GB2625718A

GB2625718A - Rinse aid

Info

Publication number: GB2625718A
Application number: GB2219170.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Aissani Souhila; Baierle Helena; Diaz Papa Andrea; Miskov-Pajic Vukoslava
Original assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Finish BV
Current assignee: Reckitt Benckiser Finish BV
Priority date: 2022-12-19
Filing date: 2022-12-19
Publication date: 2024-07-03
Also published as: GB202219170D0; WO2024133098A1

Abstract

Liquid rinse aid composition comprising ethoxylated isotridecanol non-ionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, hydrotropes, organic solvent and water. The non-ionic surfactant is present between 15 to 40 wt. %. The hydrotrope is present between 6 to 10 wt. % and may be a urea, tosylate, cumene sulfonate, xylene sulphonate or a combination thereof. The organic solvent is present between 15 to 25 wt. % and may be an alcohol, alkylene glycol or combination thereof. The water is present between 25 to 64 wt. %. The composition may also comprise a fragrance, dye and antioxidant and may be transparent or translucid. The rinse aid may be used in a method of rinsing a hard surface in an automatic dishwashing machine whereby between 0.75 and 3 grams of the liquid is introduced during the rinse cycle.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No G132219170.4 RTM Date June 2023 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Cascade Lugalyan Lutensol Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.gov.uk/ipo

RINSE AID

Technical Field

Liquid rinse aid compositions comprising 15% w/w to 40% w/w isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, 6% w/w to 10% w/w hydrotrope, 15% w/w to 25% w/w organic solvent, and 25% to 64% w/w water. The compositions provide improved drying for plastic items when used as a rinse aid in a standard automatic dishwashing process or the rinse and shine step of an autodose dishwashing process.

Background

Wet dishes after a dishwashing cycle are a pain point for consumers. This is especially relevant for plastic items. Rinse aid products, such as CascadeTM Power Dry, aim to improve the drying of dishware items in the dishwasher. Standard rinse aid formulations are dosed in the rinse aid chamber and dispensed in the final rinse of the dishwashing cycle. Rinse aid formulations may also be used in the rinse and shine step of an autodose dishwashing process, such as that disclosed in US Pat App Pub No US2017/215689 to Reckitt Benckiser (Brands) Limited, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

PCT Publication W02005/08532 to Sasol Germany GmbH discloses low foaming non-ionic surfactants being alcohol alkoxylates comprising at least two different oxalkylene groups derivable from a mixture of linear and branched alcohols and their use.

PCT publication W02010/067054 to Reckitt Benckiser N.V. discloses a liquid composition comprising a) a non-ionic surfactant having a cloud point of 50°C or above and b) a non-ionic surfactant having a cloud point of below 50°C, wherein the weight ratio of a) to b) is in the range of from 2.25:1 to 1:1.

A need remains for rinse aid formulations that provide improved drying for plastic items.

Summary of the Invention

Disclosed are liquid compositions comprising 15% w/w to 40% w/w of an isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, 6% w/w to 10% w/w hydrotrope, 15% w/w to 25% w/w organic solvent, and 25% to 64% w/w water. The disclosed liquid compositions may comprise one or more of the following aspects: * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 6 to 9 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 7 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 8 to 10 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 7 to 8 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 7 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 8 ethoxy groups; * the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol not being a suds suppressor; * the hydrotrope being urea, tosylate, cumene sulfonate, xylene sulfonate, or combinations thereof; * the hydrotrope being sodium cumene sulphonate; * the organic solvent being selected from the group consisting of alcohols, alkylene glycols, or combinations thereof; * the organic solvent being selected from the group consisting of ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, t-butanol, or combinations thereof; * the organic solvent being selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or combinations thereof; * the water being deionized water; * the water being distilled water; * the water having a conductivity ranging from below 50 pSm; * the water having a conductivity ranging from 0.5 to 2 pSm; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a dye; * the liquid composition further comprising a dye; * the liquid composition further comprising an oxidizable dye; * the oxidizable dye being acid blue 9; * the liquid composition being substantially free of an antioxidant; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w of an antioxidant; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.1% w/w to 0.4% w/w of an antioxidant; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.2% w/w to 0.3% w/w of an antioxidant; * the antioxidant being selected from the group consisting of organic acids, phenol compounds, and combinations thereof; * the organic acid being selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, sorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, and combinations thereof; * the phenol compound being selected from the group consisting of butoxyhydroxytoluene, butoxyhydroxyanisole, and combinations thereof; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w of an organic acid; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.1% w/w to 0.4% w/w of an organic acid; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.2% w/w to 0.3% w/w of an organic acid; * the organic acid being selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, sorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, and combinations thereof; * the organic acid haying one -COON group; * the organic acid being selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, and combinations thereof; * the organic acid haying two or more -COOH groups; * the organic acid being selected from the group consisting of malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, and combinations thereof; * the organic acid haying three -COON groups; * the organic acid being citric acid; * the liquid composition being substantially free of anti-corrosion agents; * the liquid composition further comprising a material care agent; * the material care agent being zinc acetate dihydrate, a polymer, BTA, or combinations thereof; * the material care agent being a polymer; * the polymer being a pH independent cationic polymer with at least one quaternary group; * the pH independent cationic polymers having Formula: -(R-O-R-N*R2X-RNH-C(=0)-NH-R-N+R2X-)n, wherein each R is independently a C1-C4 alkyl group, n=1-1000, and X=halide, preferably Cl; * the pH independent cationic polymer being N,N'-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]-urea polymer with 1,1'-oxybis[2-chloroethane] sold under the tradename LugalvanTM P by BASF; * the liquid composition further comprising approximately 0.01% w/w to approximately 0.1% w/w polymer; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.01% w/w to 0.1% w/w polymer; * the liquid composition further comprising approximately 0.03% w/w to approximately 0.07% \AIM polymer; * the liquid composition further comprising 0.03% w/w to 0.07% w/w polymer; * the liquid composition being substantially free of preservatives; * the liquid composition further comprising a preservative; * the preservative being potassium sorbate, 5-chloro-2-methyl 4 isothiazolin3-one, 2-methyl 4 isothiazolin-3-one, or any combination thereof; * the preservative being 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methy1-4-isothiazolin-3-one, or any combination thereof; * the liquid composition further comprising a fragrance; * the liquid composition being transparent or translucid; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a suds suppressor; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a second nonionic surfactant; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a polyalkylene siloxane surfactant; * the liquid composition being substantially free of a second alkoxylated alcohol surfactant; * the liquid composition being substantially free of an organic solvent other than a C1-C4 alcohol; * the liquid composition being substantially free of enzymes; * the liquid composition being substantially free of builders; * the liquid composition being substantially free of antimicrobial agents; * the liquid composition being substantially free of bleaching agents; * the liquid composition being substantially free of probiotic bacteria; * the liquid composition being substantially free of metal and/or metal-oxide nanoparticles; * the liquid composition being substantially free of fragrance; * the liquid composition having a viscosity below approximately 100 cps at room temperature (23°C); * the liquid composition having a pH ranging from 3.5 to 7 as measured at 20°C using a pH meter, such as a Metrohm Electrode Plus pH meter; and/or * the liquid composition being an automatic dish rinse composition. Also disclosed are methods of rinsing a hard surface in an automatic dishwashing machine. Any of the liquid compositions disclosed above are introduced into the dishwashing machine during the rinse cycle or the rinse and shine cycle. The disclosed methods may include one or more of the following aspects: * introducing between 2.5 mL to 10 mL of the liquid composition during the rinse cycle; * introducing between 4 mL to 8 mL of the liquid composition during the rinse cycle; * introducing between 5 mL to 6 mL of the liquid composition during the rinse cycle; * the temperature of the rinse cycle ranging from 55°C (131°F) -88°C (190°F); * the temperature of the rinse cycle ranging from 60°C (140°F)-70°C (158°F); * the hard surface being glass, ceramic, porcelain, plastic, stainless steel, or any combination thereof; * the hard surface being glass; * the hard surface being porcelain; * the hard surface being cutlery; * the hard surface being plastic; * the hard surface being stainless steel; * the method producing between 0 and 9 droplets of water on the hard surface; * the method producing less water droplets on hard surfaces at the end of the dishwashing cycle as compared to the commercial formulations in the examples; and/or * the method producing less spotting at the end of the dishwashing cycle as compared to the commercial formulations in the examples.

The above embodiments are exemplary only. Other embodiments as described herein are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter.

Brief Description of the Drawing

So that the manner in which the features of the disclosure can be understood, a detailed description may be had by reference to certain embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the drawings illustrate only certain embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the scope of the disclosed subject matter encompasses other embodiments as well.

FIG 1 is a chemical structure of the isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol used herein.

Definitions As used herein: * the term "a" or "an" means one or more; * the term "comprising" is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude any additional elements; the term "consisting of" excludes any additional elements; and the term "consisting essentially of' is in-between, only permitting additional elements that do not materially affect characteristics of the product or process. For example, the surfactant mixture consisting essentially of the two non-ionic surfactants excludes any additional surfactants but may further include preservatives, impurities or solvents, such as water, lower C1-C4 alcohols, glycols, or glycol ethers; * the w/w percent of an ingredient is based on the weight of the ingredient in grams in the total weight of the formulation in grams. When a raw material does not contain close or equal to 100% active material, two percentages may be provided: one for the weight of the raw material and one for the weight of the active. For example, 10% w/w of sodium cumene sulfonate raw material contains 40% w/w of the active in water, which equates to 4%w/w of sodium cumene sulfonate in the formulation. This would be represented as 10% w/w (4 % w/w) of sodium cumene sulfonate; * any and all ranges are inclusive of their endpoints For example, a pH ranging from 3.5 to 7 would include formulations having a pH of 3.5, formulations having a pH of 7, and formulations having any pH between 3.5 and 7; * the phrase "substantially free" means a concentration of less than 0.2 g/L, preferably less than 0.1 g/L, more preferably less than 0.05 g/L, and most preferably 0.001 g/L; * the abbreviation EC) refers to a repeating ethoxy group, also known as an ethylene oxide or oxirane group, represented by the formula -(0-CH2-CH2)-;

Detailed Description

Liquid compositions are disclosed comprising 15% w/w to 40% w/w of an isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, 6% w/w to 10% w/w hydrotrope, 15% w/w to 25% w/w organic solvent, and 25% to 64% w/w water. The isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant preferably has 6 to 9 ethoxy groups, and more preferably has 7 to 8 ethoxy groups. Lower viscosity compositions are obtained from isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohols having 5 to 7 ethoxy groups. Higher viscosity compositions are obtained from isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohols having 8 to 10 ethoxy groups. Isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohols having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups may be sourced from known vendors, such as those sold by BASF under the tradename LutensolTm TO #, wherein the # indicates the degree of ethoxylation (e.g., LutensolTm TO 7 is RO(CH2CH20)7H and LutensolTm TO 8 is RO(CH2CH20)8H, with R=isoCi3H27). Applicants believe that the combination of the hydrophobic chain and amount of EO units as shown FIG 1 provides superior results as compared to analogous alcohol ethoxylates.

The disclosed liquid compositions include 6% w/w to 10% w/w hydrotrope, preferably 7% w/w to 9% w/w. Hydrotropes are similar to surfactants, in that they have a hydrophilic part and a hydrophobic part. However, the hydrophobic part of a hydrotrope is too small to cause spontaneous self-aggregation associated with surfactant. As a result, hydrotropes do not exhibit a crucial micelle concentration (cmc) or a critical vesicle concentration (csc) associated with surfactant activity. Exemplary hydrotropes include urea, tosylate, cumene sulfonate, xylene sulfonate, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the hydrotrope is sodium cumene sulfonate, sodium xylene sulfonate, or combinations thereof.

The disclosed concentrated liquid rinse aid formulation contains between approximately 6% w/w and approximately 10% w/w hydrotrope, preferably between approximately 7% w/w and approximately 9% w/w.

The disclosed liquid compositions include 15% w/w to 25% w/w organic solvent, preferably from 17.5% w/w to 22.5% w/w. The organic solvent may be alcohols, alkylene glycols, or combinations thereof. Exemplary alcohols include ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, t-butanol, or combinations thereof. Exemplary alkylene glycols include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or combinations thereof.

The disclosed liquid compositions include 25% to 64% w/w water, preferably 30% w/w to 59% w/w, more preferably 35% w/w to 54% w/w. The water may be deionised water; distilled water; water purified by reverse osmosis, carbon filtration, microfiltration, ultrafiltration, ultraviolet oxidation, electrodialysis, or combinations thereof; or combinations thereof. The water preferably has a conductivity below 50 pSm at 25°, preferably ranging from 0.5 to 2 pSm.

The disclosed liquid rinse aid formulation may be formulated by adding the hydrotrope to water and mixing until uniform. The isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups is mixed into the water/hydrotrope solution and mixed until uniform. Alternatively, the water/hydrotrope solution may be added to the isotrideconal ethoxylated alcohol and mixed until uniform. The organic solvent is then added and mixed to uniformity. Synthesis may occur in one container without the need for any heating.

The resulting liquid rinse aid formulation is a transparent or translucid single-phase solution. Synthesis of a single-phase solution is quicker and easier than synthesis of emulsions or suspensions. Stability is also easier to maintain for single-phase solutions than for alternative liquid formulations. Mixing the liquid rinse aid formulation with water occurs more quickly than mixing a concentrated powder or tablet formulation.

The liquid compositions comprise 15% w/w to 40% w/w of an isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, 6% w/w to 10% w/w hydrotrope, 15% w/w to 25% w/w organic solvent, and 25% to 64% w/w water. Alternatively, the liquid compositions consist essentially of 15% w/w to 40% w/w of an isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, 6% w/w to 10% w/w hydrotrope, 15% w/w to 25% w/w organic solvent, and 25% to 64% w/w water. In another alternative, the liquid compositions consist of 15% w/w to 40% w/w of an isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, 6% w/w to 10% w/w hydrotrope, 15% w/w to 25% w/w organic solvent, and 25% to 64% w/w water. The composition has a viscosity below approximately 100 cps at room temperature (23°C).

Contrary to the allegations in PCT Pub No W02016/187293 to Ecolab USA Inc, the liquid compositions do not exhibit excessive amounts of stable foam or cause machine pump cavitation. As a result, the disclosed liquid rinse aid compositions are substantially free of a second nonionic surfactant and/or a suds suppressor. More particularly, the disclosed liquid rinse aid compositions are substantially free of a polyalkylene siloxane surfactant and/or a second alkoxylated alcohol surfactant.

The disclosed compositions may also be substantially free of dye and/or fragrance Alternatively, the disclosed compositions may further comprise a dye and/or fragrance to render the composition more pleasing to the consumer. Oxidizable dyes may fade over time in the disclosed compositions. To prevent the dye from fading, the disclosed compositions may further comprise an antioxidant. The optional antioxidant may be included in the disclosed compositions in amounts ranging from 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w, preferably 0.1% w/w to 0.4% w/w of an antioxidant, and more preferably 0.2% w/w to 0.3% w/w. Exemplary antioxidants include organic acids, phenol compounds, or combinations thereof. The organic acids may be selected from the group consisting of formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, sorbic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, and combinations thereof. The phenol compounds may be butoxyhydroxytoluene, butoxyhydroxyanisole, or combinations. Due to their green and safety profiles, organic acids are particularly preferred antioxidants. The organic acids may also provide other benefits, such as improved shine, reduced spotting, and/or acting as preservative. The optional organic acid may be included in the disclosed compositions in amounts ranging from 0.05% w/w to 0.5% w/w, preferably 0.1% w/w to 0.4% w/w of an antioxidant, and more preferably 0.2% w/w to 0.3% w/w. Exemplary organic acids having one -COOH group suitable for use in the disclosed compositions include formic acid, acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, lactic acid, sorbic acid, benzoic acid, or combinations thereof. Exemplary organic acids having two -COON group suitable for use in the disclosed compositions include malic acid, tartaric acid, and combinations thereof. Suitable organic acids having three -COOH groups suitable for use in the disclosed compositions include citric acid.

When the disclosed compositions comprise an organic acid antioxidant, the disclosed compositions may be substantially free of other preservatives, such as potassium sorbate, 5-chloro-2-methyl 4 isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, or any combination thereof.

Alternatively, with or without organic acid antioxidants, the disclosed compositions may further comprise preservatives, such as potassium sorbate, 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl 4 isothiazolin-3-one, or any combination thereof.

The disclosed compositions may be substantially free of anti-corrosion agents, such as a zinc salt, polyquaternium polymer, benzotriazole (BTA), bisbenzotriazole, tolyltriazole, or combinations thereof.

Alternatively, the disclosed compositions may further comprise material care agents, such as zinc acetate dihydrate, a polymer, BTA, bis-benzotriazole, tolyltriazole, or combinations thereof. Exemplary material care polymers include pH independent cationic polymers with at least one quaternary group. The pH independent cationic polymer may have the formula: -(R-O-R-WR2X-R-NHC(=0)-NH-R-N+R2X-)n, wherein each R is independently a C1-C4 alkyl group, n=1-1000, and X=halide, preferably Cl. One exemplary polymer suitable for use herein is N,N'-bis[3-(dimethylamino)propyI]-urea polymer with 1,1-oxybis[2-chloroethane] sold under the tradename LugalvanTM P by BASF. The disclosed compositions may optionally comprise 0.01% w/w to 0.1% w/w polymer, preferably 0.03% w/w to 0.07% w/w polymer.

The disclosed liquid compositions are substantially free of any sanitizing or antimicrobial agents. One of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the dishwashing detergent as well as the temperature of the dishwashing process removes the need for any further sanitization or whitening during the rinse cycle or the rinse and shine step of an autodose dishwashing process. As a result, the disclosed liquid compositions are substantially free of bleaching agents, such as hydrogen peroxide, percarboxylic acids, TAED, manganese salt catalyst, or combinations thereof.

Similarly, as the disclosed liquid compositions are utilized during the rinse cycle or the rinse and shine step, the disclosed liquid compositions are substantially free of enzymes used to break down organic molecules and loosen particles on the dishware, such as proteases, lipases, amylases, cellulases, pectinases, laccases, catalases, oxidases, or combinations thereof.

Other than alcohol, the disclosed compositions are also substantially free of any organic solvents, such as propylene glycol.

The disclosed compositions are also substantially free of builders, such as sodium tripolyphosphate (STPP), sodium citrate, sodium iminodisuccinate, sodium hydroxyiminodisuccinate, methylglycine diacetic acid sodium salt 11.

MGDA), and glutamic diacetic acid sodium salt (GLDA), and combinations thereof.

The disclosed compositions are also substantially free of probiotic bacteria, such as Bacillus megaterium, Bacillus amyloliqueiaciens, Bacillus subtillis, and Bacillus pumilus, and combinations thereof.

The disclosed compositions are also substantially free of metal and/or metal-oxide nanoparticles.

Also disclosed are methods of rinsing a hard surface in an automatic dishwashing machine. Any of the formulations disclosed above are introduced into the dishwashing machine during the rinse cycle or the rinse and shine cycle.

Between 2.5 mL and 10 mL of the formulations are introduced, preferably between 4 mL and 8 mL, and more preferably between 5 mL and 6 mL. The temperature of the rinse cycle may range from 55°C (131°F) to 88°C (190°F). Alternatively, the temperature of the rinse cycle may range from 60°C (140°F) to 70°C (185°F). The hard surface may be glass, ceramic, cutlery, porcelain, plastic, stainless steel, or any combination thereof.

When the disclosed liquid compositions are used in the rinse cycle of a dishwasher, the hard surfaces have between 0 and 9 droplets of water. This is less water droplets remaining on hard surfaces at the end of the dishwashing cycle as compared to the commercial formulations in the examples. When the disclosed liquid compositions are used in the rinse cycle of a dishwasher, the hard surfaces have less spotting at the end of the dishwashing cycle as compared to the commercial formulations in the examples.

The following example below illustrates exemplary embodiments of the invention. It is to be understood that these examples are provided by way of illustration only and that further embodiments may be produced in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

Examples

The formulations in the following examples were prepared using the ingredients identified in Table A:

Abbreviation CAS Description

H20 7732-1 8-5 Deionized Water SCS 28348-53-0 Sodium Cumene Sulfonate (40% w/w in water) CA 77-92-9 Citric acid anhydrous D Various Acid Blue 9 Dye (1% w/w in water) Et0H 64-17-5 Ethanol (80-100%, sometimes contains denaturant) T07 isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having 7 ethoxy groups, e.g., sold by BASF under the trade name LutensolTm T07 Stability Testing has demonstrated that a 900 mg dose per wash of LutensolTm T07 provides excellent drying properties, especially of plastic items. When 5 mL of a rinse aid formulation is used, 900 mg of LutensolTM T07 corresponds to 20% w/w of the entire formulation. When 3 mL of a rinse aid formulation is used, 900 mg of LutensolTM T07 corresponds to 30% w/w of the entire formulation. LutensolTM T07 is not soluble in water, causing phase separation. In addition, a gel forms on the phase interface between water and LutensolTM T07. Addition of a hydrotrope solves the problem of surfactant insolubility in water. The hydrotrope also increases the viscosity of the solution.

The viscosity and stability of the formulations in Table 1 were tested: Table 1: Raw Material Vi V2 V3 V4 V5 T07 20 30 20 30 30 SCS 10(4) 10(4) 20(8) 20(8) 20(8) H20 69.5 59.5 59.5 49.5 29.5 CA 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 Et0H 0 0 0 0 20 D 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 (0.003) (0.003) (0.003) (0.003) (0.003) Viscosity* immediately after 2 2 0 0 0 mixing Viscosity* after 3 days 3 3 0 1 0 Viscosity* after addition of 2 g H20 to 10 g sample 3 3 0 0 0 *Viscosity: 0=rinse aid (RA) like viscosity (like water); 1= slightly higher than RA; 2-5=like a shampoo Drying Performance Drying performance testing was performed using a commercially available US based dishwashing detergent alone or with 5.0 mL of formula V5. For this purpose, a machine load consisting of porcelain, glass, cutlery, and plastic was washed in a General Electric dishwasher in Normal + Power Dry cycle with 9 German Hardness water. The plastic included polypropylene, polyethylene, melamine, and styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN). 16 g ballast soil was added. The ballast soil composition is based on a publication by Hubbuch et al., Amount and composition of soils in German dishwashers. Composition to standard test method. SOFW Journal -Seifen Ole Fette Wachse, 125, 14-20, 1999. The automatic dishwashing detergent was used for the wash cycle. The dishwasher was opened and 5 mL of formula V5 was manually added using a pipette at the beginning of the final rinse step when the temperature was between 50°C and 55°C.

The drying index was determined 30 minutes after the end of the complete dishwashing program. The door of the dishwasher was kept closed during these 30 minutes. The maximum score for ideal drying is 1, the worst score is 0. The reported value represents the average of three trials. The results are provided in Table 2:

Table 2:

US Detergent Alone US Detergent + V5 Porcelain 0.6 0.0 Glass 3.5 0.1 Cutlery 2.7 0.1 Plastic 9.3 0.3 Overall 4.0 0.12 As can be seen in Table 2, V5 provide significantly improved drying of plasticware as compared to detergent alone The foregoing description of various aspects of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Embodiments and/or features therein may be freely combined with one another. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and obviously, many modifications and variations are possible. Such modifications and variations that may be apparent to a person skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A liquid composition comprising 15% w/w to 40% w/w of an isotridecanol ethoxylated alcohol nonionic surfactant having 5 to 10 ethoxy groups, preferably having 6 to 9 ethoxy groups, more preferably having 7 to 8 ethoxy groups; 6% to 10% w/w hydrotrope; 15% w/w to 25% w/w organic solvent; and 25% to 64% w/w water.
2. The liquid composition of claim 1, wherein the hydrotrope is selected from the group consisting of urea, tosylate, cumene sulfonate, xylene sulfonate, and combinations thereof, preferably sodium cumene sulfonate.
3. The liquid composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the organic solvent is alcohols, alkylene glycols, or combinations thereof.
4. The liquid composition of claim 3, wherein the alcohol is ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, or combinations thereof.
5. The liquid composition of claim 3, wherein the alkylene glycol is ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or combinations thereof.
6. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the composition is substantially free of a second nonionic surfactant and/or suds suppressor.
7. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising fragrance and/or dye.
B. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an antioxidant.
9. The liquid rinse aid composition of claim 8, wherein the antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of citric acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, ascorbic acid, phenol compounds, and combinations thereof, preferably citric acid.
10. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the composition is transparent or translucid.
11. The liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the composition is essentially free of additional organic solvents, enzymes, builders, antimicrobial agents, bleaching agents, probiotic bacteria, metal and/or metal-oxide nanoparticles, or combinations thereof.
12. A method of rinsing a hard surface in an automatic dishwashing machine, the method comprising introducing the liquid rinse aid composition of any one of claims 1 to 11 into the dishwashing machine during the rinse cycle or the rinse and shine cycle.
13. The method of claim 12, wherein between 0.75 g and 3 g of the liquid rinse aid composition is introduced during the rinse cycle, preferably between 0.8 g and 2 g, and more preferably between 1 g and 1.5 g.
14. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the temperature of the rinse cycle ranges from 74°C (165°F) to 88°C (190°F).
15. The method of claim 12 or 13, wherein the temperature of the rinse cycle ranges from 40°C (105°F) to 57°C (135°F).
16. The method of any one of clams 12 to 15, wherein the hard surface is selected from the group consisting of glass, ceramic, cutlery, porcelain, plastic, stainless steel, and combination thereof.