One-hundred percent all natural dishwashing composition comprising citrus fruit or berry powder and vinegar powder

Abstract

A dishwashing composition which is a mixture of vinegar powder and lemon powder, or a mixture of vinegar powder, lemon powder and salt, for use in a dishwashing machine or for other cleaning purposes. The vinegar powder, lemon powder and, when present, salt can be mixed in any of a variety of proportions. The lemon powder, vinegar powder, and optional salt are non-toxic to humans and pets.

Claims

1. A dishwashing composition comprising: a) powder derived from citrus fruit or berry substantially free of additives or preservatives; and b) vinegar powder having acidity of about 12% to about 25%.

2. A dishwashing composition comprising: a) powder derived from citrus fruit or berry substantially free of additives or preservatives; b) vinegar powder having acidity of about 12% to about 25%; and c) salt.

3. The dishwashing composition of claim 2, wherein said salt is selected from the group consisting of table salt, baking soda, sea salt, primordial sea salt, Himalayan sea salt, and Dead Sea salt.

4. The dishwashing composition of claim 1 further comprising about 0.1 to about 10 parts salt.

5. A method of using a dishwashing composition in a dishwashing machine, said method comprising the steps of: a) placing soiled dishes in said dishwashing machine, b) placing a sufficient amount of said dishwashing composition of claim 1 inside said dishwashing machine, and c) operating said dishwashing machine in accordance with instructions or recommendations provided by a dishwashing machine manufacturer.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the composition further comprises salt selected from the group consisting of table salt, baking soda, sea salt, primordial sea salt, Himalayan sea salt, and Dead Sea salt.

7. The method of claim 5 wherein the automated dishwashing machine is operated using a cycle which provides a water temperature greater than 105 F. and wash cycle time greater than 45 minutes.

8. A cleansing spray composition comprising a composition of claim 1 in aqueous solution.

9. The spray composition of claim 8, wherein the aqueous solution is water.

10. The spray composition of claim 5, wherein the ratio of vinegar powder to citrus fruit or berry powder is about 1:1 to about 10:1.

11. The composition of claim 8 wherein the ratio of vinegar powder to citrus fruit or berry powder is about 9:1.

12. The method of claim 5 wherein the citrus fruit powder is derived from a citrus fruit selected from the group consisting of lime, orange, grapefruit, or tangerine.

13. The composition of claim 8, further comprising salt selected from the group consisting of table salt, baking soda, sea salt, primordial sea salt, and Dead Sea salt.

14. The dishwashing composition of claim 1, wherein the citrus fruit or berry powder and vinegar powder are admixed to provide a substantially homogenous mixture composition.

15. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein 100% of said citrus fruit or berry powder and said vinegar powder is derived from a natural source.

16. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said vinegar powder is derived from sugar cane.

17. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein the citrus fruit powder is derived from a citrus fruit selected from the group consisting of lime, orange, grapefruit, or tangerine.

18. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 1 wherein said powder derived from citrus fruit or berry is freeze dried.

19. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein said dishwashing composition comprises 1-12 parts of said vinegar powder to 0.1-15 parts of said citrus fruit or berry powder, by weight.

20. The dishwashing composition of claim 2, wherein the citrus fruit or berry powder and vinegar powder are admixed to provide a substantially homogenous mixture composition.

21. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 2 wherein 100% of said citrus fruit or berry powder and said vinegar powder is derived from a natural source.

22. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 2 wherein said vinegar powder is derived from sugar cane.

23. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 2 wherein the citrus fruit powder is derived from a citrus fruit selected from the group consisting of lime, orange, grapefruit, or tangerine.

24. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 2 wherein said powder derived from citrus fruit or berry is freeze dried.

25. The dishwashing composition as claimed in claim 2, wherein said dishwashing composition comprises 1-12 parts of said vinegar powder to 0.1-15 parts of said citrus fruit or berry powder, by weight.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(1) The invention concerns a composition comprising a mixture of a first component being vinegar powder, and a second component being a powder derived from a fruit or berry source, preferably a citrus fruit, e.g., lemon powder, to be employed as a cleansing powder. Preferably, the composition is employed as a dishwashing cleaner agent for use in a dishwashing machine.

(2) Another embodiment of the invention comprises a mixture of a first component being vinegar powder, a second component being a powder derived from a fruit or berry source, preferably a citrus fruit, e.g., lemon powder, and a third component being salt, preferably sea salt and more preferably a primordial sea salt.

(3) Each of these ingredients is preferably 100% derived from a natural source, preferably being substantially free, and more preferably being 100% free, of additives or preservatives.

(4) This application refers to vinegar powder which is intended to mean powdered vinegar derived from any source, but preferably a natural source. It is understood that acetic acid is the primary active ingredient or component of vinegar powder. Therefore, reference herein to vinegar powder is intended to encompass a powder form of vinegar, acetic acid, or a powder comprising acetic acid as its major or primary component.

(5) This application also refers to lemon powder which is intended to mean a powder derived from a fruit or berry source. Citrus fruit, such as a lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange, tangerine, or the like, are useful because they are known to comprise relatively higher concentration of acid, e.g., citric acid, compared to other natural sources. The acidity of the fruit or berry source is not limited to citric acid, and can result from other natural acids contained in the natural fruit or berry source. For example, other fruits and berries, which may not be understood to be citrus fruits, can provide the necessary acidity to the composition and be substituted for, or combined with citrus or lemon powder.

(6) Such other fruit and berry sources include, but are not limited to, cranberries (pH 2-3); apples, blueberries, cherries, grapes, nectarines, peaches, pears, pineapple, plums, or raspberries (pH 3-4); bananas (pH 4-5); and melons (pH about 6). These fruits and berries are known to contain one or more of citric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, and oxalic acid, which provide acidity to the powder derived therefrom.

(7) Advantageously, these citrus fruits and other fruit or berry sources for this powder component of the composition can provide fragrance consistent with the source fruit or berry. Adding more or less of one or more of the powders derived from a particular fruit or berry source, within the ranges provided herein, can provide an aesthetically pleasing scent or aroma to the final composition.

(8) Accordingly, the terms lemon powder, citrus powder, or citric acid powder, fruit powder, berry powder, or fruit and berry powder can be used interchangeably and refer to a powder form of the component derived from a natural source, such as citrus fruit, e.g., lemon, orange, lime, grapefruit, tangerine, or the like. Thus, reference herein to lemon powder or citrus powder would be understood to mean any natural powder derived from an acidic fruit or berry, having a measured pH below 7. The preferred fruit powders used for the subject composition are 100% natural, being free of additives or preservatives.

(9) These terms are used to distinguish from other plant-derived (not fruit or berry-derived) acidic powders, such as the vinegar powder, which is derived from plants such as sugar cane, but are not derived from fruit or berry sources.

(10) This application also refers to salt which is understood to refer to ionic compounds that can result from the neutralization reaction of an acid and a base. Salts are composed of related numbers of cations (positively charged ions) and anions (negative ions) so that the product is electrically neutral. The ionic components can be inorganic, such as sodium (Na.sup.+) or chloride (Cl.sup.), as well as organic such as acetate (C.sub.2H.sub.3O.sub.2.sup.), can be monatomic, e.g., fluoride (F.sup.), or polyatomic, e.g., sulfate (SO.sub.4.sup.2). Salts are typically solids, and form crystals, at normal temperature and pressure.

(11) Common salt-forming cations include:

(12) Ammonium, NH.sub.4.sup.+; Calcium, Ca.sup.2+; Iron, Fe.sup.2+ or Fe.sup.3+; Magnesium, Mg.sup.2+; Potassium, K.sup.+; Quaternary ammonium, NR.sub.4.sup.+; and Sodium, Na.sup.+.

(13) Common salt-forming anions include: Acetate, CH.sub.3COO.sup. (acetic acid); Bicarbonate, HCO.sub.3.sup.; Carbonate, CO.sub.3.sup.2 (carbonic acid); Chloride, Cl.sup. (hydrochloric acid); Citrate, HOC (COO.sup.) (CH.sub.2COO.sup.).sub.2 (citric acid); Cyanide, CN.sup. (hydrocyanic acid); Fluoride, F.sup. (hydrofluoric acid); Nitrate, NO.sub.3.sup. (nitric acid); Nitrite, NO.sub.2.sup. (nitrous acid); Phosphate, PO.sub.4.sup.3 (phosphoric acid); or Sulfate, SO.sub.4.sup.2 (sulfuric acid).

(14) A preferred salt used in a composition of the subject invention is a natural salt or edible salt, which is primarily comprised of sodium chloride (NaCl). About 99.9% of table salt is NaCl.

(15) Baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) is also a commonly used salt for cleansing, and is generally safe, being used in certain dentifrice compositions.

(16) Sea salt is salt produced from the evaporation of seawater, and is commonly used in cooking and cosmetics. It is also called bay salt or solar salt. Sea salt comprises about 85-98% NaCl, and about 2-15% trace minerals.

(17) A preferred salt used in a composition of the invention is Himalayan sea salt derived from ancient, primordial seawater which provides a 100% all natural salt. Himalayan sea salt is a salt derived from ancient, primordial seawater. The chemical composition of Himalayan salt is about 95-96% sodium chloride, 2-3% polyhalite and small amounts of up to ten or more other minerals. A pink color often seen for Himalayan sea salt is due to the presence of a trace amount of iron oxide. A commercially available Himalayan sea salt is marketed as Primordial Ocean Salt Himalaya (POSH) by Posh Salt (Cliffside Park, N.J.). Himalayan sea salt is a marketing term for halite (commonly known as rock salt). Other Himalayan sea salts are also believed to be available from Pakistan.

(18) An elemental analysis of the POSH product is reproduced below:

(19) TABLE-US-00001 Element Concentration Hydrogen 0.30 g/kg Lithium 0.40 g/kg Beryllium <0.01 ppm Boron <0.001 ppm Carbon <0.001 ppm Nitrogen 0.024 ppm Oxygen 1.20 g/kg Fluoride <0.1 g/kg Sodium 382.61 g/kg Magnesium 0.16 g/kg Aluminum 0.661 ppm Silicon <0.1 g/kg Phosphorus <0.10 ppm Sulfur 12.4 g/kg Chloride 590.93 g/kg Potassium 3.5 g/kg Calcium 4.05 g/kg Scandium <0.0001 ppm Titanium <0.001 ppm Vanadium 0.06 ppm Chromium 0.05 ppm Manganese 0.27 ppm Iron 38.9 ppm Cobalt 0.60 ppm Nickel 0.13 ppm Copper 0.56 ppm Zinc 2.38 ppm Gallium <0.001 ppm Germanium <0.001 ppm Arsenic <0.01 ppm Selenium 0.05 ppm Bromine 2.1 ppm Rubidium 0.04 ppm Strontium 0.014 g/kg Ytterbium <0.001 ppm Zirconium <0.001 ppm Niobium <0.001 ppm Molybdenum 0.01 ppm Technetium unstable artificial isotope Ruthenium <0.001 ppm Rhodium <0.001 ppm Palladium <0.001 ppm Silver 0.031 ppm Cadmium <0.01 ppm Indium <0.001 ppm Tin <0.01 ppm Antimony <0.01 ppm Tellurium <0.001 ppm Iodine <0.1 g/kg Cesium <0.001 ppm Barium 1.96 ppm Lanthan <0.001 ppm Cerium <0.001 ppm Praseodynium <0.001 ppm Neodymium <0.001 ppm Promethium unstable artificial isotope Samarium <0.001 ppm Europium <3.0 ppm Gadolinium <0.001 ppm Terbium <0.001 ppm Dysprosium <4.0 ppm Holmium <0.001 ppm Erbium <0.001 ppm Thulium <0.001 ppm Ytterbium <0.001 ppm Lutetium <0.001 ppm Hafnium <0.001 ppm Tantalum 1.1 ppm Wolfram <0.001 ppm Rhenium <2.5 ppm Osmium <0.001 ppm Iridium <2.0 ppm Platinum 0.47 ppm Gold <1.0 ppm Mercury <0.03 ppm Thallium 0.06 ppm Lead 0.10 ppm Bismuth <0.10 ppm Polonium <0.001 ppm Astat <0.001 ppm Francium <1.0 ppm Radium <0.001 ppm Actinium <0.001 ppm Thorium <0.001 ppm Protactinium <0.001 ppm Uranium <0.001 ppm Neptunium <0.001 ppm Plutonium <0.001 ppm

(20) Another salt that can be used in the composition is Dead Sea Salt. Dead Sea salt refers to salt extracted or taken from the Dead Sea. Its mineral composition is also different, being only 12-18% sodium chloride. The Dead Sea's mineral composition can vary with season, rainfall, depth, and temperature. One analysis of a commercial Dead Sea Salt product measured a 2.5% sodium chloride content. Analysis results showed the Dead Sea's overall salt concentration as 340 g/L and the major ion concentrations were found to be as follows:

(21) TABLE-US-00002 Major ions of Dead Sea water Ion Concentration (mg/L) Chloride and Bromide 230,400 Magnesium 45,900 Sodium 36,600 Calcium 17,600 Potassium 7,800

(22) Commercially available Dead Sea salt can also be obtained from the mineral-rich mud of the Dead Sea. One analysis determined the following major minerals to be present in Dead Sea mud:

(23) TABLE-US-00003 Minerals of Dead Sea mud Mineral* Content (percentage) Silicon dioxide 20 Calcium oxide 15.5 Aluminum oxide 4.8 Magnesium oxide 4.5 Iron(III) oxide 2.8 Sodium oxide 1.7 Potassium oxide 1.3 Titanium(IV) oxide 0.5 Sulfur trioxide 0.4 Phosphorus pentoxide 0.3 Chloride 6.7 Bromide 0.2

(24) It is also understood that the vinegar powder or citrus powder or salt components of a composition of the invention can be synthetically derived using well-known chemical processes. These synthetic powders are also part of the invention, though natural source-derived powders are preferred.

(25) In a preferred embodiment, the first component and second component are provided as a dry mixture in proportions ranging from about 1:1 to about 10:1 ratio of vinegar powder:citrus powder. Most preferred is a composition comprising a dry mixture of the first and second components at about nine (9) parts vinegar powder to one (1) part lemon powder. For example, a 1000 kg batch of a composition can be prepared by mixing 900 kg vinegar powder and 100 kg lemon powder. This composition is a preferred embodiment of a composition of the subject invention comprising two primary components: vinegar powder and citrus (e.g., lemon) powder, which works well in an automatic dishwashing machine.

(26) In an embodiment comprising the above vinegar powder and lemon powder, and a third component, such as salt, the dry mixture is prepared in proportions of about 1:1:1 to about 10:1:0.1 of vinegar powder:citrus powder:salt. A preferred composition can be prepared by mixing 9 parts vinegar powder, 1 part lemon powder, and 0.25 parts Himalayan sea salt. Accordingly, a 1025 kg batch of a 3-component composition can be prepared by adding 900 kg vinegar powder, 100 kg lemon powder and 25 kg Himalayan sea salt. This composition is a preferred embodiment of a composition of the subject invention comprising three (3) primary components: vinegar powder, citrus (lemon) powder and (Himalayan) sea salt, which works well in an automatic dishwashing machine.

(27) It is contemplated that the mixture of vinegar powder with lemon powder, or a mixture of vinegar powder, lemon powder, and sea salt, may have additional uses especially in the cleaning arts. When such mixtures are mixed with or dissolved in water and placed in a spray bottle, a non-toxic spray cleaner for glass, metal, counter tops, refrigerators, sinks, bathrooms and the like is provided. The mixture of vinegar powder and lemon powder comprises a scent which is mild and aesthetically pleasant to the sense of smell. The composition can also be used as an additive to other dishwashing products.

(28) By altering the ratio of the first portion of the vinegar powder with the second portion of lemon powder, one may change the characteristics of the cleaning composition, allowing it to be used to clean other items. The composition may be employed in a clothes washing machine at one proportion of the mixture.

(29) Being mildly acidic, the composition of the invention may also be useful as a safe, non-toxic material for opening clogged drains.

(30) In certain concentrations at certain proportions, the mixture may be once again dissolved in water and could be sprayed on exposed limbs at an outdoor party, acting as an insect repellent. The mixture at other concentrations may be employed to keep insects out of the house or perhaps away from an outdoor party.

(31) The mixture in other proportions may also be mixed with bath water to give the bather a soothing bath.

(32) There are undoubtedly many other uses for the mixture of vinegar powder and lemon powder and salt. The examples here are in no way comprehensive, merely giving a general idea of the many possible uses this invention has. These examples are by no means limiting and are not intended to be comprehensive with respect to the mixture of vinegar powder and lemon powder and, alternatively, the salt.

(33) Additionally, the ratios of the vinegar powder to lemon powder, or the ratios of vinegar powder/lemon powder/salt, described above are in no way limiting to the desired ratios of the invention. Although many uses may share the same ratio, other uses would employ other ratios. This invention contemplates the use of any possible ratio of vinegar powder to lemon powder being mixed together.

(34) Several examples also described dissolving the mixture in water. This is in no way limiting either. It could be dissolved in any fluid which it is soluble in at any proportion and the uses such a composition are considered well within the scope of the invention.

(35) Additionally, the mixture of vinegar powder with lemon powder may form the base for mixing in another or multiple powders. Further, these additional ingredients may form the basis for products which may include the group of cleaning products, but may also belong to other groups or sets of products. An example of such a mixture may be vinegar powder with lemon powder (at any appropriate proportion) mixed with a pharmaceutical. Such a mixture could be formed into a tablet, a liquid or other device to introduce a medicine or pharmaceutical into a human or animal.

(36) Further, there are several physical properties of a white vinegar powder that has been considered for use in this invention. First, the white vinegar powder is preferably derived from sugarcane as known in the art, where it is from a fermented process made from sugar cane. Secondly, the white vinegar powder has an acidity of between 12-18.68%, which generally equates to 12-18.68 grams of acetic acid to 100 grams of white vinegar powder. It is to be understood that other sources and supplies of both white vinegar powder, lemon powder, acetic acid, citric acid, as well as any other ingredient either discussed or claimed exist and that this application contemplates the utility of their use if so desired. It is also contemplated in alternative embodiments that citric acid can be derived from other sources of naturally occurring citrus acid.

(37) It is also contemplated that the natural ingredients will be from fresh lemons and fresh sugar cane. Preferably, the composition is 100% derived from natural sources.

(38) Although the proportions of the composition components can be varied, as would be recognized and understood in the art, Himalayan sea salt or other salt used in the composition is generally mildly alkaline, so the proportional amount of the salt added to the composition is preferably limited to no more than equal parts with the acidic vinegar powder and citrus powder in order to maintain the cleaning properties of the composition. More preferably, any alkaline component of the composition is included at about 5% or less, preferably about 2.5% of the total composition.

(39) In use, the preferred composition of vinegar powder and lemon powder, or the embodiment comprising vinegar powder, lemon powder, and sea salt, is placed in a pod or packet or pouch encased by a material comprising, at least in part, a water soluble component such as a water-soluble or water-disintegrable paper or polymeric covering, for containing the powder of the composition. Such packets are sometimes referred to and would be readily recognized in the art as sachets.

(40) Alternatively, the composition can be compressed to form a tablet which can be easily handled by a user. The tablet formation can include a binder or compression enhancer to facilitate the manufacturing process, or to facilitate holding the tablet together in unit doses for storage, shipping, or the like. A tablet comprising the subject composition as described herein can further include commonly used tablet ingredients, such as fillers, solubilizers, or the like, and can be coated with a clear, white, or color coating to provide integrity to the tablet or for an aesthetically pleasing look or feel to the tablet when handled by the user.

(41) Preferably, the packet, pod or tablet containing the composition is provided as a single-use amount to be placed in the dishwasher prior to washing the dishes or other containers or items to be cleaned in the dishwasher. In use, the composition has cleaned dishes and glasses providing exceptional cleanliness, even when the dishes and containers were exceptionally soiled with hard-to-clean or dried-on foods.

(42) The subject invention further includes a method of using a dishwashing composition in an automated dishwashing machine, the method comprising the steps of: a) placing soiled dishes in said dishwashing machine, b) placing a sufficient amount of said dishwashing composition comprising citrus powder and vinegar powder inside said dishwashing machine, and c) operating said dishwashing machine in accordance with product instructions or recommendations provided by a dishwashing machine manufacturer.

(43) The method can alternatively employ, in step b, above, a composition comprising citrus powder and vinegar powder, and a salt selected from the group consisting of table salt, baking soda, sea salt, primordial sea salt, Himalayan sea salt, and Dead Sea salt.

(44) In a preferred method of use for a composition according to the subject invention in an automated dishwasher, the composition can provide more efficient cleansing effects, as observed, during cycle settings that provide water temperatures greater than 105 F., and/or wash cycles of at least 45 minutes, up to about two hours. For example, Quick Wash or Economy wash cycle settings may employ water temperatures of about 100 F. to about 104 F., and wash times of about 40 minutes.

(45) Automated dishwasher setting higher than Quick Wash or Economy are preferred for achieving greater cleansing efficacy using a composition of the invention.

(46) Automated dishwasher settings are reflective of three general components: wash cycle time, water temperature, and water turbulence.

(47) An example of typical operational settings for an automated dishwasher are shown below:

(48) TABLE-US-00004 Temperature Setting Time (min.) ( F.) Turbulence Pots/Pans 120 161 high Intensive 120 150 high Normal 115-117 140 medium Delicate 95-100 140 medium/low Quick-Wash 40-45 100-105 medium or Economy

(49) Our observations of using the subject composition in an automated dishwashing machine show that settings which are not Quick-Wash or Economy provide preferred results or cleansing efficacy. Thus, a preferred use of a composition of the invention would employ a wash cycle which provides water temperature greater than 105 F. and cycle times greater than 45 minutes. For maximum efficiency, the composition would be used with any setting higher than a Quick/Wash or Economy setting.

(50) Following the CLAIMS and ABSTRACT is an APPENDIX. The APPENDIX includes the material safety data sheets (MSDS) from the manufacturers of the vinegar powder and lemon powder ingredients and certificates of analysis (COA) from the manufacturers of those ingredients and the salt used in the preferred embodiments of this invention.

(51) While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.