GB1582552A

GB1582552A - Method for cleaning surfaces

Info

Publication number: GB1582552A
Application number: GB17551/77A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Hoechst AG
Current assignee: Hoechst AG
Priority date: 1976-04-27
Filing date: 1977-04-27
Publication date: 1981-01-14
Also published as: ZA772490B; SE7704732L; JPS52130807A; AT355165B; ATA290877A; FR2349674A1; NL7704439A; DE2618278A1; NO771443L

Description

(54) A METHOD FOR CLEANING SURFACES (71) We, HOECHST AKTIENGESELL SCHAFT, a body corporate organised according to the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, of 6230 Frankfurt/Main 80, Postfach 80 03 20, Federal Republic of Germany, do hereby declare the invention, for which we pray that a patent may be granted to us, and the method by which it is to be performed to be particularly described in and by the following statement-: The invention relates to a method of cleaning surfaces.

Certain cleaning materials for cleaning surfaces, for example lacquered articles or textiles, act by either dissolving the dirt particles or rendering them wettable by water, so that the particles can be removed by aqueous liquids. The solvents used frequently contain hydrophobic inorganic or organic substances having a large surface area for absorbing fat-like dirt materials. Such substances of large surface area, for example, silica gels or polyurethane foam powders. Certain spun or extruded plastics fibres of fine titre have not proved very suitable since the active surface area of these fibres is too small ancl the fibres have too high a surface tension in aqueous systems.

Foams based on aqueous surfactant solutions are also used as cleaning materials. By means of such materials although spots are usually made lighter, they are generally enlarged to a number of times greater than their original size as a result of soaking.

It has now been found that certain polyolefin fibres, so-called polyolefin fibrides, produced for example by flash evaporation of polyolefin solutions or emulsions, are suitable for removing spots and cleaning textiles.

The present invention provides a method of cleaning a surface which comprises applying to the surface a cleaning material which comprises as absorbing substance polyolefin fibrides having a classified fibre length (as hereinafter defined) in the range of from 0.05 to 3 mm and a BET surface area of at least 1 m2/g wherein the polyolefin fibrides contain in the range of from 0.05 to 3.0% by weight, based on the weight of polyolefin, of a surface active hydrophilic compound and subsequently removing the cleaning material together with absorbed dirt.

The term 'classified fibre length' is the fibre length as measured according to the TAPPI-standard T 233.SU 64.

The polyolefin fibrides to be used in the cleaning material preferably have a BET surface area of in the range of from 1 to 100 m2/g, especially in the range of from 5 to 25 m2/g, and a preferred classified fibre length in the range of from 1.0 to 2.0 mm.

The BET method was described by Brunauer, Emmet and Teller in J. Am.

Chem. Soc. 60 309 (1938). Suitably the surface-active hydrophilic compound is adsorbed onto the polyolefin.

The polyolefin fibrides to be used in the cleaning material of the invention suitably consist of 97 to 99.95% by weight, preferably 99 to 99.9% by weight, of a polyolefin and of 0.05 to 3% by weight, preferably 0.1 to 1.0% by weight, of a surface-active hydrophilic compound.

Suitable polymers are homopolyníers and copolymers of olefins, preferably polymers of ethylene, propylene and/or but-l-ene as produced according to known low-pressure processes. Also suitable are copolymers of ethylene or propylene with small amounts, for example up to 5% by weight, of other monomers, for example vinyl esters or acrylic acid derivatives.

Polyethylene, especially low pressure polyethylene, is however, especially preferred.

The surface-active hydrophilic com- pound is preferably of high molecular weight, for example starch, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, polyalkylene oxides, or polyvinyl alcohol. Polyvinyl alcohols having a degree of saponificatioii in the range of from 60 to 99.9o and a solution viscosity (40/u in water at 20 "C) in the range of from 4 to 90 cP are especially prefcrrecl.

Various processes are known for the preparation of polyolefin fibrides, for example, the spraying from a nozzle of a superheated polymer solution, or of a superheated emulsion of a polyolefin solution and an aqueous solution of the surface-active hydrophilic compound. The preferred polyolefin fibrides are produced by flash evaporation of a superheated emulsion of a polyolefin solution in a low hydrocarbon and of an aqueous solution of the surface-active hydrophilic compound, for example in the following manner (cf.

German Offenlegungsschrift No.

2411 589).

A 2501 tank, equipped with a stirrer and an outlet valve, which is connected by a pipe to a nozzle leading into a relaxation vessel, is charged with 9.6kg of polyethylene (RSV 1.4 dl/g, MFI 5.58), 1201 of water, 96 g of polyvinyl alcohol (viscosity 4.6 to 6 cP, 4% in water at 20 OC, degree of saponification in the range from 98.5 to 100 mole %) and 1201 of hexane. The tank is then closed, and the contents heated to 150 C while stirring and held at this temperature for approximately 2t hours, during which time a pressure of 12.3 kg/cm2 is reached.Once the polyethylene has dispersed and the tank contents have formed an emulsion, the outlet valve is opened and the emulsion is allowed out inlo the relaxation vessel at the same rate as a vacuum pump, connected to this vessel, can suck off the evolved vapours and maintain a pressure of approximately 200 mm Hg. The resulting fibrides are made into a paste with water, passed seven times through a disk refiner and subsequently separated from the water by centrifuging. The fibrides produced have a specific surface area according to the BET melhod of 8.2 m2/g and a classified fibre length of 0.9 mm.

Suitable polyolefin fibrides can also be produced by the process according to German Offenlegungsschrifl No. 2 249 604.

Fillers or pigments ror example, alumina, calcium carbonate, dolomile or titanium dioxide, may be added to the polymers before flash evaporation of the polymer mixture. Preferably, hydrophobic fillers or pigments are used. There are suitable as agents imparting hydrophobic properties, for example, fally acids, fatty acid aniines and amides, or silicones.

To carry out the method according to the invention the polyolefin fibrides are usecl either in dry or moist form, for example in the waler-moist form in which the fibrides are produced in the preferred flash evaporation process. The fibrides may, however, be made into a paste before use, with customary cleaning agents or example water or an organic solvent, for example isopropanol, perchloroethylene or acetone or water or an organic solvent may be appliecl separately to the fibrides.

The polyolefin fibrides or a paste there of may be sprinkled or spread on to the soiled surface and then well distributed and rubbed in, for example using brushes.

After absorbing the dirt, the cleaning agent is removed, for example brushed off or sucked off using a vacuum cleaner. If necessary the process can be repeated, optionally changing the solvent used.

It is also possible to use the polyolefin fibrides in the form of papers that consist wholly of the fibrides, or which consist predominantly of the fibrides, the remainder comprising cellulose fibres. In the case of dry spots, such papers can be impregnated beforehand with solvent or water. The papers are simply pressed on lo remove the spots or the spotted area is rubbed with the paper. It is also possible lo dampen a spot first with water or a solvent and then absorb the moisture and dirt with the cleaning agent of the invention. The most favourable application depeiids in each case on the nature of the dirt.

In the method of the invention the fibrides may be used together with a foaiit cleaner. In this case the polyolefin fibrides acl as highly active dirt absorbers.

The cleaning material used according to the invention may consist essentially of the above-clesclibed polyolefin fibritlcs. The polyolefin fibride con tent in the cleaning material may be 1000/o by weight, if the fibrides are usecl in the dry state, but il is also possible for tlie fibride content lo be lower if the fibrides are usecl in the forlll of a suspensioll or in moist forni, but this content lutist be al least 5% by weight. The other constituents of the cleaning nlatelial may be water, in a quantity iri the rallge of You 0 lo 950/0 by weight, preferably 10 to 60% by weight, or orgailic solvent, iii a quantity in the range of from 0 to 80% by weight, preferably 20 to 600/;) by weight.

Organic solvents of this type need not be the solvents usually used in tlie cleaniiig field, for example isopropanol , percliloro- cthyleiie or acetone, but may be lit try acid esters or liyclrocarbons.

The method of the invention aitd the cleaning material described are especially suitable for cleaniiig textiles that caii oiily be surface-treated, for example carpets, wall coverings furiiiture coverings or furs.

They hay also be used, however, for retiloving spots front outer garilietits. A particular advantage is that, as a result of tlie high absorption of lipophilic substances, the forniatioii of ati edgiitg to the spots that otherwise freutiently occurs is substantially avoided.

Furt lierniore, the cleaning material de- scribe is especially suitable for cleaning lacquered, scratcll-seiisi t ive surfaces, such as car boclywolk, chomium-plated parts TABLE Cleaning action Cleaning Commercial agent foam according cleaning to the Nature of spot agent invention Red wine fainter fainter (no different from foam) Olive oil slight completely residue removed Coffee fainter fainter (no different from foam) Mayonnaise distinct slight residue residue Tomato ketchup fainter fainter Underberg fainter almost removed Tea fainter much fainter and pieces of furniture.

For special cases, for example for lixiviation, acids or alkalis may be added to the fibrides, for example by 900/o by weight dilute hydrochloric acid or dilute potassium hydroxide solution.

The following Example illustrates the invention.

L'xaiiq)Ie A carpet, with polyamide pile, which had been usecl for some time and was dirty, was soiled in two parallel rows with different substances and subsequently one row was treated with a commercially available cleaning foam based on surfactant whilst the other was treated with a cleaning material according to the ilivelitioll To produce lie cleaniiig material, low pressure polyethylene having a density of 0.958 atid a iiielting index MFI 190/5 of 22 g/10 niiii processecl according to the above-descrided process (Example 1 of Gertnaii Offeii- legungsschrift No. 2 411 589) to produce fibrides having a mcan length of 1 '55 111111 and a BET surface area of 10 m/g. Differ- itig troni the above-mentioned data, the polyvinyl alcohol was used only in a quatitity of 0.20/o by weight calculated oii tlie polyethylene.

Tlie water-uloist fibrides, which con- taillecl approximately 50% by weight of water, were scattered on the carpet and well distributed ancl rubbed in by brushes. Sub seqtiently, the fibres were rctiioved by a vacuuiii cleaner. The foaiii cleaner was brushed in as described above and also removed by suction after drying.For the cleaning foam, there resulted in all cases 3 to 4-fold enlargement of the original spots, whereas in the case of the cleaning material according to the invention only negligible enlargements were observed. The results of the tests are sliown in the table.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A method of cleaning a surface which comprises applying to a surface a cleaning material comprising polyolefin fibrides having a classified fibre length (as hereinbefore defined) in the range of from 0.5 to 3 mm and a BET surface area of at least 1 m2/g wherein the polyolefin fibrides contain in the range of from 0.05 to 3.0% by weight, based on the weight of polyolefin, of a surface-active hydrophilic compound and subsequently removing the cleaning material along with the absorbed dirt.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyolefin fibrides contain a homopolymer of an olefin or a copolymer of 2 or more olefins.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyolefin fib rides contain a copolymer of at least one olefin with up to 5% by weight of another monomer.

4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the polyolefin fibrides contain low pressure polyethylene.

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polyolefin fib rides have been produced by flash evaporation.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the polyolefin fibrides have a BET surface area in the range of from 1 to 100 m2/g.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the polyolefin fib rides have a BET surface area in the range of from 5 to 25 m2/g.

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the polyolefin fibrides have a classified fibre length in the range of from 1.0 to 2.0 mm.

9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the polyolefin fibrides contain at least one filler or pigment.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the surface-active hydrophilic compound is starch, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, a polyalkylene oxide or a polyvinyl alcohol.

11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the surface-active hydrophilic compound is a polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of saponification in the range of from 60 to 99.9% and whose 4% aqueous solution has a viscosity at 20 C in the range of from 4 to 90 cP.

12. A method as claimed in any one of

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

Claims

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

TABLE Cleaning action Cleaning Commercial agent foam according cleaning to the Nature of spot agent invention Red wine fainter fainter (no different from foam) Olive oil slight completely residue removed Coffee fainter fainter (no different from foam) Mayonnaise distinct slight residue residue Tomato ketchup fainter fainter Underberg fainter almost removed Tea fainter much fainter and pieces of furniture.

For special cases, for example for lixiviation, acids or alkalis may be added to the fibrides, for example by 900/o by weight dilute hydrochloric acid or dilute potassium hydroxide solution.

The following Example illustrates the invention.

L'xaiiq)Ie A carpet, with polyamide pile, which had been usecl for some time and was dirty, was soiled in two parallel rows with different substances and subsequently one row was treated with a commercially available cleaning foam based on surfactant whilst the other was treated with a cleaning material according to the ilivelitioll To produce lie cleaniiig material, low pressure polyethylene having a density of 0.958 atid a iiielting index MFI 190/5 of 22 g/10 niiii processecl according to the above-descrided process (Example 1 of Gertnaii Offeii- legungsschrift No.

2 411 589) to produce fibrides having a mcan length of 1 '55 111111 and a BET surface area of 10 m/g. Differ- itig troni the above-mentioned data, the polyvinyl alcohol was used only in a quatitity of 0.20/o by weight calculated oii tlie polyethylene.

Tlie water-uloist fibrides, which con- taillecl approximately 50% by weight of water, were scattered on the carpet and well distributed ancl rubbed in by brushes. Sub seqtiently, the fibres were rctiioved by a vacuuiii cleaner. The foaiii cleaner was brushed in as described above and also removed by suction after drying.For the cleaning foam, there resulted in all cases 3 to 4-fold enlargement of the original spots, whereas in the case of the cleaning material according to the invention only negligible enlargements were observed. The results of the tests are sliown in the table.

WHAT WE CLAIM IS: 1. A method of cleaning a surface which comprises applying to a surface a cleaning material comprising polyolefin fibrides having a classified fibre length (as hereinbefore defined) in the range of from 0.5 to 3 mm and a BET surface area of at least 1 m2/g wherein the polyolefin fibrides contain in the range of from 0.05 to 3.0% by weight, based on the weight of polyolefin, of a surface-active hydrophilic compound and subsequently removing the cleaning material along with the absorbed dirt.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyolefin fibrides contain a homopolymer of an olefin or a copolymer of 2 or more olefins.
3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the polyolefin fib rides contain a copolymer of at least one olefin with up to 5% by weight of another monomer.
4. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the polyolefin fibrides contain low pressure polyethylene.
5. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the polyolefin fib rides have been produced by flash evaporation.
6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the polyolefin fibrides have a BET surface area in the range of from 1 to 100 m2/g.
7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the polyolefin fib rides have a BET surface area in the range of from 5 to 25 m2/g.
8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the polyolefin fibrides have a classified fibre length in the range of from 1.0 to 2.0 mm.
9. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the polyolefin fibrides contain at least one filler or pigment.
10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the surface-active hydrophilic compound is starch, methyl cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose, a polyalkylene oxide or a polyvinyl alcohol.
11. A method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the surface-active hydrophilic compound is a polyvinyl alcohol having a degree of saponification in the range of from 60 to 99.9% and whose 4% aqueous solution has a viscosity at 20 C in the range of from 4 to 90 cP.
12. A method as claimed in any one of

claims 1 to 11, wherein there is in the range of from 0.1 to 1.0 70 by weight of the surface-active hydrophilic compound contained in the polyolefin fibrides.
13. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the cleaning material consists of in the range of from 5 to 100 70 by weight of polyolefin fibrides which contain in the range of from 0.05 to 3.0% by weight of a surface-active hydrophilic compound based on the weight of polyolefin, and of in the range of from 0 to 95% by weight of water or in the range of from 0 to 80% by weight of an organic solvent.
14. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the cleaning material is in the form of a paste, a paper or a foam.
15. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, which comprises also applying water or an organic solvent to the surface.
16. A method as claimed in claim 1, whenever carried out substantially as described in the Example herein.