Cleaning robot including cleaning cloth and cleaning agent

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cleaning robot comprising a cleaning cloth and a cleaning agent, and also to the use of a concentrated cleaning agent in such a cleaning robot.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cleaning robot comprising a cleaning cloth and a cleaning agent, and to the use of a concentrated cleaning agent in such a cleaning robot. Background Technology

[0002] A cleaning robot for wet wiping, comprising a cleaning cloth and a cleaning agent and designed to guide the cleaning cloth over a hard surface, is known from the prior art. This allows for convenient cleaning of a hard surface without the need for the user to directly hold a tablecloth, as is the case with conventional manual surface cleaning. Such a cleaning robot enables convenient and thorough cleaning of a hard surface.

[0003] In order to enable thorough cleaning of hard surfaces, the use of a cleaning agent is required. Dust can be effectively removed from hard surfaces by using at least one type of surfactant.

[0004] Nevertheless, it was found that the cleaning performance of the cleaning agent disclosed in the prior art was unsatisfactory when used in a cleaning robot.

[0005] Therefore, the objective of the present invention was to provide a cleaning robot comprising a cleaning agent that enables improved cleaning performance.

[0006] The above objective is achieved by a cleaning robot comprising a cleaning cloth and a cleaning agent, wherein the cleaning robot is designed to guide the cleaning cloth over a hard surface and the cleaning agent has a surface tension of up to 40 mN / cm, preferably up to 38 mN / cm, particularly preferably up to 35 mN / cm when dynamically measured at 23°C with a surface lifetime of 0.3 seconds.

[0007] Without being bound by any theory, the following research results were found in the case of the present invention:

[0008] Surfactants lower the surface tension of aqueous compositions, thereby enabling effective surface cleaning. This reduction in surface tension is achieved through the accumulation of surfactants on the surface. Since this is a dynamic process, the equilibrium value of surface tension is established not immediately after film formation, but only after a certain period has elapsed. Here, it is observed that the surface tension approaches the equilibrium value over time, starting from an initial relatively high value. In other words, a sufficiently low surface tension value for excellent cleaning is achieved only after a specific period has passed.

[0009] In the case of manual surface cleaning, a cleaning agent is applied to a hard surface. For this purpose, the cleaning agent is applied directly to the surface, or a cleaning cloth is immersed in the cleaning agent. In either case, under such manual cleaning, the actual cleaning process occurs after a specific amount of time has elapsed. The surfactant accumulates on the surface of the formed cleaning agent film, thereby allowing sufficient time to reduce surface tension. In other words, during the manual cleaning process, the cleaning agent typically reaches an equilibrium value of surface tension.

[0010] In the case of automatic surface cleaning by a cleaning robot, a cleaning agent is applied to a hard surface, and the wiping process occurs substantially simultaneously with the application of the cleaning agent. In contrast to manual cleaning, the time available for the surfactant to accumulate on the surface of the formed cleaning agent film and thereby reduce surface tension is only short. In other words, during the automatic cleaning process, the cleaning agent generally does not have an equilibrium value of surface tension. To enable effective cleaning, a cleaning agent must be used in which a sufficiently large reduction in surface tension has already occurred immediately after film formation.

[0011] According to the present invention, dynamic surface tension is determined by the bubble pressure tension measurement method. These methods are known to those skilled in the art. Air bubbles are generated in the liquid to be investigated for a specific period. The measurement value generated during this period corresponds to the surface tension at a specific surface lifetime. If the lifetime of the air bubbles, i.e., the surface lifetime, subsequently changes, the surface tension of the cleaning solution can be determined according to the surface lifetime. Measurements are taken under standard conditions, particularly at a temperature of 23°C.

[0012] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the cleaning robot is designed to guide the cleaning cloth over a hard surface at a speed of at least 5 cm / s, preferably at least 10 cm / s, and more preferably at least 20 cm / s. In particular, for such a high-speed moving cleaning robot, it has been found that an improvement in cleaning performance can be achieved if a cleaning agent having a surface tension of up to 40 mN / cm, preferably up to 38 mN / cm, and particularly preferably up to 35 mN / cm is used when dynamically measured at 23°C with a surface lifetime of 0.3 seconds. As already described above, in an automated cleaning process using a high-speed cleaning robot, the cleaning agent typically does not have its equilibrium value. Therefore, a cleaning agent in which a sufficiently large reduction in surface tension has already occurred immediately after film formation must be used.

[0013] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning robot, the cleaning cloth is guided over a hard surface at a speed of at least 5 cm / s, preferably at least 10 cm / s, more preferably at least 20 cm / s.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning robot, the reduction in surface tension of the cleaning agent is at least 2 mN / cm, preferably 5 mN / cm, within a surface lifetime of 0.3 seconds when dynamically measured at 23°C.

[0015] According to a preferred embodiment of the cleaning robot, the cleaning robot is designed to dispense a cleaning agent from a cleaning agent tank and apply it to a cleaning cloth.

[0016] According to a further aspect of the present invention, an application is described for a concentrated cleaning agent in a cleaning robot, wherein the cleaning agent is diluted with water in the robot, and after at least 10-fold dilution, preferably about 14-fold dilution in the cleaning robot, the surface tension is up to 40 mN / cm, preferably up to 38 mN / cm, particularly preferably up to 35 mN / cm when dynamically measured at 23°C with a surface lifetime of 0.3 seconds. A 10-fold dilution is understood to mean that 10 parts of water are present for every 1 part of the concentrated cleaning agent.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment, an application is described for a concentrated cleaning agent, wherein the cleaning robot is designed to guide the cleaning cloth over a hard surface at a speed of at least 5 cm / s, preferably at least 10 cm / s, more preferably at least 20 cm / s.

[0018] Concentrated detergent formulations according to the present invention are described below as examples, but the present invention is not limited to these exemplary embodiments. Where ranges, formulas, or classes of compounds are specified below, they are intended to include not only the corresponding ranges or groups of compounds explicitly mentioned, but also all sub-ranges and sub-groups of compounds that can be obtained by excluding individual values ​​(ranges) or compounds. Where compounds capable of having various units multiple times, such as polyethers, are described in connection with the present invention, they may occur in a randomly distributed manner (random oligomers) or in a regular manner (block oligomers) within these compounds. Information regarding the number of units within these compounds should be understood as an average value averaged across all corresponding compounds.

[0019] Within the scope of the present invention, unless otherwise noted, fatty acids and / or fatty alcohols and / or their derivatives preferably represent branched or unbranched carboxylic acids and / or alcohols and / or their derivatives having 6 to 22 carbon atoms. While these are particularly desirable for ecological reasons considering their plant origin based on sustainable raw materials, the teachings according to the present invention are not limited thereto. In particular, oxo-alcohols or their derivatives that can be obtained, for example, by Roelen oxo synthesis may be correspondingly used.

[0020] In all cases below where an alkaline earth metal is mentioned as a counterion to a monovalent anion, this naturally implies that the alkaline earth metal is present in only half the amount of substance of the anion—an amount sufficient to balance the charge.

[0021] Substances used as ingredients in cosmetic agents are also listed below in accordance with the International Nomenclature Cosmetic Ingredient (INCI) where appropriate. Chemical compounds have English INCI names, while botanical ingredients are listed only in Latin according to Linnaeus, and those known by common names, such as "water," "honey," or "sea salt," are also specified in Latin. INCI names can be found in the document [International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook - Seventh Edition (1997)] published by the Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association (CTFA), located at 1101, Suite 300 NW 17th Street, Washington, D.C., 20036, USA. This document contains over 9,000 INCI names and mentions over 37,000 trademark and industrial names, including those from affiliated distributors in more than 31 countries. The aforementioned document [International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook] designates ingredients as one or more chemical classes, e.g., polymeric ethers, and one or more functions, e.g., surfactants—cleansing agents, which will be described in more detail and may be referenced later.

[0022] The CAS designation indicates that the following serial number is from the Chemical Abstracts Service.

[0023] Unless otherwise explicitly stated, amounts specified in weight percentages (wt.%) are based on the total agent. These percentage amounts represent the active agent content. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0024] Non-ionic surfactants

[0025] Within the scope of the present invention, non-ionic surfactants may be alkoxylates, such as polyglycol ethers, fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers, alkylphenol polyglycol ethers, terminal-capped polyglycol ethers, mixed ethers and hydroxy mixed ethers, and fatty acid polyglycol esters. Ethylene oxide-propylene oxide block polymers, fatty acid alkanolamides, and fatty acid polyglycol ethers may also be used. An additional important class of non-ionic surfactants that may be used according to the present invention is polyol surfactants, in particular glycol surfactants, such as alkyl polyglycosides and fatty acid glucamides. Particularly preferably, alcohols that are long-chain fatty alcohols or mixtures of long-chain fatty alcohols, and branched or unbranched C8- to C8- 18 An alkyl polyglycoside having an alkyl chain and a degree of sugar oligomerization (DP) of 1 to 10, particularly 1 to 6, preferably 1.1 to 3, most preferably 1.1 to 1.7, in particular an alkyl polyglycoside, for example, C 8-10 -alkyl-1.5-glucosides (where DP is 1.5) are particularly preferred. Additionally, fatty alcohol alkoxylates (fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers), particularly ethylene oxide (EO)- and / or propylene oxide (PO)-alkoxylated unbranched or branched, saturated or unsaturated C, having a degree of alkoxylation of 30 or less. 8-22 Alcohol, ethoxylated C having a degree of ethoxylation of preferably less than 30, particularly 12 to 28, preferably 20 to 28, and particularly preferably 25. 12-22 Fatty alcohols, e.g., C having 25 EO 16-18 Fatty alcohol ethoxylates are also desirable.

[0026] In addition to or independently of the non-ionic surfactant, the detergent according to the present invention may contain at least one anionic surfactant. Preferred anionic surfactants are fatty alcohol sulfates, fatty alcohol ether sulfates, dialkyl ether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkylbenzene sulfonates, olefin sulfonates, alkane sulfonates, ether sulfonates, n-alkyl ether sulfonates, ester sulfonates, and lignosulfonates. Fatty acid cyanamides, sulfosuccinates (sulfosuccinic acid esters), in particular sulfosuccinic acid mono- and di-C8-C 18 - Alkyl esters, sulfosuccinamate, sulfosuccinamide, fatty acid isethionate, acylaminoalkan sulfonate (fatty acid tauride), fatty acid sarcosinate, ether carboxylic acid and alkyl (ether) phosphate, and α-sulfo fatty acid salts, acylglutamate, monoglyceride disulfate and glycerol disulfate alkyl ethers may also be used within the scope of the present invention.

[0027] Linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, fatty alcohol sulfates and / or fatty alcohol ether sulfates, particularly fatty alcohol sulfates, are preferred within the scope of the present invention. Fatty alcohol sulfates are the product of a sulfate reaction for the corresponding alcohol, whereas fatty alcohol ether sulfates are the product of a sulfate reaction for an alkoxylated alcohol. A person skilled in the art would generally understand that, within the meaning of the present invention, an alkoxylated alcohol is the reaction product of an alkylene oxide, preferably ethylene oxide, and an alcohol, preferably a longer-chain alcohol. Generally, a complex mixture of addition products of different degrees of ethoxylation is produced from n mol of ethylene oxide and 1 mol of alcohol, depending on the reaction conditions. Another embodiment of alkoxylation involves using a mixture of alkylene oxides, preferably a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. Preferred fatty alcohol ether sulfates are sulfates of low-ethoxylated fatty alcohols having 1 to 4 ethylene oxide units (EO), particularly 1 to 2 EO, for example 1.3 EO. Preferred alkylbenzene sulfonates are particularly those having approximately 12 C atoms in the alkyl moiety, such as linear sodium-C 10-18 It is an alkylbenzene sulfonate. A preferred olefin sulfonate has a carbon chain length of 14 to 16.

[0028] Anionic surfactants are preferably used as sodium salts, but may also be contained as other alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salts, e.g., magnesium salts, and in the form of ammonium salts or mono-, di-, tri-, or tetraalkylammonium salts, and in the case of sulfons, in the form of their corresponding acids, e.g., dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid.

[0029] In addition to the types of surfactants mentioned so far, the agent according to the present invention may also contain cationic surfactants and / or amphoteric surfactants.

[0030] Suitable amphoteric surfactants are, for example, those with the chemical formula (R iii )(R iv )(R v )N + CH2COO - (Here R iii represents an alkyl group having 8 to 25, preferably 10 to 21, carbon atoms, optionally interposed with heteroatoms or heteroatom groups, wherein R iv and R v Betaines of (representing the same or different alkyl groups having 1 to 3 carbon atoms), particularly C 10 -C 18 Alkyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine and C 11 -C 17 It is alkyl amidopropyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine.

[0031] Suitable cationic surfactants, in particular, have the chemical formula (R vi )(R vii )(R viii )(R ix )N + X - (Here R vi to R ix is four identical or different, in particular two long-chain and two short-chain alkyl groups, where X - The quaternary ammonium compound is an anion (particularly a halide ion), e.g., didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl benzyl didecyl ammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof. Additional suitable cationic surfactants are quaternary surface-active compounds having sulfonium, phosphonium, iodonium, or arsonium groups, which are also known as antimicrobial active ingredients. By using a quaternary surface-active compound having an antimicrobial effect, an antimicrobial effect may be provided to the agent, or an antimicrobial effect that may already be present due to other components may be enhanced.

[0032] The total surfactant content of this desirable aqueous detergent formulation is, based on the total formulation, preferably 0.1 to 40 wt.%, particularly preferably 0.1 to 12.0 wt.%.

[0033] Additional ingredients typically contained in cleaning agents for hard surfaces may also be contained in the cleaning agent. This group of additional possible ingredients includes, but is not limited to, acids, bases, organic solvents, salts, complexing agents, fillers, builders, bleaches, and mixtures thereof.

[0034] Water-soluble salts

[0035] The cleaning agent according to the present invention may also contain one or more water-soluble salts in a total amount of 0.1 to 75 wt.%. These may be inorganic and / or organic salts.

[0036] The inorganic salts that can be used according to the present invention are preferably selected from the group comprising colorless water-soluble halides, sulfates, sulfites, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, nitrates, nitrites, phosphates, and / or oxides of alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, aluminum, and / or transition metals; ammonium salts may also be used. Halides and sulfates of alkali metals are particularly preferred; thus, at least one inorganic salt is preferably selected from the group comprising sodium chloride, potassium chloride, sodium sulfate, potassium sulfate, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, sodium chloride and / or sodium sulfate are used.

[0037] Organic salts that can be used according to the present invention are, in particular, colorless water-soluble alkali metal, alkaline earth metal, ammonium, aluminum and / or transition metal salts of carboxylic acids. The salt is preferably selected from the group comprising formate, acetate, propionate, citrate, malate, tartrate, succinate, malonate, oxalate, lactate, and mixtures thereof.

[0038] menstruum

[0039] In one embodiment, the cleaning agent according to the present invention is an aqueous cleaning agent for hard surfaces. In a preferred embodiment, in addition to water, it may contain one or more additional water-soluble organic solvents in an amount typically from 0 to 15 wt.%, preferably from 1 to 12 wt.%, particularly from 3 to 8 wt.%.

[0040] Within the scope of the teachings according to the present invention, a solvent is used as needed, particularly as a hydrophilic agent and a viscosity modifier. These act as solubilizers, particularly for surfactants and electrolytes, as well as perfumes and dyes, contributing to their incorporation, preventing the formation of liquid crystal phases, and contributing to the formation of a transparent product. The viscosity of the agent according to the present invention decreases as the amount of solvent increases. Finally, as the amount of solvent increases, the low-temperature turbidity and transparency point of the agent according to the present invention decrease.

[0041] Suitable solvents are, for example, saturated or unsaturated, preferably saturated, branched or unbranched C1-20 hydrocarbons, preferably C2-15 hydrocarbons, having at least one hydroxyl group and optionally one or more ether functional groups COC, i.e., oxygen atoms interposed in the carbon atom chain.

[0042] Preferred solvents are C2-6 alkylene glycols—optionally etherified to C1-6 alkanols at one end—and polyC2-3 alkylene glycol ethers having an average of 1 to 9 identical or different, preferably identical, alkylene glycol groups per molecule, as well as C1-6 alcohols, preferably ethanol, n-propanol, or iso-propanol.

[0043] The exemplary solvents are the following compounds named according to the INCI: Butet-3, butoxydiglycol, butoxyethanol, butoxyisopropanol, butoxypropanol, n-butyl alcohol, t-butyl alcohol, butylene glycol, butyloctanol, diethylene glycol, dimethoxydiglycol, dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol, ethoxydiglycol, ethoxyethanol, ethyl hexanediol, glycol, hexanediol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, hexyl alcohol, hexylene glycol, isobutoxypropanol, isopentyldiol, isopropyl alcohol (iso-propanol), 3-methoxybutanol, methoxydiglycol, methoxyethanol, methoxyisopropanol, methoxymethylbutanol, methoxy PEG-10, methylal, methyl alcohol, methylhexyl ether, Methylpropanediol, neopentyl glycol, PEG-4, PEG-6, PEG-7, PEG-8, PEG-9, PEG-6 methyl ether, pentylene glycol, phenoxyethanol, PPG-7, PPG-2-butet-3, PPG-2 butyl ether, PPG-3 butyl ether, PPG-2 methyl ether, PPG-3 methyl ether, PPG-2 propyl ether, propanediol, propyl alcohol (n-propanol), propylene glycol, propylene glycol butyl ether, propylene glycol propyl ether, tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol, and trimethylhexanol.

[0044] Longer-chain polyalkylene glycols, particularly polypropylene glycols, are also preferred. For example, PPG-400 or PPG-450 are particularly preferred, but polypropylene glycols having a larger chain length may also be used for the purposes of the present invention.

[0045] The solvent is preferably selected from the group comprising ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, ethylene glycol, butyl glycol, propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, and alcohol amines, in particular monoethanolamine and mixtures thereof.

[0046] Highly desirable solvents are C2 and C3 alcohols, ethanol, n-propanol and / or iso-propanol and polyalkylene glycol, especially polypropylene glycol, especially PPG-400 and alcohol amines, especially monoethanolamine and mixtures thereof.

[0047] Very particularly preferably, a mixture of isopropanol and monoethanolamine is used as an organic solvent.

[0048] In addition to the solvents described above, alkanolamines, for example, can also be used as solubilizers, particularly for perfumes and dyes.

[0049] Builder

[0050] Furthermore, the cleaning agent according to the present invention may contain all builders commonly used in cleaning agents and cleaning agents, in particular silicates, carbonates, organic co-builders, and also phosphates.

[0051] The chemical formula for silicate is NaMSi x O 2x+1 ·yH2O (wherein M is sodium or hydrogen, x is a number from 1.9 to 4, y is a number from 0 to 20, and a preferred value for x is 2, 3, or 4) comprises a crystalline layered sodium silicate. Additionally, it is possible to use an amorphous sodium silicate having a Na2O:SiO2 coefficient of 1:2 to 1:3.3, preferably 1:2 to 1:2.8, particularly 1:2 to 1:2.6, which also comprises water glass. Within the scope of the present invention, the term “amorphous” is also understood to mean “X-ray amorphous.” This means that the silicate does not provide any sharp X-ray reflections in X-ray diffraction experiments as is typical of crystalline materials, but only exhibits one or more maxima of scattered X-rays having a width of a few degrees of diffraction angle. In addition, zeolites, preferably zeolites A and / or P, may be used as builder materials. However, zeolite X, and a mixture of A, X, and / or P are also suitable.

[0052] Both monoalkali metal salts and dialkali metal salts of carbonate, and also sesquicarbonates, may be contained in the agent as carbonates. Preferred alkali metal ions are sodium and / or potassium ions, and thus soda (sodium carbonate) and kali (potassium carbonate) are particularly preferred.

[0053] In addition, it is naturally possible to use generally known phosphates as builder materials, provided that such use is not avoided for ecological reasons. Among the various commercially available phosphates, alkali metal phosphates, particularly preferably pentasodium phosphate or pentapotassium phosphate (sodium polyphosphate or potassium polyphosphate), are of the most important in the detergent and cleaning agent industry. "Alkali metal phosphates" is a collective term for alkali metal (particularly sodium and potassium) salts of various phosphoric acids, including, here, representative of higher molecular weights as well as metaphosphoric acid (HPO3) n and orthophosphate H3PO4 can be distinguished. Suitable phosphates are sodium dihydrogen phosphate NaH2PO4, disodium hydrogen phosphate (secondary sodium phosphate) Na2HPO4, trisodium phosphate, i.e., tertiary sodium phosphate Na3PO4, tetrasodium diphosphate (sodium pyrophosphate) Na4P2O7, as well as higher molecular weight sodium and potassium phosphates formed by the condensation of NaH2PO4 or KH2PO4, which include cyclic representatives, i.e., sodium or potassium metaphosphates and chain types, and sodium or potassium polyphosphates. In particular, regarding the last phosphate, numerous terms are used: soluble or calcined phosphate, Graham's salt, Kurrol's salt, and Maddrell's salt. All higher sodium and potassium phosphates are collectively referred to as condensed phosphates.

[0054] In particular, polycarboxylates / polycarboxylic acids, polymeric polycarboxylates, aspartic acid, polyacetals, dextrin, additional organic co-builders (see below), and phosphonates may be contained as organic co-builders.

[0055] Available organic builder materials are polycarboxylic acids that can be used, for example, in the form of their sodium salts, where polycarboxylic acid is understood to mean a carboxylic acid having more than one acid functional group. These include, for example, citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, maleic acid, fumaric acid, saccharic acid, aminocarboxylic acids, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and mixtures thereof, unless their use is rejected for ecological reasons. Preferred salts are salts of polycarboxylic acids such as citric acid, adipic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, tartaric acid, methylglycine diacetic acid, saccharic acid, and mixtures thereof. In addition to salts, the acid itself may also be used.

[0056] Polymeric polycarboxylates are also suitable as builders; these are, for example, alkali metal salts of polyacrylic acid or polymethacrylic acid, having, for example, a relative molecular mass of 500 to 70,000 g / mol. The molar mass given for the polymeric polycarboxylate is, in principle, the weight-average molar mass M of a specific acid form, determined by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) using a UV detector. w The measurement is performed in comparison with an external polyacrylic acid standard, which yields the actual molecular weight value due to the structural correlation with the polymer being tested.

[0057] Additionally, copolymer polycarboxylates, in particular those of acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, and those of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid and maleic acid, are suitable. A copolymer of acrylic acid and maleic acid containing 50 wt.% to 90 wt.% acrylic acid and 50 wt.% to 10 wt.% maleic acid has been found to be particularly suitable. The relative molecular mass based on free acid is generally 2,000 to 100,000 g / mol.

[0058] To improve water solubility, the polymer may also contain allyl sulfonic acid, such as allyloxybenzene sulfonic acid and metallyl sulfonic acid, as monomers.

[0059] Biodegradable polymers composed of more than two different monomer units, for example, those containing a salt of acrylic acid and maleic acid and vinyl alcohol or a vinyl alcohol derivative as monomers, or those containing a salt of acrylic acid and 2-alkylallylsulfonic acid and a sugar derivative as monomers, are also particularly preferred.

[0060] Additional desirable copolymers preferably have acrolein and acrylic acid / acrylate salt or acrolein and vinyl acetate as monomers.

[0061] Additional suitable builder materials are polymeric aminodicarboxylic acids, or their salts or precursors, in particular polyaspartic acids or their salts and derivatives, as well as polyacetals that can be obtained by reacting a dialdehyde with a polyol carboxylic acid having 5 to 7 carbon atoms and at least 3 hydroxyl groups, and dextrins, oligomers or polymers of carbohydrates that can be obtained, for example, by partial hydrolysis of starch. These dextrins are preferably hydrolysis products having an average molar mass in the range of 400 to 500,000 g / mol.

[0062] Oxidisuccinate and other derivatives of disuccinate, preferably ethylenediamine-N,N'-disuccinate (EDDS), preferably in the form of its sodium or magnesium salt, in addition iminodisuccinate (IDS) and its derivatives, e.g. hydroxyiminodisuccinate (HDIS), as well as acetylated hydroxycarboxylic acids or their salts containing at least four carbon atoms, at least one hydroxyl group, and up to two acid groups, which may also exist in the form of lactones, are suitable co-builders for addition.

[0063] An additional class of substances possessing co-builder properties is phosphonates. These include, in particular, hydroxyalkane and aminoalkane phosphonates. Among hydroxyalkane phosphonates, 1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonate (HEDP) is particularly important as a co-builder. It is preferably used as a sodium salt, where the disodium salt reacts in a neutral manner and the tetrasodium salt reacts in an alkaline manner (pH 9). Possibly preferred aminoalkane phosphonates include ethylenediaminetetramethylene phosphonate (EDTMP), diethylenetriaminepentamethylene phosphonate (DTPMP), and their higher homologues. These are preferably used in the form of sodium salts that react in a neutral manner, for example, as the hexasodium salt of EDTMP or as the hepta- and octa-sodium salts of DTPMP. Among the phosphonate class, HEDP is preferably used as a builder. Aminoalkane phosphonates additionally possess significant heavy metal binding ability. Therefore, particularly when the agent also contains a bleaching agent, it may be desirable to use aminoalkane phosphonates, particularly DTPMP, or a mixture of the aforementioned phosphonates.

[0064] Furthermore, all compounds capable of forming complexes with alkaline earth ions can be included in the particulate agent as co-builders.

[0065] mountain

[0066] One or more acids and / or their salts may be included to improve cleaning performance against lime stains. The acid is preferably prepared from renewable raw materials. Accordingly, organic acids, such as formic acid, acetic acid, citric acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and gluconic acid, and mixtures thereof, are particularly suitable as acids. However, additionally, inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and nitric acid, or sulfamic acid or mixtures thereof may also be used. Acids and / or their salts selected from the group comprising citric acid, lactic acid, formic acid, their salts, and mixtures thereof are particularly preferred. The acid and / or salt is used in an amount of 0.01 to 10 wt.%, particularly preferably 0.2 to 5 wt.%.

[0067] base

[0068] Alkali may also be contained in the cleaning agent block according to the present invention. Preferably, a base from the group of alkali metal and alkaline earth metal hydroxides and carbonates, particularly sodium carbonates or sodium hydroxides, is used as a base in the agent according to the present invention. However, additionally, ammonia and / or alkanolamines having nine or fewer C atoms in the molecule, preferably ethanolamine, particularly monoethanolamine, may also be used.

[0069] complexing agent

[0070] Complexing agents, also referred to as chelating agents ( INCH A chelating agent is a component that causes metal ions to form a complex to become inert, in order to prevent adverse effects, such as turbidity, on the stability or appearance of the cleaning agent according to the present invention. It is important to complex calcium and magnesium ions, which are ions of water hardness and are insoluble with many components. However, complexing with ions of heavy metals, such as iron or copper, delays the oxidative decomposition of the finished agent. Additionally, the complexing agent assists in the cleaning effect.

[0071] for example INCH The following complexing agents named in accordance with [the above] are suitable: aminotrimethylene phosphonic acid, beta-alanine diacetic acid, calcium disodium EDTA, citric acid, cyclodextrin, cyclohexanediamine tetraacetic acid, diammonium citrate, diammonium EDTA, diethylenetriamine pentamethylene phosphonic acid, dipotassium EDTA, disodium azacycloheptane diphosphonate, disodium EDTA, disodium pyrophosphate, EDTA, etidronic acid, galactaric acid, gluconic acid, glucuronic acid, HEDTA, hydroxypropyl cyclodextrin, methyl cyclodextrin, pentapotassium triphosphate, pentasodium aminotrimethylene phosphonate, pentasodium ethylenediamine tetramethylene phosphonate, pentasodium penthetate, pentasodium triphosphate, penthetic acid, phytic acid, potassium citrate, Potassium EDTMP, Potassium Gluconate, Potassium Polyphosphate, Potassium Triphosphonomethylamine Oxide, Ribon Acid, Sodium Chitosan Methylene Phosphonate, Sodium Citrate, Sodium Diethylenetriamine Pentamethylene Phosphonate, Sodium Dihydroxyethyl Glycinate, Sodium EDTMP, Sodium Gluceptate, Sodium Gluconate, Sodium Glycerate-1 Polyphosphate, Sodium Hexametaphosphate, Sodium Metaphosphate, Sodium Metasilicate, Sodium Phytate, Sodium Polydimethylglycinophenolsulfonate, Sodium Trimethaphosphate, TEA-EDTA, TEA-Polyphosphate, Tetrahydroxyethyl Ethylenediamine, Tetrahydroxypropyl Ethylenediamine, Tetrapotassium Etidonate, Tetrapotassium Pyrophosphate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Tetrasodium Etidonate, Tetrasodium pyrophosphate, tripotassium EDTA, trisodium dicarboxymethyl alaninate, trisodium EDTA, trisodium HEDTA, trisodium NTA and trisodium phosphate.

[0072] bleach

[0073] According to the present invention, a bleaching agent may be added to a cleaning product. Suitable bleaching agents include peroxides, peroxy acids and / or perborates, wherein sodium percarbonate or phthalimidoperoxyhexanoic acid is particularly preferred. In contrast, chlorinated bleaching agents, such as trichloroisocyanuric acid or sodium dichloroisocyanurate, are not suitable for use with acid-formulated cleaning agents because they release toxic chlorine gas vapors, but they may be used with alkali-formulated cleaning agents. In some situations, a bleaching activator may also be required in addition to the bleaching agent.

[0074] Compounds that produce aliphatic peroxocarboxylic acids having 1 to 10 C atoms, particularly 2 to 4 C atoms, and / or optionally substituted perbenzoic acids under hyperhydrolysis conditions may be used as bleaching activators. Among all bleaching activators known to those skilled in the art from the prior art, polyacylated alkylenediamines, particularly tetraacetylethylenediamine (TAED), acylated triazine derivatives, particularly 1,5-diacetyl-2,4-dioxohexahydro-1,3,5-triazine (DADHT), acylated glycoluryl, particularly tetraacetylglycoluryl (TAGU), N-acylimide, particularly N-nonanoylsuccinimide (NOSI), acylated phenol sulfonates, particularly n-nonanoyl or isononanoyl oxybenzene sulfonates (n- or iso-NOBS) are particularly preferably used. A combination of conventional bleaching activators may also be used. The bleaching activator is used in an amount of preferably 10 wt.% or less, particularly 0.1 wt.% to 8 wt.%, particularly 2 to 8 wt.%, and particularly preferably 2 to 6 wt.%, based on the total weight of the bleaching-activator-containing agent in each case.

[0075] Auxiliary and additives

[0076] In addition to the components mentioned above, the agent according to the present invention may contain one or more other auxiliary agents and additives, which are common in cleaning agents for hard surfaces, particularly. These include, for example, organic modifiers (particularly sugars, sugar alcohols, glycerol, glycols, and polymers thereof), hydrophobic agents (e.g., paraffin), UV stabilizers, perfume oils, antimicrobial active ingredients, pearlescent agents (INCI opacifiers; e.g., glycol distearate, e.g., Cutina® AGS from BASF, or mixtures containing the same, e.g., Euperlane® from BASF), other opacifiers, dyes, corrosion inhibitors, bittering agents, preservatives (e.g., industrial material 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (CAS 52-51-7), also known as bronopol and commercially available as, e.g., Myacide® BT or Boots Bronopol BT from Boots, or also bronopol-containing mixtures such as Preventol® It includes (from Lanxess) or Parmetol® (from Schuelke & Mayr)), disinfectants, enzymes, pH adjusters, fragrances, and additives to improve skin texture or skin care (e.g., dermatological active substances such as vitamin A, vitamin B2, vitamin B12, vitamin C, vitamin E, D-panthenol, cericerin, collagen partial hydrolysate, various vegetable protein partial hydrolysate, protein hydrolysate fatty acid condensates, liposomes, cholesterol, vegetable and animal oils such as lecithin, soybean oil, etc., plant extracts such as aloe vera, azulene, witch hazel extract, algae extract, etc., allantoin, AHA complexes, glycerol, urea, quaternized hydroxyethyl cellulose), and additives to improve or stabilize drainage and drying behavior. These adjuvants and additives are, in particular, typically contained in an amount of 5 wt.% or less.

[0077] spices

[0078] The product according to the present invention may contain one or more fragrances in an amount preferably from 0.01 to 10 wt.%, particularly from 0.05 to 8 wt.%, and particularly preferably from 0.1 to 5 wt.%. D-limonene may be contained as a perfume component. In another embodiment, the cleansing block according to the present invention contains a perfume composed of essential oils. Within the scope of the present invention, for example, pine, citrus, jasmine, patchouli, rose, or ylang-ylang oils may be used as said oils. Clary sage oil, chamomile oil, lavender oil, clove oil, lemon balm oil, mint oil, cinnamon leaf oil, lime blossom oil, juniper berry oil, vetiver oil, olibanum oil, galbanum oil, and labdanum oil, as well as orange blossom oil, neroli oil, orange peel oil, and sandalwood oil are also suitable. Other fragrances commonly used in detergents and cleaning agents, such as other essential oils, esters, alcohols, aldehydes, or terpenes, are also suitable for use in the cleaning agent block according to the present invention.

[0079] Antimicrobial active ingredient

[0080] Disinfection and sanitation are specific forms of cleaning. Accordingly, in a corresponding specific embodiment of the present invention, the cleaning agent contains one or more antimicrobial active ingredients in an amount preferably 0.01 to 1 wt.%, more preferably 0.02 to 0.8 wt.%, particularly 0.05 to 0.5 wt.%, particularly preferably 0.1 to 0.3 wt.%, and most preferably 0.2 wt.%.

[0081] The terms “disinfection,” “sanitization,” “antimicrobial effect,” and “antimicrobial active ingredient” have their ordinary meanings within the scope of the teachings according to the present invention. While disinfection, as a medical act in a narrower sense, means the theoretically complete eradication of infectious bacteria, sanitization should be understood as the removal, as much as possible, of all bacteria, including non-pathogenic bacteria that are typically harmless to humans. In such cases, the degree of disinfection or sanitization depends on the antimicrobial effect of the agent used, and this effect decreases as the content of the antimicrobial active ingredient decreases or as the agent used is gradually diluted.

[0082] According to the present invention, for example, an antimicrobial active ingredient from the group consisting of alcohols, aldehydes, antimicrobial acids and their salts, carboxylic acid esters, acid amides, phenols, phenol derivatives, diphenyls, diphenylalkanes, urea derivatives, oxygen and nitrogen acetals and methylal, benzamidines, isothiaazoles and their derivatives, such as isothiazoline and isothiazolinone, phthalimide derivatives, pyridine derivatives, antimicrobial surface-active compounds, guanidine, antimicrobial amphoteric compounds, quinoline, 1,2-dibromo-2,4-dicyanobethane, iodo-2-propynyl-butyl-carbamate, iodine, iodophors, compounds releasing active chlorine, and peroxides is suitable. The preferred antimicrobial active ingredient is preferably ethanol, n-propanol, i-propanol, 1,3-butanediol, phenoxyethanol, 1,2-propylene glycol, glycerol, undecylenic acid, citric acid, lactic acid, benzoic acid, salicylic acid, thymol, 2-benzyl-4-chlorophenol, 2,2'-methylene-bis(6-bromo-4-chlorophenol), 2,4,4'-trichloro-2'-hydroxydiphenyl ether, N-(4-chlorophenyl)-N'-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)urea, N,N'-(1,10-decanediyldi-1-pyridinyl-4-ylidene)-bis-(1-octanamine)-dihydrochloride, It is selected from the group comprising N,N'-bis-(4-chlorophenyl)3,12-diimino-2,4,11,13-tetraazatetradecanediimideamide, antimicrobial quaternary surface-active compounds, guanidine, and sodium dichloroisocyanurate (DCI, 1,3-dichloro-5H-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione sodium salt). Preferred antimicrobial surface-active quaternary compounds contain ammonium, sulfonium, phosphonium, iodonium, or arsonium groups. In addition, an antimicrobial effective essential oil, which is also a fragrance for the cleaning product, may also be used.However, particularly desirable antimicrobial active ingredients are selected from the group comprising salicylic acid, quaternary surfactants, particularly benzalkonium chloride, peroxo compounds, particularly hydrogen peroxide, alkali metal hypochlorite, sodium dichloroisocyanurate and mixtures thereof.

[0083] preservatives

[0084] The cleaning agent product according to the present invention may also contain a preservative. The substance mentioned under the antimicrobial active ingredient may substantially be used as this type of preservative.

[0085] dyes

[0086] The cleaning agent product according to the present invention comprises one or more dyes as additional ingredients ( INCH It may contain a coloring agent. In this case, water-soluble and oil-soluble dyes may be used as dyes, and it is important to consider compatibility with additional components, such as bleaching agents, and ensure that the dye used does not have a significant effect on metal and ceramic materials even after long-term use. The dye is preferably contained in an amount of 0.0001 to 0.1 wt.%, particularly 0.0005 to 0.05 wt.%, and particularly preferably 0.001 to 0.01 wt.%.

[0087] Corrosion inhibitor

[0088] Suitable corrosion inhibitor ( INCHCorrosion inhibitors are, for example, the following substances named according to the INCI: cyclohexylamine, diammonium phosphate, dilithium oxalate, dimethylaminomethylpropanol, dipotassium oxalate, dipotassium phosphate, disodium phosphate, disodium pyrophosphate, disodium tetrapropphenyl succinate, hexoxyethyl diethylammonium phosphate, nitromethane, potassium silicate, sodium aluminate, sodium hexametaphosphate, sodium metasilicate, sodium molybdate, sodium nitrite, sodium oxalate, sodium silicate, stearamidopropyl dimethicone, tetrapotassium pyrophosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate, and triisopropanolamine.

[0089] Rinse control agent

[0090] A substance referred to as a rinse control agent is primarily used to control the consumption of the agent during use so that the intended effective life is met. Preferably, solid long-chain fatty acids such as stearic acid, as well as salts of such fatty acids, fatty acid ethanolamides, such as coconut fatty acid monoethanolamide, or solid polyethylene glycol, such as those having a molecular weight of 10,000 to 50,000, are suitable as control agents.

[0091] enzyme

[0092] The cleaning product may also contain enzymes, preferably proteases, lipases, amylases, hydrolases, and / or cellulases. These may be added to the agent according to the present invention in any form established according to the prior art. These comprise, advantageously, a solution of the enzyme mixed with a stabilizer and with less water, and / or concentrated as much as possible. Alternatively, the enzyme may also be encapsulated, for example, by spray-drying or extrusion of the enzyme solution, preferably with a natural polymer, or in the form of a capsule, for example, in which the enzyme is enclosed within a solidified gel, or in a core-shell type in which an enzyme-containing core is coated with a protective layer impermeable to water, air, and / or chemicals. Other active ingredients, such as stabilizers, emulsifiers, pigments, bleaches, or dyes, may be additionally applied as a coated layer. Such capsules are applied using methods known in themselves, for example by shaking or roll granulation, or by a fluid bed process. Advantageously, these granules are dust-free due to the application of a polymeric film-forming agent, for example, and are stable during storage due to the coating.

[0093] In addition, enzyme stabilizers may be present in enzyme-containing cleaning products to protect the contained enzymes from damage such as inactivation, denaturation, or degradation caused by, for example, physical influence, oxidation, or proteolytic cleavage. Depending on the enzyme used in each case, suitable enzyme stabilizers include, in particular: benzamidine hydrochloride, borax, boric acid, boronic acid or its salts or esters, particularly derivatives having aromatic groups, e.g., substituted phenylboronic acid or its salts or esters; peptaldehydes (oligopeptides having a reduced C-terminus), amino alcohols such as mono-, di-, triethanol-, and -propanolamines and mixtures thereof, C 12The following aliphatic carboxylic acids, e.g., succinic acid, other dicarboxylic acids, or salts of the mentioned acids; terminal-capped fatty acid amide alkoxylates; lower aliphatic alcohols and particularly polyols, e.g., glycerol, ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or sorbitol; and reducing agents and antioxidants, e.g., sodium sulfite and reducing sugars. Additional suitable stabilizers are known from the prior art. Preferably, a combination of stabilizers, e.g., a combination of polyol, boric acid and / or borax; a combination of boric acid or borate, a reducing salt, and succinic acid or other dicarboxylic acids; or a combination of boric acid or borate, a polyol or polyamino compound, and a reducing salt are used.

[0094] pH

[0095] The pH of the agent according to the present invention can be adjusted by a conventional pH adjuster, for example, citric acid or NaOH. In this case, it is desirable for the agent to have a pH in the range of 5 to 11.5, preferably 7 to 11.3.

[0096] To adjust or stabilize the pH, the agent according to the present invention may also contain one or more buffering substances (INCI buffering agents) in an amount typically of 0.001 to 5 wt.%, preferably 0.005 to 3 wt.%, particularly 0.01 to 2 wt.%, particularly preferably 0.05 to 1 wt.%, very preferably 0.1 to 0.5 wt.%, for example 0.2 wt.%. A buffering agent that is also a complexing agent or even a chelating agent (chelator, INCI chelating agent) is preferred. Particularly preferred buffering agents are citric acid or citrate, particularly sodium and potassium citrates, for example trisodium citrate·2 H2O and tripotassium citrate·H2O.

[0097] The present invention is described in more detail with reference to the following drawings and examples.

[0098] FIG. 1 presents a cleaning robot (1) including a cleaning cloth (10) as a bottom view. The cleaning robot (1) guides the cleaning cloth (10) over a hard surface. The cleaning robot (1) is moved over the hard surface by a wheel (20). The cleaning robot (1) moves at a specific speed in the direction indicated by the dotted arrow.

[0099] FIG. 2 presents a side view of a cleaning robot (1) including a cleaning cloth (10). A cleaning agent is dispensed from a cleaning agent tank (30), first applied to the cleaning cloth (10), and then directly applied to a surface (5) to be cleaned by the cleaning cloth (10). In the case of automatic surface cleaning by the cleaning robot (1), the cleaning agent is applied to the hard surface (5) in this manner as the robot moves, and the wiping process occurs substantially simultaneously with the application of the cleaning agent. In contrast to manual cleaning, the time for the surfactant to accumulate on the surface of the formed cleaning agent film and thereby reduce surface tension is only short. In other words, during the automatic cleaning process, the cleaning agent generally does not have its equilibrium value. To enable effective cleaning, a cleaning agent must be used in which a sufficiently large reduction in surface tension has already occurred immediately after film formation.

[0100] Table 1 below presents the concentrated compositions used:

[0101] Table 1:

[0102]

[0103] The specified amount should be understood as the active substance in the concentrated composition.

[0104] Table 2 below presents the surface tension determined after diluting 18 ml of concentrated detergent with 250 ml of water (temperature 23°C) for the composition according to Table 1. The pH of the (diluted) composition used was pH = 10.6.

[0105] Table 2:

[0106]

[0107] The cleaning agent provided here as an example has a surface tension of approximately 34 mN / cm when dynamically measured at 23°C with a surface life of 0.3 seconds, which is therefore less than the particularly desirable limit value of 35 mN / cm.

[0108] Therefore, the presented cleaning agent is particularly suitable for use with a cleaning robot according to the present invention. As such, a sufficiently large reduction in surface tension occurs immediately after film formation, resulting in desirable cleaning performance. However, the given composition should be understood as merely exemplary and not limiting. A person skilled in the art would be able to adjust (reduce) surface tension according to the present invention by varying the individual components and dilution parameters of other compositions.

Claims

Claim 1 A cleaning robot (1) comprising a cleaning cloth (10) and a cleaning agent, wherein the cleaning robot (1) is designed to guide the cleaning cloth (10) over a hard surface (5), the cleaning agent comprises at least one surfactant, and the cleaning agent has a surface tension of up to 35 mN / cm when dynamically measured at 23°C with a surface life of 0.3 seconds. Claim 2 A cleaning robot (1) according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning robot (1) is designed to guide the cleaning cloth (10) over a hard surface (5) at a speed of at least 5 cm / s, at least 10 cm / s, or at least 20 cm / s. Claim 3 A cleaning robot (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the change in surface tension of the cleaning agent is at least 2 mN / cm or at least 5 mN / cm within a surface lifetime of 0.3 seconds when dynamically measured at 23℃. Claim 4 A cleaning robot (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reduction in surface tension of the cleaning agent is at least 3 mN / cm or at least 5 mN / cm within a surface lifetime of 0.3 seconds when dynamically measured at 23℃. Claim 5 A cleaning robot (1) designed such that, in paragraph 1 or 2, the cleaning robot (1) takes out a cleaning agent from a cleaning agent tank (30) and applies it to a cleaning cloth (10). Claim 6 A concentrated cleaning agent for use in a cleaning robot (1), characterized by having a surface tension of up to 35 mN / cm when dynamically measured at 23°C with a surface life of 0.3 seconds after being diluted at least 10 times in the cleaning robot. Claim 7 A method of cleaning a surface using a cleaning robot according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the cleaning cloth (10) is guided over a hard surface (5) at a speed of at least 5 cm / s, at least 10 cm / s, or at least 20 cm / s.

Images