Oil degreaser with absorbent and method

• US 6,511,954 B1
• Filed: 11/20/2000
• Issued: 01/28/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Scoda America, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Scoda America, Inc.
• Inventors: Wilbur, Wesley S., Wilbur, David K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Webb, Gregory E.
• Application Number:
  US09/716,697
• Time in Patent Office: 799 Days
• Field of Search: 510/417, 510/365, 510/505, 510/506, 510/174, 134/42
• US Class Current: 510/417
• CPC Class Codes: C09K 3/32 for absorbing liquids to remove pollution, e.g. oil, gasoline, fat
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 1/72 Ethers of polyoxyalkylene glycols
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0021 Aqueous microemulsions
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 17/0034 Fixed on a solid conventional detergent ingredient
• CPC Class Codes: C11D 3/18 Hydrocarbons C11D3/164 takes precedence

Abstract

An emulsion is provided that comprises a degreaser containing D-limonene along with an absorbent for cleaning oil spills. The composition is a degreaser and absorbent in an emulsion with the active ingredient D-limonene. Also provided is a method of cleaning stains off hard surfaces using a composition having a degreaser and an absorbent.

Claims

1. A microemulsion composition comprising:

an essential oil;

a surfactant comprising an alkoxylated alkyl phenol and a terpene emulsifier; and

an absorbent.

2. A microemulsion composition comprising:

an essential oil;

a surfactant effective to form a microemulsion; and

an absorbent comprising diatomaceous earth and perlite.

3. A method for removing oil stains from a surface, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a stain removal microemulsion composition that comprises an essential oil, a surfactant effective to form a microemulsion, and an absorbent;

applying said stain removal microemulsion composition to an oil stain on a surface;

allowing said composition to dry; and

removing the dried absorbent material from the surface.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said dried absorbent material is swept away.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein said dried absorbent material is vacuumed.

6. A method for removing stains from a surface, the method comprising the steps of:

providing a stain removal microemulsion composition that comprises an essential oil, a surfactant effective to form a micro-emulsion, and an absorbent;

applying said stain removal microemulsion composition to a stain on a surface;

allowing said stain removal microemulsion composition to dry; and

removing the dried absorbent material from the surface.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said dried absorbent material is swept away.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said dried absorbent material is vacuumed.