Patent Application
20120070508
A wide variety of potential practical and useful embodiments will be more readily understood through the following detailed description of certain exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying exemplary drawings in which:
Broadly, certain exemplary gel and solid gel compositions can be made by absorbing substantially byproduct-free and FAC-free, pure aqueous chlorine dioxide solution in a superabsorbent or water-soluble polymer that is non-reactive with chlorine dioxide in a substantially oxygen-free environment. As tested thus far, product gel retains the chlorine dioxide concentration at 80% or higher for at least 6 months at room temperature.
Certain exemplary gel and solid gel compositions retain chlorine dioxide molecules in an inert and innocuous solid matrix such as a gel or tablet. Such a matrix can limit the mobility of the thus-entrapped molecules, making them less susceptible to mechanical shock, protects against UV or IR radiation, and limits air/oxygen penetration. The gel typically should not have microbubbles or air globules present, and preferably the amount of polymer material required should be sufficiently small so as to make the resulting product cost-effective. Any decomposition that does occur should preferably yield only harmless chloride ion and oxygen. For example:
ClO2(aq. gel)+organics, impurities→ClO2−(aq. gel)
ClO2−(aq. gel)→Cl−+O2
The composition may also comprise a tablet in an alternate embodiment of a solid gel composition. Such a tablet is created by substantially the same method as for the gel; however, a greater proportion of the superabsorbent polymer is used, e.g., ˜50 wt. %, with ˜50 wt. % ClO2 solution added.
The superabsorbent polymer should not be able to undergo an oxidation reaction with chlorine dioxide, and should be able to liberate chlorine dioxide into water without any mass transfer resistance. Nor should byproduct be releasable from the gel in contact with fresh water. Exemplary polymers may comprise at least one of a sodium salt of poly(acrylic acid), a potassium salt of poly(acrylic acid), straight poly(acrylic acid), poly(vinyl alcohol), and other types of cross-linked polyacrylates, such as polyacrylimide and poly(chloro-trimethylaminoethyl acrylate), each being preferably of pharmaceutical grade. It is believed that sodium salts are preferable to potassium salts for any potential byproduct release, although such a release has not been observed. The amount of polymer required to form a stable gel is in the order of sodium and potassium salts of poly(acrylic acid)<straight poly(acrylic acid)<poly(vinyl alcohol). The order of stability is in reverse order, however, with very little difference among these polymer types.
The gel can be formed by mixing a mass of the polymer into the aqueous chlorine dioxide solution in an amount preferably less than 5-10%, most preferably in range of approximately 0.5-5%, and stirring sufficiently to mix the components but sufficiently mildly so as to minimize the creation of agitation-produced bubbles. Gelling efficiency varies among the polymers, with the poly(acrylic acid) salts (Aridall and ASAP) forming gels more quickly with less polymer, a ratio of 100:1 solution:resin sufficient for making a stable gel; straight poly(acrylic acid) requires a ratio of 50:1 to make a similarly stable gel. The stabilities here refer to mechanical and structural, not chemical, stability.
The gelling process typically takes about 0.5-4 min, preferably 2 min, with a minimum time of mixing preferable. Gels can be produced without mixing; however, mild agitation assists the gelling process and minimizes gelling time. It has been found that 1 g of polymer can be used with as much as 120 g of 2000-ppm pure chlorine dioxide solution. Concentrations of at least 5000 ppm are achievable.
Preferably the mixing is carried out in a substantially air/oxygen-free environment in a closed container, possibly nitrogen-purged. Storage of the formed gel should be in sealed containers having UV-blocking properties is preferred, such containers comprising, for example, UV-blocking amber glass, opaque high-density polyethylene, chlorinated poly(vinyl chloride) (CPVC), polytetrafluoroethylene(PTFE)-lined polyethylene, cross-linked polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyvinylidenefluoride (PVDF), although these are not intended to be limiting.
The gel was found to be very effective in preserving chlorine dioxide concentration for long periods of time, in sharp contrast to the 1-2 days of the aqueous solution. The clean color of the gel is retained throughout storage, and did not substantially degas as found with aqueous solutions of similar concentration. For example, a 400-ppm aqueous solution produces a pungent odor that is not detectable in a gel of similar concentration. The straight PAA gels made from Carbopol (Polymer C; Noveon, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio) were found to achieve better preservation than the PAA salt types. Additional resins that may be used include, but are not intended to be limited to, Aridall and ASAP (BASF Corp., Charlotte, N.C.), and poly(vinyl alcohol) (A. Schulman, Inc., Akron, Ohio).
The liberating of aqueous chlorine dioxide from the gel material is performed by stirring the gel material into deionized water, and sealing and agitating the mixing vessel, for example, for 15 min on a low setting. Polymer settles out in approximately 15 min, the resulting supernatant comprising substantially pure aqueous chlorine dioxide. The gellant is recoverable for reuse.
Aqueous chlorine dioxide is liberated from a tablet by dissolving the tablet into deionized water and permitting the polymer to settle out as a precipitate.
The resulting aqueous chlorine dioxide may then be applied to a target, such as, but not intended to be limited to, water, wastewater, or a surface.
In order to minimize decomposition, both spontaneous and induced, the components of the gel and solid gel composition should be substantially impurity-free. Exposure to air/oxygen and UV and IR radiation should be minimized, as should mechanical shock and agitation.
Laboratory data are discussed in the following four examples.
Two types of polymer, the sodium and potassium salts of poly(acrylic acid), were used to form gels. The aqueous chlorine dioxide was prepared according to the method of the '861 and '135 patents, producing a chlorine dioxide concentration of 4522 mg/L, this being diluted as indicated.
The gels were formed by mild shaking for 2 min in an open clock dish, the gels then transferred to amber glass bottles, leaving minimum headspace, sealed, and stored in the dark. The aqueous controls were stored in both clear and amber bottles. After 3 days it was determined that the gels retained the original color and consistency, and were easily degelled. Table 1 provides data for 3 and 90 days, illustrating that little concentration loss occurred. The samples after 3 days were stored under fluorescent lighting at approximately 22° C.
From these data it may be seen that, even when stored in a tightly sealed, amber bottle, the aqueous solution loses strength rapidly, although the amber bottle clearly provides some short-term alleviation of decomposition.
Also, even with a 0.71% proportion of gelling material, a stable gel was formed. The gels, in the order presented in Table 1, retained 97.4, 100, 94.3, and 98.6% of their strength at 3 days after 90 days. The two polymers provided essentially equal effectiveness. The gels apparently protected against UV-mediated decomposition. The gels are also far more effective in preserving chlorine dioxide concentration.
The gels were shown to preserve their original color during the storage period. Analysis after 90 days proved that the degelled solution contained only chlorine dioxide and a very small amount of chloride ion.
Gels formed by five different polymers, each having their formed gels stored in clear and amber containers, were compared when stored under different conditions. Table 2 provides the results of these experiments.
The half-bottle results indicate that stability was significantly lower than in full-bottle samples under substantially identical preparation and storage conditions, the difference being even more pronounced with longer storage times, illustrating the decomposition effect triggered by gas-phase air. Even in the half-bottle gels, however, storage effectiveness is still 100-200 times that of conventional solution storage.
High-concentration (1425 ppm) aqueous chlorine dioxide was used to form polymer gels as listed in Table 3 in this set of experiments, the results of which are given in Table 4 and
The data indicate that the gels are quite stable for a long period of time. In most cases the gels retained their strength at 50% or higher even after 90 days, which is believed to represent a technological breakthrough.
Amber bottles are clearly more effective in preserving chlorine dioxide concentration, especially until the 60-day mark. Some late-stage decline may be attributable to seal failure, the seals used in these experiments comprising paraffin, which is known to be unreliable with regard to drying, fracture, pyrolytic evaporation, and puncture, and some of this failure was observable to the naked eye.
The high-molecular-weight polymer, poly(acrylic acid) (polymer C) was more effective than its lower-molecular-weight counterparts, the PAA salts (polymers A and B), indicating that higher-molecular-weight polymers provide better structural protection and “caging” for chlorine dioxide molecules against UV and air.
The long-term stability of the gels was tested using a set of gels prepared from three different types of water-soluble polymers. The prepared samples were kept in a ventilated cage with fluorescent light on full-time at room temperature. The gel samples were sealed tightly in amber bottles with paraffinic wax and wrapped with Teflon tapes for additional protection. Five identical samples using each polymer type were prepared, and one each was used for analysis at the time intervals shown in Table 5 and
All the samples indicate long-term chlorine dioxide product stability previously unachievable in the art. The gels made from polymer C were better in long-term preservation of chlorine dioxide than those made using polymers A and B, which may be attributable to its higher average molecular weight, as well as to the greater amount of polymer used per unit volume.
Therefore, it will be appreciated by one of skill in the art that there are many advantages conferred by the described embodiments. Chlorine dioxide can be preserved at least 200, and up to 10,000, times longer than previously possible in aqueous solution. Off-site manufacturing and transport now becomes possible, since the composition can be unaffected by vibration and movement, can be resistant to UV and IR radiation, to bubble formation, and to oxygen penetration, and can reduce vapor pressure. The composition can have substantially reduced risks from inhalation and skin contact.
The applications of the described embodiments are numerous in type and scale, and may include, but are not intended to be limited to, industrial and household applications, and medical, military, and agricultural applications. Specifically, uses may be envisioned for air filter cartridges, drinking water, enclosed bodies of water, both natural and manmade, cleansing applications in, for example, spas, hospitals, bathrooms, floors and appliances, tools, personal hygiene (e.g., for hand cleansing, foot fungus, gingivitis, soaps, and mouthwash), and food products. Surfaces and enclosed spaces may be cleansed, for example, against gram-positive bacteria, spores, and anthrax.
Chlorine dioxide (“ClO2”) can be an excellent disinfectant, and/or can be effective against a wide range of organisms. For example, ClO2 can provide excellent control of viruses and bacteria, as well as the protozoan parasites Giardia, Cryptosporidium, and/or amoeba Naegleria gruberi and their cysts.
In addition to disinfection, ClO2 can have other beneficial uses in water treatment, such as color, taste and odor control, and removal of iron and manganese. There are also important uses outside of water treatment, such as bleaching pulp and paper (its largest commercial use), disinfection of surfaces, and sanitization/preservation of fruits and vegetables.
ClO2 can present certain challenges, which can stem largely from its inherent physical and chemical instability. ClO2 in pure form is a gaseous compound under normal conditions. As a gas, it can be sensitive to chemical decomposition, exploding at higher concentrations and when compressed. Because ClO2 can be highly soluble in water, ClO2 can be used as a solution of ClO2 gas dissolved in water.
However, the gaseous nature of ClO2 means that it can be volatile, thus ClO2 tends to evaporate rapidly from solutions when open to the atmosphere (physical instability). This tendency can limit the practically useful concentrations of ClO2 solutions. With concentrated solutions, this rapid evaporation can generate gaseous ClO2 concentrations that can present an unpleasantly strong odor, and can pose an inhalation hazard to users. A closed container of the solution can quickly attain a concentration in the headspace of the container that is in equilibrium with the concentration in the solution. A high concentration solution can have an equilibrium headspace concentration that exceeds the explosive limits in air (considered to be about 10% by volume in air).
For these and other reasons, virtually all commercial applications to date have required that ClO2 be generated at the point of use to deal with these challenges. However, on-site generation also can have significant draw-backs, particularly in the operational aspects of the equipment and the need to handle and store hazardous precursor chemicals. It can be desirable to have additional forms of ready-made ClO2.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition of matter comprising a solid form of chlorine dioxide complexed with a cyclodextrin. When stored, a concentration of the chlorine dioxide in the composition of matter can be retained at, for example, greater than 12% for at least 14 days and/or greater than 90% for at least 80 days, with respect to an initial concentration of chlorine dioxide in said composition of matter. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising releasing chlorine dioxide from a solid composition comprising chlorine dioxide complexed with a cyclodextrin.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a solid complex formed by combining ClO2 with a complexing agent such as a cyclodextrin, methods of forming the complex, and/or methods of using the complex as a means of delivering ClO2, such as essentially instantly delivering ClO2.
ClO2 is widely considered to be inherently unstable. Also, ClO2 is widely considered to be reactive with a fairly wide range of organic compounds, including glucose, the basic building block of cyclodextrins such as alpha-cyclodextrin. It is reasonable to assume that ClO2 will react with cyclodextrins in solution. Additionally, relatively impure ClO2 systems containing chlorite and/or chlorate impurities might be expected to destroy cyclodextrins due to the reactivity of chlorite/chlorate with organic compounds.
Chlorine dioxide can be generated by the method described in the OxyChem Technical Data Sheet “Laboratory Preparations of Chlorine Dioxide Solutions—Method II: Preparation of Reagent-Grade Chlorine Dioxide Solution”, using nitrogen as the stripping gas.
That method specifies the following equipment and reagents:
That method specifies, inter alia, the following procedure:
We have unexpectedly discovered that, by bubbling sufficiently pure gaseous ClO2 diluted in nitrogen (as generated by this method) at a rate of, for example, approximately 100 ml/minute to approximately 300 ml/minute, through a near-saturated solution of alpha-cyclodextrin (approximately 11% to approximately 12% w/w) in place of plain water, at or below room temperature, a solid precipitate formed. The minimum ClO2 concentration required to obtain the solid precipitate lies somewhere in the range of approximately 500 ppm to approximately 1500 ppm. A 1:1 molar ratio of ClO2 to cyclodextrin—approximately 7600 ppm ClO2 for approximately 11% alpha-cyclodextrin—is presumed to be needed in order to complex all the alpha-cyclodextrin. We believe that the use of even more ClO2 will maximize the amount of precipitate that forms. Precipitation may begin before ClO2 addition is complete, or may take up to approximately 2 to approximately 3 days, depending on the amount of ClO2 added and the temperature of the system.
Another method of preparing this solid material is as follows. A solution of alpha-cyclodextrin is prepared. That solution can be essentially saturated (approximately 11%). A separate solution of ClO2 can be prepared by the method referenced above, potentially such that it is somewhat more concentrated than the alpha-cyclodextrin solution, on a molar basis. Then the two solutions can be combined on approximately a 1:1 volume basis and mixed briefly to form a combined solution. Concentrations and volumes of the two components can be varied, as long as the resultant concentrations in the final mixture and/or combined solution are sufficient to produce the precipitate of the complex. The mixture and/or combined solution then can be allowed to stand, potentially at or below room temperature, until the precipitate forms. The solid can be collected by an appropriate means, such as by filtration or decanting. The filtrate/supernatant can be chilled to facilitate formation of additional precipitate. A typical yield by this unoptimized process, after drying, can be approximately 30 to approximately 40% based on the starting amount of cyclodextrin. The filtrate/supernatant can be recycled to use the cyclodextrin to fullest advantage.
The collected precipitate then can be dried, such as in a desiccator at ambient pressure, perhaps using Drierite™ desiccant. It has been found that the optimum drying time under these conditions is approximately 24 hours. Shorter drying times under these conditions can leave the complex with unwanted free water. Longer drying times under these conditions can result in solid containing a lower ClO2 content.
Since we have observed that the residence time of the complex in a desiccating chamber has a distinct effect on the resulting ClO2 content of the dried complex, it is expected that the use of alternate methods of isolating and/or drying the complex can be employed to alter yield rates and obtain a ClO2 cyclodextrin complex with specific properties (stability, ClO2 concentration, dissolution properties, etc.) suitable for a particular application. Lyophilization and spray-drying are examples of these kinds of alternate methods, which can dry the precipitated complex, and/or isolate the complex as a dry solid from solution-phase complex, and/or from the combined precipitate/solution mixture.
Based on methods used to form other complexes with cyclodextrins, it is believed that any of several additional methods could be utilized to form the ClO2 cyclodextrin complex. Slurry complexation, paste complexation, solid phase capture, and co-solvent systems are examples of additional preparatory options. In one unoptimized example of a modified slurry process, 11 g of solid alpha-cyclodextrin was added directly to a 100 g solution of 7800 ppm ClO2 and mixed overnight. While a majority of the cyclodextrin went into solution, approximately 20% of the powder did not. This was subsequently found to have formed a complex with ClO2 that upon isolation, contained approximately 0.8% ClO2 by weight. In one unoptimized example of a solid phase capture process, ClO2 gas was generated by the method described in the OxyChem Technical Data Sheet. The ClO2 from the reaction was first passed through a chromatography column packed with a sufficient amount of Drierite to dry the gas stream. Following this drying step, 2.0 g of solid alpha-cyclodextrin was placed in-line and exposed to the dried ClO2 in the vapor phase for approximately 5 hours. The alpha-cyclodextrin was then removed, and found to have formed a complex with ClO2 containing approximately 0.75% ClO2 by weight.
This precipitate is assumed to be a ClO2/alpha-cyclodextrin complex. Cyclodextrins are known to form complexes or “inclusion compounds” with certain other molecules, although for reasons presented above it is surprising that a stable complex would form with ClO2. Such a complex is potentially characterized by an association between the cyclodextrin molecule (the “host”) and the “guest” molecule which does not involve covalent bonding. These complexes are often formed in a 1:1 molecular ratio between host and guest, but other ratios are possible.
There are a number of reaction conditions that affect the process leading to the formation of the complex. Any of these conditions can be optimized to enhance the yield and/or purity of the complex. Several of these conditions are discussed below.
The pH at which the complexation takes place between ClO2 and cyclodextrin has been observed to affect the yield and ClO2 content of the resulting ClO2 complex. Therefore, this parameter might affect the stability and/or properties of the resulting complex. An approximately 11% alpha-cyclodextrin solution was combined with an approximately 9000 ppm ClO2 solution on a 1:1 molar basis and the pH immediately adjusted from approximately 3.5 to approximately 6.7 with approximately 10% NaOH. A control was set up in the same fashion with no pH adjustment after combining the approximately 11% cyclodextrin and approximately 9000 ppm ClO2 solution. The resulting yield of the pH adjusted preparation was approximately 60% lower than the control and had approximately 20% less ClO2 content by weight.
The temperature at which the complexation takes place between ClO2 and cyclodextrin has been observed to affect the yield and ClO2 content of the resulting ClO2 complex. Therefore, this parameter might affect the stability and/or properties of the resulting complex. An approximately 11% alpha-cyclodextrin solution was combined with an approximately 7800 ppm ClO2 solution on a 1:1 molar basis in 2 separate bottles. One of these was placed in a refrigerator at approximately 34° F. and the other was left at room temperature. Upon isolation and dry down of the resulting complexes, the refrigerated preparation produced approximately 25% more complex by weight and a lower ClO2 concentration.
The stirring rate and/or level of agitation during the formation of a ClO2 cyclodextrin complex has been observed to affect the yield and ClO2 content of the resulting ClO2 complex. Therefore, this parameter might affect the stability and/or properties of the resulting complex. An approximately 11% alpha-cyclodextrin solution was combined with an approximately 7800 ppm ClO2 solution on a 1:1 molar basis in 2 separate bottles. One of the bottles was placed on a magnetic stir plate at approximately 60 rpm, while the other remained undisturbed. After approximately 5 days, the precipitated complex from each was isolated and dried down. The preparation that was stirred resulted in an approximately 20% lower yield and approximately 10% lower ClO2 concentration by weight.
The addition of other compounds to the complexation mixture has been observed to affect the yield and/or ClO2 content of the resulting ClO2 complex. Therefore, the use of additives in the preparation process might affect the stability and/or properties of the resulting complex and/or lead to a ClO2 complex with properties tailored to a specific application. For example, we have found that very low concentrations of water soluble polymers (approximately 0.1% w/v), such as polyvinylpyrrolidone and carboxymethylcellulose, have resulted in ClO2 concentrations higher and lower, respectively, than that observed in a control preparation containing only cyclodextrin and ClO2. In both cases however, the yield was approximately 10% lower than the control. In another example, we found that the addition of approximately 0.5% acetic acid to the complexation mixture resulted in approximately 10% higher yield and approximately 40% lower ClO2 content.
When isolated and dried, the resulting solid typically has a granular texture, appears somewhat crystalline, with a bright yellow color, and little or no odor. It can be re-dissolved in water easily, and the resulting solution is yellow, has an odor of ClO2, and assays for ClO2. The ClO2 concentration measured in this solution reaches its maximum as soon as all solid is dissolved, or even slightly before. The typical assay method uses one of the internal methods of the Hach DR 2800 spectrophotometer designed for direct reading of ClO2. The solution also causes the expected response in ClO2 test strips such as those from Selective Micro Technologies or LaMotte Company. If a solution prepared by dissolving this complex in water is thoroughly sparged with N2 (also known as Nitrogen or N2), the solution becomes colorless and contains virtually no ClO2 detectable by the assay method. The sparged ClO2 can be collected by bubbling the gas stream into another container of water.
One sample of the dried solid complex was allowed to stand in an uncovered container for approximately 30 hours before being dissolved in water, and appeared to have lost none of its ClO2 relative to a sample that was dissolved in water immediately after drying. Four portions from one batch of solid complex left in open air for periods of time ranging from approximately 0 to approximately 30 hours before being re-dissolved in water all appeared to have about the same molar ratio of ClO2 to alpha-cyclodextrin. Other batches appeared to have somewhat different ratios of ClO2 to alpha-cyclodextrin. This difference may simply reflect differences in sample dryness, but it is known that cyclodextrin-to-guest ratios in other cyclodextrin complexes might vary with differences in the process by which the complex was formed. However, samples of the present complex prepared by an exemplary embodiment tended to contain close to, but to date not greater than, a 1:1 molar ratio of ClO2 to cyclodextrin. That is, their ClO2 content approached the theoretical limit for a 1:1 complex of approximately 6.5% by weight, or approximately 65,000 ppm, ClO2. Assuming that a 1:1 molar ratio represents the ideal form of the pure complex, the ratio of ClO2 to cyclodextrin can be targeted as close to 1:1 as possible, to serve as an efficient ClO2 delivery vehicle. However, solid complexes with a net ClO2 to cyclodextrin ratio of less than 1:1 can be desirable in some cases. (We believe such a material is probably a mixture of 1:1 complex plus uncomplexed cyclodextrin, not a complex with a molar ratio of less than 1:1.)
An aqueous solution of ClO2 having such a high concentration (e.g., approaching approximately 65,000 ppm) can pose technical and/or safety challenges in handling, such as rapid loss of ClO2 from the solution into the gas phase (concentrated and therefore a human exposure risk), and/or potentially explosive vapor concentrations in the headspace of a container in which the solution is contained. The solid appears not to have these issues. Release into the gas phase is relatively slow, posing little exposure risk from the complex in open air. The lack of significant odor can be an important factor in the users' sense of safety and/or comfort in using the solid. For example, a small sample has been left in the open air for approximately 72 hours, with only an approximately 10% loss of ClO2. At such a slow rate, users are unlikely to experience irritation or be caused to feel concern about exposure. Gas-phase ClO2 concentration in the headspace of a closed container of the complex can build up over time, but appears not to attain explosive concentrations. Even solid complex dampened with a small amount of water, so that a “saturated” solution is formed, to date has not been observed to create a headspace ClO2 concentration in excess of approximately 1.5% at room temperature. It is commonly believed that at least a 10% concentration of ClO2 in air is required for explosive conditions to exist.
The freshly-prepared complex is of high purity, since it is obtained by combining only highly pure ClO2 prepared by OxyChem Method II, cyclodextrin, and water. Some cyclodextrins are available in food grade, so the complex made with any of these is suitable for treatment of drinking water and other ingestible materials, as well as for other applications. Other purity grades (technical, reagent, pharmaceutical, etc.) of cyclodextrins are available, and these could give rise to complexes with ClO2 that would be suitable for still other applications.
In certain embodiments, the solid complex can be quickly and conveniently dissolved directly in water that is desired to be treated. Alternatively, the solid can be dissolved, heated, crushed, and/or otherwise handled, processed, and/or treated to form, and/or release from the solid, a solution, such as an aqueous chlorine dioxide solution, and/or another form of ClO2, such as a ClO2 vapor, that then can be used for disinfecting surfaces, solids, waters, fluids, and/or other materials. For example, solutions of ClO2 prepared by dissolving the complex in water, either the water to be treated or an intermediate solution, can be used for any purpose known in the art for which a simple aqueous solution of comparable ClO2 concentration would be used, insofar as this purpose is compatible with the presence of the cyclodextrin. These uses can include disinfection and/or deodorization and/or decolorization of: drinking water, waste water, recreational water (swimming pools, etc.), industrial reuse water, agricultural irrigation water, as well as surfaces, including living tissues (topical applications) and foods (produce, meats) as well as inanimate surfaces, etc.
It is anticipated that the complex can be covalently bound, via the cyclodextrin molecule, to another substrate (a polymer for example) for use in an application where multiple functionality of a particular product is desired. For example, such a complex bound to an insoluble substrate can, upon contact with water, release its ClO2 into solution while the cyclodextrin and substrate remain in the solid phase.
It has been found that this solid complex ordinarily experiences a slow release of ClO2 gas into the air. Conditions can be selected such that the concentration level of the ClO2 released into the air is low enough to be safe (a condition suggested by the lack of conspicuous odor) but at a high enough concentration to be efficacious for disinfection and/or odor control in the air, and/or disinfection of surfaces or materials in contact with the air.
The solid complex can release ClO2 directly, via the gas phase, and/or via moisture that is present, into other substances. The solid can be admixed with such substances, such as by mixing powdered and/or granular solid complex with the other substances in powdered and/or granular form. The solid complex can be applied to a surface, such as skin and/or other material, either by “rubbing in” a sufficiently fine powder of the complex, and/or by holding the solid complex against the surface mechanically, as with a patch and/or bandage. The substance receiving the ClO2 from the complex can do so as a treatment of the substance and/or the substance can act as a secondary vehicle for the ClO2.
In some instances, the complex can impart different and/or useful reactivity/properties to ClO2. By changing its electronic and/or solvation environment, the reactivity of complexed ClO2 will almost certainly be quantitatively, and perhaps qualitatively, different.
Early indications are that ClO2 retention can be greatly enhanced by cold storage.
The solid complex can be packaged and/or stored in a range of forms and packages. Forms can include granulations/powders essentially as recovered from the precipitation process. The initially obtained solid complex can be further processed by grinding and/or milling into finer powder, and/or pressing into tablets and/or pucks and/or other forms known to the art. Other materials substantially unreactive toward ClO2 can be combined with the solid complex to act as fillers, extenders, binders, and/or disintegrants, etc.
Suitable packages are those that can retain gaseous ClO2 to a degree that provides acceptable overall ClO2 retention, consistent with its inherent stability, as discussed above, and/or that provide adequate protection from moisture. Suitable materials to provide high ClO2 retention can include glass, some plastics, and/or unreactive metals such as stainless steel. The final form of the product incorporating the solid complex can include any suitable means of dispensing and/or delivery, such as, for example, enclosing the solid in a dissolvable and/or permeable pouch, and/or a powder/solid metering delivery system, and/or any other means known in the art.
Other cyclodextrins: Most of the above material relates to alpha-cyclodextrin and the complex formed between it and ClO2. This is the only ClO2/cyclodextrin complex yet isolated. We believe that beta-cyclodextrin may form a complex with ClO2, which techniques readily available to us have not been able to isolate. Whereas the complex with alpha-cyclodextrin is less soluble than alpha-cyclodextrin alone, leading to ready precipitation of the complex, it may be that the ClO2/beta-cyclodextrin complex is more soluble than beta-cyclodextrin alone, making isolation more difficult. Such solubility differences are known in the art surrounding cyclodextrin complexes. Techniques such as freeze-drying may be able to isolate the complex in the future.
However indirect evidence for the complex has been observed. Beta-cyclodextrin has a known solubility in water. If the water contains a guest substance that produces a cyclodextrin complex more soluble than the cyclodextrin alone, more of the cyclodextrin will dissolve into water containing that guest than into plain water. This enhanced solubility has been observed for beta-cyclodextrin in water containing ClO2. Two separate 100 g slurries of beta-cyclodextrin solutions were prepared. The control solution contained 5% beta-cyclodextrin (w/w) in ultrapure water, and the other contained 5% beta-cyclodextrin (w/w) in 8000 ppm ClO2. Both slurries were mixed at 200 rpm for 3 days, at which time the undissolved beta-cyclodextrin was isolated from both solutions and dried for 2 days in a desiccator. The weight of the dried beta-cyclodextrin from the ClO2 containing slurry was 0.32 g less than the control slurry indicating that a soluble complex might exist between the beta-cyclodextrin and ClO2 in solution. It is believed, by extension, that ClO2 might form complexes with gamma-cyclodextrin and/or chemically derivatized versions of the natural (alpha- (“α”), beta- (“β”), and gamma-(“γ”)) cyclodextrins. In the case of beta- and/or gamma-cyclodextrin and/or other cyclodextrins having internal cavities larger than that of alpha-cyclodextrin, it might be that the complex(es) formed with ClO2 will incorporate numbers of ClO2 molecules greater than one per cyclodextrin molecule.
Related inclusion complex formers: It is expected by extension of the observed cyclodextrin complexes that some other molecules known to form inclusion compounds will also complex ClO2. In particular, cucurbiturils are molecules known primarily for having ring structures that accommodate smaller molecules into their interior cavities. These interior cavities are of roughly the same range of diameters as those of the cyclodextrins. It is anticipated that combining the appropriate cucurbituril(s) and ClO2 under correct conditions will produce cucurbituril/ClO2 complex(es), whose utility can be similar to that of cyclodextrin/ClO2 complexes.
ClO2 generated by the OxyChem Method II referenced above was bubbled as a stream mixed with nitrogen, at a rate of approximately 100-300 ml per minute, into an approximately 120 mL serum bottle containing approximately 100 g of approximately 11% (by weight) alpha-cyclodextrin solution at RT. Precipitation of the complex was observed to begin within approximately 1 hour, with ClO2 ultimately reaching a concentration of approximately 7000 ppm or more in the solution. Precipitation occurred very rapidly, and over the course of approximately 10 minutes enough complex was formed to occupy a significant volume of the bottle. The bottle was capped and placed in the refrigerator to facilitate further complex formation. After approximately 1 week the solid was removed from the solution onto filter paper and dried in a desiccator with Drierite for approximately 4 days. Yield was approximately 50% (by weight of starting cyclodextrin), and ClO2 concentration in the complex was approximately 1.8%.
The general method used was as follows. See
Other experiments showed a wide variety in initial ClO2 concentrations in freshly prepared complex. For example, in several experiments, complex formed by the combining solutions approach yielded ClO2 concentrations such as 1.8% and 0.9%. In other experiments, complex formed by the generation method in which the ClO2 was captured in an ice-chilled cyclodextrin solution yielded 0.2% ClO2.
Additional experiments at room temperature resulted in a wide variety of ClO2 retention results. For example, when complex formed by the combining solutions approach was sealed in approximately 10 ml vials with a nitrogen blanket, approximately 56% of the original ClO2 concentration was retained after 35 days, and approximately 31% was retained after 56 days. As another example, when complex formed by the generation method was left open to the air in a dark storage area, approximately 42% of the original ClO2 concentration was retained after 35 days, and approximately 25% was retained after 56 days. As yet another example, when complex formed by the generation method was sealed in approximately 10 ml clear glass vials with a nitrogen blanket and stored under white fluorescent light, approximately 13% of the original ClO2 concentration was retained after 14 days. As still another example, when complex formed by the generation method was stored in an approximately 2 ounce jar covered with Parafilm, approximately 6% of the original ClO2 concentration was retained after 59 days.
Further experiments at refrigerator temperature (approximately 1 degree C.) also resulted in a wide variety of ClO2 retention results with respect to the original ClO2 concentration, including 91% after 30 days, 95% after 85 days, and 100% after 74 days.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method of retarding spoilage organism (i.e. bacterial and/or fungal) growth in and/or on foods, such as on the surface of post harvest fruits and/or vegetables in transit and/or storage, such as by releasing chlorine dioxide (ClO2) into the headspace of containers storing and/or packaging containing the fruits and/or vegetables from a molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide composition. The release rate and/or headspace concentration of chlorine dioxide can be increased, and/or the duration of the release, and/or the total amount of chlorine dioxide that is released can be adjusted by the inclusion of one or more hygroscopic and/or deliquescent salts. Generally, the more hygroscopic and/or deliquescent salt that is included relative to the amount of the molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide composition, the higher the (initial) rate of chlorine dioxide release, and the shorter the duration of the major part of the release; that is to say, the release/time profile will be more “front-loaded” when more hygroscopic and/or deliquescent salt is included. The molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide and optionally, the hygroscopic and/or deliquescent salts, can be contained in a packaging format that has a water/moisture proof outer barrier that is removed and/or punctured just prior to use, which can allow ingress/access of moisture and/or humidity from the external environment and/or the release of chlorine dioxide from the molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide. The molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide and/or the one or more hygroscopic and/or deliquescent salts can be formed and/or derived from, comprise, produce, and/or be one or more compositions that are food-safe, non-food-safe, food grade, environmentally acceptable, and/or non-environmentally acceptable.
Certain exemplary embodiments can relate to a method of treating, in transit and/or in storage, crops (such as fruits, vegetables, spices, seeds, and/or nuts) and/or other edible products (e.g., dairy products, meat and/or seafood), which can inhibit, retard, and/or destroy spoilage organism (such as bacterial and/or fungal) growth, with consideration on its application in the high value areas of berry and/or citrus fruit crops that are shipped to retail outlets. Certain exemplary embodiments can relate to a method of utilizing chlorine dioxide in the gas phase that is derived from a molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide composition, such as a solid and/or gel that is contained in a package that can extend the composition's shelf life prior to use, with easy initiation of chlorine dioxide release at the time of use by simple removal and/or puncturing of an outer package, and/or delivery of chlorine dioxide to a headspace substantially surrounding the food product.
Certain exemplary embodiments can relate generally to methods of using molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide composition that release gaseous chlorine dioxide into a headspace of a container, that is, that portion of a crop-containing container that is occupied by air and/or other gas. The rate of chlorine dioxide release and/or concentration in the head space can be enhanced and/or adjusted by the incorporation of an optimum and/or desired level of one or more hygroscopic and/or deliquescent salts, which can attract water and/or water vapor from the headspace into the composition. This addition of water to the composition can improve chlorine dioxide release and/or the overall effectiveness of the composition. This approach can be pursued to retard bacterial and/or fungal growth within and/or on the surface of post harvest fruits and/or vegetables, in transit and/or storage, prior to consumption.
For highly perishable commodities, such as berry fruits, tomatoes, squash, and/or peaches, as much as 30 percent of a typical harvested crop might be lost to post harvest diseases and/or spoilage before it reaches consumers. Losses for other fruits and/or vegetables, although not as high, can be significant. Often, investments made to save food after harvest provide greater returns for growers, distributors, retailers, and/or consumers, and frequently are less harmful to the environment, than equivalent investments to increase production.
As highlighted in Table 6, there are many types of post harvest disorders and/or infectious diseases and/or spoilage that affect fresh fruits and/or vegetables.
Penicillium expansum (f)
Botrytis cinerea (f)
Physalospora obtusa (f)
Glomerella cingulata (f)
Xanthomonas axonopodis (b)
Penicillium sp. (f)
Botrytis cinerea (f)
Rhizopus rot
Rhizopus stolonifer (f)
Fusarium tuber rot
Fusarium spp. (f)
Pythium sp. (f)
Erwinia spp. (b)
Clostridium spp. (b)
Monilinia fructicola (f)
Rhizopus rot
Rhizopus stolonifer (f)
Botrytis cinerea (f)
Penicillium sp. (f)
Alternaria rot
Alternaria sp. (f)
Gilbertella rot
Gilbertella persicaria (f)
Erwinia chrysanthemi (b)
Ceratocystis fimbriata (f)
Pythium spp. (f)
Diplodia gossypina (f)
Fusarium surface rot
Fusarium oxysporum (f)
Fusarium root
Fusarium solani (f)
Rhizopus soft rot
Rhizopus nigricans (f)
Marcrophomina sp. (f)
Alternaria rot
Alternaria alternata (f)
Phytophthora sp. (f)
Botrytis cinerea (f)
Rhizopus stolonifer (f)
Geotrichum candidum (f)
Erwinia spp. (b) or
Pseudomonas spp. (b)
Colletotrichum sp. (b)
Sclerotinia sp. (f)
Pythium butleri (f)
Fusarium rot
Fusarium sp. (f)
Erwinia sp. (b) or
Pseudomonas spp. (b)
Post harvest diseases and/or spoilage can be caused by, for example, fungi and/or bacteria, although generally, fungi are more common than bacteria in most fruits and vegetables. Generally, post harvest diseases and/or spoilage caused by bacteria are rare in fruits and berries but somewhat more common in vegetables.
Most post harvest fungal diseases (rots) are caused by the dispersion of tiny spores formed by the actively growing pathogen. Spores can remain dormant for long periods until the correct conditions for their germination and/or growth occur. These conditions can include the presence of water (in liquid form and/or as high relative humidity), warm temperatures, low light levels, adequate levels of oxygen and/or carbon dioxide, and/or the presence of nutrients, such as in the form of sugars, starches, and/or other organic compounds. Many immature fruits and vegetables contain compounds that inhibit the growth of some disease and/or spoilage organisms. These compounds and the resistance they can provide often are lost during ripening. Therefore, a fresh wound on the surface of a warm, wet, ripened fruit and/or vegetable enclosed within a shipping container can provide an ideal site for post harvest pathogens to colonize and/or develop.
Chlorine dioxide in either a gas and/or solution form can penetrate the cell wall, membrane, and/or cytoplasm of mold spores, bacteria, and/or other microbiological contaminants, such as the disease species that are listed in Table 1, often at concentrations below one part per million, and/or can inhibit their growth and/or destroy them.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition and/or delivery system and/or format that can be easily triggered to initiate chlorine dioxide release in use. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition that can be composed of and/or generate only FDA approved substances, and/or those generally recognized as safe, which can be used for food packaging and other applications where the substances can be ingested by humans and/or can be in contact with foodstuffs typically ingested by humans.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition and/or packaging delivery format that can allow the release of a concentration of chlorine dioxide sufficient to inhibit and/or eliminate bacteria, fungi, and/or molds on fruits and/or vegetables in transit and/or storage. In certain exemplary embodiments, such a composition can, after removal of the moisture barrier, release sufficient chlorine dioxide concentrations for a period of, for example, at least one month. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition that increases the release rate of chlorine dioxide in proportion to the moisture level in the headspace. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition that only contains substances approved for human exposure and/or ingestion.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition of molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide where the stabilization of the active ingredient has been achieved by compounding with certain ingredients, potentially including food safe ingredients that are potentially also environmentally acceptable. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide for introducing the resulting chlorine dioxide gas that is released by this composition upon the removal and/or puncturing of the outer protective layer of the packaging format containing the composition. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide an amount of chlorine dioxide that is sufficient to achieve elimination and/or inhibition of bacteria, fungi, and/or molds on fruits and/or vegetables and/or improve overall shelf life of the same.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method of utilizing new physical forms of ready-made chlorine dioxide that are now available, which can improve the practicality of using chlorine dioxide in this field of use.
A gel form of a molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide is described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,229,647, and for purposes of the present application, the stabilization of the active ingredient can be achieved by compounding with food safe ingredient(s) that are also environmentally acceptable. The available chlorine dioxide concentration can be in the range of approximately 0 ppm up to approximately 3000-4000 ppm, up to approximately 6000 ppm if storage temperatures are maintained below approximately 80 F., and greater than 6000 ppm if refrigerated storage is provided. The stabilization ingredient for this composition can be a high molecular weight polymer of acrylic acid that is cross linked, such as Cabopol 5984, which is manufactured by Lubrizol Advanced Materials, Inc. A solid form of a molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide is described in US Patent Application Publication 2009/0054375, and can have an available chlorine dioxide concentration of up to 65,000 ppm (6.5% by weight). The stabilization of the active ingredient can be achieved by compounding with ingredients that are food safe and/or environmentally acceptable, that is, meet applicable EPA regulations. These specific examples are not intended to limit or preclude the use of other compatible “food safe” and/or environmentally acceptable molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide formulations and/or forms that can be used advantageously as described herein.
Moisture can be attracted from the air by hygroscopic agents and/or desiccants. Examples of hygroscopic substances that are food safe can include sugar, glycerol, and/or honey, etc. One particular applicable class of hygroscopic agents is deliquescent salts. Examples of deliquescent salts that can meet the food safe criteria are potassium phosphate, calcium chloride, and/or magnesium chloride, etc. Examples of deliquescent salts that might be non-food-safe are lithium chloride, lithium bromide, lithium iodide, etc.
This Example uses calcium chloride (CaCl2) as the deliquescent salt. Three blends of the solid form of a molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide (a chlorine dioxide/α-cyclodextrin complex) mixed with essentially anhydrous CaCl2 (each previously finely ground) were prepared at different ratios and enclosed in porous pouches made from an essentially inert non-woven fabric. The pouches were stored in individual glass jars to protect them from moisture until the beginning of the test. The weight ratios were:
A closed glass 12 L round-bottom flask was used as the test air chamber. The humidity of the chamber was set by adding about 3 g of a saturated solution of an appropriate salt to a piece of filter paper inside the flask. It is known that saturated salt solutions will equilibrate with the air in contact with them, to attain a specific relative humidity (RH) determined by the salt, with a mild dependence on temperature. To fix the relative humidity at about 75.5%, a saturated sodium chloride solution was used. To separately fix the RH at about 85.1%, a saturated potassium chloride solution was used.
At the commencement of each test, once the relative humidity had stabilized, as determined through measurement with a hygrometer, a pouch was removed from its jar and suspended by string inside the chamber. Measurements of the ClO2 concentration in the air of the chamber were taken at timed intervals, using a GasAlert Extreme Single Gas ClO2 monitor (from BW Technologies by Honeywell) for concentrations from 0.03 ppm up to 1.00 ppm, and a UV/visible spectrophotometer (from StellarNet Inc.) for concentrations greater than about 67 ppm.
Results are shown in Table 2. After 1 minute, the maximum concentration of ClO2 in the air was produced by the 10:1 ratio of complex to CaCl2, at both humidities. The 1:1 ratio actually produced a lower concentration than the control at both humidities at this short time interval.
The highest ClO2 concentrations, attained after roughly 24 hours, followed generally the same pattern, i.e., levels at 85% RH were greater than at 75% RH where quantitative values were available, and the 10:1 ratio produced the highest concentrations. However, the concentration produced by the 1:1 ratio had exceeded the control, at both humidities, by this time period.
The solid form of a molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide was enclosed in 4 separate porous pouches made from an essentially inert non-woven fabric. Two of the pouches contained 0.25 g of the complex and the other two contained 0.5 g of the complex. The chlorine dioxide concentration of the complex was 6.3% by wt. The pouches were stored in individual glass jars to protect them from moisture until the start of the test.
A closed glass 12 L round-bottom flask was used as the test air chamber and about 3 g of a saturated solution of an appropriate salt was added to a piece of filter paper to control the humidity as in example 11. To fix the relative humidity at about 75.5%, a saturated solution of sodium chloride was used. To separately fix the RH at about 85.1%, a saturated potassium chloride solution was used.
Once the relative humidity had stabilized inside the test chamber, as determined through measurement with a hygrometer, each test was begun by removing a pouch from its jar and suspending it by string inside the chamber. Measurements of the ClO2 concentration in the air of the chamber were taken at timed intervals, using the Kitagawa chlorine dioxide gas detector tube system.
Results are shown in
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide storage stability protection prior to use, to the complex and/or the complex in conjunction with hygroscopic agents, etc. Certain exemplary embodiments can allow easy initiation by removal of the moisture barrier just prior to use, which then can permit the free passage of chlorine dioxide into the void headspace of the shipping and/or storage/display container. In this case, the void headspace is defined as the volume of the container holding the crop minus the volume of the crop and any other solid material within the container. Certain exemplary embodiments can reduce and/or minimize any potential direct contact of the composition with the fruit and/or vegetables being stored in their shipping containers. Examples of suitable packaging formats can be found in
The exemplary packaging format illustrated in
In the case of the packaging format illustrated in
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, device, manufacture, circuit, composition of matter, and/or user interface adapted for and/or resulting from, and/or a method and/or machine-readable medium comprising machine-implementable instructions for, activities that can comprise and/or relate to, a composition comprising molecular matrix-residing chlorine dioxide and one or more deliquescent salts.
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a composition comprising:
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a device comprising:
Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a method comprising:
When the following phrases are used substantively herein, the accompanying definitions apply. These phrases and definitions are presented without prejudice, and, consistent with the application, the right to redefine these phrases via amendment during the prosecution of this application or any application claiming priority hereto is reserved. For the purpose of interpreting a claim of any patent that claims priority hereto, each definition in that patent functions as a clear and unambiguous disavowal of the subject matter outside of that definition.
Various substantially and specifically practical and useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are described herein, textually and/or graphically, including the best mode, if any, known to the inventor(s), for implementing the claimed subject matter by persons having ordinary skill in the art. Any of numerous possible variations (e.g., modifications, augmentations, embellishments, refinements, and/or enhancements, etc.), details (e.g., species, aspects, nuances, and/or elaborations, etc.), and/or equivalents (e.g., substitutions, replacements, combinations, and/or alternatives, etc.) of one or more embodiments described herein might become apparent upon reading this document to a person having ordinary skill in the art, relying upon his/her expertise and/or knowledge of the entirety of the art and without exercising undue experimentation. The inventor(s) expects skilled artisans to implement such variations, details, and/or equivalents as appropriate, and the inventor(s) therefore intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, as permitted by law, the claimed subject matter includes and covers all variations, details, and equivalents of that claimed subject matter. Moreover, as permitted by law, every combination of the herein described characteristics, functions, activities, substances, and/or structural elements, and all possible variations, details, and equivalents thereof, is encompassed by the claimed subject matter unless otherwise clearly indicated herein, clearly and specifically disclaimed, or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate one or more embodiments and does not pose a limitation on the scope of any claimed subject matter unless otherwise stated. No language herein should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject matter.
Thus, regardless of the content of any portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this document, unless clearly specified to the contrary, such as via explicit definition, assertion, or argument, or clearly contradicted by context, with respect to any claim, whether of this document and/or any claim of any document claiming priority hereto, and whether originally presented or otherwise:
The use of the terms “a”, “an”, “said”, “the”, and/or similar referents in the context of describing various embodiments (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context.
The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted.
When any number or range is described herein, unless clearly stated otherwise, that number or range is approximate. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value and each separate subrange defined by such separate values is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. For example, if a range of 1 to 10 is described, that range includes all values therebetween, such as for example, 1.1, 2.5, 3.335, 5, 6.179, 8.9999, etc., and includes all subranges therebetween, such as for example, 1 to 3.65, 2.8 to 8.14, 1.93 to 9, etc.
When any phrase (i.e., one or more words) appearing in a claim is followed by a drawing element number, that drawing element number is exemplary and non-limiting on claim scope.
No claim of this document is intended to invoke paragraph six of 35 USC 112 unless the precise phrase “means for” is followed by a gerund.
Any information in any material (e.g., a United States patent, United States patent application, book, article, etc.) that has been incorporated by reference herein, is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety to its fullest enabling extent permitted by law yet only to the extent that no conflict exists between such information and the other statements and drawings set forth herein. In the event of such conflict, including a conflict that would render invalid any claim herein or seeking priority hereto, then any such conflicting information in such material is specifically not incorporated by reference herein.
Within this document, and during prosecution of any patent application related hereto, any reference to any claimed subject matter is intended to reference the precise language of the then-pending claimed subject matter at that particular point in time only.
Accordingly, every portion (e.g., title, field, background, summary, description, abstract, drawing figure, etc.) of this document, other than the claims themselves and any provided definitions of the phrases used therein, is to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive. The scope of subject matter protected by any claim of any patent that issues based on this document is defined and limited only by the precise language of that claim (and all legal equivalents thereof) and any provided definition of any phrase used in that claim, as informed by the context of this document.
This application claims priority to, and incorporates by reference herein in its entirety, pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/383,446 (Attorney Docket 1099-048), filed 16 Sep. 2010.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61383446 | Sep 2010 | US |
