Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – With halogen – nitrogen – oxygen – or phosphorus containing...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-27
2002-04-23
Kelly, Cynthia H. (Department: 1774)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
With halogen, nitrogen, oxygen, or phosphorus containing...
C510S405000, C510S435000, C510S503000, C510S527000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06376448
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to alkaline hard surface cleaning and disinfecting compositions providing a protective layer for water and stain repellency.
Cleaning compositions are commercially important products and enjoy a wide field of utility in assisting in the removal of dirt and grime from surfaces, especially those characterized as useful with “hard surfaces”. Hard surfaces are those which are frequently encountered in lavatories such as toilets, shower stalls, bathtubs, bidets, sinks, etc., as well as countertops, walls, floors, etc. In such lavatory environment, various forms of undesirable residues are known to form, particularly “soap scum stains”. Soap scum stains are residues of fatty acid soaps such as those are based on alkali salts of low fatty acids, which precipitate in hard water due to the presence of metal salts therein, leaving an undesirable residue upon such surfaces.
The prior art has suggested many compositions which are directed to the cleaning of such hard water and soap scum stains. (“Soap scum” is sometimes referred to as “limescale” in Europe.) Many of these are acidic, aqueous compositions which include one or more detersive surfactants. A limited number of these compositions, in addition to a detersive benefit, also provide a germicidal or sanitizing effect to the hard surfaces being treated. While these acidic aqueous compositions are effective in the removal of hard water stains, they also may be particularly detrimental to so-called “European porcelain” or “European enamel” hard surfaces. Such surfaces are known to be particularly sensitive to acidic compositions, especially acidic compositions characterized in having a low pH (less than pH=4). Thus, the use of acidic compositions are typically not compatible with such “European porcelain” or “European enamel” hard surfaces.
Many of these prior art compositions also suffer from the shortcoming in that they do not provide any significant long term cleaning or sanitizing benefit to the treated hard surfaces as they are easily rinsed away with water, and thus are not retained on the treated hard surface. It would be desirable to provide a hard surface cleaning and/or disinfecting composition which is effective in the removal of soap scum stains from hard surfaces and which also provide a long term cleaning or sanitizing benefit. While such a formulation would be desirable, such is not easy to produce. While it is known that polymers and film forming materials can be utilized to give a hard surface a protective layer, (i.e., acrylates, urethanes and silanes,) such materials are usually not compatible with chelating agents, quaternary ammonium salts, or in non-neutral pH conditions (i.e., alkaline) that are known to be advantageous for cleaning and disinfecting of hard surfaces.
Accordingly, there is a real and continuing need in the art for improved hard surface treatment compositions which provide a cleaning or disinfecting benefit, (preferably both) and which form a film on the treated surface to provide a residual protective benefit.
There is a further need in the art for an improved hard surface treatment composition which is effective for the removal of soap scum stains from so-called such “European porcelain” or “European enamel” hard surfaces.
It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide an aqueous alkaline hard surface treatment composition which provides a cleaning benefit (particularly useful against soap scum stains or a disinfecting benefit which also forms a film or surface coating on the treated hard surfaces. This film or surface coating provides the benefit of water or stain repellency to the treated hard surface, or provides the benefit of residual disinfection to the treated hard surface, but preferably provides both benefits.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a readily pourable and readily pumpable cleaning composition which features the benefits described above.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a process for cleaning or sanitization of hard surfaces, which process comprises the steps of providing the composition as outlined above, and applying an effective amount to a hard surface.
These and other objects of the invention will be more apparent from a reading of the specification and of the claims attached.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an aqueous, alkaline hard surface cleaning composition which provides a cleaning benefit or disinfecting benefit (preferably both benefits) to a hard surface. The composition comprises the following constituents:
(a) a film-forming, organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound;
(b) at least one zwitterionic amine oxide surfactant;
(c) at least one nonionic surfactant;
(d) at least one organic solvent; and,
(e) optionally, at least one amphoteric surfactant;
(f) water.
wherein the aqueous compositions are at an alkaline pH, preferably a pH of 8 or greater, and wherein the aqueous compositions may be characterized as forming a film or surface coating which provides the benefit of water or stain repellency to the treated hard surface, or provides the benefit of residual disinfection to the treated hard surface, but preferably provides both benefits.
The compositions described above may include one or more further optional constituents including but not limited to further non-aqueous (organic) solvents, pH buffering agents, perfumes, perfume carriers, colorants, hydrotropes, germicides, fungicides, further antimicrobial compounds including quaternary ammonium compounds such as di(C
1
-C
3
alkyl)di(short chain alkyl) quaternary ammonium compounds, anti-oxidants, anti-corrosion agents, etc.
The compositions according to the invention are largely aqueous, and are readily pourable and pumpable. The preferred compositions all exhibit good storage stability.
Preferably the inventive compositions are highly alkaline in nature, and more preferably are at a pH of at least 10 and higher, especially at a pH of 12 and higher.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive compositions may be characterized as also forming a film or surface coating on the treated hard surfaces. This film or surface coating provides the benefit of water or stain repellency to the treated hard surface, or provides the benefit of residual disinfection to the treated hard surface, but preferably provides both such benefits.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the inventive composition is also essentially free of conventional chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid, diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, and their water soluble salts, especially the alkali metal salts and particularly the sodium salts. The composition is also essentially free of certain conventional additives such as gluconic acid, tartartic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for cleaning or sanitization of hard surfaces, which process comprises the steps of providing the composition as outlined above, and applying an effective amount to a hard surface requiring such cleaning and/or sanitization.
The compositions of the present invention provide excellent cleaning efficacy of soap scum stains on hard surfaces, as well as providing water repellency, and soap scum stain removal benefits. At the same time, the preferred compositions of the present invention provide disinfecting efficacy to hard surfaces, while imparting a film or surface coating, which acts as a barrier to repel water and facilitate the reduction or prevention of further soap scum on said hard surfaces.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims.
The alkaline, aqueous compositions according to the invention comprise (a) a film-forming, organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound. Such compounds desirably also exhibit antimicrobial activity, especially on hard surfaces.
Specific e
Bennett Mark Timothy
Colurciello, Jr. Andrew Francis
Fish & Richardson P.C.
Garrett Dawn L.
Kelly Cynthia H.
Reckitt & Colman Inc.
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