Compositions and method for floor cleaning or restoration

Abstract
The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods of using the compositions for treating a floor surface. The disclosed compositions clean the floor surface, repair damage, or maintain the original look of the floor. The disclosed compositions also do not provide a permanent finish on the floor, are temporary coatings, or do not significantly change the gloss of the floor after application.
Description
FIELD

The present disclosure relates to compositions and methods of using the compositions for treating a floor surface. The disclosed compositions clean the floor surface, repair damage, or maintain the original look of the floor. The disclosed compositions also do not provide a permanent finish on the floor, are temporary, do not significantly increase the gloss of the floor after application, or do not significantly change the finish appearance of the floor after application.


BACKGROUND

All flooring is subject to wear and tear over time. Flooring materials may be treated by the manufacturer or treated after installation to prevent or delay wear. Improved vinyl flooring materials, sometimes called luxury vinyl flooring, have become increasingly popular in both residential and commercial settings. Previously relegated to residential use, the evolution of better protective coatings, or “wear layers,” have allowed penetration into markets such as acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, hospitality, office buildings, schools, universities, and retail settings.


In traditional vinyl composite tile (VCT) flooring, the vinyl is treated with a finish that wears out relatively quickly with use and needs to be restored. In contrast, in certain high-end luxury vinyl floor materials, an extremely hard and durable wear layer is used that resists wear and is virtually maintenance free or requires very little maintenance. This layer makes luxury vinyl floor materials virtually maintenance free in residential locations. However, when such flooring materials are used in high traffic areas, for example in commercial buildings, such as retail stores, restaurants, hotels, health care facilities, hospitals, long term care facilities, etc., over time even the extremely hard wear layer can become worn and require maintenance. Because of the resistant quality of the wear layer due to highly cross-linked systems and other novel chemistries, typical restoration measures have been found ineffective. The wear layer is resistant to typical stripping materials and methods, and conventional floor finishes often fail to adhere to the floor.


SUMMARY

In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to floor care compositions with a wax, a resin, a surfactant, and diluent. The particular wax, resin, surfactant, and diluent can be each independently selected from the list of those materials described herein.


In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to floor care compositions with a wax, a resin, a surfactant, and diluent. In a preferred embodiment, the wax is a polyethylene wax emulsion, the resin is an acrylic copolymer emulsion, the surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate and the diluent is a glycol ether.


In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of restoring a floor by applying a composition to the floor. The composition has a wax, a resin, a surfactant, and diluent. In a preferred embodiment, the wax is a polyethylene wax emulsion, the resin is an acrylic copolymer emulsion, the surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate and the diluent is a glycol ether. In the method, the application of the composition to the floor does not change the gloss on the floor by more than 3 points when measured at 60°.


In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of restoring a floor by applying a composition to the floor. The composition has a wax, a resin, a surfactant, and diluent. In a preferred embodiment, the wax is a polyethylene wax emulsion, the resin is an acrylic copolymer emulsion, the surfactant is an alcohol ethoxylate and the diluent is a glycol ether. In the method, consecutive application of the composition results in a build-up of layers on the floor that is less than 2 μm thick.


In some embodiments, the present disclosure relates to a method of cleaning a floor by applying a composition to the floor. The composition has from about 0.001 to about 0.1 wt. % of a polyethylene wax emulsion, from about 0.01 to about 0.5 wt. % acrylic copolymer emulsion, from about 0.005 to about 0.5 wt. % of an alcohol ethoxylate, from about 0.001 to about 0.15 wt. % a glycol ether solvent, and water.





BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS


FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of a layered floor material.





DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for maintaining a floor surface. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and compositions for cleaning or restoring a floor surface. The disclosed compositions can be used on a variety of floors but are especially useful on a specialty floor surface such as luxury vinyl tiles, linoleum, rubber and sheet vinyl.


Conventional floor finishes (sometimes referred to as floor polishes, emulsions, waxes, sealers or sealer-finishes) are typically applied by first stripping any previous layers of floor finish off of the floor surface and then applying one or more layers of floor finish composition to the surface. Stripping may be done by using a stripping composition or by mechanical means, or both. The finish composition may be applied and spread onto the prepared (stripped) floor surface by pouring, mopping, spraying, or by other application means, such as a floor cleaning machine. Floor finish compositions may be cured by, for example, chemical curing or by using UV. The cured finish can further be polished or buffed for a glossy, easy-to-maintain finish.


Certain flooring materials, such as high durability luxury vinyl floors, are resistant to conventional stripping compositions and methods, as well as conventional floor finishes. As shown in FIG. 1, luxury vinyl flooring 1 is typically manufactured as a multi-layer product that includes a core layer 10 (e.g., fiberboard core) and a decorative colored and/or textured layer 20 that may imitate various other materials, such as wood, stone, tile, etc. The decorative layer is usually covered by a transparent wear layer 30 that protects that decorative layer. The flooring may also include an undersurface 40.


High durability vinyl floors may have a wear layer that includes polysiloxane, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane-reinforced PVC, polyurethane, UV-coated polyurethane, or aluminum oxide or quartz-enhanced polyurethane. While such materials are resistant to both chemical and physical wear, over time even high-durability floors need to be maintained, especially those exposed to high traffic, commercial, or industrial use.


The disclosed compositions apply a coating to the floor that is temporary or not permanent. As used in this disclosure, the phrases “temporary” or “not permanent” mean that the coating wears off with normal wear and tear or foot traffic. The composition can also be removed using a neutral or alkaline floor cleaner, diluted floor stripper, or light pressure. The intense mechanical action or concentrated chemicals traditionally used in a floor stripping process are not required to remove the coating.


The term “weight percent,” “wt-%,” “percent by weight,” “% by weight,” and variations of the same refer to the concentration of a substance as the weight of the substance relative to the total weight of the composition. The terms “percent” and “%” are intended to be synonymous with “weight percent” and “wt-%” unless specifically otherwise indicated.


The term “substantially free” is used here to indicate that no substantial amounts (e.g., no more than incidental amounts, such as about 0.1%, about 0.5%, about 1%, about 2%, about 3%, or about 5%) of the component are included in the product.


The disclosed compositions provide the dual benefits of cleaning and restoring the floor surface by simultaneously lifting and removing soil from the floor and depositing a thin layer of protective film into the surface scratches caused by wear and tear on the floor. By depositing such a thin layer of film, the compositions do not “coat” the floor as a traditional floor finish would. The absence of a coating means that after treatment with the disclosed compositions, there isn't a coating that needs to be maintained as a traditional floor coating would (e.g., removal, reapplication, buffing, or burnishing). The “no maintenance” benefit of the floor remains intact because the compositions do not increase the maintenance efforts or create a need for burnishing or recoating. No coating also means that the original look of the floor remains unchanged. The floor retains its home-like appearance and does not gain a plastic look to the surface. The disclosed compositions do not modify the gloss of the floor, the opacity of the top coating on the floor, or cause the pattern on the floor to be obstructed or appear hazy. The compositions are intended to be temporary or not permanent. In some embodiments, once the composition is applied to a floor, the composition does not increase the gloss of the floor when measured at 60° by more than 5 points after 5 consecutive applications, after 10 consecutive applications, or after 20 consecutive applications, as measured using an industry-standard gloss meter such as the micro-TRI-gloss from Byk. In some embodiments, applying the composition to a floor causes a build-up of layers that is less than 10 μm thick, less than 5 μm thick, or less than 2 μm thick after 5 consecutive applications. For comparison, a typical floor finish creates a coating that is approximately 20-40 μm thick.


Composition


The composition comprises a resin, one or more surfactants, and diluent. In some embodiments, the composition includes a plasticizer. In some embodiments, the composition is free or substantially free of a plasticizer. In some embodiments, the composition is free or substantially free of urethanes. In some embodiments, the composition does not cure on the floor surface and the disclosed method does not include curing the floor care composition.


The composition may further comprise additional functional components, including one or more waxes, organic solvents, diluents, thickeners, wetting agents, pH modifiers or buffers, hydrotropes, solubilizers, defoamers, and plasticizers or coalescents. The composition may also include additional components to improve the appearance of the composition, such as fragrances and dyes.


Examples of suitable waxes include waxes, wax emulsions, and wax dispersions or mixtures of waxes of a vegetable, animal, synthetic, and/or mineral origin. Representative waxes include, for example, carnuba, candelilla, lanolin, stearin, beeswax, oxidized polyethylene wax, polyethylene emulsions, polypropylene, copolymers of ethylene and acrylic esters, hydrogenated coconut oil or soybean oil, and the mineral waxes such as paraffin or ceresin. One preferred wax is a polyethylene wax emulsion.


Examples of suitable resins include natural resins or polymers such as rosin resin, synthetic resin, addition polymers such as acrylic polymers or styrene/acrylic polymers, condensation polymers such as polyester polymers, polyurethane polymers, polyether polymers, polyaldehyde polymers, polycarbonates, polyamides, and combinations thereof. The polymers typically have a molecular weight of about 500-2000. Exemplary organic polymers include copolymers of styrene or vinyl toluene with at least one α-β-monoethylenically unsaturated acid or anhydride such as styrene-maleic anhydride resins, rosin/maleic anhydride adducts which are condensed with polyols, and the like. Exemplary acrylic polymers include, but are not limited to, methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate/methacrylic acid (MMA/BA/MAA) copolymers, methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate/acrylic acid (MMA/BA/AA) polymers, and the like. Exemplary styrene-acrylic polymers include, but are not limited to, styrene/methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate/methacrylic acid (S/MMA/BA/MMA) copolymers, styrene/methyl methacrylate/butyl acrylate/acrylic acid (S/MMA/BA/AA) copolymers, and the like. One preferred acrylic polymer is Mor-Glo 2, a 38% active emulsion from Omnova Solutions, Inc., of Chester S.C.


Examples of suitable organic solvents include short or long chain or cyclic alcohols (e.g., ethanol, isopropanol), amines, amides, ethers (e.g., hydroxyethers), ketones, dialkyl carbonates, essential oils, esters (e.g., cyclic esters, dibasic esters and phthalate esters), oxygenated solvents (e.g., glycol ethers) and mixtures thereof. Exemplary solvents include acetamidophenol, acetanilide, acetophenone, 2-acetyl-1-methylpyrrole, benzyl acetate, benzyl alcohol, benzyl benzoate, benzyloxyethanol, ethylene glycol phenyl ether, propylene glycol phenyl ether, 2-(2-aminoethoxy)ethanol, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, water-soluble or water-dispersible polymeric amines such as poly(ethylene imine), amyl acetate, amyl alcohol, butanol, 3-butoxyethyl-2-propanol, butyl acetate, n-butyl propionate, cyclohexanone, diacetone alcohol, diethoxyethanol, diethylene glycol methyl ether, diisobutyl carbinol, diisobutyl ketone, dimethyl heptanol, dipropylene glycol tert-butyl ether, ethanol, ethyl acetate, 2-ethylhexanol, ethyl propionate, ethylene glycol, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, glycerin, hexanol, isobutanol, isobutyl acetate, isobutyl heptyl ketone, isophorone, isopropanol, isopropyl acetate, methanol, methyl amyl alcohol, methyl n-amyl ketone, 2-methyl-1-butanol, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, 1-pentanol, n-pentyl propionate, 1-propanol, n-propyl acetate, n-propyl propionate, propylene glycol, propylene glycol ethyl ether, tripropylene glycol methyl ether, tripropylene glycol n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol n-butyl ether acetate, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol n-butyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate, diethylene glycol monohexyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl ether acetate, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monopropyl ether, ethylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, and propylene glycol monopropyl ether. Representative dialkyl carbonates include dimethyl carbonate, diethyl carbonate, dipropyl carbonate, diisopropyl carbonate and dibutyl carbonate. Representative essential oils include benzaldehyde, pinenes (alphas, betas, etc.), terpineols, terpinenes, carvone, cinnamealdehyde, borneol and its esters, citrals, ionenes, jasmine oil, limonene, dipentene, linalool and its esters. Representative dibasic esters include dimethyl adipate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl malonate, diethyl adipate, diethyl succinate, diethyl glutarate, dibutyl succinate, and dibutyl glutarate. Representative phthalate esters include dibutyl phthalate, diethylhexyl phthalate and diethyl phthalate.


Examples of suitable surfactants include water soluble or water dispersible nonionic, semi-polar nonionic, anionic, cationic, amphoteric, or zwitterionic surface-active agents, or any combination thereof. The surfactant may be a combination of surfactants.


Nonionic Surfactants


Examples of suitable nonionic surfactants include: block polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymeric compounds, including commercially available products Pluronic® and Tetronic® manufactured by BASF Corp.; condensation products of alkyl phenol with ethylene oxide, including commercially available products Igepal® manufactured by Rhone-Poulenc and Triton® manufactured by Union Carbide; condensation products of a straight or branched chain alcohol having from 4 to 24 carbon atoms with ethylene oxide, including commercially available products Lutensol® manufactured by BASF, Neodol® manufactured by Shell Chemical Co. and Alfonic® manufactured by Vista Chemical Co.; condensation products of straight or branched chain carboxylic acid with ethylene oxide, including commercially available products Nopalcol® manufactured by Henkel Corporation and Lipopeg® manufactured by Lipo Chemicals, Inc.; and alkanoic acid esters formed by reaction with glycerides, glycerin, and polyhydric alcohols.


Particular examples of non-foaming, low foaming, or defoaming nonionic surfactants include: fatty alcohol polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene adducts marketed under the trade names Genapol EP®; block polyoxypropylene-polyoxyethylene polymeric compounds with hydrophobic blocks on the outside (ends) of the molecule, sometimes referred to as “reverse” Pluronics or Tetronics, marketed under the trade names Pluronic® R and Tetronic® R; and nonionic surfactants modified by “capping” or “end blocking” terminal hydroxyl groups by reaction with a small hydrophobic molecule or by converting terminal hydroxyl groups to chloride groups. Other examples of non-foaming nonionic surfactants include alkylphenoxypolyethoxyalkanols presented in U.S. Pat. No. 2,903,486; polyalkylene glycol condensates of U.S. Pat. No. 3,048,548; defoaming nonionic surfactants U.S. Pat. No. 3,382,178, having a general formula Z[(OR)nOH]z where Z is alkoxylatable material, R is a radical, n is 10-2,000, and z is determined by the number of reactive oxyalkylatable groups; conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,677,700; and conjugated polyoxyalkylene compounds described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,674,619.


Alkoxylated (e.g., ethoxylated or propoxylated) C6-C18 fatty alcohols are suitable surfactants for use in the present compositions. An example of a suitable alkoxylated alcohol is ethoxylated C10 alcohol, commercially available as Lutensol XP® from BASF Corp., in Florham Park, N.J.


Anionic Surfactants


Anionic surfactants are useful as detersive surfactants, but also as gelling agents or as part of a gelling or thickening system, as solubilizers, and for hydrotropic effect and cloud point control. The composition may include one or more anionic surfactants. Suitable anionic surfactants for the present composition include: carboxylic acids and their salts, such as alkanoic acids and alkanoates, ester carboxylic acids (e.g. alkyl succinates), ether carboxylic acids, and the like; phosphoric acid esters and their salts; sulfonic acids and their salts, such as isethionates, alkylaryl sulfonates, alkyl sulfonates, sulfosuccinates; and sulfuric acid esters and their salts, such as alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl sulfates, and the like.


Cationic Surfactants


A commonly used group of cationic surfactants is amines, such as alkylamines and amido amines. The amine group includes, for example, alkylamines and their salts, alkyl imidazolines, ethoxylated amines, and quaternary ammonium compounds and their salts. Other cationic surfactants include sulfur (sulfonium) and phosphorus (phosphonium) based compounds that are analogous to the amine compounds.


Amphoteric and Zwitterionic Surfactants


Amphoteric and zwitterionic surfactants include derivatives of secondary and tertiary amines, derivatives of heterocyclic secondary and tertiary amines, or derivatives of quaternary ammonium, quaternary phosphonium or tertiary sulfonium compounds. The ammonium, phosphonium, or sulfonium compounds can be substituted with aliphatic substituents, e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, or hydroxyalkyl; alkylene or hydroxy alkylene; or carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate, phosphonate, or phosphate groups. Betaine and sultaine surfactants are exemplary zwitterionic surfactants for use in the composition.


In some embodiments, the composition includes a surfactant that also acts as a plasticizer to promote flexibility and plasticity in the formula. Exemplary surfactants that can also serve as a plasticizer include alcohol ethoxylates, amphoteric carboxylates, sodium sulfonates, aminocarboxylates, amine oxides, alkoxylate polymers, EO/PO copolymers, and octylaminoproprionate. The selection of the surfactant is not limited to surfactants that also have plasticizer properties and additional or different surfactants can be selected.


The composition also includes a diluent, which is typically water and may also contain one or more suitable organic solvents.


The composition may optionally include one or more thickeners. Exemplary thickeners include gums and other polysaccharides such as carrageenan, cassia gum, diutan gum, gellan gum, guar gum, gum arabic, gum tragacanth, locust bean gum, whelan gum and xanthan gum; alginates such as agar; cellulose ethers such as ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, ethyl hydroxyethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and other alkyl or hydroxyalkyl cellulose ethers; acrylic add copolymers; polyethylene oxides (e.g., high molecular weight polyethylene oxides) such as polyethylene glycols and methoxypolyethylene glycols; polyvinyl alcohols; polyvinyl pyrrolidone; starches; polyurethanes; methyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers; and mixtures thereof. The water thickeners also may include hydrophobe-modified ethoxy urethane (HEUR) thickeners, hydrophobe-modified alkali soluble emulsion (HASE) thickeners, hydrophobe-modified hydroxyethyl cellulose (HM-HEC) thickeners, and HEUR-ASE combination thickeners. The amount of thickener, expressed as solids, may be about 0.1 to about 30%, about 2 to about 20% or about 3 to about 10% of the total concentrate weight.


The composition may optionally include one or more wetting agents to assist with the spreading of the composition onto the floor. Exemplary wetting agents include anionic fluorosurfactants, silicone-modified polyacrylate, polyether-modified siloxane, polyether-modified polysiloxane, polyether-modified polydimethylsiloxane, fatty alcohol alkoxylate, and polyetheylene glycol polypropylene glycol block copolymer. The amount of wetting agent as solids, may be about 0.05 to about 0.20%, about 0.05 to about 0.50% or about 0.01 to about 1.0% of the total concentrate weight.


The pH of the composition is preferably in the range of about 5 to about 10 or about 6 to about 8. The pH can be adjusted using various bases, acids or buffering agents. Exemplary acids include organic acids such as citric acid, acetic acid, lactic acid and inorganic acids. Exemplary bases include sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide. Exemplary buffers include phosphates, carbonates, amines, bicarbonates, and citrates. Exemplary phosphates include anhydrous mono-, di-, or trisodium phosphate, sodium tripolyphosphate, tetrasodium pyrophosphate and tetrapotassium pyrophosphate. Exemplary carbonates include sodium carbonate, potassium carbonate, and sesquicarbonate. Exemplary citrates include sodium or potassium citrate. Exemplary amines include urea, diethanolamine, triethanolamine, and morpholine.


The composition may optionally include one or more hydrotropes or solubilizers. Hydrotropes can be included in compositions to aid in compositional stability and to help solubilize other components in aqueous formulations by coupling with the other components. Representative classes of hydrotropic coupling agents or solubilizers which can be employed include anionic surfactants such as alkyl sulfates and alkane sulfonates, linear alkyl benzene or naphthalene sulfonates, secondary alkane sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfates or sulfonates, alkyl phosphates or phosphonates, dialkyl sulfosuccinic acid esters, sugar esters (e.g., sorbitan esters), amine oxides (mono-, di-, or tri-alkyl) and C8-C10 alkyl glucosides. Preferred hydrotropes include n-octanesulfonate, available as NAS 8D from Ecolab, Inc., in St Paul, Minn.; n-octyl dimethylamine oxide; commonly available aromatic sulfonates such as alkyl benzene sulfonates (e.g. xylene sulfonates) or naphthalene sulfonates; and aryl or alkaryl phosphate esters or their alkoxylated analogues having 1 to about 40 ethylene, propylene or butylene oxide units. Other preferred hydrotropes include nonionic surfactants of C6-C24 alcohol alkoxylates (ethoxylates, propoxylates, or butoxylates); C6-C24 alkylphenol alkoxylates; C6-C24 alkylpolyglycosides; C6-C24 fatty acid ester ethoxylates, propoxylates or glycerides; and C4-C12 mono or dialkanolamides. The composition may contain about 0 to about 15 wt-%, about 0.005 to about 7 wt-%, about 0.1 to about 12 wt-%, about 0.5 to about 10 wt-%, about 1.0 to about 8 wt-%, or about 2.0 to about 5.0 wt-% of a hydrotrope or solubilizer.


The composition may optionally contain a plasticizer or coalescent. A plasticizing agent is typically a compound or a mixture that can associate with the polymer and thereby modify the physical properties of the polymer or of the composition itself. For example, a plasticizing agent may serve to change the hardness, flexibility, glass transition temperature (Tg) to form a continuous film. Exemplary plasticizers include butyl benzyl phthalate, dibutyl phthalate, dimethyl phthalate, triphenyl phosphate, 2-ethylhexyl benzyl phthalate, butyl cyclohexyl phthalate; mixed benzoic acid and fatty oil acid esters of pentaerythritol, polypropylene adipate) dibenzoate, diethylene glycol dibenzoate, tetrabutylthiodi-succinate, butyl phthalyl butyl glycolate, triethyl citrate, acetyl triethyl citrate, tributyl citrate, acetyl tributyl citrate, dibenzyl sebacate, tricresyl phosphate, tributoxyethyl phosphate, toluene ethyl sulfonamide, the di-2-ethylhexyl ester of hexamethylene glycol diphthalate, di-(methylcyclohexyl)-phthalate, and tributyl phosphate. Exemplary coalescents include monobutyl, monoethyl, monomethyl or other monoalkyl ethers of diethylene glycol or diproplyleneglycol, isophorone, benzyl alcohol, butyl cellosolve, and 3-methoxybutanol-1. In some embodiments, the plasticizer or coalescent is present from about 0 to about 10 wt-%, from about 0 to about 5 wt-%, or from about 0 to about 2 wt-%. In some embodiments, the amount of plasticizer is limited to less than 1.0 wt-%, or less than 0.5 wt. %. In some embodiments, the composition is free or substantially free of a plasticizer or coalescent. And in some embodiments, the composition includes a surfactant that has both surfactant properties and plasticizer properties.


The composition may optionally contain a defoamer. Exemplary defoamers are polydimethosiloxanes. In some embodiments, the defoamer is present from about 0 to about 2 wt-%, from about 0 to about 1 wt-%, or from about 0 to about 0.5 wt-%. In some embodiments, the amount of defoamer is limited to less than 0.3 wt-%, or less than 0.2 wt. %.


The composition may further comprise one or more fragrances or dyes.


The composition can be provided as a concentrate or as a ready-to-use solution. The concentrate can be used as is or can be further diluted to provide a use solution. If the composition is provided as a concentrate, the composition may be in the form of a solid (e.g., a powder, block, tablet, pellet, granule, etc.), or in the form of a liquid (e.g., a free-flowing liquid, a thickened liquid, an emulsion, a gel, or a paste). The ready-to-use solution can be formulated as a water-thin liquid, thickened liquid, emulsion, gel or paste.


According to embodiments, the composition may comprise one or more diluents. In a preferred embodiment, the diluent is water. A liquid concentrate of the composition may comprise about 10 to about 95 wt-%, or about 25 to about 75 wt-%, or about 30 to about 70 wt-% of diluent (e.g., water or other aqueous liquid). The concentrate (liquid or solid) may be diluted by a user with water or another suitable diluent to prepare a use solution. For example, the concentrate composition can be diluted prior to use with water at a ratio of about 1 part concentrate to about 10-1,000 parts water. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the dilution will depend on the concentration of the concentrate and the desired use solution.


In some embodiments, the use solution (composition either formulated as a use solution, or use solution prepared from a concentrate) comprises about 80 to about 99 wt-%, or about 90 to about 99 wt-%, or about 95 to about 99 wt-% water. In an exemplary embodiment, the use solution comprises about 97 to about 99 wt-% water.


Exemplary formulations of the composition are shown in TABLE 1 below.









TABLE 1







Exemplary Formulations









Component



















Additional


Formulation
Water
Wax
Resin
Surfactant
Solvent
Components





General

97.0-99.9%

    0-0.5%

0-1%


0-1%

    0-0.5%

0-1%



Use Solution
98.6%-99.9%
    0-0.2%
    0-0.5%
    0-0.5%
    0-0.2%
    0-0.5%


(wt-%)

99.4-99.9%

    0-0.1%
    0-0.2%
    0-0.2%
    0-0.1%
    0-0.2%


Concentrate
  0%-97.9%
0.3%-10% 
 1%-50%
0.02%-40%
0.3%-10% 
 1%-50%


Concentrate

69%-97.9%

0.3%-3.0%
 1%-10%
0.02%-10%
0.3%-8%
 1%-10%


A
81.5%-96.2%
0.4%-1.5%
2%-8%
1%-5%
0.4%-4%
2%-8%


(wt-%)
88.5-94%
0.5%-1.0%
3%-6%
2%-3%
0.5%-1.5%
3%-6%


Concentrate
30%-87%
0.5%-10% 
10%-30%
 2%-20%
0.5%-10% 
10%-30%


B
54%-78%
1%-5%
15%-20%
 5%-15%
1%-6%
15%-20%


(wt-%)
63%-72%
2%-3%
16%-18%
 8%-12%
2%-4%
16%-18%


Concentrate
 0%-67%
 2%-10%
20%-50%
10%-30%
 1%-15%
20%-50%


C
13%-54%
3%-7%
25%-45%
15%-25%
 3%-10%
25%-45%


(wt-%)
28%-43%
4%-5%
30%-38%
18%-22%
5%-7%
30%-38%









Gloss on the floor can tested using an industry-standard gloss meter such as the micro-TRI-gloss from Byk.


The thickness of the coating on the floor can be determined using a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).


Method of Application


The disclosed compositions can be used in a method to clean, repair damage, or restore the original look to the flooring surface. In some embodiments, the floor is optionally first cleaned, swept, or vacuumed to remove any loose debris. The compositions can be applied using a variety of methods and tools, including spraying (e.g., with a trigger sprayer, pump sprayer, aerosol, or with an onboard spray device located on a mop), squirting, brushing, flat or string mopping, roll coating, applying with a paint roller, applying with a T-bar applicator, using a machine such as a floor cleaning machine, and flood coating. Mop application, especially flat mopping, is preferred for coating most floors. Suitable mops include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,315,734, 5,390,390, 5,680,667 and 5,887,311, the complete disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The composition can be scrubbed onto the floor using a pad, such as a scouring pad, abrasive pad, a rag, or any other suitable method. The spreading and scrubbing can be performed as separate steps, or simultaneously as a single step.


Exemplary mop heads include string mops such as those available from Amsan; and flat mops such as those available from Rubbermaid, Unger or Ecolab. The mop head material can be made of for example, cotton, rayon, polyester, nylon or a combination thereof. The mop head is preferably a flat mop made of polyester and nylon microfiber. A typical application rate is 2000 square feet per gallon, but other rates may be used depending upon the floor surface and desired performance. In some embodiments, the composition is applied to the floor multiple times a day, 3 times a day, 2 times a day, once a day, every other day, once a week, several times a week, every other week, or once a month.


The compositions can be applied to a variety of floor substrates. The compositions are especially useful for luxury vinyl, laminate, rubber, linoleum, and sheet vinyl floors but can be used on any floor to maintain the appearance of the floor, extend the time in between stripping and refinishing the floor, or reduce the appearance of wear and tear. Representative flooring substrates include, for example, resilient substrates such as sheet goods (e.g., vinyl flooring, linoleum or rubber sheeting), vinyl composite tiles, luxury vinyl tiles, vinyl asbestos tiles, rubber tiles, cork and synthetic sports floors, and non-resilient substrates such as concrete, stone, marble, wood, bamboo, ceramic tile, grout, Terrazzo and other poured or “dry shake” floors, epoxy, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and methyl methacrylates (MMA). The compositions are especially useful for use on luxury vinyl tiles and other flooring types where it is desirable to reduce the visibility of damage from wear and tear without modifying the original appearance or finish of the floor (e.g., by either changing a matte floor finish to a glossy finish or a glossy floor finish to a matte finish).


EXAMPLES
Example 1

Example 1 evaluated the change in the gloss on luxury vinyl tile material after successive applications of composition. The formulas tested are shown in Table 2:











TABLE 2






Formula A



Material
(in wt. %)
Formula B (in wt. %)

















Water, DI
91.54%
89.04%


diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.66%
0.66%


dihexylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.09%
0.09%


branched C10 5EO alcohol ethoxylate
2.50%
1.00%


fatty alcohol polyoxypropylene-

4.00%


polyoxyethylene


polydimethyl siloxane (10% sol)
0.20%
0.20%


anionic fluorosurfactant (10%)
0.15%
0.15%


styrene acrylic polymer
4.26%
4.26%


oxidized polyethylene wax
0.60%
0.60%









Formulas A and B were applied to four different colors of luxury vinyl tile samples by applying a line of the liquid product onto the tile using a disposable pipette and spreading with a microfiber floor finish applicator pad. The tile samples were Tardus Centiva American Cherry (brown in color), Johnsonite Falcon (dark brown in color), Natural Creations Ronoak Charcoal (black in color), and Natural Creations Fruitwood Alabaster (white in color). The composition was allowed to dry and then the gloss of the tile was measured with an industry-standard gloss meter such as the micro-TRI-gloss from Byk. Gloss measurements were taken at 20 degrees and 60 degrees. Additional layers of composition were applied to the tile on top of the previous layers, again by spreading the composition onto the tile with a microfiber finish applicator pad. The new composition was allowed to dry and then additional gloss measurements were taken. This process was repeated for a total of 20 applications. The results are recorded in Tables 3 and 4.












TABLE 3









Formula A Gloss at 20°
Formula B Gloss at 20°


















Natural
Natural


Natural
Natural



Tardus
Johnsonite
Creations
Creations
Tardus
Johnsonite
Creations
Creations


Application
Centiva
Falcon
Ronoak
Fruitwood
Centiva
Falcon
Ronoak
Fruitwood


















Initial
1.7
0.7
1.4
1.5
1.8
0.7
1.4
1.7


1
1.8
0.8
1.4
1.5
1.9
0.7
1.3
1.7


2
1.8
0.8
1.5
1.5
2.0
0.7
1.3
1.6


3
1.8
0.8
1.4
1.6
2.0
0.7
1.3
1.7


4
1.9
0.8
1.4
1.6
2.0
0.8
1.3
1.7


5
1.9
0.8
1.5
1.6
1.9
0.8
1.3
1.7


6
2.0
0.8
1.5
1.6
2.0
0.8
1.3
1.6


7
2.0
0.8
1.5
1.6
1.9
0.8
1.2
1.7


8
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.9
0.8
1.2
1.6


9
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.9
0.8
1.3
1.6


10
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.3
1.7


11
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.7


12
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.7


13
2.1
0.9
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.7


14
2.0
0.9
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.6


15
2.0
0.9
1.4
1.7
1.8
0.7
1.2
1.6


16
2.1
0.9
1.4
1.7
1.9
0.8
1.3
1.7


17
2.1
0.9
1.4
1.7
1.8
0.8
1.3
1.7


18
2.2
0.9
1.3
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.7


19
2.0
0.8
1.3
1.6
1.7
0.8
1.2
1.7


20
2.1
0.9
1.2
1.6
1.7
0.7
1.2
1.7


Δ between
0.4
0.2
−0.2
0.1
−0.1
0
−0.2
0


initial and


final application



















TABLE 4









Formula A Gloss at 60°
Formula B Gloss at 60°


















Natural
Natural


Natural
Natural



Tardus
Johnsonite
Creations
Creations
Tardus
Johnsonite
Creations
Creations


Application
Centiva
Falcon
Ronoak
Fruitwood
Centiva
Falcon
Ronoak
Fruitwood


















Initial
1.7
0.7
1.4
1.5
1.8
0.7
1.4
1.7


1
1.8
0.8
1.4
1.5
1.9
0.7
1.3
1.7


2
1.8
0.8
1.5
1.5
2.0
0.7
1.3
1.6


3
1.8
0.8
1.4
1.6
2.0
0.7
1.3
1.7


4
1.9
0.8
1.4
1.6
2.0
0.8
1.3
1.7


5
1.9
0.8
1.5
1.6
1.9
0.8
1.3
1.7


6
2.0
0.8
1.5
1.6
2.0
0.8
1.3
1.6


7
2.0
0.8
1.5
1.6
1.9
0.8
1.2
1.7


8
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.9
0.8
1.2
1.6


9
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.9
0.8
1.3
1.6


10
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.3
1.7


11
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.7


12
2.0
0.8
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.7


13
2.1
0.9
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.7


14
2.0
0.9
1.4
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.6


15
2.0
0.9
1.4
1.7
1.8
0.7
1.2
1.6


16
2.1
0.9
1.4
1.7
1.9
0.8
1.3
1.7


17
2.1
0.9
1.4
1.7
1.8
0.8
1.3
1.7


18
2.2
0.9
1.3
1.6
1.8
0.8
1.2
1.7


19
2.0
0.8
1.3
1.6
1.7
0.8
1.2
1.7


20
2.1
0.9
1.2
1.6
1.7
0.7
1.2
1.7


Δ between
0.4
0.2
−0.2
0.1
−0.1
0
−0.2
0


initial and


final application









The rule of thumb is that a trained operator can visually detect a change in the gloss of 3 points or more while the average person can visually detect a change in the gloss of 5 points or more. Tables 3 and 4 show that any change in the gloss of the tile over 20 successive applications was insignificant and visually imperceptible to either a trained or an untrained observer.


Example 2

Example 2 evaluated the change in the gloss on linoleum tile material after successive applications of the two formulas listed in Table 5, and tested against a commercially available competitor's product.











TABLE 5






Formula A



Material
(in wt. %)
Formula B (in wt. %)

















Water, DI
99.208%
99.869%


diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.062%
0.010%


dihexylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.008%
0.001%


branched C10 5EO alcohol ethoxylate
0.234%
0.039%


polydimethyl siloxane (10% sol)
0.019%
0.003%


anionic fluorosurfactant (10%)
0.014%
0.002%


styrene acrylic polymer
0.399%
0.067%


oxidized polyethylene wax
0.056%
0.009%









Six different samples of Forbo linoleum flooring were first scratched using a weighted green scouring pad and either 20 or 40 passes on a Gardner Straight Line Abrasion instrument, which included Modular T3233, MCT-621, Concrete 3707, Real 3136, Piano 3629, and Striato 5216 flooring. The competitor's product was diluted at 2 oz/gal and 13 oz/gal as per the manufacturer's label instructions. The scratched linoleum was then treated by applying a line of the liquid use-solution product onto the tile using a disposable pipette and spreading with a microfiber floor finish applicator pad. The composition was allowed to dry and then the gloss of the tile was measured with an industry-standard gloss meter such as the micro-TRI-gloss from Byk. Gloss measurements were taken at 20 degrees and 60 degrees. Additional layers of composition were applied to the tile on top of the previous layers, again by spreading the composition onto the tile with a microfiber finish applicator pad. The new composition was allowed to dry and then additional gloss measurements were taken. This process was repeated for a total of 5 applications of the more concentrated solutions or 20 applications of the more dilute solutions. The results are recorded in Tables 6 through 9.












TABLE 6









Formula A Gloss at 20°
Formula B Gloss at 20°




















Modular
MCT-
Concrete
Real
Piano
Striato
Modular
MCT-
Concrete
Real
Piano
Striato


Application
T3233
621
3707
3136
3629
5216
T3233
621
3707
3136
3629
5216





Initial
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.2
1.1
0.8
1.0
0.5
1.2
1.2
1.1


1
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.2
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.2
1.1


2
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.2
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.2
1.1


3
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.1
1.3
1.1
0.9
1.0
0.5
1.1
1.3
1.1


4
1.0
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.1
0.8
1.0
0.5
1.2
1.3
1.1


5
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.1
0.9
1.0
0.5
1.2
1.3
1.1






















6









0.9
1.0
0.6
1.3
1.4
1.2


7









0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.1


8









0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.2


9









0.8
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.1


10









0.8
0.9
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.2


11









0.8
0.9
0.6
1.1
1.3
1.1


12









0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.1


13









0.8
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.2


14









0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.4
1.2


15









0.9
0.9
1.6
1.2
1.3
1.1


16









0.9
1.1
0.7
1.3
1.4
1.3


17









0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.1


18









0.9
1.0
0.5
1.2
1.3
1.1


19









0.9
1.0
0.7
1.1
1.3
1.1


20









0.9
1.0
0.6
1.2
1.3
1.1


















Δ between
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.0
0.1
0.0
0.1
0.0


initial and


final application



















TABLE 7









Formula A Gloss at 60°
Formula B Gloss at 60°




















Modular
MCT-
Concrete
Real
Piano
Striato
Modular
MCT-
Concrete
Real
Piano
Striato


Application
T3233
621
3707
3136
3629
5216
T3233
621
3707
3136
3629
5216






















Initial
7.0
5.8
5.7
7.9
8.1
6.8
6.4
5.9
5.6
7.8
7.5
7.1


1
7.1
6.0
5.8
8.1
8.2
6.9
6.8
6.0
5.6
8.0
8.1
7.1


2
7.1
6.0
5.9
8.3
8.5
7.2
6.6
6.1
5.7
8.0
7.9
6.9


3
7.5
6.2
6.0
8.3
8.4
7.2
6.7
6.0
5.6
8.0
8.2
7.0


4
7.3
6.2
6.0
8.2
8.6
7.2
6.4
5.9
5.6
7.9
8.1
7.3


5
7.6
6.3
6.1
8.2
8.6
7.2
6.7
6.0
5.6
7.9
8.2
7.1


6






6.8
6.1
5.7
8.2
8.3
7.3


7






6.5
5.9
5.7
8.0
8.2
7.2


8






6.9
6.1
5.7
8.3
8.3
7.2


9






6.4
6.0
5.6
8.0
8.2
7.2


10






6.6
5.9
5.6
8.2
8.3
7.3


11






6.6
6.0
5.7
8.2
8.4
7.3


12






6.8
6.2
5.8
8.2
8.5
7.4


13






6.8
6.3
5.8
8.1
8.5
7.4


14






6.9
6.2
5.9
8.2
8.6
7.6


15






6.9
6.4
5.9
8.2
8.7
7.5


16






6.6
6.3
5.9
8.2
8.5
7.4


17






6.7
6.2
5.9
8.1
8.6
7.4


18






6.7
6.2
5.8
8.2
8.5
7.5


19






6.7
6.3
6.0
8.0
8.5
7.6


20






6.7
6.2
5.8
8.0
8.4
7.5


Δ between
0.6
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.9
0.4


initial and


final application



















TABLE 8









Competitor Product 13 oz/gal Gloss at 20°
Competitor Product 2 oz/gal Gloss at 20°




















Modular
MCT-
Concrete
Real
Piano
Striato
Modular
MCT-
Concrete
Real
Piano
Striato


Application
T3233
621
3707
3136
3629
5216
T3233
621
3707
3136
3629
5216






















Initial
0.9
0.9
0.5
1.2
1.2
1.1
0.9
0.9
0.5
1.2
1.2
1.1


1
1.0
1.1
0.7
1.3
1.4
1.2
0.9
1.1
0.6
1.2
1.2
1.1


2
1.2
1.2
0.9
1.6
1.7
1.4
0.9
1.0
0.6
1.3
1.3
1.1


3
1.2
1.2
0.9
1.7
1.9
1.5
0.9
1.1
0.6
1.3
1.4
1.1


4
1.3
1.3
0.9
1.7
1.9
1.5
0.9
1.1
0.7
1.4
1.4
1.1


5
1.3
1.4
1.1
1.9
2.1
1.8
1.0
1.1
0.7
1.4
1.4
1.2


6






1.1
1.3
0.9
1.6
1.6
1.2


7






1.0
1.1
0.7
1.5
1.6
1.2


8






1.1
1.1
0.8
1.6
1.6
1.3


9






1.1
1.1
0.7
1.5
1.6
1.3


10






1.1
1.2
0.7
1.6
1.6
1.3


11






1.1
1.1
0.8
1.5
1.6
1.3


12






1.1
1.1
0.8
1.6
1.8
1.4


13






1.1
1.1
0.9
1.6
1.8
1.4


14






1.2
1.2
0.9
1.6
1.8
1.4


15






1.1
1.2
0.9
1.7
1.8
1.4


16






1.2
1.3
1.0
1.8
1.9
1.5


17






1.1
1.2
0.9
1.7
1.9
1.5


18






1.2
1.2
1.0
1.7
1.9
1.4


19






1.2
1.3
1.0
1.9
1.9
1.5


20






1.2
1.2
1.0
1.8
1.9
1.5


Δ between
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.9
0.7
0.3
0.3
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.4


initial and


final application



















TABLE 9









Competitor Product 13 oz/gal Gloss at 60°
Competitor Product 2 oz/gal Gloss at 60°




















Modular
MCT-
Concrete
Real
Piano
Striato
Modular
MCT-
Concrete
Real
Piano
Striato


Application
T3233
621
3707
3136
3629
5216
T3233
621
3707
3136
3629
5216






















Initial
6.8
5.7
5.5
7.8
8.0
7.0
6.8
5.9
5.4
7.8
7.8
6.8


1
8.4
7.0
6.6
9.3
9.7
8.2
7.3
6.5
5.7
8.3
8.5
7.0


2
10.8
8.4
8.0
11.3
11.8
9.6
7.3
6.7
5.8
9.0
9.1
7.2


3
11.5
9.3
9.1
12.4
13.2
11.0
7.6
7.0
6.1
9.2
9.4
7.6


4
11.8
10.6
9.4
13.2
14.0
11.8
7.7
7.0
6.5
9.3
9.6
7.9


5
12.7
11.3
10.2
14.0
14.9
13.4
7.8
7.1
6.5
9.6
9.7
7.8


6






8.2
7.5
6.9
9.9
10.1
8.2


7






8.3
7.5
7.0
10.2
10.3
8.4


8






8.6
7.7
7.3
10.6
10.9
8.8


9






8.6
7.6
7.1
10.5
11.0
8.9


10






8.8
8.3
7.2
10.8
11.1
9.0


11






9.2
8.6
7.9
11.0
11.7
9.5


12






9.4
8.5
7.9
11.3
11.8
9.7


13






9.6
9.0
8.4
11.7
12.1
10.1


14






9.7
9.2
8.4
11.8
12.3
10.3


15






10.0
9.3
8.5
12.2
12.7
10.1


16






10.1
9.4
8.7
12.0
12.4
10.2


17






10.2
9.3
8.9
12.3
12.8
10.4


18






10.5
9.6
9.0
12.6
13.1
10.9


19






10.6
9.9
9.1
12.8
13.1
11.0


20






10.9
9.7
9.2
12.8
13.1
11.1


Δ between
4.9
5.6
4.7
6.2
6.9
6.4
4.1
4.2
3.8
5.0
5.3
4.3


initial and


final application









The rule of thumb is that a trained operator can visually detect a change in the gloss of 3 points or more while the average person can visually detect a change in the gloss of 5 points or more. Tables 4 and 5 show that any change in the gloss of the tile over all of the successive applications was insignificant and visually imperceptible to either a trained or an untrained observer. Tables 8 and 9 show the results for the competitor's product, which increases the gloss when used at the higher recommended concentration when compared against the corresponding inventive formula. Additionally, the gloss increase caused by the competitor's product is easily visible when used at the higher recommended concentration.


Example 3

Example 3 evaluated the change in the gloss on sheet vinyl material after successive applications of the two formulas listed in Table 10.











TABLE 10






Formula A



Material
(in wt. %)
Formula B (in wt. %)

















Water, DI
99.208%
99.869%


diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.062%
0.010%


dihexylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.008%
0.001%


branched C10 5EO alcohol ethoxylate
0.234%
0.039%


polydimethyl siloxane (10% sol)
0.019%
0.003%


anionic fluorosurfactant (10%)
0.014%
0.002%


styrene acrylic polymer
0.399%
0.067%


oxidized polyethylene wax
0.056%
0.009%









Two different samples of sheet vinyl flooring, Johnsonite Melodia Quartz and Mannington Biospec Bright White, were first scratched using a weighted green scouring pad and 30 passes on a Gardner Straight Line Abrasion instrument. A commercially available competitor's product was diluted at 2 oz/gal and 13 oz/gal as per the manufacturer's label instructions, and tested on the Johnsonite Melodia Quartz for comparison. The scratched sheet vinyl was then treated by applying a line of the liquid use-solution product onto the tile using a disposable pipette and spreading with a microfiber floor finish applicator pad. The composition was allowed to dry and then the gloss of the tile was measured with an industry-standard gloss meter such as the micro-TRI-gloss from Byk. Gloss measurements were taken at 20 degrees and 60 degrees. Additional layers of composition were applied to the tile on top of the previous layers, again by spreading the composition onto the tile with a microfiber finish applicator pad. The new composition was allowed to dry and then additional gloss measurements were taken. This process was repeated for a total of 5 applications of the more concentrated solutions or 20 applications of the more dilute solutions. The results are recorded in Tables 11 and 12.














TABLE 11









Formula A
Formula A
Formula B
Formula B



Gloss at 20°
Gloss at 60°
Gloss at 20°
Gloss at 60°

















Biospec

Biospec

Biospec

Biospec



Melodia
Bright
Melodia
Bright
Melodia
Bright
Melodia
Bright


Application
Quartz
White
Quartz
White
Quartz
White
Quartz
White


















Initial
2.4
2.6
14.2
17.9
2.4
2.5
14.0
17.3


1
2.7
2.9
15.3
18.6
2.7
2.7
14.3
16.2


2
2.5
2.7
14.8
18.1
2.5
2.3
14.2
16.1


3
2.4
2.6
14.6
17.7
2.4
2.4
13.6
16.2


4
2.5
2.7
14.8
18.2
2.3
2.4
13.4
16.4


5
2.4
2.7
14.0
18.1
2.3
2.4
13.3
16.9


6




2.2
2.3
12.9
15.9


7




2.2
2.3
13.3
15.9


8




2.2
2.3
12.9
15.9


9




2.2
2.3
12.8
15.5


10




2.2
2.3
13.1
15.3


11




2.1
2.3
12.2
15.5


12




2.1
2.3
12.5
15.6


13




2.0
2.3
11.8
15.4


14




2.0
2.3
11.5
14.8


15




2.0
2.1
11.7
13.8


16




1.9
2.1
11.3
14.0


17




1.9
2.1
11.4
14.1


18




2.0
2.1
11.5
14.1


19




2.0
2.2
11.9
14.4


20




2.0
2.2
11.8
14.6


Δ between
0.0
0.1
−0.2
0.2
−0.4
−0.3
−2.2
−2.7


initial and


final application





















TABLE 12







Competitor
Competitor
Competitor
Competitor



Product
Product
Product
Product



13 oz/gal
13 oz/gal
2 oz/gal
2 oz/gal



Gloss at 20°
Gloss at 60°
Gloss at 20°
Gloss at 60°




















Application
Biospec
Biospec
Biospec
Biospec Bright



Bright
Bright
Bright
White



White
White
White


Initial
2.3
16.2
2.4
17.3


1
2.5
17.2
2.5
17.0


2
2.5
17.4
2.5
17.6


3
2.5
17.5
2.5
17.3


4
2.8
19.2
2.4
16.8


5
2.9
19.5
2.5
17.1


6


2.5
17.1


7


2.5
17.2


8


2.5
16.9


9


2.5
17.3


10


2.4
17.4


11


2.4
16.3


12


2.5
17.4


13


2.5
16.8


14


2.5
17.1


15


2.4
17.0


16


2.4
17.0


17


2.4
17.0


18


2.5
17.0


19


2.5
16.9


20


2.4
16.8


Δ between
0.6
3.3
−0.0
−0.5


initial and


final


application









The rule of thumb is that a trained operator can visually detect a change in the gloss of 3 points or more while the average person can visually detect a change in the gloss of 5 points or more. Table 11 shows that any change in the gloss of the tile over all of the successive applications was insignificant and visually imperceptible to either a trained or an untrained observer. Table 12 shows the results for the competitor's product, which increases the gloss when used at the higher recommended concentration when compared against the corresponding inventive formula. Additionally, the gloss increase caused by the competitor's product is easily visible.


Example 4

Example 4 evaluated the change in the gloss on rubber flooring after successive applications of the two formulas listed in Table 13, and tested against a commercially available competitor's product.











TABLE 13






Formula A



Material
(in wt. %)
Formula B (in wt. %)

















Water, DI
99.208%
99.869%


diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.062%
0.010%


dihexylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.008%
0.001%


branched C10 5EO alcohol ethoxylate
0.234%
0.039%


polydimethyl siloxane (10% sol)
0.019%
0.003%


anionic fluorosurfactant (10%)
0.014%
0.002%


styrene acrylic polymer
0.399%
0.067%


oxidized polyethylene wax
0.056%
0.009%









Two different samples of Nora rubber flooring, Norament Hammered Dust Grey and Noraplan Valua Charboal, were first scratched using a weighted green scouring pad and either 10 or 20 passes on a Gardner Straight Line Abrasion instrument. The competitor's product was diluted at 2 oz/gal and 13 oz/gal as per the manufacturer's label instructions. The scratched linoleum was then treated by applying a line of the liquid use-solution product onto the tile using a disposable pipette and spreading with a microfiber floor finish applicator pad. The composition was allowed to dry and then the gloss of the tile was measured with an industry-standard gloss meter such as the micro-TRI-gloss from Byk. Gloss measurements were taken at 20 degrees and 60 degrees. Additional layers of composition were applied to the tile on top of the previous layers, again by spreading the composition onto the tile with a microfiber finish applicator pad. The new composition was allowed to dry and then additional gloss measurements were taken. This process was repeated for a total of 5 applications of the more concentrated solutions or 20 applications of the more dilute solutions. The results are recorded in Tables 14 and 15.














TABLE 14









Formula A
Formula A
Formula B
Formula B



Gloss at 20°
Gloss at 60°
Gloss at 20°
Gloss at 60°
















Norament
Noraplan
Norament
Noraplan
Norament
Noraplan
Norament
Noraplan



Hammered
Valua
Hammered
Valua
Hammered
Valua
Hammered
Valua


Application
Dust Grey
Charcoal
Dust Grey
Charcoal
Dust Grey
Charcoal
Dust Grey
Charcoal


















Initial
1.5
1.0
14.7
10.2
1.5
1.0
15.2
10.5


1
2.4
1.2
19.0
9.9
2.1
1.1
18.0
9.4


2
2.7
1.1
22.6
10.3
2.1
1.1
17.5
9.5


3
2.8
1.1
25.0
10.2
2.2
1.0
18.2
9.4


4
3.2
1.1
24.5
10.6
2.3
1.0
18.3
9.2


5
3.2
1.2
24.4
11.6
2.3
1.1
18.4
9.3


6




2.7
1.1
21.7
9.1


7




2.6
1.0
19.9
9.1


8




2.7
1.0
21.4
8.9


9




2.9
1.0
23.7
9.0


10




2.5
1.0
19.4
8.8


11




2.7
1.0
20.4
8.8


12




2.3
1.0
18.1
9.1


13




2.6
1.1
20.5
9.2


14




2.6
1.1
19.9
9.2


15




2.0
1.0
16.2
9.0


16




2.3
1.1
18.7
9.1


17




2.5
1.1
18.3
9.3


18




2.3
1.1
18.0
9.5


19




2.6
1.1
20.0
9.4


20




2.8
1.1
21.8
9.3


Δ between
1.7
0.2
9.7
1.4
1.3
0.1
6.6
−0.8


initial and


final application





















TABLE 15









Competitor Product 13 oz/
Competitor Product 13 oz/
Competitor Product 2 oz/
Competitor Product 2 oz/



gal Gloss at 20°
gal Gloss at 60°
gal Gloss at 20°
gal Gloss at 60°
















Norament
Noraplan
Norament
Noraplan
Norament
Noraplan
Norament
Noraplan



Hammered
Valua
Hammered
Valua
Hammered
Valua
Hammered
Valua


Application
Dust Grey
Charcoal
Dust Grey
Charcoal
Dust Grey
Charcoal
Dust Grey
Charcoal


















Initial
1.9
1.1
17.6
10.7
1.5
1.2
15.1
10.9


1
3.0
1.1
24.9
10.3
2.1
1.1
18.7
9.8


2
3.6
1.3
27.2
12.6
2.1
1.1
18.3
9.9


3
3.9
1.5
28.9
14.1
2.1
1.1
18.4
10.3


4
4.3
1.8
30.3
16.4
2.2
1.2
17.9
10.7


5
4.7
2.1
31.5
18.4
1.9
1.1
18.0
10.9


6




2.1
1.2
17.4
11.3


7




2.0
1.2
16.8
11.3


8




1.8
1.3
15.6
11.8


9




1.8
1.4
16.2
11.9


10




1.9
1.4
16.1
12.0


11




1.9
1.5
15.8
12.2


12




1.8
1.5
15.7
12.5


13




1.9
1.5
16.3
12.4


14




1.8
1.6
15.4
12.6


15




2.0
1.9
16.3
12.5


16




1.8
1.6
15.9
12.4


17




1.8
1.6
15.7
12.7


18




1.7
1.6
14.4
12.5


19




1.7
1.6
16.4
12.1


20




1.8
1.6
14.7
12.5


Δ between
2.8
1.0
13.9
7.7
0.3
0.4
−0.4
1.6


initial and


final application









The rule of thumb is that a trained operator can visually detect a change in the gloss of 3 points or more while the average person can visually detect a change in the gloss of 5 points or more. Table 14 shows that repeated product use on the Norament Hammered Dust Grey will build some gloss when measured at 60°. However, Table 15 shows that repeated use of the competitive product at the comparable higher dilution ratio will build even more gloss when measured at 60°.


Example 5

Example 5 examined the adhesion of the composition to the floor tile. The formulas used for Example 5 are set forth in Table 16 below:













TABLE 16






Formula A
Formula C
Formula D
Formula E


Material
(in wt. %)
(in wt. %)
(in wt. %)
(in wt. %)



















Water, DI
91.54%
91.42%
91.54%
91.54%


Dietheylene
0.66%
0.66%
0.66%
0.66%


Glycol Monoethyl


Ether


Dihexylene Glycol
0.09%
0.09%
0.09%
0.09%


Monoetheyl Ether


Branched C10
2.50%
0.50%
0.00%
0.00%


5EO Alcohol


Ethoxylate


Branched C10
0.00%
0.00%
0.50%
2.50%


4EO Alcohol


Ethoxylate


block
0.00%
2.12%
0.00%
0.00%


polyoxypropylene-


polyoxyethylene


polymer


fatty alcohol
0.00%
0.00%
2.00%
0.00%


polyoxypropylene-


polyoxyethylene


Polydimethyl
0.20%
0.20%
0.20%
0.20%


siloxane (10% sol)


Anionic
0.15%
0.15%
0.15%
0.15%


fluorosurfactant


(10%)


Styrene acrylic
4.26%
4.26%
4.26%
4.26%


polymer


Oxidized
0.60%
0.60%
0.60%
0.60%


polyethylene wax









The adhesion test was performed on two luxury vinyl tile samples: Armstrong Natural Creations Fruitwood Alabaster (white in color) and Centiva Starnet (dark grey in color). According to ASTM D3359, the cured coating was cut/scored in a cross-hatch pattern using the multipladed scoring tool, tape was applied to scored area, and the tape quickly pulled off the tile. Adhesion of the composition to the floor was visually rated on a scale of 0-5, according to how much coating was removed by the tape, with a rating of 5 being perfect adhesion resulting from no coating loss, a rating of 4 being less than 5% coating loss, and a rating of 3 being 5-15% coating loss. The test was run with the flooring dry, and with water allowed to sit on the floor both before and after scoring the floor. The results are shown in Table 17.












TABLE 17









Amstrong Natural Creations




Fruitwood Alibaster
Centiva Starnet















Cut
Wet

Cut
Wet



Dry
then Wet
then Cut
Dry
then Wet
then Cut

















Formula A
5B
3B
5B
5B
5B
5B


Formula C
3B
0B
2B
5B
5B
5B


Formula D
4B
1B
0B
5B
5B
5B


Formula E
5B
3B
0B
5B
5B
5B









Table 17 shows that the invention will adhere to luxury vinyl in a manner that is considered comparable to what is required for when floor finish is applied to a floor. It is well known by those skilled in the art that films applied to flooring substrates are often partially, if not completely, removed when tested under wet conditions particularly coatings that are not considered to be semi-permanent or permanent.


Example 6

Example 6 determined the adhesion performance of the formula listed in Table 18 on linoleum, rubber, and sheet vinyl compared against a competitive product currently available on the market.












TABLE 18







Material
Formula A (in wt. %)



















Water, DI
91.54%



diethylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.66%



dihexylene glycol monoethyl ether
0.09%



branched C10 5EO alcohol ethoxylate
2.50%



polydimethyl siloxane (10% sol)
0.20%



anionic fluorosurfactant (10%)
0.15%



styrene acrylic polymer
4.26%



oxidized polyethylene wax
0.60%











6″×6″ samples of each flooring substrate were treated with the test solution applied at a rate of 2 g product per 1 sq. ft. of flooring. The test solutions were applied 5 times to ensure enough material was left on the flooring to enable the test. After the 5th application, the flooring was allowed to cure for 1 week prior to testing. The testing was performed on 3 samples of NORA Rubber: Noraplan Valua, Norament Hammered, and Norament Grano. The testing was also performed on two samples of sheet vinyl: Johnsonite Melodia Quartz and Mannington Biospec Bright White. Additionally, the testing was performed on 6 samples of Forbo linoleum: Modular T3233, MCT-621, Concrete 3707, Real 3136, Piano 3629, and Striato 5216.


According to ASTM D3359, the cured coating was cut/scored in a cross-hatch pattern using the multipladed scoring tool, tape was applied to scored area, and the tape quickly pulled off the tile. Adhesion of the composition to the floor was visually rated on a scale of 0-5, according to how much coating was removed by the tape, with a rating of 5 being perfect adhesion resulting from no coating loss, a rating of 4 being less than 5% coating loss, and a rating of 3 being 5-15% coating loss. The test was run with the flooring dry, and with water allowed to sit on the floor both before and after scoring the floor. The results are shown in Table 19.












TABLE 19









Formula
Competitive Product A














Dry
Cut then Wet
Wet then Cut
Dry
Cut then Wet
Wet then Cut

















Noraplan Valua
5B
0B
0B
0B
0B
0B


Norment Hammered
0B
0B
0B
0B
0B
0B


Norament Grano
0B
0B
0B
0B
0B
0B


Mannington Biospec
5B
5B
5B
5B
0B
0B


Johnsonite Melodia
5B
5B
5B
Not tested
Not tested
Not tested


Modular T3233
5B
5B
5B
0B
0B
0B


MCT-621
5B
5B
5B
0B
0B
0B


Concrete 3707
5B
5B
  4.5B
  3.3B
0B
0B


Real 3136
5B
5B
5B
0B
0B
0B


Piano 3629
5B
5B
5B
4B
0B
0B


Striato 5216
5B
  0.3B
  0.5B
0B
0B
0B










Table 19 shows that the invention will adhere to sheet vinyl, linoleum and some rubber flooring in a manner that is considered comparable to what is required for when floor finish is applied to a floor, whereas current product available on the market will not. It is well known by those skilled in the art that films applied to flooring substrates are often partially, if not completely, removed when tested under wet conditions particularly coatings that are not considered to be semi-permanent or permanent.


Example 7

Example 7 determined the contact angle for the formulas in Example 5. The contact angle was determined by measuring the angle at the intersection of a droplet of the cleaning solution with the tile surface using a FTA200 Contact Angle Goniometer with Drop Shape Analysis software. The experimental formulas were tested against HP Neutral, which is a high performance neutral floor cleaner commercially available from Ecolab Inc. (St. Paul, Minn.). The results are shown in Table 20.









TABLE 20







Contact Angle














Initial
1 sec
6 secs
11 secs
16 secs
21 secs

















HP Neutral
38.98
38.66
38.5
38.34
38.38
37.27


Formula E
37.62
36.49
37.35
35.67
36.49
35.72


Formula A
39.52
39.32
38.19
38.88
38.67
38.25


Formula D
38.07
38.07
36.26
36.07
36.03
36.25


Formula C
42.97
43.15
43.75
43.55
43.15
42.97









Table 20 shows that the invention will effectively wet out a surface comparable to, if not better than, an established floor cleaner. The rule of thumb is that a measured contact angle of less than 90° indicates the solution effectively wets the surface, and a difference of more than 5 degrees in the measured contact angle is considered significantly different to indicate real and observable differences in wetting.


Example 8

Example 8 determined the percent reflectance change. Percent reflectance change is an indicator of how much soil was removed; the higher the value, the better the soil removal and cleaning performance. The percent reflectance change was determined by comparing the composite color number of L* as measured by a Hunter MiniScan instrument of the tiles from before and after cleaning. The tested formulas were compared against plain water, as a blank, and against HP Neutral, a commercially available high performance neutral floor cleaner. The formulas tested are listed in Table 21 below:














TABLE 21






Formula A
Formula B
Formula F
Formula G



Material
(in wt. %)
(in wt. %)
(in wt. %)
(in wt. %)
Formula H (in wt. %)




















Water, DI
91.54%
89.04%
91.54%
89.04%
89.04%


dietheylene glycol
0.66%
0.66%
0.66%
0.66%
0.66%


monoethyl ether


dihexylene glycol
0.09%
0.09%
0.09%
0.09%
0.09%


monoethyl ether


branched C10 5EO
2.50%
5.00%
1.25%
1.00%
2.00%


alcohol ethoxylate


fatty alcohol
0.00%
0.00%
1.25%
4.00%
3.00%


polyoxypropylene-


polyoxyethylene


polydimethyl
0.20%
0.20%
0.20%
0.20%
0.20%


siloxane (10% sol)


anionic
0.15%
0.15%
0.15%
0.15%
0.15%


fluorosurfactant


(10%)


styrene acrylic
4.26%
4.26%
4.26%
4.26%
4.26%


polymer


oxidized
0.60%
0.60%
0.60%
0.60%
0.60%


polyethylene wax










The results are shown in Tables 22 and 23.















TABLE 22









Percent
Avg %
Avg %






Reflec-
Reflec-
Reflec-



Tile
Cleaned
St.
tance
tance
tance


Products
No.
Reading
Dev.
Change
Change
Change Stdv





















Water
1
38.42
0.71
29.76
29.69
0.10


Water
2
38.33
0.20
29.62


Formula H
3
38.36
0.21
29.67
29.21
0.65


Formula H
4
37.76
0.15
28.74


Formula F
5
38.84
0.25
30.40
30.13
0.39


Formula F
6
38.48
0.51
29.85


Formula G
7
39.99
0.48
32.17
32.25
0.11


Formula G
8
40.09
0.15
32.32


Formula A
9
39.01
0.64
30.67
30.69
0.03


Formula A
10
39.04
0.49
30.71


Formula B
11
39.11
0.17
30.82
30.09
1.03


Formula B
12
38.16
0.30
29.36


HP Neutral
13
39.13
0.37
30.85
30.79
0.09


HP Neutral
14
39.05
0.34
30.73


Formula G
15
39.57
0.14
31.53
30.63
1.27


Formula G
16
38.40
0.14
29.73


Formula H
17
38.82
0.80
30.37
31.30
1.30


Formula H
18
40.02
0.63
32.22


Water
19
36.27
0.88
26.46
26.72
0.38






















TABLE 23









Percent
Avg %
Avg %






Reflec-
Reflec-
Reflec-



Tile
Cleaned
St.
tance
tance
tance


Products
No.
Reading
Dev.
Change
Change
Change Stdv





















HP Neutral
3
37.25
0.22
28.02
27.46
0.79


HP Neutral
4
36.52
0.22
26.90


HP Neutral
5
38.15
0.23
29.40
29.40
0.00


HP Neutral
6
38.15
0.56
29.40


Formula A
7
38.24
0.41
29.54
28.67
1.24


Formua A
8
37.10
0.37
27.79


Formula A
9
36.45
0.18
26.79
28.60
2.56


Formula A
10
38.80
0.24
30.40


Formula G
11
39.72
0.47
31.82
29.98
2.60


Formula G
12
37.33
0.50
28.14


Formula G
13
38.10
0.49
29.33
29.70
0.52


Formula G
14
38.58
0.13
30.07


Water
15
37.53
0.27
28.45
26.95
2.12


Water
16
35.58
0.53
25.45


Water
17
34.19
0.53
23.31
24.88
2.22


Water
18
36.23
0.27
26.45










The results from Tables 22 and 23 show that the invention removes industry standard black soil significantly better than plain water, and comparable to an established neutral floor cleaner.


Example 9

Example 9 shows the removability of the invention when the flooring is cleaned with standard floor cleaners. The cleaners were applied to the tile for varying contact times, and the tile gently wiped with a paper towel to determine if any removal occurred. The results are listed in Table 24.














TABLE 24







Formula A
Formula C
Formula D
Formula E




















Alkaline
Slight removal 5 min,
Complete
Complete
Slight


Cleaner -
Complete removal -
removal - 1 min
removal - 5 min
removal - 5 min,


low dilution
15 min


Complete






removal - 10 min


Alkaline
Slight removal 15 min,
Complete
Slight
Slight


Cleaner -
Complete
removal - 1 min
removal - 5 min,
removal - 15 min,


high
Removal - 20 min

Complete
Complete


dilution


removal 15 min
removal - 20 min


Neutral
No removal - 20 min
Slight
Slight


cleaner

removal - 1 min,
removal - 5 min,




Complete
Significant




removal - 5 min
removal - 10 min,





Complete





removal - 30 min









The results from Table 24 show the ability to remove the invention from a floor using standard cleaner chemistry.


While certain embodiments of the disclosed composition and methods have been described, other embodiments may exist. While the specification includes a detailed description, the invention's scope is indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specification has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as illustrative aspects and embodiments of the compositions and method. Various other aspects, embodiments, modifications, and equivalents thereof which, after reading the description herein, may suggest themselves to one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Claims
  • 1. A method of restoring a floor having a non-removable coating, the method comprising: applying a floor care composition to the floor, the floor care composition comprising: wax;resin selected from a natural resin, a polymer having a molecular weight of about 500 to 2000, or combinations thereof;one or more surfactants; and80 to 99.9 wt. % diluent,wherein applying the floor care composition to the floor does not increase gloss of the floor measured at 60° by more than 3 points.
  • 2. The method of claim 1, wherein applying the floor care composition to the floor does not increase gloss of the floor measured at 60° by more than 5 points after 10 consecutive applications.
  • 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the consecutive applications of the floor care composition are applied daily.
  • 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the method does not include curing of the floor care composition.
  • 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the floor care composition is applied by mopping, brushing, wiping, spraying, pouring, or with a machine.
  • 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the floor comprises a top layer of polyvinyl chloride, polyurethane, or UV-coated polyurethane.
  • 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition provides a temporary coating.
  • 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the diluent comprises water.
  • 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the diluent further comprises organic solvent.
  • 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the composition comprises: from about 0.001 to about 0.1 wt. % of a polyethylene wax emulsion;from about 0.01 to about 0.5 wt. % acrylic copolymer emulsion, the acrylic copolymer having a molecular weight of about 500 to 2000;from about 0.005 to about 0.5 wt. % of an alcohol ethoxylate; andfrom about 0.001 to about 0.1 wt. % a glycol ether solvent.
  • 11. A method of restoring a laminate floor, the method comprising: applying a floor care composition to the laminate floor, the floor care composition comprising: wax;resin selected from a natural resin, a polymer having a molecular weight of about 500 to 2000, or combinations thereof;one or more surfactants;solvent; and80 to 99.9 wt. % water,wherein applying the floor care composition to the laminate floor 5 consecutive times causes a build-up of layers that is less than 2 μm thick.
  • 12. A method of cleaning a floor comprising, applying a composition to the floor, the composition comprising: from about 0.001 to about 0.1 wt. % of a polyethylene wax emulsion;from about 0.01 to about 0.5 wt. % acrylic copolymer emulsion, the acrylic copolymer having a molecular weight of about 500 to 2000;from about 0.005 to about 0.5 wt. % of an alcohol ethoxylate;from about 0.001 to about 0.1 wt. % a glycol ether solvent; and
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Application Ser. No. 62/504,869, filed May 11, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

US Referenced Citations (220)
Number Name Date Kind
3956779 Jewett May 1976 A
3979487 Squier et al. Sep 1976 A
4082854 Yamada et al. Apr 1978 A
4172064 Keeler Oct 1979 A
4278728 Honda et al. Jul 1981 A
4376175 Posten Mar 1983 A
4393166 Reischl et al. Jun 1983 A
4449764 Hastings May 1984 A
4454259 Reischl et al. Jun 1984 A
4589712 Hastings May 1986 A
4674745 Speranza Jun 1987 A
4692364 Altus Sep 1987 A
4784908 Ungar et al. Jan 1988 A
4725319 Osberghaus Feb 1988 A
4835030 Squier et al. Oct 1989 A
5030488 Sobolev Jul 1991 A
5041696 Utner Aug 1991 A
5062913 Owens et al. Nov 1991 A
5093958 Levine Mar 1992 A
5111627 Brown May 1992 A
5208086 Owens May 1993 A
5219629 Sobolev Jun 1993 A
5244721 Wyche et al. Sep 1993 A
5254798 Zoback Oct 1993 A
5257159 Wallace et al. Oct 1993 A
5271200 Witt Dec 1993 A
5314554 Owens May 1994 A
5317476 Wallace et al. May 1994 A
5509715 Scharpf Apr 1996 A
5573088 Daniels Nov 1996 A
5596912 Laurence et al. Jan 1997 A
5645279 Reutlinger Jul 1997 A
5653494 Cleall et al. Aug 1997 A
5749993 Denney et al. May 1998 A
5753604 Soldanski May 1998 A
5830937 Shalov et al. Nov 1998 A
5858521 Okuda et al. Jan 1999 A
5891564 Shultz et al. Apr 1999 A
6079182 Ellenberger Jun 2000 A
6090437 Rafter Jul 2000 A
6126132 Maue Oct 2000 A
6131983 Jackson Oct 2000 A
6182128 Kelkar et al. Jan 2001 B1
6230418 Gomulinski May 2001 B1
6287681 Mehta et al. Sep 2001 B1
6324809 Nelson Dec 2001 B1
6345481 Nelson Feb 2002 B1
6413618 Parker et al. Jul 2002 B1
6449918 Nelson Sep 2002 B1
6460306 Nelson Oct 2002 B1
6485094 Corder et al. Nov 2002 B2
6536178 Palsson et al. Mar 2003 B1
6586080 Heifetz Jul 2003 B1
6625937 Parker et al. Sep 2003 B1
6627704 Yeager et al. Sep 2003 B2
6672638 Corder et al. Jan 2004 B2
6673097 Venuto, Sr. Jan 2004 B1
6685388 Webster et al. Feb 2004 B2
6746756 Simon et al. Jun 2004 B2
6759105 Brooker et al. Jul 2004 B2
6767630 Okuyama Jul 2004 B2
6769217 Nelson Aug 2004 B2
6804923 Potter Oct 2004 B1
6812276 Yeager Nov 2004 B2
6863768 Haffner et al. Mar 2005 B2
6921886 Holzer et al. Jun 2005 B2
6949274 Nelson et al. Sep 2005 B2
6966161 Palsson et al. Nov 2005 B2
7008990 Raether et al. Mar 2006 B2
7013609 Hydock Mar 2006 B2
7045706 Lincoln, III et al. May 2006 B1
7045750 Holzer et al. May 2006 B2
7098178 Gerke et al. Aug 2006 B2
7108914 Skipor et al. Sep 2006 B2
7141767 Holzer et al. Nov 2006 B2
7144544 Bulluck et al. Dec 2006 B2
7144625 Tunis Dec 2006 B2
7146772 Ralf Dec 2006 B2
7200973 Tunis Apr 2007 B2
7220948 Holzer et al. May 2007 B2
7240951 Willerton Jul 2007 B2
7243513 Kohlman et al. Jul 2007 B2
7246839 Nyberg Jul 2007 B1
7276542 Bulluck et al. Oct 2007 B2
7282264 Ddamulira et al. Oct 2007 B2
7291656 Bulluck et al. Nov 2007 B2
7291657 Bulluck et al. Nov 2007 B2
7320739 Thompson, Jr. et al. Jan 2008 B2
7377081 Ruhdorfer May 2008 B2
7392626 Farrend Jul 2008 B2
7399515 Thele Jul 2008 B1
7454874 Ralf Nov 2008 B2
7481453 Breed Jan 2009 B2
7552568 Palsson et al. Jun 2009 B2
7591346 Thompson, Jr. et al. Sep 2009 B2
7597373 McAuliffe, Jr. Oct 2009 B2
7614197 Nelson Nov 2009 B2
7629400 Hyman Dec 2009 B2
7665272 Reen Feb 2010 B2
7702113 Bird Apr 2010 B1
7712199 Wilson May 2010 B1
7785098 Appleby et al. Aug 2010 B1
7793483 Stanchfield et al. Sep 2010 B2
7799943 Shah et al. Sep 2010 B2
7810453 Craft Oct 2010 B2
7811489 Pervan et al. Oct 2010 B2
7811666 Dry Oct 2010 B2
7861753 Walker Jan 2011 B2
7884146 Yawata et al. Feb 2011 B2
7886488 Payne, Jr. et al. Feb 2011 B2
7893413 Appleby et al. Feb 2011 B1
7897002 Bober et al. Mar 2011 B2
7906176 Balthes et al. Mar 2011 B2
7908810 Payne, Jr. et al. Mar 2011 B2
7984595 Reen Jul 2011 B2
8002003 Walker Aug 2011 B2
8006458 Olofsson et al. Aug 2011 B1
8012889 Balthes et al. Sep 2011 B2
8021014 Jacobsson Sep 2011 B2
8039532 Hanaki et al. Oct 2011 B2
8049193 Appleby et al. Nov 2011 B1
8071491 Balthes et al. Dec 2011 B2
8092036 Jacobsson Jan 2012 B2
8156710 Pien Apr 2012 B1
8158539 Balthes Apr 2012 B2
8172075 Krallinger May 2012 B2
8205577 Sia et al. Jun 2012 B2
8206511 Collazo-Martinez et al. Jun 2012 B2
8210126 Sia et al. Jun 2012 B2
8227037 Balthes et al. Jul 2012 B2
8286919 Gerken et al. Oct 2012 B2
8298650 Reichwein et al. Oct 2012 B2
8313121 Rolfe et al. Nov 2012 B2
8317257 Rolfe et al. Nov 2012 B2
8342283 Rolfe et al. Jan 2013 B2
8347575 Bierwirth Jan 2013 B2
8349235 Pervan et al. Jan 2013 B2
8360362 Kismarton et al. Jan 2013 B2
8375668 Kuepfer Feb 2013 B2
8382004 Asmussen et al. Feb 2013 B2
8382033 Reece Feb 2013 B2
8394217 Pien Mar 2013 B2
8427034 King et al. Apr 2013 B2
8429870 Chen et al. Apr 2013 B2
8434738 Anstett May 2013 B1
8475928 Arroyo-Bernal Jul 2013 B2
8512848 Reichwein et al. Aug 2013 B2
8529646 Eskin et al. Sep 2013 B2
8585829 Li et al. Nov 2013 B2
8609884 Davies et al. Dec 2013 B2
8613166 Smith Dec 2013 B2
8617439 Pervan et al. Dec 2013 B2
8650824 DeLong et al. Feb 2014 B2
8651061 Sia et al. Feb 2014 B2
8697586 Balthes et al. Apr 2014 B2
8703275 Reichwein et al. Apr 2014 B2
8716220 Tezapsidis et al. May 2014 B2
8720144 Keane May 2014 B2
8721959 Dry May 2014 B2
8726603 Huang May 2014 B2
8729213 Raymond et al. May 2014 B2
8734263 Ford et al. May 2014 B2
8766633 Bhattacharya et al. Jul 2014 B2
8776698 Pherson Jul 2014 B2
8791185 Walther et al. Jul 2014 B2
8800245 Pien Aug 2014 B1
8806832 Kell Aug 2014 B2
8815370 Reichwein et al. Aug 2014 B2
8833028 Whispell et al. Sep 2014 B2
8853329 Kasper et al. Oct 2014 B2
8881476 Sullivan et al. Nov 2014 B2
8931227 Keane Jan 2015 B2
8932632 Yadav et al. Jan 2015 B2
8974003 Reedy et al. Mar 2015 B2
8985820 Mazur et al. Mar 2015 B2
9023591 Battisti et al. May 2015 B2
9066501 Sia et al. Jun 2015 B2
9072292 Cavitt et al. Jul 2015 B2
9079212 Pervan et al. Jul 2015 B2
9103126 Kell Aug 2015 B2
9109108 Ford et al. Aug 2015 B1
9080033 Keane Sep 2015 B2
9126868 Aberle et al. Sep 2015 B2
9133627 Keane Sep 2015 B2
9151066 Hilton et al. Oct 2015 B1
9155310 Agrawal et al. Oct 2015 B2
9161544 Agrawal et al. Oct 2015 B2
9169659 Ford et al. Oct 2015 B1
9181290 Liu et al. Nov 2015 B2
9206309 Appleby et al. Dec 2015 B2
9207296 Bhattacharya et al. Dec 2015 B2
9227507 Rolfe et al. Jan 2016 B2
9233422 Harden et al. Jan 2016 B2
9248468 Bulluck Feb 2016 B2
9249582 Anspach et al. Feb 2016 B1
9260870 Vermeulen et al. Feb 2016 B2
9278478 Goad Mar 2016 B2
9279058 Pervan et al. Mar 2016 B2
9290680 Kasper et al. Mar 2016 B2
9290936 Dickey et al. Mar 2016 B2
9303403 Bolin Apr 2016 B2
9309183 Storzum et al. Apr 2016 B2
9314936 Pervan Apr 2016 B2
9315663 Appleby et al. Apr 2016 B2
9321925 Pervan et al. Apr 2016 B2
9347227 Ramachandra et al. May 2016 B2
9358754 Anspach et al. Jun 2016 B2
9371435 Palmer, Jr. et al. Jun 2016 B2
9371456 Pervan et al. Jun 2016 B2
9375750 Reenberg et al. Jun 2016 B2
9394701 Ddamulira et al. Jul 2016 B2
9399865 Hubbard et al. Jul 2016 B2
9409382 Hakansson et al. Aug 2016 B2
9415565 Ford et al. Aug 2016 B2
9487947 Matsukawa et al. Nov 2016 B2
9506256 Thiers Nov 2016 B2
9528011 Pervan et al. Dec 2016 B2
9540825 Ramachandra Jan 2017 B2
9556620 Capelle Sep 2017 B2
20160185997 Gaston Jun 2016 A1
Foreign Referenced Citations (7)
Number Date Country
0 122 788 Oct 1984 EP
2 679 663 Jan 2014 EP
1 528 592 Oct 1978 GB
2001-131495 May 2001 JP
9420595 Sep 1994 WO
02070618 Sep 2002 WO
2017152069 Sep 2017 WO
Non-Patent Literature Citations (1)
Entry
International Search Report and Written Opinion for Application No. PCT/US2018/030658 dated Jul. 17, 2018.
Related Publications (1)
Number Date Country
20180327694 A1 Nov 2018 US
Provisional Applications (1)
Number Date Country
62504869 May 2017 US