Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Liquid composition
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-18
2003-04-08
Webb, Gregory E. (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Liquid composition
C510S365000, C510S506000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06544942
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to solvent compositions that can be used, for example, to clean, reduce the microbial population of, or degrease soiled surfaces, or to strip floor finishes or other coatings from coated surfaces.
BACKGROUND
Many concentrates and ready-to-use compositions have been proposed for cleaning, degreasing and stripping purposes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,822 (VanEenam '822); U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,831 (VanEenam '831); U.S. Pat. No. 5,158,710 (VanEenam '710); U.S. Pat. No. 5,419,848 (VanEenam '848); U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,341 (VanEenam '341); U.S. Pat. No. 5,849,682 (VanEenam '682); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,010,995 (VanEenam '995) describe various compositions for cleaning, degreasing or stripping. These compositions are said to be stable clear solutions, stable emulsions or stable microemulsions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,592,787 (Johnson) describes an aqueous photoresist stripping composition containing a lower alkyl mono ether of a propylene glycol, a C
2-6
alkanol, and alkanol amine, and a base. Stripping is carried out at a temperature at which the stripper composition is a single phase, and below a temperature at which the composition would undergo phase separation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,529,887 (Horn et al.) describes an aqueous photoresist developer solution containing a diglycol monoalkyl ether, a glycol monoalkyl ether, an alkali hydroxide, and alkaline fluoride, and water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,637,559 (Koreltz et al.) describes compositions for removing urethane/acrylic floor finishes. In diluted form, the compositions contain a phenyl-substituted alcohol, coupler and water, wherein the amount of the coupler is at least threefold the amount necessary to completely solubilize the phenyl-substituted alcohol in the water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,744,440 (Liu '440) describes a mixture of a very slightly water-soluble organic solvent and an excess of an amine oxide coupler to fully solubilize the solvent, for hydrophobic soil and soap scum removal.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,786,319 (Pedersen et al.) describes a detergent formulation made from a glycol ether mixed with a high concentration of a surfactant, stably dispersed in water.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,811,383 (Klier et al.) describes oil continuous microemulsions containing water, one or more organic solvents and an anionic surfactant.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,854,187 (Blum et al.) describes microemulsion concentrates containing a nonionic surfactant oil phase, a continuous aqueous phase, a polar organic solvent coupling agent and a combination of surfactants. The microemulsions are said to be thermodynamically and temperature stable liquid systems which, when mixed with water to an appropriate solution, will invert and form stable macroemulsions, producing a bloom or milky color in the dilution medium.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,665 (Liu '665) describes a composition said to be capable of removing hydrophobic soils, and containing nonionic surfactant, a very slightly water-soluble organic solvent and water. The composition is said to be translucent or hazy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,972,874 (Libutti et al.) describes microemulsion cleaners that are said to be stable and to have a clear to slightly hazy appearance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,042 (Hernandez et al.) describes a floor stripper concentrate containing a mixture of two types of solvents and an excess of a solubilizing coupler. The coupler is said to be capable of increasing the phase-stability of the stripper and the stripper is said to be stable both as a concentrate and when diluted.
UV light curable coating compositions typically provide a desirable combination of properties including rapid cure, high gloss and good durability. Due to these properties and their generally good scratch and detergent resistance, UV light curable coating compositions have been used as floor finishes. Eventually even a UV light cured floor finish will show the effects of wear, and will require removal and renewal. UV cured floor finishes generally are not regarded as being removable using conventional chemical floor stripping agents. Instead, more aggressive removal techniques such as floor sanding typically must be employed. This can cause potential dust problems in the workplace and can remove a portion of the underlying floor surface. This has discouraged the use of UV cured floor finishes, particularly on vinyl tile, vinyl sheeting and other resilient flooring materials.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides, in one aspect, a pseudo-stable phase-splitting cleaning, antimicrobial, degreasing or stripping solvent composition. The term, “phase” refers to a homogeneous liquid portion that is present or that can form in a liquid system. The term “phases” refers to the presence of more than one phase in a heterogeneous liquid system. The term “pseudo-stable” refers to a composition that forms a single phase when subjected to mild mixing or other agitation and retains that single phase for a sufficient period of time so that the composition can be applied to a surface, but which will promptly form two or more phases when left undisturbed. The term “phase-splitting” is meant to describe a single phase solvent composition that forms at least two laminar phases promptly after being applied atop a generally horizontal surface or on a generally vertical surface, whereby a film containing a concentrated amount of the solvent lies between the surface and a film containing a much lower amount of the solvent. The term “solvent” refers to an organic material or mixture of such materials suitable for cleaning, degreasing or stripping the desired surface. In a composition that has undergone phase splitting, the phase containing a concentrated amount of the solvent will be referred to as the solvent phase, and the phase containing a much lower amount of the solvent will be referred to as the dilute phase or diluting phase.
When used atop floors or other generally horizontal surfaces, the solvent phase should be more dense than the dilute phase. When used on walls or other generally vertical surfaces, the solvent phase should have a greater tendency to cling to the surface than does the dilute phase, so that the dilute phase will be displaced from the surface by the solvent phase.
In another aspect, the invention provides a cleaning, degreasing or stripping solvent concentrate and instructions for mixing the concentrate with water, wherein the concentrate contains a sufficient amount of cosolvent or surfactant so that a pseudo-stable phase-splitting composition will form when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions.
In a further aspect, the invention provides an antimicrobial solvent concentrate and instructions for mixing the concentrate with water, wherein the concentrate contains an antimicrobial or biocidal agent dissolved or dispersed in the solvent and a sufficient amount of cosolvent or surfactant so that a pseudo-stable phase-splitting composition will form when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a split-phase cleaning, antimicrobial, degreasing or stripping agent atop a surface, wherein a non-aqueous film phase comprising a solvent that is denser than water lies adjacent the surface and under an aqueous film phase. This enables the solvent film to attack the surface at near full strength, and provides a water seal over the solvent film.
In another aspect, the invention provides a method of removing a coating or a soil from a surface, comprising applying to the surface a pseudo-stable mixture containing water, polar solvent that is denser than water, and a sufficient amount of cosolvent or surfactant so that the mixture phase-separates following application of the mixture to the surface, allowing the mixture to phase-separate, allowing the polar solvent to soften or dissolve the coating or soil, and removing the softened coating or soil.
In yet another aspect, the invention provides a method of removing soil from or reducing the antimicrobial population of a surface by co
Hei Robert D. P.
Levitt Mark D.
Smith Kim R.
Ecolab Inc.
IPLM Group, P. A.
Webb Gregory E.
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