Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-28
2002-02-26
Delcotto, Gregory (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S199000, C510S191000, C510S422000, C510S470000, C510S506000, C510S499000, C134S042000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06350727
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to no-scrub, no-wipe compositions for use in cleaning and maintaining showers and bathtubs and other surfaces and fixtures frequently exposed to moisture and soiling, especially involving hard water. The compositions contain an effective, non-streaking surfactant system, novel chelating salts, and optionally biocidal agents to inhibit mold, fungal, and bacterial growth.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A problem commonly encountered in bathrooms, particularly showers, tubs, and bathing facilities, is that, in the presence of hard water, lime (CaCO
2
) and soap scum build up on surfaces and fixtures. This buildup gives surfaces an unsightly appearance and creates a good breeding environment for mold and mildew, especially in conjunction with the moist, warm conditions usually present in such places. Further, mildew, lime, soap scum, and soil, once allowed to build up over time, are difficult to remove. The person who cleans such buildup is forced to use strong cleaners and bleaches that create harsh, irritating fumes when used in the close confines of the shower or bathroom.
The market has recognized the value of effective cleaning and maintenance products designed to prevent and/or eliminate these problems, as evidenced by sales growth of this new category of products. However, the current art provides systems that that sacrifice either cleaning ability, safety, or surface appearance. Specifically, there is a need for a product which provides effective cleaning and mold control at a neutral pH while also leaving the cleaned surface with a clear, glossy, streak-free appearance. Existing products which purport to achieve these objectives at neutral pH have been found to lack the ability to effectively clean heavy soil and/or to leave hazy films or streaks on the cleaned surface. Even those products which are marketed as “streak-free” or “no dull residue” tend to leave behind iridescent films which are readily visible on chromed surfaces, and which often become hazy with extended drying (i.e., 1-24 hours).
The present invention not only solves the appearance problem (streaking, haziness) of the current art but also provides excellent cleaning at near neutral pH. In order to accomplish these goals, specific problems had to be solved by the inventor. First, although ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are generally preferred as the primary cleaning ingredient in compositions such as those of the present invention, these nonionic surfactants have the known drawback of drying to streaky or hazy films and of possibly damaging certain plastics with prolonged exposure. Second, it is known that the fatty soils found in soap scum are typically best removed by cleaning compositions at alkaline pH. In fact, the chelating agent most preferred for this type of cleaning, ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA), is known to be most effective at moderately alkaline or even very alkaline pH (e.g., pH>9-12).
The inventor has discovered that if specific blends of nonionic surfactants, other surfactants, and chelating agents, and optionally biocides, are combined, the user can perform a no-scrub, no-wipe, streak-free cleaning treatment of surfaces at or near a neutral pH.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve these and other advantages, and in accordance with the purpose of the invention as embodied and broadly described herein, the present invention, in one aspect, provides an aqueous cleaning composition comprising at least one partial salt of ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and a water-soluble amine; at least one alkyl polyglycoside surfactant; at least one alkyl ether carboxylate surfactant; and up to 0.5% by weight of an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, relative to the total weight of the cleaning composition. The inventor has found that, surprisingly, effective cleaning, i.e., resulting in a clean surface with a streak-free, non-hazy appearance and minimal reoccurrence of mold and mildew stains, can be achieved by using partial salts of EDTA and water soluble amines coupled with at least one alkyl ether carboxylate surfactant, at least one alkyl polyglycoside surfactant, and a minimum amount of ethoxylated nonionic surfactants. The EDTA-amine partial salts act as chelating agents that are surprisingly more effective than EDTA salts previously used in the art, e.g., alkali metal EDTA salts such as disodium, trisodium, dipotassium, and tripotassium EDTA. Ethoxylated nonionic surfactants, typically used in cleaning compositions for their good cleaning properties, tend to leave streaks on the cleaned surfaces. Accordingly, they are used optionally and, if used, only in a small quantity in the present invention, allowing the inventive compositions to provide excellent streak-free cleaning but still performing like cleaners with higher levels of such surfactants.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by means of the elements and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the present invention. The invention is drawn to an aqueous cleaning composition comprising at least one partial salt of EDTA and a water-soluble amine; at least one alkyl polyglycoside surfactant; at least one alkyl ether carboxylate surfactant; and up to 0.5% by weight of an ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, relative to the total weight of the cleaning composition. Preferably, the ratio of alkyl polyglycoside surfactant to total ethoxylated, ether carboxylate and other surfactants is at least 4:1.
The term “partial salt” as used herein refers to a acidic compound, e.g., EDTA, in which the degree of neutralization is at least 1, i.e., at least one of the acid groups has been neutralized. In the present invention, the preferred partial salts of EDTA have a degree of neutralization of 2 to 3.
Water soluble amines useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, those with a crystallization/melting point near or below ambient temperature. Preferably the water soluble amines are chosen from alkanolamines and morpholine. Alkanolamines useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, 2-amino,2-methyl-1-propanol (isobutanolamine), monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, aminoethylethanolamine, methyldiethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, monobutanolamine, and diethanol isopropanolamine. Particularly preferred is monoisopropanolamine. The at least one EDTA-amine partial salt is present in the composition of the invention in an amount ranging from 0.1 to 10 percent, preferably 0.2 to 5 percent, by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.
The EDTA-amine partial salts are partially neutralized to provide products with pH values ranging from 5 to 9. The pH may also be maintained/adjusted by the presence of a buffering agent such as, but not limited to, water-soluble organic bases including amines, ethanolamines, aminoalcohols and morpholine.
Alkyl polyglycoside (APG) surfactants useful in the present invention include, but are not limited to, those having C
6
-C
18
alkyl chains, particularly mixtures of such surfactants. Alkyl sources include natural fats and oils such as coconut oil. The amount of glycoside present generally ranges from 1-3 moles, preferably 1-2 moles per mole of fatty alkyl. APG surfactants that can be used in the present invention are available, e.g., from the Henkel Corp. under the GLUCOPON tradename: GLUCOPON 220, GLUCOPON 425, and GLUCOPON 600. These alkyl polyglycoside surfactants are nonionic. The at least one alkyl polyglycoside su
Amway Corporation
Delcotto Gregory
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
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