Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-15
2003-12-16
Gupta, Yogendra N. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
active
06664221
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to compositions and processes for washing articles containing foam-generating components.
Compositions for washing articles are known in principle. Institutional laundries use detergents containing the usual washing aids such as, for example, alkali donors, complexing agents and surfactants. These detergents are used in discontinuous or continuous washing machines. Continuous washing machines comprise a number of washing compartments arranged in tandem so that the articles to be washed are continuously transported from washing compartment to washing compartment during the washing process while the washing medium—consisting of the aqueous solution of the detergent and the soils introduced—normally flows in countercurrent to the transported articles. Discontinuous washing machines generally consist of a single washing compartment provided with drum having a perforated wall for holding the articles to be washed. The articles to be washed are first treated in the above-mentioned washing medium and then repeatedly rinsed with fresh washing medium. The detergents and processes have a number of disadvantages when it comes to washing articles containing foaming components.
In the machine washing of articles containing large quantities of foaming substances, generally surfactants, overfoaming occurs in the washing machine where the usual detergents, so-called heavy-duty detergents, are used in the washing process. Typical heavy-duty detergents contain around 10% by weight surfactant, based on the detergent as a whole, and are dosed in a concentration of 0.3 to 1.2% by weight, based on the detergent solution as a whole. Under the described conditions, technical problems can be caused by foaming in the washing of articles containing foaming substances, with the result that the wash program is disrupted and the washing results are impaired. The foam dampens the tumbling action of the washing machine in the wash process, resulting in a reduction in the mechanical cleaning force.
Another disadvantages of the detergents in use today arises when it comes to washing articles used for cleaning purposes. Cleaning utensils, such as mops, flat wiping heads, window cloths and cleaning cloths, are used for cleaning surfaces, especially in the professional cleaning of buildings, and are then washed in automatic washing machines. After they have been used, the cleaning utensils are soiled with surfactant-containing surface cleaning compositions and soil. Where the washing process is carried out with the heavy-duty detergents normally used, above-average quantities of incrusting soils remain behind in the washed utensils and, after drying, increase mechanical material wear and abrasion which accelerates premature destruction of the utensil. In addition, the large quantities of soil contribute greatly to the utensils discoloring rapidly and leaving an unhygienic impression behind after only a few wash cycles. Apart from these disadvantages in the washing process and washing results, the overly high proportion of surfactants in typical heavy-duty detergents is a disadvantage when the washing process is viewed from the perspective of environmental aspects and the introduction of surfactants into the wastewater.
The problem addressed by the invention was to provide a detergent and a process which would be suitable for washing articles containing foaming substances without increasing the generation of foam during the washing process.
Another problem addressed by the invention was to provide a detergent and a process which, particularly in the case of heavily pigment-soiled articles for washing, would contribute towards the articles retaining a high quality and towards an increase in their useful life, even after several soiling/washing cycles.
A further problem addressed by the invention was to provide a detergent and a process designed in such a way that the articles for washing would achieve an at least 10% larger number of life cycles (comprising their use, washing and drying) compared with typical heavy-duty detergents before they are mechanically destroyed.
The object of the present invention was to use detergents and processes—in contrast to the prior art cited above—for the machine washing of articles containing foam-generating substances and to formulate the detergents in such a way that they would not increase the generation of foam during the washing process. In the detergents according to the invention, the percentage surfactant content, based on the total quantity of detergent, is less than 6% by weight, preferably less than 3% by weight and more particularly less than 1.5% by weight. In one special embodiment, the detergents contain no surfactant at all.
In addition, an increase in useful life of at least 10% before destruction by wear and abrasion of the articles is achieved by using complexing agents in concentrations of 0.1 to 5% by weight and preferably 0.5 to 3% by weight, based on the detergent as a whole.
In addition, the appearance of the articles for washing is improved in relation to the prior art by using redeposition inhibitors in concentrations of 0.1 to 5% by weight and preferably 0.5 to 3% by weight, based on the detergent as a whole.
The detergent may contain one of more constituents from the groups of builders as softeners and/or alkali donors, bleaching agents, brighteners and biocides in the following quantities, based on the total quantity of detergent: 10 to 60 and preferably 20 to 50% by weight softeners, 5 to 40 and preferably 10 to 20% by weight alkali donors, 5 to 30 and preferably 10 to 20% by weight bleaching agents, 0.1 to 10 and preferably 0.5 to 5% by weight brighteners, 0.1 to 10 and preferably 0.3 to 5% by weight biocides.
The present invention also relates to a process for using the detergents according to the invention for washing articles soiled with surfactants, characterized in that, to remove soils, the articles for washing are treated with a detergent solution obtainable by dissolving or dispersing the detergent according to the invention in water, the process being carried out at temperatures of the washing medium of 30 to 90° C. and preferably 40 to 70° C. and the washing process being carried out with the assistance of mechanical action.
Examples of articles for washing which contain surfactants and a high percentage of soil from their intended uses are mops, flat wiping heads, window cloths and cleaning cloths.
Another feature of the process according to the invention is the optimal co-operation of the soil constituents in the article for washing with the ingredients of the detergent for achieving an optimal result in terms of cleaning performance, the completion of the washing process and the introduction of surfactants into the environment. The process may be carried out, for example, by cleaning soiled surfaces with materials intended for that purpose which have been conditioned with surfactant-containing cleaning compositions and, after the cleaning process, treating the now soiled surfactant-containing materials as articles for washing with a detergent solution prepared by dissolving or dispersing a detergent according to the invention in water in the manner described above in reference to the process according to the invention.
Examples of articles suitable for such a process are mops, flat wiping heads, window cloths and cleaning cloths. The cleaning compositions are, for example, surfactant-containing cleaning compositions for hard surfaces.
As already mentioned, the detergents according to the invention may contain surfactants in limited concentrations. If surfactants are used in the detergents according to the invention, they are preferably low-foaming nonionic surfactants such as, for example, C
12-18
alkyl polyethylene glycol polypropylene glycol ethers containing up to 8 moles ethylene oxide units and up to 8 moles propylene oxide units in the molecule. However, other nonionic surfactants known for their low foaming such as, for example, C
12-18
alkyl polyethylene glycol polybutylene glycol ethers containing up to
Bansemir Klaus-Peter
Faubel Heiko
Kresse Franz
Merz Thomas
Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
Merchant & Gould P.C.
Petruncio John M.
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