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Description  |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a coating removal and all-purpose cleaning
composition and, more particularly, to a fingernail polish remover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional nail polish remover compositions generally include acetone,
ethyl acetate and alcohol. The use of acetone, ethyl acetate and alcohol
is disadvantageous in that it gives off a disagreeable odor, is irritating
to the eyes and skin, and is drying to the nails and cuticles. Acetone,
ethyl acetate and alcohol are flammable and combustible and can be harmful
to the user.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-make,
easy-to-use very efficient nail polish remover composition and methods of
using the compositions.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a very
effective, non-toxic, non-methylene chloride, acetone, ethyl acetate or
alcohol containing nail polish remover comprising d-limonene, ethyl
lactate, and cetyl acetate, or a mixture of cetyl acetate and acetylated
lanolin alcohol.
Still another object of the present invention to provide a non-aqueous
liquid cleaning composition especially adapted for removing finger nail
polish, the composition comprising the following ingredients in
approximate percent by weight:
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Ingredients % by weight
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1. d-limonene 20-70
2. ethyl lactate
20-70
3. cetyl acetate or a
1-15
mixture of cetyl
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These and other objects will be apparent from the specification and claims
that follow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a non-aqueous composition comprising the
following ingredients:
1. d-limonene;
2. ethyl lactate;
3. cetyl acetate or a mixture of cetyl acetate and acetylated lanolin
alcohol; and
4. optionally, propylene glycol methyl ether acetate.
The present invention provides an effective, non-toxic, non-aqueous liquid
finger nail cleaner composition comprising the following ingredients in
the general and preferred ranges set forth in approximate percent by
weight:
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% by weight
Ingredients General Preferred
Ideal
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1. d-limonene 20-70 30-60 45
2. ethyl lactate
20-75 25-55 50
3. cetyl acetate
9-17 12-15 5
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Optionally, propylene glycol methyl ether can be used as well as a
surfactant. These formulations are as follows in approximate % by weight:
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Ingredient Optimal General
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1. d-limonene 27 15-50
2. ethyl lactate 35 10-50
3. propylene 35 10-50
glycol methyl
ether acetate
4. Acetulan 2 1-50
5. surfactant 1 0.1-5
(ethoxylated
undecyl alcohol)
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DETAILS OF THE INVENTION
The compositions of the present invention, while preferably used as a nail
polish remover, on silk line, and fiberglass wraps. The compositions are
useful as all-purpose cleaners and, in particular, hard surface cleaners,
blanket washes for us in the printing industry, cleaners for brake
linings, silk screens, copier belts, all kinds of metering devices
including coin collecting machines, and the cleaning of all types of
spraying equipment when used for painting, applying glues, inks, greases,
oils, etc.
The easy to use, easy to make cleaning composition is made by mixing
generally the three liquid ingredients (d-limonene, ethyl lactate and
Acetulan) to form a homogenized stable cleaning mixture having enhanced
detergent and stripping powers. When ethyl lactate is used, the speed of
the cleaning action increases. This combination of Acetulan, d-limonene
and ethyl lactate is necessary for the removal of some of the new hard
finishes of certain nail polishes, especially when the polishes are on
wrapped nails. The d-limonene component is a solvent or diluent that
assists in penetrating and stripping or removing of the coating (such as
finger nail polish) to be removed.
The d-limonene helps to loosen or dissolve grease, fat or organic
materials, and is described as an ingredient in a cleaner in U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,790,951 and 5,031,648.
When N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) was used as a solvent in the composition,
the results were not satisfactory especially when compared to the remover
containing the above three ingredients. U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,670 discloses
a percutaneous (drug) absorption composition including NMP and other
ingredients such as alcohols or esters including cetyl acetate. U.S. Pat.
No. 5,011,621 is directed to a paint stripper composition and discloses
the use of NMP, an oil, and a plurality of cosolvents including terpenes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,591 (Stevens) discloses a paint stripper composition
that includes NMP.
The cetyl acetate is a desensitizer that enhances the compatibility,
efficiency, miscibility, and stability of the liquid non-aqeous
d-limonene/NMP combination. As indicated, cetyl acetate should be at least
about 1 percent by weight of the composition with the best results being
obtained with about 2 to 6 percent by weight. Acetulan, a mixture of cetyl
acetate and acetylated lanolin alcohol, can be used in place of all or
part of the cetyl acetate.
As indicated, relatively large amounts of ethyl lactate can be used, say,
about 10 to 20 up to 50 or 70% by weight. Preferably about 30 to 55 weight
percent is used to obtain fast drying. Ethyl lactate is a solvent that is
compatible with d-limonene, cetyl acetate, Acetulan (mixture of cetyl
acetate and acetylated lanolin alcohol), and the optional ingredient
(propylene glycol methyl ether acetate). Ethyl lactate enhances the
compatibility, efficiency, miscibility, and the stability of the liquid,
the speed of drying the non-aqueous d'limonene/acetulan combination and
enhances the removal time for the more difficult hard nail polish
surfaces. Best results are obtained with about 40-50% by weight. As
indicated, the total amount of d-limonene in the composition is preferably
at least 20 or 30 percent by weight and more preferably at least about 27
or 45 percent by weight. In some cases, methyl lactate can be used with
the ethyl lactate, the methyl lactate being generally about 3 to 5 weight
percent up to 50 to 55 weight percent of the combination of ethyl lactate
and methyl lactate.
The cleaner composition has an outstanding balance of properties including
easy removal of coatings (finger nail polish) on hard surfaces, being
non-irritating, having a pleasant order, being quick drying, having
miscible ingredients, and leaving the cleaned surfaces free of surface
fiber.
The present invention provides the following composition in which the
ingredients are present in percent by weight:
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Ingredients % by weight
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1. d-limonene 30-60
2. ethyl lactate 25-45
3. cetyl acetate 2-7.
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Also provided is a composition in which the following ingredients are
present in approximate percent by weight:
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Ingredients % by weight
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1. d-limonene 30-60
2. ethyl lactate 10-50
3. cetyl acetate 1-5
4. propylene glycol
10-50.
methyl ether acetate
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Also provided is a composition comprising about 40% by weight of
d-limonene, about 45% by weight of ethyl lactate, about 5% by weight of
cetyl acetate and acetylated lanolin alcohol, and propylene glycol methyl
ether acetate in an amount of at least about 10% by weight.
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