Field of Technology

[001] This description generally relates to peelable color coatings.

Background

[002] Peelable coatings provide conveniently removable surface coats for a variety of objects such as masonry, metal, wood and glass surfaces. By adding coloring substances to peelable coatings, peelable color coatings may be effected for decorative applications.

[003] A popular form of peelable color coatings are rubber coatings, applied via aerosol sprays or dip coats, used to decorate car rims, bonnets and door panels. Peelable rubber coatings include rubbers such as styrene-butadiene dissolved in organic solvents such as xylene, ethylbenzene, acetone and methyl ethyl ketone. These solvents release volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the air and are potentially hazardous for both human health and the environment. Regulatory developments have led to stricter use of volatile organic solvents in paints, resulting in the trend towards and user preference for water-based emulsion coatings.

[004] In water-based emulsion coatings, water replaces organic solvents as the medium in which polymers particles are dispersed. Polyurethane and acrylic are examples of polymers capable of forming water-based emulsions. Coatings formed by casting a dispersion and allowing it to dry typically form a hard brittle coating. To achieve peelability, the adhesion of the resin to the surface to be coated needs to be reduced. A technique employed in some coatings is to use a release agent such as paraffinic wax, animal or vegetable oils, all of which contain fatty acids, to reduce the adhesion of the resin to the surface. Several problems associated with the inclusion of release agents containing fatty acids into a coating composition are its tendency to react with metal, stain masonry and wood, as well as its oily texture.

[005] Other requirements of peelable coatings include having sufficient tensile strength in the coating so that no fracturing occurs either with weathering or upon peeling. Furthermore, in decorative applications, the overall visual or aesthetic quality of the color conveyed through the coating needs to be taken into consideration. These multiple requirements continue to present a challenge to current water based color coatings.

Summary

[006] The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that it is desirable to provide a peelable color coating without the use of release agents. In some embodiments, it is preferred that the peelable color coating is tough, flexible, and capable of incorporating water based color pigments.

[007] In one form of the disclosure, there is provided a peelable color coating system comprising a water-based coloring composition blended into or applied onto a stretchable carrier that is directly adherent to a surface of an article to be coated without an intervening layer of release agent, and is detachable from the surface by manual peeling, the stretchable carrier comprising: a vinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer as a major component, and a water dispersible elastomer having higher percent crystallinity than the polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer as a minor component.

[008] In some embodiments the peelable color coating comprises a water dispersible polymer P I which is a vinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer, a water dispersible polymer P2 having a tensile modulus higher than polymer PI as measured by ASTM D882, and a coloring substance, wherein the weight ratio of PI to P2 is greater than 1 and wherein polymer PI and polymer P2 are present as a blend in the coating.

[009] The following options may be used in conjunction with the first aspect, either individually or in any suitable combination.

[010] The carrier may be removably adhered to a surface of a substrate without the presence of an intervening layer or release agent.

[01 1] The polymer PI may comprise 75%-94% by weight of vinyl acetate monomer units, 5% to 20% by weight of acrylate ester monomer units, and 1% to 5% by weight of acrylic acid monomer units. It may have a glass transition temperature of about 20°C or less.

[012] The polymer P2 may be an elastomer. It may have a glass transition temperature of between about 20°C and about 50°C as measured by ASTM E1356-08. It may have a tensile modulus of between about 1 and about 5 MPa at 100% elongation as measured by ASTM D882. It may be selected from the group consisting of fluoroelastomers, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyurethane acrylates, ethylene-vinyl acetetate copolymers and vinyl acrylic copolymers.

[013] The coating may be detachable from the surface by a peeling force of less than about 80 N/m. It may have an elongation at break value of about 400% or more as measured by ASTM D882. The polymers PI and P2 may be such that the coating is detachable from the surface by a peeling force of less than about 80 N/m. They may be such that the coating has an elongation at break value of about 400% or more as measured by ASTM D882.

[014] The peelable color coating may further comprise a polymer P3 for modifying one or more physical properties of the coating. The physical property modified by the polymer P3 may include any one or more of tensile strength, elongation at break, elastic modulus, hardness (as measured by Shore A penetrometer), flexural strength, adhesion to a desired substrate and flexural modulus. The polymer P3 may have a minimum film formation temperature of less than about 0°C.

[015] The peelable color coating may further comprise a coalescing agent. The coalescing agent may be a glycol monoether or a glycol diether.

[016] The coloring substance may be water dispersible. It may be dispersed substantially

homogeneously through the blend of polymers PI and P2. Alternatively it may be disposed substantially entirely on a surface of the blend of polymers P I and P2.

[017] In an embodiment there is provided a peelable color coating, comprising a water dispersible polymer PI which is a vinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer, a water dispersible polymer P2 having a tensile modulus higher than polymer PI as measured by ASTM D882 and being selected from the group consisting of fluoroelastomers, polyurethanes, poly aery late s, polyurethane acrylates, ethylene-vinyl acetetate copolymers and vinyl acrylic copolymers, and having an elongation at break value of about 400% or more as measured by ASTM D882, a coloring substance and a coalescing agent which is a glycol monoether or a glycol diether, wherein the weight ratio of PI to P2 is greater than 1 and wherein polymer PI and polymer P2 are present as a blend in the coating.

[018] In another embodiment there is provided a peelable color coating, comprising a water dispersible polymer PI which is a vinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer, a water dispersible polymer P2 having a tensile modulus higher than polymer PI as measured by ASTM D882 and being selected from the group consisting of fluoroelastomers, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyurethane acrylates, ethylene-vinyl acetetate copolymers and vinyl acrylic copolymers, and having an elongation at break value of about 400% or more as measured by ASTM D882, a coloring substance and a coalescing agent which is a glycol monoether or a glycol diether, wherein the weight ratio of PI to P2 is greater than 1 and wherein polymer PI and polymer P2 are present as a blend in the coating wherein the coloring substance is dispersed substantially homogeneously through the blend of polymers PI and P2.

[019] In another embodiment there is provided a peelable color coating, comprising a water dispersible polymer PI which is a vinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer, a water dispersible polymer P2 having a tensile modulus higher than polymer PI as measured by ASTM D882 and being selected from the group consisting of fluoroelastomers, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polyurethane acrylates, ethylene-vinyl acetetate copolymers and vinyl acrylic copolymers, and having an elongation at break value of about 400% or more as measured by ASTM D882, a coloring substance and a coalescing agent which is a glycol monoether or a glycol diether, wherein the weight ratio of PI to P2 is greater than 1 and wherein polymer PI and polymer P2 are present as a blend in the coating wherein the coloring substance is disposed substantially entirely on a surface of the blend of polymers PI and P2.

[020] In a second aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method of forming a peelable color coating on a substrate, the method comprising the steps of combining an aqueous dispersion of a vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer P 1 with an aqueous dispersion of a polymer P2 having a tensile modulus higher than polymer PI as measured by ASTM D882, to form a coating composition, applying the coating composition on said surface as a film, drying the coating composition to form a stretchable carrier, applying a coloring composition to substantially the entire surface of the stretchable carrier, and drying the coloring composition so as to form the peelable color coating on the substrate.

[021] The step of drying the coating composition and/or the step of drying the coloring composition may be conducted under ambient conditions.

[022] The method may additionally comprise the step of mixing the coating composition with one or more additives selected from the group consisting of anti -foaming agent, levelling agent, rheology modifier, and coalescing agent prior to the step of applying the coating composition on the surface. [023] In a third aspect of the disclosure there is provided a method of forming a peelable color coating on a substrate, the method comprising the steps of combining an aqueous dispersion of a vinyl acetate- acrylic copolymer PI, an aqueous dispersion of a polymer P2 having a tensile modulus higher than polymer PI as measured by ASTM D882, and a coloring composition, so as to form a coating composition, applying the coating composition on said surface as a film, and drying the coating composition so as to form the peelable color coating on the substrate.

[024] The step of combining may comprise combining the aqueous dispersion of the copolymer PI, the aqueous dispersion of the polymer P2, the coloring composition and one or more additives selected from the group consisting of anti-foaming agents, levelling agents, rheology modifiers, and coalescing agents so as to form the coating composition.

[025] The step of drying may be conducted under ambient conditions.

[026] The coating of the first aspect may be made by the method of the second aspect, or may be made by the method of the third aspect. The method of the second aspect or of the third aspect may make the coating of the first aspect.

[027] In a fourth aspect of the disclosure there is provided a kit for forming a peelable color coating, the kit comprising an aqueous emulsion of polymer PI which is a vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer, an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising polymer P2 having a tensile modulus higher than polymer PI as measured by ASTM D882, and a coloring composition, wherein the weight ratio of PI to P2 is greater than 1.

[028] The kit of the fourth aspect may be used to make the coating of the first aspect, or may be used in the method of the second or third aspect.

[029] In a fifth aspect of the disclosure there is provided A coating composition for producing a peelable color coating, said composition being an aqueous dispersion of a polymer PI which is a vinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer, and a polymer P2 having a tensile modulus higher than polymer P 1 as measured by ASTM D882, wherein the weight ratio of PI to P2 is greater than 1 and wherein polymers PI and P2 are dispersed substantially homogeneously through the dispersion.

[030] The aqueous dispersion may additionally comprise a coloring substance dispersed throughout the dispersion.

[031] In a sixth aspect of the disclosure there is provided a colored article comprising a substrate having a peelable color coating according to the first aspect, or made according to the second or third aspect, peelably attached to a surface thereof.

[032] These and other aspects of the disclosure are described in the detailed description below. In no event should the above summary be construed as a limitation on the claimed subject matter which is defined solely by the claims as set forth herein. Brief Description of the Drawings

[033] Throughout the specification, reference is made to the appended drawings, where like reference numerals designate like elements, wherein:

[034] Fig. 1 and 2 show cross-section diagrams of an article coated with the coating of the disclosure.

[035] Fig. 3 shows photographs of actual peelable color coatings applied on walls.

[036] FIG. 4 to 8 respectively show tables of results obtained from performance evaluation of surfaces coated with various coatings.

[037] The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. However, it will be understood that the use of a numeral to refer to a component in a given figure is not intended to limit the component in another figure labeled with the same number

Detailed Description

[038] Various aspects of the disclosure as described herein provide for a peelable color coating system suitable for application on walls, as well as other substrates such as metal and glass.

Advantageously, the peelable color coating of as presently disclosed (i) can add a non-permanent color to any surface, (ii) protect surfaces against scratches, and stains, (iii) is easily removed by peeling without using laborious chemical, heat or mechanical stripping methods, leaving no residue or damage to the surface as the coating provides a suitable level of adhesion to the surface so that it does not delaminate any existing paint when removed, unlike when an adhesive layer is used. In contemplated applications, this disclosure may be used to create temporary feature walls that are suited for event decorations, parties, restaurants, and pop-up stores that require quick changes over short periods of time, and if desired, the substrate can be readily restored to its original state. In comparison to conventional adhesive films used for shop windows, a removable paint is easier to apply with no issues of air bubbles and avoids the risk of leaving adhesive residues on the substrate surface.

[039] The peelable color coating according to the present disclosure comprises a stretchable carrier comprising a blend of polymer PI selected from polyvinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer as a major component, and a polymer P2 selected from a water dispersible polymer having higher tensile modulus than polymer PI . In this context, the term 'blend' refers to any form of polymer blend, including immiscible polymer blends (or heterogeneous polymer blends) having two glass transition temperatures, compatible polymer blends exhibiting macroscopically uniform physical properties due to sufficiently strong interactions between the component polymers, and miscible polymer blends (homogeneous polymer blend) observing a single-phase structure with one glass transition temperature. The term 'peelable' refers to the property of being removable by peeling. Peel strength is a measure of adhesive bond strength. It can defined by various measurements, such as the average load required to part two bonded materials per unit length separation (N/inch or N/m), or the average load per unit width of bond line required to part two bonded materials where the angle of separation is 90 degrees and separation rate is 30 millimeters per minute (ASTM D6862). For a coating to be peelable, its cohesive strength (i.e. breaking force) should be greater than its adhesive bond strength. Since the adhesive bond strength will vary depending on the nature of the substrate to which the coating is adhered, the coating may be peelable from some substrates and not from others. The coating of the disclosure may be peelable on any one of dried water based paint, on dried oil based paint, on stainless steel, on aluminium, on glass, on ceramic tile, on grout or more than one, optionally all, of these. The peel strength on any one or more of these may be less than about lOON/m, or less than about 90, 80, 70, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20 or lON/m or from about 10 to about ΙΟΟΝ/m, or from about 10 to 80, 10 to 50, 10 to 30, 10 to 100, 50 to 100 or 50 to 80N/m, e.g. about 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90 or ΙΟΟΝ/m. In some instances however it may be up to about 500N/m, or up to about 400, 300 or 200N/m.

[040] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "removably adhered" indicates that the coating may be adhered to the substrate and may be peelable therefrom (as discussed above).

[041] Polyvinyl acetate is conventionally used in adhesives for wood and paper binding applications. When vinyl acetate is copolymerized with acrylic monomers such as ethyl and/or butyl acrylates, the resulting polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymers are amorphous, non-crystalline, thermoplastic polymers, suited for use in applications such as paint coatings, carpet backing and clay coatings on paper (see pages 1-4, Vinyl Acetate Emulsion Polymerization and Copolymerization with Acrylic Monomers, By Yildirim H. Erbil, © 2000 CRC Press LLC).

[042] Crystallinity influences many of a polymer's physical properties, and a polymer with high percent crystallinity typically displays hardness, high tensile modulus, stiffness and high melting point, while a polymer with low percent crystallinity typically displays low tensile modulus, stiffness and low melting point. The polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymers have low crystallinity due in part to their atactic structure, which is caused by the functional groups being placed randomly along the main chain during the free radical polymerization process.

[043] In accordance with the present disclosure, it has been found that by blending polyvinyl acetate- acrylic copolymers with polymers possessing physical properties indicative of higher percent crystallinity, in particular, with polymers having higher tensile modulus, the resultant polymer blend possesses physical properties suited for use as a peelable stretchable carrier for color pigments. These blends are stretchable, tough, and have relatively low adhesion to masonry, pre-painted surfaces, steel and glass surfaces suited to peeling. Advantageously, water based color pigments mix well with the blend, forming a homogenous peelable color coating upon drying.

Polymer P 1

[044] Polymer P 1 is a copolymer of vinyl acetate and an acrylic monomer, and may also incorporate monomer units from further monomers, e.g. other acrylic monomers. The term "copolymer" therefore refers to polymers having 2 or more different types of monomer unit, e.g. 2, 3, 4 or 5 different types, i.e. it encompasses terpolymers etc. [045] The acrylic monomer (or each independently) may be an acrylic ester, e.g. a methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl ester, hexyl or 2-ethylhexl. Each of these may be optionally substituted, e.g. with hydroxyl. Therefore for example the acrylic monomer may be hydroxyethyl acrylate. The term "acrylic" is also intended to encompass methacrylic monomers, e.g. methacrylate esters, the ester groups being as described above. Alternatively, or additionally, the acrylic monomer(s) may be acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, acrylamide, methacrylamide (the amides being optionally N-substituted or Ν,Ν-disubstituted, e.g. with the substituents listed above) or other acrylic or methacrylic monomers. The copolymers may be random copolymers, alternating copolymers, block copolymers or some other form of copolymer.

[046] Polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer is compatible with any aqueous vehicle or carrier used to form the emulsion, with water being a suitable aqueous vehicle. Polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer may be synthesized in various ways, such as by the copolymerization of an alkyl acrylate, such as ethyl, 2- ethylhexyl or butyl acrylate, with a vinyl acetate monomer in the emulsion phase. Other possible acrylic monomers include methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl methacrylate, hydroxyethyl acrylate, hydroxylethyl methacrylate. A suitable monomer combination is for example about 75%-94% by weight of vinyl acetate monomer units, about 5% to 20% by weight of acrylate ester monomer units, and about 1% to 5% by weight of acrylic acid monomer units. The resulting copolymer may be dispersed in water to form a dispersion, e.g. a stable emulsion, of small polymer particles in water. Such emulsions may also be commercially available from manufacturers such as Dow Chemical Company under the trade names POLYCO™ Emulsions or ROVACE™ Emulsions. The dispersions may be stabilised by one or more surfactants.

[047] In order to achieve a peelable coating, a polymer layer preferably has a peel strength of less than 10 N/inch (about 400N/m), or in some examples less than 5 N/inch (about 200N/m). It may be less than 2 N/inch (about 80N/m) so that the peel strength of the coating to the surface is sufficiently low, and the act of peeling the coating can be carried out by hand manually. In other embodiments where the adhesion bond strength of the coating to the surface is high, peeling may be carried out with the aid of tools, or by incorporating peel tabs at various parts of the coating. Referring to various technical literature, various 3M Scotch Weld® polyurethane reactive adhesives or structural adhesives exhibit peel strengths commonly above 250 - 300 N/25mm by comparison. The exact monomer composition of the polyvinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer may be determined by the adhesive properties required in the end- user application. Polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer emulsions with high acrylate content (above 50%) may be preferable for high adhesion applications. For lower adhesion properties, lower acrylate amounts may be preferable. In a suitable embodiment, the vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer comprises 75%-94% by weight of vinyl acetate monomers, 5% to 20% by weight of acrylate monomers, and 1% to 5% by weight of acrylic acid. Such a copolymer was found to have flexible film properties such as greater than 500% elongation and very low peel strength such as less than 2 N/inch (80N/m), or in some instances, less than 1 N/inch (40N/m). [048] The peelable coating of the present disclosure may have an elongation at break of at least about 300% as measured by ASTM D882, or at least about 350, 400, 450 or 500, or between about 300 and about 1000%, or between about 300 and 800, 300 and 500, 400 and 1000, 600 and 1000 or 400 and 600%, e.g. about 300, 350, 400, 450, 500, 550, 600, 650, 700, 750, 800, 850, 900, 950 or 1000%.

[049] Other possible compositional embodiments include (a) 60-74% by weight of vinyl acetate monomers, 20 to 30% by weight of acrylate monomers, and 6% to 10% by weight of acrylic acid; and (b) 50-60% by weight of vinyl acetate monomers, 30 to 45% by weight of acrylate monomers, and 5% to 10% by weight of acrylic acid. In a further embodiment, a mixture of a first polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer and a second polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer, i.e. two different polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymers, may be used.

Polymer P2

[050] Polymer P2 is a water dispersible polymer having higher tensile modulus than polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer. Tensile modulus refers to the ratio of stress to elastic strain in tension. A high tensile modulus means that the material is rigid, i.e. more stress is required to produce a given amount of strain. On its own, polyvinyl acetate-acrylic polymers have a low adhesion to surfaces, ranging from 0.15 N/inch (about 6 N/m) to 0.52 N/inch (about 20.5 N/m), and generally low tensile modulus in the range several tens MPa to less than 200 MPa for any given molecular weight, and hence do not have adequate tensile strength to be peeled off in a substantially single piece. On the other hand, polyurethane or acrylic polymers on their own formed coatings with peel strength larger than 2 N/inch (about 80 N/m), which were therefore not conducive to peeling. By blending higher tensile modulus polymers with polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymers, a polymer mixture with low adhesion, yet greater tensile strength, may be achieved, enabling peeling in a single piece. For example, an elongation at break value of at least 400% would provide satisfactory peelability performance. Percent elongation at break of a material refers to its strain at fracture, expressed as a percentage of its initial length. It is an indicator of a material's flexibility in terms of how it will deform and strain when weight or force is applied, and may be expressed in terms of percent elongation at break as referenced throughout this application. By definition, flexible materials have a high percent elongation at break, and suffer materials have a low percent elongation at break. Examples of water dispersible polymers having a higher tensile modulus value than polyvinyl acetate- acrylic copolymer include high tensile modulus polymers such as polyesters, polyimides, polyurethanes, or if lower tensile modulus polymer P2 is desired, ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers.

[051] In one embodiment, polymer P2 may be an elastomer, which by definition is a polymer with viscoelasticity properties (i.e. having both viscosity and elasticity. In accordance with the present disclosure, elastomers having higher tensile modulus than the polymer PI polyvinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer may be blended together to form the carrier. This enables the carrier to achieve properties of stretchability, and sufficiently high tensile strength to facilitate peeling off in a single piece without breaking up. The tensile modulus of polymer P2 may be about 1 to about lOMPa. This may be its elastic modulus, or its modulus at 100% elongation. This tensile modulus may be about 1 to 5, 1 to 2, 2 to 10, 5 to 10 or 2 to 5MPa, e.g. about 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or lOMPa. A suitable method for measuring modulus is ASTM D882.

[052] In one embodiment, the polymer P2 comprises a polyurethane. The polyurethane may be selected from soft or elastomeric thermoplastic polyurethanes having soft segment domains having polyol and/or polyether and/or polyester linkages, blended with the major component of polyurethane with hard segment domains having urethane linkages. The resulting carrier was found to have a level of adhesion ranging from 0.48 N/inch to 0.88 N/inch (about 19-35N/m) on a wall surface, which was suited to peeling on various surfaces. In another embodiment, the polymer P2 comprises a polyurethane acrylate. The resulting carrier was found to have a level of adhesion ranging from 0.31 N/inch - 0.62 N/inch (about 19- 25N/m). In another embodiment, polymer P2 comprises polyethylene-vinyl acetate.

[053] In a further embodiment, the elastomer comprises a fluoropolymer. Fluoropolymers, such as acrylic PVDF or fluoroacrylate, have a high degree of chemical inertness, ultralow surface tension, thermal stability, low flammability and low refractive index (He et al., Journal of Fluorine Chemistry, Volume 129, Issue 7, July 2008, Pages 590-597) and can be used in specialized applications, e.g. water repellency.

[054] The vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer component PI may have a glass transition temperature of 20°C or less, while the elastomer component may have a glass transition temperature (Tg) of between 20°C and 50°C. Polymer PI may have a Tg of less than about 50, 10, 5 or 0°C, e.g. about -10, -5, 0, 5, 10, 15 or 20°C. Polymer P2 may have a Tg from about 20 to 40, 20 to 30, 30 to 50, 40 to 50 or 30 to 40°C, e.g. about 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45 or 50°C. A suitable method for measuring Tg is ASTM E1356-08. It may use differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

[055] Two examples of the peelable color coating system according to the present disclosure are shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In Fig. 1, coated article 100 comprises an article 110 on which surface there is applied a peelable color coating 112. Peelable color coating 112 is a blend of a color pigment with the stretchable carrier resin, which comprises polyvinyl acetate-acrylic PI and a minor portion of a polymer P2 with higher tensile modulus than polyvinyl acetate-acrylic, as defined according to the present disclosure.

[056] In Fig. 2, coated article 102 comprises an article to be coated 110 on which surface there is applied peelable color coating 118 comprising a stretchable carrier 114 directly adherent to the surface of the article 110, and a color pigment layer 116 applied onto the stretchable carrier 114. The color pigment layer can be any water-based conventional paint.

[057] Fig. 3 shows photographs in which the peelable color coatings of the present disclosure is applied onto walls and peeled.

[058] Mixtures of 2 or 3 different polyvinyl acetate acrylic copolymers with an acrylic acid monomer content resulting in differing film hardness characteristics, may be used to obtain coatings of varying degrees of film hardness. For example, the Konig pendulum film hardness of a first copolymer and a second copolymer are, respectively, 60 to 70 seconds and 20 to 30 seconds as measured by ASTM D4366-95.

[059] Co-solvents, also known as coalescing agents, may be used to bring the polymers PI and P2 components into a common phase when preparing a blend of the coating mixture, and it also coalesces the particles of the polymer to form a film without crack formation during drying. Coalescing agents may be used in aqueous polymer dispersions for optimizing the film formation process of the polymeric binder particles by reducing the MFFT of the dispersions. The film formation process in polymer dispersions involves the coalescence of the polymeric particles, during and after the evaporation of the water, thereby permitting contact and fusion of adjacent polymer dispersion particles. Coalescing agents typically reduce the minimum film formation temperature (MFFT) and as a consequence may serve to improve film formation by avoiding crack formation on the film surface. Suitable coalescing agents include partially or moderately hydrophobic organic solvents and are less volatile (i.e. have a slower evaporation rate) than water. Examples of suitable coalescing agents include butoxydiglycol, butyl glycol, glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, alkylene glycol ethers such as ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monohexyl ether, ethylene glycol monoethyl ether, ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, ethylene glycol monoisobutyl ether, diethylene glycol monoisobutyl ether, propylene glycol monoisobutyl ether, ethylene glycol monophenyl ether, propylene glycol monophenyl ether, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, and mixtures of any two or more thereof.

[060] In one embodiment, the peelable color coating may further comprise a polymer P3 for modifying one or more physical properties of the coating which a mixture of polymer PI and P2 alone may not be able to achieve. For rapid film forming and a continuous coating without cracks as explained in the foregoing paragraph, a low MFFT is desirable. Addition of compatible soft polymers having an MFFT of less than about 0°C, such as soft polyvinyl acetate copolymers, may help to lower the MFFT of the final peelable color coating.

[061] The peelable color coating may be formed as a single layer adhering directly to the surface to be coated, with no intermediate surface release agent required to facilitate peeling. The single layer coating may be formed through the application of one coat, or through the application of multiple coats. One coat may be suitable for forming a thin layer, whereas multiple coats of 2, 3, 4, or more coats successively may be suitable for forming a thick layer. In this regard, the coating thickness may range from a thin layer of 100 microns, or 10 microns, or less, to a thick layer of 1000 microns, or 10000 microns, or more. Typically a paint coat as described herein may be between 0.1 mm to 0.2 mm thick. In some embodiments for wall coatings, the typical thickness of a coating is in the range of several hundred microns or generally more than 200 microns.

[062] In one embodiment, the coating is formed from a plasticizer-free coating formulation. By being plasticizer-free, it is meant that the coating is at least substantially, or totally, free of conventional plasticizers used to increase the plasticity or fluidity of the coating composition. In polyurethane coatings, phthalate -based plasticizers such as di-isooctyl phthalate (DIOP) or other phthalate esters have been commonly used plasticizers. The absence of such compounds renders the coating composition plasticizer free. Phthalate-free formulations are desirable because of the documented harmful effects of phthalates on the human body. The presence of minute or trace quantities of such plasticizers, such as a content of less than 0.1% by weight, or commonly less than 0.01% by weight, may inadvertently be present and may be considered essentially plasticizer free. Thus the coating may be phthalate-free.

[063] Generally speaking, the following illustrative compositional ranges may be used: the coating may comprise 55% to 80% by weight of polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer and 20% to 45% by weight of polymer P2 (dry solid content). In an exemplary embodiment, polymer P2 comprises polyurethane present in an amount such that the weight ratio of polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer to polyurethane in the coating is between 2: 1 and 3 : 1. In another exemplary embodiment, the weight ratio of polyvinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer to polyurethane acrylate in the coating is between 2: 1 and 4: 1.

[064] Coloring agents usable for the peelable coating comprises any variety of water soluble paints, pigments and dyes. Usable organic pigments include azo dyes (monoazo, diazo, azo condensation, azo salt, azo metal comlex, and benzimi-dazolone) and polycyclic pigments (phthalocyanide, anthraquinone, quinacridone, dioazine, perylene, and thioindigo). Usable inorganic pigments include carbon black, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, yellow or red iron oxides, zinc chromates, azurite, chromium oxides, cadmium sulphides, lithopone, raw and burnt sienna or umber, phthalocyanine green, phthalonitrile blue, ultramarine blue. Also possible is the use of matting agents such as silicas and of fillers such as calcium carbonate and/or talcum. Optionally, effect pigments such as aluminium or pearlescent flakes or dichroic pigments may be used, either alone or in combination with one or more other pigments.

[065] Where polymer P2 is partially immiscible with polyvinyl acetate -acrylic copolymers, polar or partially polar organic co-solvents may be added to improve miscibility between the polymers present. Rheology modifiers may be added to control the viscosity of the composition. A suitable rheology modifier should preferably impart both functions of building up the viscosity of the coating composition and improving its anti-sagging properties. For applications on non-horizontal surfaces, anti-sagging is an important property. Examples of base additives that may be added include defoamers, leveling agents, and organic wax emulsions. To provide the coatings with additional functionalities, additives such as biocides, pigments, fillers, colorants, dyes, anti-cratering agents and anti-sagging agents may also be added to the coating.

[066] The peelable color coating of the present disclosure may be made by combining a water dispersible coloring composition and a coating composition, applying the resulting color coating composition to a surface and allowing said composition to dry on said surface so as to produce the peelable color coating. Alternatively, the coating composition may be applied to the surface and allowed to dry so as to form a stretchable carrier on said surface, and the water dispersible coloring composition may then be applied to the stretchable carrier to form the peelable color coating. The water dispersible coloring composition may be a dispersed in an aqueous medium when used in the above processes. It will be understood that in general the order of addition of components when making the coloring composition is not critical, and any convenient order of addition may be used. The stretchable carrier or the peelable color coating may be directly adherent on a surface of an article to be coated without an intervening layer of release agent. The carrier composition comprises a polymer P I selected from a vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer, polymer PI being present as a major component in the stretchable carrier, and a polymer P2 selected from a polymer having an tensile modulus value that is higher than the polymer P 1. Where the coloring composition is to be applied to the surface of the stretchable carrier, the method may comprise the steps of: mixing an aqueous emulsion of vinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer with an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising polymer P2, to form a polymer precursor mixture; mixing the polymer precursor mixture with one or more additives selected from the group consisting of anti-foaming agent, levelling agent, rheology modifier, and coalescing agent to form a coating composition; applying the coating composition over the surface to be coated; drying the coating composition at under ambient conditions to form the stretchable carrier; applying a coloring composition over the surface of the stretchable carrier; and drying the coloring composition under ambient conditions. Where the coloring composition is to be mixed into the composition for forming the stretchable carrier, the method comprises the steps of: mixing an aqueous emulsion of vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer with an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising polymer P2, to form a polymer precursor mixture; mixing a coloring composition to the polymer precursor mixture; mixing one or more additives selected from the group consisting of anti-foaming agent, levelling agent, rheology modifier, and coalescing agent to the polymer precursor mixture to form a coating composition; applying the coating composition over the surface to be coated; and drying the coating composition under ambient conditions. A kit comprising an aqueous emulsion of polymer PI, an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising polymer P2, and a coloring composition may be used to carry out the above method steps.

[067] The synthesis of the peelable color coatings of the present disclosure may use each of polymers PI and P2 in the form of an aqueous polymer dispersion or emulsion. The term 'dispersion' in this context conforms to the definition in the IUPAC Compendium of Chemical Terminology (2007), which defines a dispersion to be a material comprising more than one phase, where at least one of the phases consists of finely divided phase domains, often in the colloidal size range, distributed throughout a continuous phase domain. Commercially available dispersions for polyesters, polyurethane, polyurethane- acrylates (PUA), polyacrylates, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, acrylate modified polyolefins may be identified by various trade names, such as BASF (e.g. Acronal® aqueous polyacrylate dispersions) or Bayer (e.g. Bayhaydrol A® aqueous polyacrylate dispersions) or DSM (e.g. NeoCryl® acrylic copolymer dispersions or NeoPac® polyurethane-acrylate dipsersions) or Bayer (e.g. Bayhdrol® E aqueous polyester dispersions) or Achema (e.g. PVAD® polyvinyl acetate dispersions) or Nuplex (e.g. Acropol ® polyvinyl acetate copolymer dispersions). [068] To produce the removable coating binder with paintable function, firstly, one or two different polyvinyl acetate and/or vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer and/or polyurethane or polyurethane-acrylate dispersions were mixed for 5 minute using a slow stirring speed at room temperature. Then, some additives such as defoamers, leveling agents and thickeners (rheology modifier) were incorporated into the polymer mixture using slow agitation for 20 minutes. For preparation of removable paint, additional step is required such as inorganic pigments and/or organic dyes and dispersants for pigment particle dispersion in water based medium, using slow agitation for 10 minutes. Lastly, a small amount of coalescing agent was added slowly into the mixture while stirring at 300 rpm for 20 minutes. Examples of coalescing agents include butoxydiglycol, butyl glycol, glycol ethyl ether, diethylene glycol ethyl ether, dipropylene glycol n-butylether trimethylpentanediol monoisobutyrate, and trimethylpentanediol diisobutyrate. If not required, coalescing agents do not need to be added. After preparation of coating binder, it was placed at room temperature for 24 hours to allow the viscosity to increase, as the thickeners stabilize in the formulation.

[069] In some embodiments, between 0.05 to 1 litre of coating composition is applied per square metre of surface to be coated, depending on the thickness of the coating to be applied. The volume of coating composition may be applied over a single coat, or over several consecutive coats. Curing the coat is necessary to allow volatile solvents to vaporize, thereby enabling the polymers present in the composition to phase change into a hardened state. In some embodiments, the glass transition temperature ('T _g ') of the polymer blend in the coating composition is above or well above room temperature. Drying of the coating at standard ambient temperature and pressure (IUPAC) may be carried out for 1 to 2 hours.

EXAMPLES

Example 1: Vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer peelable coating with top coat of paint applied

[070] Synthesis. 691.0 g of A first vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol® 63-990, Nuplex Industries Ltd.) and 296.0 g of second vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol® 63- 893, Nuplex Industries Ltd.) were mixed by 5 minute-mild stirring at room temperature. Secondly, 2.0 g of defoamer (Advantage™ AV 1424, Ashland Inc.), 1.0 g of leveling agent (Modarez™ MFP L, Synthron), and 5.0 g of wax emulsion (Poligen™ WE 1, BASF) were added into the mixture of polymer dispersions with stirring at 300rpm for 10 minutes. Lastly, 5.0 g of a nonionic associative thickener (Aquaflow™ XLS-530, Ashland Inc.), was incorporated into the mixture with the mild agitation. The agitation speed was 200 to 300 rpm for 30 minutes until a homogeneous coating composition was obtained.

[071] The peelable coating composition was applied on a substrate and left to dry. Normal wall paint was applied as top coat on the dried peelable coating. Two paints used are Dulux Wash & Wear

ChromaMax™ (White or Red) by Dulux Industries Ltd. Example 2: Vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer peelable coating with coalescing agent with top coat of paint applied

[072] Synthesis. 684.0 g of a first vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol 63-990, Nuplex Industries Ltd) and 293.0 g of second vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol 63-893, Nuplex Industries Ltd) were mixed by 5 minute-mild stirring at room temperature. Secondly, 2.0 g of defoamer (Advantage™ AV 1424, Ashland Inc.), 1.0 g of leveling agent (Modarez™ MFP L, Synthron), and 5.0 g of wax emulsion (AQUATIX™ 8421, BYK) were added into the mixture of polymer dispersions with stirring at 300rpm for 10 minutes. 10.0 g of diethylene glycol ethyl ether coalescing agent

(CARBITOL™, Dow Chemical) was added slowly into the mixture of dispersions with stirring at 300rpm for 20 minutes. Lastly, a 5.0 g of thickener (Aquaflow™ XLS-530, Ashland Inc.) a nonionic associative thickener was incorporated into the mixture with the mild agitation. The agitation speed was 200 to 300 rpm for 30 minutes until a homogeneous coating composition was obtained.

[073] The peelable coating composition was applied on a substrate and left to dry. Normal wall paint was applied as top coat on the dried peelable coating. Two paints used are Dulux Wash & Wear

ChromaMax™ (White or Red) by Dulux Industries Ltd.

Example 3: Vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer - polyurethane peelable coating with top coat of paint applied

[074] Synthesis. 691.0 g of Vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol 63-990, Nuplex Industries Ltd) and 296.0 g of polyurethane dispersion (Bayhydrol UH 2593/1, Bayer Material Science) were mixed by mild stirring at room temperature for 5 minutes. Secondly, 2.0 g of defoamer

(Advantage™ AV 1424, Ashland Inc.), 1.0 g of leveling agent (Modarez™ MFP L, Synthron), and 5.0 g of wax emulsion (Poligen™ WE 1, BASF) were added into the mixture of polymer dispersions with stirring at 300rpm for 10 minutes. Lastly, 5.0 g of a nonionic associative thickener (Aquaflow™ XLS- 530, Ashland Inc.), was incorporated into the mixture with the mild agitation. The agitation speed was 200 to 300 rpm for 30 minutes until a homogeneous coating composition was obtained.

[075] Alternative polyurethane dispersions that may be used include NeoRez R-2180, DSM

NeoResins, NeoRez R-2190, DSM NeoResins and Bayhydrol UH 240, Bayer Material Science.

[076] The peelable coating composition was applied on a substrate and left to dry. Normal wall paint was applied as top coat on the dried peelable coating. Two paints used are Dulux Wash & Wear

ChromaMax™ (White or Red) by Dulux Industries Ltd.

Example 4: Vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer-polycrylate peelable coating with top coat of paint applied

[077] Synthesis. For the preparation of vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer-polycrylate dispersion, 691.0 g of vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol 63-990, Nuplex Industries Ltd) and 296.0 g of polyacrylate dispersion ( Bayhydrol A2651, Bayer Material Science) were mixed by 5 minute-mild stirring at room temperature. Secondly, 2.0 g of defoamer (Advantage™ AV 1424, Ashland Inc.), 1.0 g of leveling agent (Modarez™ MFP L, Synthron), and 5.0 g of wax emulsion (Poligen™ WE 1, BASF) were added into the mixture of polymer dispersions with stirring at 300rpm for 10 minutes. Lastly, 5.0 g of a nonionic associative thickener (Aquafiow™ XLS-530, Ashland Inc.), was incorporated into the mixture with the mild agitation. The agitation speed was 200 to 300 rpm for 30 minutes until a homogeneous coating composition was obtained.

[078] The peelable coating composition was applied on a substrate and left to dry. Normal wall paint was applied as top coat on the dried peelable coating. Two paints used are Dulux Wash & Wear

ChromaMax™ (White or Red) by Dulux Industries Ltd.

Example 5: Vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer-polyurethane acrylate peelable coating with top coat of paint applied

[079] Synthesis. For the preparation of vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer-poly cry late dispersion, 691.0 g of vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol 63-990, Nuplex Industries Ltd) and 296.0 g of polyurethane-acrylate dispersion (NeoPac E-122, DSM NeoResins) were mixed by 5 minute-mild stirring at room temperature. Secondly, 2.0 g of defoamer (Advantage™ AV 1424, Ashland Inc.), 1.0 g of leveling agent (Modarez™ MFP L, Synthron), and 5.0 g of wax emulsion (Poligen™ WE 1, BASF) were added into the mixture of polymer dispersions with stirring at 300rpm for 10 minutes. Lastly, 5.0 g of a nonionic associative thickener (Aquafiow™ XLS-530, Ashland Inc.), was incorporated into the mixture with the mild agitation. The agitation speed was 200 to 300 rpm for 30 minutes until a homogeneous coating composition was obtained.

[080] The peelable coating composition was applied on a substrate and left to dry. Normal wall paint was applied as top coat on the dried peelable coating. Two paints used are Dulux Wash & Wear

ChromaMax™ (White or Red) by Dulux Industries Ltd.

Example 6: Vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer-acrylic fluoro copolymer peelable coating with top coat of paint applied

[081] Synthesis. 691.0 g of Vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol 63-990, Nuplex Industries Ltd) and 296.0 g of acrylic fluoro copolymer (NeoCryl AF-10, NeoResins) were mixed by 5 minute-mild stirring at room temperature. Secondly, 2.0 g of defoamer (Advantage™ AV 1424, Ashland Inc.), 1.0 g of leveling agent (Modarez™ MFP L, Synthron), and 5.0 g of wax emulsion (Poligen™ WE 1, BASF) were added into the mixture of polymer dispersions with stirring at 300rpm for 10 minutes. Lastly, 5.0 g of a nonionic associative thickener (Aquafiow™ XLS-530, Ashland Inc.), was incorporated into the mixture with the mild agitation. The agitation speed was 200 to 300 rpm for 30 minutes until a homogeneous coating composition was obtained. [082] The peelable coating composition was applied on a substrate and left to dry. Normal wall paint was applied as top coat on a the dried peelable coating. Two paints used are Dulux Wash & Wear ChromaMax™ (White or Red) by Dulux Industries Ltd.

Example 7: Vinyl acetate acrylic copolymers peelable coating with color pigments mixed into the coating

[083] Synthesis. 656.0 g of A first vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol 63-990, Nuplex Industries Ltd) and 281.0 g of second vinyl acetate acrylic copolymer dispersion (Acropol 63-893, Nuplex Industries Ltd) were mixed by 5 minute-mild stirring at room temperature. , 2.0 g of defoamer (Advantage™ AV 1424, Ashland Inc.), 1.0 g of leveling agent (Modarez™ MFP L, Synthron), and 5.0 g of wax emulsion (Poligen™ WE 1, BASF) were added into the mixture of polymer dispersions with stirring at 300rpm for 10 minutes. And then, 50.0 g of red or white color pigments (Dulux Wash & Wear ChromaMax™, Dulux Industries Ltd) was incorporated slowly into the mixture with stirring at 300rpm for 20 minutes. Lastly, 5.0 g of a nonionic associative thickener (Aquaflow™ XLS-530, Ashland Inc.), was incorporated into the mixture with the mild agitation. The agitation speed was 200 to 300 rpm for 30 minutes until a homogeneous coating composition was obtained. The peelable color coating composition was applied on a test surface and left to dry.

TESTS AND OBSERVATIONS

[084] Peel strength of peelable color coating on various substrates : To evaluate the

removable/peelable properties of the peelable color coating on various surfaces, the peel strength test was conducted (ASTM D6862). The tested substrates were painted wall, painted metal, uncoated metal, and glass. This test was based on 90 degree peel strength test with Instron machine. The removable paints were coated on the test substrates. After drying at room temperature for 3 days, the 90 degree peel test was conducted. The following test condition were used; head cell weight (5Kg), cell capacity (100N), head speed (300mm/min), and 3 measurements were made for each specimen. Tables 1 to 4 shows the peel strength of removable paints on various substrates.

[085] The results of the comparative peelability test in which the coating is applied onto various test substrates in accordance with the above synthesis Examples is shown in Fig. 4 to 7. Throughout Fig. 4 to 7, comparative examples have been carried out as follows: in Comparative 1, acrylic coatings are first applied onto the test substrates, then white water-based wall paint (Dulux Wash & Wear ChromaMax™ pigment White) is applied onto the dried acrylic coating; in Comparative 2, acrylic coatings are first applied onto the test substrates, then red water-based wall paint (Dulux Wash & Wear ChromaMax™ pigment Red) is applied onto the dried acrylic coating; in Comparative 3, polyurethane coatings are first applied onto the test substrates, then water-based wall paint (Dulux Wash & Wear ChromaMax™ pigment, White or Red) is applied onto the polyurethane coating. [086] Examples 1 to 8 are various peelable color coatings as synthesized according to the Examples above. The results of the comparative peelability test in which peelable color coatings of the disclosure are applied onto a white vinyl painted wall substrate are shown in Fig. 4. The results of the comparative peelability test in which the peelable color coatings of the disclosure are applied onto a glossy acrylic painted stainless steel substrate are shown in Fig. 5. The results of the comparative peelability test in which the peelable color coatings of the disclosure are applied onto uncoated stainless steel substrate is shown in Fig. 6. The results of the comparative peelability test in which the peelable color coatings of the disclosure are applied onto a glass substrate is shown in Fig. 7.

[087] The results from the peel strength test show that all peelable color coatings showed low peel strength properties (< 5 N/inch/200N/m), which allows the coating film to be peeled off the substrate easily without damaging the substrate, namely, painted wall, painted metal, uncoated metal, and glass. Additionally, there was no change of peel strength properties between clear removable base coat and pigmented removable paint coat. This means that regardless of the one coat or two layer coating system, the coatings can maintain the consistent peel strength (easy peelability) on the substrates.

[088] Paintability of peelable color coating on various substrates : To evaluate the 'paintability' of the peelable color coating, a painting test was conducted by using a paint brush on the clear removable base coat using two commercially available paints (Dulux Wash & Wear ChromaMax™ pigment, White or Red). Fig. 8 shows the results of the 'paintability' of the clear removable base coat. The paintability of a surface is based on the wetting and shielding properties of liquid paints on the film coat and this was accessed by using an optical microscope to observe the paint surface after drying on the clear removable base coat. Most of these formulations show good paintability and paint wettability on the removable clear base coat except for one composition that includes fluorinated acrylic polymer binder. The reason for this is thought to be the low surface tension of the dried coating film.

[089] Coatings described herein are suitable for use on any surface where protection, cleanliness, gloss, scuff resistance, and/or slip resistance is desirable. Such surfaces include floors, food preparation surfaces, walls, stalls, counters, bathroom fixtures, etc. The surfaces to be finished may be made from a large variety of materials including, but not limited to, acrylic tiles, ceramic tiles, marble, stone, metal and wooden laminate, terrazzo, ceramic, linoleum, plastics, rubber, concrete, vinyl composition tiles ("VCT") and glass.

[090] Although the present disclosure has been described with particular reference to preferred embodiments illustrated herein, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications thereof can be effected and will fall within the scope of this disclosure as defined by the claims thereto now set forth herein below.

[091] Aspects of the disclosure are described below.

[092] A peelable color coating, comprising a water dispersible coloring composition blended into or applied onto a stretchable carrier, said stretchable carrier directly adherent on a surface of an article to be coated without there being an intervening layer of release agent, the stretchable carrier comprising: a water dispersible polymer PI selected from a vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer, polymer PI being present as a major component of the stretchable carrier, and a water dispersible polymer P2 selected from a polymer having a tensile modulus higher than the polymer PI .

[093] The peelable color coating of aspect 1, wherein the polymer PI comprises 75%-94% by weight of vinyl acetate monomers, 5% to 20% by weight of acrylate monomers, and 1% to 5% by weight of acrylic acid.

[094] The peelable color coating of aspect 1, wherein polymer P I has a glass transition temperature of 20°C or less.

[095] The peelable color coating of any of aspects 1 to 3, wherein polymer P2 comprises an elastomer.

[096] The peelable color coating of aspect 4, wherein polymer P2 has an tensile modulus of between 1 to 5 MPa at 100% elongation.

[097] The peelable color coating of aspect 4, wherein polymer P2 comprises a fluoroelastomer.

[098] The peelable color coating of aspect 1, wherein the polymer P2 has a glass transition temperature of between 20°C and 50°C.

[099] The peelable color coating of aspect 1, wherein polymer P2 is selected from polyurethane, poly acrylate and polyurethane acrylate.

[0100] The peelable color coating of aspect 1, wherein polymer P2 comprises polyethylene-vinyl acetate.

[0101] The peelable color coating of aspect 1, wherein polymer P2 comprises a vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer having higher film hardness than polymer P 1.

[0102] The peelable color coating of aspect 1, wherein the coating is detachable from the surface by a peeling force of less than 2 N/inch (80N/m).

[0103] The coating system of aspect 1, wherein the stretchable carrier has an elongation at break value of 400%) or more.

[0104] The color coating system of aspect 1, wherein the stretchable carrier further comprises a polymer P3 for modifying one or more physical properties of the stretchable carrier.

[0105] The color coating system of aspect 1, wherein polymer P3 is selected from a polymer having minimum film formation temperature of less than 0°C.

[0106] A method of forming a peelable color coating comprising a water dispersible coloring composition blended into or applied onto a stretchable carrier, said stretchable carrier directly adherent to a surface of an article to be coated without there being an intervening layer of release agent, the stretchable carrier comprising a polymer PI selected from a vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer, polymer PI being present as a major component in the stretchable carrier, and a polymer P2 selected from a polymer having a tensile modulus higher than the polymer PI, the method comprising the steps of: mixing an aqueous emulsion of vinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer with an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising polymer P2, to form a polymer precursor mixture, mixing the polymer precursor mixture with one or more additives selected from the group consisting of anti-foaming agent, levelling agent, rheology modifier, and coalescing agent to form a coating composition, applying the coating composition over the surface to be coated, drying the coating composition under ambient conditions to form the stretchable carrier, applying a coloring composition over the surface of the stretchable carrier, and drying the coloring composition under ambient conditions.

[0107] A method of forming a peelable color coating comprising a water dispersible coloring composition blended into or applied onto a stretchable carrier, the stretchable carrier being directly adherent on a surface of an article to be coated without an intervening layer of release agent, the stretchable carrier comprising a polymer PI selected from a vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer, polymer PI being present as a major component in the stretchable carrier, and a polymer P2 selected from a polymer having a tensile modulus higher than the polymer PI, the method comprising the steps of: mixing an aqueous emulsion of vinyl acetate -acrylic copolymer with an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising polymer P2, to form a polymer precursor mixture, mixing a coloring composition to the polymer precursor mixture, mixing one or more additives selected from the group consisting of anti-foaming agent, levelling agent, rheology modifier, and coalescing agent to the polymer precursor mixture to form a coating composition, applying the coating composition over the surface to be coated, and drying the coating composition under ambient conditions.

[0108] A kit for forming a peelable color coating, comprising a water dispersible coloring pigment blended into or applied onto a stretchable carrier, said stretchable carrier directly adherent to a surface of an article to be coated without there being an intervening layer of release agent, the stretchable carrier comprising: a polymer PI selected from a vinyl acetate-acrylic copolymer being present as a major component in the stretchable carrier, and a polymer P2 selected from a polymer having an tensile modulus higher than polymer P I, the kit comprising: an aqueous emulsion of polymer P I, an aqueous polymer dispersion comprising polymer P2, and a coloring composition.

[0109] The recitation of all numerical ranges by endpoint is meant to include all numbers subsumed within the range (i. e., the range 1 to 10 includes, for example, 1, 1.5, 3.33, and 10).

[01 10] The terms first, second, third and the like in the description and in the claims, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein.

[01 1 1] Moreover, the terms top, bottom, over, under and the like in the description and the claims are used for descriptive purposes and not necessarily for describing relative positions. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments of the invention described herein are capable of operation in other orientations than described or illustrated herein. [01 12] In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.

[01 13] In this document, the terms "a" or "an" are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of "at least one" or "one or more." In this document, the term "or" is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that "A or B" includes "A but not B," "B but not A," and "A and B," unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms "including" and "in which" are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms "comprising" and "wherein." Also, in the following claims, the terms "including" and "comprising" are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[01 14] The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention can be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

[01 15] Those having skill in the art will appreciate that many changes may be made to the details of the above-described embodiments and implementations without departing from the underlying principles thereof. Further, various modifications and alterations of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the present application should, therefore, be determined only by the following claims and equivalents thereof.