Automatic dishwashing compositions and methods for use with electrochemical cells and/or electrolytic devices

Abstract

The present invention relates to automatic dishwashing detergent compositions and methods of using compositions comprising halogenated salts, phosphate and / or silicate in conjunction with electrolyzed water in automatic dishwashing appliances comprising an electrochemical cell and / or electrolytic device for treating tableware to improve cleaning, sanitizing and stain removal by controlling hardness, corrosion and dispersancy.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to automatic dishwashing detergent (ADD) compositions and methods of using compositions comprising halogenated salts, phosphate, and / or silicate in conjunction with electrolyzed water in automatic dishwashing appliances comprising an electrochemical cell and / or electrolytic device for treating tableware to improve cleaning, sanitizing and stain removal by controlling hardness, corrosion and dispersancy. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Electrochemical cells for use in automatic dishwashing appliances are designed to operate by making use of the water electrolysis process wherein, at the anode-water interface, OH— being present in water due to electrolytic dissociation of water molecules donates an electron to the anode and can be thereby oxidized to oxygen gas which can be removed from the system. As a result, the H+ concentration can be enhanced at the anode-water interface so that H+ enriched acidic water can be produced. In a simi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

In one aspect of the present invention, an automatic dishwashing composition for treating tableware in an automatic dishwashing appliance can comprise an electrochemical cell and/or electrolytic device for improved tableware cleaning, sanitizing, and/or stain removal, the composition comprising: (a) a halogen dioxide salt having the formula (M)x(XO2)y, wherein X can be

Problems solved by technology

A problem associated with using an automatic dishwashing appliance containing an electrochemical cell and / or electrolytic device (hereinafter “cell and / or device”) to produce electrolyzed water for cleaning tableware in the absence of a specific ADD composition can be that there can be a potential for serious consumer dissatisfaction with the performance results.

While use of electrolyzed waster alone provides a source of alkalinity and bleaching agent, it nonetheless lacks the ability to control hardness, dispersancy and / or corrosion, and therefore can result in unsatisfactory performance.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,932,171 discloses a phosphate can be used in conjunction with electrolyzed water for sterilizing medical instruments in an immersive-type sterilization bath, but does not disclose or suggest the use of phosphate in an ADD composition in conjunction with electrolyzed water to control hardness, dispersancy and / or corrosion.

Furthermore, this reference broadly discloses the use of electrolyzed water in conjunction with an “anticorrosive,” but fails to disclose specific anticorrosives (such as silicates, which are some of the most well known anticorrosives) or other “buffer additives.”

Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,250,160 discloses a phosphate can be used in conjunction with electrolyzed water for sterilizing objects in an immersive-type sterilization bath, but does not disclose or suggest the use of phosphate in an ADD composition for building and / or cleaning purposes, or to control hardness, dispersancy and / or corrosion.

Similarly, the following references do not disclose electrolyzed water in conjunction with an ADD composition to control hardness, dispersancy and / or corrosion.