Surfactants based aqueous compositions with D-limonene and hydrogen peroxide and methods using the same

• US 5,602,090 A
• Filed: 12/27/1995
• Issued: 02/11/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Envirox, LLC
• Original Assignee: Alphen, Inc.
• Inventors: Stewart, Patrick H., Melikyan, Arman V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Albrecht, Dennis
• Application Number:
  US08/578,971
• Time in Patent Office: 412 Days
• Field of Search: 510/370, 510/372, 510/417, 510/426, 510/428, 510/303, 510/108, 510/191, 510/203, 510/214, 510/238, 510/280, 510/365, 510/375, 510/383, 134/2, 134/40, 134/42, 8/111, 8/137
• US Class Current: 510/372
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/143 Sulfonic acid esters
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/22 derived from aromatic compounds
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/72 Ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/831 of sulfonates with ethers of polyoxyalkylenes without phosphates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0021 Aqueous microemulsions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/18 Hydrocarbons C11D3/164 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/2068 Ethers
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3409 Alkyl -, alkenyl -, cycloalkyl - or terpene sulfates or sulfonates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3765 in liquid compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/3947 Liquid compositions

Abstract

A cleaning composition including a terpene such as D-limonene and hydrogen peroxide in a surfactants based aqueous solution. The composition in various specific formulations is a micro-emulsion useful for a variety of materials and for both industrial and household applications.

Claims

1. A clear stable liquid micro-emulsion cleanser composition comprising:

a. from about 0.5% to 10% of a terpene selected from mono- and sesquiterpenes and mixtures thereof;

b. from about 0.5% to about 10% of a water soluble glycol ether solvent;

c. from about 0.5% to about 10% of an isopropylamine salt of linear alkyl benzene sulfonic acid as a first anionic surfactant;

d. from about 0.4% to about 10% of a sodium 1-octane sulfonate as a second anionic surfactant to provide coupling and stability effects;

e. from about 0.5% to about 10% of an alkyl ethoxylate nonionic surfactant with an HLB of 11 to 15 to approximate the HLB of the terpene solvent;

f. from about 2.0% to about 22.8% by weight of a 35% by weight aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide;

g. from about 0.2% to 4% by weight of a food grade anti-oxidant based on the terpene weight percentage to stabilize the terpene;

h. from about 1.0% to 5.0% by weight of a polyacrylate-polyalcohol polymer used as a thickening agent; and

i. deionized water.

2. A cleaning composition according to claim 1 wherein said terpene solvent is D-limonene.

3. A method of using the micro-emulsion of claim 1 comprising

a. applying said micro-emulsion to a material to be cleaned whereby said micro-emulsion incorporates soil from said material;

and

b. removing said micro-emulsion from said material.

4. A method according to claim 3 including diluting one part of said micro-emulsion with up to 1000 parts of water prior to applying said micro-emulsion.