BRPI0415071B1 - CLEANING METHOD - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to method of treating fabric by the production of a stable foam from a cleaning formulation and applying the stable foam to the fabric, the invention includes the formulation itself comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide as sodium percarbonate and at least one other surfactant.

Description

The invention relates to a method of treating soft surfaces by producing a stable foam from a solution of a cleaning formulation and applying the stable foam to the fabric. invention including the cleaning formulation itself comprising a source of hydrogen peroxide, such as sodium percarbonate, and at least one surfactant. The invention includes a device for preparing stable foam. We have discovered a new method of removing stains from soft surfaces by producing a stable foam which is formed from a cleaning formulation as described herein. The stable foam can be used for direct stain treatment on soft surfaces (fabric or carpet) and is prepared by mixing a solution of a cleaning formulation, preferably in combination with aeration for preferably less than 5 minutes. , 4, 3, 2 minutes: Preferably, the foam is formed rapidly, in less than 1 minute, between 5 and 50, 10 and 40 seconds from mixing with water. Preferably, the cleaning formulation is a solid, such as a granular, compacted or powdered composition, ideally the cleaning formulation is granular or powdered to aid dissolution in water. Preferably, heated water is used (above 25, 30, 40 or 50 ° C, ideally below 80, 70, 60, 50 ° C). We present as a feature of the invention a method of cleaning stains on a soft surface, the method comprising mixing (preferably dissolving) a solid, preferably a powder cleaning formulation in water, the formulation comprising a source of active oxygen and at least one surfactant with water to form a stable foam and apply the foam directly to the soft stained surface.

Another feature of the invention includes a device for aerating aqueous surfactant mixtures comprising a cellular plastic attached to a rigid support surface, the opposing face of the rigid support surface being attached to a cable.

A further feature of the invention includes a soft surface spotting kit comprising a solid, preferably a spotting powder composition comprising an active oxygen source and at least one surfactant and a blending / aerating device. cleaning composition to form a stable foam for application to the stain.

Further, optional subsequent steps include one or more of the following: a) rubbing the softly stained surface; (b) cleaning the fabric in a washing machine with or without the addition of a fabric detergent; c) rinse the soft surface stable foam formulation with water. The time period between application of the stable foam and any of the subsequent steps is at least 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 seconds, ideally more than 1, 2 or 3 minutes, advisably the stable foam is not left for longer. 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5 or 4 minutes.

By the term stable it is understood that the foam retains at least 80%, 90% or 95% of its volume for 2 minutes after its formation. Ideally, the foam is prepared by dissolving 15 grams of solid composition in 100 ml of water at 40 ° C. Stable foam may be prepared by any suitable mixing device or aeration device to incorporate air into the cleaning formulation solution. The mixing device offers particular advantages in ensuring that all solid composition is dissolved prior to application. This helps in preventing fiber damage or color on the soft surface, as undissolved solids found on the fiber can provide localized damage, largely due to the high concentration of active oxygen. By simply applying stable foam to the fabric, such damage is virtually eliminated as undissolved solids remain in the water container bottle.

A cleaning solution containing a foaming surfactant is required for the preparation of stable foam. In addition, the inclusion in the cleaning formulation of an active oxygen source causes oxygen to be produced during dissolution, further providing a rapid development of stable foam. In addition to the device, the container is also ideally required where stable foam is prepared.

As a preferred feature of the invention, stable foam is prepared by the use of cellular plastic. Cellular plastics are those with a density of between 1 and 500 kg / m3, preferably between 20 and 80 kg / m3 and an average pore diameter of at least 0.1 mm, preferably at least 0.4 mm. Ideally, cellular plastic has a porosity of> 50%,> 60%,> 70% or> 80%. "Porosity" according to the embodiment is obtained by measuring with an automatic dry densimeter an apparent volume and a true volume of the cellular plastic material and calculated according to the following equation: Porosity% = (volume true volume) / apparent volume x 100 0 "average pore diameter" is a value measured according to ASTM (Designation: D4404-84) and is specifically a value determined by measuring pore diameter according to a mercury penetration process using a mercury porosimeter manufactured by Porous Material, Inc.

Suitable cellular plastics are those readily available, for example, from Euro Foam, Miarka and Menshen, and are made from any water-insoluble plastic such as cellulose, polyurethane, polyester, polyether or mixtures thereof.

Preferably, the cellular plastic is attached to a cable so that the user does not need to keep their hands moist. The device comprising the cellular plastic is dipped into the solution containing cleaning formulation and compressed several times so that the liquid is aerated to form the stable foam when the formulation is squeezed through the cellular plastic. The device may be moved up and down by pushing it against the bottom of a suitable container until the cleaning formulation is transformed into the stable foam. The time required to create the foam with a suitable cellular plastic is very short, between 10 and 60 seconds, typically under 2 minutes. The solution is pumped by each up and down movement through the pores of the cellular plastic to form the stable foam. Excess fluid may be squeezed from the cellular plastic component. The cellular plastic can then be immersed in the foam and applied to the surface to be treated. The device can also be used to scrub the surface with the cellular plastic component. During the scrubbing action, the cleaning foam may penetrate the stain more easily and may furthermore be adsorbed onto the cellular plastic. To complete the cleaning, a rinse step might be required or possibly, in the case of a fabric, a normal wash can be done in a washing machine.

Referring to Figure 1, the device consists of at least three components, a cable 1, a support 2 and a cellular plastic 3, secured to the cable by a glue or thermal seal. The cable (1) may be formed, for example, by a piece or two identical adhering parts held together by a screw system. Each adhesive has a diameter of 1 mm to 6 cm, preferably 3 mm to 12 mm, and may have a recess running through the center to reduce weight and material costs. The wall thickness of the cable (1) is 0.1 mm to 1 mm, preferably 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm. The cable length may range from 1 cm to 25 cm, preferably from 3 cm to 15 cm. The cable can be made of wood, metal or plastic. Preferably it is a plastic material and more preferred plastic materials are polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or PET. The cable is attached to a support (2) which is a disc with a diameter of 1 cm to 30 cm, preferably 3 cm to 10 cm. The thickness may range from 0.1 mm to 12 cm, preferably from 0.5 to 10 mm. The support (2) can be made of wood, metal or plastic. Preferably it is a plastic material and more preferred are polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene or PET. The cellular plastic (3) may be of any shape, but is preferably cylindrical in shape. The diameter may range from 1 cm to 20 cm, preferably from 3 cm to 10 cm. The height may range from 0.1 mm to 50 mm, preferably from 1 to 10 mm. Cellular plastics may be made of synthetic materials such as polyurethane, polyester, polyether or a embodiment thereof or natural cellulose. The support (2) may be secured to the cable (1) by heat sealing, with a glue or any other thread type system. The cellular plastic (3) is secured to the support (2) by heat sealing or with a glue.

Preferably, the cleansing formulation contains oleoyl sarcosinate (preferably as a sodium salt), a source of active oxygen such as sodium percarbonate and preferably at least one other surfactant. We have found that better performance is observed with the use of oleoyl sarcosinate, especially where the composition is applied directly to the stain. The above surfactant types may be used in combination with other surfactants such as alcohol ethoxylates and alkyl sulfates. A combination of alkyl naphthalene sulfonates and oleoyl sarcosinates provides improved stain removal efficiency for laundry detergent products. The combination of alkyl naphthalene sulfonate surfactants and oleoyl sarcosinate of the present invention may also be used in combination with an active oxygen source such as sodium percarbonate and bleach activators such as TAED. Other ingredients that may be used include polymers, chelating agents, fillers, solvents, enzymes, fragrances and other miscellaneous components such as preservatives, dyes, thickeners and antifoaming agents.

The actives present in the detergent formulations of the present invention include one or more of the following: a) anionic and / or nonionic surfactant, preferably an oleoyl sarcosinate and / or an alkyl naphthalene sulfonate and / or an alkyl sulfate, each in an overall level of from 0.1 to 30% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 20% by weight and ideally from 1 to 10% by weight; b) source of active oxygen, such as sodium percarbonate, preferably in a range from 0.1 to 80% by weight, preferably from 10 to 70% by weight and, ideally, 30 to 60% by weight; c) builder, such as polymers or chelating agents, preferably in a range from 0.1 to 80 wt%, preferably from 1 to 60 wt% and ideally from 10 to 50 wt%; d) bleach activator, such as TAED, preferably at a level of from 0.1 to 8% by weight, preferably from 0.2 to 7% by weight; e) over-wetting agent, preferably at a level of from 0.01 to 10% by weight; f) filler, such as sodium sulfate, preferably up to 100% of the composition of the formula.

Ideally, the soft surface is a fabric, ideally towel. The composition is particularly effective on colored fabric, especially cotton, providing color-safe bleach composition.

Alkyl sulfate Alkyl sulfate surfactants for use herein are those according to the formula R2SO4M, wherein R2 represents a saturated or unsaturated alkyl group containing from 9 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 9 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably from 9 to 15, even more preferably 9 to 12 and even more preferably 10. The alkyl group may be in a straight or branched configuration and preferably in a straight configuration. M is H or a cation, for example an alkali metal cation (e.g. sodium, potassium, lithium, calcium, magnesium) or ammonium or substituted ammonium cations. Specific examples of ammonium cations include methyl-, dimethyl-, trimethylammonium and quaternary ammonium cations such as tetramethylammonium, dimethyl piperidinium and alkanolamine-derived cations such as ethylamine, diethylamine, triethylamine and mixtures thereof.

Suitable examples are: sodium, potassium, ammonium, nonyl sulfate, decyl sulfate, dodecyl sulfate and / or octyl decyl sulfate. For example, sodium decyl sulfate is commercially available from ALLBRIGHT & WILLSON under the brand name EMPICOL 0137®.

Alkyl naphthalene sulfonate Anionic alkyl naphthalene sulfonate surfactants are described in the formula below: wherein R is a straight or branched chain alkyl having from about 1 to about 25 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated, and the longest linear portion of the Alkyl chain has 15 carbon atoms or less on average, M is a cation capable of making the compound more water soluble than free acid, especially preferred is an alkali metal (such as sodium or magnesium) or ammonium or ammonium cation substituted.

Oleoyl sarcosinate Oleoyl sarcosinate is described below: wherein R and R 1 are straight or branched chain alkyl having from 1 to about 30 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated, and the longest average linear portion of the alkyl chain is 15 carbon atoms or less, M is a cation capable of rendering the compound more water soluble than free acid, especially preferred is an alkali metal (such as sodium, potassium or magnesium) or substituted ammonium or ammonium cation, NRX ex is from 0 to 4.

Additional surfactants The preferred total level of surfactant is in the range of 0.01 to 50 wt%, ideally 0.1 to 30 wt% and preferably 0.5 to 10 wt%. Additional anionic and nonionic surfactants may be used. The nonionic surfactant is preferably a surfactant having a formula RO (CH 2 CH 2 O) n H wherein R is a mixture of straight carbon hydrocarbon chains oscillating from C 12 H 25 to C 16 H 33 n and represents the number of repeating units and is a number from about 1 to about 12. Examples of other nonionic surfactants include higher aliphatic primary alcohol containing about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms, which are condensed with about three to thirty moles of carbon oxide. ethylene.

Other examples of nonionic surfactants include primary alcohol ethoxylates (available under the trademark Neodol of Shell Co.), such as Cu molar alkanol condensed with 9 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 1-9), C12-13 alkanol condensed with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-6.5), C12-13 alkanol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-9), C1-6 alkanol condensed with 7 or 3 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 25-7 or Neodol 25-3), C14-15 alkanol condensed with 13 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-13), Cg-a linear ethoxylated alcohol, with an average of 2.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mol of alcohol (Neodol 91-2.5) and the like.

Other examples of nonionic surfactants suitable for use in the present invention include ethylene oxide condensate products of secondary aliphatic alcohols containing 11 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration condensed with 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of commercially available nonionic detergents of the preceding type are Cu-15 secondary alkanol condensed with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-9) or 12 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-12) marketed by Union Carbide, a subsidiary of Dow Chemical.

Nonionic octylphenoxy polyethyloxyethanol surfactants, for example Triton X-100, as well as amine oxides may also be used as a nonionic surfactant in the present invention.

Other examples of linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the trademark Tomadol, such as, for example, Tomadol 1-7, a 7 mol molar linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with EO; Tomadol 25-7, a C12-C15 ethoxylate linear primary alcohol with 7 moles of EO; Tomadol 45-7, a C14-C15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles of EO; and Tomadol 91-6, a linear C9 -C11 alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles of EO.

Other nonionic surfactants are amine oxide surfactants, alkyl amine oxide.

Preferred anionic surfactants are often provided as alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, amino alcohol salts or magnesium salts. Considered useful are one or more sulfate or sulfonate compounds including: alkyl benzene sulfonates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamidoether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylamide sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, olefin sulfonates , paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinate, alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acyl isothionates and N-acyl taurates. Generally, the alkyl or acyl radical in these various compounds comprises a carbon chain containing 12 to 20 carbon atoms.

Over-wetting agents An over-wetting agent is capable of reducing the surface tension in water to values below 25 mN / m in the range of 18 to 25 mN / m at concentrations of 0.0001-1% by weight, preferably between 0.001 and 0.1% by weight. Preferred levels in the cleaning composition are between 0.01 and 10% by weight. Examples of overwetting agents of the present invention are silicone glycol and fluorortactive copolymers. Silicone glycol copolymers are described by the following formula: where X, Y, m and n are each an integer ranging from 0 to 25 as long as X or Y is at least 1. X is between 0-10 y and m preferably between 0-5. R and R 'are a straight or branched alkyl chain having from about 1 to about 25 carbon atoms, saturated or unsaturated, and the longest linear portion of the alkyl chain has 15 carbon atoms or less on average. The fluorinated surfactant is described in the following formulas: wherein n, m and x are integers having a value from 0 to 15; Preferred values are between 1 and 12. M is a cation which makes the water-soluble compound, especially an alkali metal such as sodium or magnesium, an ammonium or substituted ammonium cation.

Active Oxygen Source The appropriate level of oxygen bleach is in the range of 0.01 to 80 wt%, the preferred level is between 10 and 70 wt%, ideally 30 to 60 wt%. As used herein, active oxygen concentration refers to the percentage elemental oxygen concentration, with an oxidation number of zero which, being reduced in water, would be stoichiometrically equivalent to a certain percentage concentration of a given peroxide compound when the peroxide functionality of the peroxide compound is completely reduced to oxides. Active oxygen sources in accordance with the present invention enhance the ability of compositions to remove oxidizable stains, destroy malodorous molecules and kill germs. The available oxygen concentration can be determined by methods known in the art, such as the iodimetric method, the permanganatometric method and the ceremonial method. Such methods and criteria for choosing the appropriate method are described, for example, in "Hydrogen Peroxide", WC Schumo, CN Satterfield and RL Wentworth, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1955 and "Organic Peroxides", Daniel Swern, Editor Wiley Int. Science, 1970.

Suitable organic and inorganic peroxides for use in the compositions of the present invention include diacyl and dialkyl peroxides, such as dibenzoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, persulfuric acid and mixtures thereof.

Preformed peroxy acids suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include DPDA diperoxide dodioxy acid, perphthalic acid magnesium, perlauric acid, perbenzoic acid, diperoxyazelaic acid and mixtures thereof. Peroxygen bleaching actives useful for the present invention are: percarbonates, perborates, peroxides, peroxyhydrates, persulfates. A preferred compound is sodium percarbonate and especially the coated grades that have the best solubility. Percarbonate may be coated with silicates, borates, waxes, sodium sulfabo, sodium carbonate and cleaning agents at room temperature. Bleach activators Optionally, the compositions may additionally comprise from 0% to 30% by weight, preferably from 2% to 20% by weight of decrepitant precursors, i.e. When reacting with hydrogen peroxide, they produce peroxy acids. Examples of peracid precursors suitable for use in the present invention may be found among the classes of anhydrides, amides, imides or esters such as acetyl citrate. triethyl (ATC) described by. for example, in EP 91 87 0207, tetra acetyl et-Ueno diarrine (TAD), succinic or maleic anhydrides. Builders Ά. A detergent composition comprises at least one builder or a combination thereof from 0.01 to 80 wt%, preferably from 0.1 to 50 wt%.

Examples of builders are described below: - The original acids of the monomeric or oligomeric polycarboxylate chelating agents or mixtures thereof with their salts, for example citric acid or mixtures of citrate / citric acid Lambem are considered as builder components. Useful; borate builders as well as builders containing borate forming materials which can produce borate under washing or detergent storage conditions may also be used; metal salts of immunosuccinic acid; - metal salts of polyaspartic acid; - ethylene diamino tetraacetic acid and salt forms; Water soluble phosphate and phosphonate builders are useful for the present invention. Examples of phosphate builders are alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate and sodium and potassium orthophosphate, polymer / sodium phosphate in which the degree of polymerization ranges from 6 to 21 and salts of phytic acid. Specific examples of water soluble phosphate builders are alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium, potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate and sodium and potassium orthophosphate, polymer / sodium phosphate in which the polymerization degree ranges from 6 to 21 and acid salts phytico. Such polymers include polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups, including the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as carboxylates and the like. sulfinyl carboxylates.

Polycarboxylates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, acetonates and citraconates, as well as succinate derivatives, such as carboxymethyloxy succinates described in GB-A-1,379,241, lactoxy succinates described in GB-A- 1,389,732 and amino succinates described in NL-A-7205873 and oxipolycarboxylate materials such as 2-oxa-1,2,3-propane tricarboxylates described in GB-A-1,387,447.

Polycarboxylates containing four carboxy groups include oxidisuccinates disclosed in GB-A-1,261,829, j: 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylates, 1,1,3,3-propane tetracarboxylates and 1,1,2,3 -propane tetracarboxylates. Sulfo substituent-containing polycarboxylates include the sulfo succinate derivatives disclosed in GB-A-1,398,421, GB-A-1,398,422 and US-A-3,936,448 and the sulfonated pyrolyzed citrates described in GB-A-1,439,000 .

Alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane cis, cis, cis tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadienide pentacarboxylates, 2,3, 4,5,6-hexane hexacarboxylates and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylates include melitic acid, pyromelitic acid and phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in GB-A-1,425,343.

Of the above, preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxycarboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.

Water-soluble polymeric compounds include water-soluble monomeric polycarboxylates or their acid forms, homo or copolymeric polycarboxylic acids or salts thereof in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated by no more than two carbon atoms, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, phosphates and mixtures thereof. Carboxylate or polycarboxylate builders may be monomeric or oligomeric, although monomeric polycarboxylates are generally preferred for cost and performance reasons.

Suitable carboxylates containing a carboxy group include the water soluble salts of lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derivatives thereof. Polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as ether-carboxylates and sulfinyl carboxylates. Polycarboxylates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates, as well as succinate derivatives, such as carboxymethyloxy succinates described in GB-A-1,379,241, lactoxy succinates described in GB-A- 1,389,732 and amino succinates described in NL-A-7205873 and oxipolycarboxylate materials such as 2-oxa-1,2,3-propane tricarboxylates described in GB-A-1,387,447. Polycarboxylates containing four carboxy groups include oxidisuccinates disclosed in GB-A-1,261,829, 1,1,2,2-ethane tetracarboxylates, 1,1,3,3-propane tetracarboxylates and 1,1,2,3-propane tetracarboxylates. Sulfo substituent-containing polycarboxylates include the sulfo succinate derivatives disclosed in GB-A-1,398,421, GB-A-1,398,422 and US-A-3,936,448 and the sulfonated pyrolyzed citrates described in GB-A-1,439,000 . Alicyclic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadienide pentacarboxylates, 2,3,4,5,6-hexanehexacarboxylates and carboxymethyl derivatives of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylates include melitic acid, pyromellitic acid and the phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in GB-A-1,425,343.

Of the above, preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxycarboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.

More preferred polymers are homopolymers, copolymers and multiple polymers of acrylic monomers, fluorinated acrylics, sulfonated styrene, maleic anhydride, methacrylic, isobutylene, styrene and ester. Examples of such polymers are Acusol supplied by Rohm & Haas, Syntran supplied by Interpolymer and the Versa and Alcosperse series supplied by Alco Chemical, the National Starch & Chemical Company. The original acids of the monomeric or oligomeric polycarboxylate chelating agents or mixtures thereof with their salts, for example citric acid or citrate / citric acid mixtures are also considered as useful builder components.

Examples of bicarbonate and carbonate builders are alkaline and alkaline earth metal carbonates, including sodium carbonate and calcium sesqui carbonate and mixtures thereof. Other examples of carbonate type builders are carboxy metal glycine and metal glycine carbonate. Chelating agent In the context of the present application, it will be appreciated that builders are compounds that capture metal ions associated with water hardness, eg calcium and magnesium, while chelating agents are compounds that capture transition metal ions capable of catalyzing the degradation of oxygen bleach systems. However, certain compounds may have the ability to perform both functions.

Suitable chelating agents to be used herein include chelating agents selected from the group of phosphonate chelating agents, amino carboxylate chelating agents, polyfunctional substituted aromatic chelating agents and further chelating agents such as glycine, salicylic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, malonic acid or mixtures thereof. Chelating agents, when used, are typically present herein in amounts ranging from 0.01% to 50% by weight of the total composition and preferably from 0.05% to 10% by weight.

Suitable phosphonate chelating agents for use herein may include etidronic acid as well as amino phosphonate compounds including amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonate), alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, nitrile trimethylene phosphonates, ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates and diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates. Phosphonate compounds may be present in their acid form or as salts of different cations in some or all of their acid functionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein are diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates. Such phosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under the trademark DEQUEST ™.

Polyfunctional substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in the compositions herein. see U.S. Patent 3,812,044, issued May 21, 1974 to Connor and colleagues. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes, such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is N, N'-di-succinic acid ethylene diamine or alkali metal, or alkaline earth, ammonium or substituted ammonium salts thereof or mixtures thereof. N, N'-di-succinic ethylenediamine acids, especially the (S, S) isomer, have been extensively described in U.S. Patent 4,704,233, November 3, 1987, to Hartman and Perkins. N, N'-di-succinic acid ethylenediamine is, for example, commercially available under the trademark ssEDDS ™ from Palmer Research Laboratories.

Suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein include ethylene diamine tetraacetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetate (DTPA), N-hydroxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotriacetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates, triethylenetetraaminehexetetraacetate, ethoxyacetate ethyl acetate ) and diacetic methyl glycine acid (MGDA) in its acid form or in its alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable amino carboxylates for use herein are diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) which is, for example, commercially available from BASF under the trademark Trilon FS ™ and methyl glycine diacetic acid (MGDA). .

Fillers Fillers useful for the present invention are sodium chloride, bentonite, zeolites, citrates, talc and metal sulfate salts such as sodium, calcium and aluminum sulfates. They may be used at a level of from 0.001 to 60% by weight, preferably from 0.1 to 30% by weight.

Solvents Solvents may be used at levels of 0.01 to 50 wt%, the preferred level being between 0.1-5 wt%. The solvent constituent may include one or more of alcohol, glycol, acetate, ether acetate, glycerol, polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight ranging from 200 to 10,000, silicones or glycol ethers. Exemplary alcohols useful in the compositions of the invention include C 2 -C 6 primary and secondary alcohols which may be straight or branched, preferably pentanol and hexanol.

Preferred solvents for the invention are glycol ethers and examples include those glycol ethers having the general structure Ra-O- [CH2 -CH (R) - (CH2) -0] nH, where Ra is C1-20 alkyl or alkenyl or a cyclic alkane group of at least 6 carbon atoms, which may be wholly or partially unsaturated or aromatic; n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 5; each R is selected from H or CH 3 and a is the integer 0 or 1. Specific and preferred solvents are selected from propylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, isopropanol, ethanol, methanol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate and particularly useful are propylene glycol phenyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl ether and diethylene glycol hexyl ether.

Optional additional ingredients selected from a list consisting of fragrance, anti-lump agent (such as sodium xylene sulfonate and magnesium sulfate), dye, enzyme are present at levels of up to 5% by weight, preferably less than 1% by weight. Weight.

RESULTS The device was compared to other foaming equipment in terms of foam preparation time, foam consistency and convenience. The effectiveness of the utensil in applying the foam to the stain and cleaning performance has been shown against not using any utensils.

FOAM PREPARATION The foam was prepared by dissolving Oxi Action Max powder in heated water, which contains foam surfactants. About 15 grams of powder was used with 100 ml of heated water. The solution can be prepared in an open 300-500 ml container.

The different disorders are compared for foam preparation. The reference is the scoop that can be used as a blending / aerating device.

The devices are ranked in terms of foam preparation time, foam consistency, foam preparation convenience, and cost: The shorter the time for making the cream, the better it provides high preparation convenience and high convenience rating. . The consistency rating is better, the closer to 3. The convenience of utensil use and cream consistency were attributed to the different utensils by a panel test with 16 judges.

SPOT PUNCH TEST The stain removal evaluation of standard soils was made considering Y, the reflectance value having been used for performance evaluation. The X Y Z scale was used with a spectrophotometer with the 460 nm UV filter. Y = 100 means complete stain removal.

Prepared standard motes were used for the test. Standard stains (aged stain) * Empa Test Materials in Switzerland WFK Testgewebe GmbH in Germany C.F.T. - Center For Test Materials B.V. in the Netherlands The cleaning procedure is done by applying the cream to the stain, leaving for 10 minutes and then rinsing with water. In the case of using an appliance, the cream is applied with the appliance and then three rubbing actions are done back and forth with the cellular plastic device.

EXAMPLES The cellular plastic device described for foam preparation was compared to simply mixing with the spoon, a hand propellant system, a Cappuccino cream maker, a cocktail shaker and a battery-supplied mixer. In all cases, 15 grams of Oxi Action Max powder was dissolved in 100 ml of heated water prior to use of the devices. The cleaning performance of the cellular plastic device was compared by simply applying the foam to the stain with a spoon and then rinsing.

EXAMPLE RESULTS

Foams were prepared by dissolving 15 g in 100 ml of warmed water using Ex 1 and Ref 1 to 5 utensils.

Results for Foaming * Multi-purpose: Can be used for foaming, spotting and wiping. The cellular sponge utensil is a handheld system which has been rated most convenient among the different hand tools, it is very effective in preparing the foam in short time and with good foam consistency. The cellular plastic device is also very inexpensive and can also be used for foaming the stain and for improving cleaning performance.

Stain Removal Results The cellular plastic device of the present invention was used to prepare the foam by dissolving 15 g of Vanish Oxi Action Max in 100 ml of water and comparing it to the spoon. In both cases, two grams of foam was applied over each standard stained sample. In the case of the cellular plastic device, 3 forward and back rubs were conducted on each sample. Then the foam was left for 10 minutes before rinsing with cold water. After 10 minutes, the foam of all samples was rinsed.

For each device / stain, four replicates were performed and the values reported in the table below are the average. * Ref 1 = Spoon There is a noticeable improvement in cleaning when using the cellular plastic device. This is due to two factors: the rubbing action and the adsorption of the foam on the stain.

Stable Foaming Stable foam is prepared by dissolving the cleaning formulation from 1 to 50 grams in 100 ml of water, preferably from 10 to 30 grams in 100 ml of water. Stable foam is formed by virtue of the active oxygen source that produces oxygen within a surfactant.

RESULTS The foam described in the present invention was tested for stain removal and color safety using Oxy Magic and Oxiclean as references.

SPOT REMOVAL TEST Spot stain removal evaluation was performed considering Y, the reflectance value having been used for performance evaluation. The X Y Z scale was used with a spectrophotometer with 460 nm UV filter Y = 100 means complete stain removal. Prepared standard spots were used for the test.

Standard stains (aged stain) * Empa Test Materials in Switzerland WFK Testgewebe GmbH in Germany C.F.T. - Center For Test Materials B.V. in the Netherlands The cleaning procedure is performed by applying the foam to the stain, leaving for 30 minutes and then rinsing with water.

COLOR DAMAGE TEST

To check for possible color damage to the dyed fabric, the cleaning procedure was done with a contact time of 30 minutes of the foam over colored samples and a highly concentrated foam was obtained by dissolving 30 grams of cleaning agent with 100 ml of heated water. The Oxiclean formulation was used as a reference for a well established product in the market. * WFK Testgewebe GmbH in Germany Color safety has been measured by instrumental readings. Instrumental analysis was performed considering delta E values between washed and unwashed tissue samples. The L * a * b scale was used with a spectrophotometer with the 460 nm UV filter. ΔΕ is defined as per each colored fabric, considered as: where: L *. = Reflectance a * = red / green b * = yellow / blue c = unwashed colored fabric w ~ washed colored fabric ΔΕ equals 0 damage to color, and generally the lower the value, the less damage to color.

EXAMPLES

The foams described in the present invention were prepared by using powder formulations readily produced by mixing in a suitable container the ingredients. The foam was prepared by dissolving 15 grams of the cleaning formulation of the present invention in 100 ml of heated (40 ° C) water and mixing for 3 minutes. The foam was applied for 10 minutes before rinsing with ice water (20 ° C). Commercially available product: Dr. Beckmann's Oxy Magic and Orange glo's Oxiclean New were used as references. These two products were tested with the same procedure even if it was not possible to make a stable foam, but only a lightly foaming solution or solution.

EXAMPLE RESULTS

Foams were produced using Ex 1, 2 and 3 for all by dissolving 15 g and 30 grams in 100 ml of heated water and mixing for 3 minutes.

Results for stain removal The formulation of the present invention was used as a foam by dissolving 15 g in 100 ml of water and applying 2 ml of the foam over each stain. After 10 minutes of contact with the foam, all samples were rinsed. Reference products were used at the same dosage. Four replicates were made and the values reported in the table below are the average. * Ref 1 = Dr. Beckmann's Oxy Magic; Ref 2 = New Oxiclean from Orange glo.

Results for color safety Oxiclean powder was used as a reference. Three replicates were considered for each product / color type and the values reported in the table below are the averages.

Ref 1 = Oxyclean from Orange glo. * Foam made with 15 grams of Ex2 in 100 ml of water. ** Foam made with 30 grams of EX2 in 100 ml of water. A delta E value below 3.0 can be considered to be no color damage.

Claims (9)

A soft surface spotting method comprising dissolving a solid cleaning formulation in water, the formulation comprising an active oxygen source and at least one water surfactant to form a stable foam, foam application. directly onto the soft stained surface and cleaning the fabric in a washing machine, with or without the addition of a fabric detergent or water mixture of the stable soft surface foam formulation, wherein said surfactant is selected from the group consisting of oleyl sarcosinate, alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl naphthalene sulfonates and / or combinations thereof. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the stable foam is generated by an aeration device. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the device is a broom. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the aeration device is in the form of a cellular plastic. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that the aeration device is secured along at least part of a surface of a rigid support. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that the aeration device has a cable. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that the cable is attached to the opposite face of the rigid support attached to the cellular sponge. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the soft surface is woven. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a further subsequent step is performed by rubbing the stained fabric.