble film, to form a unit dose article useful for treating fabrics.

Process for using detergent composition

The present disclosure relates to methods of using the detergent compositions described herein. The detergent composition may be used to treat a surface, such as a fabric or a hard surface.

The method of treating a surface may comprise the steps of: providing a surface, preferably a fabric, and contacting said surface with a detergent composition as described above. The surface (preferably the fabric) may comprise greasy soils. The method may include agitating the fabric in the presence of water. The method may further comprise the step of performing a washing or cleaning operation. Water may be added before, during or after the contacting step to form the wash liquor.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of using a composition according to the present disclosure, for example, to machine wash fabrics, preferably soiled fabrics, comprising the steps of: a detergent composition according to the present disclosure is placed in contact with the fabric to be laundered and subjected to a washing or cleaning operation.

Any suitable washing machine may be used, such as a top-loading or front-loading automatic washing machine. Those skilled in the art will appreciate machines suitable for use in connection with washing operations. The articles of the present disclosure may be used in combination with other compositions, such as fabric additives, fabric softeners, rinse aids, and the like. Additionally, the detergent compositions of the present disclosure can be used in known hand washing processes.

The present disclosure may also relate to a method of treating a fabric, the method comprising the steps of: the fabric is contacted with the detergent composition described herein, the washing step is carried out, and then the fabric is contacted with the fabric softening composition. The entire process or at least the washing step can be carried out by hand, machine-assisted or in an automatic washing machine. The step of contacting the fabric with the fabric softening composition may be carried out in the presence of water, for example during the rinse cycle of an automatic washing machine.

Application of C14AES

The present disclosure relates to the use of C14AES in cleaning compositions to remove soils, preferably greasy soils. For example, the present disclosure relates to the use of an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant in a laundry detergent composition to remove soils, preferably greasy soils, wherein at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 75% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 total carbons.

Combination of

Specifically contemplated combinations of the present disclosure are described herein in the following alphabetic paragraphs. These combinations are exemplary in nature and not limiting.

A. A detergent composition comprising: from about 5% to about 50%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant system comprising an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant and at least a second surfactant, wherein at least 50% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons, and a laundry adjunct.

B. A detergent according to paragraph A, wherein at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 95% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons.

C. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a-B, wherein the AES is characterized by an average degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 8.0, or from 0.8 to 3.0, or from 1.0 to 2.5, or from 1.0 to 2.0.

D. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to C, wherein at least 60%, or at least 70%, or at least 80%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or at least 100% of the AES molecules have alkyl moieties with an even number of total carbon atoms.

E. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a-D, wherein the alkyl moiety is derived from a non-petroleum source, preferably from a natural source.

F. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a-E, wherein the alkyl moiety is derived from coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or mixtures thereof.

G. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to F, wherein at least 50%, or at least 75%, or at least 90%, or at least 95%, or about 100%, by weight of the AES surfactant, of the AES molecules have an alkyl moiety that is a straight chain alkyl moiety.

H1. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a-G, wherein the AES surfactant is not derived from a fischer-tropsch process.

H2. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a through H1, wherein the AES surfactant is not derived from the Shell modified oxo process.

H3. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to H2, wherein the AES surfactant comprises AES derived from a ziegler process.

I. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a-H, wherein the AES is present in the surfactant system at a level of from about 10% to about 100% by weight of the surfactant system.

J. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to I, wherein the AES is present in the detergent composition at a level of from about 1% to about 50% by weight of the detergent composition.

K. The detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to J, wherein the second surfactant is selected from alkyl benzene sulfonate, ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant, amine oxide, methyl ester sulfonate, glycolipid surfactant, alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, or a combination thereof, preferably selected from linear alkyl benzene sulfonate, ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant, amine oxide, or a combination thereof, more preferably ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant, amine oxide, or a combination thereof.

L. the detergent composition of any of paragraphs a through K, wherein the second surfactant is an amine oxide, for example wherein AES and amine oxide are present in a weight ratio of from about 3:1 to about 10:1, or from about 3:1 to about 7:1, or from about 3:1 to about 5: 1.

M. the detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to L, wherein the surfactant system comprises less than 25%, or less than 10%, or less than 5%, or less than 1% linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, preferably wherein the AES is characterized by an average degree of ethoxylation of from about 0.5 to about 2.0, or from about 0.5 to about 1.5.

N. the detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to M, wherein the second surfactant is derived from a non-petroleum source, preferably from a natural source.

O. the detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to N, wherein the detergent composition is free of silicones, dyes, brighteners, or combinations thereof.

P. the detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a-O, wherein the detergent composition comprises less than 5%, or less than 3%, or less than 1%, by weight of the composition, of an amine-containing compound, with the proviso that amine oxide surfactant (if present) is not included in the total amount of amine-containing compounds.

Q. the detergent composition of any of paragraphs a-P, wherein the composition has a percent transmittance at 570nm of greater than about 50%.

R. the detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to Q, wherein the laundry adjunct is selected from structurants, builders, fabric softeners, polymers or oligomers, enzymes, enzyme stabilizers, bleaching systems, brighteners, hueing agents, chelants, suds suppressors, conditioners, humectants, perfumes, encapsulated perfumes, fillers or carriers, alkalinity systems, pH control systems, buffering agents, alkanolamines, solvents, and mixtures thereof.

S. the detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to R, wherein the laundry adjunct comprises an encapsulated perfume, preferably wherein the encapsulated perfume comprises a shell surrounding a core, preferably wherein the shell is free of amine compounds, preferably wherein the shell comprises an acrylate polymer.

A method of treating a fabric, said method comprising the steps of: providing a fabric, preferably wherein the fabric comprises greasy soil, contacting the fabric with a detergent composition according to any of paragraphs a to T, and agitating the fabric in the presence of water.

A concentrated surfactant composition comprising from about 50% to about 99%, by weight of the composition, of an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant in which at least 50% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons and water, and optionally an organic solvent.

A surfactant composition consisting essentially of: at least about 23%, by weight of the composition, of an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant wherein at least 50% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons; from about 1% to about 25%, by weight of the composition, of an organic solvent; and water.

A single surfactant detergent composition comprising from about 5% to about 50%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant system consisting essentially of AES surfactant wherein about 46%, or about 50%, or about 55%, or about 58% to about 82%, or to about 70% of the AES surfactant molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 carbons, and a laundry adjunct.

Use of an ethoxylated alkyl sulfate (AES) surfactant wherein at least 50%, or at least 60%, or at least 75% of the AES molecules contain an alkyl moiety having 14 total carbons in a laundry detergent composition to remove soil, preferably greasy soil.

Test method

Dynamic interfacial tension (DIFT) analysis

Dynamic interfacial tension analysis in

DVT30Drop Volume Tensiometer (Kr ü ss USA, Charlotte, NC.) Instrument is set to measure the interfacial tension of rising oil droplets within an aqueous surfactant (surfactant) phase the oil used is Carnoella oil (Crisco pure Carnoella oil manufactured by J.M. Smucker Company.) the aqueous surfactant and oil phases are controlled at 22 ℃ (+/-1 ℃) via a recirculating water temperature controller attached to a Tensiometer, by passing through a rising capillary tube with an internal diameter of 0.2540mmOil droplets were dispersed in the aqueous surfactant phase at a range of flow rates, and the interfacial tension at each flow rate was measured to generate a dynamic interfacial tension curve. Data were generated at oil dispersion flow rates of 500 to 1uL/min, 2 flow rates per decade on a logarithmic scale (in this case 7 flow rates were measured). The interfacial tension was measured for three oil droplets at each flow rate and then averaged. The interfacial tension is reported in mN/m. The surface aging of the oil droplets at each flow rate was also recorded and a plot of interfacial tension (y-axis) versus oil flow rate (x-axis) or interfacial tension (y-axis) versus surface aging of the oil droplets (x-axis) can be generated. The minimum interfacial tension (mN/m) is the lowest interfacial tension at the slowest flow rate, lower values indicate improved performance, e.g. on greasy dirt. Differences of more than 0.1mN/m are significant for interfacial tension values of less than 1mN/m based on instrument reproducibility.

Analysis of stain removal Effect

Technical stain samples of white cotton CW120 containing burnt butter, cooked beef, dyed bacon grease and grass were purchased from Accurate Product Development (Cincinnati, OH, USA). In a conventional north american traditional top loading washing machine (Kenmore 600), soiled samples were washed using a 7 grain/gallon hardness (3:1Ca: Mg), 64L fill volume, with a heavy duty cycle of 12min main wash and a wash temperature of 87 ° f, under a load containing 2.7kg of ballast and one SBL 2004 artificial soil sample from WFK (Brueggen, Germany). Approximately 50g of each respective detergent composition was dosed such that the ppm delivered by washing is reported in the table below. The fabric was then machine dried (Kenmore 80 series electric tumble dryer) at high cotton setting for 45-50 minutes.

Image analysis was used to compare each stain to an unstained fabric control. The software converts the captured images into standard colorimetric values and compares these with standards based on the commonly used Macbeth colour reduction test card, assigning a colorimetric value (staining) to each stain. Eight replicate samples (two inner, four outer) were prepared each.

The stain removal effect of the samples was measured as follows:

ΔE_initialDegree of staining before washing

ΔE_{Washing machine}Degree of staining after washing

The stain release index score for each stain was calculated and is listed in the table below.

Percent transmission

Percent transmission is by UV-visible spectrometer such as Beckman Coulter

800 measured. Sample measurements were made using a standard 10mm path length cuvette and compared to a deionized water blank. The samples were measured in the absence of dyes and/or opacifiers and at a temperature of 20 ℃ ± 2 ℃.

pH

Unless otherwise indicated herein, the pH of a composition is defined as the pH of a 10% (weight/volume) aqueous solution of the composition at 20 ℃ ± 2 ℃. Any meter capable of measuring a pH to ± 0.01pH units is suitable. An Orion Meter (Thermo Scientific, clininpark-Keppekouter, Ninovesenweg 198,9320 Eremodegem-Aalst, Belgium) or equivalent is an acceptable instrument. The pH meter should be equipped with a suitable glass electrode for calomel or silver/silver chloride reference. Examples include Mettler DB 115. The electrodes should be stored in electrolyte solutions recommended by the manufacturer.

A10% detergent aqueous solution was prepared according to the following method. Weigh 10 + -0.05 grams of sample on a balance that can accurately measure to + -0.02 grams. The sample was transferred to a 100mL volumetric flask, diluted in volume with purified water (deionized and/or distilled water is suitable, as long as the conductivity of the water is <5 μ S/cm) and mixed well. About 50mL of the resulting solution was poured into a beaker, the temperature was adjusted to 20 ± 2 ℃, and the pH was determined according to the standard method of the pH meter manufacturer. The pH assembly should be set and calibrated as per the manufacturer's instructions.

Determination of the average alkyl chain Length

The average alkyl chain length of the surfactant or precursor alcohol is typically reported by the surfactant supplier. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the average alkyl chain length of the sulfated or sulfonated surfactant can be determined and/or reported depending on the starting alcohol.

In the case where only a mass-based chain length distribution is reported, the average alkyl chain length can be calculated by the following formula:

average alkyl chain length ═ (Σ CL)_i)/(Σ(X_i/CL_i))

Wherein X_iFor each chain length CL_iMass fraction of (c).

If the chain length distribution is not available from the surfactant supplier, the chain length distribution can be determined via gas chromatography, as described in Analysis of Surfactants, second edition Thomas Schmitt, CRC Press,2001, pg 29.