Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser – Synthetic resins – At least one aryl ring which is part of a fused or bridged...
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-23
2003-04-15
Cain, Edward J. (Department: 1714)
Synthetic resins or natural rubbers -- part of the class 520 ser
Synthetic resins
At least one aryl ring which is part of a fused or bridged...
C524S801000, C524S802000, C524S804000, C524S833000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06548596
ABSTRACT:
This invention is concerned with polymer compositions, including polymer latices, floor polish vehicle compositions and floor polish compositions having improved high speed burnish response. The polymer compositions of this invention comprise an aqueous suspension or dispersion of a water insoluble polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, said polymer having a glass transition temperature (Tg) of at least 35° C. and comprising units of iso-butyl methacrylate (IBMA) and n-butyl methacrylate (BMA).
Ionically crosslinked floor polish vehicle compositions are well known in the prior art. Such a polish vehicle composition comprises a polymer latex, comprising an aqueous dispersion or suspension of water insoluble, film forming polymer having a Tg above room temperature, and water soluble or dispersible metal salts and complexes. The nature of the polymer is determined inter alia by the intended use of the vehicle. For example, a floor polish vehicle includes a polymer useful on flooring materials and which will withstand pedestrian traffic. Floor polish compositions comprise floor polish vehicle compositions together with other useful floor polish ingredients such as alkali soluble resins, plasticizers, waxes, preservatives, dispersing agents, coalescents and leveling agents.
One important characteristic of a floor polish composition is its resistance to deterioration from pedestrian traffic. The greater its resistance, the more durable the floor polish is said to be. Good durability is defined as the ability of a finish layer to repel scuff and black heel marks. The general property of durability can be measured in a variety of ways. For example, scuff and scratch resistance, retention of film gloss, powder resistance, soil resistance, and black heel mark resistance are all well recognized in the floor polish art as indications of durability. The factors effecting the durability of a floor polish composition are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,517,330.
Another characteristic desirable in a floor polish composition is the ability to affect repair of damage, caused on the floor finish by pedestrian traffic, by the action of high speed buffing or burnishing, thereby periodically returning the floor finish to its original appearance. The capacity of a floor finish to be restored by the mechanical action of a high speed burnishing machine is referred to as its “burnish response.” The use of these floor polish compositions along with regular burnishing provides high gloss appearance over extended periods of time, thereby eliminating or substantially reducing the need for costly stripping and recoat operations typically encountered with conventional floor polishes.
Burnishable floor polish compositions typically employ high levels of soft waxes and/or high levels of plasticizer, to soften the floor finish or otherwise diminish the resistance of the film to the abrasive action of the burnishing pad, thus making it more receptive to film repair by the burnishing operation. However, because of the softness of the finish layer, these floor polishes require frequent burnish maintenance to restore them to their original “wet look” appearance. The ability of a finish layer to be repeatedly restored to a high gloss finish during the burnish operation is a measure of a floor's “repeatable burnish response.” With the more general acceptance of ultra high speed burnishing machines, these types of floor polish compositions have become more commercially important. Good repeatable burnish response is one of the properties especially desirable, but not exclusive to, high gloss floor polishes destined for use in a retail outlet, such as a supermarket.
It is known that polymer latices formed from IBMA and other ethylenically unsaturated monomers, namely styrene (Sty), methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methacrylic acid (MAA), are used in floor polish compositions and that these compositions demonstrate good initial gloss and good repeatable burnish response over conventional floor polishes.
It is one object of the present invention to provide new polymer latices and polish vehicle compositions which may be used to produce a floor polish composition which is capable of demonstrating at least an equivalent repeatable burnish response without any detrimental effect on either the high initial gloss or the durability of the finish layer. Preferably, such compositions should demonstrate improved high initial gloss and improved repeatable burnish response without any detrimental effect on the durability.
Floor polish compositions based on aqueous dispersions of water insoluble emulsion copolymers containing acid functional residues and polyvalent metal ion or complex crosslinking agents are well known in the prior art. Such compositions are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,328,325, 3,467,610, 3,554,790, 3,573,329, 3,711,436, 3,808,036, 4,150,005, 4,517,330, 5,149,745, 5,319,018. None of these documents specifically disclose polymer latices comprising copolymers formed from mixtures of ethylenically unsaturated monomers including both IBMA and BMA, nor does any one of them specifically address the problem of obtaining a good repeatable burnish response in a floor polish.
Japanese patent application No 01-261843 discloses nonaqueous dispersion type resin compositions for construction facings, but there is no suggestion that these compositions could be useful as floor polish vehicle compositions, let alone that they may be capable of imparting high speed burnish response in a floor polish composition. Further, the resins specifically disclosed in this document comprise IBMA and BMA in amounts where the IBMA content is equal to or more than the BMA content.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a polymer composition comprising an aqueous suspension or dispersion of a water insoluble polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, said polymer having a Tg of at least 35° C. and comprising 25% to 65% by weight units of IBMA and BMA and 3% to 50% by weight units of at least one acidic monomer. In one embodiment of this particular aspect of the present invention, there is provided a polymer composition comprising an aqueous suspension or dispersion of a water insoluble polymer having a Tg of at least 35° C. and formed from a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising 25% to 65% by weight IBMA and BMA and 3% to 50% by weight of at least one acidic monomer. In another embodiment of this particular aspect of the present invention, there is provided a polymer latex comprising an aqueous suspension or dispersion of a water insoluble polymer having a Tg of at least 35° C. and formed from a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising 25% to 65% by weight IBMA and BMA and 3% to 50% by weight of at least one acidic monomer. In another embodiment of this particular aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor polish vehicle composition comprising an aqueous suspension or dispersion of a water insoluble polymer having a Tg of at least 35° C. and formed from a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising 25% to 65% by weight IBMA and BMA, and 3% to 50% by weight of at least one acidic monomer. In yet another embodiment of this particular aspect of the present invention, there is provided a floor polish composition comprising an aqueous suspension or dispersion of a water insoluble polymer having a Tg of at least 35° C. and formed from a mixture of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising 25% to 65% by weight IBMA and BMA, and 3% to 50% by weight of at least one acidic monomer.
In another aspect of this invention, there is provided a method for improving the repeatable high speed burnish response of a floor polish composition, which method comprises using in the composition a floor polish vehicle composition comprising an aqueous suspension or dispersion of a water insoluble polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, said polymer having a Tg of at least 35° C. and comprising 25% to 65%, preferably 35% to 55%, by weight units
Hartman Karl John
Kohr Alan Wayne
Cain Edward J.
Johnson Stephen E.
Rohm and Haas Company
Stauss Karl
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