FORM 2
THE PATENT ACT, 1970
(39 of 1970)
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
&
The Patents Rules, 2003
As amended by the Patents (Amendment) Rules, 2006
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(See section 10 and rule 13)
TITLE OF THE INVENTION
TRANSPARENT COMPOSITION FOR SEALING CRACKS ON A SURFACE AND
PREPARATION THEREOF
APPLICANTS Aditya Birla Science and Technology Company Pvt Ltd,
of address Plot number 1 and 1-A/1, Taloja, MIDC, Taluka- Panvel, District- Raigad,
Maharashtra- 410208, India
PREAMBLE TO THE DESCRIPTION
The following specification particularly describes this invention and the manner in which it is to
be performed:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention is directed to a composition for the sealing of cracks. More specifically the invention is directed to a composition for sealing cracks on surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Non-structural cracks or minor cracks occur in a building after a few days of construction or later due to various reasons (e.g. expansion and contraction of building materials which is caused by a change in temperature and moisture content, etc.).
[003] Various techniques are known in the art for sealing or filling cracks in structures. A conventional method for sealing cracks on vertical surfaces is crack injection, where an applicator drills holes in the structure proximate the crack. Then an injection resin is pumped under high pressure into structure surrounding the crack. The injected resin seeps its way into the crack from the inside of the structure and gradually fills the crack. Various resinous materials for use as injection resins are known in the art.
[003] Another technique for filling cracks in a structure includes the attachment of small plastic ports to a surface directly on the face of a crack, after which the crack is thoroughly sealed with a two component epoxy resin or other type of mortar and a thermosetting material (epoxy) is inserted or pushed into the crack using a caulking gun or other similar device. As such, the two component resin is forced under pressure into the cracks. Various other techniques, with variations of the above techniques, exist, such as using a penetrating sealer or sealers which fill hairline cracks due to capillary action.
[004] Another technique to repair cracks on a surface involves surface preparation i.e. crack that appears on a wall surface are first widened and cleaned of dirt and then a crack filler is applied like putty. Once putty is applied on these cracks, the repaired surface requires curing, drying and levelling to get a smooth finish. Thereafter, paint is applied on the wall surface to blend the

repaired patch. This entire process of repairing cracks on a wall surface is not only time consuming but labour intensive as well.
[005] A major drawback with the above mentioned filler materials is that, once applied onto a surface, the patched layer stands out visually due to the contrasting colours. For example, sealants known in prior art when applied onto a crack on a surface having a specific colour, sealant upon curing will be in a different colour. The sealing performed using known composition stands out visually due to contrasting colours. However, our patent is on transparent colour so this drawback may not be addressed.
[006] Thus there is a need for transparent filler composition which can be applied onto a crack that blends (transparent wont blend in and surrounding colour will stand out) with the original colour of the surface, thereby overcoming some of the problems of the prior art.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[007] An object of the present invention there is to provide a composition for sealing cracks on a surface.
[008] Another object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned difficulties, i.e. to provide a composition for sealing cracks on a surface wherein the sealant composition is transparent after curing.
[009] Another object of the invention is to provide a method for preparing the composition for sealing cracks on a surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[010] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a composition for sealing a crack on a surface, the composition comprising:

- at least one dispersing agent;
- at least one thickener;
- at least one hydrophilic polymer;
- ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol;
- cement;
- at least one elastomeric acrylic co-polymer;
- at least one coalescing agent; and
- at least one preservative.
[011] In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a composition for sealing cracks on a surface. In an aspect, the composition optionally comprises of water.
[012] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method for preparing the sealing composition comprising the steps of;
(a) contacting at least one dispersing agent, at least one thickener, at least one hydrophilic polymer, ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol, at least one binder material, at least one elastomeric acrylic co-polymer, at least one coalescing agent; and at least one preservative; and
(b) homogenising mixture of step (a) by mixing for a predetermined duration and speed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[013] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of assisting in the explanation of the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments (where are the drawings?) which are presently preferred and considered illustrative. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown therein. In the drawings

Fig. 1 is a scanning electron microscope image of composition of claimed invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[014] In describing and claiming the invention, the following terminology will be used in accordance with the definitions set forth below. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described herein. As used herein, each of the following terms has the meaning associated with it in this section. Specific and preferred values listed below for individual process parameters, substituents, and ranges are for illustration only; they do not exclude other defined values or other values falling within the preferred defined ranges.
[015] As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[016] The terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful, and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.
[017] As used herein, the terms “comprising” “including,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e. to mean including but not limited to.
[018] Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are described. All publications and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Numeric ranges are inclusive of the numbers defining the range.

[019] The use of examples anywhere in this specification including examples of any terms discussed herein is illustrative only, and in no way limits the scope and meaning of the invention or of any exemplified term. Likewise, the invention is not limited to various embodiments given in this specification.
[020] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a composition for sealing crack on surface comprising:
- at least one dispersing agent;
- at least one thickener;
- at least one hydrophilic polymer;
- ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol;
- cement;
- at least one elastomeric acrylic co-polymer;
- at least one coalescing agent; and
- at least one preservative.
[021] In an embodiment, the amount of dispersing agent is in the range of 0.2 to 2.0 wt% to the total weight of the composition. The dispersing agent is preferably acrylic based. Dispersing agents aid in dispersing solid raw material particles to avoid coalescence
[022] In an embodiment, the amount of thickener is in the range of 0.05-1.0 wt% to the total weight of the composition. The thickener is preferably a polyurethane based thickener for optimising the flow characteristics of the composition.
[023] In an embodiment, the amount of hydrophilic polymer is in the range of 0.01-0.15 wt% to the total weight of the composition. The hydrophilic polymer is selected from a group consisting of the water absorbing polymer can be selected from a group consisting of methyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, guar gum, sodium polyacrylate, super absorbent polymers or any other cellulose based product. Hydrophilic polymers adsorb water and optimizes the viscosity of the composition.

[024] In an embodiment, the amount of ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol is in the range of 0.05-1.5 wt% to the total weight of the composition. Ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol is a wetting agent. It helps in maintaining product stability, by ensuring different raw materials do not separate out.
[025] In an embodiment, the amount of cement is in the range of 0.1-2.0 wt% to the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the cement is either grey cement or white cement.
[026] Presence of cement increases the pH or the alkalinity from 7 to 11 of the composition. This assists in making the product alkali resistant and activate certain raw materials in it. Conventionally, ammonia is added for increasing pH which is harmful for health. The present composition is devoid of ammonia and yet the product is alkaline and alkali resistant.
[027] In an embodiment, the amount of elastomeric acrylic co-polymer is in the range of 85-97 wt% to the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the elastomeric acrylic co-polymer is in the form of emulsion. Acrylic emulsion has been used as a primary binder in the system. Further, the elastomeric property of the used emulsion enables crack filler to accommodate expansion or contraction of crack.
[028] In an embodiment, the amount of coalescing agent is in the range of 1.0-5.0 wt% to the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, coalescing agent is an ester alcohol. Coalescing agents aid in coherent film formation during curing of composition.
[029] In an embodiment, the amount of preservative is in the range of 0.1-1.0 wt% to the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, the preservative is isothiazolinone. The addition of preservative enhances the shelf-life of the composition.
[030] In an embodiment, the composition further comprises of diethyl glycol. In an embodiment, the amount of diethyl glycol is in the range of 1.0-5.0 wt% to the total weight of the composition. Diethyl glycol mitigates the possibility of the composition solidifying in cold weather.

[031] In an embodiment, the composition further comprises of at least one biocide. In an embodiment, the amount of biocide is in the range of 0.3-1.5 wt% to the total weight of the composition. In an embodiment, biocide may be selected from a group consisting of diuron, carbendazim, isothiazolinones and combinations thereof. The biocide prevents growth of microorganism to the surface where the composition is applied to and also another biocide which prevents growth of microorganism while the product is in the bottle, thus contributing towards enhanced shelf life of the product
[032] In an embodiment, the present invention provides a method for preparing the composition for sealing crack on surface comprising:
(c) contacting at least one dispersing agent, at least one thickener, at least one hydrophilic polymer, ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol, cement, at least one elastomeric acrylic co-polymer, at least one coalescing agent; and at least one preservative; and
(d) homogenising mixture of step (a) by mixing for a predetermined duration and speed.
[033] In another embodiment, the method optionally comprises of adding at least one biocide and diethyl glycol to step (a).
[034] In an embodiment, the duration of mixing is in the range of 10 to 30 minutes. It is vital to mix the ingredients at a high speed to obtain a composition with cement particles uniformly distributed. In an embodiment, the speed of mixing is in the range of 400 rpm to 2000 rpm.
[035] Owing to the high shear mixing, the average size of cement particles in the composition are below 50 μm which is verified from scanning electron images as shown in Figure 1. From the literature survey, it was found out that human eye cannot see below 50-60μm. Further, the due to high shear mixing, the cement particles are dispersed far away from each other. Therefore, after curing, cement particles of the composition are not visible with naked eye and composition looks transparent.

[036]. Upon curing, the composition is completely transparent, even with the presence of cement and other raw materials. The viscosity of the composition is such that it flows easily without formation of any lumps.
[037] In contrast to the prior art, the present invention uses a novel composition for sealing cracks on surfaces in which the combination of chemical properties allows the material to seal the crack.
[038] When applied onto a crack, the composition does not require any special sealing of the face of the crack to be sealed. Another unexpected development resulting from the novel sealer composition of the present invention is the accelerated curing.
[039] In the present application, the composition does not cure inside during packaging and transportation, but only cures after the composition is applied to cracks on a wall surface with exposure to air.
[040]. When applied on to a surface, the strength of the composition is attributed to the release of water from emulsion, which results in film formation (similar to regular paints). The composition once applied on the wall is water resistance.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[041] According to the transparent composition of the present invention, it is possible to obtain a transparent sealing over a cracked surface or a gap in a surface. The transparent sealing achieved by the composition of present application have a good tear resistance and good adhesion to the cracked surface in addition to excellent transparency. Therefore, when the transparent composition of the present invention is used for sealing a cracked surface or a gap in a surface, the sealing layer shows not only exhibits good transparency but also high mechanical strength and good adhesion.

[042] The transparent composition of the present invention is useful for sealing cracks, gaps in surfaces, such as, but not limited to, window glass for buildings, cracks in wooden surfaces, gaps between sink and the likes.
[043] The provided composition for sealing shall be attractive from the aesthetic point of view, i.e. without any visible defects, aesthetically stable and chemically and mechanically durable. Key aspect that it is a transparent product seems to be missing. The product is a multipurpose product where crack on surfaces other than wall can also be successfully sealed (e.g. tile gaps, wood, gap between sink and wall, etc.)
EXAMPLES:
WORKING EXAMPLE 1
[044] A crack sealer composition was prepared as follows:
[045] In a high shear mixer, a blend of 0.2 gm Bondex T580 gm, 0.05 gm Coapur 830W gm, 1 gm diethyl glycol freeze and thaw resistant agent, 0.01 gm Methyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose (MHEC), 0.05 gm of ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol; 0.1gm of cement; 96.09 gm Bondex EP 50U, 2 gm Texanol, 0.1 gm Preventol D7, 0.4 gm EPW at least one Biocide were added and dispersed with high shear mixing at ~1000 rpm for 20 minutes.
WORKING EXAMPLE 2
[046] A crack sealer composition was prepared as follows:
[047] In a high shear mixer, a blend of 1 gm Bondex T580, 0.7 gm Coapur 830W, 3 gm diethyl glycol freeze and thaw resistant agent, 0.15 gm Hydroxy ethyl cellulose (HEC); 0.6 gm of ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol, 0.8 gm of cement, 85.25 gm Bondex EP 50U of elastomeric acrylic co-polymer, 4 gm Texanol of coalescing agent, and 0.5 gm Preventol D7 at

least one preservative, 1 gm EPW at least one Biocide & 3 gm demineralised water were added and dispersed with high shear mixing at ~1000 rpm for 20 minutes.
[048] A simulation of a crack was prepared ~1 mm wide and half a meter long on a cement fiber tile sample. To the simulated crack the sealer composition prepared according to working example 1 and working example 2 as described above was applied. The composition easily filled the simulated crack and subsequently got cured, thus completely and permanently sealing the crack. When applied on to the tile sample, the composition was completely transparent to the human eye.
Table 1

Sample Test Code Followed Results Interpretation
Example 1 & 2 Sheen ASTM D523 56.5 Excellent sheen
Example 1 & 2 Alkali ASTM Pass Product is compatible
resistance D6943 with cement based surfaces like plastered walls
Example 1 & 2 Smoothness ISO 4287:1997 1.89 Excellent smoothness
Example 1 & 2 Stain In house Excellent: Most household stains
resistance crayon, pickle, ball point pen, mud, tea, coffee, pencil, ketchup Good:
Turmeric, gel pen
Moderate: Lipstick, permanent marker can be cleaned completely, without leaving residue
Example 1 & 2 Wet scrub ASTM Number of cycles: Excellent surface
resistance D2486 15560 adhesion
Example 1 & 2 Stability @ In house Stable for 60 days Minimum 24 months
high temperature @ 55˚C
(test continuing) shelf life
Example 1 & 2 Elongation ASTM 286 Dry film has got
(%) D882 excellent elasticity.

Once crack is filled, it is unlikely that cracks will again appear there. In current multistep solutions, crack often occurs at the same place where filling was done
Example 1 & 2 Viscosity (cP) Spindle: S64 RPM: 12 44091 For QC
Example 1 & 2 Water RILEM 0.1ml water Excellent resistance to
permeability TEST absorbed in 24 hours water permeability
Example 1 & 2 pH 11
[049] From test results and observations, it is concluded that product has excellent sheen and good smoothness. It is alkali resistant and stain resistant for maximum household products. It has excellent resistance to water permeability. Water permeability tests also show that transparent sealing composition exhibits waterproofing ability.
[050] Also, elongation of 286% indicates that even if due to development of internal stresses, crack tries to reappear at the same place, transparent DIY will show good resistance due to good elongation. Accelerated stability was checked for determining the shelf life of a product, which according to tests is coming for more than 2 years.
[051] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described hereinabove, it will be appreciated that various modifications of the present invention may be possible in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
ADVANTAGES
[052] The present invention is a do-it-yourself method of repairing cracks by applying a novel composition. It is a single step solution and doesn’t require any surface preparation. It also does

not need any additional tool. Moreover, the present composition shows good elongation (normally no one component cement based product has elongation), which ensures that crack at the same place does not occur in the wall. This is because the product stretches, and not crack, if it experiences internal stresses of the wall and thus ensure that crack does not form again. The present method eliminates the steps of curing, drying and levelling to get a smooth finish and then applying paint over it. Therefore, the present invention is simple, time saving and cost effective.
[053] The transparent sealing composition according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it is a matter of course that various configurations can be adopted therein without departing from the spirit and gist of the present invention.

We Claim:
1) A transparent sealing composition comprising:
- at least one dispersing agent in the range of 0.2 to 2.0 wt%;
- at least one thickener in the range of 0.05-1.0 wt%;
- at least one hydrophilic polymer in the range of 0.01-0.15 wt%;
- ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol in the range of 0.05-1.5 wt%;
- cement in the range of 0.1-2.0 wt%;
- at least one elastomeric acrylic co-polymer in the range of 85-97 wt%;
- at least one coalescing agent in the range of 1.0-5.0 wt%; and
- at least one preservative in the range of 0.1-1.0 wt%.

2) The transparent composition as claimed in claim 1, optionally comprises of water in the range of 0 to 7 wt%.
3) The transparent composition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one diethyl glycol in the range of 1.0-5.0 wt%.
4) The transparent composition as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one biocide in the range of 0.3-1.5 wt%, selected from a group consisting of diuron, carbendazim, isothiazolinones and combinations.
5) The transparent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dispersing agent is selected from a group consisting of carboxylate & acrylic based dispersing agents.
6) The transparent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the thickener is selected from a group consisting of poly-urethane based thickeners.
7) The transparent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hydrophilic polymer is selected from a group consisting of methyl hydroxy ethyl cellulose (mhec) , hydroxy-

ethylcellulose (hec), hydroxy propyl methyl cellulose (hpmc), guar gum, sodium polyacrylate, super absorbent polymers or any other cellulose based product.
8) The transparent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the coalescing agent is an ester alcohol, preferably texanol.
9) The transparent composition as claimed in claim 1, wherein the preservative is a compound selected from isothiazolinones or combination of isothiazolinones.
10) A method for preparing the transparent composition for sealing crack on surface comprising:

(a) contacting at least one dispersing agent, at least one thickener, at least one hydrophilic polymer, ethylene oxide condensate of alkyl phenol, cement, at least one elastomeric acrylic co-polymer, at least one coalescing agent; and at least one preservative; and
(b) homogenizing mixture of step (a) by mixing for a predetermined duration and speed.

11) The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the duration of mixing is in the range of 10 to 30 minutes.
12) The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the speed of mixing is in the range of 400 rpm to 2000 rpm.