WO2023060532A1

WO2023060532A1 - Non-corrosive high-efficiency milk system solid cleaning composition with alkaline buffer systems and production methods thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2023060532A1
Application number: PCT/CN2021/123984
Authority: WO
Inventors: Haoran LI; Yihong CHANG
Original assignee: Ecolab Usa Inc.
Priority date: 2021-10-15
Filing date: 2021-10-15
Publication date: 2023-04-20
Also published as: CN118215727A

Abstract

Solid cleaning compositions with surfactant (s), an alkaline buffer system and at least one additional functional ingredient are disclosed. The solid composition can be provided as tablets, including single use tablets, suitable for cleaning coffee system and milk system equipment. Methods for making the solid cleaning compositions and methods of using the same are also provided.

Description

[Title established by the ISA under Rule 37.2] NON-CORROSIVE HIGH-EFFICIENCY MILK SYSTEM SOLID CLEANING COMPOSITION WITH ALKALINE BUFFER SYSTEMS AND PRODUCTION METHODS THEREOF

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to solid cleaning compositions with at least one surfactant, such as an anionic and/or nonionic surfactant, an alkaline buffer system and at least one additional functional ingredient. The solid composition can be provided as tablets, including single use tablets, suitable for cleaning coffee system and milk system equipment, including beverage machines that produces coffee and other drinks including hot drinks containing coffee, milk or milk froth. Methods for making the solid cleaning compositions and methods of using the same are also provided.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Automatic coffee machines are widely used in coffee shops and other settings, and they require daily cleaning due to the high potential of food-safety risks associated with contamination. For a fully automatic coffee machine there are generally two systems: a coffee system and a milk system. The use of fresh milk makes the machines susceptible to spoilage of the milk within a short period of time and a cleanser is conventionally used to remove the milk residue within the pipes of the machines. However, conventional alkaline cleansers cause damage to the coffee machines, such as causing deterioration of rubber sealing rings and other components due to use of high alkalinity, which deleteriously causes shortened usage periods of these machine components or the entire machine itself.

The use of tablet cleaning compositions are preferred due to ease in dosing and as the cleansing process is often carried out with an automatic circulation within the system.

It is therefore an object of this disclosure to provide improved solid cleaning compositions for cleaning equipment, including automatic coffee machines with milk systems.

It is a further object of the disclosure to provide an alkaline buffered cleaning composition that effectively decomposes soils including proteins in the machines without damaging machine components and/or decreasing the usage periods of the machine components as conventional alkaline cleaners are known to do in coffee machines.

It is another object of this disclosure to formulate non-corrosive, high-efficiency milk system cleaning compositions, including tablets, that use at least one surfactant and an alkaline buffer system for enhanced performance over conventional high alkaline products.

It is another object of this disclosure to formulate methods of making tablet compositions employing the surfactant (s) and alkaline buffer system.

It is yet another object of this disclosure to provide methods of using the non-corrosive, high-efficiency milk system cleaning compositions, and other solid compositions employing the surfactant (s) and alkaline buffer system.

Other objects, embodiments and advantages of this invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art in view of the following disclosure, the drawings, and the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments, are not exhaustive and do not limit the overall disclosure. No single embodiment need provide each and every object, feature, or advantage. Any of the objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments disclosed herein can be integrated with one another, either in full or in part.

It is a primary object, feature, and/or advantage of the present invention to improve on or overcome the deficiencies in the art including performance of conventional alkaline cleaning compositions that cause damage to coffee machines and other machine components, such as rubber sealing rings contained therein as a result of the high alkalinity of the compositions. An advantage of the compositions and methods of using the same, that the compositions effectively remove milk and other soils with a composition comprising, consisting of, or consisting essentially of a surfactant and an alkaline buffer system at a lower pH than conventional alkaline products while providing enhanced efficacy and improved compatibility with machine components treated with the compositions.

Accordingly, in an embodiment solid cleaning compositions comprise: from about 1 wt-%to about 10 wt-%of at least one anionic and/or nonionic surfactant; an alkaline buffer system comprising at least one alkalinity source and at least one acid source, wherein the at least one alkalinity source comprises a strong and/or weak alkalinity source, wherein the at least one acid comprises a solid acid source; and at least one additional functional ingredient.

In another embodiment methods of making the solid cleaning compositions comprise combining the surfactant, alkaline buffer system and at least one additional functional ingredient in a blender to form a cleaning composition; and pressing the cleaning composition into a solid composition form.

In another embodiment methods of cleaning a hard surface of object comprise: providing the solid cleaning compositions as described herein to a hard surface or object in need of cleaning; generating an alkaline solution of the solid cleaning composition on the hard surface or in contact with the object in need of cleaning; and cleaning soils from the hard surface or object, wherein the solid cleaning composition provides improved surface and object compatibility and cleaning efficacy in comparison to an alkaline cleaning composition having a pH > 11 and not containing the alkaline buffer system.

These and/or other objects, features, advantages, aspects, and/or embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art after reviewing the following brief and detailed descriptions of the drawings. Furthermore, the present disclosure encompasses aspects and/or embodiments not expressly disclosed but which can be understood from a reading of the present disclosure, including at least: (a) combinations of disclosed aspects and/or embodiments and/or (b) reasonable modifications not shown or described.

While multiple embodiments are disclosed, still other embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which shows and describes illustrative embodiments. Accordingly, the drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B shows a visual assessment of the solid cleaning composition performance in removing simulated milk soils as described in Example 1 during soaking (FIG. 1A) and following removal from the soak (FIG. 1B) .

FIG. 2 shows a visual assessment showing the impact of the alkaline buffer system of the solid cleaning composition on soil performance as described in Example 2.

FIG. 3 shows a visual assessment comparing milk soil removal of solid cleaning composition compared to a competitive product without the alkaline buffer system and increase pH conditions as described in Example 2.

FIG. 4 is a visual depiction of the taste testing flow for evaluating solid cleaning composition performance on coffee machines as judged based on any detection of chemical/taste residues as described in Example 5.

FIG. 5 shows the test results as described in Example 5.

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views. Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of the invention. Figures represented herein are not limitations to the various embodiments according to the invention and are presented for exemplary illustration of the invention. An artisan of ordinary skill in the art need not view, within isolated figure (s) , the near infinite number of distinct permutations of features described in the following detailed description to facilitate an understanding of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiments are not limited to particular tablet compositions, methods of use, and methods of making the tablet compositions, which can vary and are understood by skilled artisans. It is further to be understood that all terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting in any manner or scope. For example, as used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms "a, " "an" and "the" can include plural referents unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. Further, all units, prefixes, and symbols may be denoted in its SI accepted form. Numeric ranges recited within the specification are inclusive of the numbers within the defined range. Throughout this disclosure, various embodiments are presented in a range format. It should be understood that the description in range format is merely for convenience and brevity and should not be construed as an inflexible limitation on the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the description of a range should be considered to have specifically disclosed all the possible sub-ranges as well as individual numerical values within that range (e.g. 1 to 5 includes 1, 1.5, 2, 2.75, 3, 3.80, 4, and 5) .

As used herein, the term “and/or” , e.g., “X and/or Y” shall be understood to mean either "X and Y" or "X or Y" and shall be taken to provide explicit support for both meanings or for either meaning, e.g. A and/or B includes the options i) A, ii) B or iii) A and B.

It is to be appreciated that certain features that are, for clarity, described herein in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any sub-combination.

So that the present invention may be more readily understood, certain terms are first defined. 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 embodiments of the invention pertain. The definitions are provided to aid in describing particular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the claimed invention, because the scope of the invention is limited only by the claims. Many methods and materials similar, modified, or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice of the embodiments without undue experimentation, but the preferred materials and methods are described herein. In describing and claiming the embodiments, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set out below.

The term "about, " as used herein, refers to variation in the numerical quantity that can occur, for example, through typical measuring and liquid handling procedures used for making concentrates or use solutions in the real world; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the compositions or carry out the methods; and the like. The term "about" also encompasses amounts that differ due to different equilibrium conditions for a composition resulting from a particular initial mixture. Whether or not modified by the term "about" , the claims include equivalents to the quantities.

The term "actives" or "percent actives" or "percent by weight actives" or "actives concentration" are used interchangeably herein and refers to the concentration of those ingredients involved in cleaning expressed as a percentage minus inert ingredients such as water or salts.

The term "bioluminescence" as used herein, refers to the production and emission of light by a living organism. The enzyme luciferase catalyzes the oxidation of luciferin, producing light.

The term "colony-forming units" (CFUs) as used herein, refers to an estimate of a number of viable bacterial or fungal cells in a sample. Viable cells are able to multiply under controlled conditions CFUs are provided as a measure of CFU/mL for liquids or CFU/g for solids.

As used herein, the term “exemplary” refers to an example, an instance, or an illustration of an embodiment, and does not indicate a most preferred embodiment unless otherwise stated.

As used herein, the term "free" refers to compositions completely lacking the component or having such a small amount of the component that the component does not affect the performance of the composition. The component may be present as an impurity or as a contaminant and shall be less than 0.5 wt-%. In another embodiment, the amount of the component is less than 0.1 wt-%and in yet another embodiment, the amount of component is less than 0.01 wt-%.

The term “microbe” or "microorganisms" as used herein, refer to microscopic organisms that are single-celled or multicellular. These organisms may include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and algae.

The term "relative light units" (RLUs) as used herein, refers to an amount of light as measured by a luminometer.

The term "surfactant" or "surface active agent" refers to an organic chemical that when added to a liquid changes the properties of that liquid at a surface.

The term "weight percent, " "wt-%, " "percent by weight, " "%by weight, " and variations thereof, as used herein, refer to the concentration of a substance as the weight of that substance divided by the total weight of the composition and multiplied by 100. It is understood that, as used here, "percent, " "%, " and the like are intended to be synonymous with "weight percent, " "wt-%, " etc.

The methods and compositions may comprise, consist essentially of, or consist of the components and ingredients as well as other ingredients described herein. As used herein, "consisting essentially of" means that the methods and compositions may include additional steps, components or ingredients, but only if the additional steps, components or ingredients do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed methods and compositions.

Compositions

The solid cleaning compositions are non-corrosive solid tablets with a surfactant and an alkaline buffer system, namely a weak alkalinity source and strong alkaline source in combination with an acid. The solid cleaning compositions can include additional functional ingredients and are provided as stable, non-corrosive solids, preferably as tablets for single use. Exemplary solid cleaning compositions are shown in Tables 1-3 in weight percentages. While the components may have a percent actives of 100%, it is noted that Tables 1-3 do not recite the percent actives of the components, but rather, recites the total weight percentage of the raw materials (i.e. active concentration plus inert ingredients) .

TABLE 1

TABLE 2

TABLE 3

Surfactant

The solid cleaning compositions comprises one or more surfactants. The surfactant (s) can include anionic and/or nonionic surfactants. In embodiments the surfactant (s) include at least one anionic surfactant. In embodiments the surfactant (s) include at least one nonionic surfactant. In still further embodiments the surfactant (s) include at least one anionic surfactant and at least one nonionic surfactant.

Surfactants can include salts of fatty acids, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfonates, alkyl aryl sulfonates, fatty alcohol polyether and combinations thereof. In embodiments the salts of fatty acids, alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfonates, or alkyl aryl sulfonates, surfactants have carbon chain lengths between about C9-C18, can be linear or branched, fatty alcohol polyether can have from about 3 to about 8 moles of ethylene oxide.

Exemplary surfactant (s) include, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (also referred to as sodium lauryl benzene sulfonate) , sodium dodecyl sulfate (also referred to as sodium lauryl sulfate) , salts of myristic acid, palmitic acid, lauric acid, or oleic acid (e.g. sodium myristate, sodium palmitate, sodium laurate, and sodium oleate) , sodium myristate sulfate, sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, fatty alcohol polyether and the like, and most preferred is sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and/or sodium oleate.

In some embodiments, the surfactant (s) is included in the solid cleaning composition at an amount of at least about 1 wt-%to about 20 wt-%, about 1 wt-%to about 10 wt-%, about 1 wt-%to about 9 wt-%, about 1 wt-%to about 8 wt-%, or about 2 wt-%to about 8 wt-%. In addition, without being limited according to the invention, all ranges recited are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

Alkaline Buffer System

The solid cleaning compositions comprise an alkaline buffer system comprising at least one alkalinity source and at least one acid source. In embodiments the alkaline buffer system comprises at least two alkalinity sources which can include a combination of weak and/or strong alkalinity sources and at least one acid source. In still further embodiments the alkaline buffer system comprises, consists of or consists essentially of two alkalinity sources, wherein a weak and a strong alkalinity source are included and one acid source.

The alkaline buffer system provides an alkaline solution pH of the solid cleaning composition. In some embodiments an alkaline solution provides a pH between about 10 to about 11 at varying concentrations. In further embodiments a 1%concentration of composition in an alkaline solution provides a pH between about 10 to about 11. In various examples of embodiments of the solid cleaning compositions a 1%solution is used to compare pH of the compositions to control compositions or formulations to demonstrate that at equal concentrations the alkaline buffer system of the solid cleaning compositions provides a lower pH for the cleaning solution in comparison to the control compositions or formulations.

The alkaline buffer system includes at least one weak alkalinity source, including for example, alkali metal weak alkalinity sources, such as alkali metal carbonates, alkali metal bicarbonates, alkali metal salts, phosphates, amines, and mixtures thereof.

Exemplary weak alkalinity sources include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO ₃) , or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the weak alkalinity source of the alkaline buffer system is included in the solid cleaning composition at an amount of at least about 1 wt-%to about 50 wt-%, about 5 wt-%to about 45 wt-%, or about 8 wt-%to about 45 wt-%. In addition, without being limited according to the invention, all ranges recited are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

The alkaline buffer system includes at least one strong alkalinity source, including for example, alkali metal strong alkalinity sources, such as alkali metal hydroxides, alkali metal silicates, and/or alkali metal metasilicates. Exemplary strong alkalinity sources include sodium metasilicate, potassium metasilicate, sodium hydroxide (NaOH) , potassium hydroxide (KOH) , or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the strong alkalinity source of the alkaline buffer system is included in the solid cleaning composition at an amount of at least about 0.1 wt-%to about 5 wt-%, about 0.5 wt-%to about 5 wt-%, or about 0.5 wt-%to about 4 wt-%. In addition, without being limited according to the invention, all ranges recited are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

The alkaline buffer system includes at least one acid source. For the purposes of this disclosure, an acid is a component that can be added to an aqueous system and result in a pH less than 7. In some embodiments a solid acid is included in the buffer system.

Exemplary acids include an alpha hydroxycarboxylic acid, such as citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, sulfamic acid, oxalic acid, lactic acid, gluconic acid, and the like; carboxylic acids, such as formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, and the like; other common organic acids include ascorbic acid, glutamic acid, levulinic acid, etc. Preferred acids include citric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, and sulfamic acid.

In some embodiments, the acid source of the alkaline buffer system is included in the solid cleaning composition at an amount of at least about 1 wt-%to about 15 wt-%, about 3 wt-%to about 15 wt-%, or about 5 wt-%to about 15 wt-%. In addition, without being limited according to the invention, all ranges recited are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

Additional Functional Ingredients

The remainder of the solid cleaning compositions comprise one or more additional functional components suitable for uses disclosed herein, including solid composition formulation and/or hard surface cleaning. In some embodiments, the solid cleaning compositions including the-surfactant (s) and the alkaline buffer system include at least one additional functional ingredient. In some embodiments, the solid cleaning compositions including the surfactant (s) and the alkaline buffer system include at least two additional functional ingredients. And in still further embodiments, the solid cleaning compositions including the surfactant (s) and the alkaline buffer system include at least three additional functional ingredients.

The additional functional ingredients provide desired properties and functionalities to the compositions. For the purpose of this application, the term "functional ingredient" includes a material that aids in the formation and/or processing of a solid composition, enhances stability of a solid composition, and/or when dispersed or dissolved in a use and/or concentrate solution, such as an aqueous solution, provides a beneficial property in a particular use. Some particular examples of functional materials are discussed in more detail below, although the particular materials discussed are given by way of example only, and that a broad variety of other functional ingredients may be used. For example, many of the functional materials discussed below relate to materials used in cleaning. However, other embodiments may include functional ingredients for use in other applications.

In some embodiments, the solid cleaning compositions may include chelating agents (chelants) , pressing aids, fillers, bleaching agents, stabilizing agents, corrosion inhibitors, solubility modifiers, dispersants, metal protecting agents, optical brighteners, defoaming agents, anti-redeposition agents, soil antiredeposition agents, builders, sequestrants, enzymes, aesthetic enhancing agents including fragrances and/or dyes, additional rheology and/or solubility modifiers or thickeners, hydrotropes or couplers, buffers, solvents, additional cleaning agents and the like. Preferred additional functional ingredients include chelants, pressing aids, fillers, and additional cleaning agents.

According to embodiments of the invention, the various additional functional ingredients may be provided in a composition in the amount from about 20 wt-%and about 95 wt-%, from about 30 wt-%and about 90 wt-%, from about 30 wt-%and about 80 wt-%, from about 30 wt-%and about 75 wt-%, or from about 40 wt-%and about 75 wt-%. In addition, without being limited according to the invention, all ranges recited are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

Chelants

In some embodiments, the solid cleaning compositions can include one or more chelating agents (chelants) , which may also be referred to as a sequestering agent or builder. A chelant may include, for example phosphonic acid and phosphonates, phosphates, an aminocarboxylic acid, aminocarboxylates and their derivatives, a polyacrylate, ethylenediamine and ethylenetriamine derivatives, hydroxyacids, and mono-, di-, and tri-carboxylates and their corresponding acids, and mixtures and derivatives thereof. In general, a chelating agent is a molecule capable of coordinating (i.e., binding) the metal ions commonly found in natural water to prevent the metal ions from interfering with the action of the other ingredients of a wetting agent or other cleaning composition. The chelant may also function as a threshold agent when included in an effective amount.

Some examples of aminocarboxylates include, for example, n-hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) , ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) , N-hydroxyethyl-ethylenediaminetriacetic acid (HEDTA) , diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) , and the like. Biodegradable aminocarboxylates can also be used, including ethanoldiglycine, e.g., an alkali metal salt of ethanoldiglycine, methylglycinediacetic acid, e.g., an alkali metal salt of methylgylcinodiacetic acid, such as trisodium methylglycinediacetic acid; iminodisuccinic acid, e.g., an alkali metal salt of iminodisuccinic acid, such as iminodisuccinic acid sodium salt; N, N-bis- (carboxylatomethyl) -L-glutamic acid (GLDA) , e.g., an alkali metal salt of N, N-bis (carboxylatomethyl) -L-glutamic acid, such as iminodisuccinic acid sodium salt (GLDA-Na ₄) ; [S--S] -ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS) , e.g., an alkali metal salt of [S--S] -ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid, such as a sodium salt of [S--S] -ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid; 3-hydroxy-2, 2'-iminodisuccinic acid (HIDS) , e.g., an alkali metal salt of 3-hydroxy-2, 2'-iminodisuccinic acid, such as tetrasodium 3-hydroxy-2, 2'-iminodisuccinate.

Some examples of polymeric polycarboxylates suitable for use as sequestering agents include those having a pendant carboxylate (--CO ₂) groups and include, for example, polyacrylic acid, maleic/olefin copolymer, acrylic/maleic copolymer, polymethacrylic acid, acrylic acid-methacrylic acid copolymers, hydrolyzed polyacrylamide, hydrolyzed polymethacrylamide, hydrolyzed polyamide-methacrylamide copolymers, hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile, hydrolyzed polymethacrylonitrile, hydrolyzed acrylonitrile-methacrylonitrile copolymers, and the like. The composition may include an aminocarboxylate or its derivatives, including for example sodium aminocarboxylate or a biodegradable aminocarboxylate or derivative thereof. Gluconates can also be included as chelant actives, such as sodium gluconate.

In certain embodiments the composition is phosphate free.

According to embodiments of the invention, the chelant (s) may be provided in a composition in the amount from about 1 wt-%and about 20 wt-%, from about 1 wt-%and about 10 wt-%, from about 2 wt-%and about 10 wt-%, or from about 5 wt-%and about 10 wt-%. In addition, without being limited according to the invention, all ranges recited are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

Pressing Aids

In some embodiments, the solid cleaning compositions can include one or more pressing aids. Pressing aids can include functional ingredients to improve pressing, such as to avoid sticking in a press. Pressing aids can also include lubricating actives. Exemplary pressing aids include, for example, solid polyethylene glycols (e.g. PEG 6000, PEG 8000) , stearates (e.g. Mg stearate) , oleates (e.g. sodium oleate which can reduce friction and stickiness in formulations) , and the like. In an embodiment a PEG is included to reduce friction between powders pressed in the solid cleaning composition. In an embodiment a stearate prevents sticking on the mold and oleates can be included as a supplement.

According to embodiments of the invention, the pressing aid (s) may be provided in a composition in the amount from about 0.5 wt-%to about 10 wt-%, from about 1 wt-%to about 8 wt-%, or from about 3 wt-%to about 8 wt-%. In addition, without being limited according to the invention, all ranges recited are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

Fillers

In some embodiments, the solid cleaning compositions can include one or more fillers for the solid compositions. Exemplary fillers include sorbitol, mannitol, lactose, cellulose, cellulose with carboxyl/methyl/ethyl modifications, and the like.

According to embodiments of the invention, the filler (s) may be provided in a composition in the amount from about 20 wt-%and about 70 wt-%, from about 30 wt-%and about 70 wt-%, or from about 40 wt-%and about 70 wt-%. In addition, without being limited according to the invention, all ranges recited are inclusive of the numbers defining the range and include each integer within the defined range.

Methods of Making

Method of making the solid cleaning compositions described include a first step of combining the anionic surfactant, alkaline buffer system and the at least one additional functional ingredient. In a preferred embodiment the components (or a majority of the components) are provided as powders. The combining step can be in a blender to form a cleaning composition that is then pressed into a solid composition form. Various types of pressing forms and/or tableting machines can be employed based on the intended size and shape of the solid cleaning composition. In an embodiment, the solid composition form is shaped to match a coffee machine cleaning design for dosing the solid cleaning composition into a coffee machine in need of cleaning.

In an embodiment a press can be configured to press the powders (or flowable solid components) into a mold and any chamber or chambers that might be in the mold. A press can also include, for example, a ram configured to be moved down onto the powders (or flowable solid components) in mold and any chamber or chambers at a preselected pressure (psi) . In some embodiments, pressing can employ low pressures compared to conventional pressures used to form tablets or other conventional solid cleaning compositions.

In an embodiment one or more pressing aids are included in the additional functional ingredients of the solid cleaning composition to provide improved pressing based on the design or shape and the size of the solid or tablet.

The solid cleaning compositions may be provided in various solids and solid sizes. These can include for example, a pellet, a tablet, a lozenge, a puck, a briquette, a brick, a solid block, or a unit dose. In preferred embodiments, solid tablets are provided. In some embodiments tablets can be < 100 grams, or about 1 gram to about 100 grams. In other embodiments larger solid compositions can be provided. Solid block weighing at least about 100 grams, or even 1 kg to about 10 kg could be produced for various uses as well.

Beneficially, the solids provided are stable solid compositions which means that they retains its shape under conditions in which the composition may be stored or handled. The solids are also shelf stable. In embodiments the solids have at least about 24 month or at least about 36 month shelf stability.

Methods of Use

The solid cleaning compositions are suited for cleaning hard surfaces and objects. The solid cleaning compositions are efficacious in cleaning and removing soils from such surfaces and objects, including for example fatty and proteinaceous soils, mineral and organic soils, and films/foams that are left as residues on surfaces and objects, such as from fresh milk stains in coffee machines, including automatic coffee machines. In a particular embodiment, the solid cleaning compositions are efficacious in removing milk stains from coffee machines and other hard surfaces and objects. The removal of soils along with microbes is critical when cleaning surfaces that are used for producing food and/or drinks for human consumption. There are various government agencies having set standards or guidelines intended to reduce the presence of soils, namely microbes. Therefore, the removal of such soils and microbes is essential for many industries. For food and beverage processing equipment, including smaller equipment such as coffee machines, equipment is only taken down for cleaning periodically and, as a practical matter, cannot remain offline for an extended period.

Various embodiments of the solid cleaning compositions described herein provide numerous cleaning improvements. Beneficially the surfactant (s) perform efficaciously in an alkaline environment provided by the alkaline buffer system to remove the protein and fatty oil soils. Moreover, the alkaline buffer system of the solid composition provides an alkaline and acid source providing enhanced dissolving speed with a buffering system that also provides effervescence in the cleaning. The inclusion of chelants as additional functional ingredients further remove minerals.

The methods of cleaning with the solid cleaning composition include a first step of providing the solid cleaning composition to a hard surface or object in need of cleaning. The solid composition is then contacted with a water source to generate an alkaline solution (can be referred to as a use solution) of the solid cleaning composition. The concentration of the alkaline solution provides at least about 100 ppm surfactant. The solid cleaning compositions can be applied at an alkaline use solution to a surface or object in need of cleaning. In an aspect, a use concentration of the solid cleaning composition includes from about 100 ppm to about 50,000 ppm, or from about 1000 ppm to about 50,000 ppm, or from about 2000 ppm to about 40,000 ppm, or from about 3000 ppm to about 40,000 ppm, including all ranges therebetween. The use solution beneficially provides a pH between of about 10, or at least about 10 to provide efficacious cleaning, preferably between about 10 to about 11, or even between about 10 to about 10.8. In some embodiments a 1%solution of the solid cleaning composition is used to generate a use solution. However, this concentration will vary depending upon factors including the size of the coffee machine and the amount of water used in the cleaning procedure. The solution of the cleaning composition is applied or in contact with the hard surface or object in need of cleaning (e.g. coffee machine with a milk line) . Beneficially the pH of about 10 or greater, or between about 10-11 provides both improved surface and object compatibility and cleaning efficacy in removing of soils and microbes in comparison to an alkaline cleaning composition having a more alkaline pH, including a pH > 11 and not containing the alkaline buffer system.

In some embodiments tablets can be formulated < about 100 grams and the pH of the solution generated from 1 tablet per 1 L water is between about 10 to about 11, or even between about 10 to about 10.8. However the pH will vary dependent upon factors of dilution employed.

In some embodiments, the methods further include a rinsing step for the hard surface or object after cleaning the soils with the use solution of the solid cleaning composition.

In embodiments where the object is a coffee machine with a milk line (or other objects with materials having compatibility limitations to being cleaned with highly alkaline compositions) the compositions beneficially do not damage rubber or other soft surfaces on or in the machine.

The tablet size and shape of a solid cleaning composition can be provided to fit into a coffee machine holder. For example, the tablet (or other solid form) can be adapted to the geometry of the chamber used for introducing the tablet (or other solid form) for cleaning. Then the cleaning system is then started on a machine, which automatically flushes water (of varying temperatures and volumes) onto the solid cleaning composition tablet to make the cleansing solution. The procedure is contained within the coffee machine based on the design of the coffee machine (including amount of water added in a cleaning cycle) .

In other embodiments, the solid cleaning compositions are useful for clean-in-place (CIP) and clean-out-of-place (COP) applications. CIP applications include those where the solid cleaning composition is passed through the pipes without dissembling equipment. COP systems may include readily accessible systems including wash tanks, soaking vessels, mop buckets, holding tanks, scrub sinks, vehicle parts washers, non-continuous batch washers and systems, and the like. In some aspects, the solid cleaning compositions are further suitable for removing mineral soils. For example, the solid cleaning compositions may be used on stainless steel pipes which need to use solid cleaners to de-lime surfaces.

Exemplary industries in which the methods of the present invention can be applied include, but are not limited to: the food, beverage and restaurant industry, e.g., the dairy, cheese, sugar, and brewery industries, including for example cups, milk tanks, cake molds, evaporator and pasteurizer cleaning, including ultra-high temperature (UHT) and high temperature short time (HTST) pasteurizers; oil processing industry; industrial agriculture and ethanol processing; and other applications requiring protein soil removal, such as blood stain removal in health care.

Conventional CIP processes are generally well known. The process includes applying or circulating a water diluted solution of cleaning concentrate (typically about 0.5-3%by volume) onto the surface to be cleaned. The solution flows across the surface (3 to 6 feet/second) to remove the soil. Either new solution is re-applied to the surface, or the same solution is re-circulated and re-applied to the surface as required to achieve a clean soil-free surface.

The solid cleaning compositions can be applied to surfaces using a variety of methods. These methods can operate on an object, surface, or the like, by contacting the object or surface with the composition. Contacting can comprise any of numerous methods for applying a liquid, such as spraying the compound, immersing the object in the compound, foam or gel treating the object with the compound, or a combination thereof. Without being limited to the contacting according to the invention, a concentrate or use liquid composition can be applied to or brought into contact with an object by any conventional method or apparatus for applying a liquid composition to an object. For example, the surface can be wiped with, sprayed with, foamed on, and/or immersed in the liquid compositions, or use liquid compositions made from the concentrated liquid compositions. The liquid compositions can be sprayed, foamed, or wiped onto a surface; the compound can be caused to flow over the surface, or the surface can be dipped into the compound. Contacting can be manual or by machine.

The solid cleaning compositions are in contact with a surface or object for a sufficient amount of time to clean the surface or object. In embodiments the solid cleaning compositions are first dissolved in water to produce the alkaline solution of the cleaning composition. In an aspect, the surface or object is contacted with the alkaline cleaning composition for at least about 1 minute, at least about 10 minutes, or between about 20 minutes and about 40 minutes.

In embodiments the methods can further include a rinsing step.

In embodiments the methods are particularly well suited for daily cleaning and removal of soil, including protein soils.

The solid cleaning compositions may also be suitable for cleaning other hard surfaces. Non-limiting examples of facilities having hard surfaces include food and beverage plants, dairy plants, farms and dairies, breweries, ethanol plants, full service and quick service restaurants, grocery stores, warehouse and retail stores, commercial or office space, hotels, motels, hospitals, paper mills, industrial manufacturing plants including automotive plants, cooling towers, water treatment plants, refineries, oil and gas fields and pipelines, and drilling platforms. Examples of hard surfaces include food and beverage processing equipment including pipes, tanks, evaporators, spray nozzles and the like, dairy processing equipment, milk tanks, milk trucks, milking equipment, countertops, cooking surfaces, bathroom surfaces such as sinks and toilet handles, light switch panels, doorknobs, call buttons, phone handles, remote controls, desktops, patient rails, grab bars, surgical instruments, equipment inside paper mills including pipes, chests, headboxes, broke towers, blades, forming wire, and the like.

EXAMPLES

Embodiments of the present invention are further defined in the following non-limiting Examples. It should be understood that these Examples, while indicating certain embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. From the above discussion and these Examples, one skilled in the art can ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention, and without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications of the embodiments of the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. Thus, various modifications of the embodiments of the invention, in addition to those shown and described herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description. Such modifications are also intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

EXAMPLE 1

A simulated milk soil test was conducted to evaluate an exemplary solid cleaning composition formulation as shown in Table 4 on removing milk soils.

TABLE 4

Surfactant	2-8 wt-%
Strong Alkalinity Source (s)	0.5-5 wt-%
Weak Alkalinity Source (s)	15-35 wt-%
Acid Source	5-15 wt-%
Chelant	5-10 wt-%
Pressing Aid	3-8 wt-%
Filler	40-70 wt-%
	100 wt-%

The following methods were used to make simulated milk soil. First two drops of milk were added onto ceramic or stainless steel plate, and using a brush they are evenly distributed on the plate. Then the plate is heated under 60℃ for 10 minutes to dry the plate. This is repeated 5 times. Then the plate is heated under 95℃ for 10 hours to simulate a coffee machine environment before Coomassie brilliant blue (protein indicator) is sprayed onto the plate to indicate milk soils.

Then the following methods to test the cleaning composition was followed. Dissolve a tablet into water (65℃ + 1%solution) . Then place the soiled plate into the solution and hold for 1 minute. Then take out the plate and observe the blue residue on the plate. To visually assess the results, the less blue residue present, better cleansing result. The evaluation of the solid cleaning composition in Table 4 resulted in a visual observation of a complete cleansing effect as shown in FIG. 1.

EXAMPLE 2

Modifications to the alkaline buffer system of the solid cleaning compositions were evaluated to assess impact on cleaning efficacy. Milk soil simulation was completed as described in Example 1) . Variations in the percentage of buffer dosage (includes both alkalinity sources and acid) were evaluated in comparison to a 0%buffer and in comparison, to a competitive product as summarized in Table 5.

TABLE 5

The competitive product evaluation is a commercial product that includes surfactants (1-6 wt-%) , including the anionic surfactant sodium dodecyl sulfate and the nonionic surfactant 1-dodecanol (lauryl alcohol) , with a sodium metasilicate alkalinity source (<1 wt-%) as active ingredients. The visual results as summarized in Table 5 are shown in FIG. 2 where the soil removal is significantly improved with the presence of the buffer system at a pH of about 11-12. The test without buffer was tested at 65℃ twice to confirm results.

Further comparison of soil removal using the solid cleaning composition of Table 4 to the competitive product is shown in FIG. 3 showing a significant improvement in milk soil removal with the solid cleaning composition. This is unexpected as the competitive formulation has a strongly alkaline pH of 10.8-11, where the solid cleaning composition has a pH less than 10.8, as shown in Table 4 the pH is about 10.2 with the alkaline buffer system.

EXAMPLE 3

A commercial coffee machine was used to make 300 cups of coffee (120 cups Americano and 180 cups latte) and then evaluated for ATP, micro bio, and chemical residue as described herein to evaluate efficacy of the solid cleaning composition shown in Table 4.

ATP test method: ATP is used to check the cleanness of surface. The term "adenosine triphosphate" (ATP) refers to a molecule used to transport chemical energy within cells. ATP contains adenine, ribose, and three phosphate groups. ATP breaks down into adenosine diphosphate (ADP) and phosphate to release energy. ATP is contained in bacteria, yeasts, molds and all animals and plants, including food and food residues. ATP does not exist in inanimate debris. The amount of ATP in each unit of biomass is relatively constant and can be quantified by bioluminescence (luciferin luciferase) reaction.

In the method utilizing bioluminescence, luciferase and luciferin from fireflies are mixed with a sample with a cation, such as magnesium, in the presence of oxygen. If ATP is present, it will cause a reaction between luciferase (the substrate) and luciferin (the catalyst) in an oxidation reaction which produces light. Light emissions are detected with a luminometer and reported in relative light units (RLUs) . The amount of light produced is proportional to the metabolic activity of microbial organisms present, but does not indicate the amount of organisms present. The luciferase/luciferin reaction is well known in the art, and there are commercial sources for the necessary reagents as well as protocols for their use. For example, several luciferase/luciferin reagents along with luciferase are available in commercial kits.

An ATP swab is used to take a 10 cm by 10 cm area (or as much area as possible if the size is less than this) from the evaluated surface. The swab is put into the test tube and activated. After activation the test tube is quickly oscillated for 5 seconds to fully mix the reagent. Test method is referred to China Standard GB/T 36004-2018 Food contact surface cleaning and disinfection efficacy test method-ATP bioluminescence method. The test equipment is 3M Clean-Trace and the surface ATP applicator is inserted into the detector for detection. The measured results are expressed using bioluminescence in relative light units (RLU) . Micro bio tests were also measured. The results are shown in Table 6.

TABLE 6

The solid cleaning composition was added to the coffee machine for a cleaning cycle. The tablet size and shape is provided to fit into the coffee machine holder. Then the cleaning system is started on the machine, which automatically flushes water onto the solid cleaning composition tablet to make the cleansing solution. The procedure is contained within the coffee machine based on the design of the coffee machine (including amount of water added in a cleaning cycle) .

As shown in Table 6 results, the ATP and total bacteria count measured at both the outlet and inlet was substantially reduced following treatment with the solid cleaning composition. It is preferred to have an ATP reduction that is less than 100. The bacteria reduction is meaningful with a reduction of at least about 90%total bacteria beneficially providing sanitizing efficacy. The yeast cfu count did not have measurable difference at the outlet as there was no mold present; therefore no reduction detected. Overall, the results demonstrate a significant reduction in micro data.

EXAMPLE 4

Chemical residue testing was also conducted following the evaluation described in Example 3 with the testing location, method and pH evaluated shown in Table 7.

TABLE 7

As shown in Table 7 all test locations had pH neutral (between 6-7.5) with no alkaline residue.

EXAMPLE 5

A taste testing was also conducted following the evaluation described in Example 3. FIG. 4 shows a schematic of the taste testing flow for evaluating any taste residue from the solid cleaning composition performance on coffee machines. The test methodology uses taste testers to judge whether they are able to detect any chemical/taste residues from the cleaning described in Example 3.

FIG. 5 shows the test results for each tasting sequence including the number of taste testers and the number of ‘right’ answers of the ability to detect a different between sample A (sample water from the outlet after cleaning with the solid cleaning composition) and sample B (sample water from the outlet before cleaning with the solid cleaning composition) . The outlets include both a milk and coffee outlet that is mixed. As shown in FIG. 5 the results show there is no obvious difference in taste of water from the outlet of the coffee machine after cleaning with the solid cleaning composition. Based on the total number of testers and the sequences evaluated 15 ‘right’ answers does not meet the threshold of a 5%difference detected (which would be 22 right answers and only 15 right answers were given) .

It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate, and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other embodiments, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims. Any reference to accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, are shown, by way of illustration only. It is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. All publications discussed and/or referenced herein are incorporated herein in their entirety.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilized for realizing the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

A solid cleaning composition comprising:

from about 1 wt-%to about 10 wt-%of at least one surfactant;

an alkaline buffer system comprising at least one alkalinity source and at least one acid source, wherein the at least one alkalinity source comprises a strong and/or weak alkalinity source, wherein the at least one acid comprises an acid source; and

at least one additional functional ingredient.
The composition of claim 1, wherein the solid is a tablet composition having a weight between about 1 gram to about 100 grams.
The composition of any one of claims 1-2, wherein the surfactant is one or more of a salt of fatty acid, alkyl sulfate, alkyl ether sulfonate, and/or alkyl aryl sulfonate, and/or fatty alcohol polyether.
The composition of claim 3, wherein the surfactant has a C9-C18 carbon chain that can be linear or branched, and wherein the fatty alcohol polyether surfactant has 3 to 8 moles of ethylene oxide.
The composition of claim 3, wherein the surfactant is sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium myristate sulfate, sodium alpha-olefin sulfonate, sodium palmitate, sodium myristate, sodium laurate, sodium oleate, and/or fatty alcohol polyether.
The composition of any one of claims 1-5, wherein the at least one alkalinity source comprises a weak alkalinity source and a strong alkalinity source.
The composition of any one of claims 1-6, wherein the weak alkalinity source comprises an alkali metal carbonate and/or alkali metal bicarbonate.
The composition of any one of claims 1-7, wherein the strong alkalinity source comprises an alkali metal hydroxide, alkali metal silicate and/or alkali metal metasilicate.
The composition of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the acid is a solid acid.
The composition of any one of claims 1-9, wherein the solid acid is one or more of citric acid, tartaric acid, fumaric acid, adipic acid, malic acid and sulfamic acid.
The composition of any one of claims 1-10, wherein the surfactant comprises from about 2 wt-%to about 8 wt-%of the solid cleaning composition, wherein the weak alkalinity source comprises from about 5 wt-%to about 45 wt-%of the solid cleaning composition, wherein the strong alkalinity source comprises from about 0.5 wt-%to about 5 wt-%of the solid cleaning composition, and wherein the acid source comprises from about 3 wt-%to about 15 wt-%of the solid cleaning composition.
The composition of claim 11, wherein the surfactant is sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dodecyl sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate and/or sodium oleate.
The composition of any one of claims 1-12, wherein the additional functional ingredients is a chelant, pressing aid, and/or filler.
The composition of claim 13, wherein the chelant is an aminocarboxylate or an alkali metal salt thereof, wherein the pressing aid is a polyethylene glycol, stearate Mg, stearate Na and/or oleate Na, wherein the filler is a sorbitol, mannitol, lactose, cellulose, and/or cellulose with carboxyl/methyl/ethyl modification.
The composition of any one of claims 1-14, wherein the additional functional ingredient (s) comprises from about 30 wt-%and about 90 wt-%of the solid composition.
A method of making the solid cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1-15 comprising:

combining the surfactant (s) , alkaline buffer system and at least one additional functional ingredient in a blender to form a cleaning composition; and

pressing the cleaning composition into a solid composition form.
The method of claim 16, wherein the pressing step employs a tableting machine.
The method of any one of claims 16-17, wherein the solid composition form is shaped to match a coffee machine cleaning design for dosing the solid cleaning composition into a coffee machine in need of cleaning.
A method of cleaning a hard surface of object comprising:

providing the solid cleaning composition according to any one of claims 1-15 to a hard surface or object in need of cleaning;

generating a use solution of the solid

cleaning composition on the hard surface or in contact with the object in need of cleaning; and

cleaning soils from the hard surface or object,

wherein the solid cleaning composition provides improved surface and object compatibility and cleaning efficacy in comparison to an alkaline cleaning composition having a pH >11 and not containing the alkaline buffer system.
The method of claim 19, further comprising rinsing the hard surface or object after cleaning the soils with the use solution of the solid cleaning composition.
The method of any one of claims 19-20, wherein the object is a coffee machine.
The method of claim 21, wherein the solid cleaning composition does not damage rubber or other soft surfaces on or in the machine.
The method of any one of claims 19-22, wherein the cleaning removes soils from an in-line surface or object.
The method of any one of claims 19-23, wherein the use solution pH is between about 10 to about 10.8.