CA1151501A

CA1151501A - Cleaning gel, and process for its manufacture and use

Info

Publication number: CA1151501A
Application number: CA000373725A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Gilles M. Tastayre
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1981-03-24
Filing date: 1981-03-24
Publication date: 1983-08-09

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE

A novel cleaning and sanitizing composition for industrial and/or agricultural use is provided herein as well as a novel method for cleaning and/or sanitizing industrial and/or agricultural machinery. The cleaning composition includes a solution of a cleaning agent and a suffi-cient amount of a gelling agent to provide a thixotropic gel, which can be sprayed onto a surface to be cleaned at a minimum pressure of 15 p.s.i.
to deposit a film on the surface of at least 5 mils thickness on a vertical surface and to remain thereon with no slump for at least one-half hour.
Thus, the novel method includes spraying a thixotropic gel form of a cleaning agent at a pressure of at least 15 p.s.i. onto the surface to be cleaned to provide a film at least 5 mils thick, allowing the film to remain on the surface for a predetermined length of time, e.g., at least 10 minutes, and then rinsing off the composition and the material to be.
cleaned from the surface to be clean with a high pressure water stream.
This provides an economical yet efficient composition and method for cleaning and/or sanitizing industrial and/or agricultural machinery.

Description

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This invention relates to a novel cleaning and/or sanitizing composition for industrial and/or agrîcultural use and to a method of cleaning and/or sanitizing industrial and/or agricultural machinery with such composition.
There are many patents directed to cleaning compositions in solid form, in liquid form or in the form of gels. Some of these patents include the following Canadian Patents:
Canadian Patent No. 499,018 issued January 5, 1954 to Imperial Chemical Industries which is directed to a thickened, viscous aqueous solution of a soapless detergent which is either a synthetic organic anionic or a non-ionic soapless detergent.
Canadian Patent No. 521,936 issued February 21, 1951, to H.J.
Schneider which is directed to water insoluble salts of alkaline earth metals colloidally dispersed in an aqueous medium. Such gels are thixo- -tropic, that is, they have a rigid consistency when at rest and after brief shaking or stirring become fluid and pourable in the form of a liquid, stable, homogeneous dispersion or suspension.
Canadian Patent No. 642,350 issued June 5, 1962 to FMC Cor-poration, which is d~rected to a stable creamy liquid low foam built deter-gent.
Canadian Patent No. 644,738 issued July 10, 1962 to Colgate-Palmolive Company, which is directed to a substantially homogeneous, stable, viscous, pourable, heavy-duty aqueous liquid detergent compositlon.
Canadian Patent ~o. 675,839 issued December 10, 1963 to R.L.
Daires which is directed ~o~a hair cleaning composition which utilizes the oil-solvent property of organic liquids and is in a form very convenient ~ ~ foruse through having the organic liquid converted into a gel. In the ; hair cleaning composition, a gel is provided whose dispersion medium con-:
tains an organic liquid which is a solvent for the natural oil of the hair.

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` Canadian Patent No. 738,875 îssued June 219 1966 to W.H.
Lehmacher which provides a stable alcohol gel composition, which can be employed in making a wide variety of products, e.g., solidified fuels, cosmetic preparations, hair conditioners and the like. The patentee pro-vided alcohol gel compositions, wherein a small proportion of gelling agent was employed to form a stable composition of desired vîscosity.
Canadian Patent ~o. 775,~76 issued January 2, 1968 to The Dow Chemical Company which relates to a cleansing agent containing function-ally effective amounts of either a water-soluble alkaline saponification adjuvant or an inhibitor of the corrosion of metal, along with a major proportion of a chelating agent, and a minor proportion of a wetting agent.
Canadian Patent No. 775,497 issued January 9, 1968 to ~.F.
Audrieth which provides gelled mixtures produced by proper admisture of one or more organic solvents, a relatively small amount of cellulose ester and a gelling agent. Solvents which are highly volatile, combustible and ; free-flowing may be converted into non-volatile, non-flowing solid gels possessing desirable and useful properties as solid propellant fuels or as adhesive mixtures.
Canadian Patent ~o. 812,195 issued May 6, 1969 to FMC Corpora-tion, which is directed to a strong, heavy-duty cleaning tablet having a fast dissolving rate.
Canadian Patent No. 828,120 issued November 25, 1969 to FMC
Corporation, which is directed to a uniform dry-mixed built detergent composition free of objectionable amounts of fines.

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Canadian Patent `.lo. 828,121 issued November 29, 1969 to Monsanto Company, which is directed to a washing composition which includes a synthetic organic detergent l~hich is either a non-soap anionic, non-ionic ; or amphoteric surface active compound.

Canadlan Patent `~o. 858,508 issued Derember 15, 1970 to I.R.

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Smolka which provides a series of noveI aqueous gels and compositions containing the gels in the form of pharmaceutical, cleansing and/or cos-metic ingredients. Those gels may be used in shampoos, in lanolin and oxyethylated lanolin-rich skin creams, and with mineral oil for skin and hair products.
Canadian Patent No. 912,396 :issued October 17, 1972 to Witco Chemical Corporation, which is directed to an improved built dry powder laundry detergent composition. -Canadian Patent No. 930,304 issued July 17, 1973 to I. R.
Schmolkin which provides aqueous gel compositions containing polyether polyol gelling agents for use in pharnaceutical and cosmetic applications.
.
Canadian Patent No. 941,705 issued February 12, 1974 to Diversey (Canada) Limited, which is directed to a cleaning composition comprising .
an alkaline reacting material together with a sequestrant.
Cànadian Patént No. 953,604 issued August Z7, 1974 to De Soto Inc., which is directed to a detergent, in the form of dry particles and which is free of phosphates, sequestering agents and anionic surface active agents.
Canadian Patent No. 973,051 issued August l9, 1975 to Unilever I
Limited, which is directed to a liquid detergent composition.
Canadian Patent~ No. 1,070,210 issued January 2Z, 1980 to Church & Dwight Co., which is directed to a dry blended, concentrated detergent composition for heavy duty washing having a high bulk density.

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The gels of the above-described prior art patents have a wide`~

field of application~ They are useful in a number of industrial arts, I ~ ~ e.g., in colours, and pigments and paints, paper and paper coating, ~ leather finishing, and in the pharmaceutical industry in compcunding : :
various types of pharmaceutical and therapeutic preparations. They may also be used to provide fuels in gel form. Certain gels are compatible :

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with most of the known ingredients used in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and detergent formulations. For example, the gels may be compounded with deodorants and anti-perspirants. Simple deodorants, e.g., oxyquinoline salts and zinc oxide; astringents, e.g., aluminum chlorohydrate; anti-septics~, e.g., diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyldimethyl benzyl ammonium chlor-ide and hexachlorodihydroxydiphenylmethane; and pesticides, e.g., boric acid, hexachlorophene and N,N-diethyltoluamide. They may furthermore be compounded in ointments, creams, foams, lotions, and salves. Perfumes, preservatives, and colour additives may be included in the formulated product.
It is also known in industrial washing processes to use a variety of detergent solutions, but these in general suffer from one dis-advantage or another. One may use detergent solutions contain;ng avail-able chlorine derived from hypochlorites or chlorinated organic materials.
However, such available chlorine containing solutions have undesirable side effects by virtue of the oxidizing capacity of the chlorine, causing roughening, crazing and embrittlement of plastics and causing corrosion of metal components in the washing machines. It is also known to use a reducing system, for example, one containing sulphites, but again the degree of cleaning achieved is not entirely satisfactory.
Systems of high alkalinity containing appreciable quantities of caustic material, e.g., sodlum hydroxide, may also be used.
A more difficult problem exists in the cleaning of food proces-:
sing plants. In such instances, it is generally necessary to wash the ~1 components of food processing plants with large volumes of various deter-gent solutions. Alternatively, it was necessary to fill a tank to be cleaned with a large volume of a suitable detergent.
Not only was this exceedingly wasteful of detergents, but it also was time consuming and was not always entirely success~ul.

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Consequently, in spite of these various detergents in gel, solid, or liquid form provided by the prior art, the art is still faced with the problem of improving the efficiency of cleaners and sanitizers and of greatly reducing the amounts required to fulfill satisfactory results.
Accordingly, it is an object of an aspect of this invention to provide a novel industrial and/or agricultural cleaning and/or sanitizing composition.
An object of another aspect of this invention is the provision of a novel cleaning and/or sanitizing technique for industrial and/or agricultural machinery.
By a broad aspect of this invention, a cleaning and/or sanitizing composition is provided comprising: a solution of a cleaning and/or sanitizing agent; and a sufficient amount of a gelling agent to provide a thixotropic composition which can be sprayed at a minimum pressure of 15 p.s.i. to deposit a film of at least 5 mils thickness on a~vertical surface and to remain thereon with no substantial slump for at least one-half hour. , By another aspect of this invention, a method is provided for cleaning a surface comprising: applying a thin film of a thixotropic gel cleaning and/or sanitizing composition to the surface to be cleaned by spraying at a pressure of at least 15 p.s.i.; allowing the composition to remain on the surface a predetermined length of time; and rinsing the composition off the surface with a high pressure water stream.
sy one variant thereof, the method comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of a soap.
sy another variant, the method comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of , ~ 5 -:. : . : :

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an anionic detergent.
By a variation, the method comprises spraying a thixotropic com-position comprising a gelling agent and a water-soluble salt of an organic sulfonate or an organic sulfate, sy a further variation, the method comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an alkylaryl sulfonate.
By yet another variationj the method comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an alkali metal salt of a long chain alkyl sulfate, an alkali metal salt of alkyl naphthalene sul-fonic acids, alkali metal salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, alkalimetal salts of sulfonated mineral acids, alkali metal salts of sulfosuccin-ic acid esters.
By another variant, the method comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of a cationic detergent.
sy yet a further variant, the method comprises spraying a thlxo-tropic compo,sition compriFing a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of a non-ionic surface active compound.
Ry a still further variant, the method comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of apolyalkylene oxide detergent.
By another variant, the method comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprlsing a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of the condensation product of a lower alkyl alcohol amine with a fatty acid.
By a further variant,~the method comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprising a gelling agent and a,n aqueous solution of the polyalkylene oxide condensate of an alkyl phenol.
By a still further variant, the method comprises-spraying a ii; - 6 -;. . ~ ; :

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By a still further variant, the method comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of an-ampholytic synthetic detergent.
~ By yet another variant, the method comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of a zitterionic synthetic detergent.
By a further variant, the method comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of an am-photeric surface active compound.
By still another variant, the method comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of a strong acid.
By a still further variant, the method comprises spraying a thixo-;~ tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of a strong base.
By yet another variant, the gelling agent comprises an :` : ' :

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hydroxyethyl cellulose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellu-lose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxyethylene resin, poly-vinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, à naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitrocellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low mole-cular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substituted vinyl polymer.
The present invention therefore provides and industrial and/or .
agricultural cleaning and/or brightening and/or sanitizing co~position com-prising a cleaning and/or brightening and/or sanitizing composition and a sufficient amount of a gelling agent to provide a thixotropic gel which, when applied to a vertical surface, remains there without slump for at least ten minùt~s.
Until the present invention, no means has been available whereby, a cleaning, and/or brightening and/or sanltizing agent could remain on the surface for a sufficient time to effect a satisfactory freeing of the adh adherent material to be removed from the surface, so thàt the application of a high pressure water flush alone would cleanse the surface. It is widely believed that a wet surface is covered with a layer of water mole-cules that remain, unmoving, independent of the velocity or turbulence of movement of water adjacent. Thus, until the present invention, it has been necessary to provide mechanical disturbance of the sort indicated to wash such deposits from surfaces.
According to one aspect of the present invention, it is now possible to apply the cleansing agent in the form of a thixotropic gel, to permit that agent to stand undisturbed for a predetermined interval of time, and thereafter with no action other than the flushing movement of high pressure water to remove the deposits together with the cleansing agent. The cleansing action thus effected is typically almost complete;
that i5 to say, by visual inspection the surface usually is clean. However, ,, :
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Any conventional cleaning, brightening or sanitizing agent may be used and various examples will be given hereinafter. I
The cleaning composition may be a soap, a synthetic detergent, an alkaline agent or an acidic agent. The only criterion is that the cleaning agent be selected to clean the particular surface to be cleaned.
If detergent solutions are used, the detergents are synthetic detergents, which are surface active agents a~d have structurally unsym-metrical molecules containing both hydrophilic, or water-soluble, groups ànd hy~rophoblc, or oil-soluble hydrocarbon chains. There are three types, as follows:
(1) Anionic decergents which form negatively chàrged ions con-taining the oil-soluble portion of the molecule. The ionizable group is the hydrophilic portion. Soap is an example of this class and the synthetic members are sodium salts of organic sulfonates or sulfates.
; - Examples of synthetic detergents include alkylaryl sulfonates (e.g., sul-; ~ fonates of dodecylbenzene); and sulfates of straight cXain primary alcohols, either fatty alcohols or products of the Oxo ?rocess (e.g., ;~ ¦
sodium lauryl sulfate). Another group comprises the lignin sulfonate derivatives.
1 Anionic surface active compounds include the sulfates or sulfon ated alkyl, aryl and alkylaryl hydrocarbons and alkali metal salts thereof,~
for example, sodiom salts~lof long chain alkyl sulfates, sodium salts oE
alkyl naphthaleni sulfonic acids, sodium salts of sulfonates abietenes, ~
; ~ sodium salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acids particulary those in which ~ ¦
, the alkyl group contains from 8 - 24 carbon atoms; sodium salts of sul-fonated mineral oils and sodium salts of sulfosuccinic acid esters, e.g.,~
sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate. ~ ~ ¦

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~ Advantageous anionic surfactants include the higher alkyl aryl sulfonic acids and their alkali metal and alkaline earth metal salts, e.g., sodium dodecyl benæene sulfonate, sodium tridecyl sulfonate, magnesium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, potassium tetradecyl benzene sulfonate, ammonium dodecyl toluene sulfonate, lithium pentadecyl benzene sulfonate, sodium dioctyl benzene sulfonate, disodium dodecyl benzene disulfonate, disodium di-isopropyl naphthalene disulfonate and the like as well as the alkali metal salts of fatty alcohol esters of sulfuric and sulfonic acids, the alkali metal thiosulfuric acid, etc. Preferred anionic organic surface active agents are, as noted hereinbefore, sodium salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acids and particularly preferred sodium salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acids are those in which the alkyl group or radical contains 10 ta 18 carbon atoms in a straight (i.e., unbranched) chain.
Suitable anionic detergents generally comprise the water-soluble, I'-particularly the alkali metal, sulfates and sulfonates containing an alkyl radical having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms. Exemplary are the sodium and potassium alkyl sulfates, especially those obtained by sulfating a C8 to C18 aliphatic alcohol; sodium and potassium alcohol ether sulfates which are derived from the reaction product of 1 mol of a higher C12 to C18 fa-t~y alcholo with 1 to 6 mols of ethylene oxide; ~he sodium and potas-sium salts of sulfonated C10 to C24 alpha-olefins; the alkyl glyceryl ether sulfonates, particularly ethers of tallow and coconut oil alcohols;
the sodium and potassium salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acids whereln the alkyl group is a linear~alkyl having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and most suitably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms, the latter alkyl benzene sulfonates being the particularly preferred synthetic detergent for use in the com-I

position of the present invention, especially in proportions of 17 to 18%.

(2) Cationic detergents, or invert soaps, which ianize so thatthe oil-soluble portion is positively charged. A principal example is the _ g _ - : . ~: .. : :. ,. .:: . . - ., .: :

SlSVl quaternary ammonium halides, e.g., benzethonium chloride and cetalkonium chloride. These detergents have outstanding germicidal activity.
Non-ionic surface active compounds can be broadly described as compounds ~hich do not ioniæe but usually acquire hydrophilic charac-teristics from an oxygenated side chain, such as polyoxyethylene, while the lyophilic part of the molecule may come from fatty acids, phenols, alcohols, amides or amines. Examples of non-ionic surfactants include products formed by condensing one or more alkylene oxides of 2 to 4 carbon atoms, e.g., ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide alone or with other alkylene oxides, with a relatively hydrophobic com-pound, e.g., a fatty alcohol, fatty acid, sterol, a fatty glyceride, a ;~ fatty amine, an aryl amine, a fatty mercaptan, tall oil, etc. Non-ionic surface active agents also include those products produced by condensing one or more relatively lower alkyl alcohol amines ~e.g., methanolamine, ethanolamine, propanolamine, etc.~ with a fatty acid, e.g., lauric acid, cetyl acid, tall oil fatty acid, abietic acid, etc., to produce the corresponding amide.
Examples of suitable non-ionic detergents are the water-soluble ~;~ non-ionic polyalkylene oxide detergents. They contain a hydrophobic ; 20 organic group having usually at least 8 carbons, and preferably up to 30 , carbons, condensed with at least 5 and usually up to 50 alkylene oxide .. . : .
groups. It is preferred to use the polyoxyethylene condensates derived~
; from ethylene oxide. Other lower alkylene oxides, e.g., propylene oxide and butylene oxide, may be substituted therefor.
The polyalkylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenol may also be used, e.g., the polyoxyethylene ethers of alkyl phenols having an alkyl :
group of at least 6, and usually 8 to 12 carbons, and an ethylene oxide ratio (number of moles per phenol) of 7.5, 8.5, 11.5 and 20. The number of ethylene oxide groups will be usually from 8 to 18. Examples of the .

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a~kyl substituent are di-isobutylene, diamyl, polymerized propylene, dimerized C6-C7 olefin, and the like.
Other suitable non-ionic detergents are the polyoxyalkylene esters of organic acids, e~g., higher fatty acids, rosin acids, tall oil acids, or acids from the oxidation of petroleum; the polyalkylene oxide condensates with higher fatty acid am;des, e.g., the higher fatty acid primary amides, mono- and di-ethanolamides condensed with ethylene oxide, and the corresponding sulfonamides; the polyalkylene oxide ethers of higher fatty alcohols, e.g., lauryl, cetyl or oleyl alcohols condensed with 6 - 30 moles of ethylene oxide; the higher alkyl mercaptans or thioalcohols con-densed with ethylene oxide; and the water-soluble polyoxyethylene conden-sates with hydrophobic polyoxypropylene glycols.
Still other non-ionic surface active compounds include the amine oxides and phosphine oxides and preferably the unsymmetrical trialkyl amine oxides and phosphine oxides wherein two of the alkyl groups are lower alkyl groups ~1 to 4 carbon atoms) and the other alkyl group is a higher alkyl group (8 to 18 carbon atoms). Examples include dimethyldodecylamine oxide, dimethyl dodecylphosphine oxide, dimethyl tetradecyl amine oxide, dimethyltetradecyl phosphine oxide, diethylhexadecylamine oxide, diethyl-hexadecylphosphine oxide and the like.
Particularly advantageou~ non-ionic surface active agents are condensation products of a hydrophobic compound having at least one active hydrogen atom and a lower alkylene oxide (for example, the condensation product of an aliphatic alcohol containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms) and from 3 to 30 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of the alcohol, or the conden-sation product of an alkyl phenol containing from 8 to 18 carbon atoms in the alkyl group and from 3 to 30 mols of ethylene oxide per mol of alkyl phenol. Other advantageous non-ionic detergents include condensation products of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic compound formed by condensing ~; .

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Ampholytic synthetic detergents may also be used in aspects of this invention and can be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic secondary and tertiary a~ines, in which the aliphatic radical may be . .
straight chain or branched chain and wherein one of the aliphatic substi-tuents contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms and one contains an anionic water stabilizing group, e.g., carboxy, sulfo or sulfato. Examples of compounds falling within this definition are sodium-3-dodecylaminopropion- -ate and sodium-3-dodecylaminopropane sulfonate.
Zwitterionic synthetic detergents which may ~also be used in ;~ aspects of this invention can be broadly described as derivatives of aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium and sulfonium compounds, in which the aliphatic radical may be straight chain or branched, and wherein one of the aliphatic substituents contains from 8 to 24 carbon atoms and one contains an ion1c water soiubil1z1ng group, e.g., carboxy, sulfo, or sulfato. Examples of compounds falling within this definition are

- 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonio)-2-hydroxy propane-1-sulfonate which are preferred for their cool water detergency characteristics.
Amphoteric surface active compounds are also useful in aspects of this invention. They can be broadly described as compounds which have~
- ~ both anionic and cationic groups in the same molecule. Such compounds may be grouped into cIasses corresponding to the nature of the anionic-forming group, which is usually carboxy,-sulfo or sulfato. Examples of - such compounds include sodium N-coco beta amino propionate, sodium N-tallow beta amino dipropionate, sodium N-lauryl beta imidipropionate and the like.
; , : ~ ~ : -Other typical examples of these categories of the anionic, non-:
ionic andfor amphoteric surface active agents are described in Schwart=
and Perry "Surface Active Agents", Interscience Publishers, New York (1949) ~;~ and The Journal of American Oil Chemists Society, Volume 34, No!4, pa es ~ ' :

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1`70-216 (April, 1957~.
Various types of gelling agents heretofore used in the prior art discussed above may be used, including the following: hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, alginates, gelatins, bentonites, polyoxyethylene resins, polyvinylpyrrolidone, poly-amides, and silica.
In addition, other gelling agents taught by the prior art, e.g., gums, metallic soaps, and nitrocellulose may be used. Specifically, one may use as the gelling agent a hydrolyzed copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride. In addition, one may use a synthetic polymeric material which, by virtue of a high content of hydrophilic functional groups, e.g., carboxy groups in salt form, and a high molecular weight, is a hydrophilic colloid. Very suitable materials of this kind are carboxy-substituted vinyl polymers, e.g., those commercially available under the Trade Mark CARBOPOL.
;~ ~The principle of the invention is to modify the rheology of solutions of the cleaners and sanitizers by the means of one or several thickening (gelling) agen~s. The gelling agent is already blended in the total composition and no separate dissolving is required. Regular agita-tion at room temperature should suffice to achieve quick dissolving. The products may be initally formulated either in liquid of paste or powder form.
The following are several typical Examples of compositions of ~
aspects of this invention: ;
Example Beerstone remover:
4Na-ethylene diaminetetracetic acid 80%
Sodium gluconate 10%

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Hydroxyethyl cellulose of high viscogity 5%
Example II
Medium alkaline cleaner:
Sodium phosphates blend 14 parts Sodium metasilicate 16

4-Sodium ethylene diaminetetracetic acid or ) "
sodium gluconate ) 1.5 Anionic surfactant 3.0 "
Hydroxyethyl cellulose 6.0 "
Carboxymethyl cellulose 2.0 "
Sodium sulfate `- 21.5 "
Example III
Aluminum brightener: Kno~n by the Trade Mark GELAC of Ecochimie Ltee, Longueuil, Quebec.
Water 690 parts Hydroxyethyl cellulose 7 "
Anionic surfactant 3 "
Hydroxyacetic acid 20 Hydrofluoric acid 50 " ~;
Orthophosphoric acid (75% strength~ 230 "
Example IV ~:
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Milkstone remover: Known by the Trade Mark - ~CIGEL of Ecochimie Ltee, Longueuil, Quebec : Hydroxyacetic acid 20 parts ::
; ~ater : 670 Hydroxyethyl cellulose or polyoxyethylene 7 "
Anionic surfactant ~ 3 "
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Orthophosphoric acid (75~ strength) : 300 "
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Smoke house cleaner:
Caustic flakes - 20%
Sodium phosphates 13%
4-Sodium ethylene diaminetetracetic acid) 2%
or sodium gluconate Anionic surfactant (phosphate ester type) 3%
Hydroxyethyl cellulose . 6%
Carboxyethyl cellulose 2%
(or polyoxyethylene - 8% used) Sodium carbonate 25%
Sodium sulfate 12%
Example VI
Acidic sanitizer:
Orthophosphoric acid (75% strength~210 parts Alkyl aryl sulphonic acid 30 Water ~ 755 ~ Hydroxyethyl cellulose ) 5 "
: ~ or carboxymethyl cellulose ) Thus, as exemplified above, some non-Iimiting eYamples include:
~ : (1) Strong Alkaline Gel :~ Thi:, consists of water, ECOGEL 2 and CAUSTER 50. ECOGEL 2 is the ;
Trade Mark of Ecochimie, Longueuil, Quebec, for a class of industrial:
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cleaning a~d sani~izing compounds. Its composition is as follows:
Sodium phosphates Sodium carbonate Sodium silicate :: : Surface active agent : Sequestrant CAUSTEK 50 is the Trade Mark of Ecochimie, Longueuil, Quetec, for a 50%

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aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide. The ECOGEL 2 is dissolved in hot water and mixed for 5 mînutes. The CAUSTEK 50 is then added carefully.
The solution can be used for degreasing stainless steel, iron, glass or plastic.
(2) Normal Alkaline Gel This merely consists of ECOGEL 2 dissolved in hot water and mixed for 5 minutes. This solution can be used for all surfaces including paint and aluminum.
The cleaning of equipment is always a delicate operation, parti-cularly when cleaning complex machinery. The use of gels permits cleaningby, in effect, "reverse soaking". The gel detergent is applied to the surface of the equipment to be cleaned and because of its thixotropic gel-like high viscosity, it sticks to the surface. If the time of con-tact is at least 15 minutes, the detergent has time to loosen the dirt and reduce adherence of the dirt to the surface. It is then only necessary to rinse with high pressure hot or cold water to eliminate all the dirt.
The advantage of this procedure is that it does not consume as large a quantity of water as the prior art high pressure washing techniques. In addition, it uses a minimum amount of detergent. In effect, one uses just enough detergent gel to cover and adhere to the surface to be cleaned.
ECOGEL contains strong alkaline products normally used in the degreasing of surfaces, as well as an agent that allows the product~to adhere to the surfaces. ECOGEL 2 contains no solvents and can be used on - equilment which is damaged by the presence of CELLOSOLVE.
In the concentration used in aspects of this invention, the pro-duct has such rheology as to be easily sprayed with a minimum pressure of 15 p.s.i. A warm solution may help achieve this characteristic.
When sprayed onto cold surfaces, the product leaves a film of at le~.st 5 mils in thickness without excessive dripping. One of the :
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important features of the gelling agent used is to retard evaporation so as to allow a contact time of at least 10 minutes without drying under normal conditions.
After this soaking, a high pressure gun of appropriate water flow and pressure is used to remove the loosened dirt or eliminate the sanitizer completely.
The following is an example of one procedure for the use of an ECOGEL 2 gel by the method of an aspect of this invention.
A solution of 1 - 3% ECOGEL in hot water (75C.~ ~s prepared as described above and is mixed for 5 minutes before use to allow complete dissolution of product.
The surfaces to be cleaned are first rinsed with a high pressure jet of water, under the following conditions: hot water at 80C., 500 p.s.i. pressure, jet at 25, flow of 2.5 to 4 gallons/minute maximum.
The rinsed surfaces are then coated with the gel of aspects of this invention by means of a jet applied with a low pressure gun: 60-80 p.s.i., at an angle of 80, and a flow of 1.5 gallon/minute maximum. The surfaces to be cleaned are soaked for 15 minutes or more if possible. The surfaces to be cleaned should not be allowed to become dry. The surfaces to be cleaned should preferably be cold or lukewarm. The gel is then rinsed off thoroughly with a high pressure gun and hot water.
Generally, the following technique should be applied în the use of gels of aspects of this invention:
(a) First rinse thoroughly with hot water at 75C., preferably ;: :
~ with a high pressure jet.

- ~b) Apply thl~ gel with a low pressure gun.

(c) Let stand (soak) for at least 15 minutes, more if possible I without letting the surfaces dry.

(d) Rinse with hot water (75C.~ at high pressure.

: ' .

,~

S~5~)1 ~ The following equipment has been found to be sl~itable in carry-ing out the method of an aspect of this inven.ion:
The high pressure rinsing should be at 35-40 bars (500-600 p.s.i.) Nozzle: that known by the Trade Mark UNIJET 2510 type 16 l/mn (3.5 gpm);
angle of nozzle = 25; temperature 75C.
The gel should be applied at 1.5-4 bars (20-60 p.s.i.~.
Nozzle: UNIJET 6504 type; 2 l/mn (0.4 gpm); angle of nozzle = 25;
temperature: 60-70C. (140-160F.).
With respect to the spraying equipment used in the method of ~; 10 aspects of this invention, it has been found that~centrifugal sprayers give much better results than hydraulic or vaporization systems.
Thè following table provides a summary of the use of thc- gels of aspects of this invention in the methods of other aspects of this invention.

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.

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Claims

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A cleaning composition comprising a solution of a cleaning agent, and a sufficient amount of a gelling agent to provide a thixotropic gel which can be sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned at a minimum pres-sure of 15 p.s.i. to deposit a film thereof on a vertical said surface at least 5 mils thick and to remain there with substantially no slump for at least ten minutes.

2. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of a soap.

3. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of an anionic detergent.

4. The cleaning composition of claim 3 wherein said anionic detergent is a water-soluble salt of an organic sulfonate or an organic sulfate.

5. The cleaning composition of claim 3 wherein said anionic detergent is an alkylaryl sulfonate.

6. The cleaning composition of claim 3 wherein said anionic detergent is an alkali metal salt of a long chain alkyl sulfate, an alkali metal salt of alkyl naphthalene sulfonic acids, alkali metal salts of alkyl benzene sulfonic acids, alkali metal salts of sulfonated mineral acids, alkali metal salts of sulfosuccinic acid esters.

7. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of a cationic detergent.

8. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of a non-ionic surface active com-pound.

9. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of a polyalkylene oxide detergent.

10. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of the condensation product of a lower alkyl alcohol amine with a fatty acid.

11. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of the polyalkylene oxide conden-sate of an alkyl phenol.

12. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of an ampholytic synthetic deter-gent.

13. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of a zwitterionic synthetic deter-gent.

14. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of an amphoteric surface active compound.

15. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of a strong acid.

16. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said cleaning solution comprises an aqueous solution of a strong base.

17. The cleaning composition of claim 1 wherein said gelling agent comprises an hydroxyethyl cellulose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxy-ethylene resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitrocellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substituted vinyl polymer.

18. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising 80% by weight 4Na-ethylene diaminetetracetic acid, 10% by weight sodium gluconate, 5%

by weight anionic surfactant, and 5% by weight hydroxyethyl cellulose of

19. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 14 parts sodium phosphates blend; 16 parts sodium metasilicate; 20 parts sodium carbonate; 1.5 parts sodium gluconate; 3.0 parts anionic surfactant;
6.0 parts hydroxyethyl cellulose; 2.0 parts carboxymethyl cellulose; and 21.5 parts sodium sulfate.

20. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 14 parts sodium phosphates blend; 16 parts sodium metasilicate; 20 parts sodium carbonate; 1.5 parts 4-sodium ethylene diaminetetracetic acid; 3.0 parts anionic surfactant; 6.0 parts hydroxyethyl cellulose; 2.0 parts carboxy-methyl cellulose; and 21.5 parts sodium sulfate.

21. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 690 parts water; 7 parts hydroxyethyl cellulose; 3 parts anionic surfactant; 20 parts hydroxyacetic acid; 50 parts hydrofluoric acid; and 230 parts orthophosphoric acid of 75% strength.

22. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 20 parts hydroxyacetic acid; 670 parts water; 7 parts polyoxyethylene; 3 parts anionic surfactant; and 300 parts orthophosphoric acid of 75% strength.

23. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 20 parts hydroxyacetic acid; 670 parts water; 7 parts hydroxyethyl cellulose;
3 parts anionic surfactant; and 300 parts orthophosphoric acid of 75%
strength.

24. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 20% by weight caustic flakes; 13% by weight sodium phosphates; 15% by weight sodium silicate; 2% by weight sodium gluconate; 3% by weight anionic surfactant (phosphate ester type); 6% by weight hydroxyethyl cellulose; 2% by weight carboxyethyl cellulose; 25% by weight sodium carbonate; and 12%
by weight sodium sulfate.

25. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 20% by weight caustic flakes; 13% by weight sodium phosphates; 15% by weight sodium silicate; 2% by weight ethylene diaminetetracetic acid; 3% by weight anionic surfactant (phosphate ester type); 6% by weight hydroxyethyl cellulose; 2% by weight carboxyethyl cellulose; 25% by weight sodium carbonate; and 12% by weight sodium sulfate.

26. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 20% by weight caustic flakes; 13% by weight sodium phosphates; 15% by weight sodium silicate; 2% by weight sodium gluconate; 3% by weight anionic surfactant (phosphate ester type); 6% by weight hydroxyethyl cellulose;
8% by weight polyoxyethylene; 25% by weight sodium carbonate; and 12%
by weight sodium sulfate.

27. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 20% by weight caustic flakes; 13% by weight sodium phosphates; 15% by weight sodium silicate; 2% by weight ethylene diaminetetracetic acid; 3% by weight anionic surfactant (phosphate ester type); 6% by weight hydroxy-ethyl cellulose; 8% by weight polyoxyethylene; 25% by weight sodium carbonate; and 12% by weight sodium sulfate,

28. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 210 parts orthophosphoric acid of 75% strength; 30 parts alkyl aryl sulphonic acid; 755 parts water; and 5 parts carboxymethyl cellulose.

29. The cleaning composition of claim 1 comprising: 210 parts orthophosphoric acid of 75% strength; 30 parts alkyl aryl sulphonic acid; 755 parts water; and 5 parts hydroxyethyl cellulose.

30. A method for cleaning and/or sanitizing industrial and/or agricultural machinery comprising:
spraying a thixotropic gel in the form of a cleaning and/or sanitizing agent at a pressure of at least 15 p.s.i. onto a surface to be cleaned to provide a film at least 5 mils thick on the surface thereof;
allowing the film to remain on the surface for at least 10 minutes;
and rinsing off the composition with a high pressure water stream.

31. The method of claim 30 which comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprising an aqueous solution of a soap with a gelling agent comprising an hydroxyethyl cellulose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a car-boxymethyl cellulose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxyethy-lene resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitrocellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substituted vinyl polymer.

32. The method of claim 30 which comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprising an aqueous solution of an anionic detergent with a gelling agent comprising an hydroxyethyl cellulose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxyethylene resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitrocellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substltuted vinyl polymer.

33. The method of claim 30 which comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprising an aqueous solution of a cationic detergent with a gelling agent comprising an hydroxyethyl cellulose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxyethylene resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitrocellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substituted vinyl polymer.

34. The method of claim 30 which comprises spraying a thixotropic composition comprising an aqueous solution of a non-ionic surface active compound with a gelling agent comprising an hydroxyethyl cellulose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxyethylene resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitro-cellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substituted vinyl polymer.

35. The method of claim 30 which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising an aqueous solution of an ampholytic synthetic detergent with a gelling agent comprising an hydroxyethyl cellu-lose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, an a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxyethylene resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitro-cellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substituted vinyl polymer.

36. The method of claim 30 which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising an aqueous solution of a zwitterionic synthetic detergent with a gelling agent comprising an hydroxyethyl cellu-lose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxyethylene resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitro-cellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substituted vinyl polymer.

37. The method of claim 30 which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising an aqueous solution of an amphoteric surface active compound with a gelling agent comprising an hydroxyethyl cellu-lose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitro-cellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substituted vinyl polymer.

38. The method of claim 30 which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising an aqueous solution of a strong acid with a gelling agent comprising an hydroxyethyl cellulose, an hydroxypropyl cellu-lose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxyethylene resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitrocellulose, the hydrolyzable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a car-boxy-substituted vinyl polymer.

39. The method of claim 30 which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising an aqueous solution of a strong base with a gelling agent comprising an hydroxyethyl cellulose, an hydroxypropyl cellulose, a carboxymethyl cellulose, an alginate, a gelatin, a bentonite, a polyoxyethylene resin, polyvinylpyrrolidone, a polyamide, a silica, a naturally-occurring gum, a metallic soap, nitrocellulose, the hydrolyxable copolymer of a low molecular weight olefin and maleic anhydride, and a carboxy-substituted vinyl polymer.

40. The method of claim 30 wherein said high pressure water washing is at a pressure of over 250 p.s.i.

41. The method of claim 30 including the preliminary step of rinsing the surface to be cleaned with hot water.

42. The method of claim 30, which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of an anionic detergent.

43. The method of claim 30, which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of an aqueous solution of a soap.

44. The method of claim 30, which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of an anionic detergent.

45. The method of claim 30, which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of an aqueous solution of a cationic detergent.

46. The method of claim 30, which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of a non-ionic detergent.

47. The method of claim 30, which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of an ampholytic detergent.

48. The method of claim 30, which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of an amphoteric detergent.

49. The method of claim 30, which comprises spraying a thixo-tropic composition comprising a gelling agent and an aqueous solution of a zwitterionic detergent.