Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Specific organic component
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-18
2001-08-21
Hardee, John (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Specific organic component
C510S476000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277811
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to liquid detergent compositions useful for hand dishwashing, said compositions comprising a zwitterionic polymer suds stabilizer which provides increased suds volume and suds duration. The present invention also relates to methods for providing increased suds volume and suds duration during cleaning of dishware and other hand washing operations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Liquid detergent compositions which are suitable for hand dishwashing must satisfy several criteria in order to be effective. These compositions must be effective in cutting grease and greasy food material and once removed, must keep the greasy material from re-depositing on the dishware.
The presence of suds in a hand dishwashing operation has long been used as a signal that the detergent continues to be effective. However, depending upon the circumstances, the presence of suds or the lack thereof, has no bearing upon the efficacy of liquid detergents. Therefore, the consumer has come to rely upon a somewhat erroneous signal, the lack or absence of soap suds, to indicate the need for additional detergent. In many instances the consumer is adding an additional amount of detergent far in excess of the amount necessary to thoroughly clean the dishes. This wasteful use of detergent is especially true in hand dishwashing since the soiled cooking articles are usually cleaned in a “washing difficulty” queue, for example, glasses and cups, which usually do not contact greasy food, are washed first, followed by plates and flatware, and finally pots and pans which contain the most residual food material and are usually, therefore, the “greasiest”.
The lack of suds in the dishwater when pots and pans are usually cleaned, together with the visual inspection of the amount of residual food material on the cookware surface, typically compels the consumer to add additional detergent when a sufficient amount still remains in solution to effectively remove the soil and grease from the dishware or cookware surface. However, effective grease cutting materials do not necessarily produce a substantial amount of corresponding suds.
Accordingly, there remains a need in the art for liquid dishwashing detergents useful for hand washing dishware which have an enduring suds level while maintaining effective grease cutting properties. The need exists for a composition which can maintain a high level of suds as long as the dishwashing composition is effective. Indeed, there is a long felt need to provide a hand dishwashing composition which can be use efficiently by the consumer such that the consumer uses only the necessary amount of detergent to fully accomplish the cleaning task.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets the aforementioned needs in that it has been surprisingly discovered that certain zwitterionic polymers serve as suds extenders and suds volume enhancers in liquid detergent compositions which are effective in cutting grease.
The zwitterionic polymeric suds stabilizers of the present invention comprise monomeric units which have at least one moiety capable of sustaining a negative charge at a pH of from about 4 to about 12 and at least one moiety capable of sustaining a positive charge within the same pH range.
A first aspect of the present invention relates to detergent compositions suitable for use in hand dishwashing, said compositions comprising:
a) an effective amount of a zwitterionic polymeric suds stabilizer;
b) an effective amount of a detersive surfactant; and
c) the balance carriers and other adjunct ingredients; provided the pH of a 10% aqueous solution of said composition is from about 4 to about 12.
The present invention further relates to zwitterionic polymeric materials which are suitable for use in detergents wherein the formulator desires to extend the amount and duration of suds.
The present invention also relates to methods for providing increased suds and increased duration of suds while hand washing dishware comprising the step of dissolving a composition according to the present invention in water to form a hand dish washing solution and then washing dishware by hand in said solution. These and other objects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from a reading of the following detailed description and the appended claims.
All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight, unless otherwise specified. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C) unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to liquid detergent compositions suitable for hand washing, especially for hand washing dishware and cookware, said compositions comprising a zwitterionic polymer which serves to provide enhanced suds volume and suds duration. The zwitterionic polymers of the present invention may be homopolymers or copolymers, each of which may be suitably crosslinked. The zwitterionic polymers are comprised of moieties which when placed in an aqueous solution having a pH of form 4 to about 12, said moieties are capable of sustaining a positive or negative charge.
The detergent compositions of the present invention have a pH of from about 4 to about 12 when measured as a 10% aqueous solution. The polymeric suds enhancers of the present invention are zwitterionic polymers. For the purposes of the present invention the term “zwitterionic polymer” is defined as “a polymeric material comprised of one or more monomers wherein each monomer has one or more moieties capable of sustaining a positive or negative charge at a pH of from about 4 to about 12 such that the number of positively charged moieties is equal to the number of negatively charged moieties at the isoelectric point of said polymer.”
The compositions according to the present invention also comprises an effective amount of one or more detersive surfactants described herein below as well as carriers and other adjunct ingredients. The polymers and copolymers of the present invention act together with said surfactants and other adjunct ingredients, especially certain diamines, to provide for efficient grease cutting and anti-redepositon of grease.
Zwitterionic Polymers
The polymeric suds stabilizers of the present invention are homopolymers or copolymers wherein the monomers which comprise said homopolymers or copolymers contain a moiety capable of being protonated at a pH of from about 4 to about 12, or a moiety capable of being de-protonated at a pH of from about 4 to about 12, of a mixture of both types of moieties.
A preferred class of zwitterionic polymer suitable for use as a suds volume and suds duration enhancer has the formula:
wherein R is C
1
-C
12
linear alkylene, C
1
-C
12
branched alkylene, and mixtures thereof; preferably C
1
-C
4
linear alkylene, C
3
C-
4
branched alkylene; more preferably methylene and 1,2-propylene. R
1
and R
2
are defined herein after. The index x is from 0 to 6; y is 0 or 1; z is 0 or 1.
The index n has the value such that the zwitterionic polymers of the present invention have an average molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 2,000,000 preferably from about 5,000 to about 1,000,000, more preferably from about 10,000 to about 750,000, more preferably from about 20,000 to about 500,000, even more preferably from about 35,000 to about 300,000 daltons. The molecular weight of the polymeric suds boosters, can be determined via conventional gel permeation chromatography.
Anionic Units
R
1
is a unit capable of having a negative charge at a pH of from about 4 to about 12. Preferred R
1
has the formula:
—(L)
i
—(S)
j
—R
3
wherein L is a linking unit independently selected from the following:
and mixtures thereof, wherein R′ is independently hydrogen, C
1
-C
4
alkyl, and mixtures thereof; preferably hydrogen or alternatively R′ and S can form a heterocycle of 4 to 7 carbon atoms, optionally containing other hetero atoms and optionally substituted. Preferably the li
Kasturi Chandrika
Kluesener Bernard William
Schafer Michael Gayle
Sivik Mark Robert
Hardee John
Hasse Donald S.
Robinson Ian S.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
William Zerby Kim
LandOfFree
Liquid dishwashing detergents having improved suds stability... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Liquid dishwashing detergents having improved suds stability..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Liquid dishwashing detergents having improved suds stability... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2486608