WO1994016043A1

WO1994016043A1 - Compositions for cleaning soiled animals and method therefor

Info

Publication number: WO1994016043A1
Application number: PCT/FR1994/000024
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anne Basseres; Nadine Medevielle; Gérard Holtzinger; Bruno Verschuere
Original assignee: Societe Nationale Elf Aquitaine; Laboratoire De Biologie Vegetale Yves Rocher
Priority date: 1993-01-11
Filing date: 1994-01-10
Publication date: 1994-07-21
Also published as: DE69405980D1; ATE158811T1; NO952737D0; AU5835994A; FR2700341B1; CA2153665A1; FR2700341A1; EP0690908A1; NO952737L; EP0690908B1; NZ259534A

Abstract

A washing agent comprising: (a) 1-10 % washing and foaming agent; (b) 5-50 % wetting agent; (c) 0-25 % water-miscible solvent; and (d) the balance consisting of water and optional additives. The use of said agent for cleaning animals soiled by chemical compounds, especially hydrocarbons, is also disclosed.

Description

COMPOSITIONS FOR CLEANING OF STAINED ANIMALS AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING

The present invention relates to compositions for cleaning soiled animals. In particular, it relates to compositions for cleaning the coat, plumage and the like of animals which have been soiled with chemical products, in particular hydrocarbons. The subject of the present invention is also a process for using these compositions.

At present, hydrocarbons are transported in particular by sea, in suitable ships. The transport costs as well as the lengths of the routes led the shipowners to use ships of large tonnage, of more than 100,000 tonnes, even more than 300,000 tonnes. These tankers are commonly referred to as "supertankers". Unfortunately, because of their size, they are difficult to handle. Also, during storms and when damage occurs to rudder, engine and others, they are difficult to tow. Towing is sometimes impossible when the weather conditions are particularly unfavorable. If the tanker or supertanker is near a coast, there is a risk that it will run aground. Impacts against the rocks then cause cracks in the hulls, or even the total rupture of the ship which is falling apart. Hydrocarbons spread in the sea and on the coasts. This phenomenon, a major disaster, is known as the "oil spill". Famous examples are those of Amoco Cadiz and Exxon Valdez, more recently.

Fauna and flora pay a heavy price during an oil spill. So the oil spill caused by the Exxon Valdez in 1989 would have killed thousands of marine mammals and more than 250,000 birds. Birds and marine mammals are a particular target in the ecosystem destroyed by an oil spill. Hydrocarbons, in particular petroleum, attach themselves to their plumage and coat, paralyzing these animals when petroleum covers them almost entirely. But above all, petroleum blocks the natural mechanisms, necessary for the well-being of animals, which take place at the interface formed by fur or plumage. In the particular case of birds, under the influence of hydrocarbons, the feathers form a mat, which destroys the microstructures which capture the air useful for insulation, necessary for the well-being of the birds. Over a period of several hours and days, the inability to contain heat leads to hypothermia, malnutrition and dehydration. In addition, the absorption of hydrocarbons at the level of the dermis of animals causes poisoning. In addition, animals, by wanting to naturally get rid of the oils or hydrocarbons which soil them, we tend to clean ourselves. Thus, when they wash, these animals ingest hydrocarbons, which also causes poisoning. This disruption of the metabolism of birds, both in terms of their plumage or coat, and in terms of food, causes their death. Obviously, quick cleaning to remove oil is extremely important for animal rehabilitation, although this is only the first step.

The different stages of this cleaning are: the capture of the animal; transport to the place of treatment; observation in the clinic where first aid is given; food; anti-stress treatment; the actual cleaning by washing in successive baths of suitable products; rinsing; drying and release as soon as possible. Throughout these stages, the animal is observed in order to decide on the continuation of treatment, or euthanasia in the event that the state of said animal is deemed too critical.

Many efforts have been made in recent years to provide compositions for washing and cleaning. effective and harmless toyage of the animal, in particular of the bird. Several products have been proposed, such as for example: conventional detergents, such as Teepol® (marketed by the company Temama France, Puteaux -FR); PCL®; sawdust powder; corn starch; mineral oils; organic solvents; tank cleaning agents; and others. J. Haggin in Science and Technology, reports the use of shampoos and detergents for dishes. These products are described as having a good foaming power, but a weak ability to remove oils or hydrocarbons. In fact, the promising results obtained in the laboratory could not be reproduced under natural outdoor conditions. B. Jenssen and M. Ekker, in Marine Pollution bulletin, vol. 20, p. 509-512, 1989, describe the action and properties of four cleaning agents, conventional detergents. The products tested were Zalo (A / S DeNoFa og Lilleborg Fabriker, Oslo - NO); Taski-Profi (Sutler AG Mϋnch eilen CH); and 0B-5 and 0B-7 (Bentelsen, Blommenhalen - NO). Among these, the authors report that Taski-Profi has the best efficacy, for a cleaning period of 10 to 13 minutes. Recently, several authors have studied the effects of a powerful detergent, Teepol and have unfortunately found that if it is powerful, it is also extremely aggressive for the animal such as the bird and for the handler who performs the cleaning.

The problems mentioned above are encountered in other cases than oil spills. Similar problems arise during oil spills of all kinds, accidental or deliberate, such as the cleaning at sea of the tanks of an oil tanker, commonly called degassing. In addition, aquatic environments of all kinds are concerned, the marine environment as well as rivers and streams, canals and others. In addition, oils or hydrocarbons are not the only compounds which pose problems of pollution and damage to the natural environment; any release of a chemical product presenting a toxicity poses comparable problems. Thus, the problems posed by oil spills are found in all types of spills of a chemical agent exhibiting toxicity with respect to certain animal species. The solutions provided therefore apply to all these cases.

There is therefore a need for a washing agent which is effective, acting in a short time, or non-toxic and of course of low cost. The invention achieves this and other objects.

Thus, the present invention provides a washing agent comprising, by weight, based on the total weight of the agent: (a) from 1 to 10% of a foaming and washing agent;

(b) from 5 to 50% of a wetting agent;

(c) from 0 to 25% of a water-miscible solvent;

(d) the balance consisting of water and, optionally, additives. The foaming and washing agent used consists of detergents or surfactants - or surfactants - conventionally used for this purpose. This foaming and washing agent is in fact what is also called, in terms of profession, a "shampoo" and it will be used in the present description, indifferently, of the terms foaming and washing agent, "shampoo", shampoo base. Classic shampoo bases are described in: "Encyclopedia of Shampoo Ingredients, Anthony Hunting, Micelle Press Inc.

This shampoo base therefore consists of conventional surfactants.

In the context of the present invention, a foaming and washing agent is preferred, consisting by weight of:

(a) 60 to 95% of an anionic surfactant; and

(b) 40 to 5% of an amphoteric surfactant. The anionic surfactant used is any anionic surfactant conventionally known to those skilled in the art. The following families may be mentioned by way of example: the alkyl (ether) sul¬ fates of an alkali or alkaline earth metal or of ammonium, in which the alkyl is a long-chain fatty alkyl, for example lauryl (ether) ammonium and magnesium sulfates; sulfosuccinates; betaines; imidazoles; and others. Preferred anionic surfactants are ammonium lauryl sulfate and magnesium lauryl ether sulfate. The amphoteric surfactant used is any amphoteric surfactant conventionally known to those skilled in the art. By way of example, mention may be made of the following families: betaines, in particular sulfobetaines; alkylamphodiacetates in which the alkyl is a long chain fatty alkyl, such as cocoamphodiacetate. Preferred amphoteric surfactants are sulfobetaine and cocoamphodiacetate.

The wetting agent used is any wetting agent conventionally known to those skilled in the art. By way of example, a non-exhaustive list of such agents can be found in: Encyclopedia of Shampoo Ingredients, cited above. The preferred wetting agent is a dialkylsulfosuccinate of an alkali or alkaline earth metal or of ammonium, advantageously sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, hereinafter designated abbreviated to DOSS. The solvent may not be present in the washing agent. However, it is preferred to use it to obtain a solvent action on the chemical compound to be eliminated. The solvent, when used, is chosen according to the chemical compound to be eliminated and is any solvent miscible with water which is the solvent for the chemical compound considered. When it is sought to remove hydrocarbons, the solvent is a solvent for fatty substances, in particular oils and hydrocarbons. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the solvent is a solvent for fatty substances miscible with water. Preferred solvents are alcohols, such as propylene and ethylene glycol, ethyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol and the like.

Preferably, the washing agent comprises by weight based on the total weight of the agent: (a) from 2 to 5% of a foaming and washing agent;

(b) from 15 to 20% of a wetting agent;

(c) from 10 to 20% of a water-miscible solvent;

(d) the balance consisting of water and, optionally, additives.

According to one embodiment, the washing agent further comprises a conditioner, in an amount of 0.1 to 5% by weight relative to the total weight of the agent. This conditioning agent, having a film-forming effect, aims to restore the hydrophobic nature naturally present in feathers, hair and others of animals. Indeed, it appears from the literature (Jenssen and Ekker, 1988) that it is the physical structure of the feather which partly gives the feather its hydrophobic character. This hydrophobic effect is also obtained, for the feather as well as for the hair, by a product of natural secretion. Following cleaning with a detergent or surfactant, this secretion is restored in the days following cleaning, but at a slow rate. This secretion rate is for example of the order of 50 mg / day, while the secretion product is naturally present in an amount of a few grams. We are therefore looking for a product with a cleaning action and which would restore the hydrophobic character of the animal's plumage or coat, in order to restore the animal to a satisfactory condition as quickly as possible, the time factor being very important. This object is achieved by the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention.

The conditioning agent used is any conditioning agent conventionally known to those skilled in the art.

In the context of the present invention, a conditioning agent is preferred which is made up by weight of:

(a) 20 to 50% of a cationic polymer; and

(b) 80 to 50% of a silicone. The cationic polymer is any cationic polymer conventionally used, such as a quaternary ammonium polymer, and is preferably a quaternized guar gum.

The silicone used is any silicone conventionally used; preferably, it is a silicone gum which is advantageously in solution in a cyclic silicone oil.

The washing agent can also contain all of the conventional adjuvants. By way of example, there may be mentioned: pH regulating agent, thickening agent, preserving agent, co-surfactant, perfume, and the like.

In particular, the washing agent can comprise a sequestering or co-plexing compound. This sequestering agent is advantageously present in an amount of 0.05 to 1% by weight, relative to the weight of the washing agent. A seques agent very preferred in the context of the present invention is the tetrasodium salt of ethylenediaminotetraacetic acid (a4 EDTA).

The washing agent is concentrated, which facilitates its handling, in particular during dispatch to the user sites. However, it is preferably used diluted. The water used is fresh water, in the absence of sea water.

Thus, the present invention also relates to aqueous compositions comprising by weight relative to the total weight of the aqueous composition of 0.1 to 20%, preferably 0.5 to 5% of a washing agent according to the present invention .

The present invention also relates to the application of the present washing agent to cleaning animals; it therefore relates to a process for cleaning animals, in particular birds.

Thus, the present invention provides a method of cleaning animals soiled, for example with hydrocarbons, said method comprising the following steps: a) a washing agent according to the present invention is applied to the animal, optionally in a aqueous composition; b) allowed to act for 1 to 60 minutes; c) optionally, steps a) and b) are repeated; d) the animal is rinsed and optionally dried. The washing agent can be applied pure, in which case it can be sprayed or applied by brush or the like to the body of the animal. Alternatively, it is diluted in an aqueous composition, as described in the present invention, then the aqueous composition is applied to the animal.

Preferably, the washing agent is in an aqueous composition, of which it represents from 0.1 to 20% by weight, preferably 0.5 to 5%. '

According to a preferred embodiment, during step a) of the method, the composition is applied to the animal by immersion of the animal in the composition, taking care to clear its respiratory tract. Advantageously, it is left to act, during step b), of preferably for 5 to 20 minutes.

Preferably, during step b), the animal undergoes a mechanical action. This mechanical action is constituted by an ac¬ tion of pressure on the plumage or the coat, often manual. In most cases, the pressure action is accompanied by an action of massaging the animal, in the bath formed by the composition, by the persons responsible for cleaning the animals.

During step c), steps a) and b) are repeated from 1 to 4 times, preferably 2 times.

The concentrations of washing agent in the aqueous compositions used, when several immersions are carried out, may be identical or different. When the concentrations vary, they preferably vary decreasingly.

The cleaning process is not limited to hydrocarbons but applies similarly to any chemical compound that one seeks to eliminate. The operating conditions are then adapted to this chemical compound. The operating conditions also include appropriate temperatures. Effectiveness can vary with temperature; generally the efficiency is high for high temperatures. The physiology of the animal to be treated will also be taken into account. Indeed, insofar as the hydrocarbons cause hypothermia, the washing bath will advantageously be hot compared to the body temperature of the animal. It will also be taken into account that the cleaning operation is often manual and that the operators have to endure the cleaning temperatures. Thus, cleaning temperatures are conventionally between 10 and 50 ° C, with a preferred range of 20 to 45 ° C. In the case of birds, taking into account their normal body temperature, the bath is advantageously at 40 ° C.

The present invention also relates to a variant of the cleaning process described above. It has been surprisingly found that it is possible to apply the constitutive products of the washing agent separately without however noticing any significant loss in effectiveness. Thus, the present invention provides a method of cleaning contaminated animals, for example with hydrocarbons, said method comprising the following steps: a) a wetting agent is applied to the animal; b) allowed to act for 1 to 60 minutes; c) a foaming and washing agent is applied to the animal; d) left to act for 1 to 60 minutes; e) optionally, steps a) to d) are repeated; f) the animal is rinsed and possibly dried. By the term "optionally we repeat steps a) to d)", it will be understood that it is in fact possible to repeat steps a) and b) only or c) and d) only or a), b), c ) and d), or any combination; last application of wetting agent is generally not required. Preferably, the wetting agent and the shampoo base, ie the foaming and washing agent, are found in compositions, for example alcoholic or aqueous.

These agents, or compositions are applied, preferably by immersion of the animal in the compositions. It is left to act, during steps b) and d), preferably for 5 to 20 minutes. Advantageously, during steps b) and d), the animal undergoes a mechanical action. The mechanical action is identical to that described above. Similar to what has been described above, this process is not limited to hydrocarbons but applies to any chemical contaminant.

The present invention therefore provides a washing agent as well as methods of applying the same.

The washing agent according to the present invention is clearly more effective than the agents conventionally used, moreover it is non-toxic. However, in the event that the animal is not treated quickly after the occurrence of the oil spill, the hydrocarbons age on the plumage or pe¬ lage, and it then becomes difficult to eliminate them. This difficulty also occurs with very heavy hydrocarbons, of high boiling point. A pretreatment is then carried out. J. Haggin, Science & Technology, suggests pretreatment in the form of a treatment aimed at softening the hydrocarbons. To this end, it is proposed to use oleate methyl as a pretreatment agent.

The present invention in another aspect therefore provides an effective emollient and stain-removing agent. Thus, the present invention also relates to an emollient and stain-removing agent comprising by weight, based on the total weight of the agent:

(a) from 10 to 90% of a fatty acid ester,

(b) from 90 to 10% of a wetting agent.

This emollient and stain removing agent can also be referred to as a pre-shampoo, a prewashing agent, and these terms are used without distinction in the description.

The fatty acid ester used is any ester conventionally known to a person skilled in the art. By way of example, mention may be made of myristate and isopropyl palmitate, ethylhexyl cocoate. In the context of the present invention, ethylhexyl cocoate is preferred.

The wetting agent is any known agent, as indicated above for the washing agent. In the context of the present invention, the preferred wetting agent is a dialkylsulfosuccinate of an alkali or alkaline earth metal or of ammonium, advantageously sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate, or DOSS, as is the case for the agent of washing.

Preferably, the emollient and stain-removing agent comprises by weight:

(a) from 30 to 70% of a fatty acid ester, (b) from 70 to 30% of a wetting agent.

The emollient agent in fact acts as a fabric stain remover. The emollient agent can be applied as it is, according to conventional techniques. It can also be applied also without subsequent cleaning with the aid of a washing agent, conventional or according to the present invention, although this embodiment is not preferred.

The present invention also relates to the application of the emollient agent according to the present invention to the softening and / or to the stain removal of plates or concentrates of hydrocarbons on the plumage or coat of animals.

Thus, the present invention provides a process for softening or detaching concentrated sludge from chemical compounds, for example hydrocarbons, on animals comprising the following steps: a) the emollient and stain-removing agent according to the present invention is applied to the animal; b) allowed to act for at least 5 minutes; c) the animal is rinsed; d) optionally, steps a) and b) are repeated; e) optionally, the animal is dried.

According to one embodiment, during step a) of the method, the emollient agent is applied to the animal by spraying. Unlike the washing agent applied diluted in an aqueous composition, the emollient agent is applied pure, although a solution in an appropriate solvent can nevertheless be envisaged. It is possible to repeat the application of the emollient agent when there are many areas of high hydrocarbon concentration or when the hydrocarbons are particularly difficult to remove.

According to a variant, in this process, it is left to act, during step b), for 5 to 30 minutes. This applies particularly to the case where the prewash is immediately followed by washing, using for example the washing agent according to the present invention.

According to another variant, in this process, step b) requires from 1 to 5 hours. This applies in the case where a washing phase is not carried out immediately after the pre-washing, or in the case where the animal is covered with chemical compounds which are particularly difficult to remove. Thus, after the capture of the animals, they can be put in pens waiting to be cleaned. We therefore note the flexibility of use of the prewash agent according to the present invention.

It is possible to dry the animal if a subsequent cleaning is not planned. In the event that the animal is subjected to cleaning, it is unnecessary to dry it.

The application of the emollient or prewash agent is not limited to hydrocarbons or fatty substances, but applies to any chemical compound for which an emollient and stain removal action is useful. The operating conditions are then adapted to the chemical compound to be eliminated. The present invention also relates to a method which comprises a first prewash step and a second washing step. Thus, the present invention provides a method for cleaning soiled animals, for example with hydrocarbons, said method comprising the following steps: a) an emollient and stain-removing agent according to the present invention is applied to the animal; b) allowed to act for at least 5 minutes; c) applying a washing agent according to the present invention to the animal; d) left to act for 1 to 60 minutes; e) optionally, steps a) to d) are repeated; f) the animal is rinsed and optionally dried.

By the term "optionally we repeat steps a) to d)", it will be understood that it is in fact possible to repeat steps a) and b) only or c) and d) only or a), b), c ) and d), or any combination.

The procedure for this process can be easily determined from the procedures used for the processes described above. This determination is routine for the skilled person.

Although the applicant does not wish to limit itself in any way, the present methods all apply preferably to hydrocarbons. A subject of the invention is also the use of a washing agent according to the invention for cleaning contaminated animals, preferably birds contaminated with hydrocarbons.

The invention also relates to the use of an emollient and stain-removing agent according to the invention for the removal of concentrated sludge of chemical compounds on animals, preferably of hydrocarbon sludge on birds.

The present invention also makes it possible to save species such as: seal, marine calf, penguin, albatross, gull, seagull, gannet, guillemot, petrel, puffin, duck, scaup, tourniquet, harelde and the like.

The following examples are given by way of illustration of the present invention and should in no case be considered as limiting the scope thereof. In the ex- pies, we use the international classification CTFA to name the products.

EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of the washing agent

The washing agent prepared has the following composition, per 100 parts by weight: Shampoo base

• anionic surfactant g

. ammonium lauryl sulfate (70%) 2.5

. magnesium lauryl ether sulfate (70%). 1.5. disodium ricinoleamido MEA sulfosuccinate (40%) 0.5

. amphoteric surfactant

. cocamidopropylhydroxysultaine (50%) ... 0.75

. disodium cocoamphodiacetate (50%) 1.0 Wetting agent

. dioctylsodium sulfosuccinate (70%) .... 25 Conditioner

. cyclic silicone and dimethyl gum 0.5

. hydroxypropyl guar hydroxypropyltrimium chloride 0.2

Solvent

. ethanol (95%) 7

Other

. Na ₄ EDTA 0.05. citric acid 0.05

. Steareth 100 0.25

. PEG 200 tallow glycerides 0.25

. perfume 1.5

. imidazolidinylurea 0.1. Kathon CG 0.06

Water qs 100 g

The following procedure is followed. The constituents of the shampoo base, the citric acid (pH regulator) and the water are introduced into a container. Heated to 75 ^C C. After homogenization, allowed to cool. In a first melter, the Steareth 100 (thickener) is melted, at around 70 ° C., and the cyclic silicone and dimethyl gum (conditioner) are added. In a second melter, mix around 50 ° C PEG 200 tallow glycerides (thickener) and fragrance, then 1 hydroxypropylguar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride (conditioner). After homogenization, the contents of the second melter are introduced into the first. Then the contents of the first melter are added to the container at around 50-55 ° C. The dioctylsodium sulfosuccinate and the ethanol are mixed and this mixture is added to the container, at around 30 ° C. Finally, imidazolidinylurea and Kathon CG (both preservatives) are added. EXAMPLE 2 Preparation of the emollient and stain-removing agent

. ethylhexyl cocoate 50

. dioctylsodium sulfosuccinate (70%) ... 50 The emollient and stain-removing agent is obtained by simple mixing of the constituents. EXAMPLE 3 Toxicity of the washing agent

The acute toxicity tests (single administration) are carried out on rats orally. The ingested product is pure.

Eye tolerance tests are carried out according to the so-called primary eye irritation method in rabbits and according to the EYTEX method (in vitro test). The results are as follows:

. acute toxicity 5 ml / kg is a non-lethal and non-toxic dose; the lethal dose is not defined, clearly greater than 5 ml / kg. eye tolerance:. primary irritation in rabbits produces very weak irritants. Slightly irritating eytex

EXAMPLE 4 Toxicity of the emollient and stain-removing agent

The tests are carried out in the same way as above. The results are as follows:

. acute toxicity 2 ml / kg is a non-lethal and non-toxic dose;

5 mg / kg is a dose that causes 20% mortality and digestive problems; the lethal dose is greater than 5 ml / kg. eye tolerance:. primary irritation in rabbits very weakly irritating

. Slightly irritating eytex

EXAMPLE 5 Effectiveness of washing and prewashing agents

The tests are carried out with feathers to test the various products in the bird cleaning process. The feather used is a duck feather. In order to get closer to real conditions, we use a pack of 5 feathers. In addition, the crude is left to dry for 11 days. The stirring used is a mechanical stirring (Heydolph agitator). The procedure used is as follows. The feathers, after weighing, are soaked in rough, here an Arabian Light BAL 150, for a few seconds. They are then drained before being reweighed. The oil is allowed to harden for 10 days. The feathers, fixed on the stirrer, are agitated for a time expressed in minutes in the aqueous composition containing a cleaning product, at the concentration C expressed in% by weight, at the temperature T expressed in ° C. A similar process is used for rinsing in pure water. The estimate of the residual quantity of crude oil is obtained by the BAL 150 chloroform extraction method and assay of the hydrocarbon by colorimetry (λ = 580 nm).

The operating conditions used are as follows, for a pack of 5 feathers on which the crude dried 10 days:. washing time 10 min

. washing temperature 40 ° C

. rinse time 10 min

. rinsing temperature 20 ° C

. stirring speed 50 rpm Various compositions are tested. DOSS is available in an ethyl alcohol composition, at a concentration of 70%; it is then diluted to form a 1% aqueous composition in active compound. The foaming agent and washing, designated shampoo, corresponds to the composition given in Example 1, in which DOSS is absent. The products are used at a concentration of 1% of active compounds. Influence of the wetting agent on the cleaning efficiency

Disappearance of Hydrocarbon Products%

DOSS 39.3

DOSS in prewash + shampoo ... 61.5 DOSS + shampoo 72.5

Shampoo 26.4

It is found that two formulations lead to good results. The first consists in applying the wetting agent then the shampoo; the second consists of the mixture of wetting agent and shampoo, that is to say the washing agent according to the present invention. The solvent is supplied by DOSS in solution in an alcohol. Development of an emollient and stain-removing agent

In order to soften the too long dried hydrocarbons on bird feathers, the prewashing agent according to the present invention is tested, which must facilitate the washing of the bird with the shampoo.

The use of the prewash agent or pre-shampoo eliminates 68% of a dried crude oil on a packet of feathers. The results are shown in the table below. The emollient is applied by spraying; leave to act for 10 minutes. The washing conditions are the same as those indicated above for the test of the influence of the wetting agent on the effectiveness of the shampoo. Disappearance of

Hydrocarbon products%

Emollient and stain remover ... 50.0

Shampoo / DOSS 59.5

Emollient agent in prewash + shampoo / DOSS 67.8

Emollient + shampoo / DOSS mixture 34.0

It can be seen that the mixture of all the components is inactive. It can also be seen that the emollient agent alone already has a high efficiency, and that the action of the emollient agent before washing increases the effectiveness of the washing agent.

Tests carried out in situ on live birds show that the use of the products according to the present invention makes it possible to obtain almost dry birds after washing.

Claims

CLAIMS 1.- Washing agent comprising, by weight, based on the total weight of the agent:

(a) from 1 to 10% of a foaming and washing agent; (b) from 5 to 50% of a wetting agent;

(c) from 0 to 25% of a water-miscible solvent;

(d) the balance consisting of water and possibly additives.

2. A washing agent according to claim 1, including, by weight, based on the total weight of the agent:

(a) from 2 to 5% of a foaming and washing agent;

(b) from 15 to 20% of a wetting agent;

(c) from 10 to 20% of a water-miscible solvent;

(d) the balance consisting of water and possibly additives.

3. A washing agent according to claim 1 or 2, in which the foaming and washing agent consists by weight of:

(a) 60 to 95% of an anionic surfactant;

(b) 40 to 5% of an amphoteric surfactant.

4. A washing agent according to claim 3, in which, in the foaming and washing agent, the anionic surfactant is ammonium lauryl sulfate and / or magnesium lauryl ether sulfate and the amphoteric surfactant is a sulfobetaine and / or cocoamphodiacetate.

5. Washing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which the wetting agent is sodium dioctyl¬ sulfosuccinate.

6.- Washing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 5, in which the solvent is a solvent for fatty substances miscible with water.

7. A washing agent according to claim 6, in which the solvent for fatty substances is an alcohol.

8. - Washing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a conditioner in an amount of 0.1 to 5% by weight relative to the weight of the agent.

9. - washing agent according to claim 8, in which the conditioning agent consists, by weight, of: (a) 20 to 50% of a cationic polymer; and

(b) 80 to 50% of a silicone.

10. A washing agent according to claim 9, in which, in the conditioning agent, the cationic polymer is a quaternized guar gum and the silicone is a silicone gum in solution in a cyclic silicone oil.

11. An aqueous composition comprising, by weight, relative to the total weight of the aqueous composition, from 0.1 to 20% of a washing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 10.

12. A method of cleaning soiled animals, said method comprising the following steps: a) a washing agent is applied to the animal according to any one of claims 1 to 10; b) allowed to act for 1 to 60 minutes; c) optionally, steps a) and b) are repeated; d) the animal is rinsed and optionally dried.

13.- A method of cleaning animals according to claim 12, in which, during step a), the washing agent is in an aqueous composition, representing from 0.1 to 20% by weight of the composition.

14.- A method of cleaning animals according to claim 12 or 13, in which, during step a), the composition is applied to the animal by immersion of the animal in the composition.

15.- A cleaning method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein it is left to act, during step b), for 5 to 20 minutes.

16.- A cleaning method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein during step b), the animal undergoes mechanical action.

17.- Method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein, during step c), steps a) and b) are repeated twice.

18.- A method of cleaning soiled animals, said method comprising the following steps: a) a wetting agent is applied to the animal; b) allowed to act for 1 to 60 minutes; c) a foaming and washing agent is applied to the animal; d) left to act for 1 to 60 minutes; e) optionally, steps a) to d) are repeated; f) the animal is rinsed and possibly dried.

19.- Method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, implemented at a temperature of 20 to 45 ° C.

20.- Method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, implemented on animals soiled with hy¬ drocarbons.

21.- Emollient and stain-removing agent comprising, by weight, based on the total weight of the agent:

(a) from 10 to 90% of a fatty acid ester,

(b) from 90 to 10% of a wetting agent.

22. An emollient and stain-removing agent according to claim 21, comprising, by weight, based on the total weight of the agent:

(a) from 30 to 70% of a fatty acid ester,

(b) from 70 to 30% of a wetting agent

23. An emollient and stain-removing agent according to claim 21 or 22, in which the fatty acid ester is ethylhexyl coate.

24. An emollient and stain-removing agent according to any one of claims 21 to 23, in which the wetting agent is sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate.

25.- A method of softening or stain removal of concentrated sludge of chemical compounds on animals, comprising the following steps: a) an emollient and deta¬ song agent according to any one of claims 21 to 24 is applied to the animal; b) allowed to act for at least 5 minutes; c) the animal is rinsed; d) optionally, steps a) and b) are repeated; e) optionally, the animal is dried.

26.- The method of claim 25, wherein, during step a), the emollient agent is applied to the ani¬ mal by spraying.

27.- The method of claim 25 or 26, wherein it is left to act, during step b), for 5 to 30 minutes.

28.- The method of claim 25 or 26, in which it is allowed to act, during step b), for 1 to 5 hours.

29.- A method of cleaning soiled animals, said method comprising the following steps: a) an emollient and deta¬ song agent according to any one of claims 21 to 4 is applied to the animal; b) allowed to act for at least 5 minutes; c) a washing agent according to any one of claims 1 to 10 is applied to the animal; d) left to act for 1 to 60 minutes; e) optionally, steps a) to d) are repeated; f) the animal is rinsed and possibly dried.

30.- The method of claim 29, implemented on animals contaminated with hydrocarbons.

31.- Use of a washing agent according to any of claims 1 to 10 for cleaning soiled animals, preferably birds soiled with hydrocarbons.

32.- Use of an emollient and stain-removing agent according to any one of claims 21 to 24 for the removal of concentrated sludge of chemical compounds on animals, preferably of hydrocarbon sludge on birds