Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-09
2001-10-23
Delcotto, Gregory (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
For cleaning a specific substrate or removing a specific...
C510S445000, C510S446000, C510S447000, C510S506000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06306804
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a bilge cleaning composition and more particularly to a solid slow release bilge cleaning block for removing oil and other organic residue from the bilge of a vessel and for dispersing or preventing oil slicks when the treated bilge water is pumped overboard.
BACKGROUND FOR THE INVENTION
It is periodically necessary to clean the bilge of a vessel due to the collection of stagnant or dirty water. This stagnant or dirty water typically includes oil, gasoline and /or diesel fuel which can create hazardous conditions as well as causing particularly difficult conditions with respect to the removal thereof from the bilge. As a general rule. federal, state and local regulations prohibit pumping untreated bilge water overboard. For example. The Federal Water Pollution Control Act (FWPCA) prohibits the discharge of oil or hazardous substances into the waters within the Unites States. This prohibition is stated in terms: “discharge” includes spiking, spilling, leaking, or dumping; and “oil” means any kind of oil in any form including fuel oil, gasoline, lubricating oil and oil mixed with water in a vessel's bilge. The U.S. Coast Guard and Environmental Protection Agency standards states that oil has been discharged in a harmful quantity if it causes a visible shinning rainbow or discoloration of the surface of the water.
For this reason, it is necessary to clean a bilge and remove the treated bilge water at a discharge station. Typically, liquid cleaners are used, added to the bilge water and after a short period of time, the boat is taken to a discharge station and the treated bilge water pumped out. In the case of small boats, those having a length of 65 feet or less and one or two inboard engines, the bilge is cleaned periodically and is considered a necessary burden. For this reason, bilge cleaning is sometimes overlooked or put off which can cause additional problems.
Many of the commercially available liquid cleaners do not break down the oil or other organic materials and leave an oil film in the bilge. If the liquid cleaner leaves a residue of oil, gasoline or the like, the residue contributes to the conditions which will require a subsequent cleaning and may enhance corrosion of the materials used in manufacturing the vessel. Furthermore, some of the liquid cleaners are non-bioderadable and may further contribute to the pollution problem.
Accordingly, it is thought to be highly desirable to provide a continuous bilge cleaning product which will treat the bilge water and at the same time break down any organic residue so that it can be pumped overboard without harming the environment or violating federal, state or local regulations. It is also highly desirable to provide a bilge cleaning product that is easy to handle, facilitates bilge cleaning, and which can be manufactured and sold at a competitive price.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION.
The present invention contemplates an improved bilge cleaning product that is provided in solid form and which releases its active ingredients over a prolonged period of time. The product can be thrown into a bilge, is particularly simple to handle and does not require gloves or other protective clothing to handle. In fact, the cleaners can be handled with an individual's bare hands and in good clothes without concern for soiling or damaging one's clothes. Furthermore, the ordinary movement of the boat while at dock or under way provides sufficient agitation to continuously clean the bilge while allowing the boat owner to discharge the treated bilge water at his or her convenience. It is also presently believed , that the treated bilge water may be pumped overboard without violating any federal, state or local regulations. It is believed that the treated bilge water can be pumped overboard because tests show that after treatment bilge water could be pumped overboard without leaving a visible shinning rainbow or discoloration on the surface of the water.
In addition, the bilge cleaning compositions in accordance with the invention are highly effective with mixtures of saline or hard water and oil or other hydrocarbons. Furthermore the preferred embodiment of the invention has less than 5% phosphates and is believed to be environmentally safe. Such compositions can be manufactured and sold at a competitive price and do not present a problem with foaming. Further advantages of such compositions relate to the solid slow release properties which provide continuous cleaning action due to the movement of the vessel. Because of the slow release properties, it is believed that it may be possible to add a small block or “pill” of the composition to the bilge on a once a month basis and to pump out the bilge water over the same period on an as needed basis. The frequency of adding additional composition will, of course, depend on the condition of the vessel and its use.
In essence, the present invention contemplates a solid phase bilge water cleaning composition which is biodegradable and environmentally safe. The composition comprises a polysorbitan monostearate wax in an amount of 30-70% by weight, preferably a polyethylene sorbitan monstearate wax and about 30-70% by weight of a second compound selected from the group consisting of a) a non-ionic alkyl detergent, b) sodium citrate, c) sodium metasilicate, d) a sorbitan monostearate, e) a fatty alcohol ethoxylate polyoxyethylene stearyl ether and mixtures thereof. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the composition includes about 50% by weight polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate and about 50% by weight of a mixture of non-ionic alkyl detergent with about 18% sodium meta-silicate and about 12% trisodium phosphate.
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patent: 3988255 (1976-10-01), Seiden
patent: 5705164 (1998-01-01), Mackey et al.
patent: 5716692 (1998-02-01), Warner et al.
patent: 5830487 (1998-11-01), Klofta et al.
patent: 6074998 (2000-06-01), He et al.
patent: 6114291 (2000-09-01), He et al.
patent: 6174845 (2001-01-01), Rattinger et al.
Broedel, Jr. Sheldon E.
Harris James M.
Delcotto Gregory
Dougherty & Troxell
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