BR112019005791B1 - CLEANING COMPOSITION FOR DISINFECTING SURFACES WITH REDUCED STRIPES AND PRE-MOISTED CLEANER - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a cleaning composition. The composition contains a quaternary ammonium compound in a concentration sufficient to have antimicrobial efficacy. In order to reduce streaking and/or filming during use of the cleaning composition, the composition further contains a residue reducing surfactant. In one embodiment, the waste reducing surfactant comprises a betaine surfactant.

Description

RELATED ORDERS

[001] The present application builds upon and claims priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent Application. No. 62/400,663, filed on September 28, 2016, which is incorporated into this descriptive report by reference.

BACKGROUND

[002] Pathogenic organisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and viruses, continue to cause infections in humans, as well as domestic animals and pets. In recent years, there has been a particular growing concern regarding foodborne pathogens and their potential to contaminate the food chain. Disinfectant formulations have been developed over the past several decades to reduce or destroy pathogenic organisms and thereby reduce the rate of infection. Literally any hard surface, including floors, walls, countertops, windows, windowsills, sinks, faucets, waste receptacles, appliances and cabinet surfaces can become contaminated. Disinfectants have been developed to treat hard surfaces for use in hospitals, nursing homes, schools and homes. Antimicrobial compositions for decontamination, disinfectant and/or sanitization can be added to wipes in order to treat such surfaces.

[003] A particular class of antimicrobial compositions includes quaternary ammonium compounds, also known as "quats", as a microbial control agent. The use of quats as biocides is well known.

[004] In hard surface cleaning/disinfectant wipe applications, a desired product must provide good cleaning and disinfectant performance while leaving the surface visually clean of stains, streaks, and film. Most cationic formulations, such as quat-based wipe disinfectant formulations, leave significant residues which are particularly noticeable on smooth glossy surfaces.

[005] In one application, the antimicrobial composition can be incorporated into a cleaning product and packaged as a pre-moistened wipe. These products are generally economical to manufacture, are easy to use, and are disposable after use. Problems with streaking and film residue, however, are exacerbated when using pre-moistened wipes, as the products leave surfaces in a wet state and are not dry wipes.

[006] There have been attempts to create compositions that leave minimal residue. For example, a C8 to C10 alkyl polyglycoside (APG) surfactant and an amine oxide surfactant have been used in an attempt to produce a low residue wipe.

[007] Known low-scratch surfactant compounds can reduce streaking, but tend to exhibit filming on the hard surface after application, especially when the hard surface is exposed to higher humidity conditions.

[008] The present disclosure is directed to a cleaning composition and/or pre-moistened wipes containing a cleaning composition that reduce streaking and filming upon application of the composition to an adjacent surface. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed to a cleaning composition containing a quaternary ammonium cation that produces reduced visible residue after use, even when applied to a smooth glossy surface.

SUMMARY

[009] In general, the present disclosure is directed to a cleaning composition having antimicrobial properties. The cleaning composition contains a quaternary ammonium cation in combination with a residue reducing surfactant. The residue reducing surfactant is present in an amount sufficient to reduce streaking and/or filming. In one embodiment, the residue reducing surfactant comprises an amphoteric surfactant or a zwitterionic surfactant. In a particular embodiment, the residue reducing surfactant comprises a betaine surfactant. In one embodiment, the antimicrobial agent comprising the quaternary ammonium cation is present in the cleaning composition to the residue reducing surfactant in a weight ratio of from about 1:0.2 to about 1:10, such as from about 1:0.5 to about 1:5.

[0010] The quaternary ammonium cation can generally comprise any suitable antimicrobial agent. For example, the quaternary ammonium cation can comprise a halide salt of a quaternary ammonium cation. Particular examples of quaternary ammonium cations include an alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, a dialkyl dimethyl ammonium chloride, an alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, or mixtures thereof.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment, the quaternary ammonium cation may comprise a carbonate/bicarbonate salt of a quaternary ammonium cation.

[0012] The betaine surfactant, on the other hand, may comprise any suitable betaine surfactant capable of reducing streaking and/or filming. In one embodiment, the betaine surfactant can have the following formula: wherein R2 comprises an alkyl group of up to 20 carbon atoms.

[0013] The betaine surfactant may comprise a cocoamidopropyl betaine. Other betaine surfactants that may be used in the composition include decyl betaine, myristyl betaine, palmityl betaine, lauryl betaine, cetyl betaine, stearyl betaine, coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine ("cocobetaine"), cocoamidoethyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, myristyl amidopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl alpha carboxy betaine, cetyl dimethylcarboxymethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl) carboxy methyl betaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxy-propyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyl dimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) alpha-carboxyethyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl dimethyl betaine, or mixtures thereof.

[0014] In one embodiment, the residue reducing surfactant may comprise a polymeric betaine. Polymeric betaine can have the following formula:

[0015] In addition to an antimicrobial agent and a residue reducing surfactant, the cleaning composition generally contains at least one solvent, such as water. For example, water can be present in an amount greater than about 90% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 95% by weight. In one embodiment, the only solvent present in the composition is water. Alternatively, water may be present in combination with an organic solvent, such as an alcohol or glycol ether.

[0016] The composition may also contain various other components, such as a chelating agent, a pH regulator, an organic solvent, or the like. In a particular embodiment, the composition contains a chelating agent and a pH regulator. The pH regulator comprises a silicate. The composition can further contain at least one non-ionic surfactant. The nonionic surfactant may comprise an ethoxylated alcohol. The antimicrobial agent can be present in the aqueous solution in an amount of less than about 2% by weight, such as in an amount of less than about 1% by weight. The residue reducing surfactant can also be present in the aqueous solution in an amount of less than about 2% by weight, such as in an amount of less than about 1% by weight.

[0017] In one embodiment, the present disclosure is directed to a pre-moistened cleaning product containing the cleaning composition described above. The pre-moistened cleaning product may comprise a liquid absorbent substrate impregnated with the cleaning composition. The liquid absorbent substrate may comprise a blown-formed mat, a formed-formed mat, an extrusion-formed mat, an airflow-formed mat, an airflow-formed suspended mat, a hydroentangling formed mat, a glued card formed mat, or a laminate thereof.

[0018] Other features and aspects of the present disclosure are discussed in greater detail below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] It should be understood by one skilled in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0020] A low-residue antimicrobial composition is generally disclosed. The antimicrobial composition can be used to impregnate a cleansing wipe. The composition contains a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial agent and a residue reducing surfactant. The present inventors have discovered new surfactant compounds that can significantly reduce visible residue (film and streaks) on hard surfaces when used with quat-based disinfectant formulations. The use of the residue-reducing surfactant compounds, in accordance with the present disclosure, can overcome known low-residue surfactant compounds, such as alkyl polyglycosides (APG) and amine oxides.

[0021] As mentioned, the composition comprises a quaternary ammonium antimicrobial compound. Preferably, the quaternary ammonium compound is a quaternary ammonium salt, such as a halide salt or a carbonate/bicarbonate salt. The composition further comprises a residue reducing surfactant. For example, in one embodiment, the residue reducing surfactant comprises an amphoteric surfactant. In one embodiment, the residue reducing surfactant can comprise a betaine surfactant. The betaine surfactant may be a betaine or sulfobetaine surfactant. In one embodiment, the residue reducing surfactant can comprise a polymeric betaine surfactant and/or a betaine ester surfactant. The composition can further contain additional ingredients, including solvents, surfactants, pH adjusters, chelants, buffer salts, colorants, fragrances and the like that are commonly used in the art in cleaning and disinfectant solutions.

[0022] Quaternary ammonium compounds, also known as "quats", typically comprise at least one quaternary ammonium cation with an appropriate anion. Quats will generally have the general formula (1).

[0023] The groups R1, R2, R3 and R4 can vary within wide limits and examples of quaternary ammonium compounds that have antimicrobial properties will be well known to one skilled in the art. Typically, two of R1, R2, R3 and R4 are lower alkyl, meaning having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl groups. Furthermore, two of R1, R2, R3 and R4 are long chain alkyl groups of 6 to 24 carbon atoms, or a benzyl group. A- is a monovalent anion or an equivalent of a polyvalent anion of an inorganic or organic acid. Suitable anions for A- are in principle all inorganic or organic anions, in particular halides, for example chloride or bromide, carbonates, bicarbonates, carboxylates, sulphonates, phosphates or a mixture thereof. Carboxylates can be derived from lower carboxylic acids or from fatty acids.

[0024] Alkyl, hereinafter, is understood to mean in each case unbranched or branched alkyl groups of the specified number of carbons, but preferably, unbranched alkyl groups, and particularly preferably, those having an even number of carbon atoms. In particular, this also means the homologous mixtures derived from natural raw materials, for example "cocoalkyl".

[0025] In one embodiment, the quaternary ammonium compound may have the following R groups: R1 is benzyl or C6-18 alkyl, R2 is C1-18 alkyl or -[(CH2)2-O]nR5 where n = 1-20, R3 and R4, independently of one another, are C1-4 alkyl, R5 is hydrogen or unsubstituted or substituted phenyl, and A- is a monovalent anion or an equivalent of an anion polyvalent ion of an inorganic or organic acid.

[0026] Substituted phenyl is understood to mean, in particular, phenyl groups substituted with one or more C1-18 alkyl groups and/or halogen atoms.

[0027] Suitable quaternary ammonium compounds include, but are not limited to, alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides, dialkylmethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides, dialkyl dimethylammonium chlorides, alkyl dimethyl ethylbenzyl quaternary ammonium chlorides, benzethonium chloride and any combination of any of the foregoing.

[0028] In one embodiment, the quaternary ammonium compound may comprise a dialkyl ammonium compound, such as a dimethyl dialkyl ammonium compound. In one embodiment, the dimethyl dialkyl ammonium compound can have from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms, such as from about 8 to about 10 carbon atoms in each of the alkyl groups.

[0029] Examples of dimethyl dialkyl ammonium compounds include dimethyl dioctyl ammonium compounds such as dimethyl dioctyl ammonium chloride, dimethyl didecyl ammonium compounds such as dimethyl didecyl ammonium chloride and the like. Mixtures of dimethyl dialkyl ammonium compounds can also be used, and other anions such as those described above can also be used. Commercially available dimethyl dialkyl ammonium compounds include, for example, compositions marketed and sold under the trade names BARDAC®, BARQUAT® or CARBOQUAT® by Lonza Inc.

[0030] These commercially available examples of dimethyl dialkyl ammonium compounds include dioctyldimethylammonium chloride (available as Bardac® LF and LF-80 from Lonza, Inc.), octyldecyldimethylammonium chloride (available as a mixture of octyldecyldimethylammonium chloride, dioctyldimethylammonium chloride, and didecyldimethyl ammonium chloride as Bardac® 2050 and 2080 from Lonza, Inc.), didecyldimethylammonium chloride (available as Bardac® 2250 and 2280 from Lonza, Inc.), decylisononyldimethylammonium chloride (available as Bardac® 21 from Lonza, Inc.), diisodecyldimethylammonium chloride (available as BTC 99 from Stepan Co. of Northfield, Ill.), and any combination of any of the foregoing.

[0031] In an alternative embodiment, the quaternary ammonium compound may comprise a benzyl ammonium compound, such as an alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium compound. In general, the alkyl group can contain from about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms, such as from about 12 to about 16 carbon atoms.

[0032] Examples of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium compounds usable as the first biocide include C12 alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, C14 alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride and C16 alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. In addition, a mixture of these alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium compounds can be used. Commercially available alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium compounds include, for example, compositions marketed and sold under the trademark BARQUAT® by Lonza Inc. These commercially available alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium compounds are mixtures of C12, C14 and C16 alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides. Generally, it is preferred that the alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium compound, when a mixture, contains higher concentrations of C12 alkyl and C14 alkyl components than the C16 alkyl components. Note that other anions, including those mentioned above, can also be used.

[0033] Non-limiting examples of alkyldimethylbenzyl ammonium chlorides include alkyl (C14 50%; C12 40%, C16 10%) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride (available as Barquat® MB-50 and MB-80 from Lonza Inc.), alkyl (C14 60%; C16 30%; C12 5%; C18 5%) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride ( available as Barquat® 4280Z from Lonza, Inc.), (C12-C18 alkyl) dimethylbenzyl ammonium chloride and any combination of any of the foregoing.

[0034] In yet another embodiment, the antimicrobial agent may comprise a quaternary ammonium carbonate. A quaternary ammonium carbonate can be represented by the following formula: wherein R1 is a C1-C20 alkyl or alkyl aryl group and R2 is a C8-C20 alkyl group and R1 is the same as R2 and R1 is a C8-C12 alkyl group, as well as compositions further comprising the corresponding quaternary ammonium bicarbonate wherein R1 is the same or a different aryl-substituted C1-C20 alkyl alkyl group as above and R2 is the same or a different C8-C20 alkyl group as above, but preferably, wherein R1 is the same as R2 and R1 is a C8-C12 alkyl group.

[0035] In one embodiment, the quaternary ammonium compound contained in the composition comprises a diC8-C12 alkyl ammonium carbonate/bicarbonate. For example, in a particular embodiment, the antimicrobial agent comprises didecyl dimethyl ammonium carbonate and didecyl dimethyl ammonium bicarbonate.

[0036] In other embodiments, however, the carbonate/bicarbonate salts of quaternary ammonium cations may be selected from dioctyldimethylammonium carbonate, decyloctyldimethylammonium carbonate, benzalkonium carbonate, benzethonium carbonate, stearalkonium carbonate, cetrimonium carbonate, behentrimonium carbonate, dioctyldimethylammonium bicarbonate, decyloctyldimethyl bicarbonate ammonium bicarbonate, benzalkonium bicarbonate, benzethonium bicarbonate, stearalkonium bicarbonate, cetrimonium bicarbonate, behentrimonium bicarbonate and mixtures of one or more of these carbonate salts.

[0037] It should be understood that the quaternary ammonium compound may comprise more than one specific quaternary ammonium species and may comprise a combination of any of the above-described quaternary ammonium compounds.

[0038] The quaternary ammonium compound may be present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 25% by weight based on the total weight of the antimicrobial composition. Preferably, the quaternary ammonium compound is present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.25% to about 20% by weight. The concentration of the quaternary ammonium compound in the composition in a ready-to-use form (RTU) that can be applied to a cleaning substrate is preferably from about 0.1% to about 3%, such as from about 0.2% to about 2% based on the weight of the RTU composition. In a concentrated composition, the quaternary ammonium compound can be present in the composition in an amount from about 5% to about 40% by weight, such as from about 10% to about 20% based on the weight of the concentrated composition.

[0039] In addition to the antimicrobial agent, the cleaning composition of the present disclosure also contains a residue reducing surfactant. In one embodiment, the residue reducing surfactant can comprise an amphoteric surfactant or a zwitterionic surfactant. In a particular embodiment, the residue reducing surfactant comprises a betaine surfactant. The betaine surfactant may comprise betaines and sulfobetaines of formula (2) where R is alkyl or (3) Z- is COO- or SO-3, R1 is alkyl or hydroalkyl, R2 is alkyl of up to about 20 carbon atoms, preferably about 6 to about 16 carbon atoms, and R3 is alkyl.

[0040] In one embodiment, the betaine surfactant may have the following formula: wherein R2 comprises an alkyl group of up to about 20 carbon atoms, such as from about 6 carbon atoms to about 16 carbon atoms.

[0041] Examples of betaines useful in this specification include decyl betaine or 2-(N-decyl-N, N-dimethylammonium) acetate, myristyl betaine, palmityl betaine, lauryl betaine, cetyl betaine, stearyl betaine, coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine ("cocobetaine"), cocoamidoethyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, myristyl amidopropyl betaine, lau ryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl alpha carboxy ethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl) carboxy methyl betaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxy-propyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyl dimethyl gamma-carboxylpropyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) alpha-carboxyethyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl dimethyl betaine, and mixtures thereof and the like.

[0042] Particular examples of betaine surfactants include cocobetaine sold by Witco Chemical Corporation under the tradename EMCOL CC 37-18 and cocoamidopropyl betaine sold by Lonza Inc. under the trade name LONZAINE CO.

[0043] Examples of sulfobetaine surfactants include 3-(N,N-dimethyl-N-acylamidopropylammonium)-2-hydroxy-propane-1-sulfonates, wherein the acyl group is derived from tallow fatty alcohol or coconut fatty alcohol, with coconut fat alcohol preferred. It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that, in the normal preparation of these tallow or coconut fatty alcohol derivatives, a mixture of sulfobetaines with varying carbon chain lengths for the acyl groups will result. These fatty alcohols contain, in most cases, carbon chain lengths that will provide acyl groups with the desired number of carbon atoms, i.e., from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms. Thus, these mixtures obtained from tallow or coconut fatty alcohols are useful in supplying the sulfobetaine surfactant for reagents of the present disclosure. One such material for use in compositions of the present disclosure is N-cocoamido-propyl-N,N-dimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl sulfobetaine. An example of this is LONZAINE CS, which is commercially available from Lonza, Inc.

[0044] The sulfobetaines which are suitable for the antimicrobial composition can be represented by coco dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, stearyl dimethyl sulfopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl sulfoethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl) sulfopropyl betaine and the like; amido betaines and amidosulfobetaines, in which an RCONH(CH2)x radical is attached to the nitrogen atoms of betaine may also be useful.

[0045] The betaine may also comprise a betaine polymer, such as an amphiphilic betaine polymer. Polymeric betaine, for example, may comprise a complex of a dialkyl disalkoxylated quaternary ammonium salt with boric acid. Other similar compounds may also include quaternary amine salts formed by the protonation of monoalkylamines, dialkylamines, trialkylamines and monobisalkoxylated amines. In a particular embodiment, the polymeric betaine may comprise didecyl bis(hydroxyethyl) ammonium borate. Polymeric betaine can have the following formula:

[0046] The cleansing composition of the present disclosure may contain a single betaine as described above or a combination of betaines. In one embodiment, for example, a betaine according to formulas 2 and 3 above can be combined with a polymeric betaine.

[0047] Betaine may be present in the antimicrobial composition in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 30% by weight based on the weight of the composition. In an RTU composition, betaine is preferably present in an amount of from about 0.2% to about 5%, such as from about 0.3% to about 3%, and particularly from about 0.5% to about 1.0% based on the weight of the RTU composition. In one embodiment, the residue reducing surfactant is present in the composition in an amount of less than about 2% by weight, such as in an amount of less than about 1.5% by weight. In a concentrated composition, betaine is preferably present in an amount of from about 10% to about 30%, such as from about 15% to about 25% based on the weight of the concentrated composition.

[0048] Betaine may be present in an amount greater than the amount of quaternary ammonium compound present. The antimicrobial agent may be present in the composition relative to the residue reducing surfactant, such that the weight ratio of the antimicrobial agent to the residue reducing surfactant is from about 1:0.2 to about 1:10, such as from about 1:0.5 to about 1:5, such as from about 1:0.9 to about 1:3.

[0049] It was found that the presence of a betaine surfactant has no impact on the effectiveness of the quat-based antimicrobial composition.

[0050] In addition to the antimicrobial agent and the residue reducing surfactant, the cleaning composition of the present disclosure can contain various other components and ingredients. For example, the composition may contain a pH regulator, a chelating agent, other surfactants, a solvent other than water such as an organic solvent, building salt, fragrances, preservatives and the like. Each of the additives described above can be present alone or in combination with other additives.

[0051] For example, the antimicrobial composition may also contain a pH regulator. Suitable pH regulators include sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, potassium carbonate, sodium citrate, sodium carbonate, silicates such as sodium metasilicate and other similar compounds. Preferred is sodium metasilicate pentahydrate.

[0052] It has also been found that the alkanolamines are effective in raising the pH of the composition without adversely affecting the function of the quaternary ammonium compounds. Essentially any alkanolamine can be used, including mono, di and tri alkanolamines. A particularly useful alkanolamine is monoethanolamine.

[0053] The pH regulator is preferably present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 2%, such as from about 0.02% to about 1%, based on the weight of the composition. In one embodiment, the cleaning composition has a pH greater than about 8, such as greater than about 9, such as greater than 10. The pH is generally less than about 14, such as less than about 12. In a particular embodiment, for example, the cleaning composition can have a pH of about 10 to about 12. The pH regulator can be added in an amount sufficient for the composition to have a pH within the above range.

[0054] The composition may also contain a chelating agent. Suitable chelating agents include, but are not limited to, ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and salts thereof (e.g., tetrasodium EDTA available as Versene 100® from Dow Europe S.A. of Horgen, Switzerland), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), and ethylene diamine diammonium tetraacetate. The ability of NTA and EDTA to remove metal ions facilitates solution, preventing precipitation of hardness (calcium). The chelating agent can also serve to bind other metal ions that can adversely affect the effectiveness of the disinfectant components in the composition.

[0055] The chelating agent is preferably present in the composition in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 10%, such as from about 0.04% to about 6% based on the weight of the composition.

[0056] Non-ionic surfactants can also be included in the composition in addition to the residue-reducing surfactant. A nonionic surfactant, in one embodiment, can be broadly defined as compounds produced by the condensation of a hydrophilic alkylene oxide group with a hydrophobic aliphatic or alkyl aromatic compound. Examples of preferred classes of non-ionic surfactants are: long-chain tertiary amine oxides corresponding to the following general formula: wherein R1 contains an alkyl, alkenyl or monohydroxy alkyl radical of from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms, up to about 10 ethylene oxide moieties, and up to 1 glyceryl moiety, and R2 and R3 contain from 1 to about 3 carbon atoms and up to about 1 hydroxy group, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl, hydroxyethyl or hydroxypropyl radicals. Examples of amine oxides suitable for use in this invention include: dimethyldodecylamine oxide, oleyldi(2-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide, dimethyloctylamine oxide, dimethyldecylamine oxide, dimethyltetradecylamine oxide, di(2-hydroxyethyl)tetradecylamine oxide, 3-dodekoxy-2-hydroxypropyldi(3-hydroxypropyl)amine oxide and dimethylhexad oxide cillamine.

[0057] The polyethylene oxide condensates of alkyl phenols, for example, the condensation products of alkyl phenols with an alkyl group containing from about 6 to 12 carbon atoms in a straight chain or branched chain configuration, with ethylene oxide, said ethylene oxide being present in amounts equal to 6 to 60 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl phenol. The alkyl substituent in such compounds can be derived from polymerized propylene, diisobutylene, octane or nonane.

[0058] Those derived from the condensation of ethylene oxide with the resulting reaction product of propylene oxide and ethylene diamine products which may be varied in composition depending on the balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic elements that is desired. For example, compounds containing from about 40% to about 80% polyoxyethylene by weight and having a molecular weight of about 5,000 to about 11,000 results from the reaction of ethylene oxide groups with a hydrophobic base consisting of the reaction product of ethylene diamine and excess propylene oxide, said base having a molecular weight of the order of 2,500 to 3,000, are satisfactory.

[0059] The condensation product of straight or branched chain aliphatic alcohols with 8 to 18 carbon atoms with ethylene oxide, for example, an ethylene oxide condensate of coconut alcohol with 10 to 30 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of coconut alcohol, the fraction of coconut alcohol with 10 to 14 carbon atoms.

[0060] The specific surfactants that can be used in the composition are nonyl phenol ethoxylates (612 moles), primary alcohol ethoxylates (3-12 moles) and secondary alcohol ethoxylates (3-12 moles).

[0061] The non-ionic surfactants described in this descriptive report are selected to adsorb or otherwise bind to the fibers of a dry substrate of the cleaning wipe, thus preventing active disinfectants from being adsorbed by the fibers of the dry substrate. Without being bound by theory, it is believed that the nonionic surfactants described in this specification alter the relative equilibrium on the surface of the cleaning wipe by modifying the surface to make it less hydrophobic and modifying the cleaning composition to make it less hydrophilic. For example, in the case of a quat solution, such as a dialkyl or alkyl benzyl quat solution, the net result is a reduced attraction of the hydrophobic cleaning surface to the hydrophobic hydrocarbon tails of the quat solution. Hydrophobic groups have an affinity for the fiber surface of the substrate. Unlike anionic surfactants, the nonionic nature of the surfactant does not attract cationic quat-based or chlorine-based disinfectant solutions and prevents the active disinfectant from binding to substrate fibers.

[0062] Exemplary commercially available nonionic surfactants of this composition are C11-C15 secondary alkanols condensed with 7, 9, 12, 20 or 40 moles of ethylene oxide (alkyloxypolyethylene oxyethanols), produced by Dow Chemical under the trade names Tergitol® 15-S-7, 15-S-9, 15-S-12, 15-S-20 and 1 5-S-40. Additional exemplary non-ionic surfactants of the same type are sold by Dow Chemical under the trade names Tergitol® TMN-6 and TMN-10, believed to comprise reaction products of trimethylnonanol with ethylene oxide. Other exemplary nonionic surfactants are commercially available from BASF under the trade name Irgasurf® HL 560. Still other nonionic surfactants include block copolymers of polyoxyethylene and polyoxypropylene which are available under the trade name Pluronic®, marketed by BASF. A single member of any of the foregoing nonionic surfactant compositions can be used in the cleaning composition, or blends of such exemplary nonionic surfactant materials can be employed.

[0063] The amount of the non-ionic surfactant in the composition is preferably from about 0.01% to about 5% based on the weight of the composition. Typically, the composition contains from about 0.05% to about 3% nonionic surfactant. Alternatively, the composition may not include a non-ionic surfactant. Furthermore, the composition may be free of alkyl polyglycoside (APG) and amine oxide surfactants. In an alternative embodiment, the cleaning composition can contain the residue reducing surfactant and antimicrobial agent combined with an alkyl polyglycoside, an amine oxide, or a mixture of both.

[0064] The antimicrobial composition of the present disclosure may be provided as a concentrate, which is diluted to use levels prior to use. Alternatively, the disinfectant composition can be provided as a ready-to-use composition (RTU). In either case, the composition contains a solvent.

[0065] In general, the solvent will be a polar solvent, such as water, or an organic solvent, such as an alcohol and/or a glycol ether. In one embodiment, the only solvent present in the composition is water. Alternatively, the composition may contain water in combination with an organic solvent.

[0066] Examples of organic solvents include ethanol, propanol, benzyl alcohol, phenoxyethanol, isopropanol, propyl diethylene glycol ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether ethylene glycol n-butyl ether, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, ethylene glycol diethyl ether, ethylene glycol dibutyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol methyl ether, dipropylene glycol butyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, ethylene glycol hexyl ether, and combinations thereof.

[0067] Water may be present in the composition generally in an amount greater than about 60% by weight, such as greater than about 70% by weight, such as greater than about 80% by weight, such as greater than about 90% by weight. For example, water can be present in the composition in an amount greater than about 92% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 94% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 96% by weight, such as in an amount greater than about 98% by weight. Water is generally present in an amount of less than about 99.5% by weight, such as less than about 99% by weight, such as less than about 95% by weight.

[0068] In one embodiment, the solvent comprises water and an additional organic solvent, such as isopropanol, propylene glycol n-propyl ether or propylene glycol n-butyl ether. When a solvent is present in addition to water, it is preferably present in an amount of about 0.1% to 20% based on the weight of the composition. In an RTU concentration, the organic solvent other than water is preferably present in an amount of from about 0.25% to about 2%, such as from about 0.3% to about 0.5% based on the weight of the composition. In a concentrated composition, the additional solvent is preferably present in an amount of from about 1% to about 15%, such as from about 8% to about 12%, based on the weight of the composition.

[0069] The cleaning composition of the present disclosure may optionally further contain corrosion inhibitors, complexing agents, auxiliaries, preservatives, fragrances, dyes and the like. Examples of corrosion inhibitors include, for example, organic phosphorus compounds and mixing organic phosphorus compounds with a polymeric component. Exemplary auxiliaries include, for example, polyethylene glycol or other similar compounds. Examples of building salts that can be used include sodium metasilicate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium nitrilotriacetate, sodium carbonate, sodium silicate, citric acid salts and zeolites. Dyes and fragrances may be added as long as they do not interfere with the composition's function and can serve to identify the composition. Generally, optional additional ingredients will make up less than about 20% by weight of the composition. For example, each of the ingredients or components identified above can be present in the composition generally in an amount of from about 0.01% by weight to about 5% by weight. For example, each of the above components can be present in the composition in an amount from about 0.1% to about 2% by weight, such as from about 0.3% to about 1% by weight. Optional additives are added in amounts conventionally used in sanitizing and disinfecting compositions.

[0070] Advantageously, it has been found that the addition of fragrance does not alter the stripe and film performance of the composition.

[0071] A particularly useful application method is to impregnate the cleaning composition into a cleaning substrate. In this embodiment, the wipe is a single-use wipe that is impregnated with the cleaning composition and stored in a container that will dispense the wipe to a user. The wipes container can hold a single wipe or multiple wipes. Suitable containers include a pouch containing a single wipe, such as a wet wipe that is torn off by the user, or it could be a pouch with a resealable opening, containing multiple stacked wipes, a rolled form, or other suitable formation that would allow a single wipe to be removed from the opening at a time. Pouches are generally prepared from a fluid-impermeable material, such as a film, coated paper or sheet, or other similar fluid-impermeable materials. Otherwise, to dispense wipes of the present disclosure is to place the wipe in a fluid-impermeable container having an opening to access the wipes in the container. The containers may be molded plastic containers with lids that are impermeable to fluids. Generally, the lid will have an opening to access the wipes in the container. The tissue in the container may be in an interleaved stack such that as one tissue is removed from the container, the next tissue is positioned in the opening of the container, ready for the user to remove the next tissue. Alternatively, the web may be a continuous material which is perforated between individual webs of the continuous material. Continuous cleaning material with perforations may be in a folded form or it may be in a laminated form. Normally, in laminated form, the cleaning material is fed from the center of the laminated material. As with the interleaved stack, when one wipe is removed from the container, the next wipe is positioned in the opening to facilitate removal of the next wipe when needed.

[0072] Disposable wipes provide advantages over other application vehicles, such as a reusable sponge, cloth or similar. Unlike sponges, cloths and the like, which are used repeatedly, the impregnated wipe is used only once and discarded. Re-used sponges or cloths present problems, as the sponges or cloths may contain microbes that are not easily killed by the disinfectant composition.

[0073] The cleaning composition may be impregnated into the wipe so that the wipe is pre-moistened and will express or release the cleaning composition onto the surface as the wipe is run across the surface to be treated. Generally, the cleaning composition is saturated in the wipe such that the wipe will release the cleaning composition to the surface through the wiping action. Generally, the cleaning composition is used at about 2 parts to 6 parts by weight per 1 part by weight of the cleaning substrate, more preferably, from about 3 to about 5 parts by weight per 1 part by weight of the cleaning substrate. In these ranges, complete saturation of the substrates can be achieved. Note that the amount of cleaning solution may increase or decrease to achieve complete saturation of the cleaning substrate, depending on the particular cleaning substrate.

[0074] Suitable cleaning substrates include woven and non-woven materials. Essentially any non-woven batting material can be used. Exemplary nonwoven materials may include, but are not limited to, blown formed web, formed forming web, extrusion formed web, air flow formed web, hydroentangled nonwoven web, braid formed web, glue card formed web, and laminates thereof. Optionally, the nonwoven can also be laminated with a film material. The fibers used to prepare the cleaning substrate can be cellulosic fibers, thermoplastic fibers and mixtures thereof. The fibers can also be continuous fibers, staple fibers, staple fibers and mixtures thereof. Nonwoven batt basis weights can range from about 12 grams per square meter to 200 grams per square meter or more.

[0075] In one embodiment, the wipe is impregnated with a liquid component containing active and inert ingredients within allowable tolerance levels, and the cleaning composition expressed from the wipe contains active ingredients within allowable tolerance levels. Once applied to the surface, the antimicrobial cleaning composition is allowed to remain on the surface for a period of time. The antimicrobial composition can be applied to the surface and allowed to dry or can alternatively be dried by wiping the surface with a dry tissue or cleaning device, which is preferably unused. As mentioned, the described cleaning composition has unexpectedly been found to produce less streaking and filming than previously known compositions when applied using a wipe, especially to glossy surfaces.

[0076] The following examples are intended to provide a more complete understanding of the present invention. The examples are not intended, however, to limit the invention.

EXAMPLES

[0077] The quat-based disinfectant samples formulated in accordance with the present disclosure were tested for streak/film performance and antimicrobial efficacy.

[0078] Formulation details for the disinfectant samples are provided in Tables 1, 2, 3 and 4. To test streak/film performance, the samples were loaded onto cleaning substrates with a loading ratio of 4.0. The cleaning substrates were then wiped onto black glass plates and allowed to dry. The black glass plates were then visually examined for filming and streaking and graded from low to medium to high.

[0079] Table 1 below provides the streak/film performance for samples containing various surfactants. As seen in Table 1, the samples containing a betaine surfactant showed less streaking and pelling than the samples containing other surfactants. Table 1. Stripe/film performance for quat-based disinfectant samples containing alkyl polyglycoside surfactants, amine oxide and betaine.

[0080] Table 2 provides streak/film performance for quat-based disinfectant samples containing a fragrance. As illustrated in Table 2, samples 9-12, which contained betaine and fragrance, had less streaking and pellicle than sample 9, which contained alkyl polyglycoside and fragrance. Table 2. Stripe/film performance for quat-based disinfectant samples containing fragrance and alkyl polyglycoside and betaine surfactants.

[0081] As shown in Table 3, quat-based disinfectant samples containing lower concentrations of betaine surfactant caused less streaking and filming than samples containing lower concentrations of other surfactants. Table 3. Stripe/film performance for quat-based disinfectant samples containing lower concentrations of alkyl polyglycoside and betaine surfactants.

[0082] Table 4 illustrates the effect of solvents on streaks and film of quat-based disinfectant samples. As can be seen from Table 4, samples 18, 19 and 20 containing isopropanol, propylene glycol n-butyl ether and propylene glycol n-propyl ether demonstrated lower scratching and filming performance than samples containing other solvents. Table 4. Stripe/film performance of quat-based disinfectant samples containing betaine and various solvents.

[0083] The low-residue quat/betaine-based disinfectant formulations described in Table 5 were evaluated for antimicrobial efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 6538). The test was performed according to the protocols described in the official method AOAC 961.02 Germicidal Spray Products as Disinfectants, modified for use with wipes.

[0084] S. aureus cultures and sterile glass test vehicles were prepared. Microbial concentrations of three vehicles were enumerated prior to the start of the test to determine pre-test vehicle microbial concentrations. Test vehicles were placed in Petri dishes lined with sterile filter paper. Vehicles were then inoculated with S. aureus by spreading the culture evenly across the surface of the vehicle and allowing the culture to dry. The dried, contaminated surfaces of the test vehicle were then individually sprayed with the disinfectant samples. The microbial concentrations of three test vehicles were enumerated to determine the post-test vehicle microbial concentrations. Contaminated test surfaces were incubated in the disinfectant for a specified contact time, then individually transferred to sterile test tubes or flasks containing a neutralization/growth medium and incubated for 48 hours. After incubation, the number of tubes showing growth of the target microorganism was recorded. Formulations were then scored as “passing” or “failing” based on the number of test surfaces demonstrating complete disinfection.

[0085] As illustrated in Table 5 below, all of the disinfectant formulations, containing a betaine surfactant, passed the antimicrobial efficacy test. Table 5. Results of antimicrobial efficacy tests of quat/betaine-based disinfectant samples against S. aureus.

[0086] Other examples of low residue quat/betaine based disinfectant formulations are provided in Table 6 below. Table 6. Examples of low scratch concentrate formulations.

[0087] These and other modifications and variations of the present invention may be practiced by those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set out in the appended claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that aspects of the various modalities may be interchanged both in whole and in part. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only and is not intended to limit the invention as further described in such appended claims.

Claims (7)

1. Cleaning composition for disinfecting surfaces with reduced streaks, the cleaning composition characterized in that it comprises an aqueous solution containing: - an antimicrobial agent; and - a residue reducing surfactant, wherein the antimicrobial agent is a halide salt or a carbonate/bicarbonate salt of a quaternary ammonium cation selected from the group consisting of alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium, a dialkyl dimethyl ammonium, an alkyl dimethyl ethyl benzyl ammonium, and mixtures thereof, wherein the residue reducing surfactant a) has the following formula: wherein R2 comprises an alkyl group having up to 20 carbon atoms; or b) is selected from the group consisting of decyl betaine, myristyl betaine, palmityl betaine, lauryl betaine, cetyl betaine, stearyl betaine, coco dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine ("cocobetaine"), cocoamidoethyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl betaine, lauramidopropyl betaine, myristyl amidopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl dimethyl alpha carboxy ethyl betaine, cetyl dimethyl carboxymethyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxy-ethyl) carboxy methyl betaine, stearyl bis-(2-hydroxy-propyl) carboxymethyl betaine, oleyl dimethyl gamma-carboxypropyl betaine, lauryl bis-(2-hydroxypropyl) alpha-carboxyethyl betaine, cocoamidopropyl dimethyl betaine, and mixtures thereof; or c) is a polymeric betaine having the following formula: wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in the cleaning composition relative to the residue reducing surfactant in a weight ratio of 1:0.9 to 1:3, and wherein the cleaning composition has a pH greater than 8; and wherein the composition is free of alkyl polyglycosides (APG) and amine oxide surfactants. 2. Cleaning composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the residue reducing surfactant comprises cocoamidopropyl betaine. 3. Cleaning composition, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the only solvent contained in the cleaning composition is water. 4. Cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the composition further contains: a chelating agent, a pH regulator comprising a silicate or an alkanolamine, at least one non-ionic surfactant comprising an ethoxylated alcohol; wherein the antimicrobial agent is present in the aqueous solution in an amount of less than 2% by weight, and wherein the residue reducing surfactant is present in the aqueous solution in an amount of less than 2% by weight, and wherein water is contained in the cleaning composition in an amount of greater than 90% by weight. 5. Cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the antimicrobial agent comprises a di-C8-C12 alkyl ammonium chloride. 6. Cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the cleaning composition comprises a concentrate that is intended to be diluted before use, the concentrate containing the quaternary ammonium cation in an amount of 5% to 40% by weight. 7. Pre-moistened cleaning product, characterized in that it comprises: a liquid absorbent substrate; and a cleaning composition as defined in any one of claims 1 to 6.