Substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions

Abstract

A substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition comprising a carbohydrate surfactant; an amino acid surfactant; a polyglycerol ester, a polyhydroxy ether, or a combination of a polyglycerol ester and a polyhydroxy ether; and, optionally, a diol wherein the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition comprises less than about 12% by weight of water.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention application with patent application number 202080077542.2, application date November 2, 2020, and invention name “Substantially water-free concentrated surfactant composition”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 929,738, filed on November 1, 2019, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 002,031, filed on March 30, 2020, under 35 U.S.C. §119(e), the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to surfactant compositions, and more particularly, to substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions capable of producing stable foam. Also disclosed is a method of producing stable foam. Background Art

[0005] Lather is an important property of cleansing compositions, particularly for personal care compositions such as shampoos, body gels, soaps, dentifrices and shaving creams. Aesthetically, lather is an important property because consumers equate rich, long-lasting lather with a high-quality product that works well. Functionally, lather is an important property because lather first acts as a vehicle to deliver cleansing surfactants to the skin or hair and then acts as a vehicle to help remove emulsified soil and sebum from the cleansed skin or hair.

[0006] However, in order to achieve these aesthetic and functional goals, the foam must exist in a wet or spherical form. If the foam produced is not stable, the foam changes from a wet form to a dry or hexagonal form relatively quickly, i.e., in less than two minutes. Dry foam bubbles collapse quickly, and therefore, for dermatologically preferred compositions, they do not provide the aesthetic and functional foam properties that are typically required for consumer acceptance of the composition.

[0007] Foam is created by dispersing air or gas in a liquid containing a surfactant. The mechanism of dispersing a gas in a liquid containing a surfactant is similar to the dispersion of two immiscible liquids during the formation of an emulsion. Therefore, the gas bubbles dispersed in the liquid are stabilized in the same way as an emulsion, namely by the formation of a surfactant layer at the gas-liquid interface. The surfactant layer keeps the bubbles separated and prevents "coalescence", where small bubbles merge to form larger bubbles. In general, a denser and more compact surfactant layer will form smaller bubbles and retard the coalescence mechanism.

[0008] As is known, bubbles rise to the top of the liquid due to the very large density difference between the dispersed gas and the liquid. The rich concentration of bubbles on top of the liquid appears as "foam". Initially, all the bubbles in the foam are spherical, there is enough space between each individual spherical bubble for the surfactant-containing liquid to exist, and the foam behaves like an emulsion. This type of foam is called "wet foam".

[0009] Over time, the liquid present in the voids between the individual bubbles is drained due to gravity. Depending on the nature and chemical structure of the surfactant in the liquid, a lamellar liquid crystal layer is formed and arranged at the gas-liquid interface. If the lamellar layer has a low viscosity, the liquid containing the surfactant between the individual bubbles can be drained relatively easily, and the spherical shape of the foam bubbles can be changed to hexagonal shape relatively quickly. The hexagonal bubbles break quickly. Due to foam aging, the transformation of the foam from spherical to hexagonal can be observed with the naked eye. Hexagonal foam is called "dry foam". Dry foam is unstable and will cause the foam volume to decrease rapidly due to rapid bubble breaking.

[0010] However, if the lamellar surfactant layer has a relatively high viscosity, the transition from spherical foam to hexagonal form can be delayed. The speed at which the foam transitions from spherical to hexagonal determines how the foam is used in practical applications and also determines how the foam is perceived aesthetically. For example, for shampoos and shower gels, foams with a foam transition of about two minutes or less, i.e., a metastable foam structure, are desired. Foam stability is controlled by many factors related to the physicochemical properties of the surfactant solution, such as surface tension, membrane surface tension (lamellar foam), surface viscosity, and elasticity. More stable foams may result in insufficient wetting and distribution of surfactants on the skin or hair because some parts of the foam are converted to a hexagonal state when the shampoo or shower gel is applied to the skin or hair, allowing the surfactant to be expelled from between the bubbles to contact and wet the hair or skin. Then, by constantly rubbing the shampoo or shower gel on the skin or hair, new foam bubbles are generated, which act as carriers to remove dirt and sebum from the skin or hair, and additional water rinses it away. Aesthetically, spherical foam is desired. Functionally, the transition to the hexagonal shape and the regeneration of the spherical foam provide a cleaning action. Other foam applications, such as shaving foam, require foams with greater stability because the applied foam is not regenerated by continuous friction technology and because a relatively long time is required to complete the entire shaving operation. In addition, controlled and sufficient wetting of the hair and skin is necessary for a smooth shaving operation. Sufficient wetting occurs when the surfactant is foamed only if the liquid containing the surfactant can drain from the foam layer to contact the skin, and drainage occurs more easily when the foam bubbles are spherical.

[0011] The structural differences between wet spherical foam and dry hexagonal foam are shown in Figures 3 and 4 of US5,911,811. Figure 3 of US5,911,811 clearly shows the lamellar liquid crystal surfactant structure of each bubble of the wet foam and the large amount of surfactant-containing liquid between each bubble. The relatively thick surfactant structure shown in Figure 3 also delays the coalescence of adjacent bubbles into a single larger bubble. In contrast, Figure 4 of US5,911,811 shows a lack of stable surfactant structure around the hexagonal bubbles and a relative lack of surfactant-containing liquid between the bubbles.

[0012] It is well known that the most commonly used sulfated anionic surfactants provide a large amount of stable foam and have an excellent ability to emulsify dirt and grease, that is, they serve as effective cleansers for skin and hair. Sulfated anionic surfactants include anionic sulfates and anionic sulfonates. Due to these properties, sulfated anionic surfactants have become the main surfactants used in shampoos and other skin and hair cleansing products. However, sulfated anionic surfactants have disadvantages. For example, sulfated anionic surfactants remove the natural oils on the hair that condition the hair, which may damage the hair and make the hair feel dry after washing. Sulfated anionic surfactants are also irritating to the skin and eyes, so sulfated anionic surfactants are generally not suitable for baby shampoos and pet products.

[0013] Amphoteric and nonionic surfactants are relatively mild to the skin and eyes and do not strip the natural oils from the hair. However, compared to sulfated anionic surfactants, amphoteric and nonionic surfactants generally produce poor foam. Therefore, shampoos and similar cleansers based primarily on amphoteric and nonionic surfactants have not yet gained good consumer acceptance. However, amphoteric and nonionic surfactants have been used in combination with sulfated anionic surfactants in an attempt to provide a shampoo that utilizes the foaming properties of sulfated anionic surfactants while adjusting the unfavorable properties of sulfated anionic surfactants with nonionic or amphoteric surfactants. However, ethoxylated nonionic surfactants exhibit poor biodegradability and, similar to sulfated anionic surfactants, may also remove the natural oils from the hair that condition the hair, thereby potentially damaging the hair and leaving the hair feeling dry after just washing. In addition, dioxane is produced during their production, so these surfactants are unwelcome. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] The present disclosure provides substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions that are capable of producing stable foams that remain in wet or spherical form, preferably at least as long as comparable conventional sulfated anionic surfactant products and / or comparable conventional ethoxylated surfactant products. Beneficially, the disclosed substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions are more environmentally friendly (especially when compared to conventional sulfated and / or ethoxylated surfactant compositions), all being natural products not derived from petroleum products. For example, the disclosed substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions are preferably free of sulfated anionic surfactants (including but not limited to lauryl ether sulfates, lauryl sulfates and sulfonates), free of phthalates, free of betaines, free of benzene, free of silicones, free of preservatives (including but not limited to parabens (parabens), phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde donors, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone and urea), free of amines (including but not limited to nitrosamines, diethanolamine, monoethanolamine), free of formaldehyde, free of dioxanes (including but not limited to 1,4-dioxane) and / or free of ethylene oxide (e.g., the components are free of ethoxylates and free of ethylene glycol). In addition, the disclosed surfactant compositions are advantageously generally free of adverse skin contact reactions and are therefore suitable for a variety of uses, including but not limited to applications where a milder surfactant composition may be desired, such as baby shampoos and pet products.

[0015] In addition, the disclosed substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the present disclosure can be combined to produce surprising amounts of foam, i.e., when compared to their individual constituent components, the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the present disclosure can advantageously exhibit a synergistic foaming effect. In addition, in some aspects, the disclosed substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the present disclosure can exhibit a shear thickening effect, which can advantageously stabilize wet foam for a longer period of time, for example, when water is added to produce foam, which may be particularly desirable for certain applications (e.g., when shampooing or using a shower gel). This rheological fluid is a rare non-Newtonian fluid whose viscosity increases over time; they thicken or solidify when shaken or stirred. The longer the rheological fluid is subjected to shear forces, the higher its viscosity, because the microstructure of the rheological fluid is formed under continuous shear (possibly due to shear-induced crystallization).

[0016] A significant advantage of the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions described herein is that they are compatible with environmentally friendly packaging, including but not limited to packaging or pouches containing biodegradable materials, such as biodegradable water-soluble packaging films, paper materials or combinations thereof. Suitable biodegradable water-soluble packaging films may include polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), alginate, chitosan, starch, polylactic acid (PLA) and poly (lactic acid-co-glycolic acid) (PGLA), or other materials that dissolve quickly in water for disposable applications. Wax paper bags that can be composted are also suitable for disposable applications. Therefore, the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions disclosed herein can reduce the use of expensive packaging that is also harmful to the environment. Typically, 1 gram to 5 grams of substantially anhydrous, concentrated surfactant compositions can be packaged in water-soluble films or wax paper bags for disposable applications. Of course, substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions can also be used in multi-purpose dispensers, including those dispensers that often appear in bathrooms, showers, etc., while the packaging required for the same number of uses is reduced relative to conventional less concentrated compositions.

[0017] As used herein, the term "free of" means that the component is not intentionally added to the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition according to the present disclosure, but may be present as a by-product or contaminant, such that the surfactant composition according to the present disclosure may contain up to about 0.1 weight percent of the specific component based on the weight of the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition.

[0018] As used herein, the terms "substantially anhydrous" and "substantially free of water" mean that the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions according to the present disclosure contain relatively insignificant amounts of water (at least when compared to conventional surfactant compositions). For example, the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions according to the present disclosure may contain less than about 12 weight percent ("wt %), less than about 10 wt %, less than about 7.5 wt %, and / or less than about 5 wt % water, based on the total weight of the composition.

[0019] As used herein, the term "about" refers to + / -10% of any recited value, or in alternative embodiments, + / -5% of any recited value. As used herein, the term modifies any recited value, range of values, or endpoints of one or more ranges.

[0020] In one embodiment, the present disclosure provides a substantially anhydrous surfactant composition comprising a saccharide surfactant and an amino acid surfactant, and optionally a diol, wherein the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition comprises less than about 12% by weight of water. In one refinement, the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition may further comprise a polyglycerol ester (also referred to as "polyglycerol ester" according to INCI nomenclature). In another refinement, the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition may further comprise a polyhydroxy ether. In yet another refinement, the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition may further comprise a polyglycerol ester and a polyhydroxy ether.

[0021] In another embodiment, the present disclosure provides a method of producing a stable wet foam, the method comprising adding a surfactant blend according to the present disclosure to an aqueous composition to provide an aqueous mixture, and forming bubbles from the aqueous mixture of step to produce a stable wet foam.

[0022] When a weight percentage is described herein, it is described relative to 100% of the active ingredient. Thus, the weight percentages described herein may also be described as the "active ingredient percentage" of a given component based on the total weight of the composition.

[0023] The saccharide surfactant can be selected from C8-C16 alkyl glucoside, C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside or a combination of C8-C16 alkyl glucoside and C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside. The saccharide surfactant comprising at least one of C8-C16 alkyl glucoside and / or C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside can be a nonionic saccharide (i.e., glucose) surfactant, but can also be a salt of a saccharide surfactant. A combination of a nonionic saccharide surfactant and a salt of a saccharide surfactant can also be used as a saccharide surfactant. Based on the gross weight of the composition, the saccharide surfactant can be present in an amount of about 5 weight percent (wt%) to about 50 weight %, about 7.5 weight percent (wt%) to about 50 weight %, about 10 weight percent (wt%) to about 50 weight %, about 10 weight percent (wt%) to about 40 weight %, about 15 weight % to about 30 weight %, and / or 17.5 weight % to about 25 weight %, for example, about 20 weight %. The carbohydrate surfactant can be prepared / derived from the 6-carbon monosaccharide glucose and C8-C16 alcohol. Suitable C8-C16 alkyl glucosides include, but are not limited to, decyl glucoside, heptyl glucoside, octyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside (or dodecyl glucoside), coconut glucoside (which is a mixture of C8-C16 alkyl glucosides) and combinations thereof. Suitable C8-C16 alkyl polyglucosides include, but are not limited to, coconut glucoside disodium citrate, coconut glucoside sodium tartrate, coconut glucoside sodium succinate and combinations thereof. Combinations of one or more C8-C16 alkyl glucosides and one or more C8-C16 alkyl polyglucosides can also be used. C8-C16 alkyl polyglucosides, particularly coconut glucoside disodium citrate, are preferred carbohydrate surfactants for use in the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the present disclosure.

[0024] Amino acid surfactants are anionic surfactants derived from amino acids and C8-C16 fatty acids. Typically, amino acid surfactants are derived from amino acids, such as sarcosine, glutamine, glycine, alanine or glycine. C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates, C8-C16 acyl glutamates, C8-C16 acyl alanine salts and / or C8-C16 acyl glycinates are suitable amino acid surfactants. Based on the gross weight of the composition, the amino acid surfactants in the substantially anhydrous surfactant disclosed herein may be present in an amount of about 10 weight percent (wt%) to about 40 weight %, about 10 weight % to about 30 weight %, about 15 weight % to about 30 weight % and / or 17.5 weight % to about 25 weight %, such as about 20 weight %.

[0025] Suitable C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates include, but are not limited to, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate (which is a mixture of sodium C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates), sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate, ammonium cocoyl sarcosinate, isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, potassium cocoyl sarcosinate, potassium lauroyl sarcosinate, and combinations thereof; Suitable C8-C16 acyl glutamates include, but are not limited to, sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl glutamate (which is a mixture of sodium C8-C16 acyl glutamate), sodium myristoyl glutamate, ammonium lauroyl glutamate, ammonium cocoyl glutamate, isopropyl lauroyl glutamate, potassium cocoyl glutamate, potassium lauroyl glutamate, and combinations thereof; Suitable C8-C16 acyl alaninates include, but are not limited to, sodium lauroyl alaninate, sodium cocoyl alaninate (which is a mixture of sodium C8-C16 acyl alaninates), sodium myristoyl alaninate, ammonium lauroyl alaninate, ammonium cocoyl alaninate, isopropyl lauroyl alaninate, potassium cocoyl alaninate, potassium lauroyl alaninate, and combinations thereof; suitable C8-C16 acyl glycinates include, but are not limited to, sodium lauroyl glycinate, sodium cocoyl glycinate (which is a mixture of sodium C8-C16 acyl glycinates), sodium myristoyl glycinate, ammonium lauroyl glycinate, ammonium cocoyl glycinate, isopropyl lauroyl glycinate, potassium cocoyl glycinate, potassium lauroyl glycinate, and combinations thereof. For example, a combination of one or more C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates and one or more C8-C16 acyl glycinates may be used. Similarly, for example, a combination of one or more C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates and one or more C8-C16 acyl alaninates may be used. A combination of one or more C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates, one or more C8-C16 acyl glutamates, one or more C8-C16 acyl alaninates, and one or more C8-C16 acyl glycinates may also be used. C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates, particularly sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, are preferred amino acid surfactants for use in the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the present disclosure.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, C8-C16 acyl sarcosinate is preferred because its solubility in glycols and / or polyhydroxy ethers minimizes the amount of water. In a further preferred embodiment, the disclosed substantially anhydrous surfactant composition does not contain sodium cocoyl isethionate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl glycinate and / or potassium cocoyl glycinate. When included, polyglycerol ester is an important component because it can provide foaming synergy and shear thickening properties for the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition disclosed herein, particularly relative to the combination of other components of the composition. The polyglycerol ester component is also advantageously dissolved in the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition disclosed herein, thereby minimizing the amount of water and / or glycol carrier solvent in the composition. The amount of polyglycerol ester in the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition according to the present disclosure can be from about 15 weight percent (wt%) to about 45 weight %, from about 20 weight % to about 40 weight % and / or from 25 weight % to about 35 weight %, for example, about 30 weight %. Suitable polyglycerol esters include, but are not limited to, polyglyceryl-2-caprate, polyglyceryl-2 caprylate, polyglyceryl-3-caprate, polyglyceryl-3 caprylate, polyglyceryl-2-laurate, polyglyceryl-3-laurate, polyglyceryl-3 cocoate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-4 caprylate, polyglyceryl-4 laurate, polyglyceryl-4 cocoate and above-mentioned combinations. On the one hand, polyglycerol ester is the main surfactant in the composition, i.e., polyglycerol ester exists (based on the amount of active substances present in the composition) in an amount greater than any other surfactant in the composition. Polyglyceryl-2-caprate is a preferred polyglycerol ester for a substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to the present disclosure.

[0027] When included, polyhydroxy ether is also an important component because it can provide foaming synergy for the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition disclosed herein, particularly relative to the combination of other components of the composition. The polyhydroxy ether component is also advantageously dissolved in the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition disclosed herein, thereby minimizing the amount of water and / or glycol carrier solvent in the composition. The amount of polyhydroxy ether in the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition according to the present disclosure can be from about 10 weight percentages (wt%) to about 45 wt%, from about 15 wt% to about 40 wt% and / or from 20 wt% to about 35 wt%, such as about 25 wt%. Suitable polyhydroxy ethers include but are not limited to glycerol ethers, alkyl glycerols and the aforementioned combination. Typically, the alkyl groups of glycerol ethers and alkyl glycerols include five or less carbon atoms. On the one hand, polyhydroxy ethers are the main surfactants in the composition, i.e., polyhydroxy ethers are present in an amount greater than any other surfactant in the composition (based on the amount of active substances present in the composition). Diglycerol, also known as diglycerol and more formally known as (3-(2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)propane-1,2-diol), is a preferred polyhydroxy ether for use in the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the present disclosure.

[0028] Because the amino acid surfactant of the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to the present disclosure is usually powder, carrier is usually needed to help dissolving composition.Therefore, the amount of glycol generally included in the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition according to the present disclosure is about 10 weight percentages (wt%) to less than 40 weight %, about 15 weight % to about 35 weight %, 20 weight % to about 35 weight %, and / or 20 weight % to about 30 weight %, such as about 25 weight % or about 30 weight %.Suitable glycol includes but is not limited to propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propane diol and combination thereof.Glycol content should be avoided to exceed 40 weight %.In addition, substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to the present disclosure can include less than 5 weight % or more preferably can not contain other glycols, such as butylene glycol, pentanediol, hexylene glycol, and glycerine.

[0029] The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition need not include preservatives and / or biocides. Thus, the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition may be free of preservatives and biocides.

[0030] Optionally, C8-C14 acyl lactylate can be included in the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to the present disclosure. C8-C14 acyl lactylate is an anionic surfactant, which is generally used as a foam booster and viscosity enhancer in the surfactant composition according to the present disclosure. C8-C14 acyl lactylate can be present in the surfactant composition according to the present disclosure in an amount of about 0 weight percent (wt%) to about 10 wt%, about 0 wt% to about 7.5 wt% and / or 1 wt% to about 4 wt%. C8-C14 acyl lactylate can be prepared by reacting C8-C14 fatty acid with lactic acid. Suitable C8-C14 acyl lactylate includes, but is not limited to, sodium caproyl lactylate, sodium lauroyl lactylate, sodium myristoyl lactylate and combinations thereof. Of course, other salts can also be used, including but not limited to ammonium salts and potassium salts.

[0031] The surfactant composition according to the present disclosure can be used in many different personal care compositions. In particular, the surfactant composition according to the present disclosure can be incorporated into shaving foams, dentifrices, shampoos, shower gels, soaps (liquid and bar soaps; facial cleansers; hand soaps; shower gels) and hair care foams such as mousses and dyes.

[0032] In embodiments, the disclosed substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions are free of betaine and / or sulfonated surfactants. For example, the disclosed substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions may be free of disodium lauryl sulfosuccinate, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, and / or lauramidopropyl betaine.

[0033] In embodiments, the disclosed substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions are free of preservatives, such as methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, sodium dehydroacetate, and / or dehydroacetic acid.

[0034] In embodiments, the disclosed substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions are free of colorants such as red #40, blue #1, or even natural colorants such as beetroot, beta-carotene, purple potato, and / or black carrot.

[0035] As used herein, any reference to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The phrase "in one embodiment" appearing in various places in the specification does not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment.

[0036] In addition, the use of "a" or "an" is used to describe elements and components of the embodiments described herein. This is merely for convenience and to give a general description. This description and the appended claims should be understood to include one or at least one, and unless otherwise clearly indicated, the singular also includes the plural.

[0037] Although the preceding text sets forth a detailed description of many different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description should be construed as merely exemplary and does not describe every possible embodiment, as describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Many alternative embodiments may be implemented using current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0038] Example 1

[0039] The surfactant composition according to the present invention was prepared by combining the following components in the amounts shown in Table 1.

[0040]

[0041] The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition was found to have excellent lathering properties and to not cause skin irritation upon application.

[0042] The viscosity of 5 batches of the above-mentioned surfactant composition was measured, demonstrating the shear thickening behavior of the surfactant composition as the viscosity increases over time. The following data shows the difference between the viscosity measurements at 3 minutes and 1 minute at different spindle speeds (using spindle #3), thereby confirming this advantageous feature of the surfactant composition according to the present disclosure. Therefore, the surfactant composition exhibits rheological behavior, wherein the viscosity increases over time at the same shear rate. During the use of the surfactant composition, once water is added, whether it is added to a shampoo, hand soap or shower gel containing the surfactant composition according to the present embodiment, this effect is perceptible.

[0043] Δv=v3 minutes - v1 minute

[0044] Spindle #3

[0045] RPM Average Δv cps(22C) Standard deviation cps Relative standard deviation (RSD) 1 110 22 20％ 2 118 33 28％ 5 172 39 23％ 10 52 16 32％ 20 29 7 26％

[0046] The temperature of the mixture comprising the surfactant composition according to Example 1 and added water was monitored. In the next experiment, the temperature increased by 4°C as the surfactant composition was added to the water.

[0047] 100 g of water at 25°C + 30-50 g of the surfactant composition of Example 1 at 25°C; the final temperature after mixing for 1 minute is 29°C.

[0048] 100 g of water at 20°C + 30-50 g of the surfactant composition of Example 1 at 20°C; the temperature after mixing for 1 minute is 24°C.

[0049] The temperature increase displayed is easily perceived by the consumer, so they can actually feel the change as they use the composition, creating an experience in which the consumer can perceive that the product is performing its intended cleaning purpose.

[0050] Example 2

[0051] Additional surfactant compositions according to the present disclosure were prepared by combining the following components in the amounts shown in Table 2.

[0052]

[0053] The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition was found to have excellent lathering properties and to not cause skin irritation upon application.

[0054] The viscosity of 5 batches of the above-mentioned surfactant composition was measured, demonstrating the shear thickening behavior of the surfactant composition as the viscosity increases over time. The following data shows the difference between the viscosity measurements at 3 minutes and 1 minute at different spindle speeds (using spindle #5), thereby confirming this advantageous feature of the surfactant composition according to the present disclosure. Therefore, the surfactant composition exhibits rheological behavior, wherein the viscosity increases over time at the same shear rate. During the use of the surfactant composition, once water is added, whether it is added to a shampoo, hand soap or shower gel containing the surfactant composition according to the present embodiment, this effect is perceptible.

[0055] Δv=v3 minutes - v1 minute

[0056] Spindle #5

[0057] RPM Average Δv cps(22C) Standard deviation cps Relative standard deviation 20 146 9 6％ 50 156 11 7％ 100 940 114 12％

[0058] The temperature of the mixture comprising the surfactant composition according to Example 1 and added water was monitored. In the next experiment, the temperature increased by 4°C as the surfactant composition was added to the water.

[0059] 100 g of water at 25°C + 30-50 g of the surfactant composition of Example 2 at 25°C; the temperature after mixing for 1 minute is 29°C.

[0060] 100 g of water at 20°C + 30-50 g of the surfactant composition of Example 2 at 20°C; the temperature after mixing for 1 minute is 24°C.

[0061] The temperature increase displayed is easily perceived by the consumer, so they can actually feel the change as the composition is applied, creating an experience in which the consumer can perceive that the product is performing its intended cleaning purpose.

Claims

1. An anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition comprising: Sugar surfactants; Amino acid surfactants; Polyglycerol esters; and, Polyhydroxy ethers, The anhydrous surfactant composition is a rheological fluid containing less than 12% by weight of water.

2. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate surfactant comprises C8-C16 alkyl glucoside, C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside or a combination of C8-C16 alkyl glucoside and C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside.

3. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition of claim 1, wherein the carbohydrate surfactant comprises decyl glucoside, heptyl glucoside, octyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, coco-glucoside, coco-glucoside disodium citrate, coco-glucoside sodium tartrate, coco-glucoside sodium succinate, or a combination thereof.

4. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the saccharide surfactant is present in an amount of 5 weight percent (wt%) to 50 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition.

5. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant is derived from an amino acid.

6. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the amino acid surfactant comprises C8-C16 acyl sarcosinate / ester, C8-C16 acyl glutamate / ester, C8-C16 acyl alanine salt / ester, C8-C16 acyl glycinate / ester or a combination thereof.

7. The water-free concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the amino acid surfactant comprises sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl sarcosinate, sodium myristoyl sarcosinate, ammonium lauroyl sarcosinate, ammonium cocoyl sarcosinate, isopropyl lauroyl sarcosinate, potassium cocoyl sarcosinate, potassium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium lauroyl glutamate, sodium cocoyl glutamate, sodium myristoyl glutamate, ammonium lauroyl glutamate, ammonium cocoyl glutamate, lauroyl glutamate Isopropyl ester, potassium cocoyl glutamate, potassium lauroyl glutamate, sodium lauroyl alanine, sodium cocoyl alanine, sodium myristoyl alanine, ammonium lauroyl alanine, ammonium cocoyl alanine, isopropyl lauroyl alanine, potassium cocoyl alanine, potassium lauroyl alanine and combinations thereof; sodium lauroyl glycinate, sodium cocoyl glycinate, sodium myristoyl glycinate, ammonium lauroyl glycinate, ammonium cocoyl glycinate, isopropyl lauroyl glycinate, potassium cocoyl glycinate, potassium lauroyl glycinate and combinations thereof.

8. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the amino acid surfactant is present in an amount of 10 weight percent (wt%) to 40 wt%, based on the total weight of the composition.

9. The water-free concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the polyglycerol ester comprises polyglyceryl-2-caprate, polyglyceryl-2-caprylate, polyglyceryl-3-caprate, polyglyceryl-3 caprylate, polyglyceryl-2-laurate, polyglyceryl-3-laurate, polyglyceryl-3 cocoate, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, polyglyceryl-4 caprylate, polyglyceryl-4 laurate, polyglyceryl-4 cocoate, or a combination thereof.

10. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition comprises less than 10 wt.%, less than 7.5 wt.% and / or less than 5 wt.% water, based on the total weight of the composition.

11. A personal care composition comprising the anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

12. The personal care composition according to claim 11, wherein the personal care composition is selected from the group consisting of shaving foam, dentifrice, shampoo, shower gel, soap and hair foam.

13. An anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition comprising: Sugar surfactants; Amino acid surfactants; and, Polyglycerol esters, polyhydroxy ethers or a combination of polyglycerol esters and polyhydroxy ethers, The anhydrous surfactant composition is a rheological fluid containing less than 12% by weight of water.

14. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition of claim 13, wherein the anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition is free of glycol.

15. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition of claim 13, wherein the glycol comprises propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propane glycol, or a combination thereof.

16. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 13 to 15, comprising a combination of the polyglycerol ester and the polyhydroxy ether.

17. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the polyglycerol ester is polyglycerol-2-decanoate.

18. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the polyhydroxy ether is diglycerol.

19. The anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the amino acid surfactant comprises sodium lauroyl sarcosinate.

20. The water-free concentrated surfactant composition of any one of claims 13-15, wherein the carbohydrate surfactant comprises decyl glucoside, heptyl glucoside, octyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, coco-glucoside, disodium coco-glucoside citrate, sodium coco-glucoside tartrate, sodium coco-glucoside succinate, or a combination thereof.

Images