Claims
- 1. A method for removing an undesired difficultly removable, detergent-resistant, shiny, transparent film of animal or vegetable origin from at least one unitary twenty-five square foot area of ceramic tile flooring, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting the film with an aqueous solution having a pH of 1-6 and
- (b) scrubbing said contacted film with a sufficiently abrasive material to remove the film without marring the ceramic tile,
- said aqueous solution being essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said aqueous solution has a pH of 1 to 4.1.
- 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said aqueous solution has a pH of 2.2-2.8.
- 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said film is "polymerized grease" containing minor amounts of calcium and magnesium and having bonds substantially as shown in the Polymerized Grease Film Molecular Model of Formula 1.
- 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said aqueous solution is a ready-to-use one-step stripper containing sufficient surfactant and acidity to remove superficial grease and said undesired film in a single step.
- 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein said abrasive means comprises a pad consisting essentially of finely divided silicon carbide or aluminum oxide having non-resin-coated exposed surfaces.
- 7. A method for maintaining ceramic tile flooring essentially free of unwanted film and for preventing a slippery-when-wet condition, comprising applying to at least one unitary twenty-five square foot area of the flooring an aqueous solution having a pH of 1 to about 6, said applying being conducted periodically, said solution being essentially free of hydrofluoric acid, and said flooring being essentially devoid of a difficultly removable detergent-resistant, shiny, transparent film of animal or vegetable origin.
- 8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said pH is 1 to 4.1.
- 9. A method according to claim 7, wherein said unwanted film is a difficultly removable detergent-resistant film of "polymerized grease" containing minor amounts of calcium and magnesium and having bonds substantially as shown in the Polymerized Grease Film Molecular Model of Formula 1.
- 10. A method according to claim 7, said applying being conducted on a regular schedule.
- 11. A method according to claim 7, said applying being conducted with sufficient regularity to maintain the coefficient of static friction of the flooring in the wet state at a value above 0.4.
- 12. A method according to claim 7, said applying being conducted at least weekly.
- 13. A method according to claim 7, said applying being conducted at least on alternate days.
- 14. A method according to claim 7, said applying being conducted at least daily.
- 15. A method according to claim 7, wherein said flooring being essentially devoid of a difficultly removable detergent-resistant, shiny, transparent film of animal or vegetable origin was obtained in a previous step by a method comprising scrubbing a floor having said film with an aqueous solution having a pH of 1-5 with a sufficiently abrasive material to remove the film without marring the ceramic tile permanently, said aqueous solution being essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 16. A method according to claim 7, wherein said method is conducted in an environment conductive to the buildup of "polymerized grease".
- 17. A method according to claim 7, wherein said method is conducted in a restaurant.
- 18. A method according to claim 7, wherein said aqueous solution comprises:
- a first component being at least one acid or salt thereof, wherein said acid has a pK value at 25.degree. C. of greater than 2.8,
- a second component being at least one acid or salt thereof wherein said acid has a pK value at 25.degree. C. of less than 2.5, and
- at least one buffering salt of a weak acid, said buffering salt being the same as or different from said first or second component,
- wherein the ratio of total acid to free acid of said composition is at least 2.5, and said composition is essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 19. The method according to claim 6, wherein said stripper comprises:
- (a) a first component being at least one acid or salt thereof, wherein said acid has a pK value at 25.degree. C. of greater than 2.8;
- (b) a second component being at least one acid or salt thereof, wherein said acid has a pK value at 25.degree. C. of less than 2.5; and
- (c) at least one buffering salt of a weak acid, said buffering salt being the same as or different from said first or second component;
- wherein the ratio of total acid to free acid of said composition is at least 2.5,
- and wherein said composition is essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the stripper comprises:
- (a) 1 to 60 parts of at least one first component being an acid or salt thereof, said first component acid having a pK value of greater than 2.8 at 25.degree. C.;
- (b) 0.1-15 parts of at least one second component being an acid or salt thereof, said second component acid having a pK value of less than 2.5 at 25.degree. C.; and
- (c) sufficient but not more than 80 parts of a buffering salt of a weak acid for maintaining an aqueous solution of said composition at a pH in the range of about 1 to about 4.1, said buffering salt being the same as or different from (a) or (b);
- wherein the ratio of total acid to free acid of said composition is at least 2.5,
- and wherein said composition is essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the stripper further comprises:
- (d) 0 to 10 parts of hydrotrope selected from the group consisting of sodium alkylnaphthalene sulfonate and sodium xylene sulfonate; and
- (e) 0 to 40 parts of a surfactant that is the same as or different from said second component (b).
- 22. The method according to claim 20, wherein component (a) is citric acid, isocitric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, monohydroxyacetic acid, acetic acid or gluconic acid; wherein component (b) is sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, maleic acid, sodium bisulfate, sodium bisulfite, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, an organic sulfonic acid, an organic phosphonic acid, an organic ester of sulfuric acid or an organic ester of phosphoric acid; and wherein component (c) is sodium acid pyrophosphate, monosodium phosphate, sodium acetate or sodium citrate.
- 23. The method according to claim 20, wherein the stripper comprises:
- (a) 4 to 60 parts of citric acid;
- (b) 0.1 to 15 parts of sulfamic acid and/or phosphoric acid;
- (c) 0.1 to 40 parts of monosodium phosphate and/or sodium acid pyrophosphate;
- (d) 0 to 10 parts of hydrotrope;
- (e) 0 to 30 parts of nonionic and/or anionic surfactant;
- (f) 0 to 10 parts of fumed silica;
- (g) 0 to 15 parts of sodium tripolyphosphate;
- (h) 0 to 50 parts of filler;
- (i) 0 to 5 parts of neutralizer; and
- (j) 0 to 10 parts of foam stabilizer.
- 24. The method according to claim 20, wherein the stripper comprises:
- (a) 4-20 parts citric acid;
- (b) 0.7-3 parts phosphoric acid;
- (c) 8-32 parts buffering salt of a weak acid;
- (d) 2-9 parts hydrotrope;
- (e) 1-15 parts surfactant;
- (f) 1-8 parts filler;
- (g) 0.6-3 parts neutralizer; and
- (h) 0.8-3.5 parts foam stabilizer.
- 25. The method according to claim 7, wherein the aqueous solution comprises:
- (a) 1 to 60 parts of at least one first component being an acid or salt thereof, said first component acid having a pK value of greater than 2.8 at 25.degree. C.;
- (b) 0.1-15 parts of at least one second component being an acid or salt thereof, said second component acid having a pK value of less than 2.5 at 25.degree. C.; and
- (c) sufficient but not more than 80 parts of a buffering salt of a weak acid for maintaining an aqueous solution of said composition at a pH in the range of about 1 to about 4.1, said buffering salt being the same as or different from (a) or (b);
- wherein the ratio of total acid to free acid of said composition is at least 2.5,
- and wherein said composition is essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 26. The method according to claim 25, wherein the aqueous solution further comprises:
- (d) 0 to 10 parts of hydrotrope selected from the group consisting of sodium alkylnaphthalene sulfonate and sodium xylene sulfonate; and
- (e) 0 to 40 parts of a surfactant that is the same as or different from said second component (b).
- 27. The method according to claim 25, wherein component (a) is citric acid, isocitric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, monohydroxyacetic acid, acetic acid or gluconic acid; wherein component (b) is sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, maleic acid, sodium bisulfate, sodium bisulfite, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, an organic sulfonic acid, an organic phosphonic acid, an organic ester of sulfuric acid or an organic ester of phosphoric acid; and wherein component (c) is sodium acid pyrophosphate, monosodium phosphate, sodium acetate or sodium citrate.
- 28. The method according to claim 25, wherein the aqueous solution comprises:
- (a) 5 to 30 parts of citric acid;
- (b) 0.1 to 10 parts of sulfamic and/or phosphoric acid;
- (c) 2 to 50 parts of monosodium phosphate and/or sodium acid pyrophosphate;
- (d) 0 to 10 parts of hydrotrope;
- (e) 5 to 40 parts of nonionic and/or anionic surfactant;
- (f) 0 to 10 parts of fumed silica;
- (g) 0 to 15 parts of sodium tripolyphosphate; and
- (h) 0 to 50 parts of filler.
- 29. The method according to claim 25, wherein the aqueous solution comprises:
- (a) 6-10 parts citric acid;
- (b) 1.5-2.5 parts phosphoric acid;
- (c) 8-18 parts monosodium phosphate;
- (d) 6-13 parts hydrotrope;
- (e) 16-35 parts of a mixture of anionic and nonionic surfactants;
- (f) 0.6-1.1 parts of filler;
- (g) 2-11 parts of neutralizer;
- (h) 1.3-2.2 parts of foam stabilizer; and
- (i) 1.5-2.5 parts of solvent.
- 30. A method for removing an undesired difficultly removable, detergent-resistant, shiny, transparent film of animal or vegetable origin from at least one unitary twenty-five square foot area of ceramic tile flooring, said method comprising the steps of:
- (a) contacting the film with an aqueous solution having a pH of 1-6, said aqueous solution being essentially free of hydrofluoric acid; and
- (b) removing at least a portion of said contacted film.
- 31. A method according to claim 30, wherein said contacting and removing steps are accomplished by mopping.
- 32. A method according to claim 31, wherein said film removed has been on said floor for at most two weeks.
- 33. A method according to claim 30, wherein said removing step is accomplished by the use of an abrasive pad.
- 34. A method according to claim 30, wherein said removing step is accomplished without marring the tile flooring.
- 35. A method according to claim 30, wherein said aqueous solution comprises:
- (a) a first component being at least one acid or salt thereof, wherein said acid has a pK value at 25.degree. C. of greater than 2.8;
- (b) a second component being at least one acid or salt thereof, wherein said acid has a pK value at 25.degree. C. of less than 2.5; and
- (c) at least one buffering salt of a weak acid, said buffering salt being the same as or different from said first or second component;
- wherein the ratio of total acid to free acid of said composition is at least 2.5, and
- wherein said composition is essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 36. The method according to claim 35, wherein component (a) is citric acid, isocitric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, monohydroxyacetic acid, acetic acid or gluconic acid; wherein component (b) is sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, maleic acid, sodium bisulfate, sodium bisulfite, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, an organic sulfonic acid, an organic phosphonic acid, an organic ester of sulfuric acid or an organic ester of phosphoric acid; and wherein component (c) is sodium acid pyrophosphate, monosodium phosphate, sodium acetate or sodium citrate.
- 37. A method for treating ceramic tile flooring comprising periodically applying to at least one unitary twenty-five square foot area of the flooring, where buildup of an unwanted film derived from animal or vegetable fat can occur, and where unwanted film contributes to the creation or enhancement of a slippery-when-wet condition of said tile, an aqueous solution having a pH of about 1 to about 6 in an amount sufficient to prevent the buildup of said unwanted film, said solution being essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 38. A method according to claim 37, wherein said unwanted film is a difficultly removable detergent-resistant film of "polymerized grease" containing minor amounts of calcium and magnesium and having bonds substantially as shown in the Polymerized Grease Film Molecular Model of Formula 1.
- 39. A method according to claim 37, wherein prior to said applying step, said slippery-when-wet condition exists because the presence of said unwanted film on said tile, and wherein said treating accomplishes the removal of at least a portion of said film.
- 40. A method according to claim 37, wherein said pH is 1 to 4.1.
- 41. A method according to claim 37, said applying being conducted on a regular schedule.
- 42. A method according to claim 37, said applying being conducted with sufficient regularity to maintain the coefficient of static friction of the flooring in the wet state at a value above 0.4.
- 43. A method according to claim 37, said applying being conducted at least weekly.
- 44. A method according to claim 37, said applying being conducted at least on alternate days.
- 45. A method according to claim 37, said applying being conducted at least daily.
- 46. A method according to claim 37, wherein said flooring, prior to said applying step, is essentially devoid of a difficultly removable detergent-resistant, shiny, trasparent film of animal or vegetable origin.
- 47. A method according to claim 37, wherein said method is conducted in an environment conducive to the buildup of "polymerized grease."
- 48. A method according to claim 37, wherein said method is conducted in a restaurant.
- 49. A method according to claim 37, wherein said aqueous solution comprises:
- a first component being at least one acid or salt thereof, wherein said acid has a pK value at 25.degree. C. of greater than 2.8.
- a second component being at least one acid or salt thereof wherein said acid has a pK value at 25.degree. C. of less than 2.5, and
- at least one buffering salt of a weak acid, said buffering salt being the same as or different from said first or second component,
- wherein the ratio of total acid to free acid of said composition is at least 2.5, and said composition is essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 50. The method according to claim 37, wherein the aqueous solution comprises:
- (a) 1 to 60 parts of at least one first component being an acid or salt thereof, said first component acid having a pK value of greater than 2.8 at 25.degree. C.;
- (b) 0.1-15 parts of at least one second component being an acid or salt thereof, said second component acid having a pK value of less than 2.5 at 25.degree. C.; and
- (c) sufficient but not more than 80 parts of a buffering salt of a weak acid for maintaining an aqueous solution of said composition at a pH in the range of about 1 to about 4.1, said buffering salt being the same as or different from (a) or (b);
- wherein the ratio of total acid to free acid of said composition is at least 2.5,
- and wherein said composition is essentially free of hydrofluoric acid.
- 51. The method according to claim 50, wherein the aqueous solution further comprises:
- (d) 0 to 10 parts of hydrotrope selected from the group consisting of sodium alkylnaphthalene sulfonate and sodium xylene sulfonate; and
- (e) 0 to 40 parts of a surfactant that is the same as or different from said second component (b).
- 52. The method according to claim 50, wherein component (a) is citric acid, isocitric acid, tartaric acid, malic acid, monohydroxyacetic acid, acetic acid or gluconic acid; wherein component (b) is sulfamic acid, phosphoric acid, maleic acid, sodium bisulfate, sodium bisulfite, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, nitric acid, an organic sulfonic acid, an organic phosphonic acid, an organic ester of sulfuric acid or an organic ester of phosphoric acid; and wherein component (c) is sodium acid pyrophosphate, monosodium phosphate, sodium acetate or sodium citrate.
- 53. The method according to claim 50, wherein the aqueous solution comprises:
- (a) 5 to 30 parts of citric acid;
- (b) 0.1 to 10 parts of sulfamic and/or phosphoric acid;
- (c) 2 to 50 parts of monosodium phosphate and/or sodium acid pyrophosphate;
- (d) 0 to 10 parts of hydrotrope;
- (e) 5 to 40 parts of nonionic and/or anionic surfactant;
- (f) 0 to 10 parts of fumed silica;
- (g) 0 to 15 parts of sodium tripolyphosphate; and
- (h) 0 to 50 parts of filler.
- 54. The method according to claim 50, wherein the aqueous solution comprises:
- (a) 6-10 parts citric acid;
- (b) 1.5-2.5 parts phosphoric acid;
- (c) 8-18 parts monosodium phosphate;
- (d) 6-13 parts hydrotrope;
- (e) 16-35 parts of a mixture of anionic and nonionic surfactants;
- (f) 0.6-1.1 parts of filler;
- (g) 2-11 parts of neutralizer;
- (h) 1.3-2.2 parts of foam stabilizer; and
- (i) 1.5-2.5 parts of solvent.
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This is a division of application Ser. No. 763,733, filed Aug. 8, 1985, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,749,508.
This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 698,468 filed Feb. 5, 1985, incorporated by reference herein.
US Referenced Citations (4)
Divisions (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
763733 |
Aug 1985 |
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