Water-soluble surface cleaning agent and use method thereof

Abstract

A co-water soluble composition for surface cleaning is provided, the co-water soluble composition comprising at least two co-water soluble compounds, an anionic surfactant, a nonionic surfactant, at least one co-solvent having a partition coefficient log Kow greater than 1. Water is the majority by weight of the co-water soluble composition and forms an emulsion. The co-water soluble composition may be formulated for use in a trigger bottle, aerosol, or wiping application. A method of removing stains using the composition is provided.

Description

[0001] Related applications

[0002] This application is a non-provisional application that claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 63 / 659,005, filed June 12, 2024, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to water-soluble surface cleaning agent compositions and their uses, and particularly to compositions capable of removing sunscreen stains from hard interior surfaces of vehicles. Background Technology

[0004] Surface cleaners are a class of cleaning agents that are primarily aqueous solutions of specialty chemicals, varying in size depending on the amount of dirt and the surface being cleaned. General-purpose cleaners are typically concentrated solutions of surfactants and water softeners, enhancing the performance of surfactants in hard water. Surfactants are compounds that reduce the surface tension (or interfacial tension) between two liquids, between a gas and a liquid, or between a liquid and a solid. Surfactants can act as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants. In solution, detergents help dissolve various chemicals by dissociating aggregates and breaking down proteins.

[0005] Unfortunately, some stains on surfaces are highly lipophilic and cannot dissolve in surfactant micelles at the typical residence time of aqueous surfactant compositions, whether such surfactants are present as solutions or as oil-in-water emulsions. This is especially true when the surface is not horizontal and any composition forms a thinner film on the surface that is more readily evaporated than the same composition would on a horizontal surface. Examples of such surfaces are those found inside vehicles, such as dashboards, consoles, leather / artificial leather, fabrics, and elastomers. Lipophilic substances (such as sunscreens) not only readily penetrate interior vehicle surfaces but can also react with them over time. Currently, there are no commercially available, effective products to remove stains from sunscreens, tree sap, resins, road asphalt, grease, markers, and crayons.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a product that can remove such stains without damaging the underlying surface. There is also a need for a water-soluble composition and a method of application that can easily remove such stains without relying on micelle structures. Summary of the Invention

[0007] A water-soluble composition for surface cleaning is provided, the composition comprising anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, at least two water-soluble compounds, at least one solvent with an air / water partition coefficient of less than 30, an emulsion-stabilizing polymer, and water, which constitutes the majority by weight of the water-soluble composition and forms an emulsion.

[0008] A method for removing stains from a vehicle surface is also provided, comprising applying the water-soluble composition to the surface. After a sufficient period of time, the stain is dissolved by the composition. Attached Figure Description

[0009] The patent or application documents contain at least one color drawing. Upon request and payment of the necessary fees, the patent office will provide a copy of the patent or application publication containing one or more color drawings.

[0010] The subject matter considered to be the present invention is specifically pointed out and explicitly claimed in the claims at the end of the specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0011] Figure 1A These are photos of vehicle fabric surfaces stained with sunscreen.

[0012] Figure 1B yes Figure 1A A photograph of a vehicle fabric surface after treatment with the composition of the present invention, in which stains are no longer visible;

[0013] Figure 2A These are photos of the hard interior surfaces of vehicles that have sunscreen stains.

[0014] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Photos showing the hard surfaces inside a vehicle after treatment with regular cleaning agents, where stains are still visible; and

[0015] Figure 2C yes Figure 2A The photo shows the hard surfaces inside the vehicle after they have been treated with a regular cleaning agent, where the stains are no longer visible. Detailed Implementation

[0016] This invention is effective as a water-soluble composition highly suitable for cleaning lipophilic stains from a variety of surfaces, particularly those found in vehicle interiors. Surfaces cleaned by the compositions of this invention illustratively include leather, synthetic leather, fabrics, dashboards, steering wheels, consoles, and vehicle interior trim. Exterior vehicle surfaces suitable for cleaning by the compositions of this invention include wheels, tires, convertible roofs, painted surfaces, glass panels, headlight covers, and pickup boxes. Specific polymers, regardless of the environment in which stains are removed by the compositions of this invention, illustratively include polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polystyrene, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, and block copolymers (wherein any of the foregoing substances, individually or in combination, constitutes more than 50% of the copolymer subunits). This invention provides an aqueous composition capable of removing stains (such as those associated with sunscreens): a property independent of any commercial product. The compositions of this invention exhibit unexpected performance characteristics compared to surface activity alone, achieved through a dependence on water-soluble properties. Examples of the compositions of the present invention can be formulated for use in trigger bottles, aerosols, or wiping applications.

[0017] It should be understood that where a range of values ​​is provided (e.g., a range of weight percentages relative to the components of the composition), the range is intended to cover not only the endpoints of the range but also the intermediate values, such as those explicitly included in the range and changed by the last significant digit of the numerical value. For example, the enumerated range of 1 to 4 is intended to include 1-2, 1-3, 2-4, 3-4, and 1-4.

[0018] Not intended to be bound by any particular theory, many lipophilic materials (such as sunscreens) act as plasticizers in many polymers conventionally used to form vehicle interiors, and the resulting stains penetrate beyond the surface and into the polymer's volume. Therefore, in micelles, surfactants alone cannot penetrate the polymer to remove stain molecules; the present invention uses a mixture of co-soluble co-solvents with specific partition coefficients to dissolve the stain molecules, which can then be removed from the surface by the composition.

[0019] Co-solubilizers are compounds that improve the solubility of surfactants and some organic solvents in water. Without co-solubilizers, the compositions of this invention will easily appear cloudy, indicating component separation. Although sodium xylenesulfonate is a prototype co-solubilizer, it offers little added cleaning efficiency when used alone. Therefore, this invention relies on a mixture of at least two co-solubilizers and a co-solvent that exhibits poor miscibility with water in the absence of at least two co-solubilizers.

[0020] As used herein, a “co-solubilizer” is defined as a compound that dissolves a hydrophobic compound in an aqueous solution by means other than micellar solubilization and includes both hydrophilic and hydrophobic portions, but with too few hydrophobic portions to induce spontaneous self-aggregation.

[0021] Effective water-soluble agents included in this article are: C1-C5 monohydric alcohols (such as ethanol and n-propanol or isopropanol); C2-C6 diols (such as monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol); C3-C9 triols (such as glycerol); and those with a weight average molecular weight (M) ranging from about 200 to 600. w Polyethylene glycol; C1-C3 alkanolamines, such as monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine; and alkyl aryl sulfonates (such as sodium and potassium salts of xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and cumene (isopropylbenzene) sulfonic acid) having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group; C4-C 24 Iminodipropionate; and combinations thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, one of at least two co-water solubilizers is an anionic co-water solubilizer. Exemplary anionic co-water solubilizers include sodium xylenesulfonate, potassium xylenesulfonate, and ammonium xylenesulfonate; sodium toluenesulfonate, potassium toluenesulfonate, and ammonium toluenesulfonate; sodium isopropylbenzenesulfonate, potassium isopropylbenzenesulfonate, and ammonium isopropylbenzenesulfonate; mixtures thereof; and related compounds as disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,915,903. Two or more co-water solubilizers are each present in an amount from 1 to 20% of the total weight, provided that the total weight percentage of the co-water solubilizers is between 3 and 35% of the total weight. The co-water solubilizers are selected to have an average distribution coefficient of the molar ratio between n-octanol and air calculated based on the following ratio: log K at 20°C. ow The partition coefficient is less than -1 for (octanol / air) / (water / air). The partition coefficients were determined by the method detailed in Gargas ML et al., Partition Coefficients of Low-Molecular Weight Volatile Chemicals in Various Liquids and Tissues. Toxicol. Appl. Pharmacol. 1989; 98: 87-99. For example, the partition coefficient log K for sodium xylenesulfonate and glycerol. ow The values ​​are -3.12 and -1.75 respectively.

[0022] In the specific compositions according to the invention, a water-soluble agent is added to ensure that the cloud point of the aqueous composition is above 35°C.

[0023] Anionic surfactants are also present in the compositions of the present invention and illustratively include sulfonates, sulfates, and carboxylates. Sulfonate anionic surfactants effective herein include C9-C... 15 Alkylbenzene sulfonates; mixtures of olefin sulfonates and hydroxyalkane sulfonates; and disulfonates, such as those obtained by sulfonating monoolefins and subsequently hydrolyzing the sulfonate group; alkane sulfonates; esters of α-sulfonated fatty acids, such as α-sulfonates of methyl or ethyl esters of hydrogenated coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or tallow fatty acids; and combinations thereof.

[0024] Suitable sulfate-type surfactants include sulfated monoesters of primary alcohols (e.g., coconut oil fatty alcohol, tallow fatty alcohol, or oleyl alcohol) and those sulfated monoesters of secondary alcohols. Other suitable sulfate-type surfactants include sulfated fatty acid alkanolamides, fatty acid glycerol monoesters, or the reaction products of 1 to 4 mol of ethylene oxide with primary or secondary fatty alcohols or alkylphenols. Sulfated ethoxylates effective as anionic surfactants in this article illustratively include nonylphenol sulfated ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates, sodium N-methyl-N-oleoyl taurate, and sodium N-methyl-N-talloleate taurate. Other suitable anionic surfactants include fatty acid esters or amides of hydroxycarboxylic acids, aminocarboxylic acids, or sulfonic acids, such as fatty acid inosine, glycolates, lactates, taurates, or hydroxyethyl sulfonates, α-sulfosuccinates, and fatty acyl cyanamides.

[0025] The hydrophobic groups of surfactants typically contain carbon atoms between 6 and 18, and preferably between 8 and 18.

[0026] Anionic surfactants can exist in the form of alkali metal salts, alkaline earth metal salts, and ammonium salts, as well as as soluble salts of organic bases (e.g., monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, or triethanolamine). Anionic surfactants are included in amounts up to 5% of total weight and in other embodiments from 0.1% to 3% of total weight.

[0027] Nonionic surfactants are also present in the compositions of the present invention and illustratively include: ethoxylated fluorinated surfactants, polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxanes, polyether-modified polymethylalkylsiloxanes, aralkyl-modified polymethylalkylsiloxanes, polyester-modified hydroxyl-functionalized polydimethylsiloxanes, acryloyl-functionalized polyester-modified polydimethylsiloxanes, polyether polyester-modified hydroxyl-functionalized polydimethylsiloxanes, polyacrylate solutions, fluorinated polyacrylate solutions, polyfluorinated ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated fatty acids, sorbitol esters, ethoxylated castor oil, alkyl polysaccharides, sorbitol monostearate, sorbitol monolaurate, sorbitol oleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitol monooleate surfactants; or anionic phosphonate-modified fluorinated phosphates, aliphatic phosphates; or cationic ethoxylated aliphatic ammonium ethyl sulfate, ethoxylated alkylamine surfactants. Nonionic surfactants or combinations thereof are selected such that the molar molecular weight average hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) has an HLB value between 8 and 18, and in other embodiments between 12 and 16. The nonionic surfactant is included in an amount up to 5% of the total weight, and in other embodiments between 0.05% and 3% of the total weight.

[0028] The key is to provide a co-solvent. If it does not contain at least two water-soluble co-solvents, its water miscibility is poor. When two or more co-solvents are present, this is achieved through a partition coefficient greater than 1: octaldehyde / water log K. ow Or a molar ratio greater than 1 with average logK ow The improvement in miscibility is determined by an enhancing factor, which is the ratio in the presence of the co-soluble component to its absence. The enhancing factor is determined as detailed in Dharmendira Kumar, M et al., Effect of Hydrotropes on Solubility and Mass Transfer Coefficient of Amyl Acetate. Bioprocess Engineering 23, 31-36 (2000). Specific cosolvents effective herein illustratively include amyl acetate, C3, C4, and C6-C8 acetates, di(C2-C3)alkylene) glycol mono(C1-C4) ethers, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments of the invention, the cosolvent has or the solvent combination has a molar ratio average HLB between 10 and 14. The cosolvent or combination of cosolvents is included in amounts up to 10% of the total weight and in other embodiments from 1% to 8% of the total weight.

[0029] The compositions of the present invention form oil-in-water emulsions or microemulsions. In some embodiments of the invention, an emulsion stabilizer is present. Effective emulsion stabilizers herein illustratively include acrylic copolymers, polyester / acrylic copolymers, carbomers, or combinations thereof with a weight average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000. The emulsion stabilizer is included in an amount of up to 2% of the total weight and in other embodiments from 0.05% to 1% of the total weight.

[0030] As used herein, an "emulsion" is defined as a stable dispersion of an immiscible liquid that is not thermodynamically stable because it kinetically separates over time. In contrast, as used herein, a "microemulsion" is an emulsion that is also thermodynamically stable.

[0031] Flavorings, pH neutralizers, or other auxiliary additives are each present independently in some of the compositions of the present invention. Flavorings (if present) are included in an amount of up to 5% of total weight and in other embodiments from 0.1% to 3% of total weight. pH neutralizers illustratively include inorganic carbonates, inorganic hydroxides, or combinations thereof. pH neutralizers (if present) are included in an amount of up to 2% of total weight and in other embodiments from 0.1% to 1% of total weight.

[0032] In some embodiments of the invention, the composition has a volatile organic compound (VOC) content of 0 to 3% by weight. It should be understood that the VOC content (if any) is generally related to the co-solvent. As used herein, VOCs are defined by Code of Federal Regulations, 40: Chapter 1, Subsection C, Part 51, Subsection F, 51100.

[0033] The compositions of the present invention can be readily applied by means of conventional trigger spray application, propellant aerosol, or sponge or cloth for wiping application to the surface to be cleaned.

[0034] The odor-removing and surface-cleaning compositions of the present invention have a fully formulated viscosity between 5 and 400 cSt, as measured at room temperature.

[0035] Table 1 provides typical and preferred compositions according to the present invention.

[0036] Table 1. Surface cleaning compositions of the present invention (amounts by total weight percentage)

[0037]

[0038]

[0039] The invention is described in further detail with reference to the following non-limiting examples, which are provided to further illustrate the preparation of the compositions of the invention and certain properties associated with the resulting coating on the tire surface.

[0040] Example

[0041] Example 1

[0042] The following composition forms a cleaning product ideally suited for removing sunscreen stains containing oxybenzone in a cream base. The fully solubilized composition is a clear solution in air at 20°C and is stable for at least three months of storage.

[0043] Composition 1 of the present invention

[0044]

[0045] Example 2-7

[0046] The following formulations were prepared relative to Example 1.

[0047] Changes in the instance relative to instance 1

[0048]

[0049] Example 8

[0050] Apply the composition of Example 1 directly to the soiled surface, leave it for 1 minute, and then gently wipe the composition to remove the stain. As before... Figure 1A and afterwards Figure 1B As shown, the composition of Example 1 removes sunscreen stains from vehicle fabric. No stain residue was visible to the naked eye under indoor lighting conditions. Before applying the composition of Example 1, the stain was baked at 120°F for 3 hours and allowed to stand at room temperature for 30 minutes.

[0051] Example 9 and Comparison Example

[0052] As detailed in Example 8, the interior surfaces of the vehicle coated with sunscreen ( Figure 2A Exposure to the composition of Example 1. For example... Figure 2C As shown, the stain was effectively removed. In comparison, the process was repeated using a comparative example consisting of an alcohol ethoxylate, ethylene glycol ether, isopropanol, water, and a preservative. Figure 2B As shown, the comparative example composition failed to remove the same stain.

[0053] Example 10

[0054] The procedures of Example 8 were repeated using the compositions of Examples 2-7 on artificial leather, leather, interior console surfaces, exterior painted Class A surfaces, and headlight clear plastic, respectively. Stain removal was observed in all cases.

[0055] Example 11

[0056] The procedure of Example 10 was repeated with each of the compositions in Examples 1-7, using each of road asphalt, tree sap, and crayon. Stain removal was observed in all cases.

[0057] The patents and publications mentioned in the specification indicate the level of skill of a person skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. These patents and publications are incorporated herein by reference to the extent that each individual patent or publication is specifically and individually incorporated herein by reference.

[0058] The foregoing description is illustrative of specific embodiments of the invention but does not imply limitation on its practice. The following claims, including all their equivalents, are intended to define the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A water-soluble composition for surface cleaning, comprising: At least two water-soluble compounds; Anionic surfactants; Nonionic surfactants; At least one co-solvent, wherein the partition coefficient of the at least one co-solvent is log K ow Greater than 1; and Water, which constitutes the majority by weight of the water-soluble composition and thereby forms an emulsion.

2. The water-soluble composition as described in claim 1, wherein, The nonionic surfactant includes at least one of the following: sorbitol esters and ethoxylated sorbitol esters, ethoxylated compounds, ethoxylated adducts, polyethylene glycol esters, propoxylated compounds, ethoxylated modified triglycerides, alkylphenol aromatic ethoxylated compounds, alkoxylated diols having ethoxylated and propoxylated block segments, and silicone polyethers.

3. The water-soluble composition as described in claim 1, wherein, The anionic surfactant is present in a weight ratio between 0.33 and 3:1 with the nonionic surfactant.

4. The water-soluble composition as described in claim 1, wherein, The anionic surfactant is 0.1 to 5% of the total weight of the water-soluble composition.

5. The water-soluble composition as described in claim 1, wherein, The nonionic surfactant is 0.1 to 5% of the total weight of the water-soluble composition.

6. The water-soluble composition as described in claim 1, wherein, The nonionic surfactant has an HLB value of 8 to 16.

7. The water-soluble composition as described in claim 1, wherein, The at least two water-soluble compounds are present at a total weight percentage of 3 to 35% of the water-soluble composition.

8. The water-soluble composition as described in claim 1, wherein, The at least two water-soluble compounds are xylene sulfonate, glycerol, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, p-toluene sulfonate, isopropylbenzene sulfonate, salicylate, benzoate, nicotinamide, citrate, acetate, and combinations thereof.

9. The water-soluble composition according to claim 1, wherein, The at least one solvent is a C3-C6 alkyl acetate or a combination thereof.

10. The water-soluble composition of claim 1, wherein, The at least one solvent is amyl acetate.

11. The water-soluble composition of claim 1, wherein, The at least one solvent is present in a total weight percentage of 1 to 12%.

12. The water-soluble composition of claim 1, further comprising a fragrance.

13. The water-soluble composition of claim 1, wherein, The flavoring is present in 0.05 to 1% of the total weight of the water-soluble composition.

14. The water-soluble composition of claim 1, wherein, The emulsion is a microemulsion.

15. The water-soluble composition of claim 1, further comprising an emulsion stabilizer.

16. The water-soluble composition of claim 1, wherein, Amyl acetate is present in 1 to 5% of total weight, glycerol in 0.5 to 6% of total weight, and glycol ether in 1 to 8% of total weight.

17. The water-soluble composition of claim 1, wherein, The content of volatile organic compounds is less than 3% of the total weight.

18. A method for removing stains from a vehicle surface, the method comprising: The water-soluble composition as described in claim 1 is applied to the surface; as well as Allow sufficient time for the stain to be dissolved by the composition.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising wiping off excess of the water-soluble composition from the surface to achieve cleaning of the surface.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein, The application is performed using techniques from triggered spray application, propellant aerosol application, sponge application, or fabric application.

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