Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-06-28
2003-10-14
Delcotto, Gregory (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S200000, C510S201000, C510S240000, C510S433000, C510S423000, C510S499000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06632782
ABSTRACT:
This application is a 371 application of PCT/GB98/01987 filed Jul. 6, 1998.
The present invention relates to paint removing compositions. More particularly, it relates to a composition containing one or more alkoxy ether solvents and one or more low molecular weight alcohols with an aqueous blend of surfactants for use in removing paint from a substrate surface.
Paint removing compositions which do not contain chlorinated solvents, especially methylene chloride, are effective within a commercially acceptable timescale, are safe to use and have been sought for some time. Previously, non-methylene chloride systems have been hazardous to use and to store due to the use of highly flammable ingredients. Furthermore, they have been extremely slow to take effect. There are non-methylene chloride paint removers available for sale which require 16 to 24 hours contact time. This is uneconomical for trades people and extremely inconvenient for homeowners engaged in Do It Yourself decorating.
Methylene chloride based paint removers are only effective in the removal of oil-based gloss paints. Removers for water-based paints, such as vinyl silk and emulsion paints are not known.
Methylene chloride is extremely volatile and gives off dangerous vapours which are known to be narcotic and can be fatal, when inhaled in large doses. Therefore, such products must be used only in conditions of good ventilation and in any event, with care. This volatility can lead to a build up of pressure in the container. Care must be taken when opening the container to keep it away from the face, in case of splashes.
Methylene chloride is an exceptionally powerful solvent and, at present, there are no protective gloves which can successfully withstand prolonged contact with products which are based on it. Therefore, gloves have to be frequently washed off or replaced when more than a few minutes use is required.
The paint removing composition of the present invention avoids the above described disadvantages of conventional methylene chloride-based paint removers. In particular, it attacks paint layers so as to produce softened residues that can be easily removed by manual scraping and can be displaced using a water wash, without being corrosive, harmful or irritant to living tissue, without emitting harmful or obnoxious vapours and within a timescale which will be acceptable to any user, whether trade or homeowner. Also, the underlying wood or plaster will not be damaged. Hence the use of this non-chlorinated paint remover will be safer and more convenient than the use of a methylene chloride based paint remover and will be much faster than any of the other non-chlorinated paint removers.
The present invention provides a paint remover composition comprising an aqueous mixture of
(A) at least one alkoxy ether solvent;
(B) an alcohol containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms;
(C) at least one nitrogen-containing compound selected from
(i) compounds having the general formula I.
wherein R
1
is H or group of the formula
where R
3
is a straight or branched chain 6-22 C alkyl or alkenyl group; R
2
is H, or methyl or ethyl; w is 1 or 2; and Q
1
is —COOM
1
or —SO
3
M
1
in which M
1
is an alkali metal cation or an optionally substituted ammonium group;
(ii) compounds having the general formula II
wherein R
4
is H or —(CH
2
CH
2
O)
z
—H; R
5
is a straight or branched chain 6-22 C alkyl or alkenyl group; m is 0 or 1; and each of x, y, and z is an integer wherein the total number of (CH
2
CH
2
O) groups is in the range of from 2 to 50;
(iii) an imidazoline compound of the formula III
wherein R is a straight or branched chain 7 to 18 C alkyl group and x is a number from 2 to 10;
(iv) a compound of the formula IV
in which R is a straight or branched chain 7-18 C alkyl group; R
1
is —CH
2
CH
2
OH or &Parenopenst;CH
2
&Parenclosest;
x
COONa, where x is 1 or 2, R
2
is &Parenopenst;CH
2
&Parenclosest;
y
COONa, where y is 1 or 2; and R
3
is H or —CH
2
CH
2
OH; and
(v) an alkyl betaine of the formula V
R—N
+
(CH
3
)
2
CH
2
COO
−
(V)
wherein R is a straight or branched chain 7 to 18 C alkyl group.
and (D) a compound having the general formula VI
RZ(QO)
n
H (VI)
wherein R is a straight or branched chain 6-22 C alkyl or alkenyl) or an alkylphenyl group; Z is O or NH; Q is —(CH
2
)
2
— or —(CH
2
)
3
— or a combination thereof; n is such that the Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance (HLB) of the molecule will be 7.3 to 15.0.
It has been found that the incorporation of at least one compound selected from the compounds of formula I to V with a compound of the formula VI in association with one or more alkoxy ether solvents, a low molecular weight alcohol and water improves penetration of the aqueous alkoxy ether solvent through emulsion, vinyl silk and gloss paint, varnishes, and also flecked paint, interior textured paint and oil-based red lead paint into the body of the paint layers leading to fast and thorough removal of these residues. Preferably, a compound having the formula I to V will be incorporated together with a compound having the formula VI. After application of a composition according to this invention, the softened, hydrated paint residues can easily be removed by hand, using a scraper. The residues so produced are water washable unlike residues obtained from prior art paint remover compositions which were only washable using organic solvents. It is also an advantage of the compositions of the present invention that they contain no chlorinated solvents unlike prior art paint remover compositions.
The one or more alkoxy ether solvents will typically be present in the composition of the invention in an amount of up to 95% by weight based on the weight of the composition. The alkoxy ether solvent will usually comprise the main paint removing solvent in the composition. It is possible, however, that part of the alkoxy ether solvent content is replaced by one or more other paint removing solvents. Typical of the alkoxy ether solvents that can be used in the present invention are 1-18 C alkyl (preferably 1 to 6 C alkyl) monoethers of (poly)ethylene glycol, (poly)propylene glycol and (poly)butylene glycol.
For reasons of health and safety, the preferred alkoxy ether solvent will be a propylene glycol ether, especially the dimethyl ether of dipropylene glycol.
The composition of the invention also comprises a straight or branched chain alcohol containing from 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Preferably, the alcohol is a monohydric 1 to 5 C alkanol. An alcohol selected from isopropanol, methanol or ethanol is especially preferred as the alcohol used in association with the alkoxy ether. Ethanol will be more preferred than methanol in view of its reduced toxicity. The alcohol can be used in an amount of up to 95% by weight, based on the weight of the composition.
Softening and hydration of the paint is accomplished by the aqueous alkoxy ether solvent with the low molecular weight alcohol in combination with at least one compound selected from the compounds of formula I to V and a compound of the formula VI. Penetration of the aqueous alkoxy ether through the thickness of the paint layers is a property achieved by the incorporation into the composition of a compound having the formula I with a compound having the formula VI above.
In the composition of the invention, at least one compound selected from the compounds of general formula I, the compounds of general formula II and the compounds of general formula III will be used.
The compounds of the general formula I are as follows:
wherein a R
1
is H or a group of the formula
where R
3
is a straight or branched chain 6-22 C alkyl or alkenyl group; R
2
is H, or methyl or ethyl; w is 1 or 2; and Q
1
is —COOM
1
or SO
3
M
1
, in which M
1
is an alkali metal cation or an optionally substituted ammonium group.
In the general formula I above the group R
1
may be H or an aliphatic acyl group of the formula
An example of a compound wherein R
1
is H is sodium sarcosine, i.e., the sodium salt of N-methylglycine. Preferably, howe
Delcotto Gregory
Wenderoth , Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.
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