Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-27
2004-04-06
Ogden, Necholus (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S438000, C510S470000, C510S499000, C510S504000, C510S505000, C510S506000, C401S138000, C401S139000, C015S208000, C015S209100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06716805
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to liquid cleaning compositions, including concentrated compositions, premoistened wipes, including optimized substrates, and implements for use in cleaning hard surfaces and/or maintaining their appearance and hygiene, and articles comprising said compositions, concentrates, wipes, and the like, in association with instructions as to how to use them to provide superior performance. These compositions, wipes, and implement designs along with specific instructions for use are advantageous for use on hard surfaces including bathroom surfaces, glass surfaces, countertops, walls and floors. Such compositions typically contain hydrophilic polymer, detergent surfactant, organic cleaning solvent, and optional volatile buffers, perfume, anti-microbials, builders, and the like.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The use of detergent compositions comprising organic water-soluble synthetic detergent surfactants, polymers, and cleaning solvents for cleaning hard surfaces in, e.g., bathrooms, is well established. Known liquid detergent compositions for this purpose comprise organic cleaning solvents, detergent surfactant, and optional detergent builders and/or abrasives. The compositions can be acidic for improved removal of hard water deposits.
Liquid cleaning compositions are usually preferred, since they have the advantage that they can be applied to hard surfaces in neat or concentrated form so that a relatively high level of, e.g., surfactant material and/or organic solvent is delivered directly to the soil. However, solid compositions can also be used to form a cleaning solution when diluted with water. Concentrated liquid cleaning compositions can also help improve the value equation for consumers by economizing on packaging costs, where the concentrated products are intended to be used in more dilute form. A concentrated, e.g., 10X refill, can also provide additional convenience to the consumer in that it lasts longer, weighs less, and occupies less space than a 1X product. Liquid cleaning compositions in the form of a “wipe” also can provide convenience by allowing the consumer to use the wipe once and dispose of it.
Implements are important in that they can be used to advantageously improve the performance of the liquid compositions. Implements, including wipes, pads, mops and the like, can provide important mechanical cleaning properties to complement the liquid composition choice. Conversely, the liquid compositions can be chosen to suit the choice of implement. Thus, the proper choice of implement allows for a significant reduction in the level of non-volatile surfactants and other adjuvants needed to achieve excellent cleaning results.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to hard surface cleaning compositions, preferably liquid, suitable for removal of and/or prevention of buildup of soils commonly encountered on floors, walls, counter tops, glass, and/or in the bathroom, said compositions preferably comprising hydrophilic polymers, to render the cleaned surface hydrophilic, and/or specific surfactant, preferably alkylpolyglycoside surfactant, selected to minimize spotting/filming, optionally cleaning solvents, and optionally organic acids. The invention also relates to cleaning systems including implements and instructions for how they are used, preferably, with the solutions comprising hydrophilic polymers to achieve a low residue end result. The invention further relates to methods of cleaning and maintaining the cleanliness of hard surfaces, especially those that are present in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry, etc., wherein one can treat the surface and let the treatment solution dry without scrubbing and/or rinsing, e.g., the treatment is preferably a no-rinse treatment. “No-rinse treatment”, e.g. cleaning of hard surfaces without rinsing, as used herein, means that at least a substantial part of the surface treatment solution dries down on the treated surface. Such treatment solutions are preferably highly dilute. Typically, the surface is then later, after the surface is used again, exposed to water, or another cleaning solution. Preferably, the surface is one that is normally exposed to water on a regular basis, such as showers, tubs, sinks, etc.
The invention also relates to compositions and methods of use in which floors, counters, walls, and the like, are cleaned by applying a treatment solution which is then substantially removed by absorption and/or rubbing, while leaving on a low to moderate level of treatment liquid which then dries. Examples of such methods include applications such as the use of pre-moistened wipes (comprising a substrate and aqueous compositions incorporated in the substrate) and/or absorbent articles used in conjunction with cleaning solution. The use of these implements facilitates the ease of use and can be advantageous in achieving not only a desired end result but excellent hygiene. Since pre-moistened wipes or absorbent pads are typically disposed of after each use, their use and subsequent disposal reduces the risk of the implement harboring and re-inoculating germs onto the surface being cleaned which often happens with traditional re-usable sponges, cloths, and mops. The disclosures of premoistened wipes and disposable cleaning pads are found hereinafter.
The acidic versions of the present hard surface cleaning compositions can remove soap scum and hard water marks. The compositions can have disinfectant properties achieved through the choice of antibacterial actives, including citric acid, and can be used with, or without, additives such as hydrogen peroxide for additional mold/mildew prevention benefits. As stated above, the compositions preferably incorporate one or more hydrophilic polymers which attach to the surface to render it hydrophilic, as measured by, e.g., the contact angle, for improved surface wetting and/or filming/streaking properties and, optionally, viscosity control.
The hard surface cleaning compositions herein which contain the hydrophilic polymers, provide superior surface appearance, especially in a no-rinse application. Thus, in the context of a “daily shower” spray application, the compositions herein are sprayed directly onto tile, more preferably onto wet tile, and then allowed to dry. Upon the next exposure to water, e.g., during a shower, the dried-on, though not visible, residue allows for even faster wetting of the surface. Consequently, the product works better, when it is not rinsed or wiped off after use, in subsequent cleaning procedures. Additionally, the fact that no, or limited, rinsing or wiping is involved after the product is applied improves performance with continued use. One of the benefits of the preferred polymers herein is that they ultimately reach a steady state concentration on the hard surfaces on which they are sprayed. No build-up occurs because the preferred polymers are water soluble, and once steady state concentrations are reached, “fresh” polymer deposited on the surface is offset by polymer which is dissolved by the solution. The reduction of contact angle of water can be improved over several cycles, even for compositions that contain essentially no surfactant.
In the context of a floor, counter, wall cleaner, or the like, the steady state concentration achieved after applying a solution composition, wiping and removing a substantial amount by absorption and allowing a low to moderate level of treatment to dry is also important. In these cases the low level of residue (residue being defined as non-volatile actives) makes next time cleaning even easier by providing even better wetting upon subsequent application, thus reducing streaking/filming potential by minimizing solution de-wetting which is particularly important on very hydrophobic surfaces. This effective wetting benefit provided by polymer at low levels also allows the formulator to keep other ingredients in the composition, such as surfactants, that are typically involved in wetting, at a minimum. This reduces the possibility of obtaining a film that can smu
Cella Cynthia Elaine
Flora Jeffrey Lawrence
Morelli Joseph Paul
Policicchio Nicola John
Sherry Alan Edward
Camp Jason J.
Fayette Thibault
Ogden Necholus
The Procter & Gamble & Company
William Zerby Kim
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