Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Work handled in bulk or groups
Reexamination Certificate
2001-02-16
2004-04-13
Mruk, Brian P. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Work handled in bulk or groups
C134S038000, C134S039000, C134S040000, C134S042000, C510S238000, C510S239000, C510S240000, C510S362000, C510S365000, C510S421000, C510S435000, C510S471000, C510S475000, C510S500000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06718992
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to liquid compositions for cleaning hard-surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Liquid compositions for cleaning hard-surfaces have been disclosed in the art.
Liquid hard-surface cleaning compositions may be formulated in a variety of ways. Liquid hard-surface cleaning compositions, having a neutral to alkaline pH, comprising amongst other ingredients, a surfactant or a surfactant system both of which are well known in the art. Said compositions show good cleaning on a variety of soils and surfaces. However, consumers are looking for liquid cleaning compositions that would not only clean a hard-surface in a primary or ‘first-time’ cleaning operation but also render the hard-surface less prone to soil adherence and thus facilitating ‘next-time’ or secondary cleaning operation (i.e., a subsequent cleaning operation following a primary or ‘first-time’ cleaning operation).
Hard-surface cleaning compositions having a ‘next-time’ cleaning benefit are known in the art. Said compositions may comprise among other ingredients polymeric material, e.g., hard-surface cleaning compositions comprising a polyvinyl pyrrolidone (EP-A-0 635 567). The ability of said compositions to render a hard-surface treated therewith less prone to soil adherence is not yet satisfactory and may be further improved.
Thus, the object of the present invention is to formulate a liquid cleaning composition for removal of various soils from various hard-surfaces, e.g., hard-surfaces found in houses, having an improved ‘next-time’ cleaning benefit/performance compared to other hard-surface cleaners.
Furthermore, it is also desirable that such liquid hard-surface cleaning compositions should have the ability to provide good shine to the surfaces treated. However, surface shine is often compromised since when water comes into contact with hard-surfaces (e.g., in the rinse operation) it has the tendency to form droplets on the surface. The presence of droplets as compared to a thin film uniformly spread over the surface or running off the surface results in the loss of shine. Furthermore, as water evaporates from the droplets, poorly water soluble inorganic salts such as calcium/magnesium carbonate and/or phosphate salts precipitate with consequent formation of watermarks on the surface and, eventually limescale deposits, resulting in an unacceptable mark on the surface.
It is thus a further object of the present invention to improve the formation of a uniform thin film of water and to reduce the formation of watermarks and/or limescale deposits on a hard-surface that has been treated with a liquid hard-surface cleaning composition and hence to provide good shine to this surface. Furthermore, it is also desirable that said good shine persists after several rinsing cycles and hence long lasting shine is provide to the surface.
It has now been found that the above objects are met by formulating a liquid composition, having a neutral to alkaline pH, comprising a nonionic surfactant, a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and a polysaccharide polymer, with the proviso that said composition does not comprise an amphoteric surfactant.
Advantageously, the liquid compositions of the present invention show an improved ‘next-time’ cleaning performance, compared to other hard-surface cleaners, on various types of stains/soils in particular greasy soils, e.g., greasy soap scum or greasy soils found in kitchens, and other tough stains found on hard-surfaces.
A further advantage of the liquid compositions of the present invention is that good first time cleaning in addition to improved ‘next-time’ cleaning performance is delivered.
Yet a further advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that faster drying is obtained on the surfaces that have been cleaned therewith. In other words, the consumer will notice the advantages reducing the total amount of time taken to clean hard-surfaces and reducing the inconvenience of having wet surfaces in the home.
Also it has surprisingly been found that the compositions according to the present invention deliver the benefits mentioned herein when used to treat a variety of surfaces including metal surfaces, such as aluminum, chromed steel, stainless steel, synthetic materials like vinyl, linoleum, glazed or non-glazed ceramic tiles, and/or enamel surfaces.
BACKGROUND ART
EP-A-0 017 149 discloses a liquid detergent composition comprising a nonionic surfactant and a water-soluble nonionic, weak anionic or cationic polymer. A composition comprising a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone in combination with a polysaccharide polymer is not exemplified. Furthermore, a ‘next-time’ cleaning benefit of the liquid detergent composition is not disclosed.
EP-A-0 511 091 discloses hard-surface cleaning compositions, having a pH of from 8.5 to 12.5, comprising a surfactant, an organic solvent, a sequestering agent and optionally polyvinyl pyrrolidone. A composition comprising a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone in combination with a polysaccharide polymer is not disclosed.
EP-A-0 635 567 discloses a method of facilitating the removal of soil from a solid surface using a liquid composition comprising a material which is deposited on the surface during washing and upon drying forms a layer adhered to said surface, whereby the removal of soil contaminants from said surface is facilitated. Such materials are film-forming polymeric materials preferred polyvinyl pyrrolidone. A composition comprising a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone in combination with a polysaccharide polymer is not disclosed.
EP-A-0 467 472 discloses a hard-surface modifying composition comprising an anti-soiling water-soluble anionic, cationic or nonionic polymer. Amongst the anti-soiling water-soluble anionic, cationic or nonionic polymer, polyvinyl pyrrolidone is disclosed. A composition comprising a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone in combination with a polysaccharide polymer is not disclosed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a liquid composition, having a pH of from 7 to 14, comprising a nonionic surfactant, a homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone and a polysaccharide polymer, with the proviso that said composition does not comprise an amphoteric surfactant.
In a preferred embodiment, a solvent is added to said composition.
In other preferred embodiments the homo or copolymer of vinylpyrrolidone is vinylpyrrolidone homopolymer and the polysaccharide polymer is xanthan gum.
The present invention also encompasses a process of treating hard-surfaces, wherein a liquid composition according to the present invention is applied onto said surfaces.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The Liquid Hard-surface Cleaning Composition
The compositions according to the present invention are designed as hard-surface cleaners.
The liquid compositions according to the present invention are preferably aqueous compositions. Therefore, they may comprise from 70% to 99%, preferably from 75% to 95% and more preferably from 85% to 95% by weight of the total composition of water.
The liquid compositions of the present invention have a neutral to alkaline pH, i.e., a pH of from 7 to 14, preferably from 7 to 12, more preferably from 7 to 10.
The compositions according to the present invention are advantageously chemically stable, i.e., there are virtually no chemical reactions between the different ingredients of the compositions, and physically stable, i.e., that no phase separation occurs when stored in rapid aging test (RAT), i.e., storage at 50° for 10 days.
Nonionic Surfactant
The first essential ingredient is a nonionic surfactant.
Typically, the compositions according to the present invention comprise from 0.1% to 20%, more preferably from 1% to 10%, even more preferably from 1% to 7%, and most preferably from 1% to 5% by weight of the total composition of a nonionic surfactant.
Suitable nonionic surfactants for use herein include a class of compounds, which may be broadly defined as compounds produced by the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic
Cardola Sergio
Iakovides Panos
Orlandini Laura
Rescio Maria Rosa
LandOfFree
Liquid neutral to alkaline hard-surface cleaning composition 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 neutral to alkaline hard-surface cleaning composition, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Liquid neutral to alkaline hard-surface cleaning composition will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3247125