Title of Invention

DISHWASHING COMPOSITION

Abstract

1. .A dilution-thickening aqueous liquid cleaning composition comprising (a) 5-50%w of dilution-thickening surfactant system comprising: fajil__40-85%w Alkyl ether sulphate (0-4 EO); te)i0 0.01-50%w Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate; and .. Hi) 0.01-55%w Betaine; - „ adding UP to 100% and wherein the composition further comprises (b) 2.5-7.5%wof an electrolyte, selected from water-soluble organic . and inorganic salts other than anionic surfactants, wherein the cation is chosen from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, ammonium and mixtures thereof and the anion is chosen from chloride, sulfate, phosphate, acetate, nitrate and mixtures thereof; and wherein the initial viscosity of the composition is 800 - 1250 mPa.s.

Full Text

C7826/V FORM - 2 THE PATENTS ACT, 1970 (39 of 1970) & The Patents Rules, 2003 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (See Section 10 and Rule 13) DISHWASHING COMPOSITION HINDUSTAN UNILEVER LIMITED, a company incorporated under the Indian Companies Act, 1913 and having its registered office at 165/166, Backbay Reclamation, Mumbai -400 020, Maharashtra, India The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531" 1 DISHWASHING COMPOSITION Field of the invention The present invention relates to cleaning compositions, to their preparation, to 5 cleaning, methods and to processes for enhancing the retention of cleaning agents into carriers. More specifically, the invention relates to cleaning compositions for use in hand dishwashing. Background prior art 10 Liquid household cleaning products that provide thickening upon dilution are known in the art, as detailed in the following references: US 5,922,664 describes a composition comprising a micellar dispersion of a mixture of at least two anionic surfactants having different resistance to electrolytic salting out, 15 and alkali metal citrate. The attained viscosity upon dilution does not go beyond 1,400 mPas. EP 314,232 mentions a composition of: (a) a primary surfactant chosen from amine, amine oxide, betaine or quaternary ammonium compounds, preferably an amine 20 oxide, (b) a hydrotrope co-surfactant compound, e.g. ethanol, methanol or triethanol-amine, and (c) a water-ionisable non-surfactant compound, e.g. inorganic acids, neutral salts or alkali. WO 96/32464 discloses a kit comprising a sponge and a water-thickening surfactant 25 composition based on electrolyte concentration. This document also shows the viscosity profile of the disclosed compositions, wherein the viscosity peak reaches 1,685 mPas, which is only 2.7 times higher than the initial viscosity of 620 mPas. In short, prior art documents teach simple compositions that can reach high 30 viscosities upon dilution, improving its use in situations similar to manual dishwashing. 15 JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 2 In co-pending application PCT/EP2006/007038, a dilution thickening system is disclosed, based on a surfactant mixture and electrolyte. However, prior art compositions present technical and/or economical bottlenecks that 5 are solved by the present invention, such as obtaining cleaning compositions having enhanced retention in a carrier and/or high viscosity upon dilution, even at high dilution rates. Enhanced retention in the carrier provides controlled release of the composition. 10 Thus it is an object to provide a cleaning composition with enhanced retention of its cleaning agents (such as surfactants) in a carrier when being diluted. It is another object of the invention to provide a composition with a lower consumption rate in use, thus giving better yield, being more economical in use and being 15 environmentally friendly, than the compositions of the prior art. It is a further object to provide enhanced retention of cleaning agent in a carrier, thereby decreasing the time spent in refilling the carrier, so that the cleaning compositions are faster and more efficient in use. 20 It is yet another object of the invention to allow a more rational use of containers for cleaning compositions. It has now been surprisingly found that an improved and economical dilution 25 thickening system may be obtained by a dilution-thickening surfactant system. Summary of the invention Accordingly, the invention provides A dilution-thickening aqueous liquid cleaning composition comprising 5-50%w of dilution-thickening surfactant system comprising: 30 - 40-85%w Alkyl ether sulphate (0-4 EO) - 0.01-50%w Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate; and - 0.01-55%w Betaine; 15 JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 3 The invention further provides a method to clean hard surfaces comprising the steps of: - contacting a carrier with a composition according to the invention; 5 - treating the combination of carrier and composition with water; and - performing a cleaning operation of a surface with the carrier. The invention further provides a dilution-thickening surfactant system comprising: - 40-85%w Alkyl ether sulphate (0-4 EO) 10 - 0.01 -50%w Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate - 0.01-55%w Betaine; adding up to a 100%. The invention also provides the use of the dilution thickening surfactant system of the 15 invention in a dish washing composition. These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the 20 present invention maybe utilised in any other aspect of the invention. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are weight/weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When 25 for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. Description of the figure 30 Figure 1 shows a ternary diagram of the dilution-thickening surfactant system of the invention. The shaded area shows the preferred concentrations of the three ingredients of the dilution-thickening surfactant system of the invention. The dashed 15JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 4 line in the ternary diagram shows the approximate boundary for structured liquids on the bottom/right side of the dashed line and non-structured liquids on the top/left side of the dashed line. The double headed arrow shows performance vs cost; although the dilution thickening effect is obtained everywhere in the shaded area, the 5 performance and cost increase towards the right side. Detailed description of the invention The invention provides a dilution-thickening surfactant system and cleaning compositions using the same. 10 v The most suitable cleaning compositions have a low viscosity in concentrated form (i.e. in the bottle), and a high viscosity when diluted on the application device, such as a sponge; eventual the composition is released by application to a surface. 15 Dilution-thickening surfactant system The thickening surfactant provides a surfactant system that has a low viscosity in concentrated form, and increasing viscosity when diluting up to a maximum viscosity (or a viscosity peak) and a decreasing viscosity upon further dilution. 20 The dilution-thickening surfactant system comprises alkyl ether sulphate (AES) optionally elhoxylated with 0-4 EO groups, linear alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) and betaine. Depending on the market a low-cost or premium dilution thickening system may be preferred as indicated herein below. 25 The dilution-thickening surfactant system is preferably not a structured liquid. It is also preferred that the composition is clear and transparent. Cloudy or hazy compositions are not preferred. Alkyl ether sulphate 30 The alkyl ether sulphates as defined herein are alkali metal, ammonium or alkanolammonium salts of C8-C18 alkyl ether sulfates with 0 to 25 moles of alkylene oxide (thus also including C8-C18 alkyl sulfates). The alkyl ether sulphates may be 15 JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/06353I 5 linear or branched. A common example of an alkyl ether sulphate is lauryl ether sulphate, preferably sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES). The alkyl ether sulphate is present in the dilution-thickening surfactant system in a 5 concentration of at least 40%, preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 55% by weight, but not more than 85%, preferably not more than 70%. Beta in e Betaines are a class of zwitterionic surfactants. The preferred betaines are 0 carboxybetaines such as (dodecyldimethylammonium)acetate (lauryl betaine), (tetradecyldimethylammonium)acetate (myristyl betaine), (cocodimethylammonium)acetate (coconut betaine), (oleyldimethylarnrnonium) acetate (oleyi betaine), (dodecyloxymethyldimethylarnrnonium) acetate, (cocoamido-propyldimethylammonium)acetate (also known as cocoamido-propyl betaine or 5 CAPB); the sulfoniumbetaines such as (dodecyldimethylsulfonium) acetate and 3-(cocodimethyl-sulfonium)-l-propane sulfonate and the phosphoniumbetaines such as 4-(trirnethylphosphonium)-1 -hexadecane sulfonate, 3-(dodecyldimethyiphosphonium)-1-propanesulfonate, 2-(dodecyldimethylphosphonium)-1 -ethane sulfate and mixtures thereof. 0 The betaine is present in the dilution-thickening surfactant system in a concentration of at least 0.01 %, preferably at least 5%, and for premium dilution-tickening compostions even at least 10%, but not more than 55%, preferably not more than 35%, or for low cost dilution-thickening compositions even not more than 20%. 5 LAS The third ingredient of the dilution thickening is linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS). LAS is present in the dilution-thickening surfactant system in a concentration of 0.01-50%w. In order to obtain the premium dilution-thickening effect, a LAS concentration 0 of 0.1-35%w is preferred. In order to get an economical composition, with a good dilution thickening effect at lower cost, a concentration of 25-45%w is preferred. A balance between premium performance and cost is found at the intermediate range of 15JUN2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 6 15-25%w of LAS. Aqueous liquid cleaning composition The aqueous liquid cleaning compositions according to the invention, comprise the 5 dilution-thiqkening surfactbnt system of the invention in a concentration of 5 - 50%w, preferably at least 10%w, more preferably at least 15%w, still more preferably at least 20%w, most preferably 25%w, but preferably not more than 40%w, more preferably not more than 35%wr most preferably not more than 30%w. 10 When used in the cleaning composition, the dilution-thickening surfactant system provides a viscosity profile of the cleaning composition showing low viscosity at high concentration (towards 100%) as well as low viscosity on high dilution (towards 0%), but a viscosity peak somewhere in between. The profile normally has the shape of a bell-curve. 15 The dilution-thickening surfactant system of the invention provides the shape of the curve, and is very suitable for use in a liquid cleaning composition. However, to improve the versatility of the composition, it is preferred to be able to influence the position of the peak, dependent on the concentration. In other words, it is preferred to 20 be. able to influence the position of the peak on the concentration scale. Preferably the peak viscosity of the diluted composition is reached at a concentration of surfactant system in diluent (such as water) between 30% and 70%, more preferably between 30% and 50% surfactant system in diluent. Furthermore, it is preferred that the peak viscosity is at least 5 times the initial viscosity, preferably at least 10 times. 25 Thus, the aqueous liquid cleaning composition may further comprise viscosity modulating agents. The low viscosity in concentrated form helps the composition to easily penetrate a carrier, such as a sponge. Preferably, the undiluted composition has a viscosity below 1500mPas, more preferably 800-1250 mPas. Wherein the 30 viscosity is determined at 25°C, using a Haake VT550/VT500 viscometer at 21 s"1 with an MVII spindle. 1 5JUN2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 7 Electrolyte In order to influence the position of the peak on the concentration scale, i.e. to move the peak between high and low concentration, the cleaning composition of the invention may comprise an electrolyte. 5 Electrolytes'are water-solubie organic and inorganic salts (other than anionic surfactants), wherein the cation is chosen from aikali metals, alkaline earth metals, ammonium and mixture thereof and the anion is chosen from chloride, sulfate, phosphate, acetate, nitrate and mixtures thereof. Particularly useful are Magnesium, 10 potassium, sodium and ammonium chloride and/or sulphate. Preferably, the electrolyte is present in the cleaning composition in a concentration of 0-7.5%, more preferably 2.5-5%, still more preferably 3-4% by weight. 15 Viscosity modifying agent In order to influence the viscosity of the cleaning composition, without moving the position of the peak on the concentration scale, a viscosity modifying agent may be added. 20 One suitable class of viscosity modifying agents is the class of nonionic surfactants. Nonionic surfactants reduce the viscosity of the concentrated cleaning composition, without moving the peak on the concentration scale. The nonionics of the invention preferably have a HLB value (the hydrophilic/lipophilic 25 balance) of at least 8, preferably at least 10, more preferably at least 12, but preferably not more than 16. Suitable nonionic surfactants include the condensation products of hydrophobic alkyl, alkenyl, or alkyl aromatic compounds bearing functional groups having free reactive 30 hydrogen available for condensation with hydrophilic alkylene oxide, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, polyethylene oxide or polyethylene glycol to form nonionic surfactants. Examples of such functional groups include hydroxy, 15 JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 8 carboxy, mercapto, amino or amido groups. Examples of useful hydrophobes of commercial nonionic surfactants include C8-Ci8 alkyl fatty alcohols, C8-C14 alkyl phenols, C8-C18 alkyl fatty acids, C8-C18 alkyl 5 mercaptans, C8-C18 alkyl fatty amines, C8-C18 alkyl amides and C8-Ci8 alkyl fatty alkanolamides. The polyoxyalkylene condensation products of such materials may comprise from 1 to 30 alkylene oxide groups, preferably from 5 to about 20 alkylene oxide groups, even more preferably from 8 to about 12 alkylene oxide groups. Accordingly, suitable ethoxylated fatty alcohols may be chosen from ethoxylated cetyl 10 alcohol, ethoxylated ketostearyl alcohol, ethoxylated isotridecyl alcohof, ethoxylated lauric alcohol, ethoxylated oleyl alcohol and mixtures thereof. Alternatively compounds from the group of propylene glycols, ethoxylated glycerols, and/or ethanol may be used as viscosity modifying agent. The most preferred 15 propylene glycol is MPG (mono propylene glycol). The preferred ethoxylated glycerols have 3-15 ethylene oxide (EO) groups, more preferably 5-10 ethylene oxide groups. Alternatively, this viscosity reducing effect may be obtained by the addition of other short chain organic alcohols. These solvents would have the same viscosity reducing 20 effect as the nonionic surfactant, but are not preferred because they are considered "volatile organic compounds". Volatile organic compounds are not preferred in the context of the present invention. Thus, nonionic surfactants are preferred in the cleaning compositions of the 25 inventions, as they also have detergent properties. Another commonly used ingredient in cleaning compositions are hydrotropes. Hydrotropes reduce the dilution thickening effect according to the invention. It is preferred to avoid hydroptropes such as sodium cumene sulphonate (SCS), sodium 30 xylene sulphonate (SXS), anionic hydroptropes and polyethylene glycols. 1 5 JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 9 Generally, the viscosity modifying agent reduces the viscosity of the composition over the entire concentration scale. The viscosity modifying agent is optionally present in the cleaning composition in a concentration of 0-5%, preferably 0.1-2%, more preferably 0.5-1.5%. 5 Further surfactants The compositions my further comprise surfactants. However, such surfactant may have no or limited influence on the dilution thickening behaviour of the composition. Preferably said further surfactants do not move the peak more than 10% on the 10 concentration scale and do not reduce or increase the peak viscosity by more than 20%. The cleaning compositions of this invention may further comprise selected from anionic, amphoteric, zwitteriohic and nonionic surfactants and combinations thereof. Cationic surfactants are not preferred. 15 Suitable further surfactants are described in "Surface Active Agents" Vol. 1, by Schwartz & Perry, Interscience 1949, Vol. 2 by Schwartz, Perry & Berch, Interscience 1958, in the current edition of "McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents" published by Manufacturing Confectioners Company or in "Tenside-Taschenbuch", H. Stache, 2nd Edn., Carl HauserVerlag, 1981. 20 Optional Ingredients The compositions of the invention optionally comprise other ingredients, such as fragrances, preservatives and colorants. Particularly colorants are useful to indicate the presence of the compositions in an absorbent carrier. Examples of useful 25 colorants are: Blue FDC (Cl:42090); Patent blue (Cl:42051); Blue ABL 80 (Cl:61585); Red punzo No 7 (C):16255), Red Puricolor Are 14 (CI: 14720), Yellow Tartrazine CI 14190, Quinoline Yellow 47005, Briilant Black 28440,Sunset yellow CI 15985, and mixtures thereof. 30 The present invention also discloses a method for cleaning domestic surfaces, particularly hard surfaces, using the cleaning compositions according to the invention. The cleaning method of the invention has several advantages over known methods. 15 JUN2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 In one aspect, it provides less consumption of cleaning composition and is therefore more economical and environmentally friendly. The cleaning method of the invention comprises the steps of: 5 i) contacting a carrier with the composition of the invention; ii) treating the combination of carrier and composition with water; and iii) performing a cleaning operation of a surface with the carrier. In an alternative, but less preferred variation, water can be added to the absorbent 1 o carrier before the composition is added to it. A cleaning operation is typically represented by pressing the absorbent carrier to the surface and scrubbing it with circular movements, or in any other way, to aid in the removal of soil, grease or dirt from the surface. Dish surfaces and crockery are 15 particular examples of household surfaces that can be cleaned with the composition of the invention. Useful absorbent or porous carriers are known, particularly the ones comprising voids where liquid can be stored, for instance, sponges (natural, polymeric, steel, etc), 20 scouring pads, cloths. The composition is particularly suitable to be applied onto sponges in the cleaning method. The ratio between the amount of water and the amount of cleaning composition to be used in the cleaning method according to the invention is preferably from about 0.5 to 25 about 5, more preferably about 0.5-4, most preferably up to about 3.5. The invention further provides a process for enhancing the retention of cleaning agents into a carrier comprising the steps of: a) providing a solution of surfactants; 30 b) providing a solution of viscosity modulating agent; c) mixing the solution of surfactants with the solution of viscosity modulating agent, 15 JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/KP2007/06353I Application methods and use For hand dishwashing application of the cleaning compositions, such compositions 5 preferably have a low viscosity initially and only increase in viscosity after addition of a certain amount of diluent. This allows penetration of the composition through the pores of a porous carrier (e.g. a sponge), while at the same time keeping the composition within the carrier for a longer period. The selective way by which the composition of the invention behaves provides an advantageous balance between 10 low initial viscosity, maximum viscosity and final viscosity, as well as provides an advantageous balance between viscosity increasing ratio (between minimum and maximum viscosity) and viscosity decreasing ratio (between maximum and final viscosity). 15 In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning compositions of the invention comprise a dilution-thickening surfactant system and viscosity modulating agents and other optional ingredients and provide: low initial viscosity so as to easily penetrate into a carrier; viscosity increase upon dilution after penetrating into said carrier, so that the 20 cleaning compositions stay longer within the carrier, thus providing enhanced performance even after repeatedly rinsing; on dilution the cleaning composition becomes a stable and transparent gel; and controlled and sustained release of surfactants. 25 In another aspect there is provided a cleaning method for surfaces, particularly hard surfaces, which is more efficient and economic than the previously known cleaning methods. 30 In yet another aspect there is provided a process for enhancing the retention of cleaning agents into carriers such as sponges and the like. 15 JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 12 The invention provides dilution-thickening aqueous liquid cleaning compositions comprising: - one or more surfactants; 5 - one or more viscosity modulating agents. More specifically, the invention provides dilution-thickening aqueous liquid cleaning compositions comprising: - one or more surfactants; - at least one electrolyte as a viscosity modulating agent. 10 The invention will now be illustrated by means of the following non limiting examples. Examples These examples show the performance the compositions of the invention vis-a-vis the prior art. 15 Example 1 1 5 JUN 2009 In example 1, the controlled release of the composition according to the invention is compared to commercially available products. WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 13 The commercial products tested are Dixan (ex Henkel, purchased in Italy 27 February 2006), Fairy (ex Procter&Gamble, purchased in UK 1 September 2005) Sole (ex Reckitt Benckizer, purchased in Italy 12 April 2006) and Last (ex Bolton Manitoba, purchased in Italy 20 April 2006), see table below for an analysis of the compositions. To determine the active dosing of the material 1 g of one of the compositions was 10 applied directly onto a wet sponge suitable for cleaning dishes. The sponge was then rinsed with 50 ml demin water aliquots, by method of adding 50 ml of water to the sponge, squeezing the sponge and collecting the water. This was repeated with several aliquots of 50 ml water until no more detergent was released from the sponge. 15 The collected water was analysed to determine the concentration of released detergent product. And the amount of remaining active was calculated by deducting the measured amount of detergent product in each rinse from the starting amount and calculating the remain amount on the sponge. The results are given in the table below. 15 JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT7EP2007/063531 14 % active on sponge rinsing step water (ml) Comp 1 Dixan Fairy Sole Last 0 0 100 100 100 100 100 1 50 90 37 74 42 8 2 100 83 19 56 13 2 3 150 75 8 38 4 2 4 200 66 3 27 2 1 5 250 54 1 19 1 1 6 300 42 1 12 0 1 7 350 31 1 7 0 0 8 400 23 1 5 0 0 9 450 16 0 3 0 0 10 500 10 0 2 0 0 11 550 8 0 1 0 0 12 600 6 0 1 0 0 13 650 4 0 0 0 0 14 700 2 0 0 0 0 15 750 1 0 0 0 0 As can be clearly seen from the results table above, the composition of the invention gives a much more controlled release of active during a greater number of rinse 5 steps. Example 2 In example 2, the viscosity profile of a number of compositions according to the invention is demonstrated. 10 The compositions of this example are given in the table below. Product Ingredients total actives LAS % LES % Betaine % Nl % MgS04.7H30 % Comp 2 32% 10.5 16.5 3 2 2 Comp 3 31% 10.5 16.5 3 1 2 Comp 4 32% 10.5 16.5 3 2 3 Comp 5 28.5% 9.15 15.4 3 0.95 2.5 Comp 6 25% 7.67 13.8 2.68 0.85 3 Comp 7 24.9% 8.75 13-75 2 0.4 4.5 *) Coco amidopropyl betaine 15 JUN 2009 WO 2008/074667 PCT/EP2007/063531 15 In the table below, the viscosity of the product is given at different dilutions. In this table, 100% represents the neat undiluted product, while the other percentages represent the percentage of product in water. Viscosities un dilution (mPa.s (5>20 s"1) Composition 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 100% Comp 2 50 300 2880 5350 4350 1030 Comp3 350 1750 4800 6150 4850 1150 Comp 4 100 420 2600 4650 2650 1090 Comp 5 100 560 3600 6100 6250 1000 Comp 6 100 640 3223 5390 4950 997 Comp 7 220 1730 5560 8350 6350 1130 5 The results clearly show that the viscosity of the product is relatively low in undiluted form and also low when diluted down to about 30%, but that the viscosity between the neat composition and the highly dilution form of the composition is very high. 10 Example 3 In example 3, the effect of an additional viscosity modifying agent (MPG, composition 10) on the controlled release of the composition is demonstrated and compared with a similar composition without the additional viscosity modifying agent (composition 9) and a commercially available hand dish washing liquid (Lux Lemon). The 15 compositions are given in the table below. Chemical name Comp 8 Comp 9 Comp 10 [%] [%] [%] Sodium lauryl ether sulphate C12-C14 1EO 15.4 20 Sodium lauryl ether sulphate C12-C14 2EO 12 acid LAS ( MW 321) 20.7 8-56 8 alcohol ethoxylate 8 EO 0.95 alcohol ethoxylate 10 EO (Lialet 111-10EO) 1 Coco Amido Propyl Betaine 0.75 3 5 Sodium Hydroxide 2.2 1.3 0.95 MPG (mono propylene glycol) 5 Ethanol 4.3 Magnesium sulphate '7H20 4.5 5 Water 57 66.3 54.8 Minors (dye, perfume, preservative, etc) rest rest rest pH (as is) 5.5 5.5 5.5 Viscosity (as is, mPa.s @20s°) Ca 1000 1000 1150 15JUN2009 WO 2008/074667 16 PCT/EP2007/063531 10 The product release was tested with the method as given in example 1. The release results are given in the table below As can be clearly seen from the results in the table above, the composition with the additional viscosity modifying agent gives an even more controlled release of active during a greater number of rinse steps. 15 JUN 2009 26 (V) WO claims PCT/EP 2007/063 531 - 27-11-2008 EPO - DG 1 17 Claims 27. II. 2008 ® 1. .A dilution-thickening aqueous liquid cleaning composition comprising (a) 5-50%w of dilution-thickening surfactant system comprising: fajil__40-85%w Alkyl ether sulphate (0-4 EO); te)i0 0.01-50%w Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate; and .. Hi) 0.01-55%w Betaine; - „ adding UP to 100% and wherein the composition further comprises (b) 2.5-7.5%wof an electrolyte, selected from water-soluble organic . and inorganic salts other than anionic surfactants, wherein the cation is chosen from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, ammonium and mixtures thereof and the anion is chosen from chloride, sulfate, phosphate, acetate, nitrate and mixtures thereof; and wherein the initial viscosity of the composition is 800 - 1250 mPa.s. 2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the composition does not contain sodium xylene sulfonate hydroptrope, "3_~ ^A^le^RirigTbTflpo^itionaccordifi^to any 6rTe^f^iairris^1'^r2T^h^reih"trTe~~ composition further comprises 0-5%w a viscosity modifying agent selected from nonionic surfactant, propylene glycols, ethoxylated glycerols, and/or ethanol. 4. A Cleaning compositions according claim 4 wherein the electrolyte is magnesium sulfate. 5. A cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the alkyl ether sulphate is a Cio-Cia alkylether sulfate salt with 1-4 EO groups. 6. A cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the betaine is C10-Cie alkylamidopropyl betaine. AMENDED SHEET 1 5 JUN 2009 C 7826 (V) WO claims PCT/EP 2007/063 531 - 27-11-2008 18 7. A cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the initial viscosity is between below 1500mPas and which on dilution to 30-70% reach a peak viscosity of at least 5 times the initial viscosity. 8. Method to clean hard surfaces comprising the steps of: (a) contacting a carrier with a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 8; (b) treating the combination of carrier and composition with water; and (c) performing a cleaning operation of a surface with the carrier. 9. A dilution-thickening surfactant system comprising: (a) 40-85%w Alkyt ether sulphate (0-4 EO) (b) 0.01 -50%w Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (c) 0.01-55%w Betaine; adding up to 100% AMENDED SHEET 1 5JUN 2009 10. Use of the dilution thickening surfactant system according to claim 10 in a —fflsrrv^srrincfCTmTpo^iticTr™"——■ — ~ ——-—-—■—-

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