Example 5
Method of Treating a Carpet Pad with Copper Iodide:
Another exemplary embodiment provides for application of copper iodide into the carpet pad that goes under carpets. These carpet pads are usually comprised of bound pieces of recycled foam. The process of binding the foam can involve an adhesive or can be done using heat, or both.
The process of putting the foam scraps together offers an opportunity to introduce copper iodide without requiring large quantities that would be wasteful if copper iodide were introduced in the manufacturing of raw foam. Because the mechanical properties of the raw foam scraps are not changed in the production process, the characteristics of the carpet pad also do not change as long as the adhesion between pieces is not affected by the introduction of copper iodide. Addition of a material such as copper iodide to an adhesive or dusted into heat-welding manufacturing process generally has little or no production impact compared to introducing a reactive component to more delicate processes associated with initial foam production.
Likewise, the process of binding foam together creates paths and channels for fluids to flow between fragments of foam, meaning a higher dosing of copper iodide to any fluids that may leak into the foam pad, as these fluids will be captured in the channels between pieces of foam.
As a water-activated odor eliminating compound, copper iodide infused carpet pads can aid a homeowner or other user by reacting with odor causing liquids such as urine, beverages and water spills. Upon moistening, the reducing action of copper iodide will precipitate redox-active compounds from the liquid, retaining them within the pad, essentially purifying the liquid to prevent contamination of the structural material beneath the pad.
At the same time, the copper iodide in an exemplary pad will dissolve into the liquid and travel with it, providing an oxidizing catalyst when the liquid and oxygen from the atmosphere react. This “seeding” of the liquid spill as it passes through the pad may mean that the user never becomes aware of the spill, which can dry harmlessly if it does not cause visible discoloration of the carpet.
Wicking of the liquid up from the wet carpet pad and into the carpet above can cause copper iodide to migrate into the carpet as it dries and pulls liquid out of the carpet pad below. This migration of copper iodide from the carpet pad upward may eliminate odors and destroy discoloring agents within the liquid that might otherwise require extensive cleaning. If the user does drench and clean the spill with water, this will enhance the migration of copper iodide into the carpet fibers as wicking and drying create deposits within the carpet fibers. In situations where the same area is urinated on repeatedly, this means the effect of the copper iodide migrating from the carpet pad will increase proportionally with each incident.
In another example, a spot of buck (deer) urine was placed on different carpet squares. Every spot was created by 10 ml of buck urine and for each liquid treatment the same sprayer was utilized to apply 10 sprays for each sample of treatment. Half an hour later, the spot treated with a mixture of water, surfactant, 3-methoxy-3-methyl-1-butanol, and polyphenylpropylsilsequioxane showed strong activity for removing the stain. After six hours, the stain was almost entirely eliminated. After twelve hours, the stain was completely eliminated. The odor of the sample was diminished after the first hour, and non-existent after six hours.
Example 6
Method of Retaining and Destroying Volatile Organic Compounds:
In another alternative exemplary embodiment, an antiviral and antibacterial material is effective to remove/eliminate/lessen/neutralize organic residues on fibers. The residues which may be effectively treated include undesirable organic molecules, pollutants, biological materials and volatile organic compounds. The fibers upon which the material may be effective include fibers upon which such residues accumulate such as carpet and ventilation filters.
Example 7
Experimental Test Against Feline Calcivirus ATCC VR-782
Copper ions (20 mg/L) in a water based solution were applied to a surface with the non-enveloped feline calcivirus ATCC VR-782. In 10 minutes an 82.22% reduction relative to the control after the exposure of the antimicrobial substance to the virus according to Modified ASTM E1053 that looks at the antiviral activity of an agent for 24 hours. In our case we wanted to have an idea about the rate of killing and this is why we limited the test to 10 minutes.
Example 8
Experimental Test Against H1N1 Influenza A, Strain A-California, and Human Corona Virus 229E.
A number of other tests were performed against H1N1 Influenza A, Strain A-California, and Human Corona Virus 229E. In the case of H1N1 Influenza A, towelettes embedded with water based solution of copper iodide at 20 mg/L showed according to modified test AATCC 100 a 99.7% reduction vs time zero control.
In the case of Human Corona Virus 229E according to modified ASTM E1053 the percent reduction was 99.99% in 10 minutes.
Of course it should be understood that Examples 1-8 are merely exemplary embodiments, and the inventive principles described may be applied to numerous other applications, uses, materials, situations, methods, compositions and articles of manufacture.
In some exemplary embodiments the concentration of marshite in solution is larger than 7 mg/L and smaller than 1 g/L.
In exemplary embodiments solution mixtures including copper iodide can be made into various forms including, but not limited to, foam, gel, cream, gelatin, spray, aerosol, bar, liquid, solid, gaseous, or other forms.
Exemplary solutions may be placed on or applied to any surface on which it is desired to be rid of virus, bacteria, mold or fungus. These surfaces may include, but are not limited to, glass, plastic, carpet, stainless steel, aluminum, walls, wood, clothing, floors, cloth, tile, porcelain, granite, quartz, cement, laminate, brick, stone, terrazzo, clay, ceramic, slate, limestone, marble, concrete, and metal.
Exemplary solutions may be placed on or embedded in surfaces at the time of manufacture of such surfaces in order to remove the virus, bacteria, mold or fungus.
Exemplary solutions may be applied in various ways, including, but not limited to, spray, brush, rolled, immersed, painted, propelled, coated, wiped, applied by hand, rubbed onto a surface, and placed on top of a surface.
Exemplary solutions may be deployed on or applied to filters, which may be in any form of air handling which may be found in homes, commercial facilities, industrial facilities, transportation facilities, vehicles, government buildings.
Exemplary solutions may be deployed in the healthcare industry on such surfaces such as those found in hospitals, clinics, emergency care facilities, doctor's offices, nursing homes, and veterinary services.
Exemplary solutions may be deployed in the transportation industry on such surfaces such as those found in taxis, busses, trams, boats, streetcars, subways, airplanes, airports, bus depots, dock, ferries, bus coaches, metro trains, train and subway platforms and trains including ticket and service counters and booths.
Exemplary solutions may be deployed in the education industry on such surfaces such as those found in public schools, private schools, higher education establishments, colleges, community colleges, day care, child care, and trade schools.
Exemplary solutions may be deployed in the food processing industry in such surfaces such as those found in a slaughter house, a meat packing plant, a cannery, a fish processing facility and a food packaging plant.
Exemplary solutions may be deployed in the livestock industry in such surfaces such as those found while engaging said livestock, or on the skin of livestock or other animals.
Exemplary solutions may be deployed on or applied to air vents, conduits, filters contained in air conditioning or furnaces.
Exemplary solutions may be deployed on stains caused by dyes, wine, or other undesirable colors in fibers or fabric.
Exemplary solutions may be applied to human skin or the skin of other living animals for treating acne, fungal infections and other skin diseases.
Exemplary solutions can include other, non-essential ingredients such as, but not limited to, fragrances, colorants, pH buffers, and the like for aesthetic or other purposes.
Exemplary solutions may have a reservoir material operative to sequester water and such materials may include, but are not limited to: zeolite, synthetic polymers, natural polymers, activated carbon, pearlite, vermiculite, silica gel and clay.
When used herein, neutralization is a term construed to mean to destroy, to neutralize, to reduce, to break apart, to eliminate, to negate, to nullify, to remove, to reduce, to make harmless and other meanings to those skilled in the art.
Of course these described embodiments are exemplary and alterations thereto are possible by those having skill in the relevant technology.
Thus the example embodiments and arrangements achieve improved capabilities, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of prior articles and methods, and attain the desirable results described herein.
In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed.
Moreover the descriptions and illustrations herein are by way of examples and the inventions not limited to the features shown and described.
Further, it should be understood that components, materials, features and/or relationships associated with one embodiment can be combined with components, materials, features and/or relationships from other embodiments. That is, various components, materials, features and/or relationships from various embodiments can be combined in further embodiments. The inventive scope of the disclosure is not limited to only the embodiments shown or described herein.
Having described the features, discoveries and principles of the exemplary embodiments, the manner in which they are made, utilized and carried out, and the advantages and useful results attained, the new and useful articles, arrangements, combinations, methodologies, structures, devices, elements, combinations, operations, processes and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.
