Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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METHOD OF CLEANING CARPETS
15
2o Technical Field
The present invention relates to the use of compositions for cleaning
carpets.
Back4round of the Invention
25 Carpets produced from synthetic or natural fibers and mixtures thereof are
commonly used in residential and commercial applications as a floor
covering. Various types of fibers can be used in making carpets such as
polyamide and wool.
However, carpets irrespective of whether they are made from natural or
30 synthetic fibers are all prone to soiling and staining when contacted with
many household items. Foods, grease, oils, beverages such as coffee, tea
and soft drinks especially those containing acidic dyes can cause
unsightly, 'often dark stains on carpets. Also fibers may become soiled as
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2
a result of dirt particles, clay, dust, particulate soils in general, coming
into
contact with, and adhering to the fibers of the carpet. These latter soils
often appear in the form of a diffuse layer of soils rather than in the form
of spots and tend to accumulate particularly in the so called "high traffic
areas" such as near doors as a result of intensive use of the carpets in
such areas. .
There are a number of carpet cleaning compositions described in the art
for removing stains and soils. However, these compositions do not
satisfactorily meet the consumer's needs as regards their cleaning
o performance on different types of stains and soils. Indeed, these carpet
cleaner compositions are not fully satisfactory for removing particulate
soils, especially in the so called "high traffic areas".
Thus the object of the present invention is to provide improved removal of
particulate soils from carpets, in a manner which is applicable to a variety
~ 5 of carpet cleaning compositions, i.e. compositions being either in a
liquid
form or in a powder form or in a granular form.
It has now been found that the above object can be met by formulating
compositions which comprise a chelant in combination with a soil
suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer. Indeed, such a
20 composition allows to obtain excellent particulate soil removal performance
especially on diffuse layers of stains and soils which occur in the so called
" high traffic areas", i.e. on stains and soils which have become otherwise
extremely difficult to remove. More particularly, it has been found that the
use of a composition comprising a chelant, or a combination of chelants,
25 together with a soil suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer, or
mixtures thereof, results in a synergistic effect on the removal of
particulate soils from carpets. Furthermore, said combination of a chelant
with a soil suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer is particularly
suitable to be used in aqueous carpet cleaning compositions which further
30 comprise a source of active oxygen, thereby providing excellent particulate
soil removal performance while delivering also good cleaning performance
on other types of soils and stains like bleachable stains.
5
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3
An advantage of the present invention is that it is applicable to all carpet
types, especially delicate natural fibers and is also safe to all carpet dye
types, particularly sensitive natural dyes used therein.
Another advantage of the present invention is that it may be applied
directly on the carpet without causing damage to the carpet. In addition
the cleaning action of the invention commences as soon as the carpet
cleaning composition has been applied to the surface. Indeed, the use of
the carpet cleaning composition of the present invention does not
necessarily require rubbing or/and brushing of the carpet.
0 The following documents are representative of the prior art available on
carpet cleaning compositions.
WO 92/ 17634 discloses a method for removing stains from carpet fibers
which consists on applying an alkaline solution (pH = 7 to 10.5) to said
~ 5 carpet, said solution resulting from mixing just prior use of a solution
of a
source of active oxygen with a solution of ammonium bicarbonate or
carbonate and fluorinated alkyl sulfonic acid or its coordinated salt. This
patent application nowhere mentions the use of any chelant or soil
suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer, let alone the benefit
20 resulting from their combined use, in a composition for cleaning carpets,
i.e. the improved particulate soil removing performance of said
composition.
US 3 607 760 discloses an aqueous carpet cleaner particularly suitable for
25 removing pet stains, said carpet cleaner comprising hydrogen peroxide,
hydrocarbon ether of ethylene or diethylene glycols, hydrocarbon
monohydric alcohols and EDTA. No soil suspending polymer is disclosed.
EP-A-346 835 discloses an aqueous carpet cleaner at pH 7-12 comprising
30 a water-soluble alcohol (C1-C5) and an oxidizing agent (hydrogen
peroxide). No chelants, no soil suspending polymers are described.
European patent application 93870161.2 discloses the use of stable
aqueous compositions comprising a source of active oxygen, having a pH
35 of from 1 to 6, for the cleaning of carpets. More particularly this
European
CA 02204631 2000-OS-03
a
patent application discloses that such compositions may further comprise
from 1 % to 7% by weight of the total composition of a builder system,
e.g. aminopolyphosphonates. No soil suspending polymers are disclosed.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention encompasses the use of a composition comprising a
chelant, or a mixture thereof, in combination with a soil suspending
polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer, or a mixture thereof, for the
cleaning of carpets.
The present invention further encompasses a method of cleaning a carpet
wherein a composition comprising a chelant in combination with a soil
suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer is applied to said carpet,
wherein said carpet is then optionally rubbed and/or brushed, and wherein
said composition is then removed from said carpet.
The present invention further encompasses a method of cleaning a carpet
wherein a composition comprising from about 0.01 % to about 3% by weight of
an organic phosphate chelant in combination with from about 0.05% to about
10% by weight of a soil suspending polycarboxylate selected from the group
consisting of polyacrylic acid, a copolymer of acrylic acid and malefic acid
and
salt thereof, a soil suspending alkoxylated polyamine polymer, and a mixture
thereof, is applied to said carpet, wherein said composition is then removed
from said carpet.
All amounts, percentages and ratios are given by weight of the total
composition in its neat form unless otherwise stated.
CA 02204631 2000-OS-03
4a
Detailed Description of the Invention
The present invention encompasses the use of a composition comprising a
chelant, or a mixture thereof, in combination with a soil suspending
polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer, or a mixture thereof, for the
cleaning of carpets. whereby the performance on particulate soil removal is
improved. According to the present invention the compositions used may
be either in a liquid form or in a granular form or in a powder form.
By " improved particulate soil removing performance" it is meant herein
that the removal of particulate soils from carpets achieved by using a
carpet cleaning composition comprising a chelant together with a soil
suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer is improved, as
compared to the removal of particulate soils obtained by using said
composition without any chelant and/or without any soil suspending
polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer. More particularly, it has been
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unexpectedly found that a synergistic effect on particulate soil removing
performance is associated with the combination of a chelant with a soil
suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer. By " particulate soil" it
is meant herein any soils or stains of particulate nature that can be found
5 on carpets, e.g. clay, dirt, dust, mud, concrete and the like.
According to the present invention, the compositions herein comprise, as a
first essential component, a chelant or a mixture thereof. Suitable chelants
for use herein include phosphonate chelants, amino carboxylate chelants,
i o and polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents.
Suitable phosphonate chelants herein include organic amino phosphonate
compounds, such as amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonate), alkali
metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, nitrilo trimethylene
~ 5 phosphonates, ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates, and
diethylene triamine yenta methylene phosphonates. 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
chelants to be used herein are diethylene triamine yenta methylene
20 phosphonates. Such phosphonate chelants are commercially available
from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST.
Suitable aminocarboxylate chelants for use herein include
ethylenediaminetetracetates, N-hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetates,
25 nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediamine tetrapoprionates, triethylenetetra-
aminehexacetates, diethylenetriaminepentaacetates, and
ethanoldiglycerides, alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium
salts thereof.
30 Suitable polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents useful
herein are described in 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.
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6
A preferred biodegradable chelator for use herein is ethylenediamine
disuccinate ("EDDS"1, especially the [S,S] isomer as described in U.S.
Patent 4,704,233, November 3, 1987, to Hartman and Perkins.
The compositions herein can comprise, in their neat form, from 0.01 % to
5% by weight of the total composition of a chelant or a mixture thereof,
preferably from 0.05% to 3% and more preferably from 0.1 % to 1 % .
The compositions herein comprise, as a second essential ingredient, a soil
suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer, or a mixture thereof.
Any soil suspending polycarboxylate polymer known to those skilled in the
art can be employed according to the present invention such as homo- or
co-polymeric polycarboxylic acids or their salts including polyacrylates and
copolymers of malefic anhydride or/and acrylic acid and the like. Indeed,
such soil suspending polycarboxylate polymers can be prepared by
polymerizing or copolymerizing suitable unsaturated monomers, preferably
in their acid form. Unsaturated monomeric acids that can be polymerized
to form suitable polymeric polycarboxylates include acrylic acid, malefic
acid (or malefic anhydride), fumaric acid, itaconic acid, aconitic acid,
mesaconic acid, citraconic acid and methylenemalonic acid. The presence
in the polymeric polycarboxylates herein of monomeric segments,
containing no carboxylate radicals such as vinylmethyl ether, styrene,
ethylene, etc. is suitable provided that such segments do not constitute
more than about 40% by weight.
Particularly suitable polymeric polycarboxylates can be derived from acrylic
acid. Such acrylic acid-based polymers which are useful herein are the
water-soluble salts of polymerized acrylic acid. The average molecular
weight of such polymers in the acid form preferably ranges from about
2,000 to 10,000, more preferably from about 4,000 to 7,000 and most
preferably from about 4,000 to 5,000. Water-soluble salts of such acrylic
acid polymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and
substituted ammonium salts. Soluble polymers of this type are known
materials. Use of polyaccylates of this type in detergent compositions has
been disclosed, for example, in Diehl, U.S. Patent 3,308,067, issued
March 7, 1967.
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7
Acrylic/maleic-based copolymers may also be used as a preferred soil
suspending polycarboxylic polymer. Such materials include the water-
soluble salts of copolymers of acrylic acid and malefic acid. The average
molecular weight of such copolymers in the acid form preferably ranges
from about 2,000 to 100,000, more preferably from about 5,000 to
75,000, most preferably from about 7,000 to 65,000. The ratio of
acrylate to maleate segments in such copolymers will generally range from
about 30:1 to about 1:1, more preferably from about 10:1 to 2:1. Water-
soluble salts of such acrylic acid/maleic acid copolymers can include, for
example, the alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts.
Soluble acrylate/maleate copolymers of this type are known materials
which are described in European Patent Application No. 66915, published
December 15, 1982. Particularly preferred is a copolymer of malefic /
~ s acrylic acid with an average molecular weight of about 70,000. Such
copolymers are commercially available from BASF under the trade name
SOKALAN CPS.
Any soil suspending polyamine polymer can be employed herein.
Particularly suitable polyamine polymer for use herein are polymers having
polyalkoxymoiety are alkoxylated polyamines. Such materials can
conveniently be represented as molecules of the empirical structures with
repeating units
[N R] n Amine form
(alkoxy)y
and
R 1
[N + R] n nX- Quaternized form
(alkoxy)y
wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group, usually of 2-6 carbon atoms; R1 may be
a C1-C20 hydrocarbon; the alkoxy groups are ethoxy, propoxy, and the
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8
like, and y is 2-30, most preferably from 10-20; n is an integer of at least
2, preferably from 2-20, most preferably 3-5; and X- is an anion such as
halide or methylsulfate, resulting from the quaternization reaction.
The most highly preferred polyamines for use herein are the so-called
ethoxylated polyethylene amines, i.e., the polymerized reaction product of
ethylene oxide with ethyleneimine, having the general formula
(Et0) (N CH2 CH2 ] n N (Et0)y
o
(Et0)y (Et0)y
when y = 2-30. Particularly preferred for use herein is an ethoxylated
polyethylene amine, in particular ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine, and
~ 5 quaternized ethoxylated hexamethylene diamine.
The compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to the present
invention can comprise in their neat form of from 0.05% to 10% by
weight of the total composition of a soil suspending polycarboxylate or
polyamine polymer, or mixtures thereof, preferably of from 0.1 % to 5%,
20 more preferably of from 0.1 % to 2% and most preferably of from 0.2% to
1.5% .
The concentrations mentioned herein for the soil suspending
polycarboxylate or polyamine polymers and the chelants are preferred in
that, at these concentrations, maximum performance is obtained in the
25 most economic way. Also at these concentrations the amount of residues
that the compositions may leave on carpets is minimal.
The present invention further encompasses the use, for the cleaning of
carpets, of a composition which further comprise a source of active
oxygen. In a preferred embodiment, said compositions are liquid aqueous
30 compositions. The latter aqueous compositions being particularly efficient
in terms of overall cleaning performance. Indeed, preferred compositions
for the cleaning of carpets according to the present invention are
particularly efficient in cleaning diffuse soils (particulate soils) that tend
to
accumulate in the so called "high traffic areas" but also in delivering good
CA 02204631 1997-OS-06
WO 96115308 PCT/US95/13995
9
cleaning performance on other types of stains or soils, i.e. on spot stains
such as coffee, beverage, food and the like.
Another advantage associated with the liquid aqueous compositions
herein, when they comprise a source of active oxygen, is that said
s compositions are stable. Accordignly, said compositions are convenient
for the consumer to use. Indeed, said liquid aqueous compositions for the
cleaning of carpets according to the present invention do not require pH
adjustment prior to use and can be stored for long periods of time prior to
use.
o Thus an optional but highly preferred ingredient of the compositions for the
cleaning of carpets according to the present invention is a source of active
oxygen. A preferred source according to the present invention is
hydrogen peroxide or sources thereof. As used herein a hydrogen peroxide
source refers to any compound which produces hydrogen peroxide when
15 said compound is in contact with water. Suitable water-soluble sources of
hydrogen peroxide for use herein include percarbonates, metal peroxides
and perborates.
In addition other classes of peroxides can be used as an alternative to
hydrogen peroxide and sources thereof or in combination with hydrogen
20 peroxide and sources thereof. Suitable classes include dialkylperoxides,
diacylperoxide, preformed percarboxylic acids, persulphates, organic and
inorganic peroxides and/or hydroperoxides.
Accordingly, compositions herein comprise from 0.1 % to 15%, preferably
from 0.5% to 10%, most preferably from 1 % to 5% by weight of the total
25 composition of active oxygen in said composition.
As used herein, active oxygen concentration refers to the percentage
concentration of elemental oxygen, with an oxidation number zero, that
being reduced to water would be stoichiometrically equivalent to a given
percentage concentration of a given peroxide compound, when the
30 peroxide functionality of the peroxide compound is completely reduced to
oxides. The active oxygen sources according to the present invention
increase the ability of the compositions to remove colored stains, to
destroy malodorous molecules and to kill germs.
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The concentration of available oxygen can be determined by methods
known in the art, such as the iodimetric method, the permanganometric
method and the cerimetric method. Said methods and the criteria for the
choice of the appropriate method are described for example in "Hydrogen
5 Peroxide", W. C. Schumb, C. N. Satterfield and R. L. Wentworth, Reinhold
Publishing Corporation, New York, 1955 and "Organic Peroxides", Daniel ,
Swern, Editor Wiley Int. Science, 1970.
Suitable organic and inorganic peroxides/hydroperoxides for use in the
compositions according to the present invention include diacyl and dialkyl
10 peroxides/hydroperoxides such as dibenzoyl peroxide, t-butyl
hydroperoxide, dilauroyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, persulphuric acid and
mixtures thereof. The compositions according to the present invention
comprise from 0% to 15%, preferably from 0.005% to 10% of said
organic peroxides.
Suitable preformed peroxyacids for use in the compositions for the
cleaning of carpets according to the present invention include
diperoxydodecandioic acid DPDA, magnesium perphthalatic acid, perlauric
acid, perbenzoic acid, diperoxyazelaic acid and mixtures thereof. The
compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to the present invention
comprise in their neat form from 0% to 15%, preferably from 0.005% to
10% of said preformed peroxyacids.
Optionally, the compositions herein may additionally comprise from 0% to
30%, preferably from 2% to 20% of peracid precursors, i.e. compounds
that upon reaction with hydrogen peroxide produce peroxyacids.
Examples of peracid precursors suitable for use in the present invention
can be found among the classes of anhydrides, amides, imides and esters
such as acetyl triethyl citrate (ATC), tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED),
succinic or malefic anhydrides.
The pH of the compositions herein can be from 1 to 14. In a preferred
embodiment, wherein the compositions herein comprise a source of active
oxygen, the recommended pH range to achieve good hydrogen peroxide
stability is from 1 to 9, preferably between pH 1 and 8, and more
preferably between pH 2 and 7. Accordingly the compositions herein may
further comprise an acid to adjust pH. In addition, some acids can have
CA 02204631 1997-OS-06
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11
the advantage that they can form small concentrations of the
corresponding peracids by reaction with hydrogen peroxide in-situ, thus
enhancing the overall performance of the composition. These acids can be
further selected so as to have chelating and/or building properties. The
acids of the present invention that may be used for these purposes can be
organic or inorganic acids, preferably organic acids such as citric, malefic,
oxalic succinic, and tartaric acids or inorganic acids such as sulphuric acid.
The compositions herein may further comprise a number of additional
compounds such as surfactants, builder system, solvents, perfumes, dyes,
suds suppressing agents, enzymes, photobleaching agents and other
minors. In the preferred embodiment, where the compositions herein
comprise a source of active oxygen, the optional ingredients are selected
so that they are compatible with said source of active oxygen. For
instance dyes are used at low concentrations to prevent staining.
~ 5 Solvents suitable for use herein may be selected from octyl alcohol,
isopropyl alcohol, propyl alcohol and furfuryl alcohol.
Surfactants suitable for use herein are well known in the art and include
anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic and cationic surfactants and mixtures
thereof. The surfactants suitable for use herein are compatible with
hydrogen peroxide and sources thereof.
The anionic surfactants which may be used herein include alkali metal salts
of alkyl substituted benzene sulphonates, alkali metal alkyl sulphonates,
alkali metal alkyl sulphates and alkali metal alkyl ether sulphates derived
from for example fatty alcohols and alkyl phenols, alkali metal alkane
sulphonates, alkali metal olefin sulphonates and alkali metal
sulphosuccinates and alkyl succinates, whereby the sodium salts are
preferred, alkyl carboxylates and alkyl ether carboxylates.
The nonionic surfactants which may be used herein include any liquid or
solid ethoxylated Cg-C24 fatty alcohol nonionic surfactant, alkyl
propoxylates and mixtures thereof, fatty acid Cg-C24 alkanolamides, Cg-
C20 polyethylglycol ethers, polyethylene glycol with molecular weight
1000 to 80000 and Cg-C24 amine oxides, glucose amides, alkyl
pyrrolidones, betaines.
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12
Suitable cationic surfactants for use herein include quaternary ammonium
compounds of the formula R1R2R3R4N+ where R1,R2 and R3 are methyl
groups, and R4 is a C12-15 alkyl group, or where R1 is an ethyl or
hydroxy ethyl group, R2 and Rg are methyl groups and R4 is a C12_15
alkyl group.
Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable optionals for use herein. Suitable
zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of aliphatic quaternary
ammonium, phosphonium, and sulphonium compounds in which the
aliphatic moiety can be straight or branched chain and wherein one of the
aliphatic substituents contains from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms and
another substituent contains, at least, an anionic water-solubilizing group.
Particularly preferred zwitterionic materials are the ethoxylated ammonium
sulphonates and sulfates disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,925,262, Laughlin et
al., issued December 9, 1975 and 3,929,678, Laughfin et al., issued
~ 5 December 30, 1975. The compositions according to the present invention
contain from 0% to 20% of zwitterionic surfactants.
The compositions herein comprise from 0.01 % to 70% by weight,
preferably from 0.1 % to 50% by weight of the total composition of said
surfactants.
The compositions herein may further comprise a builder system. Any
conventional builder system is suitable for use herein. Suitable builders for
use herein include citric acid, preferably in the form of a water-soluble
salt,
derivatives of succinic acid of the formula R_CH(COOH)CH2(COOH)
wherein R is C10-20 alkyl or alkenyl, preferably C12_16, or wherein R can
be substituted with hydroxyl, sulpho sulphoxyl or sulphone substituents.
Specific examples include lauryl succinate, myristyl succinate, palmityl
succinate, 2-dodecenylsuccinate, 2-tetradecenyl succinate. Succinate
builders are preferably used in the form of their water-soluble salts,
including sodium, potassium. ammonium and alkanolammonium salts.
3o Other suitable builders are oxodisuccinates and mixtures of tartrate
monosuccinic and tartrate disuccinic acid such as described in US
4,663,071.
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13
Further suitable builders for use herein are fatty acid builders including
saturated or unsaturated C10-18 fatty acids, as well as the corresponding
soaps. Preferred saturated species have from 12 to 16 carbon atoms in
the alkyl chain. The preferred unsaturated fatty acid is oleic acid.
A preferred builder system for use herein consists of a mixture of citric
acid, fatty acids and succinic acid derivatives described herein above. The
compositions herein preferably comprise from 0% to 10%, preferably from
1 % to 7% by weight of the neat total composition of a builder system.
The present invention also encompasses a method of cleaning a carpet
wherein a composition comprising a chelant in combination with with a soil
suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer is applied to said carpet,
wherein said carpet is then optionally rubbed and/or brushed, and wherein
said composition is then removed from said carpet.
Indeed, in the method of cleaning a carpet according to the present
invention the step of applying a composition for the cleaning of carpets as
described herein before, may be followed by a rubbing step or/and a
brushing step. Preferably, the carpet may be cleaned by applying onto it a
composition for the cleaning of carpets according to the present invention,
then rubbing and/or brushing it more or less intensively for example by
2o means of a sponge or a brush or other mechanical/eletrical device,
optionally with the aid of water. In general the rubbing/brushing-times are
between 0.1 to a few minutes per square meters. After the composition
for the cleaning of carpets according to the present invention has been
applied onto the carpet and said carpet has been rubbed or/and brushed,
said composition is removed from said carpet, preferably by mechanical
means including brushing out or/and vacuum cleaning.
The compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to the present
invention may be applied to the carpet to be cleaned either in neat or
diluted form, this applies to compositions being either liquid compositions
- 30 or granular compositions or powder compositions.
By "diluted form" it is meant herein that the compositions for the cleaning
of carpets as described herein before may be diluted by the user,
WO 96/15308 CA 0 2 2 0 4 6 31 19 9 7 - 0 5 - 0 6 p~~g95113995
14
preferably with water. Compositions herein can be diluted up to 150
times, preferably up to 50 times and more preferably up to 25 times.
In a preferred embodiment herein, the compositions for the cleaning of
0
carpets according to the present invention are liquid aqueous
compositions. Indeed, a liquid aqueous composition, i.e. an aqueous
composition for the cleaning of carpets as described herein before in its
neat form or which has been diluted with water by the user or an aqueous
composition resulting from the dilution of a granular composition or of a
powder composition, is applied to the carpet to be cleaned, said carpet is
optionally rubbed and/or brushed, then said composition is left to dry and
then removed from said carpet. Indeed, said liquid aqueous composition is
left to dry until said composition which combined with dirt has been
changed into dry residues. These residues are then removed from the
carpet mechanically. Such liquid aqueous compositions may be applied
directly onto the area to be treated or applied using a cloth or piece of
material such as spraying device or aerosol can, a sponge, a brush or other
mechanical/eletrical device. In a preferred embodiment of the invention a
liquid aqueous composition is applied to the area to be treated by using a
spraying device or an aerosol can. Such a spraying device may be trigger _
operated or pump operated or electrically operated or operated by any
source of pressurized gas such as a can or a pressurizer. Such spraying
devices are particularly preferable if a large area is to be treated as it
facilitates the ease of use for the consumer. The spraying devices ensure
uniform coverage of the area to be treated and maximizes the advantage
of the using liquid aqueous compositions containing peroxides. This is
because the application of product by spray best allows the product to be
left to dry on the area treated, even without rubbing or brushing. This
optimizes the action time of the composition and allows the best
exploitation of the bleaching action of peroxides.
In another embodiment, the compositions for the cleaning of carpets
according to the present invention are granular compositions or powder
compositions. Such compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to
the present invention may be applied directly onto the area of the carpet to
be treated by for example sprinkling said composition over said area or
may be applied by using a sponge, a brush, or other mechanical/eletrical
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device preferably in presence of water and then left to dry and then
removed from said carpet.
The area to be treated using the compositions according to the present
invention may be any size. fn addition a complete section or even a whole
5 carpet may be applied with the composition for the cleaning of carpets
according to the present invention. For such purposes when using a liquid
aqueous composition a spraying device with a pump to allow prolonged
spraying is particularly useful.
The amount of the compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to
10 the present invention applied will depend on the severity of the stain or
soil. In the case of stubborn stains more than one application may be
required to ensure complete removal of the stain. The carpet cleaning
compositions may also be used in order to deodorize the carpet and
remove the dinginess of the carpet resulting from a diffused layer of soil
15 which results from general wear.
The compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to the present
invention may be used both for manual carpet cleaning and carpet cleaning
machines. For carpet cleaning machines the compositions for the cleaning
of carpets according to the present invention, i.e. either liquid
2o compositions or granular compositions or powder compositions, may be
preferably diluted according to the machine operating instructions.
Furthermore, compositions to be used in such machines should be
formulated to prevent high sudsing. Preferably the ratio of nonionic
surfactant to other surfactants should be higher. More preferably such
compositions comprise suds suppressing agents.
According to the present invention the compositions may be used for the
removal of odors, stains and soils from carpets or upholstery. In addition
the compositions may be used to hygenise or disinfect carpets and
exterminate microinsects from the carpet or upholstery.
w
Experimental Data
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16
The following examples will illustrate the present invention. The
compositions are made by combining the listed ingredients in the listed
proportions (weight % unless otherwise specified).
Compositions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0
Na CnAS 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Nonionic Surfactant 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
MA/AA -- -- -- -- 1.0 2.0 1.0 1.0
DETPMP -- 0.2 1.0 2.0 -- -- 0.2 -
-
EDDS __ __ __ __ __ __ __ p.1
Sulphuric acid ________________________ up ______
to
pH
6--__________________
Water ________________________ Balance-
____________________________
~omt~ositions 9 10 11 12
Hydrogen peroxide 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0
Na CnAS 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
2o Nonionic Surfactant1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
MA/AA 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
PA __ __ __ 1.0
EDDS 0.15 0.2 - - - -
DTPA _ _ _ _ 0.1 _ _
Sulphuric acid _____________________________up pH 6-
__________________________
to
Water ______________________________Balance-
__________________________-_
DETPMP is diethylene triamine yenta methylene phosphonic acid available
from Monsanto under the trade name bequest 2060 or bequest 4060.
MA/AA is copolymer of malefic/ acrylic acid, average molecular weight
about 70,000. PA is an ethoxylated tetraethyfenepentamine, everage
molecular weight about 70,000. EDDS is trisodium salt solution of [S,S]-
Ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic Acid. DTPA is pentasodium "
diethylenetriaminepentaacetate.
Composition 1 is taken as reference, i.e. it comprises no chelant and no
soil suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer. Compositions 2 to
CA 02204631 1997-OS-06
R'O 96/15308 PCT/US95/I3995
17
4 comprise diethylene triamine yenta methylene phosphonic acid,
respectively, at different levels. Compositions 4, 5 and 6 comprise a
copolymer of malefic/ acrylic acid as the soil suspending polycarboxylate
polymer of the present invention, at different levels. Composition 7 is
representative of the compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to
the present invention and comprises diethylene triamine yenta methylene
phosphonic acid together with a copolymer of malefic/ acrylic acid.
Compositions 8, 9 and 10 comprise a copolymer of maleic/acrylic acid as
the soil suspending polycarboxylate polymer, and a non phosphonate
chelant (EDDS) at different levels. Composition 11 comprises a copolymer
of maleic/acrylic acid as the soil suspending polycarboxylate polymer, and
a non phosphonate chelant (DTPA). Compositions 12 comprises
ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine as the soil suspending polyamine of
the present invention.
An experiment was carried out with these compositions, using artificially
soiled carpet samples commercially available from "WFK - Testgewebe
GmbH", Broggen - Bracht, Germany.
20 ml of each of the compositions 1 to 7 was sprayed separately onto an
artificial soiled carpet sample (40cm x 40cm) with a trigger sprayer. All
the resulting samples were left to dry for about 2 hours and then vacuum
cleaned.
The samples were graded using a 0 to 4 evaluation scale. Composition 1
was taken as a reference and compared to compositions 2 to 7, to
evaluate their particulate soil removing performance. Then composition 7
was taken as a reference to grade compositions 8 to 16. A composition
graded 0 is a composition for which no difference was observed versus
3o the reference composition (composition 1 ). A composition graded 4 is a
composition for which a very large difference was observed versus the
reference composition, i.e. important particulate soil removal was
observed. The results in the following table are average results over 3
replicates test and on observations of 2 persons.
Results were as follows
CA 02204631 1997-OS-06
WO 96/15308 PCT/US95/13995
18
Compositions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
(psu) ref. 1.0 1.0 0.9 1.0 1.0 3.5
Compositions 7 8 9 10 11 12
(psu) ref 2 0 1.25 0.5 0.75
The above results show the benefits obtained with a composition
according to the present invention (Composition 7,8,9,10,11). Clearly,
when using either only a chelant or only a soil suspending polycarboxylate
or polyamine polymer, a plateau concentration value is reached and,
beyond this concentration, no further improvement is observed. It has
now unexpectedly been found that by combining a chelant together with a
soil suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer, a considerable
performance improvement, well beyond what can be obtained using each
~ 5 of these ingredients singularly in the same composition, is achieved.
Indeed, the results show that there is a synergistic effect associated with
the use of a carpet cleaning composition comprising a chelant together
with a soil suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymer. This
synergistic effect is even stronger with a combination of chelants and a
polyamine polymer in terms of particulate soil removing performance. In
fact, particulate soil removal is observed even immediatelly after
application, even before vacuum cleaning.
Additional Examples
~omoositions 1 2 3 4
Hydrogen peroxide 6 6 7 7
Na CnAS 0.5 0.5 -- --
3o DobanolR 45-7 1 -- 6.5 6
DobanolR 23-3 -- -- 8 7
MA/AA 1.5 1 1 1.5
DETPMP 0.2 0.3 0.2 0.2
PA __ __ __ __
Acetyl triethyl citrate-- -- 7 3.5
Citric acid -- -- 0.3 0.3
Isopropyl alcohol -- 5 -- --
CA 02204631 1997-OS-06
WO 96/15308 PCTlU~95i13995
19
Water and minors ------=-----------Balance-------------------
~'" '~'° PH 6 6 4 4
.:
::~~.:
DETPMP is diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonic acid available
from Monsanto under the trade name bequest 2060 or bequest 4060.
'._~~-:~
MA/AA is copolymer of malefic/ acrylic acid, average molecular weight
'about 70,000. PA is an ethoxylated tetraethylenepentamine, everage
molecular weight about 70,000. EDDS is trisodium salt solution of (S,S)
Ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinic Acid.
The compositions in the examples are compositions for the cleaning of
carpets according to the present invention, i.e. they exhibit excellent
particulate soil removing performance while providing also good cleaning
performance on other types of soils such as coffee, beverages and the
like.
'. 15 Compositions 1 and 2 are preferably used in manual carpet cleaning
applications. Compositions 3 and 4 are preferably used in carpet cleaning
machines. Compositions 5 and 6 can be used for both application, diluted
if used in carpet cleaning machines.
20 Compositions 3 and 4 are prepared by mixing together separately all the
water soluble ingredients on one hand, and all the water insoluble
ingredients on the other hand, as follows: Premix 1 is Water, H202, Dob.
:x=
45-7, citric acid, MA/AA and DETPMP, and Premix 2 is Dob. 23-2, Acetyl
triethyl citrate. Premix 1 is then poured into premix 2 (or viceversa? and
25 vigorously stirred until a stable emulsion is obtained, typically fc~r 30
minutes to 1 hour.
.: ,.
x
