Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – With oxygen or halogen containing chemical bleach or oxidant...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-26
2003-09-16
Gupta, Yogendra N. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
With oxygen or halogen containing chemical bleach or oxidant...
C510S421000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06620774
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to bleaching compositions, which can be used to bleach various surfaces including but not limited to, fabrics, clothes, carpets and the like as well as hard-surfaces like walls, tiles, floors, glass, bathrooms surfaces, kitchen surfaces, toilet bowls and dishes.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Bleach-containing compositions for bleaching various surfaces, e.g., fabrics, are well known in the art.
Amongst the different bleaching compositions available, those relying on bleaching by hypohalite bleach, such as hypochlorite, and those relying on peroxygen bleach, such as hydrogen peroxide, are often preferred, mainly for bleaching performance reasons.
However, a drawback associated with the use of bleach-containing compositions, e.g., peroxygen bleach-based compositions, is that there are some limitations to the convenience, especially regarding the performance, of said compositions. In particular, the stain removal performance and/or the bleaching performance of said compositions may be improved.
Bleaching compositions are often formulated comprising a surfactant or surfactant system in addition to the bleach. It is believed that surfactants are also active cleaning ingredients providing additional soil removal. Examples of compositions known in the art include bleaching compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and a zwitterionic betaine surfactant (EP-A-0 856 576), or bleaching compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach and a nonionic surfactant system (EP-A-0 670 876).
However, there are still some limitations to the performance of said bleaches comprising nonionic surfactants. Indeed, it is well known from consumer research that the stain removal performance and/or bleaching performance of said compositions may still be further improved.
It is thus an objective of the present invention to provide a bleaching composition showing an overall improved stain removal performance on a wide range of stains while delivering excellent bleaching performance.
It has now been found that this objective can be met by a liquid bleaching composition comprising a bleach, e.g., a peroxygen bleach or a hypohalite bleach, and a substantially linear nonionic surfactant as described herein.
Indeed, it has been found that such compositions facilitate the removal of various types of stains, including greasy stains and/or enzymatic stains which are usually difficult to remove, as compared to the stain removal performance delivered by the same compositions comprising a mixed linear-branched nonionic surfactant or no surfactant. On top of this, the compositions as described herein also provide excellent bleaching performance on bleachable stains.
Advantageously, the compositions according to the present invention may be employed in various laundry bleaching applications, both when used in diluted conditions, e.g., as a detergent additive or a fully formulated laundry detergent composition, and when used in neat condition, e.g., as a liquid pretreater (spotter).
A further advantage of the compositions according to the present invention is that they can be used in a variety of conditions, i.e., in hard and soft water as well as when used neat or diluted.
Yet another advantage of the bleaching compositions of the present invention is that said bleaching compositions are also suitable for the bleaching of different types of surfaces including hard-surfaces like floors, walls, tiles, glass, kitchen surfaces, bathrooms surfaces, toilet bowls and/or dishes and the like, as well as fabrics. More particularly, the bleaching compositions of the present invention are suitable for bleaching any type of fabrics including natural fabrics (e.g., fabrics made of cotton, viscose, linen, silk and wool), synthetic fabrics, such as those made of polymeric fibers of synthetic origin, as well as those made of both natural and synthetic fibers.
BACKGROUND ART
Bleach-containing compositions based on hypochlorite bleach or peroxygen bleach suitable for bleaching surfaces, e.g., fabrics or hard-surfaces, have been described in the art.
EP-A-0 670 876 discloses bleaching composition comprising a peroxygen bleach and a nonionic surfactant system. However, compositions as described herein are not disclosed.
EP-A-0 856 576 discloses bleaching compositions comprising a peroxygen bleach, ethoxylated nonionic surfactants and zwitterionic betaine surfactants. However, compositions as described herein are not disclosed.
EP-A-0 825 250 discloses bleaching compositions comprising a bleach, e.g., a chlorine or a peroxygen bleach, and a fabric protective system. Nonionic surfactants may be present as optional ingredients. However, compositions as described herein are not disclosed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention encompasses a liquid bleaching composition comprising a bleach and a substantially linear nonionic surfactant, whereby said substantially linear nonionic surfactant has the general formula: R—(A)
x
—(B)
y
—(C)
z
—O—R
1
wherein: R is an even numbered C
6
to C
22
alkyl chain or a mixture thereof, containing at least 90% linear alkyl chains; A is an ethoxy unit; B is a butoxy unit; C is a propoxy unit; x, y and z are independent integers of from 0 to 20; the sum of x+y+z is at least 1; and R
1
is H, a C
6
to C
22
alkyl chain or a C
6
to C
28
alkyl benzene chain.
In a preferred embodiment of the present invention said bleach is a peroxygen bleach or a hypohalite bleach or a mixture thereof.
In another preferred embodiment according to the present invention said composition further comprises other surfactants on top of the nonionic surfactants as described herein.
The present invention also encompasses a process of bleaching surfaces, e.g., fabrics, wherein said surfaces are contacted with a bleaching composition as defined herein.
The present invention further encompasses the use of a substantially linear nonionic surfactant having the general formula R—(A)
x
—(B)
y
—(C)
z
—O—R
1
wherein: R is an even numbered C
6
to C
22
alkyl chain or a mixture thereof, containing at least 90% linear alkyl chains; A is an ethoxy unit; B is a butoxy unit; C is a propoxy unit; x, y and z are independent integers of from 0 to 20; the sum of x+y+z is at least 1; and R
1
is H, a C
6
to C
22
alkyl chain or a C
6
to C
28
alkyl benzene chain; in a fabric bleaching composition comprising a bleach to treat a fabric whereby stain removal and/or bleaching benefits are provided.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The Bleaching Composition
The compositions according to the present invention are liquid compositions as opposed to a solid or a gas. As used herein“liquid” includes compositions in gel and paste form.
Accordingly, preferred compositions of the present invention have a viscosity of 1 cps or greater, more preferably of from 10 to 5000 cps, and still more preferably of from 10 to 2500 cps at 20° C. when measured with a CSL
2
100® Rheometer at 20° C. with a 4 cm spindle (linear increment from 10 to 100 dyne/cm
2
in 2 minutes).
The bleaching compositions according to the present invention are preferably, but not necessarily formulated as aqueous compositions. A preferred liquid bleaching composition of the present invention is aqueous and therefore, preferably comprises water in an amount of from 60% to 98%. more preferably of from 70% to 97% and most preferably 75% to 97% by weight of the total composition.
Bleach
As a first essential ingredient, the compositions of the present invention comprise a bleach. Any bleach known to those skilled in the art may be suitable for use herein. Preferred bleaches include any peroxygen bleach, as well as any hypohalite bleach.
The presence of a bleach, preferably a peroxygen bleach or a hypohalite bleach, contributes to the excellent bleaching benefits of the bleaching compositions herein.
Suitable peroxygen bleaches to be used herein are selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen peroxide; water soluble sources of hydrogen peroxide; organic or inorganic peracids; hydroperoxid
Del Duca Valerio
Esposito Andrea
Leone Milena
Gupta Yogendra N.
Miller Steven W.
Petruncio John M.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
Zerby Kim W.
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