Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
2001-05-08
2003-05-20
Webb, Gregory E. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S238000, C510S365000, C510S417000, C510S506000, C134S003000, C134S040000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06566316
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates generally to cleaning compositions, and more specifically ink and paint remover solvents, in particular those that are non-toxic and biodegradable.
Compositions that are used to dissolve chemicals, compounds, and other substances incorporate a solvent that functions by forming a mixture of the solvent and the other substance. The particular solvents in a composition are generally characterized as being polar and having a high dielectric constant or non-polar and having a low dielectric constant, or somewhere in between these extremes. These compositions may contain both polar and non-polar compounds, and individual solvent molecules may have both polar and non-polar moieties. The general rule is that “like dissolves like.” Substances that are polar tend to be effectively solubilized by compositions that have polar solvent compounds. Conversely, materials that are non-polar in nature are more effectively solubilized by non-polar compositions. For example, water is a highly polar molecule and it is effective at dissolving and solubilizing other polar molecules. However, water is in itself is not effective at dissolving non-polar molecules.
The most common type of compositions for removing paint, ink, and other unwanted non-polar coatings typically incorporate an organic solvent. These cleaning compounds have been in existence for a long time, and many have been shown to be effective. Unfortunately, existing compounds have the undesirable attributes of being caustic, flammable, and toxic.
For example, a common paint stripper methylene chloride is toxic and has a high vapor pressure. This makes the solvent volatile and thus vapor inhalation of these solvents presents a serious health risk. Prolonged exposure to methylene chloride depresses the nervous system (G. G. Fodor and H. Winneke, Proceedings International Clean Air Congress, 2
nd
, 238-43, 1970). Repeated exposure to methylene chloride has been linked to digestive disorders and liver damage (C. C. Haun, et al., U.S. National Technical Information Service, AD Report, 1971 # 751432).
A further problem is that the cost associated with manufacture, use, and disposal of existing paint and coating remover compounds is high because the chemicals are toxic and non-biodegradable.
Additionally, a factor that places doubt in the future use of existing compounds for removing paint and coatings is that there is an increasing level of government regulation as a result of the health, safety, and environmental hazzards associated with these chemicals.
Accordingly, there is a need for compounds that are effective at removing paint, ink, carbon and other coatings wherein the removing compound is non-toxic, non-caustic, non-volatile, biodegradable, meets current and future regulation standards (including the California AQMD 2005 standard), and has a low disposal cost.
SUMMARY
The invention satisfies this need. The invention is a composition for that is effective in removing ink, paint, carbon and other such coatings. The composition is substantially non-toxic, non-caustic, non-volatile, biodegradable, meets current and future regulation standards, and has a low disposal cost. The invention also includes methods of using the composition for removing a wide variety of coatings, including paint and ink.
The composition is prepared by combining the following: an alcohol in an amount from about 5% to about 60% by volume; a terpene containing liquid in an amount from about 5% to about 60% by volume; a sufficient amount of mixing agent for mixing the terpene containing liquid in water; and water.
In a preferred embodiment the composition is prepared by combining the following: ethanol in an amount from about 5% to about 60% by volume; limonene in an amount from about 5% to about 45% by volume; a sufficient amount of mixing agent for mixing the limonene in water; an abrasive agent; water; and optionally, an acid, base, or combinations thereof for adjusting the pH of the composition to a suitable range for mixing the composition and thereafter to adjust the pH to a suitable working range.
DESCRIPTION
The following discussion describes in detail several embodiments of the invention. This discussion should not be construed, however, as limiting the invention to those particular embodiments. Practitioners skilled in the art will recognize numerous other embodiments as well. In all of the embodiments described herein that are referred to as being preferred or particularly preferred, these embodiments are not essential even though they may be preferred.
The invention is a composition suitable for use as an ink, paint, and coating remover, and methods of using the composition to remove ink, paint, carbon deposits, and coatings. The term coating used herein includes compositions related to paint such as enamel, lacquer, polyurethane coatings, sealers, varnish, and similar such decorative or protective coatings, and further includes wet and dry inks, chemical deposits, carbon deposits such as soft and hard burnt carbon, dirt, stains, and similar such compounds that are removed from surfaces by cleaning. The paint and coatings are typically removed from hard surfaces such as glass, plastic, and metal. Specific examples include the removal of ink found on printing presses, rollers, and silk screens, and the removal of carbon black deposits on plastic or metal.
The composition is prepared by combining the following: 1) an alcohol in an amount from about 5% to about 60% by volume; 2) a terpene containing liquid in an amount from about 5% to about 60% by volume; 3) a sufficient amount of mixing agent for mixing the terpene containing liquid in water; and optionally 4) water. Accordingly, the composition of the invention comprises the following: 1) an alcohol in an amount from about 5% to about 60% by volume; 2) a terpene containing liquid in an amount from about 5% to about 60% by volume; 3) a sufficient amount of mixing agent for mixing the terpene containing liquid in water; and a desired amount of 4) water. The water is not required, but is typically present in the composition. With respect to the total volume, an embodiment comprising 60% by volume alcohol will necessarily comprise no more than 40% by volume terpene. Likewise, an embodiment comprising 60% by volume terpene will necessarily comprise no more than 40% by volume alcohol.
In alternative embodiments a composition is prepared consisting of: 1) between about 5% to about 60% alcohol; 2) between about 5% to about 60% terpene containing liquid; 3) an effective amount of mixing agent for mixing the terpene containing liquid in water; 4) optionally, an abrasive; 5) optionally, an acid, base, or combinations thereof for adjusting the pH of the composition to a suitable range for mixing the composition and thereafter if needed to adjust the pH to a suitable working range; and 6) water.
In still alternative embodiments a composition is prepared consisting essentially of: 1) between about 5% to about 60% alcohol; 2) between about 5% to about 60% terpene containing liquid; 3) an effective amount of mixing agent for mixing the terpene containing liquid in water; 4) optionally, an abrasive; 5) optionally, an acid, base, or combinations thereof for adjusting the pH of the composition to a suitable range for mixing the composition and thereafter if needed to adjust the pH to a suitable working range; and 6) water.
In all of the embodiments described herein, the terpene containing liquid comprises either a substantially pure terpene liquid, a liquid mixture having two or more terpenes, or either of the preceding in a liquid mixture containing additional compounds. The amount of terpene containing liquid as a percentage of the total composition by volume is typically in the range from about 5% to about 60%, and more typically from about 5% to about 45%. Preferably, the terpene containing liquid comprises a liquid selected from the group consisting of hemiterpenes, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, limonene, cedar oil, pine oil, citrus oil, caraway oil, canola oil, spearmint, and com
Eckel Shannon Dale
Hiatt William Nicholas
Eckel Shannon Dale
Sheldon Jeffrey G.
Sheldon & Mak
Webb Gregory E.
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