Alkaline detergent containing mixed organic and inorganic sequestrants resulting in improved soil removal

• US 6,503,879 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2001
• Issued: 01/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Man, Victor F., Olson, Keith E., Lentsch, Steven E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Green, Anthony J.
• Application Number:
  US09/809,459
• Publication Number:
  US 20010023239A1
• Time in Patent Office: 663 Days
• Field of Search: 510/222, 510/224, 510/225, 510/228, 510/236, 510/298, 510/299, 510/337, 510/346, 510/445, 510/446, 510/320, 510/345, 34/2, 34/42
• US Class Current: 510/446
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0047 Detergents in the form of bars or tablets
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0052 Cast detergent compositions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0065 Solid detergents containing builders C11D17/06 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/044 Hydroxides or bases
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/06 Phosphates, including polyphosphates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/10 Carbonates ; Bicarbonates
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/361 Phosphonates, phosphinates or phosphonites
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/364 containing nitrogen

Abstract

Solid block alkaline detergent compositions are disclosed comprising a source of alkalinity, and other detergent additives including sequestrants. The solid block detergents of the invention used a mixed inorganic and organic sequestrant composition that successfully softens service water used in manufacturing aqueous detergents from the composition, but also obtains substantially improved organic soil removal on dishware or flatware. The solid block detergents of the invention comprise large masses of the chemical ingredients having a weight of greater than about 500 grams in a solid block product format that is typically dispensed using a spray on water dispenser that creates an aqueous concentrate that is used in a washing machine.

Claims

1. A solid or agglomerate alkaline cleaning composition comprising:

(a) about 0.1 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

the alkaline source comprising alkali metal hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium borate, potassium borate, or mixtures thereof;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 10 to 70 wt. % alkaline source.

3. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source.

4. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 20 to 55 wt. % alkaline source.

5. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 45 to about 70 wt. % alkaline source.

6. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 45 to 55 wt. % alkaline source.

7. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 10 to 60 wt. % alkaline source.

8. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alkaline source comprises alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate, or mixtures thereof.

9. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alkaline source comprises sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, or mixtures thereof.

10. The composition of claim 8, wherein the alkaline source comprises sodium hydroxide.

11. The composition of claim 1, wherein the alkaline source further comprises an alkali metal silicate with a M₂O:

SiO₂ ratio of 1;

3.5 to 5;

1, wherein M represents an alkali metal.

12. The composition of claim 11, wherein the alkaline source comprises sodium silicate, sodium metasilicate, potassium silicate, potassium metasilicate, or mixtures thereof.

13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the alkaline source comprises sodium silicate with a Na₂O:

SiO₂ ratio of 1;

3.5 to 5;

1.

14. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 1 to 10 wt. % organic phosphonate.

15. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 5 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate.

16. The composition of claim 1, wherein the organic phosphonate comprises:

aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid);

1-hydroxyethane-1, 1-diphosphonic acid;

aminotri(methylenephosphonate), sodium salt;

2-hydroxyethyliminobis(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonate), sodium salt;

hexamethylenediamine(tetramethylenephosphonate), potassium salt;

bis(hexamethylene)triamine(pentamethylenephosphonic acid);

phosphorus acid;

or

mixtures thereof.

17. The composition of claim 1, wherein the organic phosphonate comprises aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid), aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid) salts, diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) salts, or mixtures thereof.

18. The composition of claim 1, wherein the organic phosphonate comprises aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid), 2-phosphonobutane-1, 2, 4-tricarboxylic acid, 1-(hydroxyethylidene)-1,1 -diphosphonic acid, or mixtures thereof.

19. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 10 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

20. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 5 to 35 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

21. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 15 to 35 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

22. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises about 25 to 35 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

23. The composition of claim 1, wherein the condensed phosphate comprises sodium orthophosphate, potassium orthophosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, or mixtures thereof.

24. The composition of claim 1, wherein the condensed phosphate comprises sodium tripolyphosphate.

25. The composition of claim 1, wherein the combination of the inorganic condensed phosphate and the organic phosphonate is selected to provide for improved organic soil removal.

26. The composition of claim 1, further comprising an additional functional ingredient, wherein the additional functional ingredient comprises chelating/sequestering agent, alkaline source, surfactant, cleaning agent, enzyme, hardening agent, solubility modifier, detergent builder, detergent filler, defoamer, anti-redeposition agent, dye, odorant, bleaching agent, or mixtures thereof.

27. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition further comprises up to about 20 wt. % surfactant.

28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the surfactant comprises a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant or mixtures thereof.

29. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is provided in a solid form.

30. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is provided in the form of a powder, a pellet, a block, or a mixture thereof.

31. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is provided in the form of a solid block.

32. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is provided in the form of a solid block formed within a container.

33. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is provided in the form of a solid pellet.

34. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is provided in the form of an extruded solid.

35. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is provided in the form of a cast solid.

36. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is formulated for use in ware-washing applications.

37. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is formulated for use in laundry washing applications.

38. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is formulated for use in presoak applications.

39. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is providing in a form that is adapted to be dispensed from a spray-type dispenser.

40. The composition of claim 1, wherein there is at least 1 part by weight of organic phosphonate in the composition for each 100 parts by weight of the inorganic condensed phosphate.

41. A solid or agglomerate alkaline cleaning composition comprising:

(a) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source; and

(b) a sequestrant mixture comprising an organic phosphonate and an inorganic condensed phosphate.

42. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition comprises about 1 to 10 wt. % organic phosphonate, and about 10 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

43. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition comprises about 45 to 70 wt. % alkaline source.

44. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition is provided in a solid form.

45. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition is provided in the form of a powder, an agglomeration, a liquid, a pellet, a block, or a mixture thereof.

46. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition is provided in the form of a solid block or a solid pellet.

47. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition is provided in the form of an extruded solid.

48. The composition of claim 41, wherein the composition is provided in the form of a cast solid.

49. A cleaning composition formed by the process comprising:

solidifying a mixture comprising;

(a) about 0.1 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

the alkaline source comprising alkali metal hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium borate, potassium borate, or mixtures thereof;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

50. A cleaning composition formed by the process comprising:

solidifying a mixture comprising;

(a) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source; and

(b) a sequestrant mixture comprising an organic phosphonate and an inorganic condensed phosphate, the sequestrant mixture at an amount effective for providing the composition with effective organic soil removal, water softening, or a combination thereof.

51. A method of manufacturing a solid cleaning composition, the method comprising:

providing a mixture comprising;

(a) about 0.1 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

the alkaline source comprising alkali metal hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium borate, potassium borate, or mixtures thereof;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate; and

solidifying the mixture.

52. A method of manufacturing a solid cleaning composition, the method comprising:

providing a mixture comprising;

(a) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source; and

(b) a sequestrant mixture comprising an organic phosphonate and an inorganic condensed phosphate, the sequestrant mixture at an amount effective for providing the composition with effective organic soil removal, water softening, or a combination thereof; and

solidifying the mixture.

53. A method of cleaning an article, the method comprising:

(a) providing a solid cleaning composition comprising;

(i) about 0.1 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

the alkaline source comprising alkali metal hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium borate, potassium borate, or mixtures thereof;

(ii) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(iii) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate; and

(b) dissolving at least a portion of the solid cleaning composition to create a use solution; and

(c) contacting the use solution with the article.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein the article is an article of ware.

55. The method of claim 53, wherein the article is an article of laundry.

56. The method of claim 53, wherein the method is used in a presoak application.

57. A method of cleaning an article, the method comprising:

(a) providing a solid cleaning composition comprising;

(i) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source; and

(ii) a sequestrant mixture comprising an organic phosphonate and an inorganic condensed phosphate, the sequestrant mixture at an amount effective for providing the composition with effective organic soil removal, water softening, or a combination thereof; and

(b) dissolving at least a portion solid cleaning composition to create a use solution; and

(c) contacting the use solution with the article.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the article is an article of ware.

59. The method of claim 57, wherein the article is an article of laundry.

60. The method of claim 57, wherein the method is used in a presoak application.

61. A solid or agglomerate alkaline cleaning composition comprising:

(a) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source, the alkaline source comprising alkali metal hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium borate, potassium borate, or mixtures thereof or mixtures thereof;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate, the organic phosphonate comprising;

aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid);

1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

aminotri(methylenephosphonate), salts;

2-hydroxyethyliminobis(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonate), salt;

hexamethylenediamine(tetramethylenephosphonate), potassium salt;

bis(hexamethylene)triamine(pentamethylenephosphonic acid);

2 -phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid;

1 -(hydroxy ethylidene)-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

phosphorus acid;

or mixtures thereof; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate selected from sodium orthophosphate, potassium orthophosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, or mixtures thereof.

62. A cleaning composition formed by the process comprising:

solidifying a mixture comprising;

(a) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source, the alkaline source comprising alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate, or mixtures thereof;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate, the organic phosphonate comprising;

aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid);

1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

aminotri(methylenephosphonate), salts;

2-hydroxyethyliminobis(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonate), salt;

hexamethylenediamine(tetramethylenephosphonate), potassium salt;

bis(hexamethylene)triamine(pentamethylenephosphonic acid);

2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid;

1-(hydroxy ethylidene)-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

phosphorus acid;

or mixtures thereof; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate selected from sodium orthophosphate, potassium orthophosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, or mixtures thereof.

63. A method of manufacturing a solid cleaning composition, the method comprising:

providing a mixture comprising;

(a) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source, the alkaline source comprising metal hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate, or mixtures thereof;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate, the organic phosphate comprising;

aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid);

1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

aminotri(methylenephosphate), salts;

2-hydroxyethyliminobis(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonate), salt;

hexamethylenediamine(tetramethylenephosphonate), potassium salt;

bis(hexamethylene)triamine(pentamethylenephosphonic acid);

2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid;

1-(hydroxy ethylidene)-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

phosphorus acid;

or mixtures thereof; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate selected from sodium orthophosphate, potassium orthophosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, or mixtures thereof; and

solidifying the mixture.

64. A cleaning composition comprising:

(a) about 45 to about 70 wt. % alkaline source, the alkaline source comprising alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal carbonate, or mixtures thereof; and

(b) about 1 to 10 wt. % organic phosphonate and an inorganic condensed phosphate, the organic phosphonate, the organic phosphonate comprising;

aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid);

1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

aminotri(methylenephosphonate), salt;

2-hydroxyethyliminobis(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid);

diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonate), salt;

hexamethylenediamine(tetramethylenephosphonate), potassium salt;

bis(hexamethylene)triamine(pentamethylenephosphonic acid);

2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid;

1-(hydroxy ethylidene)-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

or mixtures thereof; and

(c) about 5 to 35 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate selected from sodium orthophosphate, potassium orthophosphate, sodium pyrophosphate, potassium pyrophosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, sodium hexametaphosphate, or mixtures thereof.

65. An alkaline cleaning composition comprising:

(a) about 45 to 70 wt. % sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, or mixtures thereof;

(b) about 1 to 10 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(c) about 15 to 35 wt. % sodium tripolyphosphate.

66. An alkaline cleaning composition comprising:

(a) about 45 to 70 wt. % sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, or mixtures thereof;

(b) about 1 to 10 wt. % organic phosphonate, the organic phosphonate comprising;

aminotri(methylenephosphonic acid);

1-hydroxyethane-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

aminotri(methylenephosphonate), salt;

2-hydroxyethyliminobis(methylenephosphonic acid);

2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid;

1-(hydroxy ethylidene)-1,1-diphosphonic acid;

or mixtures thereof; and

(c) about 15 to 35 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

67. A solid or agglomerate alkaline cleaning composition comprising:

(a) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

68. A solid or agglomerate alkaline cleaning composition comprising:

(a) about 45 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

69. The composition of claim 68, wherein the composition comprises about 45 to 55 wt. % alkaline source.

70. A method of cleaning an article, the method comprising:

(a) providing a solid cleaning composition comprising;

(i) about 0.1 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

(ii) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(iii) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate; and

(b) dissolving at least a portion of the solid cleaning composition to create a use solution; and

(c) presoaking the article in contact with the use solution.

71. The method of claim 70, wherein the article is an article of ware.

72. The method of claim 70, wherein the article is an article of laundry.

73. A method of cleaning an article of ware, the method comprising:

(a) providing a solid cleaning composition comprising;

(i) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source; and

(ii) a sequestrant mixture comprising an organic phosphonate and an inorganic condensed phosphate; and

(b) dissolving at least a portion of the solid cleaning composition to create a use solution; and

(c) contacting the use solution with the article of ware.

74. The method of claim 73, wherein contacting comprises presoaking.

75. A cleaning composition formed by the process comprising:

solidifying a mixture comprising;

(a) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate.

76. A method of manufacturing a solid cleaning composition, the method comprising:

providing a mixture comprising;

(a) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

(b) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(c) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate; and

solidifying the mixture.

77. A method of cleaning an article, the method comprising:

(a) providing a solid cleaning composition comprising;

(i) about 20 to 70 wt. % alkaline source;

(ii) about 0.1 to 15 wt. % organic phosphonate; and

(iii) about 5 to 40 wt. % inorganic condensed phosphate; and

(b) dissolving at least a portion of the solid cleaning composition to create a use solution; and

(c) contacting the use solution with the article.