BR112016004119B1 - SOLID RINSING AID COMPOSITION, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME AND METHOD FOR RINSING A HARD SURFACE IN A CLEANING APPLICATION - Google Patents

Abstract

solid rinse aid composition and method for producing the same. the invention includes a solid rinsing aid which is specially designed for forming solids by pressing or extrusion and which is effective for stain-free surfaces after rinsing, especially rinsing of metals without corrosion. according to the invention, a solid acid is combined with an alkylbenzene and lower alkyl naphthalene sulfonate. short-chain alkylbenzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate act as a solidifying agent as well as a hydrotope, and active total dissolved solids (std) and are combined with at least one nonionic surfactant with low foaming ability.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to solid compositions of rinsing aids, and methods for the production and use thereof. Rinse aid compositions generally include a solidifying system and novel surfactants designed for use in forming pressed or extruded solids. Rinse aids can be used in aqueous solutions for use on articles, including, for example, kitchen utensils, tableware, cutlery, glasses, cups, hard surfaces, surfaces of equipment and healthcare structures, glass surfaces, surfaces of vehicles, etc., but are particularly useful on metal surfaces.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002]Mechanical dishwashers have been common in institutional and home environments for many years. Such automatic dishwashers clean dishes using two or more cycles which may initially include a wash cycle followed by a rinse cycle, but may also use soaking, prewashing, scraping, sanitizing, drying and washing cycles additional. Rinsing agents are conventionally used in dishwashing applications to promote drying and prevent staining.

[003] Rinsing agents can also be used in healthcare environments, typically for cleaning a cart, cage, instrument or medical device. Typically, cleaning a cart, cage, instrument or medical device includes contacting the cart, cage, instrument or medical device with an aqueous cleaning composition and rinsing or contacting it with a rinsing solution comprising a rinsing aid dissolved. The method may also involve antimicrobial treatment of the cart, cage, instrument or medical device by contacting an aqueous antimicrobial composition formed by dissolving or suspending a solid antimicrobial composition, preferably a solid quaternary ammonium or solid antimicrobial halogen composition .

[004] In any domestic, institutional or hospital environments, rinsing agents in order to reduce stain formation have generally been added to water to form an aqueous rinse that is sprayed onto hard surfaces after cleaning is complete . The precise mechanism by which rinsing agents work is not established. One theory holds that the surfactant in the rinsing agent is adsorbed to the surface at temperatures at or above its cloud point, and thus reduces the contact angle and energy at the solid-liquid interface. This leads to the formation of a continuous film that drains evenly from the surface and minimizes staining. Surfactants with high foaming ability generally have cloud points above the rinse water temperature and, according to this theory, do not promote film formation, thus resulting in stains. Furthermore, materials with high foaming ability are known to interfere with the operation of dishwashers.

[005]A variety of rinsing aids are known today, each having certain advantages and disadvantages. There is a continuing need for alternative rinse aid compositions, particularly alternative rinse aid compositions that are environmentally friendly (eg, biodegradable), non-corrosive to metal, can handle high total dissolved solids, can handle high hardness of water and are easily manufactured as solids.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[006] The invention includes a solid rinsing aid which is specially designed for solid formation by pressing or extrusion and which is effective in providing stain-free surfaces after rinsing, especially, the rinsing of metals without corrosion. According to the invention, a solid acid is combined with a short chain alkylbenzene and alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, of the class of hydrotropes, such as sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate, ammonium xylene sulfonate, calcium xylene sulfonate, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, and/or sodium butyl naphthalene. Alkylbenzene and short-chain alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, from the hydrotrope class, act as a solidifying agent as well as a surfactant, and are combined with at least one nonionic surfactant with low foaming ability.

[007] A solid rinsing agent composition of the present invention therefore includes a solid acid for hardness control, an alkylbenzene and/or short chain alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, preferably sodium xylene sulfonate (SXS), and a surfactant system. The surfactant is preferably a non-ionic surfactant with low foaming capacity.

[008] The composition of the invention is particularly beneficial for use with hard water (STD) and also in conditions of high total dissolved solids.

[009] The rinse aid concentrate is typically provided in a solid form. This is typically prepared by the steps of combining solid materials and then adding any liquid components. The material is then pressed or extruded to form a solid. In general, it is expected that the solid concentrate will be diluted with water to provide the use solution which is then applied to the surface of a substrate. The use solution preferably contains an effective amount of active material to provide surfaces without staining from the rinse water. It is to be understood that the term "active materials" refers to the non-aqueous portion of the use solution which functions to reduce spotting and filming.

[010] Some examples of methods for using the rinse aid generally include the steps of providing the rinse aid, mixing the rinse aid into an aqueous use solution, and applying the aqueous use solution to a substrate surface.

[011] In some embodiments, solid acid is present in an amount from about 5% by weight to about 40% by weight. The short chain alkylbenzene or alkyl naphthalene sulfonate is present at 50% by weight to 80% by weight and the nonionic surfactant is present at about 5% by weight to about 20% by weight per pressed solid and about 5% by weight to about 30% by weight per extruded solid. The solid rinse aid may also, in some embodiments and as listed below, include an additional surfactant, processing additives such as polyethylene glycol or urea, as well as other components such as a chelating agent, preservative, perfume or dye.

[012] In some respects, the present invention is related to methods for washing surfaces in a dishwashing or healthcare-related surface application. The methods comprise providing an aqueous rinse aid, diluting the rinse aid with water to form an aqueous use solution; and apply the aqueous use solution to surfaces.

DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[013] Figure 1 is a graph showing the hardness performance of inventive compositions A and B and different compositions of commercial rinsing aids A-D.

[014] Figure 2 is a graph that shows the performance of total dissolved solids (STD) of compositions of the invention A and B and different compositions of commercial rinsing aids A-D.

[015] Figure 3 is a graph showing the metal compatibility data of compositions of the invention A and B and different compositions of commercial rinsing aids A-D.

[016] Figure 4 is a graph showing the foam height of the compositions of the invention A and B and the different commercial rinsing aid D in the concentration of the distributor reservoir using the Glewwe Foam Apparatus.

[017] Figure 5 is a graph showing the foam height of inventive compositions A and B and different compositions of commercial rinsing aids A-D in PPU concentration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[018] The present invention relates to rinse aid compositions, and methods for producing and using the rinse aid compositions. In some aspects, the present invention provides rinse aid compositions which include a solid acid, an alkylbenzene and short chain alkyl naphthalene sulfonate such as sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate, toluene sulfonate potassium, ammonium xylene sulfonate, calcium xylene sulfonate, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, and/or sodium butyl naphthalene, and at least one additional surfactant, preferably a non-ionic surfactant with low foaming capacity.

[019] The compositions of the present invention can be used to reduce staining and film formation on a variety of surfaces, including, but not limited to, plastic utensils, kitchen utensils, plates, cutlery, glasses, cups, hard surfaces, glass surfaces, equipment surfaces and healthcare structures, and vehicle surfaces.

[020] In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, certain terms will be defined first.

[021] As used herein, the term "crockery" refers to items such as eating, cooking and serving utensils. Examples of crockery items include, but are not limited to: for example, platters, plates and bowls; cutlery, for example, forks, knives and spoons; cups and glasses, eg drinking cups and glasses; serving platters, eg fiberglass trays, insulating dish covers. As used herein, the term "dishwashing" refers to washing, cleaning, or rinsing dishes. Dishes which can come into contact, for example washed and rinsed, with the compositions of the invention can be produced from any material. For example, tableware includes items made from wood, metal, ceramics, glass, etc. Dishware also refers to items made of plastic. Types of plastics that can be washed and rinsed with the compositions according to the invention include, but are not limited to those that include polycarbonate (PC) polymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) polymers and polymers. polysulfone (PS). Another example of plastic that can be washed using the methods and compositions of the invention include polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[022] As used herein, the term "hard surface" includes showers, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, countertops, windows, mirrors, transport vehicles, floors, and the like.

[023] As used herein, the phrase "surface of health care facilities and equipment" refers to a surface of an instrument, a device, a cart, a cage, furniture, a structure, a building, or others. similar, which is used as part of a health service. Examples of surface health care equipment and structures include surfaces of medical or dental instruments, medical or dental devices, autoclaves and sterilizers, electronic devices used to monitor patient health, and floors, walls, or lighting in locations where health services take place. Equipment surfaces and health service structures are found in hospital, operating room, ward, delivery room, morgue, and clinical diagnosis rooms. These surfaces can be those named as "hard surfaces" (such as walls, floors, urinal, etc.), or fabric surfaces, for example, mesh, woven and non-woven surfaces (such as surgical garments, curtains, bedding, dressings, etc.), or patient care equipment (such as respirators, diagnostic equipment, shunts, body scope, wheelchairs, beds, etc.), or surgical and diagnostic equipment. The surfaces of healthcare equipment and structures include items and surfaces used in animal care.

[024] As used herein, the term "apparatus" refers to the various medical or dental instruments or devices that can benefit from washing with treated water according to the methods of the present invention.

[025] As used herein, the phrases "medical instrument", "dental instrument", "medical devices", "dental device", "medical equipment", or "dental equipment" refer to instruments, devices, tools, utensils , apparatus and equipment for use in medicine and dentistry. Such instruments, devices and equipment can be cold sterilized, soaked or washed and then heat sterilized, or which also benefit from washing using water treated in accordance with the present invention. These various instruments, devices and equipment include, but are not limited to: diagnostic instruments, trays, pans, brackets, shelves, forceps, scissors, cutters, saws (eg bone saws and their blades), hemostatic clamp, knives, chisels , rongeurs, files, tweezers, drill, drills, rasps, dental drills, dispersers, breakers, elevators, tweezers, needle holders, conveyors, staples, hooks, gouges, curettes, retractors, aligners, punches, extractors, spoons, keratome, spatulas, expressers, trocars, dilators, cages, glassware, tubes, catheters, cannulas, plugs, stents, scopes (eg, endoscopes, stethoscopes, and arthroscopes) and related and similar equipment, or combinations thereof.

[026] It is understood by the term "solid", used in relation to the composition of the invention, that the hardened composition will not noticeably flow and will substantially maintain its shape under moderate tension or pressure or mere gravity, such as the shape of a prototype when removed from the mold, the shape of an article when formed by extrusion through an extruder, and the like. The degree of hardness of the solid composition can range from that of a cast solid block that is relatively dense and hard, for example, like concrete, to a consistency characterized by being malleable and spongy similar to the caulking material.

[027]The "cloud point" of a rinsing surfactant or lamina forming agent is defined as the temperature at which a 1% by weight aqueous solution of the surfactant becomes cloudy when heated.

[028] As used herein, the phrase "surface of health care facilities and equipment" refers to a surface of an instrument, a device, a cart, a cage, furniture, a structure, a building, or others. similar, which is used as part of a health service activity. Examples of surfaces of healthcare equipment and structures include surfaces of medical or dental instruments, medical or dental devices, electronic devices used to monitor patient health, and floors, walls or lighting in locations where healthcare services take place. health. Equipment surfaces and health service structures are found in hospital, operating room, ward, delivery room, morgue, and clinical diagnosis rooms. These surfaces can be those named as "hard surfaces" (such as walls, floors, urinal, etc.), or fabric surfaces, for example, mesh, woven and non-woven surfaces (such as surgical garments, curtains, bedding, dressings, etc.), or patient care equipment (such as respirators, diagnostic equipment, shunts, body scope, wheelchairs, beds, etc.), or surgical and diagnostic equipment. The surfaces of healthcare equipment and structures include items and surfaces used in animal care.

[029] As used herein, the phrase "medical cart" refers to a cart used in a healthcare environment to transport one or more medical instruments, devices or equipment that can benefit from washing with a composition of using a solid cleaning composition, and rinsing with a composition using a solid rinsing composition, and/or antimicrobial treatment with a composition using a solid antimicrobial composition. Medical carts include carts for transporting medical or dental equipment or instruments or other medical or dental equipment in a healthcare environment such as a hospital, clinic, dental or doctor's office, nursing home, long-term care facility, or similar.

[030] As used herein, the phrase "medical cage" refers to a cage used in a healthcare environment to house and/or transport one or more animals used in experiments, in clinical or toxicological trials, in diagnostics, or similar. Such animals include a rodent (for example, a mouse or rat), a rabbit, a dog, a cat, or the like. A medical cage typically includes an animal cage that actually houses the animal and that can be mounted on a wheeled support. The medical cage may also include one or more pet food containers or dispensers, one or more water pots or dispensers, and/or one or more systems for identifying the cart or animals. Medical cages can benefit from washing with a use composition of a solid alkaline cleaning composition, rinsing with a use composition of a solid rinse composition, and/or treatment with an antimicrobial use composition of a solid antimicrobial composition .

[031] As used herein, the term "instrument" refers to the various medical or dental instruments or devices that can benefit from washing with a wearable composition of a solid alkaline cleaning composition, rinsing with a wearable composition. a solid rinse composition, and/or antimicrobial treatment with a composition using a solid antimicrobial composition.

[032] As used herein, the phrases "medical instrument", "dental instrument", "medical devices", "dental device", "medical equipment", or "dental equipment" refer to instruments, devices, tools, utensils , apparatus and equipment for use in medicine and dentistry. Such instruments, devices and equipment may be cold sterilized, soaked or washed and then heat sterilized, or any other benefit of washing in a composition according to the present invention. These various instruments, devices and equipment include, but are not limited to: diagnostic instruments, trays, pans, brackets, shelves, forceps, scissors, cutters, saws (eg bone saws and their blades), hemostatic clamp, knives, chisels , rongeurs, files, tweezers, drill, drills, rasps, dental drills, dispersers, breakers, elevators, tweezers, needle holders, conveyors, staples, hooks, gouges, curettes, retractors, aligners, punches, extractors, spoons, keratome, spatulas, expressers, trocars, dilators, cages, glassware, tubes, catheters, cannulas, plugs, stents, scopes (eg, endoscopes, stethoscopes, and arthroscopes) and related and similar equipment, or combinations thereof.

[033] As used herein, the term "alkyl" refers to a monovalent straight or branched chain hydrocarbon radical that optionally contains one or more heteroatomic substitutions independently selected from S, O, Si, or N Alkyl groups generally include those with one to twenty atoms. Alkyl groups can be unsubstituted or substituted by such substituents that do not interfere with the specified function of the composition. Substituents include alkoxy, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, amino substituted alkyl, or halo, for example. Examples of "alkyl" as used herein include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, isobutyl, and isopropyl, and the like. In addition, the term "alkyl" can include "alylene", "alkenylenes" or "alkylenes".

[034] As used herein, the term "alkylene" refers to a straight or branched chain bivalent hydrocarbon radical with one or more carbon-carbon double bonds that optionally contains one or more heteroatomic substitutions independently selected from of S, O, Si, or N. Alkylene groups generally include those with one to twenty atoms. Alkylene groups can be unsubstituted or substituted by such substituents that do not interfere with the specified function of the composition. Substituents include alkoxy, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, amino substituted alkyl, or halo, for example. Examples of "alkylene" as used herein include, but are not limited to, methylene, ethylene, propane-1,3-diyl, propane-1,2-diyl, and the like.

[035] As used herein, the term "alkenylene" refers to a straight or branched chain bivalent hydrocarbon radical with one or more carbon-carbon double bonds that optionally contains one or more heteroatomic substitutions independently selected from of S, O, Si, or N. Alkenylene groups generally include those with one to twenty atoms. Alkenylene groups can be unsubstituted or substituted by such substituents that do not interfere with the specified function of the composition. Substituents include alkoxy, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, amino substituted alkyl, or halo, for example. Examples of "alkenylene" as used herein include, but are not limited to, ethene-1,2-diyl, propene-1,3-diyl, and the like.

[036] As used herein, the term "alkylino" refers to a straight or branched chain bivalent hydrocarbon radical having one or more carbon-carbon triple bonds that optionally contains one or more heteroatomic substitutions independently selected from of S, O, Si, or N. Alkylene groups generally include those with one to twenty atoms. Alkylene groups can be unsubstituted or substituted by such substituents that do not interfere with the specified function of the composition. Substituents include alkoxy, hydroxy, mercapto, amino, amino substituted alkyl, or halo, for example.

[037] As used herein, the term "alkoxy" refers to -O-alkyl groups, wherein alkyl is as defined above.

[038] As used herein, the term "halogen" or "halo" shall include iodine, bromine, chlorine and fluorine.

[039] As used herein, the terms "mercapto" and "sulfhydryl" refer to the -SH substituent.

[040] As used herein, the term "hydroxy" refers to the -OH substituent.

[041] As used herein, the term "amino" refers to the substituent -NH2.

[042] The methods and compositions of the present invention may comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the steps or ingredients listed. As used herein, the term "consisting essentially of" is to be interpreted to include those ingredients or steps indicated a and such additional ingredients or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel properties of the composition or method. In some embodiments, a composition according to embodiments of the present invention, which "consists essentially of" the recited ingredients, does not include any additional ingredients that modify the basic and novel properties of the composition, e.g., drying time, capacity of laminar formation, staining or filming properties of the composition.

[043] As used herein, "percent by weight (% by weight)", "percent by weight", "% by weight", and the like are synonyms that refer to the concentration of a substance, such as the weight of that substance. substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by 100.

[044] As used herein, the term "about", which modifies the amount of an ingredient in the compositions of the invention or is used in the methods of the present invention, refers to the variation in numerical amount that can occur, for example, through typical liquid handling and metering procedures used to make concentrates or solutions for real-world use; through inadvertent errors in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, origin, or purity of the ingredients used to make the compositions or carry out the methods; and the like. The term about also encompasses values that differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from a specific initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term "about", the claims include equivalent amounts.

[045] As used in this descriptive report and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include the plural referents unless the content clearly states otherwise. As used in this descriptive report and in the appended claims, the term "or" is generally used in its inclusive sense "and/or", unless the content clearly indicates otherwise Solid Rinse Aid Compositions

[046] A solid rinse aid composition of the present invention includes a solid acid, a short chain alkylbenzene or alkyl naphthalene sulfonate such as sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate. potassium, ammonium xylene sulfonate, calcium xylene sulfonate, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, and/or sodium butyl naphthalene, and one or more surfactants, preferably at least one of these is a non-ionic surfactant with low capacity for forming foam.

[047] The solid rinse aid composition is advantageously formulated to provide blemish-free surfaces after rinsing, especially in situations of high hardness and high total dissolved solids (STD). The rinse aid is also particularly useful for metal surfaces and prevents metal corrosion. solid acid

[048] The invention includes one or more solid acids. The solid acid of the composition includes any acid that is naturally or treated to a solid form at room temperature. The term solid herein includes forms such as powder, particles, or solid granular forms. Acidic substances (referred to herein as "acids") include, but are not limited to, pharmaceutically acceptable inorganic or organic acids, hydroxy acids, amino acids, Lewis acids, the ammonium salts or mono- or dialkali, or molecules that contain two or more groups acids, and polymeric monomers or molecules containing at least one acid group. Examples of suitable acid groups include the carboxylic, hydroxamic, amide, phosphates (eg, monohydrogen phosphate and dihydrogen phosphates), sulfates, and bisulfites.

[049]In particular, organic acids are acids with 2 to 18 carbon atoms, including but not limited to short, medium, or long chain fatty acids, hydroxylic acids, inorganic acids, amino acids, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the acid is selected from the group consisting of lactic acid, gluconic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, sulfuric acid, maleic acid, monosodium citrate, disodium citrate, potassium citrate , monosodium tartrate, disodium tartrate, potassium tartrate, aspartic acid, carboxymethylcellulose, acrylic polymers, methacrylic polymers, and mixtures thereof.

[050]For example, many organic acids are crystalline solids in pure form (and at room temperature), eg citric acid, oxalic acid, benzoic acid. Sulfamic acid is an example of an inorganic acid that is solid at room temperature.

[051] The solid acid or combination of one or more solid acids is present in the rinse aid compositions of the invention in an amount from about 5% by weight to about 40% by weight. Preferably, from about 7.5% by weight to about 27.5% by weight. And more preferably, from about 10% by weight to about 25% by weight. Alkylbenzene or Short Chain Alkyl Naphthalene Sulfonate

[052] The class of alkylbenzene or short-chain alkyl naphthalene sulfonates function as both a hardening agent, a hydrotrope and an TDS control active in the composition. The group includes alkylbenzene sulfonates based on toluene, xylene, and cumene, and alkyl naphthalene sulfonates. Sodium toluene sulfonate and sodium xylene sulfonate are the best known hydrotopes. These present the following general formula:

[053] This group includes but is not limited to sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate, ammonium xylene sulfonate, calcium xylene sulfonate, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, and butylnaphthalene sodium sulphonate. In a preferred embodiment, the solidifying agent is SXS.

[054] The invention provides a solid rinse aid composition that includes effective amounts of one or more of a short chain alkylbenzene or alkyl naphthalene sulfonates. Surprisingly, this class of hydrotropes has been found to aid in solid rinse aid performance as well as function as a solidifying agent. Short-chain alkylbenzene or alkyl naphthalene sulfonate can also function as a builder. The solid rinse aid composition typically has a melting point greater than 43.3°C (110°F) and is dimensionally stable. In some embodiments, the hardening agent of a short chain alkylbenzene or alkyl naphthalene sulfonates is present in an amount from about 40% by weight to about 90% by weight. Preferably, from about 45% by weight to about 85% by weight, and more preferably from about 50% by weight to about 80% by weight.

[055] The solid rinse aid may also, in some embodiments and as listed below, include an additional processing additive such as polyethylene glycol, or urea. Additional processing additives, if used, are present in an amount of from about 0.1% by weight to about 10% by weight. non-ionic surfactant

[056] Nonionic surfactants useful in the present invention are generally characterized by the presence of an organic hydrophobic group and an organic hydrophilic group and are typically produced by the condensation of an aliphatic, alkyl aromatic or hydrophobic polyoxyalkylene organic compound with a hydrophilic alkaline oxide moiety that, in common practice, it is ethylene oxide or a product of its polyhydration, polyethylene glycol. Practically any hydrophobic compound having a hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, or amide group with a reactive hydrogen atom can be condensed with ethylene oxide, or the polyhydration adducts thereof, or mixtures thereof with alkoxylenes, such as propylene oxide to form a non-ionic surfactant. The length of the hydrophilic portion of the polyoxyalkylene that is condensed with any particular hydrophobic compound can be easily adjusted to give a water-dispersible or water-soluble compound with the desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. Nonionic surfactants useful in the present invention include:

[057] Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated surfactants such as Dehypon LS-54 (R-(EO)5(PO) 4) and Dehypon LS-36 (R-(EO)3(PO) 6 ); and capped alcohol alkoxylates such as Plurafac LF221 and Genepol from Clariant, Tegoten EC11; mixtures of these or the like. Other non-ionic surfactants that can be used include:

[058]1. Polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene block polymeric compounds based on propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, and ethylenediamine as a reactive hydrogen initiator compound. Examples of polymeric compounds produced from a sequential propoxylation and ethoxylation of the initiator are commercially available under the trade names Pluronic® and Tetronico manufactured by BASF Corp.

[059]Pluronic® compounds are bifunctional compounds (two reactive hydrogens) formed by the condensation of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by adding propylene oxide to the two hydroxyl groups of propylene glycol. This hydrophobic portion of the molecule weighs from 1,000 to 4,000. Ethylene oxide is then added to "sandwich" the hydrophobic compound between the hydrophilic groups, which is controlled by length to make up from about 10% by weight to about 80% by weight of the final molecule.

[060] TETRONIC® compounds are tetrafunctional block copolymers derived from the sequential addition of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The molecular weight of the propylene oxide hydrotype ranges from 500 to 7,000; and, the hydrophile, ethylene oxide, is added to make up from 10% by weight to 80% by weight of the molecule.

[061]2. The condensation products of one mole of alkyl phenol, where the alkyl chain, with straight-chain or branched-chain configuration, or single or double alkyl component, has 8 to 18 carbon atoms with 3 to 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl group can, for example, be represented by diisobutylene, diamyl, polymerized propylene, isooctyl, nonyl and dinonyl. These surfactants can be condensed polyethylene oxide, polypropylene, polybutylene and alkyl phenols. Examples of commercial compounds of this chemical are commercially available under the trade names Igepal®, manufactured by Rhone-Poulenc, and Triton®, manufactured by Dow.

[062]3. The condensation products of one mole of a straight or branched saturated or unsaturated alcohol have 6 to 24 carbon atoms with 3 to 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The alcohol portion can be made up of the mixtures of alcohols in the carbon range outlined above, or it can be made up of an alcohol having a specific number of carbon atoms within this range. Examples of similar commercial surfactants are available under the trade names Neodol, manufactured by Shell Chemical Co. and Alfonic®, manufactured by Vista Chemical Co.

[063]4. The condensation products of one mole of saturated or unsaturated carboxylic acid, straight or branched, have 8 to 18 carbon atoms with 6 to 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The acid portion may consist of mixtures of acids in the range of carbon atoms defined above, or it may consist of an acid having a specific number of carbon atoms within the range. Examples of commercial compounds of this chemical are commercially available under the trade names Nopalcol®, manufactured by Henkel Corporation and Lipopeg®, manufactured by Lipo Chemicals, Inc.

[064] In addition to ethoxylated carboxylic acids, generally referred to as polyethylene glycol esters, other alkanoic acid esters, formed by reaction with glycerides, glycerin and polyhydric alcohols (saccharide or sorbitan/sorbitol), have application in the present invention. All these ester moieties have one or more reactive hydrogen sites in their molecule, which can further undergo an acrylation or addition of ethylene oxide (alkoxide) to control the hydrophilicity of these substances. Care must be taken when adding this fatty ester or acylated carbohydrates to compositions of the present invention which contain the amylase and/or lipase enzymes due to a potential incompatibility.

[065] In a preferred embodiment, the nonionic surfactant is an anionic surfactant with low foaming ability. Examples of nonionic surfactants with low foaming ability include:

[066]5. The compounds of (1) are modified, essentially inverted, by adding ethylene oxide to ethylene glycol to provide a hydrophilic moiety of designated molecular weight; and then by adding propylene oxide to obtain hydrophobic blocks on the outside (ends) of the molecule. The hydrophobic portion of the molecule weighs from 1,000 to 3,100 with the hydrophilic portion including 10% by weight to 80% by weight of the final molecule. These Inverse Pluronics® are manufactured by BASF Corporation under the registered trademark Pluronic® R surfactants.

[067] Similarly, Tetronic® R surfactants are produced by BASF Corporation with the sequential addition of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The hydrophobic portion of the molecule weighs from 2100 to 6700, with the central hydrophilic portion comprising 10% by weight to 80% by weight of the final molecule.

[068]6. Compounds of groups (1), (2), (3) and (4), which are modified by "capping" or "end-blocking" the terminal hydroxy group or groups (of multifunctional moieties) reduce foaming by reacting with a small hydrophobic molecule such as propylene oxide, butylene oxide, benzyl chloride; and short-chain fatty acids, alcohols or alkyl halides containing from 1 to 5 carbon atoms; and mixtures thereof. Also included are reagents such as thionyl chloride, which convert the terminal hydroxy groups to a chloride group. Such modifications to the terminal hydroxy group can lead to nonionics with all-block, block-etheric, etheric-block, or all-etheric.

[069] Additional examples of effective low foaming nonionics include:

em que R é um grupo alquila com 8 a 9 átomos de carbono, A é uma cadeia de alquileno com 3 a 4 átomos de carbono, n é um número inteiro de 7 a 16, e m é um número inteiro de 1 a 10.[070]7. The alkylphenoxypolyethoxyalkanols of US Patent No. 2,903,486, issued September 8, 1959 to Brown et al., are represented by the formula

where R is an alkyl group having 8 to 9 carbon atoms, A is an alkylene chain having 3 to 4 carbon atoms, n is an integer from 7 to 16, and m is an integer from 1 to 10.

[071] Polyalkylene glycol condensates of US Pat. No. 3,048,548, issued August 7, 1962 to Martin et al., have alternating hydrophilic oxyethylene chains and alternating hydrophobic oxypropylene chains, where each weight of the terminal hydrophobic chains, the weight of the central hydrophobic unit, and the weight of the hydrophilic linker units represents about a third of the condensate.

[072] Nonionic defoaming surfactants, disclosed in US Patent No. 3,382.78, granted on 7th, 1968 to Lissant et al., have the general formula Z[(OR)nOH]z, where Z is the alkoxylatable material ( alkoxylatable), R is a radical derived from an alkaline oxide which may be ethylene and propylene, n is an integer from, for example, 10 to 2000 or more, and Z is an integer determined by the number of oxyalkylatable reactive groups (oxyalkylatable).

[073] The conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds, described in US Patent No. 2,677,700, issued May 4, 1954 to Jackson et al., correspond to the formula Y(C3H6O)n(C2H4O)mH, where Y is the compound residue organic having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and one reactive hydrogen atom, n has an average value of at least 6.4, as determined by the number of hydroxyls and m has a value such that the oxyethylene portion consists in 10% to 90% by weight of the molecule.

[074] The conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds, described in US Patent No. 2,674,619, issued April 6, 1954 to Lundsted et al., has the formula Y[(C3H6On(C2H4O)mH]x, where Y is the residue of an organic compound having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, where x has a value of at least 2, n has a value such that the molecular weight of the hydrophobic base of polyoxypropylene is at least 900 µm has a value such that the oxyethylene content of the molecule is from 10% to 90% by weight. Compounds within the scope of the definition of Y include, for example, propylene glycol, glycerin, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, ethylenediamine and the like The oxypropylene chains optionally but advantageously contain small amounts of ethylene oxide and the oxyethylene chains also optionally but advantageously contain small amounts of propylene oxide.

[075] The additional conjugated polyoxyalkylene surfactants, which are advantageously used in the compositions of the present invention, correspond to the formula: P[(C3H6O)n(C2H4O)mH]x, where P is the residue of an organic compound having 8 to 18 carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, where x has a value of 1 or 2, n has a value such that the molecular weight of the polyoxyethylene portion is at least 44 and m has a value such that the oxypropylene content of the molecule is from 10% to 90% by weight. In both cases, the oxypropylene chains can optionally but advantageously contain small amounts of ethylene oxide and the oxyethylene chains can also optionally but advantageously contain small amounts of propylene oxide.

[076]8. Suitable polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants for use in the present compositions include those having the structural formula R2CONR1Z wherein: R1 is H, C1-C4 hydrocarbyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, ethoxy group, propoxy, or a mixture of these; R is a C5C31 hydrocarbyl, which may be straight-chained; and Z is a polyhydroxyhydrocarbyl having a linear hydrocarbyl chain with at least 3 hydroxyls directly attached to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated). Z can be derived from a reducing sugar in a reducing amination reaction; such as a glycylyl moiety.

[077]9. The condensation products of the alkyl ethoxylate of aliphatic alcohols with 0 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide are suitable for use in the present compositions. The alkyl chain of aliphatic alcohol can be either straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from 6 to 22 carbon atoms.

[078]10. Ethoxylated C6-C18 fatty alcohols and mixed ethoxylated and propoxylated C6-C18 fatty alcohols are suitable surfactants for use in the present compositions, particularly those that are water soluble. Suitable ethoxylated fatty alcohols include the C10-C18 ethoxylated fatty alcohols having a degree of ethoxylation from 3 to 50.

[079]11. Nonionic alkylpolysaccharide surfactants particularly suitable for use in the present compositions include those disclosed in US Patent No. 4,565,647, Llenado, issued January 21, 1986. These surfactants include a hydrophobic group containing from 6 to 30 carbon atoms and a polysaccharide, for example a polyglycoside, hydrophilic group containing from 1.3 to 10 saccharide units. Any reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used as, for example, glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties can be replaced by glucosyl moieties. (Optionally, the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2-, 3-, 4-, etc. positions, thus giving a glucose or galactose as opposed to a glucoside or galactoside). Intersaccharide linkages can be, for example, between the one position of the additional saccharide units and the 2-, 3-, 4-, and/or 6-positions on the above saccharide units.

[080]12. Suitable fatty acid amide surfactants for use in the present compositions include those having the formula: R6CON(R7)2, where R6 is an alkyl group containing from 7 to 21 carbon atoms and each R7 is independently hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl, or -(C2H4O)xH, where x is in the range of 1 to 3.

[081]13. A useful class of nonionic surfactants includes the class defined as alkoxylated amines or, more particularly, alkoxylated/amino/alkoxylated alcohol surfactants. These nonionic surfactants can be, at least in part, represented by the general formulas: R20--(PO)SN(EO)tH, R20--(PO)SN-(EO)t H(EO)tH, and R20 --N(EO)tH; wherein R20 is an alkyl, alkenyl or other aliphatic group or an aryl-alkyl group of 8 to 20, preferably, of 12 to 14 carbon atoms, EO is oxyethylene, PO is oxypropylene, s is 1 to 20, preferably , 2 to 5, t is 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5, u is 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5. Other variations within the scope of these compounds can be represented by the alternative formula: R20--(PO)vN [(EO)wH] [(EO)zH] where R20 is as defined above, v is 1 to 20 (eg 1, 2, 3, or 4 (preferably 2)), and wez are independently 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5.

[082]These compounds are commercially represented by a line of products sold by Huntsman Chemicals as nonionic surfactants. A preferred chemical in this class includes Surfonic PEA 25 amine alkoxylate.

[083] Treated Nonionic Surfactants, edited by Schick, MJ, Surfactant Science Series Vol. 1, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1983, is an excellent reference on the wide variety of nonionic compounds commonly used in practice of the present invention. A typical listing of the nonionic classes, and species of these surfactants is given in US Patent No. 3,929,678, issued to Laughlin and Heuring on December 30, 1975. Other examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). Water

[084] The solid rinse aid composition may, in some embodiments, include water. Water may be independently added to the solid rinse aid composition or it may be provided in the solid rinse aid composition as a result of its presence in the material that is added to the solid rinse aid composition. For example, materials added to the solid rinse aid composition include water or can be prepared by an aqueous premix available for reaction with the solidifying agent component(s). Typically, water is introduced into the solid rinse aid composition to provide the composition with a desired viscosity prior to solidification, and to provide a desired solidification rate.

[085]In general, it is expected that water can be present as a processing additive and can be removed or become water of hydration. It is expected that water may be present in the solid composition. In the solid composition, water is expected to be present in the solid rinse aid composition in the range of 0% by weight to 5% by weight. For example, water is present in solid rinse aid composition embodiments in the range of 0.1% by weight to about 5% by weight, or in other embodiments, in the range of 0.5% by weight to about 4% by weight, or in yet other embodiments, the range from 1% by weight to 3% by weight. It should further be understood that water can be supplied as deionized water or as decalcified water.

[086] The components used to form the solid composition may include water as hydrates or hydrated forms of the binding agent, hydrates or hydrated forms of any of the other ingredients, and/or aqueous medium added as a processing additive. The aqueous medium is expected to help provide the components with a desired viscosity for processing. In addition, it is expected that the aqueous medium can assist in the solidification process, where necessary, to form the concentrate as a solid. Additional Functional Materials

[087] As indicated above, the solid rinse aid may contain other functional materials that provide the desired properties and functionality to the solid composition. Functional materials include a material that, when dispersed or dissolved in a use solution, provides a beneficial property in a particular use. Examples of such functional material include preservatives, chelating/sequestering agents; bleaching agents or activators; sanitizing/antimicrobial agents; activators; builder or filling materials; anti-redeposition agents; optical brighteners; dyes; fragrances or perfumes; stabilizers; processing additives; corrosion inhibitors; filling materials; solidifying; additional hardening agent; additional surfactants, solubility modifiers; pH regulating agents; humectants; hydrotropes; or a wide variety of other functional materials, depending on the characteristics and/or functionality of the desired composition. In the context of some embodiments disclosed herein, functional materials, or ingredients, are optionally included within the solidification matrix for their functional properties. Some more specific examples of functional materials are discussed in more detail below, but it should be understood by those skilled in the art and others that the specific materials discussed are given by way of example only, and that a wide variety of other functional materials can be used . Preservatives

[088]The composition of the solid rinse aid may also include effective amounts of preservatives. Often the acidity and/or total acids in the solid rinse aid and in-use solution serve as a preservative and stabilizing function.

[089] Some embodiments of the solid rinse aid composition of the invention also include a preservative system for acidifying the solid rinse aid, including sodium bisulfate and organic acids. In at least some embodiments, the solid rinse aid has a pH of 2.0 or less and the solid rinse aid use solution has a pH of at least pH 4.0. Typically, sodium bisulfate is included in the solid rinse aid composition as an acid source. In certain embodiments, an effective amount of sodium bisulfate and one or more other acids are included in the solid rinse aid composition as a preservative system. Suitable acids include, for example, inorganic acids such as HCl and organic acids. In other embodiments, an effective amount of sodium bisulfate and one or more organic acids are included in the solid rinse aid composition as a preservative system. Suitable organic acids include sorbic acid, benzoic acid, ascorbic acid, erythorbic acid, citric acid, etc. Preferred organic acids include benzoic acid and ascorbic acid. Generally, effective amounts of sodium bisulfate with or without additional acids are included so that a solid rinse aid composition use solution has a pH that should be less than pH 4.0, often less than pH 3 .0, and may be even less than pH 2.0.

[090] In other embodiments, the solid rinse aid composition includes sanitizing/antimicrobial agents in a complementary or alternative manner to the preservative system described above. Suitable sanitizing/antimicrobial agents are described below.

[091] The preservative component, if present, is typically an amount of the solid rinse aid component in an amount of from about 0.05 to 20% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 15% by weight and more preferably, from 1% by weight to about 10% by weight. Chelating/Sequestering Agents

[092] The solid rinse aid composition may also include effective amounts of chelating/sequestering agents, also referred to as builders. In addition, the rinse aid may optionally include one or more additional builders as a functional ingredient. In general, a chelator is a molecule capable of coordinating (ie, binding) metal ions commonly found in water sources to prevent the metal ions from interfering with the action of the other component of a rinse aid or other cleaning composition. The chelating/sequestering agent can also function as a threshold agent when included in an effective amount.

[093] Often, the solid rinse aid composition is also phosphate free and/or aminocarboxylate free. In phosphate-free solid rinse aid composition embodiments, additional functional materials, including builders, exclude phosphorus-containing compounds such as condensed phosphates and phosphonates.

[094] Suitable additional builders include polycarboxylates. Some examples of polymeric polycarboxylates suitable for use as sequestering agents include those that have a pendant carboxylate group (-CO2) and include, for example, polyacrylic acid, olefin/maleic copolymer, acrylic/maleic copolymer, polymethacrylic acid, methacrylic acid-acid copolymers acrylic, hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, hydrolyzed polymethacrylamide, hydrolyzed polyamide-methacrylamide copolymers, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, hydrolyzed polymethacrylonitrile, hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-methacrylonitrile copolymers, and the like.

[095] In embodiments of the solid rinse aid composition, which are not free of aminocarboxylate, one can include added chelators/sequestrants which are aminocarboxylates. Some examples of aminocarboxylic acids include, N-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), hydroxyethyl N-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) (in addition to HEDTA used in the builder), diethylenetriaminepentacetic acid (DTPA), and the like .

[096] In embodiments of the solid rinse aid composition, which is not phosphate free, the added chelating/sequestering agents may include, for example, a condensed phosphate, a phosphonate, and the like. Some examples of condensed phosphates include sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium and potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, and the like. A condensed phosphate can also aid, to a limited degree, in solidifying the composition by fixing the free water present in the composition as water of hydration.

(metilenofosfonato), sal I de sódio o ácido 2-hidroxietiliminobis (metilenofosfônico) HOCH2 CH2N[CH2 PO(OH)2]2; ácido dietilenotriaminopenta (metilenofosfônico) (HO)2POCH2N[CH2 CH2N[CH2PO(OH)2]2]2; dietilenotriaminopenta (metilenofosfonato), sal de sódio C9H (28-x)N3NaxO15P5 (x=7); hexametilenodiamina (tetrametilenofosfonato), sal de potássio C10H(28-x)N2KxO12P4 (x=6); ácido bis (hexametileno) triamina (pentametilenofosfônico) (HO)2POCH2N[(CH2)6 N[CH2PO(OH)2]2]2; e ácido fosfórico H3PO3. Em algumas concretizações, uma combinação de fosfonatos, tais como ATMP e DTPMP, pode ser utilizada. Um fosfonato neutralizado ou alcalino, ou uma combinação do fosfonato com uma fonte alcalina, pode ser utilizado antes de ser adicionado à mistura de modo que haja pouco ou nenhum calor ou gás gerado por uma reação de neutralização quando o fosfonato é adicionado.[097] In solid rinse aid composition embodiments that are not phosphate free, the composition may include a phosphonate such as 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid CH3C(OH)[PO(OH) 2]2; aminotri(methylenephosphonic) acid; aminotri

(methylenephosphonate), sodium salt I or 2-hydroxyethyliminobis(methylenephosphonic acid) HOCH2 CH2N[CH2PO(OH)2]2; diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid)(HO)2POCH2N[CH2CH2N[CH2PO(OH)2]2]2; diethylenetriaminepenta (methylenephosphonate), sodium salt C9H (28-x)N3NaxO15P5 (x=7); hexamethylenediamine (tetramethylenephosphonate), potassium salt C10H(28-x)N2KxO12P4 (x=6); bis(hexamethylene) triamine(pentamethylenephosphonic acid)(HO)2POCH2N[(CH2)6N[CH2PO(OH)2]2]2; and phosphoric acid H3PO3. In some embodiments, a combination of phosphonates, such as ATMP and DTPMP, can be used. A neutralized or alkaline phosphonate, or a combination of the phosphonate and an alkaline source, can be used before being added to the mixture so that there is little or no heat or gas generated by a neutralization reaction when the phosphonate is added.

[098] For further discussion of chelating/sequestering agents, see Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 5, pages 339 to 366 and volume 23, pages 319 to 320, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. .

[099] The chelating/sequestering agent, if present, may be in an amount of from about 0.1% by weight to about 30% by weight, preferably from about 1% by weight to about 25% in weight, and more preferably from about 5% by weight to about 20% by weight. In some embodiments, solid acid can also function as a chelator. Processing Additives

[0100] In some embodiments, the solid rinse aid composition may include additional processing additives. Examples of processing additives include an amide such as stearic acid monoethanolamide or lauric acid diethanolamide, or an alkylamide, and the like; a solid polyethylene glycol, or a solid EO/PO block copolymer, urea and the like; starches that have become water soluble through an alkaline or acid treatment process; various inorganics that impart solidifying properties to a heated composition after cooling, and the like. Such compounds can also vary the solubility of the composition in an aqueous medium during use so that the rinse aid and/or other active ingredients can be delivered from the solid composition over an extended period of time. The composition can include a secondary hardening agent in an amount in the range of up to about 10% by weight. In some embodiments, the secondary hardening agents may be present in an amount in the range of 0 to 10% by weight, often in the range of 0 to 5% by weight, and sometimes in the range of about 0 to about 0 .5% by weight. Additional Surfactant

[0101] In addition to the nonionic surfactants referred to above, the composition may also include other surfactants as described below. Anionic Surfactants

[0102] Certain embodiments of the invention contemplate the use of one or more anionic surfactants that interact electrostatically or interact ionically with the positively charged polymer in order to improve the stability of the foam. Anionic surfactants are surface active substances that are classified as anionic because the charge on the hydrophobic portion is negative; or when surface active agents in which the hydrophobic portion of the molecule is uncharged, unless the pH is raised to neutrality or above (eg carboxylic acids). Carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate and phosphate are the polar (hydrophilic) solubilizing groups found in anionic surfactants. Of the cations (counterions) associated with these polar groups, sodium, lithium and potassium provide water solubility; ammonium and substituted ammonium ions confer hydro and liposolubility; and, calcium, barium, magnesium confer liposolubility.

[0103] As understood by those skilled in the art, anionics are excellent detersive surfactants and are therefore traditionally favored additions to heavy duty detergent compositions as well as rinsing aids. Generally, anionics have high foaming profiles which are useful in the present foam cleaning compositions. Anionic surface active compounds are useful for imparting special physicochemical properties in addition to detergency within the composition.

[0104] Most commercial high volume anionic surfactants can be divided into five major chemical classes and additional subgroups known to those skilled in the art and described in "Surfactant Encyclopedia", Cosmetics & Toiletries, Vol. 104 (2) 71 to 86 ( 1989).

[0105] The first class includes acylamino acids (and salts) such as acylgluamates, acyl peptides, sarcosinates (eg N-acyl sarcosinates, taurates) (eg N-acyl taurates and tauride fatty acid amides of methyl), and the like. The second class includes carboxylic acids (and salts), such as alkanoic acids (and alkanoates), carboxylic acid esters (eg, alkyl succinates), ether carboxylic acids, and the like. The third class includes sulfonic acids (and salts) such as isethionates (eg, acyl isethionates), alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, sulfosuccinates (eg, sulfosuccinate monoesters and diesters), and the like. A particularly preferred anionic surfactant is alpha olefin sulfonate. The fourth class includes sulfonic acids (and salts), such as isethionates (eg, acyl isethionates), alkyl aryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, sulfosuccinates (eg, sulfosuccinate monoesters and diesters), and the like. The fifth class includes sulfuric acid esters (and salts) such as alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, and the like. The fifth class includes sulfuric acid esters (and salts), such as alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, and the like. A particularly preferred anionic surfactant is sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

[0106] Suitable sulfated anionic surfactants for use in the present compositions include alkyl sulfates, primary and secondary, straight or branched chain, alkyl ethoxysulfates, fatty oleyl glycerol sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, phenol ethylene oxide, or C5- C17 acyl-N -(C1-C4 alkyl) and -N-(hydroxyalkyl C1-C2) glucamine sulfate, and alkylpolysaccharide sulfates such as the alkylpolyglycoside sulfates (the non-sulfated nonionic compounds described herein). Substituted ammonium and ammonium salts (such as mono, di and triethanolamine) and alkali metal salts (such as sodium, lithium and potassium) of mononuclear aromatic alkyl sulfonates, such as alkylbenzene sulfonates containing from 5 to 18 atoms carbon in the alkyl group in a straight or branched chain, for example the salts of alkylbenzene sulfonates or of alkyl toluene, xylene, cumene and phenol sulfonates; alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, diamyl naphthalene sulfonate, and dinonyl naphthalene sulfonate and alkoxylated derivatives.

[0107] Suitable examples of water-soluble synthetic anionic surface active compounds include ammonium and substituted ammonium salts (such as mono, di and triethanolamine) and alkali metal (such as sodium, lithium and potassium), sulfonate salts of mononuclear aromatic alkyls, such as the alkyl sulfonates containing from 5 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group in a straight or branched chain, for example the salts of alkylbenzene sulfonates or of alkyl toluene, xylene, cumene and phenol sulfonates; alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, diamyl naphthalene sulfonate, and dinonyl naphthalene sulfonate and alkoxylated derivatives.

Suitable anionic carboxylate surfactants for use in the present compositions include alkyl ethoxy carboxylates, alkyl polyethoxy polycarboxylate surfactants and soaps (eg, alkyl carboxylates). Secondary soap surfactants (e.g., alkyl carboxyl surfactants) useful in the present compositions include those which contain a carboxyl moiety attached to a secondary carbon. The secondary carbon can be a ring structure, for example, as in p-octyl benzoic acid, or as in alkyl substituted cyclohexyl carboxylates. Secondary soap surfactants generally do not contain ether bonds, ester bonds and hydroxyl groups. Furthermore, they normally do not have nitrogen atoms in the head group (amphiphilic moiety). Suitable secondary soap surfactants typically contain 11 to 13 total carbon atoms, although more carbon atoms (eg up to 16) may be present.

[0109] Other anionic surfactants suitable for use in the present compositions include olefin sulfonates such as long-chain alkene sulfonates, long-chain hydroxyalkane sulfonates or mixtures of alkene sulfonates and hydroxyalkane sulfonates. Also included are alkyl sulfates, alkyl poly(ethyleneoxy) ether sulfates, and aromatic poly(ethyleneoxy) sulfates, such as the sulfates or condensation products of ethylene oxide and nonyl phenol (typically containing 1 to 6 oxyethylene groups per molecule). Resin acids and hydrogenated acids are also suitable, such as rosin, hydrogenated rosin, resin acids and hydrogenated acids present in or derived from tallow oil.

[0110] The particular salts will be suitably selected depending on the particular formulation and their needs.

[0111]Other examples of suitable anionic surfactants are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of these surfactants are also generally disclosed in the US Patent. No. 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al., at Column 23, line 58 through column 29, line 23. Zwitterionic Surfactants

em que R1 contém um radical alquila, alquenila, ou hidroxialquila de 8 a 18 átomos de carbono tendo de 0 a 10 porções de óxido de etileno e de 0 a 1 porção de glicerila; Y é selecionado a partir do grupo que consiste em nitrogênio, fósforo e enxofre; R2 é um grupo alquila ou mono- hidroxi- alquila contendo 1 a 3 átomos de carbono; x é 1 quando Y é um átomo de enxofre e 2 quando Y é um átomo de nitrogênio ou fósforo, R3 é um grupo alquileno ou hidroxi alquileno ou hidroxi alquileno de 1 a 4 átomos de carbono e Z é um radical selecionado a partir do grupo que consiste em carboxilato de etila, grupos sulfonato, sulfato, fosfonato e fosfato.[0112]Zwitterionic surfactants can be understood as a subset of amphoteric surfactants. Zwitterionic surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines or derivatives of quaternary ammonium compounds, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. Typically, a zwitterionic surfactant includes a positively charged quaternary ammonium or, in some cases, a sulfonium or phosphonium ion, a negatively charged carboxyl group, and an alkyl group. Zwitterionic compounds generally contain cationic and anionic groups that ionize to a degree almost equal to the isoelectric region of the molecule and that can develop a strong "inner salt" attraction between centers of positive-negative charge. Examples of such synthetic zwitterionic surfactants include those derived from aliphatic quaternary ammonium compounds, phosphonium and sulfonium, where the aliphatic radicals may be straight or branched, and one of the aliphatic substituents contains 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains a water-soluble anionic group such as, for example, carboxy, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphate or phosphonate. Betaine and sultaine are examples of zwitterionic surfactants for use in this context. A general formula for these compounds is:

wherein R1 contains an alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl radical of 8 to 18 carbon atoms having from 0 to 10 ethylene oxide moieties and 0 to 1 glyceryl moiety; Y is selected from the group consisting of nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur; R2 is an alkyl or monohydroxyalkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms; x is 1 when Y is a sulfur atom and 2 when Y is a nitrogen or phosphorus atom, R3 is an alkylene or hydroxy alkylene or hydroxy alkylene group of 1 to 4 carbon atoms and Z is a radical selected from the group which consists of ethyl carboxylate, sulphonate, sulphate, phosphonate and phosphate groups.

[0113]Examples of zwitterionic surfactants having the structures listed above include: 4-[N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-octadecylammonium]-butane-1-carboxylate; 5-[S-3-hydroxypropyl-S-hexadecylsulfonium]-3-hydroxypentane-1-sulfate; 3-[P,P-diethyl-P-3,6,9-trioxatetracosanephosphonium]-2-hydroxypropane-1-phosphate; 3-[N,N-dipropyl-N-3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyl-ammonium]-propane-1-phosphonate; 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonium)-propane-1-sulfonate; 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonium)-2-hydroxy-propane-1-sulfonate; 4-[N,N-di(2(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-(2-hydroxydodecyl)ammonium]-butane-1-carboxylate; 3-[S-ethyl-S-(3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyl) sulfonium]-propane-1-phosphate; 3-[P,P-dimethyl-P-dodecylphosphonium]-propane-1-phosphonate; and S[N,N-di(3-hydroxypropyl)-N-hexadecylammonium]-2- hydroxy-pentane-1-sulfate The alkyl groups contained in said detergent surfactants can be linear or branched and saturated or unsaturated.

[0114] The zwitterionic surfactant suitable for use in the present compositions includes a betaine of the general structure:

[0115] These surfactant betaines typically do not show strong cationic or anionic profiles at extreme pHs nor do they demonstrate reduced solubility in water in their isoelectric range. Unlike "external" quaternary ammonium salts, betaines are compatible with anionic compounds. Examples of suitable betaines include coco acylamidopropyl dimethyl betaine; hexadecyl dimethyl betaine; C12-14 acylamidopropyl betaine; C8-14 acylamidohexyl diethyl betaine; 4-C C14-16 acylmethylamidodiethylammonium-1-carboxybutane; C16-18 acylamido dimethyl betaine; C12-16 acylamidopentane diethyl betaine; and C12-16 acylmethylstarch dimethyl betaine.

[0116] Sultains useful in the present invention include those compounds of the formula (R(R1)2N.sup.+R2SO3- wherein R is a C6-C18 hydrocarbyl group, wherein each R1 is typically independently C1-C3 alkyl, by example, methyl, and R2 is a C1-C6 hydrocarbyl group, for example a C1-C3 alkylene or a hydroxyalkylene group.

[0117] A typical listing of zwitterionic classes, and species of these surfactants, is given in the US Patent. No. 3,929,678, issued to Laughlin and Heuring on December 30, 1975. Other examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

[0118] Betaines and sultaines and other zwitterionic surfactants are present in an amount of the anionic surfactants present in the composition in any detersive amount which can typically range from about 0.01% by weight to about 75% by weight of the composition of solid rinse aid. In a preferred embodiment, from about 10% by weight to about 30% by weight, and more preferably from about 15% by weight to about 25% by weight. Non-Ionic Semipolars

[0119] Semipolar type nonionic surface active agents are another class of nonionic surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention. Generally, semipolar nonionic compounds are strong foam builders and stabilizers, which can limit their application in CIP systems. However, within the composition embodiments of the present invention outlined for the high foam cleaning method, semipolar nonionic compounds would have immediate utility. Semipolar nonionic surfactants include amine oxides, phosphine oxides, sulfoxides and the alkoxylated derivatives thereof.

em que a seta é uma representação convencional de uma ligação semipolar; e R1, R2, e R3 podem ser alifáticos, aromáticos, heterocíclicos, alicíclicos ou combinações destes. De um modo geral, no caso dos óxidos de amina de interesse detergente, R1 é um radical alquila de 8 a 24 átomos de carbono; R2 e R3 são grupos alquila ou hidroxialquila com 1 a 3 átomos de carbono ou uma mistura destes; R2 e R3 podem ser ligados uns aos outros, por exemplo, através de um átomo de oxigênio ou de nitrogênio, para formar uma estrutura em anel; R4 é um metal alcalino ou um grupo hidroxialquileno contendo 2 a 3 átomos de carbono; e n varia de 0 a 20.[0120]Amine oxides are tertiary amine oxides that correspond to the general formula:

where the arrow is a conventional representation of a semipolar bond; and R1, R2, and R3 can be aliphatic, aromatic, heterocyclic, alicyclic or combinations thereof. Generally speaking, in the case of amine oxides of detergent interest, R1 is an alkyl radical of 8 to 24 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a mixture thereof; R2 and R3 can be linked together, for example, through an oxygen or nitrogen atom, to form a ring structure; R4 is an alkali metal or a hydroxyalkylene group containing 2 to 3 carbon atoms; en ranges from 0 to 20.

[0121] Useful water-soluble amine oxide surfactants are selected from tallow or coconut oxides of di-(lower alkyl)alkylamine, specific examples of which are dodecyldimethylamine oxide, tridecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, pentadecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, heptadecyldimethylamine oxide, octadecyldimethylamine oxide, dodecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldipropylamine oxide, hexadecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldibutylamine oxide, octadecyldibutylamine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethylamine) oxide bis(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-dodecoxy-1-hydroxypropylamine, dimethyl-(2-hydroxydodecyl)amine oxide, 3,6,9-trioctadecyldimethylamine oxide and 3-dodecoxy-2-hydroxypropyldi-(2-hydroxyethyl) oxide ) the mine.

em que a seta é uma representação convencional de uma ligação semipolar; e o R1 representa uma porção alquila, alcenila ou hidroxialquila variando de 10 a 24 átomos de carbono no comprimento da cadeia; e cada R2 e R3 são porções alquila selecionadas separadamente a partir de grupos alquila ou hidroxialquila contendo 1 a 3 átomos de carbono.[0122] Useful semipolar nonionic surfactants also include water-soluble phosphine oxides having the following structure:

where the arrow is a conventional representation of a semipolar bond; and R1 represents an alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety ranging from 10 to 24 carbon atoms in chain length; and each R2 and R3 are alkyl moieties selected separately from alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

[0123] Examples of suitable phosphine oxides include dimethyldecylphosphine oxide, dimethyltetradecylphosphine oxide, methylethyltetradecylphosphine oxide, dimethylhexadecylphosphine oxide, diethyl-2-hydroxyoctyldecylphosphine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) dodecyl tetracylphosphine oxide, and bis(hydroxymethyl)phosphine oxide .

em que a seta é uma representação convencional de uma ligação semipolar; e, R1 é uma porção alquila ou hidroxialquila com 8 a 28 átomos de carbono, de 0 a 5 ligações éter e de 0 a 2 substituintes hidroxila; e R2 é uma porção alquila constituída por grupos alquila e hidroxialquila com 1 a 3 átomos de carbono.[0124] Semipolar nonionic surfactants useful in the present invention also include water-soluble sulfoxide compounds that have the structure:

where the arrow is a conventional representation of a semipolar bond; and, R1 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl moiety having 8 to 28 carbon atoms, 0 to 5 ether bonds and 0 to 2 hydroxy substituents; and R2 is an alkyl moiety made up of alkyl and hydroxyalkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

[0125] Useful examples of these sulfoxides include methyl dodecyl sulfoxide; 3-hydroxy tridecyl methyl sulfoxide; 3-methoxy tridecyl methyl sulfoxide; and 3-hydroxy-4-dodecoxybutyl methyl sulfoxide.

[0126]Other examples of suitable anionic surfactants are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch). A variety of these surfactants are also generally disclosed in US Patent No. 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin, et al., at Column 23, line 58 through column 29, line 23. Cationic Surfactants

[0127]Surface active substances are classified as cationic if the charge on the hydrotropic portion of the molecule is positive. Surfactants in which the hydrotrope has no charge unless the pH is lowered to near neutrality or less, but which are then cationic (eg, alkylamines) are also included in this group. In theory, cationic surfactants can be synthesized from any combination of elements that contain an "onium" structure RnX+Y-- and can include others besides nitrogen (ammonium), such as phosphorus (phosphonium) and sulfur (sulfonium). In practice, the cationic surfactant field is dominated by nitrogen-containing compounds, probably because the synthesis pathways for nitrogenous cationics are simple and straightforward and provide high product yields, which can make them less expensive.

[0128] Cationic surfactants preferably include, and most preferably refer to, compounds that contain at least one long-chain hydrophobic carbon group and at least one positively charged nitrogen. The long-chain carbon group can be directly bonded to the nitrogen atom by simple substitution; or, more preferably, indirectly by linking a functional group or groups on so-called interrupted alkylamines and amidamines. Such functional groups can make the molecule more hydrophilic and/or more dispersible in water, more easily solubilized in water by co-surfactant mixtures, and/or soluble in water. To increase water solubility, additional primary, secondary, or tertiary amino groups can be introduced or the amine nitrogen can be quaternized with low molecular weight alkyl groups. Furthermore, nitrogen can be a part of the straight or branched chain portion of varying degrees of unsaturation or of a saturated or unsaturated heterocyclic ring. Also, cationic surfactants can contain complex bonds that have more than one cationic nitrogen atom.

[0129] Surfactant compounds classified as amine oxides, amphoteres and zwitterions are themselves typically cationic in near-neutral to acidic pH solutions and may overlap with surfactant classifications. Polyoxyethylated cationic surfactants generally behave as nonionic surfactants in alkaline solution and as cationic surfactants in acidic solution.

em que R representa uma alquila de cadeia longa, R', R" e R'" podem ser ou cadeias de alquila longas ou grupos alquila ou arila menores ou hidrogênio e X representa um ânion. Os sais de amina e compostos de amônio quaternário são preferidos para a utilização prática na presente invenção devido ao seu elevado grau de hidrossolubilidade.[0130] Cationic amines, amine salts and the simplest quaternary ammonium compounds can be schematically drawn as follows:

wherein R represents a long chain alkyl, R', R" and R'" may be either long alkyl chains or lower alkyl or aryl groups or hydrogen and X represents an anion. Amine salts and quaternary ammonium compounds are preferred for practical use in the present invention because of their high degree of water solubility.

[0131] Most high volume commercial cationic surfactants can be subdivided into four major classes and additional subgroups known to those skilled in the art and described in "Surfactant Encyclopedia", Cosmetics & Toiletries, Vol. 104 (2) 86 to 96 (1989 ). The first category includes alkylamines and their salts. The second category includes alkyl imidazolines. The third category includes ethoxylated amines. The fourth class includes quaternaries such as alkylbenzyldimethylammonium salts, alkylbenzene salts, heterocyclic ammonium salts, tetraalkylammonium salts, and the like. Cationic surfactants are known to have a variety of properties that can be beneficial in the present compositions. These desirable properties may include detergency in compositions of neutral or below pH, antimicrobial effectiveness, thickening or gelling in cooperation with other agents, and the like.

ou um isômero ou mistura destas estruturas, e que contém de 8 a 22 átomos de carbono. Os grupos R1 podem conter ainda até 12 grupos etoxi. m é um número de 1 a 3. De preferência, não mais do que um grupo R1 em uma molécula tem 16 ou mais átomos de carbono quando m representa 2, ou mais do que 12 átomos de carbono quando m representa 3. Cada R2 é um grupo alquila ou hidroxialquila contendo de 1 a 4 átomos de carbono ou um grupo benziIa com não mais do que um R2 em uma molécula sendo benzila, e x é um número de 0 a 11, de preferência, de 0 a 6. A parte restante de quaisquer posições de átomo de carbono no grupo Y é preenchida por átomos de hidrogênio. Y pode ser um grupo que inclui, mas não se limita a:

ou uma mistura destes.[0132] Cationic surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention include those having the formula R1mR2xYLZ, wherein each R1 is an organic group containing a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, optionally substituted by up to three phenyl or hydroxy groups and optionally interrupted by up to four of the following structures:

or an isomer or mixture of these structures, and containing from 8 to 22 carbon atoms. The R1 groups can further contain up to 12 ethoxy groups. m is a number from 1 to 3. Preferably, no more than one R1 group in a molecule has 16 or more carbon atoms when m represents 2, or more than 12 carbon atoms when m represents 3. Each R2 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing from 1 to 4 carbon atoms or a benzyl group with not more than one R2 in a molecule being benzyl, and x is a number from 0 to 11, preferably from 0 to 6. The remaining part of any carbon atom positions in the Y group is filled by hydrogen atoms. Y can be a group that includes, but is not limited to:

or a mixture of these.

[0133] Preferably, L is 1 or 2, wherein the Y groups are separated by a moiety selected from the analogues of R1 and R2 (preferably alkylene or alkenylene) having 1 to 22 carbon atoms and two bonds of free simple carbon when L is 2. Z is a water-soluble anion, such as the sulfate, methylsulfate, hydroxide, or nitrate anion, with sulfate or methyl sulfate anions being particularly preferred in a number to impart electrical neutrality to the cationic component. Amphoteric Surfactants

[0134]Amphoteric, or ampholytic, surfactants contain both a basic hydrophilic group and an acid and an organic hydrophobic group. These ionic entities can be any of the anionic or cationic groups described here for other types of surfactants. A basic nitrogen and an acidic carboxylate group are the typical functional groups used as the basic and acidic hydrophilic groups. In some surfactants, the sulphonate, sulphate, phosphonate or phosphate confer the negative charge.

[0135] Amphoteric surfactants can be broadly described as derivatives of secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines, in which the aliphatic radical can present a straight or branched chain and where one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic group water solubilizer, for example carboxy, sulfo, sulphate, phosphate or phosphono. Amphoteric surfactants are subdivided into two main classes known to those skilled in the art and described in "Surfactant Encyclopedia", Cosmetics & Toiletries, Vol. 104 (2) 69 to 71 (1989). The first class includes acyl/dialkyl ethylenediamine derivatives (for example 2-alkyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline derivatives) and salts thereof. The second category includes the N-amino acids and salts thereof. Some amphoteres can be seen as belonging to both classes.

[0136]Amphoteric surfactants can be synthesized by methods known to those skilled in the art. For example, 2-alkyl hydroxyethyl imidazoline is synthesized by the condensation and ring closure of a long-chain carboxylic acid (or a derivative) with dialkyl ethylenediamine. Commercial amphoteric surfactants are derived from subsequent hydrolysis and ring opening of the imidazoline ring by alkylation - for example, with ethyl acetate. During alkylation, one or two carboxyalkyl groups react to form a tertiary amine and an ether bond with different alkylating agents that produce different tertiary amines.

em que R é um grupo hidrofóbico acíclico contendo de 8 a 18 átomos de carbono e M é um cátion para neutralizar a carga do ânion, geralmente, o sódio. Anfóteros derivados de imidazolina comercialmente proeminentes que podem ser utilizados nas presentes composições incluem, por exemplo: Cocoanfopropionato, Cocoanfocarboxipropionato de etila, Cocoanfoglicinato, Cocoanfocarboxiglicinato, Cocoanfocarboxipropilsulfonato, e ácido cocoamfocarboxipropiônico. Os ácidos anfocarboxílicos preferidos são produzidos a partir de imidazolinas graxas, em que a funcionalidade do ácido dicarboxílico do ácido anfodicarboxílico é o ácido diacético e/ou o ácido dipropiônico.[0137] Long-chain imidazole derivatives that have application in the present invention generally have the general formula:

where R is an acyclic hydrophobic group containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms and M is a cation to neutralize the charge on the anion, usually sodium. Commercially prominent imidazoline-derived amphoters that can be used in the present compositions include, for example: Cocoamphopropionate, Ethyl Cocoamphocarboxypropionate, Cocoamphoglycinate, Cocoamphocarboxyglycinate, Cocoamphocarboxypropylsulfonate, and cocoamphocarboxypropionic acid. Preferred amphocarboxylic acids are made from fatty imidazolines, where the dicarboxylic acid functionality of the amphodicarboxylic acid is diacetic acid and/or dipropionic acid.

[0138]The carboxymethylated compounds (glycinates) described above are often called betaines. Betaines are a special class of amphoteres discussed below in the section titled Zwitterionic Surfactants.

[0139]Long-chain N-alkylamine acids are readily prepared by the reaction of RNH2, in which R.dbd.C8-C18 fatty alkylamines are straight or branched chain, with halogenated carboxylic acids. Alkylation of an amino acid's primary amine groups leads to secondary and tertiary amines. Alkyl substituents can have additional amine groups that provide more than one reactive nitrogen center. Most commercial N-alkylamine acids are alkyl derivatives of beta-alanine or beta-N(2-carboxyethyl)alanine Examples of commercial N-alkylamine acid ampholytes, of application in the present invention, include beta-amino dipropionate. alkyl, RN(C2H4COOM)2 and RNHC2H4COOM. In these, R preferably represents an acyclic hydrophobic group containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and M is a cation to neutralize the charge of the anion.

[0140] Preferred amphoteric surfactants include those derived from coconut products such as coconut oil fatty acid or coconut oil. The most preferred of these coconut-derived surfactants include, as part of their structure, an ethylenediamine moiety, an alkanolamide moiety, an amino acid moiety, preferably, glycine, or a combination thereof; and an aliphatic substituent of 8 to 18 (preferably 12) carbon atoms. Such a surfactant can also be considered an alkyl amphodicarboxylic acid. Disodium cocoamphodipropionate is the most preferred amphoteric surfactant and is commercially available under the tradename FBS Miranol™ from Rhodia Inc., Cranbury, NJ. Another most preferred coconut-derived amphoteric surfactant has the chemical name disodium cocoamphodiacetate and is sold under the trade name Miranol C2M SF-Conc., also from Rhodia Inc., Cranbury, NJ

[0141] A typical list of amphoteric classes and species of these surfactants is given in US Patent No. 3,929,678, issued to Laughlin and Heuring on December 30, 1975. Other examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Vol. I. and II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

[0142] Additional surfactants can be present in the compositions in any detersive amount, as long as they do not interfere with electrostatics, and ionic interactions that provide foam stabilization. bleaching agents

[0143] The rinse aid may optionally include a bleaching agent. The bleaching agent can be used to lighten or whiten a substrate, and may include bleaching compounds capable of releasing a kind of active halogen, such as Cl2, Br2, -OCl- and/or -OBr-, or the like, under conditions typically encountered during the cleaning process. Bleaching agents suitable for use may include, for example, chlorine containing compounds such as chlorine, hypochlorite, chloramine or the like. Some examples of halogen-releasing compounds include alkali metal dichloroisocyanurates, chlorinated trisodium phosphate, alkali metal hypochlorites, monochloramine and dichloramine, and the like. Encapsulated chlorine sources can also be used to improve the stability of the chlorine source in the composition (see, for example, US Pats Nos. 4,618,914 and 4,830,773, the descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference). A bleaching agent can also include an agent that contains or acts as a source of active oxygen. The active oxygen compound acts to provide a source of active oxygen, for example, it can release active oxygen in aqueous solutions. An active oxygen compound can be inorganic or organic, or it can be a mixture thereof. Some examples of active oxygen compounds include peroxygen compounds, or adducts of peroxygen compounds. Some examples or sources of active oxygen compounds include hydrogen peroxide, perborates, sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, phosphate peroxyhydrate, potassium permonosulfate, and sodium perborate mono and tetrahydrate, with and without activators such as tetraacetylethylenediamine, and others similar. The solid rinse aid composition may include a smaller but effective amount of a bleaching agent, for example, in some embodiments, in the range of up to about 10% by weight, and, in some embodiments, in the range of about from 0.1 to about 6% by weight. Activators

[0144] In some embodiments, the antimicrobial activity or whitening activity of the rinse aid can be improved by adding a material that, when the composition is put to use, reacts with the active oxygen to form an active component. For example, in some embodiments, a peracid or a peracid salt is formed. For example, in some embodiments, tetraacetylethylenediamine can be included in the composition to react with active oxygen to form a peracid or peracid salt that acts as an antimicrobial agent. Other examples of active oxygen activators include transition metals and compounds thereof, compounds that contain a carboxylic, nitrile, or ester moiety, or other compounds known in the art. In one embodiment, the activator includes tetraacetylethylenediamine; transition metal; compound that includes a carboxylic, nitrile or ester moiety; or mixtures thereof.

[0145] In some embodiments, an activator component may be included in the range of up to about 75% by weight of the composition, in some embodiments, in the range of about 0.01 to about 20% by weight, or in some embodiments , in the range of about 0.05 to 10% by weight of the composition. In some embodiments, an activator for an active oxygen compound combines with active oxygen to form an antimicrobial agent.

[0146] In some embodiments, the composition includes a solid rinse aid composition, such as a flake, sediment, or block solid, and an activating material for the active oxygen is coupled to the solid. The activator can be coupled to the solid by any of a variety of methods for coupling one solid composition to another. For example, the activator can be in the form of a solid that is bonded, fixed, glued or otherwise adhered to the solid of the solid rinse aid composition. Alternatively, the solid activator can be formed around and encapsulated the solid rinse aid composition. By way of further example, the solid activator may be coupled to the solid rinse aid composition by the container or package for the composition, such as by a plastic or shrink wrap or film. Filling materials

[0147] The rinse aid may optionally include a smaller but effective amount of one or more of a filler material that does not necessarily act as a rinsing and/or cleaning agent by itself, but may cooperate with a washing agent to improve the overall strength of the composition. Some examples of suitable fillers may include sodium chloride, starch, sugars, C1-C10 alkylene glycols, such as propylene glycol, and the like. In some embodiments, a filler material may be included in an amount in the range of up to about 20% by weight and, in some embodiments, in the range of about 1 to 15% by weight. Sodium sulfate is conventionally used as an inert filler material. Anti-redeposition agents

[0148] The solid rinse aid composition may optionally include an anti-redeposition agent capable of facilitating prolonged suspension of soils in a washing solution and preventing removed soils from being deposited on the substrate to be washed. Some examples of suitable anti-redeposition agents may include fatty acid amides, fluorocarbon surfactants, complex phosphate esters, copolymers of styrene and maleic anhydride, and cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyethylcellulose, hydroxypropylcellulose and the like. The solid rinse aid composition can include up to about 10% by weight and, in some embodiments, in the range of from about 1 to about 5% by weight of an anti-redeposition agent. Dyes/Fragrances

[0149]Various colorants, fragrances, including perfumes, and other aesthetic enhancing agents can also be included in the rinse aid. Dyes can be included to alter the appearance of the composition, such as FD&C Blue 1 (Sigma Chemical), FD&C Yellow 5 (Sigma Chemical), Direct Blue 86 (Miles), Fastusol Blue (Mobay Chemical Corp.), Acid Orange 7 (American Cyanamid), Basic Violet 10 (Sandoz), Acid Yellow 23 (GAF), Acid Yellow 17 (Sigma Chemical), Sap Green (Keyston Analine and Chemical), Metanyl Yellow (Keystone Analine and Chemical), Acid Blue 9 ( Hilton Davis), Sandolan Blue/Acid Blue 182 (Sandoz), Hisol Fast Red (Capitol Color and Chemical), Fluorescein (Capitol Color and Chemical), Acid Green 25 (Ciba-Geigy), and the like.

Fragrances or perfumes that can be included in compositions include, for example, terpenoids such as citronellol, aldehydes such as amyl cinnamaldehyde, a jasmine such as C1S-jasmine or jasmal, vanillin and the like. Functional Polydimethylsiloxanes

[0151] The composition can also optionally include one or more functional polydimethylsiloxanes. For example, in some embodiments, a polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxane, a nonionic surfactant, or a polybetaine-modified amphoteric polysiloxane surfactant can be used as an additive. Both, in some embodiments, are linear polysiloxane copolymers to which the polyethers or polybetaines have been coupled through a hydrosilylation reaction. Some specific examples of siloxane surfactants are known as SILWET® surfactants, available from Union Carbide or ABIL® polyether or polysiloxane polybetaine copolymers available from Goldschmidt Chemical Corp., and described in US Pat. incorporated herein by reference. In some embodiments, the specific siloxanes used can be described as having, for example, low surface tension, high wetting ability and excellent lubricity. For example, these surface active agents are said to be one of the few capable of wetting polytetrafluoroethylene surfaces. The siloxane surfactant used as an additive can be used alone or in combination with a fluorinated surfactant. In some embodiments, the fluorinated surfactant used as an additive, optionally in combination with a silane, can be, for example, a non-ionic fluorohydrocarbon, for example, fluorinated alkyl polyoxyethylene ethanol, fluorinated alkyl alkoxylate and fluorinated alkyl esters.

[0152] A more detailed description of such functional polydimethylsiloxanes and/or fluorinated surfactants are described in US Patent Nos. 5,880,088; 5,880,089; and 5,603,776, all of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. For example, the use of certain polysiloxane copolymers in a blend with hydrocarbon surfactants has been found to provide excellent rinsing aids on plastic utensils. It has also been found that the combination of certain silicone polysiloxane copolymers and fluorocarbon surfactants with conventional hydrocarbon surfactants also provide excellent rinsing aids on plastic utensils. This combination has been found to be better than the individual components, except for certain polyalkylene oxide modified polydimethylsiloxanes and polybetaine polysiloxane copolymers, where the effectiveness is approximately equivalent. Therefore, some embodiments comprise the polysiloxane copolymers alone and the combination with the fluorocarbon surfactant may involve polyether polysiloxane, the nonionic siloxane surfactants. Amphoteric siloxane surfactants, polysiloxane polybetaine copolymers can be used alone as additives in rinsing aids to provide the same results.

[0153] In some embodiments, the composition can include functional polydimethylsiloxanes in an amount in the range of up to about 10% by weight. For example, some embodiments may include in the range of from about 0.1 to 10% by weight of a polyalkylene oxide-modified polydimethylsiloxane or a polybetaine-modified polysiloxane, optionally, in combination with about 0.1 to 10% by weight. of a nonionic fluorinated hydrocarbon surfactant. humectant

[0154] The composition can also optionally include one or more wetting agents. A humectant is a substance that has an affinity for water. Humectant can be provided in an amount sufficient to help reduce the visibility of a film on the substrate surface. Visibility of a film on the substrate surface is of particular concern when the wash water contains more than 200 ppm total dissolved solids. Therefore, in some embodiments, the humectant is provided in an amount sufficient to reduce the visibility of a film on a surface of the substrate when the wash water contains more than 200 ppm total dissolved solids compared to a composition of a dewatering agent. rinse not containing humectant. The terms "film formation of water solids" or "film formation" refer to the presence of a visible, continuous layer of matter on the substrate surface which gives the impression that the substrate surface is not clean.

[0155]Some examples of humectants that can be used include materials that contain more than 5% by weight of water (based on dry humectant) and are balanced at 50% relative humidity and room temperature. Examples of usable humectants include glycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, alkyl polyglycosides, polysiloxanes, polybetaine, and mixtures thereof. In some embodiments, the rinse agent composition can include the humectant in an amount in the range of up to about 75% based on the total composition, and, in some embodiments, in the range of from about 5% by weight to about 75%. % by weight based on the weight of the composition. Other Ingredients

[0156] A wide variety of other ingredients useful in providing the inclusion of desired properties or functions to the particular composition being formulated may also be included. For example, the rinse aid can include other active ingredients, such as pH modifiers, buffering agents, enzyme cleaning, carriers, processing additives, or the like, and the like.

[0157] In addition, the rinse aid can be formulated in such a way that, during use in aqueous operations, for example, in aqueous cleaning operations, the wash water will have a desired pH. For example, compositions intended for use in the rinse may be formulated such that during use in aqueous rinse operations, the wash water will have a pH in the range of from about 3 to about 5, or in the range of about 5 to about 9. Liquid product formulations in some embodiments have a pH (10% dilution) in the range of about 2 to about 4. Techniques for controlling pH at recommended usage levels include the use of buffers , alkali, acids, etc., and are well known to those skilled in the art. Composition Processing and/or Manufacturing

[0158] The present solid composition can be made by an advantageous method of pressing the solid composition. Specifically, in a forming process, liquid and solid components are introduced into the final mixing system and are continuously mixed until the components form a substantially homogeneous semi-solid mixture, where the components are distributed throughout their mass. In an example embodiment, the components are mixed in the mixing system for at least and approximately 5 seconds. The mixture is then released from the mixing system into, or through, a mold, press, or other shaping means. The product is then packaged. In an example embodiment, the solid composition formed begins to harden from about 1 minute to about 3 hours. Particularly, the formed composition starts to harden from about 1 minute to about 2 hours. More particularly, the formed composition begins to harden from about 1 minute to about 20 minutes.

[0159] The method of the present invention can produce a stable solid without the use of melting and solidification of the molten material as in conventional casting. The formation of a molten material requires heating a composition to melt it. The heat can be applied externally or it can be produced by releasing chemical heat (eg from a mixture of caustic material (sodium hydroxide) and water). Heating a composition consumes energy. Handling hot molten material requires safety precautions and equipment. In addition, solidification of a molten material requires cooling the molten material in a vessel to solidify the molten material and form the molten solid. Cooling requires time and/or energy. In contrast, the present method can utilize ambient temperature and humidity during solidification or hardening of the present compositions. The solids of the present invention are held together not by solidifying a molten material, but rather by a binding agent produced in the mixed particles which is effective to produce a stable solid.

[0160] Although the invention can be advantageously formed into solid by pressing, other methods of solid formation can also be used, such as extrusion, casting by molding and the like.

[0161] In an embodiment example, a single or twin screw extruder can be used to combine and blend one or more high shear component agents to form a homogeneous mixture. In some embodiments, the processing temperature is equal to or less than the melting temperature of the components. The processed mixture can be distributed from the mixer by pressing, shaping, extrusion or other suitable means, after which the composition hardens into solid form. The matrix structure can be characterized according to its hardness, melting point, material distribution, crystal structure, and other similar properties according to methods known in the art. Generally, a solid composition processed according to the method of the invention is substantially homogeneous with respect to the distribution of ingredients throughout its mass and is dimensionally stable.

[0162] The resulting solid composition may take forms, including, but not limited to: an extruded, molded or formed solid pellet, block, pellet, powder, granulate, flaked form; or the solid formed can then be crushed or formed into a powder, granule or flakes. In an example embodiment, the formed extruded pellet materials have a weight of about 50 grams to about 250 grams, the extruded solids have a weight of about 100 grams or more, and formed solid blocks have a mass of about about 100 grams. from 1 to about 10 kilograms. Solid compositions provide a stable source of functional materials. In a preferred embodiment, the solid composition can be dissolved, for example, in an aqueous or other medium, to create a concentrated and/or wearable solution. The solution can be directed to a storage vessel for further use and/or dilution, or it can be applied directly to a point of use.

[0163] In certain embodiments, the solid rinse aid composition is provided in the form of a single dose. A single dose refers to a unit of solid rinse aid composition, sized so that the entire unit is used during a single wash cycle. When the solid cleaning composition is provided as a single dose, it can have a mass of from about 1 g to about 50 g. In other embodiments, the composition can be a solid, pellet, or lozenge having a size of from about 50 g to 250 g, from about 100 g or more, or from about 40 g to about 11,000 g.

[0164] In other embodiments, the solid rinse aid composition is provided in the form of a multi-use solid, such as a block or a plurality of pellets, and can be used repeatedly to create aqueous rinse compositions for multiple uses. wash cycles. In certain embodiments, the solid rinse aid composition is provided as a solid having a mass of about 5 g to 10 kg. In certain embodiments, a multi-use form of solid rinse aid composition has a mass of about 1 to 10 kg. In other embodiments, a multi-use form of solid rinse aid composition has a mass from about 5 kg to about 8 kg. In other embodiments, a multi-use form of solid rinse aid composition has a mass of about 5 g to about 1 kg, or about 5 g and 500 g. Packaging System

[0165] The solid rinse aid composition can be, but is not necessarily, incorporated into a packaging or reservoir system. The packaging reservoir or container can be rigid or flexible, and includes any material suitable for containing the produced compositions, such as, for example, glass, metal, plastic film or sheet, cardboard, cardboard composites, paper, or the like. Rinse aid compositions can be allowed to solidify in the package or can be packaged after solids have formed in commonly available packages and shipped to the distribution center, prior to shipment to the consumer.

[0166] In the case of solids, advantageously, in at least some embodiments, since the rinse is processed at or near room temperature, the temperature of the processed mixture is sufficiently low so that the mixture can be molded or extruded directly inside the container or other packaging system without structurally damaging the material. As a result, a greater variety of materials can be used to fabricate the container than those used for compositions processed and dispensed under melt conditions. In some embodiments, the package used to contain the rinse aid is fabricated from an easy-to-open, flexible film material. Distribution/Use of Rinse Aid

[0167]Rinse aid can be distributed as a concentrate or as a use solution. In addition, the rinse aid concentrate can be supplied in a solid form or a liquid form. In general, the concentrate is expected to be diluted with water to provide the use solution which is then applied to the surface of a substrate. In some embodiments, the aqueous wear solution may contain about 2,000 parts per million (ppm) or less of active ingredients, or about 1,000 ppm or less of active ingredients, or in the range of about 10 ppm to about 500 ppm of active ingredients, or in the range of about 10 to about 300 ppm, or in the range of about 10 to 200 ppm.

[0168] The use solution can be applied to the substrate during a rinse application, for example, during a rinse cycle, for example, in a dishwasher, a car wash application, cleaning equipment surfaces and health service or similar structures. In some embodiments, formation of a wear solution can occur from a rinsing agent installed in a washing machine, for example, in a dish tray. The rinsing agent can be diluted and dispensed from a dispenser mounted on or inside the machine or from a separate dispenser that is mounted separately but cooperatively with the dishwasher.

[0169] For example, in some embodiments, liquid rinsing agents can be dispensed by introducing compatible packaging containing the liquid material into a dispenser adapted to dilute the liquid with water to an end use concentration. Some examples of dispensers for the liquid rinsing agent of the invention are DRYMASTER-P sold by Ecolab Inc., St. Paul, Minn.

[0170] In another embodiment example, solid products can be conveniently distributed by inserting a solid material in a container or without casing in a sprayer type distributor, such as the volume system SOL-ET controlled ECOTEMP Rinse Injection Cylinder system manufactured by Ecolab Inc., St. Paul, Minn. Such a dispenser cooperates with a washing machine in the rinse cycle. When required by the machine, the dispenser directs water to the solid block of rinsing agent, which effectively dissolves a portion of the block creating a concentrated aqueous rinse solution, which is then fed directly into the rinse water forming the aqueous rinse. The aqueous rinse is then brought into contact with the surfaces to perform a thorough rinse. This dispenser and other similar dispensers are able to control the effective concentration of the active portion in the aqueous rinse by measuring the volume of material distributed, the actual concentration of material in the rinse water (an electrolyte measured with an electrode), or by means of measuring the sprayer time on the cast block. In general, the concentration of the active moiety in the aqueous rinse is preferably the same as that identified above for liquid rinsing agents. Some other embodiments of spray-type dispensers are disclosed in US Pat. 4,826,661, 4,690,305, 4,687,121, 4,426,362 and in US Patent Nos. Re 32,763 and 32,818, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. An example of a particular form of product is shown in FIG. 9 of US Patent Application No. 6,258,765, which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0171] The composition of the invention is particularly beneficial for use with hard water. The composition can provide good wash and water hardness levels of up to 20gpg.

[0172] In some embodiments, it is believed that the solid rinse aid composition of the invention can be used in an aqueous environment with a high solids content in order to reduce the appearance of a visible film caused by the level of dissolved solids in the water channeled. In general, water having a high solids content is considered to be water with a total dissolved solids (STD) content of more than 200 ppm. In certain localities, tap water contains dissolved solids in excess of 400 ppm, and even greater than 800 ppm. Applications where the presence of a visible film after washing a substrate is a particular problem include restaurant or dishwasher industry, car wash industry, cart wash and health instrument reprocessing sections, and general cleaning of hard surfaces.

[0173] When used in these automated washing applications, such as dishwashers and health instrument and cart washers, the rinse aid should provide an effective action on film formation and low foaming ability. It is believed that the solid rinse aid composition of this invention is boldly formulated to control the aforementioned problems. Methods and Compositions for Cleaning, Rinsing, and Antimicrobial Treating Carts, Cages, Instruments, or Medical Devices

[0174] The present methods and compositions of the solid rinse aid composition can be used for cleaning a cart, cage, instrument or medical device in a medical or healthcare environment. Typically, cleaning a cart, cage, instrument or medical device includes contacting the cart, cage, instrument or medical device with an aqueous cleaning composition and then, in accordance with the invention, rinsing or contacting these with a rinse solution comprising a dissolved rinse aid of the invention. The method may also involve antimicrobial treatment of the cart, cage, instrument or medical device by contacting an aqueous antimicrobial composition formed by dissolving or suspending a solid antimicrobial composition, preferably a solid quaternary ammonium or solid halogen antimicrobial composition.

[0175] Contact with a cleaning composition can be performed by manual application to a washing area or compartment or by application by means of cart, cage, instrument or device washing apparatus. In a manual method, rinsing and/or antimicrobial treatment may also take place in the wash area or compartment, or in a separate area or compartment. A typical cart, cage, instrument or device washing apparatus includes a washing station that applies the cleaning composition. Typically, such washing apparatus also includes a rinsing station that can rinse the cart, cage, instrument or device with water or other suitable rinsing composition, such as a neutralizing or neutral solid rinsing composition. Such washing apparatus may also optionally include an antimicrobial treatment station that can contact the cart, cage, instrument or device with a dissolved solid antimicrobial composition, such as a solid quaternary ammonium or solid halogen antimicrobial composition. A washing apparatus may perform one or more wash, rinse and/or antimicrobial treatment steps in one, two, three, or more stations.

[0176] The present methods and compositions for rinsing a cart, cage, instrument or medical device may be used for rinsing a cart, cage, instrument or medical device made of a variety of materials in a medical or service environment of health. Typically, rinsing a cart, cage, instrument or medical device includes rinsing the cart, cage, instrument or medical device using an aqueous rinse composition formed by dissolving or suspending the solid rinsing composition of the present invention.

[0177] Contact with a rinse composition can be performed by manual application to a rinse area or compartment or by application by means of cart, cage, instrument or device washing apparatus. In a manual method, cleaning and/or antimicrobial treatment can also take place in the rinse area or compartment, or in a separate area or compartment. A typical trolley, cage, instrument or device washing apparatus includes a rinse station that can rinse the trolley, cage, instrument or device with a liquid rinse composition formed from a neutralizing or neutral solid rinse composition. Such washing apparatus may also optionally include a washing station and/or antimicrobial treatment.

[0178] The antimicrobial composition used for either manual or machine antimicrobial treatment of the cart, cage, instrument or medical device may be a solid antimicrobial composition, preferably a solid quaternary ammonium or solid halogen antimicrobial composition, which is described in more detail below. Methods for Medical Cart Cleaning

[0179]The cleaning of the medical cart can be done manually or with a machine. Manual cleaning of the medical cart may include preparing a composition using a solid cleaning composition and applying it to the medical cart. Typically, the application process includes cleaning or scrubbing the medical cart with a brush, towel, or sponge soaked with the cleaning composition. The application may also include spraying the cart with the use composition. Manual cleaning of the medical cart may also include preparing a composition using a rinse composition, preferably a neutral rinse composition, and applying the same to the medical cart. Applying a rinse composition may include spraying, pouring, or trolling the use composition. Manual cleaning of the medical cart may also include preparing a composition for use from a solid antimicrobial composition, preferably solid quaternary ammonium or solid halogen antimicrobial composition and applying the same to the medical cart. Applying an antimicrobial composition can include spraying, pouring, or trolling the composition for use. Medical cart drying either manually or by air drying typically comes after rinsing.

[0180] The medical cart cleaning machine can utilize any of a variety of medical cart cleaning apparatus configurations. Such apparatus may be adapted to dispense the solid detergent, the solid rinse aid composition of the invention and/or the antimicrobial composition. A medical cart cleaning apparatus typically includes at least one chamber that houses the medical cart during washing, rinsing and/or antimicrobial treatment.

[0181]Smaller medical cart cleaning apparatus typically include a single chamber capable of housing, for example, 1 to 3 medical carts. Medical carts can be introduced into the smaller apparatus by an operator through a door or other covered opening in the chamber. The apparatus then subjects the carts in the chamber to one or more wash, rinse, antimicrobial treatment, and/or drying cycles. The washing process normally takes place by spraying the medical cart with a use wash composition. The rinsing process normally takes place by spraying the medical cart with a use rinse composition. Optionally, the antimicrobial treatment can occur by spraying the medical cart with an antimicrobial use composition. Drying can occur by directing ambient or heated air, or by steam treatment. Medical carts can be removed from the chamber by an operator through the same door or another covered opening or through an exit door or other covered opening on an opposite side of the device.

[0182] Larger medical cart cleaning apparatus typically include a transport device that transports one or more carts through one or more chambers, including washing, rinsing stations, optionally antimicrobial treatment, and/or drying. Such a medical cart cleaning device may resemble a touchless car wash sized and configured to clean medical carts instead of cars. Typically, the cart is transported through the washing, rinsing, optional antimicrobial treatment, and/or drying stations, by an apparatus with a track or rail when inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal, with its doors (if any ) open. This movement can keep the doors open and allow liquid to drain from any normally horizontal surfaces of the medical cart. The entrance of a larger medical cart cleaning apparatus can be covered, for example, by a door or with overhanging plastic strips that allow the entry of carts but retain the compositions of use in the apparatus. The wash station normally sprays the medical cart with the use wash composition. The rinse station normally sprays the medical cart with use rinse composition. An optional antimicrobial treatment plant typically sprays the medical cart with the antimicrobial composition in use. At the drying station, blowers direct ambient or heated air over the cart, or the cart is steam treated. Alternatively, the cart can be removed from the device and dried with towels. One or more stations can be in the same locations, in different locations, or in overlapping locations. The appliance outlet can be covered in the same way as the inlet.

[0183] Mechanical trolley washers can use up to about 30 to about 40 gallons of the cleaning composition use composition per wash cycle, up to about 30 to about 40 gallons of the rinse composition use composition per rinse cycle, and, optionally, up to about 30 to about 40 gallons of the antimicrobial composition of use per antimicrobial treatment cycle. The actual amount of cleaning, rinsing, or antimicrobial composition used will be based on user judgment, and will depend on factors such as the particular composition product formulation, composition concentration, number of dirty carts to be cleaned, and the degree of dirt on the trolleys.

[0184] A machine that washes medical carts can also be used to wash other equipment or medical utensil with wheels, such as wheelchairs, support with wheels, such as those that hold intravenous bags, tubes and pumps, racks with wheels (metro ), and the like.

EXEMPLO 1[0185]The above description provides a basis for a broad understanding of the pros and cons of the invention. The following examples and test data provide an understanding of certain specific embodiments of the invention. These examples are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise indicated, all parts, percentages and ratios reported in the following examples are based by weight, and all reagents used in the examples were obtained, or are available, from the chemical suppliers described below or can be synthesized by techniques conventional ones. EXAMPLES The following materials are used in the following examples: Plurafac SLF-180: Fatty alcohol alkoxylate Dehypon GRA: Fatty alcohol alkoxylate Kathon - preservative available from Dow Chemical with active ingredient 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3 -one and 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one Sodium Xylene Sulphonate Citric Acid Control is Water (0 or 17gpg depending on experimental purpose). Commercial Rinse Aid A is a commercially available rinse aid from Steris. Commercial Rinse Aid B is a commercially available rinse aid from Getinge which includes phosphoric acid. Commercial Rinse Aid C is a liquid rinse aid commercially available from Ecolab. Commercial Rinse Aid D is a solid rinse aid commercially available from Ecolab that does not include any hardness or STD components. The compositions of the invention were formulated and tested as below.

EXAMPLE 1

6. Aos 2 frascos de vidro controle (água 17 grãos), franceses quadrados e separados, de 200 mL foi adicionado, juntamente com as superfícies; lâmina de aço inoxidável 304, acabamento #4, e vidro para microscópio em cada frasco separado. Os frascos foram rotulados. 7. A etapa 6 foi repetida para todos os produtos químicos com água 17 grãos. 8. Todos os frascos foram colocados em um forno de temperatura controlada a 70 °C e incubados durante 8 horas.[0186] A hardness test was performed with commercially available rinsing aid and compositions of the invention using the following methodology. Hardness Test (17 Grain Water) 304 Stainless Steel & Glass Microscope Slide 1. Get 15 of each coupon: 304 stainless steel, #4 finish, and glass (microscope slides). 2. Wash each coupon carefully with a soft sponge and Pantastic®. Rinse with 5 grain water and DI water. Place on a flat surface and allow to dry overnight. 3. Obtain 30 8 ounce square French glass jars. 4. Rinse each vial with 5 grain water and DI water, place on a flat surface and allow to dry overnight. 5. Prepare the following chemicals:

6. To the 2 control glass vials (water 17 grains), French square and separated, 200 mL was added, along with the surfaces; 304 stainless steel blade, #4 finish, and microscope glass in each separate vial. The vials were labeled. 7. Step 6 was repeated for all 17 grain water chemicals. 8. All vials were placed in a temperature-controlled oven at 70°C and incubated for 8 hours.

[0187] The results are shown in Figure 1. As can be seen from the image analysis means, it can be seen that the compositions of the present invention outperform the other auxiliary rinse products. EXAMPLE 2

5. A um béquer de 1L, foram adicionados 1000 mL de controle (água 0 grão + 1000 ppm de NaCl); o béquer foi colocado em um microondas e aquecido a 150°F. O béquer foi então colocado em um banho-maria do aparelho para prova de imersão (temperatura da água regulada para 150°F). 6. Configurar o aparelho para prova de imersão para ter o cupom na solução para absorção estática durante 1 minuto. 7. Após um minuto, quando o cupom sai da solução e a placa (plank) levantou por completo, os cupons são suspensos em ar durante 2 minutos. 8. Após 2 minutos, o cupom é removido do aparelho para prova de imersão e deixado em um suporte na posição vertical para arrefecer até a temperatura ambiente. 9. As etapas 4 a 7 foram repetidas para todos os produtos químicos com água de 0 grão.[0188] Next, the performance of the different rinsing aids was tested at different levels of total dissolved solids according to the following methodology. Total Dissolved Solids (1000 ppm NaCl in Water 0 Grains) Stainless Steel 304, Finish #4 1. Before starting, the immersion test apparatus was preheated to 150°F. 2. Get 15 of each coupon: 304 stainless steel, finish #4 (3 x 5 in). 3. Wash each coupon carefully with a soft sponge and Pantastic®. Rinse with 5 grain water and DI water. Place on a flat surface and allow to dry overnight. 4. Prepare the following chemicals in a 1L beaker:

5. To a 1L beaker, 1000 mL of control (0 grain water + 1000 ppm NaCl) was added; the beaker was placed in a microwave and heated to 150°F. The beaker was then placed in a water bath of the device for immersion testing (water temperature set at 150°F). 6. Set up the immersion test device to have the coupon in the static absorption solution for 1 minute. 7. After one minute, when the coupon comes out of solution and the plate (plank) has completely lifted, the coupons are suspended in air for 2 minutes. 8. After 2 minutes, the coupon is removed from the instrument for immersion testing and left on a stand in an upright position to cool to room temperature. 9. Steps 4 to 7 were repeated for all chemicals with 0 grain water.

6. Aos 2 frascos de vidro controle (água 0 grão), franceses quadrados e separados, de 200 mL foi adicionado o material a ser estudado juntamente com os cupons; exemplo: alumínio 6061 e alumínio 1100. Os frascos foram rotulados. 7. A Etapa 6 foi repetida para cada produto químico com água 0 grão. 8. Todos os frascos foram colocados no forno a 160°F e incubados durante 8 horas. 9. Os cupons foram removidos de cada solução de teste com uma pinça limpa. 10. A espectrometria com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP) foi utilizada para analisar a concentração de Al em cada solução de teste, respectivamente.[0189] The results are shown in Figure 2. It can be seen that the compositions of the present invention outperform all other rinses with higher levels of total dissolved solids in the rinse water. EXAMPLE 3 Corrosion of Materials/Compatibility Test (0 grain water) 1. Obtain coupons for the desired substrate material (aluminum). 2. Wash each coupon thoroughly with a soft sponge and commercially available detergent. Rinse with 0 grain water and DI water. Place on a flat surface and allow to dry overnight. 3. Obtain 8 oz. square French glass jars. 4. Wash each bottle with 0 grain water and DI water, place on a flat surface and allow to dry overnight. 5. Prepare the following chemicals:

6. The material to be studied was added to the 2 control glass vials (0 grain water), squared and separated, with 200 mL, together with the coupons; example: 6061 aluminum and 1100 aluminum. The vials have been labeled. 7. Step 6 was repeated for each chemical with 0 grain water. 8. All vials were placed in the 160°F oven and incubated for 8 hours. 9. Coupons were removed from each test solution with clean forceps. 10. Inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP) was used to analyze the Al concentration in each test solution, respectively.

[0190] Figure 3 shows the results for coupon A1 and it can be seen that the compositions of the invention showed very little corrosion. Other metal coupons tested showed that the formulations of the invention are compatible with all metals. EXAMPLE 4

[0191] The foaming trend in use has been tested in Sump solutions below.

1. Lavar a proveta graduada abundantemente com água macia, seguido de água DI e ar seco. 2. Preparar solução de reservatório desejada de 5% e/ou 10% para simulação do auxiliar de enxágue sólido, mexer até dissolver. 3. Verter 150 mL da solução a 5% ou 10% ou o auxiliar de enxágue líquido comercial à proveta graduada e fechar com uma tampa. 4. A partir de uma posição vertical, girar o cilindro em cerca de 180° e voltar para a posição vertical. 5. Repetir esta ação 10 vezes a uma frequência de cerca de 1 ciclo/segundo. 6. A altura da espuma foi registada imediatamente quando o cilindro foi colocado sobre a superfície plana. Leia a altura da espuma como a diferença entre o topo do nível do líquido e o topo do nível de espuma. A parte superior do nível de espuma é o nível no qual a espuma é opaca e que o operador não consegue ver através do cilindro. 7. Repetir o procedimento para cada produto químico.[0192]The inversion foam test is used to simulate the agitation of the reservoir solution. The rinse additive is added to the graduated cylinder, and the foam generated is measured after 10 180° inversions. APPARATUS AND MATERIALS: 1. Graduated cylinder with a 250 mL stopper. 2. Water 5 grains at room temperature.

1. Rinse the graduated cylinder thoroughly with soft water, followed by DI water and dry air. 2. Prepare desired 5% and/or 10% reservoir solution to simulate solid rinse aid, stir until dissolved. 3. Pour 150 ml of the 5% or 10% solution or commercial liquid rinsing aid into the graduated cylinder and close with a lid. 4. From a vertical position, rotate the cylinder about 180° and return to the vertical position. 5. Repeat this action 10 times at a frequency of about 1 cycle/second. 6. The height of the foam was recorded immediately when the cylinder was placed on the flat surface. Read the foam height as the difference between the top of the liquid level and the top of the foam level. The top of the foam level is the level at which the foam is opaque and the operator cannot see through the cylinder. 7. Repeat procedure for each chemical.

[0193] The results are shown in Figure 4 and again here the formulations of the invention demonstrated better foam control. OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS

[0194] It should be understood that although the invention has been described in conjunction with its detailed description, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate, and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.

[0195] In addition, the contents of all patent publications discussed above are incorporated in their entirety by this reference.

[0196] It should be understood that, whenever values and ranges are provided herein, all values and ranges comprised by these values and ranges are included within the scope of the present invention. In addition, all values that fall within these ranges, as well as the upper or lower limits of a range of values, are also covered by this application. EXAMPLE 5

[0197]Finally, the following procedure was used to evaluate the foaming tendency of the different rinse additives in usage concentrations. EVALUATION OF FOAM RINSING ADDITIVE APPLIANCES AND MATERIALS: 1. Glewwe Foam appliance. 2. Warm soft water. 3 . Weighing containers (small and large). PROCEDURE: 1 . Rinse the Glewwe appliance carefully, filling it with soft water and starting the pump. Drain the device through the opening of the port valve. If foam is generated during this cleaning, repeat the procedure until it is not generated. two . Close the gate valve and remove the top cover. 3 . Fill the chimney with hot soft water based on the ruler, 0", 3L of water. 4 .Turn on the pump switch and adjust the temperature to 100, 120, 140 or 160°F by adding soft or cold or hot water. Tests were performed at 160°F. 5. Adjust pressure to 6 psi using knob located below pressure gauge. Stop pump. 6. Reset water level to 0" if necessary. 7. Turn on pump, allow pressure to reach 6 psi, and add desired concentration of rinse additive or surfactant combination to be evaluated. Record the time. 8. After 1 minute, turn off the pump and record the height and foam characteristics at time zero, 15 seconds and 1 minute. 9 .Open the door valve to drain the machine and repeat the cleaning procedure. 10 STABLE - foam dissolves quickly (less than 15 seconds) PARTIALLY STABLE - foam dissolves slowly (over one minute) STABLE - foam remains for several minutes

[0198]The results are shown in Figure 5. The data show that the foam concentration profile of the dispenser pump is better than the controls. Foam control is a very important aspect of rinsing aids.

Claims (12)

1. Solid composition of rinse aid CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: an acid which is natural or treated to be in solid form at room temperature; from 50% by weight to 80% by weight of one or more short chain alkylbenzene and/or alkyl naphthalene sulfonates selected from the group consisting of: sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate , ammonium xylene sulfonate, calcium xylene sulfonate, sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate, and sodium butyl naphthalene sulfonate; and one or more nonionic surfactants. 2. Rinse aid according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said short chain alkylbenzene sulfonate is sodium xylene sulfonate or sodium cumene sulfonate. 3. Composition, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it further comprises a chelator, wherein said chelator is GLDA. 4. Composition according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said acid is citric acid. 5. Composition according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said solid acid is present in an amount from 5% by weight to 40% by weight. 6. Method for producing a solid composition of the rinse aid, as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that it comprises: a. mixing a solid acid, nonionic surface active agent and short chain alkylbenzene and/or alkyl naphthalene sulfonates; B. allowing said mixture to stand still, and thereafter c. adding any liquid components of said rinse aid, such as preservative, additional surfactant, water, and colorants; d. form a solid with the rinse aid mixture by pressing or extrusion. 7. Method according to claim 6, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that in step b, said mixture is left to stand for 1 or more days. 8. Method for rinsing a hard surface in a cleaning application, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises: a. providing a solid composition of the rinse aid as defined in claim 1; B. place the composition of the rinse aid in contact with water to form a use solution; and c. apply the use solution to the hard surface. 9. Method according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said use solution comprises 2,000 ppm or less of active materials. 10. Method according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said contact is by directing the water over a solid block of the rinsing aid. 11. Method according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said solid rinse aid is dissolved in a use solution through said contact. 12. Method according to claim 8, CHARACTERIZED by the fact that said hard surface comprises metal, glass, plastic, ceramic or tile.

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