US 2005O233935A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0233935 A1 Gunn et al. (43) Pub. Date: Oct. 20, 2005

(54) STRUCTURED SURFACTANT Publication Classification COMPOSITIONS (76) Inventors: Euen Gunn, Trenton, NJ (US); Seren (51) Int. Cl." ...... C11D 17/00 Frantz, Bensalem, PA (US) (52) U.S. Cl...... 510/418 Correspondence Address: KEVIN E. MC VEIGH (57) ABSTRACT RHODA INC. 259 PROSPECT PLAINS ROAD CRANBURY, NJ 08512 (US) An optically clear aqueous structured Surfactant composi (21) Appl. No.: 11/107,609 tion that includes from 0 parts by weight to less than 2.5 (22) Filed: Apr. 15, 2005 parts by weight Sugar per 100 parts by weight of the 9 composition, and from greater than 7.7 parts by weight to Related U.S. Application Data about 50 parts by weight of an anionic surfactant per 100 parts by weight of the composition, and wherein at least a (60) Provisional application No. 60/562,891, filed on Apr. portion of the anionic Surfactant is in the form of Spherulites, 15, 2004. is useful as a ingredient in personal care compositions. US 2005/0233935 A1 Oct. 20, 2005

STRUCTURED SURFACTANT COMPOSITIONS mixing, wherein the aqueous structured Surfactant compo Sition comprises from 0 pbw to less than 2.5 pbw Sugar per FIELD OF THE INVENTION 100 pbw of the composition and from greater than 7.7 pbw 0001. This invention relates to structured surfactant com to about 50 pbw of an anionic surfactant per 100 pbw of the positions, more particularly to optically clear Structured composition and wherein at least a portion of the anionic Surfactant compositions. Surfactant is in the form of Spherulites. 0010. In a fourth embodiment, the present invention is BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION directed to a personal care composition, comprising an 0002 Structured surfactant compositions are typically optically clear Structured Surfactant component, Said an pumpable, non-Newtonian compositions which have the optically clear Structured Surfactant component comprising capacity physically to Suspend Solid particles by Virtue of the from 0 pbw to less than 2.5 pbw Sugar per 100 pbw of the presence of a Surfactant phase, which may be interspersed composition and from greater than 7.7 pbw to about 50 pbw with a Solvent phase. Typically, the Surfactant phase is of an anionic Surfactant per 100 pbw of the composition, present as packed spherulites, i.e., lamellar droplets, dis wherein at least a portion of the anionic Surfactant is in the persed in the aqueous phase. form of spherulites. 0.003 Structured surfactant compositions are useful in 0011. In a fifth aspect, the present invention is directed to Such home care applications as liquid detergents, laundry a personal care composition, comprising: detergents, hard Surface cleansers, dish wash liquids, and 0012 an optically clear aqueous structured Surfac personal care formulations Such as Shampoos, body wash, tant composition, Said structured Surfactant compo hand Soap, lotions, creams, conditioners, shaving products, sition comprising from 0 pbw to less than 2.5 pbw facial washes, baby care formulations, skin treatments. Sugar per 100 pbw of the composition and from Other applications may include oil field and agrochemical greater than 7.7 pbw to about 50 pbw of an anionic formulations. surfactant per 100 pbw of the composition, wherein 0004 Structured surfactant compositions typically at least a portion of the anionic Surfactant is in the exhibit a cloudy, turbid appearance, which renders them form of Spherulites, and unattractive for applications in which a clear, transparent 0013 one or more discontinuous phases, each com appearance is desired. International Publication Number prising a functional or decorative material, dispersed WO 00/36079 discloses structured liquid detergent compo in the Structured Surfactant composition. sitions that are said to be substantially clear at 25 C., wherein cloudineSS has been addressed by adjusting the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION refractive index of the solvent phase through the addition of AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Sugars and Subjecting the Structured Surfactant composition to high shear, but states (at page 58, lines 6-8) that shearing 0014 AS used herein, the terminology “optically clear” in in the absence of Sugar addition is not Sufficient to generate reference to a structured Surfactant composition means that transparency. the composition exhibits an optical transmittance of greater than or equal to 5%, preferably greater than or equal to 10%, SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION more preferably greater than or equal to 25%, and still more 0005. In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to preferably greater than or equal to 30%, when measured at an optically clear aqueous structured Surfactant composition, a wavelength of 500-570 nanometers through a 1 centimeter comprising from 0 parts by weight (pbw) to less than 2.5 path length at 250, using water as the 100% transmittance pbw Sugar per 100 pbw of the composition and from greater Standard. than 7.7 pbw to about 50 pbw of an anionic surfactant per 0015 The structured surfactant composition of the 100 pbw of the composition, wherein at least a portion of the present invention typically comprises two or more discrete anionic Surfactant is in the form of Spherulites. phases. In one embodiment, the composition comprises an aqueous phase and a structured Surfactant phase. In one 0006. In a second aspect, the present invention is directed embodiment, the aqueous phase is a continuous phase and to a method for making an optically clear aqueous Structured the Structured Surfactant phase is a discontinuous phase and Surfactant composition, comprising: is dispersed in the aqueous phase. 0007 providing an aqueous structured surfactant 0016 “Lamellar surfactant phases” are phases which composition comprising, from Opbw to leSS than 2.5 comprise a plurality of bilayers of Surfactant arranged in pbw Sugar per 100 pbw of the composition and from parallel and Separated by liquid medium. Lamellar phases greater than 7.7 pbw to about 50 pbw of an anionic include both spherulitic phases and the typical form of the surfactant per 100 pbw of the composition, wherein liquid crystal G-phase, as well as mixtures thereof. at least a portion of the anionic Surfactant is in the “G-phases”, which are sometimes referred to in the literature form of Spherulites, and as “L, phases, are typically pourable, non-Newtonian, 0008 subjecting the aqueous structured surfactant anisotropic products that are cloudy looking and exhibit a composition high Shear mixing. characteristic "Smeary' appearance on flowing. Lamellar phases, can exist in Several different forms, including 0009. In a third aspect, the present invention is directed domains of parallel sheets which constitute the bulk of the to a method for improving the optical clarity of an aqueous typical G-phases described above and Spherulites formed Structured Surfactant composition, comprising Subjecting the from a number of concentric Spherical shells, each of which aqueous Structured Surfactant composition to high Shear is a bilayer of Surfactant. In this specification the term US 2005/0233935 A1 Oct. 20, 2005

“G-phase” will be reserved for compositions which are at about 50 pbw, more typically from about 15 to about 40 pbw, least partly of the former type. The Spherulites are typically and still more typically from about 20 to about 35 pbw, of between 0.1 and 50 microns in diameter and so differ an anionic Surfactant and from about 50 to about 90 pbw, fundamentally from micelles. Unlike micellar Solutions, more typically from about 60 to about 85pbw, and still more Spherulitic compositions are essentially heterogeneous com typically from about 65 to about 80 pbw water. positions comprising at least two phases and are typically 0025 AS used herein, the term “sugars' includes anisotropic and non-Newtonian. When close packed and monosaccharides, Such as glucose and fructose, and disac Stable, Spherulites have good Solid Suspending properties charides, Such as Saccharose, Sucrose, lactose, and maltose, and allow incorporation of insoluble or partially Soluble as well as mixtures thereof. Added SugarS change the refrac Solids, liquids and/or gases as a separate, discontinuous tive index of the aqueous phase, but are not desirable phase Suspended in a "spherulitic Surfactant phase', that, is because Sugars typically have a detrimental effect on skin a continuous matrix of the Spherulitic composition. feel and lubricity and may undesirably decrease foaming. 0.017. The surfactant phase morphology of the structured Surfactant composition is observed, for example, using an 0026. In one embodiment, the composition of the present optical microScope under croSS-polarized light at about 40x invention comprises from 0 to less than 2.5 pbw Sugar per magnification. 100 pbw of the composition, more typically, from 0 to less than 2.0 pbw Sugar per 100 pbw of the composition, even 0.018. The spherulitic portion of the anionic surfactant of more typically, from 0 to less than 1.0 pbw Sugar per 100 the Structured Surfactant composition of the present inven pbw of the composition. tion may, and typically does, comprise Spherulites of differ ent sizes. Typically, the Spherulites of the Spherulitic portion 0027 Anionic surfactants are known. Any anionic Sur of the anionic Surfactant are Substantially uniformly dis factant that is acceptable for use in the intended end use persed in the Structured Surfactant phase of the composition. application is Suitable as the anionic Surfactant component More typically, a major portion of the Structured Surfactant of the composition of the present invention, including, for phase comprises Such spherulites. Even more typically, the example, linear alkylbenzene Sulfonates, alpha olefin Sul Structured Surfactant phase comprises a spherulitic Surfac fonates, paraffin Sulfonates, alkyl ester Sulfonates, alkyl tant phase and, optionally, one or more lamellar G-phases. Sulfates, alkyl alkoxy Sulfates, alkyl Sulfonates, alkyl alkoxy Still more typically, the Structured Surfactant phase is a carboxylates, alkyl alkoxylated Sulfates, monoalkyl phos Spherulitic Surfactant phase. phates, dialkyl phosphates, Sarcosinates, isethionates, and taurates, as well as mixtures thereof. Commonly used 0019. In one embodiment, the composition of the present anionic Surfactants that are Suitable as the anionic Surfactant invention exhibits shear-thinning Viscosity. component of the composition of the present invention 0020. As used herein in reference to viscosity, the termi include, for example, ammonium lauryl Sulfate, ammonium nology “shear-thinning” means that Such viscosity decreases laureth Sulfate, triethanolamine laureth Sulfate, monoetha with an increase in Shear rate. Shear-thinning may be nolamine lauryl Sulfate, monoethanolamine laureth Sulfate, characterized as a “non-Newtonian' behavior, in that it diethanolamine lauryl Sulfate, diethanolamine laureth Sul differs from that of a classical Newtonian fluid, for example, fate, lauric monoglyceride Sodium Sulfate, Sodium lauryl water, in which Viscosity is not dependent on Shear rate. Sulfate, Sodium laureth Sulfate, potassium lauryl Sulfate, potassium laureth Sulfate, Sodium trideceth Sulfate, Sodium 0021. In one embodiment, the composition of the present tridecyl Sulfate, ammonium trideceth Sulfate, ammonium invention is capable of Suspending water insoluble or par tridecyl Sulfate, Sodium cocoylisethionate, disodium laureth tially water Soluble components. SulfoSuccinate, Sodium methyl oleoyl taurate, Sodium lau 0022. As used herein in reference to a component of an reth carboxylate, Sodium trideceth carboxylate, Sodium aqueous composition, the terminology “water insoluble or monoalkyl phosphates, Sodium dialkyl phosphates, Sodium partially water Soluble components' means that the compo lauryl Sarcosinate, lauroyl Sarcosine, cocoyl Sarcosinate, nent is present in the aqueous composition at a concentration ammonium cocyl Sulfate, Sodium cocyl Sulfate, potassium above the solubility limit of the component so that, in the cocyl Sulfate, monoethanolamine cocyl Sulfate, Sodium case of a water insoluble component, the component tridecyl benzene Sulfonate, Sodium dodecyl benzene Sul remains Substantially non-dissolved in the aqueous compo fonate, and branched anionic Surfactants, Such as Sodium Sition and, in the case of a partially water Soluble compo trideceth Sulfate, Sodium tridecyl Sulfate, ammonium tride nent, at least a portion of Such component remains undis ceth Sulfate, and ammonium tridecyl Sulfate. Solved in the aqueous composition. 0028. The cation of any anionic Surfactant is typically 0023. As used herein, characterization of an aqueous Sodium but may alternatively be potassium, lithium, cal composition as “capable of Suspending', or as being “able of cium, magnesium, ammonium, or an alkyl ammonium hav Suspend’ water insoluble or partially water Soluble compo ing up to 6 aliphatic carbon atoms including isopropylam nents means that the composition Substantially resists flo monium, monoethanolammonium, diethanolammonium, tation of Such components in the composition or Sinking of and triethanolammonium. Ammonium and ethanolammo Such components in Such composition So that Such compo nium Salts are generally more Soluble that the Sodium Salts. nents appear to be neutrally buoyant in Such composition Mixtures of the above cations may be used. and remain at least Substantially Suspended in Such compo 0029. In one embodiment, the structured surfactant com Sition under the anticipated processing, Storage, and use position of the present invention further comprises at least conditions for Such aqueous composition. an effective amount of one or more Structuring agents. 0024. In one embodiment, the structured surfactant com Suitable Structuring agents include cationic Surfactants, fatty position of the present invention comprises from about 10 to alcohols, alkoxylated alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, US 2005/0233935 A1 Oct. 20, 2005

alkanolamides, and electrolytes. An effective amount of Such Quaternium 18, Quaternium 80, Quaternium 82, Quater Structuring agent is one that promotes formation of a lamel nium 84, behentrimonium chloride, dicetyl dimonium chlo lar Surfactant phase. ride, behentrimonium methoSulfate, tallow trimonium chlo 0030 Cationic surfactants are known. Any anionic Sur ride and behenamidopropyl ethyl dimonium ethoSulfate. factant that is acceptable for use in the intended end use 0038 Quaternary ammonium compound of the dialkyl application is Suitable as the anionic Surfactant component amine derivative type distearyldimonium chloride, dicetyl of the composition of the present invention, including, for dimonium chloride, Stearyl octyldimonium methoSulfate, example, cationic Surfactants according to formula (1) dihydrogenated palmoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium metho below: Sulfate, dipalmitoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methoSul fate, dioleoylethyl hydroxyethylmonium methosulfate, hydroxypropyl bisStearyldimonium chloride, and mixtures (1) thereof. 0039 Quaternary ammonium compounds of the imida Zoline derivative type include, for example, isoStearylben Zylimidonium chloride, cocoylbenzyl hydroxyethyl imida Zolinium chloride, cocoyl hydroxyethylimidazolinium PG-chloride phosphate, Quaternium 32, and stearyl 0031) wherein: hydroxyethylimidonium chloride, and mixtures thereof. 0040 Suitable fatty alcohols include, for example, (Co 0032) R, R, R and R, are independently hydro C.) Saturated or unsaturated branched or Straight chain gen, an organic group, provided that at least one of alcohols, more typically (Co-Co) Saturated or unsaturated R, R2, R and R is not hydrogen. branched or Straight chain alcohols, Such as for example, 0033 X is an anion. decyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, 0034). If one to three of the R groups are hydrogen, the Stearyl alcohol, oleyl alcohol, linoleyl alcohol and linolenyl compound may be referred to as an amine Salt. Some alcohol. examples of cationic amines include polyethoxylated (2) 0041) Suitable alkoxylated alcohols include alkoxylated, oleyl/Stearyl amine, ethoxylated tallow amine, cocoalky typically ethoxylated, derivatives of (Co-C) Saturated or lamine, oleylamine, and tallow alkyl amine. unsaturated branched or Straight chain alcohols, more typi cally (Co-Co) Saturated or unsaturated branched or Straight 0035) For quaternary ammonium compounds (generally chain alcohols, which may include, on average, from 1 to 22 referred to as quats) R, R2, R, and R may be the same or alkoxyl units per molecule of alkoxylated alcohol, Such as, different organic group, but may not be hydrogen. In one for example, ethoxylated lauryl alcohol having an average of embodiment, R, R2, R, and R are each Cs-C branched or linear which may comprise additional functionality Such 5 ethylene oxide units per molecule. as, for example, fatty acids or derivatives thereof, including 0042 Suitable fatty acids include (C-C) saturated or esters of fatty acids and fatty acids with alkoxylated groups, unsaturated carboxylic acids, more typically (Co-C) satu alkyl amido groups, aromatic rings; heterocyclic rings, rated or unsaturated carboxylic acids, Such as, for example, phosphate groups, epoxy groups, and hydroxyl groups. The lauric acid, oleic acid, Stearic acid, myristic acid, cetearic nitrogen atom may also be part of a heterocyclic or aromatic acid, isoStearic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid, ricinoleic ring System, e.g., cetethyl morpholinium ethoSulfate or acid, elaidic acid, arichidonic acid, myristoleic acid, and Steapyrium chloride. palmitoleic acid, as well as neutralized versions thereof. 0.036 Suitable anions include, for example, chloride, 0043 Suitable fatty acid esters include esters of (Co bromide, methoSulfate, ethoSulfate, lactate, Saccharinate, C.) Saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids, more typi acetate or phosphate. cally (Co-C) Saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acids, for 0037 Examples of quaternary ammonium compounds of example, propylene glycol isoStearate, propylene glycol the monoalkyl amine derivative type include: cetyl trimethyl oleate, glyceryl isoStearate, and glyceryl oleate, ammonium bromide (also known as CETAB or cetrimonium 0044) Suitable alkanolamides include aliphatic acid bromide), cetyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (also known alkanolamides, Such as cocamide MEA (coco monoethano as cetrimonium chloride), myristyl trimethyl ammonium lamide) and cocamide MIPA (coco monoisopropanolamide), bromide (also known as myrtrimonium bromide or Quater as well as alkoxylated alkanolamides. nium-13), Stearyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (also known as Stearalkonium chloride), oleyl dimethyl benzyl 0045. In one embodiment, the structured surfactant com ammonium chloride, (also known as olealkonium chloride), position of the present invention comprises, based on 100 lauryl/myristryl trimethyl ammonium methoSulfate (also pbw of the composition, from about 0.1 to about 25 pbw, known as cocotrimonium methoSulfate), cetyl-dimethyl more typically, from about 0.5 to about 10 pbw, of a (2)hydroxyethyl ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (also Structuring agent. known as hydroxyethyl cetylidimonium phosphate), bassua 0046) Some surfactants, especially very oil soluble Sur midopropylkonium chloride, cocotrimonium chloride, dis factants Such as isopropylamine alkylbenzene Sulphonates tearyldimonium chloride, wheat germ-amidopropalkonium are able to form flocculated, Structured compositions in chloride, Stearyl octylidimonium methoSulfate, isoStearami water, even in the absence of electrolyte. In Such instances nopropal-konium chloride, dihydroxypropyl PEG-5 the aqueous medium may consist essentially of water. How linoleaminium chloride, PEG-2 Stearmonium chloride, ever, Some Surfactants only flocculate in the presence of US 2005/0233935 A1 Oct. 20, 2005 dissolved electrolyte, and in particular in highly concen 0053 Zwitterionic surfactants are known. Any Zwitteri trated Solutions of electrolyte. onic Surfactant that is acceptable for use in the intended end use application is Suitable as the optional Zwitterionic 0047 Suitable electrolytes include salts of multivalent Surfactant component of the composition of the present anions, Such as potassium pyrophosphate, potassium tripoly invention, including, for example, those which can be phosphate, and Sodium or potassium citrate, Salts of multi broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary Valent cations, including alkaline earth metal Salts. Such as ammonium, phosphonium, and Sulfonium compounds in calcium chloride and calcium bromide, as well as Zinc which the aliphatic radicals can be Straight chain or halides, barium chloride and calcium nitrate, Salts of branched and wherein one of the aliphatic Substituents monovalent cations with monovalent anions, including contains from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains alkali metal or ammonium halides, Such as potassium chlo an anionic water-Solubilizing group Such as carboxyl, Sul ride, Sodium chloride, potassium iodide, Sodium bromide, fonate, Sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate. Specific and ammonium bromide, alkali metal or ammonium nitrates, examples of Suitable Zwitterionic Surfactants include alkyl and polyelectrolytes, Such as uncapped polyacrylates, poly betaines, Such as cocodimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lau maleates, or polycarboxylates, lignin Sulphonates or naph ryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl alpha thalene Sulphonate formaldehyde copolymers. carboxy-ethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl 0.048 Typically, the greater the amount of Surfactant betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl)carboxy methyl present in relation to its Solubility, the Smaller the amount betaine, Stearyl bis-(2-hydroxy-propyl)carboxymethyl electrolyte that may be required in order to form a structure betaine, oleyl dimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, and capable of Supporting Solid materials and/or to cause floc lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl)alpha-carboxyethyl betaine, culation of the Structured Surfactant. In one embodiment, the amidopropyl betaines, and alkyl Sultaines, Such as cocodim composition contains a Sufficient amount of an electrolyte to ethyl Sulfopropyl betaine, Stearyidimethyl Sulfopropyl promote spherulite formation. betaine, lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2- hydroxy-ethyl)sulfopropyl betaine, and alkylamidopropyl 0049 Electrolyte may be added as a separate component hydroxy Sultaines. or in combination with other components of the composition of the present invention. 0054 Amphoteric surfactants are known. Any amphot eric Surfactant that is acceptable for use in the intended end 0050. In one embodiment, the structured surfactant com use application is Suitable as the optional amphoteric Sur position of the present invention comprises, based on 100 factant component of the composition of the present inven pbw of the Structured Surfactant composition, up to about 40 tion, including, for example, derivatives of aliphatic Sec pbw, more typically from about 1 to about 30 pbw, and still ondary and tertiary amines in which the aliphatic radical can more typically from about 2 to about 20 pbw of an electro be straight chain or branched and wherein one of the lyte. aliphatic Substituents contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water Solubilizing 0051. The composition of the present invention may group. Specific examples of Suitable amphoteric Surfactants further comprise in addition to the anionic Surfactant and include the alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or Structuring agent, a cationic Surfactant, a non-ionic Surfac Substituted ammonium Salts of alkyl amphocarboxy glyci tant, an amphoteric Surfactant, a Zwitterionic Surfactant, or a nates and alkyl amphocarboxypropionates, alkyl amphod mixture thereof. ipropionates, alkyl amphodiacetates, alkyl amphoglycinates, 0.052 Nonionic surfactants are known. Any nonionic and alkyl amphopropionates, as well as alkyl iminopropi Surfactant that is acceptable for use in the intended end use onates, alkyl iminodipropionates, and alkyl amphopropyl application is Suitable as the optional nonionic Surfactant Sulfonates, Such as for example, cocoamphoacetate cocoam component of the composition of the present invention, phopropionate, cocoamphodiacetate, lauroamphoacetate, including compounds produced by the condensation of lauroamphodiacetate, lauroamphodipropionate, lauroam alkylene oxide groups with an organic hydrophobic com phodiacetate, cocoamphopropyl Sulfonate caproamphodiac pound which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic in nature. etate, caproamphoacetate, caproamphodipropionate, and Examples of useful nonionic Surfactants include the poly Stearoamphoacetate. ethylene, polypropylene, and polybutylene oxide conden 0055. In one embodiment, the surfactant component of Sates of alkyl phenols, fatty acid amide Surfactants, polyhy the present invention may optionally comprise, based on 100 droxy fatty acid amide Surfactants, amine oxide Surfactants, alkyl ethoxylate Surfactants, alkanoyl glucose amide Surfac pbw of the total amount of Surfactants: tants, and alkylpolyglycosides. Specific examples of Suitable 0056 up to about 20 pbw, more typically from about nonionic Surfactants include alkanolamides Such as cocam 1 to about 10, and still more typically from about 2 ide DEA, cocamide MEA, cocamide MIPA, PEG-5 cocam to about 6, of an cationic Surfactant, ide MEA, lauramide DEA, and lauramide MEA, alkyl amine 0057 up to about 20 pbw, more typically from about oxides Such as lauramine oxide, cocamine oxide, cocami 0.75 to 10, and still more typically from about 1 to dopropylamine oxide, and lauramidopropylamine oxide; about 5 of an nonionic Surfactant, Sorbitan laurate, Sorbitan distearate, fatty acids or fatty acid esterS Such as lauric acid, isoStearic acid, and PEG-150 0058 up to about 25pbw, more typically from about distearate; fatty alcohols or ethoxylated fatty alcohols Such 1 to about 20, and still more typically from about 2 as lauryl alcohol, laureth-4, laureth-7, laureth-9, laureth-40, to about 10 of an Zwitterionic or amphoteric surfac trideceth alcohol, C11-15 pareth-9, C12-13 Pareth-3, and tant. C14-15 Pareth-11, alkylpolyglucosides Such as decyl glu 0059. The structured surfactant composition of the coside, lauryl glucoside, and coco glucoside. present invention may optionally further comprise one or US 2005/0233935 A1 Oct. 20, 2005

more preservatives, Such as benzyl alcohol, methyl paraben, consists of 12 hours at -10° C. and 12 hours at 25 C. In one propyl paraben, or imidazolidinyl urea, and DMDM hydan embodiment, composition of the present invention remains toin, and may optionally further comprise one or more pH capable of Suspending air bubbles after one freeze/thaw adjusting agents, Such as citric acid, Succinic acid, phospho cycle, more typically after 3 freeze/thaw cycles. ric acid, Sodium hydroxide, or Sodium carbonate. 0066. The composition of the present invention is useful 0060. In general, the structured surfactant composition is in, for example, personal care applications, Such as Sham made by combining and mixing the anionic Surfactant and poos, body wash, hand Soap, lotions, creams, conditioners, water and optionally, adjusting the pH and/or adding a Shaving products, facial washes, neutralizing Shampoos, preservative and then adding the Structuring agent and then personal wipes, and skin treatments, and in home care Subjecting the composition to high shear mixing. AS used applications, Such as liquid detergents, laundry detergents, herein, the term “high shear mixing” refers to mixing under hard Surface cleansers, dish wash liquids, toilet bowl clean high Shear conditions, typically at a shear rate of greater than ers, as well as other applications, Such as oil field and or equal to about 1,000 S', more typically greater than or agrochemical applications. equal to about 3,500s 0067. In one embodiment, the personal care composition 0061 The structured surfactant may be subjected to a of the present invention comprises one or more materials high Shear mixing in known mixing equipment, Such as, for that are not Soluble or are only partly Soluble in the Struc example, a high shear mixer or a homogenizer. tured Surfactant System, and may be in the form of a Solid, liquid, or gas and may provide be benefit agents Such as, for 0.062 Shear-thinning viscosity is measured by known example, emollients, moisturizers, conditioners Vitamins, Viscometric methods, Such as for example, using a rotational abrasives, UV absorbers, antimicrobial agents, and/or Viscometer, Such as a Brookfield Viscometer. In one embodi appearance modifying additives, Such as, for example, col ment, the composition of the present invention exhibits ored particles or reflective particles. Shear-thinning behavior when Subjected to Viscosity mea Surement using a Brookfield rotational Viscometer, equipped 0068 The personal care composition according to the with an appropriate Spindle, at a rotation Speed of from about present invention may optionally further comprise other 0.1 revolutions per minute (“rpm”) to about 60 rpm. ingredients, Such as, for example, preservatives Such as benzyl alcohol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben and imida 0.063. The composition of the present invention is capable Zolidinyl urea; thickeners and Viscosity modifierS Such as of Suspending water-insoluble particles or partially water block polymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, Soluble components, Such as Vegetable oils, mineral oils, polyethylene glycol distearates, polyglyceryl diisoStearate, Silicone oils, Solid particles, abrasives, and Similar articles. clayS, Substituted or unsubstituted hydrocolloids, acrylates, The composition provides a means to include otherwise acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylates crosspolymers. Some difficult to incorporate components in Surfactant mixtures examples of clays include bentonite, kaolin, montmorillo resulting in cosmetic preparations with multi-functional nite, Sodium magnesium Silicate, hectorite, magnesium alu benefits including, in Some cases, cleansing, moisturizing, minum silicate (Veegum). Some examples hydrocolloids in improved skin feel, exfoliation/abrasion, novel appearance, the unmodified form include Agar, Alginate, Arabinoxylan, or a combination of these benefits. Carrageenan, Cellulose Such as Carboxyalkyl Cellulose, 0064. The ability of a composition to suspend water Hydroxyalkyl Cellulose, Hydroxyalkyl Alkyl Cellulose, insoluble or partially water Soluble components is typically Alkyl Cellulose, Curdlan, Gelatin, Gellan, B-Glucan, Guar evaluated by mixing the composition with Sufficient vigor to gum, Gum arabic, Locust bean gum, Pectin, Starch, Succi entrap air bubbles in the composition and then Visually noglycan (Rheozan from Rhodia), Xanthan gum. Some observing whether the air bubbles remain entrapped in the examples of modified or substituted hydrocolloids are composition for a defined period of time, Such as for hydroxy methyl cellulose, PG-hydroxyethyl cellulose, qua example, 12 to 24 hours, under defined environmental ternary ammoniums of hydroxyethylcellulose, quaternairy conditions, Such as for example, room temperature. In one ammoniums of guar gum (Jaguar C-17, Jaguar C-14S, embodiment, the composition of the present invention is Jaguar Excel, Jaguar C-162 from Rhodia), hydroxypropyl capable of Suspending air bubbles for at least 1 week, and guars (Jaguar HP-8, Jaguar HP-105, Jaguar HP-60, Jaguar more typically for at least 3 months. A composition that is HP-120, Jaguar C-162), modified starches such as sodium capable of Suspending air bubbles under the for at least 12 hydroxypropyl starch phosphate (Pure-Gel 980 and Pure hours at room temperature is deemed to be generally capable Gel 998 from Grain Processing Corporation), potato starch of Suspending water insoluble or partially water Soluble modified (Structure-Solanace from National Starch), acry components in the composition under generally anticipated lates copolymerS Such as AcrylateS/AminoacrylateS/C10-30 processing, Storage, and use conditions for Such composi Alkyl PEG-20 Itaconate Copolymer (Structure-Plus from tion. For components other than air, the result of the air National Starch), cationic polymers (Rheovis CSP, Rheovis Suspension test should be confirmed by conducting an CDE, Rheovis CDP from Ciba), Polyacrylimidomethylpro analogous Suspension test using the component of interest. pane Sulfonate/Polyguaternium4 (Plexagel ASC from ISP), For unusually rigorous processing, Storage and/or use con hydrohobically modified nonionic polyols (Acusol 880, ditions, more rigorous testing may be appropriate. Acusol 882 from Rhom & Haas), and PEG-150 Distearate, electrolytes, Such as Sodium chloride, Sodium Sulfate, poly 0065. In one embodiment, the ability to suspend water Vinyl alcohol, and Sodium citrate; pH adjusting agents Such insoluble or partially water Soluble components is evaluated as citric acid, Succinic acid, phosphoric acid, Sodium under more rigorous conditions, that is, the mixed Samples hydroxide, Sodium carbonate; perfumes; dyes, conditioning are visually evaluated after Subjecting the Samples to one or agents Such as organosilicon materials, including, Silicone more freeze/thaw cycles, wherein each freeze/thaw cycle gums, polyorganosiloxane fluids, and Silicone resins, i.e., US 2005/0233935 A1 Oct. 20, 2005 crosslinked polyorganosiloxane Systems, active ingredients that is at least Substantially distinct from the first phase Such as anti-dandruff agents (Zinc pyrithion); Vitamins or wherein one of Such phases is a continuous phase, the other their derivatives such as Vitamin B, Vitamin E Acetate; and of Such phases is a discontinuous phase, and the discontinu Sequestering agents Such as disodium ethylenediamine tetra ouS phase is dispersed within the continuous phase. acetate. In general, personal care compositions may option 0075. In one embodiment, the optically clear structured ally comprise, based on 100 pbw of the personal care Surfactant component forms a first phase and the composi composition and independently for each Such ingredient, up tion further comprises at least one additional phase wherein to about 10 pbw, preferably from 0.5 pbw to about 5.0 pbw, that is at least substantially visually distinct from the first of Such other ingredients, depending on the desired proper phase, Such as for example, a composition comprising an ties of the personal care composition. opaque water insoluble component Suspended in an optically 0069. In one embodiment, the personal care composition clear aqueous Structured Surfactant component. of the present invention comprises an optically clear aque ous Structured Surfactant component according to the present EXAMPLE 1. invention that forms a first “phase” (which may itself comprise a plurality of phases, including aqueous phases, 0076. The composition of Example 1 was made by mix laminar Surfactant phases and Spherulitic Surfactant phases, ing the relative amounts of the ingredients listed in TABLE as discussed above) and the composition further comprises I, shearing the mixture using a Ross Model No. ME 100L one or more additional phases that are at least Substantially mixer at speed 8-10 (with small holes in the screen) for distinct from Such first phase. AS used herein in reference to approximately 5 minutes and centrifuging a 50 mL Sample the phases of a multiphase embodiments of the present of the sheared mixture at 6,000 RPM for 15 minutes. The invention, the terminology "Substantially distinct” means composition of Example 1 showed a very slight haze, but that the phases each exhibit Substantially homogeneous was significantly clearer than an analogous non-sheared properties within a given phase and that the phases differ Sample. with respect to at least one characteristic or property, Such as for example, Visual characteristics, Such as color, clarity, TABLE I pearlescence, or physical/chemical properties, Such as vis Amount cosity, lubricity, and/or benefit agent content. Ingredient (pbw per 100 pbw of composition) 0070. In one embodiment, the optically clear aqueous 30% Aqueous solution of sodium 52.2 Structured Surfactant component forms a first phase that trideceth sulfate Cetrimonium bromide 4.8 exhibits shear-thinning Viscosity and/or is capable of SuS 32% Aqueous solution of lauryl 16.2 pending water insoluble or partially water Soluble compo amphoacetate nentS. 50% Aqueous solution of citric acid 1.8 Preservative (Glydant) O.1 0071. In one embodiment, the optically clear aqueous Water 24.9 Structured Surfactant component forms a first phase, typi cally a continuous phase, that exhibits shear-thinning vis cosity and is capable of Suspending water insoluble or 0077. The composition of Example 2 was made by apply partially water Soluble components and the composition ing additional shear to sheared, but non-centrifuged, mixture further comprises at least one additional phase, typically a of ingredients from Example 1 using an Ultra Turrax, T25 discontinuous phase, that is at least Substantially distinct basic IKA Larortechnik homogenizer at speed 6 (24,000 form the first phase, wherein the additional phase comprises 1/min) for approximately 2 minutes and then centrifuging one or more water insoluble or partially water Soluble the sheared composition under the same conditions as used components. for the composition of Example 1. The composition of Example 2 exhibited improved clarity compared to the 0.072 In one embodiment, the optically clear aqueous composition of Example 1. Structured Surfactant component forms a first phase that exhibits Shear-thinning Viscosity and is capable of Suspend ing water insoluble or partially water Soluble components EXAMPLES 3-6 and the composition further comprises at least one additional 0078. A stock composition for use in making the com aqueous phase, Such as a Second structured Surfactant com positions of Examples 3-6 was made by mixing the relative ponent, that is at least Substantially distinct from the first amounts of the ingredients listed in TABLE 1 above. phase and that exhibits shear-thinning Viscosity and is capable of Suspending water insoluble or partially water 0079 The compositions of Examples 3-6 were each made Soluble components. by shearing a 300 g sample of the stock composition in a 600 mL beaker using an IKA Labortechnic Eurostar Power D 0073. In one embodiment, the optically clear aqueous mixer with a 2 inch diameter four-bladed disk turbine at the Structured Surfactant component forms a first phase and the respective speeds indicated in TABLE II below and then composition further comprises at least one additional phase centrifuging the sample for 30 minutes at 4500 rpm. that is at least Substantially distinct from the first phase wherein each of Such phases is a continuous phase and the 0080. The % transmittance of each of the compositions of phases are disposed adjacent to each other. Examples 3-6 was then measured with a Varian Model CARY 100 UV/VIS spectrophotometer using water as the 0.074. In one embodiment, the optically clear aqueous standard for 100% transmittance. The % transmittance for Structured Surfactant component forms a first phase and the each composition is set forth below in TABLE II after composition further comprises at least one additional phase mixing for various times. A Viscosity profile for each com US 2005/0233935 A1 Oct. 20, 2005 position, as measured following high shear mixing using a Brookfield RVT Viscometer, equipped with a T-bar E, for 1 minute at 25 deg C. is also set forth in Table II. (1)

TABLE II Mixing Mixing Viscosity Speed Time (cp, at % Ex. No. (rpm) (min) 2.5 rpm/10 rpm/50 rpm) Transmittance wherein: 3 1OOO 3 0.5 8 0.5 23 3.7 R, R2, R and R, are independently hydrogen, an 53 9.1 organic group, provided that at least one of R, R2, R 135 204,000/62,500/15,100 33 and R is not hydrogen. 4 15OO 4 5 1O 8.3 X is an anion. 2O 6 8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the cationic 45 20.5 75 25.7 Surfactant comprises a quaternary ammonium compound. 100 126,000/3,900/9,300 27 9. The composition of claim 6, wherein the composition 5 2OOO 2 4.3 further comprises one or more alkanolamides Selected from 7 7.4 aliphatic acid alkanolamides, alkoxylated alkanolamides. 15 8.6 3O 2O 10. A method for making an optically clear Structured 7O 170,000/52,500/11,600 27 Surfactant composition, comprising: 6 1OOO at 2O 1.5 50° C. making an aqueous Structured Surfactant composition 50 2.6 comprising from 0 parts by weight to leSS than 2.5 parts 90 4.3 by weight Sugar per 100 parts by weight of the com 135 4.3 position and from greater than 7.7 parts by weight to 180 126,000/41,000/9,800 4.3 about 50 parts by weight of an anionic Surfactant per 100 parts by weight of the composition, wherein at least a portion of the anionic Surfactant is in the form of Spherulites, and Subjecting the Structured Surfactant composition to high 1. An optically clear aqueous structured Surfactant com shear mixing. position, comprising: from 0 parts by weight to less than 2.5 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the structured parts by weight Sugar per 100 parts by weight of the Surfactant composition is Subjected to high shear mixing at composition and from greater than 7.7 parts by weight to shear rate of greater than or equal to about 1,000 s. about 50 parts by weight of an anionic surfactant per 100 12. A method for improving the optical clarity of an parts by weight of the composition, wherein at least a aqueous Structured Surfactant composition, comprising Sub portion of the anionic Surfactant is in the form of Spherulites. jecting an aqueous Structured Surfactant composition to high Shear mixing, wherein Said aqueous Structured Surfactant 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition composition comprises from 0 parts by weight to less than exhibits Shear-thinning Viscosity. 2.5 parts by weight Sugar per 100 parts by weight of the 3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition composition, from greater than 7.7 parts by weight to about is capable of Suspending water insoluble or partially water 50 parts by weight of an anionic surfactant per 100 parts by Soluble components. weight of the composition, wherein at least a portion of the 4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the anionic anionic Surfactant is in the form of Spherulites. Surfactant is Selected from linear alkylbenzene Sulfonates, 13. A personal care composition, comprising an optically clear Structured Surfactant component, Said an optically clear alpha olefin Sulfonates, paraffin Sulfonates, alkyl ester Sul Structured Surfactant component comprising from Opbw to fonates, alkyl Sulfates, alkyl alkoxy Sulfates, alkyl Sul less than 2.5pbw Sugar per 100 pbw of the composition and fonates, alkyl alkoxy carboxylates, alkyl alkoxylated Sul from greater than 7.7 pbw to about 50 pbw of an anionic fates, monoalkyl phosphates, dialkyl phosphates, surfactant per 100 pbw of the composition wherein at least Sarcosinates, isethionates, taurates, and mixtures thereof. a portion of the anionic Surfactant is in the form of Spheru 5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition lites. further comprises at least an effective amount of one or more 14. The composition of claim 13, wherein the optically Structuring agents. clear Structured Surfactant component exhibits shear-thin ning Viscosity or is capable of Suspending water insoluble or 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the Structuring partially water Soluble components or exhibits shear-thin agent is Selected from cationic Surfactants, fatty alcohols, ning Viscosity and is capable of Suspending water insoluble alkoxylated alcohols, fatty acids, fatty acid esters, alkano or partially water Soluble components. lamides, electrolytes, and mixtures thereof. 15. The composition of claim 13, wherein the composi 7. The composition of claim 6, wherein the composition tion further comprises one or more benefit agents. further comprises one or more cationic Surfactants according 16. The composition of claim 13, wherein the optically to formula (1) below: clear Structured Surfactant component forms a first phase and US 2005/0233935 A1 Oct. 20, 2005 the composition further comprises one or more additional from 0 parts by weight to less than 2.5 parts by weight phases that are at least Substantially distinct from the first Sugar per 100 parts by weight of the composition, and phase. from greater than 7.7 parts by weight to about 50 parts 17. The composition of claim 13, wherein the optically by weight of an anionic Surfactant per 100 parts by clear aqueous Structured Surfactant component forms a first weight of the composition, wherein at least a portion of phase that exhibits shear-thinning Viscosity and is capable of the anionic Surfactant is in the form of spherulites and Suspending water insoluble or partially water Soluble com ponents and the composition further comprises at least one one or more discontinuous phases, each comprising a additional phase that is at least Substantially distinct from the functional or decorative material, dispersed in the first phase, wherein the additional phase comprises one or Structured Surfactant composition. more water insoluble or partially water Soluble components. 21. The composition of claim 20, wherein the optically 18. The composition of claim 13, wherein the first phase clear aqueous structured Surfactant composition forms a is a continuous phase, the additional phase is a discontinuous continuous phase. phase and the discontinuous phase is dispersed in the 22. The composition of claim 20, wherein the one or more continuous phase. discontinuous phases each comprise a water insoluble or 19. The composition of claim 13, wherein the optically partially water Soluble component. clear aqueous Structured Surfactant component forms a first 23. The composition of claim 22, wherein the water phase and the composition further comprises at least one insoluble or partially water Soluble component is Selected additional phase wherein that is at least Substantially visu from emollients, moisturizers, conditionerS Vitamins, abra ally distinct from the first phase Sives, UV absorbers, antimicrobial agents, appearance modi 20. A personal care composition, comprising: fying additives, and mixtures thereof. an optically clear aqueous Structured Surfactant composi tion, Said structured Surfactant composition comprising