EP4674934A1

EP4674934A1 - Sanitary agent for cleaning and perfuming a sanitary apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP4674934A1
Application number: EP25186369.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Cinzia Brignoli; Claudia Zaniboni
Original assignee: Re Le Vi SpA
Current assignee: Re Le Vi SpA
Priority date: 2024-07-01
Filing date: 2025-06-30
Publication date: 2026-01-07

Abstract

A sanitary agent is described, for cleaning and perfuming a sanitary appliance, suitable for the treatment of a sanitary device, said sanitary agent consisting of a tablet in solid form, said tablet comprising:
at least one anionic surfactant and a solvent, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 27 to 52% by weight and the solvent is present in a quantity ranging from 0.1 to 3% by weight, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet. The solvent is selected from monoethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, and mixtures thereof.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sanitary agent for cleaning and/or perfuming a sanitary appliance.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sanitary agent for cleaning and/or perfuming a sanitary appliance.
In particular, the present invention relates to a sanitary agent that comprises a soap or solid tablet that can be applied by means of a suitable attachment device or by means of plastic "cages" to the inside wall of a toilet bowl (WC) or a urinal.

STATE OF THE ART

Sanitary appliances, such as wall-mounted WCs or urinals, must be subjected to repeated cleaning operations in order to maintain adequate hygienic and sanitary conditions.
It is known from the state of the art that sanitary agents are hung using suitable hooking devices positioned in the flush tank, when this exists; the emission of a portion of said soap or solid tablet is effected with each flushing operation of water into the toilet bowl.
Sanitary agents are also known, on the other hand, which are fixed to the perimeter edge of the toilet bowl by means of a supporting device directly applied to the soap or solid tablet; these sanitary agents normally include the soap or solid tablet which is inserted into particular devices, such as "cages", provided with said supporting device, such as for example a plastic bracket, and with slits and/or holes so as to allow a portion of said soap or tablet to be released into the toilet bowl with each water flushing operation.
The sanitary agents described above, when hit by the water that irrigates the toilet bowl, enrich this water with the substances contained in the soap or solid tablet, thus providing the elements necessary for cleaning and/or perfuming the bowl.
Numerous solid toilet bowl agents with cleaning and/or perfuming properties are known and widely marketed.
These agents are capable of guaranteeing an effective cleaning and/or perfuming treatment of the toilet bowl, thanks to the use of a solid soap or tablet, i.e. a solid block, containing the various active ingredients of interest and which slowly dissolve when the rinsing water flows.
In the field of solid toilet blocks of the rim-block type, applied to the surface of interest by means of appropriate hooks or plastic cages, there is therefore an ever-increasing need for products that are capable of exerting multiple actions (detergent, perfuming) for a sufficient number of water flushes and, these soaps or solid tablets are generally a product of interest from the point of view of durability over time, thanks to the presence of components that, by controlling their dissolution, allow a gradual and slow release of the various components that form the tablet itself. They are also particularly interesting as they combine a good durability with absolutely advantageous manufacturing and marketing costs compared to other similar products.
An example of a toilet-cleaning tablet is described in US 2013/239313 A1 , a tablet comprising (see [0077], at least E3) 37% by weight of anionic surfactant (Na-linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, Na-olefin sulfonate and Na-fatty alcohol sulfoether).
Among the many existing products, however, there is a particular need for products characterized by an improved cleaning capacity, especially with regard to organic dirt, i.e. so-called greasy dirt, present in toilets.
Many products existing on the market, in fact, have a general cleaning and perfuming action, but are not very efficient in the treatment of this type of residue. The limited capacity of these products of eliminating organic dirt (and therefore grease) leads to a generally poorer overall cleaning capacity of the toilet itself.
The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a sanitary agent for the treatment of a sanitary appliance that offers an improved solution especially in terms of cleaning action against organic dirt compared to the solutions provided by the state of the art. The objective of the present invention is also, in a broader sense, to increase the cleaning power of the tablet itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention therefore relates to a sanitary agent for cleaning and perfuming a sanitary appliance, suitable for the treatment of a sanitary device, said sanitary agent being composed of a tablet in solid form, said tablet comprising:
at least one anionic surfactant and a solvent, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 27 to 52% by weight and the solvent is present in a quantity ranging from 0.1 to 3% by weight, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet, said solvent being selected from monoethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and mixtures thereof.
The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention can also comprise excipients in a quantity ranging from 41% to 66% by weight, perfume in a quantity ranging from 0.5 to 4% by weight, dye in a quantity ranging from 0.01 to 3% by weight, plasticizer in a quantity ranging from 0.1 to 3% by weight and sequestering agent in a quantity ranging from 1 to 3% by weight, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet.
The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention has an average weight ranging from 10 to 12 g, preferably equal to 11 g, when used in multi-element cages.
Alternatively, the solid tablet can have an average weight ranging from 20 to 50 g, preferably 40 g, when used in single-element cages.
The sanitizing agent of the present invention offers various significant advantages with respect to the products of the state of the art, and specifically the unique qualitative and quantitative combination of the surfactant components and solvent in the solid tablet allows for the creation of a sanitizing agent characterized by effective and improved cleansing and disinfecting power, particularly against organic dirt, namely so-called greasy dirt.
The tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention has a lifespan of approximately 200-250 flushes of waste water, when used in multi-element cages.
Alternatively, the solid tablet can have a lifespan of approximately 350-400 flushes when used in single-element cages.
In this description, the term "sanitary appliance" or "sanitary device" refers to a toilet bowl, a urinal, or any other similar appliance that is normally flushed to maintain cleanliness and hygiene.
In this description, the term "treatment of a sanitary appliance" refers to cleaning, sanitizing, deodorizing, descaling, and other similar operations applicable to said sanitary appliance.
In the present description, the term "solid tablet" refers to a solid body whose chemical composition comprises cleaning, detergent, degreasing, foaming, perfuming, deodorizing, water-colouring components, or any other water-soluble component useful for the treatment of the sanitary appliance.
In this description, the term "cage" refers to the plastic casing equipped with a fastening element to the sanitary appliance and capable of housing the solid tablet, allowing it to come into contact with the flushing water with each flush of water in the sanitary appliance.
The cage used for said solid tablet is preferably a multi-element cage, composed of three to five pieces, preferably five pieces, wherein a solid tablet is inserted in each element, having an average weight ranging from 10 to 12 g, preferably equal to 11 g, of the sanitary agent according to the present invention.
Alternatively, the cage used for this tablet is a single-element cage, into which a single solid tablet is inserted, having a weight ranging from 20 to 50 g, preferably equal to 40 g, of the sanitary agent according to the present invention.
The solid tablet of the sanitary agent of the present invention is progressively and conveniently consumed with each flushing of the sanitary appliance, activating an emulsification and/or solubilization process.
The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention preferably comprises an anionic surfactant wherein the anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 27 to 52% by weight, preferably from 35 to 45% by weight and is preferably sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate or sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate or mixtures thereof.
The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention preferably comprises a solvent in a quantity ranging from 0.1 to 3% by weight, preferably equal to 1% by weight, said solvent being preferably monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine, more preferably monoisopropanolamine.
It can also comprise one or more additional additives, such as probiotics, bacteria, enzymes, activated carbon, or other anionic and/or non-ionic surfactants.
The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention preferably comprises or consists of:

sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate;
sodium sulfate;
monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine;
C₁₁-C₁₃ isoalkane hydrocarbons;
coloured bentonite granules;
perfume; and
dye.

The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention more preferably comprises or consists of:

sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in a quantity equal to 42% by weight;
sodium sulfate in a quantity equal to 52% by weight;
monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine in a quantity equal to 1% by weight;
C₁₁-C₁₃ isoalkane hydrocarbons in a quantity equal to 2% by weight;
coloured bentonite granules in a quantity equal to 2% by weight;
perfume in a quantity equal to 1% by weight; and
dye in a quantity equal to 0.005% by weight.

In a second embodiment, the solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention comprises or consists of:

sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate;
sodium sulfate;
monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine;
sodium citrate;
dipropylene glycol;
perfume; and
dye.

sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in a quantity equal to 37% by weight;
sodium sulfate in a quantity equal to 56.6% by weight;
monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine in a quantity equal to 1% by weight;
sodium citrate in a quantity equal to 2% by weight;
dipropylene glycol in a quantity equal to 0.8% by weight;
perfume in a quantity equal to 2.5% by weight; and
dye in a quantity equal to 0.08% by weight.

The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention is produced using the following process:
All the components are kneaded/mixed together until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, sufficiently consistent to be drawn by extrusion, thus obtaining solid tablets with an average weight ranging from 10 to 12 g, preferably equal to 11 g, or with an average weight ranging from 20 to 50 g, preferably equal to 40 g.
The solid tablet thus obtained is inserted into the cage, preferably into each element of a multi-element cage, consisting of three to five pieces, preferably five pieces. Alternatively, the solid tablet is inserted into a single element of a single-element cage.
The present invention therefore further relates to a method for preparing the sanitary agent according to the present invention, which comprises the following steps:

mixing the components of the solid tablet until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, sufficiently consistent to be drawn by extrusion;
extrusion of a solid tablet (A) with an average weight ranging from 10 to 12 g, preferably 11 g, or a solid tablet (B) with an average weight ranging from 20 to 50 g, preferably 40 g;
insertion of the solid tablet into a cage, preferably one solid tablet (A) in each element of a multi-element cage, composed of three to five pieces, preferably five pieces, or insertion of the solid tablet (B) in a single element of a single-element cage.

As previously specified, the sanitary agent according to the present invention is characterized by the following advantageous effects:

a degreasing effect that leads to a better solubilization of organic dirt and therefore of greasy dirt;
a greater cleaning power, in addition to the action due to the presence of the surfactant(s).

The particular qualitative and quantitative selection of the components of the solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention has allowed a product to be created in which the different components interact with each other in a synergistic way for the removal of greasy dirt, at the same time obtaining an excellent perfuming power.
The present invention also relates to a method for cleaning and perfuming a sanitary appliance, characterized by applying a sanitary agent according to the present invention, such as those described above, to the inside of the sanitary appliance to be treated.
Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from an examination of the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION.

Example 1.

The components indicated in the following table were mixed until a homogeneous mixture was obtained, sufficiently consistent to be able to be drawn by extrusion, thus producing solid tablets with a weight equal to 11 g.:

Function	Trade name	INCI name	Weight %
Anionic surfactant	Reltens	Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate [80%]	42
Excipient	Sodium sulfate	Sodium sulfate	51.995
Plasticizer	Metryl 600	aromatic C₁₁-C₁₃ isoalkane hydrocarbons < 2%	2
Perfume	CLEAN ACTION 36680P	Perfume	1
Dye	Liquitint Blue	Dye	0.005
Beads	BLUE SVD BENTONITE	coloured bentonite granules	2
Solvent	Monoethanolamine	Monoethanolamine	1

More specifically, the mixture for drawing the solid tablet was prepared by mixing the various components in a laboratory mixer with dipping arms having a capacity of approximately 1 kg, at room temperature, mixing for approximately 30 minutes until a homogeneous, plastic and malleable paste had been obtained.
The paste thus obtained was then drawn into solid tablets suitably shaped for fitting into multi-element cages.
Once each solid tablet had been inserted into the respective element of the multi-element cage, the sanitary agent thus created was subjected to product durability tests that confirmed that the durability target had been reached, obtaining an average duration of 200 flushings, corresponding to a duration of approximately two weeks of the solid tablet, considering an average of twelve flushings per day (number of flows defined by the test protocol of external laboratories). The test is carried out with the aid of an automated flush counter that distributes the 12 flows at regular intervals over the course of 24 hours.
The test is also effected with a predefined toilet model (Villeroy & Boch French toilet, Voltablanc with a 6L calibrated cistern) and a known toilet water hardness (corresponding to 25TH).
The sanitation agent was also subjected to an efficacy test using an internal visual test.
This test consists of fouling a toilet with a greasy compound consisting of 69.99% (60-80%) by weight of corn starch, 28% (18-38%) by weight of butter, 2% (1-5%) by weight of vegetable oil and 0.01% (0.001-0.1) by weight of colouring agent, previously prepared by mixing and coloured; the solid tablet of Example 1 (or the comparative solid tablet described hereunder) was then applied to the toilet and an automated flushing was effected for 3 days (with a rate of 12 flushings per day).
The test was conducted by comparing the solid tablet of Example 1 according to the present invention with a comparative solid tablet having the same composition as that of Example 1, but without the solvent, namely monoethanolamine. In the comparative tablet, the eliminated solvent was compensated for by adding 1% of an inert substance, sodium sulfate.
The test showed a significant increase in the cleaning area, as shown in the attached Figures 1-2, wherein the white areas are the clean areas, whereas the dark areas are the areas with residual greasy dirt.
Figure 1 shows the result of the test carried out with the comparative solid tablet, without the solvent, whereas figure 2 shows the result of the same test with the solid tablet of Example 1 according to the present invention.
An external test was also effected by an accredited laboratory, which effected a gravimetric evaluation: a ceramic tile of known dimensions was soiled with a specific amount of greasy dirt prepared according to the laboratory's internal method DT2579. The tile was left to dry and then attached to the toilet wall under the cage containing the solid toilet seat being tested. An automated program was then run, scheduling 12 flushings per day. The tile was then weighed, thus calculating the percentage of dirt removal.
The test was effected by comparing the solid tablet of Example 1 according to the present invention with the composition indicated above and the solid comparative tablet previously described The results indicated in the following table were obtained.

Tablet Example 1 (% removal of greasy dirt) Tablet without monoethanolamine (% removal of greasy dirt)

R1/R2/R3 52/51/50 44/34/42

average 51 40

R1, R2 and R3 are the weighings effected in three tests.
It should also be noted that the composition according to the present invention, thanks to the particular combination of anionic surfactant and solvent present therein,

is more effective in removing organic residues and therefore greasy dirt, thanks to its capacity of eliminating greasy dirt from the toilet;
does in fact have a degreasing effect which leads to a better solubilization of organic dirt and therefore of greasy dirt;

has a greater cleaning power, in addition to the action due to the presence of the surfactant(s),

Example 2.

The components indicated in the following table were mixed until a homogeneous mixture was obtained, sufficiently consistent to be able to be drawn by extrusion, thus creating a solid tablet with a weight equal to 40 g:

Function	Trade name	INCI name	Weight %
Anionic surfactant	Reltens	Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate [80%]	37
Excipient	Sodium sulfate	Sodium sulfate	56.62
Plasticizer	Dipropylene glycol	Dipropylene glycol	0.8
Perfume	Rimblock Lavender	Perfume	2.5
Dye	Liquitint Blue	Dye	0.008
Dye	Liquitint Pink	Dye	0.072
Sequestering agent	Sodium citrate	Sodium citrate	2
Solvent	Monoisopropanolamine	Monoisopropanolamine	1

Proceeding as indicated in Example 1, solid tablets were obtained which were inserted into cages, preferably in each element of single-element cages.
The effectiveness properties were found to be completely similar to those tested for tablets with the composition of Example 1. The solid tablet of Example 2 was also subjected to the same product durability tests, which confirmed that it had reached about 350 flushings.

Example 3

Function	Trade name	INCI name	Weight %
Anionic surfactant	Reltens	Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate [80%]	7
Anionic surfactant	Nansa LSS	Sodium C₁₄-₁₆ alpha-olefin sulfonate [80%]	45
Non-ionic surfactant	Glucopon 600	C₁₀-C₁₆ alkylpolyglucoside	5
Excipient	Sodium sulfate	Sodium sulfate	38.995
Plasticizer	Metryl 600	aromatic C₁₁-C₁₃ isoalkane hydrocarbons < 2%	2
Perfume	Ocean Rimblock	Perfume	1
Dye	Liquitint Blue	Dye	0.005
Solvent	Monoethanolamine	Monoethanolamine	1

Proceeding as indicated in Example 1, solid tablets were obtained which were inserted into cages, preferably in each element of single-element cages.
The effectiveness properties were found to be completely similar to those tested for tablets with the composition of Example 1. The solid tablet of Example 3 was also subjected to the same product durability tests, which confirmed that it had reached about 350 flushings.

Claims

A sanitary agent for cleaning and perfuming a sanitary appliance, suitable for the treatment of a sanitary device, said sanitary agent being composed of a tablet in solid form, said tablet comprising
at least one anionic surfactant and a solvent, wherein the anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 27 to 52% by weight and the solvent is present in a quantity ranging from 0.1 to 3% by weight, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet, said solvent being selected from monoethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine and mixtures thereof.
The sanitary agent according to claim 1, wherein the solid tablet of the sanitary agent comprises excipients in a quantity ranging from 41% to 66% by weight, perfume in a quantity ranging from 0.5 to 4% by weight, dye in a quantity ranging from 0.01 to 3% by weight, plasticizer in a quantity ranging from 0.1 to 3% by weight, sequestering agent in a quantity ranging from 1 to 3% by weight, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet.
The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the solid tablet comprises an anionic surfactant in a quantity ranging from 27 to 52% by weight, preferably from 35 to 45% by weight and is preferably sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate or sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate or mixtures thereof, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet.
The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the solid tablet comprises a solvent in a quantity ranging from 0.1 to 3% by weight, preferably equal to 1% by weight, said solvent preferably being monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine, more preferably monoisopropanolamine, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet.
The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the solid tablet comprises one or more further additives, such as probiotics, bacteria, enzymes, activated carbon, or other anionic and/or non-ionic surfactants.
The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the solid tablet comprises or consists of:
Sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate;

sodium sulfate;

monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine;

C₁₁-C₁₃ isoalkane hydrocarbons;

coloured bentonite granules;

perfume; and

dye.
The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the solid tablet comprises or consists of:
sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in a quantity equal to 42% by weight;

sodium sulfate in a quantity equal to 52% by weight;

monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine in a quantity equal to 1% by weight;

C₁₁-C₁₃ isoalkane hydrocarbons in a quantity equal to 2% by weight;

coloured bentonite granules in a quantity equal to 2% by weight;

perfume in a quantity equal to 1% by weight; and

dye in a quantity equal to 0.005% by weight,

said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet.
The sanitary agent according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, wherein the solid tablet comprises or consists of:
sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate;

sodium sulfate;

monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine;

sodium citrate;

dipropylene glycol;

perfume; and

dye.
The sanitary agent according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, wherein the solid tablet comprises or consists of:
sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in a quantity equal to 37% by weight;

sodium sulfate in a quantity equal to 56.6% by weight;

monoethanolamine or monoisopropanolamine in a quantity equal to 1% by weight;

sodium citrate in a quantity equal to 2% by weight;

dipropylene glycol in a quantity equal to 0.8% by weight;

perfume in a quantity equal to 2.5% by weight; and

dye in a quantity equal to 0.08% by weight,

said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet.
A method for preparing the sanitary agent according to any of claims 1 to 9, comprising the following steps:
- mixing the components of the solid tablet until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, sufficiently consistent to be drawn by extrusion;

- extrusion of a solid tablet (A) with an average weight ranging from 10 to 12 g, preferably 11 g, or a solid tablet (B) with an average weight ranging from 20 to 50 g, preferably 40 g;

- insertion of the solid tablet into a cage, preferably one solid tablet (A) in each element of a multi-element cage, consisting of three to five pieces, preferably five pieces, or insertion of the solid tablet (B) into a single element of a single-element cage.
A method for cleaning and perfuming a sanitary appliance characterized in that a sanitary agent according to any of claims 1 to 9 is applied inside the sanitary appliance to be treated.