AU3919493A

AU3919493A - Compositions and method for dilute cleaning of hard surfaces

Info

Publication number: AU3919493A
Application number: AU39194/93A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Johan Karel Emma De Waele; Louise Gail Scott
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1992-03-17
Filing date: 1993-03-15
Publication date: 1993-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2013-03-15
Also published as: WO1993019148A1; NO943414L; CN1080951A; DE69231555D1; EP0561103A1; AU673668B2; IE930201A1; FI944316A0; EP0561103B1; BR9306091A; DE69231555T2; ES2151483T3; NO943414D0; FI944316A; CA2131330C; MX9301506A; CA2131330A1; MA22824A1; JPH07504704A

Description

COMPOSITIONS AND METHOD FOR DILUTE CLEANING OF HARD SURFACES

Technical field

The present invention relates to the cleaning of hard surfaces. Hard surface cleaning compositions comprising a at least one one highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and possibly an anionic surfactant, are diluted before use, exhibiting outstanding dilute cleaning performance.

Background

Hard surface cleaning compositions are well known in the art. It is known to use various surfactants in these compositions, including ethoxylated nonionic surfactants. Ethoxylated nonionic surfactants which are typically used in such compositions are lower ethoxylates, i.e. with a degree of ethoxylation of 5 to 7.

Compositions which can be used in diluted form are also known in the art. In such compositions, the technical problem lies in sustaining upon dilution an efficient cleaning performance. Such compositions for dilute cleaning are described for instance in copending European Patent Application EP 91870109. 5. In these compositions , the dilute cleaning performance is obtained by using alkanolamines. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide hard surface cleaning compositions which can be effectively used in diluted form.

It has now been found that this object could be met by formulating hard surface cleaning compositions comprising at least one highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, preferably with at least one anionic surfactant. These compositions unexpectedly exhibit outstanding cleaning performance upon dilution, compared to the same compositions without said nonionic surfactant while the cleaning performance of the neat, i.e. undiluted compositions is similar, regardless of the presence of said nonionic surfactant.

In other words, it has now been found that hard surface cleaning compositions comprising said highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant exhibit outstanding cleaning performance when used both neat and diluted.

Surprisingly, said compositions comprise a highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant, yet they are especially effective on greasy soils. Such greasy soils are commonly brought by cooking with oils and fatty foods, and by simple contact with human skin, thus they are present on most surfaces, particularly in bathrooms and kitchens. The compositions according to the present invention are suitable for use on all such surfaces.

This invention is also particularly useful as it allows to formulate compositions with reduced levels of other ingredients, which yet retain optimal cleaning performance, due to said highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant; also, the user needs less product to achieve the same task. This advantage is particularly valuable in terms of environmental compatibility.

Compositions comprising highly ethoxylated fatty alcohols are described in SU 595369 (abstract). These compositions are designed for the cleaning of metallic surfaces in weaving machines. Summary of the invention

The present invention thus encompasses a composition for the cleaning of hard surfaces comprising from 0.5 % to 30 % by weight of the total composition of at least one nonionic surfactant, characterized in that said nonionic surfactant is of the formula RO-(CH₂CH₂O)_nH wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 21 to 65, or mixtures thereof.

The present invention also encompasses a composition for the cleaning of hard surfaces comprising from 0.5 % to 30 % by weight of the total composition of a mixture comprising at least one anionic surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant, characterized in that said nonionic surfactant is of the formula RO-(CH₂CH₂O)_nH wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 10 to 65, or mixtures thereof.

The present invention also encompasses the diluted compositions obtained by diluting the above compositions in water. Said diluted compositions comprise from 0.01% to 3.5% by weight of the total composition of said nonionic surfactant or said mixture of anionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant.

The present invention also encompasses a method of cleaning hard surfaces wherein a composition comprising at least one nonionic

surfactant of the formula RO-(CH₂CH₂O)_nH wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 10 to 65, or mixtures thereof, is diluted in water and applied to said hard surface.

Detailed description of the invention

The Compositions according to the invention comprise, as an essential ingredient, a highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant. The highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactants to be used in the compositions according to the present invention are carefully selected, and belong to the group according to the formula RO-(CH₂CH₂O)_nH, wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 10 to 65, or mixtures thereof. Indeed, it is unforeseeably only those ethoxylated alcohols with such a high degree of ethoxylation which allow to obtain the observed cleaning benefits in diluted form, especially on greasy soils. Accordingly, the preferred nonionic surfactants for use in the compositions according to the present invention are those according to the above formula where n is from 11 to 35, more preferably 18 to 35, most preferably 21 to 30. The preferred R chains for use herein are the C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chains. Suitable chemical processes for preparing the highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactants for use herein have been extensively described in the art. Suitable highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactants for use herein are also commercially available, for instance in the series commercialized under the trade name LUTENSOL ^R from BASF or DOBANOL ^R from SHELL. A preferred highly ethoxylated alcohol for use herein is LUTENSOL^R AO30 (R is a mixture of C₁₃ and C₁₅ alkyl chains, and n is 30). It is also possible to use mixtures of such highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactants, with different R groups and different ethoxylation degrees.

The compositions according to the present invention may additionally comprise an anionic surfactant. The prior art extensively describes anionic surfactants, including alkyl benzene sulfates and sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, sulfonates of fatty acids and of fatty acid esters, all of which are suitable for use herein. Said anionic surfactants can also be used in the form of their salts, including sodium, potassium, ammonium and triethanolammonium salts. The preferred anionic

surfactants for use in the compositions according to the present invention are paraffin sulfonates, preferably in the form of their sodium salt.

When the compositions according to the present invention comprise both said highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant and said anionic surfactant, these are preferably present in a weight ratio of said anionic

surfactant to said nonionic surfactant of from 0.2 to 5, more preferably 0.5 to 2.5.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a hard surface cleaning composition according to the present invention comprises from 0.5 % to 30 %, preferably from 1 % to 15 % by weight of the total composition of at least one nonionic surfactant of the formula RO-(CH₂CH₂O)_nH wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C28 alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 21 to 65, or mixtures thereof.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, a hard surface cleaning composition according to the present invention comprises from 0.5 % to 30 %, preferably from 1 % to 15 % by weight of the total composition of a mixture comprising at least one anionic surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant, wherein said nonionic surfactant is of the formula RO-(CH₂CH₂O)_nH wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 10 to 65, or mixtures thereof.

The diluted compositions according to the present invention, which are obtainable by diluting the compositions described hereinabove, comprise from 0.001 % to 3.5 % by weight of the total composition of the mixture described hereinabove, preferably from 0.01 % to 0.3 %.

The hard surface cleaning compositions according to the present

invention may further comprise additional surfactants, including other nonionic surfactants, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. Typical of these are lower ethoxylated nonionic surfactants (e.g with an ethoxylation degree of about 7), amine oxides, betaines, sulphobetaines and the like, which are well-known in the detergency art.

The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise an alkanolamine, or mixtures thereof, in amounts ranging from 0.1% to 10 % by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0.5% to 5%, most preferably from 0.8% to 3%. At such levels, the alkanolamine has a buffering effect in the undiluted product, as well as an unexpected boosting effect on the cleaning performance of the diluted compositions. Suitable alkanolamines for use in the compositions according to the present include monoalkanolamines, dialkanolamines, trialkanolamines, alkylalkanolamines, dialkylalkanolamines and alkoxyalkanolamines.

Preferred alkanolamines to be used according to the present invention include monoethanolamine, triethanolamine, aminoethylpropanediol, 2- aminomethyl propanol, and ethoxyethanolamine. Particularly preferred are monoethanolamine, triethanolamine and ethoxyethanolamine.

The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise builders. Suitable builders for use herein include nitrilotriacetates (NTA), polycarboxylates, citrates, water-soluble phosphates such as tri-polyphosphate and sodium ortho-and pyro-phosphates, silicates, ethylene diamine tetraacetate (EDTA), amino-polyphosphonates (DEQUEST), ether carboxylate builders such as in EP-A-286 167, phosphates, iminodiacetic acid derivatives such as described in EP-A-317 542, EP-262 112 and EP-A-399 133, and mixtures thereof. Preferred builders/sequestrants for use herein are selected from Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, citric acid and sodium carbonate. The hard surface cleaning compositions according to the present invention may comprise up to 15% by weight of the total composition of a builder, preferably from 1% to 10%

The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise solvents. Suitable solvents for use herein include propylene glycol derivatives such as n-butoxypropanol or n- butoxypropoxypropanol, water- soluble CARBITOL ^R solvents or water-soluble CELLOSOLVE ^R solvents;

water-soluble CARBITOL ^R solvents are compounds of the 2-(2- alkoxyethoxy)ethanol class wherein the alkoxy group is derived from ethyl, propyl or butyl; a preferred water-soluble carbitol is 2-(2- butoxyethoxy)ethanol also known as butyl carbitol. Water-soluble

CELLOSOLVE ^R solvents are compounds of the 2-alkoxyethoxy ethanol class, with 2-butoxyethoxyethanol being preferred. Other suitable solvents include benzyl alcohol, and diols such as 2-ethyl-1, 3-hexanediol and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol and mixtures thereof. Preferred solvents for use herein are n-butoxypropoxypropanol, BUTYL CARBITOL ^R and mixtures thereof. The compositions according to the present invention comprise up to 15 % by weight of the total composition of a solvent, preferably from 3% to 10%.

The compositions according to the present invention may also comprise minor ingredients to provide aesthetic or additional product performance benefits. Typical minor ingredients include perfumes, dyes, optical brighteners, soil suspending agents, detersive enzymes, gel-control agents, thickeners, freeze-thaw stabilizers, bactericides,

preservatives, and the like.

In the method for the cleaning of hard surfaces according to the present invention, a hard surface cleaning composition comprising at least one nonionic surfactant of the formula RO-(CH₂CH₂O)_nH wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 10 to 65, or mixtures thereof, is diluted in water and applied to said hard surface. In a preferred method according to the present invention, said composition further comprises an anionic surfactant as described hereinbefore.

In a preferred method according to the present invention, said

composition is diluted into 10 to 200 times its weight of water more preferably 50 to 150 times, before it is applied to said hard surface.

The different embodiments of the present invention are further

illustrated by the following examples

Examples

The following compositions were made by mixing the listed ingredients in the listed proportions:

Compositions

#1 #2 #3 #4

Ingredients:

Weight %

Sodium paraffin sulfonate 3 3 3 3

Alcohol ethoxylate 30EO (1) 2 - - 2

Alcohol ethoxylate 12EO (2) - 3 - -

Alcohol ethoxylate 7EO (3) 1 - - 1

Alcohol benzene ethoxylate 10EO (4) - - 3 -

Citric acid 2 2 2 3

Butylcarbitol ^R 4 4 4 7

n-butoxypropoxypropanol - - - 2.5

Triethanolamine 1 1 2 1

water & minors up to 100% Compositions

#5 #6 #7 #8

Ingredients: Weight %

Sodium paraffin sulfonate 3 - - -

Sodium alkyl sulfate - 3 - -

Sodium alcohol ethoxylate sulfate - - 3 -

Alcohol ethoxylate 30EO (1) 2 2 - 4

Alcohol ethoxylate 12EO (2) 1 - 3 -

Alcohol ethoxylate 7EO (3) - 1 - -

Citric acid 4 3 4 -

Tetrapotassium pyrophosphate - - - 4

Butylcarbitol ^R 4 4 6 5

n-butoxypropoxypropanol - - - 2

Triethanolamine - 1 2 -

Monoethanolamine 2 - - -

Ethoxyethanolamine - - - 2

water & minors up to 100%

In the examples hereinabove, (1) is a highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant wherein R is a mixture of C₁₃ and C₁₅ alkyl chains and n is

30. (2) is a highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant wherein R is a mixture of C₁₃ and C₁₅ alkyl chains and n is 12. (3) is a lower ethoxylated nonionic surfactant wherein n is 7. (4) is a highly ethoxylated nonionic surfactant wherein R is a mixture of C₁₉ and C₂₁ alkyl benzene chains and n is 10.

Compositions 1-8 described hereinabove can be used neat or diluted. In a method according to the present invention, these compositions are diluted in 65 times their weight of water and applied to a hard surface.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A hard surface cleaning composition comprising from 0.5 % to 30 % by weight of the total composition of at least one nonionic surfactant, characterized in that said nonionic surfactant is of the formula RO-(CH₂CH₂O)_nH wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 21 to 65, or mixtures thereof.

2. A hard surface cleaning composition comprising from 0.5 % to 30 % by weight of the total composition of a mixture comprising at least one anionic surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant,

characterized in that said nonionic surfactant is of the formula RO- (CH₂CH₂O)_nH wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 10 to 65, or mixtures thereof.

3. A composition according to claim 2 wherein said anionic surfactant and said nonionic surfactant are present in a weight ratio of said anionic surfactant to said-nonionic surfactant of from 0.2 to 5, preferably 0.5 to 2.5.

4. A composition according to claims 2 and 3, wherein said anionic

surfactant is a paraffin sulfonate in the form of its sodium salt.

5. A composition according to claims 2 to 4 wherein n is an integer of from 11 to 35, preferably 18 to 35.

6. A composition according to any of the preceding claims wherein n is an integer of from 21 to 30.

7. A composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain.

8. A diluted hard surface cleaning composition obtainable by diluting in water a composition according to any of the preceding claims, comprising from 0.001 % to 3.5 %, preferably from 0.01 % to 0.3 _% by weight of the total composition of said nonionic surfactant or said mixture of anionic surfactant and nonionic surfactant.

9 . A method for the cleaning of a hard surface wherein a composition comprising at least one nonionic surfactant of the formula

RO-(CH₂CH₂O)_nH wherein R is a C₈ to C₂₂ alkyl chain or a C₈ to C₂₈ alkyl benzene chain, and n is an integer of from 10 to 65, or mixtures thereof, is diluted in water and applied to said hard surface.

10. A method according to claim 9 wherein said composition further

comprises an anionic surfactant.

11. A method according to claims 9 and 10 , wherein said composition is diluted into 10 to 200 times its weight of water, more preferably 50 to 150 times, before it is applied to said hard surface.