IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,735,660
Granted Patent B2
US 12,735,660 · App. 18/498,192 · Granted Sep 15, 2026

Surfactant blends in unit dose packages for improved mildness

Inventor: Daniel Thomas Piorkowski (Fairfield, CT)
Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
C11D17/0039C11D1/06C11D1/74C11D3/3409C11D3/43
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,735,660
App. No.
18/498,192
Granted
Sep 15, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present disclosure provides a unit dose product comprising a pouch formed from a water-soluble film material; and a detergent composition disposed within the pouch that comprises about 5 to about 20 wt % water, about 35 to about 65 wt % of at least two surfactants, and a non-aqueous solvent. The at least two surfactants comprise methyl ester ethoxylate (MEE) and a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), and at least one of an alkyl ether sulfate (AES) and a non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate (AE). The composition can further comprise additional components, such as a base, a performance polymer, an anti-redeposition agent, an enzyme, a bleaching agent, a bleach activator, a chelating agent, an optical brightener, a bitterant, a corrosion inhibitor, or a combination thereof. The detergent composition comprises surfactants with improved mildness and solvents with lower allergic components.

Claims (25)

1 . A unit dose product comprising:

a pouch formed from a water-soluble film material;

a detergent composition comprising

(a) about 5 to about 20 weight percent (wt %) water,

(b) about 35 to about 65 wt % of a surfactant system comprising:

a non-ionic alcohol ethoxylate (AE), a methyl ester ethoxylate (MEE), and an alkyl ether sulfate (AES), and

(c) a non-aqueous solvent comprising polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, glycerin, and ethanol;

wherein monoethanolamine is present in an amount of not more than 2% by weight of the composition

wherein the composition does not comprise a linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS),

wherein a % swelling is not more than about 32% in a 24 hr test; and

wherein the detergent composition is disposed within the pouch.

2 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the MEE comprises the formula R 1 —C(═O)O-(EO) n —CH 3 , wherein R 1 is a C 8 -C 24 alkyl, EO is polyethoxylate, and n is an integer of moles from 5 to 30.

3 . The unit dose product of claim 2 , wherein R 1 is C 17 alkyl and n is 10.

4 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the AE comprises the formula R 1 -(EO) n —OH, wherein R 1 is a C 12 -C 18 alkyl group, EO is ethoxylate, and n is an integer of moles from 1 to 15.

5 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition comprises at least 4 wt % of MEE.

6 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition comprises 1.4 wt % monoethanolamine.

7 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition has a pH of about 6.5 to about 12.

8 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition has a pH of about 7 to about 8.

9 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and glycerin are present in a weight ratio of about 1:0.5:1.

10 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition further comprises at least one additive selected from an anti-redeposition agent, a performance polymer, a defoamer, an enzyme, a bleaching agent, a bleach activator, a chelating agent, a chlorine scavenger, an optical brightener, a bitterant, a corrosion inhibitor, and any combination thereof.

11 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the detergent composition comprises about 10 to about 15 wt % water;

about 40 to about 55 wt % of the surfactant system; and;

at least one additive selected from a defoamer, a chelating agent, an optical brightener, a bitterant, a corrosion inhibitor, and any combination thereof

wherein the surfactant system further comprises a coco fatty acid.

12 . The unit dose product of claim 1 , wherein the water-soluble film material comprises polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) or polyvinyl acetate (PVA).

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 16, 2023
From: PIORKOWSKI, DANIEL THOMAS
To: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
Reel/Frame 065588/0201 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20250136900A1 · May 1, 2025
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