Nonwoven surface treating articles, system including same, and method of treating calcium carbonate-containing surfaces with said system
First Claim
1. A nonwoven surface treating article suitable for treating stone surfaces comprised of calcium carbonate with crystallizing chemicals to improve the gloss thereof the article comprising an open, lofty, three-dimensional nonwoven web comprising a plurality of thermoplastic organic fibers, a binder which adheres said fibers at points of mutual contact, and abrasive particles adherently bonded to the fibers by said binder, the abrasive particles having an average particle diameter ranging from about 0.1 micrometer to about 9 micrometers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A nonwoven surface treating article suitable for treating surfaces which include calcium carbonate, such as marble floors, includes an open, lofty, three-dimensional nonwoven web of a plurality of thermoplastic organic fibers, a binder, and abrasive particles having an average particle diameter ranging from about 0.1 micrometer to about 30 micrometers. The abrasive articles of the invention do not rust, as do steel wool pads, and produce a high gloss, durable surface. A system for treating calcium carbonate-containing surfaces is also presented, the system including the articles and an acidic crystallization agent. Methods of treating calcium carbonate-containing surfaces with the system are also presented.
72 Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A nonwoven surface treating article suitable for treating stone surfaces comprised of calcium carbonate with crystallizing chemicals to improve the gloss thereof the article comprising an open, lofty, three-dimensional nonwoven web comprising a plurality of thermoplastic organic fibers, a binder which adheres said fibers at points of mutual contact, and abrasive particles adherently bonded to the fibers by said binder, the abrasive particles having an average particle diameter ranging from about 0.1 micrometer to about 9 micrometers.
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15. A system for polishing and/or crystallizing surfaces comprised of calcium carbonate, such as marble floors, the system comprising:
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(a) An abrasive article comprising an open, lofty, three-dimensional non-woven web comprising a plurality of thermoplastic organic fibers, a binder which adheres said fibers at points of mutual contact, and abrasive particles adherently bonded to the fibers by said binder, the abrasive particles having an average particle diameter ranging from about 0.1 micrometer to about 30 micrometers; and (b) an acidic crystallization agent comprising a chemical capable of reacting with the calcium in the surface comprising calcium carbonate to produce an insoluble calcium salt. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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18. A system for polishing and/or crystallizing surfaces comprised of calcium carbonate, such as marble floors, the system comprising:
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(a) an abrasive article comprising an open, lofty, three-dimensional non-woven web comprising a plurality of thermoplastic organic fibers selected from the group consisting of stuffer box crimped fibers, helically crimped fibers, melt-bondable fibers, and combinations thereof, a binder which adheres said fibers at points of mutual contact, and abrasive particles adherently bonded to the fibers by said binder, the abrasive particles having an average particle diameter ranging from about 0.1 micrometer to about 30 micrometers; and (b) an acidic crystallization agent comprising a chemical capable of reacting with the calcium in the surface comprised of calcium carbonate to produce an insoluble calcium salt.
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19. A method of treating a surface comprised of calcium carbonate, said method comprising:
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(a) applying an acidic crystallization agent either to said surface or to a nonwoven surface treating article, or both the surface and the article, the acidic crystallization agent comprising a chemical capable of reacting with the calcium in the calcium in the surface to produce an insoluble calcium salt, the nonwoven surface treating article comprising an open, lofty, three-dimensional nonwoven abrasive web comprising a plurality of thermoplastic organic fibers, a binder, and abrasive particles having an average particle diameter ranging from about 0.1 micrometer to about 30 micrometers; and (b) contacting said nonwoven surface treating article with said surface while creating relative movement between the surface and the nonwoven surface treating article, thereby producing a durable, high gloss finish on the surface.
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Specification