GB2510612A

GB2510612A - Cleaning product

Info

Publication number: GB2510612A
Application number: GB201302290A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Helen Fisher
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2013-02-08
Filing date: 2013-02-08
Publication date: 2014-08-13
Also published as: GB201302290D0

Abstract

A cleaning product comprises one or more indicator agents wherein the indicator compound serves to inform the user as to the age, quality, effectiveness and/or state of the cleaning product. The indicator compound may also serve to inform the user as to the length of time the cleaning product has been in use. The cleaning product can be a cloth, wipe, pad, towel or flannel and the indicator agent may be a colour change agent such as a acid-base or pH indicator. The cleaning product can be used to clean a surface such as an inert surface or contact surface e.g. walls, floors, ceilings, sills and windows, or a biological or living surface such as skin, tissue, bone, fur and the like.

Description

CLEANING PRODUCT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides cleaning products which comprise indicator agents which inform the user as to the age, usage. quality and/or effectiveness of the cleaning product.

BACKGROUND OF TUE INVENTION

Proper cleaning of surfaces is vital to prevent the spread of microorganisms. it is particularly important in the food and health care industries where microbial contamination of surfaces can lead to illness and infection, In hospitals, cleaning is a tightly regulated activity and it is critical that the sanitisation of surfaces (both inert and living) is carried out thoroughly. By taking special care to ensure that cleaning is conducted properly, it is possible to significantly reduce the spread of infection through wards. As it stands, I-lealthcare Associated Infections affect thousands of patients a year in the UK, and result in annual bills for the NHS of approximately Li billion.

Hand hygiene and infection control are key to keeping the infection rate down.

Currently. hand hygiene education is poor and this essential process is not being correctly complied with in schools, hospitals and food preparation areas.

While there are a myriad of cleaning products available to facilitate the proper and effective cleaning of surfaces, the user (in particular the general public) is rarely offered training to ensure that proper cleaning techniques are being applied. As such, even if a surface is cleaned with an anti-bacterial spray or wipe, there is no guarantee that the surface has been properly cleaned or that the cleaning product has been correctly used. A particular problem is the over-use of wipes. Whereas a single wipe may be used to clean an entire surface, proper cleaning might only be achieved through the use of two or three wipes. At present, the user has no means of being able to tell when a cleaning product has become ineffective at cleaning a surface.

Another problem is under-use of a cleaning product. More specifically, more often than not, a user does not sanitise or dean for the correct length of time. For example, a surface may be given a cursory wipe with a cleaning product but this would be insufficient to affect proper cleaning. 1-lowever. other than timing the cleaning process, there is no easy means by which a user might determine whether or not a cleaning product has been used for the correct length of time.

It is among the objects of this invention to address one or more of these problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

lii a first aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning product, the product comprising one or more indicator agents(s).

It should be understood that all occurrences of the term "comprising" within this specification may encompass embodiments in which the invention "consists essentially of' or "consists of' the relevant feature.

lii use, the indicator compound serves to inform the user as to the age, quality, effectiveness and/or state of the cleaning product. The indicator compound may also serve to inform the user as to the length of time the cleaning product has been in use.

As such, the invention provides cleaning products comprising one or more indicator agent(s). which indicator agents serve to inform the user as to the age, quality, effectiveness, state andlor usage of the cleaning product.

The cleaning product may be any product which can be used to clean (or is suitable for cleaning) a surface. The term "deaning a surface" should be taken to encompass the act of removing any dirt, particles, microbes, spillages andior contamination from a surface. The term "cleaning" may further encompass the act of sterilising or decontaminating a surface of, for example, any microorganisms (particularly fungal, protozoan and/or bacterial microorganisms). The term "surface" may include inert surfaces and contact surfaces such as walls, floors, ceilings, sills and windows as well as, for example, the surfaces of any part of a piece of furniture and/or a vehicle. One of skill will appreciate that a "surface" may also comprise a biological or living surface such as skin, tissue, bone, fur and the 111cc.

As such, the present invention may provide cleaning products for cleaning a surface, wherein the cleaning product comprises one or more indicator agents.

The cleaning product may comprise a cleaning material. The material may be any material suitable for use in cleaning a surface and may be wholly or partly flexible, soft and/or resilient. The material may comprise natural or synthetic materials or fibres. For examp'e, the material may comprise rubber (synthetic or natural), plant fibres (for example cotton), sponge (synthetic or natural), paper (wood pulp), plastic, metal or the like. A material suitable for use in this invention may compnse a combination of different natural or synthetic materials.

A cleaning product (or cleaning material) of this invention may comprise or take the form of a doth, wipe, pad. towd or flannel. For example, the cleaning product may be a wipe such as those more commonly referred to as a "baby-wipe", "wet-wipe" or "surface-wipe". In this regard, the invention may provide a wipe, cloth or pad. the wipe, cloth or pad comprising one or more indicator compounds, wherein the indicator compound(s) serve to inform a user as to the age, quality, state andlor usage of the surface wipe, cloth or pad.

The cleaning product may comprise part of a cleaning device such as, for example a brush, mop, duster or the like.

In addition to comprising an indicator compound, the cleaning products described herein and any deaning materials thereof may further comprise one or more cleaning agents. For example, a cleaning material and in particular a wipe, cloth, flannel, towd or pad of this invention. may comprise (or fur her comprise) one or more cleaning agents. A cleaning product or any cleaning material thereof, may comprise or be impregnated, coated or saturated with one or more cleaning agents. As such, a wipe, cloth, flannel, towel or pad of this invention may comprise or be impregnated, coated or saturated with one or more cleaning agents.

The term "cleaning agents" may encompass one or more of water, surfactant, detergent, saline, buffer, disinfectant, antiseptic, anaesthetic compound, (dilute) alcohol, solvents, waxes, oils, resins, metal ions, antimicrobials, antibiotics and/or antifungals.

The cleaning products of this invention, any materials thereof and/or any wipes, cloths, flannels, towels or pads provided by this invention, may further comprise one or more fragrance or aroma compound(s) or oils.

The cleaning products of this invention, any materials thereof and/or any wipes, cloths, flannels, towels or pads provided by this invention, may further comprise one or more polishes or polishing compounds.

The clcaning products of this invention, any matcrials thcrcof andlor any wipes, cloths, flannels, towels or pads provided by this invention, may further comprise one or more cosmetic agents, for example moisturising compounds.

fragrances and the like. Cleaning products of this type may be referred to as "face-wipes".

The cleaning products of this invention, any materials thereof andlor any wipes, cloths, flannels, towels or pads provided by this invention, may further comprise one or more active agents such as, for example proteins, peptides, amino acids, nucleic acids (oligonucleotides comprising DNA and/or RNA), carbohydrates, antibodies (or antigen binding fragments thereof), phage, metal (or metal salt/oxide) particles, small organic/inorganic molecules. One of skill will appreciate that phage may be used to affect the killing of any miroorganisms present on a suiface. Moreover, FlAsH andior ReAsH tetracysteine-based protein detection techniques may be used in combination with phage comprised within the cleaning products of this invention to affect the detection of microorganisms on cleaned surfaces. Further information regarding this technology may be found in "sensitive and selective bacterial detection using tetracysteine-tagged phages in conjunction with biarsenical dye"; Wit et at., Angew.

Chem. Int Ed. 2011,50,5873-5877.

lii all cases, the cleaning products of this invention comprise one or more indicator agents. The purpose of the indicator agent is to provide the user with some form of feedback such that they can assess the age, quality, state, effectiveness or length of use of the cleaning product.

Indicator agents suitable for use in the invention may comprise agents which are capable of changing colour or pigment. Such compounds may be referred to as "colour change compounds". One of skill will appreciate that where the indicator agent is a colour change compound, the age, quality, state, effectiveness or length of use of the cleaning product may be associated with the colour of the indicator agent.

By way of example, when first used, the indicator agent of the cleaning product may have a first c&our. This first colour may denote that the deaning product is new, that it is of sufficient quality to affect cleaning, that it remains effective at cleaning or that it can be used for a longer period of time before it must be discarded. As the cleaning product ages, its quality/effectiveness (and general state) degrades and/or its usage increases, the indicator agent may undergo a colour change and adopt a second colour.

This second colour may be associated with an aged product or a cleaning product which is of poor quality andior which is no longer effective at cleaning a suiface. The second colour of the indicator agent may also identify a deaning product which has been used for too long. Cleaning products in which the indicator agent has undergone a change of colour should be discarded.

As stated, the purpose of the indicator agent is to inform the user (via some form of feedback (perhaps visual feedback)) as to the age, quality, effectiveness and/or state of a cleaning product. One of skill will appreciate that where the cleaning product of this invention is for cleaning a surface, the effectiveness of the product may be finite. This is particularly true where the cleaning product comprises one or more cleaning agents (as described above) which may dry, "go-off", evaporate or expire during use or over a period of time. For examp'e, if used to continually wipe clean a surface, a product (for example a cloth) impregnated with water as a cleaning agent will eventually become dry and ineffective at cleaning. Additionally, a product (for example a doth or wipe) impregnated with solvents may be subject to rapid evaporation during use. In other cases, deaning products comprising antimicrobial compounds may remain effective at decontaminating surfaces of microbes only for as long as the active ingredient of the antimicrobial remains effective against microorganisms. As such, the indicator agents of this invention are fonrniated to offer user feedback (for example a visual "colour change" feedback) when the cleaning product is no longer suitable for cleaning a surface.

An indicator agent which is a colour change compound may undergo a colour or pigment change after contact with, or exposure to, one or more colour change stimuli. Colour change stimuli may include, for example, certain environmental conditions or one or more agents. compounds or substances. By way of examp'e, an indicator agent for use in this invention may undergo a colour change when exposed to one or more environmental stimuli or to particular compound/substance, temperature, light, gas andlor pH. Indicator agents that change colour in response to light may be known as photochrornatic compounds.

Following contact with or exposure to one or more colour change stimuli, an indicator agent for use in this invention may undergo one or more colour or pigment changes. For example, an indicator agent may change from having a first colour or pigment to having a second colour or pigment. Moreover, in response to one or more additional colour change stimuli, the indicator agent may undergo further changes in colour or pigment.

The term "colour" may include any colour such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo or violet (and any shades or vanations thereof). The term "colour" may also include black, grey (or shades thereof) or colourless. As such, the indicator agents of this invention may, following contact with one or more colour change stimuli, change from any first colour or pigment to any (different) second colour or pigment.

The spccd of the colour change reaction may vary depending on the type of indicator agent selected but one of skill will appreciate that the speed of the colour change reaction should equate to or approximate the length of time the cleaning product of this invention remains suitable for use in cleaning a surface. For the avoidance of doubt, the "speed" of the colour change reaction is the length of time it takes an indicator agent to change from a first colour to a second colour following exposure to a suitable colour change stimulus.

The speed of a colour change reaction may equate to (or approximate) the length of time it takes a cleaning product or any cleaning agent impregnated or incorporated therein, to dry, evaporate or to become ineffective at cleaning a surface.

In other cases, the speed of the colour change reaction may equate to (or approximate) the shelf-life of the cleaning product, the optimal period of use, or the life (or half-life) of any of the cleaning agents described herein. Thus, when the indicator agent of any of the cleaning products described herein undergoes a colour change, the user knows that the product is no longer suitable for cleaning.

For example, when the indicator agent changes from one colour to another, this may indicate that any antimicrobial compound, antibiotic, solvent, surfactant, detergent, antiseptic impregnated or somehow coated or incorporated into the cleaning product (or a material thereof) has "gone-off" or ceased to be effective as a cleaning agent.

The present invention may provide a cleaning product for cleaning a surface, the cleaning product comprising one or more colour change indicator agent(s). The colour change indicator agent(s) of the cleaning product may serve to inform a user as to the age, quality, effectiveness, usage and/or state of the cleaning product.

Suitable indicator agents may include, for example, acid-base indicators.

indicators of this typc may othcrwisc he known as pH indicators) ..Acid-basc indicators may adopt different colours depending on p1-1. Particularly suitah!e are p11 indicators which undergo co]our changes at least between about pH5 and about pHil.

Thymolphthalein and/or phenolphthalcin may be used as indicator agents.

Additionally or alternatively, pFl indicators such as thymol blue. azolitmin bromocitsol puiple, bromothymol blue, phenol red, neutral red, naphtholphthalein and/or cresol red may be used. Other suitable pH indicators will be known to those

skilled in this field.

A thymolphthalein or phenolphthalein solution may be prepared for use in this invention. The cleaning products (or any materials thereof) described herein may be impregnated, coated or saturated with a thymolphthalein and/or phenolphthalein solution.

A thymolphthalein or phenolphthalein solution may (in addition to thymolphthalein or phenolphthalein) comprise water and a basic compound. Suitable basic compounds are those which in solution have an alkali pH of between about 7.5 and 14. Suitable basic compounds include cleaning agents which have a pH of between about 7.5 and about 14 (perhaps pH 8, 9. 10, 11, or 12), Ethanolamine (MEA), Triethanolamine (TEA) and/or sodium hydroxide. The solution may further comprise a quantity of a solvent (for example ethanol). An indicator solution comprising water and a basic compound may have an alkali pH and the pH of a thymolphthalein or phenolphthalein solution (comprising water, solvent and basic compound) may be approximately pHlO-ll; at this pH (or more generally an alkali pH) the indicator has a particular colour or pigment. A thymolphthalein solution at pHlO-11 is blue in colour and a phenolphthalein solution at pHlO-l Us red/pink in colour.

Upon cxposurc to air, tho pH of thc solution will drop to about pH 5-6 and at this pH the thymolphthalein or phenolphthalein solutions become colourless.

Without wishing to be bound by theory, carbon dioxide in the air reacts with the basic compound of the solution (for example the sodium hydroxide component of the thymolphthalein and/or phenolphthalein solutions) and as a consequence, the basic compound is neutralised. lii the case of thymolphthaiein andior phenolphthaiein solutions comprising sodium hydroxide, contact with carbon dioxide in the air neutralizes the sodium hydroxide through the formation of sodium Carbonate. This neutralization reaction causes the pH of the solution to drop. Since the colour of thymolphthaiein and/or phenoiphthalein is sensitive to pH, the alteration in the pFI brought about by the neutralization of basic compound (for example sodium hydroxide) by atmospheric carbon dioxide, causes the thymoiphthalein andior phenoiphthalein to change colour.

The present invention may provide a cleaning product for cleaning a surface.

the cleaning product comprising thynioiphthalein and/or phenoiphthalein or solutions of either. The thyniolphtliaiein and/or phenoiphthalein or solutions thereof may he impregnated into the cleaning product. The cleaning product may be coated or saturated with thymoiphthalein and/or phenoiphthalein or solutions thereof.

Substantially all or a part of the cleaning product (or material thereof) may be impregnated. coated or saturated with the indicator compound. For example, discrete patches or areas of the cleaning products described herein may be impregnated, coated or saturated with indicator solution.

It should be understood that while elements of this invention have been described with reference to thymoiphthalein and/or phenoiphthalein as the basis of an indicator agent, the invention may exploit any thvmolphthalein and/or phenoiphthalein derivatives, analogues or variants which exhibit thc property of changing colour in response to alterations in p1-I.

The cleaning products described herein may be stored ready for use in some form of container, bag or receptacle. The cleaning product may be stored or packaged in air and/or moisture tight containers. One or more cleaning products of this invention may be stored for use and where the cleaning product is a wipe (of the type described herein), a plurality of wipes may be stored together in a single container.

One of skill will appreciate that cleaning products comprising thymolphthalein and/or phenolphthalein should be stored in a manner which restricts their exposure to or contact with air. Cleaning products comprising thymolphthalein and/or phenoiphthalein can he stored in air and/or moisture tight containers, Addiionaiiy or alternatively, the cleaning products of this invention can he stored bundled together such that the amount of cleaning product in contact with the air at any one time is restricted. When cleaning products are stacked or bundled together, the flow of air into, through and beiween the cleaning products is also restñcted, By storing cleaning products under these conditions not only is the cleaning product protected against premature aging/degredation etc., hut the indicator compound can be prevented from undergoing a premature reaction (for example a premature colour change reaction).

More specifically, when stored or sealed in containers of this type, the thymolphthaiein and/or phenolphthaleii based indicator agent of the cleaning product will remain in its first colour state. When the cleaning product is removed from the (air tight) container, contact between the thymoiphthalein and/or phenolphthaiein based indicator of the cleaning product and the air, causes the indicator to undergo a colour change (as a consequence of the neutralisation of the basic compound within the indicator solution). After a period of time and with prolonged exposure to the air, thc thymoiphthalein andJor phcnolphthalcin hascd indicator compound will changc from its first colour to a second colour.

Where the indicator comprises a ihymolplflhaiein sokution, the first colour (i.e. prior to exposure of the thymolphthalein to the appropriate colour change stimulus) is blue. As such, for as long as the cleaning product is not exposed to the air andior is kept in some fomi of (air tight) container, the cleaning product or a part there/of, will appear blue, If the indicator solution comprises phenolphthalein, the cleaning product or a part thereof, will appear pink/red. When the cleaning product is removed from its container and exposed to the air (carbon dioxide in the air being the stimulus required to affect the colour change reaction), the colour change reaction begins and the indictor solution changes to the second colour. In some cases and depending on the indicator solution used, the colour change reaction may comprise a change from a first to a second colour and then a second to a third and subsequent colours. Each different colour may be associated with some trait (for example age, quality and/or effectiveness of the cleaning product).

As stated, once the colour change from a first colour to a second colour is complete, the user of the cleaning product knows that the cleaning product (or any cleaning agent impregnated, coated or saturated therein/thereon) is no longer effective at cleaning a surface.

The speed of the colour change reaction (for example the length of time it takes an indicator solution to change from a first colour to a second colour) should equate to (or approximate) the length of time a cleaning product of this invention remains effective at cleaning a surface. The speed of a colour change reaction can be modulated (i.e. increased or decreased) by altering the ratio of components used to produce an indicator solution of this invention.

Where the indicator agent comprises a thyrnolphthalein and/or a phenolphthalein solution, the speed of colour change can be modulated by altering the amount of water and/or basic compound in the solution. The more basic compound used, the longer the colour change reaction will take. The more water that is used, the shorter the colour change reaction time. In this way and by modulating the components of an indicator solution for use in this invention, it is possible to tailor the speed of reaction to suit almost any application. For example, the s!peed of reaction can be altered so as to equate to (or be substantially identical to) the length of time a user is to use the a cleaning product or to the length of time a clean product remains effective at cleaning a surface.

The invention provides cleaning products substantially as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention will now be described in detail and with reference to the following fianres which show: Figure 1: the effect of varying the amount of sodium hydroxide in an indicator solution, on the speed of the colour change reaction. The more sodinm hydroxide is added, the longer the reaction takes.

Figure 2: The effect of varying the amount of water in an indicator solution, on the speed of the colour change reaction. I*he more water that is added the shorter the colour change reaction time.

Description:

Disposable wipe with colour changing time indicator Described herein is a cleaning product (for example a disposable wipe) that is impregnated with an indicator agent (perhaps an indicator solution) that changes colour once the wipe is exhausted (or spent). The indicator solution may initially be blue, red or purple, turning clear when the product (wipe) is exhausted.

The indicator may be used to ensure that the cleaning product has been used for long enough to achieve effective cleaning of, for example a surface. By way of example.

the invention may provide a wipe which must be used thoroughly until white (or whatever the natural colour of the wipe) to indicate that the user has cleansed for enough time. The use of the word disposable' means that once the wipe has turned white, it will be disposed. Cleaning wipes (for surfaces or body) are often misused and wasted.

Colour changing indicator wipes can be used for many applications. For hand sanitisation wipes, the time indicator encourages the user to sanitise until the wipe is exhausted. This will educate the user in proper hand sanitisation. If the user uses the wipe for the indicated time, this will enable them to be more thorough in the process, cleansing more of the hands or body surface area.

For surface cleansing, the wipe will encourage the user to use oniy when the sanitiser is active. This will encourage a thorough job, reducing wipe wastage and prevent the wipe from being used once the wipe is spent. The user can be confident that whenever their wipe is blue (for example), the wipe is active.

Wipes are used in many areas and by a variety of users. Where sanitisation is critical, a time indicator will encourage the user to continue use until the colour change has taken place. For use by children, the time indicator will educate them in the rccornmcndcd duration for sanitisation. In afi organisations wishing to save money.

the time indicator will encourage to use the wipe for longer, demonstrating to them that the wipe is still active when coloured.

Disposable surface wipes: Disposable surface wipes are often discarded before the cleaning agent is inactive.

This wastage is costing organisations money, and having a negative effect on the environment. An indicator that can be used to judge the length of time a cleaning product has been used (referred to hereinafter as a time indicator) will demonstrate when the cleaning wipe has been spent/exhausted, and therefore ready to be discarded. Disposable surface wipes may also be used for too long, enabling the inactive cleaning wipe to spread bacteria across a surface, contaminating more than it is cleaning. A time indicator would also prevent overuse from occurring.

The main target market for the cleaning products of this invention (including surface wipes) would be cleaners/members of staff in organisations where thorough sanitisation is critical. However, with the aim of retailing the wipes at a competitive price to the current products, my wipes would also be affordable in the home. The domestic market would be aimed at families. The wipes are practical for parents and educational for children.

Skin wipes: The present invention ako provides skin wipes. The term "skin wipes" may include wet wipes, make-up removal wipes, facial wipes, baby wipes, hand hygiene wipes.

The main target market for the skin wipes the baby/child wipe market. Germs are often passed on by children and in schools. Children need to be educated in the correct duration for cleaning and sanitisation to be thorough and complete -just as they need to be educated to clean their teeth for a certain amount of time. The time indicator will educate children from a young age, in a fun and simple way. Educating the children of today. will determine a better future.

Prior art:

Prior art explores the idea of a colour indicator in a cleaning solution, for example soap. However application to a cleaning wipe to demonstrate the life of the impregnated cleaning solution, is yet to be explored.

The invention 1. Wipe impregnated with a chemical composition to allow a change in colour.

2. The wipe described in 1, wherein the chemical composition is either, or a mixture of the chemicals, thymolphthalein and phenolphthalein.

The chemical reaction has no specific time limit and can be altered to last for any amount of time. This will be timed to (approximate) the duration that the cleaning ingredient is active.

Chemistry: The Indicator agent The indicator agent comprises a water-based acid-base indicator (p11 indicator) that changes from a colored to a colorless solution upon exposure to air. The most common pH indicators with this property are thymoiphthalein (blue) or phenolphthalein (red or pink). The pH of a solution comprising these pH indicators is p1-i 10-11, but after exposure to air this will drop to pi-i5-6. iJpon exposure to air, the solution reacts with atmospheric Carbon Dioxide to form carbonic acid. The carbonic acid reacts with the Sodium Hydroxide (or MEA/TEA) forming Sodium Carbonate.

Ibis neutraiizaton reaction causes the p1-I indicator to undergo a colour change.

See: http://chemistry.about.com/od/demonstrationsexperiments/ss/disappearink 2.htm Carbon dioxide in the air reacts with water to fonT carbonic acid: C02 + H20 H2C03 The neutralization reaction is sodium hydroxide -f carbonic acid --> sodium carbonate + water: 2 Na(OH) FI2C03 Na2CO3 21120 Prototyping: Any of the indicator agents described herein may be manufactured as a concentrate or lyophilised product to be diluted or solubilised prior to use. Early experiments demonstrate the colour-changing cleaning solution to be made as a complete product.

These initial prototype solutions contain the following ingredients: Thymolphthaiein or phenolphthalein (Or a mixture of both) Ethanol o 3M Sodium [lydroxide Solution (3M) * Cleaning agent in order to saturate 200 wipes the approximate quantities in prototype are as follows: * 0.2g -Thymolphthalein or phenolphthalein (Or a mixture of both) * ImI --Ethanol 12m1 -3M Sodium Hydroxide Solution (3M) 320ml -Cleaning agent The Concentrate: A concentrate can be produced consisting of the following: * Ethanol (or a substitute for this) * Ethanolamine (MEA), Triethanolaniine (TEA) or Sodium Hydroxide Solution (NaOFI) * Thymolphthaieui or phenolphthalein (Or a mixture of both) A percentage of the dye would then be added to a cleaning product to make the final solution.

An alkali cleaning agent (for example a solution comprising a cleaning agent which has a pH of between about 7.5 and about 14) may be directly applied to the cleaning products of this invention (for example wipes). The cleaning agent (or solution comprising the same) must be slightly alkaline in order for the reaction to work correctly. Most cleaning agents are alkaline. The process of making the solution as a whole can eliminate the following: * Ethanol (or a substitute for this) Ethanolamine (MEA). Triethanolamine (TEA) or Sodium Hydroxide S&ution NaOH) MEA, TEA or NaOH may be needed in order to alter the reaction time. The formula is cheaper and may even be as simple as dissolving Thymolphthalein or Phenolphthalein into the cleaning fluid.

Adjustment of reaction duration: * An increase in MEA/TEA/NaOI-I rdates to an increase in the reaction time.

Ideally the indicator agent (or solution thereof) does not contain MEA/TEA/NaOH. If the reaction time without MEA/TEA/NaOH is suitable (because, for example. the cleaning agent is sufficiendy alkali) for the application, no additional basic compound will be added. However additional basic compound, for example, MEA/TEA/NaOH, can be added to increase the reaction time. The reaction time will also vaiy with the type of cleaning product used. For example, the reaction time, may vary depending on how thick a wipe is, how porous and how much indicator agent saturates into the wipe. The reaction time is calculated to the use-by time in which the wipe manufacturers recommend.

Alternative Chemistry: Alternatively the indicator agents of this invention may comprise photochromatic compounds. A photochrornatic compound may undergo a change of colour in response to exposure to fight. Cleaning products which comprise photochromatic compounds may be one colour in an opaque container and another colour when removed from the container and exposed to light. For example. certain photochromatic compounds may undergo a change in colour foflowing exposure to UVlight.

Wipe Impregnation: A cleaning product, for example a wipe, could be impregnated or saturated with an indicator agent (for examp'e an indicator solution) by an known means. Typically, a block of wipes may be used as a wick to soak up an indicator solution.

Experiments: I have had a block of wipes that was saturated at least 7 months ago, and even after this length of time stored in a tub, they are still blue (the first colour of a thymolphtha]ein or phenolphthaein solution which indicates that the wipe has not yet been exposed to the air or used and remains suitable for use in cleaning surfaces).

If a wipe is pulled slightly through a scat in the pack so that it is exposed to the air, the exposed tip changes colour. However, the wipes should always be stored completely sealed in a packet or container. Since the wipes are tightly wound together, they aren't exposed to much air, meaning a'ong shelf life.

I

Wipe Storage: Wipes will have at least a two-year shelf life if the container is kept closed when not in use.

The wipes can be contained in various packaging. It would be advised to limit the amount of free space in a pack to avoid air circubting in the pack. This is seen in current wipe storage to avoid drying out. A reliable, resealable access to wipes to minimise airflow into pack.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cleaning product, the product comprising one or more indicator agents(s), wherein the indicator compound serves to inform the user as to the age, quality, effectiveness and/or state of the cleaning product.
2. The cleaning product of claim I, wherein the indicator compound also serves to inform the user as to the length of time the cleaning product has been in use.
3. The cleaning product of any preceding claims, wherein the cleaning product is suitable for cleaning a surface.

C)
4. The cleaning product of any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning product comprises, consists essentially of or consists of a cloth, wipe, pad, towel or flannel.
5. The cleaning product of any preceding claim wherein the cleaning product further comprises one or more agents selected from the group consisting of: (i) water; (ii) surfactant; (iii) detergent; (iv) saline; (vi) buffcr; (vii) disinfectant; (viii) antiseptic; (ix) anaesthetic compound; (x) alcohol; (xi) solvent; (xii) waxes; (xiii) oils; (xiv) resins; (xv) metal ions; and (xvi) antimicrobial compound(s).
6. The cleaning product of any preceding claim, wherein the indicator agent comprises a colour change agent.
7. The cleaning product of any preceding claim, wherein the age, quality, state, C') effectiveness or length of use of the cleaning product may be associated with a first and/or second colour of the indicator agent.
8. The cleaning product of any preceding claim, wherein in use the indicator agent changes colour when the cleaning product is no longer suitable for cleaning a surface.
9. The cleaning product of any preceding claim, wherein the speed of the colour change reaction approximates the length of time the cleaning product remains suitable for use in cleaning a surfacc.
10. The cleaning product of any preceding claim, wherein the speed of the colour change reaction approximates: (i) the length of time the cleaning product remains suitable for use in cleaning a surface; (ii) the length of time it takes the cleaning product or any agent impregnated or incorporated therein, to dry, evaporate or to become ineffective at cleaning a surface; andlor (iii) the shelf-life of the cleaning product. the optimal period of use, or the fife (or half-life) of any of the cleaning product or any agent thereof.
11. The cleaning product of any preceding claim, wherein the indicator agent comprises an acid-base or p11 indicawr.
12. The cleaning product of any preceding claim, wherein the indicator agent comprises, consists essentially of or consists of one or more selected from the group 0 consisting of: (i) Thymolphthaiein; (ii) Phenolphthaiein: (iii) thymoi blue; (iv) azolitmin hromocresol purple; (v) bromothymol blue; (vi) phenol red; (vii) neutral red, (viii) nauhthoiphttiatelri; and (ix) cresol red,
13. A cleaning wipe for cleaning a surface, the wipe comprising thyrnolphthalein andior phenolphthalein or solutions of either.
14. The cleaning wipe of claim 13, wherein cleaning wipe is coated in and/or saturated andior impregnated with thynioiphthaiein andlor phenolphthalein or any solutions thereof.
15. The cleaning products or cleaning wipe of any preceding claim, wherein the cleaning product or cleaning described herein may be stored or packaged ready for use.
16. The cleaning product or cleaning wipe of claim 15, wherein the cleaning product or cleaning wipe is stored or packaged in a container, bag or receptacle.
17. The cleaning product or cleaning wipe of daim any one of claim 15 or 16, wherein the cleaning product or cleaning wipe is stored or packaged in an air andlor moisture tight container.
18. An air andlor moisture tight container or package comprising a cleaning product or cleaning wipe according to anyone of claims 1-14.