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AssigneeEcolab Inc.
InventorsKim R. Smith, Mark D. Levitt, Robert D. P. Hei, Keith E. Olson, Bryan M. Anderson
Estimating the term…
A pseudo-stable phase-splitting solvent composition that forms a single liquid phase when subjected to mild agitation and retains that single phase while the composition is applied to a surface, but which forms two or more laminar liquid phases promptly after being applied. A concentrated solvent film forms on the surface, under a film containing the other phase. The solvent preferably is denser than water, and the composition preferably is diluted with water. This enables the solvent to attack the surface at near full strength, and provides a water seal over the solvent film. The solvent composition can be used full strength or in diluted form for cleaning, reducing the microbial population of, or degreasing a variety of surfaces, and for stripping a variety of difficult-to-remove coatings from surfaces.
A pseudo-stable phase-splitting cleaning, antimicrobial, degreasing or stripping solvent composition.
A cleaning, degreasing, antimicrobial or stripping agent comprising a concentrate and instructions for mixing the concentrate with water, the concentrate comprising a polar solvent that is denser than water 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.
An agent according to claim 37, wherein the porous surface comprises paper or fabric.
An antimicrobial composition comprising a concentrate and instructions for mixing the concentrate with water, the concentrate comprising a polar solvent that is denser than water, an antimicrobial or biocidal agent dissolved or dispersed in the solvent, and, optionally, a cosolvent or surfactant, wherein a pseudo-stable phase-splitting composition will form when the concentrate is mixed with water according to the instructions.
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 sufficiently low 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.
A method of removing soil from or reducing the antimicrobial population of a surface by contacting the surface with an aqueous dispersion of a solvent which forms split laminar phases following contact with the surface, wherein a film phase containing primarily solvent lies adjacent the surface and a film phase containing primarily water lies over the film phase containing primarily solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.