Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
WO 93/19148 2 1 3 1 3 3 ~ P ~ /US93/02335
COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD FOR DILUTE CLEANING OF HARD SURFACES
Technical field
The present invention relates to the cleaning of hard surfaces. Hard
surface cleaning compositions comprising a at least one one highly
ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and possibly an anionic surfactant, are
diluted before use, exhibiting outstanding dilute cleaning performance.
Background
Hard surface cleaning compositions are well known in the art. It s
known to use various surfactants in these compositions, including
ethoxylated nonionic surfactants. Ethoxylated nonionic surfactants
which are typically used in such compositions are lower ethoxylates,
i.e. with a degree of ethoxylation of 5 to 7.
Compositions which can be used in diluted form are also known in the
art. In such compositions, the technical problem lies in sustaining
upon dilution an efficient cleaning performance. Such compositions for
dilute cle~ning are described for instance in copending European Patent
No. 503219. In these compositions, the dilute cleaning performance is
obtained by using alkanolmines.
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It is thus an object of the present invention to provide hard surface
cleaning compositions which can be effectively used in diluted form.
It has now been found that this object could be met by formulating hard
surface cleaning compositions comprising at least one highly ethoxylated
nonionic surfactant, preferably with at least one anionic surfactant.
These compositions unexpectedly exhibit outstanding cleaning performance
upon dilution, compared to the same compositions without said nonionic
surfactant while the cleaning performance of the neat, i.e. undiluted
compositions is similar, regardless of the presence of said nonionic
surfactant.
In other words, it has now been found that hard surface cleaning
compositions comprising said highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant
exhibit outstanding cleaning performance when used both neat and
diluted.
Surprisingly, said compositions comprise a highly ethoxylated nonionic
surfactant, yet they are especially effective on greasy soils. Such
greasy soils are commonly brought by cooking with oils and fatty foods,
and by simple contact with human skin, thus they are present on most
surfaces, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. The compositions
according to the present invention are suitable for use on all such
surfaces.
This invention is also particularly useful as it allows to formulate
compositionS with reduced levels of other ingredients, which yet retain
optimal cleaning performance, due to said highly ethoxylated nonionic
surfactant; also, the user needs less product to achieve the same task.
This advantage is particularly valuable in terms of environmental
compatibility.
CompositionS comprising highly ethoxylated fatty alcohols are described
in SU 595369 (abstract). These compositions are designed for the
cleaning of metallic surfaces in weaving machines.
WO 93/19148 r~ i J 3 0 PCT/US93/02335
Summary of the invention
The present invention thus encompasses a composition for the cleaning of
hard surfaces comprising from 0.5 % to 30 ~ by weight of the total
composition of at least one nonionic surfactant, characterized in that
said nonionic surfactant is of the formula R0-(CH2CH20)nH wherein R is a
C8 to C22 alkyl chain or a C8 to C2g alkyl benzene chain, and n is an
integer of from 21 to 65, or mixtures thereof.
The present invention also encompasses a composition for the cleaning of
hard surfaces comprising from 0.5 ~ to 30 ~ by weight of the total
composition of a mixture comprising at least one anionic surfactant and
at least one nonionic surfactant, characterized in that said nonionic
surfactant is of the formula R0-(CH2CH20)nH wherein R is a C8 to C22
alkyl chain or a C8 to C2g alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of
from 10 to 65, or mixtures thereof.
The present invention also encompasses the diluted compositions obtained
by diluting the above compositions in water. Said diluted compositions
comprise from 0.01~ to 3.5% by weight of the total composition of said
nonionic surfactant or said mixture of anionic surfactant and nonionic
surfactant.
The present invention also encompasses a method of cleaning hard
surfaces wherein a composition comprising at least one nonionic
surfactant of the formula R0-(CH2CH20)nH wherein R is a C8 to C22 alkyl
chain or a C8 to C28 alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 10
to 65, or mixtures thereof, is diluted in water and applied to said hard
surface.
Detailed descriPtion of the invention
The Compositions according to the invention comprise, as an essential
ingredient, a highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant. The highly
ethoxylated nonionic surfactants to be used in the compositionS
according to the present invention are carefully selected, and belong to
the group according to the formula R0-(CH2CH20)nH, wherein R is a C8 to
C22 alkyl chain or a C8 to C28 alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer
PC~r/US93/02335
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of from lO to 65, or mixtures thereof. Indeed, it is unforeseeably only
those ethoxylated alcohols with such a high ~egree of ethoxylation which
allow to obtain the observed cleaning benef ~s in diluted form,
especially on greasy soils. Accordingly, the preferred nonionic
surfactants for use in the compositions according to the present
invention are those according to the above formula where n is from ll to
35, more preferably 18 to 35, most preferably 21 to 30. The preferred R
chains for use herein are the C8 to C22 alkyl chains. Suitable chemical
processes for preparing the highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactants for
use herein have been extensively described in the art. Suitable highly
ethoxylated nonionic surfactants for use herein are also commercially
available, for instance in the series commercialized under the trade
name LUTENSOL R from BASF or DOBANOL R from SHELL. A preferred highly
ethoxylated alcohol for use herein is LUTENSOL R AO30 (R is a mixture of
Cl3 and Cls alkyl chains, and n is 30). It is also possible to use
mixtures of such highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactants, with different
R groups and different ethoxylation degrees.
The composit ons according to the present invention may additionally
comprise an anionic surfactant. The prior art extensively describes
anionic surfactants, including alkyl benzene sulfates and sulfonates,
paraffin sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acids and of fatty acid esters,
all of which are suitable for use herein. Said anionic surfactants can
also be used in the form of their salts, including sodium, potassium,
ammonium and triethanolammonium salts. The preferred anionic
surfactants for use in the compositions according to the present
invention are paraffin sulfonates, preferably in the form of their
sodium salt.
When the compositions according to the present invention comprise both
said highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and said anionic surfactant,
these are preferably present in a weight ratio of said anionic
surfactant to said nonionic surfactant of from 0.2 to 5, more preferably
0.5 to 2.5.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a hard surface cleaning
composition according to the present invention comprises from 0.5 % to
30 ~, preferably from l ~ to 15 ~ by weight of the total composition of
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at least one nonionic surfactant of the formula R0-(CH2CH20)nH wherein R
is a C8 to C22 alkyl chain or a C8 to C28 alkyl benzene chain, and n is
an integer of from 21 to 65, or mixtures thereof.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a hard surface cleaning
composition according to the present invention comprises from 0.5 % to
30 %, preferably from 1 % to 15 % by weight of the total composition of
a mixture comprising at least one anionic surfactant and at least one
nonionic surfactant, wherein said nonionic surfactant is of the formula
R0-(CH2CH20)nH wherein R is a C8 to C22 alkyl chain or a C8 to C2g alkyl
benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 10 to 65, or mixtures
thereof.
The diluted compositions according to the present invention, which are
obtainable by diluting the compositions described hereinabove, comprise
from 0.001 % to 3.5 % by weight of the total composition of the mixture
described hereinabove, preferably from 0.01 % to 0.3 %.
The hard surface cleaning compositions according to the present
invention may further comprise additional surfactants, including other
nonionic surfactants, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants and
mixtures thereof. Typical of these are lower ethoxylated nonionic
surfactants (e.g with an ethoxylation degree of about 7), amine oxides,
betaines, sulphobetaines and the like, which are well-known in the
detergency art.
The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise
an alkanolamine, or mixtures thereof, in amounts ranging from 0.1% to
10 % by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.5% to 5%t
most preferably from 0.8% to 3%. At such levels, the alkanolamine has a
buffering effect in the undiluted product, as well as an unexpected
boosting effect on the cleaning performance of the diluted compositions
Suitable alkanolamines for use in the compositions according to the
present include monoalkanolamines, dialkanoiamines, trialkanolamines,
alkylalkanolamines, dialkylalkanolamines and alkoxyalkanolamines
Preferred alkanolamines to be used according to the present invention
include monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, aminoethylpropanediol, 2-
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~ ins. Ethyl propanol, and ethoxyethanolamine. Particularly preferred aremonoethanolamine, triethanolamine and ethoxyethanolamine.
The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise
builders. Suitable builders for use herein include nitrilotriacetates
(NTA), polycarboxylates, citrates, water-soluble phosphates such as tri-
polyphosphate and sodium ortho-and pyro-phosphates, silicates, ethylene
diamine tetraacetate (EDTA), amino-polyphosphonates (DEQUEST), ether
carboxylate builders such as in EP-A-286 167, phosphates, iminodiacetic
acid derivatives such as described in EP-A-317 542, EP-262 112 and EP-A-
399 133, and mixtures thereof. Preferred builders/sequestrants for use
herein are selected from Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, citric acid and
sodium carbonate. The hard surface cleaning compositions according to
the present invention may comprise up to 15% by weight of the total
composition of a builder, preferably from 1% to 10%
The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise
solvents. Suitable solvenes for use herein include propylene glycol
derivatives such as n-butoxypropanol or n- butoxypropoxypropanol, water-
soluble CARBITOL R solvents or water-soluble CELLOSOLVE R solvents;
water-soluble CARBITOL R solvents are compounds of the 2-(2-
alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class wherein the alkoxy group is derived from
ethyl, propyl or butyl; a preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2-(2-
butoxyethoxy)ethanol also known as butyl carbitol. Water-soluble
CELLOSOLVE R solvents are compounds of the 2-alkoxyethoxy ethanol class,
with 2-butoxyethoxyethanol being preferred. Other suitable solvents
include benzyl alcohol, and diols such as 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol and
2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and mixtures thereof. Preferred
solvents for use herein are n-butoxypropoxypropanol, BUTYL CARBITOL R
and mixtures thereof. The compositions according to the yresent
invention comprise up to 15 % by weight of the total composition of a
solvent, preferably from 3% to 10%.
The compositions according to the present invention may also comprise
minor ingredients to provide aesthetic or additional product performance
benefits. Typical minor ingredients include perfumes, dyes, optical
brighteners, soil suspending agents, detersive enzymes, gel-control
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agents, thickeners, freeze-thaw stabilizers, bactericides,
preservatives, and the like.
In the method for the cleaning of hard surfaces according to the present
invention, a hard surface cleaning composition comprising at least one
nonionic surfactant of the formula R0-(CH2CH20)nH wherein R is a Cg to
C22 alkyl chain or a C8 to C28 alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer
of from lO to 65, or mixtures thereof, is diluted in water and applied
to said hard surface. In a preferred method according to the present
invention, said composition further comprises an anionic surfactant as
described hereinbefore.
In a preferred method according to the present invention, said
composition is diluted into lO to 200 times its weight of water, more
preferably 50 to lS0 times, before it is applied to said hard surface.
The different embodiments of the present invention are further
illustrated by the following examples
Examples
The following compositions were made by mixing the listed ingredients in
the listed proportions:
Compositions
#l#2 #3 #4
Ingredients: Weight %
Sodium paraffin sulfonate 3 3 3 3
Alcohol ethoxylate 30E0 (l) 2 2
Alcohol ethoxylate 12E0 (2) - 3
Alcohol ethoxylate 7E0 (3)
Alcohol benzene ethoxylate lOE0 (4) - - 3
Citric acid 2 2 2 3
Butylcarbitol R 4 4 4 7
n-butoxypropoxypropanol 2.5
Triethanolamine l l 2
water & minors up to lO0
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A ~ ~J ~ 8
Compositions
#5#6 #7
Ingredients: Weight %
Sodium paraffin sulfonate 3 - - -
Sodium alkyl sulfate - 3
Sodium alcohol ethoxylate sulfate - - 3
Alcohol ethoxylate 30E0 (l) 2 2 - 4
Alcohol ethoxylate 12E0 (2) l - 3
Alcohol ethoxylate 7E0 (3)
Citric acid 4 3 4
Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate - - 4
Butylcarbitol R 4 4 6 5
n-butoxypropoxypropanol - - - 2
T r i ethanolamine - l 2
Monoethanolamine 2
Ethoxyethanolamine - - - 2
water & minors up to 100%
In the examples hereinabove, (l) is a highly ethoxylated nonionic
surfactant wherein R is a mixture of Cl3 and Cls alkyl chains and n is
30. (2) is a highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant wherein R is a
mixture of Cl3 and Cls alkyl chains and n is 12. (3) is a lower
ethoxylated nonionic surfactant wherein n is 7. (4) is a highly
ethoxylated nonionic surfactant wherein R is a mixture of Clg and C
alkyl benzene chains and n is lO.
Compositions 1-8 described hereinabove can be used neat or diluted. In
a method according to the present invention, these compositions are
diluted in 65 times their weight of water and applied to a hard surface.
