Floor finish application system using applicator pad and matched floor finish composition

Abstract

A system for the formation of a thick robust transparent floor finish layer from a high solids formulation with an applicator device utilizing micro fiber technology. A micro fiber applicator device can be configured to apply a sufficient amount of an aqueous high solids floor finish to obtain a thick robust finish layer in a single application. One system for applying the floor finish can comprise a source of aqueous floor finish and an applicator wand comprising an application nozzle and application surface. Application surface can comprise micro fiber technology in a pad structure comprising a reservoir foam and a micro fiber applicator surface.

1 . A method of forming a floor finish layer on the resilient vinyl floor, the method comprising: 
 (a) applying an aqueous floor finish composition to a resilient vinyl floor, the floor finish composition comprising greater than about 30 wt.-% solids, at a rate of addition of floor finish of about 30 to 90 milliliters of aqueous floor finish per each square meter of the floor; and    (b) forming a substantial uniform dried floor finish layer having a thickness of about 0.01 to 0.03 mm and about 10 to 35 gm-m −2  of dried floor finish on the resilient vinyl floor.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising filtering the floor finishing composition before applying it to the floor.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 retaining the fluid in a container comprising a normally-closed valved coupling;    opening the valve by coupling the container to a conduit that provides fluid communication to the floor; and    passing fluid through the coupling.    
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising filtering the fluid before it passes through the coupling.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the dried floor finish layer comprises about 15 to 30 gm-m −2 .  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the floor finish layer comprises a layer formed by a single application of the liquid floor finish material.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the floor finish is applied by metering about 35 to 80 milliliters of aqueous floor finish onto a floor surface and distributing the aqueous floor finish using the microfiber pad, wherein the application and distribution step are repeated at least once.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the floor finish is applied from a portable unit that is replenished with aqueous floor finish.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the portable unit comprises a back pack configured to contain 5 to 15 liters of floor finish.  
   
   
       10 . A system capable of forming a floor finish layer on a resilient vinyl floor, the system comprising: 
 (a) a portable container for liquid floor finish having a reservoir of about 5 to 20 liters, the container comprising a coupling providing fluid communication to a wand applicator;    (b) a wand applicator comprising a handle, an applicator pad and a conduit providing fluid communication of floor finish from the container to the applicator pad; and    (c) apparatus to meter about 30 to 90 milliliters of the aqueous floor finish composition onto each square meter of the resilient vinyl floor.    
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the system of  claim 10  wherein the portable container comprises a backpack comprising a case adapted for supporting a container of liquid floor finish.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the coupling comprises a rotary coupling.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the coupling comprises a filter adapted and configured to filter the fluid before it enters the coupling or the conduit.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13 , wherein the filter comprises a resilient, elongated filter element.  
   
   
       15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the coupling comprises a normally closed valve and a valve actuator; the normally closed valve being adapted and configured to retain fluid in the container when the container is not coupled to the conduit; the actuator being arranged and configured to open the valve upon coupling to the conduit.  
   
   
       16 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the handle comprises apparatus to meter the aqueous floor finish.  
   
   
       17 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the container comprises a flexible, collapsible bag; the bag comprising two polymeric layers; the outer lay being an oxygen barrier.  
   
   
       18 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the case comprises a hose restraint.  
   
   
       19 . A package suitable for a liquid floor finish composition, comprising: 
 a flexible container defining an aperture;    a coupling filling the aperture and providing for fluid communication to surroundings of the container;    the coupling comprising a resilient, elongated filter element.    
   
   
       20 . The package of  claim 20 , wherein the coupling further comprises a normally closed valve.