Concentrated liquid soap formulations having readily pumpable viscosity

Abstract

The present invention provides concentrated soap compositions formulated in such a manner that, quite unpredictably, despite high concentration of soap, they have viscosity which allows them to be pumped from, for example, consumer packaging (e.g., bottles) and / or transit or storage points during manufacture (e.g., pipes, storage tanks, etc.).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates to soap formulations, particularly liquid soap formulations, with high concentration of soap. Using formulation and processing criticalities, applicants have found a way in which these high concentration soaps can be readily dispensed (have correct rheology) from, for example, tube, bottle, pump or such dispensers.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The rapid growth in human population and the changing economic environment are placing ever increasing demand on world water supplies. Because of water scarcity over much of the world, for example, it is important to prepare liquid cleansing products with as little water as possible. Low water cleansing products offer an environmentally friendly cleansing route which lowers strain on water supply. In the current invention, applicants have provided precisely such low water (high soap) cleansers, which are formed by replacing water with a dense liquid crystalline surfactant phase. Quit...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a concentrated soap formulation that can be pumped and dispensed, as well as a packaged product and a process for preparing the concentrated solution. The formulation includes a specific ratio of unneutralized fatty acid soap to neutralized soap, as well as a ratio of soap to free fatty acid. The formulation also contains a small amount of a synthetic or co-solvent non-soap surfactant to help reduce viscosity. The resulting concentrate has a pumpable viscosity of less than 300 Newtons, and can be used as a final product or can be diluted with water or other solvent to achieve the desired viscosity. The invention also provides a method for preparing the concentrate by either neutralizing soap in-situ or mixing already neutralized soap and free fatty acid.

Problems solved by technology

Unexpectedly, and quite unpredictably, applicants have now found that, if the ratio of unneutralized fatty acid to neutralized fatty acid soap (in a concentrate solution where soap comprises >50%, preferably ≧60% of concentrate) is kept within a specific critical window, in combination with other critical parameters noted below, the resulting concentrate will have a rheology that allows it to be pumped and / or dispensed.