Use of (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkyl esters of aliphatic (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monocarboxylic acids for removing fat, inks and the like from printing machines

Abstract

Use of (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkyl esters of aliphatic (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monocarboxylic acids for removing fat, inks and the like from printing apparatus, in particular from offset printing machines, and a cleaning agent for this, containing as its main component a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkyl ester of an aliphatic (C.sub.8 -C.sub.22) monocarboxylic acid or a mixture of such esters. The most suitable esters are methyl, ethyl or isopropyl esters or mixtures thereof, and particularly expedient is an ester mixture obtained by interesterification of an oleic acid containing oil or by esterification of an acid mixture having a corresponding composition. The ester or ester mixture may be admixed with up to 50% by weight of vegetable oil. Further, the ester or ester mixture or the mixture thereof with vegetable oil may be emulgated in water in such amount that the water phase comprises up to 50%, preferably 25-35% by weight of the emulsion using an emulsifier in an amount of 1-10%, preferably 3-5% by weight of the emulsion. In that case it is convenient to further add a corrosion inhibitor in an amount of up to 2%, preferably 0.5-1% by weight of the emulsion. These esters and mixtures are low viscosity substances which are excellent and quickly acting solvents for inks, etc. They are moreover biologically degradable, non-toxic and have a low vapor pressure so that they do not involve any risk for the environment.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.