Acid-Based Wipe Compositions for Flatware Polishing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sanitizing and disinfectant compositions, particularly those containing quaternary ammonium compounds, face challenges such as flammability concerns, leaving hazy or tacky residues, limited compatibility with soft metal surfaces, and the need for a rinse step, which restricts their application and regulatory compliance.
Innovation Solution
The development of wipe compositions that combine an anionic surfactant with at least one acid, either strong or weak, to provide effective cleaning and sanitizing without the need for personal protective equipment (PPE) and without leaving residues. These compositions have a pH of less than or equal to about 5 and can be formulated as both liquid and solid concentrates, including a kit for making saturated wipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If quaternary ammonium compounds are used for sanitizing and disinfecting, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but flammability concerns and residue formation occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by using acid-based formulations (pH less than 7, preferably less than 5) instead of quaternary ammonium compounds. This parameter change eliminates flammability and residue issues while maintaining antimicrobial efficacy through the acidic environment and synergistic surfactant action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes quaternary ammonium compounds from the formulation entirely, replacing them with acid-based active ingredients and anionic surfactants. This extraction eliminates the harmful flammability and residue characteristics associated with quaternary ammonium compounds while preserving the essential sanitizing and disinfecting functions.
2Reliability
If quaternary ammonium compounds are used for surface sanitizing, then disinfection is improved, but hazy or tacky residues are left on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potential harm of residue formation into a benefit by using acid-based formulations that naturally etch and polish surfaces. The acidic active ingredients and anionic surfactants work together to remove contaminants and leave a clean, non-tacky finish, transforming the potential residue problem into an improved surface appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
By changing the pH parameter to acidic (less than 7, preferably less than 5), the formulation achieves better surface compatibility and polishing action. This parameter change enables the composition to etch and polish surfaces effectively, eliminating the hazy or tacky residues that characterize neutral or alkaline quaternary ammonium-based products.
3Reliability
If quaternary ammonium compounds are used for cleaning, then sanitizing is improved, but a rinse step is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the cleaning composition to be self-rinsing through its acid-based formulation and anionic surfactant content. The acidic active ingredients and surfactants work together to emulsify and remove contaminants without requiring a separate rinse step, allowing the composition to sanitize and clean surfaces effectively on its own.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the cleaning and sanitizing functions into a single step by combining acid-based active ingredients with anionic surfactants. This combination allows the same application to both clean and sanitize surfaces simultaneously, eliminating the need for separate rinse steps that are typically required with quaternary ammonium compounds.
4Reliability
If alcohol-based no-rinse viricidal products are used, then virucidal efficacy is improved, but flammability and surface appearance issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition from alcohol-based to acid-based formulations (pH less than 7, preferably less than 5). This parameter change eliminates flammability while maintaining virucidal efficacy through the acidic environment. Additionally, the acid-based formulation with anionic surfactants provides superior surface appearance by etching and polishing without the haze or tackiness associated with alcohol-based products.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and removes alcohol from the formulation, replacing it with acid-based active ingredients and anionic surfactants. This extraction eliminates the flammability and surface appearance issues inherent in alcohol-based viricidal products while preserving the essential virucidal function through alternative chemical mechanisms.
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 compositions achieve effective sanitizing and disinfection, including virucidal efficacy against Murine Norovirus and other viruses, without requiring a rinse step and without leaving hazy, streaky, or tacky residues on treated surfaces, thus addressing the limitations of existing technologies.
Implementation Method 1
The wipe compositions include an anionic surfactant and at least one acid to provide cleaning and/or sanitizing
Implementation Method 2
at least one acid to provide cleaning and/or sanitizing without requiring use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
Data Source
AI summary
Wipe compositions include an anionic surfactant and at least one acid provide cleaning and/or sanitizing without requiring use of personal protective equipment (PPE), are surface compatible to provide surface polishing, and do not result in streaky, hazy or tacky residues on treated surfaces. Liquid and solid compositions are provided. The compositions provide effective alternatives to quaternary ammonium containing compounds. Methods of using the wipe compositions are also provided.