Patent Grant
7871217
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to pump dispensers for use with substrates such as paper towels, wipes, woven or nonwoven dishcloth, and sponges, and a method of cleaning using these pump dispensers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Consumers have traditionally applied cleaning and disinfecting compositions by spraying on a surface and wiping with a paper towel or by adding a cleaner to a sponge, activating with water, wiping with the sponge, and rinsing the sponge. This procedure is inefficient because the consumer must go through several cleaning steps.
Current dispensers are not adequate for one hand application of cleaning and disinfecting compositions to cleaning substrates such as paper towels. Dispensers such as trigger sprayers or pump dispensers generally require one hand to hold and activate the dispenser and one hand to hold the cleaning substrates. Existing pump-up dispensers that can be ergonomically operated with the same hand that holds the cleaning substrate have small actuators that require the hand and substrate to be contracted into a ball in order to activate the dispenser.
Wet disinfectant or cleaning wipes, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,805 to Sherry et al., are becoming increasingly popular for their convenience in combining a nonwoven, disposable substrate with a disinfecting or cleaning solution. Soap-loaded disposable dish cloths, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,652,869 to Suazon et al., are also popular for their convenience. These products combine the cleaning solution and the cleaning substrate in one system so that the consumer can perform the cleaning task with one hand and with one product. However, these systems have some drawbacks such as requiring water activation of a dry substrate or requiring a sealed packaging for a wet substrate.
To overcome these problems of cleaning systems and cleaning products, the cleaning device and cleaning system of the present invention is designed to allow the consumer to conveniently apply a cleaning or disinfecting composition to a substrate with one hand and in a controlled manner.
In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned and will become apparent below, one aspect of the present invention comprises a system for distributing fluid from a container to a substrate, the system comprising a pump having an inside volume compressible to a reduced volume and expandable to a resting volume; a dip tube for fluidly communicating a fluid in the container to the inside volume; a check ball or other inlet valve for preventing fluid to flow from the pump into the container when the pump is compressed to the reduced volume, thereby allowing the fluid in the pump to be pressurized; a plurality of orifices in a top surface of the inside volume; a flexible layer covering the plurality of orifices and forming an actuator top; at least one of slots or holes formed in the flexible layer, wherein the slots or holes prevent passage of fluid from the actuator top into the inside volume.
In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned and will become apparent below, another aspect of the present invention comprises a system for distributing fluid from a container to a substrate, the system comprising a bellows-type pump having a bellows compressible to a reduced volume and expandable to a resting volume; a dip tube for fluidly communicating a fluid in the container to the bellows; a check ball or other inlet valve for preventing fluid to flow from the bellows into the container when the bellows is compressed to the reduced volume, thereby allowing the fluid in the bellows to be pressurized; a plurality of orifices in a top surface of the bellows; a flexible layer covering the plurality of orifices and forming an actuator top; at least one of slots or holes formed in the flexible layer, wherein the slots or holes prevent passage of fluid from the actuator top into the inside volume.
In accordance with the above objects and those that will be mentioned and will become apparent below, another aspect of the present invention comprises a system for distributing fluid from a container to a substrate, the system comprising a pump having an inside volume compressible to a reduced volume and expandable to a resting volume, the pump being maintained at the resting volume by at least one spring; an actuator forming a top surface of the inside volume; a dip tube for fluidly communicating a fluid in the container to the inside volume; a check ball or other inlet valve for preventing fluid to flow from the inside volume into the container when the inside volume is compressed to the reduced volume, thereby allowing the fluid in the inside volume to be pressurized; a plurality of orifices in the actuator; a flexible layer covering the plurality of orifices and forming an actuator top; at least one of slots or holes formed in the flexible layer, wherein the slots or holes prevent passage of fluid from the actuator top into the inside volume.
In the accompanying drawings that form part of the specification, and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, this specification and the accompanying drawings disclose only some specific forms as examples of the invention. The invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments so described. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. The scope of the invention is pointed out in the appended claims.
For ease of description, the components of this invention and the container employed with the components of this invention are described in the normal (upright) operating position, and terms such as upper, lower, horizontal, etc., are used with reference to this position. It will be understood, however, that the components embodying this invention may be manufactured, stored, transported, used, and sold in an orientation other than the position described.
Figures illustrating the components of this invention and the container show some conventional mechanical elements that are known and that will be recognized by one skilled in the art. The detailed descriptions of such elements are not necessary to an understanding of the invention, and accordingly, are herein presented only to the degree necessary to facilitate an understanding of the novel features of the present invention.
All publications, patents and patent applications cited herein, whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
As used herein and in the claims, the term “comprising” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional unrecited elements, compositional components, or method steps. Accordingly, the term “comprising” encompasses the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”.
It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a “surfactant” includes two or more such surfactants.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention pertains. Although a number of methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the present invention, the preferred materials and methods are described herein.
In the application, effective amounts are generally those amounts listed as the ranges or levels of ingredients in the descriptions, which follow hereto. All percentages, ratios and proportions are by weight, and all temperatures are in degrees Celsius (° C.), unless otherwise specified. All measurements are in SI units, unless otherwise specified. Unless otherwise stated, amounts listed in percentage (“%'s”) are in weight percent (based on 100% active) of the cleaning composition alone. It should be understood that every limit given throughout this specification will include every lower, or higher limit, as the case may be, as if such lower or higher limit was expressly written herein. Every range given throughout this specification will include every narrower range that falls within such broader range, as if such narrower ranges were all expressly written herein.
The term “surfactant”, as used herein, is meant to mean and include a substance or compound that reduces surface tension when dissolved in water or water solutions, or that reduces interfacial tension between two liquids, or between a liquid and a solid. The term “surfactant” thus includes anionic, nonionic, cationic and/or amphoteric agents.
The composition can be used as a disinfectant, sanitizer, and/or sterilizer. As used herein, the term “disinfect” shall mean the elimination of many or all pathogenic microorganisms on surfaces with the exception of bacterial endospores. As used herein, the term “sanitize” shall mean the reduction of contaminants in the inanimate environment to levels considered safe according to public health ordinance, or that reduces the bacterial population by significant numbers where public health requirements have not been established. An at least 99% reduction in bacterial population within a 24 hour time period is deemed “significant.” As used herein, the term “sterilize” shall mean the complete elimination or destruction of all forms of microbial life and which is authorized under the applicable regulatory laws to make legal claims as a “Sterilant” or to have sterilizing properties or qualities.
As used herein, the term “polymer” generally includes, but is not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers, such as for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers, terpolymers, etc. and blends and modifications thereof. Furthermore, unless otherwise specifically limited, the term “polymer” shall include all possible geometrical configurations of the molecule. These configurations include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotactic and random symmetries.
The term “plastic” is defined herein as any polymeric material that is capable of being shaped or molded, with or without the application of heat. Usually plastics are a homo-polymer or co-polymer that of high molecular weight. Plastics fitting this definition include, but are not limited to, polyolefins, polyesters, nylon, vinyl, acrylic, polycarbonates, polystyrene, and polyurethane.
Package
A part of the pump assembly 26 may extend into the container opening or mouth 30. The pump assembly 26 may be of any suitable conventional or special type. With a typical conventional pump assembly 26, the bottom end of the pump assembly 26 is attached to a conventional dip tube 28, and the upper end of the pump assembly projects above the container neck 23. The pump assembly 26 includes an outwardly projecting flange 36 for supporting the pump assembly 26 on the container neck 23 over a conventional sealing gasket 38 which is typically employed between the pump assembly flange 36 and container neck 23. Other sealing designs such as plug seals can be used in place of a gasket. The hollow stem or tube 40 establishes communication between the pump chamber (not shown) within the pump assembly 26 and an actuator 24 which is mounted to the upper end of the tube 40.
The actuator 24 defines a discharge passage 44 (
It will be appreciated that the particular design of the pump assembly 26 may be of any suitable design for pumping a product from the container 22 (with or without a dip tube 28) and out through the stem 40. The detailed design and construction of the pump assembly 26 per se forms no part of the present invention except to the extent that the pump assembly 26 is adapted to be suitably mounted and held on the container by a closure with a suitable mounting system.
While the present invention may be practiced with spray or liquid pumps of many different designs, the internal design configuration of one suitable pump is generally disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,986,453, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference thereto. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is suitable for use with a variety of hand-operable pumps.
Container
The dispensing package (
The container can have a variety of shapes. The container can be round (
Actuator
The ergonomic shape of the actuator makes the actuator easy to pump with a substrate such as paper towel or sponge, and to operate using one hand. One measure of the actuator shape is a vertical projection 71 (
The actuator can have a concave shape that is round (
The actuator can individually be adapted to the respective requirements with regard to the direction of the dispensing opening as well as with regard to the use of opening valves. The actuator is not limited to having a dispensing opening which is moved together with a dispensing key, but it may also comprise an actuator of the type having a stationary dispensing opening. The actuator may have a surface that engages the container and is internal (
Actuator Skirt
The actuator skirt can be indented from the actuator top (
Actuator Orifices
The package can have one or more openings or orifices 25 situated on the actuator 24 (
Delivery Volume
The delivery or application volume should give satisfactory delivery of the composition in one stroke of the actuator component. For consumer flexibility, the consumer may also use more than one stroke of the actuator component for the to 1 ml, or 1 to 5 ml, or 1 to 2 ml, or about 0.3 ml, or about 0.7 ml.
Locking Means/Cover
The dispensing package may have a flip-top cover as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,953,297 to Dobbs et al. The dispensing package may have a retractable cover as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,951 to Siegel et al. The dispensing package may have a rotatable or removeable sleeve to prevent actuation as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,543,649 to Danielo et al. The dispensing package may have a rotative locking mechanism or a removable anti-rotative lock as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,445,299 to Harriman.
Durable or Disposable Package
The package may be disposable and designed for one use and not designed to be refillable. In this embodiment, the actuator and/or pump assembly may be fused to the container, for example with spot welding.
The package may be durable and able to be refillable. In one embodiment, the package is refilled by pouring additional composition into the container through a neck opening in the container. In one embodiment, a durable pump assembly and actuator is attached to a disposable container assembly containing a composition. In one embodiment, a durable pump assembly, actuator and container assembly is adapted to allow attachment of a refill container.
Refill Assembly
In some embodiments, the dispenser package can be refilled with a refill assembly. In order to prevent attaching a refill that may be inappropriate for the actuator or the intended use, in some embodiments the refill is designed to have novel characteristics. For example, the refill assembly may be coupled to the actuator using a non-standard closure. In one embodiment, either a rigid cartridge or flexible pouch is inserted into a rigid container with some mechanism to attach the pump and actuator. The attachment mechanism can be, for example, that the pump and actuator is inserted into a refill with a film seal, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,269,976 to DeJonge which describes a puncture spike with a dip tube guide. In another embodiment, the refill assembly has a restricted neck to discourage refilling by the consumer.
In another embodiment, the refill assembly has a non-standard closure, such as non-standard neck threads or tabs, so that a standard threaded closure cannot be used. One example is a key hole closure which in one embodiment comprises a threaded female fitting, modified so a completely threaded male fitting can not be engaged in the female fitting, and a matching male fitting. The threaded female fitting, such as a bottle closure, has an extended skirt and one or more restrictions in the skirt to prevent a completely threaded male fitting from being used. The skirt is long enough that the matching male fitting can be pushed into the female fitting far enough to clear the restriction before the threads start to engage.
In another embodiment of the key hole closure, the modification to the threads in this case is a 0.10″ wide, vertical channel on one face only (
In one embodiment, a flex closure has a male part with a neck of any cross section shape, which may attach to a container and be hollow to allow access to the container (
In one embodiment, a flip closure is a connection system with male and female parts (
In one embodiment, the fitment closure (
In another embodiment, the container has a closure that is broken off when the consumer removes the container so that it cannot be reattached. In another embodiment, the refill has a flange and offset opening in the neck, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,702,157 to Dobbs. In other embodiment, the refill has a specifically designed vent opening to mate with the actuator pump assembly, for example the cap vent assembly as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,181,635 to Balderrama et al. In another example, the refill container has locking rachet teeth, for example as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,127 to Barriac et al.
Multiple Compartments
The package may have a swivel actuator that allows selection from multiple compartments as described in U.S. Pat. No. 2003/0192913 to Preuter et al. The package may have multiple actuator components for delivering multiple compositions from one container having multiple compartments, for example a hard surface cleaner and a dish soap.
Fluid Distribution System
When the actuator orifices cover a large area, it may be desirable to have a fluid distribution (or manifold type) system to deliver the fluid from the hollow stem 40 to the orifices 25 (
The fluid distribution system 170 allows for the expulsion of fluid from inside the bellows 174 to the actuator top 72. Orifices 180 may be present in the top 182 of the bellows 174. On top of the bellows top 182 is a flexible layer 184. The flexible layer 184 may be similar to the flexible layer described with reference to
The fluid distribution system 200 allows for the expulsion of fluid from an inside volume 204 to the actuator top 72. Orifices 214 may be present in the actuator 212. On top of the actuator 212 is a flexible layer 220. The flexible layer 220 may be similar to the flexible layer described with reference to
While not specifically shown in a figure, the present invention contemplates combinations of the above disclosed embodiments of the invention. For example, the top 182 of the bellows 174 described in
Additional Functional Features
In one embodiment, additional functional characteristics designed into the container base to offer stability and to encourage consumers to leave the product out on their counters so it is easily accessible. In one embodiment, a means is provided to allow the container to attach to the counter. One such example is a suction cup or other device on the bottom of the container. In addition to standing upright, for example on a counter-top, the dispenser package may be attached to a surface and used with the dispenser package orifices on the bottom, for example attached to the underside of kitchen cabinets.
In one embodiment, the exterior of the package dispenser is resistant to microorganisms. Various anti-microbial agents known in the art can be applied the exterior surface of the package dispenser to impart virucidal, bacterial, and/or germicidal properties thereto. The anti-microbial agent can comprise up to 100% of the surface area of the exterior surface of the dispenser, and in some embodiments, between about 10% to about 80%. The anti-microbial agent can include silver ions. In certain embodiments, a silver-zeolite complex can be utilized to provide controlled release of the anti-microbial agent. One commercially available example of such a time-release anti-microbial agent is sold as a fabric by HEALTH SHIELD® under the name GUARDTEX®, and is constructed from polyester and rayon and contains a silver-zeolite complex. Other suitable silver-containing microbial agents are disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent No. JP 10/259,325. Moreover, in addition to silver-zeolites, other metal-containing inorganic additives can also be used in the present invention. Examples of such additives include, but are not limited to, copper, zinc, mercury, antimony, lead, bismuth, cadmium, chromium, thallium, or other various additives, such as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. JP 1257124 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,602 to Totani, et al. In some embodiments, the activity of the additive can also be increased, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,900,383 to Davis, et al.
Substrate
Potential substrates or tools that consumers could use with the package dispenser include woven or nonwoven dish cloths, sponges, paper towel, hands, facial tissue, bathroom tissue, paper, napkins, woven and nonwoven substrates, towels, wipes, and cotton balls. The package dispenser could also be used with clothes for stain removal purposes. Suitable substrates can comprise personal, cosmetic or sanitary wipes, baby wipes, hand wipes, wipes used in car cleaning, household or institutional cleaning or maintenance, computer cleaning and maintenance and any other area in which a flexible substrate having a useful liquid treatment composition has application. These substates (tissues or wipes) can be made from simple nonwovens, complex nonwovens or treated, high-strength durable materials. The substrate can be two-sided or have a barrier so that only one side is wet with the composition upon use. Such substrates are described in U.S. Pat. App. 2005/0079987 to Cartwright et al.
Compositions
The composition can contain virtually any useful liquid compositions. Simple liquids such as water, alcohol, solvent, etc. can be useful in a variety of end uses, particularly cleaning and simple wiping applications. The liquid can be a simple cleaner, maintenance item or a personal care liquid suitable for dermatological contact with an adult, child or infant. Such compositions can be used in hospitals, schools, offices, kitchens, secretarial stations, etc. The compositions can also comprise more complex liquids in the forms of solutions, suspensions or emulsions of active materials in a liquid base. In this regard, such compositions can be active materials dissolved in an alcoholic base, aqueous solutions, water in oil emulsions, oil in water emulsions, etc. Such compositions can be cleaning materials, sanitizing materials, or personal care materials intended for contact with human skin, hair, nails, etc. Cleaning compositions used generally for routine cleaning operations not involving contact with human skin can often contain a variety of ingredients including, in aqueous or solvent base, a soil-removing surfactant, sequestrants, perfumes, etc. in relatively well-known formulations. Sanitizing compositions can contain aqueous or alcoholic solutions containing sanitizing materials such as triclosan, hexachlorophene, betadine, quaternary ammonium compounds, oxidizing agents, acidic agents, and other similar materials. Such compositions can be designed for treating or soothing human skin, including moisturizers, cleansing creams and lotions, cleansers for oily skin, deodorants, antiperspirants, baby-care products, sun block, sun screen, cosmetic-removing formula, insect repellent, etc. Moisturizer materials are preparations that reduce water loss or the appearance of water loss from skin. Cleansing creams or lotions can be developed that can permit the formulation to dissolve or lift away soil pigments, grime and dead skin cells. These creams or lotions can also be enhanced to improve removability of makeup and other skin soils. Cleaners for oily skin are often augmented with ethyl alcohol or isopropyl alcohol to increase the ability of the cleaner to remove excess oily residue. Deodorants and antiperspirants often contain, in an aqueous base, dispersions or emulsions comprising aluminum, zinc or zirconium compounds.
The composition may contain one or more additional surfactants selected from nonionic, anionic, cationic, ampholytic, amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. A typical listing of anionic, ampholytic, and zwitterionic classes, and species of these surfactants, is given in U.S. Pat. No. 3,929,678 to Laughlin and Heuring. A list of suitable cationic surfactants is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,259,217 to Murphy. Where present, anionic, ampholytic, amphotenic and zwitteronic surfactants are generally used in combination with one or more nonionic surfactants. The surfactants may be present at a level of from about 0% to 90%, or from about 0.001% to 50%, or from about 0.01% to 25% by weight.
The compositions may contain suitable organic solvents including, but are not limited to, C1-6 alkanols, C1-6 diols, C1-10 alkyl ethers of alkylene glycols, C3-24 alkylene glycol ethers, polyalkylene glycols, short chain carboxylic acids, short chain esters, isoparafinic hydrocarbons, mineral spirits, alkylaromatics, terpenes, terpene derivatives, terpenoids, terpenoid derivatives, formaldehyde, and pyrrolidones. Alkanols include, but are not limited to, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, butanol, pentanol, and hexanol, and isomers thereof. Diols include, but are not limited to, methylene, ethylene, propylene and butylene glycols. Alkylene glycol ethers include, but are not limited to, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, diethylene glycol monopropyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monohexyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether, propylene glycol ethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol t-butyl ether, di- or tri-polypropylene glycol methyl or ethyl or propyl or butyl ether, acetate and propionate esters of glycol ethers. Short chain carboxylic acids include, but are not limited to, acetic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid and propionic acid. Short chain esters include, but are not limited to, glycol acetate, and cyclic or linear volatile methylsiloxanes. Water insoluble solvents such as isoparafinic hydrocarbons, mineral spirits, alkylaromatics, terpenoids, terpenoid derivatives, terpenes, and terpenes derivatives can be mixed with a water-soluble solvent when employed. The solvents can be present at a level of from 0.001% to 10%, or from 0.01% to 10%, or from 1% to 4% by weight.
The compositions optionally contain one or more of the following adjuncts: stain and soil repellants, lubricants, odor control agents, perfumes, fragrances and fragrance release agents, and bleaching agents. Other adjuncts include, but are not limited to, acids, electrolytes, dyes and/or colorants, solubilizing materials, stabilizers, thickeners, defoamers, hydrotropes, cloud point modifiers, preservatives, and other polymers. The solubilizing materials, when used, include, but are not limited to, hydrotropes (e.g. water soluble salts of low molecular weight organic acids such as the sodium and/or potassium salts of toluene, cumene, and xylene sulfonic acid). The acids, when used, include, but are not limited to, organic hydroxy acids, citric acids, keto acid, and the like. Suitable organic acid can be selected from the group consisting of citric acid, lactic acid, malic acid, salicylic acid, acetic acid, adipic acid, fumaric acid, hydroxyacetic acid, dehydroacetic acid, glutaric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, succinic acid, propionic acid, aconitic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, gluconic acid, ascorbic acid, alanine, lysine, and mixtures thereof. Electrolytes, when used, include, calcium, sodium and potassium chloride. Thickeners, when used, include, but are not limited to, polyacrylic acid, xanthan gum, calcium carbonate, aluminum oxide, alginates, guar gum, methyl, ethyl, clays, and/or propyl hydroxycelluloses. Defoamers, when used, include, but are not limited to, silicones, aminosilicones, silicone blends, and/or silicone/hydrocarbon blends. Bleaching agents, when used, include, but are not limited to, peracids, hypohalite sources, hydrogen peroxide, and/or sources of hydrogen peroxide. When cleaning food contact surfaces, compositions for use herein may contain only materials that are food grade or GRAS, including, of course, direct food additives affirmed as GRAS, to protect against possible misuse by the consumer.
Preservatives, when used, include, but are not limited to, mildewstat or bacteriostat, methyl, ethyl and propyl parabens, short chain organic acids (e.g. acetic, lactic and/or glycolic acids), bisguanidine compounds (e.g. Dantagard® and/or Glydant®) and/or short chain alcohols (e.g. ethanol and/or IPA). The mildewstat or bacteriostat includes, but is not limited to, mildewstats (including non-isothiazolone compounds) include Kathon® GC, a 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, Kathon® ICP, a 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, and a blend thereof, and Kathon® 886, a 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, all available from Rohm and Haas Company; BRONOPOL®, a 2-bromo-2-nitropropane 1,3 diol, from Boots Company Ltd., PROXEL® CRL, a propyl-p-hydroxybenzoate, from ICI PLC; NIPASOL® M, an o-phenyl-phenol, Na+ salt, from Nipa Laboratories Ltd., DOWICIDE® A, a 1,2-Benzoisothiazolin-3-one, from Dow Chemical Co., and IRGASAN® DP 200, a 2,4,4′-trichloro-2-hydroxydiphenylether, from Ciba-Geigy A.G.
The compositions can contain antimicrobial agents, including 2-hydroxycarboxylic acids and other ingredients, including quaternary ammonium compounds and phenolics. Non-limiting examples of these quaternary compounds include benzalkonium chlorides and/or substituted benzalkonium chlorides, di(C6-C14)alkyl di-short chain (C1-4 alkyl and/or hydroxyalkl) quaternary ammonium salts, N-(3-chloroallyl) hexaminium chlorides, benzethonium chloride, methylbenzethonium chloride, and cetylpyridinium chloride. Other quaternary compounds include the group consisting of dialkyldimethyl ammonium chlorides, alkyl dimethylbenzylammonium chlorides, dialkylmethyl-benzylammonium chlorides, and mixtures thereof. Biguanide antimicrobial actives including, but not limited to polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride, p-chlorophenyl biguanide; 4-chlorobenzhydryl biguanide, halogenated hexidine such as, but not limited to, chlorhexidine (1,1′-hexamethylene-bis-5-(4-chlorophenyl biguanide) and its salts are also in this class. Another class of antibacterial agents, which are useful in the present invention, are the so-called “natural” antibacterial actives, referred to as natural essential oils. These actives derive their names from their natural occurrence in plants. Typical natural essential oil antibacterial actives include oils of anise, lemon, orange, rosemary, wintergreen, thyme, lavender, cloves, hops, tea tree, citronella, wheat, barley, lemongrass, cedar leaf, cedarwood, cinnamon, fleagrass, geranium, sandalwood, violet, cranberry, eucalyptus, vervain, peppermint, gum benzoin, basil, fennel, fir, balsam, menthol, ocmea origanum, Hydastis carradenisis, Berberidaceae daceae, Ratanhiae and Curcunta longa. Also included in this class of natural essential oils are the key chemical components of the plant oils which have been found to provide the antimicrobial benefit. These chemicals include, but are not limited to anethol, catechole, camphene, carvacol, eugenol, eucalyptol, ferulic acid, farnesol, hinokitiol, tropolone, limonene, menthol, methyl salicylate, thymol, terpineol, verbenone, berberine, ratanhiae extract, caryophellene oxide, citronellic acid, curcumin, nerolidol and geraniol. Other suitable antimicrobial actives include antibacterial metal salts. This class generally includes salts of metals in groups 3b-7b, 8 and 3a-5a. Specifically are the salts of aluminum, zirconium, zinc, silver, gold, copper, lanthanum, tin, mercury, bismuth, selenium, strontium, scandium, yttrium, cerium, praseodymiun, neodymium, promethum, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, lutetium and mixtures thereof.
When the composition is an aqueous composition, water can be, along with the solvent, a predominant ingredient. The water should be present at a level of less than 99.9%, more preferably less than about 99%, and most preferably, less than about 98%. Deionized water is preferred. Where the cleaning composition is concentrated, the water may be present in the composition at a concentration of less than about 85 wt. %.
The dispenser can be used to transfer a wide variety of compositions to a substrate. These compositions include hard surface cleaners and sanitizers, personal care cleaners and other products, hand sanitizers, dish soap, laundry pre-treater, food products such as marinades, car products such as cleaners or protectants, and baby care products such as baby lotion. Also, suitable are compositions, such as hypochlorite especially dilute (below 500 ppm) hypochlorite, that lack good stability on nonwoven substrates. Other examples of compositions that may lack stability are quaternary ammonium disinfectants or metal ions that can bind to nonwoven substrates.
In one embodiment, the substrate can undergo a color change or other physical property change during the process of application using the dispenser or during the cleaning process. These changes can include color change due to the addition of a colorless cleaner/disinfectant, color change due to the addition of a composition containing a dye, color change when dye is thermochromic, and changes over time as solvent evaporates to cool the wipe, a color change due to reaction of solvent with a pre-bound species (e.g. transition metals) on the wipe, texture changes in the non-woven, and the impact of the using a dyed or patterned non-woven. The composition or substrate can incorporate solvatochromic dyes to indicate the presence of bacteria as described in U.S. Pat. App. 2005/0130253. In one embodiment, the composition contains a dye that interacts with proteins or bacterial on surfaces to indicate whether the surface is substantially free of soil (protein) or bacteria. In one embodiment, the soil or bacteria is detected on the substrate. In one embodiment, the soil or bacteria is detected on the surface. Colorimetric assays utilizing sampling devices for the detection of protein in biological samples are commonly used across various industries (biotech, healthcare, food, etc). These sampling devices require minimal manipulation of the protein-containing samples and allow for rapid qualitative and quantitative results. Among the various available calorimetric protein assays is one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,295 to Smith, incorporated herein in its entirety, that utilizes a Bicinchonic Acid (BCA) protein assay. This assay is based on the initial complexation of Copper [II], hereinafter Cu++ or cupric ion, with protein peptides under alkaline conditions, with the reduction to Copper [I], hereinafter Cu+ or the cuprous ion, in a concentration-dependent manner. The ligand BCA is then added in excess, and a purple color develops (562 nm peak absorbance) upon binding of BCA with Cu+. Suitable detection devices are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/397,522 to Cumberland et al. filed Apr. 3, 2006 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/427,469 to Cumberland et al. filed Jun. 29, 2006.
Methods of Use
Consumers enjoy the ease of use of the invention for reasons such as it utilizes cleaners differently, provides control such as no overspray, can be used one-handed, is compatible with wide variety of substrates, utilizes direct application so that no particles are aerosolized into the air, allows easy multi-tasking with other household activities, and is not limited by number of doses or wipes. Because of this flexibility, the consumer has more control to make the exact use conditions suitable to the task.
The dispensing package can be used as a one-handed method of cleaning a surface, where the consumer grabs a substrate in her hand, pushes the substrate down on the reciprocating actuator top of the dispensing package with her hand, allows the actuator top to come up and discharge a cleaning composition from the dispensing package to the substrate, and wipes the surface with the substrate. The substrate can be a paper towel, facial tissue, sheet of toilet tissue, a napkin, a sponge, a towel, the consumer's fingers or any other suitable woven or nonwoven substrate. Because the cleaning task takes only one hand, the other hand is free to perform another activity, such as holding a telephone, eating a snack and the task can be done quickly and easily without carrying the dispensing package to the area of the task.
Because the consumer is unfamiliar with the one-handed method of cleaning a surface, certain use indications on the dispensing package, any exterior packaging, or on advertising may be necessary to provide the consumer instant instruction on the use of the dispensing package. In one embodiment, a hand is depicted over the dispensing package. In another embodiment, a hand holding a substrate is depicted over the dispensing package. In another embodiment, a hand holding a substrate (with an arrow pointing down) is depicted over the dispensing package, as shown in
This method of cleaning of the invention has several advantages. If the consumer is preparing dinner and using one hand to contact raw food such as chicken that may contain microorganisms, then the consumer can use the other hand to do one-handed cleaning and disinfection of the food preparation surface, such as a countertop. Using a traditional cleaning product, such as a spray bottle and paper towel, the consumer picks up the spray bottle with the hand that has been potentially contaminated with microorganisms and transfers those microorganisms to the spray bottle. If the spray bottle or other product dispenser is contaminated with microorganisms, then the consumer can pick up and transfer microorganisms from the product dispenser. In the case of the one-handed method of the invention, the consumer contacts the product dispenser only at the actuator component which dispenses the disinfecting composition. In this case, there is less likelihood of transmission of microorganisms from dispenser to hands or from hands to dispenser.
Another advantage of the method and package of the present invention is control during delivery of the composition. With traditional spray dispensers, the consumer must attempt to fit the spray pattern of the spray bottle dispenser to the area to be cleaned. Frequently, the cleaning surface contains additional items, such as food or decorative items, which the consumer may not wish to contact with the cleaning composition. With the method and dispenser package of the invention, the consumer can controllably apply the composition to the substrate and then controllably apply the substrate containing the composition to the cleaning surface. If the consumer were to try spraying the substrate with a traditional spray dispenser, then some of the composition would be aerosolized into the air and some of the composition would miss the substrate and contact other surfaces such as the hand or food items.
Another area of concern for consumers is microorganism contaminated surfaces within the bathroom, especially around the toilet area. Consumers have ready access to toilet tissue but no ready mechanism to use it for spot cleaning. The method of the invention allows the consumer to use toilet tissue, which has limited wet strength and scrubbing strength, to spot clean surfaces around the toilet and other bathroom surfaces without using two hands and without having to pick up the dispensing package. With a suitable composition within the dispensing package, the consumer may also use the dispensing package and method of the invention for personal hygiene use.
With traditional dispensers such as trigger sprayers, the consumer has limited ability to control the pattern of dispensing the composition onto a surface or a substrate. In one case, the substrate, such as sponges, may be rectangular and the dispensing system may deliver a circular application of product. To effectively apply product to a substrate, such as a sponge, it may be desirable to apply the composition in a rectangular or oval fashion, where the applied product is dispersed more in one dimension than in the other dimension. Additionally, with the hand or a paper towel in a hand or a toilet tissue in a hand, it may also be desirable to apply the composition to the substrate in a non-circular fashion or where one dimension is greater than another. The method of the invention has the advantage that with a properly designed actuator component and orifices in the activator component, it may be possible to apply a non-circular pattern with one hand motion.
Some suitable substrates will not be stable long-term to all suitable compositions, for example toilet tissue or a sheet of facial tissue quickly loses its tensile strength when saturated with cleaning composition. Therefore, it is most suitable to wet the toilet tissue or facial tissue just before use. In some cases, the substrate loses at least 40%, or 50%, or 60%, or 70%, or 80%, or 90% peak dry tensile strength in machine or cross direction upon being loaded to full saturation with the composition. Peak dry tensile strength is the maximum load that a substrate can bear before breaking\rupturing under tension. With the method of the invention, these substrates may be useful for spot cleaning.
Other compositions are not stable on typical substrates, for example hypochlorite, especially dilute hypochlorite, is not storage stable on most nonwoven substrates as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,008,600 to Katsigras et al. Additionally, compositions of very high or low pH are not generally storage stable on wipes or paper towels. Disinfectant compositions containing quaternary ammonium disinfectants or other cationic disinfectants bind to most nonwovens, especially cellulosic nonwovens, on storage so that they are not effectively released. The extent of binding can be measured by a quaternary recovery measurement on the wet substrate. The liquid squozate is acquired from the substrate by centrifugation after a seven day minimum requisite time of substrate-lotion equilibration. Substrates are put into a centrifuged tube for analysis, centrifuged at 3000 rpm for 15 min, and the liquid analyzed by HPLC. At equilibrium, the quaternary disinfectant show substantial binding to the substrate, for example, at least 10%, or 20%, or 30%, or 40%, or 50% by weight. However, the method of the invention, since it is quick and easy, lends itself to use of unstable substrates and unstable compositions, which may not be suitable under other methods of use.
The present invention relates to disinfecting compositions which can be used to disinfect various surfaces including inanimate surfaces such as hard surfaces like walls, tiles, floors, countertops, tables, glass, bathroom surfaces, and kitchen surfaces. The hard-surfaces to treat with the compositions herein are those typically found in houses like kitchens, bathrooms, e.g., tiles, walls, floors, chrome, glass, smooth vinyl, any plastic, plasticized wood, table top, sinks, cooker tops, dishes, sanitary fittings such as sinks, showers, shower curtains, wash basins, toilets and the like. Hard-surfaces also include household appliances including, but not limited to, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, automatic dryers, ovens, microwave ovens, dishwashers and so on.
The dispenser package can be used around the house, for example, on kitchen or bathroom surfaces. The dispenser package can be used in public places, for example, in schools and school classrooms. For use around food, a food safe cleaner or disinfectant is suitable. The dispenser package allows the user to quickly apply a sanitizing or cleaning solution to everyday cleaning tools, such as sponges, paper towels, toilet paper, facial tissue, etc. When applied, the sanitizing or cleaning solution transforms the everyday cleaning tool into effective cleaning or sanitizing tools.
In one embodiment, the package dispenser is a small palm-sized pouch of liquid cleaner that can be attached to any surface (e.g., side of a paper towel or facial tissue dispenser, under a cabinet, on a refrigerator, etc.) using dual-sided magnets or adhesive. A touch valve releases cleaner onto your paper towel, toilet paper, sponge, rag, etc. when pressure is applied. It then automatically stops dispensing when pressure is relieved to prevent dripping. The unit contains one cleaning packet with adhesive backing and/or two magnets so that the consumer can attach the cleaner packet to any surface using dual-sided magnets. The consumer peels off backing of adhesive strip from cleaning packet, and attaches the packet to the first magnet and positions the cleaning packet in the ideal location. If the surface is not metallic, the consumer can place the second magnet directly behind surface where cleaner is positioned to hold cleaning packet in place.
In one embodiment, the package dispenser is both a gel and mist cleaner. This dispenser is a dual dispensing cleaner that allows you to dispense one cleaner or two different cleaners in two different forms, a gel and a mist or spray. The package has a gel pump on top that works with a top actuator component as described previously and a liquid misting sprayer on the side. The unit contains one cleaning bottle and optionally a wall mounting base and attachments. To use this embodiment, press and pump your paper towel on the cleaning gel actuator component. To use the misting spray, squeeze the trigger on the side.
In one embodiment, the package dispenser is a discreet and mountable cleaner dispenser. This package is a mountable cleaning product package with a press and pump dispenser. The package is thin and discreet, about the size of a flattened tissue box. It can be mounted horizontally or vertically with adhesive to surface of your choice (e.g., under cabinets, side of counter, side of toilet tank, etc.). The unit contains one package dispenser with adhesive back. In another embodiment, the package dispenser is a hangable cleaner that can be hung anywhere (e.g., shower door/curtain rod, towel rack, kitchen cabinet, shower head, etc.) with the hook on top. The dispenser has a valve on the bottom of the bottle that releases the composition when the actuator component is pushed.
In one embodiment, the package dispenser is a mountable or counter standing dispenser that automatically dispenses the composition onto your paper towel, toilet paper, sponge, rag, etc. A sensor on the package dispenser works to activate the actuator component when you hold your paper towel, toilet paper, sponge, rag, etc. under or over the actuator component. The unit package can contain wall-mounting and counter-holding suction cups, dispensing machine, refillable cleaner cartridge and battery. In one embodiment, this package dispenser is plugged into an outlet to run the sensor and pump.
In one embodiment, the package dispenser can be stamped directly onto the cleaning or treatment surface. The consumer presses the entire bottle onto surface so that actuator depresses and product is applied directly to the surface. The consumer can then use whatever substrate she prefers to distribute composition around the surface. The package dispenser can be stored with the actuator component either facing up or down near the surface. If the actuator component faces down to the surface, it would be more ergonomic to apply because the consumer would not have to turn it upside down and twist their wrist. Where it is desirable to leave the composition on the surface for a desired treatment time, such as in fabric stain treatment or some personal care treatments, the composition can be applied directly with the package dispenser and then later treated with the substrate.
In one embodiment, the package dispenser is paper towel holder. The package dispenser can fit in the center of a paper towel or toilet paper role. The actuator component sticks out the top of the roll. The consumer can then easily remove a substrate from the roll and apply product to the substrate. In one embodiment, package dispenser is an aerosolized bottle that provides one-touch application of composition to the substrate. The consumer could press and hold substrate to actuator component until the desired amount of composition was on substrate.
In one embodiment, the product or package contains directions to store the substrate on top of the package, for example a sponge on top of dispensing package actuator. In one embodiment, the product or package includes the dispensing package and substrates sold together, for example paper towels with the dispensing package. In one embodiment, several dispensing packages are bundled in multi-packs, for example a dispensing package containing dish soap and a dispensing package containing a kitchen cleaner. In one example, the dispensing package is sold with one or more refills.
While this detailed description includes specific examples according to the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are many variations of these examples that would nevertheless fall within the general scope of the invention and for which protection is sought in the appended claims.
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