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EP2004787A1 - Composition and process - Google Patents

Composition and process

Info

Publication number
EP2004787A1
EP2004787A1 EP07732416A EP07732416A EP2004787A1 EP 2004787 A1 EP2004787 A1 EP 2004787A1 EP 07732416 A EP07732416 A EP 07732416A EP 07732416 A EP07732416 A EP 07732416A EP 2004787 A1 EP2004787 A1 EP 2004787A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
composition
silica
carpet
acid
cleaning
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP07732416A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Zefferino Righetto
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Reckitt Benckiser NV
Original Assignee
Reckitt Benckiser NV
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Reckitt Benckiser NV filed Critical Reckitt Benckiser NV
Publication of EP2004787A1 publication Critical patent/EP2004787A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/02—Inorganic compounds ; Elemental compounds
    • C11D3/12—Water-insoluble compounds
    • C11D3/124—Silicon containing, e.g. silica, silex, quartz or glass beads
    • C11D3/1246—Silicates, e.g. diatomaceous earth
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D3/00—Other compounding ingredients of detergent compositions covered in group C11D1/00
    • C11D3/0005—Other compounding ingredients characterised by their effect
    • C11D3/0031—Carpet, upholstery, fur or leather cleansers
    • C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C11—ANIMAL OR VEGETABLE OILS, FATS, FATTY SUBSTANCES OR WAXES; FATTY ACIDS THEREFROM; DETERGENTS; CANDLES
    • C11D—DETERGENT COMPOSITIONS; USE OF SINGLE SUBSTANCES AS DETERGENTS; SOAP OR SOAP-MAKING; RESIN SOAPS; RECOVERY OF GLYCEROL
    • C11D7/00—Compositions of detergents based essentially on non-surface-active compounds
    • C11D7/02—Inorganic compounds
    • C11D7/20—Water-insoluble oxides

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a powdered composition suitable for cleaning carpets and a process of cleaning carpets using a powdered composition.
  • Carpets produced from synthetic or natural fibers and mixtures thereof are commonly used in residential and commercial applications as a floor covering.
  • Various types of fibers can be used in making carpets such as polyamide fibers, polyester fibers as well as wool, cotton or even silk in the case of rugs .
  • carpets are made from natural or synthetic fibers they are all prone to soiling / staining when contacted with household items.
  • Foods, grease, oils, beverages in particular such as coffee, tea and soft drinks especially those containing acidic dyes can cause unsightly, often dark stains on carpets.
  • fibres may become soiled as a result of dirt particles, clay, dust, i.e. particulate soils, coming into contact with and adhering to the fibers of the carpet. These latter soils often appear in the form of a diffuse layer of soils rather than in the form of spots and tend to accumulate particularly in the so called "high traffic areas" such as near doors as a result of intensive use of the carpets in such areas.
  • a vacuum cleaner alone does not remove this type of soil as mere physical action is insufficient to remove it from the carpet .
  • Compositions for the cleaning of carpets are already known in the art.
  • liquid carpet cleaning compositions based on surfactants other adjunct materials is disclosed in US-A-2005/250662.
  • compositions are not without their disadvantages. Firstly, whether the compositions are applied manually or with the use of an application machine, the compositions due to their liquid nature require a long time to dry typically of the order of 16 hours) from the carpet after the cleaning operation is complete.
  • the residual carpet cleaning liquor is associated with issues such as carpet distortion (shrinkage / expansion) , carpet discoloration, odor emanation and can even attract new dirt deposits.
  • An object of the present invention is to obviate / mitigate the problems outlined above.
  • a water free powdered composition suitable for use in a carpet cleaning operation comprising at least 15wt% silica component.
  • the silica is precipitated / fumed silica.
  • precipitated silica is understood to be a powder obtained by coagulation of silica particles from an aqueous medium under the influence of high salt concentrations / other coagulants.
  • fumed silica is understood to be a powder produced by vapour phase hydrolysis of silicon tetrahalides . Fumed (pyrolitic) silica can be modified in order to obtain hydrophilic or hydrophobic fumed silica.
  • the silica may also be another forms of silica such as crystalline silica (e.g. quartz), kaolin, zeolite, talc, or diatomeaceous earth.
  • composition of the present invention is that the composition is applicable to all carpet types, especially delicate natural fibers, and are also safe to all carpet dye types particularly sensitive natural dyes used therein. This is particularly true of preferred embodiments of the invention, which by virtue of providing excellent cleaning without bleach, are able to provide the cleansing operation required without causing any bleach related damage.
  • the composition of the present invention is also suitable to be used to clean upholstery, car seats covering and general fabrics .
  • Yet another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that they may be applied directly on the carpet without causing damage to the carpet .
  • water-free is intended to mean that the composition contains less than 5wt% water, more preferably less than 3wt% water and most preferably less than lwt% water.
  • the silica is present in the composition in an amount of greater than 20wt%, more preferably greater than 30wt%, more preferably greater than 40wt%, more preferably greater than 45wt% and most preferably greater than 50wt%.
  • the average particle size of the silica is up to 350 ⁇ m, more preferably up to 200 ⁇ m, more preferably up to lOO ⁇ m, more preferably up to 50 ⁇ m ⁇ more preferably up to 40 ⁇ m, more preferably up to 30 ⁇ m, more preferably up to 20 ⁇ m, and most preferably up to lO ⁇ m.
  • the surface area of the silica is between 100 to 750 m 2 /g, more preferably between 100 to 450 m 2 /g, more preferably between 150 to 250 m 2 /g, more preferably , between 170 to 230 m 2 /g, .more preferably between 180 to 200 m 2 /g, and most preferably around 190 m 2 /g.
  • the silica component may comprise up to 100% of the carpet cleaning composition.
  • the composition may contain a relatively small amount of optional / additional compo- nents (see below) .
  • silica examples include those supplied under the Trade Names Sipernat, Aerosil and Aeroperl (available from Degussa) ; HDK (Wacker) ; and Cab-.O-Sil (Cabot) .
  • a preferred adjunct material incorporated into the carpet cleaning composition is a metal salt, e.g. an alkali / alkaline metal salt, such as Na, K, Ca or Mg.
  • the metal salt such is a bicarbonate, sulphate, carbon- ate, sesquicarbonate sodium citrate or a mixture thereof.
  • the particle size of the salt is up to 350 ⁇ m, more preferably up to 200 ⁇ m, more preferably up to lOO ⁇ m, more preferably up to 50 ⁇ m, 'more preferably up to 40 ⁇ m, more preferably up to 30 ⁇ m, more preferably up to, 20 ⁇ m, and most preferably up to 10 ⁇ m.
  • the surface area of the salt (and indeed any other component of the composition - see below) is generally lower than the range discussed with regard to silica (see above) .
  • the bicarbonate salt comprises an approximately equal portion of the carpet cleaning composition as the silica component.
  • both components may comprise up to 50% of the carpet cleaning composition.
  • the composition may contain a relatively small amount of optional / additional components (see below) .
  • the present invention encompasses a process of cleaning a carpet comprising the use of a water free powdered composition comprising at least 15wt% silica.
  • said process of cleaning a carpet further comprises the steps of:
  • An advantage of the process of cleaning carpets according to the present invention is that of being easy and fast while providing excellent overall cleaning performance. More advantageously, the process of cleaning carpets according to the present invention provides excellent cleaning performance, when both used to clean the whole carpet or localized carpet stains. In addition to this, this process does not leave, tacky residue on carpets. Nor is the carpet "wet" after use.
  • the composition may be applied to the carpet in any convenient manner.
  • the composition may be applied (e.g. manually) via.
  • a dispenser such as a rigid / flexible container having a suitable dispensing aperture.
  • Such a dispenser may be operated by shaking over the area of carpet to be cleaned.
  • the composition may be applied via a mechanical device.
  • the mechanical device can be a stand alone device or more preferably the mechanical device is attached to / associated with the composition removal device (e.g. a vacuum cleaner (see later) ) .
  • the mechanical device may partially substitute the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
  • the composition is applied by a device capable of massaging the powder into the carpet for a more intimate contact with the soil adhered to the fibers.
  • a device capable of massaging the powder into the carpet for a more intimate contact with the soil adhered to the fibers are rotating / moving brush devices.
  • the composition may be electrostatically charged as it is being applied to the carpet.
  • the device dispenser may have a delivery system which is designed so that on delivery an electrostatic charge e.g. by tribo- electric charging, is passed to the composition.
  • composition will become charged as it is expelled through the delivery system onto the carpet .
  • the composition may be charged and stored (in a container) before it is applied to the carpet.
  • the already charged particles may then be delivered from the container and applied directly to the carpet .
  • a process for the preparation of electrostatically charged particles of a high resistivity is described in European Patent Application No. 95 921 916.3 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
  • the particles of the composition are able to form agglomerates with dirt particles on the carpet.
  • the agglomerates are easy to remove (e.g. by vacuum cleaning), especially where the cleaning process includes mechanical agitation and vacuum suction.
  • the agglomerates are less likely to become airborne than individual dust particles and certainly will not be able to remain airborne for long periods of time.
  • the small particles (PMi 0 S) are in a vacuum cleaner as a component of the agglomerates, their escape through the filtration system of the vacuum cleaner will likewise be significantly reduced.
  • the charged carrier particles penetrate right down to the backing of the carpet and attract dust and other fine particles from the depths of the carpet, so that these can also be removed more effi- ciently.
  • the electrostatic charge on the composition may be of positive or negative polarity or may be a mixture of both when the particles are frictionally charged mixtures of different electrically insulating materials.
  • a method of forming such charged particles is described in EP-B-942 680 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference .
  • compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to the present invention applied will depend on the severity of the stain or soil. Generally the composition is applied at an amount of up to 200 g/m 2 , more preferably up to 100 g/m 2 , more preferably up to 50 g/m 2 , more preferably up to 40 g/m 2 , more preferably up to 30 g/m 2 , more preferably up to 20 g/m 2 , and most preferably up to 1Og / m 2 .
  • the amount of composition left on the carpet is less than 40%, more preferably less than 30%, more preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, more preferably less than 3%, more preferably less than 1% of the amount of composition applied to the carpet .
  • the area to be cleaned by applying the compositions according to the present invention may be of any size. Indeed a complete section or more preferably the whole carpet may be treated with the composition for the cleaning of carpets according to the present invention. In view of the fact that the composition and method of the present invention may be applied the a portion of the carpet being cleaned the composition and method may be perceived to be a "stain treatment" composition / method as well as a "complete cleaning" composition / method.
  • the step of applying a composition onto the carpets as described herein before does not need to be followed by a step where manual action is required other than the final optional removing step.
  • the compositions herein allow excellent cleaning performance without requiring any manual action (e.g. rubbing / brushing.
  • An advantage of the present invention is that the cleaning action of the composition commences as soon as it ,is applied onto said carpet.
  • the composition is left on the carpet for less than 2 hours, preferably less than 1 hour, more preferably less than 40 minutes, even more preferably less, than 30 minutes, more preferably less than 20 minutes and most ⁇ preferably less than 10 minutes.
  • One option is to simul- taneously apply the composition, massage it into the carpet and vacuum it away.
  • said composition is then removed from the carpet. More preferably said composition is removed me- chanically, even more preferably by vacuum cleaning, more preferably with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a beater (brushes) . This may be carried out with any commercially available vacuum cleaner.
  • the composition generally comprises other detergent actives. Where present it is preferred that the detergent active is powdered.
  • the detergent active itself may be in solid powdered form or may be a liquid which is capable of being converted into a powder when brought into con- tact with another component of the composition (e.g. by spraying) .
  • Most preferably the powdered detergent active has a particle size similar to that of the silica.
  • Surfactants may be present in the composition in an amount of, for example, 0.001 to 30% wt, ideally 0.01 to 15% wt and preferably 0.1 to 5% wt .
  • the surfactant is, for example, an anionic or nonionic surfactant or mixture thereof.
  • the nonionic surfactant is preferably a surfactant having a formula RO (CH 2 CH 2 O) nH wherein R is a mix- ture of linear, even carbon-number hydrocarbon chains ranging from Ci 2 H 25 to Ci 6 H 33 and n represents the number of repeating units and is a number of from about 1 to about 12.
  • examples of other non-ionic surfactants include higher aliphatic primary alcohol containing about twelve to about 16 carbon atoms which are condensed with about three to thirteen moles of ethylene oxide.
  • nonionic surfactants include primary alcohol ethoxylates (available under the Neodol tradename from Shell Co.), such as Cu alkanol condensed with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 1-9) , C1 2 - 13 alkanol condensed with 6.5 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-6.5), Ci 2 - 13 alkanol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-9) , C 12 - 15 alkanol condensed with 7 or 3 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 25-7 or Neodol 25-3), C 14 - I3 alkanol condensed with 13 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-13) , C 9 ._n linear ethoxylated alcohol, averaging 2.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol (Neodol 91-2.5), and the like.
  • Neodol tradename available under the Neodol tradename from
  • nonionic surfactants include ethylene oxide condensate products of secondary aliphatic alcohols containing 11 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration condensed with 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide.
  • suitable non-ionic detergents of the foregoing type are Cn- I5 secondary alkanol condensed with either 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-9) or 12 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-12) marketed by Union Carbide.
  • linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the Tomadol tradename such as, Tomadol 1- 7, a Cu linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; Tomadol 25-7, a C12-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; Tomadol 45-7, a Ci 4 -I 5 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; and Tomadol 91-6, a C 9 - H linear alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles EO.
  • nonionic surfactants are amine oxides, alkyl amide oxide surfactants .
  • Preferred anionic surfactants are frequently provided as alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, aminoal- cohol salts or magnesium salts .
  • Contemplated as useful are sulfate or sulfonate compounds including: alkyl benzene sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, al- kylamidoether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylamide sulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, olefinsulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuc- cinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccina- mate, alkyl sulfoacetate
  • surfactants which may be used are alkyl naphthalene sulfonates and oleoyl sarcosinates and mixtures thereof.
  • Suitable bleaches are oxygen bleaches.
  • Suitable level of oxygen bleaches is in the range from 0.01 to 90% wt.
  • active oxygen concentration refers to the percentage concentration of elemental oxy- gen, with an oxidation number zero, that being reduced to water would be stoichiometrically equivalent to a given percentage concentration of a given peroxide compound, when the peroxide functionality of the peroxide compound is completely reduced to oxides.
  • the active oxygen sources increase the ability of the compositions to remove oxidisable stains, to destroy malodorous molecules and to kill, germs.
  • the concentration of available oxygen can be determined by methods known in the art, such as the iodimetric method, the permanganometric method and the cerimetric method. Said methods and the criteria for the choice of the appropriate method are described for example in "Hydrogen Peroxide", W. C. Schumo, C. N. Satterfield and R. L. Wentworth, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1955 and "Organic Peroxides", Daniel Swern, Editor Wiley Int. Science, 1970.
  • Suitable organic and inorganic peroxides for use in the compositions according to the present invention include diacyl and dialkyl peroxides such as dibenzoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, persulphuric acid and mixtures thereof .
  • Suitable preformed peroxyacids for use in the compositions according to the present invention include diper- oxydodecandioic acid DPDA, magnesium perphthalatic acid, perlauric acid, perbenzoic acid, diperoxyazelaic acid and mixtures thereof.
  • Peroxygen bleaching actives useful for this invention are: percarbonates, perborates, peroxides, peroxyhydrates, persulfates.
  • a preferred compound is so- dium percarbonate and especially the coated grades that have better stability.
  • the percarbonate can be coated with silicates, borates, waxes, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate and surfactants solid at room temperature.
  • the composition may comprise from 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 2% to 20% of peracid precursors, i.e. compounds that upon reaction with hydrogen peroxide product peroxyacids .
  • peracid precursors suitable for use in the present invention can be found among the classes of anhydrides, amides, imides and esters such as acetyl triethyl citrate (ATC) described for instance in EP 91 87 0207, tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), succinic or maleic anhydrides.
  • the composition may comprise a builder or a combination of builders, for example in an amount of from 0.01 to 50%wt, preferably from 0.1 to 20%wt. Examples of builders are described below:
  • phosphate buiders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymerisation ranges from 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.
  • water-soluble phosphate builders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium ahd potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymeri- zation ranges from 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid.
  • Such polymers include the polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as the ether carboxylates and the sulfinyl carboxylates.
  • Polycarboxylates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates as well as succinate derivates such as the carboxymethloxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 379, 241, lactoxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 389, 732 , and amino- succinates described in NL-A-7205873, and the oxypolycar- boxylate materials such as 2-oxa-l, 1, 3 -propane tricar- boxylates described in GB-A-I, 387, 447.
  • succinate derivates such as the carboxymethloxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 379, 241, lactoxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 389, 732 , and amino- succinates described in NL-A-7205873
  • the oxypolycar- boxylate materials such as 2-oxa-
  • Polycarboxylate containing four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in GB-A-I, 261, 829, 1,1,2,2- ethane tetracarboxylates, 1, 1, 3 , 3 -propane tetracarboxy- lates and 1 , 1 , 2 , 3 -propane tetracarobyxlates .
  • Polycarboxylates contining sulfo substituents include the sulfo- succinate derivatives disclosed in GB-A-I, 398, 421, GB-A- 1,398,422 and US-A-3 , 936448 , and the sulfonated pyrolsed citrates described in GB-A-I, 439, 000.
  • Alicylic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis, cis, cis ' -tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadi- enide pentacarboxylates , 2,3,4,5, 6-hexane - hexacarboxy- lates and carboxymethyl derivates of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol.
  • Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in GB-A-I, 425, 343.
  • the preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxy- carboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.
  • Suitable polymers include the water soluble monomeric polycarboxylates, or their acid forms, homo or copoly- meric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, phos- phates, and mixtures of any of thereof.
  • the cafboxylate or polycarboxylate builder can be mono- meric or oligomeric in type although monomeric polycar- boxylates are generally preferred for reasons of cost and performance .
  • Suitable carboxylates containing one carboxy group include the water soluble salts of lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derivatives thereof.
  • Polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) di- acetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric , acid, as well as the ether carboxylates and the sulfinyl carboxylates.
  • Polycarboxy- lates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citra- conates as well as succinate derivates such as the car- boxymethloxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 379, 241, lac- toxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 389, 732, and aminosuc- cinates described in NL-A-7205873 , and the oxypolycar- boxylate materials such as 2-oxa-l, 1, 3 -propane tricar- boxylates described in GB-A-I, 387,447.
  • succinate derivates such as the car- boxymethloxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 379, 241, lac- toxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 389, 732, and aminosuc- cinates described in NL-A-7205873 , and the
  • Polycarboxylate containing four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in GB-A-I, 261, 829, 1,1,2,2- ethane tetracarboxylates, 1, 1, 3 ,3 -propane tetracarboxy- lates and 1 , 1 , 2 , 3 -propane tetracarboxylates.
  • Polycar- boxylates contining sulfo suibstituents include the sul- fosuccinate derivatives disclosed in GB-A-I , 398, 421, GB- A-I, 398, 422 and US-A-3 , 936448 , and the sulfonated pyrol- sed citrates described in GB-A-I, 439, 000.
  • Alicylic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadi- enide pentacarboxylates, 2 , 3,4, 5, 6-hexane - hexacarboxy- lates and carboxymethyl derivates of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol.
  • Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in GB-A-I, 425, 343.
  • the preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxy- carboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.
  • More preferred polymers are homopolymers , copolymers and multiple polymers of acrylic, fluorinated acrylic, sul- fonated styrene, maleic anhydride, metacrylic, iso- butylene, styrene and ester monomers.
  • polymers examples include Acusol supplied from Rohm Sc Haas, Syntran supplied from Interpolymer and Versa and Alcosperse series supplied from Alco Chemical, a National Starch & Chemical Company.
  • the parent acids of the monomeric or oligomeric polycar- boxylate chelating agents or mixtures therefore with their salts e.g. citric acid or citra.te/citric acid mixtures are also contemplated as useful builder components.
  • builders are compounds that sequester metal ions associated with the hardness of water, e.g. calcium and magnesium, whereas chelating agents are com- pounds that sequester transition metal ions capable of catalysing the degradation of oxygen bleach systems.
  • certain' compounds may have the ability to do perform both functions .
  • Suitable chelating agents to be used herein include chelating agents selected from the group of phosphonate chelating agents, amino carboxylate chelating agents, poly- functionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, and further chelating agents like glycine, salicylic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, malonic acid, or mixtures thereof. Chelating agents when used, are typically present herein in amounts ranging from 0.01% to 50%wt of the total composition and preferably from 0.05% to 10%wt.
  • Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein ' may include ethydronic acid as well as amino phosphonate compounds, including amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonate) , alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates, ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates, and diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates .
  • the phosphonate compounds may be present either in their acid form or as salts of different cations on some or all of their acid functionalities.
  • Preferred phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein are diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates.
  • Such phosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST TM.
  • Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. patent 3,812,044.
  • Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2- dihydroxy -3 , 5-disulfobenzene .
  • a preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylene diamine N 7 N 1 -disuccinic acid, or metal / am- monium salts thereof.
  • Ethylenediamine N, N 1 -disuccinic acids is, for instance, commercially available under the tradename ssEDDS TM from Palmer Research Laboratories.
  • Suitable amino carboxylates include ethylene diamine tetra acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, di- ethylene triamine pentaacetate (DTPA) , N- hy- droxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotri- acetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates, triethylene- tetraaminehexa-acetates, ethanol-diglycines, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) MGDA, in their acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salt forms.
  • Particularly suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein are DTPA, propylene diamine tetracetic acid which is commercially available from BASF under the trade name Trilon FS TM.
  • Solvents can be used for present invention at levels of 0.01 to 30%wt, more preferred level is between 0.1 and 20%, more preferred between 0.1 and 10%.
  • the solvent constituent may include one or more alcohol, glycol, acetate,, ether acetate, glycerol, polyethylene glycol with molecular weight ranging from 200 to 1000, silicones or glycol ethers.
  • Exemplary alcohols useful in the compositions of the invention include C 2 -s primary and secondary alcohols which may be straight chained or branched, preferably pentanol and hexanol .
  • Exemplary silicones useful in the compositions of the invention include cyclic silicones (cyclomethicones) like DC 244 Fluid, DC 245 Fluid, DC 246 Fluid, DC 344 Fluid; silicone polyether like DC 190 and DC 193.
  • Preferred solvents for the invention are glycol ethers and examples include those glycol ethers having the general structure.
  • Preferred solvents for the invention are glycol ethers and examples include those glycol ethers having the general structure Ra-O- [CH 2 -CH (R) - (CH 2 ) -0] n -H, wherein Ra is Ci. 20 alkyl or alkenyl, or a cyclic alkane group of at least 6 carbon atoms, which may be fully or partially unsaturated or aromatic; n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 5; each R is selected from H or CH 3 ; and a is the integer 0 or 1.
  • Specific and pre- ferred solvents are selected from propylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, isopropanol, ethanol, methanol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, and particularly useful are, propylene glycol phenyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl ether and diethylene glycol hexyl ether.
  • the composition may comprise an enzyme.
  • suitable enzymes are proteases, modified proteases stable in oxidisable conditions, amylases and lipases.
  • the composition may comprise an insecticide. Suitable insecticides may be chosen from a wide range of active ingredients, both natural and synthetic.
  • suitable insecticide ingredients include py- rethroids, neonicotinoids (e.g. imidacloprid, thiameth- oxam) , avermectins, spinosyns (e.g. spinosad) , hydrame- thylnon, fluorinated sulfluoramides, organophosphates in- eluding diazinon and chlorpyrifos, pyrazoles such as fipronil, chlorfenapyr, indoxacarb, borates, benzoyl- phenyl ureas, carbamates and hydrazones.
  • a preferred insecticide in the present invention is chlorpyrifos.
  • the composition may include a film-forming polymer.
  • a film-forming polymer can be used to provide a dirt repellency action to the carpet once it has been cleaned to act as an aid to prevent the deposition of further dirt.
  • Suitable film-forming polymers include, acrylic polymers (e.g. modified acrylic polymers), fluorine based polymers (e.g. PTFE) , polyurethane and silicones.
  • optional ingredients may be included. Suitable optional ingredients comprise optical bright- eners, fragrances, dyes.
  • a 30 x 30 cm carpet is used for the soil removal evaluation.
  • Soil is applied according to ASTM-D6540 methodology Using the AATCC 123 artificial soil to obtain a ⁇ E value (soiled-virgin) of about 6.
  • the formulations were homogeneously applied on the carpet using a sieve-like applicator.
  • the powder was worked into the carpet by using the rotating brush of a Dyson DC-04 upright vacuum cleaner with the suction excluded. 2 strokes (1 stroke equal to 1 back and forth pass over the carpet) for your reference 2 strokes equal 4 total passes over a same point on the carpet were used to work the powder into the carpet .
  • the powder is left to act on the carpet for 5 minutes and then it is vacuumed by using the same vacuum cleaner with the suction on. 2 strokes were used to remove the pow- der .
  • the powder is vacuumed by using the same vacuum cleaner with the suction on immediately after application. 2 strokes were used to work and vacuum the powder .
  • the cleaned carpet is read with a Minolta Chromameter CR- 400.
  • the soil removal % is obtained by the ratio between the ⁇ E (cleaned-soiled) and the ⁇ E (soiled-virgin) . The higher the soil removal % the better the cleaning efficacy of the formulation;

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Abstract

A water free powdered composition suitable for use in a carpet cleaning operation comprises at least 15wt% silica.

Description

COMPOSITION AND PROCESS
The present invention relates to a powdered composition suitable for cleaning carpets and a process of cleaning carpets using a powdered composition.
Carpets produced from synthetic or natural fibers and mixtures thereof are commonly used in residential and commercial applications as a floor covering. Various types of fibers can be used in making carpets such as polyamide fibers, polyester fibers as well as wool, cotton or even silk in the case of rugs .
Irrespective of whether the carpets are made from natural or synthetic fibers they are all prone to soiling / staining when contacted with household items. Foods, grease, oils, beverages in particular such as coffee, tea and soft drinks especially those containing acidic dyes can cause unsightly, often dark stains on carpets. Also fibres may become soiled as a result of dirt particles, clay, dust, i.e. particulate soils, coming into contact with and adhering to the fibers of the carpet. These latter soils often appear in the form of a diffuse layer of soils rather than in the form of spots and tend to accumulate particularly in the so called "high traffic areas" such as near doors as a result of intensive use of the carpets in such areas. A vacuum cleaner alone does not remove this type of soil as mere physical action is insufficient to remove it from the carpet . Compositions for the cleaning of carpets are already known in the art. For example liquid carpet cleaning compositions based on surfactants other adjunct materials is disclosed in US-A-2005/250662.
The use of these compositions is not without their disadvantages. Firstly, whether the compositions are applied manually or with the use of an application machine, the compositions due to their liquid nature require a long time to dry typically of the order of 16 hours) from the carpet after the cleaning operation is complete.
The residual carpet cleaning liquor is associated with issues such as carpet distortion (shrinkage / expansion) , carpet discoloration, odor emanation and can even attract new dirt deposits.
One way to address these shortcomings has been to use a steam operated cleaning device. Such steam driven de- vices do not suffer to the same extent from the problem of residual water because of the high suction power but this problem is only partially addressed because carpets cleaned in this way still take a long time to dry. Moreover the steam driven devices have the added disadvantage in that the machines are cumbersome and awkward to use .
An object of the present invention is to obviate / mitigate the problems outlined above.
According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a water free powdered composition suitable for use in a carpet cleaning operation comprising at least 15wt% silica component.
Preferably the silica is precipitated / fumed silica.
In the context of the present application precipitated silica is understood to be a powder obtained by coagulation of silica particles from an aqueous medium under the influence of high salt concentrations / other coagulants. The term fumed silica is understood to be a powder produced by vapour phase hydrolysis of silicon tetrahalides . Fumed (pyrolitic) silica can be modified in order to obtain hydrophilic or hydrophobic fumed silica.
The silica may also be another forms of silica such as crystalline silica (e.g. quartz), kaolin, zeolite, talc, or diatomeaceous earth.
An advantage of composition of the present invention is that the composition is applicable to all carpet types, especially delicate natural fibers, and are also safe to all carpet dye types particularly sensitive natural dyes used therein. This is particularly true of preferred embodiments of the invention, which by virtue of providing excellent cleaning without bleach, are able to provide the cleansing operation required without causing any bleach related damage. The composition of the present invention is also suitable to be used to clean upholstery, car seats covering and general fabrics . Yet another advantage of the compositions of the present invention is that they may be applied directly on the carpet without causing damage to the carpet .
The term water-free is intended to mean that the composition contains less than 5wt% water, more preferably less than 3wt% water and most preferably less than lwt% water.
Generally the silica is present in the composition in an amount of greater than 20wt%, more preferably greater than 30wt%, more preferably greater than 40wt%, more preferably greater than 45wt% and most preferably greater than 50wt%.
Generally the average particle size of the silica is up to 350μm, more preferably up to 200μm, more preferably up to lOOμm, more preferably up to 50μm^ more preferably up to 40μm, more preferably up to 30μm, more preferably up to 20μm, and most preferably up to lOμm.
It will be appreciated that there is a connection between the. property of surface area of the silica and the particle size of the silica. It is understood that this relationship is not necessarily simple as the silica parti- cles need .not be uniform spheres but may adopt other irregular / alternative geometric shapes.
Generally the surface area of the silica is between 100 to 750 m2/g, more preferably between 100 to 450 m2/g, more preferably between 150 to 250 m2/g, more preferably, between 170 to 230 m2/g, .more preferably between 180 to 200 m2/g, and most preferably around 190 m2/g. The silica component may comprise up to 100% of the carpet cleaning composition. The composition may contain a relatively small amount of optional / additional compo- nents (see below) .
Preferred forms of silica include those supplied under the Trade Names Sipernat, Aerosil and Aeroperl (available from Degussa) ; HDK (Wacker) ; and Cab-.O-Sil (Cabot) .
A preferred adjunct material incorporated into the carpet cleaning composition is a metal salt, e.g. an alkali / alkaline metal salt, such as Na, K, Ca or Mg. Preferably the metal salt such is a bicarbonate, sulphate, carbon- ate, sesquicarbonate sodium citrate or a mixture thereof.
Generally the particle size of the salt is up to 350μm, more preferably up to 200μm, more preferably up to lOOμm, more preferably up to 50μm, 'more preferably up to 40μm, more preferably up to 30μm, more preferably up to, 20μm, and most preferably up to 10μm.
The surface area of the salt (and indeed any other component of the composition - see below) is generally lower than the range discussed with regard to silica (see above) .
Where present the bicarbonate salt comprises an approximately equal portion of the carpet cleaning composition as the silica component. For example both components may comprise up to 50% of the carpet cleaning composition. The composition may contain a relatively small amount of optional / additional components (see below) .
The present invention encompasses a process of cleaning a carpet comprising the use of a water free powdered composition comprising at least 15wt% silica.
Preferably said process of cleaning a carpet further comprises the steps of:
1) applying the powdered silica containing composition to the carpet;
2) allowing the silica containing composition to interact with a stain / dirt on the carpet; and 3) at least partially removing the silica containing composition.
An advantage of the process of cleaning carpets according to the present invention is that of being easy and fast while providing excellent overall cleaning performance. More advantageously, the process of cleaning carpets according to the present invention provides excellent cleaning performance, when both used to clean the whole carpet or localized carpet stains. In addition to this, this process does not leave, tacky residue on carpets. Nor is the carpet "wet" after use.
Advantageously, excellent cleaning performance is obtained on different types of stains and soils, especially in the so called "high traffic areas". The composition may be applied to the carpet in any convenient manner. The composition may be applied (e.g. manually) via. a dispenser such as a rigid / flexible container having a suitable dispensing aperture. Such a dispenser may be operated by shaking over the area of carpet to be cleaned. Alternatively the composition may be applied via a mechanical device. The mechanical device can be a stand alone device or more preferably the mechanical device is attached to / associated with the composition removal device (e.g. a vacuum cleaner (see later) ) . The mechanical device may partially substitute the vacuum cleaner nozzle.
Preferably the composition is applied by a device capable of massaging the powder into the carpet for a more intimate contact with the soil adhered to the fibers. Examples of such devices are rotating / moving brush devices.
The composition may be electrostatically charged as it is being applied to the carpet. For example, the device dispenser may have a delivery system which is designed so that on delivery an electrostatic charge e.g. by tribo- electric charging, is passed to the composition.
In such an apparatus the composition will become charged as it is expelled through the delivery system onto the carpet .
Alternatively, the composition may be charged and stored (in a container) before it is applied to the carpet. The already charged particles may then be delivered from the container and applied directly to the carpet . A process for the preparation of electrostatically charged particles of a high resistivity is described in European Patent Application No. 95 921 916.3 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
It has been observed that when charged the particles of the composition are able to form agglomerates with dirt particles on the carpet. The agglomerates are easy to remove (e.g. by vacuum cleaning), especially where the cleaning process includes mechanical agitation and vacuum suction.
In addition, the agglomerates are less likely to become airborne than individual dust particles and certainly will not be able to remain airborne for long periods of time. In addition, once the small particles (PMi0S) are in a vacuum cleaner as a component of the agglomerates, their escape through the filtration system of the vacuum cleaner will likewise be significantly reduced.
Also it has been seen that the charged carrier particles penetrate right down to the backing of the carpet and attract dust and other fine particles from the depths of the carpet, so that these can also be removed more effi- ciently.
The electrostatic charge on the composition may be of positive or negative polarity or may be a mixture of both when the particles are frictionally charged mixtures of different electrically insulating materials. A method of forming such charged particles is described in EP-B-942 680 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference .
The amount of the compositions for the cleaning of carpets according to the present invention applied will depend on the severity of the stain or soil. Generally the composition is applied at an amount of up to 200 g/m2, more preferably up to 100 g/m2, more preferably up to 50 g/m2, more preferably up to 40 g/m2, more preferably up to 30 g/m2, more preferably up to 20 g/m2, and most preferably up to 1Og / m2.
It is preferred that the amount of composition left on the carpet (after the removal process) is less than 40%, more preferably less than 30%, more preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 10%, more preferably less than 5%, more preferably less than 3%, more preferably less than 1% of the amount of composition applied to the carpet .
In the case of stubborn stains more than one application may be required to ensure complete removal of the stain.
The area to be cleaned by applying the compositions according to the present invention may be of any size. Indeed a complete section or more preferably the whole carpet may be treated with the composition for the cleaning of carpets according to the present invention. In view of the fact that the composition and method of the present invention may be applied the a portion of the carpet being cleaned the composition and method may be perceived to be a "stain treatment" composition / method as well as a "complete cleaning" composition / method.
In a process of cleaning a carpet according to the pre- sent invention the step of applying a composition onto the carpets as described herein before, does not need to be followed by a step where manual action is required other than the final optional removing step. Indeed the compositions herein allow excellent cleaning performance without requiring any manual action (e.g. rubbing / brushing. An advantage of the present invention is that the cleaning action of the composition commences as soon as it ,is applied onto said carpet.
Typically, the composition is left on the carpet for less than 2 hours, preferably less than 1 hour, more preferably less than 40 minutes, even more preferably less, than 30 minutes, more preferably less than 20 minutes and most ■preferably less than 10 minutes. One option is to simul- taneously apply the composition, massage it into the carpet and vacuum it away.
Preferably said composition is then removed from the carpet. More preferably said composition is removed me- chanically, even more preferably by vacuum cleaning, more preferably with a vacuum cleaner equipped with a beater (brushes) . This may be carried out with any commercially available vacuum cleaner.
The composition generally comprises other detergent actives. Where present it is preferred that the detergent active is powdered. (The detergent active itself may be in solid powdered form or may be a liquid which is capable of being converted into a powder when brought into con- tact with another component of the composition (e.g. by spraying) . Most preferably the powdered detergent active has a particle size similar to that of the silica.
Surfactants may be present in the composition in an amount of, for example, 0.001 to 30% wt, ideally 0.01 to 15% wt and preferably 0.1 to 5% wt . The surfactant is, for example, an anionic or nonionic surfactant or mixture thereof. The nonionic surfactant is preferably a surfactant having a formula RO (CH2CH2O) nH wherein R is a mix- ture of linear, even carbon-number hydrocarbon chains ranging from Ci2H25 to Ci6H33 and n represents the number of repeating units and is a number of from about 1 to about 12. Examples of other non-ionic surfactants include higher aliphatic primary alcohol containing about twelve to about 16 carbon atoms which are condensed with about three to thirteen moles of ethylene oxide.
Other examples of nonionic surfactants include primary alcohol ethoxylates (available under the Neodol tradename from Shell Co.), such as Cu alkanol condensed with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 1-9) , C12-13 alkanol condensed with 6.5 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-6.5), Ci2- 13 alkanol with 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol 23-9) , C12-15 alkanol condensed with 7 or 3 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 25-7 or Neodol 25-3), C14-I3 alkanol condensed with 13 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol 45-13) , C9._n linear ethoxylated alcohol, averaging 2.5 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol (Neodol 91-2.5), and the like.
Other examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include ethylene oxide condensate products of secondary aliphatic alcohols containing 11 to 18 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration condensed with 5 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide. Examples of commercially available non-ionic detergents of the foregoing type are Cn-I5 secondary alkanol condensed with either 9 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-9) or 12 moles of ethylene oxide (Tergitol 15-S-12) marketed by Union Carbide.
Other examples of linear primary alcohol ethoxylates are available under the Tomadol tradename such as, Tomadol 1- 7, a Cu linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; Tomadol 25-7, a C12-15 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; Tomadol 45-7, a Ci4-I5 linear primary alcohol ethoxylate with 7 moles EO; and Tomadol 91-6, a C9-H linear alcohol ethoxylate with 6 moles EO.
Other nonionic surfactants are amine oxides, alkyl amide oxide surfactants .
Preferred anionic surfactants are frequently provided as alkali metal salts, ammonium salts, amine salts, aminoal- cohol salts or magnesium salts . Contemplated as useful are sulfate or sulfonate compounds including: alkyl benzene sulfates, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, al- kylamidoether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkylsulfonates, alkylamide sulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, olefinsulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuc- cinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccina- mate, alkyl sulfoacetates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acyl sarconsinates, acyl isethionates, and N- acyl taurates. Generally, the alkyl or acyl radical in these various compounds comprise a C12-20 carbon chain.
Other surfactants which may be used are alkyl naphthalene sulfonates and oleoyl sarcosinates and mixtures thereof.
Examples of suitable bleaches are oxygen bleaches. Suitable level of oxygen bleaches is in the range from 0.01 to 90% wt. As used herein active oxygen concentration refers to the percentage concentration of elemental oxy- gen, with an oxidation number zero, that being reduced to water would be stoichiometrically equivalent to a given percentage concentration of a given peroxide compound, when the peroxide functionality of the peroxide compound is completely reduced to oxides. The active oxygen sources increase the ability of the compositions to remove oxidisable stains, to destroy malodorous molecules and to kill, germs.
The concentration of available oxygen can be determined by methods known in the art, such as the iodimetric method, the permanganometric method and the cerimetric method. Said methods and the criteria for the choice of the appropriate method are described for example in "Hydrogen Peroxide", W. C. Schumo, C. N. Satterfield and R. L. Wentworth, Reinhold Publishing Corporation, New York, 1955 and "Organic Peroxides", Daniel Swern, Editor Wiley Int. Science, 1970. Suitable organic and inorganic peroxides for use in the compositions according to the present invention include diacyl and dialkyl peroxides such as dibenzoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, dicumyl peroxide, persulphuric acid and mixtures thereof .
Suitable preformed peroxyacids for use in the compositions according to the present invention include diper- oxydodecandioic acid DPDA, magnesium perphthalatic acid, perlauric acid, perbenzoic acid, diperoxyazelaic acid and mixtures thereof. Peroxygen bleaching actives useful for this invention are: percarbonates, perborates, peroxides, peroxyhydrates, persulfates. A preferred compound is so- dium percarbonate and especially the coated grades that have better stability. The percarbonate can be coated with silicates, borates, waxes, sodium sulfate, sodium carbonate and surfactants solid at room temperature.
Optionally, the composition may comprise from 0.1% to 30%, preferably from 2% to 20% of peracid precursors, i.e. compounds that upon reaction with hydrogen peroxide product peroxyacids . Examples of peracid precursors suitable for use in the present invention can be found among the classes of anhydrides, amides, imides and esters such as acetyl triethyl citrate (ATC) described for instance in EP 91 87 0207, tetra acetyl ethylene diamine (TAED), succinic or maleic anhydrides.
The composition may comprise a builder or a combination of builders, for example in an amount of from 0.01 to 50%wt, preferably from 0.1 to 20%wt. Examples of builders are described below:
- the parent acids of the monomeric or oligomeric poly-" carboxylate chelating agents or mixtures therefore with their salts, e.g. citric acid or citrate/citric acid mixtures are also contemplated as useful builder components.
- borate builders, as well .as builders containing borate-* forming materials than can produce borate under detergent storage or wash conditions can also be used. - iminosuccinic acid metal salts
- polyaspartic acid metal salts .
- ethylene diamino tetra acetic acid and salt forms.
- water-soluble phosphonate and phosphate builders are useful for this invention. Examples of phosphate buiders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymerisation ranges from 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid. Specific examples of water-soluble phosphate builders are the alkali metal tripolyphosphates, sodium potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium ahd potassium and ammonium pyrophosphate, sodium and potassium orthophosphate, sodium polymeta/phosphate in which the degree of polymeri- zation ranges from 6 to 21, and salts of phytic acid. Such polymers include the polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) diacetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric acid, as well as the ether carboxylates and the sulfinyl carboxylates. Polycarboxylates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citraconates as well as succinate derivates such as the carboxymethloxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 379, 241, lactoxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 389, 732 , and amino- succinates described in NL-A-7205873, and the oxypolycar- boxylate materials such as 2-oxa-l, 1, 3 -propane tricar- boxylates described in GB-A-I, 387, 447.
Polycarboxylate containing four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in GB-A-I, 261, 829, 1,1,2,2- ethane tetracarboxylates, 1, 1, 3 , 3 -propane tetracarboxy- lates and 1 , 1 , 2 , 3 -propane tetracarobyxlates . Polycarboxylates contining sulfo substituents include the sulfo- succinate derivatives disclosed in GB-A-I, 398, 421, GB-A- 1,398,422 and US-A-3 , 936448 , and the sulfonated pyrolsed citrates described in GB-A-I, 439, 000.
Alicylic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis, cis, cis'-tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadi- enide pentacarboxylates , 2,3,4,5, 6-hexane - hexacarboxy- lates and carboxymethyl derivates of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in GB-A-I, 425, 343.
Of the above, the preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxy- carboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.
Suitable polymers include the water soluble monomeric polycarboxylates, or their acid forms, homo or copoly- meric polycarboxylic acids or their salts in which the polycarboxylic acid comprises at least two carboxylic radicals separated from each other by not more than two carbon atoms, carbonates, bicarbonates, borates, phos- phates, and mixtures of any of thereof.
The cafboxylate or polycarboxylate builder can be mono- meric or oligomeric in type although monomeric polycar- boxylates are generally preferred for reasons of cost and performance .
Suitable carboxylates containing one carboxy group include the water soluble salts of lactic acid, glycolic acid and ether derivatives thereof. Polycarboxylates containing two carboxy groups include the water-soluble salts of succinic acid, malonic acid, (ethylenedioxy) di- acetic acid, maleic acid, diglycolic acid, tartaric acid, tartronic acid and fumaric , acid, as well as the ether carboxylates and the sulfinyl carboxylates. Polycarboxy- lates containing three carboxy groups include, in particular, water-soluble citrates, aconitrates and citra- conates as well as succinate derivates such as the car- boxymethloxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 379, 241, lac- toxysuccinates described in GB-A-I, 389, 732, and aminosuc- cinates described in NL-A-7205873 , and the oxypolycar- boxylate materials such as 2-oxa-l, 1, 3 -propane tricar- boxylates described in GB-A-I, 387,447.
Polycarboxylate containing four carboxy groups include oxydisuccinates disclosed in GB-A-I, 261, 829, 1,1,2,2- ethane tetracarboxylates, 1, 1, 3 ,3 -propane tetracarboxy- lates and 1 , 1 , 2 , 3 -propane tetracarboxylates. Polycar- boxylates contining sulfo suibstituents include the sul- fosuccinate derivatives disclosed in GB-A-I , 398, 421, GB- A-I, 398, 422 and US-A-3 , 936448 , and the sulfonated pyrol- sed citrates described in GB-A-I, 439, 000.
Alicylic and heterocyclic polycarboxylates include cyclopentane-cis, cis, cis-tetracarboxylates, cyclopentadi- enide pentacarboxylates, 2 , 3,4, 5, 6-hexane - hexacarboxy- lates and carboxymethyl derivates of polyhydric alcohols such as sorbitol, mannitol and xylitol. Aromatic polycarboxylates include mellitic acid, pyromellitic acid and phthalic acid derivatives disclosed in GB-A-I, 425, 343.
Of the above, the preferred polycarboxylates are hydroxy- carboxylates containing up to three carboxy groups per molecule, more particularly citrates.
More preferred polymers are homopolymers , copolymers and multiple polymers of acrylic, fluorinated acrylic, sul- fonated styrene, maleic anhydride, metacrylic, iso- butylene, styrene and ester monomers.
Examples of these polymers are Acusol supplied from Rohm Sc Haas, Syntran supplied from Interpolymer and Versa and Alcosperse series supplied from Alco Chemical, a National Starch & Chemical Company.
The parent acids of the monomeric or oligomeric polycar- boxylate chelating agents or mixtures therefore with their salts, e.g. citric acid or citra.te/citric acid mixtures are also contemplated as useful builder components. In the context of the present application it will be appreciated that builders are compounds that sequester metal ions associated with the hardness of water, e.g. calcium and magnesium, whereas chelating agents are com- pounds that sequester transition metal ions capable of catalysing the degradation of oxygen bleach systems. However, certain' compounds may have the ability to do perform both functions .
Suitable chelating agents to be used herein include chelating agents selected from the group of phosphonate chelating agents, amino carboxylate chelating agents, poly- functionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents, and further chelating agents like glycine, salicylic acid, aspartic acid, glutamic acid, malonic acid, or mixtures thereof. Chelating agents when used, are typically present herein in amounts ranging from 0.01% to 50%wt of the total composition and preferably from 0.05% to 10%wt.
Suitable phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein ' may include ethydronic acid as well as amino phosphonate compounds, including amino alkylene poly (alkylene phosphonate) , alkali metal ethane 1-hydroxy diphosphonates, nitrilo trimethylene phosphonates, ethylene diamine tetra methylene phosphonates, and diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates . The phosphonate compounds may be present either in their acid form or as salts of different cations on some or all of their acid functionalities. Preferred phosphonate chelating agents to be used herein are diethylene triamine penta methylene phosphonates. Such phosphonate chelating agents are commercially available from Monsanto under the trade name DEQUEST TM. Polyfunctionally-substituted aromatic chelating agents may also be useful in the compositions herein. See U.S. patent 3,812,044. Preferred compounds of this type in acid form are dihydroxydisulfobenzenes such as 1,2- dihydroxy -3 , 5-disulfobenzene .
A preferred biodegradable chelating agent for use herein is ethylene diamine N7N1 -disuccinic acid, or metal / am- monium salts thereof. Ethylenediamine N, N1 -disuccinic acids is, for instance, commercially available under the tradename ssEDDS TM from Palmer Research Laboratories.
Suitable amino carboxylates include ethylene diamine tetra acetates, diethylene triamine pentaacetates, di- ethylene triamine pentaacetate (DTPA) , N- hy- droxyethylethylenediamine triacetates, nitrilotri- acetates, ethylenediamine tetrapropionates, triethylene- tetraaminehexa-acetates, ethanol-diglycines, propylene diamine tetracetic acid (PDTA) MGDA, in their acid form, or in their alkali metal, ammonium, and substituted ammonium salt forms. Particularly suitable amino carboxylates to be used herein are DTPA, propylene diamine tetracetic acid which is commercially available from BASF under the trade name Trilon FS TM.
Solvents can be used for present invention at levels of 0.01 to 30%wt, more preferred level is between 0.1 and 20%, more preferred between 0.1 and 10%. The solvent constituent may include one or more alcohol, glycol, acetate,, ether acetate, glycerol, polyethylene glycol with molecular weight ranging from 200 to 1000, silicones or glycol ethers. Exemplary alcohols useful in the compositions of the invention include C2-s primary and secondary alcohols which may be straight chained or branched, preferably pentanol and hexanol . Exemplary silicones useful in the compositions of the invention include cyclic silicones (cyclomethicones) like DC 244 Fluid, DC 245 Fluid, DC 246 Fluid, DC 344 Fluid; silicone polyether like DC 190 and DC 193.
Preferred solvents for the invention are glycol ethers and examples include those glycol ethers having the general structure. Preferred solvents for the invention are glycol ethers and examples include those glycol ethers having the general structure Ra-O- [CH2-CH (R) - (CH2) -0] n-H, wherein Ra is Ci.20 alkyl or alkenyl, or a cyclic alkane group of at least 6 carbon atoms, which may be fully or partially unsaturated or aromatic; n is an integer from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 5; each R is selected from H or CH3; and a is the integer 0 or 1. Specific and pre- ferred solvents are selected from propylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol, ethylene glycol, isopropanol, ethanol, methanol, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, and particularly useful are, propylene glycol phenyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl ether and diethylene glycol hexyl ether.
The composition may comprise an enzyme. Example of suitable enzymes are proteases, modified proteases stable in oxidisable conditions, amylases and lipases. The composition may comprise an insecticide. Suitable insecticides may be chosen from a wide range of active ingredients, both natural and synthetic.
Examples of suitable insecticide ingredients include py- rethroids, neonicotinoids (e.g. imidacloprid, thiameth- oxam) , avermectins, spinosyns (e.g. spinosad) , hydrame- thylnon, fluorinated sulfluoramides, organophosphates in- eluding diazinon and chlorpyrifos, pyrazoles such as fipronil, chlorfenapyr, indoxacarb, borates, benzoyl- phenyl ureas, carbamates and hydrazones. A preferred insecticide in the present invention is chlorpyrifos.
The composition may include a film-forming polymer. Such a polymer can be used to provide a dirt repellency action to the carpet once it has been cleaned to act as an aid to prevent the deposition of further dirt.
Suitable film-forming polymers include, acrylic polymers (e.g. modified acrylic polymers), fluorine based polymers (e.g. PTFE) , polyurethane and silicones.
Additionally, optional ingredients may be included. Suitable optional ingredients comprise optical bright- eners, fragrances, dyes.
The invention will now be described with reference to the following non-limiting Examples. EXAMPLES
Soil application
A 30 x 30 cm carpet is used for the soil removal evaluation. Soil is applied according to ASTM-D6540 methodology Using the AATCC 123 artificial soil to obtain a ΔE value (soiled-virgin) of about 6.
Cleaning method
The formulations were homogeneously applied on the carpet using a sieve-like applicator. The powder was worked into the carpet by using the rotating brush of a Dyson DC-04 upright vacuum cleaner with the suction excluded. 2 strokes (1 stroke equal to 1 back and forth pass over the carpet) for your reference 2 strokes equal 4 total passes over a same point on the carpet were used to work the powder into the carpet .
The powder is left to act on the carpet for 5 minutes and then it is vacuumed by using the same vacuum cleaner with the suction on. 2 strokes were used to remove the pow- der .
In another testing, the powder is vacuumed by using the same vacuum cleaner with the suction on immediately after application. 2 strokes were used to work and vacuum the powder . The cleaned carpet is read with a Minolta Chromameter CR- 400. The soil removal % is obtained by the ratio between the ΔE (cleaned-soiled) and the ΔE (soiled-virgin) . The higher the soil removal % the better the cleaning efficacy of the formulation;
Formulations Tested
Results

Claims

1. A water free powdered composition suitable for use in a carpet cleaning operation comprising at least 15wt% silica.
2. A composition according to claim 1, wherein the silica is precipitated / fumed silica.
3. A composition according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the silica is present in the composition in an amount of greater than 20wt%, more preferably greater than 30wt%, more preferably greater than 40wt%, more preferably greater than 45wt% -and most preferably greater than 50wt%.
4. A composition according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the average particle size of the silica is up to 350μm, more preferably up to 200μm, more preferably up to lOOμm, more preferably up to 50μm, more preferably up to 4pμm, more preferably up to 30μm, more preferably up to 20μm, and most preferably up to lOμm.
5. A composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the surface area of the silica is between 100 to 750 m2/g, more preferably between 100 to 450 m2/g, more preferably between 150 to 250 m2/g, more preferably between 170 to 230 τn2/g, more preferably between 180 to 200 m2/g, and most preferably around 190 m2/g.
6. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises a metal salt, e.g. an alkali metal salt (Na, K, Ca, Mg) , such as a bicarbonate, sulphate, carbonate, sesquicarbonate, sodium citrate or a mixture thereof.
7. A composition according to claim 6, wherein the metal salt comprises an approximately equal portion of the carpet cleaning composition as the silica component.
8. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises a further detergent active.
9. A water free powdered composition suitable for use in a carpet cleaning operation comprising at least 30wt% precipitated / fumed silica component, at least 30wt% inorganic metal salt, a solvent and a detergent active.
10. A process of cleaning a carpet comprising the use of a water free powdered composition comprising at least 15wt% silica.
11. A process according to claim 10, wherein the process comprises the steps of :
1) applying the powdered silica containing composition to the carpet;
2) allowing the silica containing composition to inter- act with a stain / dirt on the carpet; and
3) at least partially removing the silica containing composition.
12. (new) A process according to claim 11, wherein the composition is electrostatically charged at or before step (1) .
13. A process according to claim 11, wherein in step (3) the removal is carried out using a vacuum cleaner.
14. A process according to claim 11, 12 or 13, wherein the silica com position is applied at an amount of around
1Og / m2.
15. A process according to any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein where the powder is dispensed by using a device connected to a vacuum cleaner.
16. A process according to claim 15, wherein the powder is dispensed and worked into the carpet by using a device connected to a vacuum cleaner.
EP07732416A 2006-04-13 2007-04-13 Composition and process Withdrawn EP2004787A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

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GB0607488A GB0607488D0 (en) 2006-04-13 2006-04-13 Composition and process
PCT/GB2007/001374 WO2007119054A1 (en) 2006-04-13 2007-04-13 Composition and process

Publications (1)

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US9403731B2 (en) 2011-06-29 2016-08-02 Basf Se Modified aminocarboxylates with improved storage stability and processability
ES2578183T5 (en) * 2011-06-29 2019-12-05 Basf Se Modified amino carboxylates with improved storage stability and processability

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FR2444700A1 (en) * 1978-12-20 1980-07-18 Rhone Poulenc Ind NOVEL NON-ABRASIVE SCURING AGENT AND LAUNDRY COMPOSITION CONTAINING THE SAME
GB2109399A (en) * 1981-11-18 1983-06-02 Kent Chemical Company Limited Composition
GB8418566D0 (en) * 1984-07-20 1984-08-22 Unilever Plc Fabric cleaning compositions
DE3707409A1 (en) * 1987-03-07 1988-09-15 Henkel Kgaa METHOD FOR REMOVING TEXTILES
CN1154430C (en) * 1996-12-04 2004-06-23 南安普敦大学 Method and apparatus for controlling and removing dust and other particles from a material or for dispensing or delivering charged particles to a surface
US6827792B2 (en) * 1999-06-25 2004-12-07 Strategic Environmental Solutions, Llc Liquid waste absorbing compositions

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WO2007119054A1 (en) 2007-10-25

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