Description:Field of Invention:
The invention is in the field of personal care products. More particularly, the current invention relates to a liquid detergent which performs better than most of the liquids present and competes with powder detergents.

Background of the Invention:
A detergent is a surfactant or a mixture of surfactants with cleansing properties when in dilute solutions. Traditionally, detergent is available in powder and liquid form.

The most common Detergent product available in market is in soap form. However, using soap bars requires a container, like a soap dish, to store hygienically. Also, carrying Detergent soap is hard and it is difficult to share. With advent of washing machines, the use of soap has been replaced by powdered detergents which can be placed in soap dispensers of machines.

The powder form is generally preferred for removing stains which require dislodging of particulate matter such as stains resulting from deposition of mud, clay and grass. Powders hold significant market share in Eastern Europe and in some western European countries due to their advantage over liquids in whitening clothes.

A powder detergent is soap in the form of a powder that is used to wash clothes, sheets, towels, and fabrics in general. It is used in a washing machine or for manual washing.

Powder detergent is one of the more traditional washing solutions, with two key advantages: affordability and power against heavy stains. However, powders have certain disadvantages like, as it is solid in nature, it may not dissolve completely in cold water and leave residue on laundry or washer.

Few instances of solid detergents could be found in EP0781836 which discloses detergent compositions comprising surfactant, organic polymer, detergent builder and enzyme.

Whereas in case of liquid detergents the disadvantage of depositions is overcome as liquid detergent uses water as the main filler ingredient, therefore liquid detergents dissolves easily regardless of water temperature. Further, liquid detergents are very effective in dealing with greasy or oily stains and convenient for pre-treating.

Liquid detergent is widely used in many Western countries, powdered detergent is popular in Africa, India, China, Latin America, and other emerging markets.

However, liquid detergents have their own disadvantages such as, there incapability to clean the stains resulting from deposition of mud, clay and grass.

Few instances of liquid detergents could be found in US20050176617 which discloses a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising anionic surfactant, non-ionic surfactant, polymer, builder and chelating agent.

One more instance could be found in US20210115355 which discloses a laundry detergent composition comprising aqueous base, surfactant, builder, pH adjustor(s) and thickeners, wherein the laundry detergent composition has a pH of about 7 to about 13.

Similarly, US6855681 covers a liquid detergent composition comprising a surfactant and encapsulated active material dispersed in a hydrated cross-linked anionic gum matrix.

In view of above, it would be prudent to develop such a formulation at an affordable price which overcomes the individual disadvantages of powder detergents and liquid detergents.

Hence, in view of above, it appears that the area of consistency, stability and controlling presence of free alkalinity has not been sufficiently explored to develop a formulation for liquid detergent which is both economical and eco-friendly.

Summary of Invention
In an aspect, the present invention provides High-Performance Liquid Detergent having parity performance with mass powder and better performance than liquid detergents on detergency at affordable price.

The said liquid detergent contains a combination of surfactants, chelating agent optical brighteners, rheology modifier, salts, builders and optionally fragrances.

Detailed Description of the Invention:

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.

Reference throughout this specification to “an aspect”, “another aspect” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrase “in an embodiment”, “in another embodiment” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

The terms "comprise", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such process or method. Similarly, one or more devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components proceeded by "comprises...a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices or other sub-systems or other elements or other structures or other components or additional devices or additional sub- systems or additional elements or additional structures or additional components.

In context of current invention, the term “particulate stains” refers to those stains which result from intimate deposition of particulate matter, such as mud, soil or clay.

In context of current invention, the term “liquid based stains” refers to those stains which result from absorption of liquid matter, such as oil, grease etc.

Described herein is the High-Performance Liquid Detergent having parity performance with mass powder on detergency and better than liquid detergents. As Powder detergents are high in pH and hence provide better cleaning than liquids. In the prototypes the pH is kept at higher end to match with the performance of powders especially those are present in the mass market segment. The performance results on day-to-day life’s stains with this product, shown better than the liquids present in market and parity as mass market powders. Further, the liquid detergent of the invention combines the advantages of liquid detergents as well as powder detergents in terms of cleansing performance specifically with reference to particulate stains as well as liquid-based stains.

Powder detergents performs better in hard water because of the presence of strong builders like Sodium tripolyphosphate, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sesquicarbonates, zeolites, sodium salt of nitriloacetic acid (NTA) and zeolite A (a crystalline sodium aluminosilicate), silicates, alumino silicates, organic acid such as poly carboxylic acid, citric acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid etc.

Further, the presence of builders and chelating agent makes hard water soft by chelating high amounts of ions present in it. The overall functions of builders and chelating agent is achieved by a combination of several individual effects such as removing or sequestrating Ca2+ and Mg2+ ions from both the wash water and the soiled wash load, providing an alkaline environment, enhancing surfactant performance, and desorbing soil (from the wash load) and stabilizing its dispersion in the wash liquor.

Furthermore, the High-Performance Liquid Detergent of the current invention can be made available at affordable cost.

Accordingly, the current invention tries to suffice the unmet need of liquid detergent consumer by incorporating a combination of different surfactants, rheology modifiers, chelating agents, salts, brighteners and builders in liquid detergent which built water soft and helps surfactants to perform better. Further, the addition of builder increases the reserve alkalinity and pH of product to alkaline range, and enhances cleaning performance.

In an embodiment, High-Performance Liquid Detergent of the invention contains combination of surfactants such as anionic, cationic, amphoteric & non-ionic surfactants as a single surfactant or in a combination of two or more, along with the surfactant it also contains chelating agents as a single chelating agent or in a combination of two or more, optical brighteners as a single ingredient agent or in a combination of two or more, color as a single ingredient or in a combination of two or more, rheology modifier as a single ingredient or in a combination of two or more, builders as a single ingredient or in a combination of two or more, salt as a single ingredient or in a combination of two or more and fragrances.

Accordingly, combination of surfactants were tried and tested for getting superior performance to maintain the right consistency different combination of rheology modifiers were applied and it’s been achieved with such a different combination of surfactants and high pH solution.

The consistency of High-Performance Liquid Detergent and its stability is maintained and controlling presence of free alkalinity. The free alkali has been kept at maximum 0.5% whereas in powder it is present at the level of 5-8 %. Keeping free alkali lower gives the benefit of soft on hand. The consistency of formula was maintained by addition of emulsifier & thickener and free alkalinity of formulation was controlled by monitoring pH during the bath cycle.

In one of the embodiments, the High-Performance Liquid Detergent of the present invention comprises of Anionic, amphoteric & non-ionic surfactants in a range of 1-25% w/v. In accordance to the above embodiment the anionic surfactant is present in a range of 3-18%% w/v, the amphoteric surfactant is present in range of 2-10% w/v and the anionic surfactant is present in a range of 3-18% w/v, Further, High-Performance Liquid Detergent comprises chelating Agents in a range of 0.01-1.0% w/v .

In one of the embodiments, the High-Performance Liquid Detergent of the invention further comprises a builder, a rheology modifier, salt and an optical brightener.

In accordance with above embodiment, the Rheology modifier or thickener is in the range of 0.01%-2.0% w/v, the Builder in the range of 0.01%-2.0% w/v, Salt in the range of 0.01 – 2.0% and the optical brightener such as derivatives of 4,4'-Distyryl biphenyl, 4,4'-bis(benzoxazolyl)-cis-stilbene, Disodium 4,4'-bis (2-sulfo styryl) biphenyl and 2,5-bis(benzoxazol-2-yl)thiophene is in range of 0.001 to 0.5 w/v.

In an optional embodiment, the High-Performance Liquid Detergent may further comprise a preservative, a fragrance and a colour.

In accordance with above embodiment, the Anionic surfactants is selected from, but not limited to, Sodium Laureth sulphate, Disodium laureth sulphosuccinate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulphonate (Alpha olefin sulfate), ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, Linear Alkylate Sulfonate, Linear Alkylate Sulfonic acid, sodium myreth sulfate, sodium pareth sulfate, Sodium lauryl sulphate, Sarcoccinate, sulfates, cocates, isethionates and taurates and the like or combinations thereof.

The Non-Anionic surfactants is selected from, but not limited to, Cocamide DEA, Cocoglucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, GLYCERETH-2 COCOATE, Cocates, Glucoside group, Ethoxylated alcohols, Ethoxylated Fatty Alcohol, Alkyl Polyglucoside, Alkyl Polyoxyethylene sorbates and Alkyl polyglycerols, DEA group, Polyso.rbate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamide MEA, Sorbitol or combinations thereof.

The amphoteric surfactants is selected from, Lauryl Betaine (and) Myristyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Olive betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Coco betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Cetyl Betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine etc or combination thereof.

The chelating agent is selected from EDTA, Disodium EDTA, Nitrilotriacetic acid, HEDP, Pentasodium Pentate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Phytae, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Glucono delta Lactone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate and the like, or combinations thereof.

The Preservatives is selected from Phenoyethanol & Ethyl hexyl Glycerin, DMDM Hydantoin, MPHB, PPHB, Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol (and) Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydantoin (and) Methylchloroisothiazolinone (and) Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Nitrate & Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Magnesium Chloride and Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol etc or its combination thereof.

The Rheology modifier or Thickener is, selected from, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (and) PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide (and) Aqua, Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Carbomer, Acrylic Acid/Acrylamidomethyl Propane Sulfonic Acid Copolymer, Acrylic polymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Celluloses, Hydroxyethyl cellulose, Hydroxyproply cellulose, cellulose esters, Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Gums, Acrylates, Polyacrylates, Methyl Glucose Caprate / Caprylate / Oleate (and) Propanediol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate (and) Propanediol etc or its combination thereof.

The builders is selected from Sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sesquicarbonates, Zeolites, sodium salt of nitriloacetic acid (NTA) and zeolite A (a crystalline sodium aluminosilicate), silicates, alumino silicates, organic acid such as Poly carboxylic acid, citric acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid etc or its combination thereof.

In an embodiment, the invention provides process for High-Performance Liquid Detergent. In the first step of process neutralise Linear Benzene Sulphonic acid with sodium hydroxide in the main vessel kept at room temperature and then add remaining surfactants one by one. Add chelating agent, salt, optical brightener, and colour. Prepare premix of Rheology modifier with 10% of water and heat it to 50 deg C, ensure complete dissolution transfer premix to main vessel, and then add the Builder in main vessel. After complete mixing of above add Parfum.

Linear Benzene sulphonic acid is highly acidic in nature and hence needs neutralisation with base or alkali. Completion of neutralisation PH of mixture which needs to be 5-7. Once it is neutralised other ingredients can added.

The consistency of the High-Performance Liquid Detergent is maintained by addition of emulsifier & thickener and free alkalinity of formulation is controlled by monitoring pH during the bath cycle.

EXAMPLE
Examples as set forth illustrate the nature of the invention and the manner of carrying it out. However, the invention should not be considered as being limited to the details thereof.

Example 1:
Example for Liquid Detergent

Sr. No. Ingredient %
1. DM Water Qs
2. Anionic Surfactant 16.00
3. Non-Ionic surfactant 1.00
4. Non-Ionic surfactant 1.00
5. Amphoteric surfactant 2.00
6. Tetrasodium EDTA 0.10
7. Thickener 0.20
8. Sodium Hydroxide 1.00
9. Optical Brightener 0.02
10. Builder 0.10
11. Disodium EDTA 0.10
12. Sodium Chloride 0.5
13. Parfum qs
14. CI 42090 0.0001

Example 2:
Example for Liquid Detergent

Sr. No. Ingredient %
1. DM Water Qs
2. Linear Benzene Sulphonic acid 16.00
3. 3 Ethoxylate 1.00
4. 7 Ethoxylate 1.00
5. Lauryl Aminoxide 2.00
6. Tetrasodium EDTA 0.10
7. Distearate 0.20
8. Sodium Hydroxide 1.00
9. Optical Brightener 0.02
10. Carbonates 0.10
11. Disodium EDTA 0.10
12. Sodium Chloride 0.5
13. Parfum qs
14. CI 42090 0.0001

Process step is as follows:

Step (a): neutralising Linear Benzene Sulphonic acid with sodium hydroxide;
Step (b): adding remaining surfactants one by one to the main vessel containing neutralised solution of Step (a);
Step (c): adding chelating agent, salt, optical brightener, and colour to the surfactant solution of Step (b);
Step (d): premixing of Rheology modifier with 10% of water;
Step (e): heating the solution of Step (d) at 50 deg C ensure complete dissolution of the Rheology modifier;
Step (f): transferring premix of step (e) to main vessel of Step (b);
Step (g): adding a Builder in main vessel of Step (f), and
Step (h): adding Parfum after complete mixing to the solution of Step (g).
, Claims:1. A liquid detergent having parity performance with mass powder on detergency comprising;

a. a surfactant in range of 1-25% w/v ;
b. a chelating agent in a range of 0.01-1.0% w/v;
c. an optical brightener in range of 0.001 to 0.5 w/v,
d. a rheology modifier or thickener in range of 0.01%-2.0% w/v;
e. a salt in range of 0.01 – 2.0%, and
f. a builder in range of 0.01%-2.0% w/v.
wherein the liquid detergent combines the advantages of liquid detergents as well as powder detergents in terms of cleansing performance.

2. The liquid detergent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the surfactant comprises of;
a. an Anionic surfactant in range of 3-18%% w/v;
b. an amphoteric in range of 2-10% w/v, and
c. a non-ionic surfactants in range of 3-18% w/v.

3. The Liquid Detergent as claimed in claim 2, wherein the Anionic surfactants is selected from, but not limited to, Sodium Laureth sulphate, Disodium laureth sulphosuccinate, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulphonate (Alpha olefin sulfate), ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, Linear Alkylate Sulfonate, Linear Alkylate Sulfonic acid, sodium myreth sulfate, sodium pareth sulfate, Sodium lauryl sulphate, Sarcoccinate, sulfates, cocates, isethionates and taurates and the like or combinations thereof.

4. The Liquid Detergent as claimed in claim 2, wherein the amphoteric surfactants is selected from, Lauryl Betaine (and) Myristyl Betaine, Sodium Cocoamphoacetate, Olive betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Coco betaine, Disodium Cocoamphodipropionate, Cetyl Betaine, cocamidopropyl betaine etc or combination thereof

5. The Liquid Detergent as claimed in claim 2, wherein the Non-Anionic surfactants is selected from, but not limited to, Cocamide DEA, , Cocoglucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, GLYCERETH-2 COCOATE, Cocates, Glucoside group, Ethoxylated alcohols, Ethoxylated Fatty Alcohol, Alkyl Polyglucoside, Alkyl Polyoxyethylene sorbates and Alkyl polyglycerols, DEA group, Polyso.rbate, Decyl Glucoside, Cocamide MEA, Sorbitol or combinations thereof.

6. The Liquid Detergent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the chelating agent is selected from EDTA, Disodium EDTA, Nitrilotriacetic acid, HEDP, Pentasodium Pentate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Phytae, Citric Acid, Sodium Citrate, Glucono delta Lactone, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate and the like, or combinations thereof.

7. The Liquid Detergent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Rheology modifier or Thickener is, selected from, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate (and) PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide (and) Aqua, Distearate, Sodium Chloride, Carbomer, Acrylic Acid/Acrylamidomethyl Propane Sulfonic Acid Copolymer, Acrylic polymer, Acrylates Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Celluloses, Hydroxyethyl cellulose, Hydroxyproply cellulose, cellulose esters, Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Gums, Acrylates, Polyacrylates, Methyl Glucose Caprate / Caprylate / Oleate (and) Propanediol, PEG-120 Methyl Glucose Trioleate (and) Propanediol etc or its combination thereof.

8. The Liquid Detergent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the builders is selected from Sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, sesquicarbonates, Zeolites, sodium salt of nitriloacetic acid (NTA) and zeolite A (a crystalline sodium aluminosilicate), silicates, alumino silicates, organic acid such as Poly carboxylic acid, citric acid, adipic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid etc or its combination thereof.

9. The Liquid Detergent as claimed in claim 8, wherein the builders increases the reserve alkalinity and pH of product which enhances cleaning performance.

10. The liquid detergent as claimed in claim 1, wherein said Liquid Detergent further comprises
a. a preservative;
b. a fragrance, and
c. a colour.

11. The liquid detergent as claimed in claim 10, wherein the Preservatives is selected from Phenoyethanol & Ethyl hexyl Glycerin, DMDM Hydantoin, MPHB, PPHB, Diazolidinyl Urea, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Phenoxyethanol (and) Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, Phenoxyethanol, DMDM Hydantoin (and) Methylchloroisothiazolinone (and) Methylisothiazolinone, Magnesium Nitrate & Methylchloroisothiazolinone and Magnesium Chloride and Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol etc or its combination thereof.

12. A process for preparing the liquid detergent as claimed in claim 1, wherein the process comprises;

Step (a): neutralising Linear Benzene Sulphonic acid with sodium hydroxide;
Step (b): adding remaining surfactants one by one to the main vessel containing neutralised solution of Step (a);
Step (c): adding chelating agent, salt, optical brightener, and colour to the surfactant solution of Step (b);
Step (d): premixing of Rheology modifier with 10% of water;
Step (e): heating the solution of Step (d) at 50 deg C ensure complete dissolution of the Rheology modifier;
Step (f): transferring premix of step (e) to main vessel of Step (b);
Step (g): adding a Builder in main vessel of Step (f), and
Step (h): adding Parfum after complete mixing to the solution of Step (g).