Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Preparations characterized by special physical form – Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-12
2002-04-30
Krass, Frederick (Department: 1614)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Preparations characterized by special physical form
Biocides; animal or insect repellents or attractants
C424S409000, C424S410000, C424S078020, C424S078050, C514S065000, C514S067000, C514S070000, C043S132100, C043S136000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06379686
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to compositions for treating substrates, and in particular to compositions for treating substrates to control dust mites.
Allergies to dust are common in the U.S. and Western European countries. Many of these allergies are caused by allergens produced by acarids present in dust, such as
Dermatophagoides farinae, Euroglyphus maynei
, and
Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus
. Such acarids are commonly referred to as “dust mites”. Two types of allergens are produced by dust mites: Group I allergens, which are released by dust mites via fecal pellets, and Group II allergens which are present in the bodies of the dust mites. It has been determined that the threshold level for dust mite allergen sensitization is about 100-500 mites/gram.
It is known that dust mites derive their nourishment from the dead skin, nail debris, fur, and feathers of humans and animals (often collectively referred to as “squamae”). Mold provides dust mites with vitamins, which helps the dust mites digest squamae. Thus, dust mites live in areas where abundant amounts of squamae can be found, where the temperature is warm, where the humidity is relatively high, and where there is little light (because dust mites are sensitive to solar UV). Consequently, dust mites thrive in substrates that have prolonged contact with humans, e.g., bedding, upholstered furniture, and carpets.
Acaricidal compositions have been developed to treat substrates. Typically, acaricidal compositions include an acaricide and a carrier, such as water or an organic solvent. These acaricidal compositions poison dust mites, but do not reduce environmental conditions that are favorable to dust mites, such as high humidity and abundant food supplies.
Based upon the foregoing, there is a need in the art for a composition for treating substrates to control dust mites, wherein the composition reduces environmental conditions favorable to dust mites. The present invention is directed to such a composition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It therefore would be desirable, and is an advantage of the present invention, to provide a composition for treating substrates to control dust mites, wherein the composition reduces environmental conditions favorable to dust mites. In accordance with the present invention, the composition includes a fluoropolymer, a biocidally effective amount of a biocide, and an acaricidally effective amount of an acaricide. Also provided in accordance with the present invention are methods of treating substrates to control dust mites. The methods include the step of applying a composition to the substrate. In one embodiment, the composition includes a fluoropolymer and an acaricidally effective amount of an acaricide. In another embodiment, the composition includes a biocidally effective amount of a biocide, and an acaricidally effective amount of an acaricide.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
It should be noted that parts are parts by weight and percents are weight percents unless otherwise indicated or apparent. In addition, when a preferred range such as 5-25 is given, this means preferably at least 5 and preferably not more than 25.
As used herein, the term “acaricide” shall mean a material that kills or materially inhibits the growth, reproduction, or spread of acarids, including but not limited to dust mites. An “acaricidally effective amount” of an acaricide is that amount that will kill or materially inhibit the growth, reproduction or spread of a significant number of acarids.
As used herein, the term “biocide” shall mean a material that kills or materially inhibits the growth, division, reproduction, or spread of microorganisms, such as bacteria, algae, and fungi. A “biocidally effective amount” of a biocide is that amount that will kill or materially inhibit the growth, division, reproduction, or spread of a significant number of microorganisms.
As used herein, the term “fluoropolymer” shall mean any polymer, copolymer, or mixture of polymers, wherein some or all of the hydrogens are replaced with fluorine.
As used herein, the term “powderizing agent” shall mean a material that operates as an inert carrier to render a liquid into a solid.
Preferably, the composition of the present invention is in liquid form and is organic solvent-based. Less preferably, the composition is in liquid form and is water-based. Still less preferably, the composition is in powder form.
The preferred formulation (Formulation 1) for the organic solvent-based embodiment of the composition is as follows:
Weight Percent
Less
Less
Component
Preferred
Preferred
Preferred
1. Polymer A
7.55
5-15
.1-20
2. Biocide
.25
.05-1
.001-5
3. Acaricide
.1
.05-3
.01-10
4. Solvent A
92.1
81-94.9
65-99.88
The preferred formulation (Formulation 2) for the water-based embodiment of the composition is as follows:
Weight Percent
Less
Less
Component
Preferred
Preferred
Preferred
1. Polymer B
2.9
2-15
.1-20
2. Biocide
.25
.05-1
.0001-5
3. Acaricide
.1
.05-3
.01-10
4. Surfactant A
1.3
.5-5
.1-10
5. Glycol ether A
2.5
.5-5
.1-10
6. Glycol ether B
2.5
.5-5
.1-10
7. Water
90.45
66-96.4
35-99.5899
The preferred formulation (Formulation 3) for the powder embodiment of the composition is as follows:
Weight Percent
Less
Less
Component
Preferred
Preferred
Preferred
1.
Polymer A
7.55
5-15
.1-20
2.
Biocide
.25
.05-1
.01-2
3.
Acaricide
.1
.05-3
.01-10
4.
Powderizing
92.1
81-94.9
69-99.88
Agent
Preferably, polymers A and B prevent water and other polar and non-polar liquids and soils from penetrating the substrate to which the composition of the present invention is applied, and also prevent the biocides A and B and the acaricide from being removed from the substrate by water and other liquids. The polymers A and B preferably reduce the surface energy of the substrate to 16-30 dynes/cm. This low surface energy prevents water and most oils from wetting or spreading over or into the substrate. It is believed that the low surface energy also helps prevent soil, such as squamae, from adhering to the substrate. Thus, the polymers A and B preferably keep the substrate clean and dry, thereby making the substrate less suitable for hosting dust mites.
Preferably, polymer A is a perfluorinated polymer sold under the name Bartex AF NF by TriTex. Bartex AF NF is a mixture comprising 15 weight-percent fluoroalkyl acrylate copolymer solubilized in an 85 weight-percent 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane solvent. Polymer B is preferably a perfluoroalkyl methacrylic copolymer sold under the name Zonyl 8740 by E. I. Du Pont de Nemours. Less preferably, polymers A and B are fluorinated or perfluorinated acrylics, methacrylics, styrenes, or polyethylenes, or other type of fluoropolymers. Still less preferably, polymers A and B are silicone polymers, such as polymethylhydrosiloxane. Still less preferably, polymers A and B are any other polymer, copolymer, or mixture of polymers that provides a water resistant coating.
Preferably, the biocide is active against a broad spectrum of organisms, including Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria, and fungi. It is also preferred if the biocide is not irritating to human skin, is not readily deactivated by soil load, and is compatible with water repellent polymers, such as fluoropolymers. The biocide preferably reduces and prevents the growth of mold, fungi, bacteria, and algae, which are potential food sources for dust mites.
The biocide is preferably didecyldimethylammonium chloride, which is a quaternary ammonium compound sold by Lonza UK Ltd. under the name Bardac 22. Less preferably, the biocide is another quaternary ammonium compound, such as: benzyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, which is sold by Rhodia under the name DMB 451; didecyldimethylammonium chloride, which is sold
Harris James T.
Tangelder Bernardus M.
Krass Frederick
MagiSeal Corporation
Pearne & Gordon LLP
LandOfFree
Fabric, carpet and upholstery protectant with biocide and... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Fabric, carpet and upholstery protectant with biocide and..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Fabric, carpet and upholstery protectant with biocide and... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2919255