Technical field
[0001] The present invention relates to liquid compositions for cleaning hard-surfaces.
Background of the invention
[0002] Liquid compositions for cleaning hard-surfaces have been disclosed in the art.
[0003] Liquid hard-surface cleaning compositions may be formulated in a variety of ways.
Liquid hard-surface cleaning compositions, having a neutral to alkaline pH, comprising
amongst other ingredients, a surfactant or a surfactant system both of which are well
known in the art. Said compositions show good cleaning on a variety of soils and surfaces.
However, consumers are looking for liquid cleaning compositions that would not only
clean a hard-surface in a primary or 'first-time' cleaning operation but also render
the hard-surface less prone to soil adherence and thus facilitating 'next-time' or
secondary cleaning operation (i.e., a subsequent cleaning operation following a primary
or 'first-time' cleaning operation).
[0004] Hard-surface cleaning compositions having a 'next-time' cleaning benefit are known
in the art. Said compositions may comprise among other ingredients polymeric material,
e.g., hard-surface cleaning compositions comprising a polyvinyl pyrrolidone (EP-A-0
635 567). The ability of said compositions to render a hard-surface treated therewith
less prone to soil adherence is not yet satisfactory and may be further improved.
[0005] Thus, the object of the present invention is to formulate a liquid cleaning composition
for removal of various soils from various hard-surfaces, e.g., hard-surfaces found
in houses, having an improved 'next-time' cleaning benefit/performance compared to
other hard-surface cleaners.
[0006] Furthermore, it is also desirable that such liquid hard-surface cleaning compositions
should have the ability to provide good shine to the surfaces treated. However, surface
shine is often compromised since when water comes into contact with hard-surfaces
(e.g., in the rinse operation) it has the tendency to form droplets on the surface.
The presence of droplets as compared to a thin film uniformly spread over the surface
or running off the surface results in the loss of shine. Furthermore, as water evaporates
from the droplets, poorly water soluble inorganic salts such as calcium/magnesium
carbonate and/or phosphate salts precipitate with consequent formation of watermarks
on the surface and, eventually limescale deposits, resulting in an unacceptable mark
on the surface.
[0007] It is thus a further object of the present invention to improve the formation of
a uniform thin film of water and to reduce the formation of watermarks and/or limescale
deposits on a hard-surface that has been treated with a liquid hard-surface cleaning
composition and hence to provide good shine to this surface. Furthermore, it is also
desirable that said good shine persists after several rinsing cycles and hence long
lasting shine is provide to the surface.
[0008] It has now been found that the above objects are met by formulating a liquid composition,
having a neutral to alkaline pH, comprising a nonionic surfactant, a homo or copolymer
of vinylpyrrolidone and a polysaccharide polymer, with the proviso that said composition
does not comprise an amphoteric surfactant.
[0009] Advantageously, the liquid compositions of the present invention show an improved
'next-time' cleaning performance, compared to other hard-surface cleaners, on various
types of stains/soils in particular greasy soils, e.g., greasy soap scum or greasy
soils found in kitchens, and other tough stains found on hard-surfaces.
[0010] A further advantage of the liquid compositions of the present invention is that good
first time cleaning in addition to improved 'next-time' cleaning performance is delivered.
[0011] Yet a further advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that faster
drying is obtained on the surfaces that have been cleaned therewith. In other words,
the consumer will notice the advantages reducing the total amount of time taken to
clean hard-surfaces and reducing the inconvenience of having wet surfaces in the home.
[0012] Also it has surprisingly been found that the compositions according to the present
invention deliver the benefits mentioned herein when used to treat a variety of surfaces
including metal surfaces, such as aluminum, chromed steel, stainless steel, synthetic
materials like vinyl, linoleum, glazed or non-glazed ceramic tiles, and/or enamel
surfaces.
Background art
[0013] EP-A-0 017 149 discloses a liquid detergent composition comprising a nonionic surfactant
and a water-soluble nonionic, weak anionic or cationic polymer. A composition comprising
a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone in combination with a polysaccharide polymer
is not exemplified. Furthermore, a 'next-time' cleaning benefit of the liquid detergent
composition is not disclosed.
[0014] EP-A-0 511 091 discloses hard-surface cleaning compositions, having a pH of from
8.5 to 12.5, comprising a surfactant, an organic solvent, a sequestering agent and
optionally polyvinyl pyrrolidone. A composition comprising a homo or copolymer of
vinylpyrrolidone in combination with a polysaccharide polymer is not disclosed.
[0015] EP-A-0 635 567 discloses a method of facilitating the removal of soil from a solid
surface using a liquid composition comprising a material which is deposited on the
surface during washing and upon drying forms a layer adhered to said surface, whereby
the removal of soil contaminants from said surface is facilitated. Such materials
are film-forming polymeric materials preferred polyvinyl pyrrolidone. A composition
comprising a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone in combination with a polysaccharide
polymer is not disclosed.
[0016] EP-A-0 467 472 discloses a hard-surface modifying composition comprising an anti-soiling
water-soluble anionic, cationic or nonionic polymer. Amongst the anti-soiling water-soluble
anionic, cationic or nonionic polymer, polyvinyl pyrrolidone is disclosed. A composition
comprising a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone in combination with a polysaccharide
polymer is not disclosed.
Summary of the invention
[0017] The present invention relates to a liquid composition, having a pH of from 7 to 14,
comprising a nonionic surfactant, a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and a polysaccharide
polymer, with the proviso that said composition does not comprise an amphoteric surfactant.
[0018] In a preferred embodiment, a solvent is added to said composition.
[0019] In other preferred embodiments the homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone is vinylpyrrolidone
homopolymer and the polysaccharide polymer is xanthan gum.
[0020] The present invention also encompasses a process of treating hard-surfaces, wherein
a liquid composition according to the present invention is applied onto said surfaces.
Detailed description of the invention
The liquid hard-surface cleaning composition
[0021] The compositions according to the present invention are designed as hard-surface
cleaners.
[0022] The liquid compositions according to the present invention are preferably aqueous
compositions. Therefore, they may comprise from 70% to 99%, preferably from 75% to
95% and more preferably from 85% to 95% by weight of the total composition of water.
[0023] The liquid compositions of the present invention have a neutral to alkaline pH, i.e.,
a pH of from 7 to 14, preferably from 7 to 12, more preferably from 7 to 10.
[0024] The compositions according to the present invention are advantageously chemically
stable, i.e., there are virtually no chemical reactions between the different ingredients
of the compositions, and physically stable, i.e., that no phase separation occurs
when stored in rapid aging test (RAT), i.e., storage at 50 °C for 10 days.
Nonionic surfactant
[0025] The first essential ingredient is a nonionic surfactant.
[0026] Typically, the compositions according to the present invention comprise from 0.1%
to 20%, more preferably from 1% to 10%, even more preferably from 1 % to 7%, and most
preferably from 1 % to 5% by weight of the total composition of a nonionic surfactant.
[0027] Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein include a class of compounds, which
may be broadly defined as compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide
groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic hydrophobic compound, which may be
branched or linear aliphatic (e.g., Guerbet or secondary alcohol) or alkyl aromatic
in nature. The length of the hydrophilic or polyoxyalkylene radical which is condensed
with any particular hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble
compound having the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic
elements. Accordingly suitable nonionic synthetic detergents include:
(i) The polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, e.g., the condensation products
of alkyl phenols having an alkyl group containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms in either
a straight chain or branched chain configuration, preferably from 8 to 14, and more
preferably from 8 to 12 carbon atoms, with ethylene oxide. Said ethylene oxide is
typically present in amounts of from 3 to 25, preferably from 10 to 25 moles of ethylene
oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. The alkyl substituent in such compounds may be derived
from polymerized propylene, diisobutylene, octane, and nonane; Examples of this type
of nonionic surfactants include Triton N-57® a nonyl phenol ethoxylate (5EO) from
Rohm & Haas and Imbentin O200® an octyl phenol ethoxylate (20EO) from KOLB.
(ii) Those derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with the product resulting
from the reaction of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine products which may be varied
in composition depending upon the balance between the hydrophobic and hydrophilic
elements which is desired. Examples are compounds containing from 40% to 80% polyoxyethylene
by weight and having a molecular weight of from 5000 to 11000 resulting from the reaction
of ethylene oxide groups with a hydrophobic base constituted of the reaction product
of ethylene diamine and excess propylene oxide, said base having a molecular weight
of the order of 2500 to 3000. Examples of this type of nonionic surfactants include
certain of the commercially available Tetronic™ compounds, marketed by BASF.
(iii) The condensation product of aliphatic alcohols having from 2 to 24 carbon atoms,
in either straight chain or branched chain configuration, preferably from 6 to 22,
more preferably from 6 to 28, and even more preferably 8 to 18 carbon atoms, with
from 2 to 35, preferably from 4 to 25, more preferably from 5 to 18, and even more
preferably 3 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of this type of material are
a coconut alcohol ethylene oxide condensate having from 5 to 18 moles of ethylene
oxide per mole of coconut alcohol, the coconut alcohol fraction having from 9 to 14
carbon atoms. Other examples of this type of nonionic surfactants include certain
of the commercially available Dobanol®, Neodol® marketed by Shell or Lutensol® from
BASF. For example Dobanol® 23.5 (C12-C13 EO5), Dobanol® 91.5 (C9-C11 EO5), Dobanol®
91.8 (C9-C11 EO8) and Lutensol® AO30 (C12-C14 EO30).
(iv) Trialkyl amine oxides and trialkyl phosphine oxides wherein one alkyl group ranges
from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and two alkyl groups range from 1 to 3 carbon atoms; the
alkyl groups can contain hydroxy substituents; specific examples are dodecyl di(2-hydroxyethyl)amine
oxide and tetradecyl dimethyl phosphine oxide.
(v) The condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by
the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol; The hydrophobic portion
of these compounds will preferably have a molecular weight of from 1500 to 1800 and
will exhibit water insolubility. The addition of polyoxyethylene moieties to this
hydrophobic portion tends to increase the water solubility of the molecule as a whole,
and the liquid character of the product is retained up to the point where the polyoxyethylene
content is 50% of the total weight of the condensation product, which corresponds
to condensation with up to 40 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of compounds of this
type include certain of the commercially available Pluronic™ surfactants, marketed
by BASF.
[0028] Also useful as a nonionic surfactant are the alkylpolysaccharides disclosed in U.S.
Patent 4,565,647, Llenado, issued January 21, 1986, having a hydrophobic group containing
from 6 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms and polysaccharide,
e.g., a polyglycoside, hydrophilic group containing from 1.3 to 10, preferably from
1.3 to 3, most preferably from 1.3 to 2.7 saccharide units. Any reducing saccharide
containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, e.g., glucose, galactose, and galactosyl
moieties can be substituted for the glucosyl moieties. (Optionally the hydrophobic
group is attached at the 2-, 3-, 4-, etc. positions thus giving a glucose or galactose
as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside.) The intersaccharide bonds can be, e.g.,
between the one position of the additional saccharide units and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or
6- positions of the preceding saccharide units.
[0029] Optionally, and less desirable, there can be a polyalkyleneoxide chain joining the
hydrophobic moiety and the polysaccharide moiety. The preferred alkyleneoxide is ethylene
oxide. Typical hydrophobic groups include alkyl groups, either saturated or unsaturated,
branched or unbranched containing from 8 to 18, preferably from 10 to 16, carbon atoms.
Preferably, the alkyl group can contain up to 3 hydroxy groups and/or the polyalkyleneoxide
chain can contain up to 10, preferably less than 5, alkyleneoxide moieties. Suitable
alkyl polysaccharides are octyl, nonyldecyl, undecyldodecyl, tridecyl, tetradecyl,
pentadecyl, hexadecyl, heptadecyl, and octadecyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides,
galactosides, lactosides, glucoses, fructosides, fructoses and/or galactoses. Suitable
mixtures include coconut alkyl, di-, tri-, tetra-, and pentaglucosides and tallow
alkyl tetra-, penta-, and hexaglucosides.
[0030] The preferred alkylpolyglycosides have the formula:
R
2O(C
nH
2nO)
t(glucosyl)
x
wherein R
2 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkylphenyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxyalkylphenyl,
and mixtures thereof in which the alkyl groups contain from 10 to 18, preferably from
12 to 14, carbon atoms; n is 2 or 3, preferably 2; t is from 0 to 10, preferably 0;
and x is from 1.3 to 10, preferably from 1.3 to 3, most preferably from 1.3 to 2.7.
The glycosyl is preferably derived from glucose. To prepare these compounds, the alcohol
or alkylpolyethoxy alcohol is formed first and then reacted with glucose, or a source
of glucose, to form the glucoside (attachment at the 1-position). The additional glycosyl
units can then be attached between their 1-position and the preceding glycosyl units
2-, 3-, 4- and/or 6- position, preferably predominantely the 2- position.
[0031] Other suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein include polyhydroxy fatty acid
amides of the structural formula:

wherein : R
1 is H, C
1-C
4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl) 2-hydroxypropyl, or a mixture thereof, preferably C
1-C
4 alkyl, more preferably C
1 or C
2 alkyl, most preferably C
1 alkyl (i.e., methyl); and R
2 is a C
5-C
31 hydrocarbyl, preferably straight chain C
7-C
19 alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably straight chain C
9-C
17 alkyl or alkenyl, most preferably straight chain C
11-C
17 alkyl or alkenyl, or mixtures thereof and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a
linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly connected to the chain,
or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) thereof. Z preferably
will be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; more preferably
Z is a glycityl. Suitable reducing sugars include glucose, fructose, maltose, lactose,
galactose, mannose, and xylose. As raw materials, high dextrose corn syrup can be
utilized as well as the individual sugars listed above. These corn syrups may yield
a mix of sugar components for Z. It should be understood that it is by no means intended
to exclude other suitable raw materials. Z preferably will be selected from the group
consisting of -CH
2-(CHOH)
n-CH
2OH, -CH(CH
2OH)-(CHOH)
n-1-CH
2OH, -CH
2-(CHOH)
2(CHOR')(CHOH)-CH
2OH, where n is an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive, and R' is H or a cyclic or aliphatic
monosaccharide, and alkoxylated derivatives thereof. Most preferred are glycityls
wherein n is 4, particularly -CH
2-(CHOH)
4-CH
2OH.
[0032] In Formula (I), R
1 can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl, N-propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxy
ethyl, or N-2-hydroxy propyl. R
2-CO-N< can be, for example, cocamide, stearamide, oleamide, lauramide, myristamide,
capricamide, palmitamide, tallowamide, etc.
[0033] Z can be 1-deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl, 1-deoxymaltityl, 1-deoxylactityl, 1-deoxygalactityl,
1-deoxymannityl, 1-deoxymaltotriotityl, etc.
[0034] Other suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein include the amine oxides corresponding
to the formula:

wherein R is a primary alkyl group containing from 6 to 24 carbons, preferably from
10 to 18 carbons, and wherein R' and R'' are, each, independently, an alkyl group
containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms. The arrow in the formula is a conventional representation
of a semi-polar bond. The preferred amine oxides are those in which the primary alkyl
group has a straight chain in at least most of the molecules, generally at least 70%,
preferably at least 90% of the molecules, and the amine oxides which are especially
preferred are those in which R contains from 10 to 18 carbons and R' and R'' are both
methyl. Exemplary of the preferred amine oxides are the N-hexyldimethylamine oxide,
N-octyldimethylamine oxide, N-decyldimethylamine oxide, N-dodecyl dimethylamine oxide,
N-tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, N-hexadecyl dimethylamine oxide, N-octadecyldimethylamine
oxide, N-eicosyldimethylamine oxide, N-docosyldimethylamine oxide, N-tetracosyl dimethylamine
oxide, the corresponding amine oxides in which one or both of the methyl groups are
replaced with ethyl or 2-hydroxyethyl groups and mixtures thereof. A most preferred
amine oxide for use herein is N-decyldimethylamine oxide.
[0035] Other suitable nonionic surfactants for the purpose of the invention are the phosphine
or sulfoxide surfactants of formula:

wherein A is phosphorus or sulfur atom, R is a primary alkyl group containing 6-24
carbons, preferably 10-18 carbons, and wherein R' and R'' are, each, independently
selected from methyl, ethyl and 2-hydroxyethyl. The arrow in the formula is a conventional
representation of a semi-polar bond.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment herein suitable nonionic surfactants to be used are polyethylene
oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl alcohols,
alkylpolysaccharides, or mixtures thereof. Highly preferred are C
6-C
20, preferably C
8-C
12 alkyl phenol ethoxylates having from 3 to 25, preferably 10 to 25 ethoxy groups and
C
2-C
24, preferably C
8-C
18 alcohol ethoxylates having from 2 to 35, preferably from 4 to 25, more preferably
from 5 to 18 and most preferably from 3 to 15 ethylene oxide units, and mixtures thereof.
Vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer
[0037] The liquid compositions of the present invention comprise as a second essential ingredient
a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer or copolymer. Typically, the compositions of the present
invention comprise from 0.01 % to 5%, more preferably from 0.05% to 3% and most preferably
from 0.05% to 1 % by weight of the total composition of a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer
or copolymer.
[0038] Suitable vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers for use herein are homopolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone
having the following repeating monomer:

wherein n (degree of polymerisation) is an integer of from 10 to 1,000,000, preferably
from 20 to 100,000, and more preferably from 20 to 10,000.
[0039] Accordingly, suitable vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers ("PVP") for use herein have an
average molecular weight of from 1,000 to 100,000,000, preferably from 2,000 to 10,000,000,
more preferably from 5,000 to 1,000,000, and most preferably from 50,000 to 500,000.
[0040] Suitable vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers are commercially available from ISP Corporation,
New York, NY and Montreal, Canada under the product names PVP K-15® (viscosity molecular
weight of 10,000), PVP K-30® (average molecular weight of 40,000), PVP K-60® (average
molecular weight of 160,000), and PVP K-90® (average molecular weight of 360,000).
Other suitable vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers which are commercially available from
BASF Cooperation include Sokalan HP 165®, Sokalan HP 12®, Luviskol K30®, Luviskol
K60®, Luviskol K80®, Luviskol K90® and other vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers known to
persons skilled in the detergent field (see for example EP-A-262,897 and EP-A-256,696).
[0041] Suitable copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone for use herein include copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone
and alkylenically unsaturated monomers or mixtures thereof.
[0042] The alkylenically unsaturated monomers of the copolymers herein include unsaturated
dicarboxylic acids such as maleic acid, chloromaleic acid, fumaric acid, itaconic
acid, citraconic acid, phenylmaleic acid, aconitic acid, acrylic acid, N-vinylimidazole
and vinyl acetate. Any of the anhydrides of the unsaturated acids may be employed,
for example acrylate, methacrylate. Aromatic monomers like styrene, sulphonated styrene,
alpha-methyl styrene, vinyl toluene, t-butyl styrene and similar well-known monomers
may be used.
[0043] The molecular weight of the copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone is not especially critical
so long as the copolymer is water-soluble, has some surface activity and is adsorbed
to the hard-surface from the liquid composition comprising it in such a manner as
to increase the hydrophilicity of the surface. However, the preferred copolymers of
N-vinylpyrrolidone and alkylenically unsaturated monomers or mixtures thereof, have
a molecular weight of between 1,000 and 1,000,000, preferably between 10,000 and 500,000
and more preferably between 10,000 and 200,000.
[0044] For example particularly suitable N-vinylimidazole N-vinylpyrrolidone polymers for
use herein have an average molecular weight range from 5,000 to 1,000,000, preferably
from 5,000 to 500,000, and more preferably from 10,000 to 200,000. The average molecular
weight range was determined by light scattering as described in Barth H.G. and Mays
J.W. Chemical Analysis Vol 113, "Modern Methods of Polymer Characterization".
[0045] Such copolymers of N-vinylpyrrolidone and alkylenically unsaturated monomers like
PVP/vinyl acetate copolymers are commercially available under the trade name Luviskol®
series from BASF.
[0046] The copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone for use in the compositions of the present invention
also include quaternized or unquaternized vinylpyrrolidone/ dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate
or methacrylate copolymers.
[0047] Such vinylpyrrolidone/dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate copolymers (quaternised
or unquaternised) suitable to be used in the compositions of the present invention
are according to the following formula:

in which n is between 20 and 99 and preferably between 40 and 90 mol% and m is between
1 and 80 and preferably between 5 and 40 mol%; R
1 represents H or CH
3; y denotes 0 or 1; R
2 is -CH
2-CHOH-CH
2- or C
xH
2x, in which x=2 to 18; R
3 represents a lower alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl or
ethyl, or

R
4 denotes a lower alkyl group of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably methyl or ethyl;
X
- is chosen from the group consisting of Cl, Br, I, 1/2SO
4, HSO
4 and CH
3SO
3. The polymers can be prepared by the process described in French Pat. Nos. 2,077,143
and 2,393,573.
[0048] The preferred quaternized or unquaternized vinylpyrrolidone/dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate
or methacrylate copolymers for use herein have a molecular weight of between 1,000
and 1,000,000, preferably between 10,000 and 500,000 and more preferably between 10,000
and 100,000.
[0049] Such vinylpyrrolidone/dialkylaminoalkyl acrylate or methacrylate copolymers are commercially
available under the name copolymer 845®, Gafquat 734®, or Gafquat 755® from ISP Corporation,
New York, NY and Montreal, Canada or from BASF under the tradename Luviquat®.
[0050] Preferred second essential ingredient for use herein are the vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers.
Polysaccharide polymer
[0051] The liquid compositions of the present invention comprise as a third essential ingredient
a polysaccharide polymer. Typically, the compositions of the present invention comprise
from 0.01% to 5%, more preferably from 0.05% to 3% and most preferably from 0.05 %
to 1 % by weight of the total composition of a polysaccharide polymer.
[0052] Suitable polysaccharide polymers for use herein include substituted cellulose materials
like carboxymethylcellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl
cellulose, hydroxymethyl cellulose, succinoglycan and naturally occurring polysaccharide
polymers like xanthan gum, guar gum, locust bean gum, tragacanth gum or derivatives
thereof, or mixtures thereof.
[0053] Particularly polysaccharide polymers for use herein are xanthan gum and derivatives
thereof. Xanthan gum and derivatives thereof may be commercially available for instance
from Kelco under the trade name Keltrol RD®, Kelzan S ® or Kelzan T®. Other suitable
Xanthan gum is commercially available by Rhone Poulenc under the trade name Rhodopol
T® and Rhodigel X747®. Succinoglycan gum for use herein is commercially available
by Rhone Poulenc under the trade name Rheozan ®.
[0054] The present invention is based on the finding that the vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers
or copolymers and polysaccharide polymers present in the compositions of the present
invention are able to modify the surface by depositing on the surface treated therewith.
Although not wishing to be bound by theory, it has been observed that hard-surfaces
typically found in a household are neither highly hydrophobic nor highly hydrophilic.
This means that, when water comes into contact with hard-surfaces, its dispersion,
which is controlled by interfacial energy (i.e., solid/liquid surface tension), is
very limited. Indeed, it has been observed that the most stable configuration for
the water is grouping into spherical droplets rather than forming a thin film uniformly
spread over the surface. Then, as water droplets evaporate, their content of salt
progressively becomes higher and higher so that carbonate salts eventually precipitate
resulting in watermarks or even limescale deposits. The end result is a reduction
of surface shine.
[0055] It has now been found that when the vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers or copolymers as
described herein are added into liquid compositions, having a neutral to alkaline
pH, a hydrophilic layer is left on the hard-surface treated with said composition.
The hydrophilic layer facilitates the formation of a uniform film of water spread
over the surface ("sheeting effect") instead of forming droplets. It has further been
found that when the polysaccharide polymers as described herein are added into liquid
compositions, having a neutral to alkaline pH, comprising the vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers
or copolymers, the hydrophilic modification of the surface treated therewith is enhanced
and the quality of said sheeting effect is magnified resulting in a further improved
shine benefit delivered to the treated surface. Furthermore, it has surprisingly been
found that the presence of a nonionic surfactant in addition to these two polymers
in a composition, having a neutral to alkaline pH, results in an improved adsorption
of the vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers or copolymers onto the treated hard-surfaces
and therefore further magnifies the sheeting effect, resulting in an even further
improved shine benefit delivered to the treated surface. Thus, by modifying the surface
features as indicated, the formation of watermarks and/or limescale deposits upon
drying is reduced or even eliminated.
[0056] Furthermore, it has surprisingly been found that the vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers
or copolymers and polysaccharide polymers have not only the ability to adhere to a
surface treated with the liquid compositions of the present invention comprising the
same, but still remain adhered on the surface even after several cycles of rinsing
(e.g., when water comes onto this surface later on for example in a sink during daily
household operation), thus providing long lasting protection against formation of
watermarks and/or deposition of limescale deposits, hence, long lasting shiny surfaces.
[0057] Additionally, the hydrophilic layer reduces adhesion of soils onto said hard-surface
treated with the composition according to the present invention and/or facilitate
removal of soils subsequently deposited thereon. Thus, less effort (e.g., less scrubbing
and/or less wiping and/or less chemical action) is required to remove the soils in
the next cleaning operation ("'next-time' cleaning benefit"), as compared to the cleaning
of a similarly soiled hard-surface which has been first treated with the same composition
but wherein one of the essential ingredients is absent.
[0058] More particularly, it has surprisingly been found that there is a synergistic effect
on 'next-time' cleaning performance associated with the use of a vinylpyrrolidone
homopolymer or copolymer and a polysaccharide polymer, as defined herein. Indeed,
the 'next-time' cleaning performance delivered by the use of a vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer
or copolymer and a polysaccharide polymer, as defined herein, in a liquid composition,
is superior to the 'next-time' cleaning performance delivered by, e.g., the same composition
comprising only one of those ingredients at the same total level of anti-resoiling
ingredients. Furthermore, it has surprisingly been found that the addition of a nonionic
surfactant in addition to the combination of said two polymers in a liquid composition,
having a neutral to alkaline pH, further enhances the improved 'next-time' cleaning
benefit delivered by a composition, having a neutral to alkaline pH, comprising said
two polymers, as described herein, in absence of the nonionic surfactant.
[0059] An additional advantage related to the use of the vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers or
copolymers and polysaccharide polymers, in the compositions herein, is that as they
adhere on the hard-surfaces making them more hydrophilic, the surfaces themselves
become smoother (this can be perceived by touching said surfaces) and this contributes
to convey perception of the surfaces as being perfectly descaled.
[0060] Advantageously, these benefits are obtained at low levels of vinylpyrrolidone homopolymers
or copolymers and polysaccharide polymers, preferably xanthan gum or derivatives thereof,
described herein, thus, it is yet another advantage of the present invention to provide
the desired benefits at low cost.
Optional ingredients
[0061] The liquid compositions according to the present invention may comprise a variety
of optional ingredients depending on the technical benefit aimed for and the surface
treated.
[0062] Suitable optional ingredients for use herein include a source of alkalinity, a solvent,
other surfactants than nonionic or amphoteric surfactants, a builder, a chelant, a
buffer, a bactericide, a hydrotrope, a colorant, a stabilizer, a radical scavenger,
a bleach, a bleach activator, a preservative, a suds controlling agent like a fatty
acid, an enzyme, a soil suspender, a dye transfer agent, a brightener, an anti dusting
agent, a dispersant, a dye transfer inhibitor, a pigment, an acid, a dye and/or a
perfume.
Source of alkalinity
[0063] The liquid compositions of the present invention have a neutral to alkaline pH. Thus,
they may comprise as a highly preferred optional ingredient a source of alkalinity.
[0064] The amount of said source of alkalinity herein may vary depending on the amount of
other ingredients. Preferred liquid compositions herein may comprise up to 10%, preferably
of from 0.1 % to 10%, more preferably of from 0.2% to 8% and even more preferably
from 0.2% to 6% by weight of the total composition of a source of alkalinity.
[0065] Suitable sources of alkalinity for use herein are the caustic alkalis such as sodium
hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and/or lithium hydroxide, and/or the alkali metal oxides
such as sodium and/or potassium oxide. A preferred strong source of alkalinity is
a caustic alkali, more preferably sodium hydroxide and/or potassium hydroxide.
[0066] Other suitable sources of alkalinity include ammonia, ammonium carbonate and hydrogen
carbonate.
Solvent
[0067] The compositions of the present invention may further comprise a solvent, as a highly
preferred optional ingredient. Solvents to be used herein include all those known
to the those skilled in the art of hard-surfaces cleaner compositions.
[0068] Solvents are desired herein because they contribute to the greasy soils cleaning
performance of the composition herein, they also improve the wettability of the surfaces
being treated with said composition to maximize the polymers adsorption on the treated
surface, with consequent improved sheeting effect and therefore even enhances the
advantages of the present invention, described herein.
[0069] Suitable solvents for use herein include ethers and diethers having from 4 to 14
carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 12 carbon atoms, and more preferably from 8 to
10 carbon atoms, glycols or alkoxylated glycols, alkoxylated aromatic alcohols, aromatic
alcohols, aliphatic branched alcohols, alkoxylated aliphatic branched alcohols, alkoxylated
linear C
1-C
5 alcohols, linear C
1-C
5 alcohols, C
8-C
14 alkyl and cycloalkyl hydrocarbons and halohydrocarbons, C
6-C
16 glycol ethers and mixtures thereof.
[0070] Suitable glycols to be used herein are according to the formula HO-CR1R2-OH wherein
R1 and R2 are independently H or a C
2-C
10 saturated or unsaturated aliphatic hydrocarbon chain and/or cyclic. Suitable glycols
to be used herein are dodecaneglycol and/or propanediol.
[0071] Suitable alkoxylated glycols to be used herein are according to the formula R-(A)n-R1-OH
wherein R is H, OH, a linear saturated or unsaturated alkyl of from 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10, wherein R1 is a linear
saturated or unsaturated alkyl of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to
15 and more preferably from 2 to 10, and A is an alkoxy group preferably ethoxy, methoxy,
and/or propoxy and n is from 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 2. Suitable alkoxylated glycols
to be used herein are methoxy octadecanol and/or ethoxyethoxyethanol.
[0072] Suitable alkoxylated aromatic alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula
R-(A)
n-OH wherein R is an alkyl substituted or non-alkyl substituted aryl group of from
1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to 10, wherein
A is an alkoxy group preferably butoxy, propoxy and/or ethoxy, and n is an integer
of from 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 2.
[0073] Suitable alkoxylated aromatic alcohols are benzoxyethanol and/or benzoxypropanol.
[0074] Suitable aromatic alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R-OH wherein
R is an alkyl substituted or non-alkyl substituted aryl group of from 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, preferably from 1 to 15 and more preferably from 1 to 10. For example a suitable
aromatic alcohol to be used herein is benzyl alcohol.
[0075] Suitable aliphatic branched alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula
R-OH wherein R is a branched saturated or unsaturated alkyl group of from 1 to 20
carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 and more preferably from 5 to 12. Particularly
suitable aliphatic branched alcohols to be used herein include 2-ethylbutanol and/or
2-methylbutanol.
[0076] Suitable alkoxylated aliphatic branched alcohols to be used herein are according
to the formula R-(A)
n-OH wherein R is a branched saturated or unsaturated alkyl group of from 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 and more preferably from 5 to 12, wherein A is an alkoxy
group preferably butoxy, propoxy and/or ethoxy, and n is an integer of from 1 to 5,
preferably 1 to 2. Suitable alkoxylated aliphatic branched alcohols include 1-methylpropoxyethanol
and/or 2-methylbutoxyethanol.
[0077] Suitable alkoxylated linear C
1-C
5 alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R-(A)
n-OH wherein R is a linear saturated or unsaturated alkyl group of from 1 to 5 carbon
atoms, preferably from 2 to 4, wherein A is an alkoxy group preferably butoxy, propoxy
and/or ethoxy, and n is an integer of from 1 to 5, preferably 1 to 2. Suitable alkoxylated
aliphatic linear C
1-C
5 alcohols are butoxy propoxy propanol (n-BPP), butoxyethanol, butoxypropanol, ethoxyethanol
or mixtures thereof. Butoxy propoxy propanol is commercially available under the trade
name n-BPP® from Dow chemical.
[0078] Suitable linear C
1-C
5 alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R-OH wherein R is a linear
saturated or unsaturated alkyl group of from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, preferably from
2 to 4. Suitable linear C
1-C
5 alcohols are methanol, ethanol, propanol or mixtures thereof.
[0079] Other suitable solvents include butyl diglycol ether (BDGE), butyltriglycol ether,
ter amilic alcohol and the like. Particularly preferred solvents to be used herein
are butoxy propoxy propanol, butyl diglycol ether, benzyl alcohol, butoxypropanol,
ethanol, methanol, isopropanol and mixtures thereof.
[0080] The preferred solvent for use herein is butoxy propoxy propanol (n-BPP).
[0081] Typically, the compositions of the present invention comprise from 0.1% to 8%, preferably
from 0.5% to 5% and more preferably from 1 % to 3% by weight of the total composition
of a solvent.
Additional surfactant
[0082] The liquid compositions of the present invention may preferably comprise an additional
surfactant, in addition to the nonionic surfactant already described herein. Additional
surfactants may be desired herein as they further contribute to the cleaning performance
and/or shine benefit of the compositions of the present invention. Surfactants to
be used herein include cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants,
and mixtures thereof. The compositions according to the present invention do not comprise
an amphoteric surfactant.
[0083] Accordingly, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise up
to 15%, more preferably from 0.5% to 8%, even more preferably from 0.5% to 8%, and
most preferably 0.5% to 8% by weight of the total composition of another surfactant
in addition to the nonionic surfactant already described herein.
[0084] Preferred surfactants for use herein are zwitterionic surfactants. Indeed, they provide
excellent grease cleaning ability to the compositions of the present invention.
[0085] Suitable zwitterionic surfactants for use herein contain both basic and acidic groups
which form an inner salt giving both cationic and anionic hydrophilic groups on the
same molecule at a relatively wide range of pH's. The typical cationic group is a
quaternary ammonium group, although other positively charged groups like phosphonium,
imidazolium and sulfonium groups can be used. The typical anionic hydrophilic groups
are carboxylates and sulfonates, although other groups like sulfates, phosphonates,
and the like can be used.
[0086] A generic formula for preferred zwitterionic surfactants for use herein (i.e., betaine
and/or sulfobetaine) is:
R
1-N
+(R
2)(R
3)R
4X
-
wherein R
1 is a hydrophobic group; R
2 is hydrogen, C
1-C
6 alkyl, hydroxy alkyl or other substituted C
1-C
6 alkyl group; R
3 is C
1-C
6 alkyl, hydroxy alkyl or other substituted C
1-C
6 alkyl group which can also be joined to R
2 to form ring structures with the N, or a C
1-C
6 carboxylic acid group or a C
1-C
6 sulfonate group; R
4 is a moiety joining the cationic nitrogen atom to the hydrophilic group and is typically
an alkylene, hydroxy alkylene, or polyalkoxy group containing from 1 to 10 carbon
atoms; and X is the hydrophilic group which is a carboxylate or sulfonate group, preferably
sulfonate group.
[0087] Preferred hydrophobic groups R
1 are aliphatic or aromatic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted
hydrocarbon chains that can contain linking groups such as amido groups, ester groups.
More preferred R
1 is an alkyl group containing from 1 to 24 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18,
and more preferably from 10 to 16. These simple alkyl groups are preferred for cost
and stability reasons. However, the hydrophobic group R
1 can also be an amido radical of the formula R
a-C(O)-NR
b-(C(R
c)2)m, wherein R
a is an aliphatic or aromatic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted
hydrocarbon chain containing from 8 up to 20 carbon atoms, preferably an alkyl group
containing from 8 up to 20 carbon atoms, preferably up to 18, more preferably up to
16, R
b is either a hydrogen a short chain alkyl or substituted alkyl containing from 1 to
4 carbon atoms, preferably a group selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl,
propyl, hydroxy substituted ethyl or propyl and mixtures thereof, more preferably
methyl or hydrogen, R
c is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and hydroxy groups, and m is from
1 to 4, preferably from 2 to 3, more preferably 3, with no more than one hydroxy group
in any (C(R
c)2) moiety.
[0088] Preferred R
2 is hydrogen, or an alkyl or substituted alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,
preferably a group selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxy
substituted ethyl or propyl and mixtures thereof, more preferably methyl. Preferred
R
3 is a C
1-C
4 carboxylic acid group, a C
1 -C
4 sulfonate group, or an alkyl or substituted alkyl containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms,
preferably a group selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxy
substituted ethyl or propyl and mixtures thereof, more preferably methyl. Preferred
R
4 is (CH
2)n wherein n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably is
from 1 to 3.
[0089] Some common examples of betaine/sulphobetaine are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,082,275,
2,702,279 and 2,255,082, incorporated herein by reference.
[0090] Examples of particularly suitable alkyldimethyl betaines include coconutdimethyl
betaine, lauryl dimethyl betaine, decyl dimethyl betaine, 2-(N-decyl-N, N-dimethyl-ammonia)acetate,
2-(N-coco N, N-dimethylammonio) acetate, myristyl dimethyl betaine, palmityl dimethyl
betaine, cetyl dimethyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl betaine. For example Coconut dimethyl
betaine is commercially available from Seppic under the trade name of Amonyl 265®.
Lauryl betaine is commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name
Empigen BB/L®.
[0091] A further example of betaine is Lauryl-immino-dipropionate commercially available
from Rhone-Poulenc under the trade name Mirataine H2C-HA ®.
[0092] Particularly preferred zwitterionic surfactants for use in the compositions of the
present invention are the sulfobetaine surfactants as they deliver optimum grease
cleaning benefits.
[0093] Examples of particularly suitable sulfobetaine surfactants include tallow bis(hydroxyethyl)
sulphobetaine, cocoamido propyl hydroxy sulfobetaines which are commercially available
from Rhone Poulenc and Witco, under the trade name of Mirataine CBS® and Rewoteric
AM CAS 15® respectively.
[0094] Further examples of amidobetaines/amidosulfobetaine include cocoamidoethylbetaine,
cocoamidopropyl betaine or C
10-C
14 fatty acylamidopropylene(hydropropylene)sulfobetaine. For example C
10-C
14 fatty acylamidopropylene(hydropropylene)sulfobetaine is commercially available from
Sherex Company under the trade name "Varion CAS® sulfobetaine".
[0095] Suitable amines for use herein are according to the following formula RR'R''N wherein
R is a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched
alkyl groups containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and preferably from 1 to 20 carbon
atoms and wherein R' and R'' are independently saturated or unsaturated, substituted
or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl groups containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms
or hydrogen. Particularly preferred amines to be used according to the present invention
are amines having the following formula RR'R''N wherein R is a saturated or unsaturated,
linear or branched alkyl group containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from
8 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably from 6 to 16, most preferably from 8 to 14 and
wherein R' and R'' are independently substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched
alkyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon atoms,
and more preferably are methyl groups, or mixtures thereof
[0096] Suitable amines for use herein are for instance C
12 dimethyl amine, coconut dimethyl amine, C
12-C
16 dimethyl amine. Said amines may be commercially available from Hoechst under the
trade name Genamin®, AKZO under the trade name Aromox® or Fina under the trade name
Radiamine®.
[0097] Suitable quaternary ammonium surfactants for use herein are according to the formula
R
1R
2R
3R
4N
+ X
-, wherein X is a counteranion such as halogen, methyl sulphate, methyl sulphonate,
or hydroxide, R
1 is a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched alkyl
group containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 12 to 20, more preferably
from 8 to 20 and R
2, R
3 and R
4 are independently hydrogen, or saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted,
linear or branched alkyl groups containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from
1 to 3 and more preferably methyl. In highly preferred quaternary ammonium surfactants
herein R
1 is a C
10-C
18 hydrocarbon chain, most preferably C
12, C
14,, or C
16, and R
2, R
3 and R
4 are all three methyl, and X is halogen, preferably bromide or chloride, most preferably
bromide.
[0098] Examples of quaternary ammonium surfactants are myristyl trimethylammonium methyl
sulphate, cetyl trimethylammonium methyl sulphate, lauryl trimethyl ammonium bromide,
stearyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (STAB), cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB)
and myristyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (MTAB). Highly preferred herein are lauryl
trimethyl ammonium salts. Such trimethyl quaternary ammonium surfactants may be commercially
available from Hoechst, or from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen CM®.
[0099] Cationic surfactants suitable for use in compositions of the present invention are
those having a long-chain hydrocarbyl group. Examples of such cationic surfactants
include the ammonium surfactants such as alkyldimethylammonium halogenides, and those
surfactants having the formula:
[R
2(OR
3)
y][R
4(OR
3)
y]
2R
5N
+X
-
wherein R
2 is an alkyl or alkyl benzyl group having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl chain,
each R
3 is selected from the group consisting of -CH
2CH
2-, - CH
2CH(CH
3)-, -CH
2CH(CH
2OH)-, -CH
2CH
2CH
2-, and mixtures thereof; each R
4 is selected from the group consisting of C
1-C
4 alkyl, C
1-C
4 hydroxyalkyl, benzyl ring structures formed by joining the two R
4 groups, -CH
2CHOH-CHOHCOR
6CHOHCH
2OH wherein R
6 is any hexose or hexose polymer having a molecular weight less than 1000, and hydrogen
when y is not 0; R
5 is the same as R
4 or is an alkyl chain wherein the total number of carbon atoms of R
2 plus R
5 is not more than 18; each y is from 0 to 10 and the sum of the y values is from 0
to 15; and X is any compatible anion.
[0100] Other cationic surfactants useful herein are also described in U.S. Patent 4,228,044,
Cambre, issued October 14, 1980, incorporated herein by reference.
[0101] Suitable anionic surfactants for use herein are all those commonly known by those
skilled in the art. Preferably, the anionic surfactants for use herein include alkyl
sulphonates, alkyl aryl sulphonates, alkyl sulphates, alkyl alkoxylated sulphates,
C
6-C
20 alkyl alkoxylated linear or branched diphenyl oxide disulphonates, or mixtures thereof.
[0102] Suitable alkyl sulphonates for use herein include water-soluble salts or acids of
the formula RSO
3M wherein R is a C
6-C
20 linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, preferably a C
8-C
18 alkyl group and more preferably a C
10-C
16 alkyl group, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium,
potassium, lithium), or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-,
and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium
and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines
such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).
[0103] Suitable alkyl aryl sulphonates for use herein include water-soluble salts or acids
of the formula RSO
3M wherein R is an aryl, preferably a benzyl, substituted by a C
6-C
20 linear or branched saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, preferably a C
8-C
18 alkyl group and more preferably a C
10-C
16 alkyl group, and M is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium,
potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and the like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium
(e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium
cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium cations and quaternary
ammonium cations derived from alkylamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine,
and mixtures thereof, and the like).
[0104] By "secondary C
6-C
20 alkyl or C
6-C
20 alkyl aryl sulphonates", it is meant herein that in the formula as defined above,
the SO
3M or aryl-SO
3M group is linked to a carbon atom of the alkyl chain being placed between two other
carbons of the said alkyl chain (secondary carbon atom).
[0105] An example of a C
14-C
16 alkyl sulphonate is Hostapur® SAS available from Hoechst. An example of commercially
available alkyl aryl sulphonate is Lauryl aryl sulphonate from Su.Ma.. Particularly
preferred alkyl aryl sulphonates are alkyl benzene sulphonates commercially available
under trade name Nansa® available from Albright&Wilson.
[0106] Suitable alkyl sulphate surfactants for use herein are according to the formula R
1SO
4M wherein R
1 represents a hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight or
branched alkyl radicals containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms and alkyl phenyl radicals
containing from 6 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. M is H or a cation, e.g.,
an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and the
like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and trimethyl
ammonium cations and quaternary ammonium cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium and
dimethyl piperdinium cations and quaternary ammonium cations derived from alkylamines
such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).
[0107] By "linear alkyl sulphate or sulphonate" it is meant herein a non-substituted alkyl
sulphate or sulphonate wherein the alkyl chain comprises from 6 to 20 carbon atoms)
preferably from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and more preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms,
and wherein this alkyl chain is sulphated or sulphonated at one terminus.
[0108] By "branched sulphonate or sulphate", it is meant herein an alkyl chain having from
6 to 20 total carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 18 total carbon atoms, and more preferably
from 10 to 16 total carbon atoms, wherein the main alkyl chain is substituted by at
least another alkyl chain, and wherein the alkyl chain is sulphated or sulphonated
at one terminus.
[0109] Particularly preferred branched alkyl sulphates to be used herein are those containing
from 10 to 14 total carbon atoms like Isalchem 123 AS®. Isalchem 123 AS® commercially
available from Enichem is a C
12-13 surfactant which is 94% branched. This material can be described as CH
3-(CH
2)
m-CH(CH
2OSO
3Na)-(CH
2)
n-CH
3 where

. Also preferred alkyl sulphates are the alkyl sulphates where the alkyl chain comprises
a total of 12 carbon atoms, i.e., sodium 2-butyl octyl sulphate. Such alkyl sulphate
is commercially available from Condea under the trade name Isofol® 12S. Particularly
suitable liner alkyl sulphonates include C
12-C
16 paraffin sulphonate like Hostapur® SAS commercially available from Hoechst.
[0110] Suitable alkyl alkoxylated sulphate surfactants for use herein are according to the
formula RO(A)
mSO
3M wherein R is an unsubstituted C
6-C
20 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group having a C
6-C
20 alkyl component, preferably a C
12-C
20 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C
12-C
18 alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically
between 0.5 and 6, more preferably between 0.5 and 3, and M is H or a cation which
can be, for example, a metal cation (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium,
etc.), ammonium or substituted-ammonium cation. Alkyl ethoxylated sulfates as well
as alkyl propoxylated sulfates are contemplated herein. Specific examples of substituted
ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethyl-ammonium and quaternary ammonium
cations, such as tetramethyl-ammonium, dimethyl piperdinium and cations derived from
alkanolamines such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, mixtures thereof, and
the like. Exemplary surfactants are C
12-C
18 alkyl polyethoxylate (1.0) sulfate, C
12-C
18E(1.0)M), C
12-C
18 alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate, C
12-C
18E(2.25)M), C
12-C
18 alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) sulfate C
12-C
18E(3.0), and C
12-C
18 alkyl polyethoxylate (4.0) sulfate C
12-C
18E(4.0)M), wherein M is conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.
[0111] Suitable C
6-C
20 alkyl alkoxylated linear or branched diphenyl oxide disulphonate surfactants for
use herein are according to the following formula:

wherein R is a C
6-C
20 linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group, preferably a C
12-C
18 alkyl group and more preferably a C
14-C
16 alkyl group, and X+ is H or a cation, e.g., an alkali metal cation (e.g., sodium,
potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium and the like). Particularly suitable C
6-C
20 alkyl alkoxylated linear or branched diphenyl oxide disulphonate surfactants to be
used herein are the C12 branched di phenyl oxide disulphonic acid and C16 linear di
phenyl oxide disulphonate sodium salt respectively commercially available by DOW under
the trade name Dowfax 2A1® and Dowfax 8390®.
[0112] Other anionic surfactants useful herein include salts (including, for example, sodium,
potassium, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine
salts) of soap, C
8-C
24 olefinsulfonates, sulphonated polycarboxylic acids prepared by sulphonation of the
pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal citrates, e.g., as described in British
patent specification No. 1,082,179, C
8-C
24 alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide); alkyl
ester sulfonates such as C
14-16 methyl ester sulfonates; acyl glycerol sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates,
alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether sulfates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as
the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters
of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C
12-C
18 monoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C
6-C
14 diesters), acyl sarcosinates, sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates
of alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described below),
alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those of the formula RO(CH
2CH
2O)
kCH
2COO-M
+ wherein R is a C
8-C
22 alkyl, k is an integer from 0 to 10, and M is a soluble salt-forming cation. Resin
acids and hydrogenated resin acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated
rosin, and resin acids and hydrogenated resin acids present in or derived from tall
oil. Further examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I
and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of such surfactants are also generally
disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al. at
Column 23, line 58 through Column 29, line 23.
Dye
[0113] The liquid compositions according to the present invention may be coloured. Accordingly,
they may comprise a dye. Suitable dyes for use herein are stable dyes. By "stable",
it is meant herein a compound which is chemically and physically stable in the neutral
to alkaline environment of the compositions herein.
Preservative
[0114] The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a preservative
as an optional ingredient. Preservatives to be used herein include all those known
to those skilled in the art ho hard-surface cleaner compositions.
[0115] Preservatives are desired herein because they contribute to the stability of the
compositions herein.
[0116] Suitable preservatives for use herein are diazolidinyl urea, triethyl citrate, propyl
4-hydroxybenzoate, sorbic acid, Na salt of p-hydroxybenzoate or gluteraldehyde or
a mixture thereof.
Acid
[0117] In order to maintain the pH of the composition herein disclosed, the composition
may further comprise an acid, as an optional ingredient. Typically, the acids to be
used herein may be any organic or inorganic acid well-known to those skilled in the
art of hard-surfaces cleaner compositions.
[0118] Preferably, the organic acids for use herein have a pK of less than 7. Suitable organic
acids for use herein, are those selected from the group consisting of citric acid,
maleic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid and adipic acid,
and mixtures thereof. A mixture of said acids suitable for use herein is commercially
available from BASF under the trade name Sokalan® DCS. A preferred acid for use herein
is citric acid.
[0119] Preferably, the inorganic acids for use herein have a pK of less than 3. Suitable
inorganic acids for use herein, are those selected from the group consisting of sulphuric
acid, chloridric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, and mixtures thereof.
[0120] Acids when used, are typically present herein in amounts between 0.5% and 10%, preferably
between 1 % and 8%, and most preferably between 2% and 6% by weight of the total composition
particularly when citric acid is used.
Radical scavenger
[0121] The compositions of the present invention may comprise a radical scavenger.
[0122] Suitable radical scavengers for use herein include the well-known substituted mono
and dihydroxy benzenes and their analogs, alkyl and aryl carboxylates and mixtures
thereof. Preferred such radical scavengers for use herein include di-tert-butyl hydroxy
toluene (BHT), hydroquinone, di-tert-butyl hydroquinone, mono-tert-butyl hydroquinone,
tert-butyl-hydroxy anysole, benzoic acid, toluic acid, catechol, t-butyl catechol,
benzylamine, 1,1,3-tris(2-methyl-4-hydroxy-5-t-butylphenyl) butane, n-propyl-gallate
or mixtures thereof and highly preferred is di-tert-butyl hydroxy toluene. Such radical
scavengers like N-propyl-gallate may be commercially available from Nipa Laboratories
under the trade name Nipanox S1 ®.
[0123] Radical scavengers when used, are typically present herein in amounts up to 10% and
preferably from 0.001 % to 0.5% by weight of the total composition.
[0124] The presence of radical scavengers may contribute to the chemical stability of the
compositions of the present invention.
Perfume
[0125] The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a perfume.
[0126] Suitable perfumes for use herein include materials which provide an olfactory aesthetic
benefit and/or cover any "chemical" odour that the product may have. The main function
of a small fraction of the highly volatile, low boiling (having low boiling points),
perfume components in these perfumes is to improve the fragrance odour of the product
itself rather than impacting on the subsequent odour of the surface being cleaned.
However, some of the less volatile, high boiling perfume ingredients provide a fresh
and clean impression to the surfaces, and it is desirable that these ingredients be
deposited and present on the dry surface. Perfume ingredients can be readily solubilized
in the compositions, for instance by the anionic detergent surfactants. The perfume
ingredients and compositions suitable to be used herein are the conventional ones
known in the art. Selection of any perfume component, or amount of perfume, is based
solely on aesthetic considerations.
[0127] Suitable perfume compounds and compositions can be found in the art including U.S.
Pat. Nos. : 4,145,184, Brain and Cummins, issued March 20, 1979; 4,209,417, Whyte,
issued June 24, 1980; 4,515,705, Moeddel, issued May 7, 1985; and 4,152,272, Young,
issued May 1, 1979, all of said patents being incorporated herein by reference. In
general, the degree of substantivity of a perfume is roughly proportional to the percentages
of substantive perfume material used. Relatively substantive perfumes contain at least
1 %, preferably at least 10%, substantive perfume materials. Substantive perfume materials
are those odorous compounds that deposit on surfaces via the cleaning process and
are detectable by people with normal olfactory acuity. Such materials typically have
vapour pressures lower than that of the average perfume material. Also, they typically
have molecular weights of 200 and above, and are detectable at levels below those
of the average perfume material. Perfume ingredients useful herein, along with their
odor character, and their physical and chemical properties, such as boiling point
and molecular weight, are given in "Perfume and Flavor Chemicals (Aroma Chemicals),"
Steffen Arctander, published by the author, 1969, incorporated herein by reference.
[0128] Examples of the highly volatile, low boiling, perfume ingredients are: anethole,
benzaldehyde, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl formate, iso-bornyl acetate,
camphene, ciscitral (neral), citronellal, citronellol, citronellyl acetate, para-cymene,
decanal, dihydrolinalool, dihydromyrcenol, dimethyl phenyl carbinol, eucaliptol, geranial,
geraniol, geranyl acetate, geranyl nitrite, cis-3-hexenyl acetate, hydroxycitronellal,
d-limonene, linalool, linalool oxide, linalyl acetate, linalyl propionate, methyl
anthranilate, alpha-methyl ionone, methyl nonyl acetaldehyde, methyl phenyl carbinyl
acetate, laevo-menthyl acetate, menthone, iso-menthone, mycrene, myrcenyl acetate,
myrcenol, nerol, neryl acetate, nonyl acetate, phenyl ethyl alcohol, alpha-pinene,
beta-pinene, gamma-terpinene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, terpinyl acetate, and
vertenex (para-tertiary-butyl cyclohexyl acetate). Some natural oils also contain
large percentages of highly volatile perfume ingredients. For example, lavandin contains
as major components : linalool; linalyl acetate; geraniol; and citronellol. Lemon
oil and orange terpenes both contain 95% of d-limonene.
[0129] Examples of moderately volatile perfume ingredients are : amyl cinnamic aldehyde,
iso-amyl salicylate, beta-caryophyllene, cedrene, cinnamic alcohol, coumarin, dimethyl
benzyl carbinyl acetate, ethyl vanillin, eugenol, iso-eugenol, flor acetate, heliotropine,
3-cis-hexenyl salicylate, hexyl salicylate, lilial (paratertiarybutyl-alpha-methyl
hydrocinnamic aldehyde), gamma-methyl ionone, nerolidol, patchouli alcohol, phenyl
hexanol, beta-selinene, trichloromethyl phenyl carbinyl acetate, triethyl citrate,
vanillin, and veratraldehyde. Cedarwood terpenes are composed mainly of alpha-cedrene,
beta-cedrene, and other C
15H
24 sesquiterpenes.
Examples of the less volatile, high boiling, perfume ingredients are : benzophenone,
benzyl salicylate, ethylene brassylate, galaxolide (1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethyl-cyclopenta-gama-2-benzopyran),
hexyl cinnamic aldehyde, lyral (4-(4-hydroxy-4-methyl pentyl)-3-cyclohexene-10-carboxaldehyde),
methyl cedrylone, methyl dihydro jasmonate, methyl-betanaphthyl ketone, musk indanone,
musk ketone, musk tibetene, and phenylethyl phenyl acetate.
[0130] Selection of any particular perfume ingredient is primarily dictated by aesthetic
considerations.
[0131] The compositions herein may comprise a perfume ingredient, in amounts up to 5.0%,
preferably in amounts of 0.1% to 1.5% by weight of the total composition.
Chelating agent
[0132] Another class of optional compounds for use herein includes chelating agents. Chelating
agents may be incorporated in the compositions herein in amounts ranging up to 10.0%,
preferably 0.01% to 5.0% by weight of the total composition.
[0133] Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein may include alkali metal
ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates (HEDP), alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonate), as well
as amino phosphonate compounds, including amino aminotri(methylene phosphonic acid)
(ATMP), nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates (NTP), ethylene diamine tetra methylene
phosphonates, and diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates (DTPMP). The phosphonate
compounds may be present either in their acid form or as salts of different cations
on some or all of their acid functionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelating agents
to be used herein are diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate (DTPMP) and
ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonate (HEDP). Such phosphonate chelating agents are commercially
available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST®.
[0134] Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in the
compositions herein. See U.S. patent 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to Connor et
al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such
as 1,2-dihydroxy -3,5-disulfobenzene.
[0135] A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylene diamine N,N'-disuccinic
acid, or alkali metal, or alkaline earth, ammonium or substitutes ammonium salts thereof
or mixtures thereof. Ethylenediamine N,N-disuccinic acids, especially the (S,S) isomer,
have been extensively described in US patent 4, 704, 233, November 3, 1987, to Hartman
and Perkins. Ethylenediamine N,N'-disuccinic acid is, for instance, commercially available
under the tradename ssEDDS® from Palmer Research Laboratories.
[0136] Suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein include ethylene diamine tetra acetates,
diethylene triamine pentaacetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine
triacetates, nitrilotri-acetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates, triethylenetetraaminehexa-acetates,
ethanoldiglycines, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine diacetic
acid (MGDA), both in their acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted
ammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein are
diethylene triamine penta acetic acid, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) which
is, for instance, commercially available from BASF under the trade name Trilon FS®
and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA).
[0137] Further carboxylate chelating agents to be used herein include salicylic acid, aspartic
acid, glutamic acid, glycine, malonic acid or mixtures thereof.
Bleaches
[0138] The liquid compositions herein may also comprise a bleaching component. Any bleach
known to those skilled in the art may be suitable to be used herein including any
peroxygen bleach as well as any hypohalite bleach.
[0139] Suitable peroxygen bleaches for use herein include hydrogen peroxide or sources thereof.
As used herein a source of hydrogen peroxide refers to any compound which produces
active oxygen when said compound is in contact with water. Suitable water-soluble
sources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein include percarbonates, preformed percarboxylic
acids, persilicates, persulphates, perborates, organic and inorganic peroxides and/or
hydroperoxides.
[0140] Suitable hypohalite bleaches for use herein include chlorine releasing components
as, e.g., alkali metal hypochlorites. Advantageously, the compositions according to
the present invention are stable in presence of this bleaching component. Although
alkali metal hypochlorites are preferred, other hypochlorite compounds may also be
used herein and, e.g., can be selected from calcium and magnesium hypochlorite. A
preferred alkali metal hypochlorite for use herein is sodium hypochlorite.
Bleach activators
[0141] The compositions of the present invention that comprise a peroxygen bleach may further
comprise a bleach activator. By "bleach activator", it is meant herein a compound
which reacts with peroxygen bleach like hydrogen peroxide to form a peracid. The peracid
thus formed constitutes the activated bleach. Suitable bleach activators to be used
herein include those belonging to the class of esters) amides, imides, or anhydrides.
Examples of suitable compounds of this type are disclosed in British Patent GB 1 586
769 and GB 2 143 231 and a method for their formation into a prilled form is described
in European Published Patent Application EP-A-62 523. Suitable examples of such compounds
to be used herein are tetracetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), sodium 3,5,5 trimethyl hexanoyloxybenzene
sulphonate, diperoxy dodecanoic acid as described for instance in US 4 818 425 and
nonylamide of peroxyadipic acid as described for instance in US 4 259 201 and n-nonanoyloxybenzenesulphonate
(NOBS). Also suitable are N-acyl caprolactams selected from the group consisting of
substituted or unsubstituted benzoyl caprolactam, octanoyl caprolactam, nonanoyl caprolactam,
hexanoyl caprolactam, decanoyl caprolactam, undecenoyl caprolactam, formyl caprolactam,
acetyl caprolactam, propanoyl caprolactam, butanoyl caprolactam pentanoyl caprolactam
or mixtures thereof. A particular family of bleach activators of interest was disclosed
in EP 624 154, and particularly preferred in that family is acetyl triethyl citrate
(ATC). Acetyl triethyl citrate has the advantage that it is environmental-friendly
as it eventually degrades into citric acid and alcohol. Furthermore, acetyl triethyl
citrate has a good hydrolytical stability in the product upon storage and it is an
efficient bleach activator. Finally, it provides good building capacity to the composition.
Packaging form of the compositions
[0142] The compositions herein may be packaged in a variety of suitable detergent packaging
known to those skilled in the art. The liquid compositions are preferably packaged
in conventional detergent plastic bottles.
[0143] In one embodiment the compositions herein may be packaged in manually or electrically
operated spray dispensing containers, which are usually made of synthetic organic
polymeric plastic materials. Accordingly, the present invention also encompasses liquid
cleaning compositions of the invention packaged in a spray dispenser, preferably in
a trigger spray dispenser or pump spray dispenser.
[0144] Indeed, said spray-type dispensers allow to uniformly apply to a relatively large
area of a surface to be cleaned the liquid cleaning compositions suitable for use
according to the present invention. Such spray-type dispensers are particularly suitable
to clean vertical surfaces.
[0145] Suitable spray-type dispensers to be used according to the present invention include
manually operated foam trigger-type dispensers sold for example by Specialty Packaging
Products, Inc. or Continental Sprayers, Inc. These types of dispensers are disclosed,
for instance, in US-4,701,311 to Dunnining et al. and US-4,646,973 and US-4,538,745
both to Focarracci. Particularly preferred to be used herein are spray-type dispensers
such as T 8500® commercially available from Continental Spray International or T 8100®
commercially available from Canyon, Northern Ireland. In such a dispenser the liquid
composition is divided in fine liquid droplets resulting in a spray that is directed
onto the surface to be treated. Indeed, in such a spray-type dispenser the composition
contained in the body of said dispenser is directed through the spray-type dispenser
head via energy communicated to a pumping mechanism by the user as said user activates
said pumping mechanism. More particularly, in said spray-type dispenser head the composition
is forced against an obstacle, e.g., a grid or a cone or the like, thereby providing
shocks to help atomise the liquid composition, i.e., to help the formation of liquid
droplets.
The process of treating a hard-surface
[0146] The present invention also encompasses a process of treating a hard-surface wherein
a liquid composition as described herein is contacted with a hard-surface.
[0147] By "hard-surfaces" it is meant herein any kind of surfaces typically found in houses
like bathrooms, kitchens, or in car interiors or exteriors, e.g., floors, walls, tiles,
windows, sinks, showers, shower plastified curtains, wash basins, WCs, dishes, fixtures
and fittings and the like made of different materials like ceramic, vinyl, no-wax
vinyl, linoleum, melamine, glass, any plastics, plastified wood, metal or any painted
or varnished or sealed surface and the like. Hard-surfaces also include household
appliances including, but not limited to, washing machines, automatic dryers, refrigerators,
freezers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers and so on.
[0148] The liquid composition of the present invention may be contacted to the surface to
be treated in its neat form or in its diluted form.
[0149] By "diluted form" it is meant herein that said liquid composition is diluted by the
user typically with water. The composition is diluted prior to use to a typical dilution
level of 10 to 400 times its weight of water, preferably from 10 to 200 and more preferably
from 10 to 100. A usually recommended dilution level is a 1.2% dilution of the composition
in water.
[0150] By "in its neat form", it is to be understood that the liquid compositions are applied
directly onto the hard-surface to be treated without undergoing any dilution, i.e.,
the liquid compositions herein are applied onto the hard-surface as described herein.
[0151] A preferred process of treating a hard-surface according to the present invention,
is to apply the composition in diluted form without rinsing the hard-surface after
application in order to obtain excellent 'first-time' and 'next-time' cleaning performance
as well as delivering good shine to said hard-surface.
[0152] Another preferred process of treating a hard-surface, is to apply the composition,
described by the present invention, either in neat or diluted form, leave it on said
surface to act, optionally wipe said surface with an appropriate instrument, e.g.,
a sponge, and then preferably rinse said surface with water.
[0153] The hard-surfaces to be treated may be soiled with a variety of soils, e.g., greasy
soils (e.g., greasy soap scum, body grease, kitchen grease or burnt/sticky food residues
typically found in a kitchen and the like).
[0154] By "treating" it is meant herein, cleaning, as the composition according to the present
invention provides excellent 'first-time' and 'next-time' cleaning performance on
various stains, especially greasy soils.
Cleaning performance test method
[0155] The dilute cleaning performance may be evaluated by the following test method: tiles
of enamel, vinyl or ceramic are prepared by applying to them a representative grease/particulate
artificial soil followed by ageing. The test compositions and the reference composition
are diluted (e.g., composition:water 1:50 or 1:100), applied to a sponge, and used
to clean the tiles with a Sheen scrub tester. The number of strokes required to clean
to 100% clean is recorded. A minimum of 6 replicates can be taken with each result
being generated in duplicate against the reference on each soiled tile. The test method
for evaluating neat cleaning performance is identical to above except that the test
compositions and reference are used undiluted and that after cleaning a rinsing cycle
is performed with clean water.
Greasy soap scum cleaning performance test method
[0156] In this test method enamel white tiles (typically 24 cm * 4 cm) are covered with
typical greasy soap scum soils mainly based on calcium stearate and artificial body
soils commercially available (e.g., 0.3 grams with a sprayer). The soiled tiles are
then dried in an oven at a temperature of 140°C for 20 minutes and then aged overnight
at room temperature (around 20°C-25°C). Then the soiled tiles are cleaned using 3
ml of the liquid composition of the present invention poured directly on a Spontex®
sponge. The ability of the composition to remove greasy soap scum is measured through
the number of strokes needed to perfectly clean the surface. The lower the number
of strokes, the higher the greasy soap scum cleaning ability of the composition.
Next time-cleaning benefit test method
[0157] In this test method stainless steel tap or black ceramic is treated with the liquid
composition of the present invention by directly pouring said composition on a Spontex®
sponge and rubbing said tiles with said sponge. Then the tiles are thoroughly rinsed
with tap water and let to dry. Soapy water (about 100 ml) is splashed on the dry surface
and rinsed with running tap water (about 100 ml). The surface of the tiles is again
left to dry and the procedure of splashing soapy water on said tiles is repeated for
4-6 times.
[0158] The ability of a composition to provide next time-cleaning benefit on the surface
refers to the composition's ability to modify the surface in such a way, that the
soapy water is rinsed away more easily on surfaces treated with the liquid composition
of the present invention compared to surfaces not treated with said composition. This
can be evaluated by human visual grading.
Shine test method
[0159] Obtaining a good shine end result results from a good spreading of a liquid composition
over the surface when the surface is treated therewith and from the reduced formation
of watermarks and reduced precipitation of poorly water soluble salts when water evaporates.
The ability of a composition to provide "shine" to the surface refers to the composition's
ability to leave no watermarks after evaporation of water. This can be evaluated by
human visual grading.
[0160] In a suitable test method a composition according to the present invention and a
reference composition are applied (about 3 grams of each product) with a Spontex®
sponge on two rectangular areas (20 cm x 20 cm) of a surface made of stainless steel
or ceramic. Each surface is wiped (16 strokes) by using the Spontex® sponge with the
product. Then each treated surface is rinsed with 50 ml of tap water and left to dry.
Items are observed during the drying phase in a way to evaluate water spreading/slipping
on the treated surface. After the surfaces treated with the compositions according
to the present invention and those treated with the reference composition are dried,
they are compared side by side and evaluated by visual grading to evaluate shine difference.
Evaluation may be generally done by applying the Panel Score Unit (PSU). Shine result
is expressed reporting whether the effect of water spreading/slipping is present and
the final PSU evaluation.
[0161] In a long lasting shine test method, the test method as mentioned above may be carried
out, but the rinsing and drying cycles are repeated several times. Each time, after
both the surfaces are dried they are compared side by side and evaluated by visual
grading to see shine difference. Evaluation is generally done by applying the Panel
Score Unit (PSU).
Examples
[0162] These compositions were made comprising the listed ingredients in the listed proportions
(weight %).
Ingredients: (% by weight) |
I |
II |
III |
IV |
V |
VI |
VII |
VIII |
IX |
Dobanol® 91-8 |
1.3 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
10.0 |
1.5 |
3.5 |
2.5 |
n-BPP |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
- |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
- |
3.0 |
Citric Acid |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.0 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
- |
- |
- |
Maleic Acid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2.5 |
Luviskol K60® |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.05 |
0.15 |
Kelzan T® |
0.3 |
0.6 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
NaOH |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.25 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
1.2 |
Waters & Minors |
up to 100 |
The pH of these examples is 7 or above. |
Ingredients: (% by weight) |
X |
XI |
XII |
XIII |
XIV |
XV |
XVI |
XVII |
XVIII |
Lutensol® AO 30 |
1.3 |
1.5 |
1.75 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
10.0 |
1.8 |
2.5 |
3.5 |
n-BPP |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
- |
2.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
- |
5.0 |
Citric Acid |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.0 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
3.5 |
- |
- |
- |
Maleic Acid |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
- |
2.5 |
Luviskol K60® |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.05 |
0.05 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.1 |
0.05 |
0.15 |
Kelzan T® |
0.3 |
0.6 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.3 |
0.2 |
NaOH |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.25 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
1.5 |
0.2 |
0.3 |
12 |
Waters & Minors |
up to 100 |
The pH of these examples is 7 or above.
Kelzan T® is a Xanthan gum supplied by Kelco.
Luviskol K60® is a Polyvinylpyrrolidone supplied by BASF.
n-BPP is butoxy propoxy propanol commercially available from Dow Chemical.
Dobanol® 91-8 is a C9-C11 ethoxylated alcohol commercially available from Shell.
Lutensol® AO 30 is a C12-14 ethoxylated alcohol commercially available from BASF. |