US 7,588,645 B2
Stripping floor finishes using composition that thickens following dilution with water
Gregory G. Griese, Hudson, Wis. (US); Mark D. Levitt, Saint Paul, Minn. (US); Brian R. Leafblad, Saint Paul, Minn. (US); Minyu Li, Oakdale, Minn. (US); Robert D. P. Hei, Baldwin, Wis. (US); Steven J. Lange, St. Paul, Minn. (US); and Jan E. Shulman, Newtown, Pa. (US)
Assigned to Ecolab Inc., St. Paul, Minn. (US)
Filed on Mar. 31, 2006, as Appl. No. 11/396,146.
Application 11/396146 is a continuation in part of application No. 11/107307, filed on Apr. 15, 2005, granted, now 7,365,046.
Prior Publication US 2006/0234890 A1, Oct. 19, 2006
Int. Cl. C11D 3/20 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 134—38  [134/40; 510/201; 510/206; 510/212; 510/214] 27 Claims
 
1. A method for stripping a floor comprising:
a) providing a substantially nonchlorinated concentrate comprising a floor finish dissolver and an at least partially water-unactivated water thickener;
b) diluting the concentrate with water at an intended use location to activate the water thickener and noticeably increase within sixty minutes or less the viscosity of the resulting mixture;
c) applying the resulting thickened stripper to a hardened floor finish atop a floor;
d) allowing the applied stripper to soften or dissolve the floor finish; and
e) removing the softened or dissolved finish from the floor.