Cleaning composition

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hard surface cleaning composition that provides excellent off-odor reduction in addition to imparting good cleaning benefits. This is achieved using a composition comprising a Ca-LAS surfactant, an alkoxylated fatty alcohol surfactant, a phenoxyalkanol, and an alkane diol.

Description

[0001] Invention Field This invention relates to a hard surface cleaning composition that, in addition to providing good cleaning results, also offers excellent odor reduction. Background of the Invention Hard surface cleaning compositions are used to clean various surfaces in homes and other public places, such as offices, restaurants, and high-density areas like shopping malls, airports, and train stations. Areas in these places that require frequent cleaning include bathrooms, toilets, and kitchens. While frequent cleaning maintains adequate hygiene, if these spaces have unpleasant lingering odors, cleaning alone may not provide the necessary sensory feedback of freshness. Therefore, reducing odors in these spaces is important for those who use these facilities.

[0003] Cleaning products for such applications are available in various forms. Powders were once widely used. Then came shaped strips, such as soap bars. Strips are gradually being replaced by liquids and pastes. Abrasive pastes typically contain anionic surfactants (usually sodium salts of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids (Na-LAS)), nonionic surfactants, and abrasives. While such compositions provide good cleaning, it has been found that even when formulated with fragrances, they are insufficient in reducing odors. A patent application, publication number WO2020 / 041063, attempts to address this problem by using certain oligoamines in Na-LAS-based compositions. While some solutions have been proposed, there is always a need to combine previously used active ingredients to provide excellent odor reduction. Leveraging their extensive experience in formulating surfactant-based cleaning compositions and their knowledge of odor generation and mitigation, the inventors sought a solution to this problem. After extensive experimentation, they found that odor reduction occurred when the preservative component phenoxyalkanol was combined with an active ingredient such as alkanediol. However, this was not very significant in conventional Na-LAS surfactant systems. The applicant has disclosed patents concerning water-based cleaning compositions, such as EP3350298, which contain calcium and magnesium salts (Ca-LAS and Mg-LAS) of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids, which are milder than sodium salts because they are closer to a neutral pH. After further extensive experimentation with various surfactant systems including the aforementioned Ca-LAS and Mg-LAS surfactants, they surprisingly found a significant reduction in odor when the Ca-LAS surfactant was combined with nonionic surfactants such as alkoxylated fatty alcohols and combinations of the aforementioned phenoxyalkanols and alkanediols.

[0004] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a hard surface cleaning composition that provides superior odor reduction compared to known compositions of this type. Invention Overview A first aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaning composition comprising: (i) Calcium salts of straight-chain alkylbenzene sulfonic acids; (ii) Alkoxylated fatty alcohols; (iii) C2-C3 phenoxyalcohols, preferably phenoxyethanol; and (iv) C3 to C8 alkane diols.

[0006] Another aspect of the invention relates to a method for reducing odors, comprising the steps of cleaning a surface with the composition of the first aspect (optionally diluted with water), followed by rinsing or wiping the composition off the surface. Invention Details Any feature of one aspect of the invention may be used in any other aspect of the invention. The word “comprising” is intended to mean “including”, but not necessarily “consisting of” or “made up of”. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. Except where explicitly stated in the operational and comparative examples, or elsewhere, all figures indicating the amount of material or reaction conditions, physical properties of the material, and / or uses herein should be understood to be modified by the word “about”. Numerical ranges expressed in the format “x to y” are understood to include both x and y. When multiple preferred ranges are described in the format “x to y” for a particular feature, it should be understood that all ranges combining different endpoints are also considered. Unless otherwise stated, quantities used herein are expressed as a weight percentage based on the total weight of the composition and are abbreviated as “weight%”. The use of any and all instances or exemplary language provided herein, such as “such as”, is merely for the purpose of better illustrating the invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the otherwise claimed invention in any way. Room temperature is defined as a temperature of approximately 25 degrees Celsius.

[0008] Hard surfaces include floors, walls, tiles, windows, cabinets, sinks, showers, washbasins, toilets, fixtures, and fittings made of various materials such as ceramic, vinyl, unwaxed vinyl, linoleum, melamine, glass, Formica®, glass ceramics, plasticized wood, metal, or any painted, varnished, or sealed surface. It also includes household appliances, including but not limited to refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, and dishwashers. The term "tableware" includes glasses, pots, pans, baking dishes, and flatware made of ceramic, porcelain, metal, glass, plastic (polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene), wood, enamel, Inox®, Teflon, or any other material commonly used in the manufacture of items for dining and / or cooking.

[0009] The cleaning composition of the present invention comprises a calcium salt of a linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (abbreviated as Ca-LAS). It is preferably an aqueous composition.

[0010] Ca-LAS is formed by neutralizing linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LAS acid) with a calcium salt. Preferably, the calcium salt is calcium hydroxide or calcium oxide. Preferably, the LAS acid is neutralized with a calcium salt in the absence of abrasive particles. Ca-LAS acts as the main surfactant in the composition for cleaning benefits.

[0011] Preferably, the composition according to the invention comprises 0.1 to 15% by weight of a calcium salt of a linear alkylbenzenesulfonic acid, more preferably 0.5 to 10% by weight, even more preferably 1 to 5% by weight, and most preferably 2 to 4% by weight. Preferably, the composition comprises less than 1% by weight, more preferably less than 0.1% by weight of a sodium salt of a linear alkylbenzenesulfonic acid (Na-LAS). Due to the exchange of calcium and sodium ions, any excess of Na-LAS can lead to instability in the composition. Ideally, Na-LAS is absent from the composition.

[0012] Dolomite is commonly used as a source of calcium salts for neutralizing LAS acids, which may leave a portion of magnesium salts (Mg-LAS) of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids in addition to Ca-LAS. However, dolomite is a naturally occurring mineral, and its properties often vary, particularly the relative ratios of its components, which can affect product performance. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is preferable to use calcium salts from non-dolomite sources to neutralize LAS acids.

[0013] The amount of magnesium salt of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid does not exceed 1 wt% of the amount of calcium salt. For example, if the total amount of Ca-LAS is 5 wt%, then the maximum amount of Mg-LAS is 0.05 wt%, which in total does not exceed 1 wt% of the amount of calcium salt.

[0014] Preferably, the composition does not contain magnesium salts of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.

[0015] Therefore, the amount of magnesium salt of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid is 0 to 1 by weight of calcium salt.

[0016] The composition comprises one or more alkoxylated fatty alcohols. These are nonionic surfactants. The HLB value of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols is in the range of 11 to 20, and the carbon chain length of the fatty alcohol is in the range of 12 to 16. All nonionic surfactants have an HLB value. The higher the value, the more hydrophilic the surfactant. On the other hand, surfactants with lower HLB values ​​are more lipophilic.

[0017] Alkoxylated fatty alcohols impart stability to the composition. Particularly preferred is that the degree of ethoxylation in the alkoxylated fatty alcohol is 5 to 8 moles of ethylene oxide units. Alkoxylated fatty alcohols with an ethoxylation degree of 5-8 exhibit particularly good technical effects in stabilizing the composition when stored at temperatures above or below normal room temperature (i.e., about 20°C).

[0018] Preferably, the composition contains 0.05 to 10% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 8% by weight, and most preferably 1 to 5% by weight of an alkoxylated fatty alcohol. A combination of one or more such nonionic surfactants may also be used.

[0019] Preferably, the weight ratio of calcium salt linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid to alkoxylated fatty alcohol is 1:1 to 2:1.

[0020] The compositions of the present invention comprise C2-C3 phenoxyalkanols. Particularly preferred is the use of phenoxyethanol. The phenoxyalkanols are preferably contained in the composition at 0.05 to 1% by weight.

[0021] The composition comprises C3 to C8 alkane diols. A preferred alkane diol is propylene glycol. The alkane diol is preferably contained in the composition at a weight percentage of 0.05 to 1.0%.

[0022] Not wanting to be bound by theory, the inventors believe that the combination of phenoxyalkanol and alkanediol in the Ca-LAS-based cleaning composition works to reduce odors by lowering the vapor pressure of odor molecules, by neutralizing odor molecules, or by a combination of both.

[0023] The compositions of the present invention preferably contain abrasive particles with a Mohs index of 0.5 to 7. The preferred abrasive is calcite. When included, the abrasive particles are contained in 10 to 50% by weight, preferably 20 to 50% by weight, more preferably 25 to 45% by weight. Other suitable abrasive particles are bentonite, kaolin, dolomite, or feldspar. Preferably, calcite is contained in at least 50% by weight of the total abrasive particles in the composition. Preferably, the average particle size of the abrasive particles is in the range of 0.5 to 400 micrometers, more preferably 10 to 200 micrometers.

[0024] The composition according to the invention is preferably alkaline. The compound preferably has a pH in the range of 9 to 12, more preferably 9.5 to 11.5, at 20°C.

[0025] The compositions according to the invention preferably contain magnesium oxide. It has been observed that magnesium oxide helps stabilize the composition and maintain pH under different storage conditions in the compositions of the invention. Preferably, magnesium oxide is added to the composition after neutralization with LAS acid. Preferably, the composition contains 0.01 to 2% by weight of magnesium oxide, more preferably 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of magnesium oxide.

[0026] Most hard surface cleaning compositions, such as dishwashing compositions and kitchen cleaners, require a certain viscosity, especially for ease of application and spreadability. The compositions according to the invention achieve this within 20 seconds. -1 It has a viscosity of 500 to 2000 mPa at 20°C. Viscosity can be measured by any suitable method. Preferably, it is measured at 20°C with a shear rate of 1 s⁻¹. -1 Up to 50 s-1 Measurements were performed using the Haake® AR1000 Rheometer with a cone-plate assembly.

[0027] The composition preferably comprises a polymer. The purpose of the polymer is to provide a certain viscosity to the composition. Preferably, the polymer is a water-swellable polymer or an associative polymer. Preferably, the polymer provides the desired viscosity when the pH of the composition is in the range of 9 to 12. Whenever the polymer is present, it is preferably present in an amount of 0.005 to 10% by weight. Preferably, the polymer is one or more of polyacrylic acid, polyacrylate, cross-linked acrylate, guar gum or derivatives thereof, starch-acrylic acid graft copolymer, hydrolysis product of starch-acrylonitrile graft copolymer, cross-linked polyoxyethylene, cross-linked methylcellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, or a partially cross-linked water-swellable polymer of polyethylene oxide and polyacrylamide, or isobutylene / maleic acid copolymer. Whenever present, the composition preferably contains 0.008% to 5% by weight of the polymer, more preferably 0.01% to 2.5% by weight of the polymer. Particularly preferred polymers are Acusol® 880 / 882 / 883.

[0028] The composition according to the invention is aqueous, i.e., water-based. Preferably, the composition contains 20 to 80% by weight, more preferably 30 to 75% by weight, even more preferably 40 to 70% by weight, and most preferably 50 to 60% by weight of water.

[0029] The composition may contain other ingredients disclosed below. The cleaning composition may further contain other anionic surfactants, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants, provided they do not interfere with the performance or stability of the composition. Preferably, the amount of these other surfactants is in the range of 0.1 to 20% by weight. Preferably, the composition contains less than 1% by weight of a cationic surfactant. More preferably, the total amount of surfactant in the composition is not greater than 40% by weight. In other words, the active detergent (AD) level is not greater than 40% by weight. The term total surfactant refers to the sum of all surfactants contained in the composition, including calcium salts of linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acids. Preferably, the AD content is not more than 30% by weight, more preferably not more than 20% by weight, and even more preferably not more than 10% by weight.

[0030] The compositions according to the invention may contain additional ingredients to improve or enhance performance. These ingredients include pigments, fragrances, dirt suspending agents, stain-removing enzymes, compatible bleaching agents, freeze-thaw stabilizers, bactericides, preservatives, water-soluble agents, and flavorings.

[0031] Preferably, the composition according to the invention is in liquid, cream, or paste form, which can be applied directly to hard surfaces.

[0032] The compositions according to the invention can be packaged in any suitable container. Preferably, the compositions are packaged in plastic bottles with a detachable closure / pouring spout. The bottles can be rigid or deformable. Deformable bottles allow for dispensing by squeezing the bottle. If transparent bottles are used, they can be made of PET or polyethylene. Preferably, if opaque bottles are used, they can be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The bottles can have one or more labels, or have shrink-wrapped sleeves that are ideally at least partially transparent, for example, 50% of the sleeve area is transparent. The adhesive used for any transparent labels should preferably not adversely affect the transparency. The compositions can also be packaged in other forms, such as packets and pouches.

[0033] Conventional methods for preparing cleaning compositions containing Ca-LAS involve neutralizing the acidic LAS with dolomite or, for example, calcite. In this way, any intentionally excessive neutralizing agent (i.e., dolomite or calcite) acts as an abrasive in the final composition.

[0034] Therefore, the present invention further provides a method for preparing the composition of the present invention, comprising the step of preparing a calcium salt of linear alkylbenzenesulfonate by reacting a linear alkylbenzenesulfonic acid with calcium oxide and / or calcium hydroxide. Preferably, the step of preparing Ca-LAS is carried out in the absence of abrasive particles present in the final composition.

[0035] The present invention further provides a method for reducing odors, comprising the steps of cleaning a surface with a composition of the present invention, optionally diluted with water, followed by rinsing or wiping the surface with the composition.

[0036] The invention will now be further described with reference to the following non-limiting embodiments.

[0037] Example Examples 1, 2, A, and B: Comparison of odor reduction provided by the compositions of the present invention compared to similar prior art. Prepare the compositions shown in Table 1 below. Table 1

[0038] The compositions shown in Table 1 above were evaluated for odor using the following protocol.

[0039] The rating was based on a single attribute: "odor intensity." Eleven trained sensory panel members rated the odor on a scale of 0 to 10, where 0 represents less odor and 10 represents more odor.

[0040] Obtain a ceramic tile and apply 0.1 ml of the odor mixture evenly onto it using a ring. The odor mixture is a mixture of the following odor molecules: dimethyl disulfide, n-methylmorpholine, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, p-toluene isovalerate, benzothiazole, p-cresol, m-cresol, and skatole from propylene glycol.

[0041] The odor emanating from the tiles was evaluated by panel members at regular time intervals (0 hours, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours). Then, 1 ml of product was applied to the odor mixture and evenly diffused onto the tiles. Panel members evaluated the odor on the tiles at the same time intervals (0 hours, 30 minutes, 1 hour, and 2 hours) after product application.

[0042] The differences in odor scores at different time points were calculated, and the average values ​​are summarized in Table 2 below.

[0043] Table 2: Reduction in odor score after product application compared to before product application.

[0044] The data in Table 2 above show that, compared with the prior art sample (Example A), the composition according to the invention (fragrance-free) of Example 1 scored higher in terms of odor reduction over a long period of time. The same trend was observed for the sample containing fragrance (Example 2 according to the invention compared with the prior art sample of Example B).

[0045] Furthermore, by comparing Examples 1 and 2 with Comparative Examples A1 and A2, it has been demonstrated that, in cleaning compositions containing Ca-LAS, the presence of alkane diols does indeed provide improved odor reduction compared to compositions without alkane diols.

Claims

1. A cleaning composition comprising: (i) Calcium salts of straight-chain alkylbenzene sulfonic acids; (ii) Alkoxylated fatty alcohols; (iii) C2-C3 phenoxyalcohols, preferably phenoxyethanol; and (iv) C3 to C8 alkane diols.

2. The composition of claim 1, comprising 0.1 to 15% of a calcium salt of a linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.

3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the alkoxylated fatty alcohol has an HLB value in the range of 11 to 20, a carbon chain length of 12 to 16, and a degree of ethoxylation of 5 to 8.

4. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, comprising 0.05 to 10% by weight of alkoxylated fatty alcohol.

5. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising 0.05 to 1% by weight of phenoxyalanol.

6. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the alkane diol is propane diol.

7. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, comprising 0.05 to 1% by weight of alkane diol.

8. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising 20 to 80% by weight of water.

9. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising 10 to 50% abrasive particles selected from one or more of calcite, bentonite, kaolin, dolomite or feldspar, preferably local calcite.

10. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, comprising less than 1% by weight of a sodium salt of a linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid.

11. The composition of any one of the preceding claims, comprising less than 1% by weight of a cationic surfactant.

12. The composition as claimed in any of the preceding claims, comprising not more than 40% by weight of a surfactant.

13. A method for reducing odor, comprising the steps of cleaning a surface with a composition according to any one of the preceding claims, the composition optionally diluted with water, and subsequently rinsing or wiping the surface with the composition.

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