Abstract:
A remover composition comprises a primary solvent and at least one of a secondary solvent portion and an additive portion. The primary solvent portion has a K b  value of substantially between 25 and 40. The percentage by weight of primary solvent portion is within a primary solvent range of less than approximately 99% of the remover composition.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Ser. No. 60/859,387 filed Nov. 15, 2006, the content of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the removal of substances from substrate surfaces and, more particularly, to compositions that, when applied to certain substances, alter the characteristics of the substances to facilitate removal of the substances from a variety of substrate surfaces. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The process of removing a substance that has been intentionally or unintentionally applied to a substrate surface is significantly simplified if the characteristics of the applied substance are altered. For example, removal of chewing gum from a carpet or fabric is simplified if the gum is softened or otherwise dissolved. Similarly, permanent ink can be wiped off of a painted surface more easily when dissolved into liquid form. 
         [0004]    A number of remover compositions have been formulated to alter the characteristics of a variety of applied substances to facilitate removal of these applied substances from a variety of substrate surfaces. Ideally, such remover compositions typically comprise solvents that are formulated to break down the applied substance without permanently damaging the material defining the substrate surface. 
         [0005]    Recently, however, various government entities have enacted regulations that effectively restrict the use of certain solvents in conventional remover compositions. This includes, but is not limited to, the weight percentage of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) used and several chlorinated solvents. 
         [0006]    The need thus exists to develop new remover compositions that effectively alter the characteristics of a variety of applied substances to facilitate removal of these applied substances from a variety of substrate surfaces but which also meet governmental regulations. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention may be embodied as a remover composition comprising a primary solvent and at least one of a secondary solvent portion and an additive portion. The primary solvent portion has a K b  value of substantially between 25 and 40. The percentage by weight of primary solvent portion is within a primary solvent range of less than approximately 99% of the remover composition. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0008]    The present invention may be embodied as a remover composition comprising materials that, when combined, provide a balance of characteristics that is desirable in a composition for removing a variety of applied substances from a variety of substrates. 
         [0009]    A remover composition of the present invention comprises a primary solvent portion and a secondary solvent portion comprising at least one secondary solvent. Many typical applied substances are formed at least in part of organic materials, and the purpose of the primary and secondary solvent portions is to dissolve or otherwise loosen these organic materials. 
         [0010]    A remover composition of the present invention may further comprise one or more additional components such as a fragrance portion comprising at least one fragrance, a colorant portion comprising at least one colorant, a gellant portion comprising at least one gellant material, and a surfactant. The fragrance portion may provide the remover composition with an aesthetically pleasing odor or, depending upon the solvents used, may cover up displeasing odors. The colorant portion provides a color to the remover composition. The gellant portion is a thixotropic agent that causes the remover composition to form a gel when applied to the substrate. The surfactant conventionally facilitates spreading of the remover composition. 
         [0011]    The primary solvent portion, secondary solvent portion, and additional components that may be used to create a remover composition according to the principles of the present invention will each be discussed in further detail below. 
       I. PRIMARY SOLVENT PORTION 
       [0012]    The primary solvent portion is formed of a low vapor pressure volatile organic compound (LVP-VOC) having a Kauri-Butanol Value (K b  value) of substantially between 15 and 40. The California Air Regulatory Board (C.A.R.B.) uses the term “LVP-VOC” to define a particular class of chemical compounds or mixtures that contain at least one carbon atom and, among other possible physical attributes, vaporize very slowly at 20 degrees Celsius. The term “K b  value” refers to a number indicative of the solvency of a material and is measured using an industry standard test procedure. 
         [0013]    The following Table A contains a list of materials that may be used, alone or in combination, as the primary solvent portion: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE A 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Scientific Name 
                 CAS number 
                 Example Ingredient (Supplier) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 Hydrotreated Light 
                 64742-47-8 
                 LVP 200 (Calumet Lubricants 
               
               
                 Distillates (petroleum) 
                   
                 Co.) 
               
               
                 Hydrotreated Light 
                 64742-47-8 
                 LVP 100 (Calumet Lubricants 
               
               
                 Distillates (petroleum) 
                   
                 Co.) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Conosol C-200 (Penreco) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Isopar M (Exxon Mobile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Corporation) 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Isopar V (Exxon Mobile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Corporation) 
               
               
                   
                 64771-72-8 
                 Norpar 15 (Exxon Mobile 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Corporation) 
               
               
                 Isoparaffinic 
               
               
                 Hydrocarbons 
               
               
                 Cycloparaffinic 
               
               
                 Hydrocarbons 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       II. SECONDARY SOLVENT PORTION 
       [0014]    The secondary solvent portion is formed of a solvent having a Kauri-Butanol Value (Kb value) of greater than 40. The following Table B contains a list of materials that may be used, alone or in combination, as the secondary solvent portion: 
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE B 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Scientific Name 
                 CAS number 
                 Example Ingredient (Supplier) 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1-Methyl-4-(1- 
                 94266-47-4 
                 d-Limonene 
               
               
                 methylethenyl) 
               
               
                 cyclohexene 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Citrus Terpenes 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Orange Extractives 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Citrus Extractives 
               
               
                   
                 8028-48-6 
                 Cold Pressed Orange Oil 
               
               
                 Tripropylene Glycol 
                 25498-49-1 
               
               
                 (Mono) Methyl Ether 
               
               
                 (TPM) 
               
               
                 Propylene based 
                   
                 PM, DPM, PE, PNP, DPNP, 
               
               
                 glycol ethers 
                   
                 PNB, DPNB, TPNB, PTB 
               
               
                 Ethylene based 
                   
                 DM, DE, EB, DB 
               
               
                 glycol ethers 
               
               
                 Tertiary Butyl Acetate 
                 540-88-5 
                 TBAc 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       III. ADDITIONAL COMPONENTS 
       [0015]    If used, the colorant portion can be any compatible dye or pigment material that results in the remover composition having a desirable color. One example material that may be used as the colorant portion is identified by the scientific names Perinone or Monoazo (CAS Number 6925-69-5) and ingredient name Pylakrome Orange Dye LX-10710. 
         [0016]    If used, the fragrance portion can be any compatible fragrance material that results in the remover composition having a desirable fragrance. One or more of the following materials may be used as the fragrance portion: Amyl Acetate (Primary, mixed isomers), Pentyl Acetate (CAS Number 628-63-7), 2-Methyl Butyl Acetate (CAS Number 624-41-9), and Isoamyl Acetate (CAS Number 123-92-2). 
         [0017]    It should be noted that certain of the secondary solvent materials listed above have aromatic properties that may eliminate the need for a separate fragrance material. Alternatively, it may be desirable to blend the fragrance of a separate fragrance material with the fragrance of the secondary solvent materials to obtain a unique, desirable, and/or recognizable blended fragrance. 
         [0018]    If used, the gellant portion can be any compatible gel material that results in the remover composition having desirable body and thickness when applied to the substrate surface. The gel portion can provided to the remover composition one or more of the following desirable characteristics: inhibit dripping or running of the remover composition; inhibit drying of the remover composition before the solvent portions can adequately penetrate the applied substance; and/or improve the consistency of the remover composition during application. An example of a gel material suitable for use as the gel portion is Sylvagel 6100 (Arizona Chemical). 
         [0019]    If used, the surfactant may be any compatible surfactant material that lowers the surface tension of the remover composition. By lowering the surface tension of the remover composition, the surfactant facilitates spreading of the remover composition. An example of a suitable surfactant is Tomodol. 
       IV. EXAMPLE REMOVER COMPOSITIONS 
       [0020]    The following examples list several formulations of remover compositions by percent weight of the ingredient materials: 
       Example 1 
       [0021]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 First 
                 Second 
                   
               
               
                 Component (Ingredient) 
                 Range 
                 Range 
                 Example 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Primary Solvent Portion 
                 &gt;68.0 
                 80.0-94.0  
                 87.1 
               
               
                 (LVP 200) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent Portion I 
                 0-30.0 
                 5.0-14.0 
                 9.5 
               
               
                 (d-Limonene) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent Portion II 
                 0-20.0 
                 1.0-5.0  
                 3.0 
               
               
                 (TPM) 
               
               
                 Fragrance Portion (Amyl 
                 0-5.0  
                 0.1-0.7  
                 0.4 
               
               
                 Acetate) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 2 
       [0022]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 First 
                 Second 
                   
               
               
                 Component (Ingredient) 
                 Range 
                 Range 
                 Example 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Primary Solvent Portion (LVP 
                 &gt;68.0 
                  86.0-99.0 
                 97.0075 
               
               
                 200) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent Portion 
                    0-30.0 
                  0.9-9.0 
                 2.99 
               
               
                 (Cold Pressed Orange Oil) 
               
               
                 Colorant Portion (Pylakrome 
                  0-2 
                 0.00001-0.1   
                 0.0025 
               
               
                 Orange) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 3 
       [0023]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 First 
                 Second 
                   
               
               
                 Component (Ingredient) 
                 Range 
                 Range 
                 Example 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Primary Solvent Portion (LVP 
                 &gt;68.0 
                 80.0-94.0  
                 87.4975 
               
               
                 200) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent Portion I 
                 0-30.0 
                 3.0-10.0 
                 6.5 
               
               
                 (d-Limonene) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent Portion II 
                 0-20.0 
                 1.0-5.0  
                 3.0 
               
               
                 (Cold Pressed Orange Oil) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent Portion III 
                 0-5.0  
                 1.0-3.0  
                 3.0 
               
               
                 (TPM) 
               
               
                 Colorant (Pylakrome Orange 
                 0-1.0  
                 0.0010-0.0040  
                 .0025 
               
               
                 (LX10710 Pylam)) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 4 
       [0024]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 First 
                 Second 
                   
               
               
                 Component (Ingredient) 
                 Range 
                 Range 
                 Example 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Primary Solvent Portion (LVP 
                 &gt;75.0 
                 89.0-99.0  
                 94.9975 
               
               
                 200) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent Portion I 
                 0-23.0 
                 1.0-11.0 
                 3.0 
               
               
                 (TPM) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent Portion II 
                 0-23.0 
                 1.0-11.0 
                 2.0 
               
               
                 (Citrus Boost) 
               
               
                 Colorant Portion (LX10710 
                 0-1.0  
                 0.0010-0.0040  
                 .0025 
               
               
                 Pylam) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 5 
       [0025]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 First 
                 Second 
                   
               
               
                 Component (Ingredient) 
                 Range 
                 Range 
                 Example 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Primary Solvent 
                 &gt;60.0 
                 85.0-99.0 
                 92.89825 
               
               
                 Portion (LVP 200) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent 
                 0-20.0 
                 1.0-9.0 
                 3.0 
               
               
                 Portion I (TPM) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent 
                 0-20.0 
                 1.0-6.0 
                 2.0 
               
               
                 Portion II 
               
               
                 (Citrus Boost) 
               
               
                 Gellant Portion 
                 0.1-10.0   
                 1.0-6.0 
                 2.1 
               
               
                 (Sylvagel 6100) 
               
               
                 Colorant (Pylakrome 
                 0-1.0  
                 0.00010-0.00500 
                 0.00150 
               
               
                 Orange (LX10710 
               
               
                 Pylam)) 
               
               
                 Colorant (Pylakrome 
                 0-1.0  
                 0.00010-0.00050 
                 0.00025 
               
               
                 Scarlet (LX-10048 
               
               
                 Pylam)) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       Example 6 
       [0026]      
         [0000]    
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                   
                 First 
                 Second 
                   
               
               
                 Component (Ingredient) 
                 Range 
                 Range 
                 Example 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 Primary Solvent 
                 &gt;60.0 
                 74.0-88.0 
                 81.14825 
               
               
                 Portion (LVP 200) 
               
               
                 Secondary Solvent 
                  0-30.0 
                  6.0-20.0 
                 12.5 
               
               
                 Portion (d-Limonene) 
               
               
                 Surfactant (Tomodol) 
                  0-10.0 
                  2.0-12.0 
                 4.0 
               
               
                 Gellant Portion 
                 0.1-10.0  
                 1.0-6.0 
                 1.8 
               
               
                 (Sylvagel 6100) 
               
               
                 Fragrance/Solvent 
                  0-30.0 
                 0.10-1.5  
                 0.5 
               
               
                 (Concentrated 
               
               
                 Orange Oil) 
               
               
                 Fragrance (Ethyl 
                 0-5.0 
                 0.01-0.10 
                 0.05 
               
               
                 Butyrate) 
               
               
                 Colorant (Pylakrome 
                 0-1.0 
                 0.00010-0.00500 
                 0.00150 
               
               
                 Orange (LX10710 
               
               
                 Pylam)) 
               
               
                 Colorant (Pylakrome 
                 0-1.0 
                 0.00010-0.00050 
                 0.00025 
               
               
                 Scarlet (LX-10048 
               
               
                 Pylam)) 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
         [0027]    The scope of the present invention should be determined with respect to any claims appended hereto and not the foregoing detailed description.