GB2178441A

GB2178441A - Cleaning composition containing a crushable abrasive

Info

Publication number: GB2178441A
Application number: GB08612899A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Joseph Samuel Kanfer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1985-07-31
Filing date: 1986-05-28
Publication date: 1987-02-11
Also published as: GB8612899D0

Abstract

A cleaning composition, typically in the form of an emulsion, contains a crushable abrasive, a hydrocarbon oil, as well as a soap and/or synthetic surfactant. The cleaning composition is for providing scouring action and cutting grease.

Description

SPECIFICATION A cleaning composition containing a crushable abrasive The present invention relates to a cleaning composition comprising a hydrocarbon oil, a soap and/or surfactant, and an effective amount of an abrasive which is crushable under mild pressure. More specifically, the cleaning composition, generally in the form of an emulsion, contains perlite as the crushable abrasive.

Prior Art U.S. Patent No. 662,096 to Schmidt relates to granular skin soap containing pulverized pumice-stone.

U.S. Patent No. 1,362,393 to Chaplin relates to a soap having a combined scrubbing and adhesive initial action of a non-abrasive character and adapted to have incorporated therein an excess of alkali whereby such initial adhesive action may be gradually overcome during the using of the soap.

U.S. Patent No. 1,770,429 to Reinle relates to a scouring soap powder made by mixing vegetable oil, caustic soda and volcanic ash.

U.S. Patent No. 2,455,910 to Alderson relates to a method of curing ethylene polymers in the presence of a peroxy compound.

U.S. Patent No. 3,092,111 to Saperstein et al relates to a therapeutic method for the abrasion of human skin utilizing a paste containing a detergent having an inorganic abrasive dispersed therein.

U.S. Patent 3,196,079 to Blaustein relates to cosmetic powder compositions containing a finely divided, high density polyolefin as a substitute for talc.

U.S. Patent No. 3,281,367 to Jones et al relates to liquid detergent compositions containing anionic detergents, fatty acid soaps, nonionic surface active agents and a finely divided water-insoluable abrasive such as silica, felspar, pumice, keiselguhr, emery or carborundum.

U.S. Patent No. 3,326,807 to Guest et al relates to an opaque liquid detergent composition containing essentially a liquid synthetic detergent and an aqueous dispersion of a copolymer of styrene with at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer such as acrylamide.

U.S. Patent No. 3,383,320 to Bell relates to a detergent bar having a solid water soluble detergent held in a solid matrix of a sintered thermoplastic resin wherein the resin can be polypropy lene, propylene-ethlyene copolymer or polyethlene.

U.S. Patent No. 3,645,904 to Beach relates to a skin cleaner which eliminates mineral-based abrasives such as aluminium oxide, volcanic ash, and the like and substitutes therefor a resilient plastic such as polyethylene.

U.S. Patent No. 4,1 55,870 to Jorgensen relates to a skin cleaning composition which is an oil-in-water emulsion containing one or more solvents such as isoparaffin solvents or deoderized kerosenes and water insoluble glass bubbles which aid in cleaning.

U.S Patent No. 4,240,919 to Chapman relates to a thixotropic abrasive liquid scouring composition having substantially no syneresis and is prepared by mixing water, an abrasive and a multivalent stearate in specific ratios. The abrasive includes various materials such as quartz, pumice, perlite, aluminum silicate, and the like.

U.S. Patent No. 4,263,284 to Schreuder relates to a skin cleaner composition containing various components such as a continuous oil phase, a dispersed aqueous emulsified phase, a buffer consisting essentially of lactic acid and triethanolamine, an emulsifying system consisting essentially of various mono- and diglycerides of higher natural fatty acids, glycerine, and caraghenates.

U.S. Patent 4,284,533 to Imamura et al relates to a liquid abrasive cleaner containing a liquid cleanser, a hydrotrope and a nonionic surfactant.

U.S. Patent No. 4,397,755 to Brierley et al relates to a liquid media in which particulate materials can be stably suspended. The composition also includes a small amount of hectorite clay.

U.S. Patent No. 4,512,736 to Wader relates to an apparatus for expanding perlite and vermiculite by injecting said particles which are entrained in a carrier gas through a burner at the bottom of a fluidized bed furnace.

An article "Basic Facts About Perlite" relates to the origin and characteristics, various other properties of perlite and is published by the Perlite Institute, Inc., New York, New York (1976).

Technical Data Sheet No. 2-1 1980, published by the Perlite Institute relates to a summary of uses of perlite.

None of the above patents disclose the use of a crushable abrasive such as perlite, the use of such an abrasive in a cleaning composition or the use of a hydrocarbon oil therewith.

It is therefore an aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaning composition containing a crushable abrasive.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaning composition, as above, wherein said cleaning composition is an emulsion gel.

It is a yet further aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaning composition, as above, wherein said abrasive has a very low density and floats when released from said emulsion gel so that it inhibits drain clogging.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaning composition, as above, wherein said cleaning composition is formulated with regard to specific requirements.

It is a still further aspect of the present invention to provide a cleaning composition, as above, wherein said cleaning composition contains a hydrocarbon oil.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description.

In general, a cleaning composition containing an abrasive; comprises water, the soap and/or surfactant, a hydrocarbon oil and an effective amount of a crushable abrasive.

A cleaning composition according to the present invention, typically in the form of an emulsion or an emulsion gel, has a hydrocarbon oil component, a soap and/or surfactant, as well as a crushable abrasive component.

Numerous other components such as fragrances, dyes, colorants, pigments, preservatives, emollients, thickeners and the like can also be utilized. The cleaning composition is suitable as a skin and especially as a hand soap in that it removes both dirt and grease and the abrasive, acts as a scouring agent with regard to any remaining dirt or grease but, under moderate pressure, breaks up into smaller particles to avoid harming the skin.

The hydrocarbon oil component is an oil which generally cuts or dissolves viscous organic materials such as grease, sludge and the like. Generally any non-drying and non-irritating organic mineral oil can be utilized. More specifically, petroleum mineral oils such as the aliphatic or wax-based oils can be utilized, the aromatic or asphalt-based oils can be utilized or the mixed-based oils can be utilized. A desirable oil is white mineral oil which is obtained by refining any of the three basic types of crude oil. White mineral oils were initially known as Russian oils. There are generally two types of white mineral oil. One type, which has a kinematic viscosity of not more than 37 centistrokes at 100"F, is termed "light" whereas the other type of oil, having a kinematic viscosity of not less than 38.1 centistrokes, is termed "heavy".Either type is suitable for use in the present invention.

Mineral oils are readily available from a large number of manufacturers as set forth on Page 172 of the CTFA Dictionary, 3rd Ed., The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc., Washington, D.C., (1982) which is hereby incorporated by reference with regard to the types and manufacturers of mineral oii.

Another mineral type oil which can be utilized in the present invention is mineral seal oil. Additionally, another example of a hydrocarbon oil are the various iso-paraffinic oils. Other hydrocarbon oils are well known to the art and to the literature. Accordingly, conventional hydrocarbon oils can be utilized in addition to those set forth herein.

A portion of the hydrocarbon oil can be extended by conventional or common hydrocarbon oil solvents in an amount up to approximately replacing two-thirds by weight of the hydrocarbon oil and more desirably up to less than about one-half by weight of the hydrocarbon oil. Suitable solvent extenders include stoddard solvent, low odor hydrocarbon solvents, limonene and the like.

The amount of hydrocarbon oil and/or hydrocarbon oil solvent in the cleaning fomulation is generally from about 20 to 60 parts by weight, desirably from about 25 to 40 parts by weight and preferrably from about 28 to about 38 parts by weight.

The soaps which are utilized in the present invention can generally be any conventional soap known to the art and the literature. By the term "soap" is meant a conventional soap, that is the salt of a fatty acid. Conventional soaps can be monoglycerides or various triglycerides which are converted to soaps by saponification. More specifically, they are the water-soluble reaction product of a fatty acid or a fatty acid ester with an alkali wherein glycerol is usually a byproduct. Various sources of fatty acids include tallow, lard, tall oil, coconut oil, palm oil, vegetable oil, rosin, and the like. Generally the alkali is sodium or potassium. In lieu of reaction with an alkali, a base such as an amine can be utilized.Frequently used amines are alkanolamines and/or amines such as triethanolamine which neutralizes the fatty acid and generally produces a soap which is soft and has good water solubility as well as oil solubility properties and hence is an excellent emulsifier.

Examples of specific soaps include sodium or potassium palmitate, sodium or potassium stearate, sodium or potassium oleate, tall oil soap and the like. Inasmuch as numerous soaps exist, for purposes of brevity they will not be listed, but rather it is noted that generally any common or conventional soap can be utilized which is known to the art or to the literature.

In combination with the soap, or solely by itself, one or more surfactants can be utilized. A surfactant is generally any substance which reduces the surface tension between immiscible liquids. With regard to the present invention, nonionic surfactants, that is surfactants which are uncharged (neutral) and without cationic or anionic sites, are preferred since they tend to render the composition meta stable, that is, impart two desirable properties thereto. The first property is that of a suitable long shelf life, in other words the emulsion is held together at room temperature for long periods of time as for example weeks and even months. The second desirable property is that upon use of the cleaning emulsion, the surfactant in being a nonionic surfactant permits breakage of the emulsion or opening up thereof such that the hydrocarbon oil is readily released.

Numerous nonionic surfactants can be utilized as well known to the art. Rather than list many of the types of such surfactants, reference is made to McCutcheon, Detergents And Emulsifiers, 1979 North American Edition, Glen Rock, New Jersey, which is hereby fully incorporated by reference with regard to such nonionic surfactants as well as any desired anionic, cationic, or amphoteric surfactant. Anoher reference listing various surfactants is the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary, 3rd Edition, published by the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association, Inc., Washington, D.C., (1982) which is also hereby fully incorporated by reference with regard to surfactants and especially nonionic surfactants.As examples thereof, nonoxynol-9 and nonoxynol-1 0, made by Union Carbide or Texaco, can be utilized by the present invention wherein these compounds are ethoxylated alkyl phenols conforming to the formula C9Hi9C6H4(OCH2CH2)nOH where n is 4 to 15 with 9 or 10 being preferred. Examples of other suitable surfactants include ethoxylated ethers, ethoxylated alcohols, ethoxylated carboxylic acids, ethoxylated amines, or other active hydrogen compounds. The total amount of soap and surfactant, or any combination thereof is an amount which is effective in forming an emulsion of most and desirably substantially or all of the hydrocarbon oil. Generally, an amount of from 5 to about 30 parts by weight is utilized. The amount of soap desirably is from about 4 to about 20 parts by weight and preferably from about 7 to about 11 parts by weight. The amount of the surfactant is generally from about 2 to about 10 parts and preferably from about 2 to about 5 parts by weight.

To provide an abrasive or scouring action within the soap formulation of the present invention, a crushable abrasive is utilized. By crushable it is meant that the abrasive generally breaks up or disintegrates into smaller particles under the application of mild pressure, such as hand pressure exerted during washing. A highly desirable crushable abrasive is perlite, a generic term for naturally occurring silicaceous volcanic rock. Perlite is generally chemically inert and has a pH of approximately 7. Perlite has very low density in that its specific gravity is approximately 0.6 to 0.10. Any geographical source of perlite is generally suitable, with Oneida Pearlite Co.

and Pennsylvania Pearlite Co. being desirable suppliers. It is an important aspect of the present invention that a perlite be utilized which is crushable upon the application of mild pressure so that a suitable abrasive or scouring action is obtained. With regard to size, too small of a size will yield very little abrasive action whereas a very large size will generally be too big to function as a suitable particle in a cleaning composition and especially a hand cleaner. A broad range of particle sizes can usually be employed, that is particles which generally pass through a U.S. standard No. 8 sieve, No. 16 sieve, or No. 30 sieve. Generally fine particles are desired such that a substantial amount passes through a No. 30 or No. 50 sieve with a fair amount, e.g. 15 to 35% by weight, even passing through a No. 100 sieve.An example of a suitable perlite is PFF-18 distributed by Pennsylvania Pearlite Co. The amount of perlite is not large in that large amounts are generally not needed to effect a scouring action and since desirably the perlite particles are covered by the soap and/or surfactant. An amount of from about 1/2 to about 20 parts by weight is suitable, with an amount from about 1 to about 16 parts by weight being desirable, with an amount of from about 2 to about 12 parts by weight being preferred.

The cleaning composition of the present invention has three general functions, that is removal of dirt, removal of grease type compounds, and abrasive removal of dirt and/or grease. While not being bound by a theory, it is speculated that the hydrophillic nature of the soap and/or surfactant releases and removes the dirt. The lipophillic nature of the hydrocarbon oil and hydrocarbon solvent cuts and removes the grease. The abrasive is effective to remove grease or dirt not otherwise loosened. An advantage gained by the use of an abrasive that is crushable is that, in its original form, it starts to remove the dirt as would be expected, but under the mild pressure of washing, it breaks down into smaller particles before the skin is damaged.The smaller particles, however, continue to work in the smaller interstices of the skin so that the advantages of both large and small abrasive particles are obtained without skin damage.

An optional component of the cleaning formulation is the use of a solubilizer such as propylene glycol, sorbitol, glycerine, and the like. Solubilizers are utilized to help maintain various additives, set forth hereinbelow, in solutions which otherwise are not generally soluble in water, as for example various fragrances, preservatives and the like. They also impart mildness to the cleaning formulation and impart good freeze-thaw properties.

Examples of other suitable solubilizers are known to the art as well as the literature. The amount of such solubilizers generally ranges from about 1 part to about 10 parts by weight and desirably from about 2 parts to about 6 parts by weight.

In order to form an emulsion, water is utilized. The amount of water is an effective amount to form an emulsion and preferably an emulsion gel. Typically, the amount utilized is from about 20 to about 80 parts by weight and from about 40 to about 70 parts by weight being desirable.

Various other common and conventional additives can be utilized in suitable or conventional amounts.

Examples of such additives include preservatives, colorants, dyes, pigments, fragrances, emollients, thickeners, and the like. The total amount of such additives is generally small and typically within the range of from about 0.1 to about 10 with from about 0.1 to about 2 parts by weight being perferred.

In preparing the cleaning formulation, the soap and/or surfactant, and the oil and any solvent are generally added to a container or vessel in any order. The water is generally added last and mixed to form an emulsion.

Desirably, the perlite is then added and mixed. Since air is generally not desired, the various components can optionally be mixed under a vacuum.

The cleaning formulation of the present invention not only cleans dirt from various items or articles including hands of human beings, but also greases and oils as well. In fact, an unexpected result is obtained utilizing a crushable abrasive such as perlite.

The invention will be better understood by reference to the following examples.

The various ingredients set forth in the following table were utilized to form an emulsion gel.

TABLE Parts by Weight Emulsion Gel A B C D (1) Tall Oil 8.6000 9.05 8.18 7.8 (2) Detergent N-95" 3,7500 3.75 3.75 3.75 (3) Propylene Glycol 2.0000 2.0 2.00 2.00 (4) CAO-l** 0.1000 0.1 0.1 0.10 (5) Kensol -White Mineral Oil 33.4300 35.0 31.8 30.34 (6) Fragrance SML1167 0.1250 0.125 0.125 0.125 (7) Water 50.6572 48.5772 52.7672 54.6672 (8) Monoethanolamine 1.2600 1.32 1.20 1.14 TABLE (cont.) Parts by Weight Emulsion Gel A B C D ( 9) Zinc Pyrithione 0.0250 0.025 0.025 0.025 (10) Formaldehyde 0.0500 0.05 0.05 0.05 (11) Green &num;15 794 0.0017 0.0017 0.0017 0.0017 (12) FD & C Yellow &num;5 0.0011 0.0011 0.0011 0.0011 100.0000 100.0000 100.0000 100.0000 Nonoxynol-9, Texaco Corp.

2,6-di-tertbutyl-p-cresol, Sherwin Williams Chemicals.

Parts by Weight Emulsion Gel 92.00 Perlite 8.00 100.00 Ingredients (1) - (6) were added to a suitable vessel. Although the order of addition is not critical, the ingredients can be added in the order set forth. Ingredients (7) - (12) were then added to a separate vessel in the amounts indicated.

The contents of the two vessels were then combined, mixed, and passed through a homogenizer to form an emulsion gel. Once the gel was ormed, the indicated amount of crushables was added and mixed thoroughly.

In the above examples, the amounts of the various ingredients were parts by weight. Inasmuch as various components can vary to a large degree as indicated in the above specification, the total number of parts need not add up to 100 since the relative proportion of the parts is important in forming the cleaning composition of the present invention.

Inasmuch as generally fine sized perlite is utilized, the cleaning composition of the present invention is very fine and has a silky feeling. The formulation thereof can also be specifically tailored to certain types of end use. Another advantage of the present cleaning formulation is, since perlite has a very low density, it actually floats on top of water and hence will not sink to the bottom of the drain or cause clogging thereof.

While in accordance with the present invention, a best mode and preferred embodiment has been presented in detail, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby, but rather by the scope of the attached claims.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 1. An abrasive-containing cleaning composition; comprising: water, a soap and/or surfactant, a hydrocarbon oil and an effective amount of a crushable abrasive.

2. An abrasive-containing cleaning composition according to Claim 1, wherein the amount of said soap and/or surfactant is from about 5 to about 30 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said oil is from about 20 to about 60 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said crushable abrasive is from about 1/2 to about 20 parts by weight and an effective amount of water to form an emulsion.

3. The abrasive-containing cleaning composition according to Claim 2, wherein said crushable abrasive is perlite, wherein said hydrocarbon oil is mineral oil and wherein the amount of water is from about 20 to about 80 parts by weight.

4. An abrasive-containing cleaning composition according to Claim 3, wherein the amount of said oil is from about 25 to about 40 parts by weight and wherein the amount of said perlite is from about 1 to about 16 parts by weight.

5. An abrasive-containing cleaning composition according to Claim 4 wherein said surfactant is a nonionic surfactant, wherein the amount of said soap is from about 4 to about 20 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said surfactant is from about 2 to about 10 parts by weight, and wherein the amount of said water is from about 40 to about 70 parts by weight.

6. An abrasive containing cleaning composition according to Claim 3 wherein a portion of said hydrocarbon oil is a hydrocarbon solvent.

7. An abrasive-containing cleaning composition according to Claim 6 wherein a substantial amount of said perlite passes through a No. 30 sieve.

8. An abrasive-containing cleaning composition according to Claim 7, wherein said oil is white mineral oil.

9. An emulsion gel cleaning composition; comprising: from about 20 to about 60 parts by weight of a hydrqcarbon oil, from about 1/2 to about 20 parts by weight of perlite, from about 5 to about 30 parts by weight of a soap and/or surfactant and an effective amount of water to form said emulsion gel.

10. An emulsion gel cleaning composition according to Claim 9, wherein said soap is derived from a fatty acid.

11. An emulsion gel cleaning composition according to Claim 10, wherein said hydrocarbon oil is an organic mineral oil, and wherein the amount of said water is from about 20 to about 80 parts by weight.

12. An emulsion gel cleaning composition according to Claim 11, wherein said organic mineral oil is a white

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. TABLE (cont.) Parts by Weight Emulsion Gel A B C D ( 9) Zinc Pyrithione 0.0250 0.025 0.025 0.025 (10) Formaldehyde 0.0500 0.05 0.05 0.05 (11) Green &num;15 794 0.0017 0.0017 0.0017 0.0017 (12) FD & C Yellow &num;5 0.0011 0.0011 0.0011 0.0011 100.0000 100.0000 100.0000 100.0000 Nonoxynol-9, Texaco Corp. 2,6-di-tertbutyl-p-cresol, Sherwin Williams Chemicals. Parts by Weight Emulsion Gel 92.00 Perlite 8.00 100.00 Ingredients (1) - (6) were added to a suitable vessel. Although the order of addition is not critical, the ingredients can be added in the order set forth. Ingredients (7) - (12) were then added to a separate vessel in the amounts indicated. The contents of the two vessels were then combined, mixed, and passed through a homogenizer to form an emulsion gel. Once the gel was ormed, the indicated amount of crushables was added and mixed thoroughly. In the above examples, the amounts of the various ingredients were parts by weight. Inasmuch as various components can vary to a large degree as indicated in the above specification, the total number of parts need not add up to 100 since the relative proportion of the parts is important in forming the cleaning composition of the present invention. Inasmuch as generally fine sized perlite is utilized, the cleaning composition of the present invention is very fine and has a silky feeling. The formulation thereof can also be specifically tailored to certain types of end use. Another advantage of the present cleaning formulation is, since perlite has a very low density, it actually floats on top of water and hence will not sink to the bottom of the drain or cause clogging thereof. While in accordance with the present invention, a best mode and preferred embodiment has been presented in detail, the scope of the present invention is not limited thereby, but rather by the scope of the attached claims. The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. An abrasive-containing cleaning composition; comprising: water, a soap and/or surfactant, a hydrocarbon oil and an effective amount of a crushable abrasive.

mineral oil, wherein said surfactant is a nonionic surfactant, and wherein the particle size of said perlite is smaller than a No. 8 sieve and wherein optionally a portion of said oil is replaced by a hydrocarbon solvent.

13. An emulsion gel cleaning composition according to Claim 12, wherein the amount of said mineral oil is from about 25 to about 40 parts by weight, wherein said amount of said soap is from about 4 to about 20 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said surfactant is from about 2 to about 10 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said perlite is from about 1 to about 16 parts by weight and wherein the amount of said water is from about 40 to about 70 parts by weight.

14. An emulsion gel cleaning composition according to Claim 10, wherein said cleaning composition is a hand soap.

15. An emulsion gel cleaning composition according to Claim 12 wherein said cleaning composition is a hand soap.

16. A method for making an emulsion cleaning composition, comprising the steps of: mixing a hydrocarbon oil, a soap and/or surfactant, and water and adding thereto and mixing a crushable abrasive material.

17. A method according to Claim 1 6, wherein the amount of said hydrocarbon oil is from about 20 parts to about 60 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said water is from about 20 to about 80 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said soap and/or surfactant is from about 5 to about 30 parts by weight, wherein said crushable abrasive material is perlite and wherein the amount of said perlite is from about 1/2 to about 20 parts by weight.

18. A method according to Claim 17, wherein said soap is derived from a fatty acid, wherein said surfactant is a non ionic surfactant, wherein said hydrocarbon oil is an organic mineral oil and wherein the amount of said mineral oil is from about 25 to about 40 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said soap is from about 4 to about 20 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said surfactant is from about 2 to about 10 parts by weight, wherein the amount of said perlite is from about 1 to about 16 parts by weight and wherein the amount of said water is from about 40 to about 70 parts by weight.

19. A method according to Claim 18, including forming an emulsion gel, wherein said organic mineral oil is a white mineral oil, wherein a portion of said oil is replaced by a hydrocarbon solvent and wherein said perlite has a particle size smaller than a No. 8 sieve.

20. A method according to Claim 18, including mixing said soap, said surfactant, said water and said oil under vacuum and including mixing said perlite under vacuum.