The Clorox Company

Lynn M Hearn

Clement K Choy

Michael H Robbins

Brian P Argo

Robert L Blum

Kevin J Brodbeck

Shona L Nelson

Angeline B Edsinger

A concentrated, dilutable cleaning composition is provided which comprises a microemulsion comprising an oil phase of which the 'oil' is a nonionic surfactant, a predominant aqueous continuous phase, a polar organic solvent coupling agent, and a combination of surfactants different from the surfactant oil phase as the dispersing agent facilitating formation of said microemulsion, the cleaning composition dilutable with water for use as an all purpose cleaner and characterized by exhibiting the feature of blooming upon such dilution even in the absence of a lipophilic oil (or solvent). The blooming phenomenon is associated with the formation of a liquid crystal dispersion, which liquid crystal state is found to greatly enhance the cleaning effectiveness of the composition. In one aspect of the invention, one of the dispersing agent surfactants is a cationic surfactant which may be a quaternary ammonium compound capable of imparting an antimicrobial effect to the composition.

Microemulsion dilutable cleaner

The invention provides a concentrated, dilutable cleaning composition which comprises a novel microemulsion comprising a nonionic surfactant oil phase, a predominant, aqueous continuous phase, a polar organic solvent coupling agent, and a combination of surfactants different from the surfactant oil phase as the dispersing agent facilitating formation of the microemulsion.

A method of making a hard surface abrasive scouring cleanser, in steps comprising making an aqueous solution of nonionic surfactant and pH adjusting agent; making a slurry of water and a calcium carbonate abrasive, and allowing the slurry to degas; adding the slurry of to the aqueous solution slowly with gentle mixing and allowing the resultant mixture to degas; and adding a quantity of cross-linked polyacrylate and any other adjunct ingredients. The cleanser has no significant syneresis, undue viscosity or yield stress increase, stably suspends abrasives, and has excellent rinsing characteristics.

Thickened aqueous abrasive cleanser with improved rinsability

The invention is a hard surface abrasive scouring cleanser having no significant syneresis, undue viscosity or yield stress increase, stably suspends abrasives, and has excellent rinsing characteristics. Furthermore, the present invention provides a stably suspended abrasive scouring cleanser which uses relatively small amounts of surfactants, thus lowering the total cost of producing these cleansers. The lesser amount of surfactant also affords the cleanser a milder feel and lower unaesthetic surfactant odor, while also requiring lower levels of fragrance. The absence of solvents results in a less irritating product as well. In one aspect the invention comprises, in aqueous solution:

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Livermore, CA, United States of America

Lynn M Hearn