EP2539083B1 - Dispositif de nettoyage - Google Patents

Dispositif de nettoyage Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2539083B1
EP2539083B1 EP11708071.3A EP11708071A EP2539083B1 EP 2539083 B1 EP2539083 B1 EP 2539083B1 EP 11708071 A EP11708071 A EP 11708071A EP 2539083 B1 EP2539083 B1 EP 2539083B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
delivery
precursor
gum
precursors
outlet
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EP11708071.3A
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German (de)
English (en)
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EP2539083A1 (fr
Inventor
Kenneth Seddon
Manuela Gilea
Martyn Earle
Alan Mills
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Expelliere Int Ltd
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Expelliere Int Ltd
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B3/00—Cleaning by methods involving the use or presence of liquid or steam
    • B08B3/04—Cleaning involving contact with liquid
    • B08B3/08—Cleaning involving contact with liquid the liquid having chemical or dissolving effect
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E01—CONSTRUCTION OF ROADS, RAILWAYS, OR BRIDGES
    • E01H—STREET CLEANING; CLEANING OF PERMANENT WAYS; CLEANING BEACHES; DISPERSING OR PREVENTING FOG IN GENERAL CLEANING STREET OR RAILWAY FURNITURE OR TUNNEL WALLS
    • E01H1/00—Removing undesirable matter from roads or like surfaces, with or without moistening of the surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B08—CLEANING
    • B08B—CLEANING IN GENERAL; PREVENTION OF FOULING IN GENERAL
    • B08B2220/00—Type of materials or objects being removed
    • B08B2220/02—Chewing gum

Definitions

  • This invention relates to cleaning apparatus adapted for the application of cleaning compositions to a substrate and for the mixing of two or more precursors of a cleaning composition to provide a composition adapted for the removal of cellulose based gums adhered to a substrate, for example for the removal of chewing gum residues from pavements.
  • Conventional chewing gum compositions are a complex mixture of ingredients which comprise a water-soluble portion, which typically comprises sweeteners, flavourings, food colourings and fillers, and a water-insoluble portion, referred to as "gum base", which typically comprises elastomers (which provide the chewy, cohesive texture of the gum), plasticizers, softeners and waxes, together with auxiliaries such as emulsifiers and antioxidants.
  • the gum base provides the textural and masticatory properties of chewing gum. It is the insoluble gum base which remains after the gum has been chewed, and thus it is this part of the gum which is responsible for the occurrence of unsightly deposits on pavements.
  • bubble gums generally contain lower amounts of gum base, e.g. 15 to 20% by weight, whereas normal chewing gums typically contain 25 to 33% by weight of gum base, although they may contain as much as 60% by weight of gum base.
  • chewing gum including bubble gum
  • present invention is considered to include chewing gums containing between 10 and 75% by weight of gum base.
  • gum base has been derived from natural gums such as chicle.
  • Chicle is a gum derived from the sap of the Sapodilla tree, and is a natural polysaccharide elastomer of xylose in a (1 ⁇ 4)- ⁇ -D-xylopyranose conformation substituted with D-glucoronic acid and L-arabinose.
  • synthetic elastomers used in chewing gum compositions are polyisoprene ( 1 ), polybutadiene ( 2 ), styrene-butadiene copolymers ( 3 ), polyisobutylene ( 4 ), polyvinylacetate ( 5 ), polyethylene ( 6 ), as well as isobutylene-isoprene copolymer, vinyl acetate-vinyl laurate copolymer, crosslinked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polymethylmethacrylate, copolymers of lactic acid, polyhydroxyalkanoates, plasticized ethylcellulose, polyvinyl acetatephthalate and combinations thereof.
  • the amount of elastomer used in the gum base depends on a variety of factors, including the type, or types, of elastomer used, the desired consistency of the gum, and the other components of the gum base.
  • a typical gum base composition comprises between 5 and 80% elastomer by weight, more commonly between 10 and 60% by weight, and most commonly between 20 and 40% by weight.
  • a notable feature of many of these elastomers is a saturated hydrocarbon backbone that is difficult to break down. For this reason, the elastomer compounds found in gum bases are generally considered to be non-biodegradable.
  • the gum base also includes plasticizers and softeners, which are used to soften the elastomer component.
  • plasticizers are suitable for use in gum bases, including terpene resins such as polymers of alpha-pinene or beta-pinene, methyl, glycerol and pentaerythritol esters of rosins, and modified rosins such as hydrogenated, dimerized and polymerized rosins, and mixtures thereof.
  • plasticizers include the pentaerythritol esters of partially hydrogenated wood and gum rosins, the pentaerythritol esters of wood and gum rosins, the glycerol esters of wood rosin, the glycerol esters of partially dimerized wood and gum rosins, the glycerol esters of polymerized wood and gum rosins, the glycerol ester of tall oil rosin, the glycerol esters of wood and gum rosins and partially hydrogenated wood and gum rosins, the methyl esters of partially hydrogenated wood and gum rosins, and mixtures thereof.
  • the softeners used in gum bases are usually derived from natural fats and oils, and include tallow, cocoa butter, sunflower oil and palm oil. Artificial softeners include various synthetic glycerol esters and triglycerides, such as triacetin. The softener may comprise up to around 20% by weight of the gum base composition.
  • the gum base may include waxes such as paraffin waxes to improve the elasticity of the gum base and to soften the elastomeric mixture.
  • waxes such as paraffin waxes to improve the elasticity of the gum base and to soften the elastomeric mixture.
  • Typical waxes used in chewing gum have a melting point between 45 and 60 °C and are present in the gum base in an amount of up to 10% by weight, more preferably between 5 and 10% by weight.
  • the gum base may also include higher melting waxes, such as petroleum wax or beeswax, which are typically present in the gum base in amounts of up to 5% by weight.
  • Chewing gum is hydrophobic and therefore usually considered to be incompatible with aqueous removal compositions.
  • Another technique that is sometimes used to remove chewing gum residues involves applying a cryogenic substance, such as dry ice or liquid nitrogen, to the residue such as disclosed in GB 2,428,208 .
  • a cryogenic substance such as dry ice or liquid nitrogen
  • the glass is an ordered, rigid and brittle structure with the polymer chains in an aligned crystalline state.
  • the brittle gum residue can then be fragmented by mechanical means and then swept or vacuumed from the substrate.
  • Obvious disadvantages of such methods are the cost of cryogenic substances, the potential risk to operators using such substances, intensive labour requirements, and inconvenience to the public.
  • any composition to be used in such a method will desirably be: non-toxic; non-flammable; environmentally friendly; fast acting; effective at low temperatures; easy to use without special training; and easy to rinse away with low pressure water leaving no residues that require further cleaning.
  • a portable chewing-gum residue removal apparatus for removing adhered chewing-gum residues from a substrate by the application of an at least two-part gum removal mixture, the apparatus being adapted for the transportation, mixing and application of the at least two-part mixture and wherein said at least two-part mixture is capable of modifying the chewing gum residue so as to ease its removal form a substrate.
  • the chewing-gum removal apparatus is a backpack.
  • a chewing-gum residue removal apparatus for removing adhered chewing-gum residue from a substrate by the application of an at least two-part gum removal mixture, wherein said at least two-part mixture is capable of modifying the chewing gum residue, the apparatus comprising:
  • the outlet may comprise a plurality of nozzles, or be in fluid communication with a plurality of nozzles. Where the outlet comprises a plurality of nozzles or is in fluid communication with a plurality of nozzles, different precursors can be ejected through different nozzles.
  • the outlet may comprise for example, from 1 to 20 nozzles, preferably from 1 to 10. Of course, it will be appreciated that the outlet may comprise 2 to 8, 3 to 7, 4 to 6, or even 5 nozzles.
  • the at least two-part mixture has a viscosity of at least 2500 cP, more preferably at least 5000 cP.
  • the viscosity may be also be at least 10,000 cP.
  • the at least two-part mixture may have a viscosity of up to 50,000 cP.
  • Particularly preferred mixtures in accordance with the present invention may have viscosities of about 5,000 to 15,000 cP at 25 °C, or at least about 5,000 to 25,000 cP at 25 °C, or even at least about 5,000 to 35,000 cP at 25 °C.
  • At least one of the delivery systems is operable to pump a fluid having a viscosity of at least 2500 cP at a rate of at least 5 ml per second, more preferably a viscosity of at least 5000 cP at a rate of at least 5 ml per second, and even at least at 5 ml per second for a viscosity of up to 50,000 cP.
  • both of the first and second delivery systems is operable to pump a fluid having a viscosity of at least 2500 cP at a rate of at least 5 ml per second, more preferably a viscosity of at least 5000 cP at a rate of at least 5 ml per second, and even at least at 5 ml per second for a viscosity of up to 50,000 cP.
  • At least one of the delivery systems is operable to pump a fluid having a viscosity of no more than 5cP at a rate of no more than 3 ml per second.
  • the at least two-part mixture is pre-mixed before application to the chewing gum residue. More preferably, the at least two-part mixture is pre-mixed immediately prior to application of the composition to a chewing gum residue. In another preferred embodiment, the at least two-part mixture is mixed on contact with the chewing gum residue.
  • the pre-mixing may take place in the cleaning apparatus, for example, in a part of the outlet, or at a location where the first and second delivery systems meet, for example, upstream of the outlet.
  • the mixing of the two-part mixture may take place as the precursors are ejected from the outlet, for example, where the outlet comprises a plurality of nozzles.
  • the at least two-part mixture is at least partially formed in situ on the chewing gum residue, for example whilst on the surface of the chewing gum residue.
  • the precursors preferably mix on contact with the chewing gum residue.
  • the ratio of the delivery rates is selected in accordance with the concentrations of the precursors that are necessary to form the at least two-part mixture.
  • the delivery apparatus comprises a set of interchangeable delivery rate controllers operable to control the delivery rate of one of the first and second delivery systems with respect to the other.
  • the interchangeable delivery rate controllers control the delivery rates such that precursors having selected concentrations are delivered to the outlet in the ratio required to form the at least two-part mixture.
  • the reservoirs are containers, and more preferably are made from plastics materials. Suitable materials include HDPE and/or polypropylene.
  • the delivery systems comprise flexible tubing.
  • the apparatus may comprise an extendable lance in fluid communication with the outlet, and which may be attached (directly) to the outlet.
  • the lance has a handle and the lance extends from the handle to the mixing outlet.
  • the lance is a telescopic lance so that the apparatus may be used comfortably by different users and can reach otherwise inaccessible areas.
  • the apparatus comprises a lance
  • the plurality of nozzles may be located at an end of the lance remote from the outlet.
  • the lance comprises a plurality of nozzles, different precursors can be ejected through different nozzles.
  • the outlet may comprise a nozzle having two intake couplings and one outlet coupling such that the first and second precursors can be supplied to the intake couplings of the nozzle by the delivery systems and are mixed only during the process of being applied through the nozzle.
  • one or both of the intake couplings comprise a non-return valve.
  • the apparatus comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged to be fitted to the outlet dependent on operational requirements. Preferably these nozzles are interchangeable. This has the advantage of enabling a user to change a nozzle which has become blocked or to select an appropriate nozzle for a given application. It will be understood, that the above described nozzle may also be located on the lance and the precursors supplied via the outlet. It will be appreciated that the nozzle may also comprise two intake couplings and two outlet couplings so that the precursors do not mix until contact with the chewing gum residue.
  • the nozzle is shielded by a shroud to enable the application of fluid to a particular area of a substrate without unwanted splashing or dripping of the at least two part mixture.
  • the first delivery system may comprise a pump arranged to pump the first precursor from the reservoir towards the outlet.
  • the second delivery system may comprise a pump arranged to pump the second precursor from the second reservoir towards the outlet.
  • the first and/or second delivery system is coupled to deliver the respective precursor to the outlet such that entry of the mixed precursors into the delivery system from, for example the outlet, is inhibited.
  • a non-return valve may be disposed between, for example the outlet, and the first and/or second delivery system to inhibit backflow of the mixed precursors into the delivery system.
  • the user operable control means may be arranged to control at least one of the first and second delivery systems such that a selected volume of the mixed precursors is delivered through the applicator in response to a single user actuation of the control means.
  • the selected volume is selected in accordance with the quantity of chewing gum in a typical stick of chewing gum, such as, for example 5ml.
  • the selected volume is at least 1 ml, preferably at least 4ml, preferably at least 5ml, preferably at least 6 ml, preferably at least 10ml, preferably at least 20ml, preferably at least 30ml, still more preferably at least 50 ml.
  • the selected volume is less than 100ml, preferably less than 60ml, preferably less than 40ml, preferably less than 25ml, preferably less than 15ml, preferably less than 7.5ml, preferably less than 6.5 ml, preferably less than 4.5ml still more preferably less than 1.5ml.
  • the delivery rate of one or both of the delivery systems is selectable by a user, for example using the interchangeable delivery rate controllers referred to above.
  • This has the advantage of permitting the use of different precursors (which are to be mixed in different ratios) to be used in the apparatus.
  • the liquid precursors may be stored at any suitable pressure and temperature, and in one embodiment are preferably stored at atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature.
  • the delivery systems used to supply the precursors are separate from each other and, optionally, independently controllable.
  • the pressure differential generated by the delivery systems is at least 6.9 kPa (10 psi), preferably at least 13.8 kPa (20 psi).
  • the user control means comprises a pressure switch, for example arranged in the form of a trigger.
  • a pressure switch for example arranged in the form of a trigger.
  • each reservoir is at least 10 litres, preferably at least 20 litres.
  • the first and second delivery systems each comprise tubing and a pump operable to pump the respective one of the first and second precursor through the tubing to the outlet.
  • the delivery systems are battery powered and, in one possibility the cleaning apparatus comprises a rechargeable battery.
  • the delivery rate controller may comprise a microprocessor operable by a user to select from a memory one of a plurality of flow control programs and/or to control the delivery rates in accordance with the selected program.
  • a number of programs may be stored, each program relating to a particular combination of precursors. This has the advantage of allowing the cleaning apparatus to be refilled using any appropriate combination of precursors and adjusted to provide the correct flow rates without the need for specially trained staff to perform the process.
  • the delivery rate controller may comprise an adaptation of at least one of the first and second pumps such that the ratio of the delivery rates is within a selected range. In one example this is achieved using a control switch on a pump to control the rate of pumping and/or the pressure differential across the pump. In another example this is achieved using interchangeable delivery rate controllers as set out above, an example of an interchangeable delivery rate controller is a mechanical choke at the outlet or inlet of a pump. This has the advantage of enabling a technician to refill the apparatus with any appropriate combination of precursors and adjust the flow rates accordingly without the need for the apparatus to include complex electronics.
  • the apparatus includes a set of such mechanical chokes adapted to be applied adjacent the inlet or outlet of one or both of the pumps to adjust the relative flow rates of the pumps in accordance with the required delivery rates for selected combinations of precursors.
  • the sets of chokes comprise pairs of chokes the pairs selected to provide a ratio of delivery rates for a particular combination of precursors.
  • the chokes carry an indicator or label to indicate which combination of precursors they are to be used with.
  • the chokes are colour coded.
  • Each pump may have a pump inlet arranged to receive fluid and a pump outlet for the expulsion of fluid, and in which the delivery rate controller is provided by an arrangement which controls the first and second pumps to generate substantially the same pressure differential so that the flow rates are controlled by the relative internal diameters of the tubing in the first and second delivery systems.
  • these internal diameters can be modified using one or more mechanical chokes.
  • the internal diameter of a section of the tubing is modified by a permanent fitting.
  • this function may be provided by the first delivery system comprising tubing of a first internal diameter and the second delivery system comprising tubing of a second internal diameter.
  • the at least two-part mixture is a chewing gum modifying composition comprising one or more oxidising reagents and one or more oxidation catalysts.
  • the composition does not comprise an ionic liquid.
  • an ionic liquid refers to a liquid that is capable of being produced by melting a salt, and when so produced consists solely of ions.
  • An ionic liquid may be formed from a homogeneous substance comprising one species of cation and one species of anion, or it can be composed of more than one species of cation and/or more than one species of anion.
  • an ionic liquid may be composed of more than one species of cation and one species of anion.
  • An ionic liquid may further be composed of one species of cation, and one or more species of anion.
  • an ionic liquid may be composed of more than one species of cation and more than one species of anion.
  • ionic liquid includes compounds having both high melting points and compounds having low melting points, e.g. at or below room temperature (i.e. 0 to 25°C). The latter are often referred to as "room temperature ionic liquids" and often derived from organic salts having pyridinium, imidazolium, ammonium or phosphonium cations comprising alkyl-substituted cationic nitrogen or phosphorus atoms.
  • room temperature ionic liquids often derived from organic salts having pyridinium, imidazolium, ammonium or phosphonium cations comprising alkyl-substituted cationic nitrogen or phosphorus atoms.
  • ionic liquids may also be derived from a number of other heterocyclic compounds, as would be appreciated by a person of skill in the art.
  • the one or more oxidising reagents may be selected from hydrogen peroxide, organic hydroperoxides, organic peroxyacids, organic peroxyacid salts, and dioxiranes.
  • the one or more oxidising reagents are selected from hydrogen peroxide, organic hydroperoxides having the formula ROOH, organic peroxyacids having the formula RCO 3 H or salts thereof, wherein R is a C 1 to C 10 alkyl group or a C 6 to C 10 aryl group.
  • the one or more oxidising reagents are selected from hydrogen peroxide or organic hydroperoxides having the formula ROOH, wherein R is as defined above.
  • the one or more oxidising reagents may be selected from hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide.
  • the oxidising reagent is hydrogen peroxide.
  • the total concentration of the one or more oxidising reagents in the at least two-part mixture which forms the chewing gum modifying composition is preferably in the range of from 1.0 to 50 mol ⁇ dm -3 , more preferably in the range of from 2.0 to 25 mol ⁇ dm -3 , and most preferably in the range of from 5.0 to 10 mol ⁇ dm -3 .
  • the first and/or second delivery system is configured such that the oxidising agent is delivered according to the required concentration.
  • the one or more oxidation catalysts are selected from lanthanide salts and transition metal salts.
  • the one or more oxidation catalysts may be selected from Fe(II), Fe(III), Mn(VII), Mn(VI), Mn(IV), Mo(VI), Co(II), Zr(IV), Ce(IV), and Ni(II) salts.
  • the one or more oxidation catalysts are selected from Fe(III), Mn(VII), and Mn(IV) salts, for example Fe(AOT) 3 , FeCl 3 , Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 , MnO 2 , and KMnO 4 (where AOT represents bis(2-ethylhexyl)sulfosuccinate).
  • the one or more oxidation catalysts are selected from Fe(AOT) 3 and KMnO 4 .
  • the total concentration of the one or more oxidation catalysts in the at least two-part mixture forming the chewing gum modifying composition is preferably in the range of from 0.001 to 1.0 mol ⁇ dm -3 , more preferably in the range of from 0.005 to 0.5 mol ⁇ dm -3 , and most preferably in the range offrom 0.01 to 0.1 mol ⁇ dm -3 .
  • the first and/or second delivery system is configured such that the oxidising agent is delivered according to the required concentration.
  • the relative concentrations of the oxidising agents and oxidation catalysts depend on a number of factors, including the nature of the oxidising agents and oxidation catalysts, as well as the timescale required for the gum to be removed. Suitable relative concentrations for each combination of oxidising agents and oxidation catalysts can readily be determined by a person of skill in the art by routine testing methods. However, in general, the concentration of the oxidation catalysts will be in the range of from 0.001 to 5.0 mol%, and more preferably in the range of from 0.01 to 1.0 mol% of the concentration of the oxidising agents.
  • the first and second delivery systems are configured such that the oxidising agents and oxidation catalysts are delivered according to the required ratio, such as those exemplified above.
  • the at least two-part mixture forming the chewing gum modifying composition may further comprise one or more gelling agents.
  • Preferred gelling agents are hydrophilic, and suitable gelling agents are discussed below.
  • the at least two-part mixture may comprise one or more oxidising reagents (e.g. a first precursor) and one or more gelling agents (e.g. a second precursor).
  • the chewing gum modifying composition does not comprise an ionic liquid.
  • the one or more oxidising reagents and their concentration in the at least two-part mixture forming the chewing gum modifying composition are preferably as defined above.
  • the chewing gum modifying compositions used in the present invention are preferably in the form of an aqueous and/or alcoholic solutions and/or suspensions.
  • Suitable alcohols include methanol, ethanol, propanol and butanol, as well as longer-chain alcohols such as octanol.
  • the at least two-part mixture forming the chewing gum modifying composition is in the form of an aqueous solution or suspension.
  • Water is compatible with the oxidising reagents and oxidation catalysts mentioned above.
  • water is non-toxic, non-flammable, and therefore safe to use in public areas.
  • the at least two-part mixtures are substantially alcohol-free.
  • the mixtures used in the apparatus of the present invention have a relatively high viscosity, for example a viscosity in the range of from 2,500, 5,000 and even 10,000 to 50,000 cP at 25 °C.
  • Particularly preferred mixtures in accordance with the present invention may have viscosities of at least about 15,000 cP at 25 °C, or at least about 25,000 cP at 25 °C, or even at least about 35,000 cP at 25 °C.
  • Mixtures having viscosities above 5,000 cP at 25 °C have gel-like consistencies and are capable of being applied as a coating on the surface of a chewing gum residue, e.g. for spot application of the composition to individual gum residues.
  • the oxidising reagent(s) and the oxidation catalyst(s) (where present) remain in contact with the gum residue, maximising the extent of reaction possible and reducing waste of reagents.
  • the high viscosities of the mixtures prevents the oxidising reagent(s) and the oxidation catalyst(s) (where present) from being absorbed by the substrate.
  • Gelling agents suitable for use in the apparatus of the present invention may, for example, be selected from silica, alumina, clays, and organic polymers.
  • suitable gelling agents for use in the apparatus of the present invention include, among others, fumed silica, precipitated silica, fumed alumina, precipitated alumina, attapulgite clay, bentonite clay, hectorite clay, smectite clay, montmorillonite, polyethylene imine, polyethylene oxide, polyacrylic acid, and polyvinyl alcohol.
  • Particularly preferred gelling agents for use in the apparatus of present invention are fumed silica and polyethylene imine (PEI).
  • the concentration of the gelling agent in the mixture is preferably in the range of from 1 to 30 weight percent, more preferably from 1 to 20 weight percent and most preferably from 1 to 10 weight percent.
  • compositions used with the apparatus of the present invention may further comprise one or more thickening agents and/or one or more foaming agents to obtain gel-like consistencies.
  • the chewing gum modifying composition comprising one or more thickening agents and/or one or more foaming agents have reduced movement away from a target chewing gum residue when applied as a coating (see comments above regarding gel-like consistencies). This improves contact of the composition with the chewing gum residue, maximising the extent of reaction thereby minimising both the amount of oxidising reagent and oxidation catalyst applied to the target chewing gum residue and the number of applications of the chewing gum modifying composition to the target chewing gum residue.
  • the thickening agent may comprise a polymer thickening agent and/or a silicate thickening agent.
  • Preferred polymer thickening agents are polyethers, such as polyglycols (for example, polyethylene glycols and polypropylene glycols) and polyglycol esters, and polyamines (for example, polyethylene amine).
  • the polymer thickening agent is a polyglycol, most preferably polyethylene glycol.
  • Preferred silicate thickening agents include metasilicates (SiO 3 2- ), orthosilicates (SiO 4 4- ), sorosilicates (Si 2 O 7 6- ), and mixtures thereof.
  • the silicate thickening agent may be an alumino silicate.
  • the silicate thickening agent has a metal cation.
  • the metal cation may be selected from the group consisting of group I metals (for example Li, Na and K), group II metals (for example Be, Mg, Ca and Ba) and transition metals (for example Cr, Mn, Fe, Zn and Zr).
  • the silicate thickening agent is a sodium silicate, most preferably sodium metasilicate. Powdered glass may also be used as the thickening agent.
  • the powered glass may consist of silica.
  • the total amount of thickening agent(s) used in the chewing gum modifying composition may range from about 0.01 to about 100g per litre, preferably from about 0.05 to about 50g per litre, and more preferably from about 0.1 to about 10g per litre.
  • the foaming agent may comprise a foaming surfactant.
  • foaming surfactant include non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, zwitterionic surfactants, surfactants that contain both anionic and cationic components, and combinations thereof.
  • the foaming surfactant comprises an anionic surfactant, such as a sulfate surfactant.
  • the sulfate surfactant may be selected from the group consisting of sodium laureth sulphate, sodium lauryl sulphate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium myreth sulfate, sodium pareth sulfate and combinations thereof
  • the sulfate surfactant is a sodium sulfate surfactant, most preferably sodium laureth sulphate or sodium lauryl sulphate.
  • the total amount of foaming agent(s) used in the chewing gum modifying composition may range from about 0.01 to about 100g per litre, preferably from about 0.05 to about 50g per litre, and more preferably from about 0.1 to about 10g per litre.
  • a preferred chewing gum modifying composition comprises both a thickening agent and a foaming agent.
  • a synergistic effect may be displayed by the combination of a thickening agent and a foaming agent.
  • the composition may comprise at least one of the thickening agents selected from polyethylene glycol and sodium metasilicate, together with at least one of the foaming agents selected from sodium laureth sulfate and sodium lauryl sulfate.
  • the viscosity of a chewing gum modifying composition comprising one or more thickening agents and/or one or more foaming agents may be increased relative to a chewing gum modifying composition that does not comprise a thickening agent and/or a foaming agent. Suitable viscosities are those described above for gel-like consistencies.
  • the viscosity of a chewing gum modifying composition comprising one or more thickening agents and/or one or more foaming agents may be at least about 35,000 cP at 25 °C, or at least about 40,000 cP at 25 °C, or even at least about 45,000 cP at 25 °C.
  • the viscosity of a chewing gum modifying composition comprising one or more thickening agents and/or one or more foaming agents may be up to 50,000 cP at 25 °C.
  • the mixtures used in the present invention may optionally comprise one or more additives selected from the group consisting of surfactants, pH modifiers, emulsifiers, colorants and wetting agents. A wide variety of such additives are known in the art, and the skilled person is capable of selecting suitable additives as necessary for a particular application.
  • the at least two-part mixture may be pre-mixed prior to application to the chewing gum residue.
  • an aqueous and/or alcoholic solution of the one or more oxidising reagents i.e. a first precursor
  • an aqueous and/or alcoholic suspension of the gelling agent i.e. a second precursor
  • One or both of said first precursor and said second precursor may further comprise a thickening agent and/or foaming agent.
  • an aqueous and/or alcoholic solution of the one or more oxidising reagents i.e.
  • a first precursor may be pre-mixed with an aqueous and/or alcoholic solution of the one or more oxidising catalysts (i.e. a second precursor), wherein one or both of said solutions optionally further comprises a suspension of a gelling agent.
  • a second precursor may further comprise a thickening agent and/or foaming agent.
  • any thickening or foaming agent is added immediately before application so as to reduce the risk of "clogging up” of the apparatus of the present invention.
  • the foaming agent may added to a precursor immediately before application of the composition to the chewing gum residue.
  • a further application of the one or more oxidising reagents and/or the one or more oxidation catalysts (where present) may be made after a period of time has elapsed from the first application. This may be done by activating the apparatus so as to deliver a further amount of at least two-part mixture, examples of which are described above.
  • a preferred form of KMnO 4 for use as an oxidation catalyst is an aqueous solution that comprises KMnO 4 together with K 2 CO 3 and NaOH.
  • the aqueous solution comprises from 0.1 to 5.0 g KMnO 4 , 1.0 to 15 g K 2 CO 3 , 0.01 to 0.5 g NaOH per 100 mL of water. More preferably, the aqueous solution comprises from 0.5 to 2.0 g KMnO 4 , 4.0 to 10 g K 2 CO 3 , 0.05 to 0.2 g NaOH per 100 mL of water.
  • the aqueous solution may comprise 1.0 g KMnO 4 , 7 g K 2 CO 3 , and 0.08 g NaOH per 100 mL water.
  • the chewing gum modifying composition is preferably contacted with the chewing gum residue for a period of from 1 minute to 1 hour, more preferably from 1 minute to 30 minutes, still more preferably from 1 minute to 20 minutes, and most preferably from 1 minute to 10 minutes.
  • the contact time is dependent on the choice of oxidising reagents, oxidation catalysts (where present), and other components of the at least two-part mixture, as well as the age and type of the chewing gum residue. Suitable contacting timescales can be routinely determined by persons of skill in the art simply by monitoring the extent of reaction.
  • a further application of the at least two-part mixture may be made after a period of time has elapsed from the first application.
  • the resulting softened chewing gum residues may be removed by techniques including scrubbing, brushing, spraying with low pressure water, or simply allowing the residue to be removed in due course by rainfall.
  • removal of the softened residue preferably takes place as soon as possible once the chewing gum residue has been sufficiently modified, to avoid the softened gum residues being transferred to the soles of shoes or to clothing.
  • suitable removal apparatus may be also be attached to the apparatus of the present invention, for example, by way of a cord or cable.
  • the apparatus of the present invention may be used to remove chewing gum residues from a wide variety of substrate materials without damage to the underlying substrate.
  • substrate materials include stone, concrete, cement, bricks, gypsum plaster, clay, ceramics, glass, asphalt, tarmac, bitumen, metals, wood, lacquer and textiles.
  • the at least two-part mixture consists of an aqueous and/or alcoholic solution and/or suspension of one or more oxidising agents at a total concentration of from 1.0 to 50 mol ⁇ dm -3 and one or more oxidation catalysts at a total concentration of from 0.001 to 1.0 mol ⁇ dm -3 , which solution and/or suspension further includes from 0 to 30 weight percent of a gelling agent and from 0 to 10 weight percent of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of surfactants, pH modifiers, emulsifiers, colorants and wetting agents.
  • the first and/or second delivery system is configured such that the precursors are delivered according to the required concentrations.
  • the total concentration of the one or more oxidising reagents in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 2.0 to 25 mol ⁇ dm -3 , and most preferably in the range of from 5.0 to 10 mol ⁇ dm -3 .
  • the total concentration of the one or more oxidation catalysts in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 0.005 to 0.5 mol ⁇ dm 3 , and most preferably in the range of from 0.01 to 0.1 mol ⁇ dm -3 .
  • the amount of the gelling agent in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 1 to 30 weight percent, more preferably from 1 to 20 weight percent and most preferably from 1 to 10 weight percent.
  • the at least two-part mixture consists of an aqueous and/or alcoholic solution and/or suspension of one or more oxidising agents at a total concentration of from 1.0 to 50 mol ⁇ dm -3 and one or more oxidation catalysts at a total concentration of from 0.001 to 1.0 mol ⁇ dm -3 , which solution and/or suspension further includes from 0 to 30 weight percent of a gelling agent, from 0 to 100g per litre of thickening agent, from 0 to 100g per litre of foaming agent and from 0 to 10 weight percent of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of surfactants, pH modifiers, emulsifiers, colorants and wetting agents.
  • the first and/or second delivery system is configured such that the precursors are delivered according to the required concentrations.
  • the total concentration of the one or more oxidising reagents in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 2.0 to 25 mol ⁇ dm -3 , and most preferably in the range of from 5.0 to 10 mol ⁇ dm -3 .
  • the total concentration of the one or more oxidation catalysts in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 0.005 to 0.5 mol ⁇ dm -3 , and most preferably in the range of from 0.01 to 0.1 mol ⁇ dm -3 .
  • the amount of the gelling agent in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 1 to 30 weight percent, more preferably from 1 to 20 weight percent and most preferably from 1 to 10 weight percent.
  • the amount of thickening agent in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 0.01 to 100g per litre, more preferably from 0.05 to 50 g per litre, and most preferably from 0.1 to 10g per litre.
  • the amount of foaming agent in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 0.01 to 100g per litre, more preferably from 0.05 to 50g per litre, and most preferably from 0.1 to 10g per litre.
  • the at least two-part mixture consists of an aqueous and/or alcoholic solution and/or suspension of one or more oxidising agents at a total concentration of from 1.0 to 50 mol ⁇ dm -3 , which solution and/or suspension further includes from 1 to 30 weight percent of a gelling agent and from 0 to 10 weight percent of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of surfactants, pH modifiers, emulsifiers, colorants and wetting agents.
  • the total concentration of the one or more oxidising reagents in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 2.0 to 25 mol ⁇ dm -3 , and most preferably in the range of from 5.0 to 10 mol ⁇ dm -3 .
  • the amount of the gelling agent in the above mixture is preferably from 1 to 20 weight percent and most preferably from 1 to 10 weight percent.
  • the at least two-part mixture consists of an aqueous and/or alcoholic solution and/or suspension ofone or more oxidising agents at a total concentration of from 1.0 to 50 mol ⁇ dm-3, which solution and/or suspension further includes from 1 to 30 weight percent of a gelling agent, from 0 to 100g per litre of thickening agent, from 0 to 100g per litre of foaming agent and from 0 to 10 weight percent of one or more additives selected from the group consisting of surfactants, pH modifiers, emulsifiers, colorants and wetting agents.
  • the total concentration of the one or more oxidising reagents in the above mixture is preferably in the range of from 2.0 to 25 mol ⁇ dm-3, and most preferably in the range of from 5.0 to 10 mol ⁇ dm-3.
  • the amount of the gelling agent in the above mixture is preferably from 1 to 20 weight percent and most preferably from 1 to 10 weight percent.
  • the amount of thickening agent in the above mixture is preferably from 0.01 to 100g per litre, more preferably from 0.05 to 50 g per litre, and most preferably from 0.1 to 10g per litre.
  • the amount of foaming agent in the above mixture is preferably from 0.01 to 100g per litre, more preferably from 0.05 to 50g per litre, and most preferably from 0.1 to 10g per litre.
  • the at least two-part mixture comprises an ionic liquid which has been found to be suitable for modifying chewing gum substrates, even to the extent that the residue may simply be washed away by even low pressure hosing.
  • PCT/GB2009/051097 Suitable ionic liquids for use the two-part mixture are described in PCT/GB2009/051097 .
  • PCT/GB2009/051097 also describes numerous compositions which are suitable for use with the apparatus of the present invention, and the subject-matter of this application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • the ionic liquids may be defined by the general formula: [Cat] + [X] - ; wherein:
  • ammonium cations [Cat] + ) include:
  • Particularly preferred imidazolium cations include:
  • a particularly preferred pyridinium cation ([Cat] + ) is:
  • Particularly preferred anions ([X] - ) for use in the at least two-part mixture include:
  • [X] - may be selected from the group consisting of: [F] - , [Cl] - , [Br] - , [I] - , [HCO 3 ] - , [CO 3 ] 2- , [HSO 4 ] - , [SO 4 ] 2- , [H 2 PO 4 ] - , [HPO 4 ] 2- , [PO 4 ] 3- and [NO 3 ] - .
  • ionic liquids which may be used include choline chloride, choline docusate, 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium docusate, 1-methyl-3-butylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-methyl-3-allylimidazolium docusate, 1-methyl-3-hexadecylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, 1-methyl-3-hexadecylimidazolium docusate.
  • the mixtures are not limited to ionic liquids comprising anions and cations having only a single charge.
  • the formula [Cat] + [X] - is intended to encompass ionic liquids comprising, for example, doubly, triply and quadruply charged anions and/or cations.
  • the relative stoichiometric amounts of [Cat] + and [X] - in the ionic liquid are therefore not fixed, but can be varied to take account of cations and anions with multiple charges.
  • the formula [Cat] + [X] - should be understood to include ionic liquids having the formulae [Cat] + 2 [X] 2- ; [Cat] 2+ [X] - 2 ; [Cat] 2+ [X] 2- ; [Cat] + 3 [X] 3- ; [Cat] 3+ [X] - 3 and so on.
  • the ionic liquids used have a melting point below 100 °C, more preferably below 80 °C, more preferably below 60 °C, still more preferably below 40 °C and most preferably below 25 °C.
  • Suitable viscosities for the ionic liquid are as described above for the mixtures and the precursors.
  • the at least two-part mixture may comprise a co-solvent.
  • a co-solvent is preferably water.
  • suitable co-solvents include methanol, ethanol, and other alcohols (e.g. octanol), acetone, acetonitrile, and ethyl acetate.
  • Preferred solvents have low toxicity and minimum hazard for use in public areas.
  • An ionic liquid and co-solvent may be present in the chewing gum modifying composition in a weight ratio of from 5:95 to 100:0.
  • suitable weight ratios for the ionic liquid and co-solvent in the chewing gum removal composition include 10:90, 20:80, 30:70, 40:60; 50:50; 60:40; 70:30, 90:10, 95:5, 98:2 and 99:1.
  • the ionic liquid may be considered one precursor and the co-solvent another precursor.
  • the first and/or second delivery system will be configured such that the precursors are delivered according to the required concentrations.
  • the pH of the composition may be controlled by the use of ionic liquids wherein the anion and/or the cation comprise acidic and/or basic moieties.
  • the ionic liquid comprises one or more oxidising reagents.
  • the oxidising reagents comprise an oxidation catalyst and an oxygen source.
  • Suitable oxidation catalysts include metal compounds, and more preferably metal salts.
  • Preferred metal salts are lanthanide and transition metal salts, with transition metal salts being particularly preferred.
  • transition metal salts that may be used according to this aspect of the invention are iron, titanium, manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, zirconium, cerium and nickel salts. More preferably the transition metal salt is selected from Fe(II), Fe(III), Mn(VII), Mn(VI), Mo(VI), Co(II), Zr(IV), Ce(IV), and Ni(II) salts.
  • suitable salts include Fe 2 (SO 4 ) 3 , (NH 4 )Fe(SO 4 ) 2 ⁇ 2H 2 O, Fe(NO 3 ) 3 ⁇ 9H 2 O, K 2 MnO 4 , KMnO 4 , K 2 MoO 4 , CoSO 4 ⁇ 7H 2 O, CoCO 3 ⁇ xH 2 O, Zr(OH) 2 CO 3 ⁇ ZrO 2 , (NH 4 ) 2 Ce(NO 3 ) 6 , (CH 3 CO 2 ) 2 Ni.
  • the catalyst is an iron salt, more preferably a Fe(II) or Fe(III) salt, and most preferably a Fe(II) or Fe(III) chloride or sulphate salt.
  • the catalyst is a manganese salt, more preferably a Mn(VI) or Mn(VII) salt, and most preferably a MnO 4 2- or a MnO 4 - salt.
  • Suitable oxygen sources for use according to this aspect of the invention include hydrogen peroxide and hydrogen peroxide-releasing compounds, including perborate salts, percarbonate salts, persulphate salts, perphosphate salts (for example sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, sodium persulphate, sodium perphosphate, potassium perborate, potassium percarbonate, potassium persulphate, and potassium perphosphate), and urea peroxide.
  • perborate salts for example sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, sodium persulphate, sodium perphosphate, potassium perborate, potassium percarbonate, potassium persulphate, and potassium perphosphate
  • salts having halogen oxyanions including hypochlorite, chlorite, chlorate, perchlorate, bromate, perbromate, iodate and peridoate salts.
  • Further suitable oxygen sources include organic hydroperoxides such as tert- butylhydroperoxide, organic peroxyacids such as peracetic acid, and organic peroxya
  • the oxygen source is selected from hydrogen peroxide, sodium perborate, sodium percarbonate, sodium persulphate, and sodium perphosphate.
  • Suitable combinations of oxidation catalysts and oxygen sources in accordance with this aspect of the invention include: sodium perborate and Fe(III) sulphate; sodium percarbonate and Fe(III) sulphate; and hydrogen peroxide and Fe(III) sulphate.
  • the mixture preferably comprises water as a cosolvent.
  • the ionic liquid and water are preferably combined in a weight ratio of from 5:95 to 80:20, more preferably from 5:95 to 50:50, still more preferably from 5:95 to 5:20, and most preferably from 5:95 to 10:90 in order to form the mixture.
  • the oxygen source is preferably applied in the form of an aqueous solution.
  • the oxidation catalyst is premixed with the ionic liquid (e.g. a first precursor), and mixed with an oxygen source (e.g. a second precursor).
  • the first precursor may be combined with the second precursor immediately prior to application of the resulting mixture to the chewing gum residue.
  • Examples of preferred chewing gum removal compositions premixed with oxidation catalysts include:
  • the ionic liquid mixtures may comprise various additives, such as surfactants, viscosity modifiers, emulsifiers, melting point suppressants and wetting agents.
  • additives such as surfactants, viscosity modifiers, emulsifiers, melting point suppressants and wetting agents.
  • the ionic liquid mixtures may comprise one or more thickening agents and/or one or more foaming agents, as described above.
  • the ionic liquid based mixtures are applied in a manner as described above for the other mixtures, and for similar periods of time.
  • the inventors of the present application have additionally found that if the individual components of the at least two-part mixture are applied separately (unmixed) the gum modification action of the mixture is sub-optimal. To overcome this problem the inventors have provided a method and apparatus (as set out in the appended claims and the examples of the invention described herein) for applying an at least two-part mixture in a manner which enables the mixture to efficiently break down the chewing gum residue and modify its structure.
  • kits of parts for use in removing chewing gum residues from substrates comprising:
  • the first and second precursors are chemically distinct.
  • the present invention provides a method of removing chewing gum residue from a substrate comprising the steps of:
  • a user carryable chewing gum removal apparatus 1 which comprises a housing 2 for holding two reservoirs 3, 5, two pumps 9, 11 a battery 13 and a controller 7.
  • a first reservoir 3 is in fluid communication with nozzle 15 via pump 9 and tube 20.
  • a second reservoir, 5, is in fluid communication with nozzle 15 via second pump I 1 and tube 18.
  • Battery 13 is arranged to provide electric power to the pumps 9 and 11.
  • a controller 7 is coupled to control the pumps 9 and 11.
  • a lance 19 extends between the nozzle and a handle 21.
  • the handle 21 carries an activation switch 23 to enable a user to control the controller 7.
  • the activation switch 23 can be electrically coupled to controller 7 by wires (not shown) extending along part of one or both of the tubes 18 and 20.
  • a shroud 17 is arranged adjacent the nozzle 15.
  • the two reservoirs 3, 5 contain a supply of two precursors for preparing the chewing gum removal mixture.
  • the approximate overall capacity of the reservoirs is typically about 20 litres.
  • the two pumps 9 and 11 and the tubing arrangements 18 and 20 provide two independent delivery systems to deliver the precursors of the mixture to the nozzle without mixing. These two delivery systems are independently controllable such that the precursors can be delivered to the nozzle in a selected ratio.
  • pumps 9 and 11 are arranged to be controlled by controller 7 to pump fluid from reservoirs 3 and 5 in a ratio of 6:4. In this example this is achieved by operating the pumps to achieve a selected throughput and, in the event that the fluid pressure differential across one or both of the pumps varies outside a specific tolerance the throughput of one or both of the pumps can be adjusted by the controller to maintain throughput at the desired rate.
  • the pumps may be arranged to maintain a selected pressure differential across each of the pumps.
  • reservoir 3 holds fluid having a viscosity of at least 2500 cP, preferably 5000cP and reservoir 5 holds fluid having a viscosity of no more than 5 cP.
  • the internal cross section of tubes 18 and 20 and the pressure differentials created by the pumps 9 and 11 are selected such that the ratio of throughput of the pumps is 6:4.
  • the at least two part mixture used to remove the gum may originate from a variety of precursors (such as those described above). Therefore the controller 7 may be adjustable such that the delivery rate of the precursors is selectable by a user.
  • the two fluids are delivered through the tubes 18 and 20 along lance 19 to nozzle 15.
  • the lance 19 can be manipulated by a user to position the nozzle 15 adjacent a piece of gum to be removed from a pavement so the shroud 17 shields the nozzle and partially or fully shields the gum which is to be removed.
  • the user can then trigger application of the at least two part mixture to the gum using activation switch 23 so that the requisite quantities of the two fluids are dispensed through the nozzle.
  • the mixture of these fluids thus forms an at least two part mixture capable of modifying a chewing gum residue.
  • the at least two part mixture is formed, in this example, by a mixture of a metal catalyst with hydrogen peroxide.
  • the metal catalyst in an active state acts to oxidise the gum.
  • the catalyst is then bound to the gum in an inactive state.
  • the hydrogen peroxide reactivates the catalyst by releasing it from the gum thus breaking down the polymers which make up the gum.
  • the catalyst alone will break down the hydrogen peroxide into oxygen gas and water.
  • the present invention has the advantage of mixing the hydrogen peroxide with the catalyst immediately before the mixture is applied to the gum or during application to the gum.
  • a potassium permanganate gel was prepared by combining fumed silica (10 g) with water (40 mL) and allowing the resulting mixture to stand for 5 minutes before adding 40 mL of KMn04 dip [3.0 g KMnO4, 20 g K2CO3, 5 mL aqueous NaOH (5 wt%), 300 mL water].
  • the mixture was placed in a first reservoir of an apparatus such as described in the example above as a first precursor.
  • a hydrogen peroxide solution (35% by weight in water) was added to a second reservoir of an apparatus such as described above as a second precursor.
  • a two-part mixture was then applied by means of a nozzle (in a weight ratio of first precursor to second precursor of about 1:3.5) to a chewing gum residue ( ⁇ 0.5 g) on the surface of a concrete slab, so as to cover the residue.
  • the softened chewing gum residue could be mechanically removed from the surface of the concrete slab using a brush or spatula.

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Claims (15)

  1. Appareil de nettoyage à dos, apte à être porté par un utilisateur et conçu pour l'enlèvement de résidus de gomme à mâcher sur un substrat grâce à l'application d'un mélange à au moins deux parties, ledit mélange à au moins deux parties étant capable de modifier le résidu de gomme à mâcher, l'appareil comprenant :
    un premier réservoir lequel contient un premier précurseur du mélange à au moins deux parties ;
    un deuxième réservoir lequel contient un deuxième précurseur du mélange à au moins deux parties ;
    un orifice de sortie agencé de façon à recevoir les premier et deuxième précurseurs provenant des réservoirs respectifs, et à appliquer les précurseurs à un résidu de gomme qui a adhéré à un substrat ; cas dans lequel le premier précurseur comprend un ou plusieurs catalyseurs oxydants et le deuxième précurseur comprend un ou plusieurs réactifs oxydants ;
    un premier système de délivrance exploitable de façon à délivrer le premier précurseur en provenance du premier réservoir vers l'orifice de sortie suivant un premier débit de délivrance ; un deuxième système de délivrance exploitable de façon à délivrer le deuxième précurseur en provenance du deuxième réservoir vers l'orifice de sortie suivant un deuxième débit de délivrance ;
    un contrôleur de débits de délivrance agencé de façon à piloter l'un au moins des débits, à savoir le premier débit de délivrance et le deuxième débit de délivrance, de sorte que le rapport des débits de délivrance soit contrôlé ; et
    des moyens de commande Utilisateur exploitables par un utilisateur afin d'actionner de façon sélective les systèmes de délivrance de sorte que les précurseurs mélangés soient délivrés par l'intermédiaire de l'orifice de sortie suivant un débit sélectionné de telle sorte que les précurseurs soient mélangés au cours de l'application ; et
    cas dans lequel le mélange à au moins deux parties comprend un premier précurseur lequel comporte un ou plusieurs réactifs oxydants, et un deuxième précurseur lequel comporte un ou plusieurs catalyseurs d'oxydation.
  2. Appareil de nettoyage selon la revendication 1, le mélange à au moins deux parties étant au moins partiellement obtenu grâce au mélangeage des précurseurs in situ sur le résidu de gomme à mâcher, de préférence le mélange à au moins deux parties étant au moins partiellement obtenu en vertu de la réaction des précurseurs lors de leur mélange, et de plus grande préférence le mélange à au moins deux parties étant au moins partiellement obtenu en vertu de la réaction in situ sur le résidu de gomme à mâcher.
  3. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2, dans lequel l'orifice de sortie est en communication fluidique avec une pluralité d'ajutages.
  4. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel les premier et deuxième systèmes de délivrance comprennent chacun un tubage et une pompe exploitable de façon à pomper un précurseur respectif, à savoir le premier précurseur et le deuxième précurseur, à travers le tubage vers l'orifice de sortie, et cas dans lequel l'un au moins des systèmes de délivrance est apte à pomper du fluide ayant une viscosité d'au moins 2500 cP suivant un débit d'au moins 5 ml par seconde.
  5. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le contrôleur de débits de délivrance comprend un microprocesseur exploitable par un utilisateur afin de sélectionner, à partir d'une mémoire, un programme parmi une pluralité de programmes de commande de flux, et de piloter les débits de délivrance en conformité avec le programme sélectionné, de préférence dans lequel le contrôleur de débits de délivrance comporte une adaptation d'au moins une pompe, à savoir la première pompe et la deuxième pompe, de sorte que le rapport des débits de délivrance se situe dans les limites d'une gamme sélectionnée, et de préférence l'adaptation incluant l'utilisation de dispositifs d'étranglement mécaniques.
  6. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel le contrôleur de débits de délivrance comporte une adaptation d'au moins un système de délivrance, à savoir le premier système de délivrance et le deuxième système de délivrance, et de préférence l'adaptation incluant l'utilisation de dispositifs d'étranglement mécaniques.
  7. Appareil de nettoyage selon la revendication 4, dans lequel le contrôleur de débits de délivrance comprend un contrôleur d'énergie exploitable de façon à piloter l'alimentation en énergie électrique se rendant vers au moins une pompe, à savoir le première pompe et la deuxième pompe ; ou dans lequel chaque pompe possède un orifice d'entrée de pompe agencé de façon à recevoir du fluide et un orifice de sortie de pompe pour assurer l'expulsion de fluide, et dans lequel le contrôleur de débits de délivrance est doté d'un agencement qui pilote les première et deuxième pompes afin de générer sensiblement le même différentiel de pression de sorte que les débits soient contrôlés par les diamètres internes relatifs du tubage dans les premier et deuxième systèmes de délivrance.
  8. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, l'un au moins des systèmes de délivrance convenant au pompage d'un fluide ayant une viscosité d'au moins 15000 cP suivant un débit d'au moins 5 ml par seconde, et de préférence l'un au moins des systèmes de délivrance convenant au pompage d'un fluide ayant une viscosité d'au moins 25000 cP suivant un débit d'au moins 5 ml par seconde.
  9. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, le premier système de délivrance étant exploitable de façon à pomper du fluide ayant une viscosité d'au moins 2500 cP suivant un débit d'au moins 5 ml par seconde, et le deuxième système de délivrance étant exploitable de façon à pomper un fluide ayant une viscosité qui n'est pas supérieure à 5 cP suivant un débit qui n'est pas supérieur à 2 ml par seconde, et le contrôleur de débits de délivrance étant exploitable de façon à piloter les premier et deuxième systèmes de délivrance de sorte que le débit de délivrance total du mélange à deux parties provenant de l'orifice de sortie de mélangeage se situe à environ 6,5 ml par seconde, et de préférence, le différentiel de pression entre les systèmes de délivrance de précurseurs étant au moins de 6,9 kPa.
  10. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, comprenant en outre une lance en communication fluidique avec l'orifice de sortie, et de préférence la lance étant télescopique.
  11. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, l'ajutage possédant deux couplages d'admission et un couplage de sortie de sorte que le mélangeage des précurseurs se produise uniquement lors de l'application à travers l'ajutage, situé de préférence sur la lance ; ou l'ajutage, situé de préférence sur la lance, possédant deux couplages d'admission et deux couplages de sortie de sorte que le mélangeage des précurseurs se produise uniquement lors de l'application des précurseurs sur le résidu de gomme à mâcher.
  12. Appareil de nettoyage selon la revendication 11, les couplages d'admission comportant des clapets de retenue et/ou les premier et/ou deuxième systèmes de délivrance comportant des clapets de retenue afin d'empêcher tout flux arrière des précurseurs mélangés.
  13. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, les premier et deuxième précurseurs étant mélangés immédiatement avant leur application au substrat en gomme à mâcher, ou les premier et deuxième précurseurs se mélangeant au moment du contact avec la gomme à mâcher.
  14. Appareil de nettoyage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 13, le mélange à deux parties comprenant en outre un agent moussant et/ou le mélange à deux parties comprenant en outre un agent épaississant.
  15. Procédé destiné à enlever un résidu de gomme à mâcher d'un substrat, comprenant les étapes consistant à :
    (i) appliquer un mélange à au moins deux parties tel que décrit dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14, en utilisant un appareil conformément à l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 14 ; et
    (ii) enlever le résidu de gomme à mâcher du substrat.
EP11708071.3A 2010-02-27 2011-02-28 Dispositif de nettoyage Not-in-force EP2539083B1 (fr)

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GBGB1003314.0A GB201003314D0 (en) 2010-02-27 2010-02-27 Cleaning apparatus
PCT/GB2011/000279 WO2011104519A1 (fr) 2010-02-27 2011-02-28 Appareil de nettoyage

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