EP0915948A1

EP0915948A1 - A glasswashing composition

Info

Publication number: EP0915948A1
Application number: EP97936680A
Authority: EP
Inventors: John Somerville Armstrong
Original assignee: Agency Design Services Ltd
Current assignee: Agency Design Services Ltd
Priority date: 1996-07-29
Filing date: 1997-07-29
Publication date: 1999-05-19
Also published as: WO1998004660A1; AU3942197A; CA2261701A1; NZ334245A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a glasswashing composition for removing lipstick residues from glassware and the like. The glasswashing composition comprises a nonionic surfactant, or a mixture of nonionic surfactants, in a suitable solvent, preferably water. A co-solvent, preferably isopropyl alcohol, may be present. The, or each, nonionic surfactant may be an alkoxylate of a primary or secondary fatty alcohol. The nonionic surfactant may be present in an amount of 2.5-50 % (w/w).

Description

A Glasswashing Composition

The present invention relates to a glasswashing co posi- tion for the removal of lipstick residues from glassware and the like.

The present invention has a particular application in, but is by no means limited to, commercial uses in, for example, public houses, taverns and restaurants.

Conventional glasswashing compositions for use in a commercial setting, for example, automatic institutional dishwashers, rely heavily on a high alkali content (such as sodium or potassium hydroxide) for stain removal. Such conventional glasswashing compositions can also contain anionic surfactants, chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetate (EDTA) salts or nitrilotriacetate (NTA) salts and/or chlorine donors. Conventional glasswashing compositions effect their cleaning action by hydrolysis of stains such as proteins and carbohydrates. However, conventional glasswashing compositions can damage delicate glassware, due to their high alkalinity.

Lipsticks contain various waxes, for example, paraffin wax, synthetic ester and glyceride waxes, and cerosine wax, which waxes are essentially hydrophobic in nature.

Conventional glasswashing compositions, despite being effective in the removal of general stains such as food and beverage debris, are less than effective in removing such lipstick residues from glassware and the like. It is an object of the present invention to produce a glasswashing composition which effectively removes lipstick residue from glassware and the like.

It is a further object of the present invention to effectively remove general stains such as beverage debris whilst also removing lipstick residue.

It is a still further object of the present invention to effectively rinse the glassware, without the need for a separate rinse aid composition.

It is a still further object of the invention to minimise interference with the retention of a beer head within the said glassware.

According to the invention there is provided a glasswashing composition comprising a lipstick residue removing amount of a nonionic surfactant in a suitable solvent.

Preferably, the nonionic surfactant is selected from the group comprising alkoxylates, preferably ethoxylates, of primary or secondary fatty alcohols; ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block co-polymers; and short-chain alkyl esters of mono- or di- carboxylic acids .

More preferably, the nonionic surfactant is a low foam surfactant.

More preferably, the nonionic surfactant is an alkoxylate of a primary or secondary fatty alcohol, in which the end groups are capped. Advantageously, the amount of the nonionic surfactant is in the range 2.5-50% (w/w) , preferably 15-45% (w/w) .

More advantageously, the solvent is water.

Even more advantageously, the glasswashing composition additionally comprises a co-solvent which is preferably selected from short chain alcohols, most preferably isopropyl alcohol, white mineral spirit, glycols and sodium cumene sulphonate . If a co- solvent is present, the co-solvent should preferably be present in an amount of 5-20% (w/w) .

Preferably, the glasswashing composition is additionally provided with a viscosity regulating agent which is selected from the group comprising isopropyl alcohol, ethanol and urea and is, preferably, present in the amount of 2.5-20% (w/w) .

More preferably, the glasswashing composition is provided with a preservative selected from the group comprising methyl paraben, Kathon CG and Nipasept .

Even more preferably, the glasswashing composition is provided with a builder to soften the water, optionally selected from citric acid or a salt thereof; a dicarboxylic acid or a salt thereof, more optionally selected from adipic acid, succinic acid or glutaric acid or salts thereof; or a mixture thereof.

The invention also concerns use of nonionic surfactants to remove lipstick residue from glassware or the like, as well as, use of nonionic surfactants for the manufacture of a glasswashing composition for removing lipstick residues from glassware or the like.

It will be appreciated that nonionic surfactants can be divided into the following groups, all of which are included within the scope of the present invention: -

(1) Ethoxylates of primary or secondary fatty alcohols of various chain length, which are adducts of ethylene oxide with fatty alcohols, the fatty alcohol end groups being uncapped.

(2) Alkoxylates of primary or secondary fatty alcohols of various chain lengths, which are adducts of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or higher alkylene oxides and fatty alcohols.

(3) Ethoxylates or alkoxylates of fatty alcohols of various chain lengths with capped end groups, in which the free hydroxide groups of the nonionic surfactant are esterified with an alkyl group.

(4) Propylene oxide/ethylene oxide or ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block co-polymers.

(5) Ethoxylates or alkoxylates of alkyl phenols.

(6) Amine ethoxylates or alkoxylates.

(7) Alkyl polyglucosides .

(8) Fatty amine oxides.

(9) Fatty acid alkanolimides . (10) Fatty acid alkyl glucamides.

(11) Methoxylates, ethoxylates or alkoxylates of mono- or di- carboxylates (esters of mono- or di- carboxylic acids) . Mixtures of any or all of the above-mentioned nonionic surfactants are also contemplated in the present invention. Specifically, such mixtures include, but are not limited to, mixtures of various members of the Synperonic CF/RA series such as binary mixtures of LF/RA 310 and 30 and of 30 and 260 and of 310 and 260 and ternary mixtures of LF/RA 290, 30 and 310 and of LF/RA 30, 310 and 260; mixtures of various members of the Plurafac LF series such as binary mixtures of 400 and 401; and ternary mixtures of a binary mixture of members of the Synperonic LF/RA series with another nonionic surfactant such as binary mixtures of Synperonic LF/RA 310 and 30 with a member of the Ethylan CPG series and binary mixtures of Synperonic LF/RA 310 and 30 with a member of the Synperonic A series .

Ideally, the nonionic surfactants should conform to the requirements of EU directive 82/242 concerning a minimum primary biodegradability of 80% within 21 days under specified test conditions.

It is preferred that the glasswashing compositions of the present invention include a low foam nonionic surfactant. The term "low foam" can be defined by measuring the rotation rate of a spray arm in a dishwasher. Thus, a low foam Plurafac LF surfactant would allow more than 80 rev/min at 60 °C, when 5 parts of the surfactant and 95 parts of the builder were tested at a concentration of 20g/l in the presence of 10ml of egg to encourage foaming. Alternatively, any conventional foam suppressant may be added to the glasswashing composition of the present invention.

It is preferred that the solvent be water. However, this does not preclude the inclusion of other solvents such as, for example, white mineral spirits, of which FINA VESTAN A 360 B is a commercial example.

It is preferred that a co-solvent be present in the glasswashing composition of the present invention. It is believed that the co-solvent acts as a hydrotope so as to help retain the glasswashing composition in a sin- gle phase. Whilst any short chain alcohol is suitable for this purpose, isopropyl alcohol is preferred. Glycols and sodium cu ene sulphonate are also suitable as co-solvents.

A viscosity regulator may be added to the glasswashing composition of the present invention. This is to ensure that the glasswashing composition works well with the dosing equipment routinely used on commercial dishwashing machines. Examples of suitable viscosity regulators include isopropyl alcohol, ethanol and urea.

It may be necessary to include a preservative, in order to ensure that no product spoilage occurs during the shelf -life of the product. Suitable preservatives include methyl paraben, Kathon CG and Nipasept .

The glasswashing composition of the present invention should have a cloud point greater than 40°C. The glasswashing composition of the present invention will, usually, have a neutral or mildly acidic pH, more usually within pH range 4.5-8, in contrast to conventional glasswashing compositions of high alkalinity (often over 13) . Preferably, the glasswashing composition has a pH within the range 6.5-7.5 which is, effectively, pH neutral.

It is known to use nonionic surfactants as rinse aids and/or as foam suppressants. It is, however, the kernel of the present invention that such nonionic surfactants, surprisingly, are effective on their own in the removal of lipstick residues from glassware and the like, without the addition of conventional high alkali agents.

It is preferred that the nonionic surfactant is an alkoxylated alcohol. Examples of commercially available suitable nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the following: -

(1) The Plurafac LF series from BASF pic of Cheshire, England. This series of nonionic surfactants, which are low foaming, are alkoxylated, predominantly unbranched fatty alcohols which contain higher alkene oxides as well as ethylene oxide. The fatty alcohols may be short, medium or long chain fatty alcohols. Preferred from this series are LF 120, 223, 224, 400, 401, 403, 404, 131, 231, 132, 700, 1300 and 1430 and most preferred are LF 400, 401, 403 and 404. In this connection, Plurafac LF 403 is a C12-18 largely linear, ethoxylated, propoxylated aliphatic alcohol. (2) Plurafac PE series from BASF pic. These are low foaming nonionic surfactants which are made from propylene oxide-ethylene oxide block co-polymers.

(3) Ethylan CPG series from Akcros Chemicals of Manchester, United Kingdom. These are nonionic surfactants which are modified alcohol ethoxylates. Most preferred are CPG 630, CPG 7545, CPG 816 and CPG 945, of which CPG 945 is the most preferred.

(4) The Synperonic LF/RA series from ICI Surfactants of Cleveland, United Kingdom. These are nonionic surfactants and comprise alkoxylated alcohols. From this series, LF/RA 30, 260, 310 and 290 are most preferred. It is believed that Synperonic LF/RA 290 is a low foam wetter having a good balance on the conflicting requirements of wetting and foam control and that Synperonic LF/RA 30 and 310 are foam controlled detergents exhibiting excellent wetting performance at more elevated temperatures .

(5) The Synperonic A series from ICI Surfactants of Cleveland, United Kingdom. These are ethoxylated alcohols, based on "Synprol", a C13/C15 detergent alcohol. From this series, A5 , having a hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB) of 10.2, is preferred.

(6) The Volpo T series from Croda Chemicals Limited. These are ethoxylated derivatives of tridecanol . (7) The Lutensol T series from BASF pic and the Synperonic 13 series from ICI Surfactants. These are alkyl polyglycol ethers of tridecanol, a fatty alcohol.

(8) The Estasol series from Chemoxy International pic of Cleveland, United Kingdom. Estasol is a mixture of three dimethyl dicarboxylate esters. Specifically, Estasol comprises 15-25% dimethyl succinate, 55-65% dimethyl glutarate and 12-23% dimethyl adipate .

Estasol is less desired as a nonionic surfactant, since its presence in the glasswashing composition can be detected by the presence of an "ester" odour. The Estasol series also includes Estasol MD10 which comprises greater than 95% methyl decanoate, a methyl ester of mono-carboxylic acid.

It is desirable that the nonionic surfactant have a HLB in the range 8-12, preferably 9-11. It is also desirable that the nonionic surfactant have the wetting properties of a surfactant used as rinse aid. Suitable nonionic surfactants for use in the glasswashing compositions of the present invention should, therefore, be selected to enable water to run off quickly and evenly after the final rinse.

The glasswashing compositions of the present invention may also include builders to absorb any minerals in the wash water that interfere with cleaning. Citric acid at 1% is a suitable builder but citric acid, when conventionally used in glasswashing compositions at 6%, is not. Dicarboxylic acids such as adipic acid, succinic acid and glutaric acid, and their salts, are also suitable builders. The glasswashing compositions of the invention are prepared by adding the oily components, including the nonionic surfactant to the co-solvent (if present) , and heating to 75°C. The solvent (s) is separately heated to 75°C. The solvent (s) is then added with high speed stirring to the oily components. If used, viscosity regulator, builder, preservative and colour are then added, as the mixture begins to cool.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying examples. All amounts in the Examples are expressed as percentages (weight/weight) .

Example 1

Synperonic LF/RA 310 30%

Synperonic LF/RA 30 15%

Isopropyl alcohol 10% Water Balance

The Synperonic LF/RA series of nonionic surfactants comprising alkoxylated alcohols are supplied by ICI Surfactants of Cleveland, United Kingdom and have the following typical properties:-

Synperonic LF/RA

290 30 310

Cloud point! 26- -30 32- -36 53- -63

Hydroxyl Value² 90- -80 95- -85 62- -50

Pour point³ -11 3 -22

Surface tension⁴ 29. .1 29. ,6 33, .5

Ross-Miles 22 47 78

Foam height⁵

Draves wetting 15 9 17 time⁶

^loC;l% aqueous solution

² mgKOH/g 3o_C

⁴ 0.5% (w/v) at 20°C, dyne/cm

⁵ 0.1% (w/v) at 25°C, 5 minutes, mm ⁶ 0.1% (w/v) at 20°C

Upon testing, the glasswashing composition of Example 1 effectively removes lipstick. However, in a high pressure dishwasher, this composition generates a significant amount of foam - the addition of a foam suppressant would reduce foam production.

Example 2

Synperonic LF/RA 290 15%

Synperonic LF/RA 30 10%

Synperonic LF/RA 310 5%

Isopropyl alcohol 10%

Citric Acid 1% Water Balance The optimum dilution for this glasswashing composition, in use, is 600ppm and, at this dilution, the composition removes lipstick residues and beverage debris from glassware.

Example 3

Plurafac LF400 15%

Plurafac LF401 15%

Isopropyl alcohol 15%

Citric Acid 1%

Water Balance

Upon testing, this glasswashing composition effectively removes lipstick.

Example 4

Synperonic LF/RA 310 3%

Synperonic LF/RA 30 3%

Ethylan CPG 945 10%

Water Balance

This glasswashing composition removes lipstick but is associated with high detergency properties. A weaker solution of this composition could, in addition, be used as a rinse aid. Ethylan CPG 945 can be replaced by equal amounts, by weight, of Synperonic LF/RA 310 and 30 and, in that event, the glasswashing composition also effectively removes lipstick residue. Example 5

Composition

A B C D E

Synperonic LF/RA30 20 15

Synperonic LF/RA310 20 15

Synperonic LF/RA260 5 5

Estasol 20

Isopropyl alcohol 15 15 15 15 15

Water qa qa qa qa qa

Compositions A-E all effectively removed lipstick residue but composition A generated a considerable amount of foam when hot .

Example 6

Water 64%

White mineral spirit 10% Synperonic LF/RA 290 10% Synperonic LF/RA 30 3% Synperonic LF/RA 310 3% Isopropyl alcohol 5% Citric Acid 1% Preservative qa Colour qa Example 7

Water 65% Estasol or Estasol MD10 10%

Synperonic A5 5%

Synperonic LF/RA 30 10%

Synperonic LF/RA 310 10%

Example 8

Water 54%

Synperonic LF/RA 290 15%

Synperonic LF/RA 30 10% Synperonic LF/RA 310 5%

Isopropyl alcohol 10%

Estasol or Estasol MD10 5%

Citric Acid 1%

The compositions of Examples 6-8 each effectively remove lipstick residues and beverage and food debris stains from glassware and the like.

Example 9

Composition Lipstick Removal Temperature

F 98% 65°C

G 48.3% 66°C

H 83.3% 67°C Lever 45% 70°C

Compositions F-H comprise:- Composition

F G H Ethylan CPG 945 30 20 Synperonic A5 20 Synperonic LF/RA 310 6 6 Synperonic LF/RA 30 6 6 Isopropyl alcohol 15 20 20 Water 55 48 48

"Lever" is a comparative glasswashing composition, which is supplied to the bar trade by Lever Brothers under the name "Lever Cabinet Washing Liquid" .

Six half pint glasses were soiled with milk and, once dry, a lipstick ring was drawn around half of the rim of each glass. Each glass was then dabbed with a sponge to remove excess lipstick. It will be appreciated that the above-mentioned lipstick residue is considerably heavier than would be encountered in reality. Despite this, the glasswashing compositions of the invention demonstrated better lipstick residue removal than the current commercially available product, sold to the bar trade to clean glassware.

A Classic 500 glasswasher was filled with hot water and allowed to heat the water to the above-mentioned temperature. The test glasses were loaded into the centre of the glasswasher tray, surrounded by other glasses as ballast. When the water in the machine had reached the required temperature, 100ml of the required glasswashing composition was added to the water tank and stirred well. Following completion of the cycle, the test glasses were removed and the percentage lipstick removal assessed. The washed test glasses were then assessed for beer head retention - Boddington's Canned Draught Bitter was poured into the test glasses and the test glasses were observed for both lacing pattern and nucleation.

On initial filling, each of the test glasses produced a good head, with composition G having a slightly greater foam density. After one hour, the head height in the test glasses was about 3mm and, at 2 hours, 2mm although, in the case of composition G, the foam did not cover the whole of the liquid surface. After 6 hours, a thin layer of bubbles remained over the surface of the test glasses washed in composition H and, with composition G, one quarter of the liquid surface was still covered in bubbles.

Concerning lacing, all samples produced good lacing. The pattern was slightly more uniform and the foam remained in the glass longer with composition G.

It is believed, based on the above-mentioned results, that the glasswashing compositions of the present invention operate most effectively with wash water in the temperature range 60°C-80°C, 75°C being most preferred. For optimal performance, it is also believed that the temperature of the rinse water should be about 55°C.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1. A glasswashing composition comprising a lipstick residue removing amount of a nonionic surfactant or a mixture thereof in a suitable solvent.

2. A glasswashing composition according to Claim 1, in which the, or each, nonionic surfactant is selected from the group comprising alkoxylates, preferably ethoxylates, of primary or secondary fatty alcohols; ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block co-polymers; and short-chain alkyl esters of mono- or di- carboxylic acids .

3. A glasswashing composition according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the, or each, nonionic surfactant is a low foam surfactant .

4. A glasswashing composition according to Claim 2, in which the, or each, nonionic surfactant is an alkoxylate of a primary or secondary fatty alcohol, in which the end groups are capped.

5. A glasswashing composition according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lipstick residue removing amount of the nonionic surfactant is in the range 2.5-50% (w/w) .

6. A glasswashing composition according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the solvent is water.

7. A glasswashing composition according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the glasswashing composition additionally comprises a co-solvent which is preferably selected from short-chain alcohols, most preferably isopropyl alcohol, glycols and sodium cumene sulphonate .

8. A glasswashing composition according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the glasswashing composition is additionally provided with a viscosity regulating agent which is selected from the group comprising isopropyl alcohol, ethanol and urea and is, preferably, present in the amount of 2.5-20% (w/w) .

9. A glasswashing composition according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the glasswashing composition is provided with a preservative selected from the group comprising methyl paraben, Kathon CG and Nipasept .

10. A glasswashing composition according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the glasswashing composition is provided with a builder to soften the water.

11. A glasswashing composition according to Claim 10, in which the builder is citric acid or a salt thereof.

12. Use of a nonionic surfactant to remove lipstick residue from glassware or the like.

13. Use of a nonionic surfactant for the manufacture of a glasswashing composition for removing lipstick residue from glassware or the like.