PGMA Polymer Coating for Hard Surface Soil Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing cleaning compositions for hard surfaces struggle to effectively remove mobile soils, particularly greasy soils, especially when they become adherent and tougher over time, requiring more effort to clean, and often leave residues that may be harmful to consumers.

Innovation Solution

Aqueous hard surface cleaning composition comprising a polyglycerol methacrylate (PGMA) polymer with a molecular weight of over 100,000 Daltons and a surfactant, such as anionic or nonionic surfactants, which provides a next-time cleaning benefit by easing the removal of soils across a wide pH spectrum without leaving harmful residues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional cleaning compositions are used to remove soils from hard surfaces, then cleaning ability is provided, but more effort is required to remove adherent and toughened soils over time

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of soil removalVSAvoidtime required for cleaning
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cleaning composition applies a polymer coating to the hard surface beforehand, creating a protective layer that prevents soils from adhering and toughening. This preliminary action ensures that when soils are deposited later, they remain mobile and easy to remove, avoiding the need for intensive cleaning efforts on adherent soils.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The polymer acts as an intermediary substance between the hard surface and the soil. It forms a coating layer that modifies the interaction between the surface and soil, preventing direct adhesion and making soil removal easier without requiring strong mechanical or chemical cleaning actions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If cleaning compositions are applied frequently to remove soils promptly, then soil removal effectiveness is maintained, but increased cleaning frequency consumes more time and resources

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesoil removal effectivenessVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By applying the polymer coating in advance, the invention creates a long-lasting protective effect that maintains soil removal effectiveness over extended periods. This eliminates the need for frequent cleaning interventions, thereby improving productivity and reducing time and resource consumption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the surface properties of the hard surface by applying a polymer coating with specific characteristics (molecular weight, functional groups). This parameter change in the surface properties provides sustained anti-adherent effects, maintaining cleaning effectiveness without requiring frequent reapplication or intensive cleaning cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If strong cleaning agents are used to remove toughened soils, then cleaning power is increased, but harmful residues may be left on the surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning powerVSAvoidharmful residues
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The polymer coating is applied in advance to prevent soil from toughening and adhering to the surface. This preliminary protective action maintains soil mobility, allowing gentle cleaning methods to be used instead of strong cleaning agents, thereby avoiding the deposition of harmful residues on the hard surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of using strong cleaning agents that may leave harmful residues, the invention converts the approach by using a benign polymer coating that prevents soil adhesion in the first place. The polymer itself serves as a beneficial substance that eliminates the need for harmful strong cleaners, turning the prevention strategy into a benefit.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 significantly reduces the effort required to remove soils from hard surfaces, demonstrating improved ease of soil removal with less effort and potentially harmful residue avoidance across various pH levels.

Implementation Method 1

The polymer has a molecular weight of over 100,000 Daltons and provides a next-time cleaning benefit by easing the removal of soils

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdsorption: Adsorption

Implementation Method 2

comprising a polyglycerol methacrylate (PGMA) polymer with a molecular weight of over 100,000 Daltons and a surfactant, such as anionic or nonionic surfactants

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSurfactant: Surfactant

Data Source

PatentEP3060641B1Hard surface cleaning composition
Publication Date: 2019.02.27 UNILEVER NV

AI summary

The present invention provides an aqueous hard surface cleaning composition comprising 0.01 -1% by weight of a polymer selected from the group of a polyglycerol methacrylate (PGMA) homo-polymer, a statistical co-polymer containing glycerol methacrylate monomer and mixtures thereof. Said cleaning composition also contains -50% by weight of a surfactant selected from anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. It has been found that a secondary cleaning benefit can be obtained when using said cleaning composition.