Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-06
2002-06-18
Ogden, Necholus (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S281000, C510S480000, C510S499000, C510S528000, C134S040000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06407048
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to a process of cleaning carpets using a liquid composition. More particularly, the present invention relates to a process of cleaning carpets whereby good carpet cleaning performance and good carpet anti-resoiling performance is achieved.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Carpets produced from synthetic or natural fibers and mixtures thereof are commonly used in residential and commercial applications as a floor covering. Various types of fibers can be used in making carpets such as polyamide fibers, polyester fibers as well as wool, cotton or even silk in the case of rugs.
However, carpets irrespective of whether they are made from natural or synthetic fibers are all prone to soiling and staining when contacted with many household items. Foods, grease, oils, beverages in particular such as coffee, tea and soft drinks especially those containing acidic dyes can cause unsightly, often dark stains on carpets. Also fibers may become soiled as a result of dirt particles, clay, dust, i.e., particulate soils in general, coming into contact with and adhering to the fibers of the carpet. These latter soils often appear in the form of a diffuse layer of soils rather than in the form of spots and tend to accumulate particularly in the so called “high traffic areas” such as near doors as a result of intensive use of the carpets in such areas.
Compositions for the cleaning of carpets are already known in the art. For example carpet cleaning compositions based on surfactants and polyvinylpyrrolidone as disclosed in EP-A-822 249.
However, such compositions are not fully satisfactory from a consumer viewpoint. In particular, the anti-resoiling properties imparted to the carpets treated therewith. Indeed. consumers are looking for liquid carpet cleaning compositions that would render a carpet first treated therewith less prone to soil and thus facilitate next-time cleaning operation.
Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a process for cleaning a carpet with a liquid carpet cleaning composition that will impart anti-resoiling properties to a carpet treated therewith.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a process of cleaning a carpet which provides excellent overall cleaning performance on various types of stains including particulate stains, greasy stains, bleachable stains and/or enzymatic stains.
It has now been found that the above objects can be met by a process of cleaning a carpet with a liquid composition comprising an anti-resoiling agent.
An advantage of the process of cleaning carpets according to the present invention is that of being easy and fast while providing excellent overall cleaning performance. More advantageously, the process of cleaning carpets according to the present invention provides excellent cleaning performance, when both used to clean the whole carpet or localized carpet stains. In addition to this, this process does not leave tacky residue on carpets.
Advantageously, excellent cleaning performance is obtained on different types of stains and soils, including enzymatic stains as well as particulate stains and/or greasy stains, especially in the so called “high traffic areas”.
A further advantage of the present invention is that the process of cleaning carpets herein is applicable to all carpet types, especially delicate natural fibers, and are also safe to all carpet dye types. particularly sensitive natural dyes used therein. The present invention is also suitable to be used to clean upholstery and car seats covering.
Yet another advantage of the process of cleaning carpets and of the compositions of the present invention is that they may be applied directly on the carpet without causing damage to the carpet.
BACKGROUND ART
The following documents are representative of the prior art available on carpet cleaning compositions.
EP-A-751 213 discloses a carpet cleaning composition comprising salicylic acid, and a compound selected from the group consisting of amine oxides, soil suspending polycarboxylate or polyamine polymers, hydroxy-pyridine N-oxides, chelating agents and mixtures thereof.
EP-A-822 249 discloses carpet cleaner compositions comprising a polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer.
None of these documents discloses a process of cleaning a carpet with a composition comprising an anti-resoiling agent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention encompasses a process of cleaning a carpet with a liquid composition comprising an anti-resoiling agent, said process comprising the steps of applying said composition to the surface of the carpet and leaving said composition to dry onto the carpet.
In a preferred embodiment said composition further comprises a peroxygen bleach.
In another preferred embodiment said anti-resoiling agent is a anti-resoiling polymer, preferably a polyamine N-oxide polymer, more preferably a poly vinyl pyridine-N-oxide polymer.
In another preferred embodiment said composition further comprises a surfactant, preferably an anionic surfactant or a zwitterionic surfactant or a mixture thereof, most preferably a sarcosinate surfactant.
The present invention also encompasses the use of a polyamine N-oxide polymer as an anti-resoiling agent in a carpet cleaning composition to clean carpets whereby said carpet cleaning composition provides carpet cleaning and/or carpet anti-resoiling benefits.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Process of Cleaning a Carpet
The present invention encompasses a process of cleaning a carpet with a liquid composition comprising an anti-resoiling agent, said process comprising the steps of applying said composition to the surface of the carpet and leaving said composition to dry onto the carpet.
Preferably said process of cleaning a carpet further comprises the step of removing said composition.
Preferably the composition is applied onto the carpet in the form of a spray of droplets having a particle size distribution with a mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns, preferably less than 1000 microns, more preferably of less than 750 microns, even more preferably less than 500 microns. and most preferably from 350 microns to 10 microns.
By “mean diameter D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns” for a droplet size distribution it is meant that 90% of the spray of droplets dispensed (expressed in volume unit) has a droplet diameter of less than 1500 microns. For instance, a D(v,0.9) of less than 1500 microns indicates that 90% of the total sprayed volume is dispensed with droplets whose diameter is less than 1500 microns.
The particle size distribution of a spray of droplets can be determined by following the procedure detailed herebelow.
A suitable test equipment is the Malvern Mastersizer S LongBed® with 1000 mm lens and a maximum particle size range of 3475 microns. The Malvern Mastersizer S LongBed® provides 21 cm opening (between lenses) to accommodate spray flow. In all readings at the Malvern®, the lens surface must remain free of spray contamination. In the present setup procedure, the distance from nozzle to laser was fixed at 8 cm, this to minimize lens contamination. At 8 cm distance, the spray was directed to the laser beam to place the laser center to the spray cone. At least three readings have to be made for each composition sprayed to determine the particle size distribution of the spray of droplets. The sprayer used in the test according to the present invention was an electrically operated sprayer. With the battery driven system a “Full charge” test was held consistent by holding the spray head to 3.9 voltage direct current (vdc) from an external power supply, this to insure a consistent spray force. A reference sprayer used herein is a hand trigger operated sprayer. Hand trigger systems have to be tested against repeatability with three different persons. These persons chosen for their varied ability to actuate the trigger against force: Small female, female with strong finger strength. and medium male.
Any container adapted to deliver a spray of droplets as defined herein is suitable for use herein. Several modific
Grippaudo Gabriella
Ricci Carlo
Sarcinelli Luca
Bamber Jeffrey V.
Camp Jason C.
Ogden Necholus
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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