GRAPHIC INK REMOVER SOLUTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a coating removal and all-purpose cleaning composition and, more particularly, to a one step graphic ink remover composition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Conventional graphic ink remover solutions or compositions have drawbacks and are not always efficient enough to remove graphic ink from screens and printing equipment during color change over and at the end of the printing job. Material such as acetone, ethyl acetate and alcohol often have a disagreeable odor, irritates eyes and are flammable and combustible which 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 one step graphic ink remover compositions and methods of using the compositions.

It is a further object of the present invention is to provide a very effective, non-toxic, non-methylene chloride, acetone, ethyl acetate or alcohol containing graphic ink remover comprising d-limonene, ethyl lactate, NMP (n-methyl pyrrolidone) and a surfactant.

Still another object of the present invention to provide a non-aqueous liquid cleaning composition

especially adapted graphic ink from screens for removing graphic ink from screens, the composition comprising the following ingredients in approximate percent by weight: Ingredients % by weight 1. d-limonene 30-80

2. ethyl lactate 10-50

3. NMP 5-30

4. surfactant 0.5-5 These and other objects will be apparent from the specification and claims that follow.

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

1. d-1imonene;

2 . ethyl lactate;

3. NMP;

4. surfactant; and 5. optionally, gamma butyrolactone in place of 5 or

10 up to 50% of the NMP to provide benefits of a lower odor and a faster evaporation rate. The present invention provides an effective, non- toxic, non-aqueous liquid graphic ink remover, cleaner and remover composition comprising the following ingredients

in the general and preferred ranges set forth in approximate percent by weight:

Ingredients % by weight

General Preferred Ideal

1. d-limonene 30-80 50-68 59

2. ethyl lactate 10-50 17-32 25

3. NMP 5-30 10-20 15

4. surfactant 0.5-5 0.8-2 1

Optionally, gamma butrolactone and glycol ether can

be used as well as a surfactant such as ethoxylated

undecyl alcohol and preferably, amine alkyl benzene εulfonate (Stepa Ninate 411™) . These formulations are as follows in approximate % by weight:

Ingredient O timal General

The compositions of the present invention, while preferably used as a graphic ink remover for screens, also can be used as an all purpose cleaner and, in particular hard surface cleaners, blanket washes for use in the

printing industry, cleaners for brake linings, silk screens, and copier belts.

The easy to use, easy to make cleaning composition is

made by mixing generally the three liquid ingredients (d- limonene, ethyl lactate and NMP) with a surfactant to form a homogenized stable cleaning mixture having enhanced detergent and stripping powers. Ethyl lactate helps increase the speed of the cleaning action. This combination of NMP, d-limonene and ethyl lactate is necessary for the removal of most of the graphic ink encountered. The d-limonene component is a solvent or diluent that assists in penetrating and stripping or removing of the inks that coat the screens

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.

When N-methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) is used as a solvent in the composition, generally NMP is used in lower amounts than d-limonene and ethyl lactate. 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 terpeneε. U.S. Patent No. 5,098,591 (Stevens) discloses a paint stripper composition that includes NMP, d-limonene and a surfactant, but there is no teaching of the use of ethyl lactate which helps provide

superior results.

As indicated, relatively large amounts of ethyl lactate can be used, say, about 10 to 20 up to 50 or 60% by weight. Preferably about 25 to 35 weight percent is used to obtain fast drying. Ethyl lactate is a solvent that is compatible with d-limonene, NMP, and the surfactant. Ethyl lactate enhances the compatibility, efficiency, miscibility, and the stability of the liquid, the speed of drying the 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 25-32% by weight. As indicated, the total amount of d-limonene in the composition is preferably at least 25 or up to 30 - 35 percent by weight and more preferably at least about 45 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 ink coatings on screens on screen and hard surfaces, being non-irritating, having a pleasant order, being quick drying, having miscible ingredients, and leaving the cleaned surfaces free of surface film. The cleaner has the advantage of producing up to two-thirds less Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) than other products currently in use, to perform the cleaning operation.

The preferred surfactant is amine alkyl benzene sulfonate surfactant. (Stepan Ninate 411™) . The alkyl group is generally 1-16 carbon atoms and preferably 4 or 6 up to 8 or 10 carbon atoms. Suitable surfactants are ethoxylated sulfate, phosphate esters and other surfactants mentioned in column 8 of U.S. Patent No. 5,098,591 (Stevens) .

The Stevens patent discloses a terpene (d-limonene) ; NMP, a surfactant and carbonates or glycol ethers. The

carbonates such as ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonates are necessary in the formulation and one of the main, thrusts of the Stevens patent. However, there is no suggestion or showing of the use of ethyl lactate or a graphic ink cleaner in Stevens.