EP0691399B1

EP0691399B1 - Aqueous liquid detergent compositions containing deflocculating polymers

Info

Publication number: EP0691399B1
Application number: EP95201843A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stephen Thomas Repinec, Jr.; Marianne Zappone; Robert Langley Fuller; Santhana Vaidyanathan Krishnan
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 1994-07-06
Filing date: 1995-07-05
Publication date: 2000-12-13
Anticipated expiration: 2015-07-05
Also published as: NZ272459A; EP0691399A2; DE69519605D1; AU2320395A; AU688033B2; EP0691399A3; ZA955191B; ATE198082T1

Abstract

The present invention provides for concentrated, structured liquid detergent compositions in the form of lamellar surfactant droplets dispersed in an aqueous electrolytic continuous phase comprising a mixture of: a) from about 10 to about 45% by weight of a surfactant; b) at least one detergent builder; c) from about 0.01 to about 5% by weight of a deflocculating polymer composition having a weight average molecular weight in the range of from about 1500 to about 50,000 and containing polymer chains of the structure P-SR, wherein P represents a polymer chain segment of a hydrophilic polymer and SR represents a mercapto end-cap group, R being an organic hydrophobic radical containing from about 4 to 28 carbon atoms; and d) water. The presence of the deflocculating polymer in the composition both stabilizes the detergent composition and retards the propensity of the lamellar droplets dispersed in the aqueous phase to flocculate, particularly where the droplets occupy a higher volume ratio as the result of high concentrations of surfactant present in the detergent. The invention also provides both phosphate built and non-phosphate built detergent compositions having a viscosity in the range of from about 500 to 20,000 cps, more preferably from about 2,000 to 10,000 cps, having improved flowability and stability.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to aqueous liquid detergent compositions containing a mercapto end-capped hydrophilic polymer as a deflocculating agent.

2. Description of the Related Art

Heavy duty liquid detergents useful for machine washing of laundry are well known materials which have been described in a number of patents and in the literature. They are generally aqueous compositions comprising at least one or a compatible mixture of two or more detergent active surfactants selected from anionic, cationic, nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric species. Such compositions also generally contain detergency builder components and/or sequestering agents such as inorganic phosphates or phosphonates, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal aminopolycarboxylates such as salts of nitrilotriacetic acid and salts of ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid, alkali metal silicates, aluminosilicates, various zeolites and mixtures of two or more of these. Other components which may be present in such compositions include a clay material such as bentonite present as a fabric softener, optical brighteners, enzymes and their stabilizers, perfumes, colorants, antifoaming agents, e.g. silicone compounds, preservatives and like known additives.
A particular category of liquid detergents are the so called structured liquids comprising lamellar droplets (micelles) dispersed in an aqueous electrolyte phase. The lamellar droplets consist of an onion-like configuration of concentric bi-layers of surfactant molecules between which layers are trapped water or electrolyte solution. Such liquids may also contain suspended solids such as the water insoluble builders and clays referred to above.
There is a trend in the industry to provide detergent compositions having a higher concentration of active ingredients (payload), including surfactants. These include detergent concentrates containing about 10 to 25% by weight of surfactant and super concentrates containing from about 25 to 45% by weight surfactant. However, as the level of surfactant is increased, the volume fraction of lamellar droplets suspended is also increased, resulting in a diminished spacing between droplets. Contact of the suspended lamellar droplets with one another can lead to a congealing or flocculation phenomenon, resulting in a marked increase in the viscosity of the detergent composition due to formation of a network throughout the liquid. Liquids containing flocculated lamellar droplets are unacceptable because of phase separation and a difficulty in pouring such liquids from their containers.
One approach to enhance the stability of such compositions is the inclusion of minor amounts, e.g., 0.01 to 5% by weight, of a deflocculating polymer into the detergent formulation. For example, U.S. Patent 5,147,576 discloses random interpolymers derived from hydrophilic monomers, such as acrylic acid, and also containing one or more copolymerized monomers having pendant hydrophobic side chains randomly dispersed along the polymer chain. Use of these interpolymers in detergent compositions is disclosed to hinder or prevent flocculation of lamellar surfactant droplets dispersed in the detergent, and thus enhance stability.
Hydrophilic polymeric materials have also been used in liquid detergent compositions as viscosity control agents. For example, U.S. Patent 4,715,969 and its counterpart UK 2,168,717 disclose that the addition of less than about 0.5% by weight of a polyacrylate polymer, e.g. sodium polyacrylate, having a molecular weight from about 1,000 to 5,000, to aqueous detergent compositions containing primarily anionic surfactants will stabilize the viscosity of the composition and prevent a major increase in viscosity after a period of storage of the formulated composition. Also, EP-A-0 301,883 discloses similar compositions containing from about 0.1 to 20% by weight of a viscosity reducing, water soluble polymer such as polyethylene glycol, dextran or a dextran sulfonate.
EP-A-0 623 670 (published 9.11.1994) discloses aqueous based surfactant compositions having surfactant micelles and containing a stabilizer. The stabilizer comprises a hydrophilic polymeric chain of a certain size to reduce or prevent flocculation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides for concentrated, structured liquid detergent compositions in the form of lamellar surfactant droplets dispersed in an aqueous electrolytic continuous phase, comprising a mixture of:
a) from 10 to 45% by weight of a surfactant;
b) at least one detergent builder;
c) from 0.01 to 5% by weight of a deflocculating polymer composition having a weight average molecular weight in the range of from 1500 to 50,000 and containing polymer chains of the structure P-SR, where P represents a copolymer containing at least 50% by weight of polymerized acrylic or methacrylic acid and less than 50% by weight of polymerized maleic acid or maleic anhydride and SR represents a mercapto end-cap group, R being an organic hydrophobic radical containing from 4 to 28 carbon atoms; and
d) water.
The presence of the deflocculating polymer in the composition both stabilizes the detergent composition and retards the propensity of the lamellar droplets dispersed in the aqueous electrolytic phase to flocculate, particularly where the droplets occupy a higher volume ratio as the result of high concentrations of surfactant present in the detergent.
The invention also provides both phosphate built and non-phosphate built detergent compositions having a viscosity in the range of from about 500 to 20,000 mPa·s (500 to 20,000 cps), more preferably from 2,000 to 10,000 mPa·s (2,000 to 10,000 cps), having improved flowability and stability.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The detergent compositions of the invention contain one or a compatible mixture of two or more detergent active surfactants which may be selected from anionic, cationic nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric species.
Suitable anionic detergents include the water-soluble alkali metal salts having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term alkyl being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Examples of suitable synthetic anionic detergent compounds are sodium and potassium alkyl sulphates, especially those obtained by sulphating higher (C₈-C₁₈) alcohols produced, for example, from tallow or coconut oil; sodium and potassium alkyl (C₉-C₂₀) benzene sulfonates, particularly sodium linear secondary alkyl (C₁₀-C₁₅) benzene sulfonates; sodium alkyl glycerol ether sulfates, especially those ethers of the higher alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil and synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum; sodium coconut oil fatty monoglyceride sulfates and sulfonates; sodium and potassium salts of sulfuric acid esters of higher (C₈-C₁₈) fatty alcohol-alkylene oxide, particularly ethylene oxide reaction products; the reaction products of fatty acids such as coconut fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and neutralized with sodium hydroxide; sodium and potassium salts of fatty acid amides of methyl taurine; alkane monosulfonates such as those derived from reacting alpha-olefins (C₈-C₂₀) with sodium bisulfite and those derived from reacting paraffins with SO₂ and Cl₂ and then hydrolyzing with a base to produce a random sulfonate; and olefin sulfonates which term is used to describe the material made by reacting olefins, particularly C₁₀-C₂₀ alpha-olefins, with SO₃ and then neutralizing and hydrolyzing the reaction product. The preferred anionic detergents are sodium (C₁₀-C₁₆) linear alkyl benzene sulfonates, (C₁₀-C₁₈) alkyl polyethoxy sulfates and mixtures thereof.
The more preferred anionic detergent is a mixture of linear or branched (preferably linear) higher alkylbenzene sulfonate and alkyl polyethoxy sulfate. While other water soluble linear higher alkylbenzene sulfonates may also be present in the formulas of the present invention, such as potassium salts and in some instances the ammonium and/or alkanolammonium salts, where appropriate, it has been found that the sodium salt is highly preferred, which is also the case with respect to the alkyl polyethoxy sulfate detergent component. The alkylbenzene sulfonate is one wherein the higher alkyl group is of 10 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 15, more preferably 12 to 13 carbon atoms. The alkyl polyethoxy sulfate, which also may be referred to as a sulfated polyethoxylated higher linear alcohol or the sulfated condensation product of a higher fatty alcohol and ethylene oxide or polyethylene glycol, is one wherein the alkyl group is of 10 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 15 carbon atoms, and which includes 2 to 11 ethylene oxide groups, preferably 2 to 7, more preferably 3 to 5 and most preferably about 3 ethylene oxide groups.
The anionic detergent may be present in the composition at a level of from 10 to 45% by weight, more preferably from 15 to 40% by weight. Where mixtures of two or more different anionic detergents are used, such as the sulfate and sulfonate mixtures described above, they may be mixed in the relative proportions in the range of 5 to 95% by weight of each type.
The composition of this invention may also contain supplementary nonionic and amphoteric surfactants. Suitable nonionic surfactants include, in particular, the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides and alkyl phenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide, either alone or with propylene oxide. Specific nonionic detergent compounds are alkyl (C₆-C₁₈) primary or secondary linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide, and products made by condensation of ethylene oxide with the reaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Other so-called nonionic detergent compounds include long chain tertiary amine oxides, long-chain tertiary phosphine oxides, dialkyl sulfoxides, fatty (C₈-C₁₈) esters of glycerol, sorbitan and the like, alkyl polyglycosides, ethoxylated glycerol esters, ethoxylated sorbitans and ethoxylated phosphate esters.
The preferred non-ionic detergent compounds are those of the ethoxylated and mixed ethoxylated-propyloxylated (C₆-C₁₈) fatty alcohol type. The nonionic surfactants may be present in the composition at a preferred level of from about 1 to 15% by weight.
It is also possible to include an alkali metal soap of a mono- or di-carboxylic acid, especially a soap of an acid having from 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example oleic acid, ricinoleic acid, alk(en)yl succinate, for example dodecenyl succinate, and fatty acids derived from castor oil, rapeseed oil, groundnut oil, coconut oil, palmkernel oil or mixtures thereof. The sodium or potassium soaps of these acids can be used. When used, the level of soap in compositions of the invention is from about 0.5 to 15% by weight of the composition.
Particularly preferred combinations of surfactants include:
1. A mixture which comprises 15 to 30% by wt. linear alkylbenzene sulfonate having from 10 to 16 carbon atoms and 1 to 10% by wt. of alkyl polyethoxy sulfate wherein the alkyl is of 10 to 18 carbon atoms and the polyethoxy is of 2 to 7 ethylene oxide groups.
2. A mixture which comprises one or both of the anionic surfactants listed in 1 above and a nonionic ethoxylated fatty alcohol wherein the fatty alcohol is of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the polyethoxy is of 2 to 7 oxide groups. The anionic to nonionic surfactant ratio is from 1:4 to 10:1.
A more detailed illustration of the various detergents and classes of detergents mentioned may be found in the text Surface Active Agents, Vol. II, by Schwartz, Perry and Berch (Interscience Publishers, 1958), in a series of annual publications entitled McCutcheon's Detergents and Emulsifiers, issued in 1969, or in Tensid-Taschenbuch, H. Stache, 2nd Edn. Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich and Vienna, 1981.
The composition of this invention also includes at least one detergency builder. Suitable builders include phosphorous-containing inorganic salts, organic builders and non-phosphorous-containing builders. The prime function of the builder is to complex with hard water cations which form salts insoluble in water, for example calcium and magnesium cations, through the mechanism of sequestration or cation exchange.
Examples of phosphorous-containing inorganic detergency builders include the water-soluble salts, especially alkali metalpyrophosphates, orthophosphates, polyphosphates and phosphonates. Specific examples of inorganic phosphate builders include sodium and potassium tripolyphosphates, phosphates and hexametaphosphates. Phosphonate sequestrant builders may also be used. Examples of organic detergency builders which may be used include the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium polyacetates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates, polyacetyl carboxylates and polyhydroxysulphonates. Specific examples include sodium, potassium, lithium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, oxydisuccinic acid, melitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, tartrate mono succinate, tartrate di succinate, alk(en)yl succinates and citric acid. Other organic detergency builders include water-soluble alkali metal carbonates and bicarbonates, as well as mixtures thereof with phosphates, e.g., a mixture of sodium carbonate and sodium tripolyphosphate.
In one embodiment of this invention, the liquid detergent is free of phosphorous-containing builders. Preferred builders for use in phosphorous-free compositions include alkali metal silicates in finely divided form, and particularly cation-exchanged amorphous or crystalline aluminosilicates (zeolites) of natural or synthetic origin. Suitable aluminosilicate zeolites include "zeolite A", "zeolite B", "zeolite X", "zeolite Y" and "zeolite HS". The more preferred zeolite is crystalline sodium silicoaluminate zeolite A. Preferably, the zeolite should be in a finely divided state with the ultimate particle diameters being up to 20 microns, e.g., 0.005 to 20 microns, preferably from 0.01 to 15 microns and more preferably of 0.01 to 8 microns mean particle size, e.g. 3 to 7 microns, if crystalline, and 0.01 to 0.1 microns if amorphous. Although the ultimate particle sizes are much lower, usually the zeolite particles will be of sizes within the range of 100 to 400 mesh, preferably 140 to 325 mesh. Zeolites of smaller sizes will often become objectionably dusty and those of larger sizes may not be sufficiently and satisfactorily suspended.
In another embodiment of the invention where phosphorous-free builders are used, the builder may comprise water soluble non-phosphorous containing compounds which dissolve in the aqueous phase of the composition forming an electrolyte solution. Examples of such builders include the alkali metal carboxylates referred to above, e.g., sodium citrate, used alone or in a mixture with water soluble alkali metal carbonates or bicarbonates, e.g., sodium or potassium carbonate.
Mixtures containing two or more of the above described detergency builders may also be employed. The builder or mixture of builders may be present in the composition in the range of from about 5 to about 40% by weight of the composition, more preferably from about 8 to about 30% by weight. Where the builder is a zeolite material, it is normally present in the range of from about 5 to 30% by weight of the composition, and may be used in combination with other compatible builder materials.
The key ingredient in the compositions of the present invention is the hydrophobically modified deflocculating polymer which both stabilizes the detergent formulation and decreases the viscosity of such formulations. The hydrophobic end groups present in the otherwise hydrophilic polymer become enveloped in the lamellar droplets formed by the surfactant phase, thereby both sterically and electrostatically inhibiting flocculation of these droplets, even at relatively high concentrations. This results in a stable, lower viscosity product.
Deflocculating polymers useful in accordance with this invention are characterized as comprising a hydrophilic polymer chain segment (P) having a hydrophobic mercapto moiety (SR) covalently attached to a terminal carbon atom present in at least some of the hydrophilic chain segments.
These polymers may be generally characterized as containing the structure P-SR wherein P represents the hydrophilic polymer and R is an organic hydrophobic radical containing from about 4 to 28 carbon atoms, more preferably an alkyl radical containing from about 6 to 18 carbon atoms.
Monomers which may be polymerized to form the hydrophilic polymer segment include one or a mixture of water soluble monomers or a combination of water soluble and relatively water insoluble monomers such that the resulting polymers are water soluble at ambient temperatures to the extent of greater than about 10 grams per liter. Examples of suitable such monomers include ethylenically unsaturated amides such as acrylamide, methacrylamide and fumaramide and their N-substituted derivatives such as 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid, N-(dimethylaminomethyl) acrylamide as well as N-(trimethylammoniummethyl) acrylamide chloride and N-(trimethylammoniumpropyl) methacrylamide chloride; ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids or dicarboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, maleic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, crotonic acid, aconitic acid and citraconic acid; and other ethylenically unsaturated quaternary ammonium compounds such as vinyl-benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride; sulfoalkyl esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids such as 2-sulfoethyl methacrylate; aminoalkyl esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids such as 2-aminoethyl methacrylate, dimethyl aminoethyl (meth)acrylate, diethyl aminoethyl (meth)acrylate, dimethyl aminomethyl (meth)acrylate, diethyl aminomethyl (meth)acrylate, and their quaternary ammonium salts; vinyl or allyl amines such as vinyl pyridine and vinyl morpholine or allylamine; diallyl amines and diallyl ammonium compounds such as diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; vinyl heterocyclic amides such as vinyl pyrrolidone; vinyl aryl sulfonates such as vinylbenzyl sulfonate; vinyl alcohol obtained by the hydrolysis of vinyl acetate; acrolein; allyl alcohol; vinyl acetic acid; sodium vinyl sulphonate; sodium allyl sulphonate, as well as the salts of the foregoing monomers. These monomers may be used singly or as mixtures thereof.
Optionally, the hydrophilic polymer segment may contain small amounts of relatively hydrophobic units, e.g., those derived from polymers having a solubility of less than 1 g/1 in water, provided that the overall solubility of the hydrophilic polymer still satisfies the solubility requirements as specified above. Examples of relatively water insoluble polymers are polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polybutylene oxide, polypropylene oxide and polyhydroxypropyl acrylate.
Mercaptans from which the hydrophobic mercapto moiety is derived include mercaptans having the structure RSH where R is an organic radical having from 4 to 28 carbon atoms. R should be of sufficient chain length such that it exhibits oleophilic properties, i.e., it is miscible with the oily lamellar droplet or micelle phase of the detergent composition. Preferably, the mercaptans are alkyl or aralkyl mercaptans containing about 6 to 18 carbon atoms such as hexyl mercaptan, decyl mercaptan, dodecylbenzyl mercaptan, dodecyl mercaptan and octadecyl mercaptan.
The polymers may be prepared by free radical polymerization of the hydrophilic monomer or monomer mixture in an aqueous or water/alcohol medium in the presence of a water soluble free radical initiator and in the presence of an RSH mercaptan. The molar ratio of monomer to mercaptan may generally range from about 10:1 to about 150:1 respectively, more preferably from about 25:1 to about 100:1 respectively. Under free radical polymerization conditions, a number of RS free radicals will be generated which may serve to initiate polymerization of additional monomer or these radicals can couple with a growing polymer chain, resulting in a mixed polymer product wherein at least some of the chains have the structure P-SR as described above. The number of P and P-SR chains present in the mixed polymer product will vary depending on polymerization conditions, average molecular weight of the polymer and the quantity of mercaptan present in the polymerization mixture. Preferably from about 25 up to about 95% of the polymer chains are end-capped by the SR mercapto hydrophobe.
Polymerization may be conducted by the general procedures described in U.S. Patent 5,021,525, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The preferred aqueous polymerization medium comprises a mixture of at least 50% by weight of water and miscible cosolvent such as a C₁ to C₄ alcohol, e.g., isopropanol, which tends to retard precipitation of the developing end-capped polymer from solution. Polymerization initiators which may be used include water soluble initiators such as hydrogen peroxide, persulfates, perborates and permanganates, present in solution at levels generally in the range of from about 0.1 to 5% by weight.
Polymerization may be conducted by initially charging an initiator, e.g. sodium persulfate, into an aqueous polymerization medium, followed by gradual introduction of a mixture comprising monomer and mercaptan into the medium at a level of from about 10 to 55% by weight of total reactants, and heating the mixture at a temperature in the range of from about 70 to 99°C for a period of time sufficient to form polymer of the desired molecular weight, generally from about 3 to 6 hours. Preferably, only a portion of the monomer and initiator is added to the medium initially, followed by the addition of remaining monomer and initiator later during the polymerization. The polymer may then be recovered by stripping the cosolvent, e.g., isopropanol and at least part of the water, followed by neutralization of the polymer with caustic, e.g., sodium hydroxide.
Preferred deflocculating polymers useful for the purposes of this invention have a weight average molecular weight, as measured by gel permeation chromatography using polyacrylate standards, in the range of from about 1500 to 50,000, more preferably from about 2,000 to 25,000 and most preferably from about 3,000 to 10,000. The most preferred polymers are hydrophilic homopolymers such as polyacrylic or polymethacrylic acid and copolymers of acrylic or methacrylic acid with less than 50 wt% of maleic acid (anhydride), wherein the bulk of the polymer chains are end-capped with a single hydrophobic segment derived from dodecyl mercaptan.
These polymers and their method of preparation are further disclosed in US-A-5 599 784, the complete disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
The liquid detergent composition of the invention may also optionally contain a swelling bentonite clay material as a fabric softening agent. These materials are colloidal clays (aluminum silicate) containing montmorillonite, available as sodium bentonite or calcium bentonite. These materials generally form a swellable colloidal suspension when mixed with water, which property can also aid in maintaining insoluble particulate materials, i.e., zeolites, suspended in the liquid medium. Where present in the composition, the bentonite is added at level in the range from about 1 to about 15% by weight.
The aqueous phase of the liquid detergent is electrolytic and thus contains a water soluble salt. Where the builder present in the detergent is itself a water soluble salt, e.g., where the builder is an alkali metal carbonate or citrate, no additional electrolyte need be added. Where the builder is water insoluble, e.g., a zeolite, then alkali metal halides or sulfates may be included as necessary to form the aqueous electrolyte solution.
The only other required component of the liquid detergent compositions in accordance with the present invention is water, some of which is present as a diluent in some formulation components, e.g., surfactants, and some of which is added when the formulation is prepared. Normally the hardness content of such water will be less than about 400 ppm as CaCO₃. Sometimes it may be desirable to utilize deionized water although city water will be satisfactory. While harder waters may be successfully employed in making the liquid detergent compositions of the present invention, it is considered that soft waters have less likelihood of producing some objectionable materials which could adversely affect the appearance of the liquid detergent or which could deposit objectionably on laundry during washing. The quantity of water present in the composition will generally range from about 25 to 70% by weight water. In more highly concentrated compositions, the quantity of water may range from about 25 to less than 60% by weight, more preferably less than 50% by weight.
Various adjuvants, both aesthetic and functional, may be present in the liquid detergent compositions of the present invention, such as fluorescent brighteners, perfumes and colorants. The fluorescent brighteners include the well known stilbene derivatives, including the cotton and nylon brighteners, such as those sold under the trademark Tinopal©, e.g. 5BM. The perfumes that are employed usually include essential oils, esters, aldehydes and/or alcohols, all of which are known in the perfumery art. The colorants may include dyes and water dispersible pigments of various types, including ultramarine blue. Titanium dioxide may be utilized to lighten the color of the product further or to whiten it. Inorganic filler salts, such as sodium sulfate and sodium chloride may be present, as may be antiredeposition agents, such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose; enzymes, such as proteases, amylases and lipases; bleaches, such as sodium perborate or percarbonate or chlorine-containing materials; bactericides; fungicides; anti-foam agents, such as silicones; antisoiling agents, such as copolyesters; preservatives, such as formalin; foam stabilizers, such as lauric myristic diethanolamide; and auxiliary solvents, such as ethanol. Normally the individual proportions of such adjuvants will be less than 3%, often less than 1% and sometimes even less than 0.5%, except for any fillers and solvents, and additional detergents and builders, for which the proportions may sometimes be as high as 10%. The total proportion of adjuvants, including non-designated synthetic detergents and builders, will normally be no more than 20% of the product and desirably will be less than 10% thereof, more desirably less than 5% thereof. Of course, the adjuvants employed will be non-interfering with the washing and the softening actions of the liquid detergent and will not promote instability of the product on standing. Also, they will not cause the production of objectionable deposits on the laundry.
The viscosity of the liquid detergent composition immediately after completion of the formulation mixing procedure will generally range from about 500 to 20,000 mPa·s (500 to 20,000 centipoises (cps)), measured using a Brookfield Viscosimeter Model LVT-II at an angular velocity of 12 rpm and at 25°C. Spindle n° 3 is used to measure viscosities below 10,000 cps and spindle n° 4 is used for viscosities above 10,000 cps. The more preferred viscosity will be in the range of from 2,000 to 10,000 mPa·s (2,000 to 10,000 cps), most preferably in the range of 3,000 to 6,000 mPa·s (3,000 to 6,000 cps). The pH of the composition will generally be in the range of from about 7 to about 12, preferably 10 to 12, and pH may be adjusted if necessary by adding appropriate amounts of a basic solution such as 50% KOH.
The components of the detergent may be mixed in any suitable order which will lead to the development of a structured product. In a preferred procedure, water and builders are first mixed using a suitable high shear mixer to form a slurry/solution. The surfactant(s) are separately mixed to foam a surfactant slurry. The deflocculating polymer in the form of an aqueous dispersion (solids content of 30 to 60%) may then be mixed with either slurry, and both slurries then combined under high shear mixing conditions, followed by the subsequent addition of perfumes, enzymes (if any) and other additives.
The following examples are illustrative of the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts are by weight of active ingredients.

Examples 1-7

A series of zeolite-built, phosphorous-free superconcentrated heavy duty liquid detergent (SCHDL) formulations were prepared by mixing the components shown in Table 1 in the order shown in cylindrical tank with stirring using a Lightening® mixer. Mixing time was approximately 30 minutes. Example 7 is a control example which does not contain the deflocculating polymer. The identity and characteristics of the various deflocculating polymers used in all examples are as described below. In each case, the hydrophobe end capping group is docecyl mercaptan.

Deflocculating Polymer Physical Characteristics
Polymer Designation	Polymer Type	Molecular Weight	Mole Ratio of Hydrophile:Hydrophobe
A	Acrylic-maleic	4000	25:1
B	Acrylic-maleic	7000	25:1
C	Acrylic	4000	25:1
D	Acrylic	7000	100:1

wt. % (Active Ingredient)
Component	Ex 1	Ex 2	Ex 3	Ex 4	Ex 5	Ex 6	Ex 7 (Cont)
Water	QS	QS	QS	QS	QS	QS	QS
Colorant	0.75	---	---	0.75	---	---	---
Sodium Citrate	8.0	6.0	4.0	8.0	8.0	8.0	8.0
Sodium Carbonate	3.0	2.0	7.0	3.0	3.0	5.0	3.0
Brightener	0.5	0.15	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Preservative	0.03	0.03	0.03	0.03	0.03	0.03	0.03
Deflocculating Polymer	1.0(D)	0.5(B)	1.0(C)	1.0(C)	1.0(C)	1.0(C)	---
Zeolite A	17.0	17.0	15.0	17.0	17.0	15.0	17.0
Nonionic Surfactant (Neodol 23-6.5)	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0	7.0
Anionic Surfactant (LAS)	23.0	23.0	23.0	20.7	18.4	23.0	23.0
Fragrance	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4
Viscosity (mPa·s) (cps)	2320	6400	4660	3470	1280	2790	>50000
Separation at 43.3°C (110°F) after 4 weeks	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%	0%

Viscosity comparison results contained in Table 1 show that the formulation of Examples 1-6 were all stable and exhibited low viscosities in the range of about 1280-6400 cps. Control Example 7 which does not contain one of the deflocculating polymers of the invention exhibited a viscosity in excess of 50,000 due to flocculation of the surfactant droplets present in the detergent.

Examples 8-11

A series of citrate-built, phosphate-free, enzyme-containing SCHDL formulations were prepared by mixing the components in Table 2 in the order shown by the procedure set forth above.

wt% (Active Ingredient)
COMPONENT	Ex 8	Ex 9	Ex 10	Ex 11(cont)
Water	QS	QS	QS	QS
LAS	29.6	20.0	24.0	20.0
AEOS		5.5	4.0	5.5
Nonionic Surfactant (Neodol 23-6.5)	14.8	10.0	12.0	10.0
Sodium Citrate	10.0	10.0	10.0	10.0
Borax	2.0	2.0	2.0	2.0
Glycerin	4.0	4.0	4.0	4.0
Protease	1.5	1.5	---	1.5
Deflocculating Polymer	1.0(A)	1.0(A)	1.0(A)	---
Brightener	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4
Colorant	0.75	0.75	0.75	0.75
Preservative	0.05	0.05	0.05	0.05
Fragrance	0.40	0.40	0.40	0.40
Viscosity mPa·s (cps)	2600	6700	2600	15000
Separation 43.3°C (110°F) after 4 weeks	0%	0%	0%	31%

The formulation of Example 11 (Control) which does not contain the deflocculating polymer exhibited a higher viscosity than formulations of Examples 8-10. In addition, the control formulation shows some phase separation after 4 weeks storage at 110°F, whereas the other formulations remained stable.

Examples 12-16

A series of phosphate-built SCHDL formulations were prepared by mixing the components shown in Table 3 in the order shown by the procedure set forth above.

wt% (Active Ingredients)
COMPONENT	Ex 12	Ex 13	Ex 14	Ex 15	Ex 16(cont)
Water	QS	QS	QS	QS	QS
LAS	26.0	26.0	25.0	25.0	25.0
AEOS	1.5	1.4	3.75	2.0	3.75
Nonionic Surfactant (Neodol 25-7)	----	2.0	----	----	----
Sodium TPP	11.0	15.0	15.25	12.0	15.25
Potassium TPP	12.0	12.0	5.0	11.0	5.0
Sodium Carbonate	7.0	3.5	4.0	2.0	4.0
Potassium Carbonate	----	----	4.5	----	4.5
Sesquicarbonate	----	----	----	6.0	----
Deflocculatlng Polymer	0.4(A)	0.7(C)	0.65(C)	0.65(C)	----
Brightener	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15	0.15
Colorant	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5
Preservative	0.03	0.19	0.19	0.19	0.19
Fragrance	0.33	0.33	0.35	0.33	0.35
Viscosity mPa·s (cps)	5800	6500	5700	4800	>30000
Separation 43.3°C (110^oF) after 4 weeks	0%	0%	0%	0%	4%

Formulations within the scope of the invention (Examples 12-15) all exhibited pourable viscosities in the range of 4800-6500 cps, whereas control formulation 16 had an initial viscosity in excess of 30,000 cps and showed some phase separation after 4 weeks storage.

Claims

A concentrated liquid detergent composition, characterized in that it comprises lamellar surfactant droplets dispersed in an aqueous electrolytic continuous phase which phase is formed by dissolving soluble compounds in an aqueous phase, said composition comprising mixture of:

a) from 10 to 45% by weight of surfactant;

b) at least one detergent builder;

c) from 0.01 to 5% by weight of a deflocculating polymer composition having a weight average molecular weight in the range of from 1500 to 50,000 and containing polymer chains of the structure P-SR, wherein P represents a copolymer containing at least 50% by weight of polymerized acrylic or methacrylic acid and less than 50% by weight of polymerized maleic acid or maleic anhydride and SR represents a mercapto end-cap group, R being an organic radical containing from 4 to 28 carbon atoms which is sufficiently hydrophobic to be miscible with said droplets; and

d) water
The composition of claim 1 wherein said surfactant comprises at least one anionic detergent selected from an anionic sulfate or sulfonate.
The composition of claim 2 containing from 15 to 40% by weight of an alkyl benzene sulfonate anionic detergent having from 9 to 20 alkyl carbon atoms.
The composition of claim 2 containing from 1 to 25% by weight of a sodium or potassium alkyl polyethoxy sulfate anionic detergent wherein the alkyl group contains from 8 to 22 carbon atoms and the polyethoxy is of 2 to 7 ethylene oxide groups.
The composition of claim 3 wherein said ionic detergent comprises a mixture of said alkyl benzene sulfonate and from 1 to 25% by weight of a sodium or potassium alkyl polethoxy sulfate wherein the alkyl group contains from 8-22 carbon atoms and the polyethoxy is of 2 to 7 ethylene oxide groups.
The composition of claim 3 or 5 further containing from 1 to 20% by weight of a nonionic ethoxylated fatty alcohol wherein the fatty alcohol contains 8 to 18 carbon atoms.
The composition of claim 1 wherein said hydrophilic polymer chain segment P is polyacrylic or polymethacrylic acid.
The composition of claim 1 or 7, wherein said polymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range of from 2,000 to 25,000.
The composition of claim 8 wherein said polymer has a weight average molecular weight in the range of from 3,000 to 10,000.
The composition of claim 1 wherein R is an alkyl group containg from 6 to 18 carbon atoms.
The composition of claim 10 wherein R is dodecyl.
The composition of claim 1 wherein from 25 up to 95% of the hydrophilic polymer chains present in said deflocculating polymer composition are end-capped by SR mercapto hydrophobe.
The composition of claim 1 wherein said detergent builder is present in said composition at a level of from 5 to 40% by weight of said composition.
The composition of claim 13 wherein said detergent builder comprises one or more phosphates.
The composition of claim 13 wherein said detergent builder comprises a zeolite.
The composition of claim 13, wherein said detergent builder comprises an alkali metal citrate.
The composition of claim 13 wherein said detergent builder comprises an alkali metal carbonate.
The composition of claim 1 containing less than 60% by weight of water.
The composition of claim 1 containing less than 50% by weight of water.
The composition of claim 1 having a viscosity in the range of from 500 to 20,000 mPa.s (500 to 20,000 cps).