SUBSTANTIALLY ANHYDROUS CONCENTRATED SURFACTANT COMPOSITIONS

Abstract

A substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition comprising a sugar-based surfactant; an amino acid-based surfactant; a polyglycerol ester and a polyhydroxy ether, or a combination of a polyglycerol ester and a polyhydroxy ether; and optionally, a glycol, wherein the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition contains less than approximately 12 percent by weight of water.

Description

SUBSTANTIALLY ANHYDROUS CONCENTRATED SURFACTANT COMPOSITIONS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit under section 119(e), title 35 of the USC of U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 62 / 929,738, filed November 1, 2019, and U.S. provisional patent application serial no. 63 / 002,031, filed March 30, 2020, the full descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIELD OF INVENTION This description relates to surfactant compositions, more particularly to substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions that can produce a stable foam. A method for generating a stable foam is also described. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Foam is an important property of cleansing compositions, especially for personal care products such as shampoos, body washes, soaps, toothpastes, and shaving creams. Aesthetically, foam is important because consumers equate a rich, long-lasting lather with a high-quality product that performs well. Functionally, foam is important because it first acts as a carrier to deliver cleansing surfactants to the skin or hair, and then as a carrier to help remove emulsified dirt and sebum from the cleansed skin or hair. However, to achieve these aesthetic and functional objectives, the foam must be present in a wet or spherical form. If the generated foam is unstable, it changes from a wet to a dry or hexagonal form relatively quickly, in less than approximately two minutes. Dry foam bubbles break rapidly and, therefore, for dermatologically preferred compositions, do not provide the aesthetic and functional foaming properties typically required for consumer acceptance. Foam is created by dispersing air or another gas in a liquid containing a surfactant. The mechanism of gas dispersion in a surfactant-containing liquid is similar to the dispersion of two immiscible liquids during emulsion formation. Consequently, gas bubbles dispersed in a liquid are stabilized in the same way as emulsions, namely, by the formation of surfactant layers at the gas-liquid interface. These surfactant layers keep the gas bubbles separate and prevent coalescence, the merging of small gas bubbles to form larger ones. Generally, denser and more compact surfactant layers result in smaller bubbles and slow down the coalescence mechanism. or? zcnn / zznz / E / YiAi It is well known that due to the large density difference between the dispersed gas and the liquid, gas bubbles rise to the top of the liquid. The concentrated mass of gas bubbles at the top of the liquid appears as foam. Initially, all the gas bubbles in the foam are spherical. There is sufficient space between each individual spherical gas bubble for the presence of the surfactant-containing liquid, and the foam behaves like an emulsion. Such foam is called wet foam. Over time, the liquid present in the spaces between individual gas bubbles drains due to gravity. Depending on the nature and chemical structure of the surfactant in the liquid, laminar liquid crystalline layers form and arrange themselves at the gas-liquid interface. If the laminar layers have low viscosity, the surfactant-containing liquid between the individual gas bubbles can drain relatively easily, and the spherical shape of the foam bubbles can change to a hexagonal shape relatively quickly. Hexagonal bubbles burst rapidly. The transition of a foam from a spherical to a hexagonal shape due to foam aging can be observed visually. Foam in a hexagonal shape is called dry foam. Dry foams are unstable, leading to a rapid reduction in foam volume due to the easy rupture of the bubbles. However, if the laminar surfactant layers have a relatively higher viscosity, the transition from a spherical to a hexagonal foam shape can be delayed. The speed of this transition determines how the foam is used in practical applications and also how it is perceived aesthetically. For example, for shampoos and shower gels, foams with a foam transition of approximately two minutes or less—that is, a metastable foam structure—are desirable. Foam stability is controlled by many factors associated with the physicochemical properties of the surfactant solution, such as surface tension, film surface tension (in laminar foams), surface viscosity, and elasticity, among others.A more stable foam could lead to insufficient wetting and distribution of the surfactant on the skin or hair. This is because, during the application of shampoo or shower gel to the skin or hair, some parts of the foam undergo a transition to a hexagonal state, allowing the surfactant to drain from between the bubbles upon contact and wet the hair or skin. Then, by continuously rubbing the shampoo or shower gel onto the skin or hair, new foam bubbles are generated, which act as a carrier to lift and remove dirt and sebum from the skin or hair, and the additional water rinses it away. Aesthetically, a spherical foam is desirable. Functionally, the transition to the hexagonal shape and the regeneration of the spherical foam provide cleansing. Other foam applications, such as shaving foams, require a foam with much greater stability because the applied foam is not regenerated by continuous rubbing and because of the relatively long time required to complete the entire shaving operation. Furthermore, controlled and sufficient wetting of the hair and skin is required for a smooth shave. Sufficient wetting when foaming a surfactant occurs only if the surfactant-containing liquid can drain from the foam lamellae to come into contact with the skin, and this drainage occurs more readily when the foam bubbles are spherical. The structural difference between a wet spherical foam and a dry hexagonal foam is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of US 5,911,811. Figure 3 of US 5,911,811 clearly shows both the laminar liquid crystalline surfactant structure that stabilizes each bubble in a wet foam and the large amount of surfactant-containing liquid between individual bubbles. The relatively coarse surfactant structure illustrated in Figure 3 also retards the coalescence of neighboring bubbles into a single, larger bubble. In contrast, Figure 4 of US 5,911,811 shows the lack of a stabilizing surfactant structure around the hexagonal bubbles and the relative absence of surfactant-containing liquid between the bubbles. The most commonly used sulfated anionic surfactants are well known for providing a high volume of stable foam and for their excellent ability to emulsify dirt and oils, making them effective skin and hair cleansers. Sulfated anionic surfactants include anionic sulfates and anionic sulfonates. As a result of these properties, sulfated anionic surfactants have been the primary surfactants used in shampoos and other skin and hair cleansing products. However, sulfated anionic surfactants do have drawbacks. For example, they strip hair of its natural oils, which condition it, and can therefore damage the hair and leave freshly shampooed hair feeling dry.Sulfated anionic surfactants are also harsh on the skin and eyes, and therefore sulfated anionic surfactants are generally unsuitable for use in baby shampoos and pet products. Amphoteric and nonionic surfactants are relatively gentle on the skin and eyes and do not strip hair of its natural oils. However, amphoteric and nonionic surfactants typically produce insufficient lather compared to an anionic sulfate surfactant. Therefore, shampoos and similar cleansers based primarily on amphoteric and nonionic surfactants have not achieved widespread consumer acceptance. Nevertheless, amphoteric and nonionic surfactants have been used in conjunction with anionic sulfate surfactants in attempts to create shampoos that leverage the foaming properties of an anionic sulfate surfactant while mitigating the less desirable properties of the anionic sulfate surfactant with a nonionic or amphoteric surfactant.However, ethoxylated non-ionic surfactants demonstrate insufficient biodegradability and, similarly to sulfated anionic surfactants, can also strip hair of its natural conditioning oils, potentially damaging it and leaving freshly shampooed hair feeling dry. Furthermore, dioxane is produced during their manufacturing process, which further detracts from their effectiveness. qj zcnn / zznz / E / YiAi DETAILED DESCRIPTION The description provides substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions that can produce a stable foam that remains in a wet or spherical form, preferably for at least as long as a comparable product based on conventional anionic sulfate surfactant and / or a comparable product based on conventional ethoxylated surfactant. Beneficially, the described substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions are more environmentally friendly (particularly when compared to conventional compositions based on sulfated and / or ethoxylated surfactants), all being natural products not derived from petroleum products.For example, the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions described are preferably free from sulfated anionic surfactants (including, but not limited to, lauryl ether sulfates, lauryl sulfates and sulfonates), phthalate-free, betaine-free, benzene-free, silicone-free, preservative-free (including, but not limited to, parabens (parahydroxybenzoates), phenoxyethanol, formaldehyde donors, methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone and urea), amine-free (including, but not limited to, nitrosamines, diethanolamines, monoethanolamines), formaldehyde-free, dioxane-free (including, but not limited to, 1,4-dioxane) and / or ethylene oxide-free (for example, the components are ethoxylate-free and ethylene glycol-free).Furthermore, the surfactant compositions described advantageously do not typically cause adverse reactions upon skin contact and are therefore suitable for various uses, including but not limited to applications where a milder surfactant composition may be desired, such as in baby shampoos and pet products. Furthermore, the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions described herein can produce surprisingly large amounts of foam when combined; that is, these compositions can advantageously demonstrate a synergistic foaming effect compared to their individual constituents. Moreover, in some respects, these compositions can exhibit a shear-thickening effect that can advantageously stabilize a wet foam for a longer period, for example, when water is added to produce foam, which may be particularly desirable for certain applications (e.g., when washing hair or applying a body wash).Rheopectic fluids are a rare class of non-Newtonian fluids that exhibit a time-dependent increase in viscosity; they thicken or solidify when shaken or agitated. The longer a rheopectic fluid is subjected to a shear force, the greater its viscosity becomes, as the microstructure of a rheopectic fluid is built up under continuous shear (possibly due to shear-induced crystallization). A significant advantage of the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions described herein is their compatibility with environmentally friendly packaging, including, among others, packets or envelopes comprising a biodegradable material, such as a biodegradable water-soluble encapsulation film, a paper-based material, or a combination thereof. Suitable biodegradable water-soluble encapsulation films may comprise polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), alginate, chitosan, starch, polylactic acid (PLA), and poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PGLA), or other materials that readily dissolve in water to facilitate single-use applications. Compostable waxed paper packets are also suitable for single-use applications.Therefore, the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions described herein can reduce the use of costly packaging that can also be harmful to the environment. Typically, 1 to 5 grams of a substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition can be encapsulated in a water-soluble film or waxed paper packet for single-use applications. Of course, substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions can also be used in multi-use dispensers, including those often found in bathrooms, showers, and similar facilities, while reducing the amount of packaging required for the same number of uses compared to conventional, less concentrated compositions. As used herein, the term free from means that a component is not intentionally added to a substantially anhydrous surfactant composition according to the description, but may be present as a byproduct or contaminant such that a surfactant composition according to the description may contain up to approximately 0.1% by weight of the specific component based on the weight of the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition. As used herein, the terms substantially anhydrous and substantially water-free mean that substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions according to the description contain relatively negligible amounts of water (at least compared to conventional surfactant compositions). For example, substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions according to the description may contain less than approximately 12 percent by weight (wt%), less than approximately 10 wt, less than approximately 7.5 wt, and / or less than approximately 5 wt of water, depending on the total weight of the composition. As used herein, the term "approximately" means + / - 10% of any stated value, or alternatively, + / - 5% of any stated value. As used herein, this term modifies any stated value, range of values, or endpoints of one or more ranges. In one embodiment, the description provides a substantially anhydrous surfactant composition comprising a sugar-based surfactant and an amino acid-based surfactant and, optionally, a glycol, wherein the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition contains less than approximately 12 percent by weight of water. In one improvement, the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition may further comprise a polyglycerol ester (also referred to as polyglyceryl esters according to INCI nomenclature). In a further improvement, the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition may further comprise a polyhydroxy ether. In yet another improvement, the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition may further comprise a polyglycerol ester and a polyhydroxy ether. In another embodiment, the description provides a method for generating a stable wet foam comprising adding a mixture of surfactants according to the description to an aqueous composition to provide an aqueous mixture and forming bubbles from the aqueous mixture in the step to generate the stable wet foam. When a weight percentage is described herein, it is expressed relative to 100% of the active components. Therefore, the weight percentages described herein may also be described as the percentage of active ingredients of a given component relative to the total weight of the composition. The sugar-based surfactant can be selected from a C8-C16 alkyl glucoside, a C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside, or a combination of a C8-C16 alkyl glucoside and a C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside. The sugar-based surfactant comprising at least one C8-C16 alkyl glucoside and / or one C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside can be a nonionic sugar-based surfactant (i.e., glucose-based), but it can also be a salt of a sugar-based surfactant. Combinations of nonionic sugar-based surfactants and salts of sugar-based surfactants can also be used as the sugar-based surfactant. The sugar-based surfactant may be present in substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions as described in an amount of between approximately 5 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 7.5 percent by weight (% by weight) and approximately 50% by weight, between approximately 10 percent by weight (% by weight) and approximately 50% by weight, between approximately 10 percent by weight (% by weight) and approximately 40% by weight, between approximately 15% by weight and approximately 30% by weight and / or between 17.5% by weight and approximately 25% by weight, for example, approximately 20% by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition. Sugar-based surfactants can be prepared / derived from glucose, 6-carbon monosaccharides, and C8-C16 alcohols. Suitable C8-C16 alkyl glycosides include, but are not limited to: decylglucoside, heptylglucoside, octylglucoside, laurylglucoside (or dodecylglucoside), cocoglucosides (which are mixtures of C8-C16 alkyl glycosides), and combinations thereof. Suitable C8-C16 alkyl polyglucosides include, but are not limited to: disodium cocoglucoside citrate, sodium cocoglucoside tartrate, sodium cocoglucoside succinate, and combinations thereof. Combinations of one or more C8-C16 alkyl glycosides and one or more C8-C16 alkyl polyglucosides may also be used. C8-C16 alkyl polyglucosides, particularly disodium cocoglucoside citrate, are the preferred sugar-based surfactants for use in substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the description. qj zcnn / zznz / E / YiAiAmino acid-based surfactant is an anionic surfactant derived from an amino acid and a C8-C16 fatty acid. Typically, amino acid-based surfactants are derived from an amino acid such as sarcosine, glutamine, glycine, alanine, or glycine. C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates, C8-C16 acyl glutamates, C8-C16 acyl alaninates, and / or C8-C16 acyl glycinates are suitable amino acid surfactants. The amino acid-based surfactant may be present in the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described herein in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 40 percent by weight, between approximately 10 percent by weight and approximately 30 percent by weight, between approximately 15 percent by weight and approximately 30 percent by weight, and / or between 17.5% by weight and approximately 25% by weight, for example, approximately 20% by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition. Suitable C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates include, but are not limited to: sodium lauroylsarcosinate, sodium cocoylsarcosinate (which is a mixture of sodium C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates), sodium myristoylsarcosinate, ammonium lauroylsarcosinate, ammonium cocoylsarcosinate, isopropyl lauroylsarcosinate, potassium cocoylsarcosinate, potassium lauroylsarcosinate, and combinations thereof; Suitable C8-C16 acyl glutamates include, but are not limited to: sodium lauroylglutamate, sodium cocoylglutamate (which is a mixture of sodium C8-C16 acyl glutamates), sodium myristoylglutamate, ammonium lauroylglutamate, ammonium cocoylglutamate, isopropyl lauroylglutamate, potassium cocoylglutamate, potassium lauroylglutamate, and combinations thereof; suitable C8-C16 acyl alaninates include, but are not limited to: sodium lauroylalanine, sodium cocoylalanine (which is a mixture of sodium C8-C16 acyl alaninate), sodium myristoylalanine,Ammonium lauroylalanine, ammonium cocoylalanine, isopropyl lauroylalanine, potassium cocoylalanine, potassium lauroylalanine, and combinations thereof; suitable C8-C16 acyl glycinates include, but are not limited to: sodium lauroylglycinate, sodium cocoylglycinate (which is a mixture of sodium C8-C16 acyl glycinates), sodium myristoylglycinate, ammonium lauroylglycinate, ammonium cocoylglycinate, isopropyl lauroylglycinate, potassium cocoylglycinate, potassium lauroylglycinate, and combinations thereof. For example, a combination of one or more C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates and one or more C8-C16 acyl glycinates may be used. Similarly, for example, a combination of one or more C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates and one or more C8-C16 acyl alaninates can be used. Combinations of one or more C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates and one or more C8-C16 acyl glutamates can also be used.one or more C8-C16 acyl alaninates and one or more C8-C16 acyl glycinates. C8-C16 acyl sarcosinates, particularly sodium lauroylsarcosinate, are preferred amino acid-based surfactants for use in substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the description. In a preferred embodiment, a C8-C16 acyl sarcosinate is preferred because its solubility in glycols and / or polyhydroxy ethers allows for minimizing the amount of water. In another preferred embodiment, the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described are free of sodium cocoylisethionate, sodium lauroylglutamate, sodium cocoylglycinate, and / or potassium cocoylglycinate. qj zcnn / zznz / E / YiAi When included, the polyglycerol ester is an important component because it can provide foam-enhancing synergy as well as shear-thickening properties to the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described herein, specifically in relation to a combination of the other components of the composition. The incorporation of the polyglycerol ester component into the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described herein also advantageously solubilizes the various other components, minimizing the amount of water and / or glycol carrier solvent in the compositions.The polyglycerol ester may be present in substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions as described in an amount of between approximately 15 wt% and approximately 45 wt%, between approximately 20 wt% and approximately 40 wt%, and / or between 25 wt% and approximately 35 wt%, for example, approximately 30 wt%. Suitable polyglycerol esters include, but are not limited to, polyglycerol-2-caprate, polyglycerol-2-caprylate, polyglycerol-3-caprate, polyglycerol-3-caprylate, polyglycerol-2-laurate, polyglycerol-3-laurate, polyglycerol-3-cocoate, polyglycerol-4-caprate, polyglycerol-4-caprylate, polyglycerol-4-laurate, polyglycerol-4-cocoate, and combinations thereof.In one respect, the polyglycerol ester is the main surfactant in the composition; that is, the polyglycerol ester is present in a greater quantity than any other surfactant in the composition (relative to the amount of active ingredients present in the composition). Polyglycerol-2-caprate is a preferred polyglycerol ester for use in substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions, as described. When included, polyhydroxy ether is also an important component because it can provide a foam-enhancing synergy to the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described herein, specifically in relation to a combination of the other components of the composition. The incorporation of the polyhydroxy ether component into the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described herein also advantageously solubilizes the various other components, minimizing the amount of water and / or glycol carrier solvent in the compositions.Polyhydroxy ether may be present in substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions as described in an amount of between approximately 10 wt% and approximately 45 wt%, between approximately 15 wt% and approximately 40 wt%, and / or between 20 wt% and approximately 35 wt%, for example, approximately 25 wt%. Suitable polyhydroxy ethers include, but are not limited to, glycerol ethers, alkyl glycerols, and combinations thereof. Generally, the alkyl groups of glycerol ethers and alkyl glycerols include five carbon atoms or fewer. In one respect, the polyhydroxy ether is the principal surfactant in the composition; that is, the polyhydroxy ether is present in a greater amount than any other surfactant in the composition (relative to the amount of active ingredients present in the composition).Diglycerin, also known as diglicerol, more formally known as (3qj zcnn / zznz / E / viAi (2,3-dihydroxypropoxy)propane-1,2-diol), is a polyhydroxy ether preferred for use in substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the description. Because the amino acid-based surfactant in substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions as described is generally a powder, a carrier is typically required to help solubilize the composition. Therefore, a glycol is typically included in substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions as described in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (wt%) and less than 40 wt%, between approximately 15 wt% and approximately 35 wt%, between 20 wt% and approximately 35 wt%, and / or between 20 wt% and approximately 30 wt%, for example, approximately 25 wt% or approximately 30 wt%. Suitable glycols include, but are not limited to, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propanediol, and combinations thereof. Amounts of glycol exceeding 40 wt% should be avoided.In addition, substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions according to the description may contain less than 5% by weight or, more preferably, may be free of other glycols such as butylene glycol, pentylene glycol, hexylene glycol and glycerin. It is not necessary to include preservatives and / or biocides in substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions. Therefore, substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions can be free of preservatives and biocides. Optionally, a C8-C14 acyl lactylate may be included in substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant compositions as described. C8-C14 acyl lactylate is an anionic surfactant that typically acts as a foam enhancer and viscosity enhancer in surfactant compositions as described. C8-C14 acyl lactylate may be present in the surfactant compositions as described in an amount of between approximately 0 wt% and approximately 10 wt%, between approximately 0 wt% and approximately 7.5 wt%, and / or between 1 wt% and approximately 4 wt%. C8-C14 acyl lactylate may be prepared by the reaction of a C8-C14 fatty acid with lactic acid.Suitable C8-C14 acyl lactylates include, but are not limited to, sodium caproillactylate, sodium lauroillactylate, sodium myristoillactylate, and combinations thereof. Of course, other salts, including ammonium and potassium salts, may also be used. Surfactant compositions as described can be used in various personal care products. Specifically, they can be incorporated into shaving foams, toothpaste, shampoos, shower gels, soaps (both liquid and bar, facial cleansers, hand washes, and body washes), and hair care foams such as mousses and hair dyes. In some formulations, the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described are free of betaines and / or sulfonated surfactants. For example, the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described may be free of disodium laurylsulfosuccinate, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, and / or lauramidopropyl betaine. In some forms, the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described are free of preservatives such as methylchloroisothiazolinone, methylisothiazolinone, sodium dehydroacetate and / or dehydroacetic acid. In some forms, the substantially anhydrous surfactant compositions described are free of colorants such as red no. 40, blue no. 1 and even natural colorants such as beetroot, beta-carotene, purple potato and / or black carrot. As used herein, any reference to a modality means that an element, feature, structure, or particular characteristic described in relation to that modality is included in at least one modality. The presence of the phrase "in a modality" in various places in the descriptive memory does not necessarily refer to the same modality. Furthermore, the use of "a" or "an" is employed to describe elements and components of the modalities hereof. This is done simply for convenience and to provide a general sense of the description. This description, and the claims thereafter, should be read to include "a" or "at least one," and the singular also includes the plural, unless it is clear that the contrary is intended. Although the preceding text provides a detailed description of numerous different embodiments, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the wording of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description should be interpreted as illustrative only and does not describe all possible embodiments, as describing all possible embodiments would be impractical, if not impossible. One could implement numerous alternative embodiments, using current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims. EXAMPLE 1 A surfactant composition was prepared according to the description by combining the following components in the amounts shown in Table 1. qj zcnn / zznz / E / YiAi Table 1 Raw material quantity (% by weight) Disodium cocoglucoside citrate 20.10 Sodium lauroylsarcosinate 19.80 Polyglycerol-2-caprate 30.00 Propylene glycol 25.10 Water 5.00 The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition was found to have excellent foaming properties and did not cause skin irritation after application. The viscosities of five batches of the above surfactant composition were measured, demonstrating the shear-thinning behavior of the surfactant compositions as viscosities increased over time. The data below show the difference between viscosity measurements at 3 minutes and 1 minute at different spindle speeds (using Spindle No. 3), confirming this advantageous characteristic of the surfactant compositions as described. Therefore, this surfactant composition exhibits rheopectic behavior, where viscosity increases over time at the same shear rate. This effect is noticeable when using the surfactant composition after adding water, whether to a shampoo, hand soap, or body wash containing the surfactant composition as described in this example. or? zcnn / zznz / E / viAi Δν = V3 minutes - vi minute Spindle No. 3 Average RPM Δν cps (22C) Standard Deviation cps Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) 1 110 22 20% 2 118 33 28% 5 172 39 23% 10 52 16 32% 20 29 7 26% The temperature of a mixture containing the surfactant composition according to Example 1 and added water was determined. In subsequent experiments, when the surfactant composition was added to the water, the temperature increased by 4 °C. 100 g of water at 25 °C + 30-50 g of the surfactant composition from the Example at 25 °C; the resulting temperature after mixing for 1 minute is 29 °C 100 g of water at 20 °C + 30-50 g of the surfactant composition from the Example at 20 °C; the resulting temperature after mixing for 1 minute is 24 °C The demonstrated temperature increase is easily perceptible to the consumer, so they can actually feel this change when the formula is applied, creating an experience where the consumer can perceive that the product is performing its intended cleaning function. EXAMPLE 2 An additional surfactant composition was prepared according to the description by combining the following components in the amounts shown in Table 2. Table 2 Raw material quantity (% by weight) Disodium cocoglucoside citrate 20.10 Sodium lauroylsarcosinate 19.80 Diglycerin 25.00 Propylene glycol 30.10 Water 5.00 or? zcnn / zznz / E / YiAi The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition was found to have excellent foaming properties and did not cause skin irritation after application. The viscosities of five batches of the above surfactant composition were measured, demonstrating the shear-thinning behavior of the surfactant compositions as viscosities increased over time. The data below show the difference between viscosity measurements at 3 minutes and 1 minute at different spindle speeds (using Spindle No. 5), confirming this advantageous characteristic of the surfactant compositions as described. Therefore, this surfactant composition exhibits rheopectic behavior, where viscosity increases over time at the same shear rate. This effect is noticeable when using the surfactant composition after adding water, whether to a shampoo, hand soap, or body wash containing the surfactant composition as described in this example. Δν = vs minutes - vi minute Spindle No. 5 Average RPM Δν cps (22C) Standard deviation cps Relative standard deviation 20 146 9 6% 50 156 11 7% 100 940 114 12% The temperature of a mixture containing the surfactant composition according to Example 1 and added water was determined. In subsequent experiments, when the surfactant composition was added to the water, the temperature increased by 4 °C. 100 g of water at 25 °C + 30-50 g of the surfactant composition from the Example at 25 °C; the resulting temperature after mixing for 1 minute is 29 °C 100 g of water at 20 °C + 30-50 g of the surfactant composition from the Example at 20 °C; the resulting temperature after mixing for 1 minute is 24 °C The demonstrated temperature increase is easily perceptible to the consumer, so they can actually feel this change when the formula is applied, creating an experience where the consumer can perceive that the product is performing its intended cleaning function.

Claims

1. A substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition comprising: a sugar-based surfactant; an amino acid-based surfactant; and, at least one polyglycerol ester or at least one polyhydroxy ether; and, a glycol, wherein the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition contains less than approximately 12 percent by weight of water.

2. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to claim 1, wherein the sugar-based surfactant comprises a C8C16 alkyl glucoside, a C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside, or a combination of a C8-C16 alkyl glucoside and a C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside.

3. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to claim 1, wherein the sugar-based surfactant comprises decylglucoside, heptylglucoside, octylglucoside, laurylglucoside, cocoglucosides, disodium cocoglucoside citrate, sodium cocoglucoside tartrate, sodium cocoglucoside succinate, or a combination thereof.

4. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sugar-based surfactant is present in an amount of between approximately 5 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 7.5 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 40 percent by weight, between approximately 15 percent by weight and approximately 30 percent by weight and / or between 17.5 percent by weight and approximately 25 percent by weight, for example, approximately 20 percent by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition.

5. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant is derived from an amino acid, preferably sarcosine, glutamine, glycine, alanine, or glycine.

6. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant comprises a C8-C16 acyl sarcosinate, a C8-C16 acyl glutamate, a C8-C16 acyl alaninate, a C8-C16 acyl glycinate, or a combination thereof.

7. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant comprises sodium lauroylsarcosinate, sodium cocoylsarcosinate, sodium myristoylsarcosinate, ammonium lauroylsarcosinate, ammonium cocoylsarcosinate, isopropyl lauroylsarcosinate, potassium cocoylsarcosinate, potassium lauroylsarcosinate, sodium lauroylglutamate, sodium cocoylglutamate, sodium myristoylglutamate, ammonium lauroylglutamate, ammonium cocoylglutamate, isopropyl lauroylglutamate, qj zcnn / zznz / E / YiAi potassium cocoylglutamate, potassium lauroylglutamate, sodium lauroylalanine, sodium cocoylalanine, sodium myristoylalanine, ammonium lauroylalanine, ammonium cocoylalanine, isopropyl lauroylalanine, potassium cocoylalanine, potassium lauroylalanine and combinations thereof;sodium lauroylglycinate, sodium cocoylglycinate, sodium myristoylglycinate, ammonium lauroylglycinate, ammonium cocoylglycinate, isopropyl lauroylglycinate, potassium cocoylglycinate, potassium lauroylglycinate and combinations thereof.; 8. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant is present in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 40% by weight, between approximately 10% by weight and approximately 30% by weight, between approximately 15% by weight and approximately 30% by weight, and / or between 17.5% by weight and approximately 25% by weight, for example, approximately 20% by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition.

9. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polyhydroxy ether is present.

10. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein polyhydroxy ether is the principal surfactant in the composition.

11. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polyhydroxy ether is present in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 45% by weight, between approximately 15% by weight and approximately 40% by weight, and / or between 20% by weight and approximately 35% by weight, for example, approximately 25% by weight.

12. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polyhydroxy ether is present and comprises glycerol ethers, or alkyl glycerols, or combinations thereof.

13. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polyhydroxy ether is diglycerin.

14. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the polyhydroxy ether is present in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 45% by weight, between approximately 20% by weight and approximately 40% by weight, and / or between 25% by weight and approximately 35% by weight, for example, approximately 30% by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition.

15. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the glycol comprises propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propanediol, or a combination thereof. qj zcnn / zznz / E / viAi 16. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the glycol is present in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and less than 40% by weight, between approximately 15% by weight and approximately 35% by weight, and / or between 20% by weight and approximately 30% by weight, for example, approximately 25% by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition.

17. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition contains less than 5% by weight of glycols other than propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propanediol or a combination thereof, based on the total weight of the composition.

18. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition contains less than approximately 10% by weight, less than approximately 7.5% by weight and / or less than approximately 5% by weight of water, depending on the total weight of the composition.

19. A personal care composition comprising the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of the preceding claims.

20. A personal care composition according to claim 19 wherein the personal care composition is selected from the group consisting of shaving foams, toothpastes, shampoos, shower gels, soaps and hair care foams.

21. A substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition comprising: a sugar-based surfactant; an amino acid-based surfactant; a polyglycerol ester; and a glycol, wherein the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition contains less than approximately 12 percent by weight of water.

22. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to claim 21, wherein the sugar-based surfactant comprises a C8C16 alkyl glucoside, a C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside, or a combination of a C8-C16 alkyl glucoside and a C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside.

23. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to claim 21, wherein the sugar-based surfactant comprises decylglucoside, heptylglucoside, octylglucoside, laurylglucoside, cocoglucosides, disodium cocoglucoside citrate, sodium cocoglucoside tartrate, sodium cocoglucoside succinate, or a combination thereof.

24. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-23, wherein the sugar-based surfactant is present in an amount of between approximately 5 percent by weight (wt.%) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 7.5 percent by weight (wt.%) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 10 percent by weight (wt.%) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 10 percent by weight (wt.%) and approximately 40 percent by weight, between approximately 15 percent by weight and approximately 30 percent by weight and / or between 17.5 percent by weight and approximately 25 percent by weight, for example, approximately 20 percent by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition.

25. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-24, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant is derived from an amino acid, preferably sarcosine, glutamine, glycine, alanine, or glycine.

26. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-25, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant comprises a C8-C16 acyl sarcosinate, a C8-C16 acyl glutamate, a C8-C16 acyl alaninate, a C8-C16 acyl glycinate, or a combination thereof.

27. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-26, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant comprises sodium lauroylsarcosinate, sodium cocoylsarcosinate, sodium myristoylsarcosinate, ammonium lauroylsarcosinate, ammonium cocoylsarcosinate, isopropyl lauroylsarcosinate, potassium cocoylsarcosinate, potassium lauroylsarcosinate, sodium lauroylglutamate, sodium cocoylglutamate, sodium myristoylglutamate, ammonium lauroylglutamate, ammonium cocoylglutamate, isopropyl lauroylglutamate, potassium cocoylglutamate, potassium lauroylglutamate, sodium lauroylalanine, sodium cocoylalanine, sodium myristoylalanine, ammonium lauroylalanine, ammonium cocoylalanine, isopropyl lauroylalanine, potassium cocoylalanine, potassium lauroylalanine and combinations thereof;sodium lauroylglycinate, sodium cocoylglycinate, sodium myristoylglycinate, ammonium lauroylglycinate, ammonium cocoylglycinate, isopropyl lauroylglycinate, potassium cocoylglycinate, potassium lauroylglycinate and combinations thereof.; 28. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-27, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant is present in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 40% by weight, between approximately 10% by weight and approximately 30% by weight, between approximately 15% by weight and approximately 30% by weight, and / or between 17.5% by weight and approximately 25% by weight, for example, approximately 20% by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition.

29. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-28, wherein the polyglycerol ester comprises polyglycerol-2-caprate, polyglycerol-2-caprylate, polyglycerol-3-caprate, polyglycerol-3-caprylate, polyglycerol-2-laurate, polyglycerol-3-laurate, polyglycerol-3-cocoate, polyglycerol-4-caprate, polyglycerol-4-caprylate, polyglycerol-4-laurate, polyglycerol-4-cocoate, or a combination thereof.

30. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-29, wherein the polyglycerol ester is the principal surfactant in the composition.

31. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-30, wherein the polyglycerol ester is present in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (wt.%) and approximately 45 wt., between approximately 20 wt. and approximately 40 wt., and / or between 25 wt. and approximately 35 wt., for example, approximately 30 wt., depending on the total weight of the composition.

32. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-31, wherein the glycol comprises propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propanediol or a combination thereof.

33. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-32, wherein the glycol is present in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and less than 40% by weight, between approximately 15% by weight and approximately 35% by weight, and / or between 20% by weight and approximately 30% by weight, for example, approximately 25% by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition.

34. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-33, wherein the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition contains less than 5% by weight of glycols other than propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propanediol or a combination thereof, based on the total weight of the composition.

35. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21-34, wherein the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition contains less than approximately 10% by weight, less than approximately 7.5% by weight and / or less than approximately 5% by weight of water, depending on the total weight of the composition.

36. A personal care composition comprising the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 21 and 35.

37. A personal care composition according to claim 36 wherein the personal care composition is selected from the group consisting of shaving foams, toothpastes, shampoos, shower gels, soaps and hair care foams.

38. A substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition comprising: a sugar-based surfactant; an amino acid-based surfactant; a polyglycerol ester; and a polyhydroxy ether, wherein the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition contains less than approximately 12 percent by weight of water.

39. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to claim 38, wherein the sugar-based surfactant comprises a C8C16 alkyl glucoside, a C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside, or a combination of a C8-C16 alkyl glucoside and a C8-C16 alkyl polyglucoside.

40. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to claim 38, wherein the sugar-based surfactant comprises decylglucoside, heptylglucoside, octylglucoside, laurylglucoside, cocoglucosides, disodium cocoglucoside citrate, sodium cocoglucoside tartrate, sodium cocoglucoside succinate, or a combination thereof.

41. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 38-40, wherein the sugar-based surfactant is present in an amount of between approximately 5 percent by weight (wt.%) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 7.5 percent by weight (wt.%) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 10 percent by weight (wt.%) and approximately 50 percent by weight, between approximately 10 percent by weight (wt.%) and approximately 40 percent by weight, between approximately 15 percent by weight and approximately 30 percent by weight and / or between 17.5 percent by weight and approximately 25 percent by weight, for example, approximately 20 percent by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition.

42. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 38-41, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant is derived from an amino acid, preferably sarcosine, glutamine, glycine, alanine or glycine.

43. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 38-42, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant comprises a C8-C16 acyl sarcosinate, a C8-C16 acyl glutamate, a C8-C16 acyl alaninate, a C8-C16 acyl glycinate, or a combination thereof.

44. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 38-43, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant comprises sodium lauroylsarcosinate, sodium cocoylsarcosinate, sodium myristoylsarcosinate, ammonium lauroylsarcosinate, ammonium cocoylsarcosinate, isopropyl lauroylsarcosinate, potassium cocoylsarcosinate, potassium lauroylsarcosinate, sodium lauroylglutamate, sodium cocoylglutamate, sodium myristoylglutamate, ammonium lauroylglutamate, ammonium cocoylglutamate, isopropyl lauroylglutamate, potassium cocoylglutamate, potassium lauroylglutamate, sodium lauroylalanine, sodium cocoylalanine, sodium myristoylalanine, ammonium lauroylalanine, ammonium cocoylalanine, isopropyl lauroylalanine, potassium cocoylalanine, potassium lauroylalanine and combinations thereof;sodium lauroylglycinate, sodium cocoylglycinate, sodium myristoylglycinate, ammonium lauroylglycinate, ammonium cocoylglycinate, isopropyl lauroylglycinate, potassium cocoylglycinate, potassium lauroylglycinate and combinations thereof. qj zcnn / zznz / E / YiAi; 45. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 38-44, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant is present in an amount of between approximately 10 percent by weight (% wt) and approximately 40% by weight, between approximately 10% by weight and approximately 30% by weight, between approximately 15% by weight and approximately 30% by weight, and / or between 17.5% by weight and approximately 25% by weight, for example, approximately 20% by weight, depending on the total weight of the composition.

46. ​​The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 38-45, wherein the polyglycerol ester comprises polyglycerol-2-caprate, polyglycerol-2-caprylate, polyglycerol-3-caprate, polyglycerol-3-caprylate, polyglycerol-2-laurate, polyglycerol-3-laurate, polyglycerol-3-cocoate, polyglycerol-4-caprate, polyglycerol-4-caprylate, polyglycerol-4-laurate, polyglycerol-4-cocoate or a combination thereof.

47. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 38-46, wherein the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition contains less than approximately 10% by weight, less than approximately 7.5% by weight and / or less than approximately 5% by weight of water, based on the total weight of the composition.

48. A personal care composition comprising the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 3847.

49. A personal care composition according to claim 48 wherein the personal care composition is selected from the group consisting of shaving foams, toothpastes, shampoos, shower gels, soaps and hair care foams.

50. A substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition comprising: a sugar-based surfactant; an amino acid-based surfactant; and a polyglycerol ester, a polyhydroxy ether, or a combination of a polyglycerol ester and a polyhydroxy ether, wherein the substantially anhydrous surfactant composition contains less than approximately 12 percent by weight of water.

51. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to claim 50, wherein the substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition is glycol-free.

52. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to claim 50, wherein the glycol comprises propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, propanediol, or a combination thereof. qj zcnn / zznz / E / YiAi 53. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 50-52, comprising a combination of polyglycerol ester and polyhydroxy ether.

54. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 50-53, wherein the polyglycerol ester is polyglycerol-2-caprate.

55. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 50-54, wherein the polyhydroxy ether is diglycerin.

56. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 50-55, wherein the amino acid-based surfactant comprises sodium lauroylsarcosinate.

57. The substantially anhydrous concentrated surfactant composition according to any of claims 50-56, wherein the sugar-based surfactant comprises decylglucoside, heptylglucoside, octylglucoside, laurylglucoside, cocoglucosides, disodium cocoglucoside citrate, sodium cocoglucoside tartrate, sodium cocoglucoside succinate, or a combination thereof.