Container with ph-sensitive color indicator for disinfection applications

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a container having a pH sensitive color indicator for disinfection applications that indicates the efficacy of a cleaning composition against microbial activity by exhibiting a color change. In particular, the pH-sensitive color indicator includes a pH-sensitive dye and a substrate, where the dye is combined with the substrate. In one aspect of the disclosure, the dye may be chemically bonded, physically bonded to a substrate, coated on a substrate, or brushed on a substrate.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of a patent application with application number 202080034554.7, application date May 11, 2020, and invention name “pH-sensitive color indicator for disinfection applications”.

[0002] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to provisional application serial number 62 / 846,144, filed on May 10, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0004] The present disclosure relates to containers with pH-sensitive indicators for disinfection applications. In particular, it relates to pH-sensitive materials that indicate a sufficient concentration of a disinfection composition. Background Art

[0005] Various cleaning compositions are used, specifically comprising disinfecting compositions, and it is important to use the compositions in sufficient concentrations to carry out effective disinfection, sterilization and / or cleaning. Various mechanisms have been used to evaluate the concentration of the compositions, focusing primarily on measuring active species. For example, in compositions based on chlorine or based on quaternary ammonium, the amount of chlorine or quaternary ammonium compounds is usually measured to assess whether the concentration of a particular cleaning application composition is sufficient, such as whether it is sufficient to disinfect or sterilize. The traditional mechanisms for measuring the concentration of the compositions have many disadvantages. For example, in some cases, expensive testing equipment is required to measure the concentration. Another disadvantage comprises the need to analyze, explain and apply the results to determine whether the concentration of active species indicates that the concentration is sufficient for a particular application. Still another disadvantage is that the test may not provide real-time results about the concentration of the final application. Finally, due to the stability of some components or the change in chemical balance, it is necessary for the staff to test and evaluate the concentration of the key components in each bucket, sink, bucket or spray bottle before use to ensure that the concentration is sufficient for a certain degree of cleaning, such as disinfection or sterilization.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for improved methods and mechanisms for assessing the concentration of cleaning compositions.

[0007] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide methods and mechanisms for assessing the concentration of cleaning compositions.

[0008] Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and mechanism that provides concentration information in real time and at a glance without the need for analysis and interpretation.

[0009] Other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Summary of the invention

[0010] An advantage of the pH-sensitive color indicator disclosed herein is that it provides a real-time indicator of the concentration of a cleaning composition. Another advantage of the pH-sensitive color indicator is that it provides a simple mechanism for determining whether the concentration of a disinfecting or sanitizing composition is acceptable, wherein the mechanism allows for testing at a glance.

[0011] At least one embodiment disclosed herein includes a unique aesthetic appearance. The decorative aspects included in this embodiment can help attract the attention of consumers and / or identify the source of the product being sold. The decorative aspects do not hinder the function of the present invention.

[0012] Preferred embodiments as described herein include a pH-sensitive indicator comprising an azo dye and a substrate; wherein the azo dye is bonded to or coated on the substrate; wherein the azo dye exhibits a color change at a pH of about 4.5 or less.

[0013] Additional embodiments as described herein include a method of detecting the concentration of a cleaning composition, the method comprising: contacting the cleaning composition with a pH-sensitive indicator, wherein the pH-sensitive indicator comprises an azo dye and a substrate, wherein the azo dye is bound to or coated on the substrate, wherein the azo dye exhibits a color change at a pH of about 4.5 or less; wherein the substrate is a plastic, metal, textile, or cellulose-based substrate; determining whether the concentration of the cleaning composition is effective for a cleaning application by observing whether the pH-sensitive indicator exhibits a color change during or after the contacting step.

[0014] Another preferred embodiment as described herein includes a method of cleaning a surface, the method comprising: contacting a cleaning composition with a pH-sensitive indicator, wherein the pH-sensitive indicator comprises an azo dye and a substrate, wherein the azo dye is bound to or coated on the substrate, wherein the azo dye exhibits a color change at a pH of about 4.5 or less; and wherein the substrate is a plastic, metal, textile, or cellulose-based substrate; determining whether the pH of the cleaning composition is sufficiently low by observing whether the pH-sensitive indicator exhibits a color change during or after the contacting step; and if a color change is exhibited, applying the cleaning composition to the surface.

[0015] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the invention.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] Figure 1 A rear, top perspective view of a pail having a substantially transparent window is shown.

[0017] Figure 2 A front, top perspective view thereof is shown.

[0018] Figure 3 An xz cross-sectional perspective view thereof is shown.

[0019] Figure 4 An xy cross-sectional perspective view thereof is shown.

[0020] Figure 5 A top elevation view thereof is shown.

[0021] Figure 6 A bottom elevation view thereof is shown.

[0022] Figure 7 A front elevation view thereof is shown.

[0023] Figure 8 A rear elevation view thereof is shown.

[0024] Fig. 9 A left side elevation view thereof is shown.

[0025] Fig.10 A right side elevation view thereof is shown.

[0026] Fig.11 A rear perspective view of a substantially transparent pail is shown.

[0027] Fig.12 A front perspective view thereof is shown.

[0028] Fig.13 An xz cross-sectional perspective view thereof is shown.

[0029] Fig.14 An xy cross-sectional perspective view thereof is shown.

[0030] Fig.15 A top elevation view thereof is shown.

[0031] Fig.16 A bottom elevation view thereof is shown.

[0032] Fig.17 A front elevation view thereof is shown.

[0033] Fig.18 A rear elevation view thereof is shown.

[0034] Fig.19 A left side elevation view thereof is shown.

[0035] Fig. 20 A right side elevation view thereof is shown.

[0036] Fig.21 Shown is a front left perspective view of a substantially transparent pail having a substantially opaque sleeve and a plastic holder for a pH strip riveted thereto.

[0037] Fig. 22 A rear right perspective view is shown.

[0038] Fig.23 Shown is a front, top perspective view of a barrel including a window, shown as a non-limiting example of a substrate including a pH-sensitive indicator.

[0039] Fig.24 is a photograph of a cellulose-based sponge that has been modified to include a pH-sensitive azo dye through a covalent bonding mechanism, showing the color change upon application of a cleaning composition to the sponge.

[0040] Fig.25 are photographs of silica beads surface-functionalized and bound to an exemplary pH-sensitive azo dye to evaluate the color change of silica in liquids at different pHs.

[0041] Fig.26 are photographs of different paint types (particularly water-based and oil-based paints) used to evaluate compatibility with pH-sensitive azo dyes.

[0042] Various embodiments of pH-sensitive color indicators and methods and uses thereof will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein similar reference numerals throughout the several views represent similar components. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the present invention. The accompanying drawings provided herein are not limitations of various embodiments according to the present invention and are provided for exemplary illustration of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The present disclosure relates to pH-sensitive color indicators for assessing the concentration of cleaning compositions, particularly disinfecting and / or sanitizing compositions. The present disclosure also describes methods of making and using pH-sensitive color indicating products.

[0044] It should be understood that all terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to be limited in any manner or scope. For example, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" may include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In addition, all units, prefixes, and symbols may be expressed in their SI accepted form.

[0045] The numerical ranges listed in the specification include the numbers defining the ranges and include each integer within the defined ranges. Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the invention are presented in range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is only for convenience and clarity and should not be understood as a rigid limitation on the scope of the invention. Therefore, the description of the range should be considered to have explicitly disclosed all possible sub-ranges, fractions, and individual values ​​within the range. For example, the description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have explicitly disclosed sub-ranges such as from 1 to 3, from 1 to 4, from 1 to 5, from 2 to 4, from 2 to 6, from 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numbers within the range, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, as well as decimals and fractions such as 1.2, 3.8, 1 1 / 2 and 4 3 / 4. This applies regardless of the width of the range.

[0046] definition

[0047] In order to more easily understand the present invention, some terms are first defined. Unless otherwise defined, all technical terms and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those of ordinary skill in the art to which embodiments of the present invention belong. Many methods and materials similar to, modified or equivalent to the methods and materials described herein can be used in the practice of embodiments of the present invention without undue experimentation, and preferred materials and methods are described herein. When describing and requiring embodiments of the present invention, the following terms will be used according to the definitions set forth below.

[0048] As used herein, the term "about" refers to a variation in a numerical quantity that may occur, for example, with respect to any quantifiable variable, including but not limited to mass, volume, time, temperature, pH, and log counts of bacteria or viruses, by typical measurement techniques and equipment. In addition, in the case of solid and liquid handling procedures used in the real world, there are certain unintentional errors and variations, which may be caused by differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the composition or practice the method, etc. The term "about" also encompasses these variations. Whether or not modified by the term "about", the claims include equivalent values ​​of this quantity.

[0049] The methods and compositions of the present invention may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components and ingredients of the present invention and other ingredients described herein. As used herein, "consisting essentially of" means that the methods, systems, apparatuses, and compositions may include additional steps, components, or ingredients, but only if the additional steps, components, or ingredients do not materially alter the basic and novel features of the claimed methods, systems, apparatuses, and compositions.

[0050] The terms "active agent" or "active agent percentage" or "active agent weight percentage" or "active agent concentration" are used interchangeably herein and refer to the concentration of those ingredients involved in cleaning, expressed as a percentage minus inert ingredients such as water or salt. The percentages are also sometimes indicated by percentages in parentheses, such as "chemical (10%)".

[0051] As used herein, the term "alkyl" or "alkyl group" refers to a saturated hydrocarbon having one or more carbon atoms, including straight-chain alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, etc.), cyclic alkyl groups (or "cycloalkyl" or "alicyclic" or "carbocyclyl") (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, etc.), branched alkyl groups (e.g., isopropyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, etc.), and alkyl groups substituted with an alkyl group (e.g., alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups and cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl groups).

[0052] Unless otherwise indicated, the term "alkyl" encompasses "unsubstituted alkyl" and "substituted alkyl." As used herein, the term "substituted alkyl" refers to an alkyl group having substituents replacing one or more hydrogens on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents may include, for example, alkenyl, alkynyl, halide, hydroxyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, alkoxy, phosphate, phosphonate, phosphinate, cyano, amino (including alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino and alkylarylamino), amide (including alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl and ureido), imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, sulfate, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamide, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, azido, heterocyclic, alkylaryl or aromatic (including heteroaromatic) groups.

[0053] In some embodiments, substituted alkyl may include heterocyclic radicals. As used herein, the term "heterocyclic radical" includes a closed ring structure similar to a carbocyclic radical in which one or more of the carbon atoms on the ring are not carbon elements (e.g., nitrogen, sulfur or oxygen). The heterocyclic group may be saturated or unsaturated. Exemplary heterocyclic groups include but are not limited to aziridine, oxirane (epoxide, oxirane), thioethane (epoxysulfide), dioxirane, azetidine, oxetane, thiamine, dioxetane, dithiamine, dithiobutene, azetidine, pyrrolidine, pyrroline, oxolane, dihydrofuran and furan.

[0054] As used herein, the term "oil" or "stain" refers to any oil, including but not limited to, non-polar oily and / or hydrophobic materials that may or may not contain particulate matter such as industrial soils, mineral clays, sand, natural minerals, carbon black, graphite, kaolin, environmental dust and / or food-based soils such as blood, proteinaceous soils, starchy soils, fatty soils, cellulosic soils, etc.

[0055] As used herein, the term "antimicrobial agent" refers to a compound or composition that reduces and / or inactivates microbial populations, including but not limited to bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae, in about 10 minutes or less, about 8 minutes or less, about 5 minutes or less, about 3 minutes or less, about 2 minutes or less, about 1 minute or less, or about 30 seconds or less. Preferably, the term antimicrobial agent refers to a composition that provides at least about 3-log, 3.5log, 4log, 4.5log, or 5log reduction in microbial populations in about 10 minutes or less, about 8 minutes or less, about 5 minutes or less, about 3 minutes or less, about 2 minutes or less, about 1 minute or less, or about 30 seconds or less.

[0056] As used herein, the term "disinfectant" refers to an agent that reduces the number of bacterial contaminants to a safe level as judged by public health requirements. In one embodiment, the disinfectant used in the present invention will provide at least a 99.999% reduction (5-log reduction). These reductions can be evaluated using the procedures described in "Germicidal and Detergent Sanitizing Action of Disinfectants", Official Analytical Methods of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists, paragraph 960.09 and applicable chapters, 15th Edition, 1990 (EPA Guide 91-2). According to this reference, a disinfectant should provide a 99.999% reduction (5-log reduction) in 30 seconds against several test organisms at room temperature 25±2°C.

[0057] As used herein, the term "cleaning" refers to a method for promoting or helping to remove dirt, bleach, reduce microbial populations, and any combination thereof. As used herein, the term "microorganism" refers to any non-cellular or unicellular (including colony) organism. Microorganisms include all prokaryotes. Microorganisms include bacteria (including cyanobacteria), spores, lichens, fungi, protozoa, prions, viroids, viruses, bacteriophages, and some algae. As used herein, the term "microorganism (microbe)" is synonymous with microorganism (microorganism).

[0058] As used herein, the phrase "food processing surface" refers to the surface of a tool, machine, equipment, structure, building, etc., that is used as part of a food processing, preparation, or storage activity. Examples of food processing surfaces include surfaces of food processing or preparation equipment (e.g., slicing, canning, or transport equipment, including sinks), food processing utensils (e.g., utensils, cutlery, washing utensils, and bar glasses), and floors, walls, or fixtures of structures where food processing is performed. Food processing surfaces are found and used in food preservation air circulation systems, aseptic packaging sanitization, food refrigeration and cooler cleaners and sanitizers, warewashing sanitizers, blancher cleaning and sanitizing, food packaging materials, cutting board additives, third sink sanitization, beverage coolers and warmers, meat cooling or scalding water, automatic dish sanitizers, sanitizing gels, cooling towers, food processing antimicrobial clothing sprays, and non-aqueous to low-aqueous food preparation lubricants, oils, and rinse additives.

[0059] The term "hard surface" refers to solid, substantially non-flexible surfaces such as countertops, tiles, floors, walls, panels, windows, plumbing fixtures, kitchen and bathroom furniture, appliances, engines, circuit boards, dishes, mirrors, windows, monitors, touch screens, and thermostats. Hard surfaces are not limited by material; for example, hard surfaces can be glass, metal, tile, vinyl, linoleum, composites, wood, plastic, etc. Hard surfaces can include, for example, healthcare surfaces and food processing surfaces.

[0060] As used herein, the phrase "health care surface" refers to the surface of an instrument, device, cart, cover, furniture, structure, building, etc. used as part of a health care activity. Examples of health care surfaces include medical or dental instruments, medical or dental devices, electronic devices for monitoring patient health, and surfaces of floors, walls, or structural fixtures in which health care is performed. Health care surfaces are found in hospitals, operating rooms, wards, delivery rooms, morgues, and clinical diagnostic rooms. These surfaces may be those having the following characteristics: "hard surfaces" (such as walls, bottom boards, bed boards, etc.); or fabric surfaces, such as woven, woven and nonwoven surfaces (such as surgical gowns, drapes, bedding, bandages, etc.); or patient care equipment (such as respirators, diagnostic equipment, shunts, human specula, wheelchairs, beds, etc.); or surgical and diagnostic equipment. Health care surfaces include articles and surfaces used for animal health care.

[0061] As used herein, the term "instrument" refers to various medical or dental instruments or devices that may benefit from cleaning with a composition according to the present invention.

[0062] As used herein, the phrases "medical instruments," "dental instruments," "medical devices," "dental devices," "medical equipment," "dental equipment" refer to instruments, devices, tools, appliances, implements, and equipment used in medicine or dentistry. Such instruments, devices, and equipment may be cold sterilized, immersed or washed and then heat sterilized, or otherwise benefit from cleaning in the compositions of the present invention. These various instruments, devices and equipment include, but are not limited to, diagnostic instruments, trays, pans, holders, racks, forceps, scissors, shears, saws (e.g., bone saws and their blades), hemostats, knives, chisels, bone forceps, files, pliers, drills, drill bits, rasps, burrs, applicators, crushers, elevators, clamps, needle holders, racks, clamps, hooks, chisels, curettes, retractors, levelers, punches, extractors, spoons, keratomes, scrapers, presses, trocars, dilators, covers, glassware, tubes, catheters, cannulas, plugs, stents, scopes (e.g., endoscopes, stethoscopes and arthroscopes) and related equipment, etc., or any combination thereof.

[0063] As used herein, the term "microorganism" refers to any non-cellular or unicellular (including colony) organism. Microorganisms include all prokaryotes. Microorganisms include bacteria (including cyanobacteria), spores, lichens, fungi, protozoa, prions, viroids, viruses, bacteriophages, and some algae. As used herein, the term "microbe" is synonymous with microorganism.

[0064] As used herein, the term "soft surface" refers to a surface that is not classified as a hard surface but is a solid surface. Soft surfaces include, but are not limited to, textiles, fabrics, woven surfaces, and non-woven surfaces. Soft surfaces include, but are not limited to, carpets, curtains, fabrics, hospital partitions, linens, and upholstery.

[0065] As used herein, the term "substantially free" means that the composition is completely lacking a component or has such a small amount of a component that the component does not affect the performance of the composition. The component may be present as an impurity or as a contaminant and should be less than 0.5 wt%. In another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.1 wt%, and in yet another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.01 wt%.

[0066] As used herein, the term "virus" refers to a microorganism that can include both pathogenic and non-pathogenic viruses. In terms of viral structure, pathogenic viruses can be classified into two general types: enveloped viruses and non-enveloped viruses. Some well-known enveloped viruses include herpes virus, influenza virus; paramyxovirus, respiratory syncytial virus, coronavirus, HIV, hepatitis B virus, hepatitis C virus and SARS-CoV virus. Non-enveloped viruses, sometimes referred to as "naked" viruses, include family Picornaviridae, Reoviridae, Caliciviridae, Adenoviridae and Parvoviridae. Members of these families include rhinovirus, poliovirus, adenovirus, hepatitis A virus, norovirus, papillomavirus, and rotavirus. It is known in the art that "enveloped" viruses are relatively sensitive and can therefore be inactivated by commonly used bactericides. In contrast, non-enveloped viruses are much more resistant to conventional bactericides and are significantly more environmentally stable than enveloped viruses.

[0067] As used herein, the term "ware" refers to items such as edible and cooking utensils, dishes and other hard surfaces, such as showers, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, countertops, windows, mirrors, transport vehicles and floors. As used herein, the term "warewashing" refers to washing, cleaning or rinsing utensils. Ware also refers to items made of plastic. The types of plastics that can be cleaned using the composition according to the present invention include but are not limited to those comprising polypropylene polymers (PP), polycarbonate polymers (PC), melamine formaldehyde resins or melamine resins (melamine), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers (ABS) and polysulfone polymers (PS). Other exemplary plastics that can be cleaned using the compounds and compositions of the present invention include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polystyrene polyamide.

[0068] As used herein, the terms "water-soluble" and "water-dispersible" mean that the ingredients in the composition of the present invention are soluble or dispersible in water. Typically, the ingredients should be soluble or dispersible in water at a concentration between about 0.1 wt.% and about 15 wt.% at 25°C, more preferably between about 0.1 wt.% and about 10 wt.%.

[0069] As used herein, the terms "weight percent," "wt. %," "wt %," "percent by weight," "% by weight," and variations thereof refer to the concentration of the substance by the weight of the substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by 100.

[0070] pH Sensitive Color Indicator

[0071] The present disclosure relates to a pH-sensitive color indicator for evaluating the concentration of a cleaning composition, specifically a disinfecting and / or sterilizing composition. The present disclosure also describes a method for preparing and using a pH-sensitive color indicator product. It is found that there is a correlation between the pH and effectiveness of certain new types of disinfectants and sterilizers, especially acidic anionic cleaning compositions. Therefore, although the traditional mechanism for evaluating whether an active disinfectant or sterilizer has a necessary concentration is to measure the concentration of the active ingredient, it is found that the necessary concentration of the active ingredient in the acidic anionic detergent can be evaluated by determining the pH of the composition related to the concentration of the active ingredient. It is determined that the use of a pH-sensitive color indicator can overcome many of the above-mentioned difficulties and problems existing in the art. Although there are some pH-sensitive color indicators currently, those that exist have many problems, making them difficult to use. For example, existing pH-sensitive color indicators require (test strips) to be immersed or (use solution) to be added to a vial of a test chemical for a set amount of time, such as 5 seconds, and the result at a set temperature within 10 seconds needs to be read, and it needs to be compared with a standard, wherein the color and hue must be compared within the 10-second time period, otherwise the result may no longer be feasible. These methods are difficult to use in the field due to differences in conditions such as temperature and the requirement to read and determine the results within a set amount of time. Further, such methods are irreversible and therefore not continuous and real-time, where changes in composition can be easily monitored over a period of time without retesting.

[0072] Specifically, by using a pH-sensitive color indicator, the need for expensive and / or complex equipment for measuring active cleaning components (such as chlorine or quaternary ammonium) in a composition is no longer required. Further, there is no need to analyze and interpret test results to assess the suitability of a particular concentration. Instead, the use of a pH-sensitive color indicator can provide an image or color change at a glance to signal whether the concentration is sufficient or insufficient for the desired cleaning application, i.e., whether the concentration is sufficient for disinfection or sterilization.

[0073] The pH-sensitive color indicator includes a pH-sensitive dye that is combined with a substrate to allow for a visual indication of the concentration of the cleaning composition. The color change or appearance of the image can indicate that the composition is at or exceeds the concentration required to achieve a specific antimicrobial activity. Therefore, the pH-sensitive color indicator can provide an at-a-glance, real-time determination of the disinfecting and / or sterilizing efficacy of the composition.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the pH-sensitive color indicator may include a dye and a substrate.

[0075] dye

[0076] The pH-sensitive color indicator comprises a pH-sensitive dye. Preferably, the dye comprises an azo dye. The dye employed may be a combination or mixture of dyes, including a mixture of two azo dyes, three azo dyes, four azo dyes or more. Azo dyes are organic compounds comprising one or more diazonium functional groups:

[0077]

[0078] Wherein R and R' are aryl or alkyl.Preferred azo dyes include those wherein R has 2 to 20 carbons, more preferably 4 to 16 carbons, and wherein R' has 2 to 20 carbons, more preferably 4 to 16 carbons.For a more detailed description of suitable azo dyes, see U.S. Patent No. 4,029,598, Column 2, Line 7 to Column 5, Line 68, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0079] Preferred azo dyes include, but are not limited to, allura red AC, azo violet, basic red 18, bromothymol blue, Congo red, direct blue 1, direct brown 78, m-cresol violet, methyl orange, methyl red, para red, phenol red, reactive orange 16, tartrazine, thymol blue, xylenol blue, xylenol orange, and combinations or mixtures thereof.

[0080] In preferred embodiments, the pH sensitive dye exhibits a color change at a pH of about 4.5 or less, about 4.4 or less, about 4.3 or less, about 4.2 or less, about 4.1 or less, about 4 or less, about 3.9 or less, about 3.8 or less, about 3.7 or less, about 3.6 or less, about 3.5 or less, about 3.4 or less, about 3.2 or less, about 3.1 or less, about 3.0 or less, about 2.9 or less, about 2.8 or less, about 2.7 or less, about 2.6 or less, about 2.5 or less, about 2.4 or less, about 2.3 or less, about 2.2 or less, about 2.1 or less, or about 2.0 or less. In a preferred embodiment, the pH sensitive dye exhibits a color change at a pH between about 2 and about 4.5, more preferably between about 2.2 and about 4.0, still more preferably between about 2.5 and about 3.5, or most preferably between about 2.8 and about 3.2. In a preferred embodiment, the pKa of the pH sensitive dye is between about 2 and about 4.5, more preferably between about 2.2 and about 4, and most preferably between about 2.5 and about 3.5.

[0081] Substrate

[0082] In one aspect of the present invention, azo dyes are combined with substrates or coated on substrates, so that when contacting with cleaning compositions, azo dyes can change the color on substrates, to indicate that the concentration of antimicrobial efficacy is sufficient or insufficient. Substrate can be any suitable substrate for specific cleaning applications. For example, substrate can be but not limited to pails, buckets, dispensers, spray bottles, sprayers, trigger sprayers, sinks, coatings, pads, mops, coatings, paper, sponges, stickers, towels, windows or rags. Azo dyes can be combined with substrates or coated on substrates. In a preferred embodiment, substrate can be paper with azo dyes combined or coated, so that dyes show color changes on paper. In a preferred embodiment, substrates can adhere to (or be attached in addition) on surfaces, wherein the surfaces are one or more in plastic surfaces, composite surfaces, glass surfaces or metal surfaces. In a most preferred embodiment, azo dyes are combined with cellulose-based substrates or coated on cellulose-based substrates, wherein the cellulose-based substrates adhere to (or be attached in addition) on surfaces, and wherein the surfaces are removably attached to containers, pails, buckets, dispensers, bottles, sprayers or sinks.

[0083] Figure 1-23A non-limiting example embodiment of a substrate including a container 100 such as a pail or bucket is shown. The container 100 generally includes a base 102, a sidewall 104, and an upper edge 106. The outside of the base 102 serves as a surface by which the pail or bucket 100 can be operatively placed on one or more external surfaces. The base 102 may optionally include feet for reducing the surface area in contact with the external surface. At least one sidewall 104 forms an upright boundary around the base 102 and extends generally vertically upward to terminate at the upper edge 106 of the container 100. At least one sidewall 104 may include sections with different tapers relative to a vertical plane. For example, the upper portion of the container 100 may include an outward taper greater than the lower portion of the container 100 relative to the vertical direction, and the upper edge 106 of the container 100 may be configured to have a taper greater than the upper portion and the lower portion relative to the vertical direction. The sidewall 104 may extend generally upward and outward to flare near the mouth of the container 100 to help minimize the amount of fluid that spills when filling the container 100 and to direct fluid from the bucket during pouring.

[0084] The sidewall 104 and the base 102 may preferably form a substantially cylindrical shape together, but may be so configured as to present any suitable or otherwise known three-dimensional shape. For example, the shape of the container 100 may be selected from the group consisting of: a cylinder, an ellipsoid (including a sphere), a partial ellipsoid (including a hemisphere), a regular polyhedron (including a pyramid, a cube, etc.), an irregular polyhedron, a cone, a combination thereof, and / or the like. The container 100 is preferably constructed of materials such as polypropylene to withstand the handling of the chemicals disclosed herein. Other thermoplastics may also be used, such as those commonly used in injection molding processes. The sidewall 104 and the base 102 may be solid, partially hollow, or mostly hollow, but should at least be thick enough to establish sufficient strength for the container 100 to withstand impact and wear during repeated use.

[0085] Figure 1-10 The container 100 comprises a dual material design, wherein the majority of the pail or bucket 100 is opaque and a minority of portions, such as windows 108, 110 of the pail or bucket 100 are transparent. Suitable transparent materials for the windows 108, 110 may include, without limitation, glass, fiberglass, polycarbonate, and / or the like.

[0086] The windows 108 and 110 allow a wide viewing angle of the container 100 from an external position. During operation of the container 100, a pH strip 112 having the advantages disclosed herein and / or a label identifying the chemical contained within the container 100 may be placed between the flexible retaining arm 114 and one or more of the windows 108, 110. The flexible retaining arm 114 is rigid enough to hold the pH strip and / or label in place during movement of the barrel, but is deformable enough to allow the user to remove and / or replace the pH strip and / or label between uses of the container 100 and to accommodate pH strips and / or labels of varying thicknesses. Figure 1-10 100, a pH strip 112 and / or product identifier may be stored in a location adjacent to the windows 108, 110 prior to placement within the interior of the side wall 104 of the container 100. During operation, a user will be able to view the pH strip 112 and / or product identifier within the container without looking through the top of the container 100. To further retain the pH strip 112 in place, an upper retainer 116 is positioned within the interior or uppermost portion of the side wall 104 to stabilize the pH strip 112 when inserted into one or more of the retaining arms 114 extending from a location just above where the side wall 104 meets the base 102 of the container 100. The retaining arms 114 extend substantially from a location just above the base 102 to the upper retainer 116 and provide a retaining area between the retaining arms 114 and the windows 108, 110 between which the pH strip 112 may slide. The pH strip 112 can slide into a position for viewing from an upward position and in a downward direction, can slide sideways into a position, and / or a combination of the above directions. This slidable connection can be established by using one or more suitable slidable elements, which include: friction fittings, guides, tracks, pistons, shafts, sleeves, collars, ball bearings, actuators, connecting rods, pivots and / or the like on a sliding (non-sticky) surface. Preferably, the slidable connection only allows the pH strip 112, the retaining arm 114 and / or the upper retainer 116 to slide in one dimension (i.e., linearly) relative to the sidewall 104. However, it should be understood that a small decompression in the second dimension can reduce wear, tear or failure of the slidable assembly and / or element. For this reason, oil, grease, lubricant, antistatic agent and / or other non-viscous fluid or device can be applied in the case where it is expected to further reduce wear or tear over time.

[0087] When the retaining arm 114 applies a force generally directed toward the windows 108, 110, the user can easily overcome the force to slide the pH strip 112 between the retaining arm 114 and the window. However, the retaining arm 38 includes a certain elasticity to reapply tension to press the badge in place. In addition, as Figure 21-22As shown, the retaining arm 114 / upper retainer 116 combination can be fastened or otherwise attached to the side wall 104 by rivets 118. Other methods and devices for attaching the retaining arm 114 / upper retainer 116 combination to the container 100 are also contemplated as part of the present invention. For example, the retaining arm 114 / upper retainer 116 combination can be fastened or otherwise attached to the side wall 104 by rivets 118. and / or the like to adhere or otherwise secure the retaining arm 114 / upper retainer 116 combination to the container 100. It is also contemplated that the retaining arm 114 / upper retainer 116 combination is molded or otherwise formed as part of the base 102 and / or sidewall 104 so that it is integrally one-piece with the container 100. Thus, the retaining arm 114 / upper retainer 116 combination can include a material similar to the dispenser body, such as a thermoplastic or the like.

[0088] like Figure 11-20 As shown, where each surface of the container 100 is almost completely transparent, the upper edge 106 of the container 100 can be reinforced with any number of intermediate support members 120. The intermediate support members bridge the lower and outward portions of the sidewalls 104 and the upper edge 106. The upper edge 106 of the container 10 can be bent downward and outward for a user to grasp.

[0089] The opposing portion of the sidewall 104 of the container 100 includes an ear 122 having an aperture 123, which is positioned generally in the middle of the sidewall 104 and proximate the mouth of the container 100. The ear 122 can be positioned closer to the center of gravity of the container 100 to relieve stress on the user when pouring liquid from the container 100. In addition, the ear 122 can be positioned eccentrically on the opposing sidewall 104 to further assist in the ease of pouring liquid from the container 100. Each ear 122 is configured to receive the posts 130 and 132 on respective ends 126 and 128 of the bail 124, as shown in FIG. Figure 21-22 100 . The posts 130 and 132 may be removably attached to the ears 122 on the container, or in several embodiments, may be permanently attached to the ears. Preferably, the posts 130 and 132 are pivotally attached to the ears 122 through the apertures 123 on the container 100 , which allows the collar 124 to pivot about the ears. Specifically, the collar 124 is allowed to freely rotate at least 180°, such as from an upright position to any adjacent sidewall 104 to any point therebetween. A mechanism may be included on the container 100 to allow the collar 124 to move into a preset spaced position so that the bail 124 will not fall out of it unless the same mechanism or some other mechanism (e.g., a lock) is disabled or sufficient force is applied to the collar 124 to overcome the biasing force of the included mechanism. The collar 124 is generally semicircular in shape and may optionally include a handle located at a central upper portion of the arc forming the semicircular shape.

[0090] If you can also Figure 11-20 As seen in FIG. 1 , a product source identifier 134, a liquid volume indicator 136, instructions for use 138, a legend 140 of the pH strip 112 (such as Figure 21-23 A label 142 (shown) and / or a universal hazard symbol 142 may be integral with and / or placed on the sidewall 104 of the container 100 to facilitate quick identification of aspects related to the container 100 and / or liquids intended to be stored in and / or processed in and / or dispensed from the container, such as a disinfectant or other suitable cleaning agent. Thus, it is also within the scope of the present invention to print source identifiers, markings, warning symbols, instructions, and / or other desired identifying information consisting of letters, numbers, graphics, marks, and / or other symbols on the container 100. Any suitable process for marking that is compatible with the material from which the container 100 is made, such as silk screening or photolithography, etc., may be used. The markings, instructions, and / or other identifying information may be raised (embossed), stamped, labeled, etched, written, marked, brushed, coated, or otherwise applied to the interior and / or exterior portions of the base 102 and / or sidewall 104. The markings may be applied to both planar and non-planar surfaces.

[0091] pH strip 112 and any azo dye contained therein can be combined with many different positions that can be observed.For example, azo dye can be combined with the inside of bucket or bucket 100, and can be viewed through window 108,110.In this respect, bucket or bucket 100 can be painted with the coating that comprises azo dye, the bucket material itself can have the azo dye combined with it, sticker can be added to the inside of bucket or bucket 100, wherein the sticker comprises azo dye, as comprising azo dye or containing another object such as plastic test piece, disc or buoy of the coating that comprises azo dye can be attached to bucket or bucket 100, or window can comprise the azo dye of combination.Although this embodiment is shown as having bucket / bucket, it should be understood that according to the present invention and the disclosure, this embodiment can be applied to other substrates of any quantity that can hold cleaning compositions, for example spray bottle, sprayer, trigger sprayer, liner, distributor or sink.In a preferred embodiment, described substrate can be coated and / or brushed with the composition that comprises pH sensitive dye. In a preferred embodiment, the pH sensitive dye is in the form of a water-insoluble coating that is applied to the substrate.

[0092] The visual appearance of the pH bar 112 can therefore be designed to help achieve the objectives of the present invention. For example, the pH bar 112 can be configured to display a color or colors that contrast with or are compatible with the colors of adjacent objects. The displayed colors can, for example, include primary colors, secondary colors, tertiary colors, or any combination thereof. Fig.23As shown, the color of the pH bar 112 can convey a specific meaning to the user. A warning may be indicated with a redder color, and if the pH falls outside the desired range, the warning may become visible. A more uniform blue or green color may indicate that the solution is good. If the pH increases, the pH bar 112 may have a more pink color. If the object is expected to blend into the surrounding environment, certain colors can be selected to produce a more hidden effect; substantially dark or substantially bright colors can be selected to reduce or increase the likelihood of the object being noticed. Reflective elements can be added or subtracted from the pH bar 112 and / or the container 100 to change the reflectivity of the object. In addition, the visual appearance of the pH bar 112 and / or the container 100 can be changed to provide a specific visual effect. The visual effect affects how the object appears to a person when looking at the object. Non-limiting examples of visual effects include: changing the color of the object; increasing or decreasing the color contrast between adjacent objects; and increasing or decreasing the reflectivity of the object. In another aspect of the present invention, the substrate for applying the cleaning composition may include a combined azo dye. For example, paper, rags, towels, sponges, sprayers, trigger sprayers or mops can include combined azo dyes. Suitable substrates can include but are not limited to plastics, metals, cellulose-based substrates or textiles. In this embodiment, once contacted with the cleaning compositions, the substrate can provide an indication of whether the composition is effective for a particular cleaning application.

[0093] Preparation method

[0094] The method and technology of preparing pH indicator can be produced in several ways, such as those described in U.S. Patent No. 4,029,598, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such technology utilizes carriers such as cellulose, and the carrier is saturated with azo dyes having reactive groups that can form chemical bonds with the carrier material to form a pH indicator that will not ooze out. The method comprises direct coloring of the indicator paper including cellulose fibers as follows to the substrate: first, the paper raw material is suspended in a suitable patter with water, the resulting suspension is mixed with an aqueous solution of the dye, and then a suspension alkali is prepared by adding alkali to fix the dye on the fiber. The second method involves printing the finished substrate with a dye solution, such as indicator paper, and fixing the dye by temporarily immersing the dye in a warm alkaline fixative. By still another technology, the dye solution can be applied to the paper previously made into alkali, and after applying the dye solution and then briefly treating in the form of steam, the paper is washed to be neutral and dried.

[0095] Although the technology and methods disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,598 address the ability to produce non-exudative pH indicators, they fail to address the ability to determine the efficacy of a solution by quickly visually identifying a color change using a pH-sensitive dye. The purpose of the disclosed methods for producing non-exudative pH indicators is to provide technicians with more time to compare with a colorimetric scale for accurate pH determination, but fail to utilize color changes as a rapid indicator of solution efficacy. Further, as will be discussed herein, these methods fail to address the properties of color indicators on multiple substrates.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment, the pH sensitive dye is combined with the substrate in an amount of about 0.01 gram to about 0.1 gram of dye per 10 grams of the substrate's bondable surface area. In one embodiment, the azo dye can include a fixing agent. Suitable fixing agents include but are not limited to salts, acids or alkalis.

[0097] How to use

[0098] In a preferred embodiment, pH sensitive dye can be used to indicate the positive or negative results of the efficacy of the cleaning composition for the desired application. For example, the pH indicator can change color to indicate that the pH of the cleaning composition is at or below the maximum pH level for a specific antimicrobial activity, such as disinfection or sterilization. By way of example only and not limitation, in the case where the composition provides antimicrobial efficacy at a pH of about 3.2 or lower, an azo dye that exhibits a color change at a pH of about 3.2 can be selected; in this way, if the pH of the composition is 3.2 or lower (that is, effective for its specific application), it will change the color of the dye combined with the substrate, thereby indicating its efficacy; alternatively, if the cleaning composition is higher than 3.2 and is invalid for its expected antimicrobial efficacy, when the composition is contacted with the pH sensitive dye, it will not present a color change.

[0099] In one aspect of the invention, the dye may be combined with the substrate in a pattern to reveal an image that signals a sufficiently low pH for the composition to be effective. In this regard, the color itself is not critical, but rather the pattern or image that is revealed.

[0100] Preferred embodiments include methods of detecting the concentration of a cleaning composition. The method may include contacting the cleaning composition with a pH sensitive indicator and determining whether the concentration of the cleaning composition is effective for a cleaning application by observing whether the pH sensitive indicator exhibits a color change during or after the contacting step.

[0101] Preferred embodiments include methods for cleaning surfaces. The methods may include contacting a cleaning composition with a pH sensitive indicator, and determining whether the concentration of the cleaning composition is effective for cleaning applications by observing whether the pH sensitive indicator exhibits a color change during or after the contact step and applying the cleaning composition to the surface if a color change is exhibited. The cleaning may be disinfecting or sterilizing the surface. If the composition does not affect the color change of the pH indicator, the cleaning composition may be modified by adjusting the pH. The pH may be adjusted by increasing the concentration of active cleaning composition components and / or by adding a pH adjusting agent.

[0102] In a preferred embodiment, the composition reduces the microbial population by at least about 3-log, more preferably by at least about 3.5-log, still more preferably by about 4-log or more, even more preferably by about 4.5-log or more, and most preferably by about 5-log or more. Preferably, the cleaning composition provides these reductions in about 30 minutes or less, about 20 minutes or less, about 15 minutes or less, about 10 minutes or less, about 5 minutes or less, about 4 minutes or less, about 3 minutes or less, about 2 minutes or less, about 90 seconds or less, about 60 seconds or less, or even about 30 seconds or less.

[0103] Cleaning composition

[0104] In a preferred embodiment, cleaning compositions compatible with the pH-sensitive indicator are those that are effective at a pH of about 4.5 or less, more preferably about 4 or less, more preferably about 3.5 or less, still more preferably about 3.2 or less, yet more preferably about 3.0 or less, and even more preferably about 2.8 or less.

[0105] Antimicrobial activity

[0106] Such compositions may comprise peracid compositions, acidic anionic compositions, or combinations or mixtures thereof.In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning composition includes at least one anionic sulfonated or sulfated surfactant.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, the desired concentration for disinfection or sterilization is found to be between about 5 ppm and about 6000 ppm, more preferably between about 15 ppm and about 5000 ppm, and most preferably between about 100 ppm and about 4500 ppm. In such embodiments, the pH is preferably equal to or less than about 3.2, equal to or less than about 3.1, equal to or less than about 3.0, equal to or less than about 2.9, equal to or less than about 2.8.

[0108] Anionic surfactants are surface-active substances classified according to the negative charge on the hydrophile; or surfactants (e.g., carboxylic acids) in which the hydrophilic portion of the molecule does not carry a charge unless the pH is raised to or above the pKa. Carboxylates, sulfonates, sulfates, and phosphates are polar (hydrophilic) solubilizing groups found in anionic surfactants. Of the cations (counterions) associated with these polar groups, sodium, lithium, and potassium confer water solubility; ammonium and substituted ammonium ions provide both water and oil solubility; and calcium, barium, and magnesium promote oil solubility.

[0109] Preferred anionic sulfonated surfactants include alkyl sulfonates, straight and branched primary alkyl sulfonates and secondary alkyl sulfonates and aromatic sulfonates with or without substituents. On the one hand, sulfonates include sulfonated carboxylates. On the one hand, suitable alkyl sulfonate surfactants include C8-C22 alkylbenzene sulfonates or C10-C22 alkyl sulfonates. In exemplary aspects, the anionic alkyl sulfonate surfactant is linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LAS). In a preferred embodiment using LAS as anionic surfactant, the composition is most effective at pH 3.5 or lower. In other embodiments, the anionic sulfonate surfactant can alternatively or additionally include diphenyl oxide sulfonate and / or sulfonated oleic acid.

[0110] The most preferred anionic sulfonated surfactants include, but are not limited to, C8-C22 alkylbenzene sulfonates, sulfonated oleic acid, sulfosuccinates, secondary alkane sulfonates, or mixtures thereof.

[0111] In one embodiment, the antimicrobial multi-purpose composition of the present application may be substantially or completely free of other surfactants, including amphoteric surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants or other anionic surfactants.

[0112] Buffer

[0113] In some embodiments, the composition may optionally include a buffer. In a preferred embodiment, the composition adopts a pH buffer with a pKa between about 2 and about 3. If a buffer is included in the composition, the buffer can be used in any suitable amount to buffer the composition at a desired pH. In a preferred embodiment, the concentrated antimicrobial multi-purpose composition includes a buffer between about 0wt.% and about 20wt.%, more preferably between about 0.01wt.% and about 15wt.%, and most preferably between about 0.01wt.% and about 10wt.%. In a preferred embodiment, the ready-to-use antimicrobial multi-purpose composition includes a buffer between about 0wt.% and about 3wt.%, more preferably between about 0.01wt.% and about 3wt.%, and most preferably between about 0.01wt.% and about 3wt.%. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of the buffer is less than about 0.5wt.%, more preferably less than about 0.1wt.%.

[0114] Preferred buffers include but are not limited to phosphonates, phosphonic acid and / or phosphates. Exemplary buffers include phosphonates and / or heterocyclic dicarboxylic acids, such as pyridinedicarboxylic acid. In certain embodiments, the buffer is a pyridinecarboxylic acid-based stabilizer, such as pyridinecarboxylic acid and salts, pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid and salts, and a phosphonate-based stabilizer, such as phosphoric acid and salts, pyrophosphoric acid and salts, and the most common 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and salts. In other embodiments, the compositions and methods may include two or more buffers, such as HEDP and 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylic acid (DPA). Further, exemplary buffers include but are not limited to triethanolamine, imidazoles, carbonates, phosphates, heterocyclic carboxylic acids, phosphonates, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the composition does not contain a carboxylic acid buffer.

[0115] pH Adjusters

[0116] In certain embodiments, the composition may optionally include one or more pH adjusting agents for adjusting pH and / or neutralizing other ingredients. In a preferred embodiment, an alkaline pH adjusting agent is added as an alkalizing agent. Preferably, an alkaline pH adjusting agent is added to a composition that does not include a chelating agent or includes an unneutralized chelating agent. In a preferred embodiment, an acidic pH adjusting agent is added to a composition that includes a neutralizing chelating agent. In a preferred embodiment, an acidic pH adjusting agent may be added as an acid co-acid for bactericidal applications.

[0117] If the pH regulator is included in the composition, the pH regulator can be in any suitable amount to reach the desired pH. In a preferred embodiment, the concentrated antimicrobial multi-purpose composition includes a pH regulator between about 0 wt.% and about 10 wt.%, more preferably between about 0.01 wt.% and about 8 wt.%, and most preferably between about 0.01 wt.% and about 5 wt.%. In a preferred embodiment, the ready-to-use antimicrobial multi-purpose composition includes a pH regulator between about 0 wt.% and about 10 wt.%, more preferably between about 0.01 wt.% and about 5 wt.%, and most preferably between about 0.01 wt.% and about 3 wt.%.

[0118] Alkaline pH adjuster

[0119] The composition may include one or more alkaline pH adjusting agents for adjusting the composition to a desired pH.

[0120] Suitable alkaline pH regulators include, but are not limited to, one or more organic alkaline pH regulators, one or more inorganic alkaline pH regulators, or combinations thereof. Suitable organic alkaline pH regulators include, but are not limited to, amines and strong nitrogen bases, including, for example, monoethanolamine, monopropanolamine, diethanolamine, dipropanolamine, triethanolamine, tripropanolamine, mixed isopropanolamine, etc., or combinations thereof. Suitable inorganic alkaline pH regulators include, but are not limited to, alkali metal hydroxides (e.g., sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, etc., or combinations thereof), alkali metal carbonates (e.g., sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, potassium sesquicarbonate, etc., or combinations thereof), alkali metal borates (e.g., sodium borate, potassium borate, etc., or combinations thereof), alkali metal oxides (e.g., sodium oxide, potassium oxide, etc., or combinations thereof), etc., or combinations thereof. Examples of one or more alkaline pH regulators include one or more of alkanolamines and / or alkali metal carbonates.

[0121] Many commercially available alkaline pH adjusting agents can be suitable for use in the antimicrobial multi-purpose composition. Commercially available alkaline pH adjusting agents can include amino alcohols including but not limited to primary amino alcohols (e.g., 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol), amino alcohols (e.g., 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol), commercially available alkyl alkanolamines, including but not limited to, monoethanolamine and triethanolamine.

[0122] On the one hand, the alkaline pH regulator can include ethanolamine and / or carbonate. In another preferred aspect, the alkaline pH regulator includes monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol, monoisopropanolamine, diisopropanolamine, 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol (DGA) and / or alkali metal carbonate. In another preferred aspect, the alkaline pH regulator does not include caustic alkali, which includes, for example, any alkali metal hydroxide. In still other preferred aspects, the alkaline pH regulator does not include monoethanolamine, caustic alkali and / or other high alkaline components that need to be classified as hazardous materials, thereby requiring the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) index values ​​when handling antimicrobial multi-purpose compositions. In such preferred aspects, the alkaline pH regulator monoethanolamine, caustic alkali and / or other high alkaline components are included in the concentrated antimicrobial multi-purpose composition with less than about 1wt% per component. In other aspects, this alkaline pH regulator is excluded from the antimicrobial multi-purpose composition.

[0123] Acidic pH Adjuster

[0124] The composition may include an acidic pH adjusting agent. In this regard, the acidic pH adjusting agent may be a combination of a weak acid and a strong acid. The strong acid that may be used is an acid that substantially dissociates the aqueous solution. "Weak" organic and inorganic acids are acids or acid components wherein when the acid is dissolved in water at ambient temperature at a concentration within the range that can be used to form the composition of the present invention, the first dissociation step of the protons from the acid portion is substantially not carried to completion.

[0125] Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that acidic pH modifiers affect lipid envelopes and / or capsids in the same manner. In addition, the acidic pH modifiers disclosed herein help to create a low pH buffer on the surface of the substrate, thereby prolonging the residual antimicrobial and antimicrobial activity of the compositions and products into which they are incorporated.

[0126] Exemplary strong acids suitable for adjusting the pH of the composition include methanesulfonic acid, sulfuric acid, sodium bisulfate, phosphoric acid, phosphonic acid, nitric acid, sulfamic acid, hydrochloric acid, trichloroacetic acid, trifluoroacetic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, glutamic acid, etc.; alkanesulfonic acids, such as methanesulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, linear alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, xylenesulfonic acid, cumenesulfonic acid, etc. In a preferred aspect, the composition comprises a strong acid having a pKa of less than about 2.5 to advantageously provide an acidic use composition having a pH of less than about 4 or preferably less than about 3. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a strong acid in combination with an anionic surfactant, and optionally comprises a weak acid.

[0127] Exemplary weak acids suitable for adjusting the pH of the composition include α-hydroxycarboxylic acids, such as lactic acid, citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, gluconic acid, etc.; carboxylic acids, such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, etc.; other common organic acids, such as ascorbic acid, glutamic acid, levulinic acid, etc., can also be used. In a preferred aspect, the composition comprises a weak acid with a pKa greater than about 2.5 to advantageously provide an acidic use composition with a pH less than about 4 or preferably less than about 3. In one embodiment, the composition comprises a weak acid in combination with an anionic surfactant, and optionally a strong acid. In a preferred embodiment, the composition does not contain monocarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acids, or both monocarboxylic acids and dicarboxylic acids.

[0128] In a preferred embodiment, the composition may contain less than 0.5 wt.%, preferably less than about 0.1 wt.%, more preferably less than about 0.01 wt.% of carboxylic acid, strong acid, weak acid, peracid or mixtures thereof, and most preferably contains no carboxylic acid, strong acid, weak acid, peracid or mixtures thereof.

[0129] Solvents

[0130] In certain embodiments, the composition may include an organic solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the concentrated antimicrobial multi-purpose composition includes a solvent between about 1wt.% and about 30wt.%, more preferably between about 2wt.% and about 20wt.%, and most preferably between about 5wt.% and about 10wt.%. In a preferred embodiment, the ready-to-use antimicrobial multi-purpose composition includes a solvent between about 0.01wt.% and about 2wt.%, more preferably between about 0.05wt.% and about 1.5wt.%, and most preferably between about 0.1wt.% and about 1wt.%.

[0131] In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is a hydrophobic oxygenated solvent. Exemplary solvents and solvent systems include limited water soluble alcohols. In one aspect, benzyl alcohol solvents and / or solvent systems are employed. In other aspects, phenoxyethanol solvents and / or solvent systems are employed. Without being limited by a particular mechanism of action, in some embodiments, the solvent provides a limited water soluble alcohol that provides hydrophobicity that increases affinity for greasy soils and acts as a plasticizer. In one embodiment, the solubility of the solvent in water is preferably less than 15% water soluble, more preferably less than 8% water soluble, and most preferably less than 5% water soluble. In a preferred embodiment, the composition contains only solvents with limited water solubility. In a preferred embodiment, the composition may include a solvent with limited water solubility and also a co-solvent with slightly higher water solubility.

[0132] Additional suitable solvents and solvent systems may include one or more different solvents including aromatic alcohols, ether amines, amidines, esters, glycol ethers, and mixtures thereof. Representative glycol ether solvents may include aromatic glycol ether solvents such as ethylene glycol phenyl ether (commercially available from Dow as Dowanol Eph) or diethylene glycol phenyl ether (commercially available as Dowanol DiEPh).

[0133] Other suitable solvents may include 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene, which may also be referred to as 2,3,4,6,7,8,9,10-octahydropyrimido[1,2-a]azepine (or DBU), 2.5.7.10-tetraoxaundecane (TOU), acetaminophen, acetanilide, acetophenone, 2-acetyl-1-methylpyrrole, vinylhexylglycerol, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, methylbenzyl alcohol, α-phenylene glycol, Ethanol, benzyl benzoate, benzyloxyethanol, ethylene glycol phenyl ether, propylene glycol, propylene glycol phenyl ether, amyl acetate, amyl alcohol, 3-butoxyethyl-2-propanol, butyl acetate, butyl propionate, cyclohexanone, diacetone alcohol, diethoxyethanol, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diisobutyl methanol, diisobutyl ketone, dimethyl heptanol, dipropylene glycol tert-butyl ether, 2-ethylhexanol, ethyl propionate, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, hexanol, isobutyl alcohol, isobutyl acetate, isobutyl heptanone, isophorone, Isopropyl alcohol, isopropyl acetate, methanol, methyl amyl alcohol, methyl n-amyl ketone, 2-methyl-1-butanol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, 1-pentanol, amyl propionate, 1-propanol, n-propyl acetate, n-propyl propionate, propylene glycol ethyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether acetate, ethyl Diol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, 3-ethoxypropionic acid ethyl ester, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate, diethylene glycol monohexyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether and propylene glycol monopropyl ether. Representative dialkyl carbonates include dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, diisopropyl carbonate and dibutyl carbonate. Representative oils include benzaldehyde, pinene (α, β etc.), terpineol, terpinene, carvone, cinnamaldehyde (cinnamealdehyde), borneol and its ester, citral, ionene, jasmine oil, limonene, dipentene, linalool and its ester.Representative dibasic esters include dimethyl adipate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl malonate, diethyl adipate, diethyl succinate, diethyl glutarate, dibutyl succinate, dibutyl glutarate and the product that can be obtained from the trade name DBE, DBE-3, DBE-4, DBE-5, DBE-6, DBE-9, DBE-IB and DBE-ME of DuPont Nylon Company (DuPont Nylon).Representative phthalates include dibutyl phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate. Additional solvents include glycerol and glycerol monoalkyl ethers such as monoheptylglycerol and 1,2 alkanediols such as 1,2 octanediol.

[0134] In a preferred embodiment, the solvent is benzyl alcohol and / or one or more solvents from the Dowanol E series and / or the Dowanol P series.

[0135] Cleaning methods

[0136] When used at an appropriate concentration, which can be indicated by pH, the cleaning composition provides antimicrobial efficacy when in contact with a microbial population. The composition is effective in removing dirt from a surface. Thus, the composition can be used to clean surfaces that are soiled and / or have a microbial population.

[0137] For antimicrobial, antiviral, sterilization and inactivation of virus use methods include a contact step, wherein the antimicrobial multi-purpose composition disclosed herein is applied to the surface to be treated. In one embodiment, the contact may involve contacting the antimicrobial multi-purpose composition with food contact and / or non-food contact hard surface. Such surfaces may further include instruments, such as medical devices. The surface may also include surfaces cleaned in the third sink disinfection, including various utensils. In still other aspects, the composition may be contacted with a CIP (cleaning in place) application. In still other aspects, contacting the composition may allow the composition to be contacted with a warewashing machine, such as a warewashing application. Such surfaces may include soft surfaces, utensils and / or hard surfaces. Preferred surfaces may include one or more of the following: bathtubs, carpets, containers, counters, curtains, doors, door handles, drains, fabrics, floors, liquid tanks, hospital partitions, mirrors, monitors, pipes, rails, showers, sinks, textiles, thermostats, touch screens, interior decoration, walls, windows, woven surfaces and non-woven surfaces.

[0138] The various surfaces to which the composition can be applied can include any conventional application method. Suitable application can include, for example, by wiping, spraying, pouring, wiping, dipping, immersion, etc. The contact step allows the composition to contact the surface for a predetermined amount of time. The amount of time can be enough to allow for a few seconds to an hour, about 30 seconds to about 15 minutes, or any range therebetween. The method can include a single step of applying the composition on the surface without direct physical removal, such as a flushing step. In one embodiment, the composition can be on a wipe so that the wipe can be applied to the surface.

[0139] In some aspects, the method may further comprise a pre-cleaning step such as applying, wiping and / or rinsing the antimicrobial multi-purpose composition, and then applying the composition. The composition and methods of using the same may comprise treating a cleaned or soiled surface.

[0140] All publications and patent applications in this specification are indicative of the levels of ordinary technicians in the field to which the invention belongs. All publications and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference into this article to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

[0141] Examples

[0142] It should be understood that although these examples indicate certain embodiments of the present invention, they are given only by way of illustration and are non-restrictive. From the above discussion and these embodiments, those skilled in the art can confirm the basic characteristics of the present invention, and without departing from its spirit and scope, various changes and modifications of the embodiments of the present invention can be made to adapt it to various uses and conditions. Therefore, in addition to the contents illustrated and described herein, based on the foregoing description, various modifications of the embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0143] The materials used in this example include the following:

[0144] Polystyrene resin beads functionalized with chlorine: An exemplary substrate commercially available from various sources.

[0145] Sodium Chloride: An ionic salt commercially available from a variety of sources.

[0146] Sodium carbonate: A source of alkalinity commercially available from a variety of sources.

[0147] Sodium Hydroxide: A source of alkalinity commercially available from a variety of sources.

[0148] Reactive Orange 16 dye: An anionic dye belonging to the azo dye category.

[0149] Congo Red Dye: Anionic diazo dye based on benzidine.

[0150] m-cresol violet dye: triarylmethane dye.

[0151] Example 1

[0152] Cellulose sponges were tested with reactive dyes to determine if they could detect changes in pH levels within a cellulose substrate. Cellulose sponges contain a highly alkaline center compared to the less alkaline surrounding areas of the sponge. Cellulose sponges were saturated with reactive orange 16 dye to test their pH indicator capabilities. The results are shown in Fig.24 middle.

[0153] like Fig.24As shown, the reactive orange 16 dye was successful in detecting pH changes on the cellulose sponge substrate. The high alkalinity areas resulted in significantly darker shades compared to the surrounding areas with lower pH, indicating that the reactive dye was effective in providing a visual indication of pH changes on the cellulose substrate.

[0154] Example 2

[0155] The reactive dyes were further tested with substrates such as functionalized porous beads to determine if the dyes were effective in visually detecting changes in pH. Functionalized porous beads were prepared in test tubes at various pH levels as shown in Table 1. Congo red dye was then added to each test tube. The results are shown in Fig.25 middle.

[0156] Table 1

[0157]

[0158] like Fig.25 As shown, Congo red dye was successfully bound to the functionalized porous beads, resulting in a gradual color change with increasing pH. The color of the functionalized porous beads gradually darkened in color as the pH increased. These results indicate that reactive dyes are effective in binding to functionalized porous beads to provide a visual change in color based on pH levels.

[0159] Example 3

[0160] The compatibility of reactive dyes for use with coatings was further evaluated when the coating substrate surface was envisioned. To test compatibility with various coatings, water-based and oil-based coating samples were used. Three coating samples were combined with meta-cresol violet dye, and another three coating samples were combined with reactive orange 16. Each coating sample was applied with various dyes to determine whether the dyes were compatible.

[0161] The results are shown in Fig.26 The paint samples marked 1 and 2 are water-based paints, while the paint sample marked 3 is an oil-based sample. Fig.26 As shown, the dye applied to the water-based paint produced a different color, indicating that the dye dissolved and is therefore not compatible with the water-based paint. On the other hand, the dye applied to the oil-based paint did not produce a color change, indicating that the dye did not dissolve and is therefore compatible with the oil-based paint. The "colorless" droplet is pH 7, and the top droplet and the darker droplet at the bottom are pH 13.

[0162] The data in the foregoing examples demonstrate the suitability of pH-sensitive dyes to indicate the desired pH level (and thus concentration) of a composition when applied to a substrate that can be used to provide a real-time, at-a-glance indication of the efficacy of a cleaning composition.

[0163] Having thus described the invention, it will be apparent that it may be varied in many ways. Such variations will not be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. The above description provides a description of the manufacture and use of the disclosed compositions and methods. Unless otherwise indicated, the features shown or described are not essential to allow the basic operation of the invention. Since many embodiments may be performed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention belongs to the claims.

[0164] Having thus described the invention, it will be apparent that it may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be considered as departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims. The above description provides a description of the manufacture and use of the disclosed compositions and methods. Since many embodiments may be performed without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention belongs to the claims.

[0165] The features disclosed in the preceding description or in the attached claims or in the drawings, in their specific forms or in terms of means for performing the disclosed functions, or methods or processes for obtaining the disclosed results, may be used alone or in any combination of such features, as the case may be, to realize the invention in its different forms.

[0166] Reference numerals list

[0167] The following reference numerals and descriptors are not exhaustive or limiting and include reasonable equivalents. If possible, the elements identified by the following reference numerals and / or those elements that are almost ubiquitous in the art can replace or supplement any element identified by another reference numeral.

[0168] 100 Containers

[0169] 102 Base

[0170] 104 Sidewall

[0171] 106 upper edge

[0172] 108 Window

[0173] 110 external pockets

[0174] 112 pH Bars

[0175] 114 Holding Arm

[0176] 116 Upper holder

[0177] 118 Rivet

[0178] 120 Intermediate support member

[0179] 122 Ear

[0180] 123 Orifice

[0181] 124 Carrying ring

[0182] 126 First end of the lifting ring

[0183] 128 Second end of the lifting ring

[0184] 130 Column at the first end

[0185] 132 Column at the second end

[0186] 134 Product source identifier

[0187] 136 Liquid volume indicator

[0188] 138 Socket with instructions

[0189] 140 Legend

[0190] 142 General hazard symbols

[0191] This application can be implemented by:

[0192] Embodiment 1. A pH-sensitive indicator comprising:

[0193] An azo dye and a substrate, wherein the azo dye is bonded to or coated on the substrate, wherein the azo dye exhibits a color change at a pH of about 4.5 or less.

[0194] Embodiment 2. The pH-sensitive indicator according to embodiment 1, wherein the azo dye comprises one or more of the following diazenyl functional groups:

[0195]

[0196] wherein R is an aryl or alkyl group having from 2 to 20 carbons, and wherein R' is an aryl or alkyl group having from 2 to 20 carbons.

[0197] Embodiment 3. A pH-sensitive indicator according to any one of embodiments 1 or 2, wherein the azo dye is allura red AC, azo violet, basic red 18, bromothymol blue, Congo red, direct blue 1, direct brown 78, m-cresol violet, methyl orange, methyl red, para red, phenol red, reactive orange 16, tartrazine, thymol blue, xylenol blue, xylenol orange or a combination thereof.

[0198] Embodiment 4. The pH-sensitive indicator according to any one of Embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the substrate is a plastic, metal, textile or cellulose-based substrate.

[0199] Embodiment 5. The pH-sensitive indicator of any one of Embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the substrate comprises a pail, bucket, spray bottle, sprayer, trigger sprayer, sink, coating, sponge, mop, rag, towel, sticker, paint, paper, pad, and / or window.

[0200] Embodiment 6. The pH-sensitive indicator of any one of Embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the substrate is a pail, bucket, spray bottle, or sink, and wherein the substrate comprises a window.

[0201] Embodiment 7. The pH-sensitive indicator according to embodiment 6, wherein the substrate is a cellulose-based substrate and is adhered to a plastic surface, a composite surface, a glass surface, a metal surface, or a combination thereof.

[0202] Embodiment 8. A method for detecting the concentration of a cleaning composition, the method comprising:

[0203] contacting a cleaning composition with a pH-sensitive indicator, wherein the pH-sensitive indicator comprises an azo dye and a substrate, wherein the azo dye is bound to or coated on the substrate, wherein the azo dye exhibits a color change at a pH of about 4.5 or less, wherein the substrate is a plastic, metal, textile, or cellulose-based substrate;

[0204] Whether the concentration of the cleaning composition is effective for a cleaning application is determined by observing whether the pH-sensitive indicator exhibits a color change during or after the contacting step.

[0205] Embodiment 9. The method of embodiment 8, wherein the azo dye comprises one or more of the following diazene functional groups:

[0206]

[0207] wherein R is an aryl or alkyl group having from 2 to 20 carbons, and wherein R' is an aryl or alkyl group having from 2 to 20 carbons.

[0208] Embodiment 10. The method according to any one of embodiments 8 to 9, wherein the azo dye is allura red AC, azo violet, basic red 18, bromothymol blue, Congo red, direct blue 1, direct brown 78, m-cresol violet, methyl orange, methyl red, para red, phenol red, reactive orange 16, tartrazine, thymol blue, xylenol blue, xylenol orange, or a combination thereof.

[0209] Embodiment 11. The method of any one of Embodiments 8 to 10, wherein the substrate comprises a pail, bucket, spray bottle, sprayer, trigger sprayer, sink, coating, sponge, mop, rag, towel, sticker, paint, paper, pad, float, disk or plate, and / or window.

[0210] Embodiment 12. The method of any one of Embodiments 8 to 11, wherein the substrate is a pail, bucket, spray bottle, or sink, and wherein the substrate comprises a window.

[0211] Embodiment 13. The method of embodiment 12, wherein the substrate is a cellulose-based substrate and is adhered to a plastic surface, a composite surface, a glass surface, a metal surface, or a combination thereof.

[0212] Embodiment 14. A method of cleaning a surface, the method comprising:

[0213] contacting a cleaning composition with a pH-sensitive indicator, wherein the pH-sensitive indicator comprises an azo dye and a substrate, wherein the azo dye is bound to or coated on the substrate, wherein the azo dye exhibits a color change at a pH of about 4.5 or less, and wherein the substrate is a plastic, metal, textile, or cellulose-based substrate;

[0214] determining whether the pH of the cleaning composition is sufficiently low by observing whether the pH-sensitive indicator exhibits a color change during or after the contacting step; and

[0215] If a color change is exhibited, the cleaning composition is applied to the surface.

[0216] Embodiment 15. The method of embodiment 14, wherein the azo dye comprises one or more of the following diazene functional groups:

[0217]

[0218] wherein R is an aryl or alkyl group having from 2 to 20 carbons, and wherein R' is an aryl or alkyl group having from 2 to 20 carbons.

[0219] Embodiment 16. The method according to any one of embodiments 14 to 15, wherein the azo dye is allura red AC, azo violet, basic red 18, bromothymol blue, Congo red, direct blue 1, direct brown 78, m-cresol violet, methyl orange, methyl red, para red, phenol red, reactive orange 16, tartrazine, thymol blue, xylenol blue, xylenol orange, or a combination thereof.

[0220] Embodiment 17. The method of any one of Embodiments 14 to 16, wherein the contacting is performed by wiping, spraying, pouring, swabbing, or a combination thereof.

[0221] Embodiment 18. The method of any one of Embodiments 14 to 17, wherein the surface is a bathtub, carpet, container, counter, curtain, door, door handle, drain, fabric, floor, liquid tank, hospital partition, mirror, monitor, pipe, rail, shower, sink, textile, thermostat, touch screen, upholstery, wall, window, woven surface and non-woven surface or a combination thereof.

[0222] Embodiment 19. The method of any one of Embodiments 14 to 18, wherein the substrate comprises a pail, bucket, spray bottle, sprayer, trigger sprayer, sink, coating, sponge, mop, rag, towel, sticker, paint, paper, pad, float, disk or plate, and / or window.

[0223] Embodiment 20. The method of any one of Embodiments 14 to 19, wherein the composition is in contact with the surface for at least 60 seconds, and wherein the composition reduces the microbial population by at least about 3-log.

[0224] Embodiment 21. A container (100), comprising:

[0225] A base (102), an upper edge (106), and at least one upstanding side wall (104) located between the base and the upper edge;

[0226] a flexible retaining arm (114) attached to the at least one upstanding side wall (104) and / or the upper edge (106), the flexible retaining arm (114) being configured to secure a pH sensitive indicator (112); and

[0227] At least one transparent surface (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) through which the pH sensitive indicator (112) is observable from a location external to the container (100).

[0228] Embodiment 22. The container (100) of Embodiment 21, further comprising a lifting ring (124) operatively attached to the upper edge (106).

[0229] Embodiment 23. The container (100) of Embodiment 22, wherein the lifting ring (124) is attached to the upper edge (104) by (a) an aperture (123) positioned at a periphery of the upper edge (124).

[0230] Embodiment 24. A container (100) according to any one of Embodiments 22 to 25, wherein the lifting ring (124) includes a column (130, 132) located at the distal end (126, 138) of the lifting ring (124), and the orifice (123) is configured to receive the column (130, 132).

[0231] Embodiment 25. The container (100) of any one of Embodiments 23 to 24, wherein the orifice (123) is centrally located within the ear (122) and reinforced by the ear.

[0232] Embodiment 26. A container (100) according to any one of Embodiments 22 to 25, wherein the container (100) is reinforced by an intermediate support member (120), which extends from the side wall (104) to the upper edge (106), adjacent to the position where the lifting ring (124) is operatively attached to the upper edge (106).

[0233] Embodiment 27. A container (100) according to any one of Embodiments 21 to 26, further comprising an additional flexible retaining arm (114) and an upper retainer (116), wherein the additional flexible retaining arm is positioned in parallel with the flexible retaining arm (114), and the upper retainer is centrally positioned above the flexible retaining arm (114) to further secure the pH-sensitive indicator (112).

[0234] Embodiment 28. A container (100) according to Embodiment 27, wherein the upper retainer (114) and the flexible retaining arm (112) are integrally formed from a single thermoplastic piece fastened to the upper edge (106) and / or the at least one side wall (104).

[0235] Embodiment 29. A container (100) according to any one of Embodiments 21 to 28, wherein the flexible retaining arm (114) includes an outward bias relative to the container (100) so that when the pH-sensitive indicator (112) is inserted between the flexible retaining arm (114) and the at least one side wall (104), the pH-sensitive indicator (112) is pressed upward against the at least one side wall (104).

[0236] Embodiment 30. The container (100) of any one of Embodiments 21 to 29, wherein the at least one transparent surface (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) comprises a window (108) positioned within at least one side wall (104).

[0237] Embodiment 31. The container (100) of Embodiment 30, wherein the window (108) substantially matches the shape of the pH-sensitive indicator (112).

[0238] Embodiment 32. The container (100) of any one of Embodiments 21 to 31, wherein the at least one transparent surface (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) comprises a bag (110) configured to store one or more spare pH-sensitive indicators (112).

[0239] Embodiment 33. The container (100) of Embodiment 32, wherein the bag (110) is positioned externally on the at least one side wall (104).

[0240] Embodiment 34. The container (100) of any one of Embodiments 30 to 33, wherein the depth of the bag (110) is at least five times the thickness of the pH-sensitive indicator (112).

[0241] Embodiment 35. A container (100) according to any one of Embodiments 21 to 34, further comprising a product source identifier (134), a liquid volume indicator (136), instructions (138), a legend (140) and / or a universal hazard symbol (142) embossed (raised), stamped, labeled, etched, written, marked, painted and / or applied to and / or in the surface of the container (100).

[0242] Embodiment 36. The container (100) of any one of Embodiments 21 to 35, further comprising a slidable connection operatively established between the pH-sensitive indicator (112) and the at least one sidewall (104).

[0243] Embodiment 37. A container (100) according to any one of Embodiments 21 to 36, further comprising a slidable connection operatively established between (a) the retaining arm (114) and / or (b) the upper retainer (116) and the at least one side wall (104).

[0244] Embodiment 38. The container (100) according to any one of Embodiments 21 to 37, wherein the pH indicator comprises an azo dye.

[0245] Embodiment 39. The container (100) of Embodiment 38, wherein the azo dye is bonded to or coated on a cellulose-based substrate.

Claims

1. A container (100), comprising: A base (102), an upper edge (106), and at least one upstanding side wall (104) located between the base and the upper edge; a transparent surface (108) on the at least one upstanding sidewall (104); and a pair of flexible retaining arms (114) located inside the container (100), visible from outside the container (100) through the transparent surface (108) and attached to the at least one upstanding side wall (104) and / or the upper edge (106); wherein the pair of flexible retaining arms (114) can retain the pH sensitive indicator against the transparent surface (108); When the pair of flexible retaining arms (114) retains the pH sensitive indicator against the transparent surface (108), the pH sensitive indicator can be observed through the transparent surface (108) from outside the container (100) for evaluating the concentration of a cleaning composition that can be placed in the container (100).

2. The container (100) of claim 1, further comprising a lifting loop (124) operatively attached to the upper edge (106).

3. The container (100) of claim 2, wherein the lifting ring (124) is attached to the upper edge (106) by (a) an aperture (123) positioned at a periphery of the upper edge (106).

4. The container (100) of claim 3, wherein the bail (124) includes a post (130, 132) at an end (126, 128) of the bail (124), and the aperture (123) is configured to receive the post (130, 132).

5. The container (100) of claim 3, wherein the aperture (123) is centrally located within the ear (122) and reinforced by the ear.

6. A container (100) according to claim 3, wherein the container (100) is reinforced by an intermediate support member (120), which extends from the side wall (104) to the upper edge (106), adjacent to the position where the lifting ring (124) is operatively attached to the upper edge (106).

7. The container (100) according to claim 3 further includes an upper retainer (116), which is centrally positioned above the pair of flexible retaining arms (114) for further securing the pH-sensitive indicator when the pH-sensitive indicator is positioned against the transparent surface (108).

8. The container (100) according to claim 7, wherein the upper retainer (116) and the flexible retaining arm (114) are integrally formed from a single thermoplastic piece fastened to the upper edge (106) and / or the at least one side wall (104).

9. The container (100) of claim 1, wherein the flexible retaining arms (114) include an outward bias relative to the container (100) so as to hold the pH-sensitive indicator against the transparent surface (108) when the pH-sensitive indicator is inserted between the flexible retaining arms (114).

10. The container (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one transparent surface (108) comprises a window (108).

11. The container (100) of claim 10, wherein the window (108) matches the shape of the pH sensitive indicator.

12. The container (100) of claim 1, wherein the at least one upstanding sidewall (104) includes a pocket (110) configured to store one or more spare pH-sensitive indicators.

13. The container (100) of claim 12, wherein the bag (110) is positioned externally on the at least one side wall (104).

14. The container (100) of claim 12, wherein the depth of the pocket (110) is at least five times the thickness of the pH sensitive indicator.

15. The container (100) of claim 1 further comprising a product source identifier (134), a liquid volume indicator (136), instructions, legend (140) and / or a universal hazard symbol (142) embossed, stamped, labeled, etched, written, marked, painted and / or applied into the container (100) and / or onto the surface of the container (100).

16. The container (100) of claim 1, wherein when the pH-sensitive indicator is positioned against the transparent surface (108), the pH-sensitive indicator is positioned via a slidable connection operatively established between the pH-sensitive indicator and the at least one side wall (104).

17. A container (100) according to claim 1, wherein when the pH-sensitive indicator is positioned against the transparent surface (108), the pH-sensitive indicator is positioned via a slidable connection operatively established between (a) the retaining arm (114) and / or (b) the upper retainer (116) and the at least one side wall (104).

18. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein the container (100) is manufactured via injection molding.

19. The container (100) of claim 18, wherein the container (100) is constructed of thermoplastic and the transparent surface (108) comprises any one of glass, fiberglass, polycarbonate, or a combination thereof.

20. The container (100) of claim 19, wherein the container (100) comprises polypropylene.

21. The container (100) according to claim 1, wherein the container (100) comprises a pH indicator.

22. The container (100) of claim 21, wherein the pH-sensitive indicator comprises a dye bonded to or coated on a cellulose-based substrate; wherein the dye exhibits a color change at a pH of 4.5 or less.

23. The container (100) of claim 22, wherein the dye is an azo dye, bromothymol blue, thymol blue, m-cresol violet, phenol red, xylenol blue, xylenol orange, or a combination thereof.

24. The container (100) of claim 22, wherein the pH indicator comprises an azo dye.

25. The container (100) of claim 24, wherein the azo dye comprises one or more of the diazene functional groups: wherein R is an aryl or alkyl group having from 2 to 20 carbons, and wherein R' is an aryl or alkyl group having from 2 to 20 carbons.

26. The container (100) of claim 22, wherein the dye is Congo Red, Reactive Orange 16, or a combination thereof.

27. The container (100) of claim 22, wherein the dye is Allura Red AC, Azo Violet, Basic Red 18, Direct Blue 1, Direct Brown 78, Methyl Orange, Methyl Red, Para Red, Tartrazine, or a combination thereof.

28. The container (100) of claim 22, wherein the dye is m-cresyl violet.

29. The container (100) of claim 22, wherein the dye is bromothymol blue, thymol blue, phenol red, xylenol blue, xylenol orange, or a combination thereof.

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