Patent Application
20140219947
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to formulations to limit the detection by animals of hunters. More particularly, the present invention relates to a formulation to limit the scent and ultra-violet light emissions of hunter's garments and persons as perceived by animals.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many wildlife game animals, in one example deer, see in ultra-violet wave lengths. Many hunters go to great measures to avoid detection by game animals. The most common method is by camouflage clothing. The camouflage clothing is effective in the human visual spectrum, but the visual spectrum of wildlife is not the same as human.
First, it is important to note how the eyes of wildlife animals perform. For example the eye of a deer, is made up of rods and cones much like a human eye. The difference between a human eye and a deer eye is the number of rods versus the number of cones. Deer have more rods and fewer cones than a human; therefore, deer have much better low light vision. Conversely, deer do not distinguish between colors as well as a human. Deer also have a pupil that opens wider than a human which allows more light in for improved night vision.
Another major difference is that deer lack the ultra-violet filtration that human eyes possess. Humans have a protective filter on their eyes that block up to 99% of ultra-violet rays. Because of the ultra-violet filter, humans are able to focus more sharply on fine details. Humans eyes can only see light in the “Visible Spectrum”, this consist of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and violet. Beyond violet light in the visible spectrum is what is known as ultraviolet light in the “Ultra-violet Spectrum”, which is light that is invisible to the human eye. The filtering of human eye however limits human's sensitivity to shortwave lengths, including those in the ultra-violet spectrum. Without the ultra-violet filter deer are limited by their ability to see fine details. However, deer see light within the ultra-violet spectrum. Humans can see the effects of ultra-violet light by using a black light to give an idea of how a deer might perceive certain surroundings. As in the deer, the eyes of many wildlife game animals such as bear, rabbit, squirrel and birds are sensitive in the ultra-violet wavelengths.
A major study by researchers and scientist at the University of Georgia concerned the visual spectrum of deer, “Visual Specialization of an Herbivore Prey Species, the White-tailed Deer” D′Angelo, et. al., Can. J. Zool. 86: 735-243 (2008), the entirety of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. The study concluded the following:
Deer lack the cone that is responsible for red color, which are the longer wave lengths. Therefore, it is safe to say that wearing such colors as Red and Orange do not affect a hunter's ability to remain hidden from a deer's vision. This does not mean that deer do not see these colors, the colors are just perceived differently. Within the human visual spectrum, a deer's vision is limited to short length blue and middle length green wave lengths. The deer's vision means that deer can distinguish blue from red, but not green from red or orange from red. According to this data, it is safe to say that blue colors are the worst to wear for camouflage and that green, red and orange are safe to wear from a camouflage stand point for deer and most wildlife game animals. The vision spectrum of deer and human eyes is depicted in
The study also found that deer are capable of seeing ultra-violet dyes and brighteners within fabrics. The study was unable to determine how bright these colors appear to the deer. The ultra-violet factor will only be of concern during low light hours. Unfortunately, this is when deer and other wildlife game animals are the most active.
In one embodiment, the odor/scent and ultra-violet elimination formulation includes:
A Polymer. Provides a protective layer of protection against odor-causing molecules. The polymer builds up a defined structure that creates an inhospitable environment for odor-causing microbes. Prevents new odors from forming and airborne odors from attaching to fabric. Keeps surfaces cleaner longer. Also has antiseptic/fungicide properties.
In alternative embodiments, the odor / scent and ultra-violet elimination spray may include the ultra-violet light absorption and blocking agents:
In other alternative embodiments, the odor/scent and ultra-violet elimination spray may include the quaternary ammonium compounds:
In other alternative embodiments, the odor/scent and ultra-violet elimination spray may include the polymers:
Other potential uses:
There are several causes of odor/scent on fabric:
Additionally, research of the current invention show the causes of ultra-violet light emitting from fabrics:
The formulation of the present invention is a liquid that is designed to be sprayed in the air, on clothing and other surfaces such as hunting blinds and vehicles, to eliminate odor and ultra-violet glow. Unlike other odor control products known in the art that only temporarily cover up odors with a masking scent, temporarily encapsulate odor, or partially absorb odor, the formulation of the present invention creates a chemical reaction that permanently eliminates odors and inhibits ultra-violet glow.
Odor from humans, pets, animals, organics, cleaning agents, etc. is caused by molecules containing chemical compounds, principally mercaptans, sulfides, nitrogen, ammonia and amines. As the formulation is sprayed either into the air or directly onto a surface containing these odors (VOC's), the formulation molecules bond to the gas molecules that cause the odor and modify them. As stated, once the reaction is complete, the odorous molecules have been altered in molecular size, weight, geometry and volatility, making them substantially scent and odor free.
The chemical reaction occurs regardless of which odor causing compounds are involved because perspiration, urine, vomit, feces, territorial spray and body contact odor all contain the same basic odor-causing molecules. Also, the chemical reaction occurs regardless of where the odor molecules reside because the reaction occurs at a molecular level and does not depend on the nature of the surface in question. So long as the formulation is able to touch and interact with the odor-causing molecules, the odor-causing molecules are eliminated. As used herein, the terms “odor” and “scent” are used interchangeably.
In testing of the scent and ultra-violet elimination formulation of the present invention, a new camouflage shirt was placed in a room accented with low natural light. Pictures of the garment were then taken under a black light.
As seen in
The scent elimination properties of the formulation of the present invention was tested in a series of controlled experiments. The formulation's effect on common odor-causing compounds was tested, including organic compounds that contain gases central to and consistently present in human and pet odor.
As part of the experiments, a test administrator sprayed a wide range of odor compounds with the formulation and immediately, within 15-30 seconds, took samples of the air above each substance for testing. This sample is referred to as a headspace sample. By comparing the odor profile of each sample sprayed with the formulation with the previously established odor levels emitted by each sample, the test administrator determined that spraying the formulation on the odoriferous substances immediately reduced odor levels to zero and the readings remained zero to slightly above zero over time.
In all tests, the formulation reduced the odor gases - mercaptans, sulfides and amines—to a level that could not be detected. The formulation eliminating these volatile organic compound odors as well as substantially reducing the ultra-violet glow wildlife see as presented above.
The formulation was: 1) tested in a manner that is similar to the way consumers will use the product; 2) was tested on substrates on which human odor and ultra-violet is commonly found in the outdoor industry; and 3) eliminates odors and ultra-violet glow under much more extreme conditions than the average consumer would encounter.
The odor tests were conducted in more extreme conditions than the consumer will encounter. In the laboratory tests, headspace samples were extracted at a distance of two inches from the odor-causing material. This is not a condition which consumers will encounter unless they inhale air at a similar distance from the odor causing source. Typically, a consumer will only be exposed to such odors after they dispersed into a room or vehicle.
In comparative testing, no other odor reducing products known in the art were able to reduce the odor levels of all gases to zero, either immediately or permanently. Particularly, it was noted that the encapsulation method reduced levels for methyl mercaptan.
Another test was conducted determined the ability of each product to eliminate the ammonia component of urine odor over a 10 day period. The odor eliminating formulation of the present invention was able to eliminate the ammonia component. The formulation of the present invention, when applied to extremely volatile samples of the most common source of human or pet odors, animal scents, etc. reduces odor to zero and does so permanently.
The present invention was tested by consumers spontaneously reacting to the application of the formulation to various odor bearing materials. In the study, 103 individuals were asked to smell material scented with lavender oil. Participants were then instructed to quantify the level of odor on a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 representing the most odoriferous the participant could imagine. The vast majority of participants scored the original odor level of their materials at 10. Some participants rated the materials at an 8 or 9 and none rated them below 7. Participants were then instructed to spray the materials with the odor elimination formulation. After a short time, a period of only a few seconds, the participants were asked to re-evaluate the odor emanating from the material sample. Without exception, participants rated the remaining odor as “0”.
The odor elimination formulation of the present invention reduces and eliminates the odor perceived by humans in testing. The odor and scents perceived by wildlife game animals will be similarly reduced and eliminated.
All of the compositions and process disclosed and claimed herein can be made and executed without undue experimentation in light of the present disclosure. While the compositions and process of this invention have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations may be applied to the compositions and process described herein without departing from the concept, spirit, and scope of the invention. More specifically, it will be apparent that certain chemical compounds which are both chemically related, and similar physical characteristics, may be substituted for the chemical compounds described herein while the same or similar results would be achieved. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope, and concept of the invention.
While there has been shown a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that certain changes may be made in the forms and arrangement of the elements of the formulation for scent and ultra-violet elimination without departing from the underlying spirit and scope of the invention.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/733,684, filed on Dec. 5, 2012.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61733684 | Dec 2012 | US |
