EP1097986A1 - Surface cleaning method - Google Patents

Abstract

Method of cleaning optionally coated glass, metal or plastics surfaces, uses a detergent composition and a mechanical cleaner with leather or textile fabric, bristles, sponge and/or fibers, which contacts the surface, at least at times. Before or during the cleaning procedure, part of the cleaner is brought into contact with antisoiling polymer(s), comprising amphiphilic polyester compounds.

Description

The invention relates to a method for cleaning surfaces using mechanical cleaning devices which at least temporarily touch the surface and an aqueous detergent composition containing antisoiling polymers (Polymer surfactants or soil release polymers). The invention relates essentially a process for cleaning glass and in particular painted, waxed or otherwise coated metal or plastic surfaces, preferably a method for cleaning vehicles in car washes.

The cleaning of vehicles is becoming increasingly automatic or semi-automatic washing systems, usually in car washes or gantry car washes where the vehicle has a number of different Goes through cleaning steps.

The typical requirements for cleaning agents for lacquered and / or waxed Surfaces, especially vehicle surfaces, are foaming, removing particulate dirt and advantageous rinsing, draining and drying properties. The adhering dirt can be organic, e.g. containing tar, resin or oil (usually hydrophobic), or essentially inorganic in origin. Possibly. should the Vehicle surface also from corrosive or aggressive types of dirt, e.g. De-icing salt. A suitable detergent composition must also develop their cleaning effect when combined with cold water. The cleaning agent should have a controllable foam behavior and over have demulsifying properties in process water treatment. This The requirement profile makes it clear that conventional surfactant compositions, as they are known as household or laundry detergents, for cleaning and care of painted metal surfaces are not suitable. Often, depending on the cleaning step, different compositions are made up the special requirement optimized - detergent compositions used.

When washing vehicles, dirt particles adhering to the task should be gentle be removed. However, the dirt particles usually go to one predominantly not in solution but as particulate Dirt from the mechanical cleaning device on the paint surface managed by e.g. only absorbed by the mechanical cleaning agents and these are guided over the metal surface until they reach the Rinsing water are torn away from the paint surface. This can cause damage, especially scratch the surface. In particular Modern water-based paints based on water-based paint systems point the way conventional acrylic paints have an increased scratch sensitivity.

A good overview of the individual factors leading to scratching vehicle surfaces in the article by H. Haagen (Conference of the German Research Association for Surface Treatment, Düsseldorf, November 4-5, 1981, (1982), 115-120).

For this reason, a number of methods have been developed recently a gentler cleaning of the paint and thus less scratching of the Ensure paint. This is how "non-contact" washing systems were developed work completely without brush washing and only an intensive one High pressure water jet takes care of the cleaning. Well wetting, low foaming In these plants, surfactants are used as part of the cleaning agents used used.

There are also approaches through the use of softer brush material to avoid damage to the vehicle paint. So in addition to rotating Brushes, which are usually made of polyethylene plastic, including textiles, Felt or foamed plastics are used.

In addition to attempts to reduce the mechanical impact of the brushes However, there was no lack of attempts by modifying the cleaning agents used reduce scratching of the vehicle paint. In the DE For example, 44 30 818-A1 (Hoffmann et al.) Describes a method in which which you apply a care emulsion to the vehicle surface before the wet washing process applies and distributes and then subjects the vehicle to the usual wet washing and dries.

The approaches described to reduce scratching of the paint at Vehicle washing has the disadvantages that due to the reduced mechanical A complete cleaning of the vehicle can no longer be effected can that with the currently existing washing systems only under additional technical effort to be realized, or that a not insignificant Amount of additional chemicals is needed.

There is therefore a need for a method of cleaning vehicles that without the disadvantages described above, a high level of dirt removal from the vehicle guaranteed while avoiding or at least avoid scratching the vehicle surface keeps as low as possible.

Cleaning devices are often used to clean painted surfaces used with rotating brushes, moving textile fibers or the like. The object of the method according to the invention is to scratch-sensitive surfaces, in particular vehicle surfaces, and mechanical ones in contact with them Cleaning devices such as brushes, textile fibers or the like from to remove adhering dirt particles and at the same time scratch the surface to avoid.

• die Oberfläche eine Glas-, Metall- oder Kunststoffoberfläche ist, die ggf. beschichtet sein kann, insbesondere eine, ggf. lackierte oder gewachste Metalloberfläche wie die eines Fahrzeuges ist,
• die Reinigungsvorrichtung Textil- oder Ledergewebe, Borsten, Schwämme und/oder Fasern aufweist und
• die Reinigungsvorrichtung oder Teile der Reinigungsvorrichtung vor oder während des Reinigungsvorganges mit einem oder mehreren Antisoiling-Polymeren in Kontakt gebracht wird, wobei
• als Antisoiling-Polymere amphiphile Polyester-Verbindungen eingesetzt werden.

The object was achieved according to the invention by a method for cleaning surfaces using a mechanical cleaning device which at least temporarily touches the surface and a cleaning agent composition, wherein

• the surface is a glass, metal or plastic surface, which can optionally be coated, in particular a possibly lacquered or waxed metal surface, such as that of a vehicle,
• the cleaning device has textile or leather fabrics, bristles, sponges and / or fibers and
• the cleaning device or parts of the cleaning device is brought into contact with one or more antisoiling polymers before or during the cleaning process, wherein
• amphiphilic polyester compounds are used as antisoiling polymers.

The antisoiling polymer is preferably an amphiphilic polyester compound, which is composed in particular of terephthalic acid groups and based on the Sum of the monomer units used, preferably at least 5% terephthalic acid groups has as monomer units.

It has surprisingly been found that the detergent composition used according to the invention the adherence of the dirt particles, in particular prevented on textile fibers and brushes and thus effective for removal The dirt particle contributes through the rinse water and prevents particulate Grinding dirt due to the mechanical action of the cleaning device is guided over the surface.

In the following, the method according to the invention for cleaning surfaces using mechanical cleaning devices comprising brushes and / or textile fibers are explained using the example of car washing.

As a rule, the vehicle is first pre-washed with coarse dirt exempted. The prewash is often in the form of a high pressure wash carried out. Then the vehicle is e.g. in a brush wash subjected to another cleaning cycle in which stubborn dirt components detached from the vehicle surface.

Pre-wash and brush wash come with surfactant-containing cleaning solutions used to wet the vehicle surface and dirt facilitate. The surfactant solutions reduce the interfacial tension to the paint and to the dirt particle, which facilitates the detachment of the dirt particles. To enhance the cleaning performance of the surfactant solution, is mechanically rotating washing brushes / rags acted on the dirt and the vehicle surface.

After the brush wash, there is usually a rinse cycle in which the surfactant contains Cleaning solution and the detached dirt from the vehicle surface be rinsed off. After the rinse cycle, the Vehicle in a drying cycle. This is usually done with a blower the water was blown off the vehicle. To facilitate the drying process become drying aids in the form of aqueous solutions or dispersions used, the tear of the water film and the drain of the Accelerate water.

For a complete cleaning of the surface, as a rule, it is not enough Soak in a cleaning solution, but it becomes supportive mechanical influence on the dirt is required. For this purpose e.g. rotating brushes or textile fibers, e.g. Textile rags, used, put together with the water film, the cleaning solution used over the vehicle surface move. Near the surface is created by the movement of the Cleaning devices in relation to the surface, which creates a strong shear field the removal of the dirt from the surface is facilitated.

However, the mechanics used can also damage the vehicle surface to lead. Because the dirt is hard as well as sticky, oil-like components Contains particles, these particles can be removed when the dirt is removed by the mechanics the cleaning device are rubbed over the paint and scratches lead on the vehicle surface.

The mechanical support of the cleaning process according to the invention cleaning device used preferably has a textile fabric, bristles, Sponges and / or fibers, which are particularly preferably made of polyalkylenes, polyamide and / or polyester exist or contain this and is further preferred Part of an automatic or semi-automatic device. In this device the cleaning device is usually rotating around an axis Device trained.

It has surprisingly been found that vehicles are thorough and with less Have the tendency to scratches cleaned according to the invention when driving the vehicle subject to a cleaning procedure in which in cleaning steps under action from mechanical cleaning devices to surface detergent compositions containing antisoiling polymers are added.

The cleaning device (e.g. brushes, Textiles, plastics etc.) a temporary dirt-repellent / dirt-repellent Equipment. As a result, not only the grease dirt but also the grease dirt clinging solid particles that are primarily responsible for scratching of the paint surface are faster and significantly more effective from the cleaning device away. At the same time, the additive also prevents accumulation of dirt on the cleaning device.

It is important to choose a suitable antisoiling polymer. The selection will i.a. determined by the material of the cleaning device (e.g. brush or Textile material). It is for the corresponding substantivity of additive to the material surface care of the cleaning device, the prerequisite for a dirt-repellent temporary finish.

The brush or textile material of mechanical cleaning devices, as in Car washes are usually made of synthetic polymers such as polyethylene or polyamide. In addition to these polymers can also all other polymerization fibers such as Polyacrylic, polystyrene, vinal, etc .; Polycondensation fibers such as. Polyester, polyamide, polyester ether or polyaddition fibers such as. Polyurethane, elastane can be used. Besides these Synthetic fibers made of synthetic polymers can also be made from natural fibers Polymers are used, e.g. Rubber, viscose, cellulon, or Casein. The brush or textile material used can also consist of mixtures consist of different synthetic or natural polymers. The single ones Fibers can be used directly as brush material or the fibers are previously woven into a textile, knitted or pressed into a felt.

Additives based on polyester have proven to be suitable additives. there it is preferably amphiphilic polyester compounds, which are preferred Contain terephthalic acid units.

Suitable compounds are e.g. Copolymers of polyoxyalkylenes and alkyl glycols with aromatic dicarboxylic acids or mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic dicarboxylic acids. The additives can be both non-ionic and also be anionic or cationic in nature. In the manufacture of anionic polymers are preferably aromatic dicarboxylic acids with anionic substituents used as monomer units, e.g. the salts of sulfoisophthalic acid.

In general, the polymers used can also be equipped with end groups. Through this so-called end group closure, for example, the molecular weight distribution of the polymer can be concentrated, which among other things beneficial to the Formulation of the polymers, in particular in liquid cleaning formulations affects. Nonionic, anionic and cationic monomer units can be used are used.

The following compounds have also proven suitable:

In US 4,427,557 and EP-B1-0 066 944 are anionically modified polyesters described, in addition to ethylene terephthalate and polyoxyethylene terephthalate units sulfonated aromatic dicarboxylic acid salts as a further polymerization component e.g. the sodium salt of sulfoisophthalic acid. The polymerized Polyethylene glycols (PEG) have molecular weights from 200 to 1000 and result after their polymerization with ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalic acid Polyester with molecular weights from 2000 to 10,000 g / mol.

US Pat. No. 3,959,230 contains further suitable ethylene terephthalate (ET) / polyoxyethylene terephthalate (POET) polyester with ET: POET ratios of 25:75 to 35: 65, wherein low molecular weight polyethylene glycols with molecular weights of 300 to 700 are used and the polyester molecular weights obtained from Have 25000-55000 g / mol.

Another possibility to modify the polyester involves the installation of cationic components based on quaternary nitrogen compounds, which in Compared to nonionic polyesters can be even more effective (US-A-4 956 447).

In EP-A-0 253 567 and EP-A-0 357 280 in particular end groups are also closed Polyester (capped polyesters) described, on the one hand, by non-ionic groups such as C1 to C4 alkyl, C1 to C4 hydroxylalkyl, C1 to C4-acyl and also closed by ionic succinate groups.

In the process according to the invention, when using antisoiling polymers Polyester based prefers to use such polymers at room temperature are flowable and have good solubility in predominantly aqueous compositions (at room temperature). Additives of this type are e.g. described in WO 99/09125. The amphiphilic polymers of WO 99/09125 are hereby expressly made the content of this application.

Surprisingly, it was found that polyester-based antisoiling polymers have a good substantivity to the surface of the cleaning device if these are made of polyester, polyamide or corresponding mixtures are. When using textiles to clean the paint surface is also given a good substantivity, e.g. when using cotton / polyester or cotton / polyamide blend.

Another example of a group of additives in the invention Process used as part of the detergent composition amino functional polymers such as e.g. Polyimines / polyamines, the polyamine compounds used as antisoiling polymers - related on the monomer linkages - preferably at least 10% carbon Nitrogen linkages exist or are produced.

Preferred polyamines are those derived from ethyleneimine i.e. Polyethyleneimines represent that continue to be modified via the nitrogen groups can. A typical modification is, for example, ethoxylation and / or Propoxylation of the nitrogen atoms in the polyethyleneimine chain. Particularly preferred are polyethyleneimines with molecular weights of 500-10,000 on average 0.5 to 10 ethylene oxide and / or propylene oxide units per N atom are modified.

Another possibility for modifying the polyalkyleneimine chain is next to alkoxylation also means the benzylation of free nitrogen atoms.

In principle, the polyalkylene skeleton can also be partially reacted with nitrogen be quaternized with alkyl halides or alkyl sulfates or by Oxidation so-called amine oxides are generated.

The following compounds have also proven suitable:

The use of modified polyethyleneimines in liquid detergent formulations e.g. described in WO 97/42293. The polyamine framework can be used of these polymers by ethoxylation, N-oxidation or quaternization can be varied in many ways.

WO 97/42285 describes water-soluble or dispersible polymers, that by reacting polyamines with epichlorohydrin and subsequent Derivatization can be made.

In WO 97/42287 i.a. written the use of ethoxylated polyethyleneimines, which are particularly effective as color and fiber preservatives.

In one embodiment of the method according to the invention, textile or sponge-like cleaning devices used because of their pore structures have a high suction effect for the aqueous cleaning solution.

In a further preferred embodiment, this is done in the cleaning process used washing water is subjected to a wastewater treatment and in the cycle hazards. The oil-containing dirt components are in an oil separator severed. The particulate dirt particles are in a sedimentation basin or removed from the wash water circuit by filters.

The detergent compositions can be formulated in a variety of ways. In As a rule, cleaning agents are used as concentrates with an active content of larger 15% formulated, which before using in the cleaning solution with the usual available service water can be diluted to the use concentration.

Cleaning agents that are used in vehicle washing systems are e.g. Precleaner, Insect remover, shampoos, rinse aid, window cleaner, rim cleaner, Pressure washer, bitumen and tar remover. According to the invention The process is either an antisoiling polymer in one of the cleaners used contain or the antisoiling polymer is separately in its own formulation introduced into the cleaning process, e.g. sprayed.

Typical cleaning agents for vehicle washing contain 3-30% by weight of surfactants, 0-40% by weight complexing agent, 0-70% by weight solvent, 0-5% by weight antisoiling polymers and bases or acids to adjust the pH. Generally the formulations can be liquid, solid or pasty.

The mechanical cleaning device for mechanical support of the cleaning process describes, in the sense of the invention, an aid for application the cleaning solution and / or to mechanically support the cleaning process is used and at least with the surface to be cleaned is temporarily in contact. The mechanical cleaning device includes brushes, Rag, fiber cloth, felt, brush and / or sponge and can be made of plastics and / or natural fiber materials.

For the purposes of the invention, the term antisoiling polymers describes compounds optionally as part of the detergent composition, which the process of Removal of dirt from the surface of the mechanical cleaning device (Brushes, textiles, felts etc.) accelerate and the amount of remaining Residual contamination on the surface to be cleaned and the mechanical cleaning device minimize. The antisoiling polymers used according to the invention preferably have a weight average molecular weight of larger 1000 g / mol, in particular greater than 4000 g / mol. The applied antisoiling polymer modifies the surface and reduces adherence, in particular hydrophobic, dirt on the surface.

Claims (7)

Method for cleaning surfaces using a mechanical cleaning device which at least temporarily touches the surface and a detergent composition, wherein the surface is a glass, metal or plastic surface, which can optionally be coated, and the cleaning device has textile or leather fabric, bristles, sponges and / or fibers, characterized in that the cleaning device or parts of the cleaning device is brought into contact with one or more antisoiling polymers before or during the cleaning process, wherein amphiphilic polyester compounds are used as antisoiling polymers. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the surface is a possibly painted or waxed metal surface, especially of a vehicle. Method according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that that amphiphilic polyester compounds are used as antisoiling polymers, which contain terephthalic acid groups as monomer units. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that amphiphilic polyester compounds are used as antisoiling polymers, which are anionically modified. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that used as antisoiling polymers amphiphilic polyester compounds are, the monomer linkages of at least 5% from ester bonds consist. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that that used as antisoiling polymers amphiphilic polyester compounds are based on the sum of the monomer units used at least 5% consist of terephthalic acid groups as a monomer unit. Method according to one of the preceding claims, that as a cleaning device used for mechanical support of the cleaning process Cleaning device a textile fabric, bristles, sponges and / or fibers essentially containing or consisting of polyalkylenes, polyamide and / or polyester.