Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Using sequentially applied treating agents
Reexamination Certificate
2000-04-14
2001-10-30
Carrillo, Sharidan (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Using sequentially applied treating agents
C134S002000, C134S003000, C134S036000, C134S041000, C134S042000, C510S109000, C510S214000, C510S238000, C510S278000, C510S281000, C510S405000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309471
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved method of removing iodine stains wherein a surface having an iodine stain is contacted with a liquid cleaning composition comprising salicylic acid, a salicylic acid derivative or a mixture thereof, and at least one solvent. Antimicrobial agents may optionally be added to the composition. Further, the composition can be modified for use in the removal of rust stains.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Iodine and iodophors are widely used in antiseptics and disinfectants to prevent the growth of microorganisms, and for treating and preventing local infections and in controlling the spread of disease, and are thus widely used in medical or health care facilities, institutional facilities, industrial facilities and so forth.
Iodophors are complexes of iodine with solubilizers or carriers which are typically polymers such as polyvinyl pyrrolidone or polyethylene glycol, or certain types of surface active agents that have detergent properties. The iodophors complex iodine and facilitate the liberation of free iodine in solution. Commonly used iodophors include iodine complexed with nonionic surfactants, iodine complexed with glycol ether, and iodine complexed with polyvinylpyrrolidone (1-ethenyl-2-pyrrolidone homopolymer compound). The latter is probably the most widely used iodophor and is generally known as Povidone-lodine, U.S.P.; see The Merck Index, 10th Edition, monograph 7595 (1983).
Povidone-iodine products are commercially available in a variety of forms including antiseptic gels, ointments, solutions, scrubs, and so forth. Povidone-iodine is commonly found under the name of Alphadine®, a trademark of Ecolab Inc. located in St. Paul, Minn. Some formulations are bacteriostatic or microbiocidal, killing gram negative and gram positive bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa and yeasts.
Hospitals, nursing homes and other health care facilities routinely use povidone-iodine formulations in surgical and other procedures, and for patient care. It is inevitable that hospital linens including sheets, gowns, drapes, and other textile products will become soiled with povidone-iodine complex stains. Spills commonly occur resulting in the soiling of floors, countertops, and walls as well. In the case of flooring such as tile, the povidone-iodine complex will go right through the floor finish to the tile below, resulting in the necessary replacement of the tile. Furthermore, these stains, containing not only iodine, but a polymeric complexing agent, are very difficult to remove by the usual cleaning and laundering techniques, and with the currently available detergent products.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,569 describes a detergent composition for removing povidone-iodine-complex antiseptics from stained linens. The detergent composition contains N-alkyl-2-pyrrolidone, gamma butyrolactone, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol or 4-methyl-1,3-dioxolane-2-one.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,937 describes a method of decolorizing iodine stain on a substrate, and in particular, to a method employing a carboxyalkene which may undergo iodolactonization.
An alternative solution is to use sodium thiosulfate which is a good reducing agent. Typically, a paste of sodium thiosulfate is made, applied to the stain, and allowed to stand for 24 hours. This is a tedious process, however, and more desirable solutions are needed.
The present inventors have found an improved composition for removing iodine stains. The composition contains at least one of salicylic acid, salicylic acid derivative or mixture thereof, and at least one solvent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to various methods of employing a composition based on a compound selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid, salicylic acid derivatives and mixtures thereof, and at least one solvent. Optionally, the composition may contain a surfactant, or a blend of surfactants.
In particular, the present invention relates to an improved method of removing iodine stains comprising applying a cleaning composition to a surface having a povidone-iodine stain and allowing the cleaning composition to set for an amount of time sufficient to decolorize the stain. The cleaning composition comprises at least one organic acid, organic acid salt thereof, or mixtures thereof and at least one solvent.
In particular, the present invention relates to an improved method of removing iodine stains comprising contacting a surface having an iodine stain with a liquid cleaning composition for a sufficient time to decolorize the stain. The liquid cleaning composition comprises about 1% to about 100% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid, salicylic acid derivatives and mixtures thereof, and at least one solvent.
If the composition is supplied as a dilutable concentrate, the salicylic acid/salicylic acid derivatives are present from about 10% to about 100% by weight of the composition, and a recommended range of dilution with water is anywhere from about 10:1 to about 1:10.
If the composition is supplied in a ready-to-use solution, the salicylic acid and/or salicylic acid derivatives will be present at a concentration of about 1% to about 20% by weight of the composition.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to a method of removing rust comprising contacting a metal surface having rust with a liquid cleaning composition for a sufficient time to remove the rust. The liquid composition comprises about 1% to about 20% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid, salicylic acid derivatives and mixtures thereof, and at least one solvent.
The liquid compositions of the present invention have an adjusted pH of about 1-14.
In another aspect, the present invention relates to an antimicrobial delivery system comprising about 1% to about 99.9% by weight of at least one compound selected from the group consisting of salicylic acid, salicylic acid derivatives and mixtures thereof, at least one antimicrobial agent, and at least one solvent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The compositions and methods of the present invention employ a compound that is based on an organic acid or organic acid salt, and in particular on salicylic acid (o-hydroxybenzoic acid), salicylic acid derivatives or a mixtures thereof.
Salicylic acid derivatives useful herein include salicylates such as salicylate esters, ammonium salicylates, or the salts of salicylic acid such as alkali metal or alkaline earth metal salicylic acid salts, and so forth. More specifically, useful salicylate derivatives include dipotassium 5-sulfosalicylate, ammonium salicylate, choline salicylate (&bgr;-hydroxyethyltrimethylammonium salicylate), lithium salicylate, magnesium salicylate, potassium salicylate, sodium salicylate, triethanolamine salicylate, and so forth. Desirably, the salicylic acid salts exhibit good water solubility. For example, sodium salicylate and potassium salicylate exhibit good water solubility and are preferable for use herein.
The salicylic acids or derivatives thereof are useful from about 0.1% to about 99.9% by weight of the composition, preferably from about 1% to about 60% by weight of the composition, and most preferably from about 10% to about 45% by weight of the composition.
The iodine stain removal composition may be supplied as a concentrate where dilution is recommended, or in a ready-to-use solution.
Ready-to-use solutions preferably comprise from about 0.01% to about 50% by weight salicylic acid by weight of the composition, and preferably from about 1% to about 20% by weight of the composition. Concentrates preferably comprise from about 10% to about 100% by weight of the composition. If the composition is supplied as a concentrate, it may be diluted with water at a ratio of about 10:1 to about 1:10, and preferably, from about 4:1 to about 1:4 depending on the original concentration, and its intended use.
The solvents useful herein are those in which salicylic acid or its derivative are soluble and/or emulsifiable. Exam
Hei Robert D. P.
Levitt Mark
Smith Kim R.
Carrillo Sharidan
Ecolab Inc.
Vidas Arrett & Steinkraus
LandOfFree
Rapid removal of iodine stains does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Rapid removal of iodine stains, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Rapid removal of iodine stains will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2557330