Hard Surface Cleaning Composition Streak Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional hard surface cleaning compositions often leave behind streaks and films on surfaces like tiles and stainless steel, leading to reduced shine and increased slipperiness, which can result in accidents and damage to delicate surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A liquid hard surface cleaning composition containing ethoxylated alkoxylated nonionic surfactants and a specific copolymer, along with a quaternary compound, is used, which provides a balanced receding contact angle for efficient wetting and drying, reducing streaking and enhancing shine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional hard surface cleaning compositions are used to clean dirty floors, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but streaking and film residues are left resulting in reduced shine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating specific surfactants (ammonium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate), quaternary ammonium compounds, and wetting agents in optimized concentrations. These parameter changes enable the cleaning composition to effectively remove dirt while preventing streaking and film residues, thereby improving surface shine quality without sacrificing cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite cleaning system by combining multiple ingredients including nonionic surfactants, quaternary ammonium compounds, wetting agents, and optional additives like chelating agents and antimicrobials. This composite formulation works synergistically to provide both effective cleaning and streak-free surfaces, resolving the contradiction between cleaning effectiveness and surface shine quality.
2Ease of operation
If diluted hard surface cleaning compositions are used, then ease of application is improved, but surfaces become slippery increasing the risk of falls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the concentration parameters of cleaning agents and additives to achieve an optimal balance. The formulation provides sufficient cleaning power when applied diluted while the specific combination of surfactants and quaternary ammonium compounds ensures adequate surface tension to prevent excessive slipperiness, thereby reducing fall risks while maintaining ease of application.
3Manufacturing precision
If fresh water is used to rinse floors to remove films and streaks, then surface shine is improved, but drying times increase causing damage to delicate surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates drying agents and water repellent compounds in optimized concentrations that enable faster evaporation of the cleaning solution. This parameter change reduces drying time to prevent damage to delicate surfaces like stainless steel and marble, while the formulation still provides sufficient cleaning effectiveness to achieve good shine quality without requiring extended rinsing.
4Productivity
If cleaning compositions are formulated for effective cleaning, then cleaning power is improved, but streaking and film residues are left on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of surfactants, quaternary ammonium compounds, and wetting agents to achieve the right balance between cleaning power and streak prevention. The specific formulation ensures that cleaning agents effectively remove dirt while the wetting agents and quaternary compounds prevent film residues and streaking, thereby reducing the need for rinsing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wetting agents and quaternary ammonium compounds as intermediary substances that mediate between the cleaning surfactants and the surface. These intermediaries prevent direct adhesion of cleaning agents to the surface, thereby reducing streaking and film residues while maintaining effective cleaning power.
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 minimizes streaking and enhances the shine of hard surfaces while maintaining safety by reducing slipperiness and preventing damage from prolonged drying times.
Implementation Method 1
The liquid hard surface cleaning composition comprises from about 0.001 wt % to about 0.015 wt % of an ethoxylated alkoxylated nonionic surfactant... providing a balanced receding contact angle for efficient wetting and drying
Implementation Method 2
The composition effectively minimizes streaking and enhances the shine of hard surfaces while maintaining safety by reducing slipperiness and preventing damage from prolonged drying times
Data Source
AI summary
The present application relates liquid hard surface cleaning compositions comprising from about 0.001 wt % to about 0.015 wt % of an ethoxylated alkoxylated nonionic surfactant or a copolymer, from about 0.01 wt % to about 0.08 wt % of a quaternary compound selected from the group consisting of a C6-C18 alkyltrimethylammonium chloride, a C6-C18dialkyldimethylammonium chloride, and mixtures thereof and at least about 90 wt % water. Methods of using such compositions and cleaning pads, wipes, and cleaning implements for use with such compositions are also disclosed.