Composition and method for prevention of discoloration of detergents using nonionic surfactants and an alkaline source

• US 6,387,864 B1
• Filed: 12/15/2000
• Issued: 05/14/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Bartelme, Michael James
• Primary Examiner(s): DELCOTTO, GREGORY R
• Application Number:
  US09/738,536
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 510/336, 510/337, 510/339, 510/340, 510/356, 510/361, 510/499, 510/506
• US Class Current: 510/336
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/42 Amino alcohols or amino ethers
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/66 Non-ionic compounds C11D1/002, C11D1/004, C11D1/008 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/044 Hydroxides or bases
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/06 Phosphates, including polyphosphates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/08 Silicates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/10 Carbonates ; Bicarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/30 Amines; Substituted amines ; Quaternized amines

Abstract

A laundry detergent composition comprising about 1 to about 75 parts by weight of at least one caustic compound, about 0.5 to about 50 parts by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant, about 1 to about 35 parts by weight of at least one primary amine compound having the following general formula:

NH₂—CH₂—(CHR)_n—OH

where each R is independently hydrogen, C₁ to C₃₀ alkyl, aryl, etheral, amino, hydroxy, alkoxy, or ester and n is 0 to 12, and about 1 to about 60 parts by weight of at least one builder, filler, or mixture thereof.

Claims

1. A laundry detergent composition, comprising:

a) about 1 to about 75 parts by weight of at least one caustic compound;

b) about 0.5 to about 50 parts by weight of at least one nonionic surfactant;

c) about 1 to about 35 parts by weight of at least one primary amine compound having the following general formula;

2. The composition of claim 1 comprising:

a) about 20 to about 60 parts by weight of said at least one caustic compound;

b) about 5 to about 30 parts by weight of said at least one nonionic surfactant;

c) about 0.05 to about 2 parts by weight of said at least one primary amine compound; and

d) about 10 to about 25 parts by weight of said at least one builder, filler, or mixture thereof.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said primary amine is represented by the following general formula:

4. The composition of claim 3 wherein n is 1, 3 or 5.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein said primary amine is monoisopropanolamine.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said primary amine is serinol.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said composition comprises at least one builder or filler selected from sodium chloride, sulfates, cellulosics, diatomaceous earth, amorphous silica, or mixtures thereof.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said builder is selected from polyacrylates, phosphonates, phosphates, polycarboxylates, aminocarboxylates, gluconates, zeolites, clays, or mixtures thereof.

9. The composition of claim 1 wherein said caustic compound is selected from alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal phosphates, silicates, or mixtures thereof.

10. The composition of claim 1 wherein said caustic compound is potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, or a mixture thereof.

11. The composition of claim 1 wherein said at least one nonionic surfactant is selected from linear or branched alcohol alkoxylates, alkyl phenol alkoxylates, polyalkylene oxides, or mixtures thereof.

12. The composition of claim 10 wherein said at least one nonionic surfactant is a linear alcohol ethoxylate.

13. The composition of claim 1 further comprising at least one surfactant which is selected from anionic, cationic, zwitterionic, amphoteric, or polyglycoside surfactants.

14. The composition of claim 1 further comprising a compound selected from the group consisting of dyes, fragrances, defoamers, optical brighteners, and mixtures thereof.

15. The composition of claim 1 providing improved color stability of greater than 2 weeks at a temperature of about 50°

C.

16. The composition of claim 1 providing improved oxidative stability of greater than 2 weeks at a temperature of about 50°

C.

17. The composition of claim 1 wherein said laundry detergent is in a solid, liquid, gel or aerosol form.