MXPA99004362A - Aqueous disinfecting cleaning composition - Google Patents

Abstract

Aqueous acidic ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfectant compositions include hydrogen peroxide as an active disinfecting constituent, further include a C1-C6 monohydric alcohol, a glycol ether or butoxypropanol or propoxypropanol, a nonionic surfactant, and citric acid. Methods of cleaning and disinfecting surfaces are also disclosed.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN ORGANIC COMPOSITIONS OR RELATED TO THEMSELF Field of the Invention The present invention relates to ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting compositions including hydrogen peroxide as an active disinfectant component, as well as methods for their production and methods for the cleaning and disinfecting surfaces including such compositions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various ready-to-use cleansing and disinfecting compositions are known in the art which include as active germicidal components one or more components such as alcohols, phenolic-containing materials, quaternary ammonium compositions as well as acids. However, many known compositions of the prior art frequently also induce ocular and / or dermal irritation which hinders their acceptance and use. The current state of the art denotes the need for improved disinfectant compositions, particularly in the ready-to-use category, which may be classified as broad spectrum disinfectant compositions, but preferably they will be classified as powerful disinfectant compositions for hospital use. The state of the art also indicates the need for improved methods of disinfection and preferably the combination of disinfection and cleaning of hard surfaces. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition which includes the following components by weight: 0.1-20% by weight of a Cx-C6 monohydric alcohol; 1.0 - 10% by weight of a glycol ether or butoxypropanol or proxopypropanol; 2.0 12% by weight of a nonionic surfactant; 0.1 - 1.5% by weight of hydrogen peroxide; 0.1 - 7% by weight of an organic acid; at 100% by weight of water; wherein said composition has an acid pH, preferably a pH of from about 1 to about 4 and more preferably about 3.5 and may include minor amounts, for example, up to about 2.5% by weight of one or more optional components such as fragrances, coloring agents, thickening agents, gelling agents, pH buffers, pH regulating agents, etc., known to those skilled in the art as coadjuvants in aqueous cleaning and disinfecting compositions.

In the most preferred embodiments, the compositions of the invention provide powerful disinfectants for hospital use on hard surfaces treated with the compositions. According to yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided an improved process for cleaning and disinfecting a hard surface requiring such treatment, which includes the step of providing an effective amount of aqueous cleaning and disinfecting compositions described herein to said surface hard that requires cleaning and / or disinfection treatment. According to a preferred embodiment, the improved process utilizes the ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition detailed above. Detailed Description of the Invention The compositions of the invention are ready-to-use aqueous acid cleaning and disinfecting compositions that provide both the benefit of good cleaning and excellent disinfection characteristics particularly on hard surfaces. In particularly preferred embodiments, the disinfecting characteristics of the compositions are sufficient so that they can be classified as "powerful for hospital use" disinfection compositions, since they demonstrate excellent antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive bacteria exemplified by Staphylococcus aureus and bacteria Gram-negative type exemplified by Salmonella choleraesuis. Therefore, the characteristics of good cleaning and good disinfection are provided in an aqueous cleaning composition that contains little amount of volatile organic materials. It is considered that these "low VOC" type materials are attributable to the synergistic effect of the selected components and their relative proportions as set forth herein. It is considered that the compositions that have said components, which produce the effects described herein have not been known in the art to the present. The compositions according to the present invention include 0.1-20% by weight of a C 1 Cg monohydric alcohol. Combinations of two or more of said Cx-C6 monohydric alcohols may also be used. Exemplary and preferred monohydric alcohols include methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol and n-propanol of which ethanol is most preferred. These materials are widely available in the market. Preferably, the component of a Cx-C6 monohydric alcohol is present at about 1 to about 12% by weight and even more preferably at about 3 to about 7% by weight; even more preferably the monohydric alcohol component will be present in about 5% by weight. These low amounts of monohydric alcohol (s) as described herein are preferred in order to provide a general reduction in the amount of volatile organic materials of the compositions of the invention. And yet surprisingly, the compositions of the invention provide excellent disinfecting properties. The compositions according to the invention include one or more glycol ethers which form 1.0-10% by weight of the compositions of the invention and which impart an appropriate soil and dirt solubility effect. Preferred solvents in the present invention are the glycol ethers having the general structure Ra-0-Rb-OH where Ra is an alkoxy of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or aryloxy of at least 6 carbon atoms and Rb is a condensate of propylene glycol ether and / or ethylene glycol having from 1 to 10 monomeric glycol units. Examples of preferred glycol ethers include ethylene glycol monobutyrate (commercially available as Butyl Cellosolve®, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (commercially available as Butyl Carbitol®, Union Carbide, Danbury CT), as well as butoxypropanol, propoxypropanol, mono-di and tri-propylene glycol butyl ethers and their These glycol ethers are widely available commercially, for example within the Do anol ™ glycol ethers series from The Dow Chemical Company, (Midland, MI) or in the Carbitol® and Cellosolve® series from Union Carbide Co. (Danbury, CT) Preferably, the glycol ether solvent is preferably used in an amount of about 3 to about 7% by weight, but more preferably it is present in an amount of about 5% by weight based on the total weight of the compound It has been found that the glycol ether solvents present in the preferred and most preferred amounts mentioned above In this case, they provide the benefit of good cleaning, but this is not the case with regard to excessive amounts which may reduce the overall stability of the cleaning and disinfecting compositions discussed herein. The compositions according to the invention include 0.1-12% by weight of a nonionic surfactant. Useful nonionic surfactants that may be included in the concentrated compositions include nonionic surfactant compounds known in the art. Virtually any hydrophobic compound having a carboxyl, hydroxyl, amido or amino group with a free hydrogen bound to the nitrogen may be condensed with ethylene oxide or with the polyhydration product derived therefrom, polyethylene glycol, to form a water-soluble nonionic surfactant compound. In addition, the length of the hydrophobic and hydrophilic polyethenoxy elements may vary. Preferred nonionic compounds include polyoxyethyl ethers of aromatic hydroxyalkyl compounds, e.g. , alkylated polyoxyethylenephenols, polyoxyethylene ethers of long-chain aliphatic alcohols, polyoxyethylene ethers of hydrophobic propylene oxide polymers and higher alkylamine oxides. Of particular note are nonionic surfactants particularly useful for alkoxylated primary and secondary linear alcohols, including those commercially available as the PolyTergent® SL series.

(Olin Chemical Co., Stanford CT), Neodol® series (Shell Chemical Co., Houston TX); as well as alkoxylated alkylphenols including those commercially available as the Triton® brand X series (Union Carbide Chem Co., Danbury CT). Particularly useful and preferred nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated alcohols, particularly primary linear alcohols and secondary linear alcohols based on ethoxylated alcohol. These are preferred since they exhibit excellent compatibility with the remaining components forming the invention, provide a positive benefit in removing stains and dirt, are relatively non-toxic to humans and are not particularly irritating to the skin eyes or mucous tissues. . Preferably, the preferred alcohol ethoxylates comprise a system of at least two linear alcohol ethoxylates having different degrees of ethoxylation. More preferably, the linear alcohol ethoxylate with the highest degree of ethoxylation is present in at least an amount equivalent to the linear alcohol ethoxylate which has a lower degree of ethoxylation on a weight basis. Even more preferably, these are present in amounts in which one or more linear alcohol ethoxylate (s) has the highest degree of ethoxylation: those with one or more linear alcohol ethoxylate (s) having the lowest degree of ethoxylation are present in a ratio of 1: 1 to 4: 1 based on weight. An example of a system of two nonionic surfactants is Neodol® 23-6.5, a C9-C1: L non-alcoholic alcohol ethoxylate with an average of 6.5 moles of ethoxylation per mole of alcohol and Neodol® 91-8, a C9-C1 : L noto alcohol alcohol ethoxylate with an average of 8 moles of ethoxylation per mole of alcohol. In this system example, the Neodol® 23-6.5 is present in an amount of 1.5% by weight at 4.0% by weight and Neodol® 91-8 is present in an amount of 3.0% by weight at 6.0% by weight but more preferably the amount of Neodol® 91-8 equals or exceeds the amount of Neodol® 23-6.5 present. The nonionic surfactant component according to the invention may be a single surfactant but preferably there will be multiple nonionic surfactants comprising up to about 12% by weight based on the total weight of the compound. Preferably, the nonionic surfactant comprises from about 0.1% by weight to about 12% by weight, more preferably still about 3% by weight to about 10% by weight. Cleaning and disinfecting compositions ready for use in the present invention also include hydrogen peroxide as the primary disinfection component. The hydrogen peroxide is present in a percentage not greater than about 1.5% by weight based on the total weight of the ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition but preferably it will be less, for example, it is present in an amount of about 0.05. % by weight to approximately 1.45% by weight. A minimum of 1.0% by weight of H202 is required to reach disinfection power levels in hospital use, although it is considered that lower levels of disinfection can be achieved with respect to a narrower range of microorganisms with lower amounts of hydrogen peroxide than the minimum preferred amount of 1% by weight. Preferably, the hydrogen peroxide is provided in an amount of 1.5% by weight. This amount is preferred for the purpose of allowing a slight loss of H202 during the shelf life of the ready-to-use cleaning and disinfecting composition. Higher concentrates of H202 may be provided. However, they should be avoided since it has been observed that such high levels can produce an increase in the discoloration of the skin and therefore are not convenient. An organic acid is included in the ready-to-use cleaning and disinfecting compositions described herein for the purpose of providing the compositions with the appropriate acidity characteristic. Said organic acid is present in effective amounts to establish a desired pH level for the compositions according to the present invention. While you can use any of a number of organic acids, the preferred acid is citric acid, which is available in its anhydrous alkali metal salt form. In general, the citric acid will be present in amounts of up to about 7% by weight of the total composition, but more preferably, it is present in an amount comprising about 1.0% to about 5%. The cleaning and disinfecting compositions of the present invention are adjusted to an acid pH, generally lower than 7, but will preferably be maintained at an acidic pH of from about 1 to about 4 or less and more preferably to about 3.5. This will be achieved in the first instance by the addition of effective amounts of one or more organic acids, as discussed above. Such pH may also be maintained, for example, by the inclusion of one or more pH buffers as mentioned with respect to the optional components. Since the compositions of the invention are aqueous in nature, water is a fundamental component. Preferably, deionized water will be used. The components described herein are known in the art and are commercially available from various sources including those described in McCutcheon's Emulsifiers and Detergents (Vol. 1), McCutcheon 's Functional Materials (Vol. 2), Edition United States, 1991; Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd Edition, Vol.22, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Regarding any particular composition, said optional ingredients must be compatible with the remaining ingredients present. The compositions of the invention may include minor amounts of one or more optional components, as described below. Foaming agents and foam stabilizing agents may be provided, especially when the composition is packaged in a pressurized device, for example, in an aerosol can or in a hand-operated pump container (such as a spray-operated container for hand). The known foaming agents may be used, including for example the following compositions: alkyl sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, amine oxide, alkanolamides, as well as others well known in the art. Other optional but convenient components include fragrances, natural or synthetically produced. In compositions that include a fragrance, it is often convenient to include a fragrance solubilizer that assists in the dispersion, solution or mixture of the fragrance component in an aqueous base. When this fragrance-solubilizing component is used, it will be added in smaller amounts, so that it is effective in supporting the solubilization of the fragrance component, but it will not be added in amounts of greater proportion that could cause consider as a detergent component. Said minor amounts mentioned herein generally range from about 0.3% by weight of the total composition but usually in an amount of about 0.1% by weight and even less and preferably will be present in amounts of about 0.05% by weight and even less. One or more coloring agents may be added to modify the appearance of the compositions. Known pH regulation agents, including agents known in the art including mineral acids, basic compositions and organic acids may be used in minor amounts. An example composition includes citric acid, such as is available in any form of the anhydrous salt of an alkali metal citric acid. The addition of an effective amount of a pH regulating agent is useful in establishing a desired level of pH for the compositions according to the invention. An effective amount of a pH buffer composition may also be added so as to maintain the pH of the compositions of the invention. The use of a pH regulation composition will provide the benefit of ion sequestration in hard water. Examples of such pH regulating compounds and / or useful pH buffer systems or systems include alkali metal phosphates, polyphosphates, pyrophosphates, triphosphates, tetraphosphates, silicates, metasilicates, polysilicates, carbonates, hydroxides and combinations thereof. Certain salts, such as alkaline ferrous phosphates, carbonates, hydroxides, may also function as buffers. It will also be appropriate to use as buffers materials such as aluminosilicates (zeolites), borates, aluminates and certain organic materials such as gluconates, succinates, maleates and their alkali metal salts. Others may be used, which are not particularly described herein. Preferably, citric acid, such as is available in its anhydrous salt form of an alkali metal citric acid which is commercially available and effective, will be added. Other useful components may be included such as one or more thickening and / or gelling agents that may be added for the purpose of modifying the viscosity and / or thixotropic properties. Known thickeners and gels may be added, including but not limited to cellulose compositions, natural as well as modified starches, gums such as xanthan gums, polymers and / or clays. As will be mentioned above, the aqueous cleaning and disinfecting compositions according to the invention may include minor amounts of one or more optional additives including those known to be useful in the art for said compositions. These optional components, if present, preferably comprise no more than a total of about 2.5% by weight based on the total weight of the compositions of the invention and more preferably will be present in minor amounts. The aqueous cleaning and disinfecting compositions according to the present invention will preferably be provided as a ready-to-use product which can be applied directly to a hard surface. The hard surfaces that will be particularly specified are the accessories of lavatories, bathroom fixtures (toilets, bidets, bathtubs, bathtubs and bathroom devices), wall and floor surfaces, especially those that include refractory materials and the like. Other hard surfaces that will be particularly specified are those related to kitchen environments and other environments related to food preparation. The hard surfaces that are those related to hospital environments, medical laboratories and medical treatment sites. These include those hard surfaces found for example in operating rooms, surgical areas and surgical preparation areas as well as surgical recovery areas, surfaces of mobile equipment, for example, gourneys, mobile equipment such as instruments and moving posts, stretchers, wheelchairs and the like, as well as the surfaces of equipment that does not normally move including operating and examination tables, instruments such as non-movable monitoring equipment, anesthesia supply equipment, beds and the like. Said hard surfaces described above should be considered as a mere illustrative title and not by way of limitation. The compositions according to the invention are useful in cleaning and / or disinfecting surfaces, especially hard surfaces, which have dirt deposited thereon. In said process, the cleaning and disinfection of such surfaces comprises the step of applying an effective amount of a stain-removing compound and disinfectant as will be specified above in relation to the stained surfaces. Then optionally but preferably the compositions will be spread, scrubbed or otherwise applied by physical contact with the hard surface and optionally also rinsed subsequently from said clean and disinfected hard surface. The hard surface cleaning and disinfecting composition provided according to the invention is conveniently supplied as a ready-to-use product in a manually operated spray container. These containers are ideally suited for use by the consumer in a "spray and clean" application. In such an application, the consumer in general applies an effective amount of the cleaning composition using the pump and, after a short period of time, cleans the treated area with a cloth, towel or sponge, usually a disposable paper towel or sponge. . Multiple applications may also be made in case of particularly dense deposits of such unwanted spots. In another further embodiment, the compositions according to the invention may also be formulated so as to provide an "aerosol" type product which is expelled from a pressurized aerosol container. While the compositions of the present invention are applicable as a ready-to-use product and are not specifically intended to be diluted in an additional volume of water, there is nothing in this specification that should be considered as limiting the use of said compositions with another quantity of additional water to obtain a cleaning and disinfecting solution. In said proposed diluted cleaning solution, the greater the proportion of water added to form said cleaning and disinfection dilution, the greater the reduction in the degree and / or efficiency of the thus formed cleaning and disinfecting solution in the treatment of a surface hard. Therefore, there may be an inadequate reduction in the effectiveness of the disinfectant and according to this, longer periods of stay will be required on the surface to be treated in order to satisfactorily remove the stains and dirt and provide a satisfactory effect of disinfection. As an alternative, the use of larger quantities and / or multiple treatments with said disinfectant solution may be required. Conversely, there is nothing in this specification that should be considered as restricting the obtaining of a "superconcentrated" cleaning and disinfecting composition based on the composition described above. Said superconcentrated composition is essentially the same as the compositions described above except that they include a minor amount of water. Examples: Examples of formulations illustrating certain preferred embodiments of the compositions of the invention described in more detail in Table 1 were generally formulated according to the following protocol.

A measured quantity of water was incorporated into a suitably sized container, after which the components were added in the following sequence: surfactants, alcohol and glycol ethers, hydrogen peroxide, acid and, finally, the coloring and fragrance components. All the components were supplied at room temperature and the mixture of the components was obtained through the use of a mechanical mixer with a small diameter propeller at the end of its rotary axis. The mixture was maintained, which generally lasted between 5 and 120 minutes until the particularly exemplary formulation was homogeneous. The formulation examples could be easily poured and contained well-mixed characteristics (eg, stable mixtures) by staying for extended periods, even in excess of 120 days. It is noteworthy that the components can be added in any order, but it is preferable that the water is the initial component incorporated in the container or mixing apparatus since it configures the fundamental component and the addition of the additional components to it is convenient. The exact compositions of the formulation examples are detailed in Table 1, below, in which the individual components were used in the manner in which they were received from their suppliers.

TABLE 1 Ex .1 Ex .2 Neodol® 23-6.5 2.5 2.5 Neodol® 91-8 4.0 4.0 Dipropylene glycol butyl ether 5.0 5.0 Ethanol (95% vol.) 5.0 5.0 Citric acid 2.87 2.87 Hydrogen peroxide (50%) 3.0 3.0 Fragrance 0.20 0.20 Deionized water 77.43 77.43 * The formulation of? J .1 is the same as that of? J .2 but from a different lot. Table 1 is revealed in detail in Table 2 Antimicrobial Efficacy Assessment Several examples of formulations described in more detail in Table 1 were evaluated for their antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (gram-positive pathogenic bacteria) (ATCC 6538), Salmonella choleraesuis (Gram-negative pathogenic bacteria) (ATCC 10708) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442). The test was carried out according to the protocols described 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 the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) EW1054-91 whose content is incorporated This is also commonly referred to as the "AOAC Use-Dilution Test Method." As the skilled in the art will note, the results of the AOAC Use-Dilution Test Method indicate the number of test substrates. in which the tested organism remains viable after contact for 10 minutes with a test disinfection composition / total amount of tested substrates (cylinders) evaluated according to AOAC Use-Dilution Test. Therefore, a result of "0/60" indicates that of 60 test substrates carrying the test organism and after having been in contact for 10 minutes in a disinfection test composition, 0 substrates tested had organisms of viable trials (live) at the conclusion of the trial. Said result is excellent, demonstrating the excellent disinfecting efficacy of the composition tested. The results of the antimicrobial assay are indicated in Table 3. The results obtained indicate the number of test cylinders with living organisms tested / number of test cylinders tested per each formulation example and organism tested.

From the results reported in Table 3, it can be seen that the formulations according to Ex. 1 and Ex. 2 are suitably categorized as a type of disinfectant composition "potent for hospital use" since it exhibits antimicrobial efficacy against all three bacteria Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa according to the AOAC Use-dilution Test Method described above. It should be borne in mind, based on the foregoing, that the compositions according to the invention provide excellent disinfecting benefits for hard surfaces, including hard surfaces. Said compositions according to the guidelines of the present invention are particularly advantageous when used against the known bacteria commonly found in bathrooms, kitchens and especially in hospital environments and health centers. In addition, the efficacy of these compositions is also considered effective against poliovirus. Said advantages clearly demonstrate the superior characteristics of the compositions which, despite their relatively low content of volatile organic materials, surprisingly provide excellent antimicrobial benefits.

Claims (17)

1. NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION Having described the present invention is considered as a novelty and therefore claimed as property described in the following claims. A ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition characterized in that it comprises the following components: 0.1-20% by weight of a C ^ Cg monohydric alcohol; 1.0 - 10% by weight of a glycol ether or butoxypropanol or propoxypropanol; 0.1 - 12% by weight of a nolonic surfactant; 0.1 - 1.5% by weight of hydrogen peroxide; 0.1 - 7% by weight of citric acid; at 100% by weight of water; having said composition at an acidic pH.
2. 2. The ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises: 0-2.5% by weight of one or more optional components selected from foaming agents, foam stabilizing agents, fragrances, solubilizers. of fragrances, coloring agents, pH regulating agents, pH buffering agents, thickening agents and gelling agents.
3. 3. The ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises 1-12% by weight of a C ^ Cg monohydric alcohol; 4. The ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 3 characterized in that it comprises 3-7% by weight of a.C-L-Cg monohydric alcohol. The ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a glycol ether selected from ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, mono-, di- or tri propylene glycol butyl ethers. 6. The ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises butoxypropanol or propoxypropanol. 7. The aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises 0.1-12% by weight of a nonionic surfactant based on alkoxylated primary linear alcohols, alkoxylated secondary linear alcohols or alkylated alkylphenols. The ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1 characterized in that said composition has a pH of about 4 or less. The ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1 characterized in that said composition has a pH of about 3.5 or less. 10. An aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition ready to be used according to claim 1, characterized in that it is effective against pathogenic gram-positive bacteria. 11. A ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it is effective against pathogenic gram-negative bacteria. 12. A ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 1, characterized in that it is effective against at least one bacterium selected from: Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 13. A ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 12, characterized in that it is effective against at least two bacteria selected from: Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis or Pseudomonas aeruginosa. 14. A ready-to-use aqueous cleaning and disinfecting composition according to claim 13, characterized in that it is effective against all three bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis or Pseudomonas aeruginos. 15. A process for disinfecting hard surfaces characterized in that the presence of pathogenic gram-negative bacteria is suspected, comprising the process of: applying an effective amount of the germicidal composition according to claim 1. 16. A process for disinfecting hard surfaces in which the presence of pathogenic gram-positive bacteria is suspected, characterized in that an effective amount of the germicidal composition according to claim 1 is applied. 17. A process for the disinfection of hard surfaces in which the presence of one or more is suspected bacteria selected from Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella choleraesuis or Pseudomonas aeruginosa characterized in that it comprises applying an effective amount of the germicidal composition according to claim 1.