Drug – bio-affecting and body treating compositions – Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution... – Containing or obtained from mentha
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-27
2003-03-11
Weber, Jon P. (Department: 1651)
Drug, bio-affecting and body treating compositions
Plant material or plant extract of undetermined constitution...
Containing or obtained from mentha
C424S725000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06531163
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to pesticidal compositions containing peppermint oil against household pests, including cockroaches and ants. In one aspect, the present invention relates to pesticidal compositions comprising peppermint oil, optionally blended with one or more plant essential oils and/or derivatives thereof, to be used as a contact pesticide against household pests. In another aspect, the present invention relates to the use of new technology to achieve synergistic activity between or among peppermint oil and at least one member selected from the group consisting of eugenol, phenethyl propionate, and benzyl alcohol. The present invention also relates to synergistic compositions comprising peppermint oil in combination with metabolic detoxication inhibitors, piperonyl butoxide (PBO) and signal transduction modulators, such as members of the family of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (e.g. genistein). The present invention also relates to pesticidally effective ratios between or among the constituents of the above inventive blends and the proper delivery system for each blend. In a further aspect, the present invention relates to a method for controlling household pests, including, without limitation, cockroaches and ants, by the application of pesticidally effective amounts of the inventive pesticidal compositions to a location where pest control is desired.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Pests (invertebrates, insects, arachnids, larvae thereof, etc.) are annoying to humans for a myriad of reasons. They have annually cost humans billions of dollars in crop losses and in the expense of keeping them under control. For example, the losses caused by pests in agricultural environments include decreased crop yield, reduced crop quality, and increased harvesting costs. In household scenarios, insect pests may act as vectors for diseases and allergic matter.
Over the years, synthetic chemical pesticides have provided an effective means of pest control. For example, one approach teaches the use of complex, organic insecticides, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,376,784 and 4,308,279. Other approaches employ absorbent organic polymers for widespread dehydration of the insects. See, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,985,251; 4,983,390; 4,818,534; and 4,983,389. Use of inorganic salts as components of pesticides has also been tried, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,423,284 and 4,948,013, European Patent Application No. 462 347, Chemical Abstracts 119(5):43357q (1993) and Farm Chemicals Handbook, page c102 (1987).
However, it has become increasingly apparent that the widespread use of synthetic chemical pesticides has caused detrimental environmental effects that are harmful to humans and other animals. For instance, the public has become concerned about the amount of residual chemicals that persist in food, ground water and the environment, and that are toxic, carcinogenic or otherwise incompatible to humans, domestic animals and/or fish. Moreover, some target pests have even shown an ability to develop resistance to many commonly used synthetic chemical pesticides. In recent times, regulatory guidelines have encouraged a search for potentially less dangerous pesticidal compositions via stringent restrictions on the use of certain synthetic pesticides. As a result, elimination of effective pesticides from the market has limited economical and effective options for controlling pests. As an alternative, botanical pesticides are of great interest because they are natural pesticides, i.e., toxicants derived from plants that are safe to humans and the environment.
Accordingly, there is a great need for novel pesticidal compositions that contain no pyrethrum, synthetic pyrethroids, chlorinated hydrocarbons, organo phosphates, carbamates, and the like, that may be used against household pests, including, without limitation, cockroaches and ants. In addition, there is a need for a method of treating the household to kill and repel insect pests.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A primary object of the present invention is to provide novel pesticidal compositions for use against household pests, including cockroaches and ants.
Another object of the invention is to provide novel pesticidal compositions containing peppermint oil (including cornmint oil), optionally blended with one or more natural or synthetic plant essential oils compounds and/or derivatives thereof, as a contact and repellent pesticide in the household.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a method of treating a locus where pest control is desired.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a pesticidal composition and method for mechanically and neurally controlling household pests.
It is a further object to provide a safe, non-toxic pesticidal composition and method that will not harm mammals or the environment.
It is still another object to provide a pesticidal composition and method that has a pleasant scent or is unscented, and that can be applied without burdensome safety precautions.
It is still another object to provide a pesticidal composition and method as described above which can be inexpensively produced or employed.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pesticidal composition and method to which pests cannot build resistance.
The above and other objects are accomplished by the present invention which is directed to pesticidal compositions comprising peppermint oil (including cornmint oil), optionally blended with a natural or synthetic plant essential oil compound and/or derivative thereof, in admixture with a suitable carrier. In addition, the present invention is directed to a method for controlling household pests by applying a pesticidally-effective amount of the inventive pesticidal compositions disclosed herein to a location where pest control is desired.
Additional objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will be set forth, in part, in the description that follows, or may be learned from practicing or using the present invention. The objects and advantages may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly recited in the appended claims. It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not to be viewed as being restrictive of the invention, as claimed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
All patents, patent applications and literatures cited in this description are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides a pesticidal composition comprising peppermint oil and/or cornmint oil, in admixture with a suitable carrier, optionally with a suitable surface active agent, and optionally blended with one or more natural or synthetic plant essential oil compounds and/or derivatives thereof, including racemic mixtures, enantiomers, diastereomers, hydrates, salts, solvates and metabolites, etc. As used herein, the term “plant essential oil” or “plant essential oil compound” (which shall include derivatives thereof) generally refers to a monocyclic, carbocyclic ring structure having six-members and substituted by at least one oxygenated or hydroxyl functional moiety. Examples of plant essential oils encompassed within the present invention, include, but are not limited to, members selected from the group consisting of aldehyde C16 (pure), &agr;-terpineol, amyl cinnamic aldehyde, amyl salicylate, anisic aldehyde, benzyl alcohol, benzyl acetate, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic alcohol, carvacrol, carveol, citral, citronellal, citronellol, p-cymene, diethyl phthalate, dimethyl salicylate, dipropylene glycol, eucalyptol (cineole), eugenol, iso-eugenol, galaxolide, geraniol, guaiacol, ionone, menthol, menthyl salicylate, methyl anthranilate, methyl ionone, methyl salicylate, a-phellandrene, pennyroyal oil, perillaldehyde, 1- or 2-phenyl ethyl alcohol, 1- or 2-phenyl ethyl propionate, piperonal, piperonyl acetate, piperonyl alcohol, D-pulegone, terp
Bessette Steven M.
Enan Essam E.
Ecosmart Technologies, Inc.
McDermott & Will & Emery
Patten Patricia
Weber Jon P.
LandOfFree
Pesticidal compositions containing peppermint oil does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Pesticidal compositions containing peppermint oil, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Pesticidal compositions containing peppermint oil will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3031105