External structuring system for liquid laundry detergent composition
Liquid or gel-form detergents can be externally structured with a structuring system comprising crystallizable glyceride(s) emulsified with an alkanolamine-neutralized anionic surfactant. Crystallizable glyceride(s) of use include hydrogenated castor oil. The liquid or gel-form detergents may be packaged in unit dose form.
1. An external structuring system for liquid and gel-form laundry detergents comprising by weight percentage:
a. from about 2 to about 10% of crystals of a glyceride which is hydrogenated castor oil having a melting temperature of from 40° C. to 100° C.;
b. from about 2 to about 10% of an alkanolamine, wherein said alkanolamine is monoethanolamine; and
c. from about 5 to about 50% of the anion of an alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant;
wherein said alkanolamine is present in an amount at least balancing the charge of the anion form of said anionic alkylbenzene sulfonate surfactant;
wherein said structuring system is substantially free from monovalent and divalent inorganic metal ions;
wherein the external structuring system is free of nonionic surfactant;
wherein the external structuring system is free from soap and fatty acids;
wherein the external structuring system is boron-free; and
wherein the external structuring system further comprises from 30% to 90% water.
2. The external structuring system according to claim 1 , wherein said crystals have a non-spherical elongated crystal habit with an aspect ratio of at least 5:1 and a needle radius of at least about 20 nanometers.
3. The external structuring system according to claim 1 , wherein said alkylbenzene sulfonate has a 2-phenyl isomer content of not more than 70%.
4. The external structuring system according to claim 1 wherein said alkanolamine is present in said structuring system in stoichiometric excess over said anionic surfactant and the pH on dilution at 5 weight % in water of said external structuring system is from about 7.5 to about 9.0.
5. The external structuring system according to claim 1 , comprising from 12% to about 50% of the anion of the alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant.
6. The external structuring system according to claim 1 , further comprising from 30% to 90%, by weight of the composition, water.
7. An external structuring system for liquid and gel-form laundry detergents comprising by weight percentage:
a. from about 2 to about 10% of crystals of a glyceride which is hydrogenated castor oil having a melting temperature of from 40° C. to 100° C.;
b. from about 2 to about 10% of an alkanolamine, wherein said alkanolamine is monoethanolamine; and
c. from about 5 to about 50% of an alkylbenzene sulfonate anionic surfactant;
wherein said anionic surfactant is preneutralized by said alkanolamine;
wherein said external structuring system is free from soap and fatty acids; and
wherein said structuring system is substantially free from monovalent and divalent inorganic metal ions.
8. An external structuring system for liquid and gel-form laundry detergents consisting essentially of by weight percentage:
a. from about 2 to about 10% of crystals of a glyceride which is hydrogenated castor oil having a melting temperature of from 40° C. to 100° C.;
b. from about 2 to about 10% of an alkanolamine; and
c. from about 5 to about 50% of an anionic surfactant; and
d. water.
9. The external structuring system of claim 8 , wherein said external structuring system is free from soap and fatty acids.