Multi-purpose cleaner with limonene and quaternary ammonium
Solution Overview
Problem
Commercially available cleaning and herbicide compositions contain toxic chemicals that harm the environment and human health, and existing multi-purpose compositions fail to effectively combine cleaning and herbicidal functions while being environmentally benign.
Innovation Solution
A multi-purpose liquid composition combining a quaternary ammonium compound, amine-based surfactants, and an herbicidally active limonene component, along with optional additives like sodium silicate and ethanolamine, which synergistically acts as a COVID-19 disinfectant, cleaner, and herbicide, maintaining environmental safety and effectiveness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If toxic chemicals (solvents, boosters, chelators, phosphates, nitrilotriacetic acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nonylphenol ethoxylates, heavy metals) are used in cleaning compositions, then cleaning performance is improved, but environmental harm increases and chemicals accumulate in ground water
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing toxic synthetic chemicals with natural alternatives including citrus extracts, vinegar, essential oils, and plant-based surfactants. This substitution maintains cleaning effectiveness while eliminating environmental harm and groundwater accumulation issues associated with traditional toxic cleaners
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts potentially harmful substances into beneficial cleaning agents by using natural materials like citrus extracts and vinegar that are inherently biodegradable and non-toxic. These natural substances provide effective cleaning power without the harmful environmental impacts of synthetic chemicals
2Reliability
If glyphosate is used as a herbicide, then weed control effectiveness is improved, but toxicity increases and environmental harm occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the herbicidal agent from synthetic glyphosate to natural alternatives such as vinegar (acetic acid) and citrus extracts. These natural substances provide effective weed control through contact herbicidal action while being non-toxic and environmentally safe, eliminating the harmful effects of glyphosate
3Reliability
If multiple surfactants, solvents, and builders are combined in cleaning compositions, then consumer performance is improved, but the number of ingredients increases and environmental concern increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by using single natural ingredients that perform multiple cleaning functions. For example, citrus extracts provide surfactant properties, solvent action, and degreasing capability simultaneously, while vinegar offers cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing functions, thereby reducing the total number of ingredients needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple cleaning functions into unified natural ingredient systems. By combining the actions of citrus extracts, vinegar, and essential oils, the formulation achieves comprehensive cleaning performance with fewer components, eliminating the need for separate surfactants, solvents, and builders
4Object-affected harmful factors
If naturally occurring chemicals are used in cleaning compositions, then environmental safety is improved, but the number of natural components increases compared to synthetic compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses natural ingredients that perform multiple functions simultaneously. Citrus extracts provide surfactant, solvent, and degreasing properties in one ingredient, while vinegar delivers cleaning, disinfecting, and deodorizing actions, thereby achieving environmental safety with minimal natural components rather than numerous specialized ingredients
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 heavy grease, disinfects surfaces, and controls weeds without harming the environment, maintaining a clear solution with d-limonene and providing selective herbicidal action, while being non-toxic and biodegradable, adhering to EPA protocols.
Implementation Method 1
a quaternary ammonium compound (a 'quat'), one or more additional amine-based surfactants, that synergistically creates an effective COVID-19 disinfectant
Implementation Method 2
an herbicidally active limonene component, that synergistically creates an effective COVID-19 disinfectant... as well as an impressive gross soils remover following EPA protocol
Implementation Method 3
one or more additional amine-based surfactants... an impressive gross soils remover
Implementation Method 4
The formulation may contain an abrasive, such as sodium silicate
Data Source
AI summary
A natural cleaning and herbicide composition having an quaternary ammonium compound, one or more additional amine-based surfactants, and an herbicidally active limonene component, that synergistically creates an effective COVID-19 disinfectant in wipes, an effective clearer for bulk cleaning applications, as well as an impressive gross soils remover following EPA protocol. The composition may further contain sodium silicate, tetrasodium iminodisuccinate, an ethanolamine, caustic potash, and/or water. A formulation of the present disclosure comprises a mixture of about 74% soft water, about 1% Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate, about 0.5% Monoethanolamine, about 0.5% Sodium Silicate, about 2% alkali surfactant, about 12% Ethoxylated Amine, about 1% Amine Oxide, about 1% Quaternary Amine, and about 6% Limonene.