Removable marking system

Abstract

The present invention provides a removable marking system that includes a removable paint formulation and an aqueous removal formulation, and a method of using this removable marking system.

1 . An aqueous paint removal formulation, comprising a weak acid and a buffering agent, wherein the formulation has a pH of about 4 to 8 and is non-phytotoxic.  
     
     
         2 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the weak acid is acetic acid.  
     
     
         3 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the weak acid is present at a range of about 3.5% to 6%.  
     
     
         4 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the weak acid is present at a concentration of about 4.5%.  
     
     
         5 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , having a pH of about 4.5 to 7.5.  
     
     
         6 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , having a pH of about 6 to 6.5.  
     
     
         7 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the buffering agent is a weak base.  
     
     
         8 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the buffering agent is NH 4 OH.  
     
     
         9 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the buffering agent is present at a concentration range of about 1.5% to 3.0%.  
     
     
         10 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the buffering agent is present at a concentration of about 1.875%.  
     
     
         11 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , further comprising a propellant.  
     
     
         12 . The removal formulation of  claim 11 , wherein the propellant is condensed air or CO 2 .  
     
     
         13 . The removal formulation of  claim 1 , wherein the removal formulation lacks an organic solvent.  
     
     
         14 . A method of removing paint from a plant or non-living surface, comprising applying an aqueous removal formulation comprising an acid and a buffering agent, and having a pH of about 4 to 8, to a plant or non-living surface.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , further comprising washing the plant or non-living surface with water.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the removal formulation is applied singly or repeatedly to the same surface.  
     
     
         17 . A method of applying a removable paint to a plant or non-living surface, comprising applying a removable paint formulation comprising zinc oxide, water and an adjuvant, wherein the paint formulation lacks an organic solvent.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the paint formulation is applied singly or repeatedly to the same surface.