FOAMING COMPOSITION FOR HIDING EXCREMENT AND AVOIDING SPLASHES AND FALLING NOISES

Abstract

A foaming composition containing a foaming agent that is made up of at least one acid and at least one base. The base and the acid being able to react in the presence of water, producing carbon dioxide. The composition also contains an anionic surfactant. The composition is in the form of a loose powder and in that it contains a mass percentage of the surfactant that is greater than or equal to 3% and is less than or equal to 4%. In particular, the mass percentage of the surfactant is less than 3.5%, and/or a mass percentage of the acid and base mixture is greater than or equal to 90%. The composition allows a foam to be obtained that allows excrement to be hidden, and splashes, rising odors and falling noises to be avoided.

Claims

1-11. (canceled)

12. A foaming composition in a form of a loose powder, comprising a sodium alginate and a foaming agent that comprises a mixture of at least one acid and at least one base, at a mass percentage of the mixture equal to or greater 90%, the mixture being reactable in presence of water by producing carbon dioxide, the foaming composition further comprising an anionic surfactant, wherein the anionic surfactant is an alkylbenzene sulfonate wherein an alkyl chain is linear and wherein the composition produces a layer of foam when it is dissolved in the water of a toilet bowl, said foam being configured to mask a noise of dropping of an excrement.

13. The composition of claim 12, wherein said foaming composition comprises a mass percentage of the anionic surfactant equal to or greater than 3% and equal to or less than 4%.

14. The composition of claim 13, wherein said foaming composition comprises a mass percentage of the anionic surfactant less than 3.5%.

15. The composition of claim 12, wherein said foaming composition comprises a mass percentage of the anionic surfactant is equal to or less than 1.5%.

16. The composition of claim 12, wherein the foaming agent mixture consists of citric acid, sulfamic acid and sodium bicarbonate, and wherein a mass percentage of citric acid is greater than a mass percentage of sulfamic acid.

17. The composition of claim 16, wherein the sodium bicarbonate has a mean diameter less than or equal to 130 μm.

18. The composition of claim 12, further comprising a thickener selected among guar gum, starch, pectin, agar-agar, gelatin, carrageenan and sodium alginates.

19. The composition of claim 18, wherein the mass percentage of the thickener is less than 2.00%.

20. The composition of claim 19, wherein the mass percentage of the thickener is equal to 1.60%.

21. The composition of claim 12, further comprising silica in a powder form, said silica having a surface measured in accordance with a BET method equal to or greater than 420 m.sup.2/g.

22. The composition of claim 21, wherein a mass percentage of said silica is between 0.08 and 0.3%.

23. The composition of claim 21, wherein a mass percentage of said silica is between 0.26% and 0.51%.

24. The composition of claim 12, further comprising a synthetic perfume excluding essential oils.

25. A flexible water-tight and airtight sachet comprising the composition of claim 12.

Description

EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Examples of Composition According to the Invention

[0046] Seven examples of compositions according to the invention are given in tables 1 to 4 below. All these compositions are in the form of loose powder.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Composition no. 184-05 184-48 Commercial name Chemical name Mass % g/dose Mass % g/dose Citric acid Citric acid 37.11 14.00 37.03 14.40 Sulfamic acid Sulfamic acid 10.31 4.00 10.28 4 Marlon Arl Sodium alkylbenzene 3.09 1.20 3.08 1.20 sulfonate Sodium bicarbonate Bicarbonate of soda 45.36 17.60 45.24 17.60 Algogel 3541 Sodium alginate 4.12 1.60 4.11 1.60 Pine perfume Clean pine A334587 (Ungerer Limited) Marine perfume Blue perfume A273797 (Ungerer Limited) Sipernat 50 Silica (BET = 450 m.sup.2/g) 0.26 0.10 Total 100 38.80 100 38.90

TABLE-US-00002 TABLE 2 Composition no. 184-50 184-51 Commercial name Chemical name Mass % g/dose Mass % g/dose Citric acid Citric acid 36.92 14.40 36.83 14.40 Sulfamic acid Sulfamic acid 10.26 4.00 10.23 4 Marlon Arl Sodium alkylbenzene 3.08 1.20 3.07 1.20 sulfonate Sodium bicarbonate Bicarbonate of soda 45.13 17.60 45.01 17.60 Algogel 3541 Sodium alginate 4.10 1.60 4.09 1.60 Pine perfume Clean pine A334587 (Ungerer Limited) Marine perfume Blue perfume A273797 0.51 0.20 (Ungerer Limited) Sipernat 50 Silica (BET = 450 m.sup.2/g) 0.51 0.20 0.26 0.10 Total 100 39.00 100 39.10

TABLE-US-00003 TABLE 3 Composition no. 184-52 184-53 Commercial name Chemical name Mass % g/dose Mass % g/dose Citric acid Citric acid 36.73 14.40 36.83 14.40 Sulfamic acid Sulfamic acid 10.20 4.00 10.23 4 Marlon Arl Sodium alkylbenzene 3.06 1.20 3.07 1.20 sulfonate Sodium bicarbonate Bicarbonate of soda 44.90 17.60 45.01 17.60 Algogel 3541 Sodium alginate 4.08 1.60 4.09 1.60 Pine perfume Clean pine A334587 0.51 0.20 (Ungerer Limited) Marine perfume Blue perfume A273797 0.51 0.20 (Ungerer Limited) Sipernat 50 Silica (BET = 450 m.sup.2/g) 0.51 0.20 0.26 0.10 Total 100 39.20 100 39.10

TABLE-US-00004 TABLE 4 Composition no. 184-54 Commercial name Chemical name Mass % g/dose Citric acid Citric acid 36.74 14.40 Sulfamic acid Sulfamic acid 10.20 4.00 Marlon Arl Sodium alkylbenzene 3.06 1.20 sulfonate Sodium bicarbonate Bicarbonate of soda 44.90 17.60 Algogel 3541 Sodium alginate 4.08 1.60 Pine perfume Clean pine A334587 0.51 0.20 (Ungerer Limited) Marine perfume Blue perfume A273797 (Ungerer Limited) Sipernat 50 Silica (BET = 450 m.sup.2/g) 0.51 0.20 Total 100 39.20

[0047] Citric acid corresponds to the product sold by the company Quaron under the name citric acid ANH FIN GR E330. It has a mean granulometry (sieve method) of 149 μm (inclusive) to 595 μm (inclusive).

[0048] Sulfamic acid corresponds to the product sold by the company Brenntag under the name Sulfamic acid TS grade. It has a mean granulometry (sieve method) of less than 2 mm.

[0049] Bicarbonate of soda corresponds to the product sold by the company La Compagnie du Bicarbonate under the name sodium bicarbonate grade 1. It has a mean granulometry (sieve method) of less than or equal to 130 μm.

[0050] Alginate corresponds to the product sold by the company Unipex under the name Algogel 3541. It has a mean granulometry (sieve method) of less than 125 μm.

[0051] Silica corresponds to the product sold by the company Azelis under the name Sipernat 50. It has a mean granulometry (sieve method) of 35.0 to 65.0 μm (inclusive).

[0052] The specific surface of the silica was measured by the conventional BET method with nitrogen.

[0053] The fragrances are sold by Ungerer Limited. They are in the form of a colorless or light yellow liquid. These fragrances are synthetic; it is therefore not a case of essential oils.

[0054] Marlon is sold by the company Brenntag. It is in the form of a white powder.

[0055] The compositions are formed by simple mixing of the constituents without prior drying.

Selection of Surfactant

[0056] The same compositions as those indicated in Tables 1 to 4 were tested with, in place of the sodium alkyl benzoate salt, a mixture of sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium cocoyl isethionate and sodium lauryl sulfate. After 15 days of storage of the powder at ambient temperature, the composition no longer formed any foam when it was dissolved in water.

Experimental Protocol

[0057] A ready-to-install toilet CLEO WC, made from white ceramic, horizontal outlet, ref 647982, sold by Mr.Bricolage, was used for the tests. These toilets are not fixed. They can easily be manipulated.

[0058] The toilets, previously cleaned, are filled to the maximum with water (until the water stabilizes). The initial water level is marked and then, from this initial level, a centimeter scale up to 15 cm is affixed. The toilets are then filled with water (mains water of hardness 35° HF and 20° C.) up to the base mark.

[0059] The dose of composition to be tested was added and the level of foam was evaluated after: 30 sec, 1 min, 1 min 30, 2 min, 3 min and 4 min.

[0060] At the end of 5 minutes, 5 plugs (3×3 cm and 18.8 g) are dropped from the height of the toilet seat aimed at the centre, the top, the bottom, the right and the left. The following points are then noted: Is there any splashing of liquid? Is there a splash noise? Are the plugs visible? Does the foam close over the plugs? During the test all relevant remarks are also noted.

[0061] The results are as below for each of the compositions of the above tables stored for 15 days at 40° C. either in a cup or in a watertight and airtight welded aluminum sachet.

Composition 184-05 (Reference Composition) Stored in a Cup

[0062] Height of foam at 30″: 9.5; 1′30: 9.5 cm; at 2′00: 9.5 cm; 2′30: 9 cm; 3′: 9 cm; 4′: 9 cm. The foam is aerated, noise is attenuated, the holes close up, the powder is not completely dissolved, there are no splashes, no plugs are seen.

Composition 184-05 (Reference Composition) Stored in Aluminum Sachet

[0063] Height of foam at 30″: 9 cm; 1′30: 8.5 cm; at 2′00: 8.5 cm; 2′30: 8.5 cm; 3′: 8 cm; 4′: 7 cm. The foam is aerated, noise is attenuated, the holes close up, there are no splashes, no plugs are seen, the object is cushioned.

Composition 184-48 Stored in Sachet Height of foam at 30″: 9 cm; 1′30: 8.5 cm; at 2′00: 8.5 cm; 2′30: 8.5 cm; 3′: 8 cm; 4′: 7 cm. The foam is aerated, noise is attenuated, the holes close up, there are no splashes, no plugs are seen, the object is cushioned.

Composition 184-50 Stored in Sachet

[0064] Height of foam at 30″: 9 cm; 1′30: 8.5 cm; at 2′00: 8.5 cm; 2′30: 8.5 cm; 3′: 8 cm; 4′: 7 cm. The foam is aerated, noise is attenuated, the holes close up, there are no splashes, no plugs are seen, the object is cushioned.

Composition 184-51 Stored in Sachet

[0065] Height of foam at 30″: 8 cm; 1′30: 7.5 cm; at 2′00: 7 cm; 2′30: 6.5 cm; 3′: 6 cm; 4′: 5 cm. The foam is aerated, noise is attenuated, the holes close up, there are no splashes, no plugs are seen, the object is cushioned.

Composition 184-52 Stored in Sachet

[0066] Height of foam at 30″: 9.5 cm; 1′30: 8.5 cm; at 2′00: 8 cm; 2′30: 7 cm; 3′: 6.5 cm; 4′: 5 cm. The foam is aerated, noise is attenuated, the holes close up, there are no splashes, no plugs are seen, the object is cushioned.

Composition 184-53 Stored in Sachet

[0067] Height of foam at 30″: 7 cm; 1′30: 5.5 cm; at 2′00: 5 cm; 2′30: 5 cm; 3′: 4 cm; 4′: 3.5 cm. The foam is fragile, it does not close up after the fall, the cushioning is only slight, presence of noise.

Composition 184-54 Stored in Sachet Height of foam at 30″: 9 cm; 1′30: 8.5 cm; at 2′00: 8 cm; 2′30: 7.5 cm; 3′: 7 cm; 4′: 5.5 cm. The foam is aerated, noise is attenuated, the holes close up, there are no splashes, no plugs are seen, the object is cushioned.

Selection of Silica

[0068] A silica having a BET of 120 m.sup.2/g was tested. The results on the agglomeration of the powder after 2 months are less good than with silica having a specific surface measured in accordance with the BET method of 450 m.sup.2/g. The silica tends to make the foam heavy and to break the bubbles because of its presence in solid form therein. The finer the silica (indicate numerical values) the more stable the foam remains once formed.

Influence of the Proportion of Silica

[0069] Two proportions of silica were studied, namely at 0.26%, i.e., 0.10 g, and 0.51%, i.e., 0.20 g. The performances in toilets in terms of height of foam, cushioning and behavior of the foam in a fall and after the fall of objects are not affected. On the other hand, the silica has an influence on performance after storage and on the agglomeration of the powder.

Influence of Storage Time on the Performance in Toilets

[0070] The same experiments as above were implemented with each of the compositions after 15 days at 40° C. (storage in closed oven) and one month of storage at ambient temperature (average humidity) and after 15 days at 40° C. and 2 months at ambient temperature (ditto as for 1 month). The sign C indicates that the composition was stored in a cup while the sign S indicates that the composition was stored in a sachet.

[0071] Table 5 contains the results for 15 days at 40° C. and then 1 month of storage at ambient temperature under the aforementioned humidity conditions.

[0072] Table 6 contains the results for 15 days at 40° C. (storage in closed oven) and then 2 months of storage at ambient temperature under the aforementioned humidity conditions. The foam height is measured in cm.

[0073] In all the results of the present application without figures, only the alterations that impair the use or storage of the product are noted. If no alteration is noted with regard to the composition, this does not appear in the results.

TABLE-US-00005 TABLE 5 Composition 184-05 184-48 184-50 184-51 184-52 184-53 184-54 Height of foam (C )6 (S) 10 (S) 11 (S) 8.5/ (S) 8.5/ (S) 10.5/ (S) 11/9 at 30″ 8 (C) 6 (C) 9 (C) (C) Height of foam (C) 7.5 (S) 9.5 (S) 10.5 (S) 7.5/ (S) 8/6 (C) (S) 9.5/ (S) 10/ at 1′30 7.5 (C) 8.5 (C) 8 (C) Height of foam (C) 7.5 (S) 9 (S) 10 (S) 6.5/ (S) 7.5/ (S) 9 (S) 9/7.5 at 2′ 7 (C) 5.5 (C) 8 (C) (C) Height of foam (C) 8/ (S) 9 (S) 9.5 (S) 6.5/ (S) 7/5 (C) (S) 8/ (S) 8.5/ at 2′30 7 (C) 7.5 (C) 7 (C) Height of foam (C) 8/ (S) 9 (S) 9 (S) 6/ (S) 6/ (S) 7.5/7 (C) (S) 8/7 (C) at 3′ 6.5 (C) 5 (C) Height of foam (C) 8/ (S) 8 (S) 8.5 (S) 4/5 (C) (S) 5/4 (C) (S) 6/7(C) (S) 7/5.5 (C) at 4′

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 6 Composition 184-05 184-48 184-50 184-51 184-52 184-53 184-54 Height of foam (C) 6 (S) 10 (S) 10 (S) 9/8.5 (C) (S) 10.5/4 (C) (S) 9/6 (S) 10/9 at 30″ (C) (C) Height of foam (C) 7 (S) 10 (S) 10 (S) 7/7.5 (C) (S) 8.5/ (S) 8/6 (S) 8.5/ at 1′30 3.5 (C) (C) 8.5 (C) Height of foam (C) 7 (S) 10 (S) 9.5 (S) 4.5/7 (C) (S) 7.5/ (S) 7.5/ (S) 7.5/8 at 2′ 3.5 (C) 5.5 (C) (C) Height of foam (C) 7 (S) 9.5 (S) 9.5 (S) 6/6 (C) (S) 6/3 (C) (S) 6.5/5 (S) 7/8 at 2′30 (C) (C) Height of foam (C) 7 (S) 9 (S) 9 (S) 5/6 (C) (S) 5/3 (C) (S) 6/5 (S) 6/7.5 at 3′ (C) (C) Height of foam (C) 7 (S) 8.5 (S) 8.5 (S) 4/5 (C) (S) 3.5/3 (C) (S) 5/4.5 (S) 5/7 at 4′ (C) (C)
Results after 15 Days of Storage at 40° C.

[0074] The composition 184-51 forms a foam but the cushioning is less good and slight splashing is noted (powder stored in cup). The same applies with the composition 184-52 stored in a cup. For the composition 184-53 stored in a cup, the performance is not altered. If it is stored in an aluminum sachet, the cushioning is weaker and the foam obtained is fragile, it does not close up after the fall of the plugs. No alteration is noted for the composition 184-54 stored in a sachet. On the other hand, when it is stored in a cup, little foam and very little cushioning is obtained.

Results after One Month of Storage

[0075] The composition 184-51 stored in a cup cushions less than after 15 days. The same applies with the composition 184-52, which in addition causes a few splashes. For the other compositions, the performance is stable and identical to that obtained after 15 days at 40° C.

Results after Two Months of Storage

[0076] The composition 184-51 stored in a cup cushions less well. The same applies with the composition 184-52 which, in addition, causes greater splashing and does not attenuate noise. For the other compositions, the performance is stable and identical to that obtained after 15 days at 40° C. It is even found that, for the compositions 184-48, 184-50 and 184-54, the height of foam obtained is greater than that obtained after 15 days at 40° C., which is surprising.

Influence of the Container on the Agglomeration of the Powder

[0077] After 15 days at 40° C., the sachet containing the composition 184-48 is swollen, indicating a chemical reaction in the sachet and therefore a release of CO.sub.2. The same applies with the compositions 184-51 and 184-52, the powder of which is greatly agglomerated in the sachet, which is also swollen. The sachet containing the composition 184-53 is a little swollen but the composition remains in the form of a loose powder (without any clump formed).

[0078] After one month, the composition 184-48 has formed a block but the sachet is little swollen. In a cup, there is no change. The sachet containing the composition 184-51 is a little swollen but the composition remains in powder form. In a cup, the powder has become granular. The composition 184-52 forms a block whether it is stored in a cup or in a sachet. The same applies for 184-53. Finally, the composition 184-54 stored in a sachet remains in loose powder form; the sachet is not swollen and the perfume is still detectable to the nose in the powder and in the bowl after use. On the other hand, stored in a cup, the powder becomes granular and odorless.

[0079] After two months, only the compositions 184-51, 184-52 and 184-53, whether they be stored in a sachet or in a cup, are compacted and form a block or have become granular.

[0080] It appears that storage in a sachet is preferable, in particular for the compositions 184-48, 184-50 and 184-54. The sachet makes it possible to store a loose powder, probably since the powder spreads in the sachet and forms a thin layer that is not compacted/compressed by its own weight. In the cup, on the other hand, the surface with the external environment is limited (the cups are not closed) but the weight of the composition has a tendency to agglomerate despite the presence of silica.

Influence of the Perfume

[0081] The marine perfume, the composition of which is unknown, completely destabilized the composition and/or is no longer detectable to the nose after two months of storage.

[0082] On the other hand, the pine fragrance, which contains at least one compound selected from alpha-cedrene epoxide, bornyl acetate, 8-sec-butylquinoline, 2,4,6-triethylcyclohex-3-ene-1-carbaldehyde, decaline, dibutylamine, synthetic amber, 1,1-dimethoxy-2-phenyl propane, methyl isonicotinate, nootkatone, 1-octen-3-ol, isophorone (low and high concentration), isopropyl quinolone, argeol and gamma-undecalactone makes it possible to obtain a fragrance that masks the nauseating odors likely to appear during and after defecation. The mixtures of at least two of these compounds can also be used as a fragrance.