MXPA99003717A - Low residue aqueous hard surface cleaning and desinfecting compositions - Google Patents

Abstract

Aqueous based cleaning compositions simultaneously featuring disinfecting, low residue deposit and good cleaning characteristics are provided. The compositions include one or more quaternary amine compounds as disinfecting agents, an organic solvent system which includes glycol mono-n-butyl ether or a binary system including a glycol ether with a linear primary alcohol, either one or more betaines, or one or more amine oxides as a surfactant constituent, and an alkanolamine.

Description

LOW RESIDUE AQUEOUS COMPOSITIONS FOR CLEANING AND DISINFECTING HARD SURFACES Technical Field Cleaning compositions are commercially important products and enjoy a wide range of usefulness in helping to remove dust and dirt from surfaces, especially those characterized as useful in the hard surfaces. " Hard surfaces are those that are frequently found in lavatories, such as bathroom fixtures, such as toilets, shower enclosures, bathtubs, bidets, sinks, etc. as well as countertops, walls, floors, etc. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Whereas in the art various formulations abound which provide some cleaning and perhaps some disinfection to surfaces, few such formulations are sufficiently elaborated to be effective compositions for disinfection and cleaning and to adequately meet the requirements of the Protection Administration. Environmental of the States United ("EPA") as disinfectants "for sanitary use in hospitals". It is therefore understood that there is a current and continuing need for cleaning products that simultaneously disinfect, leave a minimum of discernible waste, clean well and are cheap. There is also a need for compositions that meet the current requirements of the United States Environmental Protection Administration, especially as it relates to disinfectant compositions for hospitals. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is an aqueous liquid disinfectant cleaner which is especially useful in cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces. Therefore, it is among the objects of the invention to provide improved aqueous cleaning compositions which are especially useful for cleaning and disinfecting, especially of hard surfaces and exhibiting a low tendency to leave residues on the surface on the treated surfaces and which does not degrade undesirably when subjected to a high temperature for a prolonged period. Another object of the invention is to provide an aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition which can be categorized as a disinfectant composition for hospital use in accordance with the requirements of the United States Environmental Protection Administration.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Modes of the Invention According to one aspect of the present invention an aqueous cleaning composition is provided which provides disinfecting and cleaning characteristics to the treated surfaces, particularly hard surfaces, which comprises the following constituents: A) a surfactant of the quaternary ammonium type with germicidal properties; B) a solvent system selected from: propylene glycol n-butyl ether or, a binary solvent combination of a glycol ether with a linear primary alcohol, especially linear C6-C? 8 primary alcohols; C) a surfactant compound selected from betaine compounds or amine oxides; D) an alkanolamine; E) water. The compositions may include one or more optional constituent additives, sometimes referred to as adjuvants, in minor but effective amounts. By way of non-limiting example, such optional additives include: coloring agents such as dyes and pigments, fragrances, other pH adjusting agents, pH buffer compositions, chelating agents, rheology modification agents as well as one or more additional surfactant compounds. , in particular non-ionic surfactant compounds. It is desired, to reduce the likelihood of undesirable accumulations on the treated surfaces, especially the hard surfaces, that these additive constituents are present only in minor amounts, ie, less than 5% w / w based on the total weight of the cleaning composition aqueous that is provided here. The compositions are characterized by providing a disinfectant effect, which is desired to be sufficient to be qualified as "broad spectrum disinfectant" and still more preferred, sufficient to be qualified as "disinfectant for sanitary use in hospitals" in accordance with the regulations of the United States. A) The compositions according to the invention include one or more quaternary ammonium surfactant compounds having germicidal properties. Example of useful quaternary ammonium compounds and their salts include quaternary ammonium germicides which can be characterized by the formula: wherein at least one of Ri, R2, R3 and R4 is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl substituent of 6 to 26 carbon atoms and preferably the entire cationic portion of the molecule has a molecular weight of at least 165. Alkyl substituents they can be long-chain alkyls, long-chain alkoxyaryl, long-chain alkylaryl substituted with halogen, long-chain alkyl-phenoxyalkyls, alkylaryl, etc. The remaining substituents on the nitrogen atoms, other than the alkyl substituents mentioned above, are hydrocarbons which usually contain no more than 12 carbon atoms. The substituents Ri, R2, R3 and R4 may be straight chain or may be branched, but are preferably straight chain and may include one or more amide, ether or ester linkages. The counter ion X can be any salt-forming anion that allows the quaternary ammonium complex to be soluble in water. Examples of counterions include halides, for example chloride, bromide or iodide or methosulfate. Examples of quaternary ammonium salts within the above description include alkyl ammonium halides such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, alkyl aryl ammonium halides such as octadecyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide, N-alkyl pyridinium halides such as N-cetyl pyridinium bromide and the like. Other suitable types of quaternary ammonium salts include those in which the molecule contains either amide, ether or ester bonds such as octyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, N- (laurylcocoaminoformylmethyl) pyridinium chloride and the like. Other very effective types of quaternary ammonium compounds which are useful as germicides include those in which the hydrophobic radical is characterized by a substituted aromatic nucleus as in the case of lauryloxyphenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, cetylaminophenyl trimethyl ammonium methylsulfate, dodecylphenyl trimethyl methyl sulfate. ammonium, dodecylbenzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, chlorinated dodecylbenzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride and the like. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds that act as germicides and which have been found useful in the practice of the present invention include those having the structural formula: where R 2 and R 3 are the same or different C 8 -C 2 alkyls or R 2 is a C 2 2-6 alkyl, C 8 alkyloxy 8, alkylphenol ethoxy C 8 8 and R 3 is benzyl and X is a halide, for example chloride, bromide or iodide or methylsulfate. The above-mentioned alkyl groups R2 and R can be straight or branched chain, but are preferably substantially linear. Particularly useful quaternary germicides comprise compositions that include a single quaternary compound, as well as mixtures of two or more different quaternary compounds. Particularly useful quaternary germicides include compositions based on: alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides; dialkyl (C 8 -C 0) dimethyl ammonium chlorides; including didecyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides; and dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chlorides; alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides; (benzalkonium chloride), compositions based on mixtures of alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride and / or alkyl alkyldimethylethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, myristyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides; Methyldodecylbenzyl ammonium chlorides; methyldodecylxylene-bis-trimethyl ammonium chlorides; benzethonium chlorides, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides; dialkyl methyl benzyl ammonium chlorides, alkyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide and LONZABAC®-12,100 described as based on an alkyl tertiary amine. Polymeric quaternary ammonium salts based on these monomer structures are also considered desirable for the present invention. An example is POLYQUAR® described as a polymer of 2-butenyldimethyl ammonium chloride. (Each of the materials cited is currently marketed by Lonza, Inc., Fairlawn, NJ and / or Stephan Co., Northfield IL.) In the quaternary germicides cited above, bromine, fluorine or iodine can be replaced by chlorine to form the abovementioned ammonium salts. In the cleaning compositions according to the invention, the quaternary ammonium constituent compound is required to be present in effective amounts exhibiting satisfactory germicidal activity against selected bacteria to which it is desired to treat with the cleaning compositions. Such efficacy against less resistant bacterial species can be achieved with only small amounts of quaternary ammonium compounds present, while more resistant bacterial species require higher amounts of quaternary ammonium compounds to destroy those more resistant species. The quaternary ammonium compound only needs to be present in effective amounts from the germicidal point of view. Generally, effective germicidal efficacy such as "sanitary use in hospitals" that meets current EPA directives is achieved when quaternary ammonium compounds are present in an amount of about 0.05% w / w to about 3% w / w. . Preferably the quaternary ammonium compounds are present in an amount of 0.08% w / w about 0.5% w / w and still more preferably from 0.08% w / w to 0.15% w / w based on the total weight of the composition of the invention that it is described here. B) The compositions of the invention include an organic solvent system selected from propylene glycol n-butyl ether or a binary solvent combination of a glycol ether with a linear primary alcohol. Surprisingly, the inventor found that unlike other glycol ethers, it has been observed that propylene glycol n-butyl ether evaporates rapidly in an even manner in such a way that it tends to form a relatively uniform film during the drying process. It is an advantageous feature of the present invention and it should be understood that the speed at which the volatile components seem to evaporate from the treated surface and the physical form (pattern) taken by the non-volatile materials deposited on the surface after the components The volatiles that have evaporated are directly related to the consumer's perception of the cleaning efficiency and the surface residue left by the composition. Thus the solvent propylene glycol n-butyl ether is selected to be not only effective to solubilize the deposited dirt, especially hard surfaces, but also to be among those which are observed to simultaneously evaporate rapidly and form a relatively uniform film on the surface treated during the drying process as opposed to those that impart a speckled or mottled appearance to the treated surface during drying, as with other glycol ethers. Such undesirable characteristics are believed to be attributable to a partially wetted area formation effect, where it is observed that the volatile constituents of the compositions leave the non-volatile constituents in non-uniform and visible deposition patterns when the volatile constituents evaporate. These deposits are often very conspicuous and are visible as a mottling or streaking of the surface when the composition evaporates, as well as subsequent to evaporation when any non-volatile material in the compositions is deposited in a non-uniform manner. Such undesirable drying characteristics are overcome by the compositions of the invention, particularly in the preferred embodiments thereof. The present inventor has found that attempts to substitute propylene glycol n-butyl ether with a different glycol ether solvent were generally unsuccessful, since it has been observed that such different glycol ethers, even of very similar molecular structures and their compositions, do not form a relatively uniform film on the surface treated during the drying process and have been observed to cause an uneven mottled appearance when the compositions evaporate. This is a surprising result since it has generally been recognized that in many compositions similar glycol ethers are substitutable. This is not the case in the present compositions. However, the present inventor has observed that such concomitant detriment with the use of different glycol ether solvents can be overcome by the addition to such glycol ether solvents, other than propylene glycol n-butyl ether, of an effective amount of a linear primary alcohol. , preferably a C6-C? 8 linear primary alcohol, with those of longer chain length C8-C? 8 being preferred. The present inventor has determined that the inclusion of such linear primary alcohols beneficially assists in the evaporation of a composition in a relatively even manner, such that it tends to form a relatively uniform film during the drying process. This effect has generally been described above in conjunction with the glycol n-butyl ethers. An additional benefit of the inclusion of such linear primary alcohols is in the solvent characteristic that they can also provide certain spots. It is also contemplated that such linear primary alcohols may be used in conjunction with the solvent propylene glycol n-butyl ether, although alcohol is not necessary. Examples of useful glycol ethers include the glycol ethers having the general structure Ra-0-Rb-OH, in which Ra is an alkoxy of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or aryloxy of at least 6 carbon atoms and Rb is a Condensed ether of propylene glycol and / or ethylene glycol having from one to ten monol glycol units. Preferred are glycol ethers having from one to five units of monomeric glycol. These are the glycol ethers of C3C2o. Examples of the most preferred glycol ethers include those denoted in the following Examples, which include propylene glycol n-butyl ether and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether. Such materials are commercially available in the DOWANOL® series from The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan, as well as in the ARCOSOLV® P series from Arco Chemical Co., Newton Square, Pennsylvania. It should be noted that such preferred glycol ethers are those which possess limited solubility in water, generally 20 ml or less per 100 ml of water at room temperature Where the organic solvent system (B) consists only of a glycol ether solvent in conjunction with a linear alcohol primary, it is desirable that these components be present in amounts of up to 6% w / w, more preferably in an amount from about 0.001% w / w to about 5% w / w and most preferably in an amount of 1% w / w pa 4.5% w / w, based on the total weight of the aqueous composition. Where the organic solvent system (B) consists of a glycol ether solvent other than propylene glycol n-butyl in conjunction with a linear primary alcohol, these constituents are preferably present together in amounts of up to about 6% w / w, greater preference in an amount from about 0.001% w / w about 5% w / w and most preferably in an amount of 3% w / w 4.5% w / w based on the total weight of the aqueous composition. In such a composition the present amount of linear primary alcohol is only a small fraction of the total amount of the organic solvent system - (B) and generally forms about 25% w / w less than the total amount of the organic solvent system (B) . It has also been found that when the chain length of the linear primary alcohol is greater than Ce, the presence of smaller amounts of linear primary alcohol is needed while maintaining the desirable drying characteristics described above. C) The compositions of the present invention include one or more surfactants selected from the betaine compounds and amine oxide compounds.

Such nonionic surfactants are known in the art and are available in commercial preparations, typically as an amount of the surfactant compound dispersed in an aqueous carrier. Such betaine compounds or amine oxide compounds are selected in particular from other known surfactant compounds which have been found to not only provide the requirement for active surface characteristics and compatibility with the canonical quaternary ammonium compounds but have also been observed by the inventor which helps maintain the stability of the phases of the compositions of the invention over extended time intervals and / or at high temperatures, up to 120 ° F. These compositions generally do not undergo phase separation at these temperatures. Such beneficial characteristics have been especially observed where the organic solvent is selected to be among the preferred ones, in particular the most preferred organic solvent. Furthermore, the inventor has observed that these betaine compounds or amine oxide compounds have no tendency to contribute to the mottled or streaked appearance of the treated surface during drying, as described in more detail above. Additionally, these betaine compounds or amine oxide compounds provide benefits in the cleaning properties of the compositions. Betaine compounds which are useful in the compositions of the invention are known in the art. By way of non-limiting example, examples of betaines include compounds according to the general formula: (+) (-) RN (R?) 2-R2COO where R is a hydrophobic group selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups containing from about 10 to about 22 carbon atoms, preferably from about 12 to about 18 carbon atoms, alkyl aryl and aryl alkyl groups containing a similar number of carbon atoms with a benzene ring that is treated as equivalent to about 2 carbon atoms and similar structures interrupted by amide or ether linkages, each Ri is an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms; and R2 is an alkylene group containing 1 to about 6 carbon atoms. Examples of preferred betaines include MACKAM® DZ from Me Intyre Group Ltd. Sulfobetaines can also be used in the compositions of the invention. These include Rewoteric® AM HC and Rewoteric® AM CAS UF from Witco Corp. These betaine compounds, when present, comprise 0.1-4.0% w / w of the compositions of the invention, but more preferably comprise 2.0-4.0% w / w. Amine oxide compounds that are useful in the compositions of the invention are known in the art. A general class of useful amine oxides include the alkyl di (lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 10-20 and preferably 12-16 carbon atoms and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or not saturated The lower alkyl groups include between 1 and 7 carbon atoms. Examples include lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, dimethyl cocoamine oxide, dimethyl (hydrogenated tallow) amine oxide and myristyl / palmityl dimethyl amine oxide. An additional class of useful amine oxides include the alkyl di (hydroxy lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 10-20 and preferably 12-16 carbon atoms and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or not saturated. Examples are bis (2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, bis (2-hydroxyethyl) tallowamine oxide and bis (2-hydroxyethyl) stearylamine oxide. Further useful amine oxides include those which can be characterized as alkylamidopropyl di (lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 10-20 and preferably 12-16 carbon atoms and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Examples are cocoamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide and tallowamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide. Useful additional amine oxides include those which can be referred to as alkyl morpholine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 10-20 and preferably 12-16 carbon atoms and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Other examples thereof include surfactant compositions based on amine oxides which include those currently commercially available and include Ammonyx® (_Stephan co., Chicago, IL), as well as Barlox® (Lonza Inc., Fairlawn NJ) . Amine oxides are generally preferred over betaines, as the inventor has discovered that amine oxides, especially lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, provide substantially better cleaning than betaine compounds which can also be part of the compositions of the invention. invention. With respect to the amine oxides, the preferred ones are the alkyl di (lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 12-16 carbon atoms, of which most preferred in the compositions of the invention are used the oxides of lauryl amine. Most preferably, the amine oxide constituent is lauryl dimethyl amine oxide. These amine oxide compounds, when present, comprise 0.1-4.0% w / w of the compositions of the invention, but more preferably comprise 0.1-1.0% of the compositions of the invention. D) The compositions of the invention also include as alkanolamines one or more alkanolamines, including mono-, di- and trialkanolamines. Preferred alkanolamines are the lower alkanolamines which have been found to provide alkalinity to the compositions and to act as pH adjusting agents. Examples of lower alkanolamines include for example; ethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine and isopropanole ina. Preferably the alkanolamine component includes monoethanolamine, which has been found to also evaporate relatively rapidly from the treated surfaces in a uniform manner. More preferably, the alkolamine component is only monoethanolamine. The alkanolamine component comprises 0.001-3.0 w / w of the compositions of the invention, but more preferably they are present in amounts of 01-0.5% w / w. As indicated above, the compositions according to the invention are aqueous in nature. The water is added to bring the compositions of the invention to 100% w / w. The water may be tap water, but deionized water is preferably distilled and most preferably. If the water is tap water, it is preferably substantially free of any undesirable impurities such as organic or inorganic, especially mineral salts that are present in the hard waters which may undesirably interfere with the operation of the components according to the invention and / or contribute to the appearance of residues in the evaporation of the compositions of the invention. In the particularly preferred embodiments, the compositions of this invention are aqueous storage-stable cleaning and disinfecting compositions that do not degrade undesirably when exposed to elevated temperatures for long periods of time. More specifically, the compositions of this invention do not undergo precipitation or phase separation when a sample composition is subjected to an accelerated aging test at 120 ° F, for a period of four weeks. As is known in the art, such a test is rigorous and is a useful indicator of the stability of the sample composition tested during storage for extended times. The compositions according to the invention can be classified as "broad spectrum" disinfectant compositions since they exhibit antimicrobial efficacy against at least Staphilococus aureus and Salmonella choleraesuis according to the AOAC Use Dilution Test known to those skilled in the art. . In a more preferred embodiment, the compositions according to the invention can be classified as disinfectant compositions of the "sanitary use in hospitals" type since they exhibit antimicrobial efficacy against the three bacteria: Staphilococus aureus ,. Salmonella choleraesuis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa according to the AOAC Use Dilution Test which evaluates the antimicrobial efficacy of a composition against Staphilococus aureus (pathogenic gram-positive bacteria) (ATCC 6538), Salmonella choleraesuis (pathogenic bacteria of the gram-negative type) (ATCC 10708) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442). The assay is generally performed in accordance with the protocols developed in "Use-Dilution Method", Protocols 955.14, 955.15 and 964.02 described in Chapter 6 of "Official Methods of Analysis", 16th Edition, of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists; "Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants", 960.09 described in Chapter 6 of "Official Methods of Analysis", 15th Edition, of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists; or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E 1054-91, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This test is commonly referred to as the "AOAC Use-Dilution Test Method". In the preferred embodiments of the invention and especially in the most preferred embodiments the compositions can be characterized by forming a substantially uniform film during drying on a hard surface. More particularly, when the preferred compositions of the invention are applied to a hard surface and then a film is formed, such as would be made by rubbing the composition so as to distribute it in general uniformly on the hard surface in a thin layer and then allow drying, the compositions dry without portions of the uniform film joining in droplets or veins. The uniform film of the compositions tends to dry in an even pattern, generally with a remarkable beginning of drying at the edges or margins of the uniform film and continues towards the central region of the uniform film. This description can of course vary, particularly where the film formed by the compositions of the invention is spread on a hard surface but does not form a film of generally uniform thickness; in which case the drying generally begins at the edges and progresses to the thicker portions of the film which is not necessarily in the central region. The overall effect of drying, that of uniform drying without coalescence in droplets or veins remains however the same. Such behavior is particularly advantageous in the treatment of cleaning and / or disinfecting a hard surface that needs such treatment. After application, the composition tends to dry in a generally uniform manner from the film described above. This is particularly true where subsequent to an application on a hard surface, such as by spraying, the consumer spreads the deposited composition over a wider area of the hard surface perhaps by rubbing with a rag, towel, tissue paper, paper towel and similar, which bring the composition to a thin film. The benefits of drying without coalescence in veins or droplets also ensures that those visually discernible substantial deposits of constituents do not evaporate from the composition. This is a problem with many compositions of the prior art, which during drying often form a coalescence or drop streak and the non-evaporating constituents are deposited at the edges of the coalescence veins or droplets and are visible after drying as an aureole. the vein or drop of coalescence now evaporated. This results in visibly discernible streaks or a mottled appearance when they dry on a hard surface, especially on a highly reflective hard surface such as glazed tiles or polished metal surfaces, this is not attractive to the consumer and usually requires the subsequent application of a step of polished or polished by the user of the product. This undesirable characteristic is generally avoided by the compositions of the invention, especially in the preferred embodiments thereof. As indicated, the compositions may include one or more optional additives which by way of non-limiting example include: coloring agents such as tinctures and pigments, fragrances and fragrance stabilizers, pH adjusting agents, pH stabilizing agents, agents chelants, rheology modifying agents, as well as one or more additional non-ionic surfactant compounds. Preferably, to reduce the possibility of unwanted accumulation on the treated surfaces, especially hard surfaces, the total amounts of such optional additives are less than about 5%, preferably less than 2.5% w / w but it is desired that they be significantly smaller, such as less than about 0.5% w / w based on the total weight of the aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition provided herein. Optimally, the amounts of such additional optional additives are kept to a minimum to minimize the amounts of non-volatile constituents in the compositions as a whole, which tend to contribute to an unwanted mottled or mottled appearance of the composition during drying. Useful chelating agents include those known in the art, including by way of non-limiting examples; aminopolycarboxylic acids and salts thereof in which the nitrogen of the amine function has two or more substituent groups attached. Preferred chelating agents include acids and salts, especially the sodium and potassium salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, N-hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid and of which the sodium salts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid can be particularly used with advantages. Such chelating agents may be omitted or may be included in generally smaller amounts such as from 0-0.5% w / w based on the weight of the chelating agents and / or thereof in the form of salts. It is desired that such chelating agents be included in the composition of the present invention in amounts from 0-0.5% w / w, but most preferably are present in reduced percentages by weight from about 0-0.2% w / w. The compositions according to the invention optionally include but in desirably an amount of a pH adjusting agent or pH buffer composition. Such compositions include many of those that are known in the art and which are conventionally used. Examples of pH adjusting agents include phosphorus-containing compounds, monovalent and polyvalent salts of silicates, carbonates and borates, certain acids and bases, tartrates and certain acetates. Also, useful pH adjusting agents include mineral acids, basic compositions and organic acids. Examples of pH buffer compositions include the alkali metal phosphates, polyphosphates, pyrophosphates, triphosphates, tetraphosphates, silicates, metasilicates, polysilicates, carbonates, hydroxides, particularly alkaline earth metal phosphates, carbonates and hydroxides, may also function as buffers. Desirably the compositions according to the invention include an effective but minimal amount of an organic acid and / or an inorganic salt thereof which can be used to adjust and maintain the pH of the compositions of this invention at the desired pH range. Particularly useful is citric acid and metal salts thereof such as sodium citrate which is widely available and which effectively provide such adjustment of pH and buffer effects. These should however be scanned to ensure that they do not undesirably complicate the quaternary ammonium compounds or deactivate them in another way / s. Additional optional constituents but advantageously included are one or more coloring agents that are used in modifying the appearance of the compositions and to enhance their appearance from the perspective of a consumer or other end consumer. Known coloring agents can be incorporated into the compositions effective amounts to improve or impart a desired appearance or color to the compositions. Such a coloring agent or coloring agents can be added in a conventional manner that is by mixing them into the compositions or mixing them with other components to form a composition. Other optional but desirable components include fragrances (natural or synthetically produced). Such fragrances may be added in conventional manner, by mixing them into the compositions or mixing them with other components to form a composition, in amounts which are useful to improve or impart the desired flavor characteristics to the composition and / or cleaning compositions formed therewith. . In compositions that include a fragrance, it is often desirable to include a fragrance solubilizer that aids in the dispersion, solution or mixing of the fragrance constituent in an aqueous base. This includes compounds known in the art, including condensates of 2 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide with mono- and tri-C?-C ?O-C2o alkanoic acid of sorbitan which are known as useful as nonionic surfactants. Other examples of such useful surfactants include soluble nonionic surfactants of which many are commercially known and as non-limiting examples include primary aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates, secondary aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates, alkylphenol ethoxylates and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide condensates in alkanols primary and condensates of ethylene with sorbitan fatty acid esters. This fragrance solubilizing component is added in minor amounts, particularly amounts which are effective in contributing to the solubilization of the fragrance component, but not in significantly greater proportions so that they would be considered a component of the detergent. Such minor amounts of fragrance solubilizer is generally up to 0.3% by weight of the fragrance component in the compositions of the invention but more generally an amount of about 0.01% by weight and less and, preferably present in amounts of 0.05% by weight and less. As an optional constituent, the compositions may include one or more non-ionic surfactant compounds in effective amounts to improve the overall cleansing efficacy of the compositions described herein and in amounts which at the same time do not undesirably decrease the germicidal efficacy of the compositions of the compositions. the invention or which undesirably increase the possibility of forming deposits of surface residues on the treated surfaces. Such nonionic surfactant compounds are known in the art. Virtually any hydrophobic compound having a carboxy, hydroxy, amido or amino group with a free hydrogen attached to the nitrogen can be condensed with ethylene oxide or with the polyhydration product thereof, polyethylene glycol, to form a nonionic surfactant compound soluble in Water. In addition, the length of the polyethylene-hydrophobic or hydrophilic elements can be varied. Examples of nonionic compounds include polyoxyethylene ethers of hydroxy alkyl aromatic compounds, for example, alkylated polyoxyethylene phenols, polyoxyethylene ethers of long chain aliphatic alcohols, polyoxyethylene ethers of hydrophobic propylene oxide polymers and higher alkyl amine oxides . To be mentioned as particularly useful nonionic surfactants are the alkoxylated linear primary and secondary alcohols, such as those commercially available under the serial names PolyTergent® SL (Olin chemical co, Stamford CT), Neodol® series (Shell Chemical co., Houston TX), such as alkoxylated alkyl phenols including those commercially available under the serial names Triton (R) .X (Union Carbide Chem. Co., Danbury CT). Such components as those previously described as essential and / or optional include those described in Me Cucheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents (Vol 1), Cucheon's Functional Materials (Vol 2), North American edition, 1991, Kirk-othmer, Encyclopaedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd edition, vol 22 pp 346-387, whose contents are incorporated by reference. According to the first preferred embodiment of the composition of the invention, ready-to-use low residue hard surface cleaning compositions and broad spectrum disinfectants are provided, preferably disinfectants for sanitary use in hospitals comprising every 100% w / w, preferably which consists essentially of, for each 100% w / w: 0.05-0.3% w / w of a quaternary ammonium surfactant compound having germicidal properties; 0.5-10.0% w / w preferably 1.0-4.5 w / w propylene glycol mono n-butyl ether, 0.1-4.0% w / w one + or more surfactant compounds selected from betaine or amine oxide compounds, preferably 0.1 -3.0% w / w of one or more amine oxide compounds; 0.1-0.5% w / w of one or more alkanolamines, with monoethanolamine being especially preferred; 0-0.5% p / p of one or more optional constituents; water to complete 100% in which the compositions are characterized by forming a substantially uniform film during the evaporative drying after being applied to a hard surface. In especially preferred embodiments the compositions have phase stability and maintain phase stability when subjected to a high temperature of 120 ° F for a period of at least 4 weeks. According to a second preferred embodiment of the composition of this invention, ready-to-use low residue hard surface cleaning compositions and broad spectrum disinfectants are provided, preferably sanitary disinfectants in hospitals preferably comprising every 100% w / w : 0.05-0.3% w / w of a quaternary ammonium surfactant compound having germicidal properties; 0.5-10.0% w / w of an organic solvent system which includes an ether glycol other than propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether and a primary linear alcohol C6-C? 8 and preferably dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether and an alcohol primary linear Ce-Cis. 0.1-4.0% w / w of one or more surfactant compounds selected from betaine or amine oxide compounds, preferably one or more compounds from 0.1-3.0% w / w amine oxide; 0.1-0.5% w / w of one or more alkanolamines, with monoethanolamine being especially preferred; 0-0.5% p / p of one or more optional constituents; water to complete 100%, in which the compositions are characterized by forming a substantially uniform film during the evaporative drying after being applied to a hard surface. In especially preferred embodiments the compositions have phase stability and maintain phase stability when subjected to an elevated temperature of 120 ° F (49 ° C) for a period of at least 4 weeks. The compositions of this invention can be prepared in a conventional manner such as simply by mixing the constituents in order to form the final aqueous cleaning composition. The order of addition is not critical. Preferably and from all practicable purposes, it is desirable that constituents other than water be added to a proportion of the total amount of water and then thoroughly mixed and most preferably that the surfactants be first added to said volume of water, followed by by any of the remaining components such as the optional compounds. Any remaining remnant of water is then added, if required. The compositions according to the invention are useful in cleaning and disinfecting surfaces, especially hard surfaces, which have dirt deposited on them. The compositions are particularly effective in the removal of oleophilic dirt (oily dirt) particularly of the type which is typically found in kitchens and other food preparation environments. In this process, the cleaning and disinfection of such surfaces comprises the step of applying an effective amount to remove the dirt and disinfecting a composition such as that explained herein on such a dirty surface. Then, the compositions are optionally but desirably rinsed from such clean and disinfected hard surfaces. The hard surface cleaning composition according to the present invention can be preferably supplied as a ready-to-use product, in a manually operated spray container or an aerosol product where it is discharged from a pressurized aerosol container. While the present invention is intended to be produced and provided in the "ready to use" form described above, nothing in this specification should be understood as limiting the use of the composition according to the invention with an additional amount of water for form a cleaning solution of it. Examples of other aqueous dilutions, ie in composition: water may be in the range of 1: 0 at extremely dilute dilutions such as 1: 10000. However, in order to ensure disinfection, the compositions should be used "as is", ie without further dilution. However, it is thought that aqueous dilutions, ie composition: water of concentrations of 1: 1-3 have good efficacy as a disinfectant, but may require longer contact times in order to provide an adequate disinfecting effect. The selected dilution can be determined in part by the degree and amount of dirt to be removed from one surface / s, the intensity of the force imparted for the removal of the same, and the observed efficiency of a particular dilution. The following examples illustrate the superior properties of the formulations of the present invention and particular preferred embodiments of the compositions of the invention. The terms "parts by weight" or "percentage by weight" are used interchangeably in the specification and in the following Examples in which the percentages by weight of each of the individual constituents are indicated in percent by weight based on the total weight of the composition, unless otherwise indicated. Examples Examples of formulations illustrating certain preferred embodiments of compositions of this invention and described in more detail in Table 1 below were generally formulated according to the following protocol. In a tank of appropriate size, a measured quantity of water is loaded after which the constituents were added in the following sequence: surfactants, alcohol and glycol ethers, hydrogen peroxide, monoethanolamine or acid and finally the constituents of color and fragrance (if they are included). All the constituents were added at room temperature and the mixing of the constituents was carried out using a mechanical stirrer with a small diameter propeller at the end of the rotating shaft. The mixing, which generally lasted from 5 minutes to 120 minutes, was maintained until the formulation of the example had a homogeneous appearance. The example compositions flow easily and retain well the mixing characteristics (ie they are stable mixtures) after being stationed for long periods, up to more than 120 days. It should be noted that the constituents could be added in any order, but it is preferred that the water be the initial constituent when adding to the mixing tank or apparatus because it is the largest constituent being convenient to add to it the other constituents. The exact compositions of the example formulations are listed in Table 1 below, in which are indicated the weight percentages of the individual constituents, based on a total weight of 100% of the weight.

The identity of the particular constituents mentioned in Table 1 is described in particular in detail in Table 2 below.

The compositions of Table 1 were evaluated according to one or more of the following tests explained below.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy Several of the formulations in the example in Table 1 above were evaluated for antimicrobial efficacy against Staphilococus aureus (pathogenic gram-positive bacteria) (ATCC 6538), Salmonella choleraesuis (pathogenic bacteria of the gram-negative type) (ATCC 10708) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442). The assay was performed in accordance with the protocols developed in "Use-Dilution Method", Protocols 955.14, 955.15 and 964.02 described in Chapter 6 of the "Official Methods of Analysis", 16th Edition, of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists; "Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants", 960.09 described in Chapter 6 of the "Officiai Methods of Analysis", 15th Edition, of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists; or American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E 1054-91 the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. This test is commonly referred to as the "AOAC Use-Dilution Test Method". As appreciated by those experienced in the art, the results of the "AOAC Use-Dilution Test Method" indicate the number of test substrates in which the tested organism remains viable after a 10 minute contact with a disinfectant test composition. / total number of test substrates (cylinders) evaluated according to the "AOAC Use-Dilution Test Method". Thus a "0/60" result indicates that of 60 test substrates containing the test organism and contacted for 10 minutes with a test disinfectant composition, or substrates had viable (live) test organisms at the end of the test. Such a result is excellent, illustrating the excellent disinfecting efficacy of the composition tested. The results of the antimicrobial effect tests are indicated in Table 3, below. The results reported indicate the number of test cylinders with live test organisms / number of test cylinders tested for each example formulation and tested organism.

As can be seen from the results indicated above, the compositions according to the invention provide excellent disinfection on hard surfaces.

Evaluation of Storage Stability The compositions according to the invention and described in Table 1 above were packaged in sealed containers and subjected to an accelerated aging test in which the compositions were maintained at 120 ° F for a period of 4 weeks. . Following this treatment, the compositions were observed and presented as a single-phase mixture; no phase separation was observed. Evaluation of Cleaning Efficacy Several formulations among those listed above were evaluated with respect to their cleaning effectiveness by visual inspection. These trials consisted of a simple visual analysis generally performed in accordance with ASTM Test 4488 (Annex A2) "Greasy Soil / Painted Masonite Wallboard Test Method" using a BYK-Gardner Abrasion Tester. The evaluation of the cleaning efficiency was by visual assessment of a panel of people who evaluated the compositions and substrates tested. The same amount of each formulation tested, which equated to Example 7 and the following commercially available formulations. All formulations were used as such without any subsequent dilution. The results of the test are given in Table 4, in which the percentages indicate an average value (at a confidence level of 95%) of the percentage of dirt removed as supplied by the evaluation panel.

As the results of Table 4 indicate, the formulation according to the invention was superior to other available commercial products. Evaluation of Evaporation and Drying Characteristics In the test, a ceramic tile with black glass enamel and a polished stainless steel tile were used as substrates. A drop of a composition according to Table 1 was deposited on the surface of each tile in a horizontal position and using a lint-free clean paper napkin (KimWpe® from Kimberley Clark Corp.) shaped as a bun, the drop deposited was it spread in an approximately circular fashion to form a generally uniform thin film of the composition on the surface of the test substrate. This film was about 1 inch in diameter. The drying behavior of the compositions thus deposited was observed and in each case it was noted that the drying was generally uniform with the beginning of evaporation in the margins of the circular film and in general advancing uniformly towards the center of the film. During drying, no discrete streaks or droplets formed, leaving the surface dry. Typically the total drying took no more than 1-1.5 minutes, with a surface residue virtually not visible on the surface of the ceramic tile with black vitreous enamel and with only a very faint dark dye on the polished stainless steel surface which I had been wet with the composition. This color dye was easily removed by passing a lint-free paper napkin, clean and dry.

Claims (1)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention, it is considered as a novelty and therefore the property described in the following claims is claimed as property. A low residue aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition characterized in that it comprises: A) a surfactant of the quaternary ammonium type with germicidal properties; B) a solvent system selected from: a solvent propylene glycol n-butyl solvent or, a binary solvent combination of a glycol ether with a linear primary alcohol; C) a surfactant compound selected from betaine compounds or amine oxides; D) an alkanolamine; E) water. 2. The aqueous cleaning and disinfectant composition for hard surfaces with low residue according to claim 1, characterized in that the solvent system (B) is only propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether. 3. An aqueous cleaning and disinfectant composition for hard surfaces with low residue according to claim 1 characterized in that the solvent system (B) is a glycol ether and a linear primary alcohol C? ~ C? 8. 4. The aqueous cleaning and disinfectant composition for hard surfaces of low residue according to claim 1 characterized in that the surfactant compound is a mono, di or tri-alcolamine. 5. The aqueous cleaning and disinfectant composition for hard surfaces with low residue according to claim 1, characterized in that the quaternary ammonium germicide is in accordance with the following general structure formula: R where at least one of Rl? R2, R3 and R is an alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl substituent of 6 to 26 carbon atoms and may include one or more amide, ether or ester linkages. The remaining substituents Ri, R2, R3 and R4 can be straight chain or can be branched, hydrocarbons containing no more than 12 carbon atoms and which can contain one or more amide, ether or ester bonds and X is an anion salt former A composition according to claim 1 characterized in that it also forms a substantially uniform film during the evaporative drying subsequent to application on a hard surface 7. An aqueous broad-spectrum cleaning and disinfecting composition for hard surfaces according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises : 0.05-0.3% w / w of a quaternary ammonium surfactant compound having germicidal properties; 0.5-10.0% w / w preferably 1.0 to-4.5% w / w propylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether 0.1-4.0% w / w of one or more surfactant compounds selected from betaine or amine oxide compounds; but preferred is 0.1-3.0% w / w of one or more amine oxide compounds, 0.1-0.5% w / w of one or more alkanolamines, preferably only monoethanolamine; 0-0.5% p / p of one or more optional constituents; water to complete 100%, characterized in that the compositions form a substantially uniform film during the drying by evaporation after being applied to a hard surface. 8. An aqueous broad-spectrum cleaning and disinfecting composition for hard surfaces according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises: 0.05-0.3% w / w of a quaternary ammonium surfactant compound having germicidal properties; 0.5-10.0% w / w of an organic solvent system which includes a glycol ether other than propylene glycol mono n-butyl ether and a linear primary alcohol Ce-Ciß; and preferably is di propylene glycol n-butyl ether and a linear primary Ce-Cis alcohol, 0.1-4.0% w / w of one or more surfactant compounds selected from betaine or amine oxide compounds; but preferably it is 0.1-3.0% w / w of one or more amine oxide compounds, 0.1-0.5% w / w one or more alkanolamines, preferably only monoethanolamine; 0-0.5% p / p of one or more optional constituents; water to complete 100%, in which the compositions form a substantially uniform film during the evaporative drying after being applied to a hard surface. 9. A composition according to claims 1, 7 or 8, characterized in that the sample of the composition has phase stability when it is subjected to a high temperature of 120 ° for a period of at least 4 weeks. 10. A process for cleaning and disinfecting a hard surface in need of such a treatment characterized in that it comprises the step of: applying an effective amount of the composition according to claim

1.