Solid surfactant composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to: a solid surfactant composition which does not change into a paste even if left in a high-humidity environment such as a bathroom for a long period of time and maintains solidity, and which is free from bleeding of a surfactant liquefied by moisture absorption of a solid detergent on the surface of the solid detergent and has good foaming; and a method for producing the solid surfactant composition. This solid surfactant composition contains the following components (A) to (C). Component (A): a sulfonic acid-type surfactant or a sulfuric acid ester-type surfactant, at least a portion of which is an alkali metal salt. Component (B): an alkaline earth metal. Component (C): an aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms.

Description

Solid surfactant composition

[0001] This invention relates to a solid surfactant composition.

[0002] Currently, liquid detergents are the mainstream for hair, face, and body cleansers, but liquid detergents inevitably contain a large amount of water. Solid detergents, on the other hand, can be made more compact by reducing the amount of water, and thus have lower transportation burdens. Therefore, there is much expectation for the development of solid detergent products.

[0003] For example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-511428 discloses a solidified liquid surfactant composition comprising a liquid anionic surfactant containing a sulfate surfactant, a sulfonate surfactant, or a combination thereof, and a solid binder containing a natural polymer, urea, a urea derivative, polyacrylate, polyethylene glycol (PEG), an inorganic salt, an organic salt, an aromatic sulfonate, or a combination thereof, with the objective of providing a solidified sulfate composition from a liquid sulfate surfactant, a solidified sulfonate composition from a liquid sulfonate surfactant, and a method for producing the same.

[0004] Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-156298 aims to provide a solid detergent composition that is low in irritation, has a good feel during and after use, and has good solidification properties, and (A) General formula (1): R 1 CONH(CH2)2COONa(R 1 A solid detergent is disclosed containing an N-acyl compound represented by (CO, a linear acyl group having 10 to 16 carbon atoms) and (B) one or more selected from higher fatty acids and higher alcohols.

[0005] The present invention relates to a solid surfactant composition containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) Component: A sulfonic acid type surfactant or a sulfate ester type surfactant, at least a portion of which is an alkali metal salt; (B) Component: Alkaline earth metal; (C) Component: An aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms. Detailed description of the invention

[0006] However, both the solid detergents described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2021-511428 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-156298 have room for improvement in terms of solid stability, as they may gradually turn into a paste over time when placed in a high-humidity environment such as a bathroom. The present invention relates to a solid surfactant composition and a method for producing the same that maintains its solidity even when placed in a high-humidity environment such as a bathroom for a long period of time, and the surfactant that has liquefied due to moisture absorption does not seep out from the solid surface, and also produces good foam.

[0007] The present inventors have found that a solid surfactant composition containing a specific anionic surfactant of the sulfonic acid type or sulfate ester type, which is at least partly an alkali metal salt, an alkaline earth metal, and an aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms can solve the aforementioned problems.

[0008] The present invention relates to the following [1] and [2]. [1] A solid surfactant composition containing the following components (A) to (C). (A) Component: A sulfonic acid type surfactant or a sulfate ester type surfactant, at least a portion of which is an alkali metal salt. (B) Component: Alkaline earth metal. (C) Component: An aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms.

[0009] [2] A method for producing the solid surfactant composition described in [1], comprising the following steps 1 and 2. Step 1 A step of obtaining a mixture containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) component: a sulfonic acid type surfactant or a sulfate ester type surfactant in which at least a portion is an alkali metal salt; (B) component: an alkaline earth metal; (C) component: an aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms. Step 2 A step of molding the mixture obtained in step 1.

[0010] According to the present invention, a solid surfactant composition and a method for producing the same are provided, which maintains its solidity even when left for a long time in a high-humidity environment such as a bathroom, and which suppresses the seepage of the surfactant that has liquefied due to moisture absorption from the solid surface, thereby producing a good foam.

[0011] [Solid Surfactant Composition] The solid surfactant composition of the present invention contains the following components (A) to (C): (A) Component: Sulfonic acid type surfactant or sulfate ester type surfactant, at least a portion of which is an alkali metal salt (B) Component: Alkaline earth metal (C) Component: Aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms

[0012] The solid surfactant composition of the present invention, by containing components (A), (B), and (C), satisfies good foaming performance (hereinafter also simply referred to as "foaming performance"), maintains solidity (hereinafter also simply referred to as "solidity") even after storage in a high-humidity environment, and suppresses the seepage of the surfactant that has liquefied due to moisture absorption from the solid surface (hereinafter also simply referred to as "seepage suppression"), thus having good storage stability. In this specification, "foaming performance" means that the amount of foam produced by an aqueous solution of 1% by mass of the solid surfactant composition is good, as described in the examples, and "maintaining solidity" means that it has a certain level of strength after storage in a high-humidity environment.

[0013] A solid surfactant composition containing component (A) and component (C) exhibits reduced hygroscopicity and maintains its solidity even in high-humidity environments. However, when stored in high-humidity environments, component (A) may leach out of the composition.

[0014] As a result of diligent research, the present inventors have found that a solid surfactant composition containing components (A), (B), and (C) suppresses the leaching of component (A) from the composition. This is thought to be because component (B) forms a salt with the sulfonic acid group or sulfate ester group in component (A), and this salt exhibits crystallinity and has the effect of fixing component (A) between components (C). Furthermore, it is presumed that the formation of a salt between a portion of component (A) and component (B) partially crosslinks the components (A) together, and that such crosslinking suppresses the leaching of component (A) from the composition.

[0015] (A) Component: A sulfonic acid-type surfactant or a sulfate ester-type surfactant, in which at least a portion is an alkali metal salt. The solid surfactant composition of the present invention contains, as component (A), a sulfate ester-type surfactant or a sulfonic acid-type surfactant, in which at least a portion is an alkali metal salt. In this specification, sulfonic acid-type surfactants and sulfate ester-type surfactants will collectively be referred to as "anionic surfactants" thereafter.

[0016] Furthermore, the content ratio of alkali metal salts in component (A), i.e., the content ratio of alkali metal salts of sulfate ester-type surfactants and sulfonic acid-type surfactants, is preferably 10 mol% or more, more preferably 25 mol% or more, and even more preferably 40 mol% or more from the viewpoint of improving foaming performance, and preferably 98 mol% or less, more preferably 90 mol% or less, and even more preferably 84 mol% or less from the viewpoint of solidity, and from these viewpoints, it is preferably 10 mol% or more and 98 mol% or less, more preferably 25 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less, and even more preferably 40 mol% or more and 84 mol% or less. Furthermore, at least a portion of component (A) may be an alkali metal salt, and the other portion may be, for example, an acid-type anionic surfactant, or it may form a salt with component (B) to form an alkaline earth metal salt. Sodium and potassium are preferred as alkali metals, and sodium is more preferred.

[0017] <Sulfate Ester Type Surfactants> The sulfate ester type surfactant is preferably a sulfate ester type surfactant having an aliphatic hydrocarbon group, and at least a part of it is an alkali metal salt. The number of carbon atoms in the aliphatic hydrocarbon group is not limited as long as it exhibits the function of the surfactant, but is preferably 10 or more, more preferably 12 or more, and preferably 24 or less, and more preferably 22 or less. The sulfate ester type surfactant is preferably a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfate ester and its salt, and the average number of added moles m of alkylene oxy groups of the sulfate ester in the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether is 0 or more, preferably 0.5 or more, more preferably 1 or more, and preferably 5 or less, more preferably 4 or less, and even more preferably 3 or less, and the number of carbon atoms of the alkyl group in the polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfate ester is preferably 10 or more, more preferably 12 or more, and preferably 18 or less, and more preferably 16 or less.

[0018] The alkylene oxy group preferably contains an ethylene oxy group (EO group), and may also contain a propylene oxy group (PO group) in an average addition mole m range of 0.2 to 2 moles. Specifically, a sulfate ester or a salt thereof represented by the following general formula is preferred. R 2 -O-[(PO) m / (EO) n ]-SO3M (A1) [In formula (A1), R 2 ∫ represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having 10 to 24 carbon atoms, PO represents a propyleneoxy group, EO represents an ethyleneoxy group, EO and PO may be in a block or random bond, / is a symbol indicating that the bonding order of PO and EO does not matter, m and n are the average number of moles added, m is between 0 and 2, and n is greater than 0 and less than or equal to 5, and M represents a hydrogen atom, alkali metal, alkaline earth metal (half atom), ammonium, or organic ammonium.

[0019] When the sulfate ester-type surfactant forms a salt, examples of salts include alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium; alkanolamine salts; and alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium and calcium. At least a portion of the sulfate ester-type surfactant is an alkali metal salt, and from the viewpoint of obtaining good foaming performance, a sodium salt is preferred. In other words, in the present invention, when a sulfate ester-type surfactant is used as component (A), it is preferable that at least a portion of it is a sodium salt.

[0020] <Sulfonic Acid-Type Surfactants> Sulfonic acid-type surfactants are composed of at least a portion of an alkali metal salt. The number of carbon atoms in a sulfonic acid-type surfactant is not limited as long as it exhibits the function of a surfactant, but is preferably 8 or more, more preferably 10 or more, even more preferably 12 or more, and preferably 30 or less, and more preferably 24 or less. Specifically, these include alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, alkenylbenzenesulfonic acid, alkyl sulfosuccinic acid, alkenyl sulfosuccinic acid, alkyl sulfonic acid (also called alkanesulfonic acid), or alkenylsulfonic acid, or salts thereof, having an alkyl group with 8 to 30 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group with 8 to 30 carbon atoms. The number of carbon atoms in the alkylbenzenesulfonic acid or alkenylbenzenesulfonic acid includes the number of carbon atoms in the benzene ring. The alkyl group or alkenyl group may be substituted with a hydroxyl group.

[0021] Examples of the salts include alkali metal salts such as sodium and potassium; alkanolamine salts; and alkaline earth metal salts such as magnesium and calcium. Among these, alkali metal salts are preferred, and sodium salts are more preferred, from the viewpoint of obtaining good foaming performance.

[0022] Specifically, the following A2, A3, and A4 are preferred. (A2): Internal olefin sulfonate (IOS) having 12 to 24 carbon atoms. The number of carbon atoms of the internal olefin sulfonate in (A2) is preferably 14 or more, more preferably 15 or more, still more preferably 16 or more, and preferably 24 or less, more preferably 22 or less, still more preferably 20 or less. (A2) includes, in addition to the internal olefin sulfonate, hydroxyalkane sulfonate and α-olefin sulfonate generated during synthesis. (A3): Benzene sulfonic acid represented by the following general formula (A3) or a salt thereof R 1 -B-SO3M (A3) [In formula (A3), R 1 represents an alkyl group having 3 to 21 carbon atoms or an alkenyl group having 3 to 21 carbon atoms, B represents a benzene ring, and M represents a hydrogen atom, an alkali metal, or an alkaline earth metal (1 / 2 atom). The sulfonic acid group is bonded to R 1 bonded to B at the ortho position, meta position, or para position. ] (A4): α-olefin sulfonic acid having 12 to 18 carbon atoms or a salt thereof (AOS)

[0023] The component (A) is preferably at least one selected from the group consisting of α-olefin sulfonic acid or a salt thereof (AOS), internal olefin sulfonic acid or a salt thereof (IOS), alkane sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, alkylbenzene sulfonic acid or a salt thereof (LAS), and polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfate or a salt thereof (AES). Here, the internal olefin refers to an olefin having a double bond at a position other than the terminal of the olefin chain.

[0024] From the viewpoint of improving the foaming performance and solidifying the solid surfactant composition, the Kraft point of the component (A) is preferably 40°C or lower, more preferably 25°C or lower, still more preferably 15°C or lower, and even more preferably 0°C or lower. The Kraft point can be determined by, for example, electrical conductivity.

[0025] In the solid surfactant composition, the content of component (A) is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more, and even more preferably 30% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of foaming performance, and preferably 90% by mass or less, more preferably 80% by mass or less, and even more preferably 75% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of maintaining solidity after storage. From these viewpoints, the content of component (A) is preferably 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, and even more preferably 30% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less. In this specification, the content of component (A), i.e., the content of sulfate ester type surfactant and sulfonic acid type surfactant, is determined assuming that all anionic surfactants, which are component (A), are sodium salts.

[0026] (B) Component: Alkaline earth metal The alkaline earth metal of component (B) is preferably selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium, and barium. From the viewpoint of suppressing the leaching of component (A) from the surface of the solid surfactant composition, calcium and magnesium are preferred, and calcium is more preferred. Some or all of the alkaline earth metal of component (B) exists in the solid surfactant composition as an alkaline earth metal salt of component (A). This is because the alkaline earth metal salt of an inorganic acid or an organic acid mixed or blended as a raw material for supplying component (B) is water-soluble, as will be described later, and an insoluble alkaline earth metal salt of component (A) is formed by ionic bonding. In component (A), the content ratio of alkaline earth metal salts in component (A), that is, the content ratio of alkaline earth metal salts in sulfate ester-type surfactants and sulfonic acid-type surfactants, is preferably 2 mol% or more, more preferably 10 mol% or more, and even more preferably 20 mol% or more from the viewpoint of suppressing the leaching of component (A), and preferably 90 mol% or less, more preferably 75 mol% or less, and even more preferably 60 mol% or less from the viewpoint of foam performance, and from these viewpoints, it is preferably 2 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less, more preferably 10 mol% or more and 75 mol% or less, and even more preferably 20 mol% or more and 60 mol% or less. In the composition of the present invention, the molar ratio of the alkaline earth metal salt of component (A) to the alkali metal salt of component (A), i.e., the molar ratio of (alkaline earth metal salt of sulfate ester-type surfactant and sulfonic acid-type surfactant) to (alkali metal salt of sulfate ester-type surfactant and sulfonic acid-type surfactant), is preferably 0.1 or more, more preferably 0.15 or more, and even more preferably 0.2 or more, from the viewpoint of suppressing the leaching of component (A), preferably 10 or less, more preferably 3 or less, and even more preferably 1.5 or less, and from these viewpoints, preferably 0.1 to 10, more preferably 0.15 to 3, and even more preferably 0.2 to 1.5.

[0027] In the solid surfactant composition, the molar ratio of component (B) to component (A) [(B) / (A)] is preferably 0.01 or more, more preferably 0.05 or more, and even more preferably 0.08 or more, from the viewpoint of suppressing seepage, and from the viewpoint of obtaining good foaming performance, it is preferably 0.5 or less, more preferably 0.4 or less, and even more preferably 0.3 or less. From these viewpoints, the molar ratio [(B) / (A)] is preferably 0.01 or more and 0.5 or less, more preferably 0.05 or more and 0.4 or less, and even more preferably 0.08 or more and 0.3 or less. Furthermore, in the composition of the present invention, the molar ratio of alkaline earth metals to alkali metals (alkaline earth metal / alkali metal), preferably calcium / sodium, is preferably 0.01 or more, more preferably 0.05 or more, and even more preferably 0.08 or more, from the viewpoint of suppressing the leaching of component (A), preferably 0.5 or less, more preferably 0.4 or less, and even more preferably 0.3 or less, and from these viewpoints, preferably 0.01 or more and 0.5 or less, more preferably 0.05 or more and 0.4 or less, and even more preferably 0.08 or more and 0.3 or less.

[0028] (C) Component: Aliphatic alcohol with 16 or more carbon atoms. (C) Component imparts solidity to the solid surfactant composition.

[0029] (C) As component, an aliphatic alcohol is used. Specifically, from the viewpoint of solidity and the amount of foam during continuous use, it has 16 or more carbon atoms, preferably 18 or more carbon atoms, more preferably 22 or more carbon atoms, and from the viewpoint of availability, it has 30 or fewer carbon atoms, more preferably 28 or fewer carbon atoms, and even more preferably 24 or fewer carbon atoms. From these viewpoints, it is preferably an aliphatic alcohol with 16 to 30 carbon atoms, more preferably 18 to 28 carbon atoms, and even more preferably 22 to 24 carbon atoms. The aliphatic alcohol is preferably a saturated hydrocarbon group, and may be linear or branched, but linear is preferred. Therefore, the aliphatic alcohol is preferably a primary alcohol. Specifically, one or more selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol are preferably used. Among these, from the viewpoint of availability, behenyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, and stearyl alcohol are preferred, and behenyl alcohol is more preferred.

[0030] In the solid surfactant composition, the content of component (C) is preferably 3% by mass or more, more preferably 15% by mass or more, and even more preferably 20% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of maintaining solidity after storage, and preferably 80% by mass or less, more preferably 70% by mass or less, and even more preferably 60% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of obtaining good foaming performance. The content of component (C) in the detergent composition is preferably 3% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, and even more preferably 20% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less. Therefore, in the solid surfactant composition, from the viewpoint of maintaining solidity after storage and obtaining good foaming performance, it is preferable that the content of component (A) is 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and the content of component (C) is 3% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably that the content of component (A) is 20% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, and the content of component (C) is 15% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, and even more preferably that the content of component (A) is 30% by mass or more and 75% by mass, and the content of component (C) is 20% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less. Here, as mentioned above, the content of component (A) is determined assuming that all of the anionic surfactants that are component (A) are sodium salts.

[0031] In the solid surfactant composition, the mass ratio of component (C) to component (A) [(C) / (A)] is preferably 0.05 or more, more preferably 0.1 or more, and even more preferably 0.2 or more, from the viewpoint of maintaining solidity, and preferably 3 or less, more preferably 2 or less, and even more preferably 1 or less, from the viewpoint of maintaining the amount of foam during continuous use. (C) / (A) is the mass ratio obtained assuming that all of the anionic surfactant component (A) is a sodium salt. From the above viewpoint, (C) / (A) is preferably 0.05 or more and 3 or less, more preferably 0.1 or more and 2 or less, and even more preferably 0.2 or more and 1 or less. From the viewpoint of maintaining solidity, suppressing seepage, and maintaining the amount of foam during continuous use, it is preferable that the solid surfactant composition has a molar ratio [(B) / (A)] of 0.01 or more and a mass ratio [(C) / (A)] of 0.05 or more and a mass ratio [(C) / (A)] of 3 or less, more preferably a molar ratio [(B) / (A)] of 0.05 or more and a mass ratio [(C) / (A)] of 0.1 or more and a mass ratio [(C) / (A)] of 2 or less, and even more preferably a molar ratio [(B) / (A)] of 0.08 or more and a mass ratio [(C) / (A)] of 0.2 or more and a mass ratio [(C) / (A)] of 1 or less.

[0032] The solid surfactant composition of the present invention contains component (A), component (B), and component (C). In the composition, the remaining portion of component (A) may exist as a salt of component (B). Therefore, the composition of the present invention preferably contains the following components (a) to (c): (a) component: alkali metal salt of a sulfonic acid type surfactant or sulfate ester type surfactant (b) component: alkaline earth metal salt of a sulfonic acid type surfactant or sulfate ester type surfactant (c) component: aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms

[0033] As the surfactant of component (a), the surfactants of component (A) described above are exemplified, and the preferred compounds are the same. The preferred alkali metals are as described above. In the solid surfactant composition, from the viewpoint of foaming performance, the content of component (a) is preferably 10% by mass or more, more preferably 20% by mass or more, still more preferably 30% by mass or more, and still more preferably 40% by mass or more. From the viewpoint of maintaining solidity after storage, it is preferably 90% by mass or less, more preferably 85% by mass or less, still more preferably 80% by mass or less, and still more preferably 75% by mass or less.

[0034] As the surfactant of component (b), the surfactants of component (A) described above are exemplified, and the preferred compounds are the same. The preferred alkaline earth metals are as described above. In the solid surfactant composition, from the viewpoint of maintaining solidity after storage, the content of component (b) is preferably 5% by mass or more, more preferably 7.5% by mass or more, still more preferably 10% by mass or more. From the viewpoint of foaming performance, it is preferably 60% by mass or less, more preferably 50% by mass or less, and still more preferably 40% by mass or less.

[0035] As component (c), the component (C) described above is exemplified, and the preferred compounds and preferred contents are the same. The solid surfactant composition of the present invention may further contain a nonionic surfactant in addition to the components (A), (B), and (C), if necessary.

[0036] Examples of nonionic surfactants include sorbitan fatty acid esters such as sorbitan monostearate; polyglycerin fatty acid esters such as glycerin fatty acid esters and polyglyceryl monoisostearate; polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters such as propylene glycol fatty acid esters and polyethylene glycol monolaurate; sucrose fatty acid esters; polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, and polyoxyethylene coconut oil fatty acid sorbitan; polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers; polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters; polyoxyethylene glycerin fatty acid esters; polyoxyethylene propylene glycol fatty acid esters; polyoxyethylene castor oil; polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil; polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil fatty acid esters; alkyl polyglucosides; and polyoxyalkylene-modified silicones such as polyoxyethylene methylpolysiloxane copolymers. Of these, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and alkyl polyglucosides are preferred, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, and alkyl polyglucosides are more preferred, and alkyl (C10-C16) polyglucosides are particularly preferred. In the composition, the content of nonionic surfactants is preferably 40% by mass or less, more preferably 30% by mass or less, and even more preferably 20% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of solidity and suppression of seepage.

[0037] The solid surfactant composition may contain, in addition to or instead of, the nonionic surfactant, binders, wetting agents, other surfactants, preservatives, fragrances, medicinal ingredients, and colorants, to the extent that they do not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0038] Examples of the binder include sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, sodium polyacrylate, hydroxyethyl cellulose, thickening silica, montmorillonite, carrageenan, sodium alginate, guar gum, pectin, and the like.

[0039] Examples of the wetting agent include propylene glycol, 1,3-butylene glycol, ethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, maltose, lactose, and the like.

[0040] Examples of the surfactant other than those described above include acyl amino acids such as sodium acyl glutamate and sodium acyl sarcosinate or salts thereof; alkyl phosphates such as sodium lauryl phosphate or salts thereof; fatty acids or salts thereof, alkyl ether carboxylic acids or salts thereof; cationic surfactants, and the like.

[0041] Examples of the preservative include parabens, methyl p-hydroxybenzoate, ethyl p-hydroxybenzoate, propyl p-hydroxybenzoate, butyl p-hydroxybenzoate, sodium benzoate, and the like.

[0042] Examples of the fragrance include menthol and natural products containing menthol; essential oils and extracts of basil, camphor, caraway, cardamom, coriander, geranium, ginger, laurel, lavender, mace, nutmeg, pepper, rose, rosemary, thyme, ylang-ylang, jasmine, vanilla, hyssop, lavandin, orris, carrot seed, davana, elemi, osmanthus; borneol and its derivatives; heliotropin; α-, β-, γ-, δ-ionone and their derivatives; vanillin, ethyl vanillin, maltol, and ethyl maltol, and the like. The above components can be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0043] The solid surfactant composition of the present invention, by containing component (A), component (B), component (C), and optionally an optional component, maintains its solidity even in high-humidity environments such as bathrooms, suppresses seepage to surfaces, and exhibits excellent storage stability. This is presumed to be because component (C) maintains the solidity of component (A), while components (B) and (C) suppress the liquefaction of component (A). Therefore, the solid surfactant composition can be used as a solid detergent composition. The form of the solid surfactant composition of the present invention may be a powder such as flakes, or it may be molded into a briquette, polygonal (square), or cylindrical shape as described in the manufacturing method described later.

[0044] [Method for Producing a Solid Surfactant Composition] The method for producing the solid surfactant composition of the present invention comprises the following steps 1 and 2. Furthermore, the solid surfactant composition of the present invention is preferably obtained by the following steps 1 and 2. This production method is thought to facilitate the formation of crosslinks between components (A) and components (B) by forming a salt between a portion of component (A) and components (B), thereby effectively suppressing the leaching of component (A). <Step 1> Step 1 yields a mixture containing the following components (A) to (C). Component (A): A sulfonic acid type surfactant or a sulfate ester type surfactant in which at least a portion is an alkali metal salt Component (B): An alkaline earth metal Component (C): An aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms

[0045] The mixing method in step 1 can be any method that can substantially homogeneously mix components (A), (B), and (C). The mixing method may use a horizontal-axis rotary type twin-screw mixer (manufactured by Kurimoto Iron Works Co., Ltd.), a batch kneader (manufactured by Kurimoto Iron Works Co., Ltd.), a V-type mixer (manufactured by Dalton Co., Ltd.), a double-cone mixer (manufactured by Tokuju Kogyo Co., Ltd.), or a vertical-axis rotary type Nauter mixer (manufactured by Hosokawa Micron Corporation) and an SV mixer (manufactured by Kobe Steel Pantech Co., Ltd.).

[0046] In step 1, from the viewpoint of uniformly mixing components (A), (B), and (C), it is preferable to mix them at a temperature above the melting point of component (C). From the viewpoint of uniform mixing, the mixing temperature is preferably above the melting point of component (C) + 5°C (a temperature 5°C higher than the melting point), more preferably above the melting point of component (C) + 10°C, and from the viewpoint of suppressing compound modification and discoloration, it is preferably below the melting point of component (C) + 50°C (a temperature 50°C higher than the melting point), more preferably below the melting point of component (C) + 40°C, and even more preferably below the melting point of component (C) + 30°C. Specifically, the mixing temperature is preferably above 60°C, more preferably above 70°C, and may be below 100°C.

[0047] Furthermore, as a mixing method in step 1, the alkali metal salt of the sulfate ester type surfactant or sulfonic acid type surfactant, which is component (A), may be mixed with components (B) and (C) in advance, or the acid type of the sulfate ester type surfactant or sulfonic acid type surfactant may be mixed with components (B) and (C), and then the acid type may be neutralized with an alkali metal hydroxide. From the viewpoint of forming a salt (alkaline earth metal salt of the sulfate ester type surfactant or sulfonic acid type surfactant) with component (A), it is preferable to mix or blend the alkaline earth metal of component (B) as an alkaline earth metal salt of an inorganic acid, an alkaline earth metal salt of an organic acid, an oxide of an alkaline earth metal such as calcium oxide and magnesium oxide, or an alkaline earth metal compound of an alkaline earth metal hydroxide such as calcium hydroxide, and it is more preferable to mix or blend it as an alkaline earth metal salt of an inorganic acid or an alkaline earth metal salt of an organic acid. That is, these alkaline earth metal salts of inorganic acids or alkaline earth metal salts of organic acids are the raw materials for supplying component (B).

[0048] Examples of alkaline earth metal salts of inorganic acids include chlorides such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride; phosphates such as calcium phosphate and magnesium phosphate; sulfates such as calcium sulfate and magnesium sulfate; and carbonates such as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate.

[0049] Examples of alkaline earth metal salts of organic acids include alkaline earth metal salts of hydroxycarboxylic acids such as citric acid and lactic acid; and alkaline earth metal salts of acidic amino acids such as glutamic acid and aspartic acid.

[0050] (A) From the viewpoint of forming a salt with component (A) and solubility, the alkaline earth metal salt of the organic acid is preferably an alkaline earth metal salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and more preferably calcium lactate. When an alkali metal salt of a sulfate ester type surfactant or a sulfonic acid type surfactant is included as component (A), some of the alkali metal may be exchanged with the alkaline earth metal of component (B), forming an alkaline earth metal salt of the sulfate ester type surfactant or the sulfonic acid type surfactant.

[0051] The alkaline earth metal salt of the inorganic acid or the alkaline earth metal salt of the organic acid, which is mixed or blended as component (B), is preferably water-soluble from the viewpoint of forming a salt with component (A) and solubility. The amount that dissolves in 100 g of water at 25°C is preferably 0.5 g or more, more preferably 1 g or more, even more preferably 4 g or more, and even more preferably 10 g or more, from the viewpoint of miscibility with component (A) and component (C) and salt formation with component (A). The reaction between component (A) and component (B) proceeds by the formation and insolubilization of the alkaline earth metal salt of the inorganic acid or the alkaline earth metal salt of the organic acid with component (A).

[0052] (B) When the alkaline earth metal of component (B) is derived from an alkaline earth metal salt of an inorganic acid or an alkaline earth metal salt of an organic acid, the total amount of the alkaline earth metal salt of the inorganic acid or the alkaline earth metal salt of the organic acid mixed or blended in the solid surfactant composition is preferably 0.1% by mass or more, more preferably 1% by mass or more, and even more preferably 2% by mass or more, from the viewpoint of maintaining solidity and suppressing seepage from the surface, and preferably 20% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or less, and even more preferably 10% by mass or less, from the viewpoint of obtaining good foaming performance, and from the viewpoint of suppressing seepage and obtaining good foaming performance, the total amount of the alkaline earth metal salt of the inorganic acid or the alkaline earth metal salt of the organic acid mixed or blended is preferably 0.1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less, more preferably 1% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less, and even more preferably 2% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

[0053] <Step 2> In Step 2, the mixture obtained in Step 1 is molded. Molding can be carried out by any method that allows the mixture obtained in Step 1 to be molded into the desired shape. Prior to molding, it is usually preferable to dry the mixture obtained in Step 1. Examples of drying methods include a stationary box-type shelf dryer (manufactured by Nagato Electric Works Co., Ltd.), a fluidized bed type fluidized bed dryer (manufactured by Powrec Co., Ltd.), and a drum dryer (manufactured by Katsuragi Industries Co., Ltd.). Drying may also be carried out by heating and reducing the pressure using the machine used in the mixing step. Alternatively, in the mixing step of Step 1, components (A), (B), and (C) may be mixed and dried under heating and reduced pressure.

[0054] The drying temperature is preferably 200°C or lower, more preferably 150°C or lower, and even more preferably 140°C or lower, from the viewpoint of suppressing deterioration of the quality of the dried product, and preferably 80°C or higher, more preferably 90°C or higher, and even more preferably 100°C or higher, from the viewpoint of improving productivity. The moisture content of the dried product is preferably 10% or lower, more preferably 5% or lower, and even more preferably 1% or lower, from the viewpoint of solidity under humidification. The moisture content of the dried product is measured by the method described in the examples.

[0055] For compression molding, well-known briquetting machines and tablet presses can be used. A briquetting machine is a device that continuously compresses material by supplying it between two rolls, each with a pocket on its outer circumference that serves as the mold for the desired compressed material, which interlocks with each other and rotates at the same speed. Examples of briquetting machines include the Briquetting Machine (manufactured by Shinto Kogyo Co., Ltd.).

[0056] A tablet press is a device that fills a die with dry material and compresses and shapes it between a lower punch and an upper punch. There are two types of tablet presses: single-shot tablet presses, in which a pair of upper and lower punches move up and down within a single die to compress the material; and rotary tablet presses, in which die sets are embedded at equal intervals around the outer circumference of a horizontally rotating turntable, and a series of operations—filling, compressing, and discharging—are performed continuously as the turntable rotates. Examples of single-shot tablet presses include those manufactured by Riken Kiki Co., Ltd., and examples of rotary tablet presses include those manufactured by Kikusui Seisakusho Co., Ltd.

[0057] When using a briquetting machine, the particle size of the briquettes is preferably 10 mm or less, more preferably 7 mm or less, and even more preferably 5 mm or less, from the viewpoint of briquette foaming and usability. The shape of the briquettes is not particularly limited and can be briquette-shaped, almond-shaped, pillow-shaped, finger-shaped, and lens-shaped, etc.

[0058] When using a tablet press, the size of the tablet is preferably 1 cm to 15 cm, more preferably 2 cm to 10 cm, in the case of a cylindrical shape, or the length of the longest diagonal, in the case of a polygon. The thickness of the tablet is preferably 10 mm to 50 mm, more preferably 10 mm to 30 mm. The shape of the tablet is not particularly limited, but it is usually a polygon such as a square or a cylinder.

[0059] The mixture can also be molded in step 2 without going through the drying step. In that case, the mixture molten in step 1 can be poured into a mold or container and cooled and solidified. The size of the mold or container is preferably the size used for molding using the tablet press described above. Alternatively, a method can be used in which the dried material is heated above its melting point to melt it, and then cooled and solidified to form the mold. The size and shape of the resulting molded product depend on the mold or container. The size of the molded product is the same as when molded using a tablet. From the viewpoint of solidity under humidification, the water content or amount of water in the solid surfactant composition of the present invention is preferably 10% or less, more preferably 5% or less, and even more preferably 1% or less. The method for measuring the amount of water is as described in the examples.

[0060] [Solid Detergent Composition] The solid surfactant composition is suitable as a solid detergent composition. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a solid detergent composition that has the strength to maintain its solid state without becoming a paste even when left in a high-humidity environment such as a bathroom for a long time, as well as good foaming performance, and in which the surfactant does not liquefy and seep out onto the surface of the solid even when it absorbs moisture.

[0061] Such solid surfactant compositions are expected to enable the development of all-in-one solid body cleansing agents that can be used on the entire body, from head to toe. The solid surfactant composition of the present invention is preferably a solid cleansing agent composition for skin or hair. Furthermore, since solid cleansing agents can be used in smaller quantities than liquid cleansers, this leads to economic benefits such as more compact packaging and containers, and reduced transportation energy, as well as a reduced environmental impact.

[0062] The present invention further discloses the following [1] to

[58] . [1] A solid surfactant composition containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) component: a sulfonic acid type surfactant or a sulfate ester type surfactant, at least a portion of which is an alkali metal salt; (B) component: an alkaline earth metal; (C) component: an aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms. [2] The composition according to [1], wherein the content of the alkali metal salt of component (A) in component (A) is 10 mol% or more and 98 mol% or less. [3] The composition according to [1] or [2], wherein the content of the alkali metal salt of component (A) in component (A) is 25 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less.

[0063] [4] The composition according to any one of [1] to [3], wherein the content of the alkali metal salt of component (A) in component (A) is 40 mol% or more and 84 mol% or less. [5] The composition according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein at least a portion of component (A) exists as an alkaline earth metal salt. [6] The composition according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the content of the alkaline earth metal salt of component (A) in component (A) is 2 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less. [7] The composition according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the content of the alkaline earth metal salt of component (A) in component (A) is 10 mol% or more and 75 mol% or less.

[0064] [8] The composition according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the content of alkaline earth metal salt of component (A) in component (A) is 20 mol% or more and 60 mol% or less. [9] The composition according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the molar ratio of (alkaline earth metal salt of sulfate ester type surfactant and sulfonic acid type surfactant) / (alkali metal salt of sulfate ester type surfactant and sulfonic acid type surfactant) in the composition is 0.1 or more and 10 or less.

[10] The composition according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the molar ratio of (alkaline earth metal salt of sulfate ester type surfactant and sulfonic acid type surfactant) / (alkali metal salt of sulfate ester type surfactant and sulfonic acid type surfactant) in the composition is 0.15 or more and 3 or less.

[11] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[10] , wherein the molar ratio of (alkaline earth metal salt of sulfate ester type surfactant and sulfonic acid type surfactant) / (alkali metal salt of sulfate ester type surfactant and sulfonic acid type surfactant) is 0.2 or more and 1.5 or less.

[12] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[11] , wherein the (A) component is one or more selected from the group consisting of α-olefin sulfonic acid or a salt thereof (AOS), internal olefin sulfonic acid or a salt thereof (IOS), alkane sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, alkylbenzene sulfonic acid or a salt thereof (LAS), and polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfate or a salt thereof (AES).

[13] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[12] , wherein the content of the (A) component in the solid surfactant composition is 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less.

[0065]

[14] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[13] , wherein the content of component (A) in the solid surfactant composition is 20% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less.

[15] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[14] , wherein the content of component (A) in the solid surfactant composition is 30% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less.

[16] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[15] , wherein the alkaline earth metal of component (B) is one or more selected from the group consisting of calcium, magnesium and barium, and is preferably calcium.

[0066]

[17] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[16] , wherein the molar ratio of component (B) to component (A) [(B) / (A)] is 0.01 or more and 0.5 or less.

[18] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[17] , wherein the molar ratio of component (B) to component (A) [(B) / (A)] is 0.05 or more and 0.4 or less.

[0067]

[19] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[18] , wherein the molar ratio of component (B) to component (A) [(B) / (A)] is 0.08 or more and 0.3 or less.

[20] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[19] , wherein the molar ratio of alkaline earth metal to alkali metal (alkaline earth metal / alkali metal) in the solid surfactant composition is 0.01 or more and 0.5 or less.

[21] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[20] , wherein the molar ratio of alkaline earth metal to alkali metal (alkaline earth metal / alkali metal) in the solid surfactant composition is 0.05 or more and 0.4 or less.

[22] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[21] , wherein the molar ratio of alkaline earth metal to alkali metal (alkaline earth metal / alkali metal) in the solid surfactant composition is 0.08 or more and 0.3 or less.

[23] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[22] , wherein the (C) component is an aliphatic alcohol having 16 to 30 carbon atoms.

[24] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[23] , wherein the (C) component is an aliphatic alcohol having 18 to 28 carbon atoms.

[0068]

[25] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[24] , wherein the component (C) is an aliphatic alcohol having 22 or more carbon atoms and 24 or fewer carbon atoms.

[26] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[25] , wherein the component (C) is one or more selected from the group consisting of cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, arachidyl alcohol, and behenyl alcohol.

[27] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[26] , wherein the content of component (C) in the solid surfactant composition is 3% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less.

[0069]

[28] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[27] , wherein the content of component (C) in the solid surfactant composition is 15% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less.

[29] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[28] , wherein the content of component (C) in the solid surfactant composition is 20% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less.

[30] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[29] , wherein the mass ratio of component (C) to component (A) [(C) / (A)] in the composition is 0.05 or more and 3 or less.

[0070]

[31] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[30] , wherein the mass ratio of component (C) to component (A) [(C) / (A)] is 0.1 or more and 2 or less.

[32] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[31] , wherein the mass ratio of component (C) to component (A) [(C) / (A)] is 0.2 or more and 1 or less.

[33] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[32] , wherein the content of component (A) is 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and the content of component (C) is 3% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less.

[0071]

[34] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[33] , wherein the content of component (A) is 20% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, and the content of component (C) is 15% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less.

[35] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[34] , wherein the content of component (A) is 30% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less, and the content of component (C) is 20% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less.

[36] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[35] , wherein the molar ratio [(B) / (A)] is 0.01 or more and 0.5 or less, and the mass ratio [(C) / (A)] is 0.05 or more and 3 or less.

[0072]

[37] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[36] , wherein the molar ratio [(B) / (A)] is 0.05 or more and 0.4 or less, and the mass ratio [(C) / (A)] is 0.1 or more and 2 or less.

[38] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[37] , wherein the molar ratio [(B) / (A)] is 0.08 or more and 0.3 or less, and the mass ratio [(C) / (A)] is 0.2 or more and 1 or less.

[39] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[38] , containing the following components (a) to (c): (a) component: alkali metal salt of sulfate ester type surfactant or sulfonic acid type surfactant (b) component: alkaline earth metal salt of sulfate ester type surfactant or sulfonic acid type surfactant (c) component: aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms

[0073]

[40] The composition according to

[39] , wherein the content of component (a) in the composition is preferably 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, more preferably 20% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, and even more preferably 30% by mass or more and 75% by mass or less.

[41] The composition according to

[39] or

[40] , wherein the content of component (b) in the composition is preferably 5% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less, more preferably 7.5% by mass or more and 50% by mass or less, and even more preferably 10% by mass or more and 40% by mass or less.

[42] The composition according to any one of

[39] to

[41] , wherein the content of component (c) in the composition is preferably 3% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less, more preferably 15% by mass or more and 70% by mass or less, and even more preferably 20% by mass or more and 60% by mass or less.

[0074]

[43] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[42] , further containing a nonionic surfactant.

[44] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[43] , wherein the water content or amount of water of the solid surfactant composition is 10% or less.

[45] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[44] , wherein the water content or amount of water of the solid surfactant composition is 5% or less.

[46] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[45] , wherein the water content or amount of water of the solid surfactant composition is 1% or less.

[47] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[46] , which is a solid detergent composition.

[48] The composition according to any one of [1] to

[47] , which is for skin or hair.

[49] Use of the composition according to any one of [1] to

[47] as a solid detergent.

[50] Use of the composition according to any one of [1] to

[47] as a solid detergent for skin or hair.

[51] A method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to any one of [1] to

[50] , comprising the following steps 1 and 2: Step 1 A step of obtaining a mixture containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) component: a sulfate ester type surfactant or a sulfonic acid type surfactant, in which at least a portion is an alkali metal salt; (B) component: an alkaline earth metal; (C) component: an aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms. Step 2 A step of molding the mixture obtained in step 1.

[52] A method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to

[51] , wherein component (B) is derived from an alkaline earth metal salt of an inorganic acid or an alkaline earth metal salt of an organic acid, and its solubility in 100 g of water at 25°C is preferably 0.5 g or more, more preferably 1 g or more, even more preferably 4 g or more, and even more preferably 10 g or more.

[53] A method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to

[52] , wherein the total amount of the alkaline earth metal salt of the inorganic acid or the alkaline earth metal salt of the organic acid mixed or blended is 0.1% by mass or more and 20% by mass or less.

[54] The method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to

[52] or

[53] , wherein the total amount of the alkaline earth metal salt of the inorganic acid or the alkaline earth metal salt of the organic acid is 1% by mass or more and 15% by mass or less.

[55] A method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to any one of

[52] to

[54] , wherein the total amount of the alkaline earth metal salt of the inorganic acid or the alkaline earth metal salt of the organic acid mixed or blended is 2% by mass or more and 10% by mass or less.

[56] A method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to any one of

[52] to

[55] , wherein the alkaline earth metal salt of the organic acid is preferably an alkaline earth metal salt of a hydroxycarboxylic acid, and more preferably calcium lactate.

[57] A method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to any one of

[51] to

[56] , wherein the mixing temperature in step 1 is a temperature equal to or greater than the melting point of component (C).

[58] A solid surfactant composition obtained by the method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to any one of

[51] to

[57] .

[0075] The present invention will be specifically described below with reference to examples, but the present invention is not limited in any way by these examples. In the table, the numerical values ​​for the composition are the solid content values, and "%" refers to "mass%" unless otherwise specified.

[0076] [1] Measurement and evaluation of the performance of the solid surfactant composition (1) Strength after storage at 40°C and 75% RH for 7 days A bar of the solid surfactant composition, compressed to a diameter of 2 cm (thickness of 1 cm), was used as a test specimen and placed on a balance dish (BD-1) and stored for 7 days in a humid environment at 40°C and 75% RH. After that, the balance dish on which the solid surfactant composition was placed was retrieved, and the strength was measured by pressing adapter No. 5 (diameter 0.5 cm) into the surface of the test specimen using a rheometer (manufactured by Sun Science Co., Ltd., CR-3000EX) at a pressing distance of 1 cm and a pressing speed of 1 cm / min. The load per unit area acting on the rheometer through the surface at a pressing distance of 0.1 cm was defined as the strength [kgf / cm]. 2 The strength was set to preferably 1 kgf / cm² from the viewpoint of solidity. 2 More preferably, 1.5 kgf / cm² 2 Therefore, from the viewpoint of ease of solubility, 30 kgf / cm² is preferred. 2 For the following, more preferably 25 kgf / cm² 2 The following applies:

[0077] (2) Leakage The same test specimen as in (1) above was placed on a balance dish (BD-1) and stored for 7 days in a humidified environment of 40°C and 75% RH. After that, the balance dish on which the test specimen was placed was retrieved and its appearance was visually observed at 20x magnification using a microscope CCD (VHX-7000, manufactured by Keyence Corporation). If the surfactant liquefied due to moisture absorption and leaching occurred on the surface of the test specimen, it was judged that leaching was present. The amount of leaching was evaluated in three stages. B or higher is preferable. A: No leaching was observed B: Slight leaching was observed C: Significant leaching was observed

[0078] (3) Foam volume (foam amount) An aqueous solution for foam volume evaluation was prepared by adding 49.5 g of deionized water and 0.5 g of solid surfactant composition to a 100 ml beaker so that the sample concentration was 1.0%, and stirring at 1000 rpm for 30 minutes using a 2 cm stirring bar. Then, 30 g of the aqueous solution was added to a No. 8 screw tube and stirred for 10 seconds with a touch mixer (Yamato Scientific Co., Ltd., model number: MT-31), and the height of the generated foam (height of the top of the foam surface - height of the bottom of the foam surface) was determined. The bottom area of ​​screw tube No. 8 is 8.9 cm². 2 By multiplying this by the foam height (cm), the foam volume (cm) is calculated. 3 The desired foam volume was 20 cm. 3 The above is preferable to 25 cm 3 That's all.

[0079] (4) Moisture content The moisture content of the composition was measured using a moisture meter (Shimadzu Corporation, MOC63u). The measurement conditions were a temperature of 120°C and standard drying automatic stop mode (moisture change rate over 30 seconds: 0.05% or less).

[0080] (5) Evaluation of foam volume during continuous use A bar of solid surfactant composition compressed to a diameter of 3 cm (thickness of 3 cm) was used as a test specimen. The test specimen was placed in the palm of the hand and rubbed under running water for 10 seconds. After stopping the water and rubbing for another 40 times, the amount of foam was visually checked for the first time. After that, the test specimen was left at room temperature for 1 day, then placed in the palm of the hand again and rubbed under running water for 10 seconds, the water was stopped and rubbed for another 40 times, and the amount of foam was visually checked for the second time. The change in foam volume between the first and second tests was evaluated in three stages and used as the evaluation of foam volume during continuous use. A: Foam volume was maintained B: Foam was produced, but the amount of foam decreased C: No foam was produced

[0081] [Example 1] In a 500 ml stainless steel container, sodium internal olefin (C16) sulfonate was added as component (A), calcium lactate as component (B), and behenyl alcohol as component (C) so that the total amount of components (A), (B), and (C) was 150 g, according to the solid content mass ratio shown in Table 1. The 500 ml stainless steel container containing the sample was placed in a constant temperature bath (Tokyo Rikakikai Co., Ltd., PS-1000) set to 95°C, and the mixture was prepared by stirring with an anchor blade (blade diameter 7 cm) at a rotation speed of 100 rpm for 10 minutes. The composition of each component is shown in Table 1.

[0082] The entire mixture obtained was poured into a stainless steel tray, and dried in an electric dryer (Advantec Co., Ltd., DRW420DA) at 120°C for 6 hours. Then, 5 g of the solid surfactant composition was placed into a 2 cm diameter (1 cm thickness) mold (Nanno Co., Ltd., upper and lower punches: MURAMASA-S, die: MURAMASA-R), and a tablet press (Riken Seiki Co., Ltd., CD-50-1350) was operated at a tableting pressure of 10 kN and a holding time of 10 seconds to form a cylindrical bar with a diameter of 2 cm (1 cm thickness). In addition, 20 g of the solid surfactant composition was placed into a 3 cm diameter mold, and a cylindrical bar with a diameter of 3 cm (3 cm thickness) was formed by operating the tablet press at a tableting pressure of 23 kN and a holding time of 10 seconds.

[0083] As shown in Table 1, in Example 1, the product maintained its strength to remain solid even after being stored at 40°C and 75% RH for 7 days, and there was no seepage. It also foamed well, and the evaluation result for the amount of foam produced during continuous use was A.

[0084] [Examples 2] to [Examples 8] In Example 1, solid surfactant compositions were prepared in the same manner as in Example 1, except that the types and amounts of components (A), (B), and (C) were changed as shown in Table 1. The performance of the solid surfactant compositions was measured and evaluated in the same manner as in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 1.

[0085] [Comparative Example 1] In Comparative Example 1, components (B) and (C) were not added, and only component (A) was used. In the bar of Comparative Example 1, which consisted only of component (A), the strength was low, and a large amount of seepage was observed from the entire surface of the compressed solid surfactant composition, indicating partial dissolution. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0086] [Comparative Example 2] A cylindrical bar was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that myristyl alcohol (C14) was used instead of behenyl alcohol (C22). The bar of Comparative Example 2 had low strength and poor foaming during continuous use. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0087] [Comparative Example 3] A cylindrical bar was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that component (C) was not used and the amounts of components (A) and (B) were changed to the amounts shown in Table 2. The bar of Comparative Example 3 had low strength. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0088] [Comparative Example 4] A cylindrical bar was obtained in the same manner as in Example 1, except that component (B) was not used and the amounts of components (A) and (C) added were changed to the amounts shown in Table 2. In Comparative Example 4, a large amount of seepage occurred from the entire bar. The results are shown in Table 2.

[0089]

[0090]

[0091] The values ​​for component (B) in the table indicate the mass percentage of the alkaline earth metal organic salt, which is the raw material compound. The mole percentages of alkali metal salts and alkaline earth metal salts in component A were determined assuming that all of the added calcium lactate from component (B) reacted with component (A) as a salt.

[0092] The components used in Tables 1 and 2 are as follows: IOS: Sodium internal olefin (C16) sulfonate; using the C16 internal olefin (16.5% by mass at the C2 position) from Production Example A of Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-143203, the sodium salt of internal olefin (C16) sulfonic acid obtained by the method described in Example 1 (with a molecular weight of 342, assuming an internal olefin sulfonic acid / hydroxyalkane sulfonic acid (mass ratio) of 16 / 84). AES: Emal 270J / Kao Corporation (polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate sodium, with an average EO addition mole of 2, assuming a molecular weight of 376). LAS: Neoperex G-15 / Kao Corporation (sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, with a molecular weight of 348.5). AOS: ALFANOX 46 / Kao Corporation (sodium tetradecenesulfonate, with a molecular weight of 298.4). Calcium lactate: DL-Calcium lactate pentahydrate / Manufactured by Fujifilm Wako Pure Chemical Industries, Ltd. (Values ​​in the table are for calcium lactate (molecular weight 218), solubility in 100g of water at 25°C: 4.5g) Behenyl alcohol: Calcol 220-80 (Manufactured by Kao Corporation) Cetyl alcohol: Calcol 6098 (Manufactured by Kao Corporation) Myristyl alcohol: Calcol 4098 (Manufactured by Kao Corporation) AG: Mydol 12 (Lauryl glucoside; Manufactured by Kao Corporation)

[0093] The solid surfactant composition of the present invention can be used as a solid detergent. Furthermore, since the solid surfactant composition can clean with a smaller amount compared to liquid detergents, it leads to economic benefits such as more compact packaging and containers, and reduced transportation energy, as well as a reduced environmental impact.

Claims

1. A solid surfactant composition containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) Component: Sulfonic acid type surfactant or sulfate ester type surfactant, at least a portion of which is an alkali metal salt; (B) Component: Alkaline earth metal; (C) Component: Aliphatic alcohol with 16 or more carbon atoms.

2. The solid surfactant composition according to claim 1, wherein the molar ratio of component (B) to component (A) [(B) / (A)] is 0.01 or more and 0.5 or less.

3. The solid surfactant composition according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the mass ratio of component (C) to component (A) [(C) / (A)] is 0.05 or more and 3 or less.

4. The solid surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein component (A) is one or more selected from α-olefin sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, internal olefin sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, alkane sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, alkylbenzene sulfonic acid or a salt thereof, and polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether sulfate or a salt thereof.

5. The solid surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the content of the alkali metal salt of component (A) in component (A) is 10 mol% or more and 98 mol% or less.

6. The solid surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the content of component (A) is 10% by mass or more and 90% by mass or less, and the content of component (C) is 3% by mass or more and 80% by mass or less.

7. The solid surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a portion of component (A) is a salt of component (B).

8. The solid surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the content of the alkaline earth metal salt of component (A) in component (A) is 2 mol% or more and 90 mol% or less.

9. The solid surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the molar ratio of alkaline earth metal to alkali metal in the composition of the present invention is 0.01 or more and 0.5 or less.

10. A solid detergent composition, the solid surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. The solid surfactant composition according to claim 10, for use on skin or hair.

12. A solid surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the water content is 5% by mass or less.

13. A method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising the following steps 1 and 2: Step 1 A step of obtaining a mixture containing the following components (A) to (C): (A) Component: A sulfate ester type surfactant or a sulfonic acid type surfactant in which at least a portion is an alkali metal salt (B) Component: Alkaline earth metal (C) Component: An aliphatic alcohol having 16 or more carbon atoms Step 2 A step of molding the mixture obtained in step 1 14. A method for producing a solid surfactant composition according to claim 13, wherein component (B) is mixed or compounded as an alkaline earth metal salt of an inorganic acid or an alkaline earth metal salt of an organic acid, having a solubility of 1 g or more in 100 g of water at 25°C.

15. A solid surfactant composition obtained by the manufacturing method described in claim 13 or claim 14.

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