Abstract: A pseudo-stable phase-splitting solvent composition that forms a single liquid phase when subjected to mild agitation and retains that single phase while the composition is applied to a surface, but which forms two or more laminar liquid phases promptly after being applied. A concentrated solvent film forms on the surface, under a film containing the other phase. The solvent preferably is denser than water, and the composition preferably is diluted with water. This enables the solvent to attack the surface at near full strength, and provides a water seal over the solvent film. The solvent composition can be used full strength or in diluted form for cleaning, reducing the microbial population of, or degreasing a variety of surfaces, and for stripping a variety of difficult-to-remove coatings from surfaces.

Abstract: Aqueous bleach solutions can be made by directing a spray of water onto a bulk or shaped solid (brick, tablet, block, etc.) comprising a continuous solid phase of an encapsulated source of an active halogen bleach or a solid comprising a source of an oxidizing active halogen bleach, and an encapsulated oxidizing halogen bleach source. Such shaped solids can be used to dispense an aqueous bleach concentrate to bleaching locus such as a washing machine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions including a critical, near critical, or supercritical (densified) fluid and an antimicrobial agent, to methods of forming these compositions, and to methods employing these compositions. An antimicrobial agent can be generated in the presence of a densified fluid, for example, by reacting an oxidizing agent with a precursor to the antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: Iodine or iodophor stain resistance is imparted to a surface by applying a hardenable coating composition containing an effective amount of a reducing agent having a redox potential sufficient to decolorize an iodine or iodophor stain. The reducing agent reacts with triiodide anion in the stain to change the stain coloration from a yellowish hue (e.g., yellow-white, yellow or brown) towards a lighter hue (e.g., pale yellow, white or transparent). This decolorization reaction takes place over a period of minutes, hours or days, and preferably can eventually cause the stain to disappear.

Abstract: Solid block alkaline detergent compositions are disclosed comprising a source of alkalinity, and other detergent additives including sequestrants. The solid block detergents of the invention used a mixed inorganic and organic sequestrant composition that successfully softens service water used in manufacturing aqueous detergents from the composition, but also obtains substantially improved organic soil removal on dishware or flatware. The solid block detergents of the invention comprise large masses of the chemical ingredients having a weight of greater than about 500 grams in a solid block product format that is typically dispensed using a spray on water dispenser that creates an aqueous concentrate that is used in a washing machine.

Abstract: The dimensionally stable alkaline solid block warewashing detergent uses an E-form binder forming a solid comprising a sodium carbonate source of alkalinity, a sequestrant, a surfactant package and other optional material. The solid block is dimensionally stable and highly effective in removing soil from the surfaces of dishware in the institutional and industrial environment. The E-form hydrate comprises an organic phosphonate and a hydrated carbonate.

Abstract: The soil release properties of a surface are modified by applying to the surface a treatment composition comprising a mixture of hydroxyether and polyalkoxysilane. The treatment can discourage water spotting and soil accumulation, and can make the surface easier to clean and maintain.

Abstract: A UV cured floor finish can be removed from a floor by applying to the cured finish an inhomogeneous stripper composition containing at least one polar solvent, allowing the stripper composition to contact the finish for sufficient time to soften the finish, and removing the softened finish from the floor by mopping, vacuuming, mild abrasion or other measures that do not remove substantial portions of the floor. Preferably the polar solvent is denser than water and preferably the stripper composition has a diffusion rate through the cured finish greater than about 7×10−7 g/cm2/sec. Strippable floor finish kits can be manufactured by combining a UV curable floor finish composition and an inhomogeneous stripper composition containing at least one polar solvent.

Abstract: A waterborne radiation curable coating composition containing at least one acrylate functional oligomer having a functionality greater than 3 and at least one vinyl ether oligomer having a functionality greater than 1 provides a cured coating resists deep scratches.

Abstract: Continuous coatings including floor finishes can be prepared using novel two part compositions and methods. The two part compositions comprise a solid particulate polymer part and a liquid coalescing agent part. A novel method of the invention involves contacting the coalescing agent with the polymer in a variety of coating methods including applying the polymer to the coalescing agent, applying the coalescing agent to the polymer or applying the coalescing agent and polymer simultaneously. The polymer and coalescing agent interact to form a continuous coating layer or finish layer.

Abstract: A radiation cure device (10) has a removable light housing (25). The cure device (10) utilizes a fixed output power supply (55), a shutter mechanism (30) and is easily maneuverable because of its lighter weight. The light housing (20) is laterally offset and is adjustable in a lateral direction.

Abstract: A solid functional material comprises a functional agent such as a cleaning composition, a sanitizing agent, where a rinse agent, etc. in a solid block format. The solid block is formed by a binding agent that forms the active ingredients into a solid block. The binding agent comprises a phosphonate or amino acetate sequestrant, a carbonate salt and water in an E-Form hydrate. These materials at a specific mole ratio form a novel binding agent that can form functional materials into a solid matrix form.

Abstract: The dimensionally stable alkaline solid block warewashing detergent uses an E-form binder forming a solid comprising a sodium carbonate source of alkalinity, a metal corrosion protecting alkali metal silicate composition, a sequestrant, a surfactant package and other optional material. The solid block is dimensionally stable and highly effective in removing soil from the surfaces of dishware in the institutional and industrial environment. The E-form hydrate comprises an organic phosphonate and a hydrated carbonate.

Abstract: Iodine or iodophor stain resistance is imparted to a surface by applying a hardenable coating composition containing an effective amount of a reducing agent having a redox potential sufficient to decolorize an iodine or iodophor stain. The reducing agent reacts with triiodide anion in the stain to change the stain coloration from a yellowish hue (e.g., yellow-white, yellow or brown) towards a lighter hue (e.g., pale yellow, white or transparent). This decolorization reaction takes place over a period of minutes, hours or days, and preferably can eventually cause the stain to disappear.

Abstract: Aqueous bleach solutions can be made by directing a spray of water onto a bulk or shaped solid (brick, tablet, block, etc.) comprising a continuous solid phase of an encapsulated source of an active halogen bleach or a solid comprising a source of an oxidizing active halogen bleach, and an encapsulated oxidizing halogen bleach source. Such shaped solids can be used to dispense an aqueous bleach concentrate to bleaching locus such as a washing machine.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating ready-to-use products from a concentrated form of the products is disclosed. The apparatus generally comprises a source of one or more concentrated products. These concentrated products are delivered to a point of use which typically may be a small, consumer-sized container. The apparatus dilutes the concentrated product to an appropriate level. The final, ready-to-use product can be a wide variety of cleaning products. A method is also disclosed for creating this ready-to-use product.

Abstract: A waterborne radiation curable coating composition containing at least one acrylate functional oligomer having a functionality greater than 3 and at least one vinyl ether oligomer having a functionality greater than 1 provides a cured coating resists deep scratches.

Abstract: The present invention relates to antimicrobial compositions including a critical, near critical, or supercritical (densified) fluid and an antimicrobial agent, to methods of forming these compositions, and to methods employing these compositions. An antimicrobial agent can be generated in the presence of a densified fluid, for example, by reacting an oxidizing agent with a precursor to the antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A hand dishwashing detergent composition as provided according to the invention. The hand dishwashing detergent composition includes an anionic surfactant blend, a betaine surfactant, and water. The anionic surfactant blend includes a first anionic surfactant component and a second anionic surfactant component. The first anionic surfactant component can include at least one of an alkyl aryl sulfonate wherein the alkyl group contains 10 to about 18 carbon atoms and the aryl group comprises at least one of benzene, toluene, xylene, and a secondary alkane sulfonate wherein the alkane group includes about 10 to about 18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A method for creating ready-to-use products from a concentrated form of the products for sale at a retail price is disclosed. The apparatus to create the ready-to-use products generally comprises a source of one or more concentrated products. These concentrated products are delivered to a point of use which typically may be a small, consumer-sized container. The apparatus dilutes the concentrated product to an appropriate level. The final, ready-to-use product can be a wide variety of cleaning products. The method provides for a larger profit to the retailer than normally available from the sale of pre-filled cleaning products.