Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces – auxiliary compositions – Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing – Heterogeneous arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
2002-07-01
2004-04-27
Kopec, Mark (Department: 1751)
Cleaning compositions for solid surfaces, auxiliary compositions
Cleaning compositions or processes of preparing
Heterogeneous arrangement
C510S367000, C510S382000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06727219
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Packaged, pre-measured, single-dose quantities of chemical reagents for use as laundry bleaching agents, solid and liquid laundry detergents, nonaqueous dishwashing formulations, and pigmentation formulations are known. For example, Gorlin et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,228,825 disclose a liquid automatic dishwashing cleaning formulation, optionally containing up to 20% of an oxygen bleaching agent, including potassium monopersulfate. Pesticides and soil treatment formulations for single-dose application have been similarly disclosed.
A major advantage of the use of such packaged single-dose application units is that the end user is provided a pre-measured amount of reagent, and avoids the hazards associated with direct contact with solid and liquid formulations (e.g., dust inhalation, skin or eye contact irritation). Thus problems common to the use of liquid and solid formulations such as waste through excessive use, inadequate treatment, and health hazards due to exposure are simultaneously minimized.
A need exists for single dose units for moisture sensitive materials wherein it is desired for the packaging to be dissolved in water. It is desirable to have moisture sensitive materials in pre-measured single-dose packages for oxidizing agents for pools, spas, and other ornamental or recreational water. The present invention overcomes the moisture sensitive problem and provides such a pre-measured oxidizing agent.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises an oxidizing agent comprising a pre-measured amount of stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate in a sealed water-soluble pouch, said agent and pouch together having a specific gravity exceeding 1.0.
The present invention further comprises a method of treating water comprising adding to the water a sealed water-soluble pouch containing a pre-measured amount of an oxidizing agent comprising stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate, wherein said agent and pouch together have a specific gravity exceeding 1.0.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate (KHSO
5
) is known to be chemically unstable in that the oxygen will readily react. It is therefore typically used in the form of a salt which is more stable. The term “stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate” is used herein to denote potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate and stabilized compositions thereof. This includes salts of potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate. In particular it includes the mixed triple salt 2 KHSO
5
.KHSO
4
.K
2
SO
4
, a crystalline salt of enhanced stability having a theoretical active oxygen content of 5.2%, and commercial versions thereof typically having an active oxygen content of 4.7%. Stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate is used as an auxiliary oxidant or water shock treatment for pools, spas, and other recreational and ornamental waters, including for example fountains, reflecting pools, ornamental ponds, and the like. It is used to reduce the non-microbial waste content and restore the sparkle and clarity of such bodies of water and to do so without forming the irritating and malodorous chloramines associated with chlorinating products such as calcium hypochlorite.
Stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate is not a registered sanitizer and is used in conjunction with EPA-registered sanitizers. Stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate, in contrast to chlorine bleaches such as calcium hypochlorite, provides oxidation without undesirable side-effects such as bleaching or fading of vinyl liners, painted surfaces, or swimsuit fabrics.
Stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate in the form of the triple salt is available commercially as the active ingredient in OXONE monopersulfate compound available from E. I. Du Pont de Nemours and Company, Wilmington Del. Trademarks are hereinafter shown in upper case. OXONE is a stable, solid, water-soluble, non-chlorine-containing oxidizing agent with uses in swimming pool and spa oxidation products.
Other uses include the active bleach component in denture cleansers and other cleaning compositions, a microetchant in printed circuit board manufacture, a paper repulping aid for the destruction of wet strength resins, and an oxidizer in antimicrobial compositions.
OXONE is moisture sensitive but is known to be compatible in blends with anhydrous ingredients, such as anhydrous sodium carbonate, and with chemicals in which bound water is held tightly. For instance, blends with anhydrous sodium perborate and the monohydrate are stable, but blends with sodium perborate tetrahydrate are not. OXONE is shipped in drums and containers that have moisture barrier properties built into the packaging. This sensitivity to moisture has prevented stable packaging in water-soluble films that contain significant levels of moisture to provide the characteristic soft and “skin-like” feel of the plastic.
Stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate is typically used as a freshly-prepared solution, or, for such uses as swimming pools, is often “broadcast” directly from the bulk container in its original granular form onto the water surface using a scoop or shovel. Careless application of stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate can lead to overdosage, underdosage, and exposure to dust.
The present invention is directed to a pre-measured single use dose for stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate as an oxidizing agent for water treatment. It comprises a pre-measured amount of stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate as the oxidizing agent, in a sealed pouch, wherein said agent and pouch have a specific gravity exceeding 1.0. This invention simultaneously provides sufficient moisture protection for the stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate, immediate sinking of the product to the bottom of the body of water being treated, and rapid disintegration of the packaging in ambient temperature water. The contents of the pouch are thus fully released and dissolved and become uniformly distributed by the water movement associated with the circulation system.
Any grade of stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate is suitable for use in the present invention. Typically, the stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate is a free-flowing fine granular solid, having a particle size range of from about 45 to about 1200 micrometers. Preferred is OXON®) or the stable triple salt form of stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate. Preferably it is used in the form of a dry solid having a maximum moisture content of less than 0.1%, measured by weight loss on heating at 65° C. for 30 minutes, and has a bulk density of from about 72 to about 81 lb/ft
3
(1.15-1.30 g/cm
3
).
The stabilized potassium hydrogen peroxymonosulfate is optionally blended with other water treatment chemicals. The types of optional additives are given below as examples and are not intended to be all-inclusive. Examples are pH buffers to help maintain correct pH and alkalinity (e.g., anhydrous carbonates such as sodium carbonate, sesquicarbonates, bicarbonates such as sodium bicarbonate, silicates, bisulfates, and phosphates such as monopotassium phosphate and dipotassium phosphate); diluents, (e.g., sodium sulfate); clarifiers (e.g., anionic, nonionic, and cationic polymers, chitin and chitosan, aluminum and iron salts such as sulfates); algae control agents (e.g., copper salts such as sulfate, metal ions such as silver and zinc, quaternary ammonium chloride products such as alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride formulations, and polymeric quaternary ammonium chloride products); active halogens and halide salts (e.g., trichloro-s-triazine trione, sodium dichloro-s-triazine trione, halogenated hydantoins such as 3-bromo-1-chloro-5,5-dimethylhydantoin, sodium chloride, sodium bromide, oxazolidinone compounds such as 3-halo-5-halomethyl-2-oxazolidinone); other oxidizers (e.g., persulfates such as sodium peroxydisulfate, other peracids, percarbonates); halogen stabilizers (e.g., cyanuric acid, sulfamic acid, and dimethylhydantoin); biocida
Buckland Raymond
Rybiak Martin Bartholomew
Tufano Thomas Peter
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
Kopec Mark
Petruncio John M.
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