Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Patent
1996-08-02
1997-09-30
Diamond, Alan
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
510191, 510218, 510219, 510234, 510235, 510238, 510239, 510240, 510241, 510242, 510243, 510244, 510246, 510247, 510253, 510254, 510269, 510274, C11D 162, C11D 166, C11D 168, C11D 322
Patent
active
056725787
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This application is a 371 of PCT/U.S. Ser. No. 95/01371 filed Feb. 1, 1995.
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to cleaning compositions for hard-surfaces. More specifically, compositions are described which give optimal performance in removing limescale stains and encrustations containing a very high proportion of mineral deposits but little organic material, as typically found in appliances.
BACKGROUND
When using ordinary water, as compared to demineralized water, in appliances such as kettles, flatwares, coffee machines, steam irons and the like, scale tends to form on the internal surfaces, especially on the metal surfaces, of said appliances which are in contact with said water. Indeed, ordinary water such as tap water contains a certain amount of solubilized ions which upon water evaporation deposit as salts such as calcium carbonate on surfaces which are often in contact with said water. This limescale formation and deposition phenomenon is even more troublesome in places where water is particularly hard. Furthermore, this deposition phenomenon is also accelerated by high temperatures as typically found in electrical appliances such as coffee machines, kettles and the like. Additionally, after a certain period of time such limescale deposits can obstruct the water pipes which can be found in appliances and impair thereby proper functioning of said appliances, shorten their lifetime and render them unusable.
The particularity of the limescale deposits in appliances is that said deposits are composed mostly of mineral deposits, typically of calcium carbonate together with a minimum amount of organic material such as protein and/or greasy material. Indeed, we have observed that kettle scales, for instance, contain from 85% to 95% by weight of calcium carbonate whereas kitchen scales contain 50% to 60% by weight of calcium carbonate and bathtub scales contain 65% to 75% by weight. In other words, the limescale deposits in appliances are very different from bathroom-type stains and kitchen-type stains which contain lower proportions of calcium carbonate together with higher proportions of organic material such as calcium stearate, soap scum and/or greasy material.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a composition for the removal of limescale deposits composed mostly of mineral deposits, typically of calcium carbonate, said composition possessing a superior limescale removing capacity while being also safe to the surface cleaned.
More particularly, it is a further object of the present invention to provide a composition particularly adapted to descale the hard-surfaces of appliances which are in contact with water thereby avoiding that limescale deposits impair proper functioning of said appliances and eventually render them unusable.
It has now been found that compositions comprising maleic acid and a surfactant or mixtures thereof, in appropriate amounts below 1% by weight of the total composition, are very effective in removing limescale deposits such as those found on the surfaces of scaled appliances while being also safe to said surfaces. Indeed, it has been found that the compositions of the present invention comprising maleic acid and a surfactant or mixtures thereof, in appropriate amounts below 1% by weight of the total composition, are significantly more effective in removing limescale deposits containing a very high proportion of calcium carbonate together with a minimum amount of organic material, than the same compositions comprising an amount of 1% by weight or more of said surfactant.
An advantage of the low levels of surfactants of the compositions according to the present invention is that the generation of suds is minimal, and thus facilitates the rinse operations. Indeed, the compositions of the present invention allow to be rinsed off quickly and thoroughly. This makes the compositions of the present invention particularly suitable for descaling appliances where the water is heated such as coffee machines, i.e. where high temperatures favor
REFERENCES:
patent: 3277008 (1966-10-01), Heit
patent: 5008030 (1991-04-01), Cook et al.
patent: 5192460 (1993-03-01), Thomas et al.
Carrie Michel Jean
Vos Eddy
Aylor Robert B.
Diamond Alan
Reed T. David
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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