Cleaning Composition

This application is related to copending application Ser. No. 07/851,738 filed Mar. 16, 1992.

The present invention relates to a coating removal and all-purpose cleaning composition and, more particularly, to a fingernail polish remover and artificial fingernail tip remover composition.

Conventional nail polish remover compositions, nail brush cleaner, hard surface cleaner, and spray gun equipment cleaner, paint, glue, urethane, etc. generally include acetone, ethyl acetate and alcohol. The use of acetone, ethyl acetate and alcohol is disadvantageous in that it gives off a disagreeable odor, is irritating to the eyes and skin, and is drying to the nails and cuticles. Acetone, ethyl acetate and alcohol are flammable and combustible and can be harmful to the user.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-make, easy-to-use very efficient nail polish remover composition or an artificial nail remover composition and methods of using the compositions.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a very effective, non-toxic, non-methylene chloride, acetone, ethyl acetate or alcohol containing nail polish remover comprising d-limonene, N-methyl-2 pyrrolidone and cetyl acetate, and dibasic esters such as dimethyl adipate and products sold by dupont including dibasic ester DBE, dibasic ester DBE2 or dibasic ester DBE5.

Still another object of the present invention to provide a non-aqueous liquid cleaning composition especially adapted for removing finger nail polish, the composition comprising the following ingredients in approximate percent by weight:

These and other objects will be apparent from the specification and claims that follow.

The present invention provides a non-aqueous composition comprising the following ingredients:

1. d-limonene;

2. N-methyl-2 pyrrolidone;

3. cetyl acetate; and

4. dibasic ester DEB, (including dialkyl esters of dicarboxylic aliphatic acids having 4 to 12 carbon atoms such as dibasic ester DBE2, dibasic ester DBE5).

The present invention also provides an effective, non-toxic, non-aqueous liquid finger nail cleaner, spray gun cleaner, hard surface cleaner, nail brush cleaner, etc. composition comprising the following ingredients in the general and preferred ranges set forth in approximate percent by weight:

Preferred compositions are set forth in the formulations that follow:

The compositions of the present invention, while preferably used as a nail polish remover, can be used for an artificial nail tip remover, on silk, linen, and fiberglass wraps. The compositions are useful as all-purpose cleaners and, in particular, hard surface cleaners, blanket washes for us in the printing industry, cleaners for brake linings, silk screens, copier belts, all kinds of metering devices including coin collecting machines, and the cleaning of all types of spraying equipment when used for painting, applying glues, inks, greases, oils, paint stripper, removing urethane, removing glues, hard surface cleaner.

The easy to use, easy to make cleaning composition is made by mixing the four liquid ingredients (d-limonene, N-methyl pyrrolidone, cetyl acetate and dibasic ester) to form a homogenized stable cleaning mixture having enhanced detergent and stripping powers. To further clarify the use of dibasic ester DBE or dibasic ester DBE2 or dibasic ester DBE5, it should be recognized these three components can be either blended together or incorporated separately with the same weight proportions as the basic formulation. It should also be recognized that d'limonene can be blended with either of the three--dibasic ester DBE, dibasic ester DBE2 or dibasic ester DBE5. They can be in the following ratios of d-limonene to dibasic ester:

50/50

40/60

60/40

30/70

70/30

80/20

20/80

When generally about one-half to 15% by weight and preferably 8 to 12% by weight of the d-limonene is replaced by dibasic ester, the speed of the cleaning action increases. This combination is necessary for the removal of some of the new hard finishes of certain nail polishes, especially when the polishes are on wrapped nails. The d-limonene component is a solvent or diluent that assists in penetrating and stripping or removing of the coating (such as finger nail polish) to be removed.

The d-limonene helps to loosen or dissolve grease, fat or organic materials, and is described as an ingredient in a cleaner in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,790,951 and 5,031,648.

The N-methyl pyrrolidone and dibasic ester are solvents that are compatible with d-limonene and cetyl acetate and the ingredient, preferably N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone (NMP), is listed as a component in compositions in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,120,810 and 4,732,695. U.S. Pat. No. 4,605,670 discloses a percutaneous (drug) absorption composition including NMP and other ingredients such as alcohols or esters including cetyl acetate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,621 is directed to a paint stripper composition and discloses the use of NMP, an oil, and a plurality of cosolvents including terpenes.

The cetyl acetate is a desensitizer that enhances the compatibility, efficiency, miscibility, and stability of the liquid non-aqueous d-limonene/NMP combination. As indicated, cetyl acetate should be at least about 1/2 percent by weight of the composition with the best results being obtained with about 4 to 6 percent by weight. In some cases, a small amount of the cetyl acetate, say about 1/2 to 30 weight percent and preferably about 5 to 10% can be replaced by acetylated lanolin alcohol.

The dibasic ester is a dialkyl ester of an aliphatic dicarboxylic acid, the alkyl group having 1 to 5 carbon atoms and the aliphatic portion of the acid having generally 3 or 4 carbon atoms up to as many as 10 or 12 carbon atoms. Suitable dibasic esters are dimethoxy adipate, dipropoxy adipate, diethoxy adipate, dibutoxy adipate as well as corresponding dialkyl esters of succinic acid and glutaric acid. Other suitable dialkyl esters have the acid portion derived from oxalic, malonic, primalic and azelaic acids. The dibasic esters are described in dupont U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,467,800, 5,096,501 and 5,002,078, incorporated herein by reference.

As indicated, preferably small amounts (15 to 30% by weight) of dibasic ester can be used as well as small amounts, about 10 to 30% by weight, of an anti-fungicidal agent, ethyl or methyl lactate, myristalkonium chloride and Quaterniun 14 (quaternary ammonium salt derivative) to enhance the cleaner composition and make it more acceptable to the hands. Dibasic ester DBE, a preferred solvent, is a solvent that is compatible with d-limonene, cetyl acetate, and N-methyl pyrrolidone. Dibasic ester DBE or ethyl lactate enhances the compatibility, efficiency, miscibility, and the stability of the liquid, non-aqueous d'limonene/NMP combination and enhances the removal time for the more difficult hard nail polish surfaces. Best results are obtained with about 20% to 30% by weight of dibasic ester and/or ethyl lactate and reducing d-limonene by 20 to 30% by weight. As indicated, the total amount of d-limonene in the composition is preferably at least 45 percent by weight and more preferably at least about 50 or 55 percent by weight. In some cases, when dibasic ester DBE is used, methyl lactate can be used with the ethyl lactate, the methyl lactate being generally about 3 to 5 weight percent up to 50 to 55 weight percent of the combination of ethyl lactate and methyl lactate.

The cleaner composition has an outstanding balance of properties including easy removal of coatings (finger nail polish) on hard surfaces, being non-irritating, having a pleasant odor, being quick drying, having miscible ingredients, and leaving the cleaned surfaces free of surface fiber.

The composition can be used as an activator for a finger nail coating, it activating an acrylic compound by mixing with an acrylic powder. The dry powder and liquid composition creates a round ball of material that is brushed on the fingernail. When hardened (by drying with a dryer, for instance) nail polish is applied over the hardened acrylic powder/composition coating.

The present invention provides the following compositions:

Also provided is a composition comprising about 50% by weight of d-limonene, about 25% by weight of N-methyl pyrrolidone, about 5% by weight of cetyl acetate and acetylated lanolin alcohol, and about 20% by weight of dialkyl (c.sub.1 to C.sub.5) ester of an aliphatic (C.sub.3 to C.sub.12) acid.