AU670374B2

AU670374B2 - Multi-purpose liquid cleaning composition

Info

Publication number: AU670374B2
Application number: AU65156/94A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sergio Cardola; Dario Rapisarda; Stefano Scialla; Marina Trani
Original assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Current assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date: 1992-11-26
Filing date: 1993-11-19
Publication date: 1996-07-11
Anticipated expiration: 2013-11-19
Also published as: CA2148810C; CA2148810A1; WO1994012600A1; NO952057D0; RU95113462A; FI952539A; EP0670876A4; AU6515694A; JPH08503731A; EP0598973A1; EP0670876A1; NZ278814A; NO952057L; FI952539A0

Description

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WO 94/12600 PCT/US93/11294 MULTI-PURPOSE LIQUID CLEANING COMPOSITION MULTI-PURPOSE LIQUID CLEANING COMPOSITION Technical field The present invention relates to the field of detergent or cleaning compositions. The compositions of the present invention are multi-purpose cleaning compositions which are suitable for use as hard-surface cleaners, carpet cleaners as well as in laundry applications.

Backaround A wide variety of cleaning compositions have been described in the art. Typically, cleaning compositions can be divided into hard surface cleaning compositions and laundry cleaning compositions. Cleaning compositions of these two types are traditionally very different in formulation and are sold as different products with different marketing concepts. These differences impose on the consumer to have to purchase and use at least two different products. Furthermore, compositions of the two types above, especially hard surface

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WO 94/12600 PCT/US93/11294 2 cleaners, can be divided into sub-types. Indeed, many different kinds of hard-surface cleaners are available, for instance bathroom cleaners, kitchen cleaners or floor cleaners.

This variety in formulation is rendered necessary by the difference in nature between the soils which can be found on laundry and on various surfaces in kitchens, floors including carpets and bathroom. For instance, kitchen soils comprise mainly edible oils, while bathroom soils comprise mainly sebum and soap scum, also limescale; floor soils comprise mainly particulate soils ana laundry may have many different soils and stains.

It is the object of the present invention to formulate a multi-purpose liquid cleaner which can be satisfactorily used on various surfaces as well as in laundry applications, to clean various soils and stains. The compositions according to the present invention should also be able to perform in a variety of conditions, i.e. in hard and soft water. They should also provide satisfactory shine performance and surface safety when used as hard surface cleaners.

It has now been found that this object can be simply and efficiently met by formulating a cleaning composition which comprises a specific nonionic surfactant system in a mildly acidic range. Indeed it has been found that combining nonionic surfactants belonging to four different HLB (hydrophilic-lipophilic balance) classes provides a cleaning composition which exhibits a great flexibility in the soils it may clean. Furthermore, it has been found that said surfactants of said four classes act in synergy in cleaning most type of soils. Furthermore still, it has been found that adding hydrogen peroxide to this nonionic surfactant system delivers stronger cleaning performance especially in laundry applications.

Summary of the invention The present invention is an aqueous cleaning composition having a pH of from 0.5 to 6, said composition comprising from 2% to 40% by weight of the total composition of a nonionic surfactant system, whereby said nonionic surfactant system comprises: At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB above At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB of from above 13 to At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB of from 9 to 13; At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB below 9.

Highly preferred compositions herein further comprise hydrogen peroxide.

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Detailed description of the invention Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the word "comprise" and variations of the word, such as "comprising" and "comprises", is not intended to exclude other additives or components or integers.

The compositions according to the present invention are aqueous liquid cleaning compositions. Said aqueous compositions have a pH as is of from 0.5 to 6, preferably 1 to 5, most preferably from 2 to 4.5 The pH of the compositions can be adjusted by using organic or inorganic acids, or alkalinizing agents.

The compositions according to the present invention further comprise a specific nonionic surfactant system comprising at least four nonionic surfactants. Said nonionic surfactant system is efficient in cleaning a variety of different soils, and significant cooperation has been observed between the four different types of surfactants.

The nonionic surfactant system herein comprises a mixture of at least four different nonionic surfactants, each of which lies in a specified HLB (hydrophilic- S: 20 lipophilic balance) range. The compositions of the present invention thus clean a variety of soils from particulate to nonparticulate soils, from hydrophilic to hydrophobic soils.

4 Accordingly, the nonionic surfactant system according to the present invention 9 25 comprises: At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB above 15, hereinafter referred to as highly hydrophilic surfactant; At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB of from 13 to 15, hereinafter referred to as hydrophilic surfactant; At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB of from 9 to 13, hereinafter

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7 referred to as hydrophobic surfactant; VS CAWINWORD\VICRMAT6556BD DOC -3a At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB below 9, hereinafter referred to as highly hydrophobic surfactant.

Suitable nonionic surfactants for the implementation of said surfactant system are fatty alcohol ethoxylates which are commercially available with a variety of fatty alcohol chain length and a variety of ethoxylation degrees. By simply varying the length of the chain of the fatty alcohol and the degree of ethoxylation, fatty alcohol ethoxylates can be obtained with different HLB values. Accordingly, suitable highly hydrophilic surfactants for use herein are Lutensol A030 (HLB=17) or Lutensol AT 25 (HLB=16) or AT 50 (HLB=18) or AT (HLB=18.5). Suitable hydrophilic surfactants for use herein are Dobanol®91-8 (HLB=13.7) or 91-10 (HLB=14.7).

g so 9 o* s VS C\WINWORD\VICKI\RAY\P65156B DOC WO 94/12600 PCT/US93/11294 4 Suitable hydrophobic surfactants for use herein are Dobanol R 23-6.5 (HLB=11.9) or Dobanol R 25-7 (HLB=12) or Dobanol R 91-5 (HLB=11.6) or Dobanol R 91-6 (HLB=12.5). Suitable highly hydrophobic surfactants for use herein are Dobanol R 23-3, Lutensol R A03, Dobanol R 91-2.5 and Dobanol R 23-2.

In the compositions according to the present invention, said nonionic surfactants belonging to the four classes described he.einabove act in synergy, particularly on kitchen dirt soils and bathtub soils. It is thus possible to use low total levels of said nonion'c surfactant system. The compositions according to the present invention comprise from 40% down to 2% by weight of the total composition of saik nonionic surfactant system, preferably from 15% to 3%.

It has been found that, in order to obtain the best cleaning performance on kitchen dirt soils, it is preferable to use a nonionic surfactant system according to the present invention wherein the weight ratio of highly hydrophilic surfactant to hydrophilic surfactant is at most 1:1.5, and wherein the combined amotLnt of said highly hydrophilic and hydrophilic surfactant in the total composition is at least 2% by weight, preferably at least It has also been found that, in order to obtain the best cleaning performance on bathtub soils, it is preferable to use a nonionic surfactant system according to the present invention wherein the weight ratio of highly hydrophobic to hydrophobic surfactant is from 1.5:1 to 2.5:1, preferably 2:1, and wherein the combined amount of said hydrophobic and highly hydrophobic nonionic surfactant in the total composition is at least 1.5% by weight.

The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise additional nonionic surfactants, i.e. there can be more than one surfactant in each class hereinabove. The compositions according to the present invention do not require the use of an anionic surfactant system. Accordingly, the compositions according to the present invention are preferably free of anionic surfactants.

In multi-purpose cleaning compositions, it is essential to control the suds profile of the composition. Indeed, too much foaming is likely to be detrimental to shine, and makes rinsing troublesome for the consumer. Furthermore, oversudsing will also be an issue as the composition is used in a laundry washing machine. Controlling foaming is even more of an issue in acidic conditions where fatty acids, which are traditionally used as suds suppressors, cannot be used because they tend to be insoluble in such conditions. It is also advisable to avoid the use of silicone-based suds suppressors which are detrimental to the stability of hydrogen peroxide and the aesthetics of the product.

-I I "11- 11111 1 WO 94/12600 PCT/US93/11294 An additional advantage of the compositions herein is that said nonionic surfactant system presents a good suds profile and therefore does not require the use of a suds suppressing ingredient. It has been found that, for an optimum suds profile, it is preferable to use a nonionic surfactant system according to the present invention wherein the weight ratio of the sum of the highly hydrophilic and hydrophilic surfactants to the highly hydrophobic surfactant is of 1.5:1 more.

If however an even lower suds profile is desired, it may be suitable to use appropriate suds suppressing systems such as 2-alkyl alkanols, as described for instance in DE 40 21 265 and co-pending European patent application 92870174.7. Such suitable compounds are commercially available, for instance in the ISOFOL series such as ISOFOL 12 (2-butyl octanol) and ISOFOL 16 (2-hexyl decanol). Preferred 2-alkyl alkanols for use herein have an alkyl chain comprising from 6 to 16 carbon atoms, preferably 8 to 12, and a terminal hydroxy group, said alkyl chain being substituted in the a position by an alkyl chain comprising from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, preferably 2 to 8, more preferably 3 to 6. However we have found that there is a problem associated with the use of such ingredients in that they may cause the final product to appear hazy, indicating insolubility and phase separation. We have found that this problem could be solved and a clear product could be obtained in a broad range of temperatue, e.g. up to 50 0 c, by using an appropriate class of brighteners which, in addition to performing their brightening action upon use, increase the cloud point of the solution. The selected brighteners belong to the class of distyryl diphenyl brighteners, in particular 4-4'-bis styryl sulfonate] biphenyl, commercially available from Ciba-Geigy under the trade name Tinopal CBS-X The appropriate amount of brightener to be used depends on the particula- of the surfactant system and the 2-alkyl alkanol chosen, but can be determined by simple trial and error.

In a highly preferred embodiment of the invention, compositions herein preferably comprise from 2% to 15% by weight of the total composition of hydrogen peroxide or a source thereof.

Indeed, the presence of hydrogen peroxide provides strong cleaning benefits which are particularly noticeable in laundry applications. Furthermore, the nonionic surfactant system for use in the compositions according to the present invention is remarkably compatible with hydrogen peroxide in that good hydrogen peroxide storage stability was observed, even in the absence of hydrogen peroxide stabilizers. Furthermore still, ingredients which are typically sensitive to hydrogen peroxide, such as dyes or brighteners, appear to be stable upon storage in the compositions according to the present invention without having to add stabilizers for that purpose.

WO 94/12600 PCT/US93/11294 6 The compositions according to the present invention may further comprise a variety of optional ingredients such as builders, solvents, perfumes and dyes.

The compositions according to the present invention can be used as a household cleaner in the bathroom or in the kitchen, and can also be used as a laundry detergent or as a laundry detergent booster. When used P "hard surface cleaners, the compositions according to the present invention are easy to rinse and provide good shine characteristics on the cleaned surfaces. The compositions according to the present invention, especially when formulated with hydrogen peroxide, are also particularly effective as carpet cleaners. If used as carpet cleaners, the compositions according to the present invention are advantageously dispensed with a spray dispenser and left to act on said carpets.

Examples The following compositions were made by mixing the listed ingredients in the listed proportions (weight unless otherwise specified). The compositions in the examples were tested and proved satisfactory on cleaning laundry, kitchen dirt soils as well as bathtub soils.

Furthermore, the stability of hydrogen peroxide, brightener and dye was monitored and proved satisfactory at 50°c for two weeks.

I II III IV V Lutensol R AO 30 0.75 1.50 0.75 0.75 0.75 Dobanol R 91-10 2.60 3.00 2.60 2.60 2.60 Dobanol R 23-6.5 0.90 0.50 0.90 0.90 0.90 Dobanol R 23-3 1.75 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00

H

2 0 2 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 7.00 Tinopal R CBS X 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.06 0.06 Cosmenyl R A2R 6ppm 6ppm 6ppm 6ppm 6ppm

H

2 S0 4 up to pH 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 2-,utyl Octanol 0.75 0.75 2-hexyl decanol 0.30 Water and minors -up to 100% WO 94/12600 PCT/US93/11294 7 All compositions were clear products with more than 90% transmittance at 600nm at room temperature. is a distyryl diphenyl brightener commercially available from Ciba-Geigy. (2) is a dye commercially available from Hoechst.

Claims

1. A aqueous cleaning composition having a pH of from 0.5 to 6, said composition comprising from 2% to 40% by weight of the total composition of a nonionic surfactant system, wherein said nonionic surfactant system comprises: At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB above At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB of from 13 to At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB of from 9 to 13; At least one nonionic surfactant with an HLB below 9.

2. A composition according to claim 1 which comprises from 3% to 15% by weight of the total composition of said nonionic surfactant system.

3. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims which is substantially free of anionic surfactants.

4. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims which comprises from 2% to 15% by weight of the total composition of hydrogen peroxide, or a source thereof. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight ratio of highly hydrophilic surfactant to hydropri;ic surfactant is at most :.iL 1:1.5, and wherein the combined amount of said highly hydrophilic and hydrophilic surfactant in the total composition is at least 2% by weight.

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6. A composition according to claim 5 wherein the combined amount of said highly hydrophilic and hydrophilic surfactant in the total composition is at least by weight.

7. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight ratio of highly hydrophobic to hydrophobic surfactant is from 1.5:1 to 2.5:1, ~S 7% A' I VS CAWINWORD\V ICKDRAYWPU 156B DOC VP and wherein the combined amount of said hydrophobic and highly hydrophobic nonionic surfactant in the total composition is at least 1.5% by weight.

8. A composition according to claim 7 wherein the weiqht ratio of highly hydrophobic or hydrophobic surfactant is 2:1.

9. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the weight ratio of the sum of highly hydrophilic and hydrophilic surfactants to highly hydrophobic surfactant is 1.5:1 or more.

A composition according to any one of the preceding claims which further comprises a brightener and a dye.

11. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims which further comprises a suds suppressing or decreasing amount of a 2-alkyl alkanol.

12. A clear composition according to claim 11 which comprises a distryl diphenyl brightener, preferably 4-4'-bis styryl sulfonate] biphenyl. o

13. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to any one of the examples. DATED: 14 May, 1996 25 PHILLIPS, ORMONDE FITZPATRICK Attorneys for: THE PROCTER GAMBLE COMPANY VS C\WINWORD\VICKRAY, 15S6D DOC INTERNATIONAL SEAR1CH REPORT ational application No PCTIUS93/111294 A. CLASSIFICATION OF SUBJECT M1ATTER :C1lD 1/66, 1/72, 1/722. 1/825. US CL :252/142, 173. 174.21, 174.22, DIG. 1. DIG, 14, According to International Patent Classification (IPC) or to both national classification and IPC B. FIELDS SEARCHED Minimum documentation searched (classification system followed by classification symbols) U.S. :252/142, 173, 174.21, 174.22, DIG. 1, DIG.

14. Documentation searched other than minimum documentation to the extent that such documents are included in the fields searched Electronic data base consulted during the interniational search (name of data base and, where practicable, search terms used) NONE C. DOCUMENTS CONSIDERED TO BE RELEVANT Category's Citation of document, with indication, where appropriate, of the relevant passages Rrlevant to claim No. Y USA 5,154,850 (DEGUCHI ET AL.) 13 October 1992 see 1-3 Col. 2, lines 20-46, especially lines 34-37; col. 4, lines 20-2 1 and lines 6 6-68; Table 1. D Further documents ame listed in the continuation of Box C. 11 See patent family annex. Special categoresa of cite documnents: Lawe dociinieipubliahed after the international filing date or priority date med not in conflict with dhe application buti cited to understand the docamtaitefiizi the getcral state of dhe art which is not coesalce pnncile or thoowy tunderlying the invention to be put of parulr rkace .X docuanens of panicuhar relevance; the claimed invention ciano be earlier documnent published oc or after the international rfiisn date ciud novel or cannot be considered to involve sinvnve step -L documnent which may throw doubts on prioriiy claim(s) or which i whien the documzent a taken slone cited to establish the publication date of another citation or other dcmnofpriuarevne;tec e netonwo b 9peciO reasn (so spcfid considered to involve an inventive step when the document to .0 documnt refening to an oral disclosure. use, exhibition or other combined with oae or more other sucb documents, such combination meansbein obrvious to aperson skilled in the a documenipuhlishomlpriorito the international filing date but later than documnent member of the same Pstent family the priority date claimed Date of the actual completion of the international search Date of mailing of the international search report JANUARY 1994 23 FEB '1994 Name and mailing address of the ISA/US Authorized 0f1TmV X 7 Comiusioner of Patents and Trademarks Box PCT! -lPeL LIE BERMAN Washington. D.C. 20231 4V- Facsimile No. NOT APPLICABLE rTelehone No. (703) 308-2520 Foi-; PCTJISA210 (second shect)(iuly 1992)* INTEU:r NATIONAL~r SEARCH R 1010UTa('l 'it Z ppIWI piwtpi No PCT/US93/11294 Box I Observations where certain claims were found unsearchable (Continuation of item I of first sheet) This international repor has not been established in respect of certain claims under Article 17(2)(a) for the following reasons: I Claims Nos.: because they relate to subject matter not required to be searched by this Authority, namely: 2. O Claims Nos.: Sbecause they relate to parts of the international application that do not comply with the prescribed requirements to such an extent that no meaningful international search can be carried out, specifically: 3. Claims Nos.: Claims 4-10(claim 10 being dependent upon claim 9) because they are dependent clains and are not drafted in accordance with tie second and third sentences of Rule 6.4(a). Box II Observations where unity of invention is lacking (Continuation of item 2 of first sheet) This International Searching Authority found multiple inventions in this international application, as follows: 1. As all required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant, this international search report covers all searchable claims. 2. As all searchable claims could be searched without effort justifying an additional fee, this Authority did not invite payment of any additional fee. 3. As only some of the required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant, this international search report covers only those claims for which fees were paid, specifically claims Nos.: 4. O No required additional search fees were timely paid by the applicant. Consequently, this international search report is restricted to the invention first mentioned in the claims. it i covered by claims Nos.: Remark on Protest The additional search fees were accompanied by the applicant's protest. No protest accompanied the payment of additional search fees. Form PCT/ISA/210 (continuation of first shcct(l))(July 1992)*