AU2016201583A1 - Aqueous compositions and uses thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

AQUEOUS COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOF 5 The invention relates to an aqueous composition for cleaning, comprising: a dispersed polymer, a coalescing agent, and water, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the aqueous composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, and wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of 10 from about 35% to about 80% (w/w). There is also described methods and uses of the aqueous composition, as well as a process for making it. There is further described a continuous film comprising a dispersed polymer, and a coalescing agent.

Description

ι 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 AQUEOUS COMPOSITIONS AND USES THEREOF Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to the field of curable compositions for 5 cleaning.

Background

Cleaning hard surfaces such as floor tiles and grout found between them is considered to be one of the most labour-intensive and time-consuming tasks performed with traditional liquid chemical cleaners. This is because traditional cleaners require a ίο laborious cleaning process including preliminary cleaning with a sponge or mop, dilution of the cleaning solution, applying the liquid cleaner on the surface, wiping the surface with the sponge or mop, re-applying the cleaner on grout, scrubbing the grout with a brush, rinsing and washing the surface and grout with water, and waiting for the surface to dry (or drying it manually). Traditional cleaning methods are shown in Figure 1. is Because of its porous nature, grout attracts dirt, grease and other contaminants which become trapped below the grout surface where regular mopping cannot reach. Indeed, sometimes mopping with traditional tile and grout liquid cleaners can make the grout more soiled due to residue from the dirty detergent solution getting into the grout lines. Scrubbing grout with a hard-bristled brush and/or other hard surface cleaning tools 20 is particularly labour intensive, and it is thus difficult to clean long term, hard soils and contaminants caught deeply in the pores of grout surfaces.

Accordingly, a general need exists for cleaning products and methods that reduce the labour intensiveness of traditional hard surface and grout cleaning. In particular, there is a need for cleaning products and methods effective for cleaning grout, which can have 25 soils and contaminants caught deeply in its pores.

Cleaning

Cleaning can be defined as the removal of an undesired material from a surface. These undesired materials may be referred to as “soils” or “soil”. Adhesion forces act to 30 hold soils to a surface, and these forces can range from very strong covalent bonds to relatively weak van der Waals interactions. For cleaning to occur, some form of energy must be applied to overcome these adhesion forces. Some mechanisms for cleaning are: 11091309 2 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 dissolution, displacement and dispersion, reaction, and mechanical removal of soils from a surface. The main mechanisms of removing soils from surfaces are shown in Figure 2.

Cleaning can be further broken down into removal of liquid and solid soils. The most common liquid soils are hydrocarbon (oily) based, and solid soils larger than 0.5 5 microns are usually held in place by capillary action with oily soils. By cleaning the oily soil, the solid soil comes off as well. Small solid soils (<0.5 microns) that are held on surfaces by van der Waals forces may be removed by household cleaning chemicals.

Soil roll up occurs only with light soils, such as soils and dirt generated for a short period of time. One the other hand, heavy soils are generated for a long period of time. So ίο heavy soils are readily removed from the substrates by amphiphilic solvents or surfactants in water (see Figure 2(a)). This cleaning can be accomplished by the solvents, which must have lower surface tension than the soil and must be partially (but not fully) soluble in the soil being displaced.

Entropic swelling occurs with medium to heavy soils and the solvents in the cleaner is partitions out of the water and into the soil (see Figure 2(b)). This reduces the soil viscosity and surface tension with water. This softening of the soil allows for surfactant emulsification and mechanical breakup, and without this softening, removal would be very difficult. This phenomenon is typical of glycol ethers in aqueous cleaners.

Soil solubilisation occurs when the soil is completely soluble in the solvent/cleaner. 20 The soils and solvent must have very closely matched solubility parameters. The soil simply dissolves into the liquid (see Figure 2(c)). Straight hydrocarbons and water-immiscible solvents are typical solubilisation cleaners.

Summary of the Invention

The present inventors have identified film-forming compositions which, when 25 applied to a soiled surface, form films that are removable by, e.g., peeling. Whilst on the surface, the compositions and films adhere to soil such that upon removal of the films, the soiled surface is cleaned.

Accordingly, in a first aspect, the present invention provides an aqueous composition for cleaning, comprising: a dispersed polymer, a coalescing agent, and water, 30 wherein the coalescing agent is present in the aqueous composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the dispersed polymer 11091309 3 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 comprises a polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, and wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of from about 35% to about 80% (w/w).

The following options may be used in conjunction with the first aspect either individually or in any suitable combination. 5 The dispersed polymer may comprise a polyurethane polymer. The dispersed polymer may comprise a polyvinyl acetate copolymer. The dispersed polymer may be present in the composition in a percentage by mass of between about 20% (w/w) and about 50% (w/w).

The composition may further comprise an additional dispersed polymer. The ίο additional dispersed polymer may be selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer. The dispersed polymer and the additional dispersed polymer may be present in the composition in a solids ratio of about 1:1 to about 4:1. The additional dispersed polymer may be present in the composition in a percentage by mass is of up to about 15% (w/w).

The coalescing agent may be such that when a layer of the composition is applied to a surface, the composition dries to form a continuous film on the surface. The dispersed polymer may be such that the film formed from the composition has a Konig dry film hardness of between about 30 s and 120 s. The dispersed polymer and the coalescing 20 agent may be such that the film formed from the composition has a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m, as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed, on vinyl or ceramic tile.

The coalescing agent may be a glycol ether or an ester of a glycol ether. For 25 example, the coalescing agent may be selected from the group consisting of: ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl acetate, propylene 30 glycol ethyl acetate, and dipropylene glycol methyl acetate, or may be a mixture of any two or more of these. Accordingly, the coalescing agent may be ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. It may be diethylene glycol monoethyl ether. It may be diethylene glycol monobutyl ether. It may be ethylene glycol methyl acetate. It may be propylene 11091309 4 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 glycol monomethyl ether. It may be propylene glycol n-propyl ether. It may be dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether. It may be propylene glycol n-butyl ether. It may be dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether. It may be tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether. It may be propylene glycol ethyl acetate. It may be dipropylene glycol methyl acetate. The 5 coalescing agent may be a glycol ether. The glycol ether may be ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, or a mixture of any two or more of these.

The coalescing agent may be present in the composition at a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:20. It may be present in the 10 composition at a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:5 to about 1:15.

The composition may comprise an associative thickener. The composition may comprise a preservative. The composition may comprise a surfactant.

The composition, when applied in a layer to a surface, may dry to form a continuous film on the surface. is In one embodiment, there is provided an aqueous composition for cleaning, comprising: a dispersed polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer, a coalescing agent which is a glycol ether, and water, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the aqueous composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, and wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of from about 35% to about 20 80% (w/w).

In another embodiment, there is provided an aqueous composition for cleaning, comprising: a dispersed polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer, a coalescing agent which is a glycol ether, water, and an additional dispersed polymer, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the aqueous composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing 25 agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, and wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of from about 35% to about 80% (w/w).

In another embodiment, there is provided an aqueous composition for cleaning, 30 comprising: a dispersed polymer comprising a polyester or polyether-based polyurethane polymer, wherein the dispersed polymer is present in the composition in a percentage by mass of between about 20% (w/w) and about 50% (w/w), a coalescing agent which is a glycol ether, and water, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the aqueous 11091309 5 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, and wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of from about 35% to about 80% (w/w).

In another embodiment, there is provided an aqueous composition for cleaning, 5 comprising: a dispersed polymer comprising a polyester or polyether-based polyurethane polymer, wherein the percentage by mass of dispersed polymer in the composition is between about 20% (w/w) and about 50% (w/w), a coalescing agent which is a glycol ether, an additional dispersed polymer, and water, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the aqueous composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 ίο to about 1:65, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is present in the aqueous composition in a percentage by mass of up to about 15% (w/w), and wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of from about 35% to about is 80% (w/w).

In another embodiment, there is provided an aqueous composition for cleaning, comprising: a dispersed polymer comprising a polyester or polyether-based polyurethane polymer, wherein the percentage by mass of dispersed polymer in the composition is between about 20% (w/w) and about 50% (w/w), a coalescing agent which is a glycol 20 ether, an additional dispersed polymer, and water, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the aqueous composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is 25 present in the aqueous composition in a percentage by mass of up to about 15% (w/w), wherein the dispersed polymer and the additional dispersed polymer are present in the composition in a solids ratio of about 1:1 to about 4:1, and wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of from about 35% to about 80% (w/w).

In another embodiment, there is provided an aqueous composition for cleaning, 30 comprising: a dispersed polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer, a coalescing agent which is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, or a mixture of any two or more of these, water, and an additional dispersed polymer, wherein the 11091309 6 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 coalescing agent is present in the aqueous composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:20, wherein the dispersed polymer is present in the composition in a percentage by mass of between about 20% (w/w) and about 50% (w/w), wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: 5 a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, and wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of from about 35% to about 80% (w/w).

In another embodiment, there is provided an aqueous composition for cleaning, comprising: a dispersed polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer, a coalescing agent ίο which is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, or a mixture of any two or more of these, water, and an additional dispersed polymer, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the aqueous composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:20, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is 15 selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, wherein the dispersed polymer is present in the composition in a percentage by mass of between about 20% (w/w) and about 50% (w/w), wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of from about 35% to about 80% (w/w), wherein the additional dispersed polymer is present 20 in the aqueous composition in a percentage by mass of up to about 15% (w/w), wherein the dispersed polymer and the additional dispersed polymer are present in the composition in a solids ratio of about 1:1 to about 4:1, and wherein the dispersed polymer is such that the film formed from the composition has a Konig dry film hardness of between about 30 s and 120 s and the dispersed polymer and the coalescing agent are 25 such that the film formed from the composition has a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m, as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed, on vinyl or ceramic tile.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a continuous film, comprising: a 30 dispersed polymer, and a coalescing agent, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the film in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer; and wherein the film has a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m, as 11091309 7 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed, on vinyl or ceramic tile.

The following options may be used in conjunction with the second aspect either individually or in any suitable combination. 5 The film may have a Konig dry film hardness of between about 30 s and about 120 s after drying for 24 h. The film may be formed by drying a layer of the composition as described in the first aspect above on a surface.

The film may comprise some residual water.

In one embodiment, there is provided a continuous film, comprising: a dispersed ίο polymer, a coalescing agent, and an additional dispersed polymer, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the film in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate is copolymer; and wherein the film has a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m, as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed, on vinyl or ceramic tile.

In one embodiment, there is provided a continuous film, comprising: a dispersed polymer, a coalescing agent, and an additional dispersed polymer, wherein the coalescing 20 agent is present in the film in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer; wherein the dispersed polymer and the additional dispersed polymer are 25 present in the composition in a solids ratio of about 1:1 to about 4:1, and wherein the film has a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m, as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed, on vinyl or ceramic tile.

In another embodiment, there is provided a continuous film, comprising: a 30 dispersed polymer, a coalescing agent, and an additional dispersed polymer, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the film in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer, wherein the coalescing agent is selected from the group consisting of ethylene 11091309 8 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, or a mixture of any two or more of these, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer; 5 wherein the film has a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m, as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed, on vinyl or ceramic tile and wherein the film has a Konig dry film hardness of between about 30 s and about 120 s after drying for 24 h. ίο In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of cleaning a surface, comprising: (a) applying a composition according to the first aspect above to the surface; (b) allowing the composition to dry and thereby form a dried film on the surface; and, (c) peeling the dried film away from the surface.

The following options may be used in conjunction with the third aspect either is individually or in any suitable combination.

The applying in step (a) may comprise brushing, rolling, spraying or squeezing the composition onto the surface. The composition may be applied at an area density of up to about 2000 g solids/m2. It may be applied at an area density of between about 120 g solids/m2 and about 2000 g solids/m2. Applying in step (a) may comprise forming a layer 20 of the composition having a thickness of approximately 0.1 to 2 mm on the surface.

Step (b) may comprise drying the composition in air at room temperature for between about 12 hours and about 72 hours. It may comprise drying the composition in air at room temperature for between about 24 hours and about 48 hours.

The dried film formed in step (b) may have a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm. The 25 film formed in step (b) may have a peel strength on a surface selected from the group consisting of cementitous grout, marble, vinyl tile and ceramic tile of less than about 200 N/m as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed. In step (c), peeling the film away from the surface may further comprise peeling soil adhered to the film 30 away from the surface. Peeling in step (c) may be done by hand.

In one embodiment, there is provided a method of cleaning a surface, comprising: (a) applying a composition comprising: a dispersed polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer, a coalescing agent which is selected from the group consisting of ethylene 11091309 9 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, or a mixture of any two or more of these, water, and an additional dispersed polymer, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agentrtotal solids of about 1:2 to about 1:20, wherein the 5 additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer at an area density of between about 120 g solids/m2 and about 2000 g solids/m2 to the surface; (b) allowing the composition to dry in air at room temperature for between about 12 hours and about 72 hours and thereby form a dried film on the surface, ίο wherein the dried film has a peel strength on a surface selected from the group consisting of cementitous grout, marble, vinyl tile and ceramic tile of less than about 200 N/m as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed; and, (c) peeling the dried film away from the surface. is In another embodiment, there is provided a method of cleaning a surface, comprising: (a) applying a composition comprising: a dispersed polymer comprising a polyurethane polymer, a coalescing agent which is selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, or a mixture of any two or more of these, water, and an additional 20 dispersed polymer, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:20, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer at an area density of between about 120 g solids/m2 and about 2000 g 25 solids/m2 to the surface; (b) allowing the composition to dry and thereby form a dried film on the surface, wherein the dried film has a peel strength on a surface selected from the group consisting of cementitous grout, marble, vinyl tile and ceramic tile of less than about 200 N/m as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed and the 30 dried film has a Konig dry film hardness of between about 30 s and about 120 s after drying for 24 h; and, (c) peeling the dried film away from the surface.

In a fourth aspect, the present invention provides use of a composition according to the first aspect above for cleaning a surface. 11091309 ίο 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

In a fifth aspect, the present invention provides a process for making a film-forming cleaning composition comprising: combining a polymer dispersion and a coalescing agent in water to form a mixture; stirring the mixture to form a stirred mixture; and, allowing the stirred mixture to stand and thicken, wherein the polymer dispersion comprises a 5 polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer.

In one embodiment of the fifth aspect, there is provided a process for making a film-forming cleaning composition comprising: combining a polymer dispersion and a coalescing agent in water to form a mixture; stirring the mixture to form a stirred mixture; and, allowing the stirred mixture to stand and thicken, wherein the polymer dispersion ίο comprises a polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, wherein the ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids in the film-forming cleaning composition is between about 1:2 and about 1:65, and wherein the film-forming cleaning composition comprises from about 35% to about 80% (w/w) water.

Brief Description of the Drawings is Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures wherein:

Figure 1 illustrates the process of traditional chemical tile and grout cleaners; a) clean with water; b) dilute chemical cleaner; c) apply cleaner on tiles and grout; d) scrub tile surface; e) scrub grout with brushes and other hard cleaning tools; and f) wash and 20 rinse with water and dry.

Figure 2 depicts three common mechanisms of cleaning soil on a surface: a) soil roll-up; b) entropic swelling; and c) soil solubilisation.

Figure 3 shows the average Konig film hardness of a range of commercial polymer dispersions after 12 hours drying at 25 °C and 50% humidity. A = Acropol® 63-893 25 (Nuplex), B = Acropol® ECO 63-990 (Nuplex), C = NeoRez® R-2180 (DSM), D =

NeoRez® R-2190 (DSM), E = NeoRez® R-1005 (DSM), F = NeoPac™ E-125 (DSM), G = NeoCryl® XK-237 (DSM), H = NeoCryl® XK-14 (DSM), I = Vinnapas® LL8181 (Wacker), J = Vinnapas® 707K (Wacker), K = Vinnapas® EF818 (Wacker); VAA = vinyl acetate acrylic; PU = polyurethane; PUA = polyurethane acrylic copolymer; 30 Acrylics = acrylic copolymer; VAE = ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

Figure 4 shows a water dispersible polymer structure, e.g., a polymeric surfactant. 11091309 11 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a model of a dried film formed from a composition of the present invention a) when being removed from a tile and grout surface; and b) when being removed from grout.

Figure 6 shows dried films formed from a composition of the present invention: a) 5 being removed from non-porous ceramic tiles and cement based grout; b) showing a dried film after being removed from tile and grout (on a white paper background) showing dirt and soil adhered to the film; c) showing the cleaning effect on tiles and grout; d) from non-sanded cement based grout; e) before and after use on non-sanded cement based grout; and f) once removed from sanded cement based grouts. 10 Figure 7 shows dried films formed from a composition of the present invention: a) starting with application of the composition using a roller; b) formation of a transparent film after drying; c) the dried film being removed from a surface; d) the porous structure of grout; e) an image of dirty and soiled grout before application of the composition; and f) an image of cleaned grout after removing a dried film formed from a composition of is the present invention.

Figure 8 shows application tools for a composition of the present invention: a) T-bar applicator; b) paint roller; c) bottle with narrow nozzle for applying to grout. It also shows a dried film formed on: d) a porous ceramic tile; e) a non-porous ceramic tile; and f) a vinyl tile. Still further, it shows examples of: a dried film being removed from g) 20 non-sanded cementitious grout.

Figure 9 shows the cleaning ability of the composition on grout: a) untreated soiled grout (sanded cement); b) after peeling off a dried film formed from a composition of the present invention (sanded cement); c) untreated soiled grout (non-sanded cement); d) after peeling off the dried coating cleaner (non-sanded cement); e) untreated soiled grout 25 (non-sanded cement); f) after peeling off the dried film formed from a composition of the present invention (non-sanded cement); g) butter coated grout (sanded cement); h) after peeling off the dried film formed from a composition of the present invention (sanded cement). Images in a), b), e), f), g), and h) are optical microscope images taken at 50x magnification. 30 Figure 10 shows dried films formed from a composition of the present invention: a) and b) before and after peeling off the dried film on porous ceramic tiles with grout; c) an optical microscope image (200x magnification) of a dirty and soiled surface of an 11091309 12 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 untreated ceramic tile; and d) an optical microscope image (200x magnification) of the same ceramic tile after peeling off the dried film.

Figure 11 shows the soil removal ability of compositions as described herein containing different coalescing agents. 5 Figure 12 shows (a) the soil removal ability and hardness of films formed from compositions containing a single coalescing agent, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, at different concentrations; and (b) the peel strength of films formed from compositions containing a single coalescing agent, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, at different concentrations. ίο Figure 13 shows (a) the soil removal ability and hardness of films formed from compositions containing a single coalescing agent, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, at different concentrations; and (b) the peel strength of films formed from compositions containing a single coalescing agent, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, at different concentrations. is Figure 14 shows damage to grout caused by compositions having a peel strength of greater than about 200 N/m.

Definitions

As used in this application, the singular form “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the phrase “a 20 coalescing agent” also includes a plurality of coalescing agents.

As used herein, the term “comprising” means “including.” Variations of the word “comprising”, such as “comprise” and “comprises,” have correspondingly varied meanings. Thus, for example, an aqueous composition “comprising” a dispersed polymer and a coalescing agent may consist exclusively of water, that polymer dispersion and 25 coalescing agent or may include one or more additional components (e.g. thickener, preservative, surfactant, defoamer, levelling agent, etc.).

It will be understood that use the term “about” herein in reference to a recited numerical value includes the recited numerical value and numerical values within plus or minus 10% of the recited value unless the context indicates otherwise. For example, in 30 some contexts, the term “about” herein includes the recited numerical value and numerical values within plus or minus 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or within plus or minus 1% of the recited value. 11091309 13 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

It will be understood that use of the term “between” herein when referring to a range of numerical values encompasses the numerical values at each endpoint of the range. For example, a dry film (Konig) hardness of between about 30 and about 120 s is inclusive of a Konig hardness of 30 s and a Konig hardness of 120 s. 5 As used herein, the term “dry film hardness” and equivalent terms “film hardness” or “hardness” refers to the Konig hardness of a film as measured using a Konig Pendulum Hardness Tester unless the context indicates otherwise. The Konig hardness may be measured using ASTM D4366 - 14. The Konig hardness may be measured once the composition or component thereof has been applied to a surface and allowed to cure or ίο dry completely, or cure or dry approximately completely, to form a film, e.g., a continuous and/or cohesive film. Accordingly, the Konig hardness may be measured between about 6 hours and about 12 hours after application of a layer of a composition or component thereof to a surface, or between about 8 and about 15 hours after application, or between about 12 hours and about 18 hours after application, or between about 18 15 hours and about 24 hours after application, or between about 24 hours and about 48 hours after application, e.g., measured at 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours, 30 hours, 36 hours, 42 hours, or 48 hours after application of the layer of the composition or component thereof to a surface. The film may be dried in any suitable ambient conditions prior to measurement of film hardness, for example, at room temperature (25 °C), or at 20 10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, or at 50 °C, and at any suitable humidity, e.g., 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% humidity.

As used herein, the term “peel strength” refers to the peel strength of a film as measured using a 90 degree peel strength test according to the standard ASTM D6862 (ASTM D6862-2011: Standard test method for 90 degree peel resistance of adhesives) 25 under the following conditions: head cell weight (5 Kg), cell capacity (100 N), head speed (100 mm/min) unless the context indicates otherwise. The peel strength may be the average of 3 duplicate measurements. The peel strength may be determined using an Instron machine (Instron 5565). The peel strength may be measured on a hard surface, such as on marble, vinyl tile, ceramic tile, or grout. The peel strength may be measured 30 once the composition or component thereof has been applied to a surface and allowed to cure or dry completely, or cure or dry approximately completely, to form a film, e.g., a continuous and/or cohesive film. The peel strength may be measured between about 6 hours and about 12 hours after application of a layer of a composition or component 11091309 14 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 thereof to a surface, or between about 8 and about 15 hours after application, or between about 12 hours and about 18 hours after application, or between about 18 hours and about 24 hours after application, or between about 24 hours and about 48 hours after application, e.g., measured at 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, 24 hours, 30 hours, 36 hours, 5 42 hours, or 48 hours after application of the layer of the composition or component thereof to a surface. The film may be dried in any suitable ambient conditions prior to measurement of peel strength, for example, at room temperature (25 °C), or at 10 °C, 15 °C, 20 °C, 30 °C, 40 °C, or at 50 °C, and at any suitable humidity, e.g., 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% humidity. ίο Detailed Description

The following detailed description conveys the present invention, including exemplary embodiments, in sufficient detail to enable those of ordinary skill in the art to practice the present invention. Features or limitations of the various embodiments described do not necessarily limit other embodiments of the present invention or the 15 present invention as a whole. Hence, the following detailed description does not limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined only by the claims.

This present disclosure relates to curable compositions for cleaning. In particular, the disclosure relates to aqueous compositions for cleaning that comprise a dispersed polymer and a coalescing agent. The compositions, when applied to a surface, may dry to 20 form a continuous film on the surface that can capture surface dirt, soil and other contaminants and thus provide a simple and low labour-intensive process for cleaning surfaces such as tiles and grout.

For example, the compositions may remove dirt, soil and other contaminants from various surfaces, such as tiles and grout, by binding the dirt and peeling it away with the 25 film. In this way, the compositions and films may avoid use of cleaning tools such as brushes, sponges, and mops and furthermore, avoid washing and rinsing cleaning chemicals away with water. They may also be able to remove dirt, soils, and other contaminants in the pores in grout without scrubbing with hard bristle brushes. Thus, the compositions described herein may simplify the overall cleaning processes, be less 30 labour-intensive, and be safe to use as they are free from hazardous and dangerous substances. 11091309 15 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

The aqueous compositions described herein comprise a dispersed polymer, in particular, a polyurethane or polyvinyl acetate copolymer. The compositions may further comprise an additional dispersed polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a 5 polyvinyl acetate copolymer. These polymers have various adhesion and mechanical film properties to enable the composition to form a continuous dried film on a surface as well as providing effective adhesion to soil and dirt. The composition also contains a coalescing agent, which may be present in a ratio by mass of coalescing agcntrtotal solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, to assist in removal of hydrophobic soils and other 10 contaminants. The coalescing agent may have good solvency properties and low surface tension so as to make the resultant dried film smooth and crack free.

As shown in the examples herein, the compositions of the invention are able to be removed from various surfaces such as ceramic, stone, vinyl tiles, and cement-based grouts, where they show outstanding cleaning ability against soils and contaminants on 15 surface. In particular, oily grease can be effectively removed by the compositions even on porous cementitious grout.

COMPOSITION

Dispersed polymer / Additional dispersed polymer 20 The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention comprises a dispersed polymer. The dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer. In one embodiment, the aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention comprises a dispersed polymer which is a polyurethane polymer. In another embodiment, aqueous composition for cleaning according to the 25 present invention comprises a dispersed polymer which is a polyvinyl acetate copolymer.

The dispersed polymer is preferably chosen for its film-forming properties. In particular, the dispersed polymer may be chosen for its dry film hardness. For example, a film formed from the aqueous dispersed polymer only (that is, from the dispersed polymer in aqueous solution without coalescing agent or additional dispersed polymer) 30 may have a dry film hardness of between about 30 and about 90 s, or between about 30 and about 50 s, or between about 40 and about 60 s, or between about 50 and about 80 s, or between about 60 and about 90 s, or of less than about 100 s, or less than about 90 s, or less than about 80 s, or of about 30 s, about 40 s, about 50 s, about 60 s, about 70 s, about 11091309 16 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 80 s or about 90 s (see also Figure 3). The film hardness may be measured after 12 hours drying at 25 °C and 50% humidity. When used in the compositions of the invention described herein, pure dispersed polymers having a film hardness of more than 100 s may be brittle and lead to film breakage during removal of films formed from the composition 5 of the invention from a surface.

The dispersed polymer may also be chosen such that a film formed from the aqueous dispersed polymer only (that is, from the dispersed polymer in aqueous solution without coalescing agent or additional dispersed polymer) has a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m. The peel strength may be measured using a 90 degree peel test according ίο to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed. The peel strength may be measured after drying for 12 hours. For example, a film formed from the aqueous dispersed polymer only may have a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m, or less than about 180 N/m, or less than about 160 N/m, or less than about 140 N/m, or less than about 120 N/m, or less than about 100 N/m, 15 or less than about 80 N/m, or less than about 60 N/m, or of between about 30 N/m and about 200 N/m, or between about 30 N/m and about 50 N/m, or between about 50 N/m and about 100 N/m, or between about 100 N/m and about 150 N/m, or between about 120 N/m and about 200 N/m, or between about 1600 N/m and about 200 N/m, or of about 30 N/m, about 40 N/m, about 50 N/m, about 60 N/m, about 70 N/m, about 80 N/m, about 90 20 N/m, about 100 N/m, about 120 N/m, about 140 N/m, about 160 N/m, about 180 N/m, or about 200 N/m.

The dispersed polymer may comprise a polyurethane polymer. The polyurethane polymer may be any suitable polyurethane polymer. For example, it may be an aliphatic polyurethane polymer, e.g., anionic aliphatic polyurethane polymer. It may be a carboxyl 25 (CO2" or CO2H), a sulfate, a phosphate, a phosphonate, a sulfinate, or a sulfonate (SO3" or SO2OH) functional polyurethane. The polyurethane polymer may be self-cross-linking. It may be polyester based or may be polyether based. The polyurethane polymer may be provided in the form of an aqueous dispersion, the dispersion comprising polyurethane polymer, water and optionally free monomer, neutralising agent and/or preservative(s). 30 One advantage of providing the dispersed polymer in the form of an aqueous dispersion or emulsion is that such dispersions or emulsions are able to penetrate into surface pores and effectively wet and bind soils and other contaminants. Without wishing to be bound by theory, it is thought that there are two characteristics of the polymer 11091309 17 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 dispersions which may drive their performance in the compositions described herein: the first is the structure of the polymer, and the other is the film formable feature. Dispersed polymers suitable for use in the compositions of the invention may have hydrophilic groups in their polymer backbone, which impart good compatibility with water. They 5 may have an amphiphilic structure like a surfactant, which influences the surface tension of the composition. The dispersed polymer and/or the additional dispersed polymer may be a polymeric surfactant.

In one embodiment, the polyurethane polymer is provided in the form of the self-cross-linking aliphatic polyester-based polyurethane dispersion sold as NeoRez® R-2180 ίο (DSM) having 34-36% solids by weight. In another embodiment, the polyurethane polymer is provided in the form of the self-cross-linking aliphatic polyester-based polyurethane dispersion sold as NeoRez® R-2190 (DSM), having 38% solids by weight. In yet another embodiment, the polyurethane polymer is provided in the form of the anionic aliphatic polyether-based polyurethane dispersion sold as NeoRez® R-1005 15 (DSM) having 38-40% solids by weight. In yet a further embodiment, the polyurethane polymer is provided in the form of the aliphatic fatty-acid modified anionic polyester-based polyurethane dispersion sold as Bayhydrol® UH 2593/1 (Bayer) having 34-36% solids by weight.

Where the dispersed polymer is a polyurethane polymer, the polyurethane polymer 20 may have a hard segment domain and a soft segment domain. This blended segment structure can provide various mechanical properties such as adhesion strength, film tear resistance, and hardness. The hard segment may be formed by diisocyanate and chain extenders (normally short chain materials including hydroxyl group) and the soft segment may be composed of long chain polyols. As the composition dries, the hard segments 25 may aggregate together due to similarities in polarity and hydrogen bonding to form hard domains, which can increase the physical properties (hardness, modulus, tear strength), glass transition temperature (Tg), and adhesion strength of the resultant dried film.

The dispersed polymer may comprise a polyvinyl acetate copolymer. The polyvinyl acetate copolymer may be any suitable polyvinyl acetate copolymer. For example, it may 30 be a vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer or an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. The polyvinyl acetate copolymer may be provided in the form of an aqueous or water-based emulsion or dispersion. 11091309 18 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

In one embodiment, the polyvinyl acetate copolymer is provided in the form of the high molecular weight vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer emulsion sold as Acropol® 63-893 (Nuplex) having 55% solids by weight. As used herein, ‘acrylic’ refers to both acrylate and acrylic acid polymers. In another embodiment, the polyvinyl acetate copolymer is 5 provided in the form of the high molecular weight vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer emulsion sold as Acropol® ECO 63-990 (Nuplex) having 55% solids by weight. In yet another embodiment, the polyvinyl acetate copolymer is provided in the form of the aqueous polymer dispersion based on vinyl acetate and ethylene sold as Vinnapas® LL8181 (Wacker) having 54-56% solids by weight, ίο The amount of dispersed polymer in the aqueous composition may be any suitable amount. For example, the percentage by mass of dispersed polymer in the composition may be between about 20% (w/w) and about 50% (w/w). For example, the percentage by mass of dispersed polymer in the composition may be between about 20% (w/w) and about 25% (w/w), or between about 25% (w/w) and about 35% (w/w), or between about is 30% (w/w) and about 45% (w/w), or between about 35% (w/w) and about 50% (w/w), or between about 20% (w/w) and about 30% (w/w), e.g., about 20% (w/w), about 25% (w/w), about 30% (w/w), about 35% (w/w), about 40% (w/w), about 45% (w/w), or about 50% (w/w).

The dispersed polymer may be chosen such that when a layer of a composition as 20 described herein (comprising a dispersed polymer and a coalescing agent) is applied to a surface, the composition dries to form a continuous film on the surface. The dispersed polymer may be chosen such that a film formed from a composition of the invention has a dry film hardness of between about 30 s and about 120 s. The hardness may be measured using a Konig Pendulum Hardness Tester after 24 hours drying at 25 °C and 50% 25 humidity. In particular, the film formed from a composition of the invention may have a film hardness of between about 30 s and about 120 s, e.g., of between about 30 s and about 60 s, or between about 40 s and about 55 s, or between about 50 s and about 70 s, or between about 55 s and about 65 s, or between about 60 s and about 80 s, or between about 65 s and about 75 s, or between about 70 s and about 80 s, or between about 80 s 30 and about 95 s, or between about 60 s and about 90 s, or between about 85 s and about 100 s, or between about 90 s and about 110 s, or between about 100 s and about 120 s, or between about 80 s and about 120 s, or of about 30 s, about 35 s, about 40 s, about 45 s, about 50 s, about 55 s, about 60 s, about 65 s, about 70 s, about 75 s, about 80 s, about 85 11091309 19 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 s, about 90 s, about 95 s, about 100 s, about 105 s, about 110 s, about 115 s or about 120 s.

The dispersed polymer may have a number average (Mn) or weight average (Mw) molecular weight of from about 100,000 to about 1,000,000 g/mol, e.g., of between about 5 100,000 to about 500,000 g/mol, or from about 300,000 to about 700,000 g/mol, or from about 600,000 to about 1,000,000 g/mol. The molecular weight distribution may be narrow or it may be broad. The dispersed polymer may have a dispersity, Mw/Mn, of about 1.1 to about 5, e.g., of at least about 1.1, or at least about 2, or at least about 4, or at least about 5, or between about 1.1 and about 3, or between about 2.5 and about 4, or ίο between about 3 and about 5, e.g., a dispersity of about 1.1, about 1.5, about 2, about 2.5, about 3, about 3.5, about 4, about 4.5, or about 5.

The surface tension of the aqueous polymer dispersion may be of importance in the compositions described herein for the coating of substrates or surfaces. Good wetting of a surface can be achieved by using a polymer dispersion with a low surface tension. As a is result of hydrophilic segments in the dispersed polymer backbone, the surface tension of polymer dispersions is generally lowered (30 ~ 50 mNm' ) below that of water (72 mNm'1). Accordingly, the surface tension of the polymer dispersion in aqueous solution may be between about 30 and about 50 mNm4, or between about 30 and about < 1 40 mNm , or between about 35 and about 45 mNnT , or between about 40 and about 50 20 mNm , or between about 45 and about 50 mNm' , or about 30 mNm'*, about 35 mNm' , about 40 mNm4, about 45 mNm4 or about 50 mNm4. The low surface tension of the polymer dispersion may enable compositions comprising them to wet, spread, and bind effectively on the entire surface of hydrophobic soils, dirt, grease, and other contaminants. By way of example, a water dispersible polymer structure is shown in Figure 4. 25 The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention may further comprise an additional dispersed polymer, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer. The additional dispersed polymer may be a different class of polymer to the dispersed polymer, or it may 30 be the same class of polymer.

When present in compositions according to the present invention, the additional dispersed polymer is preferably chosen for its compatibility with the dispersed polymer and for its role in film-formation, as well as for its ability to impart flexibility to the film 11091309 20 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 for preventing film breakage during removal from a surface, for enhancing water resistance of the film, for increasing the gloss properties of the dry film, etc. The additional dispersed polymer, if present, is preferably chosen such that there is no or substantially no phase separation (micro or macro) between it and the dispersed polymer 5 in the dried film. The additional dispersed polymer may be fully miscible with the dispersed polymer. The additional dispersed polymer may be miscible (e.g., fully miscible) with the dispersed polymer in the proportion they exist in the aqueous composition.

The additional dispersed polymer may be chosen for its dry film hardness. The ίο additional dispersed polymer preferably has a lower dry film hardness under comparable conditions to the dry film hardness of the dispersed polymer. For example, a film formed from the aqueous additional dispersed polymer only (that is, from the additional dispersed polymer in aqueous solution without dispersed polymer or coalescing agent) may have a dry film hardness of less than about 50 s, or of between about 10 and about 50 s, or is between about 10 and about 30 s, or between about 20 and about 40 s, or between about 30 and about 50 s, or of less than about 40 s, or less than about 30 s, or less than about 20 s, or of about 50 s, about 40 s, about 30 s, about 20 s, or about 10 s. This Konig hardness may be measured after 12 hours drying at 25 °C and 50% humidity. The additional dispersed polymer may have any suitable peel strength. 20 As described above for the dispersed polymer, the surface tension of the additional dispersed polymer in aqueous solution may be between about 30 and about 50 mNm1, or between about 30 and about 40 mNm"1, or between about 35 and about 45 mNm"1, or between about 40 and about 50 mNm"1, or between about 45 and about 50 mNm"1, or about 30 mNm"1, about 35 mNm"1, about 40 mNm"1, about 45 mNm"1 or about 50 mNm"1. 25 The additional dispersed polymer may be a polyurethane polymer as described above for the dispersed polymer. For example, when the additional dispersed polymer is a polyurethane polymer, the polyurethane polymer may be any suitable polyurethane polymer. For example, it may be an aliphatic polyurethane polymer, e.g., anionic aliphatic polyurethane polymer. The polyurethane polymer may be self-cross-linking. A 30 self-cross-linking polymer may be one that is able to cross-link without addition of an external cross-linking agent, and instead internally reacts, e.g., on atmospheric exposure and/or at elevated temperatures. The polyurethane polymer may be polyester based or may be poly ether based. The polyurethane polymer may be provided in the form of an 11091309 21 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 aqueous dispersion, the dispersion comprising polyurethane polymer, water and optionally free monomer, neutralising agent and/or preservative(s).

In one embodiment, when the additional dispersed polymer is a polyurethane polymer, the polyurethane polymer is provided in the form of the self-cross-linking 5 aliphatic polyester-based polyurethane dispersion sold as NeoRez® R-2180 (DSM) having 34-36% solids by weight. In another embodiment, the polyurethane polymer is provided in the form of the self-cross-linking aliphatic polyester-based polyurethane dispersion sold as NeoRez® R-2190 (DSM), having 38% solids by weight. In yet another embodiment, the polyurethane polymer is provided in the form of the anionic 10 aliphatic polyether-based polyurethane dispersion sold as NeoRez® R-1005 (DSM) having 38-40% solids by weight. In yet a further embodiment, the polyurethane polymer is provided in the form of the aliphatic fatty-acid modified anionic polyester-based polyurethane dispersion sold as Bayhydrol® UH 2593/1 (Bayer) having 34-36% solids by weight. 15 The additional dispersed polymer may be a polyvinyl acetate copolymer as described above for the dispersed polymer. For example, when the additional dispersed polymer is a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, the polyvinyl acetate copolymer may be any suitable polyvinyl acetate copolymer. For example, it may be a vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer or an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. The polyvinyl acetate copolymer may 20 be provided in the form of an aqueous or water-based emulsion or dispersion.

In one embodiment, the polyvinyl acetate copolymer is provided in the form of the high molecular weight vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer emulsion sold as Acropol® 63-893 (Nuplex) having 55% solids by weight. In another embodiment, the polyvinyl acetate copolymer is provided in the form of the high molecular weight vinyl acetate acrylic 25 copolymer emulsion sold as Acropol® ECO 63-990 (Nuplex) having 55% solids by weight. In yet another embodiment, the polyvinyl acetate copolymer is provided in the form of the aqueous polymer dispersion based on vinyl acetate and ethylene sold as Vinnapas® LL8181 (Wacker), Vinnapas® 707K (Wacker), or Vinnapas® EF818 (Wacker) having 54-56% solids by weight. 30 The additional dispersed polymer may be a polyurethane acrylate polymer. The polyurethane acrylate polymer may be any suitable polyurethane acrylate copolymer. For example, it may be an aliphatic urethane acrylic polymer. The polyurethane acrylate polymer may be self-cross-linking. The polyurethane acrylate polymer may be provided 11091309 22 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 in the form of an aqueous dispersion, the dispersion comprising polyurethane polymer, water and optionally free monomer, neutralising agent and/or preservative(s).

In one embodiment, the polyurethane acrylate polymer is provided in the form of a water-based self-cross-linking aliphatic urethane acrylic copolymer dispersion sold as 5 NeoPac™ E-125 (DSM) having 34.5-36.5% solids by weight.

The additional dispersed polymer may be an acrylic polymer. The acrylic polymer may be any suitable acrylic polymer. For example, it may be an acrylic copolymer. It may be anionic. The acrylic polymer may be self-cross-linking. The acrylic polymer may be provided in the form of an aqueous emulsion, the emulsion comprising acrylic 10 polymer, water and optionally free monomer, neutralising agent and/or preservative(s). In one embodiment, the acrylic polymer is provided in the form of a self-cross-linking, emulsifier free, anionic acrylic copolymer emulsion sold as NeoCryl® XK-14 (DSM) having 40% solids by weight. In another embodiment, the acrylic polymer is provided in the form of a self-cross-linking, anionic acrylic copolymer emulsion sold as NeoCryl® is XK-237 (DSM) having 43-45% solids by weight.

The amount of additional dispersed polymer, if present in the aqueous composition, may be any suitable amount. For example, the percentage by mass of additional dispersed polymer in the composition may up to about 15% (w/w). For example, the percentage by mass of dispersed polymer in the composition may be between about 0% 20 (w/w) and about 5% (w/w), or between about 5% (w/w) and about 10% (w/w), or between about 10% (w/w) and about 15% (w/w), or between about 5% (w/w) and about 15% (w/w), e.g., about 0% (w/w), about 5% (w/w), about 10% (w/w), or about 15% (w/w).

Where the aqueous composition comprises a dispersed polymer and an additional 25 dispersed polymer, the dispersed polymer and the additional dispersed polymer may be present in the composition in a solids ratio of about 1:1 to about 4:1. The additional dispersed polymer may act to reinforce the tear strength and hardness of a dried film formed from the composition of the present invention to prevent film breakage during removal of the film from a surface. Accordingly, varying the ratio of dispersed polymer to 30 additional dispersed polymer in the composition may allow for tuning of the peel strength of the film, as well as other mechanical film properties.

For example, where the dispersed polymer and the additional dispersed polymer are each separately provided in an aqueous dispersion having about 34-36% solids, the ratio 11091309 23 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 of dispersed polymer solids:additional dispersed polymer solids may be about 2.3:1. In this example, the aqueous dispersion comprising the dispersed polymer is present in a weight ratio of about 70:30 with the aqueous dispersion/emulsion comprising the additional dispersed polymer. 5 Similarly, where the dispersed polymer and the additional dispersed polymer are each separately provided in an aqueous dispersion having about 55% solids, the ratio of dispersed polymer solids additional dispersed polymer solids may be about 2.3:1. In this example, the aqueous dispersion comprising the dispersed polymer is present in a weight ratio of about 70:30 with the aqueous dispersion/emulsion comprising the additional ίο dispersed polymer.

Alternatively, where the dispersed polymer is provided in an aqueous dispersion having about 34% solids, and the additional dispersed polymer is provided in an aqueous dispersion having about 55% solids, the ratio of dispersed polymer solids:additional dispersed polymer solids may be about 1.4:1. In this example, the aqueous dispersion is comprising the dispersed polymer is present in a weight ratio of about 70:30 with the aqueous dispersion/emulsion comprising the additional dispersed polymer.

Further, where the dispersed polymer is provided in an aqueous dispersion having about 55% solids, and the additional dispersed polymer is provided in an aqueous dispersion having about 34% solids, the ratio of dispersed polymer solids additional 20 dispersed polymer solids may be about 3.8:1. In this example, the aqueous dispersion comprising the dispersed polymer is present in a weight ratio of about 70:30 with the aqueous dispersion/emulsion comprising the additional dispersed polymer.

Accordingly, the dispersed polymer solids additional dispersed polymer solids ratio may be between about 1:1 to about 4:1, or between about 1.4:1 to about 2.5:1, between 25 about 2:1 to about 3:1, between about 2.5:1 to about 3.5:1, or between about 3:1 to about 4:1, e.g., may be about 1:1, about 1.2:1, about 1.4:1, about 1.6:1, about 1.8:1, about 2.0:1, about 2.2:1, about 2.4:1, about 2.6:1, about 2.8:1, about 3.0:1, about 3.2:1, about 3.4:1, about 3.6:1, about 3.8:1, or about 4:1.

The aqueous dispersion comprising the dispersed polymer may be present in a 30 weight ratio of about 70:30 with the aqueous dispersion/emulsion comprising the additional dispersed polymer.

One of the key features of the compositions disclosed herein is that when a layer of the composition is applied to a surface, the composition dries to form a continuous film 11091309 24 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 on the surface. The dried continuous film may then be peeled off the surface, and have dirt and soil from the surface adhered to it. In this manner, cleaning of the surface may be effected. The film formation and cleaning ability of the composition as described herein is shown in Figure 5. 5 Accordingly, where the aqueous composition according to the present invention comprises a dispersed polymer, and optionally an additional dispersed polymer, the dispersed polymer, and the additional dispersed polymer if present, may be such that that when a layer of the composition is applied to a surface, the composition dries to form a continuous film on the surface. This continuous film may have a dry film hardness of 10 between 30 s and about 120 s, e.g., of between about 30 s and about 60 s, or between about 40 s and about 55 s, or between about 50 s and about 70 s, or between about 55 s and about 65 s, or between about 60 s and about 80 s, or between about 65 s and about 75 s, or between about 70 s and about 80 s, or between about 80 s and about 95 s, or between about 90 s and about 105 s, or between about 95 s and about 115 s, or between about 80 s is and about 120 s, or between about 60 s and about 90 s, or of about 30s, about 35 s, about 40 s, about 45 s, about 50 s, about 55 s, about 60 s, about 65 s, about 70 s, about 75 s, about 80 s, about 85 s, about 90 s, about 95 s, about 100 s, about 105 s, about 110 s, about 115 s, or about 120 s. The continuous film may have a dry film hardness of less than about 150 s, or less than about 120 s. The Konig dry film hardness may be measured 20 after 24 hours drying at 25 °C and 50% humidity. The continuous film may have a peel strength of less than 200 N/m, e.g., as described below in the section entitled ‘Films’.

The peel strength may be measured after 12 hours drying.

More generally, the film formed on drying of a composition according to the present invention may be flexible. It may be a cohesive film. It may be a continuous 25 film. It may have a glass transition temperature (Tg) of less than about 40 °C, or of less than about 35 °C, or of less than about 30 °C, or of less than about 25 °C, e.g., of between about 40 °C and about 0 °C, or of between about 40 °C and about 20 °C, or of between about 30 °C and about 10 °C, or of between about 20 °C and about 5 °C, or of between about 10 °C and about 1 °C, or of about 40 °C, about 35 °C, about 30 °C, about 25 °C, 30 about 20 °C, about 15 °C, about 10 °C, about 5 °C, or about 0 °C. It may have a Tg below room temperature, or below the intended use temperature. 11091309 25 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Coalescing agent

The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention comprises a coalescing agent. The coalescing agent may be present in the composition in a ratio of coalescing agent:total solids of between about 1:2 to about 1:65, or may be present in a 5 ratio of between about 1:2 to about 1:6.5, between about 1:6 to about 1:10, between about 1:10 to about 1:20, or between about 1:20 to about 1:40, or between about 1:10 to about 1:50, or between about 1:30 to about 1:65, or between about 1:2 to about 1:10, or between about 1:20 to about 1:65, e.g., may be about 1:2, about 1:4, about 1:6, about 1:8, about 1:10, about 1:15, about 1:20, about 1:30, about 1:40, about 1:50, about 1:60, or about ίο 1:65.

The coalescing agent may be present in the composition in a ratio of coalescing agent: dispersed polymer (optionally including additional dispersed polymer) of between about 1:2 to about 1:65, or between about 1:2 to about 1:6.5, between about 1:6 to about 1:10, between about 1:10 to about 1:20, or between about 1:20 to about 1:40, or between is about 1:10 to about 1:50, or between about 1:30 to about 1:65, or between about 1:2 to about 1:10, or between about 1:20 to about 1:65, e.g., may be about 1:2, about 1:4, about 1:6, about 1:8, about 1:10, about 1:15, about 1:20, about 1:30, about 1:40, about 1:50, about 1:60, or about 1:65. Ratios as used herein will be understood to be ratios by mass.

The total solids content of the composition includes solids in the form of dispersed 20 polymer, as well as the mass amount of coalescing agent (as a liquid or solid), as well as solids from the optional additional dispersed polymer, levelling agent, preservative, surfactant and associative thickener. As such, as used herein, the term ‘total solids’ in relation to the aqueous composition is taken to include components of the composition that exist as pure liquids other than water, where the mass of the liquid is taken to be the 25 equivalent mass solid. Where a liquid component is considered as a “solid”, it may be a non-volatile liquid.

The coalescing agent may be present in the aqueous composition in an amount of from about 1% to about 10% (w/w). For example, the coalescing agent may be present in the aqueous composition in an amount of from about 1% to about 10% (w/w), or from 30 about 1% to about 5% (w/w), or from about 2% to about 6% (w/w), or from about 3% to about 7% (w/w), or from about 5% to about 10% (w/w) based on the total weight of the composition. For example, the coalescing agent may be present in the aqueous 11091309 26 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 composition in an amount of 1% (w/w), 2% (w/w), 3% (w/w), 4% (w/w), 5% (w/w), 6% (w/w), 7% (w/w), 8% (w/w), 9% (w/w), or 10% (w/w).

The coalescing agent may be chosen such that when a layer of the composition is applied to a surface, the composition dries to form a continuous film on the surface. 5 Preferably, the coalescing agent is chosen for its cleaning ability, e.g., for its ability to remove dirt and soil from a surface.

The coalescing agent may be a glycol ether or an ester of a glycol ether. In particular, glycol ethers may provide efficient, active solvency power for the compositions disclosed herein. Hydrophobic or partially hydrophobic glycol ethers as ίο coalescing agents are excellent solvents for most oils, grease and dirt, and their solvency may aid in the entropic swelling and the dissolution mechanism of soil removal. Furthermore, as low surface tension assists in achieving proper wetting and cleaning by displacement and dispersion mechanisms, the low molecular weights of glycol ethers may be advantageous in the aqueous compositions disclosed herein as they exhibit lower is dynamic surface tensions than compositions containing just traditional surfactants alone. Dynamic surface tensions dominate interfacial activities during the initial stage of interface formation between the composition and soil on a surface. Table 1 shows the surface tension reduction of water by various glycol ether solvents.

Accordingly, the coalescing agent may have a surface tension of less than that of 20 water, i.e., of less than about 72 mN/m at 25 °C, or of less than about 60 mN/m at 25 °C, or of less than about 50 mN/m at 25 °C, or of less than about 40 mN/m at 25 °C, or of less than about 35 mN/m at 25 °C, or of less than about 30 mN/m at 25 °C, or of less than about 25 mN/m at 25 °C, or of between about 72 mN/m and about 50 mN/m at 25 °C, or of between about 60 mN/m and about 40 mN/m at 25 °C, or of between about 45 mN/m 25 and about 30 mN/m at 25 °C, or of between about 35 mN/m and about 25 mN/m at 25 °C, or of between about 30 mN/m and about 20 mN/m at 25 °C, or of between about 25 mN/m and about 20 mN/m at 25 °C, or of about 70 mN/m, about 60 mN/m, about 50 mN/m, about 40 mN/m, about 35 mN/m, about 30 mN/m, about 25 mN/m, or about 20 mN/m at 25 °C. 30

Table 1: Surface tension of various pure glycol ether solvents and water Glycol Ether Surface tension at 25°C (mN/m) Propylene glycol monomethyl ether 27.0 11091309 27 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Table 1: Surface tension of various pure glycol ether solvents and water Propylene glycol monoethyl ether 29.7 Propylene glycol n-propyl ether 27.0 Propylene glycol t-butyl ether 24.4 Propylene glycol n-butyl ether 26.3 Dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether 29.0 Dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether 25.3 Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 28.8 Propylene glycol methyl acetate 28.0 Propylene glycol ethyl acetate 26.3 Dipropylene glycol methyl acetate 28.3 Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether 30.8 Ethylene glycol methyl acetate 34.0 Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 26.6 Diethylene glycol n-butyl ether 30.0 Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether 31.7 Water 72.0

Glycol ethers may also act as coupling agents by compatibilising hydrophobic oils and soil with water to hold the soil in suspension and to prevent the dirt from redepositing on the surface. 5 Accordingly, in the composition of the present invention, the coalescing agent may be selected from the group consisting of: ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol ίο monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl acetate, propylene glycol ethyl acetate, and dipropylene glycol methyl acetate, or a mixture of any two or more of these. For example, the coalescing agent may be a glycol ether. The glycol ether may be ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, or it may be dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether or it may be diethylene glycol monoethyl ether. The coalescing agent may be a mixture of any two or is more of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether and diethylene glycol monoethyl. 11091309 28 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Associative thickener

The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention may comprise an associative thickener. The associative thickener may be any suitable type of associative thickener. For example, it may be a polyurethane-based associative thickener 5 or a polyacrylate based, polyether based or cellulose ether based associative thickener. It may be a non-ionic associative thickener. For example, one suitable associative thickener is a HEUR (hydrophobically modified ethoxylated urethane) non-ionic associative thickener. HEUR associative thickeners have the advantageous feature that even though they have a low molecular weight, they modify the viscosity of a composition and build ίο up viscosity similarly to very high molecular weight based thickeners.

The associative thickener may be present in the aqueous composition in an amount of from 0.5% to about 5% (w/w). For example, it may be present in an amount of from about 0.5% to about 2% (w/w), or of from about 0.7% to about 1.5% (w/w), or of from about 1% to about 2% (w/w), or of from about 1.5% to about 3% (w/w), or of from about is 2% to about 4% (w/w), or of from about 3% to about 5% (w/w).

The associative thickener may be present in the composition in a ratio of associative thickenendispersed polymer (optionally including additional dispersed polymer) of between about 1:4 to about 1:130, or between about 1:4 to about 1:10, between about 1:10 to about 1:20, between about 1:10 to about 1:50, or between about 1:50 to about 1:80, or 20 between about 1:60 to about 1:100, or between about 1:800 to about 1:120, or between about 1:110 to about 1:130, e.g., maybe about 1:4, about 1:10, about 1:20, about 1:30, about 1:40, about 1:50, about 1:60, about 1:70, about 1:80, about 1:90, about 1:100, about 1:110, about 1:120, or about 1:130.

The associative thickener may be present in the composition in a ratio of associative 25 thickenentotal solids of between about 1:4 to about 1:130, or between about 1:4 to about 1:10, between about 1:10 to about 1:20, between about 1:10 to about 1:50, or between about 1:50 to about 1:80, or between about 1:60 to about 1:100, or between about 1:800 to about 1:120, or between about 1:110 to about 1:130, e.g., may be about 1:4, about 1:10, about 1:20, about 1:30, about 1:40, about 1:50, about 1:60, about 1:70, about 1:80, about 30 1:90, about 1:100, about 1:110, about 1:120, or about 1:130.

This thickener is preferably added for viscosity control of the composition such that the composition may be spread over a surface. 11091309 29 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Preservative

The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention may comprise a preservative. The preservative may prevent growth of fungi and/or bacteria in the composition. The preservative may be any suitable type of preservative. For 5 example, it may be 5-chloro-2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, 2-methyl-4-isothiazolin-3-one, n-butyl-l,2-benzisothiazoline-3-one, or a mixture thereof.

The preservative may be present in the aqueous composition in an amount of from 0.01% to about 0.05% (w/w). For example, it may be present in an amount of from about 0.01% to about 0.03% (w/w), or of from about 0.02% to about 0.04% (w/w), or of from 10 about 0.03% to about 0.05% (w/w).

The preservative may be present in the composition in a ratio of preservative:dispersed polymer (optionally including additional dispersed polymer) of between about 1:400 to about 1:6500, or between about 1:400 to about 1:800, between about 1:800 to about 1:1200, between about 1:1200 to about 1:2000, or between about is 1:1500 to about 1:3000, or between about 1:2000 to about 1:4000, or between about 1:3500 to about 1:5000, or between about 1:4000 to about 1:6500, e.g., may be about 1:400, about 1:800, about 1:1200, about 1:2000, about 1:3000, about 1:4000, about 1:5000, about 1:6000, or about 1:6500.

The preservative may be present in the composition in a ratio of preservative:total 20 solids of between about 1:400 to about 1:6500, or between about 1:400 to about 1:800, between about 1:800 to about 1:1200, between about 1:1200 to about 1:2000, or between about 1:1500 to about 1:3000, or between about 1:2000 to about 1:4000, or between about 1:3500 to about 1:5000, or between about 1:4000 to about 1:6500, e.g., may be about 1:400, about 1:800, about 1:1200, about 1:2000, about 1:3000, about 1:4000, about 25 1:5000, about 1:6000, or about 1:6500.

Surfactant

The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention may comprise a surfactant. The surfactant may be any suitable type of surfactant. For 30 example, it may be anionic, or may be cationic or may be non-ionic or may be zwitterionic. It may be polymeric. It may be monomeric. It may be dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid. It may be an ethoxylated propoxylated C12-C15 alcohol, a polyalkylene oxide derivative of a linear fatty alcohol, a C6 -C12 -acid diester of propylene glycol, such 11091309 30 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 as propylene glycol dicaprylate, propylene glycol dicaprate, or a mixture thereof, or a mixed caprate, caprylate ester, or a mixed fatty acid-fatty alcohol ester alkoxylate of polyoxyethylene, wherein the acid and alcohol components each comprise 12-18 carbon atoms, and the polyoxyethylene component is made up of 2-5 ethylenoxy units. It may be 5 a surfactant derived from an aliphatic quaternary ammonium, phosphonium or sulfonium compound, for example, 4-[N,N-di(2-hydroxyethyl)-N-octadecylajnmonioJ-butane-l-carboxylate, 5-iS-3-hydro.xypropyi-S-hcxadecyisulfonioj-3-hydiO.xypcntane--l-sulfate, or 3-[P,P-diethyl-P-3,6,9-trioxa.tetradexocylphosphomo]-2-hydroxy-propane-l-phosphate).

The purpose of the surfactant may be to assist in wetting of particles of the ίο dispersed polymer, and/or to stabilise particles of the dispersed polymer in the aqueous composition.

The surfactant may be present in the aqueous composition in an amount of from 0.1% to about 1.0% (w/w). For example, it may be present in an amount of from about 0.1% to about 0.5% (w/w), or of from about 0. 5% to about 0.75% (w/w), or of from is about 0.5% to about 1.0% (w/w).

The surfactant may be present in the composition in a ratio of surfactant:dispersed polymer (optionally including additional dispersed polymer) of between about 1:20 to about 1:650, or between about 1:20 to about 1:80, between about 1:50 to about 1:150, between about 1:120 to about 1:200, or between about 1:175 to about 1:250, or between 20 about 1:200 to about 1:300, or between about 1:300 to about 1:450, or between about 1:400 to about 1:650, e.g., may be about 1:20, about 1:50, about 1:100, about 1:150, about 1:200, about 1:250, about 1:300, about 1:400, about 1:500, about 1:600, or about 1:650.

The surfactant may be present in the composition in a ratio of surfactant: total solids of between about 1:20 to about 1:650, or between about 1:20 to about 1:80, between 25 about 1:50 to about 1:150, between about 1:120 to about 1:200, or between about 1:175 to about 1:250, or between about 1:200 to about 1:300, or between about 1:300 to about 1:450, or between about 1:400 to about 1:650, e.g., may be about 1:20, about 1:50, about 1:100, about 1:150, about 1:200, about 1:250, about 1:300, about 1:400, about 1:500, about 1:600, or about 1:650. 30 The surfactant may have a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance ("HLB") number of about 13 or less, for example, an HLB value of about 12 or less, or 10 or less, e.g., an HLB value of 13.0, 12.5, 12.0, 11.5, 11.0, 10.0, 9.0, 8.0, 7.0, 6.0, or 5.0. A surfactant with an 11091309 31 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 HLB value of less than about 13 may advantageously lower the surface tension and provide improved wetting and detergency to the composition.

Defoamer 5 The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention may comprise a defoamer. The defoamer may be any suitable type of defoamer. For example, it may be a silicon-based defoamer. It may be a polysiloxane. It may be a hydrophilically or hydrophobically modified polysiloxane. It may be a polydimethylsiloxane. It may have an HLB value of between about 1 and about 3. io The defoamer may prevent formation of, or reduce the formation of, foam in the composition, including when the composition is applied to a surface.

The defoamer may be present in the aqueous composition in an amount of from 0.05% to about 0.5% (w/w). For example, it may be present in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 0.25% (w/w), or of from about 0.20% to about 0.40% (w/w), or of from is about 0.35% to about 0.5% (w/w).

The defoamer may be present in the composition in a ratio of defoamer:dispersed polymer (optionally including additional dispersed polymer) of between about 1:40 to about 1:1300, or between about 1:40 to about 1:80, between about 1:80 to about 1:150, between about 1:120 to about 1:200, or between about 1:180 to about 1:300, or between 20 about 1:250 to about 1:450, or between about 1:400 to about 1:750, or between about 1:600 to about 1:900, or between about 1:800 to about 1:1200, or between about 1:900 to about 1:1300, e.g., may be about 1:40, about 1:100, about 1:200, about 1:300, about 1:400, about 1:500, about 1:600, or about 1:700, about 1:800, about 1:900, about 1:1000, about 1:1100, about 1:1200, or about 1:1300. 25 The defoamer may be present in the composition in a ratio of defoamentotal solids of between about 1:40 to about 1:1300, or between about 1:40 to about 1:80, between about 1:80 to about 1:150, between about 1:120 to about 1:200, or between about 1:180 to about 1:300, or between about 1:250 to about 1:450, or between about 1:400 to about 1:750, or between about 1:600 to about 1:900, or between about 1:800 to about 1:1200, or 30 between about 1:900 to about 1:1300, e.g., may be about 1:40, about 1:100, about 1.200, about 1:300, about 1:400, about 1:500, about 1:600, or about 1:700, about 1:800, about 1:900, about 1:1000, about 1:1100, about 1:1200, or about 1:1300. 11091309 32 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Levelling Agent

The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention may comprise a levelling agent. The levelling agent may be any suitable type of levelling agent. For example, it may be a silicon-based wetting agent. It may be a polysiloxane. It 5 may be a hydrophilically or hydrophobically modified polysiloxane. It may be a polydimethylsiloxane.

The levelling agent may be present in the aqueous composition in an amount of from 0.05% to about 0.5% (w/w). For example, it may be present in an amount of from about 0.05% to about 0.25% (w/w), or of from about 0.20% to about 0.40% (w/w), or of ίο from about 0.35% to about 0.5% (w/w).

The levelling agent may be present in the composition in a ratio of levelling agent: dispersed polymer (optionally including additional dispersed polymer) of between about 1:40 to about 1:1300, or between about 1:40 to about 1:80, between about 1:80 to about 1:150, between about 1:120 to about 1:200, or between about 1:180 to about 1:300, is or between about 1:250 to about 1:450, or between about 1:400 to about 1:750, or between about 1:600 to about 1:900, or between about 1:800 to about 1:1200, or between about 1:900 to about 1:1300, e.g., may be about 1:40, about 1:100, about 1:200, about 1:300, about 1:400, about 1:500, about 1:600, or about 1:700, about 1:800, about 1:900, about 1:1000, about 1:1100, about 1:1200, or about 1:1300. 20 The levelling agent may be present in the composition in a ratio of levelling agent:total solids of between about 1:40 to about 1:1300, or between about 1:40 to about 1:80, between about 1:80 to about 1:150, between about 1:120 to about 1:200, or between about 1:180 to about 1:300, or between about 1:250 to about 1:450, or between about 1:400 to about 1:750, or between about 1:600 to about 1:900, or between about 1:800 to 25 about 1:1200, or between about 1:900 to about 1:1300, e.g., may be about 1:40, about 1:100, about 1:200, about 1:300, about 1:400, about 1:500, about 1:600, or about 1:700, about 1:800, about 1:900, about 1:1000, about 1:1100, about 1:1200, or about 1:1300.

Water / Solids 30 The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention has a water content of from about 35% to about 80% (w/w). The water content may be a total water content, including water contributed by any aqueous polymer dispersions or emulsions comprising the composition. 11091309 33 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Accordingly, the water content of the composition may be from about 20% (w/w) to about 65% (w/w). For example, the water may be between about 20% (w/w) and about 35% (w/w), or between about 30% (w/w) and about 45% (w/w), or between about 35% (w/w) and about 50% (w/w), or between about 40% (w/w) and about 65% (w/w), or 5 between about 60% (w/w) and about 75% (w/w), or between about 70% (w/w) and about 80% (w/w), or between about 35% (w/w) and about 55% (w/w), or between about 50% (w/w) and about 80% (w/w), e.g., about 35% (w/w), about 40% (w/w), about 45% (w/w), about 50% (w/w), about 55% (w/w), about 60% (w/w), about 65% (w/w), about 70% (w/w), about 75% (w/w), or about 80% (w/w) of the composition, ίο As noted above, the total solids content of the composition includes solids in the form of dispersed polymer, as well as the mass amount of coalescing agent (as a liquid or solid), as well as solids from the optional additional dispersed polymer, levelling agent, preservative, surfactant and associative thickener. The total water content is thus calculated as 100% - total solids%. 15

Composition Properties

The aqueous composition for cleaning according to the present invention may have a final viscosity of between about 800 and about 2,000 cps. For example, the final viscosity may be between about 800 and about 950 cps, or between about 900 and about 20 1250 cps, or between about 1,000 and about 2,000 cps, e.g., about 800, about 850, about 900, about 950, about 1,000, about 1,500, or about 2,000 cps. The viscosity as described in this paragraph may be as measured on a Brookfield viscometer, using spindle #03 at 3.0 rpm at 25 °C.

The composition of the present invention may have no curing agent. The 25 composition of the present invention may have no cross-linking agent. The composition of the present invention may have no curing agent and no cross-linking agent. The composition of the present invention may have no adhesion promoter.

Films 30 As noted above, the composition described herein, when applied to a surface, dries to form a continuous film on the surface. Generally speaking, film formation is affected by polymer particle size, drying time and coating film thickness. ‘Minimum Film 11091309 34 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Forming Temperature’ (MFFT) is a key factor in the film formation and a clear transparent film is commonly formed at lower MFFT.

The composition described herein may be formulated to control the minimum film forming temperature by adjusting the glass transition temperature (Tg) of dispersed 5 polymer and the type and quantity of coalescing agent.

Dried films formed from the composition of the present invention can enhance the adhesion strength of the composition to various soil, dirt, and other contaminants by wrapping and coating the entire surface. As a result, when the dried coating film is removed, it can mechanically remove soil and other contaminants from the surface, as the ίο adhesion of the film to soil on the surface is greater than that of the soil to the surface. Normally, adhesion forces that act to hold soils to surfaces are based on relatively weak van der Waal’s interactions. Therefore, this binding force can be easily overcome by adhesion of the composition to soils. Formation of a film adherent to soil on a surface avoids the need for using cleaning tools such as hard bristle brushes, is The dried film may be produced by spraying, brushing or rolling a composition in accordance with the present invention onto a surface. After a relatively short drying time, for example, between about 1 and about 4 hours, at room temperature, a thin, dried transparent film remains that may be removed easily at a later date by hand and without stripping tools. Accordingly, a continuous film according to the present invention may 20 comprise a dispersed polymer, a coalescing agent, and possibly some residual water, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the film in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent: total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer; and wherein the film has a peel strength and/or dry film hardness as described in this section entitled ‘Film’. 25 The film may be cohesive. It may be elastic. It may be flexible.

The film may have a dry film hardness of between 30 s and 120 s, e.g., of between about 30 s and about 60 s, or between about 40 s and about 55 s, or between about 50 s and about 70 s, or between about 55 s and about 65 s, or between about 60 s and about 80 s, or between about 65 s and about 75 s, or between about 70 s and about 80 s, or between 30 about 80 s and about 95 s, or between about 60 s and about 90 s, or between about 90 s and about 105 s, or between about 95 s and about 115 s, or between about 80 s and about 120 s, or of about 40 s, about 45 s, about 50 s, about 55 s, about 60 s, about 65 s, about 70 s, about 75 s, about 80 s, about 85 s, about 90 s, about 95 s, about 100 s, about 105 s, 11091309 35 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 about 110 s, about 115 s, or about 120 s. The continuous film may have a dry film hardness of less than about 150 s, or less than about 120 s, or less than about 100 s, or less than about 90 s, or less than about 80 s. The Konig dry film hardness may be measured at about 24 hours after application of the composition to the surface at 25 °C and 50% 5 humidity.

The dried film formed a composition of the present invention may have any suitable peel strength. The peel strength may be less than the adhesive strength of the film so that the film remains intact whilst peeling. Preferably, the peel strength is such that the dried film can be peeled away from the surface by hand but is also such that the surface is not ίο damaged when the film is peeled away. For example, the dried film may have a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m. The peel strength may be measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed. The peel strength may be measured after drying for about 24 hours. For example, the dried film may have a peel strength of less is than about 200 N/m, or less than about 180 N/m, or less than about 160 N/m, or less than about 140 N/m, or less than about 120 N/m, or less than about 100 N/m, or less than about 80 N/m, or less than about 60 N/m, or of between about 30 N/m and about 200 N/m, or between about 30 N/m and about 50 N/m, or between about 50 N/m and about 100 N/m, or between about 100 N/m and about 150 N/m, or between about 120 N/m and about 200 20 N/m, or between about 1600 N/m and about 200 N/m, or of about 30 N/m, about 40 N/m, about 50 N/m, about 60 N/m, about 70 N/m, about 80 N/m, about 90 N/m, about 100 N/m, about 120 N/m, about 140 N/m, about 160 N/m, about 180 N/m, or about 200 N/m. The dried film may have a peel strength of between about 70 N/m and about 110 N/m on cementitious grout after drying for about 24 hours, or may have a peel strength of 25 between about 110 N/m and about 150 N/m on cementitious grout after drying for about 48 hours. The dried film may have a peel strength of between about 65 N/m and about 130 N/m on vinyl tile after drying for about 24 hours, or may have a peel strength of between about 95 N/m and about 160 N/m on vinyl tile after drying for about 48 hours. The dried film may have a peel strength of between about 60 N/m and about 100 N/m on 30 ceramic tile after drying for about 24 hours, or may have a peel strength of between about 85 N/m and about 125 N/m on ceramic tile after drying for about 48 hours. The dried film may have a peel strength of between about 75 N/m and about 110 N/m on marble 11091309 36 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 after drying for about 24 hours, or may have a peel strength of between about 100 N/m and about 160 N/m on marble after drying for about 48 hours.

Surfaces 5 The compositions described herein may be used on various surfaces, in particular, hard surfaces. Examples of suitable hard surfaces include porous and non-porous ceramic surfaces, stone, vinyl or marble surfaces, or metal surfaces such as stainless steel or alloy steel, or glass, or laminated wood. The hard surfaces may be, for example, tiles. Other suitable surfaces include grout, for example, epoxy based grout, as well as non-sanded or ίο sanded cement based grouts. The compositions described herein are suitable for application to tiles and grout. The compositions may be less suitable for use on highly porous wood surfaces, e.g., untreated wood surfaces.

METHODS AND USES is As disclosed herein, there is provided a method of cleaning a surface, comprising: (a) applying a composition as described herein to the surface; (b) allowing composition to dry and thereby form a dried film on the surface; and, (c) peeling the dried film away from the surface.

As disclosed herein, there is also provided a method of protecting a surface, 20 comprising: (a) applying a composition as described herein to the surface; and (b) allowing composition to dry and thereby form a dried film on the surface.

Applying in step (a) may comprise brushing, rolling, spraying or squeezing the composition onto the surface. Any suitable apparatus may be used to apply the composition. For example, the composition may be applied to the surface by T-bar, roller, 25 or round bottle with narrow nozzle.

The composition may be applied at any suitable area density, the density being varied depending on the size of the area to be covered. In particular, for applications where the area is large, e.g., a tiled room, the area density may be relatively lower than where the area is small, e.g., strips of grout between tiles. The composition may be 30 applied at an area density of up to about 2000 g solids/m2. For example, the composition may be applied at an area density of from about 100 g solids/m2 to about 2000 g solids/m2, or from about 300 g solids/m2 to about 600 g solids/m2, or from about 500 g solids/m2 to about 1000 g solids/m2, or from about 750 g solids/m2 to about 1500 g 11091309 37 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 solids/m2, or from about 1000 g solids/m2 to about 1750 g solids/m2, or from about 1500 g solids/m2 to about 2000 g solids/m2, e.g., the composition may be applied at an area density of about 100 g solids/m2, 200 g solids/m2, 300 g solids/m2, about 400 g solids/m2, about 500 g solids/m2, about 600 g solids/m2, about 700 g solids/m2, about 800 g 5 solids/m2, about 900 g solids/m2, about 1000 g solids/m2, about 1200 g solids/m2, about 1400 g solids/m2, about 1600 g solids/m2, about 1800 g solids/m2, or about 2000 g solids/m2. For certain applications, it may be desirable to apply the composition at an area density of greater than about 2000 g solids/m , e.g., up to about 3000 g solids/m .

Applying in step (a) may comprise forming a layer of the composition having a ίο thickness of approximately 0.1 to 2 mm on the surface. For example, a layer of the composition may have a thickness of between about 0.1 mm and about 0.5 mm, or between about 0.4 mm and about 0.6 mm, or between about 0.5 mm and about 1 mm, between about 1 mm and about 1.5 mm, or between about 1 mm and about 2 mm on the surface, e.g., a thickness of about 0.1 mm, about 0.5 mm, 1 mm, about 1.5 mm, or about 2 is mm.

In step (b), the composition may be dried at any suitable temperature for any suitable period of time. For example, the composition may be dried in air at room temperature. It may be dried in air at room temperature for between about 0.5 hours and about 72 hours, or for between about 0.5 hours and about 2 hours, or for between about 1 20 hours and about 3 hours, or for between about 2 hours and about 4 hours, or for between about 3 hours and about 6 hours, or for between about 6 hours and about 12 hours, or for between about 12 hours and about 24 hours, or for between about 15 hours and about 30 hours, or for between about 24 hours and about 36 hours, or for between about 24 hours and about 48 hours, or for between about 48 hours and about 72 hours, e.g., for about 0.5 25 hours, about 1 hour, about 2 hours, about 3 hours, about 4 hours, about 5 hours, about 6 hours, about 8 hours, about 12 hours, about 24 hours, about 48 hours, or about 72 hours. Preferably, the period of time allowed for drying the composition is time sufficient for the composition to dry until a thin, dried transparent film is formed on the surface.

The dried film formed in step (b) may have any suitable thickness. For example, 30 the dried film may have a thickness of less than about 0.1 mm, or of between about 0.1 mm and about 1 mm, or between about 0.1 mm and about 0.2 mm, or between about 0.2 mm and about 0.4 mm, or between about 0.1 mm and about 0.3 mm, or between about 0.25 mm and about 0.75 mm, or between about 0.5 mm and about 1 mm, or between 11091309 38 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 about 0.8 mm and about 1 mm, e.g., a thickness of about 0.1 mm, about 0.2 mm, about 0.3 mm, about 0.4 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 0.6 mm, about 0.7 mm, about 0.8 mm, about 0.9 mm, or about 1.0 mm.

The dried film formed in step (b) may have any suitable peel strength. For 5 example, the dried film formed in step (b) may have a peel strength and/or a hardness as discussed above in the section entitled ‘Films’. Steps (a) and (b) may be repeated so as to build up a thicker film on the surface.

In step (c), peeling the film away from the surface may further comprise peeling soil adhered to the film away from the surface. Peeling in step (c) may be done by any ίο suitable means. For example, in one embodiment, the peeling in step (c) is done by hand.

As disclosed herein, there is provided use of a composition as described herein for cleaning a surface. In particular, the composition as described herein, e.g. in the section entitled ‘Composition’ may be used in the method described in this section ‘Methods and Uses’ to clean a surface.

is MANUFACTURE

As disclosed herein, there is described a process for making a film-forming cleaning composition comprising: combining a polymer dispersion and a coalescing agent in water to form a mixture; stirring the mixture to form a stirred mixture; and, allowing the stirred mixture to stand and thicken, wherein the polymer dispersion comprises a polyurethane 20 polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer. Other components, e.g., preservative, levelling agent, surfactant, defoamer, and/or an associative thickener may also be added. The order of addition of the various components is not critical and any order of addition may be used. In some embodiments, a rheology modifier (such as an associative thickener) is the last component added. 25 The polymer dispersion may be as described above in the section entitled ‘Polymer

Dispersion / Additional Polymer Dispersion’.

The compositions and methods disclosed herein possess a number of advantages, including: 1) Simple application and less labour-intensive process 30 · No scrubbing process required with cleaning tools (brushes and mops) to remove soil and other contaminants on surfaces, including porous grout; • No pre-preparation of cleaning chemicals (dilution); 11091309 39 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 • No washing and rinsing the remaining cleaning chemicals with water; 2) Further functions • Protection of surfaces as well as cleaning against scratches and contamination; • Aesthetic appearance of coating film (transparent coating and/or high gloss 5 properties); 3) Environment-friendly process • Non-hazardous and non-dangerous components; • Mild odour of product (traditional chemical cleaners commonly have a very offensive chlorine odour). ίο It will be appreciated by persons of ordinary skill in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications can be made to the present invention as disclosed in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 15 Examples

The present invention will now be described with reference to specific examples, which should not be construed as in any way limiting.

Example 1: Preparation of Aqueous Composition 20 1.1 General procedure

To produce a water based peelable coating cleaner, firstly, one or more polyurethane, polyurethane acrylate, acrylic polymer, or vinyl acetate copolymer dispersions in water were mixed for 5 minutes using a mild stirring speed (200 ~ 300 25 rpm) at room temperature. The polymer dispersions were used as obtained from the supplier. Then, additives such as defoamers, leveling agents, surfactants, preservative, and thickeners were incorporated into the polymer mixture using mild agitation (200 ~ 300 rpm) for 20 minutes. Finally, a coalescing agent such as diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, propylene 30 glycol monobutyl ether, diporopylene glycol n-propyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, or ethylene glycol methyl acetate was added slowly into the mixture while stirring at 300 rpm for 20 minutes. After preparation of the coating cleaner, it was 11091309 40 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 placed at room temperature for 24 hours to allow the viscosity to build up, as the thickener is stabilised in conjunction with polymer particles in the formulation.

Table 2 shows a general formulation of an aqueous composition according to the 5 invention.

Table 2: General formulation of composition Ingredient % Weight Polymer dispersion (PI) - polyurethane polymer or polyvinyl acetate copolymer 59.50 ~ 85.00 Polymer dispersion (P2) - polyurethane, polyurethane acrylate, polyacrylate, acrylic copolymer, or vinyl acetate homo/copolymer dispersion 0 ~ 25.50 Defoamer 0.05 ~ 0.50 Leveling agent 0.05 ~ 0.50 Preservative 0.01 ~ 0.05 Surfactant 0.10-1.00 Water 0-15.00 Coalescing agent 1.00-10.00 Thickener 0.50 - 5.00 1.2 Polymer combinations

Table 3(a) shows examples of polymer (PI and P2) combinations for the aqueous ίο compositions of the general composition of Table 2 above.

Table 3a: Polymer (PI and P2) combinations for aqueous compositions Polymer combination no. PI type PI name P2 type P2 name P1:P2 (w/w) 1 Polyurethane (polyester based) NeoRez R-2180 100:0 2 Polyurethane (polyester based) NeoRez R-2180 Polyurethane (polyether based) NeoRez® R-1005 70:30 3 Polyurethane (polyester NeoRez R-2180 Polyurethane (polyester NeoRez® R-2190, 70:30 11091309 41 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 based) based) Bayhydrol® UH 2593/1 4 Polyurethane (polyester based) NeoRez R-2180 Polyurethane acrylate NeoPac™ E-125 70:30 5 Polyurethane (polyester based) NeoRez R-2180 Acrylic polymer NeoCryl® XK-14, NeoCryl® XK-237 70:30 6 Polyurethane (polyester based) NeoRez R-2180 Polyvinyl acetate copolymer Acropol® 63-893, Acropol® ECO 63-990, Vinnapas® LL8181 70:30 7-11 Polyurethane (polyester based) NeoRez R-2180 100:0 12 Polyurethane (polyester based) NeoRez R-2180 Polyurethane (polyether based) NeoRez® R-1005 70:30 13-25 Polyurethane (polyester based) NeoRez R-2190 100:0

Table 3(b) shows selected properties for proprietary polymer emulsions/dispersions used in Table 3(a). Table 3(b): Selected properties of proprietary polymer emulsions/dispersions Polymer Name (Manufacturer) Polymer Type Solid content (wt%) pH Viscosity Acropol® 63-893 (Nuplex) High molecular weight vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer emulsion 55 5.2 (at 25°C) 3300 cP (Brookfield RVT 3/10) Acropol® ECO 63-990 (Nuplex) High molecular weight vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer emulsion 55 4.8 (at 25°C) 750 cP (Brookfield RVT 3/10) Bayhydrol® UH 2593/1 (Bayer) Aliphatic, fatty-acid modified, anionic polyurethane dispersion (polyester based) 34-36 7-9(1:2.5 in demineralised water) < 250 mPa.s (23 °C; DIN EN ISO 3219/A.3) NeoCryl® XK-14 (DSM) Self-cross-linking, emulsifier free, anionic, acrylic copolymer emulsion 40 8.6 (at 25°C) 50 mPa.s (25°C; Brookfield) NeoCryl® XK-237 (DSM) Self-cross-linking anionic, acrylic copolymer emulsion 43-45 8.0-9.0 50-200 mPa.s (25°C; Brookfield) NeoPac™ E-125 (DSM) Water-based self-cross-linking aliphatic 34.5- 36.5 7.6-8.5 60-150 mPa.s (25°C; 11091309 42 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 urethane acrylic copolymer dispersion Brookfield) NeoRez® R-1005 (DSM) Anionic, aliphatic polyurethane dispersion (polyether based) 38-40 6.8-7.8 30-300 mPa.s (25°C; Brookfield) NeoRez® R-2180 (DSM) Self-cross-linking aliphatic polyurethane dispersion (polyester based) 34-36 7.4-8.3 20-100 mPa.s (25°C; Brookfield) NeoRez® R-2190 (DSM) Self-cross-linking, water based aliphatic polyurethane dispersion (polyester based) 38 8.0 90 mPa.s (25°C; Brookfield) Vinnapas® LL8181 (Wacker) Aqueous polymer dispersion based on vinyl acetate and ethylene 54-56 4-6 100-1000 mPa.s (25°C; dynamic) Vinnapas® 707K (Wacker) Aqueous polymer dispersion based on vinyl acetate and ethylene 54-56 4-6 1300-2000 mPa-s (25°C; dynamic) Vinnapas® EF818 (Wacker) Aqueous polymer dispersion based on vinyl acetate and ethylene 54-56 4-6 150-650 mPa.s (25°C; dynamic) 1.3 Compositions

Compositions of the present invention are listed in Table 4. Percentages are % (w/w) of the composition. 5

Table 4: Example compositions Component Composition no. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 PI NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 % PI 85 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 59.5 85 P2 - NeoRez® R-1005 NeoRez® R-2190, or Bayhydrol ® UH 2593/1 NeoPac™ E-125 NeoCryl® XK-14, or NeoCryl® XK-237 Acropol® 63-893, or Acropol® ECO 63-990, or Vinnapas® LL8181 - % P2 - 25.5 25.5 25.5 25.5 25.5 - Coalescing agent Dipropylen e glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylen e glycol monobutyl Dipropylen e glycol monobutyl Dipropylen e glycol monobutyl Dipropylen e glycol monobutyl Dipropylen e glycol monobutyl Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 11091309 43 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 ether ether ether ether ether % Coalescing agent 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

Table 4 cont’d Component Composition no. 8 9 10 11 12 13 PI NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2190 % PI 85 79 74 69 59.5 89 P2 - _ _ _ NeoRez® R-1005 _ % P2 _ _ _ _ 25.5 _ Coalescing agent Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Water % Coalescing agent 4.0 10.0 15.0 20.0 4.0 4.0

Table 4 cont’d Component Composition no. 14 15 16 17 18 19 PI NeoRez R-2190 NeoRez R-2190 NeoRez R-2190 NeoRez R-2190 NeoRez R-2190 NeoRez R-2190 % PI 85 85 85 85 85 85 P2 _ _ _ _ _ _ % P2 _ _ _ _ _ _ Coalescing agent Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether Diethylene glycol Glycerol Ethylene glycol Ethyl alcohol % Coalescing agent 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

Table 4 cont’d Component Composition no. 20 21 22 23 24 25 PI NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 11091309 44 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 % PI 85 83 81 79 77 75 P2 _ _ _ _ _ _ % P2 _ _ _ _ _ _ Coalescing agent Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether % Coalescing agent 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0

Table 4 cont’d Component Composition no. 26 27 28 29 30 31 PI NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 % PI 85 76.5 68 59.5 51 42.5 P2 _ NeoCryl XK-14 NeoCryl XK-14 NeoCryl XK-14 NeoCryl XK-14 NeoCryl XK-14 % P2 _ 8.5 17 25.5 34 42.5 Coalescing agent Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether % Coalescing agent 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0 4.0

Table 4 cont’d Component Composition no. 32 33 34 35 36 37 PI NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 NeoRez R-2180 % PI 85 83 81 79 77 75 P2 - - - - - - % P2 - - - - - - Coalescing agent Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether % Coalescing agent 4.0 6.0 8.0 10.0 12.0 14.0 11091309 45 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Table 4 cont’d Component Composition no. Component Composition no. All compositions 1 to 37 All compositions 1 to 37 Defoamer BYK 028 Surfactant Hydrapol RP90L % Defoamer 0.2 % Surfactant 0.3 Leveling Agent BYK 349 % Water 9.65 % Leveling Agent 0.1 Thickener Rheolate 278 Preservative Acticide MV % Thickener 0.7 % Preservative 0.05

Example 2: Use of aqueous compositions as coating cleaners 2.1 General procedure 5 To clean dirt, soils, and other contaminants, a composition as described in Example 1 (e.g., Section 1.3) was applied on floor tiles and grout by a traditional applicator such as a T-bar applicator or paint roller with 5 mm of nap length. For grout only cleaning applications, the composition was applied by lightly squeezing an HDPE (high density polyethylene) tubular bottle fitted with a narrow nozzle, ίο The application amount of the composition controls the thickness of dried film. For these experiments, 600 g of coating solution was used per one square meter (m ) for tile and grout cleaning applications, and 15 g of coating solution was used per one meter (m) for grout cleaning applications. After coating on the surfaces, the coated surfaces were allowed to dry completely at room temperature (20 ~ 25°C) for 24 hours or 48 hours. 15 Application tools, surfaces, and compositions are shown in Figures 6 to 8. 2.2 Soil Removal Test on Non-Sanded and Sanded Cementitious Grout

To evaluate the cleaning ability of the composition on grout, a soil removal test was conducted by peeling off a dried coating film formed from compositions of the present 20 invention as described in the Examples above on old soiled grout (non-sanded and sanded cementitious grout). 11091309 46 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

The composition was coated on the grout with a round application bottle with a narrow nozzle and dried at room temperature for 24 hours or 48 hours for the soil removal test. The application amount of the composition was 15 g per meter.

Table 5 and Figure 9 show the cleaning ability results of Compositions t to 11 on 5 soiled grout.

Table 5: Cleaning ability of Compositions 1-11 Composition HQ Non-sanded cementitious grout Sanded cementitious grout Cleaning ability Λ (%) (24hrs) Cleaning ability Λ (%) (48hrs) Cleaning ability* (%) (24hrs) Cleaning ability Λ (%) (48hrs) 1 100 100 80 90 2 100 100 80 90 3 100 100 80 90 4 100 100 70 90 5 100 100 70 90 6 100 100 60 80 7 100 100 80 90 8 90 100 60 70 9 - - 40 60 10 - - 30 30 11 - - 30 30 *** See Table 4 Λ Degree of soil removal on substrate was measured by visual inspection

According to the results in Table 5, the compositions showed high percentage soil removal on the both sanded and non-sanded cementituous grout (see also Figure 9 a) to 10 f)).

The composition with various polymer dispersions showed better soil removal performance on non-sanded cementitious grouts than on sanded cementitious grouts because sanded cementitious grouts have a more porous structure than non-sanded grouts, which in turn disturbs removal of soils and other contaminants in the pores below the is grout. But despite the porous structure of sanded cementitious grouts, the peelable coating cleaner removed 90% of soil.

The percentage soil removal of the composition after drying for 48 hours was generally greater than after drying for 24 hours on porous sanded grout due to an increase 11091309 47 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 in adhesion strength to soil by more evaporation of coalescing agent in the dried coating film (see Compositions 1 to 8 in Table 5, and Table 8 (sanded cementitious grout) peel strength result).

Compositions containing dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether and ethylene glycol 5 monobuthyl ether as coalescing agents showed better cleaning ability on sanded grout than that containing diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, due to the comparatively higher solvency power and lower surface tension of the former two compounds (cf. Compositions 1, 7 and 8 in Table 5). There was no difference of cleaning ability between compositions having difference coalescing agents (dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, ίο ethylene glycol monobuthyl ether, or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether) on non-sanded grout due to its non-porous structure (or few pores) below the grout.

In Compositions 9-11 in Table 5, the compositions did not complete drying at room temperature within 48 hours, and were still not dried 7 days after application, due to the higher concentration of coalescing agent (10, 15, and 20% in the composition, is respectively). The incompletely dried coating film could not remove soils and contaminants effectively from the grout due to its lack of adhesion to soils. 2.3 Oily Grease Removal Test on Sanded Cementitious Grout

To evaluate the cleaning ability of the composition against hydrophobic oily grease 20 on the grout, butter (as a dairy chemical) was applied to the grout and the butter-coated grout surfaces were maintained at room temperature for 2 days to allow the butter to adhere solidly to the surface of the grout. The composition was then coated on the grout with a round application bottle with narrow nozzle and dried at room temperature for 24 hours or 48 hours for the oily grease removal test. The application amount of the 25 composition was 15 g per meter.

Table 6 and Figure 9 show the results of cleaning ability of the composition against oily grease.

Table 6: Cleaning ability of composition against hydrophobic oily grease Composition Coalescing agent Coalescing agent (wt%) Cleaning ability* (%) (24hrs) Cleaning ability* (%) (48hrs) 1 Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 4.0 too too 2 Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 4.0 too too 11091309 48 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 3 Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 4.0 100 100 4 Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 4.0 100 100 5 Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 4.0 100 100 6 Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 4.0 100 100 7 Ethylene glycol mono-butyl ether 4.0 100 100 8 Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether 4.0 80 90 13 Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 0.0 40 50 *** See Table 4 Λ Degree of soil removal on substrate was measured by visual inspection

According to Table 6, the composition with various polymer dispersions showed high percentage greasy soil removal on porous sanded cementitious grout.

Compositions including dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether and ethylene glycol 5 monobutyl ether as coalescing agents showed greater soil removal performance than the composition including diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, due to the lower solvency power and higher surface tension of diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (see Composition 8, Table 6).

Compositions with coalescing agent showed better oily soil removal performance ίο than the composition without coalescing agent (see Figure 9 g) and h)). 2.3 Soil Removal Test on Porous and Non-Porous Ceramic Tiles

To evaluate the cleaning ability of the composition on tiles, a soil removal test was conducted by peeling off a dried coating film from tiles with grout. The composition was 15 coated on the tiles by a T-bar applicator and dried at room temperature for 24 hours or 48 hours. The application amount of the composition was 600 g per square meter. Table 7 and Figure 10 show the results of cleaning ability of Compositions 1 to 8 on tiles.

Table 7: Cleaning ability of Compositions 1 to 8 Composition Non-porous ceramic tile Porous ceramic tile Cleaning ability* (%) (24hrs) Cleaning ability* (%) (48hrs) Cleaning ability* (%) (24hrs) Cleaning ability* (%) (48hrs) 1 100 100 100 100 11091309 49 2 100 100 90 100 3 100 100 100 100 4 100 100 100 100 5 100 100 90 100 6 100 100 90 100 7 100 100 100 100 8 90 100 90 100 *** See Table 4 Λ Degree of soil removal on substrate was measured by visual inspection 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

According to cleaning ability test results on ceramic tiles in Table 7, the compositions showed high percentage soil removal on both porous and non-porous tiles (see Figure 10 a) to d)). Although the ceramic tile was porous, the composition showed at 5 least 90% soil removal cleaning ability. Compared to grout cleaning application, the cleaning ability of the composition on tiles did not differ substantially with different coalescing agents. 2.4 Peel Strength and Film Hardness of Composition on Various Substrates ίο To evaluate the peel properties of the composition on various surfaces, a peel strength test was conducted using the standard ASTM D6862 (ASTM D6862-2011: Standard test method for 90 degree peel resistance of adhesives). This test was based on 90 degree peel strength test with an Instron machine (Instron 5565).

The composition was coated on the test substrates. After drying at room is temperature for 24 hours and 48 hours, the 90 degree peel test was conducted. The following test conditions were used; head cell weight (5 Kg), cell capacity (100 N), head speed (100 mm/min), and 3 measurements were made for each specimen.

The tested surfaces were vinyl tile, marble, ceramic tile, and sanded cementitious grout. Table 8 shows the peel strength of peelable coating cleaner of Compositions 1 to 8 20 on various substrates.

Table 8: Peel strength of Compositions 1-8 on various surfaces Composition HQ Sanded cemetitious grout Vinyl tile Peel strength (N/m) (24hrs) Peel strength (N/m) (48hrs) Peel strength (N/m) (24hrs) Peel strength (N/m) (48hrs) 1 98 128 127 156 11091309 50 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 2 89 135 65 100 3 112 134 83 128 4 100 133 91 124 5 99 147 113 146 6 69 113 74 96 7 109 124 124 150 8 89 139 131 158 *** See Table 4

Table 8 cont’d Composition Ceramic tile Marble Peel strength (N/m) (24hrs) Peel strength (N/m) (48hrs) Peel strength (N/m) (24hrs) Peel strength (N/m) (48hrs) 1 62 85 74 101 2 74 102 83 132 3 85 122 92 144 4 84 114 100 137 5 99 124 109 157 6 69 85 83 114 7 70 96 96 140 8 61 92 82 100 *** See Table 4

The results from the peel strength test show that all tested compositions with various polymer types have low peel strength properties (< 200 N/m) and thereby have 5 good peelable functionality on tiles of varying materials.

When the test substrate was porous sanded cementitious grout, the coating cleaners still exhibited low peel strength properties (< 200 N/m), and thus the coating film can be easily removed from porous grout by hand without other stripping or scrubbing tools. ίο 2.5 Peel Strength Tests

The upper limit for peel strength of the dry film is shown in Table 9, where it is evident that peel strengths of more than 200 N/m damaged the grout when being peeling off. See also Figure 13. 11091309 51 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

Table 9: Peel strength on sanded grout Composition Polyacrylate Peel strength (N/m) @ % Soil Removal @ % Damage of (% ratio) 3 days 3 days Grout 26 0* 36 90 0 27 10 ** 41 90 0 28 20 93 90 0 29 30 100 90 0 30 40 226 95 10 31 50 389 95 30 * Refers to polymer mixture that is 100% polyurethane and 0% polyacrylate by weight ** Refers to polymer mixture that is 90% polyurethane and 10% polyacrylate by weight *** See Table 4 2.6 Surface Tension Tests

The soil removal ability of compositions containing different coalescing agents is shown in Figure 11, with relevant parameters shown in Table 10. As can be seen in Table 5 10 and Figure 11, the percentage soil removal is greater when the surface tension of the coalescing agent is lower, and in particular, when the surface tension is lower than about 30 mN/m at 25 °C.

Table 10: Soil removal on sanded grout for different coalescing agents Composition *** Coalescing Agent Surface Tension (mN/m at 25 °C) % Soil removal after 24 hrs Λ 13 Water 73 80 14 Dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether 29 80 15 Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 27 80 16 Diethylene glycol 45 50 17 Glycerol 63 30 18 Ethylene glycol 48 10 19 Ethanol 22 80 *** See Table 4 Λ Degree of soil removal on substrate was measured by visual inspection ίο 2.8 Coalescing Agent Concentration Tests 11091309 52 2016201583 11 Mar 2016

The soil removal ability of compositions containing a single coalescing agent, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, at different concentrations, is shown in Figure 12(a) and (b), with relevant parameters shown in Table 11. As can be seen in Table 11 and Figure 12(a) and (b), the percentage soil removal and film hardness are both greater when 5 the concentration of coalescing agent is lower, and in particular, when the coalescing agent is present in the composition at a concentration of less than about 8 wt%.

Table 11: Soil removal on sanded grout for different concentrations of dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether (coalescing agent) Composition *** Coalescing Agent (wt%) Film Hardness after 12 hrs (s) Film Hardness after 24 hrs (s) Peel strength at 24 hrs (N/m) % Soil removal after 12 hrs Λ % Soil removal after 24 hrs Λ 20 4 60 95 40 40 90 21 6 55 94 57 20 90 22 8 45 74 78 25 80 23 10 42 73 88 25 60 24 12 30 55 91 10 20 25 14 28 49 94 5 20 *** See Table 4 Λ Degree of soil removal on substrate was measured by visual inspection

The soil removal ability of compositions containing a different single coalescing ίο agent, ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, at different concentrations, is shown in Figure 13(a) and (b), with relevant parameters shown in Table 12. As can be seen in Table 12 and Figure 13(a) and (b), the percentage soil removal and film hardness for this coalescing agent varies minimally with concentration of coalescing agent.

Table 12: Soil removal on sanded grout for different concentrations of ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (coalescing agent) Composition *** Coalescing Agent (wt%) Film Hardness after 12 hrs (s) Film Hardness after 24 hrs (s) Peel strength at 24 hrs (N/m) % Soil removal after 12 hrs Λ % Soil removal after 24 hrs Λ 32 4 68 109 39 10 90 33 6 65 108 44 10 90 34 8 60 110 44 10 90 11091309 53 2016201583 11 Mar 2016 35 10 60 111 44 5 90 36 12 48 96 39 15 85 37 14 45 87 52 5 90 *** See Table 4 Λ Degree of soil removal on substrate was measured by visual inspection 11091309

Claims (32)

1. CLAIMS:

   1. An aqueous composition for cleaning, comprising: a dispersed polymer, a coalescing agent, and water wherein the coalescing agent is present in the aqueous composition in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer, and wherein the aqueous composition has a water content of from about 35% to about 80% (w/w).
2. 2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer.
3. 3. The composition of claim 1 or claim 2, further comprising an additional dispersed polymer, wherein the additional dispersed polymer is selected from the group consisting of: a polyurethane polymer, a polyurethane acrylate polymer, an acrylic polymer, and a polyvinyl acetate copolymer.
4. 4. The composition of claim 3, wherein the dispersed polymer and the additional dispersed polymer are present in the composition in a solids ratio of about 1:1 to about 4:1.
5. 5. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coalescing agent is such that when a layer of the composition is applied to a surface, the composition dries to form a continuous film on the surface.
6. 6. The composition of claim 5, wherein the dispersed polymer is such that the film formed from the composition has a König dry film hardness of between about 30 s and 120 s .
7. 7. The composition of claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the dispersed polymer and the coalescing agent are such that the film formed from the composition has a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m, as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed, on vinyl or ceramic tile.
8. 8. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the coalescing agent is a glycol ether or an ester of a glycol ether.
9. 9. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the coalescing agent is selected from the group consisting of: ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol n-propyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-propyl ether, propylene glycol n-butyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol methyl acetate, propylene glycol ethyl acetate, and dipropylene glycol methyl acetate, or is a mixture of any two or more of these.
10. 10. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the coalescing agent is a glycol ether.
11. 11. The composition of claim 10, wherein the glycol ether is ethylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether or diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, or a mixture of any two or more of these.
12. 12. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the composition at a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:20.
13. 13. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the composition at a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:5 to about 1:15.
14. 14. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the composition comprises an associative thickener.
15. 15. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the composition comprises a preservative.
16. 16. The composition of any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the composition comprises a surfactant.
17. 17. A continuous film, comprising: a dispersed polymer, and a coalescing agent, wherein the coalescing agent is present in the film in a ratio by mass of coalescing agent:total solids of about 1:2 to about 1:65, wherein the dispersed polymer comprises a polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer; and wherein the film has a peel strength of less than about 200 N/m, as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed, on vinyl or ceramic tile.
18. 18. The film of claim 17, wherein the film has a König dry film hardness of between about 30 s and 120 s after drying for 24 h.
19. 19. The film of claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the film is formed by drying a layer of the composition of any one of claims 1 to 16 on a surface.
20. 20. A method of cleaning a surface, comprising: (a) applying a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 16 to the surface; (b) allowing the composition to dry and thereby form a dried film on the surface; and, (c) peeling the dried film away from the surface.
21. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein applying in step (a) comprises brushing, rolling, spraying or squeezing the composition onto the surface.
22. 22. The method of claim 20 or claim 21, wherein in step (a), the composition is applied λ at an area density of up to about 2000 g solids/m .
23. 23. The method of any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein in step (a), the composition is 2 2 applied at an area density of between about 120 g solids/m and about 2000 g solids/m .
24. 24. The method of any one of claims 20 to 23, wherein applying in step (a) comprises forming a layer of the composition having a thickness of approximately 0.1 to 2 mm on the surface.
25. 25. The method of any one of claims 20 to 24, wherein step (b) comprises drying the composition in air at room temperature for between about 12 hours and about 72 hours.
26. 26. The method of any one of claims 20 to 25, wherein step (b) comprises drying the composition in air at room temperature for between about 24 hours and about 48 hours.
27. 27. The method of any one of claims 20 to 26, wherein the dried film formed in step (b) has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 1 mm.
28. 28. The method of any one of claims 20 to 27, wherein the film formed in step (b) has a peel strength on a surface selected from the group consisting of cementitous grout, marble, vinyl tile and ceramic tile of less than about 200 N/m as measured using a 90 degree peel test according to the ASTM D6862 standard with 5 kg head weight, 100 N cell capacity and 100 mm/min head speed.
29. 29. The method of any one of claims 20 to 28, wherein in step (c), peeling the film away from the surface further comprises peeling soil adhered to the film away from the surface.
30. 30. The method of any one of claims 20 to 29, wherein peeling in step (c) is done by hand.
31. 31. Use of a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 16 or a continuous film according to any one of claims 17 tol9 for cleaning a surface.
32. 32. A process for making a film-forming cleaning composition comprising: combining a polymer dispersion and a coalescing agent in water to form a mixture; stirring the mixture to form a stirred mixture; and, allowing the stirred mixture to stand and thicken, wherein the polymer dispersion comprises a polyurethane polymer or a polyvinyl acetate copolymer. 3M Innovative Properties Company Patent Attorneys for the Applicant/Nominated Person SPRUSON &amp; FERGUSON