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Patent 2293726 Summary

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(12) Patent Application: (11) CA 2293726
(54) English Title: CARPET CLEANING COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING CARPETS
(54) French Title: COMPOSITIONS DE NETTOYAGE DE TAPIS ET PROCEDE DE NETTOYAGE DE TAPIS
Status: Deemed Abandoned and Beyond the Period of Reinstatement - Pending Response to Notice of Disregarded Communication
Bibliographic Data
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):
  • C11D 3/00 (2006.01)
  • C11D 1/14 (2006.01)
  • C11D 3/20 (2006.01)
  • C11D 3/36 (2006.01)
  • C11D 3/37 (2006.01)
  • C11D 3/39 (2006.01)
  • C11D 11/00 (2006.01)
  • C11D 17/00 (2006.01)
  • C11D 17/04 (2006.01)
(72) Inventors :
  • MASOTTI, VALENTINA (Italy)
  • RIZZO, RENZO (Italy)
  • SARCINELLI, LUCA (Italy)
(73) Owners :
  • THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
(71) Applicants :
  • THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY (United States of America)
(74) Agent: DIMOCK STRATTON LLP
(74) Associate agent:
(45) Issued:
(86) PCT Filing Date: 1999-04-07
(87) Open to Public Inspection: 1999-10-21
Examination requested: 1999-12-08
Availability of licence: N/A
Dedicated to the Public: N/A
(25) Language of filing: English

Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT): Yes
(86) PCT Filing Number: PCT/IB1999/000593
(87) International Publication Number: WO 1999053006
(85) National Entry: 1999-12-08

(30) Application Priority Data:
Application No. Country/Territory Date
98870076.1 (European Patent Office (EPO)) 1998-04-08

Abstracts

English Abstract


The present invention relates to a liquid composition suitable for cleaning
and sanitising carpets, comprising a peroxygen bleach, said composition being
packaged in a container adapted to deliver the composition onto the carpet in
the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a
mean diameter D (v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns. The present invention
provides excellent cleaning performance as well as sanitising properties on
the carpet, while reducing colour damage on carpets.


French Abstract

La présente invention concerne une composition liquide appropriée pour le nettoyage et l'aseptisation de tapis, la composition comprenant un agent de blanchiment peroxyde et étant contenue dans un récipient adapté pour permettre l'application de la composition sur le tapis sous forme de pulvérisation de gouttelettes présentant une distribution granulométrique à diamètre moyen D(v,0,9) inférieur à 1500 micromètres. La présente invention possède d'excellentes caractéristiques de nettoyage et d'aseptisation de tapis, tout en réduisant la dégradation des couleurs des tapis.

Claims

Note: Claims are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


28
Claims
1. A liquid composition suitable for cleaning and sanitising a carpet,
comprising a peroxygen bleach, said composition being packaged in a
container adapted to deliver the composition onto the carpet in the form of
a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean
diameter-D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns.
2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein said container delivers the
composition in the form of droplets having a particle size distribution with a
mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1000 microns, preferably less than
750 microns, more preferably less than 500 microns and most preferably
from 350 to 10 microns.
3. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein said
peroxygen bleach is selected from the group consisting of percarbonate,
persilicate, persulphate, perborate, preformed peroxyacid, alkyl
hydroperoxide, peroxide, aliphatic diacyl peroxide and mixtures thereof,
and preferably is hydrogen peroxide.
4. A composition according to any of the preceding claims which comprises
from 0.01 % to 20% by weight of the total composition of a peroxygen
bleach or a mixture thereof, preferably from 0.5% to 10% and more
preferably from 1 % to 7%.
5. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein said
composition further comprises a polymer or a mixture thereof, preferably a
soil suspending polycarboxylate polymer and/or a polyamine polymer,
preferably an alkoxylated polyamine or mixture thereof represented as
molecules of the empirical structures with repeating units

29
<IMG>
wherein R is a hydrocarbyl group, usually of 2-6 carbon atoms; R1 is a
C1-C20 hydrocarbon; the alkoxy groups are ethoxy and/or propoxy, 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, and most
preferably is an ethoxylated polyethylene amine or mixture thereof,
according to the general formula
<IMG>
wherein y is from 2 to 30, preferably 15, and n is from 1 to 30, preferably 4.
6. A composition according to claim 5 which comprises from 0.01 % to 50% by
weight of the total composition of a polymer or mixtures thereof, preferably
from 0.1 % to 20%, more preferably from 0.3% to 10% and most preferably
from 0.5% to 3%.
7. A composition according to any of the preceding claims which further
comprise a surfactant or a mixture thereof, typically up to a level of 50% by
weight of the total composition, preferably from 1 % to 10% and more
preferably from 1.5% to 5%.

30
8. A composition according to claim 7 wherein said surfactant is an anionic
surfactant, nonionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant
and/or amphoteric surfactant, preferably an anionic surfactant, more
preferably a C4-C22 alkyl sulphate and most preferably a C6-C10 alkyl
sulphate.
9. A composition according to any of the claims 5 to 8, wherein said polymer
and said surfactant are present at a weight ratio of said polymer to said
surfactant of 1:40 to 20:1, preferably of 1:20 to 10:1, more preferably of
1:10 to 5:1 and most preferably of 1:6 to 1:1.
10. A composition according to any of the preceding claims which further
comprise a volatile organic compound or a mixture thereof, preferably at a
level up to 90 % by weight of the total composition and wherein said
volatile compound preferably is a glycol ether and/or a derivative thereof,
more preferably buthoxypropanol, propoxy ethyl acetate, ethanol-2-butoxy
phosphate, 2-(hexyloxy)ethanol, 2-ethoxy ethanol, 2-butoxyethanol,
n-butoxypropoxypropanol, butyl triglycol ether, butyl diglycol ether,
2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)ethanol, 2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)propanol,
2-(2-alkoxyethoxy)butanol or mixtures thereof, and/or a polyol, more
preferably
a diol, even more preferably 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,
pentanediol, methyl-2,4 pentanediol or mixture thereof, and/or an aromatic
alcohol according to the formula R1-OH wherein R1 is an alkyl substituted
or non-alkyl substituted aryl group of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and/or an
aliphatic alcohol according to the formula R2-OH wherein R2 is a linear or
branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon chain of from 1 to 20
carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 10 and more preferably from 2 to 4 or
mixtures thereof and most preferably is isopropanol.
11. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein the
composition further comprises at least one optional ingredient selected
from the group consisting of chelating agent, hydroxy-pyridine N-oxides
and derivatives thereof, builder systems, perfumes, dyes, suds
suppressing agents, enzymes, photobleaching agents, and mixtures
thereof.

31
12. A composition according to any of the preceding claims which is an
aqueous liquid composition having a pH of from 1 to 14, preferably
between pH 1 and 7, more preferably between pH 2 and 6.5 and most
preferably between pH 4 and 6.5
13. A method of cleaning and sanitising a carpet wherein a composition
according to any of the preceding claims, is applied to said carpet, left to
dry before being optionally removed from said carpet.
14. A method of cleaning and sanitising a carpet wherein a composition
according to claim 13 is removed from said carpet by vacuum cleaning.
15. A composition or method according to any of the preceding claims wherein
said composition is packaged in a container wherein the means for
delivering the composition comprises an electrically driven pump and a
spray arm being either extended or extendible and having at least one
dispensing opening so that in operation, the composition is pumped by
electrically driven pump from the container, through the spray arm to the
dispensing opening from which it is dispensed.
16. The use of a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, said
composition being packaged in a container adapted to deliver the
composition in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size
distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns, for
cleaning and sanitizing a carpet, for reducing the colour damage on said
carpet.

Description

Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.


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CARPET CLEANING COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD FOR CLEANING CARPETS
Technical Field
The present invention relates to liquid compositions suitable for sanitizing
and
cleaning carpets.
Background of the Invention
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
fibers,
polyester fibers as well as wool, cotton or even silk in the case of rugs.
However, carpets irrespective of whether they are made from natural or
synthetic fibers are all prone to soiling and staining when contacted with
many
household items. Foods, grease, oils, beverages in particular 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 a result of
dirt
particles, clay, dust, i.e., 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.
Furthermore a major concern in the care of carpeting, besides the overall
cleaning performance desired for a given cleaning method is sanitizing. Indeed
it is important to reduce or even prevent microbial contamination on carpet
surfaces. This is especially important in houses with pets, hotels or in
hospitals
and other health care facilities, where the presence of micro-organisms like
bacteria should be kept to a minimum.
It is already known to use cleaning and sanitizing compositions based on
peroxygen bleach like hydrogen peroxide.

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However, there are some limitations to the convenience of peroxygen bleach. In
particular, we have observed that peroxygen bleach-containing compositions
may damage the colour of the carpets treated therewith, i.e. when applied
directly (neat) onto the carpets, and left to act onto said carpets for
prolonged
periods of time before evaporating andlor being mechanically removed by for
example a vacuum cleaner.
It is thus an object of the present invention to provide improved colour
safety to
carpets when treating said carpets with liquid peroxygen bleach-containing
compositions.
We have now found that this object is efficiently met by packing a liquid
composition comprising a peroxygen bleach in a container adapted to deliver
said composition in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size
distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns. Indeed,
it
has now been found that by applying a liquid composition comprising a
peroxygen bleach fn the form of a spray of small droplets as defined herein,
onto the soiled/stained carpets, it is possible to reduce the colour damage of
said carpets, as compared to applying the same liquid composition in a form of
spray of droplets of higher particle size onto the carpets.
An advantage of the present invention is that the compositions of the present
invention are applicable to all carpet types, especially delicate natural
fibres and
are safe to all carpet dye types, particularly sensitive natural dyes used
therein.
The present invention is also suitable to be used to clean upholstery and car
seats covering. The compositions herein may suitably be used to treat
localised
areas of carpets or the whole carpet.
Another advantage of the present invention is that excellent overall cleaning
performance on various types of stains including particulate stains, greasy
stains, bleachable stains andlor enzymatic stains and excellent sanitising
performance is provided in an easy and fast way while requiring low amount of
composition.
Yet another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that
they
may be applied directly on the carpet without causing damage to the carpet

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3
fibres. In addition the cleaning action of the invention cornmences as soon as
the carpet cleaning composition has been applied to the surface of the carpet.
Preferred compositions according to the present invention further comprise a
polymer to further enhance the overall cleaning performance of these
compositions. More particularly, in its preferred embodiment the present
invention provides liquid compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach and a
polymer, which can be used to clean and sanitise a carpet while reducing or
even preventing resoiling of the carpet after having been cleanedlsanitised,
and
reducing or even preventing microbial redeposition andlor microbial re-growth.
Advantageously, the present invention provides a composition which delivers
excellent sanitising and cleaning performance without requiring manual action
(except for the application) by the user while the composition is in a wet
state,
especially when at least a polymer is present on top of the peroxygen bleach.
Indeed, the preferred liquid compositions of the present invention comprising
a
peroxygen bleach and a polymer have the ability to dry to non-tacky residues
which entrap the soils and the micro-organisms present thereby reducing or
even preventing the soils and the micro-organisms re-deposition on the carpet
cleaned. These residues (with the entrapped soils and micro-organisms) are
easily removed by vacuum cleaning the carpet without the need of any other
additional effort by the user such as rinsing or manual action like brushing.
Background art
The following documents are representative of the prior art available on
carpet
cleaning compositions.
EP-A- 629 694 discloses the use of stable aqueous compositions comprising a
source of active oxygen, having a pH of from 1 to 6, for the cleaning of
carpets.
EP-A-751 213 discloses a carpet cleaning composition comprising salicylic
acid,
and a compound selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, soil
suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymers, hydroxy-pyridine N-oxides,
chelating agents and mixtures thereof.

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4
None of these documents discloses the compositions of the present invention
comprising a peroxygen bleach and being packaged in a container adapted to
deliver the composition in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle
size
distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns.
Summary of the Invention
The present invention encompasses a liquid composition suitable for cleaning
and sanitising carpets, comprising a peroxygen bleach, said composition being
packaged in a container adapted to deliver the composition onto the carpet in
the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a
mean
diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns. In a preferred embodiment said
composition further comprises at least a polymer or a mixture thereof.
The present invention further encompasses a method of cleaning a carpet
wherein a composition has described herein before, is applied to said carpet
in
the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a
mean
diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns, left to dry onto said carpet
before
being optionally removed from said carpet.
The present invention also encompasses the use of a liquid composition
comprising a peroxygen bleach, said composition being packaged in a container
adapted to deliver the composition in the form of a spray of droplets having a
particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500
microns, for cleaning and sanitizing a carpet, for reducing the colour damage
on
said carpet.
All amounts, percentages and ratios are given by weight of the total
composition
in its neat form unless otherwise stated.
Detailed Description of the Invention
The composition

CA 02293726 1999-12-08
WO 99153006 PCTIIB99I00593
The compositions of the present invention are formulated as liquid
compositions. Preferred compositions herein are aqueous compositions.
Peroxv4en bleaches
The compositions of the present invention comprise a peroxygen bleach or a
mixture thereof, as an essential ingredient.
A preferred peroxygen bleach for use herein is hydrogen peroxide or a source
thereof. As used herein a hydrogen peroxide source refers to any compound
which produces perhydroxyl ions when said compound is in contact with water.
The presence of a peroxygen bleach, preferably hydrogen peroxide, contributes
to the excellent cleaning (especially on bleachable stains) and sanitizing
benefits of the compositions of the present invention.
Suitable water-soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide for use herein include
percarbonates, persilicate, persulphate such as monopersulfate, perborates,
preformed peroxyacids, alkyl hydroperoxides, peroxides, aliphatic diacyl
peroxides and mixtures thereof. Hydrogen peroxide is preferred to be used in
the compositions according to the present invention.
Suitable preformed peroxyacids for use in the compositions herein include
diperoxydodecandioic acid DPDA, magnesium perphthalatic acid, perlauric acid,
perbenzoic acid, diperoxyazeiaic acid and mixtures thereof.
Suitable hydroperoxides for use herein are tert-butyl hydroperoxide, cumyl
hydroperoxide, 2,4,4-trimethylpentyl-2-hydroperoxide, di-isopropylbenzene-
monohydroperoxide, tert-amyl hydroperoxide, 2,5-dimethyl-hexane-2,5-
dihydroperoxide or mixtures thereof.
Suitable aliphatic diacyl peroxides for use herein are dilauroyl peroxide,
didecanoyi peroxide, dimyristoyl peroxide or mixtures thereof.
Typically, the liquid compositions herein comprise from 0.01 % to 20% by-
weight
of the total composition of a peroxygen bleach, or mixtures thereof,
preferably
from 0.5 % to 10%, and more preferably from 1 % to 7%.

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The container
An essential feature of the invention herein is that the composition is
packaged
in a container adapted to deliver the composition on the carpet in the form of
a
spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter
D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns.
Preferably suitable containers according to the present invention are able to
deliver the composition onto the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets
having
a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1000
microns, preferably of less than 750 microns, more preferably less than 500
microns, and most preferably from 350 microns to 10 microns.
It has now been found that by applying the liquid composition onto the surface
of the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size
distribution
with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns, improved colour
safety is delivered.
Actually, the present invention is based on the finding that the colour damage
of
some kinds of dyes present on carpets, i.e. the colour change andlor
decoloration, is reduced when a liquid composition comprising a peroxygen
bleach is applied onto the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets having a
particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500
microns, as compared to the colour damage observed when treating the carpets
by directly pouring thereto the same liquid composition or applying it thereto
in
the form of a spray of bigger droplets. In other words, spraying a liquid
composition comprising a peroxygen bleach, as described herein, onto soiled
carpets allows to preventlreduce the decomposition (oxidation) of dyes
generally present on the surface of carpet fibres (e.g. bleach sensitive dyes
andlor metallized dyes including copper-formazan dyes andlor metal-azo dyes).
The colour damage of a carpet sample may be evaluated by measuring the
colour deviation (DE) for example by employing the colour damage method, as
can be seen in the examples hereinafter. This method consists in measuring the
colour deviation (DE) with "The Hunterlab tristimulus MINISCAN". By "colour

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deviation" it is to be understood the difference when comparing the colour of
a
carpet sample taken as a reference, e.g., wherein the composition is simply
poured or applied via a spray dispenser that delivers the composition in the
form
of a spray of bigger droplets, e.g. a trigger spray dispenser which delivers
the
composition in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size
distribution
with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of 1800 microns or more like the S.C. Johnson
Shout.
By "mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns" for a droplet size
distribution it is meant that 90% of the spray of droplets dispensed
(expressed in
volume unit) has a droplet diameter of less than 1500 microns. For instance, a
D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns indicates that 90% of the total sprayed
volume is dispensed with droplets whose diameter is less than 1500 microns.
The particle size distribution of a spray of droplets can be determined by
following the procedure detailed herebelow:
A suitable test equipment is the Malvern Mastersizer S LongBed~ with 1000mm
lens and a maximum particle size range of 3475 microns. The Malvern
Mastersizer S LongBed~ provides 21 cm opening (between lenses) to
accommodate spray flow. In all readings at the Malvern, the lens surface must
remain free of spray contamination. In the present setup procedure, the
distance from nozzle to laser was fixed at 8 cm, this to minimise lens
contamination. At 8 cm distance, the spray was directed to the laser beam to
place the laser center to the spray cone. At least three readings have to be
made for each composition sprayed to determine the particle size distribution
of
the spray of droplets. The sprayer used in the test according to the present
invention was an electrically operated sprayer. With the battery driven system
a
"Full charge" test was held consistent by holding the spray head to 3.9
voltage
direct current (vdc) from an external power supply, this to insure a
consistent
spray force. A reference sprayer used herein is a hand trigger operated
sprayer. Hand trigger systems have to be tested against repeatability with
three
different persons. These persons chosen for their varied ability to actuate
the
trigger against force: Small female, female with strong finger strength, and
medium male.

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Any container adapted to deliver a spray of droplets as defined herein are
suitable for use herein. Several modifications can be made to the
conventional,
single aperture, spray head to ensure that a spray of such droplets as
required
herein is formed. Suitable containers to be used herein (also called "spray
dispensers") share the common feature of having at least one aperture or a
plurality of apertures also called "dispensing openings" through which the
composition is dispensed so as to produce the spray of droplets as defined
herein.
Typically the composition output from the container herein is from 5 mUminute
to
750 mllminute, preferably from 20mllminute to 400mllminute, more preferably
from 150mllminute to 250 mllminute.
These spray dispensers may be manually or electrically operated. Typical
manually operated spray dispensers include pump operated ones or trigger
operated ones. Indeed, in such a container with a spray dispenser head the
composition contained in the container is directed through the spray dispenser
head via energy communicated to a pumping mechanism by the user as said
user activates said pumping mechanism or to an electrically driven pump.
Preferred herein is to use a container wherein the means for delivering the
composition comprises an electrically driven pump and a spray arm being either
extended or extendible and having at least one dispensing opening so that in
operation, the composition is pumped by electrically driven pump from the
container, through the spray arm to the dispensing opening from which it is
dispensed. It is preferred that the spray arm communicates with the container
by
means of a flexible connector. The spray arm may have one nozzle or multiple
nozzles located along its length. The spray arm makes it easier to control
where
the composition is sprayed. The electrically driven pump may be, for example,
a
gear pump, an impeller pump, a piston pump, a screw pump, a peristaltic pump,
a diaphragm pump, or any other miniature pump. In a highly preferred
embodiment of the electrically driven pump for use herein the pump is a gear
pump with a typical speed between 6000 rpm and 12000rpm. The electrically
driven pump is driven by a means such as an electric motor which typically
produce a torque between 1 and 20 mN.m. The electric motor must in turn be
provided with a power source. The power source may be either mains electricity
(optionally via transformer), or it may be a throw-away battery or
rechargeable
battery. The spray arm may be rigidly extended. However such a spray arm can

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9
be difficult to store, and the spray arm is preferably extensible either by
means
of telescopic or foldable configuration.
The pH of the liquid compositions according to the present invention can be
from 1 to 14. In a preferred embodiment, the recommended pH range is from 1
to 8, preferably between pH 1 and 7, more preferably between pH 2 and 6.5 and
most preferably between 4 and 6.5. Indeed, it has been surprisingly found that
cleaning performance is further improved at these preferred pH ranges. Also
these preferred pH ranges contribute to the stability of hydrogen peroxide.
Accordingly, the compositions herein may further comprise an acid or base to
adjust pH as appropriate. The acids that may be used for these purposes can be
organic or inorganic acids, preferably inorganic acids such as sulphuric acid.
The bases to be used herein can be organic or inorganic bases, preferably
inorganic bases such as sodium hydroxide.
Optional ingredients
The compositions herein may further comprise a number of additional
compounds such as polymers, volatile organic compounds, surfactants,
stabilising agents, chefating agents, builder systems, perfumes, dyes, suds
suppressing agents, enzymes, photobleaching agents, bleach activators and
other minors.
The aoivmers
The compositions of the present invention may further comprise a polymer or a
mixture thereof, as a highly preferred optional ingredient.
Typically, the compositions herein may comprise from 0.01 % to 50% by weight
of the total composition of a polymer or a mixture thereof, preferably from
0.1
to 20%, more preferably from 0.3% to 10% and most preferably from 0.5% to
3%.
The polymers desired herein are those which do not dry as tacky residues.
Suitable polymers for use herein include any soil suspending polycarboxylate
polymer as well as any soil suspending polyamine polymer and mixtures thereof.

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Any soil suspending polycarboxylate polymer known to those skilled in the art
can be used according to the present invention such as homo- or co-polymeric
polycarboxylic acids or their salts including polyacrylates and copolymers of
malefic anhydride orland 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
poiycarboxylates 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 carboxyfate 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 to be used herein 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
polyacrylates of this type in detergent compositions has been disclosed, for
example, in Diehl, U.S. Patent 3,308,067, issued March 7, 1967.
Acryliclmaieic-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 acryiate 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 acidlmaleic acid
copolymers can include, for example, the alkali metal, ammonium and
substituted ammonium salts. Soluble acrylatelmaleate copolymers of this type
are known materials which are described in European Patent Application No.

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66915, published December 15, 1982. Particularly preferred is a copolymer of
malefic I 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 known to those skilled in the art may
also be used herein. Particularly suitable polyamine polymers for use herein
are alkoxylated polyamines. Such materials can conveniently be represented as
molecules of the empirical structures with repeating units
R] n Amine form
l
(alkoxy)y
and
R1
I
~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-
C2p hydrocarbon; the alkoxy groups are ethoxy, propoxy, and the 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)y~N CH2 CH2 l n N (Et0)y
(Et0)y (Et0)y

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12
when y = 2-30, preferably 15 and n is 1-30 preferably 4. Particularly
preferred
for use herein is an ethoxylated polyethylene amine, in particular ethoxylated
tetraethylenepentamine, and quaternized ethoxylated hexamethylene diamine.
It has now been found that the presence of the polymer in the compositions
herein further contributes to the overall cleaning performance as well as
excellent sanitising performance of the compositions herein, while reducing or
even preventing the formation of tacky residues on the surface of the carpet
upon drying, as compared to the same compositions but without the polymer.
Indeed, it has been observed that with the compositions of the present
invention
which comprise said peroxygen bleach and polymer, more than 90%, preferably
more than 95% of the residues left onto the carpet fibres are solid and non
tacky. This results in a method of cleaning carpets whereby the residues left
onto the carpets are removed more easily as opposed to residues being sticky,
and thus difficult to remove by vacuum cleaning said carpets. By almost
completely removing the residues the present invention reduces or even
prevents soil re-deposition on the carpet.
Furthermore, by almost completely removing the residues the present invention
reduces or even prevents microbial re-deposition and/or microbial re-growth.
Indeed, the present invention allows fast evaporation of the composition when
applied in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution
with
a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns. This results in residues
having lower levels of moisture. Thus, these residues do not represent a
fertile
environment for bacterial re-growth. It has now been observed than when
applying a composition comprising peroxygen bleach and a polymer in the form
of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a bigger mean
diameter D(v,0.9), the residues formed with the soils on the carpet upon
evaporation trap higher levels of moisture which makes the residues a more
fertile environment for microbial re-deposition and re-growth.
Advantageously the present invention provides excellent sanitising on a broad
range of bacterial pure strains including Gram positive bacteria like S.
aureus

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13
and Gram negative bacteria like E. Coli, Ps. aeruginosa as well as more
resistant micro-organisms like fungi like Candida albicans.
Volatile organic compounds
Preferred compositions according to the present invention typically comprise a
volatile organic compound (VOC) or a mixture thereof. Typically, the
compositions herein comprise up to 90% by weight of the total composition of a
volatile organic compound or a mixture thereof, preferably from 0.1 % to 20%,
more preferably from 1.5% to 10% and most preferably from 2% to 8%.
Suitable volatile organic compounds for use herein include aliphatic andlor
aromatic alcohol, glycol ethers andlor derivatives thereof, polyoi and
mixtures
thereof.
Suitable aromatic alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R1-
OH wherein R1 is an alkyl substituted or non-alkyl substituted aryl group of
from
1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 2 to 15 and more preferably from 2 to
10.
A suitable aromatic alcohol to be used herein is benzyl alcohol.
Suitable aliphatic alcohols to be used herein are according to the formula R2-
OH wherein R2 is a linear or branched saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon
chain of from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably from 1 to 10 and more
preferably
from 2 to 6. Highly preferred herein are aliphatic alcohols with 2 to 4 carbon
atoms and most preferably 4 carbon atoms, or mixtures thereof. Suitable
aliphatic alcohols to be used herein include linear alcohol like 2-octanol,
decanol, isopropyl alcohol, propyl alcohol, ethanol andlor methanol. Highly
preferred herein is isopropyl alcohol.
Isopropanol may be commercially available from Merck/BDH Italic under its
chemical name.
Suitable glycol ethers andlor derivatives thereof to be used herein include
monogiycol ethers andlor derivatives thereof, polygiycol ethers andlor
derivatives thereof and mixtures thereof.

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14
Suitable monoglycol ethers and derivatives thereof to be used herein include n-
buthoxypropanoi (n-BP), water-soluble CELLOSOLVE~ solvents or mixtures
thereof. Preferred Cellosolve ~t solvents include propoxy ethyl acetate salt
(i.e.,
Propyl Cellosolve acetate salt~), ethanol-2-butoxy phosphate salt (i.e., Butyl
Cellosolve phosphate salt~), 2-{Hexyloxy)ethanol (i.e., 2-hexyl Cellosolve~),
2-
ethoxy ethanol (i:e., 2-ethyl Cellosolve~), 2-butoxyethanol (i.e., 2-buthyl
Cellosolve~) or mixtures thereof.
Suitable polyglycol ethers and derivatives thereof to be used herein include n-
butoxypropoxypropanol (n-BPP), butyl triglycol ether (BTGE), butyl diglycol
ether (BDGE), water-soluble CARBITOL~ solvents or mixtures thereof.
Preferred water-soluble CARBITOL~ solvents are compounds of the 2-(2-
alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class, 2-{2-alkoxyethoxy)propanol class andlor 2-(2-
alkoxyethoxy)butanol class wherein the alkoxy group is derived from ethyl,
propyl or butyl. A preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2-(2-
butoxyethoxy)ethanol
also known as butyl carbitol~.
Preferred glycol ethers andlor derivatives thereof are 2-ethoxyethanol, 2-
butoxyethanol, n-butoxypropoxypropanol, butyl carbitol~ or mixtures thereof.
Suitable polyol solvents to be used herein are the polyols having at least 2
hydroxyl groups (-OH) like diols. Suitable diols to be used herein include 2-
ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, methyl-2,4 pentanediol
or
mixture thereof.
In a preferred embodiment herein the volatile organic compounds are present as
they further contribute to the excellent overall cleaning performance of the
present invention. Additionally, their addition in the compositions herein
also
enhances the sanitising properties of the compositions.
Surfactants
Preferred compositions according to the present invention typically comprise a
surfactant or a mixture thereof. Typically, the compositions herein comprise
from
up to 50% by weight of the total composition of a surfactant or a mixture
thereof,

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preferably from 0.1 % to 20%, more preferably from 1 % to 10% and most
preferably from 1.5% to 5%.
Suitable surfactants for use herein have the ability to not dry as tacky
residues.
Such surfactants may be selected from those well known in the art including
anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants and
mixtures
thereof.
Particularly suitable surfactants to be used herein are anionic surfactants.
Said
anionic surfactants are preferred herein as they further contribute to the
outstanding stain removal performance of the compositions of the present
invention on various type of stains. Moreover they do not stick on carpet,
thereby reducing resoiling.
Suitable anionic surfactants for use herein include sulfonate and sulfate
surfactants. The like anionic surfactants are well-known in the art and have
found wide application in commercial detergents. These anionic surfactants
include the C8-C22 alkyl benzene sulfonates (LAS), the C4-C22 alkyl sulfates
(AS), unsaturated sulfates such as oleyf sulfate, the C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy
sulfates (AES) and the C10-C18 alkyl alkoxy carboxylates. The neutralising
cation for the anionic synthetic sulfonates andlor sulfates is represented by
conventional cations which are widely used in detergent technology such as
sodium, potassium or alkanolammonium. Preferred herein are the alkyl
sulphate, especially coconut alkyl sulphate~having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms
in
the alkyl chain, preferably from 8 to 15, or mixtures thereof.
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-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

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16
phosphates, isethionates such as the acyl isethionates, N-acyl taurates, alkyl
succinamates and sulfosuccinates, monoesters of sulfosuccinate (especially
saturated and unsaturated C12-C1g monoesters) 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). 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 andlor salt form, preferably long
chain
acyl sarcosinates having the following formula:
O
OM
R N ll
CH3 O
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, particularly preferred 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

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17
atoms). C12 aryl sarcosinate is commercially available, for example, as
Hamposyl L-30~ supplied by Hampshire. C14 aryl sarcosinate is commercially
available, for example, as Hamposyl M-30~ supplied by Hampshire.
Particularly preferred anionic surfactants for use are the alkyl sulphate
surfactants according to the formula R1 S04M wherein R1 represents a
hydrocarbon group selected from the group consisting of straight or branched
alkyl radicals containing from 4 to 22 carbon atoms and alkyl phenyl radicals
containing from 6 to 15 carbon atoms in the alkyl group. Preferably R1 is a
straight or branched alkyl radical containing from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, more
preferably from 6 to 12 and most preferably from 6 to 10. M is H or a ration,
e.g.,
an alkali metal ration (e.g., sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium
and
the like) or ammonium or substituted ammonium (e.g., methyl-, dimethyl-, and
trimethyi ammonium rations and quaternary ammonium rations, such as
tetramethyl-ammonium and dimethyl piperdinium rations and quaternary
ammonium rations derived from alkyiamines such as ethylamine, diethyiamine,
triethylamine, and mixtures thereof, and the like).
Other particularly suitable surfactants to be used herein include amine oxide
surfactants according to the formula R1 R2R3N0, wherein each of R1, R2 and
R3 is independently a saturated substituted or unsubstituted, linear or
branched
alkyl groups of from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably of from 1 to 20 carbon
atoms, and mixtures thereof.
Particularly preferred amine oxide surfactants to be used according to the
present invention are amine oxide surfactants having the following formula
R1 R2R3N0 wherein R1 is a saturated linear or branched alkyl group of from 1
to 30 carbon atoms, preferably of from 6 to 20 carbon atoms, more preferably
of
from 6 to 16 carbon atoms, and wherein R2 and R3 are independently
substituted or unsubstituted, Linear or branched alkyl groups of from 1 to 4
carbon atoms, preferably of from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and more preferably are
methyl groups. Preferred amine oxide surfactants used herein are pure-cut
amine oxide surfactants, i.e., a pure single amine oxide surfactant, e.g. Cg
N,N-
dimethyl amine oxide, as opposed to mixtures of amine oxide surfactants of
different chain lengths

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18
Suitable amine oxide surfactants for use herein are for instance pure cut C8
amine oxide, pure cut C 10 amine oxide, pure cut C 14 amine oxide, natural
blend
C8-C10 amine oxides as well as natural blend C12-C16 amine oxides. Such
amine oxide surfactants may be commercially available from Hoechst or
Stephan.
Suitable nonionic surfactant for use herein include any 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 glucose amides, alkyl pyrrolidones,
betaines.
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 R3 are methyl groups and R4 is a C12_15 alkyl group.
Zwitterionic surfactants are also suitable optional ingredients 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, Laughlin et al., issued December 30, 1975.
Preferred surfactants for use herein are the amine oxide surfactants and alkyl
sulphate surfactants and mixture thereof and most preferred surfactants herein
are alkyl sulphate surfactants.
In a preferred embodiment it has been found that optimum cleaning
performance is delivered when combining the surfactant, preferably an alkyl
sulphate, with the polymer preferably the polyamine polymer, at a weight ratio
of
the polymer to said surfactant of 1:40 to 20:1, preferably of 1:20 to 10:1,
more
preferably of 1:10 to 5:1 and most preferably of 1:6 to 1:1. Also the total
level of
surfactant together with polymer is from 1 % to 20%, preferably from 2% to 10%

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19
and more preferably from 3% to 6% by weight of the total composition. Indeed
an advantage of the present invention is that excellent cleaning performance
is
provided with reduced total amount of cleaning agent, i.e. surfactant and/or
polymer.
These surfactants have the advantage of assisting the polymers herein when
present, to form easily removable non-tacky residues upon drying on the
surface
of the carpet after having combined soils deposited thereto.
Stabilizing a4ents
The compositions herein may also comprise a hydroxy pyridine N-oxides or
derivatives thereof according to the following formula:
~ w
wherein X is nitrogen, Y is one of the following groups oxygen, -CHO, -OH, -
(CH2)n-COOH, wherein n is an integer of from 0 to 20, preferably of from 0 to
and more preferably is 0, and wherein Y is preferably oxygen. Accordingly
particularly preferred hydroxy pyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof to be
used herein is 2-hydroxy pyridine N-oxide.
Hydroxy pyridine N-oxides or derivatives thereof may be commercially available
from Sigma.
Typically, the compositions herein comprise up to 2% by weight of the total
composition of a hydroxy pyridine N-oxide or derivatives thereof or mixtures
thereof, preferably from 0.001 % to 1 % and more preferably from 0.001 % to
0.5%.
The compositions herein may also comprise a chelating agent or mixtures
thereof. Suitable chelating agents are those known to those skilled in the
art.

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Suitable chelating agents include for examples phosphonate chelating agents,
polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, amino carboxylate
chelating agents, other chelating agents like ethylene diamine N,N'-
disuccinic
acid and mixtures thereof. Typically, the compositions herein comprise up to
4%
by weight of the total composition of a chelating agent or mixtures thereof,
preferably from 0.001 % to 1 %, and more preferably from 0.001 % to 0.5%.
Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein may include
ethydronic acid, alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates as well as amino
phosphonate compounds, including amino alkylene poly (alkylene
phosphonate), alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, nitrilo
trimethylene phosphonates, ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates,
and diethylene triamine penta 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
chelating agents to be used herein are diethylene triamine yenta methylene
phosphonates (DETPMP). Such phosphonate chelating agents are
commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST~~
Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in
tai
compositions herein. See U.S. patent 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974, to
Connor et al. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are
dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy -3,5-disulfobenzene.
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 carboxylate chelating agents to be used herein include ethylene
diamine tetra acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, diethylene triamine
pentaacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotri-
acetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates, triethylenetetraaminehexa-
acetates, ethanoldiglycines, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) and

CA 02293726 1999-12-08
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21
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 is diethylene. triamine yenta acetic acid
(DTPA).
Other suitable chelating agents to be used herein include salicylic acid or
derivatives thereof, or mixtures thereof according to the following formula:
i ~
'J 'OH
Y
wherein X is carbon, Y is one of the following groups -CHO, -OH, -(CH2)n-
COOH, and preferably is -(CH2)n-COOH, and wherein n is an integer of from 0
to 20, preferably of from 0 to 10 and more preferably is 0. Salicylic acid and
derivatives thereof may be used herein either in their acid form or in their
salts
form as for example sodium salts.
Salicylic acid is particularly preferred herein and may be commercially
available
from Rhone Poulenc.
The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise
propyl gallate up to a level of 1 % by weight of the total composition,
preferably
from 0.01 % to 0.1 %, and more preferably from 0.01 % to 0.06%. It has now
been
found that the addition of propyl gallate in the liquid preferred compositions
herein comprising a peroxygen bleach contributes to deliver excellent chemical
stability to said compositions.
Bleach activators
The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a
bleach activator or mixtures thereof, as another optional ingredient. 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

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22
143 231 and a method for their formation into a grilled 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 (NOES). Also suitable are N-aryl caprolactam
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, propanoyi 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 methyl citrate has the
advantage that it is environmentally friendly as it eventually degrades into
citric
acid and alcohol. Furthermore, acetyl methyl citrate has a good hydrolytical
stability in the composition upon storage and it is an efficient bleach
activator.
The compositions according to the present invention may comprise up to 30%
by weight of the total composition of said bleach activator, or mixtures
thereof,
preferably from 1 % to 20%, and more preferably from 2% to 10%.
Builders
The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a
builder system. Any conventional builder system known in the art is suitable
for
use herein. Suitable builders for use herein include derivatives of succinic
acid
of the formula R_CH(COOH)CH2(COOH) wherein R is C10-20 alkyl or afkenyl,
preferably C12-16~ or wherein R can be substituted with hydroxyl, sulpho
sulphoxyl or sulphone substituents. Specific examples include lauryl
succinate,
myristyl succinate, palmityi 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.
Other suitable builders are oxodisuccinates and mixtures of tartrate
monosuccinic and tartrate disuccinic acid such as described in US 4,663,071.

CA 02293726 1999-12-08
WO 99153006 PCTIIB99I00593
23
Further suitable builders for use herein are fatty acid builders including
saturated or unsaturated C10_1g 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.
The compositions herein may comprise from 0% to 10%, preferably from 1 % to
7% by weight of the total composition of a builder system.
The method of cleaning carets
The present invention also encompasses a method of cleaning and sanitising a
carpet wherein a composition as described herein, is applied to said carpet,
left
to dry onto said carpet before being optionally removed from it. Preferably
the
step of leaving the composition to dry onto the carpet (drying step) can
either be
an "active drying step" or a "passive drying step". By "active drying step" it
is
meant herein, performing an additional action to facilitate the evaporation of
the
volatile ingredients of the liquid composition as disclosed herein, preferably
by
means of application of hot air, infrared radiation and the like. By "passive
drying step" it is meant herein, evaporation of the volatile ingredients of
the
liquid composition as disclosed herein without performing further action.
By "dry" it is meant herein the stage where at least 40°~, preferably
at least 60%
of the initial amount of composition dispensed onto the carpet is lost due to
evaporation.
In a preferred embodiment, further steps, as for example application of an
additional cleaning composition, of a perfume and the like, may be performed
before, in between andlor after any of the steps of the method of cleaning a
carpet as described herein.
In the method of cleaning and sanitizing a carpet according to the present
invention the step of applying a composition onto the carpets as described
herein before, does not need to be followed by a step where manual action is
required other than vacuum cleaning. Indeed the compositions herein allow
excellent cleaning performance and sanitising performance without requiring
any manual action like rubbing andlor brushing. An advantage of the present
invention is that the cleaning and sanitising action of the present
compositions
commence as soon as said compositions are applied onto said carpet.

CA 02293726 1999-12-08
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24
By applying the composition onto the carpet in the form of a spray of small
droplets as defined herein, a higher coverage can be achieved with the same
amount of composition, as compared to applying the same composition but in
the form of a spray of bigger droplets.
Advantageously the present invention allows excellent cleaning and sanitising
performance while requiring low amount of composition. Typically in the method
of cleaning a carpet of the present invention the composition is
appliedlsprayed
onto the carpet in an amount of from 1 ml to 120 ml by square meter of carpet,
preferably from 10 ml to 80, more preferably from 20 ml to 60 ml and most
preferably from 30 ml to 50 ml. Indeed, it is by combining this feature with
the
particle size distribution of the composition herein when sprayed as defined
herein on the carpet that optimum coverage of the carpet surface is obtained
resulting in more faster drying time. Furthermore, applying the composition on
the carpet as mentioned herein, further translates in limited wetting of the
surface and thus in faster drying of the composition. In other words, the
housewife has to wait less time between the step of applying the composition
on
the carpet and those of removing it by for example vacuum cleaning the carpet.
Typically the composition is left to dry on the carpet for less than 2 hour,
preferably less than 1 hour, more preferably less than 40 minutes, even more
preferably from 1 to 30 minutes and most preferably from 5 to 25 minutes.
The area to be cleaned by applying preferably spraying the compositions
according to the present invention -may be of any size. Indeed, a complete
section or more preferably the whole carpet may be sprayed with the
composition for the cleaning of carpets according to the present invention.
In the method of cleaning a carpet according to the present invention the
container, and especially the spray dispenser head is typically maintained at
a
distance of from 1 cm to 40 cm from the carpet onto which the composition will
be sprayed, preferably from 2 cm to 30 cm more preferably from 3 cm to 20 cm.
Test methods
Sanitising properties of a composition may be measured by the bactericidal
activity of said composition. A test method suitable to evaluate the
bactericidal

CA 02293726 1999-12-08
WO 99/53006 PCT/IB99/00593
activity of a composition on surfaces is described in European Standard, prEN
1040, CENITC 216 N 78, dated November 1995 issued by the European
committee for standardisation, Brussels. European Standard, prEN 1040,
CENITC 216 N 78, specifies a test method and requirements for the minimum
bactericidal activity of a disinfecting composition. The test is passed if the
bacterical colonies forming units (cfu) are reduced from a 107 cfu (initial
level) to
a 102 cfu (final level after contact with the disinfecting product), i.e. a
105
reduction of the viability is necessary. The compositions according to the
present
invention pass this test under very dirty conditions (1 % Albumin).
The compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to the present
invention
provide excellent cleaning performance on various types of soils including
diffuse soils (e.g., particulate andlor greasy soils) that tend to accumulate
in the
so called "high traffic areas" but also in delivering good cleaning
performance
on other types of stains or soils, i.e., on spot stains like bleachable stains
(e.g.,
coffee, beverage, food) andlor enzymatic stains like blood.
By "particulate stains" it is meant herein any soils or stains of particulate
nature
that can be found on any carpet, e.g. clay, dirt, dust, mud, concrete and the
like.
By "greasyloily stains" it is meant herein any soils or stains of greasyloily
nature
that can be found on any carpet, e.g., make-up, lipstick, dirty motor oil and
mineral oil, greasy food like mayonnaise and spaghetti sauce.
By "bleachable stains" it is meant herein any soils or stains containing
ingredients sensitive to bleach that can be found on any carpet, e.g., coffee
or
tea.
By "enzymatic stains" it is meant herein any soils or stains of enzymatic
nature
that can be found on any carpet, e.g., grass.
The cleaning performance of a given composition on a soiled carpet may be
evaluated by the following test method. A liquid composition according to the
present invention is first sprayed onto the stained portion of a carpet, left
to act
thereon from about 1 to about 10 minutes, preferably 5 minutes, after which
the
carpet is vacuum cleaned. Typical soils used in this test may be grass, dirty
motor oil, tea, coffee, dust andlor mayonnaise. The cleaning performance may
be evaluated by visual grading.

CA 02293726 1999-12-08
WO 99/53006 PCT/IB99100593
26
Examples
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 I ll tll IV V VI
(weight %)
Hydrogen 4.0 6.0 6.0 4.0 6.0 4.0
peroxide
Na CnAS 3.0 -- 5.0 '- -'
1.0 3.0 0.2 2.0 -- --
AMCP -- 1.0 2.0 __ __ --
Salicylic Acid0.5 0.01 -- -- 0.1 --
Chelant* 0.2 0.09 0.1 -- 0.2 --
Benzyl alcohol-- 1.0 3.0 - -- --
lsopropylalcohol3.0 1.0 1.0 -- -- -
Propyl Gallate0.03 0.03 0.1 -- 0.03
Water BalanceBalance BalanceBalance BalanceBalance
up to pH 6 6.5 5 6 6 5
Compositions Vll Vlll IX X XI XII
(weight %)
Hydrogen 7.0 7.0 7.0 4.0 7.0 1.0
peroxide
Na CnAS 1.0 - 3.0 3.0 2.0 3.0
PA 0.8 1.0 1.0 1.0 -- 0.9
AMCP _- __ __ _- 2.0 1.0
Salicylic Acid0.03 -- -- -- -- 0.03
Chelant* 0.03 -- -- 0.2 -- --
Benzyl alcohol3.0 4.0 5.0 -- 1.0 3.0
Isopropylalcohol0.5 1.5 1.0 3.0 1.0 1.0
Propyl Gallate0.01 -- -- 0.03 -- 0.02

i
CA 02293726 1999-12-08
WO 99153006 PCT/IB99/00593
27
Water Balance Balance Balance Balance Balance Balanc
a
up to pH 4 7 6 6 6 8
AMCP is acryliclmalic based copolymers (Sokalan CP5~)
Chelant* is a phosphonate chelant available under the trade name DEQUEST~
Na CnAS is sodium alkyl sulphate.
PA is an ethoxylated tetraethyfenepentamine, average molecular weight about
70, 000.
The compositions exemplified above are packaged in a container adapted to
deliver a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean
diameter D(v,0.9) of 200 to 400 microns, when measured with Malvern
Mastersizer S longl3ed ~ referenced herein before. A suitable container used
was an electrically driven sprayer.
By spraying the above compositions by means of such a container as described
above onto a carpet to cleaning and sanitize, excellent colour safety was
observed.
The compositions in the examples above deliver excellent cleaning performance
on particulate soil, greasyloily soil, andlor enzymatic as well as on other
types of
soils such as bleachable stains like coffee, tea and the like as well as
excellent
sanitising properties.

Representative Drawing

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Administrative Status

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Event History

Description Date
Inactive: IPC from MCD 2006-03-12
Inactive: IPC from MCD 2006-03-12
Application Not Reinstated by Deadline 2005-01-28
Inactive: Dead - No reply to s.30(2) Rules requisition 2005-01-28
Deemed Abandoned - Failure to Respond to Maintenance Fee Notice 2004-04-07
Inactive: Abandoned - No reply to s.30(2) Rules requisition 2004-01-28
Inactive: S.30(2) Rules - Examiner requisition 2003-07-28
Inactive: Cover page published 2000-02-18
Inactive: IPC assigned 2000-02-16
Inactive: First IPC assigned 2000-02-16
Inactive: IPC assigned 2000-02-16
Inactive: IPC assigned 2000-02-16
Inactive: IPC assigned 2000-02-16
Inactive: IPC assigned 2000-02-16
Inactive: IPC assigned 2000-02-16
Letter Sent 2000-01-28
Inactive: Acknowledgment of national entry - RFE 2000-01-28
Application Received - PCT 2000-01-24
Request for Examination Requirements Determined Compliant 1999-12-08
All Requirements for Examination Determined Compliant 1999-12-08
Application Published (Open to Public Inspection) 1999-10-21

Abandonment History

Abandonment Date Reason Reinstatement Date
2004-04-07

Maintenance Fee

The last payment was received on 2003-03-24

Note : If the full payment has not been received on or before the date indicated, a further fee may be required which may be one of the following

  • the reinstatement fee;
  • the late payment fee; or
  • additional fee to reverse deemed expiry.

Please refer to the CIPO Patent Fees web page to see all current fee amounts.

Fee History

Fee Type Anniversary Year Due Date Paid Date
Request for examination - standard 1999-12-08
Basic national fee - standard 1999-12-08
MF (application, 2nd anniv.) - standard 02 2001-04-09 1999-12-08
Registration of a document 1999-12-08
MF (application, 3rd anniv.) - standard 03 2002-04-08 2002-03-28
MF (application, 4th anniv.) - standard 04 2003-04-07 2003-03-24
Owners on Record

Note: Records showing the ownership history in alphabetical order.

Current Owners on Record
THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Past Owners on Record
LUCA SARCINELLI
RENZO RIZZO
VALENTINA MASOTTI
Past Owners that do not appear in the "Owners on Record" listing will appear in other documentation within the application.
Documents

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Document
Description 
Date
(yyyy-mm-dd) 
Number of pages   Size of Image (KB) 
Description 1999-12-08 27 1,350
Abstract 1999-12-08 1 49
Claims 1999-12-08 4 158
Cover Page 2000-02-18 1 38
Notice of National Entry 2000-01-28 1 204
Courtesy - Certificate of registration (related document(s)) 2000-01-28 1 115
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (R30(2)) 2004-04-07 1 167
Courtesy - Abandonment Letter (Maintenance Fee) 2004-06-02 1 175
PCT 1999-12-08 5 175