MXPA98001065A - Cleaning and disinfecting compositions with electrolit disinfection fomentator - Google Patents

Abstract

Concentrated and slightly acidic liquid compositions for cleaning hard surfaces are described comprising: from 0.5 to 40 parts of an amine oxide detergent, preferably 1 to 25 parts, from 1 to 30 parts of a quaternary disinfectant (cuat), preferably 2 to 16 parts, an effective amount of an acidifying agent, preferably 0.05 parts to 10.0 parts, and an effective amount of an electrolyte disinfection promoter, preferably 0.5 to 12 parts, wherein said compositions have a pH of from 3 to less than 7 and where (when used) the concentrated compositions are diluted with water at a concentrate to water ratio of 1: 1 to 1: 600, preferably disinfecting and cleaning ready to use and do not need rinsing

Description

CLEANING AND DISINFECTING COMPOSITIONS WITH ELECTROLYTIC DISINFECTING PROMOTIONER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to slightly acidic amine oxide cleaners containing a quaternary ammonium disinfectant (quat).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of amine oxide surfactants in cleaning compositions is known. Amine oxides are commonly used as surfactant coagents to promote and maintain the formation of foams in detergent compositions for laundry, shampooing and dishwashing. Amine oxides have been used in hard surface cleaners such as acid toilet bowl cleaners (pH 2 or less), dishwashing liquids containing occlusive emollients (pH 4 to 6.9), and surface cleaners hard non-acidic (neutral to alkaline) selected. In acid cleaners of hard surfaces, the amine oxide detergent surfactants are essentially nonionic (pKa between about 4 and about 6). These non-ionic amine oxides provide adequate cleaning properties and leave little or no visible residue on hard surfaces when they dry. The patent for quaternary ammonium compounds (cuats) No. 5,435,935, issued to Kupneski, July 25, 1995, incorporated herein by reference, describes the use of quaternary ammonium compounds (cuats) in liquid and alkaline compositions for cleaning hard surfaces. Non-acid hard surface cleaners containing amine oxides will stain or discolor vinyl surfaces (polyvinyl chloride). The staining is equivalent to a discoloration of the light yellow to dark brown vinyl. The staining will also occur on waxed vinyl surfaces in which the wax areas wear out and become thin or detached in small fragments, so that the amine oxide can come into direct contact with the vinyl. The patent application of E.U.A. copending and commonly assigned serial number 08 / 412,622 (case 4980R of P &G), Wierenga, discloses a mildly acidic hard surface cleaning composition containing an amine oxide surfactant with quaternary ammonium disinfectants (quats). However, the compositions, per se, at acid pH's are incompatible with the quaternary ammonium disinfectants since the cuats lose their disinfection capacity. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a hard surface cleaning composition containing mildly acidic amine oxide detergent surfactants which will disinfect and clean with very little or no vinyl staining. Another object of the invention is to provide such a composition that will disinfect and will not leave a visible residue on clean surfaces. It is also an object of this invention to provide a method for cleaning vinyl surfaces using said composition.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The compositions of this invention provide a superior combination of cleaning, disinfection and waxed floor finish compatibility over the prior art compositions. Preferred compositions are liquid, mildly acidic surface cleaning compositions comprising: a) an amine oxide detergent; b) a quaternary disinfectant (cuat); c) an acidifying agent; and d) an effective amount of an electrolyte disinfection promoter. Ready-to-use compositions having a pH of from 3 to less than 7 and from 40 ppm to about 12,500 ppm of amine oxide detergent and from about 50 ppm to about 1,500 ppm, preferably at least 500 ppm of a quat are preferred. . Concentrated compositions for cleaning hard surfaces are also described. The concentrated compositions are formulated to be used as they are or diluted with an aqueous vehicle at a level of 1: 1 to 1: 600. The preferred ratio level is from 1:10 to 1: 600 by volume or by weight, most preferably from 1:20 to 1: 300, more preferably from 1:30 to 1: 260. These concentrated compositions of the present invention preferably have from about 0.5 to about 40 parts, most preferably 1 to 30 parts, more preferably 1 to 25 parts of an amine oxide detergent surfactant; from about one part to about 25 parts, preferably 1 to 20 parts and most preferably 2-16 parts of a quaternary disinfectant; an effective amount, preferably from 0.05 parts to 10 parts, most preferably 0.5 to 5 parts, of an acidifying agent having a pKa of less than about 6.0; and an effective amount, of 0.05 to 12 parts, preferably 0.2 to 8 parts and most preferably 0.2 to 2 parts of an electrolyte disinfection promoter; whereby said concentrated compositions are mixed with a predetermined amount of water to provide ready-to-use compositions. The preferred specific gravity of the concentrated liquids of this invention is from 0.9 to 1.1.

The compositions contain sufficient acidifying agent to protonate at least about 10% of the amine oxide and also provide a pH to the diluted composition of between about 3 and 7, preferably 4 to 6. These liquid disinfection and surface cleaning compositions hard have excellent disinfection and cleaning properties. They are safe for wax. They can be compositions that do not need rinsing. They do not leave a visible residue when they dry. They cause minimal or no staining of the vinyl surfaces. Also disclosed is a method for disinfecting and cleaning vinyl surfaces using the liquid compositions. Preferred concentrated compositions are also described from which lightly acidic dilute liquid compositions can be easily obtained by adding an aqueous liquid. The present invention also incorporates a non-liquid formulation from which the liquid composition can be derived. The non-liquid formulation is essentially the liquid composition in which the amount of aqueous liquid carrier is reduced (eg, gel) or essentially eliminated (eg, granules). In its method aspect, the present invention relates to a method for disinfecting and cleaning vinyl surfaces using the liquid compositions herein. According to the method, the liquid compositions are applied to a vinyl surface, rubbed with a porous material and allowed to dry.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The concentrated and dilute and slightly acidic liquid compositions of the present invention comprise: 1) an amine oxide detergent surfactant, 2) an acidifying agent, 3) a quaternary ammonium disinfectant, 4) an electrolyte disinfection promoter and 5) an aqueous liquid vehicle. The liquid compositions can be used in diluted or undiluted form to clean hard surfaces. The diluted form is preferred because rinsing is not required. Rinsing is desirable if the concentrated compositions are used on the hard surfaces. To disinfect hard surfaces, the product must provide at least 500 to 600 ppm cuat. To clean, the product must provide at least about 50 ppm of cuat, preferably at least 100 ppm of cuat. A preferred concentrated composition of this invention comprises: about 1 to 25 parts of amine oxide surfactants; about 2 to 16 parts of quaternary ammonium chloride; 1-3 optional parts of EDTA; about 0.2 to 2 parts of phosphoric acid; about 0.2 to 2 parts of potassium chloride; and balance water. The pH is preferably adjusted with HCl or phosphoric acid or mixtures thereof, at a pH of from 3 to 6.

Liquid compositions can be used as hard surface cleaners that do not need to rinse on floors, walls, toilets, etc. It has been found that liquid and non-acidic cleaning and disinfecting compositions containing amine oxides will stain the vinyl surfaces. However, the liquid compositions of the present invention will cause minimal or no vinyl staining. Moreover, the liquid compositions have excellent disinfecting and cleaning properties and will leave very little or no residue when they dry. The term "ppm", as used herein, is ppm by weight of the ready-to-use liquid composition. The ppm by weight and the ppm by volume are about the same as the concentrated compositions of this invention have specific gravities of about 1. Some concentrated compositions have specific gravities that vary slightly but are considered within the scope of the claimed invention to the view of this description. The parts of the concentrates are by weight; but when they are diluted to provide ready-to-use liquid cleaners, you can use ppm in volume to reflect the degree of dilution. As used herein, the term "electrolyte disinfection enhancer" is coined to mean any electrolytic chemical that will increase the disinfecting efficacy of the compositions of this invention.

As used herein, the term "mildly acidic" means a pH of about 3.0 and below 7.0. All pH values of the present are measured in aqueous systems at 25 ° C. As used herein, the term "vinyl" means materials or surfaces that contain polyvinyl chloride. Said materials or surfaces may be waxed or unwaxed. As used herein, the term "non-liquid" means granulated, powdered or gel formulations that can be diluted with the aqueous liquid carrier described hereinafter to produce a liquid and slightly acidic composition for cleaning hard surfaces of the present invention. As used herein, the term "Liquid compositions" means the liquid and slightly acidic cleaning and disinfecting hard surface compositions of the present invention, or aqueous dilutions thereof. As used herein, all parts percentages, ppm and ratios are based on the weight of the composition and it is assumed that the materials are 100% active unless otherwise specified. The present invention, in its product and process aspects, is described in detail as follows.

Amine oxide detergent surfactant The compositions comprise an amine oxide detergent surfactant typically having a pKa of from about 4 to about 6. As will be described hereinafter, at least about 10% to about 100% of the amine oxide species within the composition must be in a cationic or protonated form. Preferred concentrated liquid compositions comprise from about 0.5 to about 40 parts, preferably from about 1 to about 30 parts, most preferably from about 1 to about 25 parts, more preferably 2 parts to 16 parts of the amine oxide detergent surfactant. The concentrated liquids are diluted to provide the preferred ready-to-use compositions described herein. The amine oxide preferably has the formula RR'R "N0, wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkene group containing from about 8 to about 30, preferably from about 8 to about 18, carbon atoms. 'and R' are each substituted or unsubstituted alkyl or alkene groups containing from 1 to about 18, preferably from about 1 to about 4 carbon atoms. Most preferably, R 'and R "are each methyl groups, examples of which include dodecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, octadecyldimethylamine oxide and cocoalkyldimethylamine oxides.The amine oxide detergent surfactant can be prepared by known and conventional methods, such a method includes the oxidation of tertiary amines in the manner set forth in U.S. Patent No. 3,223,647 and in British Patent No. 437,566. Generally speaking, amine oxides are prepared by controlled oxidation. of the corresponding tertiary amines Examples of amine oxide detergent surfactants suitable for use in the compositions include dodecyldimethylamine oxide, tridecyldimethylamine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, pentadecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldimethylamine oxide, heptadecyldimethylamine oxide, octade oxide Cildimethylamine, dodecyldiethyl amine oxide, tetradecyldimethylamine oxide, hexadecyldiethylamine oxide, octadecyldiethylamine oxide, dodecyldipropylamine oxide, tetradecyldipropylamine oxide, hexadecyldipropylamine oxide, octadecyldipropylamine oxide, dodecyldibutylamine oxide, tetradecyldibutyl ina oxide, hexadecyldibutylamine oxide, octadecyldibutylamine oxide , dodecylmethylethylamine oxide, tetradecylethylpropylamine oxide, hexadecylpropylbutylamine oxide, and octadecylmethylbutylamine oxide. Also useful are the amine oxide detergent surfactants which are prepared by the oxidation of tertiary amines prepared from mixed alcohols obtainable from coconut oil. Such coconut alkyl amine oxides are preferred from an economic point of view, since it is not necessary for the present purposes to separate the fractions of alcohol mixed in their pure components to ensure pure fractions of the chain length of the coconut. amine oxides.

Quaternary ammonium disinfectants The compositions contain quat miscible in water and other substances that have disinfecting properties. The key disinfectants are the quaternary ammonium compounds. Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium disinfectants include dioctyl, octyldecyl and didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride, N-alkyl dimethylammonium chloride of C12 to Cie and N-alkyl dimethylethylbenzylammonium chloride of C12 to Cie and mixtures thereof. These disinfectants are preferably used herein at a pH of 3 to 6. The combinations of a disinfectant cuat and the electrolytic promoter provide superior disinfection properties without negative cleaning, particularly negative cleaning and / or staining of the compositions of the previous technique comparable. The cuat has a level of 50 to 1,500, with a desired level of use of approximately 600 ± 100 ppm, but different levels of cuat are useful depending on the organism against which disinfection is desired. The sanitary compositions may contain at least 50 ppm of cuat, preferably at least 150 ppm of cuat. Suitable cuats are described in the patent of E.U.A. DO NOT. 5,435,935, issued to Kupneski, on July 25, 1995, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Acidifying Agent It has been found that amine oxide staining of vinyl surfaces can be reduced or eliminated by using certain acidifying agents in the liquid composition. These acidifying agents are used to protonate a percentage of amine oxide species in the liquid composition. It has also been found that these cationic or protonated amine oxide species reduce (ie, at 10% protonation) or eliminate (ie, at 90-100% protonation) the staining, thus increasing the useful life of the surface of vinyl. The concentrated composition herein preferably comprises from 0.05 parts to 10 parts, most preferably 0.25 to 5 parts, more preferably 0.5 to 2 parts of an acidifying agent having at least one pka below about 6.0, preferably below about 5.0 and most preferably from about 3.0 to about 5.0. When an acidifying agent is selected, its pKa must be less than that of the selected amine oxide, preferably about 1 to 2 less units. The acidifying agents provide the protonation of the amine oxide species in the compositions. The acidifying agent may comprise an acid selected from organic acids, mineral acids or mixtures thereof. The preferred mineral acids are HCl, HNO3, H3PO ?, HCIO3 and mixtures thereof. Preferred organic acids are, but are not limited to, sulfosuccinic acid, methanesulfonic acid, glycerophosphoric acid, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (H5DTPA), maleic acid, malonic acid, salicylic acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, citric acid , o-phthalic acid, malic acid, itaconic acid, lactic acid, ascorbic acid, 2,2-dimethylsuccinic acid, succinic acid, benzoic acid and propionic acid. The acidifying agent is most preferably selected from the group of sulfosuccinic acid, citric acid, salicylic acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, o-phthalic acid and mixtures thereof. More preferred are phosphoric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, perchloric acid, sulfosuccinic acid and mixtures thereof. The liquid compositions contain sufficient acidifying agent to establish a composition pH of between about 3.0 and less than 7.0, preferably between about 4.0 and about 6.0, most preferably between about 4.0 and about 5.5. Liquid amine oxide compositions used on hard surfaces at a pH of less than about 3.0 may damage waxed surfaces, and when used at a pH of 7.0 or higher will cause excessive staining of the vinyl surfaces. The liquid compositions must also contain sufficient acidifying agent to protonate at least about 10% of the amine oxide species within the composition, preferably between about 50% and about 100%, most preferably between about 90% and 100%. As used herein, the term "protonated" refers to cationic amine oxide species that contain a quaternary ammonium group. The protonation or conversion of the non-ionic to cationic amine oxides is generally represented by the reaction formula: RR'R "N-0 + H + - RR'R" N + 0H To achieve the pH of necessary composition and the protonation of the Amine oxide, the concentration of the preferred acidifying agents, ie, the concentration in the preferred liquid compositions, will typically be between about 0.05 parts and about 10 parts, more typically between about 0.1 parts and about 7 parts by weight of the compositions concentrated liquids. The acid concentrations will vary depending on the pka of the amine oxide, the strength (pka and concentration) of the selected acidifying agent, the target pH of the composition, the molecular weight of the amine oxide and the acid source (s). , as well as the acidity and the basic character of other materials in the composition. Since mineral acids tend to have a lower pKa than organic acids, the target pH values are more easily obtained with mineral acids. Mineral acids can be combined with weaker organic acids to more easily reach the target pH. The liquid compositions can be used in diluted or undiluted form to clean hard surfaces. Disinfectant compositions must be registered with the EPA as pesticides, so they must be used as registered to disinfect. The compositions will typically be diluted with an aqueous liquid, usually tap water, before use. When diluted, the compositions comprise from about 40 ppm to about 12,500, preferably from about 100 ppm to about 2,800 ppm of the amine oxide detergent surfactant. Whether diluted or undiluted, the liquid compositions employed on the hard surfaces must have the pH of necessary composition and the protonation of amine oxide described herein. The necessary pH of the composition is maintained by the amine oxide component. The amine oxide detergent surfactants usually have an adequate pH-regulating capacity in the pH scale described herein. Even when diluted with tap water, the amine oxide component can normally maintain the pH of the composition below 7.0. Additional pH regulators may be added if necessary to help maintain acidity. These pH regulators are optional. The vinyl dyeing described herein comes from the dehydrochlorination of the polyvinyl chloride surfaces. It is concluded that this dehydrochlorination reaction is accelerated by the non-acidic amine oxide compositions.

This accelerated dehydrochlorination is represented by the reaction formula: - (CH2-CHCl) -n + RR'R "N-0 - - (CH2 -CHC1) -" - * ¡+ (RR'R '' N + OH Cl-) x Polyvinyl chloride amine oxide Polyvinyl chloride (colorless) dehydrated (yellow-brown) The polyvinyl chloride dehydrochloride has a yellow to brown appearance, depending on the degree of dehydrochlorination. It is believed that this dehydrochlorination is accelerated by the non-ionic amine oxide species found in liquid cleaners of non-acidic hard surfaces. By protonating the amine oxide to the extent described herein and by removing an acidic environment, the rate of dehydrochlorination is greatly reduced and the vinyl stain is reduced or eliminated. In the liquid compositions herein, the protonated amine oxides can not initiate the dehydrochlorination reaction, whereby staining is stopped.

The data summarized in Table I show the slightly acidic liquid amine oxide compositions of the present invention cause little or no staining when used on vinyl tiles.

TABLE I Vinyl mosaic stain with diluted product from the use of liquid compositions of amine oxide1 1 Each composition contained 600 ppa of didecyldi-ethyianonium chloride surfactant.

To generate the data summarized in Table I, the following vinyl staining method was used. This method accelerates staining but correlates well with long-term vinyl staining under normal conditions in the field. According to this method, white vinyl floor tiles are rinsed with lukewarm tap water, followed by two rinses with isopropanol before being allowed to air dry. Approximately 1 cc of each composition A-L is applied separately to discrete regions of the mosaics. The mosaics are kept at room temperature for 1 hour and then placed in an oven at 60 ° C for 1 hour, 45 minutes. The mosaics are removed from the oven and allowed to cool to room temperature. The cooled mosaics are then rinsed with tap water and the treated regions on each tile are visually inspected to verify the staining of the vinyl. The degree of staining is qualified as "none" (no color change), "light" (very light but noticeable discoloration), "moderate" (change to yellow color) or "severe" (change to brown). Each composition A-L is a 1: 128 dilution of a liquid concentrate with a pH of about -4.5. After dilution, each composition (B-L) applied to the mosaics has a pH between about 4.5 and 5.0. Therefore, each diluted composition consists of water, cocodimethylamine oxide, cuat and a specific acidifying agent. Composition A is the control product. It has a pH of about 8.0. Therefore, essentially 100% of the amine oxide surfactant is found in non-ionic form. This composition (A) causes a severe staining. Compositions B-J were mildly acidic amine oxide compositions in which 90-100% of the amine oxide species were protonated with acidifying agents having pka values below about 3.0. The B-L compositions caused little or no vinyl staining. Compositions K and L contain weaker acids (pk values «above about 3.0) which causes only a slight to moderate staining. However, note that all slightly acidic compositions (BL) cause significantly less staining than composition A which has a much higher pH (8.0) and therefore less than 10% of its amine oxide species in cationic form .

Disinfection vs. pH and protonation of OA It has been found that under acidic conditions, protonated amine oxides limit disinfection of the cuat over gram-positive bacteria (ie, Staphylococci). Without being limited by theory, it is believed that protonated (cationic) amine oxides compete for binding sites on the cell wall with cuat (cationic) disinfectants. The cuats are bactericidal because they destroy the integrity of the cell membrane by breaking down the interactions between the proteins and the fluids of the membrane. Since the surface of the bacteria is almost always negatively charged, this helps to attract and bind quat disinfectants (positively charged). Since the protonated amine oxide (A0H +) is also cationic, the cuat and A0H + compete for the same binding sites. A0H + has little or no inherent bactericidal activity so the total disinfection of the mixture is dramatically reduced (see Table II). The M-Q formulations in Table II are based on that described in Comparative Example 4. There is no EDTA or KCl in the M-Q formulations. The N-Q pH's are adjusted by adding phosphoric acid.

TABLE II PH test / amine oxide / protonated amine oxide / disinfection of cuat 1 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures the effectiveness of disinfection using the AOAC Use-Dilution method. In a test, test tube vehicles are inoculated with the bacteria of interest (Staphylococcus aureus in this example) and then treated with the test product. After a fixed incubation period, the vehicles are evaluated to verify the presence of live bacteria. The results are reported as the number of tubes showing growth / total number of tubes inoculated. The data reported in Table II is a verification test because only 10 tubes are inoculated. The 0/10 results indicate zero growth of bacteria in the 10 tubes tested (pasa); 10/10 indicates growth in all 10 tubes (does not pass). In a verification test, any growth is considered as not happening. To register a formula as a disinfectant, 60 carriers should be inoculated and no growth of bacteria in more than one tube should be noted. Although not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that the protonated amine oxide (A0H +) is not bactericidal because it can not pass through the cell wall due to its chemical structure or because the interstitial pH (> 7) of the cell rapidly deprotonates the amine oxide, rendering it ineffective.

Encouraging electrolyte disinfection The compositions of the present invention include an effective amount of an electrolyte disinfection promoter comprising an alkaline or alkaline earth metal salt wherein the anion is selected from the group consisting of halides, nitrates, sulfate and perchlorate . Preferred are salts selected from the group consisting of LiCl, LiBr, LINO3, NaCl, NaBr, Nal, KCl, KNO3, KC10 ?, CaCl2, BaCl2, NaSO4, MgSO4. and mixtures thereof. The level of the fomentador in the concentrated form is from 0.05 to 12 parts, preferably 0.2 to 8 parts. Lower levels are preferred. The level of the booster in the ready-to-use compositions is preferably from 15 ppm to 500 ppm, most preferably 25 ppm to 300 ppm. The electrolyte disinfection enhancer surprisingly increases the disinfectance of the composition. The most preferred promoters are strong electrolytes, especially KCl and NaCl.

Aqueous liquid vehicle The compositions herein are employed on hard surfaces in liquid form. Accordingly, the above components are mixed with an aqueous liquid vehicle. The choice of aqueous liquid vehicle is not critical. It must be safe and must be chemically compatible with the components of the compositions. It must be either neutral or acidic to minimize the necessary amount of acidifying agent. The aqueous liquid carrier may comprise solvents commonly used in hard surface cleaning compositions. Said solvents should be compatible with the components of the compositions of should be chemically stable at the slightly acidic pH of the compositions. They must also have adequate film / residue formation properties. Solvents for use in hard surface cleaners are described, for example, in the US patent. No. 5,108,660, issued to Michael, 1992, which is incorporated herein by reference. Preferably, the aqueous liquid carrier is water or a miscible mixture of alcohol and water. Mixtures of alcohol and water are preferred since the alcohol can aid dispersion and dissolution of the amine oxide and other materials in the compositions. Moreover, the alcohol can be used to adjust the viscosity of the compositions. The alcohols are preferably C 2 -C 2 alcohols. The most preferred is ethanol. Most preferably, the aqueous liquid carrier is water or a mixture of water and ethanol containing from about 0 parts to about 50 parts of ethanol.

Non-liquid formulation The present invention also incorporates a non-liquid composition from which liquid and slightly acidic compositions for cleaning hard surfaces can be easily obtained by adding an aqueous liquid vehicle. The non-liquid compositions may be in granular, powder or gel form, preferably in granulated form. The non-liquid compositions generally comprise the highest levels of the component of the composition described herein except for the aqueous vehicle. The non-liquid compositions also comprise an acidifying agent as described herein, preferably an organic acidifying agent. The non-liquid compositions contain sufficient acid to provide, after dilution with the aqueous liquid carrier, a pH and a percent protonation of amine oxide within the ranges described herein for the liquid and slightly acidic compositions. The non-liquid compositions in gel form contain small amounts of the aqueous liquid carrier. The non-liquid compositions in granulated form contain substantially no aqueous liquid vehicle. In any form, an aqueous liquid carrier is added to the liquid composition before use to form the liquid and slightly acidic compositions for cleaning hard surfaces of the present invention.

Auxiliary Materials Optionally, the compositions herein may contain auxiliary materials that enhance aesthetics and cleanliness. The compositions may optionally comprise a non-interfering auxiliary surfactant in addition to the amine oxide detergent surfactant. Additional auxiliary surfactants can carry out the cleaning activity. A wide variety of organic and water soluble surfactants can optionally be employed. The choice of the auxiliary surfactant depends on the desire of the user with respect to the desired purpose of the compositions and the commercial availability of the surfactant. The compositions may contain any of the nonionic and zirutionic / amphoteric surfactants commonly employed in liquid compositions for cleaning hard surfaces. Examples of compatible and useful auxiliary surfactants in the compositions are set forth below. The term "alkyl" used to describe these various surfactants encompasses alkyl groups of the hydrocarbyl having a chain length of from about Cs to C22, ie, matter of the type generally recognized to be used as detergents. Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include polyethoxysorbitan esters, fatty acyl mono- and diethanolamides, C8-C2 ethoxylates and mixed co-ethoxylates containing 1 to 30 ethoxylate groups.

Examples of suitable zwitterionic surfactants include the alkyl betaines and sulfobetaine fats and similar compounds such as Ce a Cie amino propanesulfonate and hydroxymonium propanesulfonates from Ce to Cie. In general, the anionic surfactants can not be used in an amount sufficient to provide a cleaning benefit. The anionic surfactants (negatively charged) can be combined with the cationic (positively charged) and / or AOH + disinfectant cuat to form an insoluble precipitate. However, low levels of anionic surfactants (< 5%) can be used to adjust the physical properties such as specific gravity and viscosity without precipitating the disinfectant cuat or A0H +. For many purposes, it is preferred to use the anionic materials in their acid form to reduce the amount of auxiliary acid needed to acidify the composition. Especially preferred anionic surfactants herein are the linear alkylbenzene sulphonates and the alkyl ether sulfates of the general formula AE? S0"wherein A = C10-C22 alkyl, E is ethylene oxide and wherein X is an integer from 0 to 30; the Cι-Ci * olefinsulfonates; and mixtures thereof. Other optional additives such as perfumes, brighteners, enzymes, dyes and the like can be employed in the compositions to increase aesthetics and / or cleaning performance.

Builders can also be used in the compositions. These builders are especially useful when surfactants or auxiliary surfactants are used, and are even more useful when the compositions are diluted before being used with exceptionally hard tap water eg about 12 grains. The detergency builders sequester calcium and magnesium hardness ions that may otherwise bind and render the surfactant agents or auxiliary coagents less effective. Builders can be employed in the compositions at concentrations of between about 0 parts to about 10 parts. The alkaline builder materials are typically not useful herein, since they may not be effective under acidic conditions. Instead, optional builder materials should comprise acidic or neutral sequestrants and include, for example, water soluble polycarboxylic acids (e.g., polymers and copolymers of acrylic and maleic acid), polysulfonic acids, aminopolylacetic acids and Similar. The foam suppressors are especially useful in the composition. In the hard surface cleaning composition of the present, the formation and maintenance of foams are undesirably promoted by the amine oxide component. Therefore, the compositions preferably comprise a sufficient amount of a foam suppressant to prevent excessive foaming during the use of the compositions on hard surfaces. The foam suppressors are especially useful to allow the application that does not need to rinse the composition. The foam suppressant can be provided by known and conventional methods. The selection of the foam suppressant depends on its ability to be formulated in the compositions, and on the residue and cleaning profile of the compositions. The foam suppressant must be chemically compatible with the components of the compositions, must be functional in the pH scale described hereinabove, and must not leave a visible residue on the cleaned surfaces. Low surfactant surfactant coagents can be used as foam suppressors to mediate the foam profile of the compositions. Surfactant coagent concentrations of between about one part and about 3 parts are usually sufficient. Examples of suitable surfactant coagents for use herein include block copolymers (e.g., (Pluronic.RTM. And Tetronic.RTM., Both available from BASF Company) and the alkylated primary and secondary alcohols (e.g., ethoxylated / propoxylated) (v. .gr., Tergitol.RTM., available from Union Carbide; Poly-Tergent.RTM., available from Olin Corporation.) The optional foam suppressor preferably comprises a silicone-based material.These materials are effective as foam suppressors in very low concentrations. they preferably comprise from about 0.01 parts to about 0.50 parts, most preferably from about 0.01 parts to about 0.3 parts of the silicone-based foam suppressant.At these low concentrations, the silicone-based foam suppressor is less likely to interfere with the silicone-based foam suppressor. cleaning performance of the compositions An example of silicone-based foam suppressors suitable for use in the compositions is Dow Corning® DSE. These optional but preferred silicone-based foam suppressors can be incorporated into the composition by known and conventional means.

Benefits In addition to their reduced vinyl staining described hereinbefore, the compositions also have superior cleaning and disinfecting properties, and leave little or no visible residue on hard surfaces when they are dried. The composition of this invention can be used to clean and disinfect toilets, etc., as well as hard surfaces. It was found that these compositions surprisingly leave little or no visible residue on hard surfaces either used in a rinse or no rinse application. They are also surprisingly compatible with wax. As described hereinabove, at least about 10% of the amine oxide species in the composition are cationic. However, cationic surfactants tend to form crystalline salts after drying, resulting in fogged residues. However, this does not occur with the application (rinsing or non-rinsing application) of the present compositions to the hard surfaces. It was also discovered that the compositions exhibit excellent removal properties of greasy and particulate soils. This was surprising, since acid and liquid hard surface cleaners typically do not clean greasy or particulate dirt from hard surfaces as well as non-acidic hard surface cleaners do. Acid hard surface cleaners are used mainly in bathrooms to remove hard water stains. The compositions provide excellent dirt removal properties while leaving little or no visible residue on clean surfaces with little or no noticeable damage compared to the products of the current art. Hard surface cleaners typically have either good dirt removal properties, or good waste removal properties (eg, they do not leave a visible residue on clean surfaces), but not both. The compositions herein provide both desirable properties in a single product. Therefore, they are especially suitable for cleaning, for example, heavily soiled glossy surfaces, e.g., waxed vinyl flooring.

Method of use The present invention has been fully described in its compositional aspects. The invention also encompasses a method for cleaning and disinfecting vinyl surfaces (waxed or unwaxed). The benefit of using this composition on vinyl surfaces is described hereinafter. The method comprises applying to a vinyl surface the liquid and slightly acidic compositions herein or, preferably, applying an aqueous dilution thereof. The vinyl surface is then rubbed with a porous material, e.g., rag or jargon, and allowed to dry. In a preferred method, the slightly acidic composition is first diluted with an aqueous liquid, preferably tap water. The diluted composition has a pH of between about 3.0 and about 7.0, preferably between about 4.0 and about 6.0, and comprises from about 40 ppm to about 12,500 ppm, preferably from about 100 ppm to about 2800 ppm, of the detergent surfactant. amine described herein, and has cuat at a level of approximately 600 ppm. At least about 10% of the amine oxide species in the diluted composition are protonated, preferably from about 50% to about 100%, most preferably from about 90% to about 100%. The diluted composition is then applied and rubbed (with a porous material) onto the vinyl surface and allowed to dry. In a preferred method (see examples herein), the slightly acidic concentrated composition of this invention is first diluted with an aqueous liquid, preferably tap water. The concentrated compositions contain from 0.5 to 10 parts of an acidifying agent to protonate the amine oxide and provide the desired pH. The diluted composition has a pH of between about 3.0 and 7.0, preferably between about 4.0 and about 6.0, and comprises from about 40 to 12,500, preferably 200 ppm to about 2000 ppm and most preferably from about 400 ppm to about 1000 ppm, of the agent amine oxide detergent surfactant described herein; and has a disinfectant cuat at a level of approximately 600 ± 100 ppm. At least about 10% of the amine oxide species in the diluted composition are protonated, preferably from about 50% to about 100%, most preferably from about 90% to about 100%. Preferred compositions contain a strong electrolyte, e.g., KCl, at a level of 15 ppm to 500 ppm. The diluted composition is then applied and rubbed (with a porous material) onto the vinyl surface and allowed to dry.

EXAMPLES The following examples illustrate the compositions of the present invention, but are not designed to be limiting thereof. Example 1 is prepared by mixing the ingredients in no particular order to form a concentrated composition. The concentrated composition is diluted with tap water at a dilution level of 1: 128 by volume and tested to verify cleanliness and disinfection. The diluted composition of Example 1 is effective against both gram-positive organisms and gram-negative organisms. The pH of the concentrated composition is 4.5. The pH of the diluted composition will be from about 4.5 to 5.

EXAMPLE 1 Amine Oxide ++ 9.00 Quaternary Ammonium + 7.68 HA EDTA 2.00 Phosphoric Acid 1.11 Etanoia 0.96 Potassium Chloride 0.95 Maleic Acid »0 .56 Poly-te rgent CS-1 LP * 0.50 Pe rf ume 0.40 Nas DTPA * 0.17 Sol idos de si li con 0.0064 (D.C. DSE) H202 at 0.04 Water, color and 76.55 mise. 100.00% ++ cocodimethylamine oxide + didecyldimethylammonium chloride * ethoxylated and propoxylated surfactants 1 raw material by-products The ppm by volume for diluted ready-to-use compositions is calculated for this example by multiplying the parts by 10,000 by 128. A preferred variation of the composition of this example 1 comprises: about 8 to 10 parts of amine oxide surfactants; approximately 6-8 parts of quaternary ammonium chloride; approximately 1-3 parts of EDTA; about 0.5 to 1.2 parts of phosphoric acid; approximately 0.5 to 1.25 parts of potassium chloride and water balance. The pH is preferably adjusted with HCl or phosphoric acid or mixtures thereof. All variations eliminate gram-positive and gram-negative organisms.

EXAMPLE 2 Same as Example 1 except that the EDTA acid is replaced with more acid, e.g., with more phosphoric acid. This composition cleans well but does not disinfect against gram-negative organisms and is nevertheless effective against gram-positive organisms.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3 Same as Example 1, except that the potassium chloride is removed. This composition cleans well, but is not effective in gram positive organisms.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4 This example is the same as Comparative Example 3, except that the EDTA is also removed. Comparative example 4 is not effective in gram-positive organisms or in gram-negative organisms at pH's of less than 7. (see Table II.)

Claims (10)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - Liquid cleaning compositions comprising: an amine oxide detergent; a quaternary disinfectant (cuat); an acidifying agent; an effective amount of an electrolyte disinfection promoter and an aqueous vehicle; wherein said cleaning compositions have an acidic pH of from 3 to less than 7; and from 40 parts per million (ppm) to 12,500 ppm of said amine oxide detergent; and from 50 ppm to 1500 ppm of said quat; wherein said electrolytic disinfection promoter is an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salt preferably selected from the group consisting of: LiCl, LiBr, LINO3, NaCl, NaBr, Nal, KBr, KI, KNO3, KCIO *, CaCl2, BaCl2 , Na? SO *, MgS0 < 4 and mixtures thereof.

2. The compositions according to claim 1, wherein said electrolyte disinfection promoter is selected from the group consisting of NaCl, NaBr, Nal, KCl, KBr, KI and mixtures thereof; and wherein the level of said promoter of electrolytic disinfection is from 15 ppm to 500 ppm; preferably 25 to 300 ppm; wherein said acidifying agent is preferably selected from the group consisting of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), maleic acid, phosphoric acid, dioctylsulfosuccinic acid, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, perchloric acid, o-phthalic acid, and mixtures thereof; and wherein said level of quaternary disinfectant is at least 500 ppm, and wherein said pH is preferably from 4 to 5.

3. The cleaning compositions according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the acidifying agent is selected from the group consisting of: ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), perchloric acid and dioctylsulfocinic acid; wherein the electrolytic disinfection promoter is selected from NaCl and KCl and mixtures thereof; and wherein the amine oxide detergent preferably has the formula RR'R "N0, wherein R contains 8 to 30 carbon atoms, and R 'and R" each contain from 1 to 18 carbon atoms.

4. The cleaning compositions according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein said cleaning compositions comprise from 100 to 2800 ppm, preferably 200 ppm to 2000 ppm of the amine oxide detergent; wherein the pH of the liquid compositions is 4 and 6, and wherein 90% and 100% of the amine oxide detergent is protonated; and wherein said level of quaternary disinfectant is at least 50 ppm, preferably at least 600 ± 100 ppm; and wherein said compositions preferably contain a foam suppressant; and wherein said quaternary disinfectant is selected from the group consisting of dioctyl, octyldecyl and didecyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, N-alkyl dimethylammonium chloride of C12 to Cie and N-alkyl dimethylethyl benzylammonium chloride of C12 to Cie and mixtures thereof; and preferably didecyldimethylammonium chloride.

5. A method for cleaning and sanitizing or disinfecting vinyl surfaces, comprising the steps of: a) applying the ready-to-use liquid cleaning compositions according to claim 1 to a vinyl surface; and then b) rubbing the liquid cleaning compositions on the vinyl surface with a porous material and allowing said vinyl surface to dry.

6. A method according to claim 5, wherein the liquid cleaning compositions have a pH between 4 and 6, the acidifying agent has a pKa of less than 4.0, and between 90% and 100% of the Amine oxide detergent within the liquid cleaning compositions is protonated; and wherein the amine oxide detergent preferably has the formula RR'R "N0, wherein R contains from 8 to 18 carbon atoms, and R 'and R" each contain from 1 to 4 carbon atoms. 7.- Concentrated non-liquid compositions for cleaning hard surfaces which, after dilution with water, provide the cleaning compositions according to claim 1. 8.- Concentrated liquid compositions for cleaning hard surfaces that after dilution with water provide the cleaning compositions according to claim 1; and wherein said concentrated compositions for cleaning hard surfaces preferably comprise: a) from 0.5 parts to 40 parts of said amine oxide detergent by weight of said concentrated compositions; an effective amount of said aqueous liquid vehicle; an effective amount, preferably 0.05 to 10 parts, of said acidifying agent; wherein the pH of the liquid compositions is between 3 and 7; preferably: between 3 and 6, and at least 10% of the amine oxide detergent within the compositions is protonated; and wherein said acidifying agent optionally includes at least 0.25 to 4 parts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) by weight of the concentrated compositions; and wherein said concentrated compositions preferably contain from 1 part to 30 parts, most preferably 2 parts to 16 parts of said quaternary disinfectant; and wherein when said concentrated compositions are diluted with water at a ratio level of from 1: 1 to 1: 600 by volume; most preferably 1:20 to 1: 300; said ready-to-use compositions are provided according to claim 1. 9.- The concentrated hard surface cleaning compositions according to claim 8, wherein said concentrated cleaning compositions comprise: a) of the 25 parts of said amine oxide detergent; b) from 2 parts to 16 parts of said quaternary disinfectant, preferably quaternary ammonium chloride; c) optionally 1 to 3 parts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); d) from 0.25 parts to 2.0 parts of phosphoric acid; e) from 0.2 to 2 parts of said electrolytic disinfection promoter, preferably potassium chloride; f) bae water; and wherein said concentrated cleaning compositions when diluted with water at a concentrate to water ratio level of from 1:30 to 1: 260 by volume, provide ready-to-use cleaning and disinfecting compositions. 10. The concentrated compositions for cleaning hard surfaces according to claim 9, wherein said concentrated cleaning compositions comprise: a) from 8 to 10 parts of said amine oxide detergent; b) from 6 to 8 parts of said quaternary disinfectant, preferably quaternary ammonium chloride; c) from 1 to 3 parts of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA); d) from 0.5 to 1.2 parts of phosphoric acid; e) from 0.5 to 1.25 parts of potassium chloride; f) bae water; and wherein said concentrated cleaning compositions are diluted with water by 1: 128 to provide a ready-to-use diluted composition.