Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ChEANING ARTICLE HAVING A COLOR IDENTIFYING
T.AREh .AND SANITIZER RELEASE COMPOSITION
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to cleaning supplies. More
particularly, and not by way of limitation, the present
invention is directed to a cleaning article having a color
label to identify the purpose or area in which the article
is to be utilized, and a sanitizer release polymer
composition that maintains the effectiveness of a cleaning
solution by releasing cationic sanitizers.
BACKGROUND ART
For a variety of reasons, it has been difficult for many
individuals to easily identify and use the proper tool drawn
from a collection of similar tools for use on a specific
task. This problem is especially evident in the restaurant
industry. A common tool used in the restaurant business is
a towel. However, for obvious hygienic reasons, different
towels are used for different tasks and .different areas
within the restaurant. For example, specific towels are used
to clean the restrooms, other towels are used for cleaning
the dining area, while still other towels are used in the
kitchen area. However, to many employees, there is no easy
way to differentiate which towel is to be used in which area
of the restaurant. Additionally, many employees in the
restaurant may not be able. to read a label or easily
understand which towel should be used in a specific area .
The supervisors of these employees, although overseeing the
employees, also may not be able to easily identify which
towel is being used by the employee. Thus it is difficult
for employees, as well as supervisors, to easily identify the
proper towel for the proper task in the restaurant.
In various industries, there are numerous examples where
labeling and coding techniques have been used to distinguish
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selected tools for use on specific tasks. For example, in
the restaurant industry, labels have been applied to towels
or other tools used in the restaurant. However, as discussed
above, some employees may be illiterate, and other employees,
although able to read in one language, are not able to read
the language of the labels. In other industries, such as the
transportation industry, color coding has ,been used to
identify various goods. For example, hazardous cargo is
sometimes identified by a series of red stripes displayed on
the outer surface of a container holding the hazardous cargo.
However, although the red stripes may be easy for many
employees to identify, some employees are color blind and may
not be able to easily recognize the hazardous cargo. In
other industries, internationally recognized symbols have
been used to convey information about particular products.
For example, the familiar "skull and cross bones" has been
used to identify poisonous materials. However, for tools
such as towels in a restaurant, international symbols may
become obscured by grease or dirt. In addition, it may be
inconvenient to have to spread out a towel to locate an
international symbol each time the towel is going to be used.
Review of current cleaning towels utilized in
restaurants reveals no disclosure or suggestion of a cleaning
towel that provides a solution to the aforementioned
problems. Thus, it would be a distinct advantage to have a
cleaning towel that identifies the area of the restaurant
where each towel is supposed to be used, even when various
employees using the towels may be illiterate, may speak and
read different languages, or may be color-blind. It is an
object of the present invention to provide such a cleaning
towel.
Another problem encountered in restaurants is the
control of microbial growth on surfaces such as tables,
kitchen counters, and bathroom fixtures. To control
microbial growth on a surface, a cleaning solution containing
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antimicrobials such as sanitizers is applied to the surface
with a woven or nonwoven fabric. A sanitizer is a compound
that reduces microbial contaminants to safe levels as
determined by government Public Health requirements.
Currently, the safe level is a 99.9990 reduction in the
bacterial count.
In the field of sanitizers, guidelines exist for the
minimum concentration of sanitizer in a sanitizing solution
to avoid outbreaks of pathogenic enteric bacteria. The two
l0 most common sanitizers in sanitizing solutions are quaternary
ammonium compound (QAC)-based or chlorine-based sanitizers.
For example, by law, QAC-based sanitizer sanitizing solutions
must maintain a concentration level of 200-400 parts per
million to achieve the 99.9990 reduction in the bacterial
count. When QACs are applied directly to surfaces, their
effect is not long-lasting due to leaching of the compound
from the surface. Therefore, frequent applications may be
needed to achieve prolonged antimicrobial effects.
For the process to be effective, the cleaning solution
must maintain a certain concentration of sanitizer. A
serious problem occurs when the woven or nonwoven fabric of
the cleaning towel dilutes the concentration of sanitizer in
the cleaning solution. For example, a nonwoven fabric, is
repeatedly rinsed in a cleaning solution contained in a
bucket, while cleaning the table top surfaces of a
restaurant. If the nonwoven fabric is diluting the sanitizer
in the cleaning solution, then the table top surfaces are not
being disinfected. This can lead to an outbreak of
pathogenic enteric bacteria, such as nearly all members of
the genus Salmonella or E. coli. Pathogenic enteric bacteria
can cause illness, or worse death.
As noted above, QAC-based sanitizers are in common use
in cleaning solutions, A QAC is an ion, that is a molecule
that carries an electric charge. More specifically, a QAC
is a cation, that is an ion that posses a positive charge.
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A nonionic molecule is an ion that posses a neutral charge.
An anion is an ion that posses a negative charge. The charge
of a molecule affects that molecule's intermolecular
interactions. For example, a cation is attracted to an
anion, and a cation repels another canon.
The existing woven and nonwoven fabrics used in
conjunction with sanitizing solutions to sanitize and
disinfect surfaces reduce the concentration of sanitizer in
the sanitizing solution rendering the sanitizing solution
ineffective. Over a short period of time and under normal
use, the existing fabrics reduce the concentration of
sanitizer in the sanitizing solution to less than 200 parts
per million. The surfaces of woven fabrics are treated with
a surfactant to achieve the surface quality desired. A
sufactant is a chemical additive that changes the surface
attraction between two liquids, or between a liquid and a
solid, by changing the surface energy of one or both
components. Woven fabrics in common use today with
sanitizing solutions are made with anionic surfactants.
Nonwoven fabrics are constructed of loose strands of material
that are bound together with binders. A binder is an
adhesive, applied with a solvent or by melting a softenable
plastic, to bond fibers together in a web or one web to
another.
Nonwoven fabrics in common use today with cleaning
solutions are made with anionic binders and surfactants. The
negative charge of the anionic binders and surfactants
utilized in nonwoven fabrics attracts and bonds the cationic
QAC-based sanitizer to the fabric thereby diluting and
neutralizing the concentration of sanitizer in the cleaning
solution. Moreover, woven fabrics comprise many interwoven
strands of material, thereby creating a large irregular
surface area that captures a large number of cationic QAGs
during use, thereby diluting the concentration of sanitizer
in the cleaning solution. Existing methods to solve this
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problem are to regularly replace the cleaning solution or
regularly replenish the concentration of sanitizes. However,
these existing methods are not without limitations.
These existing methods are time consuming and expensive.
Regularly monitoring and replacing or replenishing the
cleaning solution involves considerable employee time and the
expense associated with replacing or replenishing the
cleaning solution. Additionally, during busy times in many
restaurants, replacement or replenishment of the cleaning
solution is often forgotten, resulting in insufficient levels
of microbial reduction.
Therefore, a need has arisen for a cleaning towel having
a sanitizes release polymer composition that is capable of
preventing today's fabrics from bonding to sanitizes.
Further, a need has arisen for a towel made from a fabric
that does not bond to or neutralize the sanitizes. It is a
further obj ect of the present invention to provide such a
cleaning towel.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect, the present invention is directed to an
article for sanitizing a surface utilizing a sanitizing
solution that includes a sanitizes at an effective
concentration level. The article includes a substrate that
absorbs and holds the sanitizing solution, and a composition
covering at least a portion of the substrate. The substrate
may be, for example, a woven, nonwoven, or knit fabric, a
foam or sponge, or other structure suitable for absorbing and
holding a sanitizing solution while wiping off a surface.
The substrate has a structure that enables a user to wipe the
surface with the substrate, thereby applying the sanitizing
solution to the surface. The composition is operable to
maintain the concentration level of the sanitizes at the
effective level.
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In another aspect, the present invention is directed to
a cleaning towel utilized to clean in one of a plurality of
areas in a restaurant. The towel includes a substrate with
a sanitizer release polymer composition bound thereto. The
substrate may be, for example, a woven, nonwoven, or knit
fabric, a foam or sponge, or the like. The sanitizer release
polymer composition may include at least one cationic
surfactant. Preferably, the cationic surfactant is present
in the sanitizer release polymer composition in an amount of
about 1 to about 10 weight percent, based on a total weight
of the sanitizer release polymer composition. The sanitizer
release polymer composition may also include at least one
nonionic co-surfactant. The towel also includes a color
label on the surface of the towel to identify the area of the
restaurant in which the cleaning towel is to be utilized.
Optionally, the towel may include an international icon, a
tactile label, and/or a label in a plurality of languages
identifying the area where the towel is to be utilized.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed
to a restaurant cleaning towel that includes a substrate
which is preferably a nonwoven fabric having a nonwoven
surface with a sanitizer release polymer composition bound
thereto. In this embodiment, the sanitizer release polymer
composition comprises at least one nonionic surfactant. The
towel may optionally include a color label on the surface of
the towel to identify the area of the restaurant in which the
cleaning towel is to be utilized.
In still yet another aspect, the present invention is
directed to a method of treating a substrate utilized with
a sanitizing solution to maintain a sanitizer in the
sanitizing solution at an effective concentration level. The
method includes the steps of selecting a substrate, selecting
a cationic (or nonionic) surfactant for applying to the
substrate, and applying the surfactant to the substrate. The
surfactant may be a component in a sanitizer release polymer
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composition in which the surfactant is present in an amount
of about 0.1 to about 99 weight percent, based on a total
weight of the sanitizer release polymer composition. The
composition may be applied to the substrate by diluting the
composition with water or an organic solvent, and applying
the diluted composition by dip coating, spray coating, or
foam coating.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be better understood and its numerous
objects and advantages will become more apparent to those
skilled in the art by reference to the following drawings,
in conjunction with the accompanying specification, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a restaurant
cleaning towel for use in a restroom;
FIG. 2 is a front view of another embodiment of a
restaurant cleaning towel for use in a kitchen area of a
restaurant;
FIG. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of a
restaurant cleaning towel for use as a dining room sanitizer;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart outlining the steps for ensuring
the proper utilization of restaurant cleaning towels or other
specialized tools by individuals according to the teachings
of the present invention; and
35 FIG. 5 is a flow chart outlining the steps of a process
for manufacturing a restaurant cleaning towel in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
In the drawings, like or similar elements are designated
with identical reference numerals throughout the several
views thereof, and the various elements depicted are not
necessarily drawn to scale.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
A restaurant cleaning towel for ensuring the proper
utilization of cleaning towels, and for maintaining the
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required concentration of sanitizers is disclosed. In many
. industries, there are situations where many specialized tools
or goods must be used for specific tasks. Many problems
arise with employees identifying and understanding which
tools should be used for specific tasks. In many instances,
these problems are exacerbated by employees who cannot read,
do not understand the language in which labels may be
written, or are unable to distinguish colors (i.e., color
blind) .
The restaurant industry is one area where this
particular problem is especially acute. One such example can
be seen in the utilization of cleaning tools. For example,
a towel or rag that is used to clean a restroom should not
be used to wipe tables or clean the kitchen. Therefore, to
provide a simple method of ensuring that an employee utilizes
the proper towel for each particular task, each towel is
coded with a plurality of indicators to provide easy
identification of the proper tool for the proper task.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a towel 10 for use in a
restroom. The towel includes a colored stripe 12 prominently
displayed on the towel. For example, in FIG. 1, the stripe
is blue to designate that the towel is for use in the
restroom and is located on a top border of the towel.
Additionally, the towel includes a label 13 having a textual
message in several languages, indicating that the towel is
to be used for restrooms. The towel also includes an
international symbol 14 illustrating a toilet, which also
provides an indication that the towel is to be used in the
restroom.
FIG. 2 is a front view of a towel 20 for use in a
kitchen area of a restaurant. The towel includes a colored
stripe 22, (green in FIG. 2), an international symbol 24 for
a kitchen, and a label 26 indicating that the towel is to be
used for the kitchen. In a similar fashion as the towel 10,
the towel is labeled in several languages.
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FIG. 3 is a front view of a towel 30 for use as a dining
room sanitizes. The towel may be used to clean tables
located within the dining area. The towel includes a colored
stripe 32 utilizing the color red for a sanitizes, and an
international symbol 34 to indicate that the towel is to be
used as a dining room sanitizes. Additionally, a label 36
is also used to indicate, in several languages, that the
towel is for use as a dining room sanitizes.
By providing several types of indicators in coding each
towel for a specific task, practically any employee can
easily and quickly determine which towel is used for each
particular task. Since some employees are color blind, a
color coding may not be helpful. Thus, labeling in several
languages is provided for those employees that are able to
read. Additionally, for those employees that cannot read,
each towel may also include an international symbol easily
understood by most individuals. For example, a symbol of a
toilet may be used to indicate a towel is to be used in a
restroom.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart outlining the steps for ensuring
the proper utilization of restaurant cleaning towels or other
specialized tools by individuals according to the teachings
of the present invention. Specifically, FIG. 4 outlines the
steps for properly using different towels in specific areas
of a restaurant. With reference to FIGS. 1-4, the steps of
the method will now be described. Beginning with step 40,
a plurality of tools are classified into specific categories .
In the example with towels, towels are divided by area and
function within the restaurant. Since it is not desired to
intermingle the towels from different areas for hygienic
reasons, the categories are selected by the location of where
the towels are to be utilized. For example, the categories
are divided into restroom usage, kitchen usage, and dining
room usage.
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After determining the different categories for which
each towel is to be used, the towels are coded with a
plurality of indicators providing easy identification to most
individuals utilizing the towels. The method moves from step
40 to step 42 where a colored stripe (12, 22, and 32) is
prominently displayed on the towels. The colored stripe of
each towel is color coded and associated with a specific
category. The color coding provides a readily identifiable
label to most people. In the examples described in FIGS. 1-
3, the restroom category is blue, the kitchen category is
green, and the dining room sanitizer category is red.
Next in step 44, a textual label written in a plurality
of languages specifying the category each towel belongs is
placed upon each towel. For example, a towel for use in the
bathroom would include the word for restroom in several
languages, such as English, Spanish, and French. In step 46,
a symbol identifying each tool to its associated category is
applied to the towel. In the preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the symbol is a universally recognizable
symbol allowing individuals from any country to understand
which category the towel belongs. For example, in the
restroom category, a symbol of a toilet may be used. In the
kitchen category, a symbol of a stove may be used. The
dining room sanitizer may include a symbol of a table to
indicate that the towel is used for cleaning within the
dining room.
By providing a plurality of indications, all~employees
can easily identify which towel should be used for each
specific task. For those employees who cannot readily
identify various colors, other forms of indicators
associating the tools to their selected categories are
provided. By labeling the tools in several languages,
employees who do not understand English are still able to
read tlae label. Additionally, since many employees cannot
read, international symbols provide another easily
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identifiable indication of the specific category the tool
should be used for.
There are other possible variations on the coding scheme
which may also be used for identifying the proper tool for
the desired task. For example, a plurality of indentations
in a selected pattern, similar to Braille, may be used to
provide the tool with a different tactile feel, and to
identify the tool with its specific category. Additionally,
numbers, geometric symbols, and icons may also be used to
identify the tool. Any coding scheme which provides a
plurality of indicators to identify and associate the
specific tool to the proper category may be used. For
example, referring to FIG. 1, a tactile symbol 16, the
Braille "letter R" is disposed on the towel 10 to identify
the towel 10 for use in the restroom. Referring to FIG. 2,
a tactile symbol 28, the Braille "letter K" is disposed on
the towel 20 to identify the towel for use in the kitchen.
Referring to FIG. 3, a tactile symbol 38, the Braille "letter
S" is disposed on the towel 30 to identify the towel for use
with a sanitizes. Each tactile symbol 16, 28, 38 has a
different tactile feel to provide a tactile coding scheme
that allows blind employees to identify each towel 10, 20,
30, respectively, with its specific category.
In addition to the usage of the coding scheme on towels
in the restaurant industry, the method of identifying tools
may also be used for various other items . For example, other
cleaning tools, such as mops, cleaning containers, trash can
liners, dusters, clothing apparel and cleaning supplies may
all include coded indicators providing easy identification
of the proper tool for the proper task by individuals.
Additionally, other tools such as kitchen utensils requiring
segregation may be coded. One such example can be seen in
the use of knives. Knives used in the preparation of chicken
and vegetables should not be interchanged for health reasons .
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Also, although the towels use a coding scheme located
on the upper portion of each towel, the indicators may be
located on other areas of each tool. For example, a mop may
include a stitched band located on the mop head. The band .
may include a colored label, an international symbol, and a
textual label in several languages. Additionally, the coding
scheme may be set to an industry-wide standard. Thus,
specific colors, labels and icons may be consistently used
and positioned on tools for a particular industry. This
standard coding scheme allows employees jumping from one job
to another job at a different location to utilize the proper
tool for the proper task while avoiding confusion and
additional training.
The disclosed method has been exemplified for the usage
of specific tools within a restaurant, however, this method
may also be used in other industries. For example, in the
medical industry, several tools must be used for specific
tasks or specific patients and not used with other tasks or
patients. A patient having a contagious disease that
requires the use of a specific medical tool may have a coded
tool indicating that the tool is only to be used for that
specific patient or patients with the same exact ailment,
thus preventing the spread of the disease to other patients.
As discussed above, the coded tool includes a plurality of
indicators allowing the entire medical staff a simple way of
identifying the proper tool for the proper task.
Another industry where this method may be particularly
useful is within the semiconductor manufacturing industry.
During the manufacture of semiconductors, it is imperative
that the manufacturing process remain in a sterile
environment. Thus the carriage of particles within a "clean
room" where the semiconductors are manufactured must be
reduced or eliminated. Typically, specialized garments and
tools are sterilized prior to use within the clean room. In
addition, various areas of the clean room require additional
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sterilization procedures. It would be advantageous to code
various garments, tools, and devices which are allowed to be
used within selected areas of the clean room environment with
a plurality of indicators identifying the garments, tools,
and devices as properly being used within the specified areas
of the clean room.
Still another area where the disclosed method can be
used is in the safety industry. Various locations within a
work area requires the use of a variety of equipment or
protective gear. For example, special non-conductive shoes
may be required in an area where the production of
electricity is present. Therefore, this specific area may
be indicated by labeling both the location and the garments
with a plurality of indicators, such as colored stripes,
labels in a variety of languages, and international symbols
to provide easily identifiable indicators to the employees.
Although the method may be used in the industries
described above, the method may also be used in other areas
not described herein. The disclosed method provides many
advantages over existing methods. First, the method provides
a simple and easily recognizable indication to various types
of people on which specific tools should be used for selected
tasks. Additionally, the method may be used by people not
normally capable of comprehending the typical coding schemes
prevalent in various industries. Additionally, the coding
provides indicators which may be readily recognized from a
distance. This allows supervisors to identify those
individuals that are utilizing the wrong tools for the wrong
task, without having to closely watch each employee.
The present invention also provides a substrate with an
enhanced sanitizer release polymer composition bound to the
surface of the substrate. The substrate may be, for example,
a woven, nonwoven, or knit fabric, a foam or sponge, or
other structure suitable for absorbing and holding a cleaning
solution while wiping off a surface. The enhanced sanitizer
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release polymer composition may contain at least one cationic
surfactant. Optionally, the enhanced sanitizer release
polymer composition may contain a co-surfactant. Optionally,
the enhanced sanitizer release polymer composition may
contain one or more additive agents that functionally and
chemically improve the bonding of the cationic surfactant and
optional co-surfactant(s) to a particular substrate.
Optionally, the enhanced sanitizer release polymer
composition may contain one or more fillers. In an
alternative embodiment, the enhanced sanitizer release
polymer composition contains only nonionic surfactants.
The purpose of any finish, such as a surfactant, is to
improve the aesthetic, functional or processing properties
of fabrics. Surfactants are a class of materials broadly
characterized as being made of molecules containing
hydrophilic groups adequately separated from hydrophobic
groups. The hydrophobic groups have an affinity for the
fiber , surface. The hydrophilic groups are attached
predominantly to the aqueous medium. Existing fabrics used
in the field of sanitizers use anionic surfactants that
attract the cationic QAC-based and cationic chlorine-based
sanitizers thereby diluting the concentration of sanitizer
in the cleaning solution. The enhanced sanitizer release
polymer composition of the present invention achieves its
unexpectedly superior sanitizer release properties by
preferably utilizing a cationic surfactant that repels the
cationic QAC-based and cationic chlorine-based sanitizers
thereby not diluting the concentration of sanitizer in the
cleaning solution. Alternatively, the enhanced sanitizer
release polymer composition utilizes a nonionic surfactant
that, although not repelling the cationic sanitizers, does
not attract the sanitizers like existing anionic surfactants.
As noted above, the enhanced sanitizer release polymer
compositions may optionally contain a co-surfactant.
Suitable co-surfactants are selected from nonionic, anionic,
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amphoteric, zwitterionic and semi-polar surfactants. A
combination of cationic surfactants and co-surfactants may
also be utilized. Preferably, the enhanced sanitizer release
polymer compositions are prepared with either cationic
surfactants or a combination of cationic and nonionic
surfactants.
Suitable cationic surfactants include, for example:
~ dieicosyldimethyl ammonium chloride;
~ didocosyldimethyl ammonium chloride;
~ dioctadecyidimethyl ammonium chloride;
~ dioctadecyldimethyl ammonium methosulphate;
~ ditetradecyldimethyl ammonium~chloride and naturally
occurring mixtures of above fatty groups, e.g.
di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium chloride;
~ ~ di(hydrogenated tallow) dimethyl ammonium metho-
sulphate;
~ ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride; and
~ dioleyidimethyl ammonium chloride.
Suitable cationic surfactants also include imidazolinium
compounds, for example, 1-methyl-1-(tallowylamido-) ethyl-2-
tallowy14,5-dihydroimidazolinium methosulphate and 1-methyl-
1-(palmitoylamido)ethyl-2-octadecyl 4,5-dihydro-imidazolinium
methosulphate. Other useful imidazolinium materials are 2-
heptadecyl-1-methyl-1(2-stearoylamido)-ethyl-imidazolinium
methosulphate and 2-lauryl-lhydroxyethyl-1-oleyl-
imidazolinium chloride.
Further examples of suitable cationic surfactants
include:
~ dialkyl (C1~ - C2~) dimethylammonium chloride;
~ alkyl(coconut)dimethylbenzylammonium chloride;
~ octadecylamine acetate salt;
~ tetradecylamine acetate salt;
~ tallow alkylpropylenediamine acetate salt;
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~ octadecyltrimethylammonium chloride;
~ alkyl(tallow)trimethylammonium chloride;
~ dodecyltrimethylammonium chlorid;
~ alkyl(coconut)trimethylammonium chloride;
~ hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride;
~ biphenyltrimethylammonium chloride, alkyl(tallow)-
imidazoline quaternary salt;
~ tetradecylmethylbenzylammonium chloride;
~ octadecyidimethylbenzylammonium chloride;
~ dioleyidimethylammonium chloride;
~ polyoxyethylene dodecylmonomethylammonium chloride;
~ polyoxyethylene alkyl (C1z - C22) benzylammonium
chloride;
~ polyoxyethylene laurylmonomethyl ammonium chloride;
~ 1-hydroxyethyl-2-alkyl(tallow)-imidazoline quaternary
salt; and
~ a silicone cationic surfactant having a siloxane group
as a hydrophobic group, a fluorine-containing cationic
surfactant having a fluoroalkyl group as a hydrophobic
group.
Suitable anionic surfactants include, for example:
~ from Ca to Coo alkylbenzenesulfonates;
~ from C$ to CZO alkanesulfonates;
~ from C8 to C2o alkylsulfates;
~ from Ca to Coo alkylsulfosuccinates; and
~ from Ce to Czo sulfated ethoxylated alkanols.
Suitable nonionic surfactants include, for example, from
C6 to C12 alkylphenol ethoxylates, from C8 to Coo alkanol
alkoxylates, and block copolymers of ethylene oxide and
propylene oxide. Optionally, the end groups of polyalkylene
oxides can be blocked, whereby the free OH groups of the
polyalkylene oxides can be etherified, esterified, acetalized
and/or aminated. Another modification consists of reacting
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the free OH groups of the polyalkylene oxides with
isocyanates. The nonionic surfactants also include~C4 to C1$
alkyl glucosides as well as the alkoxylated products
obtainable therefrom by alkoxylation, particularly those
obtainable by reaction of alkyl glucosides with ethylene
oxide.
Suitable amphoteric surfactants contain both acidic and
basic hydrophilic groups. Amphoteric surfactants are
preferably derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines,
derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium
or tertiary sulfonium compounds. The cationic atom in the
quaternary compound can be part of a heterocyclic ring. The
amphoteric surfactant preferably contains at least one
aliphatic group, containing about 3 to about 18 carbon atoms .
At least one cationic surfactant is present in the
enhanced sanitizer release polymer composition in an amount
of from about 0.1 to about 99 weight percent, preferably from
0.5 to 50 weight percent, more preferably from 1 to 10 weight
percent, based on the total weight of the enhanced sanitizer
release polymer composition. Preferable surfactants, such
as the surfactants discussed above, can be obtained from
Chicopee, Inc. of Dayton, New Jersey, a part of Polymer Group
Inc. (PGI).
The composition of the additive agents, such as, for
example, crosslinking or curing agents, that functionally and
chemically improve the bonding of the cationic surfactant and
optional co-surfactant~to a particular substrate will depend
on the composition and rheology of the substrate.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart outlining the steps of a process
for manufacturing a restaurant cleaning towel in a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. At step 50, a suitable
cationic (or alternatively, a nonionic) surfactant is
selected for use in. the sanitizer release polymer
composition. At step 52, it is determined whether or not a
co-surfactant is also to be utilized in the composition. If
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not, the process moves to step 60. However, if a co-
surfactant is to be utilized, the process moves to step 54
where a surfactant is selected from nonionic, anionic,
amphoteric, zwitterionic, or semi-polar surfactants. At step
56, it is determined whether or not an additive agent is also
to be utilized in the composition. If not, the process moves
to step 60. However, if an additive agent is to be utilized,
the process moves to step 58 where an additive agent such as,
for example, a cross-linking or curing agent is selected.
At step 60, the concentration of the cationic surfactant
is preferably adjusted in the composition to a range of 1 to
10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the enhanced
sanitizer release polymer composition. At step 62, the
enhancedsanitizer release polymer composition is.applied to
the surface of the substrate. It should be understood by one
skilled in the art that the bonding of the enhanced sanitizer
release polymer composition to a substrate will depend on the
composition and rheology of the substrate. The enhanced
sanitizer release polymer composition of the present
invention can be applied to the surface of the substrate by
any suitable method. For example, the method may be diluting
the enhanced sanitizer release polymer composition with an
organic solvent or water, and then applying the solution to
the surface of the material to be treated by dip coating,
spray coating or foam coating.
At step 64, identifying indicia are applied to the towel
to indicate the area of the restaurant where each towel is
to be utilized. As indicated above, the indicia may include
a color-coded strip, a textual label in a plurality of
languages, an international symbol, and/or a tactile symbol
such as a Braille letter.
Table 1 below summarizes test results obtained with a
substrate treated with the enhanced sanitizer release polymer
composition in accordance with the teachings of the.present
invention. The test results show the QAT concentration (ppm)
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of a sanitizing solution that was utilized with different
substrates over a four-hour period. The results for each
substrate are compared with the QAT concentration of a
control solution that was not used during the test period.
Generic Terry
Control Invention 2oz FST Cloth Linen
After
first Use 203 203 177 180 174
After 1
hour 202 197 159 147 130
After 2
hours 202 203 133 119 88.
After 4
hours 203 203 124 91 62
Table 1
It can be readily seen that the inventive substrate and
composition maintained the QAT concentration at the original
level throughout the four-hour test period, matching the
control solution which was not used. Traditional substrates
such as the generic 2-oz Food Service Towel (FST), the Terry
cloth, and the linen all substantially reduced the QAT
concentration of the sanitizing solution during the test
period.
It is to be understood that even though numerous
characteristics and advantages of the present invention have
been set forth in the foregoing description, the disclosure
is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail,
especially in matters of size, shape, and arrangement of
parts within the principles of the invention to the full
extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms
in which the appended claims are expressed.
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