Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Patent
1996-05-10
1997-10-14
Medley, Margaret
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C02F 500, C02F 508, C02F 502
Patent
active
056772718
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to compositions for the removal of limescale. The compositions herein can be used on a variety of surfaces, ranging from bathrooms and kitchen surfaces to various appliances. The compositions herein can further be used to remove limescale from dentures.
BACKGROUND
Tap water always contains a certain amount of solubilized ions which eventually deposit as salts, on surfaces in contact with said water, as it evaporates. Such salts include calcium carbonate, commonly referred to as limescale. This phenomenon of limescale accumulation on surfaces which are often in contact with water may damage surfaces and affect the functioning of taps or appliances. Also, the accumulation of limescale in the toilet bowls is aesthetically unpleasant and favors the deposition of further soil and the growth of microorganisms. It is therefore important to control this limescale accumulation phenomenon.
A variety of compositions have been proposed for this purpose, which typically comprise various acids, such as hydrochloric acid. However, compositions of the art formulated with said acids require a significant amount of acid to ensure effective removal of limescale, and are thus potentially harmful to the user in case of contact with the skin, or accidental ingestion. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide limescale removing compositions which are particularly efficient in removing limescale, yet which have a lower reserve of acidity than the compositions of the art, thus which are less harmful.
It is also desirable to formulate compositions which comprise bleaches. Indeed, bleaches possess many desirable properties, including disinfection properties. Furthermore, such compounds as monopersulfuric acid are particularly effective as disinfectants and in removing and or decolouring stains for household cleaning applications (copending European patent application EP 93870198.4). However, bleaches in general raise compatibility issues in relation with the acids used to remove limescale. In particular, persulfuric acid is not compatible with the acids used in the art to remove limescale because persulfuric acid oxidizes the limescale removing acid upon storage, resulting in a dramatic loss of available oxygen. And by the time the product reaches the consumer, most of the available oxygen is lost. Typical acids used in the art for removing limescale, namely maleic, citric, hydrochloric and sulfamic acid are all oxidized by persulfuric acid in particular. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a limescale removing composition which can be formulated with bleaches, in particular persulfuric acid, in a stable manner.
In response to these objects, we have now found that such a limescale removing composition could be formulated which comprises, as the acid, a C1-C6 linear or branched alkylsulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention thus encompasses a composition suitable for removing limescale, which comprises from 1% to 50% by weight of the total composition of a C1-C6 linear or branched alkylsulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof. In one embodiment of the invention, the compositions of the present invention preferably comprise an acid-stable bleach compound. In another embodiment of the invention, the compositions herein additionally comprise a small amount of sulfamic acid. In its broadest embodiment, the present invention further encompasses the use of aqueous compositions comprising a C1-C6 linear or branched alkylsulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof, for removing limescale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The compositions of the present invention are aqueous liquid compositions comprising a C1-C6 linear or branched alkylsulfonic acid, or mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred for its limescale removal performance is the use herein of methanesulfonic acid which is commercially available for example from Aldrich, William Blythe & Co. Ltd. or Elf Atochem. The compositions herein comprise from 1% to 50% by
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Bianchetti Giulia Ottavia
Cardola Sergio
Scialla Stefano
Krivulka Thomas G.
Medley Margaret
Reed T. David
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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