SOLID DISHMACHINE DETERGENT NOT REQUIRING A SEPARATE RINSE ADDITIVE

• US 20100139705A1
• Filed: 12/10/2008
• Published: 06/10/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Noramtech Corporation, Solids, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Solids, Inc.
• Inventors: Oberlander, Michael
• Granted Patent: US 8,852,353 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 134/28
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0073 Tablets
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0091 Dishwashing tablets
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/2075 Carboxylic acids-salts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/33 Amino carboxylic acids
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3463 containing thio sulfate or sulfite groups
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3769 (Co)polymerised monomers containing nitrogen, e.g. carbonamides, nitriles or amines

Abstract

New solid detergent compositions and methods of forming and using those compositions are provided. The compositions for forming the solid detergents comprise a copolymer, scale inhibiting agent, and non-phosphate builder dispersed or dissolved in a solvent system. Advantageously, the inventive solid detergents provide dramatically improved cleaning performance and drying time without the use of a separate rinse additive. The detergents are especially suited to commercial dishmachine processes. The solid detergents are also in the form of a solid, homogeneous, self-sustaining body for improved handling and use.

Claims

1. A solid detergent composition comprising:

a copolymer of a quaternary ammonium compound and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of acids, acrylamides, and combinations thereof;

a scale inhibiting agent; and

a non-phosphate builder,

wherein said composition is in the form of a self-sustaining body.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein said quaternary ammonium compound comprises a quaternary ammonium halide.

3. The composition of claim 2, wherein said quaternary ammonium halide is diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, sulfonic acid, and the ammonium and alkali metal salts thereof, and combinations thereof.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein said copolymer is selected from the group consisting of diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/maleic acid copolymers, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/sulfonic acid copolymer, and combinations thereof.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein said composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of said copolymer, based upon the total weight of the composition taken as 100% by weight.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein said scale inhibiting agent is selected from the group consisting of phosphonic acid sequestrants, low molecular weight non-crosslinked polyacrylates, nitrilotriacetic acid, citric acid, phosphate builders, and the water-soluble salts thereof, and combinations thereof.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein said non-phosphate builder is selected from the group consisting of hydroxides, silicates, carbonates, and the alkali metal salts thereof, and mixtures thereof.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein said self-sustaining body has a specific gravity of from about 1 to about 2.

10. The composition of claim 1, wherein said self-sustaining body is in the form of a tablet.

11. A method of removing soils from a substrate surface comprising:

providing a substrate having a surface with soils thereon;

dissolving or dispersing a solid detergent composition in water to form a wash solution, said detergent composition being in the form of a self-sustaining body and comprising;

a copolymer of a quaternary ammonium compound and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of acids, acrylamides, and combinations thereof;

a scale inhibiting agent; and

a non-phosphate builder;

contacting said substrate surface with said wash solution;

removing the soils from said substrate surface; and

rinsing said substrate without the use of a rinse additive.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the concentration of said detergent in said wash solution is at least about 0.05 oz./gal., based upon the total volume of the wash solution.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein said wash solution has a pH of greater than about 7.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein said wash solution is heated to a temperature of from about 100°

F. to about 160°

F. prior to said contacting.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising drying said substrate surface under ambient conditions within less than about 60 seconds after said rinsing.

16. The method of claim 11, said substrate being selected from the group consisting of glass, plastic, metal, rubber, ceramic, wood and combinations thereof.

17. A method of forming a solid detergent composition comprising:

forming a mixture comprising a copolymer of a quaternary ammonium compound and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of acids, acrylamides, and combinations thereof, a scale inhibiting agent, and a non-phosphate builder; and

allowing said mixture to harden to form a solid, self-sustaining body.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein said forming comprises dissolving or dispersing said copolymer, scale inhibiting agent, and non-phosphate builder in a solvent system, said solvent system being selected from the group consisting of water, aqueous alkaline solutions, and mixtures thereof.

19. In a detergent composition comprising builders and surfactants, the improvement being that said composition:

comprises a copolymer of a quaternary ammonium compound and a comonomer selected from the group consisting of acids, acrylamides, and combinations thereof; and

is in the form of a self-sustaining body.

20. The composition of claim 19, wherein said quaternary ammonium compound comprises a quaternary ammonium halide.

21. The composition of claim 20, wherein said quaternary ammonium halide is diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride.

22. The composition of claim 19, wherein said acid is selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, sulfonic acid, and the ammonium and alkali metal salts thereof, and combinations thereof.

23. The composition of claim 19, wherein said copolymer is selected from the group consisting of diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/maleic acid copolymers, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymers, diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride/sulfonic acid copolymer, and combinations thereof.

24. The composition of claim 19, wherein said composition comprises from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of said copolymer, based upon the total weight of the composition taken as 100% by weight.