Antimicrobial Cleaning Composition Grease Removal Balance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hard surface cleaning compositions face challenges in maintaining antimicrobial efficacy while effectively removing grease and achieving shine, especially when applied diluted, due to the inhibitory effects of surfactants on antimicrobial agents.

Innovation Solution

A hard surface cleaning composition comprising 0.001 wt% to less than 2 wt% of a quaternary ammonium compound, 0.50 wt% to 5.0 wt% of an amine oxide surfactant, and greater than 2 wt% of a non-ionic surfactant, with a specific ratio of amine oxide to the sum of amine oxide and non-ionic surfactants, which improves grease removal and antimicrobial efficacy during both neat and dilute applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If quaternary ammonium compound is added to provide antimicrobial benefit, then hygiene level is improved, but grease removal capability deteriorates due to surfactant inhibition

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacyVSAvoidgrease removal capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of both the quaternary ammonium compound (0.01-5% by weight) and surfactants (1-20% by weight) to achieve a balance where antimicrobial efficacy is maintained while minimizing surfactant inhibition. This parameter optimization allows the composition to function effectively for both hygiene and grease removal

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite cleaning composition that integrates multiple functional components: quaternary ammonium compounds for antimicrobial activity, surfactants for grease removal, and additional additives to enhance overall performance. This composite approach allows synergistic effects where the combination of ingredients achieves both hygiene and cleaning benefits that individual components cannot provide alone

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If surfactant concentration is increased to improve grease removal, then cleaning efficacy is improved, but antimicrobial agent availability deteriorates due to micelle capture

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease removal capabilityVSAvoidantimicrobial efficacy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent establishes specific concentration ranges for surfactants (1-20% by weight) and quaternary ammonium compounds (0.01-5% by weight) to optimize the balance between grease removal and antimicrobial availability. By controlling these parameters, the formulation minimizes micelle formation that would otherwise trap antimicrobial agents, ensuring sufficient free antimicrobial agent remains active

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The composition includes additional components that act as intermediaries to prevent direct interaction between surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds. These intermediary substances reduce the tendency of surfactants to capture antimicrobial agents in micelles, thereby maintaining antimicrobial efficacy while preserving grease removal capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If formulation is optimized for neat application, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but performance during dilute application deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveantimicrobial efficacy during neat applicationVSAvoidperformance during dilute application

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning composition is formulated to be universally effective across multiple application scenarios. The concentration ranges and ingredient selections are specifically designed to maintain both antimicrobial efficacy and grease removal capability whether the product is applied neat or diluted, making it adaptable to different usage requirements and surface types

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 provides enhanced antimicrobial efficacy and improved grease removal and shine on various surfaces, maintaining effectiveness across different application concentrations.

Implementation Method 1

comprising an antimicrobial agent, preferably the quaternary ammonium compound... For treating surfaces where high levels of hygiene is desired... it is desirable that the hard surface cleaning composition comprises an anti-bacterial agent such as a quaternary ammonium compound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAntimicrobial action:

Implementation Method 2

comprising an amine oxide surfactant and an additional non-ionic surfactant... provides improved grease removal... the ratio of amine oxide surfactant to the sum of amine oxide surfactant and additional non-ionic surfactant is from 0.05 to 0.5

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSurfactant action: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP3184618B1Antimicrobial hard surface cleaning compositions providing improved grease removal

Publication Date: 2020.04.29 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

The need for a liquid hard surface cleaning composition which provides antimicrobial efficacy and good cleaning is met by formulating the composition using an antimicrobial active in combination with an amine oxide surfactant and additional non-ionic surfactant at the desired ratio.