Patent Application
20080022888
Referring to the drawing a container 10 made of a suitable plastic, for example, has a bottom wall 12 and a peripheral side wall 14 terminating in a rim 16 defining an open top through which a voter's digit, e.g., finger or thumb, maybe inserted to be stained. Alternatively, the stain may be applied via a brush or the like. A measured quantity of a skin staining compound 18 is disposed in the container within a water-soluble pouch 20. The compound(s) is in its dry or dehydrated state so that when the container is filled with water to approximately the rim or to a designated fill line, the dry or dehydrated compound is dissolved in the water forming a staining solution capable of reacting with the organic materials on an individual's finger, thumb and/or nail to produce a semipermanent, highly visible stain on the exposed digit which is visible under ambient and/or UV light. The resulting stain will remain on the individual's body, e.g, finger or thumb, for a reasonable period of time, e.g., 2-3 days to accommodate the voting process and be substantially nonremovable through the use of common available household products such as soap and bleach during said time frame. The term “measured quantity” as used herein to describe the staining compound shall mean a quantity of the compound which is sufficient to provide the semipermanent stain on the exposed digit when dissolved in the quantity of water 28 filling the container to its top or designated fill line 26. Where two or more compounds are used the term “measured quantity” can refer to the stoichiometric quantity between the two or more ingredients. The term “completely soluble” as used herein to describe the staining compound shall mean a compound or compounds which will directly pass into solution. The term “soluble” as used herein to describe a staining compound shall mean a compound which will pass directly into solution with water, i.e, completely soluble or one, i.e., partially soluble that requires the aid of solubilizer to dissolve in sufficient quantities in water to form the desired staining solution.
Instead of placing the staining compound 18 in a pouch it may be in the form of a tablet or small briquette 18a or capsule 18b disposed within the container. Where a two component staining compound, to be described (or to separate single component compounds), is to be used, one-component may be encapsulated in pouch 20 and the other component 22 may be encapsulated in a separate pouch 24, although such physical separation may not be required. A substantially impermable removable cover, such as a conventional thermoplastic sheet or metallic foil 30, may be placed over the container mouth to inhibit the ingress of moisture into the container interior prior to its use.
The size of container may vary, but I have found that containers holding (or having a fill line designation of 60 ml (2 oz) or 120 ml (4 oz) are readily acceptable in the industry. The size of the container determines the amount of the staining compound required with the caveat that the strength of the resulting solution and the quantity of the staining compound will vary depending upon the desired staining formulation.
Single-component dehydrated dyes, suitable for use in the invention, may be either highly colorant (Gentian violet, FD&C Blue #1), invisible but fluorescent (stilbene, naphthalene, and coumarin derivatives) both colorant and fluorescent (Rhodamine-G6), invisible and essentially non-fluorescent until bound with proteins (dansylated compounds) or essentially colorless until bound with proteins (ninhydrin and its analogs).
A two-component dry dye based compound may consist of a fluorescent coumarin derivative generally hydophilic dye, such as Savannah Yellow, and a solubilizer such as caprolactam and dimethyl sulfone. The high molecular weight polyethylene powders may also be used as solubilizer. Single-component reagent stains include ninhydrin, silver sutrate in a water-soluble polyvinyl alcohol structure.
Two-component staining reagents (coated or placed in separated pouches to prevent a reaction prior to the addition of water) may be in the form of a color former, i.e, chromogenic or fluorogenic combination of an intermediate mono-or poly-functional benzene, naphthalene, acridine compound and a developer such as a polyvalent metal ion, mineral or organic acid, oxidizer or an electron-receiving substance. Some examples of such two component staining reagents are listed below:
A third component in the form of a dye capable of providing an immediate, though less permanent stain, may be added to the single-or double-component compound. Such a dye may be rhodamine (added to ninhydrin).
Single Component Dyes:
Fill 120-ml container to capacity with tap water
Two-component reagents:
Combined Slow and Fast Acting Dyes:
Fill 120-ml container to capacity using purified water
There has been described a ready-to-use skin marking stain and applicator requiring only the addition of water. The dry, stain-producing compound carried by the applicator prior to the addition of water has a long shelf-life and is lightweight for shipping purposes. The resulting stain on a person's digit is not readily removable for several days enabling those monitoring the election to readily identify those that have previously participated in the event, thereby inhibiting voter fraud.
