AU609482B2 - Hard surface cleaning composition - Google Patents

Description

g*I COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA Patent Act 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION (ORIGClas Int. Class Class- Int. Class Application Number Lodged Complete Specification Lodged Accepted i This document contains the amnendments made under Section 49 and is correct for printing. j Published S' r Priority 28 May 1987 Related Art t t te S'Name of Applicant COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY Address of Applicant Actual Inventor/s 4$ St f 'Address for Service 300 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10022 United States of America Pierre Fonsny Nicole Andries F.B. RICE CO., Patent Attorneys, 28A Montague Street, BALMAIN 2041.

Complete Specification for the invention entitled: HARD SURFACE CLEANING COMPOSITION The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us/Xm:- -i LA1 Background of the Invention Field of Invention This invention relates to liquid, aqueous, stable, effective, safe, non-scratching hard surface cleaning compositions commonly referred to as scouring cleansers. The compositions oo 0 0 5 are physically stable, do not separate, whereby the user is S, o assured of the optimum performance to be expected from the 0 0 various components and their amounts and ratios with respect 00.0 to one another, are safe and do not scratch the usual surfaces to be cleaned, such as glass, porcelain, ceramic, plastic, 00 0 10 metal, wood, painted wood (enamelled and lacquered).

Prior Art Discussion o 0 o*o* The art is, of course, replete with liquid scouring compositions alleged to perform in a safe and effective manner, 15 others stated to be physically and chemically stable and so o 0 oon.

Some examples of prior art scouring compositions include U.S. Patent 4,005,027 which describes compositions which include clay and insoluble abrasive. Only inorganic abrasives are shown. The compositions include surfactants which are bleach stable. Nonionics are not used. It is alleged that the products are physically stable and also do not "appreciably run along vertical surfaces" (column 10, lines 45-47). Such stability is a manifestation of a false body fluid formed when using the smectite and attapulgite clays necessary in such compositions. In U.S. Patent 4,116,849 the compositions are very la ii C, l* 0 0 10 o 0o o e1 o o 015 0 0

L

0,15 a o3 0 P 2 00 o 0 0 0 0 5 0 30 30 0 °o similar to those in U.S. Patent 4,005,027. In addition, U.S.

Patent 4,116,849 discloses thickening agents instead of the preferred smectite and attapulgite clays, such as colloidal silica, polystyrenes, sulfonated polystyrenes, polyethylene, oxidized polyethylenes, polypropylene, copolymers of styrene with methacrylic acid, methyl or ethyl acrylate, vinyl acetate, among others; patentee states that "...ethoxylated nonionic surfactants are to be avoided." Neither of these two patents disclose soaps or fatty acids as suitable materials as well.

U.S. Patent 4,240,919 describes compositions of multivalent stearate soap, water and water-insoluble abrasive. Various abrasives are disclosed and among the "organic" types are "melamine, urea formaldehyde resins, ground rigid polymeric materials, such as polyurethane foam..." (column 3, lines 10-12). Optionally, there may be present "substantially any surfactant materials which are compatible with the other component in the composition of the present invention...." These include water-soluble anionic, nonionic, amphoteric, cationic and zwitterionic surfactants." (column 3, lines 57-62). Further reference is made to U.S. Patents 4,051,056 (expanded perlite as abrasive), 4,457,856 (polyacrylate abrasive), German 1,956,616 (polyvinyl chloride as abrasive), 3,645,904 (skin cleanser containing polymer abrasive material) and 4,302,347.

A composition manifesting the optimum desiderata for a non-scratching, stable, effective and safe aqueous scouring cleanser has eluded the art. The ability to remove most stains from all normally encountered hard surfaces and particularly plastic surfaces without damaging such delicate plastic materials as one might find as, for example, kitchen counter tops, antistick coatings on metal pots, polystyrene, polymethyl methacrylate i polyvinyl chloride, nylon, polyester fiberglass) and the like articles is the major thrust of this invention. In addition tj removing stains, the composition snould have good degreasing characteristics as well. Physical stability as demonstrated by the prior art cited above is a major problem and for good consumer acceptability is a must.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide liquid, aqueous, stable, abrasive-containing cleaning S composition.

10 It is another object of this invention to provide a liquid, aqueous abrasive-containing cleaning composition 0 0 which is safe and also substantially non-scratching on most o o Iencountered surfaces, including plasLic surfaces.

It is still another object of our invention to provide °o 15 stable, liquid, aqueous polymer abrasive-containing cleaning o °o compositions which are safe, effective and non-scratching.

.It is a further object of the invention to provide wathod for making the compositions of the invention.

Other objects will appear hereinafter as the description 20 proceeds.

.4 0 Description of the Invention The objects of this invention are obtained in accordance i with the following description wherein the liquid non-scratching, aqueous, scouring cleansing composition comprises a fatty acid and/or fatty acid soap, non-soap anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, electrolyte and particulate abrasive.

SThe fatty acid component may by any fatty acid having a carbon chain of from about C 6

-C

3 0 with C 8

-C

20 preferred.

I 30 IMost preferred are C 10

-C

18 and typically, naturally occuring materials, such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil, and animal tallow, serve admirably as sources for the fatty acids. A particularly preferred range of fatty acids is C 12

-C

18 as one would find in coconut oil. A typical coconut oil fatty acid composition contains about 50% C 12 20% C 14 8.5% C 1 6; and 10% C 18 the balance other acid and even perhaps some neutral material, and is a liquid at 40 0 C. While the most convenient sources are natural oils or fats yielded, mixed acids, of 04 course, the individual specific acids, and indeed any mixture o 04 o0e 10 of any number and chain length of acids within the parameter oJf C 6

-C

30 may be used. The soaps used are the alkali metal and ammonium salts with sodium and potassium preferred. The fatty acid may comprise from about 0.5 to 15% by weight and preferably 1 to 10% and, more preferably 1 to 7% of the compo- 4 o0 15 sition.

The non-soap anionic may be chosen from any of the conventional anionics, such a' the alkyl benzene sulfonates, the alkyl sulfates, alcohol sulfates, the alcohol ether sulfates, olefin sulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, fatty acid monoglyceride 20 sulfates, sarcosides, taurides and the like and their salts, such as alkali, alkaline, earth and ammonium salts. Of these, the sulfates and sulfonates are preferred.

The preferred non-soap anionic surfactants are the paraffin sulfonates (C 10

-C

20 the linear alkyl benzene sulfonates the alcohol and the alcohol ether sulfates.

The most preferred anionics (non-soap) are the C 1 2

-C

1 8 paraffin sulfonates in the form of their alkali metal or ammonium salts; C 8

-C

20 alkyl benzene sulfonates with C 12

-C

1 6 being most highly preferred; the alkyl alcohol) sulfates of

C

12

-C

18 and the corresponding ether sulfates with 3 to -4-

V?

~I

rt t o a 99 0 a a o o o o 9 4o o4 o 3, 5, 10, 20, 30 or 50) moles of condensed ethylene oxide. The most preferred salt forming cation is sodium.

The amount of the non-soap anionic may range from 1 to Iby weight, preferably 1 to 10% and more preferably 1 to by weight.

Some specific examples of suitable anionics are sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium paraffin (C 14

-C

17 sulfonate, sodium decyl sulfate, sodium tridecyl sulfonate, sodium tallow alkyl sulfate, sodium coconut alkyl sulfate, sodium oxotridecyl- (triethoxyl) [sulfate (sulfated 3 E.O. condensate with oxotridecyl alcohol], sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium tridecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium tetradecyl benzene sulfonate and sodium (C 15 olefin sulfonate.

The nonionic surfactants which are usable herein are generally characterized by a long chain hydrophobe and a poly- (ethylene oxide) hydrophilic chain. The hydrophobe may and preferably is from an alcohol (C 6

-C

30 preferably C8-C 18 most preferably C 10

-C

16 typically a C13 alcohol, such as linear tridecyl alcohol), or a polypropylene backbone. Other hydrophobes, such as thioalcohols, acids, amines and the like, may also be used. The preferred alcohol is a C 10

-C

1 6 alcohol with 1 to less than 5 moles of ethylene oxide and most preferably 2 to 4 moles of ethylene oxide, typically 3 moles of ethylene oxide. The level of nonionic in the formulation may vary from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight with preferred levels ranging from 1 to 10% and most preferred from about 3.5 to typically and most highly preferred is The electrolyte used herein is typically an alkaline, builder-type inorganic or organic salt. The usual.salts comprise the alkali metal bicarbonates, borates, carbonates, phosphates, 9 '00 200 20 0 0 0 II polyphosphates and silicates among the inorganics and the polycarboxylates, such as polyacetates, tartrates, citrates, maleates, oxydiacetates, alkenyl succinates, carboxymethyloxy succinates, oxydisuccinates and the like, among the organics.

Polymeric builder salts, such as the water-soluble salts of polymers of maleic acid, itaconic acid and the like, may be used as well as copolymers and interpolymers thereof with polymerizable a,B-ethylenically unsaturated compounds, such *o as vinyl ethers, esters, alkyl alcohol, acrylic and methacrylic S *o 10 acid and esters thereof, etc.

The electrolyte may vary over a considerable range from as little as 0.5% to 25% or more. A preferred range is from about 2% to 15%; typically a mixture of carbonate and phosphate may total 5 to 10%; other convenient and preferred 0°0 15 mixtures may comprise carbonate, polyphosphate and optionally O o some silicate in amounts of from 5 to 10% as well.

0O 0o Specific electrolytes include sodium and potassium carbonate, sodium and potassium bicarbonate, sodium and potassium sesquicarbonate, sodium and potassium orthophosphates, pyrophosphates, tripolyphosphate and hexametaphosphates, sodium and potassium tetraborate anhydrous, pentahydrate, decahydrate, sodium silicate sodium metasilicate or other silicates with the Na20 to Si02 ratio ranging from 3.5 to 1 to 1:1) as illustrative of the inorganics and ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid tetrasodium or potassium salt, trisodium nitrilotriacetate, disodium polymaleate, and the like, as merely illustrative of the organics.

The abrasive may be any material derived from a polymerizable composition, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, -6- I polymethyl methacrylate and various copolymers and interpolymers of the foregoing. The criteria for suitability are that the material does not scratch polymethyl methacrylate and that the average particle size ranges from about 10 to 150 microns and preferably from 25 to 100 microns and most preferably from 30 to 75 microns, e.g. 60 microns. For optimum performance it is most desirable to utilize a polyvinyl chloride abrasive powder whose average particle size is about 60 microns, with a major amount being within the range of 30 to 75 microns.

4 00 .0 10 The molecular weight ranges of the polymeric abrasives may 0 #9 vary widely just so long as the physical properties set out 0 90 above are met. Generally, milecular weights will range from o several thousand 2,000; 5,000; 20,000) to several hundred thousand 125,000; 250,000; 400,000) and upwards of several million 1,000,000; 2,000,000; 4,000,000; 6,000,000).

0 The amount of abrasive may range from about 2% to 30% or more 40%; A preferred range in the preferred formulations is from 5 to 25% and more preferred is a range of 5 to such as 10%; or 12%.

e* 0 20 A large variety of optional ingredients may be included L in the formulations of this invention. Some are even preferred, such as inorganic viscosity modifiers montmorillonite clays, such as bentonite; attapulgites, etc.); organic ones, Ssuch as methylcellulose, carboxyl methylcellulose, hydroxy propylmethylcellulose. Such materials are particularly advantageous for a "cream" scouring cleanser where a "thickened" type of material is desired by the consumer. For such products it may be desirable to have viscosities ranging from several hundred (250 cps; 400 cps; 500 cps) to several thousand (e.g.

i 30 1,100 cps; 1,500 cps; 2,000 cps, etc.).

-7- It is extremely significant that the formulations of this invention exhibit unusual stability lack of or minimum phase separation) in the absence of the viscosity "elevators," their major function as mentioned above to merely thicken. The amount of the viscosity modifier may range from about 0.1 to 5 to 10%; usually 0.5 to Other optional but, again, preferred additives include a hydrocarbon material, particularly a terpene, such as d-limonene. Such terpenes -are readily available in many perfume materials which are t f 10 generally added to most consumer cleaning products. The amount Iof the hydrocarbon may vary from 0.05 to 5% and preferably 00 0 from 0.1 to 2 to Other additives which may be used include 0 bleaches (liquid and solid hypochlorites, available, e.g. as NaOCl solution or calcium hypochlorite powder; chloramines, *0 '15 chlorinated di- and trisodium phosphates, sodium and potassium dichlorisocyanurate, trichlorocyanuric acid, and so forth); S« buffers, caustic soda; caustic potash; suds boosters; enzymes; preservatives; disinfectants; colorants; fragrances and the like, may be used where desired and compatible. Generally, 20 minor amounts of such auxiliary materials are employed, e.g.

6* 0 4 0.01 to 10% and often 0.1% to The compositions of this invention are alkaline and generally have a pH from about 10 to 12. It is generally preferred to add in the formulations the fatty acid in free acid form and neutralize in situ with caustic soda (NaOH) or caustic potash (KOH), at the same time adjusting the pH to the desired level. A typical, preferred pH 11±0.5.

The compositions of this invention are generally prepared by adding to the formula weight of hot water with stirring in a suitable mixer and homogenizer (at a temperature of about -8- '7 Il~ji' to 80°C, e.g. 60 0 the following composition in the order given: fatty acid, nonionic, viscosity modifier (if used), abrasive polymer particles, and alkali for neutralization of fatty acid; at this point the temperature of the mixture is lowered to about room temperature and then the electrolyte builder salts) is added followed by the non-soap anionic and finally the perfume (also as a source of hydrocarbon where desired), where no hydrocarbon is to be used one may, obviously, use a non-hydrocarbon containing fragrance the use, however, of a hydrocarbon material has proven desirable for increased grease removal characteristics.

The following examples will serve to illustrate the present invention without being deemed limitative thereof.

Parts and percents are by weight unless otherwise indicated.

I I crt *f 4 *IIl 14 Ia 4iI 1 4l Io r 44 44 4 4.44 44 *a 4 4 4.4 Example I A formulation of the following ingredien Distilled coconut fatty acids

C

13 alcohol and 3 moles ethylene oxide White montmorillonite clay Polyvinyl chloride powder (PVC) (beads of average particle size of made by an emulsion polymerization process) aqueous KOH tetrapotassium pyrophosphate solution (TKPP) Potassium carbonate-granular, anhydrous (K 2

CO

3 C14-17 paraffin (Na) sulfonate Perfume tap water its is prepared:

A.I.

.0 .0 0.8 10.0 2 5 0 1C 0.5 0.25 10.0 0.5 3.33 0.5 balance The composition is prepared in the manner described previously as preferred. To the formula weight of water at -9j c it 4 00 o o 10 0 o o0 0 02 0 0 00 0 0 #0« are added the fatty acid, nonionic, clay, abrasive and caustic potash with vigorous strring. After a uniform mixture is obtained, it is cooled to room temperature (20 0 C) and the remaining components (in the order listed) are added with stirring. A creamy, stable product results; the pH is about 11 and the viscosity is about 1,100 cps.

Example II Example I is repeated except that the following fatty acids are used in place of 2% distilled coconut fatty acid: lauric acid palmitic acid coconut oil fatty acids coconut oil fatty acids lauric-stearic Example III Example I is repeated using 5% sodium lauryl sulfate in place of the sodium paraffin sulfonate.

Example IV Examples I and III are repeated separately replacing the TKPP and K 2 C03 with 4% soda ash (anhydrous Na 2

CO

3 Example V Each of the previous examples is separately repeated but in place of 5% nonionic there is used 3% nonionic 6% nonionic.

i: I i j I *i t t ft o 44 @444r 44 *L f C If L The product of Example I is used in a standarized test procedure to determine the deg'.e .5F scratching against a plastic surface. This is compared with two commercial product3s.

The procedure involves the use of a reciprocating moving sponge (spontex) containing 1 g of test product which is applied to a plastic tile and after 200 strokes the plastic tile is washed and the gloss is compared with that of the original.

The tile used has an initial gloss reading of 79 and this is unchanged after the test with the product of Example I.

The two commercial products gave readings of 72 and 73 demonstrating thereby some damage to the tile by the commercial materials and none by the composition of this invention.

-11-

I

4 4.

Claims (9)

1. A stable, liquid, aqueous, non-scratching, scouring, cleaning composition comprising, by weight, 0.5% to 15% of a water-soluble, C 8 -C 20 fatty acid soap; 1% to 15% of a water-soluble non-soap anionic, sulfate or sulfonate detergent having a C 10 -C 20 linear aliphatic hydrocarbon chain in its molecular structure; 0.5% to of a water-soluble nonionic surfactant which is a condensate of a hydrophobe containing a C 1 0 -C 20 linear aliphatic hydrocarbon chain and ethylene oxide; 1% to of a water-soluble, inorganic or organic, alkaline builder salt; 2% to 30% of a polymeric abrasive having a particle f C V size in the range of 10 to 150 microns which is selected from the group consisting of polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetate, polymethyl methacrylate and copolymers or interpolymers of the foregoing as the sole abrasive; and water; said composition having a pH of from 10 to 12.

2. A composition as defined in claim 1 wherein the non-soap anionic surfactant contains a C 12 -C 18 linear aliphatic hydrocarbon group and the nonionic surfactant contains a C 10 -C16 linear aliphatic hydrocarbon group.

3. A composition as defined in claim 2 which includes a terpene hydrocarbon in an amount ranging from 0.05 to by weight.

4. A composition as defined in claim 2 wherein the fatty acid soap is derived from coconut oil, the non-soap anionic surfactant is a paraffin sulfonate, the nonionic surfactant is a C 10 alcohol ethoxylate and the electrolyte comprises a polyphosphate.

A composition as defined in claim 4 wherein the abrasive is polyvinyl chloride.

6. A composition as defined in claim 5 which includes from 0.05% to 5% terpene hydrocarbon. I r V 0 S= -t 7 13

7. A composition as defined in claim 6 wherein said terpene hydrocarbon is d-limonene.

8. A composition as defined in claim 1 wherein the amount of fatty acid soap is from 1% to 5% by weight, the amount of non-soap anionic surfactant is from 1% to 5% by weight, the weight of nonionic surfactant is from 1% to by weight, the amount of builder salt is from 5% to by weight; and the amount of polymeric abrasive is t from 5% to 15% by weight. Ol DATED this 22 day of January 1991 to o 01o COLGATE-PALMOLIVE COMPANY Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: F.B. RICE CO. ;i t C 9

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