Floor Stripper Composition Using Organic Acid-Base Pair
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current floor stripping and finish removal methods often require abrasive techniques that can damage flooring substrates, and existing strippers may contain harmful chlorinated solvents or be corrosive, posing health and environmental hazards.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive floor finish stripper composition that is minimally abrasive, substantially nonchlorinated, and non-corrosive, using a combination of organic solvents, aliphatic acids, and organic amines to dissolve and remove hardened floor finishes without damaging the substrate, while maintaining a homogenous aqueous phase and low foaming properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If abrasive techniques are used to remove floor finishes, then removal effectiveness is improved, but substrate damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical abrasive removal with a chemical dissolution system. The composition uses a synergistic combination of chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents along with surfactants to chemically break down and dissolve floor finishes, eliminating the need for abrasive mechanical action that damages substrates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite solvent system combining multiple solvent types (chlorinated solvents like methylene chloride, non-chlorinated solvents like dibasic esters, and surfactants) to achieve enhanced removal effectiveness. This composite approach allows the solution to tackle various floor finish compositions without requiring harsh abrasives.
2Productivity
If chlorinated solvents are used in strippers, then removal power is improved, but health and environmental hazards increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical composition parameters by incorporating both chlorinated and non-chlorinated solvents in specific proportions. This parameter adjustment allows the formulation to maintain effective removal power while reducing the overall hazard profile compared to traditional fully-chlorinated stripper formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solvent system that combines chlorinated solvents (for powerful dissolution) with non-chlorinated solvents and surfactants (to reduce hazards and improve safety). This composite approach balances removal effectiveness with reduced health and environmental impact.
3Productivity
If strong acids or bases are used to dissolve floor finishes, then dissolution effectiveness is improved, but corrosiveness to skin increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the pH parameters of the composition to achieve effective floor finish dissolution within a safer pH range. By optimizing the balance between acidic and basic components, the formulation maintains dissolution effectiveness while reducing skin corrosiveness compared to traditional strong acid or base strippers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses surfactants as intermediary substances that facilitate the dissolution of floor finishes without requiring strong acids or bases. The surfactants act as mediators that lower the surface tension and enable effective breakdown of finished materials at milder pH levels, reducing skin corrosiveness.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively removes hardened floor finishes with minimal substrate damage, is safer for skin and the environment, and maintains a stable, non-corrosive pH, allowing for efficient and safe application and use.
Implementation Method 1
using a combination of organic solvents, aliphatic acids, and organic amines to dissolve and remove hardened floor finishes
Implementation Method 2
Floor stripper/cleaner containing organic acid-base pair
Data Source
AI summary
A floor finish stripper or scrub and recoat composition includes a sparingly water-soluble floor finish solvent, water, an acid in an amount sufficient to provide a homogenous aqueous liquid phase during shaking, and sufficient organic amine so that the composition has a pH of about 2 to about 11 and the composition is not corrosive to skin. The acid is at least one of (A) a C10 aliphatic acid, and (B) a sulfonic acid, sulfate acid, phosphonic acid, phosphate acid, or aromatic acid coupler.