Patent ID: 7812079

Claim:
A coating composition, comprising: a latex polymer comprising a surfactant and polymer particles emulsified or suspended in an aqueous medium; and at least 1 percent by weight based on polymer solids of a coalescent having the formula: R 1 —(C(O)—X r —O) n —R 2 wherein: R 1 is an organic group having at least 3 and less than 100 carbon atoms, wherein the organic group is an aliphatic group, alicyclic group, heterocyclic group, or combinations thereof: X is a divalent organic group; r is 0 or 1; n is 1 to 10; and R 2 is hydrogen or an organic group having less than 100 carbon atoms; with the proviso that R 1 and R 2 together do not include any aliphatic unsaturated carbon-carbon bonds; and wherein the coalescent has a volatile organic content of less than about 15%, is not reactive with the latex polymer, and is dispersible in the coating composition and assists in the formation of a continuous coating or film from the latex particles after applying the composition to a surface and allowing it to dry.