Sanitary agent for cleaning and / or perfuming a sanitary apparatus

Abstract

A sanitary agent is described, for cleaning and / or perfuming a sanitary appliance, suitable for the treatment of a sanitary appliance, said sanitary agent being composed of a tablet in solid form and a refillable plastic cage, said tablet comprising two anionic surfactants and two non-ionic surfactants, wherein the first anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 60 to 80% by weight, the second anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 15 to 25% by weight, the first non-ionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 4 to 10% by weight and the second non-ionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 0.5 to 3% by weight, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet ranging from 10 to 20 g, preferably equal to 15 g.

Description

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a sanitary agent for cleaning and / or perfuming a sanitary appliance.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to a sanitary agent for cleaning and / or perfuming a sanitary appliance.

[0003] In particular, the present invention relates to a sanitary agent that comprises a soap or solid tablet that can be applied by means of a suitable attachment device or by means of "cages" to the inside wall of a toilet bowl (WC) or a urinal.STATE OF THE ART

[0004] Sanitary appliances, such as wall-mounted WCs or urinals, must be subjected to repeated cleaning operations in order to maintain adequate hygienic and sanitary conditions.

[0005] It is known from the state of the art that sanitary agents are hung using suitable hooking devices positioned in the flush tank, when this exists; the emission of a portion of said soap or solid tablet is effected with each flushing operation of water into the toilet bowl.

[0006] Sanitary agents are also known, on the other hand, which are fixed to the perimeter edge of the toilet bowl by means of a supporting device directly applied to the soap or solid tablet; these sanitary agents normally include the soap or solid tablet which is inserted into particular devices, such as "cages", provided with said supporting device, such as for example a plastic bracket, and with slits and / or holes so as to allow a portion of said soap or tablet to be released into the toilet bowl with each water flushing operation.

[0007] The sanitary agents described above, when hit by the water that irrigates the toilet bowl, enrich this water with the substances contained in the soap or solid tablet, thus providing the elements necessary for cleaning and / or perfuming the bowl.

[0008] Numerous solid toilet bowl agents with cleaning and / or perfuming properties are known and widely marketed.

[0009] These agents are capable of guaranteeing an effective cleaning and / or perfuming treatment of the toilet bowl, thanks to the use of a solid soap or tablet, i.e. a solid block, containing the various active ingredients of interest and which dissolve slowly when the rinsing water flows.

[0010] In the field of solid toilet blocks of the rim-block type, applied to the surface of interest by means of appropriate hooks or plastic cages, there is therefore an ever-increasing need for products that are capable of performing multiple actions (detergent, perfuming) for a sufficient number of water flushes and, these soaps or solid tablets are generally a product of interest from the point of view of durability over time, thanks to the presence of components that, by controlling their dissolution, allow a gradual and slow release of the various components that form the tablet itself. They are also particularly interesting as they combine a good durability with absolutely advantageous manufacturing and marketing costs compared to other similar products.

[0011] One of the disadvantages, however, associated with the products of the state of the art and one of the problems increasingly felt in today's world, in which new products must be as eco-sustainable as possible and where the use of plastic is increasingly opposed, consists specifically in the necessity of using plastic cages for supporting said soaps or bars.

[0012] Attempts have been made to solve this problem and overcome these disadvantages by using, for example, adhesive sanitary agents to be applied to the walls of the sanitary appliance, i.e. sanitary agents, in particular solid or semi-solid soaps, which adhere stably to the internal wall of a toilet bowl or urinal and are thus subjected to the action of water discharges into the WC.

[0013] In order to allow sufficient adhesion, however, these sanitary agents are characterized by specific compositions with components having a high cost as well as a significant environmental impact.

[0014] Furthermore, during use, this adhesive sanitary agent often becomes deformed, causing the components that constitute it to undesirably drip downwards. In addition, many of these adhesive agents, even those currently on the market, in order to be applied adequately to the wall of the sanitary apparatus, require the use of a dosing system normally made of rigid plastic material, again creating the inconvenience of an undesirable use of significant quantities of plastic material.

[0015] A further problem present in products that use an adhesive portion is that this does not dissolve completely following the action of water flushing and therefore, once the cleaning portion of the tablet has been used up, it becomes necessary to intervene manually to remove the residue of the tablet that has remained adhered to the wall of the toilet bowl.

[0016] To date, the technical problem of being able to have a sanitary agent that: a) exerts a satisfactory and long-lasting cleaning and / or perfuming action on a sanitary appliance and b) does not require the use of significant quantities of plastic linked to the use of disposable plastic cages or plastic applicators, is therefore particularly felt.

[0017] The objective of the present invention is therefore to provide a sanitary agent for the treatment of a sanitary appliance that overcomes the disadvantages previously listed and offers an alternative to the solutions provided by the state of the art.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0018] The present invention therefore relates to a sanitary agent for cleaning and / or perfuming a sanitary appliance, suitable for the treatment of a sanitary appliance, said sanitary agent being composed of a tablet in solid form and a refillable plastic cage, said tablet comprising two anionic surfactants and two non-ionic surfactants, wherein the first anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 60 to 80% by weight, the second anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 15 to 25% by weight, the first non-ionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 4 to 10% by weight and the second non-ionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 0.5 to 3% by weight, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet ranging from 10 to 20 g, preferably equal to 15 g.

[0019] The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention can preferably also comprise a perfume in a quantity ranging from 0.5 to 3% by weight and a dye in a quantity of less than 1% by weight.

[0020] The sanitary agent object of the present invention has some significant advantages compared to the products of the state of the art, and specifically the particular qualitative-quantitative combination of the surfactant components of the solid tablet allows a sanitary agent having reduced dimensions to be produced, which therefore also requires and allows the use of a cage having reduced dimensions, with a consequent reduced consumption of plastic, but at the same time having an effective cleaning power with an excellent level of foam.

[0021] Furthermore, the use of a smaller tablet and consequently a smaller cage also allows for the creation of a sanitary agent that is aesthetically less evident and more discreet.

[0022] The tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention has a lifespan of approximately 150 flushes, therefore apparently less than other solid tablets of the state of the art that have a lifespan of approximately 350-400 flushes. Thanks to the possibility of recharging the solid tablet in the same cage, however, the cage has a lifespan equal to or up to 30% greater than disposable cages, with the use of a reduced total quantity of plastic for the same amount of detergent product dispensed.

[0023] In this description, the term "sanitary appliance" refers to a toilet bowl, a urinal, or any other similar apparatus that is usually subjected to water flushing to maintain its cleanliness and hygiene.

[0024] In this description, the term "treatment of a sanitary appliance" means cleaning, sanitizing, perfuming, removing limescale and other similar operations applicable to said sanitary appliance.

[0025] In this description, the term "solid tablet" refers to a solid body whose chemical composition includes cleaning, detergent, foaming, perfuming, deodorizing, water-colouring components or any other water-soluble component useful for the treatment to which the sanitary appliance is subjected.

[0026] In any case, the solid tablet does not contain any other surfactants, in addition to the surfactants indicated above.

[0027] In this description, the term "cage" refers to the plastic casing equipped with an element for being fixed to the sanitary appliance and capable of housing the solid tablet, allowing the contact of the same with the flushing water at each water jet in the sanitary appliance.

[0028] The solid tablet of the present invention is consumed progressively, appropriately, with each flushing of water from the sanitary appliance, activating an emulsification and / or solubilization process.

[0029] Once the initial solid tablet has been consumed, this therefore allows it to be replaced with a new tablet, recharging the same cage through appropriate openings.

[0030] The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention comprises two anionic surfactants wherein the first anionic surfactant is present in a quantity that ranges from 55 to 75% by weight, the second anionic surfactant is present in a quantity that ranges from 15 to 25% by weight.

[0031] The first anionic surfactant is preferably sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, whereas the second anionic surfactant is sodium C 14 -C 16 alpha-olefin sulfonate or the first anionic surfactant is sodium C 14 -C 16 alpha-olefin sulfonate and the second anionic surfactant is sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate, or the first anionic surfactant is sulfuric acid, mono-C 12 - 18 -alkyl esters, sodium salts, and the second anionic surfactant is sulfuric acid, mono-C 12 - 14 -alkyl esters, sodium salts.

[0032] The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention comprises two non-ionic surfactants wherein the first non-ionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 4 to 10% by weight and the second non-ionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 0.5 to 3% by weight.

[0033] The first non-ionic surfactant is preferably cocamide monoethanolamine (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide) and the second non-ionic surfactant is an alkylpolyglucoside, preferably a C 10 -C 16 alkylpolyglucoside.

[0034] The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention does not contain any other surfactants in addition to the two anionic surfactants and the two non-ionic surfactants indicated above.

[0035] It can also comprise one or more additives, such as a degreasing agent selected from a monoethanolamine or monoisopropylamine solvent, an anti-scale agent such as for example a chelating agent based on the sodium salt of [[(phosphonomethyl)imino]bis[(ethylenenitrilo)bis(methylene)]] tetrakisphosphonic acid or sodium tripolyphosphate, probiotics, bacteria, enzymes, sodium percarbonate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, activated carbon, said one or more additives being present in a quantity ranging from 0 to 3% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet.

[0036] The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention preferably comprises: sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate; sodium C 14 -C 16 alpha-olefin sulfonate; cocamide monoethanolamine (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide; C 10 -C 16 alkylpolyglucoside perfume; and dye.

[0037] The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention more preferably comprises sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in a quantity equal to 70% by weight; sodium C 14 -C 16 alpha-olefin sulfonate in a quantity equal to 20.9% by weight; cocamide monoethanolamine (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide in a quantity equal to 6.5% by weight; C 10 -C 16 alkylpolyglucoside in a quantity equal to 1% by weight; perfume in a quantity equal to 1.5% by weight; and dye in a quantity of less than 0.1% by weight.

[0038] The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention preferably consists of: sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate; sodium C 14 -C 16 alpha-olefin sulfonate; cocamide monoethanolamine (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide; C 10 -C 16 alkylpolyglucoside perfume; and dye.

[0039] The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention more preferably consists of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in a quantity equal to 70% by weight; sodium C 14 -C 16 alpha-olefin sulfonate in a quantity equal to 20.9% by weight; cocamide monoethanolamine (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide) in a quantity equal to 6.5% by weight; C 10 -C 16 alkylpolyglucoside in a quantity equal to 1% by weight; perfume in a quantity equal to 1.5% by weight; and dye in a quantity equal to 0.1% by weight.

[0040] The solid tablet of the sanitary agent according to the present invention is produced by means of the following process: all the components are kneaded / mixed together until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, which is sufficiently consistent for being able to be drawn by extrusion, thus obtaining solid tablets with an average weight ranging from 10 to 20 g, preferably equal to 15 g.

[0041] The extruded solid tablet has a substantially cylindrical shape with a length that ranges from about 35 mm to 53 mm and a diameter or thickness that ranges from about 17 mm to about 20 mm.

[0042] The present invention therefore also further relates to a method for preparing the sanitary agent according to the present invention, which comprises the following steps: mixing the components of the solid tablet until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, which is sufficiently consistent for being able to be drawn by extrusion, extrusion of a solid tablet having a substantially cylindrical shape with an average weight ranging from 10 to 20 g, preferably equal to 15 g; inserting the tablet into a rechargeable plastic cage.

[0043] Said tablets are inserted into rechargeable cages having both small dimensions, with a length that ranges from about 52 mm to 65 mm, a height that ranges from about 24 to 30 mm and a depth that ranges from about 22 mm to 28 mm, and also a reduced weight that ranges from about 4 to 6 g.

[0044] As previously specified, the sanitary appliance according to the present invention is characterized by the following advantageous effects: a more discreet product thanks to its small size; a solid tablet with a high concentration of active ingredients; substantial stability of the original shape of the tablet during the cycle of use; performance equal to or superior to the state-of-the-art products both in terms of foaming efficacy and the capacity of removing organic residues and preventing the formation of limescale deposits on the surface of the sanitary appliance (thanks to the particular combination of anionic and non-ionic surfactants present in the composition); reduction in the weight of the plastic of the cage and reduction in the size of the cage; possibility of recharging which can take place from the back / top or from the side depending on the structure of the cage; improved logistics thanks to the reduced size / weight of the sanitary agent; lower CO 2 consumption during transportation thanks to improved logistics.

[0045] The present invention further relates to a method for cleaning and / or perfuming a sanitary appliance characterized by applying a sanitary agent of the present invention such as those described above, inside the sanitary appliance to be treated.

[0046] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more evident from examining the following detailed description.DETAILED DESCRIPTION.Example 1.

[0047] The components indicated in the following table were mixed until a homogeneous mixture was obtained, sufficiently consistent for being able to be drawn by extrusion, thus creating solid tablets with a weight equal to 15 g: FunctionCommercial nameINCI Name%Anionic surfactantReltens InternoSodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate [80%]70Anionic surfactantNansa LSS InnospecSodium C 14 - C 16 alpha-olefin sulfonate [80%]20.9Non-ionic surfactantComperlan 100 RSPO MB - EurosynCocamide monoethanolamine6.5PerfumeNavy Blue 47 GivaudanPerfume1.5DyeLiquitint Blue MillikenDye0.1Non-ionic surfactantGlucopon 600 EurosynC 10 -C 16 Alkylpolyglucoside1

[0048] More specifically, the paste for drawing the solid tablet was prepared by mixing the various components in a laboratory mixer with dipping arms having a capacity of approximately 1 kg, at room temperature, mixing for approximately 30 minutes until a homogeneous, plastic and malleable paste had been obtained.

[0049] The paste thus obtained was then drawn into two solid tablets having a substantially cylindrical shape, having the following dimensions: tablet A: length of about 35 mm and diameter (thickness) of about 20 mm, tablet B: length of about 53 mm and diameter (thickness) of about 17 mm.

[0050] These tablets A and B were respectively inserted into two different cages with the following dimensions: cage A: l = 52 mm, a = 30 mm and p = 28 mm and a weight of about 4 g; cage B: l = 65 mm, a = 24 mm and p = 22 mm and a weight of about 4.6 g.

[0051] The sanitary agent thus created, once each solid tablet had been inserted into its respective cage, was subjected to product duration tests that confirmed that the duration target had been achieved, obtaining an average duration of 150 flushes, corresponding to approximately two weeks of duration of the solid tablet, considering an average of twelve flushes per day (number of flows defined by the test protocol of external laboratories). The test is carried out with the help of an automated flush counter that distributes the 12 flows at regular intervals over the course of 24 hours.

[0052] The test is also carried out with a pre-established WC model (WC Francesce Villeroy & Boch, Voltablanc with a calibrated 6l tank) and with a known WC water hardness (corresponding to 25TH).

[0053] The sanitary agent was also subjected to a foaming profile evaluation test both through visual testing and by measuring the foam height, finding an average foam height ranging from 5 to 7 cm in height, an improvement compared to the products currently on the market and tested in comparison, as shown in the attached figures 1-3.

[0054] Figures 1 and 2 show the foam height for the sanitary agent according to the present invention, whereas Figure 3 shows the foam height for a state-of-the-art product taken as reference.

[0055] The reference product is composed of Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate [80%] in a quantity equal to 37.5%, anhydrous Sodium sulfate in a quantity equal to 59%, perfume in a quantity equal to 2.5% and dye in a quantity of less than 1%.

[0056] It should also be noted that the composition according to the present invention, thanks to the particular combination of anionic and non-ionic surfactants present therein, also proves to be: more capable of not losing volatile ingredients (such as perfume) and / or colouring agents than the above-mentioned reference product; more effective in removing organic residues and preventing the formation of limescale deposits on the surface of the sanitary apparatus compared to the above-mentioned reference product. Example 2.

[0057] The components indicated in the following table were mixed until a homogeneous mixture was obtained, sufficiently consistent for being able to be drawn by extrusion, thus creating a solid tablet with a weight equal to 15 g: FunctionCommercial Name INCI Name%Anionic surfactantReltens interno Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate [80%]73.9Anionic surfactantNansa LSS Innospec Sodium C 14 - C 16 alpha-olefin sulfonate [80%]15Non-ionic surfactantComperlan 100 RSPO MB - Eurosyn Cocamide monoethanolamine8PerfumeLemon Burst 48 Givaudan Perfume2DyeLiquitint Yellow Milliken Dye0.1Non-ionic surfactantGlucopon 600 Eurosyn C 10 -C 16 Alkylpolyglucoside1

[0058] Proceeding as indicated in Example 1, two tablets were obtained with dimensions similar to those indicated for tablets A and B in Example 1, which were inserted into cages of the same size and weight as cages A and B in Example 1.

[0059] The durability and foam properties were found to be completely analogous to those tested for the tablets with the composition of Example 1.Example 3

[0060] The components indicated in the following table were mixed until a homogeneous mixture was obtained, sufficiently consistent for being able to be drawn by extrusion, thus creating a solid tablet with a weight equal to 15g. FunctionCommercial NameINCI Name%Anionic surfactantReltens internoSodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate [80%]13Anionic surfactantNansa LSS InnospecSodium C 14 - C 16 alpha-olefin sulfonate [80%]73.9Non-ionic surfactantComperlan 100 RSPO MB - EurosynCocamide monoethanolamine10PerfumeLemon Burst 48 GivaudanPerfume2DyeLiquitint Yellow MillikenDye0.1Non-ionic surfactantGlucopon 600 EurosynC 10 -C 16 Alkylpolyglucoside1

[0061] Proceeding as indicated in Example 1, two tablets were obtained with dimensions similar to those indicated for tablets A and B in Example 1, which were inserted into cages of the same size and weight as cages A and B in Example 1.

[0062] The durability and foam properties were found to be completely analogous to those tested for the tablets with the composition of Example 1.Example 4

[0063] The components indicated in the following table were mixed until a homogeneous mixture was obtained, sufficiently consistent for being able to be drawn by extrusion, thus creating a solid tablet with a weight equal to 15g: FunctionCommercial NameINCI Name%Anionic surfactantEmpicol LZNSulfuric acid, mono-C 12 - 18- alkyl esters, sodium salts, CAS Nr. 68955-19-1 [92%]60Anionic surfactantEmpicol LXBSulfuric acid, mono-C 12 - 14 -alkyl esters, sodium salts, CAS Nr. 85586-07-8 [92%]15Non-ionic surfactantComperlan 100 RSPO MBCocamide monoethanolamine10PerfumeOcean rimblockPerfume2DyeLiquitint BlueDye0.1ExipientAnhydrous sodium sulfateAnhydrous sodium sulfate7.9Sequestering agentSodium citrateSodium citrate trisodium dihydrate3Non-ionic surfactantGlucopon 600 CSUPC 10 -C 16 Alkylpolyglucoside2

[0064] Proceeding as indicated in Example 1, two tablets were obtained with dimensions similar to those indicated for tablets A and B in Example 1, which were inserted into cages of the same size and weight as cages A and B in example 1.

[0065] The durability and foam properties were found to be completely analogous to those tested for the tablets with the composition of Example 1.

Claims

1. A sanitary agent for cleaning and / or perfuming a sanitary appliance, suitable for the treatment of a sanitary appliance, said sanitary agent being composed of a tablet in solid form and a refillable plastic cage, said tablet comprising as components two anionic surfactants, and two non-ionic surfactants, wherein the first anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 60 to 80% by weight, the second anionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 15 to 25% by weight, the first non-ionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 4 to 10% by weight and the second non-ionic surfactant is present in a quantity ranging from 0.5 to 3% by weight, said percentages by weight being calculated with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet ranging from 10 to 20 g, preferably equal to 15 g.

2. The sanitary agent according to claim 1, wherein the solid tablet comprises a perfume in a quantity ranging from 0.5 to 3% by weight and a dye in a quantity of less than 1% by weight.

3. The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the first anionic surfactant is sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate and the second anionic surfactant is sodium C14-C16 alpha-olefin sulfonate.

4. The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the first non-ionic surfactant is cocamide monoethanolamine (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide) and the second non-ionic surfactant is an alkylpolyglucoside, preferably a C10-C16 alkylpolyglucoside.

5. The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the solid tablet comprises one or more additives, such as a degreasing agent selected from a monoethanolamine or monoisopropylamine solvent, an anti-scale agent such as, for example, a chelating agent based on the sodium salt of [[(phosphonomethyl)imino]bis[(ethylenenitrilo)bis(methylene)]] tetrakisphosphonic acid or sodium tripolyphosphate, probiotics, bacteria, enzymes, sodium percarbonate, sodium dichloroisocyanurate, activated carbon, said one or more additives being present in a quantity ranging from 0 to 3% by weight, with respect to the total weight of the solid tablet.

6. The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the solid tablet comprises or consists of: sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate; sodium C14-C16 alpha-olefin sulfonate; cocamide monoethanolamine (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide); C10-C16 alkylpolyglucoside perfume; and dye.

7. The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the solid tablet comprises or consists of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate in a quantity equal to 70% by weight; sodium C14-C16 alpha-olefin sulfonate in a quantity equal to 20.9% by weight; cocamide monoethanolamine (N-(2-hydroxyethyl)dodecanamide) in a quantity equal to 6.5% by weight; C10-C16 alkylpolyglucoside in a quantity equal to 1% by weight; perfume in a quantity equal to 1.5% by weight; and dye in a quantity equal to or less than 1% by weight.

8. The sanitary agent according to one or more of the previous claims, wherein the solid tablet has a substantially cylindrical shape with a length ranging from about 35 mm to 53 mm and a diameter or thickness ranging from about 17 mm to about 20 mm and the refillable cage has a length ranging from about 52 mm to 65 mm, a height ranging from about 24 mm to 30 mm and a depth ranging from about 22 mm to 28 mm, and a weight ranging from about 14 g to 16 g.

9. A method for the preparation of the sanitary agent according to any of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following steps: - mixing the components of the solid tablet until a homogeneous mixture is obtained, sufficiently consistent for being able to be drawn by extrusion, - extrusion of a solid tablet having a substantially cylindrical shape with an average weight ranging from 10 to 20g, preferably equal to 15g; - insertion of the tablet into a refillable plastic cage.

10. A method for cleaning and / or perfuming a sanitary appliance characterized in that a sanitary agent according to any of claims 1 to 8 is applied inside the sanitary appliance to be treated.

Images