Liquid Acidic Cleaning Composition for Delicate Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liquid compositions for cleaning hard surfaces, particularly those with limescale, often damage delicate surfaces like enamel and metals due to their acidic nature, while struggling to effectively remove greasy soap scum and limescale simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A liquid composition with a pH of 3 to 4, containing a monoprotic acid agent with a pKa of 4 to 5, such as acetic acid, and a source of alkalinity, which provides improved cleaning performance without damaging surfaces, including enamel and stainless steel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If acidic compositions are used to clean hard surfaces, then limescale removal performance is improved, but the surface may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by carefully controlling the pH of the cleaning composition to fall within the range of 2.0 to 4.0, and by selecting acid agents with specific pKa values (4 to 6). This optimization allows the composition to effectively remove limescale while minimizing surface damage, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and surface safety
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material principles by combining multiple acid agents with different pKa values (one with pKa 2-3 and another with pKa 4-6), along with surfactants and other additives. This composite approach creates a synergistic effect that enhances limescale removal while the lower concentration and diversified acid composition reduce the harmful impact on delicate surfaces
2Productivity
If stronger acid agents are used, then cleaning performance on greasy soap scum is improved, but safety to delicate surfaces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the strength and type of acid agents by selecting compounds with specific pKa ranges (2-3 and 4-6) rather than using strong mineral acids. This parameter optimization maintains effective cleaning performance on greasy soap scum while significantly improving safety to delicate surfaces like enamel and stainless steel
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs organic acid agents that mimic the cleaning effectiveness of stronger acids but with inherently lower harmfulness. These organic acids provide comparable cleaning performance on organic soils like greasy soap scum while being less corrosive to metal and enamel surfaces
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 effectively removes limescale and greasy soap scum while being safe for delicate surfaces, offering enhanced cleaning performance and safety for both the surfaces and users.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid compositions show good stain/soil removal performance on various types of stains/soils in particular: greasy soils, e.g., greasy soap scum; limescale
Implementation Method 2
Surfactants The compositions according to the present invention comprise up to 30%, preferably of from 0.1% to 20%, more preferably of from 1% to 10%, and most preferably of from 1% to 5% by weight of the total composition of a surfactant system
Data Source
AI summary
Liquid compositions for cleaning hard-surfaces having pH comprised between 3 and 4, obtained upon the mixing of an acid agent having a pKa comprised between 4 and 6, a source of alkalinity and a surfactant system. Process for treating hard surfaces, preferably delicate, hard surfaces, by applying said composition onto said hard surface and the use of said composition for cleaning hard surface while maintaining surface safety.