AU2004200098A1 - Acidic hard surface cleaning and disinfecting compositions - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 RECKITT BENCKISER INC.

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: Acidic hard surface cleaning and disinfecting compositions The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to us:- ACIDIC HARD SURFACE CLEANING AND DISINFECTING COMPOSITIONS The invention relates to acidic hard surface cleaning and disinfecting compositions providing a protective layer for water and stain repellency.

Cleaning compositions are commercially important products and enjoy a wide field of utility in assisting in the removal of dirt and grime from surfaces, especially those characterized as useful with "hard surfaces". Hard surfaces are those which are frequently encountered in lavatories such as toilets, shower stalls, bathtubs, bidets, sinks, etc., as well as countertops, walls, floors, etc. In such lavatory environment, various forms of undesirable residues are known to form, particularly "soap scum stains". Soap scum stains are residues of fatty acid soaps such as those are based on alkali salts of low fatty acids, which precipitate in hard water due to the presence of metal salts therein, leaving an undesirable residue upon such surfaces.

The prior art has suggested many compositions which are directed to the cleaning of such hard water and soap scum stains. ("Soap scum" is sometimes referred to as "limescale" in Europe.) Many of these are acidic, aqueous compositions which include one or more detersive surfactants. A limited number of these compositions, in addition to a detersive benefit, also provide a germicidal or sanitizing effect to te hard sufaces bding treated. Many of these prior art compositions also suffer from the shortcoming in that they do not provide any significant long gg or stsatizing benefitto the treated hard surfaces as they are easily rinsed away with water, and thus are not retained on the treated hard surface. It would be desirable to provide a hard surface cleaning and/or disinfecting composition which is effective in the removal of hard water stains and/or soap scum stains from hard surfaces, which also provides a long term cleaning or sanitizing benefit. While such a formulation would be desirable to the art, such is not easy to produce. While it is known that polymers and film forming materials can be utilized to give a hard surface a protective layer, acrylates, urethanes and silaes,) such materials are usually not compatible with chelating agents, quaternary ammonium salts, or in non-neutral pH conditions acidic) that are known to be advantageous for cleaning and disinfecting of hard surfaces.

Accordingly there is a real and continuing need in the art for improved hard surface treatment compositions which provide a cleaning or disinfecting benefit, (preferably both) and which form a film on the treated surface to provide a residual protective benefit, as well as processes for using the compositions on such hard surfaces.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an aqueous, acidic hard surface cleaning composition which provides a cleaning benefit and/or disinfecting benefit to a hard surface, said composition consisting of: a film-forming, organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound; at least one amine oxide surfactant; at least one nonionic surfactant; at least one glycol ether solvent; optionally, at least one amphoteric surfactant; water; and optionally, at least one additive selected from pH adjusting agents, pH buffers, perfumes and perfume carriers, optical brighteners, colouring agents, opacifying agents, anti-foaming agents, thickeners, antispotting agents, anti-oxidants and anti-corrosion agents wherein the aqueous composition is at an acidic pH, and wherein the aqueous composition is characterized as forming a film or surface coating which provides the benefit of water or stain repellency to a hard surface treated therewith. The composition also may provide the benefit of residual disinfection to the treated hard surface, but preferably provides both benefits.

Throughout this specification the word "comprise", or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps, but not the exclusion of any other element, integer or step, or group of elements, integers or steps.

The aqueous compositions are at an acidic pH, preferably at a pH of 4 or less, preferably at a pH of 3 or less, even more preferably at a pH of 2 or less.

The compositions described above may include one or more further optional constituents. Preferred compositions according to the invention are largely aqueous, comprising at least 80%wt. water, and are readily pourable and pumpable. The preferred compositions all exhibit good storage stability.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a process for cleaning or sanitization of hard surfaces, which process comprises the step of providing the composition as outlined above, and applying an effective amount to a hard surface requiring such treatment.

The compositions of the present invention provide excellent cleaning efficacy on hard water stains or soap scum on hard surfaces, as well as providing water repellency, and soap scum and hard water stain removal benefits. At the same time, the preferred compositions of the present invention also provide disinfecting efficacy to hard surfaces, while imparting a film or surface coating to the hard surface, which acts as a barrier to repel water and facilitate the reduction or prevention of further hard water stains or soap scum on said hard surfaces.

The acidic, aqueous compositions according to the invention comprise (a) a film-forming, organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound. Such compounds desirably also exhibit antimicrobial activity, especially on hard surfaces.

Specific examples of organosilicone quaternary ammonium salts that may be used in the compositions of this invention include organosilicone derivatives of the following ammonium salts: di-isobutylcresoxyethoxyethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, di-isobutylphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, myristyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, myristyl picolinium chloride, N-ethyl morpholinium chloride, laurylisoquinolinium bromide, alkyl imidazolinium chloride, benzalkonium chloride, cetyl pyridinium chloride, coconut dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, stearyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl diethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium bromide, di-isobutyl phenoxyethoxyethyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, diisobutylphenoxyethoxyethyl dimethyl alkyl ammonium chloride, methyldodecylbenzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, octadecyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide, cetyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide, octadec-9-enyl dimethyl ethyl ammonium bromide, dioctyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, octadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium iodide, octyl trimethyl ammonium fluoride, and mixtures thereof. Other water dispersible salts, such as the acetates, sulfates, nitrates and phosphates, are effective in place of the halides, but the chlorides and bromides are preferred. The silicone group is preferably substituted with alky ethers.

Preferred alkyl ethers are short carbon chain ethers such as methoxy and ethoxy substituents.

-3- Examples of particularly preferred film-forming, organosilicone quaternary ammonium compounds which find use in the present inventive compositions include those which may be represented by the following structural representation:

(CH

3 0)aSi-R'-N-R R wherein: RI and R 2 each independently represents short chain alkyl or alkenyl groups, preferably Cj alkyl or alkenyl groups; R3 represents a Cii-C& alkyl group; and X represents a salt forming counterion, especially a halogen.

Preferred short chain alkyi substituents for R, are methyl and ethyl Preferred short chain alkyl substituents for R 2 are straight chain links of methylene groups consisting of frol 1 to 4 members. Preferred R3 substituents are straight chain links of methylene groups consisting of from 1 to 22 members, and preferred halogens for X are chloride and bromide. More preferably, both Ri and

R

2 are methyl..'..

A particularly preferred and commercially available film-forming, organosilicone quatemay ammonium compoud useful in the inventive compositions is AEM~5772 or AEM® 5700 (from Aegis Environmental Co., Midland, MI). Both of these materials are described as being 3- (trimethoxysilyl)propyloc ecyldethyla onium chloride, AEM® 5700 and is sold as a 42% by eight active solution of the compound in a water/methanol mixture, while AEM®5772 is sold as a 72% by weight active solution of the compounmd in a water/methanol mixture.

The film-forming, organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound are desirably present in tihe inventive compositions in amounts of from 0.01 to by weight, preferably firom .05 to 0.9%wt.andmost preferably from 0.1 to 0.7% by weight, based on the total weight of the cmposition of which it forms a part.

The compositions of the invention also contain at least one amine oxide surfactant compound: Amine oxide compounds which are useful in the compositions of the invention are known to the art. One general class of useful amine oxides include alkyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 10-20, and preferably 12-16 carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. The lower alkyl groups include between 1 and 7 carbon atoms.

Examples include lauryl dimethyl amine oxide, myristyl dimethyl amine oxide, dimethyl cocoamine oxide, dimethyl (hydrogenated tallow) amine oxide, and myristyl/palmityl dimethyl amine oxide. Further amine oxides include alkyl di(hydroxy lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 10-20, and preferably 12-16 carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated. Examples are bis(2-hydroxyethyl) cocoamine oxide, bis(2-hydroxyethyl) tallow amine oxide, and bis(2-hydroxyethyl) stearylamine oxide. Yet further useful amine oxides include alkylamidopropy! di(lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 10-20, and preferably 12-16 carbon atoms, and can be straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated.

Examples are cocoamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide and tallowamidopropyl dimethyl amine oxide.

Suitable amine oxides, including many of those recited above, include those which are presently commercially available and include those under the trade name Ammonyx® (Stepan Co., Chicago IL), as well as Barlox® (Lonza Inc., Fairlawn NJ) With respect to the amine oxides, preferred are the alkyl di(lower alkyl) amine oxides in which the alkyl group has about 8-16 carbon atoms. Exemplary and preferred amine oxide compounds include N-alkyldimethylamine oxides, particularly octyldimethylamine oxides as well as lauryldimethylamine oxide.

The amine oxide constituent forms from 0.05 to 5%wt. of the inventive compositions, preferably comprise from 0.1 to 2.5%wt., more desirably form from 0.5 to 2.0%wt. of the inventive compositions.

The compositions of the present invention further include a nonionic surfactant. Suitable nonionic surfactants include, inter alia, condensation products of alkylene oxide groups with an organic hydrophobic compound, such as an aliphatic compound or with an alkyl aromatic compound. One example of such a nonionic surfactant is the condensation product of one mole of an alkylphenol having an alkyl group containing from 6 to 12 carbon atoms with from about 5 to moles of an alkylene oxide. Another example of such a nonionic surfactant is the condensation product of one mole of an aliphatic alcohol which may be a primary, secondary or tertiary alcohol having from 6 to 18 carbon atoms with from 1 to about 10 moles of alkylene oxide. Preferred alkylene oxides are ethylene oxides or propylene oxides or mixtures thereof.

Preferred nomnionic surfactants include primary and secondary linear and branched alcohol ethoxylates based on Co-C 16 alcohols and having from 3 to moles of ethoxylation per mole of alcohol. Particularly preferred nonionic surfactants are Ci I linear primary alcohol ethoxylates averaging about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. These surfactants are available, for example, under the commercial name ofNeodol 1-9, (from Shell Chemical Company, Houston, TX) or in the Genapol® series of linear alcohol ethoxylates, particularly Genapol® 26-L-60 or Genapol® 26-L-80 (from Clariant Corp., Charlotte, NC).

It is to be understood that nonionic surfactants other than those described above may also be used. For example, these include: secondary C 1 2 to C 1 5 alcohol ethoxylates, including those which have from about 3 to about 10 moles of ethoxylation which are available in the Tergitol® series of nonionic surfactants (Union Carbide Corp., Danbury, CT), particularly those in the Tergitol® series. Further exemplary nonionic surfactants include linear primary C I to C 1 alcohol ethoxylates, including those which have from about 3 to about 10 moles of ethoxylation. Such are available in the Neodol® series of nonionic surfactants (Shell Chemical Co.) The nonioic surfactants comprise 0.05 to 1.5% by weight of the compositions, preferably from 0.1 to 1.0% by weight, and most preferably from 0.15 to 0.5% by weight.

The compositions of the invention also comprise an organic solvent constituent. Preferred solvents include water miscible alcohols, amines, amides, esters and ethers. Mixtures of one or more of these organic solvents can also be used.

Preferred as solvents in this invention are the glycol ethers having the general structure Ra-O-Rb-OH, wherein Ra is an alkoxy of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, -6or aryloxy of at least 6 carbon atoms, and Rb is an ether condensate of propylene glycol and/or ethylene glycol having from 1 to 10 glycol monomer units. These materials include those available in the DOWANOL M glycol ether series (ex.

Dow Chemical or the CARBITOL® series (ex. Union Carbide Corp.). More preferably employed as the organic solvent constituent is one or more solvents of the group consisting of: propylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol npropyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether, and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the solvent is a diethylene glycol n-butyl ether which is commercially available as DOWANOL DB. In certain preferred embodiments the organic solvent constituent consists solely of diethylene glycol n-butyl ether.

The compositions of the invention contain from 0.1 to 10% by weight of the organic solvent constituent, preferably from 11 to 8% by weight, more preferably from 2 to 7% by weight.

Optionally, but in certain cases desirably, the inventive compositions include at least one amphoteric surfactant. By way of example, these include the salts of higher alkyl beta-amino propionic acids, sodium N-lauryl betaalanine; the higher alkyl substituted betaines, such as lauryl dimethylammonium acetic acid; as well as amphoteric surfactants of the the imidazoline type exemplified by the disodium salt of 1 -(2-hydroxyethyl)-1-(carboxymethyl)-2hydroxide. An exemplary an preferred amphoteric surfactant is lauramidopropionic acid, which is commerically available in the DERIPHAT series (ex Henkel) or MACKAM series (ex Mcintyre Group Inc.) of amphoteric surfactants. When present, they may comprise up to 5%wt. of the inventive compositions.

The compositions are largely aqueous in nature, and comprise as a further necessary constituent water. Water is added to order to provide to 100% by weight of the compositions of the invention, and comprises at least 80% of the compositions, preferably at least 85% of the compositions. The water is preferably deionized water.

As discussed previously, the inventive compositions may comprise one or more conventional optional additives. Of course, these must be compatible with the other constituents present in the compositions. By way of non-limiting .7example, these include: pH adjusting agents and pH buffers including organic and inorganic salts; non-aqueous solvents, perfumes and perfume carriers; optical brighteners; coloring agents such as dyes and pigments; opacifying agents; hydrotropes; antifoaming agents; viscosity modifying agents such as thickeners; enzymes; anti-spotting agents; anti-oxidants; and anti-corrosion agents. These ingredients may be present in any combination and in any suitable amount that is sufficient for imparting the desired properties to the compositions. These one or more conventional optional additives, when present, should be present in minor amounts, preferably in total comprising less than about 5% by weight of the compositions, and desirably less than about 3%wt.

It is to be understood that, in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, the inventive compositions are essentially free of conventional chelating agents, such as nitrogen containing organic compounds, for example, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, and the like.

The compositions of the invention show improved efficacy at low pH values. Therefore it is desirable that the compositions of the invention have pH values that are acidic. The pH value of the aqueous composition is 4 or less, desirably is 3 or less, more desirably in the range of from 0.1 to 2, and particularly from 0.5 1.2. Such acidic pH values may be achieved by the use of one or more pH-adjusting constituents. Such acidic pH-adjusting constituents include for example, one or more organic acids glycolic acid, sulfamic acid, citric acid or salts thereof). Preferably, the pH-adjusting constituents are chosen from glycolic acid, citric acid and mixtures of these two acids. The acidic pH-adjusting constituent is desirably present in the compositions of the invention from about 1 to 20% by weight, based on the weight of the composition as a whole, preferably from 3 to 15% by weight, most preferably from 6 to 12% by weight.

For any particular composition, such optional ingredients should be compatible with the other ingredients present..

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention there is provides an aqueous, acidic hard surface cleaning composition which provides a cleaning benefit or disinfecting benefit (preferably both benefits) to a hard surface which comprises, but preferably consists essentially of, the following constituents: a) 0.01 to 1.0%wt. of a film-forming, organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound; b) 0.05 to 5%wt. of at least one amine oxide surfactant; c) 0.05 to 1.5%wt. of at least one nonionic surfactant; d) 0.1 to 10%wt. of at least one organic solvent; e) 0 5%wt. of at least one amphoteric surfactant, preferably a salt of a higher alkyl beta-amino propionic acid; f) 80-100%wt. water; and, g) 0 5%wt. of one or more optional constituents; wherein the aqueous compositions are at an acidic pH, preferably are at a pH of 4 or less, more preferably a pH of 3 or less, and wherein the aqueous compositions may be characterized as forming a film or surface coating which provides the benefit of water or stain repellency to the treated hard surface, or provides the benefit of residual disinfection to the treated hard surface, but preferably provides both benefits.

The aqueous compositions according to the invention are desirably provided as a ready to use product which may be directly applied to a hard surface. Hard surfaces which are to be particularly denoted are lavatory fixtures and lavatory appliances (toilets, bidets, shower stalls, bathtubs and bathing appliances), wall and flooring surfaces especially those which include refractory materials and the like. Further hard surfaces which are particularly denoted are those associated with kitchen environments and other environments associated with food preparation.

The aqueous compositions according to the invention are particularly useful in the treatment of hard surfaces wherein soap scum is prone to occur, particularly hard surfaces associated with lavatories, including lavatory fixtures and appliances.

The compositions according to the invention can be desirably provided as ready to use products in manually operated spray dispensing containers, or may be supplied as aerosol type products discharged from a pressurized aerosol container. Known art propellants such as liquid propellants based on chloroflurocarbons or propellants of the non-liquid form, pressurized gases, including carbon dioxide, air, nitrogen, as well as others, may be used.

-9- Whereas the compositions of the present invention are intended to be used in the types of liquid forms described above, nothing in this specification shall be understood as to limit the use of said compositions with a further amount of water to form a cleaning solution.

The following examples below illustrate exemplary and preferred formulations of the concentrate composition according to the instant invention. It is to be understood that these examples are presented by means of illustration only and that further useful formulations fall within the scope of this invention and the claims may be readily produced by one skilled in the art without deviating from the scope and spirit of the invention.

Throughout this specification and in the accompanying claims, weight percents of any constituent are to be understood as the weight percent of the active portion of the referenced constituent, unless otherwise indicated.

,Examples The following examples illustrate the formulation and performance of various compositions of the invention.

Exemplary formulations illustrating certain preferred embodiments of the inventive compositions and described in more detail in Table 1 below were formulated generally in accordance with the following protocol. The weight percentages indicated the "as supplied" weights of the named constituent.

Into a suitably sized vessel, a measured amount of water was provided after which the constituents were added in no specific or uniform sequence, thus indicating that the order of addition of the constituents was not critical. All of the constituents were supplied at room temperature, and any remaining amount of water was added thereafter. Certain of the nonionic surfactantsif gels at room temperature were first preheated to render them pourable liquids prior to addition and mixing. Mixing of the constituents was achieved by the use of a mechanical stirrer with a small diameter propeller at the end of its rotating shaft. Mixing, which generally lasted from 5 -120 continued until the formulation appeared to be homogeneous. The exemplary compositions were readily pourable, and retained well mixed characteristics stable mixtures) upon standing for extended periods. The compositions of the example formulations are listed on Table 1.

T beIEx.I Ex 2 EX.3. Ex.4 Ex.5 Ex.6 Ex.7 Ex.8 AEM 5700 .0.36 0.36 0.36 0.48 0.36 0.24 1 0.24 0.60 Mackamine C-8 1.76 1.76 1.76 1.76 1.61.76, 1.76 Neodol 1-9 (100%) 0.0 0.60 0.60 0.60, 0.60 .0.60 _0.60 0.60 Dowanol DB (100%) 3.001 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 3.00 EDTA Acid:(.00%) sulfamic acid 0.35 4.65 4.65 4.65 4.65 4.65 glycolic acid 3.7 5.60 .5.60 5.60. 5.60 5.60 .'5.60 5.60 citric acid, anhydrous 2.50: fragrance DI water t 1 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 to 100 too 100 to 100 H of formulation: 2.26 2.00 0.77 1 0.63, 0.72 :0.69 1 0.87 0.81, The identity of the constituents of Table 1 above are described in more detail on Table 2, below, including the "actives" percentage of each.

TABLE 2 Ingredient weight active) AEM 5700 organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound from Aegis Chemical Co.

Mackamine C-8 octyl amine oxide surfactant surfactant from Mcintyre Group LTD Neodol 1-9 (100%) nonionic alcohol ethoxylate surfactant from Shell _Neool iChemical Dowanol DB (100%) diethylene glycol n-butyl ether from Eastman Chemical Co.

EDTA Acid (100%) ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid sulfamic acid sulfamic acid from American International Chemical Co..

Glycolic acid glycolic acid from Dupont Chemical Co.

Citric acid, anhydrous (100%) anhydrous citric acid fragrance proprietary composition DI water deionized water The formulations described on Table 1 were subjected to one or more of the following evaluations.

Cleaning Efficacy The cleaning efficacy of each tested formulations were evaluated in order to determine their efficacy in removing stains, particularly in their efficacy in the removal of hard water stains, and removal of soap scum.

Hard Water Stain Cleaning Test For the performance of this test the following materials were utilized.

As substrate samples: standard square glazed black ceramic tile, measuring 10.8 cm by 10.8 cm. As cleaning medium, a standard cellulose sponge.

If the sponge were supplied with a surfactant or other entrained material, such were first removed by washing with warm water, either by hand or by machine, followed by complete drying of the sponge.

A standardized "hard water" soil was produced in the following manner: A first solution, "Solution A" was prepared as detailed below: Constituent Weight Deionized water 93.0% Sodium Bicarbonate Sodium metasilicate anhydrous TOTAL 100.0% -12- First, the water was weighed into a suitably sized beaker equipped with a magnetic stir bar. While stirring, the sodium bicarbonate and sodium metasilicate were then added. The contents were allowed to stir until they were clear in appearance, which required generally from V2 to 1 hour.

A second solution, "Solution B" was also prepared as detailed below: Constituent Weiaht Deionized water 73.0% Calcium chloride anhydrous Magnesium chloride .6H 2 0 Ethanol 95% 24.0% TOTAL 100.0% The water was first weighed into a suitably sized beaker equipped with a magnetic stir bar. While stirring, the ethanol, calcium chloride and magnesium chloride were added. The contents were allowed to stir until they were clear in appearance, which required generally from V 2 to 1 hour.

The substrates (tiles) were prepared in the following manner: each tile was thoroughly washed (using a commercially available hand dishwashing detergent, Dove®) and scrubbed using a non-metallic scouring pad (such as a Chore Boy® Long Last scrubbing sponge). The washed tiles were then permitted to dry in an oven at 40.5°C overnight, then withdrawn and allowed to cool to room temperature (approx. 20 0 C) before being provided with the standardized "hard water" test soil. It is to be noted that for each test, new tiles were utilized, namely, the tiles were not reused.

Each of the prepared tiles were provided with the standardized "hard water" test soil in accordance with on of the following application protocols: For a simulated "light" stain, 1.8g of solution B and 2.6g of solution A were premixed in a clean beaker and while mixing; 4.4g of this mixture was pipetted and deposited onto the glazed surface of a tile. Subsequently a #8-side of a film applicator T. Co., Model #14) was drawn across the tile to form the deposited solution into a smooth uniform film. Any excess solution was removed at the end of the film-forming stroke.

Cleaning Evaluation To evaluate cleaning, a treated test tile was placed in a Gardner Apparatus and secured. A dry 10 cm by 7.6 cm sponge was first moistened with 100 g of tap -13water, and the excess wrung out from the sponge. The sponge was then fitted into a suitably sized holder in the Gardner Apparatus. A 4-5 gram aliquot of a test formulation was then deposited directly onto the soiled surface of a tile, and allowed to contact the tile for 15 seconds. Thereafter, the Gardner Apparatus was cycled for from 3 6 strokes. The tile was then rinsed with tap water, and dried with compressed air from an airbrush compressor. This test was repeated several times for each formulation, using new treated test tile for each evaluation.

The tested tiles were evaluated by either reflective means, using a degree angle reflectometer, (BYK-Gardner Co.) to measure the reflectance of the reference and treated tiles, or by objective means wherein a group of persons evaluated a set of tiles and provided an evaluation of the visual appearance of the tested tiles According to the reflective means, the percentage of hard water soil removal was determined utilizing the following equation: Removal RC RS x 100 RO RS where RC Reflectance of tile after cleaning with test product RO Reflectance of original soiled tile RS Reflectance of soiled tile For each tile, a number of readings were taken and the results averaged to provide a median reading for each tile.

According to the objective means, the soil removal was visually examined by a minimum of 20 independent judges, who evaluated each of a set of tested tiles. A clean substrate and soiled but untreated substrate are used as references.

Soil removal was rated as follows: -14 WO 00/09643 PCT/GB99/02611 Rating: Description of rating: 0 1 no soil removed, or minimal soil removed j approximately 10% soil removed 1 approximately 20% soil removed approximately 30% soil removed approximately 40% soil removed approximately 50% soil removed approximately 60% soil removed approximately 70% soil removed approximately 80% soil removed approximately 90% soil removed 100 1 all soil removed The tested tiles were evaluated, and the results are indicated on the Table, 0 below.

Soap Scum (Limescale) Cleaning Test For the performance of this test the following materials were utilized. As substrate samples: standard square glazed black ceramic tile, measuring 10.8 cm by 10.8 cm. As cleaning medium, a standard cellulose sponge. If the sponge was supplied with a surfactant or other entrained material, such were first removed by washing with warm water, either by hand or by machine, followed by complete drying of the sponge. As a test shampoo, a simple moderate-cleaning type containing alkyl ethoxysulfates may be used. An exemplary shampoo composition is listed in the CSMA DCC-16 protocol.

This test is described generally as follows: Soil Preparation A "parent" soil is made, based on the following formulation: "Parent" soil %w/w bar soap 3.90 shampoo 0.35 clay 0.06 artificial sebum 0.15 hard water 95.54 The parent soil was produced according to the following steps: First, the bar soap was shaved into a suitable beaker. Afterward the remaining constituents were added in the order given above and stirred with three-blade propeller mixer. Next, the contents of the beaker was heated to 45-50°C and mixed until a smooth, lumpfree suspension was achieved. This usually required about two hours with moderate agitation. Subsequently, the contents of the beaker were filtered through a Buchner funnel fitted with Whatman #1 filter paper or equivalent. The filtrate was then resuspended in clean, deionized water, using the same amount of water used to make the soil, and this was filtered again. The (re-filtered) filtrate was uniformly dried overnight at 45°C to form a filter cake. Thereafter, the filter cake was pulverized and was suitable for immediate use, or may be stored in a sealed container for up to six months.

Substrate preparation:.

The test substrates (tiles) were prepared in the following manner: each tile was thoroughly washed (using a commercially available hand dishwashing detergent, Dove®) and scrubbed using a non-metallic scouring pad (such as a Chore Boy® Long Last scrubbing sponge). The washed tiles were then permitted to dry in an oven at 40.5 0 C overnight, then withdrawn and allowed to cool to room temperature (approx. 20C) before being provided with the standardized "hard water" test soil It is to be noted that for each test, new tiles were utilized, namely, the tiles were not reused.

In preparation for supplying the tiles with an amount of the test soil, a test soil was prepared based on the following formulation: Test soil:. %wlw "parent" soil 4.50 hard water hydrochloric acid IN) 0.77 acetone 85.73 The test soil was produced according to the following steps: The constituents indicated were introduced into a clean beaker, with the acetone being added prior to the water, and the 'parent' soil being added last. The contents of the beaker were mixed using a standard three blade laboratory mixer until the contents formed a uniform mixture, and the color changed from white to gray. This typically required 20-40 minutes, during which time the beaker was covered as much as possible to avoid excessive solvent loss. Next, a suitable quantity of the contents of the test soil from the beaker was provided to an artist's airbrush while the beaker was swirled to ensure a soil uniformity. (If testing required more than -16one day, a fresh amount of test soil was prepared daily and used for that day's testing.) Soil was applied to a number of clean, dry tiles placed into rows and columns in preparation for depositing of the test soil. The airbrush was operated at 40 psi, and the test soil was sprayed to provide a visually uniform amount of soil onto the tiles. (Uniform soil suspension during application was maintained by continuous brush motion and/or swirling of test soil in the airbrush.) In this manner, approximately 0.1 Og-0.15g test soil were applied per tile.

The tiles were then allowed to air dry for approximately 30 minutes, during which time the a laboratory hotplate was preheated to approximately 320 0 C. Each tile was sequentially placed on the hotplate until the test soil began to melt, thereby "aging" the test soil. The melting of the test soil was observed carefully, and each tile was removed shortly before the soil began to coalesce into large droplets. This process was repeated for each tile, allowing the hotplate to recover to 320°C between tiles. Subsequently each tile was permitted to cool for at least about 30 minutes.

Evaluation of the tested tiles was in accordance with the manner described previously.

The test results for cleaning of both limescale and hard water stains, which were determined by the "subjective" method, are as follows: Table 3 Soap Scum hard water (Limescale) stains Ex.1 80- 90 Ex.2 80-90 Ex.3 80-90 Ex.4 80-90 80-90 Ex.6 80 90 Ex.7 80 -90 Ex.8 80-90 These results indicate that the tested formulations provided excellent performance.

17 Surface Protection The surface repellency of treated tiles was evaluated by determining the contact angle of water on treated tile. The contact angle was determined utilizing a Kruss Goniometer, anrid the results were evaluated using a computer program titled "Contact Angle Measurement System G40 v.1.32-US (commercially available from Hewlett Packard On a test substrate, four readings were taken of the contact angles of a droplet of water and the average of these four readings indicated an angle of 75 degrees. This is indicative of the presence of a hydrophobic film on the surface of the treated tile.

Evaluation of Antimicrobial Efficacy: Formulation described in Table 1 above were evaluated in order to evaluate their antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram positive type pathogenic bacteria) (ATCC 6538), Salmonella choleraesuis (Gram negative type pathogenic bacteria) (ATCC 10708), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 15442). The testing was performed in accordance with the protocol of the Association of Official Analytical Chemists; "Germicidal Spray Test".

As is appreciated by the skilled practitioner in the art, the results of the AOAC Germicidal Spray Test indicates the number of test substrates wherein the tested organism remains viable after contact for 10 minutes with a test disinfecting composition/total number of tested substrates (cylinders) evaluated in accordance with the AOAC Germicidal Spray Test. Thus, a result of "0/30" indicates that, of test substrates bearing the test organism and contacted for 10 minutes in a test disinfecting composition, 0 test substrates had viable (live) test organisms at the conclusion of the test. Such a result is excellent, illustrating the excellent disinfecting efficacy of the tested composition.

-18- Results of the antimicrobial testing are indicated on Table 4, below. The reported results indicate the number of test cylinders with live test organisms/number of test cylinders tested for each example formulation and organism tested.

Table 4 Antimicrobial Efficacy Example Formulation Staphylococcus Salmonella Pseudomonas aureus choleraesuis aeruginosa Ex. 2 0/30 0/30 0/30 Ex. 3 0/30 0/30 0/30 As may be seen from the results indicated above, the compositions according to the invention provide excellent cleaning benefits to hard surfaces, including hard surfaces. These advantages are further supplemented by the excellent antimicrobial efficacy of these compositions against known bacteria commonly found in bathroom, kitchen and other environments.

19

Claims (14)

1. An aqueous, acidic hard surface cleaning composition which provides a cleaning benefit and/or a disinfecting benefit to a hard surface, said composition consisting of: a film forming, organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound; at least one amine oxide surfactant; at least one nonionic surfactant; at least one glycol ether solvent; optionally, at least one amphoteric surfactant; water; and optionally, at least one additive selected from pH adjusting agents, pH buffers, perfumes and perfume carrers, optical brighteners, colouring agents, opacifying agents, anti-foaming agents, thickeners, antispotting agents, anti-oxidants and anti-corrosion agents wherein the aqueous composition is at an acidic pH and wherein the aqueous composition is characterized as forming a film or surface coating which provides the benefit of water or stain repellency to a hard surface treated therewith.

2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the total amount of additives does not exceed 5% wt. of the composition.

3. A composition according to claim 1 comprising from 1 to 20% by weight of at least one acidic pH-adjusting agent.

4. A composition according to claim 3 wherein the pH-adjusting agent comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of sulfamic acid, glycolic acid and citric acid.

A composition according to claim 1 wherein the organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound is a compound according to the following formula: 1 (Ci0O)3S- N-R 1 .3 27 3 X" wherein Ri and R2 are Ci-C8 alkyl, R3 is Cll to C 22 alkyl, and X is a halogen.

6. A composition according to claim 5 wherein the amine oxide surfactant is a C 6 C 1 2 amine oxide.

7. A composition according to claim 6 wherein the amine oxide surfactant is a C 8 amine oxide.

8. A composition according to claim 5 wherein the nonionic surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate.

9. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the nonionic surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate.

10. A composition according to claim 1 which comprises up to 5% wt. of an amphoteric surfactant.

11. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the pH is between 0.1 and

12. A composition according to claim 1 consisting of: 0.01 to 1.0% wt. of a film forming, organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound; 0.05 to 5% wt. of at least one amine oxide surfactant; 0.05 to 1.5% wt. of at least one nonionic surfactant; 0.1 to 10% wt. of at least one glycol ether solvent; 0 to 5% wt. of at least one amphoteric surfactant; and sufficient water to attain 100% wt.

13. A composition according to claim 12 wherein: the organosilicone quaternary ammonium compound is 3-(trimethoxysilyl)- propyloctadecyldimethyl ammonium chloride; the amine oxide surfactant is N-octyl-dimethylamine oxide; the nonionic surfactant is a C I linear primary alcohol ethoxylate; and the solvent is diethylene glycol n-butyl ether.

14. An aqueous acidic hard surface cleaning composition substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Examples, excluding comparative examples. Dated this 'th day of January 2004 Reckitt Benckiser Inc. Patent Attorneys for the Applicant: FB RICE CO m:\speci\1 00000\1 04-105\104177soajcb.doc