Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-06
2001-11-27
Gupta, Yogendra N. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S199000, C510S212000, C510S237000, C510S245000, C510S332000, C510S333000, C510S340000, C510S356000, C510S362000, C510S363000, C510S421000, C510S466000, C510S503000, C510S347000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06323170
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention pertains to floor cleaning compositions, more particularly to concentrated; no rinse compositions for use on finished floors in the commercial market. These compositions consist essentially of an amine oxide detergent surfactant, a nonionic detergent surfactant, and a silicone antifoam agent. These floor cleaners provide enhanced burnish response which gives floors a higher gloss while extending finish lifetimes. In addition, these floor cleaners provide significantly better cleaning performance on particulate soils and leave little or no visible residue.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are basically two types of floor finishes found in the commercial market. The first type is a “high gloss or wet look finish” which, typically, is found on supermarket floors. The high gloss gives a positive visual impression of cleanliness and healthiness. This type of finish requires more effort to maintain in that it must be burnished or polished daily to maintain its high gloss.
The second type of commercial floor finish is a “durable finish” which, typically, is found on floors in office buildings, schools and hospitals. The durable finish does not exhibit as high a gloss so it requires less effort to maintain because it does not have to be burnished on a daily basis.
Dilute floor stripping compositions or specifically formulated burnishing solutions are widely used for polishing commercial floors. Commercial floors are usually composed of vinyl tiles that have been protected with a polyacrylic acid based finish. Dilute strippers or burnishing solutions are often applied to the floor to slightly soften the polyacrylic acid finish before burnishing (high speed polishing). The problem with this approach is that these compositions can contain harsh chemicals that can cause damage and reduce the lifetime of the floor finish if the burnishing solution is overused. Modern polyacrylic finishes contain metal ions as crosslinking agents to strengthen the finish. If a cleaning or burnishing composition containing a harsh chemical(s) is applied to the finish, the metal ions that crosslink the finish can be removed weakening the finish so it is abraded (damaged) rather than polished during the burnishing process.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,096,610 discloses a composition for removing floor finish which contains a solvent, water, and an organosilicon complex.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,342,551 discloses a noncaustic floor finish removal composition containing monoethanolamine citrate, couplers, and solvents. These compositions have a pH of between 8 and 10.
EP 611,214A2 discloses acidic compositions useful for removing floor finishes having a pH of from about 2 to about 5.
It has surprisingly been discovered that compositions utilizing specific surfactants, in combination with other components disclosed hereinafter, are useful as floor cleaners which are substantially free of harsh chemicals and which provide improved burnish response. Such improved burnish response provides floors with a higher level of gloss which is achieved in a shorter period of time with less effort while extending the finish lifetimes versus conventional products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a no-rinse floor cleaning composition which provides improved burnish response when used on finished floors. The composition can be sold in a concentrated form or in ready-to-use (RTU) diluted form. The concentrated compositions are formulated to be diluted with water before use. The RTU formulas are intended to be used as-is. The concentrated compositions comprise a) from about 1% to about 15% of an amine oxide surfactant, b) from about 0% to about 15% of a nonionic surfactant, and c) from about 0.01% to about 0.5% of a silicone antifoam agent. Both the concentrate (when diluted) and the RTU formulation provide a) from about 100 ppm to about 750 ppm of an amine oxide surfactant, b) from about 0 ppm to about 650 ppm of a nonionic surfactant, and c) from about 1 ppm to about 40 ppm of a silicone antifoam agent when used to clean a finished floor. Said floor cleaning compositions are substantially free of harsh chemicals and are particularly suitable for use on highly polished floors in commercial environments (supermarkets, discount stores, department stores) where daily burnishing is most often utilized. The compositions provide improved burnish response to finished floors by temporally softening the finish just enough to aid burnishing without damaging the finish. These compositions have a pH of from about 3 to about 10, preferably from about 5 to about 10, and most preferably from about 7.5 to about 10. The concentrated compositions preferably are diluted by the end user at a ratio of from about 1:16 to about 1:512 parts cleaning composition to water.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The concentrated and dilute, ready-to-use floor cleaning compositions of the present invention comprise (1) amine oxide detergent surfactant, (2) silicone antifoam agent, and (3) optionally a nonionic detergent surfactant. These compositions have a pH of from about 3 to about 10, preferably from about 5 to about 10, more preferably from about 7 to about 10, and most preferably from about 7.5 to about 10.
As used herein, the term “burnish response” refers to a measurement of the amount of light reflected from a surface at certain angles (20°, 60°, and 85°). Burnish response is measured using a gloss meter which is manufactured by Hunter Laboratories, Reston, Va. The burnish response as used herein was determined by measuring the level of gloss on the floor before and after cleaning.
As used herein, the term “concentrated” refers to compositions which are formulated in non-diluted formulas for sale, shipping, and storing. These non-diluted formulas are designed to be diluted with water just before being used to clean floors.
As used herein, the terms “diluted” and “ready-to-use” refer to compositions which are meant to be used as-is without dilution.
All percentages, parts and ratios are based upon the total weight of the floor cleaning compositions of the present invention, unless otherwise specified.
Amine Oxide Detergent Surfactant
The floor cleaning compositions of the present invention comprise an amine oxide detergent surfactant. Without being bound by theory, the amine oxide detergent surfactant is the primary cleaning ingredient which promotes enhanced burnish response by temporarily softening the polyacrylic finish on the surface of the floor. Amine oxide surfactants hydrate the finish by pulling water into it. The hydrated finish is softer which allows for better burnish response. As the water evaporates, the finish rehardens. Since the structure (metal ion crosslinking) of the finish has not been modified, the floor finish can be burnished without being abraded (damaged). Since there is less damage to the finish, its lifetime can be extended versus traditional burnishing solutions.
The concentrated compositions disclosed herein comprise from about 1% to about 15%, preferably from about 2% to about 10%, more preferably from about 30% to about 5%, of the amine oxide surfactant as reported on a 100% active basis. The concentrated composition as diluted and the ready to use formula both provide from about 100 ppm to about 750 ppm, preferably from about 100 ppm to about 700 ppm, more preferably from about 100 ppm to about 300 ppm, of the amine oxide detergent surfactant in the solution used to clean a floor. The amine oxide preferably has the formula R
1
R
2
R
3
NO, where R
1
, is a straight or branched chain, substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl group containing from about 8 to about 30, preferably from about 8 to about 18, carbon atoms. R
2
and R
3
are each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkenyl groups containing from about 1 to about 18, preferably from about 1 to about 4, carbon atoms. More preferably, R
2
and R
3
are each methyl groups, examples of which include dodecyldimethyl amine oxide, tetradecyldimethyl amine oxide, hexadecyldimethyl amine oxide, octadecyldimethyl amin
Weaver Jeffrey Scott
Wierenga Thomas James
Boyer Charles
Gupta Yogendra N.
Hemm Erich D.
Roof Carl J.
The Procter & Gamble Co.
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