A hard surface cleaning composition

Abstract

The present invention is in the fields of hard surface cleaning compositions. There is a need for an improved liquid hard surface cleaning composition that dispense as foam in use and delivers superior and efficient cleaning and hygiene benefit. Surprisingly, it has been found that a shear thinning polymer comprising at least a cellulose ether along with a quaternary ammonium compound, an amphoteric surfactant and an acid provides a liquid hard surface cleaning composition having a desired viscosity. The composition is dispensed as a cleaning foam that clings to a hard surface for a longer time and delivers superior cleaning and hygiene benefit. The present invention further provides a cleaning product comprising the liquid composition contained in a container with an attachable foam trigger, that dispensed a cleaning foam in use. It further describes a method cleaning and hygiene benefit to a hard surface by applying the composition as foam.

Description

[0001] P0001103 EP CPL

[0002] 1

[0003] A HARD SURFACE CLEANING COMPOSITION

[0004] Field of the Invention

[0005] The present invention is in the field of hard surface cleaning compositions. In particular, it 5 relates to a liquid hard surface cleaning composition dispense as foam in use. It provides superior and efficient cleaning and hygiene benefit.

[0006] Background of the Invention

[0007] Cleaning hard surfaces like, kitchen tops, tiles, table-top, cupboards, wash basin and toilet bowls are part of house-hold chores. Often consumers spend considerable amount of time and effort in such cleaning activities. They prefer to use various cleaning products for the same. Such products differ in their constituents, such as detersive actives, acids, builder, colourants; as well, they are available in different formats, such as powder, liquid, tablet block, spray, foam and wipe.

[0008] Typically, consumers clean a hard surface by dosing an aliquot of a cleaning product and apply 15 it with an implement, such as sponge, brush, wipe and scrub on the surface. They may need recurrent cleaning to maintain the cleanliness. Recurrence or frequency of such cleaning activities depends on many factors; few of them are nature of the surface, usage and soundings of the surface. Particularly, surfaces like, toilet bowls, bathroom tiles and wash basin are continuously in contact with water, they are prone to microbial growth and scaling. Thus, 20 consumers need to clean those surfaces frequently adding to their efforts. It is desired that the cleaning product provides an efficient cleaning performance, that sustains for a longer period, thereby reduces requirement of frequent cleaning and subsequently reduces consumer efforts.

[0009] Further, it is observed that a cleaning product in foam format gaining popularity among consumers. Foam is typically an air-liquid mix, occupies significantly more volume and / or 25 surface area compared to similar dosage of a liquid product. A foam product often clings to a surface preventing the draining off the product, like liquid; thereby it reduces the wastage of the product in use. Further, clinging on a surface increases contact time, and improves cleaning efficacy. It also observed that a foam product provides ease of use to the consumer by directly applied on a surface without any applicator. Such products are particularly favourable for 30 cleaning vertical surfaces, and nook and corners, like toilet bowl, wash basin and bathroom tiles. In this regard, it is desired to have a composition dispensed as a cleaning foam, which stays on or clings to the surface for a longer period providing sufficient contact time and thereby provides superior and efficient cleaning and hygiene benefit.P0001103 EP CPL

[0010] 2

[0011] Now-a-days, consumers concern about the ingredients present in a cleaning product. They do not prefer products with chemicals that are harsh or may cause harm to them while in use. Oxidizing or bleaching agents, like peroxide or hypochlorite are examples of such ingredients. Typically, such ingredients are considered for broad spectrum antimicrobial benefit, however, 5 reportedly they may cause skin / eye irritation. It is desired to have a cleaning product free of such oxidizing or bleaching agents.

[0012] In this regards, WO 2024 / 133116 A1 discloses a foamable aqueous hard surface cleaning composition delivering long-lasting cleaning and hygiene benefit. The composition comprises 0.1 to 10% by weight of quaternary ammonium compound, 0.1 to 10% by weight of amphoteric surfactant comprising amine oxide and / or cocamidopropyl betaine, 0.1 to 20% by weight of acid, and a copolymer, wherein the pH of the composition is in the range 1 to 4 at 20° C, wherein the composition provides a foam volume of at least 140 millilitre as measured by Bartsch method.

[0013] WO 2022 / 096260 A1 discloses a liquid aqueous cleaning composition comprising quaternary 15 ammonium compound, hydrogen peroxide and organic acid having a pKa of from 1 to 5.5. The composition has a pH of 2 to 5 and a viscosity at 25°C of 1 to 1000 mPa.s @ 20 s-1and the composition is free of anionic surfactant.

[0014] US 2023 / 0257680 A1 discloses a cleaning product comprising a spray dispenser and a cleaning composition housed in the spray dispenser, where the cleaning composition comprises 20 an alkyl polyglucoside surfactant, a surfactant selected from amphoteric surfactant, zwitterionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof, and one or more quaternary ammonium surfactants, and where the product provides good initial and sustained sudsing during the wash, as well as improved rinsing.

[0015] Despite the prior art documents, there is still need for an improved hard surface cleaning 25 composition that dispensed as foam in use and provides superior cleaning and hygiene benefit.

[0016] Surprisingly, it has been found that a shear thinning polymer comprising at least a cellulose ether along with a quaternary ammonium compound, an amphoteric surfactant and an acid provides a liquid hard surface cleaning composition having a desired viscosity. The composition is dispensed as a cleaning foam that clings to a hard surface for a longer time and delivers 30 superior and efficient cleaning and hygiene benefit.P0001103 EP CPL

[0017] 3

[0018] Summary of the Invention

[0019] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a liquid hard surface cleaning composition comprising:

[0020] (a) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a quaternary ammonium compound;

[0021] 5 (b) 0.1 to 10% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant selected from alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulpho-betaines, and combinations thereof; (c) 0.1 to 20% by weight of an acid; and

[0022] (d) 0.01 to 1% by weight of a shear thinning polymer comprising at least a cellulose ether; wherein the composition has a viscosity less than 20 mPa.S at 20S'1shear rate and 25°C, measured with a cone or plate geometry in a rheometer.

[0023] In another aspect, the present invention provides a cleaning product comprising:

[0024] (a) a liquid hard surface cleaning composition according to the first aspect contained in a container; and

[0025] (b) a foam trigger with a mesh attachable to the container

[0026] 15 wherein the product dispenses a cleaning foam in use.

[0027] In another aspect, there is provided a method for providing long-lasting cleaning to a surface comprising steps of:

[0028] (a) applying a composition according to the first aspect as foam to the surface; and (b) leaving the composition on the surface for at least 30 seconds; and

[0029] 20 (c) rinsing the surface with water.

[0030] In another aspect there is provided a use of a shear thinning polymer comprising at least a cellulose ether in the liquid hard surface cleaning composition according to the first aspect for enhancing cling time, wherein the liquid composition is dispensed as a foam by a foam dispenser.

[0031] 25 The composition according to the present invention is a foamable liquid composition. The term “foamable” herein refers to a liquid composition capable of generating copious amount of foam in use. Preferably it is generated with a foam trigger and without a pressurised gas or a propellant.

[0032] These and other aspects, features and advantages will become apparent to those of ordinary 30 skill in the art from reading of the following detailed description. For the avoidance of doubt, any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilized in any other aspect of theP0001103 EP CPL

[0033] 4

[0034] invention. The word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of’ or “composed of.” In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. It is noted that the examples given in the description below are intended to clarify the invention and are not intended to limit the invention to those examples per se. Similarly, all percentages are 5 weight / weight percentages unless otherwise indicated. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and / or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about”. Numerical ranges expressed in the format "from x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "from x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated.

[0035] Detailed Description of the Invention

[0036] According to the present invention there is provided a liquid hard surface cleaning composition comprising a quaternary ammonium compound, an amphoteric surfactant, an acid, and a shear 15 thinning polymer, wherein the composition has a viscosity less than 20 mPa.S at 20S'1shear rate and 25°C. The shear thinning polymer comprises at least a cellulose ether.

[0037] Quaternary ammonium compound

[0038] The composition comprises a quaternary ammonium compound. The quaternary ammonium compound is present in the composition in an amount 0.1 to 10% by weight. Preferably the 20 quaternary ammonium compound is present in an amount 0.1 to 8% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 6% by weight and most preferably 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composition.

[0039] Examples of quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for the present invention include alkyl ammonium halides, such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, alkyl aryl ammonium halides, such as octadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, N-alkyl pyridinium halides, such as N-cetyl 25 pyridinium bromide, and the like. One suitable type of quaternary ammonium compound includes those in which the molecules contain amine, ether or ester linkages, such as octyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, N-(laurylcocoaminoformylmethyl)- pyridinium chloride, and the like. Another effective type of quaternary ammonium compound includes those in which the hydrophobic radical is characterized by a substituted aromatic 30 nucleus as the case of lauryloxyphenyltrimehyl ammonium chloride, cetylaminophenyltrimethyl ammonium methosulfate, dodecylphenyltrimethyl ammonium methosulfate, dodecylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride, chlorinated dodecylbenzyltrimethyl ammoniumP0001103 EP CPL

[0040] 5

[0041] chloride, and the like. Preferably, the quaternary ammonium compound utilized in the practice of the present technology exhibit biocidal activity or are biocidal in nature.

[0042] Particularly useful quaternary ammonium compound germicides include compositions which include a single quaternary compound, as well as mixtures of two or more different quaternary 5 compounds. Such useful quaternary compounds are available under the EMPIGEN, BARDAC, BARQUAT, HYAMINE, LONZABAC, and ONYXIDE trademarks, which are more fully described in, for example, McCutcheon's Functional Materials (Vol. 2), North American Edition, 1998, as well as the respective product literature from the suppliers identified below.

[0043] For example, BARDAC 205M is described to be a liquid containing alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (BKC), octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride; didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BARDAC 208M)); described generally in McCutcheon's as a combination of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride); BARDAC 2050 is described to be a combination of octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl 15 ammonium chloride, and dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BARDAC 2080)); BARDAC 2250 is described to be didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (50% active); BARDAC LF (or BARDAC LF-80), described as being based on dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (BARQUAT MB-50, MX-50, OJ-50 (each 50% liquid) and MB-80 or MX-80 (each 80% liquid) are each described as an alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride; 20 BARDAC 4250 and BARQUAT 4250 Z (each 50% active) or BARQUAT 4280 and BARQUAT 4280Z (each 80% active) are each described as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride / alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. Also, HYAMINE 1622, described as diisobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (50% solution); HYAMINE 3500 (50% actives), described as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (also available as 80% 25 active (HYAMINE 3500-80)); and HYMAINE 2389 described as being based on methyldodecylbenzyl ammonium chloride and / or methyldodecylxylene-bis-trimethyl ammonium chloride.

[0044] BARDAC, BARQUAT and HYAMINE are presently commercially available from Lonza, Inc., Fairlawn, N. J. BTC 50 NF (or BTC 65 NF) is described to be alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium 30 chloride (50% active); BTC 99 is described as didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (50% active); BTC 776 is described to be myrisalkonium chloride (50% active); BTC 818 is described as being octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, and dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (50% active) (available also as 80% active (BTC 818-P0001103 EP CPL

[0045] 6

[0046] 80%)); BTC 824 and BTC 835 are each described as being of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (each 50% active); BTC 885 is described as a combination of BTC 835 and BTC 818 (50% active) (available also as 80% active (BTC 888)); BTC 1010 is described as didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BTC 1010-80)); BTC 5 2125 (or BTC 2125 M) is described as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (each 50% active) (also available as 80% active (BTC 212580 or BTC 2125 M)); BTC 2565 is described as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides (50% active) (also available as 80% active (BTC 2568)); BTC 8248 (or BTC 8358) is described as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (80% active) (also available as 90% active (BTC 8249)); ONYXIDE 3300 is described as n-alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate (95% active). (BTC and ONYXIDE are presently commercially available from Stepan Company, Northfield, III).

[0047] Benzyl-C12-14-alkyldimethylammonium chlorides benzyl C12-C16- alkyl dimethyl chlorides also available as EMPIGEN BAC 50 and EMPIGEN BAC 80. It is an aqueous solution of

[0048] 15 benzalkonium chloride at ca. 50% or 80% in water respectively. EMPIGEN BAC 50 and EMPIGEN 80 are readily biodegradable, EMPIGEN is commercially available from Innospec Performance Chemicals.

[0049] Polymeric quaternary ammonium salts based on these monomeric structures are also considered desirable for the present invention. One example is POLYQUAT, described as being 20 a 2-butenyldimethyl ammonium chloride polymer.

[0050] Preferably the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, diisobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl 25 ammonium chloride, methyldodecylbenzyl ammonium chloride, methyldodecylxylene-bis- trimethyl ammonium chloride, methyl benzethonium chloride, cetyl pyrinidinium chloride, cetrimonium bromide and combinations thereof. Most preferred quaternary ammonium compound is benzalkonium chloride.

[0051] Amphoteric surfactant

[0052] 30 The composition comprises 0.1 to 10% by weight of amphoteric surfactant. Preferably the composition comprises 0.2 to 9% by weight, more preferably 0.3 to 8% by weight, even moreP0001103 EP CPL

[0053] 7

[0054] preferably 0.4 to 7% by weight and most preferably 0.5 to 6% by weight of the amphoteric surfactant.

[0055] The amphoteric surfactant is selected from alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulpho-betaines, and combinations thereof. Examples of suitable amphoteric 5 surfactant include lauryl amine oxide, decyl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, lauryl / myristyl amido amine oxide, octyl amine oxide, decyl amine oxide, cocam idopropyl amine oxide, lauramido propyl dimethyl N oxide, cocodimethyl sulphopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, sodium cocamphopropionate, lauryl dimethylamine oxide, coco amido propyl dimethyl amine oxide, cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), coco amido propyl amine oxide (CAPAO), cocodiethanol amide (CDEA) and cocomonoethanol amide (CMEA). Preferably the amphoteric surfactant is selected from lauryl amine oxide, decyl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, lauryl / myristyl amido amine oxide, octyl amine oxide, decyl amine oxide, cocamidopropyl amine oxide, lauramido propyl dimethyl N oxide, cocodimethyl sulphopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, sodium cocamphopropionate, lauryl dimethylamine oxide, coco amido 15 propyl dimethyl amine oxide, cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), coco amido propyl amine oxide (CAPAO), cocodiethanol amide (CDEA), cocomonoethanol amide (CMEA) and combinations thereof.

[0056] Preferably the amphoteric surfactant comprises at least an amine oxide selected from lauryl amine oxide, decyl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, lauryl / myristyl amido 20 amine oxide, octyl amine oxide, decyl amine oxide, cocamidopropyl amine oxide, lauramido propyl dimethyl N oxide and combinations thereof.

[0057] Preferably the amphoteric surfactant comprises at least amine oxide. Preferably the composition comprises more than one amphoteric surfactant. Most preferred amphoteric surfactant is a combination of cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) and amine oxide.

[0058] 25 Acid

[0059] The composition comprises 0.1 to 20 % by weight of acid. Preferably composition comprises 0.2 to 16% by weight, more preferably 0.5 to 12% by weight and most preferably 1 to 10% by weight of the acid.

[0060] Preferably the acid is an organic acid. More preferably the organic acid may be selected from 30 organic acids having a pKa value in the range from 2 to 5.5. Examples to such organic acids include citric acid (pKa = 3.1), lactic acid (pKa = 3.86), acetic acid (pKa = 4.76), malonic acid (pKa = 2.85), adipic acid (pKa = 4.43), glutaric acid (pKa = 3.76), glycolic acid (pKa = 3.83),P0001103 EP CPL

[0061] 8

[0062] maleic acid (pKa = 1.9), succinic acid (pKa = 4.2), malic acid (pKa = 3.4), tartaric acid (for L+ pKa = 2.89; and for meso pKa = 3.22), hexanoic acid (pKa = 4.88), cyclohexanoic acid (pKa = 4.82), heptanoic acid (pKa = 4.8), octanoic acid (pKa = 4.89), 4-methyl octanoic acid (pKa = 5.23), nonanoic acid (pKa = 4.95), decanoic acid (pKa = 4.9), benzoic acid (pKa = 4.2), 4- 5 methoxy benzoic acid (pKa = 4.37).

[0063] Preferably the organic acid is selected from citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, malonic acid, adipic acid, glutaric acid, glycolic acid and maleic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, hexanoic acid, cyclohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, 4-methyl octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, benzoic acid, 4-methoxy benzoic acid, methane sulphonic acid and combinations thereof. Most preferred organic acid is citric acid.

[0064] The composition may comprise an inorganic acid. Examples of inorganic acid suitable for the present invention include hydrochloric acid, hydroiodic acid, hydrobromic acid, perchloric acid, nitric acid, sulphuric acid and sulphamic acid. Most preferred inorganic acids are hydrochloric acid and sulphamic acid.

[0065] 15 Shear thinning polymer

[0066] The composition comprises a shear thinning polymer. Typically, a shear thinning behaviour in a polymer is observed in terms of decrease in viscosity with increasing shear rate.

[0067] The composition may comprise at most 1% by weight, more preferably at most 0.7% by weight of even more preferably at most 0.5% by weight and most preferably at most 0.4% by weight of 20 the shea thinning polymer. The composition may composition may comprise at least 0.01 % by weight, more preferably 0.02% by weight, even more preferably 0.03% by weight and most preferably 0.04% by weight of the shear thinning polymer.

[0068] The amount of shear thinning polymer in the composition is in the range 0.01 to 1% by weight, preferably 0.02 to 0.7% by weight, more preferably 0.03 to 0.6% by weight and most preferably 25 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of the composition. Preferably the shear thinning polymer is readily soluble in water.

[0069] The shear thinning polymer comprises at least a cellulose ether. Typically, cellulose ethers are obtained by substituting one or more hydrogen atoms of hydroxyl groups in the anhydroglucose units of cellulose with alkyl or substituted alkyl groups. Examples of suitable cellulose 30 ethers include methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxy methyl cellulose, cetyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose,P0001103 EP CPL

[0070] 9

[0071] carboxymethyl cellulose and their alkali metal salts. Preferably the cellulose ethers are soluble in water. The cellulose ethers suitable for the present invention may also include hydrophobically modified cellulose ethers.

[0072] Preferably the cellulose ether is selected from cellulose alkyl ethers or hydroxyalkyl ethers or .

[0073] 5 non-ionic cellulose ethers, i.e., containing non-ionic functional group, for example, hydroxy, methoxy, ethoxy, hydroxyethyl, hydroxy propyl, di-hydroxy propyl and dihydroxy butyl.

[0074] Preferably the cellulose ether is selected form methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cetyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and combinations thereof. Most preferred cellulose ether is hydroxy ethyl cellulose and / or cetyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose. The cellulose ether may present in the composition in an amount 0.01 to 0.65% by weight, more preferably 0.02 to 0.6% by weight and yet more preferably 0.03 to 0.55% by weight and most preferably 0.05 to 0.5% by weight of the composition.

[0075] Preferably the cellulose ether constitutes 50 to 100% by weight, more preferably 60 to 100% by 15 weight and most preferably 70 to 100% by weight of the total weight of the shear thinning polymer.

[0076] The composition may comprise any other shear thinning polymer in addition to the cellulose ether.

[0077] Viscosity

[0078] 20 The composition is a liquid composition having a viscosity less than 20 mPa.S at 20S'1shear rate and 25°C. Preferably the composition has a viscosity less than 16 mPa.S, more preferably less than 12 mPa.S, and even more preferably less than 10 mPa.S and most preferably less than 8 mPa.S at 20S'1shear rate and 25°C. The composition may have a viscosity in the range 0.5 to 20 mPa.S, more preferably 0.5 to 15 mPa.S, and most preferably 0.5 to 10 mPa.S at20S 251shear rate and 25°C. A preferred viscosity range for the composition is 1 to 5 mPa.S at 20S'1shear rate and 25°C. The viscosity described above is measured with a cone or plate geometry in a rheometer. Viscosity may also be measured by any other standard viscosity measurement method and instrument known in the art.

[0079] The composition may be free of a hydrotrope, such as alkyl aryl sulphonate. Examples of such 30 hydrotrope include sodium xylene sulphonate, sodium toluene sulphonate, sodium cumene sulphonate, potassium xylene sulphonate, potassium toluene sulphonate, potassium cumeneP0001103 EP CPL

[0080] 10

[0081] sulphonate. The term ‘free of’ here in implies that the composition does not comprise more than 0.1% by weight, more preferably not more than 0.05% by weight and most preferably not more than 0.01% by weight of said ingredient. Mostly the hydrotrope is not added as an ingredient in the composition, however, may present in a trace level sourced as an impurity with other active 5 ingredients. In most preferred scenario, the composition does not comprise a hydrotrope.

[0082] £H

[0083] Preferably the composition is formulated as an acidic composition. In such case, the composition preferably has a pH in the range 0.5 to 6 at 20° C. Preferably the composition has a pH in the range 1 to 5.5, more preferably 1 to 5.0, even more preferably 1 to 4.5, yet more preferably 1 to 4.0 and most preferably 1 to 3.5 at 20° C.

[0084] The composition may also be formulated in the pH range 7.0 to 9.5 at 20° C. In such case, the composition may have a pH in the range 7.0 to 9.0, more preferably 7.5 to 8.5 and most preferably 8 to 8.5 at 20° C.

[0085] Water

[0086] 15 The composition is an aqueous composition. The term ‘aqueous’ herein refers to water, and the composition contain significant amount of water. More particularly water acts as balance in the composition. Water may present in the composition at an amount from 60 to 99% by weight, more preferably 60 to 95% by weight and most preferably 60 to 90% by weight of the composition. Preferably the composition when formulated as concentrate, may contain 60 to 20 80% by weight, more preferably 65 to 80% by weight and most preferably 70 to 80% by weight of water.

[0087] Preferably the composition is free of an oxidizing or bleaching agent, such as peroxide or hypochlorite. The term ‘free of’ here in implies that the composition does not comprise more than 0.1% by weight, more preferably not more than 0.05% by weight and most preferably not 25 more than 0.01% by weight of said ingredient. Mostly the oxidizing or bleaching agent is not added as an ingredient in the composition, however, may present in a trace level sourced as an impurity with other active ingredients. Most preferably the composition does not comprise a peroxide or hypochlorite. In a most preferred way, the composition is free of peroxide.

[0088] Surface modifying agent

[0089] 30 The composition may comprise a surface modifying agent. The surface modifying agent may be a copolymer comprising three or more monomers. The copolymer may comprise a cationic monomer selected form 2-(acryloyloxy) ethyl trimethylammonium chloride, [2-(acryloylamino)P0001103 EP CPL

[0090] 11

[0091] ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [2-(acryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium methosulfate, [2- (methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride or methosulfate, [3-(acryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [3-(methacryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC). Preferably the cationic monomer is 5 selected from [3-(methacryloylamino)propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) and diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC).

[0092] The copolymer may comprise an acrylamide monomer. The acrylamide monomer may be selected from acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-methylacrylamide, N, N-dimethylacrylamide, N- ethylacrylamide, N-cyclohexylacrylamide, N-benzylacrylamide, N-methylolacrylamide, N- isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and N-tert-butylacrylamide. Most preferred acrylamide monomer is N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM).

[0093] The copolymer may comprise at least one monomer selected from polyethylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, 2- 15 acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulphonic acid and / or its salt.

[0094] One of the preferred copolymers is that which comprises a cationic monomer selected from [3- (methacryloylamino)propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) or diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomer and a monomer selected from polyethylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co- 20 polypropylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate. Detail of obtaining such copolymer could be found in WO 2018 / 095920 A1 or WO 2018 / 095918 A1.

[0095] Another suitable surface modifying copolymer is that which comprises four monomers, namely, a cationic monomer selected from [3-(methacryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride 25 (MAPTAC) or diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomer, acrylic acid and / or methacrylic acid monomer and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane- sulphonic acid or its salt monomer. Such copolymers are commercially available from BASF under the trade name Polyquart® Pro A.

[0096] The surface modifying copolymer may be present in the composition in an amount from 0.005 30 to 1% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 1% by weight, even more preferably 0.02 to 1% by weight and most preferably 0.05 to 1% by weight of the composition.P0001103 EP CPL

[0097] 12

[0098] Further ingredients

[0099] The composition may comprise further ingredients for boosting the performance of the composition. Such ingredients include additional surfactant, sequestrant, builder, perfume, and colourant.

[0100] 5 The composition may further comprise a non-ionic surfactant. Example of suitable non-ionic surfactant include alcohol ethoxylate having C8 to C18 alkyl chain and 1 to 10 ethoxylate (EO) per mole. Suitable alcohol ethoxylate surfactants include the condensation products of a higher alcohol (e.g. an alkanol containing about 8 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration) condensed with about 1 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide, for example, lauryl or myristyl alcohol condensed with about 16 moles of ethylene oxide (EO), tridecanol condensed with about 6 moles of EO, myristyl alcohol condensed with about 10 moles of EO per mole of myristyl alcohol, the condensation product of EO with a cut of coconut fatty alcohol containing a mixture of fatty alcohols with alkyl chains varying from 10 to about 14 carbon atoms in length and wherein the condensate contains either about 6 moles of EO per mole of total alcohol or 15 about 9 moles of EO per mole of alcohol and tallow alcohol ethoxylates containing 6 EO to 10 EO per mole of alcohol. Preferably the alcohol ethoxylate has from 3 to 9 EO, more preferably 5 to 8 EO and even more preferably 7 EO. Particularly preferred is Lauryl alcohol condensed with 5, 7 and 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Laureth 5, Laureth 7 and Laureth 9). Preferably, the alcohol ethoxylate surfactant is selected from Laureth 5, Laureth 7 and Laureth 9, or mixtures thereof.

[0101] 20 The non-ionic surfactant may be selected such that it comprises a mixture of fatty alcohols e.g., a mixture of C12, C13, C14 and C15 in varying proportions along with 1 to 10 ethoxylate groups. Such non-ionic surfactants are commercially available under NEODOLTM series from Shell. For example, NEODOLTM 91-51 which is a mixture of 09, C10 and C11 with 5 EO; NEODOLTM 91-61 which is a mixture of 09, C10 and C11 with 6 EO; NEODOLTM 91-8 which 25 is a mixture of 09, C10, and C11 with 8 EO; NEODOLTM 23-2 which is a mixture of C12 and C13 with 2 EO; NEODOLTM 25-3 which is a mixture of C12, C13, C14 and C15 with 3 EO; NEODOLTM 25-7 which is a mixture of C12, C13, C14 and C15 with 7 EO; and NEODOLTM 45-7 which is a mixture of C14 and C15 with 7 EO. Particularly preferred non-ionic surfactant is a mixture of C12, C13, C14 and 015 with 7 EO.

[0102] 30 Another suitable non-ionic surfactant is alkyl polyglycoside having formula I: R1O(R2O)b(Z)a, wherein R1 is a alkyl radical, having from about 1 to about 30 carbon atoms; R2 is an alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is a saccharide residue having 5 or 6 carbon atoms; b is a number having a value from 0 to about 12; and a is a number having a value from 1 toP0001103 EP CPL

[0103] 13

[0104] about 6 (the degree of polymerization). Preferred alkyl polyglycosides suitable for use in the disclosed cleaning formulation include those having the formula I wherein Z is a glucose residue, b is zero, R1 is an alkyl group that contains 4 to 22 carbon atoms, and the average value of a is about 1-2. Preferably R1 is an alkyl group that contains 8 to 16 carbon atoms, and 5 the average value of a is about 1-2. Such alkyl polyglucosides are commercially available, for example, Glucopon® branded alkyl polyglucoside compositions from BASF (formerly Cognis Corporation), including Glucopon® 215CS UP and 225 DK.

[0105] The composition may comprise 0.1 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.2 to 4% by weight and most preferably 0.5 to 3% by weight non-ionic surfactant.

[0106]

[0107] The composition may further comprise a sequestrant. Preferably the composition comprises 0.05 to 5% by weight of sequestrant, more preferably 0.1 to 5 % by weight and most preferably 0.2 to 5% by weight.

[0108] Suitable sequestrants are those based on organophosphonates, aminopolycarboxylates and 15 carboxylic acids. It will be understood that suitable sequestrants include both the acid form and salts thereof. Examples of sequestrants based on organophosphonates include diethylenetriamine penta(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), hydroxyethylidenediphosphonic acid (HEDP), and nitrilotrimethylenephosphonic acid (NTMP).

[0109] Examples of sequestrants based on aminopolycarboxylates include ethylenediaminetetraacetic 20 acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA), and L-Glutamic acid N, N diacetic acid (GLDA). Examples of sequestrants based on carboxylic acids include gluconic acid and itaconic acid. Preferably the sequestrant is biodegradable. Preferred biodegradable sequestrants are nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, (EDDS), iminodisuccinic acid, (IDS), methylglycine 25 diacetic acid (MGDA), L-Glutamic acid N,N diacetic acid (GLDA), 2-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA), ethylenediamine-N,N'-dimalonic acid (EDDM), ethylenediamine-N,N'-diglutaric acid (EDDG), 3-hydroxy-2,2-iminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), and 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDA), gluconic acid and itaconic acid. Most preferred sequestrant are methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and L-Glutamic acid N, N diacetic acid (GLDA) and combinations thereof.

[0110] 30 Product formatP0001103 EP CPL

[0111] 14

[0112] The composition is a liquid composition that provides copious foam in use. Thus, the composition may be called a foamable composition. A foam trigger or foam engine may be employed to generate the foam or dispense the composition as a cleaning foam.

[0113] Based on application, the composition may be formulated as neat or concentrated format. The 5 term ‘neat’ herein refers to the composition is used as is without further dilution. Whereas in ‘concentrated’ format, preferably the composition is diluted in water to form a working solution and use it. Particular advantage of the concentrated format is that the composition in such form may be packed in significantly small pack and consumes much less packaging material.

[0114] The composition in neat format may be provided in a container, which is equipped with a foam trigger, and the composition is dispensed as foam on the desired surface. It may also be possible to pack such composition in a refill pouch or pack, which may be used to fill the container once it is empty.

[0115] The composition may also be provided in concentrated format. Consumer dilutes the concentrated composition by adding sufficient water, thereby forms a working solution and use 15 it. The composition in concentrated format may be provided in a container with sufficient empty space, and the container is equipped with a foam trigger. In use consumer add water in the container to a pre-set label making a working solution. Alternatively, the composition may also be available in a smaller refill pouch and consumer prepare the working solution by adding water separately and subsequently fill a container equipped with a foam trigger. The

[0116] 20 composition is dispensed as foam on the desired surface. Preferably the composition when diluted in water, the ratio of the composition to water is in the range 1:1 to 1: 20 by weight, more preferably 1:2 to 1:16, even more preferably 1:3 to 1:12 and most preferably 1: 4 to 1:10 by weight.

[0117] There is provided a cleaning product comprising a cleaning composition according to the 25 present invention contained in a container equipped with a foam trigger or foam head or foam engine attachable to it. The foam dispenser herein may be a foam trigger-based dispenser.

[0118] Preferably the foam dispenser comprises a container to hold the composition and a foam trigger, which includes a trigger lever, a pump, a mixing chamber and a nozzle. The pump comprises a piston moving in a cavity against a spring. The cavity is in fluid communication with 30 the container and the mixing chamber, wherein it has one-way valves which allow the composition to flow from the container to the mixing chamber. Typically, the foam trigger is actuated by pressing the trigger lever, which in turn pressed the piston against the springP0001103 EP CPL

[0119] 15

[0120] thereby pushing the composition stored in the cavity to the mixing chamber. In the mixing chamber the composition mixed with air and pass through a mesh before dispensing out of the nozzle as foam. On subsequent release of the trigger lever, the spring push back the piston, thereby the empty cavity fills with the composition flowing from the container. Foam dispensers 5 equipped with foam trigger rely on the pump action, hence do not require a pressurised gas.

[0121] Preferably the product is free of pressurises gas or a propellant.

[0122] In another scenario, it may also possible that the foam dispenser comprises a pressurised gas, stored along with the composition in the container. Such dispenser is activated by opening a one-way valve, thereby releases the gas along with composition through a nozzle and dispenses a foam.

[0123] Preferably, the composition provides a thick, creamy foam that cling to a vertical surface for considerably long time. The foam according to the present invention may cling to a vertical surface, such as a ceramic tile, for at least 15 seconds. Preferably, the foam clint to the vertical surface for at least 30 seconds, more preferably for at least 1 minute, even more preferably for 15 at least 2 minutes and most preferably for at least 5 minutes. The foam preferably clings to the vertical surface for at most 60 minutes.

[0124] Application

[0125] There is provided a method for cleaning to a hard surface comprising steps of applying the composition as foam on the surface, leaving the composition on the surface for at least 30 20 seconds, and rinsing the surface with water. Preferably the composition is left on the surface for at least 1 minutes, more preferably at least for 5 minutes, even more preferably at least for 10 minutes, yet more preferably at least for 20 minutes and most preferably at least 0 minutes. Preferably the composition is left on the surface not more than 120 minutes and most preferably not more than 60 minutes. Preferably, the surface is rinsed more than once. The composition 25 may be applied with the help of an implement, such as, a mop, wipes, paper, cloth or scrubbed using a brush.

[0126] There is provided a use of a shear thinning polymer comprising at least a cellulose ether in the liquid composition as described herein for enhancing cling time, wherein the liquid composition is dispensed as a foam by a foam dispenser.

[0127] 30P0001103 EP CPL

[0128] 16

[0129] Examples

[0130] Examples were prepared following the recipe provided in table 1.

[0131] Table 1

[0132]

[0133] 51Jaguar HP 105;2Acusol 882; Polypropylene glycol 1000 Mw

[0134] Ex-A is a control example; it does not contain a shear thinning polymer. Ex-B, Ex-C and Ex-E are comparatives containing commonly used polymers. Ex-1 and 2 are according to the present invention.P0001103 EP CPL

[0135] 17

[0136] Viscosity of each sample was measured in Modular Compact Rheometer, model number MCR 302 available with Rheocompass software from Anton Paar GmbH with CP50 geometry, at 20S'1shear rate and 25°C.

[0137] For cling time measurement, a white tile of (20-centi metre x 30 centimetre) was taken and 5 placed at 45° angle. Two points P1 and P2 were marked on the tile such that, P1 and P2 were at a distance 1 centimetre from the top and bottom edge respectively. Each composition was dispensed as foam with a foam trigger by actuating the trigger once at the point P1. Time taken by each composition to slide to point P2 was noted using a stopwatch and reported as the cling time.

[0138] 10 From table 1 , it is evident that, Ex-1 and 2 shows significantly higher cling time compared to Ex- A, C and E, whereas Ex-B does not foam.

Claims

P0001103 EP CPL18Claims:

1. A liquid hard surface cleaning composition comprising:(a) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a quaternary ammonium compound;(b) 0.1 to 10% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant selected from alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulpho-betaines, and combinations thereof;(c) 0.1 to 20% by weight of an acid; and(d) 0.01 to 1 % by weight of a shear thinning polymer comprising at least a cellulose ether.

2. wherein the composition has a viscosity less than 20 m.Pa.S at 20S'1shear rate and 25°C measured with a cone or plate geometry in a rheometer. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is selected from didecyl dimethylammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethylammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, diisobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, methyldodecylbenzyl ammonium chloride, methyldodecylxylene-bis-trimethyl ammonium chloride, methyl benzethonium chloride, cetyl pyrinidinium chloride, cetrimonium bromide and combinations thereof.

3. A composition as claimed in 2 wherein the quaternary ammonium compound is benzalkonium chloride.

4. A composition as claimed in claims 1 or 3 wherein the amphoteric surfactant is selected from lauryl amine oxide, decyl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, lauryl / myristyl amido amine oxide, octyl amine oxide, decyl amine oxide, cocamidopropyl amine oxide, lauramido propyl dimethyl N oxide, cocodimethyl sulphopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, sodium cocamphopropionate, lauryl dimethylamine oxide, coco amido propyl dimethyl amine oxide, cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB), coco amido propyl amine oxide (CAPAO), cocodiethanol amide (CDEA), cocomonoethanol amide (CMEA) and combinations thereof.

5. A composition as claimed in claim 4 wherein the amphoteric surfactant comprises at least an amine oxide selected from lauryl amine oxide, decyl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, lauryl / myristyl amido amine oxide, octyl amine oxide, decyl amineP0001103 EP CPL19oxide, cocamidopropyl amine oxide, lauramido propyl dimethyl N oxide and combinations thereof.

6. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein the acid comprises an organic acid.

7. A composition as claimed in 6 wherein the organic acid is selected from citric acid, lactic acid, acetic acid, malonic acid, adipic acid, glutaric acid, glycolic acid and maleic acid, succinic acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, hexanoic acid, cyclohexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, 4-methyl octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, decanoic acid, benzoic acid, 4- methoxy benzoic acid and combinations thereof.

8. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cellulose ether constitutes 50 to 100% by weight of the total amount of shear thinning polymer.

9. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the cellulose ether is selected from methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, cetyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and combinations thereof.

10. A composition as claimed in claim 9 wherein the cellulose ether is hydroxy ethyl cellulose and / or cetyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose.

11. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the composition has a viscosity in the range 1 to 10 mPa.S at shear rate 20S'1and 25°C.

12. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the composition is free of peroxide.

13. A cleaning product comprising:(a) a liquid hard surface cleaning composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 contained in a container; and(b) a foam trigger attachable to the container,wherein the product dispenses a cleaning foam in use.

14. A method for cleaning to a hard surface comprising steps of:P0001103 EP CPL20(a) applying a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 as foam on the surface;(b) leaving the foam composition on the surface for at least 30 seconds; and(c) rinsing the surface with water.

15. Use of a shear thinning polymer comprising at least a cellulose ether in a liquid hard surface cleaning composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 for enhancing cling time, wherein the liquid composition is dispensed as a foam by a foam dispenser.

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