CA2460146C

CA2460146C - Process for renovating coated floors

Info

Publication number: CA2460146C
Application number: CA2460146A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Karl-Heinz Rogmann; Heiko Faubel; Hans-Leo Fernschild; Heike Brunzel
Original assignee: Ecolab GmbH and Co OHG
Current assignee: Ecolab GmbH and Co OHG
Priority date: 2001-09-29
Filing date: 2002-09-20
Publication date: 2010-05-25
Anticipated expiration: 2022-09-20
Also published as: EP1429647B1; DE50205298D1; EP1429647A1; DE10148355A1; ES2257595T3; ATE312547T1; WO2003028519A1; CA2460146A1

Abstract

The invention concerns a method for sanitation of elastic floors covered with crosslinked polymeric systems, by treating the floors with an abrasive cleaning pad, with a solvent and a surfactant. The invention also concerns the agents and cleaning pads used in said method.

Description

Henkel-Ecolab GmbH & Co. OHG
Dr. Kluschanzoff/sl 27.09.2001 Patent Application "Process for renovating coated floors"
The present invention relates to chemical/mechanical processes for renovating floors coated with crosslinked polymer systems.~The invention furthermore provides a floor 1S maintenance auxiliary agent and a cleaning pad.
Floor coverings are coated with polymers to protect floors and to improve cleanability. These protective films may comprise both those which are subsequently applied and those which are applied during original manufacture. The polymers used as protective or maintenance films are uncrosslinked polymers which may be removed by scrubbing with deep cleaning products as well as crosslinked, i.e.
permanent, polymers. Suitable polymer coating systems are selected depending upon the type of floor covering, for example wood, parquet, stone, PVC, rubber, linoleum, polyolefin etc. and the required performance. Such systems comprise single and multiple component systems, predominantly based on acrylates, polyurethanes, polyesters or optionally mixtures thereof.
Especially in Europe, wet-chemical treatment with removable maintenance products has hitherto been preferred for maintaining floors. These removable maintenance products are, however, susceptible to attack by disinfectants, in particular those based on alkylamines, quaternary ammonium compounds, alcohols, as well as others, and then no longer meet the increasingly stringent requirements of users.
Staining by skin and hand disinfectants, for example white stains due to alcohol/water and coloured stains due to

2 marker substances and yellowing due to surface disinfectants, for example, those based on quaternary ammonium compounds and amine-based active substances, constantly give rise to complaints from building supervisors due to the impaired appearance. These problems are primarily encountered in hospitals. They may, however, also occur to a lesser extent in an environment where cleaning agents and/or disinfectants containing the stated components are used.
Unlike removable maintenance films, "permanent" maintenance films are characterised by elevated resistance, in particular to staining. Since most floor coverings have a colour and pattern, maintenance films are unpigmented. Once applied, these films predominantly dry to a gloss finish.
Permanent films, such as automotive lacquers, are sensitive to scratching. Removable maintenance films are accordingly often additionally applied as a "sacrificial" layer. This is also performed to ensure extended durability and good appearance of floors. If maintenance.of the sacrificial film is neglected, the underlying permanent film may be scratched. The scratches, together with natural abrasion (wear), then make the floor unattractive. This is manifested visually by matt "heavy-traffic paths" which stand out unattractively from the surrounding gloss finish.
Unlike conventional maintenance agent films which, when they have become unattractive, may readily be removed to pore depth by deep cleaning agents, permanent films may only be removed by mechanical buffing. With these systems, scratches or abrasion cannot be restored, as is otherwise conventional, with high speed cleaners or spray cleaners for example.

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CA 02460146 2004-03-09.

3 Permanent maintenance systems are becoming ever more widely used. Some of the processes hitherto performed commercially cannot be used on resilient flooring because of damage to the floor covering, or have not been accepted commercially due to the elevated effort they entail.
Various options are currently available in practice for removing permanent maintenance films.
l0 For example, on hard floor coverings such as wood, parquet, stone, industrial floors, damaged sealing coats are buffed down to the substrate with special machines and highly abrasive buffing auxiliaries. This always results in the sacrifice of a small proportion of the surface of the floor covering. The surface, which is then rough, must be prepared for recoating by costly filling and fine buffing, as unevenness, roughness and buffing marks are otherwise visible. This process cannot be used on resilient flooring due to the irreversible surface damage.
As a consequence, other processes have had to be used for resilient flooring. The attempt has accordingly been made to develop a renovation method specially tailored to resilient flooring. This method is described on page 172 of the textbook "Gebaudereinigung" ["cleaning of buildings"], Verlag Rosemarie Lutz, 72581 Dettingen. The buffing process proceeds with relatively heavy single or multiple disc scrubbing machines using nylon or polyester deep cleaning pads (black, dark brown, blue) at a rotational speed of 400 to 900 rpm. The machine should comprise dust extraction means.
This method is restricted to flat floor surfaces. Floors with slight hollows are a problem. Either the process is carried out gently to protect the floor covering and the residues are not completely removed from the "valleys", or~

4 the floor is cleaned thoroughly, in which case the high points of the floor are partially buffed away. The rigidity of the pads and the pressure of the machine mean that they are not capable of adapting themselves to the unevenness of the floor.
When the floor is subsequently recoated, a speckled, blotchy appearance is obtained with areas of differing gloss. In those areas where residues were still present, the finish is of~higher gloss, while in those areas where the floor covering was partially buffed away, the finish is matter because more of the coating material soaks into the floor covering due to the roughening.
Another problem is the generation of dust. Most integral dust extraction units are not capable of dealing with the quantity of dust produced. Given the overlapping mode of operation, any dust not removed by the dust extractor is picked up again by the pad and partly polished into the 2o floor and partly deposited in the pores of the pad, so extremely rapidly causing the pad to.clog. Attempts to remedy the dust problem by using wet buffing methods cannot be performed with such grades of pads because the pad discs clog still faster with a "paste" of abraded material. Open pad structures, which could delay clogging, are not commercially available in the necessary abrasive grade.
In contrast with crosslinked polymer coatings, another process, "top stripping", is used with conventional, uncrosslinked maintenance agent films: in this case the damaged film is worked on in sections with a polishing machine using a polishing or spray-cleaner pad at rotational speeds of 200 to 1200 rpm, depending upon the abrasive grade of the pad. The surface to be worked on is previously wetted with a special cleaning agent, the top stripper. The top stripper softens the film, partially dissolves it, such that, when the machine is driven away, a proportion of the film is transferred into the worn areas, where the composition is then uniformly polished up. The remainder is absorbed by the pad. The pads must, however,

5 be replaced frequently because they have a limited absorption capacity. The floor areas must optionally be retreated.
Using this process, it is possible to achieve very even surfaces, even if the floor is not entirely flat, so that a uniform appearance is achieved on recoating. The ' disadvantage of this process is that it can only be used on conventional, uncrosslinked maintenance films. Severely worn "high-traffic paths" cannot be treated due to the inadequate abrasiveness of the pads, unless the operation is performed repeatedly, which increases costs beyond what is economically viable for renovation action.
The problem accordingly exists that there is no technically faultless process, which is acceptable to users both in terms of result and cost, for renovating permanent maintenance films on resilient flooring. The object of the present invention was accordingly~to provide such a renovation process.
The present invention provides a process for renovating resilient floors coated with crosslinked polymer systems by treating the floors with an abrasively acting element under mechanical pressure and, if desired, with rotation, in which process a solvent- and surfactant-containing agent is applied onto the floor before and/or during treatment with said abrasive element.
In the process according to the invention, the surfactants present in the surfactant-containing agent are selected

6 from the groups of nonionic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants.
Surfactants bring about a change in the surface tension of S the finished compositions, support removal and suspension of soil by emulsifying the soil. Any desired number of surfactants may be used, including organic surfactants such as anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, nonionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and mixtures thereof.
Anionic surfactants are generally more strongly hydrophobic, such that they may be used in cleaning operations such as washing hard surfaces and in laundry ope rations for cleaning articles with oil stains.
1S Surfactants of use for the invention include, inter alia, sulfates, sulfonates and carboxylates, such as for example alkyl carboxylate salts. Examples of anionic surfactants are alkyl sulfates and sulfonates, alkyl ether sulfates and sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfates and sulfonates, aryl sulfates and sulfonates and sulfated fatty acid esters.
Preferred anionic surfactants include. linear alkyl sulfates and sulfonates, as well as alkylbenzyl sulfates and sulfonates. Alkyl groups having a carbon chain length of between approx. CB and C18 are more preferred; the preferred 2S aryl group is benzyl.
Nonionic surfactants, which have generally proved useful for the invention, are surfactants containing ethylene oxide moieties, propylene oxide moieties and mixtures thereof.
Nonionic surfactants of use for the invention include nonionic polyoxyalkylene surfactants, such as C8.22 normal fatty alcohol ethylene oxides or propylene oxide 3S condensation products (i.e. condensation products of 1 mol of fatty alcohol having 8 to 22 carbon atoms with 2 to '

7 20 mol of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide); polyoxy-propylene/polyoxyethylene condensation products of the formula HO (C~H40) X (C3H60) y,H, wherein (C2H40) x constitutes at least 15% of the polymer and (C3H60)y constitutes 20 to 90%
of the total weight of the compound; alkyl polyoxy-propylene/polyoxyethylene condensation products of the formula RO- (C3H60) x (C2H40) yF-i, wherein R means a C1_~s alkyl group and x and y each denote an integer of between 2 and 98; polyoxyalkylene glycols; butylene oxide-bridged alcohol ethoxylate of the formula (R (OCzH4 ) y (OC9H9) xOH, wherein R
means a C18 alkyl group, y denotes a number between approx.
3.5 and 10 and x an integer between approx. 0.5 and 1.5, as well as so-called end group-capped fatty alcohol ethoxylates; benzyl ethers of polyoxyethylene and condensation products of alkylphenols of the formula R (C6H4) (OCzH4) xOCHzC6Hs, wherein R means a C6_zo alkyl group and x an integer between 5 and 40; and alkylphenoxy polyoxyethylene ethanols of the formula R(C6H4) (OCzH4)XOH, wherein R means a Ce_zo alkyl group and x an integer between 3 and 20.
A second preferred group of nonionic surfactants which are of use for the invention and are desirable for other applications are alcohol ethoxylates. These nonionic ,l surfactants are formed by reacting an alcohol salt (RO-Na'), wherein R denotes an alcohol group or an aromatic alkyl moiety, with an alkylene oxide. Preferred alkoxylates are generally Ce_22 alkyl alkoxylates, which are of the following general formula:
R- (OCH2CH2) nOH, wherein the value of n may be between 3 and 100. Instead of

8 Highly suitable surfactants also include amine oxide surfactants. Suitable amine oxides are of the formula (R,) ( R3 ) N-j0 ( R, ) wherein R1 represents a CB-Czo alkyl or a Ce-C,~-alkylamido-Cz-CS-alkyl group ,and R~ and R3 each denote a lower C1-C4 alkyl or a lower C~-Cq hydroxyalkyl. Both RZ and R3 are preferably methyl, ethyl or 2-hydroxyethyl. Preferred representatives of this group are for example lauryl(dimethyl)amine oxide (NinoxcL, Stephan Chemical Co., Northfield, IL), cocodimethylamine oxide (Ninox~C), myristyl(dimethyl)amine oxide (Ninax°M), stearyl(dimethyl)amine oxide (Schercamox°DMS, Scher Chemicals Inc., Clifton, N.J.), coco(bis-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide (Schercamox~CMS), tallow(bis-hydroxyethyl)amine oxide and cocoamidopropyl(dimethyl)amine oxide (Ninox~CA).
It is furthermore preferred in the process according to the invention that the stated solvent is preferably selected 2S from the group of alcoholic solvents, acyclic glycol ethers and solvents based on cyclic ethers and mixtures thereof.
with regard to the stated solvent, a mixture of an alcoholic solvent and/or an acyclic glycol ether with a cyclic ether, preferably 4-butyrolactone, is regarded as particularly preferred, wherein the glycol ether is preferably selected from among the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and phenyl ethers of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol and di- and tripropylene glycol.
It is preferred for the action of the process according to the invention that the acyclic glycol ethers preferably present in the stated surfactant agent preferably as ' CA 02460146 2004-03-09

9 solvent and the cyclic ethers present as solvent are in a ratio by weight one to the other of 1:4-4:1, preferably of 2:1-1:2.
In another preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the ratio by weight of the sum of all surfactant components to the sum of all solvent components in the surfactant-containing agent is between 1:20 and

10:1, preferably between 1:5 and 1:1.
It is moreover preferred in the process according to the '' invention that the stated abrasively acting element is a cleaning pad which, when used in the Schiefer test, yields an abrasion value of between 1 and 2 g. Further details of the Schiefer test and its meaningfulness with regard to the abrasiveness of cleaning pads are given in the Examples.
It is particularly preferred if the stated cleaning pad contains,polymer fibres, preferably selected from among nylon and/or polyester fibres, which are cut to differing lengths and are arranged in an open, non-woven fibre structure.
Abrasive grains are preferably scattered in the cleaning pad, said grains being particularly preferably immobilised with a durable adhesive.
In another preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, at a thickness of 24 to 32, preferably of 26 to 30 mm, the pad has a weight of between 1300 and 1800, preferably of between 1450 and 1550 g per square metre.
The cleaning pad to be used in the process according to the invention preferably contains, relative to the entire cleaning pad, 30 to 40 wt.%, preferably 33 to 38 wt.% of abrasive materials.

The present invention also provides a floor maintenance auxiliary agent for the mechanical/chemical renovation of crosslinked polymer-based floor coating systems, which auxiliary agent contains at least one surfactant selected 5 from among nonionic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants, together with at least one solvent selected from the group of alcoholic solvents, acyclic glycol ethers and solvents based on cyclic ethers, together with mixtures thereof.
10 It should be borne in mind that the preferred embodiments de scribed for the process should also apply to the auxiliary agent.
The present invention also provides a renovation pad for use in the mechanical/chemical renovation of crosslinked polymer-based floor coating systems, said pad containing an open, non-woven fibre structure of polymer fibres cut to differing lengths and preferably based on nylon and/or polyester fibres, together with, relative to the entire cleaning pad, 30 to 40 wt.% of abrasive substances, which are scattered in the cleaning pad, wherein an abrasion value of between 1 g and 2 g is achieved in the Schiefer test.
At a thickness of 24 to 32, preferably of 26 to 30 mm, the weight of this pad is between 1300 and 1800, preferably between 1450 and 1550 g per square metre.
It should be noted in this connection that the preferred embodiments described for the process also apply to the renovation pad.

11 Examples In several series of tests, the influence of the machine used, the type of cleaning pad and the composition of the S surfactant-containing agent upon the renovation result was investigated.
Testing was conducted by first of all thoroughly wet cleaning black PVC webs of a length of approx. 4 m and a width of approx.~l m. The PVC webs were then treated as follows:
Preparation of the webs:
(1) coating of the entire surface with a two-component polymer maintenance film (15 g/mz) (2) division of each of the webs into three equally sized zones (A, B, C) (3) recoating of zones A and C with a film as above (4) coating of zones A and C with a removable polymer maintenance film (sacrificial layer, 15 g/m~) (5) ageing of the test specimens; 2~weeks, drying room 40°C.
The tests were then conducted, wherein different conditions were selected from test to test. The tests were performed with a single type of machine, namely a single disc machine. The buffing material (pad) and the surfactant agent (top stripper) were, however, varied. The particular conditions may be found in the Tables.
It should moreover be noted that before assessing the criterion, shown in the Tables, "success of renovation action" after treatment of the surface with machine/pad/
chemistry, any residues and dust were removed from the surface by wet-wiping/suction and the above-stated areas A

' CA 02460146 2004-03-09

12 and C were coated with a polymer maintenance agent (1.5 g/mz) .
It should furthermore be noted that the evaluation criterion "removability of scratch marks" was tested as follows:
Bef ore treatment of the surface with machine/pad/chemistry, deep scratch marks were produced at certain points in the above-stated areas A and C using an 080 grit sandpaper.
Only then was treatment performed with the machine/pad/
chemistry. Residues and dust were then removed from the surface by wet-wiping/suction and areas A and C were coated with a polymer maintenance agent (15 g/mz).
The following test parameters and evaluation criteria were used in assessing the results obtained:
Test parameters and evaluation criteria HuffincT action:
Measure of mechanical removal of maintenance agent films by cleaning pads.
Testing and overall evaluation were performed visually by practical tests and experiments.
5 no buffing action / no removal of maintenance agent 4 minimal buffing action / maintenance film matted 3 moderate buffing action / excessively slow removal of maintenance film 2 adequate buffing action, but still excessive residues of maintenance film 1 good buffing action, but still local residues of maintenance film 0 very good buffing action with complete removal of maintenance film

13 -1 excessive buffing action, visible attack of floor covering -2 distinct damage to floor covering Una.formity of buffing t~rocess The uniformity with which the maintenance agent is removed is of great significance to the renovation process.
Depending upon how the operation is carried out, the method, type of pad and pad abrasiveness, rotational speed of the machine, localised differences in film removal or in the overall residual thickness of the film may occur. On subsequent coating, this results in areas of varying gloss.
Testing and overall evaluation were performed visually by practical tests and experiments using test setup TA.
5 very uneven surface appearance with major differences in gloss 4 irregular surface 3 surface with localised differences in gloss 2 slight impairment of surface 1 very slight impairment of surface 0 uniform surface Scratch marks Pads which are excessively abrasive and stiff leave deep scratch marks in the maintenance film system after buffing.
These are clearly visible after recoating.
Testing and overall evaluation were performed visually by practical tests and experiments using test setup TA.
5 very deep scratch marks 4 deep scratch marks 3 scratch marks 2 slight scratch marks

14 1 localised scratch marks 0 no visible scratch marks Rernovability of scratch marks and localised film damage The effort required in order to eradicate such scratches or film damage is evaluated.
Testing and overall evaluation were performed visually by practical tests and experiments using test setup TC.
5 unacceptably time-consuming 4 eradication extremely time-consuming 3 eradication very time-consuming 2 good but time-consuming eradication 1 good but slightly time-consuming eradication 0 easy eradication in a reasonable time Surface levelling of the worn maintenance film with top stripers This is taken to mean the combination of mechanical and chemical action required to achieve a uniform, coatable surface in a buffing process using cleaning pads with the slightest effort.
5 Testing and overall evaluation were performed visually by practical tests and experiments using test setup TA.
5 unsatisfactory levelling 4 slight levelling 3 moderate levelling 2 good levelling action, but considerable effort required 1 good levelling action, but some effort still required 0 good and rapid levelling of the surface Spreadability of top strippers Surface treatment agents such as top strippers must be readily spreadable in thin liquid films on the floor both manually and by pump spraying so that renovation work can 5 proceed rapidly and straightforwardly.
Testing and overall evaluation were performed practical applications "wiping" and "pump spraying".
10 5 excessively viscous formulation 4 limited spreading by pump spraying 1 3 limited manual spreadability 2 slightly disrupted spreadability 1 good spreadability

15 0 very good spreadability Wetting ability of the stripper Surface treatment agents such as top strippers must exhibit good wetting ability, such that even critical floor covering surfaces are adequately wetted.
Testing and overall evaluation were performed visually by practical tests and experiments using test setup TA.
'i 5 poor wetting on all floor coverings 4 slight wetting problems on all floor coverings 3 wetting problems on critical floor coverings 2 slight wetting problems on critical floor coverings 1 good wetting 0 very good wetting Buffer action of stripper In the wet buffing process for floor maintenance systems, it is particularly important that the resultant "paste" of abraded material is of a particular consistency which, on the one hand, provides a damping action on the buffing ' ' CA 02460146 2004-03-09

16 process, while, on the other, still being so liquid that the structure of the pad does not clog even after extended operation, so the pad does not become ineffective.
Testing and overall evaluation were performed visually by practical tests and experiments using test setup TA.
5 unusable, excessively fluid/viscous 4 conditionally usable 3 only slight~damping action/increased clogging of pad 2 somewhat too viscous/fluid 1 very slightly too viscous/fluid 0 ideal working consistency Cleaning coveracte of cleaning pad The cleaning coverage of the pad in mechanical buffing is of considerable significance for the cleaning service provider. If the non-woven structure of the pad is unfavourable, it may be clogged by dust with dry buffing or with a paste of abraded material in wet buffing. Such clogging considerably degrades the effectiveness of the pad, which must be replaced and cleaned. The non-woven structure of the pad is thus highly significant.
Testing and overall evaluation were performed visually by practical tests and experiments using test setup TA.
5 less than 5 m2 4 5-15 m2 3 16-30 m2 2 31-60 m2 1 61-100 m~
0 greater than 100 m2 Success of renovation action The success of renovation action on permanent maintenance systems by controlled wet buffing is determined by the

17 visual appearance of the floor after recoating. The gloss level of the maintenance films reveals deficiencies in the renovation (deep scratch marks, film residues of differing thickness). This is manifested as an uneven overall appearance with variable gloss levels and results in further intensification of defects such as scratches and damage.
Testing and overall evaluation were performed visually by practical tests and experiments using test setups TA, TB
and TC.
5 very speckled, uneven gloss / very distinct scratch marks 4 speckled, uneven gloss / distinct scratch marks 3 surface with localised high gloss areas / local scratch marks 2 highly visible, localised high gloss areas / scratches 1 minimal disruption of surface 0 unblemished, uniformly glossy surface In a first series of tests, the surfaces prepared in the stated manner were treated, on the one hand, at different rotational speeds (rpm = revolutions per minute) with a single disc machine. These tests were, on the other hand, also performed with different pad types.
The selected pad types may, on the one hand, be classed by their varying abrasive action using the Schiefer test under standardised conditions. The Schiefer test primarily 3o indicates the aggressiveness of the material with regard to the resultant abrasion. To this end, a new acrylic sheet was weighed and attached to a drive plate. The internal core of a pad is mounted onto a drive head. The pad core is rotated at 150 revolutions per minute with a constant supply of water for a total of 5000 times on the acrylic

18 sheet. The sheet is then reweighed. Abrasion is measured as the difference in grams.
In all previous tests, it has proved advantageous if the abrasion of the pads in the Schiefer test is between 1 g and 2 g, particularly preferably between 1' g and 1.8 g.
Particularly preferably used pads are those which exhibit abrasion of 1 g to 2 g, preferably of 1 g to 1.8 g, in the Schiefer test and moreover exhibit a fibre structure which is not clogged during use by the paste of abraded material and chemicals used. In other words, the abrasive action of the pad in the Schiefer test should still be retained after performance of a buffing operation and preferably be between 0.6 g and 2 g.
In all the tests in this first series of tests, a conventional commercial top stripper was also used in addition to the mechanical treatment. This top stripper contained approx. 4 wt.% of C12_le fatty alcohol ethoxylate (10 EO), 3 wt.% of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether, 2 wt.% of isopropanol, approx. 1 wt.%. of other additives (colour, perfume) and the balance to 100 wt.% of deionised water.
Table 1 shows the result of this series of tests.

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The pad used in a second series of was the one which had proved most effective.
The action of commercially strippers was also investigated S in comparison with strippers according to the invention.
Table 2 shows the compositions of the strippers according to the invention.
Table 2 10 Formulations of top strippers according to the invention) Constituents/Raw materials E1 E2 E3 E4 E5 E6 Alkane sulfonate sodium salt 8 0 2 0 0 0 Cocamidopropyl betaine 0 8 0 4 0 0 C13 oxoalcohol + 8 EO 0 0 6 0 0 0 15 C12-18 fatty alcohol + 10 EO 0 0 0 4 4 6 Diethylene glycol monobutyl 8 0 6 6 8 12 ether Propylene glycol ether 0 6 0 0 0 0 Isopropanol 0 5 0 0 0 0 20 4-Butyrolactone 0 0 6 8 12 12 Optional dyes, fragrances <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 <1 Balance to make up to 100 wt.% water '[all proportions in weight percent]
The tests were performed using a single disc machine at approx. 200 rpm. A corresponding commercial stripper contains the following constituents.

Commercial stripper wt.%

Isotridecyl fatty alcohol (+ 8 EO) 1.5 Benzyl alcohol 12.0 Sodium cumene sulfonate 2.0 Triethanolamine 2.0 Colour, perfume <1 Water to make up to 100 Table 3 presents the results of this series of tests.
Commercial stripper, constituents wt.%

C12-18 fatty alcohol (+ 2 PO + 4 EO) 3.0 Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether 10.0 Sodium cumene sulfonate 3.5 Ethylene glycol phenyl ether 3.0 Sodium tripolyphosphate 1.5 Ammonia, 21% 0.3 Perfume, colour 4.1 Water to make up to 100 G

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~ ~ 3 w ~ ~ x c N n r-~ w It should be noted here that the cleaning pad used in the tests was the one which achieved the best results according to Table 5.
S The aim of the third series of tests was to investigate the cleaning coverage of various pads in the process according to the invention. The tests were again performed with a single disc machine at approx. 200 rpm, while formulation E6 was used as the stripper. Table 4 lists the pads used.

Table 4:
Cleaning pads used in test series 3 No. Pad Material Supplier Characteristic colour feature Schiefer abrasion value 1 black nylon A 4.2 g 2 black nylon B 3.8 g 3 black nylon C 4.6 g 4 black nylon/polyester A 3.9 g 5 black nylon/polyester C 3.2 g 6 black polyester A 4.1 g 7 black polyester F 4.5 g 8 dark nylon/polyester A 2.9 g brown 9 dark nylon/polyester C 3.7 g brown 10 dark polyester A 3.8 g brown 11 blue nylon/polyester A 2.6 g 12 blue polyester A 2.2 g 13 blue polyester D 1.8 g 14 green nylon A 1.3 g 15 green nylon/polyester C 2.1 g 16 green nylon/polyester E 1.8 g 17 red nylon/polyester A 1.7 g 18 red polyester C 0.6 g

19 red polyester D 1.9 g

20 wine red nylon/polyester D 0.5 g

21 wine red nylon/polyester E 0.3 g

22 petrol nylon A 1.2 g blue N

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' CA 02460146 2004-03-09 Translator's notes (Page and line numbers refer to the originals) The original uses two terms "Reinigungspad" [_ "cleaning pad") and "Sanierungspad" [_ "renovation pad") to denote apparently the same item and this usage is reflected in the translation.
p.4, pa ra.3, 1.8: "lost in zum Teil an" has been assumed to be in error for "lost ihn zum Teil an" and accordingly translated as "partially dissolves it".
p.4, final line: "mangels" [_ "in the absence of "] has been assumed to have been included in error as the sentence would otherwise read "in the absence of the inadequate abrasiveness", which on the basis on the context, is apparently not the intended i meaning.
p.6, para.3, 1.11: If the brackets are to balance, a ")" must have been omitted from " (R (OC~Hq)"(OCSH4) xOH" . Not changed.
p.7, 1.8: The line finishes with an incomplete sentence, "Stratt dem" [= Instead of"]. Not changed.
p.7, para.2, 1.8-9: "Steary(dimethyl)..." has been assumed to be in error for "Stearyl(dimethyl)...".
p.11, indent (1): ")" has been assumed to have been omitted from after "g/m'" .
p . 13 , para . 2 , 1 . 2 : The meaning of test se tups "TA" , "TB" and "TC"
(c. f. p.16, final line) are not explained in the text.
p.20, Table 2, 1'' footnote: "add." has been assumed to be in error for "ad" [_ "to make up to"] , c. f. p.21, 15' table, final row, 2nd column.
p.24, table 4, 4~~ column: No key is provided for the letters used to denote the suppliers.
pp.27-8: The claims numbering omits 13. In the translation we have renumbered the last two claims 13 and 14.

Claims

1. Process for renovating resilient floors coated with crosslinked polymer systems by treating the floors with an abrasively acting element under mechanical pressure and, if desired, with rotation, characterised in that a solvent- and surfactant-containing agent is applied onto the floor before and/or during treatment with said abrasive element and wherein the stated abrasively acting element is a cleaning pad and yields an abrasion value of between 1 and 2 g in the Schiefer test.

2. Process according to claim 1, characterized in that the surfactants present in the surfactants present in the surfactant-containing agents are selected from the groups of nonionic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants.

3. Process according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the stated solvent is selected from among the group of alcoholic solvents, acyclic glycol ethers and solvents based on cyclic ethers and mixtures thereof.

4. Process according to claim 3, characterised in that the solvent is a mixture of an alcoholic solvent and/or an acyclic glycol ether with a cyclic ether, preferably 4-butyrolactone.

5. Process according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterised in that the glycol ether is selected from among the methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl and phenyl ethers of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol and di- and tripropylene glycol.

6. Process according to one or more of claims 3 to 5, characterised in that, in the stated surfactant-containing agent, the acyclic glycol ethers and the solvents based on cyclic ethers are present in a ratio by weight one to the other of 1:4-4:1, preferably of 2:1-1:2.

7. Process according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the ratio by weight of the sum of all surfactant components to the sum of all solvent components in the stated surfactant-containing agent is between 1:20 and 10:1, preferably between 1:5 and 1:1.

8. Process according to claim 1, characterised in that the cleaning pad contains polymer fibres, preferably selected from among nylon and/or polyester fibres, which are cut to differing lengths and are arranged in an open, non-woven fibre structure.

9. Process according to one of claims 1 or 8, characterised in that abrasive grains are scattered in the cleaning pad, which grains are preferably immobilised with a durable adhesive.

10. Process according to one ore more of claims 1, 8 or 9, characterised in that the weight of the pad at a thickness of 24 to 32, preferably of 26 to 30 mm, is between 1300 and 1800, preferably of between 1450 and 1550 g per square metre.

11. Process according to one of claims 9 or 10, characterised in that the stated abrasive grains constitute 30 to 40 wt.%, preferably 33 to 38 wt.%, relative to the entire cleaning pad.

12. Use of a floor maintenance auxiliary agent, said auxiliary agent containing at least one surfactant selected from among nonionic, anionic and amphoteric surfactants, together with at least one solvent selected from the group of alcoholic solvents, acyclic glycol ethers and solvents based on cyclic ethers, together with mixtures thereof for the mechanical/chemical renovation of crosslinked polymer-based floor coating systems.

13. Renovation pad for use in the mechanical/chemical renovation of crosslinked polymer-based floor coating systems, said pad containing an open, non-woven fibre structure of polymer fibres cut to differing lengths and preferably based on nylon and/or polyester fibres, together with, relative to the entire cleaning pad, 30 to 40 wt.% of abrasive substances, which are scattered in the cleaning pad, wherein an abrasion value of between 1 g and 2 g is achieved in the Schiefer test.