Multi-purpose liquid rinse aid

Abstract

Multi-purpose rinse aid compositions and methods of using the same are disclosed. The compositions contain scale inhibiting organophosphonates, polycarboxylates or polycarboxylic acids, or salts thereof, formulated with water soluble assistants and surfactants, which provide enhanced anti-scale performance compared to conventional chelating agents and threshold inhibitors for rinse aid compositions.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to multi-purpose rinse aid compositions and methods of using the same. The compositions contain scale inhibiting organic phosphonates, polycarboxylates or polycarboxylic acids or salts thereof formulated with a hydrotrope and a surfactant to provide enhanced anti-scaling performance compared to conventional chelating agents and threshold inhibitors used in rinse aid compositions. Background Art

[0002] The development of higher concentration liquid rinse aid compositions that provide the desired drying and flaking properties while also improving anti-fouling performance remains an unmet commercial need. Concentrated liquid compositions that provide better drying and flaking performance at lower dosages are also desirable from a consumer cost perspective. However, improvements in anti-fouling performance remain a key need.

[0003] Scaling causes significant interruptions to the cleaning process. Especially in areas with high water hardness, scaling problems can present significant challenges. For example, a descaling step, such as an acid wash, may sometimes be necessary. A reduction in the frequency of descaling will save labor time and costs, freight and energy.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide rinse aid compositions that provide desirable drying and flaking properties while also improving anti-scaling performance.

[0005] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a rinse aid composition that can cause soil accumulation to occur more slowly, thereby requiring fewer descaling interventions (or eliminating the need).

[0006] It is yet another object of the present disclosure to formulate rinse aid compositions that provide improved consumer acceptance upon use.

[0007] Other objects, embodiments and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following disclosure, drawings and appended claims. Summary of the invention

[0008] The following objects, features, advantages, aspects and / or embodiments are not exhaustive and do not limit the entire disclosure. No single embodiment is required to provide each and every object, feature or advantage. Any of the objects, features, advantages, aspects and / or embodiments disclosed herein may be integrated with each other in whole or in part.

[0009] The primary object, features and / or advantages of the present disclosure are to improve or overcome deficiencies in the prior art and commercial products, including providing an enhanced multi-purpose rinse aid composition having enhanced anti-scaling performance compared to conventional chelating agents and threshold inhibitors used in rinse aid compositions.

[0010] According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a multi-purpose liquid rinse aid composition comprises: a scale-inhibiting organic phosphonate having one of the following structures:

[0011]

[0012] in:

[0013] Y is or its salts;

[0014] Y' does not exist, or its salts;

[0015] X is N, O or OH;

[0016] R 1 and R 2 are independently a linear or branched C1-C10 alkyl group;

[0017] R 3 -N(Y) 2 ;and

[0018] n is 1-20;

[0019] Optional additional antiscalant comprising polycarboxylate, polycarboxylic acid or

[0020] Salts thereof; nonionic surfactant; hydrotrope; and water.

[0021] According to some additional aspects of the present disclosure, a method of using a rinse aid composition comprises: providing a liquid rinse aid composition as described herein; contacting the rinse aid composition with water to form a use solution; and contacting the use solution with a surface that requires rinsing and drying. The composition provides anti-scaling efficacy as well as drying and flaking performance.

[0022] These and / or other objects, features, advantages, aspects and / or embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the following brief and detailed description of the accompanying drawings. In addition, the present disclosure encompasses aspects and / or embodiments that are not explicitly disclosed but can be understood by reading the present disclosure, including at least: (a) combinations of disclosed aspects and / or embodiments and / or (b) reasonable modifications not shown or described.

[0023] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments.Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] FIG. 1 shows a photograph of a glass treated with a rinse aid composition as described in Example 1.

[0025] Figure 2 A graph depicting the % scale inhibition of the liquid rinse aid compositions evaluated as described herein and in Example 2 is shown.

[0026] Figure 3 Shown is an interval graph of drying times for formulations of surfactant packages and liquid rinse aid compositions evaluated as described herein and in Example 3.

[0027] Various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same reference numerals represent the same parts throughout several views. Reference to the various embodiments does not limit the scope of the present disclosure. The drawings represented herein do not limit the various embodiments according to the present disclosure, but are presented for exemplary purposes of the present disclosure. One of ordinary skill in the art does not need to observe an almost unlimited number of different arrangements of the features described in the following detailed description in one or more independent drawings to facilitate understanding of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The present disclosure is not limited to what is described herein, which may vary and be understood by those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise indicated, the features shown or described are not essential to allow the basic operation of the present disclosure. It was surprisingly found that the multi-purpose rinse aid composition described has enhanced anti-scaling performance compared to traditional chelating agents and threshold inhibitors used in rinse aid compositions.

[0029] It should also 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, the singular forms "a", "an", and "the" as used in this specification and the appended claims 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.

[0030] Numerical ranges listed in the specification include the numbers defining the ranges, and include each integer within the defined ranges. In the present disclosure, various aspects of the present disclosure may be presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description using the range format is only for convenience and brevity, and should not be interpreted as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the description of the range should be considered to have clearly disclosed all possible sub-ranges, fractions, and individual numerical values ​​within the range. For example, the description of a range such as from 1 to 6 should be considered to have clearly 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., and individual numbers within the range, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, and decimals and fractions, for example, 1.2, 3.8, 11 / 2, and 43 / 4. This applies regardless of the width of the range.

[0031] As used herein, the term "and / or", e.g., "X and / or Y" should be understood to mean "X and Y" or "X or Y", and should be understood to provide clear support for both meanings or either meaning, e.g., A and / or B includes options i) A, ii) B, or iii) A and B.

[0032] It should be understood that, for clarity, certain features described herein in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment for brevity may also be provided individually or in any sub-combination.

[0033] The methods and compositions of the present disclosure may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components and ingredients of the present disclosure 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.

[0034] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0035] The term "invention" or "present invention" is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of a particular invention, but rather encompasses all possible embodiments as described in the specification and claims.

[0036] As used herein, the term "about" refers to the variation in numerical quantity that may occur, for example, by typical measuring techniques and equipment with respect to any quantifiable variable, including but not limited to mass, volume, time, temperature, pH, etc. In addition, with solid and liquid handling procedures used in the real world, there are certain unintentional errors and variations that 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 equivalents to this quantity.

[0037] The terms "actives" or "active percentage" or "active percentage by weight" or "active concentration" are used interchangeably herein and refer to the concentration of those ingredients that participate in cleaning, expressed as a percentage minus inert ingredients such as water or salt. The percentages are also sometimes indicated by a percentage in parentheses, such as "chemical (10%)".

[0038] 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" groups) (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 alkyl groups (e.g., alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups and cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl groups).

[0039] Unless otherwise specified, the term "alkyl" includes both "unsubstituted alkyl" and "substituted alkyl." As used herein, the term "substituted alkyl" refers to alkyl groups in which substituents replace 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.

[0040] In some embodiments, substituted alkyl may include heterocyclic groups. As used herein, the term "heterocyclic group" includes a closed ring structure similar to a carbocyclic group 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), thiirane (epoxysulfide), dioxirane, azetidine, oxetane, thiamine, dioxetane, dithiamine, dithiamine, aziridine, pyrrolidine, pyrroline, oxolan, dihydrofuran and furan.

[0041] The term "configured" describes a structure that is capable of performing a task or adopting a specific configuration. The term "configured" can be used interchangeably with other similar phrases such as constructed, arranged, adapted, manufactured, etc.

[0042] Terms characterizing sequential order, position and / or orientation are not limiting and are referred to merely in terms of the views presented.

[0043] As used herein, the term "exemplary" means an example, instance, or illustration, and does not indicate the most preferred embodiment unless otherwise indicated.

[0044] 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), surfaces of food processing utensils (e.g., utensils, cutlery, washware, and barglasses), and surfaces of floors, walls, or fixtures of structures where food processing occurs. Food processing surfaces are found and used in food preservative air circulation systems, aseptic packaging sanitizers, food refrigeration and cooler cleaners and sanitizers, warewashing sanitizers, blancher cleaning and sanitizers, food packaging materials, cutting board additives, third sink sanitizers, beverage coolers and warmers, meat cooling or scalding water, automatic dishware sanitizers, sanitizing gels, cooling towers, food processing antimicrobial clothing sprays, and non-aqueous to low-aqueous food preparation lubricants, oils, and rinse additives.

[0045] As used herein, the term "free of" means that the composition is completely lacking the component or has a small amount of the component, and 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 about 0.1% by weight, and in yet another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than about 0.01% by weight or 0% by weight.

[0046] The term "substantially" encompasses both "about" and "substantially".

[0047] 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, tableware, mirrors, windows, monitors, touch screens, and thermostats. Hard surfaces are not limited by material; for example, hard surfaces can be glass, metal, tile, vinyl records, linoleum, composites, wood, plastic, etc. Hard surfaces can include, for example, healthcare surfaces and food processing surfaces.

[0048] As used herein, the term "instrument" refers to various medical or dental instruments or devices that can benefit from cleaning with the compositions as described herein. As used herein, the phrases "medical instrument", "dental instrument", "medical device", "dental device", "medical equipment", "dental equipment" refer to instruments, devices, tools, appliances, utensils and equipment used in medicine or dentistry. Such instruments, devices and equipment can be cold sterilized, soaked or washed and then heat sterilized, or otherwise benefit from cleaning in the compositions of the present disclosure. 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, carriers, clips, 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, the like, or any combination thereof.

[0049] As used herein, the term "polymer" refers to a molecular complex composed of more than ten monomer units, and generally includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as, for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers and higher "x" polymers, further including their analogs, derivatives, combinations and blends. In addition, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term "polymer" shall include all possible isomeric configurations of the molecule, including, but not limited to, isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries, and combinations thereof. In addition, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term "polymer" will include all possible geometric configurations of the molecule.

[0050] As used herein, the term "soil" or "stain" refers to any soil, 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.

[0051] The "scope" of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims and the full scope of equivalent rights to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the present disclosure is further defined to include any possible modifications to any aspect and / or embodiment disclosed herein that would result in other embodiments, combinations, sub-combinations, or the like that would be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0052] The term "substantially" refers to a large or significant degree. Thus, "substantially" may refer to a plurality, a majority, and / or an overwhelming majority of the quantifiable variables described, considering the appropriate context.

[0053] 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 about 0.5% by weight.

[0054] The term "surfactant" or "surfactant" refers to an organic chemical that, when added to a liquid, changes the properties of the liquid at the surface.

[0055] As used herein, the term "ware" refers to items such as eating and cooking utensils, tableware, and other hard surfaces, such as showers, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, countertops, windows, mirrors, transportation vehicles, and floors. As used herein, the term "warewashing" refers to washing, cleaning, or rinsing utensils. Utensils also refer to items made of plastic. The types of plastics that can be cleaned with the composition include, but are not limited to, those containing 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 disclosure include polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polystyrene polyamide.

[0056] As used herein, the terms "weight percent," "weight %," "percent by weight," "% by weight," and variations thereof refer to the concentration of a substance in the form of the weight of the substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by 100. It should be understood that as used herein, "percent," "%," and the like are intended to be synonymous with "weight percent," "weight %," and the like.

[0057] Rinse aid composition

[0058] According to an embodiment, the liquid multi-purpose rinse aid composition comprises an organic phosphonate and optionally a polycarboxylate, a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof, a hydrotrope, a surfactant and water. The liquid multi-purpose rinse aid composition may include additional functional ingredients and may be provided in the form of a concentrate or a use composition. Exemplary compositions are shown in Table 1A to Table 1B in weight percentage. Although the components may have an active substance percentage of 100%, it should be noted that Table 1A and Table 1B do not list the active substance percentage of the components, but rather list the total weight percentage of the raw materials (i.e., active concentration plus inert ingredients).

[0059] Table 1A

[0060]

[0061] Table 1B

[0062]

[0063] Organic phosphonates

[0064] The liquid rinse aid composition comprises an organic phosphonate. The organic phosphonate is a phosphonic acid HP(O)(OH) 2 Unlike conventional organic phosphonate scale inhibitors such as 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) or 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC), organic phosphonates preferably contain a single CN bond adjacent to (ortho-) a CP bond.

[0065] Organic phosphonates have one of the following general structures:

[0066]

[0067] in:

[0068] Y is or its salts;

[0069] Y' does not exist, or its salts;

[0070] X is N, O or OH;

[0071] R 1 and R 2 are independently a linear or branched C1-C10 alkyl group;

[0072] R 3 -N(Y) 2 ;and

[0073] n is 1-20.

[0074] In structure IV, the salt form of Y or Y' is preferably in the form of a suitable cation, such as sodium or potassium ion.

[0075] The described organic phosphonates are particularly useful for anti-scaling in warewashing applications, including rinse aid applications.

[0076] One class of preferred organic phosphonates includes polyether phosphonic acids, including polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonic acids and polyaminopolyethermethylene phosphonic esters, such as those having the following structure: Wherein Z is independently H or CH 3 ,and

[0077] wherein n is 2 to 12. In a preferred embodiment, the organic phosphonate is PAPEMP ((HO) 2 P(O)CH 2 ) 2 NCH(CH 3 )CH 2 (OCH 2 CH(CH 3 ) 2 N(CH 2 ) 6 N(CH 2 P(O)(OH) 2 ) 2 ):

[0078]

[0079] Additional exemplary organic phosphonates include the following structures:

[0080]

[0081] Additional exemplary organic phosphonates include HMDTMP ((HO) 2 P(O)CH 2 ) 2 N(CH 2 ) 6 N(CH 2 2P(O)(OH) 2 ) 2 ):

[0082] etc.

[0083] Further exemplary organic phosphonates include DTMPA ((HO) 2 P(O)CH 2 N[CH 2 CH 2 N(CH 2P(O)(OH) 2 ) 2 ] 2 ):

[0084]

[0085] Another preferred class of organic phosphonates includes ethylene oxide phosphonates. Any combination of the above scale inhibitors can be used, and salts of any of these compounds, such as ammonium salts, can also be used. In some embodiments, the above scale inhibitors can be further combined with conventional phosphonates. Examples of phosphonates include, but are not limited to: phosphinosuccinic acid oligomers (PSO) (described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,871,699), 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC), 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid); 2-hydroxyethyliminobis(methylenephosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) sodium salt (DTPMP), hexamethylenediamine(tetramethylenephosphonic acid) potassium salt, bis(hexamethylene)triamine(tetramethylenephosphonic acid); and phosphoric acid.

[0086] In some embodiments, the organic phosphonate is included in the rinse aid composition in an amount of at least about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 2 wt % to about 15 wt %, or about 2 wt % to about 10 wt %. In addition, without limitation according to the present disclosure, all ranges recited are inclusive of the values ​​defining the ranges, and include each integer within the defined ranges.

[0087] As described herein, the organic phosphonates according to the formulas and various structures disclosed herein are phosphonates or salts thereof, including cationic phosphonate salts. In preferred embodiments, the organic phosphonate does not include any betaine or polybetaine structures, such that a charge-separated neutral molecule is present.

[0088] In some embodiments, the organic phosphonate does not include ATMP (aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid), with the chemical formula N(CH 2 PO 3 H 2 ) 3 In other embodiments, the organic phosphonate does not include PBTC (2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid).

[0089] Additional antiscalant

[0090] The liquid rinse aid composition comprises an optional additional antiscalant comprising a polycarboxylate, polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof.Beneficially, the combination of an organic phosphonate and a polycarboxylate, polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof provides improved antiscaling performance over conventional threshold inhibitors used for antiscaling and hard water treatment.

[0091] Exemplary polycarboxylates that can be used as antiscalants include, but are not limited to, polycarboxylates having pendant carboxylate groups (--CO 2 -) groups, for example polyacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic acid / olefin copolymers, sulfonated copolymers or terpolymers, acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymers, polymethacrylic acid, acrylic acid-methacrylic acid copolymers, hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, hydrolyzed polymethacrylamide, hydrolyzed polyamide-methacrylamide copolymers, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, hydrolyzed polymethacrylonitrile and hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-methacrylonitrile copolymers.

[0092] Examples of suitable additional polymers include polyacrylic acid, polymethacrylic acid, polymaleic acid homopolymers, copolymers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or maleic acid (and combinations thereof).

[0093] A preferred group of polycarboxylates includes polycarboxylic acid polymers (e.g., Acusol polymers), including polyacrylic acid homopolymers and polymaleic acid homopolymers, and polymers modified by fatty acid end groups. Exemplary polyacrylic acid homopolymers include those having a molecular weight between about 500 g / mol and 100,000 g / mol, or between about 1,000 g / mol and 50,000 g / mol, or between about 1,000 g / mol and 25,000 g / mol.

[0094] Various such polycarboxylic acid ester homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers are known, and described in patents and other documents, and are commercially available. Operable exemplary polycarboxylates include for example: homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers of polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polymaleates. The example of suitable polymers includes acrylic acid homopolymers, maleic acid homopolymers, methacrylic acid homopolymers, acrylic acid / maleic acid copolymers, maleic acid copolymers, acrylic acid / methacrylic acid copolymers, maleic acid terpolymers, hydrophobically modified acrylic acid copolymers and terpolymers, hydrophobically modified maleic acid copolymers and terpolymers, hydrophobically modified methacrylic acid copolymers and terpolymers. Suitable polymers preferably have about 500g / mol to about 50,000g / mol, more preferably about 500g / mol to about 25,000g / mol, particularly about 500g / mol to about 10,000g / mol molecular weight.

[0095] Other suitable polycarboxylates are acyclic, alicyclic, heterocyclic and aromatic carboxylic acids, in which case they contain at least two carboxyl groups, which are separated from each other by preferably no more than two carbon atoms in each case. The polycarboxylates comprising two carboxyl groups include for example: water-soluble salts of malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid. The polycarboxylates containing three carboxyl groups include for example water-soluble citrates. Accordingly, suitable hydroxycarboxylic acids are for example citric acid. Another suitable polycarboxylic acid is an acrylic homopolymer. Polycarboxylates can also be end-capped with sulfonates.

[0096] In some embodiments, the polycarboxylate, polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof is included in the rinse aid composition in an amount of at least about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 10 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 8 wt % or about 1 wt % to about 5 wt %. In addition, without limitation according to the present disclosure, all ranges recited are inclusive of the values ​​defining the ranges, and include each integer within the defined ranges.

[0097] Water-soluble additives

[0098] The liquid rinse aid composition comprises a hydrotrope, preferably an anionic hydrotrope. The composition comprises at least one anionic hydrotrope, preferably a low foaming anionic hydrotrope, which does not increase the foaming of the nonionic surfactant contained in the liquid rinse aid composition. The hydrotrope can be used to help maintain the solubility of the tablet or wetting agent, and can also be used to change the aqueous solution to increase the solubility of the organic material. In some embodiments, the hydrotrope is a low molecular weight aromatic sulfonate material, such as xylene sulfonate, dialkyl diphenyl oxide sulfonate material and isopropylbenzene sulfonate.

[0099] Other exemplary anionic hydrotropes include short-chain alkylbenzenes, alkylnaphthalenes and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates. In one aspect, the categories of short-chain alkylbenzenes or alkylnaphthalene hydrotropes include alkylbenzene sulfonates based on toluene, xylene and cumene, and alkylnaphthalene sulfonates. These can include sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate, ammonium xylene sulfonate, calcium xylene sulfonate, sodium alkylnaphthalene sulfonate and sodium butylnaphthalene sulfonate. Sodium xylene sulfonate is a preferred anionic hydrotrope.

[0100] In one aspect, the composition comprises from about 1 wt % to about 40 wt %, from about 5 wt % to about 40 wt %, from about 5 wt % to about 30 wt %, from about 5 wt % to about 20 wt %, or from about 10 wt % to about 20 wt % of anionic hydrotrope.

[0101] Surfactants

[0102] The liquid rinse aid composition comprises at least one nonionic surfactant.

[0103] In some embodiments, the at least one nonionic surfactant is included in the liquid rinse aid composition in an amount of at least about 5% to about 50% by weight, about 5% to about 40% by weight, about 5% to about 35% by weight, about 5% to about 30% by weight, about 10% to about 30% by weight, or about 10% to about 25% by weight. In addition, without limitation according to the present disclosure, all ranges described include the numerical values ​​defining the ranges, and include each integer within the defined ranges.

[0104] Exemplary nonionic surfactants (AE) and polymeric surfactants (FJ) are shown in Table 2.

[0105] Table 2

[0106]

[0107]

[0108] The at least one nonionic surfactant may include a compound of formula (I), R 1 -(A) x -(B) y1 -(A) z -(B) y2 -R 2 (I), where R 1 and R 2 independently represent H or a linear or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C1-C22 alkyl group,

[0109] A stands for CH 2 -CH 2 -O,

[0110] B stands for CH 2 -CHR 3 -O, where R 3 represents H or a linear or branched, unsubstituted C1-C10 alkyl group,

[0111] X is an integer ranging from 0 to 35,

[0112] y 1 is an integer in the range of 0 to 60,

[0113] y 2 is an integer in the range of 0 to 35,

[0114] z is an integer in the range of 0 to 35, and

[0115] where x+y 1 +z+y 2 The sum of is at least 1.

[0116] Preferably, x+y 1 +z+y 2 The sum of x+y is in the range of 1 to 100, more preferably x+y 1 +z+y 2 The sum of x+y is in the range of 1 to 75, even more preferably 1 +z+y 2 The sum of x+y is in the range of 2 to 75, and most preferably x+y 1 +z+y 2 The sum of is in the range of 2 to 70. In a preferred embodiment of the surfactant structure, the term "alkyl" refers to an acyclic saturated aliphatic residue, including a straight chain or branched chain alkyl residue. In addition, the alkyl residue is preferably unsubstituted, and as in C 1 -C 22 The alkyl group includes from 1 to 22 carbon atoms. As used herein, "branched" means a chain of atoms having one or more side chains attached thereto. Branching occurs by replacing a substituent (e.g., a hydrogen atom) with a covalently bonded aliphatic moiety.

[0117] Straight-chain and branched unsubstituted C 1 -C 22 Representative examples of alkyl groups include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, n-pentyl, n-hexyl, n-heptyl, n-octyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, n-dodecyl, n-tridecyl, n-tetradecyl, n-pentadecyl, n-hexadecyl, n-heptadecyl, n-octadecyl, n-nonadecyl, n-eicosyl, n-heneicosyl, n-docosyl, isopropyl, isobutyl, isopentyl, isohexyl, isoheptyl, isooctyl, isononyl, isodecyl, isoundecyl, isododecyl, isotridecyl, isotetradecyl, isopentadecyl, isohexadecyl, isoheptadecyl, isooctyl, isononyl, isodecyl, isoundecyl, isododecyl, isotridecyl, isotetradecyl, isopentadecyl, isohexadecyl, isoheptadecyl, isooctadecyl, isononadecyl, isoicosyl, isoheneicosyl, isodocosyl, 2-propylheptyl, 2-ethylhexyl, and tert-butyl.

[0118] At least one nonionic surfactant of formula (I) according to embodiments B, G and L is a block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, wherein the copolymer comprises first and second blocks of repeating ethylene oxide (EO) units and blocks of repeating propylene oxide (PO) units interposed between the first and second blocks of repeating ethylene units represented by the following formula (V):

[0119] HO-(CH 2 CH 2O) x (CH(CH 3 )CH 2 O) y1 (CH 2 CH 2 O) z -H (V).

[0120] In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant of formula (I) according to embodiments B, G and L has a ratio of ethylene oxide (EO) units to propylene oxide (PO) units of 1:10 to 10:1 and an average molecular weight of 500 to 10,000 g / mol.

[0121] In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant of formula (I) according to embodiments C, H and M is a block copolymer of ethylene oxide and higher alkylene oxide functionalized / terminated with a fatty alcohol. Preferred higher alkylene oxides are propylene oxide, butylene oxide and pentylene oxide. The preferred ratio of ethylene oxide to higher alkylene oxide units is 1:2 to 5:2.

[0122] In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant of formula (I) according to embodiments E, J, and O is a block copolymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide, wherein the copolymer comprises first and second blocks of repeating propylene oxide (PO) units and blocks of repeating ethylene oxide (EO) units interposed between the first and second blocks of repeating propylene units represented by the following formula (VI):

[0123] HO-(CH(CH 3 )CH 2 O) y1 -(CH 2 CH 2 O) z -(CH(CH 3 )CH 2 O) y2 -H (VI).

[0124] In some embodiments, the nonionic surfactant of formula (I) according to embodiments E, J and O has a ratio of ethylene oxide (EO) units to propylene oxide (PO) units of 1:10 to 10:1 and an average molecular weight of 500 to 10,000 g / mol.

[0125] In one embodiment, at least one nonionic surfactant of formula (I) has a hydrophile-lipophile balance (HLB) value in the range of 2 to 17. In another embodiment, when R 2When R is H, the nonionic surfactant of formula (I) has an HLB value in the range of 2 to 11. In another embodiment, when R 2 is a straight chain or branched, substituted or unsubstituted C 1 -C 22 When the alkyl group is an alkyl group, the nonionic surfactant of the general formula (I) has an HLB value in the range of 2 to 17.

[0126] The HLB value represents the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance of a molecule. The lower the HLB value, the more hydrophobic the material, and vice versa. The HLB value can be calculated according to the method given in Griffin, J. Soc. Cosmetic Chemists, 5 (1954) 249-256. The Griffith method described in 1954 for nonionic surfactants is as follows: HLB = 20 x M h / M, where M h is the molecular mass of the hydrophilic part of the molecule; and M is the molecular weight of the entire molecule. Only the EO part of the surfactant is considered to be hydrophilic, and all other parts only contribute to the entire molecule.

[0127] Additional surfactant

[0128] Further additionally useful nonionic surfactants are generally characterized by the presence of organic hydrophobic groups and organic hydrophilic groups, and are typically produced by the condensation of organic aliphatic, alkyl aromatic or polyoxyalkylene hydrophobic compounds with hydrophilic basic oxide moieties, which are generally ethylene oxide or its polyhydration products, polyethylene glycol. In fact, any hydrophobic compound having hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino or amide groups with reactive hydrogen atoms can be condensed with ethylene oxide or its polyhydration adducts or its mixture with alkylene oxides (such as propylene oxide) to form nonionic surfactants. The length of the hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene moiety condensed with any particular hydrophobic compound can be easily adjusted to produce a water-dispersible compound or a water-soluble compound having a desired balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. Useful nonionic surfactants include:

[0129] Block polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymeric compounds (1) based on propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane and ethylenediamine as initiator reactive hydrogen compounds. Examples of polymeric compounds made by sequential propoxylation and ethoxylation of initiators are commercially available from BASF Corp. One class of compounds is a difunctional (two reactive hydrogen) compound formed by condensation of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobic matrix formed by addition of propylene oxide to the two hydroxyl groups of propylene glycol. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion is from about 1,000 to about 4,000. Ethylene oxide is then added to sandwich this hydrophobe between the hydrophilic groups, accounting for about 10% to about 80% by weight of the final molecule, controlled by length. Another class of compounds is a tetrafunctional block copolymer derived from sequential addition of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The molecular weight of the propylene oxide subtype ranges from about 500 to about 7,000; and the hydrophile (ethylene oxide) is added to make up about 10% to about 80% by weight of the molecule.

[0130] The condensation products (2) of one mole of an alkyl phenol with from about 3 moles to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide, wherein the alkyl chain contains from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched configuration or in either the monoalkyl component or the dialkyl component. The alkyl group may be represented by, for example, diisobutylene, diamyl, polymerized propylene, isooctyl, nonyl and dinonyl. These surfactants may be polyoxyethylene, polyoxypropylene and polyoxybutylene condensates of alkyl phenols. Examples of commercial compounds of this chemical nature are available on the market under the trade name of Rhone-Poulenc. and manufactured by Union Carbide get.

[0131] The condensation product of one mole of a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alcohol having from about 6 to about 24 carbon atoms with from about 3 moles to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide (3). The alcohol portion may consist of a mixture of alcohols in the carbon range described above, or it may consist of an alcohol having a specific number of carbon atoms in this range. The condensation product of one mole of a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain carboxylic acid having from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms with from about 6 moles to about 50 moles of ethylene oxide (4). The acid portion may consist of a mixture of acids in the carbon atom range defined above, or it may consist of acids having a specific number of carbon atoms in the range. In addition to the ethoxylated carboxylic acids commonly referred to as polyethylene glycol esters, other alkanoic acid esters formed by reaction with glycerides, glycerol and polyhydroxy (sugar or sorbitan / sorbitol) alcohols also have application in the present invention for specific embodiments, especially indirect food additive applications. All of these ester moieties have one or more reactive hydrogen sites on their molecules that can be further acylated or ethylene oxide (alkoxide) added to control the hydrophilicity of these materials. When adding these fatty esters or acylated carbohydrates to the compositions of the present invention containing amylases and / or lipases, special care must be taken because of potential incompatibility.

[0132] Examples of nonionic low foaming surfactants include:

[0133] The compound from (1) modified by adding ethylene oxide to ethylene glycol to provide a hydrophile of a specified molecular weight, substantially inverse; and, then adding propylene oxide to obtain a hydrophobic block on the exterior (ends) of the molecule. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion of the molecule is from about 1,000 to about 3,100, with the intermediate hydrophile constituting from 10% to about 80% by weight of the final molecule. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion of the molecule is from about 2,100 to about 6,700, with the intermediate hydrophile constituting from 10% to 80% by weight of the final molecule. Compounds from groups (1), (2), (3) and (4) modified by "capping" or "end-capping" one or more terminal hydroxyl groups (of the multifunctional moiety) to reduce foaming by reaction with: small hydrophobic molecules such as propylene oxide, butylene oxide, benzyl chloride; and short chain fatty acids, alcohols or alkyl halides containing 1 to about 5 carbon atoms; and mixtures thereof. Also included are reactants that convert terminal hydroxyl groups to chloride groups, such as thionyl chloride. Such modifications of terminal hydroxyl groups can produce full block, segmented, segmented or segmented nonionic surfactants.

[0134] Additional examples of effective low foaming nonionic surfactants include:

[0135] Alkylphenoxypolyethoxyalkanols of U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,486 issued Sept. 8, 1959 to Brown et al. and represented by the formula:

[0136] wherein R is an alkyl group of 8 to 9 carbon atoms, A is an alkylene chain of 3 to 4 carbon atoms, n is an integer of 7 to 16, and m is an integer of 1 to 10.

[0137] U.S. Patent No. 3,048,548, issued to Martin et al. on August 7, 1962, discloses a polyalkylene glycol condensate having alternating hydrophilic oxyethylene chains and hydrophobic oxypropylene chains, wherein the weight of the hydrophobic terminal chains, the weight of the hydrophobic middle units and the weight of the hydrophilic linking units are each equivalent to about one third of the condensate.

[0138] The defoaming nonionic surfactant disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,178, issued May 7, 1968 to Lissant et al., has the general formula Z[(OR) n OH]z, wherein Z is an alkoxylatable species, R is a free radical derived from an alkylene oxide, which may be ethylene and propylene, and n is an integer, for example, from 10 to 2,000 or more, and z is an integer determined by the number of reactive alkoxylatable groups.

[0139] Conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,677,700 issued May 4, 1954 to Jackson et al., correspond to the formula Y(C 3 H 6 O) n (C 2 H 4 O) m H, wherein Y is the residue of an organic compound having from about 1 to 6 carbon atoms and one reactive hydrogen atom, as determined by the hydroxyl number, n has an average value of at least about 6.4, and m has a value such that the oxyethylene moieties constitute from about 10 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of the molecule.

[0140] The conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,619 issued to Lundsted et al. on April 6, 1954 have the formula Y[(C 3 H 6 O n (C 2 H 4 O) m H] x, wherein Y is the residue of an organic compound having from about 2 to 6 carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, wherein the value of x is at least about 2, the value of n is such that the molecular weight of the hydrophobic polyoxypropylene matrix is ​​at least about 900 and the value of m is such that the oxyethylene content of the molecule is from about 10% to about 90% by weight. Compounds falling within the definition of Y include, for example, propylene glycol, glycerol, pentaerythritol, trimethylolpropane, ethylenediamine, and the like. The oxypropylene chain optionally but advantageously contains a small amount of ethylene oxide, and the oxyethylene chain also optionally but advantageously contains a small amount of propylene oxide.

[0141] The additional conjugated polyoxyalkylene surfactant advantageously used in the composition of the invention corresponds to the formula: P[(C 3 H 6 O) n (C 2 H 4 O) m H] x , wherein P is the residue of an organic compound having from about 8 to 18 carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, wherein the value of x is 1 or 2, the value of n is such that the molecular weight of the polyoxyethylene moiety is at least about 44, and the value of m is such that the oxypropylene content of the molecule is from about 10% to about 90% by weight. In either case, the oxypropylene chain may optionally but advantageously contain a small amount of ethylene oxide, and the oxyethylene chain may also optionally but advantageously contain a small amount of propylene oxide.

[0142] The polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include those having the structural formula R 2 CON R1 Those of Z, where: R1 is H, C 1 -C 4 alkyl, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, ethoxy, propoxy, or mixtures thereof; R 2 It is C 5 -C 31 alkyl, which may be linear; and Z is a polyhydroxyl alkyl or an alkoxylated derivative thereof (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated) having a linear alkyl chain having at least 3 hydroxyl groups directly attached to the chain. Z may be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; such as a glycidyl moiety.

[0143] The alkyl ethoxylation condensation products of fatty alcohols with from about 0 to about 25 moles of ethylene oxide are suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention.The alkyl chain of the fatty alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains from 6 to 22 carbon atoms.

[0144] Ethoxylated C 6 -C 18 Fatty alcohols and C 6-C 18 Mixed ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols are suitable surfactants for use in the compositions of the present disclosure, especially water-soluble compositions. Suitable ethoxylated fatty alcohols include C 6 -C 18 Ethoxylated fatty alcohols.

[0145] Suitable nonionic alkyl polysaccharide surfactants particularly suitable for use in the compositions of the present disclosure include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647, issued to Llenado on January 21, 1986. These surfactants contain a hydrophobic group containing about 6 to about 30 carbon atoms; and a polysaccharide, such as a polysaccharide glycoside hydrophilic group containing about 1.3 to about 10 sugar units. Any reducing sugar containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms can be used, for example, glucose, galactose and galactosyl moieties can be substituted for the glucosyl moiety. (Optionally, the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2 position, 3 position, 4 position, etc., so that glucose or galactose is obtained instead of a glucoside or galactoside.) The intersugar bond can be, for example, between one position of the additional sugar unit and the 2 position, 3 position, 4 position and / or 6 position on the aforementioned sugar unit.

[0146] Fatty acid amide surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present disclosure include fatty acid amide surfactants having the following molecular formula: R 6 CON(R 7 ) 2 , where R 6 is an alkyl group containing 7 to 21 carbon atoms, and each R7 is independently hydrogen, C 1 -C 4 Alkyl, C 1 -C 4 Hydroxyalkyl or --(C 2 H 4 O) x H, where x is in the range of 1 to 3.

[0147] Useful classes of nonionic surfactants include those defined as alkoxylated amines or most specifically alcohol alkoxylated / aminated / alkoxylated surfactants. These nonionic surfactants may be represented at least in part by the general formula: R 20 --(PO) s N--(EO) t H.R 20 --(PO) s N--(EO) t H(EO) t H and R 20 --N(EO) t H; where R 20is an alkyl, alkenyl or other aliphatic or alkyl-aryl group having 8 to 20, preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms, EO is oxyethylene, PO is oxypropylene, s is 1 to 20, preferably 2-5, t is 1-10, preferably 2-5, and u is 1-10, preferably 2-5. Other variations of the range of these compounds can be obtained by alternative formulas: R 20 --(PO)V--N[(EO) w H][(EO) z H] indicates that R 20 As defined above, v is 1 to 20 (eg, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (preferably 2)), and w and z are independently 1 to 10, preferably 2 to 5.

[0148] Paper " nonionic surfactant (Nonionic Surfactants) ", by Schick, MJ compiled, the 1st volume of the surfactant science series, Marcel Dekker (Marcel Dekker, Inc.), New York, 1983 is about the excellent reference of the various nonionic compounds commonly adopted in the practice of the present invention. The typical list of the nonionic classes and kinds of these surfactants is given in the United States Patent (USP) 3,929,678 that Laughlin and Heuring delivered on December 30, 1975. Other examples are given in " " surfactant and detergent (Surface Active Agentsanddetergents) " (Volume I and Volume II, Schwartz, Perry and Berch write).

[0149] Additional functional ingredients

[0150] The components of the rinse aid composition can be further combined with various functional components suitable for the uses disclosed herein (including additional multi-purpose applications). In some embodiments, the rinse aid composition comprising a scale-inhibiting organic phosphonate, a nonionic surfactant, a hydrotrope and water accounts for a majority of the total weight of the composition, or even substantially all. In other embodiments, the rinse aid composition comprising a scale-inhibiting organic phosphonate, an additional scale inhibitor containing a polycarboxylate, a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof and / or an additional organic phosphonate, a nonionic surfactant, a hydrotrope and water accounts for a majority of the total weight of the composition, or even substantially all. For example, in some embodiments, few or no additional functional ingredients are disposed therein.

[0151] In other embodiments, additional functional ingredients may be included in the rinse aid composition. Functional ingredients provide desired properties and functions to the composition. For the purpose of this application, the term "functional ingredient" includes materials that provide favorable properties in specific applications when dispersed in or dissolved in a use solution and / or a concentrate solution (such as an aqueous solution). Some specific examples of functional materials are discussed in more detail hereinafter, but the specific materials discussed are only given by way of example, and various other functional ingredients can be used. For example, many of the following functional materials are related to materials used in cleaning. However, other embodiments may include functional ingredients for other applications.

[0152] In some embodiments, the liquid rinse aid composition may include optical brighteners, defoamers, anti-redeposition agents, bleaching agents, solubility modifiers, dispersants, metal protectants, stabilizers, preservatives, corrosion inhibitors, builders / hiding agents / chelating agents, enzymes, aesthetic enhancers (including fragrances and / or dyes), additional rheology and / or solubility modifiers or thickeners, hydrotropes or coupling agents, buffers, solvents, additional cleaning agents, acidulants, isothiazolinones, glutaraldehyde, and the like.

[0153] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, various additional functional ingredients can be provided in the composition in an amount of about 0 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 0 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 0 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 0.01 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, or about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %. In addition, without being limited according to the present disclosure, all ranges described include the numerical values ​​defining the ranges, and include each integer within the defined ranges.

[0154] Chelating agents

[0155] The rinse aid composition can also be combined with a chelating agent, which includes, for example, aminocarboxylic acids or aminocarboxylates. Preferably, the aminocarboxylic acid chelating agent includes materials containing little or no NTA. Exemplary aminocarboxylates include, for example, N-hydroxyethylaminoacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), hydroxyethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA), glutamic acid N, N-diacetic acid (GLDA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), 3-hydroxy-2,2-iminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA), and other similar acids with amino groups with carboxylic acid substituents. In an embodiment, the aminocarboxylates are ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA).

[0156] According to an embodiment, the chelating agent can be provided in the composition in an amount of about 0 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 0 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 0 wt % to about 20 wt %, about 0.01 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 0.1 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 30 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 25 wt %, about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, or about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %. In addition, without limitation according to the present disclosure, all ranges described include the values ​​defining the ranges, and include each integer within the defined ranges.

[0157] How to use

[0158] Methods for using multi-purpose liquid rinse aid compositions are particularly suitable for use as rinse aids for consumer or institutional warewashing. The methods may include, when the liquid composition is a concentrated composition, first contacting the liquid rinse aid composition with water to form a use solution. Beneficially, the concentrate or use solution of the composition provides anti-scaling efficacy and drying and sheeting properties to various surfaces that require rinsing and drying. These methods overcome the limitation that rinse aids cannot prevent scaling, which is very common in various applications where hard water sources are used during cleaning and / or rinsing.

[0159] This multi-purpose liquid rinse aid composition is particularly suitable for processing vessel surfaces, such as utensils, instruments, etc., and various utensil surfaces, such as kitchen or food processing surfaces. Each of these utensils and utensil surfaces can be made of various materials. Advantageously, the method can provide effective rinsing and quick drying, and does not need the descaling step of replenishment, because the composition provides effective anti-scaling. Therefore, the use method reduces the needs to the acid rinsing step and / or the decalcification step (that is, using strong acid to clean the separate cleaning cycle of the machine), to remove the film or residue accumulated over time on the processing surface. While realizing these benefits, it is also possible to provide rinsing and drying performance that is at least substantially similar or improved with the traditional rinse aid that can not effectively prevent scale.

[0160] In one embodiment, the method of using the multi-purpose liquid rinse aid composition significantly reduces the need to use a descaling step in a dishwasher. In embodiments, the use of the multi-purpose liquid rinse aid composition provides a rinse benefit that further prevents the need for machine descaling for at least about 1,000 hours of machine operation, at least about 1,100 hours of machine operation, at least about 1,200 hours of machine operation, at least about 1,300 hours of machine operation, or at least about 1,400 hours of machine operation.

[0161] In additional embodiments, the method using the multi-purpose liquid rinse aid composition significantly reduces the need to use a descaling step in the rinse drum. In embodiments, the rinsing benefits provided by the use of the multi-purpose liquid rinse aid composition can further prevent the need to descale the rinse drum for at least about 4 months, at least about 5 months, or at least about 6 months.

[0162] Without being limited to a particular mechanism of action, organic phosphonates that are oxyalkylene phosphonates increase the hydrophilicity with the oxyethylene groups and have high solubility and calcium tolerance, providing benefits in hard water conditions where scaling is detrimental to a variety of surfaces and appliances. In addition, by combining the organic phosphonates with polycarboxylate polymers that provide further physical separation or dispersion effects, a synergistic combination for anti-scaling is achieved.

[0163] Exemplary disclosures of warewashing applications are described in U.S. Patents 8,758,520, 9,139,800 and 10,905,305. The method can be carried out in any household or institutional dishwasher, including, for example, those described in U.S. Patent 8,092,613, which contain all drawings and accompanying drawings incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Some non-limiting examples of dishwashers include door-type machines or hood-type machines, channel-type machines, under-counter machines, glass washers, long dragon-type machines, cooking utensil machines, utensil washers and household dishwashers. Dishwashers can be single-trough machines or multi-trough machines.

[0164] A door-type dishwasher, also known as a hood-type dishwasher, refers to a commercial dishwasher in which dirty dishes are placed on racks and then the racks are moved into the dishwasher. Door-type dishwashers clean one or two racks at a time. In this type of dishwasher, the racks are fixed and the wash and rinse arms move. Door-type machines include two sets of arms, one set of wash arms and rinse arms, or one set of rinse arms. Door-type machines can be high-temperature machines or low-temperature machines. In high-temperature machines, dishes are sanitized with hot water. In low-temperature machines, dishes are sanitized with chemical sanitizers. Door-type machines can be recirculating machines or dump and fill machines. In recirculating machines, the detergent solution is reused or "recirculated" between wash cycles. The concentration of the detergent solution is adjusted between wash cycles so that sufficient concentration is maintained. In dump and fill machines, the washing solution is not reused between wash cycles. New detergent solution is added before the next wash cycle.

[0165] In addition to rinsing of ware, multi-purpose liquid rinse aid compositions are also suitable for rinsing a variety of additional surfaces to provide scale removal as well as effective rinsing and drying. The ability to treat other surfaces (such as utensils and surfaces) that come into contact with hard water and are therefore susceptible to scale formation provides benefits to multi-purpose liquid rinse aid compositions.

[0166] In embodiments where a rinse aid composition is used, the composition is contacted with an aqueous source, preferably water, or may be mixed with an aqueous source, preferably water, prior to or during use. This step may provide a use solution from a liquid concentrate multi-use liquid rinse aid composition.

[0167] In some embodiments for use of these compositions in a warewashing process, the composition can be contained in a dispenser to provide a use dilution to a warewashing machine (or other point of use). In one embodiment, the dispenser can be used to spray water (e.g., in a spray pattern from a nozzle) to form a use solution. For example, water can be sprayed toward an apparatus or other holding container having a liquid composition, where the water reacts to form a diluted use solution. In one aspect, the use solution can be dispensed into a washing solution of a warewashing machine.

[0168] These compositions or their use solutions can contact surfaces or articles by a variety of methods for applying the composition, such as spraying the composition, immersing the object in the composition, or a combination thereof. The concentrated or use concentration composition can be applied to or contacted with the article by any conventional method or equipment for applying cleaning compositions to objects. For example, the article can be wiped, sprayed with the composition or a use solution made from the composition, and / or the article can be immersed in the composition or a use solution made from the composition. The composition can be sprayed or wiped onto the surface; the composition can be flowed over the surface, or the surface can be immersed in the composition. Contact can be manual or by machine. Preferred embodiments contact the use solution of the solid composition in a dishwashing machine.

[0169] In embodiments, the use solution of the liquid rinse aid composition has a pH of about 1-9, about 1-8, about 1-7, about 1-6, about 1-5, about 1-4, or about 1-3.

[0170] In an embodiment, a use solution of a liquid rinse aid composition applied to a surface in need of treatment may include a total concentration of at least about 10 ppm to about 200 ppm, or at least about 20 ppm to about 200 ppm, or at least about 30 ppm to about 200 ppm, or at least about 40 ppm to about 200 ppm, or preferably at least about 40 ppm to about 150 ppm to provide scale protection and drying.

[0171] In some embodiments, a use solution of the liquid rinse aid composition applied to the surface in need of treatment may contain at least about 1 ppm to about 100 ppm of the anti-scaling component, at least about 1 ppm to about 50 ppm of the anti-scaling component, or at least about 10 ppm to about 40 ppm of the anti-scaling component.

[0172] Exemplary articles treated with compositions disclosed herein include utensils in the warewashing industry, such as metal utensils, plastics, tableware, cups, glasses, flatware and cookware. For purposes of the present invention, the terms "tableware" and "ware" are used in the broadest sense to refer to various types of articles for food preparation, service, use and disposal, including basins, pans, trays, kettles, bowls, plates, saucers, cups, glasses, forks, knives, spoons, spatulas and other glass, metal, ceramic, plastic composite articles that are generally available for public institutions or family kitchens or restaurants. In general, these types of articles can be referred to as food or beverage contact articles because they have surfaces for contacting food and / or beverages. When used in these warewashing applications, the composition provides effective flakes, low foaming properties and rapid drying and anti-scaling. In some aspects, the composition helps to dry articles or surfaces (e.g., utensils) within about 30 seconds to a few minutes after applying an aqueous use solution, or within about 30 seconds to about 90 seconds.

[0173] Example

[0174] Embodiments of the present disclosure are further defined in the following non-limiting examples. It should be understood that although these embodiments illustrate certain embodiments of the present disclosure, they are provided for illustration only. According to the above discussion and these embodiments, those skilled in the art can determine the basic characteristics of the present disclosure, and without departing from its spirit and scope, various changes and modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present disclosure to make them suitable for various purposes and conditions. Therefore, in addition to those shown and described herein, those skilled in the art will understand the various modifications of the embodiments of the present disclosure according to the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0175] The liquid rinse aid compositions shown in Table 3 were evaluated in the Examples:

[0176]

[0177] Example 1

[0178] The anti-scaling efficacy of liquid rinse aid compositions was evaluated using glasses in a commercial dishwasher. Using a consistent surfactant package, while comparing antiscalant packages, comparing single antiscalants (phosphonate / chelate / polycarboxylate) with their combinations, the descaling efficiency was evaluated in terms of % inhibition.

[0179] Before the experiment, the dishwasher was prepared as follows: the dishwasher was turned on, water was added, and after the desired water temperature was reached, lime removal (StripAway or Lime A Way 0.5-1L, 3 wash cycles) was added. The dishwasher was then turned off, the water in the sink was completely drained, and the scale was checked to see if it was completely removed. The dishwasher was rinsed with tap water (to rinse away residual acid and foam). The composition (detergent and rinse aid) for the experiment was prepared.

[0180] Turn on the dishwasher, fill with water, and keep the overflow open for about 2 minutes (to drain the water from the rinse drum). After 2 minutes, plug the overflow, adjust the chemical concentration, and start filling with water. After letting the dishwasher sit, wash 2-3 cycles and test the water hardness, chemical concentration, and volume.

[0181] For water hardness: Take 5 ml of water from the sink into a 5 ml tube, add an appropriate amount of indicator (Eriochrome Black T), the solution color turns pink after the indicator is completely dissolved, add 0.02N EDTA until the solution color turns blue, indicating that the titration endpoint has been reached. The number of water drops divided by 2 is the water hardness (gpg). Check whether the water hardness is within the error range;

[0182] Detergent: Take 5 ml of water from the washing tank, put it into a 5 ml tube, add 2D#014 (phenolphthalein), and drop #002 (0.1N HCl) until the solution is clear and colorless, indicating that the titration endpoint has been reached. Check whether the number of drops is within the error range.

[0183] Rinse Aid: Use a 5 ml tube to collect the liquid at the outlet of the disperser and read the reading.

[0184] Experimental method: Ten iron sheets were weighed and tied to a rack. Seven glasses were placed on the rack and cycled from one corner to another in the dishwasher for 100 cycles. At the end of the 100 cycles, the rack was removed from the dishwasher, the iron sheets were weighed after they were completely dry, and photos of the glasses were taken for evaluation.

[0185] The increased weight of the iron sheet is calculated by the following formula:

[0186]

[0187] Where: W n = Weight of iron sheet after 100 cycles (g)

[0188] W'n = weight of the iron sheet at the beginning (g)

[0189] S = area of ​​the iron sheet (m 2 )

[0190] Table 4

[0191]

[0192] The formulation tested was formulation 8 in Table 3. The results are shown in Figures 1A to 1C , where 1A is the baseline, 1B is the control formulation (a commercially available competitor having a nonionic surfactant component), and 1C is the test formulation 8, wherein the photograph shows that the performance of 1C as described in accordance with the present disclosure is significantly improved.

[0193] Example 2

[0194] When these ions exceed the normal solubility limit of calcium carbonate, calcium carbonate will precipitate from water containing calcium hardness and alkalinity. As the pH of the water increases, the driving force for the precipitation of calcium carbonate increases. When the pH increases to 9.0, water stable at pH 8.0 can immediately precipitate calcium carbonate. The anti-scaling efficacy of the liquid rinse aid compositions shown in Table 3 was evaluated. Using a consistent surfactant package, while comparing antiscalant packages, comparing single antiscalants (phosphonates / chelants / polycarboxylates) with their combinations, the descaling efficiency was evaluated based on % inhibition.

[0195] The hardness and alkalinity solutions were mixed after equal volumes of preheating (60°C) and the test solutions were stored for 48 hours at 60°C. At the end of the incubation time, soluble calcium was measured using calcium titration and the percentage inhibition was calculated based on the titrated volume as a measure of the inhibitor effectiveness.

[0196] Test method:

[0197] Rinse all flasks with dilute HCL (3:1 distilled deionized water - concentrated HCl) and rinse thoroughly with deionized water before use. Any flasks with residual discoloration, excessive scratches, or particles that have not been removed by the acid should be discarded.

[0198] Solution to be heated:

[0199] Alkalinity solution : Add 96 grams of distilled deionized water minus the volume of inhibitor to a clean 250 mL conical flask. Add the volume of inhibitor (1 mL = 1 mg / L), cover or stopper the flask, and place in an oven or water bath controlled at 60°C.

[0200] Calcium solution : Add 95 grams of distilled deionized water to a 250 mL conical flask, followed by 5 mL of calcium stock solution. Cap or stopper the flask and place in an oven or water bath controlled at 60°C.

[0201] All flasks were equilibrated to 60°C (water bath - about 20 minutes; oven - about 1 hour 15 minutes).

[0202] Preparation of test solution:

[0203] Alkalinity addition : After removing the alkalinity flask from the constant temperature source, add 4 mL of alkalinity stock solution into the alkalinity flask.

[0204] Solution mixing : Through the funnel at the same time Pour the two solutions, alkalinity and calcium solutions into a 500 mL conical flask. Record the pH and return the capped or stoppered flask to the 60°C constant temperature source for 5 hours.

[0205] After the 5 hour equilibration period, remove the flask from the bath or oven. Record the final pH immediately.

[0206] Inspect the flask externally, noting the type of scale that may have formed. Typical observations include:

[0207] - Adherent scale on the sides of the flask.

[0208] - The scale particles settle to the bottom of the flask.

[0209] - Fluffy, non-adherent limescale particles.

[0210] -Colloidal scale indicated by a blue cast of the solution.

[0211] Titration : Filter at least 10 g of the test solution through a 0.2 μm membrane filter. Dilute 10 g of the filtered sample to 50 mL total volume with distilled deionized water. Titrate the sample using Calgon Field Test No. 35-182-G for calcium determination or Calgon Field Test No. 35-183-H for total hardness determination. Prepare a calcium reference by diluting 10 mL of the calcium stock solution to 500 mL with distilled deionized water. Analyze calcium as described in the previous steps.

[0212] The inhibition % was calculated by the following equation:

[0213]

[0214] Where: V E = Volume of titrant required for the treated test sample (mL)

[0215] V o = Volume of titrant required for untreated (blank) test sample (mL)

[0216] V T = Volume of titrant required for calcium reference sample (mL)

[0217] The results are shown in FIG1 and Table 5.

[0218] Table 5

[0219] Composition Anti-scaling chelating agent package inhibition% 1 7PAPEMP 53.13 2 7PBTC 23.38 3 7HEDP 34.38 4 7MGDA-3Na 6.25 5 7EDTA-4Na 10.63 6 7PMA 31.88 7 7PAA-PMA 17.00 8 7PAPEMP+3PMA 68.75 11 7PAPEMP+3PAA-PMA 53.13 9 4PAPEMP+3PBTC+3PMA 51.00 10 4PAPEMP+3HEDP+3PMA 53.13 12 7PAPEMP+3EDTA-4Na+3PMA 55.25

[0220] The results are as follows Figure 2 As shown in Table 5, Figure 2 The combination of chelating agent packages of compositions 8-12 showed a % scale inhibition of greater than 50%. The combination of PAPEMP and PMA showed the best anti-scaling performance.

[0221] Example 3

[0222] The drying time of a liquid rinse aid composition was evaluated in a commercial dishwasher using ceramic and melamine dishes. The same experimental preparation method as in Example 1 was used to prepare the dishwasher.

[0223] Experimental method: Five pans (numbered) are placed in a rack of a dishwasher from one corner to another in a predetermined configuration. They are placed in the dishwasher for one cycle. When a cycle is finished, wait for 3 seconds, then pull the rack out of the dishwasher and start recording the time to evaluate the drying time.

[0224] Each disk was photographed immediately in turn and scores were recorded using the following scale: 1 - dewetting (spotting); 2 - pinholes; 3 - partial flaking (30% complete flaking); 4 - partial flaking (50% complete flaking); and 5 - flaking (80% complete flaking).

[0225] Observe and record the drying time. Determine the drying end point: When the number of water droplets on the plate is less than or equal to 3, or the drying time is greater than 90 seconds, stop timing after drying is completed.

[0226] The dishes were then washed with cold water to cool them down (to avoid the influence of residual temperature of the previous wash on the drying effect). For the same batch of dishes, the previous steps were repeated 9 times (10 times in total, the first 3 times were not included in the final results to ensure the stability of the experimental conditions) using the same concentration and dosage of detergent and rinse aid, and the drying time and the wetting score were calculated.

[0227] The surfactant package with hydrotrope was formulated alone (the remainder was water) and compared with the formulation of Composition 8 shown in Table 3. The results are shown in Figure 3 As shown in the interval plot, the drying performance was not negatively affected by the anti-scalant package, and there was no statistically significant difference in drying time. The results show that the anti-scalant package evaluated in Example 2 did not negatively affect the drying performance of the evaluated composition.

[0228] It should be understood that although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate rather than limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments, advantages and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. Any reference to the drawings constituting a part thereof is shown by way of illustration only. It should be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. All publications discussed and / or referenced herein are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0229] As the case may be, the features disclosed in the preceding description or in the appended claims or in the drawings (either in their specific form 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 to implement the invention in its different forms.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose liquid rinse aid composition, comprising: A scale-inhibiting organic phosphonate having one of the following structures: in: Y is or its salts; Y' does not exist, or its salts; X is N, O or OH; R1 and R2 are independently a linear or branched C1-C10 alkyl group; R3 is -N(Y)2; and n is 1-20; an optional additional antiscalant, the optional additional antiscalant comprising a polycarboxylate, a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof; Nonionic surfactants; hydrotropes; and water.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the scale-inhibiting organic phosphonate and the additional scale inhibitor comprising a polycarboxylate, a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof comprise from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of the composition, the nonionic surfactant comprises from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % of the composition, and the hydrotrope comprises from about 5 wt % to about 40 wt % of the composition.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the scale inhibiting organic phosphonate and the additional scale inhibitor comprising a polycarboxylate, a polycarboxylic acid or a salt thereof comprise from about 5% to about 15% by weight of the composition, the nonionic surfactant comprises from about 10% to about 25% by weight of the composition, and the hydrotrope comprises from about 10% to about 20% by weight of the composition.

4. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the salt of Y or Y' is a cation, preferably a sodium ion or a potassium ion.

5. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the organic phosphonate has the following structure: wherein Z is independently H or CH3, and wherein n is 2-12.

6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the organic phosphonate has the following structure:

7. The composition of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the organic phosphonate has one of the following structures:

8. The composition of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the organic phosphonate has one of the following structures:

9. The composition of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the organic phosphonate comprises from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt % of the composition, and wherein the additional antiscalant comprises from about 1 wt % to about 10 wt % of the composition.

10. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the polycarboxylate, polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof comprises a homopolymer, copolymer or terpolymer of polyacrylate, polymethacrylate and / or polymaleate.

11. The composition according to claim 10, wherein the polycarboxylate, polycarboxylic acid or salt thereof is a polyacrylic acid polymer and / or a polyacrylic acid polymer / polymaleic acid polymer.

12. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least two nonionic surfactants.

13. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the nonionic surfactant is an alcohol alkoxylate.

14. The composition of claim 13, wherein the alcohol alkoxylate has one of the following formulas: R 1 -O-(EO) x3 (PO) y3 -AND) Where R 1 For straight chain C 10 -C 16 Alkyl, wherein x3 is 5 to 8, and wherein y3 is 2 to 5; R 1 -O-(EO) x4 (NIGHT) y4 -H (A2) Where R 1 For straight chain C 10 -C 16 Alkyl, wherein x4 is 4 to 6, and wherein y4 is 3 to 5; R 2 -O-(EO) x1 -H (B) Where R 2 There are at least 2 C branches per residue on average. 10 -C 14 Alkyl, and wherein x1 is 5 to 10; R 2 -O-(EO) x2 -H (C) Where R 2 There are at least 2 C branches per residue on average. 10 -C 14 alkyl, and wherein x2 is 2 to 4; and / or The surfactant polymer according to the formula: R 7 -O-(PO)y5(EO)x5(PO)y6-H (D) Where R 7 For branched C8-C 16 Guerbet alcohols, x5 is 5 to 30, y5 is 1 to 4, and y6 is 10 to 20; R 6 -O-(PO)y4(EO)x4-H(E) Where R 6 For C8-C 16 Guerbet alcohols, wherein x4 is 2 to 10, and wherein y4 is 1 to 2; wherein x is from 120 to 220, y is from 12 to 20, and z is from 12 to 20; wherein x is from 88 to 108, y is from 57 to 77, and z is from 88 to 108; wherein x is from 15 to 25, y is from 10 to 25, and z is from 15 to 25; R 4 -O-(EO) x (XO) y -HER) Where R4 is C 13 -C 15 alkyl, x is 8 to 10, y is 1 to 3, and XO is butylene oxide; and / or R 5 -O-(EO) x (PO) y -H (J) Where R5 is C 12 -C 15 Alkyl, x is 3 to 5, and y is 5 to 7.

15. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the hydrotrope is a short-chain alkylbenzene and / or alkylnaphthalene sulfonate.

16. The composition of claim 15, wherein the short chain alkylbenzene and / or alkylnaphthalene sulfonate is selected from the group consisting of sodium xylene sulfonate, sodium toluene sulfonate, sodium cumene sulfonate, potassium toluene sulfonate, ammonium xylene sulfonate, calcium xylene sulfonate, sodium alkylnaphthalene sulfonate and sodium butylnaphthalene sulfonate.

17. The composition according to any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising at least one additional functional ingredient.

18. A method of using a rinse aid composition, the method comprising: Providing a liquid rinse aid composition according to any one of claims 1 to 17; contacting the rinse aid composition with water to form a use solution; contacting the use solution with the surface requiring rinsing and drying, The compositions described therein provide antifouling benefits as well as drying and flaking properties.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the surface is a hard surface including metal, glass, plastic, ceramic or tile.

20. The method of any one of claims 18-19, wherein the use solution is dispensed into a wash solution of a dishwasher.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the warewashing machine is an institutional dishwasher, a clean-in-place dishwasher or a domestic dishwasher.

22. The method of any one of claims 18-21, wherein the surface is a vessel.

23. The method of any one of claims 18-22, wherein the use solution has a pH of about 1 to 9, about 1 to 8, or about 1 to 7.

24. The method of any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the use solution has a concentration of about 100 ppm to about 3000 ppm.

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