Rheology modifier concentrate

• US 20040121932A1
• Filed: 12/19/2002
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Man, Victor Fuk-Pong, Griese, Greg G.
• Granted Patent: US 6,903,062 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 510/417
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/003 Colloidal solutions, e.g. gels; Thixotropic solutions or pastes
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/222 Natural or synthetic polysaccharides, e.g. cellulose, starch, gum, alginic acid or cyclodextrin
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/43 Solvents

Abstract

Methods include, providing a liquid composition having a first viscosity that includes a polymeric thickener, a non-aqueous solvent, and water. The non-aqueous solvent and water may form a theta solvent. A solvent with a second viscosity is provided. A portion of the liquid composition is diluted with the solvent forming a use solution with a third predetermined viscosity; where the third predetermined viscosity is greater than the second viscosity.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a. providing a liquid composition having a first viscosity comprising;

i. a polymeric thickener;

ii. a non-aqueous solvent; and

iii. water;

wherein the non-aqueous solvent and water form a theta solvent;

b. providing a solvent with a second viscosity; and

c. diluting a portion of the liquid composition with the solvent forming a use solution with a third predetermined viscosity, wherein the third predetermined viscosity is greater than the second viscosity.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the third predetermined viscosity is greater than the first viscosity.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the third predetermined viscosity is less than the first viscosity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric thickener is a polysaccharide.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the polymeric thickener is a xanthan.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-aqueous solvent is an oxygenated solvent.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-aqueous solvent is a surfactant.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-aqueous solvent is an ether, a glycol, a glycol ether, an alcohol, a ketone, an alcohol amine, or mixtures thereof.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the surfactant is an anionic surfactant, nonionic surfactant, cationic surfactant, amphoteric surfactant, or mixtures thereof.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the non-aqueous solvent is a mixture of an oxygenated solvent and a surfactant.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid composition further comprises a chelating agent, an acid source, an alkalinity source, or mixtures thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid composition further comprises an antimicrobial agent.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid composition further comprises a bleach, a peracid, a peroxide, a halogen, or mixtures thereof.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the liquid composition further comprises an enzyme.

15. The method of claim 1, further comprising forming a stable foam from the use solution.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising combining water with the theta solvent in an amount effective to suspend the polymeric thickener in the liquid composition.

17. A method comprising:

a. providing a liquid composition having a first viscosity of 20 to 2000 cps comprising;

i. a xanthan compound;

ii. a surfactant;

iii. an oxygenated solvent; and

iv. water;

wherein the surfactant, oxygenated solvent and water form a theta solvent;

b. providing a solvent with a second viscosity less than 10 cps; and

c. diluting a portion of the liquid composition with the solvent forming a use solution with a third predetermined viscosity, wherein the third predetermined viscosity is 20 to 20,000 cps.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the liquid composition further comprises a hydrotrope.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the hydrotrope is sodium xylene sulfonate.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the liquid composition further comprises a chelating agent.

21. A method comprising:

a. providing a liquid composition having a first viscosity comprising;

i. 1-10 wt % of a xanthan compound;

ii. 10-90 wt % of a non-aqueous solvent; and

iii. 1-80 wt % water;

all based on the total weight of xanthan, non-aqueous solvent and water;

wherein the non-aqueous solvent and water form a theta solvent;

b. providing a solvent with a second viscosity; and

c. diluting a portion of the liquid composition with the solvent forming a use solution with a third predetermined viscosity, wherein the third predetermined viscosity is greater than the second viscosity.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the non-aqueous solvent is an oxygenated solvent, a surfactant or mixtures thereof.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein the liquid composition further comprises a hydrotrope.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the hydrotrope is sodium xylene sulfonate.

25. The method of claim 21, wherein the liquid composition further comprises a chelating agent.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein, the use solution third viscosity is greater than the first viscosity and second viscosity.

27. The method of claim 26, further comprising diluting the use solution to form a diluted use solution with a fourth viscosity less than the third viscosity.

28. The method of claim 26, further comprising diluting the use solution to form a diluted use solution with a fourth viscosity less than the first viscosity and third viscosity.