US2892795A - Paste scouring cleanser - Google Patents

Description

undesirable properties.

PASTE SCOURING CLEANSER Philip Benjamin Dalton, Franklin Square, N .Y., assignor to Colgate-Palmolive Company, Jersey City, N.J., a corporation of Delaware N Drawing; Application December 29, 1953 Serial No. 401,040

1 Claim. (Cl. 252-115) a This invention relates to certain improvements in securing cleansers and particularly to a new variety of paste scouring cleanser differing from those now in common use and having as one of the basic ingredients a highly effective material that eliminates many of the undesirable characteristics of present day paste scouring cleansers and gives them several new advantages.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my copending application Serial No. 347,416, filed April 7, 1953, now abandoned.

There is a present need for paste type scouring cleansers in the market today because in certain operations such as the cleansing of hotel bathroom sinks, pullman car sinks and metal surfaces, etc., the use of a powder cleanser is often excluded regardless of its merit. To meet that need the present invention provides a new paste type scouring cleanser having a non-soap anionic synthetic deterge'nt'base which is superior in foaming, detergent and lime soap dispersion and/or rinsing properties to any paste type cleanser heretofore known.

One of the difiiculties encountered in preparing a paste type cleanser is to obtain the proper physical form without losing the desirable properties of the detergent. More particularly, the water content and gelling properties must be adjusted so that upon packaging the product it will flow readily at elevated temperatures and set up firmly at room temperature. The technique usually employed in packaging paste soap cleansers involves pouring the product into a container at a temperature no higher than 110 P. so as to avoid shrinkage and other This means that the product flows'readily at 110 F. and sets up firmly at room temperature. In preparing a paste type cleanser using a non-soap anionic syntheticv detergent base an additional difiiculty is encountered which is not present when preparing a soap base type paste cleanser. A non-soap anionic synthetic detergent has no gelling properties. The difliculties encountered in obtaining the proper phys ical form of the paste cleanser are therefore two-fold;

the first being the proper water content and the second the addition of a suitable gelling agent. Having once obtained the proper physical form for the paste cleanser,

should the product not be smooth, that is, should it be stringy orshort, an additionaldifficulty' is encountered in finding an agent which will gi e the product satisfactory consistencyv and appearance.

Broadly, the invention is concerned with a paste cleanser having a non-soap anionic synthetic detergent base; More particularly, the invention is concerned with a paste cleanser composition comprising a cleansing powder having a non-soap anionic synthetic detergent base combinedwith a gelling agent, a lubricating agent, and 'water.

In making paste scouring cleanser, it has been customary to use soap; that is, alkali metal salts of soapforming fatty acids, as a base material or atleast as an essential ingredient. Bentonite, soda ash, water and/or States Patent 0 other ingredients are usually compounded with'the soap 1 2,892,795 Patented June 30, 1959 to make the final soap paste scouring cleanser. However, one disadvantage of using soap is that it forms insoluble curds with calcium and magnesium both of which are commonly present in water. With such curd formation the effectiveness of the soap detergent is materially reduced. This does not occur when a non-soap anionic synthetic detergent is used as a base ingredient in a paste type scouring cleanser.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a paste type scouring cleanser having 'as a base ingredient a non-soap anionic detergent which will afford lime soap protection in water up to 300 p.p.m. hardness, and which will be characterized by good foaming, detergent and rinsing properties.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description:

According to the present invention, it has been discovered that when a dry cleansing powder comprising an abrasive, a non-soap anionic synthetic detergent, and a water-soluble inorganic phosphate is combined with a gelling agent, a lubricant and water, a paste scouring cleanser results which exhibits excellent foaming, detergent, rinsing and lime soap dispersion properties. More particularly, it has been discovered that when a cleansing powder comprising silex, a non-soap anionic synthetic detergent and an alkali metal tripolyphosphate is combined with high titer soap, glycerin, and water, a paste scouring cleanser results which is superior in foaming, detergent, rinsing and lime soap dispersion properties to the powder soap alone or any of the soap base paste cleansers heretofore known.

In determining the proportions of each component of the paste cleanser which will produce the desired result it was found that the proportion of silex in the paste cleanser should be maintained preferably between about 50 to 73%, that the total phosphate content should preferably be maintained within a range of about 4 to 10% and that the non-soap anionic synthetic detergent content should preferably be within the range of about 2 to 10%. The range of the powdered cleansing agent in the paste cleanser should be maintained within a range of about 65% to It was found that the water content must be maintained between about 15 to 30% of the composition in order to establish and maintain the proper physical characteristics thereof. This means that the product shall be flowable at higher temperatures and set up firmly at room temperature. It also means that the content of the gel ling agent, which is essential since a non-soap anionic synthetic detergent has no gelling properties, may be reduced to a minimum. For a high water content such as of the order to 40 to 50%, more thickening or gelling agents would be needed, but this would be undesirable since it would reduced the amount of the effective detergent.

It was found that a high titer soap was satisfactory as a gelling agent. When used in low concentration it thickened or gelled the formation to the proper degree whether at room temperature or elevated temperatures. In addition to soap, various agents were investigated such as alkali metal alginates especially sodium alginate (Keltex), tri-alkylolamine salts of alginic acid especially a tri-isopropanolamine salt of alginic acid (Kelluble), various grades of carboxymethyl cellulose (e.g., alkali metal salts, especially sodium), and a moss extract (Krimco). While most of these materials exhibited thickening properties, all of them except soap showed one important defeot. That is, the change in viscosity with the change in temperature was not great enough in the concentration investigated. When a suflicient amount of, say, sodium alginate was used to produce a thick product at room to 60 C. and said high titer soap should be present within a range of about 0.6% to 2.5% in the composition. More particularly, 1% of a 57.6 C. titer soap gave the best results.

In making up a paste scouring cleanser comprising powder cleanser, high titer soap and water, it was found that although the use of a high titer soap gave a stable product which poured at elevated temperatures and gelled at room temperatures, the paste was somewhat stringy and short. A lubricant such as glycerin was therefore'added to give the paste product a better consistency and appearance, it being added to the product in relatively small amounts. It was found that the addition of between approximately 1 to 3% lubricant gave a smooth product of good consistency and appearance.

To illustrate the general process of preparing a com position of this type, the water, glycerin and soap were mixed in a common type soap crutcher, heated to between 160 and 206 F., and'the cleansing powder was added .to the solution over a period of about 1 to 15 minutes. 'By this method a minimum of foaming and air bubbles was produced in the mixture. The water-soap-glycerin ,was brought almost to a boil before adding the powdered cleanser. By doing this no external heat was necessary during mixing. The mixture was stirred to a smooth paste, usually no longer than about 5 to 10 minutes being required although periods as high as 40 minutes were successfully tried, and poured into a container at a temperature from 128 to 182 F. It was further found that should the soap be prepared in situ, by which is meant adding caustic and a fatty acid to the mixture rather than the preformed soap itself, the product was superior to the product obtained by adding preformed soap directly to the mixer. Although the process is preferably performed by adding a powdered cleanser to the mixture of glycerin, soap and water, it is within the purview of this invention to add the components of the powdered cleanser individually to the mixture of the glycerin, soap and water. It was found that an equally satisfactory paste cleanser was ,obtained when the non-soap anionic synthetic detergent, silex and alkali metal tripolyphosphate such as sodium tripolyphosphate were added to the mixture of glycerin, soap and water.

Having described the present invention in its broader aspects, more detailed examples of the procedure and composition in accordance therewith are now given in order to assist in a better understanding of its various ramifications, it being understood that this is included herein fror purpose of illustration rather than limitation. Percentages are by weight throughout the specification and claims unless otherwise indicated.

In Examples 1 to 6 the cleansing powder consists essentially of 87.2% silex, 6.2% commercial dodecyl benzene sulfonate and 6.2% sodium tripolyphosphate. In Example 7 the cleansing powder is as therein indicated.

In the preparation of this composition .6 pound of glycerin, /2 pound of soap, and 14 pounds of water were added to an Abbey mixer. This mixture was then heated to 173 F. whereupon there was added to it over a period of 1% minutes while being agitated 35 pounds of cleansing powder. The addition :of the powder resulted in a lowering of the bath temperature to F. The overall composition was mixed for a period of five minutes and then poured into a container at 144 F. A resulting analysis of the paste showed a specific gravity of 1.42 and a moisture content of 27.2%.

EXAMPLE 2 Percent Cleansing powder 75.05 Water 22.80 Glycerin 1.075 Soap (formed in situ) 1.075

In the preparation of this composition /2 pound of glycerin, 14 pounds of water, and the calculated amount of hydrogenated tallow fatty acid composition consisting of 3.0% myristic, 28% palmitic, 63% stearic and 6.0% oleic acids and sodium hydroxide to make /2 pound of soap were added to an Abbey mixer. This mixture was then heated to 168 F. whereupon there was added to it over a period of 1 /2 minutes while being agitated 35 pounds of the powdered cleanser. The addition of the powder resulted in a lowering of the bath temperature to 152 F. The over-all composition was then mixed for a period of five minutes and then poured into a container at 138 F. A resultant analysis of the paste showed a specific gravity of 1.38 and a moisture content of 22.8%.

EXAMPLE 3 Percent Cleansing powder 78.03 Water 19.80 Glycerin 1.085 Soap (formed in situ) 1.085

In the preparation of this composition 3 pounds of glycerin, 78 pounds of water and the calculated amount of hydrogenated tallow fatty acid composition consisting of 3.0% myristic, 28% palmitic, 63% stearic and 6.0% oleic acids and sodium hydroxide to make 3 pounds of soap were added to a modified ribbon type soap crutcher. This mixture was then heated to 177 F. whereupon there was added to it over a period of 10 minutes while being agitated 216 pounds of powdered cleanser. The addition of the powder resulted in a lowering of the bath temperature to 148 F. The over-all composition was mixed for a period of 5 minutes and then poured into a container at 146 F. A resultant analysis of the paste showed a specific gravity of 1.28 and a moisture content of 19.8%.

The same steps were followed in preparing this composition as were used in Example 3 with the exception of the time in adding the powdered cleanser to the glycerin, soap and water mixture; the temperatures of the mixture at various stages and the time in mixing the over-all composition. In this example, 10 minutes were consumed in adding the powdered cleanser. The glycerin, soap and water mixture was heated to F.; cooled to 146 F. upon addition of the powder; and poured at 142 F. The mixing time for the over-all composition was extended to 30 minutes. The resultant analysis of the paste showed a specific gravity of 1.46 and a moisture content of 22.4%.

g PLE'S I Percent Cleansing-powder 72.0 Water f I 26.0 Glycerin I 7 1:0 Soap (formed insitu) 1.0

The same steps were 'followedin preparing this composition as were used in Example 4 with the exception o'f'the temperature. of the mixture at the various stages. The glycerin,.soap.and water mixture was heated to 172 "Fl; cooled to 143 F. upon addition of the powder; and poured at 139 A resultant analysis of the paste showed a specific gravity offI1.47 and amoisture content The same steps 'weretfollowed in preparing this composition as were usedninrExample 4,.with the exception of the temperatures of the mixture :at various stages and the time in mixing the over-all composition. The glycerin, soap and water mixture was heated to 173 F., cooled to 142 F- upon. additioncof the powder, and poured at 140 F. Mixing. time for. the over-all composition was extended to 40iaminu'tes. The resultant analysis of the The cleansing powder of example comprises the I :followingi-ingredientszi EXAMPLE 6 i 7 Percent Cleansing, powder 76.54 Water a j 21.40 Glycerin 1103 Soap (formed in situ), 1.03

Percent Silex I v p 85.4 Sodiumtripoly'phosphate 3.99 Commercial detergent mixture 10.57 Perfume 0.04

The commercial detergent mixture referred to above comprises as the principal ingredients the following:

Percent Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate Sodium tripolyphosphate and decomposition products thereof 40 Sodium silicate 7 Sodium sulfate Balance It also contains fractional percentages of sodium carboxymethyl-cellulose, tarnish inhibitor, preservative and fluoroescent dye.

The paste cleanser of this example was compounded as described above.

In order to evaluate the foam properties of the product of the invention, a measured amount of the product is placed in a 500 ml. graduated cylinder with sufiicient water added to bring the volume to 100 ml. A perforated piston is then placed in the cylinder and readings taken of the foam height after every five strokes of the piston through the liquid. This test is satisfactory for measuring relative differences in foaming power of different products.

The following three tables indicate the relative foaming powers of the paste cleanser of this invention, the cleasing powder per se, and two well known paste cleansers, A and B.

Table I indicates the relative foaming power in milli- '6 liters-of'thecleansing powder per se and the paste scouring cleanser of this invention when 5 'to 30 piston strokes are appliedto a 500 ml. graduated cylinder containing 33 grams of one of the materials to which has been added suflicient Jersey City tap water at 120 F. to bring the volume up to ml.

Table 1 Height of Height of 7 Powder Paste Number otPistonStrokes Solution Solution inml. in ml.

The foaming power of the paste compared favorably with that of the cleansing powder alone as can be seen from Table I.

Table II indicates the relative foaming power in milliliters of the paste cleanser of this invention and two Wellknown paste cleansers, A and B, when 5 to 60 piston strokes are applied to a 500 m1. graduated cylinder containing 45.8 grams of one of. the materials to which has been. added sufficient water at 150 ppm. hardness at vF. to bring the volumeup to 100 ml.

- Table II Helght of Cleanser Height of Cleanser Solution Number of Piston Strokes I B in mi.

7 Table III indicates the relative foaming power in milliliters of the paste cleanser of this invention and the two well known cleansers, A and B, when 5 to 60 piston strokes are applied to a 500 ml. graduated cylinder containing 20.8 grams of one of the materials to which has been added sufiicient water at 300 ppm. hardness at 120 F. to bring the volume up to 100 ml.

Table III Height of Height of Height of Number of Piston Strokes Cleanser Cleanser Paste I Solution Solution Solution A in mi. B in ml. in ml The foaming power of the paste cleanser of this invention proved to be far superior to that of the paste cleansers A and B.

To determine the detergency power of the product a ceramic tile plate was coated with a mixture of Oildag, linseed oil, Crisco and Skelly Solve C, and heat treated at C. for a period of from 23 to 25 minutes. The tile was then washed with a sponge containing the prodnot, operated by a mechanical Windshield wipei' devic'e. :The number of strokes necessary to completely remove :th'esoilrwith the given product was measured. The

paste product was 'found'to. be superior 'to the cleansing .-.powder taken alone. i

Table IV v Paste Gleaming Cleanser I Test No. Powder of the present invention 1 7 V V l 7 .1141 117 2 135 121 Avera e 138 119 As will be apparent the smaller the number of strokes required the better the cleansing ability.

In a testmade to'determine the comparative lime soap dispersion properties of the paste cleanser of this invention and paste cleansers now on the market, ceramic tiles were washed with the product to be tested in 300 p.p.m. hardwater.- The'plates were then rinsed twice with 300 ppm. hardness water and st ained with methyl violet. The methyl violetsticks to any lime soap present and is therefore easily seen. From this test it was apparent that no lime soap remained on the ceramic tile surface when the paste cleanser of the present invention was used although from A to a of the total area of the tile wasstained when thei-tile-w'as washed with other commercially available pastecleansers.

In the above examples the cleansing powder is stated to consist of silex, dodecyl benzene sulfonate, and sodium =such as nonionicsgand alkyl aryl sulfonates. I

of this invention to usei'othe ralkyl aryl sulfonates having an alkyl chain of from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, other non-soap. D ..5l/ fl fi d ter ent su I as qnll Joilifatty acid .monoglyceride, alkali ,rnetal sulfates, fatty alcohol sulfates orflsulfonates or m ixtur es of detergents In the above examples the. lubricant has been defined 'asg lycerin; however, .it is within the purview of this "invention to'use other polyhydric alcohols or their ethers such as glycol, glycol ether, sorbitol or the like.

Summarizing, the present invention, is based upon the discovery of a new composition which comprises a cleansing powder comprising silex, a non-soap anionic synthetic detergenhand an alkali metal tr'ipolyphosphate combined with a. high titer soap, a polyhydric alcohol or ether thereof, and water to form a highly eflicient paste type scouring cleanser.

While the invention hasbe'endescribed in terms of .preferred embodiments thereof, it "is" to be understood that considerable variations from the details disclosed might be made without departing from the true scope and spirit of the invention; "Accordingly, the invention 'is to be limited only by the claim set forth hereinafter.

What is claimed is:

A paste scouring cleanser consisting essentially of about to 73% of silex, about 2% to 10% of an alkyl benzene sulfonate having an alkyl chain of from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, about 4% to 10% of sodium tripolyphosphate, about 0.6% to 2.5% of a high titer soap having .a titer .of about. 25.to C., about 1% t0 3% of glycerin, and about 15% to 30% of water, the foregoing percentages being by weight 1 References Cited inuthe fileof this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,421,703 Kamlet June 3, 1947 2,494,827 Munter Jan. 17, 1950 2,610,950 Morrisroe Sept. 16, 1952 I FOREIGN PATENTS.

106,312 Australia Ian. 3, 1939 OTHER REFERENCES Soap and Sanitary Chemicals, May 1950, pages 42, 43 and 98. i