Source: https://patents.google.com/patent/US6367488B1/en
Timestamp: 2018-05-28 03:31:25
Document Index: 176440240

Matched Legal Cases: ['application No. 08', 'application No. 08', 'application No. 08', 'application No. 08', 'application No. 08', 'application No. 08']

US6367488B1 - Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce - Google Patents
US6367488B1
US6367488B1 US09406867 US40686799A US6367488B1 US 6367488 B1 US6367488 B1 US 6367488B1 US 09406867 US09406867 US 09406867 US 40686799 A US40686799 A US 40686799A US 6367488 B1 US6367488 B1 US 6367488B1
US09406867
This is a Divisional Patent Application of patent application Ser. No. 08/495,288, filed Jun. 27, 1995 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,999,654.
(a) at least about 0.1%, preferably from about 0. 5% to about, 8%, most preferably from about 1% to about 5%, by weight, of a C12-C18 fatty acid or salt thereof,
The water-soluble polyethylene glycol polymer (PEG) employed herein is the known article of commerce and is available under a variety of trade names, of which CARBOWAX (Union Carbide Corporation) is exemplary. PEG's in the average molecular weight range of from about 200 to about 20,000 can be used herein, and PEG as CARBOWAX in the average molecular weight range of at least about 200, typically 300 to about 9500, is convenient and preferred. As disclosed above, the compositions herein will comprise at least about 0.05%, by weight, of the PEG and will typically comprise from about 0.1% to about 10%, by weight, of PEG. The amounts used can vary with the molecular weight of the PEG, the amount of oleate or other fatty acid used in the composition, the desired viscosity of the composition, and like factors within the discretion of the formulator. The following Table 1 illustrates the variation in viscosity which can be effected using various levels of PEG and varying PEG molecular weights in a liquid composition (Control) comprising 3% potassium oleate. Table 1 also illustrates the effect of
Viscosity (cP* as made)
Composition 72° F. (22° C.) 43° F. (6° C.)
*Viscosity in centipoise as measured using Brookfield LVTD #2 spindle, 60 rpm at the designated temperature.
The compositions herein are preferably used by placing them in a package comprising either an aerosol container or a non-aerosol spray device “spray means.” Said spray means is any of the manually activated, preferably “trigger-type,” means for producing a spray of liquid droplets as is known in the art. Typical spray means are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.: 4,082,223, Nozawa, issued Apr. 4, 1978; 4,161,288, McKinney, issued Jul. 17, 1979; 4558,821, Tada et al., issued Dec. 17, 1985; 4,434,917, Saito et al., issued Mar. 6, 1984; and 4,819,835, Tasaki, issued Apr. 11, 1989, all of said patents being incorporated herein by reference. The spray bottle, or container can be any of the ones commonly used for containing hard surface cleaner detergent compositions. Examples of bottles are those in U.S. Design Pat. Nos.: 244,991, Weekman et al., issued Jul. 12, 1977; and 275,078, Wassergord et al., issued Aug. 14, 1984, said patents being incorporated herein by reference.
KOH 1.33 1.36 3.06 —
Ethanol 2.00 2.00 2.00 —
Glycerin 2.00 2.00 2.00 —
Oleic acid 2.64 2.64 2.64 —
Sodium Bicarbonate 0.55 0.55 0.55 —
Phosphoric Acid — — 1.00 —
Citric acid 0.52 0.52 0.52 —
Essence 0.03 0.03 0.03 —
Neat pH 11.5 12.0 12.2 ˜7.5
Glass flasks are coated with AP40 shellac and stress cured for 24 hours @ 140° F. The flasks at room temperature are then washed with ˜5 grams (5 squirts of a Calmar #TS-800 sprayer) of the respective products with a 10 sec. rub, followed immediately with a water rinse, and allowed to dry. The % Wax removal is determined gravimetrically.
Product Control A B C reference
KOH 1.33 3.06* 3.06* 3.06 —
Ethanol 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 —
Glycerin 2.00 2.00 2.00 2.00 —
Oleic acid 2.64 2.64 2.64 2.64 —
Sodium Bicarbonate 0.55 0.55 0.55 0.55 —
Phosphoric Acid — 1.00 1.00 1.00 —
Citric acid 0.52 0.52 0.52 0.52 —
Essence 0.03 0.03 0.03 0.03 —
PEG 3350 — 0.12 0.15 0.15 0
Neat pH 11.5 12.6 12.0 11.5 ˜7.5
*Target KOH usage. Very small amount of additional KOH, replacing water, used to adjust to final pH.
Wax/Curing/Rub time/flask Temp Control A B C Water
Shellac/60 min.@ 75 C./10 51 97 73 82 9
Carnauba/60 min.@ 43 C./10 64 82 75 73 5
sec./room temp
Shellac/60 min.@ 75 C./20 57 97 96 97 7
sec./4° F.
Shellac/30 min.@ 93 C./20 50 98 61 65 3
The compositions of Example 1 and 2 are prepared by adding oleic acid to a mixture of water, KOH, citric acid, phosphoric acid (if used), sodium bicarbonate, glycerin, and ethanol. The PEG 3350 (if used) and essence are added last.
Ingredients Level % Level %
Oleic Acid 2.64 2.20
Sodium Bicarbonate 0.55 0.55
Phosphoric Acid 1.00 —
EDTA, Sodium Salt 0.05 0.10
GRAS Perfume 0.05 0.08
PEG 3350 2.00 —
KOH * **
Ethanol 2.00 2.00
*Amount sufficient to attain a pH of about 11.
**Amount sufficient to attain a pH of about 10.5.
Potassium Oleate 36.7
1. A method for cleaning produce comprising the step of contacting the surfaces of said produce with an aqueous cleaning solution comprising detergent surfactant selected from the group consisting of nonionic surfactant, C8-C18 fatty acid, salt of C8-C18 fatty acid, base-stable anionic surfactant, and mixtures thereof; neutralized ortho-phosphoric acid in an effective amount to provide removal of waxy materials; and a toxicologically-acceptable basic buffer selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof wherein said aqueous cleaning solution has a basic pH of greater than about 9.5.
2. The method of said claim 1 wherein said aqueous cleaning solution comprises:
(a) from about 0.01% to about 15% by weight of C8-C18 fatty acid;
(b) optionally, from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of said nonionic surfactant;
(c) optionally, from about 0.1% to about 4% by weight of an organic polycarboxylic acid;
(d) optionally, up to about 0.2% by weight of said base-stable anionic surfactant;
(e) said toxicologically-acceptable basic buffer selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and mixture thereof;
(f) optionally, a toxicologically-acceptable preservative;
(g) from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of said neutralized ortho-phosphoric acid; and
(h) the balance comprising an aqueous carrier selected from water and, optionally, a toxicologically-acceptable organic solvent;
wherein said composition has a pH of more than about 9.5.
3. A composition for cleaning fruits and vegetables in a method according to claim 1, said composition comprising:
(e) toxicologically-acceptable basic buffer selected from the group consisting of potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, sodium bicarbonate, and mixtures thereof;
(g) from about 0.05% to about 10% by weight of phosphoric acid; and
(h) the balance comprising an aqueous carrier selected from water and, optionally, low molecular weight, toxicologically-acceptable organic solvent;
4. A method according to claim 1 wherein said toxicologically-acceptable basic buffer is present in said aqueous cleaning solution in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight.
5. A composition according to claim 3 which comprises from about 0.1% to about 5% by weight of said neutralized ortho-phosphoric acid and wherein said composition has a pH of from about 11.5 to about 12.5.
6. A composition according to claim 3 for fruits and vegetables, comprising:
(a) at least about 0.75%, by weight, of a C12-C18 fatty acid or salt thereof;
(b) at least about 0.05%, by weight, of a water-soluble polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of about 200, or higher;
7. A composition according to claim 3 wherein the pH of the composition is in the range from about 11.5 to about 12.3.
8. A sprayable composition according to claim 3 which has a viscosity less than about 100 centipoise under shear of greater than about 1000 sec−1.
9. A composition according to claim 3 which additionally comprises oil derived from grapefruit.
10. The composition of claim 3 wherein said composition contains from about 0.001% to about 0.05% of an antioxidant.
11. A composition according to claim 3 suitable for cleaning produce, even when the composition is incompletely removed from said produce, comprising only generally regarded as safe ingredients.
12. The composition of claim 3 wherein said solution contains from about 0.5% to about 15% by weight of detergent surfactant.
13. The composition of claim 3 wherein said solution contains from about 1% to about 5% by weight of said detergent surfactant.
14. The composition of claim 3, wherein said composition is prepared by diluting an anhydrous concentrate with water.
15. A composition according to claim 3 wherein said toxicologically-acceptable basic buffer is present in said aqueous cleaning solution in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 1.5% by weight.
16. A composition according to claim 6 wherein component (a) is salt of oleic acid.
17. A composition according to claim 6 wherein component (b) has a molecular weight in the range from about 300 to about 9500.
18. A composition according to claim 6 wherein component (a) is potassium oleate, and wherein the weight ratio of (a):(b) is in the range from about 1:2 to about 30:1.
19. A sprayable composition according to claim 8 which has a viscosity of less than about 50 centipoise.
20. An article comprising a spray container, suitable for use by an individual to clean produce, containing a cleaning solution which is the composition of claim 8.
21. The composition of claim 12 wherein said solution contains from about 0.75% to about 8% by weight of said detergent surfactant.
22. The article of claim 14 wherein said cleaning solution has a pH of from about 11.5 to about 12.5.
US09406867 1995-06-27 1999-09-27 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce Expired - Lifetime US6367488B1 (en)
US08495288 US5997654A (en) 1995-06-27 1995-06-27 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
US09406867 US6367488B1 (en) 1995-06-27 1999-09-27 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
US09781097 US20010009891A1 (en) 1995-06-27 2001-02-09 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
US10653487 US6831050B2 (en) 1995-06-27 2003-09-02 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
US08495288 Division US5997654A (en) 1995-06-27 1995-06-27 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
US09781097 Division US20010009891A1 (en) 1995-06-27 2001-02-09 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
US6367488B1 true US6367488B1 (en) 2002-04-09
US08495288 Expired - Lifetime US5997654A (en) 1995-06-27 1995-06-27 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
US09406867 Expired - Lifetime US6367488B1 (en) 1995-06-27 1999-09-27 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
US09781097 Abandoned US20010009891A1 (en) 1995-06-27 2001-02-09 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
US10653487 Expired - Fee Related US6831050B2 (en) 1995-06-27 2003-09-02 Cleaning/sanitizing methods, compositions, and/or articles for produce
EP (2) EP1146113A1 (en)
US20030170354A1 (en) * 2002-03-05 2003-09-11 Beelman Robert B. Process for antimicrobial treatment of fresh produce, particularly mushrooms
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US4857345A (en) * 1984-05-09 1989-08-15 Xeda International Compositions for the treatment of fruit and vegetables by thermal fogging and processing method using said composition
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PGPUB Document 20011119891.* *
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US20060019004A1 (en) * 2002-03-05 2006-01-26 The Penn State Research Foundation Process of antimicrobial treatment of fresh produce, particularly mushroom
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WO2003075667A1 (en) * 2002-03-05 2003-09-18 The Penn State Research Foundation Process for antimicrobial treatment of fresh produce, particularly mushrooms
US7048956B2 (en) 2002-03-05 2006-05-23 The Penn State Research Foundation Process for antimicrobial treatment of fresh produce, particularly mushrooms
US5997654A (en) 1999-12-07 grant
JPH11508621A (en) 1999-07-27 application
CN1067870C (en) 2001-07-04 grant
CN1271549A (en) 2000-11-01 application
CA2225685C (en) 2005-01-18 grant
CA2225685A1 (en) 1997-01-16 application
WO1997001289A1 (en) 1997-01-16 application
CA2415407C (en) 2009-06-02 grant
US20010009891A1 (en) 2001-07-26 application
CA2415407A1 (en) 1997-01-16 application
EP1146113A1 (en) 2001-10-17 application
US20040043912A1 (en) 2004-03-04 application
US6831050B2 (en) 2004-12-14 grant
CN1193897A (en) 1998-09-23 application
EP0835064A1 (en) 1998-04-15 application