FR2568264A1 - Product which makes it possible to unblock pipework and U-bends, characterised in that it results from the combination of an agent which disintegrates the calcareous ''cement'' which binds together the constituents of the blockage and of a surface-active agent - Google Patents

Abstract

The unblocking product is remarkable in that it combines a weak acid, citric acid and a surface-active agent. Unlike the products usually used, which are dangerous to handle and are made of concentrated strong bases or equally concentrated strong acids, and which can destroy most of the constituents of the blockages, the citric acid present only acts on the calcareous cement which binds the various constituents of these blockages whose disintegration it determines. The nonionic surface-active agent, combined with the citric acid, promotes the dispersion of certain constituents (lipids) which accelerates the unblocking.

Description

 The present invention relates to a product unblocking pipes and siphons in bathrooms, characterized in that it results from the association of an agent disintegrating the limestone "cement" which unites the constituents of the obstructing plug and of a surfactant.

 If we disregard the mechanical means used to unclog the pipes, the unblocking is done chemically with a strong base, in general, Soda, or with a strong acid, in general, Sulfuric Acid. The principle of uncorking is based on the dissolution of most of the constituents of the stoppers, in particular the organic components, more or less polymerized.

 These products, Bases or Strong Acids, are sold commercially in a concentrated state, which leads to careful precautions in their use. Their contact with the skin causes serious lesions and these lesions are particularly serious, if these products come into contact with the eyes or are accidentally ingested.

 The unblocker, object of the invention, allows the user to no longer be forced to take precautions with these unblockers (concentrated acid or concentrated base).

The object of the invention finds its starting point in the analysis of the constituents of the plugs which obstruct the pipes and the siphons in the homes. This analysis shows that the nature of the caps varies with the use we make of water, and this leads to a distinction, roughly speaking, between two categories of caps.
- "plugs" which obstruct siphons and pipes receiving kitchen water, from sinks or appliances with similar functions,
- and the plugs that obstruct the siphons and pipes receiving the toilet water, from devices such as sinks, bidets, bathtubs, shower trays.

 It also appears, and one could expect it, a priori, that the type of plugs, kitchen sink, are extremely variable in their composition. These variations relate to many parameters, in particular the nature of the power supply and the behavior of each user, in the face of the risks of obstruction that may occur.

 On the other hand, it is different for devices of the water sand type (sink - bidet - bath - shower tray).

In this case, there is an incontestable similarity in the composition of the plugs, in particular when the water used is calcareous ("hard" according to the expression of water technicians).

The constituents are almost always the same
- Soaps or derivatives, which have become insoluble,
- Calcium Carbonate formations also insoluble,
- Hair - hair - skin epithelial cells (pon
usually small) - some light debris ali
dental (brushing teeth),
- Cosmetological products, belonging to almost all of the
same chemical families.

From this analysis, the important role of the
Calcium, insofar as certain Calcium salts are insoluble. It is not necessary to make an exhaustive list of these insoluble salts; in fact two calcium components are more particularly present, in the plugs which obstruct the evacuation pipes and the siphons of the bathrooms: Calcium carbonates and Calcium soaps.

These two constituents are formed from calcium components which are soluble in the water supplying the devices. This formation occurs in pipes, following an increase in the pH of the water and by effects of elevation of water temperature (the waters used in the bathrooms have, most often, to in this regard, a favorable temperature). The phenomena of formation of these insoluble components and their precipitation intensify with so-called "hard" waters. This precipitation adheres, in part, to the wall of the pipes. During the precipitation, it happens that a hair, a hair, is taken in the massprXcipitée- Wuiiduricit PtogSeaszyeme * t.The part of the hair, or the hair, free in the light, constitutes an obstacle to the circulation of other hair or other hairs. Thus will begin to form a network which will be consolidated by new precipitation of Calcium salts and soaps. In the felting formed by the stopper, hard constituents such as mineral salts of Calcium and constituents of variable viscosity, represented by long chain molecules (lipid type) which are free for one part of the chain, are fixed for another part. , with implication in other precipitated formations.

Analysis of the plug, blocking the pipes and
siphons, it appears that one of the main causes of the for
mation of the plugs of the evacuations of the bathrooms, resides in
precipitation of Calcium salts which then play rolls
of "binder" or "cement" between the other constituents
aggregates. Dissolving this "binder" or "cement" has the effect of dispersing the constituents and unclogging. Taking into account the presence in the felting of the stopper, of molecules with high viscosity (in general of lipidic nature), the dispersion is favored by the presence of dispersing agents. In relation to what has just been said, the unblocker for siphons and pipes, bathrooms, object of the invention, is constituted by the combination of a product "anticement" (or "antiliant11) and a surfactant.

 The "anti-cement" (or "anti-binder") product is represented in the unblocker by an organic acid, weak in reference to strong mineral acids, such as sulfuric acid. The acid present only aims to dissolve the "cement" (or "binder) which unites the constituents of the stopper and therefore only intervenes through this limited and specific action, while strong acids such as sulfuric acid have a much more extensive action and are, moreover, dangerous because of this. To undo this cement of carbonate nature, by breaking down the Calcium carbonate and by dissolving certain Calcium soaps which are also part of this cement, it suffices to a relatively weak acid.This acid is represented in the product by citric acid which is not dangerous and which is for that used in certain food and drinks, like additive. Citric acid is already used for the cleaning of many utensils, especially in the food and household sector (container, tableware, glassware ...); it aims / in these uses, to dissolve "tartar" (Calcium salts) which adheres to the walls of the containers, even if these layers are very thin and coated t sometimes the appearance of a light veil (glassware ...). The use proposed for the unblocker, object of the invention, is different, in this sense, that it aims at the solubilization of the "cement" which unites the constituents of the obstruction plug.

 The dissolution of the "cement" or "binder", by citric acid, weakens the plug and a current of water can then cause, by mechanical effect, the constituents towards areas (wider conduits) where they will no longer be able to obstruct.

 The surfactant is a non-inonic surfactant. It can thus be combined with an acid. It is present in the product to facilitate dispersion, following the disaggregating action of citric acid.

 Used alone, the surfactant, cannot act effectively on the "cement" of the stopper even if it modifies the state of certain constituents of the obstructing stopper (fats and derivatives, present in the composition of soaps and cosmetic products. ). 1-1 cannot entrain these constituents "hooked" by some of their poles to "cement". On the other hand, when the cement is dissolved by citric acid, and such constituents are "unhooked", the action of the surfactant is facilitated.

This action is, moreover, favored by an effect due to the bubbles of carbon dioxide released during the citric acid "cement" limestone reaction.

 The unblocking product, object of the invention, is in liquid form in solution in water and it contains citric acid at a concentration ranging from 20 to 60 percent and a nonionic surfactant, at a concentration of 2 at 10 percent.

Claims (5)

 1. Product unblocking pipes and siphons in bathrooms, CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT it results from the association of an agent disintegrating the limestone "cement" which unites the constituents of the obstructing plug and a surfactant.  2. Product according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED BY FACT THAT the disintegrating action is due to the dissolution of the calcareous "cement", exerted by a weak acid which does not act on the polymerized constituents of the blocking plug, in particular on the hairs and on the hair, as do strong acids (e.g. sulfuric acid) and concentrates. THE FACT THAT the weak acid is citric acid which can be associated, even concentrated, with a surfactant which it does not destroy.  3. Product according to claim 1 and 2, CHARACTERIZED BY  4. Product according to claims 1 to 39 CHARACTERIZED BY THE FACT THAT the nonionic surfactant present increases the dispersing action of citric acid, without which this surfactant would have no action to unclog the pipes and the siphons clogged in the bathrooms.  5. Product according to claim 1 to 4, CHARACTERIZED BY FACT THAT the Xmulsifying action of the surfactant is favored by an effect due to the bubbles of carbon dioxide released during the reaction of citric acid on limestone "cement".