STRIPPING COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS
OF MAKING AND USING THE SAME
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to United States Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/346,726 filed May 20, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to concentrated compositions for stripping a coating
from a surface.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Coatings are often used to protect various surfaces from wear, staining, moisture,
etching, etc. The coatings may be removed for subsequent reapplication or other
maintenance of the surface. Various compositions are available for stripping coatings from
surfaces. Conventional stripping compositions may be expensive and difficult to use, include
harsh chemicals, or function poorly at dilute concentrations. Conventional concentrated
stripping compositions may include a high concentration of active agents to be diluted to
suitable working concentrations at use, thus reducing cost and eliminating the need for
transport of larger volumes. However, the high concentration of active agents in
conventional concentrated stripping compositions often requires the use of co-solvents to
solubilize the active agents. Conventional concentrated stripping compositions may also
have high surface tension, causing them to sheet poorly on a surface. Concentrated
stripping compositions with stable active components are desired that have good wetting
properties, i.e. they are liquids that maintain contact with a solid surface.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one embodiment, the invention may provide a composition suitable for
stripping coatings from a surface. The composition may include a solvent and an organic
functional amine. The composition may comprise solvent and organic functional amine
together in an amount of at least about 75% by weight of the composition. The solvent may
comprise benzyl alcohol. The composition may further comprise at least two surfactants.
[0005] In another embodiment, the invention may provide a composition suitable for
stripping coatings from a surface. The composition may include about 25% to about 50% by
weight of benzyl alcohol, about 25% to about 50% by weight of an organic functional amine,
and substantially no fatty acid. The composition may further comprise at least one
surfactant.
[0006] In another embodiment, the invention may provide a composition suitable for
stripping coatings from a surface. The composition may include benzyl alcohol, an organic
functional amine, and at least two surfactants. The surfactants may be present in a ratio of
about 1:6 to about 6:1 to each other.
[0007] In another embodiment, the invention may provide a method of stripping a
coating from a surface. The method may include applying at least one of the compositions
described above to the coating.
[0008] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the
detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] Figure 1 is a graph depicting the number of cycles needed to remove 0 coats of
SIGNATURE™ {Diversey, Inc., Sturtevant, Wl) floor finish using various stripping
compositions.
[0010] Figure 2 is a graph of the number of cycles needed to remove 10 coats of
VECTRA™ (Diversey, Inc., Sturtevant, Wl) floor finish using various stripping compositions.
[001 1] Figure 3 is a graph of the number of cycles needed to remove 10 coats of
PREMIA™ (Diversey, Inc., Sturtevant, Wl) floor finish using various stripping compositions.
[0012] Figure 4 is a graph of the initial foam height for dilutions of various stripping
compositions.
[0013] Figure 5 is a graph of the foam height after 5 min for dilutions of various stripping
compositions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[001 ] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be
understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and
the arrangement of components set forth in the following description. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
[0015] In one embodiment, the invention provides a composition for stripping a coating
from a surface. The stripping compositions may comprise a solvent and an organic
functional amine. The solvent may comprise at least one of an alcohol, an ester, a
phthaiate-based solvent, a pyrrolidone-based solvent, and combinations thereof.
[0016] Examples of alcohols may include, but are not limited to, polyhydric alcohols
where the alcohol is an alkane polyol having 2 to 6 carbons and 2 to 3 hydroxyls in the
molecule. Examples of polyhydric alcohols may include, but are not limited to, an ethylene
glycol, propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, glycerin, 1,2-butandediol, 1,3-butanediol, 1,4-
butanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, ,2-propanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, meso-erythritol,
neopentyl glycol, pentaerythritoi, and combinations and blends thereof. Aromatic alcohol
derivatives may also be useful. Examples of alcohols include, but are not limited to, a benzyl
alcohol, xylenol, phenol, etc. Solvents may a so include, but are not limited to, glycol ether
based solvents based on ethylene or propylene glycol, diethylene glycol ethyl ether,
dipropylene glycol methyl ether, diethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene/diethylene glycol 2-
ethylhexyl ether, ethylene glycol phenyl ether, dipropylene glycol propyl ether, dipropylene
glycol butyl ether, propylene glycol phenyl ether, and blends thereof. Additionally, monoalcohols
such as methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, and butanol can be utilized in the
solvent system. In certain embodiments, the solvent comprises benzyl alcohol.
[0017] Examples of esters in the solvent may include, but are not limited to, glycol ether
dibenzoates based on ethylene or propylene glycol including, but not limited, to propylene
glycol dibenzoate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, polypropylene glycol diobenzoate,
ethylene glycol dibenzoate, diethylene glycol dibenzoate, polyethylene glycol dibenzoate,
neopentyl glycol dibenzoate, and the like as well as isodecyl benzoate, dipropylene glycol
monomethyi ether benzoate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol diisobutyrate and combinations
thereof.
[0018] Examples of phthalate-based solvents in the solvent may include, but are not
limited to, dibutyl phthalate, butyl benzyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, and combinations
thereof may a so be used. Pyrollidone-based solvents may include, but are not limited to, 2-
pyrollidone, N-methylpyrro!idone, NI-octy!-2 pyrro!idone, and combinations thereof. Terpene
derivatives are also suitable for use in the solvent system. Examples of terpenes include,
but are not limited to, cyclic terpenes such as D-iimonene, pinene, etc. The solvent system
may optionally include water.
[0019] Organic functional amines generally include at ieast an organic group and an
amine. Examples may include, but are not limited to, monoethanolamine (MELA),
diethanoiamine (DEA), triethanolamine (TEA), monoisopropanolamine, n-alkyl substituted
derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof. The functional amine may be
monoethanolamine.
[0020] The compositions may further comprise at Ieast one surfactant. Surfactants may
include, but are not limited to, at Ieast one of anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants,
are not limited to, amine oxides such as C -C2 amine oxides, betaines such as
alkylamidopropylbetaine, sultaine, and alkylamino propionates.
[0021] Anionic surfactants may be water-soluble salts, particularly, alkaii metal salts of
organic sulfur reaction products having in their molecular structure an alky! radical containing
from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms and a radical selected from the group consisting of
sulfamic acid and sulfuric acid ester radicals. Such surfactants are well known in the art and
are described at length in "Surface Active Agents and Detergents", Vol. il by Schwartz, Perry
and Berch, Interscience Publishers inc., 1958, incorporated by reference herein. Examples
of anionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, amides, sulfosuccinates and derivatives,
sulfates of ethoxyiated alcohols, sulfates of alcohols, sulfonates and sulfonic acid
derivatives, phosphate esters, and polymeric surfactants. Examples of anionic surfactants
may include, but are not limited to, alkyl sulfate, ether sulfate, alkyl sulfonate, alkyl benzene
sulfonate, alpha olefin sulfonate, diphenyloxide disulfonate, a!kyl naphthalene sulfonate,
sulfosuccinate, sulfosuccinamate, naphthalene-formaldehyde condensate, isethionate, Nmethyl
taurate, phosphate ester, and ether carboxylate. Examples of anionic surfactants
include a!kyl diphenyloxide disulfonates. Other examples of anionic surfactants may include,
but are not limited to, DOWFAX™ 2A1, DOWFAX™ 3B2, and DOWFAX™ C10L
(alkyldiphenyloxide disulfonates from Dow, Midland, Ml); CALSOFT® AOS-40 sodium alpha
olefin sulfonate and CALSOFT® LAS-99 linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (Pilot Chemical,
Cincinnati, OH); and STEOL® CA-460 alkyl ether sulfate ammonium salt and STEOL® CS-
460 sodium iaureth sulfate (Stepan Company, Northfield, IL).
[0022] Nonionic surfactants may include, but are not limited to, compounds produced by
the condensation of alkylene oxide groups (hydrophilic in nature) with an organic
hydrophobic compound, which may be aliphatic or alkyl aromatic in nature. The length of
the hydrophilic or polyoxy alkylene radical which is condensed with any particular
hydrophobic group can be readily adjusted to yield a water-soluble compound having the
desired degree of balance between hydrophilic and hydrophobic elements. Examples of
nonionic surfactants include, but are not limited to, alkanolamides, amine oxides, block
polymers, ethoxylated primary and secondary alcohols, ethoxylated alkylphenols,
ethoxylated fatty esters, sorbitan derivatives, glycerol esters, propoxylated and ethoxylated
fatty acids, alcohols, and alkyl phenols, glycol esters, polymeric polysaccharides, sulfates
and sulfonates of ethoxylated alkylphenois, and polymeric surfactants.
[0023] Nonionic surfactants are conventionally produced by condensing ethylene oxide
with a hydrocarbon having a reactive hydrogen atom, e.g., a hydroxyl, carboxyl, amino, or
amido group, i nthe presence of an acidic or basic catalyst. Nonionic surfactants may have
the general formula RA(CH2CH20 )nH wherein R represents the hydrophobic moiety, A
represents the group carrying the reactive hydrogen atom, and n represents the average
number of ethylene oxide moieties. R may be a primary or a secondary, straight or slightly
branched, aliphatic alcohol having from about 8 to about 24 carbon atoms. Additional
examples of nonionic surfactants can be found in U.S. Patent No. 4,1 11,855, Barrat, et al.,
issued September s, 1978, and U.S. Patent No. 4,865,773, Kim et al., issued September 12,
1989, which are hereby fully incorporated by reference.
[0024] Other nonionic surfactants useful in the composition include ethoxylated alcohols
or ethoxylated alkyl phenols of the formula R(OC2H4)nOH, wherein R is an aliphatic
hydrocarbon radical containing from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms or an alkyl phenyl
radical in which the alkyl group contains from about 8 to about 15 carbon atoms, and n is
from about 2 to about 14. Examples of such surfactants are listed in U.S. Patent No.
3,71 7,630, Booth, issued February 20, 1973, U.S. Patent No. 3,332,880, Kessler et al.,
issued July 25, 1967, and U.S. Patent No. 4,284,435, Fox, issued August 18, 1981, which
are hereby fully incorporated by reference.
[0025] Moreover, other nonionic surfactants include the condensation products of alkyl
phenols having an alkyl group containing from about 8 to about 15 carbon atoms in either a
straight chain or branched chain configuration with ethylene oxide, sard ethylene oxide being
present in an amount from about 2 to about 14 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alkyl
phenol. The alkyl substituent in such compounds can be derived, for example, from
polymerized propylene, diisobutylene, and the like. Examples of compounds of this type
include nonyl phenol condensed with about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of nonyl
phenol, dodecyl phenol condensed with about 8 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of phenol,
and the commercially available T-DET® 9.5 marketed by Harcros Chemicals Incorporated.
[0026] Other useful nonionic surfactants are the condensation products of aliphatic
alcohols with from about 2 to about 14 moles of ethylene oxide. The alkyl chain of the
aliphatic alcohol can either be straight or branched, primary or secondary, and may contain
from about 8 to about 18 carbon atoms. Examples of such ethoxyiated alcohols include
secondary alcohol nonionic surfactants such as ENS-70, the condensation product of
myristyl alcohol condensed with about 9 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol, and
the condensation product of about 7 moles of ethylene oxide with coconut alcohol (a mixture
of fatty alcohols with alkyl chains varying in length from 10 to 14 carbon atoms). Examples
of commercially available nonionic surfactants in this type include: NEODOL™ 45-9,
NEODOL™ 23-6.5, NEODOL™ 45-7, NEODOL™ 91-6, and NEODOL™ 45-4 marketed by
Shell Chemical Company (Houston, TX); Kyro EOB marketed by The Procter & Gamble
Company (Cincinnati, OH); and BEROL® 260 and BEROL® 266 marketed by Akzo Nobel
(alcohol ethoxylates from Amsterdam, Netherlands). Other suitable nonionic surfactants
include NEODOL™ ethoxylates, commercially available from Shell Chemical Company
(Houston, TX) and TERG!TOL™ surfactants such as TERGITOL™ 15-S-7 or 15-S-9
available from Dow (Midland, Ml). Additional nonionic surfactants may be selected from the
class of fluorinated materials, such ZONYL® FSJ, ZONYL® FSN, etc., commercially
available from DuPont (Wilmington, DE). Suitable nonionic surfactants may include primary
and secondary alcohol ethoxylates and alkyl polyglucosides. Primary alcohol ethoxylates
may include C9-C1 1 primary alcohol ethoxylates such as TOMADOL® 91-2.5, TOMADOL®
91-6, and TOMADOL® 91-8 from Air Products and Chemicals (Allentown, PA). Secondary
alcohol ethoxylates may include C 2-C 4 secondary alcohol ethoxylates such as
TERGITOL® 15-S-3, TERGITOL® 15-S-7, and TERGITOL® 15-S-9. TERGITOL® is a
trademark of Union Carbide Corporation (Houston, TX) for C8-C 8 non-ionic surfactants with
1-15 moles of ethylene oxide. Alkyl polyglucosides may include C8-C16 alkyl polyglucosides
such as GLUCOPON® 625FE and GLUCOPON® 425N from Henkel Corporation
(Dusseldorf, Germany), and TRITON™ BG-10 (Dow, Midland, Ml). A mixture of nonionic
surfactants may also be used. Examples of specific nonionic surfactants further include but
are not limited to CALOXAMINE® LO lauryl dimethylamine oxide (Pilot Chemical, Cincinnati,
OH).
[0027] The composition may comprise at least one surfactant, and in some
embodiments at least two surfactants. The at least two surfactants may be present in the
composition at a ratio of about 6:1 to about 1:6, about 5:1 to about 1:5, about 4:1 to about
1:4, about 3:1 to about 1:3, about 2:1 to about 1:2, about 1:1.5 to about 1.5:1, about 1.25:1
to about 1:1.25, or about 1:1 with each other. The surfactants may be combined in a ratio of
about 1:1 with each other in the composition. In certain embodiments, the at least two
surfactants may be an anionic surfactant and a nonionic surfactant. For example, the at
least two surfactants may be chosen from a!kyl diphenyloxide disulfonates, secondary
alcohol ethoxylates, primary alcohol ethoxylates, and alkyl polyglucosides.
[0028] In certain embodiments, the solvent of the compositions may comprise benzyl
alcohol. In certain embodiments, the compositions may comprise benzyl alcohol and an
organic functional amine. In certain embodiments, the compositions may comprise benzyl
alcohol, an organic functional amine, and at least two surfactants.
[0029] The stripping composition may comprise benzyl alcohol-in-arv-amountrof-at-leasf
about 25%, at least about 30%, or at least about 40% by weight of the composition. The
stripping composition may comprise benzyl alcohol in an amount less than about 60%, or
less than about 50% by weight of the composition. The stripping composition may comprise
organic functional amine in an amount of at least about 25%, at least about 30%, or at least
about 40% by weight of the composition. The stripping composition may comprise organic
functional amine in an amount of less than about 60%, or about 50% by weight of the
composition. The composition may comprise benzyl alcohol and organic functional amine
together in an amount of at least about 50%, at least about 75%, at least about 85%, or at
least 95% by weight of the composition. The composition may comprise benzyl alcohol and
organic functional amine together in an amount of less than about 99%, less than about
95%, less than about 85%, less than about 80%, or less than about 75% by weight of the
composition.
[0030] The composition may comprise solvent in an amount of at least about 50%, at
least about 75%, at least about 85%, or at least about 95% by weight of the composition.
The composition may comprise solvent in an amount of less than about 99%, less than
about 95%, less than about 85%, less than about 80%, or less than about 75% by weight of
the composition.
[0031] The composition may comprise surfactant in an amount of at least about 20%, at
least about 15%, at least about 10%, or at least about 5% by weight of the composition. The
composition may comprise surfactant in an amount of less than about 25%, less than about
20%, less than about 15%, or less than about 0% by weight of the composition.
[0032] The balance of the composition may be water. For example, the composition
may comprise water in an amount of about 0-10%, about 0-5%, or about 3-5% by weight of
the composition.
[0033] The pH of the composition may be at least about 7, at least about 8, at least
about 9, or at least about 0. The pH of the composition may be less than about 14, less
than about 3, or less than about 12. This may include a pH of about 7 to about 14, about 8
to about 14, about 9 to about 13 , or about 0 to about 12.
[0034] The composition may have a viscosity of at least about 1 cP, at least about 5 cP,
or at least about 10 cP. The composition may have a viscosity of less than about 80 cP, less
than about 75 cP, o less than about 60 cP. This may include a viscosity of about 1 to about
80 cP, about 5 to about 75 cP, or about 10 to about 60 cP.
[0035] In some embodiments, the stripping composition may be substantially free of
ethylene glycol mono-butyl ether (EGBE). As used herein, "substantially free" means having
less than about 3%, less than about 1%, less than about 0.5%, ess than about 0.2%, and
more particularly about 0.2% to 0% of component. The composition may be substantially
free of f!uorochemicals. The composition may be substantially free of fatty acids.
[0036] Compositions according to the invention may comprise a high concentration of
active ingredients, i.e. benzyl alcohol and organic functional amine, yet require substantially
no co-solvent. The composition may be substantially free of co-solvent. Compositions
according to the invention may be diluted in hard water and still be efficacious and stable.
As used herein, hard water may include at least about 200 ppm, at least about 250 ppm, at
least about 300 ppm, at least about 350 ppm, or at least about 400 ppm of CaC0 3.
[0037] The compositions may also have low foaming properties. Low foam
compositions may be analyzed by determining the foam height of the composition, e.g, as
described in Example 4 and Example 8. Briefly, a volume of composition is added to a
container such as a graduated cylinder. The container is closed, such as with a stopper,
before being inverted, for example, ten times. The height of the resulting foam initially
(immediately after inversion) as well as at other time points in time after inversion may be
compared. As used herein, "low foam" is comparatively lower foam height. For 50 mL of
liquid composition placed in a graduated cylinder and inverted ten times, the following
classification of foam height may be used, wherein foam height is height of the liquid plus
height of the foam in mL:
foam height of 150+ mL = high foam
foam height of 100 - 150 mL = moderate foam
foam height of 75 - 00 mL = low foam
foam height of 50 - 75 mL = very low foam
[0038] The stripping compositions may be biodegradable. As used herein,
"biodegradable" refers to a composition capable of being decomposed by natural processes.
Biodegradation may be defined in different ways such as, for example, ready, inherently, and
primary biodegradability. Suitable methods for determining biodegradability are known in the
art. For example, a standard definition follows Organization for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) test methods that determine ready biodegradation. Ready
biodegradation, as defined by the OECD, is determined by laboratory tests that measure the
degree and the rate of biodegradation over a set time frame (Guidelines for Testing of
Chemicals. Ready Biodegradability, Test Guideline 301. Organization for Economic
Cooperative and Development. Paris, France 1992). The OECD series of tests include
OECD Test Guidelines No. 301 A-F: TG 301 A, TG 301 B, TG 301 C, TG 301 D, TG 301 E,
and TG 301 F. A high concentration of a substance is used in each test, and degradation is
determined by measuring 0 2 consumption, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), removal of
Dissolved Organic Carbon (DOC), C0 2 production, or combinations thereof. The test
conditions may vary among each OECD test, but generally the tests measure the feasibility
of achieving degradation and the time frame in which ready degradation will be reached.
OECD tests for ready biodegradation use 28 days as an end point in the time frame. For
example, 80% BOD or COD level may be achieved within 28 days in order for a composition
to be considered readily biodegradable. As another example, the OECD defines the
following pass levels of biodegradation, obtained within 28 days, for a composition to be
regarded as evidence of ready biodegradability: 70% DOC removal (OECD tests TG 301 A
and TG 301 E); 60% theoretical carbon dioxide (ThC0 2) (OECD tests TG 301 B); and 60%
theoretical oxygen demand (ThOD) (OECD tests TG 301 C, TG 301 D and TG 301 F). A
ready biodegradable material may biodegrade rapidly in its environment and, when
discharged as wastewater constituents, be effectively degraded during wastewater
treatment. However, failure of a material to pass the OECD ready biodegradability criteria
may not necessarily mean that the material will not biodegrade in the environment or in the
waste stream given sufficient time and circumstances. If composition components
individually are biodegradable, it may be inferred that the composition comprising the
components is also biodegradable. Compositions comprising at least one of aikyl
polyglucosides and TOMADOLS® (suitably, TOMADOL® 91-6, from Air Products and
Chemicals, Allentown, PA) are particularly suitable for being readily biodegradable.
[0039] The stripping compositions may have a favorable aquatic toxicity profile. For
example, a composition with a fish LC value of 100 mg/L or greater may be considered to
have a favorable aquatic toxicity profile. LC value is the concentration at which 50% of test
organisms survive within a specific exposure period. An aquatic toxicity profile may be
determined for a whole formulation. An aquatic toxicity profile for a formulation may also be
determined from an additive calculation using acute toxicity data of each component of the
formulation. Compositions comprising at least one of alkyl polyglucosides and
TOMADOLS® (suitably, TOMADOL® 91-6, from Air Products and Chemicals, Allentown,
PA) are particularly suitable for having a favorable aquatic toxicity profile.
[0040] The components of the compositions according to the invention may be
combined and mixed in any order using conventional mixing methods. Examples of
conventional mixing methods include, but are not limited to, placing in a container such as a
beaker or Erlenmeyer flask with a magnetic stirrer, or mixing in a container with an overhead
Santa Clara, CA) at about 150 to about 400 rpm, or at about 200 to about 300 rpm. The
components may be mixed together until homogenous. The components may be mixed
cold, without the addition of heat.
[0041] The coating removal compositions may be applied to surfaces, such as coated
substrates to be stripped, and the composition may be allowed to contact the coating or the
surface or both. Surfaces may include, but are not limited to, floors, counters, walls, or other
hard surfaces. The surface may comprise materials including, but not limited to, vinyl,
ceramics, marble, terrazzo, linoleum, concrete, rubber, granite, or combinations thereof.
Coatings which may be stripped using the stripping compositions of the invention include at
least one of paint, resin, epoxy, lacquer, sealant, finish, other coatings and combinations
thereof. Examples of coating materials include, but are not limited to, urethane, acrylic,
polymer, grease, wax, oil, or combinations thereof. Coatings may include a single layer or
multiple layers of the same or different compositions.
[0042] The stripping compositions may be applied to at least one of the surface, the
coating, and both for a period of contact time (e.g., about 0 to about 0 to about 30 min)
before removing the coating. Applying may include any number of techniques including, but
not limited to, mopping, pouring, spraying, sprinkling, brushing, immersing, dispensing from
a suitable dispenser, etc. Among other things, pads, sponges, three-dimensional non-woven
pads, natural or synthetic fiber-based cloths or mops, and other fabrics may be used to apply
the stripping compositions or remove the coatings. Additionally, mopping, spraying,
abrading, vigorous agitating, applying friction, applying pressure, using automatic scrubbers,
vacuuming, flushing with water, etc. may be used to remove the coatings after application of
the stripping compositions. The material may be attached to a conventional floor
maintenance machine including, but not limited to, swing machines from manufacturers such
as TASKI (e.g., TASKl Ergodisc 200 from Diversey, Sturtevant, W!), Tennant (Minneapolis,
N), and Clarke (Plymouth MN), and auto-scrubbers from manufacturers such as TASKI
(Diversey, Sturtevant, i), Tennant (Minneapolis, MN), Clarke (Plymouth MN), and Tomcat
(e.g., Tomcat Magnum - 26 inch from Tomcat, Racine, Wi).
[0043] The compositions according to the invention may effectively remove at least one
coating from a surface when diluted to at least about 1:6, at least about 1:8, at least about
1:10, at least about 1:15, at least about 1:20, at least about 1:30, at least about 1:40, or at
least about 1:50, whereas conventional super concentrated strippers are typically diluted
much less, for example, to :4.
[0044] The following examples are intended to further illustrate the invention to those
skilled in the art and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention set forth
in the claims.
EXAMPLES
[0045] Example 1, Formulation 1
[0046] A composition was prepared according to Table 1 ("Formulation 1").
Table 1. Formulation 1.
[0047] The components were mixed together using a beaker and magnetic stirrer for 2-5
min until homogenous. The pH was 12.00, the free alkalinity was 6.1 meq/g, the total
alkalinity was 6.9 meq/g, the viscosity was 20 cps, and the density was 8.69 lbs/gallon.
[0048] Example 2. Formulation 2
[0049] A composition was prepared according to Table 2 ("Formulation 2").
Table 2. Formulation 2.
[0050] The components were mixed together using a beaker and magnetic stirrer for 2-5
min until homogenous.
[0051] Example 3. Stripping Efficiency
[0052] A stripped VCT tile was coated with ten coats of desired floor finish or sealer
(SIGNATURE™, VECTRA™, or PREMIA™, from Diversey, Inc., Sturtevant, Wl). VCT tiles
are vinyl composition tiles manufactured by, for example, Tarkett (Nanterre, France),
Armstrong (Lancaster, PA), and Azrock (Houston, TX). Each coat was numbered with a
grease pencil, wherein "10" was marked under the 10th coat, "9° was marked under the 9th
coat, etc. The tile was then baked in an oven at 120°F for four days. After baking the tile
was cut into 2-inch strips. The tile was placed into Byk-Gardner Scrubber (Byk-Gardner,
Columbia, MD). Formulation 1 (Example 1) was diluted with water to 1:12, 1:16, and 1:20.
30 mL of each dilution was placed on the tile strip. The Byk-Gardner Scrubber, with a red
pad attached (3M™ Red Buffer Pad 5100 from 3M, St. Paul, MN), was started on the tile.
The number of cycles necessary to remove each respective coat was monitored and
recorded. Complete removal of a layer was determined once the next layer's number in
grease pencil was completely gone. For comparison, the process was repeated for
FASTRIP™, FREEDOM® SC, and FULL IMPACT™ stripping compositions (Diversey, Inc.,
Sturtevant, Wl). As shown in Tables 3 through 5 and Figures 1 through 3, Formulation 1
demonstrated comparable or improved stripping performance on SIGNATURE™,
VECTRA™, and PREMIA™ floor finishes, respectively, compared to FASTRIP™,
FREEDOM® SC, and FULL IMPACT™ super concentrated stripping compositions.

[0053] Example 4. Foam Height
[0054] Formulation 1 (Example 1) was diluted to 1:12, :16, and 1:20. 50 mL of each
dilution was placed into a 250 mL graduated cylinder. A stopper was placed on top of the
cylinder, and the cylinder was inverted ten times. The foam height, measured in mL, was
the height of the foam and iiquid. The initial foam height was recorded, as well as the foam
height after 1 min, 2 min, and 5 min of sitting. The process was repeated for Formulation 2
(Example 2) as well as FASTRIP™, FREEDOM® SC, and FULL IMPACT™ stripping
compositions for comparison. The humidity for al! trials was 50%. As shown in Table 6,
Formulations 1 and 2 were low-foaming compared to FASTRIP™, FREEDOM® SC, and
FULL IMPACT™ stripping compositions. Comparative foam height initially and at 5 min is
shown graphically in Figure 4 and Figure 5, respectively.
[0055] Example 5. Cloud Point Evaluation
[0056] Cloud point was determined for the compositions as an indicator of the stability of
formation. 200 g of Formulation 1 (Example 1) without dilution was placed into two PETE
bottles. One bottle was placed in an oven at 120°F overnight, and the other bottle was
placed in a refrigerator at 40 F overnight. The composition in the bottles was then observed
for cloudiness and phase separation. The bottles were kept at 120°F and 40°F for one
month, and the composition in the bottles was observed again for cloudiness and phase
Formulation 2 were clear and stable with no sediment present at both the overnight and onemonth
time points.
[0057] Example 6. Hard Water Stability
[0058] Formulation 1 (Example 1) was diluted to 1:12, 1:16, and 1:20 using 300 ppm
hard water. The hard water was prepared by dissolving 1 g of CaC0 3 in 1000 g of deionized
water to make a 1000 ppm solution of CaC0 . Then, 1200 mLof the 1000 ppm solution of
CaC0 3 was diluted with 2800 ml_ of deionized water in a 4000 m!_ beaker, to yield a 300
ppm solution of CaC0 3. Each dilution was observed for appearance, haze, floccuiation, and
phase separation. The process was repeated for Formulation 2 (Example 2) as well as
FASTRIP™ and FREEDOM® SC stripping compositions for comparison. If no precipitate
formed (solution was clear), the solution was classified as stable. A cloudy or hazy
appearance was classified as less stable but functional. Results are shown in Table 7.
Table 7. Hard Water Stability.
[0059] Example 7. Floor Finish Removal
[0060] Formulation 1 (Example 1) and Formulation 2 (Example 2) were diluted to :20
and to 1: 5. Each dilution was tested on floors with various floor coatings. A heavy coat
was determined to cover about 1000 to about 1500 ft2/gallon, a normal coat was determined
to cover about 2000 ft /gallon, and a thin coat was determined to cover more than about
2500 if/gallon.
[0061] A 1:20 dilution of Formulation 1 was spread on a floor coated with 4 heavy coats
of HIGH MILEAGE™ floor finish (Diversey, Inc., Sturtevant, Wl). The foam height was low,
and the formulation spread evenly on the floor. The floor finish was completely removed in
one stripping cycle using a cotton mop and a Byk-Gardner Scrubber with a red pad attached
(3 ™ Red Buffer Pad 5100 from 3M, St. Paul, MN).
[0062] A 1:20 dilution of Formulation 1 was spread on a floor coated with 8 normal coats
of SIGNATURE™floor finish (Diversey, Inc., Sturtevant, Wl). The foam height was low, and
the formulation spread evenly on the floor. The floor finish was completely removed in 5 min
of dwell time. No rewet was required, i.e., the composition sheeted well and did not dry in 5
min.
[0063] A :20 dilution of Formulation 1 was spread on a floor coated with 3 coats of
FRESH TIMESAVER™ floor finish (Diversey, Inc., Sturtevant, Wl). The foam height was
low, and the formulation spread evenly on the floor. The floor finish was completely
removed in one stripping cycle using a cotton mop and a Byk-Gardner Scrubber with a red
pad attached (3M™ Red Buffer Pad 5 00 from 3M, St. Paul, MN).
[0064] A :20 dilution of Formulation 2 was spread on a floor coated with 8 coats of
SIGNATURE™ floor finish (Diversey, Inc., Sturtevant, W!). The foam was low, and the
formulation spread evenly on the floor. The floor finish was completely removed in one
stripping cycle using a cotton mop and a Byk-Gardner Scrubber with a red pad attached
(3M™ Red Buffer Pad 5 100 from 3M, St. Paul, MN).
[0065] A 1:15 dilution of Formulation 2 was spread on a floor coated with 8 coats of
SIGNATURE™ floor finish (Diversey, inc., Sturtevant, Wl). The foam was low, and the
formulation spread evenly on the floor. The dilution was viscous during stripping. The floor
finish was completely removed in one stripping cycle using a cotton mop and a Byk-Gardner
Scrubber with a red pad attached (3M™ Red Buffer Pad 5100 from 3M, St. Paul, MN).
[0066] Example 8. Surfactant Ratio
[0067] Compositions 1-24 were prepared and mixed according to Table 8.

[0068] To test foaming, a 50 mL dilution product ( :20 dilution) of each composition was
placed into a 250 mL graduated cylinder. A stopper was placed on the top of the cylinder,
and the cylinder was inverted 0 times. The foam height, measured in mL, was the height of
the foam and liquid. The initial foam height was recorded as well as the foam height after 1
min, 2 min, and 5 min. The rating system was the following:
foam height of 150+ mL = high foam
foam height of 100 - 50 mL = moderate foam
foam height of 75 - 100 mL = low foam
foam height of 50 - 75 mL = very low foam
[0069] To test surface tension, the Wilheimy plate method was used with a Kruss
branded tensiometer and a plate made of platinum. 50-75 mL of diluted (1:20 dilution)
product was used to make the measurements. Briefly, the platinum plate was cleaned
thoroughly and attached to a scale or balance via a thin metal wire. The force (F) on the
plate due to wetting was measured via the Kruss branded tensiometer and used to calculate
the surface tension (s) using the Wilheimy equation: s = [F/(2/-cosG)], wherein / is the wetted
length of the Wilheimy plate and Qis the contact angle between the liquid phase and the
plate.
[0070] To test the wetting properties of the compositions, a 2" x 12" VCT tile was dip
coated with 3 coats of TIMESAVER™ Floor finish (Diversey, Inc.) and allowed to cure for 3-5
days. A wire round draw down bar (RDS 10; Webster, NY) was used, which yielded a wet
film of liquid approximately 22.86 mih . 1 mL of diluted (1:20 dilution) product was drawn
down the tile using the RDS 10 wire round bar. The wetting was rated on a scale of 0 to 6,
with 0 being a poor wetting and 6 being outstanding wetting.
[0071] The foam height, surface tension, and wetting properties for compositions 1-24
were compared to those for FREEDOM® SC, PRO STRIP™ (Diversey, Sturtevant, Wl), and
water. FREEDOM® SC and PRO STRIP™ were used as positive standards (a rating of 3),
and water was used as a negative standard (a rating of 0). Results are shown in Tables 9
and 10.

[0072] Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a composition for stripping a
coating from a surface. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the
following claims.
CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
. A composition suitable for stripping coatings from a surface, the composition
comprising:
a) a solvent; and
b) an organic functional amine, wherein the composition comprises solvent and
5Dnt ofaTleasf¾bout 7
composition.
2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the solvent is in an amount of about 25 to about
50% by weight of the composition.
3. The composition of any one of the above claims, wherein the solvent comprises at
least one of benzyl alcohol, diethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol butyl ether,
ethylene glycol phenyl ether, and propylene glycol phenyl ether.
4. The composition of any one of the above claims, wherein the solvent comprises
benzyl alcohol.
5. The composition of any one of the above claims, wherein the solvent and the organic
functional amine together are in an amount of about 75-95% by weight of the composition.
6. The composition of any one of the above claims, wherein the organic functional
amine comprises at least one of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethano!amine,
monoisopropanoiamine, and a combination thereof.
7. The composition of any one of the above claims, wherein the composition further
comprises at least two surfactants.
8. The composition of claim 7, wherein the surfactants are selected from the group
consisting of anionic, nonionic, and amphoteric surfactants.
9. The composition of claim 7, wherein the at least one surfactant comprises at least a
primary alcohol ethoxylate, a secondary alcohol ethoxylate, an alkyi polyglucoside, an alkyi
diphenyloxide disulfonates, amine oxides, or a combination thereof.
10. The composition of any one of claims 7-9, wherein the at least two surfactants are
present in a ratio of about 1:6 to about 6:1 .
1 . The composition of claim 10 , wherein the at least two surfactants are present in a
ratio of about 1:1 .
biodegradable.
13. The composition of claim 12, wherein the composition passes at least one of the
OECD TG 301 A and TG 301 E tests.
14. The composition of claim 12, wherein the composition passes at least one of the
OECD TG 301 B, TG 301 C, TG 301 D, and TG 301 F tests.
15. The composition of any one of the above claims, wherein the composition has a fish
LC value of at least 100 mg/L.
6. The composition of any one of the above claims, wherein the composition is
substantially free of fluorochemicals and substantially free of fatty acids.
17 . The composition of any one of the above claims, wherein the composition is very low
foam to moderate foam.
18. A method of stripping a coating at least partially on a surface, the method comprising
applying the composition of any one of the above claims to the coating.
19. A composition suitable for stripping coatings from a surface, the composition
comprising:
a) benzyl alcohol in an amount of about 25 to about 50% by weight of the
composition; and
b) an organic functional amine in an amount of about 25 to about 50% by weight
of the composition, wherein the composition is substantially free of fatty acid.
20. The composition of claim 19, wherein the organic functional amine comprises at least
one of monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, monoisopropanolamine, and a
combination thereof.
2 1. The composition of any one of claims 19-20, wherein the composition further
comprises at least one surfactant.
-22. T e composition of claim 21, wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the
group consisting of anionic and nonionic surfactants.
23. The composition of claim 2 1, wherein the at least one surfactant is selected from the
group consisting of primary alcohol ethoxylates, secondary alcohol ethoxylates, alkyl
polyglucosides, amine oxides, and alkyl diphenyloxide disutfonates.
24. The composition of any one of claims 21-23, wherein the composition comprises at
least two surfactants present in a ratio of about 1:6 to about 6:1.
25. The composition of claim 24, wherein the composition comprises at least two
surfactants present in a ratio of about 1:1.
26. The composition of any one of claims 19-25, wherein the composition is substantially
free of fluorochemicals and fatty acids.
27. The composition of any one of claims 19-26, wherein the composition is
biodegradable.
28. The composition of claim 27, wherein the composition passes at least one of the
OECD TG 301 A and TG 301 E tests.
29. The composition of claim 27, wherein the composition passes at least one of the
OECD TG 301 B, TG 301 C, TG 301 D, and TG 301 F tests.
30. The composition of any one of claims 19-29, wherein the composition has a fish LC 0
value of at least 100 mg/L.
3 1. The composition of any one of claims 19-30, wherein the composition is very low
foam to moderate foam.
32. A method of stripping a coating from a surface, the method comprising applying the
composition of any one of claims 19-31 to the coating.
33. A composition suitable for stripping coatings from a surface, the composition
comprising:
a) benzyl alcohol;
b) an organic functional amine; and
c) at least two surfactants, wherein the surfactants are present in a ratio of about
1:6 to about 6:1.
34. The composition of claim 33, wherein the surfactants are present in a ratio of about
1:1.
35. The composition of any one of claims 33-34, wherein the organic functional amine is
selected from the group consisting of monoethanolamine, diethano!amine,
monoisopropanolamine, and triethanolamine.
36. The composition of any one of claims 33-35, wherein at least one surfactant is
selected from the group consisting of anionic and nonionic surfactants.
37. The composition of any one of claims 33-35, wherein at least one surfactant is
selected from the group consisting of primary alcohol ethoxylates, secondary alcohol
ethoxylates, alkyl polyglucosides, amine oxides, and alkyl diphenyloxtde disulfonates.
38. The composition of any one of claims 33-37, wherein the composition is substantially
free of fluorochemicals and fatty acids.
39. The composition of any one of claims 33-38, wherein the composition is
biodegradable.
40. The composition of claim 39, wherein the composition passes at least one of the
OECD TG 301 A and TG 301 E tests.
4 . The composition of claim 39, wherein the composition passes at least one of the
OECD TG 301 B, TG 301 C, TG 301 D, and TG 301 F tests.
42. The composition of any one of claims 33-41 , wherein the composition has a fish LC50
value of at least 100 mg/L.
43. The composition of any one of claims 33-42, wherein the composition is very low
foam to moderate foam.
44. A method of stripping a coating from a surface, the method comprising applying the
composition of any one of claims 33-43 to the coating.