Method for producing a surfactant-containing liquid

Abstract

A process for the production of a surfactant-containing liquid detergent with a pH of 7 to 8 and a surfactant content of 5 to 40% by weight, comprising: a) at least one fatty alcohol ether sulfate; b) at least one amine oxide and / or a betaine, wherein the weight ratio of fatty alcohol ether sulfate to amine oxide / betaine is 3:2 to 10:1, comprising the successive steps of: i) providing a solvent system with a pH outside the range of 7 to 8; ii) introducing the fatty alcohol ether sulfate into the solvent system with a pH outside the range of 7 to 8 and subsequent mixing; iii) introducing further active substances and subsequent mixing; iv) adjusting the pH of the resulting mixture to a pH of 7 to 8.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a process for producing a surfactant-containing liquid, in particular to a stepwise process for producing a surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent.

[0002] The production of liquid cleaning agents typically involves a sequential process in which the cleaning agent's ingredients are mixed together in a time-based sequence. The active ingredients of the cleaning agent are added step by step to an initially prepared solvent system. To achieve a homogeneous end product, the intermediate products and the final product are mixed with energy input. The final product is characterized not only by the most homogeneous active ingredient distribution possible, but also by a viscosity suitable for dosing by the consumer, which is usually higher than the viscosity of the original solvent system.

[0003] Compared to less viscous mixtures, the homogenization of viscous mixtures is naturally associated with increased energy input and high mechanical stress on friable components such as encapsulated active ingredients. In the case of viscous surfactant-containing mixtures, insufficient energy input also poses the risk of gel formation due to incompletely dissolved surfactant components. These difficulties can be overcome in some cases by repeatedly adding solvents to the mixture batch; however, this complicates the manufacturing process and is only suitable to a limited extent for the production of concentrated end products with high active ingredient content. Alternatively, the energy input can be increased. However, this requires appropriately designed equipment and can also lead to undesirable gas ingress into the surfactant-containing mixture.

[0004] The German patent application DE 10 2005 031 193 A1 describes aqueous hand dishwashing detergents and processes for their production.

[0005] Liquid hand dishwashing detergents are described in European patent application EP 0 199 195 A2 and German patent application DE 198 17 833 A1.

[0006] A process for producing a liquid hand dishwashing detergent is disclosed in German patent application DE 30 11 016 A1.

[0007] The patent US 5,500,151 A relates to a liquid textile detergent.

[0008] The objective of the application was to provide a process for producing surfactant-containing liquids, in particular surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agents, that was improved over the prior art and suitable for ensuring homogeneous product quality with reduced solvent use and energy input. Furthermore, the process should involve as few dosing steps as possible. The addition of thickeners should be avoided.

[0009] This object was achieved by a process for the preparation of a surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent having a pH of 7 to 8 and a surfactant content of 5 to 40 wt.%, containing a) at least one fatty alcohol ether sulfate b) at least one amine oxide and / or a betaine where the weight ratio of fatty alcohol ether sulfate to amine oxide / betaine is 3:2 to 10:1, comprehensively the successive steps i) Providing a solvent system with a pH outside the range of 7 to 8; ii) Introducing the fatty alcohol ether sulfate into the solvent system with a pH outside the range of 7 to 8 and subsequent mixing; iii) Introducing further active ingredients and subsequent mixing; iv) Adjusting the pH of the resulting mixture to a pH of 7 to 8 where in step i) the pH is adjusted to values ​​above 10 by adding an organic salt; in step ii) amine oxide and / or betaine is added before adding the fatty alcohol ether sulfate.

[0010] The process can be carried out continuously or batchwise. In a batchwise process, process steps i) to iv) are preferably carried out in a stirred tank, whereas in a continuous process, the preparation of the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent preferably takes place in a pipeline.

[0011] The cleaning agents produced using the process preferably had a viscosity (20°C, Brookfield Laboratory LVDVII+, spindle 31, 6 rpm, small sample adapter) of 200 to 15,000 mPas, preferably 500 to 12,000 mPas. Such a viscosity has proven particularly advantageous for dosing the agent by the consumer.

[0012] The liquid cleaning agents contain surfactant as their first essential ingredient in a weight proportion of 5 to 40 wt.%. The surfactant content of the cleaning agents produced by the process according to the invention thus includes both the low-concentration commercially available cleaning agents with a surfactant content between 5 and 15 wt.% and the less common concentrates with a surfactant content between 25 and 40 wt.%.

[0013] The group of surfactants includes anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants. The compositions according to the invention can comprise one or more of the aforementioned surfactants. The compositions prepared according to the invention contain, as surfactant, at least one anionic surfactant and one nonionic and / or one amphoteric surfactant.

[0014] The anionic surfactant is preferably selected from the group comprising C 9 -C 13 alkylbenzenesulfonates, olefinsulfonates, C 12 -C 18 alkanesulfonates, estersulfonates, alk(en)yl sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates and mixtures thereof.

[0015] Part of the invention is the use of fatty alcohol ether sulfates. Preferred surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agents contain, based on their total weight, 2 to 30 wt.%, preferably 3 to 26 wt.%, and in particular 4 to 22 wt.% fatty alcohol ether sulfate.

[0016] Examples of fatty alcohol ether sulfates are the sulfuric acid monoesters of straight-chain or branched C 7 -C 21 alcohols ethoxylated with 1 to 6 mol of ethylene oxide, such as 2-methyl-branched C 9-11 alcohols with an average of 3.5 mol of ethylene oxide (EO) or C 12-18 fatty alcohols with 1 to 4 EO. Alkyl ether sulfates with the formula (A-1) R 1 < -O-(AO) n -SO 3 -< X + < (A-1) are preferred.

[0017] In this formula (A-1), R 1< represents a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl radical, preferably a linear, unsubstituted alkyl radical, particularly preferably a fatty alcohol radical. Preferred radicals R 1< of formula (A-1) are selected from decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl, pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, eicosyl radicals, and mixtures thereof, with preference given to those having an even number of carbon atoms. Particularly preferred radicals R 1< of formula (A-1) are derived from fatty alcohols having 12 to 18 carbon atoms, for example from coconut fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, or stearyl alcohol, or from oxo alcohols having 10 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0018] AO in formula (A-1) represents an ethylene oxide (EO) or propylene oxide (PO) group, preferably an ethylene oxide group. The index n in formula (A-1) is an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 20 and in particular from 2 to 10. n is very particularly preferably 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8. X is a monovalent cation or the nth part of an n-valent cation, preferred are the alkali metal ions and among them Na +< or K +< , with Na +< being extremely preferred. Further cations X+ can be selected from NH 4 +< , ½ Zn 2+< , ½ Mg 2+< , ½ Ca 2+< , ½ Mn 2+< , and mixtures thereof.

[0019] Very particularly preferred cleaning agents contain an alkyl ether sulfate selected from the group of compounds having the formula (A-2) where k = 11 to 19; n = 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8; and where X +< represents a monovalent cation or ½ a divalent cation, in particular Na +<. Preferred representatives are Na fatty alcohol ether sulfates having 12 to 18 C atoms and 2 EO (k = 11 to 13, n = 2 in formula A-1). The stated degree of ethoxylation represents a statistical mean, which can be a whole or fractional number for a specific product. The stated degrees of alkoxylation represent statistical mean, which can be a whole or fractional number for a specific product. Preferred alkoxylates / ethoxylates have a narrow homolog distribution (narrow range ethoxylates, NRE). Due to its availability and particularly advantageous technical properties, sodium lauryl ether sulfate is used as the fatty alcohol ether sulfate.

[0020] In addition to the fatty alcohol ether sulfates, the cleaning agents produced according to the invention also contain at least one non-ionic surfactant from the group of amine oxides and / or at least one amphoteric surfactant from the group of betaines.

[0021] For the processability of the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agents and their subsequent cleaning effect, it has proven advantageous if the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent contains, based on its total weight, 0.5 to 13 wt.%, preferably 1 to 8 wt.% and in particular 3 to 6.5 wt.% amine oxide.

[0022] In preferred process variants, the amine oxide is selected from the group of compounds having the formula R 1< R 2< R 3< NO, where each R 1< , R 2< and R 3< is, independently of the others, an optionally substituted, for example hydroxy-substituted, C 1 -C 30 hydrocarbon chain, preferably a C 1 -C 20 hydrocarbon chain, more preferably a C 1 -C 18 hydrocarbon chain. Particular preference is given to compounds having the formula R 1< R 2< R 3< NO, where R 1< , R 2< and R 3< are, independently of one another, a substituted or unsubstituted, branched or unbranched hydrocarbon chain having up to 30 C atoms, preferably having up to 18 C atoms.

[0023] Examples of suitable amine oxides are N-cocoalkyl-N,N-dimethylamine oxide and N-tallowalkyl-N,N-dihydroxyethylamine oxide. The at least one amine oxide is preferably selected from C 12-18 amine oxides, particularly preferably from C 12-18 alkyldimethylamine oxides, most preferably C 12 alkyldimethylamine oxide.

[0024] The amine oxide is introduced into the solvent system in step ii) before the fatty alcohol ether sulfate is introduced.

[0025] In terms of processability, processes have proven advantageous in which the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent contains, based on its total weight, 0.1 to 10 wt.%, preferably 0.1 to 6 wt.%, and in particular 0.1 to 2 wt.% betaine. This applies in particular to processes for producing cleaning agents with a high surfactant content of 5 to 40 wt.%, in particular 25 to 40 wt.%.

[0026] In an alternative embodiment of the process, in particular in processes with a low surfactant content of 5 to 40 wt.%, in particular 5 to 15 wt.%, the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent may contain, based on its total weight, less than 1 wt.%, preferably less than 0.1 wt.% and in particular no betaine.

[0027] Like the amine oxide, the betaine is also introduced into the solvent system in step ii) before the fatty alcohol ether sulfate is introduced.

[0028] With regard to the processability of the liquid cleaning agent in the process, it has proven advantageous if the weight ratio of fatty alcohol ether sulfate to amine oxide / betaine is 2:1 to 8:1, preferably 3:1 to 6:1.

[0029] The composition of some particularly preferred liquid surfactant-containing cleaning agents produced by the process according to the invention can be found in the following tables (data in wt.% based on the total weight of the preparation unless otherwise stated). formula 1 Formula 2 Formula 3 Formula 4 Surfactant * 5 to 40 5 to 40 5 to 40 5 to 40 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 2 to 30 3 to 26 4 to 22 4 to 22 Amine oxide and / or betaine 0.5 to 15 1 to 12 1 to 12 1.5 to 8 Water 40 to 92 40 to 88 50 to 88 50 to 88 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Formula 6 Formula 7 Formula 8 Formula 9 Surfactant * 5 to 40 5 to 40 5 to 40 5 to 40 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 2 to 30 3 to 26 4 to 22 4 to 22 Amine oxide 0.5 to 13 1 to 8 1 to 8 3 to 6.5 Water 40 to 92 40 to 88 50 to 88 50 to 88 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Formula 11 Formula 12 Formula 13 Formula 14 Surfactant * 5 to 40 5 to 40 5 to 40 5 to 40 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 2 to 30 3 to 26 4 to 22 4 to 22 Betaine 0.1 to 10 0.1 to 6 0.1 to 6 0.1 to 2 Water 40 to 92 40 to 88 50 to 88 50 to 88 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Formula 16 Formula 17 Formula 18 Formula 19 Surfactant * 5 to 40 5 to 40 5 to 40 5 to 40 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 2 to 30 3 to 26 4 to 22 4 to 22 Amine oxide and / or betaine 0.5 to 15 1 to 12 1 to 12 1.5 to 8 Organic solvent 0.2 to 10 0.4 to 8 0.4 to 8 0.8 to 6 Water 40 to 92 40 to 88 50 to 88 50 to 88 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 * Total surfactant content of the liquid detergent

[0030] In step i) of the process according to the invention, a solvent system having a pH outside the range of 7 to 8 is provided.

[0031] A single solvent or a solvent mixture can be used as the solvent system. The solvent system most preferably contains water, with the solvent system provided in step i) comprising at least 50 wt.%, preferably at least 70 wt.%, and in particular at least 90 wt.% water, based on its total weight.

[0032] With regard to the cleaning agent produced in the process, this means that preferred surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agents contain, based on their total weight, 40 to 92 wt.%, preferably 50 to 90 wt.% and in particular 60 to 88 wt.% water.

[0033] In individual embodiments of the process, an organic solvent or a mixture of organic solvents can be added to the solvent system. It is preferred if the solvent system provided in step i) comprises, based on its total weight, 0.2 to 10 wt. %, preferably 0.4 to 8 wt. %, and in particular 0.8 to 6 wt. % organic solvent, preferably organic solvent from the group consisting of ethanol, propanol, 1,2-propanediol, preferably ethanol.

[0034] To improve the solubility of the surfactants in the solvent system, a solubilizer can be added to it. It is preferred if the solvent system provided in step i) comprises, based on its total weight, 0.1 to 4 wt.%, preferably 0.2 to 3 wt.%, and in particular 0.3 to 2 wt.% of a solubilizer, preferably a solubilizer from the group of cumenesulfonates, in particular a solubilizer from the group of sodium cumenesulfonate and / or potassium cumenesulfonate.

[0035] With regard to the technical objectives described above, it has proven particularly advantageous if the solvent system in step i) contains water, ethanol, and cumenesulfonate. Against this background, it is preferred that the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent produced in the process contains water, ethanol, and cumenesulfonate, the weight fraction of which, based on the total weight of the cleaning agent, is 45 to 94 wt.%, preferably 50 to 92 wt.%, and in particular 55 to 90 wt.%.

[0036] The pH can be adjusted to a value outside the range of 7 to 8 in step i) in different ways. For example, it is possible to first provide a solvent system in step i) and then adjust the pH of the solvent system to a value outside the range of 7 to 8. Alternatively, it is possible to first provide a first solvent system in step i), then adjust the pH of the solvent system to a value outside the range of 7 to 8, and then add further solvent to the solvent system.

[0037] As already stated, the process is suitable for the production of liquid cleaning agents with varying surfactant contents. In a preferred variant for the production of cleaning agents with a low total surfactant content, the liquid cleaning agent contains a combination of fatty alcohol sulfate and amine oxide. A corresponding production process for a surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent with a pH of 7 to 8 and a surfactant content of 5 to 15 wt.%, containing a) at least one fatty alcohol ether sulfate b) at least one amine oxide wherein the weight ratio of fatty alcohol ether sulfate to amine oxide is 3:2 to 10:1, comprises the successive steps i) Providing a solvent system having a pH outside the range of 7 to 8; ii) Introducing the fatty alcohol ether sulfate into the solvent system having a pH outside the range of 7 to 8 and subsequent mixing; iii) Introducing further active ingredients and subsequent mixing; iv) Adjusting the pH of the resulting mixture to a pH of 7 to 8. where in step i) the pH is adjusted to values ​​above 10 by adding an organic salt; in step ii) amine oxide is introduced before adding the fatty alcohol ether sulfate.

[0038] Although in principle applicable in all previously described process variants, in this last-mentioned variant for the production of cleaning agents with a surfactant content of 5 to 15 wt.% it is particularly preferred to adjust the pH of the solvent system in step i) by adding amine oxide to values ​​above pH 8, preferably to values ​​above pH 9.

[0039] In a particularly preferred process variant, in particular in processes for producing liquid cleaning agents with a surfactant content of 5 to 15 wt. %, an inorganic salt, preferably an inorganic alkali salt, very particularly preferably an inorganic sodium salt, is introduced into the process intermediate in step iii). An exemplary salt is sodium chloride. The weight fraction of the inorganic salt, in particular NaCl, in the total weight of the liquid surfactant-containing cleaning agent is preferably 0.2 to 6 wt. %, more preferably 0.4 to 5 wt. %, and in particular 0.6 to 4 wt. %. By adding the inorganic salt, the viscosity of the surfactant-containing cleaning agent is adjusted, for example, with regard to the conditions during production and filling or with regard to the preferred dosing behavior of the consumer.

[0040] The composition of some particularly preferred liquid surfactant-containing cleaning agents produced by the process according to the invention can be found in the following tables (data in wt.% based on the total weight of the preparation unless otherwise stated). Formula 1a Formula 2a Formula 3a Formula 4a Surfactant * 5 to 15 5 to 12 5 to 12 5 to 10 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 3 to 12 3 to 10 3 to 10 4 to 8 Amine oxide 1 to 6 1 to 6 1 to 5 1 to 5 Water 40 to 92 40 to 92 50 to 90 60 to 88 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Formula 5a Formula 6a Formula 7a Formula 8a Surfactant * 5 to 15 5 to 12 5 to 12 5 to 10 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 3 to 12 3 to 10 3 to 10 4 to 8 Amine oxide 1 to 6 1 to 6 1 to 5 1 to 5 Organic solvent 0.2 to 10 0.4 to 8 0.4 to 8 0.8 to 6 Water 40 to 90 40 to 90 50 to 88 60 to 88 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Formula 11a Formula 12a Formula 13a Formula 14a Surfactant * 5 to 15 5 to 12 5 to 12 5 to 10 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 3 to 12 3 to 10 3 to 10 4 to 8 Amine oxide 1 to 6 1 to 6 1 to 5 1 to 5 Inorganic salt, especially NaCl 0.2 to 6 0.4 to 5 0.4 to 5 0.6 to 4 Water 40 to 92 40 to 92 50 to 90 60 to 88 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Formula 16a Formula 17a Formula 18a Formula 19a Surfactant * 5 to 15 5 to 12 5 to 12 5 to 10 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 3 to 12 3 to 10 3 to 10 4 to 8 Amine oxide 1 to 6 1 to 6 1 to 5 1 to 5 Inorganic salt, especially NaCl 0.2 to 6 0.4 to 5 0.4 to 5 0.6 to 4 Organic solvent 0.2 to 10 0.4 to 8 0.4 to 8 0.8 to 6 Water 40 to 90 40 to 90 50 to 88 60 to 88 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 * Total surfactant content of the liquid detergent

[0041] In the process for producing cleaning agents, the pH in step i) is adjusted to values ​​above 10 by adding an organic salt. Such a process is particularly preferably used for producing cleaning agents with a higher surfactant content. A corresponding production process for a surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent with a pH of 7 to 8 and a surfactant weight fraction of 5 to 40 wt.%, in particular 25 to 40 wt.%, containing a) at least one fatty alcohol ether sulfate b) at least one amine oxide and / or a betaine where the weight ratio of fatty alcohol ether sulfate to amine oxide / betaine is 3:2 to 10:1, comprises the successive steps of i) providing a solvent system and adjusting the pH of the solvent system to a pH above 10 by adding an organic salt; ii) introducing the fatty alcohol ether sulfate into the solvent system having a pH outside the range of 7 to 8 and subsequent mixing; iii) introducing further active ingredients and subsequent mixing; iv) adjusting the pH of the resulting mixture to a pH of 7 to 8. wherein in step ii) amine oxide and / or betaine is introduced prior to introducing the fatty alcohol ether sulfate.

[0042] The composition of some particularly preferred liquid surfactant-containing cleaning agents produced by the process according to the invention can be found in the following tables (data in wt.% based on the total weight of the preparation unless otherwise stated). Formula 1b Formula 2b Formula 3b Formula 4b Surfactant * 25 to 40 27 to 38 27 to 38 29 to 36 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 15 to 30 17 to 28 17 to 28 19 to 26 Amine oxide 0.5 to 13 1 to 8 1 to 8 3 to 6.5 Water 40 to 82 40 to 80 50 to 80 50 to 75 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 Formula 6b Formula 7b Formula 8b Formula 9b Surfactant * 25 to 40 27 to 38 27 to 38 29 to 36 Fatty alcohol ether sulfate 15 to 30 17 to 28 17 to 28 19 to 26 Amine oxide and / or betaine 0.5 to 13 1 to 8 1 to 8 3 to 6.5 Organic solvent 0.2 to 10 0.4 to 8 0.4 to 8 0.8 to 6 Water 40 to 82 40 to 80 50 to 80 50 to 75 rest to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 * Total surfactant content of the liquid detergent

[0043] In addition to the previously described inorganic salt, one or more further active substances can be added to the process intermediate in step iii) of the process. In preferred process variants, an active substance from the group of optionally encapsulated fragrances, dyes, enzymes, inorganic salts, preservatives, additives to improve runoff and drying behavior, UV stabilizers, pearlescent agents, corrosion inhibitors, bittering agents, organic salts, and disinfectants, preferably from the group of optionally encapsulated fragrances, dyes, enzymes, and preservatives, is introduced in step iii).

[0044] In various embodiments, the liquid cleaning agents can contain at least one enzyme, preferably a protease. The enzymes can be encapsulated, for example by spray-drying or extrusion of the enzyme solution together with a preferably natural polymer, or in the form of capsules, for example those in which the enzymes are enclosed as if in a solidified gel, or in those of the core-shell type, in which an enzyme-containing core is coated with a water-, air-, and / or chemical-impermeable protective layer. Additional active ingredients, such as stabilizers, emulsifiers, pigments, bleaching agents, or dyes, can be applied in superimposed layers. Such capsules are applied using methods known per se, for example by shake or roll granulation or in fluid-bed processes.Advantageously, such granules are low in dust, for example by applying polymeric film formers, and are storage-stable due to the coating.

[0045] Furthermore, it is possible to package two or more enzymes together so that a single granulate has multiple enzyme activities.

[0046] To stabilize the agent according to the invention, particularly with a high surfactant content, one or more dicarboxylic acids and / or their salts can be added, in particular a composition of sodium salts of adipic, succinic, glutamic, and glutaric acid, such as is available under the trade name Sokalan®< DSC. They are advantageously used in amounts of 0.1 to 8 wt.%, preferably 0.5 to 7 wt.%, in particular 1.3 to 6 wt.%, and particularly preferably 2 to 4 wt.%, based on the total weight of the cleaning agent.

[0047] In addition, one or more other auxiliary substances and additives, particularly those commonly found in hand dishwashing detergents, in particular UV stabilizers, perfume, pearlescent agents (INCI opacifying agents; for example glycol distearate, e.g. Cutina ®< AGS from Cognis, or mixtures containing this, e.g. Euperlane ®< from Cognis), dyes, corrosion inhibitors, preservatives (e.g. 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (CAS 52-51-7), also known technically as Bronopol, which is commercially available, for example, as Myacide ®< BT or as Boots Bronopol BT from Boots), disinfectants, enzymes, as well as skin-feeling or skin-care additives (e.g.dermatologically active substances such as vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, D-panthenol, sericerin, collagen partial hydrolysate, various vegetable protein partial hydrolysates, protein hydrolysate fatty acid condensates, liposomes, cholesterol, vegetable and animal oils such as lecithin, soybean oil, etc., plant extracts such as aloe vera, azulene, witch hazel extracts, algae extracts, etc., allantoin, AHA complexes, glycerin, urea, quaternized hydroxyethylcellulose), in amounts of usually not more than 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the cleaning agent.

[0048] Due to the comparatively low energy input, the process according to the invention is particularly suitable for incorporating encapsulated active ingredients, such as encapsulated fragrances or enzymes, into the liquid cleaning agent. These optional active ingredients are incorporated in step iii) of the process.

[0049] In process step iv), the pH of the mixture resulting from step iii) is adjusted to a value of 7 to 8. In all those processes in which the pH of the solvent mixture has previously been adjusted to values ​​above 8, the pH is preferably adjusted to a value of 7 to 8 by the addition of organic acids, preferably complexing organic acids. The use of citric acid is particularly preferred.

[0050] By means of the sequence of steps characteristic of the process according to the invention, it is possible to advantageously control the viscosity properties of the intermediates and the finished cleaning agent. The use of additional polymeric thickeners can therefore be omitted. Consequently, the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agents produced by the process are preferably characterized by the fact that they do not contain polymeric thickeners.

Claims

1. A process for the production of a surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent with a pH value of 7 to 8 and a surfactant content of 5 to 40% by weight, containing a) at least one fatty alcohol ether sulfate b) at least one amine oxide and / or one betaine where the weight ratio of fatty alcohol ether sulfate to amine oxide / betaine is from 3:2 to 10:1, comprising the sequential steps of i) providing a solvent system having a pH outside the range of from 7 to 8; ii) introducing the fatty alcohol ether sulfate into the solvent system having a pH outside the range of from 7 to 8 and mixing it subsequently; (iii) introducing further active ingredients and mixing them in; (iv) adjusting the pH of the resulting mixture to a pH of 7 to 8, - in step (i) the pH being adjusted to values above 10 by adding an organic salt; - in step (ii) amine oxide and / or betaine being introduced before the fatty alcohol ether sulfate is introduced.

2. A process according to claim 1, wherein the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent has a viscosity (20°C, Brookfield Labor LVDVII+, spindle 31, 6rpm, small sample adapter) of 200 to 15,000 mPas, preferably of 500 to 12,000 mPas.

3. A process according to any one of the preceding claims, where the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning composition contains from 7 to 38% by weight of surfactant, based on its total weight.

4. A process according to one of the previous claims, wherein the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning agent contains 2 to 30 wt.%, preferably 3 to 26 wt.% and in particular 4 to 22 wt.% of fatty alcohol ether sulphate, based on its total weight.

5. A process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of fatty alcohol ether sulfate to amine oxide / betaine is from 2:1 to 8:1, preferably from 3:1 to 6:

16. A process according to any preceding claim, wherein the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning composition comprises from 40 to 92% by weight, preferably from 50 to 90% by weight and more preferably from 60 to 88% by weight of water, based on its total weight.

7. A process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the solvent system provided in step i) comprises, based on its total weight, at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 70% by weight and more preferably at least 90% by weight of water.

8. A process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning composition comprises water, ethanol and cumene sulfonate, the proportion by weight of which in the total weight of the cleaning composition is 45 to 94% by weight, preferably 50 to 92% by weight and more preferably 55 to 90% by weight.

9. A process according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the surfactant-containing liquid cleaning composition does not contain any polymeric thickening agents.

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