Hard Surface Cleaner Composition for Low Film and Streak Residue
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hard surface cleaners leave noticeable residues in the form of films or streaks on high-energy surfaces like glass or ceramic tiles, particularly when using nonionic surfactants, and there is a need for a solution that allows for a higher proportion of nonionic surfactants without compromising film/streak performance.
Innovation Solution
A dilutable concentrate for hard surface cleaners comprising 1 to 99 wt.% of an amine-functional hydrophobe and 1 to 99 wt.% of auxiliary surfactants, including anionic, nonionic, cationic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric surfactants, with improved film/streak performance on high-energy surfaces, and a method to quantify film/streak properties using digital imaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If nonionic surfactants are used in hard surface cleaners, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but film/streak residue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces polyetheramines as intermediary substances that mediate between nonionic surfactants and the cleaned surface. These polyetheramines interact with the surfactant molecules to modify their behavior, allowing the nonionic surfactants to maintain their cleaning effectiveness while preventing the formation of visible film and streak residues on the surface.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the cleaning system by incorporating polyetheramines with specific molecular structures and properties. This parameter change alters the interaction dynamics between surfactants and the surface, transforming the outcome from residue formation to residue-free cleaning while preserving cleaning effectiveness.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If hydrotropes are added to reduce film/streak, then film/streak performance improves, but formulation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functions of multiple components into a single polyetheramine additive that simultaneously addresses film/streak reduction while maintaining compatibility with various surfactant types. This consolidation simplifies the overall formulation compared to using separate hydrotropes and adjusting multiple surfactant parameters.
Solution Approach 2:
The polyetheramine additive serves multiple functions: it reduces film/streak residue, maintains cleaning effectiveness, and is compatible with various surfactant types. This multi-functionality reduces formulation complexity compared to using specialized hydrotropes that may require additional adjustments and compatibility testing.
3Measurement precision
If quantitative measurement methods are implemented, then measurement precision improves, but measurement complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces subjective visual assessment with objective digital imaging and image processing techniques. By using computational methods to analyze images of cleaned surfaces, the system achieves precise quantitative measurement of film and streak residues without requiring complex manual evaluation procedures or specialized equipment.
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 solution provides improved film/streak performance on high-energy surfaces by integrating amine-functional hydrophobes with auxiliary surfactants, offering reproducible and quantitative data through digital imaging, enhancing the usability of nonionic surfactants in cleaners.
Implementation Method 1
Hard surface cleaners inevitably leave behind traces of residue from surfactants and other cleaner components along with any unremoved soils. Nonionic surfactants are particularly prone to film/streak issues
Data Source
AI summary
Dilutable concentrates useful for hard surface cleaners with improved film/streak performance on high-energy surfaces are disclosed. The concentrates comprise a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant and a polyetheramine. A relatively minor proportion of a polyetheramine can resolve film/streak issues that characterize hard surface cleaners formulated with nonionic surfactants. The efficacy of polyetheramines for improving film/streak performance of hard surface cleaners formulated with nonionic alkoxylated surfactants far exceeds the benefits available from known improvements, such as the use of hydrotropes. Other inventive dilutable concentrates and hard surface cleaners comprise an amine-functional hydrophobe and an auxiliary surfactant. Still other dilutable concentrates or hard surface cleaners comprise a nonionic alkoxylated surfactant and lactic acid. An improved method for measuring film/streak properties of hard surface cleaners is also disclosed.