Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
.
This invention relates to anti-microbial, deodor-
izing cleaning compositions and to methods for using the
compositions.
Brief Descri~tion of the Prior Art
Many commercially available products make claim to
an effectiveness for removing odors and smells. Actually,
most such produets do not in fact remove such odors and
smells but rather merely mask them, generally by using an
essence or other additive whieh acts on the sensory nerve
endings of the nasal mucosa. Other products are known which
contain soaps or have a detergent action so as to remove
grease or dirt. Stil} other compositions have been aescribed
which are charaeterized by their germieidal effectiveness.
Eaeh of these compositions is not without its drawbacks,
however. For examp]e, few if any such compositions are
capable of cleaning, absorbing (e.g. oils, grease, water,
.
dirt etc.), deodorizing and protecting against microbial
~0 activity. ~ll compositions of this type generally fail in
at least one of these respects and those that might approach
these capabilities frequently have an adverse effect on the
working surface or a toxie effect on humans and animals or
otherwise suffer from a ]ack of efficiency.
Objects of the Invention
... . _ ... .. .. . . .. _
Thus/ one object of the invention is to removP the
odor produeing substances rather than merely masking the
odors and smells.
~et another object of the invention is to provide
a nontoxic composition which cleanses surfaces by removing
and absorbing oil, grease, dirt and the like in an efficient
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manner.
A further object of the invention is to provide a
composition which is not irritating to the skin and which
in fact protects the skin from the dehydrating activity that
typifies many other hand-cleaners and leaves the skin area
soft and smooth.
Another object of this invention is to provide a
composition which in addition to possessing the aforementioned
properties simultaneously protects the surface treated or
cleansed from microbial degradation.
Summary of the Invention
These and other ob~ects of the invention are ob-
tained by a composition comprising an uniform admixture of
particles of alkali metal bicarbonate, alkali metal chloride
and fuller's earth in a ratio in parts by weight of alkali
metal bicarbonate: alkali metal chloride: fuller's earth
of about 0.25 to 0.45: about 0.35 to 0.55: about O.lS to
0.25.
The preferred alkali metal bicarbonate is sodium
carbonate and the preferred alkali~metal chloride is sodium
chloride. The proportions in which the components of the
composition are employed are important for proportions
significantly beyond those set out above fail to achieve the
desired results. Best results are obtai~ed with a composition
having proportions of alkali metal bicarbonate: alkali metal
chloride: fullerls earth of 7 9:4 parts by weight.
A particularly unexpected feature of the present
invention resides in the finding that the composition possesses
antimicrobial activity. The composition of the invention
reduces the growth of both bacteria and fungi. This discovery
is surprising because none of the individual components of
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the composition are recognized as bactericides or fungicides.
In combination, however, the components, for reasons not
clearly understood, exhibit an anti-microbial inhibitory
activity that contributes in a number of ways to the utility
of the invention. For instance, not only does the composition
of the invention remove odors by absorbing the odor-
producing substance, its anti-microbial inhibitory activity
protects against microbial biodegradration of the material or
substrate worked on. Similarly, the anti-microbial inhibitory
characteristics of the compositions of the invention renders
umlecessary the use of preservatives or anti-rot agents whose
preservative effect is based on the poisoning of an enzyme
or a particular metabolic pathway. Preservatives of the
latter type tend to be toxic and therefore undesirable.
Another advantage provided by the anti-microbial
inhibitory activity of the composition of the invention
resides in the fact it renders unnecessary use of scents and
essences normally employed in absorbent composition because
of their inability to provide long-lasting deodorizing
ZO protection.
Preparation of the compositions of the invention
is achieved by simply mixing together in the defined propor-
tions of particles of each of the components to provide a
dry uniform admlxture. This is most conveniently accomplished
by the use of a dry blender but any suitable mixing means can
be employed. The particle size of the components can vary
widely depending on sieve sizes.
The compositions of the invention, in view of their
extraordinary properties, find a variety of uses. These uses
include, by way of illustration:
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(1) deodorant, dessicant (cleaner) for carpets, rugs,
uphols-tery, mattresses, foam rubber (removal of
musty, food, urine and vomit odors)
(2) hand cleaner and emollient
(3) hygienic metal cleaner and polish
(4) hygienic kitchen cleanser (pots, pans enamel and
hard rubber surfaces)
(5) mop and sponge sweetner
(6) refrigerator deodoriæer and cleanser
(7) scavenger for recovery of oil and grease
(8) fire and smoke damage deodorizer
(9) preservative for long-term storage of rugs,
carpets, mattresses and upholstered furniture
(10) vacuum cleaner bag freshener
(11) odor remover, veterinary (pet and other animals)
(12) air/air filter deodorizer
(13~ mold and mildew preventative in the shipping of
shoes, leather goods, rugs, carpets, upholstery
and other materials (such as wood) subject to rot.
(14) garbage receptacle deodorizer
The method of using the compositions of the invention
will vary of course depending upon the application to which
the composition is to be pu-t.
In instances such as (1) to (5) above where the
substrate or surface co be cleaned is dry, it is advantageous
to at least wet the substrate or surface with water before
applying the dry composition of the invention. The dry
powdery composition of the invention can be applied by any
means as by simply sprinkle the composition onto the wetted
surface or substrate, brushed in for deep pile carpets,
spread in other cases. For use (1) it is allowed to dry
(overnight, if necessary) and vacuumed up. For use (2), (3)
and (4) it is rinsed off with water until entirely removed.
For use (6) above, the powder of composition of the
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invention is advantageously ~cept in the open (perforated)
container in the refrigerator during shipping. By the time
the destination is reached, the food odor should be removed
or substantially reduced. It is then spread over the interior
of the refrigerator with a moist sponge and rinsed off with
water until no film remains.
For use (7), the powder of the invention is dispened
over the surface of the spill until the oil and/or grease
is absorbed. The composition of the absorbed oil or grease
is then removed by scooping up and the process is repeated
as often as needed.
For use (8) above, the powder composition of the
invention is spread throughout the room or rooms on all
surfaces including furnishings and damped and wet areas.
Whether the part of composition is removed and whether a
treatment is necessary depends on the severity of the
conditions.
For use (9) above, the powder composition of the
invention is spread on the rug, roll and wrap surface and
when the rug is to be put into use~ the powder composition
is vacuumed up. Mattresses and upholstered furniture should
be treated similarly.
For use (10) above, the powder composition of the
invention is shaken into a permanent vacuum cleaner bag and
the vacuum used in a normal manner.
For use (11) above, the powder composition is
shaken into cat litter until the wet spots are covered. This
procedure can be repeated until the litter is saturated with
urine and then the litter is discarded. On rugs, etc. and
where pets have sat, slept, urinated, etc., treatment with
the compositions of the invention is as described above with
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reference to rugs or upholstery.
For use ~12) above, the composition of the invention
is fixed in any suitable manner to a suitable filter material.
For use (13) above, the same procedure as described
above with reference to use t9) on ruys, rolls and wraps is
employed .
For use (14) above, the powder composition of the
invention is shaken into the interior of garbage receptacles
until a deodorizing effect is noted. The powder composition
can be used to cleanse and sanitize, as well, as by adding
water to make a paste and scrubbing the receptacle with an
appropriate cleaning device.
The foIlowing examples are included to further
illustrate the present invention.
EXAMPLE I
Seven parts by weight sodium bicarbonate (U~P powder),
nine parts by weight sodium chloride (food grade table salt)
and four parts by weiyht fuller's earth (90-100 mesh) are
added to a dry blender and mixed until a uniform homogeneous
admixture is obtained.
The following example is included to demonstrate
the fungistatic and bacteriostatic activity of the compositions
of the invention.
_ MPLE II
A~ Fungistatic Activity:
Test Method
One gram of the composition of Example I is mixed
six drops of water to yield a paste. The paste is
spread onto a 4.5 cm diameter Whatman No. 1 filter
paper disc. The coated side of the filter paper
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is placed in intimate contact to the surface of
a Sabouraud Dextrose Agar plate which has been
inoculated with a slurry of spores of the mildew
fungus, Aspergillus niger imrnediately before appli-
cation of the composition coated filter paper.
The test specimen is incubated for 7 days at 28C
and the growth pattern observed.
Test Results
A 20mm growth-free zone was observed around the
treated filter paper (coated with a paste of the
composition)
Remarks
.. . .
The results indicate a marked inhibitory effect on
the growth of the mildew fungus.
B. Bacteriosta-tic Activitv:
Test Results -~
One gram of each of the following products was
tested for bacteriostatic activity: The powder
composition of Example I, Airwick Carpet Fresh,
Dusto Fresh Ploors. Sisal contamlnated wlth
bacteria was prepared in three 3 gram samples. The
:
contaminated sisal samples were distributed in
; separate plastic bags. One gram of composition of
Example I was placed in a bag of contaminated sisal
and the contents vigorously shaken. The same pro
cedure was followed for the other two products,
Then, for each product individually, one 0.1 gram
portion was placed in a test tube containing 10 ml
of sterile distilled water and then shaken. Serial
dilutions were made and then plated onto Nutrient
Agar. After incubation at 25C for 24 hours, the
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number of colony forming units was determined.
Test Results
Composition Example I 4 x 10 bacteria/ml
Airwick 8 x 10 " "
Dusto 6 x 10
Remarks
The composition of Example I shows significant
inhibition of the growth of bacteria and is several
times more effective as an antibacterial agent
than the other products tested.
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