Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Alkali metal carbonate – bicarbonate – or sesquicarbornate...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-21
2001-05-01
Hardee, John (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Alkali metal carbonate, bicarbonate, or sesquicarbornate...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06225279
ABSTRACT:
A related application entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CLEANING”, by the inventor of the present application, Ser. No. 09/098,170 allowed is filed concurrently herewith.
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to cleaning and more particularly, to a cleaning solution and uses thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
The formulation of cleaning solutions that have the ability to clean a large variety of soils, stains and contaminants from a wide variety of surfaces and materials is of significant importance. To this effect, much research in the fields of cleaning agents has been performed and has resulted in a plethora of cleaning solutions having a wide variety of cleaning formulations. To further enhance the properties of these many cleaning formulations components including a wide variety of surfactants, anti-soil and anti-stain agents and the like are also typically included in the final formulations. In addition, cleaning solution formulations have been recently introduced that also provide anti-bacterial properties by virtue of the presence of still other components added to the already complex formulations.
However, while many of these complex compositions provide acceptable cleaning properties, these acceptable properties are often limited to a few specific uses. This, despite the many exotic, expensive components employed. Furthermore, as these compositions do not typically eliminate odors, they often contain scent additives that can only serve to cover malodors for a short period of time. Finally, many of these cleaning solutions have components that can be harmful to a user if ingested or brought into contact with a user's skin, thus requiring protective garments to prevent such contact.
Therefore it would be advantageous to have a cleaning solution capable of cleaning a wide variety of surfaces and materials while encompassing only a few readily available components. In addition, it would be advantageous for the cleaning solution to be non-toxic and not be a cause of harm upon casual contact with a user's skin. Additionally, it would be advantageous for the cleaning solution to have sequestering properties with respect to a wide variety of organic materials such as oils and the like to enable the solution to be reused without redeposit of the soils, stains and contaminants removed. It would also be advantageous for the cleaning solution to provide anti-soil and anti-stain properties to the surface or material cleaned by leaving a thin, invisible protective film or coating upon drying. It would further be advantageous for the cleaning solution to eliminate malodors without the need for the addition of scenting agents. Finally, it would be advantageous for the cleaning solution to provide bactericide and fungicide activity.
SUMMARY
In accordance with the present invention, a cleaning solution that provides the above mentioned advantages is provided. The cleaning solution of the present invention consists essentially of a mixture of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO
3
, CAS RN 144-55-8), sodium carbonate (Na
2
CO
3
, CAS RN 497-19-8) and trisodium phosphate (Na
3
PO
4
, CAS RN 10101-89-0) formulated as an aqueous solution of those components, in various concentrations. The mixture of sodium bicarbonate, sodium carbonate and trisodium phosphate, present in the above mentioned various concentrations, having a particular molar ratio.
In some embodiments of the present invention the cleaning solution is formulated to be used as a spray cleaner, to be sprayed onto a surface and the wetted surface wiped with a clean cloth to remove soils, stains and contaminants. Advantageously, upon drying, the cleaning solution of the present invention leaves a thin, invisible protective coating or film on the surface. In some such spray embodiments the cleaning solution is sprayed as a very fine mist or aerosol to additionally eliminate malodors from the air. Advantageously, the thin protective film formed after drying will continue to remove such malodors after the aerosol has dispersed. In addition to eliminating malodors, this thin protective coating or film provides protection against re-soiling, prevents or reduces the rate of bacterial or fungal growth and increases the lubricity of the surface or material, thus reducing wear.
In some embodiments, the cleaning solution of the present invention is formulated to be used for soaking an object to be cleaned, where the solution removes soils, stains and contaminants from the surface of the object and sequesters them preventing redeposition. Such a soaking process is employed as a stand alone cleaning method, for example with agitation as a laundry cleaner, or as a preliminary step with or without agitation, to be followed by another cleaning step. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the cleaning solution is formulated to be employed with scrubbing or brushing where heavy build-ups of soil are present. Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, a combination of one or more of the cleaning methods described is used with one or more of the cleaning solution formulations. Finally, in all of the embodiments of the present invention, the cleaning solution does not require rinsing after use. Thus, the cleaning solution in accordance with the present invention cleans a surface or material and as no rinsing is needed, provides a thin protective film adhered to the surface or material that reduces or prevents re-soiling.
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patent: 4851212 (1989-07-01), Winston et al.
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Christopher Darrow Oppenheimer, Wolff & Donnelly
Hardee John
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