Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02417927 2008-11-14
1 METHOD OF MAKING A COMPOSITION, A PRODUCT FROM SUCH METHOD,
2 AND THE USE THEREOF IN REMOVING OR DISSOLVING A CONTAMINANT
3 FROM AN ENVIRONMENT
4
6
7 BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
a The invention relates to a method of making a composition and a product from
such
9 method wherein such composition is effective in reducing the concentration
of a contaminant
to in an environment.
11 It is known that various processes used to produce printed materials such
as printing
12 processes and lithography processes utilize various machinery that contain
several parts such
13 as rollers, apparatus to contain and move fluids (such as hoses and trays),
and other moving
14 parts (such as gears and the like). Such machinery becomes contaminated
with various
contaminants, such as organic deposits, calcium deposits, bacteria, fungi, and
additional
16 residue created from the use of various organic-based inks and printing
production fluids
17 known in the art. Great difficulty is encountered in attempting to reduce
the concentration of,
1s preferably remove, such contaminants from the various parts of the
machinery due, in part, to
19 the difficulty in accessing the internal parts of such machinery.
In addition, when such contaminant residue is not removed on a consistent
basis, it is
21 known that such residue can accumulate and harden over time creating a
residue which is
22 difficult to remove and can cause undesirable chemical. reactions to occur
in the various
23 processes. Processes used in the past to remove such residue have included
mechanical
24 removal that requires disassembling the machinery to access parts that
contain such residue
and then removing such residue by mechanical methods such as by hammering,
chiseling, and
26 the like. Such mechanical methods require significant downtime of the
machinery and
1
SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 involve increased risk to the equipment and the personnel involved with
removing such
2 residue.
3 It is also known that various methods for removing such residue, other than
4 mechanical methods, usually involve the use of fluids such as various
solvents and
surfactants. However, such solvents and surfactants do not completely remove
such residue.
6 Further, when such solvents and surfactants do not completely remove such
residue, such
7 residue begins to accumulate as discussed above. Thus, a composition and
process of using
8 such composition for removing contaminants from machinery such as printing
and
9 lithography equipment that does not require mechanical methods of removing
such residue,
provides for a substantially complete removal of such residue, and helps to
prevent the
11 accumulation of such residue, would be of significant contribution to the
art and to the
12 economy.
13 It is also known that various industrial processes used to produce goods
utilize various
14 systems, such as packaging systems, flexographic systems, food processing
systems,
bleaching systems, metallurgy systems, acid washing systems, veterinary
product systems,
16 pesticide systems, meat processing systems, poultry processing systems,
dairy processing
17 systems, sanitizing systems, and the like and combinations thereof, which
contain several
18 parts such as gears, rollers, and the like. Such parts can become
contaminated with various
19 contaminants such as organic and calcium deposits, calcium and starch-based
glues, and the
like and combinations thereof. Various compositions known to reduce the
concentration of,
21 or remove, such contaminants utilize compositions which are difficult to
dispose of due to
22 environmental regulations and can present significant safety hazards. Thus,
a composition,
23 useful for removing such contaminants from such systems, which is non-
toxic, easy to
24 prepare, and capable of being disposed of without costly disposal
procedures would also be of
significant contribution to the art and to the economy.
2
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 It is also known that various industrial processes used to produce goods
such as paper
2 and pulp products utilize various water-containing systems. Such water-
containing systems
3 are also found in various printing systems, water treating systems, drainage
systems, boiler
4 systems, chiller systems, and the like. Use of such water-containing systems
presents several
problems relating to the fouling of such water-containing systems with various
contaminants
6 such as scale, algae, fungi, bacteria, surfactants, various organic
compounds, and the like.
7 The contaminants can foul such water-containing systems to such an extent
that such water-
8 containing systems require extensive cleaning to remove such contaminants,
which results in
9 a decrease in production of goods.
Various known compositions that can be used for reducing the concentration of,
11 preferably removing or dissolving, such contaminants from such water-
containing systems
12 frequently utilize chlorine. However, use of such chlorine-based
compositions present
13 various environmental and safety hazards and further, disposal of such
products produced
14 using such chlorine-based compositions requires close environmental
scrutiny and regulation.
In addition, such chlorine-based compositions are frequently utilized in
gaseous form which
16 requires extensive safety and training procedures to be utilized. Thus, a
composition, useful
17 for removing or dissolving one or more contaminants from an environment
that contains
18 water-based systems, which is non-toxic, inexpensive, and easy to prepare
and use would be
19 of significant value to the art and to the economy.
In addition, compositions, useful in reducing the concentration of, preferably
21 removing or dissolving, contaminants from an environment, which contain
more than one
22 component commonly require one of the components to be added to the
environment first,
23 followed by the addition of a second component. The two components must
then react "in
24 situ" to thereby provide a composition that can remove or dissolve the
contaminants
contained within the environment. Such compositions can be difficult to use
due to the
3
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 difficulty in determining how much of each component of the composition
should be added.
2 Thus, a composition useful in reducing the concentration of, preferably
removing or
3 dissolving, contaminants from an environment and that can be prepared "ex
situ" in various
4 concentrations, which can then ' be added to an environment to remove or
dissolve
contaminants would be of significant contribution to the art and to the
economy.
6 In addition, a composition useful in reducing the concentration of,
preferably
7 removing or dissolving, contaminants from an environment which is prepared
from easily
8 accessible components and which can be prepared by a simple procedure
utilizing a minimum
9 of preparation apparatus would also be of significant contribution to the
art and to the
economy.
11 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
12 An object of the present invention is to provide a process for preparing a
composition
13 which is useful for reducing the concentration of, preferably removing or
dissolving, one or
14 more contaminants from an environment. Such process utilizes components
which are
inexpensive to use and easy to prepare. Another object of the present
invention is to provide
16 a process for preparing a composition which utilizes a simple and effective
method which
17 provides a composition having desirable properties such as enhanced
capabilities for reducing
18 the concentration of, preferably removing or dissolving, a contaminant from
an environment
19 when compared to a composition prepared by other methods.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved process of
21 reducing the concentration of, preferably removing or dissolving, a
contaminant from an
22 environment.
23 An embodiment of the present invention is a novel composition prepared by a
process
24 comprising contacting hydrogen peroxide, glycolic acid (also referred to as
hydroxy acetic
acid), and water.
4
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 Another embodiment of the present invention is a process of preparing a
novel
2 composition comprising contacting hydrogen peroxide, glycolic acid, and
water. The process
3 can further comprise contacting with one or more additional components such
as isopropyl
4 alcohol.
A novel composition of the present invention can be used for reducing the
6 concentration of, preferably removing or dissolving, a wide variety of
contaminants from a
7 wide variety of environments. Such contaminants can include Groups II-VIII
of the Periodic
8 Table of the Elements, algae, fungi, bacteria, surfactants, natural gums,
synthetic gums,
9 organic compounds, paper fillers, paper filters, clays, sulfites, sulfates,
oxides, adhesives,
starches, and the like and combinations thereof. Such environments can include
water-
11 containing systems, paper producing systems, pulp producing systems,
printing systems,
12 packaging systems, flexographic systems, food processing systems, bleaching
systems,
13 metallurgy systems, acid washing systems, veterinary product systems,
pesticide systems,
14 meat processing systems, poultry processing systems, dairy processing
systems, sanitizing
systems, and the like and combinations thereof. Such water-containing systems
can include
16 swimming pools, water treating systems, drainage systems, boiler systems,
chiller systems,
17 sewage treating systems, irrigation systems, agriculture systems, cooling
tower systems, and
18 the like and combinations thereof.
19 Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent
from the
detailed description of the invention and the appended claims.
5
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
2 It has been discovered that the performance of a composition when reducing
the
3 concentration of, preferably removing or dissolving, one or more
contaminants from an
4 environment can be improved by utilizing a novel process of preparing such
composition
which comprises contacting hydrogen peroxide and glycolic acid.
6 Generally, a process of preparing a composition of the present invention
comprises
7 contacting hydrogen peroxide, glycolic acid, and water. The hydrogen
peroxide is generally
8 present as a hydrogen peroxide solution comprising hydrogen peroxide and
water. Such
9 hydrogen peroxide solution generally comprises at least about 0.1 weight
percent hydrogen
peroxide in water and at most about 20 weight percent hydrogen peroxide in
water, preferably
11 at least about 0.5 weight percent hydrogen peroxide in water and at most
about 15 weight
12 percent hydrogen peroxide in water, and more preferably at least about 1
weight percent
13 hydrogen peroxide in water and at most about 15 weight percent hydrogen
peroxide in water.
14 An example hydrogen peroxide solution which can be used in a process of the
present
invention can be prepared by adding a stabilizing amount of water to a
commercially
16 available 35 weight percent technical grade solution of hydrogen peroxide
in water from FMC
17 Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to thereby obtain a hydrogen
peroxide solution
18 suitable for use in a process of the present invention.
19 The water suitable for use in a process of the present invention is
preferably a low
solids water generally comprising less than about 10 parts per million (ppm)
dissolved solids,
21 preferably less than about 5 ppm dissolved solids, more preferably less
than about 1 ppm
22 dissolved solids, and most preferably about 0 ppm dissolved solids. An
example low solids
23 water which can be used in a process of the present invention can be
obtained commercially
24 from PGT Inc., Cedar Hill, Texas, which is a low solids water produced by
reverse osmosis
having less than about 0.1 ppm dissolved solids.
6
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 The water, preferably low solids water, can be prepared by any suitable
means known
2 in the art for preparing water which can be used in a process of the present
invention.
3 Generally, the low solids water can be prepared by subjecting a high solids
water to a treating
4 means selected from the group consisting of reverse osmosis, deionization,
and the like and
combinations thereof The high solids water generally comprises more dissolved
solids than
6 the low solids water. Generally, the high solids water comprises more than
about 200 ppm of
7 dissolved solids.
8 Generally, water is present in a stabilizing amount which allows for the
contacting of
9 hydrogen peroxide and glycolic acid according a process as described herein.
Generally, a
stabilizing amount of water as described herein should be large enough to
prevent an
11 uncontrollable or unpredictable reaction between the hydrogen peroxide and
glycolic acid
12 which can occur in a non-dilute environment as known in the art. However, a
stabilizing
13 amount of water as described herein should be small enough to prevent the
resulting
14 composition from being so dilute that such resulting composition no longer
has the ability to
reduce the concentration of, preferably remove or dissolve, a contaminant from
an
16 environment as described herein. Thus, a novel aspect of the present
invention is the
17 presence of a stabilizing amount of water, preferably low solids water,
which is large enough
18 to allow the contacting of such hydrogen peroxide and glycolic acid in a
predictable and
19 controllable manner, yet, is small enough to prevent a significant dilution
of the resulting
composition so that such composition is effective in reducing the
concentration of, preferably
21 removing or dissolving, a contaminant from an environment as described
herein.
22 Generally, a stabilizing amount of water, preferably low solids water, is
present in an
23 amount of at least about 50 percent by weight water based on the total
weight of the hydrogen
24 peroxide, glycolic acid, and water, and at most about 99.9 percent by
weight water based on
the total weight of the hydrogen peroxide, glycolic acid, and water.
Preferably, a stabilizing
7
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 amount of water is present in an amount of at least about 60 percent by
weight water based on
2 the total weight of the hydrogen peroxide, glycolic acid, and water, and at
most about 97
3 percent by weight, and more preferably a stabilizing amount of water is
present in an amount
4 of at least about 70 percent by weight water based on the total weight of
the hydrogen
peroxide, glycolic acid, and water, and at most about 95 percent by weight
water based on the
6 total weight of the hydrogen peroxide, glycolic acid, and water.
7 The glycolic acid is preferably a glycolic acid solution comprising glycolic
acid and
8 water. Such glycolic acid solution generally comprises at least about 1
weight percent
9 glycolic acid and at most about 15 weight percent glycolic acid, preferably
at least about 1
weight percent glycolic acid and at most about 10 weight percent glycolic
acid, and more
11 preferably comprises at least about 1 weight percent glycolic acid and at
most about 5 weight
12 percent glycolic acid. An example glycolic acid solution which can be -used
in a process of
13 the present invention can be obtained by adding low solids water as
described herein to a
14 commercially available 70 weight percent technical grade solution of
glycolic acid obtained
from DuPont Chemical, Wilmington, Delaware, to thereby obtain a 5 weight
percent glycolic
16 acid solution.
17 The hydrogen peroxide, glycolic acid, and water can be contacted by any
suitable
18 means and in any suitable order which provides for a composition of the
present invention
19 effective in reducing the concentration of, preferably removing or
dissolving, a contaminant
from an environment. Preferably, such contacting comprises mixing utilizing
any suitable
21 mixing means known in the art for mixing an aqueous solution with another
aqueous solution.
22 More preferably, a hydrogen peroxide solution as described herein is mixed
with a glycolic
23 acid solution as described herein. During contacting, the weight ratio of
hydrogen peroxide to
24 glycolic acid is generally at least about 1:1 and at most about 30:1,
preferably at least about
8
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 2:1 and at most about 20:1, more preferably at least about 2:1 and at most
about 10:1, and
2 most preferably at least about 2:1 and at most about 6:1.
3 The temperature during contacting of the hydrogen peroxide, glycolic acid,
and water,
4 preferably during the contacting of the hydrogen peroxide solution and
glycolic acid solution,
can be any temperature which provides a composition effective in reducing the
concentration
6 of, preferably removing or dissolving, a contaminant from the environment as
described
7 herein. Generally, the temperature during contacting is at least about 0 F
and at most about
8 100 F, preferably at least about 10 F and at most about 90 F, and more
preferably at least
9 about 20 F and at most about 80 F. The pressure during contacting can be any
pressure
which provides for a composition as described herein. The pressure is
generally at least about
11 atmospheric and at most about 100 pounds per square inch absolute (psia),
preferably about
12 atmospheric. The time period of contacting can be any time period capable
of providing for a
13 composition as described herein. The time period of contacting is generally
at least about 0.1
14 minute and at most about 60 minutes, preferably at least about 0.1 minute
and at most about
30 minutes.
16 A process of providing a composition of the present invention can further
comprise
17 contacting with an additional component comprising isopropyl alcohol.
Generally, the
18 isopropyl alcohol has a purity of at least about 95 percent, preferably at
least about 98 percent,
19 and more preferably at least about 99 percent.
In addition to, or in lieu of, contacting with isopropyl alcohol, a process of
the present
21 invention can further comprise contacting with one or more components
selected from the
22 group consisting of potassium monopersulfate, silver, acids, esters,
alcohols, alpha hydroxy
23 acids, beta hydroxy acids, and the like and combinations thereof. Examples
of suitable esters
24 include, but are not limited to, ethoxylated esters and the like and
combinations thereof.
Examples of suitable acids include, but are not limited to, acetic, sulfuric,
formic,
9
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 peroxyacetic, and the like and combinations thereof. Examples of suitable
alpha hydroxy and
2 beta hydroxy acids include, but are not limited to, citric, lactic, maleic,
and the like and
3 combinations thereof.
4 Such additional component(s) can be added in any amount(s) as long as such
amount(s) provides a composition effective in reducing the concentration of,
preferably
6 removing or dissolving, a contaminant from an environment as described
herein. Generally,
7 when such additional component(s) is present, such additional component(s)
is present in an
8 amount of at least about 0.1 weight percent based on the total weight of the
final composition
9 and at most about 20 weight percent based on the total weight of the final
composition,
preferably in an amount of at least about 0.1 weight percent based on the
total weight of the
11 final composition and at most about 10 weight percent based on the total
weight of the final
12 composition, and more preferably in an amount of at least about 0.1 weight
percent based on
13 the total weight of the final composition and at most about 5 weight
percent based on the total
14 weight of the final composition.
A preferred method of preparing a composition of the present invention
comprises
16 mixing a 35 weight percent solution of hydrogen peroxide in water with a
stabilizing amount
17 of low solids water comprising less than about 1 ppm dissolved solids to
thereby provide a
18 resulting mixture comprising about 80 weight percent low solids water and
the rest
19 comprising the hydrogen peroxide solution. The resulting mixture is then
contacted with a 5
weight percent glycolic acid solution prepared by contacting a 70 weight
percent glycolic acid
21 solution with low solids water comprising less than about 1 ppm dissolved
solids to provide a
22 composition having a pH of about 1.9 to about 3.5. Such composition is
particularly suitable
23 for use in reducing the concentration of, preferably removing or
dissolving, calcium and
24 starch glues and organic substances and mineral residue typically found in
corrugated box
manufacturing and printing and flexography processes.
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 Another preferred method of preparing a composition of the present invention
2 comprises mixing a 35 weight percent solution of hydrogen peroxide in water
with a
3 stabilizing amount of low solids water comprising less than about 1 ppm
dissolved solids to
4 thereby provide a resulting mixture comprising about 43 weight percent low
solids water and
the rest comprising the hydrogen peroxide solution. The resulting mixture is
then contacted
6 with a 5 weight percent glycolic acid solution prepared by contacting a 70
weight percent
7 glycolic acid solution with low solids water comprising less than about 1
ppm dissolved
8 solids to provide a composition having a pH of about 1.9 to about 3.5. Such
resulting
9 composition is particularly suitable for use in reducing the concentration
of, preferably
removing or dissolving, contaminants typically found in water-containing
systems.
11 An additional preferred process of preparing such composition is to further
contact the
12 resulting composition with isopropyl alcohol having a purity of about 99
percent in an amount
13 to provide a resulting composition containing such isopropyl alcohol in an
amount of about 5
14 weight percent based on the total weight of the final composition.
A composition of the present invention generally has a pH of at least about
1.5 and at
16 most about 4.5, preferably at least about 1.7 and at most about 4, and more
preferably at least
17 about 1.9 and at most about 3.8.
18 A composition of the present invention generally has a specific gravity of
at least
19 about 1.0 and at most about 1.5, preferably at least about 1.1 and at most
about 1.4, more
preferably at least about 1.3 and at most about 1.4, and most preferably about
1.35.
21 While not intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that a
composition of the
22 present invention comprises a molecule containing two carbon atoms, four
hydrogen atoms,
23 and four oxygen atoms. It is further believed that two of the four hydrogen
atoms and two of
24 the four oxygen atoms are present as hydroxyl groups (OH).
11
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 A composition of the present invention prepared by a process of the present
invention
2 described herein can be utilized to reduce the concentration of, preferably
remove or dissolve,
3 a wide array of contaminants from a wide array of environments. Such process
generally
4 comprises contacting such contaminant(s) with a concentration of a
composition of the
present invention, prepared according to a process as described herein, in a
concentration
6 effective in reducing the concentration of, preferably removing or
dissolving, such
7 contaminant(s) from such environment. Examples of suitable contaminants
include, but are
8 not limited to, elements of Groups II-VIII of the Periodic Table of the
Elements (also referred
9 to as Group II elements, Group III elements, Group IV elements, Group V
elements, Group
VI elements, Group VII elements, and Group VIII elements), algae, fungi,
bacteria,
11 surfactants, natural gums, synthetic gums, organic compounds, paper fibers,
paper filters,
12 clays, sulfites, sulfates, oxides, adhesives, starches, and the like and
combinations thereof.
13 Examples of a suitable environment include, but are not limited to, water-
containing
14 systems, paper producing systems, pulp producing systems, printing systems,
packaging
systems, flexographic systems, food processing systems, bleaching systems,
metallurgy
16 systems, acid washing systems, veterinary product systems, pesticide
systems, meat
17 processing systems, poultry processing systems, dairy processing systems,
sanitizing systems,
18 and the like and combinations thereof. The term "system" refers to any
method, process,
19 apparatus, components, and the like and combinations thereof related in any
way or manner to
the disclosed type of system. For example, the term "water-containing systems"
refers to any
21 method, process, apparatus, components, and the like and combinations
thereof known in the
22 art related in any way or manner to water containing or containment. Also
for example, the
23 term "food processing systems" refers to any method, process, apparatus,
components, and
24 the like and combinations thereof known in the art related in any way or
manner to food
processing. Also for example, the term "printing systems" refers to any
method, process,
12
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 apparatus, components, and the like and combinations thereof known in the
art related in any
2 way or manner to printing.
3 Examples of suitable water-containing systems include, but are not limited
to,
4 swimming pools, water treating systems, drainage systems, boiler systems,
chiller systems,
sewage treating systems, irrigation systems, agricultural systems, cooling
tower systems, and
6 the like and combinations thereof.
7 A composition of the present invention can be contacted with one or more
8 contaminants as described herein by any suitable means and under any
suitable conditions
9 which are effective in reducing the concentration of, preferably removing or
dissolving, such
contaminants from an environment. The contacting condition, also referred to
as the
11 contaminant contacting condition, which comprises a concentration of a
composition as
12 described herein, a contacting temperature, a contacting pressure, and a
contacting time
13 period can be any contacting condition effective in reducing the
concentration of, preferably
14 removing or dissolving, a contaminant from an environment as described
herein. The
contacting condition will generally depend on the type and concentration of
contaminant and
16 type of environment. For example, the contacting condition will generally
have an increased
17 composition concentration, temperature, pressure, and time period when the
concentration of
18 one or more contaminants is increased compared to the contacting condition
necessary when
19 such contaminants are present in a reduced concentration. For example, when
a composition
of the present invention is used as a swimming pool shock treatment to help
initially reduce
21 the concentration of, preferably remove or dissolve, a contaminant, the
composition
22 concentration will be significantly increased and the time period decreased
compared to when
23 a composition of the present invention is used to maintain the reduction in
concentration of
24 contaminants in such swimming pool over, for example, a thirty day period.
Selecting the
13
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 proper contacting condition based on the concentration of contaminants
within an
2 environment is within the skill in the art.
3 When the environment comprises a liquid medium, such as the water-containing
4 systems described herein, the concentration of composition is generally at
least about 0.1 part
composition by volume per million parts environment (ppmv) and at most about
25 volume
6 percent, preferably at least about 0.5 ppmv and at most about 20 volume
percent, and more
7 preferably at least about 1 ppmv and at most about 15 volume percent. When
the
8 environment does not comprise a liquid medium, such as when the composition
is applied
9 directly to a contaminant, the concentration of composition is generally at
least about 0.1 part
composition by weight per million parts environment (ppm) and at most about 20
weight
11 percent, preferably at least about 0.5 ppm and at most about 10 weight
percent, and more
12 preferably at least about 1 ppm and at most about 5 weight percent.
13 Generally, the contacting temperature, also referred to as the contaminant
contacting
14 temperature, is at least about 50 F and at most about 200 F, preferably at
least about 70 F
and at most about 150 F. The contacting pressure, also referred to as the
contaminant
16 contacting pressure, is generally at least about atmospheric and at most
about 100 pounds per
17 square inch absolute (psia), preferably about atmospheric. The contacting
time, also referred
18 to as the contaminant contacting time, is generally at least about 0.1
minute and at most about
19 30 days, preferably at least about 0.5 minute and at most about 20 days,
and more preferably
at least about 1 minute and at most about 10 days.
21 Examples of suitable uses of a composition of the present invention
include, but are
22 not limited to, the following.
23 A composition of the present invention can be used as a descalant, biocide,
slimicide,
24 flocculant, and the like and combinations thereof to reduce the
concentration of, preferably
14
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 remove or dissolve, scale, algae, and the like and combinations thereof from
machinery and
2 apparatus used to produce paper and pulp.
3 A composition of the present invention can be used as a descalant, biocide
and/or
4 algaecide to reduce the concentration of, preferably remove or dissolve,
various contaminants
from water-containing systems used in the printing industry. For example, a
composition of
6 the present invention can be used as a calcium and surfactant remover to
reduce the
7 concentration of, preferably remove or dissolve, calcium, dissolved
minerals, surfactants,
8 bacteria, and the like and combinations thereof from the lines and tanks of
water-containing
9 systems used in the printing industries, packaging industries, and the like
and combinations
thereof. Also for example, a composition of the present invention can be used
to reduce the
11 concentration of, preferably remove or dissolve, various surfactants,
natural gums, calcium
12 carbonate, polymer-containing residue, and the like and combinations
thereof from
13 lithographic plate surfaces. A composition of the present invention can
also be used as a
14 rubber roller rinse to reduce the concentration of, preferably remove or
dissolve, organic
contaminants, water-based contaminants, and liquid metal precipitants
including, but not
16 limited to, paper fiber, paper fillers, clay coatings, sulfites, sulfates,
titanium dioxide,
17 chromium, barium, calcium carbonate, and the like and combinations thereof.
The reduction
18 in concentration, preferably the removing or dissolving, of these
contaminants results in
19 improved consistency of ink transfer and aids in restricting the
neutralization of acid fountain
chemistries commonly used in lithography and lithographic processes.
21 A composition of the present invention can be used for reducing the
concentration of,
22 preferably removing or dissolving, a contaminant such as scale, algae,
fungi, bacteria,
23 minerals, and the like and combinations thereof from water-containing
systems such as
24 water tanks, water lines, pumps, and the like and combinations thereof.
Such contaminants
are known to exist in such water-containing systems commonly utilized in the
printing and
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 paper industries and the like because of the high contact rate with paper
products which
2 contain mold, fungi spores and bacteria which are commonly found in the wood
used to
3 produce such paper products.
4 A composition of the present invention can be used to reduce the
concentration of,
preferably remove or dissolve, an adhesive. In various processes, such as the
process of
6 manufacturing corrugated boxes and packaging, glues and adhesives containing
organic
7 compounds and starches are commonly used. A composition of the present
invention can be
8 contacted, such as by spraying, with such glues and adhesives and, after a
time period
9 effective for allowing a composition of the present invention to penetrate
such glues and
adhesives, can thus provide for easy removal of such glues and adhesives.
11 A composition of the present invention can be used to treat anilox rolls,
particularly
12 the cells contained by, or within, such anilox rolls, commonly found in
flexographic
13 situations. Anilox rolls commonly utilized in flexographic situations
commonly contain
14 organic substances of microscopic size found in various concentrations.
There are various
methods of applying various compositions to remove such substances which
include spraying
16 onto the surface being treated, mechanically applying to the surface,
immersion treating, and
17 the like and combinations thereof. Utilizing a composition of the present
invention provides
18 an improvement over existing technologies of cleaning anilox rolls which
are currently being
19 used such as baking soda blasting, ultra-sonic cleaning, and utilizing
chemicals of high
alkalinity concentration.
21 A composition of the present invention can be used to reduce the
concentration of,
22 preferably remove or dissolve, various contaminants commonly found in food
processing and
23 food packaging environments and the like.
24 A composition of the present invention can be used in waste sludge
treatment
processes to help break down solids and provide biocide effects.
16
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 A composition of the present invention can be used as an industrial biocide
treatment
2 to kill various fungi such as the bottrus fungi, mold or bacteria.
3 A composition of the present invention can be used to enhance the bleaching
4 processes commonly found in the textile industries, paper and pulp
industries, and the like
and combinations thereof.
6 A composition of the present invention can be used to enhance the
effectiveness of
7 known descalants, slimicides, antimicrobials, and the like and combinations
thereof.
8 A composition of the present invention can be used in fish farming and
agricultural
9 processes as a pesticide for killing microorganisms and/or parasites,
including bacteria and
fungi, found to exist within such processes. Such agricultural processes
include, but are not
11 limited to, agricultural rendering and growing, including various related
holding areas which
12 can contain such bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
13 A composition of the present invention can be used to reduce the
concentration of,
14 preferably remove or dissolve, various contaminants commonly found in meat,
poultry, and
dairy rendering and processing facilities.
16 A composition of the present invention can be used to reduce the
concentration of,
17 preferably remove or dissolve, various contaminants commonly found in
metallurgy
18 processes involving copper or other metals.
19 A composition of the present invention can be used to reduce the
concentration of,
preferably remove or dissolve, various contaminants commonly found in
processes
21 comprising the acid-washing of concrete.
22 A composition of the present invention can be used to reduce the
concentration of,
23 preferably remove or dissolve, various contaminants commonly found in
processes to produce
24 veterinary products.
17
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 A composition of the present invention can be used to reduce the
concentration of,
2 preferably remove or dissolve, various contaminants commonly found in beer
processing
3 systems, wine processing systems, and the like such as removing contaminants
from various
4 vats.
A composition of the present invention can be used to reduce the concentration
of,
6 preferably remove or dissolve, various contaminants from the surfaces of
automobiles such as
7 removing bug and tar residue from an external surface, e.g., a bumper, of a
car or truck.
8 A composition of the present invention can be used as an additive in various
products
9 used in the cosmetic industry such as face-peel products.
A composition of the present invention can be used to reduce the concentration
of,
11 preferably remove or dissolve, contaminants such as calcium-based and
organic-based
12 substances commonly found in the marine industry such as from the external
surfaces of
13 ships.
14 Preferably, a composition of the present invention is used to reduce the
concentration
of, preferably remove or dissolve, contaminants from printing systems. A
composition of the
16 present invention can be used in addition to, or preferably as an
alternative to, various
17 mechanical means and the use of various solvents and/or various
surfactants, such as sodium
18 hydroxide, to remove such contaminants.
19 Also preferred, a composition of the present invention is used as a
sanitizer, fungicide,
algaecide, and the like and combinations thereof to reduce the concentration
of, preferably
21 remove or dissolve, contaminants from water-containing systems such as
swimming pools,
22 water gardens, and the like and combinations thereof. A composition of the
present invention
23 can be used in addition to, or preferably as an alternative to, chlorine-
based, or bromide-
24 based, or biguianide-based compositions.
18
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 Also preferred, a composition of the present invention is used as a
sanitizer, fungicide,
2 algaecide, and the like and combinations thereof to reduce the concentration
of, preferably
3 remove or dissolve, contaminants from water-containing systems commonly
found in
4 municipal water treating systems, commercial drainage systems, industrial
boiler systems,
industrial chiller systems, cooling tower systems, and the like and
combinations thereof. A
6 composition of the present invention can be used in addition to, or
preferably as an alternative
7 to, chlorine-based, or bromide-based, or biguianide-based compositions.
8 The following examples are presented to further illustrate this invention
and are not to
9 be construed as unduly limiting the scope of this invention.
11 EXAMPLE I
12 This example illustrates a preparation of a composition of the present
invention.
13 A 55-gallon quantity of a composition of the present invention was prepared
by
14 mixing 8.25 gallons of 35 weight percent hydrogen peroxide solution
(obtained from FMC
Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a 35 weight percent technical
grade solution of
16 hydrogen peroxide in water) with 34.675 gallons of low solids water
comprising less than
17 about 0.1 ppm dissolved solids (obtained from PGT Inc., Cedar Hill, Texas,
the low solids
18 water had been produced by reverse osmosis) at room temperature (about 70
F) and
19 atmospheric pressure to thereby provide a resulting mixture. Total mixing
time was about 15
minutes. The resulting mixture was then contacted with 11.55 gallons of a 5
weight percent
21 glycolic acid solution which had been prepared by contacting 0.825 gallons
of approximately
22 70 weight percent glycolic acid solution (obtained from DuPont Chemical,
Wilmington,
23 Delaware, as a 70 weight percent technical grade solution of glycolic acid
in water) with
24 10.725 gallons of low solids water comprising less than about 0.1 ppm
dissolved solids
(obtained from PGT Inc., the low solids water had been produced by reverse
osmosis) at
19
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 room temperature (about 70 F) and atmospheric pressure to thereby obtain
about 55 gallons
2 of a composition of the present invention referred to herein as "Composition
A" having a pH
3 of about 3.3.
4
EXAMPLE II
6 This example illustrates the use of a composition of the present invention
7 (Composition A as described herein) to reduce the concentration of,
preferably remove or
8 dissolve, calcium and/or starch glues and substances from corrugating
equipment used in
9 manufacturing corrugated boxes.
Equipment was obtained from Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) located in
11 Waco, Texas and had been in use for several years. A significant amount of
glue residue
12 (color of such residue was a dirty-white due to the glue drying to a semi-
translucent
13 appearance over time) was observed. A significant concentration of glue
residue was located
14 on a cross-member of the adhesive application device of such equipment
about 10 inches
under the glue applicator which applied the glue to the web paperboard to form
a corrugated
16 box sheet. The glue residue level had accumulated to such an extent that
production
17 problems were encountered. PCA had requested assistance from several
chemical companies
18 to develop a product which would remove or allow removal of the glue
residue. It is believed
19 that twenty unsuccessful attempts were made by the various chemical vendor
companies to do
so. Composition A was then applied directly to the glue residue using a
trigger sprayer
21 Within about 5 minutes, the semi-translucent appearance of the glue residue
turned to a white
22 color as such glue residue originally appeared (i.e., the appearance of the
glue before it dried).
23 Layer by layer the accumulated glue residue turned white. Within about 20
minutes, the
24 layers of residue were all visibly re-hydrated and could be removed by hand
by peeling each
layer from the cross-member. When Composition A reached the bottom layer of
residue
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 which had been estimated as having initially formed over 20 years prior,
such bottom layer
2 was able to be removed which enabled the equipment to be operated again.
Overall,
3 maintenance problems for the equipment based on glue residue was minimized.
Before the
4 application of Composition A, the preferred and possibly only means to
remove this residue
was with a hammer and chisel. The hammer and chisel were used to chisel the
layers away
6 from the cross-member section of the adhesive application device.
7
8 EXAMPLE III
9 This example illustrates another use of a composition of the present
invention
(Composition A as described herein) to remove organic substances and mineral
residue from
11 equipment such as anilox rolls used in flexography processes.
12 Equipment utilizing anilox rolls was provided by Packaging Corporation of
America
13 (PCA) located in Waco, Texas. Such equipment had been used for several
years. An
14 inherent problem which exists in flexography processes is various
contaminants have a
tendency to accumulate and bond to small laser-etched cells within the anilox
rolls. These
16 cells supply water and solvent-based flexography inks to the raised image
photo-polymer
17 printing plate. After removal of excess flexography inks, there are
multiple procedures used
18 to remove scalants and residue from the anilox rolls. The anilox rolls of
the PCA equipment
19 had various mineral and ink component deposits which could not be easily
removed by
previous methods, such as baking soda blasting and using ultrasound equipment.
21 In a first method, Composition A was sprayed directly onto the surface of
the anilox
22 roll cells having a concentration of 145 cells per linear inch of anilox
roll. The anilox roll
23 was hydrated with Composition A and remained hydrated for about 5 minutes.
Thereafter, a
24 standard aqueous-based flexographic wash was used to rinse the
contamination out of the
cells. The application of Composition A appeared to decompose the bonded
minerals and
21
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 deposits, allowing such bonded minerals and deposits to be removed by
washing with normal
2 alkaline types of flexography wash. This process allowed for recovery of
cell depth and cell
3 volume of the anilox rolls. Composition A allowed for the anilox equipment
to be cleaned on
4 press, without the costly purchase of cleaning equipment, which provided a
reduction in
down-time and capital expenditure costs for PCA.
6 The second method of applying Composition A was by adding Composition A to
the
7 flexography printing unit ink reservoir contacting the ink pump. The contact
time was about
8 five minutes followed by rinsing using standard aqueous-based flexographic
wash
9 procedures. Previously, methods such as baking soda blasting and using
ultrasound
equipment were utilized, but had only cleaned the surface of the anilox cells.
Composition A
11 performed better than such previous methods and opened the cells to a like-
new condition.
12
13 EXAMPLE IV
14 This example illustrates another preparation of a composition of the
present invention.
A 55-gallon quantity of a composition of the present invention was prepared by
16 mixing 18.15 gallons of a 35 weight percent hydrogen peroxide solution
(obtained from FMC
17 Corporation, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as a 35 weight percent technical
grade solution of
18 hydrogen peroxide in water) with 13.75 gallons of low solids water
comprising less than
19 about 0.1 ppm dissolved solids (obtained from PGT Inc., Cedar Hill, Texas,
the low solids
water had been produced by reverse osmosis) at room temperature (about 70 F)
and
21 atmospheric pressure to thereby provide a resulting mixture. Total mixing
time was about 15
22 minutes. The resulting mixture was then contacted with 23.1 gallons of a 5
weight percent
23 glycolic acid solution which had been prepared by contacting 1.65 gallons
of 70 weight
24 percent glycolic acid solution (obtained from DuPont Chemical, Wilmington,
Delaware, as a
70 weight percent technical grade solution of glycolic acid in water) with
21.45 gallons of
22
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 low solids water comprising less than about 0.1 ppm dissolved solids
(obtained from PGT
2 Inc., Cedar Hill, Texas, the low solids water had been produced by reverse
osmosis) at room
3 temperature (about 70 F) and atmospheric pressure to thereby obtain about 55
gallons of a
4 composition of the present invention referred to herein as "Composition B"
having a pH of
about 2.2.
6
7 EXAMPLE V
8 This example illustrates a use of a composition of the present invention
(Composition
9 B as described herein) to remove residue and bacterial growth and fungi from
a printing press
fountain solution recirculating system (a water-containing system).
11 A printing press was obtained from Rock Tenn Company, Waxahachie, Texas,
and
12 contained a Man Roland fountain solution recirculating system, also
referred to as a
13 dampening system, which comprised a blender, chiller, and recirculating
unit containing an
14 approximately 30 gallon reservoir with a total capacity of 200 gallons of
water. The
equipment has been used almost continuously for about 20 years. A significant
amount of
16 mineral substance residue, such as mineral deposits consisting of calcium
and lime deposits,
17 and bacterial and fungi growth was observed, including hair algae, which
were white, green,
18 brown and various other colors which are common to the industry. Various
solvents had been
19 used in an attempt to remove the residue and growth before such residue had
accumulated and
caused production interruptions. Common industry products used for cleaning
such printing
21 press recirculating systems included products comprising a mixture of
sodium hydroxide,
22 glycol ethers, and various biocides, such as those sold by various chemical
manufacturers,
23 including Varn International (a worldwide chemical manufacturer which
manufactures
24 pressroom and printing chemicals and distributes such products throughout
the world).
23
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 However, use of such solvents was unsuccessful in removing the mineral
residue and
2 bacterial and fungal growth. The mineral residue and growth had accumulated
to a point that
3 such had become hardened within the water lines and could not be removed.
The lines had
4 become plugged, making production difficult. An additional option of
replacing the water
lines and/or flushing the water system with bleach would have been an option,
but the amount
6 of water which would have to be consumed would have amounted to thousands of
gallons of
7 water. In addition, production-related issues resulting from bleach residue
would have been
8 difficult to alleviate, making the bleaching option undesirable and
economically unfeasible.
9 A five-gallon quantity of Composition B described herein was supplied for
the
following procedure. Composition B was poured directly, in one-pint
quantities, into each of
11 the six water trays of the recirculating system. Upon contact of
Composition B with the
12 mineral residue and bacterial and algae growth, it was observed that within
about 15 to 30
13 seconds, water immediately began flowing in the return line from the press
back to the
14 recirculating system indicating that Composition B was removing the various
contaminants.
Then, the drain of the recirculating system became unplugged so that water
could easily flow.
16 An additional four-gallon quantity of Composition B was then added directly
to the 30-gallon
17 reservoir. Within about 15 to 30 seconds, water immediately began flowing
in the return line
18 from the press back to the reservoir indicating that Composition B was
removing the various
19 contaminants. It was observed that the substance being removed by
Composition B contained
paper dust, slime, fungus, algae, ink components, and the like. About 35
gallons of such
21 substance were collected in an empty barrel. In about 30 minutes, about 200
gallons of fresh
22 water were passed through the water system to further help remove the
debris and remains of
23 dead algae and bacterial growth and minerals which had been dislodged
and/or dissolved by
24 Composition B.
24
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 The recirculating system was then recharged with a standard. fountain
solution having
2 a pH of about 3.8. The press was immediately placed into production. Normal
startup
3 recovery time had previously been about 20 to 25 printed sheets before
production. After use
4 of Composition B, startup recovery time was about 2 to 3 sheets. It is
believed that the better
startup was because the pH of Composition B was at or near the recommended pH
of the
6 fountain solution. Before use of Composition B, products previously used
comprised sodium
7 hydroxide, glycol ethers and biocides, with some of these products
containing foaming agents
8 or alkalines such as caustic soda. The residual pH left in the water system
after using
9 traditional cleaning products would normally be in a range of about 9 to
about 10.5. Thus,
since the pH of fountain solutions is typically in a range of about 3.8 to
about 4.0 and since
11 Composition B has a similar residual pH, use of Composition B provides a
direct benefit to
12 production ability, print quality, and reduction of water costs.
13
14 EXAMPLE VI
This example illustrates a use of a composition of the present invention
(Composition
16 B as described herein) to remove a contaminant from a swimming pool.
17 The test site consisted of a swimming pool which contained 25,000 gallons
of water
18 which was substantially free of chlorine and other chemical substances. The
swimming pool
19 was rectangular in shape with a shallow end depth of approximately three
feet and a deep end
depth of approximately nine feet. The swimming pool had been covered and
dormant for
21 about nine months. Before treatment, the water appeared blackish in color
and emitted a
22 strong foul odor. The surface areas of the pool under water were covered
with a green algae
23 growth which was about 1.5 inches thick. The green algae growth appeared to
cover an
24 underlying gray-colored algae-type substance. Due to the extensive algae
growth, the bottom
surface of the pool and the surfaces of the first and second steps of the pool
were not visible.
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 The filter media contained in the swimming pool filtration system was
diametaceous earth.
2 The pH of the water was 7.2 and the temperature of the water was about 78 F.
3 A ten-gallon quantity of Composition B described herein was then added to
the pool
4 by pouring Composition B at a steady rate into the pool from a plastic
bucket while walking
around the edges of the pool from the shallow to the deep end. After
approximately twenty-
6 five minutes, the color of the water turned to a light green "pea-soup"
color. Debris began to
7 float to the top and such debris appeared to be large pieces of the green
algae and gray-
8 colored algae-type substance. The clarity of the water continued to improve.
After
9 approximately twenty-four hours, the water appeared to be somewhat cloudy or
"milky" in
color. The green algae and gray-colored algae-type substance appeared to have
been "killed"
11 with the remains of such algae appearing as a white skeletal debris which
covered the bottom
12 of the pool with some of the debris floating on top. The pH of the pool was
6.8. A flocculent
13 was then added in an amount of about two fluid quarts to aid in the removal
of the floating
14 debris. After approximately seventy-two hours from the addition of
Composition B, the
bottom of the pool was vacuumed and the vacuumed debris was exhausted into an
area next
16 to the pool. The pH of the pool was 6.8. Tap water was then added to the
pool until the pH
17 of the pool water was 7Ø
18 The pool water remained uncovered, dormant, and was not circulated for two
weeks.
19 After the two-week period, the dissolved oxygen (DO) was 106 parts per
million (ppm), the
water appeared to very clear (the bottom surface of the deep end was visible),
and the pump
21 used to circulate the pool water was started and set to circulate the pool
water for two hours
22 each day. One week later (three weeks total time from the addition of
Composition B), which
23 included a two-inch rain, the DO was 98 ppm. After one more week (four
weeks total time
24 from the addition of Composition B), the DO was 44 ppm. The water was still
clear, but
26
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/USO1/24775
1 several small areas of green algae growth on the surface areas of the pool
underwater were
2 observed.
3 A 2.5 gallon "maintenance dose" of Composition B described herein was then
added
4 to the pool by pouring from a plastic bucket at one end of the pool After
adding, the DO was
100 ppm (which was the desired reading) and the pH was 7.4. The pool was then
maintained
6 at a dosage rate of 2.5 gallons of Composition B added every two weeks.
7
8 EXAMPLE VII
9 This example demonstrates the effect of various increases in concentration
of a
composition of the present invention.
11 Two test sites (1 and 2) were utilized to determine the toxicity of a
composition of the
12 present invention. Test site 1 consisted of an outdoor water garden
comprising a circular-
13 shaped fiberglass molded tank having a diameter of about 5 feet and which
contained
14 approximately 500 gallons of water. The tank also contained soil, rock,
several bricks, and 36
minnows. The water was foul-smelling and black in color. A substance which
appeared to
16 be a black mold or algae covered the soil and rocks at the bottom of the
tank.
17 An eight fluid ounce quantity of Composition B described herein was then
18 added to the tank by pouring Composition B directly from a plastic bottle
into the water at
19 one end of the tank . The temperature of the water during addition was
about 78 F. Upon
addition, the water immediately began to bubble. The bubbling began on one end
of the tank
21 and proceeded to the other end of the tank within about 15 minutes. After
24 hours had
22 elapsed, the water appeared to be clear and the bricks and rock contained
within the tank were
23 completely visible and were no longer covered with the black mold or algae.
The minnows
24 appeared to be unaffected by the addition of Composition B. Skeletal debris
appeared to
cover the bottom of the tank. A pH reading and dissolved oxygen reading were
not obtained.
27
CA 02417927 2008-11-14
I Based on the observations, a recommended dosage rate of eight ounces of
Composition B
2 applied every two to three weeks was developed.
3 Test site 2 consisted of a standard 29-gallon aquarium containing six
gallons of
4 crushed coral gravel. To such aquarium was charged 29 gallons of reverse
osmosis treated
s water. The pH was 8Ø The growth medium used in the tank included a General
Electric
6 brand Gro-Lite bulb (which had a UV spectrum similar to sunlight) and TETRA-
MN tropical
7 fish food. The water was allowed to cycle through the aquarium for about
five days without
8 the addition of any chemicals, live fish, or plants. After five days, twenty-
four small bait
9 shop minnows were added to the water and left alone for about two days
(about 48 hours).
1o Then, Composition B was added in an amount of 100 parts Composition B by
weight per
ii million parts water (i.e., 100 ppm). About thirty minutes after such
addition, the dissolved
12 oxygen level was 106 ppm.
13 After twenty-four hours, the dissolved oxygen level was about 44 ppm and an
14 additional 200 ppm amount of Composition B was added. After thirty minutes,
the dissolved
15 oxygen was about 210 ppm. The minnows were observed to be swimming near the
bottom
16 of the tank. After an additional twenty-four hours, the dissolved oxygen
was 86 ppm. tin
17 additional 500 ppm amount of Composition B was then added. Thereafter, a
reading for; the
is dissolved oxygen could not be obtained because the dissolved oxygen was so
high that the
.
19 titration medium being used (sodium thiosulfate) kept turning black which
prevented an
20 accurate dissolved oxygen reading from being obtained. Even after six hours
had passed and
21 over 600 ppm of sodium thiosulfate had been used, a dissolved oxygen
reading still could not
22 be obtained.
23 No additional chemicals were added to the tank for a period of four days.
After ten
24 days had passed from the initial application of Composition B, the fish
present in the tank
25 began to expire at a rate of about one fish per day over the next two
weeks. The scales of
28
CA 02417927 2003-01-31
WO 02/12428 PCT/US01/24775
1 about three of the fish appeared to be expanded away from the. bodies of
such fish. After four
2 weeks had passed since the initial application of Composition B to the tank,
the water was
3 still very clear and free of algae growth. The dissolved oxygen was 44 ppm.
4 * The results shown in the above examples clearly demonstrate that the
present
invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and
advantages
6 mentioned as well as those inherent therein.
7 Reasonable variations, modifications, and adaptations can be made within the
scope
8 of the disclosure and the appended claims without departing from the scope
of this invention.
29
