Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LIQUID AQUEOUS CLEANING COMPOSITIONS
Technical field
The present invention relates to the cleaning of different surfaces such as
hard-
surfaces, fabrics, clothes and the like.
Background
A wide variety of cleaning compositions have been extensively described in the
art. Typically) cleaning compositions can be divided into hard surface
cleaning
compositions and laundry cleaning compositions. Cleaning compositions of
these two types are traditionally very different in formulation and are sold
as
different products with different marketing concepts. These differences impose
on the consumer to have to purchase and use at least two different products.
Furthermore, compositions of the two types above, especially hard surface
cleaners, can be divided into sub-types. indeed, many different kinds of hard-
surface cleaners are available, for instance bathroom cleaners, kitchen
cleaners
or floor cleaners.
This variety in formulation is rendered necessary by the difference in nature
between the soils which can be found on laundry and on various hard-surfaces
in kitchens and bathrooms. For instance, kitchen soils comprise mainly edible
oils, while bathroom soils comprise mainly sebum and soap scum, also
limescale; floor soils comprise mainly particulate soils and laundry may have
many different soils/stains including greasy stains (e.g., olive oil,
mayonnaise,
vegetal oil make up), particulate stains andlor bleachable stains (e.g., tea,
coffee).
However, there is a trend for the development of liquid aqueous cleaning
compositions with better performance ~n several respect, i.e., liquid aqueous
multi-purpose cleaners which can be satisfactorily used on various surfaces as
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well as in laundry applications, to clean various soils and stains. Such multi-
purpose compositions are, for example, disclosed in European patent
application, EP-A-598973. Indeed, this patent application discloses liquid
aqueous compositions comprising hydrogen peroxide with a fully nonionic
system, i.e., at least one nonionic with an HLB above 15, at least one
nonionic
with an HLB of from 13 to 15) at least one nonionic with an HLB of from 9 to
13
and at least one nonionic with an HLB below 9. This patent application further
discloses the use of 2-alkyl alkanols as suds suppressors in said
compositions.
But, it has been found that such liquid aqueous compositions comprising
hydrogen peroxide, a 2-alkyl alkanol and as the surfactant system, a specific
nonionic system of at least four nonionic surfactants having different HLB
(hydrophilic lipophilic balance) as defined hereinbefore, do not
satisfactorily
meet consumer's needs. Indeed, such compositions based on a fully nonionic
surfactant system and comprising a high level of hydrophobic surfactants were
found to have poor performance on some kind of stains in laundry application.
Although such hydrophobic nonionic surfactants have good grease cutting
properties and are particularly effective on greasy soils having hydrophobic
character, such as mineral oil and soap scum when used in hard surface
cleaning composition, it has been found that when said hydrophobic nonionic
surfactants are used in laundry applications bleachable stains are not
satisfactorily bleached. The wettability of the fabrics stains is seriously
affected
by the hydrophobicity of the nonionic system of said compositions) i.e.) good
contact between hydrogen peroxide and the stains on said fabric is prevented
resulting thereby in poor performance on bleachable stain. Also, it has been
found that there is a problem associated with the use of such ingredients,
i.e.,
hydrophobic nonionic surfactants and 2-alkyl alkanols, in that they may cause
the final product to appear hazy, indicating insolubility and phase
separation.
Other multi-purpose liquid cleaning compositions have been disclosed like thus
described in EP-A- 666 308. Indeed, EP-A- 666 308 discloses compositions
comprising hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof, a 2-alkyl alkanol, a
hydrophobic surfactant having an HLB below 14 and an anionic surfactant.
However, there is still room to further improve such multi-purpose liquid
aqueous
cleaning compositions in respect of overall cleaning performance on various
types of stains including for example bleachable stains and greasy stains.
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It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a multi-purpose
liquid
aqueous composition providing improved bleachable performance and improved
stain removal pertormance especially on greasy stains, when used in laundry
applications including laundry pretreatment applications, and/or in any
household applications (e.g. cleaning of hard-surfaces typically found in
kitchens
or bathrooms).
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such an improved
liquid
aqueous cleaning composition which is also a clear composition in a broad
range of temperature, e.g. up to 45°C.
It has now been found that these objects can be efficiently met by formulating
a
liquid aqueous cleaning composition having a pH up to 7 and comprising a
peroxygen bleach, at least an ethoxylated nonionic surfiactant and at least a
zwitterionic betaine surfactant at a weight ratio of the ethoxylated nonionic
surfactant to the zwitterionic betaine surfactant of from 0.01 to 20. Indeed,
it is
by combining these ingredients at the appropriate ratios that a multi-purpose
liquid aqueous cleaning composition is provided which exhibits a great
flexibility
in the soils it may clean.
It has now been found that such a composition when used for example in a
laundry application, especially in a pretreatment application, boosts the
removal
of various types of stains including greasy stains like lipstick, olive oil,
mayonnaise, vegetal oil, sebum, make-up, and more surprisingly the bleaching
performance, as compared to the stain removal and bleaching performance
delivered by the same composition comprising only one of these surfactants
(i.e.) ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or zwitterionic betaine surfactant) at
equal
total level of surfactants. Also the compositions of the present invention
signifrcantly boost the removal of kitchen dirt when used to clean hard-
surfaces,
as compared to the same compositions comprising only one of these surfactants
(i.e., ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or zwitterionic betaine surfactant) at
equal
total level of surfactants. Indeed, .the compositions of the present invention
provide excellent stain removal performance on a broad range of stains and
soils and excellent bleachable performance when used in any laundry
application, e.g., as a laundry detergent or a laundry additive, and
especially
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when used as a laundry pretreater, or even in other household applications
like
in hard surface cleaning applications.
A further advantage is that the aqueous compositions herein are physically and
chemically stable upon prolonged periods of storage.
Yet another advantage of the compositions according to the present invention
is
that they are able to perform in a variety of conditions, i.e., in hard and
soft water
as well as when used neat or diluted. Advantageously) they also provide
satisfactory shine performance and surface safety when used as hard surface
cleaners and satisfactory fabric and color safety when used as laundry
cleaners.
Summary of the invention
The present invention encompasses a liquid aqueous composition having a pH
up to 7 and comprising from 0.01 % to 20% by weight of the total composition
of
a peroxygen bleach, from 0.001 % to 30% by weight of the total composition of
an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, from 0.001% to 20% by weight of a
zwitterionic betaine surfactant at a weight ratio of the ethoxylated nonionic
surfactant to the zwitterionic betaine surfactant of from 0.01 to 20, with the
proviso that said composition is free of an antimicrobial essential oil or an
active
thereof or a mixture thereof.
The present invention further encompasses processes of cleaning a surface,
e.g. a fabric or a hard-surface, starting from a liquid aqueous composition as
defined herein. For example, the processes of cleaning fabrics include the
steps
of contacting said fabrics with the liquid aqueous composition herein neat or
diluted, and subsequently rinsing said fabrics. In the preferred embodiment,
when the fabrics are "pretreated") the composition is applied neat on the
fabrics,
and the fabrics are subsequently washed in a normal wash cycle.
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Detailed description of the invention
The liquid aqueous cleaning composition
The compositions according to the present invention are liquid compositions as
opposed to a solid or a gas. As used herein "liquid" includes "pasty"
compositions. The liquid compositions herein are aqueous compositions. The
liquid compositions according to the present invention have a pH up to 7,
preferably from 7 to 6, and more preferably from 2 to 5. Formulating the
compositions according to the present invention in the acidic pH range
contribute to the chemical stability of the compositions and to the stain
removal
performance of the compositions. The pH of the compositions may be adjusted
by any acidifying agents known to those skilled in the art. Examples of
acidifying
agents are organic acids such as citric acid and inorganic acids such as
sulphuric acid.
As a first essential element the compositions according to the present
invention
comprise a peroxygen bleach or a mixture thereof. Indeed, the presence of
peroxygen bleach contributes to the excellent bleaching benefits of said
compositions. Suitable peroxygen bleaches to be used herein are hydrogen
peroxide, water soluble sources thereof, or mixtures thereof. As used herein a
hydrogen peroxide source refers to any compound which produces perhydroxyl
ions when said compound is in contact with water.
Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein include
percarbonates, persilicates, persulphates such as monopersulfate, perborates,
peroxyacids such as diperoxydodecandioic acid (DPDA), magnesium perphtalic
acid, perlauric acid, perbenzoic and alkylperbenzoic acids, hydroperoxides,
aliphatic and aromatic diacyl peroxides, and mixtures thereof. Preferred
peroxygen bleaches herein are hydrogen peroxide, hydroperoxide and/or diacyl
peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is the most preferred peroxygen bleach herein.
Suitable hydroperoxides for use herein are tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl
hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-hydroperoxide, di-isopropylbenzene-
monohydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxide and 2,5-dimethyl-hexane-2,5-
dihydroperoxide. Such hydroperoxides have the advantage to be particularly
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safe to fabrics and color while delivering excellent bleaching performance
when
used in any laundry application.
Suitable aliphatic diacyl peroxides for use herein are dilauroyl peroxide)
didecanoyl peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide, or mixtures thereof. Suitable
aromatic
diacyl peroxide for use herein is for example benzoyl peroxide. Such diacyl
peroxides have the advantage to be particularly safe to fabrics and color
while
delivering excellent bleaching performance when used in any laundry
application.
The compositions herein comprise from 0.01 % to 20% by weight of the total
composition of said peroxygen bleach or mixtures thereof, preferably from 1 %
to
15% and more preferably from 2% to 10%.
As a second essential element the compositions according to the present
invention comprise an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or a mixture thereof at
a
level of from 0.001 % to 30% by weight of the total composition. Preferably,
the
compositions herein comprise from 0.01 % to 15% by weight of the total
composition of said ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or mixture thereof, more
preferably from 0.5% to 10%, even more preferably from 1 % to 9% and most
preferably from 1 % to 6%.
Suitable ethoxylated nonionic surfactants herein are ethoxylated nonionic
surfactants according to the formula RO-(C2H40)nH, wherein R is a Cg to C22
alkyl chain or a Cg to C2g alkyl benzene chain, and wherein n is from 0 to 20,
preferably from 1 to 15 and, more preferably from 2 to 15 and most preferably
from 2 to 12. The preferred R chains for use herein are the Cg to C22 alkyl
chains.
Preferred ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are according to the formula above
and have an HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) below 16, preferably below
15,
and more preferably below 14. Those ethoxylated nonionic surfactants have
been found to provide good grease cutting properties.
Accordingly suitable ethoxylated nonionic surfactants for use herein are
Dobanol
R 91-2.5 (HLB= 8.1; R is a mixture of C9 and C11 alkyl chains, n is 2.5), or
Lutensol R T03 (HLB=8; R is a C13 alkyl chains, n is 3), or Lutensol R A03
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(HLB=8; R is a mixture of C13 and C15 alkyl chains, n is 3), or Tergitol R
25L3
(HLB= 7.7; R is in the range of C12 to C15 alkyl chain length, n is 3), or
Dobanol
R 23-3 (HLB=8.1; R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 3), or
Dobanol R 23-2 (HLB=6.2; R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is 2),
or
Dobanol R 45-7 (HLB=11.6; R is a mixture of C14 and C15 alkyl chains, n is 7)
Dobanol R 23-6.5 {HLB=11.9; R is a mixture of C12 and C13 alkyl chains, n is
6.5)) or Dobanol R 25-7 (HLB=12; R is a mixture of C 12 and C 15 alkyl chains,
n
is 7), or Dobanol R 91-5 (HLB=11.6; R is a mixture of Cg and C11 alkyl chains,
n is 5), or Dobanol R 91-6 (HLB=12.5 ; R is a mixture of Cg and C11 alkyl
chains, n is 6), or Dobanol R 91-8 (HLB=13.7 ; R is a mixture of Cg and C11
alkyl chains, n is 8), Dobanol R 91-10 (HLB=14.2 ; R is a mixture of Cg to C11
alkyl chains, n is 10), or mixtures thereof. Preferred herein are Dobanol 8.91-
2.5 , or Lutensol R T03, or Lutensol R A03, or Tergitol R 25L3, or Dobanol R
23-3, or Dobanol R 23-2) or mixtures thereof. These DobanolR surfactants are
commercially available from SHELL. These LutensolR surfactants are
commercially available from BASF and these Tergitol R surfactants are
commercially available from UNION CARBIDE.
Suitable chemical processes for preparing the ethoxylated nonionic surfactants
for use herein include condensation of corresponding alcohols with alkylene
oxide, in the desired proportions. Such processes are well-known to the man
skilled in the art and have been extensively described in the art.
The compositions herein may desirably comprise one of those ethoxylated
nonionic surfactants or a mixture of those ethoxylated nonionic surfactants
having different HLBs (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance). In a preferred
embodiment
the compositions herein comprise an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant according
to the above formula and having an HLB up to 10 (i.e., a so called hydrophobic
ethoxylated nonionic surfactant), preferably below 10, more preferably below
9,
and an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant according to the above formula and
having an HLB above 10 to 16 (i.e., a so called hydrophilic ethoxylated
nonionic
surfactant), preferably from 11 to 14. Indeed, in this preferred embodiment
the
compositions of the present invention typically comprise from 0.01 % to 15% by
weight of the total composition of said hydrophobic ethoxylated nonionic
surfactant, preferably from 0.5% to 10% and from 0.01 % to 15% by weight of
said hydrophilic ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, preferably from 0.5% to 10%.
Such mixtures of ethoxyiated nonionic surfactants with different HLBs may be
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desired as they allow optimum grease cleaning removal performance on a
broader range of greasy soils having different hydrophobic/hydrophilic
characters.
As a third essential element the compositions according to the present
invention
comprise a zwitterionic betaine surfactant or a mixture thereof at a level of
from
0.001 % to 20% by weight of the total composition. Preferably, the
compositions
herein comprise from 0.01 % to 10% by weight of the total composition of said
zwitterionic betaine surfactant or mixture thereof) more preferably from 0.5%
to
8% and most preferably from 1 % to 5%.
Suitable zwitterionic betaine surfactants to be used herein contain both a
cationic hydrophilic group, i.e., a quaternary ammonium group, and anionic
hydrophilic group on the same molecule at a relatively wide range of pH's. The
typical anionic hydrophilic groups are carboxylates and sulfonates, although
other groups like sulfates, phosphonates, and the like can be used. A generic
formula for the zwitterionic betaine surfactants to be used herein is:
R1-N+(R2)(R3)R4X_
wherein R1 is a hydrophobic group; R2 is hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy alkyl
or other substituted C1-Cg alkyl group; R3 is C1-C6 alkyl, hydroxy alkyl or
other
substituted C1-Cg alkyl group which can also be joined to R2 to form ring
structures with the N, or a C1-Cg carboxylic acid group or a C1-Cg sulfonate
group; R4 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.
Preferred hydrophobic groups R1 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 R1 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 R1 can also be an amido
radical of the formula Ra-C(O)-NH-(C(Rb)2)m, wherein Ra is an aliphatic or
aromatic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbon
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chain) preferably an alkyl group containing from 8 up to 20 carbon atoms,
preferably up to 18, more preferably up to 16, Rb 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(Rb)2) moiety.
Preferred R2 is hydrogen, or a C1-C3 alkyl and more preferably methyl.
Preferred R3 is a C1-C4 carboxylic acid group or C1-C4 sulfonate group, or a
C1-C3 alkyl and more preferably methyl. Preferred R4 is (CH2)n wherein n is an
integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, more preferably is from 1 to 3.
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.
Examples of particularly suitable alkyldimethyl betaines include coconut-
dimethyl
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 2650. Lauryl betaine is
commercially available from Albright & Wilson under the trade name Empigen
BB/L~.
Examples of amidobetaines include cocoamidoethylbetaine, cocoamidopropyl
betaine or C10-C14 fatty acylamidopropyfene(hydropropylene)sulfobetaine. For
example C10-C14 fatty acylamidopropylene(hydropropylene)sulfobetaine is
commercially available from Sherex Company under the trade name "Varion
CAS~ sulfobetaine".
A further example of betaine is Lauryl-immino-dipropionate commercially
available from Rhone-Poulenc under the trade name Mirataine H2C-HA ~.
Particularly preferred zwitterionic betaine surfactants for use herein are
salt free,
i.e. that the zwitterionic betaine surfactant raw material contains less than
5% by
weight of salts, preferably less than 2%, more preferably less than 1 % and
most
preferably from 0.01 % to 0.5%.
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By "salts" is in meant herein any material having as base unit, a couple of
positive ion (or positive molecular ion) and negative ion (or negative
molecular
ion) containing one or more halogen atoms. Such salts include sodium chloride,
potassium chloride, sodium bromide and the like.
Such salts free zwitterionic betaine surfactants are obtainable by
conventional
manufacturing processes like inverse osmosis or fractionated precipitation.
For
example inverse osmosis is based on the principle of contacting the
zwitterionic
betaine surfactant raw material (commercially available ) with a polar solvent
(it
is to be understood that such a solvent is free of salts) separated by a semi-
permeable membrane for example acetate-cellulose. An adequate pressure is
applied on the system to allow the salts to migrate from the surfactant raw
material to the polar solvent phase. This way the zwitterionic betaine
surfactant
raw material is purifed, i.e. the salts is subtracted from the raw material.
Advantageously, it has now been surprisingly found that the use of such salt
free
zwitterionic betaine surfactants delivers improved fabric safety and/or color
safety when bleaching fabrics with a peroxygen bleach-containing composition
comprising the same, as compared to the use of the same zwitterionic betaine
surfactant raw materials with higher amount of salts. Thus, in its broadest
aspect, the present invention also encompasses the use of a composition
comprising a salt free zwitterionic betaine surfactant and a peroxygen bleach
for
bleaching fabrics whereby color safety is improved (i.e. color
damage/decoloration is reduced) and/or fabric safety is improved.
The betaine zwitterionic surfactants herein have the ability to further boost
the
stain removal performance delivered by the ethoxylated nonionic surfactants
herein on greasy stains, while providing improved bleaching performance to the
liquid peroxygen bleach-containing compositions of the present invention
comprising them.
Indeed, a significant cooperation has been observed between these ingredients
to get optimum stain removal performance on a variety of soils, from
particulate
to non-particulate soils from hydrophobic to hydrophilic soils under any
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household application and especially laundry application on both hydrophilic
and
hydrophobic fabrics.
Optimum stain removal performance and bleaching performance are obtained
when the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and the zwitterionic betaine
surfactant
are present in the compositions of the present invention comprising a
peroxygen
bleach (pH up to 7), at weight ratio of the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant to
the
zwitterionic betaine surfactant of from 0.01 to 20, preferably from 0.1 to 15,
more
preferably from 0.5 to 5 and most preferably from 0.8 to 3.
Advantageously excellent stain removal performance and bleaching
performance can be obtained with the compositions herein at low total level of
surfactants. Typically, the compositions herein comprise from 0.01 % to 35% by
weight of the total composition of ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and
zwitterionic betaine surfactant, preferably from 0.1 % to 15%, more preferably
from 0.5% to 10%, even more preferably below 10% and most preferably from
1 % to 8%.
Indeed, the present invention is based on the finding that the use of
zwitterionic
betaine surfactant on top of the ethoxylated nonionic surfactant at the
appropriate ratios) in a liquid aqueous composition comprising a peroxygen
bleach (pH up to 7), boosts the bleaching performance and the removal of
various types of stains including greasy stains (e.g., lipstick, olive oil,
mayonnaise, vegetal oil, sebum, make-up), as compared to the bleaching and
stain removal performance delivered by the same composition based only on
one of these surfactants (i.e., ethoxylated nonionic surfactant or
zwitterionic
betaine surfactant) at equal total level of surfactants. For example) it is
only at
very high levels of nonionic surfactants as compared the total level of
ethoxylated nonionic surfactants and zwitterionic betaine surfactants present
in
the compositions of the present invention that similar grease cleaning benefit
is
observed. Importantly, the improved sta~~ removal benefit and bleaching
benefit
are delivered with a liquid aqueous composition which is a water-like, clear
and
transparent composition.
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The appearance of a composition can be evaluated via turbidimetric analysis.
For example, the transparency of a composition can be evaluated by measuring
its absorbency via a spectrophotometer at 800 nm wave length.
The stain removal performance may be evaluated by the following test methods
on various type of stains.
A suitable test method for evaluating the stain removal performance on a
soiled
fabric for example under pretreatment condition is the following: A
composition
according to the present invention is applied neat to a fabric preferably to
the
soiled portion of the fabric, left to act from 1 to 10 minutes, and said
pretreated
fabric is then washed according to common washing conditions, at a
temperature of from 30° to 70°C for from 10 to 100 minutes. The
stain removal is
then evaluated by comparing side by side the soiled fabric pretreated with the
composition of the present invention with those pretreated with the reference,
e.g., the same composition but comprising only an aikoxylated nonionic
surfactant or only a zwitterionic betaine surfactant as the sole surfactant. A
visual grading may be used to assign difference in panel units (psu) in a
range
from 0 to 4.
A suitable test method for evaluating cleaning performance on a hard-surface
is
the following: synthetic soil representative of typical hard surface household
kitchen dirt soil can be used. The test-soil is applied on an enamel-coated
metal plate (cleaned with a detergent and then with alcohol) with a paint
roller,
and the plates are baked at 130° C for 30 minutes. After 24 hours they
can be
used for the test. This test is evaluated in a Gardner straight-line scrub
machine. The results are given in number of strokes a given composition needs
to clean a standard soiled plate. The lower the number of strokes needed the
more efficient in terms of satin removal is the composition used to clean the
dirt
from the test plates.
The bleaching performance may be evaluated as for the stain removal
performance but the stains used are bleachable stains like coffee, tea and the
like.
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An advantage of the liquid aqueous compositions of the present invention is
that
they are physically and chemically stable upon prolonged periods of storage.
Chemical stability of the compositions herein may be evaluated by measuring
the concentration of available oxygen (often abbreviated to Av02) at given
storage time after having manufactured the compositions. The concentration of
available oxygen can be measured by chemical titration methods known in the
art, such as the iodometric method, thiosulphatimetric 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 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.
By "physically stable" it is meant herein that no phase separation occurs in
the
compositions for a period of 7 days at 50°C.
Optional ingredients
The compositions herein may further comprise a variety of other optional
ingredients such as chelating agents, builders, other surfactants,
stabilisers,
bleach activators, soil suspenders, soil suspending polyamine polymers,
polymeric soil release agents, radical scavengers, catalysts, dye transfer
agents,
solvents, brighteners, perfumes) pigments and dyes.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the ionic strength of the
compositions is higher than 1.10 M, preferably higher than 5.10-3 M, and more
preferably higher than 1.10-3 M. Indeed, it has been observed that formulating
the compositions of the present invention with such high ionic strength
further
contributes to their benefits, i.e., improved stain removal performance and
improved bleaching performance. The higher the ionic strength the better the
stain removal and bleaching performance. Indeed, it is speculated that under
the
pH conditions of the present compositions (acidic to neutral), especially when
the pH of the composition is higher than the pka of the zwitterionic betaine
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surfactant present therein, said surfactant is in a Bipolar form and its
packing is
strongly influenced by the ionic strength.
The ionic strength of a composition may be increased by the addition of
various
ingredients like chelating agents or mixtures thereof.
Accordingly, the compositions of the present invention may comprise a
chelating
agent as a preferred optional ingredient. Suitable chelating agents may be any
of those known to those skilled in the art such as the ones selected from the
group comprising phosphonate chelating agents, amino carboxylate chelating
agents, other carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctionally-substituted
aromatic
chelating agents, ethylenediamine N,N'- disuccinic acids, or mixtures thereof.
A chelating agent may be desired in the compositions of the present invention
as it allows to increase the ionic strength of the compositions herein and
thus
their stain removal and bleaching performance on various surfaces. The
presence of chelating agents may also contribute to reduce tensile strength
loss
of fabrics andlor color damage, especially in a laundry pretreatment
application.
Indeed, the chelating agents inactivate the metal ions present on the surface
of
the fabrics and/or in the cleaning compositions (neat or diluted) that
otherwise
would contribute to the radical decomposition of the peroxygen bleach.
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
yenta 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 diethyiene triamine yenta methylene phosphonate (DTPMP) and
ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonate {HEDP). Such phosphonate chelating agents
are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST~~
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
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Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are
dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy -3,5-disulfobenzene.
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 acids is, for instance, commercially available under the tradename
ssEDDS~ from Palmer Research Laboratories.
Suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein include ethylene diamine tetra
acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetate
(DTPA),N- hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotri-acetates,
ethyienediamine tetrapropionates, triethyienetetraaminehexa-acetates, ethanol-
diglycines, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) and methyl glycine di-
acetic 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 yenta acetic acid, propylene diamine
tetracetic acid (PDTA) which is, for instance, commercially available from
BASF
under the trade name Triton FS~ and methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA).
Further carboxylate chelating agents to be used herein include salicylic acid,
aspartic acid, glutamic acid, glycine, malonic acid or mixtures thereof.
Another chelating agent for use herein is of the formula:
RiR2R3R4
R~ R8 COOH OH
NH
NH
OH COOH R; ~'
RiR~R3Ry
wherein R1) R2, R3, and R4 are independently selected from the group
consisting of -H, alkyl, alkoxy) aryl) aryloxy, -CI, -Br, -N02) -C(O)R', and -
S02R";
wherein R' is selected from the group consisting of -H, -OH, alkyl, alkoxy,
aryl,
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16
and aryloxy; R" is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy, aryl,
and
aryloxy; and R5, R6, R7, and Rg are independently selected from . the group
consisting of -H and alkyl.
Particularly preferred chelating agents to be used herein are amino
aminotri(methyfene phosphonic acid), di-ethylene-triamino-pentaacetic acid,
diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonate, 1-hydroxy ethane
diphosphonate, ethylenediamine N, N'-disuccinic acid, and mixtures thereof.
Typically, the compositions according to the present invention comprise up to
5% by weight of the total composition of a chelating agent, or mixtures
thereof,
preferably from 0.01 % to 1.5% by weight and more preferably from 0.01 % to
0.5%.
The compositions of the present invention may further comprise other
surfactants than the ones mentioned hereinbefore including other nonionic
surfactants) anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants and/or amphoteric
surfactants.
Typically, the compositions according to the present invention may comprise
from 0.01 % to 30% by weight of the total composition of another surfactant on
top of the zwitterionic betaine surfactant and ethoxylated nonionic
surfactant,
preferably from 0.1 % to 25 % and more preferably from 0.5% to 20%.
Suitable nonionic surfactants to be used herein include polyhydroxy fatty acid
amide surfactants) or mixtures thereof, according to the formula
R2 - C(O) - N(R1 ) - Z,
wherein R1 is H, or C1_C4 alkyl, C~_C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxy ethyl, 2-hydroxy
propyl or a mixture thereof, R2 ~s C5_C31 hydrocarbyl, and Z is a
polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3
hydroxyls directly connected to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative
thereof.
Preferably, R1 is C1_C4 alkyl, more preferably C1 or C2 alkyl and most
preferably methyl, R2 is a straight chain C7_C 1 g alkyl or alkenyl,
preferably a
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17
straight chain Cg_C 1 g alkyl or alkenyl, more preferably a straight chain C ~
1 _C 18
alkyl or alkenyl, and most preferably a straight chain C ~ 1 _C 14 alkyl or
alkenyl, or
mixtures 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, high fructose corn syrup)
and
high maltose corn syrup can be utilised 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 -CH2-
(CHOH)n-CH20H, -CH(CH20H)-(CHOH)n-~-CH20H, -CH2-(CHOH)2-
(CHOR')(CHOH)-CH20H, where n is an integer from 3 to 5, inclusive, and R' is
H or a cyclic or aliphatic monosaccharide, and alkoxyiated derivatives
thereof.
Most preferred are glycityls wherein n is 4, particularly CH2-{CHOH)4-CH20H.
In formula R2 - C(O) - N(R1 ) - Z, R1 can be, for example, N-methyl, N-ethyl,
N-
propyl, N-isopropyl, N-butyl, N-2-hydroxy ethyl, or N-2-hydroxy propyl. R2 -
C(O)
- N< can be, for example) cocamide, stearamide) oleamide, lauramide,
myristamide, capricamide, palmitamide, tallowamide and the like. Z can be 1-
deoxyglucityl, 2-deoxyfructityl) 1-deoxymaltityl) 1-deoxylactityl, 1-
deoxygalactityl,
1-deoxymannityl, 1-deoxymaltotriotityl and the like.
Suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants to be used herein may be
commercially available under the trade name HOE~ from Hoechst.
Methods for making polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants are known in the
art. In general, they can be made by reacting an alkyl amine with a reducing
sugar in a reductive amination reaction to form a corresponding N-alkyl
polyhydroxyamine) and then reacting the N-alkyl polyhydroxyamine with a fatty
aliphatic ester or trigiyceride in a condensation/amidation step to form the N-
alkyl, N-polyhydroxy fatty acid amide product. Processes for making
compositions containing polyhydroxy fatty acid amides are disclosed for
example
in GB patent specification 809,060, published February 18, 1959, by Thomas
Hedley & Co., Ltd., US patent 2,965,576, issued December 20, 1960 to E.R.
Wilson, US patent 2,703,798, Anthony M. Schwartz, issued March 8, 1955, US
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18
patent 1,985,424, issued December 25, 1934 to Piggott and W092/06070, each
of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Suitable anionic surfactants to be used in the compositions herein include
water-
soluble salts or acids of the formula ROS03M wherein R preferably is a C10-
C24 hydrocarbyl, preferably an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl having a C10-C20 alkyl
component, more preferably a C 12-C 1 g alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, 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 ethyiamine, diethylamine, triethylamine, and
mixtures thereof, and the like). Typically, alkyl chains of C12-16 are
preferred for
lower wash temperatures (e.g., below about 50°C) and C16-18 alkyl
chains are
preferred for higher wash temperatures (e.g., above about 50°C).
Other suitable anionic surfactants for use herein are water-soluble salts or
acids
of the formula RO(A)mS03M wherein R is an unsubstituted C10-C24 alkyl or
hydroxyaikyl group having a C10-C24 alkyl component, preferably a C12-C20
alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, more preferably C12-C1g alkyl or hydroxyalkyl, A is an
ethoxy or propoxy unit, m is greater than zero, typically between about 0.5
and
about 6, more preferably between about 0.5 and about 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 1 g alkyl polyethoxylate ( 1.0)
sulfate, C12-C18E{1.0)M)) C12-C1g alkyl polyethoxylate (2.25) sulfate, C12-
C18E(2.25)M), C12-C1g alkyl polyethoxylate (3.0) sulfate C12-C18E(3.0), and
C12-C1 g alkyl polyethoxylate (4.0) sulfate C12-C18E(4.0)M), wherein M is
conveniently selected from sodium and potassium.
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19
Other anionic surfactants useful for detersive purposes can also be used
herein.
These can include salts (including, for example, sodium, potassium, ammonium,
and substituted ammonium salts such as mono-, di- and triethanolamine salts)
of
soap, Cg-C20 linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, Cg-C22 primary or secondary
alkanesulfonates, Cg-C24 olefinsulfonates, sulfonated polycarboxylic acids
prepared by sulfonation of the pyrolyzed product of alkaline earth metal
citrates,
e.g., as described in British patent specification No. 1,082) 179, Cg-C24
alkylpolyglycolethersulfates (containing up to 10 moles of ethylene oxide);
alkyl
ester sulfonates such as C14-16 methyl ester sulfonates; acyl glycerol
sulfonates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl phenol ethylene oxide ether
sulfates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl
isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl succinamates and sulfosuccinates,
monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated C12-C18
rnonoesters) diesters of sulfosuccinate (especially saturated and unsaturated
C6-C14 diesters), sulfates of alkylpolysaccharides such as the sulfates of
alkylpolyglucoside (the nonionic nonsulfated compounds being described below),
branched primary alkyl sulfates) alkyl polyethoxy carboxylates such as those
of
the formula RO(CH2CH20)kCH2C00-M+ wherein R is a C8-C22 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 (herein
incorporated by reference).
Other suitable anionic surfactants to be used herein also include acyl
sarcosinate or mixtures thereof, in its acid and/or salt form) preferably long
chain
acyl sarcosinates having the following formula:
O
OM
R N I!
CH3 O
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wherein M is hydrogen or a cationic moiety and wherein R is an alkyl group of
from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, preferably of from.11 to 13 carbon atoms.
Preferred
M are hydrogen and alkali metal salts, especially sodium and potassium. Said
acyl sarcosinate surfactants are derived from natural fatty acids and the
amino-
acid sarcosine (N-methyl glycine). They are suitable to be used as aqueous
solution of their salt or in their acidic form as powder. Being derivatives of
natural
fatty acids) said acyi sarcosinates are rapidly and completely biodegradable
and
have good skin compatibility.
Accordingly, suitable long chain acyl sarcosinates to be used herein include
C12
acyl sarcosinate (i.e., an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula
wherein
M is hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 11 carbon atoms) and C14 acyl
sarcosinate (i.e., an acyl sarcosinate according to the above formula wherein
M is
hydrogen and R is an alkyl group of 13 carbon atoms). C12 acyl sarcosinate is
commercially available, for example, as Hamposyl L-30~ supplied by Hampshire.
C 14 acyl sarcosinate is commercially available, for example, as Hamposyl M-
30~
supplied by Hampshire.
Suitable amphoteric surfactants to be used herein include amine oxides having
the following formula R1 R2R3N0 wherein each of R1, R2 and R3 is
independently a saturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched
hydrocarbon chains of from 1 to 30 carbon atoms. Preferred amine oxide
surfactants to be used according to the present invention are amine oxides
having the following formula R1 R2R3N0 wherein R1 is an hydrocarbon chain
comprising from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 6 to 20) more preferably
from 8 to 1fi, most preferably from 8 to 12) and wherein R2 and R3 are
independently substituted or unsubstituted, linear or branched hydrocarbon
chains comprising from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 3 carbon
atoms, and more preferably are methyl groups. R1 may be a saturated
substituted or unsubstituted linear or branched hydrocarbon chain. Suitable
amine oxides for use herein are for instance natural blend C8-C10 amine oxides
as well as C12-C16 amine oxides commercially available from Hoechst.
The compositions of the present invention may comprise a radical scavenger or
a
mixture thereof. Suitable radical scavengers for use herein include the well-
known
substituted mono and dihydroxy benzenes and their analogs, alkyl and aryl
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21
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-gailate 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 ~. Radical scavengers when used, are typically present herein
in amounts ranging from up to 10% by weight of the total composition and
preferably from 0.001 % to 0.5% by weight.
The presence of radical scavengers may contribute to reduce tensile strength
loss
of fabrics and/or color damage when the compositions of the present invention
are used in any laundry application, especially in a laundry pretreatment
application. .
The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise an
antioxidant or mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions herein comprise
up
to 10% by weight of the total composition of an antioxidant or mixtures
thereof,
preferably from 0.002% to 5%, more preferably from 0.005% to 2%, and most
preferably from 0.01 % to 1 %.
Suitable antioxidants to be used herein include organic acids like citric
acid,
ascorbic acid, tartaric acid, adipic acid and sorbic acid, or amines like
lecithin, or
aminoacids like glutamine, methionine and cysteine, or esters like ascorbil
palmitate) ascorbil stearate and triethylcitrate) or mixtures thereof.
Preferred
antioxidants for use herein are citric acid, ascorbic acid, ascorbil
paimitate,
lecithin or mixtures thereof.
As an optional ingredient, the compositions of the present invention may
comprise a bleach activator or mixtures thereof. By "bleach activator", it is
meant herein a compound which reacts with 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
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22
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. The
compositions according to the present invention may comprise from 0.01 % to
20% by weight of the total composition of said bleach activator) or mixtures
thereof, preferably from 1 % to 10%, and more preferably from 3% to 7%
Cleaning processes
fn the present invention, the liquid aqueous cleaning composition of the
present
invention needs to be contacted with the surface to clean.
By "surfaces" it is meant herein any inanimate surface. These inanimate
surfaces include) but are not limited to, hard-surfaces typically found in
houses
like kitchens, bathrooms, or in car interiors, e.g., tiles, walls, floors,
chrome,
glass, smooth vinyl, any plastic, plastified wood, table top, sinks, cooker
tops,
dishes, sanitary fittings such as sinks, showers, shower curtains, wash
basins)
WCs and the like, as well as fabrics including clothes, curtains, drapes, bed
linens, bath linens, table cloths, sleeping bags, tents, upholstered furniture
and
the like, and carpets. Inanimate surfaces also include household appliances
including, but not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines,
automatic
dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers and so on.
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Thus, the present invention also encompasses a process of cleaning a fabric,
as
the inanimate surface. In such a process a composition, as defined herein, is
contacted with the fabrics to be cleaned. This can be done either in a so-
called
"pretreatment mode", where a composition, as defined herein, is applied neat
onto said fabrics before the fabrics are rinsed, or washed then rinsed, or in
a
"soaking mode" where a composition, as defined herein) is first diluted in an
aqueous bath and the fabrics are immersed and soaked in the bath, before they
are rinsed, or in a "through the wash mode", where a composition, as defined
herein, is added on top of a wash liquor formed by dissolution or dispersion
of a
typical laundry detergent. It is also essential in both cases) that the
fabrics be
rinsed after they have been contacted with said composition, before said
composition has completely dried off.
Indeed, it has been found that water evaporation contributes to increase the
concentration of free radicals onto the surface of the fabrics and,
consequently,
the rate of chain reaction. It is also speculated that an auto-oxidation
reaction
occurs upon evaporation of water when the liquid compositions are left to dry
onto the fabrics. Said reaction of auto-oxidation generates peroxy-radicals
which may contribute to the degradation of cellulose. Thus, not leaving the
liquid
compositions, as described herein, to dry onto the fabric, in a process of
pretreating soiled fabrics, contributes to reduce the tensile strength loss
and/or
color damage when pretreating fabrics with liquid peroxygen bleach-containing
compositions.
In the pretreatment mode, the process comprises the steps of applying said
liquid composition in its neat form onto said fabrics, or at least soiled
portions
thereof) and subsequently rinsing, or washing then rinsing said fabrics. In
this
mode, the neat compositions can optionally be left to act onto said fabrics
for a
period of time ranging from 1 min. to 1 hour, before the fabrics are rinsed,
or
washed then rinsed, provided that the composition is not left to dry onto said
fabrics. For particularly though stains, it may be appropriate to further rub
or
brush said fabrics by means of a sponge or a brush, or by rubbing two pieces
of
fabrics against each other.
In another mode, generally referred to as "soaking", the process comprises the
steps of diluting said liquid composition in its neat form in an aqueous bath
so as
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24
to form a diluted composition. The dilution level of the liquid composition in
an
aqueous bath is typically up to 1:85, preferably up to 1:50 and more
preferably
about 1:25 (composition:water). The fabrics are then contacted with the
aqueous bath comprising the liquid composition, and the fabrics are finally
rinsed, or washed then rinsed. Preferably in that embodiment, the fabrics are
immersed in the aqueous bath comprising the liquid composition, and also
preferably, the fabrics are left to soak therein for a period of time ranging
from 1
minute to 48 hours, preferably from 1 hour to 24 hours.
!n yet another mode which can be considered as a sub-embodiment of
"soaking", generally referred to as "bleaching through the wash", the liquid
composition is used as a so-called laundry additive. And in that embodiment
the
aqueous bath is formed by dissolving or dispersing a conventional laundry
detergent in water. The liquid composition in its neat form is contacted with
the
aqueous bath, and the fabrics are then contacted with the aqueous bath
containing the liquid composition. Finally, the fabrics are rinsed.
In another embodiment the present invention also encompasses a process of
cleaning a hard-surface, as the inanimate surface. In such a process a
composition, as defined herein, is contacted with the hard-surfaces to be
cleaned. Thus, the present invention also encompasses a process of cleaning a
hard-surface with a composition, as defined herein, wherein said process
comprises the step of applying said composition to said hard-surface,
preferably
only soiled portions thereof, and optionally rinsing said hard-surface.
In the process of cleaning hard-surfaces according to the present invention
the
composition) as defined herein, may be applied to the surface to be cleaned in
its neat form or in its diluted form typically up to 200 times their weight of
water,
preferably into 80 to 2 times their weight of water, and more preferably 60 to
2
times.
When used as hard surfaces cleaners the compositions of the present invention
are easy to rinse and provide good shine characteristics on the cleaned
surfaces.
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Depending on the end-use envisioned, the compositions herein can be
packaged in a variety of containers including conventional bottles, bottles
equipped with roll-on) sponge, brusher or sprayers.
The invention is further illustrated by the following examples.
Examples
Following compositions were made by mixing the listed ingredients in the
listed
proportions (weight % unless otherwise specified).
Compositions I II Ill IV V VI VII VIII
Dobanol~ 91-10 - - - 1.6 0.8 - 1.6 -
Dobanol~ 45-7 1.6 2.0 1.6 - 0.8 1.6 - 2.0
Dobanol~ 23-3 2.0 - 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 2.0 -
Lauryl Betaine - - 2.4 2.4 2.4 5.0 5.0 5.0
Mirataine H2C-HA~5.0 2.4 - - - - - -
H202 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0 7.0
HEDP 0.16 - 0.16 0.16- 0.16 0.16 0.16
DTPMP - 0.18 - - 0.18 - - -
Propyl gallate 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.1 0.3 0.1 0.1 0.1
Citric acid 0.05 0.05 0.05 0.050.05 0.05 0.05 0.05
Water and minors___________________ _______________up to 100%-
_______________________________
H2S04 up to pH
4
HEDP is 1-hydroxy-ethane diphosphonate.
DTPMP is diethylene triamine yenta methylene phosphonate.
Mirataine H2C-HA~ is Lauryl-immino-dipropionate
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26
Compositions IX X XI XII XIII XIV XV XVI
Dobanol~ 91-10 - - - 1.6 - - 1.6
Dobanol~ 45-7 - 2.0 1.6 - 2.6 1.6 - 2.0
Dobanol~ 23-3 - - 2.0 2.0 1.0 2.0 2.0 -
Salt-free Betaine*5.0 2.4 2.4 2.4 2.4 5.0 5.0 5.0
H202 7.0 7.0 6.0 7.0 5.8 7.0 7.0 7.0
HEDP 0.16 - 0.16 - 0.16 0.16 0.16 0.16
DTPMP - 0.18 - 0.18 - - - -
Propyl gallate 0.1 0.1 - - - 0.1 0.1 0.1
BHT - - 0.1 0.1 0.1 - - -
Citric acid 0.05 0.05 0.50 0.05 0.50 0.05 0.05 0.05
Water and minors_________________________________-up 100%-
__________-______________-_____
to
H2S04 up to
pH 4 or 5
Salt-free Betaine* is Lauryl di-methyl betaine containing 0.3% by weight of
sodium chloride. This betaine is obtained by purification from commercially
available Lauryl di-methyl betaine GENAGEN LAB~ (Hoechst) (which contains
7.5% by weight of sodium chloride)
Compositions I to XVI when used to clean soiled colored fabrics exhibit
excellent
overall stain removal performance especially on greasy stains like lipstick,
make-
up, olive oil, mayonnaise, sebum and the like, and improved bleaching
performance.
When used in a pretreatment mode, any of the compositions I to XVI is applied
neat on the stained portion of a fabric and left to act thereon for 5 minutes.
Then
the fabric is washed with a conventional detergent and rinsed.
When used in a bleaching-through-the-wash mode, any of the compositions I to
XVI is contacted with an aqueous bath formed by dissolution of a conventional
detergent in water. Fabrics are then contacted with the aqueous bath
comprising
the liquid detergent, and the fabrics are rinsed. They can also be used in a
soaking mode, where 100 ml of the liquid compositions are diluted in 10 litres
of
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27
water. The fabrics are then contacted with this aqueous bath containing the
composition, and left to soak therein for a period of time of 24 hours. The
fabrics are eventually rinsed.
Compositions I to XVI when used to clean soiled hard-surfaces exhibit
excellent
overall stain removal performance especially on kitchen dirt greasy stains.
Compositions IX to XVI when used to clean soiled colour fabrics in any laundry
application and especially in pretreatment conditions are safe to both the
fabrics
and colours.
