Removable coating composition

Abstract

This invention relates to a method for controlling microorganisms comprising coating a surface with a removable, antimicrobial film-forming composition.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A method of providing control of microorganisms at a locus comprising
 a) providing a removable liquid coating composition comprising:
 i) a film-forming water soluble or water-dispersible agent; 
 ii) at least one antimicrobial agent; and 
 iii) an inert solvent; 
   b) applying said composition to the locus whereby a coating is formed; and   c) removing said coating with an aqueous solution at a temperature of about 15° C. to about 100° C.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the surface tension of the liquid coating composition is below 40 mN/m. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is applied to the locus by spraying or aerosolizing. 
     
     
         4 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said film-forming agent is one or more polyvinyl alcohols and copolymers thereof, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, polyacrylic acid, acrylate copolymers, ionic hydrocarbon polymers, and polyurethanes or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said polymer is polyvinyl alcohol and copolymers thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said locus is the surface of one or more: tanks, conveyors, floors, drains, coolers, freezers, refrigerators, equipment surfaces, walls, valves, belts, pipes, joints, crevasses, a building surface, kitchen surface, an inanimate surface found in a food processing facility, veterinary or animal care facility, animal care equipment, or animal husbandry or hatchery facility, the surface of a hospital or surgery center wall, bed, equipment, textile worn in a hospital or other healthcare setting, including scrubs, shoes, and other hospital surfaces. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said surface comprises one or more metals selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, stainless steel, chrome, titanium, iron, alloys and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said surface comprises one or more plastic material selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polymethacrylate, polymethylmethacrylate, acrylonitrile, butadiene, ABS, acrylonitrile butadiene; polyesters, including polyethylene terephthalate; and polyamides, including nylon; and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said surface is brick, tile, ceramic, porcelain, wood, vinyl, linoleum, carpet, paper, leather, combinations thereof, and the like. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said locus is an inanimate surface comprised of metals, minerals, polymers, plastics, fibrous substrates or non-wovens, or mixtures thereof, or coated or painted surfaces. 
     
     
         11 . The method  claim 1 , wherein said aqueous solution consists essentially of water; water and an acid; or water and a base; or water and a detergent. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said polyvinyl alcohol has an average degree of hydrolysis from 70-96 mole-percent. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said polyvinyl alcohol has an average degree of hydrolysis from 85-90 mole-percent. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein said film-forming agent has molecular weight ranging from about 4,000-186,000. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said inert solvent is water. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said liquid coating composition further comprises, one or more plasticizer, surfactant, cross-linking agent, colorant; solubilizing agent, rheology modifier, antioxidant, pH adjuster, wetting agent, antifoaming agent, extender, lubricant, processing aid, color fastness agent and film performance enhancer or one or more enzymes. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein said locus is a food processing equipment surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein said food processing surface is the surface of one or more of tanks, conveyors, floors, drains, coolers, freezers, equipment surfaces, walls, valves, belts, pipes, joints, crevasses, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said locus is a food surface, including one or more of beef, poultry, pork, vegetables, fruits and seafood. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said coating is a barrier to microbial contamination. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one antimicrobial agent is one more antibacterial, fungicide, fungistat, moldicide, mildewcide, antiseptic, disinfectant, sanitizer, germicide, algicide, or antifouling agent. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said antimicrobial agent is one or more quaternary ammonium compound or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said removal is performed by spraying or washing said locus. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coating provides a reduction of microorganisms of at least 3-log when applied to a contaminated surface. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the coating provides a reduction of microorganisms of at least 5-log when applied to a contaminated surface. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the coating prevents growth of at least one type of microorganism at said locus. 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 1 ; wherein the control of microorganisms at said locus comprises a reduction of microorganisms harbored in a biofilm. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said coating is substantially continuous and homogenous. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein said coating has a thickness of about 0.3 to about 300 microns. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein said coating has a thickness of about 0.5 to about 100 microns. 
     
     
         31 . A removable food-processing shut-down spray composition comprising:
 i) a film-forming water soluble or water-dispersible agent;   ii) at least one or more antimicrobial agent;   iii) an inert solvent; and   iv) optionally, one or more plasticizer, surfactant; cross-linking agent, colorant, solubilizing agent, rheology modifier, antioxidant, pH adjuster, wetting agent, antifoaming agent, extender, lubricant, processing aid, color fastness agent, film-performance enhancer or enzymes;   
       wherein said composition is durable and removable when subjected to an aqueous solution treatment above 15° C. 
     
     
         32 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said composition comprises a surfactant that provides a surface tension of about 20 to about 50 mN/m. 
     
     
         33 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said surfactant is an organo-silicone. 
     
     
         34 . The composition of  claim 32 , wherein said surfactant is at a concentration of about 0.01 wt % to about 1.0 wt % of the composition. 
     
     
         35 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said composition comprises a rheology control agent that provides shear thinning properties to the composition. 
     
     
         36 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said composition provides a reduction of microorganisms of at least 3-log when applied to a contaminated food processing surface. 
     
     
         37 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said composition is a disinfectant, sanitizer, preservative, or physical barrier to contamination when applied to a contaminated surface and wherein said composition is capable of residual antimicrobial efficacy when applied to a contaminated surface that is subject to subsequent contamination. 
     
     
         38 . The composition of  claim 31 , wherein said film-forming agent is one or more polyvinyl alcohols and copolymers thereof, including polyvinyl pyrrolidones, polyacrylic acid, acrylate copolymers, ionic hydrocarbon polymers, and polyurethanes or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein said at least one antimicrobial agent is an antibacterial, fungicide, fungistat, moldicide, mildewcide, antiseptic, disinfectant, sanitizer, germicide, algicide, or antifouling agent.