Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Solid – shaped macroscopic article or structure
Reexamination Certificate
2001-06-19
2003-01-28
Kopec, Mark (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Solid, shaped macroscopic article or structure
C510S351000, C510S357000, C510S426000, C510S475000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06511956
ABSTRACT:
FIELD
The present invention relates to a process for making a cleaning composition, and a cleaning composition formed by said process. Specifically, the present invention relates to a process for making a cleaning composition containing a polymer, and a cleaning composition containing said polymer formed by said process.
BACKGROUND
A cleaning composition, especially a laundry composition, will typically contain an acidic species present during the production process. For example, the production process may utilize the acid active form of an anionic surfactant, which is neutralized during the production process. While certain anionic surfactants may be added as a pre-neutralized surfactant, in certain locales, such a pre-neutralized surfactant is either unavailable, of unreliable quality, or excessively expensive. Accordingly, a typical production process adds an acid active, and neutralizes it therein.
Polymers are commonly added to a cleaning composition to provide soil dispersion properties, anti-redeposition properties, fabric modification properties, etc. Such polymers may, for example, complex with soils to remove them from clothes, capture soils to reduce redeposition, and bind to fabric to provide a soft feel.
One type of polymer which is especially useful in a cleaning composition is a modified polyamine polymer. Such a modified polyamine polymer typically provides one or more of the desirable properties discussed above. Specifically, such a modified polyamine polymer may provide, for example, improved soil dispersion, anti-redeposition, and fabric modification properties. The modified polyamine polymer may contain, for example, additional charged or uncharged groups connected to a polymer backbone.
The desirable properties of these polymers typically depend upon their molecular weight and the properties of any chemically modified groups attached thereto. Such polymers, and especially modified polyamine polymers, are typically expensive, as compared to other detergent ingredients, and are thus used at relatively low concentrations. However, the properties noted above are typically concentration-dependent; the greater the concentration of the polymer, the greater the desired effect. Thus, it is desirable to add an effective concentration of the polymer, and yet keep this concentration low enough so as not to excessively increase the formulations cost of the cleaning composition.
Accordingly, the need remains for a process which incorporates a polymer into a cleaning composition at a concentration which maintains polymer properties and performance profiles without increasing formulation costs.
SUMMARY
It has now been found that an acid active present in a detergent production process may degrade certain polymers, causing them to disintegrate into lower molecular weight fragments which are significantly less effective in providing the desired polymer properties. Such a polymer is therefore described herein as an “acid-sensitive polymer.” Thus, the present invention relates to an improved process for forming a cleaning composition containing an acid active and an acid-sensitive polymer, which reduces acid-sensitive polymer degradation and results in maintained polymer properties and performance profiles without increasing formulation costs.
The present invention relates to a process for forming a cleaning composition containing the steps of providing at least one alkaline material and at least one acid active, and adding the acid active and the alkaline material to a mixer. The acid active is substantially neutralized within the mixer to form a neutralized detergent active. At least one acid-sensitive polymer is added to the neutralized detergent active to form a slurry, and the slurry is formed into a cleaning composition. A cleaning composition as formed by the above process is also described herein.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art from a reading of the present disclosure with the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In accordance with the present invention it has now been found that a cleaning composition may utilize both an acid active and an acid-sensitive polymer and yet avoid acid-induced degradation of the acid-sensitive polymer. As there is no need to add extra acid-sensitive polymer in order to compensate for expected degradation, this improved process maintains the performance profile and benefits of the polymer without increasing formulation costs. This improved process reduces degradation, and therefore improves the effectiveness of a given amount of acid-sensitive polymer.
All percentages, ratios and proportions herein are by weight of the final cleaning composition, unless otherwise specified. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.), unless otherwise specified. All documents cited are incorporated herein by reference.
As used herein, the term “alkyl” means a hydrocarbyl moiety which is straight or branched, saturated or unsaturated. Unless otherwise specified, alkyl moieties are preferably saturated or unsaturated with double bonds, preferably with one or two double bonds. Included in the term “alkyl” is the alkyl portion of acyl groups.
The term “substantially neutralized”, as used herein indicates that at least 50%, preferably at least 80%, and more preferably at least 85% of the acid active, by weight, has been neutralized.
In accordance with the present invention, it has been recognized that an acid active present in a typical cleaning composition production process may degrade certain polymers, causing them to disintegrate into lower molecular weight fragments which are significantly less effective. Such a polymer is therefore described herein as an “acid-sensitive polymer.” Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that an acid active may react with the acid-sensitive polymer to cause it to degrade, or otherwise lose its effectiveness in the cleaning formulation. For example, an acid active may react with an active group on the acid-sensitive polymer to reduce the acid-sensitive polymer's properties in the cleaning composition. In another example, an acid active may react with the acid-sensitive polymer's backbone to cause it to hydrolyze and disintegrate into smaller fragments which are significantly less effective in a cleaning composition.
The present process also reduces undesirable polymerization of the acid-sensitive polymer. Without intending to be limited by theory, it is believed that certain acid-sensitive polymers may undesirably form homopolymers or copolymers when exposed to acid. Such undesirable polymerization may destroy or reduce the polymer's effectiveness and performance profile in the final composition.
Accordingly, the process of the present invention reduces such undesirable reactions by substantially neutralizing the acid active prior to adding the acid-sensitive polymer. Furthermore, this improved process also provides additional benefits. For example, as the acid-sensitive polymers are typically expensive, the present invention reduces formulation costs by requiring the addition of less acid-sensitive polymer to provide the same beneficial effects. Conversely, as the beneficial effects of such acid-sensitive polymers are typically dependent upon their concentration in the cleaning composition, the present process improves the overall effectiveness of a given level of acid-sensitive polymer.
In the process of the present invention, at least one alkaline material is provided with which to neutralize the acid active. The alkaline material may be any of those useful in a cleaning composition, and especially a laundry composition. The alkaline material is typically selected from the alkali metal and alkali earth metal salts of, for example, carbonate, phosphate, silicate, layered silicate, hydroxide, and mixtures thereof.
Preferred examples of the carbonate useful herein include the bicarbonates and sesquicarbonates, more preferably, sodium carbonate (i.e., soda ash), potassium carbonate, and mixtures th
Kandasamy Manivannan
Wen Tianli
Corstanje Brahm J.
Kopec Mark
Miller Steven W.
Mruk Brian P.
The Procter & Gamble & Company
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