NZ263930A

NZ263930A - Aqueous cleaning composition comprising short chain alkoxylated alcohols as nonionic surfactants

Info

Publication number: NZ263930A
Application number: NZ263930A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Michel Jean Carrie; William Ajalon Cilley; Ricky Ah-Man Woo; Peter Rosalia Joannes Geboes; Massimo Morini; Louise Gail Scott; Eddy Vos
Original assignee: Procter & Gamble
Priority date: 1993-03-19
Filing date: 1994-03-14
Publication date: 1998-03-25
Also published as: JPH08507825A; AU7417698A; AU6519494A; CN1122612A; CA2158541C; CA2158541A1; WO1994021770A1; MA23136A1; EP0616028A1; BR9406012A; NO953502L; FI954395A; NO953502D0; FI954395A0; KR960701185A

Description

<div class="application article clearfix" id="description"> New Zealand Paient Spedficaiion for Paient Number £63930 * ;New Zealand No. 263930 lnternaticr;>!l No. ;PCT/US94/02746 ;TO BE ENTERED AFTER ACCEPTANCE AND PUBLICATION ;Priority dates: 19.03.1993; ;Complete Specification Filed: 14.03.1994 ;Classification:^) C11D1/72 ;Publication date: 25 March 1998 ;Journal No.: 1426 ;Title of Invention: ;Cleaning compositions with short chain nonionic surfactants ;Name, address and nationality of applicant(s) as in international application form: ;THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY, a Delaware company of One Procter & Gamble Plaza, Cincinnati, OH 45202, United States of America ;NEW ZEALAND PATENTS ACT 1953 ;COMPLETE SPECIFICATION ;i ;WO 94/21770 ;PCTAIS94/0: ;*4 T9 CLEANING COMPOSITIONS WITH SHORT CHAIN NONIONIC SURFACTANTS < Technical field The present invention relates to cleaning compositions. Although the present invention applies primarily to hard surface cleaning compositions, it may also be of interest for other cleaning compositions including dishwashing and laundry detergent compositions. Background A variety of cleaning compositions have been described in the art. There is a constant strive for the development of cleaning compositions with better performance in several respects. Better cleaning on all soils, including greasy soils and soap scum is of course a principal object, both for neat and diluted compositions which are often used in WO 94/21770 2 PCT/US94/02746 the cleaning of hard surfaces. However other properties are also highly desirable, particularly mildness to the skin, the ability to remove soap scum and to produce limited suds. All such objects can be independently achieved by using various ingredients which are generally added for a specific purpose. For instance silicone oils are typically added solely to control sudsing. Another example is the use of solvents to boost neat cleaning. While such I additives meet the desired object, they also grief the cost of formulating efficient cleaning compositions. It has now been found that certain nonionic surfactants, namely alkoxylated alcohols with a short alkyl chain in the alcohol, hereinafter short chain alkoxylated alcohols, meet the above objects. Indeed, it has been found that said short chain alkoxylated alcohols are particularly efficient in cleaning. Such short chain alkoxylated alcohols further meet the other objects of providing surfactants which are low foaming and which are mild to the skin. Another advantage is that such short chain alkoxylated alcohols are particularly suitable for formulating concentrated cleaning compositions. EP 125 854 discloses a composition comprising 2.7% of C8E04.8 together with 14.2% of ammonium C11.8 linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, 10.4 of ammonium C12-13 alkyl ethoxylated sulphate, 8.6% magnesium C12-13 alkyl sulphate, 4.0% coconut monoethanolamide and 9.1% ethanol and water. EP 125 854 however fails to draw the difference between long and short chain nonionic surfactants. EP 496 188 discloses an aqueous solution comprising 3% of C8E06 and 8% maleic acid. EP 486 188 does not draw the difference between long and short chain nonionic surfactants. WO 94/21770 3 PCT/US94/02746 Summary of the invention 26393 The present invention encompasses aqueous cleaning compositions consisting of a short chain alkoxylated alcohol surfactant according to the formula RO(A)nH, wherein R is a C6 to CIO hydrocarbon chain, A is ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or mixtures thereof and n is of from l to 10, or mixtures thereof, and other conventional cleaning ingredients selected from anionic, cationic, zwitterionic and nonionic co-surfactants, including short chain co-surfactants, builders, solvents, bleaches and minors including dyes or perfumes, and mixtures thereof. In the context of this specification, the n in the formula RO(A)nH is to be understood as being subscripted to (A) such that the formula is to be understood as being RO(A) nH. The present invention also encompasses such compositions in a concentrated form, the use of said surfactants for neat grease cleaning, for dilute grease cleaning and for soap scum cleaning. The present invention further encompasses the use of said surfactants as skin mild cleaning compositions and for low foaming no-rinse cleaning. |IVED y OfnO0 Detailed description of the i. nventAfiET? 1998 br&vvzea/0nd In a main embodiment, the present invention encompasses aqueous compositions which comprise conventional cleaning ingredients and a short chain atlkoxylated alcohol surfactant. The short chain nonionic surfactants for use herein are alkoxylated alcohols according to the formula RO(A)nH, wherein R is a C6 to CIO hydrocarbon chain and n, representing the average alkoxylation degree, is from 1 to 10, or mixtures thereof. R is indiffei-ently straight or branched. A is ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or mixtures thereof. Similar nonionic surfaictants which have longer R groups than those of the prestmt invention are known in the art and are commonly used in cleaning WO 94/21770 4 PCT/US94/02746 compositions. The present invention is based on the finding that alkoxylated alcohols with shorter R groups provide better cleaning, as well as the multiple benefits described herein. Suitable surfactants for use herein can be readily made by condensing alcohols having the desired chain length with propylene or ethylene oxide, or mixtures thereof, as disclosed in the art for alkoxylated alcohols with longer chains. Suitable short chain alkoxylated alcohols for use herein are also commercially available from several suppliers, for instance Dehydol 04 (g) from Henkel (C8E04), Mergital C4 © from Sidobre (C8E04), and Imbentin AG/810/050 and AG/810/080 from Kolb (respectively C8-10E05 and C8-10E08). The compositions according to the present invention comprise from 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition of said short chain alkoxylated alcohols, preferably from 1% to 30%, most preferably from 1.5% to 20%. The short chain alkoxylated alcohols herein are particularly suitable for the formulation of so-called concentrated cleaning compositions. Indeed, the short chain alkoxylated alcohols have a very high solubility in water, but they are also able to solubilize other conventional organic ingredients for cleaning compositions, such as perfumes. Thus, in an embodiment of the present invention,. cleaning compositions are provided in a concentrated form, which only comprise from 1% to 80% by weight of the total composition of water, preferably from 30% to 70%. Such compositions typically comprise from 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition of said short chain alkoxylated alcohols, preferably from 5% to 30%. WO 94/21770 5 PCT/US94/02746 Some of said short chain alcohol ethoxylates have been found to provide superior neat grease cleaning, compared to other alcohol ethoxylates with longer chains. Thus, in another embodiment, the present invention encompasses the use of said surfactants for neat grease cleaning. As used herein, neat grease cleaning means the cleaning of greasy soils, using an aqueous solution comprising at least one of the surfactants according to the present invention, within the ranges above. Greasy soils are typically found in kitchens or bathrooms. < For use in neat cleaning, and when R is in the higher range, i.e. 10, it is preferred to use lower ethoxylation degrees, typically 1 to 6. Preferred short chain alkoxylated alcohols for use in neat grease cleaning are those according to the formula hereinabove where R is a hydrocarbon chain from C6 to C8 and n is from 1 to 10. Preferred short chain alcohol ethoxylates for neat grease cleaning are the surfactants according to the formula above where R is a C6 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4 or 6 (C6E04 and C6E06); or R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4 or 6 (C8E04 and C8E06) ; or R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 10 (C8E010). Some of the short chain alcohol ethoxylates herein have also bocin found to provide superior dilute grease cleaning, compared tc solvents. Therefore, in a further embodiment, the present invention encompasses the use of said surfactants for dilute grease cleaning. As used herein, dilute grease cleaning means the cleaning of greasy soils using an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant according to the present invention, in the ranges described above, but which is diluted typically in 10 to 150 times its weight in water before it is used to clean the greasy soils. Dilute cleaning compositions and conditions have been described for instance in EP 503 219. WO 94/21770 6 PCT AJS94/02746 Suitable short chain alkoxylated alcohols for use in dilute grease cleaning are those according to the formula hereinabove where R a hydrocarbon chain from C8 to CIO, --\nd n is from 1 to 10. For dilute cleaning, it has been found that for a given R group, it. is preferred to use higher ethoxylation degrees. Preferred short chain alkoxylated alcohols herein for dilute grease cleaning are those according to the formula herein above where R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is of from 4 to 10, preferably 4, 6 or 10 (C8E04, C8E06, C8EO10), R is a CIO hydrocarbon and n ranges from 3 to 6 or n is 10 (C10EQ3, C10E04, C10E05, C10E06, C10E010), as well as a mixture of surfactants where R is a C10 hydrocarbon chain and a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 5 (C8E05 and C10E05), or n is 8 (C8E08 and C10E08). Furthermore, some of the short chain alcohol ethoxylates herein have been found to be particularly efficient in cleaning soap scum, compared to other alkoxylated alcohols with longer chains. Accordingly, in a further embodiment, the present invention encompasses the use of said surfactants for cleaning soap scum. Soap scum, which is mainly found in bathroom is quite peculiar in its composition andl traditionally leads detergent manufacturers to formulate specialty cleaning products for bathroom environment. The present invention is thus particularly applicable to the formulation of such specialty products. Suitable short chain alkoxylated alcohols for use in cleaning soap scum are those wherein, in the formula hereinabove, R a hydrocarbon chain from C8 to C10, and n is from 1 to 10. When R is in the higher range, i.e. towards 10, it is preferred to use lower ethoxylation degrees, typically 1 to 6. Preferred alkoxylated alcohols for cleaning soap scum are those where, in the formula hereinabove, R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is of from 4 to 10, preferably 4, 6 or 10 (C8E04, C8E06, C8E010), R is a C10 hydrocarbon and n ranges from 3 to 6 (C10E03, C10E04, IntcHr-iirql p..., —31 Property °«.ce of nz 2 2 !S38 RCCEJV'ED WO 94/21770 7 PCT/US94/02746 C10E05, C10E06), as well as a mixture of surfactants where R is a CIO hydrocarbon chain and a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 5 (C8E05 and C10E05), or n is 8 (C8E08 and C10E08). Furthermore, some of the short chain alcohol ethoxylates herein have been found to be of particular interest as they produce very limited sudsing or foaming compared to other alcohol ethoxylates. Accordingly, in a further embodiment, the present invention encompasses the use of said surfactants as low foaming surfactants. Low foaming surfactants are usually of interest for heavy duty laundry detergents, but also for hard surface cleaners which are designed to be used as no-rinse products in dilute form. The surfactants within the present invention which have been found to produce low foaming are those according to the formula herein above where R is a C6 to CIO hydrocarbon chain and n is of from 1 to 10. Preferred low foaming surfactants herein are those where R is a C6 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4 or 6 (C6E04, C6E06) ; or R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4, 6 or 10 (C8E04, C8E06, C8E010), R is a CIO hydrocarbon and n ranges from 3 to 6 (C10E03, C10E04, C10E05, C10E06), as well as a mixture of surfactants where R is a CIO hydrocarbon chain and a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 5 (C8E05 and C10E05), or n is 8 (C8E08 and C10E08); or mixtures thereof. Furthermore, some of the short chain alcohol ethoxylates herein have been found to be of particular interest as they are particularly mild to the skin. Accordingly, the present invention encompasses the use of said surfactants as skin mild surfactants. Mildness to the skin is quite an advantage when formulating products which are bound to be in contact with the user's skin. Such is the case for dishwashing compositions, or hard surface cleaning compositions. Skin mildness benefits are usually advertised when they exist in a given product. InteijcctL'31 Property 0nice of I\!Z WO 94/21770 8 PCT/US94/02746 The surfactants within the present invention which have been found to be particularly mild to the skin are those according to the formula herein above where R is a C6 to C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is of from 1 to 10. Preferred surfactants are those where R is a C6 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4 or 6 (C6E04, C6E06), or R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4, 6 or 10, or mixtures thereof (C8E04, C8E06, C8E010). ( The compositions according to the invention further comprise conventional ingredients selected from other nonionic, anionic, cationic and zwitterionic co-surfactants (from 0% to 3 0% 'by weight of the total composition, preferably from 1% to 20%), builders (from 0% to 20% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 1% to 10%) , solvents (from 0% to 20% by weight of the total composition, preferably from 0% to 5%) , non-hypochlorite bleaches (from 0% to 10^ by weight of the total composition, preferably from 1% to 5%) and minors including dyes, perfumes, all of which are well known and extensively described in the art. The exact formulation of the compositions according to the present invention depend on the end-use envisioned. Mixtures of the short chain surfactants according to the present invention can also be used in order to combine several benefits. Compositions according to the present invention can be formulated indifferently as alkaline and acidic hard surface cleaners, dishwashing products or laundry detergents. The present invention will be further illustrated by the following examples. </div>

Claims

<div class="application article clearfix printTableText" id="claims"> WO 94/21770 9 PCT/US94/02746 Examples The following compositions are made by mixing the listed ingredients in the listed proportions. Ingredients: Weight C8E04 2.5 C8E010 - 4.0 Lutensol A030 @ Lutensol A07 Na Paraffin Sulfonate Fatty Acid - - Citric Acid 5.5 5.5 Triethanolamine 1.9 1.9 MEA up to pH Ammonia up to pH 3.5 3.5 NaOH up to pH Water and minors 2.0 3.0 2.0 4.0 2.0 1.0 3.0 0.4 2.0 1.0 10. 5 20 20 up to 100% Lutensol A03 0 is C13-15(EC>)30 Lutensol A07 is C13-15(EO)7 MEA stands for monoethanolamine. Compositions 1 and 2 hereinabove are particularly efficient in removing soapscum and are therefore particularly suitable as a bathroom cleaner. Composition 3 is particularly effective in providing low suds. Composition 4 is particularly effective on dilute and neat grease cleaning. Composition 5 is a concentrated composition. WO 94/21770 10 PCT/US94/02746 WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. An aqueous cleaning composition consisting of a nonionic surfactant and conventional cleaning ingredients selected from anionic, cationic, zwitterionic and nonionic co-surfactants, builders, solvents, bleaches and minors including dyes perfumes, and mixtures thereof, characterized in that said nonionic surfactant is a short chain alkoxylated alcohol according to the formula RO(A)nH, wherein R is a C6 to CIO hydrocarbon chain, A is ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, and n is from l to 10, or mixtures thereof, with the exclusion of compositions comprising 8% maleic acid and 3* of said short chain nonionic surfactant where R is C8 and n is 6, and with the exclusion of compositions comprising 2.7% cf said short chain surfactants wherein R is C8 and n is 4.8 and 14.2% of ammonium C11.8 linear alkyl benzene sulphonate and 10.4% of ammonium C12-13 alkyl ethoxylated sulphate and 8.6% magnesium C12-13 alkyl sulphate and 4.0% coconut monoethanolamide and 9.1. ethanol and water.;2. A composition according to claim 1 which comprises from 0.1% to 50% by weight of the total composition of said short chain alkoxylated alcohol, or mixtures thereof.;3. A composition according to claim 1 which comprises from 1% to 3 0% of said short chain alkoxylated alcohol, or mixtures thereof.;4. A composition according to claim 1 which comprises from 1.5% to 20% of said short chain alk •«■■■■■ -■ ' ol, or mixtures thereof.;3 re a foqq of Nr><- y..ui*lld 263930 5. A composition according to any one of claims 1-4 which is in a concentrated form in that it comprises only from 30% to 70% by weight of the total composition of water, and from 5% to 30% by weight of the total composition of said short chain alkoxylated alcohol. 6. The use of a composition consisting of a short chain alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant according to the formula RO(A)nH, wherein R is a C6 to C8 hydrocarbon chain, A is ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, and n is from 1 to 10, or mixtures thereof; and conventional cleaning ingredients selected from other surfactants, builders, solvents, bleaches, and minors including dyes or perfumes, and mixtures thereof; for neat grease cleaning. 7. The use of a composition consisting of a short chain alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant according to the formula RO(A)nH, wherein R is a C6 to C8 hydrocarbon chain, A is ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, and n is from 1 to 10, or mixtures thereof; and conventional cleaning ingredients selected from other surfactants, builders, solvents, bleaches, and minors including dyes or perfumes, and mixtures thereof; as skin mild cleaning compositions. 8. A composition according to any one of claims 1-5 or use according to claim 6 or 7 wherein, in said formula, R is a C6 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4 or 6 (C6E04 and C6E06); or R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4 or 6 or 10 (C8E04, C8E06 and C8E010); or mixtures thereof. 9. The use of a composition consisting of a short chain alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant according to 3 FFR 1998 'of 12 the formula RO(A)nH, wherein R is a C6 to CIO hydrocarbon chain, A is ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, and n is from 1 to 10, or mixtures thereof; and conventional cleaning ingredients selected from other surfactants, builders, solvents, bleaches, and minors including dyes or perfumes, and mixtures thereof; for low foaming no-rinse cleaning. 10. A composition according to any one of claims 1-5 or use according to claim 9 wherein, in said formula, R is a C6 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4 or 6 (C6E04, C6E06); or R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4, 6 or 10 (C8E04, C8E06, C8E010); or R is a CIO hydrocarbon and n is from 3 to 6 (C10E03, C10E04, C10E05, C10E06); or wherein said formula represents a mixture of surfactants where R is a CIO hydrocarbon chain and a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 5 (C8E05 and C10E05), or n is 8 (C8E08 and C10E08); or mixtures thereof. 11. The use of a composition consisting of a short chain alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant according to the formula RO(A)nH, wherein R is a C8 to CIO hydrocarbon chain, A is ethylene oxide or propylene oxide and n is from 1 to 10, or mixtures thereof; and conventional cleaning ingredients selected from other surfactants, builders, solvents, bleaches, and minors including dyes or perfumes, and mixtures thereof; for dilute grease cleaning. 12. A composition according to any one of claims 1-5 or use according to claim 11 wherein, in said formula, R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is from 4 to 10; or R is a C10 hydrocarbon chain and n is from 3 to 6 or 10 (C10E03, C10E04, C10E05, C10E06, C10E iin 3 FFR 1998 of 263930 said formula represents a mixture of surfactants where R is a CIO hydrocarbon chain and a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 5 (C8E05 and C10E05) , or n is 8 (C8E08 and C10E08). 13. A composition according to any one of claims 1-5 or use according to claim 11 wherein, in said formula, R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4, 6 or 10 (C8E04, C8E06, C8E010); or R is a CIO hydrocarbon chain and n is from 3 to 6 or 10 (C10E03, C10E04, C10E05, C10E06, CIOEOIO); or wherein said formula represents a mixture of surfactants where R is a CIO hydrocarbon chain and a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 5 (C8E05 and C10E05), or n is 8 (C8E08 and C10E08). 14. The use of a composition consisting of a short chain alkoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant according to the formula RO(A)nH, wherein R is a C8 to CIO hydrocarbon chain, A is ethylene oxide or propylene oxide and n is from 1 to 10, or mixtures thereof; and conventional cleaning ingredients selected from other surfactants, builders, solvents, bleaches, and minors including dyes or perfumes, and mixtures thereof; for soap scum cleaning. 15. A composition according to any one of claims 1-3 or use according to claim 14 wherein, in said formula, R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is from 4 to 10; or R is a C10 hydrocarbon chain and n is from 3 to 6 (C10E03, C10E04, C10E05, C10E06); or wherein said formula represents a mixture of surfactants where R is a C10 hydrocarbon chain and a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 5 (C8E05 and C10E05), or n is 8 (C8E08 and C10E08). Int«^a!u9l Ofltaf - 3 FFR fS98 of 14 U IS. A composition according to any one of claims 1-3 or use according to claim 14 wherein, in said formula, R is a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 4, 6 or 10 (C8E04, C8E06, C8E010); or R is a CIO hydrocarbon chain and n is from 3 to 6 (C10E03, C10E04, C10E05, C10E06); or wherein said formula represents a mixture of surfactants where R is a CIO hydrocarbon chain and a C8 hydrocarbon chain and n is 5 (C8E05 and C10E05), or n is 8 (C8EO8 and C10E08). 17. An aqueous cleaning composition substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the compositions 1-5 given as Examples. 18. An aqueous cleaning composition according to claim 1 and substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. 19. The use as claimed in any one of claims 6, 7, 9, 11 and 14 and substantially as herein described with reference to any embodiment disclosed. juaw&D— - 3 FER 1998 END OF CLAIMS tfNow Zealand </div>