Low-temperature caustic tableware disinfection method

Abstract

It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for sanitizing tableware at relatively low temperatures and without the use of conventional sanitizing agents. The present disclosure generally relates to a method for sanitizing tableware without the use of traditional chemical sanitizers, which effectively sanitizes tableware at low temperatures using an aqueous composition containing an alkali metal hydroxide.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to a method for sanitizing tableware using an aqueous composition containing an alkali metal hydroxide to effectively sanitize tableware at low temperatures without the use of traditional chemical sanitizers. [Background technology]

[0002] Methods for sanitizing tableware typically involve the use of high temperatures, conventional chemical agents, and / or long sanitizing times. Conventional low-temperature tableware sanitizing methods typically involve conventional chemical disinfectants such as chlorine, iodine, and / or quaternary ammonium compounds. The use of high temperatures and conventional disinfectants presents challenges, such as operational costs and the impact of strong disinfectants on people handling tableware and chemicals. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0003] It is therefore an object of the present disclosure to provide a method for sanitizing tableware at relatively low temperatures and without the use of conventional sanitizing agents.

[0004] Other objects, embodiments, and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the following disclosure, drawings, and appended claims.

[0005] The following objects, features, advantages, aspects, and / or embodiments are not exhaustive and do not limit the overall disclosure. No single embodiment is required to provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Any of the objects, features, advantages, aspects, and / or embodiments disclosed herein may be fully or partially integrated with one another.

[0006] A primary object, feature, and / or advantage of the present disclosure is to improve upon or overcome deficiencies in the art and commercially available products, including by providing an improved method for cleaning and sanitizing tableware at low temperatures without the use of traditional chemical sanitizing agents. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Disclosed herein is a low-temperature method for cleaning and sanitizing dishware, comprising contacting the dishware with an aqueous composition comprising greater than about 100 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide for at least about 30 seconds at a temperature of less than about 70°C, and rinsing the dishware at a temperature of less than about 70°C, wherein the aqueous composition is free of chlorine, iodine, and quaternary ammonium compounds. In embodiments, the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide. In embodiments, the aqueous composition is contacted with the dishware for about 30 seconds to about 2 hours. In embodiments, the aqueous composition further comprises an alkali metal carbonate. In embodiments, the alkali metal carbonate is sodium carbonate. In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises from about 150 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, or from about 250 ppm to about 500 ppm, of sodium hydroxide. In embodiments, the contacting is performed at a temperature of from about 50°C to about 65°C, or from about 55°C to about 60°C. In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises an additional functional ingredient. In embodiments, the functional ingredient comprises a gluconate chelating agent and a water conditioning polymer.

[0008] Disclosed herein is a low-temperature method for sanitizing tableware, comprising immersing the tableware in an aqueous composition comprising greater than about 100 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide for at least about 30 seconds at a temperature of less than about 70°C, and optionally rinsing the tableware at a temperature of less than about 70°C, wherein the aqueous composition is free of chlorine, iodine, and quaternary ammonium compounds. In embodiments, the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide. In embodiments, the aqueous composition is contacted with the tableware for about 60 seconds to about 2 hours. In embodiments, the aqueous composition further comprises an alkali metal carbonate. In embodiments, the aqueous composition further comprises sodium carbonate. In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises about 150 ppm to about 1,000 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide, or about 250 ppm to about 500 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide. In embodiments, immersion is performed at a temperature of about 50°C to about 65°C, or about 55°C to about 60°C. In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises an additional functional ingredient. In an embodiment, the additional functional ingredients include a gluconate chelating agent and a water conditioning polymer.

[0009] In embodiments, the methods described herein are performed in a dishwasher. In embodiments, the methods described herein provide a polio kill rate of greater than 4.0 log. In embodiments, the methods described herein provide a E. coli and S. aureus kill rate of greater than 5.0 log.

[0010] These and / or other objects, features, advantages, aspects, and / or embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the following Brief Description of the Drawings and Detailed Description. Moreover, the present disclosure encompasses aspects and / or embodiments not expressly disclosed but that can be understood by reading the present disclosure, including at least (a) combinations of the disclosed aspects and / or embodiments, and / or (b) reasonable variations not shown or described.

[0011] While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] The present disclosure should not be limited to what is described herein, as variations are possible and will be understood by those skilled in the art. Unless otherwise specified, no feature shown or described is essential to enable basic operation of the present disclosure.

[0013] Furthermore, it is to be understood that all terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting in any manner or scope. For example, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" can include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Furthermore, all units, prefixes, and symbols may be denoted in their SI-recognized form.

[0014] Numerical ranges recited herein are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range. Throughout this disclosure, various aspects of the disclosure are presented in a range format. The description in range format should be understood merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an indefinite limitation on the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all possible subranges, fractions, and individual numerical values ​​within that range. For example, description of a range such as 1 to 6 should be considered to have specifically disclosed subranges such as 1 to 3, 1 to 4, 1 to 5, 2 to 4, 2 to 6, 3 to 6, etc., as well as individual numerical values ​​within that range (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6), and decimals and fractions (e.g., 1.2, 3.8, 1 1 / 2, 4 3 / 4). This applies regardless of the breadth of the range.

[0015] As used herein, the term "and / or," e.g., "X and / or Y," should be understood to mean either "X and Y" or "X or Y," and should be interpreted as giving explicit support for both meanings or either meaning, e.g., A and / or B includes the alternatives i) A, ii) B, or iii) A and B.

[0016] It should be understood that certain features that are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any subcombination.

[0017] The methods and compositions of the present disclosure may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components and ingredients of the present disclosure, as well as other components described herein. As used herein, "consisting essentially of" means that the methods, systems, devices, and compositions may include additional steps, components, or ingredients, but only if the additional steps, components, or ingredients do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed methods, systems, devices, and compositions.

[0018] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used above have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art related to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] The term "invention" or "present invention" is not intended to refer to any single embodiment of a particular invention, but rather is intended to encompass all possible embodiments described in the specification and claims.

[0020] As used herein, the term "about" refers to variations in numerical quantities that may occur, for example, with typical measuring techniques and equipment, with respect to any quantifiable variable, including, but not limited to, mass, volume, time, temperature, pH, etc. Furthermore, given real-world solid and liquid handling procedures, certain inadvertent errors and variations likely exist due to differences in manufacture, source, or purity of ingredients used to make compositions or carry out methods, etc. The term "about" also encompasses these variations. Whether modified by the term "about," the claims include equivalents to the quantities.

[0021] The terms "actives" or "percent actives" or "percent by weight actives" or "actives concentration" are used interchangeably herein and refer to the concentration expressed as a percentage of the ingredients involved in cleaning, minus inactive ingredients such as water or salt. Sometimes they are given as a percentage in parentheses, e.g., "chemical (10%)."

[0022] As used herein, the term "alkyl" or "alkyl group" refers to a saturated hydrocarbon having one or more carbon atoms, and includes straight-chain alkyl groups (e.g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, etc.), cyclic alkyl groups (or "cycloalkyl" or "alicyclic" or "carbocyclic" groups) (e.g., cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, etc.), branched-chain alkyl groups (e.g., isopropyl, tert-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, etc.), and alkyl-substituted alkyl groups (e.g., alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl groups and cycloalkyl-substituted alkyl groups).

[0023] Unless otherwise specified, the term "alkyl" includes both "unsubstituted alkyls" and "substituted alkyls." As used herein, the term "substituted alkyl" refers to alkyl groups having substituents replacing one or more hydrogens on one or more carbons of the hydrocarbon backbone. Such substituents may include, for example, alkenyl, alkynyl, halogeno, hydroxyl, alkylcarbonyloxy, arylcarbonyloxy, alkoxycarbonyloxy, aryloxy, aryloxycarbonyloxy, carboxylate, alkylcarbonyl, arylcarbonyl, alkoxycarbonyl, aminocarbonyl, alkylaminocarbonyl, dialkylaminocarbonyl, alkylthiocarbonyl, alkoxyl, phosphate, phosphonato, phosphinato, cyano, amino (including alkylamino, dialkylamino, arylamino, diarylamino, and alkylarylamino), acylamino (including alkylcarbonylamino, arylcarbonylamino, carbamoyl, and ureido), imino, sulfhydryl, alkylthio, arylthio, thiocarboxylate, sulfate, alkylsulfinyl, sulfonate, sulfamoyl, sulfonamido, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, azido, heterocyclic, alkylaryl, or aromatic (including heteroaromatic) groups.

[0024] In some embodiments, the substituted alkyl can include a heterocyclic group. As used herein, the term "heterocyclic group" includes closed ring structures similar to carbocyclic groups in which one or more of the carbon atoms in the ring is an element other than carbon, such as nitrogen, sulfur, or oxygen. Heterocyclic groups can be saturated or unsaturated. Exemplary heterocyclic groups include, but are not limited to, aziridine, ethylene oxide (epoxide, oxirane), thiirane (episulfide), dioxirane, azetidine, oxetane, thietane, dioxetane, dithietane, dithiete, azolidine, pyrrolidine, pyrroline, oxolane, dihydrofuran, and furan.

[0025] As used herein, the word "exemplary" refers to an example, instance, or illustration, and does not necessarily refer to a most preferred embodiment, unless specifically stated otherwise.

[0026] For purposes of this disclosure, the terms "dish," "utensil," and / or "tableware" are used in the broadest sense to refer to various types of articles used in the preparation, serving, consumption, and disposal of food, including pots, pans, trays, pitchers, bowls, plates, saucers, cups, glasses, forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, and other glass, metal, ceramic, and plastic composite articles commonly available in an institutional or domestic kitchen or dining room. These types of articles can be referred to as food or beverage contact articles because they have surfaces designed to come into contact with food and / or beverages.

[0027] As used herein, the term "free" refers to a composition that is completely devoid of the component or has such a small amount of the component that it does not affect the performance of the composition. The component may be present as an impurity or contaminant and is less than about 0.1% by weight, and in yet other embodiments, the amount of the component is less than about 0.01% by weight, or 0% by weight.

[0028] The term "generally" encompasses both "about" and "substantially."

[0029] The term "hard surface" refers to solid, substantially inflexible surfaces such as countertops, tiles, floors, walls, panels, windows, plumbing fixtures, kitchen and bathroom furniture, appliances, engines, circuit boards, dishes, mirrors, windows, monitors, touchscreens, and thermostats. Hard surfaces are not limited by material; for example, hard surfaces can be glass, metal, tile, vinyl, linoleum, composites, wood, plastic, etc. Hard surfaces can include, for example, food processing surfaces.

[0030] As used herein, the term "polymer" refers to a molecular complex composed of more than 10 monomeric units and generally includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as block, graft, random, and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, and higher "x"-mers, as well as analogs, derivatives, combinations, and blends thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term "polymer" is intended to include all possible isomeric configurations of the molecule, including, but not limited to, isotactic, syndiotactic, and random symmetries, and combinations thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term "polymer" is intended to include all possible geometric configurations of the molecule.

[0031] As used herein, the term "soil" or "stain" refers to any soil including, but not limited to, non-polar, oily and / or hydrophobic materials that may or may not contain particulate matter such as industrial soils, mineral clays, sand, natural mineral matter, carbon black, graphite, kaolin, environmental dust, and / or food-based soils such as blood, proteinaceous soils, starchy soils, greasy soils, cellulosic soils, etc.

[0032] The scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The scope of the present disclosure is further deemed to include any possible modifications to any of the aspects and / or embodiments disclosed herein resulting in other embodiments, combinations, subcombinations, etc., that are apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0033] The term "substantially" refers to a large or significant degree. Thus, given the appropriate context, "substantially" can refer to a plurality, a majority, and / or a vast majority of the quantifiable variable in question.

[0034] The term "surfactant" or "surface active agent" refers to an organic chemical that, when added to a liquid, changes the properties of the liquid at the surface.

[0035] The terms "weight percent," "wt-%," "percent by weight," "% by weight," and variations thereof, as used herein, refer to the concentration of a substance as the weight of the substance divided by the total weight of the composition multiplied by 100. As used herein, it is understood that "percent," "%," and the like are intended to be synonymous with "weight percent," "wt%," and the like.

[0036] According to embodiments, disclosed herein are methods for cleaning and sanitizing dishware, as well as methods for sanitizing dishware. The methods include contacting the dishware with an aqueous composition comprising at least about 100 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide. In embodiments, the methods include contacting the dishware with more than about 100 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide.

[0037] In embodiments, the method includes contacting the article with an aqueous composition comprising at least about 200 ppm alkali metal hydroxide, at least about 250 ppm alkali metal hydroxide, at least about 300 ppm alkali metal hydroxide, at least about 400 ppm alkali metal hydroxide, at least about 400 ppm alkali metal hydroxide, at least about 500 ppm alkali metal hydroxide, at least about 1,000 ppm alkali metal hydroxide, at least about 5,000 ppm alkali metal hydroxide, at least about 10,000 ppm alkali metal hydroxide, or at least about 40,000 ppm alkali metal hydroxide. In embodiments, the method includes contacting the substrate with an aqueous composition comprising about 100 ppm to about 100,000 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide, about 200 ppm to about 50,000 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide, about 250 ppm to about 10,000 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide, about 250 ppm to about 5,000 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide, about 250 ppm to about 1,000 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide, or about 250 ppm to about 500 ppm of alkali metal hydroxide. Additionally, without being limited by the present disclosure, all recited ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0038] As used herein, "alkali metal hydroxide" refers to a compound composed of an alkali metal cation and a hydroxide anion. In embodiments, the alkali metal hydroxide comprises sodium hydroxide. In embodiments, the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.

[0039] In embodiments, the method comprises contacting the article with an aqueous composition described herein for at least about 30 seconds, at least about 60 seconds, at least about 10 minutes, at least about 30 minutes, at least about 1 hour, at least about 6 hours, at least about 24 hours, or at least about 48 hours. In embodiments, the method comprises contacting the article with an aqueous composition described herein for about 30 seconds to about 48 hours, about 30 seconds to about 24 hours, about 30 seconds to about 6 hours, about 30 seconds to about 2 hours, about 30 seconds to about 1 hour, about 60 seconds to about 1 hour, or about 1 hour to about 6 hours. In embodiments, the method comprises contacting the article with an aqueous composition described herein for less than about 10 minutes, less than about 5 minutes, less than about 2 minutes, or less than about 1 minute. Additionally, without being limited by the present disclosure, all recited ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0040] In embodiments, the methods described herein include contacting an aqueous composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide with the dishware at a temperature below about 100°C, below about 80°C, below about 70°C, below about 60°C, below about 55°C, below about 50°C, below about 45°C, below about 40°C, below about 35°C, below about 30°C, or at ambient temperature. In embodiments, the methods described herein include contacting an aqueous composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide with a dishware at a temperature of about 1° C. to about 100° C., about 5° C. to about 80° C., about 1° C. to about 70° C., about 2° C. to about 70° C., about 5° C. to about 70° C., about 10° C. to about 70° C., about 20° C. to about 70° C., about 30° C. to about 70° C., about 40° C. to about 70° C., or about 50° C. to about 70° C., about 10° C. to about 60° C., about 20° C. to about 60° C., about 30° C. to about 60° C., about 40° C. to about 60° C., about 50° C. to about 60° C., or about 55° C. to about 60° C. Additionally, although not limited by the present disclosure, all recited ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0041] In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide is substantially free of conventional disinfectants. In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide is free of conventional disinfectants. In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide is substantially free of chlorine, iodine, and / or quaternary ammonium compounds. In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide is free of chlorine, iodine, and / or quaternary ammonium compounds. In embodiments, the methods described herein are free of conventional disinfectants. In embodiments, the methods described herein are free of chlorine, iodine, and / or quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0042] In embodiments, the methods described herein include rinsing the ware after contacting the ware with an aqueous solution containing an alkali metal hydroxide. In embodiments, the methods include rinsing the ware at a temperature of less than about 80°C, less than about 70°C, less than about 60°C, less than about 55°C, less than about 50°C, less than about 45°C, less than about 40°C, less than about 35°C, less than about 30°C, or at ambient temperature. In embodiments, the methods described herein include rinsing the ware at a temperature of about 1°C to about 80°C, about 5°C to about 70°C, about 10°C to about 70°C, about 20°C to about 70°C, about 30°C to about 70°C, about 40°C to about 70°C, about 50°C to about 70°C, or about 60°C to about 70°C. Additionally, without being limited by the present disclosure, all recited ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0043] In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide further comprises an alkali metal carbonate. In embodiments, the alkali metal carbonate comprises sodium carbonate. In one embodiment, the alkali metal carbonate is sodium carbonate. In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises at least about 10 ppm alkali metal carbonate, at least about 50 ppm alkali metal carbonate, at least about 100 ppm alkali metal carbonate, at least about 200 ppm alkali metal carbonate, at least about 500 ppm alkali metal carbonate, at least about 1,000 ppm alkali metal carbonate, at least about 5,000 ppm alkali metal carbonate, or at least about 10,000 ppm alkali metal carbonate. In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises from about 10 ppm to about 100,000 ppm of alkali metal carbonate, from about 100 ppm to about 50,000 ppm of alkali metal carbonate, from about 100 ppm to about 10,000 ppm of alkali metal carbonate, from about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm of alkali metal carbonate, from about 100 ppm to about 1,000 ppm of alkali metal carbonate, from about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm of alkali metal carbonate, or from about 100 ppm to about 200 ppm of alkali metal carbonate. Additionally, although not limited by the present disclosure, all recited ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0044] In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide further comprises additional functional ingredients. The functional ingredients provide desired properties and functionality to the composition. For purposes of this application, the term "functional ingredient" includes materials that provide beneficial properties for a particular use. In embodiments, the aqueous composition further comprises builders, surfactants, polymers, solvents, water conditioners, metal protecting agents, enzymes, corrosion inhibitors, sequestering and / or chelating agents, coating agents, pH adjusting ingredients, fragrances and / or dyes, hydrotropes or couplers, buffers, additional cleaning agents, etc.

[0045] In one embodiment, the aqueous composition comprises a chelating agent. In an embodiment, the chelating agent comprises a carboxylate, such as citrate, tartrate, or gluconate. In an embodiment, the chelating agent comprises a gluconate chelating agent. In an embodiment, the chelating agent is a gluconate chelating agent.

[0046] In embodiments, the aqueous composition includes a water conditioning polymer. In embodiments, the water conditioning polymer includes a polycarboxylate homopolymer, copolymer, and / or terpolymer. In embodiments, the water conditioning polymer includes a polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, and / or polymaleate homopolymer, copolymer, and terpolymer. In embodiments, the water conditioning polymer includes an acrylic acid homopolymer, a maleic acid homopolymer, a methacrylic acid homopolymer, an acrylic / maleic acid copolymer, a maleic acid copolymer, an acrylic / methacrylic acid copolymer, a maleic acid terpolymer, a hydrophobically modified acrylic acid copolymer and terpolymer, a hydrophobically modified maleic acid copolymer and terpolymer, or a hydrophobically modified methacrylic acid copolymer and terpolymer. In embodiments, the water conditioning polymer includes polyacrylic acid and / or polymaleic acid.

[0047] In embodiments, the water conditioning polymer comprises a phosphonic acid. In embodiments, the water conditioning polymer comprises an organic phosphonate and / or an organic phosphonic acid. An organic phosphonate is an organic derivative of phosphonic acid, HP(O)(OH). In embodiments, the organic phosphonic acid comprises 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) and / or 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTC).

[0048] Generally, organic phosphonates have the following structure: [ka] and During the ceremony, Y is [ka] or a salt thereof, Y' is absent or [ka] or a salt thereof, X is N, O, or OH; R1 and R2 are independently a linear or branched C1-C10 alkyl group; R3 is -N(Y)2, n is 1 to 20.

[0049] In structures I-V, the salt form of Y or Y' is preferably with a suitable cation such as sodium or potassium.

[0050] In embodiments, the organic phosphonates are polyether phosphonic acids, including polyaminopolyether methylene phosphonic acids and polyaminopolyether methylene phosphonates, such as those having the following structure: [ka] where Z is independently H or CH3 and n is 2 to 12. In a preferred embodiment, the organophosphonate is PAPEMP((HO)2P(O)CH2)2NCH(CH3)CH2(OCH2CH(CH3)2N(CH2)6N(CH2P(O)(OH)2)2), which has the following structure: [ka]

[0051] Further exemplary organophosphonates include the following structures: [ka]

[0052] Still further exemplary organophosphonates include HMDTMP((HO)P(O)CH)N(CH)N(CHP(O)(OH))), which has the following structure: [ka]

[0053] Still further exemplary organophosphonates include DTMPA ((HO)P(O)CHN[CHCHN(CHP(O)(OH))]), such as having the following structure: [ka]

[0054] In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprises from about 10 ppm to about 100,000 ppm of the additional functional ingredient, from about 100 ppm to about 50,000 ppm of the additional functional ingredient, from about 100 ppm to about 10,000 ppm of the additional functional ingredient, from about 100 ppm to about 5,000 ppm of the additional functional ingredient, from about 100 ppm to about 1,000 ppm of the additional functional ingredient, from about 100 ppm to about 500 ppm of the additional functional ingredient, or from about 100 ppm to about 200 ppm of the additional functional ingredient. Additionally, although not limited by the present disclosure, all recited ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

[0055] In embodiments, the methods described herein are practiced in any vessel known in the art, such as a sink, a tub, a dishwasher, an industrial dishwasher, etc. In embodiments, the methods described herein are practiced in a dishwasher. In embodiments, the methods described herein can be practiced in any consumer or institutional dishwasher. Some non-limiting examples of dishwashers include door or hood machines, conveyor machines, undercounter machines, glasswashers, flight machines, pan and pan machines, utensil washers, and domestic dishwashers. Dishwashers can be either single- or multi-tub machines.

[0056] Door-type dishwashers, also known as hood-type dishwashers, refer to commercial dishwashers in which soiled dishes are placed on racks, which are then moved into the dishwasher. Door-type dishwashers wash one or two racks at a time. In such machines, the racks are stationary and the wash and rinse arms move. Door-type machines contain two sets of arms: a set of wash arms and one or a set of rinse arms. Door-type machines can be either recirculating or dump-and-fill machines. In recirculating machines, the detergent solution is reused or "recirculated" between wash cycles. The concentration of the detergent solution is adjusted between wash cycles to maintain the appropriate concentration. In dump-and-fill machines, the detergent solution is not reused between wash cycles. Fresh detergent solution is added before the next wash cycle.

[0057] In embodiments, the aqueous composition comprising an alkali metal hydroxide is contacted with the dishware by any method known in the art, including, but not limited to, spraying the aqueous composition, immersing the dishware in the aqueous composition, soaking the dishware in the aqueous composition, wiping the dishware with the aqueous composition, and / or pouring the aqueous composition onto the dishware. Contacting can be done manually or mechanically. In embodiments, contacting includes scrubbing.

[0058] In embodiments, the methods described herein comprise soaking the dishware in an aqueous composition described herein.

[0059] In embodiments, the methods described herein provide a polio kill rate of greater than 3.0 log, a polio kill rate of greater than 4.0 log, or a polio kill rate of greater than 5.0 log.

[0060] In embodiments, the methods described herein provide an E. coli kill rate of greater than 3.0 log, an E. coli kill rate of greater than 4.0 log, or an E. coli kill rate of greater than 5.0 log.

[0061] In embodiments, the methods described herein provide a greater than 3.0 log kill rate of Staphylococcus aureus, a greater than 4.0 log kill rate of Staphylococcus aureus, or a greater than 5.0 log kill rate of Staphylococcus aureus.

[0062] In embodiments, the methods described herein provide a Candida albicans (C. albicans) kill rate of greater than 3.0 log, a Candida albicans kill rate of greater than 4.0 log, or a Candida albicans kill rate of greater than 5.0 log.

[0063] In embodiments, the methods described herein provide a kill rate of greater than 3.0 log A. niger, a kill rate of greater than 4.0 log A. niger, or a kill rate of greater than 5.0 log A. niger.

[0064] In embodiments, the methods described herein provide a kill rate of B. subtilis spores of greater than 3.0 log, a kill rate of B. subtilis spores of greater than 4.0 log, or a kill rate of B. subtilis spores of greater than 5.0 log.

[0065] In embodiments, the methods described herein provide a kill rate of P. aeruginosa of greater than 3.0 log, a kill rate of P. aeruginosa of greater than 4.0 log, or a kill rate of P. aeruginosa of greater than 5.0 log. [Example]

[0066] Example

[0067] Embodiments of the present disclosure are further defined in the following non-limiting examples. These examples, while illustrating certain specific embodiments of the present disclosure, should be understood to be given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and these examples, those skilled in the art can ascertain the essential features of the present disclosure and can make various changes and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure to adapt them to various uses and conditions without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Thus, various modifications of the embodiments of the present disclosure, in addition to those shown and described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0068] Example 1

[0069] This example contains comparative data that illustrates the current state of the art. Table 1 contains data from a 2001 publication by General Electric entitled "Use of Sodium Hydroxide for Cleaning and Sanitization of Chromatography Resins and Systems."

[0070] [Table 1]

[0071] Table 1 outlines the time it takes to reduce organisms below a detection limit of less than 3 organisms / mL, except for Bacillus subtilis spores, where the detection limit is 10 organisms / mL for the first entry and less than 100 organisms / mL for the second entry in Table 1. As can be seen from Table 1, at low temperatures of either 4°C or 22°C, a relatively high concentration of NaOH is required for an hour or more for sufficient disinfection effectiveness.

[0072] Example 2

[0073] The effectiveness of sodium hydroxide as a disinfectant at different concentrations was evaluated. The evaluation was carried out using aqueous formulations containing 100 ppm sodium hydroxide, 250 ppm sodium hydroxide, and 500 ppm sodium hydroxide at a temperature of 60°C, and the formulations were contacted with the poliovirus for 60 seconds. The results for poliovirus kill are summarized in Table 2.

[0074] [Table 2]

[0075] As shown in Table 2, a 100 ppm sodium hydroxide solution at 60°C did not kill polio after 60 seconds. Both the 250 ppm and 500 ppm sodium hydroxide formulations were successful in killing poliovirus after 60 seconds at 60°C.

[0076] Example 3

[0077] A formulation containing NaOH, sodium gluconate, PBTC, and polyacrylic acid was diluted with water to a NaOH concentration of approximately 500 ppm and was found to have a poliovirus kill rate of greater than 4 log after 60 seconds at 55°C.

[0078] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with its detailed description, it should be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative, and not limiting, of the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. Any references to the accompanying drawings that form a part of this specification are made by way of example only. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. All publications discussed and / or referenced herein are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0079] The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or in the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, whether presented in a particular form or in terms of means for performing a disclosed function, or a method or process for achieving a disclosed result, may be utilized, as appropriate, separately or in any combination of such features, to realize the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1. 1. A low temperature method for cleaning and sanitizing tableware, said method comprising: contacting the dish with an aqueous composition comprising greater than about 100 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide at a temperature of less than about 70°C for at least about 30 seconds; and rinsing the dish at a temperature of less than about 70°C; The method, wherein the aqueous composition is free of chlorine, iodine, and quaternary ammonium compounds.

2. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the aqueous composition further comprises an alkali metal carbonate.

4. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the alkali metal carbonate is sodium carbonate.

5. 5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the aqueous composition comprises from about 150 ppm to about 1000 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide, and the contacting is carried out at a temperature of from about 50°C to about 65°C.

6. 6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the aqueous composition comprises from about 250 ppm to about 500 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide, and the contacting is carried out at a temperature of from about 55°C to about 60°C.

7. 7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the aqueous composition comprises additional functional ingredients selected from the group consisting of builders, surfactants, polymers, solvents, water conditioners, metal protecting agents, enzymes, corrosion inhibitors, sequestering and / or chelating agents, coating agents, pH adjusting ingredients, fragrances and / or dyes, hydrotropes or couplers, buffering agents, and combinations thereof.

8. 8. The method of claim 7, wherein the aqueous composition further comprises a gluconate chelating agent and a water conditioning polymer.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which is carried out in a dishwasher.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the aqueous composition is contacted with the dishware for a period of from about 30 seconds to about 2 hours.

11. 11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, which provides a polio kill rate of greater than 4.0 log.

12. 12. The method of any one of claims 1 to 11, which provides a kill rate of E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus of greater than 5.0 log.

13. 1. A low temperature method for sterilizing tableware, said method comprising: immersing the dish in an aqueous composition comprising greater than about 100 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide at a temperature of less than about 70°C for at least about 30 seconds; optionally rinsing the dish at a temperature of less than about 70°C; The method, wherein the aqueous composition is free of chlorine, iodine, and quaternary ammonium compounds.

14. 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the alkali metal hydroxide is sodium hydroxide.

15. 15. The method of claim 13 or 14, wherein the aqueous composition further comprises an alkali metal carbonate.

16. 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the alkali metal carbonate is sodium carbonate.

17. 17. The method of any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein the aqueous composition comprises from about 150 ppm to about 1000 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide, and the soaking is carried out at a temperature of from about 50°C to about 65°C.

18. 18. The method of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the aqueous composition comprises from about 250 ppm to about 500 ppm of an alkali metal hydroxide, and the soaking is carried out at a temperature of from about 55°C to about 60°C.

19. 19. The method of any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein the aqueous composition comprises additional functional ingredients selected from the group consisting of builders, surfactants, polymers, solvents, water conditioners, metal protecting agents, enzymes, corrosion inhibitors, sequestering and / or chelating agents, coating agents, pH adjusting ingredients, fragrances and / or dyes, hydrotropes or couplers, buffering agents, and combinations thereof.

20. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the aqueous composition further comprises a gluconate chelating agent and a water conditioning polymer.

21. The method of any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the aqueous composition is contacted with the dishware for a period of from about 60 seconds to about 2 hours.

22. 22. The method of any one of claims 13 to 21, which provides a polio kill rate of greater than 4.0 log.

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