US5271773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Process for cleaning articles with an aqueous solution of terpene and recycle water after separation
Assignee: Golden Technologies Co Inc
•
Filing: 1992-06-10
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Granted: 1993-12-21
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Expires: 2012-06-10
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is a composition and process for cleaning articles contaminated with water insoluble contaminants. The process allows for efficient recycling of components in the system. The wash solution effectively cleans water insoluble contaminants and, upon settling, quickly releases contaminants from the wash solution. In this manner, the wash solution and components of it can be readily recycled. The composition of the present invention includes between about 1.86 volume percent and about 37.2 volume percent terpene, preferably d-limonene, and between about 0.14 volume percent and about 2.8 volume percent surfactant.
Inventors
- 👤 C. Richard Hamilton
- 👤 Ross M. Gustafson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 19:56
CPC Classifications
C; C23; C23G; C23G5/00; C23G5/02; C23G5/024; B; B01; B01D; B01D17/00; B01D17/02; B01D17/0208; B01D17/0214; B01D17/04; B01D17/042; B01D17/08; B01D17/085; B01D61/00; B01D61/14; B01D61/145; C11; C11D; C11D3/00; C11D3/02; C11D3/04; C11D3/10; C11D3/16; C11D3/18; C11D7/00; C11D7/50; C11D7/5004; C11D7/5027; C23G1/00; C23G1/24; C11D2111/00; C11D2111/10; C11D2111/14; C11D2111/16; C11D2111/40; C11D2111/48; C11D7/22; C11D7/24
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A process, comprising: (a) contacting an article contaminated with water insoluble contaminants, such article made of a material selected from the group consisting of meal, ceramic, fiberglass, plastic and wood, with an aqueous solution comprising between about 1.86 volume percent and about 37.2 volume percent terpene and between about 0.14 volume percent and about 2.8 volume percent surfactant, based on total volume of said aqueous solution, whereby said aqueous solution is effective in removing contaminants from said article; (b) allowing said removed contaminants to separate from said contacted aqueous solution; and (c) separating said terpene from said water after removal of said contaminants in step (b); (d) wherein said water obtained in step (c) is capable of being used to rinse articles contacted in step (a).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A process, comprising: (a) contacting an article contaminated with water insoluble contaminants, such article made of a material selected from the group consisting of meal, ceramic, fiberglass, plastic and wood, with an aqueous solution comprising between about 1.86 volume percent and about 37.2 volume percent terpene and between about 0.14 volume percent and about 2.8 volume percent surfactant, based on total volume of said aqueous solution, whereby said aqueous solution is effective in removing contaminants from said article; (b) allowing said removed contaminants to separate from said contacted aqueous solution; and (c) separating said terpene from said water after removal of said contaminants in step (b); (d) wherein said water obtained in step (c) is capable of being used to rinse articles contacted in step (a).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said process is continuous.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said terpene is selected from the group consisting of d-limonene, alpha-terpineol, beta-terpineol, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, alcohols of the forgoing, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said terpene comprises d-limonene.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surfactant comprises surfactants selected from the group consisting of nonylphenol, alkanolamide, (nonylphenoxy)polyethylene oxide, sodium salts of petroleum sulfonic acid, sorbitan sesquioleate, and mixtures thereof.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said surfactant comprises a mixture of a nonylphenol and an alkanolamide.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process, as claimed in claim 6, wherein said nonylphenol comprises a nonylphenol with an ethoxylated seven carbon chain and said alkanolamide comprises DEA oleate and oleic acid DEA.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said step of allowing said contaminants to separate occurs in less than about 5 minutes.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said separated aqueous solution of step (b) contains less than about 2 volume percent of contaminants, based on total volume of the separated aqueous solution.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contaminants comprise an oil-in-water emulsion.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said contaminants comprise synthetic contaminants.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, further comprising filtering said separated aqueous solution of step (b) to filter said terpene and surfactant from water.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ratio of surfactant to terpene is less than about 9.5:90.5.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the article is a metal article.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
14 words
A process, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the article is an aluminum container.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
111 words
A continuous process for cleaning articles, comprising: (a) contacting an aluminum container contaminated with water insoluble contaminants with an aqueous wash solution, whereby said aqueous wash solution is effective in removing contaminants from said article; (b) allowing said removed contaminants to separate from said contacted aqueous wash solution for less than about 5 minutes; and (c) recycling a portion of said separated aqueous wash solution; (d) wherein said aqueous wash solution comprises: (i) between about 1.86 and about 37.2 volume percent terpene based on total volume of the aqueous wash solution; and (ii) between about 0.14 and about 2.8 volume percent surfactant based on total volume of the aqueous wash solution.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
111 words
A continuous process for cleaning articles, comprising: (a) contacting an aluminum container contaminated with water insoluble contaminants with an aqueous wash solution, whereby said aqueous wash solution is effective in removing contaminants from said article; (b) allowing said removed contaminants to separate from said contacted aqueous wash solution for less than about 5 minutes; and (c) recycling a portion of said separated aqueous wash solution; (d) wherein said aqueous wash solution comprises: (i) between about 1.86 and about 37.2 volume percent terpene based on total volume of the aqueous wash solution; and (ii) between about 0.14 and about 2.8 volume percent surfactant based on total volume of the aqueous wash solution.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process, comprising: a) contacting an article contaminated with water insoluble contaminants, such article made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, fiberglass, plastic and wood, with an aqueous solution, said solution comprising surfactant and terpene, wherein the ratio of surfactant to terpene is less than about 9.5:90.5, whereby said aqueous wash solution is effective in removing contaminants from said article; (b) allowing removed contaminants to separate from said contacted aqueous solution; and (c) separating said terpene from said water after removal of said contaminants in step (b) (d) wherein said water obtained in step (c) is capable of being used to rinse articles contacted in step (a).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
112 words
A process, comprising: a) contacting an article contaminated with water insoluble contaminants, such article made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal, ceramic, fiberglass, plastic and wood, with an aqueous solution, said solution comprising surfactant and terpene, wherein the ratio of surfactant to terpene is less than about 9.5:90.5, whereby said aqueous wash solution is effective in removing contaminants from said article; (b) allowing removed contaminants to separate from said contacted aqueous solution; and (c) separating said terpene from said water after removal of said contaminants in step (b) (d) wherein said water obtained in step (c) is capable of being used to rinse articles contacted in step (a).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
A process, as claimed in claim 17, wherein said surfactant comprises a mixture of a nonylphenol and an alkanolamide.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
29 words
A process, as claimed in claim 17, wherein said nonylphenol comprises a nonylphenol with an ethoxylated seven carbon chain and said alkanolamide comprises DEA oleate and oleic acid DEA.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-12-20 | 1997-06-21 | 1997-12-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-12-20 | 2001-06-21 | 2001-12-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-12-20 | 2005-06-21 | 2005-12-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |