Ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent

• US 7,985,725 B2
• Filed: 08/14/2009
• Issued: 07/26/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/14/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Melaleuca Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Melaleuca Incorporated
• Inventors: Tippetts, Denette M., Kurtz, James L., Brock, Earl David
• Primary Examiner(s): Ogden, Jr.; Necholus
• Application Number:
  US12/541,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20100041577A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 510/421
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/143 Sulfonic acid esters
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/146 Sulfuric acid esters
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/22 derived from aromatic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/29 Sulfates of polyoxyalkylene ethers
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/662 Carbohydrates or derivatives
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/667 Neutral esters, e.g. sorbitan esters
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/72 Ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/74 Carboxylates or sulfonates esters of polyoxyalkylene glycols
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/83 Mixtures of non-ionic with anionic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/046 Salts
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/2041 Dihydric alcohols
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/2068 Ethers
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/43 Solvents

Abstract

This disclosure relates to ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent (e.g., 3×+ ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent). For example, this disclosure relates to ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent having superior water dispersibility at low temperatures (e.g., from about 14° C. to about 19° C.).

Claims

1. An ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent composition comprising:

(a) from about 35 to about 55% by weight of a nonionic surfactant;

(b) from about 15 to about 25% by weight of an anionic surfactant;

(c) from about 2 to about 18% by weight of a cold water dispersion aid; and

(d) from about 0 to about 60% by weight water;

wherein said composition contains less than 1.5% by weight of one or more of a fragrance, colorant, or preservative, and does not have a viscous liquid crystalline phase.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition contains less than 1% by weight of a C_10-22 fatty acid.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein said nonionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ethoxylates;

fatty acid ethoxylates;

alkyl phenol ethoxylates;

fatty monoglyceride ethoxylates;

block copolymers;

ethoxylated amines;

alkyl amine oxides;

mono or poly saccharide alkyl ethers;

propoxylated and ethoxylated fatty alcohols;

propoxylated and ethoxylated fatty acids;

propoxylated and ethoxylated alkyl phenols;

ether terminated ethoxylates of fatty acid and fatty alcohols;

fatty acid glucamides;

alkyl glucosides;

alkyl polyglucosides;

or mixtures thereof.

4. The composition of claim 3, wherein said fatty alcohol ethoxylate comprises the condensation product of about 5 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein said anionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of alkylbenzene sulfonates;

alkyl ether sulfates;

alkyl sulfates;

alkyl and alkenyl ester sulfonates;

alkyl and alkenyl sulfonates;

isethionates;

taurates; and

mixtures thereof.

6. The composition of claim 5, wherein said alkyl ether sulfate salt is selected from the group consisting of magnesium alkyl ether sulfate;

sodium alkyl ether sulfate;

triethanolamine alkyl ether sulfate;

alkanolamine alkyl ether sulfate; and

mixtures thereof.

7. The composition of claim 5, wherein said alkylbenzene sulfonate is selected from the group consisting of magnesium alkylbenzene sulfonate;

sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate;

triethanolamine alkylbenzene sulfonate;

alkanolamine alkylbenzene sulfonate; and

mixtures thereof.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein said alkanolamine alkylbenzene sulfonate is triethanolamine alkylbenzene sulfonate.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein said cold water dispersion aid is selected from the group consisting of soluble alkali, alkaline earth, and divalent metal salts;

polyethylene glycol;

poly-glycols;

mono or polyhydric alcohols;

water-miscible glycols;

glycol ethers;

hydrotropes;

solvents of limited water solubility including without limitation benzyl alcohol;

dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether;

dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether;

phenoxyethanol; and

mixtures thereof.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises one or more of a buffering agent, a detergent enzyme, an antiredeposition agent, a fragrance, a colorant, a fluorescent whitening agent, a corrosion inhibitor, an opacifier, an oxygen bleach, a fabric softening agent, a chlorine scavenger, a dye transfer inhibitor, a malodor control agent, a suds control agent, a chelating agent and an adjuvant.

11. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises:

(a) from about 35 to about 55% by weight of a nonionic surfactant;

(b) from about 15 to about 25% by weight of an alkylbenzene sulfonate;

(c) from about 2 to about 12% by weight of propylene glycol; and

(d) from about 0.5% to about 6% by weight of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate.

12. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises:

(a) from about 35 to about 45% by weight of an ethoxylate of a fatty alcohol;

(b) from about 15 to about 25% by weight of a triethanolamine alkylbenzene sulfonate;

(c) from about 2.5 to about 10% by weight of propylene glycol;

(d) from about 1 to about 3% by weight of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate; and

(e) from about 0.1 to about 0.5% by weight of a stilbene fluorescent whitening agent.

13. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition disperses in water from about 14°

C. to about 19°

C. in less than about 5 minutes.

14. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is a 3×

ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent.

15. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is a 4×

ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent.

16. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is a 5×

ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent.

17. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is a 6×

ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent.

18. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition is a 7×

or higher ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent.

19. A method of cleaning fabrics in an automatic washing machine, said method comprising dispensing an effective amount of an ultra concentrated liquid laundry detergent composition into said machine, said composition comprising:

(a) from about 35 to about 55% by weight of a nonionic surfactant;

(b) from about 15 to about 25% by weight of an anionic surfactant;

(c) from about 2 to about 18% by weight of a cold water dispersion aid; and

(d) from about 0 to about 60% by weight water;

wherein said composition contains less than 1.5% by weight of one or more of a fragrance, colorant, or preservative, and does not have a viscous liquid crystalline phase.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said effective amount of said liquid composition ranges from about 0.1 fluid ounces per wash load to about 2 ounces per wash load.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein said effective amount of said liquid composition ranges from about 0.5 fluid ounces per wash load to about 1 ounce per wash load.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein said liquid composition disperses in water from about 14°

C. to about 19°

C. in less than about 5 minutes.