Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Liquid composition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-07-14
2003-03-11
Gupta, Yogendra N. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Liquid composition
C510S403000, C510S244000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06531440
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a liquid protectant composition for cleaning, protecting, and enhancing the appearance of rubber, synthetic plastic, and vinyl surfaces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many automotive and household products such as automobiles, boats, luggage, and outdoor furniture include rubber, plastic, and vinyl materials. Environmental factors, however, such as heat, ultra-violet light, ozone, and dirt can prematurely age and damage these materials. As a result, protectant products have been developed to clean, preserve, and protect rubber, plastic, and vinyl surfaces against the harmful effects of the environment, and improve the appearance of such surfaces.
Currently available protectant products are generally provided as liquids which are sprayed onto a surface. Such sprayable liquid protectants, however, often exhibit poor coverage characteristics, and are prone to the problem of overspray which can occur, for example, when spraying the liquid protectant on the dashboard of a vehicle and the liquid is sprayed onto the inside surface of the windshield. In addition, such sprayable liquid protectants tend to run or drip if applied too heavily. Protectant compositions are also available in thick gels which do not flow, are difficult to apply, and provide poor coverage.
In addition, currently available protectants may leave a greasy slippery feel, may leave a glossy surface which is too reflective and shiny, and may leave a surface which attracts dust.
Compositions for protecting rubber, plastic, vinyl, and the like are known in the patented prior art. The U.S. patent to McFarland U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,362 for example, discloses several ultra-violet light protection formulas in the form of liquids and creams which can be topically applied to various surfaces, such as leather, wood, and vinyl, to protect the surface from the harmful effects of light.
The U.S. patent to Wyss et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,083 discloses a process for improving the resistance of plastics, leather, and imitation leather to the influence of light and/or heat, comprising treating these substrates with an aqueous emulsion or dispersion comprising an emulsifier or dispersant and a water-insoluble sterically hindered amine, a water-insoluble UV absorber and/or a water-insoluble antioxidant and, if appropriate, water and other additives.
The U.S. patent to Popa et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,955,536 discloses a method for treating plastic, leather or rubber surfaces with a composition comprising a polyisobutylene (PIB) oligomer and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) fluid.
The U.S. patent to Klayder et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,013,323 discloses a silicone gel protectant useful for protecting and enhancing the appearance of vinyl, leather, rubber, and plastic surfaces such as those found in car interiors, car trim and car bumpers.
There remains a need, however, for improved compositions for cleaning, protecting, and enhancing the appearance of rubber, synthetic plastic, and vinyl surfaces. It would therefore be desirable to provide a protectant composition which cleans, protects, and enhances the appearance of rubber, synthetic plastic, and vinyl surfaces which is easy to apply, does not leave the surface feeling slippery or greasy, which provides a restored finish which is not excessively glossy, and which does not attract dust.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a liquid protectant composition which cleans, protects, preserves, and enhances the appearance of rubber, synthetic plastic, and vinyl surfaces and the like, which has superior coverage and flow characteristics suitable for both smooth and textures surfaces, which is easy to apply to both horizontal and angled surfaces, which does not leave the treated surface feeling excessively slippery or greasy, which provides a surface finish which is shiny but not excessively glossy or reflective, and which does not attract dust.
In one aspect, the present invention provides a liquid protectant composition including a cleaning agent, silicone, a thickener, a neutralizing agent, an ultra-violet light absorber, and water. In another aspect of the invention, the composition includes a fragrance and a fragrance stabilizer. According to a specific aspect of the invention, the composition has the texture of a typical hand lotion. More specifically, when fragrance and a fragrance stabilizer are present in the composition, the composition has a viscosity ranging from about 5 Pa*sec (5,000 centipoise (cPs)) to about 20 Pa*sec (20,000 cPs), preferably from about 7.5 Pa*sec (7,500 cPs) to about 18 Pa*sec (18,000 cPs), and more preferably from about 10 Pa*sec (10,000 cPs) to about 14 Pa*sec (14,000 cPs). Without the fragrance and fragrance stabilizer, the composition generally has a viscosity between about 5 Pa*sec (5,000 cPs) to about 25 Pa*sec (25,000 cPs), preferably from about 10 Pa*sec (10,000 cPs) to about 20 Pa*sec (20,000 cPs), and more preferably from about 11 Pa*sec (11,000 cPs) to about 16 Pa*sec (16,000 cPs).
The composition generally includes less than about 20 percent cleaner by weight, less than about 25 percent silicone, less than about 3.0 percent thickener, less than about 5 percent neutralizing agent, less than about 5 percent ultra-violet light absorber, and between about 35 percent to about 75 percent water. The cleaner preferably comprises a mixture of propylene glycol monomethylether and isopropanol.
In another embodiment, the liquid protectant composition comprises between about 1 percent and about 15 percent cleaner, between about 5 percent and about 15 percent silicone, between about 0.1 percent and about 1.0 percent thickener, between about 0.5 percent and about 5.0 percent neutralizing agent, between about 0.1 percent and about 1.0 percent ultra-violet light absorber, between about 1.0 percent and about 5.0 percent fragrance, between about 1.0 percent and about 5.0 percent fragrance stabilizer; and between about 55 percent and about 70 percent water, and has a viscosity ranging from about 7.5 Pa*sec (7,500 cPs) to about 18 Pa*sec (18,000 cPs).
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments thereof, and from the claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
According to the present invention, there are provided compositions for cleaning, preserving, protecting, and otherwise treating rubber, synthetic plastic, and vinyl surfaces and the like to enhance the appearance thereof. The compositions exhibit improved coverage and flow characteristics over conventional compositions and are suited for both smooth and textures surfaces, and are easy to apply to both vertical and angled surfaces without running or dripping excessively. These characteristics are achieved by formulating the compositions to a specific range of viscosities as described below. In addition, the compositions of the present invention do not leave the treated surface feeling excessively slippery or greasy, provides a surface finish which is shiny but not excessively glossy or reflective, and does not attract dust.
The compositions generally include at least one cleaning agent which serves to clean the treated surface and may aid in the emulsification of the ultraviolet light absorber. The compositions further include silicone, a thickener, a neutralizing agent, an ultra-violet light absorber, and water, preferably deionized water. To facilitate the formation of a stable emulsion, the silicone is preferably provided as a silicone emulsion. Although optional, the composition preferably includes a fragrance and a fragrance stabilizer. Each of these components is described in more detail below.
Cleaning Agent
A cleaning agent is provided to remove dirt, grease, and other unwanted impurities from the surface to be treated. The particular cleaning agent employed in a composition may be selected depending on the particular end use application, and particularly on the type of surface to be treated. In addition, the cleaning agent may serve as a solvent to help solubilize the UV ab
3M Innovative Properties Company
Gupta Yogendra N.
Patchett David B.
Petruncio John M
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