Composition

Abstract

The present invention provides the use of a composition comprising a polyalkyleneimine and/or salts or derivative thereof and an amphoteric polymer for the prevention of corrosion of non-metallic inorganic items during a washing or rinsing process, in particular during an automatic dishwashing process.

Claims

1. A method of automatic dishwashing, comprising: supplying a composition to an automatic dishwashing machine; and washing wares in the machine, wherein the composition comprises a polyethyleneimine and/or salts thereof and at least one amphoteric polymer, wherein the amphoteric polymer is a water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymer including, in the form of polymerized units, at least one monomer having an amine functional group and at least one hydrophilic acidic monomer, wherein the composition is an alkaline automatic dishwashing detergent composition with a pH from 8 to 12, wherein the method results in good rinse performance, wherein the composition is phosphate free, wherein the number average molecular weight of the polyethyleneimine and/or salts thereof is in the range of 100 to 5,000,000, and wherein the polyalkyleneimine is in an amount of 0.0001 to less than 0.1 wt % of the composition, and the amphoteric polymer is in an amount between 0.01 to less than about 4 w % of the composition.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one amphoteric polymer is a hydrophilic polymer.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is an aqueous based acrylic acid amine-functional polymer.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is a quaternized ammonium acrylamide acrylic acid copolymer.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition is provided in monodose form.

6. The method according to claim 1, comprising washing glassware in the automatic dishwasher.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition is released into a wash cycle of the machine.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the composition has a pH from 9 to 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(1) To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the various embodiments of the invention, various illustrative embodiments are explained below. Although exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that other embodiments are contemplated. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention is limited in its scope to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or examples. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.

(2) It must also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms a, an and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to a component is intended also to include composition of a plurality of components. References to a composition containing a constituent is intended to include other constituents in addition to the one named.

(3) Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

(4) Ranges may be expressed herein as from about or approximately or substantially one particular value and/or to about or approximately or substantially another particular value. When such a range is expressed, other exemplary embodiments include from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value.

(5) Similarly, as used herein, substantially free of something, or substantially pure, and like characterizations, can include both being at least substantially free of something, or at least substantially pure, and being completely free of something, or completely pure.

(6) By comprising or containing or including is meant that at least the named compound, element, particle, or method step is present in the composition or article or method, but does not exclude the presence of other compounds, materials, particles, method steps, even if the other such compounds, material, particles, method steps have the same function as what is named.

(7) It is also to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. Similarly, it is also to be understood that the mention of one or more components in a composition does not preclude the presence of additional components than those expressly identified.

(8) The materials described as making up the various elements of the invention are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, for example, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the invention.

(9) It has been found that the rinse problems of the compositions caused by the presence of the polyalkyleneimines can be ameliorated by the addition of an amphoteric polymer.

(10) Any amphoteric polymer may be used to achieve this effect. Preferably the amphoteric polymer is a hydrophilic polymer.

(11) The protection of the non-metallic inorganic items, such as glassware, ceramic and enamel as demonstrated in WO2010/020765 is unaffected by the addition of the amphoteric polymer, to the polyalkyleneimine containing detergent formulation.

(12) Preferably the amphoteric polymers suitable for use in combination with the polyalkyleneimine preferably include at least (1) an acidic monomer having or capable of forming an anionic charge and (2) a monomer having a permanent cationic charge or is capable of forming a cationic charge upon protonation.

(13) Further, the polymer is preferably an aqueous based acrylic acid amine-functional polymer. An example of such a polymer is a quaternized ammonium acryl amide acrylic acid copolymer. Hydrophilic polymers suitable for inclusion in the composition of the invention are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,569,261, 6,593,288, 6,703,358 and 6,767,410, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.

(14) These patent documents describe water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymers including, in the form of polymerized units (1), at least one amine-functional monomer (2), at least one hydrophilic monomer with an acidic nature and optionally at least one hydrophilic monomer with ethylenic unsaturation and with a neutral charge (3). The copolymers include quaternized ammonium acryl amide acid copolymers. It will be appreciated that selection of appropriate relevant materials and structures as to the polymer should be guided in more detail by the teachings of these patent documents. A preferred copolymer of the above type is produced by Rhodia and sold under the trade name MIRAPOL SURF S, in particular that sold under the trade name MIRAPOL SURF S P-free powder.

(15) The amphoteric polymer is preferably used in a washing or rinsing cycle in an automatic dishwasher in an amount of from 0.01 mg up to 10 g, more preferably from 0.05 mg up to 5 g, more preferably from 0.1 mg up to 1 g and most preferably from 0.5 mg up to 100 mg per wash or rinse cycle.

(16) It is also possible to use the amphoteric polymer in both the wash and the rinse cycles of an automatic dishwashing machine.

(17) The compositions of the present invention may include the amphoteric polymer from 0.001 to 90 wt %, preferably from 0.005 to 50 wt %, more preferably from 0.01 to 10% by weight.

(18) The term polyalkyleneimine as used herein encompasses any alkyleneimine comprising 2 or more alkyleneimine repeating units, and thus alkyleneimine oligomers, such as ethyleneimine oligomers, are included within the term. Typically the polyalkyleneimine will comprise from 2 to 50,000 alkyleneimine repeating units, preferably 10 to 25,000, such as 50 to 10,000.

(19) Unless otherwise stated or required by the context, all percentages herein are given as weight percentages based on the total weight of the composition. Reference herein to polyalkyleneimine(s) includes reference to the salts and/or derivatives thereof. References to amphoteric polymer(s) includes reference to the salts and/or derivatives thereof.

(20) The polyalkyleneimine and/or salts or derivatives thereof is used in an effective amount to provide the aforementioned corrosion protection effects during a washing or rinsing cycle. The polyalkyleneimine is preferably used in a washing or rinsing cycle in an automatic dishwasher in an amount of from 0.01 mg up to 10 g more, preferably from 0.05 mg up to 5 g, more preferably from 0.1 mg up to 1 g and most preferably from 0.5 mg up to 100 mg per wash or rinse cycle. It is also possible to use the polyalkyleneimine in both the wash and the rinse cycles of an automatic dishwashing machine.

(21) Most preferably the polyalkyleneimine and amphoteric polymer are part of a detergent or rinse formulation. The detergent formulation may be any common detergent formulation of the type usually employed with automatic dishwashers. The formulation may comprise a liquid, gel, powder or tablet formulation which can be at least partially packed or filled into a water soluble pouch. Similarly a coating may be used to coat at least a portion of the formulation. The mono-dose detergent formulation may be sub-divided with different portions separated from each other.

(22) Where the formulation is a liquid/gel generally the polyalkyleneimine and amphoteric polymer are present in solution within the liquid/gel. However, it is also contemplated to have the polyalkyleneimine and/or amphoteric polymer present in the liquid/gel in the form of an insoluble solid salt/compound so that the polyalkyleneimine and/or amphoteric polymer may comprise a suspended particle (e.g. such as a speckle typically found in these formulations). For compositions having a water soluble coating or pouch it is contemplated to have the polyalkyleneimine and/or amphoteric polymer as part of the coating/pouch composition.

(23) The detergent formulation normally comprises other components which are typically found in dishwasher detergent formulations. In this regard the detergent formulation typically comprises one or more components selected from the group comprising surfactants (non-ionic, anionic, cationic and zwitterionic), builders, enzymes, foam suppressants, bleaches, bleach activators, thickeners, perfumes, dyes, corrosion inhibitors.

(24) The polyalkyleneimine and amphoteric polymer may be present in an automatic dishwasher (ADW) detergent composition. In this case the polyalkyleneimine preferably comprises from 0.0001% wt-50% wt of the detergent composition, more preferably from 0.0005% wt-5% wt and most preferably 0.001% wt-1% wt of the dishwasher detergent composition (e.g. 10 mg for a 20 g tablet).

(25) The ADW detergent composition may have a pH from 6-12. The detergent composition may be neutral with a pH from 6-8 or an alkaline formulation with a pH from 8-12, preferably between 9 and 11.

(26) The ADW detergent composition may be phosphate free.

(27) The polyalkyleneimine and amphoteric polymer may be also be included in a rinse aid composition. In this case the rinse aid composition preferably comprises from 0.0005% wt-70% wt of the polyalkyleneimine, more preferably from 0.001% wt-50% wt and most preferably 0.005% wt-25% wt, such as from 0.01% wt-5% wt of the rinse aid composition. The rinse aid composition preferably comprises from 0.0005% wt-70% wt of the amphoteric polymer, more preferably from 0.001% wt-50% wt and most preferably 0.005% wt-25% wt, such as from 0.01% wt-5% wt of the rinse aid composition.

(28) The rinse aid composition may be acidic and may comprise citric acid.

(29) The polyalkyleneimine and amphoteric polymer may be also be included in a water softening salt composition. These are commonly used for the regeneration of the ion exchanger present in an automatic dishwasher. In this case the water softening salt composition preferably comprises from 0.0001% wt-90% wt of the water softening salt composition, more preferably 0.001% wt-50% wt and most preferably 0.005% wt-25% wt such as 0.01 to 10% wt of the water softening salt composition.

(30) The polyalkyleneimine and amphoteric polymer may be included in a machine cleaner/machine additive composition. In either of these cases the composition comprises from 0.0001% wt-90% wt of the amphoteric polymer, more preferably from 0.0005% wt-50% wt of the amphoteric polymer and most preferably 0.001% wt-10% wt of the amphoteric polymer. The composition also comprises from 0.0001% wt-90% wt of the polyalkyleneimine, more preferably from 0.0005% wt-50% wt of the polyalkyleneimine and most preferably 0.001% wt-10% wt of the polyalkyleneimine.

(31) Polyalkyleneimines are commercially available from different suppliers under various trade names e.g. Lugalvan P (ex BASF) and Lupasol BASF. Polyalkyleneimines are known to have a very widespread range of average molecular weights, from around 100 up to several million, preferably in the range of from about 100 to about 5,000,000 most preferably of from about 250 to 1,000,000, such as from about 400 to about 100,000. The alkylene group, which is preferably a linear or branched chain, may also for example be cyclic. The alkylene group preferably has from 1 to 50 C atoms, more preferably from 2 to 20, such as from 2 to 5, such as ethylene. These polymers can be linear, branched or end capped. Suitable end-caps include alkylenediamines such as C.sub.2-C.sub.5 alkylenediamines e.g. ethylenediamines. The polymers may be derivatized, e.g. by alkoxylation, ethoxylation, propoxylation protonated, and be provided with or without a counter-ion.

(32) If a counter-ion is present any suitable counter-ion may be used.

(33) If a counter-ion is used which is known to have negative effects in the dishwashing process, e.g. chloride, the chloride counter-ion is preferably present in the dishwashing process at a concentration of less than 200 mg/liter of dishwashing liquor, more preferably at less than 100 mg/liter most preferably less than 50 mg/liter in order to avoid rusting, pitting or other types of corrosion on stainless steel e.g. cutlery.

(34) Common commercially available polyalkyleneimines are usually available as an admixture mixture of one or more of the above species. A solvent such as water may be present. Any one of these species would be suitable for use in the present invention.

(35) The composition is further described, by way of illustration, with reference to the following non-limiting Example.

EXAMPLE

(36) The following base Composition A was utilised in the rinse tests to determine spotting levels.

(37) TABLE-US-00001 Components of Composition A % wt Sodium Tripolyphosphate 45.0 Sodium Carbonate 24.0 Sodium Bicarbonate 3.0 Citric acid 1.0 Cellulose 1.0 Lactose 1.0 Sodium disilicate 3.0 Polyethyleneglycol (PEG) 7.0 Sodium Percarbonate 10.0 TAED 2.0 Protease 0.9 Amylase 0.4 Non-ionic Surfactant 1.0 Benzotriazole 0.2 Perfume + Dye 0.5
Rinse Test Evaluation Data

(38) TABLE-US-00002 Compo- Composition A Compo- sition A 20 g Lupasol sition A 20 g + 15 mg + Mirapol 20 grams Lupasol Surf S (P-free only 15 mg powder) 50 mg Experiments Spotting Score Results Long drink glasses 5.7 4.0 5.0 Whiskey glasses 6.0 4.0 5.5 Ventura knives 4.3 4.7 4.8 Porcelain plates 4.9 4.1 4.6 Melamine Plastic 4.4 4.0 4.0 plates PP Bowl 3.3 3.0 4.0

(39) Base Composition A was tested on its own, with a polyalkyleneimine (Lupasol) and in combination with both a polyalkyleneimine (Lupasol) and an amphoteric polymer (Mirapol Surf S (P-free powder)).

(40) The results show that the addition of an amphoteric polymer improves the spotting performance of the combination of the detergent composition with the polyalkyleneimine.

(41) Glassware protection was maintained with the addition of the amphoteric polymer.

(42) Rinse Test Method Details

(43) Test method: R206V1

(44) Machine: Bosch SGS058M02EU/36

(45) Program: Eco 50 C.+Various Speed (No 3 in 1 function)

(46) Water Hardness: 21 GH

(47) Evaluators: 1 trained person.

(48) Spotting Scores

(49) TABLE-US-00003 Score Result 10 No streaks and spots 9 Few slight streaks and/or a few small spots 8 Some slight streaks and/or some small spots 7 Several slight streaks and/or a few medium size spots 6 Some moderate streaks and/or medium size spots 5 Moderate streaks and/or a few big spots 4 Some strong streaks and/or many big spots 3 Strong streaks and/or many big spots 2 Very strong streaks and/or numerous big spots 1 Whole surface is covered with very strong streaks and/or spots

(50) While several possible embodiments are disclosed above, embodiments of the present invention are not so limited. For instance, while there are several possible configurations of materials for the composition comprising a polyalkyleneimine and at least one amphoteric polymer, and methods for automatic ware washing using said composition in automatic ware washing machines have been disclosed, as well as other methods of use of the disclosed compositions, other suitable materials and combinations of materials, as well as steps in automatic ware washing or other methods of use, could be selected without departing from the spirit of embodiments of the invention. Such changes are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention.

(51) The specific configurations, choice of materials, method steps, and the size and shape of various elements can be varied according to particular design specifications or constraints requiring a device, system, or method constructed according to the principles of the invention. Such changes are intended to be embraced within the scope of the invention. The presently disclosed embodiments, therefore, are considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims, rather than the foregoing description, and all changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalents thereof are intended to be embraced therein.