DETERGENT COMPOSITION AND METHOD FOR FORMING A LIQUID DETERGENT COMPOSITION OR WASHING LIQUOR

Abstract

A composition comprising 30% to 100% by weight of a surfactant system comprising an alkoxylated glycerol ester and an alkyl sulfate, wherein the weight ratio of the alkoxylated glycerol ester to the alkyl sulfate is at least 2:1.

Description

COMPOSITION Technical field of the invention The present invention relates to a composition, particularly a detergent composition comprising an alkoxylated glycerol ester and an alkyl sulfate, and related products and methods. Background of the invention There are several everyday activities, such as washing (including laundry, dishwashing, and household cleaning), that require cleaning solutions. Dishwashing and household cleaning, in particular, involve cleaning hard surfaces such as utensils, plates, sinks, countertops, tiles, floors, cabinets, and doors. Typically, hard surfaces like these are cleaned by applying a hard-surface cleaning solution, either neat or diluted, followed by wiping the surface with a suitable method such as scrubbing, using a sponge, paper towels, cloths, wipes, or simply by hand, and then rinsing the surface. Surfactants are commonly used in cleaning and dishwashing compositions as detergents and wetting agents to reduce surface tension and help remove oily and greasy substances. The concentration of surfactants in a composition can be high. This is desirable for ease of transport and practicality for subsequent dilution when needed. There are also environmental benefits associated with reducing the water content of concentrated products during transport, which reduces the size 1793100 of 42 and the weight of the transported products. However, a high concentration of surfactants can generally be difficult to fully incorporate into the composition because such highly concentrated compositions (containing, for example, less than 50% water by weight) tend to lack stability and can form a gel, making the product difficult or impossible to use and unattractive to the consumer. Gelation can also affect the product's effectiveness in cleaning applications. For the purposes of environmental sustainability, more environmentally friendly surfactant options can be used, especially those derived from raw materials of plant origin, such as fatty acid esters from palm oil. The surfactant compositions used in cleaning compositions are known in the art, including those comprising an anionic surfactant type and a non-ionic surfactant type. US patent 5646104 A describes a light-duty liquid microemulsion composition comprising at least one anionic surfactant; a biodegradable compound; a co-surfactant; a perfume, essential oil or water-insoluble hydrocarbon; and water. Document EP 2666848 A1 describes dilutable, concentrated, aqueous liquid cleaning compositions comprising one or more anionic surfactants, one or more non-ionic surfactants comprising polyethoxylated glycerin ester compounds, and an electrolyte, preferably in combination with one or more surfactants 2 1793100 of 42 amphoteric surfactants, having a total active matter greater than 45% by weight based on the sum of the above surfactants exhibiting a controllable viscosity profile that is satisfactory to the consumer while being easy to dilute, thus providing a sufficiently dilute, medium dilute, or highly dilute cleaning composition quickly enough. US patent 5646104 A describes a light-duty liquid microemulsion composition comprising at least one anionic surfactant, a biodegradable compound, a co-surfactant, a perfume, an essential oil or a water-insoluble hydrocarbon and water. Document XP055869800 (Moragas Elisabet) describes the application of POE glycerol esters in household formulas that improve the CLP classification. US patent 5476614 A describes a lightweight, surfactant-based, highly foaming liquid detergent with desirable cleaning properties and gentleness to human skin comprising a biodegradable solubilizing agent, a water-soluble, foaming, alkyl ether sulfate ethoxylated anionic surfactant, and a water-soluble foaming zwitterionic betaine surfactant. The present invention has been designed in light of the above concentrations. It has been unexpectedly found that a composition comprising 30% to 100% by weight of a surfactant system comprising an alkoxylated glycerol ester and an alkyl sulfate, wherein the alkoxylated glycerol ester and the alkyl sulfate are 1793100 of 42 present in a weight ratio of at least 2:1, provides good physical stability. Summary of the invention A first aspect of the invention is a composition comprising 30% to 100% by weight of a surfactant system comprising: a) an alkoxylated glycerol ester represented by formula (I); ZH2 Iwh2। h2c—o^cc—ohc c—oh-r7vH H R / h2i HC—04—C CξH2H —oUc-c-o4MH4 r8 R3Rg H2IWH2I H2C—04—CC—04fC c—OH-Rn2' Η H4 9(I) R7= H, or -CO-R10 R8= H, or -CO-R11 R9 = H, or -CO-R12 where each of Ri to R6 is independently a hydrogen or a methyl group; each of R7 to R9 is independently a hydrogen or an acyl group wherein R10, R11, and R12 is independently a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; m, n, p, x, y, yz are each independently a number from 0 to 30; the sum of m, n, p, x, y, z being in the range of 1 to 90; and b) an alkyl sulfate; where the weight ratio of the alkoxylated glycerol ester to the alkyl sulfate is at least 2:1. Surprisingly, it has been found that when components (a) and (b) are present in the composition in 1793100 of 42 a specific weight ratio, a stable composition is produced that does not have the propensity to form a gel, even at high surfactant concentrations (i.e., low water concentrations) in the composition. Therefore, the composition can be formulated in a more highly concentrated form while maintaining physical stability. In addition, the alkoxylated glycerol ester can be derived from plant-based raw materials, which is advantageous for environmental reasons. Surprisingly, it has also been found that using an alkyl sulfate within the composition instead of alternative surfactants such as alkyl ether sulfates further reduces the occurrence of gelation. A second aspect of the invention is a unit-dose composition comprising the composition of any embodiment of the first aspect. Preferably, the unit-dose compositions are packaged in water-soluble films. More preferably, the unit-dose compositions are contained within a pouch formed by a water-soluble film. A third aspect of the invention is a method for forming a liquid detergent composition by dispersing a dose of the composition of any embodiment of the first aspect in water. The liquid detergent composition is then suitable for use as a liquid detergent and can be further diluted in water to provide a washing liquor. Preferably, the liquid detergent composition is a liquid dishwashing composition or a liquid laundry composition. More preferably, the liquid detergent composition is a liquid dishwashing composition. 1793100 of 42 A fourth aspect of the invention is a method for forming a washing liquor by dispersing a dose in water of the composition of any embodiment of the first aspect. A fifth aspect of the invention is a method for washing a hard surface comprising contacting the hard surface with a composition according to any embodiment of the first aspect. Preferably, the method for washing a hard surface comprises a method for washing dishes. The term “dish,” as used herein, includes plates, cups, pots, pans, baking dishes, and cutlery made of any material or combination of hard surface materials commonly used in the manufacture of eating and / or cooking articles. All other aspects of the present invention will become more evident upon consideration of the detailed description and examples that follow. Detailed description Except in the examples, or where explicitly stated otherwise, all numbers in this description that indicate quantities of material or reaction conditions, physical properties of materials and / or use may optionally be understood as modified by the word “approximately”. All quantities are by weight of the final composition unless otherwise specified. It should be noted that when specifying any range of values, any particular upper value can be associated with any particular lower value. To avoid any doubt, the phrase “that comprises” is understood to mean “that includes,” but not necessarily “that Item 1793100 of 42 consists of or “composed of”. In other words, the listed steps or options do not need to be exhaustive. It should be considered that the description of the invention as found herein covers all embodiments as found in the claims as multiple interdependent claims, regardless of the fact that the claims can be found without multiple dependence or redundancy. When a feature is disclosed with respect to a particular aspect of the invention (e.g., a composition of the invention), such description shall be deemed to apply also to any other aspect of the invention (e.g., a method of the invention) mutatis mutandis. Unless otherwise specified, the quantities used herein are expressed as a percentage by weight based on the total weight of the composition and are abbreviated as “% by weight”. The composition can find use in a variety of cleaning applications. In some embodiments, the composition is a laundry detergent composition. The term “laundry detergent” in the context of this invention refers to formulated compositions intended and capable of wetting and cleaning household linens such as clothing, bedding, and other home textiles. Examples of liquid laundry detergents include heavy-duty liquid laundry detergents for use in the wash cycle of automatic washing machines, as well as liquid detergents for delicate and color care, such as those suitable for washing delicate garments (e.g., 1793100 of 42 (those made of silk or wool) either by hand or in the wash cycle of automatic washing machines. In preferred embodiments, the composition consists of handwashing detergents that involve the consumer using their hands to wash substrates. The fields of use primarily involve laundry (i.e., handwashing clothes) and handwashing dishes (i.e., handwashing dishes and the like). Handwashing detergents involve close contact of the detergent liquor with the hands during the washing process, whether in laundry or handwashing dishes. The dishwashing detergent composition is particularly preferred. The present invention relates to a composition comprising 30% to 100% by weight of a surfactant system comprising a) an alkoxylated glycerol ester according to formula (I) and b) an alkyl sulfate, wherein the weight ratio of the alkoxylated glycerol ester to the alkyl sulfate is at least 2:1. Alkoxylated glycerol ester The alkoxylated glycerol ester is represented by formula (I); RdR4 / H2 I \ / H2 I H,C—o4— cc—O#CC—04-R7VHH R2R5 / H2 I , / H2 I\ HC—O-(-C -C—O^C -C—O^R3 H2IWH2i H,C—04—CC—O+fC C—O4-R92' H H49(I) R7= H, or -CO-R10 R8= H, or -CO-R11 R9= H, or -CO-R12 1793100 of 42 where each from Ri to Rg is independently a hydrogen or a methyl group; each from R7 to R9 is independently a hydrogen, or an acyl group wherein R10, R11, and R12 is independently a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; m, n, p, x, y, yz are each independently a number from 0 to 30; the sum of m, n, p, x, y, z being in the range of 1 to 90. In some embodiments, R1, R2, and R3 are each hydrogen. In some embodiments, R4, R5, and Rg are each hydrogen. In some embodiments, each of R1 through Rg is hydrogen. In some embodiments, each of R7 to R9 is independently a hydrogen or an acyl group, wherein R10, R11, and R12 are independently linear alkyl or alkenyl groups having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 7 to 21 carbon atoms, more preferably 11 to 17 carbon atoms. In some embodiments, R7, Rs, and R9 are the same. In other embodiments, R7, Rs, and R9 differ. In some embodiments, one of the R7, Rs, and R9 groups differs from the remaining R7, Rs, and R9 groups. Preferably, each of R1 to Rg is hydrogen, and each of R7 to R9 is an acyl group wherein R10, R11, and R12 are independently linear alkyl or alkenyl groups or 1793100 of 42 branched having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, most preferably from 7 to 21 carbon atoms, with maximum preference from 11 to 17 carbon atoms. Most preferably, each of Ri to R6 is hydrogen, and each of R7 to R9 is an acyl group wherein R10, R11, and R12 is independently a linear alkyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms, most preferably from 7 to 21 carbon atoms, with maximum preference from 11 to 17 carbon atoms. Preferably, m, n, p, x, y, yz are each independently a number from 1 to 25 and more preferably from 3 to 16. Preferably, the sum of m, n, p, x, y, z is in the range of 3 to 60, more preferably from 30 to 40. Preferably, the alkoxylated glycerol ester is an ethoxylated glycerol ester with R7 to R9 each independently selected from an acyl group wherein R10, R11, and R12 is independently a linear alkyl group having 7 to 21 carbon atoms, more preferably 11 to 17 carbon atoms. Preferably, the alkoxylated glycerol ester comprises coconut oil ethoxylates. Coconut oil contains approximately 82% saturated fatty acids by weight, and of the total fatty acid content, lauric acid is the most common, comprising about 48% of the fatty acid content by weight. Myristic acid (16% by weight) and palmitic acid (9.5% by weight) are the next most common. Oleic acid is the most common unsaturated fatty acid, present at about 6.5% of the fatty acid content by weight. Preferably, the alkoxylated glycerol ester comprises palm oil ethoxylates. Palm oil has a 1793100 of 42 balanced fatty acid composition in which the level of saturated fatty acids is almost equal to that of unsaturated fatty acids. Palmitic acid (44%-45%) and oleic acid (39%-40%) are the main acid components, with linoleic acid (10%-11%) and only a trace amount of linolenic acid. Palm kernel oil contains more saturated fatty acids than palm oil. The main fatty acids in palm kernel oil are approximately 48% lauric acid, 16% myristic acid, and 15% oleic acid. The most preferred alkoxylated glycerol ester is palm kernel oil ethoxylates. An example is commercially available under the trade name SOE-N-60 from Sinolight Surfactant Technology Co., Ltd. Other suitable alkoxylated glyceryl esters are commercially available from Kao under the brand name Levenol. Variants include Levenol F-200, which has an average ethylene oxide (EO) of 6 and a glycerol-to-coconut fatty acid molar ratio of 0.55; Levenol V501 / 2, which has an average EO of 17 and a glycerol-to-coconut fatty acid molar ratio of 1.5; and Levenol C201, which is also known as glycereth-17 cocoate. Typically, the amount of alkoxylated glycerol ester used in the composition is in the range of 0.1% to 99%, with the highest preference being 1 to 90%, with the highest preference still being 5 to 80%, with the highest preference still being 10 to 70%, and with the highest preference being 20 to 60%, on the basis of the total weight of the composition and including all the ranges therein. Alkyl sulfate 1793100 of 42 Alkyl sulfates are anionic surfactants that are water-soluble salts containing a hydrophobic hydrocarbon group and a hydrophilic sulfate group. In some embodiments, the alkyl sulfate has an alkyl group with 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms. It will be noted that both branched-chain and straight-chain alkyl groups are included. The alkyl substituent is preferably straight, i.e., normal alkyl; however, branched-chain alkyl sulfates may be used, although they are less preferred from a biodegradability perspective. In some embodiments, the alkyl sulfate comprises a salt of an alkyl sulfate, for example, a metal salt of an alkyl sulfate. In this way, the alkyl sulfate comprises a positively charged ion (for example, a metal ion or an organic cation such as ammonium) and a negatively charged alkyl sulfate moiety. The ion may be an alkali metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion, or a transition metal ion. Preferably, the ion is an alkali metal ion. In some embodiments, the alkyl sulfate comprises a metal salt of a C8-C18 alkyl sulfate, preferably a C10-C18 alkyl sulfate, such as a C10-C16 alkyl sulfate. In some embodiments, the alkyl sulfate comprises a metal salt of a linear C8-C18 alkyl sulfate, preferably a linear C10-C18 alkyl sulfate, such as a linear C10-C16 alkyl sulfate. In some embodiments, the alkyl sulfate comprises an alkali metal salt of a 1793100 of 42 Cs-Cis alkyl sulfate, preferably a C10-C18 alkyl sulfate, such as a C10-C16 alkyl sulfate. In some embodiments, the alkyl sulfate comprises an alkali metal salt of a linear Cs-Cis alkyl sulfate, preferably a linear C10-C18 alkyl sulfate, such as a linear C10-C16 alkyl sulfate. In some embodiments, the alkyl sulfate comprises a sodium salt of a Cs-C18 alkyl sulfate, preferably a C10-C18 alkyl sulfate, such as a C10-C16 alkyl sulfate. In some embodiments, the alkyl sulfate comprises a sodium salt of a linear C8-C18 alkyl sulfate, preferably a linear C10-C18 alkyl sulfate, such as a linear C10-C16 alkyl sulfate. Preferably, the alkyl sulfate comprises a C12 alkyl sulfate, for example, a metal salt of a C12 alkyl sulfate, such as a sodium salt of a C12 alkyl sulfate. It is preferred that alkyl sulfate comprises sodium, magnesium, ammonium, or ethanolamine salts of alkyl sulfate having 8 to 18 carbon atoms. Illustrative examples of alkyl sulfates include sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate), ammonium lauryl sulfate, soap, and diethanolamine lauryl sulfate (DEA). Suitable examples also include commercially available alkyl sulfates of natural origin with trade names Galaxy 689, Galaxy 780, Galaxy 789, and Galaxy 799 SP, and of synthetic origin with trade names Safol 23, Dobanol 23A or 23S, Lial 123S, Alfol 1412S, Empicol LC3, and Empicol 075SR. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate, is particularly preferred as the alkyl sulfate. 1793100 of 42 Normally, the amount of alkyl sulfate used in the composition is in the range of 0.1% to 60%, with more preference 1% to 30%, with even more preference 3% to 25%, and with maximum preference 5% to 20%, based on the total weight of the composition and including all the ranges included therein. Surfactant system The term “surfactant system,” as used herein, shall be understood to mean the total surfactant content of the composition. The surfactant system is present at a level of 30 to 100%, preferably 35 to 95%, more preferably 35 to 90%, even more preferably 40 to 90%, and most preferably 45 to 80%, on a total weight basis of the composition and including all ranges therein. The surfactant system comprises the alkoxylated glycerol ester represented by formula (I) and the alkyl sulfate. In some embodiments, the surfactant system comprises more than one type of alkoxylated glycerol ester compound, wherein all the alkoxylated glycerol ester compounds of the surfactant system are represented by formula (I). For example, the surfactant system may comprise multiple alkoxylated glycerol ester compounds having a chain length distribution in the groups represented by R7, R8, and R9 in formula (I). In some embodiments, the surfactant system comprises one or more alkoxylated glycerol esters represented by formula (I); and one or more alkyl sulfates. In some embodiments, the surfactant system consists of one or more glycerol esters. 1793100 of 42 alkoxylates represented by formula (I); and one or more alkyl sulfates. It is preferred that the alkoxylated glycerol ester be present in an amount of 20% to 99%, with further preference from 30% to 95%, with even further preference from 40% to 90%, and with maximum preference from 50% to 90%, on the basis of the total weight of the surfactant system and including all the ranges therein. It is preferred that alkyl sulfate be present in an amount of 1 to 40%, more preferably 3 to 35%, still more preferably 5 to 35%, and most preferably 5 to 30%, on the basis of the total weight of the surfactant system and including all the ranges therein. Preferably, the alkoxylated glycerol ester and the alkyl sulfate together constitute at least 50% of the surfactant system, more preferably from 60% to 100%, still more preferably from 65% to 95%, and most preferably from 70% to 90%, on a total weight basis of the surfactant system and including all the ranges therein. It is also preferred that the alkoxylated glycerol ester and the alkyl sulfate together constitute 100% by weight of the surfactant system. The weight ratio of the alkoxylated glycerol ester to the alkyl sulfate is at least 2:1, preferably 2.5:1 to 50:1, more preferably 3:1 to 40:1, even more preferably 5:1 to 40:1, and most preferably 5:1 to 30:1. 1793100 of 42 The surfactant system may also comprise other surfactants besides alkoxylated glycerol ester and alkyl sulfate. A preferred class of anionic surfactant that can be used in the invention includes alkylbenzene sulfonates, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) with an alkyl chain length of 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Commercial LAS is a mixture of closely related alkyl chain isomers and homologs, each containing a sulfonated aromatic ring in the para position and attached to a linear alkyl chain at any position except the terminal carbons. The linear alkyl chain typically has a chain length of 11 to 15 carbon atoms, with the predominant materials having a chain length of approximately C12. Each alkyl chain homolog consists of a mixture of all possible sulfophenyl isomers except the 1-phenyl isomer. LAS is normally formulated in acidic compositions (i.e., HLAS) and then at least partially neutralized in situ.Examples of alkylbenzene sulfonates include linear alkylbenzene sulfonate sodium salt, alkyltoluene sulfonate, alkylxylene sulfonate, alkylphenol sulfonate, alkylnaphthalene sulfonate, ammonium diamyllnaphthalene sulfonate, and sodium dinonylnaphthalene sulfonate, and mixtures with olefin sulfonates. Another anionic surfactant commonly used in compositions are alkyl ether sulfates that have a linear or branched chain alkyl group having 10 to 18, more preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms and containing an average of 1 to 3 EO units per molecule. A preferred example is sodium lauryl ether sulfate 16 1793100 of 42 (SLES) in which the predominantly C12 lauryl alkyl group has been ethoxylated with an average of 20 units per molecule. Alkyl ether sulfates may be present in the composition. Preferably, the composition is substantially free of alkyl ether sulfates. “Substantially free of,” as used herein, means less than 1.5%, preferably less than 1.0%, more preferably less than 0.75%, even more preferably less than 0.5%, and even more preferably less than 0.1%, and most preferably from 0 to 0.01% by weight, on the basis of the total weight of the composition, which includes all the ranges therein. It is preferred that the composition not comprise alkyl ether sulfates. When the composition comprises anionic surfactants in addition to alkyl sulfate, the anionic surfactant is normally present at a level of 0.01 to 10%, more preferably 0.1 to 5% and most preferably 0.5 to 5%, on the basis of the total weight of the composition and including all the ranges therein. The surfactant system may also comprise other non-ionic surfactants in addition to the alkoxylated glycerol ester represented by formula (I). Nonionic surfactants, in addition to alkoxylated ester surfactants, can be included in the surfactant system of the composition. Nonionic surfactants are characterized by the presence of a hydrophobic group and an organic hydrophilic group and are typically produced by the condensation of an organic aliphatic or alkylaromatic hydrophobic compound with ethylene oxide. 1793100 of 42 (of a hydrophilic nature). Typical suitable nonionic surfactants are those described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,316,812 and 3,630,929, incorporated herein by reference. Typically, nonionic surfactants are polyalkoxylated lipophiles in which the desired hydrophilic-lipophilic equilibrium is achieved by the addition of a hydrophilic polyalkoxy group to a lipophilic moiety. A preferred class of nonionic detergents are alkoxylated alkanols in which the alkanol has 9 to 20 carbon atoms and the number of moles of alkylene oxide (2 or 3 carbon atoms) is 3 to 20. Of such materials, those in which the alkanol is a fatty alcohol with 9 to 11 or 12 to 15 carbon atoms and containing 5 to 9 or 5 to 12 alkoxy groups per mole are preferred. Paraffin-based alcohols (e.g., Huntsman or Sasol nonionics) are also preferred. Examples of such compounds are those in which the alkanol has 10 to 15 carbon atoms and contains approximately 5 to 12 ethylene oxide groups per mole, for example, Neodol 25-9 and Neodol 23-6,5, products of which are manufactured by Shell Chemical Company, Inc. The former is a condensation product of a mixture of higher fatty alcohols averaging 12 to 15 carbon atoms, with approximately 9 moles of ethylene oxide, and the latter is a corresponding mixture in which the carbon atom content of the higher fatty alcohol is 12 to 13 and the number of ethylene oxide groups averages approximately 6.5. The higher alcohols are primary alkanols. 1793100 of 42 In the compositions of this invention, the preferred nonionic surfactants include C12-C15 primary fatty alcohols with relatively narrow ethylene oxide contents in the range of approximately 3 to 20 moles, more preferably 3 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Lauryl alcohol condensed with 3, 5, 7, and 9 moles of EO (AEO-3, AEO-5, AEO-7, and AEO-9) is particularly preferred. Another class of nonionic surfactants that can be used according to this invention are glycoside surfactants. Glycoside surfactants suitable for use according to the present invention include those of the following formula: RO- (R2O) y— (Z)x where R is a monovalent organic radical containing from about 6 to about 30 (preferably from about 8 to about 18) carbon atoms; R2 is a divalent hydrocarbon radical containing from about 2 to 4 carbon atoms; O is an oxygen atom; y is a number that can have an average value from 0 to about 12 but is with maximum preference zero; Z is a moiety derived from a reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms; yx is a number that has an average value from 1 to 10 (preferably from about 1 1 / 2 to about 10). A particularly preferred group of glycoside surfactants for use in the practice of this invention includes those of the above formula wherein R is a monovalent organic radical (linear or branched) containing from approximately 6 to approximately 18 (especially from approximately 8 to approximately 18) carbon atoms; and is zero; z is glucose or a 19 residue 1793100 of 42 derived from the same; x is a number that has an average value of 1 to 4 (preferably about 1 1 / 2 to 4). Another preferred class of nonionic surfactant for use in the invention includes fatty acid amides. Preferably, the fatty acid amide contains at least 6 carbon atoms. The suitable fatty acid preferably contains 8 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably 12 to 20 carbon atoms, and most preferably 12 to 18 carbon atoms. In the most preferred embodiment of the invention, amides of essential fatty acids are employed. The amides suitable for use in the present invention may be simple amides (i.e., those containing a -CONH2 group), N-alkylamides, N,N-dialkylamides, monoalkanolamides, and dialkanolamides. The suitable alkyl or alkanol groups contain 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and most preferably 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The preferred amides included in the present invention are mono- and dialcanolamides, particularly of essential fatty acids.Alkanolamides are more commonly available than alkylamides. Preferably, the fatty acid amide is a fatty alkanolamide, more preferably a C8-C20 alkanolamide of a C1-C8 fatty acid. The preferred fatty acid amides are selected from mono- and diethanolamides of linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and coconut oil. More preferably, the fatty acid amide comprises cocamide MEA, cocamide DEA, lauramide DEA, palmisteamide DEA, stearamide MEA, myristamide DEA, oleylamide DEA, sebamide DEA, isostearamide DEA, and cocamide MIPA 20. 1793100 of 42 or a mixture of these. Palm kernel DEA is particularly preferred. Nonionic surfactants that may be used include polyhydroxyamides as described in US Patent No. 5,312,954 to Letton et al. and aldobionamides such as those described in US Patent No. 5,389,279 to Au et al., which are hereby incorporated by reference in this application. Another preferred class of nonionic surfactant is rhamnolipids. Mixtures of two or more of the nonionic surfactants may be used. When the composition comprises nonionic surfactants in addition to the alkoxylated glycerol ester, the nonionic surfactant is typically present at a level of 0 to 10%, most preferably 0 to 5% and most preferably 0 to 3%, on a total weight basis of the composition and including all ranges therein. The surfactant system may also comprise one or more types of cationic surfactant. Many cationic surfactants are known in the art, and almost any cationic surfactant having at least one long-chain alkyl group of approximately 10 to 24 carbon atoms may be present as an auxiliary component of the surfactant system. Such compounds are described in "Cationic Surfactants," Jungermann, 1970, incorporated by reference. Specific cationic surfactants include C8 to C18 alkyldimethylammonium halides and derivatives thereof in which one or two hydroxyethyl groups replace one or two of the methyl groups, and mixtures thereof. They are described in 21 1793100 of 42 details further cationic surfactants that can be used as surfactants in US Patent No. 4,497,718, which is incorporated herein by reference. As with nonionic and anionic surfactants, the compositions of the invention may use cationic surfactants alone or in combination with any of the other surfactants known in the art. The cationic surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0 to 5% on a total weight basis of the composition. It is preferred that the composition not comprise any cationic surfactant. The surfactant system may also comprise one or more types of amphoteric surfactants. Specific amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants include alkylamine oxides, alkylbetaines, alkylamidopropylbetaines, alkylsulfobetaines (sultaines), alkylglycinates, alkylcarboxyglycinates, alkylamphoacetates, alkylamphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkylamidopropylhydroxysultaines, acyltaurates, and acylglutamates, which have alkyl radicals containing approximately 8 to approximately 22 carbon atoms. The term “alkyl” is used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. The amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0 to 5% based on the total weight of the composition. It is preferred that the composition does not include any amphoteric surfactant. Carrier The present invention comprises a surfactant system comprising an alkoxylated glycerol ester represented by formula (I) and an alkyl sulfate. The surfactant system 1793100 of 42 is between 30% by weight to 100% by weight of the total composition. When the surfactant system is less than 100% of the total composition, the remaining weight percent may generally comprise water as a carrier. Preferably, the composition comprises 0% to 70%, preferably 7% to 70%, and most preferably 20% to 70% water. In some embodiments, the composition consists of the surfactant system and water. The composition may be concentrated or diluted. A “diluted” composition refers to a composition comprising more than 50% by weight of water based on the total weight of the composition, for example, more than 60% by weight, more than 70% by weight, or more than 80% by weight. Preferably, the composition is a concentrated composition. A “concentrated” composition refers to a composition comprising up to 50% by weight of water based on the total weight of the composition, for example, up to 40% by weight, up to 30% by weight, or up to 20% by weight. The advantages of reduced gelation of the composition due to the 2:1 ratio of components (a) and (b) are particularly evident in the case of concentrated compositions, which would otherwise be more susceptible to gelation. The composition of the invention may incorporate non-aqueous carriers such as hydrotropes, cosolvents, and phase stabilizers. Such materials are typically low molecular weight organic liquids, soluble in or miscible in water, such as C1 to C5 monohydric alcohols (such as ethanol and n- or i-propanol); C2 to C6 diols (such as monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol); C3 to C9 triols (such as glycerol); polyethylene glycols that 23 1793100 of 42 have a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from approximately 200 to 600; C1 to C3 alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamines; and alkylaryl sulfonates having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group (such as xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene and sodium and potassium isopropylbenzene (cumene) sulfonates). Mixtures of any of the materials described above can also be used. Non-aqueous carriers, when included, may be present in amounts ranging from 0.1 to 20%, preferably 2 to 15%, and most preferably 10 to 14%, based on the total weight of the composition and encompassing all ranges therein. The level of hydrotrope used is related to the surfactant level, and it is desirable to use the hydrotrope level to manage viscosity in such compositions. The preferred hydrotropes are monopropylene glycol and glycerol. Other ingredients The composition may also contain one or more chelating agents for transition metal ions. These chelating agents may also have calcium and magnesium chelating capacity, but they preferentially bind to heavy metal ions such as iron, manganese, and copper. Such chelating agents can help improve the stability of the composition and protect, for example, against transition metal-catalyzed decomposition of certain ingredients. Suitable transition metal ion chelating agents include phosphonates, in acid and / or salt form. 1793100 of 42 When used in salt form, alkali metal salts (e.g., sodium and potassium) or alkanolammonium salts are preferred. Specific examples of such materials include aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), 1-hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid (HEDP), and diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP), and their respective sodium or potassium salts. HEDP is preferred. Mixtures of any of the materials described above may also be used. Transition metal ion chelating agents, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from approximately 0.1 to approximately 10%, preferably from approximately 0.1 to approximately 3%, on the basis of the total weight of the composition and including all ranges therein. The composition may also include an effective amount of one or more enzymes selected from the group comprising pectate lyase, protease, amylase, cellulase, lipase, mannanase, and mixtures thereof. The enzymes are preferably present with the corresponding enzyme stabilizers. The composition may contain additional optional ingredients to enhance performance and / or consumer acceptability. Examples of such ingredients include foam control agents, preservatives (e.g., bactericides), fluorescent agents, and pearlescent agents. Each of these ingredients will be present in an amount effective for its purpose. Generally, these optional ingredients are included individually in an amount of up to 5% based on the total weight of the composition. 1793100 of 42 Packaging and dosing The composition can be formulated in any suitable physical form, including powders, granules, tablets, liquids, etc. Preferably, the composition is provided in liquid form. More preferably, the composition is a highly concentrated liquid composition for laundry or dishwashing. A composition of the invention can be packaged as unit doses in a water-soluble polymeric film. The unit-dose composition of the invention is contained within a pouch formed by a water-soluble film. Such compositions of water-soluble films, the optional ingredients to use in them, and the methods for making them are well known in the art, whether they are used to form relatively thin water-soluble films (e.g., as bag materials) or otherwise. In one class of embodiments, the water-soluble film includes a water-soluble material. Such preferred materials include polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), including homopolymers thereof (e.g., comprising substantially only monomeric units of vinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate) and its copolymers (e.g., comprising one or more monomeric units in addition to the vinyl alcohol and vinyl acetate units). PVOH is a synthetic resin generally prepared by the alcoholy reaction, usually referred to as hydrolysis or saponification, of polyvinyl acetate. Fully hydrolyzed PVOH, where virtually all the 1793100 of the 42 acetate groups have been converted into alcohol groups. It is a highly crystalline, strongly hydrogen-bonded polymer that dissolves only in hot water, above approximately 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius). If a sufficient amount of acetate groups is allowed to remain after the hydrolysis of polyvinyl acetate, the PVOH polymer is known as partially hydrolyzed. It has weaker hydrogen bonds, is less crystalline, and is soluble in cold water below 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). An intermediate cold- or hot-water-soluble film may include, for example, intermediate partially hydrolyzed PVOH (e.g., with degrees of hydrolysis from approximately 94 percent to approximately 98 percent), and is readily soluble only in warm water, dissolving rapidly at temperatures of approximately 40 degrees Celsius and above.Both the fully and partially hydrolyzed PVOH types are commonly known as PVOH homopolymers, although the partially hydrolyzed type is technically a copolymer of vinyl acetate and vinyl acetate. The degree of hydrolysis (DH) of the PVOH polymers and PVOH copolymers included in the water-soluble films described herein may range from approximately 75 percent to approximately 99 percent (e.g., approximately 79 percent to approximately 92 percent, approximately 86.5 percent to approximately 89 percent, or approximately 88 percent, as for cold water-soluble compositions; approximately 90 percent to approximately 99 percent, approximately 92 percent to approximately 99 percent, or approximately 95 percent to approximately 99 percent). As the 27 With a degree of hydrolysis of 42 (1793100), a film made from resin will have reduced mechanical strength but faster solubility at temperatures below approximately 20 degrees Celsius. As the degree of hydrolysis increases, a film made from polymer will tend to be mechanically stronger, and thermoformability will tend to decrease. The degree of hydrolysis of PVOH can be selected so that the water solubility of the polymer depends on the temperature, and therefore the solubility of a film made from the polymer, any compatibilizer polymers, and additional ingredients is also affected. In one option, the film is soluble in cold water.A cold-water soluble film, soluble in water at temperatures below 10 degrees Celsius, may include PVOH with a degree of hydrolysis ranging from approximately 75 percent to approximately 90 percent, or from approximately 80 percent to approximately 90 percent, or from approximately 85 percent to approximately 90 percent. Alternatively, the film may be hot-water soluble. A hot-water soluble film, soluble in water at a temperature of at least approximately 60 degrees Celsius, may include PVOH with a degree of hydrolysis of at least approximately 98 percent. Other water-soluble polymers for use in addition to PVOH polymers and PVOH copolymers in the mixture may include, but are not limited to, modified polyvinyl alcohols, polyacrylates, water-soluble acrylate copolymers, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethyleneimine, pullulan, water-soluble natural polymers including, but not limited to, guar gum, gum arabic, xanthan gum, carrageenan, and starch, and water-soluble polymer derivatives including, but not limited to, 28 1793100 of 42 limitation, modified starches, ethoxylated starch and hydroxypropylated starch, copolymers of the foregoing and combinations of any of the foregoing. Other water-soluble polymers may include polyalkylene oxides, polyacrylamides, polyacrylic acids and salts thereof, celluloses, cellulose ethers, cellulose esters, cellulose amides, polyvinyl acetates, polycarboxylic acids and salts thereof, polyamino acids, polyamides, gelatins, methylcelluloses, carboxymethylcelluloses and salts thereof, dextrins, ethylcelluloses, hydroxyethylcelluloses, hydroxypropylmethylcelluloses, maltodextrins, and polymethacrylates. Such water-soluble polymers, whether PVOH or otherwise, are commercially available from a variety of sources. Any of the above water-soluble polymers is generally suitable for use as film-forming polymers.In general, the water-soluble film may include copolymers and / or mixtures of the above resins. Water-soluble polymers (e.g., PVOH resin alone or in combination with other water-soluble polymers) may be included in the film in amounts ranging from approximately 30 or 50 percent by weight to approximately 90 or 95 percent by weight. The weight ratio of the amount of all water-soluble polymers to the combined amount of all plasticizers, compatibilizers, and secondary additives may range from approximately 0.5 to approximately 18, approximately 0.5 to approximately 15, approximately 0.5 to approximately 9, approximately 0.5 to approximately 5, approximately 1 to 3, or approximately 1 to 2. 1793100 of 42 specific quantities of plasticizers and other non-polymeric components can be selected in a particular embodiment on the basis of an intended application of the water-soluble film to adjust the film's flexibility and impart processing benefits in view of the desired mechanical properties of the film. Water-soluble polymers for use in the film described herein (including, but not limited to, PVOH polymers and PVOH copolymers) can be characterized by a viscosity in the range of, for example, approximately 3.0 to approximately 27.0 cP, approximately 4.0 to approximately 24.0 cP, approximately 4.0 to approximately 23.0 cP, approximately 4.0 to approximately 15 cP, or approximately 6.0 to approximately 10.0 cP. The viscosity of a polymer is determined by measuring a freshly prepared solution using a Brookfield LV-type viscometer with a UL adapter as described in the Brookfield British Standard EN ISO 150232:2006 Annex E test method. It is international practice to state the viscosity of 4 percent aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solutions at 20 degrees Celsius.The polymer viscosities specified herein in cP are to be understood as the viscosity of an aqueous solution of water-soluble polymer at 4 percent at 20 degrees Celsius, unless otherwise specified. It is well known in the art that the viscosity of a water-soluble polymer (PVOH or otherwise) is correlated with the weighted average molecular weight (W) of the polymer, and viscosity is often used as a proxy for Mw. Therefore, the molecular weight The weighted average of 1793100 of the 42 water-soluble polymers, which include the first PVOH copolymer and the second PVOH polymer, may be, for example, in a range of approximately 30,000 to approximately 175,000, or approximately 30,000 to approximately 100,000, or approximately 55,000 to approximately 80,000. The water-soluble film may contain other auxiliary agents and processing agents, such as, but not limited to, plasticizers, plasticizer compatibilizers, surfactants, lubricants, release agents, fillers, extenders, crosslinking agents, antiblocking agents, antioxidants, anti-adherents, antifoaming agents, nanoparticles such as layered silicate-type nanoclays (e.g., sodium montmorillonite), bleaching agents (e.g., sodium metabisulfite, sodium bisulfite, or others), aversive agents such as bittering agents (e.g., denatonium salts such as denatonium benzoate, denatonium saccharide, and denatonium chloride; sucrose octaacetate; quinine; flavonoids such as quercetin and naringin;and quassinoids such as quassin and brucine) and pungent agents (for example, capsaicin, piperine, allyl isothiocyanate and resinferatoxin), and other functional ingredients, in amounts suitable for their intended purpose. Embodiments including plasticizers are preferred. The amount of such agents may be up to approximately 50% by weight, 20% by weight, 15% by weight, 10% by weight, 5% by weight, 4% by weight and / or at least 0.01% by weight, 0.1% by weight, 1% by weight, or 5% by weight, individually or collectively. The plasticizer may include, but is not limited to, glycerin, diglycerin, sorbitol, ethylene glycol, 1793100 of 42 diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycols up to 400 MW, neopentyl glycol, trimethylolpropane, polyether polyols, sorbitol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, ethanolamines and a mixture thereof. A preferred plasticizer is glycerin, sorbitol, triethylene glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, trimethylolpropane or a combination thereof. The total amount of plasticizer may range from approximately 10 percent by weight to approximately 40 percent by weight, or approximately 15 percent by weight to approximately 35 percent by weight, or approximately 20 percent by weight to approximately 30 percent by weight, for example, approximately 25 percent by weight, based on the total film weight. Combinations of glycerin, dipropylene glycol, and sorbitol may be used.Optionally, glycerin can be used in an amount, for example, from approximately 5 percent by weight to approximately 30 percent by weight, or from 5 percent by weight to approximately 20 percent by weight, approximately 13 percent by weight. Optionally, dipropylene glycol can be used in an amount of approximately 1% to approximately 20% by weight, or approximately 3% to approximately 10% by weight, for example, 6% by weight. Optionally, sorbitol can be used in an amount of approximately 1% to approximately 20% by weight, or approximately 2% to approximately 10% by weight, for example, approximately 5% by weight. The specific amounts of plasticizers can be selected in a particular embodiment based on the flexibility of 1793100 of 42 The desired film and the processability characteristics of the water-soluble film. At low plasticizer levels, films may become brittle, difficult to process, or prone to breakage. At high plasticizer levels, films may be too soft, weak, or difficult to process for a desired use. In a preferred embodiment, the composition comprises an aversive taste such as denatonium benzoate and / or a pungent agent such as capsaicin. Alternatively, a composition of the invention may be supplied in multi-dose plastic containers with a top or bottom closure. A dosage measure may be supplied with the container, either as part of the lid or as an integrated system. The following examples are provided to facilitate understanding of the present invention. The examples are not provided to limit the scope of the claims. Examples Examples 1-5 and Comparative Examples AF demonstrate the effect of the weight ratio of alkoxylated glycerol ester to alkyl sulfate. Detergent compositions having various ratios of SOE-N-60 (alkoxylated glycerol ester) to sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS; alkyl sulfate) were prepared, and their physical aspects were observed and recorded during preparation as shown in Table 1. 1793100 of 42 Examples 1-5 included SOE-N-60 and SLS in a weight ratio of at least 2:1. Comparative examples AF included SOE-N-60 and SLS in a weight ratio of less than 2:1. Table 1. Example and comparative detergent compositions (components in % by weight) Example SOE-N-60 SLS Water Total Surfactants Appearance 1 22 8 70 30 Acceptable 2 29.2 10.8 60 40 Acceptable 3 45 16.5 38.5 61.5 Acceptable 4 80 6 14 86 Acceptable 5 90 3 7 93 Acceptable A 10 27 63 37 Gel B 15 25.5 59.5 40.5 Gel C 20 24 56 44 Gel D 25 22.5 52.5 47.5 Gel E 30 21 49 51 Gel F 35 19.5 45.5 54.5 Gel The physical aspects of the various detergent compositions were qualitatively evaluated. A determination was made as to whether the composition was acceptable. “Acceptable” in this case refers to a composition where all phases are mixed and the composition has not formed a viscous gel, but still has an acceptably low viscosity so that it can be poured. All acceptable compositions have a weight ratio of at least 2:1 (Examples 1–5). When the compositions formed a high-viscosity gel, they could no longer be poured, and this was considered unacceptable. 1793100 of 42 acceptable and the compositions are indicated as Gel in Table 1. The results show that the composition tends to gel when mixing SOE-N-60 and SLS where the weight ratio of the two components is less than 2:1 (Comparative Examples AF). COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES GJ Additional comparative compositions were prepared containing SOE-N-60 as an alkoxylated glycerol ester, along with sodium ethyl ether sulfate ethoxylated (SLES 2EO; also known as sodium laureth-2 sulfate). The physical aspects of the compositions were observed and recorded during their preparation, as shown in Table 2. Table 2. Comparative detergent compositions (components in % by weight) Example SOE-N-60 SLES 2EO Water Total Surfactants Appearance G 29.2 10.8 60 40 Gel H 45 16.5 38.5 61.5 Gel J 80 6 14 86 Gel Comparative examples G, H, and J can be directly compared to Examples 2, 3, and 4, respectively. It is readily apparent that Examples G and J formed a gel, while Examples 2, 3, and 4 formed acceptable compositions. Although the Example and the respective comparative Example in each case contained the same quantities of ester of 1793100 of 42 alkoxylated glycerol and secondary surfactant, the inventive examples containing SLS resulted in an acceptable physical appearance while the comparative examples containing SLES 2EO resulted in gelation.

Claims

1. A detergent composition characterized in that it comprises from 30% to 100% by weight of a surfactant system comprising: a) an alkoxylated glycerol ester represented by formula (I); (FORMULA I) wherein each of R1 to R6 is independently a hydrogen or a methyl group; each of R7 to R9 is independently a hydrogen or an acyl group wherein R10, R11, and R12 is independently a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 1 to 30 carbon atoms; m, n, p, x, y, yz are each independently a number from 0 to 30; the sum of m, n, p, x, y, z being in the range of 1 to 90; and b) an alkyl sulfate; where the weight ratio of the alkoxylated glycerol ester to the alkyl sulfate is from 2.5:1 to 50:

1. Eleven claims follow.