Microparticle composition

Abstract

A free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to compositions useful in preparing detergent formulations and personal care compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to solid compositions comprising an amphoteric surfactant in free flowing particulate form. [Background technology]

[0002] The provision of detergent formulations and personal care compositions in solid form is highly desirable. Solid compositions are generally easier to handle than liquid compositions and have a reduced environmental impact compared to aqueous compositions because they avoid the unnecessary transportation of water.

[0003] However, a difficulty that arises during the preparation of solid compositions is that many of the components are commonly available only as aqueous solutions.

[0004] One ingredient commonly used in detergent formulations and personal care compositions is cocamidopropyl betaine (or CAPB).

[0005] CAPB is a highly effective surfactant and can enhance the performance of other surfactants present in the composition.

[0006] CAPB is commonly available as an aqueous solution, typically containing about 30% by weight of active surfactant. Although solid forms of CAPB are available, the material is highly hygroscopic, meaning that it forms solid cakes upon storage. As a result, the material is not available in a free-flowing form and can therefore be difficult to incorporate into formulations.

[0007] Free-flowing particulate materials are easier to handle and dispense than gels or lumpy solids, which is particularly desirable when forming compressed powder tablets and the like. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present inventors have surprisingly found that the flowability of solid compositions containing amphoteric surfactants can be improved or maintained, especially after prolonged storage, by including small amounts of chelating agents.

[0009] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of one or more chelating agents to improve the flowability of a particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Preferred features of the first and second aspects will now be described.

[0012] A free-flowing particulate composition is, for example, a solid composition in the form of a powder, agglomerates, granules, needles, or a combination thereof.

[0013] References herein to a solid composition, solid formulation, or solid component refer to a composition, formulation, or component that is in a solid state under normal atmospheric conditions (i.e., 1 atmosphere pressure and 298 K).

[0014] The present invention relates to free-flowing particulate compositions comprising one or more amphoteric surfactants.

[0015] By "amphoteric surfactant" we intend to include any surfactant capable of exhibiting both positive and negative charge sites. The amphoteric surfactant(s) may be selected from surfactants known as betaines, sultaines or zwitterionic surfactants, or other amphoteric surfactants, such as those based on fatty nitrogen derivatives or amine oxides.

[0016] Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use herein may be selected from betaines, such as alkylbetaines, alkylamidopropylbetaines, alkylamidopropylhydroxysultaines, alkylamphoacetates, alkylamphodiacetates, alkylamphopropionates, alkylamphodipropionates, alkyliminodipropionates and alkyliminodiacetates.

[0017] Amphoteric surfactants suitable for use herein can include those having an alkyl or alkenyl group of 7 to 22 carbon atoms and can satisfy the following overall structural formula: [ka] R 1 is alkyl or alkenyl of 7 to 22 carbon atoms, and R 2 and R 3 are each independently an alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, or carboxyalkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, m is 2 to 4, n is 0 or 1, X is an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms which may be substituted with hydroxyl, and Y is -CO2 or SO3.

[0018] Suitable amphoteric surfactants for use herein have the formula: [ka] and simple betaines of the formula: [ka] and m is 2 or 3.

[0019] In both equations, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is as defined above. R 1 is particularly known for palm-derived C 12 Alkyl groups and C 14 It may also be a mixture with alkyl groups, so that the group R 1 At least half, preferably at least 60%, of the R 2 and R 3 is preferably methyl.

[0020] In some embodiments, the group R 1 Substantially all of the have 12 carbon atoms.

[0021] In some embodiments, the group R 1 Substantially all of the have 14 carbon atoms.

[0022] In some embodiments, the group R 1 Substantially all of the have 16 carbon atoms.

[0023] In some embodiments, the group R 1 Substantially all of the have 18 carbon atoms.

[0024] The one or more amphoteric surfactants may be of the formula: [ka] (m is 2 or 3) sultaine (or sulfobetaine), or -(CH2)3SO3 - but [ka] and R in these formulas can be replaced by1 , R 2 and R 3 is as defined above.

[0025] The one or more amphoteric surfactants may include amphoacetates and diamphoacetates. Amphoacetates generally have the following formula: [ka] Meet the following.

[0026] Diamphoacetates generally have the following formula: [ka] Fulfilling R is an aliphatic group of 7 to 22 carbon atoms, and M is a cation such as sodium, potassium, ammonium, or substituted ammonium.

[0027] Suitable acetate-based amphoteric surfactants include lauroamphoacetate; alkylamphoacetate; cocoampho(di)acetate; cocoamphoacetate; disodium cocoamphodiacetate; sodium cocoamphoacetate; disodium cocoamphodiacetate; disodium capryloamphodiacetate; disodium lauroamphoacetate; sodium lauroamphoacetate and disodium wheat germamphodiacetate.

[0028] Suitable betaine surfactants include alkylamido betaines; alkyl betaines, C 12 / 14Alkyldimethyl betaine;Cocoamidopropyl betaine;Tallow bis(hydroxyethyl) betaine;Hexadecyl dimethyl betaine;Cocodimethyl betaine;Alkylamidopropyl sulfobetaine;Alkyldimethylamine betaine;Cocoamidopropyl dimethyl betaine;Alkylamidopropyl dimethylamine betaine;Cocamidopropyl betaine;Lauryl betaine;Laurylamidopropyl betaine, Cocoamido betaine, Laurylamido betaine, Alkylamino betaine;Alkylamido betaine;Coco betaine;Lauryl betaine;Dimethicone propyl PG-betaine;Oleyl betaine;N-Alkyldimethyl betaine;Coco biguamide derivatives, C 8 / 10 Amidobetaine; C 10 Amidobetaine C 12 Amidobetaine;Lauryldimethylbetaine;Alkylamidopropylbetaine;Amidobetaine;Alkylbetaine;Cetylbetaine;Oleamidopropylbetaine;Isostearamidopropylbetaine;Lauramidopropylbetaine;2-Alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine;2-Alkyl-N-carboxyethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine;2-Alkyl-N-sodium carboxymethyl-N-carboxymethyloxyethylimidazolinium Betaine;N-Alkylamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium-betaine;N-Alkyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)-ammonium-betaine;Cocodimethylbetaine;Apricotamidopropyl betaine;Isostearamidopropyl betaine;Myristamidopropyl betaine;Palmitamidopropyl betaine;Cocamidopropyl hydroxylsultaine;Undecylenamidopropyl betaine;Cocoamidosulfobetaine;Alkylamidobetaine;C 12 / 18 Alkylamidopropyldimethylamine betaine; lauryldimethylbetaine; ricinoleamidobetaine; tallow aminobetaine.

[0029] Suitable glycinate-based amphoteric surfactants include cocoamphocarboxyglycinate; tallowamphocarboxyglycinate; capryloamphocarboxyglycinate, oleoamphocarboxyglycinate, bis-2-hydroxyethyl tallowglycinate; laurylamphoglycinate; tallowpolyamphoglycinate; cocoamphoglycinate; oleic polyamphoglycinate; NC 10 / 12 Fatty acid amidoethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-glycinate;NC 12 / 18 Fatty acid amidoethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-glycinate; dihydroxyethyl tallow glycinate.

[0030] Suitable amine oxide surfactants for use herein include those of formula R 1 R 2 R 3 N + O - and alkylamine oxides of formula R 1 CO(CH2) n NR 2 R 3 N + O - Acylamine oxide (R 1 , R 2 and R 3 is as defined above, and n is 1 to 6. Preferably, n is 3, and R 2 and R 3 Both of these are methyl, and R 1 is an alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 18, preferably 12 to 16, carbon atoms.

[0031] Preferred acetate-based amphoteric surfactants for use herein include sodium lauroamphoacetate, disodium lauroamphoacetate, and mixtures thereof.

[0032] Preferred betaine surfactants for use herein are the amidobetaines. Preferred amidobetaines include lauryl amidopropyl betaine and cocoamidopropyl betaine. Particularly preferred compounds include cocoamidopropyl betaine.

[0033] Preferred sultaine surfactants for use herein include amidoalkyl hydroxysultaines, such as cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultaine.

[0034] Preferred amine oxide surfactants for use herein include lauramidopropylamine oxide and alkyldimethylamine oxides containing mixed C12-C16 alkyl groups.

[0035] Preferably, the one or more amphoteric surfactants are selected from sultaines, betaines, amphoacetates, glycinate-based amphoteric surfactants, amine oxides, and mixtures thereof.

[0036] Preferably, the one or more amphoteric surfactants are selected from sultaine, betaine, amphoacetate, glycinate-based amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof.

[0037] Preferably, the one or more amphoteric surfactants are selected from sultaine, betaine, amphoacetate, glycinate-based amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof.

[0038] The one or more amphoteric surfactants are preferably selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, amine oxides and mixtures thereof.

[0039] The one or more amphoteric surfactants are preferably selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants and mixtures thereof.

[0040] The one or more amphoteric surfactants are preferably selected from betaine surfactants.

[0041] Most preferably, the one or more amphoteric surfactants include cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB).

[0042] CAPB may be prepared from fatty acids, fatty acid esters and / or oils (glyceryl esters). Suitable raw materials useful for preparing CAPB surfactants include coconut fatty acids; coconut oil; coconut oil methyl ester; virgin coconut oil; refined, bleached and deodorized coconut oil; palm oil; palm kernel oil; hydrogenated palm kernel oil-derived C12-C18 fatty acids (hardened and top fatty acids) and their methyl esters; and "distilled and top" hardened coconut fatty acids and their methyl esters.

[0043] The fatty acid distribution of some preferred feedstocks is as follows: [Table 1]

[0044] The free-flowing particulate compositions of the present invention comprise one or more amphoteric surfactants.

[0045] In some embodiments, the composition may include one amphoteric surfactant.

[0046] In some embodiments, the composition may include a mixture of two or more amphoteric surfactants.

[0047] Those skilled in the art will recognize that commercially available sources of amphoteric surfactants often contain mixtures of surfactant compounds, for example mixtures of homologs and / or isomers.

[0048] Commercial sources of amphoteric surfactants may also contain impurities, by-products, and / or unreacted starting materials.

[0049] The one or more amphoteric surfactants are present in the free-flowing particulate composition in an amount of at least 50% by weight.

[0050] The one or more amphoteric surfactants may be present in the free-flowing particulate composition in an amount of at least 55% by weight, preferably at least 60% by weight, suitably at least 65% by weight, for example at least 70% by weight.

[0051] The one or more amphoteric surfactants may be present in the free-flowing particulate composition in an amount of up to 99% by weight, preferably up to 95% by weight, suitably up to 90% by weight, preferably up to 85% by weight.

[0052] Preferably, the one or more amphoteric surfactants may be present in the free-flowing particulate composition in an amount of from 50 to 97% by weight, preferably from 60 to 90% by weight, more preferably from 70 to 85% by weight.

[0053] The above amounts refer to the total amount of all amphoteric surfactants present in the composition.

[0054] For the avoidance of doubt, the above amounts refer to the total amount of active amphoteric surfactant compound present in the composition, excluding any impurities, unreacted starting materials, and the like.

[0055] The free-flowing particulate compositions of the present invention further comprise one or more chelating agents.

[0056] Any suitable chelating agent may be used.

[0057] Preferred chelating agents for use herein include aminocarboxylic acid chelating agents and aminophosphonic acid chelating agents. The active species provided to the solution by such chelating agents typically exists in the solution as an aminocarboxylic acid anion or an aminophosphonic acid anion. Chelating agents that are polycarboxylic acid-derived acids are also suitable for use herein.

[0058] Suitable aminophosphonic acid-containing chelating agents having amino functional groups include organic aminophosphonic acids such as aminoalkylene poly(alkylene phosphonic) acids. Preferred chelating agents of this type include ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid and preferably diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetri(methylenephosphonic acid), and hexamethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid). Such phosphonic acid chelating agents are commercially available under the trade name Dequest®, usually as their sodium salts. A suitable chelating agent may be aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid).

[0059] Suitable aminocarboxylic acid-containing chelating agents having amino functional groups for use in the present invention include polyaminocarboxylic acids, such as ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid (EDTA), ethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, ethylenediaminediglutaric acid, 2-hydroxypropylenediaminedisuccinic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetrapropionic acid, triethylenetetraaminehexaacetic acid, ethanol-diglycine, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), and methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA). Suitable aminocarboxylic acids for use herein are diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, propylenediaminetetraacetic acid (PDTA), and methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA).

[0060] Further suitable chelating agents for use herein are iminodiacetic acid derivatives, such as 2-hydroxyethyl diacetate or glyceryl iminodiacetate, as described in EP-A-317,542 and EP-A-399,133. The iminodiacetic acid N-2-hydroxypropyl sulfonic acid and aspartic acid N-carboxymethyl N-2-hydroxypropyl-3-sulfonic acid chelating agents described in EP-A-516,102 are also suitable. The β-alanine-N,N'-diacetate, aspartic acid-N,N'-diacetate, aspartic acid-N-monoacetate, and iminodisuccinic acid encapsulating agents described in EP-A-509,382 are also suitable.

[0061] EP-A-476,257 describes suitable amino-based chelating agents. EP-A-510,331 describes suitable chelating agents derived from collagen, keratin, or casein. EP-A-528,859 describes suitable alkyliminodiacetic acid chelating agents. Glycinamide-N,N'-disuccinic acid (GADS), ethylenediamine-N,N'-diglutaric acid (EDDG), and 2-hydroxypropylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic acid (HPDDS) are also suitable.

[0062] Preferably, the one or more chelating agents are 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS), methylglycine diacetate (MGDA), glutamic acid, N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS); ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), aspartic acid diethoxysuccinic acid (AES), aspartic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (ASDA), ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonic acid (EDTMP), or the like. acid), iminodifumaric acid (IDF, iminodifumaric), iminoditataric acid (IDT, iminoditartaric acid), iminodimaleic acid (IDMAL, iminodimaleic acid), iminodimalic acid (IDM, iminodimalic acid), ethylenediaminedifumaric acid (EDDF, ethylenediaminedifumaric acid), ethylenediaminedimalic acid (EDDM, ethylenediaminedimalic acid), ethylenediamineditartaric acid (EDDT, ethylenediamineditartaric acid), ethylenediaminedimaleic acid (EDDMAL, ethylenediaminedimaleic acid), and aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP, aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid);The acid may be selected from diethylenetriamine-penta-methylene phosphonic acid (DETPMP), hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA), aspartic acid diethoxysuccinic acid (AES), aspartic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (ASDA), diethylenetriaminepentamethylene-phosphonic acid (DTPMPA), hydroxyethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEEDTA), glucoheptonic acid, citric acid, poly(acrylic acid co-hypophosphite), tripolyphosphoric acid, polyacrylic acid, and salts thereof, as well as mixtures thereof. Sodium salts of the aforementioned acids are preferred.

[0063] In some embodiments, the one or more chelating agents include tripolyphosphate or a salt thereof, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP).

[0064] In some embodiments, the one or more chelating agents include polyacrylic acid or a salt thereof.

[0065] Preferred chelating agents for use in the present invention are derivatives of polycarboxylic acids. By this, we mean that the chelating agent contains two or more carboxylic acid moieties or salts thereof. Suitable chelating agents for use herein can contain three, four, or five carboxylic acid moieties.

[0066] Preferably, the one or more chelating agents are selected from iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (HEDTA), hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEEDTA), iminodifumaric acid (IDF), iminoditataric acid (IDT), iminodimaleic acid (IDMAL), iminodimalic acid (IDM), ethylenediaminedifumaric acid (EDDF), ethylenediaminedimalic acid (EDDM), ethylenediamineditataric acid (EDDT), ethylenediaminedimaleic acid (EDDMAL) and aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), citric acid, ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), and salts thereof and mixtures thereof, in particular sodium salts thereof.

[0067] Suitably, the one or more chelating agents may be selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, NTA, AES, ASDA, DTPMPA, STPP and HEDTA.

[0068] Suitably, the one or more chelating agents may be selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, NTA, AES, ASDA, DTPMPA and HEDTA.

[0069] Preferably, the one or more chelating agents are selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

[0070] Preferably, the one or more chelating agents are selected from MGDA, GLDA, EDTA, EDDS, STPP, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

[0071] Preferably, the one or more chelating agents are selected from MGDA, GLDA, EDTA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

[0072] Methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) has the structure shown in Figure 1; [ka] Figure 1

[0073] In the compositions of the present invention, MGDA may be present having the structure shown in Figure 1 and / or the same structure in which some of the acidic protons have been replaced, i.e., one, two, or three acid groups have been neutralized or partially neutralized. MGDA may be present as the free acid or as a salt or complex thereof.

[0074] MGDA may exist as either enantiomer or a mixture thereof. Preferably, MGDA is present as a racemic mixture.

[0075] Preferably, the MGDA is provided as the trisodium salt.

[0076] MGDA is commercially available as a solution containing 40% by weight of the trisodium salt and is sold under the trade name Trilon M.

[0077] Glutamic acid N,N-diacetate (GLDA) has the structure shown in Figure 2; [ka] Figure 2 In the compositions of the present invention, GLDA may be present having the structure shown in Figure 2, and / or the same structure in which some acidic protons have been replaced, i.e., one, two, three, or four acid groups have been neutralized or partially neutralized. GLDA may be present as the free acid or as a salt or complex thereof.

[0078] GLDA may exist as either enantiomer or a mixture thereof. Preferably, at least 50%, preferably at least 70%, more preferably at least 90%, and most preferably at least 95% by weight, e.g., about 98% by weight, is present as [S]-GLDA. In some preferred embodiments, the GLDA consists essentially of the S enantiomer.

[0079] GLDA is commercially available as a solution containing 38% by weight of the tetrasodium salt and is sold under the trade name Dissolvine GL-38.

[0080] DTPA has the structure shown in Figure 3; [ka] Figure 3 DTPA may exist in forms having the structure shown in Figure 3 or in forms having the same structure in which some hydrogen atoms have been replaced, i.e., one, two, three, four, or five acid groups have been neutralized or partially neutralized.

[0081] When a salt of DTPA is included, it may be a salt of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonia, or a suitable amine.

[0082] When a monovalent counterion is used, the salt may be a mono-, di-, tri-, tetra-, or penta-salt. In the case of a divalent cation, a mono- or di-salt may be present. Mixed salts may also be present, such as disodium magnesium salts or sodium magnesium salts. Preferably, the counterion for the DTPA residue is selected from one or more of sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, and quaternary ammonium ions.

[0083] Preferably, DTPA, if present, is included as the pentasodium salt.

[0084] EDTA has the structure shown in Figure 4; [ka] Figure 4: EDTA may exist in forms having the structure shown in Figure 4 or in forms having the same structure in which some hydrogen atoms have been replaced, i.e., one, two, three or four acid groups have been neutralized or partially neutralized.

[0085] When a salt of EDTA is included, it may be the salt of an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonia or a suitable amine.

[0086] When a monovalent counterion is used, the salt may be a mono-, di-, tri-, or tetra-salt. In the case of a divalent cation, a mono- or di-salt may be present. Mixed salts may also be present, such as disodium magnesium salts or sodium magnesium salts. Preferably, the counterion to the EDTA residue is selected from one or more of sodium, magnesium, calcium, potassium, lithium, ammonium, and quaternary ammonium ions.

[0087] Preferably, EDTA, if present, is present as the tetrasodium, trisodium or disodium salt.

[0088] DETPMP has the structure shown in Figure 5 ; [ka] Figure 5 This compound may also be referred to as DETPMP or DTPMP. DETPMP may exist as the free acid or its salts or complexes. DTPMPA is commercially available in the hepta-sodium salt form and is sold under the trade name Dequest 2060 series.

[0089] Iminodisuccinic acid (IDS) has the structure shown in Figure 6; [ka] Figure 6 IDS is used herein to refer to the structure shown in Figure 6 and the same structure in which some of the acidic protons have been replaced, i.e., one, two, three, or four acid groups have been neutralized or partially neutralized.

[0090] IDS or its salts may exist as either enantiomers or mixtures thereof. Preferably, IDS exists as a racemic mixture.

[0091] IDS is commercially available as a solution containing 34% by weight of the tetrasodium salt or as a solid containing at least 75% by weight active matter of the free acid, sold under the trade name Baypure CX100.

[0092] Hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA) has the structure shown in Figure 7: [ka] Figure 7 The term HEIDA is used herein to refer to the structure shown in Figure 7 and the same structure in which some of the acidic protons have been replaced, i.e., one or two acid groups have been neutralized or partially neutralized.

[0093] ASDA is a structural isomer of IDS and has the structure shown in FIG. [ka] Figure 8 In the compositions of the present invention, there may be present ASDA having the structure shown in Figure 4, and / or the same structure in which some of the acidic protons have been replaced, i.e., one, two, three or four acid groups have been neutralized or partially neutralized. The ASDA may be present as the free acid or as a salt or complex thereof.

[0094] Ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) has the structure shown in Figure 9: [ka] Figure 9 EDDS has two stereogenic centers and exists in three possible stereoisomers. A particularly preferred configuration is [S,S]-ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, which is readily biodegradable.

[0095] In the compositions of the present invention, EDDS may be present having the structure shown in Figure 9 and / or the same structure in which some hydrogen atoms have been replaced. Thus, EDDS may also contain salts of succinic acid in which one, two, three, or four of the acid groups have been neutralized or partially neutralized. EDDS may be present as the free acid or as a salt or complex thereof.

[0096] One commercially available material is trisodium ethylenediaminedisuccinate. The commercial product (Natrlquest E30® or Enviomet C140®) is supplied as an aqueous solution containing 30% by weight of EDDS (expressed as the free acid) or 37% by weight of the trisodium salt (including the counterion).

[0097] Another commercially available form of EDDS is the tetraacid sold under the trade names Natrlquest E80®, Enviomet C265®, or Enviomet 280®, which is provided as a powder containing 80% by weight solid [S,S]EDDS as the acid and water of crystallization.

[0098] Hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetic acid (also known as HEEDTA or HEDTA) has the structure shown in Figure 10: [ka] Figure 10 In the compositions of the present invention, HEDTA may be present having the structure shown in Figure 10 and / or the same structure in which some of the acidic protons have been replaced, i.e., one, two, or three acid groups have been neutralized or partially neutralized. HEDTA may be present as the free acid or as a salt or complex thereof.

[0099] HEDTA is sold as the trisodium salt under the trade name Dissolvine H40.

[0100] Glucoheptonic acid is sometimes used to describe several isomers, but the glucoheptonic acid used in the present invention suitably has the β-glucoheptonic acid structure shown in Figure 11: [ka] Figure 11 This compound may exist in several stereoisomers, and any of its enantiomers and diastereomers may be used in the present invention. Two common commercial forms are α-glucoheptonic acid and β-glucoheptonic acid. In the compositions of the present invention, glucoheptonic acid is preferably present as β-glucoheptonic acid, which is the compound having the structure shown in Figure 11. Alternatively, glucoheptonic acid may be present as a salt in which the acid group is neutralized, or as a complex in which the acid group is complexed with another species.

[0101] The sodium salt of glucoheptonic acid is commercially available as the sodium salt or the boron complex and is sold under the trade name Crodaquest.

[0102] In some embodiments, the composition comprises poly(acrylic acid-co-hypophosphite) or a salt or complex thereof.

[0103] Poly(acrylic acid co-hypophosphite) has the general structure shown in Figure 12: [ka] Figure 12 Typically, the molecular weight of the poly(acrylic acid-co-hypophosphite) is less than 10,000, preferably less than 5,000, and preferably less than 3,000. Preferably, m is at least 1, and n can be 0, but is preferably at least 1. Preferably, the sum of [m+n] is at most 135, and most preferably at most 40.

[0104] The poly(acrylic acid co-hypophosphite) may be present in the form shown, or as the sodium or potassium salt, or as a complex.

[0105] Suitable polymers are available under the trade name Belsperse.

[0106] In the compositions of the present invention, the poly(acrylic acid-co-hypophosphite) may be present in the form shown in FIG. 12, or it may be present as a salt or complex.

[0107] Poly(acrylic acid-co-hypophosphite) is commercially available and sold under the trade name Belsperse.

[0108] 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) has the structure shown in FIG. [ka] Figure 13 Commercially available HEDP is sold as a viscous yellow liquid containing approximately 60% actives by weight and is highly acidic. HEDP may be present in the compositions of the present invention as the free acid or as a salt or complex thereof. Preferably, HEDP is added as the free acid.

[0109] Aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP) has the structure shown in Figure 14: [ka] Figure 14 ATMP may be present in the compositions of the present invention as the free acid or as a salt or complex thereof. ATMP is commercially available as the free acid or as the sodium salt. ATMP is commercially available under the trade name Dequest 2000 series.

[0110] Ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid (EDTMP) has the structure shown in Figure 15: [ka] Figure 15 EDTMP may be present in the compositions of the present invention as the free acid or as a salt or complex thereof. EDTMP is commercially available as the sodium salt under the trade name Dequest 2040 series.

[0111] Citric acid has the structure shown in Figure 16; [ka] Figure 16 Citric acid may be included as the free acid or as an alkali metal salt or an optionally substituted ammonium salt, for example, citric acid may be present as the sodium salt, potassium salt, or triethanolamine salt.

[0112] The one or more chelating agents are preferably present in the free-flowing particulate composition of the present invention in an amount of at least 0.2% by weight, preferably at least 0.5% by weight, suitably at least 0.75% by weight, for example at least 1% by weight.

[0113] Preferably, the one or more chelating agents are present in the free-flowing particulate composition of the present invention in an amount of at most 20% by weight, preferably at most 15% by weight, suitably at most 12% by weight, for example at most 10% by weight.

[0114] The one or more chelating agents are preferably present in the free-flowing particulate composition of the present invention in an amount of from 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 20% by weight, suitably from 0.5 to 15% by weight, preferably from 1 to 10% by weight.

[0115] The free-flowing particulate compositions of the present invention may contain one or more further components in addition to the one or more amphoteric surfactants and one or more chelating agents.

[0116] In some embodiments, the free-flowing particulate composition further comprises sodium chloride.

[0117] Preferably, sodium chloride is present in the free-flowing particulate composition in an amount of from 0.1 to 40% by weight, preferably from 1 to 30% by weight, suitably from 5 to 25% by weight, preferably from 10 to 20% by weight.

[0118] Preferably, the free-flowing particulate composition contains less than 20wt% water, preferably less than 15wt%, more preferably less than 10wt%, for example less than 5wt% or less than 3wt%.

[0119] Preferably, the free-flowing particulate composition comprises less than 1 wt.%, preferably less than 0.5 wt.%, more preferably less than 0.1 wt.%, for example less than 0.05 wt.% or less than 0.01 wt.% magnesium oxide.

[0120] Preferably, the free-flowing compositions of the present invention comprise 50 to 97% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and 0.1 to 30% by weight of one or more chelating agents.

[0121] Preferably, the free-flowing composition of the present invention comprises 50 to 97% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants; 0.1 to 20% by weight of one or more chelating agents; 0.1 to 40% by weight of sodium chloride and up to 15% by weight of water.

[0122] Suitably, the free flowing composition of the present invention comprises 60 to 85 wt. % of one or more amphoteric surfactants; 0.1 to 10 wt. % of one or more chelating agents; 5 to 25 wt. % of sodium chloride and up to 10 wt. % of water.

[0123] Preferably, the free-flowing compositions of the present invention comprise 50 to 97% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, amine oxides, and mixtures thereof, and 0.1 to 30% by weight of one or more chelating agents.

[0124] Preferably, the free-flowing compositions of the present invention comprise 50 to 97% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, amine oxides, and mixtures thereof, and 0.5 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 15% by weight, of one or more chelating agents.

[0125] Suitably, the free flowing composition of the present invention comprises 60 to 85% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, amine oxides, and mixtures thereof; 0.1 to 10% by weight of one or more chelating agents; 5 to 25% by weight of sodium chloride, and up to 10% by weight of water.

[0126] Preferably, the free flowing compositions of the present invention comprise 50 to 97% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, amine oxides, and mixtures thereof, and 0.1 to 30% by weight of one or more chelating agents selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, EDDS, STPP, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

[0127] Suitably, the free flowing composition of the present invention comprises 60 to 85% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, amine oxides, and mixtures thereof; 0.1 to 10% by weight of one or more chelating agents selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, EDDS, STPP, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; 5 to 25% by weight of sodium chloride, and up to 10% by weight of water.

[0128] Preferably, the free-flowing compositions of the present invention comprise 50 to 97% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, and mixtures thereof, and 0.1 to 30% by weight of one or more chelating agents.

[0129] Suitably, the free flowing composition of the present invention comprises 60 to 85% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants and mixtures thereof; 0.1 to 10% by weight of one or more chelating agents; 5 to 25% by weight of sodium chloride and up to 10% by weight of water.

[0130] Preferably, the free flowing compositions of the present invention comprise 50 to 97% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, and mixtures thereof, and 0.1 to 30% by weight of one or more chelating agents selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

[0131] Suitably, the free flowing composition of the present invention comprises 60 to 85% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, and mixtures thereof; 0.1 to 10% by weight of one or more chelating agents selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; 5 to 25% by weight of sodium chloride, and up to 10% by weight of water.

[0132] Preferably, the free flowing compositions of the present invention comprise 50 to 97% by weight of one or more betaine surfactants; and 0.1 to 30% by weight of one or more chelating agents selected from MGDA, GLDA, EDTA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

[0133] Suitably, the free flowing composition of the present invention comprises 60 to 85% by weight of cocamidopropyl betaine and mixtures thereof, 0.1 to 10% by weight of one or more chelating agents selected from MGDA, GLDA, EDTA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; 5 to 25% by weight of sodium chloride and up to 10% by weight of water.

[0134] Preferably, the free flowing compositions of the present invention comprise 50 to 97% by weight of one or more betaine surfactants and 0.1 to 30% by weight of one or more chelating agents selected from MGDA, GLDA, EDTA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

[0135] Suitably, the free flowing composition of the present invention comprises 60 to 85% by weight of cocamidopropyl betaine and mixtures thereof; 0.1 to 10% by weight of one or more chelating agents selected from MGDA, GLDA, EDTA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof; 5 to 25% by weight of sodium chloride and up to 10% by weight of water.

[0136] In some embodiments, the free-flowing compositions of the present invention may include one or more additional components. Such components are known to those skilled in the art and include, for example, fillers and binders.

[0137] The particles of the free-flowing particulate composition of the present invention preferably have an average particle size of from 10 to 5000 μm, preferably from 50 to 2000 μm, more preferably from 100 to 1500 μm, suitably from 150 to 1000 μm.

[0138] The average particle size is preferably measured by a sieving technique. One suitable method for determining the average particle size is described in Example 4.

[0139] The present inventors have surprisingly found that the flowability of particulate compositions containing amphoteric surfactants can be improved by adding a small amount of one or more chelating agents.In some cases, the compositions containing amphoteric surfactants may be hygroscopic, but when a chelating agent is present, they maintain their free-flowing form during storage, despite their hygroscopicity.

[0140] Preferably, the present invention provides a particulate composition that maintains its free-flowing form upon storage under ambient conditions for at least one month.

[0141] By "ambient conditions" we mean storage at atmospheric pressure and a temperature of 15-25°C.

[0142] Preferably, the particulate composition maintains its free-flowing form when stored under ambient conditions for at least 3 months, preferably at least 6 months, for example at least 12 months.

[0143] Advantageously, the particulate compositions of the present invention have been found to maintain their free-flowing form when stored for more than 12 months under various temperature and humidity conditions, for example, the particulate compositions of the present invention maintain their free-flowing form when stored for more than 12 months at temperatures between 5 and 40°C and humidity levels up to 65%.

[0144] This is particularly advantageous because the microparticle composition can be stored and transported without the need for any special conditions.

[0145] Preferably, the particulate compositions of the present invention do not form agglomerates of material upon storage.

[0146] The flowability of a particulate composition can be measured by assessing the degree of caking. One suitable method is described in Example 2. According to this method, the degree of caking is the amount of powder that appears as agglomerates after applying pressure under a 25 kg weight for 1 hour and is unable to pass through a 2 mm sieve.

[0147] Preferably, the compositions of the present invention have a caking level, as measured by the method of Example 2, of less than 20%, preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, suitably less than 2% or less than 1%.

[0148] The flowability of the microparticle composition can be measured according to the procedure described in Example 3.

[0149] Preferably, the compositions of the present invention have a flowability, as measured by the method of Example 3, of at least 5 g / s, preferably at least 10 g / s, preferably at least 15 g / s, more preferably at least 20 g / s.

[0150] Preferably, the compositions of the present invention maintain a flowability of at least 5 g / s, preferably at least 10 g / s, preferably at least 15 g / s, more preferably at least 20 g / s, after 6 months of storage, as measured by the method of Example 3.

[0151] Preferably, the compositions of the present invention maintain a flowability of at least 5 g / s, preferably at least 10 g / s, as measured by the method of Example 3 after 24 months of storage.

[0152] According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of preparing a free-flowing particulate composition of the first aspect, comprising the steps of: (i) providing an aqueous composition comprising one or more amphoteric surfactants and one or more chelating agents; and (ii) drying the composition obtained in step (i) A method is provided, comprising:

[0153] Preferred features of the third aspect are as defined in relation to the first and second aspects.

[0154] Step (i) comprises providing an aqueous composition comprising one or more amphoteric surfactants and one or more chelating agents. Suitably, the one or more amphoteric surfactants and one or more chelating agents are provided in the composition in relative ratios that result in the desired ratio in the solid, free-flowing particulate composition. Suitable ratios are as defined in relation to the first and second aspects.

[0155] In some embodiments, step (i) may comprise mixing an aqueous solution of one or more amphoteric surfactants with an aqueous solution of one or more chelating agents.

[0156] In some embodiments, step (i) may comprise mixing an aqueous solution of one or more amphoteric surfactants with one or more chelating agents in solid form.

[0157] In some embodiments, step (i) may comprise mixing one or more amphoteric surfactants in solid form with an aqueous solution of one or more chelating agents.

[0158] In some embodiments, step (i) may comprise adding water to one or more amphoteric surfactants in solid form and one or more chelating agents in solid form.

[0159] The aqueous solution used in step (i) is preferably highly concentrated and may be saturated.

[0160] The method may include, between step (i) and step (ii), a step of stirring the composition obtained in step (i) and / or a step of heating the composition obtained in step (i).

[0161] Step (ii) comprises drying the composition obtained in step (i).

[0162] Any suitable drying means may be used in step (ii) and such means will be known to those skilled in the art.

[0163] In a preferred embodiment, step (ii) comprises spray drying the composition obtained in step (i).

[0164] The free-flowing particulate compositions of the present invention are particularly useful in preparing detergent formulations and personal care compositions. Because the compositions are free-flowing, they can be easily dispensed and mixed with other ingredients.

[0165] Including components in free-flowing particulate form can be particularly useful in compositions where rapid dissolution is desired.

[0166] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a detergent formulation comprising a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents.

[0167] Preferred features of the fourth aspect are as defined in relation to the first and second aspects.

[0168] The detergent formulations of the fourth aspect of the present invention are useful in household cleaning, automatic dishwashing, manual dishwashing, laundry, fabric care, kitchen care, carpet cleaning, air fresheners, vehicle care, polishing products, machine cleaning and maintenance, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, oilfield chemical applications, marine applications, personal care and institutional / industrial cleaning.

[0169] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation of the fourth aspect is a personal care composition, preferably a solid personal care composition. For example, the detergent formulation can be a solid shampoo bar, a body wash, a pre-shave formulation, a soap bar, a syndet bar, or a conditioner.

[0170] In some embodiments, the personal care composition may be multifunctional. Solid personal care compositions are advantageous in avoiding unnecessary transportation of large amounts of water and may be packaged in a more environmentally friendly manner.

[0171] Additional components suitable for inclusion in such compositions will be known to those skilled in the art.

[0172] The detergent formulations of the fourth aspect of the invention may be particularly useful in household cleaning applications, especially toilet care. The detergent formulations may be particularly useful for cleaning toilets, especially toilet bowls.

[0173] The detergent formulation of the fourth aspect of the present invention may be in solid form, i.e., may be a solid detergent formulation. The solid detergent formulation may itself be free-flowing, but this is not required. The solid detergent formulation may be in any suitable form, such as a solid bar, tablet, block, puck, stick, or sphere. The solid detergent formulation may be manufactured by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as compression, injection molding, or extrusion.

[0174] The detergent formulation of the fourth aspect of the present invention may be a solid toilet block such as a rim block or a cistern block.

[0175] In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a solid toilet block (such as a rim block or a cistern block) comprising a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents.

[0176] The free-flowing particulate composition may be present in a detergent formulation (e.g., a solid toilet block) in any suitable amount, such as an amount of 10 to 50% by weight, such as 15 to 40% or 17 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation.

[0177] The free-flowing particulate composition may be present in the detergent formulation in an amount to provide from 5 to 90 wt. % amphoteric surfactant, such as from 8 to 40 wt. % or from 13 to 30 wt. %, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation.

[0178] The free-flowing particulate composition may be present in a detergent formulation (e.g., a solid toilet block) in any suitable amount, such as an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight, such as 0.5 to 10% or 1 to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation.

[0179] The free-flowing particulate composition may be present in the detergent formulation in an amount to provide from 0.1 to 25 wt. % amphoteric surfactant, such as from 0.25 to 15 wt. % or from 0.5 to 10 wt. %, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation.

[0180] The detergent formulations (such as solid toilet blocks) of the fourth aspect may further comprise one or more additional components. Suitable such components will be known to those skilled in the art.

[0181] Suitable further components include additional surfactants, preservatives, pH adjusters, fillers, fragrances and hydrotropes.

[0182] The nature of the additional components that may be present in the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) of the fourth aspect of the invention will depend on the intended use of the detergent formulation.

[0183] In one preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a solid detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) comprising a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents.

[0184] Preferably, the detergent formulation contains less than 10%, less than 5%, or less than 1% by weight of alkylbenzene sulfonates (linear and branched). Preferably, the detergent formulation contains less than 10%, less than 5%, or less than 1% by weight of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, and preferably no branched alkylbenzene sulfonates. Preferably, the detergent formulation is substantially free or completely free of alkylbenzene sulfonates. Suitably, the detergent formulation is free of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates and free of branched alkylbenzene sulfonates.

[0185] The detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) may comprise one or more further surfactants, such as one or more amphoteric, anionic and / or nonionic surfactants, which may or may not be free-flowing, preferably one or more anionic surfactants.

[0186] In some preferred embodiments, the solid detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) further comprises a hydrocarbyl sulfate surfactant.

[0187] The hydrocarbyl sulfate may comprise an alkyl sulfate, an alkenyl sulfate, or a combination thereof. The hydrocarbyl sulfate may comprise a fatty alcohol sulfate. Suitably, the hydrocarbyl sulfate is selected from the group consisting of C 10 -C 20 Alkyl sulfate or C 10 -C 20 C5-C alkenyl sulfates 30 Alkyl sulfate or C5-C 30 The hydrocarbyl sulfate may include alkenyl sulfates. 30 Alkyl sulfates, preferably C 10 -C 20 It may contain alkyl sulfate. The alkyl and / or alkenyl groups may be unsubstituted.

[0188] The hydrocarbyl sulfate may include a metal hydrocarbyl sulfate and / or an amine derivative of a hydrocarbyl sulfate. By "metal hydrocarbyl sulfate," we mean a hydrocarbyl sulfate containing a metal cation. Typically, the hydrocarbyl sulfate includes a metal hydrocarbyl sulfate. The metal hydrocarbyl sulfate may include a hydrocarbyl sulfate where the cation is an alkali metal, such as sodium or potassium, or an alkaline earth metal, such as magnesium. Preferably, the metal hydrocarbyl sulfate includes sodium hydrocarbyl sulfate. The amine derivative of the hydrocarbyl sulfate may include ammonium hydrocarbyl sulfate, alkylamine hydrocarbyl sulfate, alkanolamine hydrocarbyl sulfate, or a combination thereof.

[0189] Examples of suitable hydrocarbyl sulfates include C 12 -C 16 Sodium alkyl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® LX series), C 12 -C 18Sodium alkyl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® LZ, CZ series), ammonium lauryl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® AL series), monoethanolamine lauryl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® LQ series), diethanolamine lauryl sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® TL series), monoisopropanolamine lauryl sulfate, diisopropanolamine lauryl sulfate, triisopropanolamine lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, Ammonium myristyl sulfate, monoethanolamine myristyl sulfate, diethanolamine myristyl sulfate, triethanolamine myristyl sulfate, sodium myristyl sulfate, ammonium cetyl sulfate, diethanolamine cetyl sulfate, sodium cetyl sulfate, sodium cetostearyl sulfate, ammonium coco sulfate, sodium tallow sulfate, sodium oleyl sulfate, diethanolamine oleyl sulfate, sodium 2-ethylhexyl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® 0585 series), sodium decyl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® 0758 series), C 10 -C 12 Sodium fatty alcohol sulfates (e.g., EMPICOL® 0335 series), C8-C 10 sodium fatty alcohol sulfate or combinations thereof. Surfactants under the name EMPICOL® are commercially available from Innospec.

[0190] Suitably the hydrocarbyl sulfate is C 12 -C 16 Sodium alkyl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® LX series), C 12 -C 18Sodium alkyl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® LZ, CZ series), magnesium lauryl sulfate, potassium lauryl sulfate, sodium myristyl sulfate, sodium cetyl sulfate, sodium cetostearyl sulfate, sodium tallow sulfate, sodium oleyl sulfate, sodium decyl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® 0758 series), C 10 -C 12 Sodium fatty alcohol sulfates (e.g., EMPICOL® 0335 series), C8-C 10 Preferably, the hydrocarbyl sulfate is C 12 -C 16 Sodium alkyl sulfate (e.g., EMPICOL® LX series), C 12 -C 18 It may include sodium alkyl sulfates (e.g., EMPICOL® LZ, CZ series) or combinations thereof.

[0191] When present, the hydrocarbyl sulfate may be present in the detergent formulation (e.g., solid toilet block) in any suitable amount, such as an amount of 5 to 50% by weight, such as 10 to 40% or even 12 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation.

[0192] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) may be substantially free or completely free of hydrocarbyl sulfates.

[0193] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) may be substantially free or completely free of alkyl benzene sulfonates.

[0194] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) may be substantially free or completely free of hydrocarbyl sulfates and alkyl benzene sulfonates.

[0195] As used herein, the term "substantially free" means that the substance being discussed is present in the formulation, if at all, as an incidental impurity. In other words, the substance does not affect the properties of the formulation. As used herein, the term "completely free" means that the substance being discussed is completely absent from the formulation.

[0196] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) further comprises a taurine surfactant.

[0197] The detergent formulation comprises an alkyl acyltaurine of formula (A): [ka] (A) wherein R 4 is C 10 -C 20 C5-C alkyl groups 30 is an alkyl group, and R 5 is a C1-C6 alkyl group, such as a C1-C4 alkyl group.

[0198] R 4 and R 5 may each be an unsubstituted alkyl group.

[0199] R 4 is suitably the residue of a fatty acid. Fatty acids obtained from natural oils often contain a mixture of fatty acids. For example, fatty acids obtained from coconut oil contain C 12 Lauric acid, C 14 Myristic acid, C 16 Palmitic acid, C8 caprylic acid, C 10 Capric acid and C 18 Contains a mixture of fatty acids, including stearic and oleic acids.

[0200] R 4 may contain residues of one or more naturally occurring fatty acids and / or one or more synthetic fatty acids. For example, R 4may consist essentially of residues of a single fatty acid.

[0201] R 4 Examples of carboxylic acids from which the fatty acids may be derived include cocoic acid, hexanoic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentanoic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, docosahexanoic lignoceric acid, natural fatty acids (such as those obtained from rice bran oil, oat oil, wheat germ oil, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, tallow, palm kernel oil, milk fat, palm oil, olive oil, corn oil, linseed oil, peanut oil, fish oil, and rapeseed oil); synthetic fatty acids made as chains of a single length or a selected distribution of chain lengths; and mixtures thereof.

[0202] Preferably, the compound of formula (A) comprises a methyl acyltaurine. Examples of suitable alkyl acyltaurines include sodium lauroyl methyl taurate, sodium methyl myristoyl taurate, sodium methyl palmitoyl taurate, sodium methyl stearoyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, and combinations thereof.

[0203] Preferred taurine surfactants of formula (A) include sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate, or mixtures thereof.

[0204] Alternatively and / or additionally, the detergent formulation comprises an alkyl acyltaurine of formula (B): [ka] (B) and During the ceremony, R 6 and R 7 is H or C 1-4alkyl, with the proviso that R 6 and R 7 One of the two is H and the other is R 6 and R 7 The other is C 1-4 provided that it is alkyl, R 9 is C 1-6 Alkyl, C 2-6 Alkenyl or C 1-6 alkyl (substituted with an aryl group); R 8 is C 4-25 Alkyl or C 4-25 alkenyl, C 4-25 Alkyl or C 4-25 The alkenyl may be substituted by hydroxy.

[0205] Preferably, R 6 and R 7 One of them is C 1-4 alkyl and the other is H. More preferably, R 6 and R 7 One of the groups is methyl and the other is H.

[0206] Preferably, R 9 is C 1-6 Alkyl or C 2-6 alkenyl, preferably C 1-2 C such as alkyl 1-6 More preferably, R 9 is methyl.

[0207] R 8 is preferably C 8-18 Alkyl or C 8-18 alkenyl, C 8-18 Alkyl or C 8-18 The alkenyl may be substituted by hydroxy. Preferably, R 8 is unsubstituted C 8-18 Alkyl or unsubstituted C 8-18 It is alkenyl.

[0208] R8 is suitably the residue of a fatty acid. Fatty acids obtained from natural oils often contain a mixture of fatty acids. For example, fatty acids obtained from coconut oil contain C 12 Lauric acid, C 14 Myristic acid, C 16 Palmitic acid, C8 caprylic acid, C 10 Capric acid and C 18 Contains a mixture of fatty acids, including stearic and oleic acids.

[0209] R 8 may contain residues of one or more naturally occurring fatty acids and / or residues of one or more synthetic fatty acids. For example, R 8 may consist essentially of residues of a single fatty acid.

[0210] R 8 Examples of carboxylic acids from which the fatty acids may be derived include cocoic acid, hexanoic acid, caproic acid, caprylic acid, capric acid, lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, palmitoleic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, arachidic acid, gadoleic acid, arachidonic acid, eicosapentanoic acid, behenic acid, erucic acid, docosahexanoic lignoceric acid, natural fatty acids (such as those obtained from rice bran oil, oat oil, wheat germ oil, hemp seed oil, coconut oil, tallow, palm kernel oil, milk fat, palm oil, olive oil, corn oil, linseed oil, peanut oil, fish oil, and rapeseed oil); synthetic fatty acids made as chains of a single length or a selected distribution of chain lengths; and mixtures thereof.

[0211] Preferably, R 8 is unsubstituted C 8-18 Unsubstituted C such as alkyl 4-25 It is alkyl.

[0212] Taurine (e.g., alkyl acyltaurine), when present, may be present in the detergent formulation (e.g., solid toilet block) in any suitable amount, such as an amount of 1 to 30% by weight, such as 2 to 30% by weight, or even 10 to 20% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation.

[0213] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) further comprises a filler. Suitably, the filler comprises a carbonate, a sulfate, a halide salt, a phosphate, a silicate, or a combination thereof. The filler may comprise an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal carbonate, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal sulfate, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal halide salt, an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal phosphate, or a combination thereof. Suitable fillers include sodium sulfate, sodium chloride, sodium carbonate, and sodium silicate. Suitable fillers may be anhydrous or hydrated. Preferably, the filler is anhydrous.

[0214] The filler may be present in the detergent formulation (e.g., a solid toilet block) in any suitable amount, such as an amount of at least 10% by weight, such as at least 30% or even at least 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation. The filler may be present in the detergent formulation in an amount of 10 to 90% by weight, such as 30 to 70% or even 50 to 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation.

[0215] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) further comprises a hydrocarbyl glucoside and / or a glycolipid (such as a sophorolipid, rhamnolipid and / or mannosylerythritol lipid).

[0216] The detergent formulation may comprise a hydrocarbyl glucoside. Suitably, the hydrocarbyl glucoside comprises an alkyl glucoside, an alkenyl glucoside or a combination thereof. The hydrocarbyl glucoside may comprise a fatty alcohol glucoside. Suitably, the hydrocarbyl glucoside is selected from the group consisting of C 10 -C 20 Alkyl or C 10 -C 20 C5-C such as alkenyl glucoside 30 Alkyl or C5-C 30 Alkenyl glucosides include C10 -C 20 C5-C alkyl glucosides 30 It may contain alkyl glucosides. Examples of suitable hydrocarbyl glucosides include octyl glucoside, decyl glucoside, octyldecyl glucoside, undecyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, myristyl glucoside, cetearyl glucoside and coco-glucoside. A suitable example of a hydrocarbyl glucoside is lauryl glucoside.

[0217] The hydrocarbyl glucoside may be present in the detergent formulation (e.g., solid toilet block) in any suitable amount, such as an amount of 0.1 to 5% by weight, such as 0.25 to 2% by weight or even 0.5 to 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation.

[0218] In some embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) further comprises a non-ionic surfactant, such as a fatty alcohol ethoxylate.

[0219] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) may be substantially free or completely free of fatty alcohol ethoxylates.

[0220] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) further comprises an amphoteric surfactant (i.e., in addition to the amphoteric surfactant contained in the free-flowing particulate composition), such as a betaine (e.g., cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)). If present, such additional amphoteric surfactant may be free-flowing, but this is not required. In some preferred embodiments, the additional amphoteric surfactant is not free-flowing.

[0221] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) further comprises a chelating agent (i.e., in addition to the chelating agent included in the free-flowing particulate composition), such as a chelating agent described herein (e.g., a chelating agent selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof, or a chelating agent selected from MGDA, GLDA, EDTA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof, and mixtures thereof).

[0222] The total content of chelating agent in the detergent formulation (e.g. solid toilet block) may be 2-5% by weight, with the chelating agent being present both in the free-flowing particulate composition and by further addition of chelating agent to the detergent formulation when it is prepared.

[0223] In some embodiments, the detergent formulations can be personal care compositions such as shampoos, body washes, soaps, beauty bars, creams, and conditioners.

[0224] Personal care compositions typically include ingredients such as surfactants (including anionic, amphoteric, nonionic and cationic surfactants, etc.); conditioning agents (including quaternary ammonium compounds, cationic polymers, cationic conditioning polymers, silicones, synthetic or natural oils, or resins, etc.), fatty alcohols, electrolytes or other rheology modifiers, opacifying / pearlizing agents, scalp benefit agents, fragrances, pigments, UV filters, penetration enhancers (e.g., propylene carbonate, benzyl alcohol, etc.), preservatives, antioxidants, emulsifiers, pH adjusters and buffers, and styling polymers (e.g., polyvinylpyrrolidone, etc.).

[0225] The personal care compositions may comprise one or more surfactants as defined hereinabove. They may also comprise a cationic surfactant.

[0226] Suitable cationic polymers are known to those skilled in the art and contain multiple quaternary ammonium moieties attached to the polymer backbone. Suitable cationic polymers include those known as polyoctaniums in the International Nomenclature List for Cosmetic Ingredients (INCI List).

[0227] Preferred cationic polymers for use herein are polysaccharide compounds functionalized with cationic residues, such as quaternary ammonium groups. Particularly preferred cationic polymers are those based on cellulose or guar gum. Compounds of this type are known to those skilled in the art.

[0228] The personal care composition suitably comprises one or more ingredients selected from sodium acyl isethionates (such as sodium lauroyl isethionate or sodium cocoyl isethionate), sodium acylalkyl isethionates (such as sodium lauroylmethyl isethionate or sodium cocoylmethyl isethionate), sodium alkylamphoacetate, disodium cocoamphodiacetate, alkyl betaines, alkamidopropyl betaines, alkamidopropyl hydroxylsultaines, alkyl propionates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, acyltaurines (such as sodium lauroylmethyl taurate), acyl glycinates, acyl glutamates, acyl sarcosinates, alkyl polyglucosides, acyl lactates, sodium acyl sulfoacetates, fatty esters, aromatic esters, glycerol esters, alcohol alkoxylates, fatty acid alkoxylates, biosurfactants (such as sophorolipids), fatty acids, and mixtures thereof.

[0229] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) comprises: 10 to 50 wt. %, such as 17 to 35 wt. %, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation, of a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50 wt. % of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1 wt. % of one or more chelating agents; and 10-90 wt. %, such as 30-70 wt. % filler, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation Includes.

[0230] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) comprises: 10 to 50% by weight, such as 17 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation, of a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents; 10 to 90 wt. %, such as 30 to 70 wt. %, of fillers, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; and 1 to 30% by weight, such as 2 to 30% by weight, of a taurine surfactant (such as an alkyl acyltaurine) based on the total weight of the detergent formulation. Includes.

[0231] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) comprises: 10 to 50% by weight, such as 17 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation, of a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents; 10 to 90 wt. %, such as 30 to 70 wt. %, of fillers, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; and 0.1 to 5 wt. %, such as 0.25 to 2 wt. %, of hydrocarbyl glucoside, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation. Includes.

[0232] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) comprises: 10 to 50% by weight, such as 17 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation, of a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents; 10 to 90 wt. %, such as 30 to 70 wt. %, of fillers, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; and 1-5 wt. %, such as 2-4 wt. %, of a chelating agent based on the total weight of the detergent formulation. Includes.

[0233] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) comprises: 10 to 50% by weight, such as 17 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation, of a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents; 10-90% by weight, such as 30-70% by weight, of fillers, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; 1 to 30%, such as 2 to 30% by weight of a taurine surfactant (such as an alkyl acyltaurine), based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; and 0.1 to 5 wt. %, such as 0.25 to 2 wt. %, of hydrocarbyl glucoside, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation. Includes.

[0234] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) comprises: 10 to 50% by weight, such as 17 to 35% by weight, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation, of a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents; 10-90% by weight, such as 30-70% by weight, of fillers, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation: 1 to 30% by weight, such as 2 to 30% by weight, of a taurine surfactant (such as an alkyl acyltaurine), based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; 0.1 to 5 wt. %, such as 0.25 to 2 wt. %, of a hydrocarbyl glucoside, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; and 1-5 wt. %, such as 2-4 wt. %, of a chelating agent based on the total weight of the detergent formulation. Includes.

[0235] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) comprises: 17 to 35 wt. % of a free-flowing particulate composition, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation, comprising at least 50 wt. % of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1 wt. % of one or more chelating agents; 50-60% by weight of fillers, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; 10 to 30% by weight of a taurine surfactant (such as an alkyl acyltaurine), based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; and 0.5 to 1% by weight of hydrocarbyl glucoside, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation Includes.

[0236] In some preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation (such as a solid toilet block) comprises: 17 to 35 wt. % of a free-flowing particulate composition, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation, comprising at least 50 wt. % of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1 wt. % of one or more chelating agents; 50-60% by weight of fillers, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; 10-30% by weight of a taurine surfactant (such as an alkyl acyltaurine) based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; 0.5 to 1% by weight of a hydrocarbyl glucoside, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation; and 2-4% by weight of a chelating agent, based on the total weight of the detergent formulation Includes.

[0237] In the above preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation may be substantially free or completely free of hydrocarbyl sulfates and / or alkylbenzene sulfonates.

[0238] In the above preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation may be substantially free or completely free of hydrocarbyl sulfates and / or fatty alcohol ethoxylates.

[0239] In the above preferred embodiments, the detergent formulation may be substantially free or completely free of hydrocarbyl sulfates, alkyl benzene sulfonates and fatty alcohol ethoxylates.

[0240] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided the use of a free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents in household cleaning (such as toilet care), manual dishwashing, laundry, fabric care, kitchen care, carpet cleaning, vehicle care, abrasive products, machine cleaning and maintenance, pesticide, insecticide, fungicide, herbicide, oil field chemical applications, marine applications, personal care or institutional / industrial cleaning formulations.

[0241] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a toilet cleaning device comprising the detergent formulation of the fourth aspect (preferably a solid detergent formulation), the toilet cleaning device including an attachment element for attaching the device to a toilet. Suitably, the device is attachable to the rim of a toilet bowl. The attachment element may be in the form of an arm or a hook. The device may comprise a holder for holding the detergent formulation. The holder may be in the form of a housing such as a basket. When the toilet is flushed, water suitably contacts and dissolves part of the detergent formulation, for example by passing through the basket, to provide cleaning for the toilet.

[0242] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of providing cleaning to a toilet, the method comprising the step of applying a detergent formulation (preferably a solid detergent formulation such as the solid toilet block of the fourth aspect) to the rim of the toilet or placing a detergent formulation (preferably a solid detergent formulation such as the solid toilet block of the fourth aspect) in the cistern of the toilet.

[0243] Preferred features of the fifth, sixth and seventh aspects are as defined in relation to the first and second aspects. The preferred features of the detergent formulation apply when the detergent formulation is a solid toilet block (such as a rim block or cistern block).

[0244] The present invention is further defined with reference to the following non-limiting examples. [Example]

[0245] A solid composition containing the ingredients listed in Table 1 was prepared. [Table 2] JPEG2025539614000028.jpg58170JPEG2025539614000029.jpg5170

[0246] CAPB is derived from palm kernel oil, which contains a mixture of C12-C18 fatty acids.

[0247] MGDA was supplied as the trisodium salt. [Example]

[0248] The caking degree of the composition of Example 1 was tested according to the following procedure, and the results are shown in Table 2.

[0249] Compression test on dry materials 1. Scope and Principles This method is used to evaluate the caking degree of dry materials in powder, agglomerate, granular or needle form.

[0250] Caking is defined as the percentage of powder that appears as lumps after applying pressure with a 25 kg weight for 1 hour and that is unable to pass through a 2 mm sieve.

[0251] 2. Equipment · Resealable plastic bag (8 x 10 cm) 25kg weight 2mm sieve

[0252] 3. Analytical Procedures. 100 mL of material to be analyzed was weighed (W i ) This material was sealed in an 8 x 12 cm resealable plastic bag. A 25 kg weight was placed on top of the bagged material for one hour. The weight of the 2 mm sieve was recorded. The bag was opened and the material was passed through a 2 mm sieve The sieve was gently shaken for 30 seconds. The weight of the sieve and the amount of dry matter that did not pass through the sieve were recorded, and the initial weight of the sieve was calculated as the total weight (W f ) subtracted from

[0253] 4. Plot the results The percent of compacted material (%CM) can be calculated using the following formula:

number

[0254] The flowability of the composition of Example 1 was evaluated by the following method after storage for periods of 6 months or 24 months, and the results are presented in Table 3.

[0255] Method for measuring flowability of dry matter ○ Equipment: Plastic tube, Φ4cm, volume 500mL Supporting device for plastic tubes (including a 1.5 cm hole at the bottom and an opening / closing system) Empty container (to be placed under the equipment) Scale Stopwatch ○ Steps: Insert the tube into the support and close the hole Fill the tube with the dry material to be analyzed (500 mL) Weigh an empty container and place it under the device (W i ) After drilling the hole and the dry material begins to flow, start a stopwatch; if the dry material does not flow immediately, gently tap the bottom of the support. When the dried product stops flowing, stop the clock and record the time (t); if some of the dried product is still in the tube, you can gently tap the bottom of the device after 10 seconds to help it flow. If after three attempts the majority of the solids are still in the tube, the dried product is not flowable. Weigh the container (W f ) Flowability is measured using the following formula:

number

[0256] The results of 22.4 g / s and 24.4 g / s for compositions 2 and 3 at 6 and 24 months in Table 3 above indicate excellent flowability. Comparative compositions 1 and 4 had very poor flowability. [Example]

[0257] The average particle size of the compositions of the present invention can be determined according to the following method used to evaluate the particle size distribution of solid materials in powder, agglomerate, granule or needle-like form.

[0258] Device: - Sieves with various mesh sizes: Plate, 75 μm, 125 μm, 250 μm, 500 μm, 1000 μm - Vibrating screen with timer - Weight scale Analysis Procedure: - Take the sieves and weigh each of them. - Stack the sieves in increasing sizes, starting with the sieve with the smallest mesh. - Pour about 100g of the dried material into the top sieve. - Place the sieve on the vibrating screen, cover with the lid and vibrate for 60 seconds. - Reweigh each sieve and record the data. - Subtract the weight of each sieve from the final weight of the sieve containing the powder.

[0259] The results can be normalized and plotted on a graph to show the particle size distribution. In the example below, the mesh size of each sieve is plotted on the X-axis and the amount of product observed (in grams) on the Y-axis. JPEG2025539614000037.jpg72170 [Example]

[0260] Solid toilet block formulations 5-8 were prepared containing the ingredients listed in Table 4. The amount of each ingredient is given as wt% active.

[0261] For the preparation of the toilet block formulation, the solid ingredients shown in Table 4 were weighed and added to the mixing chamber of a horizontal mixer with counter-rotating sigma blades and mixed to obtain a uniform mixture. The mixing speed was 10 rpm, and the mixing chamber temperature was set at 25°C. The liquid ingredients shown in Table 4 were then weighed and added to the pre-mixed solid ingredients while mixing. Once a uniform granular mixture was obtained, the mixer was stopped. The granular mixture was then added to a single-screw plodder apparatus and extruded into the desired shape using a screw speed of 1 rpm. The temperatures of the barrel and the plodder cone head were set at 18.5°C and 30°C, respectively. The extrudability of the composition was considered "OK" if the mixture maintained its shape and did not crack or break during extrusion. [Table 6] JPEG2025539614000039.jpg152170 JPEG2025539614000040.jpg32170

[0262] The flash foam test was performed as follows: Form Test The foam profiles of the formulations in Table 4 were tested using the well-known Ross Miles pouring foam method (J. Ross, G.D. Miles: An Apparatus for Comparison of Foaming Properties of Soaps and Detergents, Oil & Soap, May 1941, pp. 99-102) in accordance with ASTM D1173-53(2001) "Foaming properties of Surface Active Agents" and UNI26001 "Cosmetic And Personal Hygiene Products - Foaming Power Determination Of Detergent Products Containing Surface Active Agents", 1995.

[0263] The test conditions were as follows: [Table 7]

[0264] The foam properties of the solid toilet block formulations are reported in Table 4 as flush foam (initial foam (mL) at time 0 seconds) and as stable foam (foam (mL) after 300 seconds).

[0265] The life test was carried out as follows: Life Test The longevity of the formulations in Table 4 was tested by flushing a toilet with a cage containing one 35g block of formulation attached to the rim at random intervals for 18 flushes / day. The toilet was a Duravit Duraplus Sudan model with a flush capacity of approximately 6 L. The water hardness was approximately 330 ppm CaCO3 (tap water) and the water temperature was approximately 15±5°C.

[0266] The shelf life was determined as the point at which the formulation was completely consumed. [Example]

[0267] Additional solid compositions containing the ingredients listed in Table 5 were prepared. [Table 8] JPEG2025539614000043.jpg218170 JPEG2025539614000044.jpg26170 [Example]

[0268] The compositions of Example 6 were prepared and then tested shortly thereafter to determine their solidity and flowability according to the methods described in Examples 2 and 3. The results are shown in Table 6. The results and appearance of these compositions are detailed in Table 6. [Table 9] JPEG2025539614000046.jpg78170 [Example]

[0269] An additional solid composition of the present invention was prepared containing cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (75% by weight), MGDA (4% by weight), sodium citrate (1% by weight), water (4.2% by weight), and sodium chloride (13.8% by weight), with the remaining material coming from impurities in the components or residual starting materials. [Example]

[0270] A multi-functional hair, body and beard formulation was prepared that can be used as a shampoo, conditioner, body wash, face wash and pre-shave composition.

[0271] The composition contained the following ingredients: [Table 10] JPEG2025539614000048.jpg5170

[0272] The composition may be provided in the form of a butter, a paste, a pomade or a thick cream.

[0273] The composition provides a high quality, creamy lathering foam with mild ingredients and a desirable feel.

[0274] Advantages of this composition include that it can be supplied in reduced or sustainable packaging, it contains less water than conventional products, it is sulfate-free, and it is multifunctional. [Example]

[0275] The following solid shampoo formulations were prepared containing the following components: [Table 11] JPEG2025539614000050.jpg5170 [Example]

[0276] Two drain cleaning compositions were prepared containing the following components: [Table 12] JPEG2025539614000052.jpg12170

[0277] The composition was prepared by mixing all ingredients at ambient temperature until a homogeneous composition in powder form was obtained.

[0278] The composition is intended to be added to a sink with warm water at the time of use. [Example]

[0279] The toilet block compositions were prepared by mixing the components listed in the table below until uniform, extruding, and then cutting into blocks. [Table 13] *Other components include unreacted starting materials and impurities present in commercial sources of the components.

[0280] Sodium methyl oleoyl taurate was obtained as a powder containing 70% active substance by weight.

[0281] Lauryl glucoside was obtained as a solution containing 50% by weight of the active substance.

[0282] Cetylstearyl alcohol was obtained as flakes containing 90% active material by weight. The C12-16 sodium sulfate was obtained as a powder containing 95% active material by weight. [Example]

[0283] A foaming toilet cleaner was obtained containing the following constituent ingredients: [Table 14] *Other components include unreacted starting materials and impurities present in commercial sources of the components.

[0284] The composition was prepared by mixing all ingredients at ambient temperature until a homogeneous composition in powder form was obtained. [Example]

[0285] A foaming toilet cleaner was obtained containing the following constituent ingredients: [Table 15] *Other components include unreacted starting materials and impurities present in commercial sources of the components.

[0286] The composition was prepared by mixing all ingredients at ambient temperature until a homogeneous composition in powder form was obtained.

Claims

1. A free-flowing particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants and at least 0.1% by weight of one or more chelating agents.

2. 10. The free-flowing particulate composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more amphoteric surfactants are selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

3. 10. The free-flowing particulate composition of claim 1, wherein the one or more amphoteric surfactants are selected from betaine surfactants, sultaine surfactants, amphoacetate surfactants, amine oxides, and mixtures thereof.

4. 3. The free-flowing particulate composition of claim 2, wherein the one or more amphoteric surfactants comprise a betaine surfactant.

5. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more amphoteric surfactants comprise cocamidopropyl betaine.

6. 6. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more amphoteric surfactants are present in an amount of from 50 to 97% by weight, preferably from 60 to 90% by weight, more preferably from 70 to 85% by weight.

7. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the chelating agent is a polycarboxylic acid chelating agent.

8. 8. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more chelating agents may be selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, NTA, AES, ASDA, DTPMPA, STPP and HEDTA.

9. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the chelating agent is selected from MGDA, GLDA, IDS, EDTA, DTPA, DETPMP, HEIDA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof and mixtures thereof.

10. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the chelating agent is selected from MGDA, GLDA, EDTA, EDDS, citric acid and salts thereof and mixtures thereof.

11. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, wherein the one or more chelating agents are present in an amount of 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 15% by weight, preferably 1 to 10% by weight.

12. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, comprising sodium chloride.

13. 12. A free-flowing particulate composition according to claim 11, wherein the sodium chloride is present in an amount of from 10 to 30% by weight.

14. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, which contains less than 5% by weight of water.

15. 15. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, having a caking level of less than 5% as measured by the method of Example 2.

16. 16. A free-flowing particulate composition according to any preceding claim, having a flowability of at least 10 g / s as measured by the method of Example 3.

17. 1. Use of one or more chelating agents to improve the flowability of a particulate composition comprising at least 50% by weight of one or more amphoteric surfactants.

18. A method for preparing a free-flowing particulate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 16, comprising the steps of: (i) providing an aqueous composition comprising one or more amphoteric surfactants and one or more chelating agents; and (ii) drying the composition obtained in step (i). The method comprising:

19. A detergent formulation comprising a free-flowing particulate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

20. 20. The detergent formulation of claim 19 which is a solid personal care composition.

21. A solid toilet block (such as a rim block or a cistern block) comprising a free-flowing particulate composition according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

22. 17. Use of a free-flowing particulate composition according to any of claims 1 to 16 in household cleaning (such as toilet care), manual dishwashing, laundry, fabric care, kitchen care, carpet cleaning, vehicle care, abrasive products, machine cleaning and maintenance, pesticides, insecticides, fungicides, herbicides, oil field chemical applications, marine applications, personal care or institutional / industrial cleaning formulations.

23. 20. A toilet cleaning device comprising a detergent formulation (preferably a solid detergent formulation) according to claim 19, said toilet cleaning device comprising an attachment element for attaching said device to a toilet.

24. 20. A method of providing cleaning to a toilet comprising the step of applying the detergent formulation of claim 19 to the rim of a toilet or placing the detergent formulation of claim 19 in the cistern of a toilet.

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