WO2006048047A1

WO2006048047A1 - Biocidic detergent

Info

Publication number: WO2006048047A1
Application number: PCT/EP2004/052854
Authority: WO
Inventors: Thorsten Spanier; Thomas Merz
Original assignee: Ecolab Inc.
Priority date: 2004-11-08
Filing date: 2004-11-08
Publication date: 2006-05-11

Abstract

The present invention relates to a disinfecting washing composition comprising an organic peroxy acid selected from phthalimidopercarboxylic acids of the general formula (I), wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 5, a surfactant selected from at least one non-ionic surfactant of the general formula (II), wherein R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group containing 7 to 20 carbon atoms, p, r, represent 0 or integers of from 1 to 10 and wherein the sum of the mean degree of ethoxylation p and the mean degree of propoxylation r ranges from 1 to 10 and such an amount of an alkalinity source that an aqueous solution containing of from 1 to 20 g/l of the disinfecting composition at a temperature of 25°C has a pH value in the range of from 9 to 10,5, wherein the disinfecting composition does not contain any cationic surfactants, The use of such a composition and a method for washing textiles are also claimed.

Description

Biocidic Detergent

[0001] The present invention refers to a disinfecting washing composition comprising a phthalimido-percarboxylic acid and at least one non-ionic surfactant, the use of said disinfecting composition and a method for washing textiles which uses said disinfecting composition.

[0002] Especially with respect to the washing of textiles used in hospitals as well as in nursing areas of homes like, for example, homes for the aged but also in areas like restaurants, especially in the kitchen, there are strict requirements concerning the effectiveness of disinfecting agents. Generally, commercial laun- dries use a combination of thermal and chemo-thermal methods for disinfecting washing.

[0003] Moreover, the kind of soiling which can be found on such textiles, like all kinds of fats, oils and pigments, resulting, for example, from ointments and other kinds of pharmaceutical products, blood and all kinds of excretions of the human body, make high demands on the cleaning performance of the detergents used in commercial laundries. Typical stains from the restaurant are natural fat/grease soilings in combination with spices and colored stains like wine, sauces and tomato.

[0004] As the textiles used in such fields are typically not very delicate and the dyes employed for coloring such textiles - if they are colored at all, as for example with respect to textiles used in the operation room or in the intensive care unit - are very resistant, usually such textiles are washed at comparatively high temperatures of about 60 °C, using a high alkalinity and additionally bleaching agents and optical brighteners.

[0005] Typically, commercial laundries use a unit construction system comprising a basic detergent and a separate bleaching and disinfecting compo- nent for professional washing of such textiles. Generally, basic detergents provide the alkalinity source and additionally contain optical brighteners, alkaline boosters, buffer systems and additional non-ionic surfactant boosters as well as sometimes enzymes but typically no bleaching agents. The main disinfecting and bleaching component usually is added separately.

[0006] The currently used disinfecting and bleaching component represents peracetic acid often in combination with hydrogen peroxide, which is a very ag¬ gressive and also corrosive compound making high demands on apparative condi¬ tions. To avoid exposing the operational personal to cauterization the peracetic acid typically is added by automated dosing. Thus, in combination with the re¬ quired safety precautions the use of this compound results in high apparative expenditures.

[0007] Moreover, because of this high hazard potential, usually only trained personal is employed in professional laundries which also increases costs. Despite all the care there still occur injuries due to cauterizations for example, when pour¬ ing the peracetic acid into the dosing apparatus, changes of pipes are necessary or pipes/valves break.

[0008] Although the textiles used in the above mentioned field are not very delicate, the use of the above described washing conditions damages the textiles in the course of time and reduces their life time.

[0009] It is known in the art to use phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid (PAP) as example of phthalimido-percarboxylic as bleaching and disinfecting agent, espe¬ cially for the mild washing of delicate textiles at low temperatures of about 30 ⁰C. Such an application is, for example, described in the pending European patent application No. 03 011 979.6.

[0010] GB 2 323 371 A discloses a detergent composition especially for removing colored greasy stains, which comprises a preformed peracid like PAP in combination with a cationic surfactant and is particularly effective over short wash cycles. The increased surface activity of the detergent components is supposed to result from the formation of an ion pair of the peracid peranion with the cationic surfactant. Although other surfactants like, for example, non-ionic, ampholytic, amphoteric and zwitter-ionic surfactants may be added, the detergent composition has been found to be particularly beneficial in detergent compositions which additionally comprise anionic surfactants. The preferred pH value of the aqueous washing solution containing about 0.1 to about 2 % by weight of the detergent composition ranges from about 7.0 to about 10.5.

[0011] However, nowadays it is often considered as being disadvantageous to use cationic surfactants in washing detergents as they generally show a poorer cleaning performance and tend to deposit on the fabric surface resulting in the formation of insoluble salts in the presence of anionic surfactants. This increases fabric stress and leads to a graying of the fabric. Moreover, many cationic surfac- tants do not fulfill the requirements of biological degradation.

[0012] EP 0442 549 A2 describes an aqueous liquid bleaching composition having a pH of from 1 - 6.5 and comprising a solid, particulate, substantially water- insoluble organic peroxyacid, like PAP, a surfactant and an electrolyte. Such a composition may be used as a bleaching and disinfecting composition at low temperatures, especially of from ambient to about 40 ⁰C.

[0013] EP 0 610 010 A2 discloses bleaching and hygiene compositions for use on hard surfaces, which, in particular, comprise PAP, a surfactant system comprising a combination of an ethoxylated non-ionic surfactant with an ethoxyla- tion level of 3 - 12 and an anionic surfactant, a polyalkylene glycolether co- surfactant and a tertiary alcohol.

[0014] As it is generally known in the art PAP exhibits a reduced bleaching and disinfecting performance at high pH values. However, the above mentioned stains occurring on hospital textiles and textiles used in nursing areas are difficult - A -

to be sufficiently removed with detergents working at low pH values. Thus, it was, at present, considered to be not possible to use PAP in a washing detergent for disinfecting and bleaching washing of textiles used in hospitals and nursing areas in professional laundries.

[0015] Consequently, the problem underlying the present invention is to provide a disinfecting composition which avoids the disadvantages of the aggres¬ sive peracetic acid/hydrogen peroxide currently used in the unit construction system, a composition with facilitated application, while at the same time at least maintaining the washing and disinfecting performance of current combinations of detergents/disinfectants.

The inventors of the present invention surprisingly found out that a disinfecting composition comprising an organic peroxy acid selected from phthalimidopercar- boxylic acids of the general formula (I)

wherein n is an integer of from 1 to 5, a surfactant selected from at least one non-ionic surfactant of the general formula (II),

R¹-(OC₂H₄)p-(OC₃H₆)rOH (II)

wherein R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group containing 7 to 20 carbon atoms, p, r represent 0 or integers of from 1 to 10 and wherein the sum of the mean degree of ethoxylation p and the mean degree of propoxylation r ranges from 1 to 10 and such an amount of an alkalinity source that an aqueous solution con¬ taining of from 1 to 20 g/l of the disinfecting composition at a temperature of 25⁰C has a pH value in the range of from 9 to 10,5, wherein the disinfecting composition does not contain any cationic surfac- tants solves the above problem.

[0016] In this composition phthalimidopercarboxylic acids have a considera¬ bly reduced aggressiveness in comparison with peroxyacetic acid, which leads to a reduced hazard potential with respect to injuries due to cauterization, decreases the apparative demands and facilitates the application of the inventive disinfecting detergent for washing textiles in particular resulting from the usage in hospital, nursing areas, as well as restaurant customers.

[0017] Moreover a common washing solution obtained from said disinfecting composition, in particular when used at temperatures of from 40 to 70 ⁰C₁ prefera- bly from 50 - 60 ⁰C, exhibits excellent disinfecting, bleaching as well as cleaning performances. Under the above conditions the disinfecting requirements according to the guidelines of the Robert Koch Institute as well as the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Hygiene und Mikrobiologie (DGHM) requiring a reduction of 7 log values of the number of bacteria are fulfilled.

[0018] The disinfecting washing composition according to the present inven¬ tion comprises the bleaching and disinfecting components and the cleaning com¬ ponents in one formulation as the presently used compounds do not negatively interact with each other. This allows dosage of both bleaching/disinfecting com¬ pound as well as cleaning compound in one shot. This simplifies the handling of the washing machine as well as the apparative requirements and, consequently, results in a reduction in costs.

[0019] In a preferred embodiment the amount of an alkalinity source is chosen in such a way that an aqueous solution containing of from 5 - 10 g /I of the disinfecting washing composition at a temperature of 25 ⁰C has a pH value in the range of from 9 - 10,5.

[0020] Preferably, the weight ratio of peroxy acid to surfactant in the inven¬ tive disinfecting composition is between 20:1 and 1 :1 , more preferably between 10:1 and 2:1.

[0021] In the composition according to the present invention the phthalimi- docarboxylic acid may be selected from phthalimidoperacetic acid, phthalimidop- erpropionic acid, phthalimidoperbutyric acid, phthalimidoperamylic acid and phthalimidocaproic acid, wherein phthalimidocaproic acid represents the most preferred organic peroxy acid.

[0022] The non-ionic surfactant used in the present invention is represented by the general formula (II),

R¹-(OC₂H₄)p-(OC₃H₆)_rOH (II)

[0023] Therein R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group containing 7 - 20 carbon atoms. Preferably R¹ has 12 - 16 carbon atoms, more preferred 13 - 15 and/or 14 to 15 carbon atoms.

[0024] The sum of the mean degree of ethoxylation p and the mean degree of propoxylation r ranges from 1 - 10. Preferably, it ranges from 2 to 8, and more preferred from 4 to 7. In an especially preferred embodiment the mean degree of ethoxylation p ranges from 4 - 7 and the mean degree of propoxylation r is 0.

[0025] It is also possible to use a combination of two or more non-ionic surfactants. A particularly preferred disinfecting washing composition comprises two different non-ionic surfactants. The best results are obtained if both non-ionic surfactants have a mean degree of propoxylation r of 0 and one has a mean degree of ethoxylation p below 5 and the other of above 6.

[0026] As alkalinity source compounds typically used to provide alkalinity in washing detergents may be used, like for example alkaline earth carbonates and/or alkalimetal carbonates, including sodium carbonate and/or calcium carbon¬ ate, bicarbonates, especially sodium bicarbonate and/or calcium bicarbonate, phosphate buffers preferably containing sodium tripolyphosphate and/or tetraso- dium pyrophosphate, as well as silicates like sodium silicate and alkaline boosters like sodium hydroxide. A combination of those compounds may also be used. In particular, it is preferred to use a combination of sodium carbonate and sodium tripolyphosphate. The sodium tripolyphosphate also functions as builder.

[0027] The content of the organic peroxy acid based on the total composi¬ tion preferably lies in the range of from 5 - 40 % by weight, more preferred from 10 - 25 % by weight. Generally, the disinfecting washing composition according to the invention may be manufactured in the form of an aqueous solution, a gel, an emulsion, a paste, a dispersion, a powder, granules, scales, pearls, tablets, solid block forms, extrudates and other forms known in the art, but preferably the com¬ position is applied in the form of a powder.

[0028] The disinfecting washing composition according to the present inven- tion may further comprise one or more additives and auxiliary agents which are commonly used in washing detergents like anionic surfactants, bleaching agents, defoamers, optical brighteners, builders (sequestering agents), enzymes, graying inhibitors, perfumes and complexing agents. Preferably the inventive composition additionally comprises at least one compound selected from anionic surfactants, optical brighteners, builders (sequestering agents) and defoamers or combinations thereof.

[0029] Preferred anionic surfactants are exemplified by sodium, potassium, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts of the anionic sulfate surfactants, sulphonate surfactants, carboxylate surfactants and sarcosinate surfactants. Most preferred anionic surfactants represent alkyl benzene sulphonates. The anionic surfactants preferably are present in an amount of from 1 - 10 wt. % based on the total composition, preferably from 2 - 6 wt. %.

[0030] Builders (sequestering agents) suitable for the use in the present composition represent amino polycarboxylic acids and polyphosphonic acids. Suitable amino polycarboxylic acids can be exemplified by nitrilotriacetic acid, diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid as well as their higher homologues, with N₁N- bis(carboxymethyl) aspartic acid being preferred. Suitable polyphosphonic acids represent 1-hydroxyethane-1 ,1-diphosphonic acid, aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid), ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) and their higher homo¬ logues, like diethylenetetraaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid). The preceding acids are generally applied in the form of their alkali salts, in particular in the form of their sodium or potassium salts, respectively.

[0031] Further appropriate builders are monomeric polycarboxylic acids or hydroxypolycarboxylic acids, especially in the form of their alkali salts, like sodium citrate and/or sodium gluconate.

[0032] Crystalline alkali silicates as well as fine alkali alumosilicates, espe¬ cially zeolites of the NaA-type may also be applied as builder in the present inven- tion. Suitable zeolites have a binding capacity for calcium in the range of from 100 to 200 mg CaO/g ( according to the information disclosed in the German patent DE 24 12 837 C2). Their particle size preferably lies within the range of from 1 μm to 10 μm. They are applied in dry form. The bound water contained in the zeolites does not disturb in the present case. Preferably crystalline layer silicates of the general formula NaMSi_xθ2+_x + yH₂O, wherein M is sodium, x is a number of from 1 ,9 to 4 and y is a number of from 0 to 20, x preferably being 2, 3 or 4, are used as crystalline silicates alone or in combination with the above mentioned alumo silicates. For example, the European patent application 164 514 describes such crystalline layer silicates., β- as well as δ-sodiumdisiilcate Na₂Si₂Os* yH ₂O are especially preferred, wherein β-sodiumdisilicate can be obtain by the method described in the International application WO91/08171. Suitable crystalline sili¬ cates are commercially available as SKS-6 (provided by Clariant) and Nabion^® 15 (provided by Rhone-Poulenc).

[0033] Said builder compounds preferably are present in a total amount of from 1 to 5 wt. %, more preferred from 2 to 4 wt. %.

[0034] A preferred composition additionally contains graying inhibitors.

Suitable graying inhibitors for use in the present composition are exemplified by cellulose derivatives, in particular carboxymethylcellulose. Preferably, those com- pounds are present in a total amount of from 0,2 to 2 wt. %, more preferred from 0,8 to 1,2 wt. %.

[0035] The composition according to the present invention may also contain dye transfer inhibitors, preferably in an amount of from 0,2 to 2 wt.%.

[0036] The disinfecting washing composition of the present invention may be used as a detergent for washing textiles. It is especially suitable for the disin¬ fecting washing of textiles and may, in particular, be applied in professional laun¬ dries. The textiles supposed to be washed with the composition according to the present invention should not be too delicate because of the washing conditions.

[0037] Suitable textiles to be washed using the composition according to the invention represent cotton materials, microfibers, polyester and blends. Typical textiles to be washed therewith are clothes worn by physicians and nursing staff in hospitals and other nursing areas like in homes for the aged, but also clothes worn by the staff working in hotels or restaurants like in the kitchen or in the service, as well as towels, linen, tablecloth and serviettes.

[0038] The textiles to be washed may also be colored like, for example, clothing used in the operation room or in the intensive care unit under the proviso that the dyes used for coloring such clothing or, for example, bed linen is resistant to washing solutions of the specified pH range in the above mentioned tempera¬ ture range.

[0039] Moreover, the present invention relates to a method for washing textiles like the ones mentioned above, comprising using the disinfecting washing composition described above at temperatures of from 40 - 70 ⁰C, preferably at temperatures of from 50 - 60 ⁰C.

[0040] The inventors of the present invention surprisingly found out that although the phthalimidopercarboxylic acids according to general formula I men- tioned above exhibit decreased activity with increased pH values of the washing solutions and in contrast thereto the kind of soiling to be removed requires high pH values for removal, the present method balances those counteractive require¬ ments and results in cleaning and disinfecting performances equal to the composi¬ tions of the state of the art or even better.

[0041] Typically, the washing composition according to the invention is diluted with water during the washing process in such an amount that the concen¬ tration preferably results in 1 to 10 g/l, more preferred 2 to 5 g/l.

[0042] Although the present washing composition is not as aggressive as the currently used components of the unit construction system like, for example, peracetic acid and, correspondingly, the composition generally can also be dosed by hand, in professional, commercial laundries it is especially preferred that the dosage of the disinfecting washing composition proceeds automated.

[0043] Suitable exposure times of the aqueous solution of the disinfecting washing composition as specified above with the textile load are from 5 - 30 minutes, more preferred from 10 - 20 minutes. The liquid ratio should be of from 1 :3 to 1 :7 and more preferred of from 1 :3 to 1 :4. [0044] The present invention will be elucidated on the basis of the following compositions exhibiting the above specified properties.

Examples

[0045] If not otherwise specified the amounts refer to wt. % based on the total disinfecting washing composition.

Table 1

¹⁾ phthalimidoperoxycaproic acid

²⁾ aqueous solution of the composition in a concentration of 10g/l at 25°C

³⁾ soluble layer silicate instead of sodium tripolyphosphate

⁴⁾ citrate instead of sodium tripolyphosphate

Claims

1. Disinfecting washing composition comprising an organic peroxy acid selected from phthalimidopercarboxylic acids of the general formula (I)

R¹-(OC₂H₄)p-(OC₃H₆)rOH (II)

wherein R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group containing 7 to 20 carbon atoms, p,r represent 0 or integers of from 1 to 10 and wherein the sum of the mean degree of ethoxylation p and the mean degree of propoxylation r ranges from 1 to 10 and such an amount of an alkalinity source that an aqueous solution con¬ taining of from 1 to 20 g/l of the disinfecting composition at a temperature of 25°C has a pH value in the range of from 9 to 10,5, wherein the disinfecting composition does not contain any cationic surfac¬ tants.

2. Composition according to claim 1 , characterized in that an aqueous solution containing of from 5 to 10 g/l of the disinfecting composition at a tempera¬ ture of 25°C has a pH value in the range of from 9 to 10,5.

3. Composition according to any of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that in the general formula (II) of the non-ionic surfactant R¹ represents a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group having 12 to 16 carbon atoms.

4. Composition according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the mean degree of ethoxylation p ranges from 4 to 7 and the mean degree of propoxylation r is 0.

5. Composition according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it addi- tionally comprises one or more anionic surfactants, optical brighteners or mixtures thereof.

6. Composition according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the content of the organic peroxy acid according to the general formula I based on the total composition is from 5 to 40 percent by weight, preferably from

10 to 25 percent by weight.

7. Composition according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the composition is in the form of a powder.

8. Use of the composition according to any of claims 1 to 7 as a detergent for washing textiles.

9. Use of the textile detergent according to claim 8 for disinfecting washing.

10. Use of the textile detergent according to any of claims 8 or 9 in professional laundries.

11. Method for washing textiles comprising using the disinfecting washing composition according to any of claims 1 to 7 at temperatures of from 40 to

70⁰C, preferably of from 5O⁰C to 6O⁰C.

12. Method according to claim 11 , characterized in that the composition is diluted during the washing process to a concentration of 1 to 20 g/l, pref¬ erably 5 to 10 g/l.

13. Method according to any of claims 11 or 12, characterized in that the dos¬ age of the disinfecting composition proceeds automated.