Use of a rinse agent composition and method for rinsing a substrate surface

<u>Field of the Invention</u>

The invention relates to a use of a rinse agent composition and to a method for rinsing a substrate surface. The composition and method are particularly useful with high solids containing water. The rinse agent composition includes a sheeting agent and a sufficient amount of a humectant for controlling the appearance of water solids on articles including cookware, dishware, flatware, glasses, cups, etc.

<u>Background of the Invention</u>

Mechanical warewashing machines have been common in the institutional and household environments for many years. Such automatic warewashing machines clean dishes using two or more cycles which can include initially a wash cycle followed by a rinse cycle. Such automatic warewashing machines can also utilize soak cycle, pre-wash cycle, scrape cycle, second wash cycle, rinse cycle, a sanitizing cycle, and drying cycle. Any of these cycles can be repeated, if desired, and additional cycles can be used. Rinse agents are conventionally used in warewashing applications to promote drying and to prevent the formation of spots. Even when both goals are accomplished, water solids filming is often evident. After a wash, rinse, and dry cycle, dishware, cups, glasses, etc., can exhibit filming that arises from the dissolved mineral salts common to all water supplies. Water solids filming is aesthetically unacceptable in most consumer and institutional environments.

Water solids filming on cookware, dishware and flatware is a particular problem in the presence of high solids containing water. In general, rinse waters containing in excess of 200 ppm total dissolved solids (TDS) tends to leave a visible film on glass and flatware after they are dried. Above 400 ppm, the films become objectionable, and above 800 ppm, the films are particularly aesthetically unacceptable. The TDS content can be reduced by a demineralization process, such as reverse osmosis, which can be expensive.

In order to reduce the formation of spotting, rinse agents have commonly been added to water to form an aqueous rinse that is sprayed on the dishware after cleaning is complete. The precise mechanism through which rinse agents work is not established. One theory holds that the surfactant in the rinse agent is absorbed on the surface at temperatures at or above its cloud point, and thereby reduces the solid-liquid interfacial energy and contact angle. This leads to the formation of a continuous sheet which drains evenly from the surface and minimizes the formation of spots. Generally, high foaming surfactants have cloud points above the temperature of the rinse water, and, according to this theory, would not promote sheet formation, thereby resulting in spots. Moreover, high foaming materials are known to interfere with the operation of warewashing machines. Common rinse aid formulations used in warewashing machines are used in an amount of less than about 1,000 parts, commonly 10 to 200 parts per million of active materials in the aqueous rinse. Rinse agents available in the consumer and institutional markets include liquid or solid forms that are typically added to, dispersed or dissolved in water to form an aqueous rinse. Such dissolution can occur from a rinse agent installed onto the dish rack. The rinse agent can be diluted and dispensed from a dispenser mounted on or in the machine or from a separate dispenser that is mounted separately but cooperatively with the dish machine.

Many commercial rinse agents include polyalkylene oxide copolymers and ethylene oxide/propylene oxide block copolymers. In such materials, the ethylene oxide block tends to be hydrophilic while the propylene oxide blocks tend to be hydrophobic producing a separation of hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups on the surfactant molecule. Surfactants can be formed by reacting an alcohol, a glycol, a carboxylic acid, an amine or a substituted phenol with various proportions and combinations of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide to form both random and block copolymers.

Exemplary rinse agent compositions are described by <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="US5589099A"><text>U.S. Patent Nos, 5,589,099 to Baum</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US5447648A"><text>5,447,648 to Steindorf</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US5739099A"><text>5,739,099 to Welch et al.</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US5712244A"><text>5,712,244 to Addison et al.</text></patcit>: <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US5545352A"><text>5,545,352 to Pike</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US5273677A"><text>5,273,677 to Arif</text></patcit>; <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="US5516452A"><text>5,516,452 to Welch et al</text></patcit>; and <patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="US5602093A"><text>5,602,093 to Haerer et al</text></patcit>.

<u>Summary of the Invention</u>

The use of a rinse agent composition is provided according to the invention, as described in claims 1-7. The rinse agent composition includes a sheeting agent for promoting draining of sheets of water from a surface, and a humectant. The weight ratio of the humectant to the sheeting agent is greater than 1:3 and more preferably between about 5:1 and 1:3.

Sheeting agents which can be used according to the invention include surfactants which provide a sheeting effect on a substrate and which, when used with the humectant, provide reduced water solids filming in the presence of high solids containing water compared with a composition not containing the humectant. That is, the sheeting agent promotes draining of sheets of water from a surface to promote drying. The sheeting agents which can be used in the rinse agent composition according to the invention comprise at least one of the following: nonionic block copolymers having ethylene oxide and propylene oxide residues, alcohol alkoxylates, alkyl polyglycosides, zwitterionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, and mixtures thereof.

Humectants that can be used according to the invention contain greater than 5 wt. percent water when the humectant is equilibrated at 50% relative humidity and room temperature. The humectants that can be used according to the invention comprise at least one of glycerine, propylene glycol, sorbitol and mixtures thereof. For purposes of determining the weight ratio of humectant to sheeting agent, it should be understood that the humectant and the sheeting agent for a particular rinse agent composition are different.

A method for rinsing a substrate surface in the presence of high solids containing water is provided according to the invention, as defined in claims 8 and 9. The method includes a step of applying an aqueous rinse agent composition according to claim 1 to 7 to a substrate surface. The rinse agent composition according to the invention is particularly useful for reducing the appearance of water solids filming caused by rinse waters containing in excess of 200 ppm total dissolved solids. The method preferably includes a step of cleaning the substrate surface prior to the step of rinsing.

<u>Detailed Description of the Invention</u>

The invention relates to a use of a rinse agent composition that includes a sheeting agent and a humectant. The sheeting agent is provided in an amount sufficient to improve the sheeting properties of the rinse agent composition. Sheeting properties refer to the ability of the rinse agent composition to form a continuous film or sheet on a substrate which promotes a continuous, even draining film of water and which leaves virtually no spots upon evaporation of the remaining water. In general, the presence of an unacceptable amount of spots on a substrate surface reflects the presence of an insufficient amount of sheeting agent according to the invention. The humectant is provided in an amount sufficient to reduce the visibility of a film on the substrate surface. The visibility of a film on substrate surface is a particular concern when the rinse water contains in excess of 200 ppm total dissolved solids. Accordingly, the humectant is provided in an amount sufficient to reduce the visibility of a film on a substrate surface when the rinse water contains in excess of 200 ppm total dissolved solids compared to a rinse agent composition not containing the humectant. The terms "water solids filming" or "filming" refer to the presence of a visible, continuous layer of matter on a substrate surface that gives the appearance that the substrate surface is not clean.

The rinse agent composition can additionally include defoamers, chelating agents, preservatives, stabilizers, processing aids, corrosion inhibitors, dyes, fillers, optical brighteners, germicides, pH adjusting agents, bleaches, bleach activators, perfumes, and the like.

The rinse agent composition can be referred to more simply as the rinse agent. The rinse agent can be provided as a concentrate or as a use solution. In addition, the rinse agent concentrate can be provided in a solid form or in a liquid form. In general, it is expected that the concentrate will be diluted with water to provide the use solution that is then supplied to the surface of a substrate. The use solution preferably contains an effective amount of active material to provide reduced water solids filming in high solids containing water. It should be appreciated that the term "active materials" refers to the nonaqueous portion of the use solution that functions to reduce spotting and water solids filming. More preferably the use solution contains less than 1,000 ppm and even more preferably between 10 ppm and 500 ppm of active materials.

It is believed that the rinse agent composition of the invention can be used in a high solids containing water environment in order to reduce the appearance of a visible film caused by the level of dissolved solids provided in the water. In general, high solids containing water is considered to be water having a total dissolved solids (TDS) content in excess of 200 ppm. In certain localities, the service water contains a total dissolved solids content in excess of 400 ppm, and even in excess of 800 ppm. The applications where the presence of a visible film after washing a substrate is a particular problem includes the restaurant or warewashing industry, the car wash industry, and the general cleaning of hard surfaces. Exemplary articles in the warewashing industry that can be treated with a rinse agent according to the invention include dishware, cups, glasses, flatware, and cookware. For the purposes of this invention, the terms "dish" and "ware" are used in the broadest sense to refer to various types of articles used in the preparation, serving, consumption, and disposal of food stuffs including pots, pans, trays, pitchers, bowls, plates, saucers, cups, glasses, forks, knives, spoons, spatulas, and other glass, metal, ceramic, plastic composite articles commonly available in the institutional or household kitchen or dining room. In general, these types of articles can be referred to as food or beverage contacting articles because they have surfaces which are provided for contacting food and/or beverage.

When used in warewashing applications, the rinse agent should provide effective sheeting action and low foaming properties.

The sheeting agent component of the rinse agent can be a surfactant which provides a desired level of sheeting action and which, when combined with the humectant, provides a rinse agent composition that controls the appearance of water solids on the surface of rinsed articles in the presence of high solids containing water. The sheeting agents that can be used according to the invention are nonionic block copolymers, alcohol alkoxylates, alkyl polyglycosides, zwitterionic surfactants, anionic surfactants and mixtures thereof.

Exemplary nonionic block copolymer surfactants include polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers. Exemplary polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers that can be used have the formulae:         (EO)_x(PO)_y(EO)_x         (PO)_y(EO)_x(PO)_y         (PO)<i>_y</i>(EO)<i>_x</i>(PO)<i>_y</i>(EO)<i>_x</i>(PO)<i>_y</i> wherein EO represents an ethylene oxide group, PO represents a propylene oxide group, and x and y reflect the average molecular proportion of each alkylene oxide monomer in the overall block copolymer composition. Preferably, x is from about 10 to about 130, y is about 15 to about 70, and x plus y is about 25 to about 200. It should be understood that each x and y in a molecule can be different. The total polyoxyethylene component of the block copolymer is preferably at least about 20 mol-% of the block copolymer and more preferably at least about 30 mol-% of the block copolymer. The material preferably has a molecular weight greater than about 1,500 and more preferably greater than about 2,000. Although the exemplary polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymer structures provided above have 3 blocks and 5 blocks, it should be appreciated that the nonionic block copolymer surfactants according to the invention can include more or less than 3 and 5 blocks. In addition, the nonionic block copolymer surfactants can include additional repeating units such as butylene oxide repeating units. Furthermore, the nonionic block copolymer surfactants that can be used according to the invention can be characterized heteric polyoxyethylene-polyoxypropylene block copolymers.

A desirable characteristic of the nonionic block copolymers used in the rinse agent of the invention is the cloud point of the material. The cloud point of nonionic surfactant of this class is defined as the temperature at which a 1 wt-% aqueous solution of the surfactant turns cloudy when it is heated.

BASF, a major producer of nonionic block copolymers in the United States recommends that rinse agents be formulated from nonionic EO-PO sheeting agents having both a low molecular weight (less than about 5,000) and having a cloud point of a 1 wt-% aqueous solution less than the typical temperature of the aqueous rinse. It is believed that one skilled in the art would understand that a nonionic surfactant with a high cloud point or high molecular weight would either produce unacceptable foaming levels or fail to provide adequate sheeting capacity in a rinse aid composition.

There are two general types of rinse cycles in commercial warewashing machines. A first type of rinse cycle can be referred to as a hot water sanitizing rinse cycle because of the use of generally hot rinse water (about 82.2°C (180°F)). A second type of rinse cycle can be referred to as a chemical sanitizing rinse cycle and it uses generally lower temperature rinse water (about 48.9°C (120°F)). A surfactant useful in these two conditions is an aqueous rinse having a cloud point less than the rinse water. Accordingly, the highest useful cloud point, measured using a 1 wt-% aqueous solution, for the nonionics of the invention point is approximately 80° C. The cloud point can be 50° C, 60° C, 70° C, or 80° C, depending on the use locus water temperature.

The alcohol alkoxylate surfactants that can be used or sheeting agents according to the invention preferably have the formula:         R(AO)_x-X wherein R is an alkyl group containing 6 to 18 carbon atoms, AO is an alkylene oxide group containing 2 to 12 carbon atoms, x is 1 to 20, and X is hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1-12 carbon atoms. The alkylene oxide group is preferably ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, or mixture thereof. In addition, the alkylene oxide group can include a decylene oxide group as a cap.

The alkyl polyglycoside surfactants which can be used as sheeting agents according to the invention preferably have the formula:         (G)_x-O-R wherein G is a moiety derived from reducing saccharide containing 5 or 6 carbon atoms, e.g., pentose or hexose, R is a fatty aliphatic group containing 6 to 20 carbon atoms, and x is the degree of polymerization (DP) of the polyglycoside representing the number of monosaccharide repeating units in the polyglycoside, namely 0.5 to 10. Preferably, R contains 10-16 carbon atoms and x is 0.5 to 3.

The anionic surfactants that can be used as sheeting agents according to the invention include carboxylic acid salts, sulfonic acid salts, sulfuric acid ester salts, phosphoric and polyphosphoric acid esters, perfluorinated anionic surfactants and mixtures thereof. Exemplary carboxylic acid salts include sodium and potassium salts of straight chain fatty acids, sodium and potassium salts of coconut oil fatty acids, sodium and potassium salts of tall oil acids, amine salts, sarcosides, and acylated polypeptides. Exemplary sulfonic acid salts include linear alkylbenzenesulfonates, C₁₃-C₁₅ alkylbenzenesulfonates, benzene cumenesulfonates, toluene cumenesulfonates, xylene cumenesulfonates ligninsulfonates, petroleum sulfonates, N-acyl-n-alkyltaurates, paraffin sulfonates, secondary n-alkanesulfonates, alphaolefin sulfonates, sulfosuccinate esters, alkylnaphthalenesulfonates, and isethionates. Exemplary sulphuric acid ester salts include sulfated linear primary alcohols, sulfated polyoxyethylenated straight-chain alcohols, and sulfated triglyceride oils.

Exemplary surfactants which can be used as sheeting agents according to the invention are disclosed in <nplcit id="ncit0001" npl-type="b"><text>Rosen, Surfactants and Interfacial Phenomena, second edition, John Wiley &amp; sons, 1989</text></nplcit>.

A humectant is a substance having an affinity for water. Humectants that can be used according to the invention are those materials that contain greater than 5 wt. % water (based on dry humectant) equilibrated at 50% relative humidity and room temperature. The humectants that can be used according to the invention comprise at least one of glycerine, propylene glycol and sorbitol, and mixtures thereof. The rinse agent composition of the invention preferably includes humectant in an amount of at least 5 wt. % based on the weight of the concentrate. Preferably, the humectant is provided at between about 5 wt. % and about 75 wt. % based on the weight of the concentrate.

The rinse agent includes a weight ratio of humectant to sheeting agent of greater than 1:3 and preferably between about 5:1 and 1:3. It should be appreciated that the characterization of the weight ratio of humectant to sheeting agent indicates that the lowest amount of humectant to sheeting agent is 1:3 and that more humectant to sheeting agent can be used. More preferably, the weight ratio of humectant to sheeting agent is between about 4:1 and 1:2, and more preferably 3:1 to 1:1.

It is understood that certain components that are characterized as humectants in this application have been used in prior rinse agent compositions as, for example, processing aids, hydrotropes, solvents, and auxiliary components. In those circumstances, it is believed that the component has not been used in an amount or in environment that provides for reducing water solids filming in the presence of high solids containing water.

The rinse agent according to the invention can be provided as a solid or as a liquid.

Liquid rinse agents according to the invention can be manufactured in commonly available mixing equipment by charging to a mixing chamber the liquid diluent or a substantial proportion of a liquid diluent.

Liquid rinse agents of the invention are typically dispensed by incorporating compatible packaging containing the liquid material into a dispenser adapted to diluting the liquid with water to a final use concentration wherein the active materials (sheeting agent and humectant) is present in the aqueous rinse at a concentration of 10 to 500 parts per million parts of the aqueous rinse. More preferably the material is present in the aqueous rinse at a concentration of about 10 to 300 parts per million parts of the aqueous rinse, and most preferably the material is present at a concentration of about 10 to 200 parts per million parts of the aqueous rinse. Examples of dispensers for the liquid rinse agent of the invention are DRYMASTER-P sold by Ecolab Inc., St. Paul, Minn.

The following examples and data further illustrate the practice of the invention, should not be taken as limiting the invention and contains the best mode. The following examples and data show the effectiveness of the invention in promoting adequate rinsing.

Example 1

High solids containing water was provided containing 600 ppm total dissolved solids. The water included 300 ppm TDS softened water with an additional 300 ppm added sodium chloride. The temperature of the water was provided at 76.7°C (170°F), and a rinse agent concentration of 0:5 ml of the composition described in Table 3 per 4.5 liters (1.2 gallons) water was provided. In order to demonstrate the effectiveness of the rinse agent compositions, 227 g (8 ounce) clean libby tumblers were dipped in the water solution for 45 seconds. The tumblers were removed and placed inverted on a dish machine flat rack, and allowed to drain and dry at room temperatures. The tumblers were graded after standing overnight. The tumblers were graded for film on a 1 to 5 scale, with one being completely clean and 5 being filmed to a degree as achieved with a conventional rinse agent. The grading was completed in a laboratory "light box" with light directed both at the glass from above and below. The grading scale is provided as follows: <dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>No visible film</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>Barely visible film</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>Moderate film</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>Heavy film</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>Severe film</dd></dl>

Compositions 1-7 were tested as rinse agent use solutions. The components of each composition and the results of the example are reported in Table 3 (reference examples). <tables id="tabl0001" num="0001"><table frame="all"><title>Table 3</title><tgroup cols="8"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="62mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="8" colname="col8" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry align="center"><b>Component</b></entry><entry><b>1</b></entry><entry><b>2</b></entry><entry><b>3</b></entry><entry><b>4</b></entry><entry><b>5</b></entry><entry><b>6</b></entry><entry><b>7</b></entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Citric Acid 100%</entry><entry>10.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>Propylene Glycol</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>20.0</entry><entry>10.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>20.0</entry><entry>30.0</entry></row><row><entry>Glycerine 96%</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>10.0</entry><entry>25.0</entry><entry>15.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>Bayhibit AM*</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry></row><row><entry>EO PO Block Polymer 39% EO</entry><entry>25.0</entry><entry>25.0</entry><entry>25.0</entry><entry>25.0</entry><entry>25.0</entry><entry>25.0</entry><entry>25.0</entry></row><row><entry>EO PO Block Polymer 32% EO</entry><entry>9.0</entry><entry>9.0</entry><entry>9.0</entry><entry>9.0</entry><entry>9.0</entry><entry>9.0</entry><entry>9.0</entry></row><row><entry>Water and Inerts to 100%</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Results using Soft Water w/NaCl @170°F</entry><entry>5</entry><entry>3.5</entry><entry>2.5</entry><entry>3.5</entry><entry>2.5</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>3.0</entry></row><row><entry namest="col1" nameend="col8" align="justify">*Bayhibit AM is a 50% solution of 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid.</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

Results show that compositions 2-7 perform substantially better at reducing water solids filming than composition 1 which does not include humectant.

A further test was conducted using 8-ounce Libby tumblers dipped into softened water and softened water with an additional 300-ppm added sodium chloride. The procedure for this test is the same as reported in example 1. Rinse agent compositions 8-11 and the test results are reported in Table 4 (reference examples). <tables id="tabl0002" num="0002"><table frame="all"><title>Table 4</title><tgroup cols="5"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="60mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry align="center"><b>Component</b></entry><entry><b>8</b></entry><entry><b>9</b></entry><entry><b>10</b></entry><entry><b>11</b></entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Hexylene Glycol</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>Propylene Glycol</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>30.0</entry></row><row><entry>Sorbitol 70%</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>Bayhibit AM</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry></row><row><entry>EO PO Block Polymer 39% EO</entry><entry>10.1</entry><entry>10.1</entry><entry>10.1</entry><entry>10.1</entry></row><row><entry>EO PO Block Polymer 32% EO</entry><entry>3.6</entry><entry>3.6</entry><entry>3.6</entry><entry>3.6</entry></row><row><entry>Water and Inerts to 100%</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>results using soft Water @ 170°F</entry><entry>3.5</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>2.5</entry><entry>2.5</entry></row><row><entry>results using soft Water w/NaCl @ 170°F</entry><entry>5.0</entry><entry>4.0</entry><entry>3.5</entry><entry>3.5</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

The results demonstrate that compositions 10 and 11, with propylene glycol, perform better at reducing water solids filming than the compositions with either Sorbitol or hexylene glycol.

Example 3

Another test was completed in which the 8-ounce Libby tumblers were dipped into softened water and softened water with an additional 300 ppm added sodium chloride. The procedure for this test is the same as reported in example 1, with the exception of additional tests for some formulations at ambient temperature to simulate non-autodish applications such as vehicle wash and parts washing. The tested compositions and test results are provided in Table 5 (reference examples). <tables id="tabl0003" num="0003"><table frame="all"><title>Table 5</title><tgroup cols="12"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="29mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="14mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="14mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="6" colname="col6" colwidth="14mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="7" colname="col7" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="8" colname="col8" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="9" colname="col9" colwidth="12mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="10" colname="col10" colwidth="14mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="11" colname="col11" colwidth="14mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="12" colname="col12" colwidth="14mm" align="center" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry align="center"><b>Component</b></entry><entry><b>12</b></entry><entry><b>13</b></entry><entry><b>14</b></entry><entry><b>15</b></entry><entry><b>16</b></entry><entry><b>17</b></entry><entry><b>18</b></entry><entry><b>19</b></entry><entry><b>20</b></entry><entry><b>21</b></entry><entry><b>22</b></entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Propylene Glycol</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>Dehypon LS-54</entry><entry>13.72</entry><entry>13.7 2</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>AG6202</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;<entry>30.0</entry><entry>13.72</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>13.72</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>LAS Acid</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>10.6</entry><entry>10.6</entry><entry>10.6</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>KOH, 45%</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>3.12</entry><entry>3.12</entry><entry>3.12</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry></row><row><entry>Miranol FBS</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>13.72</entry><entry>13.72</entry><entry>13.72</entry></row><row><entry>Glucopon 225</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>13. 72</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>30.0</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>30.0</entry></row><row><entry>Bayhibit AM</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry><entry>7.2</entry></row><row><entry>Water and Inerts to 100%</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>results for soft water @ 170°F</entry><entry>1.5</entry><entry>1.0</entry><entry>1.5</entry><entry>1.0</entry><entry>1.0</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>2.0</entry><entry>2.0</entry><entry>2.0</entry><entry>2.0</entry><entry>1.5</entry></row><row><entry>results for soft water w/NaCl @ 170°F</entry><entry>3.5</entry><entry>2.5</entry><entry>3.5</entry><entry>2.0</entry><entry>3.5</entry><entry>3.5</entry><entry>3.5</entry><entry>2.5</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>1.5</entry></row><row><entry>results for soft water with NaCl @ Ambient temp</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>---</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>3.0</entry><entry>1.0</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

Results show that this invention is not limited to the use of EO PO block polymers with a humectant. Other types of surfactants, such as alcohol alkoxylates (such as Dehypon LS-54), alkyl polyglycosides (such as AG 6202 and Glucopon 225), zwitterionics (such as Miranol FBS), and anionics (such as LAS), together with a humectant, can produce the desired results.

Results also show that some surfactants that are highly hydratable, such as, alkyl polyglycosides and polybetaine polysiloxanes, can act as humectants. Composition 22, with a polyglycoside as the humectant, provides the best results.

Results also show that this invention can be practiced at temperatures other than the elevated temperatures used in warewashing applications. Compositions 17-22 were tested at ambient temperature and provide excellent results.

Example 4

(reference examples)

Composition 22 was tested in a glass cleaning application and compared with a commercial glass cleaner available under the name Oasis 256 from Ecolab Inc. Both composition 22 and the commercial glass cleaner were diluted with high TDS hard water (hard water with the addition of 300 ppm NaCl). Both were tested at 24 ounce/gallon. The results showed that composition 22 left significantly less spots and streaks and film from the TDS and water hardness after drying, compared with the commercial glass cleaner.

Example 5 (reference examples)

This example illustrates the humectancy of several humectants. Glucopon 225, Glucopon 600, propylene glycol, a mixture containing 50 wt.% propylene glycol and 50 wt.% water, and ABIL 9950. The humectancy test was conducted in a humidity chamber set at 50% relative humidity and a temperature of 267° C. The results of each test is reported below.

Glucopon 225

<tables id="tabl0004" num="0004"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="5"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="42mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="23mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="30mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="30mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="26mm" align="center" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry align="center">Date</entry><entry>Initial Weight</entry><entry>Weight of Product</entry><entry>Total Weight Loss</entry><entry>% Weight Loss</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Beaker</entry><entry>62.43</entry><entry>23.89</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/08/00</entry><entry>86.32</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/09/01</entry><entry>85.18</entry><entry>22.75</entry><entry>1.1400</entry><entry>4.77187</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/11/00</entry><entry>84.38</entry><entry>21.95</entry><entry>1.9400</entry><entry>8.12055</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/14/00</entry><entry>83.98</entry><entry>21.55</entry><entry>2.3400</entry><entry>9.79489</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/18/00</entry><entry>83.71</entry><entry>21.28</entry><entry>2.6100</entry><entry>10.92507</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/21/00</entry><entry>83.65</entry><entry>21.22</entry><entry>2.6700</entry><entry>11.17622</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/03/00</entry><entry>83.69</entry><entry>21.26</entry><entry>2.6300</entry><entry>11.00879</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/08/00</entry><entry>83.63</entry><entry>21.20</entry><entry>2.6900</entry><entry>11.25994</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/09/00</entry><entry>83.62</entry><entry>21.19</entry><entry>2.7000</entry><entry>11.30180</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/13/00</entry><entry>83.65</entry><entry>21.22</entry><entry>2.6700</entry><entry>11.17622</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/14/00</entry><entry>83.64</entry><entry>21.21</entry><entry>2.6800</entry><entry>11.21808</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/15/00</entry><entry>83.62</entry><entry>21.19</entry><entry>2.7000</entry><entry>11.30180</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/22/00</entry><entry>83.59</entry><entry>21.16</entry><entry>2.7300</entry><entry>11.42738</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

Glucopon 600

<tables id="tabl0005" num="0005"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="5"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="42mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="23mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="30mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="30mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="26mm" align="center" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry align="center">Date</entry><entry>Initial Weight</entry><entry>Weight of Product</entry><entry>Total Weight Loss</entry><entry>% Weight Loss</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Beaker</entry><entry>99.8</entry><entry>14.14</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/08/00</entry><entry>113.94</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/09/01</entry><entry>108.72</entry><entry>8.94</entry><entry>5.2200</entry><entry>36.91655</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/11/00</entry><entry>108.31</entry><entry>8.51</entry><entry>5.6300</entry><entry>39.81612</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/18/00</entry><entry>108.37</entry><entry>8.57</entry><entry>5.5700</entry><entry>39.39180</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/03/00</entry><entry>108.36</entry><entry>8.56</entry><entry>5.5800</entry><entry>39.46252</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/08/00</entry><entry>108.40</entry><entry>8.60</entry><entry>5.5400</entry><entry>39.17963</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/09/00</entry><entry>108.38</entry><entry>8.58</entry><entry>5.5600</entry><entry>39.32107</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/13/00</entry><entry>108.42</entry><entry>8.62</entry><entry>5.5200</entry><entry>39.03819</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/14/00</entry><entry>108.42</entry><entry>8.62</entry><entry>5.5200</entry><entry>39.03819</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/15/00</entry><entry>108.39</entry><entry>8.59</entry><entry>5.5500</entry><entry>39.25035</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/22/00</entry><entry>108.39</entry><entry>8.59</entry><entry>5.5500</entry><entry>39.25005</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

Propylene Glycol

<tables id="tabl0006" num="0006"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="5"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="42mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="23mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="29mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="30mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="26mm" align="center" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry align="center">Date</entry><entry>Initial Weight</entry><entry>Weight of Product</entry><entry>Total Weight Loss</entry><entry>% Weight Loss</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Beaker</entry><entry>126.33</entry><entry>23.54</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/08/00</entry><entry>149.87</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/09/01</entry><entry>158.83</entry><entry>32.50</entry><entry>-8.9600</entry><entry>-38.-6287</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/11/00</entry><entry>159.49</entry><entry>33.16</entry><entry>-9.6200</entry><entry>-40.86661</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/14/00</entry><entry>158.77</entry><entry>32.44</entry><entry>-8.9000</entry><entry>-37.80799</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/18/00</entry><entry>157.30</entry><entry>30.97</entry><entry>-7.4300</entry><entry>-31,56330</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/21/00</entry><entry>154.27</entry><entry>27.94</entry><entry>-4.4000</entry><entry>-18.69159</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/03/00</entry><entry>149.13</entry><entry>22.80</entry><entry>0.7400</entry><entry>3.14359</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/08/00</entry><entry>146.61</entry><entry>20.28</entry><entry>3.2600</entry><entry>13.84877</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/09/00</entry><entry>145.80</entry><entry>19.47</entry><entry>4.0700</entry><entry>17.28972</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/13/00</entry><entry>143.94</entry><entry>17.61</entry><entry>5.9300</entry><entry>12.52308</entry></row><row><entry>Beater + Product 03/14/00</entry><entry>143.64</entry><entry>17.31</entry><entry>6.2300</entry><entry>12.27382</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/15/00</entry><entry>142.36</entry><entry>16.03</entry><entry>7.5100</entry><entry>12.54624</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/22/00</entry><entry>139.23</entry><entry>12.90</entry><entry>10.6400</entry><entry>13.14175</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

50% Propylene Glycol 50% Water

<tables id="tabl0007" num="0007"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="5"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="43mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="23mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="29mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="31mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="26mm" align="center" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry align="center">Date</entry><entry>Initial Weight</entry><entry>Weight of Product</entry><entry>Total Weight Loss I</entry><entry>% Weight Loss</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Beaker</entry><entry>124.11</entry><entry>24.43</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/08/00</entry><entry>148.54</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/09/01</entry><entry>143.29</entry><entry>19.16</entry><entry>5.2500</entry><entry>21.48997</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/11/00</entry><entry>140.91</entry><entry>16.80</entry><entry>7.6300</entry><entry>31.23209</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/14/00</entry><entry>139.35</entry><entry>15.24</entry><entry>9.1900</entry><entry>37.61768</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/18/00</entry><entry>137.40</entry><entry>13.29</entry><entry>11.1400</entry><entry>45.59967</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 02/21/00</entry><entry>135.60</entry><entry>11.49</entry><entry>12.9400</entry><entry>52.96766</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/03/00</entry><entry>131.06</entry><entry>6.95</entry><entry>17.4800</entry><entry>71.55137</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/08/00</entry><entry>128.9</entry><entry>4.79</entry><entry>19.6400</entry><entry>80.39296</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/09/00</entry><entry>128.41</entry><entry>4.30</entry><entry>20.1300</entry><entry>82.39869</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/13/00</entry><entry>127.15</entry><entry>3.04</entry><entry>21.3900</entry><entry>87.55628</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/14/00</entry><entry>126.68</entry><entry>2.77</entry><entry>21.6600</entry><entry>88.66148</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/15/00</entry><entry>126.49</entry><entry>2.38</entry><entry>22.0500</entry><entry>90.25788</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/22/00</entry><entry>124.72</entry><entry>0.61</entry><entry>23.8200</entry><entry>97.50307</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

ABIL 9950

<tables id="tabl0008" num="0008"><table frame="all"><tgroup cols="5"><colspec colnum="1" colname="col1" colwidth="42mm" /><colspec colnum="2" colname="col2" colwidth="23mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="3" colname="col3" colwidth="30mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="4" colname="col4" colwidth="31mm" align="center" /><colspec colnum="5" colname="col5" colwidth="27mm" align="center" /><thead valign="top"><row><entry align="center">Date</entry><entry>Initial Weight</entry><entry>Weight of Product</entry><entry>Total Weight Loss</entry><entry>% Weight Loss</entry></row></thead><tbody><row><entry>Beaker</entry><entry>53.57</entry><entry>50.27</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/08/00</entry><entry>103.84</entry>&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;&lt;entry /&gt;</row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/09/00</entry><entry>104.39</entry><entry>50.82</entry><entry>-0.5500</entry><entry>-1.09409</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/13/00</entry><entry>105.54</entry><entry>51.97</entry><entry>-1.7000</entry><entry>-3.38174</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/14/00</entry><entry>104.98</entry><entry>51.41</entry><entry>-1.1400</entry><entry>-2.26775</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/15/00</entry><entry>104.32</entry><entry>50.75</entry><entry>-0.4800</entry><entry>-0.95484</entry></row><row><entry>Beaker + Product 03/22/00</entry><entry>103.60</entry><entry>50.03</entry><entry>0.2400</entry><entry>0.47742</entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table></tables>

Both the Glucopon 225 and Glucopon 600 held onto the water tenaciously and easily fit the criterion of a humectant. Both were 50% solutions and after extended storage in the 50% relative humidity chamber, Glucopon 225 retained about 38.6% water from the starting 50%, and Glucopon 600 retained about 10.8% water from the starting 50%. It is believed that Glucopon 225 functions better as a humectant compared with Glucopon 600 because of the higher number of glucose units.

The results for ABIL B9950 (a polybetaine polysiloxane) also support its being an excellent humectant. It was a 50% solution and, after extended storage in the 50% relative humidity chamber, it retained virtually all its starting 50% water.

Propylene glycol appears to have initially picked up water, but then the mixture appeared to have evaporated off as an azeotrope. This explanation is supported by the 50% propylene glycol/50% water results.

While the above description, examples, and data provides a basis for understanding the invention, the invention can be made in a variety of embodiments. The invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.