Solid composition comprising an amphoteric surfactant, a process for its preparation, and the use thereof

• US 6,080,714 A
• Filed: 11/21/1997
• Issued: 06/27/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V. (Nouryon BV)
• Original Assignee: Akzo Nobel N.V. (Nouryon BV)
• Inventors: Ploumen, Jan Joseph Hubert, Overkempe, Kornelis
• Primary Examiner(s): Gupta, Yogendra
• Assistant Examiner(s): Webb, Gregory E.
• Application Number:
  US08/975,853
• Time in Patent Office: 949 Days
• Field of Search: 510/503, 510/152, 510/433, 510/477, 510/535, 510/350, 510/361, 510/488, 510/499, 510/445, 510/137, 564/298, 564/297, 564/299
• US Class Current: 510/433
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/04 Carboxylic acids or salts thereof soap C11D9/00
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/75 Amino oxides
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/90 Betaines
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/94 Mixtures with anionic, cationic or non-ionic compounds

Abstract

The invention relates to a solid composition comprising a hygroscopic amphoteric surfactant and a fatty acid which is substantially free from other detergents and/or detergent additives. Preferably, the fatty acid is a linear, saturated C₆ -C₂₂ acid. The weight ratio of amphoteric surfactant to fatty acid in said composition preferably is from 4:1 to 1:2. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include amine oxides and betaines. The solid composition of the invention may be shaped into a particulate form, such as granules. The invention further pertains to a process for preparing said composition and to the use of same, for example, in soap bars.

Claims

1. A solid composition in the form of particulates comprising an amphoteric surfactant having a hygroscopicity above 1 weight percent, and a fatty acid, said composition being substantially free from other detergents and/or detergent additives, the solid composition being non-hygroscopic and having a hygroscopicity value below 8 weight percent.

2. The composition of claim 1 which comprises from 80 to 100 weight percent of amphoteric surfactant plus fatty acid, based on the total weight of the composition.

3. The composition according to claim 1 wherein the fatty acid is a linear, saturated C₆ -C₂₂ fatty acid.

4. The composition of claim 3 wherein the fatty acid is selected from caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, or mixtures thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of amphoteric surfactant to fatty acid is from 4:

1 to 1;

2.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein the amphoteric surfactant is an amine oxide or a betaine.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein the composition is shaped into granules.

8. A process for preparing the composition of claim 1 which comprises contacting an amphoteric surfactant having a hygroscopicity above 1 weight percent with a fatty acid, isolating the product which results from said contacting and forming said product into particulates.

9. The process of claim 8 wherein the amphoteric surfactant is prepared in the presence of the fatty acid.

10. The process of claim 9 wherein the amphoteric surfactant is an amine oxide, which is prepared from a tert-amine by reaction with hydrogen peroxide.

11. The process of claim 8 wherein the fatty acid is added to the reaction mixture comprising the amphoteric surfactant after completion of its formation.

12. The process of claim 8 wherein the isolated product of an earlier preparation comprising the amphoteric surfactant is mixed with the fatty acid.

13. The process of claim 12 wherein the amphoteric surfactant is a betaine.

14. A personal care formulations which comprises the composition of claim 1.