Field of the invention
[0001] The invention relates to aqueous liquid compositions that comprise an abrasive and
a polymeric thickening agent and that are suitable for hard surface cleaning.
Background of the invention
[0002] Liquid abrasive cleaning compositions for hard surfaces are well known in the art
and used for cleaning hard surfaces generally encountered in homes and institutions,
particularly in kitchens, bathrooms, toilets and the like. Such compositions typically
comprise a solid abrasive, and optionally a detergent surfactant, in an aqueous medium.
The solid abrasive is kept suspended in the liquid medium. This can be done, either
with a combination of detergent surfactants, particularly anionic and nonionic surfactants,
which together form a lamellar phase and thereby cause thickening of the liquid, or
with a thickening polymer to give the liquid the required viscosity properties, or
by a combination of both methods.
[0003] Even liquid abrasive cleaning compositions in which the suspending properties of
the liquid are provided by the use of thickening polymers in most cases still contain
a certain amount of detergent surfactant to improve the cleaning properties of the
composition and provide for the desired foaming of the composition in use.
[0004] Liquid abrasive cleaning compositions that contain thickening polycarboxylates and
only a minimal amount of surfactant are described in WO 01/05931.
[0005] In EP 301885 alkyl-(EO)
n-sulphate salts (n=1-10) are mentioned as one of the range of possible anionic surfactants
in a composition comprising 25-70% inorganic abrasive. Typically used nonionic surfactants
are long chain aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates and amine oxides. Typical abrasive materials
include minerals such as calcite and dolomite or other materials of relatively high
density and sufficient hardness.
[0006] In EP 346097 a thickening mixture is described comprising a gum-type polymer (polysaccharide)
and an acrylic type polymer in a ratio and amount determined by the sigmoid curves
of log (viscosity) versus log (concentration) of each polymer. The preferred polysaccharide
is xanthan gum. The combination of polymers is said to give synergistic thickening
properties. The thickening mixtures are disclosed to be suitable for a large variety
of applications, including liquid abrasive cleaners.
[0007] A well-known problem with liquid abrasive cleaners is their tendency to leave residues
of solid abrasive on the cleaned surface, which are difficult to rinse away and remain
visible as a white hue. Although wide ranges of abrasives content are quoted in the
patent literature, ranging from less than 1% to 80% or higher, for the normal liquid
abrasive cleaner well known to the consumer the practical abrasive content is generally
at least 20% and ranges up to 50%. Lower abrasive contents have been described as
a way to solve the rinsing problem. Thus, compositions described in WO 97/41204 comprise
0.1-10% abrasive, up to 20% of PAS and/or LES, up to 30% of ethoxylated alcohol nonionic
surfactant, 1-30% of a co-surfactant being glycerol or mono- or polyethylene glycol
or mono- or polypropylene glycol, 0.6-10% of a perfume or a water-insoluble hydrocarbon
having 6-18 carbon atoms, and some other components. However, they are generally considered
to compromise on cleaning ability on tough and strongly adhering soils and have so
far found little use in practice.
[0008] Organic solvents have also been used in an attempt to further improve the cleaning
capabilities of liquid abrasive cleaners. Thus, EP 336651 describes such compositions,
containing a wide range of organic solvents with examples as diverse as 2-butoxyethanol,
pine oil and limonene. The compositions all require colloidal aluminium oxide thickener
to obtain a stable suspension. They preferably contain 20-40%, particularly 30% abrasive.
A similar composition is described in EP 335471, comprising 1.8-4.5% of a grease-removal
solvent and 10-60% of an insoluble abrasive. A wide range of anionic surfactants is
mentioned for the surfactant system, the preferred ones being fatty acid soap and
PAS. Another similar composition is described in EP 329209 comprising 2-10% of surfactant
and 1-10% of a non- or sparingly water-soluble solvent. The surfactant is preferably
a mixture of LAS and LES in a 1:1 to 4:1 ratio. The amount of abrasive is quoted to
be 5-50%, but the examples all show 30%.
[0009] Japanese patent application no. 01/040600 describes cleaning compositions for cars
and windows comprising surfactant, alcohol, an abrasive and a combination of a film-forming
resin (preferably a polyvinyl alcohol resin) and a cellulose derivative. On top of
that it may contain a thickener, which may be methylcellulose. The resin is supposed
to dry out to form a film on the surface to be cleaned which traps dirt and abrasive.
[0010] The resin is present in an amount of at least 10% of the composition and the cellulose
derivative in an amount of at least 0.6%, preferably at least 0.8%.
[0011] US 5,057,241 describes skin cleansing compositions comprising a thickening system
consisting of hydroxypropyl cellulose or hydroxyethyl cellulose and an acrylic copolymer
comprising monomeric groups possessing surfactant properties which are prepared by
reacting an unsaturated acid with a nonionic surfactant. The compositions do not contain
an abrasive.
[0012] US 4,830,783 discloses contact lens cleaning fluids comprising an inorganic polishing
compound with an average particle size preferably below 10µm, a surfactant and a thickening
agent. A large list of possible polymeric and clay thickening agents is given, among
which polyacrylic acid and some cellulose derivatives, without any particular preference.
[0013] Japanese patent application no. 60/108499 describes liquid abrasive cleaning compositions
comprising a surfactant, a thickener, an insoluble abrasive and a hydrocarbon solvent.
The list of generally named thickeners includes polyacrylic acid, carboxycellulose
and hydroxyethyl cellulose. The examples all use the clay mineral hectorite as the
thickener. Similar compositions are described in DE 19918265 in which various cellulose
ethers and anionic methacrylic acid/ethyl acrylate copolymers are mentioned as possible
thickening agents.
[0014] In spite of the extensive prior art there is still a need to improve the rinsing
properties of liquid abrasive compositions without compromising on their cleaning
performance.
[0015] Furthermore, many consumers do not like the feel of liquid abrasive cleaning compositions.
They are generally described as feeling grainy or rough. Therefore, there is also
a need for improving the sensory properties (feel) of liquid abrasive cleaners.
Brief description of the invention
[0016] It has now been found that liquid abrasive cleaning compositions comprising between
10% and 50% inorganic abrasive in combination with a mixture of thickening polymers,
in amounts as defined in claim 1, comprising a nonionic cellulose ether and an alkali
swellable or soluble (meth)acrylate polymer which has molecular weight of at least
100,000, provide excellent cleaning on a large variety of soils, including tough and
strongly adhering soils, are easily rinsed away and have a non-gritty and smooth feel.
[0017] Consequently, the invention also provides a process for cleaning hard surfaces comprising
the steps of applying to the surface a composition according to the invention followed
by removing the soil and the composition from the surface.
Detailed description of the invention
[0018] All percentages given herein are by weight, calculated on the total composition,
unless specifically indicated otherwise.
[0019] Thus, the invention provides an aqueous liquid abrasive cleaning composition according
to claim 1.
Polymeric thickening system
[0020] The nonionic cellulose ether is a cellulose derivative in which some of the cellulose
hydroxy groups are replaced by methoxy or ethoxy groups and/or hydroxyethoxy or hydroxypropoxy
groups. Such cellulose derivatives, which are well known in the art, are e.g. methyl-cellulose,
ethyl-cellulose, hydroxyethyl-cellulose, hydroxypropyl-cellulose, hydroxyethyl-methyl-
and ethyl-cellulose and hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose. Preferred are those cellulose
ethers that are soluble in cold water and give increased viscosity at alkaline pH.
Methyl-celluloses and their derivatives are particularly preferred, more particularly
hydroxypropyl-methylcellulose. In general, those cellulose ethers are preferred which
give a viscosity in 2% by weight solution in water of at least 10,000 mPa.s (Brookfield™,
20rpm, at 20°C), more preferably at least 20,000 mPa.s, most preferably between 30,000
and 55,000 mPa.s. Suitable cellulose ethers are methyl-hydroxypropyl-cellulose PMC40
US, marketed by Samsung Fine Chemicals and Culminal MHPC 45000 PFR, marketed by Hercules
Inc.
[0021] The cellulose ether is used in an amount of at least 0.01%, preferably at least 0.05%.
An amount of more than 1% is not required; preferably the amount is at most 0.5%,
more preferably at most 0.3%. The amount is chosen such that the composition with
cellulose ether but without the (meth)acrylate polymer has a viscosity of at most
200 mPa.s, preferably at most 100 mPa.s, more preferably at most 50mPa.s, most preferably
at most 25 mPa.s (Equipment: Haake™ VT 550; measurement conditions: Rotor MV II, 21
sec
-1 shear rate and 25°C).
[0022] The other polymer in the double polymeric thickening system is an alkali-swellable
or alkali-soluble (meth)acrylate polymer. For the purposes of this invention the phrase
"(meth)acrylate polymer" is defined as homo- and copolymers of acrylate and/or methacrylate
monomers and optionally other vinylic monomers. Thus, it includes polyacrylate, polymethacrylate,
copolymers of acrylate and methacrylate and copolymers of acrylate and/or methacrylate
with other vinylic monomers such as maleic anhydride and styrene. The carboxylate
groups in the polymer are preferably partly esterified. The polymer may also be cross-linked
and/or hydrophobically modified. However, the polymer contains sufficient free carboxylic
acid/carboxylate groups to make it alkali-swellable or alkali-soluble. The polymers
have a molecular weight of at least 100,000, preferably at least 500,000.
[0023] Very suitable are alkali-swellable or -soluble copolymers of methacrylic acid and
ethyl acrylate and optionally other comonomers, such as are exemplified in the ASE-
and HASE-type Alcogum™ L and SL series polymers, marketed by National Starch & Chemical
Company. Alcogum L15, which is a medium cross-linked methacrylic acid/ethyl acrylate
copolymer of molecular weight between 500,000 and 1000,000, is a particular example
of a suitable polymer, as are Alcogum L11 and SL117.
[0024] (Meth)acrylate polymers suitable for the invention have in 1% (by weight of dry solids)
solution in water at 20°C and pH 8 a viscosity of at least 500 mPa.s and at most 50,000
mPa.s (Broookfield™, 10rpm), preferably at least 1000 and at most 30,000.
[0025] The (meth)acrylate polymer is used in an amount of at least 0.1%, preferably at least
0.2%, more preferably at least 0.4%. Amounts of more than 4% are not required to obtain
sufficient viscosity. Generally the amount is at most 2%, preferably at most 1%.
[0026] The two components of the double polymeric thickening system are generally used in
a (meth)acrylate polymer/cellulose ether ratio of between 20:1 and 1:1, preferably
between 10:1 and 2:1, more preferably between 7:1 and 2:1.
[0027] The liquid abrasive cleaning compositions according to the invention have such fluid
flow characteristics that they are stable suspensions when not in use, but thin enough
to be poured from the packaging container and spread on the soiled surface without
appearing thin and watery. Thus, the components and amounts of the thickening system
are chosen in such a way that the composition has a viscosity between 300 and 5000
mPa.s, preferably 300-3000 mPa.s, more preferably 500-2500, most preferably 900-1800
mPa.s. (Equipment: Haake™ VT 550; measurement conditions: Rotor MV II, 21 sec
-1 shear rate and 25°C).
Abrasive
[0028] An inorganic abrasive is an essential component of the composition. The amount of
abrasive in the cleaning compositions according to the invention is preferably at
least 15%, more preferably at least 20%, but preferably does not exceed 45% or even
40%. Preferred abrasives have a Moh hardness of below 6, but above 1, preferably at
least 2, although abrasives with higher hardness than 6 can be employed for specialist
applications.
[0029] Suitable inorganic abrasives can be selected from water-soluble and water-insoluble
materials. Soluble abrasives are present in an amount exceeding their solubility in
water and the 10-50% amount of abrasive material then refers to the amount present
as insoluble material. Examples of such materials are to be found among alkali metal
carbonates, phosphates, sulphates, borates and chlorides, such as Na bicarbonate,
Na borate, Na tripolyphosphate, K sulphate, water-free Ca sulphate.
Suitable water-insoluble abrasives are zeolites, silica's, silicates, carbonates and
aluminas. Water-insoluble abrasives are preferred and preferred examples are: Ca carbonate
(e.g. as calcite), mixtures of Ca and Mg carbonates (e.g. as dolomite), alumina, hydrated
alumina, feldspar, talc and silica. Calcite and dolomite are particularly preferred
due to their low cost and good abrasive properties.
[0030] Preferred weight average particle sizes for the abrasives fall in the range 1-500
microns, with values of 5-100 microns being particularly preferred.
[0031] The compositions according to the invention preferably have pH between 5 and 14,
more preferably at least 7. An alkaline pH improves the cleaning properties, particularly
on fatty soils and pH values between 8 and 13 are very suitable. For alkali metal
and alkaline earth metal carbonates and bicarbonate abrasives an alkaline pH is required.
Optional surfactants
[0032] To further improve the cleaning properties and preferably provide a certain degree
of foaming of the product when in use, the compositions according to the invention
preferably contain one or more detergent surfactants. They may be chosen from a wide
range of anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic and amphoteric surfactants well known in
the art. For liquid abrasive cleaning compositions anionic and/or nonionic surfactants
are most often chosen as the principle surfactant and for the purposes of the present
invention nonionic surfactants are particularly preferred.
[0033] Synthetic anionic surfactants may be chosen from the alkali metal, alkaline earth
metal, ammonium or alkanolammonium salts of the well known organic sulphuric acid
esters and sulphonic acids having in the molecular structure a branched or straight
chain alkyl group containing 8-22 C atoms or an alkylaryl group containing 6-20 C
atoms in the alkyl part.
[0034] Examples of such anionic surfactants are water-soluble salts of:
- long chain (i.e. 6-22 C-atom) alcohol sulphates (hereinafter referred to as PAS),
especially those obtained by sulphating the fatty alcohols produced from tallow or
coconut oil or the synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum;
- alkylbenzene-sulphonates, such as those in which the alkyl group contains from 6 to
20 carbon atoms;
- secondary alkanesulphonates.
Also suitable are the salts of:
- alkylglyceryl ether sulphates, especially of the ethers of fatty alcohols derived
from tallow and coconut oil;
- fatty acid monoglyceride sulphates;
- sulphates of ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols containing 1-10 ethyleneoxy units per
molecule;
- alkylphenol ethyleneoxy-ether sulphates containing 1-10 ethyleneoxy units per molecule
and in which the alkyl groups contain from 4 to 14 carbon atoms;
- the reaction product of fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and neutralized
with alkali.
[0035] A suitable class of nonionic surfactants can be broadly described as compounds produced
by the condensation of simple alkylene oxides, which are hydrophilic in nature, with
an aliphatic or alkyl-aromatic hydrophobic compound having a reactive hydrogen atom.
The length of the hydrophilic or polyoxyalkylene chain that is attached to any particular
hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to yield a compound having the desired balance
between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements. This enables the choice of nonionic
surfactants with the right HLB. Particular examples include:
- the condensation products of aliphatic alcohols having from 6 to 22 carbon atoms in
either straight or branched chain configuration with ethylene oxide, such as a coconut
alcohol ethylene oxide condensates having from 1 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per
mole of coconut alcohol;
- condensates of alkylphenols having C6-C15 alkyl groups with 2 to 25 moles of ethylene
oxide per mole of alkylphenol;
- condensates of the reaction product of ethylene-diamine and propylene oxide with ethylene
oxide, the condensates containing from 40 to 80% of ethyleneoxy groups by weight and
having a molecular weight of from 2,000 to 15,000.
[0036] Other classes of nonionic surfactants are:
- alkylpolyglycosides, which are condensation products of long chain aliphatic alcohols
and saccharides;
- tertiary amine oxides of structure RRRN0, where one R is an alkyl group of 6 to 20
carbon atoms and the other R's are each alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon
atoms, e.g. dimethyldodecylamine oxide;
- tertiary phosphine oxides of structure RRRP0, where one R is an alkyl group of 6 to
20 carbon atoms and the other R's are each alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3
carbon atoms, for instance dimethyl-dodecylphosphine oxide;
- dialkyl sulphoxides of structure RRS0 where one R is an alkyl group of from 8 to 18
carbon atoms and the other is methyl or ethyl, for instance methyl-tetradecyl sulphoxide;
- fatty acid alkylolamides;
- alkylene oxide condensates of fatty acid alkylolamides;
- alkyl mercaptans.
[0037] Amphoteric or zwitterionic surfactants may be used as additional surfactants. Suitable
amphoteric surfactants are derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary amines
containing an alkyl group of 6 to 20 carbon atoms and an aliphatic group substituted
by an anionic water-solubilising group, for instance sodium 3-dodecylamino-propionate,
sodium 3-dodecylaminopropane-sulphonate and sodium N-2-hydroxy-dodecyl-N-methyltaurate.
Examples of suitable zwitterionic surfactants can be found among derivatives of aliphatic
quaternary ammonium, sulphonium and phosphonium compounds having an aliphatic group
of from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an aliphatic group substituted by an anionic water-solubilising
group, for instance 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonium)-propane-1-sulphonate betaine,
3-(dodecylmethyl-sulphonium)-propane-1-sulphonate betaine and 3-(cetylmethyl-phosphonium)-ethanesulphonate
betaine.
[0038] Further examples of suitable surfactants are compounds commonly used as surface-active
agents given in the well-known textbooks: "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 Hauser
Verlag, 1981.
[0039] The total amount of surfactant is usually 0 - 4%, preferably, 0.1 - 2%, more preferably
0.2 - 1%. Preferably the total surfactant in the composition according to the invention
consists primarily or entirely of nonionic surfactant. Ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols
are particularly preferred nonionic surfactants.
[0040] An organic solvent may optionally be present in the compositions according to the
invention. Various hydrocarbons (e.g. mineral oil derived or terpenoid), alcohols,
polyols and polyol ethers have been described as suitable solvents for use in liquid
abrasive cleaning compositions. Preferred are mono- and diethylene glycol mono-ethers
and mono- and di-propylene glycol mono-ethers. Mono- and di-propylene glycol mono-(C
1-C
5)alkyl ethers are particularly suitable. When present the amount is kept below 5%,
preferably below 2%, more preferably below 1%, but preferably at least 0.1%.
[0041] The compositions according to the invention may further comprise well-known optional
components to further enhance their properties in use, such as builders, antifoams,
preservatives, antimicrobials, etc. They may also comprise components to enhance their
consumer appeal such as colorants, pigments and perfume. They may contain bleaching
agents provided that the other components in the composition are stable in their presence
[0042] As outlined above, the invention also provides a process for cleaning hard surfaces
comprising the steps of applying to the surface a composition according to the invention,
followed by removing the soil and the composition from the surface. The composition
may be appplied to the surface straight from the container and the surface thereafter
cleaned by loosening the soil from the surface with a wet wipe, cloth, sponge or similar
implement rubbing the composition over the surface. Alternatively the composition
is first applied to a wipe, cloth or sponge which may be prewetted with water, wherafter
the soil is loosened from the surface by rubbing the implement with the composition
over the surface. The treatment is completed by removing the soil and the composition
from the surface, either with an implement or by rinsing the surface with water.
Examples:
[0043] Stable liquid abrasive cleaning compositions having excellent cleaning properties
on a variety of soils were prepared having the compositions given in the table below:
|
Example 1 |
Example 2 |
C9-C11 Ethoxylated fatty alcohol 6OE |
0.600 |
0.600 |
Sodium hydroxide |
0.125 |
0.106 |
Alcogum L15 |
0.70 |
0.55 |
Calcium Carbonate (Omyacarb A30) |
30.00 |
30.0 |
PMC 40US * |
0.140 |
0.220 |
1.2 benzothiazolin-3-one |
0.016 |
0.016 |
Dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether |
0.60 |
- |
Water |
To 100% |
* Hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose supplied by Samsung Fine Chemicals. |
[0044] The PCM 40US was premixed with sufficient water to obtain a thick, but pourable liquid
mix. To the remainder of the water Alcogum, sodium hydroxide, abrasive, surfactant,
the PCM 40US premix and the solvent (Example 1) were added, preferably in that order.
Thereafter preservative and/or perfume was added, if desired. The final mixture of
Example 1 had a viscosity of 1250 mPa.s at 21 sec
-1 (Haake VT550, rotor MVII). The same composition, but without added PCM 40US, has
a viscosity of 500 mPa.s, whereas the same mixture with PCM 40US but without Alcogum
has a viscosity of less than 50 mPa.s.
[0045] The sensory properties of the product according to example 1 were compared with those
of a commercial product containing 20% calcite, 4.7% anionic/2.1% nonionic self-structuring
surfactant mixture, 1% butyl digol solvent and 0.03% Acusol 820 polycarboxylate. A
panel of 20 consumers judged both products on creaminess and consistency using a scale
of 1-5. The average rating on creaminess of example 1 was 3.8 versus 2.0 for the commercial
product; the average rating on consistency for example 1 was 3.7, versus 2.3 for the
commercial product. The product according to example 1 was often commented on as having
a silky feel
[0046] Both products were also compared as to the ease with which the abrasive is removed
after cleaning, using the test method described below by 20 panellists:
5 g product are poured on a dark blue decamel table. The product is removed using
a wet double Ballerina™ cloth (20x10cm), making 1 rinsing cycle of 10 circular wipes
of 20-30cm diameter, whereafter it is observed whether foam or abrasive residues are
still visible on the decamel surface. If necessary more rinsing cycles are performed
until all residues had disappeared, using a freshly washed and rinsed wet Ballerina
cloth each time.
The test result is expressed as the number of wiping cycles needed to completely remove
the product.
On average the product of Example 1 required 1.2 wiping cycles, whereas the market
product required 4.3 wiping cycles.
1. Aqueous liquid abrasive cleaning compositions comprising an inorganic abrasive and
a polymeric thickener
characterised in that it comprises:
- 10-50% of inorganic abrasive;
- a double polymeric thickening system comprising a nonionic cellulose ether in an
amount of 0.01-1% and an alkali-swellable or alkali-soluble (meth)acrylate polymer
having a molecular weight of at least 100,000 in an amount of 0.1-4%
and wherein the composition has a viscosity between 300 and 5000 mPa.s.
2. Cleaning composition according to claim 1 characterised in that the amount of cellulose derivative is 0.05-0.5%.
3. Cleaning composition according to claims 1-2 characterised in that the cellulose ether is a methylcellulose or derivative thereof.
4. Cleaning composition according to claim 3 characterised in that the cellulose ether is methyl-hydroxypropylcellulose.
5. Cleaning composition according to claims 1-4 characterised in that cellulose ethers are chosen which give a viscosity in 2% solution in water of at
least 10,000 mPa.s.
6. Cleaning composition according to claims 1-5 characterised in that the amount of alkali-swellable or alkali-soluble (meth)acrylate polymer is 0.2-2%.
7. Cleaning composition according to claims 1-6 characterised in that a (meth)acrylate polymer is chosen which has in 1% solution in water at 20°C and
pH 8 a viscosity of between 500 and 50,000 mPa.s.
8. Cleaning composition according to claim 6 or 7 characterised in that the (meth)acrylate polymer is a copolymer of methacrylic acid and ethyl acrylate
and optionally other comonomers.
9. Cleaning composition according to claims 1-8 characterised in that the two components of the double polymeric thickening system are used in a (meth)acrylate
polymer/cellulose ether ratio of between 20:1 and 1:1.
10. Cleaning composition according to claims 1-9 characterised in that the abrasive is chosen from calcium carbonate, mixtures of calcium and magnesium
carbonates, zeolite, alumina, hydrated alumina, feldspar, talc and silica and has
a particle size of 5-100 micron.
11. Cleaning composition according to claims 1-10 characterised in that it contains a surfactant in an amount of up to 4%.
12. Cleaning composition according to claim 11 characterised in that it contains a nonionic surfactant in an amount of 0.1-4%.
13. A process for cleaning hard surfaces comprising the steps of applying to the surface
a composition according to any one of claims 1-12 and removing the soil and the composition
from the surface.
1. Wässerige flüssige Scheuerreinigungszusammensetzungen, umfassend ein anorganisches
Scheuermittel und ein polymeres Verdickungmittel,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass es
- 10 - 50 % anorganisches Scheuermittel,
- ein doppeltes polymeres Verdickungssystem, umfassend einen nicht-ionischen Celluloseether
in einer Menge von 0,01 - 1 % und ein Alkali-quellfähiges oder Alkali-lösliches (Meth)Acrylatpolymer
mit einem Molekulargewicht von mindestens 100.000 in einer Menge von 0,1 - 4 %, umfasst,
und wobei die Zusammensetzung eine Viskosität zwischen 300 und 5.000 mPa.s aufweist.
2. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Menge des Cellulosederivats 0,05 - 0,5 % beträgt.
3. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach den Ansprüchen 1 bis 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Celluloseether eine Methyl-cellulose oder ein Derivat davon ist.
4. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Celluloseether Methyl-hydroxypropylcellulose ist.
5. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Celluloseether derart ausgewählt sind, dass sie in einer 2%igen Lösung in Wasser
eine Viskosität von mindestens 10.000 mPa.s ergeben.
6. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Menge des Alkaliquellfähigen oder Alkali-löslichen (Meth)Acrylatpolymers 0,2
bis 2 % beträgt.
7. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein (Meth)Acrylatpolymer gewählt wird, das in einer 1%igen Lösung in Wasser bei 20°
C und pH 8 eine Viskosität zwischen 500 und 50.000 mPa.s aufweist.
8. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach Anspruch 6 oder 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das (Meth)Acrylatpolymer ein Copolymer von Methacrylsäure und Ethylacrylat und ggf.
anderen Comonomeren ist.
9. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die zwei Komponenten des doppelten polymeren Verdickungssystems in einem Verhältnis
von (Meth)Acrylatpolymer/Celluloseether zwischen 20:1 und 1:1 verwendet werden.
10. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Scheuermittel aus Calciumcarbonat, Gemischen von Calcium- und Magnesiumcarbonaten,
Zeolith, Aluminiumoxid, hydratisiertem Aluminiumoxid, Feldspat, Talkum und Siliziumdioxid
ausgewählt ist und eine Partikelgröße von 5 bis 100 µm aufweist.
11. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein oberflächenaktives Mittel in einer Menge von bis zu 4·% enthält.
12. Reinigungszusammensetzung nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie ein nicht-ionisches oberflächenaktives Mittel in einer Menge von 0,1 bis 4 %
enthält.
13. Verfahren zur Reinigung harter Oberflächen, umfassend die Schritte Auftragen einer
Zusammensetzung nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12 auf die Oberfläche und Entfernen
des Schmutzes und der Zusammensetzung von der Oberfläche.
1. Composition aqueuse détergente abrasive liquide comprenant un abrasif inorganique
et un épaississant polymérique
caractérisé en ce qu'elle comprend :
- 10 à 50 % d'abrasif inorganique;
- un double système épaississant polymérique comprenant un éther de cellulose non
ionique en quantité de 0,01 à 1 % et un polymère (méth)-acrylate capable de gonfler
ou soluble en milieu alcalin ayant une masse moléculaire au moins égale à 100 000
en une quantité de 0,1 à 4 %,
et dans laquelle la composition a une viscosité entre 300 et 5000 mPa.s.
2. Composition détergente selon la revendication 1 caractérisée en ce que la quantité de dérivé cellulosique est de 0,05 à 0,5 %.
3. Composition détergente selon les revendications 1 à 2 caractérisée en ce que l'éther de cellulose est une méthylcellulose ou un dérivé de celle-ci.
4. Composition détergente selon la revendication 3 caractérisée en ce que l'éther de cellulose est une méthylhydroxypropylcellulose.
5. Composition détergente selon les revendications 1 à 4 caractérisée en ce que les éthers de celluloses choisis donnent une viscosité en solution à 2 % dans l'eau
au moins égale à 10 000 mPa.s.
6. Composition détergente selon les revendications 1 à 5 caractérisée en ce que la quantité de polymère (méth)acrylate capable de gonfler ou soluble en milieu alcalin
est de 0,2 à 2 %.
7. Composition détergente selon les revendications 1 à 6 caractérisée en ce qu'un polymère (méth)-acrylate choisi possède, en solution à 1 % dans l'eau à 20°C et
pH 8, une viscosité entre 500 et 50 000 mPas.
8. Composition détergente selon la revendication 6 ou 7 caractérisée en ce que le polymère (méth)-acrylate est un copolymère d'acide méthacrylique et d'acrylate
d'éthyle et de manière facultative d'autres comonomères.
9. Composition détergente selon les revendications 1 à 8 caractérisée en ce que les deux composants du double système épaississant polymérique sont utilisés dans
un rapport polymère (méth)acrylate/éther de cellulose entre 20/1 et 1/1.
10. Composition détergente selon les revendications 1 à 9 caractérisée en ce que l'abrasif est choisi dans le groupe comprenant le carbonate de calcium, les mélanges
de carbonates de calcium et de magnésium, la zéolite, l'alumine, l'hydrate d'alumine,
le feldspath, le talc et la silice et possède une taille de particule de 5 à 100 µm.
11. Composition détergente selon les revendications 1 à 10 caractérisée en ce qu'elle contient un surfactant en quantité jusqu'à 4 %.
12. Composition détergente selon la revendication 11 caractérisée en ce qu'elle contient un surfactant non ionique en quantité de 0,1 à 4 %.
13. Procédé de nettoyage de surfaces dures comprenant les étapes consistant à appliquer
sur la surface une composition selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12 et
à éliminer de la surface la salissure et la composition.