Acid-Stable Silane Composition for Hard Surface Hygiene
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard surface cleaners, particularly toilet bowl cleaners, provide limited cleaning and disinfecting benefits and are unstable when combined with silanes due to their acidic nature, which disrupts the composition's stability.
Innovation Solution
A hard surface treatment composition comprising acid-stable surfactants, cationic silanes, and specific molecular weight water-soluble non-ionic polymers, maintained at a pH of 2 or lower, stabilizes the silane and imparts hydrophobic and antimicrobial properties to surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If silanes are added to an acid based formulation to provide long lasting antimicrobial effect and hydrophobic properties, then the hygiene benefits are improved, but the stability of the composition deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
A water-soluble non-ionic polymer is introduced as an intermediary stabilizing agent between the acid-based formulation and the cationic silane. The polymer prevents direct destabilizing interactions while allowing the silane to provide its antimicrobial and hydrophobic functions, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The pH of the composition is controlled to be less than or equal to 2, and specific concentration ranges of surfactants and silanes are maintained (0.1-10% surfactant, 0.05-0.4% silane). These parameter changes optimize the stability-compatibility of the acid-based formulation with silane components while preserving antimicrobial efficacy.
2Productivity
If acid based cleaners are used to remove calcium carbonate deposits, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the duration of hygiene benefits deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges two previously separate functions into a single composition: the acid-based cleaning function (for removing calcium carbonate deposits) and the silane-based long-lasting antimicrobial function. The stabilizing polymer enables both functions to coexist, providing immediate cleaning effectiveness followed by prolonged hygiene benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The hard surface treatment composition is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: cleaning (acid action), disinfecting (antimicrobial surfactants), and providing long-term protection (silane hydrophobic and antimicrobial layer). This multi-functional formulation resolves the contradiction between immediate cleaning effectiveness and duration of hygiene benefits.
3Duration of action of stationary object
If cationic silane is used to provide hydrophobic properties and antimicrobial effect, then the duration of action is improved, but the stability in acidic environment deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The water-soluble non-ionic polymer acts as a protective intermediary that shields the cationic silane from the destabilizing effects of the acidic environment. This allows the silane to maintain its structural integrity and functional properties (hydrophobicity and antimicrobial activity) for extended periods in the acid-based formulation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The composition achieves prolonged hygiene benefits by maintaining stability and effectiveness, providing greater than 2 log reduction in microbial contamination, even after multiple rinses, and imparting hydrophobicity to surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
Silanes are well known in the art for delivering hydrophobic properties and a long lasting antimicrobial effect to hard surfaces as they prevent the deposition of dirt and microorganisms
Implementation Method 2
Silanes are well known in the art for delivering hydrophobic properties and a long lasting antimicrobial effect to hard surfaces as they prevent the deposition of dirt and microorganisms
Implementation Method 3
These convert the calcium carbonate into salts that are soluble in water or are easily rinsed away
Implementation Method 4
specific water soluble non-ionic polymers having a specific molecular weight can stabilise silane in an acidic composition
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is in the field of hard surface treatment compositions; and in particular relates to cleaning compositions that can provide long lasting hygiene to hard surfaces. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a stable acidic hard surface treatment composition with hydrophobic properties that provides prolonged hygiene benefits to hard surfaces. It has been found that specific water soluble non- ionic polymers having a specific molecular weight can stabilise silane in an acidic composition.