Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Specific organic component
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-19
2001-02-20
Hardee, John (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Specific organic component
C510S499000, C510S504000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191099
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention is related generally to cleaning and, more specifically, to a method of cleaning hydrocarbon-containing soils using an improved detergent composition.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known that removing oily, greasy and other hydrocarbon-containing soils from surfaces can be a difficult task. These hydrocarbon-containing soils include a wide range of substances such as motor oils, lards, lithium greases and other oily, greasy materials. Such soils are present in almost any household or commercial environment and can adhere to almost any surface including, without limitation, surfaces such as metal, wood, glass, synthetic and fabric.
Typical cleaning compounds used for removing these types of soils include solvents to solubilize the hydrocarbon-containing soils. While solvents present an effective method of removing these types of soils, they also include volatile organic compounds (“V.O.C.”) which may be hazardous. In recent years many of the solvent containing cleaners have been completely banned or highly regulated because of the V.O.C. discharge. This regulation has created a need for alternative cleaning agents which do not include chlorofluorocarbons, V.O.C.s or other potentially hazardous constituents.
In addition, it is desirable to select a cleaning composition wherein the foamability of the composition can be easily controlled. Such control should include the ability to increase as well as decrease the level of foaming.
An improved method of cleaning oily, greasy and other hydrocarbon-containing soils from surfaces which is efficacious and yet avoids the need for potentially hazardous solvents and which has easily controllable foam characteristics would represent an important advance in the art.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide an improved method of cleaning hydrocarbon-containing soils that overcomes some of the problems and shortcomings of the prior art.
Another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of cleaning hydrocarbon-containing soils that includes a detergent composition with improved synergistic, cost-effective surface cleaning capabilities.
It is a further object of this invention to provide an improved method of cleaning hydrocarbon-containing soils that offers versatile high or low foamability suitable for a variety of applications.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved method of cleaning hydrocarbon-containing soils that includes a detergent composition which can be prepared and used in a dilute form or as a 100% actives concentrate.
An additional object of the invention is to provide an improved method of cleaning hydrocarbon-containing soils which is effective yet does not require the use of organic solvents or builders.
These and other important objects will be apparent from the descriptions of this invention which follow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed toward an improved method of cleaning oily, greasy and other hydrocarbon-containing soils from a wide range of surfaces including, without limitation, surfaces such as metal, wood, glass, synthetic materials and fabric. The invention is highly efficacious in removing these types of soils. Indeed, and as set forth in the Examples below, the constituents of the composition appear to have a synergistic effect in removing hydrocarbon-containing soils. The method accomplishes this desirable result without the need for solvents typical of the prior art cleaning compositions and methods.
The invention comprises the steps of preparing a detergent composition and applying the detergent composition to the object or surface to be cleaned. In one embodiment, the detergent composition comprises from 1 to 99% by weight of at least one polyalkoxylated amine component and from 99-1% by weight of at least one water-soluble amine oxide surfactant. The polyalkoxylated amine component has the general structural formula:
wherein R
1
is selected from an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group having between 6 and 22 carbon atoms, R
2
is from 0 to 7 moles of alkoxylated units, n is 0 or 1, R
3
and R
4
are each selected from a hydrogen atom (“H”) and from 1 to 5 moles of alkoxylated units such that R
3
and R
4
are not both H and R
3
and R
4
combined include about 5 or fewer moles of alkoxylated units. Mixtures of the amines may be used.
The water-soluble surfactant for use in this embodiment of the invention is one of several amine oxides. Mixtures of these amine oxides may be used. These compounds will be described in greater detail below.
In another embodiment, the detergent composition of the inventive method comprises three main components. The first component is from 0.5-99% by weight of a polyalkoxylated amine as set forth above while the second component is from 99-0.5% by weight of water-soluble nonionic surfactants described in more detail below. Mixtures of these surfactants are acceptable.
The third component consists of from 99-0.5% by weight of a third constituent consisting of several quaternary ammonium compounds also described more detail below. Mixtures may be used.
As used throughout the specification and claims, terms such as “between 6 and 22 carbon atoms,” C3 to C10 and C
1-5
are used to designate carbon atom chains of varying lengths and to indicate that various conformations are acceptable including branched, cyclic and linear conformations. The terms are further intended to designate that various degrees of saturation are acceptable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The detergent composition of the invention may be prepared as a solid or liquid using any conventional method. There is no particular order in which the constituents are combined. Liquid and solid forms of the invention require good dispersal of the constituents for maximum effectiveness. Solid forms of the composition may be prepared through known methods such as dry blending or spray drying in which the composition is applied to a dry substrate such as a zeolite.
The detergent composition may be applied in any suitable manner such as with an atomizer or other form of spray, by immersing the surface to be cleaned in the composition, pouring the detergent composition on the soil to be removed or by mixing a solid form of the composition with a solvent and the article to be cleaned. As will be discussed in the Examples below, the detergent composition is effective in removing the soil upon application.
As summarized above, one embodiment of the detergent composition comprises a blend of two main components including polyalkoxylated amines and a water soluble amine oxide surfactant. It is preferred that the polyalkoxylated amine component comprise from 1 to 99% by weight of the composition and that the water soluble amine oxide surfactant comprise from 99-1% by weight of the composition. The polyalkoxylated amines have the general structural formula:
wherein R
1
is selected from an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group having between 6 and 22 carbon atoms, R
2
is from 0 to 7 moles of alkoxylated units; n is 0 or 1, R
3
and R
4
are each selected from a hydrogen atom (“H”) and from 1 to 5 moles of alkoxylated units such that R
3
and R
4
are not both H and R
3
and R
4
combined include about 5 or fewer moles of alkoxylated units. Mixtures of the amines are within the scope of the invention.
The alkoxylated units are preferably selected from the group consisting of ethyleneoxy, propyleneoxy, butyleneoxy and mixtures thereof. Preferably, R
3
and R
4
combined include from about 1 to 2 moles of alkoxylated units.
Tomah Products, Inc. of Milton, Wis. manufactures and sells polyalkoxylated amines useful in practicing the invention. And example of a suitable Tomah polyalkoxylated amine is E-14-2.
A wide range of amine oxide water-soluble surfactants may be used in this form of the invention. The preferred amine oxide surfactant has the general structural formula:
wherein R
5
is selected from an alkyl, alkylamidopropyl, hydroxyalkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group having between 6 and
Hardee John
Jansson, Shupe Bridge & Munger, Ltd.
Tomah Products, Inc.
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