MXPA00007216A - Non-aqueous cleaning compositions. - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention discloses non-aqueous abrasive cleaning compositions having a pH of 5 to 12; from about 5% to about 35% of one or more surfactants, wherein at least 20% of said surfactants are anionic and comprise alkanolammonium counterions, and from 30% to about 95% of a particulate abrasive. The compositions of the present invention, preferably are in a bar form and are suitable for cleaning kitchen items and kitchen surfaces.

Description

CLEANSING COMPOSITIONS OUE ARE NOT LIQUID TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to synergistic cleaning compositions that are not liquid, containing specific anionic detergent surfactants. The compositions are suitable for cleaning fabrics or hard surfaces.

BACKGROUND AND PREVIOUS TECHNIQUE The fabric washing compositions contain, as an essential ingredient, one or more surfactants whose role is to assist in the removal of dirt from the fabric and its suspension in the wash liquor. Other important components are the detergent builders, together with optional components, for example: abrasives, fillers, perfumes, alkali salts and bleaching agents. Hard surface cleaning compositions typically comprise one or more surfactants and may comprise an abrasive. The surfactants are generally chosen to be anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric or zwitterionic. The most commonly used are one or more surfactants which are selected from primary alcohol sulfate, alkylbenzylsulfonates, alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl ether sulfates, fatty acid soaps and secondary alkylsulfonates. Hard surface cleaners are often formulated as liquid products and several solutions have been considered for specific benefits. FR 2588013 discloses that the combination of a mixed surfactant system of alkylbenzene-sulfonate salt of, for example, monoethanolamine and sodium alkylether sulphate together with ethanol and magnesium sulfate results in a viscous liquid which maintains its viscosity even when diluted. CA 848399 describes the use of monoethanolamine salts of alkylbenzene sulfonate and polyethylene glycol which solves the problem of low temperature stability of sodium alkyl benzene sulphonate formulations. Cleaning compositions that are not liquid, including abrasive cleaning compositions, are formulated predominantly in the form of sticks, pastes and powders. Such cleaning compositions are known in the art. In this way U.S. 4,328,131 describes detergent bars, designed primarily for use as hand or bath soap, which contain 20-80% of a mixture of synthetic anionic and amphoteric surfactants, 5-30% gelatin and gas bubbles to make it buoyant and elastic.

.. U.S. 4,806,273 describes bars for laundry detergent which contain 10-35% of an anionic detergent of fatty alcohol sulfate, particularly the sodium salt thereof, 10-60% of a detergency builder, 10-60% of an insoluble powder in water, 1-10% lower fatty acid alkanolamide and 0.2-5% glycerol. U.S. No. 4,289,640 discloses a dry, powdered cleaning composition consisting of up to 95% of a dry powdered abrasive, up to 40% of a detergency builder salt and 0.1-15% of an organic detergent. WO 98/58045 discloses non-liquid abrasive cleaning compositions consisting of 50-99.5% particulate abrasives, 0.5-15% alkanolamine and at least 0.1% other base electrolyte. The compositions optionally comprise 0.1-20% surfactant and 0.1-20% solvent other than water or alkanolamine. It is said that the products are pastes, gels or powders. Typical abrasives used in these compositions include calcites, feldspar and dolomites. The bar-like cleaning compositions are economically superior in comparisons with other product forms. The product dosage by scrubbing the bar is controlled to a large extent in comparison with other forms such as a paste, gel or powder. The bar does not easily become saturated with moisture in the presence of water and the active ingredients are not lost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Now it has been found that the use of a minimum amount of anionic surfactant with alkanolammonium counterions, alone or in combination with other surfactants in abrasive cleaning compositions, provides a significantly superior removal of dirt from fabrics or hard surfaces, compared to formulations with other conventional surfactants. Therefore, it is possible to formulate compositions so that the product is benign to the skin and has good properties of use. Therefore, according to one aspect, the invention provides synergistic abrasive cleaning compositions, which are not liquid, having a pH of 5 to 12, and comprising: a) 0.5-35% by weight of one or more surfactants, wherein at least 20% of the surfactant is anionic with alkanolammonium counterions; and b) 30-95% by weight of at least one particulate abrasive. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for cleaning substrates which comprises applying to the substrate a cleaning composition described above.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention will now be described in greater detail, with reference to compositions for cleaning kitchenware and kitchen surfaces. The invention is not restricted to cleaning them, and can be applied to other hard surfaces and laundry in general. However, the compositions according to the invention are particularly suitable for cleaning hard surfaces, more particulate kitchen surfaces. All percentages mentioned herein are by weight, and are based on the total composition, unless specifically mentioned otherwise. Preferably, the synergistic abrasive cleaning compositions according to the invention have a pH of at least 6, although the pH is preferably not greater than 11, and more preferably not greater than 9. Preferably, the total amount of surfactant is at least 5%, more preferably at least 8%. The upper amount is preferably 25%. Preferably, at least 50% of the total amount of surfactants is anionic with alkanolammonium counter ions. The surfactant can consist entirely of an anionic surfactant with alkanolammonium counterions.

The amount of particulate abrasive is preferably at most 85%. The composition can be formulated as a powder, paste, block, tablet or bar. The stick shape is particularly suitable for the purposes for which the compositions are mainly used.

TENSOACTIVOS The compositions according to the invention comprise as an essential component an anionic surfactant with alkanolammonium counterions. This surfactant may be combined with other surfactants generally chosen from alkali metals or alkaline earth metals or ammonium salts of anionic surfactants and / or nonionic, cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants. Particularly, nonionic surfactants can be usefully added to compositions according to the invention. Cationic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants are generally less useful. Suitable anionic surfactants are water-soluble salts of organic sulfuric reaction products having in the molecular structure an alkyl group containing 8-22 C atoms or an alkylaryl group containing 6-20 C atoms in the alkyl part, and a sulfonate or sulfate group.

Preferred water-soluble synthetic anionic surfactants are alkylaryl sulfonates, olefin sulphonates, alkyl sulfates and fatty acid monoglyceride sulfates, and mixtures thereof, which have an alkanolammonium counter ion. The most preferred anionic surfactants are alkylaromatic sulfonates containing 6-20 carbon atoms in the alkyl group in a straight or branched chain, particular examples of which are: alkylbenzene sulphonates, alkyl toluene sulfonates, xylene or phenol, alkylnaphthalene sulfonates , diamyl naphthalene sulfonates and dinonyl naphthalene sulfonates. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates are especially preferred. Suitable alkanolammonium counterions of the anionic surfactants for use in the compositions of the present invention may be monofunctional or polyfunctional when considering the amine and hydroxy portions. Preferred alkanolamines of which are derived from those of the formula HJN-RI-OH, wherein Rx is a linear or branched alkyl chain having 2-6 carbon atoms. Preferred alkanolamines further include 2-amino-2-methyl -l-propanol, aminomethylpropane diol, mono-, di- and tri-ethanolamine, mono-, di- and tri-isopropanolamine, dimethyl-, diethyl- and dibutyl-ethanolamine, and mixtures thereof. Particularly preferred alkanolamine salt anionic surfactants are those derived from 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and monoethanolamine (MEA), and it is therefore preferred that at least 50% of the alkanolamine used for neutralize the anionic surfactant acid consists of AMP and / or MEA, more preferably 100%. The amount of synthetic anionic surfactant to be used in the detergent composition of this invention will generally be up to 35%, and more preferably from 8 to 25% by weight, wherein 20-100% of the surfactant is alkanolammonium salt , and more preferably 50-100%. Nonionic surfactants may also be present in a useful manner in the compositions according to the invention. Suitable non-ionic surfactants can be broadly described as compounds produced by the condensation of hydrophilic alkylene oxide groups with an organic hydrophobic compound which may be aliphatic or alkylaromatic in nature. The length of the hydrophilic polyalkylenoxy group which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic group can be easily adjusted to provide a water soluble compound having the desired degree of equilibrium between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements. Particular examples include the condensation product of aliphatic alcohols having from 8 to 22 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration with ethylene oxide, such as condensate of ethylene oxide and coconut oil having from 2 to 15 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol; condensate of alkylphenols whose alkyl group contains from 6 to 12 carbon atoms with 5 to 25 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkylphenol; condensates of the reaction product of ethylene diamine and propylene oxide with ethylene oxide, the condensate containing from 40 to 80% of ethyleneoxy groups by weight, and having a molecular weight of 5,000 to 11,000; tertiary amine oxides of structure R3NO, wherein one group R is an alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and the others are, each, methyl, ethyl and hydroxyethyl groups, for example, dimethyldodecylamine oxide; tertiary phosphine oxides of structure R3PO, wherein one group R is an alkyl group of 10 to 18 carbon atoms, and the others are each alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 3 carbon atoms, for example dimethyldodecylphosphine oxide; and dialkyl sulfoxides of structure R2SO, wherein the group R is an alkyl group of 10 to 18 carbon atoms and the other is methyl or ethyl, for example methyltetradecyl sulfoxide; fatty acid alkylolamides; alkylene oxide condensate of acid and fatty alkylolamides and alkyl mercaptans. The nonionic part can also be selected from a range of alkyl polyglycosides. If present, the amount of nonionic surfactant to be used in the detergent compositions of the invention will generally be from 0.5 to 15% of the total surfactant, preferably from 5 to 10% of the total surfactant. Suitable amphoteric surfactants which may optionally be used are derivatives of secondary and tertiary aliphatic amines containing an alkyl group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an aliphatic group substituted by an anionic group solubilizing in water, for example sodium 3-dodecylaminopropionate, Sodium 3-dodecylaminopropane sulfonate and sodium N-2-hydroxydecyl-N-methyltaurate. Suitable cationic detergent active compounds are quaternary ammonium salts having an aliphatic group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms, for example cetyltrimethylammonium bromide. Suitable zwitterionic surfactants which may optionally be used are derivatives of aliphatic ammonium, sulfonium and phosphonium quaternary compounds having an aliphatic group of 8 to 18 carbon atoms and an aliphatic group substituted by an anionic water solubilizing group, for example 3 - (N, N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammonium) -propane-1-sulfonate of betaine, 3- (dodecylmethylsulfonium) -propane-1-sulfonate of betaine and 3- (cetylmethylphosphonium) -ethane-sulfonate of betaine. Additional examples of suitable surfactants are described in the well-known textbooks "Surface Active Agents", volume I by Schwartz and Perry and "Surface Active Agents and Detergents", volume II by Schwartz, Perry and Berch.

ABRASIVES A particulate abrasive is an essential feature of the compositions according to the present invention. Preferably, it comprises a particulate abrasive which is insoluble in water. Alternatively, the abrasive may be soluble and may be present in an excess such with respect to any water present in the composition, that the solubility of the abrasive in the aqueous phase exceeds and consequently there are solid abrasive particles in the composition. Suitable abrasives are selected from particulate zeolites, calcites, dolomites, feldspar, silicas, silicates, other carbonates, aluminas, bicarbonates, borates, sulfates and polymeric materials such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polycarbonate, etc. Preferred abrasives for use in the general purpose compositions have a Moh 2-6 hardness, although higher hardness abrasives may be used for specialist applications.

The preferred average particle sizes for the abrasive is in the range of 0.5-400 microns, preferably 10-200 microns. Optionally a particulate solid can be incorporated with a liquid absorption capacity of 100 to 300% by its own weight, and can be selected from silica gel or precipitated or spray dried silica. The most preferred particulates are precipitated silicas. The preferable levels to which the particulates with a liquid absorption capacity are incorporated, in the formulation, is 1-10%.

SOLVENTS Solvents may be present in a useful manner in the compositions of the invention. Suitable solvents include linear or branched hydrocarbons and / or materials of the general formula: R1-0- (EO) ra- (PO) n-R2 where R? and R2 are independently C? -C7 alkyl or H, but not both hydrogen, m and n are independently 0-5, E denotes an ethylene group and P indicates a propylene group.

Preferred solvents are selected from the group comprising terpenes, sesquiterpenes, C10-C16 straight chain paraffins and (poly) ethylene and (poly) propylene glycol ethers. Suitable glycol ethers include mono- and di-ethylene glycol monobutyl ether and mono- and di-propylene glycol monobutyl ether, and mixtures thereof. Suitable terpenes include d-limonene. Preferred paraffins include the material commercially available as Shellsol-TMR. Preferred levels of solvent vary from 1-15%. It is particularly preferred to use terpenes and other hydrocarbons at levels of 1-3%. Some of these terpene materials, such as limonene, have the additional advantage that they show insect repellency. Linear chain paraffins can be used at higher levels than terpenes, because they are less aggressive to plastics. The glycol ethers are preferred over other solvents, at typical levels of 3-10%, with diethylene glycol L mono-n-butyl ether being particularly preferred. Advantageously, a portion of the solvent may be introduced as a perfume component, although the levels of solvent that are generally required require the addition of higher levels of this component than would normally be present as a perfume ingredient in cleaning compositions. Preferably, the terpenes used in this manner as selected terpenes, such as limonene, have a pleasant citrus flavor, while paraffins and glycol ethers generally have no odor.

OPTIONAL INGREDIENTS The compositions according to the invention can contain other ingredients that help the cleaning operation. For example, the compositions may contain detergency builders such as nitrilotriacetates, polycarboxylates, citrates, dicarboxylic acids, water soluble phosphates, especially polyphosphates, ortho- and pyrophosphates, zeolites and mixtures thereof. Some detergency builders may additionally function as abrasives if they are present in an amount exceeding their water solubility. A binder, if present, preferably will constitute 0.1-25% by weight of the composition. More preferably, at most 15%. On the other hand, for many applications a builder is not necessary and the builder-free compositions form another particular group of embodiments of the present invention. The composition according to the invention may also contain, in addition to the aforementioned ingredients, various other optional ingredients such as structurants, colorants, bleaches, soil suspending agents, detersive enzymes, compatible bleaching agents (particularly hypohalites), and preservatives. The synergistic cleaning compositions which are not liquid, according to the invention are prepared by mixing the essential and optional ingredients in the desired amounts in a conventional manner and by processing it in a desired configuration or shape, according to the methods known in the art. For bars, various ways of processing in the literature are also described in relation to laundry bars and bars for personal cleaning. The compositions according to the invention are particularly suitable for cleaning hard surfaces by applying the compositions as such to the surface. This is preferably done directly, but can also be done using a suitable applicator such as a damp or wet cloth, a sponge or similar implement. Therefore, as indicated above, the invention also provides a process for cleaning hard surfaces comprising the step of applying the compositions as such to a surface with dirt. The compositions and process according to the invention are particularly suitable for kitchen surfaces and kitchen items such as crockery, pots, pans, etc.

The invention will be illustrated below with respect to the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Process for preparing a bar: The bar detergent compositions, according to the invention and the respective control compositions are as described in table 1 and are prepared by mixing the ingredients and extruding them by a conventional manufacturing process. The pH of the formulations is maintained at 6.5. The necessary pH is obtained by controlling the ratio of alkaline silicate to aluminum sulfate.

TABLE 1 1. Linear alkylbenzenesulfonate sodium salt 2. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate monoethanolamine salt Properties in use of the bar The compositions of Examples 1 to 5 are used to determine their effectiveness and effective cleaning of hard surface dirt. Samples are tested to determine properties in use by the following procedure: A uniform amount of vegetable oil is dispersed in stainless steel plates, and the number of soiled plates that can be cleaned for a particular amount of product is determined.

TABLE 2 The data presented in table 2 show that it is possible to formulate detergent bars with low pH and with a cleaning efficiency significantly higher by the incorporation of the monoethanolamine salt of the surfactant (MEA LAS).

Claims (14)

1. Abrasive cleaning compositions, which are not liquid, having a pH of 5 to 12 and comprising 0.5-35% by weight of one or more surfactants, wherein at least 20% of surfactant is anionic with alkanolammonium counterions, and -95% by weight of at least one particulate abrasive.

2. Cleaning compositions, as described in claim 1, wherein the pH is 6-11.

3. Cleaning compositions, as described in claims 1 or 2, wherein the amount of surfactant is 5-25%.

4. Cleaning compositions, as described in claims 1 to 3, wherein the amount of anionic surfactant having alkanolammonium counterions is at least 50% of the total surfactant.

5. Cleaning compositions, as described in claims 1 to 4, wherein the anionic surfactants are water-soluble salts of organic sulfuric reaction products having in the molecular structure an alkyl group containing 8-22 C atoms or an alkylaryl group which contains 6-20 C atoms in the alkyl part, and a sulfonate or sulfate group.

6. Cleaning compositions, as described in claims 1 to 5, wherein they also contain a nonionic surfactant.

7. Cleaning compositions, as described in claims 1 to 6, wherein the amount of abrasive is, at most, 85%.

8. Cleaning compositions, as described in claims 1 to 7, wherein the alkanolammonium ions are derived from 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol and / or monoethanolamine.

9. Cleaning compositions, as described in claims 1 to 8, which do not contain any other anionic and optionally nonionic surfactants.

10. Cleaning compositions, as described in claims 1 to 9, which do not contain a builder.

11. Cleaning compositions, as described in claims 1 to 10, which should constitute a bar.

12. Process for cleaning a substrate, comprising applying to the substrate a cleaning composition as described in any of claims 1 to 11.

13. Process as described in claim 12, wherein the substrate is a hard surface.

14. Process as described in claims 12 or 13, wherein the composition is applied directly to the substrate.