NEUTRAL CLEANING FORMULATION

Description

Object of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning formulation, more particularly, to a neutral cleaning formulation comprising natural extracts which do not present a risk to the health of users or to the environment. The present invention therefore pertains to the sector of the chemical industry and, particularly, to the cleaning and disinfection product industry.

[0002] Said formulation comprises non-ionic surfactants and a series of additives conferring to said formulation a neutral character.

Technical problem to be solved and background of the invention

[0003] Many of the cleaner compositions used in various industrial and domestic fields comprise chemical substances that are toxic to the health of the user, causing eye lesions and skin irritations. This combined with society's growing interest in respecting the environment and sustainability has led to industries manufacturing compositions for cleaning different types of materials face the need to develop biodegradable chemical products in order to eliminate any generation of chemical waste so as to have zero impact on the ecosystem.

[0004] In this manner, various compositions described in the patent literature have been developed.

[0005] One example is found in patent CN103608445A, which describes a biodegradable cleaning formulation comprising biodegradable abrasive particles.

[0006] Another example is found in patent US2014352722A1, which describes a cleaning composition comprising abrasive particles, wherein said particles are abrasive foam particles and comprise a biodegradable thermoplastic material.

[0007] Nevertheless, neither of these patent documents describes a formulation with the advantages of the invention described herein.

[0008] While it is true that these compositions are biodegradable, both patent documents mentioned show abrasive nanoparticles or particles, therefore, they may cause irritations in the user.

[0009] There is, therefore, a need to find compositions that have a more ecological profile, in other words, that use more ecological ingredients, reduce the number of ingredients, reduce the application quantity necessary to achieve proper cleaning and are more effective than the current compositions. In addition, said compositions must be free of hazards for users and show proven efficacies that are equal to or better than other products currently existing on the market.

[0010] Therefore, the present document describes an improved cleaner formulation with respect to the cleaning compositions used at present in the industry of cleaning products and detergents with highly advantageous features. Said formulation comprises natural extracts which do not present risks to health or to the environment and are biodegradable, with high-quality products being obtained.

Description of the invention

[0011] The present invention proposes a neutral cleaning formulation characterised in that it comprises by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation:

• 0.75 % - 5 % of at least one surfactant,
• 1 % - 5 % of at least one solvent,
• 0.1 % - 1 % of at least one sequestering agent,
• 0.1 % - 0.3 % of at least one preservative,
• 0.01 % - 0.3 % of at least one perfume,
• 0.0005 % to 0.001 % by weight of at least one colourant, and
• a sufficient quantity (qs) of osmotic water, and

wherein the sum of the quantity of all the components is less than or equal to 100 %.

[0012] Said formulation is characterised by having a pH equal to 7.

[0013] The present document refers to the object of the present invention as a neutral cleaning formulation or neutral cleaner formulation interchangeably.

[0014] At the formulation level, the cleaning capacity of the products is mainly achieved by an optimal mixture of surfactants, comprising sequestering agents, solvents, preservatives, perfumes and colourants, all in an aqueous base.

Detailed description of the invention

[0015] The present invention proposes a neutral cleaning formulation characterised in that it comprises by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation:

• 0.75 % - 5 % of at least one surfactant,
• 1 % - 5 % of at least one solvent,
• 0.1 % - 1 % of at least one sequestering agent,
• 0.1 % - 0.3 % of at least one preservative,
• 0.01 % - 0.3 % of at least one perfume,
• 0.0005 % to 0.001 % by weight of at least one colourant, and
• a sufficient quantity (qs) of osmotic water, and

wherein the sum of the quantity of all the components is less than or equal to 100 %.

[0016] In embodiments of the present invention, the cleaner formulation comprises non-ionic surfactants that can be selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ethoxylate, alkyl polyglycoside (APG), amine oxide and any combination thereof. The non-ionic surfactants comprised in the formulation object of the invention are foam enhancers and stabilisers with broad effectiveness in formulations for detergency.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the non-ionic surfactant that can be comprised in the present invention is alkyl polyglycoside (APG) having a low colour which offers excellent detergency and treatment benefits in a wide range of areas in the cleaning industry. APG is 100 % biodegradable and presents excellent compatibility with the skin and mucous membranes given that APG has high wettability and is furthermore a non-irritant product.

[0018] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, when the formulation object of the invention comprises APG, said surfactant cannot be comprised in a quantity greater than 1.05 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the cleaner formulation. In a more preferred embodiment, the quantity of APG is comprised between 0.75 % and 1.05 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation. In an even more preferred embodiment, the quantity of APG is comprised between 0.8 % and 1.0 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

[0019] In other embodiments of the present invention, the quantity of amine oxide that can be comprised in the formulation object of the invention is comprised between 0.75 % and 1.25 %.

[0020] In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, when the formulation object of the invention comprises fatty alcohol ethoxylate, said surfactant cannot be comprised in a quantity greater than 0.99 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the cleaner formulation. In a more preferred embodiment, the quantity of fatty alcohol ethoxylate is comprised between 0.75 % and 0.99 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation. In an even more preferred embodiment, the quantity of fatty alcohol ethoxylate is comprised between 0.80 % and 0.95 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

[0021] In embodiments of the present invention, the neutral cleaner formulation comprises at least one solvent which can be selected from the group consisting of ethanol, isopropanol and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the solvent can be ethanol, which is biodegradable and safe. Said solvent cannot be comprised in a quantity greater than 5 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the cleaner formulation. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the quantity of solvent is comprised between 1 % and 5 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation. In an even more preferred embodiment, the quantity of solvent is comprised between 4 % and 5 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

[0022] In embodiments of the present invention, the neutral cleaner formulation comprises at least one sequestering agent which, in a preferred embodiment, can be sodium citrate, which is biodegradable, safe and even used in the food industry as an additive. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the quantity of sequestering agent is comprised between 0.1 % and 1 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation. In an even more preferred embodiment, the quantity of sequestering agent is comprised between 0.1 % and 0.5 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

[0023] In embodiments of the present invention, the cleaner formulation comprises at least one preservative which is synthetic but has the same structure as the molecule found in nature. In addition, said preservative is biodegradable, therefore it does not pollute the environment. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the preservative can be sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and any combination thereof. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the quantity of preservative is comprised between 0.1 % and 0.3 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

[0024] In embodiments of the present invention, the neutral cleaner formulation comprises at least one perfume. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the quantity of perfume is comprised between 0.01 % and 0.3 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

[0025] In the scope of the present invention, the perfumes which can be comprised in the formulation object of the invention are of a natural origin and their origin is mainly from plants, flowers, fruits, wood, etc. In embodiments of the present invention, the perfumes which can be comprised in the formulation object of the invention, if they are classified according to olfactory families, are perfumes selected from the group consisting of floral, fruit, balsamic, citrus, green, aromatic, marine and any combination thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the perfume which can be comprised in the formulation object of the invention is from the balsamic olfactory family. In another preferred embodiment, the perfume which can be comprised in the formulation object of the invention is from the marine olfactory family.

[0026] In embodiments of the present invention, the neutral cleaner formulation comprises at least one colourant. In the scope of the present invention, the colourants are classified according to an international index known as Colour Index International, which is used as a reference for colourant manufacturers. Based on the foregoing points, in a preferred embodiment, the colourant of the formulation object of the invention can be selected from the group consisting of CI19140, CI42045, CI42051 and any combination thereof.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment, the formulation object of the invention can comprise the combination of two colourants which are CI19140 and CI42045 in a 1:1 ratio having a green tone. In other preferred embodiments of the present invention, the formulation can comprise the colourant CI42051 having a blue tone. In preferred embodiments of the present invention, the quantity of colourant is comprised between 0.0005 % and 0.001 % by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation.

[0028] In embodiments of the present invention, two preferred embodiments of neutral cleaner formulations can be obtained, which are referred to herein as neutral cleaner formulation type A and neutral cleaner formulation type B. Both types of neutral cleaner formulations have in common surfactants, solvents, sequestering agents and preservatives in the quantities described herein. Nevertheless, formulations type A and type B vary from one another in the type of perfume and in the type of colourant.

[0029] In preferred embodiments of the present invention, when the neutral formulation is type A, said formulation is characterised in that the colourant is CI42051 and the perfume is from the marine olfactory family. In another embodiment of the present invention, when the neutral formulation is type B, said formulation is characterised in that it comprises the combination of two colourants, which are CI19140 and CI42045 in a 1:1 ratio, and a perfume from the balsamic olfactory family.

[0030] Therefore, there is described a neutral and biodegradable cleaner formulation, which is the first of its kind in the scope of detergency, since it has a cleaning capacity similar to products available on the market with the following advantages:

• It is hypoallergenic and dermatologically safe, therefore, it is highly advantageous for the end consumer;
• It is biodegradable, therefore, it does not cause environmental pollution.

Description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention

[0031] For the purpose of contributing to better understand the invention, and according to a practical embodiment thereof, a series of preferred exemplary embodiments of the present invention are attached as an integral part of this description.

Example 1: Composition 1 of the neutral cleaning formulation

[0032] 

COMPOSITION	%
FATTY ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATE	0.935
AMINE OXIDE	1.10
APG	0.95
PERFUME (Balsamic)	0.10
ETHANOL	4.80
SODIUM CITRATE	0.5
SODIUM BENZOATE	0.10
SODIUM SORBATE	0.10
COLOURANT (CI19140 and CI42045 at a 1:1 ratio)	0.0005
WATER	qs

Example 2: Composition 2 of the neutral cleaning formulation

[0033] 

COMPOSITION	%
FATTY ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATE	0.85
AMINE OXIDE	1.20
APG	0.90
PERFUME (Marine)	0.25
SODIUM CITRATE	0.6
ETHANOL	4.80
SODIUM BENZOATE	0.10
SODIUM SORBATE	0.10
COLOURANT (CI42051)	0.0005
WATER	qs

Example 3: Composition 3 of the neutral cleaning formulation

[0034] 

COMPOSITION	%
FATTY ALCOHOL ETHOXYLATE	0.935
AMINE OXIDE	0.90
APG	0.99
PERFUME (Marine)	0.10
SODIUM CITRATE	0.50
ETHANOL	4.80
SODIUM BENZOATE	0.10
SODIUM SORBATE	0.10
COLOURANT (CI42051)	0.0005
WATER	qs

Claims

1. A neutral cleaning formulation characterised in that it comprises by weight with respect to the total weight of the formulation:

• 0.75 % - 5 % of at least one surfactant,

• 1 % - 5 % of at least one solvent,

• 0.1 % - 1 % of at least one sequestering agent,

• 0.1 % - 0.3 % of at least one preservative,

• 0.01 % - 0.3 % of at least one perfume,

• 0.0005 % to 0.001 % by weight of at least one colourant, and

• a sufficient quantity of osmotic water, and

wherein the sum of the quantity of all the components is less than or equal to 100 %, and it has a pH equal to 7.

2. The neutral cleaning formulation according to claim 1, wherein the non-ionic surfactant is selected from the group consisting of fatty alcohol ethoxylate, alkyl polyglycoside, amine oxide and any combination thereof.

3. The neutral cleaning formulation according to claim 2, wherein when the at least one non-ionic surfactant is alkyl polyglycoside it is comprised in a quantity between 0.75 % and 1.05 %.

4. The neutral cleaning formulation according to claim 2, wherein when the non-ionic surfactant is amine oxide it is comprised in a quantity between 0.75 % and 1.25 %.

5. The neutral cleaning formulation according to claim 2, wherein when the non-ionic surfactant is fatty alcohol ethoxylate it is comprised in a quantity between 0.75 % and 0.99 %.

6. The neutral cleaning formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the solvent is selected from the group consisting of ethanol, isopropanol and any combination thereof.

7. The neutral cleaning formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the preservative is selected from the group consisting of sodium benzoate, potassium sorbate and any combination thereof.

8. The neutral cleaning formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the at least one perfume is selected from the group of olfactory families consisting of floral, fruit, balsamic, citrus, green, aromatic, marine and any combination thereof.

9. The neutral cleaning formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the at least one colourant is selected from the group consisting of CI19140, CI42045, CI42051 and any combination thereof.

10. The neutral cleaning formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the perfume is from the marine olfactory family and the colourant is C142051.

11. The neutral cleaning formulation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the perfume is from the balsamic olfactory family and the at least one colourant is a combination of colourants CI19140 and CI42045 at a 1:1 ratio.