Chemical Floor Stripper for Crosslinked Finishes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing floor strippers struggle to safely remove chemically-resistant crosslinked floor finishes without damaging the underlying flooring substrates, as aggressive chemicals can harm certain materials like linoleum, and mechanical methods like sanding can be damaging.
Innovation Solution
A floor stripper composition comprising phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohol, an oxygenated swelling solvent, water, a coupler, and a saponification agent, which forms a single-phase alkaline solution, effectively softening and removing chemically-resistant crosslinked floor finishes with minimal abrasive measures, reducing oily residue and avoiding substrate damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If aggressive floor strippers are used to remove chemically-resistant crosslinked floor finishes, then the floor finish can be removed effectively, but the underlying flooring substrate may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the stripper composition by using specific phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohols with controlled molecular weights and structures, along with oxygenated swelling solvents, to achieve effective removal of aziridine-crosslinked finishes without requiring extremely aggressive chemicals that would damage the substrate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces oxygenated swelling solvents as intermediary substances that facilitate the penetration and swelling of the crosslinked finish matrix, enabling the phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohol to act on the crosslinking sites without requiring harsh aggressive chemicals that would harm the underlying substrate
2Productivity
If mechanical means such as sanding are used to remove high chemical resistance finishes, then the finish can be removed, but the underlying flooring substrate is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical removal methods (sanding) with a chemical solution consisting of phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohols and oxygenated swelling solvents that can penetrate and disrupt the crosslinked finish matrix through chemical interaction rather than mechanical abrasion, thereby removing the finish without damaging the substrate
3Reliability
If aziridine crosslinking agents are used to increase chemical resistance, then the floor finish achieves high chemical resistance, but the finish becomes very difficult to remove during refinishing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using oxygenated swelling solvents that first penetrate and swell the crosslinked finish matrix before the phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohol can act on the aziridine crosslinking sites, facilitating gradual disruption of the crosslinks without requiring excessive chemical aggression
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic interaction between the stripper components and the crosslinked finish, where the oxygenated swelling solvents continuously penetrate and swell the matrix while the phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohol progressively disrupts the crosslinks, creating a dynamic removal process that maintains control and prevents substrate damage
4Productivity
If conventional alkaline strippers are used on linoleum flooring, then floor finish can be removed, but the linoleum may turn brown due to high pH conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the pH parameter of the stripper composition by using phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohols that can effectively disrupt aziridine crosslinks at moderate pH levels, avoiding the need for high pH conditions that would cause linoleum discoloration while still achieving effective finish removal
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 allows for safe and effective removal of chemically-resistant floor finishes without damaging the flooring substrates, leaving minimal to no oily residue, and can be used on various flooring types, including linoleum, with reduced risk of substrate damage.
Implementation Method 1
oxygenated swelling solvent other than the phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohol
Implementation Method 2
saponification agent comprising the reaction product of a fatty acid or fatty ester with a stoichiometric excess of an alkali metal hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide
Implementation Method 3
sufficient coupler so that the composition has a single phase
Data Source
AI summary
Floor finishes are stripped or deep scrubbed using a floor stripper/cleaner composition containing a phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohol, an oxygenated swelling solvent other than the phenyl-substituted alkyl alcohol, water, sufficient coupler so that the composition has a single phase, and sufficient saponification agent comprising the reaction product of a fatty acid or fatty ester with a stoichiometric excess of an alkali metal hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide so that the composition has an alkaline pH and has a reduced oily residue after stripping when compared to an otherwise similar composition that does not contain the saponification agent. The composition is useful for removing ultradurable (e.g., crosslinked) floor finishes, especially on flooring substrates that are susceptible to chemical attack.