Floor finish application system using applicator pad and matched floor finish composition

• US 20040120752A1
• Filed: 12/09/2003
• Published: 06/24/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/14/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ecolab USA Incorporated (Ecolab, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Ecolab, Inc.
• Inventors: Olson, Scott, DeFields, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,063,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 401/139
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/22 with liquid-feeding devices
• CPC Class Codes: A47L 13/30 Implements for polishing and waxing or oiling, with dispensers for wax or oil

Abstract

A system for the formation of a thick robust transparent floor finish layer from a high solids formulation with an applicator device utilizing micro fiber technology. A micro fiber applicator device can be configured to apply a sufficient amount of an aqueous high solids floor finish to obtain a thick robust finish layer in a single application. One system for applying the floor finish can comprise a source of aqueous floor finish and an applicator wand comprising an application nozzle and application surface. Application surface can comprise micro fiber technology in a pad structure comprising a reservoir foam and a micro fiber applicator surface.

Claims

1. A method of forming a floor finish layer on the resilient vinyl floor, the method comprises:

(a) applying an aqueous floor finish composition to a resilient vinyl floor, the floor finish composition comprising greater than about 30 wt.-% solids, at a rate of addition of floor finish of about 30 to 90 milliliters of aqueous floor finish per each square meter of the floor; and

(b) forming a substantial uniform dried floor finish layer having a thickness of about 0.01 to 0.03 mm and about 10 to 35 gm-m<sup>−

2</sup> of dried floor finish on the resilient vinyl floor.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the floor finish composition comprises about 30 to 40 wt.-% solids.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the floor finish is applied to the floor surface at a rate of about 3.0 to 10 m²-min⁻

1.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the floor finish layer has a thickness of about 0.01 to 0.03 mm.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the dried floor finish layer comprises about 15 to 30 gm-m⁻

2.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the floor finish layer comprises a layer formed by a single application of the liquid floor finish material.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the floor finish is applied by metering about 35 to 80 milliliters of aqueous floor finish onto a floor surface and distributing the aqueous floor finish using the microfiber pad, wherein the application and distribution step are repeated at least once.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the floor finish is applied from a portable unit that is replenished with aqueous floor finish.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the portable unit comprises a back pack configured to contain 5 to 15 liters of floor finish.

10. A system capable of forming a floor finish layer on a resilient vinyl floor, the system comprising:

(a) a portable container for liquid floor finish having a reservoir of about 5 to 20 liters, the container comprising a coupling providing fluid communication to a wand applicator;

(b) a wand applicator comprising a handle, an applicator pad and a conduit providing fluid communication of floor finish from the container to the applicator pad; and

(c) means to meter about 30 to 90 milliliters of the aqueous floor finish composition onto each square meter of the resilient vinyl floor.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the system of claim 10 wherein the portable container comprises a backpack comprising a case adapted for supporting a container of liquid floor finish.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the coupling comprises a rotary coupling.

13. The system of claim 10 wherein fluid communication from the container to the wand applicator comprises a coupling and conduit.

14. The system of claim 10 wherein the handle comprises means to meter the aqueous floor finish.

15. The system of claim 10 wherein the applicator pad comprises a substantially planar pad having an attachment surface, an interior foam reservoir and a microfiber application surface.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the pad a substantially rectangular having a surface area of about 500 to 2000 cm².

17. The system of claim 15 wherein the microfiber comprises an absorbing yarn comprising about 70 to 90 percent polyester and 10 to 30 percent polyamide.

18. The system of claim 10 wherein the case comprises a hose restraint.

19. The system of claim 10 wherein means to meter the floor finish comprises an aperture having a diameter of about 0.1 to 3 mm.

20. The system of claim 15 wherein the attachment surface comprises a Velcro surface and foam reservoir comprises a an open cell foam having a thickness of less than 2 cm.