GB2625717A

GB2625717A - Drying formulations

Info

Publication number: GB2625717A
Application number: GB2219168.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aissani Souhila; Baierle Helena; Diaz Papa Andrea; Miskov-Pajic Vukoslava
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Finish BV
Current assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Finish BV
Priority date: 2022-12-19
Filing date: 2022-12-19
Publication date: 2024-07-03
Also published as: GB202219168D0; WO2024133097A1

Abstract

Liquid rinse aid compositions comprising 80 to 95 weight percent of ethoxylated isotridecanol non-ionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups. The composition may also comprise a fragrance, dye, antioxidant and 5 to 20 wt. % of water. The surfactant solution, which can be transparent or translucid, may have a viscosity ranging from 90 to 120 mPa.sec when measured at 23 °C at a shear rate of 100s-1. The rinse aid may be used in a method of rinsing a hard surface in an automatic dishwashing machine whereby between 0.75 and 3 grams of the liquid is introduced during the rinse cycle.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No G132219168.8 RTM Date June 2023 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Lutensol Lugalyan Rewocare Rewocare Marlipal Plurafac Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

DRYING FORMULATIONS

Technical Field

Liquid compositions comprising 80% w/w to 95% w/w isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups are disclosed. The liquid compositions provide improved drying for plastic items when used as a rinse aid in a standard automatic dishwashing process or the rinse and shine step of an autodose dishwashing process.

Background

Wet dishes after a dishwashing cycle are a pain point for consumers. This is especially relevant for plastic items. Rinse aid products aim to improve the drying of dishware items in the dishwasher. Standard rinse aid formulations are dosed in the rinse aid chamber and dispensed in the final rinse of the dishwashing cycle. Rinse aid formulations may also be used in the rinse and shine step of an autodose dishwashing process, such as that disclosed in PCT Pat App Pub No W02016/020680 to Reckitt Benckiser (Brands) Limited, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Example 1 of European published patent application EP1543763 to Unilever discloses 35-40 g Polytergent SLF18B45 packaged in a perforated sachet provides steady release over multiple dishwashing cycles.

Examples 2-7 in PCT Pat App Pub No W02005/066322 to The Procter & Gamble Company discloses rinse aid compositions comprising 50% LutensolTM 107 in combination with polyoxyalkylene siloxane surfactants, low cloud point non-ionic surfactants, and/or fatty alcohol alkoxylated non-ionic surfactants.

PCT Pat App Pub No W02016/187293 to Ecolab USA Inc. discloses surfactant systems and compositions incorporating the same for use as rinse aids on plastics and other wares. Run 1 in Table 9 discloses that 8.75 inches of foam is initially formed during a 5-minute run time of the Glewwe foam evaluation test by 100% Surfactant B. Surfactant B is defined at page 10, lines 14-20, as (E0)xi-H, wherein R2 is a C10-C14 alkyl, or preferably a C12-C14 alkyl, with an average at least 1 branch per residue, or preferably at least 2 branches per residue, and xi=5-10. Page 53, lines 11-12, notes that single surfactants with greater than 8 inches of foam after the five minute initial reading are considered as excessive foam for the application.

A need remains for rinse aid formulations that provide improved drying for plastic items.

Summary of the Invention

Disclosed are liquid compositions comprising 80% w/w to 95% w/w isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups. The disclosed liquid compositions may comprise one or more of the following aspects: * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 6 to 9 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 7 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 8 to 10 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 7 to 8 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 7 ethoxy groups; 15 * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 8 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol not being a suds suppressor; * the liquid composition further comprising water; * the liquid composition further comprising deionized water; * the liquid composition further comprising distilled water; 20 * the liquid composition further comprising 5% w/w to 20% w/w water; * the liquid composition further comprising 5% w/w to 20% w/w deionized water; * the liquid composition further comprising 5% w/w to 20% w/w distilled water; * the water having a conductivity ranging from below 50 uSm; * the water having a conductivity ranging from 0.5 to 2 pSm; 25 * the liquid composition being transparent or translucid; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a suds suppressor; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a second nonionic surfactant; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a polyalkylene siloxane surfactant; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a second alkoxylated alcohol surfactant; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a dye; * the liquid composition further comprising a dye; * the liquid composition further comprising an oxidizable dye; * the oxidizable dye being acid blue 9; * the liquid composition being substantially free of an antioxidant; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w of an antioxidant; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.1% w/w to 0.4% w/w of an antioxidant; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.2% w/w to 0.3% w/w of an antioxidant; * the antioxidant being selected from the group consisting of citric acid, benzoic acid, ascorbic acid, phenol compounds, and combinations thereof; * the phenol compounds being selected from the group consisting of butoxyhydroxytoluene, butoxyhydroxyanisole, and combinations thereof; is * the liquid composition further comprising 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w of an organic acid; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.1% w/w to 0.4% w/w of an organic acid; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.2% w/w to 0.3% w/w of an organic acid; * the organic acid being selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, and combinations thereof; * the organic acid having one -COOH group; * the organic acid being selected from the group consisting of sorbic acid, benzoic acid, and combinations thereof; * the organic acid having two or more -COOH groups; * the organic acid having three -COON groups; * the organic acid being citric acid; * the liquid composition being substantially free of an organic solvent; 30 * the liquid composition being substantially free of enzymes; * the liquid composition being substantially free of builders; * the liquid composition being substantially free of anti-corrosion agents; * the liquid composition further comprising a material care agent; * the material care agent being zinc acetate dihydrate, a polymer, BTA, or combinations thereof; 5 * the material care agent being a polymer; * the polymer being a pH independent cationic polymer with at least one quaternary group; * the pH independent cationic polymers having Formula: -(R-O-R-WR2X-R-NHC(=0)-NH-R-N+R2X-)n, wherein each R is independently a C1-C4 alkyl group, n=1-1000, and X=halide, preferably Cl; * the pH independent cationic polymer being N,N11-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]urea polymer with 1,11-oxybis[2-chloroethane] sold under the tradename LugalvanTM P by BASF; * the liquid composition further comprising approximately 0.01% w/w to is approximately 0.1% w/w polymer; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.01% w/w to 0.1% w/w polymer; * the liquid composition further comprising approximately 0.03% w/w to approximately 0.07% w/w polymer; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.03% w/w to 0.07% w/w polymer; 20 * the liquid composition being substantially free of preservatives; * the liquid composition further comprising a preservative; * the preservative being potassium sorbate, 5-chloro-2-methyl 4 isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, or any combination thereof; * the preservative being 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, or any combination thereof; * the liquid composition being substantially free of antimicrobial agents; * the liquid composition being substantially free of bleaching agents; * the liquid composition being substantially free of probiotic bacteria; * the liquid composition being substantially free of metal and/or metal-oxide nanoparticles; * the liquid composition being substantially free of fragrance; * the liquid composition further comprising a fragrance; * the liquid composition having a viscosity ranging from 90 mPa*sec to 120 mPa* sec as measured at 23°C using a Anton Paar Physica MCR 301 Modular Compact Rheometer at shear rate of 100 5-1; * a 10% w/w solution of the liquid composition in water having a pH ranging from 3.5 to 7 as measured at 20°C using a pH meter, such as a Metrohm Electrode Plus pH meter; and/or * the liquid composition being an automatic dish rinse composition Also disclosed are methods of rinsing a hard surface in an automatic dishwashing machine. Any of the liquid compositions disclosed above are introduced into the dishwashing machine during the rinse cycle or the rinse and shine cycle. The disclosed methods may include one or more of the following aspects: * introducing between 0.75 g and 3 g of liquid composition during the rinse cycle; * introducing between 0.8 g and 2 g of liquid composition during the rinse cycle; * introducing between 1 g and 1.5 g of liquid composition during the rinse cycle; * the temperature of the rinse cycle ranging from 55°C (131°F) -88°C (190°F); * the temperature of the rinse cycle ranging from 60°C (140°F)-70°C (158°F); * the hard surface being glass, ceramic, porcelain, plastic, stainless steel, or any combination thereof; * the hard surface being glass; * the hard surface being porcelain; * the hard surface being cutlery; * the hard surface being plastic; * the hard surface being stainless steel; * the method producing between 0 and 9 droplets of water on the hard surface; * the method producing less water droplets on hard surfaces at the end of the dishwashing cycle as compared to the commercial formulations in the

examples; and/or

* the method producing less spotting at the end of the dishwashing cycle as compared to the commercial formulations in the examples.

The above embodiments are exemplary only. Other embodiments as described herein are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

Brief Description of the Drawing

So that the manner in which the features of the disclosure can be understood, a detailed description may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the disclosed subject matter encompasses other embodiments as well.

FIG 1 is a chemical structure of the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol used herein.

is Definitions As used herein: * the term "a" or "an" means one or more; * the term "comprising" is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude any additional elements; the term "consisting of" excludes any additional elements; and the term "consisting essentially of' is in-between, only permitting additional elements that do not materially affect characteristics of the product or process. For example, the surfactant mixture consisting essentially of the two non-ionic surfactants excludes any additional surfactants but may further include preservatives, impurities or solvents, such as water, lower C1-C4 alcohols, glycols, or glycol ethers; * the w/w percent of an ingredient is based on the weight of the ingredient in milligrams or grams in the total weight of the formulation in the same units; * any and all ranges are inclusive of their endpoints. For example, a pH ranging from 3.5 to 7 would include formulations having a pH of 3.5, formulations having a pH of 7, and formulations having any pH between 3.5 and 7; * the phrase "substantially free" means a concentration of less than 0.2 g/L, preferably less than 0.1 g/L, more preferably less than 0.05 g/L, and most preferably 0.001 g/L; * the abbreviation EO refers to a repeating ethoxy group, also known as an ethylene oxide or oxirane group, represented by the formula -(0-CH2-CH2)-;

Detailed Description

Liquid compositions are disclosed comprising 80% w/w to 95% w/w isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, preferably 6 to 9 ethoxy group, more preferably 7 to 8 ethoxy groups. Lower viscosity compositions are obtained from isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohols having 5 to 7 ethoxy groups. Higher viscosity compositions are obtained from isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohols having 8 to 10 ethoxy groups. lsotridecanol ethoxylated alcohols having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups may be sourced from known vendors, such as those sold by BASF under the tradename LutensolTM TO #, wherein the # indicates the degree of ethoxylation (e.g., LutensolTM TO 7 is RO(CH2CH20)7H and LutensolTM TO 8 is RO(CH2CH20)8H, with R=isoCi3H27). Applicants believe that the combination of the hydrophobic chain and amount of E0 units as shown FIG 1 provides superior results as compared to analogous alcohol ethoxylates.

The disclosed liquid compositions are suitable for use as liquid rinse aid compositions. As shown in the examples that follow, the disclosed rinse aid compositions comprising isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol with 7 or 8 ethoxy groups provide superior drying of plasticware when used as a rinse aid as compared to other nonionic surfactants, including analogs with 3 ethoxy groups.

The liquid compositions further comprise water. The water may be deionised water; distilled water; or water purified by reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet oxidation, electrodialysis, or combinations thereof; or combinations thereof. The water preferably has a conductivity below 50 pSm at 25°C, preferably ranging from 0.5 to 2 pSm. The liquid composition comprises 5% w/w to 20% w/w water, preferably 5% w/w to 10% w/w.

The concentrated liquid rinse aid may be formulated by adding water to the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups and mixing until uniform. Alternatively, isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups may be added to water and mixed until uniform Synthesis may occur in one container without the need for any heating.

The resulting concentrated liquid rinse aid formulation is a transparent or translucid single-phase solution. Synthesis of a single-phase solution is quicker and easier than synthesis of emulsions or suspensions. Stability is also easier to maintain for single-phase solutions than for alternative liquid formulations. Mixing the disclosed liquid rinse aid formulation with rinse water occurs more quickly than mixing a concentrated powder or tablet formulation with rinse water.

The liquid rinse aid compositions comprise water and isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, preferably 7 or 8 ethoxy groups. Alternatively, the liquid rinse aid compositions consist essentially of water and isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, preferably 7 or 8 ethoxy groups. In another alternative, the liquid rinse aid is compositions consist of water and isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to ethoxy groups, preferably 7 or 8 ethoxy groups. The composition has a viscosity ranging from 90 mPa*sec to 120 mPa*sec as measured at 23°C using an Anton Paar Physica MCR 301 Modular Compact Rheometer at shear rate of 100 s-As shown in the examples that follow and contrary to the allegations in PCT Pub No W02016/187293 to Ecolab USA Inc, the liquid compositions do not exhibit excessive amounts of stable foam or cause machine pump cavitation. As a result, the disclosed liquid rinse aid compositions are substantially free of a second nonionic surfactant and/or a suds suppressor. More particularly, the disclosed liquid rinse aid compositions are substantially free of a polyalkylene siloxane surfactant and/or a second alkoxylated alcohol surfactant.

The disclosed compositions may also be substantially free of dye and/or fragrance.

Alternatively, the disclosed compositions may further comprise a dye and/or 30 fragrance to render the composition more pleasing to the consumer. As shown in the examples that follow, oxidizable dyes fade over time in the disclosed compositions. To prevent the dye from fading, the disclosed compositions may further comprise an antioxidant. The optional antioxidant may be included in the disclosed compositions in amounts ranging from 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w, preferably 0.1% w/w to 0.4% w/w of an antioxidant, and more preferably 0.2% w/w to 0.3% w/w. Exemplary antioxidants include citric acid, benzoic acid, ascorbic acid, phenol compounds, or combinations thereof. The phenol compounds may be butoxyhydroxytoluene, butoxyhydroxyanisole, or combinations. Due to their green and safety profiles, organic acids are particularly preferred antioxidants. The organic acids may also provide other benefits, such as improved shine, reduced spotting, and/or acting as preservative. The optional organic acid may be included in the disclosed compositions in amounts ranging from 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w, preferably 0.1% w/w to 0.4% w/w of an antioxidant, and more preferably 0.2% w/w to 0.3% w/w. Suitable organic acids include, but are not limited to, sorbic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, or combinations thereof. Exemplary organic acids having one -COON group suitable for use as antioxidants include sorbic acid, benzoic acid, or combinations thereof. Suitable organic acids having three -COOH groups suitable for use in the disclosed compositions include citric acid.

When the disclosed compositions comprise an organic acid antioxidant, the disclosed compositions may be substantially free of other preservatives, such as potassium sorbate, 5-chloro-2-methyl 4 isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methy1-4-isothiazolin-3-one, or any combination thereof.

Alternatively, with or without organic acid antioxidants, the disclosed compositions may further comprise preservatives, such as potassium sorbate, 5-chloro-2-methy1-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl 4 isothiazolin-3-one, or any combination thereof.

The disclosed compositions may be substantially free of anti-corrosion agents, such as a zinc salt, polyquaternium polymer, benzotriazole (BTA), bisbenzotriazole, tolyltriazole, or combinations thereof.

Alternatively, the disclosed compositions may further comprise material care agents, such as zinc acetate dihydrate, a polymer, BTA, bis-benzotriazole, tolyltriazole, or combinations thereof. Exemplary material care polymers include pH independent cationic polymers with at least one quaternary group. The pH independent cationic polymer may have the formula: -(R-O-R-ITR2X-R-NHC(=0)-NH-R-N+R2X-)n, wherein each R is independently a C1-C4 alkyl group, n=1-1000, and X=halide, preferably Cl. One exemplary polymer suiteable for use herein is N,N'-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyI]-urea polymer with 1,1-oxybis[2-chloroethane] sold under the tradename LugalvanTM P by BASF. The disclosed compositions may optionally comprise 0.01% w/w to 0.1% w/w polymer, preferably 0.03% w/w to 0.07% w/w polymer.

The disclosed liquid compositions are substantially free of any sanitizing or antimicrobial agents. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the dishwashing detergent as well as the temperature of the dishwashing process removes the need for any further sanitization or whitening during the rinse cycle or rinse and shine step of an autodose dishwashing process. As a result, the disclosed liquid compositions are substantially free of bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, percarboxylic acids, TAED, manganese salt catalyst, or combinations thereof.

Similarly, as the disclosed liquid compositions are utilized during the rinse cycle or the rinse and shine step, the disclosed liquid compositions are substantially free of enzymes or monocarboxylic acids used to break down organic molecules and loosen particles on the dishware, such as proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulases, pectinases, laccases, catalases, oxidases, or combinations thereof.

The disclosed compositions are also substantially free of an organic solvent, such as an alcohol or propylene glycol.

The disclosed compositions are also substantially free of builders, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium citrate, sodium iminodisuccinate, sodium hydroxyiminodisuccinate, methylglycine diacetic acid sodium salt MGDA), and glutamic diacetic acid sodium salt (GLDA), and combinations thereof.

The disclosed compositions are also substantially free of probiotic bacteria, 30 such as Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus amyloliqueiaciens, Bacillus subtillis, and Bacillus pumilus, and combinations thereof.

The disclosed compositions are also substantially free of metal and/or metal-oxide nanoparticles.

Also disclosed are methods of rinsing a hard surface in an automatic dishwashing machine. Any of the formulations disclosed above are introduced into the dishwashing machine during the rinse cycle or the rinse and shine cycle.

Between 0.75 g and 3 g of the formulations are introduced, preferably between 0.8 g and 2 g, and more preferably between 1g and 1.5g. The temperature of the rinse cycle may range from 55°C (131°F) to 88°C (190°F). Alternatively, the temperature of the rinse cycle may range from 60°C (140°F) to 70°C (185°F).

The hard surface may be glass, ceramic, cutlery, porcelain, plastic, stainless steel, or any combination thereof.

When the disclosed liquid compositions are used in the rinse cycle of a dishwasher, the hard surfaces have between 0 and 9 droplets of water. This is less water droplets remaining on hard surfaces at the end of the dishwashing cycle as compared to the commercial formulations in the examples. When the disclosed liquid compositions are used in the rinse cycle of a dishwasher, the hard surfaces have less spotting at the end of the dishwashing cycle as compared to the commercial formulations in the examples.

The following example below illustrates exemplary embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that these examples are provided by way of illustration only and that further embodiments may be produced in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Examples

Example 1 -Drying Performance Drying performance testing was performed using 400 mg of six (6) different nonionic surfactants: a water-soluble polyether siloxane sold by Evonik under the tradename RewocareTm BDS 15 (hereinafter "BDS"); RO(C2H40)xH, wherein R is iso-C13H27 and x is 2.5 sold by Sasol under the tradename MarlipalTM 013/30 (hereinafter "E02.5"); a C12-15 fatty alcohol E0/P0 surfactant sold by BASF under the tradename PlurafacTM LF400 (hereinafter "LF400"); a glucamide sold 11.

by under the tradename Glucamide OL RM (hereinafter "OL"); RO(C2H420)xH, wherein R is iso-C13H27 and x is 7 sold by BASF under the tradename LutensolTM 107 (hereinafter "E07"); and R0(C2H40)xH, wherein R is iso-C13H27 and x is 8 sold by BASF under the tradename LutensolTM T08 (hereinafter "E08").

For this purpose, a machine load consisting of porcelain, glass, cutlery, and plastic was washed in a General Electric dishwasher in Normal + Power Dry cycle with 9 German Hardness water. The plastic included polypropylene, polyethylene, melamine, and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN). 16 g ballast soil was added. The ballast soil composition is based on a publication by io Hubbuch et al., Amount and composition of soils in German dishwashers. Composition to standard test method. SOFW Journal -Seifen Ole Fette Wachse, 125, 14-20, 1999. A commercially available US based automatic dishwashing detergent was used for the wash cycle. The dishwasher was opened and the surfactants were manually added using a pipette at the beginning of the final rinse is step when the temperature was between 50°C and 55°C.

The drying index was determined 30 minutes after the end of the complete dishwashing program. The door of the dishwasher was kept closed during these 30 minutes. The maximum score for ideal drying is 1, the worst score is 0. The reported values represent the average of three trials. The results are provided in

zo Table 1:

Table 1:

BDS E02.5 LF400 OL E07 E08 Porcelain 0.64 0.63 0.61 0.66 0.63 0.68 Glass 0.21 0.24 0.31 0.59 0.25 0.48 Cutlery 0.84 0.74 0.92 0.88 0.88 0.98 Plastic 0.26 0.26 0.21 0.37 0.42 0.52 Overall 0.61 0.57 0.75 0.68 0.66 0.75 As can be seen in Table 1, E07 and E08 provide significantly improved drying of plasticware as compared to the other nonionic surfactants.

Example 2 -Drvina Performance The drying performance testing of Example 1 was repeated with 900 mg of E07 and EO 8. The results for both the 400 mg and 900 mg doses are provided in Table 2:

Table 2:

E07 400 mg E07 900 mg E08 400 mg E08 900 mg Porcelain 0.63 0.71 0.68 0.73 Glass 0.25 0.91 0.48 0.81 Cutlery 0.88 0.96 0.98 0.95 Plastic 0.42 0.53 0.52 0.56 Overall 0.66 0.79 0.75 0.79 As can be seen in Table 2, the higher amount of E07 and E08 improved drying scores, especially on glass items. Table 2 further demonstrates that the additional EO group on T08 as compared to E07 did not have a big impact on drying performance.

Example 3 -Drying Performance The drying performance testing of Examples 1 and 2 was repeated with 1350 mg and 2 g of E07. The results for all doses are provided in Table 3:

is Table 3:

E07 400 mg E07 900 mg E07 1350 mg E07 2 g Porcelain 0.63 0.71 0.72 0.72 Glass 0.25 0.91 0.83 1 Cutlery 0.88 0.96 0.97 1.00 Plastic 0.42 0.53 0.57 0.63 Overall 0.66 0.79 0.80 0.83 As can be seen in Table 3, the results at 900 mg, 1350 mg, and 2g are similar, indicating that 900 mg is a sufficient drying dose.

Example 4 -Formulation E07 was combined with water to reduce the viscosity of the formulation. However, E07 is listed as insoluble in water. A clear, stable solution was obtained with 90% w/w E07 and 10% w/w water. The viscosity of E08 is higher than that of E07. But E08 is more soluble in water than E07, so higher concentrations of water may be used to reach the desired viscosity of a rinse aid formulation.

Example 5 -Stability A blue dye is added to the rinse aid formulation to mimic the appearance of water. Applicant was surprised when the color of the blue dye in the 90% E07 and 10% water formulation completely faded to translucent after 1 week of stability at 50°C. Applicant believes this may be due to the high concentration of surfactant reacting with oxygen from air and forming radical hydrogen peroxide species. These bleach-like species may react with molecules of the blue dye used, leading to lack of color.

Applicant added a small amount of citric acid to the formula to quench the radicals formed, essentially acting as an antioxidant. Applicant believes that other antioxidants may function equally well in the formulation.

Example 6 -Diving Performance -Droplet Count The drying performance testing of Example 1 was repeated on either 1 g or 1.5 g of the final formulation having 90% w/w E07, 9.797% w/w H20, 0.2% w/w citric acid, and 0.003% w/w acid blue 9 dye. The performance was compared to commercially available EU and US detergents either alone, or with commercially available rinse aids.

The commercially available EU rinse aid contained 3% w/w sodium cumene sulfonate, 0.1% w/w potassium sorbate, 0.0027% w/w 5-chloro-2methylisothiazol-3-one, 0.0009% w/w 2-methyl-isothiazol-3-one, 0.8297% w/w citric acid, 11% w/w C12-15 fatty alcohol [O/PO surfactant, 0.18% w/w zinc acetate dihydrate, 0.002% w/w dye, and 80.3083% H20 (hereinafter "EU Cm1").

The commercially available US rinse aid contained 3% w/w sodium cumene sulfonate, 0.1% w/w potassium sorbate, 0.0027% w/w 5-chloro-2methylisothiazol-3-one, 0.0009% w/w 2-methyl-isothiazol-3-one, 2.5% w/w citric acid, 5% w/w RO(C2H40)xH, wherein R is iso-C13H27 and x is 6, 5% w/w C12-15 fatty alcohol EO/PO surfactant, 0.019% w/w tetrasodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid, 0.001% w/w dye, and 77.359% H20 (hereinafter "US Cm1"). In the US, the US detergent was also tested with 5 mL of a rinse aid having 3.018% w/w sodium 5 cumene sulfonate, 0.1% w/w potassium sorbate, 0.00048% w/w 5-chloro2methyl-isothiazol-3-one, 0.00016% w/w 2-methyl-isothiazol-3-one, 1.056% w/w citric acid, 4.98% w/w RO(C2H40)xH, wherein R is iso-C13H27 and x is 6, 6.086% w/w C12-15 fatty alcohol EO/PO surfactant, 0.014% w/w N,N'-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-, polymer with 1,1'-oxybis[2-chloroethane] urea, 0.002% 10 w/w dye, and 80.2% H20 (hereinafter "Comp").

The drying performance results for the EU are provided in Table 4 and those for the US are provided in Table 5:

Table 4: EU

EU alone EU + 5 mL Cm! EU + 1.5 g EU + 1 g Porcelain 1.8 0.87 0.50 0.57 Glass 4.4 2.20 1.03 1.07 Cutlery 2.07 0.17 0.00 0.03 Plastic 9.9 2.83 1.00 0.83 Overall 4.0 1.52 0.30 0.63

is Table 5: US

US alone US + 5 mL Cm! US + 5 mL US + 1.5 g US + 1 g Comp Porcelain 0.5 0.13 0.1 0.03 0.1 Glass 3.5 0.3 0.5 0.5 0.2 Cutlery 2.6 0.4 0.5 0.1 0.1 Plastic 9.3 1.9 2.4 0.6 0.3 Overall 4.0 0.7 0.9 0.3 0.3 Applicant believes that the formulations in Table 6 would perform similarly to the final formulation, but testing is ongoing: Table 6: 1 (% w/w) 2 (% w/w) 3 (% w/w) E07 or E08 90-95 85-95 87.5-92.5 Citric Acid 0.05-0.5 0.1-0.4 0.2-0.3 Dye 0.0005-0.05 0.0005-0.05 0.0005-0.05 H20 5-20 6-15 7.5-12.5 The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Embodiments and/or features therein may be freely combined with one another. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A liquid rinse aid composition comprising 80% w/w to 95% w/w of an isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, preferably having 6 to 9 ethoxy groups, more preferably having 7 to 8 ethoxy groups.
2. The liquid rinse aid composition of claim 1, further comprising further comprising 5% w/w to 20% w/w water.
3. A liquid rinse aid composition consisting essentially of water and an isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, preferably having 6 to 9 ethoxy groups, more preferably having 7 to 8 ethoxy groups
4. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the composition is substantially free of a second nonionic surfactant and/or suds suppressor.
5. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising 20 fragrance and/or dye.
6. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising an antioxidant.
7. The liquid rinse aid composition of claim 6, wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, benzoic acid, ascorbic acid, phenol compounds, and combinations thereof, preferably citric acid.
8. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the 30 composition has a viscosity ranging from 90 mPa*sec to 120 mPa*sec as measured at 23°C using a Anton Paar Physica MCR 301 Modular Compact Rheometer at shear rate of 100 5-1.
9. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the composition is transparent or translucid.
10. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the composition is essentially free of organic solvents, enzymes, builders, anti-corrosion agents, preservatives, antimicrobial agents, bleaching agents, probiotic bacteria, metal and/or metal-oxide nanoparticles, or combinations thereof.
11. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the 10 composition is essentially free of organic solvents, enzymes, builders, antimicrobial agents, bleaching agents, probiotic bacteria, metal and/or metal-oxide nanoparticles, or combinations thereof.
12. A method of rinsing a hard surface in an automatic dishwashing machine, the method comprising introducing the liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 11 into the dishwashing machine during the rinse cycle or the rinse and shine cycle.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein between 0.75 g and 3 g of the liquid rinse aid composition is introduced during the rinse cycle, preferably between 0.8 g and 2 g, and more preferably between 1 g and 1.5 g.
14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the temperature of the rinse cycle ranges from 55°C (131°F) -88°C (190°F), preferably from 60°C (140°F)-70°C (158°F).
15. The method of any one of clams 12 to 14, wherein the hard surface is selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramic, cutlery, porcelain, plastic, stainless steel, and combination thereof.