Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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DETERGENT COMPOSITION, COhIPRISING SOIL SUSPENDING AGENT, FOR USE
~''iTH A DISPOSABLE ABSORBENT PAD
TECHNICAL FIELD
This application relates to detergent compositions (solutions) for use with a
disposable
absorbent pad, preferably where the pad is part of a cleaning implement, e.g.,
mop, and
especially where the pad comprises superabsorbent material useful in removing
soils from hard
surfaces
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION .
The normal devices for cleaning floors are reusable, including mops containing
cotton
strings, cellulose andlor synthetic strips, sponges, and the like. This
invention relates to mops
having disposable cleaning pads. For example, L'.S. Patent No. 5,094,559,
issued March I0.
1992 to Rivera et al., describes a mop that includes a disposable cleaning
pad. After the
cleaning action is completed, the pad is removed from the mop handle and
reattached such that
the blotter layer contacts the floor.
Similarly, U.S. Patent 5,419,015, issued May 30, 1995 to Garcia, describes a
mop
having removable, washable work pads. The pad is described as comprising an
upper layer
which is capable of attaching to hooks on a mop head, a central layer of
synthetic plastic
rnicroporous foam, and a lower layer for contacting a surface during the
cleaning operation. The
synthetic foam described by Garcia for absorbing the cleaning solution has a
relatively low
absorbent capacity for water and water-based solutions. As such, the user must
either use small
amounts of cleaning solution to remain within the absorbent capacity of the
pad, or the user must
leave a significant amount of cleaning solution on the surface being cleaned.
The present invention relates primarily to detergent solutions for use with a
disposable
cleaning pad that preferably is part of a cleaning implement, which alleviates
the need to rinse
the pad during use. This preferably includes an implement that comprises a
removable
disposable cleaning pad with sufficient absorbent capacity, on a gram of
absorbed fluid per gram
of cleaning pad basis, that allows the cleaning of a large area, such as that
of the typical hard
surface floor (e.g., 80-100 ft2), without the need to change the pad. This, in
turn, requires the
use of a superabsorbent material, preferably of the type disclosed
hereinafter. Detergent
compositions that are used with such superabsorbent materials must be
carefully formulated to
avoid defeating the goal of using such superabsorbent material, as disclosed
in the copending
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provisional patent application of Masters et al., Serial No. 60/045,858, filed
May 8, 1997, said
application being incorporated herein by reference.
The preferred cleaning implements have a pad which offers beneficial soil
removal
properties due to continuously providing a fresh surface, and/or edge to
contact the soiled
surface, e.g., by providing a plurality of surfaces that contact the soiled
surface during the
cleaning operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
As disclosed in said provisional~application, detergent compositions
(solutions) which
are to be used with an implement containing a superabsorbent material require
sufficient
detergent, preferably at least 0.03% by weight of the composition, to enable
the solution to
provide cleaning without overloading the superabsorbent material with
solution, but preferably
do not have more than about 0.5% by weight of the composition of detergent
surfactant to avoid
hurting the filminglstreaking performance as discussed hereinafter. The
compositions of said
provisional application provide excellent cleaning and constitute a real
improvement in the art.
However, cleaning performance is limited under certain soil situations. Soils
that are not
suspended in the cleaning solution by whatever level of surfactant that is
present, are not
effectively removed from the floor by transport to the superabsorbent core of
the pad. These
soils then redeposit to form a haze that can be seen when the cleaning
solution evaporates from
the floor. This haze is a major source of dissatisfaction to the consumer.
Often these
redeposited soils are insoluble particulates.
We have found that specific water soluble soil suspending polymers added to
the
cleaning solution can improve end result appearance by reducing the amount of
insoluble soil
that is redeposited. Thus, haze, filming and streaking are reduced for the
superabsorbent pad
system. Said water soluble soil suspending polymers aid in the suspension and
subsequent
uptake of particulate soils into the pad. The essential polymers herein are
preferably present at
levels of from about 0.001% to about 1%, more preferably from about 0.005 to
about 0.5%, and
even more preferably from about 0.005% to about 0.1%, by weight of the
cleaning solution
composition. The water soluble soil suspending polymers are preferably
selected from a group
consisting of: ethoxylated andlor propoxylated polyalkylamines; anionic, e.g.,
carboxylate
polymers; nitrogen-based 2witterionic polymers; polyethyleneoxides;
polyphosphates; and
celluIosic polymers. Of these, polymers having a weight average molecular
weight of less than
about 250,000, preferably from about 200 to about 200,000, more preferably
from about 200 to
about 150,000, and even more preferably from about 200 to about 100,000, are
preferred.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
I. THE DETERGENT COMPOSITION
Hard surface detergent compositions that provide effective cleaning and good
fiiming/streaking when used with a disposable cleaning pad and without rinsing
comprise: (1) an
effective amount of polymeric soil suspending agent and (2) preferably, from
about 0.03% to
about 0.5% by weight of the composition of one or more detergent surfactants,
the level of
hydrophobic materials, including hydrophobic cleaning solvents being limited.
The detergent
composition of the present invention is used in combination with a disposable,
preferably
supcrabsorbent, cleaning pad, preferably attached to an implement which
facilitates its use.
Preferred detergent compositions which can be used with the preferred pads
containing
superabsorbent material and optional implement, described hereinafter, require
sufficient
detergent to enable the solution to provide cleaning without overloading the
superabsorbent
material with solution, but, typically, if there is more than about 0.5%
detergent surfactant the
performance suffers. Therefore, the level of detergent surfactant is
preferably from about
0.03%to about 0.5%, more preferably from about 0.1% to about 0.45%, and even
more
preferably from about 0.2% to about 0.45%, by weight of the composition. The
level of
hydrophobic materials, including cleaning solvent, is preferably less than
about 3%, more
preferably less than about 2%, and even more preferably less than about 1 %
and the pH is
typically more than about 9.3, preferably more than about 10, and more
preferably more than
about 10.3, to avoid hindering absorption in the preferred superabsorbent
material. The
alkalinity should preferably be provided, at least in part, by volatile
materials, to minimize
streaking/filming problems.
'The invention also comprises a detergent composition as disclosed herein in a
container
in association with instructions to use it with an implement comprising a
disposable pad,
preferably a disposable pad comprising an effective amount of a superabsorbent
material, and,
optionally, in a container in a kit comprising the pad and optional implement,
or, at least, a
disposable cleaning pad comprising a superabsorbent material. The invention
also relates in a
preferred aspect to the use of the eompositian and a cleaning pad comprising a
superabsorbent
material (superabsorbent pad) to effect cleaning of soiled surfaces.
'The detergent composition (cleaning solution), herein, is an aqueous-based
solution
comprising one or more detergent surfactants, alkaline materials to provide
the desired alkaline
pH, and optional ingredients including: hydrophobic cleaning solvents,
hydrophilic shear-
thinning polymers, detergent builders, chelants, suds suppressors, detergent
en2ymes, etc.
Suitable surfactants include anionic, nonionic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric
surfactants. Of
these, preferred are anionic and nonionic detergent surfactants having
hydrophobic chains
containing from about 8 to about 18, and more preferably from about 8 to about
15 carbon
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atoms. Examples of anionic and nonionic surfactants include those well know in
the art,
examples of which contain a hydrophilic moiety selected from the group
consisting of: sulfate,
ethoxysulfate, sulfonate, carboxylate, ethoxycarboxylate, polyethoxylate,
dialkyl amine oxide,
glucamide and sugar based head groups, and the like. Examples of zwitterionic
surfactants
include betaines and sulfobetaines. Examples of arnphoteric surfactants
include alkylampho
glycinates, and alkyl imino propionates. Many of the above materials are
available
commercially, and are described in McCutcheon's Vol. l: Emulsifiers and
Detergents, North
American Ed., MeCutcheon Division, MC Publishing Co., 1995, incorporated
herein by
reference.
Suitable hydrophobic cleaning solvents include short chain (e.g., CI-C6)
derivatives of
oxyethylene glycol and oxypropylene glycol, such as mono- and di-ethylene
glycol n-hexyl
ether, mono-, di- and tri-propylene glycol n-butyl ether, and the like. The
level of hydrophobic
cleaning solvent, e.g., solvent having a solubility in water of less than
about 3%, is in the
cleaning composition at less than about 3%, more preferably less than about 2%
by weight of the
composition.
Suitable detergent builders include those derived from phosphorous sources,
such as
orthophosphates, pyrophosphates, tripolyphosphates, etc., and those derived
from non-
phosphorous sources, such as nitrilotriacetates; S,S-ethylene diamine
disuccinates; and the like.
Suitable chelants include ethylenediaminetetraacetates; citrates; and the
like. Suitable suds
suppressors include silicone polymers and linear or branched C 10-C 1 g fatty
acids or alcohols.
Suitable detergent enzymes include lipases, proteases, amylases and other
enzymes known to be
useful for catalysis of soil degradation. The total level of such ingredients
is low, preferably less
than about 0.1%, more preferably less than about 0.05%, to avoid causing
fiiming/streaking
problems. Preferably, the compositions should be essentially free of materials
that cause
filmingJstreaking problems. Accordingly, it is desirable to use alkaline
materials that do not
cause filming and/or streaking for the majority of the buffering. Suitable
alkaline buffers are
carbonates, bicarbonates, citrates, etc. The preferred alkaline buffers are
alkanol amines having
the formula:
CR2(NR2)CR20H
wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and alkyl
groups containing
from one to four carbon atoms and the total of carbon atoms in the compound is
from three to
six, preferably, 2-dimethylamino-2-methyl-1-propanol.
A suitable preferred cleaning solution for use with the present implement
comprises
from about 0.1% to about 0.5% of detergent surfactant, preferably comprising
an alcohol
ethoxylate detergent surfactant (e.g., Neodol 1-5~, available from Shell
Chemical Co.) and an
alkyl sulfonate (e.g., Witconate NAS-8, a linear Cg sulfonate available from
Witco Co.); from
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about 4.01% to about 1%, preferably from about 0.01% to about 0.6%, of
volatile alkaline
material, e.g., 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol; from about 0.0005% to about 0.08%
hydrophilic
shear-thinning polymer, e.g. xanthan gum; optional adjuvants such as dyes
andlor perfumes; and
from about 99.9% to about 90% by weight of the composition of deionized or
softened water.
H. THE SOIL SUSPENDhIG AGENTS
The soil suspending agents, preferably water salable polymers, for use in the
detergent
composition andlor cleaning solution of this invention are selected from a
group consisting of,
ethoxylated and/or propoxylated polyalkylamines, carboxyiate polymers,
nitrogen-based
zwitterionic polymers, polyethyleneoxides, polyphosphates, and cellulosic
polymers.
Preferred soil suspending agents are ethoxylated polyalkylamines. Such agents
are
disclosed in U. S. Pat. Patent Number: 4,891,160, issued January 2, 1990,
entitled Detergent
compositions containing ethoxylated amines having, clay soil removal/anti-
redeposition
properties, by Vander Meer, James M.
Preferred ethoxylated polyamines can be derived from polyarnino amides andlor
polyaminopropyleneoxide materials. Preferred ethoxylated amine polymers are
the ethoxylated
CZ -C3 polyalkyleneamines and polyalkyleneimines. Particularly preferred
ethoxylated
polyalkyleneamines and polyalkyieneimines are the ethoxylated
polyethyleneamines (PEAS) and
polyethyleneimines (PEIs). Each hydrogen atom attached to each nitrogen atom
represents an
active site for subsequent ethoxylation. Preferred have a molecular weight of
from about 140 to
about 310, preferably from about 140 to about 200. These PEAS can be obtained
by reactions
involving ammonia and ethylene dichloride, followed by fractional
distillation. The common
PEAs obtained are triethylenetetramine (TETA) and tetraethylenepentamine
(TEPA). Above
the pentamines, i.e., the hexamines, heptamines, octamines and possibly
nonamines, the
cogenerically derived mixture does not appear to separate by distillation and
can include other
materials such as cyclic amines and
particularly piperazines. There can also be present cyclic amines with side
chains in which
nitrogen atoms appear. See U.S. Pat. No. 2,792,372 to Dickson, issued May 14,
1957, which
describes the preparation of PEAS. The minimum degree of ethoxylation required
for preferred
soil suspension performance can vary depending upon the number of units in the
PEA.
The PEIs used in preparing the compounds of the present invention have a
molecular
weight of at least about 440 prior to ethoxylation, which represents at least
about IO units.
Preferred PEIs used in preparing these compounds have an average molecular
weight of from
about 600 to about 2600. Although linear polymer backbones are possible,
branched chains can
also occur. The relative proportions of primary, secondary and tertiary amine
groups present in
the polymer can vary, depending on the manner of preparation. Each hydrogen
atom attached to
each nitrogen atom of the PEI represents an active site for subsequent
ethoxylation. These PEIs
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can be prepared, for example, by polymerizing ethyleneimine in the presence of
a catalyst such
as carbon dioxide, sodium bisulfate, sulfuric acid, hydrogen peroxide,
hydrochloric acid, acetic
acid, etc. Specific methods for preparing PEIs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
2,182,306 to Ulrich
et al., issued Dec. 5, 1939; U.S. Pat. No. 3,033,746 to Mayle et al., issued
May 8, 1962; U.S.
Pat, No. 2,208,095 to Esselmann et al., issued July i6, 1940; U.S. Pat. No.
2,806,839 to
Crowther, issued Sept. 17, 1957; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,553,696 to Wilson, issued
May 21, 1951
(all incorporated herein by reference).
The minimum degree of ethoxylation required for suitable soil suspension
performance
can increase as the molecular weight of the PEI increases, especially much
beyond about 1800.
Also, the degree of ethoxylation for preferred compounds increases as the
molecular weight of
the PEI increases. For preferred PEAs and PEIs having a molecular weight of at
least about
600, the degree of ethoxylation is preferably at least about 1, with a more
preferred range of
from about 12 to about 42. For PEAS and PEIs having a molecular weight of at
least 1600, the
degree of ethoxylation is preferably at least about 1, with a typical range of
from about 10 to
about 40. The level at which the ethoxylated amines) can be present in the
detergent
compositions herein can vary depending upon the compounds used.
Generally, the ethoxylated amines can be included in an amount of from about
0.001
to about 1% by weight of the composition, with the preferred range being from
about 0.005% to
about 0.5% by weight, and a more preferred range of about 0.01% to 0.1%.
Still other suitable compounds are disclosed in U. S. Pat. Patent Number:
5,565,145,
issued October 15, 1996, entitled Compositions comprising
ethoxylated/propoxylated,
polyalkyleneamine polymers as soil dispersing agents, by Watson, Randall A.;
Gosselink,
Eugene P.; and Zhang, Shulin, incorporated herein by reference.
These compounds are ethoxylated/propoxylated polyalkyleneamine polymers. The
polyalkylenearnines comprise a nitrogen-containing backbone with an average
molecular weight
of from about 600 to about 10,000, preferably from about 1,000 to about 3,000.
Said polymers
have an average alkoxylation of from about 0.5 to about 10, preferably from
about 0.7 to about
8, most preferably from about 0.7 to about 4, per nitrogen. Further said
alkoxylated
polyalkyleneamine polymers can comprise up to about 4, but preferably i or
less, propoxylates
or longer alkoxylate units per available site on the nitrogens. By "per
available site on the
nitrogens" is meant that each H of the NH moiety can be substituted with up to
about 4
propoxylates or longer alkoxylate units. Thus, after alkoxylation of a NHz
site, there can then
be up to 8 propoxylates or long alkoxylate units connected to the nitrogen.
Preferably, the
propoxylate or longer alkoxylate units in the alkoxylate systems are added to
the polyalkylene-
amine first, before the ethoxylate units.
An example of suitable polyalkylamine has the general formula:
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E B
I I
[EZNCHZCHZ]w [NCHZCHz]x [NCHZCH~]y Iv'EZ
wherein B is a continuation by branching of the polyethyleneimine backbone and
E is an
ethyleneoxy unit having the formula:
-(CH~CH20)mH
wherein m has an average value of about 20. What is meant herein by an average
value of 20 is
that sufficient ethylene oxide or other suitable reagent is reacted with the
polyethyleneimine
starting material to fully ethoxylate each N-H unit in the polyethyleneamine
to an average degree
of 20 ethoxy groups.
The units which make up the polyalkyleneimine backbones are derived from
primary
amine units having the formula:
[H2N-CH2CH2]- and -NH2
which terminate the main backbone and any branching chains, secondary amine
units having the
formula:
H
i
-[N- CHZCHZ]-
and which, after modification, have their hydrogen atom substituted by an
average of 20
ethyleneoxy units, and tertiary amine units having the formula:
B
i
-[N-CH2CH2]-
which are the branching points of the main and secondary backbone chains, B
representing a
continuation of the chain structure by branching. The tertiary units have no
replaceable
hydrogen atom and are therefore not modified by substitution with ethyleneoxy
units. During
the formation of the polyamine backbones cyclization may occur, therefore, an
amount of cyclic
polyamine can be present in the parent polyalkyleneimine backbone mixture.
Each primary and
secondary amine unit of the cyclic alkyleneimines undergoes modification by
the addition of
alkyleneoxy units in the same manner as linear and branched
polyalkyleneimines.
The indices w, x, and y have values such that the average molecular weight of
the
polyethyleneimine backbone prior to modification is about 600 daltons. In
addition, those
skilled in the art will recognize that each branch chain must terminate in a
primary amine unit,
therefore the value of the index w is y + 1 in the case where no cyclic amine
backbones are
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present. The average molecular weight for each ethylene backbone unit, -
NCHzCHZ-, is
approximately 43 daltons.
Other soil suspending materials include polyvinyl pyrrolidone and/or cellulose
derivatives. Polyvinyl pyrrolidone is not a single individual compound but can
be obtained in
almost any degree of polymerization. The degree of polymerization, which is
most easily
expressed in terms of average molecular weight, is not critical provided the
material has the
desired water solubility and soil-suspending power. In general, suitable soil-
suspending vinyl
pyrrolidone polymers are linear in structure, and have an average molecular
weight within the
range of about 5,000 to about 100,000, and preferably from about 15,000 to
about 50,000.
Suitable polymers will also, generally, have a water solubility of greater
than 0.3% at normal
usage temperatures.
Any well-known nonionic cellulose ether can be used in the detergent
composition
according to the invention. Preferably the cellulose ether is an alkyl or an
alkyl/ hydroxyalkyl
cellulose derivative. The alkyl group should contain from 1 to 4, preferably
from 1 to 3 carbon
atoms, and the hydroxyalkyl group should contain from 2 to 4, preferably from
2 to 3 carbon
atoms. Particularly preferred materials include methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose,
methyl
hydroxylpropyl cellulose and ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose.
The total level of the polyvinyl pyrrolidone and/or cellulose derivatives in
the detergent
composition is preferably in the range of about 0.001% to about 1% by weight
of the
composition, a more preferred range being from about 0.005% to about 0.5% by
weight, and a
more preferred range of about 0.01% to 0.1%.
An improvement in soil suspension can be achieved at all mixing ratios of the
vinyl
pyrrolidone polymer and the nonionic cellulose ether. Preferably, the ratio of
the vinyl
pyrrolidone polymer to the nonionic cellulose ether in the detergent
composition is within the
range from about 8:2 to about 2:8, most preferably from about 6:4 to about
4.6, by weight.
Mixtures of this type are disclosed in U. S. Pat. Patent Number: 4,999,129,
entitled Process and
composition for washing soiled polyester,fabrics, byMichael Hull.
Other soil suspending agents can be anionic polymers. Examples of these
anionic
polymers are disclosed in, e.g., U. S. Pat. Number: 5789369, entitled,
Modified polyacrylic acid
polymers for anti-redeposition performance, by Gopalkrishnan, Sridhar; Guiney,
Kathleen M.;
and Sherman, John V. The total molecular weight of the copolymer disclosed in
said patent are
within the range of about 1000 to 100,000, as determined by gel permeation
chromatography.
More preferably, the weight average molecular weight falls within the range of
about 1,000 to
30,000; most preferably within the range of about 1,000 to 20,000.
The hydrophilic copolymer can be prepared by copolymerizing two monomers, an
unsaturated hydrophilic monomer and a hydrophilic oxyalkylated monomer.
Examples of
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unsaturated hydrophilic monomers disclosed include acrylic acid, malefic acid,
malefic anhydride,
methacrylic acid, methacrylate esters and substituted methacrylate esters,
vinyl acetate, vinyl
alcohol, methylvinyl ether, crotonic acid, itaconic acid, vinyl acetic acid,
and vinylsulphonate.
The unsaturated hydrophilic monomer component of the hydrophilic copolymer is
preferably
acrylic acid. Examples of the hydrophilic oxyalkylated monomer include
compounds that have a
polymerizable olefinic moiety with at least one acidic hydrogen and are
capable of undergoing
addition reaction with alkyiene oxide. It is also possible to include monomers
with at least one
acidic hydrogen that are polymerized first, and then subsequently oxyalkylated
to yield the
desired product. For example, allyl alcohol is especially preferred since it
represents a
monofunctional initiator with a polymerizable olefinic moiety having an acidic
hydrogen on the
oxygen, and is capable of adding to alkylene oxide. Other examples of the
hydrophilic
oxyalkylated monomer of the copolymer include reaction products of either
acrylic acid,
methacrylic acid, malefic acid, or 3-allyloxy-1,2-propanediol with alkylene
oxide. Preparation of
oxyalkylated monomers is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,475 and U.S. Pat.
No. 4,622,378 both
incorporated herein by reference. Especially preferred is the hydrophilic
oxyalkylated monomer
which is a propylene Is oxide and ethylene oxide adduct of allyl alcohol. This
monomer has a
molecular weight of about 3800. The molecular weight of the hydrophilic
oxyalkylated
monomer according to the various embodiments of the invention should be
preferably within the
range of about 600 to 30,000, more preferably about 700 to 15,000, and most
preferably about
700 to 5000. The hydrophilic oxyaikyated monomer preferably has a solubility
of about 500
grams/liter, more preferably about 700 grams/liter in water.
Other polymeric polycarboxylates that are suitable include, for example, the
polymers
disclosed in U. S. Pat. 5,574,004, incorporated herein by reference. Such
polymers include
homopolymers and/or copolymers (composed of two or more monomers) of an alpha,
beta-
ethylenically unsaturated acid monomer such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid,
a diacid such as
malefic acid, itaconic acid, fumaric acid, mesoconic acid, citraconic acid and
the like, a
monoester of a diacid with an alkanol, e.g., having 1-8 carbon atoms, and
mixtures thereof.
When the polymeric polycarboxylate is a copolymer, it can be a copolymer of
more than one of
the foregoing unsaturated acid monomers, e.g., acrylic acid and malefic acid,
or a copolymer of at
least one of such unsaturated acid monomers with at least one non-carboxylic
alpha, beta-
ethylenically unsaturated monomer which can be either relatively non-polar
such as styrene or
an olefinic monomer, such as ethylene, propylene or butene-l, or which has a
polar functional
group such as vinyl acetate, vinyl chloride, vinyl alcohol, alkyl acrylates,
vinyl pyridine, vinyl
pyrrolidone, or an amide of one of the delineated unsaturated acid monomers,
such as
acrylamide ox methacrylamide. Certain of the foregoing copolymers can be
prepared by after
treating a homopolymer or a different copolymer, e.g., copolymers of acrylic
acid and
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acrylamide by partially hydrolyzing a polyacrylarnide. Copolymers of at least
one unsaturated
carboxylic acid monomer with at least one non-carboxylic comonomer should
contain at least
about 50 mol % of polymerized carboxylic acid monomer. The polymeric
polycarboxylate
should have a number average molecular weight of, for example about 1000 to
10,000,
preferably about 2000 to 5000. To ensure substantial water solubility, the
polymeric
polycarboxylate is completely or partially neutralized, e.g., with alkali
metal ions, preferably
sodium ions.
The total level of the polymeric polycarboxylate in the detergent composition
is
preferably in the range of about 0.001% to about 1% by weight of the
composition, a more
preferred range being from about 0.005% to about 0.5% by weight, and a more
preferred range
of about 0.01% to 0.1%.
Still other polycarboxylate materials include those disclosed in U. S. Pat.
Patent
Number: 5470510, issued November 28, 1995, entitled Dispersing agent, by
Willey, Alan D.
The polymers can be derived from L-glumatic acid, D-glumatic acid or mixtures,
e.g. racemates,
of these L and D isomers. The L isomer and D, L racemate are currently
preferred. The
polymers include not only the homopolymers of glutamic acid but also
copolymers, such as
block, graft or random copolymers, containing glutamic acid. Thus, copolymers
of giutamic acid
with at least one other (preferably biodegradable) monomer, oligomer or
polymer come into
consideration. These include, for example, copolymers containing at least one
other amino acid,
such as aspartic acid, ethylene glycol, ethylene oxide, (or an oligimer or
polymer of any of these)
or polyvinyl alcohol. Glutamic acid can, of course, carry one or more
substituents and the
polymers useful as component (a) include those in which a proportion or all of
the glutamic acid
monomers are substituted. Substituents include, for example, alkyl, hydroxy
alkyl, aryl and
arylalkyl, commonly with up to 18 carbon atoms per group, or polyethylene
glycol attached by
ester linkages.
Other soil suspending agents suitable herein include cellulose derivatives
such as
methylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose and hydroxyethylcelluiose. 'The total
level of cellulose
derivatives in the detergent composition is preferably in the range of about
0.001% to about 1%
by weight of the composition, a more preferred range being from about 0.005%
to about 0.5% by
weight, and a mare preferred range of about 0.01% to 0.1%.
Further useful organic polymeric compounds are the polyethylene glycols,
particularly
those of average molecular weight of 1,000-100,000, more paxticularly 2000 to
10,000 and most
preferably 4,000. These can be used alone or in combination with the
polycarboxylate polymers
disclosed herewithin. The total level of these polymers in the detergent
composition is preferably
in the range of about 0.001% to about 1% by weight of the composition, a more
preferred range
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being from about 0.005% to about 0.5% by weight, and a more preferred range of
about 0.01%
to 0.1 %.
III. THE CLEANING PAD
The present invention improves the convenience of a removable and/or
disposable
cleaning pad, that preferably contains a superabsorbent material and which
preferably also
provides significant cleaning benefits. The preferred cleaning performance
benefits are related
to the preferred structural characteristics described below, combined with the
ability of the pad
to remove solubilized soils. The preferred cleaning pad, as described herein,
when used with the
preferred detergent composition, as described hereinafter, provides, optimum
perforn~ance.
The cleaning pads will preferably have an absorbent capacity, when measured
under a
confining pressure of 0.09 psi after 20 minutes (1200 seconds) (hereafter
referred to as "t1200
absorbent capacity"), of at least about 10 g deionized water per g of the
cleaning pad. The
absorbent capacity of the pad is measured at 20 minutes (1200 seconds) after
exposure to
deionized water, as this represents a typical time for the consumer to clean a
hard surface such as
a floor. The confining pressure represents typical pressures exerted on the
pad during the
cleaning process. As such, the cleaning pad should be capable of absorbing
significant amounts
of the cleaning solution within this 1200 second period under 0.09 psi. The
cleaning pad will
preferably have a t1200 absorbent capacity of at least about 15 g/g, more
preferably at least
about 20 g/g, still more preferably at least about 25 glg and most preferably
at least about 30 glg.
The cleaning pad will preferably have a t900 absorbent capacity of at least
about 10. g/g, more
preferably a t900 absorbent capacity of at least about 20 g/g.
Values for t1200 and t900 absorbent capacity are measured by the performance
under
pressure (referred to herein as "PUP") method, which is described in detail in
the Test Methods
section below.
The cleaning pads will also preferably, but not necessarily, have a total
fluid capacity (of
deionized water) of at least about 100 g, more preferably at least about 200
g, still more
preferably at least about 300 g and most preferably at least about 400 g.
While pads having a
total fluid capacity less than 100 g are within the scope of the invention,
they are not as well
suited for cleaning large areas, such as seen in a typical household, as are
higher capacity pads.
Each of the components of the absorbent pad are described in detail. However,
the
skilled artisan will recognize that various materials known to serve similar
purposes can be
substituted with similar results.
A. Absorbent Layer
An absorbent layer preferably serves to retain any fluid and soil absorbed by
the
cleaning pad during use. While the preferred scrubbing layer, described
hereinafter, has some
effect on the pad's ability to absorb fluid, the preferred absorbent layer
plays a major role in
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achieving the desired overall absorbency. Furthermore, the absorbent layer
preferably comprises
multiple layers which are designed to provide the cleaning pad with multiple
planar surfaces.
From the essential fluid absorbency perspective, the absorbent Iayer is
preferably
capable of removing fluid and soil from any "scrubbing layer" so that the
scrubbing layer will
have capacity to continually remove soil from the surface. The absorbent layer
also is preferably
capable of retaining absorbed material under typical in-use pressures to avoid
"squeeze-out" of
absorbed soil, cleaning solution, etc.
The absorbent layer can comprise any material that is capable of absorbing and
retaining
fluid during use. To achieve desired total fluid capacities, it will be
preferred to include in the
absorbent layer a material having a relatively high fluid capacity (in terms
of grams of fluid per
gram of absorbent material). As used herein, the term "superabsorbent
.material'' means any
absorbent material having a g/g capacity for water of at least about 15 g/g,
when measured under
a confining pressure of 0.3 psi. Because a majority of the cleaning fluids
useful with the present
invention are aqueous based, it is preferred that the superabsorbent materials
have a relatively
high g/g capacity for water or water-based fluids.
Representative superabsorbent materials include water insoluble, water-
swellable
superabsorbent gelling polymers (referred to herein as "superabsorbent gelling
polymers") which
are well known in the literature. These materials demonstrate very high
absorbent capacities for
water. The superabsorbent gelling polymers useful in the present invention can
have a size,
shape and/or morphology varying over a wide range, These polymers can be in
the form of
particles that do not have a large ratio of greatest dimension to smallest
dimension (e.g.,
granules, flakes, pulverulents, interparticle aggregates, interparticle
crosslinked aggregates, and
the like) or they can be in the form of fibers, sheets, films, foams,
laminates, and the like. The
use of superabsorbent gelling polymers in fibrous form provides the benefit of
providing
enhanced retention of the superabsorbent material, relative to particles,
during the cleaning
process. While their capacity is generally lower for aqueous-based mixtures,
these materials still
demonstrate significant absorbent capacity for such mixtures. The patent
literature is replete
with disclosures of water-swellabie materials. See, for example, U.S. Patent
3,699,103 (Harper
et al.), issued June 13, 1972; U.S. Patent 3,770,731 (Harmony, issued June 20,
1972; U.S.
Reissue Patent 32,649 (Brandt et al.), reissued April 19, 1989; U,S. Patent
4,834,735 (Alemany
et al.), issued May 30, 1989.
Superabsorbent gelling polymers useful in the present invention include a
variety of
water-insoluble, but water-swellable polymers capable of absorbing large
quantities of fluids.
Such polymeric materials are also commonly referred to as "hydrocolloids", and
can include
polysaccharides such as carboxyrnethyl starch, carboxymethyl cellulose, and
hydroxypropyl
cellulose; nonionic types such as polyvinyl alcohol, and polyvinyl ethers;
cationic types such as
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polyvinyl pyridine, polyvinyl morpholinione, and N,N-dimethylaminoethyl or N,N-
diethylaminopropyl acrylates and methacrylates, and the respective quaternary
salts thereof.
Typically, superabsorbent gelling polymers useful in the present invention
have a multiplicity of
anionic functional groups, such as sulfonic acid, and more typically carboxy,
groups. Examples
of polymers suitable for use herein include those which are prepared from
polymerizable,
unsaturated, acid-containing monomers. Thus, such monomers include the
olefinically
unsaturated acids and anhydrides that contain at least one carbon to carbon
olefinic double bond.
More specifically, these monomers can be selected from olefinically
unsaturated carboxylic
acids and acid anhydrides, olefinically unsaturated sulfonic acids, and
mixtures thereof.
Some non-acid monomers can also be included, usually in minor amounts, in
preparing
the superabsorbent gelling polymers useful herein. Such non-acid monomers can
include, for
example, the water-soluble or water-dispersible esters of the acid-containing
monomers, as well
as monomers that contain no carboxylic or sulfonic acid groups at all.
Optional non-acid
monomers can thus include monomers containing the following types of
functional groups:
carboxylic acid or suIfonic acid esters, hydroxyl groups, amide-groups, amino
groups, nitrite
groups, quaternary ammonium salt groups, aryl groups (e.g., phenyl groups,
such as those
derived from styrene monomer). These non-acid monomers are well-lmown
materials and are
described in greater detail, for example, in U.S. Patent 4,076,663 (Masuda et
a!), issued February
28, 1978, and in U.S. Patent 4,062,817 (Westernian), issued December 13, 1977,
both of which
are incorporated by reference.
Olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acid and carboxylic acid anhydride
monomers include
the acrylic acids typified by acrylic acid itself, methacrylic acid,
ethacrylic acid, a-chloroacrylic
acid, a-cyanoacrylic acid, p-methylacrylic acid (crotonic acid), a-
phenylacrylic acid, (3-
acryloxypropionic acid, sorbic acid, a-chlorosorbic acid, angelic acid,
cinnamic acid, p-
chlorocinnamic acid, (3-sterylacrylic acid, itaconic acid, citroconic acid,
mesaconic acid,
glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, malefic acid, fumaric acid, tricarboxyethylene
and malefic acid
anhydride.
Olefinically unsaturated sulfonic acid monomers include aliphatic or aromatic
vinyl
sulfonic acids such as vinylsulfonic acid, allyl sulfonic acid, vinyl toluene
sulfonic acid and
styrene sulfonic acid; acrylic and methacrylic sulfonic acid such as
sulfoethyl acrylate,
sulfoethyl methacrylate, sulfopropyl acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate, 2-
hydroxy-3-
rnethacryloxypropyl sulfonic acid and 2-acryiamide-2-methylpropane sulfonic
acid.
Preferred superabsorbent gelling polymers for use in the present invention
contain
carboxy groups. These polymers include hydrolyzed starch-acrylonitrile graft
copolymers,
partially neutralized hydrolyzed starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymers, starch-
acrylic acid graft
copolymers, partially neutralized starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers,
saponified vinyl acetate-
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acrylic ester copolymers, hydrolyzed acrylonitrile or acrylamide copolymers,
slightly network
crosslinked polymers of any of the foregoing copolymers, partially neutralized
polyacryIic acid,
and slightly network crosslinked polymers of partially neutralized polyacryIic
acid. These
polymers can be used either solely or in the form of a mixture of two or more
different polymers.
Examples of these polymer materials are disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,661,875,
U.S. Patent
4,076,663, U.S. Patent 4,093,776, U.S. Patent 4,666,983, and U.S. Patent
4,734,478, all of said
patents being incorporated by reference.
Most preferred polymer materials for use in making the superabsorbent gelling
polymers
are slightly network crosslinked polymers of partially neutralized polyacrylic
acids and starch
derivatives thereof. Most preferably, the hydrogel-forming absorbent polymers
comprise from
about 50 to about 95%, preferably about 75%, neutralized, slightly network
crosslinked,
polyacrylic acid (i.e. poly (sodium acrylate/acrylic acid)). Network
crosslinking renders the
polymer substantially water-insoluble and, in part, determines the absorptive
capacity and
extractable polymer content characteristics of the superabsorbent gelling
polymers. Processes
for network crosslinking these polymers and typical network crosslinking
agents are described in
greater detail in U.S. Patent 4,076,663.
While the superabsorbent gelling polymers is preferably of one type (i.e.,
homogeneous),
mixtures of polymers can also be used in the implements of the present
invention. For example,
mixtures of starch-acrylic acid graft copolymers and slightly network
crosslinked polymers of
partially neutralized polyacrylic acid can be used in the present invention.
While any of the superabsorbent gelling polymers described in the prior art
can be
useful in the present invention, where significant levels (e.g., more than
about ~0% by weight of
the absorbent structure) of superabsorbent gelling polymers are to be included
in an absorbent
structure, and in particular where one or more regions of the absorbent layer
will comprise more
than about 50%, by weight of the region, the problem of gel blocking by the
swollen particles
can impede fluid flow and thereby adversely affect the ability of the gelling
polymers to absorb
to their full capacity in the desired period of time. U.S. Patent 5,147,343
(Kellenberger et al.),
issued September 15, 1992 and U.S. Patent 5,149,335 (Kellenberger et al.),
issued September 22,
1992, describe superabsorbent gelling polymers in terms of their Absorbency
Under Load
(AUL), where gelling polymers absorb fluid (0.9% saline) under a confining
pressure of 0.3 psi.
(The disclosure of each of these patents is incorporated herein by reference.)
The methods for
deter~rnining AUL are described in these patents. Polymers described therein
can be particularly
useful in embodiments of the present invention that contain regions of
relatively high levels of
superabsorbent gelling polymers. In particular, where high concentrations of
superabsorbent
gelling polymer are incorporated in the cleaning pad, those polymers will
preferably have an
AUL, measured according to the methods described in U.S. Patent 5,147,343, of
at least about
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24 mllg, more preferably at least about 27 ml/g after 1 hour; or an AUL,
measured according to
the methods described in U.S. Patent 5,149,335, of at least about 15 ml/g,
more preferably at
least about i8 ml/g after 15 nunutes. Commonly assigned U.S. application
Serial Numbers
08/219,547 (Goldman et al.), filed March 29, 1994 and 08/416;396 (Goldman et
al.), filed April
6, 1995 (both of which are incorporated by reference herein), also address the
problem of gel
blocking and describe superabsorbent gelling polymers useful in overcoming
this phenomena.
These applications specifically describe superabsorbent ,gelling polymers
which avoid gel
blocking at even higher confining pressures, specifically 0.7 psi. In the
embodiments of the
present invention where the absorbent layer will contain regions comprising
high levels (e.g.,
more than about 50% by weight of the region) of superabsorbent gelling
polymer, it can be
preferred that the superabsorbent gelling polymer be as described in the
aforementioned
applications by Goldman et al.
Other useful superabsorbent materials include hydrophilic polymeric foams,
such as
those described in commonly assigned U.S. patent application Serial No.
08/563,866 (DesMarais
et al.), filed November 29, 1995 and U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207 (Dyer et al.),
issued February 7,
1995. These references describe polymeric, hydrophilic absorbent foams that
are obtained by
polymerizing a high internal phase water-in-oil emulsion (commonly referred to
as HIPEs).
These foams are readily tailored to provide varying physical properties (pore
size, capillary
suction, density, etc.) that affect fluid handling ability. As such, these
materials are particularly
useful, either alone or in combination with other such foams or with fibrous
structures, in
providing the overall capacity required by the present invention.
Where superabsorbent material is included in the absorbent layer, the
absorbent layer
will preferably comprise at least about 15%, by weight of the absorbent layer,
more preferably at
least about 20%, still more preferably at least about 25%, of the
superabsorbent material.
The absorbent layer can also consist of or comprise fibrous material. Fibers
useful in the
present invention include those that are naturally occurring (modified or
unmodified), as well as
synthetically made fibers. Examples of suitable unmodified/modified naturally
occurnng fibers
include cotton, Esparto grass, bagasse, hemp, flax, silk, wool, wood pulp,
chemically modified
wood pulp, jute, ethyl cellulose, and cellulose acetate. Suitable synthetic
fibers can be made
from polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl fluoride, polytetrafluoroethylene,
polyvinylidene chloride,
polyacrylics such as ORLOI~1~, polyvinyl acetate, Rayon, polyethylvinyl
acetate, non-soluble
or soluble polyvinyl alcohol, polyolefins such as polyethylene (e.g.,
PULPEX~') and
polypropylene, polyarnides such as nylon, polyesters such as DACRON~ or
KODEL~,
polyurethanes, polystyrenes, and the like. The absorbent layer can comprise
solely naturally
occurring fibers, solely synthetic fibers, or any compatible combination of
naturally occurring
and synthetic fibers.
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The fibers useful herein can be hydrophilic, hydrophobic or can be a
combination of both
hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers. As indicated above, the particular
selection of hydrophilic
or hydrophobic fibers depends upon the other materials included in the
absorbent (and to some
degree the scrubbing) layer. That is, the nature of the fibers will be such
that the cleaning pad
exhibits the necessary fluid delay and overall fluid absorbency. Suitable
hydrophilic fibers for
use in the present invention include cellulosic fibers, modified celluiosic
fibers, rayon, polyester
fibers such as hydrophilic nylon (HYDROFIL~). Suitable hydrophilic fibers can
also be
obtained by hydrophilizing hydrophobic fibers, such as surfactant-treated or
silica-treated
thermoplastic fibers derived from, for example, polyolefms such as
polyethylene or
polypropylene, polyacrylics, polyamides, polystyrenes, polyurethanes and the
like.
Suitable wood pulp fibers can be obtained from well-known chemical processes
such as
the Kraft and sulfite processes. It is especially preferred to derive these
wood pulp fibers from
southern soft woods due to their premium absorbency characteristics. These
wood pulp fibers
can also be obtained from mechanical processes, such as ground wood, refiner
mechanical,
thermomechanical, chemimechanical, and chemi-thermomechanical pulp processes.
Recycled or
secondary wood pulp fibers, as well as bleached and unbleached wood pulp
fibers, can be used.
Another type of hydrophilic fiber for use in the present invention is
chemically stiffened
cellulosic fibers. As used herein, the term "chemically stiffened cellulosic
fibers" means
cellulosic fibers that have been stiffened by chemical means to increase the
stiffness of the fibers
under both dry and aqueous conditions. Such means can include the addition of
a chemical
stiffening agent that, for example, coats andlor impregnates the fibers. Such
means can also
include the stiffening of the fibers by altering the chemical structure, e.g.,
by crosslinking
polymer chains.
Where fibers are used as the absorbent layer (or a constituent component
thereof), the
fibers can optionally be combined with a thermoplastic material. Upon melting,
at least a
portion of this thermoplastic material migrates to the intersections of the
fibers, typically due to
interfiber capillary gradients. These intersections become bond sites for the
thermoplastic
material. When cooled, the thermoplastic materials at these intersections
solidify to form the
bond sites that hold the matrix or web of fibers together in each of the
respective layers. This
can be beneficial in providing additional overall integrity to the cleaning
pad.
Amongst its various effects, bonding at the fiber intersections increases the
overall
compressive modulus and strength of the resulting thermally bonded member. In
the case of the
chemically stiffened cellulosic fibers, the melting and migration of the
thermoplastic material
also has the effect of increasing the average pore size of the resultant web,
while maintaining the
density and basis weight of the web as originally formed. This can improve the
fluid acquisition
properties of the thermally bonded web upon initial exposure to fluid, due to
improved fluid
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permeability, and upon subsequent exposure, due to the combined ability of the
stiffened fibers
to retain their stiffness upon wetting and the ability of the thermoplastic
material to remain
bonded at the fiber intersections upon wetting and upon wet compression. In
net, thermally
bonded webs of stiffened fibers retain their original overall volume, but with
the volumetric
regions previously occupied by the thermoplastic material becoming open to
thus increase the
average interfiber capillary pore size.
Thermoplastic materials useful in the present invention can be in any of a
variety of forms
including particulates, fibers, or combinations of particulates and fibers.
Thermoplastic fibers
are a particularly preferred form because of their ability to form numerous
interfiber bond sites.
Suitable thermoplastic materials can be made from any thermoplastic polymer
that can be melted
at temperatures that will not extensively damage the fibers that comprise the
primary web or
matrix of each layer. Preferably, the melting point of this thermoplastic
material will be less
than about 190°C, and preferably between about 75°C and about
175°C. In any event, the
melting point of this thermoplastic material should be no lower than the
temperature at which the
thermally bonded absorbent structures, when used in the cleaning pads, are
likely to be stored.
The melting point of the thermoplastic material is typically no lower than
about 50°C.
The thermoplastic materials, and in particular the thermoplastic fibers, can
be made from
a variety of thermoplastic polymers, including polyolefins such as
polyethylene (e.g.,
PULPEX~) and polypropylene, polyesters, copolyesters, polyvinyl acetate,
polyethylvinyl
acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyacrylics;
polyamides, copolyamides,
polystyrenes, palyurethanes and copolymers of any of the foregoing such as
vinyl chloride/vinyl
acetate, and the like. Depending upon the desired characteristics for the
resulting thermally
bonded absorbent member, suitable thermoplastic materials include hydrophobic
fibers that have
been made hydrophilic, such as surfactant-treated or silica-treated
thermoplastic fibers derived
from, for example, polyolefins such as polyethylene or polypropylene,
polyacrylics, polyamides,
polystyrenes, polyurethanes and the like. The surface of the hydrophobic
thermoplastic fiber can
be rendered hydrophilic by treatment with a surfactant, such as a nonionic or
anionic surfactant,
e.g., by spraying the fiber with a surfactant, by dipping the fiber into a
surfactant or by including
the surfactant as part of the polymer melt in producing the thermoplastic
fiber. Upon melting
and resolidification, the surfactant will tend to remain at the surfaces of
the thermoplastic fiber.
Suitable surfactants include nonionic surfactants such as Brij~ 76
manufactured by ICI
Americas, Inc, of Wilmington, Delaware, and various surfactants sold under the
Pegosperse~
trademark by Glyco Chemical, Inc. of Greenwich, Connecticut. Besides nonionic
surfactants,
anionic surfactants can also be used. These surfactants can be applied to the
thermoplastic fibers
at levels of, for example, from about 0.2 to about 1 g. per sq. of centimeter
of thermoplastic
fiber.
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Suitable thermoplastic fibers can be made from a single polymer (monocomponent
fibers), or can be made from more than one polymer (e.g., bicomponent fibers).
As used herein,
"bicomponent fibers" refers to thermoplastic fibers that comprise a core fiber
made from one
polymer that is encased within a thermoplastic sheath made from a different
polymer. The
polymer comprising the sheath often melts at a different, typically lower,
temperature than the
polymer comprising the core. As a result, these bicomponent fibers provide
thermal bonding due
to melting of the sheath polymer, while retaining the desirable strength
characteristics of the core
polymer.
Suitable bicomponent fibers for use in the present invention can include
sheath/core fibers
having the following polymer combinations: polyethylene/ polypropylene,
polyethylvinyl
acetate/polypropylene, polyethyleneipolyester, polypropylene/polyester,
copolyester/polyester,
and the like. Particularly suitable bicomponent thermoplastic fibers for use
herein are those
having a polypropylene or polyester core, and a lower melting copoIyester,
polyethylvinyl
acetate or polyethylene sheath (e.g., those available from Danaklon a/s,
Chisso Corp., and
CELBOND~, available from Hercules). These bicomponent fibers can be concentric
or
eccentric. As used herein, the terms "concentric" and "eccentric" refer to
whether the sheath has
a thickness that is even, or uneven, through the cross-sectional area of the
bicomponent fiber.
Eccentric bicomponent fibers can be desirable in providing more compressive
strength at lower
fiber thicknesses.
Methods for preparing thermally bonded fibrous materials are described in U.S.
application Serial No. 08/479,096 (Richards et al.), filed July 3, 1995 (see
especially pages 16-
20) and U.S. Patent 5,549,589 (Homey et al.), issued August 27, 1996 (see
especially Columns 9
to IO). The disclosures of both of these references are incorporated by
reference herein.
The absorbent layer can also comprise a RIPE-derived hydrophilic, polymeric
foam that
does not have the high absorbency of those described above as "superabsorbent
materials". Such
foams and methods for their preparation are described in U.S. Patent 5,550,167
(DesMarais),
issued August 27, 1996; and commonly assigned U.S. patent application Serial
No. 08/370,695
(Stone et al.), filed 3anuary 10, 1995 (both of which are incorporated by
reference herein).
The absorbent layer of the cleaning pad can be comprised of a homogeneous
material,
such as a blend of cellulosic fibers (optionally thermally bonded) and
swellable superabsorbent
gelling polymer. Alternatively, the absorbent layer can be comprised of
discrete layers of
material, such as a layer of thermally bonded airlaid material and a discrete
layer of a
superabsorbent material., Por example, a therrnalIy bonded layer of cellulosic
fibers can be
located lower than (i.e., beneath) the superabsorbent material (i.e., between
the superabsorbent
material and the scrubbing layer}. In order to achieve high absorptive
capacity and retention of
fluids under pressure, while at the same time providing initial delay in fluid
uptake, it can be
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preferable to utilize such discrete layers when forming the absorbent layer.
In this regard, the
superabsorbent material can be located remote from the scrubbing layer by
including a less
absorbent layer as the lower-most aspect of the absorbent layer. For example,
a layer of
cellulosic fibers can be located lower (i.e., beneath) than the superabsorbent
material (i.e.,
between the superabsorbent material and the scrubbing layer).
In a preferred embodiment, the absorbent layer comprises a thermally bonded
airlaid
web of cellulose fibers (Flint River, available from Weyerhaeuser, Wa) and AL
Thermal C
(thermoplastic available from Danaklon a/s, Varde, Denmark), and a swellable
hydrogel-forming
superabsorbent polymer. The superabsorbent polymer is preferably incorporated
such that a
discrete layer is located near the surface of the absorbent layer which is
remote from the
scrubbing layer. Preferably, a thin layer of, e.g., cellulose fibers
(optionally thermally bonded)
are positioned above the superabsorbent gelling polymer to enhance
containment.
H. O~. tional, but Preferred. Scrubbing Layer
The scrubbing layer is the portion of the cleaning pad that contacts the
soiled surface
during cleaning. As such, materials useful as the scrubbing layer must be
sufficiently durable
that the layer will retain its integrity during the cleaning process. In
addition, when the cleaning
pad is used in combination with a solution, the scrubbing layer must be
capable of absorbing
liquids and soils, and relinquishing those liquids and soils to the absorbent
layer. This will
ensure that the scrubbing layer will continually be able to remove additional
material from the
surface being cleaned. Whether the implement is used with a cleaning solution
(i.e., in the wet
state) or without cleaning solution (i.e., in the dry state), the scrubbing
layer will, in addition to
removing particulate matter, facilitate other functions, such as polishing,
dusting, and buffing the
surface being cleaned.
The scrubbing layer can be a mono-layer, or a mufti-layer structure one or
more of
whose layers can be slitted to facilitate the scrubbing of the soiled surface
and the uptake of
particulate matter. This scrubbing layer, as it passes over the sailed
surface, interacts with the
soil (and cleaning solution when used), loosening and emulsifying tough soils
and permitting
them to pass freely into the absorbent layer of the pad. The scrubbing layer
preferably contains
openings (e.g., slits) that provide an easy avenue for larger particulate soil
to move freely in and
become entrapped within the absorbent layer of the pad. Low density structures
are preferred
for use as the scrubbing layer, to facilitate transport of particulate matter
to the pad's absorbent
layer.
In order to provide desired integrity, materials particularly suitable for the
scrubbing
layer include synthetics such as polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene and
polypropylene), polyesters,
polyamides, synthetic cellulosics (e.g., Rayon', and blends thereof. Such
synthetic materials
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can be manufactured using known process such as carded, spunbond, meltblown,
airlaid,
needlepunched and the like.
C. Optional Attachment Lover
The preferred cleaning pads of the present invention can optionally have an
attachment
layer that allows the pad to be connected to an implement's handle or the
support head in
preferred implements, The attachment layer will be necessary in those
embodiments where the
absorbent layer is not suitable for attaching the pad to the support head of
the handle. The
attachment layer can also function as a means to prevent fluid flow through
the top surface (i.e.,
the handle-contacting surface) of the cleaning pad, and can further provide
enhanced integrity of
the pad. As with the scrubbing and absorbent layers, the attachment layer can
consist of a mono-
layer or a mufti-layer structure, so long as it meets the above requirements.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the attachment layer will
comprise a
surface which is capable of being mechanically attached to the handle's
support head by use of
known hook and loop technology. In such an embodiment, the attachment layer
will comprise at
least one surface which is mechanically attachable to hooks that are
permanently affixed to the
bottom surface of the handle's support head.
To achieve the desired fluid imperviousness and attachability, it is preferred
that a
laminated structure comprising, e.g., a meltblown film and fibrous, nonwoven
structure be
utilized. In a preferred embodiment, the attachment layer is a tri-layered
material having a layer
of meltblown polypropylene film located between two layers of spun-bonded
polypropylene.
D. Optional. but Preferred. Multiple Planar Surfaces
While the ability of the cleaning pad to absorb and retain fluids is important
to hard
surface cleaning performance (see, e.g., U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
081756,507, Holt et
al., U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 081756,864, Sherry et al., and U.S.
Patent Application
Serial No. 08/756,999, Holt et al., all filed November 26, 1996 and
incorporated by reference
herein.), preferred performance can be achieved by properly defining the
overall structure of the
cleaning pad. In particular, pads having an essentially flat floor contacting
surface (i.e.,
essentially one planar surface for contacting the soiled surface during
cleaning) do not provide
the best performance because soil tends to build up on the leading edge, which
also is the main
point where the cleaning solution is transferred to the absorbent layer.
The preferred pads provide multiple planar surfaces during cleaning and
provide
enhanced performance. The preferred cleaning pad has an upper surface that
allows the pad to
be releasably attached to a handle and a lower surface which contacts the
floor or other hard
surface during cleaning. This lower surface preferably consists of three
substantially different
planar surfaces. The planes intersect the plane corresponding to the lower
surface. Thus, when
an implement to which the pad is attached is moved from rest in the front
direction, friction
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causes the pad to "rock" such that the front lower surface plane contacts the
surface being
cleaned. As the movement in the forward direction diminishes, the middle lower
surface then is
in primary contact with the surface being cleaned. As the implement and pad
are moved from
rest in the backward direction, friction causes the pad to rock such that the
rear lower surface
contacts the surface being cleaned. As this back and forth cleaning motion is
repeated, the
portion of the pad contacting the soiled surface is constantly changing.
Applicants believe that the enhanced cleaning of the preferred pads is in-part
due to the
"lifting" action that results from the back and forth motion during cleaning.
In particular, when
the cleaning motion in one direction is stopped and the forces exerted on the
implement allow
the pad to "rock" such that the surface-contacting planar surface moves from
surface to surface,
soil is moved in an upward direction.
The cleaning pad of the present invention should be capable of retaining
absorbed fluid,
even during the pressures exerted during the cleaning process. This is
referred to herein as the
cleaning pad's ability to avoid "squeeze-out" of absorbed fluid, or conversely
its ability to retain
absorbed fluid under pressure. The method for measuring squeeze..out is
described in the Test
Methods section. Briefly, the test measures the ability of a saturated
cleaning pad to retain fluid
when subjected to a pressure of 0.25 psi. Preferably, the cleaning pads of the
present invention
will have a squeeze-out value of not more than about 40%, more preferably not
more than about
25%, still more preferably not more than about 15%, and most preferably not
more than about
10%.
IV. CLEANING IMPLEMENTS
The detergent compositions described above can be desirably used with an
implement
for cleaning a surface, the implement comprising:
a. a handle; and
b. a removable cleaning pad preferably containing an effective amount of a
superabsorbent material, and having a plurality of substantially planar
surfaces, wherein each of the substantially planar surfaces contacts the
surface being cleaned, more preferably said pad is a removable cleaning pad
having a length and a width, the pad comprising
i. a scrubbing layer; and
ii. an absorbent layer comprising a first layer and a second layer, where the
first layer is located between the scrubbing layer and the second layer
{i.e., the first layer is below the second layer) and has a smaller width
than the second layer.
An important aspect of the cleaning performance provided by the preferred pad
is
related to the ability to provide multiple planar surfaces that contact the
soiled surface during the
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cleaning operation. In the context of a cleaning implement such as a mop,
these planar surfaces
are provided such that during the typical cleaning operation (i.e., where the
implement is moved
back and forth in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pad's width),
each of the planar
surfaces contact the surface being cleaned as a result of "rocking" of the
cleaning pad.
One of ordinary skill in the art can select various materials that can be
utilized to prepare
the disposable pads andlor implements herein. Thus, while preferred materials
are described
herein for the various implement and cleaning pad components, it is recognized
that the scope of
operable materials is not limited to such disclosures.
a. The Handle
The handle of the above cleaning implement can be any material that will
facilitate
gripping of the cleaning implement. The handle of the cleaning implement will
preferably
comprise any elongated, durable material that will provide practical cleaning.
The length of the
handle will be dictated by the end-use of the implement.
The handle will preferably comprise at one end a support head to which the
cleaning pad
can be releasably attached. To facilitate ease of use, the support head can be
pivotally attached
to the handle using known joint assemblies. Any suitable means for attaching
the cleaning pad
to the support head can be utilized, so long as the cleaning pad remains
affixed during the
cleaning process. Examples of suitable fastening means include clamps, hooks &
loops (e.g.,
Velcro~), and the like. In a preferred embodiment, the support head will
comprise hooks on its
lower surface that will mechanically attach to the upper layer (preferably a
distinct attachment
layer) of the absorbent cleaning pad.
A preferred handle, comprising a fluid dispensing means, is fully described in
co-
pending U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08!756,774, filed November 26, 1996
by V. S. Ping,
et al. (P&G Case 6383), which is incorporated by reference herein. Another
preferred handle,
which does not contain a fluid dispensing means, is fully described in co-
pending U.S. Patent
Application Ser. Na. 08/716,755, filed September 23, 1996 by A. J. Irwin (P&G
Case 6262),
which is incorporated by reference herein.
b. The Cleanin~L,Pad
The cleaning pads described hereinbefore can be used without attachment to a
handle, or
as part of the above cleaning implement. They can therefore be constructed
without the need to
be attachable to a handle, i.e., such that they can be used either in
combination with the handle
or as a stand-alone product. As such, it can be preferred to prepare the pads
with an optional
attachment layer as described hereinbefore. With the exception of an
attachment layer, the pads
themselves are as described above.
As used herein, the term "direct fluid communication" means that fluid can
transfer
readily between two cleaning pad components or layers (e.g., the scrubbing
layer and the
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absorbent layer) without substantial accumulation, transport, or restriction
by an interposed
layer. For example, tissues, nonwoven webs, construction adhesives, and the
like can be present
between the two distinct components while maintaining "direct fluid
communication", as long as
they do not substantially impede or restrict fluid as it passes from one
component or layer to
another.
As used herein, the term "Z-dimension" refers to the dimension orthogonal to
the length
and width of the cleaning pad of the present invention, or a component
thereof. The Z-
dimension usually corresponds to the thiclrness of the cleaning pad or a pad
component.
As used herein, the term "X-Y dimension" refers to the plane orthogonal to the
thiclrness
of the cleaning pad, or a component thereof. The X and Y dimensions usually
correspond to the
length and width, respectively, of the cleaning pad or a pad component. In
general, when the
cleaning pad is used in conjunction with a handle, the implement will be moved
in a direction
parallel to the Y-dimension of the pad, i. e, perpendicular to the Width.
As used herein, the term "layer" refers to a member or component of a cleaning
pad
whose primary dimension is X-Y, i.e., along its length and width. It should be
understood that
the term layer is not necessarily limited to single layers or sheets of
material. Thus the layer can
comprise laminates or combinations of several sheets or webs of the requisite
type of materials.
Accordingly, the term "layer" includes the terms "layers" and "layered."
As used herein, the term "hydrophilic" is used to refer to surfaces that are
wettable by
aqueous fluids deposited thereon. Hydrophilicity and wettability are typically
defined in terms
of contact angle and the surface tension of the fluids and solid surfaces
involved. This is
discussed in detail in the American Chenucal Society publication entitled
Contact Angle,
Wettability and Adhesion, edited by Robert F. Gould (Copyright 1964), which is
hereby
incorporated herein by reference. A surface is said to be wetted by a fluid
(i.e., hydrophilic)
when either the contact angle between the fluid and the surface is less than
90°, or when the
fluid tends to spread spontaneously across the surface, both conditions
normally co-existing.
Conversely, a surface is considered to be "hydrophobic" if the contact angle
is greater than 90°
and the fluid does not spread spontaneously across the surface.
As used herein, the term "scrim" means any durable material that provides
texture to the
surface-contacting side of the cleaning pad's scrubbing layer, and also has a
sufficient degree of
openness to allow the requisite movement of fluid to the absorbent layer of
the cleaning pad.
Suitable materials include materials that have a continuous, open structure,
such as synthetic and
wire mesh screens. The open areas of these materials can be readily controlled
by varying the
number of interconnected strands that comprise the mesh, by controlling the
thiclmess of those
interconnected strands, etc. Other suitable materials include those where
texture is provided by
a discontinuous pattern printed on a substrate. In this aspect, a durable
material (e.g., a
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synthetic) can be printed on a substrate in a continuous or discontinuous
pattern, such as
individual dots and/or lines, to provide the requisite texture. Similarly, the
continuous or
discontinuous pattern can printed onto a release material that will then act
as the scrim. These
patterns can be repeating or they can be random. It will be understood that
one or more of the
approaches described for providing the desired texture can be combined to form
the optional
scrim material. The Z direction height and open area of the scrim and or
scrubbing substrate
layer help to control and or retard the flow of liquid into the absorbent core
material. The Z
height of the scrim and or scrubbing substrate help provide a means of
controlling the volume of
liquid in contact with the cleaning surface while at the same time controlling
the rate of liquid
absorption, fluid communication into the absorption core material.
As used herein, an "upper" layer of a cleaning pad is a layer that is
relatively further
away from the surface that is to be cleaned (i.e., in the implement context,
relatively closer to the
implement handle during use). The term "lower" layer conversely means a layer
of a cleaning
pad that is relatively closer to the surface that is to be cleaned (i.e., in
the implement context,
relatively further away from the implement handle during use). As such, the
scrubbing layer is
the lower-most layer and the absorbent layer is an upper layer relative to the
scrubber layer. The
terms "upper" and "lower" are similarly used when referring to layers that are
mufti-ply (e.g.,
when the scrubbing layer is a two-ply material). The terms "above" and "below"
are used to
describe relative locations of two or more materials in a cleaning pad's
thiclmess. By way of
illustration, a material A is "above" material B if material B is positioned
closer to the scrubbing
layer than material A. Similarly, material B is "below" material A in this
illustration.
All percentages, ratios and proportions used herein are by weight unless
otherwise
specified. All numerical limits are used in their normal sense with an
appropriate degree of
accuracy. All references herein are incorporated herein to the extent their
disclosures are
relevant.
III. Other Embodiments of the Cleanine Pad
To enhance the pad's ability to remove tough soil residues and increase the
amaunt of
cleaning fluid in contact with the cleaning surface, it can be desirable to
incorporate a scrim
material into the cleaning pad. The scrim will be comprised of a durable,
tough material that
will provide textwe to the pad's scrubbing layer, particularly when in-use
pressures are applied
to the pad. Preferably, the scrim will be located such that it is in close
proximity to the surface
being cleaned. Thus, the scrim can be incorporated as part of the scrubbing
layer or the
absorbent layer; or it can be included as a distinct layer, preferably
positioned between the
scrubbing and absorbent layers. In one preferred embodiment, where the scrim
material is of the
same X-Y dimension as the overall cleaning pad, it is preferred that the scrim
material be
incorporated such that it does not directly contact, to a significant degree,
the surface being
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cleaned. This will maintain the ability of the pad to move readily across the
hard surface and
will aid in preventing non-uniform removal of the cleaning solution employed.
As such, if the
scrim is part of the scrubbing layer, it will be an upper layer of this
component. Of course, the
scrim must at the same time be positioned sufficiently low in the pad to
provide it's scrubbing
function. Thus, if the scrim is incorporated as part of the absorbent layer,
it will be a lower layer
thereof. In a separate embodiment, it can be desirable to place the scrim such
that it will be in
direct contact with the surface to be cleaned.
The scrim should not significantly impede fluid flow through the pad. The
scrim therefore is
preferably a relatively open web.
The scrim material will be any material that can be processed to provide a
tough, open-
textured web. Such materials include polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene,
polypropylene),
polyesters, polyamides, and the like. The skilled artisan will recognize that
these different
materials exhibit a different degree of hardness. Thus, the hardness of the
scrim material can be
controlled, depending on the end-use of the pad/implement. Where the scrim is
incorporated as
a discrete layer, many commercial sources of such materials are available
(e.g., design number
VO1230, available from Conwed Plastics, Minneapolis, MN). Alternatively, the
scrim can be
incorporated by printing a resin or other synthetic material (e.g, latex) onto
a substrate, such as is
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,745,021, issued May 17, 1988 to Ping, III et
al., and U.S. Patent
No. 4,733,774, issued March 29, 1988 to Ping, III et al., both of which are
incorporated by
reference herein.
The various layers that comprise the cleaning pad can be bonded together
utilizing any
means that provides the pad with sufficient integrity during the cleaning
process. The scrubbing
and attachment layers can be bonded to the absorbent layer or to each other by
any of a variety
of bonding means, including the use of a uniform continuous layer of adhesive,
a patterned layer
of adhesive or any array of separate lines, spirals or spots of adhesive.
Alternatively, the
bonding means can comprise heat bonds, pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds,
dynamic mechanical
bonds or any other suitable bonding means or combinations of these bonding
means as are
known in the art. Bonding can be around the perimeter of the cleaning pad
(e.g., heat sealing the
scrubbing layer and optional attachment layer and/or scrim material), and/or
across the area (i.e.,
the X-Y plane) of the cleaning pad so as to form a pattern on the surface of
the cleaning pad.
Bonding the layers of the cleaning pad with ultrasonic bonds across the area
of the pad will
provide integrity to avoid shearing of the discrete pad layers during use.
The cleaning pad does not need multiple substantially planar surfaces. Each
layer can
comprise a single layer of material, and one or more of these layers can
consist of a laminate of
two or more plies. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the scrubbing layer
is a two-ply
laminate of carded polypropylene, where the lower layer is slitted. Also,
materials that do not
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inhibit fluid flow can be positioned between the scrubbing layer and the
absorbent layer and/or
between absorbent layer and any attachment layer. However, it is important
that the scrubbing
and absorbent layers be in substantial fluid communication, to provide the
requisite absorbency
of the cleaning pad. It is preferred that the scrubbing layer and attachment
layer be larger than
the absorbent layer, such that they can be bonded together around the
periphery of the absorbent
pad to provide integrity. The scrubbing and attachment layers can also be
bonded to the
absorbent layer or to each other by any of a variety of bonding means,
including the use of a
uniform continuous layer of adhesive, a patterned layer of adhesive or any
array of separate
lines, spirals or spots of adhesive. Alternatively, the bonding means can
comprise heat bonds,
pressure bonds, ultrasonic bonds, dynamic mechanical bonds or any other
suitable bonding
means or combinations of these bonding means as are known in the art. Bonding
can be around
the perimeter of the cleaning pad, and/or across the surface of the cleaning
pad so as to form a
pattern on the surface of the scrubbing layer.
In another embodiment of a cleaning pad, the cleaning pad's scrubbing layer
and
optional attachment layer are combined with an absorbent layer consisting of a
tri-laminate
structure. Specifically, the absorbent layer can consist of a discrete layer
of particulate
superabsorbent gelling material positioned between two discrete layers of
fibrous material. In
this embodiment, because of the region of high concentration of superabsorbent
gelling material,
it is preferred that the superabsorbent material not exhibit gel blocking
discussed above. In a
particularly preferred embodiment, fibrous layers will each be a thermally
bonded fibrous
substrate of cellulosic fibers, and a lower fibrous layer will be in direct
fluid communication
with the scrubbing layer. The inner layer can alternatively be a mixture of
fibrous material and
superabsorbent material, where the superabsorbent material is preferably
present in a relatively
high percentage by weight of the layer. The different layers can be used to
create steps by
having the lower layers smaller than the next layer up. When a scrubbing and
attachment layer
are included, such a combination will provide a pad having multiple
substantially planar
surfaces.
Tapering of absorbent layer materials can provide multiple planar surfaces. In
one
embodiment, the upper layers can comprise increasingly high concentrations of
superabsorbent
material, while the lower layer contains little or no superabsorbent material.
In such
embodiments, one, or more, of the upper layers can comprise a homogenous blend
of
superabsorbent material and fibrous material. Alternatively, one or both
layers can be comprised
of discrete layers, e.g., two fibrous layers surrounding an essentially
continuous layer of
superabsorbent particles.
Though not a requirement, Applicants have found that it can be desirable to
reduce the
level of or eliminate superabsorbent particles at the extreme front and rear
edges.
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Another suitable pad is disclosed in the patent application, Attorney Docket
No. 7368P,
being filed concurrently herewith, in the name of Nicola John Policicchio, and
entitled
"Cleaning Implements Comprising Cleaning Pads and/or Sheets Comprising
Apertured Formed
Films, Functional Cuffs, and/or Density Gradients". Said application is
incorporated herein by
reference.
N. Test Methods
A. Performance Under Pressure
This test determines the gram/gram absorption of deionized water for a
cleaning pad that
is laterally confined in a pistonlcylinder assembly under an initial confining
pressure of 0.09 psi
(about 0.6 kPa). (Depending on the composition of the cleaning pad sample, the
confining
pressure can decrease slightly as the sample absorbs water and swells during
the time of the
test.) The objective of the test is to assess the ability of a cleaning pad to
absorb fluid, over a
practical period of time, when the pad is exposed to usage conditions
(horizontal wicking and
pressures).
The test fluid for the PUP capacity test is deionized water. This fluid is
absorbed by the
cleaning pad under demand absorption conditions at near-zero hydrostatic
pressure. The test is
disclosed in copending provisional application Serial No. 60/045,858, filed
May 8, 1997 by
Ronald A. Masters, et al.(Case 6555P2).
Data is recorded at intervals over a total time period of 1200 seconds (20
minutes). PUP
absorbent capacity is determined as follows:
11200 absorbent capacity (g/g) _ [Wr(~0) - Wr(r1200) - Wffc]lWds
where t1200 absorbent capacity is the g/g capacity of the pad after 1200
seconds, Wr(t=0) is the
weight in grams of reservoir 512 prior to initiation, Wr(~1200) is the weight
in grams of
reservoir 512 at 1200 seconds after initiation, Wffc is the fritted funnel
correction weight and
Wds is the dry weight of the cleaning pad sample. It follows that the sample's
t30 and tg00
absorbent capacities are measured similarly, except Wr(r30) and Wr(~gp0)
(i.e., the weight of
the reservoir at 30 seconds and 900 seconds after initiation, respectively)
are used in the above
formula. The t30 percent absorbency of the sample is calculated as [t30
absorbent
capacity]/[t1200 absorbent capacity] X 100%.
B. Sgueeze-out
The ability of the cleaning pad to retain fluid when exposed to in-use
pressures, and
therefor to avoid fluid "squeeze-out", is another important parameter to the
present invention.
"Squeeze-out" is measured on an entire cleaning pad by determining the amount
of fluid that can
be blotted from the sample with Whatman filter paper under pressures of 0.25
psi (1.5 kPa).
Squeeze-out is performed on a sample that has been saturated to capacity with
deionized water
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via horizontal wicking (specifically, via wicking from the surface of the pad
consisting of the
scrubbing or surface-contacting layer). {One means for obtaining a saturated
sample is described
as the Horizontal Gravimetric Wicking method of U.S. application Serial No.
08/542,497 (Dyer
et al.), filed October 13, 1995, which is incorporated by reference herein.)
The fluid-containing
sample is placed horizontally in an apparatus capable of supplying the
respective pressures,
preferably by using an air-filled bag that will provide evenly distributed
pressure across the
surface of the sample. The squeeze-out value is reported as the weight of test
fluid lost per
weight of the wet sample.
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EXAMPLES
Example 1
Test Protocol - A 2' x 2' floor area is soiled with about 8 mL of a
particulate soil ( 17.3 grams
vacuum cleaner soil, 200 grams deionized water, 468 grams 2-propanol) using a
paint roller.
Each floor area is then cleaned using 8 rnL of solution and an absorbent pad,
the type of which
has been disclosed within this filing. The cleaning pad is attached to a
velcro mop head on a
handle and wiped across the floor surface using an up-and-down motion; going
over the surface
nne way and then back the other way. Floors are then graded for end result
using a 6 point
grading scale (O~o filming/streaking; 6=severe filrning/streaking). A lower
value is preferred.
In some instances, gloss measurements are also taken. For these measurements,
a Gardner
micro-tri-gloss meter is used. The instrument is set to 60° and gloss
measurements of the tiles
are taken before being soiled. After cleaning, gloss measurements are again
taken and compared
to the initial readings. Gloss results are presented as (Final Gloss - Initial
Gloss)/initial Gloss.
Following a "First Cleaning", the tiles are then re-soiled and cleaned again
for a "Second
Cleaning."
Formulas Tested -
' _A _B
Neodol 1-S (Shell Chemical) 0.35% 0.35%
Witconate NAS-8 (Witco) 0.1% 0.1%
Potassium carbonate 0.01% 0.01%
2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol 0.5% 0.5%
Dow Corning AF suds suppressor 0.0025% 0.0025%
Perfume 0.015% 0.015%
Ethoxylated polyalkylamine, quaternized* --- 0.025%
* Hexamethylenediamine bis-methyl goat with an average of 24 moles
ethoxylation per reactive
nitrogen site.
Results (testing done on vinyl floor tiles) -
Visual Grades Instrumental Gloss
_A B_ _A _B
First Cleaning 0.5 0.5 -17% -22%
Second Cleaning 1.25 0.5 -23% -23%
Conclusion - the addition of the quatemized ethoxylated polyalkylamine gave
visual
filming/streaking advantages on the second cleaning of vinyl tiles.
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ExampEe 2
Test Protocol - same as Example 1.
Formulas Tested -
_A _C
Neodol 1-5 (Shell Chemical)0.35% 0.35%
Witconate NAS-8 (Witco)0.1% 0.1%
Potassium carbonate 0.01% 0.01%
2-amino-2-methyl-I-propanol0.5% 0.5%
Dow Corning AF suds 0.0025% 0.0025%
suppressor
Perfume 0.015% 0.015%
Poly(acrylate-maleate) --- 0.5%
copolymer
Results (testing done
on ceramic floor tiles)
-
Visual Grades Instrumental
Gloss
_A _C _A _C
First Cleaning 1.25 1.0 -34% -23%
Second Cleaning 1.75 1.25 -39% -23%
Conclusion - the addition of Poiy(acrylate-maleate) copolymer to the base
formula shows visual
filining/streaking benefits and instrumental gloss recovery benefits on
ceramic tiles.
Example 3
Test Protocol - Onto a single 12" x 12" ceramic tile is applied I .5 mL of
soil solution using a
paint roller. The soiling solution is made of 1.0 gram American clay, I .0
gram Black Todd clay,
0.25 grams vacuum cleaner soil, 90 mL of 2-propanol, and 10 mL of an acetone
solution
containing 17 mg palmitic acid, 7 mg stearic acid, and 9 mg beef tallow. This
solution is
allowed to dry. Each tile is then cleaned with 2 mL of the appropriate
solution using an an
absorbent pad, the type of which has been disclosed within this filing. After
10 minutes, the
lower right corner of the tile is stripped with 20% 2-propanol. After 30
minutes, the tiles are
graded on a 4 point scale for filming/streaking (0=no filming/streaking,
4=severe
filining/streaking). The tiles are also graded for haze, by comparing the
soiled area of the tile to
the alcohol stripped area. For haze, a 3 point scale is used (0=no haze,
3=heavy haze).
Formulas Tested -
_D _E
Neodol 1-5 (Shell Chemical) 0.09% 0.09%
Witconate NAS-8 (Witco) 0.05% 0.05%
Ethanol 1.0% I.0%
Dowanol PNB glycol ether 0.75% 0.75%
(Dow Chemical)
2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol 0.06% 0.06%
Xanthan Gum 0.005% 0.005%
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Dow Corning AF suds suppressor 0.00125% 0.00125%
Perfume 0.055% 0.055%
Ethoxylated polyalkylamine# --- 0,04%
# 1600 iYIW (prior to ethoxylation) Polyethyleneamine with an average of 20
moles ethoxylation
per reactive nitrogen site.
Results (testing done on ceramic floor tiles) -
Visual Filming/Streaking Visual Haze
D E _D _E
First Cleaning 2.5 1.75 2.5 2.0
Conclusion - addition of the ethoxylated polyalkylamine gave advantages in
visual
fiiming/streaking and haze versus the non-polymer containing formula.
Example 4
Test Protocol - sarne as Example 3.
Test Formulas - -
_F _G
Neodol 1-5 (Shell Chemical)0.1% 0.1%
2-dimethylamino-2-methyl-1-propanol0.06% 0.06%
Ethoxylated glycerine 0.04% 0.04%
Xanthan Gum 0.005% 0.005%
Dow Corning AF suds 0.00125% 0.00125%
suppressor
Ethoxylated polyalkylamine#--- 0.04%
# 1600 MW (prior to ethoxylation) Polyethyleneamine with an average of 20
moles ethoxylation
per reactive nitrogen site.
Results (testing done on ceramic floor tiles) -
Visual FilminglStreaking Visual Haze
F G F G
First Cleaning 1.75 1.5 2 1.5
Conclusion - addition of the ethoxylated polyalkylamine gave advantages in
visual
filminglstreaking and haze versus the non-polymer containing formula.
