FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a surface cleaning solution comprising electrolyzed water.

DEFINITIONS As used in the present disclosure, the following ter s are generally intended to have the meaning as set forth below, except to the extent that the context in which they are used indicates otherwise.

Electrolysis: The term “electrolysis” refers to a technique of a chemical change of brine solution by means of electric current in a reactor. Electrolyzed water: The term “electrolyzed water” refers to the electrolysis product of a brine solution, wherein the electrolysis product comprises hypochlorous acid (HOC1), sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) and sodium chloride (NaCl).

Residual chlorine: The term “residual chlorine” refers to a free chlorine concentration in the electrolyzed water. BACKGROUND

The background information herein below relates to the present disclosure but is not necessarily prior art.

Various cleaning solutions are presently available for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces such as glass surfaces, granite, or metal surfaces. The conventional cleaning solutions constitute bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds, which are toxic by nature and can, trigger allergic reactions or irritation to the people handling them, after a prolonged exposure.

Some conventional cleaning solutions use chlorinated water which is produced by mixing chlorine directly in water. However, the conventionally known method of producing chlorinated water cannot regulate the concentration of chlorine diffused in water. The large concentration of chlorine contained in water reduces the shelf life of water, and can release chlorine fumes, burn skin and corrode surfaces during dilution of chlorine. There is, therefore, felt a need to provide a surface cleaning solution comprising electrolyzed water that alleviates the aforementioned drawbacks or at least provides a useful alternative.

OBJECTS

Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfies, are as follows:

It is an object of the present disclosure to ameliorate one or more problems of the prior art or to at least provide a useful alternative.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a surface cleaning solution comprising electrolyzed water. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a surface cleaning solution, which does not contain bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds.

Yet object of the present disclosure is to provide a surface cleaning solution, which is non toxic and does not cause irritation to skin.

Still another object of the present disclosure is to provide a surface cleaning solution, which has controlled concentration of chloride and controlled dilution of residual chlorine diffused therein.

Other objects and advantages of the present disclosure will be more apparent from the following description, which is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to a surface cleaning solution which can comprise 5 mass% to 30 mass% of electrolyzed water consisting of free residual chlorine in an amount in the range of 50 ppm to 300 ppm and sodium chloride in an amount in the range of 300 ppm to 5000 ppm; 0 mass% to 30 mass% of at least one additive; and q.s. water. The free residual chlorine can be sourced from sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid present in the electrolyzed water. Typically, the sodium hypochlorite is present in an amount in the range of 45 ppm to 300 ppm and the hypochlorous acid is present in an amount in the range of 3 ppm to 30 ppm.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present disclosure relates to a surface cleaning solution comprising electrolyzed water.

The embodiments herein and the various features are provided so as to thoroughly and fully convey the scope of the present disclosure to the person skilled in the art and the advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Description of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiment herein.

The description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

The terminology used, in the present disclosure, is only for the purpose of explaining a particular embodiment and such terminology shall not be considered to limit the scope of the present disclosure. As used in the present disclosure, the forms "a,” "an," and "the" may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," “including,” and “having,” are open ended transitional phrases and therefore specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, modules, units and/or components, but do not forbid the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The particular order of steps disclosed in the method and process of the present disclosure is not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance as described or illustrated. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed elements.

The terms first, second, third, etc., should not be construed to limit the scope of the present disclosure as the aforementioned terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another component, region, layer or section. Terms such as first, second, third etc., when used herein do not imply a specific sequence or order unless clearly suggested by the present disclosure.

Various cleaning solutions are presently available for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces such as glass surfaces, granite, or metal surfaces. The conventional cleaning solutions constitute bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds, which are toxic by nature and can, trigger allergic reactions or irritation to the people handling them after a prolonged exposure.

Some cleaning solutions use chlorinated water which is produced by mixing chlorine directly in water. Chlorinated water is highly efficient in disinfecting by killing bacteria, viruses, fungi and other microbes. However, the conventionally known method of producing chlorinated water cannot regulate the concentration of chlorine in water. The large concentration of chlorine contained in the solution reduces the shelf life of the solution, and can release chlorine fumes, burn skin and corrode surfaces during dilution of chlorine.

The present disclosure provides a surface cleaning solution that may comprise: a. 5 mass% to 30 mass% of an electrolyzed water consisting of:

• free residual chlorine in an amount in the range of 50 ppm to 300 ppm; and

• sodium chloride in an amount in the range of 300 ppm to 5000 ppm; b. 0 mass% to 30 mass% at least one additive; and c. q.s water; wherein the mass % of the components is with respect to the total mass of the cleaning solution.

In an embodiment, the surface cleaning solution comprises: a. 5 mass% to 30 mass% of an electrolyzed water consisting of: • a free residual chlorine in an amount in the range of 50 ppm to 300 ppm; and

• sodium chloride in an amount in the range of 300 ppm to 4050 ppm; b. 0 mass% to 15 mass% at least one additive; and c. q.s water; wherein the mass % of the components is with respect to the total mass of the cleaning solution.

In one embodiment in accordance with the present disclosure, the free residual chlorine is sourced from sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid present in the electrolyzed water. The sodium hypochlorite is present in an amount in the range of 45 ppm to 300 ppm and the hypochlorous acid is present in an amount in the range of 3 ppm to 30 ppm.

The concentration of residual chlorine in the electrolyzed water can be controlled during the process of electrolysis as per the application desired. The chemical constitution of the cleaning solution of the present disclosure can be varied accordingly. The surface cleaning solution has a pH in the range of 7.2 to 8.8.

The low pH value makes the cleaning solution suitable for cleaning surfaces without being toxic to the user.

The water used in the cleaning solution is TDS free, pathogen free and has a concentration of microbes which is less than lOOCFU/ml. To enhance the chemical constitution of the surface cleaning solution, various additives in an amount in the range of 0 mass% to 30 mass% are added to the electrolyzed water.

The additive can be selected from a surfactant, a degreaser, a perfume, a stabilizer, a thickener, a color, a defoamer and a combination thereof.

The surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of a nonionic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant and an amphoteric surfactant and a combination thereof.

The nonionic surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of ethoxylated alcohols, propoxylated alcohols, decyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, lauryl alcohol, myristyl alcohol, ethoxylates of secondary aliphatic alcohols, condensates of aliphatic alcohols, secondary aliphatic alcohols, polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, ethoxylated castor oil, ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil, ethoxylated coconut oil, ethoxylated lanolin, ethoxylated tall oil, ethoxylated tallow alcohol, ethoxylates of sorbitan esters and a combination thereof.

The anionic surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of alkali metal salts and a magnesium salt of alkyl sulfates, alkyl ether sulfates, alkylamido ether sulfates, alkylaryl polyether sulfates, monoglyceride sulfates, alkyl sulfonates, alkylamide sulfonates, alkylarylsulfonates, olefinsulfonates, paraffin sulfonates, alkyl sulfosuccinates, alkyl ether sulfosuccinates, alkylamide sulfosuccinates, alkyl sulfosuccinamate, alkylsulfoacdetates, alkyl phosphates, alkyl ether phosphates, acyl sarcosinates, acyl isethionates, and N-acyl taurates.

In an embodiment, the surfactant can be selected from sodium laureth sulfate, laureth-7, cocamidopropyl betain, cocamidopropylamine oxide, sodium chloride, sodium benzoate, citric acid and a combination thereof.

The cationic surfactant can be selected from ammonium, sulfonium, phosphonium, pyridinium, quinolinium, and viologen groups.

The amphoteric surfactant can be selected from the group consisting of betaines, ethylene oxide condensates, triglycines, fatty acid amides and a combination thereof.

The degreaser can be selected from the group consisting of alkaline solution, organic solvent, petroleum based solvent, citrus solvent and a combination thereof. In an embodiment, the degreaser is trisodium citrate.

The perfume can be selected from the group consisting of esters, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, and an essential oil extracted from lemon, pine, green apple, citrus, eucalyptus, lavender and neem.

The stabilizer can be selected from the group consisting of sodium hydroxide, diphosphonic acid and its derivatives, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), phenacetin, p- Hydroxybenzoic acid methyl ester, Nipagin® (methyl paraben), sodium hydroxide and a combination thereof.

The derivative of diphosphonic acid can be selected from diphosphonic (1-hydroxyethylene) disodium acid and 1-Hydroxyethylene-l, 1 -diphosphonic acid (HEDP). In a preferred embodiment, the stabilizer is sodium hydroxide. Sodium hydroxide is added as the stabilizer to optimize the viscosity, stability and increase the cleaning efficiency of the electrolyzed water for various applications such as toilet cleaning and floor cleaning.

The thickener can be selected from the group consisting of acrylic acid copolymers, methacrylic acid copolymers, vinyl polymers, polycarboxylic acids, polyimines, polyamides, polyethers, carboxymethylcelluloses, cellulose ethers, xanthans, guar flour, locust bean gum, sodium chloride, Carbopol Ultrez 10 (a cross-linked acrylic acid polymer), carboxyvinyl polymer or hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose and a combination thereof.

The color can be selected from an organic color and a biodegradable color. In an embodiment, the color is selected from the group consisting of natural dyes and synthetic dyes. The color is at least one selected from acid dyes, basic dyes, cationic dyes, direct dyes, azoic dyes, nitro dyes, disperse dyes, Vat dyes, mordant dyes, reactive dyes, solvent dyes, sulphur dyes, aniline dyes and acridine dyes.

Both the aniline and acridine dyes are bacteriostatic in high dilution but have low bactericidal action. Aniline dyes are more active against Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative bacteria whereas acridine dyes are more active against Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative bacteria, and available in gentian violet and brilliant green color.

The aniline dye can be selected from the group consisting of crystal violet, brilliant green and malachite green colours. The acridine dye can be selected from the group consisting of acriflavine, euflavine, proflavine and aminacrine.

Colour is added to the surface cleaning solution to enhance user experience. The colours are selected such that they do not affect the efficiency of the electrolyzed water.

The defoamer is at least one selected from the group consisting of an organic-based defoamer and a silicone-based defoamer.

The organic-based defoamer can be selected from polypropylene based polyether dispersions (Sigma antifoam 204), fatty acid esters (Sigma antifoam 0-30), carboxylates, monoamides, phosphoric acid esters, mineral oil blends, diethylene glycol and fluorosurf actants. The silicone-based defoamer can be selected from siloxane polymer selected from Sigma anti foams A, B, C, Y-30, SE-15 and silsense Copolyol- 1 silicone, which is a polyethylene glycol and dimethicone copolyol, hydrophobed silicon/hydrophilic oil mixtures, polydimethylsiloxane polymer with silica and polydiethylenemethyl silicones.

In one embodiment, other additives such as stain removers, viscosity enhancers, and rheology modifiers can be further added to the cleaning solution.

In one embodiment, the surface cleaning solution of the present disclosure are used for disinfecting and cleaning glass surfaces, kitchen workspace, floor, washrooms, critical floor area, infected surfaces, granite or marble surfaces, steel surfaces, amongst others.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, the surface cleaning solution is in a concentrated form or ready to use form.

The electrolyzed water is obtained by electrolyzing a brine solution. The brine solution is prepared by dissolving salt in fresh water. The water used for preparing the brine solution does not contain significant amount of micro-organisms and has a low TDS factor below 100 ppm and hardness below 100 ppm.

The electrolyzed water is produced by a process of electrolyzing brine having a controlled concentration and dilution of chlorine, which ensures elimination of production of highly reactive and toxic by-products.

In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the surface cleaning solution comprises 5 mass% of the electrolyzed water consisting of 50 ppm of the free residual chlorine and 675 ppm of sodium chloride; 0.3 mass% of at least one said additive; and 94.7 mass % of water, wherein the mass % of the components is with respect to the total mass of the surface cleaning solution. The free residual chlorine is sourced from sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid present in the electrolyzed water in an amount of 49 ppm and 4 ppm respectively.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the surface cleaning solution comprises 30 mass% of the electrolyzed water consisting of 300 ppm of the free residual chlorine and 4050 ppm of sodium chloride; 2.2 mass% of at least one additive; and 67.8 mass % of water, wherein the mass % of the components is with respect to the total mass of the surface cleaning solution. The free residual chlorine is sourced from sodium hypochlorite and hypochlorous acid present in the electrolyzed water in an amount of 290 ppm and 20 ppm respectively.

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Individual components of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, are interchangeable. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the present disclosure, and all such modifications are considered to be within the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is further described in light of the following experiments which are set forth for illustration purpose only and not to be construed for limiting the scope of the disclosure. The following experiments can be scaled up to industrial/commercial scale and the results obtained can be extrapolated to the industrial scale.

EXPERIMENTAL DETAILS

Experiment 1: Preparation of the surface cleaning solution, in accordance with the present disclosure

Example 1

50 ml of electrolyzed water in accordance with the present disclosure consisting of 50 ppm of free residual chlorine and 675 ppm of sodium chloride was mixed with 950 ml of water to obtain the surface cleaning solution having pH of 7.39. Example 2

100 ml of electrolyzed water in accordance with the present disclosure consisting of 100 ppm of free residual chlorine and 1350 ppm of sodium chloride was mixed with 10 ml of degreaser/surfactant and 890 ml water to obtain the surface cleaning solution having pH of 8.39. Examples 3 to 11

The surface cleaning solutions of Examples 3 to 11 were prepared by following the same procedure as in example 2. The ingredients and their amounts taken are as given in Table 1. Table 1: Ingredients and their amounts of the surface cleaning solutions of Examples 1 to 13

In Examples 2, 4-5 and 7-11, the surfactant used was a mixture of sodium laureth sulfate (53

5 mass%), laureth-7 (22 mass%), cocamidopropyl betain (9 mass% CAPB), cocamidopropylamine oxide (9 mass%), sodium chloride (5 mass%), sodium benzoate (1 mass%) and citric acid (1 mass%).

Experiment 2: Cleaning performance of the surface cleaning solution in accordance with the present disclosure

10 The cleaning solutions of examples 2 and 4 were evaluated for their cleaning performance by applying the cleaning solution on ceramic tiles. The % cleaning efficiency is calculated based on the method ASTM D5343-06. The results are summarized in Table 2.

Table 2: Cleaning performance of the surface cleaning solution in accordance with the present disclosure

Experiment 3: Antimicrobial activity of the surface cleaning solution in accordance with the present disclosure

A. Antimicrobial activity

I. The surface cleaning solution of examples 2 and 3 were evaluated for their anti-microbial activity using test parameters SCDA plate with polysorbate

80% & lecithin. The samples (surface swab) were collected from an infected surface (kitchen workspace and kitchen utensils) before and after using the surface cleaning solution of Examples 2 and 3 of the present disclosure. The readings cfu (colony forming unit)/plate were recorded by method IS; 17112 (P-2) RA 2019.

The results are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3: Evaluation of antimicrobial activity of the surface cleaning solution of examples 2 to 3:

*cfu: Colony Forming Unit The microbial count after using the surface cleaning solution of the present application (Example 2 and 3) was significantly reduced.

B. Bacterial, yeast and mould count The surface cleaning solution of example 4, was evaluated for their anti-microbial (bacterial, yeast and mould) activity using test parameters total bacteria count and Yeast and mould count. The samples (swab) were collected from surface before and after using the surface cleaning solution of the present disclosure. The readings for the total bacteria count and yeast and mold count were recorded. The results are summarized in Table 5.

Table 5: Evaluation of Bacterial, yeast and mould count of the surface cleaning solution of example 4.

Total Plate count (bacterial count) and yeast and mold count after using the cleaning solution of the present application (Example 4) significantly reduced by >99%. Experiment 4: Dermal corrosion. Eve irritation. Acute Oral toxicity and Oral Mucosal study study and of the surface cleaning solution in accordance with the present disclosure

The surface cleaning solution of example 1 was tested for Oral Mucosal study in the white rabbits. Further, the surface cleaning solutions of examples 1 to 11 were tested for dermal corrosion, eye irritation and acute oral toxicity in the white rabbits. The results are summarized in Table 6.

Table 6:

The Applicants are conducting further experimentation in relation to the effectivity of various concentrations of the ingredients of the surface cleaning solution and crave leave to furnish the details of these studies during the prosecution of the application by way of clarification and explanation. TECHNICAL ADVANCEMENTS

The present disclosure described herein above has several technical advantages including, but not limited to, the realization of a surface cleaning solution comprising electrolyzed water, which:

• does not contain bleach and quaternary ammonium compounds; · which has controlled concentration and dilution of residual chlorine diffused therein; and

• is non-toxic and does not cause irritation to skin.

The foregoing disclosure has been described with reference to the accompanying embodiments which do not limit the scope and ambit of the disclosure. The description provided is purely by way of example and illustration.

The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained with reference to the non-limiting embodiments in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein. The foregoing description of the specific embodiments so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

Throughout this specification the word “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated element, or group of elements, but not the exclusion of any other element, or group of elements.

While considerable emphasis has been placed herein on the components and component parts of the preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that many embodiments can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the disclosure. These and other changes in the preferred embodiment as well as other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure herein, whereby it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the disclosure and not as a limitation.