Liquid Cleaner Viscosity via Hydrotrope and Polymer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acidic hard surface cleaning compositions struggle to maintain surface shine on inclined surfaces due to uneven limescale removal and the use of high levels of thickeners, which can lead to dribble marks and reduced shine, while also being costly.
Innovation Solution
A liquid hard surface cleaning composition comprising a surface modification polymer, such as copolymers of corn starch, acrylic acid, or acrylamido-propyl-trimethyl-ammonium chloride, and a sulfonate hydrotrope, which provides improved viscosity and shine maintenance with reduced thickener usage, allowing for effective limescale removal on inclined surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a thickener is added to improve viscosity and prevent dribbling on inclined surfaces, then the composition remains in place better, but limescale removal slows down and shine is reduced due to smearing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by introducing specific surfactant systems (anionic, cationic, nonionic surfactants in specific ratios) and chelating agents to achieve the desired viscosity and cleaning performance without relying on traditional thickeners that slow down limescale removal
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite formulation combining multiple types of surfactants (anionic, cationic, nonionic) with chelating agents and specific additives to create a synergistic system that provides both thickening and enhanced limescale removal capability, resolving the contradiction between stability and productivity
2Stability of the object's composition
If high levels of thickeners are used to maintain viscosity on inclined surfaces, then dribble marks are prevented, but surface shine is reduced and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the formulation parameters by using a specific combination of surfactants and chelating agents that provide adequate viscosity for inclined surface application without the negative effects of high thickener levels, thereby maintaining surface shine
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces chelating agents and specific surfactant combinations as intermediary substances that mediate between the need for viscosity (to prevent dribbling) and the need for surface shine (by preventing smearing), allowing the composition to remain in place without leaving unsightly marks
3Stability of the object's composition
If thickeners are used to improve viscosity, then the composition stays in place on inclined surfaces, but the cost of the composition increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the formulation approach by using surfactant and chelating agent combinations that provide cost-effective viscosity enhancement compared to traditional high levels of thickener additives
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs cost-effective surfactants and chelating agents that provide the necessary viscosity at lower cost than traditional thickeners, making the composition more economical while maintaining performance on inclined 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 maintains surface shine on inclined surfaces by improving viscosity and reducing the need for high thickener levels, ensuring even limescale removal and preventing dribble marks, while being cost-effective.
Implementation Method 1
sulfonate hydrotrope which surprisingly increases the viscosity of the composition
Implementation Method 2
Acidic liquid compositions for cleaning limescale from hard-surfaces have been disclosed in the art. Such acidic cleaning compositions react with the limescale in order to remove such unsightly deposits.
Implementation Method 3
Surface modification polymers, such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone and copolymers thereof, have also been added to acidic cleaners, to improve the beading of water on the treated surface and hence maintain surface shine
Data Source
AI summary
A liquid hard surface cleaning composition comprising: a. a surface modification polymer, wherein the surface modification polymer is selected from the group consisting of: copolymers of corn starch, acrylic acid (or salts thereof) and acrylamido-propyl-methyl-ammonium chloride (polyquaternium 95); copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylic acid (or salts thereof); and mixtures thereof); and b. sulfonate hydrotrope wherein the composition does not comprise fluorescent whitening agent. A process for making a liquid hard surface cleaning composition, comprising the steps of: a. providing an aqueous liquid composition; b. adding the sulfonate hydrotrope to the aqueous composition; and c. adding the surface modification polymer as a subsequent step. A method of treating a hard surface, preferably of removing limescale from a hard surface, comprising the steps of: a. applying a composition according to any preceding claims onto the hard surface, preferably wherein the hard surface is inclined.