Foaming composition

Abstract

[Problem] The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a foaming composition having improved foaming power. [Solution] A foaming composition according to the present disclosure is characterized by containing a foaming agent and a chlorine-based bleaching agent, and is characterized in that in the chlorine-based bleaching agent, the proportion of particles having a size of 500 μm or more is 5 wt% or less and the proportion of particles having a size of not less than 150 μm and less than 500 μm is 50 wt% or more.

Description

Foamable composition

[0001] The present disclosure relates to foamable compositions with improved foaming power.

[0002] Foaming detergents containing foaming agents are widely used to clean toilet bowls, drain pipes, sinks, washing machines, toilets, bathtubs, etc., because they exhibit excellent cleaning action due to the interaction between the chemical cleaning power of the surfactant and the physical cleaning power of the foaming action.

[0003] Various studies have been conducted to date to increase the foaming power of foaming detergents, and foaming detergents with various compositions have been proposed. For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a solid detergent that contains at least one foaming agent selected from the group consisting of carbonates and bicarbonates, an organic acid, a surfactant, and a thickener, and that has a carbon dioxide concentration of 200 ppm or more when dissolved in water or an aqueous solution, and describes that the solid detergent can increase the foaming amount.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2018-24875

[0005] However, the foaming amount of conventional foaming detergents is not fully satisfactory, and there has been a demand for the development of foaming detergents that can produce a larger foaming amount.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a foamable composition with improved foaming power.

[0007] The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above-mentioned problems and have unexpectedly found that blending a chlorine bleach having a specific particle size distribution into a foamable composition containing a foaming agent improves the foaming power of the foamable composition. The present disclosure was completed through further research based on this finding.

[0008] That is, the present disclosure provides the following aspects of the invention. <1> A foamable composition containing a foaming agent and a chlorine bleach, wherein the chlorine bleach contains particles of 500 μm or more in size in 5 wt % or less and particles of 150 μm or more and less than 500 μm in size in 50 wt % or more. <2> The foamable composition according to <2>, wherein the chlorine bleach is dichloroisocyanurate. <3> The foamable composition according to <1> or <2>, which is used for cleaning toilet bowls. <4> A foamable cleaner, wherein the foamable composition according to any one of <1> to <3> is contained in a packaging material. <5> The foamable cleaner according to <4>, wherein the packaging material is a water-soluble packaging material. <6> A cleaning method, wherein an object to be cleaned is cleaned using the foamable composition according to any one of <1> to <3> or the foamable cleaner according to <4> or <5>.

[0009] The foamable composition of the present disclosure contains, together with a foaming agent, a chlorine-based bleaching agent in which the proportion of particles of 500 μm or more is 5% by weight or less and the proportion of particles of 150 μm or more and less than 500 μm is 50% by weight or more, and therefore has improved foaming power and can produce a larger foam volume than conventional foaming detergents. Furthermore, the foamable composition of the present disclosure produces a large foam volume even when added to water at low temperature (about 10° C.), and the foaming power is unlikely to vary depending on the water temperature.

[0010] 1 is a diagram showing the results of Test Example 2, in which the foamable composition of Example 1 or Comparative Example 1 was poured into a puddle in the bowl of a toilet bowl in which the water temperature was adjusted to 25° C., and the foaming state was observed 10 minutes later. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the results of Test Example 2, in which the foamable composition of Example 1 or Comparative Example 1 was poured into a puddle in the bowl of a toilet bowl in which the water temperature was adjusted to 10° C., and the foaming state was observed 10 minutes later.

[0011] The foamable composition of the present disclosure contains a foaming agent and a chlorine bleach, and the chlorine bleach is characterized in that the proportion of particles of 500 μm or more is 5% by weight or less and the proportion of particles of 150 μm or more and less than 500 μm is 50% by weight or more. The foamable composition of the present disclosure is described in detail below.

[0012] [Blowing Agent] The foamable composition of the present disclosure contains a blowing agent as a component that generates carbon dioxide gas in the presence of water.

[0013] The type of foaming agent used in the foamable composition of the present disclosure may be any foaming agent that is commonly used in cleaning agents, without any particular limitation.

[0014] Examples of foaming agents include a combination of at least one of carbonates, bicarbonates, and double salts of bicarbonates and carbonates (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "carbonate compounds") with an acid. Examples of carbonates include, but are not limited to, alkali metal salts of carbonic acid such as sodium carbonate and potassium carbonate. Examples of bicarbonates include, but are not limited to, alkali metal salts of bicarbonate such as sodium bicarbonate and potassium bicarbonate. Examples of double salts of carbonates and bicarbonates include, but are not limited to, sodium sesquicarbonate. Carbonate compounds may be used alone or in combination of two or more. Acids may be used without limitation, but are not limited to, organic acids such as citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, maleic acid, gluconic acid, succinic acid, and the like; inorganic acids such as phosphoric acid and sulfamic acid, and the like. Acids may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0015] The carbonate compound constituting the foaming agent is preferably a combination of carbonate and bicarbonate, more preferably a combination of an alkali metal salt of carbonate and an alkali metal salt of bicarbonate, and even more preferably a combination of sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate. The acid constituting the foaming agent is preferably an organic acid, more preferably citric acid.

[0016] In the foaming agent, the ratio of the carbonate compound to the acid is not particularly limited as long as the two can react in water to generate carbon dioxide gas. For example, the amount of the acid is usually 50 to 100 parts by weight, preferably 60 to 95 parts by weight, and more preferably 70 to 90 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the carbonate compound.

[0017] In the foamable composition of the present disclosure, the content of the foaming agent (total amount of the carbonate compound and the acid) may be appropriately set depending on the degree of foaming effect to be imparted, and is, for example, 50 to 99 wt %, preferably 60 to 97 wt %, and more preferably 70 to 95 wt %.

[0018] [Chlorine-Based Bleach] The foamable composition of the present disclosure contains a chlorine-based bleach having a specific particle size distribution as a component for improving foaming power.

[0019] The chlorine-based bleach is not particularly limited, and a wide variety of bleaches commonly used in cleaning agents can be used. Examples include chlorinated isocyanuric acid, hypochlorites, and chlorinated hydantoins. From the viewpoint of improving the foaming power of the foamable composition, the chlorine-based bleach is preferably chlorinated isocyanuric acid or hypochlorites, more preferably chlorinated isocyanuric acid. Examples of chlorinated isocyanuric acid include dichloroisocyanurates and trichloroisocyanurates, and from the viewpoint of further improving the foaming power of the foamable composition, dichloroisocyanurates are preferred. Examples of dichloroisocyanurates include alkali metal salts such as sodium salts and potassium salts. Examples of hypochlorites include alkali metal salts such as sodium salts and potassium salts. Examples of chlorinated hydantoins include dichlorohydantoins and chlorobromohydantoins. The chlorine-based bleaches may be used alone or in combination of two or more. From the viewpoint of further improving the foaming power of the foamable composition, the chlorine bleach is preferably a dichloroisocyanurate, more preferably an alkali metal salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid, and even more preferably sodium dichloroisocyanurate.

[0020] In the foamable composition of the present disclosure, the chlorine bleach used is one in which the proportion of particles 500 μm or larger is 5% by weight or less and the proportion of particles 150 μm or larger and smaller than 500 μm is 50% by weight or more relative to the total particles of the chlorine bleach. In the foamable composition of the present disclosure, by using chlorine bleach particles having the specific particle size distribution, the foaming power can be improved and the foam amount can be increased.

[0021] In a chlorine-based bleach, from the viewpoint of further improving the foaming power of the foamable composition and increasing the foaming amount, the proportion of particles of 500 μm or more is preferably 3 wt % or less, more preferably 1 wt % or less, even more preferably 0.1 wt % or less, and particularly preferably 0 wt %. In other words, it is particularly preferable that the composition contains no particles of 500 μm or more.

[0022] From the above viewpoint, the proportion of particles of 150 μm or more and less than 500 μm in size in a chlorine bleach is preferably 70% by weight or more, more preferably 90% by weight or more, and even more preferably 95% by weight or more.

[0023] In one embodiment of the chlorine bleach, from the above viewpoint, the proportion of particles having a size of 250 μm or more and less than 500 μm is preferably 90% by weight or more, more preferably 92% by weight or more, even more preferably 94% by weight or more, and particularly preferably 96% by weight or more.

[0024] In another embodiment of the chlorine bleach, from the above viewpoint, the proportion of particles having a size of 150 μm or more and less than 355 μm is preferably 80% by weight or more, more preferably 85% by weight or more, even more preferably 90% by weight or more, still more preferably 92% by weight or more, and particularly preferably 94% by weight or more.

[0025] In the present disclosure, the particle size distribution of a chlorine bleach is a particle size distribution determined in accordance with the "mechanical sieving" method of the "dry sieving test method" specified in JIS K 0069-1992 "Sieving test method for chemical products." Specifically, sieves with mesh sizes of 850 μm, 500 μm, 355 μm, 250 μm, 150 μm, 106 μm, and 75 μm are first prepared and stacked on a tray with the smaller mesh size on the bottom and the larger mesh size on the top. Next, a sample is placed on the top sieve and the lid is placed on top. Thereafter, the sample is vibrated using a vibrator and sieved. After sieving is completed, the masses of the over-sieved and under-sieved particles on each sieve are measured to determine the particle size distribution described above.

[0026] In the foamable composition of the present disclosure, the content of the chlorine-based bleach may be appropriately set depending on the degree of foaming power to be imparted to the foamable composition, and is, for example, 1 to 50 wt %, preferably 3 to 40 wt %, and more preferably 5 to 30 wt %.

[0027] In addition, in the foamable composition of the present disclosure, the content ratio of the foaming agent to the chlorine-based bleaching agent is not particularly limited, but the content of the chlorine-based bleaching agent per 100 parts by weight of the foaming agent is usually 1 to 100 parts by weight, and from the viewpoint of further improving the foaming power of the foamable composition and increasing the foam amount, it is preferably 2 to 50 parts by weight, more preferably 4 to 30 parts by weight, and even more preferably 6 to 15 parts by weight.

[0028] [Surfactant] The foamable composition of the present disclosure may contain a surfactant to provide detergency through surface-active action.

[0029] The type of surfactant is not particularly limited as long as it is usable as a component of a cleaning agent, and any of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants may be used.

[0030] Specific examples of the anionic surfactant include alkylbenzenesulfonates having an alkyl group with an average of 10 to 20 carbon atoms, alkenylsulfonates (α-olefinsulfonates) having an average of 10 to 20 carbon atoms, alkylsulfoacetates having an alkyl group with an average of 10 to 20 carbon atoms, alkylsulfonates having an average of 10 to 20 carbon atoms, and alkanesulfonates having an average of 10 to 20 carbon atoms. The anionic surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0031] Specific examples of nonionic surfactants include polyethylene glycol surfactants such as higher alcohol ethylene oxide adducts, alkylphenol ethylene oxide adducts, fatty acid ethylene oxide adducts, polyhydric alcohol fatty acid ester ethylene oxide adducts, higher alkylamine ethylene oxide adducts, fatty acid amide ethylene oxide adducts, ethylene oxide adducts of oils and fats, and polypropylene glycol ethylene oxide adducts, as well as polyhydric alcohol surfactants such as fatty acid esters of glycerol, fatty acid esters of pentaerythritol, fatty acid esters of sorbitol and sorbitan, fatty acid esters of sucrose, alkyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, and fatty acid amides of alkanolamines. The nonionic surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0032] Specific examples of cationic surfactants include quaternary ammonium salts such as alkyl(C6 to C20)trimethylammonium salts, dialkyl(C6 to C20)dimethylammonium salts, and alkyl(C6 to C20)dimethylbenzylammonium salts, alkyl(C6 to C20)amine salts, alkyl(C6 to C20)amine ethylene oxide adducts, alkylpyridinium salts, etc. The cationic surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0033] Specific examples of amphoteric surfactants include amino acid surfactants such as alkylaminopropionates having an alkyl group with an average carbon number of 10 to 16, and betaine surfactants such as alkyldimethylbetaine and laurylhydroxyethylbetaine having an alkyl group with an average carbon number of 10 to 16. The amphoteric surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0034] The various surfactants mentioned above may be in the form of a salt such as an alkali metal salt (eg, sodium or potassium), an alkaline earth metal salt (eg, magnesium or calcium), an ammonium salt, an amine salt, or an acid addition salt (eg, hydrochloride).

[0035] Among the surfactants, anionic surfactants are preferred, and alkenyl sulfonates (α-olefin sulfonates) are more preferred.

[0036] The surfactants may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0037] In the foamable composition of the present disclosure, the content of the surfactant may be appropriately set depending on the type of surfactant used, the object to be cleaned, and the like, and is, for example, 1 to 10% by weight, preferably 2 to 8% by weight, and more preferably 3 to 6% by weight.

[0038] [Other Components] In addition to the components described above, the foamable composition of the present disclosure may contain other additives as needed. Examples of other additives include oxygen bleaching agents, reducing bleaching agents, heat-generating agents, chelating agents, pH adjusters, enzymes, coloring agents, fragrances, deodorizers, foam stabilizers, preservatives, antibacterial / bactericidal agents, antiseptics, rust inhibitors, lubricants, binders, fillers, excipients, and disintegrants.

[0039] [Shape] The shape of the foamable composition of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, and may be any of powder, granules, tablets, etc., but is preferably powder.

[0040] [Object to be cleaned] The object to be cleaned with the foamable composition of the present disclosure is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include toilet bowls, drain pipes, sinks, washing machine tubs, bathtubs, etc. Among these, toilet bowls are preferred.

[0041] [Method of Use] The foamable composition of the present disclosure is used, for example, by pouring it into the water in the object to be cleaned. When the foamable composition of the present disclosure is poured into the water in the object to be cleaned, foaming occurs upon contact with the water, and the object to be cleaned is cleaned by the foaming action. When water is stored in the object to be cleaned, such as a toilet bowl, the foamable composition of the present disclosure can be poured into the water in the object to be cleaned. When water is not stored in the object to be cleaned, water can be run through the object to be cleaned before or after pouring the foamable composition of the present disclosure into it.

[0042] 2. Foaming Cleaning Agent The foaming cleaning agent of the present disclosure is a foaming composition of the present disclosure contained in a packaging material.

[0043] [Packaging Material] The packaging material is not particularly limited as long as it can wrap the foamable composition of the present disclosure, and examples thereof include resin films, paper, nonwoven fabric sheets, metal films, and laminates thereof. The packaging material is preferably a water-soluble packaging material that dissolves when it comes into contact with water. Examples of materials for water-soluble packaging materials include water-soluble films and water-soluble papers.

[0044] The water-soluble film is a film formed from a water-soluble polymer. Examples of water-soluble polymers that can be used as constituent materials for the water-soluble film include celluloses such as methylcellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropylmethylcellulose, carboxymethylcellulose, and sodium carboxymethylcellulose; starches such as soluble starch, sodium starch glycolate, and sodium starch phosphate; natural polysaccharides such as pectin, carrageenan, locust bean gum, guar gum, gum arabic, tragacanth gum, xanthan gum, and sodium alginate; gelling agents such as polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, polyethylene glycol, sodium polyacrylate, and propylene glycol alginate; and proteins such as gelatin and sodium caseinate. The water-soluble film may contain one of these water-soluble polymers alone or two or more of them in combination.

[0045] Water-soluble paper is paper made using water-soluble fibers, or paper made using water-insoluble fibers and then treated to be water-soluble. Examples of paper made using water-soluble fibers include paper made using the above-mentioned water-soluble polymer fibers. Examples of paper made using water-insoluble fibers and then treated to be water-soluble include paper made using water-insoluble polymer fibers and then treated with an alkali such as sodium hydroxide aqueous solution or ammonium water to make it water-soluble.

[0046] The material for the water-soluble packaging material is preferably a film formed from a water-soluble polymer, more preferably a film formed from polyvinyl alcohol.

[0047] The shape of the water-soluble packaging material is not particularly limited and may be any of a bag, a box, a cup, etc., but a bag shape is preferred. The size of the water-soluble packaging material may be appropriately determined depending on the amount of the foamable composition to be contained.

[0048] The amount of foamable composition contained per packaging material is not particularly limited and may be appropriately set based on ease of use. The amount of foamable composition contained per packaging material is desirably set to the amount required for one flush. For example, when the foamable composition of the present disclosure is used to flush a toilet bowl, the amount of foamable composition contained per packaging material may be about 10 to 200 g, preferably about 20 to 180 g, and more preferably about 50 to 150 g, as the amount used per flush.

[0049] [Manufacturing Method] The foamable detergent of the present disclosure is manufactured by filling the foamable composition through an opening of a packaging material. After filling the foamable composition through the opening of the packaging material, the opening is preferably sealed with a heat seal, a water-soluble adhesive, or the like.

[0050] [Method of Use] In the foamable cleaning agent of the present disclosure, when the foamable composition is contained in a water-insoluble packaging material, the water-insoluble packaging material is opened and the contained foamable composition is poured into the water in the object to be cleaned. When water is stored in the object to be cleaned, such as a toilet bowl, the contained foamable composition is poured into the water in the object to be cleaned. Furthermore, when water is not stored in the object to be cleaned, water can be run through the object to be cleaned to accumulate the water before or after pouring the contained foamable composition into it.

[0051] In the foamable cleaning agent of the present disclosure, when the foamable composition is contained in a water-soluble packaging material, the foamable composition is used by pouring the foamable composition, while still contained in the water-soluble packaging material, into the water in the object to be cleaned. If water is stored in the object to be cleaned, such as a toilet bowl, the foamable cleaning agent of the present disclosure can be poured directly into the object to be cleaned. If water is not stored in the object to be cleaned, water can be run through the object to be cleaned and stored therein before or after pouring the foamable cleaning agent of the present disclosure.

[0052] The present disclosure will be specifically described below using examples, but the present disclosure is not limited to these examples.

[0053] The particle size distributions of the chlorine bleaches A to C used in the following examples and comparative examples, measured by a sieving test method, are shown in Table 1 (unit: weight %). Chlorine bleach A: sodium dichloroisocyanurate Chlorine bleach B: sodium dichloroisocyanurate Chlorine bleach C: sodium dichloroisocyanurate

[0054]

[0055] Examples 1 and 2, Comparative Example 1 The components shown in Table 2 were mixed in the blending ratios (wt %) shown in Table 2 to prepare powdery foamable compositions.

[0056]

[0057] Test Example 1 10 g of foamable composition (initial (immediately after preparation)) was placed in a 2000 ml graduated cylinder and leveled. Then, 500 ml of distilled water at 25°C was added to the graduated cylinder over a period of about 4 seconds, while running the water along the edge of the graduated cylinder. The scale at the point where the generated foam reached its maximum was read, and the foam volume was calculated using the following formula. In addition, the foamable composition was stored at 40°C for 3 or 4 months, and then tested in the same manner as above to calculate the foam volume. The results are shown in Table 3. Foam volume (ml) = Maximum foam reached (ml) - 500 (ml)

[0058]

[0059] From Table 3, it was confirmed that the foamable compositions (Examples 1 and 2) containing a chlorine bleach in which the proportion of particles of 500 μm or more is 5 wt % or less and the proportion of particles of 150 μm or more and less than 500 μm is 50 wt % or more have improved foaming power and can increase the foaming amount, even immediately after preparation or after long-term storage at high temperatures, compared to the foamable composition (Comparative Example 1) containing a chlorine bleach that does not satisfy the above particle size distribution.

[0060] Test Example 2 110 g of the foamable composition of Example 1 or Comparative Example 1 was poured from a height of 20 cm into a puddle in the bowl of a toilet bowl whose water temperature had been adjusted to 25°C or 10°C, and left to stand for 10 minutes. The distance from the water surface of the bowl of the toilet bowl to the edge of the bowl was divided into 5 equal parts, and the position where the foam had reached 10 minutes after pouring the foamable composition was visually observed, and the foaming amount was evaluated on a 6-point scale from 0 to 5 as shown below. The results are shown in Figures 1 and 2. <Evaluation criteria> 0: The point where the foam reaches is almost the same as the waterline (0 point) 1: The point where the foam reaches exceeds the waterline and is 1 / 5 of the way up from the edge 2: The point where the foam reaches exceeds 1 / 5 of the way up from the edge and is 2 / 5 of the way up from the edge 3: The point where the foam reaches exceeds 2 / 5 of the way up from the edge and is 3 / 5 of the way up from the edge 4: The point where the foam reaches exceeds 3 / 5 of the way up from the edge and is 4 / 5 of the way up from the edge 5: The point where the foam reaches exceeds 4 / 5 of the way up from the edge and is 5 / 5 of the way up from the edge

[0061] 1 and 2, it was confirmed that the foamable composition of Example 1 had a significantly larger foaming amount than the foamable composition of Comparative Example 1. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the foamable composition of Example 1 had a large foaming amount even when poured into water at a low temperature of 10°C, and that the foaming power was unlikely to vary depending on the water temperature.

[0062] The particle size distributions of the chlorine bleaches D to G used in the following examples and comparative examples, measured by a sieving test method, are shown in Table 4 (unit: weight %). Chlorine bleach D: sodium dichloroisocyanurate Chlorine bleach E: sodium dichloroisocyanurate Chlorine bleach F: sodium dichloroisocyanurate Chlorine bleach G: sodium dichloroisocyanurate

[0063]

[0064] Examples 3 to 5 and Comparative Example 2 The components shown in Table 5 were mixed in the blending ratios (wt %) shown in Table 5 to prepare powdery foamable compositions.

[0065]

[0066] Test Example 3: 110 g of the foamable compositions of Examples 3 to 5 or Comparative Example 2 were poured from a height of 20 cm into a puddle in the bowl of a toilet bowl whose water temperature had been adjusted to 25°C, and left to stand for 10 minutes. The distance from the water surface of the bowl of the toilet bowl to the edge of the bowl was divided into 5 equal parts, and the point at which the foam had reached 10 minutes after pouring the foamable composition was visually observed, and the foaming amount was evaluated on a 6-point scale from 0 to 5 as described above. As a result, as shown in Table 5, it was confirmed that the foamable compositions of Examples 3 to 5 produced significantly greater foaming amounts than the foaming composition of Comparative Example 2.

Claims

1. A foaming composition containing a foaming agent and a chlorine bleach, wherein the chlorine bleach contains particles of 500 μm or more by weight or less and particles of 150 μm or more but less than 500 μm by weight or more.

2. The foamable composition of claim 1, wherein the chlorine bleach is dichloroisocyanurate.

3. The foamable composition according to claim 1, which is used for cleaning toilet bowls.

4. A foaming detergent in which the foaming composition according to claim 1 is contained in a packaging material.

5. The foaming detergent according to claim 4, wherein the packaging material is a water-soluble packaging material.

6. A cleaning method comprising cleaning an object to be cleaned using the foamable composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3 or the foamable cleaning agent according to claim 4 or 5.

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