WO2025219144A1

WO2025219144A1 - A hard surface cleaning composition

Info

Publication number: WO2025219144A1
Application number: PCT/EP2025/059474
Authority: WO
Inventors: Punam Bandyopadhyay; Ivy PAL; Sweta TRIPATHY
Original assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV; Conopco Inc
Current assignee: Unilever Global IP Ltd; Unilever IP Holdings BV; Conopco Inc
Priority date: 2024-04-16
Filing date: 2025-04-07
Publication date: 2025-10-23
Anticipated expiration: 2026-10-16

Abstract

The present invention relates to a liquid hard surface cleaning composition. There is a need for an improved liquid hard surface cleaning composition that provides efficient cleaning and a visual cue of cleaning while in use to consumers. It has been found that select copolymers in combination with a non-ionic surfactant and select amphoteric surfactant in a select ratio and having a pH in the range 5.0 to 9.0 at 20°C provide efficient cleaning efficacy. The composition generates copious foam in use thereby providing a visual cue of cleaning to consumers. The present invention further provides a liquid cleaning product obtained from the composition and a process to clean a hard surface involving the composition.

Description

A HARD SURFACE CLEANING COMPOSITION

Field of the invention

The present invention is in the field of hard surface cleaning compositions. In particular, the present invention relates to a liquid hard surface cleaning composition that provides efficient cleaning and a visual cue of cleaning while in use.

Background of the invention

Cleaning hard surfaces like, kitchen tops, tiles, table-top, cupboards, wash basin and toilet bowls are part of house-hold chores. Often consumers spend considerable amount of time and effort in such cleaning activities. They prefer to use various cleaning products for the same. Such products differ in their constituents, such as detersive actives, acids, builder, colourants; as well, they are available in different formats, such as powder, liquid, tablet block, spray, foam and wipe.

Generally, hard surface cleaning involves steps like, dosing an aliquot of a cleaning product as such or after dilution in water, applying it with an implement, such as sponge, brush, wipe, scrub and rinsing with water. Consumers prefer to have a cleaning product that delivers efficient cleaning with ease of use or less effort. One of the ways to provide efficient cleaning is by considering combinations of surfactants in appropriate amounts instead of using one surfactant.

Often consumers look for a visual cue of cleaning or the presence of cleaning or cleaning actives while in use. Foam generated in use seems to be one of such cues, which consumers often link to cleaning. It is desired that a cleaning composition generates copious foam while in use thereby providing the desired visual cue to consumers.

It is also desired that a cleaning composition provides efficient cleaning that sustains for a longer period. One possible way to provide such benefit by depositing a layer of a hydrophobic layer on a surface while cleaning. It reduces water retention on the surface and thus reduces the accumulation of scaling, dirt deposition and microbial growth, thereby reduces the requirement of frequent cleaning.

In this regard, WO 2018/036864 A1 (Unilever Pic., 2018) discloses a hard surface treatment composition comprising amphoteric acrylic copolymer and amphoteric modified polysaccharide, wherein the weight ratio of the amphoteric acrylic copolymer to the amphoteric modified polysaccharide is from 0.75:1 to 3:1 and the amphoteric acrylic copolymer is different from the amphoteric modified polysaccharide.

US 2019/0352579 A1 (Procter & Gamble Company, 2019) discloses a liquid hard surface cleaning composition comprising a surface modification polymers and a sulphonate hydrotrope, wherein the surface modification polymer is selected from the group consisting of (a) copolymers of corn starch, acrylic acid (or salts thereof) and acrylamido-propyl-methyl- ammonium chloride (polyquarternium 95) and (b) copolymers of diallyldimethylammonium chloride and acrylic acid (or salts thereof); and mixtures thereof).

EP 3 766 953 A1 (Procter & Gamble Company, 2021) discloses a disinfectant cleaning composition comprising: a nitrogen containing biocidal compound; a polymer comprising monomers of the following formulae: a) H2C=CR1-CO-NH-R2-N+R3R4R5X- wherein R1 represents hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl; R2 represents linear or branched C1-C12 alkylene; R3, R4 and R5, independently of one another, each represent hydrogen, C1-C18 alkyl or phenyl; and X- represents an anion selected from the group consisting of halide, sulphate, alkyl sulphate, hydroxide, phosphate, acetate and formate; b) 40-75% by weight of N-isopropylacrylamide, based on the water-soluble polymer; c) acrylic and/or methacrylic acid and/or salts thereof; and d) H2C=CR-CO-NH-CR'R"R"'-SO3H, and salts thereof; wherein R, R' and R" independently represent hydrogen, C1-C4 alkyl or C1-C4 alkylene, and R'" independently represents C1-C4 alkyl or C1-C4 alkylene.

WO 2024/133116 A1 (Unilever IP Holdings B V, Unilever Global IP Ltd, 2024) discloses a composition comprising 0.1 to 10% by weight of a quaternary ammonium compound; 0.1 to 10% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant comprising amine oxide and/or cocamidopropyl betaine; 0.1 to 20% by weight of acid; and a copolymer comprising: a cationic monomer selected from 2-(acryloyloxy) ethyl trimethylammonium chloride, [2- (acryloylamino) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [2-(acryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium methosulfate, [2- (methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride or methosulfate, [3- (acryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [3-(methacryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC); an acrylamide monomer; and at least one monomer selected from polyethylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulphonic acid and/or its salt, wherein the pH of the composition is in the range 1 to 4 at 20° C, wherein the composition provides a foam volume of at least 140 millilitre as measured by Bartsch method.

Although various cleaning compositions are disclosed, still there is a need for an improved liquid hard surface cleaning composition that provides efficient cleaning and a visual cue of cleaning to consumers. It is also desired that the composition provides a cleaning efficacy that sustains for a longer period.

The present inventors have surprisingly found that select copolymers in combination with a nonionic surfactant and select amphoteric surfactant in a select ratio and having a pH in the range 5.0 to 9.0 at 20°C provide efficient cleaning efficacy. The composition generates copious foam in use thereby providing a visual cue of cleaning to consumers.

Summary of the invention

According to the first aspect, there is provided a hard surface cleaning composition comprising: a) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a non-ionic surfactant; b) 0.1 to 10% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant comprising at least an alkyl amidopropyl betaine; c) 0.005 to 5% by weight of a copolymer comprising three or more monomers selected from: i) a cationic monomer selected from 2-(acryloyloxy) ethyl trimethylammonium chloride, [2-(acryloylamino) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [2- (acryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium methosulfate, [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride or methosulfate, [3-(acryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [3-(methacryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), acrylamido-propyl-methyl- ammonium chloride, diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC); ii) an acrylamide or acrylic acid monomer; iii) at least one monomer selected from a polysaccharide, polyethylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate, 2- acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulphonic acid and/or its salt, d) 60 to 99% by weight of water, wherein the pH of the composition is in the range 5.0 to 9.0 at 20°C, wherein the ratio of the non-ionic surfactant to the amphoteric surfactant is in the range 3: 1 to 1 :3 by weight.

According to a second aspect there is provided a liquid cleaning product obtained by diluting a composition according to the first aspect in water, wherein the ratio of the composition to water is in the range 1 : 10 to 1 : 100 by weight.

According to another aspect of there is provided a method for cleaning a surface comprising steps of: a) providing a cleaning liquor by diluting a composition according to the first aspect; b) applying the cleaning liquor on to the surface; c) leaving the composition on the surface for at least 10 seconds; and d) optionally rinsing the surface with water.

Detailed description of the invention

Any feature of one aspect of the present invention may be utilized in any other aspect of the invention. The word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of’ or “composed of.” In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive. Except in the operating and comparative examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and/or use are to be understood as modified by the word “about”. Numerical ranges expressed in the format " x to y" are understood to include x and y. When for a specific feature multiple preferred ranges are described in the format "x to y", it is understood that all ranges combining the different endpoints are also contemplated. Unless specified otherwise, amounts as used herein are expressed in percentage by weight based on total weight of the composition and is abbreviated as “wt%”. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language e.g., “such as” provided herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not in any way limit the scope of the invention otherwise claimed.

The present invention provides a liquid hard surface cleaning composition comprising a non- ionic surfactant, an amphoteric surfactant, a copolymer and water, wherein the composition has a pH in the range 5.0 to 9.0 at 20°C, and the ratio of the non-ionic surfactant to the amphoteric surfactant is in the range 3:1 to 1:3 by weight.

Non-ionic surfactant The composition comprises a non-ionic surfactant. Preferably the non-ionic surfactant is selected from alcohol ethoxylate, alkyl polyglycoside and combinations thereof.

The non-ionic surfactant is present in an amount 0.1 to 10% by weight of the composition. Preferably the non-ionic surfactant is present in an amount from 0.5 to 10% by weight of the composition. More preferably the non-ionic surfactant is present in an amount from 1 to 9% by weight, even more preferably from 1.5 to 8% by weight and most preferably from 2.0 to 7% by weight of the composition.

Preferably the non-ionic surfactant comprises alcohol ethoxylate. Suitable alcohol ethoxylates include water soluble aliphatic ethoxylated non-ionic surfactants including the primary aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates and secondary aliphatic alcohol ethoxylates. This includes the condensation products of a higher alcohol (e.g., an alkanol containing about 8 to 16 carbon atoms in a straight or branched chain configuration) condensed with about 4 to 20 moles of ethylene oxide, for example, lauryl or myristyl alcohol condensed with about 10 moles of ethylene oxide (EO), tridecanol condensed with about 6 to 15 moles of EO, myristyl alcohol condensed with about 10 moles of EO per mole of myristyl alcohol, the condensation product of EO with a cut of coconut fatty alcohol containing a mixture of fatty alcohols with alkyl chains varying from 10 to about 14 carbon atoms in length and wherein the condensate contains either about 6 moles of EO per mole of total alcohol or about 9 moles of EO per mole of alcohol and tallow alcohol ethoxylates containing 6 EO to 11 EO per mole of alcohol. Preferably the alcohol ethoxylate has 6 to 10 EO group per mole. Preferably the alkyl chain in the alcohol ethoxylate is linear chain.

Examples of the foregoing non-ionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, the Neodol® (Shell), which are higher aliphatic, primary alcohol containing about 9 to 15 carbon atoms, such as C9 to C11 alkanol condensed with 4 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide (Neodol® 91-8 or Neodol® 91-5), C12 to C13 alkanol condensed with 6.5 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol® 23- 6.5), C12 to C15 alkanol condensed with 12 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol® 25-12), C14 to C15 alkanol condensed with 13 moles ethylene oxide (Neodol® 45-13), and the like.

Examples of the non-ionic surfactant include the class of the fatty alcohol ethoxylate and are sold under the trade names of Brij® 35, Brij® 97, Brij® 700, Brij® 99, Brij® 56, Brij® 76, C12EO7, and Brij S10. Preferred non-ionic surfactants of the fatty acid ethoxylate class are sold under the brand names of Myrj™ S20, Myrj™ S40, Myrj™ S40, Myrj™ S50, and PEG-100 stearate. Preferred non-ionic surfactants of the polyoxyethylene sorbitan alkyl esters class are sold under the brand names of Tween® 21 , Tween® 20, Tween® 40, Tween® 60, Tween® 65 tri-stearate, Tween® 85 trioleate, and Tween® 80. Preferred non-ionic surfactants of the alkyl phenol ethoxylate class are sold under the brand names of T riton™ X114, T riton™ X100, Triton™ X102, Triton™ X165, Triton™ X305, Triton™ X405 or Triton™ X705. It is observed that the above-mentioned non-ionic surfactants all have an HLB value higher than 10. Preferably the non-ionic surfactant is selected from the class of poly-oxyethylene sorbitan alkyl ester. These surfactants are available under the trade name Tween® or Triton™, for example, Tween® 20 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, HLB=16.7), Tween® 40(polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-palmitate, HLB=15.6),Tween® 60 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, HLB=14.9), Tween® 65 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, HLB=10.5), Tween® 80 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, HLB=15.0), Tween® 85 (polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate, HLB=11.0), Triton™ (octyl phenol Ethoxylates),e.g., HLB=12.3), Triton™ X114 (HLB =12.3), Triton ( HLB=13.4), Triton™ X102(HLB=14.4), Triton™ X305(HLB=17.3), Triton™X405( HLB=17.3), Triton™ X705 ( HLB=18.4) etc.

The other non-ionic surfactants suitable for the present invention include alkyl polyglycoside, poly-oxyethylene sorbitan alkyl esters and alkyl phenol ethoxylates.

The non-ionic surfactant in the composition may be an alkyl plolyglycoside. As used herein alkyl polyglycosides are compounds having formula RiO(R2O)b(Z)_a, wherein Ri is a alkyl radical, having from about 8 to about 10 carbon atoms; R2 is an alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is a saccharide residue having 5 or 6 carbon atoms; b is a number having a value from 0 to about 12; and a is a number having a value from 1 to about 6 (the degree of polymerization). Due to the method by which they are synthesized, alkyl polyglycosides are generally present as mixtures of alkyl polyglycosides having varying amounts of carbon atoms in the alkyl radical and varying degrees of polymerization. Thus, when referring to alkyl polyglycosides, the alkyl radical is generally referred to as having a range of carbon atoms (e.g., C8/10 referring to a range of alkyl radicals having from 8 to 10 carbon atoms) and the degree of polymerization is generally referred to as the average degree of polymerization of the mixture.

Preferred alkyl polyglycosides suitable for the invention include those having the formula RiO(R₂O)_b(Z)_a, wherein R1 is a alkyl radical, having from about 8 to about 10 carbon atoms; R2 is an alkylene radical having from 2 to 4 carbon atoms; Z is a saccharide residue having 5 or 6 carbon atoms; b is a number having a value from 0 to about 12; and a is a number having a value from 1 to about 6 (the degree of polymerization). Preferred alky polyglycoside are those where Z is a glucose residue, b is zero, Ri is an alkyl group that contains 8 to 10 carbon atoms, and the average value of a is about 1 to 2. Such alkyl polyglucosides are commercially available, for example, as Glucopon® branded alkyl polyglucoside compositions from BASF (formerly Cognis Corporation), including Glucopon® 215CS UP and 225 DK.

Amphoteric surfactant

The composition comprises 0.1 to 10% by weight of the amphoteric surfactant. Preferably the composition comprises 0.2 to 9% by weight, more preferably 0.3 to 8% by weight, even more preferably 0.4 to 7% by weight and most preferably 0.5 to 6% by weight of the amphoteric surfactant. The amphoteric surfactant comprises at least an alkyl amidopropyl betaine.

Preferably the alkyl amido propyl betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine. The amphoteric surfactant may further comprise one more amphoteric surfactant selected from alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl sulpho-betaines. Examples of suitable amphoteric surfactant include lauryl amine oxide, decyl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, lauryl/myristyl amido amine oxide, octyl amine oxide, decyl amine oxide, cocamidopropyl amine oxide, lauramido propyl dimethyl N oxide, cocodimethyl sulphopropyl betaine, lauryl betaine, sodium cocamphopropionate, lauryl dimethylamine oxide, coco amido propyl dimethyl amine oxide, , coco amido propyl amine oxide (CAPAO), cocodiethanol amide (CDEA) and cocomonoethanol amide (CMEA).

The amphoteric surfactant may comprise cocamidopropyl betaine and amine oxide.

The composition comprises a combination of the non-ionic surfactant and amphoteric surfactant in a ratio 3:1 to 1 :3 by weight. Preferably the non-ionic surfactant and the amphoteric surfactant is present in a ratio 2.5:1 to 1 :2.5, more preferably 2:1 to 1 :2 and most preferably 1 :1 by weight.

In a scenario, the composition may be formulated with the non-ionic surfactant and the amphoteric surfactant in a ratio 1:3, more preferably 1: 2.5 and most preferably 1:2 by weight.

It is observed that combination of the non-ionic surfactant and amphoteric surfactant provides efficient cleaning, however, may not be sufficient to generate copious amounts of foam or provides the desired visual cue in use.

Copolymer The composition comprises a copolymer. The copolymer comprises three or more monomers. The copolymer comprises a cationic monomer selected form 2-(acryloyloxy) ethyl trimethylammonium chloride, [2-(acryloylamino) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [2- (acryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium methosulfate, [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride or methosulfate, [3-(acryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [3-(methacryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC). Preferably the cationic monomer is selected from [3- (methacryloylamino)propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) and diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC).

The copolymer comprises an acrylic acid or an acrylamide monomer. The acrylamide monomer may be selected from acrylamide, methacrylamide, N-methylacrylamide, N, N- dimethylacrylamide, N-ethylacrylamide, N-cyclohexylacrylamide, N-benzylacrylamide, N- methylolacrylamide, N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) and N-tert-butylacrylamide. Most preferred acrylamide monomer is N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM). The composition may have an acrylic acid monomer or alkyl substituted acrylic acid monomers, e.g., methacrylic acid.

The copolymer comprises at least one monomer selected from a polysaccharide, polyethylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, 2- acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulphonic acid and/or its salt.

Without bound by the theory, it is believed that the copolymers claimed herein helps in foaming in use.

One of the preferred copolymers is that which comprises a cationic monomer selected from [3- (methacryloylamino)propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) or diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC), N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomer and a monomer selected from polyethylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co- polypropylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol (meth) acrylate. Detail of obtaining such copolymer could be found in WO 2018/095920 A1 or WO 2018/095918 A1.

Another suitable copolymer is that which comprises four monomers, namely, a cationic monomer selected from [3-(methacryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) or diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC), N-iopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomer, acrylic acid and/or methacrylic acid monomer and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulphonic acid or its salt monomer. Such copolymers are commercially available from BASF under the trade name Polyquart® Pro A.

A suitable copolymer is that which comprises monomers, namely, a cationic monomer being acrylamido-propyl-methyl-ammonium chloride, an acrylic acid monomer, and a polysaccharide monomer. Preferably the polysaccharide monomer is derived from corn starch. Such copolymers are commercially available from BASF under the trade name Polyquart® Ecoclean Max A.

The copolymer may present in the composition in an amount at least 0.005% by weight, more preferably at least 0.01% by weight and most preferably at least 0.1 %by weight. Preferably the copolymer is present in the composition not more than 5% by weight, more preferably not more than 2% by weight, even more preferably not more than 1.0% and most preferably not more than 0.8% by weight.

The copolymer may be present in the composition in an amount from 0.005 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 3% by weight, even more preferably 0.01 to 2% by weight and most preferably 0.01 to 1% by weight of the composition.

Sequestrant

The composition may further comprise a sequestrant. Preferably the composition comprises 0.05 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.1 to 5 % by weight and most preferably 0.2 to 5% by weight, of the sequestrant.

Suitable sequestrants are those based on organophosphonates, aminopolycarboxylates and carboxylic acids. It will be understood that suitable sequestrants include both the acid form and salts thereof. Examples of sequestrants based on organophosphonates include diethylenetriamine penta-(methylene phosphonic acid) (DTPMP), hydroxy ethylidene di- phosphonic acid (HEDP), and nitrilotrimethylene phosphonic acid (NTMP). Examples of sequestrants based on aminopolycarboxylates include ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA), and L-Glutamic acid N, N di-acetic acid (GLDA).

Examples of sequestrants based on carboxylic acids include gluconic acid and itaconic acid. Preferably the sequestrant is biodegradable. Preferred biodegradable sequestrants are nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylene di-amine di-succinic acid, (EDDS), imino di-succinic acid, (IDS), methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA), L-Glutamic acid N,N di-acetic acid (GLDA), 2- hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA), ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-malonic acid (EDDM), ethylenediamine-N,N'-di-glutaric acid (EDDG), 3-hydroxy-2,2-iminodisuccinic acid (HIDS), and 2,6-pyridine dicarboxylic acid (PDA), gluconic acid and itaconic acid. Most preferred sequestrant are methyl glycine di-acetic acid (MGDA) and L-Glutamic acid N, N di-acetic acid (GLDA) and combinations thereof.

The composition may comprise a quaternary ammonium compound. Examples of quaternary ammonium compounds include alkyl ammonium halides such as cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, alkyl aryl ammonium halides such as octadecyl dimethyl ammonium bromide, N-alkyl pyridinium halides such as N-cetyl pyridinium bromide, and the like. One suitable type of quaternary ammonium compound includes, for example, those in which the molecules contain amine, ether or ester linkages such as octyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, N-(lauryl coco amino formyl methyl)-pyridinium chloride, and the like. Another effective type of quaternary ammonium compound includes, for example, those in which the hydrophobic radical is characterized by a substituted aromatic nucleus as the case of lauryl oxy-phenyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl amino phenyl trimethyl ammonium methosulphate, dodecyl phenyl trimethyl ammonium methosulphate, dodecyl benzyl trimethylammonium chloride, chlorinated dodecyl benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, and the like. Preferably, the quaternary ammonium compound utilized in the practice of the present technology exhibit biocidal activity or are biocidal in nature.

Examples of suitable quaternary ammonium compounds suitable for the present invention include di-decyl dimethylammonium chloride, dioctyl dimethylammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium saccharinate, octyl decyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, methyl dodecyl benzyl ammonium chloride, methyl dodecyl xylene-bis-trimethyl ammonium chloride, methyl benzethonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium chloride, cetrimonium bromide. Polymeric quaternary ammonium salts based on these monomeric structures may also be considered for the present invention. The quaternary ammonium compound may be selected from cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC), benzalkonium chloride (BKC), benzethonium chloride, benzethonium chloride (BZC) and combinations thereof. Preferably the composition comprises not more than one quaternary ammonium compound.

The quaternary ammonium compound may present in an amount from 0 to 5% by weight, more preferably 0.01 to 4% by weight, even more preferably 0.05 to 3% and most preferably 0.1 to 2% by weight of the composition.

It may be possible to formulate the composition as a floor cleaning or window cleaning composition. In such case, the composition may be free of or containing nominal amount of the quaternary ammonium compound. Without wishing to bound by the theory it is believed that quaternary ammonium compounds tend to leave streaks after a cleaning process. The term ‘nominal’ or ‘free of’ herein refers as the amount of the quaternary ammonium compound in the composition is preferably not more than 0.5% by weight, more preferably not more than 0.2%, and most preferably not more than 0.1% by weight of. The quaternary ammonium compound may not be added in the composition, however, may be present as impurity in the raw materials. Most preferred way, the composition does not contain the quaternary ammonium compound in said scenario.

£H

The composition has a pH in the range 5.0 to 9.0 at 20° C. More preferably the composition has a pH in the range 5.5 to 8.5, even more preferably 5.5 to 8.0 and most preferably in the range 6.0 to 8.0 at 20° C.

Water

The composition is an aqueous composition. The term ‘aqueous’ herein refers to water, and the composition contain significant amount of water. More particularly water acts as balance in the composition.

Water may present in the composition at an amount from 60 to 99% by weight, more preferably 60 to 95% by weight and most preferably 60 to 90% by weight of the composition. Preferably the composition when formulated as concentrate, may contain 60 to 80% by weight, more preferably 65 to 80% by weight and most preferably 70 to 80% by weight of water. The composition according to the present invention may include additional ingredients to improve or enhance the in-use performance. Such ingredients include colour, fragrance, soil suspending agents, detersive enzymes, performance boosting polymers, compatible bleaching agents, freeze-thaw stabilisers, bactericides, preservatives, hydrotrope, and perfumes.

The composition may be free of an anionic surfactant. Example of the anionic surfactant includes alkyl sulphate, linear alkyl benzene sulphonate, and alkyl ether sulphate. The term ‘free of’ in this context means, the composition preferably contains no more than 0.5% by weight, more preferably no more than 0.2%, and most preferably no more than 0.1% by weight of the anionic surfactant. In a most preferred way, the composition does not contain the anionic surfactant.

Application

The composition is a liquid composition for cleaning hard surfaces. The composition may be formulated as a concentrate, which may be used after diluting in water and applied thereon on the desired surfaces for cleaning purposes.

There is provided a liquid cleaning product obtained by diluting the composition in water, wherein the ratio of the composition to water is in the ratio is in the range1 :10 to 1 :100 by weight. Preferably the ratio of the composition to water is in the range 1 :10 to 1 : 80, more preferably 1 :10 to 1 : 60 and most preferably 1:10 to 1:50 by weight. The liquid product may be stored in a secondary container and used later. Preferably the liquid product further diluted in water providing a cleaning liquor that is used for cleaning a surface.

There is provided a method for cleaning a surface comprising the steps of providing a cleaning liquor by diluting the composition, applying the cleaning liquor on to the surface, and optionally rinsing the surface with water. Preferably the ratio of the composition to water to provide the cleaning liquor is in range 1:30 to 1:1000 by weight. Preferably the ratio of the composition to water is in the range 1 :50 to 1:800, more preferably 1:80 to 1 :700 and most preferably 1 :100 to 1 :600. Preferably the cleaning liquor is in contact with the surface for at least 10 seconds. More preferably the cleaning liquor is in contact with the surface for 10 seconds to 10 minutes, more preferably 30 seconds to 7 minutes and most preferably 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

Preferably the composition generates copious foam while in use, thereby providing a visual cue of cleaning to consumers. Preferably the surface is rinsed with water to after the application. The composition may be applied on an inanimate surface, such as, table-top, floor, cupboard, tiles and kitchen top. Preferably consumers dose an aliquot of the composition in a tub or bucket of water and used for cleaning surfaces. The applied composition may be cleaned using a cleaning implement such as a scrub, sponge, paper, cloth, mop or wipes with or without water, or rinsed off with water, optionally running water.

The composition may be used on animated surface like, human skin for cleaning or disinfecting purpose, e.g., handwashing, use handwashing. For example, it may be used as bath water, as water used for shaving, for sanitizing hands at homes, hospitals and in medical clinics, among a host of other personal sanitizing applications. The invention will now be illustrated with the help of the following non-limiting examples.

Examples

Ex -1 and Ex- A to C were prepared according to recipe provided in table 1.

Table 1

*A copolymer of corn starch, acrylic Acid and acrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride monomers, Polyquart® Ecoclean Max A, BASF.

^#for adjusting pH of formulations.

Ex-1 is a composition within the scope of the invention, whereas Ex- A to C are comparative examples. Each formulation was tested for cleaning efficacy on greasy soils and foam generation in use. Cylinder shake method was employed to measure the foam generated by the formulations in use. Precisely, each formulation was diluted in water at a concentration 20 gm/litre. Later 50 millilitre of the dilution was taken in a 250-millilitre measuring cylinder and shaken for 10 times. The cylinder was placed on a horizontal table for 10 seconds and the volume of foam above the liquid was measured.

From the above table, it is evident that Ex- 1 provides significantly high foam volume compared comparatives, particularly compared to Ex-C which does not contain the copolymer.

Claims

Claims:

1. A liquid hard surface cleaning composition comprising: a) 0.1 to 10% by weight of a non-ionic surfactant; b) 0.1 to 10% by weight of an amphoteric surfactant comprising at least an alkyl amidopropyl betaine; c) 0.005 to 5% by weight of a copolymer comprising three or more monomers selected from: i) a cationic monomer selected from 2-(acryloyloxy) ethyl trimethylammonium chloride, [2-(acryloylamino) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [2- (acryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium methosulfate, [2-(methacryloyloxy) ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride or methosulfate, [3-(acryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride, [3-(methacryloylamino) propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), acrylamido-propyl-methyl- ammonium chloride, diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC); ii) an acrylamide or acrylic acid monomer; iii) at least one monomer selected from a polysaccharide, polyethylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate, 2- acrylamido-2-methylpropane-sulphonic acid and/or its salt, d) 60 to 99% by weight of water, wherein the pH of the composition is in the range 5.0 to 9.0 at 20°C, wherein the ratio of the non-ionic surfactant to the amphoteric surfactant is in the range 3:1 to 1 :3 by weight.

2. A composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the non-ionic surfactant is selected from alcohol ethoxylate, alkyl polyglycoside, and combinations thereof.

3. A composition as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the amphoteric surfactant is an alkyl amidopropyl betaine.

4. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the alkyl amidopropyl betaine is cocamidopropyl betaine.

5. A composition as claimed in claim 4 wherein the composition comprises alcohol ethoxylate and cocoamidopropyl betaine.

6. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 comprising 0.005 to 1.0% by weight of the copolymer.

7. A composition as claimed in claim 6 comprising 0.01 to 0.8 % by weight of the copolymer.

8. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cationic monomer is selected from [3-(methacryloylamino)propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), acrylamido-propyl-methyl-ammonium chloride and diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC).

9. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the copolymer comprises: i) a cationic monomer selected from [3-(methacryloylamino)propyl] trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) or diallyl dimethylammonium chloride (DADMAC); ii) N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) monomer; and iii) a monomer selected from polyethylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol vinyloxybutyl ether, polyethylene glycol-co-polypropylene glycol (meth)acrylate and combinations thereof.

10. A composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the copolymer comprises: i) a cationic monomer being acrylamido-propyl-methyl-ammonium chloride; ii) acrylic acid monomer; iii) a polysaccharide monomer.

11. A composition as claimed in claim 10 wherein the polysaccharide is corn starch.

12. A composition as claimed in claim any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the pH of the composition is in the range 5.5 to 8.0 at 20°C.

13. A liquid cleaning product obtained by diluting a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 in water, wherein the ratio of the composition to water is in the range 1: 10 to 1 : 100 by weight.

14. A method for cleaning a hard surface comprising steps of: a) providing a cleaning liquor by diluting a composition as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12; b) applying the cleaning liquor on to the surface; c) leaving the composition on the surface for at least 10 seconds; and d) optionally rinsing the surface with water.