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US 9,867,895 B2Granted
Use of fluorescent polymers in marking compositions for the diagnostic determination of cleaning performance
AssigneeEcolab USA Inc.
InventorsJoseph Wegner, Erin Brown, Jeffery Atkins, Paul Zinn, Robert Walicki, Lanhua Hu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The present invention generally relates to fluorescent marking compositions and their use to determine whether a surface has been cleaned. More particularly, the marking compositions comprise fluorescent polymers.
Claims35
A method for evaluating cleaning of a surface, the method comprising:
- applying an amount of indicator material to the surface within a space, the indicator material comprising a water-dispersible fluorescent polymer from polymerization of one or more polymerizable fluorescent monomer units and one or more polymerizable non-fluorescent monomer units and having a weight average molecular weight of 2 to 2000 kDa, light absorption spectrum in the range of about 310 to about 400 nm, and light emission spectrum in the range of about 400 to about 750 nm upon exposure to UV radiation;
- allowing the indicator material to dry;
- allowing for the surface to be cleaned;
- and
- determining if any of the indicator material remains on the surface by exposing the surface to UV radiation.
2 more elements
A kit for evaluating cleaning of a surface, the kit comprising:
- an applicator;
- an indicator material comprising a water-dispersible fluorescent polymer from polymerization of one or more polymerizable fluorescent monomer units and one or more polymerizable non-fluorescent monomer units and having a weight average molecular weight of 2 to 2000 kDa, light absorption spectrum in the range of about 310 to about 400 nm, and light emission spectrum in the range of about 400 to about 750 nm upon exposure to UV radiation;
- and
- a portable ultraviolet light emitting light source.
1 more element
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.