BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Conventional nail polish remover compositions 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.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 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.

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:

Ingredients % bv weight

1. d-limonene 5-75

2. N-methyl pyrrolidone 5-95

3. cetyl acetate 1-15

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:

Ingredients % by weight

1. d-limonene 5-75

2. N-methyl pyrrolidone 5-95

3. cetyl acetate 1-15

4. dibasic ester (DBE) 5-95

(dialkyl esters of aliphatic dicarboxylic acids)

These and other objects will be apparent from the

specification and claims that follow.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a non-aqueous composition comprising the following ingredients:

1. d-limonene;

2. N-methyl-2 pyrrolidone; and

3. cetyl acetate.

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

Ingredients % by weight General Preferred

1. d-limonene 5-75 40-70

2. N-methyl pyrrolidone 5-95 25-45

3. cetyl acetate 1-15 3-10

The present invention also 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 a" 3ms 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: Ingredients % by weight General Preferred

1. d-limonene 5-75 40-70

2. N-methyl pyrrolidone 5-95 25-45

3. cetyl acetate 1-15 3-10

4. dibasic ester 5-95 15-45

DETAILS OF THE INVENTION 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 line, 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, etc. The easy to use, easy to make cleaning composition is made by mixing the three liquid ingredients (d-limonene, N-methyl pyrrolidone and cetyl acetate) to form a

homogenized stable cleaning mixture having enhanced detergent and stripping powers. When generally about one- half to 15% by weight and preferably 8 to 12% by weight of

the d-limonene is replaced by ethyl lactate, 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 ana stripping or removing of the coating (such as finger nail polish) to be removed.

In another embodiment, easy to use, easy to make

cleaning composition is made by mixing the four liquid

ingredients - d-limonene, N-methyl pyrrolidone, cetyl acetate or a mixture of cetyl acetate and acetylated lanolin oil 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 helps to loosen or dissolve grease, fat or organic materials, and is described as an

ingredient in a cleaner in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,790,951 and

5,031,648.

The N-methyl pyrrolidone is a solvent that is 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. Patent Nos. 4,120,810 and 4,732,695. U.S. Patent 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. Patent 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.

Acetulan™, a mixture of cetyl acetate and acetylated lanolin oil can be used as a substitute in whole or part for cetyl acetate. 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.

As indicated, small amounts of ethyl lactate can be

used as well as small amounts, about 1/2 to 10% by weight, of an anti-fungicidal agent, myristalkonium chloride and Quaterniun 14 (quaternary ammonium salt derivative) to enhance the cleaner composition and make it more

acceptable to the hands. Ethyl lactate is a solvent that

is compatible with d-limonene, cetyl acetate, and N-methyl

pyrrolidone. 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 10% by weight and reducing d-limonene by 10% weight ethyl lactate. 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, 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 order, being quick drying, having miscible

ingredients, and leaving the cleaned surfaces free of surface fiber.

In the embodiment that optionally contains the DBE,

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, pri alic and azelaic acids. The dibasic esters are described in duPont U.S. Patent 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 order, 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.