SUBSTRATE

Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/21 1 ,350, filed August 28, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. The present application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/21 1 ,274, entitled

"Compositions, Systems, and Apparatus Utilizing Crystallizable Polymers," filed August 28, 2015, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety, and to corresponding International Publication No. , also entitled "Compositions, Systems, and Apparatus Utilizing Crystallizable Polymers," filed as a PCT application on August 26, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

Background

[0002] Surface coating systems protect and enhance the appearance of substrates, such as floors, counter tops, and other areas subjected to traffic or other heavy use. Uncoated substrates are prone to wear and deterioration with traffic, such as pedestrian and vehicular traffic.

[0003] Sealers can be applied to porous substrates and absorb into the substrate and solidify within the substrate in order to reduce the permeability of the substrate and thereby enhance the durability and appearance of the substrate. Coatings are applied to porous and nonporous substrates to protect against abrasion, scratching, staining, chemical damage, and other adverse effects. Coatings can also be designed to significantly enhance the appearance of the substrate by improving cleanliness, smoothness, reflection, and gloss. Polymer-based floor coatings, in the form of aqueous emulsion or solvent solution, are typically applied to floors with mops or other applicators, and allowed to dry to a hard protective film.

[0004] Polymer-based floor coatings are generally maintained with the use of cleaners and tools, which can include various buffing and burnishing

machines. Although floor maintenance programs can be effective, they are expensive. Moreover, as the surface becomes worn or otherwise acquires an unsatisfactory appearance over time, it becomes necessary to entirely remove the coating, using a process called "stripping."

[0005] Stripping can be carried out with chemical strippers and/or mechanical abrasion. Many are highly solvented and/or highly alkaline. Stripping is time- consuming, labor-intensive, potentially hazardous, and can damage the substrate itself, particularly after multiple stripping cycles. Abrasion leaves the floor scoured, reducing the longevity of the flooring substrate. Finally, disposing of these highly alkaline solutions that have been contaminated with floor finish residue is becoming increasingly problematic.

[0006] Traditional floor finishes, including coatings such as acrylic polymer and/or polyurethane, have been applied to floors. Recent trends in protective floor coatings are to move away from traditional finishes and move toward durable coatings (also referred to as "architectural coatings" because of their permanence and their difficulty of removal) including highly cross-linked coatings, such as those including uv-cured polymers such as uv-cured polyurethane, uv-cured acrylic polymer, crosslinked polyurethane, crosslinked polyurea, crosslinked acrylic polymer, crosslinked epoxy polymer, and polysiloxane. Although these coatings can provide enhanced durability relative to traditional floor finishes, they too eventually have to be removed from the floor due to scratching, scuffs, stains, etc. The highly cross- linked structure of these coatings makes them difficult to remove by any means other than physical abrasion.

[0007] The establishment and maintenance of floor coatings in commercial buildings subject to public traffic presents challenges. It is undesirable to close part or all of the building during normal operating hours for the stripping of a floor coating, and/or for floor coating installation and maintenance. Moreover, the installation of a floor coating system overnight, i.e., during closed hours, must be done in a manner such that when the building opens up for public traffic the next day, the freshly installed floor coating system is safe and durable.

[0008] It would be desirable to develop a system for non-chemical stripping of floor coatings. For some time there has been an ongoing search for a floor coating that can be removed without the use of chemical strippers and without the

generation of a large amount of dust from abrasion. While it is known that architectural paints and maintenance coatings can be softened and removed with heat to enable mechanical removal, such methods require high energy and high temperatures, and risk damage to the flooring substrate.

Summary

[0009] It has been found that by providing the floor coating with a temperature- releasable coating system, the addition (or withdrawal) of heat energy to/from the coated floor, together with agitation of the coating on the floor, can result in the release of the coating from the floor without the use of stripping chemicals.

Moreover, the agitation of the floor can be carried out using a machine capable of both bringing the coating to its release temperature as well as agitating the coating once the coating is at its release temperature. The polymers referred to herein are non-side chain crystalline polymers or non-side chain crystallizable polymers (non- SCC polymer). Accordingly, all references to "polymer" herein are understood to be a "non-side chain crystalline polymer." Side chain crystalline polymers for use as a temperature-release polymer are disclosed in a separately filed application, i.e. , U.S. Serial No. 62/21 1274, filed 28 August 2015, to Bitler et al.

[0010] A first aspect of the invention is directed to a process for removing a temperature-releasable coating from a substrate to which the coating is adhering. The process comprises heating or cooling the coating on the substrate until the temperature-releasable coating is at a release temperature, and disintegrating and loosening the coating while the coating is at the release temperature, to produce disintegrated coating particles that are loose on the substrate. The substrate can comprise a flooring substrate.

[0011] A second aspect is directed to a process for applying and removing a floor coating, comprising: (A) applying a heat-release coating composition to a flooring substrate, the heat-release coating composition comprising a non-SCC heat-release polymer having onset of melting temperature, T ₀ , of at least 27°C; (B) drying the heat-release coating composition to form a heat-releasable layer over the flooring substrate; (C) applying a wear layer coating composition over the heat-releasable layer, the wear layer coating composition comprising a film-forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether, polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate; (D) drying the wear layer coating composition to form a wear layer over the heat-releasable layer to produce a heat-releasable multilayer floor coating over the flooring substrate; (E) trafficking the floor in a manner causing the floor to undergo a degradation of appearance; (F) heating the heat-releasable multilayer coating over the substrate until the heat-release layer is at a release temperature; and (G) disintegrating and loosening the heat-releasable multilayer coating while the heat-releasable multilayer coating is at the release temperature, to produce disintegrated coating particles that are loose on the substrate.

[0012] A third aspect is directed to a process for applying and removing a floor coating, comprising: (A) applying a heat-release wear layer coating composition to a flooring substrate, the coating composition containing (i) a heat-release non-SCC polymer having an onset of melting temperature, T ₀ , of at least 27°C, and (ii) a film- forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether, polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate; (B) drying the heat-release wear layer composition to form a heat-releasable wear layer over the flooring substrate; (C) trafficking the floor in a manner causing the floor to undergo a degradation of appearance; (D) heating the heat-releasable wear layer until the heat-releasable wear layer is at a release temperature; and (E) disintegrating and loosening the heat-releasable wear layer while the heat-releasable wear layer is at the release temperature, to produce disintegrated coating particles that are loose on the substrate.

[0013] A fourth aspect is directed to a process for applying and removing a floor coating, comprising: (A) applying a cool-release coating composition to a flooring substrate, the cool-release coating composition comprising a cool-release non-SCC polymer having a freezing temperature T _f of less than 15°C and a peak melt temperature T _p of greater than 25°C; (B) drying the cool-release coating composition to form a cool-releasable layer over the flooring substrate; (C) applying a wear layer coating composition over the cool-releasable layer, the wear layer coating composition comprising a film-forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether, polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate; (D) drying the wear layer coating composition to form a wear layer over the cool-releasable layer and provide a cool-releasable multilayer floor coating over the flooring substrate; (E) trafficking the floor in a manner causing the floor to undergo a degradation of appearance; (F) cooling the cool-releasable multilayer floor coating until the cool- releasable layer is at a release temperature; and (G) disintegrating and loosening the coating while the coating is at the release temperature, to produce disintegrated coating particles that are loose on the substrate.

[0014] A fifth aspect is directed to a process for applying and removing a floor coating, comprising: applying a cool-release wear layer composition to a flooring substrate, the cool-release wear layer composition comprising a cool-release non- SCC polymer having a freezing temperature T _f of less than 15°C and a peak melt temperature T _p of greater than 25°C, and a film-forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether, polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate; (B) drying the cool-release wear layer composition to form a cool-releasable wear layer over the flooring substrate; (C) trafficking the floor in a manner causing the floor to undergo a degradation of appearance; (D) cooling the cool-release wear layer until the temperature-releasable cool-release wear layer is at a release temperature; and (E) disintegrating and loosening the cool-release wear layer while the cool-release wear layer is at the release temperature, to produce disintegrated coating particles that are loose on the substrate.

[0015] A sixth aspect is directed to a floor stripping machine for stripping a temperature-releasable floor coating from a flooring substrate, comprising (a) means for heating or cooling the temperature-releasable floor coating to a release temperature, and (b) a solid contact agitator for disintegrating the floor coating and loosening the temperature-releasable floor coating while the floor coating is at the release temperature. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a first manually-controlled, electrically-powered coating removal machine for removing a heat-releasable floor coating.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic of a bottom view of the brush assembly illustrated in FIG. 1 .

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a first alternative manually- controlled, electrically-powered coating removal machine for removing a heat- releasable floor coating.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a frictional heating member for use in the alternative manually-controlled, electrically-powered coating removal machine for removing a heat-releasable floor coating.

[0020] FIG.5 illustrates a perspective view of a second alternative manually- controlled, electrically-powered coating removal machine for removing a heat- releasable floor coating.

[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an electrically-powered, steam- heating, walk-behind coating removal machine for removing a heat-releasable floor coating.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a roller knife scoring tool configured to score a temperature-releasable floor coating.

[0023] FIG. 8A is a bottom view of a coating removal machine.

[0024] FIG. 8B is a side view of the coating removal machine of FIG. 8A.

Detailed Description

[0025] The phrase "temperature-releasable coating" is inclusive of coatings that can be released by being heated to an elevated release temperature (i.e., a "heat- releasable coating") or released by being cooled to a depressed release temperature (i.e., a "cool-releasable coating"). As used herein relative to heat-releasable coatings, the phrase "elevated temperature" refers to a temperature above room temperature, e.g., a temperature of at or above 27°C. As used herein relative to cool-release coatings, the phrase "depressed temperature" refers to a temperature below room temperature, e.g. , a temperature at or below 15°C.

[0026] The temperature-releasable coating can be a monolayer coating or a multilayer coating. In some embodiments the temperature-releasable coating has a dual function release wear layer which contains both the temperature-release component and the wear component. In other embodiments, the temperature- release coating has a temperature-release layer (which contains the temperature- release component) between the substrate (e.g. , a flooring substrate) and a wear layer above the temperature-release layer. Optionally, either of these coating systems can comprise one or more additional layers.

[0027] A heat-release component in the coating causes the coating to release when the coating is heated to the release temperature. Heat-releasable coatings contain at least one heat-release component which melts at the release temperature. Relative to heat-releasable coatings, the phrase "at the release temperature" refers to a temperature at or above the onset of melting temperature, T ₀ , of the heat- release component.

[0028] Cool-releasable coatings contain at least one cool-release component which freezes at the release temperature. Relative to cool-releasable coatings, the phrase "at the release temperature" refers to a temperature at or below the freezing point of the cool-release component.

[0029] As used herein, the heat-release component and the cool-release component used in the temperature-releasable coating systems do not include a temperature-release polymer which is a side-chain crystalline polymer. The temperature-release polymer used in the temperature releaseable coating systems is a non-side chain crystalline polymer ("non-SCC" polymer). The non-SCC polymer is a polymer other than, and hereby expressly exclude, the side chain crystalline polymers such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 6,255,367, to Bitler et al, which is hereby incorporated, in its entirety, by reference thereto.

[0030] In some embodiments, the coating is a heat-releasable multilayer coating comprising a heat-releasable layer between the flooring substrate and the wear layer, wherein (i) the heat-releasable layer comprises a heat-release non-SCC polymer exhibiting an onset of melting temperature, T ₀ , of at least 27°C, and (ii) a wear layer comprising a film-forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether, polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate.

[0031] In some embodiments, the coating comprises a heat-releasable wear layer over the flooring substrate, with the heat-releasable wear layer comprising: (i) a heat- release non-SCC polymer having an onset of melting temperature, T ₀ , of at least 27°C, and (ii) a film-forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether, polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate.

[0032] In some embodiments of the process of removing the heat-releasable coating, the coating is heated by contact with a hot metal surface which is at a temperature above the release temperature of the coating. In some embodiments of the process, the coating is heated by contacting the coating with steam which is at a temperature above the release temperature of the coating. In some embodiments of the process, the coating is heated by contacting the coating with hot water which is at a temperature above the release temperature of the coating. In some

embodiments of the process, the coating is heated by contacting the coating with hot air which is at a temperature above the release temperature of the coating.

[0033] In some embodiments, the temperature-releasable coating is a cool- release coating comprising (i) a cool-release non-SCC polymer having freezing temperature T _f of less than 15°C and a peak melt temperature T _p of greater than 25°C, and (ii) a film-forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether, polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate.

[0034] In some embodiments, the temperature-releasable coating is a multilayer coating comprising (i) a cool-release layer comprising a cool-release non-SCC polymer having a freezing temperature T _f of less than 15°C and a peak melt temperature T _p of greater than 25°C, and (ii) the wear layer comprising a film-forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether, polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate. The cool-release layer is between the flooring substrate and the wear layer.

[0035] In some embodiments, the temperature-releasable coating comprises a cool-releasable wear layer over the flooring substrate. The cool-releasable wear layer comprises both (i) a cool-release non-SCC polymer having a freezing temperature T _f of less than 15°C and a peak melt temperature T _p of greater than 25°C, and (ii) a film-forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether, polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate.

[0036] In some embodiments, the temperature-releasable coating comprises a cool-releasable coating over the flooring substrate. The coating comprises (i) a non- SCC polymeric adhesion composition which is substantially non-tacky at or below about 7.2°C and which is tacky at 18°C, wherein the adhesive composition comprises a cool-release non-SCC polymer having a heat of fusion of at least 20 Joules/g and an onset of melt temperature T ₀ of from about 2°C to 18°C, and (ii) a film-forming non-SCC polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyurethane, acrylic polymer, polysiloxane, polysilazane, polyester, polyamide, polyurea, epoxy polymer, vinyl polymer, polyether,

polyaldehyde, polyketone, and polycarbonate.

[0037] In some embodiments, the coating is a cool-release coating and the coating removal process comprises contacting the coating with a cool metal surface which is at a temperature below the release temperature of the coating. In some embodiments, the coating is a cool-release coating and the coating removal process comprises contacting the coating with cool water which is at a temperature below the release temperature of the coating. In some embodiments, the coating is a cool- release coating and the coating removal process comprises contacting the coating with cool air which is at a temperature below the release temperature of the coating.

[0038] In some embodiments of the process, the disintegration and loosening of the temperature-releasable coating is carried out by impacting the coating with a stream of water emitted from a nozzle while the water is under relatively high pressure, i.e., with the water is emitted from the nozzle at a pressure of from 500 to 30,000 psi, such as from a pressure washer. In some embodiments, the water is emitted from the nozzle at a pressure of from 1000 psi to 20,000 psi, or from 1200 psi to 15,000 psi, or from 1500 psi to 10,000 psi, or from 1500 psi to 8000 psi, or from 2000 psi to 6000 psi. The application of a stream of high pressure water to disintegrate and loosen the temperature-releasable coating can be carried out on a scored coating, or on an unscored coating.

[0039] In some embodiments of the process, the stream of water emitted from the nozzle travels from 0.5 cm to 75 cm before impacting the coating. In other embodiments, the stream of water emitted from the nozzle travels from 1 cm to 50 cm before impacting the coating, or from 2 cm to 25 cm, or from 3 cm to 20 cm, or from 4 cm to 15 cm.

[0040] In some embodiments of the process in which the stream of water is applied to a heat-release coating, the water is provided to the nozzle at a

temperature of from 27 to 120°C. In other embodiments, water is provided to the nozzle at a temperature of from 30°C to 105°C, or of from 40°C to 100°C, or of from 45°C to 95°C, or of from 50°C to 90°C, or of from 55°C to 85°C, or of from 60°C to 80°C.

[0041] In some embodiments of the process in which the stream of water is applied to a cool-release coating, the water is provided to the nozzle at a

temperature of from -25°C to 15°C, or from -20°C to 15°C, or of from -10°C to 10°C, or of from -5°C to 10°C, or of from 0°C to 10°C. Water can be supplied below 0°C by the addition of a solute, such as sodium chloride, thereby depressing the freezing point of the water.

[0042] In some embodiments of the process, water is emitted from the nozzle at a rate of from 2 liters/min to 45 liters/min. In other embodiments, water is emitted from the nozzle at a rate of from 3.7 liters/min to 37 liters/min, or from 5 liters/min to 30 liters/min, or from 7 liters/min to 25 liters/min, or from 8 liters/min to 20 liters/min, or from 9 liters/min to 18 liters/min, or from 10 liters/min to 15 liters/min. [0043] In some embodiments of the process, the disintegration and loosening of the temperature-releasable coating is carried out by contacting the coating with a plurality of elastomeric protrusions.

[0044] In some embodiments of the process, a heat-releasable coating is first heated to its release temperature by means other than contact with a plurality of elastomeric protrusions, i.e., by one or more of the other means disclosed herein, with the heated coating thereafter being disintegrated and loosened by contact with (i.e., impact and/or rubbing) the plurality of elastomeric protrusions. In other embodiments of the process, contacting the coating with a plurality of elastomeric protrusions can both (i) heat a heat-releasable coating to its release temperature as well as (ii) disintegrate and loosen the heat-releasable coating.

[0045] In some embodiments of the process, the plurality of elastomeric protrusions extend radially from a rotatable member, and are rotated into contact with the coating.

[0046] In some embodiments, the elastomeric protrusions contact the coating while at a tip speed of from 20 to 1000 meters per minute. In some embodiments, the tip speed can be from 40 to 700 m/min, or from 50 to 500 m/min, or from 60 to 400 m/min, or from 70 to 300 m/min.

[0047] In some embodiments, the disintegrating and loosening of the coating is carried out by applying to the coating at least one member selected from the group consisting of abrasive pad, brush, and impactor. As used herein, the term "impactor" refers to a device capable of imparting impact to the coating so as to cause one or more coating layers to (i) disintegrate (i.e., break into multiple pieces) and (ii) separate from the substrate. The most effective impactors impart both impact and shear in order to cause the coating to disintegrate and loosen from the substrate. The impactor may be designed to generate heat to heat the coating to its release temperature, if it is a heat-release coating.

[0048] In the removal of a heat-releasable coating, it has been discovered that the abrasive step should be close to the heat source so as to allow the film to be abraded off the surface before the floor has a chance to cool below the trigger temperature. In some embodiments, the heating of the coating can be followed immediately by an abrasive pad or brush to thoroughly remove the finish from the floor.

[0049] In some embodiments, the temperature change in combination with the disintegrating and loosening of the coating is followed up with separating the disintegrated, loose coating particles from the substrate. In some embodiments, the process further comprises collecting the disintegrated, loosened, separated coating particles after they have been separated from the substrate. A head or nozzle, or other suitable means connected to a source of vacuum, may be provided to collect the disintegrated, loosened coating particles and/or fluids (e.g., water). The vacuum source can be used to deposit the separated coating particles in a collection space or into a collection stream.

[0050] In any of the aspects of the coating removal process described above, the process can be carried out with or without scoring the coating. Scoring of the coating can assist in removal of the coating. Scoring of the coating disrupts the continuity of the coating, i.e., can be utilized to assist in disintegration and loosening of the coating. The mechanism for scoring the topcoats of the finish are numerous, and include abrasive scrubbing pads, screens, brushes, and discs, as well as metallic or hard plastic combs, pins, needles, scrapers, and the like. In an embodiment, the scoring is carried out so that the scoring device(s) score the coating without causing damage to the flooring substrate.

[0051] In embodiments of the process in which scoring is use, the scoring can be carried out before the coating is at the release temperature, while heating or cooling is being carried out but before the coating reaches the release temperature, and/or while or after heating or cooling have been carried out and the coating is at the release temperature. Scoring can be carried out by applying to the temperature- releasable coating at least one member selected from the group consisting of abrasive pad, screen, brush, abrasive disc, comb, pin, needle, scraper, etc. The scoring devices can be provided with pointed, blunt, or rounded edges to avoid flooring damage. They can also be made of a wide variety of materials.

[0052] The scoring of the temperature-releasable coating can be carried out without scoring the substrate. In lab floor testing of processes for removal of a heat- releasable coating, the action of scoring the topcoats immediately after heating, followed by the application of an abrasive stripping pad to the scored coating, resulted in improved finish removal versus carrying out the removal process in the same manner, except without scoring the coating.

[0053] In the floor stripping machine according to the sixth aspect, the means for heating or cooling the temperature-releasable floor coating can be a means for heating comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of convective circulatory heater, frictional heater, radiative heater, and conductive heater. If the means for heating is a convective circulatory heater, it may comprise at least one member selected from the group consisting of water heater, steam heater, and air heater, among other convective circulatory heaters known to those of skill in the art.

[0054] In an embodiment of the floor stripping machine, the means for heating comprises a radiative heater comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of infrared heater and microwave heater. Radiative heat can be provided from infrared lamps, hot plates, hot pads, hot rollers, hot air, etc. Induction, ultraviolet, microwave, and ultrasonic heating are also possible options. The temperature-release coating can be provided with additives known to be receptors for various types of radiative heating.

[0055] In an embodiment of the floor stripping machine, the means for heating comprises a conductive heater comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of hot pad and hot plate.

[0056] In the floor stripping machine, if the means for heating is a frictional heater, it may comprise a rotatable impact member comprising a plurality of elastomeric impact protrusions extending from a rotatable core. In an embodiment, the elastomeric protrusions may have a ratio of length to average cross-sectional area of from 0.5: 1 to 20: 1 . In an embodiment, the elastomeric protrusions may have a ratio of length to average cross-sectional area of from 1 : 1 to 15: 1 , or from 2: 1 to 12: 1 , or from 3: 1 to 10: 1 , or from 4: 1 to 10: 1 , or from 5: 1 to 10: 1 .

[0057] In an embodiment of the floor stripping machine, the elastomeric

protrusions extending from the core have a Shore A hardness of from 20 to 100. In an embodiment, the elastomeric protrusions extending from the core have a Shore A hardness of from 35 to 90, or a Shore A hardness of from 50 to 90, or a Shore A hardness of from 60 to 90, or a Shore A hardness of from 70 to 90, or a Shore A hardness of from 80 to 90.

In an embodiment of the floor stripping machine, the elastomeric protrusions may extend radially from the core for a distance of from 2 mm to 300 mm. In an embodiment, the elastomeric protrusions may extend radially from the core for a distance of from 2 mm to 250 mm, or from 4 mm to 200 mm, or from 5 mm to 175 mm, or from 10 mm to 150 mm, or from 15 mm to 100 mm. In an embodiment, the elastomeric protrusions may extend radially from the core for a distance of from 4 mm to 50 mm, or from 6 mm to 40 mm, or from 8 mm to 30 mm, or from 10 mm to 20 mm. In an embodiment, the elastomeric protrusions may extend radially from the core for a distance of from 2 mm to 25 mm, 4 mm to 22 mm, or from 6 mm to 20 mm, or from 8 mm to 18 mm, or from 10 mm to 16 mm. In an embodiment, the

elastomeric protrusions may extend radially from the core for a distance of from 2 mm to 250 mm, or from 4 mm to 200 mm, or from 5 mm to 250 mm, or from 75 mm to 250 mm, or from 100 mm to 200 mm.

[0058] In an embodiment of the floor stripping machine, the elastomeric

protrusions extend from the core with a shape comprising at least one member selected from cylinder, cone (including right cone and/or oblique cone), cube, pyramid, wedge, parallelepiped, prism, antiprism, cupola, and frustrum.

[0059] In an embodiment of the floor stripping machine, the elastomeric

protrusions extend from the core with a shape comprising at least one member selected from truncated cylinder, truncated cone (right and/or oblique), truncated cube, truncated pyramid, truncated wedge, truncated parallelepiped, truncated prism, truncated antiprism, truncated cupola, and truncated frustrum. As used herein, the term "truncated" refers to a geometric solid of the named type having an apex, vertex, or end cut off by a plane.

[0060] In an embodiment of the floor stripping machine, the rotatable impact member comprising the plurality of elastomeric impact protrusions may serve as both the heating means as well as the solid contact agitator for disintegrating the floor coating and loosening the temperature-releasable floor coating while the floor coating is at the release temperature. [0061] In an embodiment of the floor stripping machine, the elastomeric protrusions are of a cylindrical or substantially cylindrical shape, with at least one of the elastomeric protrusions having a plurality of transverse ribs extending therefrom. In an embodiment, the protrusions have a length of from 10 cm to 15 cm and a diameter of from 1 cm to 3 cm.

[0062] In an embodiment, the solid contact agitator of the floor stripping machine comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of brush, abrasive article, screen, comb, pin, scraper, and core having a plurality of

elastomeric protrusions extending therefrom. In an embodiment, the solid contact agitator comprises an abrasive article comprising an abrasive pad, which can be present on a head attached to a driver.

[0063] In an embodiment, the floor stripping machine comprises a means for cooling comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of a convective circulatory cooler and a conductive cooler. In an embodiment, the convective circulatory cooler comprises at least one member selected from liquid water at temperature of from -25°C to 15°C, and gaseous air at a temperature of from -50°C to 15°C. In an embodiment, the liquid water has a temperature of from - 20°C to 15°C, or from -15°C to 12°C, or from -10°C to 10°C, or from -5°C to 10°C, or from 0°C to 10°C, or from 1°C to 10°C, or from 2°C to 10°C, or from 2°C to 8°C, or from -2°C to 5°C. In an embodiment, the gaseous air has a temperature of from - 40°C to 14°C, or from -30°C to 13°C , or from -20°C to 12°C, or from -10°C to 10°C, or from -5°C to 10°C, or from -5°C to 5°C. In an embodiment, the conductive cooler comprises at least one member selected from ice and solid carbon dioxide. In an embodiment, the conductive cooler further comprises at least one member selected from a conductive plate and a conductive pad.

[0064] In an embodiment, the floor stripping machine further comprises a means for scoring the temperature-releasable floor coating. In an embodiment, the scoring means scores the temperature-releasable floor coating before the coating is at the release temperature. In an embodiment, the scoring means scores the temperature- releasable floor coating while the coating is at the release temperature. In an embodiment, the scoring means scores the temperature-releasable floor coating while the heating or cooling is being carried out, but before the coating reaches the release temperature.

[0065] FIG. 7 depicts one embodiment of a means for scoring in the form of a roller knife scoring tool 100. The roller knife scoring tool 100 includes a substantially cylindrical body 102 with a cutting surface 104 having V-shaped grooves and circumferential scoring edges between the V-shaped grooves. The roller knife scoring tool 100 also includes roller bearings 106 located on ends of the substantially cylindrical body 102 to permit the substantially cylindrical body 102 to roll as the roller knife scoring tool 100 is rolled along a surface. One example of a roller knife scoring tool is the Structure Roller sold by SWIX SPORT. In an embodiment, the means for scoring comprises at least one member selected from the group

consisting of an abrasive pad, a screen, a brush, an abrasive disc, a comb, a pin, a needle, a scraper, a roller knife scoring tool, a knife, and a blade. In an embodiment, the scoring means comprises at least one abrasive pad mounted on a head, which head is powered by a driver. The head can be powered for linear motion, circular motion, combination of linear and circular motion, random motion, etc.

[0066] In an embodiment of the floor stripping machine, the machine comprises a steam generator, or the machine is supplied with steam from a separate steam source. In an embodiment, the machine comprises a steam manifold. In an embodiment, the steam manifold has scoring means affixed thereto or integral therewith.

[0067] In an embodiment, the means for scoring is a means for scoring the temperature-releasable floor coating without scoring the substrate.

[0068] In an embodiment, the solid contact agitator comprises a rotatable scrubbing head comprising rotatable brush or pad, and at least one rotatable heating or cooling manifold either surrounding the rotatable scrubbing head, or surrounded by the rotatable scrubbing head, with the manifold having scoring elements affixed thereto for scoring the temperature-releasable floor coating during rotation of the manifold over the flooring substrate. In an embodiment, the at least one manifold is a steam manifold and the machine further comprises means for generating steam in the at least one steam manifold or supplying steam to the at least one steam manifold. In an embodiment, the steam manifold comprises one or more steam outlets for distributing steam in close proximity to the rotatable brush or pad.

[0069] The steam inlet can also be directly in the center of a standard single-disc swing machine. This method relies upon the abrasiveness of the pad on the machine to score, abrade, and remove the film. Alternatively, the steam manifolds can be placed directly in front of the pad drivers of an autoscrubber, as illustrated in FIG 6, described below. An insulating shroud can be provided to maintain the floor at an elevated temperature sufficient to bring a heat-release coating to its release temperature.

[0070] In an embodiment, the floor stripping machine further comprises means for collecting disinitegrated coating particles that are loose on the surface of the flooring substrate. In an embodiment, the means for collecting the loose, disintegrated coating particles comprises a vacuum device. In an embodiment, the vacuum device is also suitable for vacuum removal of water from the flooring substrate.

[0071] FIG. 1 illustrates a manually controlled, electrically-powered coating removal machine 10 for removing a heat-releasable floor coating when supplied with steam from an external source not illustrated. Coating removal machine 10 has annular rotary brush assembly 12 which rotates via power supplied from electric motor 14. Coating removal machine 10 is provided with a pair of wheels 16 for ease of manual transport to a desired location for use. When brush assembly 12 is in contact with the floor, wheels 16 can be designed to be fully off the ground, with the full weight of the coating removal machine 10 bearing down on brush assembly 12. A proximal end of manual control shaft 20 is connected to housing 18 via hinge 22, with the distal end of control shaft 20 connected to manual control handle 24.

Manual control handle 24 contains hand placement members, and may optionally contain a power switch, rotation direction switch, speed control, etc. Supply line 26 can include a power line for supplying electricity to electric motor 14 from an external source. Additionally or alternatively, supply line 26 can provide steam to one or more steam manifolds (see Fig 2) in brush assembly 12. Coating removal machine 10 can be designed so that electric motor 14 is powered by batteries contained within housing 18, which of course could be redesigned to hold adequate battery power for coating removal machine 10. [0072] FIG. 2 illustrates a bottom view of brush assembly 12, which includes rotatable head (not illustrated) on which is mounted support plate 29 from which stiff bristles 28 extend downwardly, a plurality of steam manifolds 30, steam nozzles 32, and scoring clips 34. Optionally, but as illustrated, scoring clips 34 have the dual function of scoring the coating while also securing steam manifolds 30 in place relative to rotatable support plate 29. Although not revealed by the bottom view of FIG. 2, scoring clips 34 are sized, shaped, and positioned to score the heat- releasable floor coating as brush assembly 12 rotates via rotational power supplied through shaft 36 which is driven by electric motor 14 via belt, gears, chain, direct drive, etc. As the head rotates, steam manifolds 30 distribute steam over a wide area, scoring clips 34 score the topcoat on the heated floor, and bristles 28 scrub the remaining finish off the floor.

[0073] FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative manually-controlled, electrically-powered coating removal machine 40 for removing a heat-releasable floor coating. Coating removal machine 40 has lower housing 42 beneath which is a rotatable friction heater, not illustrated in FIG. 3. Lower housing 42 is hingedly connected to upper housing 43 which terminates in manual control handle 45. Although not illustrated in FIG. 3, an exemplary friction heater is illustrated in FIG 4, described below. Coating removal machine 40 operates by frictional contact with a heat-releasable floor coating, and accordingly may, but need not be, supplied with steam and/or any other source of heat. Coating removal machine 40 may optionally be provided with one or more scoring members, not illustrated. Such scoring members can advantageously be located on the rotatable friction heater, or can be located elsewhere on coating removal machine 40. Coating removal machine 40 is provided with a pair of wheels 44 for ease of manual transport to a desired location for use. Coating removal machine 40 can be battery powered or optionally may receive electrical power from an external source via electrical cord 46. Lower housing 42 can surround an electric motor for providing power to the rotatable friction heater.

[0074] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of rotatable frictional heater element 50 having hollow tubular base 52 having a plurality of elastomeric protrusions 54 integral therewith (or mounted thereon) and extending radially outward therefrom. In FIG. 4, elastomeric protrusions in the form of truncated pyramids. Hollow tubular base 52 has internal surface 56 providing passageway 58 through frictional heater element 50, with frictional heater element 50 being mountable on a rotatable support member (not illustrated) passing through passageway 58 and contacting internal surface 56. Use of rotatable frictional heater element 50 on a heat-releasable floor coating results in heating the coating via friction from impact with the plurality of protrusions, breaking up (i.e., disintegrating) the coating via impact of the plurality of protrusions on the heated coating, and loosening and separating the disintegrated, loosened pieces of the heated coating from the floor substrate via shear force provided by the directional, frictional engagement of the plurality of protrusions against the disintegrated, loosened pieces of the heated floor coating. Scoring is optional, but may enhance the efficiency of coating removal.

[0075] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second alternative manually-held, manually-controlled, electrically-powered coating removal machine 60 for removing a heat-releasable floor coating. Coating removal machine 60 comprises electric drill housing 62 surrounding an electric motor (not shown) with motor shaft engaging and providing rotational power to chuck 64 in which is mounted a rotatable impact member comprising shaft 66 extending through rotatable core 68 from which extend a plurality of elongated, flexible, ribbed, elastomeric, friction generating, cylindrical impact members 70 commonly referred to as "chicken pluckers" because they are used in automatic chicken plucking machines. Use of coating removal machine 60 on a heat-releasable floor coating results in heating the coating via friction from impact with the chicken pluckers, breaking up (i.e., disintegrating) the coating via impact of the chicken pluckers on the heated coating, and loosening and separating the disintegrated, loosened pieces of the heated coating from the floor substrate via shear force provided by the directional, frictional engagement of the chicken pluckers against the disintegrated, loosened pieces of the heated floor coating. Scoring is optional, but may enhance the efficiency of coating removal.

[0076] FIG. 8A and 8B depict bottom and side views, respectively, of an embodiment of a coating removal machine 1 10. The coating removal machine 1 10 includes a disc 1 12 that made from a rigid material (e.g., aluminum, steel, etc.). A number of bearings 1 14 are coupled to the bottom side of the disc 1 12. In some embodiments, the bearings 1 14 are roller bearings or transfer bearings. The coating removal machine 1 10 includes a top pad 1 16 on the top side of the disc 1 12 and a bottom pad 1 18 on the bottom side of the disc 1 12. In the depicted embodiment, the bottom pad 1 18 is a multi-layer pad with a first later 120 and a second layer 122. In some embodiments, the top pad 1 16 and the first layer 120 of the bottom pad 1 18 are made from the same material. The coating removal machine 1 10 is capable of being used to remove a temperature-releasable floor coating. In one example, heat is introduced into the path of the coating removal machine 1 10 (e.g., using steam), the coating removal machine 1 10 is biased downward toward a surface at a predetermined force (e.g., 20 pounds or 30 pounds), and the coating removal machine 1 10 is rotated at a predetermined rate (e.g., 200 revolutions per minute). The coating removal machine 1 10 is then moved across a surface. In some examples, the coating removal machine 1 10 is then moved along a particular path and/or at a constant speed back and forth across the floor. In one example, the coating removal machine 1 10 is moved at a rate of 1 inch per second.

[0077] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of an electrically-powered, walk- behind coating removal machine 80 for removing a heat-releasable floor coating. Walk-behind coating removal machine 80 has a plurality of wheels 82 which optionally can be powered and/or steerable for ease of transport, movement and control over a floor surface. Housing 84 surrounds a motor (not illustrated) for providing rotational power to one or more rotational scrubbing pad assemblies and/or brush assemblies or comb assemblies or abrasive member assemblies covered by shroud 86. The brush, comb, and/or pad assemblies may optionally further comprise one or more scoring elements and/or one or more heating elements such as the steam manifolds and nozzles illustrated in FIG. 2, described above. Walk-behind coating removal machine 80 may be electrically powered by one or more batteries, or may utilize supply cord 88 for electricity and/or steam or other hot gas or fluid. Coating removal machine 80 may be provided with steam from a source not illustrated or may use electrical power to generate steam with a boiler inside housing 84. Optionally, steam or other hot gas or fluid can be provided to hot pad 90 via conduit 92, in order to heat the coating to its release temperature, or assist in heating the coating to its release temperature, immediately before agitating the coating with the brush, comb, and/or abrasive pad assemblies which may optionally further include additional heating means and/or one or more scoring elements.

[0078] For purposes of this disclosure, terminology such as "upper," "lower," "vertical," "horizontal," "inwardly," "outwardly," "inner," "outer," "front," "rear," and the like, should be construed as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. Further, the use of "including," "comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items. Unless limited otherwise, the terms "connected," "coupled," and "mounted" and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompass direct and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. Unless stated otherwise, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and the like are used to mean within 5% of a target value.

[0079] The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation of the present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description. However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to be protected are not to be construed as limited to the particular embodiments disclosed. Further, the

embodiments described herein are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will be appreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, and equivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all such variations, changes, and

equivalents fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as claimed.