Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-05-04
2004-04-27
Hardee, John (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S226000, C510S235000, C510S499000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06727212
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present application relates to a method of softening soil deposited on a hard surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typical commercial hard surface cleaners involve the application of the cleaner, or a dilute solution of the cleaner, to the soiled hard surface. Typically scrubbing is then required by the user, especially on tough soils such as burnt milk, caramelized sugars, cooked egg, soils which have hardened with time, etc. This is particularly true in the hand cleaning of tableware and pots and pans. It is not uncommon to have both light soils and heavy or tough soils on a variety of different surfaces, such as fine china plates, copper pots, stainless flatware, wooden spatulas, ceramic mortar and pestles, etc. in hand dish cleaning.
Accordingly, there remains the need for a way of removing both light and tough soils from hard surfaces which will not damage the hard surface, be laborious or require excess scrubbing by the consumer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This need is met by way of the present invention where a method of softening soil on hard surfaces is provided. Specifically, the present invention comprises a method for softening soil on a hard surface, comprising contacting the hard surface, for a time sufficient to soften the soil with a soil softening amount of a composition comprising:
a high pH soil softening additive;
wherein the composition has a pH of greater than 8.5 to 12 and wherein further the composition has a Soil Softening Index of at least 15.
It is a further embodiment of the present invention, a method for softening soil on a hard surface, comprising contacting the hard surface for a time sufficient to soften the soil with a soil softening amount of a composition comprising:
a low pH soil softening additive;
wherein said composition has a pH of 6 to 8.5 and wherein further said composition has a Soil Removal of at least 20%.
It is a further embodiment of the invention that the high pH soil softening additive is selected from the group consisting of pH buffers, enzymes, solvents, builders, chelants, surfactants and mixtures thereof.
It is a further embodiment of the invention that the low pH soil softening additive is selected from the group consisting of enzymes, solvents, builders, chelants, surfactants and mixtures thereof.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method of softening soils on hard surfaces. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for softening soils via the use of a soil softening additive. These and other objects, features and advantages will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.
All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are on a weight basis unless otherwise indicated. All documents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The methods of softening soil on a hard surface according to the present invention will employ a high pH soil softening additive in a composition with a pH from greater than 8.5 to 12. Alternatively, the methods of softening soil on a hard surface according to the present invention will employ a low pH soil softening additive in a composition with a pH from 6 to 8.5. The essential and optional components of the soil softening method and other optional materials herein, as well as composition form and preparation, are described in greater detail as follows:
The present invention comprises a method for softening soil on a hard surface, comprising contacting the hard surface, for a time sufficient to soften the soil with a soil softening amount of a composition comprising a high pH soil softening additive; wherein the composition has a pH of greater than 8.5 to 12 and wherein further the composition has a Soil Softening Index (SSI) of at least 15.
The present invention also includes a method for softening soil on a hard surface, comprising contacting the hard surface, for a time sufficient to soften the soil with a soil softening amount of a composition comprising a low pH soil softening additive; wherein the composition has a pH of 6 to 8.5 and wherein further the composition has a Soil Removal (SR) of at least 20%.
A “soil softening amount” of a composition is an amount sufficient to achieve soil softening. The composition used in the present method to soften the soil can be used either in a dilute aqueous form or in concentrated or undiluted form. Preferably, a softening amount will be from 0.001% to 1%, more preferably from 0.004% to 0.5%, even more preferably from 0.01% to 0.2%, by weight when the composition is dilute. Preferably, when the composition is used neat, or concentrated, a softening amount will be from 1% to 100%, more preferably from 1% to 80%, even more preferably from 2% to 50%, even more preferably still from 2% to 10 by weight.
A “high pH” in the present application is any pH in the range from greater than 8.5 to 12. A “low pH” in the present application is any pH in the range from 6 to 8.5.
A “hard surface” is any surface which is traditionally regarded as hard, that is tableware, such as plates, glasses, cutlery, pots and pans, and also includes other surfaces such as kitchen counter tops, sinks, glass, windows, enamel surfaces, metal surfaces, tiles, bathtubs, floors etc. Preferably, the hard surfaces is tableware. Hard surfaces typically do not include fabrics, such as clothing or the like.
A “soil softening additive” in the present application can be a “high pH soil softening additive”, namely pH buffers, enzymes, solvents, builders, chelants, surfactants and mixtures thereof. These “high pH soil softening additives” are used when the compositions used in the methods of the present invention have a “high pH, namely a pH from greater than 8.5 to 12. Alternatively, a “soil softening additive” in the present application can be a “low pH soil softening additive”, namely enzymes, solvents, builders, chelants, surfactants and mixtures thereof. These “low pH soil softening additives” are used when the compositions used in the methods of the present invention have a “low pH, namely a pH from 6 to 8.5.
The time sufficient to soften the soil can vary greatly depending upon many factors including, but not limited to, temperature, water hardness, concentration, etc. Preferably the time sufficient to soften the soil is from 2 minutes to overnight, typically 12 hours, more preferably 5 minutes to 8 hours, even more preferably 7 minutes to 2 hours, even more preferably still 10 minutes to 30 minutes.
The compositions used in the methods of the present invention can be formulated in many different forms, including for example, hand dishwashing compositions (LDL), automatic dishwashing pretreaters, hardsurface cleaners, etc.
Soil Softening Index (SSI)
The Soil Softening Index or SSI, is a measure of how soft a soil is after treatment with a composition in comparison to the soil before treatment with the composition. This softening of the soil results in an increase in the thickness of the soil from the thickness of the soil before it was softened. It is believed, while not being limited by theory that the thickening is caused by the rehydration of the soil. The softening of the soil makes the soil easier to remove by subsequent application of force, e.g. wiping, rinsing, autodishwashing, etc., than if the soil had not been softened. The measuring of this change of soil thickness gives the SSI.
The soils softened according to the methods of the present invention have a SSI of at least 15%, preferably at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%.
The SSI is measured with a RM600 2-D/3-D Measuring Station made by Optische Werke G. Rodenstock Munich, Germany.
To determine if a composition is suitable for use in the inventive method the following steps are performed
1. Soils, as described hereinafter, are prepared on stainless steel, plastic, aluminum or glass coupons in such a way that half of the total area of the substrate is soiled.
2. The thickness of the soil is measured by using the arrangement described below.
3. Soiled coupons are soaked i
Foley Peter Robert
Kasturi Chandrika
McKenzie Kristen Lynne
Scheper William Michael
Cook C. Brant
Fayette Thibault
Hardee John
Robinson Ian S.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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