MX2008006917A - Cleaning compositions and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

Cleaning compositions are described comprising an aqueous component;an organic solvent;an anionic surfactant;an amine co-surfactant containing either (a) an N- oxide group or (b) a zwitterionic group;and a nonionic surfactant;in a form of a microemulsion or microemulsion preconcentrate. Methods of cleaning a hard surface using such compositions are also described.

Description

CLEANSING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED REQUEST The present invention claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 740,885 filed November 30, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to liquid cleaning compositions in the form of microemulsions or pre-concentrates of microemulsions having efficient degreasing and drainage capabilities, for example to be used for cleaning kitchen utensils.

Microemulsions are stable liquid dispersions of water and oil, together with one or more surfactants and co-surfactants, usually homogeneous and (due to the small size of the droplets of microemulsion) transparent. Microemulsions are formed spontaneously when the correct components (eg water, oil and appropriate surfactant / co-surfactant) are present. Due to its thermodynamic stability and its ability to capture relatively high volumes of oily substances, example in the internal phase of the particles in an oil-in-water microemulsion, the microemulsion systems are interesting for cleaning solutions, such as dishwashing solutions and other cleaning solutions for surfaces having high amounts of oil and fat. There is a continuing need for improved microemulsion systems that produce beneficial cleaning effects.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A cleaning composition, comprising: (i) an aqueous component; (ii) an organic solvent; (iii) an anionic surfactant; (iv) an amine cosurfactant that contains either (a) an N-oxide group or (b) a sutetraionic group; and (v) a non-ionic surfactant; wherein said composition is in the form of a microemulsion or a microemulsion preconcentrate.

A cleaning composition, comprising: (i) an aqueous component; (ii) an organic solvent selected from a terpene, a lower alkyl ester or diester, a lower aliphatic alkanol, an optionally substituted aromatic alcohol, or a lower alkyl ether or diether; (iii) an anionic surfactant; (iv) an amine co-surfactant containing either (a) an N-oxide group or (b) a sutetraionic group; and (v) a non-ionic surfactant; wherein said composition is in the form of a microemulsion or a microemulsion preconcentrate.

A cleaning composition, comprising: (i) water; (ii) about 0.1 to about 10% dibutyl adipate; (iii) about 6 to about 9% of polyethylene glycol ether (ethoxy) alcohol sulfate C? 2.14; (iv) about 3 to about 15% cocoamidopropylamine oxide or lauryl myristyl isopropyl amine oxide; Y (v) about 3 to about 8% of a C9_n alkanol with an ethoxylation degree of 5 moles.

A method for cleaning a hard surface, comprising applying a cleaning composition to the surface as described herein and rinsing the surface with water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, unless otherwise specified, all of the ratios set forth herein are by weight, and all amounts in percent for the ingredients of the formulation are by weight of the total finished formulation. Additionally, all references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. When there is a conflict between the definition of a term used in the present and that in a cited reference, the present description prevails.

The present invention is directed to compositions in the form of an oil in water microemulsion or a microemulsion preconcentrate. The compositions include an aqueous component, which may be, for example, water or any other hydrophilic solvent. In certain additions, the compositions are useful for cleaning hard surfaces such as kitchen tops and other surfaces of the kitchen and bathroom, as well as dishes, cutlery and kitchen utensils. The compositions remove grease efficiently, have homogeneity and clarity, foaming properties, and allow rapid drainage with minimal residue.

As used herein, a "microemulsion" refers to a thermodynamically stable dispersion of water and oil that spontaneously forms upon mixing oil, water and various surfactants. The microemulsion droplets have an average diameter of about 6 to about 100 nm. Because the droplets of microemulsion are smaller than the wavelength of visible light, the solutions that comprise them are generally translucent or transparent, unless there are other components present that interfere with the passage of visible light. In some embodiments, the microemulsions of the invention are substantially homogeneous. In other embodiments, the microemulsion particles may co-exist with other systems mediated by surfactants, for example micelles, hydrosols and / or macroemulsions. Preferably, the microemulsions of the present invention are oil-in-water microemulsions. Preferably, most of the oil component (in several embodiments, more than about 50%, more than about 75% or more than about 90%) is localized in droplets of microemulsion and not in droplets of drops or macroemulsion. In several embodiments, the microemulsions of the invention are substantially clear.

As used herein, a "microemulsion preconcentrate" is a formulation comprising a surfactant and a co-surfactant, and optionally an aqueous and / or organic solvent, which, when introduced into an aqueous solution, for example water and / or or a lipophilic substance (eg fat), spontaneously forms a microemulsion.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an anionic surfactant, such as, for example, a sulfate, for example a sulfate of a fatty alcohol, for example sodium lauryl sulfate, or a sulfate of a polyethoxylated alkanol having the formula CH3 (CH2) m- (0-CH2-CH2) n-OS03M in which: M is a cation, for example an alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium or polyalkanol ammonium ion, for example Na +, K +, Mg + 2, NH 4 + or di or triethanol salt or propanol ammonium; m is 6-14, preferably 11-12; Y n represents an average degree of about 1 to about 9 moles of ethoxylation for the mixture, preferably about 2 moles; for example, polyethylene glycol ether (ethoxy) sulfate of C 12-13 alcohol.

Other useful sulfates include, for example, a sulfate comprising a mixture of C12-n alcohol polyethylene glycols, for example surfactants available under the trade name Safol® 23E2S (Sasol Olefins and Surfactants GmbH, Hamburg, Germany).

In several embodiments, the anionic surfactant is present in the compositions in an amount of about 4.5 to about 10.5%, approximately 6 to about 9%, or about 7 to about 8.5%.

The anionic surfactants used in the compositions of the present invention are preferably sulfonates of a mixture of higher aliphatic alcohols containing 10-15 carbon atoms, preferably C? 2? 3 alkanol, condensed with an average of about 1 to about 9 moles of ethylene oxide, preferably 2 moles, to form polyethylene glycol ether sulfate ethoxylated A preferred anionic surfactant useful for the compositions of the present invention is a mixture of sodium salts of polyethylene glycol C? 2-? , with an average degree of ethoxylation of 2 moles, for example Safol® 23E2S (Sasol Olefins and Surfactants GmbH, Hamburg, Germany). Other examples of useful anionic surfactants include: sulfonates or carboxylates of optionally substituted aliphatic or aromatic alcohol, ie, sulfonates or carboxylates of alkanol, phenol, arylalcanol, alkylphenol, olefinic alcohol as well as other anionic surfactants known in the art. Additional examples of anionic surfactants useful for the present invention include, for example, other alcohol ether sulfates such as, for example, commercially available sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium, monoisopropanol or triisopropanolammonium marketed by Sasol Olefins and Surfactants. GmbH (Hamburg, Germany).

The compositions may additionally comprise a nonionic surfactant. In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant has a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of from about 8 to about 14, for example a mixture of polyethoxylated alkanols of the general formula: CH3 (CH2) m- (0-CH2-CH2) n-OH wherein m is 8-12, and n represents an average degree of ethoxylation for the mixture, for example 2-8 moles, preferably 5 moles, for example Neodol ™ 91-5. In various embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is present in an amount of from about 0.5 to about 10%, about 1.5 to about 7%, and about 2 to about 5% by weight. In certain embodiments, the nonionic surfactant is a mixture of C9_n alkanols with an average degree of ethoxylation of about five (5) moles, for example Neodol ™ 91-5 (Shell Chemicals, Inc., E.U.A.).

Nonionic surfactants useful for the compositions of the present invention include, for example, amphipathic surface active compounds comprising (1) a hydrophobic end, which typically contains more than 7 carbon atoms, preferably 7-15 carbon atoms; (2) a hydrophilic end that carries no charge or carries a neutral charge; and (3) at least an average degree of ethoxylation of about 2 moles. Examples of nonionic surfactants include, for example: ethoxylates of optionally substituted aliphatic or aromatic alcohols, for example alkanol ethoxylates, phenol ethoxylates or alkylphenol ethoxylates. Other useful nonionic surfactants with respect to the compositions of the present invention include, for example, Neodol ™ ethoxylates (Shell Company, E.U.A.), which are higher aliphatic primary alcohols containing about 9-15 carbon atoms, for example C9.11 alkanol, condensed with about 2.5 to about 10 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol ™ 91-2.5 or -5 or -6 or -8), C12-15 alkanol condensed with 6.5 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol ™ 23-6.5), C12-15 alkanol condensed with 12 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol ™ 25-12), C? 4_15 alkanol condensed with 13 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol ™ 45 -13), C alcan 4? 5 alkanol condensed with about 7 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol ™ 45-7) and the like. For the compositions of the present invention, Neodol ™ 91-5 is especially preferred in the amount of about 4 to about 7%.

Additional suitable water soluble nonionic surfactants include the condensation products of a secondary aliphatic alcohol containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration condensed with about 5 to about 30 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of commercially available nonionic surfactants of the foregoing type include, for example: secondary alkanol Cn-C? 5 condensed with about 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol ™ 15-S-9) or about 12 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol ™ 15-S-12) (both marketed by Union Carbide (USA)). Other useful nonionic surfactants include, for example, alkylphenol ethoxylates, including nonyl phenol condensed with about 3 to about 9.5 moles of ethylene per mole of nonyl phenol; dinonyl phenol condensed with about 12 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of phenol; dinonyl phenol condensed with about 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of phenol and di-isooctylphenol condensed with about 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of phenol. Commercially available nonionic surfactants of this type include Igepal ™ CO-630 (nonyl phenol ethoxylate) marketed by GAF Corporation (New York, USA).

Also, among the suitable non-ionic surfactants, are the water-soluble condensation products of a C8-C20 alkanol with a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide., wherein the weight ratio of ethylene oxide to propylene oxide is from about 2.5: 1 to about 4: 1, preferably about 2.8: 1 to about 3.3: 1, the total ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (including the ethanol or terminal propanol group) being from about 60 to about 85%, preferably about 70 to about 80% by weight. Such surfactants are available commercially, from BASF-Wyandotte (Michigan, E.U.A.).Other nonionic surfactants useful for the present invention include condensates of about 2 to about 30 moles of ethylene oxide with sorbitan C? 0-C2o mono- and tri-alkanoic acid esters of sorbitan having a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) from 8 to 14. These surfactants are well known and can be obtained from Imperial Chemical Industries (London, UK) under the trade name "Tween". Suitable surfactants include: polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate (4), polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate (4), polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate (20) and polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate (20).

Other water-soluble nonionic surfactants are marketed under the trade name "Pluronics". The compounds are formed by condensing ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic base formed by the condensation of propylene oxide with propylene glycol. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion of the molecule is in the range of about 950 to about 4000, preferably about 150 to about 2,500. The addition of polyoxyethylene radicals to the hydrophobic portion tends to increase the solubility of the molecule as a whole in order to make the surfactant water soluble. The molecular weight of the block polymers ranges from about 1,000 to about 15,000 and the polyethylene oxide content can comprise about 20% to about 80% by weight. Preferably, these surfactants will be in liquid form, and satisfactory surfactants are available as grades L 62 and L 64.

The compositions of the present invention additionally comprise an amine surfactant. As used herein, an "amine surfactant" (or "amine co-surfactant" used interchangeably) is a surfactant comprising an amino, amine oxide, or quaternary ammonium moiety. Preferably, the amine surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention are surface active, amphipathic compounds, comprising: (1) a hydrophobic end, which typically contains more than 7 carbon atoms, preferably 10-20 carbon atoms; carbon, (2) a hydrophilic end of amine containing (a) an N-oxide having the formula: wherein Ri, R2 and R3 are independently H u, optionally substituted: C_5 alkyl, aryl, arylamidoalkyl or alkyl-amidoalkyl, for example alkylamidopropylamine oxide, for example cocoamidopropylamine oxide; or (b) a zwitterionic surfactant of the formula: wherein Ri, R2 and R3 are independently H u, optionally substituted: C? _15 alkyl, aryl, arylamidoalkyl or alkyl-amidoalkyl, for example betaine or cocoamidopropyl betaine. In certain embodiments, the amine oxide surfactant is lauryl myristyl isopropyl amine oxide.

In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise an amine co-surfactant comprising a group of amine oxide, for example an alkylamine oxide or an alkylamidoalkylamine oxide, for example cocoamidopropyl amine oxide; or a group of zwitterionic amine, for example alkylamidoalkyl betaines, for example cocoamidopropyl betaine, for example in an amount of from about 3 to about 15%, about 6 to about 13% or about 7 to about 10% by weight.

In certain embodiments, the weight ratio of anionic surfactant (iii) to amine co-surfactant (iv) is about 30:70 to about 70:30. In several embodiments, the ratio of (iii) to (iv) may be approximately 50:50, that is, approximately 1: 1. The Weight ratio of components (ii) to (v) is preferably about 30:70 to about 70:30, for example about 1: 1 to about 1: 1.5. The relation of (ii): (iii): (iv): (v) can be, thus, approximately 1: 1.5: 1.5: 1, where "approximately" denotes a variation of +/- 30%. In certain embodiments, the compositions comprise lauryl myristyl isopropyl amine oxide and Ci2-? of sodium in approximately a ratio of 60:40. In other embodiments, the compositions comprise cocoamidopropyl amine oxide and C C 2? 4 sodium ether sulfate in about a ratio of 1: 1.

In certain embodiments, the total weight of the anionic surfactant and the amine surfactant as a whole is approximately 15% of the total composition. In certain embodiments, the ratio of organic solvent to anionic surfactant to amine co-surfactant to non-ionic surfactant is approximately 1: 1.5: 1.5: 1. In certain embodiments, the present invention is directed to compositions comprising microemulsions, for example oil-in-water microemulsions or microemulsion pre-concentrates. In certain embodiments, the compositions of the present invention are in the form of a microemulsion preconcentrate.

The compositions of the present invention additionally comprise an organic solvent. As used in The present, an "organic solvent" is an organic compound capable of dissolving fat. Useful organic solvents include, for example: terpenes, for example limonene or pinene; lower alkyl esters or diesters, for example dibutyl adipate, dipropyl adipate, diisopropyl adipate, mono or dimethyl adipate, or ethyl acetate; lower aliphatic alkanol, for example ethanol, isopropyl alcohol or butanol; optionally substituted aromatic alcohol, for example phenol or alkylphenol; or lower alkyl ethers and diethers, for example ethyl ether or glycol ethers.

In several embodiments, the organic solvent is present in amounts of from about 0.1% to about 10% by weight, about 0.2 to about 5%, about 0.3 to about 3% or about 0.5 to about 2%.

The compositions of the present invention also comprise an aqueous component. As used herein, the term "aqueous" refers to a component that is hydrophilic and / or soluble in water. In several embodiments, the aqueous component is water in amounts of about 40% to about 90%, about 45% to about 85%, about 50% to about 80% and about 55% to about 75%.

Additional optional ingredients may be included to provide an added effect or to make the product more attractive to the consumer. Such ingredients include, but are not limited to: perfumes or fragrances, dyes or pigments, thickening agents, abrasive agents, disinfectants, radical scavengers, bleaches, chelating agents or mixtures thereof.

In several embodiments, the present invention is directed to methods for cleaning a hard surface, comprising applying a cleaning composition to the surface as described herein and rinsing the surface with water. As used herein, "applying" may include, for example, spraying, rubbing, transferring (e.g., with a sponge or cloth), pouring or the like.

The various embodiments of the present invention may be further illustrated as described in the following non-limiting Examples: EXAMPLE 1 The following example illustrates a cleaning composition of the present invention, which was prepared by mixing the listed ingredients in a batch mixer.

Approx. 6 up to approx. 9% C? 2_ ether sulfate? of sodium with an average of approximately 2 moles of ethylene oxide Approx. 3 up to approx. 15%: Cocoamidopropyl amine oxide Approx. 0.5 to approx. 10% Neodol ™ 91-5 Ethoxylate Approx. 0.1 to approx. 10%; Dibutyl Adipate Quantity Sufficient: Water EXAMPLE 2 Another cleaning composition according to the present invention is prepared as follows, with the same procedure above.

Approx. 7 to approx. 8.5% C Sul 2-4 sodium ether sulphate with an average of approximately 2 moles of ethylene oxide Approx. 6 up to approx. 13%: Lauryl myristyl isopropyl amine oxide Approx. 1.5 up to approx. 5%: Neodol ™ 91-5 Ethoxylate Approx. 0.2 to approx. 5% Diisopropyl Adipate Sufficient Amount Water In both previous Examples, the above ingredients are mixed together to produce a cleaning composition in the form of a microemulsion.

Claims (20)

1. A cleaning composition comprising: (i) an aqueous component; (ii) an organic solvent; (iii) an anionic surfactant; (iv) an amine co-surfactant containing either (a) an N-oxide group or (b) a sutetraionic group; and (v) a non-ionic surfactant; wherein said composition is in the form of a microemulsion or a microemulsion preconcentrate.

2. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the organic solvent is selected from a terpene, a lower alkyl ester or diester, a lower aliphatic alkanol, an optionally substituted aromatic alcohol or a lower alkyl ether or diether , or a mixture thereof.

3. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the organic solvent is present in an amount of about 0.1 to about 10%.

4. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the anionic surfactant is selected from: (a) a sulfate, sulfonate or carboxylate of an optionally substituted alkanol; or (b) a sulfate or sulphonate of alkanol ethoxylates.

5. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 4, characterized in that the anionic surfactant is polyethylene glycol ether (ethoxy) sulfate of C12-1 alcohol.

6. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the amine co-surfactant is alkylamidopropylamine oxide.

7. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 6, characterized in that the amine co-surfactant is selected from cocoamidopropyl amine oxide, alkylamidopropyl betaine and cocoamidopropyl betaine.

8. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the non-ionic surfactant is a polyethoxylated alcohol.

9. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the nonionic surfactant is C9_n alkanol with an ethoxylation degree of approximately 2 moles.

10. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the amount of nonionic surfactant is about 0.5 to about 10%.

11. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that it is in the form of a microemulsion.

12. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the ratio of anionic surfactant to amine surfactant is in the range of about 30:70 to about 70:30.

13. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the amine surfactant comprises a group of amine oxide, and in which the ratio of anionic surfactant to amine oxide is about 50:50.

14. A cleaning composition, comprising (i) an aqueous component; (ii) an organic solvent selected from a terpene, a lower alkyl ester or diester, a lower aliphatic alkanol, an optionally substituted aromatic alcohol, or a lower alkyl ether or diether; (iii) an anionic surfactant; (iv) an amine co-surfactant containing either (a) an N-oxide group or (b) a sutetraionic group; and (v) a non-ionic surfactant; wherein said composition is in the form of a microemulsion or a microemulsion preconcentrate.

15. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the organic solvent is cocoamidopropylamine oxide or lauryl myristyl isopropyl amine oxide.

16. A cleaning composition, comprising: (i) water; (ii) about 0.1 to about 10% dibutyl adipate; (iii) about 6 to about 9% polyethylene glycol ether (ethoxy) sulfate of C 2 -? - alcohol; (iv) about 3 to about 15% cocoamidopropylamine oxide or lauryl myristyl isopropyl amine oxide; and (v) about 3 to about 8% of a C9_n alkanol with an ethoxylation degree of 5 moles.

17. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that the ratio of organic solvent to anionic surfactant to co-surfactant of amine to non-ionic surfactant is approximately 1: 1.5: 1.5: 1.

18. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that it is in the form of an oil-in-water microemulsion.

19. The cleaning composition as claimed in clause 16, characterized in that it is in the form of a microemulsion preconcentrate.

20. A method for cleaning a hard surface, which comprises applying to the surface a cleaning composition of according to claim 1 and rinsing the surface with water.