Alkaline cleaner composition and method for cleaning oily and fatty dirt from vessels

Abstract

The present invention provides an alkaline cleaner composition and a method of cleaning oily and fatty dirt from a vessel. The present invention provides a vessel cleaning alkaline cleaner composition comprising: from 0 wt% to 90 wt% of an alkalinity source comprising an alkali metal carbonate; from 1 wt% to 6 wt% of a surfactant component comprising a mixture of a nonionic low foaming surfactant and a quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant in a ratio from 1: 1 to 5: 1 wherein the nonionic low foaming surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant and the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is a coconut alkyl quaternary amine ethoxylate surfactant; 0.5 wt% to 5 wt% of a defoaming nonionic surfactant; and 23 wt% to 35 wt% of a chelating agent; and the remainder comprising one or more of the following: a metal protective agent, an enzyme, a bleaching agent, a coagulation aid and / or a carrier; wherein the use composition of the alkaline cleaner composition has a pH of at least 9. The detergent composition is used to provide desirable low foaming behavior and oil-containing soil removability.

Description

[0001] The present application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an application date of November 12, 2015, application number 201510767603.9, and invention name “Low foaming dishwashing detergent containing a mixed cationic / nonionic surfactant system for enhancing the removal of oily dirt”. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a low foaming dishwashing detergent composition that can effectively remove oily and fatty soils. The composition uses a novel surfactant system for use in alkaline detergents. Also included is a method for cleaning dishes using the detergent composition. Background Art

[0003] Surfactants are the most important single cleaning ingredient in cleaning products. These surfactants reduce the surface tension of water by adsorption at the liquid-gas interface. They also reduce the interfacial tension between oil and water by adsorption at the liquid-liquid interface. When dissolved in water, surfactants give products the ability to remove dirt from surfaces. Each surfactant molecule has a hydrophilic head (which attracts water molecules) and a hydrophobic tail (which repels water and simultaneously binds itself to the grease in the dirt). These opposing forces loosen the dirt and suspend it in the water.

[0004] Surfactants perform the fundamental role of detergents and cleaning compositions by breaking up stains and holding the soil in aqueous solution to prevent the soil from redepositing on the surface from which it was just removed. Surfactants disperse soils that are normally insoluble in water. Environmental regulations, consumer habits and consumer behavior have driven new developments in the surfactant industry to produce lower cost, higher performance and environmentally friendly products.

[0005] Currently, warewashing detergent compositions use low foaming nonionic surfactants because high foaming can be a problem for commercial and consumer dishwashers. These surfactants are more beneficial for preventing spots and films than for cleaning. Typically, low foaming nonionic surfactants have limited solubility in the cleaning solution, which often reduces their cleaning ability, especially for fat / oily soils. Attempts to use more commonly used surfactants such as anionic surfactants are unsuccessful, due to the unacceptable foaming of such surfactants.

[0006] Oily and fatty soils have long proven to be difficult to remove in warewashing applications. In the past, the most effective cleaning compositions for removing these types of soils included phosphate-containing components. These cleaning compositions typically include phosphate-containing components such as trisodium phosphate and sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), which are now banned due to environmental concerns. Due to the ban, there is an opportunity for improvement in the performance of cleaning compositions.

[0007] In view of the foregoing, an opportunity exists to provide improved cleaning compositions for dishwashing.

[0008] It is therefore an object of the claimed invention to develop a warewashing detergent composition which provides cleaning benefits, particularly for oily and fatty soils, which is environmentally safe, and which does not cause unacceptably high foaming. Summary of the invention

[0009] Applicants have identified a surfactant package of components typical for hard surface cleaning applications. Applicants have identified specific combinations of cationic / nonionic blended surfactants and antifoaming surfactants such as alcohol ethoxylates in critical ratios to provide desirable low foaming behavior and oily soil removal that outperforms conventional warewashing compositions utilizing nonionic surfactants.

[0010] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a warewashing detergent composition comprising: an alkalinity source and a surfactant component of the present invention. According to the present invention, applicants have discovered that the combination of an alkyl quaternary amine alkoxylate and a defoaming surfactant provides a surfactant package that has improved oily and fatty soil removal compared to conventional warewashing detergents and is also low foaming. In some aspects, the alkalinity source is selected from alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal silicates, alkali metal metasilicates, alkali metal bicarbonates, alkali metal sesquicarbonates, and combinations thereof. In another aspect, the low foaming nonionic surfactant and the alkyl quaternary amine alkoxylate are present in a ratio of less than 10:1, preferably about 1:1 to about 5:1, respectively.

[0011] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a cleaning method comprising: applying an alkaline warewashing detergent composition to a substrate surface, wherein the detergent composition comprises a surfactant package of the present invention and an alkalinity source comprising an alkali hydroxide, an alkali carbonate, an alkali silicate, an alkali metasilicate, an alkali bicarbonate, an alkali sesquicarbonate and / or a combination thereof, wherein the detergent composition is effective in removing oily soils, and thereafter rinsing the surface to remove residual detergent and debris. In a preferred embodiment, the detergent is used in a warewashing machine, as low foaming will help prevent clogging and film accumulation in the machine.

[0012] The cleaning composition comprises an alkalinity source, a surfactant package of the present invention and any of a variety of other components for alkaline warewashing cleaning compositions. For example, the composition may include components such as chelating agents, metal protectants, fillers, enzymes, builders, oxidants, stabilizers, corrosion inhibitors, buffers, fragrances. In a preferred embodiment, the cleaning agent does not contain anionic surfactants.

[0013] Articles in need of such cleaning according to the present invention include any article having a surface, such as plasticware, cookware, cutlery, flatware, glasses, cups, hard surfaces, glass surfaces, health care surfaces and vehicle surfaces.

[0014] Tableware and cooking utensils, dishes and other hard surfaces such as shower heads, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, countertops, windows, mirrors, transportation vehicles and floors. The present invention also includes cleaning plastic utensils. The types of plastics that can be cleaned with the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, those including polycarbonate polymers (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers (ABS) and polysulfone polymers (PS). Another exemplary plastic that can be cleaned using the compounds and compositions of the present invention includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0015] Composition of the present invention can be provided as solid, powder, liquid or gel or its combination.In one embodiment, cleaning composition can be provided as concentrate, so that cleaning composition does not contain any water added substantially or this concentrate can comprise trace water.This concentrate can be prepared without any water or can be provided with relatively small amount of water, to reduce the cost of transporting this concentrate.For example this composition concentrate can be provided as capsule or granular material of compressed powder, solid or loose powder, and it is comprised or not comprised by water-soluble material.In use, this concentrate is diluted to form use composition, is then applied to vessel and cleans.

[0016] The present invention specifically discloses the following embodiments:

[0017] 1. A warewashing alkaline detergent composition comprising:

[0018] about 0.5 wt % to about 90 wt % of an alkalinity source;

[0019] About 1 wt% to about 20 wt% of a surfactant component comprising a nonionic low foaming surfactant and a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant, wherein the ratio of the surfactants is greater than 1:1,

[0020] And the remainder comprises one or more of the following: a metal protectant, an enzyme, a chelating agent, a bleaching agent, a coagulation aid and / or a carrier.

[0021] 2. The composition according to embodiment 1, wherein the alkalinity source comprises an alkali metal carbonate.

[0022] 3. The composition according to any one of embodiments 1-2, wherein the metal protecting agent is a polyacrylic acid or polymaleic acid polymer or an alkali metal silicate.

[0023] 4. The composition according to any one of embodiments 1-3, wherein the chelating agent is one or more of the following: MGDA, GLDA or EDTA.

[0024] 5. The composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is an alkyl quaternary ammonium alkoxide surfactant.

[0025] 6. The composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 5, wherein the quaternary ammonium cationic alkoxylate surfactant is a coconut oil alkyl quaternary amine ethoxylate.

[0026] 7. The composition of embodiment 5, wherein the quaternary ammonium cationic alkoxide surfactant is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%.

[0027] 8. The composition according to any one of embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the low foaming surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant.

[0028] 9. The composition according to embodiment 1, wherein the low foaming surfactant is present at about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%.

[0029] 10. The composition of embodiment 1, wherein the ratio of the low foaming surfactant to the quaternary amine alkoxylate surfactant is less than 10:1.

[0030] 11. The composition according to embodiment 10, wherein the ratio is about 3:1.

[0031] 12. The composition according to embodiment 1, wherein the composition is a solid.

[0032] 13. The composition according to embodiment 12, wherein the solid is a compressed, extruded or cast solid.

[0033] 14. The composition according to any one of embodiments 1-6, wherein the composition is diluted to form a use composition.

[0034] 15. A solid alkaline detergent composition comprising:

[0035] about 0.5 wt% to about 90 wt% of an alkali metal carbonate alkalinity source;

[0036] about 1 wt% to about 7.5 wt% of a surfactant component comprising a low foaming nonionic surfactant and a cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant in a ratio greater than 1:1 and less than 5:1;

[0037] about 1 wt % to about 30 wt % of a chelating agent;

[0038] About 0.01 to about 25 wt % of a metal protective agent; and

[0039] About 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt% enzyme, and any remainder comprises water, or another functional component.

[0040] 16. The composition of embodiment 15, wherein the metal protecting agent comprises one or more of the following: a maleic acid copolymer, an acrylic acid polymer, or an alkali metal silicate.

[0041] 17. The cleaner according to any one of embodiments 15-16, wherein the alkalinity source comprises an ash-based carbonate.

[0042] 18. The composition according to any one of embodiments 15-17, wherein the chelating agent is one or more of the following: MGDA, GLDA or EDTA.

[0043] 19. The composition according to any one of embodiments 15-18, wherein the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is an alkyl quaternary ammonium alkoxide surfactant.

[0044] 20. The composition according to any one of embodiments 15-19, wherein the quaternary ammonium cationic alkoxylate surfactant is a coconut oil alkyl quaternary amine ethoxylate.

[0045] 21. The composition of embodiment 15, wherein the quaternary ammonium cationic alkoxide surfactant is present in an amount of about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%.

[0046] 22. The composition according to any one of embodiments 15 to 19, wherein the low foaming surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant.

[0047] 23. The composition of embodiment 15, wherein the low foaming surfactant is present in an amount of about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%.

[0048] 24. The composition according to embodiment 15, wherein the ratio of low foaming nonionic surfactant to quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is 3:1.

[0049] 25. The composition of embodiment 1 which is diluted to form a use composition.

[0050] 26. A method for cleaning oily and fatty soils from dishes, comprising:

[0051] applying a detergent composition to a ware surface in a dishwasher; wherein the detergent composition comprises a carbonate alkalinity source, a nonionic low foaming surfactant, a quaternary amine cationic surfactant, a chelating agent and an enzyme; and thereafter

[0052] The dishes are rinsed, wherein the detergent provides improved removal of oily soils and acceptable sudsing for dishwasher performance.

[0053] 27. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the cleaning agent is diluted to form a use solution.

[0054] 28. The method according to embodiment 26, wherein the nonionic low foaming surfactant and the quaternary amine cationic surfactant are present in a weight ratio greater than 1:1 and less than 5:1.

[0055] 29. The method according to embodiment 26 or 27, wherein the quaternary amine cationic surfactant is an alkyl quaternary amine alkoxide surfactant.

[0056] 30. The method according to embodiment 28, wherein the surfactant is coconut oil alkyl quaternary amine ethoxylate.

[0057] 31. The method according to embodiment 28, wherein the nonionic low foaming surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate.

[0058] 32. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the solid cleaning agent is diluted to form a use solution.

[0059] 33. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the dishwasher is a utility dishwasher.

[0060] 34. The method according to embodiment 26, wherein the dishwasher is a clean-in-place machine.

[0061] 35. The method of embodiment 26, wherein the solid is a compressed, extruded or cast solid.

[0062] 36. The method of embodiment 35, wherein the solid is a compressed solid.

[0063] 37. The method of embodiment 32, wherein the use solution is generated in a warewashing machine.

[0064] 38. The method of embodiment 26, further comprising the step of producing a use solution of the detergent composition, wherein the pH of the detergent use solution is about 9-12.5.

[0065] Although various embodiments are disclosed, other embodiments of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0066] Figure 1A and 1B , initial screening tests looking at blends of different surfactants and their effect on foaming. It can be seen that the surfactant composition of the blended cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant / nonionic surfactant / nonionic antifoaming alcohol ethoxylate surfactant exhibits very little foaming, which is consistent with our current ash-based chemistries (which have desirable foaming properties). We also included a reverse control chemistry (Control Cleaner 1), which was deemed to produce unacceptable levels of foaming.

[0067] Figure 2 , Chili Oil Removal Test Results, for the Experimental Cleaner 1 prototype formulation, the effect of the blended cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant / nonionic surfactant / nonionic antifoam alcohol ethoxylate surfactant composition on the removal of oily soils was observed. It can be seen that replacing the traditional nonionic EO-PO surfactant with this new surfactant package resulted in significant improvements in performance and in some cases, exceeded the performance of the benchmark harsh formulation.

[0068] Figure 3 , Chili Oil Removal Test Results, for the Experimental Cleaner 2 prototype formulation, the effect of the blended cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant / nonionic surfactant / nonionic antifoam alcohol ethoxylate surfactant composition on the removal of oily soils was observed. It can be seen that replacing the traditional nonionic EO-PO surfactant with the new surfactant package resulted in significant improvements in performance and in some cases, exceeded the performance of the benchmark harsh formulation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] The present invention relates to a dishwashing detergent composition that uses a novel surfactant composition that improves oily soil removal and maintains low foaming behavior. The detergent composition has many advantages over conventional alkaline detergents. For example, when compared to traditional alkaline dishwashing detergents with nonionic surfactants, the detergent composition provides improved removal of fat and oily soils. The composition is also low foaming, which is necessary for automatic dishwashers.

[0070] The embodiments of the present invention are not limited to specific alkaline detergent compositions, which may vary and are understood by those skilled in the art. It is further understood that all terms used herein are intended to describe specific embodiments only and are not intended to be limiting in any manner or scope.

[0071] 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 dictates otherwise. In addition, all units, prefixes, and symbols may be represented in their SI recognized form. Numerical ranges recited in the specification are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0072] First define some terms like this, can more easily understand the present invention.Unless otherwise specified, all scientific and technological terms used herein have the same meaning as the common understanding of those skilled in the art relevant to the embodiments of the present invention.Many methods and materials similar to, changing or being equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the embodiments of the present invention, without excessive experimentation, and preferred materials and methods are described herein.In describing and claiming embodiments of the present invention, the following terms will be used according to the following definitions.

[0073] As used herein, the term "about" modifies the amount of a component or ingredient in the compositions of the invention or used in the methods of the invention, and refers to variations in quantity that may occur, for example, through typical real-world measurement and liquid handling procedures used to make concentrates or use solutions; through unintentional errors in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the composition or perform the method, etc. The term "about" also includes amounts that vary due to different equilibrium conditions of the composition formed from a particular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term "about," the specification and claims include equivalent amounts.

[0074] The term "surfactant" refers to an organic chemical that, when added to a liquid, changes the properties of the liquid at a surface.

[0075] "Clean" means to perform or assist in removing dirt, bleaching, rust removal, spot removal, reducing the number of microorganisms, flushing, or a combination thereof.

[0076] As used herein, the term "substantially free" means that the composition is completely lacking the component or has only a small amount of the component so 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 0.5wt%. In another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.1wt% and in still another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.01wt%.

[0077] As used herein, "solid" cleaning composition refers to a cleaning composition in solid form, such as powder, particles, aggregates, flakes, granules, pellets, sheets, diamonds, pucks, cakes, bricks, solid blocks, unit doses or other solid forms known to those skilled in the art. The term "solid" refers to the state of the cleaning composition under the storage and use conditions of the expected solid cleaning composition. Generally, it can be expected that the cleaning composition will remain in solid form when exposed to an elevated temperature of 100°F and preferably 120°F. Cast, compressed or extruded "solids" can take any form, including blocks. When referring to cast, compressed or extruded solids, it means that the hardened composition will not undergo appreciable flow and will substantially maintain its shape under moderate stress, pressure or gravity alone. For example, the shape of the mold when demoulding, the shape of the product formed once extruded from the extruder, etc. The hardness of the solid casting composition can range from a molten solid mass which is relatively dense and hard, similar to concrete, to a consistency characterized as being ductile and spongy, similar to a caulking material.

[0078] The terms "active" or "active percent" or "active weight percent" or "active concentration" are used interchangeably herein and refer to the concentration of those ingredients included in the cleanser expressed as a percentage minus inert ingredients such as water or salt.

[0079] The term "substantially similar cleaning performance" generally refers to that achieved by an alternative cleaning product or alternative cleaning system that cleans to a generally identical degree (or at least a not significantly lower degree of cleaning) or with a generally identical work effort (or at least a not significantly lower work effort), or both.

[0080] As used herein, the term "about" refers to variations in quantity that can occur, for example, through typical real-world measurement and liquid handling procedures used to make concentrates or use solutions; through unintentional errors in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the composition or perform the method, etc. The term "about" also includes amounts that differ because of different equilibrium conditions of the composition formed from a particular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term "about," the specification and claims include equivalent amounts.

[0081] As used herein, the term "substantially free" means that the composition is completely lacking the component or has a small amount of the component so that the component does not affect the effectiveness of the composition. The component may be present as an impurity or as a contaminant and should be less than 0.5wt%. In another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.1wt% and in still another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.01wt%.

[0082] As used herein, the terms "feed water," "dilution water," and "water" refer to any source of water that can be used with the methods and compositions of the present invention. Water sources suitable for use with the present invention include a wide variety of water qualities and pHs, and include, but are not limited to, city water, well water, water supplied by a municipal water system, water provided by a private water system, and / or water directly from said system or well. Water may also include water from a used water storage tank, such as a recirculating water tank for storing recirculated water, a storage tank, or any combination thereof. Water also includes food processing or transportation water. It should be understood that regardless of the source of the input water used in the systems and methods of the present invention, the water source may be further processed in the manufacturing facility. For example, lime may be added for precipitation of minerals, carbon filtration may remove odor contaminants, additional chlorine or chlorine dioxide may be used for disinfection, or the water may be purified by reverse osmosis to obtain properties similar to distilled water.

[0083] As used herein, the term "ware" refers to items such as tableware and cookware, dishes and other hard surfaces such as shower heads, sinks, toilets, bathtubs, countertops, windows, mirrors, transportation vehicles and floors. As used herein, the term "warewashing" refers to washing, cleaning or rinsing a ware. A ware also refers to a plastic product. The types of plastics that can be cleaned with the compositions of the present invention include, but are not limited to, those including polycarbonate polymers (PC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene polymers (ABS) and polysulfone polymers (PS). Another exemplary plastic that can be cleaned using the compounds and compositions of the present invention includes polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0084] As used herein, the terms "weight percent," "wt %," "weight percent," "weight %," and variations thereof, refer to the concentration of a substance, which is the weight of the substance divided by the total weight of the composition, and multiplied by 100. As used herein, it should be understood that "percent," "%," and the like are intended to be synonymous with "weight percent," "wt %," and the like.

[0085] 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 and compositions may include additional steps, components, or ingredients, but only if the additional steps, components, or ingredients do not materially change the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed methods and compositions.

[0086] Compositions of the present invention

[0087] Cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant / alkyl quaternary ammonium alkoxide

[0088] Cationic quaternary ammonium surfactants are substances that have a net positive charge based on a nitrogen-centered cationic moiety. Suitable cationic surfactants contain quaternary ammonium groups. Suitable cationic surfactants particularly include those of the following general formula:

[0089] N (+) R 1 R 2 R 3 R 4 X (-)

[0090] Where R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 independently of one another represent an alkyl group, an aliphatic group, an aromatic group, an alkoxy group, a polyoxyalkylene group, an alkylamide group, a hydroxyalkyl group, an aryl group, H + ions, each having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and defining the group R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 at least one of which has at least 8 carbon atoms and wherein X (-) stands for anions such as halogen, acetate, phosphate, nitrate or alkyl sulfate, preferably chloride. The aliphatic radical may also contain crosslinking or other groups, such as further amino groups, in addition to the carbon and hydrogen atoms.

[0091] Specific cationic active ingredients include, for example, but are not limited to, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (ADBAC), alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, benzethonium chloride, N, N-bis-(3-aminopropyl) dodecylamine, chlorhexidine gluconate, organic and / or inorganic salts of chlorhexidine gluconate, PHMB (polyhexamethylene biguanide), salts of biguanide, substituted biguanide derivatives, organic salts of quaternary ammonium-containing compounds or inorganic salts of quaternary ammonium-containing compounds or mixtures thereof.

[0092] Cationic surfactants preferably include, and more preferably refer to, compounds containing at least one long carbon chain hydrophobic group and at least one positively charged nitrogen. The long carbon chain group can be directly attached to the nitrogen atom by simple substitution; or more preferably indirectly attached to the chlorine atom by a bridging functional group or a group in a so-called interrupted alkylamine and amidoamine. Such functional groups can make the molecule more hydrophilic and / or more water-dispersible, more easily water-solubilized by a co-surfactant mixture, and / or water-soluble. In order to increase water solubility, additional primary, secondary or tertiary amino groups can be introduced or the amino nitrogen can be quaternized with a low molecular weight alkyl group. In addition, the nitrogen can be a branched or straight chain part of different degrees of unsaturation or a part of a saturated or unsaturated heterocycle. In addition, the cationic surfactant can contain a complex connection with more than one cationic nitrogen atom.

[0093] Surfactant compounds classified as amine oxides, amphoterics, and zwitterions are themselves typically cationic in near-neutral to acidic pH solutions and may overlap with surfactant classifications. Polyoxyethylated cationic surfactants generally behave like nonionic surfactants in alkaline solutions and like cationic surfactants in acidic solutions.

[0094] The simplest cationic amines, amine salts and quaternary ammonium compounds can thus be diagrammed as:

[0095]

[0096] wherein R represents a long alkyl chain, R', R" and R'" can be long alkyl chains or smaller alkyl or aryl groups or hydrogen, and X represents an anion. Amine salts and quaternary ammonium compounds are preferred for use in the practice of the present invention due to their high water solubility.

[0097] Most of the large number of commercially available cationic surfactants can be subdivided into four major classes and additional subgroups known to those skilled in the art and described in "Surfactant Encyclopedia", Cosmetics & Toiletries, Vol. 104(2), 86-96 (1989). The first class includes alkyl amines and their salts. The second class includes alkyl imidazolines. The third class includes ethoxylated amines. The fourth class includes quaternaries, such as alkyl benzyl dimethyl ammonium salts, alkyl benzene salts, heterocyclic ammonium salts, tetraalkyl ammonium salts, and the like. It is known that cationic surfactants have a variety of properties that may be beneficial to the compositions of the present invention. These desirable properties may include detergency in compositions at neutral or lower pH, antimicrobial efficacy, thickening or gelling in synergy with other agents, and the like.

[0098] Cationic surfactants useful in the compositions of the present invention include those having the formula R1 m R 2 x Those of YLZ, each of which R 1 is an organic radical containing a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl group, which is optionally substituted with up to three phenyl or hydroxy groups and is optionally interrupted by up to four of the following structures or isomers or mixtures of these structures:

[0099]

[0100] And it contains 8 to 22 carbon atoms. 1 The group may additionally contain up to 12 ethoxy groups. m is 1-3. Preferably, when m is 2, not more than one R 1 The group has 16 or more carbon atoms, or when m is 3, there is not more than one R in the molecule 1 The group has more than 12 carbon atoms. 2 is an alkyl or hydroxyalkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group, and there is not more than one R 2 is benzyl, and x is a number from 0 to 11, preferably from 0 to 6. Any remaining carbon atom positions on the Y group are filled with hydrogen.

[0101] Y can be a group including, but not limited to:

[0102]

[0103] p = about 1-12

[0104]

[0105] p = about 1-12 or mixtures thereof.

[0106] Preferably L is 1 or 2. When L is 2, the Y group is selected from R having 1 to 22 carbon atoms and two free carbon single bonds. 1 and R 2 The moieties of the analogs (preferably alkylene or alkenylene) are interrupted. Z is a water-soluble anion such as sulfate, methylsulfate, hydroxide or nitrate anion, and particularly preferably a certain number of sulfate or methylsulfate anions to impart electrical neutrality to the cationic component.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, the cationic quaternary surfactant is from Berol ECO (AkzoNobel), a blended material containing cationic and nonionic surfactants (coconut alkyl quaternary amine ethoxylate and C9-11 alcohol ethoxylate).

[0108] Suitable concentrations of cationic quaternary ammonium surfactants in the cleaning composition comprise from about 0.01% to about 10% by weight of the cleaning composition. Particularly suitable amounts include from about 0.05% to about 7% or from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of the cleaning composition.

[0109] Defoaming nonionic surfactant

[0110] Nonionic surfactants

[0111] Nonionic surfactants are generally characterized by the presence of an organic hydrophobic group and an organic hydrophilic group, and are typically produced by the condensation of an organic aliphatic, alkyl aromatic or polyoxyalkylene hydrophobic compound with a hydrophilic alkaline oxide moiety (which in common practice is ethylene oxide or its polyhydrated products, polyethylene glycol). In practice, any hydrophobic compound having hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino or amide groups and reactive hydrogen atoms can be condensed with ethylene oxide or its polyhydrated adducts, or a mixture thereof with an alkoxylene such as propylene oxide, to form a nonionic surfactant. The length of the hydrophilic polyoxyalkylene moiety (which is condensed with any particular hydrophobic compound) can be readily adjusted to produce a water-dispersible or water-soluble compound having a desired balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. Examples include:

[0112] 1. Block polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymeric compounds based on propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, and ethylenediamine as the initiator reactive hydrogen compound. An example of a polymeric compound made by sequential propoxylation and ethoxylation of the initiator is manufactured by BASF Corp under the trade name and commercially available under Tetronico. The compound is a difunctional (two reactive hydrogen) compound formed by the condensation of ethylene oxide with a hydrophobe formed by the addition of propylene oxide to the two hydroxyl groups of propylene glycol. The molecular weight of this hydrophobe is 1000-4000. Ethylene oxide is then added to sandwich this hydrophobe between the hydrophilic groups, with the length controlled to account for about 10% to about 80% by weight of the final molecule. The compound is a tetrafunctional block copolymer derived from the sequential addition of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The molecular weight of the propylene oxide hydrophobe is 500-7000; and the hydrophilic ethylene oxide is added to constitute 10% to 80% by weight of the molecule.

[0113] 2. The condensation products of one mole of an alkylphenol in which the alkyl chain, in a straight or branched configuration, or of a mono- or di-alkyl component, contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, with 3 to 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl group may be represented, for example, by diisobutylene, dipentyl, polymerized propylene, isooctyl, nonyl and dinonyl. These surfactants may be polyethylene oxide, polypropylene oxide and polybutylene oxide condensates of alkylphenols. Examples of commercially available compounds of this chemistry are those manufactured by Rhone-Poulenc under the trade name Made by Dow Off the market.

[0114] 3. The condensation products of one mole of a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain alcohol having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms with from 3 to 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The alcohol portion may consist of a mixture of alcohols within the above carbon range, or it may consist of an alcohol having a specific number of carbon atoms within this range. Examples of similar commercially available surfactants are manufactured by Shell Chemical Co. under the trade name and Vista Chemical Co. Off the market.

[0115] 4. The condensation products of one mole of a saturated or unsaturated, straight or branched chain carboxylic acid having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms with from 6 to 50 moles of ethylene oxide. The acid portion may consist of a mixture of acids within the above carbon atom range, or it may consist of an acid having a specific number of carbon atoms within this range. Examples of such chemical commercial compounds are manufactured by Henkel Corporation under the trade name and Lipo Chemicals, Inc. Off the market.

[0116] In addition to ethoxylated carboxylic acids (commonly referred to as polyethylene glycol esters), other alkanoic acid esters formed by reaction with glycerides, glycerol and polyhydroxy (saccharide or sorbitan / sorbitol) alcohols can be used in the present invention. All of these ester moieties have one or more reactive hydrogen positions on their molecules that can undergo further acylation or ethylene oxide (alkoxide) addition to control the hydrophilicity of these materials. When these fatty esters or acylated carbohydrates are added to the compositions of the present invention containing amylases and / or lipases, careful inspection must be performed due to potential incompatibility.

[0117] According to the present invention, the nonionic surfactant that can be used in the composition is a low foaming nonionic surfactant. Examples of nonionic low foaming surfactants that can be used in the present invention include:

[0118] 5. Compounds from (1) modified, essentially inversely, by adding ethylene oxide to ethylene glycol to provide a hydrophilicity of a specified molecular weight; and then adding propylene oxide to obtain hydrophobic blocks on the exterior (ends) of the molecule. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion is 1000-3100, and the central hydrophilic portion comprises 10 wt%-80 wt% of the final molecule. These inversely It is produced by BASF under the trade name Produced under R surfactant.

[0119] same, R surfactants are produced by BASF by sequential addition of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to ethylenediamine. The molecular weight of the hydrophobic portion is 2100-6700, and the central hydrophilic portion accounts for 10% to 80% by weight of the final molecule.

[0120] 6. Compounds from groups (1), (2), (3) and (4) modified to reduce foaming by "blocking" or "capping" the terminal hydroxyl groups (of the polyfunctional moiety) by reaction with small hydrophobic molecules such as propylene oxide, butylene oxide, benzyl chloride; and short chain fatty acids, alcohols or alkyl halides (containing 1-5 carbon atoms); and mixtures thereof. Also included are reactants such as thionyl chloride which convert the terminal hydroxyl groups to chloride groups. Such modification of the terminal hydroxyl groups may result in full block, block-heteroblock, heteroblock-block or full heteroblock nonionics.

[0121] Additional examples of effective low foaming nonionics include:

[0122] 7. Alkylphenoxypolyethoxyalkanol of U.S. Patent No. 2,903,486 issued September 8, 1959 to Brown et al. and represented by the following formula:

[0123]

[0124] wherein R is an alkyl group of 8-9 carbon atoms, A is an alkylene chain of 3-4 carbon atoms, n is an integer of 7-16, and m is an integer of 1-10.

[0125] Martin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 3,048,548, issued Aug. 7, 1962, discloses a polyalkylene glycol condensate having alternating hydrophilic oxyethylene chains and hydrophobic oxypropylene chains, wherein the weight of the terminal hydrophobic chains, the weight of the intermediate hydrophobic units and the weight of the connecting hydrophilic units each account for approximately one third of the condensate.

[0126] The defoaming nonionic surfactant disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,382,178 issued May 7, 1968 to Lissant et al. has the general formula Z[(OR) nOH] z , wherein Z is an alkoxylatable material, R is a group derived from a basic oxide (which may be ethylene and propylene), and n is an integer such as 10-2000 or greater, and z is an integer determined by the number of reactive oxyalkylatable groups.

[0127] The 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(C3H6O) n (C2H4O) m H, wherein Y is the residue of an organic compound having 1 to 6 carbon atoms and one reactive hydrogen atom, n has an average value of at least 6.4, which is determined by the hydroxyl number, and m has a value such that the oxyethylene moieties constitute 10% to 90% by weight of the molecule.

[0128] Lundsted et al., U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,619, issued Apr. 6, 1954, describe conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds having the formula Y[(C3H6O n (C2H4O) m H] x , wherein Y is the residue of an organic compound having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and containing x reactive hydrogen atoms, wherein the value of x is at least 2, the value of n is such that the molecular weight of the polyoxypropylene hydrophobe is at least 900, and the value of m is such that the oxyethylene content of the molecule is 10% to 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 small amounts of ethylene oxide, and the oxyethylene chain also optionally, but advantageously, contains small amounts of propylene oxide.

[0129] Additional conjugated polyoxyalkylene surfactants (which are advantageously used in the compositions of the present invention) correspond to the formula: P[(C3H6O) n (C2H4O) m H] x , wherein P is the residue of an organic compound having 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 44, and the value of m is such that the oxypropylene content of the molecule is from 10% to 90% by weight. In either case, the oxypropylene chain may contain, optionally but advantageously, small amounts of ethylene oxide and the oxyethylene chain may contain, likewise optionally but advantageously, small amounts of propylene oxide.

[0130] 8. The polyhydroxy fatty acid amide surfactants suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention include those having the structural formula R 2 CONR 1 Those of Z, among which: R 1is H, C1-C4 hydrocarbon, 2-hydroxyethyl, 2-hydroxypropyl, ethoxy, propoxy or a mixture thereof; R is C5-C 31 A hydrocarbon group, which may be straight chain; and Z is a polyhydroxy hydrocarbon group, which has a linear hydrocarbon chain and at least 3 hydroxyl groups directly attached to the chain, or an alkoxylated derivative thereof (preferably ethoxylated or propoxylated). Z may be derived from a reducing sugar in a reductive amination reaction; for example a glycidyl moiety.

[0131] 9. Alkyl ethoxylated condensation products of aliphatic alcohols with 0-25 mol of ethylene oxide are suitable for use in the compositions of the present invention. The alkyl chain of the aliphatic alcohol may be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and generally contains 6 to 22 carbon atoms.

[0132] 10. Ethoxylated C6-C 18 Fatty alcohols and C6-C 18 Mixed ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohols are suitable surfactants for use in the compositions of the present invention, especially those that are water soluble. Suitable ethoxylated fatty alcohols include C 10 -C 18 Ethoxylated fatty alcohols, the degree of ethoxylation of which is 3-50.

[0133] 11. Suitable nonionic alkyl polysaccharide surfactants, particularly for use in the compositions of the present invention, include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,565,647 to Llenado, issued Jan. 21, 1986. These surfactants include hydrophobic groups containing 6-30 carbon atoms and polysaccharides, such as polyglycosides, containing hydrophilic groups of 1.3-10 sugar units. Any reducing sugar containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms, such as glucose, galactose, can be used, and the galactosyl moiety can replace the glucosyl moiety. (Optionally the hydrophobic group is attached at the 2-, 3-, 4-, etc. positions, thus producing glucose or galactose as opposed to a glycoside or galactoside). The intersugar bond can, for example, be between one position of the additional sugar unit and the 2-, 3-, 4- and / or 6-position of the aforementioned sugar unit.

[0134] 12. Suitable fatty acid amide surfactants for use in the compositions of the present invention include those having the formula: R 6 CON(R 7 )2, where R 6 is an alkyl group containing 7 to 21 carbon atoms, and each R 7 are independently hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 hydroxyalkyl or --(C2H4O) x H, where x is 1-3.

[0135] 13. Useful classes of nonionic surfactants include those defined as alkoxylated amines, or most specifically, alcohol alkoxylated / aminated / alkoxylated surfactants. These nonionic surfactants can be represented at least in part by the following general formula:

[0136] R 20 --(PO) s N-(EO) t H,

[0137] R 20 --(PO) s N-(EO) t H(EO) t H, and

[0138] R 20 --N(EO) t H;

[0139] Where R 20 is an alkyl, alkenyl or other aliphatic group, or an alkyl-aryl group (8-20, preferably 12-14 carbon atoms), EO is ethylene oxide, PO is propylene oxide, s is 1-20, preferably 2-5, t is 1-10, preferably 2-5, and u is 1-10, preferably 2-5. Other variations on the range of these compounds can be represented by alternative formulas:

[0140] R 20 --(PO) v --N[(EO) w H][(EO) z H]

[0141] Where R 20 As defined above, v is 1-20 (eg, 1, 2, 3 or 4 (preferably 2)), and w and z are independently 1-10, preferably 2-5.

[0142] These compounds are represented commercially by a series of products sold by Huntsman Chemicals as nonionic surfactants. Preferred chemicals in this class include Surfonic PEA 25 amine alkoxide.

[0143] The paper Nonionic Surfactants, ed. Schick, MJ, Surfactant Science Series Vol. 1, Marcel Dekker, Inc., New York, 1983 is an excellent reference for a wide variety of nonionic compounds commonly used in the practice of the present invention. A typical list of nonionic species and the species of these surfactants is given in U.S. Patent No. 3,929,678, issued December 30, 1975 to Laughlin and Heuring. Additional examples are given in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents" (Volumes I and II, Schwartz, Perry and Berch).

[0144] A suitable amount of non-foaming nonionic surfactant is about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of the cleaning solution. A particularly suitable amount is about 0.1% to about 12% by weight or about 0.5% to about 10% by weight of the cleaning solution.

[0145] According to the present invention, the applicant has found that the critical ratio of nonionic surfactant to cationic quaternary ammonium surfactant should be greater than 1:1, preferably 3:1 and not greater than 5:1 nonionic surfactant to quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant.

[0146] Alkalinity Source

[0147] The detergent composition includes a source of alkalinity. Exemplary alkalinity sources include alkali metal carbonates and / or alkali metal hydroxides.

[0148] Alkali metal carbonates used in detergent formulations are often referred to as ash-based detergents and sodium carbonate is most often used. Additional alkali metal carbonates include, for example, sodium carbonate or potassium. In aspects of the present invention, alkali metal carbonates are further understood to include metasilicates, silicates, bicarbonates and sesquicarbonates. According to the present invention, any "ash-based" or "alkali metal carbonate" should also be understood to include all alkali metal carbonates, metasilicates, silicates, bicarbonates and / or sesquicarbonates.

[0149] Alkali metal hydroxides used in detergent formulations are often referred to as caustic detergents. Examples of suitable alkali metal hydroxides include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, and lithium hydroxide. Exemplary alkali metal salts include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and mixtures thereof. The alkali metal hydroxide can be added to the composition in any form known in the art, including as solid beads, dissolved in an aqueous solution, or a combination thereof. Alkali metal hydroxides are commercially available as solids in the form of granular solids or beads having a mixed particle size of about 12-100 U.S. mesh, or as aqueous solutions, such as 45% and 50% by weight solutions.

[0150] In addition to the primary alkalinity source, the detergent composition may include a secondary alkalinity source. Examples of useful secondary alkalinity sources include, but are not limited to: metal silicates such as sodium or potassium silicate, or sodium or potassium metasilicate; metal carbonates such as sodium or potassium carbonate, bicarbonate, sesquicarbonate; metal borates such as sodium or potassium borate; and ethanolamines and amines. Such alkalinity agents are commercially available in aqueous or powdered form, either of which is used to formulate the detergent composition of the present invention.

[0151] An effective amount of one or more alkalinity sources is provided in the detergent composition. An effective amount refers to an amount that provides a use composition having a pH of at least about 9, preferably at least about 10. When the pH of the use composition is about 9-about 10, it can be considered to be moderately alkaline, and when the pH is greater than about 12, the use composition can be considered to be caustic. In some cases, the detergent composition can provide a use composition that is used when the pH level is lower than about 9, such as by dilution of the increase of the detergent composition. Typically, the amount of the alkalinity source provided in the concentrate can be an amount of at least about 0.05wt%, based on the weight of the alkaline concentrate. The amount of the alkalinity source in the concentrate is preferably about 0.05wt%-about 99wt%, more preferably about 0.1wt%-about 95wt% and most preferably 0.5wt%-90wt%.

[0152] Additional surfactants

[0153] The detergent composition may include one or more additional surfactants. Any of a variety of additional surfactants may be used in the dishwashing composition, such as anionic, nonionic, cationic and zwitterionic surfactants, although the composition preferably does not contain anionic surfactants. It should be understood that surfactants are optional components of the detergent composition and may not be included therein. Exemplary ranges of surfactants in the concentrate include about 0.05wt%-15wt%, more preferably about 0.5wt%-10wt%, and most preferably about 1wt%-7.5wt%.

[0154] Exemplary surfactants that can be used are commercially available from a number of sources. For a discussion of surfactants, see Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, Third Edition, Volume 8, Pages 900-912. When the composition includes a detergent, the detergent can be provided in an amount effective to provide the desired level of cleaning.

[0155] Anionic surfactants useful in the detergent composition include, for example, carboxylates such as alkyl carboxylates (carboxylates) and polyalkoxy carboxylates, alcohol ethoxylate carboxylates, nonylphenol ethoxylate carboxylates, etc.; sulfonates such as alkyl sulfonates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, sulfonated fatty acid esters, etc.; sulfates such as sulfated alcohols, sulfated alcohol ethoxylates, sulfated alkylphenols, alkyl sulfates, sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfates, etc.; and phosphates such as alkyl phosphates, etc. Exemplary anionic surfactants include sodium alkylaryl sulfonates, α-olefin sulfonates, and fatty alcohol sulfates.

[0156] Nonionic surfactants useful in detergent compositions include, for example, those having a polyalkylene oxide polymer as part of the surfactant molecule. Such nonionic surfactants include, for example, polyglycol ethers of chloro-, benzyl-, methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, butyl- and other similar alkyl-terminated fatty alcohols; polyalkylene oxide free nonionics such as alkyl polyglycosides; sorbitan and sucrose esters and their ethoxylates; alkoxylated ethylenediamines; alcohol alkoxylates such as alcohol ethoxylate propoxylates, alcohol propoxylates, alcohol propoxylate ethoxylate propoxylates, alcohol ethoxylate butoxylates, and the like; nonylphenol ethoxylates, polyoxyethylene glycol ethers, and the like; carboxylic acid esters such as glycerol esters, polyoxyethylene esters, ethoxylated and fatty acid glycol esters, and the like; carboxylic acid amides such as diethanolamine condensates, monoalkanolamine condensates, polyoxyethylene fatty acid amides, and the like; and polyalkylene oxide block copolymers including ethylene oxide / propylene oxide block copolymers such as those sold under the trade name (BASF-Wyandotte); and other similar nonionic compounds. Silicone surfactants such as B8852.

[0157] Cationic surfactants useful in detergent compositions include amines such as primary, secondary and tertiary monoamines, having C 1-8 Alkyl or alkenyl chains, ethoxylated alkylamines, alkoxylates of ethylenediamine, imidazoles such as 1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazoline, 2-alkyl-1-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-imidazoline, and the like; and quaternary ammonium salts such as alkyl chloride quaternary ammonium surfactants such as n-alkyl (C 12 -C 18 ) dimethylbenzylammonium chloride, n-tetradecyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride monohydrate, naphthylene-substituted quaternary ammonium chlorides such as dimethyl-1-naphthylmethylammonium chloride, etc. Cationic surfactants can be used to provide disinfecting properties.

[0158] Zwitterionic surfactants that can be used in the detergent composition include betaines, imidazolines and propionates.

[0159] Chelating agents

[0160] The composition of the present invention may also include a chelating agent at a level of 0.1% to 35% by weight, preferably 0.2% to 30% by weight, more preferably 0.3% to 25% by weight of the total composition. Chelation herein refers to the binding or complexation of a bi- or multidentate ligand. These ligands (which are often organic compounds) are called chelating agents, chelating agents, chelating agents and / or chelating agents. Chelating agents form multiple chemical bonds with a single metal ion. Chelating agents are chemicals that form soluble complex molecules with certain metal ions, deactivating the ions so that they cannot react normally with other elements or ions to produce precipitates or scaling. The ligand forms a chelate complex with the substrate. The term is reserved for complexes in which metal ions are bonded to two or more atoms of the chelating agent. The chelating agents used in the present invention are those with crystal growth inhibition, i.e., those that interact with small calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate particles to prevent them from aggregating into hard scaling deposits. The particles repel each other and remain suspended in water or form loose aggregates that can settle. These loose aggregates are easily flushed away and do not form deposits.

[0161] Suitable chelating agents may be selected from aminocarboxylates (which may be the same as those used for metal protection, or alternatively further aminocarboxylates), aminophosphonates, polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents and mixtures thereof. Preferred chelating agents for use herein are weak chelating agents such as amino acid based chelating agents and preferably citrates, citrates, tartrates and glutamic acid-N, N-diacetic acid and derivatives and / or phosphonate based chelating agents and preferably diethylenetriamine pentamethylphosphonic acid.

[0162] Aminocarboxylates / salts include ethylenediaminetetraacetate / salts, N-hydroxyethylethylenediaminetriacetate / salts, nitriletriacetate / salts, ethylenediaminetetrapropionate / salts, triethylenetetraaminehexaacetate / salts, diethylenetriaminepentaacetate / salts and ethanoldiaminoacetic acid, alkali metal, ammonium and substituted ammonium salts thereof and mixtures thereof. As well as MGDA (methyl-aminoacetic acid-diacetic acid), and salts and derivatives thereof, and GLDA (glutamic acid-N, N-diacetic acid) and salts and derivatives thereof. According to the present invention, GLDA (its salts and derivatives) is particularly preferred, and its tetrasodium salt is particularly preferred.

[0163] Other suitable chelating agents include amino acid-based compounds or succinate-based compounds. The terms "succinate-based compounds" and "succinate-based compounds" are used interchangeably herein. Other suitable chelating agents are described in U.S. Patent No. 6,426,229. Particularly suitable chelating agents include, for example, aspartic acid-N-monoacetic acid (ASMA), aspartic acid-N, N-diacetic acid (ASDA), aspartic acid-N-monopropionic acid (ASMP), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), iminodiacetic acid (IDA), N-(2-sulfomethyl)aspartic acid (SMAS), N-(2-sulfoethyl)aspartic acid (SEAS), N-(2-sulfomethyl)glutamic acid (SMGL), N-(2-sulfoethyl)glutamic acid (SEGL), N-methyliminodiacetic acid (MIDA), alanine-N,N-diacetic acid (ALDA), serine-N,N-diacetic acid (SEDA), isoserine-N,N-diacetic acid (ISDA), phenylalanine-N,N-diacetic acid (PHDA), anthranilic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (ANDA), sulfanilic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (SLDA), taurine-N,N-diacetic acid (TUDA) and sulfomethyl-N,N-diacetic acid (SMDA) and their alkali metal or ammonium salts. Also suitable are ethylenediamine disuccinates ("EDDS"), in particular the [S,S] isomer, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,704,233. In addition, hydroxyethyleneiminodiacetic acid, hydroxyiminodisuccinic acid, hydroxyethylenediaminetriacetic acid are also suitable. Particularly preferred is alanine, N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)-trisodium salt.

[0164] Other chelating agents include homopolymers and copolymers of polycarboxylic acids and their partially or completely neutralized salts, monomeric polycarboxylic acids and hydroxycarboxylic acids and their salts. Preferred salts of the above compounds are ammonium and / or alkali metal salts, i.e., lithium, sodium and potassium salts, and particularly preferred salts are sodium salts.

[0165] Suitable polycarboxylates are non-cyclic, alicyclic, heterocyclic and aromatic carboxylates, in which case they contain at least two carboxyl groups, which are preferably separated from each other by no more than 2 carbon atoms in each case. Polycarboxylates containing two carboxyl groups include, for example, water-soluble salts of the following acids: malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid. Polycarboxylates containing three carboxyl groups include, for example, water-soluble citrates. Correspondingly, suitable hydroxycarboxylic acids are, for example, citric acid. Another suitable polycarboxylic acid is a homopolymer of acrylic acid. Preferred are polycarboxylates end-capped with sulfonates.

[0166] Amino phosphonates are also suitable for use as chelating agents and include ethylenediaminetetrakis (methylene phosphonates) as a DEQUEST. Preferred are those amino phosphonates which do not contain alkyl or alkenyl groups having more than about 6 carbon atoms.

[0167] Polyfunctionally substituted aromatic chelating agents are also useful in the compositions described herein such as described in US Patent No. 3812044. Preferred compounds of this type in the acid form are the dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2-dihydroxy-3,5-disulfobenzene.

[0168] Suitable polycarboxylates for use herein include citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, succinic acid, formic acid, all preferably in the form of water-soluble salts. Other suitable polycarboxylates are oxadisuccinates, carboxymethyloxysuccinates and mixtures of tartrate monosuccinic acid and tartrate disuccinic acid as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,071.

[0169] Corrosion Inhibitors / Metal Protectants

[0170] The cleaning composition may also comprise a corrosion inhibitor. Generally, it would be expected that the corrosion inhibitor component would loosely retain calcium to reduce precipitation of any calcium carbonate once it has experienced a pH of at least 8.0 (when this is used as a source of alkalinity).

[0171] Exemplary corrosion inhibitors include phosphonic acid, phosphonic acid esters / salts, phosphate esters / salts, polymers and mixtures thereof. Exemplary phosphonic acid are included under the name Bayhibit TM AM from Bayer, and include 2-phosphinobutane-1,2,4 tricarboxylic acid (PBTC). Exemplary phosphonates include aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid), 1-hydroxyethylidene-1-1-diphosphonic acid, ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), hexamethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid), and mixtures thereof. Exemplary phosphonates are available under the name Dequest TMCommercially available from Monsanto under the following. Exemplary polymers include polyacrylates / salts, polymethacrylates / salts, polyacrylic acid, polyitaconic acid, polymaleic acid, sulfonated polymers, and copolymers and mixtures thereof. It should be understood that the mixture may include a mixture of different acid-substituted polymers within the same general category. In addition, it should be understood that the salts of acid-substituted polymers may be used. Useful carboxylated polymers may be generally classified as water-soluble carboxylic acid polymers such as polyacrylic acid and polymethacrylic acid or vinyl addition polymers. Among the expected vinyl addition polymers, maleic anhydride copolymers are exemplified, for example, copolymers with vinyl acetate, styrene, ethylene, isobutylene, acrylic acid and vinyl ether. The polymers tend to be water-soluble or at least colloidally dispersed in water. The molecular weight of these polymers may vary over a wide range, although it is preferred to use a polymer having an average molecular weight of 1000 to 1000000, more preferably a molecular weight of 100000 or less, and most preferably a molecular weight of 1000-10000.

[0172] Polymers or copolymers (acid substituted polymers or other added polymers) can be prepared by addition or hydrolysis techniques. Thus, maleic anhydride copolymers are prepared by the addition polymerization of maleic anhydride and another comonomer, such as styrene. Low molecular weight acrylic polymers can be prepared by the addition polymerization of acrylic acid or its salts with itself or with other vinyl comonomers. Alternatively, such polymers can be prepared by alkaline hydrolysis of low molecular weight acrylonitrile homopolymers or copolymers. For such preparative techniques, see U.S. Patent No. 3,419,502 to Newman.

[0173] The corrosion inhibitor / metal protectant may be provided at about 0.01 wt% to about 20 wt% and more preferably about 0.05 wt% to about 15 wt% and most preferably about 0.1% and 10%, based on the weight of the concentrate. It should be understood that the polymer, phosphonic acid ester / salt and phosphonic acid ester / salt may be used alone or in combination.

[0174] In addition to providing alkalinity and having anti-redeposition properties, silicates can also provide additional metal protection. Exemplary silicates include sodium silicate and potassium silicate. The detergent composition can be provided without silicates, but when silicates are included, they can be included in an amount that provides the desired metal protection. The concentrate can include about 1 wt% to about 80 wt%, more preferably about 5 wt% to about 70 wt%, and most preferably about 10 wt% to 60 wt% of the silicate.

[0175] filler

[0176] The rinse aid may optionally include a small but effective amount of one or more fillers which do not necessarily behave as rinse and / or cleansing agents themselves, but which may synergize with the rinse agent to enhance the overall capabilities of the composition. Some examples of suitable fillers may include sodium chloride, starch, sugar, C1-C 10 Alkylene glycols such as propylene glycol, etc. In some embodiments, fillers may be included in an amount up to about 20 wt%, and in some embodiments about 1-15 wt%. Sodium sulfate is generally used as an inert filler.

[0177] pH Adjusting Compounds

[0178] The compositions of the present invention may include a pH adjusting compound to achieve the desired alkalinity of the detergent. The pH adjusting compound, when present, is present in an amount sufficient to achieve the desired pH, typically from about 0.5% to about 3.5% by weight.

[0179] Examples of alkaline pH adjusting compounds include, but are not limited to, ammonia; mono-, di- and trialkylamines; mono-, di- and trialkanolamines; alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides; alkali metal phosphates; alkali metal sulfates; alkali metal carbonates; and mixtures thereof. However, the type of alkaline pH adjusting agent is not limited, and any alkaline pH adjusting compound known in the art may be used. Specific, non-limiting examples of alkaline pH adjusting compounds are ammonia; sodium, potassium and lithium hydroxides; sodium and potassium phosphates, including hydrogen phosphates and dihydrogen phosphates; sodium and potassium carbonates and bicarbonates; sodium and potassium sulfates and bisulfates; monoethanolamine; trimethylamine; isopropanolamine; diethanolamine; and triethanolamine.

[0180] water

[0181] The detergent composition includes water. Water can be added to the composition independently or can be provided in the composition as a result of its presence in an aqueous material added to the composition. For example, the material added to the composition includes water or can be prepared as an aqueous premix, which can be used to react with the coagulant component. Typically, water is introduced into the composition to provide a detergent composition with a desired viscosity before solidification, and to provide a desired solidification rate.

[0182] Generally, it is expected that water can be present as a processing aid and can be removed or become water of hydration. It is expected that water can be present in the composition. In a solid composition, it is expected that water will be present in 2wt%-15wt%. For example, water is present in an amount of 2wt%-about 12wt% in an embodiment of the composition, or 3wt%-about 10wt% in another embodiment, or 3wt%-4wt% in still another embodiment. It should be understood that water can be provided as deionized water or as softened water.

[0183] Hardener / solubility modifier

[0184] Conventionally, if the composition is to be in solid form, sodium sulfate and urea are used for coagulation. Examples of other hardeners include amides such as stearic acid monoethanolamide or lauric acid diethanolamide, or alkylamides, etc.; solid polyethylene glycols, or solid EO / PO block copolymers, etc.; starches (which have been made water-soluble by acid or alkaline treatment methods); different inorganic substances (which impart coagulation properties to the heated composition once cooled), etc. Such compounds can also change the solubility of the composition in the aqueous medium during use, so that the rinsing aid and / or other active ingredients can be distributed from the solid composition over a prolonged period of time. The composition may include a hardener in an amount of up to about 30 wt%. In some embodiments, the hardener may be present in an amount of 5-25 wt%, often 10-25 wt% and sometimes about 5-about 15 wt%.

[0185] Other additives

[0186] The detergent composition may include other additives such as bleach, detergent builders, hardeners or solubility modifiers, defoamers, anti-redeposition agents, threshold agents, stabilizers, dispersants, enzymes, aesthetic improvers (i.e., dyes, fragrances), etc. The adjuvants and other additive ingredients will vary according to the type of composition to be manufactured. It should be understood that these additives are optional and not necessarily included in the cleaning composition. When they are included, they can be included in an amount that provides the effectiveness of the component for the specific type.

[0187] Bleach

[0188] Bleaching agents used in cleaning compositions to brighten or whiten substrates include bleaching compounds that are capable of releasing active halogen species, such as Cl2, Br2, --OCL and / or --OBr, under typical conditions encountered during cleaning methods. -. Suitable bleaches for use in the cleaning compositions of the present invention include, for example, chlorine-containing compounds such as chlorine, hypochlorites and / or chloramines. Exemplary halogen-releasing compounds include alkali metal dichloroisocyanurates, chlorinated trisodium phosphates, alkali metal hypochlorites, monochloramine and dichloramine, and the like. Encapsulated chlorine sources can also be used to enhance the stability of the chlorine source in the composition (see, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,618,914 and 4,830,773, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference). The bleaching agent can also be a peroxide or an active oxygen source such as hydrogen peroxide, perborate, sodium carbonate peroxyhydrate, phosphate peroxyhydrate, potassium permonosulfate and monosodium perborate and tetrahydrate, with and without activators such as tetraacetylethylenediamine, and the like. The composition can contain an effective amount of bleaching agent. In a preferred embodiment, when the concentrate contains a bleaching agent, it can account for an amount of about 0.1 wt% to about 60 wt%, more preferably about 1 wt% to about 20 wt% and most preferably about 3 wt% to about 8 wt%.

[0189] Defoaming agent

[0190] Antifoaming agents for reducing foam stability may also be included in the composition to reduce foaming. When the concentrate includes an antifoaming agent, the antifoaming agent may be provided in an amount of about 0.01 wt% to about 3 wt%.

[0191] Examples of defoamers that can be used in the composition include ethylene oxide / propylene block copolymers, organosilicon compounds such as silica dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane, polydimethylsiloxane, and functionalized polydimethylsiloxanes such as those sold under the name Abil B9952, fatty amides, hydrocarbon waxes, fatty acids, fatty esters, fatty alcohols, fatty acid soaps, ethoxylates, mineral oils, polyethylene glycol esters, alkyl phosphonates such as monostearyl phosphate, etc. Discussions of defoamers can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,048,548 to Martin et al., 3,334,147 to Brunelle et al., and 3,442,242 to Rue et al., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0192] Anti-redeposition agents

[0193] The composition may contain an anti-redeposition agent to promote permanent suspension of soil in the cleaning solution and to prevent the removed soil from being redeposited on the cleaned substrate. Examples of suitable anti-redeposition agents include fatty acid amides, fluorocarbon surfactants, complexed phosphate esters, styrene maleic anhydride copolymers, and cellulose derivatives such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the anti-redeposition agent, when present in the concentrate, is added in an amount of about 0.5 wt% to about 10 wt%, and more preferably about 1 wt% to about 5 wt%.

[0194] Stabilizers that can be used include primary fatty amines, betaines, borates, calcium ions, sodium citrate, citric acid, sodium formate, glycerol, malonic acid, organic diacids, polyols, propylene glycol, and mixtures thereof. The concentrate need not include a stabilizer, but when the concentrate includes a stabilizer, it can be included in an amount that provides the desired level of concentrate stability. In a preferred embodiment, the amount of stabilizer is from about 0 to about 20 wt%, more preferably from about 0.5 wt% to about 15 wt%, and most preferably from about 2 wt% to about 10 wt%.

[0195] Dispersants

[0196] Dispersants that can be used in the composition include maleic acid / olefin copolymers, polyacrylic acid, and mixtures thereof. The concentrate need not include a dispersant, but when a dispersant is included, it can be included in an amount that provides the desired dispersibility. Exemplary ranges of dispersant in the concentrate can be about 0 to about 20 wt%, more preferably about 0.5 wt% to about 15 wt% and most preferably about 2 wt% to about 9 wt%.

[0197] Enzymes

[0198] Enzymes can be included in the composition to aid in the removal of difficult-to-treat soils such as starch, protein, and the like. Exemplary types of enzymes include proteases, alpha-amylases, and mixtures thereof. Exemplary proteases that can be used include those derived from Bacillus licheniformix, Bacillus lenus, Bacillus alcalophilus, and amyloliquefacins. Exemplary alpha-amylases include Bacillus subtilis, amyloliquefaceins, and Bacillus licheniformis. The concentrate does not necessarily include an enzyme. When the concentrate includes an enzyme, it can be included in an amount that provides the desired enzyme activity when the warewashing composition is provided as a use composition. Exemplary ranges of enzymes in the concentrate include about 0-about 15 wt%, more preferably about 0.5 wt%-about 10 wt%, and most preferably about 1 wt%-about 5 wt%.

[0199] Dyes, odorants, etc.

[0200] Various dyes, odorants (including fragrances) and other aesthetic enhancers can be included in the composition. Dyes can be included to change the appearance of the composition, such as Direct Blue 86 (Miles), Fastusol Blue (Mobay Chemical Corp.), Acid Orange 7 (American Cyanamid), Basic Violet 10 (Sandoz), Acid Yellow 23 (GAF), Acid Yellow 17 (Sigma Chemical), Dark Green (Keystone Analine and Chemical), Metamine Yellow (Keystone Analine and Chemical), Acid Blue 9 (Hilton Davis), Sandolan Blue / Acid Blue 182 (Sandoz), HisolFast Red (Capitol Color and Chemical), Fluorescein (Capitol Color and Chemical), Acid Green 25 (Ciba-Geigy), etc.

[0201] Fragrances or fragrances that may be included in the composition include, for example, terpenes such as citronellol, aldehydes such as amyl cinnamaldehyde, jasmine such as C1S-jasmine or jasminepyran, vanillin, and the like.

[0202] formula

[0203] The cleaning composition of the present invention can be formulated into solid, liquid, powder, paste, gel or the like.

[0204] Solid detergent compositions provide some commercial advantages for the present invention. For example, as a result of compacted solid form, compared with larger volume liquid products, using concentrated solid detergent compositions reduces transportation costs. In certain embodiments of the present invention, solid product can be provided in the form of multi-purpose solid, such as block or a plurality of pellets, and can be reused to produce the use aqueous solution of this detergent composition, for multiple cycles or the dispersion cycle of a predetermined number. In certain embodiments, the quality of solid detergent composition can be greater than about 5g, such as about 5g-10kg. In certain embodiments, the quality of the solid detergent composition of multi-purpose form is about 1kg to about 10kg or larger.

[0205] When the component that processes to form the cleaning agent is processed into a block, it is expected that the component can be processed by extrusion, casting or compressed solid technology. Usually, when the component is processed by extrusion technology, it is believed that the composition can include a relatively smaller amount of water compared with the casting technology to help processing. Usually, when preparing solid by extrusion, it is expected that the composition can include the water of about 2wt%-about 10wt%. When preparing solid by casting, it is expected that the amount of water can be provided with the amount of about 20wt%-about 50wt%.

[0206] The cleaning agents of the present invention may be present as a use solution or a concentrated solution in any form including liquid, free-flowing particulate form, powder, gel, paste, solid, slurry and foam.

[0207] In some embodiments, in the formation of solid composite, can use mixing system to provide the continuous mixing of described composition under sufficiently high shear, to form substantially uniform solid or semisolid mixture, wherein described composition is distributed in its whole mass.In some embodiments, mixing system comprises and is used to mix described composition to provide effective shearing, to maintain this mixture in the device of flowable concentration, and in the process of processing, viscosity range is about 1000-1000000cP, or is about 50000-200000cP.In some exemplary embodiments, mixing system can be continuous flow mixer or is extruder in some embodiments, for example single screw or twin screw extruder equipment.Suitable heat can be applied from external source to promote the processing of mixture.

[0208] The mixture is typically processed at a temperature to maintain the physical and chemical stability of the ingredients. In some embodiments, the mixture is processed at a temperature of about 100-140°F. In certain other embodiments, the mixture is processed at a temperature of 110-125°F. Although limited external heat can be applied to the mixture, the temperature achieved by the mixture can be increased during processing due to friction, changes in environmental conditions, and / or by exothermic reactions between the ingredients. Optionally, the temperature of the mixture can be increased, for example, at the inlet or outlet of the mixing system.

[0209] The ingredients may be in liquid or solid, e.g. dry particulate form, and may be added to the mixture separately or as part of a premix with another ingredient, e.g. as a preservative, dispersant, chelating agent, hydrotrope, sequestrant, aqueous medium, hardening agent, etc. One or more premixes may be added to the mixture.

[0210] The ingredients are mixed to form a substantially uniform consistency, wherein the ingredients are substantially uniformly distributed throughout the mass. The mixture can be discharged from the mixing system through a die or other forming device. The shaped extrudate can then be divided into useful sizes with controlled mass. Optionally, heating and cooling devices can be installed adjacent to the mixing device to apply or remove heat to obtain a desired temperature profile in the mixer. For example, an external heat source can be applied to one or more barrel areas of the mixer, such as an ingredient inlet area, a final outlet area, etc., to increase the fluidity of the mixture during processing. In some embodiments, the temperature of the mixture during processing (including at the discharge port) is maintained at approximately 100-140°F.

[0211] Said composition hardens and forms solid due to the chemical or physical reaction of the necessary components. The solidification process can last for several minutes to about 6 hours or longer, which for example depends on the size of the casting or extruded composition, the composition of the composition, the temperature of the composition and other similar factors. In some embodiments, the casting or extruded composition is "fixed" or begins to harden into a solid form in about 1 minute to about 3 hours, or in about 1 minute to about 2 hours, or in some embodiments in about 1 minute to about 20 minutes.

[0212] In some embodiments, the extruded solid can be packaged, for example, in a container or film. The temperature of the mixture when discharged from the mixing system can be low enough to enable the mixture to be directly cast or extruded into a packaging system without first cooling the mixture. The time between extrusion discharge and packaging can be adjusted to allow the composition to harden for better handling during further processing and packaging. In some embodiments, the mixture at the discharge point is about 100-140°F. In certain other embodiments, the mixture is processed at a temperature of 110-125°F. The composition then hardens into a solid form, which can range from a low density, spongy, ductile, caulking concentration to a high density, fused solid, concrete-like solid.

[0213] How to use

[0214] The method of using the detergent composition of the present invention is particularly suitable for public ware cleaning. The exemplary disclosure of ware cleaning application is described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 13 / 474771, 13 / 474780 and 13 / 112412, including all references described therein, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The method can be carried out in any consumer or public dishwasher, including those described in U.S. Patent No. 8092613, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, including all figures and drawings. Some non-limiting examples of dishwashers include door-type machines or lid-type machines, conveyors, under-counter machines, glass washing machines, flight machines, pot and dish machines, utensil washing machines and consumer dishwashers. Dishwashers can be single-trough or multi-trough machines.

[0215] A door-type dishwasher, also called a lid-type dishwasher, refers to a commercial dishwasher in which soiled dishes are placed on racks which are then moved into the dishwasher. Door-type dishwashers clean one or two racks at a time. In such machines, the racks are fixed and the wash and rinse arms are mobile. Door-type machines include two sets of arms, one wash arm and one rinse arm, or one rinse arm.

[0216] Door-type machines can be high-temperature or low-temperature machines. In high-temperature machines, dishes are sterilized by hot water. In low-temperature machines, dishes are sterilized by chemical sterilants. Door-type machines can be recirculating machines or flip-fill machines. In recirculating machines, the detergent solution is reused, or "recirculated", between cleaning cycles. The concentration of the detergent solution is adjusted between cleaning cycles to maintain adequate concentration. In flip-fill machines, the cleaning solution is not reused between cleaning cycles. New detergent solution is added before the next cleaning cycle. A non-limiting example of a door-type machine includes Ecolab Omega HT, Hobart AM-14, Ecolab ES-2000, Hobart LT-1, CMA EVA-200, American Dish Service L-3DW and HT-25, Autochlor A5, Champion D-HB, and Jackson Tempstar.

[0217] Additionally, the method of using the detergent composition is also suitable for CIP and / or COP methods to replace the use of bulky detergents that leave hard water residues on the treated surface. The method of use may be desirable in other applications where industry standards focus on the quality of the treated surface, making the prevention of hard water scale accumulation provided by the detergent composition of the present invention desirable. Such applications may include, but are not limited to, vehicle care, industrial, hospital and textile care.

[0218] Additional examples of applications for the detergent composition include alkaline cleaners such as those effective as grill and oven cleaners, warewashing cleaners, laundry detergents, laundry presoaks, drain cleaners, hard surface cleaners, surgical instrument cleaners, transportation vehicle cleaning, vehicle cleaners, dishwashing presoaks, dishwashing detergents, beverage machine cleaners, concrete cleaners, building exterior cleaners, metal cleaners, floor finish removers, degreasers, and weld soil removers. In many of these applications, cleaning compositions having very high alkalinity are most desirable and effective, however, damage caused by metal corrosion is undesirable.

[0219] The various methods of use of the present invention utilize the use detergent composition, which can be formed prior to or at the point of combining the alkalinity source, aminocarboxylate / salt, and other desired components (eg, optional polymer and / or surfactant) in the weight percentages disclosed herein.

[0220] In certain embodiments, the detergent composition can be mixed with a water source prior to use or at the point of use. In other embodiments, the detergent composition does not require formation of a use solution and / or further dilution, and can be used without further dilution.

[0221] In aspects of the present invention using solid detergent compositions, a water source contacts the detergent composition to convert the solid detergent composition (particularly a powder) into a use solution. Additional dispersion systems may also be used that are more suitable for converting an alternative solid detergent composition into a use solution. The methods of the present invention include the use of a plurality of solid detergent compositions, including, for example, extruded blocks or "capsule" type packaging.

[0222] On the one hand, the dispenser can be used to spray water (e.g., spray from a nozzle in a spray pattern) to form a detergent use solution. For example, water can be sprayed toward an equipment or other holding container with a detergent composition, wherein the water reacts with the solid detergent composition to form a use solution. In certain embodiments of the inventive method, the use solution can be configured to drip downward due to gravity until the dissolved solution of the detergent composition is distributed according to the purposes of the present invention. On the one hand, the use solution can be distributed in the cleaning solution of a warewashing machine.

[0223] Use Composition

[0224] The compositions of the present invention include concentrate compositions and use compositions. For example, the concentrate composition can be diluted, for example, with water to form a use composition. In one embodiment, the concentrate composition can be diluted to a use solution before being applied to an object. For economic reasons, the concentrate can be sold and the end user can dilute the concentrate with water or an aqueous diluent to form a use solution.

[0225] The level of active ingredient in the concentrate composition depends on the target dilution ratio of the composition and the desired activity. Generally, a dilution of about 1 ounce of liquid to about 10 gallons of water to about 10 ounces of liquid to about 1 gallon of water is used for the aqueous composition of the present invention. In some embodiments, if elevated use temperatures (greater than 25°C) or extended exposure times (greater than 30 seconds) can be used, higher use dilutions can be used. In typical use scenarios, the concentrate is diluted with a large proportion of water, using commonly available tap water or household water to mix the material at a dilution ratio of about 3 to about 40 ounces of concentrate per 100 gallons of water.

[0226] In other embodiments, the use composition can include about 0.01 to about 10 wt % of the concentrate composition and about 90 to about 99.99 wt % of the diluent; or about 0.1 to about 1 wt % of the concentrate composition and about 99 to about 99.9 wt % of the diluent.

[0227] The amounts of ingredients in the use compositions can be calculated from the amounts of the concentrate compositions listed above and these dilution ratios. It should be understood that all values ​​and ranges between these values ​​and ranges are included in the present invention.

[0228] Sample formulations of the present invention

[0229] All are percentages by weight of the composition. The additional components described herein may total from 0.001 to about 15 wt % of the composition.

[0230]

[0231]

[0232] All publications and patent applications in this specification are indicative of the level of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. All publications and patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually incorporated by reference.

[0233] Example

[0234] Embodiments of the present invention are further defined in the following non-limiting examples. It should be understood that these examples, although representing certain embodiments of the present invention, are provided only as examples. From the above discussion and these examples, those skilled in the art can determine the basic characteristics of the present invention, and without departing from its purpose and scope, different changes and variations can be made to embodiments of the present invention to make it suitable for different uses and conditions. Therefore, except for those shown and described here, different changes of embodiments of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the preceding description. Such a change purpose also falls within the scope of this specification and the appended claims.

[0235] Example 1

[0236] The applicant has conducted screening tests on different combinations of anionic, cationic and / or nonionic surfactants. Among them, it was found that compositions containing anionic surfactants such as LAS, SLES or other sulfonates were unsatisfactory because too much foam was generated, even when combined with defoaming nonionic surfactants. Several surfactant blends containing defoaming nonionic surfactants and high cloud point nonionic, polycarboxylated anionic, amine oxide or quaternary amine surfactants in combination showed acceptable foaming behavior, and were therefore evaluated by warewashing tests to observe the effects of these surfactant blends on the removal of oily soils. Here, the blends containing high cloud point nonionic, polycarboxylated anionic and amine oxide surfactants showed insufficient oily soil removal at the level required to maintain low foaming levels, and were therefore found to be unsatisfactory. However, the applicant observed that the combination of quaternary amine alcohol ethoxylate surfactants and defoaming alcohol ethoxylate surfactants using cationic / nonionic blends had significant oil removal performance.

[0237] Figure 1. Initial screening tests looking at different blends of surfactants and their effect on foaming. We can see that the quaternary ammonium / nonionic surfactant combination exhibits very little foaming, which is consistent with our current ash-based chemistry, which has desirable foaming properties (Experimental Cleaner 1). We also included a negative control chemistry (Control Cleaner 1) which was deemed to produce unacceptable levels of foaming.

[0238] We performed 1 cycle evaluation on a number of formulations and observed the removal of baked-on chili oil stains onto tile. Below are several graphs showing the stain removal results of our prototype chemistry compared to several benchmark chemistries.

[0239] Table 2 Chemicals used for evaluation of chili oil

[0240]

[0241] Figure 2 The chili oil removal test results for the Experimental Cleaner 1 prototype formulation look at the effect of the quaternary ammonium / nonionic surfactant combination on oily soil removal. It can be seen that replacing the traditional nonionic surfactant with this new surfactant package results in significant improvements in performance and in some cases, exceeds the performance of the baseline harsh formulation.

[0242] Figure 3 Chili Oil Removal Test Results, for the Experimental Cleaner 2 prototype formulation, the effect of the quaternary ammonium / nonionic surfactant combination on the removal of oily soils was observed. It can be seen that replacing the traditional nonionic surfactant with this new surfactant package resulted in significant improvements in performance and in some cases, exceeded the performance of the baseline caustic formulation.

[0243] Evaluation of Glewwe Defoamer for Cleaners

[0244] Purpose: The purpose of this test is to evaluate the foaming tendency of warewashing detergents. This method is to determine if the proper level of antifoam is present in the product. It can also help determine if the antifoam has degraded. This procedure is qualitative only. This method is used to evaluate new ingredients, competitive products and complaints (RTI).

[0245] Principle: Use the Glewwe foaming apparatus to test the use dilution of a detergent in the presence of powdered milk soil. After stirring for 4 minutes at 160°F, soft water, 6 psi, the stirring is stopped and the foam height is measured at 0s, 15s and 60s.

[0246] Precautions:

[0247] 1) Safety glasses

[0248] 2) Laboratory clothing

[0249] Device:

[0250] 1) Glewwe foaming equipment with spray system VEE JET nozzle, p / n H- 1 / 4-U-SS-1530 (15 degree spray angle, 3.0 GPM)

[0251] 2) Hot soft water

[0252] 3) 20g of powdered milk for each test

[0253] 4) 1000ppm detergent (6g) for each cleaner, 50ppm surfactant blend

[0254] 5) Small and large weigh boats

[0255] 6) Stopwatch / Timer

[0256] 7) Ecolab Test Kit #307 (Ecolab Part #56309), #402 (Ecolab Part #57030), or #415 (Ecolab Part #55970) to test water hardness)

[0257] Reagents:

[0258] 1) Carnation Milk Powder

[0259] 2) Materials / products to be tested

[0260] Equipment preparation:

[0261] 1) Rinse the Glewwe device thoroughly as follows: Fill it with soft water and run the pump. Drain the device by opening the ball valve. If foam is produced during this cleaning process, repeat the procedure until there is no foam.

[0262] 2) Close the ball valve.

[0263] 3) Fill the cylinder to the bottom of the ruler, 0”, with hot soft water.

[0264] 4) Check and record water hardness.

[0265] 5) Start the pump. Adjust the pressure to 6 psi using the button located under the pressure gauge. Stop the pump. Start the pump for 15 seconds and then turn it off to ensure the psi remains constant. Repeat 3 times. This will remove any air in the line. Once the pressure is set, it is not adjusted during the test. It is only adjusted at the beginning of each foam test evaluation.

[0266] 6) Turn on the pump and adjust the temperature with steam to 160°F. Once the desired temperature is reached (see chart), turn off the steam.

[0267] 7) When you are ready to run your sample, check your temperature and add the test detergent or surfactant blend. Note the time. Place the small weigh boat with the detergent into the running Glewwe.

[0268] 8) After 1 minute, record the foam height on the cylinder of the Glewwe using a ruler and add 20 g of milk powder (do not place the large weigh boat into the Glewwe). After a further 4 minutes cycle time, stop the pump and record the foam height and characterize at times 0, 15 seconds and 1 minute.

[0269] 9) Open the ball valve to drain the machine and repeat the cleaning procedure.

[0270] Result description:

[0271] Unstable - the foam collapses quickly (less than 30 seconds)

[0272] Partially stable - foam slowly collapses (within 1 minute)

[0273] Stable - foam remains stable for several minutes

[0274] Preferred are detergent formulations which have a foam height of less than 3" while the Glewwe machine is running and have unstable foam, preferably the foam collapses and disappears within 30 seconds.

[0275] Variables: Tests can be run at a range of temperatures (ie, 100, 120, 140, and 160°F) to examine detergent foaming behavior.

[0276] Chili Oil Removal Test for Evaluation of Dishwashing Detergents

[0277] Purpose: To provide a test method to evaluate the cleaning performance of chili oil soils in a conventional dishwasher. Use this procedure to evaluate test ingredients, Ecolab products, and competitive products.

[0278] Device:

[0279] 1) Hook up the utility dishwasher to an appropriate water supply

[0280] 2) Ceramic test piece

[0281] 3) Balance

[0282] 4) Chili oil

[0283] 5) Sudan red dye

[0284] 6) Foam brush for chili oil application

[0285] 7) Drying oven

[0286] Dirt preparation procedure:

[0287] 1) Process the tiles and finish them and rinse them with deionized water to ensure they are free of any dirt or debris on the tile surface.

[0288] 2) Heat the tile in an oven at 155°C for at least 3 hours to ensure that there is no water on the tile to disturb the dirt.

[0289] 3) Once the tile had cooled to room temperature, it was soiled by applying 2 drops of red chili oil to the tile surface.

[0290] 4) Use a sponge brush to evenly apply the coating to the tile surface

[0291] 5) Place the soiled tile in an oven and bake at 155°C for 1 hour

[0292] 6) When the tiles have cooled to room temperature, they are ready for testing.

[0293] Performance testing procedures:

[0294] 1) Prepare the tiles for testing according to the above procedure.

[0295] 2) Each condition to be tested requires a set of at least four tiles.

[0296] 3) Connect the inlet water line of the dishwasher intended for testing to the desired water hardness valve. Start the dishwasher and any external source heater (if appropriate). The machine should begin to fill.

[0297] 4) Once the dishwasher has been filled and warmed up, test the water hardness using a water hardness titration kit. If the water hardness is appropriate, continue the test. If not, drain and refill the machine and retest until the desired hardness is achieved.

[0298] 5) Add detergent and any other test materials to the wash tank by manual dosing or using the detergent controller. If adding manually, run the wash pump for 10-20 seconds to mix the tank contents.

[0299] 6) Load the tiles to be tested into the rack and place the rack in the dishwasher. Note: Sprays from the wash arms can dislodge tiles during the wash cycle. The tiles can be secured to the rack or a dedicated rack using metal wire and a non-staining steel rod to hold the tiles in place.

[0300] 7) Run the dishwasher through a full cycle and remove the tiles from the racks.

[0301] 8) Drain and refill the dishwasher to prepare for the next test.

[0302] 9) Repeat 4-8 times until all tests are completed.

[0303] 10) Once the test is complete, clean the dishwasher using a deliming agent and rinse at least twice.

[0304] 11) After completing the test, stain the tiles with Sudan red dye to evaluate the cleaning performance.

[0305] 12) Scan the tile on a scanner to obtain an image of the tile.

[0306] 13) Perform image analysis using Fiji (Image J) software or similar to evaluate the percentage of soil removal for each tile.

[0307] 14) Results should only be compared within a group of tiles that were contaminated simultaneously.

[0308] The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the specification and claims.

Claims

1. A warewashing alkaline detergent composition comprising: 70 wt% to 90 wt% of an alkalinity source, which includes an alkali metal carbonate; 1 wt% to 6 wt% of a surfactant component comprising a mixture of a nonionic low foaming surfactant and a quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant in a ratio of 1:1 to 5:1, wherein the nonionic low foaming surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate surfactant and the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is a coconut oil alkyl quaternary amine ethoxylate surfactant; 0.5wt%-5wt% of a defoaming nonionic surfactant; and 23wt%-35wt% of a chelating agent; and the remainder comprises one or more of the following: a metal protectant, an enzyme, a bleaching agent, a coagulation aid and / or a carrier; The use composition of the alkaline cleaner composition has a pH of at least 9.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the metal protective agent is a polyacrylic acid or polymaleic acid polymer or an alkali metal silicate.

3. The composition of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the chelating agent is one or more of the following: MGDA, GLDA or EDTA.

4. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1 wt% to 5 wt% and wherein the nonionic low foaming surfactant is present in an amount of 1 wt% to 5 wt%.

5. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the nonionic low foaming surfactant is a C9-11 alcohol ethoxylate.

6. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the defoaming nonionic surfactant comprises ethylene oxide groups and propylene oxide groups and is present at 1 wt% to 5 wt%.

7. The composition of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the ratio of the nonionic low foaming surfactant to the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is less than 10:

1.

8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the ratio is 3:1 to 5:

1.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a solid.

10. The composition of claim 9, wherein the composition is a compressed, extruded or cast solid.

11. The composition of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the composition is diluted to form a use composition having a pH of at least 10.

12. A solid alkaline detergent composition comprising: 70 wt% to 90 wt% of an alkali metal carbonate alkalinity source; 1 wt% to 6 wt% of a surfactant component comprising a mixture of a nonionic low foaming surfactant and a quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant in a ratio greater than 1:1 and less than 5:1, wherein the nonionic low foaming surfactant is a C9-C11 alcohol ethoxylate surfactant and the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is a coconut oil alkyl quaternary amine ethoxylate surfactant; 0.5wt%-5wt% of a defoaming nonionic surfactant; 23wt%-30wt% of a chelating agent; 0.01-25 wt% of a metal protective agent; and 0.1wt%-5wt% enzyme, and any remainder comprises water, or another functional component; wherein the composition is diluted to form a use solution having a pH of at least 9.

13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the metal protecting agent comprises one or more of the following: a maleic acid copolymer, an acrylic acid polymer, or an alkali metal silicate.

14. The composition of any one of claims 12-13, wherein the alkalinity source comprises sodium carbonate.

15. The composition of any one of claims 13-14, wherein the chelating agent is one or more of the following: MGDA, GLDA, or EDTA.

16. The composition of any one of claims 12-15, wherein the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is present in an amount of 0.1 wt% to 5 wt% and wherein the nonionic low foaming surfactant is present in an amount of 1 wt% to 5 wt%.

17. The composition of any one of claims 12-16, wherein the defoaming nonionic surfactant comprises ethylene oxide groups and propylene oxide groups and is present in an amount of 1 wt% to 5 wt%.

18. The composition of any one of claims 12-17, wherein the ratio of the nonionic low foaming surfactant to the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant is from 3:1 to 5:

1.

19. The composition of claim 1 which is diluted to form a use composition having a pH of at least 10.

20. A method for cleaning oily and fatty soils from dishes, comprising: applying the detergent composition according to any one of claims 1 to 19 to the surface of dishes in a dishwasher; And after The dishes are rinsed, wherein the detergent provides improved oily soil removal and acceptable foaming for dishwasher performance.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the cleaning composition is diluted to form a use solution having a pH of at least 10.

22. The method of any one of claims 20-21, wherein the nonionic low foaming surfactant and the quaternary ammonium cationic surfactant are present in a weight ratio greater than 1:1 and less than 5:

1.

23. The method of any one of claims 20-22, wherein the dishwasher is a utility dishwasher.

24. The method of any one of claims 20-22, wherein the dishwasher is a clean-in-place machine.

25. The method of any one of claims 20-24, wherein the solid is a compressed, extruded or cast solid.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the solid is a compressed solid.

27. The method of claim 21, wherein the use solution is generated in a warewashing machine.

28. The method of claim 21, wherein the pH of the use solution is 9-12.

5.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the pH of the use solution is 10-12.5.

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