Solvent-Free Quaternary Ammonium Cleaning Composition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cleaning products often have unpleasant odors due to solvents used for soap scum and greasy soil removal, which can be mitigated by reducing or eliminating solvent content without compromising cleaning effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
Aqueous cleaning compositions with a neutral pH, containing N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salts, nonionic surfactants, quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactants, and high water content, are developed to be substantially free of solvents and volatile organic compounds, allowing for improved fragrance experience and cleaning performance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If solvents are used to enhance soap scum and soil cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but unpleasant chemical odor is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes solvents from the cleaning composition formulation. The composition achieves effective soap scum and soil removal through a solvent-free aqueous system containing cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and chelating agents, eliminating the source of unpleasant chemical odors while maintaining cleaning reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by substituting solvent-based cleaning agents with a surfactant-based aqueous system. This parameter change maintains cleaning effectiveness through the synergistic action of cationic and anionic surfactants while eliminating solvent-related odors, and the pH is adjusted to 5-8 for optimal performance
2Ease of operation
If fragrance components are added to mask solvent odor, then consumer experience is improved, but formulation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes solvents from the formulation, which eliminates the need to add fragrance components solely for odor masking. This extraction of the problematic solvent simplifies the formulation by removing the requirement for complex fragrance development and multiple competing odor components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the situation where fragrance had to compete with solvent odor into a benefit where fragrance can be the primary or only volatile component. This allows for simpler fragrance development and full expression of fragrance hedonics without the need to mask unpleasant solvent odors
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
These compositions effectively remove soap scum and greasy soils while maintaining a neutral odor, enhancing consumer experience and simplifying fragrance development by eliminating solvent-related odors, and are environmentally friendly with low volatile organic content.
Implementation Method 1
The ionic liquid component includes an N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt
Implementation Method 2
nonionic surfactant; quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant
Implementation Method 3
quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant, such as a quaternary benzyl ammonium salt and/or a quaternary bis(alkyl)dimethylammonium salt
Data Source
AI summary
An aqueous cleaning composition, which may be suitable for use in cleaning hard surfaces, is described. The aqueous cleaning composition includes an N,N-dialkyl-N-aliphatic ammonium hydroxycarboxylate salt, a nonionic surfactant and/or anionic surfactant, an quaternary ammonium antimicrobial surfactant and a substantial amount of water. The aqueous cleaning composition commonly has a pH of no more than about 8 and other than an optional fragrance component, the composition is substantially free of volatile organic compounds. The cleaning compositions may also include a chelating agent, such as an aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent.