Color-changing foam cleaners

Abstract

Cleaning compositions include a formulation that provides foaming and time-controlled color change based on the desired application of the cleaning composition and surface or material being cleaned.

Description

COLOR-CHANGING FOAM CLEANERSCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 513,150 filed July 12, 2023, which disclosure is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This disclosure relates to cleaning compositions including a foam structure and that change color after a period time.BACKGROUND

[0003] Various cleaning compositions have attempted to use color-changing attributes, but without controllable color changing-time and foam structures that have been discovered by the present invention. All of the cited publications are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

[0004] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,004 describes a detergent and method for cleaning tire wheels. This disclosure is silent as to an applicable pH range and does not provide a desirable time range for the color change to complete. Further, the ‘004 patent teaches an alkaline building material is amine-based, while the present invention teaches embodiments of using either alkalis or amines or combinations thereof. In various embodiments, the invention avoids use of amines to avoid concerns related to volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). The ‘004 patent is also limited to anionic surfactants and is only indicated as a cleaner for tires and wheels.

[0005] DE202020102667 discloses an anti-virus composition that requires a minimum time for color change of 15-20 minutes that is too long for many practical cleaning and disinfecting applications.

[0006] US2006 / 0257439 discloses cleansing compositions with color-changing indicator for skin care. The ‘439 Application teaches no pH range is stated while in general caustic condition is avoided for skin care products. Further, color change is induced by rubbing hands together and is not automatic and time-controllable. US2008 / 001415 also teaches a hand washing application with color change by rubbing hands and components together.

[0007] US9926519 discloses self-adhesive detergent compositions with colorchanging systems for toilet cleaning. The color change is activated by repeated flushing and no disclosure is provided for desirable surface cleaning.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In one aspect of the invention, a cleaning composition is formulated with a foaming structure and to change colors within a predetermined period of time, wherein the predetermined period of time corresponds to a cleaning application for material targeted to be cleaned by the cleaning composition.

[0009] In another aspect of the invention a cleaning composition is formulated to change from a blue color to a white color or to a colorless appearance.

[0010] In another aspect of the invention, a material targeted to be cleaned includes grease.

[0011] In a further aspect of the invention, a cleaning composition that changes color to signify a sufficient time to signify optimal cleaning of a targeted material has a pH value of from about 10 to about 12.10012] In further aspects of the invention, a cleaning composition is formulated to change from a pink color to a white color or to a colorless appearance.

[0013] In some embodiments, the color-changing cleaning composition is formulated to clean skin, such as of hands or other body parts.

[0014] In another aspect of the invention, a predetermined period of time for colorchanging of a cleaning composition is from about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes.

[0015] In certain embodiments, a color-changing cleaning composition comprises thymolphthalein.

[0016] In another aspect of the invention, a method includes spraying a color-changing cleaning composition to a surface with the material targeted for cleaning, waiting for the cleaning composition to change color after the predetermined period of time, and wiping the cleaning composition and material targeted for cleaning from the surface.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 is a photographic image showing a cleaner composition that is initially blue in color when applied to a surface to be cleaned in one embodiment of the invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a photographic image showing the cleaner composition of FIG. 1 that changes to a white or colorless color after a waiting time in one embodiment of the invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 is a photographic image showing a cleaner composition with a grease triangle that has a white color while the cleaner composition is initially blue and will changeto white or colorless color in the surrounding area of the grease to signify that a waiting time has been achieved and the surface may be wiped clean in an embodiment of the invention DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] A color-changing aqueous foaming cleaning system, when applied, displaces an initial color which disappears or changes to a second color over a designed time frame (seconds to minutes depending on intended applications). Applications for this technology are all cleaning processes that operate within this pH range, including,

[0021] personal care

[0022] ii) hard surface cleaning

[0023] iii) glass cleaning

[0024] iv) general purpose cleaning; and

[0025] V) degreasing.

[0026] The color change is driven by pH sensitive indicators that changes color during the pH range of 10 to 12 and above, presumably by absorption of carbon dioxide into the foaming aqueous system. This color change serves the following purposes:10027] A) A reminder of duration of the cleaning operation and time to take next step in cleaning process

[0028] B) A grease indicator pinpointing the areas of focus for cleaning

[0029] C) A visual aid to assess cleaning efficacy; and

[0030] D) An appearing aspect to general consumers

[0031] Besides the color change technology and its associated benefits, the invention also provides the following advantages:■ Aqueous based (unlike some products on the market that are aerosol based)■ Low or zero VOC that meets and surpasses the current regulatory requirements■ Spontaneous color change without outside forces (e.g., hand rubbing, wiping or introducing additional separated pH-altering agent) upon spraying; the color change can be accelerated by physical actions such as hand rubbing or wiping with towels■ Timely controllable color change depending on the intended application■ Broader application than other patents claimed

[0032] Ingredients employed in embodiments of the invention include:1. pH indicators that operate within the mentioned pH range of 10 to 122. General surfactants that are used in the mentioned applications such as anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants.3. General cosurfactants, hydrotropes that are used in the mentioned applications4. General solvents that are used in the mentioned applications5. General builders that are used in the mentioned applications.6. General alkaline agents and acids to adjust the pH values of the systems7. Dyes, pigments, fragrances, and other additives that enhances the systems

[0033] Color changing in compositions in embodiments of the invention is believed to be driven by absorption of carbon dioxide from the surrounding environment into the aqueous solutions, which subsequently drops pH of the composition systems to the levels where colors of the indicators change. When the aqueous solutions are physically agitated to generate foams, the foam properties are related to the rate of adsorption of carbon dioxide across the interface.

[0034] The foam structural properties such as total foam volume and its density, average bubble size and foam duration are influenced by many factors, among which the chemical composition of the solution and the mechanism of foaming devices are two most important ones. Examples described herein demonstrate that through discovered formulations of the foaming cleaning systems and selection of particular foaming devices, that color change timing can be controlled and thereby adapted to particular cleaning applications. Testing examples showed the color change time can range, and be controllable, from 30 seconds to 6 minutes, meeting all commonly required contact times of the mentioned applications, i.e., exposing the composition to the surface, body part, or other contact material, to be cleaned or treated for recommended times so that the color change occurs after the desirable amount of time for exposure of the contacted surface or material to interact with the cleaning or disinfectant components of the composition.

[0035] Chemical composition vs color changing time

[0036] Formulas A to D are typical foaming, general purpose cleaning systems. All ingredients utilized here are common chemicals for such system. pH values of these examples were formulated between 11.3 - 11.7. In this test, the foaming solution was sprayed over a 6- inch-wide clean white marble slate. Total time for the color change is recorded in seconds. The formulation compositions in numerical columns are indicated in percentages by mass.

[0037] Formula A.

[0038] Formula B.

[0039] Formula C.

[0040] Formula D.

[0041] Table 1. Formula Composition vs Time of Color Change

[0042] Different Foaming Sprayers vs Time of Color Change

[0043] Some commonly available trigger sprayers were tested with Formula E to determine the device factor on the same foaming system. Tests were conducted by spraying the cleaning solution against a grey phenolic resin laboratory bench.

[0044] Formula E.pH= 12.2

[0045] Table 2. Spray Devices vs Time of Color Change

[0046] Additional Formula Examples

[0047] In additional testing, the formula examples provided the indicated results:

[0048] Formula F. A foaming hand soap had a pH=10 and pink foam turned colorless within 1 minute and without necessity of outside physical action for the color change:

[0049] water 81.7188 propylene glycol 2Sodium Lauryl Sulfate 30% 9.5Lauryl Amine Oxide 30% 2.9Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine 50% 1.9Citric Acid 100% 0.24NaOH 50% 1.64Phenolphthalein 0.0012Kathon 0. 1

[0050] Formula G. A color-changing nonionic cleaner changed from blue foam to colorless within 3 minutes with a pH=11.7:

[0051] water 270Neodol 91-6 10 citric acid 100% 0.55 thymophthalein 0.03 NaOH 50% 1

[0052] FIGS. 1-3 show photographs of embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a cleaner composition of the invention that is initially blue and after a certain period of time will change to white / colorless as shown in FIG. 2. It will be appreciated that by implementing time controllable aspect of the invention, that the particular cleaning composition can be controlled to change colors for the specific desirable time of the cleaning application.

[0053] In FIG 3, a grease triangle was drawn on the surface, and is barely visible to eyes. After the color changing degreaser is sprayed over the grease, the greasy spot is highlighted in white in contrast to the surrounding blue foam / liquid. In about 2 minutes when the surrounding foam / liquid turns into white too (sufficient contact time is achieved for preferred interaction of the degrease with grease), and then the surface is preferably wiped clean.

[0054] Various embodiments of the invention have been described. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth by the disclosure. This specification is to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

Claims

What is Claimed:

1. A cleaning composition formulated with a foaming structure and to change colors within a predetermined period of time, wherein the predetermined period of time corresponds to a cleaning application for material targeted to be cleaned by the cleaning composition.

2. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein the cleaning composition is formulated to change from a blue color to a white color.

3. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein the cleaning composition is formulated to change from a blue color to colorless.

4. The cleaning composition of claim 2, wherein the material targeted to be cleaned includes grease.

5. The cleaning composition of claim 3, wherein the material targeted to be cleaned includes grease.

6. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein the material targeted to be cleaned includes grease.

7. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein the pH value is from about 11.3 to about 1 1.7.

8. The cleaning composition of claim 7, wherein the cleaning composition is formulated to change from a blue color to a white color or to a colorless appearance.

9. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein the cleaning composition is formulated to change from a pink color to a white color or to a colorless appearance.

10. The cleaning composition of claim 9, wherein the material targeted to be cleaned is skin.

11. The cleaning composition of claim 1, wherein the pH value is from about 10 to about12.

12. The cleaning composition of claim 11, wherein the predetermined period of time is from about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes.

13. The cleaning composition of claim 12, further comprising thymolphthalein.

14. The cleaning composition of claim 1, further comprising thymolphthalein.

15. A method comprising spraying the cleaning composition of claim 1 to a surface with the material targeted for cleaning, waiting for the cleaning composition to change color after the predetermined period of time, and wiping the cleaning composition and material targeted for cleaning from the surface.

16. The method of claim 15. wherein the predetermined period of time is from about 30 seconds to about 5 minutes.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the pH value of the cleaning composition is from about 10 to about 12.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the cleaning composition is initially a blue color and changes to a white color or colorless appearance.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the cleaning composition includes thymolphthalein.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the material targeted for cleaning includes grease.

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