Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Work handled in bulk or groups
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-29
2004-09-07
Mruk, Brian P. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Work handled in bulk or groups
C134S025300, C134S039000, C134S040000, C134S042000, C510S235000, C510S238000, C510S239000, C510S240000, C510S245000, C510S421000, C510S470000, C510S475000, C510S524000, C510S535000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06786223
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
Not applicable.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to cleaning compositions for hard surfaces. These compositions appear to be especially well suited for use in cleaning toilet bowls, baths, shower surrounds and other plumbing fixtures, bathroom and kitchen hard surfaces, glass windows, and floor surfaces. They render treated or cleaned surfaces hydrophilic and provide such surfaces with excellent anti-fogging properties. Such surfaces treated or cleaned with the compositions of the present invention also resist soiling and colonization by bacteria and fungi, and resist the formation of biofilms. Also, they surprisingly provide improved fragrance release properties.
Products sold under the trademark “PLURONIC” by BASF are a series of one type of closely related block copolymers that may be generically classified as polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene condensates terminating in primary hydroxy groups. Such block copolymers are nonionic surfactants and have been used for a wide variety of applications. Block copolymers may also be functionalized (the terminal alcohol converted to an ether) with fatty alcohols, especially primary alcohols having 8-20 carbons. Such block copolymers (also referred to as block copolymers capped with fatty alcohols) are, for example, sold under the trademark “DEHYPON” and are available from Cognis Corporation.
The art has developed a variety of cleaning and/or treating compositions, including some containing block copolymers (or capped derivatives thereof). For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,589,099 and 6,025,314 disclose rinse aid compositions containing such block copolymers where they are employed in dishwashing processes. The disclosure of these patents and all other patents and/or publications described herein are incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein.
Also, U.S. Pat. No. 5,286,300 teaches that such block copolymers can be used in rinse aid composition for metal surfaces. Further, these block copolymers have utility as nonionic surfactants in halophor-containing cleaning compositions (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,049,299 and 5,169,552); in contact lens cleaning and storing compositions (U.S. Pat. No. 3,882,036); in compositions for treating plastic surfaces to prevent fogging (U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,280); as a defoamer or low foaming detergent (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,691,292 and 5,858,279); as a plasticizer in a solid cake cleansing block composition for toilets (U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,858); as a surfactant in organosilane solutions (U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,585); and as a surfactant for reducing bacterial adhesion on surfaces in contact with industrial water systems such as process or cooling water systems (U.S. Pat. No. 6,039,965).
The art has also developed a variety of hard surface cleaning compositions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,990,066 teaches a surface cleaning composition that contains block copolymer surfactants, a carboxylate-containing polymer, and a divalent counterion. The block copolymer is said to provide a gloss benefit to the cleaned surface. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,247,408 discloses a hard surface cleaning composition containing a polyoxyalkylene alkyl ether solvent, an acidic substance, and a nonionic surfactant which may be block copolymers.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,539,145 discloses an outside window cleaner containing polyvinyl alcohol and an amine-containing polymer which may also include a nonionic surfactant such as a block copolymer. The block copolymer is said to improve the detergency of the composition. U.S. Pat. No. 5,126,068 also teaches a hard surface cleaning composition containing organic solvents and water, polycarboxylate copolymers, pH adjusters, and certain block copolymer surfactants. It is said that this composition is particularly useful in glass cleaners and that it is substantially streak-free when applied to glossy or transparent surfaces.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,043,931 discloses a solid cleansing block having at least two nonionic surfactants, one of which is relatively insoluble in water and the other of which is relatively water soluble. It is said that such a cleansing block does not erode away as quickly. U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,737 discloses hydroxyalkylether alkoxylates as solubilizers for fat-soluble perfume oils. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,733,560; 5,854,194; and 6,150,321 disclose chemical linkers which react exothermically with an organic chemical such as a perfume in order to reduce the rate of vaporization of the organic chemical from the surface to which it has been applied.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,736,496 teaches a hard surface cleaner having improved interfacial tension which provides good grease removal properties and leaves the cleaned surface with a shiny appearance. This patent teaches that ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are undesirable because they cause a weakening of the necessary chemical associations.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,759,974 discloses a toilet cleaning block having at least two masses of different compositions to ensure that the active substance is more uniformly released over the useful life of the cleaning block.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,910,473 discloses a thickened bleach composition which may include nonionic surfactants such as alcohol ethoxylates.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,194,375 teaches a perfume that is absorbed within organic polymer particles.
A number of patent publications have discussed the problem of fragrance retention. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,818,522 and 5,051,305, and European patent applications EP 0 381 529 and EP 0 384 034 teach the microencapsulation of fragrances. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,096,704; 6,218,355; and 6,133,228, and PCT publication WO 98/07809 disclose pro-fragrance compounds. U.S. Pat. No. 6,083,901 teaches the adsorption of fragrances onto siloxane, and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,143,353 and 6,228,833 teach the adsorption of fragrances onto polymers. PCT publication WO 01/17372 teaches imbedding a fragrance into a matrix for slow release.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,316,401 and 6,319,887 teach a cleaning composition having a nonionic surfactant containing ethoxylated and/or ethoxylated/propoxylated groups, a water insoluble perfume, and a methyl ethoxylated ester cosurfactant. It is said that such compositions have improved interfacial tensions and leave the treated surface shiny.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,255,267 discloses a toilet bowl cleaner having a fluorosurfactant coating agent which inhibits stain and deposit formation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,282 teaches a hard surface cleaner having, inter alia, a nonionic detergent/surfactant (especially nonylphenol ethoxylates), a preservative/disinfectant, and a non-emulsified fragrance or perfume. This patent also discloses that a surface treated with the cleaner has a prolonged, pleasant odor.
While these varied prior art compositions have provided a variety of ways to treat and/or clean hard surfaces, they have been limited in their ability to provide residual benefits to such surfaces. In this regard, it is desirable to render hard surfaces that are being cleaned more resistant to becoming soiled, to provide the surface with antimicrobial characteristics such as resistance to colonization by bacteria, fungi, and biofilms, and to provide the surface with improved and prolonged fragrance release properties. Thus, there is a continuing need to develop hard surface cleaners which not only are effective in cleaning at the time of use, but also provide positive residual benefits to the surface that has been cleaned.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The compositions of the present invention unexpectedly address this need by utilizing block copolymers at low concentrations, such block copolymers having a high average molecular weight.
In one aspect the invention provides a hard surface antimicrobial cleaner. It has one or more surfactants, one of which must be a polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene block copolymer (e.g. with a terminal hydroxyl, or where the terminal hydroxyl is functionalized with a fatty alcohol). Preferably, the block copolymer is from 0.2-5% by weight of the composition.
For example, it has been found that a l
Avery Richard W.
Jones Mathew A.
Klinkhammer Michael E.
Stone Maureen J.
Thalmann Brandon R.
Mruk Brian P.
S. C. Johnson & Son Inc.
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